FILM: GI Joe - Retaliation Trailer (News)

Three years after the first attempt at bringing the G.I. JOE franchise to the big screen in live-action by Paramount resulted in a mixed bag of solid box office receipts and lukewarm critical appeal comes a sequel with MGM that looks and feels ten times more intense titled, G.I. JOE: RETALIATION.

Stepping in to direct this next installment is Jon Chu (STEP UP 3D), and returning from the first film is Channing Tatum (THE VOW) as Duke, Arnold Vosloo (THE MUMMY) as Zartan, and Ray Park (EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE) as Snake Eyes.

There is some added star power in this one as joining the cast is Dwayne Johnson (FASTER) as Roadblock and Bruce Willis (RED) as General Joseph Colton. Bringing the girl power this time around is newcomer Adrianne Palicki (LEGION) as Lady Jane.


G.I. JOE: RETALIATION saves the day in theaters on June 29, 2012.

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FILM: A Look at Disney Pixar's Brave (News)

A new year, another new animated feature film release from the crew over at Disney Pixar. The trailer and poster were unveiled last summer for BRAVE and now images from the film have been released online.

The first image shows Lord MacGuffin (Kevin McKidd), Lord Macintosh (Craig Ferguson) and Lord Dingwall (Robbie Coltrane) and the second has the star of the story, Princess Merida (Kelly Macdonald).

BRAVE hits theaters on June 22, 2012.

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FILMonBLU-RAY: All-Star Superman (Review)

All-Star Superman
2011 - Warner Home Video
Released on Blu-Ray/DVD on February 22, 2011.

# of Dics: 2 (Blu-Ray, DVD)
Runtime: 76 Minutes

A near disaster instigated by Lex Luthor (Anthony LaPaglia) on a ship exploring the sun that was saved by Superman (James Denton) gives Luthor the victory he was craving, as the intense exposure to solar radiation has mortally poisoned Superman.

With his time living running out, Superman seeks to fulfill his dreams including revealing the truth to his love from afar, Lois Lane (Christina Hendricks). But a couple of Kryptonian visitors and the overzealous Luthor keep Superman from going out quietly, instead requiring one more heroic battle to save Metropolis.

After revealing his identity to Lois, Superman takes her back to his Fortress of Solitude where she gets an up close view of the marvelous items inside, including the weapons he has taken from his enemies, a pet Sun-Eater he feeds with small suns he creates with a hammer and anvil, his crew of robot helpers, the Bottle City of Kandor and some relics, like the statue of his parents.

But Superman's secretive nature and Lois' exposure to alien chemicals leads to her paranoia and attack on Superman with a deadly kryptonite laser. But that did not put a hamper on Superman's gift for Lois, a 24-hour liquid dose of his powers, turning her into Superwoman. That of course led to an unwanted adventure with Atlas and Samson, and an encounter with the Ultra-Sphinx. This film was a nonstop roller coaster of serious, funny, and action.

And of course Clark's visit to Lex in prison gave the story that dose of intellectual discussion, a clear vision of Luthor's psychosis and his anger even in the midst of a rampaging Parasite and prison brawl. The parallel of a confident Luthor boasting in prison, and a weakened Clark continuing to fool him right in front of his eyes.

DC and the WB did a great job as always packing their animated film with a bundle of extras, including two featurettes with Grant Morrison, the writer of the comic series ALL-STAR SUPERMAN was based off of. The Morrison featurettes fully explore his vision for the Superman character, one going into the sketches he developed over the years that became the eventual story and the other more on how Superman was revamped for a contemporary audience.

The rest is a usual package for DCU films: commentary, digital comic, a preview of the next DCU film, and two cartoon episodes selected by Bruce Timm. A fun treat for animation, comics, and DC fans.

ALL-STAR SUPERMAN is a masterful stroke of storytelling. While it is not an all out action bonanza, the methodical pace to the story helps illustrate the emotional weight carried by Superman now that he is seeing his end coming. What does a "super" man do when death approaches? An inspiring story of spreading love, peace and happiness from the big red blue hope.

Look to buy the ALL-STAR SUPERMAN Blu-Ray disc exclusive version on Amazon for $25.99

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FILM: The Hobbit Trailer + Poster (News)

It is never too early to plan for the end of the year, even when it is a year away. With 2011 ending, it seems just as well that for Warner Bros, MGM and New Line Cinema it was the perfect time to show off the trailer for next December's big release, THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY.

Returning to J.R.R. Tolkien's world is director Peter Jackson (KING KONG), who after masterfully crafting The Lord of the Rings trilogy looks to follow it up with some familiar faces and some new ones.

Ian McKellen (X-MEN: THE LAST STAND) is back as Gandalf, Hugo Weaving (CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER) reprises his role as Elrond, and Elijah Wood (FREE WILLY) as Frodo. The main star in this one however is Martin Freeman (SHERLOCK) as a young Bilbo Baggins.

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY travels to theaters on December 14, 2012.

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FILM: The Dark Knight Rises Trailer + Poster (News)

2012 brings with it the next installment of Warner Bros. juggernaut, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. And as 2011 comes to a close, the WB is making sure everyone remembers this by releasing a new trailer and poster this month.

Directed by Christopher Nolan (MEMENTO), THE DARK KNIGHT RISES stars Christian Bale (THE PRESTIGE) as Batman, Gary Oldman (HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX) as Commissioner Gordon, Anne Hathaway (THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA) as Catwoman, and Tom Hardy (INCEPTION) as Bane.

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES into theaters on July 20, 2012.

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SPORTS: NBA 2011-2012 Predictions (Commentary)

Another league, another lockout. However the NBA took its time getting things in order and as a result this season is only 66 games long and jammed together in a very short amount of time to have the season end in somewhat the same time of year. Little to no training camp and preseason means this is going to be one very unpredictable year.

Last year was the first go-around on the blog and GP had the eventual NBA Finals representatives losing in each team's respective conference finals (close but no cigar!), predicted 6 Eastern Conference playoff teams & 6 Western Conference playoff teams. Now this year's picks, first up team projections:

Western Conference:
1) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER - 48-18
2) PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS - 45-21
3) LA CLIPPERS - 43-23
4) SAN ANTONIO SPURS - 38-28
5) LA LAKERS - 38-28
6) MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES - 36-30
7) HOUSTON ROCKETS - 34-32
8) DALLAS MAVERICKS - 33-33

WC First Round: THUNDER over MAVS 4-2, BLAZERS over ROCKETS 4-0, GRIZZLIES over CLIPPERS 4-3, LAKERS over SPURS 4-2
WC Semi-Finals: LAKERS over THUNDER 4-3, GRIZZLIES over BLAZERS 4-1
WC Finals: LAKERS over GRIZZLIES 4-2

Eastern Conference:
1) MIAMI HEAT - 50-16
2) CHICAGO BULLS - 48-18
3) ATLANTA HAWKS - 44-22
4) ORLANDO MAGIC - 40-26
5) NEW YORK KNICKS - 37-29
6) BOSTON CELTICS - 35-31
7) INDIANA PACERS - 35-31
8) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS - 34-32

EC First Round: HEAT over 76ERS 4-2, PACERS over BULLS 4-3, HAWKS over CELTICS 4-2, MAGIC over KNICKS 4-1
EC Semi-Finals: HEAT over MAGIC 4-2, PACERS over HAWKS 4-2
EC Finals: HEAT over PACERS 4-0

NBA Finals: LAKERS over HEAT 4-3

Individual Awards:
MVP: Kobe Bryant (LAKERS)
Scoring Title: Kobe Bryant (LAKERS)
Defensive Player of the Year: LaMarcus Aldridge (BLAZERS)
Rookie of the Year: Ricky Rubio (TIMBERWOLVES)
Coach of the Year: Erik Spoelstra (HEAT)

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FILM: Into the White Trailer (News)

With the Harry Potter films now squarely in the rear-view mirror, its talented cast of actors are beginning to show up on new projects. Tom Felton appeared in RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES this summer, Emma Watson had a role in last month's MY WEEK WITH MARILYN, Dan Radcliffe stars in THE WOMAN IN BLACK due out in February, and now Rupert Grint finds himself in the World War II drama, INTO THE WHITE.

Directed by Petter Næss, INTO THE WHITE is about a group of English and German soldiers that shoot each other down and find themselves surviving the harsh winter in the Norwegian wilderness together in the same cabin. Outside of Grint, the cast is filled with actors that American audiences would find it difficult to recognize. David Kross (WAR HORSE) and Stig Henrik Hoff (THE THING) play German soldiers.



INTO THE WHITE flurries its way into theaters in Norway on March 9, 2012. No U.S. release has been set.

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