'Daredevil' Reboot Getting a Rewrite

Little progress has been made on 20th Century Fox's Daredevil reboot since David Slade was brought aboard to helm the project ' so little that the 30 Days of Night and Eclipse filmmaker has found time to direct an episode on Breaking Bad and the pilot for Awake, while also preparing to oversee the pilot for Bryan Fuller's Hannibal series.

However, the Daredevil reboot's engine looks to start puttering once again, now that Fox has recruited a little-known writer in the form of David James Kelly, to rework the screenplay for the Marvel comic book movie project.

Deadline has the scoop on Kelly being hired on to revamp the current script draft for the Daredevil reboot, penned by Brad Caleb Kane (a former co-showrunner and writer for Fringe). Slade, as it were, is still poised to direct the project, once he completes his additional television show production duties.

Kane's screenplay is reportedly based on a famous Daredevil comic book storyline written by Frank Miller ' dating back to a time when that was a good thing ' titled 'Born Again', wherein The Kingpin systematically destroys Matt Murdock's life, after discovering that he is the face behind 'The Man Without Fear.' Such a plot setup would tie in organically to the conclusion of Mark Steven Johnson's 2003 Daredevil movie, where The Kingpin (Michael Clarke Duncan) was on his way to prison, after having learned the titular, devil-costumed hero's (Ben Affleck) secret identity.

Hence, Slade's Daredevil project could ultimately prove to be more of a rebooting sequel that maintains continuity with its predecessor, along the lines of The Incredible Hulk or this summer's G.I. Joe: Retaliation ' as opposed to, just a rehashing of Daredevil's origin story.

While the writing talent associated with the Daredevil reboot doesn't do much to generate excitement, Slade being set to direct has provided good reason for fans to expect a movie that genuinely deserves the label 'darker, grittier and better.' Here, that would actually be appropriate too, given the nature of the Daredevil universe and Murdock's life in general ' to say nothing of the brutal twists and turns found in Miller's 'Born Again' storyline.

Similarities between the 'Born Again' plot and the acclaimed 'Batman: Knightfall' comic book storyline (thought to be partly the basis for The Dark Knight Rises) could be interpreted as an encouraging sign for Slade's movie ' or a sign of a lack of creativity, depending on how you approach it. If nothing else, though, at least the Daredevil requel (rebooting sequel) shouldn't be lacking in substance to go with the 'edgier' style (Ghost Rider 2, looking at you).

We will continue to keep you up-to-date on the status of the Daredevil reboot as more information is released.

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Source: Deadline

'Daredevil: Shadowland' Header Image Artwork by Ben Oliver

Open Discussion ' Apr 30, 2012

As usual ' talk about whatever you like as long as it's related to movies, TV or Screen Rant itself ' just remember to play nice.

Weekend Box Office Wrap Up: April 29, 2012

Last weekend's champion Think Like A Man retained its grip at the top of the box office, grossing $18 million. The comedy raised it's cume to an impressive $60.6 million, after it fought off competition from four new wide releases.

Pirates! Band of Misfits made off with $11.4 million worth of loot from audiences. The Hugh Grant voiced animation has already scored over $55 million from the high seas abroad. The launch is a bit below Arthur Christmas' $12 million debut. That film went on to gross $46 million, although Pirates! should do a little less.

Zac Efron's romance The Lucky One upped its total gross to a solid $39.9 million, after banking an additional $11.3 million. It's a good number, but it won't hit the heights of fellow Nicholas Sparks adaptations The Notebook and Dear John, both of which topped out at over $80 million.

The Hunger Games banked over $11.2 million and raised its gross to a mighty $372 million. The Jennifer Lawrence starring adaptation of the Suzanne Collins novel has now scored $600 million globally .

The Judd Apatow produced The Five-Year Engagement (read our review) failed to find an audience, opening to a flaccid $11.1 million. Jason Segel and Emily Blunt topline the film which was directed by Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him To The Greek's Nick Stoller. Those films opened to around the $17 million mark and closed at over $60 million. The Five-Year Engagement won't top-out at such a high number.

Jason Statham's latest actioner Safe (read our review) failed to get bang for its buck, opening with a whimpering $7.7 million. That's down from the Killer Elite's $12 million start and a far cry from the $34 million that The Expendables grossed. Having said that, they had other stars to bolster their grosses, but it is still a down from the solo career best of 2005's Transporter 2. That film grossed $16 million, with lower ticket prices.

John Cusack's The Raven failed to take flight, debuting with a lacklustre $7.2 million. The $26 million Edgar Allan Poe adventure received (at best) mixed reviews (read ours) and it shouldn't hang around in the top ten for too long.

Disney Documentary Chimpanzee banked $5.4 million and raised its cume to $19.1 million.

The Three Stooges laughed-up an additional $5.4 million and raised its total gross to over $37 million, while the top ten was rounded out by the horror film Cabin In The Woods. The Joss Whedon penned fright flick grossed $4.5 and brought its total to just under $35 million.

On the international front The Avengers led the charge, grossing an amazing  $178.4 million since its launch during the week. More cash is yet to come, and then there will be the May 4th US opening. Watch this space next week!

That's it for now. See you at the movies.

Source: Box Office Mojo

Movie News Wrap Up: April 28th, 2012

This week:

Jaden Smith is Boy Nobody; Jennifer Lawrence visits The Glass Castle; Lindsay Lohan is Liz Taylor in Liz & Dick; Abbey Lee Kershaw puts in a cagey performance for Mad Max 4; Rooney Mara's career gets a Spike; Scary Movie 5 gets a new direction from an Undercover Brother and Steve Kloves works some magic on The Jungle Book.

1. Sony Pictures and Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment are in early negotiations to pick up the rights to Allen Zadoff's young adult novel Boy Nobody. It is hoped that it will lead to a starring role for Jaden Smith.

According to Variety the as-yet unpublished book 'is the first in a planned young adult trilogy about a brainwashed teenage assassin who starts to regain his emotions' and that the main 'character is reminiscent of a teenage Jason Bourne.'

So, a franchise starter which will star the son of one of the biggest superstars on the planet, produced by said parent? Kerching!

It may make financial sense, but, I'm not too sure about the artistic merit of this endeavour.

Source: Variety

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2. The Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence looks set to take the lead role in a film adaptation of Jeanette Walls' autobiography The Glass Castle: A Memoir.

Lionsgate has picked up the rights to the tale which follows Walls' 'difficult childhood with her 'dysfunctional but vibrant' family.' The book spent a record 250 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that The Glass Castle won't be doing Hunger Games style business at the box office ' though Lawrence is a solid performer so there could very well be reason to see the film.

Source: Deadline

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3. Troubled actress Lindsay Lohan will play Elizabeth Taylor in the Lifetime Original Movie Liz & Dick.

The film will chart the tumultuous relationship between screen greats Taylor and Richard Burton. The pair had a heated relationship which saw them marry and divorce, only to remarry and divorce again.

Lohan is quoted as saying:

'I have always admired and had enormous respect for Elizabeth Taylor. She was not only an incredible actress but an amazing woman as well. I am very honored to have been asked to play this role'.

Yeah, yeah, whatever.

The film is currently without an actor to play Welsh acting god Burton.

Source: Coming Soon

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4. Apparently  'the world's fifth most in-demand model' Abbey Lee Kershaw has snagged a role in George Miller's long awaited Mel Gibson-less Mad Max 4 (aka Mad Max: Fury Road).

The model will travel to Namibia to play a role in the film which is set to star Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron.

According to a 'well-placed film source':

'Obviously it's set in a post-apocalyptic world, and women, especially beautiful women, are scarce, so men have been locking them up in cages. Abbey is one of them. She's perfect.'

From the catwalk to the post-apocalytpic cage ' shouldn't be too much of a stretch.

Source: The Daily Telegraph

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5. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo star Rooney Mara will replace Carey Mulligan in Spike Jonze's as-yet untitled next feature.

According to Variety:

'The project stars Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams and Samantha Morton. Jonze penned the script and is set to direct the pic about a man who falls in love with the voice of a computer.'

The Oscar nominated Mara will join the production once she finishes work on Steven Soderbergh's The Bitter Pill.

Source: Variety

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6. Somebody out there wanted it. Somebody out there got it. Undercover Brother director Malcolm Lee is set to helm the fifth installment of the Scary Movie franchise for Dimension Films.

David Zucker, who wrote and directed Scary Movies 3 and 4, will return to co-write and produce the 'comedy' which should shoot this summer.

Zucker has previously directed the comedy classics Airplane! and Top Secret! His recent output hasn't been as memorable.

Source: EW

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7. Warner Bros. has hired screenwriter Steve Kloves to write, direct and produce a new version of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book.

In the past the writer has penned the Harry Potter adaptations for the studio, and he also tapped the keyboard on the script for Akira.

They've got the bare necessities for the film covered, now it'll be interesting to see what other talent comes on-board.

Source: Deadline

 

That's it for now. See you at the movies.

Sam Raimi to Produce 'Poltergeist' Remake

Even as Hollywood continues to be racked with remake/reboot fever, there have only been rumblings here and there about the Poltergeist remake. That's quite the change from three years ago, when the project was briefly scheduled to hit theaters in 2010 ' only to end up being delayed indefinitely.

That looks to change, now that Sam Raimi is committed to producing (but not directing, as some news sources have been reporting) a revamping of the 1982 supernatural horror flick, which was directed by Tobe Hooper and based on an original story conceived by Steven Spielberg.

Heat Vision has the scoop on Raimi boarding the Poltergeist remake train, which will also be produced by Raimi's Drag Me to Hell collaborators Nathan Kahane and Robert Tapert, along with frequent Japanese horror remake backer Roy Lee (The Ring, The Grudge, Dark Water, etc.). Not-so-coincidentally, the co-writer of Raimi's upcoming Oz: The Great and Powerful, David Lindsay-Abaire, is penning the latest script draft for the Poltergeist remake.

Raimi, as many reading this are probably well aware of, is also producing a remake of his own 1980s horror cult classic, The Evil Dead. Similarly, MGM is the studio behind the impending Carrie remake/re-interpretation ' which has managed to snag a star, director and release date in recent months ' and is probably now looking to fast-track Poltergeist for production, considering the big names that've been assembled to back the project.

Until we know more about what approach the Poltergeist remake will take to refashioning the original movie - or who's going to be sitting in the director's chair ' it's hard to say whether or not this flick abides by Screen Rant's Top 5 Rules For Movie Remakes. Carrie's themes could benefit from being 'modernized' for the 21st century, whereas the Evil Dead remake is taking a significantly different approach to the original story.

Poltergeist, by comparison, isn't a story that immediately reads as potentially being that different, when the setting is 'modernized' for an age full of new technology; as Insidious demonstrated last year, stories about haunted houses in the suburbs haven't exactly changed a whole lot over the past three decades. Similarly, the portrayal of angry spirits and specters in cinema remains much the same as it ever was (unlike vampires, a la the Fright Night remake).

That's all to say: until more is revealed about exactly what 'new ideas' the Poltergeist remake will be bringing to the table, this reads as one recycling of an older property that's not really worth getting excited about.

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Source: The Hollywood Reporter

'Magic City' Season 1, Episode 4: 'Atonement' Recap

Watching characters deal with the level of control they assume to have over their own lives is one of the more compelling aspects of any work of fiction. In Magic City it appears to be a running theme that explores the notion that although Ike Evans (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is, for all intents and purposes, a self-made man, his success suffers from the unavoidable interest of those who helped him make such a rise to prominence.

In 'Atonement,' Magic City looks to explore the relationship between control over one's life and the reality that there is only so far anyone can climb before someone with the power to do so, suggests you go back the way you came. And the best way to do that is by focusing the majority of the episode on the lives of the women in the series.

While Ike is preoccupied dealing with the insane insult handed down by D.A. Jack Klein (Matt Ross), in which he remands the body of Mike Strauss (Leland Orser) back into the custody of law enforcement  - at his own funeral, no less ' Vera (Olga Kurylenko) is given the opportunity to approach the problem of Jackie Kennedy's inability to appear at an event she had previously committed to attend. At first, the representative she deals with seems a little nonplussed as to why Vera would be approaching him, but as she points out rather effectively, she and her husband are privy to some engagements that may have taken place at the Miramar Playa that would be in the Kennedy's best interest to be kept confidential. As Vera is all but assured of Mrs. Kennedy's attendance, she is paid the compliment that she would make an excellent politician's wife.

As much as Vera benefits from her position, it's one that is really only afforded her because of the influence Ike wields. For the most part, the women are beholden to men in some form or another, and despite the drawbacks to Vera's situation, she's in a far better place than Lily Diamond (Jessica Marais) or the poor Judi Silver (Elena Satine).

While Lily is forced to appeal to the king-like aspirations of her husband, Ben Diamond (Danny Huston), Judi takes up the bottom rung in the Magic City hierarchy.

There is a feeling that Ben views everyone around him as sub-human, justifying not only the things he takes or demands from others, but also grants him dominion over whether their lives will continue on, or end immediately. There is a thrilling hint of despotism in Ben's interactions, which make him a kind of behind-the-scenes-ruler, rather than a simple thug or bully. In his mind, Ben isn't out to ruin people's lives; he's simply making a decision in what he believes to already be his. So watching as Lily performs for him, despite her relationship with Stevie (Steven Strait), we become acutely aware (as is she) her place in Ben's world.

While Lily appears to serve a purpose to Ben, for the time being, anyway, the Miramar Playa's platinum prostitute, Judi Silver has outlived her usefulness. Although she played her role with Strauss to perfection, getting pinched by the cops afterward put her at the tip of Ben's 'to broom' list. The whole mistaken identity thing plays out as a fairly tired reason for Judi to initially escape harm ' although the idea that this high-class call girl would have brand recognition that exists far beyond the Playa's grounds is a humorous, albeit absurd, notion that is kind of fun to imagine.

But again, in showing what little control the lower-rung individuals have over their own lives, Judi is only spared when Ike makes yet another pricey deal with Ben.

The deeper Ike finds himself with Ben, the more important his relationship with Meg Bannock (Kelly Lynch) becomes, as she appears to be the most likely and available outlet that Ike has. Meg is the only woman who seems to come and go as she pleases; even the few obstacles barring Ike from entrance into certain circles are unfamiliar to her. Another example would be: After Danny has been attacked by the balcony scaling thief ransacking rooms at the Playa, Meg shows how little even Vera's title matters when one has accumulated the kind of wealth and social status she has. While the other women sit in the hospital waiting room, Meg appears to be given full access to Danny's (Christian Cooke) bedside where she convenes with Ike.

Of course, even before the photos were stolen from Stevie's room, they were a portent of doom. Although their transition of ownership holds no surprise, or real element of suspense, the notion that a more personal conflict between the Evans clan and Ben Diamond looms on the horizon does make up for the utter inevitability of Stevie's indiscretions.

Just as he was beginning to get along with Vera, too.

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Magic City continues next Friday with 'Suicide Blonde' @10pm on Starz.

'This Is 40' Trailer: Judd Apatow's Sort-Of Sequel to 'Knocked Up'

The latest product from House Judd Apatow, The Five-Year Engagement, hits theaters this weekend, and with it comes the first theatrical trailer for This Is 40: a (sorta) followup to Knocked Up that looks at what married with kids couple Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) are up to, now that they're about to become officially middle-aged.

Apatow wrote, directed, and produced This Is 40, which also features familiar Apatow-verse faces as Jason Segel, Charlyne Yi, his real-life wife (Mann) and daughters, Maude and Iris. The supporting cast is rounded out by seasoned comedic talent in the forms of Albert Brooks, John Lithgow, Melissa McCarthy and Lena Dunham (Girls). Did we mention Megan Fox is in this too? (Odd though it may seem')

As expected, the trailer for This Is 40 makes the film look like Apatow's customary serving of raunchy laughs and awkward humor, blended together with some tender (if occasionally gooey) sentiment and relatable drama about the challenges that come with family, relationships, aging ' and just being an adult, in general. Nothing surprising, for sure, but like they say: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The handful of jokes and character beats included in this first trailer are definitely worth a chuckle or two ' be it the glimpse at what could be another scene-stealing turn from McCarthy (fresh off her Oscar-nominated role in Bridesmaids) ' or that end sight gag, with Pete wanting Debbie's help checking out his' ahem, nether regions.

The happy (?) family in 'This Is 40'

All three of Apatow's previous feature-length writing/directing efforts (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Funny People) adhered pretty closely to the 'Apatow formula,' with each subsequent film being comparatively more serious than its predecessor. That trend looks to change somewhat with This Is 40, which falls somewhere between Knocked Up and Funny People, as far as the comedy-to-drama ratio goes.

That's all to say: with a well-established cast and Apatow still working near the top of his game, This Is 40 should go over well with the moviegoing masses, more so than Funny People managed to. Of course, more important than that (for our purposes) ' it actually looks like a pretty good movie.

This Is 40 arrives in theaters around the U.S. on December 21st, 2012.

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Source: iTunes Movie Trailers

'Sound of My Voice' Review

Screen Rant's Kofi Outlaw Reviews Sound of My Voice

In Sound of My Voice we are confronted with an immediate question of faith, as would-be documentarian Peter Aitken (Christopher Denham) and his girlfriend Lorna (Nicole Vicius) are brought into a local cult to meet its leader, the beautiful and mesmerizing Maggie (co-writer and star Brit Marling). The rabbit hole gets even deeper as Maggie reveals an implausible story to her new recruits: she claims to be a traveler from the future (2054 to be exact), sent back to gather those faithful who are ready to be trained in how to survive (both literally and figuratively) in the harsh era to come.

Peter and Lorna initially enter the cult's ranks with the shared aspiration of exposing Maggie as a fraud; however, as they become more involved with the group, Maggie's alluring charisma and unnerving insight begins to lace Peter and Lorna with doubts about her fraudulence, their own relationship, and even their views of who they are as people.

Sound of My Voice is the first feature-length film by writer/director Zal Batmanglij, and covers much of the same terrain as The Recordist, a short film which marked his first collaboration with Marling. The pair seem most concerned with telling open-ended stories shaded with familiar sci-fi concepts, presented in grounded ways that leave the philosophical quandaries wide open without the necessity for elaborate (or arbitrary) effects or sequences. Of course, fans of the genre who like the aesthetic pleasures of spaceships, aliens, flashy time portals or futuristic technology aren't going to find much to enjoy in what is ostensibly a stripped-down indie movie with a sci-fi premise.

Batmanglij and Marling's approach to storytelling is sure to be even more divisive, as much of the film focuses on scenes of the cult gathered together in the basement, as Maggie offers heavy-handed (and often gross) sermons. She claims that hers is a future in which there is no room for self-deception, excess, illusions of luxury or the crutch of technology ' basically a reverse method of  critiquing (or even admonishing) the times we live in, and all the misguided things that we believe. Therein lies the real 'point' of Sound of My Voice: to serve as a word of forewarning about the wrong path into an inevitable storm (society's collapse) ' and then, a roadmap for those looking for a new path (as hammered home by the moment when the title is referenced in the actual film).

Nicole Vicius and Christopher Denham in 'Sound of My Voice'

It's an interesting approach to a sci-fi story ' but the film's thematic accomplishments will largely be overlooked, as most viewers will likely focus on their frustration with how the central mystery of the narrative (is Maggie from the future or not?) is left without resolution ' as are the subplots and dangling threads the movie also introduces. These 'dropped balls' include two side-stories that run parallel to the main narrative: one involving a little girl at the school Peter teaches at, who continuously exhibits strange, obsessive behaviors; the other is that of a woman named Carol Briggs (Davenia McFadden), who arrives in town claiming to have knowledge of Maggie's true origins.

Both of these side-stories are important, as they converge with the main thread to create the (sudden and cumbersome) climatic act of the movie ' but again, by the time things pull together, most viewers will be frustrated with the fact that the finale only inspires more questions, without concretely answering anything.

To their credit, Batmanglij, Marling and lead actors Denham and Vicius manage to create a truly spellbinding atmosphere for the film. Marling is definitely the standout, effortlessly pulling off the combination of charisma, mystery, allure and sometimes frighting intensity that makes Maggie such a captivating character. If nothing else, Sound of My Voice proves that Marling is capable of breakout stardom ' both in front of and behind the camera.

Brit Marling as Maggie in 'Sound of My Voice'

Those who like their endings left open so that they can ponder and theorize about a philosophical story: Sound of My Voice provides a whole lot to mull over and analyze. Those who are not big fans of being left with more and questions than answers, will definitely arrive at disappointment (and scorn) for a film that teased them with so much, only to leave them feeling cheated and confused by the end. Yet and still, Sound of My Voice is an interesting approach to indie sci-fi, created by some bright new talents. It may not be the pinnacle of Batmanglij and Marling's work together (maybe that will be their already-in-production next film, The East?), but it's a pretty solid introduction.

Sound of My Voice is now playing in limited theatrical release. It is Rated R for language including some sexual references, and brief drug use.

Watch the trailer for the film below, or feel free to check out the first 10 minutes of the movie.

Our Rating:

3 out of 5

Disney Acquires Neil Gaiman's 'The Graveyard Book' Adaptation [Updated]

[UPDATE: Coraline director Henry Selick is now attached to helm The Graveyard Book!]

The literary works of renowned author Neil Gaiman have been successfully translated into cinematic form in recent years (Stardust, Coraline). Similarly, two of the fan-fave writer's most famous creations ' the novel American Gods and his Sandman graphic novel/comic book series ' are currently in the early stages of being television series.

Gaiman's The Graveyard Book - a piece of children's literature that's been awarded the Hugo Award for Best Novel and the Newberry Medal (among others) ' is also now prepped to make the jump to the big screen, with Walt Disney Pictures backing the production.

Deadline has learned that Oscar-nominee Gil Netter is currently attached to produce The Graveyard Book for Disney. He's a backer with a pretty eclectic resume that includes literary adaptations of all three shades ' namely, successful (Marley & Me), moderately-successful (Water for Elephants) and not-so-successful (Eragon). Netter is also backing Ang Lee's Life of Pi adaptation, which has been generating lots of good buzz this past week at CinemaCon.

Partly inspired by The Jungle Book, Graveyard Book tells the tale of Nobody (Bod for short) Owens, whose family is murdered when he's just an infant. Nobody inadvertently escapes being killed after climbing out of his crib and making his way over to a nearby graveyard. There, the ghostly residents and enigmatic caretaker, Silas, raise the boy and protect him from his parents' killer: a mysterious man named Jack, who belongs to an equally mysterious (and sinister) organization.

One of David McKean's illustrations for 'The Graveyard Book'

UK Effects House Framestone optioned The Graveyard Book for a movie adaptation a couple years back, with Oscar-winning filmmaker Neil Jordan (The Crying Game, Michael Collins) slated to direct. While that version of the project ultimately failed to get off the ground, Jordan's Onidine producer and co-executive producer ' Ben Browning and Michael Maher of Wayfare, respectively ' are still onboard to back the adaptation.

Graveyard Book read (no pun) as ripe material for someone like Jordan to handle, given his expertise in the area of supernatural horror parables (The Company of Wolves, Interview with the Vampire). Hopefully, Disney will recruit a fitting replacement for Jordan ' someone capable of effectively translating the mixture of morbid and sentimental elements present in Gaiman's source material into cinematic form (like Henry Selick did with Coraline).

UPDATE: Speak of the devil - since they first broke the story, Deadline has learned that Selick is now attached to direct The Graveyard Book. Considering that the filmmaker specializes in stop-motion animation (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline), it stands to reason that he'll also employ that technology to bring the story of Nobody Owens to life on the big screen. Intriguing, for sure.

We will keep you up-to-date on the status of The Graveyard Book as the story (again, no pun) develops.

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Source: Deadline

'Fringe' Renewed For Season 5 To Finish Series

The prayers of Fringe fans from around the world have been answered: Fox has renewed Fringe for season 5, which will also serve as the series' finale.

This news came after months of waiting in anticipation for an announcement. Ever since Fox president Kevin Reily revealed that the network was losing 'a lot of money on the show,'  fans of the series have been preparing for the worst.

Fortunately, Fox has somewhat of a soft spot for Fringe and its many fans. So in order for the series to continue, Warner Bros. has agreed to reduce the amount that Fox pays the studio for each episode of the show.

Here's what Reily had to say about Fringe's renewal:

Fringe is a remarkably creative series that has set the bar as one of television's most imaginative dramas. Bringing it back for a final 13 allows us to provide the climactic conclusion that its passionate and loyal fans deserve. The amazing work the producers, writers and the incredibly talented cast and crew have delivered the last four seasons has literally been out of this world. Although the end is bittersweet, it's going to be a very exciting final chapter.

What makes Warner Bros. so willing to negotiate down their asking price?  With Fox renewing Fringe for a 13-episode final season, the series will pass the 100-episode syndication mark (meaning: more money for Warner Bros.).

And now with Fringe returning for season 5, the highly anticipated Fringe season 4 finale will be edited to include the additional footage which leads the story into the next season. Originally created with two endings that would either be added or left off depending on renewal, the May 11th finale will serve to wrap up many of the series storylines ' but not all of them.

If you're curious what direction Fringe season 5 will head into, Peter Bishop himself, Joshua Jackson, revealed that the battle between the Fringe team and the Observers in the year 2036 is the key. 'If you watch that, you'll have an understanding of where they want to take the series,' Jackson says.

Whether you're a fan of the series or not, it's always great when a television show is able to end on its own, and allow its many viewers a chance to experience the complete, intended story. That being said, Fringe has certainly earned its position to end its story properly.

Being the only purely science-fiction series on television isn't easy. With broadcast networks looking to appeal to the masses, science-fiction often doesn't garner a large enough audience to allow the series to grow into its own. But thanks to the many fans of Fringe, many of whom followed the series through its many moves and awkward hiatuses, network television's last surviving sci-fi show will receive a proper farewell

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Fringe season 4 finale airs Friday, May 11 @9pm on Fox

Fringe season 5 will premiere September 2012

Follow Anthony on Twitter @anthonyocasio

Source: TVLine

'Safe' Review

Screen Rant's Kofi Outlaw Reviews Safe

In Safe, Jason Statham stars as Luke Wright, a former NYPD cop turned cage fighter, whose world is shattered when a Russian mob kills his family and places him under (a very strange) mandate of living exile: the mob will watch Wright's every step, and kill anyone he gets close to. The imposed purgatory transforms Wright into an alcoholic vagabond, wandering the streets of NYC in misery and isolation.

Things change for the disgraced cop when he runs across a brilliant young girl named Mei (Catherine Chan), who is being pursued by the same Russian mob killed Luke's family ' and also a Chinese Triad and squad of corrupt cops that Wright disgraced once upon a time. Luke decides to flip the script on all his foes by getting his hands on Mei first, thereby uncovering the secret that has so many bad men chasing the same little girl. But what Luke doesn't know is that the mystery locked away inside Mei's genius mind is not only valuable to the crooks, but high-ranking city officials and other shadowy figures ' some of whom are tied to Luke's sordid past.

Jason Statham goes to war in 'Safe'

Safe is the epitome of a 'throwback action film.' The movie plays like some over-the-top, all-in-one-night heist flick resurrected from the late '80s/early '90s heyday of testosterone-fueled dude movies. It was both written and directed by Boaz Yakin, the filmmaker best known for the feel-good sports drama, Remember the Titans. Yakin's filmography is filled with evidence that his directorial skills (see: Titans, Fresh, A Price Above Rubies) are better than his writing skills (From Dusk Till Dawn 2, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, Prince of Persia), and Safe only serves as further evidence of this disparity.

In terms of direction, Safe is a thrilling and well-choreographed mix of old school and new era action movie making - and Statham pulls off the bone-crunching, face-cracking, martial arts sequences with a swagger that makes one nostalgic for the days of Van Damme and Seagal at their best. Statham is also one of the only leading men of today who can spit cringe-worthy one-liners in a somewhat catchy and funny way ' a trademark ability of action veterans like Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. In all honesty, without Statham and all the charisma he brings to the table, Safe wouldn't even be worthy of a theater screen.

Jason Statham as Luke Wright in 'Safe'

'This is largely because the movie is an absolute mess, as far as story and character go. The premise is straightforward  (catch the little girl), but Luke Wright, as a protagonist, is so full of holes that even a brief second of time spent analyzing him will yield questions raised, but never answered; contradictions never set straight; choices that are hard to understand, and a backstory that is so convoluted by the time the final twists and so-called 'reveals' come around, it thwarts any ability to make sense of this character at all. (Luckily(?), the break-neck pace of the film offers almost no time at all to ponder such matters.)

Equally implausible is the general level of mayhem and destruction that is inflicted upon the face of New York City. In a post-911 era, it becomes impossible not to notice that the same people are running through the streets from high-speed chases to gunfights ' causing murders and mass chaos ' without being swiftly identified and curtailed by the hand of martial law. Of course, an action movie is supposed to stretch reality in this sense ' but Safe manages to over-stretch things, thereby snapping us right back into reality as we question the plausibility of what is occurring on screen.

As far as acting goes Statham carries the show, but gets help from Catherine Chan, who shows definite skill as a young lead ' with wit and timing that far exceeds her years. She's a great foil for Luke ' not so much a weepy child in distress, more a cunningly shrewd player in a very dangerous game. Between the two of them, Luke and Mei make for solid protagonists, with a charming odd-pair rapport.

Jason Statham and Catherine Chan in 'Safe'

Recognizable faces fill out the supporting cast, including famous character actors like James Hong (Kung Fu Panda) as the menacing leader of the Triad; Reggie Lee (Fast and the Furious) as his ruthless and relentless enforcer; Robert John Burke  (Robocop 3) as a corrupt police captain; Chris Sarandon (The Princess Bride) as the seedy mayor of NYC, and Hell on Wheels star Anson Mount as the mayor's shady bag man, who knows Luke from way back. In fact, Safe plays like a who's who of 'seen him somewhere' faces that come, go and leave little impression beyond the moment in which Statham's character dispatches them.

In the end, Safe is probably a safer bet as a rental ' but for fans of Statham-brand action flicks (The Transporter, Death Race, The Mechanic, Crank) this movie is pretty much in line with the actor's other work. It ain't too smart, it ain't too sophisticated, but it does have its charm and is entertaining enough for what it is: an action-packed, B-movie experience.

Safe is now playing in theaters everywhere. It is Rated R for strong violence throughout, and for language.

Our Rating:

3 out of 5

Open Discussion ' Apr 27, 2012

As usual ' talk about whatever you like as long as it's related to movies, TV or Screen Rant itself ' just remember to play nice.

Theaters Considering Allowing Texting During Movies

Inside a movie theater, even the quickest peek at your phone can be extremely distracting for neighboring viewers. It's a topic we've covered time and time again on the Screen Rant Underground podcast. We've all been there ' when the blinding light from a switched-on cell phone suddenly erupts in the seat next to us. While most moviegoers agree that texting during a film can be distracting, at least one theater chain believes that the anti-phone use crackdown has led to the alienation of certain (read: younger) moviegoers ' and, as a result, it might be time for less-strict regulations.

As technology continues to evolve, and we become increasingly dependent on minute-to-minute connectivity with friends, family, and co-workers, it can be quite a shock to the system when we're asked to put away our smartphones. Whether we're at a family dinner, seated on an airplane, or stuck underground on a stalled subway train, these days, most of us get a little antsy when we're cut-off for too long. However, does that mean that we should throw common courtesy out the window?

According to a Deadline report, Regal Entertainment CEO, Amy Miles, addressed the possibility that her theaters could, in the near future, ease-up on texting enforcement (at least during certain movies) ' in an effort to win-back younger moviegoers who might be down on seeing films in theaters:

'You're trying to figure out if there's something you can offer in the theater that I would not find appealing but my 18-year-old son [might].'

According to the report, Miles used the example of 21 Jump Street as a film where the theater might be less strict about phone use ' as opposed to, we assume, a film like The Artist.

IMAX executive, Greg Foster, agreed, adding:

'We want them to pay $12 to $14 to come into an auditorium and watch a movie. But they've become accustomed to controlling their own existence.'

Of course, any attempt to categorize which movies fit into the stricter/less-strict categories would be entirely subjective ' and could discourage non-phone-users from attending a film they might otherwise have wanted to see for fear that they'd just be surrounded by people who'd rather text than watch the film (the film everyone paid, as Foster put it, $12 to $14 to see).

Fortunately, Alamo Drafthouse CEO, Tim League, was also in attendance. League, as many movie fans will undoubtedly recall, is known for a heavy-hand when it comes to controlling the moviegoing experience in his theaters ' which has earned him plenty of angry letters over the years from disgruntled customers but, at the same time, has made him the champion of big screen purists.

'Over my dead body will I introduce texting into the movie theater [...] I love the idea of playing around with a new concept. But that is the scourge of our industry. ' It's our job to understand that this is a sacred space and we have to teach manners.'

As the news broke, our own Screen Rant founder, Vic Holtreman, shared his thoughts on the matter today via Twitter ' laying out a pretty clear-cut approach to the issue that many movie fans will no doubt agree with:

'Whichever theater chains decide to 'allow' texting will be those that I will never visit again. Ever.'

It's certainly a tricky balance ' since, if we're being honest, most of us can recall a time where we skirted the no texting rule for one reason or another. However, the idea of lifting the ban on texting entirely (even if only in films targeted at 'younger' audiences) is a very slippery slope ' and it's easy to understand why League intends to continue throwing out habitual texters in an effort to maintain that 'sacred' theater space. Ultimately, moviegoers should be able to expect a certain quality of experience when they go to the theater ' in exchange for their hard-earned money and limited time.

Theatergoing is a communal experience that, in its purist form, is made better by the other people who share in the experience. We laugh more during a comedy film, surrounded by other people who are similarly entertained, than we would alone in our apartment. We knowingly enter into this social contract when attending public screenings ' expecting that sharing in the experience with other people is worth any inconvenience we might face as a result of ignoring our phones for two hours.

Of course, like any other unspoken social 'contract,' there are plenty of people that will ignore the unspoken (and, in this case, spoken) rules of the community ' with only their own feelings and wants in mind. Most of us can look past less considerate audience members from time to time ' accepting that, like similarly chatty moviegoers, we're all a little inconsiderate once in awhile. That said, if theaters outright lift bans on phone usage, it's easy to imagine things getting out of hand and there's a big difference between getting stuck next to the inconsiderate guy (or gal) once in awhile ' and having to choose what movie to watch based on whether or not the theater will be illuminated by a tiny sea of LCD screens.

That said, the whole 'target' of the conversation is kind of bizarre, and borderline condescending towards younger viewers, considering that plenty of grown adults are guilty of focusing more on their phone than any on-screen action.

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Follow me on Twitter @benkendrick for further suggestions on theater etiquette (kidding, kind of) as well as other movie, TV, and gaming news.

Source: Deadline

'The Avengers' is Already Breaking Overseas Box Office Records

Despite all of the early reactions and buzz surrounding The Avengers stemming from its press premieres around the world, the film doesn't open in North American theaters until May 4th ' a wait, we can agree, that is far too long. Most of Europe benefits from having the film open before this weekend, but some international markets enjoy an even earlier start.

The Avengers opened Wednesday night in Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and several other smaller overseas markets, breaking a few box office records before it hits the rest of the international scene Thursday and Friday.

According to the early numbers, The Avengers - Marvel's longest film to date ' raked in nearly $8 million last night, $6 million of which came from its Australian premiere, home of Thor actor Chris Hemsworth. That haul places The Avengers as Australia's second biggest opening ever, sitting behind only Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, but earning more than twice that of Iron Man 2  - Marvel's previous best opening in the region. In Taiwan however, The Avengers' $1.2 million opening makes it their biggest ever. In North America, it's practically guaranteed to break $100 million in its opening weekend, likely hitting The Hunger Games numbers at $150 million or more thanks to the 3D ticket price boost.

Marvel and Disney have struck a gold mine with The Avengers and it's poised to not only be a contender for top grossing film of the year, but it's earning the love from critics and fans alike as well. The first 39 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes have the film averaging an 8.4/10 score for a 97% fresh rating and according to IMDB users, it's already made it into the top 250 list from nearly 8000 votes (how many actually saw the film, we can't say).

The Avengers draws from the best parts of every Marvel film before it and by all accounts, director Joss Whedon has hit a home run for the franchise. If you're a fan eagerly awaiting your chance to see it in theaters, check out these five Avengers comic stories that may help prepare you. If you have seen it, join our Avengers spoiler discussion. And for moviegoers who love the genre, The Avengers opening on May 4th comes packed with brand new trailers for both The Amazing Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises.

The Avengers stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Clark Gregg, Tom Hiddleston and Stellan Skarsgard. It is of course written and directed by Joss Whedon, opening in theaters on May 4, 2012.

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Follow Rob on Twitter @rob_keyes if you're a Marvel fan.

Sources: THR, The Sydney Morning Herald

Spike Lee's 'Red Hook Summer' Lands a Distributor & Release Date

Controversy magnet ' and two-time Oscar-nominated pioneer filmmaker ' Spike Lee's latest 'joint,' Red Hook Summer, is yet another Brooklyn-based tale to join the ranks of classic Lee works like She's Gotta Have It, Do the Right Thing and Crooklyn, among others. Not so shockingly, studios have been apprehensive about picking up the movie since its premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

Variance Films have now worked out a deal with Lee's 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks to distribute Red Hook Summer in theaters around the U.S., beginning this August. Read on for a summary of the film, which marks the first occasion that Lee has directed from his own, solely-produced original script since Bamboozled in 2000.

According to Deadline:

'Red Hook Summer' focuses on a sullen young boy, Flik Royale. He hails from middle-class Atlanta and heads to Red Hook to spend the summer with his deeply religious grandfather, Bishop Enoch Rouse, in the housing projects of Red Hook. Having never met before, things quickly get off on the wrong foot as Bishop Enoch relentlessly attempts to convert the youth into a follower of Jesus Christ. Between his grandfather's constant preaching and the culture shock of inner-city life, the young man's summer appears to be a total disaster'until he meets a Chazz Morningstar, a pretty girl his age, who shows Flik the brighter side of Brooklyn. Through her love and the love of his grandfather, Flik begins to realize that the world is a lot bigger, and perhaps a lot better, than he'd ever imagined.

Newcomers Jules Brown and Toni Lysaith are playing the love-struck young couple (Flik and Chazz) in Red Hook Summer. The remainder of the cast is rounded out by a handful of established names like The Wire alumni Clarke Peters and Isiah Whitlock Jr., Nate Parker (Red Tails), and Lee himself as 'Mr. Mookie' ' a return to his Do The Right Thing character. Numerous lesser-known thespians will serve in supporting roles.

With a screenplay penned by Lee that tackles many of the auteur's favorite social/class issues ' full of character archetypes and creative names that can immediately be recognized as Lee's - and the 'indie movie' personnel working on both sides of the camera, Red Hook Summer should feel all the more like a true Lee 'joint' than his mainstream hits of the past decade (25th Hour, Inside Man).

That's all to say: you probably already know whether or not Red Hook Summer is something you want to check out. For dedicated fans of Lee's particular breed of cinema, this could be seen as a return of sorts to the style of storytelling that earned him a reputation as a filmmaker with an uncompromising artistic vision (among other things).

Red Hook Summer begins a limited theatrical release in New York on August 10th, 2012. It will expand around the U.S. in the weeks thereafter.

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Source: Deadline

Jason Statham Out, 'Haywire's' Gina Carano In for 'Fast Six'

For a while back in October 2011, the Fast and the Furious franchise looked to become for Generation Y what The Expendables is for those who grew up in the 1980s and '90; namely, an adrenaline-fueled, macho star-studded event, with a collection of action fan-favorites ' such as Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, and possibly Jason Statham ' all together and tearing up the screen (or each other, on occasion).

However, earlier this month, word got out that a deal to snag Statham for Fast Six (or Fast and Furious 6, depending on who you ask) failed to materialize. Today though, we can also offer some good news: the badass index for the new Fast and the Furious flick still looks to increase something fierce (even without Statham), now that Gina Carano is in talks for a role.

Twitch first reported the Statham story a couple weeks ago, revealing that a deal with Universal ' which would see Statham appear in only Fast Six, since the studio scrapped its plans to shoot Fast and the Furious 6 & 7 back-to-back ' failed to materialize (news confirmed by multiple outlets since Twitch broke it). The franchise does seem like a perfect match for Statham the actor, but he presumably had good reason for ultimately taking a pass.

Heat Vision has the hot-off-the-presses scoop on Carano, who is up to play a member of Diplomatic Security Service Agent Luke Hobbs' (Johnson) team. Fast Six is expected to take place overseas in Europe ' as directly set up by a mid-credits scene in Fast Five ' and should pick up with contemporary outlaws Brian O'Connor (Paul Walker), Dominic Toretto (Diesel) and their fast-racing, thieving comrades on an new, Ocean's Eleven-style operation (with cars).

A former Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter, Carano established herself as a deadly force of nature onscreen earlier this year with a lead turn in Steven Soderbergh's Haywire. The brawler-turned-actress has yet to prove that she also possesses strong acting chops, to go along with the physical prowess ' but, then again, it's not as though she'll need much of that, as far as the sixth Fast and the Furious movie is concerned.

Gina Carano in 'Haywire'

Justin Lin (who directed the previous three Fast and the Furious films) is returning for the sixth installment ' as will the series' dependable screenwriter, Chris Morgan, along with Diesel and Neal H. Moritz as producers. Similarly, Universal chairman Adam Fogelson has promised that Fast Six will continue to transition the franchise into pure heist genre territory, occupied by titles like The Italian Job, while also still delivering the same street car racing (and crashing) spectacle that's made previous entries in the series such a massive draw.

That's all to say: those who are already fans of the Fast and the Furious franchise, you can start anticipating a bigger ( and better?) addition to the series. All others need not apply.

Fast Six (a.k.a. Fast and the Furious 6) will powerslide into theaters around the U.S. on May 24th, 2013.

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Sources: Twitch, Heat Vision 

Around the web:

New 'G.I. Joe 2' Posters; Jon Chu Describes His Approach to the Sequel

No less than eight G.I. Joe: Retaliation character posters were released last week, featuring the sequel's various new, returning and improved heroic/villainous players alike. An additional pair of character one-sheets have since made their way online ' in the form(s) of an alternate pic with Adrianne Palicki as Lady Jaye (now, with desert camouflage attire) and Detroit 1-8-7's D.J. Cotrona as Flint ' along with a Korean poster for the film.

You can see all three new promotional images in the gallery above. Be sure to also scroll on down for larger versions of each poster, plus excerpts from an interview where Retaliation director Jon M. Chu (Step Up 3D) discusses casting big-name action stars like Dwayne Johnson and Bruce Willis ' along with his explanation of how the Joe sequel works as a standalone reboot, a regular sequel and a throwback to classic Joe mythos.

On casting Willis as the 'original' Joe (Colton) in Retaliation, Chu said the following (via THR):

'He was always our dream guy to play Joe Colton, the original Joe, [but] I didn't necessarily know if he would ever do something like this. It's such a very specific brand ' the character Joe Colton exists, but not really. But the question I keep getting from people like my mom is, 'well, who plays Joe?' And there is no Joe, but we had this character Joe Colton that we built into the movie that would help bring it back to the basics. That was a big part of the movie ' these guys don't have laser guns; they are relearning how to be a soldier all on the ground, how to be a leader, how to make moral decisions, all those things, reset it all. And Bruce is the guy [to anchor that]''

With regards to securing 'The Rock' to portray muscular BAMF (and skilled cook) Roadblock:

'That is what took us the longest. We were already doing design work, the costumes, the set work. Everything was like closing in and we did not have a cast yet, but we all knew that it was important to find the right guy that would set everything up. And when you look out in the landscape, who is that masculine action hero that isn't just a pretty boy? Dwayne is that, and he's charming and he's family friendly' He comes from a military family ' his cousin is in active duty I believe right now ' and so he comes from a very real place. He's like, this means a lot to me in terms of the military men and women out there and servicing that and their kids, to know that like their parents are heroes, and yes, we're in a fantasy world, but it represents the same ideals''

Check out Willis and Johnson ' along with Byung-hun Lee as Storm Shadow ' in the Korean Retaliation poster:

CLICK FOR LARGER/FULL VERSION

 

On the topic of how Chu views Retaliation as a mix of Joe universe elements, both new and old:

'' You can't discount the first movie at all ' it was a huge and people loved it ' but for me what I love about 'Joe' is that everybody has interpreted theirs different ways. The comic book interprets it in one way. Even in the cartoon series, they switched theme songs in the middle, and so everybody interprets it in a different way. So for me I was like, let's jump to a different part of the Joe world. It's the same world, but at a different point. So when I pitched it, that was the idea ' let's pay homage to the old stuff, but also do new stuff. G.I. Joe was ultimate mash-up before mash-up ever existed, so that's perfect right now. And all the kids who don't know anything about G.I. Joe, who only know 'Call of Duty', who stole all their stuff from G.I. Joe, let's reclaim it and do it better.'

Lastly, as to whether or not Retaliation directly addresses the fate of those Joe characters from G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra who were not deemed worthy to return in the followup:

'Yes and no. We address a little bit, but also leave some of it up in the air. But in my mind the movie was never about them, the movie is about our characters that you introduced from the beginning. We wanted people to come into this movie, and if you haven't seen the first movie, be totally okay, which is actually pretty tough, because Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow are hard to explain to somebody who had never seen G.I. Joe. But we leave some of it open, so you'll see.'

CLICK FOR LARGER/FULL VERSIONS

Passing over Chu's diplomatic (but sure-to-be-contested) comment about people loving Rise of Cobra, the director's decision to refashion the Joe franchise ' so that Retaliation is closer to the down n' dirty action thriller he envisions as a proper live-action G.I. Joe movie ' has already won (and should continue to win) support from fans.

Of course, it helps that we've already seen enough footage from Retaliation ' to suggest that, between the better casting decisions and grittier approach to Joe lore that Chu described, the director could very well deliver on his promise(s).

G.I. Joe: Retaliation hits theaters in the U.S. on June 29th, 2012.

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Sources: Jon Chu, The Lebanese Cinema Movie Guide, General Joes, THR

Around the web:

Jessica Chastain In Talks to Join 'Iron Man 3' Cast

Although there is a lot of uncertainly surrounding expectations for Iron Man 3, Marvel Studios and new helmsman Shane Black are certainly starting on the right foot with news surrounding recent and potential casting additions. First it was Oscar-winner Sir Ben Kingsley in talks to play an Iron Man 3 villain, then it was fan-fave Guy Pearce joining the cast as geneticist Aldrich Killian.

Soon, we may be adding Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain to the growing (and star-studded) Iron Man 3 ensemble as well.

Deadline has the latest casting scoop which points towards Chastain being offered the role of a 'sexy' and 'smart' scientist in a leading role, but she initially couldn't do it due to scheduling issues. Diane Kruger, Gemma Arterton and Isla Fisher were reportedly lined up as potential replacements but thanks to a delay in one of her other projects, Chastain's available for for filming on Iron Man 3, which begins next month in China.

Following previous casting announcements and the fact that Iron Man 3's principal photography takes place in China, it's a no-brainer that Shane Black and Drew Pearce's screenplay is following Warren Ellis' 'Extremis' storyline which has been the common theme shared in most Iron Man 3 related stories. That being the case, it stands to reason that if she signs, Chastain will be playing the role of Maya Hansen, the scientist behind the Extremis tech who allies and helps out Tony Stark, eventually joining S.H.I.E.L.D. (and she's another love interest).

If made official, Marvel is nailing their casting and our hopes and expectations rise up even more as Iron Man 3 positions itself as a standalone, yet worthy follow-up to The Avengers.

While The Avengers benefits from bringing together a large group of stars for the epic team-up adventure, Iron Man 3 makes up for that by bringing in a spotlight-worthy cast of its own. Jessica Chastain, who enjoyed a career year in 2011 with The Debt, Take Shelter, The Help, The Tree of Life and The Texas Killing Fields,  joins Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce and returnees Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle.

Iron Man 3 begins principal photography in May and is scheduled to hit theaters on May 3, 2013.

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Follow Rob on Twitter @rob_keyes if want to chat Marvel.

Source: Deadline

Extremis Issue #5 cover & Iron Man: Extremis Hardcover (Variant Cover) by Adi Granov.

Around the web:

Open Discussion ' Apr 23, 2012

As usual ' talk about whatever you like as long as it's related to movies, TV or Screen Rant itself ' just remember to play nice.

Around the web:

'Mad Men' Season 5, Episode 6: 'Far Away Places' Recap

Throughout this season, Mad Men has been suggesting a sense of disorientation around the offices of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, and much of it has to do with Don Draper (Jon Hamm) finding himself romantically sated by his new wife Megan (Jessica Paré). The degree to which this causes a shift in the nature of things around him has been documented from the season's premiere. Don has been so ensnared by his new temperament it is as though he's been absent from SCDP.

The trick of 'Far Away Places' is how it distorts the viewers' perception of events by layering the chronology so that the same day is told from the perspective of Peggy (Elisabeth Moss), Roger (John Slattery) and finally Don. It's disorienting at first, but it leaves the characters examining a truth they had been unaware of, or unwilling to acknowledge after taking, literally or otherwise, some kind of trip. While Peggy and Roger are marched down the road through the use of mind-altering substances, Don has been, to paraphrase Bert Cooper (Robert Morse), drunk on love. And by episode's end, it's time to sober up and get back in the game.

The effect of Don's absence is evident in a miserable pitch to Heinz where Peggy and Raymond Geiger have it out over a campaign he says is based on a memory that's sentimental for him, but not going to get kids to buy beans. Peggy labels the client as purposefully argumentative, basically rejecting Raymond's rejection of her work and getting herself removed from the account. Since Don's off with Megan inspecting a Howard Johnson, there's really no one to answer to, and, rudderless, Peggy finds herself going to the movie her boyfriend Abe (Charlie Hofheimer) wanted to see with her that evening. She ends up sharing a joint with a complete stranger, who takes a seat next to her and things progress in a relatively unwholesome manner.

Later, Peggy is woken by Dawn (Teyonha Parris) who tells her Don is on the phone. A disheveled Don is in a state, which Peggy assumes is due to the Heinz pitch. Things only get weirder from there as she speaks with Michael Ginsberg (Ben Feldman) about his father ' only Ginsberg claims the man she met is not his real father, apparently. Ben refers to himself as a Martian and says his (false) father told him he was born in a concentration camp, and was found in a Swedish orphanage years later. Ginsberg continues by saying he received a communication (from Mars?) telling him to stay right where he was, but that he's yet to find anyone like him.

Like Don at the dinner party in last week's superlative 'Signal 30,' Roger Sterling finds himself a guest at a home he'd rather not be in, until his wife Jane (Peyton List) coaxes him into taking LSD, that is. And like the dinner party at the Campbells, we get the clearest sense of what the episode is trying to convey. Roger overhears: 'Only awareness can make reality. Only what's real can become a dream. Only from a dream can you wake to the light.' And with Don appearing in the mirror as a spirit guide, of sorts, Roger understands he needs to be alone with Jane in the truth ' and the truth isn't necessarily good.

While the two are in the bath, Roger sees the 1919 World Series and tries to point it out to his wife, but she simply cannot see it. Like another planet, or a Howard Johnson in upstate New York, a lifetime of memories can also be a far away place that keeps two people apart. Eventually, the two come to the conclusion that the marriage is over and agree to split amicably, but expensively.

Don and Megan's reactions to the Howard Johnson speak volumes about where they see themselves as individuals and as a couple. While Don is seemingly pleased to be at the HoJo, writing up copy on the fly, Megan is not so impressed, referring to it as a stop on the way to some place, not a destination as Don described. The fact that Don pulled Megan away from the Heinz pitch comes to a head after she confronts him that, even though being his wife comes with some perks, she's not necessarily looking to take advantage of them all. The wake up call being that maybe Megan sees this marriage as brief stop on the road to her eventual destination, while for Don it may be the end of the line.

They fight and Don leaves her in the parking lot, returning a short time later to find out she's left with a group of young men. Fearing the worst, Don stays the night, reluctantly returning home to find Megan already there. As in 'A Little Kiss' the fight turns physical, and after settling down, the pair reveal to one another that they essentially put one another through their worst fear: being left by the other.

To a certain degree it comes down to these three characters realizing the situations they've somehow trapped themselves in. While Roger seems to have woken to the light, Peggy and Don, as much as they seemed to have it together, may still be in the dark.

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Mad Men continues next Sunday with 'At the Codfish Ball' @10pm on AMC. Take a look at the typically cryptic sneak peek below:

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'Dark Knight Rises' Early Reactions; Over An Hour Shot in IMAX

Thanks to 20th Century Fox's brilliant official and viral promotional campaign for Prometheus ' plus Marvel over-saturating the market with Avengers material ' all combined with Warner Bros.' virtually non-existent marketing for The Dark Knight Rises in recent months ' and Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy finale has been left in the dust, prompting a number of film geeks to drop it from atop their Most Anticipated Lists for 2012.

That will surely change once Avengers arrives in (U.S.) theaters next week, with a third Dark Knight Rises trailer attached. In the meantime, early reactions both official and unconfirmed ' coupled with new reports that the film will include over an hour of IMAX footage ' are sure to stir things up, as far as talk around the movie blogosphere goes.

First, here is a confirmed early reaction to Dark Knight Rises from WB executive vice president of domestic distribution, Jeff Goldstein (via The Wrap):

'This is what a summer popcorn movie is all about. I don't want to oversell it, but this has elements that are ground-breaking and are really a thrill ride.'

Next, we have an unconfirmed early reaction from what Cosmic Book News describes as 'a reliable source' (head over to CBN for the full reaction, which includes a possible MILD SPOILER):

It is one of those films that leaves you on the edge of your seat much like 'The Dark Knight' did, in that it feels like a rollercoaster, like you have no idea where the story will go. I have been told a summary of the movie, and I definitely don't want to spoil it, but if you think you know where it is heading, think again! It will leave you thinking 'how do did they come up with that; it's genius.'

Catwoman is more in line with the comics than people think despite her not having a whip or cowl. It's more character driven and less about looks. Bane is so frickin' ruthless it's bad, like Joker is crazy and does his crimes on a whim in any style; Bane is like a freight train and has the city bricking it.

So, to summarize: we have a vague, encouraging statement from a studio executive and an anonymous claim from someone who (for all we know) simply pieced together previously-released information about Dark Knight Rises' plot ' or tidbits from Tom Hardy's interview, wherein he compares/contrasts Bane and Joker - so as to make their reaction seem legit.

Yeah, suffice it to say, you shouldn't get over-excited by any of this. Still, positive buzz is positive buzz, no matter the source. Besides, we won't have to wait long to see some additional footage from the film ' and then, we can decide for ourselves whether or not Nolan's last Caped Crusader flick is his best.

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Dark Knight Rises to Feature An Hour of IMAX Footage

Speaking of how Dark Knight Rises will look: the Wall Street Journal has confirmed that Nolan shot more than 60 minutes of the film using the 65 mm lens and IMAX camera technology. To put it in perspective, that's well beyond the previous estimates of 40-50 minutes ' and more than double that in either The Dark Knight or last winter's IMAX hit, Mission: Impossible ' Ghost Protocol.

"My Batman movie will be THIS BIG!"

Here is a statement from Nolan, on his decision to shoot so much of Dark Knight Rises in IMAX:

'There was a huge irony that we were told it would be too difficult to shoot a Hollywood movie on IMAX when we had this gigantic camera department, grips, electric, hundreds of people working for us. These were cameras that had been to the top of Mount Everest, to the bottom of the ocean and into outer space, but people thought we couldn't make a feature film. It was absurd.'

Nolan has made no secret of the fact that he considers IMAX 'the best film format that was ever invented' and he ' along with his trusted director of photography, Wally Pfister ' even gave thought to shooting all of Dark Knight Rises using IMAX technology, at one point. As anyone who remembers watching the bank robbery/prologue from The Dark Knight ' or the Hong Kong sequence ' on a 70 mm IMAX screen can attest, Nolan truly knows how to utilize that format for its optimal potential.

Count us all the more excited to see the filmmaker step up his IMAX game to the next level with Dark Knight Rises.

The Dark Knight Rises in theaters around the U.S. on July 20th, 2012.

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Source: The Wrap, Cosmic Book News [via Comic Book Movies], The Wall Street Journal

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Bryan Fuller Interested In New 'Star Trek' TV Series

Even though his hands are plenty busy working on the Munsters reboot titled Mockingbird Lane, and now that his plans for the Hannibal television series have revealed an ambitious seven-year storyline, one would think Bryan Fuller would have little time to ponder a new Star Trek television series.

Apparently, that's not the case.

While speaking with Entertainment Weekly regarding the upcoming NBC series Hannibal, Fuller was asked about his thoughts on a new Star Trek television series and what he had discussed with filmmaker Bryan Singer prior to J.J. Abrams rebooting the franchise with his successful 2009 feature film release.

It seems that since Abrams and Paramount are the current gatekeepers to the Star Trek franchise, any such television series would likely have to be met with their approval, and coincide with the release schedule of any further installments beyond next year's tentatively titled Star Trek 2.

In his statement, Fuller said:

'Bryan and I are big fans of Trek and have discussed a take on what we would do, and we would love to do it. I don't think anything is going to happen in any official capacity until after the next movie comes out. And I'm sure it would be wisely under J.J. Abrams' purview of what happens. He's the guardian of Trek right now.'

While that may be somewhat disheartening news for fans eager to have Trek back on the small screen, despite Fuller's hesitance, common sense suggests that Paramount and Abrams certainly see the potential in a new series ' provided it's done right, of course. Given Abrams' penchant for producing hit television ' especially within the sci-fi realm - and Fuller's past credits on Star Trek: Voyager, along with Pushing Daisies and Heroes, the idea of a Fuller/Singer collaboration with the support of J.J. Abrams sounds like a sure-fire hit.

The question remains, however, whether this proposed Star Trek series would be based directly on the lore established in Abrams' films, or if it will take its cue from Bryan Singer's unproduced Star Trek: Federation series?

According to details that emerged last year, Star Trek: Federation would take place in the same continuity as the original shows and films, but in the year 3000. Additional aspects saw the series serve as something of a metaphor for the decline of the Roman Empire, with Starfleet having fallen from scientific prominence seemingly waiting for another Kirk to lead the charge in restoring Starfleet to former glory.

Director Bryan Singer in Star Trek: Nemesis

An excerpt from the proposal says it best:

'The Federation hasn't had a flagship in over two hundred years. They haven't done anything either scientifically or in terms of exploration that comes near the deeds done in the long ago Age of Expansion.

There is no sense of true unity in the Federation and unity will be required if these new aliens return in force. The people need a symbol to remind them who they are, what they mean to each other and that there are prices to be paid for living in paradise.

They need, in short, a sense of Enterprise''

That proposal varies a great deal from Abrams' new, alternate timeline, and seeing as how mainstream audiences and (many) Trek fans took a shine to the reboot, it would seem a trip back to the original timeline might be counterintuitive in terms of the audience's preference, and certainly, cross-promotion.

Whatever the case, it seems any Star Trek series will be years away from production, so there will be plenty of time to get the storyline straight.

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Screen Rant will be sure to update you on any news regarding a new Star Trek television series.

Source: Entertainment Weekly, TrekMovie

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