Tropic Thunder

Many people expected Robrt Downey Jr in 'blackface' to be the most controversial aspect of Tropic Thunder, which has just opened in the USA. However the film has been hit by protests from disability rights group over the film within a film 'Simple Jack'. This sub plot relates to the Ben Stiller character's previous film, a shameless oscar grab in which he plays 'a retarded man who believes he can speak to the animals'. Clearly a spoof of such films as I am Sam and Rainman, people have taken offence at what they see as poking fun at the disabled, although it seems clear the joke is at the expense of actors who take on such roles.

Dreamworks have indicated they will not alter the film, but have pulled some marketing, with the spoof website advertising Simple Jack having disappeared.

Richard Pryor at the Mos Eisley Cantina

Fun video of the day, courtesy of cinematical.com

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Various sites are reporting that Billy Bob Thornton has been cast as Freddy Kreuger in Platinum Dunes forthcoming Nightmare on Elm Street remake, Whilst I can see Thornton in the role, casting anyone other than Robert Englund seems a bizarre step to take.

Source:Chud.com

The Princess and The Frog

Disney have released some concept art from the Princess and the Frog, their much awaited return to 2d animation. More images can be found here.

The film is due for a Christmas 2009 release

Source: Slashfilm.com

RIP Bernie Brillstein

Bernie Brillstein, Hollywood manager and producer, hhas died aged 77. Brillstein specialised in comedy talent and was responsible in part for shepherding classics such as The Muppet Show, Saturday Night Live and The Larry Sanders Show to the screen. Brillstein represented most of the early Saturday Night Live cast and acted as an executive roducer on such films as The Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters.

Read more about his career here.

Source: Aint It Cool News

RIP Isaac Hayes

Star Trek

Aint It Cool News has some more teaser posters for the forthcoming Star Trek reboot. Above is a fairly unrecognisable Simon Pegg as Scotty, and one sheets for Sulu, Dr McCoy and Chekov can be found here

Watchmen

New behind the scenes featurette concentrating on the design of the Owl Ship.


source: IGN.com

The Spirit

A very odd full trailer for 'The Spirit' is now online at Yahoo Movies .

Whilst I enjoyed Sin City, this looks a little too much like more of the same, and may suffer from the lack of involvement of Robert Rodriguez. The trailer certainly gives no clues as to the narrative.

Source: Yahoo movies

RIP Bernie Mac

Bernie Mac has died aged 50 from complications arising from Pneumonia. Although best known as a comedian, Mac also had a number of notable film roles, including Oceans 11 and it's sequels and Bad Santa.

Source: Cinematical

What Just Happened?

Trailer for 'What Just Happened?'. Based on Art Linson's memoir, the film sees Rodbert De Niro star as a Hollywood producer. Expect plenty of Hollywood cameos.

Source: Cinematical

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

New trailer for the sixth Potter film. Tom Riddle, AKA the young Voldemort is played by Ralph Fiennes newphew, the amusingly named Hero Fiennes-Tiffin.

Tokyo Underworld

Warner Bros. (and VP Dan Lin) have bought the rights to Robert Whiting's Tokyo Underworld: The Fast Times and Hard Life of an American Gangster in Japan.

The true-life crimebook is based upon taped conversations between the author and gangster Nick Zappetti.

Zappetti came to Japan after WWII, and made a fortune on the black market. Zappetti was eventually deported, but returned illegally in the 60's as a restaurant owner. The restaurant slowy became the center of Tokyo's nightlife, and an integral part in the Yakuza's rise to power.

Frank Baldwin will handle the screen adaptation, with no word yet on a director. The film is being produced by Dan Lin, who was responsible for The Departed.


Source: Cinematical

W

Teaser poster for Stone's George Bush biopic.

Source: Aint It Cool News

Zack and Miri

Kevin Smith's forthcoming comedy has successfully appealed it's NC-17, and will now be released as an R without further cuts. This is the third time Smith has had to appeal an initial rating (Clerks and Jersey Girl being the previous offenders) and he has succeeded each time. The film, starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, is now back on course for an October release.





Source: www.newsaskew.com

Lethal Weapon 5

Cinematical reports that original writer Shane Black is working on a fifth Lethal Weapon film, in which a retiring Mel 'Sugar Tits' Gibson drags an already retired Danny Glover back for one last case.

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People

Source: Moviefone

The Informers

Trailer for the forthcoming Bret Easton Ellis adaptation.

Source: Aint It Cool News

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote

The Independent reports that Terry Gilliam's 'The Man who Killed Don Quixote' will be heading back before cameras early next year. Gilliam originally started shooting the film back in 2000 before a series of mishaps and disasters led to insurers pulling the plug (see the behind the scenes documentary 'Lost in La Mancha' for the full tale).

Gilliam was recently awarded rights to the script, and suggests shooting will begin as soon as star Johnny Depp has space in his schedule.

Smodcast 60

Online now at Quick Stop Entertainment

SModcast 60: The Clone War -

In which our heroes marvel over Pillow Babies, thwart an attack by Stalin’s man-apes, and face off over the love of a human Xerox.