New trailer for “The Avengers”

When the first trailer for “The Avengers” was released, I was less than impressed. Now that about 95 additional versions have made their way to the public’s prying eyes (okay, this is probably only the third I’ve seen, but still), I’ve found one that tells a little bit more of the story.

Unlike the original, this trailer draws me in from the start. The explosives/military action was just about the only thing I appreciated from the first, and that scene is extended here.

Props for that, but then I start to fall asleep a little bit. The trailer then goes on to feature a little bit about each superhero, which I can appreciate more than the messy montage we were given previously. However, there’s far too much ScarJo, who should not be involved in this project in the first place.

After the two minutes and thirty seconds are over, I am still left somewhat unsatisfied. Is it just me? Are any of you excited for this movie?

Check out the latest trailer for “The Avengers” here:

Oscar Sunday 2012: My predictions

As an avid film writer, I feel it is my civic duty to announce my predictions before the Academy Awards air this evening. I’ll get right to it…

Best Picture

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Snore shouldn’t even be in the running in this category, so we can nix that one right away. I predict The Artist will get nudged out by a miniscule amount, which will surely cause an uproar.

Projected winner: The Help

Actor in a Leading Role

While I would give my right arm to see Gary Oldman take home the title, I think we all know it’s unfortunately not going to happen.

Projected winner: Jean Dujardin, The Artist

Actress in a Leading Role

In a perfect world, my lady crush Michelle Williams would take home the Oscar, but sadly we don’t live in a perfect world. I predict Meryl will be going home a loser tonight as well, which only happens… well, hardly ever.

Projected winner: Viola Davis, The Help

Actor in a Supporting Role

If at any point in time tonight Jonah Hill is standing on a stage in front of a microphone holding a tiny statue that looks like a naked man, I will lose my shit.

Projected winner: Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Actress in a Supporting Role

I’m no math whiz, but seeing as how two women from The Help are nominated in this category, the film has a good chance. However, I might be leaning toward Ms. Spencer.

Projected winner: Octavia Spencer, The Help

Animated Feature Film

Really, Kung Fu Panda 2? Am I reading this correctly?

Projected winner: Rango

Cinematography

I kind of want The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo to win every category it’s nominated for, but I’m not so sure that’ll happen here.

Projected winner: Hugo

Art Direction

As long as Harry Potter gets nothing this evening, I will be a happy camper.

Projected winner: Hugo

Costume Design

Same goes for W.E., the film written, directed and produced by Madonna. Yes, I said Madonna.

Projected winner: The Artist

Directing

Woody Allen and Marty Scorsese might be left in tears tonight.

Projected winner: Michael Hazanavicius, The Artist

Film Editing

We can’t let The Artist win everything, now, can we? (Seriously, it’s like people have never seen a black and white silent film before the year 2011).

Projected winner: Hugo

Music (Original Score)

Despite what I just said above…

Projected winner: The Artist

Music (Original Song)

Because how can a cartoon bird accept this award?

Projected winner: “Man or Muppet,” The Muppets

Sound Editing

BECAUSE THIS MOVIE DESERVED TO BE NOMINATED FOR BEST PICTURE, NOT EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY DUMB.

Projected winner: Drive

Sound Mixing

A movie from the Transformers franchise, are we serious?

Projected winner: Hugo, even though I’m the only person on the planet not interested in this movie

Visual Effects

Again, Transformers and Harry Potter are in this category. Gag me.

Projected winner: The Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Sorry Clooney, not today.

Projected winner: Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash, The Descendants 

Writing (Original Screenplay)

Honestly, I think I’m one of few who doesn’t see how Bridesmaids is a huge step forward for women in film. Like, am I missing some part of that movie that had cinematic value or an air of substance? I really don’t see how Sookie from “Gilmore Girls” taking a dump in a sink is revolutionary for females in film. Rant over.

Projected winner: Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris

On a final note, I trust Billy Crystal will do a better job serving as host than stoned James Franco and poor Anne Hathaway fared last year.

See who the winners are tonight, when the 84th Annual Academy Awards air on ABC, starting at 8:30 p.m.

Be sure to follow my Twitter tonight, where I’ll be sharing the winners and everything Oscars.

Kick-Ass 2: “We shoot this summer”

EEEEEEEK!

On more than one occasion, I have proclaimed my love for the movie Kick Ass. The good news for fellow Kick Ass lovers is that the sequel is finally on its way!

(Image courtesy of beyondhollywood.com)

I’m really hoping it doesn’t suffer the sophomore slump like a lot of sequels/prequels/whatever usually do these days, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

According to creator Mark Millar, the sequel is slated to start shooting in the next few months. In the interview with Scotland’s Daily Report, Millar also said that original director Matthew Vaugh (X-Men: First Class) should be on board as well. However, he will most likely be producing this time, as he is already involved with directing the next X-Men film (yay on that front as well).

In the interview, Millar also mentioned a sequel to Wanted, which in my opinion, would probably be best if it did not happen. The first one was enough, thank you very much.

Anyways, if you haven’t seen Kick Ass, do yourself a favor and SPRINT to your nearest Blockbuster. At the very least, make sure you see it before the sequel comes out in, sadly, probably several more years.

“How come nobody’s ever tried to be a superhero?”

Coming soon: “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World”

I’m not sure if it’s the odd pairing of the two stars, or the storyline itself, but I’m not so sure about this one, folks.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a story about just that, the end of the world. When it’s announced that an asteroid is going to strike down on Earth and obliterate everything and everyone on it, everyone gets a little out of sorts.

A man (Steve Carell) has only his cleaning lady for company after his wife leaves him in a panic. He teams up with his neighbor (Keira Knightley) and decides to spend his last days on a cross country journey to reunite with his high school sweetheart.

But really, Steve Carell and Keira Knightley? That’s a pretty odd combo. Odder than Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel in Yes, Man. And that was the definition of weird love pairings.

Judging by the trailer, my guess is they’re going to fall in love during their road trip, and by the time they reach their destination, they’ll find out that an asteroid is not actually going to strike the Earth, and they are in fact going to live. They will then either realize that they only glued to one another because they thought they were going to die, or they will set up shop wherever they land and have little Steve Carell-Keira Knightley babies.

In case you still want to see it, even after I’ve laid everything out for you, feel free to catch it at your local theatre on June 22. For now, check out the trailer below:

Now in Theatres: “This Means War”

As I stated long ago, my two favorite genres are horror and rom-coms. They go together like PB&J, right? (Which, subsequently, I hate).

I’ve long been a fan of Reese Witherspoon. She’s a talented actress who I’ve never read about in People magazine (yes, I indulge in People magazine) about partying at a club and losing her dignity. She’s a celebrity who acts and lives a reclusive lifestyle otherwise, which I respect.

Anyways, back to This Means War. It stars Witherspoon as Lauren, a women dating two men (who, unbeknownst to her, happen to be besties) at once.

I’m sure it’ll be a silly movie filled with goofy antics as Tuck (Tom Hardy) and FDR (Chris Pine) fight to win her affections, but I’m willing to go see it nonetheless. I’m a girl, sue me.

It also co-stars Chelsea Handler, who has quite the off color sense of humor, so I’m sure she’ll bring something interesting to the table.

Check out the trailer for yourself below, and catch This Means War when it hits theatres on Feb. 17: