Today begins the official one week countdown for the release of potentially one of the funniest movies of this year, Hot Tub Time Machine. We’ve been gearing up our coverage of the film, with some great clips and a review of the official iPhone App, now we’ve got an even better goodie for you.

Straight from our pals at MGM, we got our hands on a restricted (or “red band”) clip from the film, starring the four main characters played by John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, and Clark Duke. The clip is restricted for some shouting and violent dialogue, but nothing that you should be timid about if you plan on seeing the movie next week.

We don’t want to spoil it for you, so check out the hilarious clip after the jump, and be sure to catch our coverage of Hot Tub Time Machine all next week, leading up to the film’s national theatrical release on March 26th. By clicking through, you certify you are 18 years of age or older.

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This week on the radar we’ve got news on Steven Spielberg’s potential return to dinosaurs, the status of the third Mortal Kombat film, NBC gets a Gold in the ratings competition, and what comic book legend may show up on one of our favorite shows, The Big Bang Theory.

Let’s see what blips are on the radar this week.

Boba Fett, finally the deadliest action figure in a galaxy far, far away

If you’re like me, you grew up on the first generation of Star Wars toys and action figures. You know the ones, they had a massive (sarcasm) five points of articulation. Well, one figure that was sort of an urban legend was the missile-firing Boba Fett.  We all heard of it, but rarely saw it.  Well, now it can be yours with the purchase of five other figures!  Offer expires 3/31/2011, while supplies last, only valid in US and Canada…and a whole lot of other legal fine print I’m sure.

Tron: Legacy viral campaign starts to gear up

Disney teased everyone at last year’s Comic Con about a Tron viral campaign. With the highly anticipated film set to open this December online viral goodness have started to trickle out.  The first is a new site with a somewhat enigmatic theme to it.  Can you figure out what it is?  I don’t want to ruin it, but if you must know check this link out.

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Though the holiday may have come and gone, we still managed to get our hands on a special Valentine’s Day PSA from Rob Corddry and Craig Robinson, two stars of the upcoming comedy Hot Tub Time Machine.

In the clip, the two comedians explain that Hot Tub Time Machine is rated R, and exactly why it was given that rating. It should be stated that this clip has some super NSFW language in it, which only makes it that much better.

Hot Tub Time Machine hits theaters on March 26th and it stars John Cusack, Sex Drive’s Clark Duke, The Daily Show’s Rob Corddry, and The Office’s Craig Robinson.

Check out the clip after the jump, and be sure to keep it here for more goodies as the release date for Hot Tub Time Machine approaches.

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Kelly’s Heroes is a war film that has all the great elements of an old fashion, rousing epic that keeps your attention all the way through. Set in the late summer of 1944 as the allies swept across occupied France, Kelly (played by the ever cool Clint Eastwood) and his squad of screwball infantry men find out that the Germans are holding over sixteen million dollars worth of gold bars in a bank thirty miles behind enemy lines.

Tired of the politics of infantry life and the gross inefficiency of their Captain, Kelly and the rest of the squad run by tough sergeant ‘Big Joe’ (Telly Savalas), cook up a scheme to go behind the lines with three M-4 Sherman tanks to rob the bank. As the movie poster states: “They set out to rob a bank and damn near won a war instead.”

With Kelly’s Heroes, Eastwood began his second collaboration with director Brian G. Hutton, who had directed him a year earlier in the highly successful Where Eagles Dare (1969) — a movie which solidified Eastwood’s status as a major box office star. What makes Kelly’s Heroes such an interesting film is the fact that it was made in 1970 as the U.S. was beginning to downsize its presence in Vietnam.

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We at The Flickcast are pretty diligent about serving up all the news that comes out each week. However, try as we may to cover it all, some things occassionally slip by. Well, no longer.

Welcome to On The Radar! This weekly post will be your premiere destination for a comprehensive roundup of items that may be developing stories we’re watching, Twitter commentary, or other relevant news that wasn’t quite ready for prime time just yet.  In short, a grab bag of geek items which are sure to please.

Let’s see what blips are on the radar this week.

‘Zombieland’ devours video rentals

Zombieland dominated the video lists this week, “…on the Nielsen VideoScan Blu-ray Disc chart, “Zombieland” went three for three, bowing at No. 1 and …racked up 31% of its total first-week sales from the Blu-ray Disc.” Way to go Zombieland, we can’t wait for the sequeal.

‘Avatar’ 3D boosts Cineplex ticket sales in Canada

3D showings of Avatar did wonders for Cineplex’s bottom line in Canada, “Despite running for only 13 days during its latest financial frame, “Avatar 3D” was Cineplex’s biggest boxoffice performer during the fourth quarter to Dec. 31, and has done around $74 million in Canadian ticket receipts to date.” No surprise really given the popularity of this film and the fact 3D showings are still being sold, out or causing line-ups.

Geek flicks drive Viacom profits

DVD and Blu-Ray disc sales from Star Trek, Transformers 2 and G.I. Joe stimulated Viacom’s fourth quarter earnings to the tune of $694 million.  Not bad considering the $173 million it made in the same quarter in 2008.  Also helping was the indie hit Paranormal Activity which increased operating expenses by 24%.

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We’re all pretty excited for the upcoming release of MGM’s Hot Tub Time Machine this March. We were sure to bring you the first two trailers a while back, which first got our attention. Now. they’ve just released another new trailer, and this time, we get a glimpse of William Zabka.

Those who have ever seen the Karate Kid films know Zabka as the infamous “Johnny” who was told to sweep the leg in the first film. Zabka had a bit of a resurgence a few years ago when the indie band No More Kings released the song “Sweep The Leg.” Zabka played himself and a twisted version of “Johnny” in the music video, which was pretty amazing. Now, Zabka returns with a handsome new mustache in Hot Tub Time Machine.

Could this film get any better? With a cast like John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Chevy Chase, Crispin Glover, and now Zabka, we highly doubt it. Check out the newest trailer after the jump, and we’ll be sure to have more Hot Tub Time Machine news as we lead up to the March 19th release date.

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As our own Matt Raub pointed out recently, there are some pretty great, and some pretty awful, movie titles out there. Luckily, a few talented screenwriters and actors feel the same way and are bringing us Hot Tub Time Machine — which, I’m sure you will agree, is an awesome title for a movie.

The movie itself, written by Sean Anders and John Morris with direction by Steve Pink, sounds pretty great too. Four guys decide to bond on a ski trip and party hard all night on Red Bull and Vodka. They continue the night in the house’s hot tub, which transports them to 1986, where hi-jinks then ensue. With a cast that John Cusack, Craig Robinson (The Office, Zach and Miri Make a Porno), Clark Duke (Sex Drive, Superbad), and Rob Corddry (What Happens in Vegas, Harold and Kumar 2) the film seems to be a sure-fire winer.

And now, we’ve got a brand new Red Band trailer for the film which was just released this afternoon. In this latest one, we get more action, more sex, more drugs and more time travel. Sounds like a great time to us (pun intended).

The film, which also stars Chevy Chase, Crispin Glover and the terrific Kat Dennings, hits theaters on March 19th.

Check out the trailer after the jump. By clicking through, you certify you are 18 years of age or older. Go get it!

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Recently, news was traveling around the Internets that the new ‘Bond’ film was being put on hold due to the financial woes of MGM, there is now news that Sam Mendes – the director of American Beauty, Road to Perdition, and Revolutionary Road – is signing up to direct the still untitled movie. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie is now being fast tracked, despite the issues with the movie studio.

Sam Mendes, whose closest action film effort has to be either Jarhead, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, and Road to Perdition, starring Tom Hanks and current ‘James Bond’ Daniel Craig, has been a celebrated director since his debut with 1999’s American Beauty. Bond 23, which is being written by Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon) and ‘Bond’ series writers, Neil Purvis and Robert Wade is currently scheduled for filming sometime this year, with a hopeful release date of 2011.

MGM Studios has decided to push back Joss Whedon’s The Cabin in the Woods by nearly a year. The horror film was set to open Feb. 5, 2010 but will now open Jan. 14, 2011.  Don’t worry though, this scheduling adjustment is for good reasons instead of bad.

First off, the film has been testing very well with audiences. No surprise there, Joss Whedon wrote it. This in turn lead MGM to the second reason for the delay, spending six months converting  The Cabin in the Woods to 3D. As an added bonus this puts the film on track to open during a four day weekend which could help ticket sales.

Given MGM’s recent struggles financially it’s good to hear they may have a hit on their hands.  While delaying the film is not the best situation better for them to take the time and do The Cabin in the Woods right instead of rushing it out the gate. This may also afford the studio some extra time to get The Hobbit or next Bond film on the fast track.

The Cabin in the Woods is being directed by Cloverfield’s Drew Goddard. Considering how well he captured the events of a giant monster rampaging through New York I’m anxious to see how he handles the horror genre head on.  I’m not a real fan of horror but even I want to see this movie. Consider that a win MGM.

Things looked pretty bleak a week or so ago when lenders to Metro Goldywn Meyer seemed ready to plunge the studio into bankruptcy. Facing over 3 billion dollars in debt and struggling with a recent slate of films that just weren’t bringing in audiences, MGM seemed like a lost cause. Worse, had it gone under two of its biggest properties, The Hobbit and James Bond, would have gone with it (or at least to the highest bidder).

Fortunately, MGM has received a reprive for the time being. While not technically a “bailout,” the studio has reached an interim agreement with lenders to forgo investment payments until mid-December:

“MGM is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a forbearance agreement with its lender group. The Company is appreciative of its lenders’ ongoing support. Under the terms of the agreement, MGM’s lender group has agreed not to enforce its rights or remedies arising as a result of the Company’s request to not currently pay interest due on September 30, October 31, and November 30, 2009. This agreement, which expires December 15, 2009, provides MGM with additional liquidity as discussions continue regarding the development of an optimal capital structure in support of the Company’s long-term business plan.”

This deal only buys some  time but will afford MGM the opportunity to coordinate efforts to turn the company around.  I say that with some skepticism considering the studio’s upcoming films: Cabin in the Woods, Hot Tub Time Machine, The Zookeeper, and the remake of Red Dawn.

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