This week’s pick is another salute to our WW II flyboys in Michael Caton-Jones’s Memphis Belle (1990).  The film stars Matthew Modine (Captain Dennis Dearborn, Pilot), Tate Donovan (1st Lt. Luke Sinclair, Co-Pilot), D.B. Sweeney, (Lt. Phil Lowenthal, Navigator), Billy Zane (Lt. Val Kozlowski, Bombardier), Top Turret Gunner), Eric Stoltz (Sgt. Danny “Danny Boy” Daly, Radio Operator), Sean Astin (Sgt. Richard “Rascal” Moore, and John Lithgow (Lt. Col. Bruce Derringer, an Army publicist writing a story on the crew of the Memphis Belle).

The film is set in the spring of 1943 where American B-17 heavy bombers of the 8th USAAF have been practicing daylight strategic bombing for almost a year against targets within Hitler’s Fortress Europe. The crew of one bomber the Memphis Belle, are the first ever crew to successfully complete their twenty-fifth and final bombing mission before they are allowed to rotate home for R&R.

The film opens where the crew of the Belle are grounded due to their plane under repairs after their last severe mission. As the twenty or so planes from the group arrive back, personnel on the ground can see the battle damage inflicted on the bombers due to enemy guns and shrapnel from air bursts over the target. The last returning bomber’s landing gear is damaged and the plane crash lands on the field. They can hear the men on board screaming as they are trying to get out and then the plane explodes. The men look on as fire and ambulance crews respond to the fiery wreak.

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It’s probably only a matter of time before every movie ever made is converted to 3D. Fortunately, that’s just an exaggeration as we can’t see something like Ishtar, Heaven’s Gate, Norbit or Catwoman getting the 3D treatment any time soon.

However, that hasn’t stopped James Cameron from going ahead with his plans to convert Titanic to 3D and release it into the wild. And now that blessed event has a firm date: April 6, 2012.

In case you’re wondering, that date kinda makes sense considering it marks the centennial anniversary of the actual Titanic’s maiden voyage, although I believe the date is a little early and the ship actually left port on April 10th. Oh well, details, details.

Considering Cameron himself is not a fan of converting 3D  movies and prefers to shoot them that way from the start, its interesdting that he decided to convert  Titanic. Let’s try not to be cynical and see this as just another grab for cash by a guy who’s already a Billionare.

I’m sure he’s got perfectly altruistic motives for doing this. I’m sure, okay? Get off Jim’s back. Damn.

Check out the full press release from Paramount and Fox after the break.

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Ben Stiller and Robert Downey Jr. seemed to strike gold when they had actor Justin Theroux co-write Tropic Thunder. The film got rave reviews from the critics and even took in a large chunk of change at the box office. To repay him, Downey decided to step up to the plate for Theroux by having him pen the script for the soon-to-be released Iron Man 2 for Paramount.

Now it seems that Stiller is taking interest in the young actor/writer/director by having him write and direct the sequel to 2001 comedy Zoolander, also with Paramount. From Deadline Hollywood:

I’ve learned that Ben and Justin are working on the script together, and Theroux is going to Fashion Week in Paris to “immerse himself on what is current in fashion”. ”It’s got momentum,” a studio source just told me. Everyone’s hoping Owen Wilson co-stars again but no deal is set. The villain likely will be Jonah Hill who’s in negotiations.

No word yet on who or what else they have planned for the sequel, but with names like Will Farrell, Billy Zane, Jon Voight, Milla Jovovich, David Duchovny, and dozens of others in the first film, you can expect to see some of Stiller’s new on-screen companions such as Jack Black, Tom Cruise, and Matthew McConaughey pop up in between glances of Blue Steel.

The world of hour-long legal dramas have had a strange relationship with ABC in the past. From their lengthy term with The Practice, to the even longer relationship with the spin-off, Boston Legal, the network seems to give more of a chance to programming that revolves around the courtroom.

With that in mind comes the newest mid-season show, The Deep End. The show brings in an interesting twist on the established genre, focusing more on the lives of the up-and-coming lawyers, with the named partners taking more of a supporting role.

We recently got a chance to sit down with famed actors Billy Zane (Titanic, The Phantom) and Tina Majorino (Waterworld, Corinna Corinna) about their roles, what attracted them to the show in the first place, and where they see their characters going.

Check out the interview after the jump, and be sure to catch The Deep End on ABC every Thursday at 8/7C.

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Before all you Billy Zane fans out there start drooling, know that this isn’t your mom and pop’s Phantom. This Phantom has cool guns, and sunglasses, and a hoodie! The premise follows Chris Moore (Ryan Carnes), who learns that he’s a part of a long line of jungle crime fighters who have sworn to protect the world from evil.

The show has a bit of a Smallville feel to it, with a few light nods to the original costume, but establishing itself as a newer, “hipper” entity.  There are a few modern elements thrown in, such as secret agencies and terrorist factions. Also, you can expect to see lots of purple in the show, which is great if you are hoping the color will make a comeback in the fashion world.

Star Carnes is no stranger to the world of Sci-Fi TV, as he starred in two episodes of the BBC’s Doctor Who. Alongside Carnes is Alias’ Isabella Rossellini (who is totally not crazy) and Sons of Anarchy’s Cameron Goodman.

Check out the first trailer for the new SyFy series after the jump, and stay tuned as we get closer to 2010 for more on the air date.

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