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Sacha Baron Cohen to Play Queen’s Freddie Mercury


will be sporting a mustache once again for his next movie.

The actor, best known as his alternate personality Borat, has been tapped to play late singer Freddie Mercury in a film about rock band .

The movie will focus on the band’s early years up to their performance at Live Aid in 1985. (You can see clips from that event above and after the jump.) Oscar nominee (Frost/Nixon, The Queen) will pen the script.

Click to continue reading Sacha Baron Cohen to Play Queen’s Freddie Mercury

Read More | Daily Mail

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Sequel News: Twister, G.I. Joe and More


Twister: Actor Bill Paxton recently expressed interest in doing another Twister film. Question is: is anyone else interested? (Aside from the Balloon Boy family?) Bill believes 3-D technology and a history angle could bring added elements to the disaster story. “I think you’d still want to have a lot of the dark humor and all of that, with the flying cows and everything. I think you could kind of intrigue people more by getting into a little more of the lore and really understanding. I just think there’s a lot more to explore there,” Paxton said.

Click to continue reading Sequel News: Twister, G.I. Joe and More


Casting Corner: Anton Yelchin, Michelle Monaghan and More

Michelle MonaghanAnton Yelchin

Here’s a quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:

Michelle Monaghan: The Made of Honor actress is going to be kept waiting in Due Date, a Todd Phillips-directed comedy. Michelle has been cast as the pregnant wife eager for her husband (Robert Downey Jr.) to make it home. Unfortunately, the dad-to-be is accompanied by Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) during his hurried journey home. The film is still in pre-production.

Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Anton Yelchin, Michelle Monaghan and More


Casting Corner: Jodie Foster, Zooey Deschanel and More

Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster

Here’s a quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:

Jodie Foster: The actress will reteam with her Maverick costar later this fall for a quirky comedy. Mel Gibson has been cast as depressed man who treats his beaver hand puppet like a real person. Foster will play his wife, the other real person in his life. Jodie will also helm The Beaver, her first directorial project since 1995’s Home for the Holidays.

Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Jodie Foster, Zooey Deschanel and More


Frost/Nixon’s Writer Pens New 007 Film

Peter MorganBond duo Neal Purvis and Robert Wade will be joined by a new scribe for the next 007 film.

Oscar-award winning screenwriter Peter Morgan will join the two franchise vets for the 23rd installment. In addition to work on both and Quantum of Solace, Purvis and Wade have also contributed to Die Another Day and The World is Not Enough.

Morgan’s previous credits include Best Picture nominees and The Queen. He also co-wrote 2006’s The Last King of Scotland.

No start date has been set for the film’s production, though a 2011 release is projected.

Read More | Variety

2009 Golden Globe Nominations (Film)

Revolutionary Road

Although a looming SAG strike may threaten next year’s Academy Awards, the Golden Globes ceremony should finally go on as planned. The 66th annual event is scheduled to air on Sunday, January 11th, just 11 days before the Oscar nominations are announced.

Here are some of the noteworthy mentions from this year’s list of film nominees:

  • Frost/Nixon and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button both led the field with five nominations each.
  • Despite being chosen Best Film by the New York Film Critics, Sean Penn was the only nod Milk received by the HFPA.
  • Meryl Streep earned two nominations for her work in Doubt and Mamma Mia.
  • Kate Winslet is also up for two awards. Her films - Revolutionary Road and The Reader - are also up for Best Picture.
  • Heath Ledger did get a posthumous nomination as expected.
  • Although he was recently recognized for his acting work in Gran Torino, director Clint Eastwood (Changeling) was only acknowledged for his musical achievements.

(You can find the full list of film nominees after the jump. Click here for the TV nominations.)

 

Click to continue reading 2009 Golden Globe Nominations (Film)

Read More | Hollywood Foreign Press Association

The Queen DVD Review

Queen posterWhen Diana, Princess of Wales, dies in a tragic car accident in Paris, the Royal Family is forced to decide between tradition and moral obligation in this quiet, conversational drama.  Recently elected Tony Blair is insistent upon public statements from Queen Elizabeth II, as well as a public funeral for the beloved princess, but royal custom mixed with feelings of distaste and apprehension only drag the issue into weeks of stagnation.  As the British people begin to react to the Royal Family’s seeming indifference, The Queen struggles internally with how to handle the situation, while being forced to retain a strong, unaffected composure.

The Queen is written by Peter Morgan, directed by Stephen Frears, and stars Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, and James Cromwell.  Rated PG–13.  The film received a slew of nominations and awards – most notably an Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA for Helen Mirren’s eerily perfect performance.  Be sure to check out FilmCrunch’s The Queen Video Review.

The features on the DVD tend to follow the film into quiet and conversational territory:

  • English and Spanish Subtitles
  • English and Spanish Audio Tracks
  • Commentary by Writer Peter Morgan and Director Stephen Frears
  • Commentary by British Historian and Royal Expert Robert Lacey
  • The Making of The Queen
  • Trailers

Although the in-depth commentary from Robert Lacey is an unique tack-on – the like of which you aren’t going to see on any other DVD – the features are a bit disappointing considering the buzz surrounding this film.  Even the making-of segment is basic, consisting mostly of interviews without much behind-the-scenes footage.  This isn’t to say that hearing the actors discuss their methods and inspiration is boring in any way – least of all the modest ramblings of a disheveled Stephen Frears – but even an contemplative movie like The Queen can give the home audience a little more.  Let’s hope for a special edition sometime in the near future.


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