Today's top film news in short - Sept. 28, 2010

Lots of film news going on these days, and because it's impossible for me to chat about all of them, I gathered a short list of other exciting events surrounding the world of filmmaking. Click links for more.

- Sad day today as Sally Menke, Quentin Tarantino's top editor, was found dead in Los Angeles. No cause of death has been determined yet. Menken edited "Inglourious Basterds" and "Kill Bill." (MORE)

- Joel and Ethan Coen's "True Grit" has a trailer, which you can check out here. The film stars Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper and Hailee Steinfeld. The film opens in theaters Dec. 25, 2010.

- Actress Maggie Grace has joined the cast of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn." Deadline says she will play Irina. In related news, child actress Mackenzie Foy is attached to the role of Renesmee. (MORE)

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New poster for 'Faster' with Dwayne Johnson

Here's the new poster for Dwayne Johnson's action thriller "Faster," which arrives in theaters Nov. 24, 2010. George Tillman Jr. directed the film, which also stars Billy Bob Thornton and Maggie Grace.

"Faster" follows a dude named Driver, an ex-con who heads out to avenge the death of his brother, who was murdered in a heist gone wrong years eariler. Joe and Tony Gayton wrote the screenplay.

Moon Bloodgood and Carla Gugino co-star. Can't say I'm loving this new one-sheet, but I am glad to see Johnson back in a hardcore action movie. Those kid flicks he's been doing just don't quite cut it.

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New 'Faster' images with Dwayne Johnson

CBS Films has released three new photos from Dwayne Johnson's upcoming action thriller "Faster," which will arrive in theaters Nov. 24, 2010. Check out the stills above and right after the jump.

"Faster" follows a dude named Driver, an ex-con who heads out to avenge the death of his brother, who was murdered in a heist gone wrong years eariler. Joe and Tony Gayton wrote the screenplay.

Co-starring are Billy Bob Thornton, Maggie Grace, Moon Bloodgood and Carla Gugino, who play cops trying to stop Johnson's character. George Tillman Jr. directed the film. Watch the teaser trailer here.

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Teaser trailer for 'Faster' with Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson is taking a break from doing utterly crappy family films to star in "Faster," a fast-paced action thriller directed by George Tillman Jr. A first teaser trailer is now online, so check it out below.

"Faster" follows a dude named Driver, an ex-con who heads out to avenge the death of his brother, who was murdered in a heist gone wrong years eariler. Joe and Tony Gayton wrote the screenplay.

Co-starring are Billy Bob Thornton, Maggie Grace, Moon Bloodgood and Carla Gugino, who play cops trying to stop Johnson's character. "Faster" will arrive in theaters Nov. 24, 2010. Teaser looks okay.

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Action-packed 'Knight and Day' clip arrives

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz are back on the screen in James Mangold's action comedy "Knight and Day," which opens in theaters June 23, 2010. Check out an action-packed clip from the flick below.

You can see some of this in the trailer as well, but it's a fun clip nonetheless. I'm still not entirely sure what to think of this flick, but the action makes it look like a fun ride. Let's hope the humor works too.

"Knight and Day" centers on a fugitive couple (Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz) on a glamorous and sometimes deadly adventure where nothing and no one – even themselves – are what they seem.

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Tom Cruise's 'Knight and Day' gets new trailer

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz are joining forces again in James Mangold's upcoming action-comedy "Knight and Day," and a second feature trailer for the film has just debuted on the Web. I'm still not entirely sure what to make of it, but I admit this new trailer promises at least some cool action sequences. The film is now set for release June 25, 2010. Viola Davis, Maggie Grace and Peter Sarsgaard co-star.

Fox's synopsis goes like this: The film centers on a fugitive couple (Cruise and Diaz) on a glamorous and sometimes deadly adventure where nothing and no one – even themselves – are what they seem. Amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, they race across the globe, with their survival ultimately hinging on the battle of truth vs. trust. Are you ready for another romantic action adventure?

Watch the new trailer right now right here on IMDb. Feel free to share your thoughts below.

Watch Tom Cruise in 'Knight & Day' trailer

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz are starring in James Mangold's new action-comedy "Knight & Day," and a first trailer for the film has debuted on the Web. Check it out below; it actually doesn't look that bad!

Fox's synopsis goes like this: The film centers on a fugitive couple (Cruise and Diaz) on a glamorous and sometimes deadly adventure where nothing and no one – even themselves – are what they seem.

Amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, they race across the globe, with their survival ultimately hinging on the battle of truth vs. trust. Are you ready for another romantic action adventure?

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Monday film news roundup: Disney acquires Marvel; Justin Baldoni joins 'Barry Minkow' cast

Here are the latest film news from across the Web and the trades for Monday, Aug. 31, 2009:

• Big news this morning, as Walt Disney is set to acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion. As Variety points out, this deal will give Disney ownership of more than 5,000 Marvel characters. At this stage, the deal still requires an antitrust review and the approval of Marvel shareholders.

• Justin Baldoni is set to star in Bruce Caulk's upcoming "Barry Minkow." Written by Jonathan Meyers, the plot follows a teenage entrepreneur who ends up in prison after running a Ponzi scheme. After his time in jail, he becomes a pastor working with the FBI. James Caan, Armand Assante, Mark Hamill and Ving Rhames co-star.

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'Taken' web reviews

In Pierre Morel's action thriller "Taken," Liam Neeson plays a father who stops at nothing to find his kidnapped daughter. But how effective is his battle against the bad guys? Let's find out what the Web's critics have to say:

• Katey Rich at CinemaBlend: "But all the movie really needs is Neeson and a row of henchmen for him to mow down, and as long as the action is moving, it all works fine."

• Cinematical's Eric D. Snider: "These are matters of black-and-white, with clearly defined heroes and villains, and there's nothing wrong with seeing the good guys win every now and then."

• RopeOfSilicon's Brad Brevet: "The best way to describe 'Taken' is to say it is in the same genre as other recent Fox flicks such as Hitman and Max Payne, but it does it all much, much better."

• Joblo's Arrow In The Head: "By and large, TAKEN shamelessly entertained this simpleton for an hour and half. No frills, no pretenses, just Liam Neeson mowing through human trash to get his daughter back. Nothing wrong with that!"

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Review: "Taken"

Seen on: January 30, 2009

The players: Director: Pierre Morel, Writer: Robert Mark Kamen, Luc Besson, Cast: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Anjul Nigam, Goran Kostic, Holly Valance

Facts of interest: Morel's next is "From Paris With Love" with John Travolta.

The plot: Liam Neeson stars as a former government operative who stops at nothing to find his daughter and free her from her kidnappers.

Our thoughts: Liam Neeson goes all Jason Bourne and Jack Bauer on us in Pierre Morel’s fast-paced action thriller “Taken,” and to be honest, watching him eliminate bad guy after bad guy for nearly 93 minutes is plenty of fun.

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