Before she was up to her Stilettos in mayhem & mischief on "Desperate Housewives," Eva Longoria Parker was causing trouble in Genoa City on the daytime soap "The Young & the Restless" (and before that, she popped up on my favorite soap "General Hospital" as a Brenda Barrett look-a-like).

The beautiful Mrs. Longoria Parker dropped by the RT studios to chat with Jeffrey (a "Desperate" fan himself) and told him about the crash course in acting she learned on daytime TV. Watch the interview snippet after the jump.

She stars in the comedy "Over Her Dead Body" which drops in theaters this weekend. Catch more of Jeffrey's interview with Eva this weekend on Reel Talk.

When I heard the news about Sean Young's embarrassing outburst at the Directors Guild of America awards dinner the other night, I was going to write something up and figured I'd take a few playful shots at her.

After all, you don't usually hear about actors heckling their peers at an awards dinner, which is what Young did to "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" director Julian Schnabel. I'm sure a lot of them have wanted to; some of the speeches at those events turn into marathons of monotony. But the traditions of the evening dictate you suck it up and endure all the 'thank you's' to the winner's support team, agent, family, manicurist, sponsor, etc.

Not sticking to tradition is what made Sean Young so interesting as an actress and an interview. She didn't follow protocol. This was the woman who tried to convince Warner Bros. to cast her as Catwoman in "Batman Returns" by putting on a homemade catsuit and walking onto the studio lot with it. She tried (and failed) to crash the Vanity Fair Oscar party a few years ago to try and schmooze her way back into the industry's good graces. That's moxie.

But this wasn't some resort town film festival awards dinner she was thrown out of. It was the DGA awards, for goodness sake! In a room full of people who typically have final say over who gets cast in their films, Sean Young, an actress who says she can't find work in Hollywood, gets thrown out for razzing one of the year's most heralded filmmakers.

Young's career has been dead for some time now. She may pop up every once in a while in a made-for-TV flick or an episode of "ER" but as she told Entertainment Weekly last year,"it's always another actress besides me. I mean, everybody always gets my part.'

And that's a shame, because before her career went down in flames, she was on fire in the 1980s. Look at her resume: "Stripes," "Dune," "No Way Out," "Wall Street" and of course, "Blade Runner." I had a chance to talk with her last year at the San Diego Comic Con when she joined her fellow BR cast mates to promote the new DVD release. She was gorgeous and charming, and even commented on how much she enjoyed being back in the spotlight.

This incident probably put two extra nails in her career coffin. She's gone into rehab for alcohol abuse on the heels of her getting tossed from the DGA dinner. I hope she comes out a happier, healthier person. And I hope someone gives her a second chance to revive what was once such a promising career.

[All photos courtesy of TCM and Getty Images.]

While there wasn't a festival-defining film discovered at this year's Sundance Film Festival like "Little Miss Sunshine" or "Once," the overall quality of the movies unspooled this year was way above average. And "Hamlet 2" starring Steve Coogan did sell for $10 million to Focus Features, so anyone who said studios didn't find much to like at Sundance this year weren't paying attention.

"The Wackness," "The Merry Gentleman," "Blind Date," "The Great Buck Howard," "Bottle Shock," these are all films you're going to see in your local multiplex in the near future. And I haven't even mentioned documentaries like "Made in America," and "Sugar," Sundance '08 may not have been buzz-worthy, but it was film-worthy.

Now take a break from the work your boss is paying you for and check out the great interviews we snagged in Park City. From Jack Black to Alan Rickman to Bono(!), it was a whole lotta busy fun. Can't wait for next year!

According to Variety, Paramount and Matt Reeves are in talks to create a sequel to 'Cloverfield.'

This news is pretty interesting, seeing that 'Cloverfied' took a HUGE 68% drop in box office revenue in its second week. Again, this is interesting news, but expected. If you stayed for the closing credits, you definitely heard the "Help Us" whisper.

With the fun viral campaign this movie had prior to the premiere, you're bound to know that "Help Us" means more. Take the phrase and play it backwards and you you'll hear "It's Still Alive." Pretty eerie, but it hints at a sequel. Don't believe me, listen here:

Looks like the Hannah Montana juggernaut is about to blow the roof of multiplexes nationwide. The "Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds Concert" 3D movie is selling out showtimes at a record pace. Fandango.com and movietickets.com report the film accounted for 90 percent of their total sales Wednesday!!

The movie debuts Thursday at midnight on less than a thousand theaters, all equipped to show Digital 3D. Obviously, parents of the movie's target audience -- tween girls -- are bending their curfew rules so their kids can go see it. Not like they really have a choice. Late-night and early morning screenings may be the only chance you have to see it if you haven't bought tickets yet. Most weekend showings are already sold out.

The film was shot during Cyrus' sold-out 2007 concert tour, which caused a ticket-scalping frenzy that rivaled Springsteen & U2.

Disney says the film is only in theaters for a week, but with sales this strong, how can they NOT extend the theatrical run??

Check out Jeffrey & Alison's review of the "Hannah Montana 3D Concert Movie" this weekend on RT.

Fox recently acquired the worldwide rights to distribute the dark comedy “CHOKE,” adapted for the screen by Clark Gregg. The screenplay is based off Chuck Palahniuk’s follow-up novel to “Fight Club.”

The movie, recently premiered at Sundance, stars Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston, Brad William Henke and Kelly Macdonald.

According to the press rep, Fox will anticipate an August 1st release date with a limited platform distribution.

We caught up with the always-busy Maria Bello while at the Sundance Film Festival, where she was promoting not one, not two but THREE indie films (all intense movies about serious subject matters), "Nothing Is Private," "Downloading Nancy" and "The Yellow Handkerchief."

I don't know where she finds the time to read her scripts, let alone fit all the productions into her schedule. Alison caught up with her at the premiere of the last film and asked her about her love of all things indie. Watch it after the jump.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, we’d like to feature a few short films that deal with the subject amore.

Our first film is titled “Film Lovers,” by director Anthony Rose. It’s cleverly made and quite enjoyable.

Sit back, enjoy and check back often to see more of our picks! You can find more romantic shorts on AtomFilms.com.

[Clip Courtesy of AtomFilms.com]

If you were gone this weekend, not to worry! We've developed a set of links sure to fill you with all the entertainment sound bites you need to know. Check back every Tuesday for our new series: "REEL TALK's Mix Tape Tuesdays!"

- A little while ago, we wrote about casting notes on the new “G.I. Joe” movie. Now, Movieblog.UGO reports extra casting details.

- Habbo Entertainment is partnering with Paramount to start a series of virtual movie licenses. Guess it’s time to get my Second Life account reactivated.

- Political candidates as entertainment techies? Well, if Mitt Romney can tech out, then it’s time for my Grandmother to embrace technology. Go Grannie, Go Grannie!

- New on DVD:

"The King of Kong," the documentary about compulsive gamers.

- And you thought his TV reign stopped with “Cleopatra 2525.” Sam Raimi is returning to the telly to produce “Wizard’s First Rule” – based off of Terry Goodkind’s book series

- Cool graphic novels for kids.

- What's M. Night Shyamalan up to today? After “The Lady In The Water,” it seemed as if the director took a long hiatus. Brownie points if you leave up-to-the-minute details in the comments section.

- Check out Buzzsugar’s lexicon of books to read if you’re not watching television (or haven’t paid your cable bill).

- Veteran actor Christopher Allport passed away this weekend during an avalanche at California’s Mountain High Ski resort. He was 60-years-old.

[Photos courtesy of Getty Images and Apple Inc.]

With Valentine's Day in a few weeks, I’ve listed a few romantic movies for guys who want to impress their date.

"Two For The Road"
Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn in a marriage, which has become strained, looking back on happier times, as they drive through the gorgeous French countryside.

"When Harry Met Sally"
The "I'll have what she's having" scene is worth watching just for itself!

"Casablanca"
Co-written by the grandfather and uncle of Theo Epstein, general manager of the World Champion Boston Red Sox.

"The St. Valentine's Day Massacre"
Ha! Just want to see if you're paying attention. Not romantic, of course, but Jason Robards makes a superb Al Capone.

This weekend, the satirical spoof "Meet The Spartans" opened in second place while Stallone's return to to his OTHER famous character, suitably titled "Rambo," was a close second.

With Oscar nominations fresh on movie-lovers lips, these box office box office receipts are surprise. As we all know, four out of five nominations for best picture were dramas. And one would think that pictures like "Untraceable" or "The Air I Breathe" would smother the box office on their opening weekend. This is prime proof that everyone needs a good laugh once and a while -- especially during times like today.

Watch a clip from "Meet The Spartans" after the jump.

What's your opinion on this? Did "Meet The Spartans" do well due to the national moral or is this movie simply a well-made picture?

Sound off on our forum!

The newest concert film "U2 3D" by the superstar Irish rock band is an incredible experience.

Shot in state-of-the-art 3D with multiple cameras during the band's 2006 South American tour, it looks like nothing else you've ever seen, though you'll have to take my word for it. Since it was filmed in 3d, we can only show you scenes from the movie in 2D -- check them out here.

Comprised of 14 U2 hits, including "Sunday, Bloody Sunday,” “With or Without You" and "Vertigo,” and none of the usual extraneous interviews or onstage babble you find in concert films, (like the band's 1988 release "Rattle & Hum"), "U2 3D" is the most exhilarating concert I’ve never attended. The depth and clarity of the picture is amazing. I felt as if I was on stage alongside Bono. The set list is superb, crossing smoothly between old and new, high energy and more thoughtful songs.

"U2 3D" opened January 23 In limited release nationwide on IMAX & DLP theaters and well worth seeking out.
You should also check out the band and the filmmakers discuss the making of "U2 3D" and the incredible technology used in the process.

Mrs. Longoria-Parker is coming to the REEL TALK studios, so if you have a question you would like us to ask the star of the upcoming "Over Her Dead Body," send 'em in!

You know the drill, submit your questions in the comment section of this post and if chosen, we’ll post the results.

Hurry, this contest ends Tuesday, January 29 at 11:59 PM.

Good luck!

Diane Lane and Josh Brolin are one of those ridiculously attractive and successful Hollywood couples that you want to hate just out of pure envy -- but you can't because they're not only great actors who make great films, they're also extremely nice people.

So when Diane came in this morning for an interview with Jeffrey to promote "Untraceable" (opens this weekend) the topic of Josh being overlooked by Academy voters for "No Country for Old Men" and "American Gangster" came up. Listen to what she told Jeffrey:

Watch more of Jeffrey's interview with Diane Lane this weekend on REEL TALK.

Ready to learn what the 22nd James Bond adventure will be called. Are you ready?

"QUANTUM OF SOLACE".

Umm... What in the name of Dr. Holly Goodhead does that mean? OK, the title stinks. It's not slick, menacing, gritty, catchy or memorable like previous Bond titles. Who cares?

The name was revealed today outside London's legendary Pinewood Studios. One of the film's producers Michael G. Wilson, said the title comes from a story by Bond creator Ian Fleming found in his collection "For Your Eyes Only."
Wilson said the title refers to what's happening to 007 in the film, which picks up shortly after 2006's "Casino Royale."

If you've decided not to go see a new Bond movie because of a bad title, then you're nuts. As long as Daniel Craig is back as 007, Judi Dench as M (and they're both are), that's all that should matter. And Marc Forster ("The Kite Runner" and "Monster's Ball") is directing. 'Nuff said.

Don't forget Mathieu Amalric from "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" is the bad guy. Great casting! He was awesome as the shady informant in Spielberg's "Munich."

"Bond 22" .. er, "Quantom of Solace" opens Nov. 7th.

As a guy who saw "First Blood" in the theater as an 11 year old, and who actually owns the Rambo DVD collection, the release of the 4th film in the series had me excited and anxious at the same time.

I love the John Rambo character. I didn't want him to become a joke, and let's be honest, Sylvester Stallone's over 60. I didn't think he could pull it off.

But just like he did with "Rocky Balboa" Stallone surprises us again.

I just got out of a screening of "Rambo" tonight -- and it rocked!!

Stallone does a great job bringing John Rambo back down to Earth. He's no longer the unstoppable super-soldier he was in 2nd & 3rd Rambo films. Don't get me wrong, he amasses a higher body count in this movie than he did in the first 3 Rambo pics combined. But like Stallone in real life, Rambo's older, worn down, tired. And so was I, once this lightning-quick 90 minute finished. The action scenes are absolutely insane.

Be warned, though. "Rambo" is a bloodbath. Heads blown off, bodies exploding... I can't believe this didn't get an NC-17. Stallone (who directed the pic) really went all-out to show the violence that's really happening in Burma.

This film wasn't going to be screened in advance for critics. I'm glad someone at Lionsgate came to their senses because it's GOOD. Jeffrey & Alison review the movie on this weekend's RT, so tune in to hear what they think.

"Rambo" opens this Friday at theater everywhere.

People seemed to be shocked that Tommy Lee Jones was nominated for best actor for “In The Valley Of Elah” because no one saw the film. Everyone expected him land a nomination for his role in “No Country For Old Men.”

I actually preferred his performance in the former….a very strong film that didn’t connect with audiences. Perhaps its subject matter of American servicemen committing crimes was too close to home. The story was literally ripped from the headlines.

Tommy Lee Jones has played similar roles before, specifically in his own “The Three Burials Of Melquiades Estrada.” No one can do gruff, Western sheriff better than he. In “No Country For Old Men” he was the voice of experience -- and of cynicism. He provided some of the humor in that film. But in “Elah,” I was struck by the sadness he managed to convey in his face. The scene on the phone with his wife, (played by Susan Sarandon, in a tiny, but Oscar worthy role!) Is superb. As he tries to hold in his grief and comfort his wife, his years of blind patriotism are called into question. By the end of the film, he has gone from proud military man, to a father who has lost his trust in this country. It’s a quiet, but powerful performance.

Actor Heath Ledger, of "Brokeback Mountain," "10 Things I Hate About You," "A Knight's Tale" and the soon to be released "The Dark Knight," was found dead in his lower Manhattan apartment.

UPDATE: 1/23
According to the NY Times, Ledger said in a interview last November that portraying the Joker, a character whom he called a "psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy," caused him to have trouble sleeping.

"Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night," Ledger said during the fall interview. "I couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going."

He noted that he had been taking Ambien, a prescription only sleep aid, yet his recommended dosage of two pills would only last an hour.

Principal photography on “The Dark Knight” finished in the fall and the film is still set to premiere July 18th. However, it has been rumored that Warner Bros. will change the marketing scheme for "The Dark Knight." Switching the focus from the "Why So Serious" tag line with various "ghoulish" pictures of the Joker, to a second phase campaign with focus on other characters within the movie.

Ledger Coverage:

WNBC - New York | NY Times | LA Times| Variety | 2002 Interview

Having worked covering independent film for several years before my current gig with “REEL TALK,” I was thrilled to see so many indie made and indie-spirited films receive Oscar nominations this morning. To me it’s a sign that Hollywood is ready to embrace alternative fare and films that take more risks than your average studio produced movie.

Of course, “Juno” is the talk of the town, with its nods for actress, screenplay and picture, which I think stunned everyone. It seems like a shoe-in for best original screenplay, although I don’t think it can compete with more ‘serious’ films such as “There Will Be Blood” (my pick!) and the costumed glory of “Atonement.”

“The Savages” has also connected with Academy voters. A small, very dark comedy, it was nominated for original screenplay by Tamara Jenkins and best actress, Laura Linney -- always a friend to the indies.

And then there’s Tilda Swinton in “Michael Clayton.” Although the film isn’t a small indie project, Swinton is an actress whose love of off-beat projects keeps her energized. from “Orlando” to “Stephanie Daley,” she is always challenging her audiences. She also does not fit in to the current ideals of beauty that Hollywood espouses -- nor does she pander to its vanities, and she is all the more beautiful for it. This week she was out at Sundance promoting a documentary she produced, wrote and narrates about British film pioneer Derek Jarman.

I’m rooting for her to win best supporting actress for her portrayal as a merciless corporate attorney in “Michael Clayton.”

It remains to be seen if there will be an Oscar ceremony at all this year, due to the ongoing writers strike, though director Gil Cates says he has a "Plan B." Translation: a version not many people will watch if no stars turn up.

Now, I have no quarrel with the deserving nominees, but did anyone at the academy see "The Kite Runner?" The five nominations for best foreign films haven't been screened here, though I am seeing "The Counterfeiters" soon. I’ve never heard of the others yet, but we'll get to them when they open.

Other notable snubs were Philip Bosco as the Alzheimer's stricken father in "The Savages, Amy Adams for "Enchanted, " Angelina Jolie for "A Mighty Heart” (one of the best performances I've ever seen), Christian Bale for "Rescue Dawn" or "3:10 To Yuma," Russell Crowe for "American Gangster," and Frank Langella as a lesser-known literary type in "Starting Out In The Evening."

Matthew Amalarc for "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" was also overlooked, as was Tom Hanks for "Charlie Wilson's War."

Those who made the following movies, however, weren't disappointed and probably didn't tune in: "Reno 911 Miami," “Daddy Day Camp," "The Bratz Movie," "Smokin' Aces" and any other dud you care to add.

So now the tension begins. Not so much about the awards, but if they will manage to solve the writers strike in time. If not, who will present the Oscars to an empty auditorium?

See a full list of 2008's Oscar nominees.

(12:25 pm Sunday) – As I type this on my used & abused iBook, we’re en route back to NYC. We’re some where between The Great Lakes and LaGuardia Airport (Had a layover in Minneapolis, where it’s a balmy 13 degrees – BELOW ZERO!!).

Our whirlwind trip to cover the opening weekend of the Sundance Film Festival turned out even more productive than we hoped it would be. Alison cranked out a dozen interviews with quite the eclectic group of actors – Sir Ben Kingsley, Maria Bello, Jack Black, Stanley Tucci, etc. Our photographer Adam managed to talk with Bono from U2 and also shot a ton of video for stories that hopefully will give our viewers a taste of what Sundance is all about -- from the great films to the celebrity factor, the gifting suite mania and the ‘Going Green’ push that’s the big fad of this year’s fest.

Covering the Sundance is key to fulfilling REEL TALK’s mission to bring all things cinema to the movie fans who watch us each week -- and hopefully log on to our site daily. :)

We’ll have a bunch of our interviews and stories here on REELTALktv.com in the next few days, keep checking back.

Time to nap.

When it comes to celebrity sightings, few places can beat the Sundance Film Festival in terms of raw numbers. We spotted so many famous faces on Main Street, like William Hurt walking past the nightclub Harry O’s . Danny Glover meanwhile couldn’t take two steps without shaking hands and taking pictures with fans.

Bill Pullman, Michael Keaton, Esai Morales, Armand Assante, singer John Legend and some girl from “High School Musical” (not Tisdale or Hudgens) all made the gift suite rounds at The Dance. And who do we run into at the Greenhouse suite but E!’s tree-lovin' movie critic (and Reel Talk guest host) Ben Lyons.

We also crossed paths with the charming (and sexy) Tilda Swinton on Main Street, directly across from where PETA activists where trying to shame Mary Kate Olsen for apparently wearing fur around town.

Alison interviewed Swinton earlier for the movie “Derek,” which she wrote and stars in. I asked if she was anxious for Tuesday to arrive and she had a blank expression for a second until she remembered it’s the day Oscar Nominations are announced! (trust me, she wasn’t faking. She honestly didn’t remember)

She told us if she’s nominated for “Michael Clayton” (we think she will) she won’t be disappointed if the Writers Strike derails the Oscar event. Why? Because she’s scared to death about doing the whole dog-n-pony red carpet thing! She has no desire to go through the fashion hassle. How refreshing is that?

Caught the premiere of "The Wackness" at the Racquet Club the other night. It stars Sir Ben Kingsley, who shows he has quite the comedy chops. Didn't love his Now York accent, but thought his take on a pot-smoking therapist was a hoot.

He had nice chemistry with co-star Josh Peck and even made a make-out session with Mary-Kate Olsen not seem so icky!

We'll put up my interviews with Sir Ben Kingsley & Josh Peck once we return from Park City. Check back often for details!

The world's biggest rock band U2, confirmed those rumors we told you about the other day about dropping in on Park City to promote their new concert film. But as usual, the boys from Dublin were a few steps ahead of everyone. Ahh, everyone except team REEL TALK!

Saturday, word spread around town they would be appearing at the Bon Appetit Supper Club on Main Street sometime after 5 pm. The crowd outside the venue grew so large the sidewalks and the street in front were impossible to pass.

We had already spent all day shooting various story elements and I had to drive Alison back to our condo because of certain personal concerns…No details but trust me, traveling with a lactating mom can be tricky. But I digress.

As we left, our hustling photographer Adam Siegel rolled the dice and went around back to see if the band would try to skip the media circus out front and sneak in through the back. Total shot in the dark, right?

His frigid 2-hour stakeout would pay off, because who else but Bono, the Edge and Larry Mullen Jr. came out of a few chauffeured SUVs just after 6p, right in front of the only TV photog waiting in the right place, at the right time!

Adam not only got U2's arrival, he scored a (very) brief interview with Bono about "U2 3D," the new film that promises to redefine concert movies. It was premiering late Saturday night and was hands down, the festival's toughest ticket.

This being our last night here, scoring the biggest 'get' of the festival up 'til now was a great way to wrap things up. Kudos to Adam for pulling it off.

Because with the ginormous media contingent that's overrun Park City, trust me when I say a 'Good Get' is hard to come by at Sundance.

I also managed to take in the premiere of Michael Keaton's first directing effort, "The Merry Gentleman." He stars as a suicidal hitman who can't quite do the deed and then starts a relationship with a young woman, played by Kelly Macdonald, who is the only witness to his last hit.

It's perfect Sundance fare -- an offbeat romance sprinkled with some darkly humorous moments. Keaton is a stylish director. He has great performances from the cast, plus the film had a lazy pace with good musical choices.

We'll post my full interview with Keaton in the upcoming days - stay tuned!

So what happens when journalists run out story ideas at Sundance? They interview each other.

Right after Alison finished interviewing director Stacy Peralta about his new documentary "Made in America" (about the gang-infested South Central LA area. We'll have that interview up on the site in the next few days), a couple of high school reporters from Iowa asked Senora Bailes for a few moments of her time. They proceeded to pick her brains about the movies she had seen so far -- and even had her do a shout-out for their high school basketball team.

Go Fireflies!!

Someone or something pulled the plug on Park City Friday night - or at least Sundance Central, AKA Main Street. With celebrities of varying importance filling the couches of every bar, restaurant and lounge you could find on the long, climbing boulevard, at around 10pm, everything just went dark.

No flickering beer signs, no pounding dance music shaking nearby buildings, no strobe lights -- nothing. I had just left the premiere party for "The Wackness" starring Sir Ben Kingsley, Nickelodeon teen star Josh Peck and Mary Kate Olsen (who was the tiniest thing, BTW) and hopped in a cab to return to our condo when everything went dark.

Having experienced the 2003 Blackout that crippled NYC (and much of the Northeast), I wondered how everyone would react. From what I could tell, most people who came pouring out of the clubs onto the street looked stunned by the sudden darkness.

Of course, they could have just been freezing their behinds off, since it is about 15 degrees here.

Anyway, power popped back on around 10:45 pm or so. An interesting end to a busy day.

The big rumor spreading through Park City is that U2 will be popping up and playing a few songs at Cisero's tomorrow night. Their concert film "U2 3D" premieres Saturday night so what better way to draw the crowds and create buzz? Seems to be working too. If you check Craigslist, someone's selling a pair of tickets to tomorrow night's premiere for $1500!!!

One sure way to get the inside scoop on a festival is to talk to the locals, and today I was treated to two very different attitudes about the annual influx of film folk to Park City.

This morning I decided to forgo the $200 blow dry from one fancy salon in favor of the $30 dollar local place. I spent a fun 40 minutes at Hair Solutions, feeling like I was hanging out with Jennifer Coolidge from “Legally Blonde.”

Megan, who did my hair wasn't too thrilled about the kerfuffle that is the Sundance Film Festival. It took her an hour to drive her usual 20-minute commute. She also seemed to think that local merchants weren't too thrilled. I thought all the out-of-towners would be buying up Sundance tokens like mad, but according to her, many shop owners shut their doors and leave town for the frenzied 10 days.

It was a different story when we went to Leger's Sandwich Shop. Mr. Leger was thrilled with his extra business and seemed genuinely interested in hearing where we were from and why we were in town. By the way, each of his sandwiches would have fed the cast of "Ben Hur" and cost less than our three-minute taxi ride last night.

Oh, and for the record, my hair looks fabulous.

This weekend might feel like a dedicated James Marsden weekend here on REEL TALK. Not only do we interview the actor during our ‘Spotlight On’ section but we also review his latest film, “27 Dresses.” You can view the extended length interview here.

Also reviewed this weekend is the cautionary tale "Teeth," (which is actually an urban legend of some sort), "Day Zero," "Cassandra’s Dream," "Mad Money" and "No Country For Old Men" which features Golden Globe winner Javier Bardem.

It's going to be a whirlwind of a weekend here on REEL TALK. Check the Where To Watch tab at the top of the page to find out where to watch.

When our friends back at our home base (30 Rock in NYC) heard we were going to Sundance, I think they pictured us hitting the slopes, partying with Kanye and Quentin, then collecting freebies at the swag suites, all on the company dime.

(Note to our bosses: NOT TRUE!!)

In fact, covering Sundance is a lot of work. We’re a three-person crew. A producer (that’s me), our editor-photographer Adam Siegel and our critic, the splendid Ms. Bailes. We’re running around Park City like mad gathering materials for several pieces on the festival for REEL TALK and for WNBC-TV in NY.

Thursday we shot the festival’s opening press conference, spent two hours shooting in and around Main Street, schlepping up and down snow and ice-covered streets with lots of bags. And in Utah’s high altitude, walking two blocks here feels like climbing the steps all the way to The Top of the Rock. Exhausting!

Then, we hopped in our rented SUV and hustled to shoot the lines outside the premiere of the festival’s kickoff movie “In Bruges.” (Schedules often conflict here, so we’re doing a lot of hit-and-run coverage.)

After returning to our condo for a brief break from our snow boots, Adam ran out to shoot b-roll of skiers and snowboarders on the nearby slopes. Then, Alison and I put together her script for the story that airs tonight (Friday) on WNBC’s 11p newscast (we’ll post it here as well for those who live outside NYC).

She laid down the track for the piece using her stick microphone, and Adam edited it together using Avid on our super-duper laptop. We did all of this in our sweat pants, t-shirts and socks. Sounds glamorous, doesn’t it?

We finished the night off by forcing ourselves to attend the premiere party for “In Bruges” where Colin Farrell became our first celebrity sighting.

See? It’s not all fun and games here in Park City.

A busy first day here in Park City. The big daytime event was the kickoff press conference with Sundance Film Festival founder Robert Redford, festival director Geoffrey Gilmore and the director of the opening night film “In Bruges” Martin McDonagh.

You can tell the throngs of industry folks are starting to arrive. By the time we left the presser at the Egyptian Theater, Main Street was three times more crowded than when we arrived. It’s amazing how many journalists are here in Park City! You can’t turn a corner without seeing somebody shooting a stand up for a Sundance story.

This evening we’re covering the festival’s first screenings, of “In Bruges” at the Eccles Center. Wish we could walk there – it’s not far. But it’s too darn cold (8 degrees!!) and we New Yorkers have a tough time with the higher altitude. So tonight, we drive!

Tomorrow, we interview actress Maria Bello, director Stacy Peralta about his new film “Made in America”
(about South Central LA) and we check out two movies that sound interesting, “The Wackness” and “The Merry Gentleman.”

We're live at the Egyptian Theater in Park City for Sundance's opening night press conference. Below are the key notes of the presentation, titled "Festival of Discovery of New Talent, New Stories and Convergence of Film, Art & Music."

We're posting live, so stay with us for the latest updates on the festival and conference.

He cites "Waitress" and "Once" as films that came out of nowhere last year and found audiences.

2:45 PM - Redford gives a lengthy but heartfelt explanation of his affection for documentaries. How in Sundance's early years, he didn't know if docs would survive but now they are thriving as documentary filmmakers have moved past just talking heads to making real 'films.' He mentions "Hoop Dreams" as a documentary that really paved the way for mainstream acceptance of docs.

2:37 PM - Redford says he always hears buzz before the fest about certain films but there are always surprises that pop up during Sundance.

2:29 PM - Martin McDonagh, first time film director, of opening night film "In Bruges" with Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes is on stage with Redford and Geoffrey Gilmore.

Redford cuts off Gilmore's long-winded introduction of McDonagh by saying "let him talk!" Which cracks up the media crowd.

2:22 PM - Gilmore, programming director of the festival, says the documentaries at this years event really epitomize the adventurous film making nature the festival loves to embrace.

2:07 PM - Festival founder Robert Redford walks on stage for opening press conference. Dozens of reporters, photographers have filled the Egyptian theater on Main Street for this event.

Redford says the festival is dealing with the changes it has gone through in recent years but says it hasn't lost its way. He also notes there are more new filmmakers this year than any year since the early years of Sundance.

I love old movies. Especially good ones, and even more specifically, little-known ones. Even if they're dated, they can be fun in a campy way.

Such a movie is the just-released-on-DVD "Junior G-Men of the Air." This movie stared Sidney Kingsly’s the Dead End Kids and the Little Tough Guys – a group of actors similar to the ‘80s Brat Pack. Kingsley created these characters for his play "Dead End" which later became a movie starring a young Humphry Bogart, Sylvia Sidney and Joel McCrea.

Billy Halop, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell and Bernard Punsly have the title role as they fight World War II on the home friend as only they could. Veteran Turhan Bey led the Axis agents in a secret group called "The Black Dragonfly."

If all of this sounds silly today, it may be. But back then, such movies were a great morale booster on the home front, especially in 1942, when the war was still going badly for the Allies. Younger audiences will see a different style of acting, and maybe now know who their parents and probably grandparents were talking about when "The Dead End Kids" enter the conversation.

Team Reel Talk has landed and arrived in Park City! Temperature is barely in double digits here but the atmosphere is heating up as the airport was packed with festival-bound folks. Tomorrow morning, we hit Main Street as we start our coverage of the Sundance Film Festival.

Alison and I will be blogging all weekend long about what we see, hear and do here in Park City the next four days.

So keep checking in...

Michael Avila
Reel Talk Producer-at-Large

Congrats to Rob G. and Jen! We sat James down after his interview and asked him your questions!

Rob's question is here and Jen's can be found after the jump. For everyone else, submit your questions when we have the 'Ask' contest up. It's a great way to show your fan appreciation!

Watch REEL TALK this weekend for the full-length in-studio interview (you can also watch the extended interview in our video section).

The film "The Kite Runner,” like the book it’s based on, takes place largely in Afghanistan in the early ‘70s before the Soviet invasion. News reports today revealed this movie has been banned by that country's government.

Not really surprising, given that the story has instances of child rape and abuse. This news is still disappointing because "The Kite Runner" is not only a great film but one that gives outsiders a window through which to see Afghanistan in a much different light than we're used to.

I left the theater after seeing the movie feeling as if I had a much better understanding of Afghan customs. Too bad the Afghanis won't be able to enjoy this great observation of their culture.

Last night REEL TALK covered the National Board of Review gala held at the posh New York establishment Cipriani. Due to the missed red carpet opportunity from this week’s Golden Globes, Hollywood’s A-list came out to play – and the paparazzi followed.

And that’s a good thing. High rollers such as George Clooney, Michael Douglass and Catherine Zeta-Jones were prepped and ready to deliver their comments on the absence of the award show and their thoughts on the WGA strike.

Watch more clips from the gala and hear their remarks.

Check out this great image from Paramount & Lucas film's eagerly-awaited "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," due out in May.

How great is it seeing Harrison Ford in that classic fedora, walking into an ancient temple covered in cobwebs? And the looks on Shia LaBeouf and Ray Winstone's faces are priceless!

I can't remember another big-budget production that's done as good a job at keeping things under wraps as 'Indy 4.' Everything surrounding this movie is old-school Hollywood, from the movie posters, to the non-CGI action scenes Spielberg is promising, to the pre-Internet veil of secrecy about the plot. May 22nd can't come quick enough for me.

Somehow “First Sunday” was second this weekend in box office receipts. How did that happen? No offense, I love diverse movies and Ice Cube and Tracy Morgan have carved out nice careers for themselves, but seriously? I thought it would come out at best top 10, not top five.

Nonetheless, this reminded me of how many movies I’ve seen in the past year that pretty much had the same plot line.

So in "honor" of this weekend's box office, I’ve briefly listed a few plot scenarios I would like to see less of:

1. Someone, or group suddenly inspired by ballet, stepping or some variation of dance ("How She Move,” “Step Up”).

2. Anything having to do with a barbershop, salon or spa (“Barbershop 2,” “The Salon”).

3. Anything having to do with race cars with the exception of “Cars” (“ 2 Fast 2 Furious”).

4. Lovers coming back from the dead to lead someone on an adventure.

5. Anything remotely close to “Soul Plane.”

6. Family reunions with stereotypical members (“Madea’s Family Reunion”) Although, “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” looks pretty good check out the trailer here).

7. Crazy reptiles (“Snakes on a Plane,” “Anaconda”).

8. ANYONE in a fat suit (“Norbit”).

9. Men dressed up as women and vice versa for a comedic effect (“Juwanna Man,” “She’s The Man”).

10. Anything with weak, boring superheroes (“Elektra,” “Daredevil”).

This list is purely a point of view. I’m just sick and tired of being sick and tired of the same story lines in the cinema. This is another reason why the writer’s strike should be cleared up ASAP. We need to rid the industry of bad scripts – let the fresh talent take over!

What do you think, are movies like "How She Move" refreshing or redundant? Sound off on our forums!

So the Golden Globes are history, and this year their impact at the box office will have even less of an effect. In recent years, the Golden Globes has become more important but as a prelude and a reminder to Oscar nominators about fine performances. The preferences of Italian or German interviewers -- most of whom aren't critics -- as to which is the best film or performance often don't jive with American critics' or movie goer's tastes.

But in a normal year, the stars all show up, and you can see them in a much more casual setting...dining, drinking, relaxing, being closer to their real personae, than at the formal Oscars. It's like watching ballplayers relax around the cage during batting practice; you get a glimpse of what might follow.

This year, however, they assembled hosts of all the show business programs who simply read the nominees and winners. While I'm certain not many tuned in, maybe they were on to something. The Oscars are often unintentionally hilarious with clumsy dance numbers and inane banter (sorry writers) uttered by when-worlds-collide presenting couples, often of different generations.

This year's press conference (are those presenters really press?) was quick and to the point. Maybe that's the way the Oscars ought to be. We'd all get a lot more sleep.

Oh, and you can view our interview with the pictured winner, Marion Cotillard, here.

In an impromptu interview last week, a reporter from Collider gets some details on Singleton's latest project, the "A-Team" movie. According to the site, the budget and cast are still up in the air, yet there's distinct consideration for Woody Harrelson to play Murdock.

Good, Harrelson's 10-minute role in “No Country For Old Men” was too abrupt if you ask me. It left me wanting just a little more from him.

Singleton also mentioned this movie will resemble a humorous “Lethal Weapon.” Wait, so “Lethal Weapon 4” wasn’t supposed to be funny?

Good luck John, can't wait to see your final result. Read the entire article here.

The first special effects extravaganza of 2008 is Doug Liman's time-streaming "Jumper." Besides a cool premise -- a young guy with a genetic gift that lets him teleport anywhere he wants suddenly gets involved in a centuries-old war across the time stream. It also features a Texas Death, Steel Cage Jedi rematch between Darth Vader and Mace Windu.

Hayden Christensen is the Jumper, while Samuel L. Jackson is the bad guy on his tail. Adding to the film's Pop Culture cache is "The O.C." cutie Rachel Bilson as the love interest. Is it good? Who knows? But Sam L. as a villain is always cool (check out the white 'do!).

"Jumper" drops in February 14th. Check out the trailer after the jump.

It's January, so don't expect Oscar contenders to be released in theaters, with the exception of movies getting wider releases after NY/LA only, December debuts qualify for award consideration.

Jeffrey and Alison recap their earlier reviews of two of those films, "The Bucket List" and "The Orphanage" this week.

They also share their thoughts on the Ice Cube/Tracy Morgan church-robbing comedy "First Sunday," the limited release documentary "The Business of Being Born," by producer Ricki Lake, and also catch you up on the not-screened in advance Japanese thriller remake "One Missed Call."

And all you award-season junkies need to watch Alison's interview with Marion Cotillard, whose portrayal of iconic French singer Edith Piaf ('The Little Sparrow') in "La Vie En Rose" has had her collecting awards and acclaim the past few months.

Check the Where To Watch tab at the top of the page to find out where to watch REEL TALK this weekend!

After chasing down Russell Crowe in "3:10 To Yuma" (shame on you, awards voters for overlooking one of 2007's best films!) and stealing the show as one of the Dylans in "I'm Not There," Christian Bale is about to start hunting another A-lister - Johnny Depp.

The busy Bale is in negotiations to co-star in Michael Mann's Depression-set crime saga "Public Enemies" as the FBI agent who led the manhunt for John Dillinger. Depp is on board to play the infamous bank robber. Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro are exec producers on the movie, due to begin shooting in March in Chicago.

Once that deal is sealed, that means Bale will be committed to 3 big, BIG projects for 2009, all of them hero parts.

He's starring in "Killing Pablo" from director Joe Carnahan (about the hunting down and execution of cocaine kingpin Pablo Escobar). Bale is playing a U.S. Special Forces officer involved in the mission. Javier Bardem is playing Pablo, which is just genius casting.

Then there's "Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins" where Bale is playing hero of all humanity John Connor. The fourth Terminator flick is due to start production right after "Public Enemies."

Whew! That's some to-do list. And I haven't even mentioned "The Dark Knight" coming in July. If you're a writer working on another of those "Why Isn't Christian Bale A Superstar?" pieces, better get it published fast. Come next year, it'll be outdated.

One of the movies I'm looking forward to seeing in 2008 is "Leatherheads," with George Clooney and Renne Zellwegger, since very few films have been made about football in the 1920's, the Jim Thorpe-Red Grange era when it was still being played on a field with grids...hence the term 'gridiron.' Helmets were made of leather and no face guards were even thought of.

Steve Carell comes as Maxwell Smart in another movie based on a classic TV show, this one being an update of "Get Smart," the hilarious Mel Brooks-Buck Henry sitcom of the '60s that starred the late Don Adams. It's coming in June.

And besides the fourth "Indiana Jones" movie, "The Mummy, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" is coming as well. The latest in the popular series will again star Brendan Fraser and the enchanting Maria Bello as his possible love interest, along with martial arts star Jet Li.

Here are some headlines and movie related news blurbs to inspire you to trek out to the cinema this weekend or keep on your film radar. Our film radar is pink and cyan, has little yellow LCD lights and whistles whenever we’ve found something beneficial – and here are our findings.

- Opening This Week: "In the Name of the King" | "First Sunday" | "Veggie Tales"

- Guillermo del Toro makes a second pitch to direct the upcoming Harry Potter flick. If he gets the green light, this would be one AWESOME installment on the HP series.

- Imagine Salma Hayek with a beard.

- The Seymour Hoffman-Smith controversy – not really a controversy. Just a casting thought. But who doesn’t like a little controversy a little now and then?

- Do you think there will be a red carpet for NBC’s Golden Globes press conference?

- Hand jive with Iron Man.

- And the Critics Choice winners are…

- Production Photos:"Starship Troopers" | "Eagle Eye" | "Cloverfield"

- Video of the day, besides our fabulous reviews! : "Speechless"

- Soundtrack of the Week: "There Will Be Blood"

The beautiful Salma Hayek has just signed on to star in Paul Weitz's "Cirque du Freak." This role will be her first since the birth of her daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault.

Hayek will play Madame Truska, the bearded lady, along with "Dewey Cox" front man, John C. Reilly. Reilly plays a vampire who sparks a rift between his kind and the evil, villainous, Vampanese population.

Production on "Cirque du Freak,” begins early February.

According to Variety, WGA-West has called off their February 9th awards show-unless the strike situation clears up in the next four weeks.

Did anyone honestly think that WGA would air their awards show during this strike? If the Golden Globes, the second most popular show to the Academy Awards, could not televise their event, what makes us think that the WGA would air theirs?

The WGA-East award show's fate is still looming, it's all dependent upon the course of the strike. Someone, anyone, please mediate this! We miss our shows!

Well, guess I'm off to watch reruns again tonight. What about you? Should the strike endure another month, what DVDs or reruns are you planning to watch? For me, I've got a nice library of seasons 1-8 of 'The King of Queens' prepped and ready to go.

Anyone else concerned about the casting going on for the upcoming "G.I. Joe" movie? This week we learned Marlon Wayans has signed on to play team leader Ripcord. WHAA???!??!

Marlon Wayans?!?! The guy who has co-starred in "Norbit," "Little Man," "White Chicks" and the "Scary Movie" franchise? Why not add Jean Claude Van Damme to the team too? Or just lure Sgt. Slaughter out of retirement.

I was already worried about this project when I heard they cast a stunt man (Ray Park, AKA 'Darth Maul' from Star Wars: Episode One) as Snake Eyes.

But at least that role calls for a guy who doesn't say anything and wears a mask. So as long as the guy in the outfit can believably beat the crap out of Cobra guys, it's all good. And Park is a legitimately bad dude.

And please don't say, wait he was great in "Requiem For A Dream." Sure, he was. But that was eight years ago! What kind of serious work has he done since then? What about action movies?

I do like the news that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is also in talks to join the cast, and Sienna Miller as The Baroness is inspired casting. But any more questionable actor hirings will make 80s nostalgia-loving fanboys like myself remix the classic cartoon's catchphrase and say "NO, JOE!"

The Summer of 2007 will be remembered more for its staggering number of (mostly) underwhelming sequels (more than a dozen!) than for its record-setting box-office haul ($4 billion+).

The good news is, Hollywood appears poised to break that record next summer AND with fewer sequels. I'm a big fan of popcorn entertainment and Summer '08 will bring some HUGE movies that I can't wait to see.

Tops on the list: "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" on May 22nd. Yeah, the title's a clunker. Who cares? Harrison Ford's back with his fedora and whip, and so is Karen Allen! I'm there with bells on.

Another one high on my list is Summer's official kick-off picture, May 2nd's "Iron Man." Big fan of the comic but it wasn't until director Jon Favreau rocked Comic Con last July with a surprise preview that this made my must-see list. Robert Downey Jr. looks perfectly cast as the title player.

Two other well-known comic book heroes hit theaters this summer, including "The Incredible Hulk" starring Ed Norton on June 13. Go ahead and forget the Ang Lee directed “Hulk” from 2002. This reboot is expected to provide the Hulk-busting action fans want to see from ‘Ol Greenskin.

But its Christopher Nolan's Batman sequel "The Dark Knight" that has my fanboy fever rising. Heath Ledger looks to be a seriously twisted Joker, and Nolan just seems to have a solid grasp on what makes this franchise works. Oh, and Christian Bale is only the best Batman EVER.

Then there's "Wall-E" from Disney/Pixar. It's a story about a robot in the distant future. That's all I know and that's all I need to know. It's a Pixar production, which is as close to a good-movie guarantee as you can get.

On a totally different note, I can't wait for the curtain to rise on "Mamma Mia” either. Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan in a musical? Singing ABBA tunes??? Sign me up. Good to see movie musicals return to prominence, BTW.

October brings "Body of Lies" from director Ridley Scott. About a CIA investigation during the Iraq War. Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe star.

And since sometimes even I need a break from big-budgeted star vehicles, there is also "Blindness," a thriller starring Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo. My anticipation is based on the fact that it's directed by Fernando Meirelles, who made "City of God" -- one of the best films of the last 10 years.

Finally, I’m ready to jump on board “The Pineapple Express" in August. It’s an action-comedy starring Seth Rogen, James Franco (returning to the Apatow crew for the first time since ‘Freaks and Geeks’) and is written and produced by Judd Apatow and Rogen. 'Nuff said.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the "Blade Runner" DVD giveaway! Please, keep those comments coming!

And now, We'd like to announce the winners (after the jump) of the limited edition "Blade Runner" DVD set! Drum roll please.

Congrats to the winners and expect an e-mail from us soon!

To everyone else, thanks so much -- hope to see you all on our forums. Keep checking in, we plan give you all a lot more chances to win prizes and movie perks.

The announcement that the Golden Globes will be cancelled and only a press conference held isn't surprising, but at the same time it's shocking, if that's possible.

It will be a tremendous hit to NBC and anyone associated with the awards show, to say nothing of depriving actors from the wide exposure prior to Oscar nominations -- the real reason for the Globes in the first place. But, a picket line can't be crossed. Other awards shows like The Broadcast Critics' Award show had many big stars in attendance, probably aware that the Globes would not be held. They will also turn up for the Screen Actors' Guild awards, which also got a waiver from the striking writers' union.

On the horizon, of course, are the Oscars. I can't imagine there not being Oscars as we know them, but it's a definite possibility. No one benefits from this situation, and it will be interesting to see if the Oscars do get cancelled or truncated in some way and how the box office will be affected. That, after all, is the real reason for these awards shows.

Again, I'm calling for a federal mediator or someone mutually respected like former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, now a Harvard professor, to summon the parties to binding arbitration. Too many people not directly involved in the strike are being hurt.

This has gone on too long.

OK, I have to post about this. I just could not wait any longer. It’s on "Cloverfield." Seriously, what is it? A human infected with some “I Am Legend’ virus? Some type of green slug slithering around the NYC transit system sucking the innards out of horrified strap hangers awaiting their death in subway cars? (I actually think it’s a giant lion, check out the Tagrauto Lion icon on Slusho’s Myspace page…)

What is going on! OK, I know what’s going on. It’s one awesome ARG Campaign (similar to last year's NIN game). And Mr. Abrams, I bow at your feet in humble thanks for this. You’ve us given something besides that crazy Spears family and Brangelina (are they still called that?) to Google about and obsess over. Kudos. You’re my hero (no pun intended).

Curious? Just Google “Cloverfield,” Rob Hawkins (main character) and Slusho, you’ll come up with hours worth of exciting distraction.

Also, if you’re a Myspace user, and who isn’t these days, check out Rob's profile and Surprise Party. “Cloverfield,” err, I mean Rob’s friends, are hosting a going away party. I’m thinking it will be similar to the one you see in the trailers with a monster attack sprinkled in somewhere.

With the recent announcement of the non-televised Golden Globes, one can only wonder if the Oscars will air or suffer the same fate. But could this now 11-week strike actually affect the Academy Awards? Lets hope all details will be ironed out soon, some of us are preparing for the worse.

Similar to Monday night's Critics Choice Awards, will stars cross the picket line to receive their golden statues? But was it even acceptable for actors to attend Monday night’s Critics Choice Awards ceremony int he first place with the looming strike?

Cross or continue, we all hope a decision will be made soon. Besides, America’s favorite past time is obsessing over who wore what, who said what and who deserves the credit. And we can't do that if there is no show!

What do you think? Will ’08 be a year of press conference award shows or is an end near?

Looking ahead over the next six months, here are the films that I’m most looking forward to.

“My Blueberry Nights” by Wong Kar Wei. This is the Hong Kong filmmaker’s first attempt with a film set in America. But if his previous romances are anything to go by, “In The Mood For Love” and “2046,” this will be richly sensual and elliptical. With Norah Jones, Jude Law and Rachel Weitz -- I can’t wait.

“Funny Games,” German filmmaker Michael Haneke’s remake of his own 1997 twisted drama. With Naomi Watts, Michael Pitt and Tim Roth.

“Drillbit Taylor,” co-written by Seth Rogen, who also co-wrote last year’s “Superbad.” This one looks interesting. With Owen Wilson and Leslie Mann, it’s the story of three kids who hire Wilson to protect them from a bully. It’s PG-13, so it won’t be as raunchy as “Superbad, ” but these days, even PG-13 films can be quite graphic.

“Leatherheads,” directed by George Clooney, who also co-stars about a 1920’s football team. After “Good Night and Good Luck” and “Michael Clayton” I will happily see anything that Clooney has had a hand in. This one’s release date was bumped from last year, I believe, which isn’t a good sign, but I’ll give Clooney the benefit of the doubt.

“Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull,” despite the cumbersome title, how could anyone not be excited to see this??? Steven Spielberg directs and Harrison Ford returns as Indy. Older but still cruelly sexy I hope. An amazing supporting cast should ensure a great time: Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Shia Laboeuf and Jim Broadbent.

I’m a little bit embarrassed to admit how much I’m looking forward to seeing “Sex And The City: The Movie.” Having exhausted all the episodes on HBO on demand and even watching them sliced and diced in syndication, I’m still dying to see more of Carrie and the girls. I’m sure it will be a disappointment, but I’ll go willingly nevertheless. If the story sucks, the clothes are sure to be a hoot.

“Get Smart” with Steve Carell. He seems to have been born to play this role and as long as he’s given free range to improvise and bring his own humor to the script then I’m sure this will be a laugh. And it brings a good dose of nostalgia to anyone old enough to remember watching it on TV.

“The Love Guru” could be Mike Myers next big comic persona after Austin Powers, Shrek and Wayne Campbell. This comedy could be great. It could also fall totally flat. Ben Kingsley, Jessica Alba and Justin Timberlake also appear.

One of the movies I'm looking forward to this year is "Manolete," if it's EVER released.

It stars Oscar winner Adrien Brody as Manuel Rodriguez, the sad-eyed matador who was a national hero in Spain. Why Brody, a native New Yorker? See for yourself. Nothing short of amazing.

Even if, like most Americans, you can't understand the appeal of bullfighting, it is ingrained in the Spanish psyche. Since Penelope Cruz stars as Manolete's love interest, Lupe Sino, you can be certain the bullfighting sequences were filmed with CGI and no with real fighting bulls.

I say that with confidence because though a Spaniard, she's not a fan of "the bulls,” or "los toros" as that ancient spectacle is referred to in Spain, Mexico, and other Latin American countries. She told me so herself. Several times.

Like American icons who were killed before their time --James Dean, who died seven years later comes to mind -- Manolete's spectacular death on the horns of a bull named "Islero" made for great drama.

It threw the country into deep mourning and he was lauded as "The Knight of the Sorrowful Countenance." Born in abject poverty in 1917 in Cordoba, Spain, and soon after the Spanish Civil War, began to attract a following. Millions identified with him and his laconic style won him instant fans.

However, there was someone on the horizon: Luis Miguel Dominguin, portrayed by a young Spanish actor named Nacho Aldeguer. Dominguin knew he was on a world stage; Hemingway was a friend, he would eventually date Ava Gardner, one of the biggest movie stars of the day, and Picasso designed his "suit of lights," the bullfighter's traditional costume.

It was, say some, a frantic effort to out do Dominguin which led Manolete to take chances he might not have done that fateful day, August 28, 1947.

The release of “Manolete” has been postponed, however. It was supposed to have been a 2007 release and if you check IMDB.com and other sources, no official date has been announced.

Regardless, I look forward to this great-looking drama with an Oscar winner and one of the most alluring stars in movies.

This weekend on REEL TALK it's a 2007 bonanza with Jeffrey and Alison's top picks from 2007. We've got top breakout stars, top movie duds, top films of '07-- we're just a little top-heavy over here!

[Sneak peek of our top 10 films after the jump.]

Check your local listings to watch REEL TALK this weekend.

Spanning this week's list of the top 55 films currently in release, some wonderful ones are mired way down at the bottom and well worth seeking out.

"Starting Out In The Evening" has a fine performance by Frank Langella as a nearly-famous author on Manhattan's Upper West Side, the subject of a college thesis by a young, idealistic woman. So far it's only earned $465,000, and deserves a better financial fate.

The same is true with Ben Affleck’s "Gone Baby Gone." It’s about a kidnapped baby in Boston's blue-collar section. Despite great critical acclaim, it's only earned 20 million.

"Michael Clayton" may win George Clooney an Oscar for his title role as a "fixer" for a hotshot law firm. But it has yet to crack $40 million.

"Into The Wild," from Director Sean Penn, has only earned about $17 million, but it's one of the best films of the year; a sad, true story about a young man who left his comfortable middle class life in Atlanta to trek to Alaska in the early '90s.

These well-worth-it films are out there, waiting for you. So grab a friend or two and head out to the cinema this weekend.

There’s a documentary you should be mindful of and try to seek out. It’s called “Imaginary Witness,” how Hollywood dealt with the Holocaust.

Going all the way back to the early 1930’s, when studios were reluctant to offend Germany lest they lose the lucrative German film going market, Hollywood was slow to acknowledge the anti-Semitism rampant in Germany before the war. American movies never even used the word “Jew” or “Jewish” in their films on the subject, preferring, when they did deal with it, to use “Non-Aryan.” Only Warner Bros. made daring social commentary movies at that time.

Movies like “Heroes for Sale” and “The Black Legion” were early ground breakers of the genre. “The Mortal Storm” was another, with Jimmy Stewart, Margaret Sullivan, Robert Stack, Dan Dailey and Robert Young.

There is some irony in the casting of that movie, because in her diary, Anne Frank revealed that Robert Stack was one of her favorite movie stars and she had a photo of him on her wall in her hiding place in Amsterdam. I once asked Stack about that and he said he forever lived his life in awe of that fact.

The movie is an excellent visual treatise on the subject, with memorable observations from film historians, editors, screenwriters, actors and directors including Neal Gabler, my co-host on the PBS show “Sneak Previews” from 1982-85, who wrote the historical book “Empire of Their Own,” about the Eastern European Jews who founded Hollywood.

It wasn’t until Charlie Chaplain, able to finance his own movie and as the second most famous person in the world at that time, uncaring of what studios thought, changed things. His “The Great Dictator” in 1940 opened a logjam and Hollywood began more realistic portrayals, especially in some “B” movies like “Confessions of a Nazi Spy” and others, that slowly told the world what was happening.

“Imaginary Witness” is an invaluable record of how Hollywood has evolved over six decades in its depiction of the Holocaust, and how it might have helped save millions had it been more daring and unafraid in its early portrayals.

The date May 22 is circled on the calendars of millions of movie fans, because that's the day "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" unspools. Vanity Fair has a cover story exclusive on 2008's most anticipated movie, including extensive interviews with director Steven Spielberg, producer George Lucas and of course, Indy himself, Harrison Ford. New light is shed on the fourth film's plot, so if you're spoiler-wary, consider yourself warned.

We continue today with a look at some Film Noir classics in a new series of DVDs being released by Kino International. It's "Scarlet Street" the 1945 movie banned in three states when it was released.

Director Fritz Lang, best known for "M" and "Metropolis” directed this feature, probably his finest American film. Edward G. Robinson, then at the height of his fame, stars as a man who rescues a streetwalker, played by Joan Bennett, from the streets of Greenwich Village. A sordid tale of lust, larceny and revenge ensue.

Based on the novel by Georges de La Fouchardière, the DVD contains images of deleted scenes, including commentary from co-star Dan Duryea, the steady star of "B" movies and supporting roles in "A" films similar to “Scarlet Street.”

Screenwriter Dudley Nichols also wrote "Stagecoach," the 1939 movie which catapulted John Wayne from quickie westerns at Monogram and Republic Pictures to the world of "A" list stardom.

"Scarlet Street" is worth rediscovering in a pristine DVD print. Check out REELTALKtv.com daily for more Film Noir gems to come!

As we have all just eaten our way into the new year, I imagine that a fair few gym memberships will be purchased and new running gear pulled on in the next few days and weeks.

I myself will be recommitting to getting into shape, after having a baby in October. I hope to be getting more than four hours of sleep a night pretty soon, which will give me the renewed energy to attack the treadmill during the cold winter months. So below you'll find my list of films that should be watched when that badly needed motivation is lacking.

"Rocky"
If you don't belong to a gym, just head to your nearest butcher's meat locker and pound those cow carcasses. Then run triumphantly through your town to the highest point, arms raised above head. "Eye of the Tiger" is, of course, essential iPod listening.

"Perfect"
Just watching Jamie Lee Curtis in those hi-cut leotards is enough to make me drop down and pump out the push-ups. Leg warmers not needed, but cool headband a must.

"G.I. Jane"
I've always wanted to be ordered around and shouted at in boot camp -- especially if my unit leader was Viggo Mortensen.

"Pumping Iron"
An introduction to Arnold Schwarzenegger. His body was impressive, his regimen extreme, but it was his cutting remarks and passive aggressive manipulation that makes him the star of this documentary.

"Terminator 2"
If you are in prison or a mental institution, you can still get in shape! Just put your bed on end and do chin ups from the bar. Sarah Connor's not only the mother of the future savior of mankind -- she's got the biggest guns in town!