The Screening Log - blogging film

Seen on: November 5, 2009

The players: Director: Grant Heslov, Writer: Peter Straughan, Cast: George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges, Rebecca Mader, Stephen Lang

Facts of interest: Inspired by Jon Ronson's book.

The plot: A journalist may finally find his big story when meets a man who claims he is a psychic soldier with paranormal powers.

Our thoughts: Grant Heslov’s “The Men Who Stare at Goats” is a bizarre little film, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it’s as funny as it’s awkward, and that’s certainly a good thing. This light comedy may not be very meaningful, but it’s filled with a solid dose of witty moments and a bunch of excellent acting performances.

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Friday

11Sep2009

Eva Green joins Ewan McGregor in 'Last Word'

Friday, September 11, 2009 at 10:42AM | By

Eva Green ("Casino Royale") has signed on to star alongside Ewan McGregor, Connie Nielsen, Ewan Bremner and Stephen Dillane in David Mackenzie's upcoming film "The Last Word."

Screen Daily reports the film follows two people falling in love while the world starts falling apart. Kim Fupz Aakeson penned the script, and shooting is already under way.

"Word" marks the second collaboration also between Mackenzie and McGregor. They previously worked together on "Young Adam," a film I absolutely loved.

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Wednesday

09Sep2009

George Clooney in 'Men Who Stare at Goats' clip

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 4:06PM | By

Earlier today we got to see George Clooney in the trailer premiere of "Up in the Air," and here he is again in a new clip from Grant Heslov's comedy "The Men Who Stare at Goats," based on the book by Jon Ronson. See it after the jump.

In this clip, Clooney demonstrates the Predator on Ewan McGregor. The Predator is a fierce weapon as you can see, and Clooney's character is clearly nuts. It's not as funny as the trailer, but it works.

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Thursday

27Aug2009

Hilarious 'Men Who Stare at Goats' trailer hits

Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 11:35PM | By

This is one you have to watch. I mean, George Clooney kills a goat just by looking at her in this thing. Of course, I'm talking about the first trailer for Grant Heslov's comedy "The Men Who Stare at Goats," based on the book by Jon Ronson and co-starring Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges, Rebecca Mader and Stephen Lang.

The trailer after the jump looks hilarious, and it seems we're in for some excellent performances in "Goats," which is set to open Nov. 6, 2009. Peter Straughan penned the script.

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Saturday

15Aug2009

Ultra-mini teaser trailer for Polanski's 'The Ghost'

Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 6:03PM | By

I'm really excited about Roman Polanski's upcoming thriller "The Ghost," but it's not because of this very short teaser that recently popped up online. I mean, come one! This darn thing is only 16 seconds long. My best guess is it's some kind of leaked footage intened for a longer preview.

Anyway, based on Robert Harris' novel, the film follows a ghostwriter who’s under pressure to finish the memoir of a former prime minister. When the author stumbles across a conspiracy that could implicate the ex-politician, he has to choose between his own safety and the commitment to his employer.

Sounds great, and so does the film's cast: Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Hutton, James Belushi, Tom Wilkinson and Kim Cattrall are all on board. "The Ghost: will hit theateres some time next year. BTW, Polanski last directed "Oliver Twist." Mini teaser follows after the jump.

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Thursday

25Jun2009

Trailer for Hilary Swank's 'Amelia' lands online

Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 10:41PM | By

Ladies and gentlemen, the first official trailer for Mira Nair's upcoming Amelia Earhart biopic has landed on the Web. Please feel free to check it out after the jump.

The story of Ameila Earhart is an intriguing one, and the footage in this trailer looks grand. As someone who enjoys flying, I'm obviously quite excited to see the film.

"Amelia" chronicles the life of the famous American pilot who became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic by herself. In 1937, she disappeared somewhere over the Pacific during an attempt to fly around the world.

Hilary Swank stars as the title character, with Richard Gere playing publisher George Putnam. Also on-board as Gene Vidal (a man Amelia had an affair with) is Ewan McGregor.

"Amelia" is scheduled to land in theaters Oct. 23, 2009. No delays on this one please. It looks really good.

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Friday

06Feb2009

McGregor, Mulligan consider 'Electric Slide'

Friday, February 6, 2009 at 7:26PM | By

Ewan McGregor and Carey Mulligan are in negotiations to star in "The Electric Slide" for Myriad Pictures, according to Variety.

The flick is based on Timothy Ford's article "The Yankee Bandit: The Life and Times of Eddie Dodson, World's Great Bank Robber." Tristan Patterson wrote the screenplay and will direct.

McGregor will star as Dodson, who robbed more than 70 banks in the 1980s before the FBI caught him.

McGregor was last seen in "Deception." He has tons of projects coming up, including "I Love You Philip Morris," "Angels & Demons" and "The Ghost."

As for Mulligan, her credits include "Pride & Prejudice" and "And When Did You Last See Your Father?" She will also be seen in Michael Mann's "Public Enemies" and "Brothers."

"Slide" marks Patterson's directorial debut.

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Thursday

15Jan2009

'I Love You Phillip Morris' gets a first clip!

Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 4:37PM | By

Glenn Ficarra and John Requa's "I Love You Phillip Morris" debuts at this year's Sundance Film Festival, and here is a first clip from the comedy.

Inspired by a true story, the film stars Jim Carrey as Steven Russell, a talented conman who ends up in a Texas prison, where he falls in love with his cellmate Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor).

In the footage below, Phillip is clearly pissed at Steven for lying to him so much. It's a pretty short clip as you can see, but it does make me want to see more. I'm interested to see how these two actors work together in these roles.

As for Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, their writing credits include "Bad Santa" and the remake of "Bad News Bears," two flicks I absolutely enjoyed.

No U.S. release date has been announced yet, but I will keep you posted. Enjoy.

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Thursday

04Dec2008

A first 'I Love You Phillip Morris' trailer hits!

Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 9:10PM | By

The folks at TrailerAddict posted what looks like an early version of a trailer for Glenn Ficarra and John Requa's upcoming comedy "I Love You Phillip Morris." You can check it out right after the jump.

Inspired by a true story, the film stars Jim Carrey as Steven Russell, a talented conman who ends up in a Texas prison, where he falls in love with his cellmate Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor).

While the preview below certainly looks interesting, it lasts for about three minutes and could use some additional editing. It looks more like a promo clip at this stage.

As for Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, their writing credits include "Bad Santa" and the remake of "Bad News Bears," two flicks I absolutely enjoyed.

As far as I know no U.S. release date has been confirmed yet. I'll let you know as soon as I learn more about it. For now, enjoy the preview below.

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Saturday

13Sep2008

McGregor, Spacey to ‘Stare at Goats’

Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 8:40AM | By

Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges are in talks to join George Clooney in Grant Heslov’s upcoming adaptation of “The Men Who Stare at Goats,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Based on the book by British journalist Jon Ronson, the film is set in Iraq and follows a reporter named Bob Wilton (McGregor), who may be in for the story of his life when he encounters Lyn Cassady (Clooney), a psychic solider who claims to be the result of the military experimenting with the paranormal.

Spacey plays a Larry Hooper, a former psychic soldier who is now in charge of an Iraqi prison camp. As for Bridges, he jumps into the role of Bill Django, the creator of the army’s psychic solider program.

McGregor was last seen in “Deception.” Some of his upcoming projects include “Amelia,” “I Love You Phillip Morris” and “Angels & Demons.”

Spacey last starred in Robert Luketic’s “21.” He is currently filming “Shrink” for Jonas Pate. As for Bridges, he most recently played Obadiah Stane in this summer’s blockbuster “Iron Man.” He will next be seen in “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People.”