Part of the perks of being the best friend of Ben Affleck is you get to see the batsuit well before the public does! Matt Damon has in fact seen the costume that Affleck as Batman will wear and he is clearly impressed.
“I've seen a picture. It's excellent,” Damon said to MTV while promoting his latest movie, The Monuments Men.
Damon has even chatted with his bud about what happens in Zack Snyder’s Batman vs. Superman, and we’re guessing he probably even knows how Batman and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman will feature in the sequel to Man of Steel.
“I've talked to him about the storyline, and it's great,” Damon said.
He then told us what so many Batman franchise fans wanted to hear.
“Look I've known him for thirty-something years, I'd be the first guy being like 'Buddy, what are you doing?' but I think the movie is going to be great."
The first full trailer for Planes: Fire and Rescue has landed! The sequel/spin-off of their wildly successful Planes hits theaters July 18 and features the voices of Julie Bowen and Dane Cook, reprising his role as Dusty the crop duster from the first film.
In Planes: Fire and Rescue, Dusty has conquered the world of air racing and decides to put his talents to good use. He is now part of a crew of firefighting aircrafts whose beat is the historic Piston Peak National Park. The film is part of the Disney 2014 schedule that is impressive to say the least.
Will Planes: Fire and Rescue surprise us? Click through and check out these 9 animated movies that were surprisingly awesome!
Never underestimate Trey Parker and Matt Stone. When given the chance to bring their Comedy Central series to the big screen, South Park exploded in the best of ways.
Never underestimate Trey Parker and Matt Stone. When given the chance to bring their Comedy Central series to the big screen, South Park exploded in the best of ways.
2.
Rango
The director of Pirates of the Caribbean joining forces again with Johnny Depp in an animated movie about a lizard in the Old West? Who knew it would be so good... it would win an Oscar!
3.
Ratatouille
Seriously, a movie about a Parisian rat who is a great chef. Whenever thinking about rats in kitchens, the thought is to run the other way. Should never bet against Disney!
4.
How to Train Your Dragon
A movie about a frail viking teenager and his effort to tame a dragon didn't have the highest of expectations. No one could have expected such a fine film, packed with humanity and heart.
5.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Combining live action and animation had had very mixed results in Hollywood history. But Who Framed Roger Rabbit gave us a film that looked as amazing as it was wickedly smart... and timeless!
6.
Chicken Run
A The Great Escape featuring chickens not trying to become dinner starring Mel Gibson? Please! In fact, it was a triumph of animation, storytelling and performance that also stands the test of time.
7.
ParaNorman
Who would ever have predicted that a stop motion animation movie about a kid who sees the supernatural could charm us as much as ParaNorman did? Not only did it score as an incredible movie, but it quickly became one of our favorite movies. Period.
8.
Team America: World Police
The South Park guys do it again. Trey and Matt's commentary about the role of America as the world's police was wickedly sharp, impeccably captured with puppetry animation and in the end -- was utterly hilarious.
9.
The LEGO Movie
One would think that a movie based on the world of LEGO would feel like a 90 minute commercial for toys. Oh, how wrong you would be. The film is a triumph and already considered one of the best of the decade, regardless of the genre.
Escape Plan arrives on DVD and Blu-Ray and is now the second collaboration between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. After their work on The Expendables 2, the aged action heroes duo join forces on a thriller that tells the story (teased in the Escape Plan trailer) of Stallone’s prison escape artist and how he may have just landed in one prison that he can’t break out of.
Stallone makes his living being hired by prison owners to expose their holes for potential escapes. He must have rubbed someone the wrong way as his latest gig has placed him in a secret prison that appears to be one that even his prison escape Houdini can’t penetrate. And what’s worse, is no one at the prison knows who he is… and it appears his identity has been completely deleted.
Schwarzenegger is a fellow inmate and the two become fast friends who share an uncanny desire to get out. Thus… their Escape Plan.
As we stated in our theatricalEscape Plan review, the film is average as action movies go. Some of the concepts are utterly ridiculous, but we do have to, when Stallone realizes where he is… it is an explosive, jaw-dropping moment. We have to give it to Escape Plan for having quite an original idea. Not necessarily the break out of prison idea -- but in how it is executed.
Escape Plan features a pretty good cast beyond the two leads. Jim Caviezel (TV’s Person of Interest) is joined by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Sam Neill (Jurassic Park) and Vinnie Jones (Snatch), along with Vincent D’Onofrio.
When it comes to Escape Plan DVD and Blu-Ray bonus, the audio commentary by director Mikael Hafstrom and co-writer Miles Chapman is somewhat fascinating, at least in the sense of framing how they came up with this wild idea.
The making-of featurette, Executing the Plan: The Making of Escape Plan kind of misses the mark and adds very little.
But, both the Maximum Security: The Real-Life Tomb and Clash of the Titans featurettes are compelling, perhaps more so than the film itself! The former shows how prisons like this really do exist and the latter showcases the twin towers of action heroism that is Schwarzenegger and Stallone’s chemistry.
We’re with The Monuments Men… and one woman! Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman and Cate Blanchett all star in the film teased in The Monuments Men trailer. The George Clooney directed, co-written (with Grant Heslov) and starring true story of the World War II troupe when went behind enemy lies to steal back priceless pieces of art and culture from the Nazis before they had a chance to destroy it, lands in theaters February 7.
For Blanchett (fresh off her Oscar nomination for Blue Jasmine), being the only female in the cast was truly important for her because the real woman she plays, Claire Simone (who is based on Rose Valland), was integral to The Monuments Men being able to even find the stolen art.
“I think what I found really inspiring about her and I think about all the characters is that they were such unlikely heroes and heroines. Rose Valland, on whom Claire Simone is based, was utterly alone and would write all this stuff down on the back of her cigarette papers and put them into this book which any day could have gotten her killed,” Blanchett said.
“I found that the fear that she had to serve under on a daily basis was very inspiring. I think the crisis in World War II was one of the most monumental crises that we faced as a species. It really reveals who you are, and that’s what I find really ennobling about the Monuments Men and Rose Valland.”
Goodman found a special affinity with the character he plays as Walter Garfield is from his hometown and the actor was aware of him prior to making The Monuments Men. “Oddly enough, the man that my character was based on was from my hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. He did a sculpture in downtown St. Louis that I would drive by on the city bus every time I went downtown with my mother,” Goodman said.
“To me, that was something very remarkable and it touched something in me and grounded me in that way. I used what I knew of the gentleman from the book and from other things that I read about him, and the script tied everything together for me.”
Murray had wanted to work with Clooney for years, and even heard about The Monuments Men as it was getting going. “George told me the story that he was going to do about a year before, and I thought, ‘Gosh, that really sounds like fun,’” Murray recalled.
“And then, suddenly about a year later, he said, ‘Would you like to be in this film?’ I’d thought about it for a whole year, so I said yes [laughs]. George and Grant take great care of everyone on the job. I’ve never been so well taken care of on a job. I never felt so protected and covered. All of us as actors, everyone had great scenes to do. Everyone had a chance to do a turn and to do a wonderful piece of work.”
The legendary actor was eager for the world to hear this story that must be told. “The story is so fascinating, and as they say, untold. Most people don’t know this story,” Murray said.
“And to do it with this group of people was not just ennobled because they’re all so good, and everyone is such a good actor, but they’re so much fun.”
Damon’s character was a composite of several people that were part of the real Monuments Men. But, everything he needed to make it real was on the pages of Grant Heslove and Clooney’s screenplay. “The script was beautifully written yet again by these guys. All of us came up reading plays. A lot of the answers that you need are right there in the text. And so, the dynamics were really clear.”
But, we wondered, how was Clooney the director for Damon, who has worked with him before, but never as a helmer?
“Working with George was very similar to working with (Steven) Soderbergh, which makes sense because they’ve worked so much together over the years and had a company together for a long time. George is obscenely talented as a director. It can be a little annoying being his pal because it’s kind of like God said, ‘Maybe this time I’ll give one of them everything. How about this kid? Let’s make him handsome. I’ll tell you what, as he gets older, he’ll even look better,’” Damon said and laughed.
“Honest to God, it was one of the best experiences I’ve had. And I’ve had better experiences than I could have ever asked for. I’ve worked with the very best directors around and he belongs in their company, or even ahead of it.”
With Muppets Most Wanted hitting theaters March 21, excitement is ever-building. Hot on the heels of that Muppets Most Wanted big game trailer that aired during the Super Bowl, Disney has released four character posters. They happen to feature four of our favorite characters!
Of course Kermit and his lady love, Miss Piggy, get the solo character poster treatment. In fact, Miss Piggy probably demanded it in her contract.
But, who else will get the glare of Hollywood stardom… especially after the huge success of their comeback film, The Muppets.
The film follows the gang as they head to Europe for a huge tour. While there, a doppelganger for Kermit goes on a crime spree and the authorities believe that Kermit did it. The group must band together to prove their leader’s innocence, or at least break him out of jail!
Our human stars are a trio of comedic class… Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey and Ty Burrell.
Click through and marvel at the first four Muppets Most Wanted character posters!
Our favorite Muppets character, Kermit, gets his day in the sun with his first Muppets Most Wanted character poster. The sequel to The Muppets lands March 21.
Our favorite Muppets character, Kermit, gets his day in the sun with his first Muppets Most Wanted character poster. The sequel to The Muppets lands March 21.
2.
Muppets Most Wanted: Miss Piggy
Missy Piggy, as she so deserves, gets her first solo Muppets Most Wanted poster. She and her love, Kermit the Frog, are back!
3.
Muppets Most Wanted: Animal
Animal gets the spotlight. But, where's his drum kit?! He's back with the Muppets gang in Muppets Most Wanted!
4.
Muppets Most Wanted: Fozzie Bear
The true comedy vet of The Muppets gets his Muppets Most Wanted character poster. Fozzie Bear, ladies and gentleman!
In case you’re wondering how Marvel is going to keep its universes straight with the next film on their docket, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, hitting theaters April 4 -- we have details!
Disney CEO Bob Iger has announced that the sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger will keep with the Avengers theme and as its sequel ends… look for Avengers: Age of Ultron to begin.
Now, does that mean that we can expect other Avengers members, besides Black Widow and Nick Fury to appear in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, as seen in that awesome Captain America: The Winter Soldier Super Bowl trailer?
Perhaps, but anything is possible from the wickedly creative studio.
What’s fascinating is that before Avengers: Age of Ultron arrives, with James Spader playing Ultron, we get Guardians of the Galaxy. Of course, that resides in a slightly different world (well, kind of), so the two films should not necessarily overlap.
But, [spoiler] as Thor: The Dark World ended, it kind of led us to Guardians of the Galaxy. So… let’s just say we’re seriously intrigued!
Avengers: Age of Ultron hits theaters May 1, 2015.
Click through and check out all of the Captain America: The Winter Soldier posters!
Vampire Academy star Sarah Hyland is one busy actress. Her work on the TV smash Modern Family certainly keeps her days filled. So, when she has the chance to make a movie, she chooses wisely. When presented with a chance to be a part of the film based on the book series by Richelle Mead, she leapt at the chance.
The fact that she loves all things vampire doesn’t hurt things either. In the pop culture world, who are her favorite vamps?
“My favorite vampire show is True Blood -- big Eric fan,” Hyland said to Movie Fanatic in our exclusive video interview.
Given that she adores the world of those who feed on human blood and roam the night, seeing herself as a vampire in full makeup, as seen in the Vampire Academy trailer, had to be a thrill. Well, unfortunately her character Natalie isn’t exactly the most menacing looking vampire of all time!
“Natalie isn’t so much vampy as she is… nerdy,” Hyland admitted. “Sometimes I’d get home and look in the mirror and scare myself because we’d go out afterwards and grab a quick bite to eat, and you would forget that I looked like that and I was going out in public!”
Vampire Academy follows the goings-on at a school that is specifically designed to teach and train the next generation of night walkers. Something is not right in their world... and perhaps Hyland's Natalie has something to do with it?
Johnny Depp had been rumored to be in the 21 Jump Street movie. But, they kept it under wraps successfully. So, when he took off his wig and mustache and it was Depp... fans of his turn on the original show and new fans of the movie cheered!
Johnny Depp had been rumored to be in the 21 Jump Street movie. But, they kept it under wraps successfully. So, when he took off his wig and mustache and it was Depp... fans of his turn on the original show and new fans of the movie cheered!
2.
Christopher Walken in Pulp Fiction
Christopher Walken made quite an impression with only a few short moments in Pulp Fiction. Just don't ask him to keep a watch for you.
3.
Keith Richards in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Since Johnny Depp modeled his Captain Jack after Keith Richards, it was only appropriate that Richards appear at some point in the series as his character's (drunken) father.
4.
Michael Cera in This Is the End
Does an appearance count as a cameo if the person practically steals the movie? That was the case with Michael Cera and his persona-busting turn in This Is the End.
5.
Will Ferrell in Wedding Crashers
You would almost think that Will Ferrell would be in the cast of Wedding Crashers. But, then you realize he wasn't... except for one shining moment.
6.
Tim Robbins in Anchorman
Tim Robbins could not have been a better choice to appear (briefly) as the anchor of the PBS news program. Love his fro!
7.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Airplane
The whole movie he tries to pretend he's not Kareem. But when that kid tells him his dad thinks he's lazy on the court, he breaks character and the sky hook man arrives!
8.
Hugh Jackman in X-Men: First Class
Hugh Jackman will be all over X-Men: Days of Future Past. Seeing him say 'f--- off' in First Class was a fan head-blowing moment.
9.
Christopher Walken in True Romance
Tarantino does love Walken for cameos. True Romance was our first introduction to the filmmaker as he wrote the script and Tony Scott directed. Walken's scene... again, was unforgettable.
Sure, at this point the Star Wars: Episode VII casting rumors have to be taken with a grain of salt. But, most involve performers auditioning for roles in the J.J. Abrams-directed flick, such as Saoirse Ronan and Michael B. Jordan. But, what if Abrams called the actor, someone who doesn’t need an audition and is simply asked to be in the movie?
That happened! And it could not have been a better actor that was approached.
Gary Oldman admitted that the filmmakers behind Star Wars: Episode VII have approached him about a role in the film. What’s awesome is how the legendary actor responded to the reach out. “They called, yeah,” he said, almost flippantly to Sky News.
“I’m more cynical about it now. I believe it when I’m on the plane home. You know, the deal isn’t done until then. But yeah, they’ve inquired.”
We at Movie Fanatic would say this is as huge as the admission by Carrie Fisher that she, Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill are in the flick. Actors are not approached for a movie like Star Wars: Episode VII without it being serious business.
And besides, who says no to appearing in a Star Wars movie?
And while we’re on the topic, our favorite rumor that has to happen… Benedict Cumberbatch as a Sith Lord!
Love Star Wars? Click through these 9 uber rare Star Wars behind-the-scenes photos that are just now coming to light!
Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford share a lighter moment on set. They're shooting a pivotal Star Wars scene! Do you know which one?
2.
Chewy Lifts Leia
Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) gives Leia (Carrie Fisher) a lift. The two were making Star Wars when this pic was snapped.
3.
George Lucas Filming
George Lucas films a scene using a model. That thing in the left of the photo... you probably remember it as much bigger!
4.
R2D2 Takes a Break
Kenny Baker steps out of the R2D2 machine. Baker would be the man inside the machine that is the iconic character of R2D2.
5.
Harrison Ford Studies His Lines
Harrison Ford (and Mark Hamill) are captured getting ready for filming Star Wars. Ford was reading his Han Solo lines and Hamill was studying up on Luke.
6.
Leia Loves Chewie
Princess Leia appears to really love Chewie! Carrie Fisher and Peter Mayhew are sharing a fun moment on the set of Star Wars.
7.
Obi-Wan Ready for Action
Sir Alec Guinness is ready for George Lucas to call "action." Yup, that's Mark Hamill as Luke on the ground.
8.
Chewie and C3PO Lose Their Head
Ever see C3PO or Chewbacca without their heads? You have now! Note Leia and Han mugging for the camera!
9.
Leia Strikes a Pose
Carrie Fisher is Leia and poses in a very un-characteristic pose for Peter Mayhew.
The LEGO Movie writer-directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller just want to tell a good story, regardless of the film’s format. They went from the triumph that is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs to the surprise live action hit 21 Jump Street (they also have 22 Jump Street coming this summer!).
Their third film in many ways combines both those worlds in that it is computer animation, told with the scope of the biggest action movie imaginable.
We caught up with Lord and Miller at Legoland recently for an exclusive interview and they dished what it took to make this astonishing accomplishment happen and whether their comedy savvy The LEGO Movie cast (which includes Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks, Morgan Freeman and Chris Pratt) had the ability to utilize their innate improv skills to create something funnier than was first imagined on the page. The answer is an absolute yes!
Movie Fanatic: This world of LEGO could have been so expansive. There are so many avenues you could have gone down. Coming down to this one story and who to include and who not to include, was that one of the bigger challenges?
Phil Lord: Yeah, totally.
Chris Miller: By far the biggest, I would say.
Phil Lord: And we had to sculpt it down to that because it got really big, really fast. There were 13 main characters at first [laughs].
Chris Miller: It’s kind of like cooking down a sauce where you keep stirring the pot and it takes a lot of time and it’s slow. And it cooks down to something that is more concentrated. That’s the challenge and joy about LEGO is that there are infinite possibilities. You just need to pick a few. It came down to the main character’s story and then everything that would support that ended up staying. Everything else was too much of a distraction from that… but there are a lot of crazy jokes on the cutting room floor.
Movie Fanatic: You had to cut down the story, and then you shot it and had to cut the movie. Was it hard making those decisions about what scenes worked and what didn’t?
Phil Lord: That happens a lot. There is a lot of extra material. There are also so many versions of the movie. Each one of those versions has a great scene that it killed us to remove. But, it made the overall story better. But, animation is that process. You make it. And you make it again and again and again.
Chris Miller: I think that’s why so many animated films turn out well is that you get a chance to see it before it’s finished and react viscerally. I think that’s why so many of the timeless movies are animated. With live action you shoot it and think, “I think this is going to work.” You get back to the editing room and you get what you get.
Movie Fanatic: What were you guys’ influences – animation wise – as you were getting into this field?
Phil Lord: The old Warner Bros. shorts, because they never talked down to kids. Chuck Jones because he was making thought experiments with high art out of these six-and-a-half-minute cartoons.
Chris Miller: I interned and worked one winter for Bill Plimpton. He was a real influence for both of us -- both comedically and stylistically. For this movie, it was the brick films that people make in their basements and stop motion films that people post online. That creativity really got us inspired.
Movie Fanatic: One thing that struck me, even from that first The LEGO Movie trailer is it is just gorgeous to look at. Was there ever a point where you could have gone too far with the colors and the lushness… or is there such a thing when you’re making a LEGO movie?
Phil Lord:Cloudy (with a Chance of Meatballs) was so crazy and over the top. You couldn’t’ recreate it on film because the colors were so insane. There are no chemicals in the world that could create that on celluloid. This is actually conservative by that measure [laughs]. But, we did want it to be a lot of eye candy.
Chris Miller: Our production designer, he had done 300. He has an epic scope in the way that he likes things to be lit. That was the fun of it is we wanted to take something that looked like a real LEGO set and light it like it was an epic action movie.
Movie Fanatic: Yes, this is The LEGO Movie, but it really feels like it could be a Michael Bay movie.
Phil Lord: [Laughs] Yeah! It’s big and grown up. It was really easy for this movie to be quaint and cute. But, the joke is that you are trying to tell the biggest story possible with the smallest possible tool.
Movie Fanatic: Like you said Chuck Jones did, it’s animation for everybody. It doesn’t talk down to kids and adults are insanely entertained. Was that important from the get-go?
Phil Lord: We’re interested in just making movies, not necessarily saying that they’re for this group or that group.
Chris Miller: We make movies for ourselves. I feel lucky that we’re pretty immature.
Phil Lord: [Laughs] Kids can relate to our ideas.
Chris Miller: We were never worried that kids weren’t going to enjoy a LEGO movie. We just wanted to do things that we think are funny in every movie that we do. And that is of the utmost importance.
Movie Fanatic: On a movie like 21 Jump Street, you have room for improv. But with an animated movie, is there any flexibility for that? I mean, you have some improv pros with Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks and Will Arnett.
Chris Miller: We like to set up, in animation, as many times as possible to get the actors together so they can play off each other. It usually doesn’t happen that way, but that’s how we like to work when we can.
Phil Lord: They’re in so early in the process. We don’t have such a solid script at that point. We’re just fumbling around in the dark at that point to find the story and the characters. And those guys are a big part of helping us figure that out.
The LEGO Movie blew us away and completely surprised us with how awesome it is.
Click through to see the 9 animated movies, including Lord and MIller's, that shocked us with how fantastic they are.
Never underestimate Trey Parker and Matt Stone. When given the chance to bring their Comedy Central series to the big screen, South Park exploded in the best of ways.
Never underestimate Trey Parker and Matt Stone. When given the chance to bring their Comedy Central series to the big screen, South Park exploded in the best of ways.
2.
Rango
The director of Pirates of the Caribbean joining forces again with Johnny Depp in an animated movie about a lizard in the Old West? Who knew it would be so good... it would win an Oscar!
3.
Ratatouille
Seriously, a movie about a Parisian rat who is a great chef. Whenever thinking about rats in kitchens, the thought is to run the other way. Should never bet against Disney!
4.
How to Train Your Dragon
A movie about a frail viking teenager and his effort to tame a dragon didn't have the highest of expectations. No one could have expected such a fine film, packed with humanity and heart.
5.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Combining live action and animation had had very mixed results in Hollywood history. But Who Framed Roger Rabbit gave us a film that looked as amazing as it was wickedly smart... and timeless!
6.
Chicken Run
A The Great Escape featuring chickens not trying to become dinner starring Mel Gibson? Please! In fact, it was a triumph of animation, storytelling and performance that also stands the test of time.
7.
ParaNorman
Who would ever have predicted that a stop motion animation movie about a kid who sees the supernatural could charm us as much as ParaNorman did? Not only did it score as an incredible movie, but it quickly became one of our favorite movies. Period.
8.
Team America: World Police
The South Park guys do it again. Trey and Matt's commentary about the role of America as the world's police was wickedly sharp, impeccably captured with puppetry animation and in the end -- was utterly hilarious.
9.
The LEGO Movie
One would think that a movie based on the world of LEGO would feel like a 90 minute commercial for toys. Oh, how wrong you would be. The film is a triumph and already considered one of the best of the decade, regardless of the genre.
And want further proof of Miller and Lord's talents? Why not watch 21 Jump Street online!
The Expendabelles is hoping to capture some of that The Expendables franchise magic. As The Expendables 3 is prepping to hit theaters August 15, news has arisen about the female-centric version that is currently in pre-production.
Producer Sylvester Stallone has hired a director, Robert Luketic, and now we have a rough synopsis of the movie that features an all-female cast ready to kick butt like their male counterparts did, most recently in The Expendables 2.
Prepare yourself for the plot for The Expendabelles:
“When America’s Navy SEALs are wiped out trying to penetrate the island lair of a deadly despot who has captured one of the world’s top nuclear scientists, it becomes clear that there is no such thing as the right man for the job and that this is a mission so impossible that only women can handle it. The only way in: some of the world’s deadliest female operatives must pose as high-class call-girls shipped in by private plane to satisfy a dictator -- and instead save the scientist and the day.”
Okay, we love the idea of an all female cast kicking butt as bone crunching as the men. But, you mean to tell us that the only plot vehicle available was to have them go undercover as high class call girls? Sorry, you’re going to have to do better than that!
So far no names have been attached to the flick, and now with this premise, we’re not sure who will join in.
An international poster for Noah has arrived, in a way marking the announcement that the film is currently undergoing a 3D conversion. But, those in America will not see Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic starring Russell Crowe as Noah in three dimensions.
The studio was inspired by the success of Ang Lee’s Life of Pi, but appears to be a little gun shy to go full 3D here in the States. Judging by that Noah Super Bowl trailer, if the film had actually been shot with 3D cameras, like Lee did with Life of Pi, it could work. So, we here at Movie Fanatic are thrilled with the news that the U.S. will not get a 3D conversion of Noah.
Noah also stars Emma Watson, Jennifer Connelly and Anthony Hopkins, and arrives in theaters March 8.
While you wait for Crowe’s next great film, click through and see our 7 must-see Russell Crowe movies!
Frozen is quickly on its way to becoming Disney’s highest grossing animated film of all-time, surpassing the mighty The Lion King.
Even with the announcement of the Frozen DVD, audiences are still flocking to theaters to enjoy the instant classic… and perhaps to hear the song that is sure to win the Oscar for Best Song, Let it Go.
There are so many fantastic lines from the movie -- it’s hard to know where to begin.
Of course, many involve the uber-awesome Frozen character Olaf, who steals scenes left and right! We have managed to whittle down one awesome movie to find the best and most fantastic Frozen quotes.
Anna: Can I say something crazy? Hans: I love crazy.
Anna: I'm Anna. Olaf: And who's the funky looking donkey over there? Anna: That's Sven. Olaf: Uh-huh, and who's the reindeer? Anna: ...Sven. Olaf: Oh they're bo - oh! Okay. Makes things easier for me.
The inspiring and thrilling true story Dallas Buyers Club is on a path to win two Oscars, one for Best Actor for Matthew McConaughey and one for Best Supporting Actor for Jared Leto. The fantastic film is out now on DVD and Blu-Ray and can easily be categorized as a must see… for the ages.
As teased in the Dallas Buyers Club trailer, McConaughey is renegade cowboy Ron Woodroof. He is a bigoted man who lives by the seat of his pants and is content to simply have a good time, regardless of what form that takes.
When he winds up in the hospital one day, he suspects it’s from partying a little too much. In fact, he discovers he has AIDS. This is the mid-1980s and the disease is largely unknown, other than it mostly infects homosexuals. Utterly distraught by the news, at first he resents the diagnosis. It is also at this point that he utters one of the best Dallas Buyers Club quotes!
Then, as he gets sicker and wants to seek help, he realizes there is hardly any to be had. So, he takes matters into his own hands and winds up becoming a hero to thousands who frequent his Dallas Buyers Club that features experimental AIDS medicine from across the globe that is actually helping.
McConaughey’s power in the role is only eclipsed by that of Leto, who plays an infected transvestite… as we stated in our theatrical Dallas Buyers Club review. The two make movie magic, and although the bonus features are sparse on the Dallas Buyers Club DVD and Blu-Ray, it doesn’t diminish this film as a must-own, must rent… and over all must-see!
The deleted scenes are interesting in how they show a deeper layer to the power of the movie as a whole. And A Look Inside Dallas Buyers Club is the rare behind-the-scenes featurette that informs as it entertains.
And be sure to check out the film that began McConaughey's resurgence to guaranteed Oscar winner and watch Magic Mike online.
We were beyond excited when it was announced that Robert Redford was in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Someone of his acting caliber is not only great for the franchise, but it speaks volumes as to how far the comic book movie as an institution has come.
Redford has gotten his own Captain America: The Winter Soldier character poster for his role of Alexander Pierce, who is a higher up on the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization and is integral to Captain America’s latest adventure.
Universal has announced, through a Pitch Perfect 2 teaser poster, that Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson will return in the Pitch Perfect sequel. And the words "We're Back" have never made us want to sing more.
Author Richelle Mead has crafted a world with her Vampire Academy books that have become a phenomenon. It is no wonder that it is now a major motion picture and it is from the filmmakers who gave us Heathers and Mean Girls. Daniel Waters penned the screenplay and director Mark Walkers brought it to life.
Is it more Twilight Saga-The Hunger Games or does it fall along the lines of previous YA films Beautiful Creatures and Mortal Instruments?
Vampire Academy is its own animal and it’s time, first of all, for Hollywood to stop trying to find the “next” YA page-to-screen blockbuster. The only thing these projects share in common is a successful run in print and a passionate readership. But, that doesn’t always translate and each deserves to be judged on its own merit.
The young and talented cast grabs you and truly explores the nature of the story at the heart of Mead’s books. Shown in the Vampire Academy trailer, Zoey Deutch’s Rose is charged with protecting a vampire princess Lissa (Lucy Fry), and we meet them on the streets of everyday America… far from their Vampire Academy.
The school is, after all, meant as a safe haven for those who prefer human blood to other forms of nutrition.
Immediately trouble hits, but it’s not the type of challenge Rose expects. They are promptly brought back to the school by their security force. And Lissa and Rose are immediately given a lecture on the dangers of the outside world and Rose is reprimanded for risking the life of a royal.
See, Lissa is the last in a line of royal vampires and… well, let’s not spoil too much.
For fans of the series, you know all too well that the casting of this film would be key to any successful adaptation. And Deutch is fantastic as Rose, and Fry could not be more impeccably chosen for Lissa. Even Dominic Sherwood’s Christian is as brooding as imagined from the books and Modern Family star Sarah Hyland shows her teeth, so to speak, as Natalie.
The problem we have with Vampire Academy is that the tone of the film is all over the place. These are blood suckers living in a dangerous world and we never get the sense of impending doom, despite what we are being told.
Our Vampire Academy review states that it feels like Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the movie). To be most effective, the visuals and the tone should more mirror Alfonso Cuaron’s dark Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban with its supernatural school tenor… complete with that deep feeling that all is not well. All is not well in the world of Vampire Academy, but that is never fully realized or embodied in what is explored onscreen.
Sure, fans of the book will be pleased with seeing their favorite characters come to life. Everyone else, unfortunately, will likely believe the film never really had any teeth.
That infectious song from The LEGO Movie trailer -- which also permeates throughout the film -- could also apply to the film itself… Everything Is Awesome!
We cannot think of one thing that is off about this utterly fantastic film that has surprised us with its fun factor, action-thrills, heart, hilarity, visual cornucopia and all out comic adventure for all ages.
Initially the idea of a LEGO movie was met with a bit of skepticism. After all, toy movies have not successfully littered the landscape of Hollywood with any kind of great success. In fact, most of them come off as 90-minute advertisements for the toys themselves or are sensory exploiting epics (Transformers). But, The LEGO Movie is not even close to a film that shrills its products.
It has all the soul of a self empowerment flick coupled with the scope, peril and action of a summer blockbuster.
Movie Fanatic should not be surprised. The film is from the writer-director team of Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Since their debut film Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was such an inventive and wildly original animated thrill, their success with The LEGO Movie is not out of nowhere. In fact, you could look at their follow-up to that film, 21 Jump Street, and see the presence of a great pair of filmmakers who handle comedy with precision while developing a story that compels with quite a few thrills along the way.
The LEGO Movie is a culmination of the greatest parts of those two great movies and takes Lord and Miller to a whole new level of… well, awesome.
Chris Pratt voices Emmet. He’s a lowly builder who has the most joyous of outlooks on life, even if he is as lonely as can be. He thinks he matters and is making his mark, but he really isn’t.
When a series of events lands him in front of rebel rouser Wyldstyle (a super spunky Elizabeth Banks), she believes fate has given her “The One” who will deliver their oppressed world from the evil Lord Business (Will Ferrell).
Wyldstyle takes Emmet to meet Vitruvius, a blind Gandalf-type wizard who too believes that Emmet has fatefully landed in their lap. Together -- along with a huge assist from Will Arnett as Batman and an array of other fantastic LEGO characters (including Channing Tatum as Superman, Jonah Hill as Green Lantern and Charlie Day as ‘80s Space Guy, Benny) -- they embark on bringing down Lord Business and trying to save the LEGO world.
Our The LEGO Movie review believes that there are messages aplenty in the film. And all arrive without a sledgehammer. As we stated, this film is for everyone across the age spectrum. Lord and Miller make profound statements about big business, the danger of uniformity and even the perils of pre-packed pop music. Oh, and then there’s the most important one of all that is embodied in the character of Emmet. Despite what the world may think of you, believe in yourself and greatness can happen.
Oh, and did we mention that it is fall-out-of-your-seat hilarious? Want further proof?
The Monuments Men director George Clooney has a certain feel to his movies. Whether reminding us of the costs of witch hunts of personal destruction in Good Night and Good Luck, the evils of corruption that can be found in the pursuit of power in The Ides of March or simply the strength in sticking to one’s convictions in Leatherheads… there is always a firm voice to a George Clooney film.
That is no clearer than in The Monuments Men. And what is impressive is that given how the film’s scope is much bigger -- a previously unknown battle fought in the European theater of World War II -- it shows how far Clooney has come as a filmmaker.
Clooney also stars and he has some serious company for the film based on the true story, co-written by Clooney and Grant Heslov. The Monuments Men cast consists of Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Bob Balaban, Cate Blanchett, Jean Dujardin and Hugh Bonneville. And each tackles their role as if it was them carrying the movie.
But, they are part of a true ensemble of players portraying a group of individuals joined by the mission of reclaiming all the priceless art that Hitler and the Nazis have stolen. They are not only to get it back to their rightful owners, but the clock is ticking because as it becomes clear that Germany is losing, the Nazis have vowed to destroy it all.
The film begins -- as teased in The Monuments Men trailer -- with Clooney’s Frank Stokes imploring the president to allow him to put together a team to perform the aforementioned mission. And in that opening monologue, Clooney has presented the power as to why this story is so important.
The Nazis were not just waging war on Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals, the French or the British or anyone else for that matter. They wanted to wipe Western culture off the map and remove it from history. You can murder a people, rob them off their possessions… but if you destroy their artifacts, their culture can be completely extinguished.
It is within that framework that the movie gets going. And the performances by Clooney and his cast are stellar.
Of particular strength is the bond and screen power emitted by Damon and Blanchett. The latter portrays a French art museum curator who was forced to work for the Nazis as they plundered tens of thousands of pieces of art. With the threat of her being killed, she kept track of where the art was going, and when Damon and The Monuments Men show up, she can be their best ally. But, after going through what she has gone through, Damon must earn her trust and it is their back and forth that provides much of the emotional power of the film as a whole.
Meanwhile, Clooney, Balaban, Dujardin, Bonneville and Murray are scouring the continent for any kind of clue as to where the art has gone. The two stories will collide in the most satisfying, thrilling, emotionally powerful and astonishingly true conclusion that Hollywood could never write.
Our The Monuments Men review finds that Clooney and Heslov have penned a screenplay that perfectly pays tribute to the ultimate sacrifice those warrior scholars made. And Clooney and his cast have delivered a film that documents what a culture-saving role The Monuments Men played in human history.
As Batman vs. Superman is set to begin production in Michigan any week now, expectations could not be higher. Matt Damon saw the Batsuit and is psyched for his buddy Ben Affleck to be Batman.
When the film's producer Michael Uslan recently talked about the upcoming project, he addressed the backlash against Affleck taking on the Dark Knight and reminded us of another time when another actor was cast as Batman and the backlash he had.
Only time has shown, we adored Michael Keaton's Batman! Heck, he delivered that iconic line, "I am Batman!"
Producer Michael Uslan was talking to EP Daily and filled in a few blanks as to why Affleck will be great and how hindsight will prove the recent Oscar winner for Argo will go down as one of the greats.
"Its a chance for a new direction, and it's going to be something that people I think will be just so excited about," he said. “It's so interesting to see the evolution for everybody involved and to see the evolution of Batman.”
Uslan was part of the casting process that brought in Affleck. He saw the various actors who read for the part and has a unique take on why Affleck is a perfect Batman. And he knows… he was there when fanboys erupted at the naming of Michael Keaton as Batman. “I could envision the posters: 'Mr. Mom is Batman,'" Uslan said of response to Keaton’s casting.
“But then he (Tim Burton) explained his vision. He had a vision, and he was right. This is all about Bruce Wayne. It's not about Batman. It's all about Bruce Wayne.”
Well, there you have it. Affleck would make a great Batman, because he will make a great Bruce Wayne.
“[In Batman vs. Superman] Bruce Wayne, maybe in his mid-forties -- what's he going to be feeling? What's he going to be thinking? What does he have on his plate to deal with? I just couldn't be more excited about it," Uslan added.
Again going back to the casting of Keaton, Uslan reminds us of something truly important. “[When audiences] actually went to see the movie they never wanted anyone else to play Batman, never."
Think we’ll have the same reaction to Affleck?
Until we get to see it… enjoy these brilliant Batman quotes, including Keaton's franchise-setting classic!
![[singing] The cold never bothered me anyway.](http://images.moviefanatic.com/iu/t_slideshow/v1386619991/frozen-idina-menzel-voices-elsa.jpg)
![[to Anna, who put her feet on his sled] Whoa, whoa, whoa, put your feet down. This is fresh...](http://images.moviefanatic.com/iu/t_slideshow/v1381968054/frozen-kristen-bell-jonathan-groff.jpg)
