Drew Barrymore to direct ‘Heist Society’

Drew Barrymore has just signed on to direct another film. After the unlikely success of her first effort “Whip It,” starring Ellen Page and Kristen Wiig, she is now set to work on a young-adult thriller titled “Heist Society.”

Barrymore will join Denise Di Novi and Alison Greenspan as producers while screenwriter Shauna Cross adapts the novel by Ally Carter.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the book revolves around Katarina Bishop, a young woman who is related to a long line of robbers, crooks and thieves. 

Bishop leaves her family in hopes of cutting out an honest living for herself, yet when her dad is suspected of stealing an art collection from a mob boss, she puts together a team and sets out to track down the art.

'Going the Distance' pushed back to September

Nanette Burstein's "Going the Distance" will not open Aug. 27, 2010, because Warner Bros. Pictures has decided to postpone the romantic comedy with Drew Barrymore and Justin Long until Sept. 3, 2010.

"Moving to the Labor Day weekend not only allows us to take advantage of the long holiday weekend, but gives us some distance from the other female-driven films releasing in August," said Warner's D. Fellman.

"Additionally, we have an opportunity to build more awareness and word-of-mouth for a movie we believe has strong appeal for a broad audience," he said. The film was screened for press earleir this week.

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Tim Blake Nelson joins 'Whales' project

Tim Blake Nelson is the latest to join Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski in "Everybody Loves Whales," which also stars Kristen Bell. Ken Kwapis will direct the movie based on the book "Freeing the Whales."

Set in 1988, the story follows a news reporter and Greenpeace member (John & Drew) who do whatever it takes to save three whales trapped in Arctic Circle. THR says Nelson plays a a wildlife expert.

Nelson, a great actor, recently did "Leaves of Grass" and "Saint John of Las Vegas." He's got a few projects coming soon, including "The Big Year," "Yelling to the Sky" and Rob Minkoff's "Flypaper."

Kristen Bell to join 'Everybody Loves Whales'

Kristen Bell's "When in Rome" sucked so bad, she really needs a good film now to restore the damage the disastrous comedy caused on the big screen. Maybe "Everybody Loves Whales" will help.

Bell is in talks to join the project, which already stars Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski. Universal is developing "Whales," and Ken Kwapis is in talks to direct, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Set in 1988, the story follows a news reporter and Greenpeace member (John & Drew) who do whatever it takes to save three whales trapped in Arctic Circle. Bell plays a reporter looking for the big break.

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'Going the Distance' trailer with Drew Barrymore

The first trailer for New Line Cinema's romantic comedy "Going the Distance" has debuted on the Web, so check it out below. Drew Barrymore and Justin Long star, and the film focuses on a couple’s attempt to maintain a long-distance relationship. The cast includes Christina Applegate and Jason Sudeikis.

The trailer below looks a tad lame, and even though I generally like to watch Long and Barrymore on the screen, "Distance" just doesn't seem like a movie I could get excited about. What this thing has going for it is director Nanette Burstein, who helmed "American Teen" and "The Kid Stays in the Picture."

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Review: "Everybody's Fine"

Seen on: November 30, 2009

The players: Director: Kirk Jones, Writer: Kirk Jones, Cast: Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell

Facts of interest: Kirk Jones also directed "Nanny McPhee."

The plot: A widower decides to embark on a journey to visit his busy children.

Our thoughts: The troubled characters in “Everybody’s Fine” are all okay by the end of the movie, but their road to happiness sure is a tedious one. No, I really didn’t enjoy Kirk Jones’ latest family drama, and one of the reasons why I couldn’t connect with it is the film’s predictability and lack of a sophisticated story line.

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Movie Review: “Whip It”

Seen on: October 2, 2009

The players: Director: Drew Barrymore, Writer: Shauna Cross, Cast: Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis

Facts of interest: Drew Barrymore's directorial debut.

The plot: Ellen Page plays a Texas teenager who's fed up with beauty pageants and discovers her happiness in roller derby.

Our thoughts: Drew Barrymore celebrates her feature directorial debut with “Whip It,” and the result sure isn’t bad. The film is by no means perfect, but a terrific Ellen Page and a solid supporting cast inject a lot of energy and heart into Shauna Cross’ script, based on her novel about the world of women’s roller derby.

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This week's new movie releases - October 2, 2009

Opening this week are Ricky Gervais' "The Invention of Lying" with Jennifer Garner; "Whip It" with Ellen Page; "Zombieland" with Woody Harrelson; and Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story."

ZOMBIELAND (with Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg)

Synopsis: "Zombieland" focuses on two men who have found a way to survive a world overrun by zombies. Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) is a big wuss - but when you're afraid of being eaten by zombies, fear can keep you alive.

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Watch Robert De Niro in 'Everybody's Fine' trailer

This looks like something that could be a sweet, amusing dramedy: Kirk Jones' upcoming "Everybody's Fine," which stars Robert De Niro, Kate Beckinsale, Drew Barrymore and Sam Rockwell and will hit theaters Dec. 4, 2009. Check out the film's first trailer after the jump.

In the flick, a widower (De Niro) embarks on an impromptu road trip to reconnect with each of his grown children only to discover that their lives are far from picture perfect.

Of course, the first thing that intrigues me here is the solid cast, which I'm really looking forward to experience in this film. I mean, who wouldn't want to see De Niro, Beckinsale, Barrymore and Rockwell work together?

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Roll with Ellen Page in five new clips from 'Whip It'

Are you ready to "Whip It"? Drew Barrymore's directorial debut is set for release Oct. 2, 2009, and five clips from the flick starring Ellen Page in the lead have popped up online. Check them out after the jump.

The film centers on Bliss Cavendar, a Texas teenager who finds a way of dealing with her misery after she discovers a roller derby league in Austin. Barrymore, Jimmy Fallon, Marcia Gay Harden, Juliette Lewis, Kristen Wiig and Zoe Bell co-star.

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