Paul Thomas Anderson working on next film

Paul Thomas Anderson ("Boogie Nights") is one of my favorite filmmakers, and he's currently working on his next project: a drama about the creation of a religious organization in America during the 1950s.

Variety says the film is not yet greenlit, but Universal will consider launching the project once the script is done. The budget right now is estimated at $35 million, and Philip Seymour Hoffman is attached to star.

Hoffman would play the founder of this new religion, and the film will focus on his relationship with a young drifter who first joins the organization but later starts to doubt the new religion and its master.

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Movie Review: “Pirate Radio”

Seen on: November 5, 2009

The players: Director: Richard Curtis, Writer: Richard Curtis, Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Kenneth Branagh

Facts of interest: Richard Curtis also directed "Love, Actually."

The plot: A group of radio pirates broadcast rock 'n' roll from a boat in the North Atlantic while the British government tries to shut them down.

Our thoughts: Board Richard Curtis’ new comedy “Pirate Radio” (formerly “The Boat That Rocked”), and you’re in for more than two hours of great rock ‘n’ roll and fabulous acting performances. The film is by no means perfect, but I admit it’s definitely not as terrible as some critics out there made it out to be.

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This week's new movie releases - Nov. 13, 2009

Opening this week are Roland Emmerich's new apocalyptic action flick "2012" with John Cusack; and Richard Curtis' comedy "Pirate Radio" with Bill Nighy, Nick Frost and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

2012 (with John Cusack, by Roland Emmerich)

Synopsis: The film focuses on a little group of people struggling with the large-scale cataclysm ensuing from the end of the world in 2012. As usual, Emmerich blows up the entire planet. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Danny Glover and Amanda Peet co-star.

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Seymour Hoffman to direct 'Jack Goes Boating'

The great Philip Seymour Hoffman will be making his directorial debut with "Jack Goes Boating," a romantic comedy based on Bob Glaudini's Off Broadway play.

According to Variety:

"Play's described as an unconventional romantic comedy in New York City, laced with cooking classes, swimming lessons and illegal drugs."

Hoffman is also set to star in the film, along with Amy Ryan, John Ortiz and Daphne Rubin-Vega.

Overture Films is backing the project and will distribute it domestically. Shooting is set to start in New York City in February, according to the trade.

Hoffman is onscreen in the powerful "Doubt." Watch out for him in Richard Curtis' upcoming comedy "The Boat That Rocked," a film I am really looking forward to this year.

Trailer radar: 'The Boat That Rocked'

Ever since Richard Curtis' marvelous comedy "Love Actually," I've been eargerly waiting for him to return to the big screen with his next directorial effort. Almost six years have passed, but now he's back!

The film is entitled "The Boat That Rocked," and it focuses on a band of rogue DJs that captivated Britain, playing the music that defined a generation and standing up to a government that, incomprehensibly, preferred jazz.

The cast is promising as well, with Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh, Nick Frost, Rhys Ifans, Emma Thompson and Gemma Arterton all on board.

After the jump, you can check out the first trailer for the film, which is expected to arrive in theaters sometime next year. It's certainly a step away from the romance in "Love Actually," but it still looks hilarious.

Curtis, a British comedy veteran, also co-wrote "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral." He also worked on many episodes for "Mr. Bean."

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Three new 'Doubt' TV spots hit

I like this tagline: One thing is certain - Doubt. I also like what I see in the new TV spots for John Patrick Shanley's upcoming drama "Doubt."

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, the movie tells the poignant story of a nun who accuses a priest of abusing a young boy at a Catholic school. The film stars Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

The trailer already won me over, and the new spots after the jump make me want to see more. I especially look forward to those three lead performances, which I am sure will rock the screen once the movie opens.

"Doubt" opens in limited release Dec. 12, 2008. If you pay close attention, you'll spot quite a bit of new footage in the television spots below. Enjoy.

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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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Poster for 'The Boat That Rocked' online

From Impawards comes the first poster for Richard Curtis' next comedy "The Boat That Rocked," about a band of rogue DJs that captivated Britain, playing the music that defined a generation and standing up to a government that, incomprehensibly, preferred jazz.

On board are Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh and Nick Frost. Curtis, who co-wrote "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral," among others, last directed the wonderful "Love Actually." 

Seymour Hoffman joins ‘Mary and Max’ voice cast

Philip Seymour Hoffman is set to voice one of two lead characters in Adam Elliot’s upcoming claymation project “Mary and Max,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Hoffman will lend his voice to Max, a 44-year-old man living in New York who exchanges letters with the lonely 8-year-old Mary (voiced by Toni Collette) in Melbourne.

The trade also says the film is narrated by Australian legend Barry Humphries and features a cameo from Eric Bana, among others.

“Mary and Max” marks the feature debut of Elliot and producer Melanie Coombs, who won an Oscar for their 2003 short flick “Harvie Krumpet.”

Hoffman recently starred in “Charlie Wilson’s War,” “The Savages” and “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.” He will next be seen in “Synecdoche, New York,” followed by “Doubt.”

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.