by Matt Raub, Jan 15 2010 // 7:00 AM

With the newest Late Night War firing up between NBC’s own Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien, it seems that the feud has shifted focus to Conan vs. NBC. Earlier this week, Conan put out a statement directed at the network saying that he will no longer be a part of The Tonight Show if it’s moved from 11:30pm to 12:05am. From there, Conan has made his opening monologues over the past few nights directed towards NBC and their actions.
Yesterday, NBC made it official that Leno’s show will be moving to 11:30 after the Winter Olympics come to an end. They haven’t made it clear what the plans for Conan and his team will be, but some rumors have Conan being benched until his contract is up in three years.
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Posted in: Comedy · Deals and Dealmaking · NBC · Networks · News · TV
Tagged: Conan O'Brien, Craig's List, Jay Leno, NBC, The Tonight Show
by Sal Loria, Jan 14 2010 // 3:00 PM
Welcome to another edition of The Pull List Comic Reviews! Superboy’s Adventure comes to an end, Daytripper continues to be trippy and the Rhino gets a happy ending that may actually stick. As always, WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.
PULL OF THE WEEK:
Adventure Comics #6
DC Comics – $3.99 US
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manapul
Score: 9/10
Superboy has been trying to “find himself” and determine if he’s more Superman than Lex Luthor, since his genetic make-up is made from both of them. Unfortunately, it’s Luthor who finds him first and serves notice that for all his intellect and power, Luthor still has that nasty little streak in him.
Honestly, this has been a fun, engaging run by superstar writer Geoff Johns. Equal parts adventure (which works great with the title) and drama, all revolved around Superboy’s own identity crisis, this arc hit all the right buttons without coming across as preachy or whiny; a testament to the writer’s considerable talent of making relevant topics matter in the pages of a comic book.
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Posted in: Comic Reviews · Comics · Dark Horse Comics · DC · Marvel · Pull List · Vertigo
Tagged: Adventure Comics, Amazing Spider-Man, Blackest Night, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8, Captain America, Catwoman, Chris Claremont, daytripper, Don Kramer, Ed Brubaker, Eric Wallace, Fábio Moon, Fabrizio Fiorentino, Flash, Flash Rebirth, Francis Manapul, Gabriel Ba, Geoff Johns, Georges Jeanty, Ibraim Roberson, invincible iron man, jason aaron, Javier Pulido, Joe Kelly, Joss Whedon, Marcos Marz, Marvels Project, Matt Fraction, Max Fiumara, Peter Vale, Power of Shazam, Punishermax, Salvador Larroca, Steve Dillon, Steve Epting, Tom Grummett, Tony Bedard, Twilight, X-Men Forever
by Joe Gillis, Jan 14 2010 // 2:00 PM
This week, both Mercy and Law and Order: SVU featured some pretty awesome guest stars including Michael Imperioli’s appearance on Mercy and Lost’s Naveen Andrews and Studio 60′s Sarah Paulson on Law and Order: SVU. Courtesy of your friends at NBC, we’ve got clips from both shows to help you figure out what you missed or if you saw the episodes, help you relive the magic.
In the videos, you’ll learn more about Imperioli’s appearance on Mercy with a preview clip and an interview with the actor. For Law & Order: SVU, we’ve got clips of both Naveen Andrews and Sarah Paulson at work showing scenes from the episode. As we like all of these actors, and you should also, there’s no reason not watch both of these shows for all the action, drams and suspense.
You can watch the clips and recaps after the break or head on over to NBC’s website and enjoy full episodes of both of these shows.
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Posted in: Drama · NBC · News · TV · TV Recaps · Video
Tagged: Christopher Meloni, Law and Order: SVU, Mariska Hargitay, Mercy, Naveen Andrews, NBC, Richard Belzer, Sarah Paulson, Studio 60, Taylor Schilling, TV
by Sebastian Suchecki, Jan 14 2010 // 1:00 PM
Ever since Joss Whedon put in his open request for the rights of the Terminator franchise back in November, things have been pretty quiet on the front of studios bidding for the sci-fi property. The first news came through yesterday, as Lionsgate put in an offer for $15 million, with a 5% cut of future gross receipts.
The property was originally put up back in September, as the company currently holding the rights, The Halcyon Group, filed for bankruptcy. The auction includes just about anything Terminator, which include the rights to future films, TV series, DVDs, and any merchandise that gets produced.
Up until now, the films have been around the block, so to speak. Pacific West helped produce the rights to the first films, while distribution rights went to MGM, then Artisan and Columbia/Tri-Star, then to Warner Bros and Sony for the final two films. A purchase by Lionsgate could mean a resurgence in the franchise, as they are known for mildly successful reboots with Punisher: War Zone, 3:10 To Yuma, and Bangkok Dangerous.
Other studios have until February 4th to submit their offers, which have to top Lionsgate’s bid by at least $500,000 in order to count. The auction for all other “Terminator” assets will take place on February 8th in Los Angeles. No word on if Joss Whedon has plans on taking out his credit card to outbid the studio, but he’s still got time.
Posted in: Action · Legal · Lionsgate · Movies · News · Sci-Fi
Tagged: Auction, Halcyon Group, Joss Whedon, Lionsgate, MGM, Pacific West, Sony, Terminator, Warner Bros
by Cortney Zamm, Jan 14 2010 // 12:00 PM
Every month, I bring you dedicated readers my favorite TV shows of the moment. And while I love reporting on the latest and greatest in TV Land, what is also just as important to me are the dozens of shows that were canceled before their time.
Whether the ratings were bad or the shows were too expensive, many of TV’s best and brightest have been taken off the air before they have a chance to flourish. But while these shows had their untimely demise, these articles should hopefully resurrect them, at least in the form of you watching them and thinking they’re awesome.
Moonlight
So the reviews weren’t great and the show only lasted a season. But had Moonlight premiered a year or two later, it would have been a smash hit. Why? Because it’s all about vampires, and whether it’s TV, movies, or books, vampires are the hottest thing in media right now. And while competing with HBO’s hit True Blood and CW’s mediocre The Vampire Diaries wouldn’t be easy, it would have at least stood a chance.
Canceled after 2008′s Writers Guild of America strike, Moonlight centered around Mick St. John, who turned vampire after being bitten by his bride on their wedding night. Years later he works as a P.I., protecting humans while hunting down the vampires who harm them. The show feels like a cross between Veronica Mars and Supernatural, while still being as focused on romance as the shows that have followed it.
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Posted in: CBS · CW · Drama · DVD · Fandom · NBC · Networks · Recommendations · TV · Twilight
Tagged: Aaron Sorkin, Bradley Whitford, Canceled, Jason Dohring, Jericho, Matthew Perry, Moonlight, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Veronica Mars
by Matt Raub, Jan 14 2010 // 11:00 AM
On Wednesday, there was a collective sigh of both disappointment and confusion when Peter Saarsgard was announced as Dr. Hector Hammond, the villain in the upcoming Green Lantern film, starring opposite Ryan Reynolds. The idea of Saarsgard as a villain was definitely a fun one, but the fans of the franchise wanted Sinestro, and we didn’t understand why we weren’t getting him.
It seems like we all just needed to wait a few hours, as DC and Warner Bros. have stated that they will be including Sinestro in the film, and they only have one actor in mind to play him: Jackie Earl Haley. The folks over at Hitfix did some legwork and uncovered Warner’s plan for the character.
With Sinestro, don’t expect him to stroll in and suddenly be pure evil in this film. And don’t expect him to be onscreen for the entire movie. But unless something drastically changes, he is in the film. And I’m hearing that based on the relationship they have with him from “Watchmen” and “A Nightmare On Elm Street,” Jackie Earle Haley is the only choice for Sinestro by the studio.
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Posted in: Action · Casting · Comics · DC · DC Entertainment · Movies · News · Sci-Fi · Warner Bros
Tagged: dc comics, DC Entertainment, Green Lantern, Hector Hammond, Peter Saarsgard, Ryan Reynolds, Sinestro, Warner Bros
by Shannon Hood, Jan 14 2010 // 10:00 AM

The Book of Eli is an overly stylized movie that takes itself way too seriously, features hammy acting and laughable dialogue. You could drive an eighteen-wheeler through its gaping plot holes, but despite all this, I rather enjoyed the film. If I’m going to have to eat some cheese, this is the type of movie I prefer to dole out my rations.
Brothers Allen and Arthur Hughes (From Hell, Menace II Society) are the directors of the post-apocalyptic tale of Eli (Denzel Washington), who traverses a bombed out tundra while traveling westward with a precious undisclosed cargo. For the first 20 minutes or so, The Book of Eli looked to be an exact retread of The Road, which was just out in theaters a few months ago.
The movies share the exact same vision of a dystopian future. Color is bleached from the scenery, light ash appears to constantly fall, and all humans are bedraggled, filthy, and desperate. Both films feature cannibalism as a major threat to their protagonists, and both show how precious throw-away commodities from modern society become in this world.
Cigarette lighters and individual wet wipes from KFC are bartering fare, not money. If you are a shoe whore, you should be set, because apparently shoes are one of the most valuable and hard to come by possessions when everyone has to walk everywhere.
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Posted in: Action · Drama · Movies · Reviews
Tagged: Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Malcolm Macdowell, Michael Gambon, Mila Kunis, Post-Apocalyptic, The Book of Eli, The Hughes Brothers
by John Muth, Jan 14 2010 // 9:00 AM
It was recently announced that “hot megastar” Robert Downey Jr. was turning down the role in Iron Man helmer Jon Favreau’s next feature, Cowboys and Aliens. Well, now comes word from Deadline Hollywood that James Bond himself may be stepping up to do battle against the beings from another world.
Daniel Craig is currently in talks to sign on for the lead role of Zeke Jackson in the movie based on the Fred Van Lente graphic novel. The original story is about “feuding frontier settlers and Native Americans in the Old West who team up to fight extraterrestrials.”
The Script comes from Star Trek and Transformers scribes Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, as well as a screenwriting credit to Lost’s Damon Lindelof, and the film has got Dreamworks and Imagine Entertainment powerhouses Steven Spielberg, Brian Grazer, and Ron Howard producing. This could very well turn out to be a mega hit like the small-scale District 9, or a bloated and missed opportunity like 1999′s Wild Wild West (or Transformers 2, whichever flop you want to go with).
No word on when the film is set to start shooting, but the studio is looking at a release date in mid 2011. What are your thoughts on Craig taking over for RDJ?
Posted in: Casting · Comics · Dreamworks · Geek · Movies · News · Universal Pictures
Tagged: Alex Kurtzman, Cowboys & Aliens, Daniel Craig, Fred Van Lente, Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., Roberto Orci
by John Muth, Jan 14 2010 // 8:00 AM
Paul Rudd and Zach Galifianakis may be the new comedy duo, since they’re following up the upcoming Dinner for Schmucks, with the newly announced film Will, written by Demetri Martin (the lead in Taking Woodstock and Comedy Central show Important Things With Demetri Martin). The Hollywood Reporter reports that the actors have signed on with Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton directing, the people behind Little Miss Sunshine.
The movie is set in a world where people’s lives are written out by heavenly scribes. Rudd’s character one day wakes up to find that his scribe (played by Galifianakis) has stopped writing his life. So Rudd’s character has to work his way through the story without any guidance and “ending up on a journey to fulfill his hidden potential.”
Paul Rudd, of course has been around and starred in great comedies from Clueless to The 40 Year Old Virgin and last year’s I Love You, Man. Galifianakis really popped onto the mainstream radar last year with The Hangover, and has landed a number of roles including Youth in Revolt; Up in the Air; the Robert Downey, Jr. comedy, Due Date; and the planned The Hangover 2.
Posted in: Casting · Comedy · Movies · News · Paramount
Tagged: Demetri Martin, Jonathan Dayton, Little Miss Sunshine, Paul Rudd, Valerie Faris, Will, Zach Galifianakis
by Sal Loria, Jan 14 2010 // 7:00 AM
As reported by Comic Book Resources, Marvel Comics has issued a press release stating that for every 50 copies of unsold DC Comics revolving around their recent Blackest Night ring promotion, retailers will be sent a rare Deadpool-centric variant for Siege #3, the publisher’s current event series. Requesting the covers of the unsold issues only, Marvel claims this initiative was put in place to “provide assistance to comic retailers in 2010.”
It should be noted that Diamond Distributors is not involved in this trade promotion, and should not be contacted for information regarding it. Marvel did provide all of the relevant information within the press release (which can also be found below), and further questions can be directed to helpme@marvel.com.
All submissions must be received at the Marvel office by Tuesday, February 16, 2010.
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Posted in: Comics · DC · Marvel · News
Tagged: Adventure Comics, Blackest Night, Booster Gold, Deadpool, Diamond Distributors, Doom Patrol, Justice League of America, Outsiders, R.E.B.E.L.S., Siege
by Chris Ullrich, Jan 13 2010 // 4:00 PM

Having never watched TNT’s Leverage before, I didn’t really know quite what to expect. On the surface, and from the promos I’ve seen, it looked to be a somewhat interesting story of a group of con artists, hackers, muscle men and a smarmy, intelligent leader who plan and execute elaborate cons to extract revenge for wrongdoings done to helpless individuals. Sort of like Mission Impossible meets Robin Hood or The A-Team.
Put that premise together with a cast which features some pretty good actors, including Angel alum Christian Kane and Academy Award winner Timothy Hutton, and you should have the makings of a pretty great hour of TV. With Leverage, you mostly do, with a few notable exceptions.
In the third season opener “The Runway Job,” Nathan Ford (Hutton) and his team are back in action. This time around they are taking down some ruthless evil people in the seedy world of fashion. The world of fashion, much like other facets of entertainment, serves up a host of despicable characters ripe for revenge.
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Posted in: Drama · Reviews · TV
Tagged: Christian Kane, Drama, Jeri Ryan, Leverage, Reviews, Timothy Hutton, TNT, TV
by John Muth, Jan 13 2010 // 3:00 PM
According to an interview with MTV, Ivan Reitman, who directed the first two Ghostbusters movies and some misfires such as My Super Ex-Girlfriend, and the David Duchovny starrer Evolution, will indeed return to direct the third film in the Ghostbusters franchise. He also mentioned that the first draft script from Year One writers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky is completed and they are currently at work on another draft.
Regarding rumors from stars Harold Ramis, who said the movie is hopefully to be filmed in time for a 2011 release, and Sigourney Weaver who said Bill Murray’s character would be returning as a ‘Slimer’-like ghost, Reitman kept silent saying he didn’t want to talk about what “cool things” were in the script or what may have been said about it. He did say that he’s hoping to film sometime in the coming year, which fits with hopefully having the movie out next year.
Ghostbusters 3 is set to definitely star Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Sigourney Weaver with Murray, Annie Potts and the retired Rick Moranis all rumored to be returning as well. The story is supposedly about the older generation of Ghostbusters handing the reins over to a younger generation including, again according to Weaver, her movie son ‘Oscar’ who should be all grown-up now.
Posted in: Columbia Pictures · Comedy · Movies · News · Prequels and Sequels
Tagged: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Gene Stupnitsky, Ghostbusters 3, Harold Ramis, Ivan Reitman, Lee Eisenberg, Movies, Sequels, Sigourney Weaver