Steve Martin to watch birds in 'Year'

Steve Martin will join Owen Wilson and Jack Black in David Frankel's comedy "The Big Year," which follows three dudes launching into a bird-watching competition. The film is based on Mark Obmascik's book "The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature and Fowl Obsession."

Howard Franklin wrote the script. Frankel, who also helmed "The Devil Wears Prada," recently directed "Marley & Me." Martin, who co-hosted the Oscars last weekend, last starred in "It's Complicated." (Source: The Hollywood Reporter)

This and that in film news: Hugh Jackman to star in 'Avon Man;' 'Septimus Heap' coming to big screen

Here are some brief film news you shouldn't miss on July 15, 2009:

• Hugh Jackman is attached to star in 20th Century Fox's "Avon Man," based on a pitch by Kevin Bisch, screenwriter of "Hitch." The story follows a man who's laid off and tries his luck as an Avon salesman. Variety says the project takes on a "Full Monty" vibe.

• David Frankel, director of "Marley & Me," is set to helm "Septimus Heap: Magyk" for Warner Bros. The project is based on the book series by Angie Sage. The story follows two babies - one how is the seventh son of a seventh son and is set to become a wizard, and the other who is destined to become a princess. (THR)

• Pierce Brosnan, Patricia Clarkson and Julianne Moore will star in Stanley Tucci's comedy-drama "The Hunter." Written by Tucci, the film follows a middle-aged man "desperately clinging to the vestiges of his once-charmed life and world." Variety describes it as a coming-of-age story.

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Review: "Marley & Me"

Seen on: December 27, 2008

The players: Director: David Frankel, Writer: Donald Roos, Scott Frank, Cast: Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Alan Arkin, Eric Dane, Haley Bennett

Facts of interest: Frankel also directed "The Devil Wears Prada."

The plot: Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston star as a couple struggling to control their energetic dog.

Our thoughts: I’ve never been and I certainly never will be a dog person, and that’s the sole reason why David Frankel’s family comedy “Marley & Me” had no emotional impact on me at all. That said, I definitely understand why a film like this one would touch the hearts of those who are passionate dog lovers, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

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'Marley & Me' wins Friday box office race

David Frankel's family comedy "Marley & Me" remained at the top of the North American box office Friday with $14 million in ticket sales. The film's domestic total currently stands at $28.6 million after just two days in release.

At No. 2, David Fincher's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" took home another $10.2 million, lifting its total haul to $22 million. Starring Brad Pitt, the film follows the story of a man who ages backwards.

Following in third place with $9.8 million was Walt Disney's family adventure "Bedtime Stories," which reached a cumulative gross of $20.1 million. Meanwhile, Tom Cruise's WWII drama "Valkyrie" collected $8.1 million for a two-day total of $16.4 million.

Jim Carrey's latest comedy "Yes Man" held on to the No. 5 spot, pulling $5.9 million to reach a total gross of $39.1 million after one week in release.

As for "The Spirit," the week's other wide release, it only picked up $2.6 million at No. 9 Friday, lifting its two-day gross to $6.4 million.

Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)

'Marley & Me' web reviews

If you're a fan of dog movies, don't miss David Frankel's "Marley & Me" in theaters this weekend. Based on the book by John Grogan, the film stars Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston as a couple raising the world's worst dog. The film is currently slashing its competition at the box office, but what are the Web's critics saying about it? Let's find out:

• CinemaBlend's Katey Rich: "Its small moments of insight don't make up for the overall lack of drama or narrative, but they will evoke all the proper emotions out of an audience with tissues at the ready."

• Brian Orndorf at Collider: "'Marley & Me' isn't so much an amiable motion picture as it is a series of manipulations kissed by Floridian sun and scored to a 45-year-old accountant's idea of a "wicked cool" mix CD."

• Kevin Carr at FilmSchoolRejects: "This is a damn manipulative movie. But it’s also a damn good movie, if you like that sort of thing."

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Watch a new 'Marley & Me" TV spot

I'm still not so sure I'll be able to heel the love in "Marley & Me," primarily because I've pretty much had it with all these dog flicks.

I understand this genre always attracts massive audiences, and I admit I really enjoyed Disney's animated dog adventure "Bolt," but right now, I just don't see the appeal in all these live-action animal movies.

Anyway, here is a first TV spot from the upcoming film, in which Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston try their best to raise the world’s worst dog. David Frankel directed the flick.

The preview after the jump is pretty much a shorter version of the trailer, but if you pay attention you'll be able to catch a bit of new footage. "Marley & Me" arrives Dec. 25, 2008.

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Trailer radar: “Marley & Me”

Are you ready for the next dog movie? In David Frankel’s upcoming comedy “Marley & Me,” Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston try their best to raise the world’s worst dog. The trailer is now available from Yahoo!, and you can check it out right after the jump.

It’s yet another dog flick, so I can’t say it looks innovative or particularly funny, but that’s just me getting overly tired of it. Anyway, “Marley & Me” is based on the book by John Grogan and opens Dec. 25, 2008. Alan Arkin, Haley Bennett and Eric Dane co-star.

By the way, Frankel also directed 2006’s hit comedy “The Devil Wears Prada.”

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