Woody Allen nabs a few more actors for his next film

As Woody Allen's newest and critically acclaimed film "Midnight in Paris" is still expanding across the country (you can read our excellent review of the film right here), the active director is already busy gathering actors for his next picture.

With Jesse Eisenberg, Alec Baldwin, Ellen Page, Judy Davis, and Penelope Cruz already on board, Allen recently nabbed Italian actors Riccardo Scamarcio, Isabella Ferrari, and Sergio Rubini, according to Variety.

This new project will center on four unconnected vignettes that are based on the Decameron, a collection of 14th century novellas by Italian writer Giovanni Boccaccio. Filming for the movie is set to commence on July 11, 2011.

First set photo from 'Rock of Ages'

Director Adam Shankman posted the first set photo from his upcoming movie "Rock of Ages," which  is planned for a release June 1, 2012. As you can see in the shot above, it's Russell Brand and Alec Baldwin getting their werid costumes on. Hilarious!

Chris D'Arienzo, who created the Off Broadway's musical the film is based on, wrote the adaptation. The story of "Rock of Ages" follows a man and a woman who fall in love at a rock club but later break apart because of the extravagance of the rock lifestyle.

Also part of the cast are Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti, Mary J. Blige, Julianne Hough, Malin Akerman and Bryan Cranston. Shankman also helmed "Hairspray." Baldwin was rumored to be out of the ptoject, but this pic sure confirms he's still in.

Movie Review: “It’s Complicated”

Seen on: December 25, 2009

The players: Director: Nancy Meyers, Writer: Nancy Meyers, Cast: Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski, Lake Bell

Facts of interest: Meyers previously directed "The Holiday."

The plot: Jane and Jake have been divorced for 10 years. Chaos erupts when the two start having an affair.

Our thoughts: Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin offer a trio of wonderful performances in Nancy Meyers’ new comedy “It’s Complicated,” a simplistic, yet quite charming and overall mildly entertaining film about what happens to a divorcee when she engages in a passionate affair with her ex-husband. 

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This week's new movie releases - Dec. 25, 2009

Opening this week are "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes" with Robert Downey Jr., and Nancy Meyers' "It's Complicated" with Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin.

SHERLOCK HOLMES (with Robert Downey Jr.)

Synopsis: In a dynamic new portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous characters, “Sherlock Holmes” sends Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes will battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country.

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Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin to host Oscars!

Last week we learned Hugh Jackman would not host the 82nd annual Academy Awards, and while I didn't care too much about that, I admit I'm pretty excited about the new hosts for the upcoming show.

Ladies, and gentlemen, give it up for Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, who will co-host the Oscars March 7, 2010. Telecast producers Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman made the announcement earlier today.

"Steve will bring the experience of having hosted the show in the past and Alec will be a completely fresh personality for this event," they said.

“I am happy to co-host the Oscars with my enemy Alec Baldwin,” Martin said. He and Baldwin will soon be seen onscreen together in Nancy Meyers' upcoming comedy "It's Complicated."

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Trailer for Nancy Meyers' 'It's Complicated'

Here's a rather interesting trailer for Nancy Meyers' latest comedy "It's Complicated," starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski, Blanchard Ryan, Lake Bell and Rita Wilson. Here's the synopsis:

Jane (Streep) is the mother of three grown kids, owns a thriving Santa Barbara bakery/restaurant and has—after a decade of divorce—an amicable relationship with her ex-husband, attorney Jake (Baldwin).

But when Jane and Jake find themselves out of town for their son’s college graduation, things start to get complicated. An innocent meal together turns into the unimaginable—an affair. With Jake remarried to the much younger Agness (Lake Bell), Jane is now, of all things, the other woman.

Yeah, sounds pretty intriguing right? To be honest, it looks quite refreshing as well. Meyers' more recent credits include "The Holiday" and "Something's Gotta Give," and I enjoyed both of these flicks. "Complicated" opens Dec. 25, 2009.

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Steve Martin boards Nancy Meyers project

Steve Martin is set to join Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin in an untitled film written and directed by Nancy Meyers, according to Variety.

Not much about the plot is known at this stage, but Streep is expected to play a woman caught in a romantic triangle with the two men. Production on the Universal comedy is scheduled to kick off early next year.

Martin’s most recent credits include “The Pink Panther” and “Baby Mama.” He will reprise his role as Jacques Clouseau in Harald Zwart’s “Pink Panther 2,” due in theaters Feb. 6, 2009.

Meyers' directing credits include "What Women Want" and "Something's Gotta Give." She most recently directed Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, Jude Law and Kate Winslet in the 2006 popular romance "The Holiday."

Martin has done some funny work over the years, but “The Pink Panther” was a career destroyer. Something tells me the sequel will suck big time as well.

Watch a lame clip from 'My Best Friend's Girl'

One movie I'm not at all looking forward to this fall is "My Best Friend's Girl,"Howard Deutch's upcoming comedy starring Kate Hudson, Dane Cook and Jason Biggs. In the film, Cook struggles with the meaning of friendship when his best friend asks him to take his ex (Hudson) out on a horrible date so she can crawl back to him.

Lionsgate today released a brief clip from the film, but I don't think it's funny at all. In fact, it's pretty much pathetic. Kind of what you can expect from a comedy starring Hudson, Cook and Biggs. Anyway, check it out above and let me know what you think. I was glad when it was over, although I am afraid I'll have to sit through more of this unfunny stuff when the film hits theaters Sept. 19, 2008.

Short takes: Martin Freeman boards ‘Nativity’

• Martin Freeman, known for his role in “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” has signed on to star in Debbie Isitt’s British comedy “Nativity,” Variety reported earlier today. The film follows two English schools competing for the best nativity play.

• Actor Don Johnson returns to the big screen in “A Good Old Fashioned Orgy” and Disney’s family comedy “When in Rome,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. Over the past years, the actor was busy starring on TV’s “Nash Bridges.”

• The Hollywood Reporter says Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg and Eva Longoria are just a few celebrities to show up in “Teenage Paparazzi,” a documentary by Adrian Grenier about this relationship with a young paparazzo.

• Imagi Intl. is moving ahead with “Tusker,” a computer-animated tale about an elephant’s adventure in India. The project was initially in development at DreamWorks Animation but got cancelled in 2005 (Variety).