This Summer's Gonna Belong to the Cowboys and the Aliens

Another trailer for this summer's Cowboys & Aliens has just debuted. I love the way this film is being marketed. Every trailer just teases the concept and piques curiosity without giving away much of the story. I doubt we've even seen any footage past the second act of the film. Anyways, I'll be first in line for this one and you should take a look at the trailer after the jump.

Thoughts on the Rise of the Planet of the Apes Trailer

Caesar, the CGI star of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, was created by the folks at Weta Workshop.

The first trailer for this summer's reimagining of the Planet of the Apes story, entitled Rise of the Planet of the Apes, hit the web early this morning. I was looking forward to this trailer. I think this film is the summer's real wild card. It's hard to say how well this film is going to do. That being said, there was a lot in the trailer that I enjoyed. Visually, it looks stunning. The special effects are being done by Weta Workshop. That's the special effects house that worked on The Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong, and Avatar. Using the same motion capture technology used on Avatar, Weta created the film's apes differently than past iterations in the franchise. The performance capture technology applies a real physical performance completely to a digital creation. Although the makeup work in these films has always been topnotch, even in Tim Burton's remake, I feel like this digital work looks fantastic. It will be the first time the apes look photo-realistic. It's no wonder that the name Weta is featured so prominently in the trailer.

Sidney Lumet has Passed Away

Acclaimed director Sidney Lumet has passed away. He died this morning from lymphoma at the age of 86. Lumet is widely recognized as one of the greatest directors in cinema, having directed such classics as 12 Angry Men, Network and Dog Day Afternoon, among others. His last film was 2007's Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. Although his film have been nominated for Academy Awards many times, he never won an Oscar. In 2005, he was given an honorary Oscar. He was one of the finest filmmakers to have graced the world of cinema and he will be greatly missed.

Crazy, Stupid, Love starring Steve Carell

Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling star in Crazy, Stupid, Love

I don't normally get excited for new comedies, but this trailer for Crazy, Stupid, Love has done just that. It looks like a great balance of comedy and drama, and plays to Steve Carell's strengths. He's funniest when playing it straight. I hope this film turns out as well as Date Night did last year.

Anyway, here's the trailer:

3D Movies

"Jake Sully, this 3D movie is giving me a headache."
"Outstanding."

Which Characters Would You Want on Your Side in a Bar Fight?

Here’s my pick for the best movie characters to have my back in a bar brawl.

Maximus (Gladiator, 2000)

"You spilled my brewski!"

Gladiator is the story of a husband and father seeking revenge for the death of those he loved. That makes a very dangerous guy. Maximus has nothing to lose and all the skills of a seasoned warrior. He’s deadlier than any of the gladiators he faced in the coliseum, not to mention a tiger. He’s just as comfortable fighting hand-to-hand as with a sword, even against an armed opponent. The attitude. The skills. This guy is a pure badass (who’s not afraid to cry) and not the kind of guy you’d want to upset in a dark bar.

What's Wrong with the Hangover Part II Trailer?

The Hangover Part II is one of 2011's most anticipated films and last week's recently released trailer has me thinking this sequel might be worth the price of admission. Why then, with anticipation for the film on the rise, is the MPAA forcing Warner Bros. to remove the trailer from theaters?

The Governator's Back

Looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger is back is Show Business and his new project sounds pretty cool. He's going to be voicing a character based on himself in a cartoon called "The Governator." I love that he's embracing the jokes people have been making about him and I think this show has the potential to have a wicked sense of humor.