Shia LaBeouf, one of the franchise's new castmembers, announced the title of the much-hyped, long-awaited flick in dramatic fashion at MTV's Video Music Awards. For months, if not years, the name of this latest Indy adventure has been debated. Last month, it seemed that the field of contenders had been narrowed when it was discovered that Lucasfilm had registered six names with the Motion Picture Association of America. In addition to the winning name, there was "Indiana Jones and the City of Gods," "Indiana Jones and the Destroyer of Worlds," "Indiana Jones and the Fourth Corner of the Earth," "Indiana Jones and the Lost City of Gold," and "Indiana Jones and the Quest for the Covenant."

Ever since the last Indiana Jones adventure, "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," was released in 1989, rumors of a fourth film have run wild. Several high-profile Hollywood writers, including Frank Darabont ("The Shawshank Redemption") (see "After 'Waste Of A Year' On 'Indy 4,' Director Rebounds With Stephen King's 'Mist' ") and M. Night Shyamalan ("The Sixth Sense") were signed on to pen the sequel in the last few years. In the end, it was a polished script by David Koepp ("War of the Worlds") that convinced Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford to break out the famed fedora one more time. The film has been shooting since June in locations ranging from Connecticut to Hawaii.

The story line is being kept under wraps for now. But we do know that several new castmembers are part of the adventure. The aforementioned LaBeouf has been rumored to be playing Jones' long-lost son. And his mother could be none other than Marion Ravenwood from "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Spielberg announced that Karen Allen would reprise her role as Ravenwood during a dramatic Comic-Con presentation in July.

Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

Sex in the City: The Movie is Filming Now

The first stills are out from the set of the new Sex and the City movie. We see Carrie Bradshaw and her Mr. Big looking lovey dovey on the set (there were some photos of them kissing, as well) and we also see that Carrie has a handbag in the shape of the Eiffel Tower.

In case you've forgotten, The L.A. Times has a wrap up of where we left off at the series finale:

So, here's where we left off: In the final episode, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) went to Paris with Aleksandr Petrovsky (Mikhail Baryshnikov). After being ignored by Aleksandr, however, Carrie ran into Big (Chris Noth) and headed back to New York with him. As for the other ladies, Charlotte (Davis) and her hubby Harry (Evan Handler) decided to adopt a baby from China, Miranda (Nixon) showed her softer side by taking care of Steve's (David Eigenberg) sick mother, and Samantha (Cattrall) lost her sex drive after chemo but regained it by the end of the episode, just in time for a romp with Smith Jerrod (Lewis).

Ah yes, it's all coming back to us now. Sarah Jessica Parker looks great -- hopefully, the Eiffel Tower handbag is a harbinger of the wild fashions that will populate the movie.

Posted on September 19, 2007
Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

Anthony Bourdain Loves the Holidays

Rolling Stone reports on what is surely going to be the weirdest holiday special ever. Renowned chef Anthony Bourdain, star of the Travel Channel show No Reservations and vicious judge on our favorite reality show, Top Chef has teamed up with the band Queens of the Stone Age for some holiday cheer.

Here's the plot: While Bourdain cooks a traditional holiday feast at his Connecticut home, the Queens are rocking tracks including "Sick, Sick, Sick," "3's & 7's" and "Make It Wit Chu" at an ungodly volume in the basement rec room. When the band emerges, they're sporting appalling Christmas sweaters. "QVC graciously sent us the worst sweaters of all time," Homme explains. "I think someone Googled the word 'horrible' and that's how we found them." Bourdain, ever the arbiter of good taste, hasn't recovered: "Those Christmas sweaters were just the most terrifying things I've ever seen in my life. Beyond Sandra Lee on some really awful hallucinogen."

While Homme and Bourdain aren't giving up the whole story, they revealed the episode will involve karaoke, surly adolescents and a Japanese businessman. "It's a traditional Thanksgiving/Christmas meal with turkey, all the trimmings, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie ... some Christmas carols ... and a vicious brother-on-brother knife fight," Bourdain said. "We spent a fair amount of time spraying stage blood onto my niece and nephew's face. What's a holiday special without violent mayhem? I think it's an honest reflection of the holiday season."

Though Homme is slightly worried the band has ruined "ten years of credibility" by participating in this holiday nightmare, it was worth it: "Most of the time, if you tried to suggest that we get into sweaters like that we would probably just drink you under the table and leave you for dead, but this is a special case. That bastard. I'll never forgive him and I'll never forget him."

And speaking of hallucinogens...what exactly is Bourdain putting in the turkey dressing, anyway? Because this really is the most bizarre holiday special we've ever heard of. We can't wait to see it.

Posted on September 17, 2007
Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati



Jon Stewart to Host 80th Academy Awards

Longtime producer Gil Cates announed that Jon Stewart has been chosen to reprise his stint as host of the Oscars. Jon will be the host of the 80th Academy Awards telecast on Sunday, February 24, 2008, at the Kodak Theatre. The show will be televised live on ABC.

"Jon was a terrific host for the 78th Awards," said Cates. "He is smart, quick, funny, loves movies and is a great guy. What else could one ask for?" "I'm thrilled to be asked to host the Academy Awards for the second time because, as they say, the third time's a charm, he quipped.

Jon is our favorite Oscar host, by far. We don't care what the naysayers say, we thought his last outing as Oscar host was hilarious and we can't wait to see him again. Because we'll be in the middle of a presidential race, there should be plenty of material for Jon to sink his teeth into.

Posted on September 14, 2007
Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

Charisma Carpenter Wants to Be The Apprentice

It's official. Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and on Angel is joining the celebrity version of Donald Trump's The Apprentice.

Donald Trump's The Apprentice just may become must-see TV for fans of the Buffyverse's Cordelia and, well, warm-blooded men in general. Reliable sources tell TVGuide.com that one of my CWPFs, Charisma Carpenter, will be one of the "job applicants" for the upcoming star-studded edition. While some have scoffed at the celebrity twist being applied to the waning reality show, Carpenter very well could give it the zing it needs. "Charisma is ready to make like Alexis Carrington and bring out the claws if need be," an insider tells me. "It should be very interesting."

Rumors say that Carmen Electra will also be joining the cast. But it's Charisma that we'll be tuning in to see!

Posted on September 12, 2007
Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

CBS' Kewlopolis Includes Teens That Transform into Dinosaurs

CBS, DIC Entertainment and American Greetings Properties (AGP) have launched Kewlopolis on CBS, a branded programming block of animated shows for Saturdays. The new animated programs include Care Bears: Adventures in Care-A-Lot, Sushi Pack, Dino Squad and Strawberry Shortcake. The slate also includes returning shows Cake, Horseland, Sabrina and Trollz. If you dig dinosaurs you can't read that lineup without wanting to know more about what Dino Squad is. Here is what they have to say about Dino Squad.

Dino Squad (E/I, 9-11, TV-Y7) features five quirky teens who suddenly gain the power to transform into dinosaurs. Their science teacher, the mysterious Ms. Moynihan, guides them as they learn to work together and use their unique abilities to protect Earth from an anthropomorphic Velociraptor who is creating mutant-saurs and accelerating global warming in his quest to bring back the Age of the Dinosaurs. Oh, and yes, they still have to get their homework done.

Quirky teens who transform into dinosaurs and still get their homework done? Good luck trying to get a teenager that can turn into a dinosaur to do his or her homework. It looks like Kewlopolis has plenty ot offer kids on Saturday mornings.

Posted on September 11, 2007
Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

Crowe Has a Hit With 3:10 to Yuma

Russell Crowe and Christian Bale won the box office this past weekend with their excellently-reviewed Western remake 3:10 to Yuma. The film made $14,100,000 in 2,652 theaters, for a very nice $5,316 per theater average. Crowe needs a hit, after the disappointing numbers for Cinderella Man. This is it. Despite rumors of on-set strife between Crowe and Lionsgate over the handling of the film's marketing and release, Crowe turns in an Oscar-caliber performance. In second place was Halloween, which made another $10,034,000, for a total box office to date of $44,230,000. In third place was Balls of Fury, which made another estimated $5,693,000, which puts its gross to date at $24,281,000. Add in DVD sales, and the resulting number says that unfortunately we'll probably see another movie of this ilk next year.

Debuting at a disappointing sixth place was the Clive Owen action thriller, Shoot Em Up, which made $5,450,000. As the title implies, it's all-violence, all the time. But it's Clive Owen, people. That makes it worth seeing, even for the violence-averse -- which certainly isn't us. We love a good action flick around here.

Posted on September 10, 2007
Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

Ang Lee Wins Golden Lion

Ang Lee has won the prestigious Golden Lion for best picture at the Venice film festival today. His win was his second, after Brokeback Mountain won two years ago. A surprise winner, Lust, Caution is a sexually explicit and violent thriller set in Shanghai during World War Two.

It is overwhelming, because this movie has taken me to some very difficult places," Lee told the red carpet award ceremony on the Lido waterfront. "I have invited you to come along with me and in the end to stay down there with me ... You are the seven samurais, I needed your help," he added, addressing the seven-member jury.

Brian De Palma, whose "Redacted" shocked audiences in Venice with its brutal reconstruction of the real-life rape and murder of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl by U.S. soldiers, won the Silver Lion award for best director. Tunisian-born director Abdellatif Kechiche and his drama "La Graine et le mulet" ("The Secret of the Grain"), was one of two runner-up jury prize winners, and was described by the jury as the "revelation" of the 2007 edition of the festival.

*****

Todd Haynes' "I'm Not There," one of six U.S. productions in the 23-strong main competition, took the other runner-up prize for his conceptual biopic about singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. In a bold piece of casting, Australian-born Cate Blanchett was one of six performers to play the singer at various stages of his life, and it paid off when she was named best actress in Venice this year. Hollywood star Brad Pitt was the surprise winner of the best actor award for his portrayal of outlaw Jesse James in "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford."

It's interesting that Brad Pitt won an award, considering how he's been talking about the film in interviews. He really is downplaying the film's appeal. So, either he thinks the film isn't any good or he's decided to try the negative sell with movie goers.

Posted on September 8, 2007
Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

David Schwimmer Says No More Friends

David Schwimmer is refusing to do a Friends reunion.

David Schwimmer shattered a million TV dreams last night when he ruled out a return of the cult American sitcom Friends. The actor, in London for the premiere of the movie Run Fat Boy Run which he directed, said: "If I was asked to do it, I'd say 'No'. It was ten years ago - and it's time to move on." Schwimmer, 40, who played geeky scientist Ross, added: "There is no reunion. We are not getting back together. I have not been approached, none of the producers has been approached."

Our dreams aren't shattered at all. We never really liked whiny Ross, anyway. But we do love Jennifer Aniston -- so change your mind, Schwimmer! It would be good for your career.

Posted on September 6, 2007
Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati

Halloween Leads Slow Box Office Weekend

Rob Zombie's remake of the John Carpenter classic horror film Halloween led the box office this past weekend, making an estimated $26,503,000, despite universally withering reviews. In second place was Superbad in its third week, which made an estimated $12,200,000. Balls of Fury, the ping pong comedy which has been trashed by critics, opened in third with a weak $11,604,795. Even Christopher Walken couldn't save that one.

In fourth place was The Bourne Ultimatum which made another $10,183,000, bringing its U.S. tally to date to $199,603,000. Rush Hour 3 made another $8,560,000, bringing its U.S. tally to date to $120,416,000, which is still less than its $140 million budget. It will do well on DVD of course, but the film's totals are lagging behind Rush Hour 1 and 2, making a sequel unlikely at this point. The Kevin Bacon revenge thriller, Death Sentence opened with a dismal $4,180,000.

Posted on September 3, 2007
Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati