Filed under: Digging for Dirt

News Bites: Top Crix On 'Joe,' Spielberg Wants 'Halo,' 'Underworld 4' in 3-D and More

Some news, rumors and images worth repeating and previewing

Concept art from Halo: The Fall of Reach
Photo: LatinoReview

A couple of newsy items for you to peruse on this lazy Saturday…

IESB is reporting Steven Spielberg was "blown away by writer Stuart Beattie's [Halo] script entitled Halo: The Fall of Reach" based on the popular Microsoft videogame that was once set to be directed by District 9 helmer Neill Blomkamp with Peter Jackson producing before it was scrapped. With Spielberg's "new" DreamWorks looking for a tentpole project this may be the one they turn to. You can check out previous peeks at Halo: The Fall of Reach concept art such as the one above at Latino Review. [IESB]

ShockTillYouDrop is reporting "Sony's Screen Gems is moving ahead with a fourth film in the Underworld franchise and is targeting a January 2011 release. The movie will be shot in 3-D." No word on who will star. [ShockTillYouDrop]

There is something of a consensus as four top critics have weighed in with their thoughts on G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra:

Manhola Dargis at the New York Times says, "Of course Paramount Pictures opted not to show G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra to critics before releasing its latest gaseous emission." [New York Times]

Roger Ebert said, "It is sure to be enjoyed by those whose movie appreciation is defined by the ability to discern that moving pictures and sound are being employed to depict violence." [Roger Ebert]

Richard Corliss at Time said, "Paramount showed G.I. Joe, which it hopes will be the first in a lucrative series, only to a few reliable bloggers. Less docile scribes like me had to catch a public screening last night at midnight. As the old line goes about some long-ago lemon: The movie wasn't released — it escaped." [Time]

Peter Howell at the Toronto Star said, "There are all kinds of wild and noisy machines in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, the war toy turned cartoon turned motion picture that is now rotting minds in multiplexes everywhere." [Toronto Star]

Speaking of G.I. Joe, The Playlist points out the following clip from "Jimmy Kimmel Live" where Quentin Tarantino tosses a little jab at the script while Rachel Nichols was discussing it with the show's host:

Next are two new posters for Whiteout and A Serious Man via IMPAwards.

Photo: Warner Bros. / Focus Features

McG told IGN he may cast Terminator Salvation star Sam Worthington "as Nemo if it's in the cards" in his next project, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo. He also talked a little about Terminator 5. [IGN]

Taiwanese star Jay Chou will play Kato in Michel Gondry's The Green Hornet opposite Seth Rogen.


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Post #1
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QT rocks.

- Nick
( August 8th, 2009 | 1:56 pm )
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Post #2
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the poster for whiteout is very similir to premonition

- Sebastian
( August 8th, 2009 | 4:16 pm )
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Post #3
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QT does rock. As Brad knows, I typically disagree with critics. And I think Roger Ebert has some gall: he liked a movie titled Fighting. You may know it better as Boom Mics: Revenge of the Fallen. To argue that G.I. Joe is too violent is laughably pathetic. Bonanza had more realistic fights! Hate this movie. But hate it for the right reasons. Dennis Quaid is a good enough reason. He's habitually the worst actor in Hollywood. If he's in it, expect suck to follow. Sorry. I went off on a tangent.

- k-dogg
( August 8th, 2009 | 5:38 pm )
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Post #4
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On second thought, no! Let's just go off on an anti-Dennis Quaid rant people! Let's stop him before he makes another Day After Tomorrow, or Cold Creek Manor, or Jaws 3! Viva la revolucion ! I couldn't make the little wave in espanol, but you follow…

- k-dogg
( August 8th, 2009 | 5:43 pm )
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Post #5
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I don't care what the critics say i thought gi joe was a fun ride of a movie it may have cheesy and the dialogue may have been laughable but the action was great and i thorughly enjoyed it

- Justin Casey
( August 8th, 2009 | 6:44 pm )
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Post #6
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I could at least like Joe if not for 3 things: 1)the half ass "accelerator suits" and that whole scene in paris that reminded me of Team America's opening scene. 2) Marlon Wayans. And 3) Dennis Quaid. I have carefully mapped and plotted charts that show the choreography with Dennis Quaid's career, and the fall of western civilization. Once I figure out how to scan full length posterboards I'll post 'em. That's a joke.

- k-dogg
( August 9th, 2009 | 1:30 am )
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Post #7
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I don't trust major critics anymore. They have no credibility. None. I'm so surprised that they are bashing a film after the studio decided to circumvent the traditional critique process. Those mad lib reviews have nothing to do with GI Joe and everything to do with an impending sense of irrelevance.

Read the reviews carefully, each repeatedly bash the movie while dropping little hints of major plot points (more than seen in a favourable review). Spoil the film, lower the box office, prove to everyone that the only movies worth seeing are the ones presented to 'real' critics.

- GregM
( August 9th, 2009 | 5:43 am )
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Post #8
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I particularily enjoy Peter Howell's backhand at "drooling fanboys". I wouldn't be surprised if the sites Howell's referring to attract more readers than any of his reviews do.

- GregM
( August 9th, 2009 | 6:24 am )
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Post #9
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What a great TV clip! I love how Rachel Nichols gives him the classic "talk to the hand" gesture. But Quentin was actually quite charming. (By the way, Quentin, I HATE your scripts.)

And a particular thank you for the critics' quotes. I so enjoy when they have an opportunity to tear apart a deserving film in a few, humorous phrases, or just one phrase…I think they enjoy the opportunity too.

- Patricia
( August 9th, 2009 | 8:30 am )
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Post #10
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1 – Yes, the critics are mostly irrelevant, both for revenue and for art.
2 – G.I. JOE is still a terrible, steaming pile of dung, regardless.

I'm getting tired of movies about old toys and throwaway cartoons. At this rate, there'll be an absurdly profitable Furby movie somtime, and maybe a flick about water guns, too.

By the way, Tarantino, while often a good movie maker, is also a VERY odd duck.

- TheAsterisk!
( August 10th, 2009 | 2:06 am )
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