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Roger Corman Exclusive Video Interview: A Legend Speaks

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Roger Corman is a screen legend. He has made over hundreds of films in his career and most notably served as mentor to some of our most esteemed filmmakers including Ron Howard, Martin Scorsese and Jack Nicholson. In Corman’s World, the new documentary from filmmaker Alex Stapleton, those he has touched get to pay tribute to the man while audiences simultaneously get to rediscover Corman’s films or learn about them for the first time. Movie Fanatic had the honor of sitting down with Stapleton and a film icon in Corman and it is with great pleasure we give you our exclusive video interview with Corman.




Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Movie Review: Bloody Good Fun!

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Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is an utter delight on so many fronts. Most clearly, the chemistry between Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law is priceless. Their Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson have a bromance for the ages that began in the first film and is only enhanced in the second.

Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law in A Game of Shadows
A Game of Shadows begins with a wedding on the horizon: Dr. Watson’s. Holmes is the best man and he and his sweetheart Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) have a dinner date before the big wedding festivities begin. Watson has kept his promise to his fiance and kept his work with Holmes to a minimum. When it becomes clear to Watson and Holmes that a series of bombings, assassinations and random deaths are all connected to a certain Professor Moriarty, the dynamic duo swing back into action.

Director Guy Ritchie is so in his element with A Game of Shadows. His filmmaking technique is a match made in heaven for this 21st century rendition of the Sherlock Holmes legend. Nobody uses slow motion as effectively and efficiently as Ritchie. Particularly when there is a moment in the film that leads to an audience question of how did they do that, before the action starts, he flashes through in slow and fast motion sequence illustrating exactly how Sherlock or Watson manage their magic escapes or what have you. It is a feast for the eyes… and ears.

The addition of Noomi Rapace to the boys' club proves fruitful. Her portrayal of the Gypsy Sim in her first English language role after the Swedish Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series is impressive. She naturally gels with Downey and Law and not only fits right into the repartee, but contributes to it immensely.

Our villain in Game of Shadows is the evil Moriarty, Holmes' most notorious villain from the Doyle book series. Actor Jared Harris is steely sinister and devilishly delicious as Moriarty and brings a panache that matches Downey’s Holmes throughout the entire film. If Downey and Law’s crystal clear camaraderie is what makes Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows tick, it is Downey and Harris’ acting fencing match that gives it its gusto.

Downey and Law give off sparks that have us believing they could recite the alphabet together and it would be equal parts humorous, powerful and extraordinarily entertaining. If Oscars could be given for best duo in a motion picture, Law and Downey (what are our top 10 Downey films?) would win in a landslide. Each was born to appear opposite the other in this series, at this moment in time.

Movie Fanatic does not report this without serious thought, but A Game of Shadows is the most fun you will have at the movies this year. Sherlock Homes 2 is simply an all-out blast. You’ll smile, laugh, cry, laugh some more, gasp for air from the thrills and finally leave the theater amazed at the pure unadulterated entertainment that a group of talented cinematic geniuses have put together.

Top 10 Robert Downey Jr. Movies: Downey Does it Good

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Robert Downey Jr. has been to the brink and back, but one thing has never wavered: His immense talent. An Oscar nominee and box office king, Downey is back on the big screen with Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.

The film reunites him with Jude Law (Dr. Watson) and director Guy Ritchie. As Game of Shadows hits screens and The Avengers fever continues at a fever pitch for the film arriving May 2012, we look back at the career of one of Hollywood’s most gifted thespians and give you the Top 10 Robert Downey Jr. Movies!

10. Natural Born Killers
In 1994, Downey headed into the world of Oliver Stone with Natural Born Killers and in many ways, played a journalist that would echo the way journalism would be heading for the next 15 years: Sensationalist. He followed Juliette Lewis and Woody Harrelson into the depths of hell as the two serial killers had the means of telling their story in Downey’s journalist.

Robert Downey Jr in Natural Born Killers
9. Wonder Boys
Robert Downey Jr. was just beginning his latest comeback when he appeared opposite Michael Douglas in Wonder Boys. His acting talents still in top form, it was nice to see Downey return to greatness after years of making headlines for things other than acting. Wonder Boys is a heartwarming film and if you are a Downey fan, it is a must-see.

8. Less Than Zero
Less Than Zero, in hindsight, could have been a cautionary tale. At the time it served as a revelation of the astounding gifts of Downey. Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz and Downey played recent high school graduates with their entire life in front of them. When McCarthy returns to their Southern California home from his East Coast college, he discovers his friends in various forms of disarray -- particularly Downey who is drug-addled and on the verge of killing himself.

It is one powerful film and was one of our first looks into the true talents of a master thespian.

7. Soapdish
Downey does flamboyant with his turn in the soap opera parody Soapdish. The actor played a writer on one of the biggest soaps on TV and is, on one hand, being manipulated by one of the show’s stars (Cathy Moriarity), and on the other hand he is trying to manage his workload with the head writer (Whoopi Goldberg). With his third hand (yes, that’s how manic his character is!) he's trying his best to appease the show’s superstar (Sally Field).

Believe it or not, Soapdish has aged quite well and still stands the test of time. It’s also a fascinating study into soap operas as they begin their expedited trip to extinction.

6. Sherlock Holmes
Following becoming a blockbuster star in 2008’s Iron Man, Downey delivered another blockbuster as the iconic character from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books in 2009 with Sherlock Holmes. English accent: perfect. Classic Holmes swagger: nailed it. Required repartee with Dr. Watson (Jude Law): impeccable. We cannot wait for you all to see the follow-up, A Game of Shadows, opening this Friday.

Sherlock Holmes Movie
5. Zodiac
More audiences should have seen this powerful film based on the true story of the Zodiac serial murderer. Downey starred in Zodiac with Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo in director David Fincher’s killer film that fell on deaf ears when it hit theaters, but has enjoyed success on home video. If you missed it and consider yourself a Downey fan, it is a must-see.

4. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is an utter blast. It should be illegal to have this much fun at the movies and that is largely in part to the performance of Downey and his costar, Val Kilmer. The film is classic film noir that also never takes itself too seriously. Downey’s character, Harry Lockhart, serves as the film’s narrator.

The petty criminal begins the film by running away from a botched robbery into a room of actors auditioning for a film. He kills the audition, is flown to Hollywood for a screen test.. and the rest you will have to watch for yourself. Also, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was produced by Susan Levin, who would become Mrs. Robert Downey Jr.

3. Chaplin
Downey earned his first Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in the biopic Chaplin. Directed by the master helmer Richard Attenborough, Downey effortlessly channeled the Little Tramp and firmly established himself as an actor worthy of awards praise.

2. Iron Man
Iron Man rocketed Downey to the top of the A-list pack. An enormous hit that was also a terrific film, there was no better choice to play Iron Man than the actor. Sure the sequel lacked a little muscle, but Iron Man the first has everything you want from not only a superhero movie, but any film. Downey displayed humor, power and panache in a role that will forever be equated with him. Like Christopher Reeve and Superman, any actor until the end of time will forever be compared to him.

Kirk Lazarus Photo
1. Tropic Thunder
Downey blew doors on so many levels with his performance in Tropic Thunder. Where to start? He played an Australian theater-trained method actor who was playing an African American in the middle of a war in Asia. With any other performer, this task could have proved impossible. Yet, in the hands of Downey he makes it look effortless. To us at Movie Fanatic, Tropic Thunder will always be the best in a long line of bests for the actor who will also serve as the definition of how to stage and maintain a comeback for the ages.

Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol Movie Review: Thrill a Minute

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Tom Cruise waited for the right script to return to the role of Ethan Hunt in the Mission Impossible franchise with Ghost Protocol. This movie cooks. Gone are the plot mysteries of the first incarnation and the action that was so expertly executed in the second and third films has been taken to another level in Ghost Protocol. The story works on so many levels and what’s so incredible is the plot is never sacrificed for thrills. Director Brad Bird has crafted a Mission masterpiece.

Tom Cruise Stars in Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol begins its action in Russia when the IMF team (which includes Mission veteran Simon Pegg and newcomers Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton) is charged with breaking into the Kremlin for a piece of intelligence that, if fallen into the wrong hands, could start a nuclear war. Immediately the audience can tell how smart this Mission is while still being mesmerized by the disguises, action sequences and jaw-dropping suspense.

The stakes could not be higher in Ghost Protocol. By establishing nuclear war as the potential end game, every moment on screen pops with tension. But, there is also a fair share of humor. Much of it is courtesy of Pegg. With his comic background and acting chops, his Benji is not only the comic relief amongst a sea of suspense, but also he can button it up when the scenes call for seriousness.

Renner and Patton join Cruise’s team and are astounding additions. Patton is no wallflower. Her Agent Jane is painted as a veteran of many IMF missions. She is so fierce, we could see her character as an equal in a Bond film. Renner’s Agent Brandt is somewhat of a mystery. He is capable of greatness, but in Renner’s performance, there is something in the character’s past that is clearly haunting him. The actor makes his pain palpable and his performance is pitch perfect.

Director Bird was a possible question mark heading into the latest Mission Impossible film. The helmer had previously only worked in animation with his stellar efforts The Iron Giant, Ratatouille and The Incredibles. The latter, of course, contained its fair share of action. The man knows how to set a pace that crackles with excitement. In Ghost Protocol it is impressive how the stunts he orchestrates honestly eclipse all the past sequences in the last three Mission movies. Even that iconic CIA break-in scene in the first film is pale in comparison to the high-wire act Bird presents in Dubai in Ghost Protocol. We will say no more on that, it must be seen.

Ghost Protocol opens on IMAX screens December 16 before opening wide December 21. Movie Fanatic could not recommend enough taking in the film on IMAX. Many scenes are shot on IMAX cameras, including that Dubai sequence. It is so real that vertigo could ensue, and that is a very good thing.

After seeing Ghost Protocol, Movie Fanatic wants more Missions. If upcoming installments are half as thrilling, partially as powerful and a third of a thrill-a-minute ride as Ghost Protocol, they too will be astounding pieces of work.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked Movie Review

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The first thing Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked has going for it is one great title. Chipwrecked as a moniker for a movie about the Chipmunks being stuck on a deserted island after falling off a ship is no less than impeccable.

Alvin and the Chipmunks in Chipwrecked
Then there's the CGI. The Chipmunks have come a long way as the technology has grown. Visually, they look about as real as Chipmunks can be… that is talking Chipmunks who sing in super high-pitched voices. From the wind blowing their hair to their moving mouths uttering their lines or singing songs, the CGI in Chipwrecked is top notch and kids will go absolutely crazy for it.

But, in terms of the story for Chipwrecked, it kind of misses the boat. Dave (Jason Lee) takes the Chipmunks and Chipettes on a week-long cruise for a little R&R before they are supposed to perform at the International Music Awards. You could guess that it is Alvin that gets the gang into trouble. So much trouble, all involved fall off the cruise line, get separated and land on that deserted island we mentioned earlier.

Audiences do not take in the Chipmunk movies for the plot. What they go to see is good entertainment for the entire family and maybe a lesson or two for the kids to chew on. Chipwrecked more than provides that. Also a huge element of the first two Chipmunk movies' success is parents have no problem taking their kids to the films as the instant nostalgia for the furry fellows permeates the film. For many adults, the Chipmunks' Saturday cartoon was an island of joy in an ever-crazier world.

Much of their appeal back in the day and on screen for the younger generation is their music. With Chipwrecked they have scored a soundtrack that is the best of the movie trilogy. Songs such as Vacation (which literally begins the movie) sound impeccably mixed with all six voices (Chipmunks and Chipettes) and are pure ear candy. The same can be said for their rendition of Pink’s Trouble, Destiny Child’s Survivor and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way.

Chipwrecked does get lost and it happens as soon as Dave and his Chipmunk brood step on the ship. The gaffes are predictable, yet they won’t be to children. The storyline could have been written on a cocktail napkin, and also children will not care. Alvin learning responsibility while Simon loosens his proverbial tie is a tale that has been told before in the Chipmunks world. But, yet again, with the youngest moviegoers, it will hardly matter. Sense a theme here? Chipwrecked is OK as a whole, albeit super cute for adults -- and one terrific ride for kids.

The Dark Knight Rises Prologue: What You Need to Know

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If you’re taking in the IMAX screening of Mission Impossible 4 (check out our Ghost Protocol review and why it’s a must-see on IMAX), audiences get an added treat. The Dark Knight Rises prologue is premiering before all showings of the Tom Cruise flick and Movie Fanatic has the lowdown on the beginning of the Bat’s latest story.

Christian Bale in The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises prologue is six minutes long and is essentially the beginning of director Christopher Nolan’s final foray into the Batman franchise. Spoilers are coming, people… so if you don’t want to know, check out our list of where to see The Dark Knight Rises prologue and enjoy. Otherwise… here goes!

Dark Knight Rises’ prologue begins with a ridiculously glorious heist after Gary Oldman’s Commissioner Gordon gives a melancholy speech at Harvey Dent's funeral.

During the heist, audiences are treated to the first glimpse of Batman baddie Bane. Tom Hardy is the evildoer and although a little difficult to understand in the prologue, his presence is powerful and may be one of Batman’s most hardcore villains. We can bet that the hard-to-hear aspect of Hardy’s performance will be taken care of prior to the film’s July 20 premiere.

Check out Ghost Protocol on IMAX and let us know what you think of The Dark Knight Rises prologue!

Jack the Giant Killer Trailer: Jack's Beanstalk Never Looked Like This

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Jack the Giant Killer gives audiences a new take on the Jack and the Beanstalk tale and we assure you it has never looked so good. The first trailer from Jack the Giant Killer has premiered and Movie Fanatic has it for you below. The film is from director Bryan Singer (X-Men) and features an all-star cast including Bill Nighy (who told us about it in our exclusive interview), Stanley Tucci, Ewan McGregor and Nicholas Hoult. The film arrives in 3D on June 15, 2012.

Weekend Movie Preview: December 16, 2011

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Even though it is freezing outside for much of the U.S., it sure feels like summer at the cineplex. It’s a weekend of fantastic franchises as Sherlock Holmes releases its second film in the series, Tom Cruise returns for Mission Impossible’s fourth go-around and those cute Chipmunks return for their third trip onscreen.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows: Guy Ritchie does it again in the sequel to 2009’s Sherlock Holmes. A Game of Shadows features Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law with their best banter that results in a delightful holiday treat for audiences young and old. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is a visual joy with great performances from its cast, including newcomers to the franchise Noomi Rapace and Jared Harris. It is a must-see. Check out our A Game of Shadows review for more.


Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked: The kids will adore the Chipmunks as they return to the big screen for their third feature. The Chipettes join the boys and Jason Lee is back as Dave, the Chipmunks' father figure. After beginning a vacation on a cruise, Lee and all the Chipmunks fall off their ship and land on a deserted island. The soundtrack cooks, the story lacks, but children will adore this latest Chipmunks effort. Don’t miss our Chipwrecked review for more insight.


Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol: The latest and greatest of the Mission Impossible movies, Ghost Protocol brings back Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt and boy is he game. From its opening moments that thrill and take your breath away to the final moments where a peaceful resolution is far from certain, Ghost Protocol is a scorcher. The film is debuting December 16 on IMAX theaters only, so if you want to see Cruise cruising in Ghost Protocol, head to the nearest IMAX screen and prepare for a treat. And be sure to visit our Ghost Protocol review for more on this great film. The film opens wide on December 21.


More New Photos from The Amazing Spider-Man!

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Yesterday, Movie Fanatic premiered a slew of The Amazing Spider-Man photos from the reboot of the Spider-Man franchise. The Amazing Spider-Man takes us back to the beginning with The Social Network’s Andrew Garfield stepping into Tobey Maguire’s suit. Our first new photo today features Garfield in the Spidey suit swinging into action.

Andrew Garfield Stars in The Amazing Spider-Man
Movie Fanatic was thrilled when we heard about the casting of screen gems Martin Sheen and Sally Field as Peter Parker’s aunt and uncle. So, we are extremely proud to present the first still of Field and Sheen!

Martin Sheen and Sally Field in The Amazing Spider-Man
Garfield was an interesting choice for the Parker/Spider-Man role. You can’t tell too much from a photo, but he certainly looks the part in that suit.

The Amazing Spider-Man Star Andrew Garfield
Garfield’s Parker is looking quite serious in our final new still from The Amazing Spider-Man.

Andrew Garfield is Peter Parker in Amazing Spider-Man

Christoph Waltz Survives Carnage: The Movie Fanatic Interview

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Carnage star Christoph Waltz has had his share of entanglements on screen of late. He won an Oscar for his role as a without regard Nazi in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds. He served as Seth Rogan’s foil in The Green Hornet. But he gets into a whole new level of confrontation with his part in Carnage opposite Kate Winslet, Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly.

Jodi Foster, John C Reilly, Christoph Waltz and Kate Winslet in Carnage
Carnage is based on a play and is an actor’s showcase in its storyline. Two kids have a schoolyard fight and their parents get together for a summit of sorts.

Waltz is talking to Movie Fanatic about how Carnage was especially meaningful for the actor. He achieved a dream of working with the great director Roman Polanski. His adoration for the director of Carnage is effervescent. "A generous amount of time is something that you need. I was in awe,” Waltz said of the first days of filming with the lauded director. “The degree of my respect for him is almost unlimited. It’s good to actually to have a day or two to get over that and just do the job.”

The Oscar winner got his chance to appear on the film courtesy of a few friends. “There are connections that are a lot closer to the usual six degrees and someone said to me it would be good if you could see Roman. But he’s in Switzerland. It truly and seriously innocently happened that I was in Switzerland too,” Waltz said and laughed. “I took a train and saw him. And that’s how it started.”

The script for Carnage had Waltz ready to commit. That it was a Polanski film was pure icing on the cake. “I had no idea who or what was attached when I read it. It was Roman Polanski. That was it. That was enough reason for me to go there. The first time I saw a Polanski movie it was the late ‘60s -- The Fearless Vampire Killers,” Waltz said.

“Even then the man Polanski was already known to me. I’m aware and in awe of Roman Polanski for… almost 50 years now. That’s exaggerated,” he said chuckling. “It’s more like 45 years.”

His character in Carnage is on his cell phone all the time. It is almost another character in the ensemble piece. Is Christoph a cell phone guy? “It matters who’s calling,” Waltz said and smiled. “I answer my phone more than I make calls myself.”

The biggest challenge for Waltz in Carnage was to keep the presence of mind to maintain that laser sharp level that roman Polanski posses 24 hours a day. “To stay with it, it’s exhausting to maintain your concentration to that level,” Waltz said. “You have to keep up. He is not working within the comfortable.”

Playing with Kate Winslet his co-star was also a delight. They got real close. “She got so close she puked on me,” Waltz said of a hilarious scene in Carnage.

As is it based on a play, the immense character interaction between the four leads was intense. “It’s just the four of us everyday. You get to know the people whether you want to or not. In this case, I wanted to,” Waltz said. Again, it is courtesy of the director behind Carnage. “It’s more proof of Roman’s mastership. He picks the right people. It’s not just for what he needs in terms of the movie. It’s about what also he needs to arrive at the movie that he wants.”

Carnage could be called a departure. Waltz does not see it that way. After being notoriously known for villains, he sees things differently. “I’m not an acrobat. I’m just an actor. I play the parts as good as I can. I depend on the author. I depend on the director,” Waltz said of his villainous history on screen in Hollywood.

“Really, I depend on being given the chance to do it at all. I don’t look scripts or parts from the other end. That’s not something I consider,” Waltz said and leans in. “Can I do what would be required to play the part in the interest in the movie? And would I like to do that? Am I willing to give up a part of my life for that?”

Now that Carnage is in theaters, can Waltz look back at the Polanski experience and grasp its meaning? “It’s one of these experiences, honestly, why me? What makes me so special that I get this chance? Why not you? The probability seems to be insurmountable,” Waltz said. “Yet, it was me. It’s something that I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around.”

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Premieres Two Posters

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Two different looks, one very interesting movie is the thought as posters for the upcoming Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter have debuted. The 20th Century Fox film lands in theaters June 22, 2012 and these two one-sheets are our first look at the vision director Timur Bekmambetov has for making the president who saved the union also be one bad-ass vampire killer.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Poster One
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is based on the book by Seth Grahame-Smith and in our first images, through the poster debut, we get two stark looks at Lincoln in the same pose: In the Oval Office saving the nation (above) and then in full vampire killer mode (below).

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Poster Two
Vampire Hunter stars Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie (who told us about the film in our exclusive interview), Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Rufus Sewell.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Trailer Premieres Tuesday

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For those of you who thought you had to go see the Steven Spielberg-directed, Peter Jackson-produced Adventures of Tintin to see the first trailer for The Hobbit, guess again. Warner Bros. has announced that the premiere trailer for An Unexpected Journey will debut online at 7 p.m. PST.

The Unforgettable Gandalf
Hobbit director Jackson has released videos from The Hobbit set, but this will be our first look at what angle he’s taking on the iconic J.R.R. Tolkien story.

After years of delay and myriad of directors taking, and then leaving the helm, it’s nice to see that Jackson is back in the Lord of the Rings fold as well as having a timeline for that first trailer.

Stay tuned!

Daniel Craig to Play Bond Five More Times... or More?

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In addition to the currently filming Skyfall, Daniel Craig is close to confirming that he will be playing James Bond for five more films. Word arose today out of Hollywood that the current James Bond, and star of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, is close to inking a deal that would keep him in Bond’s tuxedo for five more films after Skyfall.

Daniel Craig is James Bond
Movie Fanatic just spent some time with Craig in New York City for Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (more on that interview upcoming and don't miss our review!). And meeting the man face to face, he’s even more Bond-ish in person than he is on screen. This is delightful news that Craig will be Bond for years to come as this Bond fan believes he is the best Bond since Sean Connery.

Bond producer Michael G. Wilson, in fact, wants Craig to surpass Roger Moore’s record of appearing as Bond by doing eight pictures!

So I guess we can dismiss those Idris Elba rumors that he’s the next James Bond?

Get Lost with John Carter: New TV Spots

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Walt Disney has released two new John Carter clips (right after their IMAX poster release) that really put the storyline into some context. The first clip is called He Arrives and shows John Carter immediately after he is mysteriously transported to Mars from his Civil War era home.

The second John Carter TV spot is entitled Lost and takes viewers into what has happened to Carter since that fateful awakening on the Mars desert floor.


John Carter arrives in 3D on March 9 (also in IMAX 3D) and has a stellar cast including Mark Strong (don’t miss our exclusive video interview with him), Taylor Kitsch as the titular hero, Willem Dafoe, Thomas Hayden Church and Bryan Cranston.

John Carter is based on the novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs and if successful, could easily be an ongoing series.

The Avengers Trailer: German Teaser Teases More!

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So maybe most of us won’t know what is being said, but the beauty in the new German trailer for The Avengers is the debut of the first new scenes since the first Avengers trailer premiered months ago. Movie Fanatic knows you all could not be more psyched for The Avengers to arrive on May 4, so we had to share this German trailer for those priceless new visual gems contained within the foreign teaser.


The Dark Knight Rises Trailer is Here!

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Just in time for The Dark Knight Rises prologue to debut before Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (Where to watch? We've got the info!), the film’s second and more in depth trailer has arrived.

Batman fans unite! Christopher Nolan has premiered the trailer and we can hear the deafening calls of approval from fans worldwide. We've got your first look at Anne Hathaway's Catwoman in the trailer too! Without further ado… take a first look at The Dark Knight Rises...

Top 10 Action-Thrillers of 2011: Who's #1?

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It was a stellar year for action-thrillers in 2011. As Movie Fanatic sat down to draft our Top 10 Action-Thrillers of 2011, this was much more challenging to whittle down than our Top 10 Villains and Top 10 Comedies of 2011.

Although it didn’t make our Top 10 Action-Thrillers of 2011, I Am Number Four deserves a shout-out. That film took a lot of flack, but after seeing it again on Blu-Ray, I Am Number Four is one tight thriller. Haven’t seen it? You should. The Debt is also riveting, but our list was just too crowded.

So, who did make the cut?

10. Contagion
Terrifying on every level. The ticking time bomb in Contagion is that the end game of the villain, a virus, is total annihilation of the human race. Besides having one of the best casts of the year, led by Matt Damon, and an esteemed director in Steven Soderbergh, Contagion’s thrills were so real, and that is what made it so riveting.

9. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
When you have a thriller based on the spy master John le Carre’s book, already there is a running chance that the resulting film will be a nail biter. Gary Oldman stars with Oscar winner Colin Firth in the film version of the classic spy novel and what sets Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy apart is how it’s a slow cook thrill. The reveal that is shocking is almost two hours in the making. Those minutes are filled with clues expertly dished out to not only satisfying curiosity, but to feed the fire of wanting to know what’s next.

8. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
In our A Game of Shadows review, Movie Fanatic said that the latest Sherlock Holmes was the most fun you’ll have at the movies this year. The film is simply a blast. And we mean that literally and figuratively as the film is chock full of explosions and near death moments for our heroes that your first breath when entering the theater is likely to be your last until exiting.

7. Fast Five
Who would have thought that the fifth installment of this speed heavy series would be its best? That’s exactly what happened when Fast Five debuted and took audiences for the rollercoaster ride of the year. Producers even upped the ante for the fifth Fast and the Furious by adding Dwayne Johnson as a lawman hot on our speedsters’ tails.

6. Drive
Right off the bat, there is not as much action as one would expect in Drive. But, there is enough action and a bevy of thrills that not only is it one of the best action-thriller movies of the year, it will be one of Movie Fanatic’s Top 10 Movies of the Year (stay tuned for that December 22). Ryan Gosling is a man of all trades. He moonlights as a getaway driver, works his days as a mechanic, and is also a go-to Hollywood stunt driver. Along the way he meets Carey Mulligan and the stakes in his life are suddenly never higher to get the girl, get away and live another day.

5. Tie: Thor and Captain America
Thor and Captain America each have their astoundingly good merits, but in very different ways. Where Thor was Shakespearean in its scope and feel with its dysfunctional and violent royal family, Captain America was wide-eyed and innocent in its good-versus-evil storytelling. Both served their purpose and blew away expectations while simultaneously setting the bar very high for origin stories (hello Green Lantern and Man of Steel, you are on notice). Nothing is a given, but we’d be very surprised if The Avengers isn’t on this list in 2012.

4. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
Tom Cruise is back in a big way in the fourth Mission Impossible film. Scaling the tallest building in the world with that stunt in Dubai? Take that breaking into the CIA in the first film! What makes Ghost Protocol so incredible is that it has action that is breathtaking and is equally a thriller in how it sets a pace. Not one movie in 2011 so incredibly went from zero to 160 as effectively as Ghost Protocol.

3. Hanna
Saoirse Ronan killed it in Hanna as a teenage girl who discovers she is actually born to be an assassin. Cate Blanchett goes to extraordinary lengths to capture Ronan’s Hanna because if her secret got out, the repercussions would be catastrophic. Eric Bana is Hanna’s dad and as the film begins, we learn everything about how Hanna grew up. She is living in the middle of nowhere in a hut on a Scandinavian snow-covered landscape. Quickly, we see that her father can no longer protect his daughter. He can only hope his years of training with her will bear fruit and they can both live free of a life looking over their shoulders.

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
The Harry Potter series truly ended in a brilliant display of action and thrills. How can you beat the epic Battle of Hogwarts on screen this year in terms of scope, breadth and power? Harry Potter and Voldemort had their final opus in Deathly Hallows Part 2 and it was an enthralling and fitting end to a series that has bewitched us with its magic, mayhem and majesty.

1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Usually it’s really difficult to transfer the inner most thoughts of a character on a screen when capturing a book’s prose. Director David Fincher manages that and more with his utterly thrilling Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. There is nothing more we could say about the masterwork of thrills in 2011… well, maybe a littler more! Check out our Girl with the Dragon Tattoo review to discover why the film is simply the best action-thriller of the year.

21 Jump Street Trailer Takes Us Back

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The international trailer for 21 Jump Street is here and the whole cops going undercover at a high school thing is handled head-on. Not only once, but twice! The trailer has characters making fun of the guys for looking older than they are pretending to be. Salute to you 21 Jump Street for possessing the self mockery to overcome that hurdle with your audience.


21 Jump Street famously served as the launching pad for the phenomenon that is Johnny Depp in the 1980s. The film version stars Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as the aforementioned cops that wind up undercover at a local high school. Supposedly, although we don’t see it in this trailer, Depp makes a 21 Jump Street cameo. We cannot wait to see that when the film premieres March 16, 2012.

The Wrath of the Titans Trailer: Go Greek!

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Just recently, Movie Fanatic featured a first look at The Wrath of the Titans. Now… we have our first trailer! The sequel to Clash of the Titans features Sam Worthington coming back, along with an army of enormously talented actors.

The legendary Bill Nighy stars alongside Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Rosamund Pike, Edgar Ramirez and Toby Kebbell.

Wrath of the Titans’ action picks up 10 years after Perseus took down Kraken. Things are clearly not peachy amongst the Titans. The battle between Titans and gods continues, and as support from humans wanes for their gods, the Titans are surging.

Wrath of the Titans lands in theaters March 30.

Prometheus Preview: Ridley Scott's Back Where He Belongs

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The images of Prometheus have astounded and now we know the first trailer from Ridley Scott’s return to space arrives December 22. Movie Fanatic got our hands on a teaser of the teaser trailer, a Happy Holidays indeed. The preview to the preview is the first footage anyone has seen. When a science fiction master has only made three films in that genre during three decades, it is a momentous occasion when the master returns to his fruitful ground. After Blade Runner and Alien, we’re ready for more and Prometheus is finally it.

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