I am pretty excited about the sequel to 2005 “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” The PG rated film is destined to take the box office this weekend with 3,929 domestic theaters and no films opening wide against it.
Sequel is widely anticipated to be one of the summer’s most successful films.

One of the reasons I am excited about the sequel is that “Prince Caspian” reteams director Andrew Adamson with the principal cast from the first film.
The new film is slightly older than the first “Narnia” with more action and likely a broader appeal.

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 AMC PREMIERE EVENT: MILLION DOLLAR BABY will be showcased on two consecutive nights on Saturday, May 17th and Sunday, May 18th at 8 pm ET & PT/7C.

This is one of the best films to see. The story is so traditional with an untraditional ending.  The film was directed by Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Hillary Swank star in this 2004 film about a hardened trainer/manager who works with a determined woman in her attempt to establish herself as a boxer. MILLION DOLLAR BABY garnered four Oscars ® including Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Director, Best Lead Actress and Best Supporting Actor.

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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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The official poster from TRUMBO is here.  I am so excited about this movie.

It’s a remarkable story of Dalton Trumbo’s journey from Hollywood royalty, to blacklisted writer to Academy Award winner.  Trumbo is one of my favorite screenwriters of the Golden Era of Hollywood, ROMAN HOLIDAY is one of my favorites.

The film focuses on the writer’s own indelible words, the film features performances of some of his extraordinary letters, clips from his films and, archival and contemporary interviews with those who knew him best. Forced to write underground, letter writing became the chief repository of Trumbo’s extraordinary talents and they serve as a wonderfully entertaining testament to his boundless intellect, acerbic humor, and staggering resilience.

TRUMBO is directed by Peter Askin and is based on the play Trumbo by Christopher Trumbo. The film includes the all-star cast of Joan Allen, Brian Dennehy, Michael Douglas, Paul Giamatti, Nathan Lane, Josh Lucas, Liam Neeson, David Strathairn, and Donald Sutherland.

Here is a list of films written by Trumbo:  A MAN TO REMEMBER (voted one of the ten best films of 1938); KITTY FOYLE (ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATION); A GUY NAMED JOE (BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE AWARD); THIRTY SECONDS OVER TOKYO (BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE AWARD); TENDER COMRADE, and OUR VINES HAVE TENDER GRAPES (BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE AWARD).The film is opening June 27th!

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The Cannes Film Festival will pay tribute to Warner Bros.’ 85th anniversary by bowing Richard Schickel’s PBS documentary “You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story” and unspooling a Warner film every night under the Cannes Classics section. This is a wonderful way to acknowledge the pioneers of film. Congratulations Warner Bros.

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Hiya, Kids!! A ‘50s Saturday Morning — the 4-DVD box set is packed with 21 complete episodes culled from some of America’s iconic television classics, including Kukla, Fran And Ollie, Howdy Doody, Lassie, Annie Oakley, Flash Gordon, Time for Beany, The Paul Winchell Show, The Roy Rogers Show, Captain Z-RO, The Rootie Kazootie Club, Winky Dink And You, Super Circus, Andy’s Gang, The Cisco Kid, Sky King, The Magic Clown, Kids And Company, Junvenile Jury, The Pinky Lee Show, and Sheena, Queen of the Jungle.  Each DVD from Hiya, Kids!! is designed like a Saturday morning programming block from the era, with shows for the very young first on the menu.  As the older siblings “wake up,” the programs become more and more “sophisticated.”

Hiya, Kids! sound like a fun set to play for the kids. They won’t be sharp cuts and blow ups, but pure, unadulterated, in the clear, and childlike entertainment.   

Check out the trailer: Hiya, Kids!

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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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There are no bounds for English literature. Ellen Page has decided to play one of its most famous characters, Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre.“

Bronte’s classic 19th century romance is a story of a mousy governess who softens the heart of her surly employer Mr. Rochester, only to discover that he’s hiding a terrible secret.

I am sure we all know that “Jane Eyre” is one of the most adapted novels in English literature, with at least 20 previous film or TV versions. Most recently, the BBC made it into a miniseries that won three Emmys last year. The last bigscreen adaptation, in 1996, was directed by Franco Zeffirelli and starred Charlotte Gainsbourg.  

I am sure one more “Jane Eyre” won’t hurt.  The character is quite different from Ellen Page’s “Juno.”

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 NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: 40^TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Chaos descends upon the world as the brains of the recently deceased become inexplicably reanimated, causing the dead to rise and feed on human flesh. Check out the features; there is even the original script.

DVD Special Features

• Audio Commentary by Writer/Director George A. Romero, Producer/Actor Karl Hardman, Actress Marilyn Eastman and Writer John A. Russo
• Audio Commentary by Producer Russel W. Streiner, Production Manager Vince Survinski, Judith O’Dea, Actor Bill Hinzman, Actress Kyra Schon and Actor Keith Wayne
• One For The Fire:  The Legacy of Night Of The Living Dead
• Duane Jones” Final Interview
• Speak To The Dead
• Night Of The Living Dead Trailer
• Still Gallery
• Original Script DVD-ROM

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A new DVD series, the MERIDIAN COLLECTION, a compilation of acclaimed, groundbreaking and influential films from around the world. Lionsgate plans to release two high-end DVDs every three months drawing from its own library, which includes more than 2,000 European films from Studio Canal. Through the MERIDIAN COLLECTION, Lionsgate will present significant works of world cinema in elite quality editions of the highest technical standards that celebrate their creative impact.

In the Hollywood Reporter, Anne Parducci, executive VP of marketing at Lionsgate said that with the MERIDIAN COLLECTION, “Lionsgate is specifically targeting fans of art house films. That’s why the extras tend to be focused on the making of the film, with little room for gimmicks, games or frills. We want to be able to capitalize on the fact that there are consumers out there who have an affinity for specific films,” Parducci said. “These are really the definitive presentations of these movies: We’re taking what that film is known for and why it is considered influential and then exploring that further through the special features.”

Here is what the critics have to say about these two films.

THE RED VIOLIN

“Has the kind of sweep and vision that we identify with elegant features from decades ago” -Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Winner of the Academy Award for Best Original Score, The Red Violin stars Samuel L. Jackson as an appraiser tracing the vast, storied history of a priceless violin across numerous countries and generations.  This Meridian Collection DVD features a digitally remastered transfer with new 5.1 Dolby Digital Sound and includes filmmaker commentary and two new featurettes, a musical feature with composer John Corigliano and a documentary on violins and violin auctions.

DIVA

“A celebration of the abundant joys and possibilities of filmmaking.” - Los Angeles Times

Available on DVD in a new digitally mastered transfer approved by director Jean-Jacques Beineix, Diva launched the Cinema du Look movement and drew wide acclaim for its innovative visual style. Originally released in 1981, Diva was re-released theatrically in 12 markets across the country in November 2007 to rave reviews.  The Meridian Collection DVD of this intricate and stylish French thriller also features remastered audio, multiple interviews with the cast and crew, as well as audio commentary with director Jean-Jacques Beineix.

I have asked for giveaway copies of both films. Please stay tuned and come back for the DVDs Giveaways!

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