The New Jack Ryan

-- has been chosen, and it is none other than the new Captain Kirk, Chris Pine. I don't have much to say on the subject being that the last time I saw a Jack Ryan movie was when I was about 7 years old. Time for me to catch up with the series (although a retarded circus midget could act circles around Ben Affleck and Alec Baldwin).

In the 7 minutes that this news was announced, the Jack Ryan geeks (who are also Star Trek geeks) have already come out in droves and set up Chris Pine hate websites, complaining that the new Jack Ryan movie will be "too much of an action movie" and "too exciting" because there will not be "enough scenes of meticulous planning." Strangely enough, those were their same criticisms for the recent Star Trek movie which both financially and critically faired better than any previous Trek movie.

Okay, so the part about the fans bitching isn't true, but most likely will be by the time the first trailer debuts. Call it preemptive journalism.

Read more about the story here.

Mel Gibson is Back!

Say what you will about Mel Gibson, but you can never deny that he is a great actor, especially when it comes to playing the part of a cop with nothing to lose who's out for vengeance. That's what he is in his return to acting film, Edge of Darkness.

The movie is being helmed by Casino Royale director Martin Campbell (who's also directing The Green Lantern movie) who I think is a superb choice. Casino Royale is my favorite Bond film mostly because the drama is directed well and the action is directed well (none of that shaky bullshit). The film never lags.

It was originally written by Andrew Bovell (Strictly Ballroom), but rewritten by William Monahan who wrote Kingdom of Heaven and The Departed. He has a knack to tell a very compelling story with great characters. This film looks pretty promising.

See the Trailer here.

Next up in terms of an acting gig for Gibson is Jodi Foster's "Beaver" which is amazing since no other man has even come close to touching Jodi Foster's beaver. Just ask Kelly McGillis.

The Sacred Monty Python Reunion

That's right, kids. All survinging members of Monty Python are reuniting for the first time in 10 years. Here's the press release:

"By visiting IFC.com or PythOnline.com Thursday, October 15 at approximately 9:00 PM EST, audiences across the U.S. can watch the historic event reuniting all five surviving members of the Monty Python team -- John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin -- as they take to the stage for a Q&A discussion with the audience. IFC will produce the live stream in conjunction with UStream, the leading internet broadcasting platform.

This event marks the first time The Pythons have been together in this manner in more than ten years. In true Python fashion, the troupe will somehow appear in its complete six-member form for their 40th reunion, although Python member Graham Chapman died in 1989. The Pythons will also accept a Special Award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) honoring their outstanding contribution to film and television."

Twisted Pictures Gets a New Kind of Saw

"Chainsaw" so to speak.

Twisted Pictures, the production company behind the "Saw" franchise, is in the finishing stages of taking over the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise.

Twisted Pictures producer Mark Burg had the following to say, "What we're going to do with it is bring it to 2010," says Burg. "Make it current day and come up with a new story that takes some of the basic plot points, if you will, and make it a current day movie. I don't want to make another Chainsaw in the '70s, that doesn't thrill me."


(Read the rest of Burg's unnerving statements here)


So what does that mean for the TCM franchise? Does it mean that we'll get one every year, with each one being worse than the last one? Are they going to milk the series dry much like they unapologetically have with their beloved "Saw" movies? Call me wrong, but as a fan of the TCM franchise that is NOT what I want. And I don't think that's what the other fans want either.


Fans - who do YOU want to see direct a TCM movie? I personally vote for Danny Boyle based on his work with the 28 series. Not only can the guy direct horror, but he can deliver a great story with great characters.

Stallone's "Expendables" Promo Trailer

The wave of 80's action movies came and went. Some were great (Predator) while others were just horrible (Commando). What made the great ones great and the horrible ones horrible were the same thing -- complete and utter fucking chaos. Sometimes the gratuitous action/explosions and the cheesy/psychotic villain worked - other times they didn't.

Now we have the promo trailer for Stallone's next flick "The Expendables".

In 3 minutes and 5 seconds, this trailer clearly shows just how 80's this movie is going to be. Gratuitous action/explosions, hand to hand combat mixed in with gun fights, a group of tough guys vs. a group of bad tough guys lead by a cheesy lead villain and, of course, what 80's themed action movie would be complete without the requisite corny one-liners?

The question is now - Will The Expendables work, or flop? The footage doesn't really blow my skirt up, but I'll give any movie with Stallone in it a chance (yes, I even saw "Stop, or My Mom Will Shoot!").

What do you guys think?

Let's Bust This Cherry......

And now for the inaugural blog post.

Didn't know if you knew this, but... Hollywood doesn't give a shit about you. For the most part Hollywood likes to treat you how a college frat boy with a pocket full of Spanish Fly would treat a girl on a date. Things go wrong, you could end up sore, embarrassed and in need of psychological help. Beware of diseases (especially Michael Bay, who is the Herpes of Hollywood. Just when you forgot about him he returns with a vengeance and is more painful than the last time). Once in a great while though, Hollywood slips up and actually gives us something good (like the indie flicks of the 90's).

This blog will point you to the rare good bits of Hollywood and steer you away from spending your hard-earned money to get a lubeless eye raping.

Expect reviews of new and old films of every genre as well as interviews with both successful filmmakers and filmmakers who should be successful, but just haven't caught thier break.

Until next time....

-Ryan