July 2008 News Archive (Page 16)

As previously reported, Mike White has finished and turned in the script for a School of Rock sequel. Now, it sounds as though Paramount Pictures liked what it saw.

According to Variety, the studio is moving forward with the follow-up that has Jack Black reprising his role as rock star wannabe/substitute teacher Dewey Finn.

The sequel already has a tentative title: School of Rock 2: America Rocks. Reportedly, it picks up with Finn leading a group of summer school students on a cross-country field trip that delves into the history of rock 'n' roll and explores the roots of blues, rap, country and other genres.

The original School of Rock was a box office smash for the studio, costing just $30 million to make and earning $131 million worldwide.

Check out the HBO First Look special on The Dark Knight below.

The series has made its way onto YouTube in two parts. The Batman Begins follow-up opens in theaters and IMAX on July 18, of course.

While it doesn't exactly have the hype, special effects or box offical appeal of summer blockbusters such as The Dark Knight, Brideshead Revisited is receiving solid reviews fom critics.

Specifically, Oscar buzz is surrounding star Emma Thompson. Check out the trailer for Brideshead Revisited now:

No major surprises at the box office over the weekend. Hellboy took it to Hancock, while no one took his/her significant other or child to see Meet Dave.

Here's a look at the top five:

1. Hellboy II: The Golden Army: $35.9 million
2. Hancock: $33 million
3. Journey to the Center of the Earth: $20.6 million
4. Wall-e: $18.5 million
5. Wanted: $11.5 million

For many, the most anticipated movie to hit theaters this fall is Quantum of Solace. Its trailer is already creating major buzz.

For others, however, the screams of excitement are reserved for more musical fare; High School Musical fare, to be exact.

With that in mind, here's the first-ever preview for High School Musical 3: Senior Year. It comes out on October 24.

The praise for Heath Ledger's perfomance in The Dark Knight continues to flow.

One of the late actor's co-stars in the latest Batman movie has gone on record saying he thinks Ledger should be nominated for an Academy Award. 

"I think Heath will surely get a posthumous nomination for an Academy Award," Michael Caine said late last week at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. "He was incredible [and] he was amazing, And I think he will get it. It's an incredible performance, just wonderful."

Will The Joker lead to an Oscar for Heath Ledger?

We hope Hancock enjoyed his perch atop the movie world, a certain, Hellish super hero has him in his sights this weekend.

Here's a brief rundown of that super hero flick, along with two, less-hyped movies:

Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Stars: Selma Blair, Ron Perlman
Quick synopsis: The follow-up to Hellboy finds this unusual hero and his golden army fighting off creatures that wish to destroy humanity.
Prediction: With the aforementioned Will Smith movie receiving tepid reviews, what the heck: Hellboy finishes first at the box office!

Journey to the Center of the Earth
Stars: Brendan Fraser
Quick synopsis: In this 3D film, a professor and his family take a journey to, well, check out the movie's title.
Prediction: It's in 3D, that's cool. But it's up against competition for kids and parents in WALL•E that's just too stiff. Will be lucky to crack the top five at the box office.

Meet Dave
Stars: Eddie Murphy
Quick synopsis: Dave is really a spaceship that takes human form and falls in love with an actual human being.
Prediction: Meet the end of Eddie Murphy's career as a leading man.

Before you go to the polls to choose between John McCain and Barack Obama, get a laugh out of the political process by seeing Swing Vote.

At least that's how producers of this Kevin Costner comedy want you to think. Check out the movie's trailer now and see if it apears worth your time:

[youtube]http://www.reelmovienews.com/videos/swing-vote/[/youtube]

Alicia Keys has emerged top contender to sing the title song for the next James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace.

No official announcement has been made, but a source told E! Online: "I believe Alicia is the winner."

There have been numerous rumors surrounding the highly coveted spot to belt one out for this long-running franchise. A plethora of artists reportedly submitted songs for consideration to producers of the flick, including Beyoncé, Leona Lewis, Duran Duran, Jack White, Duffy and, most recently, Annie Lennox.

Quantum of Solace - with a theme song rumored to be sung by Alicia Keys - is due out in November.

Ian McKellen will revisit the role of Gandalf in The Hobbit.

But the veteran actor is most excited to discuss a part he's not guaranteed to ever play ever again. McKellen wants to reprise Magneto, even if it's only a small part.

"There is a script knocking around for a spinoff, but it will be a younger Magneto, so if I were involved it would be just topping and tailing the story," the actor told BBC News.

If a Magneto film does go forward, it would be e the second spinoff featuring an X-Men character. As many movie fans know - and are excited for - Hugh Jackman is already been hard at work on a Wolverine movie. It's coming out in May 2009.

McKellen, meanwhile, said Marvel Comics sees the character of Magneto – a Holocaust survivor who leads an army of oppressed, super-powered mutants – as someone almost anyone can relate to.

"Marvel told me that this is their favorite because it has a social purpose and the strongest demographic are young blacks, Jews and gays who respond to the idea that society does treat some adults as mutants," the actor noted.