A private detective is hired to find a missing stripper but the job turns complicated when everyone he questions ends up dead. From the mean streets of Los Angeles to the desolate desert of New Mexico, Cruz must contend with a brutal Russian Boxer, three brash LAPD detectives, an aged billionaire looking for the Big Bang, and the billionaire’s stunningly gorgeous wife. The solution to the mystery will cost ten lives, net $30 million and just might explain – well – everything.
So why should you care? Take a look at this cast: Antonio Banderas is the private eye (and who doesn’t like a good murder mystery?) and he’s surrounded by fantastic TV stars like Prison Break‘s William Fichner, No Ordinary Family‘s Autumn Reeser, Lost‘s Rebecca Mader, and Breakout King‘s Jimmi Simpson. James Van Der Beek and Snoop Dogg are thrown in for good measure. Should be a fun ride!
After dropping two teasers on us (the one from way back in May and the 30-second Super Bowl spot), Paramount opened the crack a bit more today providing us with a full-blown theatrical trailer for Super 8, the shrouded-in-mystery sci-fi Spielberg homage from writer/director J.J. Abrams and producer Steven Spielberg. The studio even let loose a synopsis!
“In the summer of 1979, a group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a catastrophic train crash while making a super 8 movie and soon suspect that it was not an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take place in town, and the local Deputy tries to uncover the truth — something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined.”
That pretty much sums up what’s going on in this new trailer. Looks like we can expect a character-driven story with phenomenal visuals and a mystery (alien invasion?) hanging over our heads. Can’t wait. Super 8, starring Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning, Joel Courtney, Gabriel Basso, Noah Emmerich, Ron Eldard, Riley Griffiths, Ryan Lee and Zach Mills, opens June 10 in standard and IMAX theatres.
Look after the break to see the official movie poster.
This trailer is so impressively epic I’m just going to let it speak for itself. Watch it many times.
X-Men: First Class stars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon, January Jones, and Rose Byrne. Directed by Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass). Opens June 3, 2011.
Synopsis: X-Men: First Class charts the epic beginning of the X-Men saga, and reveals a secret history of famous global events. Before mutants had revealed themselves to the world, and before Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Not archenemies, they were instead at first the closest of friends, working together with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to prevent nuclear Armageddon. In the process, a grave rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-Men.
Back in May it was reported that original creator Haim Saban bought the Power Rangers franchise from Disney and that Nickelodeon would air the eighteenth season of the show this year. Since then so much more detail has surfaced about the upcoming series. The official name of the kids program is Power Rangers Samurai and we’ve got a synopsis:
Power Rangers Samurai follows a new generation of five Rangers who must master the ancient Samurai Symbols of Power which give them control over the elements of Fire, Water, Sky, Forest and Earth. Under the guidance of their all-knowing Samurai mentor, Ji, and with the aid of their devoted animal Zords (Lion, Dragon, Ape, Turtle and Bear), they battle to save Earth from the dark forces of the Netherworld led by the evil Master Xandred.
Get to know the cast: The Samurai Power Rangers are: Jayden (Alex Heartman), the Red Ranger and the team’s leader; Mia (Erika Fong), the Pink Ranger who is the confident and caring “big sister” of the Rangers; Kevin (Najee De-Tiege), the Blue Ranger, is a great swordsman who lives by the code of the Rangers; Emily (Brittany Pirtle), the Yellow Ranger, is the youngest but most optimistic of the group; and Mike (Hector David), the Green Ranger, who is a bit of a rebel and would rather be destroying video monsters than real ones.
Oh and remember the slapstick duo from the original 1993 series run Bulk and Skull? Actor Paul Schrier is returning to the Power Rangers universe and will reprise his role as Bulk in the Samurai premiere and will make guest appearances throughout the season. Neat-o right? Look after the break to watch the 2011 version of Bulk in action. Nothing’s changed.
Nick’s Pete Danielsen promises, “This new season of Power Ranger Samurai will feature all new heroes, villains and special effects while keeping the core messages of friendship, teamwork and empowerment that the series has always exhibited.”
Says Saban Brands president Elie Dekel: “We wanted to get back to the original core DNA of the show that made it so powerful and resonant in the ’90s. We made sure that moving forward we drew on the best possible elements that we knew kids responded to, so we embedded a lot more humor in the show, a lot more charm and fun. Bringing back some of the silliness of the original series was a goal, and now it’s in high-def, which has never been done before, which gives it a really great new look.” Beyond that, Dekel continues, “We really wanted to pay homage to, if you will, the show’s Japanese origins with Samurai.”
The 20-episode 18th season premieres February 7 at 8PM on Nickelodeon. Look after the break for some more sneak peek videos, and hit up EW to watch the brand new intro.
NBC’s The Sing-Off is doing so well in the ratings that the network’s decided to expand the December 20 season finale by a half-hour. But here’s the really exciting news: The Peacock plans to use the Sing-Off finale as a platform to promote the new midseason sitcom Perfect Couples. Following the finale a “preview episode” of Perfect Couples will air from 10:30PM to 11PM; the network makes it clear that this special preview is not the pilot. That will be saved for the show’s true premiere date set for Thursday, January 20 at 8:30PM. It will follow Community in the Thursday night comedy block, which was recently extended to include six shows in total.
Perfect Couples follows three couples at various stages of their relationships. Here’s a quick synopsis: Dave (Kyle Howard, My Boys) and Julia (Christine Woods, FlashForward) are the relatable, normal couple, but Julia’s hope of remaining the cool, low-maintenance chick is tested by Dave’s attempts to keep both his wife and his needy best friend Vance (Dave Walton, NBC’s 100 Questions) equally happy. Vance, along with the neurotic Amy (Mary Elizabeth Ellis, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), are the high-passion, high-drama couple who bring out the best and worst in each other. The third duo features Rex (Hayes MacArthur, She’s Out of My League), a reformed party guy, and his wife, Leigh (Olivia Munn, Attack of the Show), who considers herself as the group’s mother hen. Believing that they are relationship experts, Rex and Leigh have attended every class and seminar on relationships — and regard themselves as the ‘perfect couple.’”
Update: Well there’s been a change in scheduling here, so take note: The Sing-Off finale will remain two hours in length, and the Perfect Couples preview episode will air at 10PM followed by a repeat of The Office.
Transformers 3 (now titled “Dark of the Moon”, and I don’t like the way it rolls off the tongue because I want to say dark side of the moon) has a teaser trailer! In a surprise move, director Michael Bay decided not to include any of the stars in the teaser; don’t expect to see Shia LaBeouf’s Sam Witwicky or his new love interest Carly played by Victoria’s Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley make any appearances here. Most of the trailer features scenes from the famed 1969 Apollo 11 moon mission, and it’s not that long until we discover the astronauts found more than just moon craters. Robots on the moon? Really? As long as Huntington-Whiteley makes a good replacement for Megan Fox (and I have no doubt she will) and there are some epic fight scenes, I’ll pay the price of admission to see it in IMAX 3D when it hits theatres July 1, 2011. Here’s a small synopsis of the upcoming robot-bashing flick:
In this new movie, the Autobots and Decepticons become involved in a perilous space race between the U.S. and Russia, and once again human Sam Witwicky has to come to the aid of his robot friends. There’s new characters too, including a new villain in the form of Shockwave, a longtime “Transformers” character who rules Cybertron while the Autobots and Decepticons battle it out on Earth.
Today Warner Bros. released the first full length trailer for Green Lantern, a Martin Campbell directed sci-fi extravaganza based on the DC Comic of the same name. Ryan Reynolds is Hal Jordan aka Green Lantern, a test pilot who is granted a green ring that gives him awesome superpowers. In addition to this fast action trailer, which includes just the right amount of aliens and superhero spankage, the studio released this synopsis:
In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, a small but powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. A brotherhood of warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him superpowers. But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan. Hal is a gifted and cocky test pilot, but the Green Lanterns have little respect for humans, who have never harnessed the infinite powers of the ring before. But Hal is clearly the missing piece to the puzzle, and along with his determination and willpower, he has one thing no member of the Corps has ever had: humanity. With the encouragement of fellow pilot and childhood sweetheart Carol Ferris (Blake Lively), if Hal can quickly master his new powers and find the courage to overcome his fears, he may prove to be not only the key to defeating Parallax…he will become the greatest Green Lantern of all.
Green Lantern releases wide June 17, 2011. Download the trailer in HD, courtesy of Apple. And oh yeah, today Reynolds was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive. Do what you will with that bit of information.
That’s right, people. Winnie the Pooh and company are making their way back to the silver screen for the first time in over 35 years. Disney brought back original animator Burny Mattinson (who will serve as senior story artist) to capture the classic essence that made everything so perfect about the original incarnation of Pooh and all the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood. The film is co-directed by Stephen Anderson (Meet the Robinsons) and Don Hall (The Princess and the Frog). Craig Ferguson, Tom Kenny, and Bud Luckey lend their voices to the 2D animated film. Zooey Deschanel is set to sing the new version of the “Winnie the Pooh” theme song. You want a synopsis? You got it:
Walt Disney Animation Studios returns to the Hundred Acre Wood with “Winnie the Pooh,” the first big-screen Pooh adventure from Disney animation in more than 35 years. With the charm, wit and whimsy of the original featurettes, this all-new movie reunites audiences with the philosophical “bear of very little brain” and friends Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Kanga, Roo—and last, but certainly not least, Eeyore, who has lost his tail.
Inspired by five stories from A.A. Milne’s books in Disney’s classic, hand-drawn art style, the film reunites audiences with the [honey]-loving, philosophical bear and friends Eeyore, Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet and Owl in a wild quest to save [their friend] Christopher Robin from an imaginary culprit. It turns out to be a very busy day for a bear who simply set out to find some hunny.
If the first trailer sitting above does not make you immediately tingle all over and feel so warm and fuzzy inside, there’s something clearly wrong with you. Because Disney made the right decision of holding onto the original 2D animation (instead of opting for today’s 3D in-your-face pseudo-standard), this movie will undoubtedly hit all the right notes and shoot a wave of nostalgia goodness across our minds. I highly anticipate the return of Pooh-bear; do you?
Winnie the Pooh hits theatres July 15, 2011. Check out some beautifully crafted stills in the gallery below.
Here’s your very first glimpse into the first Muppets movie made for the big screen in eleven long years. Take it all in…
Now let’s talk deets. James Bobin (of Flight of the Conchords fame) is set to direct and Jason Segel (I Love You, Man, How I Met Your Mother) will executive produce, write (with Nicholas Stoller), and star in the film. Segel happens to be a big fan of Jim Henson and his furry creations. “We’ve worked really hard to stay true to the original spirit of the Muppets,” said Segel. “We’ve missed the same thing everyone else has been missing.” Here’s a leaked synopsis:
The Greatest Muppet Movie of All Time is about Gary, Mary, and Walter (a man, his girlfriend, and the man’s life-long nondescript, brown puppet best friend) getting the old Muppet gang — now retired entertainers known for the same Muppet show we know them from — together to save the TV studio that the original show was shot in. A villain, Tex Richman (nice name, on par with Doc Hopper), bent on drilling for oil underneath the studio, is due to take over the studio in weeks and the only way to stop him? Putting on a show that draws ten million viewers.
Segel will star as the human lead Gary, Amy Adams is Mary, and Walter–who happens to be a brand new Muppet addition–will be voiced by Paul Rudd. (FYI, Walter is the iPhone-wielding Muppet in the image above.) Tex the antagonist will be voiced by Chris Cooper. Rashida Jones is locked in, too. Beyond that almost all the other information surrounding this movie is pure speculation. But let’s add to that conversation! Other potential guest voices include: Kristen Schaal, Jack Black, Donald Glover, Jane Lynch, Danny Trejo, Zach Galifianakis, and Lady Gaga. And guess who’s rumored to play Gaga’s entourage? John Krasinski (The Office), Ed Helms (The Hangover), and Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family). Yeah. This might just turn out to be the greatest Muppet movie of all time after all.
Production started in September, and Disney plans to release it wide Christmas 2011.
Ch-check out this brand new trailer for Zack Snyder’s action-fantasy flick Suckerpunch. It contains never-before-seen footage and somehow manages to induce an even higher level of excitement than the original trailer! The super sexy all female ensemble cast is spotlighted (it includes Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Jena Malone, and Carla Gugino), as are the over-the-top, in your face CGI landscape and ferocious creatures. A new synopsis was released:
Sucker Punch is an epic action fantasy that takes us into the vivid imagination of a young girl whose dream world provides the ultimate escape from her darker reality. Unrestrained by the boundaries of time and place, she is free to go where her mind takes her, but her incredible adventures blur the lines between what’s real and what is imaginary…with potentially tragic consequences.
With Watchmen and 300 under his belt, I have faith Snyder will deliver another extraordinary epic that balances special effects with compelling storytelling. I know where I’ll be March 25, 2011.
After releasing an “illegal” trailer back in mid-May, director Robert Rodriquez (and backing studio 20th Century Fox) approved this theatrical trailer for his upcoming bloody, over-the-top revenge fest Machete. Watch as star Danny Trejo cuts his way through enemies with assistence from Cheech Marin, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Jeff Fahey, Don Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Steven Seagal, and Rose McGowan. Lindsay Lohan, who was included in the first trailer dressed as a nun, is noticably absent here. Here’s a nice synopsis for you:
Machete is a Mexican ex-Federale with a gift for wielding a blade, who hides out as a day laborer, who is double-crossed by a corrupt state senator. The feature version of the trailer finds Machete (Trejo) a renegade former Mexican Federale, roaming the streets of Texas after a shakedown from drug lord Torrez (Seagal). Reluctantly, Machete takes an offer from spin doctor Benz (Fahey) to assassinate McLaughlin (De Niro) a corrupt Senator. Double crossed and on the run Machete braves the odds with the help of Luz (Rodriguez), a saucy taco slinger, Padre (Marin) his “holy” brother, and April (Lohan) a socialite with a penchant for guns. All while being tracked by Sartana (Alba), a sexy ICE agent with a special interest in the blade slinger.
That’s right. The infamous MacGyver spoof sketch from Saturday Night Live is coming to the silver screen. MacGruber stars SNL’s Will Forte, Kristin Wiig, Bill Hader, and Maya Randolph along with Val Kilmer, Ryan Phillippe, Powers Boothe, and Rhys Coiro. It’s written by Will Forte, John Soloman, and Jorma Taccone. Taccone, a member of Andy Samberg’s Lonely Island crew, also directs the film. MacGruber is due out in theatres April 23, 2010. Embedded above is the red band trailer; look after the break for the standard trailer which is slightly different.
