Blog entries from Dan Hudak

Clint Eastwood Could Have Been Superman AND James Bond

Dan Hudak — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:07:33 +0100

You read that headline correctly: After years of success as a Spaghetti Western cowboy and tough guy cop in "Dirty Harry," Clint Eastwood was offered the role of Superman when it was in pre-production in the mid-'70s. A few years earlier he was also offered the role of James Bond, which needless to say would haveRead More...

New To Blu-Ray: Stardust And Solitary Man

Dan Hudak — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:04:03 +0100

The awesome, superb, stellar and amazing "Stardust" is now available on Blu-Ray, and if you haven't seen it you're missing something really great. Director Matthew Vaughn's ("Kick-Ass") film is a wonderful storybook adventure that warms the heart and includes genuinely pulse-pounding excitement. It was one of the bestRead More...

Students at Univ. Of Mississippi Want To Honor "Star Wars" With New Mascot

Dan Hudak — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:56:01 +0100

This is a real ESPN commercial, and it's based on something that actually happened at the University of Mississippi. I will not spoil it for you, but I will say it involves "Star Wars" and the university's nickname, which is the "Rebels." The students petitioned hard to make this happen, but their choice didn't make the cut.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx0pTIDb-r0&feature=player_embedded 570x315]

Rihanna, Liam Neeson Ready To Sink Your Battleship

Dan Hudak — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:37:17 +0100

Movies based on board games are always a dicey proposition, so it's always good when a legit actor can give credibility to a project. How much credibility Liam Neeson can give a project in which aliens are involved (that's the rumor!) remains to be seen.

Per Deadline: "Liam Neeson has joiRead More...

Opening This Week: Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D And The Tillman Story

Dan Hudak — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:05:19 +0100

Yet another "Resident Evil" movie opens this weekend (it's the fourth in the series), and this time "Afterlife" is in 3-D! Thankfully it was shot in 3-D, so it should look spectacular. After that it's anyone's guess, but this movie has enough of a core following to probably let it take the box office.

In limited release is "The Tillman Story," a fascinating, searing documentary about how the government tried to portray ex-NFL player Pat Tillman's death. It'll make you angry and bewildeRead More...

The American Tops Box Office; Machete A Close Third

Dan Hudak — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:45:53 +0100

Never doubt the power of George. Mr. Clooney's European drama "The American" earned an estimated $12.9 million over the weekend, bringing its total to $16.1 million (it opened last Wednesday) and placing it first at the box office. "Takers" held strong at #2 with an estimated $11.4 million, and new release "Machete" finished third with $11.3 million. For "Machete" this is at least a slight disappointment, but wRead More...

New Pics From Dragon Tattoo And Harry Potter

Dan Hudak — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:49:04 +0100

Rooney Mara, who's been cast as Lisbeth Salander in David Fincher's adaptation of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," has posted pics of herself as Salander at Rooneymara.net. The images show her riding a motorcycle and little else, but it is our first sense of what she looks like as Salander. The verRead More...

I'm Still Here Trailer

Dan Hudak — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:09:00 +0100

I still have no idea what to make of Joaquin Phoenix's quest to be a hip-hop artist -- brilliant performance art? A man losing his mind? -- but I absolutely cannot wait to see it. Opens Sept. 10 in select cities.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRsx9Kez_Zs&feature=sub 570x315]

Inception Blu-Ray Coming In December

Dan Hudak — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:06:28 +0100

Per Collider: "On December 6th, Warner Bros. is releasing a limited edition Inception Blu-ray triple pack inside a cool briefcase. The limited edition includes the Blu-ray, DVD, digital copy, a disc of special features, theatrical dream machine leaflet, four art Read More...

The Three Musketeers 3-D Poster

Dan Hudak — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:59:30 +0100

Who cares if the story's been told 8 million times? It hasn't been told in 3-D!

Below is the poster for "The Three Musketeers" in 3-D, set for release April 15, 2011. The good news: The cast looks solid, with Milla Jovovich and Christoph Waltz ("Inglourious Basterds") set to star, and the film will be shot in 3-D (not converted), which should bode well visually. The director is Paul W.S. Anderson, who made the "Resident Evil" movies. Anderson describes his interest in the story here.

New Trailer For Due Date

Dan Hudak — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:12:02 +0100

I still don't think "Due Date" looks very funny, but I'm remaining optimistic for the following reasons: 1) It was directed by Todd Philips, who made "The Hangover," 2) I'll watch Downey Jr. in anything, and 3) Rumor has it the best moments are yet to come, i.e. Warner Bros. hasn't ruined the movie by showing us all the funny parts already. "Due Date" is due in theaters Nov. 5, 2010.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBJgyIQLT9g&feature=player_embedded 570x315]

Video Of Conan O'Brien Announcing Name Of His New TBS Show

Dan Hudak — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:43:31 +0100

In typical Conan O'Brien fashion -- no flashy press conference, extremely silly delivery -- O'Brien announced the name of his new show on TBS starting this fall. I think he's going to be completely unhinged on cable, and it's going to be great.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHeyO2W8aPU&feature=player_embedded 570x315]

Machete **

Dan Hudak — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:48:23 +0100

Is it worth $10 No

“Machete” is the first movie I’ve seen in which someone is decapitated, then the severed head is split in two by a machete before it hits the ground.

You must admit, that’s pretty original. And disgusting. Either way, after reading the first sentence you likely immediately know if you wanted to see this movie. And if you do, it’s my responsibility to tell you the action comes in spurts, and there’s a serious ratherRead More...

The American ***1/2

Dan Hudak — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:59:27 +0100

Is it worth $10? Yes

There’s a minimalist, quiet intensity to “The American,” a mood and atmosphere created by director Anton Corbijn to directly reflect the mental state of the main character, Jack. As played by George Clooney, Jack is a tormented figure who longs to feel a human connection again after years of work as an assassin, but finds trouble escaping his demons in this superb drama. More...

[video:http://vimeo.com/14600751 570x315]

Summer Movie Recap 2010

Dan Hudak — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:36:30 +0100

With summer behind us, it’s time to look back at the mediocrity (“Salt”), ineptitude (“Dinner for Schmucks”) and brilliance (“Inception”) that left us flustered and inspired over the past four months.

Most shameful sequel: “Iron Man 2”

Downey’s charm wasn’t as fresh as it was in the original, and neither was the story or action. Read More...

Piranha 3D Producer Hits Back At James Cameron

Dan Hudak — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:55:57 +0100

In case you missed it, James Cameron recently told Vanity Fair the following:

"I worked on Piranha 2 for a few days and got fired off of it; I don’t put it on my official filmography. So there’s no sort of fond connection for me whatsoever. In fact, I would go even farther and say that... IRead More...

Natalie Portman And Mila Kunis Kiss In Upcoming "Black Swan"

Dan Hudak — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:10:22 +0100

That's Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis who are about to kiss in Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan," due Dec. 1. The plot: Portman and Kunis play rival ballet dancers competing for the lead in a new production of "Swan Lake." As you may imagine, things get...interesting between them. For more images from the movieRead More...

Director Found For Clash Of The Titans 2

Dan Hudak — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:33:49 +0100

Warner Brothers has hired Jonathan Liebesman to direct "Clash of the Titans 2."

Who? Liebesman is currently finishing post-production on "Battle: Los Angeles," in which a Marine Corps platoon fends off an alien invasion in L.A. Liebesman also directed "The Texas ChainsaRead More...

Maybe Mel Gibson Isn't So Bad After All

Dan Hudak — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:44:14 +0100

Who would have thought telling your girlfriend she "deserves to be raped by a pack of ni#$ers" would hurt your career? It doesn't seem to have hurt Mel Gibson's.

According to a "60 Minutes"/Vanity Fair poll, 76% of Americans said they would not be affected by the Oscar winner's crazed rants at his ex-girlfriend and baby maRead More...

Machete Tickets Still Available!

Dan Hudak — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:27:41 +0100

Still have a handful of tickets left for "Machete" screenings this Wednesday, 9/1 in Miami, West Palm, Orlando and Tampa. Click here for more info.

Coming in September: Passes to "Resident Evil: Afterlife," "Easy A," "You Again," "The Social Network" and more!