On Gear Live: Samsung S95C: The OLED TV You Can’t Afford (to Ignore!)

Rise of the Planet of the Apes Sequel Already Planned

Rise of Planet of the ApesRise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt is already planning a sequel.

The movie - starring James Franco as San Francisco scientist Will Rodman and Frieda Pinto as primatologist Caroline Aranha - performed strongly on its US release last weekend, and Rupert believes the possibilities for a new film are endless.

"There's so much we could do. The ideas I've had are all sorts of things, ranging from Full Metal Jacket with apes, you could start this story again eight years from where we left off, the next generation of apes, those that have come from our protagonists, perhaps going in to a conflict with humans and showing real fear, in the same way as going into war for young soldiers in this day and age, telling their story."

Rupert believes the interactions between apes and humans is a fascinating story and is keen to explore this more in any future sequels: "Or we could look at how apes are taking over cities, and being moved into human environments and having to interact with them and deal with things that are part of our culture and understand and evolve through them. Spies that are in the employ of the apes, working against humans and humans maybe existing underground, because that's a way they can avoid the virus, coming up above ground wearing gas masks, and maybe that's what dehumanizes them."


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Sequel News: The Hobbit, Wimpy Kid and More


The Hobbit: Guillermo Del Toro’s exit from The Hobbit doesn’t necessarily mean an end for the prequels. Lord of the Rings’ Peter Jackson is now in talks to serve as both producer and director. It’s still hoped the two films can be released in 2012 and 2013.

Click to continue reading Sequel News: The Hobbit, Wimpy Kid and More


This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: March 31, 2009

Slumdog MillionaireHere are some of the options available this Tuesday:

  • An American in Paris: Blu-ray
  • The Chronicles of Riddick: Blu-ray
  • Ghosts of Mars: Blu-ray
  • Gigi: Blu-ray
  • Marley & Me: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Pitch Black: Blu-ray
  • Seven Pounds: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Slumdog Millionaire: DVD, Blu-ray
  • South Pacific: Blu-ray
  • Tell No One: DVD, Blu-ray

Click here to see the TV-on-DVD options for this week.

Read More | Amazon

Box Office Breakdown: Nicolas Cage Bests Julia Roberts

Knowing

It was a battle between two Oscar winners this past weekend - one in (Julia Roberts) a well-received drama and the other (Nicolas Cage) in a critically panned thriller.

You can guess how this ended.

, a film about a bunch of seemingly random numbers, found itself hitting all the right ones over the past three days. The Summit Entertainment project earned $24.6 million and a first place finish. The debut - a nice rebound from Cage’s showing with Bangkok Dangerous - also gave the actor his sixth best premiere ever.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Nicolas Cage Bests Julia Roberts

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Watchmen Loses to Race

Race to Witch Mountain

Win or lose, this weekend’s box office race was a success for at least one person: .

Last week, the actress saw her movie, , sitting at the top of the pack with a hefty $55 million. Unfortunately, the film’s strong start quickly turned into a disappointing ride. In just seven days, the comic book adaptation fell a whopping 67%. Nevertheless, a $17.8 million gross was still good enough for a 2nd place finish.

Meanwhile, another Gugino feature, , was having a nice time on Earth. The Disney remake’s $24 million surprised many industry watchers for its solid lead over Watchmen.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Watchmen Loses to Race

Read More | Variety

Is Freida Pinto the Next Bond Girl?

Freida PintoHollywood definitely recognizes a hot gem when it sees one.

Although her Oscar-winning film is still charting in the Top Ten, Slumdog Millionaire’s Freida Pinto is already moving on to the next phase of her career. Just weeks ago, the former model was cast alongside Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin and Anthony Hopkins in an untitled Woody Allen project. Now she is being rumored for something with an even higher profile.

According to a British newspaper, the 24-year-old is now being considered for the next Bond film. A source for The Sun claims Pinto’s name was actually known to them prior to her recent success. “Freida came to the attention of the Bond team when they were casting Quantum of Solace. She was too young at the time to have a part as a love interest for a secret agent. But she has blossomed into an incredibly stunning young woman and would look perfect on Daniel Craig’s arm,” the insider stated.

If the reports are true, it’s possible Freida could be reuniting with her Slumdog director for the 007 flick. The same paper also claims Danny Boyle has been asked to helm the latest installment.

Read More | The Sun

Box Office Breakdown: Watchmen Finally Gets Its Time to Shine

Watchmen's Rorschach

When is a $55.7 million weekend considered a slight disappointment?

  • When the film is the only new major release that weekend.
  • The movie involves superheroes.
  • The story is based on a popular graphic novel.
  • The project has received a significant amount of attention due to a lengthy court battle.
  • The director earned more for his last film. (300 grossed $70.9 million over its first three days back in 2007.)
  • The R-rated film features plenty of gore and nudity.
  • It cost between $120-$150 million to make.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Watchmen Finally Gets Its Time to Shine

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Tyler Perry Surprises the Jonas Brothers

Madea Goes to Jail

Back in February 2008, Hannah Montana grossed a record $31.1 million during its first weekend. Now, just over a year later, the Jonas Brothers can say they pulled in less than 1/2 as much.

Although there were high hopes for , the musical trio was unable to match the work of dual personalities. (The movie even played in twice as many screens as the Miley Cyrus version.) As it was, the teen heartthrobs were only the second biggest draw this weekend. The good news? The boys did have the best per screen average of any entry in the Top Ten.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Tyler Perry Surprises the Jonas Brothers

Read More | Variety

Woody Allen Snags Freida Pinto

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Casting, Upcoming Releases,

Freida Pinto

Now that Slumdog Millionaire has been sanctified by the Golden Globes and the Oscars, it’s officially the best movie of last year. But really now, last year is already over. So which movie might be the best this year…or next?

’s doing all he can to secure talent for his upcoming flick - and he’s going for the best. Slumdog Millionaire’s , who made a splash in her lacy blue gown at the Academy Awards, has signed on to the currently untitled Allen project. Pinto, in fact anything associated with 2008’s Best Picture, is the current toast of Hollywood and there is no doubt many more projects will soon come her way.

The actress will be joining Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin and Anthony Hopkins on the set. The film will be Pinto’s first since Slumdog Millionaire.

Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Madea Sets Record for Lionsgate

Madea Goes to Jail

While Slumdog Millionaire was making news for India, Tyler Perry was busy breaking records for his studio.

The latest installment in Tyler Perry’s franchise surpassed all expectations this weekend. , with its $41 million premiere, was the box office’s biggest opener since November’s Twilight. It was also the best debuter for Lionsgate…ever. (October 2006’s Saw III was the previous topper at $33 million.)

Unfortunately, Friday the 20th didn’t go as well for Friday the 13th. After only one week on the charts, last weekend’s record breaker dropped a frightening 81% to 6th place.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Madea Sets Record for Lionsgate


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