Behind universally positive reviews and the tremendous amount of consumer confidence Pixar has inspired over the past 13 years, "WALL-E" beat all comers with a $62.5 million opening weekend. That's the third-best Pixar debut (2004's "The Incredibles" was tops with $70.5M). The overwhelming commercial and critical response to the brilliant robot film -- check out Jeffrey & Alison's rave review here-- has Disney thinking about a Best Picture Oscar push for "WALL-E."

That's not even the biggest news from the multiplex, however. "Wanted," loosely based on Mark Millar and JG Jones' twisted graphic novel, had an eye-popping $51.1M opening, much higher than Universal Pictures (who like REEL TALK, is part of NBC Universal) expected. Looks like audiences were ready for a big, loud, violent action pic.

Angelina Jolie may be overexposed in the tabloids but her drawing power can't be questioned after this. "Wanted" is the biggest opening of her career. Apparently, audiences can also buy James McAvoy in something other than a period piece like "Atonement." The reaction on fansites like www.newsarama.com seems pretty positive, which indicates the film could have some staying power. "Wanted" may not be a "300"-level phenomenon but its further proof that the appetite for comic book/graphic novel adaptations is far from satiated, whether there are capes or not. Look for a slew of graphic novels based on gritty, non-super powered characters to get fast-tracked...as well as the inevitable "Wanted" sequel.

As for the rest of the Top 5, "Get Smart" did a solid $20M in its sophomore outing ($77.2M total), the kids smash despite competition from "WALL-E" took in another $11.7M ($179.3M total) for fourth place, and bringing up the rear, "The Incredible Hulk." With $9.2M additional dollars, the Marvel reboot stands at $115.5M.

A few standout efforts in the limited release department: "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl" earned a whopping $106,000 in its 2nd week of a NY-only engagement. That healthy $21,200 per-screen average bodes well for the family film's national roll-out this holiday weekend.

"The Last Mistress"-- which Jeffrey hated and Alison loved -- did a strong $35,200 on just 2 screens, while about blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, scored an impressive $28,500 in just 3 theaters. Both these films are expanding across the country over the summer, FYI.

Next week, Mr. Fourth of July, Will Smith, opens his latest blockbuster. "Hancock" promises to be sold out at most multiplexes, so buy your tickets early or make plans to see something else during the holiday weekend.

Time for some casting notes. Eva Mendes is likely to star with Nicholas Cage in a remake of "Bad Lieutenant" to be directed by Werner Herzog. The 1992 movie starred Harvey Keitel as a corrupt cop. Why remake an average movie?

I haven't heard any calls for a new version...Christine Lahti, who should've been a bigger star by now,(she's that talented) has joined the cast of "Obsessed" as a detective. It's a thriller starring Beyonce Knowles and "Heroes" star Ali Larter. Lahti recently had a small role in "Smart People." Jason Bateman, a recent guest on "REEL TALK" just signed a first-look deal with Fox TV to develop a series and produce and direct projects...Look for Comedy Central to air the two "Harold and Kumar" movies back to back in 2010....Director Bret Ratner has been developing the life story of Hugh Hefner called, of course,"Playboy." Word is Robert Downey Jr., currently red-hot in Hollywood after the startling success of "Iron Man" would play Hef...Paramount will film a fourth "Beverly Hills Cop" movie, again with Eddie Murphy as Detroit detective Axel Foley, with Ratner directing. He has "X-Men, The Last Stand" and "The Red Dragon" on his resume, and will also be directing "The Incredible Shrinking Man", "Carnaval 3D: The Magic & The Music","Mr. S: My Life with Frank Sinatra" (a possibility) and "New York, I Love You.' (So do I!)

See what Jeffrey and Alison thought about this weekend's movies. Click on the poster to watch their review!

On the show this week Jeffrey aired his beef with the AFI top ten lists.

Although I think it is almost impossible to pick “best ever” films…it’s also subjective…here are my choices, which do of course differ from Jeffrey’s.

1. Animation: I would have to go with “Toy Story”. I believe that each list has to change with the times…. “Snow White” is a beautiful film, but I’m not so sure kids would sit still through it these days. “Toy Story” combines the innocence of childhood, with the hipness of the nineties and the excitement of a modern action adventure.
2. Romantic comedy: here I agree with Jeffrey. “Annie Hall” is possibly my favorite film ever.
3. Western: not my Favorite genre. My pick is “High Noon” for its tight running time and insane amount of tension packed in.
4. Sports movie: I can’t believe “Breaking Away” made this list…and I’m a cycling fan!!! I would pick “Rocky” as it’s the template for every underdog sports movie to follow. And a labor of love for Stallone.
5. Mystery: I never understood the appeal of “Vertigo”. And “the Maltese Falcon” just seems needlessly complicated. I pick “North by Northwest” because Cary Grant was ever the innocent everyman caught up in circumstances out of his control.
6. Fantasy: who can argue with “The Wizard of Oz”?
7. Sci fi: I also have to agree with “2001: a Space Odyssey”. A masterpiece of foresight, mood and mystery.
8. Gangster: you can’t even discuss gangster films without reference to “The Godfather.” It is the paragon that all others are compared to.
9. Courtroom Drama: I’d have to go with “a Few Good Men.” The scenes with Jack Nicholson on the stand still give me chills.
10. Epic: although I love “Spartacus”…“Lawrence of Arabia” by David Lean defines epic. Sweeping, intimate, adventurous and tragic.

On this weekend's show, I took issue with some of the AFI’s choices for best films in ten genres. Here are some which time didn't permit us to include on air: Later, I’ve added some categories of my own, and since they're my categories, I get to put as many movies in them as I wish. Enjoy!

For sports movie’s, "Raging Bull" was a fine choice, but mine is "Field of Dreams" or maybe "Jim Thorpe, All-American"..."To Kill a Mockingbird" is another great choice, though I'd pick "12 Angry Men" for drama, if a jury room drama fits that category.

For epic, I can't quarrel with "Lawrence of Arabia," though I'd have picked "Bridge on The River Kwai"...same director, just as good. "2001, a Space Odyssey" is a great choice for science fiction, but I enjoyed "Star Wars" even more...finally "Vertigo" as best mystery? I'd pick "Rear Window" or maybe "North by Northwest," all three Hitchcock classics.

Other Western Classics: "3:10 to Yuma," (both versions), "The Gunfighter", "How the West Was Won" (Eli Wallach stole that one), and "Hondo." Also "Nevada Smith.”

Best Revolutionary war movies: "Drums Along the Mohawk", "The Devil's Disciple"...

Funniest films: "A Night at the Opera," "Blazing Saddles."

Best WWII movies; "The Counterfeit Traitor, " "The Man Who Never Was," "The Longest Day," "Saving Private Ryan," "30 Seconds Over Tokyo," "Tora,Tora,Tora," "From Here to Eternity", "Five Fingers" " Night of the Generals", "Judgement at Nuhremberg", "The Desert Fox" and of course "Patton.” "The Gallant Hours," "Bridge on the River Kwai" (my favorite, also in another category: epics,)"Back to Bataan" and "The Sands of Iwo Jima."

Scariest films: "Jaws", "The Exorcist" ...and anything with the Olsen twins.

Jeffrey Lyons looks back on the life and career of legendary comedian George Carlin, who died Sunday from heart failure.

As we mourn the loss of groundbreaking comic George Carlin, we've managed to uncover some great footage, including this interview from 2004. Carlin had dropped by 30 Rock to talk with Jeffrey about his new project at the time, Kevin Smith's "Jersey Girl." Watch and enjoy:

Comedian Robert Klein shares his thoughts on the passing of his friend and fellow standup comic, George Carlin:

When George Carlin burst onto the scene in the late 1960s, he changed the face of standup comedy forever. His influence would be seen in later years in the work of countless comedians, from Chris Rock to Jerry Seinfeld. Richard Zoglin, author of the standup comedy tome "Comedy at the Edge", talked to us about the impact Carlin had on several generations of comedy.

In light of this weekend’s box office release of Wall-E, it’s only fitting to highlight Pixar’s feature films. The company literally popped out of the box with its then-groundbreaking CGI animation. Blending their special animation software with good old-fashioned storytelling skill, Pixar has added new dimensions of emotions, expressions, and movement to the characters we have come to know and love.

Since its first completed work, “Toy Story” in 1995, made $328 million worldwide, Pixar has only seen rising success with one record-breaker after another. Thereafter, more brainstorms and storyboards produced “A Bug’s Life” in 1998, “Toy Story 2” in 1999, “Monsters, Inc.” in 2002, and let’s not forget “Finding Nemo,” which in 2003 banked an unbelievable $850 million in global box office.

Since then, Pixar’s legacy of excellence has been sustained by notable awards and international recognition for recent adventures such as “The Incredibles,” “Cars,” and last year’s delectable “Ratatouille.”

Audiences and critics alike have come to expect greatnesss with every film that begins with the clever ‘hopping lamp’ logo.

And 13 years since our introduction to Woody and Buzz Lightyear, Pixar continues to put a different twist on those G-rated kiddie films. Not only is the animation still astounding, the storylines of each film speak to the heart, be it young or old. The human qualities in each non-human character deliver the message beautifully, clear and simple.

Seeing all of Pixar’s achievements, we can only see a bright future for that cute little robot with those expressive human-like binocular eyes named Wall-E.

But before I sign off on this post, we, at Reel Talk, are trying to decipher an urban legend that surrounds Pizza Planet. This sci-fi themed pizza restaurant first made its debut in “Toy Story.” Pizza Planet’s fifteen minutes of fame did not end there. As the story goes, each Pixar film supposedly contains a reference to Pizza Planet in some manner.

With that in mind, we have speculations about the legitimacy of this urban legend. If you have any type of confirmation, send us an email. In the meantime, if you’re going to see Wall-E this weekend, look out for a Pizza Plant appearance and let us know!

Get ready for the biggest movie star of our time, Will Smith gets to crash into the theaters next weekend on July 2nd, in Hancock. Co-starring Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman Here's the trailer! Enjoy!

Are you a French wine snob? Or a California hippie wine snob? Based on the true story about French versus California wines, check out the trailer for the new movie "Bottle Shock" coming to theaters on August 8.

2001... Remember that year? Before September 11th, when Clinton finished his Presidential duties and Bush was just sworn into office? Remember, how good the economy and this country felt prior to the World Trade Center disaster? If you don't, the movie August, will take you back to when everyone seemed to be making money and tech stocks were at their highest. Check out the trailer for "August," coming to theaters July 11th, starring Josh Hartnett.

Hilary Duff has signed on to add another movie credential to her resume. The comedy "Stay Cool" written and directed by Michael and Mark Polish just added the teen pop star to their cast along with Winona Ryder, Chevy Chase, Sean Astin and John Cryer.

According to Real Movie News.com Duff will be playing the role of Shasta O'Neil, a seductive high school student who asks the successful author/commencement ceremony guest speaker (Polish) to prom. This comedy is scheduled to be released sometime next year. Watch the review of the last movie she was in "War Inc." by clicking here or on the picture.

The death of Cyd Charisse last week, marked the passing on a Hollywood icon of a bygone era. The heyday of the musical movie was just beginning to wane when the leggy (as they used to say) dancer made her mark. Billed first as "Lily Norwood" in 1943's "Something to Shout About," and appeared in "Mission to Moscow" the same year, those films wouldn't be long remembered. It was when she was teamed with Fred Astaire that she became an immortal.

They appeared together for the first time in "Ziegfeld Follies' in 1946, though she was uncredited. Amazingly, however, the studio recognized her talent and signed her to a seven year contract, the standard length of star contracts in those days.

Six years later she teamed with Gene Kelly in "Singin' in the Rain", one of her most famous screen appearances. The next year, re-teamed with Asatire in "The Band Wagon," her second screen classic. Add "Brigadoon" to that list, too. Along with Ginger Rogers, Eleanor Powell and Ann Miller, Cyd Charisse was one of the greatest dancers in Hollywood history.

A surprisingly well-behaved Judd Apatow-produced comedy, "Drillbit Taylor" wasn't the hit you'd expect from a movie starring Owen Wilson and co-written by "Superbad" and "Knocked Up" star Seth Rogen. Wilson plays a down-on-his-luck 'soldier of fortune' hired by a group of dorky kids to protect them from a schoolyard bully. "Drillbit Taylor" arrives on DVD & Blu-ray July 1st in an 'Extended Survival' edition, loaded with deleted scenes, gag reels, featurettes and commentary from the principal players (except for Wilson). Check out some clips here:

What would happen if you were the only person in the world who was BORN at the age of 80?! And while everyone else was getting older, you were actually getting younger! Well look at the makeup job they did on the Hollywood hottie, Brad Pitt, in his new movie with Cate Blanchett " The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." It will be in theaters some time in December... I can't wait!

While, everyone else is waiting for movies like "The Dark Knight," "Wall-E," "Hancock," "The Wackness" etc. etc. to be released, all the other folks in the movie world are concentrating on films for next year and the year after that. Take a look at some of the projects in production right now!

It's Show Time! According to Variety, George Clooney and writer Danny Zuker ("Stacked") will be teaming up to work on a half-hour mini comedy series for Showtime, called "The Fall of Bob."

DreamWorks is about to get "Schooled!" According to Hollywood Reporter, DreamWorks purchased the comedy script "Home Schooled," written by Chris Poole and Mike Arnold. The story about a 30-year-old man who was home schooled and who will be attending college, will be produced by Scot Armstrong (co-writer of Semi-Pro.)

Variety reports Michael Sheen has joined the cast "The Damned United," a biographical story based on the life of legendary English soccer coach Brian Clough. Sheen will portray the ill-tempered, egocentric and eccentric soccer coach.

"Wanted" hasn't even been released yet and already, graphic novelist Mark Millar (whose novel "Wanted" was based on) is already in the talks with Universal about a sequel. According to Cinematical.com the author has posted an enthusiastic message about the possible sequel on his official message board.

The world is substantially less funny - and expletive-filled - today than it was yesterday. Legendary comedian George Carlin passed away Sunday at the age of 71 due to heart failure.

The groundbreaking comic was a multi-media success, thanks in part to roles in comedy films like Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Jersey Girl, Scary Movie 3 and Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.
Carlin leaves behind a unique legacy of tipping the system with his series of riffs on the "Seven Words" and religious hypocrisy, among numerous topics he tackled in his standup act.

According to the Associated Press, Carlin had a history of heart trouble and went into St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica on Sunday afternoon complaining of chest pain and died of heart failure later that evening. He had performed as recently as last weekend at the Orleans Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas.

Carlin's resume consisted of 23 comedy albums, 14 HBO specials, 3 books, a few TV shows and several movie appearances. His 1972 arrest in Milwaukee for using one of the seven words led to a Supreme Court ruling upholding his free speech rights. Three years later, he was also the first-ever host of "Saturday Night Live."He also made more than 100 appearances on "The Tonight Show," despite the fact that Johnny Carson at first didn't want him on the show!

He was a comedian who was able to make you laugh no matter what kind of comedy you were interested in, and no matter how offensive you thought he may have been. Carlin's voice still proved to be powerful, and is and will be a staple in Television history. "Nobody was funnier than George Carlin," said Judd Apatow, director of comedies and "Superbad" "I spent half my childhood in my room listening to his records experiencing pure joy. And he was as kind as he was funny."

Goodbye, George. Your millions of fans will f*#$@n miss you!

There's a movie waiting to be made about Major League Baseball player, Bert Shepard, who died the other day at 87.

He'd been a fighter-bomber pilot shot down while on a mission to destroy Nazi oil refineries in Romania during World War II. He was taken prisoner and his right leg had to be amputated. Actually the doctor who pulled him from the wreckage of his P-38 lightning saved him from local farmers who'd surrounded him, armed with pitchforks. Then, a P.O.W. with an artificial leg, he was returned to the States in a prisoner of war exchange while the war continued to rage in Europe.

And after the war, he returned to his first love…baseball.

And on Aug. 4, 1945, while still a Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps (which later became the U.S. Air Force) he pitched against my team, the Boston Red Sox. He'd been a pitcher and first baseman in the low minors for the White Sox, but never dreamed that he'd make it to the majors, albeit for one game, and on the mound however, he did pitch five innings. Shepard, later went on to work for IBM and in 1993, the weekly show "This Week in Baseball," produced by MLB, found the German doctor who'd save Shepard’s life during W.W.II and they were reunited. During the reunion, the doctor saw Shepard’s historic game on tape and as I recall it was an extremely touching reunion.

Actor, Jimmy Stewart played Monty Stratton in the 1944 film "The Stratton Story. Which, was about the pitcher whose leg was amputated after he'd accidentally shot himself, but who then returned to pitch minor league ball. But, Shepard was the only man with one leg to pitch in the majors.

O.K. budding screenwriters, there's the story. Now get to work!

The other day my producer, Michael Avila, gave me a John Wayne Beef Jerky (Maybe he was sending me a subtle message.) Anyway, I mailed it to a friend who reverses John Wayne's movies. It reminded me of efforts by the descendants of dead celebrities to try and copyright their images. It's a double-edged sword, as far as I'm concerned.

Current libel/slander law does not include anyone who is dead. In other words, you can say anything you want to about a dead person basically, and get away with it. This is probably to avoid endless lawsuits. I think the same thing ought to apply to the images of dead celebrities. Otherwise, where do you draw the line? Do the descendants of famous authors have the right to get paid by Barnes and Noble, which has a display of images of long-dead authors? Will some relative of, say, Marilyn Monroe suddenly turn up and demand money? And who is to say which actors deserve such protection. All actors? Some? Oscar winners? The courts are crowded enough as is. If you think some of the brick-a-brack with stars' images on them is tacky stuff, just don't buy it. Instead, remember the stars for who they were in their glory days.

This weekend's comedy clash at the cinema was no contest. "Get Smart" easily bested "The Love Guru" with a $39.1 million debut. The Steve Carell-topped revival of the classic sitcom overcame middling reviews to take the pole position.

Mike Myers' return didn't even land in second place.

That went to the smash-hit kids cartoon "Kung Fu Panda," which took in another $21.7M ($155M total). "The Incredible Hulk" smashed his way into third with $21.5M ($96M total), which marks a steeper-than-Marvel Studios-hoped drop of 61% from last week. It should earn more than 2003's "Hulk" did ($122M) but whether it will earn enough to start a franchise is now seriously in doubt.

"The Love Guru" could not overcome the dreadful reviews and took in a disappointing $14M. What, did NO ONE listen to Jeffrey and Alison this weekend?!?

In fifth place, "The Happening" with $10M ($50.2M total), an alarmingly-large 67% week-to-week decline.

A few notable efforts by some indie films: "Mongol" took in $744,000 in just 94 theaters ($7,914 per screen average), and "Brick Lane," our Websclusive this week, earned $50,500 from just 7 screens ($7,214 per screen).

But "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl" put those two, and every other film this week, to shame. During a limited engagement of just 5 theaters in NYC, the family film earned a superb $223,000 (over $44K per screen!). That bodes well for its national release Fourth of July weekend.

Matthew Broderick will be going head to head at the box office with his wife Sarah Jessica Parker this weekend, when “Finding Amanda” opens. It’s a small film that probably won’t make much news…but he follows it up with “Diminished Capacity” the week after. Both films are Indies each with an offbeat sense of humor.

In “Finding Amanda” Broderick plays a gambling addict and ex-alcoholic who finds himself in Vegas looking for his niece. In “Diminished Capacity” he plays a newspaperman recovering from a head injury, which makes him forgetful and a bit confused. Both roles are perfect for the eternally boyish Mr. Broderick. Ever since “Election” he has perfected the dweeb everyman with hidden vicissitudes. His wide-eyed, innocent, chubby face often masks mischievous intent or deeper sadness. I’m not sure if he has great range as an actor…I’m not sure I could ever take him too seriously…but watching his last two films I realized that there is something very human and very appealing about him.

I caught a preview screening of “Wanted” last night, the anticipated action thriller starring Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy. Boy! McAvoy must have really wanted to change his image from Brit pretty boy to American tough guy. Agreeing to be in this film after stellar turns in “The Last King of Scotland” and “Atonement” must have seemed like a good idea at the time. But what a piece of loud, badly scripted, rubbish it is.

I understand it’s from a graphic novel…and maybe the plot of a ‘loom of fate’ that spells out names of evildoers for assassination reads better on the page, because on screen it’s laughable. Even Morgan Freeman, doing his best ‘righteous man’ acting couldn’t prevent guffaws from the audience. For my part, I was hoping that the loom turned into the contraption from “The Mangler” and started chewing up the actors. But they were all doing enough chewing already.

Mike Myers stopped by our studio in New York City yesterday, to talk to Jeffrey about "The Love Guru," his love of the Stanley Cup and more! Watch the entire interview right here...

Hmm... Steve Carell or Mike Myers? Who will make you laugh more this weekend? Well, see what Jeffrey and Alison had to say about "Get Smart," "The Love Guru," and more!

Our guest on 'Top Billing' this week on RT is comedy maestro Mike Myers. The star/writer/producer of "The Love Guru" -- which opens Friday -- dropped by today to talk to Jeffrey Lyons. In this clip, Jeffrey asks Myers about one of his comedy heroes, Peter Sellers.

Did you register to vote yet? I know, I know, if you're like me you're are probably so sick of the ongoing talks and analysis of the upcoming election, that you just can't wait until it's November already, so it will all stop!

However... On August 1st, it's up to Kevin Costner to decide who becomes President! Starring Kelsey Grammer, Stanley Tucci, Dennis Hopper and George Lopez, watch the trailer for "Swing Vote" after the jump.

Based on the novel written by mulit-award winning author, Jonathan Trigell. Boy-A tells the dramatic story of a young boy involved in murdering another young boy, and is sent to prison for most of his childhood until he is released at the age of 24. See what happens when your past comes back to haunt you on July 23rd. Check out the trailer after the jump!

What do you do when Hugh gives you the boot? Well that's what the super blonde playboy bunny, Anna Farris (Scary Movie 1, 2, 3 and 4) tries to like, totally figure out in this new comedy scheduled for release on August 22nd! Check it out after the jump!

It's no secret that Scarlett Johansson and Woody Allen have teamed up again in the new film "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." With a cast like Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson and a director like Woody Allen, how can anyone not be psyched about this? The movie already received praise at the Cannes Film Festival and now thanks to
cinematical.com, we have the 2nd trailer for you... right here! Look for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" in theaters on August 15th.

One of the more curious movie developments so far in 2008 was the relatively disappointing box-office effort of "Definitely, Maybe." Despite mostly positive reviews, the best any romantic comedy received in the past 12 months, the film barely eked out $32 million. Is it an indicator that Rom-Coms have lost audience appeal or is it a reflection of Ryan Reynolds' lack of starpower? I think it's the latter but more efforts like this movie could change that. Alison even compared Reynolds to Tom Hanks in terms of charm and likeability when we reviewed it on RT earlier this year. Maybe now that "Definitely, Maybe" is coming out on DVD (Tuesday, June 24), more people will discover it. Here are some scenes from the movie:

There's good news and bad news for James Bond fans. The good news is that come this fall, you'll not only get a new Bond film in theaters (the unfortunately titled "Quantum of Solace") but you'll also see the Hi-Def debut of Classic 007. Six classic Bond movies will be available for the first time on Blu-ray.

DR. NO, DIE ANOTHER DAY, LIVE AND LET DIE, FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE and THUNDERBALL mark the first wave of Bond Blu-ray issues. A nice mix of Connery, Moore and Brosnan, IMHO, and no one asked me, but I'm sure it's no coincidence that Timothy Dalton is not represented in the first batch. They will join Daniel Craig's "Casino Royale" -- the only Bond movie so far available on Blu-ray.

Today's announcement said the films have been recently restored and re-mastered for the highest quality picture and sound quality via the state-of-the-art Lowry process digital frame-by-frame restoration, and will have tons of special features, but we have no idea what those extras will be, if they will be new material or even if it will just be rehashed stuff from earlier releases.

Mark your calendars: October 21 is the day the Bond films arrive on Blu-ray.

What's the bad news, you ask? Well, if you've been snapping up the James Bond Ultimate Collections that have been released in the last year and a half, you've just wasted a lot of money. Because if you've been buying those sets, then you're probably the type of completist collector (or as the studios say, 'sucker') who will have to get their Bond fix on Blu-ray. Hopefully you can re-gift the old ones to Uncle Marty.

I first saw Asia Argento in her father, Dario Argento's, film "Mother of Tears" and now her next movie "The Last Mistress," which Alison recently posted about, is scheduled for a limited release next week, June 28. Watch the trailer here!

"The Spiderwick Chronicles" arrives on DVD and Blu-ray Tuesday, June 24. If you didn't catch this clever fantasy tale -- based on the bestselling book series -- in theaters, check out some clips from the movie here. Freddie Highmore, last seen in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", stars alongside Mary Louise Parker, David Strathairn and Nick Nolte.

He's back! And it figures Bill Maher would be back to talk about THE most controversial topic in the world... RELIGION!

Coming out in October, check out the trailer for the controversial documentary "Religulous," that Bill Maher and "Borat" director Larry Charles made!

Next week is June 21st and is the official start date of summer! And, over here at Reel Talk's studio in New York City, last week's heat wave left more of a desire for AC and a DVD player instead of a day at the beach.

So for those days steaming hot summer days when you would rather lay in a dark room in a bed of cold sheets with the AC blasting and a pile of DVD's on your night stand, what would be on your "Summer Movie List?"

My little mix of movies I'd like to watch this summer...
1. The Notebook (girls, I know this one is on your list too!)
2. Dirty Dancing
3. Grease
4.Sandlot
5. Caddyshack
6. Run Fat Boy Run
7. The Devil Wears Prada
8. Definitely, Maybe
9. Wedding Crashers
10.Hitch

Aint It Cool News has some very nice tributes to special effects legend Stan Winston, who passed away Sunday from cancer at the age of 62.

June 30 is fast approaching. Why should you -- or any movie/tv fan -- care? Because that's the day the Screen Actors Guild contract expires. Variety reports that several big-budget sequels due next summer have planned-for hiatuses in their shooting schedule set to coincide with the expiration of SAG's deal, which would minimize the damage if a strike is called in mid-shoot.

Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily reports on the tension between SAG and the other on-camera talent union AFTRA, which has already reached agreement on a new deal.

In case you didn't know already, Dan Brown can forget about ever getting a VIP tour of the Vatican. "The Da Vinci Code" author is the reason why Ron Howard's film version of Brown's sequel (actually a prequel) "Angels & Demons" starring Tom Hanks was refused access to shoot scenes in two Rome churches.

Actual movie news now.

"Spider-Man" franchise director Sam Raimi will produce and direct the movie version of the upcoming novel "The Given Day." It's the next tome from Dennis Lehane, who also wrote the books that two great films were based on, "Mystic River" and "Gone Baby Gone."

After the box office success of "21" Kevin Spacey's going back to indie work. He's going to star as a pot-smoking psychiatrist to the stars in "Shrink." Robin Williams will co-star.

It's being reported that Nicolas Cage, Nathan Lane and Donald Sutherland are among the all-star voices signed up for the feature-film CGI pic "Astro Boy," which is based on Osamu Tezuka's classic manga (it was also an animated series that is credited with introducing Japanese Anime to American viewers back in the 60s). Freddie Highmore from "The Spiderwick Chronicles" will be the lead voice. It's due in 2009.

Who needs Crocodile Dundee? News reports say superstars Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman will be used to boost Tourism Down Under. The two are starring in "Moulin Rouge" director Baz Luhrmann's upcoming epic period piece, titled -- wait for it -- "Australia." The film will be the centerpiece of a new campaign to lure more visitors, and hopefully more dollars.

Any fan of science fiction cinema and creature features knows the name Stan Winston. I've seen so many films he worked on, the first one being "The Wiz" in 1978 (yes, he was a makeup designer on that awful film), the last being this summer's biggest hit, "Iron Man."

So the news today that Stan Winston passed away Sunday floored me. He was 62 years old. He apparently had been battling cancer.

One of the most inventive special effects men in Hollywood history, Winston won 4 Academy Awards and was nominated 10 times overall.

He helped bring to life onscreen unforgettable characters in films like "Aliens," "Predator" and "Edward Scissorhands." His work in "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" -- remember Robert Patrick's morphing robot from the future? -- set an entirely new standard for special effects in film.

He topped himself only two years later helping Steven Speilberg bring dinosaurs to life in "Jurassic Park."

And even when the project was a disaster, Winston's work stood out. Case in point: He earned an Emmy nomination for his Wookie work on the legendarily-bad 1978 "Star Wars Holiday Special." Remember the movie "Heartbeeps?" Hardly anyone does. But in 1982, Winston earned his first Oscar nod for his work on that picture.

Winston's rep as a creature creator beyond reproach was really cemented though with his work on deliciously entertaining B-movie fare like "Leviathan," "The Entity" and "The Exterminator."

With his own company, Stan Winston Studios, Winston branched out from the makeup and puppeteering that was his trademark into the digital effects that are the standard in today's film industry.

As mentioned above, he worked on "Iron Man" and helped create the suit Robert Downey Jr. wears in the movie. His last work may well be in the still-in-production fourth Terminator film. It's not clear how much work Winston completed on that project.

Watching Terminators, Predators or any other creepy crawling things that make you go 'EWWW' simply won't be the same.

Stan Winston was 62 years old. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter.

Nothing against "Austin Powers" or "Wayne's World," but for my money, pound-for-pound, laugh-for-laugh, "So I Married an Axe Murderer" is my favorite Mike Myers film. It's debuting Tuesday on Blu-ray and DVD, so now's your chance to give this under-appreciated gem a chance. As commitment-phobe Charlie Mackenzie, Myers is a pitch-perfect straight man to some of the outrageous characters populating this comedy, including Charlie's ranting father Stuart (also played by Myers).

"Axe Murderer" never found an audience during its initial 1993 theatrical run, but its become a cult favorite -- well deserved, I say. Hopefully, fans will discover it on DVD. BTW, here's my pic so far for best movie SWAG of 2008 - a can of Haggis! If you have no idea what that has to do with this film, then check out one of the film's best scenes, when Charlie's dad goes on a tirade against the puppet masters of the world, including a certain Colonel with a talent for chicken. Classic!!

"The Incredible Hulk" outmuscled M. Night Shyamalan at this weekend's box office. Marvel's Jade Giant made the most of his second attempt at film stardom -- despite so-so reviews (link to our Review) -- grossing $54.5 million for first place. It bumped last week's Numero Uno, "Kung Fu Panda" to second place. 'Panda' took in $34.3M ($117.9M total).

Before Ed Norton and the Marvel crew celebrate too loudly, keep in mind the first "Hulk" movie -- you remember, the universally reviled 2003 Ang Lee version -- had a $62 million opening weekend, before falling off the map. The new film's second-week earnings will be a key indicator as to whether Marvel has another franchise on its hands.

Coming in third was "The Happening." Despite a second straight critical drubbing for Shyamalan, his new thriller earned $30M. Turns out the polarizing director not as washed up as his many critics had hoped.

Fourth place went to Adam Sandler's "You Don't Mess With the Zohan," which took a big 57% drop to bring in $16.4M ($68.7M total).

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" garnered $13.5M in its fourth week to land in fifth place. It's now earned $275M.

Don't know what to see this weekend? See what Jeffrey and Alison's picks of the week are and maybe that will help you make your decision.

Enjoy your weekend!

If you want to get a glimpse of what's coming to movies in the near future, the Licensing International Expo is one big giant Crystal Ball.

The 3-day event, which just wrapped Thursday at the Javits Center in Manhattan, is a showcase for more than 500 exhibitors and the 6,000+ brand names and properties they are pitching. While products aimed at kids are still the focus, a growing number of brands are targeting grownups. Since my job is to oversee a movie show, I focused on the booths linked to films. There were lots to choose from, including Hasbro's display, which had a big G.I. Joe presence.

Fans of the 'Real American Hero' are no doubt aware that a feature film adaptation is in production as you read this (release date: Summer 2009), starring Dennis Quaid, Sienna Miller and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Hasbro, which owns the G.I. Joe property (as well as Transformers), made sure everyone who walked through the Javits knew where the company's 2009 priorities were. Images with some of the cast in their costumes surrounded the booth, as did a way cool prop that Joe fans will recognize as the Mole Pod. Seeing this makes me think we can expect a Cobra attack on Joe HQ in the movie.

G.I. Joe wasn't the only familiar franchise I came across. Wandering around the massive event, I noticed the general theme seemed to be nostalgia-driven.

At the Warner Bros. display, I saw the latest Batman and Superman product designs, some modern -- like Batman sneakers -- with some decidedly retro t-shirt designs. Personally, I'm a huge fan of vintage-style tees, and I saw a few that caught my eye.

For movie studios, locking in merchandising partners is often the first step toward developing franchises. Toys and other trinkets are on the assembly line the film's been loaded into the camera. and the Licensing Show often has the first glimpse of a movie not expected in theaters for another year -- or longer.

Nickelodeon and Paramount had director M. Night Shyamalan the first day of the show to preview his next project, "Avatar: The Last Airbender" ...based on the hit animated series. The film's not even due in theaters until July 2nd -- 2010 -- in fact, production hasn't even begun yet!!

Sony Pictures meanwhile, was pushing two very familiar properties -- Ghostbusters and the Smurfs! They had a display of a uniform (Dr. Egon Spengler's uni) worn in the original "Ghostbusters" film along with posters of the famous logo. Hard to believe that franchise will be 25 years old next year. Ugh, I feel old.

I felt abso-smurfy ancient when I realized Peyo's little blue Belgian creations are turning 50 this year. The marketing push for the Smurfs, with a slew of T-shirts, toys and other products, was launched to coincide with this week's announcement of a live action/animated Smurfs movie. Hey, I didn't think "Alvin & the Chipmunks" would work and look how big a hit that was. I'm a sucker for Smurfs so I can't wait for this. On an aside, check out this Entertainment Weekly article about possible voice casting for the movie.

Lucasfilm had a presence at the show. That's not too surprising considering Star Wars is the top movie licensing property ever ($15 billion in retail sales in 31 years). They were busy pushing this summer's "Clone Wars" animated film. It debuts in August and will serve as the theatrical launch for an upcoming TV series on TNT. I was drooling over the life-size Obi Wan statue. That would look great in my office -- right next to the talking Yoda doll I have.

Paramount had big displays for "Tropic Thunder," the action comedy starring Ben Stiller and Robert Downey, Jr. I don't know about this. I'm looking forward to the film but I'm not sure this is the kind of film that will push a lot of merchandise. The 30th anniversary of "Grease" on the other hand, is intriguing. Thanks to endless reruns on cable and the intoxicated appeal of "Summer Nights" at Karaoke bars, just about everyone knows and loves this movie. It's amazing how many great movies are approaching milestone anniversaries like this.

(full disclosure: I saw this as a 7-year-old in the theater about a dozen times, along with about 25 more viewings since then)

As I said earlier, not all the products were aimed at children. A number of companies want to reach out to older generations, the Baby Boomers looking for a piece of their childhood, or to reconnect with their heroes. Elvis Presley's estate was there with another pile of Elvis items.

So was John Wayne Enterprises. Their mission is to protect the iconic American movie star's image and also to arrange for various licensing agreements for a number of various products, from custom belt buckles like The Duke used to wear, to more...questionable items like John Wayne gum, John Wayne mints, and John Wayne beef jerky. (Hey, at least it's organic)

My first reaction to the marketing of an American legend -- a dead American legend -- at first was that it was a shameless money grab. But if there wasn't a Wayne Enterprises, we'd probably see some shady characters slapping Wayne's image on condom packs. At least this way, his image can be safeguarded.

I also remembered a recent conversation I had with Jeffrey about forgotten movie legends. In a day and age when the name Steve McQueen can draw blank stares from most people younger than 30, licensing is one way to make sure the cinematic heroes of yesteryear don't fade away into the dustbins of bargain dvds and late-night cable.

So if it takes beef jerky to keep the memory of John Wayne alive and well ...well, then I'll take two.

The past few days have seen TONS of rumors swirling around the cyberverse concerning the "Iron Man" sequel. Specifically, how can a movie have an announced release date - April 30, 2010 - but no director or lead actor locked in?

It's well known by now that director Jon Favreau isn't signed on to do the sequel. It's also well known that he's looking for a raise from his salary for the first movie (reportedly $4 million) to return for a sequel.

Robert Downey Jr. is also expected to seek a major pay bump to return as Tony Stark. But actors usually get their just reward$ so it's Favreau that has most fans concerned.

Earlier this week, iesb.net reported that Favreau had posted Sunday on his blog that he hadn't heard from the Marvel Studios people in five weeks.

From there, IESB reportedly heard from sources inside Marvel that chairman David Maisel didn't want to pay Favreau more to do IM2. Then, Aint It Cool News confirmed IESB's story, which then nearly caused the Internet to crack in half from the online anger that fans unleashed.

After all that, Deadline Hollywood Daily reported that Marvel Chief Maisel had reached out to Favreau's camp with a significant salary increase for the director to helm IM2.

Wow, talk about sucking the wind out of one of the feel-good entertainment stories of the summer. A movie about a B-list superhero becomes a sensation rockets a reclamation project actor to the top of the industry's A-list, and leaves audiences everywhere cheering on their way out of the theater.

Leave it to Hollywood to rain on its own parade.

So what does this all mean?

For starters, step back from the ledge, comic book fans. There will be an "Iron Man 2." The first one is about to cross the magical $300 million (domestic) barrier and movies that make that kind of money WILL BE SEQUELED. It's as guaranteed as death and taxes.

However, people with high hopes for an interwoven Marvel movie universe should be concerned that David Maisel considered penny-pinching the man who helped steer such a successful project. "Iron Man" isn't just a big money-maker. It's a phenom. It was well-reviewed and it engaged the hardcore comics crowd as well as people who had never heard of Tony Stark before. That's rare to see happen -- heck, I'd say only the original "Superman", Tim Burton's "Batman" and "Spider-Man" have reached the level of crossover popularity that Favreau's "Iron Man" has.

And for Maisel to even consider letting the captain of that ship leave makes no sense. Not to lessen Downey Jr.'s role in the success of the film, since he was absolutely perfect in the part, but on a huge production like this, the director is the quarterback and the head coach (a fair analogy to use, since Favreau was in "Rudy" and "The Replacements"). Replacing Favreau know would be like replacing Tom Coughlin after he just led the Giants to a Super Bowl victory.

He's also smart. He knows how important the fans are to a movie like this. Remember, when he visited RT last month, he talked about how the Comic Con 2007 appearance really launched the movie. Read the post from Favs on his blog. Nothing malicious, nothing snide, just a simple, matter-of-fact response to a question asked by a fan. But he's savvy enough to know that would get out there. Negotiating through the storm of discontented fans is a tactic they probably don't teach you at Wharton, but it's effective nonetheless, judging by the about-face Maisel did.

Favs gets it. He knows how important it is that these movies respect the source material, because the diehard fans are so deeply invested. That kind of insight and understanding is not easy to come by in Hollywood. For a studio like Marvel that needs filmmakers like this to make their movies, haggling over how much of the pot of gold to share seems short-sighted. You're a start-up studio guys, with a wealth of potentially lucrative characters in your library. But without top talent making your films, you may as well be Troma Films, turning out grade-B schlock.

For Marvel's ambitious plans to be realized, they have to be aligned with the right cast and crew. Take a look at any comic book film that's been successful. Spider-Man had Sam Raimi. X-Men had Bryan Singer for the first two...Brett Ratner for the third. You decide. Batman Begins, Christopher Nolan. Daredevil had Mark Steven Johnson at the helm. Catwoman...Pitof.

See a pattern here?

As for Downey Jr., if I was a gambling man - and I've been known to place a wager or two - I would say he's even money to return in the title role. The suits at Marvel know that to the general public, RDJ is Tony Stark. To even contemplate recasting him would be disastrous.

And before anyone brings it up...yes, Sony came close to replacing Toby Maguire as Spidey with Jake Gyllenhaal before the 2nd Spider film. But while it did inspire one of the best Entourage episodes ever, this is different. Because as good as he was, Maguire was not as instantly identifiable as Peter Parker, as Downey is as Stark. You could see Gyllenhaal filling Maguire's shoes. Who can you envision stepping into Stark's Armani tux for RDJ?

If I were Marvel, I'd lock these two guys in now in a big Public Display of Affection, group-hug it out, and get 'em started on the sequel. They have less than two years to reach that target date of April 30, 2010. Favreau has already gone on record as saying he thinks that's an unrealistic goal because a production as big as this needs so much advance work done. As a fan, I'm always in favor of the filmmakers getting it done right, instead of getting it done first.

Hopefully, this will all fade away in the next few weeks and we can go back to speculating about which characters will be brought in to take on Shellhead in the sequel, how Stan Lee will manage to sneak in another cameo, and whether or not Nick Fury actually shows up for more than just an 'after the credits' appearance.

Time for your first look at "The Express," a film that tells the incredible true story of Ernie Davis, one of the greatest college football players of all time. Davis not only set records that still stand today, he was also instrumental in the integration of American sports. Wearing #44 and nicknamed "The Elmira Express," Davis led Syracuse to its only national championship and became the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy. His later life was marked by adversity and later tragedy. Rob Brown stars as Davis, and Dennis Quaid plays the Orangemen's legendary coach, Ben Schwartzwalder.

"The Express" debuts in theaters October 3rd.

He's the man you all can recognize but may not be able to exactly place where you've seen him. Richard Jenkins has appeared in dozens of movies and tv shows (like HBO's "Six Feet Under"). He dropped by our 30 Rock studios to discuss his starring role in "The Visitor." Jeffrey and Alison wouldn't be surprised if he's nominated for an Oscar for his role in this film. Watch the entire interview with Richard Jenkins right here!

Here's your first look at the upcoming animated animal adventure "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa." The sequel to the hit 2005 movie features the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith and newcomer Sacha Baron Cohen. It opens November 7th.

John Turturro does a funny turn in "You Don't Mess With The Zohan," the new Adam Sandler movie. Now comes word that he'll return to his ancestral roots directing "Souls of Naples," the screen version of a play in which he starred in Off-Broadway. It's a surreal play involving ghosts and how to brew a perfect cup of espresso. It’s to be filmed in Naples, Italy and it will be in English.

Bruce Willis is likely to star in "Kane & Lynch" about a mercenary who teams up with a killer on a mission to retrieve a stolen microchip. It's based on a very popular video game. Doesn't sound too deep, does it?

If no agreement between the Screen Actors Guild and the studios, actors will have to sign waivers to work in independent productions. It doesn’t seem like there'll be a strike, but that's what they thought about the writer's strike which lasted several months. So, stay tuned…

What, if anything, are the Russians thinking? Their television academy awards, called the TEFIs, will no longer be handed out in Moscow. Instead, it will move to somewhere in Siberia. I'm not kidding. Nominees in 50 categories will thus have to travel 1,270 miles to attend. And when you get there, you're in...Siberia! How do you say "duh" in Russian?
Sad to report that the revival of "A Chorus Line" on Broadway will close august 17th after a respectable, but by no means astonishing, run of 759 performances. It's one of the greatest musicals ever written (and I’m not just saying that because composer Marvin Hamlisch was my fifth and sixth grade classmate.) There is a 29-city road production, which will play for another year, and you can bet it will return to Broadway someday once again. If you're coming to New York City this summer, be certain not to miss it.

"Natural Born Killers," Oliver Stone's controversial examination of the media's hand in glamorizing and sensationalizing violence, makes its Blu-ray debut today. When it came out in 1994, the outrage was overwhelming. Stone was bashed for his wildly over-the-top portrayal of two serial killers turned media darlings. But not everyone missed the point he was trying to make. The film received strong reviews from many critics, solidifying it as one of the most polarizing films of the 90s.

The debut Blu-ray edition includes deleted scenes, an alternate ending, commentary from Stone and a bonus 42-page book with never-before-seen photos and an essay on the movie that Stone wrote expressly for the Blu-ray release. Here are a few clips from the movie:

Remember when you were a kid, and if you didn’t get your way you were convinced you had the worst parents in the world! Well, I wonder how grateful you felt for your parents after you saw what kind of a father Jack Nicholson played in “The Shining” or what about Daniel Day Lewis in “There Will Be Blood?” Family is just one of those things that can be both a blessing and a curse, and this Sunday is when we take the time to thank and appreciate all of the Daddy’s out there!

So, this week on our Reel Talk Mixtape, we want to take the time out to introduce you (or maybe re-introduce you) to the 10 best and 10 worst Movie Daddy’s, who do you think is the absolute best? What about the worst? Comment and let us know!

Get ready for the aww’s, the laughing and the crying with the Dad’s in these flicks:

10 Best Movie Dads

Big Daddy:

This 1999 comedy proves you sometimes need a little bit of help from the little guy, before you can become a bigger person. Adam Sandler stars as the lazy Sonny Koufax, who loses his girlfriend and attempts to win her back by adopting a little boy, until he realizes he can no longer live his life only caring for himself and becomes his foster parent.

A Bronx Tale:

Robert DeNiro plays the devoted father Lorenzo Anello, who will do anything to protect his son from the influence of the local crime boss.

Dan in Real Life:

A widower, and a father of three, the writer Dan Burns (Steve Carell), dedicates his life to his daughters that he forgets he has a life of his own.

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry:

Chuck Levine (Adam Sandler) and Larry Valentine (Kevin James,) a widower, fireman and father of two, does whatever it takes to ensure financial stability and benefits for his kids, even if that means marrying another…man!

Kramer Vs. Kramer:

The 1979 classic starring Dustin Hoffman as Ted Kramer, is forced to learn to reprioritize his life and starts to put his son before work, when his wife (played by Meryl Streep) decides to pick up and leave one day leaving him to decide what’s more important…work or family?

American Pie:

How can anybody not love this overtly open-minded father, Noah Levenstein (played by Eugene Levy) who tries to give his teenage son the best sex advice, no matter how uncomfortable it may feel.

Armageddon:

Bruce Willis sacrifices himself -- and saves the world in the process -- so his daughter (Liv Tyler) and her fiancee (Ben Affleck) can play with Animal Crackers.

The Pursuit of Happyness:

This heart-warming story shows how much a father, Chris Gardener played by Will Smith, struggles for pursuit happiness for his son.

Life is Beautiful:

Roberto Benigni as Guido Orefice, who shields the horrors of the Holocaust from his son with humor and playfulness.

To Kill A Mockingbird:

Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) teaches his daughter Scout what Justice really is all about in this, one of the great American movies.

This Sunday is not just a day to show our Dad's appreciation, but it is also a day to be SO THANKFUL they are not like these guys!

10 Worst Movie Dads

Spider-Man:

Williem Dafoe as Norman Osborn, a.k.a. the Green Goblin, who not blatantly disregards his only son Harry, but also and tries to kill Harry’s best friend.

Liar, Liar:

Jim Carrey as Fletcher Reede, who is a dishonest attorney, habitual liar, and an uninvolved father to his young son, until his sons birthday wish starts to teach him a BIG lesson.

American Beauty:

Kevin Spacey as Lester Burnham, who is experiencing a mid-life crisis and depression. With a rebellious daughter and cheating wife, he strives to win the affection of his daughter’s friend. Can we say, CREEPY?!

The Shining:

Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, who tries to murder his son and wife as a result of cabin fever and ghosts. Definitely deserves a Bad Dad Award.

Star Wars /The Empire Strikes Back:

James Earl Jones as the voice of Darth Vader, who is a tyrant and has hopes to expand his Empire, even if that means eliminating his opposing estranged son and daughter. Perhaps the worst father of all...

There Will Be Blood:

Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview, who adopted a son only to project the image of a caring family man. But after striking rich in the oil business, he replaces all emotional bonds with ruthlessness, greed, and alienation.

The Simpsons Movie:

Homer is the bumbling father with has the mental capacity of a 5 year-old. He not only endangers his kids by dumping a silo of “Pig Crap” in the already-polluted lake, but the rest of Springfield as well. Doh! He always finds a way to make amends -- in a Homer sort of way -- but since he always finds a way to get himself into these messes, he earns a place here.

Mystic River:

Sean Penn as Jimmy Markum, who is an ex-con and father of three. When his oldest daughter is murdered, he vows to kill the murderer before the cops find him. He then finds out that his history could have influenced her untimely death.

28 Weeks Later:

Not only does Robert Carlyle leave his wife (and mother of their two children) behind to escape from the rampaging zombies in this very entertaining sequel,but then later, after he gets infected with the zombie virus, he tries to eat his kids for lunch.

Kill Bill Volume 2:

David Carradine as Bill, uses toy guns to play-shoot with his daughter. Enough said.

Even though it sank like DiCaprio did at the end of "Titanic"...the Jack Black/Mos Def comedy "Be Kind Rewind" is the kind of movie that should, and probably will, find an audience on DVD (or Blu-ray). It now in stores in both formats.

The two leads play clerks in an old-school video store in New Jersey. After Black becomes magnetized thanks to a power plant accident (too goofy to explain here), he accidentally erases all the tapes in the store. You see, it's so old-school it still has VHS tapes, which can be erased by magnetism.

Stuck in a bind, the two are forced to recreate (or 'Swede') some famous movies like "Lord of the Rings" and "Driving Miss Daisy." Some of the reshoots are side-splittingly funny. Check out a few clips of the film where the pair re-do "Ghostbusters" and "Rush Hour 2."

Regular visitors to this site know I'm a big 'Toon fan, both the classics and the new animated shows populating the airwaves. One of my favorites is Cartoon Network's supremely subversive and hilarious "The Boondocks." Season Two of Aaron McGruder's ingenious satire on race relations (as seen through the eyes of two young black kids, Riley and Huey) is now available, with all 13 episodes, uncut and uncensored -- and trust me, that makes a difference, because this show is wildly outrageous.

The big bonus here is that you also get 2 exclusive episodes that have never been seen in the U.S. Check out a clip from one of those episodes, "The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show" here:

After a month of super heroes, special effects action and 'Sex', audiences were obviously ready for a laugh. The kid-friendly "Kung Fu Panda" used its star power and positive reviews to score a rockin' $60 million debut, handily beating Adam Sandler's newest, "You Don't Mess With the Zohan."

Those two films led the way for a huge moviegoing weekend, bringing in 25% more dollars than the same weekend last year. That should be welcome news to nervous studio chiefs concerned that the current economic woes would keep people from splurging on a trip to the multiplex.

"Zohan" came in second with $40M, proving once again there is no more reliable comedy star than Sandler. Factor in the Judd Apatow factor (he co-wrote it) and its apparent that when those guys are attached to a movie - no matter how silly the premise - the audience will follow.

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" leapfrogged past last week's No. 1 "Sex and the City" to land in third with $22.8M ($253M total). Harrison Ford's 4th go-round as Dr. Jones is showing legs and could overtake "Iron Man" soon as the summer's top-earning movie.

"Sex" lost 62% of its audience but still picked up $21.3M ($99.2M), while the surprise scary hit "The Strangers" took fifth place with $9.2M ($37.6M total). Star Liv Tyler is looking at two summer hits if "The Incredible Hulk" debuts strongly this Friday.

If you watched RT this past weekend you know we reviewed a few limited releases. One that Jeffrey and Alison both recommended strongly, "Mongol", earned a stellar $133,000 from just five screens.

"When Did You Last See Your Father?" ($41,100 from eight screens) and "The Promotion" ($28,900 from six theaters) also did solid business in select cities.

As I dragged myself away from the television and marathon coverage of the French Open this weekend…I find myself wondering where the definitive tennis movie is? Sure, we had “Wimbledon” with Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany. But, correct me if I’m wrong…I don’t remember it actually being about tennis.

Any on-court action is eclipsed by the dopey love story that accompanied it. Jonathan Rhys Meyers played a tennis pro in “Match Point”…but again, that was anything but a film about tennis. And “Strangers on a Train” certainly wasn’t about the sport either, even though Farley Granger’s role was a tennis player.

I’m talking about a film that captures the discipline of training, the pursuit of excellence and the thrill of competition. So many other sports have their cinematic counterpoints…why not tennis? In the meantime, it’s only two more weeks until my next fix…Wimbledon.

Check out what Jeffrey and Alison had to say about this weekends movies! Click on the poster to watch their review.

Hi, this is Alison. I’m the REEL TALK intern. Since our show is based here in NYC, we have access to lots of great movie-related events, including a number of film festivals. Thursday night I attended the opening night for the 2008 Staten Island Film Festival. That’s right, folks. STATEN ISLAND (that fifth NYC borough that no one ever thinks twice about) has its very own film festival! “It’s a wonderful thing for SI, the long forgotten borough, to have an opportunity to expose itself with film and culture,” says festival participant, Grace Guagliardo.

With strong support from producer Jules Nasso as the Honorary Film Industry Chairman, the SINY FF has become Staten Island’s summer jewel. Nasso won the “Best Picture” award from the film festival last year with his independent film entitled, “Poet.” His success did not stop there. He has worked with the likes of Tom Cruise in production and won much attention in the media as well as other awards.

Other names mentioned at the festival included “One Life to Live” actor, David Fumero, who stars alongside Kim Shaw in the festival opener, “Greetings from the Shore.” Producer and writer Gabrielle Berberich says the title comes from a famous postcard reflecting the real Jersey Shore. New Jersey and Staten Island both share a somewhat negative image as dirty, industrious, politically corrupt and mobbed with mobsters. Here's what Greg Chwerchak, the director and producer of "Greetings," had to say about that:

Berberich believes this film will “avenge her postcard Garden State.” I must say, there were some amazingly breathtaking shots of the shore in this film. You would never think it was Jersey! …or the fact that it was produced for only $500,000!

“Greetings from the Shore” is close to the heart for Berberich as it’s somewhat autobiographical. Since the film is a dedication to her late father, thinking of the story as a true event will have you tearing up in your seat while relationships unfold from a world of high-stakes and uncertainty. “Greetings from the Shore” is due to have its official premiere on August 8, 2008 in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Director and producer Chwerchak (seen at right with Berberich and Fumero) has plans to premiere the film in other states, so if you don’t live in the Northeast, patience! You’ll get your chance to see it. With 27 festival awards already under his belt, Chwerchak has high expectations for the film’s success.

Another independent filmmaker at the festival is optimistic. Staten Islander, Alain Alfano, calls himself a “Latin-American hoping to have a chance to tell story through fictional life.” He aims to win “Best Short Romantic Comedy” and “Best Cinematography” at the award ceremony on Sunday for his entry, “Waiting for Her.”

The SINY FF will be held from Thursday, June 5th to Sunday, June 8th. Hope those of you who live in the Tri-state area will get a chance to make it to at least one event. Staten Island is closer than you think! But if you're still reluctant to take that ferry ride, check out the schedule to see when screenings play in Manhattan or Brooklyn… Or perhaps you’re in the party mood,here’s the schedule for you!

Jeanne Duprau's best-selling novel about an underground civilization who's power source is failing is coming to theaters in "City of Ember." It stars Bill Murray, Saoirse Ronan (Oscar nominee for last year's "Atonement"), Tim Robbins, Martin Landau and a host of others. Produced by Tom Hanks' Playtone Productions and Walden Media -- who are pros at big-screen fantasy, since they also do the "Narnia" movies -- "City of Ember" opens in theaters October 10, 2008.

Check out the first trailer:

Quite coincidentally I have seen two films this week that star the Italian actress Asia Argento, and the two could not have been more different from each other, in content and in effectiveness. I first became aware of Asia in 1998 when I saw her star opposite Jared Harris in “B. Monkey” and I thought she was such an interesting actress. But, I wasn’t aware of her heritage and family history in the film industry (her father is cult horror filmmaker Dario Argento.)

Since then, she has appeared in the American films “Last Days”, “Marie Antoinette” and the French “Boarding Gate” among others. Now she is performing in her father’s latest horror flick, “Mother of Tears,” (click to watch the review) and playing an American no less.

This is a campy horror flick that shamelessly rips off other better 1970s classic horror films. At least I think it’s supposed to be campy. All the actors were so seriously chewing up the scenery and I didn’t detect any tongues in cheek, but it had to be intentionally funny right? It’s only worth viewing if you have a tolerance for bad acting, cheesy special effects, gore and witch villainesses who writhe around in bedazzled t-shirts.

Asia plays a much more satisfying role in “Une Vieille Maitresse,” Catherine Breillat’s superb period drama. The title has been translated to “The Last Mistress,” but in French it has a double meaning and could equally mean “The Old Mistress.” Both titles work well as Argento plays the former (and older) lover of a young libertine who is about to marry a virginal young woman of substance. Their relationship however, is too deep, too twisted and too enamored in pain until the end. Argento’s beauty and appeal has always been rooted in her raw, masculine sexuality. She reminds me of an Italian Chloe Sevigny…or Charlotte Gainsbourg. Her casting in “Une Vieille Maitresse” is perfect; she plays an almost vulgar Spanish woman who appalls French society while attracting its men. It’s a base, almost brutal study of a love affair and I highly recommend seeing it when it opens June 28th.

As we continue to think up new ways to provide an excuse for you to avoid doing your daily responsibilities at work, we thought having a little showdown between upcoming films could do the trick.

We're going to post the trailers for NEXT WEEK'S big releases and have them duke it out to see which one's doing the better job of selling you on their movie.

June 13th sees the release of M. Night Shyamalan's newest "The Happening" as well as "The Incredible Hulk." Which trailer shakes your tree the most?

Let us know, COMMENT!

Hollywood superstars and good friends George Clooney and Brad Pitt are back onscreen together for The Coen Brothers' newest screwball caper, "Burn After Reading."

The story revolves around a disc containing the notes from a CIA agent, that winds up in the hands of two dim and not-too-honorable gym employees (Clooney and Pitt). George's "Michael Clayton" co-star Tilda Swinton and John Malkovich co-star.

"Burn After Reading" opens September 12th. Here's the Trailer:

Congratulations to William McFarland, Rob Grizzly and RBaum23 for winning the Rambo DVD set!

Thanks for participating guys! Keep checking back for more giveaways!!!

Check out the interview Jeffrey had with the "When Did You Last See Your Father" star Colin Firth. The English "Love Actually" co-star talked to Jeffrey about his new movie, which we will review this weekend, Mamma Mia, and Madonna... Check it out!

The damage reports are still coming in from last weekend's fire on the universal lot. No one was seriously hurt, thank goodness, though several fire fighters were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. The biggest casualty, aside from the "King Kong" exhibit and the movie sets where films like "Dirty Harry", "Spiderman" and "Back to the Future" were filmed, was the studio's massive library of old TV shows. Thousands of episodes of classic shows were stored there. The head of universal studios has said that they will all eventually be replaced, but what struck me is…why weren't they in a fireproof vault to begin with? When there'd been a fire on the lot in 1990, added precautions were installed, and the lot has an on-site firefighting team (although low water pressure may have hampered their efforts.) But still, we're talking about history here. I hope they will now store tapes and film in underground vaults, perhaps...surely fireproof enclosures, no matter what the cost.

Let’s get the Mixtape started with an intriguing rumor regarding Judd Apatow’s next directing effort. Hollywood’s current King of Comedy (he produced Adam Sandler’s new “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan”) is set to make a movie about standup comics for his third directorial turn. MTV.com has some good details about the movie, which Apatow calls ‘more serious and less broad’ than his previous work. Sandler will star along with Apatow regulars Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann (Judd’s wife).

Today, Chud.com has a source claiming Apatow wants to cast former ‘Hulkster’ Eric Bana in the movie as a standup comedian.

That may sound weird to people who know Bana from ultra-serious flicks like “Munich,” “Black Hawk Down” and “The Other Boleyn Girl,” but the actor started out doing standup back home in Australia. He talked about it with Alison during a Feb. visit to our show, you can watch it here.

Another rumor causing much Fanboy cyber-angst surrounds the fourth Terminator movie. According to aintitcool.com,“Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins”, a MAJOR PLOT POINT in the movie (due out next summer) has been leaked. If true, it’s a doozy and one that could potentially spoil the film for you. So **SPOILER ALERT!!** Continue reading at your own risk:

Read it here

Looks like Warner Bros. Isn’t letting the disastrous results of “Speed Racer” scare it away from more 60s cartoon adaptations. A live-action revival of “Johnny Quest” is in the works for next summer, Iesb.net reports “Get Smart” director Peter Segalcould be helming the project. I love the original Quest cartoons, so I’m crossing my fingers. The same report has some interesting news about a possible movie based on the long-running but often under-appreciated DC Comics hero “Green Arrow.” Let’s hope they ditch the doofy green hat.

Variety says Bruce Willis is in talks to play Kane in the Lionsgate take on the smash hit video game “Kane and Lynch: Dead Men.” Same producers doing the “Johnny Quest” movie, BTW. Hey, maybe Bruce can play Race Bannon!
More video game movie news. Alfred Molina has joined the cast of the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced epic “Prince of Persia for Disney, based on the Ubisoft game. Jake Gyllenhaal and Sir Ben Kingsley also star.

On the heels of the massive success of the “Sex and the City” movie, you’d expect Hollywood to throw tons of female-driven projects on the fast track. Not so, according to Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily. The popular industry blog reports Warner Bros. is not supporting “The Women” …an ensemble remake of the 1939 movie featuring Meg Ryan, Eva Mendes, Jada Pinkett Smith, Bette Midler, Annette Bening and others. DHD indicates the studio only plans to have the film out in limited release and with minimal publicity.

Finally, Colin Firth will be all over the multiplex this summer. He has 3 films due out between now and August, including this week’s drama “When Did You Last See Your Father?” We’ll review it on this week’s RT and Mr. Firth will be our Top Billing guest. Check out this clip where Colin and Jeffrey discuss ‘Talking American’ and have a little fun at the expense of Madonna…

The 'Dirty Harry' franchise spawned so many catchphrases and classic quotes, many times they're quoted by people who either haven't seen the movies or only seen the classic clip being repeated. That's the very definition of cultural impact.

Anyway, with the Blu-ray release of "The Dirty Harry Ultimate Collector's Edition" five-film box set today (Tue. June 3rd), we figured what better clip to post than the scene that made Clint Eastwood's rule-breaking cop an instant icon. And listen to the sound on this clip -- Eastwood's .44 Magnum sounds like a cannon! This is just masterful filmmaking that still holds up 37 years later. Of course, that's due in large part to Clint's incredible presence. They don't make action heroes like that anymore.

A rare commercial air ball by Will Ferrell, "Semi-Pro" may have disappointed at the box office but it still had its moments. Chief among them is the on-court scene when Ferrell, as Tropics owner/player Jackie Moon, begs team leader Woody Harrelson not to run up the score, for purely financial reasons. Check it out. "Semi-Pro" arrives on DVD and Blu-ray Tuesday.

Before he became better known as the Oscar-winning director behind masterpieces like "Million Dollar Baby," "Mystic River" and "Unforgiven," Clint Eastwood was the baddest dude on celluloid. He redefined what an action hero was and meant in his "Dirty Harry" movies. Now, that franchise has entered the Blu-ray era with the "Dirty Harry Ultimate Collector's Edition" box set. The five-film collection features every 'Dirty Harry' movie and loads of extras, including the featurette "The Evolution of Clint Eastwood." Check out this clip, which gives you an idea of how this character helped Clint leave the Spaghetti Western image behind and become, well...CLINT.

Great news! "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas" is coming to Blu-ray for the first time in a 2-disc special edition that delivers Burton's twisted stop-motion animation classic in glorious hi-def.

Since this movie has had several dvd releases, Disney's adding a few extras to make both the DVD and the Blu-ray release a special treat for devoted fans. Besides a poem written by Burton (and narrated by a delightfully creepy Christopher Lee), a backstage tour of the Disneyland Haunted Mansion ride at Christmastime (when it gets special decorations), you also get a special intro by the director that you'll only find on the Blu-ray release. There will also be a digital file copy available so you can download it to your computer and take it wherever you go.

"Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas: Special Edition" debuts on DVD & Blu-ray August 26th.

So it turns out the fire that torched a huge chunk of Universal Studios' California backlot was accidentally set by studio workers. Fire officials Monday said the workers ignited the blaze while using a blowtorch to heat asphalt shingles on a building.

Despite the massive fire, the studio resumed the backlot tram tour Monday morning. Uni officials vowed to replace and rebuild everything that was destroyed.

Something that may not be rebuilt is the 20-year-old King Kong exhibit. Totally destroyed in the fire, officials expressed doubt they would rebuild the Kong set piece, which means there would be a big chunk of available real estate on the Universal Studios tour, for whatever clever idea park engineers come up with.

I'm still thinking of my friend Sidney Pollack and how lucky I was to have known him. We were at one of the first Breckenridge, Colorado Film Festivals back in 1982 and we met again at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis a few years later. Everyone knows his great films. But if by some chance you haven't seen "Tootsie", go do so. You'll love it.

"The Way We Were" is one of the few films which dealt head-on with the terrible days of the Hollywood Blacklist of the 1950s, when innocent people's careers were ruined and paranoia was rampant.

One of my favorite Pollack-directed movies was at the start of his career, called "The Slender Thread." Telly Savalas, in his pre-"Kojak" days, heads a suicide prevention hotline office in Seattle. Sidney Poitier portrayed Allan Newell, a university student who is on duty when a woman, played by Anne Bancroft, tells him she's swallowed sleeping pills and tells him her problems and her life. It's up to the student to keep her on the phone so her call can be traced. Steven Hill, later to portray D.A. Adam Schiff on "Law and Order" plays her husband, seen mostly in flashbacks in this tender, intelligent drama. One of his least-remembered movies, you should rent it as a tribute to Sidney Pollack.

It’s funny to think that a whole generation of TV watchers might think of Sydney Pollack as Will Truman’s dad on “Will & Grace”. It’s even stranger to think that people might not be aware of some of the great films he directed. But he had a knack for comedic roles…and some of his characters are indelibly printed on my mind. In fact, when I think of Pollack, (after I fondly remember “Tootsie”…one of my favorite films) it is as an actor that he stands out.

Recently of course, he played a serial marrier dad of serial dater Patrick Dempsey in “Made of Honor.” The part was tiny and defined in broad strokes, but in the hands of Pollack his character, Thomas Bailey Sr., seemed fully formed; a wealthy New York businessman who would rather marry his sixth (or was it seventh?) wife than be a bachelor, he was naively and sweetly old-fashioned.

And even when his father figures were of a more dubious moral character, as the corrupt law partner in “Michael Clayton,” it’s easy to understand why he would inspire trust and loyalty in his staff. As Victor Ziegler in “eyes wide shut” he oozed an aristocratic entitlement, a man not used to taking responsibility for his actions.

As George Fields in “Tootsie” he was the classic New York agent. It took Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) becoming Dorothy Michaels to shake him out of his dated, sexist ways, in a very funny confrontation scene at the Russian tea room.

In 2006, he appeared in a French film called “Avenue Montaigne” playing a self-inflated filmmaker. The character spoofed the image of the crass American director. It was a knowing nod to our image abroad…but also lampooned the European desire to make it in Hollywood.

Of course, he had achieved so much as a director and a producer that he could play with his own image in front of the camera. I’ll miss seeing him pop up in mainstream studio movies…as much as I did in smaller foreign ones.

I’m extremely lucky, that I get to see most of my films in small screening rooms with just a handful of other critics. You’d think that this would lend itself to ideal viewing conditions… absolute silence, and an absence of phones illuminating throughout.

But no, that's not exactly the case…

When I see a certain critic from a well-respected newspaper I make for the furthest seat away. He’s a chronic, open-mouth, gum chomper and you can hear him masticating four rows down.

Another journalist from a popular weekly entertainment magazine is a problem-sniffer. I have never heard such a consistent, loud snuffling through all the film. During the exciting side-by-side car chase scene in “Indy 4” the guy next to me flipped open his phone and started text messaging. “You have to be kidding??” I said, and he actually looked angry that I dared to speak up.

All of this, of course is nothing compared to the popcorn crunching, nacho-smelling cacophony that accompanies a flick at a regular movie theatre. Not to mention the talking, phones ringing and the tappity tap of text messaging.

It’s just like Sartre said: “Hell, is other people.”

Watching the news reports of the devastating fire that ripped through Universal Studios' California backlot hit me like a kick to the stomach. I'm sure many fans of the cinema feel the same way, watching this chunk of movie history - or at least parts of it - go up in smoke.

First, the damage report actually is more encouraging than what we first heard. Despite initial fears that many negatives and master copies of Universal movies and tv shows were destroyed, Universal Studios President Ron Meyer said Sunday that the video vault were copies were storied suffered the most damage, and that the main vault of movie negatives was not damaged.

But Universal Music was not so fortunate.

The company apparently leases space in the vault at the studio lot. We're hearing that thousands of master recordings of Decca and MCA songs were destroyed. These were the masters to songs by such legends as Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, the Andrew Sisters and The Carpenters. Irreplaceable. That's a tremendous loss of pop culture.

**UPDATE**
At first it was believed the famous courthouse square set where "Back to the Future" was shot (remember the clock tower?) burned down, as did the King Kong exhibit. But it was reported late Sunday night that while it was damaged, the square was actually saved. Just about all the NYC street sets were also torched, though. News reports indicates Uni employees (REEL TALK is part of the NBC Universal family as well) were running in and out, grabbing things out of the area where the fire was burning to save them. None of the 30 soundstages on the lot were damaged, either.

When I first heard, I remembered my first (and only) visit to the famed Universal Studios tour. Before Universal Studios Orlando opened, the SoCal park was the only place you can go and relive certain parts of film history. Somewhere in my mom's old scrapbooks, there are Polaroids of my family in the Jaws ride, with the mechanical shark coming out of the water at our boat. I remember when the tram took us to the lake where we saw how the did the 'parting of the Red Sea' scene in "The Ten Commandments" and being wowed by the ingenuity of it (Sure, it looks painfully fake now but back in 1982, to my 11 year-old eyes, it looked cool).

I remember how spooky the "Psycho" house looked and how geeked out I became when I saw a few Cylons from the original "Battlestar Galactica" inside one of the buildings. Nice to know they still found use for cool props like that, even though the show had been off the air for several years by then. That tour was a watershed moment for me, turning me from a kid who liked movies into a kid who lived for the movies. That peek behind the curtain changed my life in many ways, and it remains one of my most cherished memories from childhood.

Thankfully, and most importantly, there were no serious injuries (several firefighters suffered minor injuries fighting the flames). Fire crews were able to contain the flames from spreading and causing more damage.

**UPDATE**

NBC Universal reports the theme park and the adjacent CityWalk complex will open for business Monday morning.

Let's hope no further damage happens to a landmark piece of Hollywood.

The "Sex and the City" movie bumped "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" from the box office top spot, earning a robust $55 million its debut weekend. But, and this probably concerns studio New Line a bit, the film ran out of steam after a scorching $26.9M first day Friday. It earned $17.7M Saturday and $11.1M Sunday, which indicates that the film may have reached the bulk of its audience this weekend. Not too surprising considering that even in its HBO heyday it averaged maybe 6-7 million viewers per show.

However, word-of-mouth has been strong (I saw it with my wife and enjoyed it alot) so there's a chance this could hold on awhile. "Sex" set the mark for best all-time debut by a film with a female lead and just missed the record for best opening by a live-action TV adaptation ("Mission: Impossible II" earned $57M in 2000).

Second place went to "Indy 4" with $46M ($216M total) showing people still love Harrison Ford in his greatest role. Third place -- and this was a true surprise to most everyone -- landed "The Strangers." The low-budget frightfest starring Liv Tyler earned $20.7M for a stellar debut. Who said people are tired of scary movies?

In fourth place, the year's biggest hit so far, "Iron Man" with another $14M ($276M total) and fifth went to "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" with $13M ($115M total).

Next week brings two very different comedies: The kiddie-targeting "Kung Fu Panda" and Adam Sandler's latest goof-off "You Don't Mess with the Zohan." Should be interesting to see if the kids or the frat boys determine next week's box office champ.