Avatar Controversy

Let the backlash begin. Variety is reporting that Avatar, which opens tomorrow in Italy, has got Italian parent groups up in arms over the film's G rating. Unlike the U.S. Italy, like Canada, has no PG-13 rating, just under 14 not admitted or under 18 not admitted. The groups are crying out that the G rating doesn't protect their children from the intense war violence and smoking seen in the film.

Personally I think this story is kind of funny, not least coming from the country that needs separate female-only beaches so that woman can enjoy the sun while not being constantly pestered by the men.

Let's be real. Of all the things in the world to protest against, is kids being allowed to see Avatar really that big of a deal? There is nothing personally in the film that I would object to a child seeing, and I'd rather my kids (if I had them) seeing something with a positive message than most of the loud, empty-headed junk that passes for family films these days.

I understand when the Italians were upset when Mel Gibson's violence-ridden Apocalypto was released with a G rating in 2007, but come on, as far as film-related backlashes go, this one is pretty weak.

Will We Have to Wait for James Bond?

John Favreau's Iron Man 2 isn't even out until May, but that hasn't stopped talks surrounding his alleged next project Cowboys and Aliens, an animated sci-fi western. IMDB.com describes that the film will take place in the old West where the Natives and settlers must put aside their differences and fight together when an alien ship crash lands in their town.

The film was supposed to star the voice of Robert Downey Jr. but those plans got trashed when Downey just couldn't find the time to pencil the project in. Now the talk is that Daniel Craig is looking to snag the role, which could mean putting the next James Bond film on hold.

This news may come as an upset to many fans gearing up for the 23rd Bond film (and third with Craig) but quite frankly, after seeing Quantum of Solace, who really cares?

More Spider-Man Speculation

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With news that the main cast and crew have abandoned Spider-Man 4 earlier this week, with Sony now planning to reboot the franchise instead of continuing on with the sequel, rumours are now floating about what will become of the next movie.

One I read that interested me was that Sony has acquired a Spider-Man treatment that James Cameron once wrote many years ago before the first film was ever made and that he could possibly come on board as a director. This doesn't really make sense considering the studio, while toying with the idea of casting Anne Hathaway in the fourth film, ultimately decided that her price tag was too high and that the series could sell itself without such additional star power. It;s hard to say, but I'm willing to bet that after the astronomical success of Avatar, Cameron's going rate probably isn't so cheap these days. Yet, Cameron taking on Spider-Man is, if nothing more, an interesting thought.

The rumour that worries me the most is that Robert Pattinson of Twilight fame may become the new Spider-Man. This makes perfect sense from a marketing perspective, but if anyone out there at Sony is reading, I have only this to say:


PLEASE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Ghostbusters 3 News

Good news people! Peter Hall at Cinematical is reporting that Ivan Reitman finally dropped some information about the third installment of the Ghostbusters franchise at a National Film Board Event.

What is maybe most comforting is that Reitman denied rumours that the third film would present a Ghostbusters-for-the-next-generation type scenario and will instead be bringing original stars Bill Murrary, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Sigourney Weaver back to the fold. Even Rick Moranis has contemplated coming out of retirement to reprise his role within the series. Reitman will also return behind the camera and promises many exciting new suprises.

Consider this good news. It was originally believed by some that the franchise would be brought back to life as a means to open a portal for other projects to be born from. However, with all the original players back in place, things may be looking up after-all.

It has been 20 years since the so-so Ghostbusters sequel and of all the old franchises being brought back into fruition for new sequels, this one offers a lot of potential. Let's hope though that the gang can work out a good enough script to capture the essence that made the original Ghostbusters (and to a lesser extend, the sequel) such classics to begin with, instead of being just another desperate Hollywood cash grab.

Reitman says he hopes filming will begin sometime this year.

The Expendables

There is, as far as I can tell, unofficial trailers for Sylvester Stallone's upcoming film The Expendables kicking around Youtube. The Expendables has, before even a single frame from the film came into contact with public eyes, become, for better or worse, something of a legend.

And so it should be. Just look at the cast of great action stars the film's roaster boasts: Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Eric Roberts, Mickey Rourke, and Danny Trejo. Not to mention there is also not so great stars like Dolph Lundgren, the wrestler "Stone Cold" Steve Austen and the late Brittany Murphy. On top of that there are also cameo appearances by Stallone's friends and former business partners Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. With a cast like that, nothing could go wrong right?

Well, the trailer is both inspiring and leaves something to be desired. On one hand, the film looks to be like a fun, senseless action flick like the kind these stars used to make in the 80s and, from the looks of thing, Stallone will be relying more heavily on actual action sequences that involve real stunts, explosions and gun fights instead of the computer generated effects. If there is one thing action movies are in desperate need of these days it is the authenticity that made those 80s action flicks so enjoyable (and based on the footage, there will be a lot of it).

Also the film looks like it packs a lot of humour. Stallone looks like he is having more fun here than he's had since Demolition Man in the early 90s.

However, will the film be too stacked for it to develop all these people into real characters instead of simply relying on their star presence, or will the film be so packed to the brim with senseless action sequences that audiences won't care much about the story at hand? This wouldn't be something unfamiliar for any of these stars.

There is also the question of Stallone's direction. Stallone has never directed himself in an action movie before outside of the forgettable Rambo. The problem with Rambo was that it was dark and bleak and forgot that sense of fun and excitement that the first three films had. This film looks like it remedies that situation by lightening the tone and playing up the comedy, but, as a director of mostly character dramas, will Stallone be able to handle a bunch budget action picture?

If nothing more, at worst The Expendables will at least probably end up being an admirable missed opportunity and at best, could revive the spirit and authenticity of the 80s action movies by starting a new and exciting franchise. Here's to hoping.

The Tooth Fairy (2010)

'Nuff said....

Celebrities Behaving Badly

There's no news or editorializing here. I just wanted to express how much I love it when celebrities are caught behaving badly. I loved Christian Bale's freak out on the set of Terminator Salvation, I loved David O. Russell throwing a spazz at Lilly Tomlin on the set of I Heart Huckabees or headbutting George Clooney on the set of Three Kings and Bill O'Riley losing it while filming Inside Edition still makes me laugh out loud every time.

However, there may be none more apologetic in their public displays of childish behaviour than Quentin Tarantino. From flipping off a booer at Cannes while accepting the Palm D'Or for Pulp Fiction, to insulting a reporter on TV who called Kill Bill senselessly violent and misogynistic, to spitting on someone on the Oscar red carpet in the 90s, Tarantino never seems to lose his class.

Here is one of my favourite videos of him, slapping a paparazzi in a Starbucks parking lot. This officially cements Tarantino as the hippest Hollywood bad boy to beat. I know it's an oldy, but it's still a goody. Enjoy.