The Flickcast

J.J. Abrams Channels Roddenberry for ‘Star Trek’ Sequel

Posted on September 17, 2009

There was a lot of concern from fans about J.J. Abrams reboot (Yes, I realize he doesn’t want to call it that but if the shoe fits…) of Star Trek. Trekkies/Trekkers take this content very seriously making it a daunting task to appease those loyalist while making a film accessible to regular movie-goers. Fortunately, Abrams pulled it off and the new Star Trek universe was met with excitement and anticipation for future films.

Speaking to the L.A. Times, Abrams talked about what avenue the second film would take and how it would get back to the roots of the original series:

“The ambition for a sequel to ‘Star Trek’ is to make a movie that’s worthy of the audience and not just another movie, you know, just a second movie that feels tacked on. The first movie was so concerned with just setting up the characters — their meeting each and galvanizing that family — that in many ways a sequel will have a very different mission. it needs to do what [the late ‘Trek’ creator Gene] Roddenberry did so well, which is allegory. It needs to tell a story that has connection to what is familiar and what is relevant.”

There’s a significant importance in that mention of allegory. The best stories are the ones viewers can relate to and is what made the the new Battlestar Galactica TV series so successful. In fact, you were so drawn into that world you nearly forget it took place in space. If Abrams can capture that same formula for subsequent Star Trek films it would be a huge win for him. If anyone can do it Abrams certainly can, especially considering his track record of character driven shows like Lost and Fringe. Now with Star Trek on the right path, the only thing I’d like to know now is what Slusho is an allegory for?

Biel and Copley Join ‘The A-Team’

Posted on September 17, 2009

biel-copley Mention the word “reboot” or “remake” to anyone and you’ll probably face a dissatisfied sigh. Hollywood’s movie recycling program in the last few years has left everyone with reboot/remake fatigue. However, once in a while a project comes along that peaks collective interest. The upcoming A-Team remake is one such film.

And now, the new A-Team adds two more names to its roster. Jessica Biel (Blade: Trinity, Stealth) will appear as an ex-love interest to Lt. Templeton “Face” Peck, played by Bradley Cooper, while District 9‘s Sharlto Copley will be playing H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdoch. While Biel’s involvement is pretty standard fair (Don’t get me wrong, I like her) it’s Copley’s inclusion that is a great casting choice. While a relative unknown, Copley gained a lot of attention with his performance in District 9 (If you haven’t seen it, what are you waiting for?). I anticipate a brilliant performance after seeing D9.

Rounding out the rest of the team is Liam Neeson as Col. John “Hannibal” Smith and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as B.A. Baracas. Departing from the campy ’80’s TV series, this iteration of the special forces team wrongfully convicted of a crime, will be of a more serious tone. Who knows, maybe some of the bullets will actually hit their mark this time around. Given that Smokin’ Aces’ Joe Carnahan is directing, there’s probably a very good chance a lot of things are going to get shot up in this movie.

The A-Team is set to hit theaters next June.

Legendary Actor Henry Gibson Dies at 73

Posted on September 17, 2009

Veteran comedian and character actor Henry Gibson passed away earlier this week after a brief battle with cancer. He was 73.

Most fans of classic television remember Gibson from the days of Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In from 1968-1971. After that, Gibson became quite prominent in the world of TV character acting. He went on to such other shows as Love, American Style and others in both TV and film. Most remember Gibson as playing the billionaire antagonist in 1996’s Bio-Dome starring Paulie Shore and William Baldwin.

His most recent work was on the ABC comedy Boston Legal as recurring character Judge Clarence Brown. Gibson worked as the straight man to both William Shatner and James Spader in 25 episodes from the start of the show in 2004 to the finale in 2008.

After the jump, take a look at one of Gibson’s most recent work in a humorous scene opposite William Shatner in an episode of Boston Legal. Gibson is survived by his three sons and two grandchildren.

DC Announces ‘Crisis of Two Earths’ Animated Film

Posted on September 16, 2009

Though the announcement of DC Entertainment last week has turned a few heads in the world of comics and film, the plan for DC’s animated DVD features has stayed strong since the first release of Superman: Doomsday back in 2007. It looks like the next film for DC’s animation department looks to be taking a different direction, as they take on a Crisis on Multiple Earths storyline.

The next film in the works is based on the Jeph Loeb Superman/Batman: Public Enemies story arc, which hits DVD shelves September 29th. On the DVD is a special feature showing the details of Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths. From a Warner Bros. press release:

Warner Home Video will distribute in Spring 2010 (finalizing date soon)

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New International ‘Surrogates’ Trailer

Posted on September 16, 2009

Robots can be a pretty scary thing, but not nearly as scary as Bruce Willis when he has something to prove. We all remember Die Hard. That seems to be the fight card for next week’s release of Surrogates: Bruce Willis vs. Robots. Who wouldn’t want to see John McClain fight Optimus Prime? Same concept.

There’s a brand new international trailer out for the film, that shows a few more scenes, and gives us a deeper look into a world where humans control their robot counterparts from the comfort of their own home…until something goes terribly wrong.

Check out the new trailer after the jump, and enjoy Bruce Willis, Radha Mitchell, Rosamund Pike, James Francis Ginty, Boris Kodjoe, and Ving Rhames in theaters nationally on September 25th for Surrogates.

Twitter Giveaway: Early ‘Brutal Legend’ Demo!

Posted on September 16, 2009

Keeping up with the huge metal and rock theme in today’s video games, who’s to say you can’t combine the epic theme of a Lord of the Rings type game with names like Ozzy Osbourne and Jack Black? Well, with Brutal Legend, you can, and now you can even play the demo of the game before everybody else!

We’ve got a few demos to give away, and we want you to have them. ALL you have to do is keep an eye on our Twitter updates, because you’re going to need to @reply to us. Two random @replies will get themselves a free copy of the demo to download EARLY before everyone else gets it.

Also, if you don’t get chosen today, you can pre-order the game at Gamestop this Friday (9/17) to get access to the demo. The demo will be released officially to the rest of the world starting next Thursday for Xbox Live Gold members and on October 1st for Xbox Live Silver and PSN members. Be sure to also pick up your copy of Brutal Legend on “Rocktober” 13th! Stay Brutal!!

First Trailer for ‘Paranormal Activity’

Posted on September 16, 2009

Very rarely does the internet critic community throw around phrases like “scariest movie ever” or “looks amazing”, but those seem to be used a lot when talking about the newest film, Paranormal Activity. It’s said to have the same feel as The Blair Witch Project, just updated for today’s jaded audiences.

Much like Blair Witch, the cast and crew have done next to nothing else prior to this film. Writer/director Oren Peli has only worked on this film, which makes the general audience question whether this is a Hollywood film, or a real, documented haunting.

The story follows a typical suburban middle-class husband and wife who start to notice spooky things happening around their new house. They decide to document a few nights using a video camera, and the audience gets to watch as the haunting continues.

Check out the new trailer for the film after the jump, which opens up in select theaters September 25, and moving to different cities every week from there. For a complete schedule, check out their official website.

Dave’s Weekly Comic Book Recommendations

Posted on September 16, 2009

Batman and Robin #4 cover by Frank Quitely Happy Wednesday! This week there is a great mix and mash of comics, and we hope you’ll at least give a look at a few of these. First off: ever wonder what it would be like if the writer/artist of The Dark Knight Returns teams with the artist of Watchmen? Now you’ll know this week as Frank Miller and Dave Gibbons team up for The Life and Times of Martha Washington in the 21st century. The thing is PRICEY though, so at keep an eye out for a cheaper version when it hits stands.

From DC Comics this week, we have Philip Tan replacing Frank Quitely on Batman and Robin. Its worth getting to see the difference. There’s a Quitely cover at least. The good news is that Grant Morrison’s collaborator on Seaguy Cameron Stewart will be joining the team following Tan. Fortunately, Quitely is staying on as the cover artist, and every week he turns in a new cover I can’t help but make that my computer background. Just look at that sucker.

Also, from DC is Blackest Night #3, this juicy and horrific tale is crazy weird. Almost Howling or Piranha-like but in comics. Not cheesy horror, but outlandish horror.

The final five issues of Brian K. Vaughan’s brilliant Ex Machina series starts this week and I kinda feel like I did when Y: The Last Man was ending. Something really special is ending and we’re never going to see it again. Well, that’s a mixed bag. Though we’re going to have movie versions of these comics I just mentioned, Vaughan is slipping away from comics. With his Roundtable script being on this year’s Black List and selling that script for six figures, plus leaving the Lost writer’s room, I can only imagine that hopefully this means more comics for Vaughan but I fear that’s probably not the case.

From Marvel, the only thing really worth it is Ed Brubaker’s Captain America Reborn. What I like about Ed Brubaker is that while he’s a slow burn and you have to be ultra committed to sticking with him, and this book’s case it is painfully so, its always worth it in the end. Its time to move the story forward, we get Captain America is Quantum Leaping through his life, now lets move forward from that.

As always, we here at The Flickcast care about what you read, so leave us a comment and let us know what you liked/didn’t like from this week’s comics. For a more complete list of what comes out this week, Midtown Comics has a great listing of everything.

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