Circumstances prevented me from seeing "There Will Be Blood" in time for the taping of our year-end show. Therefore I didn't include it on my list of best of 2007. So if anyone sees my review of it, where I was raving (and disagreeing strongly with Jeffrey), they might wonder why it wasn't in my top 10. It should have been.

From the opening 15 minutes, which were dialogue free to the hyper-verbal end scene, I loved every second. Daniel Day-Lewis was astounding as Daniel Plainview, an oilman whose drive and greed outweighs his humanity. He is onscreen for every second -- and is absolutely riveting. I was engrossed by the mining and oil-drilling scenes and swept up in the biblical battles between Plainview and the town preacher played unctuously by Paul Dano.

What set the film apart and raised it artistically for me was the score, which was composed Jonny Greenwood, the guitarist from Radiohead, it was ominous, dangerous, suspenseful and tragic. When Plainview's deaf son is being spoken to, we don't hear the words, just cellos and violins. It was strikingly different than most scores, especially ones which usually accompany epic period pieces.

Paul Thomas Anderson has switched genres now several times as a filmmaker from "Hard Eight" to "Boogie Nights" to "Punch Drunk Love." Here he proves he can handle big themes about the American West, human avarice and revenge.

In case you haven't been following the latest details in the writers strike, it was announced Friday that David Letterman's production company WorldWide Pants - which owns Letterman's Late Show and Craig Ferguson's Late Late Show - had reached a deal with the WGA that would allow both shows to return to the airwaves Jan. 2 along with The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night With Conan O'Brien. However, unlike Jay and Conan, Letterman and Ferguson will have their writers back at work. And this side deal isn't sitting well with everyone on the striking WGA front.

According to the entertainment industry website Deadline Hollywood Daily, some writers are upset because in their eyes, the writers on those shows are going back to work earning a paycheck while the rest of the WGA is still sacrificing their personal financial situation for the greater good of the union. In other words, they should all be on the picket line together.

The interesting thing is that the WGA cut this 'side deal' with Letterman's production company as part of their "divide and conquer" strategy. The only problem is, the union planned on dividing the AMPTP, the producers collective. If this winds up causing dissension amongst the union rank-and-file, it could be disastrous. It will also be interesting to see if the Screen Actors Guild members, basically all the actors who fill the seats on those late night talkfests, avoid Leno and Conan's writer-less shows for Letterman and Ferguson.

Now that the Late-Night shows are all going to be back on in the New Year with new shows, the next step will be what happens with the awards shows. Already the People's Choice Awards -- normally a star-studded live event -- has been forced to be a taped program. And the WGA is not granting waivers to the Golden Globes and the Oscars, so those shows could be drastically different than in previous years. The folks behind the Academy Awards say the show will go on, but without writers and likely without most of its nominees, what kind of show will it be?

We shall see.

With the year winding down, it's time to assess a few actors who haven't been on the radar lately. This is part of the vicissitudes of fame that sometimes your career is hot, other times it's in sleep mode and other times it's just over.

For example, what ever became of Helen Hunt? She won the Oscar for "As Good As It Gets" a decade ago, but was last seen in 2006's "Bobby," in one of many supporting roles. She does have a movie called "And Then She Found Me" coming this spring, but there's been little seen of her in quite some time.

One of her friends, Helen Slater, is in a similar situation. She's been doing some television, but hasn't been seen on the big screen in four years. That was in the long-forgotten "Seeing Other People."

Speaking of other people (a segue into anyone, I guess) Gene Hackman, my favorite actor, hasn't been in a movie since 2004's "Welcome to Mooseport," portraying the president. Once the only actor who rivaled Sir Michael Caine in appearances on the big screen, but aside from the dvd re-releases of the first two "Superman" films and his voiceover commercial work, he's done no movie work in almost four years.

What about Jason Biggs of the "American Pie" movies? The "Network" Oscar winner is coming in two movies in 2008, but his 2007 films, "Say It In Russian," "The Gene Generation" and "The Cougar Club" (a reference to gorgeous older women) never crossed my radar, and every movie released in theaters does.

Finally, whatever happened to Timothy Bottoms? His career looked so promising with "The Paper Chase" and "Last Picture Show:" and recently he's been portraying George W. Bush, however he's never reached the stardom many thought was his.

This is an unforgiving, tough business sometimes.

Last night I caught “Jiminy Glick in Lalawood” on cable. When I heard about this film back in 2004, I was looking forward to seeing it because I’m a huge fan of Martin Short (who stars and wrote the script). I love the character he created: the obnoxious, clueless entertainment reporter from Butte, Montana. Frankly, the parody was spot on. In my producing days, I frequently attended press junkets with reporters from across the states…and there were several Jiminy-types.

As far as I can remember, the film was never screened back then and didn’t come to a theatre near me -- so I never saw it until last night. And I have to say, I quite enjoyed it!

Yes, it was silly at times and I could have done without seeing Jiminy and Dixie get intimate. But his David Lynch impression was right on and the spoof of “Lost Highway” and the convolutions of the “Mulholland Drive” – like plot were very funny.

The celebrity interviews were as good as his TV series interviews. Watching Steve Martin crack up was a crack up. And the b-roll of Willem Dafoe, Whoopi Goldberg and Kiefer Sutherland, all looking genuinely lost for words was priceless.

I still love martin short, and think he’s one of today’s greatest underappreciated funny men. And I adore Jiminy Glick. Someone give him a talk-show, please!

"National Treasure: Book of Secrets" is Nic Cage's 2nd big hit in '07 (following surprise smash "Ghost Rider" in Feb.). The Jerry Bruckheimer-produced, globe-trotting history lesson on steroids dominated the 5-day Christmas weekend. It earned more than $65M, putting it on pace to earn more than the $173M the original did in 2004. The family-friendly movie - rated PG, btw - seemed to strike a chord with just about everyone.

Will Smith's latest blockbuster "I Am Legend" keeps piling on the cash. It's already up to $150M and seems certain to break the $200M barrier. But Smith is Smith. He always draws in audiences. The big surprise is "Alvin and the Chipmunks," which finished at #3 with $38M more. In fact, the film lost less audience share from its opening weekend than "I Am Legend" did.

I don't think anyone, not even Fox, expected the film to be doing this well. Just goes to show the potential of a good kid movie around the holidays.

"Charlie Wilson's War" and "Sweeney Todd" did OK but those movies are for grownups who don't like to fight the Friday night crowds at the multiplex. Both earned strong reviews so word-of-mouth and awards consideration should keep them around for awhile.

The biggest disappointment has to be the dismal debut of "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story." Only $6.5M its first five days? Despite heavy publicity and solid reviews (including from Jeffrey & Alison), audiences didn't bite on John C. Reilly as the lead guy in a comedy. Too bad. "Walk Hard" is a hoot. Can you say cult classic??

As Christmas is over and New Years approaches and as all the Bailes do at Christmas is eat and watch films, I thought I’d come up with my favorite films about food. Or films that send me racing to the kitchen for a snack.

1. “Big Night” Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci’s love letter to authentic Italian cooking. I still can’t get the image of the timpani being cut open out of my head.

2. “Waitress” Adrienne Shelly’s beautiful film set in a southern diner includes the most creative shots of pie making. Like a Busby Berkeley musical, the camera looks down at the pie crusts as Keri Russell fills them with delicious ingredients.

3. “Mostly Martha” A simple pasta dish is a gesture of love and affection in this romance. I could almost smell the basil.

4. “Ratatouille” This film just made me want to be in Paris, eating fine food, and especially the vegetable dish of the title -- even if it was prepared by a rat.

5. “Chocolat” Hated the movie, but you can’t beat those shots of chocolate being stirred and poured and molded and wrapped.

Honorable mention
“Elf” Buddy’s sweet tooth is only slightly bigger than mine. That breakfast feast looked so good!

Prepare to be AMAZED when "U2 3D" debuts in limited release in January. Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr. and Adam Clayton have created something special with their second feature-length concert film. But this isn't just another vanity project like "Rattle & Hum."

I was able to see an early screening of this the other night and I, along with everyone else in the screening room, was floored. With all due respect to "The Song Remains the Same," "Stop Making Sense," "Woodstock" and even the superb "Gimme Shelter," "U2 3D" takes the concert film to a different plane of filmmaking.

The technology used to make this is truly breakthrough, the 3-D technology totally immerses you. It doesn't just feel like a gimmick that you notice only in a few scenes in the movie. It captivates you from the opening scenes. The cameras zoom, pan and push in and out as the band tears through a set list of mostly classic songs. By the end of the movie you get used to the 3D, but only until another great camera angle pops up and makes you feel like you have a front row seat. On the stage. And Bono's singing to you, and only YOU.

It helps that the subject of this film is one of the great rock bands of all time. The one-two punch of "Vertigo" and "Beautiful Day" that opens the film is so pulse-poundingly exciting, it was all I could do to keep from singing along with the stadium crowd. The sheer energy of the concert is palpable.

Speaking of that crowd, I've been to a couple hundred shows in my lifetime, including five U2 concerts. I have never, EVER, experienced a crowd as passionate as the South American crowds you see in this movie. The sheer joy in the audience is infectious and when Bono says at the end that the band "will never forget this", you believe it. I would hate to be in the crowd of the next concert film that's made because once you see this, you will feel woefully inadequate as a rock fan.

In the past, concert movies have aimed to make you wish you were there. "U2 3D" makes you believe you ARE THERE.

With a full month to go before Santa crams his XXL figure down the chimney to deliver. We've gathered some of the coolest items we've come across to help fill your gift lists. DVDs, graphic novels, toys and collectibles, we rounded up some clever, cool and (some) cost-friendly goodies and we'll spotlight a different one each day here, as part of REEL TALK'S Holiday Gift Guide.

Murray’s friendless, miserly Network boss – who had his secretary give out either towels or VCR to people on his gift list, depending on their importance – is a classic Murray character. Full of wisecracks, venomous putdowns and some hilarious give-and-take with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, played by David Johannson, Carol Kane and John Forsythe. I remember seeing this for the first time in theaters when it opened in 1988 and I try to catch it every holiday season. The redemptive final scene is as touching as the rest of the film is hilarious. “Scrooged” is available on DVD now and its well worth adding to your holiday playlist.

Without giving too much away, it also re-established why Spider-Man/Peter Parker is Marvel’s most relatable hero and why Captain America is its most admired. As for Tony Stark/Iron Man, well, chances are you won’t be his biggest fan after reading this.

“Civil War” ($24.99) is available in trade paperback form in most major bookstores and comic shops, as well
as its various tie-in books.

OK, so this IS a holiday gift guide, but this item can only be purchased until AFTER the holiday season -- early to mid January to be somewhat precise. But we wanted to divvy up this option for those who wait until after Christmas to do their holiday shopping. So remember, this is an item you can kick back and watch your favorite Blu-ray disks on -- it's well worth the wait. Pre-order Samsung's BD-UP5000 here.

"Blade Runner: The Complete Collector's Edition HD DVD" is a 5-disc set that comes with all the usual extras you expect in a dvd release these days - commentaries, old trailers (which are very cool since they show the big change from 1982 to now) and featurettes - but when you're talking about one of the most revered films of all time, there was no way Warner Bros. was going to get away with putting out a lame product.

They hit it out of the park with this one. You can win this DVD along with other various DVD's on RT's Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway! Click here to enter and for more details.

"1001 Movies to See Before You Die” can be purchased for around $40.

Most of the surrounding coworkers had no idea what employee number three was referring to, as it was a few years ago and the urban drama had recently begun its first season. But now, a few years later, “The Wire” has become a hit for HBO. Fans range from the suburbanite housewife to the urban business man -- this series is an addictive hit sure to interest everyone.

"The Wire" seasons 1-4 sells for around $40-60 each and can be purchased on the HBO website.

This massive coffee table book is slip-covered in the Nickelodeon's trademark green slime. Readers get to hear from the behind-the-scenes talent of classic Nick animated shows like "The Fairly OddParents," "Hey, Arnold!" "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron" and the King of the Animation Kingdom, "SpongeBob SquarePants."

Also included are talks with the folks behind more recent hits like "Avatar" "Back at the Barnyard" and "El Tigre."

The real treat for animation fans will be all the illustrations, including many rare never-before-seen images showing how characters like SpongeBob and Jimmy Neutron were developed.

"Not Just Cartoons: Nicktoons!" sells for $40.

This masterpiece collection features F.W. Murnau’s beautifully remastered “Dracula.” Included in this DVD set are new bonus features like new documentaries revamped subtitles.

“Nosferatu” can be purchased for under $20 online and in select retail stores.

Fun, romantic and well written, these light comedies should be a permanent fixture in any DVD collection. The Audrey Hepburn 5 Pack can be purchased for under $60.

To subscribe go to Filmmaker Magazine's site ASAP to get your subscription in time for December 25!

This is exclusive to this set so this is the only way to get it. Made of a high quality polystone with lots of detail, it's a nice bonus for any fan of the film. Say what you will about writer-director Mark Steven Johnson's story (which critics tore to shreds), but there is no denying the special effects team did a fabulous job bringing the Spirit of Vengeance (as GR is known) to life onscreen.

"Ghost Rider Gift Set" is available now for roughly $60.

It was only on for one season on NBC but the silly but simple setup for the show remains appealing to me: A clueless member of a group of time travelers who protect the integrity of history accidentally winds up spinning through the corridors of time with a kid from the present day with an affinity for history. To me, this was a concept laced in gold. You had the potential for action-packed storylines and a chance to provide a crash course in history to the kids watching at home (which even back in 1982 were woefully ignorant of U.S. and World History). Among the historical figures Phineas Bogg and young Jeffrey Jones (played by Meeno Peluce) encountered: George Washington, Joe Louis, Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley, and Jack the Ripper! A shame it only lasted 20 episodes.

With any luck, 'history' will repeat itself and "Voyagers" - or a somewhat faithful inspiration - will pop up on TV again. For now, you should pick up "Voyagers: the Complete Series." It's available for as little as $36.99.

It retails for over $100 but if you shop around you can find it for as little as $84. Of course, if you wait until the sixth Potter film comes out next year, this set will be much cheaper since they'll no doubt have a newer version of this set with Years 1-6. Gotta love those DVD box sets!

• "Up the River"


• "Seas Beneath"


• "Hangman's House" (which featured the screen debut of John Wayne)


• "Pilgrimage"


• "Drums Along the Mohawk"


• "The Grapes of Wrath"


• "How Green Was My Valley"


• "My Darling Clementine"

• Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who


• Stanley Kubrick


• The Song Remains the Same


• Seinfeld Collection: The Complete Series


• My So Called Life


• The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, Volume 1


• Stanley Kubrick Directors Series Collection Official Authorized Site


• Five Easy Decades


• Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus


• Heroes graphic Novel


• Star Wars Vault

The subcast figure is an urban styled take on the high-end collectible figures that have become popular in recent years. Standing 10.5" tall , the polyresin statue really makes a statement wherever its displayed, in the office, library shelf …or the back room in the house or apartment where your wife lets you put all your nostalgic nonsense (that would be me).

Strictly limited to 2,000 pieces and retailing for $75, this one’s strictly for toy collectors or Iron Man aficionados. And with the “Iron Man” movie opening in May 2008, that club may be growing.

Find more info about the Iron Man subcast figure on the Upperdeck site.

Fans of Tenacious D and Monty Python will love this quirky sketch-comedy as the musical duo crosses the equator to New York's East Village with one mission -- to conquer USA one fan at a time.

Pick up HBO's Flight of the Conchords: The Complete First Season at any retailers like Best Buy and Circuit City.

Vudu delivers your favorite flicks straight to your television without a computer or cable/satellite service. For instant access to 5,000 films, all you have to do is shell out the cost of the device (around 400 dollars) and have a broadband Internet connection. It’s pricey, but for those of us who hate waiting for our cued films to arrive in the mail – this would be money well spent

This set has all sorts of commentaries and interviews with people connected to the show, and also has both the the original pilot that aired (which has never been available on home video before) and the European version, which has about 15 minutes of footage U.S. viewers never saw. And you also get a dozen postcards. So make a pot of black coffee, cut yourself a slice of Cherry Pie, and enjoy your visit to Twin Peaks, the strangest town you're ever going to come across.

You can purchase Twin Peaks - The Definitive Gold Box Edition at Amazon.com and other entertainment stores.

Paramount has cleaned up all the old episodes and digitally upgraded many of the outdated effects from Gene Roddenberry's timeless show. The difference between the old and new versions is incredible but also seamless so it doesn't distract from the viewing experience.

This gift isn't cheap (retails for $199 but you can find it online for as little as $132) so it's strictly for the Trek die-hard, but they will be in Trekkie heaven. Oh, there's also a mail-in offer for a Phaser remote control offer, so don't throw away the receipt. After all, who doesn't need a Phaser remote?

We’re pleased to have James Marsden as our first guest in the REEL TALK studios for 2008.

To celebrate, we’re offering everyone the opportunity to ask Mr. Corny Collins himself any question to be answered during his during his REEL TALK interview!

Submit your questions in the comment section of this post by 11:59 PM Monday, January 7th and your submission will be added to our drawing.

We’ll pick one or two questions and post the answers exclusively on our site! Check out REEL TALK daily for updates and results. Good luck!

Much is being made of the unflattering photos taken of Jennifer Love Hewitt that have appeared in the celebrity rags recently. Apparently she has ballooned up to a size 2!!! Gosh, how does she possibly shop for clothes? How dare she show herself in public? And how can she even think of putting on a bikini?

It’s so sad that we (myself included) are all so infatuated with actresses’ body weights and size. I was thrilled to see the photos. At last, someone who looks normal! Like a real person. But she is being ridiculed so it’s no wonder that half of Hollywood looks anorexic these days. Keira Knightley and Kate Bosworth are skeletal -- I don’t need to go on and list all the skinny actresses.

But what shocks me the most is the size (not weight) of most of these celebs, men included. It’s well known that Tom Cruise and Sylvester Stallone aren’t very tall. But in my experience, the majority of actors are petite people. I’m 5’8” and I tower over many of them! Keri Russell is doll-like, the French Marion Cotillard had legs that looked like they might snap at any moment, even Orlando Bloom risked disappearing if he turned sideways!

Is it because the camera supposedly adds 10lbs? Are the women small so the men can look bigger and more hunky? But how does that explain the small men? I’m baffled. And extremely relieved when I sit down next to someone like John C. Reilly or Clive Owen and I don’t look like a giant. I’m struggling to think of a ‘normal’ size actress. If you’re not stick-thin in Hollywood, then you are relegated to ‘fat girl.’ It’s either Lindsay Lohan or Nikki Blonsky. There’s not much in between. What do you think?

I had the pleasure of catching music 'icon' Dewey Cox and his band The Hard Walkers Wednesday night at The Knitting Factory club in Lower Manhattan. Dewey of course, is John C. Reilly's on screen alter-ego in the 'Behind The Music' spoof "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" which hits theaters this weekend. All I can say is, Reilly is a genuine talent. Seriously, Dewey Cox Rox!!

If you don't believe me, check out the clips from the concert that are all over YouTube already. I mean, the movie may be a send up of "Walk the Line" and "Ray" but the music is no joke. Reilly co-wrote most of the songs and sings/plays guitar on all of them, and some are so catchy you'll need therapy to get them out of your head.

He also stayed in character throughout the nearly 90-minute show. The story behind the concert tour is that it's basically a promotion for the movie. While he's on stage, Reilly-as-Dewey explains that he's been transported to the present day via a 'wormhole' (his words) in a younger incarnation of himself to perform all his classics from his several decades as a music icon who inspired people like Muddy Waters and had his music ripped off by the likes of Robert Dylan (again, his words).

One of the highlights from the show was "Let's Duet" which Reilly, er, Dewey, sang with co-star Kristin Wiig from "Saturday Night Live" filling in for Jenna Fischer (Kristin is also Dewey's first wife in the movie). Wiig has a nice voice but she seemed a bit nervous at first singing in front of an audience, which is weird considering she works on Saturday Night LIVE. But she seemed to get over it quickly and did a great job on the song, which is hysterical.

But nothing, I mean nothing, in the show topped "Let Me Hold You (Little Man)." If you haven't seen the movie, well, then some of Dewey's songs won't be quite as entertaining because you can't picture the scenes they're in. But 'Little Man' is a scream whether you've seen the picture or not. The crowd was in tears from laughing at this absolutely dead-perfect parody of one of those take-myself-so-serious-it-hurts acoustic songs that were all the rage in the early 70s. Only Reilly's song has some of the most politically-incorrect lyrics you will ever hear.

Dewey tossed numerous guitar picks into the crowd during the show and even gave one lucky woman who was into 'memorabilia' a gift she'll never forget.

Among the Cox 'classics' the set list also included a few sweet covers: "Rehab" from Amy Winehouse, "Shattered" from The Rolling Stones and the most inspired choice, "Sabotage" from The Beastie Boys.

If Sony was smart, they'd have the 'Cox Across America' tour go worldwide. Once word spreads about Reilly's on stage prowess, the crowds will be lining up to score tickets to see Cox Rox. Any doubters should have been at The Knitting Factory last night, where the line of folks hoping to get into the club stretched down the block.

Check out video from Dewey's other concert stops.

And here's the link to Jeffrey & Alison's review of "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story"

With Christmas Day falling on a Tuesday, this weekend is turning out to be the biggest of the year for Hollywood. Nearly 10 films open between now and Christmas Day.

On this week's show, Jeffrey & Alison share their thoughts on Tim Burton's blood-splattering songfest "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (pity the poor theater workers who have to squeeze all those letters on a marquee), Nicolas Cage digging through history in "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," "Charlie Wilson's War" with Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jack Nicholson & Morgan Freeman in a movie together for the first time in "The Bucket List," "P.S. I Love You" starring Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler, and John C. Reilly singing for his supper in the music biopic spoof "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story."

What's with all the long titles this week? And this year, for that matter?

Anyway, Reilly gets Top Billing on this week's show as well. He talks to Alison about finally shedding the 'character actor' label he's had for about 10 years now and shows in 'Walk Hard' that he's not only absolutely hysterical but a great singer as well. Wait 'til you see the interview. You can tell Reilly had a lot of fun playing Dewey Cox as well as writing and performing the songs.

We also turn our 'Spotlight On' one of the most successful producers Hollywood's ever seen, Jerry Bruckheimer. He dropped by recently to talk to Jeffrey and explained some of the secrets to his incredible success - Namely, hard work, calm demeanor and treating people the right way.

Oh, and Alison also recommends a good holiday DVD that's not your usual Christmas pic. So tune in to REEL TALK this weekend so you know what to decide on this holiday week at the multiplex.

In case you haven't heard, comedy ain't easy folks. Anyone who has had to endure open mic night at a comedy club knows that. John C. Reilly, soon to explode as a full-blown comedy star once people check out the outrageous "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story," dropped by recently for an interview that airs on this weekend's RT and told Alison Bailes about all the great rock stars and music industry stories they were sending up in the film, which spoofs all the usual things you see in biopics about musicians.

Watch REEL TALK this weekend to see more of our interview with John C. Reilly and to see Alison & Jeffrey's review of "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story."

See a clip from the interview after the jump.

By now many of you have heard the news that Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien will be returning to their respective late night shows on January 2nd (after two months of repeats due to the WGA strike). They will be returning without their writing staff, however. There are also indications that David Letterman's production company "Worldwide Pants" -- I never understood that name -- is negotiating a special waiver deal with the WGA to return to the airwaves with their writers on board. Letterman's company also produces Craig Ferguson's late show which follows him.

I hope so. I'm out of jokes. Some of the writers on the picket lines aren't happy, but Leno, O'Brien, Letterman and also Jimmy Kimmel, have done their part during the strike, paying the salaries of their staff for several weeks out of their own pocket.

It will be interesting to see which big name stars, if any, will cross a picket line. Carson Daly's late-night show returned two weeks ago, and one of the segment producers on that show told me he'd been ordered to do so. Life went on.

In other high profile strikes, well-known federal mediators or prominent politicians and lawyers were called in to break the logjam. That's what's needed here. Back in the ‘60s, there was an 86-day New York newspaper strike, which affected my family; my father, Leonard Lyons, wrote for the New York post and was syndicated nationally. Theodore Kheel was the well-known and universally respected labor lawyer who mediated it, leading to a settlement. He was also the go-to guy in the disastrous New York City transit workers' strike during the Lindsay administration. Along with Mike Quill, the combative union head of the time, the city officials eventually reached a settlement.

Bottom line: this dispute needs binding arbitration, or someone everyone trusts and respects.

It took 25 years but now you can see the Blade Runner Ridley Scott wanted you to see.

"Blade Runner: The Complete Collector's Edition HD DVD" is a 5-disc set that comes with all the usual extras you expect in a DVD release these days - commentaries, old trailers (which are very cool since they show the big change from 1982 to now) and featurettes - but when you're talking about one of the most revered films of all time, there was no way Warner Bros. was going to get away with putting out a lame product.

They hit it out of the park with this one.

First let's discuss the Big Extra: "Dangerous Days," a three-and-a-half-hour documentary that analyzes the BR phenomenon, its legacy as a groundbreaking sci-fi film and the controversy surrounding its production and failed theatrical release. All the principals involved in making the movie participate, INCLUDING Harrison Ford, whose lingering frustration over BR is well known.

Among the things you will learn in this incredible piece (unless you're a REALLY BIG BR fan): The top of police hq comes from the Mothership in Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" ...Daryl Hannah actually bloodied Harrison Ford's nose during their big fight scene and that Rutger Hauer actually made the jump between buildings in the film's final scene.

I haven't even mentioned that in this five-disc set you get all five versions of the film that have been viewed since its theatrical debut: The Original Theatrical Release (which has never been released on home video). This is the version American movie fans saw first in June 1982, the one with the much-maligned voice over by Ford and the 'happy ever after' ending. For me, this is great news because this is the version I first saw when I was a scrappy little 11-year-old geek. This is the version I'll see first.

The next one I see will be the brand-new "Final Cut." Restored/Remastered with cleaner special effects, this also features lots of added footage and recut and reshot scenes. That includes redoing Zhora's death scene where the stunt double was painfully obvious. Wait 'til you see the redone scene (and how they re-did the scene. Joanna Cassidy still looks amazing after all this time).

**Shameless self-promotion moment. **

Sir Ridley told me when I interviewed him in July at the San Diego Comic Con this was the version he wished he could have released back in '82 but he didn't have the money or clout to pull it off. And he says this is it. He's done revisiting this movie.

The other versions included are the 1982 International Version which was the version used for US video, laser disc and dvd releases up to 1992. The big difference is that the action scenes are longer in many spots compared to the Theatrical Release.

The '92 Directors Cut is the version many younger BR fans are familiar with since it is the version that's been available on DVD up 'til now. No voice over, no 'happy ending' but it did introduce the now-infamous 'Unicorn' sequence which hints at Deckard being a Replicant. Before this version, the 'unicorn' scene was largely considered an urban legend.

Finally, the near-mythical Workprint Version has probably been seen by fewer people than any of the other BR versions. Considered the version most different from the Theatrical Release, this one has a different opening scene, no 'happy ending', different dialogue in the scene between Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) and his 'dad', Tyrell (Joe Turkell), different music, and almost no narration by Ford until the very end.

Got all that?

And it's all on HD. So I hope Santa leaves an HD DVD player under the tree for you.

Today, the hopes and prayers of Ringers and baby Orcs everywhere have been answered. Peter Jackson, the Oscar-winning mastermind behind the blockbuster "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, will return to the Shire to produce the Rings prequel "The Hobbit" based on J.R.R. Tolkien's novel.

The end to the acrimony between Jackson and New Line, which began as a dispute over profits from the Rings movies that Jackson claimed the studio owed him, had gotten nasty earlier in the year. Both sides had lobbed personal shots but it looks like common sense and profit potential finally led to a resolution.

News reports indicate MGM helped broker the peace, since MGM will split "The Hobbit" responsibilities with New Line.

"I'm very pleased that we've been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line," says Jackson about the reunion.

Read more about the Jackson, New Line and MGM partnership here .

Yowza! Now that's what I call a teaser poster. Warner Bros. just unveiled the first one-sheet for The Wachowski Brothers' big-screen adaptation of the ‘60s cartoon that introduced Japanese animation to many American kids, "Speed Racer."

I have no idea how the movie is turning out. All I know is that principal photography is done, it will be an almost entirely green-screen production, and it stars "Into the Wild" wunderkind Emile Hirsch as Speed, Christina Ricci as his girl Trixie and "Lost" good guy Matthew Fox as Racer X (who's secretly Speed's older brother Rex).

Oh, and those Wachowski fellows kind of know their way around groundbreaking stuff -- anyone remember a little trilogy called "The Matrix"? So count me as one of those guys who can't wait to see the Mach 5 running wild on screen - hopefully an IMAX one.

Oh, wait. Almost forgot. Here's the trailer:

Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer Go-oh!!

I'm always on the lookout for Film Noir releases -- great old black and white dramas from the forties and early fifties, largely forgotten today, but still worth watching.

One just out is "Contraband" from 1940. It's described as a comedy thriller set in England in the early days of World War II. It stars Conrad Veidt, who often played Germans, since that’s what he was. Veidt also played "Major Strasser," in his penultimate movie, "Casablanca," written by the Epstein twins (the grand father and grand uncle of world champion Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, a little pause for the cause.)

But to return to "Contraband." It also costars Valerie Hobson of "The Bride of Frankenstein.” Veidt, a Danish sea captain and she, his mysterious passenger kidnapped by Nazi spies operating in London's Soho district.

Freddie Young, a three-time Oscar winning cinematographer (“Lawrence of Arabia" "Dr. Zhivago," and "Ryan's Daughter" -- one of the first films I reviewed professionally in 1970) was behind the lenses. Leon Genn, a fine English stage and screen actor, costars in this 88 minute long movie, eight minutes longer than the theatrical version.

“Contraband” is an otherwise-forgotten Film Noir minor classic from Kino international, available on DVD. More Film Noir treats in coming days and weeks.

After two months of repeats due to the ongoing strike by the Writers Guild of America, NBC announced today that "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" will return with new episodes on Wednesday, January 2nd.

Not having fresh late-night shows has cost the major networks tons of money since they are highly profitable -- and since the presidential campaigns are heating up, audiences have no doubt missed out on heaps of fresh barbs aimed at the candidates.

It is important to point out that both Jay & Conan will return to the airwaves WITHOUT writers coming up with their monologues and skits.

Today's announcement didn't touch on how different the shows may be without the writing staffs, who continue to walk the picket line. Perhaps no monologue and no 'Jay Walking' segments or 'Headlines'? Or longer interviews? It's anybody's guess.

But this is pretty much exactly what happened the last time the WGA walked out. Back in 1988, Johnny Carson came back to work without his writers.

Word is David Letterman is about to announce his return with new episodes, too. His production company WorldWide Pants owns his show as well as Craig Ferguson's late-nighter, and the WGA has said it would be willing to cut individual deals with independent production houses.

In the interest of full disclosure, NBC Universal is REEL TALK's parent company.

The other day I mentioned that the first six minutes of the upcoming Batman sequel "The Dark Knight" was being shown before the IMAX version of "I Am Legend." The official trailer for TDK immediately followed. Well, you can now see the trailer here on Reel Talk.

"The Dark Knight" hits theaters July 18, 2008.

Here's an early look at an early 2008 release, "Untraceable."

The film has an interesting premise: An Internet killer with a twisted sense of demographic tracking is displaying his captives on a website. The more hits the site gets, the faster his victims die (what kind of ads do you sell for that kind of traffic?).

Diane Lane stars as an FBI agent who specializes in crime fighting in a Wi-Fi world. Billy Burke, Colin Hanks and Mary Beth Hurt co-star. "Untraceable" opens January 25, 2008.

The numbers on the right are the latest proof that Will Smith is undoubtedly the biggest star in the world right now. "I Am Legend" not only set a personal opening weekend record for the 39-year-old superstar, but it also set a December box-office mark (beating "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King").

Considering he's on screen alone for most of the movie (along with his loyal German Shepherd), it is a testament to his drawing power and his immense likability that 'Legend' opened as big as it did. I mean, really, who doesn't like Will Smith? Nobody, that's who. Which is why even a movie that's a third attempt to translate a 1954 novel can become a monster hit.

While 'Legend's' incredible debut receipts are getting most of the attention, did you see the business "Alvin and the Chipmunks" did? I knew Alvin, Simon & Theodore had their fans ...but a $45 million debut weekend? Further proof that if you come out with a semi-decent kid-friendly movie ('Alvin' had decent reviews for the most part), you will pack the multiplex parking lot full of minivans loaded with young audience members.

The weekend's only other wide release "The Perfect Holiday" flopped with just $3.1M. All those brutal reviews had to have scared off audiences, despite the appealing cast. As for the two limited release films, "The Kite Runner" did well on 35 screens, collecting an average of $12,885. Francis Ford Coppola's "Youth Without Youth" didn't do as well, earning just $27,800 on six screens.

"The Golden Compass" has completely gone off-course. Audiences dropped off 65% in its second weekend, an alarming decline for a $200 million potential franchise launcher. The unfortunate navigational reference in the movie's title means you can expect even more directional puns as the New Line movie continues to disappoint. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Meanwhile, two critically lauded films keep on keeping on. "Atonement" earned $1.8M on just 117 screens as its seven Golden Globe nominations seemed to pay off. Same for "Juno" which earned $1.4M on just 40 screens ($36,000 per screen!!) as this year's 'Little Indie That Could' keeps building momentum on the award and box-office front.

This week's show has a novel mix of best-selling adaptations, royalty, Big Willie style, Christmas romance and high-pitched holiday singing.

Alison & Jeffrey share their thoughts on the week's new movies, including Will Smith's can't-miss sci-fi epic "