Downey Jr, Cheadle and Favreau Sign for ‘Avengers’

The much discussed adaptation of the popular comic book seris ‘Avengers,’ is looking like it’s a go project. Robert Downey Jr. will be playing the part of Tony Stark/Iron Man, and Don Cheadle will be taking over the role of Jim Rhodes from Terence Howard.  Favreau will be exec. producing, but one can assume that …

Nichols to Direct Mamet’s Rewrite of ‘High & Low’

In some of the most exciting remake news I’ve heard in a while, Miramax has announced that Mike Nichols, (‘Closer,’ ‘Charlie Wilson’s War,’ and, oh yeah, ‘The Graduate,’) will helm a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s crime thriller ‘High and Low.’  The script is written by David Mamet, (‘Spartan,’ ‘House of Games,’ and, oh yeah, ‘Glengarry …

A Bunch of Bava: Rabid Dogs

For much of his career, Mario Bava was either up or down, fighting to make the movies he wanted to make, and ending up compromising and making movies that he had to make. Along with ‘Lisa and the Devil,’ ‘Rabid Dogs,’ was another pet project, coming late in the director’s career. Unfortunately the film was …

Feature: An Introduction to Mario Bava

Editor’s note: This piece was originally run earlier this year.  In eager anticipation for Halloween, we would like to re-present this look at some of Mario Bava’s work.  Several titles previously un-reviewed in the series will be published in conjunction with several of the original works.  Here is the interductory article to prepare you for …

Review: Man on Wire

At the beginning of James Marsh’s latest film, ‘Man on Wire,’ you know three things for certain. 1)    Philippe Pettit is still alive. 2)    You will never truly understand Philippe Pettit. 3)    Philippe Pettit is crazy.

Rudy Ray Moore Dies at 81

  Comedian and actor Rudy Ray Moore has died at age 81, reportedly from complications due to diabetes.  Moore is best known for the character of Dolemite, and his films that are part of the blaxploitation genre. Excerpts from Moore’s comedy records have appeared on hip-hop albums by such artists as Ice-T, Dr. Dre, Snoop …

Eagerly Awaiting ‘Solace’ Part 2

One thing the James Bond films are not shy about are tie-ins and marketing.  From the beginning, the films have always been released in tandem with a large array of different products, toys and games.  Along with the products, there are always promotional shows.  These programs always include a couple of new clips from the …

‘Payne’ Tops Weekend Box Office

The latest film based on a video game was tops at the box office this past weekend.  ‘Max Payne,’ starring Mark Wahlberg, (who, just so you know does not talk to animals… No matter what ‘Saturday Night Live,’ may tell you,) opened at number one, raking in $18 million. The confusingly popular ‘Beverly Hills Chihuahua’ …