Beastie Boy MCA Shills For Criterion; Likes Wes Anderson Films Like The Rest Of Us White People

A light and easy way to end the week. Beastie Boy Adam Yauch, aka MCA, obviously recently launched a new division of his company Oscilloscope Laboratories called Oscilloscope Pictures. And now for the fun of it (and of course to push their wares), the fine cinema curators at the Criterion Collection have asked him to pick his favorite films from their vast collection.

And here it is:

1. Seven Samurai
C’mon, I gotta tell why this movie is good? You tell me!
2. Walkabout
Saw this one when I was in junior high school and it stayed with me. Glad to see it in the collection.
3. Nights of Cabiria
I don’t know what to write. I just love this movie.
4. Yojimbo
I guess you have figured out by now that I am really not going to review any of the films that I picked.
5. Sanjuro
But I do like the folks up at the Criterion Collection. Those are my people up in there.
6. Rushmore
They are a really great team that’s into some bugged-out, esoteric shit.
7. And God Created Woman
Peter is like the bigwig. He’s the head honcho.
8. The Harder They Come
Susan has her ear to the street. She always looks for some interesting stuff to put out.
9. Rashomon
When I was hanging out up there Heather was working on the audio. But now she switched over to some other department.
10. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Sometimes I get free DVDs from Criterion, but not always. I wanted to get one of each, you know, like the whole collection, but they said, “No, Adam, we don’t do that.”

Is Danny R. McBride This Year's Breakout Comedy Star?

If Ellen Page could have an equivalent that's an overweight, schlubby male comedian, well then Danny R. McBride is this year's Ellen Page.

Wait, that doesn't make any sense. Entertainment Weekly called him the next Will Ferrell, and tons of comedians including Seth Rogen and Ferrell have sung his praises, Danny R. McBride is having a moment. Or at least, he's about to.

"I'm calling it right now: he's the funniest person on the planet," declared "Superbad" star Jonah Hill to EW recently.

McBride started career as "Bust-Ass" in David Gordon Green's artful romance film, "All The Real Girls." The role was a small comedic relief one, but it got him noticed.

He was wasted cast in the mostly-worthless long-form SNL sketch film, "Hot Rod," and while the film was ungood, he again got some shine again as a supporting player.

2008 is looking like his year: he threatens to steal the show in Judd Apatow's upcoming "Drillbit Taylor" (March 21) starring Owen Wilson and a bunch of mostly no-name kids and then will appear in Green's first attempt at comedy also via Apatow ("Pineapple Express") and later in the year will be featured in Ben Stiller's "Tropic Thunder."

Not too shabby a year, right?

To top that off, he's already been tapped to appear in Will Ferrell's "Land of the Lost" in 2009.

But McBride is also a writer, comedian and filmmaker and just very recently, his old "The Foot Fist Way" film - about an inept, but cocky tae kwon do strip-mall instructor - which was a Sundance '06 entry, is getting new legs. Ferrell and his Funny or Die comedian/director pal Adam McKay caught "Foot" way back when and persuaded Paramount Vantage to acquire it and 'Foot Fist' is finally expected to roll out this summer.

The campaign for the film has just begun too. The comedy's website just launched and two nights ago, McBride appeared on Conan O'Brien as the character in the film Fred Simmons. The purposely awkward segment seemed so real, it apparently had many fooled that Simmons was actually a true, inexperienced and bumbling tae-kwon do instructor (he asked for a "redo" while trying to break a piece of cement; the segment can be seen here on NBC's website).

There's a lot to explore on "The Foot Fist Way" website and you can see the R-rated trailer here (note the very Mark Mothersbaugh/Rushmore-like music used in it).This one is just getting off the ground. Meanwhile, a viral clip of McBride's "Drillbit Taylor" character Don, the sexy homeless man, has hit youtube and you can see it here below.

Trailer: "Foot Fist Way"


Watch: Homeless & Sexy: Danny McBride

Watch: "Drillbit Taylor" trailer

Random: Pete Seeger, Justin Timberlake, Beastie's MCA, 'Planet B-Boy'

PBS aired the documentary "Pete Seeger: The Power of Song," this week about the now-88-year-old Godfather of american folk music. The film interviews with fans such as Johnny Cash Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Dixie Chicks Natalie Maines, and more and chronicles Seeger's life from his early folk days through his blacklisted McCarthy dark period. The old dude who has been around long enough to have spent time with Leadbelly didn't even really like the film though. "It's too much a eulogy if you ask me. It didn't tell all the stupid things I've done. I've done hundreds of stupid things." [Rolling Stone]

The trailer for movie where Justin Timberlake plays a "trousersnake"-touting French Canadian professional skater/ aspiring porno actor - "The Love Guru," with Mike Meyers and Jessica Alba is online. It looks largely terrible with a few guffaws and is set for July. [Moviefone]

"Weaving between the vivid backdrops of Osaka, Paris, Seoul and Las Vegas, spectacular choreography frames the intimate stories of dancers who struggle for their dreams despite being misunderstood by larger society and their own families," the breakdance documentary "Planet B-Boy," is due in theaters March 21. [Apple Trailers]

Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch's new film production company, Oscilloscope Pictures, is already has its eyes on a handful of new films. “There are cool, interesting films that fall between genres that the larger companies might not be not looking to distribute.” Yauch said. The rapper/director and filmmaker says he's looking at the Film house as a small indie label and says he's learned from the shuttering of the Beasties’ defunct Grand Royal imprint. “There’s a danger of getting too much overhead going...a big part of the idea is to do everything in-house — the artwork, the DVD covers, posters, that kind of stuff.” [Rolling Stone]

Watch: "Pete Seeger: The Power of Song" trailer

Watch: "Planet B-Boy" Trailer

Oscar Success Begats Publishing Deal For Swell Season 'Once' Duo; Twosome Touring In The Spring

Sometimes when one wins an Academy Award, those thathave their head's up their asses don't usually pay attention, pay attention. So, fresh off their Oscar victory for Best Original Song, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova have unsurprisingly signed a music publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group.

Warner/Chappell will handles songs composed by by Hansard's The Frames outfit and future recordings by the duo under the name The Swell Season.

Apparently both groups are currently without recording contracts. Hansard and Irglova will be touring the U.S. from late April through mid-June. Glen Brunman, executive VP and head of creative (U.S.) for Warner/Chappell who apparently hadn't heard about the film until after the Oscars said in a asshaty canned statement. "Glen's work with the Frames will continue to rock, and we'll make sure that it reaches an even wider audience."

In an interview with Pitchfork today, Hansard said the "Once" film post butchered the concept of the film and his body. "They fuckin' killed it. You're right. They have us holding hands, which we never do in the film! Those legs aren't mine. Those legs are like three times longer than my legs. It's a completely new body. They literally just used my face. I'm wearing a hat in the original picture, so they Photoshopped my head. If you look at my head, my head looks totally weird, because whoever did the Photoshop job was shit. My head looks really weird, they took my hat off, and they gave me an entirely new body. It's completely bizarre."

Tour Dates via Paste
April
23 - Phoenix, Ariz. @ the Orpheum Theatre
25 - Indio, Calif. @ Coachella
26 - Oakland, Calif. @ Paramount Theatre
27 - Eugene, Ore. @ McDonald Theatre
28 - Portland, Ore. @ Portland Center for the Arts
30 - Seattle, Wash. @ Moore Theatre
May
1 - Missoula, Mont. @ Wilma Theatre
2 - Salt Lake City, Utah @ the Depot
3 - Denver, Colo. @ Ellie Caulkins Opera House
5 - Lawrence, Kan. @ Liberty Hall
10 - Royal Oak, Mich. @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
11 - Cleveland, Ohio @ Allen Theatre
12 - Louisville, Ky. @ W.L. Lyons Brown Theatre
13 - Atlanta, Ga. @ Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
16 - Richmond, Va. @ Toad’s Place of Richmond
17 - Baltimore, Md. @ Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
19 - New York, N.Y. @ Radio City Music Hall
20 - Upper Darby, Penn. @ Tower Theatre
June
16 - Madison, Wisc. @ Overture Center for the Arts
17 - Chicago, Ill. @ Chicago Theatre
22 - Telluride, Colo. @ Town Park

The Judd Apatow Gravy Train Keeps Rolling; 'Five Year Engagement' Added To Slate; Huey Lewis Finishes 'Pineapple' Theme

'Walk Hard' might have been a bump in the road and it's uncertain how things like "Drillbit Taylor" (this March) and "You Don't Mess With Zohan" (early summer) will do, but there's still no stopping Judd Apatow's ability to apparently produce every comedy out of Hollywood for the forseeable future.

While Jason Segel's "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," remains untested as it won't come out until May, just added to Apatow's long spate of producing projects is "Five-Year Engagement," another product from the exact same team - writer-director Nick Stoller and writer-star Segel.

The film is described as (naturally) a "bawdy, couples comedy," about a... duh, five year engagement. Stoller says the film will essentially be an extension of the not-yet-released 'Marshall.' "If Sarah Marshall (played by Kristen Bell) and Jason's character had stayed together, this might be the sequel," he said.

Let's hope for their sake the film tested well and won't be a bomb.

Meanwhile, the stoner comedy Apatow tapped artisan David Gordon Green to direct, "Pineapple Express," finally has its finished Huey Lewis theme song.

Speaking with MovieWeb, Green told the site that the self-titled track is complete and even offered up the song's chorus: "We got trouble, we got to get out of here. I've got you, you've got me. We are as high as we can be. That's all right. How did we get into this mess? Pineapple Express!" (watch out Morrissey).

Our only input was, we told him we wanted it to sound like his '80s work that we loved so much," Green said. "We wanted to have the plot in it. And we wanted to have him say the title as many times as he could. There is a lot of alto sax. It is kind of like that "other" "Back to the Future" Huey Lewis song. Not "Power of Love" but "Back in Time."

Apatow's biblical comedy, "Year One," started filming earlier this year and yet another Will Ferrell comedy, "Step Brothers" with John C. Reilly is due in July.

Watch: Huey Lewis & The News - "Back In Time"

Short Cuts: Moldy Peaches Hate Babba Wabba, Weinsteins Rival Criterion, Wale Loves The Show About Nothing

Apparently during the Barbara Walters Academy Awards special right before the Oscars last Sunday, Babba Wabba told guest Ellen Page that she didn't "get" the Moldy Peaches. Well, Peaches' Adam Green responded to Walters calling her a smelly old claptrap (sort of). "I don't think anyone's taking Barbara's opinion too seriously," he said adding that the fact that Walters sang along with Page is evidence that every senile Grandmother on Planet Earth loves the band. "You couldn't surprise me now," "If Michael Jordan turned out to be the biggest Moldy Peaches fan, I’d be, like, 'Join the f---ing club.'” [EW]

Does the Criterion Collection have competition now via the Miriam Collection? Named after Harvey and Bob Weinstein's mother, the former Miramax chiefs are trying to make a bid for the DVD market with their new high-end digital video imprint. The label launched in late January with a great epics previously not available on DVD, Anthony Mann's "El Cid." The brothers hope to release 12-15 extravagantly packaged and packed DVDs per year with plans to release "The Fall of the Roman Empire," Akira Kurosawa's last film "Madadayo" and and Pedro Almodovar's "Dark Habits" and "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" on DVD. [Reuters] The reality is the Weinstein's have released three new DVD labels including Kaleidoscope TWC, a family friendly vehicle; and Dimension Extreme, which will release "edgy and provocative" horrors, thrillers, sci-fi and schlock like that. Robert Rodriguez take note. [MovieWeb]

Up and coming Washington, D.C. Wale is a huge "Seinfeld" fan. "I think I've seen every episode, like, 30 times," he said, so naturally, he plans to release The Mixtape About Nothing, an entire set of hip-hop cuts inspired by the show. [EW]

Given the wild success of the dance-off hip-hop movie, "Step Up 2 The Streets," Disney is planning a third installment, only this time in breakin' 3D. [Variety]

Yeah, yeah, New Line got absorbed into Warner Bros. and CEO mavericks Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne are out of jobs (this must make Peter Jackson especially happy) yadda, yadda. What we really want to know is, how does this affect "The Hobbit" if at all? [Hollywood Insider]

Watch: Ellen Page Sings "Anyone Else But You" on Barbara Walters

If Spike Jonze Cannot Make 'Wild Things' His Own Way, The Terrorists Have Won; Super-Nerd Pens Letter To Baby Jesus

You must love the Internet for its calm and orderly, line-up in single-file approach to even the most scant traces of rumor, innuendo and whispered speculation.

So, as we've noted Spike Jonze's "Where The Wild Things" film troubles escalated from pushed back release dates, to Warner Bros. was 'slightly unhappy' with the film, to 'possible reshoots', to 'complete reshoots!!', to "Spike Jonze getting kicked off project!," to Nazi bullion discovered at Warner Bros. /WMD's found at studio with plans to detonate freedom if Jonze does not complete film!!, in a matter of minutes (the film apparently finished principle photography three years ago according to Cinematical, sounds dubious, but we really haven't fact-checked it either).

Even, homeland security is worried. If Spike Jonze doesn't complete 'Wild Things' in his-magical way the terrorists will have won!

So naturally, some super nerd has penned one of the sorriest (and perhaps scariest) letters ever to nerd-magnate Harry Knowles over at Ain't It Cool News in utter desperation, insisting he's seen "Wild Things' (with spoilers mind you), and pleading that Warner Bros. shouldn't move one hair of the film's exquisitely coiffed head.

Basically the hysterical "Save Spike Jonze!" campaign has officially begun. The Nerd-a-tron, who's name is "Cinemaniac1979" writes with nary a trace of irony:

"This movie is Fred Savage’s grandfather saying “As you wish” at the end of 'The Princess Bride.' This movie is the look Susan gives to 12-year-old Josh as he walks away at the end of 'Big.' This movie is 'River Phoenix' fading away at the end of 'Stand by Me.' This movie is important and special. Spike made this movie for us [ed. losers everywhere?] We have to save it."

This letter is the part where we throw up all over ourselves.

(Some Of) Heath Ledger's Nick Drake Directed Video Unveiled By Australian Tabloid TV

This clip pretty much speaks for itself, though the speculation that this video was a cry for help is as retarded as most chazzwazzers. The back-story (sigh) is Heath Ledger directed a Nick Drake video for the song, "Black Eyed Dog," apparently one of the last songs the sadsack British folkie wrote before he committed suicide, even though there's no evidence that Ledger's accidental death was a suicide.

'Heroes' Soundtrack Features Dylan, Bowie, Iggy Pop, Wilco, Wendy & Lisa and The Jesus & Mary Chain

Yeah, it's TV, a lesser medium that we don't really care about (cause we spend most of our time in our mahogany library, sipping bold Tempranillos and reading our leatherbound books of course), but the soundtrack to the small-screen show, "Heroes," has some pretty decent names on it.

The show (which we don't watch), is apparently on hiatus (and apparently fallen off in quality if we're to believe all our office mates who were once rather vocal fans), but that won't stop NBC from turning a buck with an accompanying soundtrack that is due March 18.

As cynical as that sounds, there are new offerings on the disc including exclusive new singles from Wilco, Panic at the Disco, Imogen Heap and Brighton Port Authority featuring Iggy Pop. Pre-existing include tracks from Bob Dylan ("Man in the Long Black Coat") and David Bowie ("Heroes," how convenient!).

The 18 track disc will also include three tracks by former Prince galpals, Wendy & Lisa and the Jesus and Mary Chain's first new studio recording in a decade ("All Things Must Pass," the George Harrison cover? The Hollywood reporter article doesn't say). Music apparently "inspires and defines" the creators and the show. Blah, blah, blah...

Heroes soundtrack tracklist
1. "Heroes Title," Wendy & Lisa
2. "Fire and Regeneration," Wendy & Lisa
3. "He's Frank," Brighton Port Authority featuring Iggy Pop
4. "All for Swinging You Around," New Pornographers
5. "Glad It's Over," Wilco
6. "Weightless," Nada Surf
7. "Nine in the Afternoon," Panic at the Disco
8. "Chills," My Morning Jacket
9. "Natural Selectio," Wendy & Lisa
10. "ABoneCroneDrone 3," Shelia Chandra
11. "Not Now but Soon," Imogen Heap
12. "Jealously Rides With Me," Death Cab for Cutie
13. "All Things Must Pass," The Jesus and Mary Chain
14. "Homecoming," Wendy & Lisa
15. "Man in the Long Black Coat," Bob Dylan
16. "Maya's Theme," Yerba Buena
17. "Keeping My Composure," The Chemical Brothers featuring Spank Rock
18. "Heroes," David Bowie

'Step-Brothers' Trailer Brings The Funny Despite The Odds; LCD Soundsystem Soundtracking Everything?

Will Ferrell's doofus clowning routine somehow never gets old. The film is produced by Judd Apatow, but it feels more like a Ferrell/Adam McKay (the director) project that an Apatow one. LCD Soundsystem's "North American Scum" is featured prominently at the beginning of the trailer. Someone on their licensing team is really working overtime these days (maybe Pete Shelly should finally sue).

The Gist: Two adult men suffering from some serious arrested development, still living at home become step-brothers after their single parents get married.

In Summary: Yet another stupidly funny Will Ferrell comedy that defies the odds of repetition and continues to be amusing. Oh yeah, and with John C. Reilly again.

Tagline: From the guys that brought you "Talledega Nights" (they really don't need much more than this).

Quotables: "As soon as your eyes are shut I'm going to punch you square in the face."

Release Date: July 25, 2008

Download: LCD Soundsystem - "North American Scum"

Short Cuts: Stephin Merritt, John Cougar & Stephen King, Andre 3000, 'Juno,' More

Our favorite monotone-sounding curmudgeon, Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields, always has a plethora of music projects on his plate and recent interviews reveal this continues to be the case. The brown-wearing enthusiast is evidently working on a movie musical with his Gothic Archies accordionist/"Lemony Snicket" author Daniel Handler, and a musical adaptation of Neil Gaiman's “Coraline” which has nothing to do with the animated film project being directed by Henry Selick. [New York Times]

While Andre 3000, is busy doing press for his this weekend's "Semi-Pro" release, he'll still find some time to reprise his role on the hit FX drama "The Shield" this summer, as his comic book store owner character hits the campaign trail running for mayor. [SOHH]

The idea of horror writer Stephen King and heartland rocker John Mellencamp together is like chewing nuts and gum at the same time, no? Well, that won't stop the two from collaborating on a new musical thriller, "Ghost Brothers of Darkland County." "It is John Mellencamp's musical style and it's Stephen King's gothic style, and I just thought it was too cool to pass up," said clearly dusted Alliance Theatre artistic director Susan V. Booth. [Playbill]

Everyone loves "Juno" except Canadians apparently. Despite having a Canadian director (Jason Reitman) and two lead Canucks (Ellen Page, Michael Cera) in the picture, the film is being ignored by the Genie Awards - the Great White North's equivalent of the Oscars. Oh, not cause it wasn't nominated. The film was deemed ineligible because of its mostly American funding. "It's a Canadian director, Canadian stars, Canadian cast, Canadian crew, shot in Canada -- how are we not eligible for a Genie when David Cronenberg's film about Russians living in London shot in England with a British crew and British cast is eligible? I'm sorry, but somebody is going to have to explain that to me; I don't get it," Reitman said bringing up a pretty valid point despite his incredibly whiny voice. [Reuters]

Oh and speaking of "Juno," some jackass has written "the sequel" and is selling it on Ebay for $100,001.00. Yet another cheapshot dig at this movie from all the haters. [Ebay]

Modern Scottish composer Craig Armstrong (orchestration for Massive Attack, Madonna, U2) is writing the original score to the new, Marvel revamped "The Incredible Hulk" movie starring Edward Norton, Robert Downey Jr., Liv Tyler, William Hurt and Tim Roth. [Film Music Weekly]

Dario Marianelli, the recent Academy Award-winning composer of "Atonement," has been hired to compose the score for the 1960s flower-power drama, "Hippie Hippie Shake" starring Sienna Miller and Cillian Murphy.[FMW]

Philip Seymour Hoffman is set to play irreverent, iconic British pirate radio DJ The Count in writer/director Richard Curtis's "The Boat That Rocked." [Hollywood Insider]

Contest: 'City Of Men' Soundtrack & Poster

"City of God," the 2002 Academy Award-nominated Brazilian film directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, turned a lot of heads that year with its stylish and brutal chronicle of the favelas (slums) of Rio De Janeiro and the ruthless gangsters therein.

The film did so well, it launched Meirelles career onto an international stage (he went on to direct "The Constant Gardener") and begat the celebrated and immensely popular spin-off TV series "City of Men" in Brazil.

'Men' was then spun-off itself into its own feature-length film, directed by Paulo Morelli, who helmed many of the TV series' episodes. While it's not a sequel, per se, a lot of the same actors are seen and themes explored.

The soundtrack, released earlier this year and composed by Antonio Pinto ("City of God," and the incredibly moving, "Central Station" by Walter Salles), spins a lot of similar flavors of Brazilian funk and pop from the original film. Though all tracks are Brazil-influenced, some have dubbed out moments ("Dub Love"), funk with rap vocals overtop ("Vietnam a Brasiliera"), and some straight up atmospheric stuff ("Nefasto").

We have three prizepacks to give away that include the soundtrack CD and the poster of the film. The first three people that email us get a copy. It's that simple. However, to score the grand prize version with a poster signed by Fernando Meirelles, one has to answer this question: How many seasons were there of the original "City of Men" TV drama. The grand prize is gone.

"City Of Men" the film opens up this weekend February 29.


Watch: "City of Men" trailer

Fully Aware 'Southland Tales' Was The Near-Death Of His Career, Richard Kelly Tries To Appease The Masses With 'The Box'

Richard Kelly is nervous. He's also very self aware. The young director who had a post-release, cult-classic success with "Donnie Darko" also has the rank stench of one-hit-wonder all over him.

His 'Darko' follow-up, the woefully absurd and moronic "Southland Tales," was mostly destroyed by critics and unanimously ignored by movie-going audiences and Kelly is all-too conscious of the fact that the results was a pretty severe blow to his career (the film grossed a pathetic $273,420 on a nearly $18 million budget).

So the next move? Ingratiate yourself to audiences and studios as quickly as possible. "With 'The Box,' I hope to make a more mainstream popcorn film," he told USA Today... today.

Solution? Apparently hire "A-list" actress Cameron Diaz (was this written circa "Charlie's Angels"??) and pilfer an idea from "The Twilight Zone" TV series: a couple find a box containing a button. If they push it, they will receive $1 million. The rub? Someone they don't know will die.

Christ, that doesn't reek of bad sci-fi episode of the week now does it? (the film also stars James Marsden and Frank Langhella) Maybe Kelly doesn't care as he sounds like he's given up on the indepedent film route and again, is very aware of his potential fate. "There is no place for small movies to catch fire. We got with Warner Bros. as a means of survival."

Kelly is calling the sci-fi thriller his first "grown-up" film and says even though he's willingly selling-out, he's going to do it without compromise. "We don't feel like we are watering ourselves down."

Suuuuuuuuuuuuuure, you're not.

'Stop Loss' Iraq Film Uses Inappropriate AWESOME! Dunderheaded Song To Smack You Over Head With Message?

One can probably safely argue that Kimberly Peirce is a thoughtful, smart filmmaker. Or at least most could generally agree with that assesement after seeing her striking feature-length debut, "Boys Don't Cry" - the true story of a transgendered teen Brandon Teena, as played by horseface Hilary Swank that went on to win the Best Actress Oscar that year (1999). Yes? Sure.

But if you're to watch the trailer of her long-overdue follow-up Iraq-war film "Stop Loss" that's due in March, you might think you're watching the work of an entirely different filmmaker.

For one, by barely watching the trailer, we can assume this film is about young Americans at war and ostensibly, young Americans at war losing their lives (and in all cliched likelyhood their innocence), yes? While we're not jingoist patriots or sensitive prudes, does it not occur to anyone that using metal mooks Drowning Pool's deeply retarded, and lowest-common denominator testosterone-fest "Bodies," - with it's refrain, "let the bodies hit the floor, let the bodies hit the floor" - might just be a tad, inappropriate?

Sure, it's an MTV Film for one, and sure the producers and filmmakers are trying to be provocative. But even Brian DePalma had better sense and if you're using him as any baraometer with taste, class and good sense and you're failing the grade, you're in serious fucking trouble.

The trailer then moves into cheesy, slow-motion territory with flag-waving scenes set to fucking fromage torch bearers Snow Patrol ("Open Your Eyes") and you really feel like they're in trouble. Ok, we're not saying, "Boys Don't Cry" was genius and we're not saying Peirce is Orson Welles circa "Citizen Kane," but this trailer feels troublesome. Did they hand it overly entirely to MTV producers? Did Peirce just lose her mind in the last eight years that she wasn't releasing films?

"Stop-Loss" stars Ryan Phillippe, Abbie Cornish, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Channing Tatum, and as Jon Stewart reminded everyone near the beginning of this year's Oscar telecast, Iraq war films ("In The Valley Of Elah," "Grace Is Gone," "Redacted") were basically completely ignored by the viewing public, critics, Academy voters and essentially even those with copious free time and money to burn.

Update: Alrighty, alrighty! We hear you. Mea culpa. Comments are closed.

Watch: "Stop Loss" trailer

Zooey Deschanel And M. Ward Get Their Inner Girl Group On

So Zooey Deschanel and M.Ward met while making a cover of Richard and Linda Thompson's "If I Get To The Border" for the indie-film "The Go-Getter," starring Lou Taylor Pucci (the breakout star of "Thumbsucker"), Zooey Deschanel and Jena Malone.

The two hit it off so well, Deschanel soon overcame shyness to mention to Ward she wrote songs and eventually sent him demos. Impressed, the Portland based songwriter wanted more and the two met up to record and produce.

Two of our favorite tracks from their collaborative debut album (under the moniker She & Him), Volume One, have less of the twangy, country vibe of their earlier leaked songs, and more of a brassy, Wall-of-Specter, girl-group sound (see below). It's a pretty decent album, but we definitely prefer this somewhat surprising sound from the duo.

Meanwhile, there appears to be no progress on "The Go-Getter" film. The picture appears to still not have any distribution and the official MySpace page for the film run by director Martin Hynes has been dormant since May 2007. The film did however play at the Nantucket film festival in June 2007. Deschanel has recently signed on with "There Will Be Blood" star Paul Dano to star in the "offbeat" indie comedy, "Gigantic."

She & Him will be playing a few scattered dates this spring including performances at SXSW and the San Francisco Noise Pop festival.

Download: M. Ward w/ Zooey Deschanel - "When I Get To The Border"
Download: Richard and Linda Thompson - "When I Get To The Border"

Spike Jonze's Long-Delayed 'Where The Wild Things Are' Finally Coming October 2009

Spike Jonze's allegedly embattled "Where The Wild Things Are" adaptation has been set for a October 16, 2009 release by Warner Bros.

Does 20 months from now imply major reshoots? The test footage that leaked online was shot around the summer of 2004 and Jonze has been reportedly working on the film since 2002.

It's been far too long, but hopefully the long-awaited adaptation will be worth the wait? We sure hope so.

Short Cuts: Biggie Film, Duran Duran Doc, Issac Hayes; More

The script for the Notorious B.I.G biopic, naturally titled, "Notorious," has leaked (or at least NYMag has gotten their claws on it). If you thought trying to cast this film via the Internet was a bad/desperate idea, you might not be totally surprised that the script is apparently not very good. "The 113-page screenplay...makes the unfortunate decision to pack an entire (albeit short) life into a two-hour movie." [Vulture]

Shout yo mouth, bad mutherfucker icon Issac Hayes is going to play himself in a musical comedy called, "Soul Man," that stars Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac. Grammy winning nu-soul artist John Legend will also have a part in the film. [Reuters]

A new upcoming fan-made Duran Duran documentary titled, "Something You Should Know," features interviews with life-long Duran-y's No Doubt, Korn, Moby, Kelly Ripa, Michelle Branch, Barenaked Ladies, and the Scissor Sisters. The film is tentatively scheduled for a July 2008 release. [Paste]

With one afro on the way - Will Ferrell's "Semi-Pro" basketball movie, some clueless writer suddenly declares the '70s, the new "g0-to era for comedy." We're glad you've been asleep at the wheel for the last decade. [Associated Press]

David Fincher To Direct Trangressive Graphic Novel, 'Black Hole'

Slightly old (from late last week), but we wanted to have it mentioned somewhere. David Fincher is making a film and it's not about a serial killer or the tedious paperwork and time-sheets involved in catching one or invoicing for hours spent chasing one. The fastidious director's next project will be not be a "Fight Club," musical, but an adaptation of the transgressive Charles Burns graphic novel, "Black Hole."

The depraved tale chronicles 1970's teens who contract a sexually transmitted disease that produces horrifying physical mutations. Screenwriters Roger Avary ("Pulp Fiction") and Neil Gaiman apaprently penned a previous draft, but it is unknown whether Fincher will be start fresh or use their work. [JoBlo]

Flaming Lips Miss Self-Imposed SXSW Deadline For 'Xmas On Mars' Move Date To Sasquatch Festival; Everyone Shrugs

Does anyone even give a rat's ass about "Christmas on Mars" anymore? The painfully long-overdue Flaming Lips Xmas film is sort of like the Lochness Monster, Chinese Democracy and Big Foot rolled into one.

In October, the Lips' Wayne Coyne swore up and down that the film would be ready for the 2008 SXSW film festival and of course that they blew that deadline like a whore in Vegas.

Well, speaking of Big Foot and long-standing myths, according to Billboard, via Extended Play, the Lips will premiere "Christmas on Mars" at the 2008 Sasquatch! Music Festival, held May 24-26 at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Quincy, Washington along with a "U.F.O. show," performance featuring a "replica flying saucer" amongst their myriad of onstage nonsense.

In some Lips book Jim DeRogatis wrote, Coyne said "If [it's] good, people will walk away thinking they saw a movie about an optimistic guy who decides to celebrate Christmas even though the space station is careering toward certain doom, but that's not really what it's about. 'Christmas on Mars' is really about the idea of belief: that if people around you believe in you, it influences what you can do."

Appropos considering no one really believes (or cares) that it will actually screen anywhere at anytime ever. Wayne Coyne, you've squandered your good will with terrible soundtrack whoring and the 6-year late promise of a movie we once thought would be worth watching.

An old story we wrote contains two different trailers/sequences for 'Mars,' but according to Extended Play, lots of this footage has been reshot. Whatever...

Enduring Entire 8-Disc Collection Of 'Superman' Score Will Enable You To Fly In Real Life, No Seriously

You know what would really hit the spot right about now? Eight discs of the John Williams-penned "Superman" score. And whoa, ask and you shall receive. The lunatics over at Film Score Monthly have released info on the massive, "blue-box" eight-disc edition of the score for every superman film (oh, minus the recent Bryan Singer revamped version of course) titled Superman: The Music (1978-1988).

AND, it includes more than just 400 versions of "Lois' Theme" by Williams and also includes the coveted score material written for "Superman II" and 'III' (with Richard Pryor!) and "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace ," by nobodies like Ken Thorne and Alexander Courage. The exhaustingly exhaustive collection also features bonus tracks from Ron Jones' score to the Saturday morning animated cartoon "Superman," plus five tracks of source music by disco composer/producer Giorgio Moroder used for "Superman III" (what? well, it was an absurdist take on Supes).

The collection is being marketed to serial-rapists, mass-murders and other psychopaths masochistic enough to try and listen to this whole thing.

We're told that if you listen to all of the eight discs consecutively in one sitting you will unlock the secrets of being able to fly, so if you're idiotic brave enough to buy this thing try, you should immediately run to your nearest rooftop and enjoy your newfound powers. Not before yelling, "up, up, up and away!," of course.

"I'm Fucking -- FILL IN BLANK" Phenomenon Naturally Running Amok

Leave it to Kevin Smith to beat a dead horse. And or, did you know that someone out there is fucking someone else?

The viral Internet success of Sarah Silverman's mildy-amusing, "I'm Fucking Matt Damon" video clip and Jimmy Kimmel's suprisingly funny response video, "I'm Fucking Ben Affleck," has prompted director Kevin Smith to make a spoofy, "I'm Fucking Seth Rogen" with Rogen and Elizabeth Banks to drum up attention for his latest film, "Zack And Mimi Make A Porno."

Problem is, it's not that funny and these clips are getting tired already. Problem is in the accelerated, internet pop culture world, one doesn't need to wait one year for a ton of say, Tarantino knock-off films, like we used to in the good old days. Now, one just has to wait a matter of days.

Put a stop to this already people, please.

'Jumper' Seen As Insipid Even To 12-Year-Old Nerdlinger - The Return Of Sexman

By now you've surely heard that Doug Liman's "Jumper" has not only has done terrific box-office business, but that it has (naturally) been savagely decimated by critics almost uniformally (the two are almost always mutually exclusive) - hilariously called a "lethargic, incomprehensible event picture that is the action film equivalent of Phil Collins' Take Me Home video," by one critic.

Even Sexman, the 12-year-old boy who received a brief modicum of Internet fame for his trenchant "Rambo 3" review found the film insulting, implausible and worthless, which is really saying something.

The insightful lad had nothing but scorn for lead actor Hayden Christensen calling him the "worst actor I've ever known" and said the film overall was abysmal. "That thing SUUUUCKED," he said with palpable antipathy. "It was terrible has hell. The plot? It had no plot. The story was terribly written, even worse than 'Alien Vs. Predator.' "

The youngin' even referenced the 'Eminem Almost Starred In Jumper' story and says he's sure that the rapper would have been a "helluva lot better than that sonofabitch who starred" in the film (Christensen).

While he praised Samuel L. Jackson deep-cover thespian work in "Snakes On A Plane," he complained that the actor had "hardly any emotion" in the time-travel film and bemoans the fact that Jackson wasn't able to drop any mf-bombs ("He uses that word - 'mutherfucker' - so good in Hollywood, better than anybody and they didn't even let him use it this film.").

Finally Sexman reccomends going out to dinner instead of seeing this "piece of shit," and adds that the previews were much better. He gives "Jumper" 1 star and says, "you may think I'm being harsh," but suggest you only go see the film at your own risk.

When a 12-year-old idjit can see through the evident transparency of a wannabe-enjoyable popcorn action film, and yet America can still launch the film to #1 at the box-office, what hope do we have as a nation?

Watch: Sexman reviews "Jumper"

Lowest Rated Oscars In The History Of Its Awards History Prompts Media To Intimate Easy Fixes For The Future

Didja hear? The Oscars were the lowest rated Oscars in the history of the award ceremony's telecast. The average was 32 million viewers, which entering the record books on Monday.

So what was the problem? Well, it couldn't possibly be those long, overblown, suicide-inducing musical performances or the narcolepsy-inspiring montages that make you unconsciously reach for the remote button.

There must be something larger here at work. Let's hit the media and their acute observations to find out what the real problem is. First off, it's obviously the movies' fault. They're all too dark and independent and they don't star Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio on an oversized boat that's doomed to sink. So first things first: stop nominating good films.

Secondly there's the problem with that irreverent and cheeky Jon Stewart. His comedy stylings aren't like that lovable mensch Billy Crystal that you're grandmother hearts so much, so perhaps he should be replaced something quick-like. Let's face it. That "cabbage dance in the aisles" joke he made about Hal Holbrook went straight over his head (but he was probably napping anyhow). Critics did love Stewart, but as we know, these jackasses have absolutely no idea what they're talking about ever cause they can never see the genius that is "Everybody Loves Raymond."

Third: These nominated "movies" generated low box office figures or "little enthusiasm among moviegoers despite critical raves." Solution? Stop nominating good movies and pander a little more to the ham and eggers on the street. We mean, fuck. Only ONE of these movies - "Juno" - was able to crack the $100 million dollar mark. And movies aren't worth watching if they can't at least make a $100 million, right? AMIRITE!?

Fourth: Who won best actor, actress, supporting actor and actress? An English man desperate to be Irish (Daniel Day-Lewis), a alien-looking British person - woman? (Tilda Swinton), a fucking French woman (Marion Cotillard) and a Mexican (Javier Bardem). Umm, how about we stop nominating these fucking foreigners and give out the awards to red-blood Americans for Christ sake (despite that the Oscars are viewed worldwide of course. Even people in Yemen want to see George Clooney's handsome face at the podium, duh).

There you have it. Four fucking simple as American-apple-pie-steps to saving the Oscars from bad numbers, disappointed advertisers, bad-look record book shame and preventing Academy President Sid Ganis from receiving a bigger bonus next year.

We already see the writing on the wall: Next year, Academy Award winner Michael Bay and "Transformers 2." Hope you guys enjoyed that one year off when decent films got their shot.

Is Michel Gondry's Proposed 'Be Kind Rewind' "Sequel" Proof That He's Lost The Plot?

Anyone who's seen Michel Gondry's "Be Kind Rewind" know there's no need for a sequel. In fact, anyone who's seen the trailer can figure this out.

It's a light, fluffy comedy with no need for a part two. But this hasn't stopped Gondry from concocting another hair-brained idea to revisit the bumbling half-wits of his DIY paean.

And don't worry about spoilers if you haven't seen "Be Kind Rewind" yet, there is no real plot that that film.

Speaking to MTV, Gondry rattled off his new idea - supposedly titled “Rewound” - and sounds like he made it up on the spot or five minutes before the interview.

The "plot" revolves around the five main characters - Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover, Mia Farrow and Melonie Diaz - and taking the community theme of the film to a new level of open-source socialism and free exchange, plus some good old racism to boot.

"What happens is that they decide to take over City Hall,” Gondry explained. “So it’s sort of a socialist collaborative system. They open a restaurant with free food, they refuse to send money to the war, and they get more [jobs] for people. Everything goes very well.”

The kooky French director also added that Glover and Farrow and Def and Diaz would be all shacked up leaving Jack Black's already deeply retarded character lonely and depressed so he buys himself a dog.

But since it's a a Michel Gondry movie, the "plot" then goes off the rails. "Unfortunately, Danny Glover wakes up with a sort of a pain in his brain. He becomes super racist, calls Jerry a dirty [ethnic slur] and asks him to leave the video store. He blames the Polish for having brought the African-Americans [into] accepting the lowest wage jobs. It’s terrible, frenzied, racism.”

There's no way to really explain this aside from Gondry's own words. “It gets worse and worse and at the end there is a [race] war that’s starting,” he told MTV. “Basically, segregation is reinstalled. Mike [Mos Def] is leading the African-American community, and [Diaz] the Hispanic community, and Jack is leading the Polish community and they start to fight in a horrible fight.”

From their the all out war results in the death of Black's aforementioned pooch, and everyone is so upset the fighting ceases. “It turns out that Danny had a brain tumor that was benign and so that’s why he became racist. Everything restarts and goes back to normal.”

Ta daaaaaa! Worst. Story Idea. Ever. Ok, there's a possibility that Gondry is pulling their chain, but apparently it's just a quick, short idea he wanted to film on the extreme-cheap at Sundance while the cast was there, but he couldn't pull it together because of time constraints (thank god).

"I wanted to do the sequel in one hour because we had all the cast together, but some arrived too late or too early." Ok, so it sounds like it'll never happen, but geez, could that be any more tossed off?

Someone stop this man, now. Think about it. He wants to also make a movie about kids who invent water that makes you hear music when you drink it. Something tell us that Gondry's artist residency at MIT did some permanent damage to his brain. Maybe he sat too close to a radiation experiment or something (Whoa, we smell another film!)

Brad Renfro, Roy Scheider & Norman Mailer Excluded From Oscar 'In Memoriam' Tribute

Did the Oscars 'In Memoriam' tribute to the actors that died in the last 12 months seem somewhat hurried to you? Did it strike you as slightly odd that they didn't linger longer on Heath Ledger?

Maybe there was a reason for that and maybe that whoever produced the segment was asleep at the wheel? (or perhaps didn't start working on the segment until after the writers' strike and was therefore indeed, rushed?)

Vulture reminded us that the Oscars made three omissions of dead actors and filmmakers last night, some glaring and some less so. The exclusion of Roy Scheider would be inexcusable, but he did just pass away recently, so we figured this could be the reason why. Brad Rendro however died back in mid January, before Heath Ledger. Evidently dying of an accidental pill overdose at the top of your game is fine. Dying from a miserable heroin overdose after your career has tanked is apparently not ok.

Also looked over was Norman Mailer, who sure,was a well-known as a pugnacious author of chaunvinistic books, but Mailer was also an accomplished journalist and (s0metimes experimental) filmmaker.

Maybe Sid Ganis and company need to cut less montages and concentrate a little deeper on their dead-guy acting tributes, thank you very much. But apparently 98 movie types died in the last calendar year and the Academy reportedly told TMZ: "It is simply not possible to include everyone in that segment."

Translation: Fuck you, scumbag druggie.
Real nice, guys.

Alice In Chains 'Get Born Again' Biopic Finds Its Lookalike Man

Mostly unknown newcomer Lathan McKay has been cast to play Layne Stayley in the upcoming Alice In Chains biopic, "Get Born Again"

Based off of Argentine journalist Adriana Rubio's sensationalist, amateurish and poorly-received biography of the same name - which was originally titled "Angry Chair," before she revised it after his death - the author's remora-eel-like approach to writing the book was spent interviewing a brutally withering Stayley three months before his 2002 death and shamelessly getting the pathetic drug addict to admit all his dying wishes and commit them to print.

"I know I'm dying," he rasped through missing teeth. "I'm not doing well. Don't try to talk about this to my sister Liz. She will know it sooner or later." read just one melodramatic quote in the wretched book {just take a look at the cheaply produced book jacket to see how tossed off this thing was}.

A music writer friend of ours who read and reported on the book when it was released in 2003 called it, "One of the worst biographies I ever read. I almost fell over when I read the story that someone wanted to turn this into a movie."

"I know I made a big mistake when I started using this sh--. It's a very difficult thing to explain. My liver is not functioning and I'm throwing up all the time and sh---ing my pants. The pain is more than you can handle. It's the worst pain in the world. Dope sick hurts the entire body," read another Stayley quote in Rubio's miserablist book.

The 30-year-old actor has apparently met with Rubio to help develop the character he will play. Mckay has also been training and playing with U.S. rockers Motherweiser in order to familiarize himself with the 90s grunge rockers' music.

The film's myspace page has images of McKay in character with Motherweiser and other test shots. Rubio released a statement about the actor on the page's blog, writing that she had met McKay in 2007 and that they "shared passions regarding Layne. Lathan has a tremendous understanding of Staley's work and the utmost respect for He and Jerry Cantrell's music. Lathan is very passionate about portraying Layne as the beautiful, talented soul that he was. He is determined to give Layne the respect he deserves, and is definitely the man for the part. This was shown during ten unforgettable days of meetings and rehearsals."

McKay began his acting career a few years ago landing one of the lead roles in a coming of age story "Levelland", which premiered at 2003 Tribeca Film Festival. He has also been cast as Cop #2 in the 2008 film, "Harold."

Staley died in April 2002 of a drug overdose.