Variety’s article about Karen Allen’s return to “Indiana Jones” franchise by David S. Cohen is quite charming, warm and entertaining. It’s hard to believe that 19 years has gone by since the last “Indiana Jones” movie.  Karen Allen was in the first, “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” creating a Tracy-Hepburn feel to the serial genre of Lucas and Spielberg.  At the time, no one was aware of the huge impact of the film, looking back, its quite magical.

With the May 22nd opening of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” I recommend reading this article to reflect on the formative years of “Indiana” and the new and more wise renewal of “Indiana” today.

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 ”Queen of the South,” a Jonathan Jakubowicz’s drug-trafficking drama, is set with the major roles filled: Eva Mendes, Josh Hartnett and Ben Kingsley.

The film is based on Spanish writer Arturo Perez-Reverte’s novel about a Mexican woman turned Spanish drug lord (Mendes) out to avenge her boyfriend’s murder. Hartnett plays a Marine who gets involved in her business, and Kingsley plays a Russian businessman, according to Hollywood Reporter.

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It looks like Tom Cruise and Sumner Redstone are in agreement for the next installment of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, which Cruise will star in the fourth movie.

According to Variety, Redstone said, “I consider Tom Cruise a great actor and a good friend. And if Paramount decides to move ahead with him, I will not object.” He added that the decision was “up to Brad Grey, who runs Paramount.” Redstone was seen dining with Cruise in Beverly Hills in March.Tom Cruise just celebrated 25 years since starring in his first movie, “Risky Business.”  He also was on the Oprah Winfrey show discussing everything and has a, first time ever, official web site at Tom Cruise. 

The web site is awesome and very much Cruise’s persona.

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A few months back there were plenty of doubts about Iron Man. The comic book character, a rich industrialist who designed a supersuit to fight crime, is not one of Marvel’s most defining characters. And many doubted the talents of director Jon Favreau, who has only directed kid-oriented fluff such as Elf and Zathura, and lead actor Robert Downey Jnr, who has had more relapses than hit movies. Yet slowly but surely, the film began to pick up momentum, and this weekend, its first, has seen it earning $200 million worldwide. Reviews have been kind, so is Iron Man a worthy first blockbuster of 2008?

The film traces the origins of Iron Man. Tony Stark, designer of advanced weapons of mass destruction, is kidnapped in Afghanistan by terrorists, and forced to build weapons for them. Instead, he invents a clunky suit to escape, after a fellow prisoner, Yinsen, manages to show him the consequences of his missile designs. After escaping, Stark decides to work for peace instead, but faces resistance by his business partner Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges), who has plans to steal Downey’s iron man design.

There are two reasons why Iron Man works as a film. Read on »

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A&E Network has announced the launch of  THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, a highly interactive, robust, animated minisite created in conjunction with award-winning interactive agency Big Spaceship. The site launch comes six weeks in advance of A&E’s four-hour original television event, THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, which infects the airwaves when it premieres in High Definition on Monday, May 26 from 9-11 PM ET/PT and Tuesday, May 27 from 9-11 PM ET/PT.

A key component of the minisite is a four-week long serial game, that brings users into the top secret Wildfire bio-defense labs, where they must investigate, treat and contain unknown biological threats before they become global catastrophes. The game features four levels, with a new virus revealed each week starting May 5. In order to unlock the final level- The Andromeda Strain itself - on May 27, players must answer three questions correctly, based on clues found in the first night’s premiere. Also featured on web site are online photos and bios, downloadable wallpapers, AIM avatars and movie posters, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast members and film makers. Based on the best-selling novel from Michael Crichton, the miniseries stars Benjamin Bratt, Eric McCormack, Ricky Schroder, Andre Braugher, Christa Miller, Daniel Dae Kim and Viola Davis.

In THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, a U.S. military satellite crashes in a small town and unleashes a deadly plague killing all but two survivors. As the military quarantines the area, a team of highly specialized scientists is assembled to find a cure to the pathogen code-named “Andromeda,” and a reporter investigates a government conspiracy only to discover what he is chasing wants him silenced.

Don’t forget to enter Screenheads’ THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN contest as well.

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Congratulations Lesha!!! You are the winner of “Johnny and the Sprites: Meet the Sprites” Giveaway!!!! Just send me your mailing address and the DVD is yours. “Johnny and the Sprites: Meet the Sprites” DVD contains six episodes, Sing Along with Johnny & the Sprites and Original Shorts.

I have another kiddy one — Winnie the Pooh DVD. Please visit again soon to enter the giveaway!

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Take a look at Hollywood Reporter’s review of “Iron Man” by Kirk Honeycutt. The movie is looking even better. 

“Iron Man,” the first self-financed production from Marvel Studios, should catch boxoffice lightning in a bottle, thanks to hiring longtime Marvel Comics reader Jon Favreau as director and the supersmart casting of Robert Downey Jr. as the conflicted protagonist.

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Here is an awesome review of the highly-anticipated movie “Iron Man.”  I have seen the trailer, the movie is an ideal summer hit.

“Finally, someone’s found a sure-fire way to make money with a modern Middle East war movie: Just send a Marvel superhero into the fray to kick some insurgent butt. The powerhouse comicbook-inspired actioner “Iron Man” isn’t principally about this fantasy, but it won’t hurt at least American audiences’ enjoyment of this expansively entertaining special effects extravaganza. Having an actor as supercharged as Robert Downey Jr. at the center of such a tech-oriented enterprise reps a huge plus, and Paramount should reap big B.O. rewards by getting out ahead of the summer tentpole pack with such a classy refitting of an overworked format.”

Here is the rest of the review at Variety!

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Karin you won!!! Congratulations!!!

Karin this is what you won: A DVD collection of 33 episodesof the series by J. Michael Straczynski, creator of Babylon 5. The series is based upon the popular Mattel Toys. When solar flare wreaks havoc on Jayce’s father’s botanical experiments, they flee from his accidental creations: Saw Boss and his band of ruthless mutated plant life called the Monster Minds. Now it is up to Jayce, joined by the valiant Lightning League, to reunite with his father and combine the two halves of the magic Root amulet—the only object capable of purging the universe of Saw Boss and his army forever.

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Ron Howard who is directing “Angels & Demons” has signed Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer as the female lead opposite Tom Hanks’ Robert Langdon character.

Ewan McGregor is considering a role in the movie as well. He’s in talks to join the thriller, which is based on the Dan Brown best-seller.

McGregor is interested in the role of a powerful Vatican insider who assists Langdon.

Any fan of the Brown books knows story centers on religious art scholar Robert Langdon (Hanks), who once again finds himself entangled with powerful forces with ancient roots: the Illuminati — the most powerful underground organization in history — and the Catholic Church. Zurer will play Vittoria Vetra, an Italian scientist who joins forces with Langdon.

Zurer came to the U.S. by HBO.  Her U.S. film credits include “Munich” and “Vantage Point.” She’s starring next in “Fugitive Pieces.”

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