Category: Movies

Scarecrow’s back in Batman?

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Rumor has it that Cillian Murphy is returning as the mind-bending Scarecrow in the upcoming Batman sequel, Dark Knight, despite his suggestions to the contrary. According to Super Hero Hype, one of their scoopers has spotted Murphy on set and in character as Dr. Jonathan Crane on the Chicago set of Dark Knight and filming a rooftop action scene.

“The scenes were gunfire and gang members running for cover,” SHH’s spy report begins. “Around 2:30-3ish they returned to the set and started filming 2 gangs fighting with each other. Then I spotted Cillian and they filmed him yelling at the gang. The sound of gunfire blasted and everyone ran for cover. They repeated this over and over again…So after a few takes of that… they moved to the side of the van. I saw a Batman… It had to be a stunt double. And him and Scarecrow had a struggle and ended with the crow gassing Batman. Batman fell to the ground holding his face screaming.

They were still doing takes of that when I left…about 4am.”

Likely this appearance will be little more than a cameo, but who knows? I hope that’s all it is. While I wouldn’t mind seeing the good ol’ Scarecrow one more time, it’s been proven time and time again that too many villains can (and will) ruin a superhero flick. We’ve already got the Joker, and, I suspect, at least an appearance from Two-Face. Let’s hope we don’t have 3 of my favorite villains in Comicdom ever ruined as they jostle for screen time in a drawn out shitstorm of a movie (I’m looking at you Batman & Robin, Spiderman 3!).

[Thanks Feldman!]

Blockbuster Video adopts Blu-Ray exclusively, HD-DVD pouting currently

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It looks like Sony got something right this generation after all. After dogging the HD-DVD format in sales during this year’s first quarter, Sony-backed Blu-ray has gained a powerful ally in the format wars. Blockbuster Video rental stores have announced that going forward they will carry Blu-ray DVD exclusively in-store, although they will continue carrying HD-DVD in 250 initial test stores and online. They report that Blu-ray accounted for 70% of rentals between the two formats. This may deal the killing stroke to HD-DVD in a valiantly fought, yet futile, battle. And if it isn’t, rumor has it Target plans to do the same soon. Oh Noes, HD-DVD!

The North American HD DVD Promotional Group (what a name) says Blockbuster is jumping the gun, and that their decision was skewed by the success of Blu-ray titles released the first 3 months of this year. That’s right, the “TNAHDDVDPG” says that Blockbuster’s decision was skewed by RATIONAL THINKING! Logic ftw!

Thank Science I didn’t buy that HD-DVD player for my Xbox 360!

Fantastic Four Rises to its Calling

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

They answered the call and rose to the challenge of taking over the box office. In fact doing $1 million more than the original film. I have yet to see Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer so I can’t make a swift comment about what I’ve already written. So without any further ado I give you the box office chart of the weekend.

1. “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” $57.4 million.

2. “Ocean’s Thirteen,” $19.1 million.

3. “Knocked Up,” $14.5 million.

4. “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” $12 million.

5. “Surf’s Up,” $9.3 million.

6. “Shrek the Third,” $9 million.

7. “Nancy Drew,” $7.1 million.

8. “Hostel: Part II,” $3 million.

9. “Mr. Brooks,” $2.8 million.

10. “Spider-Man 3,” $2.5 million.

Batman’s new duds; Look Ma! No nipples!

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Well, here it is,the first look at Batman’s new duds for the upcoming sequel to Batman Begins, the Dark Knight. Yeah, yeah, I know I’m a little late to the party, but the internetz go FAST, and I’m a busy guy!

Already infinitely cooler than anything served up since the original, this suit features forearm mounted, retractable razors, a rad high-tech look, and a separated cowl. Previous suits were attached to the cowl, limiting the Bat’s range of motion. Perhaps most importantly, you’ll notice a distinct lack of nipplage (I’LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU SCHUMACHER!) Hit the jump for the full image.

Continue reading “Batman’s new duds; Look Ma! No nipples!”

The Box Office Fun is Over for Now

I’m looking at this weekend’s box office reports and it’s almost sad to think that the big 3: Spiderman 3, Shrek 3, and Pirates 3 are slowly being shoved out of the theaters making room for the next big wave of movies. There’s something about this whole process that makes me sad. Maybe it’s that these box office movies signify the summer and with them leaving it’s almost as if summer is dieing with it as well. I need my box office movies! Don’t let summer die!

Here’s the chart for the weekend (if only I could make a percent of this return):

1. “Ocean’s Thirteen,” $37.1 million.

2. “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” $21.3 million.

3. “Knocked Up,” $20 million.

4. “Surf’s Up,” $18 million.

5. “Shrek the Third,” $15.75 million.

6. “Hostel: Part II,” $8.75 million.

7. “Mr. Brooks,” $5 million.

8. “Spider-Man 3,” $4.4 million.

9. “Waitress,” $1.65 million.

10. “Disturbia,” $550,000.