 When I get asked about potential 2013 Oscar players (yes, people are already curious), a few films come to mind. Most are ones people expect to hear, but I also mention ‘Saving Mr. Banks’ as well. This story of Walt Disney and the making of ‘Mary Poppins’ has all the makings of being a real player. It’s set to star Tom Hanks as Disney and Emma Thompson as the author of Poppins, and now The Hollywood Reporter is saying here that Colin Farrell has joined the cast as well. After the jump you can get some more details, but I really like how this one is shaping up. Mark my words, it could be an awards player…
Read more on Colin Farrell will assist in ‘Saving Mr. Banks’ for Disney…
 Alejandro Brugues’ Juan of the Dead is a Cuban spoof of Edgar Wright’s 2004 zombie comedy, Shaun of the Dead. I’ve never actually seen the former cult horror favorite, but I imagine it’s as raucous and over-the-top as this latest venture into zombie obsessiveness. Juan of the Dead doesn’t break any new ground in the horror genre, but it’s nice to see foreign films having a little bit of cheeky and gory fun once and awhile. Most international movies that Americans end up watching are usually depressing or heavy in drama, so it’s a delight viewing one that doesn’t take itself seriously and is pure, unapologetic fun. Read more on Juan of the Dead (***)…
 Gimme The Loot, a masterfully woven tale told over the course of two days, tells the story of two African-American graffiti taggers from the Bronx who lose their cans after owning money to a major street gang. These two teenagers have no income, and cannot turn to their parents (who don’t make an appearance in the film, whatsoever) for support to fix their current dilemma. Set against the harsh streets of the Bronx and the beautiful scope that is downtown Manhattan, there is a great paradox in this film about how each district shapes the lives of its inhabitants. In the case of our two protagonists, Sofia and Malcolm, the Bronx has shaped them as individuals without filters – their graphic and loud discussion of condoms in Central Park is both hilarious and incredibly telling – and kids who thrive on survival instincts in order to continuing existing. Read more on Gimme The Loot (***½)…
 Whether it’s his Oscar winning music from The Lion King or his energetic tunes for Sherlock Homes, Hans Zimmer has crafted some really great scores over the years. Now he’s scheduled for his next big challenge. According to The Hollywood Reporter Zimmer has signed on to score the Zack Snyder directed, Christopher Nolan produced, Superman reboot titled Man of Steel. The reboot, which stars Henry Cavill as Superman, will take us back to the character’s origin and his first battle with Zod (Michael Shannon).
Read more on Hans Zimmer to Score Superman reboot, ‘Man of Steel’…
 This week, one of the more unjustly ignored films of 2012 to date is hitting Blu-Ray/DVD, along with a few other decent titles. This makes for an uptick in quality from last week, though the weeks ahead are still going to be stronger. That being said, one of my 10 favorites of the year so far is out today, so that’s a real plus in my book and something not to take lightly. Of course, that also makes my PICK OF THE WEEK selection rather easy as well. My choice is a light dramedy that showcases some comedic actors in a whole new light and suggests a further evolution for the filmmakers behind it. Can’t guess what movie I’m talking about? Well, I won’t leave you hanging. It’s:
Jeff, Who Lives at Home
A heartwarming comedy with dramatic elements and more to say about life than you initially realize, this is also the best film to date from the Duplass Brothers. Jay and Mark (the latter of which is becoming a staple in this column, now isn’t he) have upped both their writing and directorial games, which results in a good looking, good sounding, and good feeling flick. Ed Helms, Judy Greer, and Susan Sarandon all do fine work, but Jason Segel gives a career best performance and turns in a nomination worthy job here…though sadly he’ll likely be ignored. Not simply a stoner searching for the meaning of life, this is a movie about connections, brotherhood, and love. I adored it, and now that it’s out on home video, you can fall for it too!
Read more on Joey’s DVD Picks of the Week (6/19/2012)…
 Sure to be one of 2014′s highly anticipated titles is Maleficent, the retelling of the Sleeping Beauty tale from the view point of the evil sorceress. Disney has been developing this title for a while and when Angelina Jolie’s schedule freed up, they were able to get the production moving forward. Today as production commenced, Disney has released a first look at Jolie in costume which you can see, along with the full press release and plot synopsis, after the jump.
Read more on Angelina Jolie channels her inner sorceress in the first image from ‘Maleficent’!…
 Read the Full Press Release:
LOS ANGELES (June 18, 2012) – The Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA), an offshoot of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, today announced the winners of the 2nd annual Critics’ Choice Television Awards. The star-studded gala awards dinner to acknowledge and honor the best in television was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel earlier this evening.
Homeland took home the prize for Best Drama Series while Community won in the Best Comedy Series category. Best Reality Series went to Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, while Best Reality Show-Competition went to The Voice. Late Night with Jimmy Fallon was honored as Best Talk Show, Archer was honored as Best Animated Series, and Sherlock was honored as Best Movie/Miniseries. NBC was the most awarded network with five wins followed by ABC and AMC, which tied with three wins each. Read more on Critics’ Choice Television Awards Announces Winners!…
 It’s amazing how Nolan has kept so much from us about The Dark Knight Rises and yet consistently delivers incredible trailers. The new trailer released today is no exception as we get perhaps our best (and final?) look at the final film in his Batman saga. There isn’t much happening in this trailer in terms of plot, but it more than makes up for it in explosions and mayhem brought on by Tom Hardy’s Bane. If this trailer has you ready to spend money already, you can head over to Fandango and purchase your tickets. Check out the explosive new trailer after the jump!
Read more on Bane unleashes mayhem upon Gotham City in the new ‘Dark Knight Rises’ trailer!…
I don’t know about you, but something about the style of these first two teaser’s for Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master have me completely on the edge of my seat. Maybe it’s the music, or the interesting characters, or the seemingly jaw-dropping performances we are getting an early look at. Maybe it is just the fact that this is a film by PTA, and we have all come to expect brilliance from him, and the trailer does nothing to make us think The Master will be anything less. I don’t want to put too high of expectations on the film, but… too late.
Read more on Second Mesmerizing Trailer For Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘The Master’…
“30 Days of Batman” Continues….
Tim Burton’s Batman (1989), remains one of my favorite superhero films to hit the big screen. Showcasing the many talents of director Tim Burton, when he was still innovative and fresh, while exhibiting two outstanding performances from Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson. Being born in the mid-1980′s, I (and perhaps even YOU, the reader), had no idea the ordeal the film had gone through to make it to the big screen. Read more on Historical Circuit: Batman (1989)…
 Fox Searchlight Pictures announced that Ben Lewin’s film, originally titled “The Surrogate” and then later changed to “Six Sessions,” will now be titled “The Sessions.” Read more on Fox Searchlight changes Ben Lewin’s film to “The Sessions”…
Read more on Fox Searchlight changes Ben Lewin’s film to “The Sessions”…
7:30pm – 9:30pm:
Yesterday marked the shortest festival time, as I was only booked for two screenings since the films began later on in the evening. There was definitely a lot of buzz building as I was walking in to see Seeking a Friend for the End of the World — the red carpet was lively and bustling, and Keira Knightley looks even more beautiful in person if you can believe that. Besides the excitement over seeing the two lead characters in this apocalyptic romantic dramedy (although by the end, there is no comedy left to be had), I believe the majority of people attending the festival were all there to support screenwriter-turned-director Lorene Scafaria’s debut film (Scafaria is best known for her witty screenplay of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist). There was a lot of love in the theater for Lorene, and I have to say she does a fine job…to a degree. This is not a perfect film by any means — Kiera Knightley and Steve Carell’s chemistry works better on a friend scale than a romantic one — but it was thoroughly engaging. To me, it’s Melancholia-lite with a bit more humorous bits albeit less visual bedazzlement. However, it has a host of great small performances from actors that steal every scene they are in. Derek Luke and Martin Sheen make the most of their scenes, but it’s Gillian Jacobs (Community) and Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights) who truly shine, proving that these two highly undervalued actresses need to score more film roles. I’ll dive more in-depth on Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, but suffice it to say that while I enjoyed the direction and overall quality of the film, I would be lying if I said I much preferred watching our two leads over the minor characters that had me cracking up in fits of laughter. Read more on Los Angeles Film Festival Diaries: Day Four…
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When I get asked about potential 2013 Oscar players (yes, people are already curious), a few films come to mind. Most are ones people expect to hear, but I also mention ‘Saving Mr. Banks’ as well. This story of Walt Disney and the making of ‘Mary Poppins’ has all the makings of being a real player. It’s set to star Tom Hanks as Disney and Emma Thompson as the author of Poppins, and now The Hollywood Reporter is saying here that Colin Farrell has joined the cast as well. After the jump you can get some more details, but I really like how this one is shaping up. Mark my words, it could be an awards player…
