Sam Raimi's 'Oz: Great and Powerful' gets release date

It has been a few years since the release of Sam Raimi's critically acclaimed horror film "Drag Me To Hell." After spending some time producing episodes of TV's "Spartacus," it appears Raimi is going to be making his comeback to the big screen via "Oz: Great and Powerful."

This prequel to 1939's "The Wizard of Oz" is set to feature James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis. Rather than rush this one out to theaters as fast as possible, Disney is apparently going to let Raimi take his time with this one. A release date is set for March 8, 2013. 

Movie Review: "Blue Valentine"

Seen on: September 24, 2010

The players: Director: Derek Cianfrance, Writers: Joey Curtis, Cami Delavigne, Derek Cianfrance, Cast: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, Mike Vogel

Facts of interest: The film played at Sundance and Cannes.

The plot: The film centers on a contempo married couple, charting their evolution over a span of years by cross-cutting between time periods.

Our thoughts: There are a few different ways to see a story like this. In the present we watch a marriage fall apart, then we go to the past and watch its creation. Back and forth, like two strings wrapping around one another. One would be hard-pressed not to call Dean (Ryan Gosling) a loser. He inhabits a rather low social strata with oblivious nonchalance, working as a mover, unambitious but decent.

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Movie Review: “Shutter Island”

Seen on: February 16, 2010

The players: Director: Martin Scorsese, Writer: Laeta Kalogridis, Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow

Facts of interest: Based on the book by Dennis Lehane.

The plot: Two marshals travel to Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of a prisoner from the mental institution, but neither of them is ready to face what really happened there.

Our thoughts: Martin Scorsese’s psychological mystery thriller “Shutter Island” is by far not a masterpiece, but the film’s creepy atmosphere, compelling characters, outstanding technical credits and fabulous cast definitely help overshadow some of its rather obvious story flaws. Although no Scorsese classic, “Shutter Island” is still worth a trip to the multiplex.

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'Shutter Island' trailer delivers the goods!

The first trailer for Martin Scorsese's "Shutter Island" has just exploded onto the Web, and you should definitely check it out below. It totally delivers the goods.

The film tells the story of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), who are summoned to a remote and barren island off the coast of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the island’s fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane.

"Shutter Island" is based on the novel by Dennis Lehane and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, Max von Sydow and Jackie Earle Haley.

As you can see below, the film promises to be an intense psychological thriller with a bunch of twists and, judging solely by this preview, vibrant performances. I for one can't wait, and the film will open Oct. 2, 2009.

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Review: "Synecdoche, New York"

Seen on: November 10, 2008

The players: Director: Charlie Kaufman, Writer: Charlie Kaufman, Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Michelle Williams, Samantha Morton, Tilda Swinton

Facts of interest: "Synecdoche, New York" is Kaufman's directorial debut.

The plot: A theater director reflects on his life while trying to put together his latest play.

Our thoughts: It doesn’t take a genius to acknowledge Charlie Kaufman as a genius or something awful close to it. Genius can move the world forward and illuminate the darkest of spaces. Genius can also go right over the heads of all those who are not as fortunate to be counted among the world’s smartest.

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Check out the trailer for 'Synecdoche, New York'

Here's the incredibly interesting trailer for Charlie Kaufman's "Synecdoche, New York," which stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as a theater director who attempts to create a life-size replica of New York for his play inside a warehouse. Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Catherine Keener, Hope Davis, Emily Watson and Jennifer Jason Leigh co-star.

This most definitely looks like yet another tour-de-force performance by Hoffman. I haven't had the chance yet to see the flick, but if you've seen it, please let me know. "Synecdoche, New York" opens in limited release Oct. 24, 2008.