<?xml version="1.0"?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd"><channel><title>Cinematical</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com</link><description>Cinematical</description><image><url>http://www.cinematical.com/media/feedlogo.gif</url><title>Cinematical</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com</link></image><language>en-us</language><copyright>Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.</copyright><generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title>First (Official) Look at 'The Karate Kid' Remake - Updated with More Photos</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/30/the-karate-kid-jaden-smith-jackie-chan/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/30/the-karate-kid-jaden-smith-jackie-chan/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/30/the-karate-kid-jaden-smith-jackie-chan/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/action-and-adventure/" rel="tag">Action</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/sony/" rel="tag">Sony</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/newsstand/" rel="tag">Newsstand</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/movie-marketing/" rel="tag">Movie Marketing</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/remakes-and-sequels/" rel="tag">Remakes and Sequels</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/images/" rel="tag">Images</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/jackie-chan-320.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<strong>Update</strong>: Check out three more images in the gallery below.<br />
<br />
The initial trauma over Columbia's remake of <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-karate-kid/35823/main"><em>The Karate Kid</em></a> seems to have passed for the children of the 1980s, enough that the first official image (not counting <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/09/19/the-a-team-van-karate-kid-remake-images/">the teaser poster</a> Erik Davis posted in September) shouldn't be salt in the wound. Instead, you might be thinking "Hey, for the first image of <em>The Karate Kid</em>, shouldn't there be, you know ... karate?" Yes, yes there should. But instead <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20323215,00.html?xid=rss-fullcontent"><em>People Magazine</em></a> gave us a tender look between the new kid, Jaden Smith, and his mentor, Jackie Chan. 1980s children will be relieved to know that his name isn't Mr. Miyagi, but Mr. Han, and he's a maintenance man who befriends the troubled and unhappy boy who's been relocated to China. He also can kick major ass.<br />
<br />
Smith and Chan give a few excited quotes for <em>Kid</em>. Smith reveals he trained for four months with the film's fight coordinator, Master Wu, which was probably interesting enough to warrant its own training montage. As he became wise in the way of karate, he learned discipline that extended all the way to his personal habits. "His dad told me that Jaden had changed," says Chan. "When he takes his shoes off, he doesn't throw them in the corner, but puts them away neatly!" <br />
<br />
Admittedly, there could be some lovely Chinese eye candy in this. One sequence will take place on the Great Wall of China, so we're in for at least one (hopefully) breathtaking sequence that could actually rival any crane kick Ralph Macchio performed. <em>The Karate Kid</em> hits theaters on June 11, 2010.<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/photos/the-karate-kid/">The Karate Kid</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/photos/the-karate-kid/2491369/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/kk3_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/photos/the-karate-kid/2491370/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/kk1_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/photos/the-karate-kid/2491371/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/kk2_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/30/the-karate-kid-jaden-smith-jackie-chan/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19258678/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/30/the-karate-kid-jaden-smith-jackie-chan/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Columbia Pictures</category><category>ColumbiaPictures</category><category>Jackie Chan</category><category>JackieChan</category><category>Jaden Smith</category><category>JadenSmith</category><category>Master Wu</category><category>MasterWu</category><category>ralph macchio</category><category>RalphMacchio</category><category>the karate kid</category><category>The Karate Kid remake</category><category>TheKarateKid</category><category>TheKarateKidRemake</category><dc:creator>Elisabeth Rappe</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:33:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>First Glimpses of 'The Voyage of The Dawn Treader'</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/30/first-glimpses-of-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/30/first-glimpses-of-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/30/first-glimpses-of-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/sci-fi-and-fantasy/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi &amp; Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/fandom/" rel="tag">Fandom</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/20th-century-fox/" rel="tag">20th Century Fox</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/diy-filmmaking/" rel="tag">DIY/Filmmaking</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/newsstand/" rel="tag">Newsstand</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/movie-marketing/" rel="tag">Movie Marketing</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/remakes-and-sequels/" rel="tag">Remakes and Sequels</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/images/" rel="tag">Images</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/dawntreader433.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Over the holiday weekend, we received our first official glimpse of <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-voyage-of/30385/main?icid=movsmartsearch"><em>The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</em>.</a> This is a film that hasn't really attracted a lot of fervent interest or rumor-mongering, something that seems to have marked the ill-fated series as a whole. <br />
<br />
But <em>Dawn Treader</em> is coming, with <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/michael-apted/1372062/main">Michael Apted</a> at the helm and 20th Century Fox directing its trade wind. I know I've stated it a million times before, but this is one Narnia installment that I'm desperate to see. It was my favorite of the books, and the film might actually work on a level that Wardrobe and Caspian haven't. There was more to be mined from those first two books than the films managed, but <em>Dawn Treader</em> is rather glossy and adventurous, a series of "What's that -- oh <em>no</em>!" moments that should make for a pretty entertaining movie. Sure, there's the heavy handed morality tale of selfish cousin Eustace, but that's a pretty simple thing to translate since it's a lesson as old as Grimm's -- bad kids are punished, regardless of religious inclination!<br />
<br />
Narnia has chosen to launch its first images in a very unlikely place: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=6946345897">Facebook</a>. A production blog has started up there, and the first images were tacked onto the end of it. It should be fun to follow along with as we inch closer to its release date of December 2010. Meanwhile, the photos are in the gallery, and they certainly are pretty to look at. <br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/photos/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader/">The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/photos/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader/2488922/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/16731_219559430897_6946345897_4182230_2581016_n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/photos/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader/2488923/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/16731_219559650897_6946345897_4182245_5364604_n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/photos/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader/2488924/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/16731_219559855897_6946345897_4182246_3845341_n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div></div><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/30/first-glimpses-of-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19257673/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/30/first-glimpses-of-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>c.s. lewis</category><category>C.s.Lewis</category><category>Fox</category><category>Michael Apted</category><category>MichaelApted</category><category>The Chronicles of Narnia</category><category>the chronicles of narnia: the voyage of the dawn treader</category><category>TheChroniclesOfNarnia</category><category>TheChroniclesOfNarnia:TheVoyageOfTheDawnTreader</category><category>walden media</category><category>WaldenMedia</category><dc:creator>Elisabeth Rappe</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>'Shrek Forever After' to Be Last 'Shrek' Film ... for Now</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/26/shrek-forever-after-to-be-last-shrek-film-for-now/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/26/shrek-forever-after-to-be-last-shrek-film-for-now/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/26/shrek-forever-after-to-be-last-shrek-film-for-now/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/Animation/" rel="tag">Animation</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/new-releases/" rel="tag">New Releases</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/remakes-and-sequels/" rel="tag">Remakes and Sequels</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/images/" rel="tag">Images</a></p><img hspace="4" border="0" align="middle" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/shrek4.jpg" alt="" /><br />
<br />
I have a personal kink when it comes to a good old fashioned fairy tale subversion. I can't explain it, but there's just something about messing with those classic tales that never fails to amuse me -- so you can see why I have a soft spot for the <em>Shrek</em> franchise. <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2007/03/13/shrek-4-will-be-3-d/">News</a> of a fourth film first hit back in 2007 and now <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-11-24-shrek-forever-after_N.htm?csp=34&amp;utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomMovies-TopStories+%28Life+-+Movies+-+Top+Stories%29&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader">USA Today</a> gives us our first look at the fairy tale comedy, as well as (good?) news that the fourth installment of the franchise, <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/shrek-forever-after/30186/main"><em>Shrek Forever After</em></a>, will be the last (and as much as I liked the first two films, I'll admit that by the time we had reached <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/shrek-the-third/21802/main"><em>Shrek the Third</em></a>, the charm was wearing a little thin). <br />
<br />
Bill Damaschke, head of creative production at DreamWorks and Mike Mitchell (<em>Sky High</em>) gave some hints as to what we should expect from <em>Shrek Forever After</em>, and according to Mitchell, this time Shrek is feeling out of touch with his inner ogre, so he strikes up a deal with Rumplestiltskin (voiced by <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/walt-dohrn/2217944/main">Walt Dohrn</a>) to change his life. But things don't work out as planned and Shrek finds out that life in Far Far Away has changed for the worse in his absence. Franchise favorites Puss in Boots (voiced by <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/antonio-banderas/1308458/main">Antonio Banderas</a>) and Donkey (<a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/eddie-murphy/1000174/main">Eddie Murphy</a>) will return and some of the new additions to the cast are <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/kathy-griffin/1797788/main">Kathy Griffin</a> and <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/kristen-schaal/2059142/main">Kristin Schaal</a> (<em>Flight of the Conchords</em>) as witches and part time Ogre hunters, and <em>Mad Men</em>'s <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/jon-hamm/2038864/main">Jon Hamm</a> as the leader of the ogre underground.<p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/26/shrek-forever-after-to-be-last-shrek-film-for-now/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>'Shrek Forever After' to Be Last 'Shrek' Film ... for Now</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-11-24-shrek-forever-after_N.htm>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/26/shrek-forever-after-to-be-last-shrek-film-for-now/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19254223/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/26/shrek-forever-after-to-be-last-shrek-film-for-now/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>3D</category><category>Antonio Banderas</category><category>AntonioBanderas</category><category>Eddie Murphy</category><category>EddieMurphy</category><category>jon hamm</category><category>JonHamm</category><category>kristen schaal</category><category>KristenSchaal</category><category>mike myers</category><category>MikeMyers</category><category>Puss in Boots</category><category>PussInBoots</category><category>shrek</category><category>Shrek Forever After</category><category>ShrekForeverAfter</category><dc:creator>Jessica Barnes</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Box Office: Foxy Ninjas and Fantastic Dogs</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/box-office-foxy-ninjas-and-fantastic-dogs/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/box-office-foxy-ninjas-and-fantastic-dogs/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/box-office-foxy-ninjas-and-fantastic-dogs/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/action-and-adventure/" rel="tag">Action</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/Animation/" rel="tag">Animation</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/comedy/" rel="tag">Comedy</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/box-office-predictions-1/" rel="tag">Box Office Predictions</a></p>As I'm sure everyone has heard by now, the newest <em>Twilight</em> film made CRAZY money over the weekend. <em>The Blind Side</em> made a pretty respectable showing as well, though still taking a distant second. Here's the top five:<br />
<br />
<strong>1. </strong><a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-twilight-saga-new-moon/36045/main"><strong><em>The Twilight Saga: New Moon:</em></strong></a><strong> $142.8 million<br />
2. </strong><a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-blind-side/37685/main"><strong><em>The Blind Side:</em></strong></a><strong> $34.1 million<br />
3. </strong><a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/2012/30165/main"><strong><em>2012: </em></strong></a><strong>$26.4 million <br />
4. </strong><a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/planet-51/32791/main"><strong><em>Planet 51:</em></strong></a><strong> $12.29 million <br />
5. </strong><a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/disneys-a-christmas-carol/30597/main"><strong><em>A Christmas Carol: </em></strong></a><strong>$12.28 million</strong><br />
<br />
This weeks new releases offer one part action to one part comedy, plus we have a kids film going into wider release. <br />
<strong><br />
</strong><a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/ninja-assassin/34201/main"><strong><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/ninja_assassin_boxoffice.jpg" alt="" /></strong></a><strong><a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/ninja-assassin/34201/main"><em>Ninja Assassin</em></a><br />
What's It All About:</strong> A skilled assassin swears vengeance on the secret order that trained him after they murder his friend. <br />
<strong>Why It Might Do Well:</strong> This is produced by the Wachowskis, the team behind the <em>Matrix</em> films, so I imagine the martial arts action will be something to behold. <br />
<strong>Why It Might Not Do Well: </strong>A lack of star power may be a problem. <br />
<strong>Number of Theaters:</strong> 2,500<br />
<strong>Prediction: </strong>$10 million<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/old-dogs/29951/main"><strong><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/old_dogs_boxoffice.jpg" alt="" /></strong><em><strong>Old Dogs</strong></em></a><br />
<strong>What's It All About: </strong>Robin Williams plays a middle aged man who suddenly finds out that he has six-year-old twins with a woman he hasn't seen in years, and his bachelor buddy John Travolta helps him adjust to life as a father.<strong><br />
Why It Might Do Well:</strong> I really love that bit in the commercial where a terrified Seth Green sings "All Out of Love" to a gorilla. <strong><br />
Why It Might Not Do Well: </strong>I suspect that gorilla gag may be all the film has to offer, as the film is only getting 10% over at <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10009596-old_dogs/">Rottentomatoes.com</a>.<br />
<strong>Number of Theaters:</strong> 3,300<br />
<strong>Prediction: </strong>$32 million<p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/box-office-foxy-ninjas-and-fantastic-dogs/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Box Office: Foxy Ninjas and Fantastic Dogs</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/box-office-foxy-ninjas-and-fantastic-dogs/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19252023/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/box-office-foxy-ninjas-and-fantastic-dogs/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Cinema</category><category>Cinematical</category><category>Movies</category><category>Ninja Assassin</category><category>NinjaAssassin</category><category>Old Dogs</category><category>OldDogs</category><category>The Fantastic Mr. Fox</category><category>TheFantasticMr.Fox</category><dc:creator>Matt Bradshaw</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:32:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Stars in Rewind: Jason Reitman's First Kiss</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/jason-reitmans-first-kiss/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/jason-reitmans-first-kiss/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/jason-reitmans-first-kiss/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/classics/" rel="tag">Classics</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/stars-in-rewind/" rel="tag">Stars in Rewind</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/jasonreitmanfirstkiss.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Blogger Kristopher Tapley, of the movie awards site <em>In Contention</em>, <a href="http://incontention.com/?p=18127">shares a humorous video</a> spotlighting one of this year's Oscar hopefuls, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jason Reitman</span>. The young filmmaker, who already received an Academy Award nomination for directing <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/juno/24692/main"><em>Juno</em></a>, is a front-runner this year for helming <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/up-in-the-air/34956/main"><em>Up in the Air</em></a>, which opens in limited release next week and opens nationwide on Christmas. <br />
<br />
Before he was a success behind the camera, though, he was simply the son of Hollywood director Ivan Reitman. And like many filmmakers' kids, he was employed in minor roles in his father's films, including <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/ghostbusters-2/20676/main"><em>Ghostbusters II</em></a>, <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/twins/1036949/main"><em>Twins</em></a> and <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/dave/8060/main"><em>Dave</em></a>. The funniest of his cameos is in this make-out scene from <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/kindergarten-cop/3970/main"><em>Kindergarten Cop</em></a>, mainly because it's his most embarrassing.<p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/jason-reitmans-first-kiss/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Stars in Rewind: Jason Reitman's First Kiss</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/jason-reitmans-first-kiss/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19254453/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/jason-reitmans-first-kiss/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>arnold schwarzenegger</category><category>ArnoldSchwarzenegger</category><category>ivan reitman</category><category>IvanReitman</category><category>jason reitman</category><category>JasonReitman</category><category>kindergarten cop</category><category>KindergartenCop</category><category>up in the air</category><category>UpInTheAir</category><dc:creator>Christopher Campbell</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:45:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Review: Old Dogs</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/old-dogs-review/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/old-dogs-review/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/old-dogs-review/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/comedy/" rel="tag">Comedy</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/new-releases/" rel="tag">New Releases</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/theatrical-reviews/" rel="tag">Theatrical Reviews</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/old-dogs.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I will say this for <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/old-dogs/29951/main"><em><strong>Old Dogs</strong></em></a>: It is exactly as funny as you'd expect a movie to be that stars <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/john-travolta/1021026/main">John Travolta</a> and <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/robin-williams/1000210/main">Robin Williams</a> as two bachelors who must suddenly take care of precocious 7-year-old twins, and that was directed by the man who made <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/wild-hogs/25518/main"><em>Wild Hogs</em></a>. Which is to say, it is not the least bit funny, not once, not even for a minute. Imagine a season's worth of plot devices from TV's most generic sitcom crammed into 88 excruciating minutes. <br />
<br />
Here are the thoughts of Williams' character in this frantic, contrived mess: I had a one-night stand seven years ago, and it turns out I'm the father of twins! And now I have to babysit them for two weeks! But I'm working on the Big Account at my job, and I don't have time! Oh no, they don't allow children in my condos -- apparently not even temporarily, to visit -- so we have to stay with my best friend at his un-child-proofed apartment! Oh no, if I screw up this golf game with the client, it'll blow everything -- and I accidentally took my friend's medication this morning that gives me hallucinations! Oh no, my friend and I are going to breakfast with the kids, and everyone thinks we're their grandparents! And now the staff is singing a "welcome to the grandparents' club" song, which surely does not exist in real life anywhere! How embarrassing! And now we're on a camping trip with the kids, and the scout leader thinks my friend and I are gay, except we're too stupid to realize he thinks that, because somehow it's "funnier" if we don't know! Doh! We're on a collision course with wackiness!!<br /><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/old-dogs-review/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Review: Old Dogs</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/old-dogs-review/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19253520/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/25/old-dogs-review/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>john travolta</category><category>JohnTravolta</category><category>old dogs</category><category>OldDogs</category><category>robin williams</category><category>RobinWilliams</category><category>terrible comedies</category><category>TerribleComedies</category><category>things that are almost as bad as all about steve</category><category>ThingsThatAreAlmostAsBadAsAllAboutSteve</category><dc:creator>Eric D. Snider</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:03:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>'Up' and 'Marley &amp; Me' Among Dog Movie Winners</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/up-and-marley-and-me-among-dog-movie-winners/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/up-and-marley-and-me-among-dog-movie-winners/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/up-and-marley-and-me-among-dog-movie-winners/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/Animation/" rel="tag">Animation</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/comedy/" rel="tag">Comedy</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/awards/" rel="tag">Awards</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a></p><img width="150" vspace="4" hspace="4" height="218" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/updogposter.jpg" />Maybe it's because I saw De Sica's classic <em><a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/umberto-d/5880/main?icid=movsmartsearch">Umberto D.</a> </em>again over the weekend, or maybe it's because I'm excited for tomorrow's release of the 25th Anniversary Edition of <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/cujo/17149/main"><em>Cujo</em></a> on DVD and Blu-ray, but I've got movie dogs on the brain. Last night I even randomly spent some time watching YouTube clips of my all-time favorite movie dog, Asta, from the<em> <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-thin-man/1299/main">Thin Man</a></em> franchise (played by Skippy, who also appears in <em><a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/bringing-up-baby/8019/main?icid=movsmartsearch">Bringing Up Baby</a> </em>and <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-awful-truth/1002060/main?icid=movsmartsearch"><em>The Awful Truth</em></a>). <br />
<br />
So it was coincidentally fun this morning learning that <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2009/nov/23/fido-awards-dogs-cinema">the Fido Awards happened over the weekend</a>. The ceremony, nicknamed the "canine Oscars," occurred in London Saturday, when trophies were handed out in five separate categories. To my surprise, the Fidos don't exclude animated dogs, as the talking dog, Dug, from Pixar's <em><a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/up/30386/main">Up</a> </em>won the Blockbuster Bowser award, beating out pups from <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/gran-torino/33336/main?icid=movsmartsearch"><em>Gran Torino</em></a>, <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/inglourious-basterds/36184/main?icid=movsmartsearch"><em>Inglourious Basterds</em></a> and another animation, <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/coraline/26304/main?icid=movsmartsearch"><em>Coraline</em></a>, in the category.<p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/up-and-marley-and-me-among-dog-movie-winners/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>'Up' and 'Marley &amp; Me' Among Dog Movie Winners</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/up-and-marley-and-me-among-dog-movie-winners/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19250771/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/up-and-marley-and-me-among-dog-movie-winners/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>animal movies</category><category>AnimalMovies</category><category>cujo</category><category>dog movies</category><category>DogMovies</category><category>dogs</category><category>fantastic mr. fox</category><category>FantasticMr.Fox</category><category>fido awards</category><category>FidoAwards</category><category>inglourious basterds</category><category>InglouriousBasterds</category><category>let the right one in</category><category>LetTheRightOneIn</category><category>marley me</category><category>MarleyMe</category><category>pixars up</category><category>PixarsUp</category><category>taking woodstock</category><category>TakingWoodstock</category><category>the thin man</category><category>the young victoria</category><category>TheThinMan</category><category>TheYoungVictoria</category><category>umberto d</category><category>UmbertoD</category><category>wendy and lucy</category><category>WendyAndLucy</category><dc:creator>Christopher Campbell</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:32:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>What Happened Once Carl's House Took Off In 'Up'?</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/what-happened-once-carls-house-took-off-in-up/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/what-happened-once-carls-house-took-off-in-up/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/what-happened-once-carls-house-took-off-in-up/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/Animation/" rel="tag">Animation</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/comedy/" rel="tag">Comedy</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/disney/" rel="tag">Disney</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/shorts/" rel="tag">Shorts</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/newsstand/" rel="tag">Newsstand</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/movie-marketing/" rel="tag">Movie Marketing</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/trailers-and-clips/" rel="tag">Trailers and Clips</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/georgeal.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
In all of your viewings of <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/search/UP"><em>Up</em></a>, did you ever wonder what happened to the Shady Oaks employees who helplessly watched as Carl floated up, up, and away? Well, wonder no more. Pixar wrote and animated a little short called <em>George and AJ</em> that answers all your questions, and then some. Watch carefully when Carl's house soars over their heads -- you'll see an angle that reveals just where one particular character was hanging on for dear life. <br />
<br />
What's really cute about this short is that it isn't just about George and AJ, but what the entire <em>city</em> thought of Carl's flying house. <em>Up</em> never stopped and went back to North America to see if anyone noticed his unusual method of flight (and very wisely, too), but this spin-off deals with some of the ramifications. It's funny and moving, and makes for a bittersweet commentary on just how we deal with the elderly members of our society. <br />
<br />
Now, if we can just get a spin-off that tells what Russell's mother thought about her son's prolonged absence. Somehow, I don't think any cell phone he may have had on him could get good reception at Paradise Falls ....<br />
<br />
The short is embedded below the jump, and it's just the thing to watch on a dreary Monday. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/what-happened-once-carls-house-took-off-in-up/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>What Happened Once Carl's House Took Off In 'Up'?</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/what-happened-once-carls-house-took-off-in-up/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19250400/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/what-happened-once-carls-house-took-off-in-up/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Carl</category><category>Disney</category><category>disney pixar</category><category>DisneyPixar</category><category>George and AJ</category><category>GeorgeAndAj</category><category>Pixar</category><category>Pixars UP</category><category>PixarsUp</category><category>Shady Oaks</category><category>ShadyOaks</category><category>UP</category><dc:creator>Elisabeth Rappe</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:32:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Review: The Blind Side</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/20/review-the-blind-side/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/20/review-the-blind-side/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/20/review-the-blind-side/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Sports</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/new-releases/" rel="tag">New Releases</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/warner-brothers/" rel="tag">Warner Brothers</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/theatrical-reviews/" rel="tag">Theatrical Reviews</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img width="450" vspace="4" hspace="4" height="300" border="1" align="middle" alt="The Blind Side" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/lg_theblindside_nov09.jpg" /></div>
<br />
The trailers for <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-blind-side/37685/main"><em>The Blind Sid</em>e</a> triggered my "oh geez, another sports-related Triumph of the Human Spirit" cynicism, and I might not have seen the film at all if I hadn't been assigned to review it. That would have been my loss, and I experienced the lovely surprise of having a movie turn out far more enjoyable than I expected. <em>The Blind Side</em> has no twists or gimmicks other than being a very good example of a sports-related family film, with quality performances and writing.<br />
<br />
The movie's title is a football reference, which the voiceover of Leigh Anne Touhy (<a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/sandra-bullock/1780814/main">Sandra Bullock</a>) explains at the beginning. Michael Oher (<a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/quinton-aaron/945662/main">Quenton Aaron</a>) is sweating out a tough but unspecified situation in an office, when we flash back a few years and meet him as Big Mike. An African-American staff member at a mostly white Christian private school is trying to get his athletic son into the school, and the school's coach also spots some athletic potential in Big Mike, granting him a scholarship. Big Mike has terrible trouble keeping up in school, and when his friend's family stops helping him out, he is virtually homeless -- sleeping in the school gym, eating popcorn left there after events, wearing the same thin clothes daily.<p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/20/review-the-blind-side/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Review: The Blind Side</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/20/review-the-blind-side/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19245599/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/20/review-the-blind-side/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Cinematical</category><category>film</category><category>John lee hancock</category><category>JohnLeeHancock</category><category>kathy bates</category><category>KathyBates</category><category>movie</category><category>quenton aaron</category><category>QuentonAaron</category><category>sandra bullock</category><category>SandraBullock</category><category>the blind side</category><category>TheBlindSide</category><category>tim mcgraw</category><category>TimMcgraw</category><dc:creator>Jette Kernion</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:03:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>'Rin Tin Tin' Goes From Iconic WWI Dog to Lawsuit</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/rin-tin-tin-goes-from-iconic-wwi-dog-to-lawsuit/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/rin-tin-tin-goes-from-iconic-wwi-dog-to-lawsuit/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/rin-tin-tin-goes-from-iconic-wwi-dog-to-lawsuit/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/home-entertainment/" rel="tag">Home Entertainment</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/rintintin.jpg" />I was unaware that one could trademark a dog, but apparently you can, though it may not hold up in court. <a href="http://www.rintintin.com/HomePage.html">Rin Tin Tin Inc.</a>, a German Shepherd breeding company named after the dog an American soldier during World War I in France, filed a lawsuit last year against Nu Image and First Look Studios alleging that the use of their breed's name in the kid film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0493443/"><strong><em>Finding Rin Tin Tin: the Adventure Continues</em></strong></a> was, well, a trademark infringement. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately for them, a judge has <a href="http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118011581.html?categoryid=13&amp;cs=1">finally ruled</a> on the matter, coming to the rather obvious conclusion that "This descriptive use of the name is fair because it tells the consumer what the film is about -- the story of the historical dog Rin Tin Tin -- and because it is actually about the historical dog Rin Tin Tin." What I find funny about all of this is not only the fact that an entity who takes their name from a widely-known, long-dead dog actor would sue a film for doing the exact same thing, but that their suit called for retainership of all profits from the film and complete destruction of every DVD of it in existence.<br />
<br />
Really? It's not as though Rin Tin Tin Inc. invented German Shepherds or discovered the original dog that would go on to be a film, TV, and radio star (yes, a dog used to have several radio shows). All they thought to do was capitalize on its popularity by making a brand out of the dog's genealogy, which at this point must be severely diluted. I hate to see our legal system put to such frivolous use, but I'm glad to see a judge saw fit to dismiss the suit: I'd hate to live in a world without a single DVD of <em>Finding Rin Tin Tin</em>!<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/rin-tin-tin-goes-from-iconic-wwi-dog-to-lawsuit/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19246718/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/rin-tin-tin-goes-from-iconic-wwi-dog-to-lawsuit/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Finding Rin Tin Tin</category><category>FindingRinTinTin</category><category>Rin Tin Tin</category><category>Rin Tin Tin Lawsuit</category><category>RinTinTin</category><category>RinTinTinLawsuit</category><dc:creator>Peter Hall</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:02:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Sean Connery Ditches Retirement to Play ... a Skateboarding Veterinarian?</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/sean-connery-ditches-retirement-to-play-a-skateboarding-vete/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/sean-connery-ditches-retirement-to-play-a-skateboarding-vete/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/sean-connery-ditches-retirement-to-play-a-skateboarding-vete/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/Animation/" rel="tag">Animation</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/independent/" rel="tag">Independent</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/casting/" rel="tag">Casting</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/diy-filmmaking/" rel="tag">DIY/Filmmaking</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/newsstand/" rel="tag">Newsstand</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/sean-connery.jpg" />Good actors never really retire, they just find new and easier ways to work. <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/sean-connery/1325039/main">Sean Connery</a> loudly proclaimed his intention to retire from the silver screen, but he's decided to make a bit of a return. According to <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i45e1bcc0b65a294f0bc6%2039d9d1b979cb"><em>The Hollywood Reporter</em></a>, Connery will lend his voice to the CGI animated movie <em>Sir Billi,</em> an independent film created by husband-and-wife team Sascha and Tessa Hartmann. Connery is an executive producer on the project, and has been heavily involved with its production. <br />
<br />
The movie will have Connery playing "a retired, skateboarding veterinarian" who rescues an illegal fugitive who just happens to be a beaver. (I now wish this could cross over into <em>The Beaver</em>.) The Hartmanns have been working on the project for five years, and it's now set for a 2010 release. <br />
The final touch is apparently a <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/shirley-bassey/1002566/main?icid=movsmartsearch">Shirley Bassey</a> tune, and <em>THR</em> reports that she's signed up to record a song titled <em>The Guardian of the Highlands</em> for the film. Let me repeat that: Bassey singing a song called <em>The Guardian of the Highlands.</em> It's now my favorite song of all time, and I haven't even heard it.<br />
<br />
So, if you've been lying awake wondering what Connery has been up to, now you know. He's been overseeing a charming Scottish cartoon, and lending his slurry brogue to a skateboarding veterinarian. But I don't this heralds a return to acting -- remember, Connery was able to literally <em>phone in </em>this performance and head back to the golf course, enjoying the fruits of retirement.<br /><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/sean-connery-ditches-retirement-to-play-a-skateboarding-vete/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19245513/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/sean-connery-ditches-retirement-to-play-a-skateboarding-vete/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Sascha Hartmann</category><category>SaschaHartmann</category><category>sean connery</category><category>SeanConnery</category><category>shirley bassey</category><category>ShirleyBassey</category><category>Sir Billi</category><category>SirBilli</category><category>Tessa Hartmann</category><category>TessaHartmann</category><dc:creator>Elisabeth Rappe</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:48:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/fantastic-mr-fox-review/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/fantastic-mr-fox-review/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/fantastic-mr-fox-review/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/Animation/" rel="tag">Animation</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/comedy/" rel="tag">Comedy</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/theatrical-reviews/" rel="tag">Theatrical Reviews</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/20th-century-fox/" rel="tag">20th Century Fox</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/fox4.jpg" /></div>
<br />
<em>By Todd Gilchrist (reprint from 11/3/09 -- AFI Film Festival)</em><br />
<br />
It's not hard to like any movie that uses the Beach Boys' music, but <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/wes-anderson/1037869/main">Wes Anderson</a> makes it especially easy. As Hollywood's foremost purveyor of hipster drama, his pedigree as a reliable selector of appropriately wistful, poignant and all-around unforgettable songs is virtually unrivaled, but<em> <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/fantastic-mr-fox/28110/main">Fantastic Mr. Fox</a></em> exceeds even the work of his earlier films, using "Heroes and Villains," and later, "I Get Around" as populist punctuation that manages to be both specifically relevant and substantively rousing. <br />
<br />
As an animated opus, the film is by necessity his most controlled to date, a painstakingly-designed dollhouse where he no longer controls just the music, sets, and costumes, but the performers themselves. Ironically, however, it feels like his loosest as well - a gloriously unwieldy comedy of manners submerged in the minutiae of Anderson's madcap creativity. All of which makes <em>Fantastic Mr. Fox</em> a celebration both of its stop-motion medium and Anderson's aesthetic, while still managing to fully document the spectacular fun in original author Roald Dahl's daffy, distinctive imagination.<p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/fantastic-mr-fox-review/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/fantastic-mr-fox-review/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19236479/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/fantastic-mr-fox-review/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>fantastic mr fox</category><category>FantasticMrFox</category><category>george clooney</category><category>GeorgeClooney</category><category>review</category><category>wes anderson</category><category>WesAnderson</category><dc:creator>Cinematical staff</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:02:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Robert Zemeckis to Adapt 'The Nutcracker' Next?</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/robert-zemeckis-the-nutcracker/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/robert-zemeckis-the-nutcracker/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/robert-zemeckis-the-nutcracker/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/Animation/" rel="tag">Animation</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/deals/" rel="tag">Deals</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/rumormonger/" rel="tag">RumorMonger</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/cine-carol-oldman.jpg" alt="" />Here's the thing about Bob Zemeckis and all his newfangled motion-capture outings. When put to more mythic use in <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/beowulf/23494/main"><em>Beowulf</em></a>, I was more drawn in by the adventure and less distracted by the characters. However, between <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-polar-express/17699/main"><em>The Polar Express</em></a> and <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/disneys-a-christmas-carol/30597/main"><em>A Christmas Carol</em></a>, I couldn't help but be re-struck time and time again but that unfortunate <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley">uncanny valley</a>, especially when the characters look so much like the real thing (see: Gary Oldman as Cratchit) that I'd just as soon watch them give live-action performances that would then go surrounded by countless effects (you know, the way they used to make movies).<br />
<br />
That disappointing truth, combined with last weekend's good-not-great opening for <em>Carol</em>, isn't getting Zemeckis down, though. According to <a href="http://www.pajiba.com/trade_news/robert-zemeckis-to-direct-the-nutcracker.php">Pajiba</a>, he's pursuing <em>The Nutcracker</em> as his next holiday adaptation to be 'enhanced' by mo-cap technology. (I think it's fairly safe to assume after <em>Carol</em> and <em>Express</em> that this will likely end up in 3-D as well.) The site says that he'll be working from E.T.A. Hoffman's original novel over the Tchaikovsky ballet, "a period piece, set in 19th century Russia, which will explore how the cursed Nutcracker character came to be and the battle between the dolls and the mice."<br />
<br />
Well, that shows how much I remember of the original tale (a war between dolls and mice?). Personally, I just want this one to go on the busy man's back burner if it means getting <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/roger-rabbit-sequel-will-contain-both-2d-and-mo-cap-animation/">that Roger Rabbit sequel</a> done sooner. At least the bunny doesn't creep me out with his lifeless eyes...<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/robert-zemeckis-the-nutcracker/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19233695/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/robert-zemeckis-the-nutcracker/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>a christmas carol</category><category>AChristmasCarol</category><category>beowulf</category><category>e.t.a. hoffman</category><category>E.t.a.Hoffman</category><category>motion-capture</category><category>robert zemeckis</category><category>RobertZemeckis</category><category>roger rabbit</category><category>roger rabbit sequel</category><category>RogerRabbit</category><category>RogerRabbitSequel</category><category>tchaikovsky</category><category>the nutcracker</category><category>the polar express</category><category>TheNutcracker</category><category>ThePolarExpress</category><dc:creator>William Goss</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:45:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>'Meatballs' on TV: Only $25!</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/meatballs-on-tv-only-25/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/meatballs-on-tv-only-25/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/meatballs-on-tv-only-25/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/Animation/" rel="tag">Animation</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/sony/" rel="tag">Sony</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/exhibition/" rel="tag">Exhibition</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/home-entertainment/" rel="tag">Home Entertainment</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/cloudy-meatballs-sm.jpg" alt="'Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs' (Sony)" />The war for your wallet may be shifting from DVD stores to your living room. Just yesterday, our own <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/walmart-target-and-amazon-slash-dvd-prices/">Jessica Barnes</a> described the price war between Walmart, Target and Amazon as the three retailers have temporarily slashed their profits and passed the savings on to you. Now comes word that Sony will pre-empt retailers by making their animated hit <em><strong><a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/cloudy-with-a-chance-of-meatballs/28898/main">Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs</a></strong></em> available exclusively to owners of selected Sony television sets and networked Blu-ray players more than a month before it's released on DVD. Sony, however, expects you to slash <em>your</em> savings and pass the profits on to them, charging $24.95 for a <em>rental</em>. <br />
<br />
That's a big chunk of change for a pay-per-view movie, dramatically higher than cable and satellite systems charge for pay-per-view flicks in their window of availability before DVD and Blu-ray release. Details from a business standpoint are provided in <em><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/business/media/10sony.html">The New York Times</a></em> -- the higher price is meant to avoid angering Walmart, the largest and thus most powerful DVD retailer in the country, and the move is part of Sony's strategy to leverage its ownership of both hardware (TVs, Blu-ray players) and software (movies, television) production. I'm sure Sony shareholders will be pleased.<br />
<br />
What about the consumer? In his <em><a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/home-theater/?p=1887">Home Theater</a></em> blog for ZDNET, Sean Portnoy wonders: "In this economy, is being able to rent this successful movie a few weeks ahead of the masses really worth an extra $20? In fact, if you're using Netflix or renting at $1 per night through Redbox, the pricing difference is even starker." Sony tried this last year with Will Smith and <em>Hancock</em>, but economic times are even more difficult now. Will you pay $25 for <em>Meatballs</em>?<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/business/media/10sony.html>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/meatballs-on-tv-only-25/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19230339/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/meatballs-on-tv-only-25/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>cloudy with a chance of meatballs</category><category>CloudyWithAChanceOfMeatballs</category><category>feature</category><category>pay per view</category><category>pay per view movies</category><category>PayPerView</category><category>PayPerViewMovies</category><category>sony bravia</category><category>SonyBravia</category><category>video on demand</category><category>VideoOnDemand</category><dc:creator>Peter Martin</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:45:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>'Yogi Bear' Will Cry Me A River With Its Cast</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/yogi-bear-will-cry-me-a-river-with-its-cast/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/yogi-bear-will-cry-me-a-river-with-its-cast/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/yogi-bear-will-cry-me-a-river-with-its-cast/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/Animation/" rel="tag">Animation</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/comedy/" rel="tag">Comedy</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/casting/" rel="tag">Casting</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/warner-brothers/" rel="tag">Warner Brothers</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/newsstand/" rel="tag">Newsstand</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/remakes-and-sequels/" rel="tag">Remakes and Sequels</a></p><img hspace="4" height="180" border="1" align="right" width="180" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/justin-timberlake-(2).jpg" />Yogi Bear and Boo Boo are bringing sexy back -- and that image should make you ripe for nightmares tonight. If you doubt me, look to <a href="http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118010941.html?categoryid=13&amp;cs=1"><em>Variety, </em></a>who reports that <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/dan-aykroyd/1039064/main?icid=movsmartsearch">Dan Aykroyd</a>, <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/anna-faris/2015517/main?icid=movsmartsearch">Anna Faris</a>, and <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/justin-timberlake/1341374/main?icid=movsmartsearch">Justin Timberlake </a>are set to go to Jellystone in <em>Yogi Bear</em>, which <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/eric-brevig/1916196/main?icid=movsmartsearch">Eric Brevig</a> is directing for Warner Bros. <br />
<br />
Aykroyd will be voicing Yogi, and he really is the most obvious choice to play the picnic basket thief. He's funny, he sounds gruff, and if it was live-action it would be a very terrifying thing to see. So thank goodness this is being done as a CG / live-action hybrid. <br />
<br />
Timberlake will be voicing Boo Boo. Yep. The man who wants to love your mother, put his d*ck in a box, and who will cry you a river will lend his vocal talents to playing Yogi's diminutive sidekick. In this update of the Hanna-Barbera cartoon, expect Boo Boo to be a lot more of a smart aleck. (I was going to say "sassy," but I think that would be a far different Boo Boo.) <br />
<br />
Though Faris has done voice work before, it sounds as though she might be one of the live action elements to this unholy hybrid. Variety says she's set to play a documentary filmmaker. Presumably she discovers the tourist robbing bears, and makes a film of them. Or she has to help them preserve Jellystone against evil developers. Either way, she'll have to talk to big rubbery CG bears, and it might be kind of weird. What would be even weirder is if one or both bears fell in love with her, so let's hope she falls into the arms of whoever plays Ranger Smith. Shooting is expected to start in New Zealand next month.<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/yogi-bear-will-cry-me-a-river-with-its-cast/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19225787/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/yogi-bear-will-cry-me-a-river-with-its-cast/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>anna faris</category><category>AnnaFaris</category><category>dan aykroyd</category><category>DanAykroyd</category><category>eric brevig</category><category>EricBrevig</category><category>featured</category><category>hanna barbera</category><category>HannaBarbera</category><category>Jellystone</category><category>Justin Timberlake</category><category>JustinTimberlake</category><category>yogi bear</category><category>YogiBear</category><dc:creator>Elisabeth Rappe</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:03:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Review: A Christmas Carol</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/a-christmas-carol-review/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/a-christmas-carol-review/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/a-christmas-carol-review/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/Animation/" rel="tag">Animation</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/new-releases/" rel="tag">New Releases</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/disney/" rel="tag">Disney</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/theatrical-reviews/" rel="tag">Theatrical Reviews</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/a_christmas_carol_jim_carrey_as_ebenezer_scrooge.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The fear many of us had when it was announced <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/jim-carrey/1141183/main">Jim Carrey</a> would play Ebenezer Scrooge and other parts in <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/robert-zemeckis/1137687/main">Robert Zemeckis</a>' adaptation of <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/disneys-a-christmas-carol/30597/main?icid=movsmartsearch"><strong><em>A Christmas Carol</em></strong></a> was that Carrey's clowning would turn the story into a goofy farce. This fear turns out to have been unfounded. If anything, the opposite is true: The film has no personality at all, not Carrey's or anyone else's. <br />
<br />
Charles Dickens' holiday classic has already been adapted for movies and TV dozens of times, but Zemeckis noticed something peculiar: Somehow, none of the previous incarnations had managed to be in 3-D! He sought to rectify this oversight with that newfangled motion-capture technology he's been so excited about the last several years, where actors' movements are translated into animation. <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-polar-express/17699/main"><em>The Polar Express</em></a> and <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/beowulf/23494/main"><em>Beowulf</em></a> demonstrated that for as neat-o as the technology is for action scenes, characters' faces -- especially their eyes -- look dead and soulless. Some improvement has been made in that respect, but most of the people in <em>A Christmas Carol</em> still look like creepy robots.<p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/a-christmas-carol-review/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Review: A Christmas Carol</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/a-christmas-carol-review/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19223982/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/a-christmas-carol-review/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>a christmas carol</category><category>AChristmasCarol</category><category>jim carrey</category><category>JimCarrey</category><category>robert zemeckis</category><category>RobertZemeckis</category><dc:creator>Eric D. Snider</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:45:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>A Peek at George Clooney Voicing 'Fantastic Mr. Fox'</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/a-peek-at-george-clooney-voicing-fantastic-mr-fox/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/a-peek-at-george-clooney-voicing-fantastic-mr-fox/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/a-peek-at-george-clooney-voicing-fantastic-mr-fox/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/action-and-adventure/" rel="tag">Action</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/Animation/" rel="tag">Animation</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/comedy/" rel="tag">Comedy</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/fox-searchlight/" rel="tag">Fox Searchlight</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/george-clooney/" rel="tag">George Clooney</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/trailers-and-clips/" rel="tag">Trailers and Clips</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/mrfox_web.jpg" /><a href="http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810028004/trailer">Yahoo!</a> has posted an incredibly cool video of <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/george-clooney/1290207/main">George Clooney </a>acting out his role as Mr. Fox in the freakin' adorable <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/fantastic-mr-fox/28110/main"><strong><em>Fantastic Mr. Fox.</em></strong></a> The video shows cool side-by-side comparisons of Clooney acting out different scenes on a farm with costar Wallace Wolodarsky, who voices loopy sidekick Kylie, as well as just running around pretending to be Mr. Fox, down to rolling around on the ground and doing his super cool whistle. <br />
<br />
This behind-the-scenes peek at <em>Mr. Fox</em> also offers mini-interviews with director Wes Anderson, producer Allison Abbate, and Bill Murray (Badger) about working with Clooney on the film. The funniest part shows an argument between Mr. Fox and Badger, which involves growling and swiping, split-screened against the actors themselves doing the voices in an office.<br />
<br />
As Abbate notes, "There couldn't be a more perfect Mr. Fox, because he has the Cary Grant suave, debonair sparkle where he can talk his way out of any situation, which is so our Mr. Fox character. He's just got a great voice."<br />
<br />
Clooney's got a rather full docket this season, with <em>The Men Who Stare at Goats </em> coming out this week, <em>Fantastic Mr. Fox</em> coming out at the end of November, and <em>Up in the Air</em> out on Christmas day. <br />
<br />
Click through to see the video itself, then let us know which Clooney feature you're going to be lining up for at the theaters this season, by cuss!<p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/a-peek-at-george-clooney-voicing-fantastic-mr-fox/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>A Peek at George Clooney Voicing 'Fantastic Mr. Fox'</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/a-peek-at-george-clooney-voicing-fantastic-mr-fox/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19224514/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/a-peek-at-george-clooney-voicing-fantastic-mr-fox/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>behind the scenes</category><category>BehindTheScenes</category><category>fantastic mr fox</category><category>fantastic mr. fox</category><category>FantasticMr.Fox</category><category>FantasticMrFox</category><category>george clooney</category><category>GeorgeClooney</category><category>teaser</category><category>the men who stare at goats</category><category>TheMenWhoStareAtGoats</category><category>trailer</category><category>up in the air</category><category>UpInTheAir</category><category>wes anderson</category><category>WesAnderson</category><dc:creator>Jenni Miller</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:46:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>What's the State of Fox Searchlight?</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/whats-the-state-of-fox-searchlight/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/whats-the-state-of-fox-searchlight/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/whats-the-state-of-fox-searchlight/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/Animation/" rel="tag">Animation</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/comedy/" rel="tag">Comedy</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/drama/" rel="tag">Drama</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/independent/" rel="tag">Independent</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/romance/" rel="tag">Romance</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/awards/" rel="tag">Awards</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/rumormonger/" rel="tag">RumorMonger</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/distribution/" rel="tag">Distribution</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/fox-searchlight/" rel="tag">Fox Searchlight</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/oscar-watch/" rel="tag">Oscar Watch</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/cine-mr-fox-dog-eyes.jpg" />In the 2007 awards season, Fox Searchlight had two strong films in the mix with <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/juno/24692/main"><em>Juno</em></a> and <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-savages/25523/main"><em>The Savages</em></a>, and then in 2008, they dominated with <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/slumdog-millionaire/31044/main"><em>Slumdog Millionaire</em></a> and <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-wrestler/34817/main"><em>The Wrestler</em></a>. As many other indie arms were folding (Paramount Vantage, Warner Independent, Picturehouse), Searchlight managed to keep things up on their end.<br />
<br />
2009, however, hasn't been so kind to them. January's <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/notorious/32029/main"><em>Notorious</em></a> didn't do bad actually, though March's <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/miss-march/35993/main"><em>Miss March</em></a> was indeed D.O.A. June's <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/my-life-in-ruins/34897/main"><em>My Life in Ruins</em></a> similarly underperformed, while July's <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/adam/36195/main"><em>Adam</em></a> failed to catch on as that same month's <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/500-days-of-summer/33968/main"><em>(500) Days of Summer</em></a> had. <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/post-grad/35749/main"><em>Post Grad</em></a> was dumped in the doldrums of August, while <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/whip-it/32591/main"><em>Whip It</em></a> failed to find a crowd in October.<br />
<br />
Cut to now: <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/amelia/33125/main"><em>Amelia</em></a> has been effectively neutered as a ready-made Oscar contender, while <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/gentlemen-broncos/33271/main"><em>Gentlemen Broncos</em></a> (from the director of <em>Napoleon Dynamite</em>, which did particularly well for the same studio) is <a href="http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Gentlemen-Broncos-National-Release-Cancelled-15529.html">being pulled</a> from wider release after this weekend after posting modest numbers on two screens and earning <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gentlemen_broncos/">savage reviews</a> for the most part.<br />
<br />
With Miramax also <a href="http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118010629.html?categoryid=1236&amp;cs=1">facing tough times</a>, it's a shame to see studios like these have an off-year, though there's time for a turn-around yet so far as Searchlight is concerned. <em>Summer</em>'s summer release means the timing could work out to earn a push for Original Screenplay as a happy-go-lucky alternate to many dour contenders. This month's similarly light <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/fantastic-mr-fox/28110/main"><em>Fantastic Mr. Fox</em></a> is an Animated Feature candidate at the very least, and -- according to <a href="http://riskybusiness.blogs.thr.com/2009/11/crazy-heart-jeff-bridges.html">THR</a> -- the Jeff Bridges drama <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1263670/"><em>Crazy Heart</em></a> is getting a last-minute test run of sorts at the moment to see if it can merit a move to be positioned for this year's race instead of next year's.<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/whats-the-state-of-fox-searchlight/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19223429/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/whats-the-state-of-fox-searchlight/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>500 days of summer</category><category>500DaysOfSummer</category><category>amelia</category><category>amelia earhart</category><category>AmeliaEarhart</category><category>crazy heart</category><category>CrazyHeart</category><category>fantastic mr. fox</category><category>FantasticMr.Fox</category><category>fox searchlight</category><category>FoxSearchlight</category><category>gentlemen broncos</category><category>GentlemenBroncos</category><category>jeff bridges</category><category>JeffBridges</category><category>napoleon dynamite</category><category>NapoleonDynamite</category><dc:creator>William Goss</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:02:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Scheherazade Takes a Backseat in 3D 'Arabian Nights'</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/scheherazade-takes-a-backseat-in-3d-arabian-nights/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/scheherazade-takes-a-backseat-in-3d-arabian-nights/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/scheherazade-takes-a-backseat-in-3d-arabian-nights/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/action-and-adventure/" rel="tag">Action</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/Animation/" rel="tag">Animation</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/independent/" rel="tag">Independent</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/sci-fi-and-fantasy/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi &amp; Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/diy-filmmaking/" rel="tag">DIY/Filmmaking</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/newsstand/" rel="tag">Newsstand</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/tales_from_the_arabian_nights_naxos_audiobooks_compact_discs.jpg" />Are sandstorms and magic lamps going to become the next swashbuckling trend? I think it's possible. <em>Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time</em> lurks on the horizon (and is receiving a very mixed reception) and now <a href="http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118010826.html?categoryid=13&amp;cs=1"><em>Variety</em></a> reports that Scheherazade and her thousand and one tales are about to get a 3D makeover. <a href="http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/chuck-russell/1869249/main">Chuck Russell</a> is set to direct a reworking of <em>1001 Arabian Nights</em> from a script he co-wrote with Barry P. Ambrose. It's not clear whether this will be live action 3D or animation, but I'm guessing live action due to the emphasis on "action adventure" in the trade article. <br />
<br />
In Russell's <em>Arabian Nights</em>, Scheherazade will become a damsel in distress instead of a brainy, tale-spinning bluestocking.Apparently it's a young commander who is the hero, as he joins forces with Sinbad, Aladdin, and his genie to rescue Scheherazade and her kingdom from unspecified dark forces. I see shades of Russell's <em>The Scorpion King</em>.<br />
<br />
Now, I like the idea of adapting Middle Eastern tales. It's good for kids to be exposed to world cultures, and to encounter other races and religions even if it's through animation. But there are a thousand tales worth telling that are undoubtedly more exciting and interesting than something cobbled together out of the most recognizable characters. As a kid, I was always very taken with <a href="http://www.online-literature.com/anonymous/arabian-nights-vol-4/3/"><em>The Sisters Who Envied Their Younger Sister</em></a> because it was full of magic objects and starred a princess who took matters into her own hands. But Russell's deserts are where girls aren't muscle-bound enough for adventure, though I'm sure we'll see a very scantily clad Scheherazade in 3D. Maybe 3D skin is the next trend, not Middle Eastern settings ...<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/scheherazade-takes-a-backseat-in-3d-arabian-nights/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19222540/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/scheherazade-takes-a-backseat-in-3d-arabian-nights/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>1001 Arabian Nights</category><category>1001ArabianNights</category><category>Arabian Nights</category><category>ArabianNights</category><category>Barry P. Ambrose</category><category>BarryP.Ambrose</category><category>Chuck Russell</category><category>ChuckRussell</category><category>Scheherazade</category><dc:creator>Elisabeth Rappe</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:18:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>The Berenstain Bears Get an Off-Base Update</title><link>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/03/the-berenstain-bears-get-an-off-base-update/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/03/the-berenstain-bears-get-an-off-base-update/</guid><comments>http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/03/the-berenstain-bears-get-an-off-base-update/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/deals/" rel="tag">Deals</a>, <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/category/family-films/" rel="tag">Family Films</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/11/berenstainbears110309.jpg" />Another classic cartoon is getting ready for the feature treatment. This time, it's your friendly neighborhood bears. <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-11-03-Berenstainbears03_ST_N.htm">USA Today </a>reports that <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0506613/">Shawn Levy</a> (director of the <em>Night at the Museum</em> flicks) is gearing up to produce <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berenstain_Bears"><em>The Berenstain Bears</em></a> into a feature comedy with Walden Media. This cartoon family has been around since 1962, and have had a handful of television specials, a series in the mid-80s, and another in 2003.<br />
<br />
But, like anything Hollywood, the family is getting updated. They won't just live in Bear Country this time around. Levy is planning a mix of live action and computer animation where "the comedy comes from this bear family coexisting in a more recognizably real world." That means updates on mom's polka dots, dad's overalls, and, presumably, interaction with humans. The plan is to incorporate details from popular books in the series, and Walden Media CEO Michael Bostick compares the clan to "outcast" families like <em>The Beverly Hillbillies</em> and <em>The Addams Family</em>. <br />
<br />
While many redos get under my skin, I'd love a new addition to the Berenstain legacy -- but like this? When did they become outcasts? They're a friggin' metaphor for human, everyday families. The whole point of the series was to mimick everyday lives and share familial lessons. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to0cXeqxh-A"><em>The Messy Room</em></a> is the reason I'm always organizing things. I read about their <em>Visit to the Dentist</em> when it was time to have the teeth looked at, or get healthy when there was <em>Too Much Junk Food</em>, rethink lying with <em>The Truth</em>, or reel back on the boob tube when there was <em>Too Much TV</em>. And in between these lessons, I memorized <em>The Spooky Old Tree</em> and would recite it to myself every night before bed. (check it out after the jump)<br />
<br />
It says a whole lot of childhood lessons and morals are considered "outcast" fare...<p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/03/the-berenstain-bears-get-an-off-base-update/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Berenstain Bears Get an Off-Base Update</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/03/the-berenstain-bears-get-an-off-base-update/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/forward/19220749/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/03/the-berenstain-bears-get-an-off-base-update/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Berenstain Bears</category><category>BerenstainBears</category><category>Cinematical</category><category>Shawn Levy</category><category>ShawnLevy</category><dc:creator>Monika Bartyzel</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:02:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>