The Hitlist Movies Blog

Tony Bennett, Movie Star

The legendary singer's only dramatic film role is one he'd like to forget

By DannyMiller Aug 3, 2011 9:23AM

One of the greatest singers this country has ever known, Tony Bennett, turns 85 today. But the multiple Grammy Award winner shows no signs of slowing down. He has released over 70 albums during his amazing career. His latest, “Duets II,” comes out next month and includes the last performance by the late Amy Winehouse (they sing “Body and Soul” together). Bennett also performs on this recording with artists such as Mariah Carey, Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, and Lady Gaga.

In the movies, Bennett’s tunes have been featured in countless films including “The Last Picture Show,” “Raging Bull,” “Casino,” and “War of the Worlds.” He has appeared as himself in such hits as “Analyze This,” “The Scout,” and “Bruce Almighty.” But did you know that at one time, over 40 years ago, the legendary singer tried to become a movie star in his own right?

'Sucker Punch' director to step in for 'Dragon Tattoo' director, step out of his comfort zone

By William Goss Aug 2, 2011 3:42PM

Christian Bale and Sean Penn teaming up and travelling to Afghanistan hardly sounds like fodder for slow-motion and special effects, so allow me my skepticism when I read on Twitch that Zack Snyder would be taking over for Niels Arden Oplev on "The Last Photograph." As it turns out, Snyder was already on board as co-writer and co-producer, so maybe it isn't so far-fetched to see the director take a break from geek-friendly fare and go for something more directly dramatic.

After Snyder indulged in making his own "Sucker Punch," helming the next Superman project felt like more of a sure thing, a safe haven for his newly damaged track record. "Photograph" sounds like a lesser gamble, a change of pace when he needs one, so if only to give me cause to stop harping on his dizzying visual tendencies, I hope this comes together.

'Friday Night Lights' to Return to the Big Screen

Original cast out, TV cast in

By William Goss Aug 2, 2011 2:55PM

In 2004, Peter Berg gave us "Friday Night Lights," a decent football drama based on a non-fiction novel that was a modest success for Universal. That went on to spawn an acclaimed and even further fictionalized TV show, which just ended its healthy five-season run on NBC with a bit of help from DirecTV.

And now, according to Deadline, Berg's working on a feature film sequel that will star the cast of the show, as opposed to that of the first film. (Something tells me you get some leeway once you deliver a film like "Battleship" to a studio.) Brian Grazer is back on board as producer, the script is underway and a 2012 start date seems ideal for all involved.

By all accounts, the show -- while adored -- wasn't exactly a ratings juggernaut. Would a feature-length continuation draw in an audience beyond the die-hards? Will Kyle Chander have the box office draw of Billy Bob Thornton (which is itself already debatable)? Or is this destined to be the dramatic equivalent to an "Arrested Development" movie, always lurking on the horizon?

Drake Doremus on 'Like Crazy,' Blackmail, and Slaying Dragons

'It's an incredible feeling...'

By Corwin Neuse Aug 2, 2011 1:53PM

After his "Like Crazy"—a tender, heartfelt romance starring Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones, and Jennifer Lawrence—won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, the sky would appear the limit for awesomely-named director Drake Doremus.

With Paramount recently debuting a trailer (embedded below) in anticipation of the film's October 28th release, Doremus took the time to chat with us about wrangling actors, his passion for storytelling, and what he likes to do in his down time.

First of all, I think America really wants to know, what it's like to kill a dragon with your bare hands?

Doremus: It's an incredible feeling. I highly recommend it. If you haven't done it before you have to do it. To anybody out there who's never done it before…

Well, where do you get your dragons?

Doremus: Ah, well, I order them online. You can get them on Amazon.

This is your first opportunity to really show your work to a wide audience and introduce yourself as a person and an artist. Is there anything you wanted to say as a way of introduction?

Doremus: Gosh, you know, I would say that I'm a filmmaker that really is trying to make genuine films from the heart, and if you're looking for entertainment in the form of heartfelt romance, this is the film for you.

Agree to star in David O. Russell's 'The Silver Linings Playbook'

By Corwin Neuse Aug 2, 2011 12:28PM

With Deadline reporting that Bradley Cooper is in talks to replace Mark Wahlberg in David O. Russell's "The Silver Linings Playbook," Cooper's plan to appear in every movie ever made is now one step closer to completion.

This would mark Cooper's thirteenth film in five years, a feat of uncanny omnipresence nearly unmatched in Hollywood history. Since appearing in the 2009 ensemble comedy "He's Just Not That Into You," Cooper has had prominent roles in "The Hangover," "All About Steve," "The A-Team," "Valentine's Day," "Case 39," "Limitless," and "The Hangover, Part II." His upcoming films include "The Place Beyond the Pines" with Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, a remake of "The Crow," something called "The Words" with Olivia Wilde, Alex Proyas's 3D "Paradise Lost," and now this. All of which makes one wonder, when does Cooper sleep? Does he need to? Or does he have some kind of special pill that allows him to be "on" twenty four hours a day, speak French fluently, and be inhumanly handsome all the time?

Jennifer Lawrence has also agreed to appear in the film as Cooper's eccentric neighbor. The Oscar-nominated Lawrence is enjoying her own run of ubiquity lately; after earning accolades for last year's "Winter's Bone" she has popped up in "The Beaver" and "X-Men: First Class," and will also feature in the forthcoming "Like Crazy" before the first installment of the inevitably inescapable "Hunger Games" tetralogy comes out next year.

Also in talks to join the film is Robert DeNiro, who apparently decided sometime back in 1998 to forsake pride and ambition and just do whatever the heck he wanted. This is his world, after all. The rest of us are just living in it.

"The Silver Linings Playbook" will find Cooper playing a depressed former high school teacher who becomes involved with his eccentric neighbor, played by Lawrence. No word on what part DeNiro would play. The film will be based on Matthew Quick's novel of the same name.

Reese Witherspoon Gets a 'Wish' or Ten

"New" Disney comedy is about a workaholic magically forced to enjoy life again

By William Goss Aug 2, 2011 10:01AM

I'm in the wrong line of work.

Clearly, what I need to do is concoct a can't-miss fantasy premise that guarantees wacky hijinx AND life lessons in one family-friendly package and then rake in the millions. Case in point: Reese Witherspoon has signed on to star in "Wish List," in which a little girl attempts to make ten wishes at a wishing well, fails, grows up to be a career woman, then has to contend with said wishes when they come back to bite her on the... adulthood.

Don't you just see the whole movie in your head already? It's a marvel of contrivance and character arc the likes of which we've seen time and time again ("Mr. Popper's Penguins," "Imagine That," "Bedtime Stories," "Tooth Fairy," "Click," "The Shaggy Dog" remake, "The Santa Clause"). You may think me cynical for knocking something so potentially cute that the kids will probably enjoy, but is that any more cynical than endlessly capitalizing on the same formula? (Ask the guys behind slasher films.)

Now, if you'll excuse me, some of us have to put the finishing touches on our spec script about a magical yo-yo that teaches a successful businessman/woman to appreciate their family... (And who gets ten wishes for one coin at a wishing fountain anyway?)

The Most Famous Superstar You’ve Never Heard Of

An imaginative new film about French singer Serge Gainsbourg

By DannyMiller Aug 1, 2011 7:05PM

There are a legion of French singers who are famous in every corner of the globe…except here. Many Americans wouldn’t even recognize an Edith Piaf song, and I’m guessing even more are oblivious to the work of internationally known stars such as Johnny Hallyday, Sylvie Vartan, Patrick Bruel, or France Gall. A fascinating new film about one of the biggest French singing superstars in history, Serge Gainsbourg, opens here on August 31.

Most are surprised the series still exists

By Corwin Neuse Aug 1, 2011 1:07PM

After 2007's "Live Free or Die Hard" earned a robust $383 million worldwide, it was perhaps only a matter of time before Bruce Willis reprised his role as immortal super-cop John McClane. Now, instead of blowing the everloving crud out of large portions of Los Angeles, Washington DC, and New York, it appears McClane will get caught up in the exploding remnants of the Soviet Union on an ill-fated vacation to Russia. At least, we assume it's a vacation. Why else would a lowly NYPD detective be in Moscow?

According to Deadline, four directors are currently up for the film, including Joe Cornish, fresh off sleeper hit "Attack the Block;" Justin Lin of the "Fast and Furious" franchise; "Drive" director Nicolas Winding Refn; and apparent front-runner, Fox favorite John Moore ("Max Payne"). Cornish and Refn are the intriguing choices here, as they would presumably bring a different sensibility than the more workmanlike stylings of "Live Free" director Len Wiseman, Moore, or even the agreeably proficient Lin. Whomever ultimately gets the job, however, it would seem that more changes are in store beyond the simple shift in venue.

Speaking of which, Russia is becoming a strangely popular filming locale for action flicks lately, with both "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" and the upcoming alien invasion pic "The Darkest Hour" seizing the opportunity to at least film in Red Square if not actually vaporize the Kremlin. No word as yet as to how "Die Hard 5" will avoid the inevitable comparisons.