Move over animated comic series, Arnold Schwarzenegger is baaaack "attached to star in a rights package that CAA is shopping today that will revive The Terminator, one of Hollywood's most iconic scifi franchises," reports Deadline. Arnie's package will be humping to studios today with Universal, Sony, Lionsgate, and CBS Films reportedly "looking hard" at what's on the table. Fast Five's Justin Lin is likely to direct and producer Robert Cort is attached. No screenwriter has yet been inked to the deal.
The Terminator 5: Arnold Schwarzenegger Goes From Governor To Comic Book To Robot Killing Machine
Weekend Movie Guide: Tron's Legacy? Awesomeness!
You've tracked the rotating light-cycle billboards on Santa Monica & Westwood all year. You've listened to the Daft Punk-composed soundtrack all month. You've visited the pop-up shop at Royal/T. You may have even stole a peek at San Fernando Valley spoof Pron. Finally, Tron: Legacy bursts off the screen this weekend! The blockbuster sequel to the cult sci-fi hit screens in 3D, but to really get in the game, try and catch an IMAX 3D screening or the props exhibit at El Capitan.
DVD Tuesday: Potter! Lost! Cove! Enemies! Julia!
I'm still upset that Dumbledore's funeral was left out of Half-Blood Prince, but this latest installment in the Potter series definitely delivers a gloomier, more adult vibe than any of the previous films. Can't wait until 2/2/10 to see the newest chapter of Lost. Until then, the DVD set of Season 5 will have to do. Best documentary of the year? The Cove. Most important documentary of the year? Hmm...The Cove? Maybe so. Michael Mann's films are required viewing for any cineaste. Public Enemies may not be in the same league as Heat, but it's still a tense, macho ride. Julie & Julia would have benefitted from less Julie and more Julia.
DVD Tuesday: Terminate This Franchise!
Okay, maybe "terminate" is a little harsh -- the last movie wasn't that bad -- but wouldn't an infusion of fresh concepts and mythologies juice up that half-tired feeling one gets from most of Hollywood's blockbusters these days? And couldn't they have stuck with the original ending for Salvation? Not only was it a great mind-fuck, but it would have struck the final nail in this franchise's coffin. Hence...REPLACED! The first Night at the Museum sucked balls of course, so I expected the sequel to suck a relatively equal nut apportionment.
Screening Alerts: Warner on Wednesdays
If you've got under a hundred dollars in your bank account, a date at the movies is usually out of the question. You stare longingly at LAist's film calendar every week: the Arclight's obviously a fortune, but even AMCs & revival houses run $15-$20 for two tickets. Add popcorn & soda? Ugh. This is news to no one, but if you're in the South Bay? WOW! The Warner Grand Theatre is looking out for you! Even if you're not - it's probably still cheaper to drive to San Pedro, plunk down a Hamilton and enjoy 2 tickets, 2 sodas & 2 popcorns (single tickets are a whopping $3 - cheaper than a DVD rental).
The Los Angeles Film Festival - The Big Preview
The 15th annual Los Angeles Film Festival kicks off tonight at 7:30 pm with the premiere screening of Paper Man at the Mann Village Theater. The full festival begins in earnest the following morning as over 80 documentary and narrative features unspool in venues across the Westside. In addition to that, the festival features panels and seminars, coffee talks and poolside chats, short-film programs, music video showcases, live concerts and free screenings of such beloved films as Ghostbusters, Election and The Muppet Movie.
Box Office Review: Museum Terminates the competition!
While it was expected to be a close race, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian ($53.5M) easily topped Terminator Salvation ($43M) to capture the weekend box office crown. Both of these borderline movies will surely be blown out of the water next week by the absolutely fantastic Up (saw it; loved it). Star Trek slipped to third but still had a strong weekend ($21.9M/$183.5M), managing to edge last week's champ Angels & Demons ($21.4M/$81.5M). Newcomer Dance Flick finished fifth with a decent take of $11.1M.
Weekend Movie Guide: Please Terminate Museum!
I was never a huge fan of the Terminator movies, so I wasn't too upset about the mythology-raping that goes on in Terminator Salvation. For me it was just good, loud fun with cool robots and Moon Bloodgood's amazing cleavage. During a family visit over Christmas I was snookered into seeing the first Night at the Museum. That will not be the case with the dreary-looking Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. Yes, the flicks are stupid, but I am a fan of whatever the Wayans' brothers touch so I'll queue up for Dance Flick. In shame.
Sex Week: Best Sex Scenes in Movies
With that pesky, couples-oriented, Hallmark holiday just around the corner we thought we'd help our readers get into the spirit with a fun little exercise we like to call, "Best Sex Scenes in Movies." It's certainly no secret that sex sells and the opportunist in us couldn't pass on the chance to plug it. After hours of exhaustive but thoroughly entertaining research, we compiled a list of the top ten scenes that fit our bill. From those that inspire the heart, to those that arouse the senses, we feel confident there will be something for everyone in our collection. (Please be warned that our content may not be suitable for anyone under the age of eighteen or safe for work.)
Audio: Christian Bale Going Ballistic, Parody Videos Made
First there was Ashton Kutcher's video from last week of him freaking out over construction at a neighbors house (he later apologized). Now this dramatic audio (TMZ calls it "amazing") from six months ago appears on the net. This happened after the Director of Photography stepped into the frame, ruining the scene. Careful, it's very NSFW:
Weekend Movie Guide: I'm Back!
In anticipation of the Oscar Best Picture nod that never came, The Dark Knight is back in theaters today. If you are one of the 113 people who somehow didn't see this movie over the summer, now might be the time. You know how you can tell when a franchise is completely and utterly out of steam? When the star of the franchise stops appearing in the movies. Such is the case with Underworld: Rise of the Lycans which lacks the lovely Kate Beckinsale (but does at least add the equally lovely Rhona Mitra).
DVD Tuesday: Dark indeed!
While Heath Ledger seems assured of winning Best Supporting Actor at next year's Oscars (and should have won for and Colbert are both minor miracles in utterly different ways.
Box Office Review: Dark Knight again!
For an unprecedented fourth week in a row, , which pulled in $10.7M ($19.7M) despite the fact that none of the film's winsome co-stars had a topless scene.
Batman Star, Christian Bale, Arrested on Schedule
Christian Bale, who plays Batman in the Dark Knight, was arrested today in London for allegedly assaulting his mother, who made the complaint to police. Bale came to the police station "by appointment and was arrested in connection with an allegation of assault. He currently remains in custody," explained The Guardian. By appointment? "It is understood that although the police were aware of allegations on Monday, they allowed the actor to attend four press conference and the evening premiere of The Dark Knight in Leicester square."
Weekend Movie Guide: Here's to you, Mr. Batman!
It's already a foregone conclusion that The Dark Knight will set some sort of record this weekend at the box-office. The only question is how much it will eventually make. 130 million bucks? 140 million? More? The buzz surrounding the film has been almost universally positive so expect a great time as you settle into your seat and enter the dark world of Batman and the Joker. Ledger's final performance is one for the ages.
DVD Tuesday: How does it feel?
I wasn't completely sold on the idea of having so many different actors portray Bob Dylan in makes much more sense.
DVD Tuesday: Zodiac unleashed!
If any film cried out for a comprehensive DVD this year it was .
DVD Tuesday: Apocalypse Then
movie as much as it does a big, dumb Hollywood action movie. I miss the old, non-invulnerable John McClane. Zeppelin party at my house! Bring the sharks!
Box Office Review: Shitkickers top gunslingers!
In the slowest weekend since the early spring, suffered a precipitous decline in its second weekend, tumbling 62% and bringing in an additional 10 million bucks (44.2M).
Movie Review: Rescue Dawn
While most of the country was out watching Transformers over the holiday, we in Los Angeles were lucky enough to have the chance to see Rescue Dawn. Directed by the great, mad German Werner Herzog (and inspired by his own 1997 documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly), Rescue Dawn tells the story of Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale), an American fighter pilot who was shot down over Laos in 1966, captured and tortured by Pathet Lao forces and eventually imprisoned in a POW camp. Given the title of the film (and its rather pointed one-sheet), I don't think I'm spoiling anything by mentioning that Dengler does, in fact, escape from the camp. Knowing that, though, doesn't limit the enjoyment of the film one bit.
"Los Angeles is raw, uncouth, and bizarre, but it's a place of substance"
The Los Angeles Times interviewed director Werner Herzog this weekend about his upcoming film, Rescue Dawn, and asked the German-born iconoclast why he has chosen to make Los Angeles his home: "We lived for a while in San Francisco, but it was too chic and leisurely," Herzog explains. "New York is only a place to go if you're into finances. But we wanted a place of cultural substance. And if you look behind the...
New DVD Tuesday: Jan Svankmajer, Mikio Naruse, Lenny Bruce and more!
Recommended Dixie Chicks - Shut Up & Sing - Remember when rugged individualism was the hallmark of the "American character"? Remember when that individualism was defined by a willingness to speak your mind? Remember when criticizing your governmental overlords was a patriotic duty? Yeah, me neither. But maybe country music trio The Dixie Chicks were trying to recall that mythologized frontier spirit when lead singer Nathalie Maines criticized President Bush for launching the Iraq...
Across the Universe
• Tonight the Fahey/Klein Gallery presents the opening reception for "Unbounded Youth," an exhibit of photographs by David Drebin, Mona Kuhn and Nathaniel Welch. The reception is from 7 – 9 PM, and the show runs through March 12th.
Heart Shaped Box
• At 7:30 PM, the Egyptian Theatre hosts the documentary Inside Deep Throat, produced by Brian Grazer and directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato (Party Monster), exploring the historical and cultural legacy of Deep Throat. [17+]

