This week we’re pleased to have guest reviewer Jane Almirall join us at The Flickcast. Here’s her review of Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief — Editor

Until very recently, I hadn’t even heard of Percy Jackson.  I have not read any of the books and managed to not read or see anything about the movie until I saw the film trailer a few weeks ago. Now, having seen the film, an adaptation based on The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, I couldn’t help but notice similarities between Percy Jackson and another literary figure who has successfully segued onto the big screen.

I am speaking, of course, of Harry Potter.  Both young men resemble one another physically, grew up with absent (or dead) fathers and struggle to find acceptance within the context of the real world. Each discovers at a young age that they are powerful and special and are introduced to a magical world in which they are especially gifted and (for the most part) are made to feel welcome.  Both Harry and Percy are accompanied on their adventures by their two best friends – a boy and a girl.

That Percy Jackson & the Olympians:  The Lightning Thief is directed by Chris Columbus, who also helmed the first two – and my least favorite - Harry Potter films (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), is bound to invite comparisons between the two series – in which Percy Jackson will certainly fall short.

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Every year, there tends to be a common theme in most big-budget Hollywood films. Back in 2006, magicians were a big hit, as in both The Illusionist and The Prestige. We haven’t even hit 2010 yet, but it looks like the theme for next year may just be Greek Mythology, between Clash of the Titans and Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief.

Though the name is WAY too long, this newest trailer actually makes the film look quite good, and even shows off the who’s who of a cast, from Rosario Dawson to Pierce Brosnon to Uma Thurman. The film is about a regular boy who finds out that he’s actually the son of a Greek God, and must then embark on an adventure which will help him earn his title as demigod.

The film is based on the series of books by Rick Riordan, and even has epic family film director Chris Columbus behind the wheel. The film hits theaters on February 12th, 2010, and you can check out the international trailer after the jump.

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What the film world needs now is another fantasy series of movies with incredibly long names. Long gone are the days of Hook or King Kong. Now, thanks to the world of fantasy literature, we get names like Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince or Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant. In the same vein comes Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, which is enough to put many marquee-makers out of business.

Though the name is a bit of a mouthful, the trailer looks pretty cool. Very rarely do we get the following elements all together in a film: Greek mythology, teens with superpowers, an elevator that takes people to Mount Olympus, Pierce Brosnan and an iPhone. That combination alone is probably the reason why this film is the beginning of an extended franchise.

The plot is about titular Percy Jackson, Poseidon’s son (watch out, Aquaman) who goes on an epic journey in present-day New York City to rescue his mother, locate Zeus’ stolen lightning bolt, and stop a civil war from breaking out between the Gods. Typical teen problems, right? Check out the extended trailer for the film after the jump. You can catch Pierce Brosnan, Logan Lerman, Sean Bean, Rosario Dawson and an iPhone in Percy Jackson on February 12, 2010.

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Previously, we brought you the “Redband” trailer for Rob Zombie’s The Haunted World of El Superbeasto and also news of the film’s potential theatrical release. Now, we’ve got a special clip from the film to bring you today which further demonstrates just how cool and messed up (in a good way) this movie is going to be.

In case you are not familiar or don’t feel like clicking any links right now, the film is based on the comic by Zombie and concerns a retired Mexican-American luchador who takes on the charge of fighting evil alongside his sister Suzi-X. Together they set forth on an adventure and inevitably take on the residents of Monsterland and their ruler, Dr. Satan. The film features the voices of Paul Giamatti, Brian Posehn, Tom Papa, Danny Trejo, Rosario Dawson, and Sheri Moon Zombie.

It will have its worldwide premiere On-Demand and on Pay-Per-View September 7th, 2009.  Then, it will hit theaters September 12th and be available on DVD and Blu-ray September 22nd. Be sure to check out the brand new clip and, because we like you, the “Redband” trailer as well after the break.

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We got a chance to speak with horror master Rob Zombie and his wife this week in New York and while we plan to have plenty of coverage for his new film Halloween 2 next week, this week we have a new look at his first animated project, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto.

The film, which we brought you news of previously when its release status changed, is based on the comic by Zombie and concerns a retired Mexican-American luchador who takes on the charge of fighting evil alongside his sister Suzi-X. Together they set forth on an adventure and inevitably take on the residents of Monsterland and their ruler, Dr. Satan.

The film features the voices of Paul Giamatti, Brian Posehn, Tom Papa, Danny Trejo, Rosario Dawson, and Sheri Moon Zombie and hits DVD and Blu-Ray on September 22nd.

You can check out the slightly Not Safe For Work red band trailer after the jump.

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Delayed for years due to studio shuffles, MTV Splashpage is now reporting that Rob Zombie’s adult-oriented, animated adaptation of his Haunted World of El Superbeasto comic book, originally tagged for straight-to-DVD release, could enjoy a run in theaters.

According to the musician/filmmaker, the project started “as a really cheap direct-to-video project, and then it kept ballooning over the years and the budget kept getting bigger and bigger, and the project kept getting bigger and bigger, and bigger names kept coming on to it, and then it seemed like, ‘Well, now it seems theatrical.’”

The adult-only film has had a tricky path to distribution, as “the company kept changing hands. We started with one company, they got sold to another, and they got sold to another company,” Zombie explained.

“I’m actually glad it happened that way,” Zombie stated. “The movie went from costing $1 million dollars to $8 million, and we got to make an awesome movie, so I don’t really care how it gets out there. Theatrical would be great, and I think they’re talking now about doing a limited theatrical run, so that would be cool.”

Featuring the voices of Paul Giamatti, Brian Posehn, Danny Trejo and Rosario Dawson, El Superbeasto is scheduled to arrive on DVD and Blu-Ray September 22.