Mon, September 30, 2013 The second part of Peter Jackson's new trilogy, The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. It hits theaters December 13.
Mon, September 30, 2013 Opening in theaters on October 11, the Robert Rodriguez sequel also stars Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez, Sofia Vergara, Carlos Estevez, Lady Gaga, Antonio Banderas, Jessica Alba, Demián Bichir, Vanessa Hudgens, Cuba Gooding, Jr., William Sadler, Marko Zaror and Mel Gibson.
Danny Trejo returns as ex-Federale agent Machete, who is recruited by the President of the United States for a mission which would be impossible for any mortal man - he must take down a madman revolutionary and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer who has hatched a plan to spread war and anarchy across the planet.
Mon, September 30, 2013 The latest poster for The Hunger Games Saga: New Moon is more or less the poster from the first movie, except it's DARKER (literally) and they decided not enough people knew Jennifer Lawrence was in this, so she's on the poster too, in a sick extreme-surfing outfit or something.
The poster also reveals the film's cryptic tag-line: "Remember Who The Enemy Is" which are the words of her mentor, Woody Harrelson, from the book. Although I think we all know "who the enemy is" and the answer is everyone who isn't Peeta or Katniss.
The Hunger Games saga continues in this sequel that finds a revolution brewing as Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) take a "Victor's Tour" of the districts, and President Snow (Donald Sutherland) plots their downfall during preparations for The Quarter Quell, which only occurs every 25 years in celebration of the Capitol's victory over the districts.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire hits theaters November 22, also in IMAX.
Sun, September 29, 2013 
One of 2012's biggest surprises might have been 21 Jump Street, the big-screen action/comedy remake of the 80's series of the same name, starring Jonah Hill (Moneyball, Superbad) and Channing Tatum (Dear John, White House Down).
The film ended with a rather hilarious and obvious sequel bait, declaring that Jenko (Tatum) and Schmidt
(Hill) were headed to their next assignment in college, and true to form, the sequel is happening...in college, with the first picture from 22 Jump Street hitting the web today through Tatum's Instagram.
“22 Jump Street” follows officers Schmidt (Hill) and Jenko (Tatum) as they go deep undercover at a local college. But when Jenko meets a kindred spirit on the football team and Schmidt infiltrates the bohemian art major scene, they begin to question their partnership. In addition to cracking the case, the two freshmen must figure out if they can have a mature relationship like real men.
Phil Lord and Chris Miller confirmed in an interveiw over the summer that the film would delve much more into maintaining an emotional relationship between the film's characters:
“It’s more about their marriage, basically. If the first movie is about two people getting together for the first time, this is about what happens if you try to really make the relationship work. We’ll probably never do another bromance after this one, but we’re trying to get as emotionally deep into that as possible.”
22 Jump Street will also star Ice Cube (in an expanded role), as well as Amber Stevens (playing Ice Cube's daughter and Hill's new love interest), as well as Wyatt Russell, Channing Tatum, and Jonah Hill.
The film is expected to release June 13, 2014.
Sun, September 29, 2013 
Courtesy of Box Office Mojo:
1. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 - $35 million
2. Prisoners - $11.2 million
3. Rush - $10.3 million
4. Baggage Claim - $9.3 million
5. Don Jon - $9 million
6. Insidious Chapter 2 - $6.7 million
7. The Family - $3.6 million
8. Instructions Not Included - $3.3 million
9. We're The Millers - $2.8 million
10. Lee Daniels' The Butler - $2.4 million
It's been a few weeks since we've had any animated fare in theaters, so Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 easily topped the slew of movies for grownups also in theaters this weekend. The sequel's estimated $35 million this weekend tops the $30 million that the original film opened with in 2009 and went on to earn $125 million. Expect pretty much the same from this film, since there aren't many family films opening in the next few weeks.
The new releases were also no match for Prisoners, which dropped 46% from its first-place opening last weekend to earn $11.2 million, although Ron Howard's Rush came close, opening in wide release this weekend with $10.3 million. Joseph Gordon-Levitt's directorial debut, Don Jon, opened with a less-impressive $9 million. Meanwhile, the romantic comedy Baggage Claim managed to find a place in between Rush and Don Jon with $9.3 million.
Metallica fans had fun this weekend, as their 3D/IMAX extravaganza Metallica: Through The Never earned a healthy $1.6 million at 308 IMAX locations. Instructions Not Included continues to be the success story of the fall so far, earning $3.3 million and becoming the highest-grossing Spanish-language film released in the U.S.
Next weekend sees another big release in the Oscar hopefuls category, as the George Clooney/Sandra Bullock space thriller Gravity opens in theaters. Joining is Runner Runner, which is not an Oscar hopeful, but stars future Batman, Ben Affleck.
Thu, September 26, 2013 
The first trailer for Dreamwork's adaption of the popular long-running video-game franchise, Need For Speed, starring "Breaking Bad"s Aaron Paul, is out, and has an oddly emotional and hard-hitting monologue over scenes of dramatic car-races and crashes.
You know, I was excited for this movie anyways, because I love action movies; but from the trailer it gives off a truly HITMAN or Quantum of Solace vibe of an action film that has a lot of stuff really going on underneath it. It's good to see Paul isn't just phoning it in for this; but this might actually be a perfect mixture of high-octane action (with practical stunts to boot) and genuine emotion; but call me old fashioned.
"They took everything from me. I do not fear, for you are with me, All those who defied me shall be ashamed and disgraced. Those who wage war against me shall perish. I will find strength, find guidance, and I will triumph."
Need For Speed, set to release March 14, 2014, and stars Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, Michael Keaton, and Kid Cudi.
In a last attempt to save his struggling garage, blue-collar mechanic Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul)—who with his team skillfully builds and races muscle cars on the side—reluctantly partners with wealthy, arrogant ex-NASCAR driver Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper). Just as a major sale to car broker Julia Bonet (Imogen Poots) looks like it will save the business, a disastrous, unsanctioned race results in Dino framing Tobey for manslaughter. Two years later and fresh out of prison, Tobey is set on revenge with plans to take down Dino in the high-stakes De Leon race—the Super Bowl of underground racing. To get there in time, Tobey must run a high-octane, action-packed gauntlet, dodging cops coast-to-coast and dealing with fallout from a dangerous bounty Dino put on his car. With his loyal crew and the surprisingly resourceful Julia as allies, Tobey defies odds at every turn and proves that even in the flashy world of exotic supercars, the underdog can still finish first.
Mon, September 23, 2013 Disney sent out some deets today regarding their upcoming live-action adaption of the classic story, Cinderella, directed by Kenneth Branaugh, who recently directed another riches-to-rags, rags-to-riches golden-haired princess, Chris Hemsworth in 2011's THOR.
The first look, which includes a detailed plot synopsis and photo of "Downton Abbey" star Lily James as the titular princess, should do enough to satisfy you rabid Cinderella fanboys out there. Although we all know we REALLY want to see "Game of Thrones" star Richard Madden, as Prince Charming Kit.
Cinderella arrives in a theater near you on March 15, 2015.
The story of "Cinderella" follows the fortunes of young Ella whose merchant father remarries following the tragic death of her mother. Keen to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother Lady Tremaine and her daughters Anastasia and Drisella into the family home. But, when Ella's father suddenly and unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother's dying words and to "have courage and be kind." She will not give in to despair nor despise those who abuse her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an employee at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears as if her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella's hopes of once again encountering the charming "Kit." Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand as a kindly beggar woman steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin and a few mice, changes Cinderella's life forever.
"The house of mouse sends their regards"
Sun, September 22, 2013 
Courtesy of Box Office Mojo:
1. Prisoners - $21.4 million
2. Insidious Chapter 2 - $14.5 million
3. The Family - $7 million
4. Instructions Not Included - $5.7 million
5. Battle of the Year - $5 million
6. We're The Millers - $4.6 million
7. Lee Daniels' The Butler - $4.3 million
8. Riddick - $3.6 million
9. The Wizard of Oz (3D/IMAX) - $3 million
10. Planes - $2.8 million
Audiences chose to be terrified this weekend, as the kidnap drama Prisoners easily won the weekend with an estimated $21.4 million. That's an impressive start, especially for an R-rated film that clocks in at a relentless 2-1/2 hours. It's also a great opening for Hugh Jackman in a non-Wolverine starring role (I suspect there will be more and more of these to come), and Jake Gyllenhaal, whose awesomeness sadly doesn't always translate to great box office.
In second place was Insidious Chapter 2, which held on well for a second weekend, and earned $14.5 million. The sequel has earned $60 million domestically, which outgrosses the original Insidious film - and keep in mind, it only had a reported budget of $5 million. So expect plenty of sequels from here on out.
The Family, which didn't particularly impress last weekend, didn't do much differently this weekend, earning another $7 million. The news was better for the Spanish-language hit Instructions Not Included which added another 45 theaters and earned an impressive $5.7 million.
Any hopes that Battle of the Year would be the next Step-Up series were squashed this weekend, as that tanked this weekend with $5 million. And am I the only Lost fan who's sad that this is the only movie we've seen Josh Holloway star in? C'mon, Hollywood...Sawyer deserves better.
Someone may have dropped a house on the IMAX screens this weekend, as the IMAX/3D re-release of The Wizard of Oz mustered only $3 million.
In limited release, Enough Said, which features James Gandolfini in one of his final roles, did extremely well, earning $240,000 at just four theaters nationwide. Ron Howard's Rush earned $200,000 in only five theaters, and opens wide next weekend.
Joining Rush next weekend will be the animated sequel Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2, and the romantic comedy Don Jon.
Sat, September 21, 2013 
Despite being the fan-favorite, Christian Bale still had to audition as Bruce Wayne/Batman like everyone else for Batman Begins (Using one of Val Kilmer's leftovers from Batman Forever). The story goes even bone-skinny recovering from The Machinist, they knew he was the guy then and there.
An excerpt from The Fire Rises: The Creation and Impact of The Dark Knight Trilogy documentary (featured in The Dark Knight Trilogy Ultimate Collectors Edition Blu-ray set available this Tuesday) has leaked online showcasing Bale's screen test. And yes, they do address the much-ridiculed "Batman voice."
Sat, September 21, 2013
With production having begun last week on Fast & Furious 7, Vin Diesel took the liberty to film a video of himself the first day on set to show all the franchise's fans.
It's not much, just Diesel talking about the start of production taking place in Atlanta and how grateful he is that you pay to see his movies, but still, it's nice to see the guy gives back to his fans.
Along with this, we have our first look at Lucas Black on set who was just announced to be returning to the franchise this past week.
Funny how the film is suppose to take place after the events of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift yet you can tell easily that Black looks a good ten years older. But hey, I guess that's what you get when you sequel-ize a film that came out way back in 2006.
Expect more photos and videos from the set as production continutes.
Fast & Furious 7 - starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges, Lucas Black, Jason Statham, Djimon Hounsou, Rhonda Rousey, Tony Jaa, and Kurt Russell - open July 11th, 2014.
Source: Vin Diesel Facebook