First set photo from 'Rock of Ages'

Director Adam Shankman posted the first set photo from his upcoming movie "Rock of Ages," which  is planned for a release June 1, 2012. As you can see in the shot above, it's Russell Brand and Alec Baldwin getting their werid costumes on. Hilarious!

Chris D'Arienzo, who created the Off Broadway's musical the film is based on, wrote the adaptation. The story of "Rock of Ages" follows a man and a woman who fall in love at a rock club but later break apart because of the extravagance of the rock lifestyle.

Also part of the cast are Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti, Mary J. Blige, Julianne Hough, Malin Akerman and Bryan Cranston. Shankman also helmed "Hairspray." Baldwin was rumored to be out of the ptoject, but this pic sure confirms he's still in.

New so-so trailer for Russell Brand's 'Arthur'

Here is the brand-new trailer for Jason Winer's "Arthur" remake. The flick stars Russell Brand as an eccentric guy inherting a fortune, but the problem is that he'll only get access to the money if he marries a particular woman. Of course, Arthur doesn't want to marry her, and that's where things get complicated.

Still, Arthur believes he can do without the money, and even though he requires a "nanny" 24/7, he decides to head out and look for a job. Easier said than done... Helen Mirren plays the "nanny," and the sexy Jennifer Garner is on board as the woman he's supposed to marry. Also starring is Greta Gerwig.

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Trailer for Julie Taymor's 'The Tempest'

Who's ready for some weirdness? The first trailer for Jule Taymor's "The Tempest" is here, and it looks quite odd to say the least. Check out for yourself below.The film is based on Shakespeare's masterpiece.

In Taymor's adaptation, the gender of Prospero has been switched to Prospera. Going back to the 16th or 17th century, women practicing the magical arts of alchemy were often convicted of witchcraft.

Prospera is usurped by her brother and sent off with her four-year daughter on a ship. She ends up on an island; it's a tabula rasa: no society, so the mother figure becomes a father figure to Miranda.

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First images of Russell Brand in 'Arthur'

As you may have already heard, Russell Brand is starring in a remake of Steve Gordon's 1981 comedy "Arthur" for Warner Bros., and The New York Times today posted the first official images from the film.

The film follows a drunk who inherits a fortune if he agrees to marry the woman his family thinks is best for him. But then he suddenly falls for a working-class woman, which further complicates the situation.

If these pics show us anything, it's that Mr. Brand seems to be in his element, and that may work just fine for this kind of role. Jason Winer is directing the remake, which co-stars Greta Gerwig and Helen Mirren.

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Intense poster for 'The Tempest' hits

Yahoo! Movies today debuted the first poster for Julie Taymor's upcoming version of "The Tempest," starring Helen Mirren, Russell Brand, Alan Cumming, Alfred Molina, Djimon Hounsou and Chris Cooper.

See poster below. In the flick, the gender of Prospero has been switched to Prospera. Going back to the 16th or 17th century, women practicing the magical arts of alchemy were often convicted of witchcraft.

Prospera is usurped by her brother and sent off with her four-year daughter on a ship. She ends up on an island; it's a tabula rasa: no society, so the mother figure becomes a father figure to Miranda.

This leads to the power struggle and balance between Caliban and Prospera; a struggle not about brawn, but about intellect. "The Tempest" is expected to hit theaters Dec. 10, 2010. Looking good so far...

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Movie Review: "Despicable Me"

Seen on: July 6, 2010

The players: Directors: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud, Writer: Ken Daurio, Cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett

Facts of interest: None.

The plot: Gru is a villain who plans to steal the moon. But then he's faced with a new challenge: he must raise three orphan girls...

Our thoughts: Reviewing a movie is solely a subjective thing. It is the pure representation of one’s feelings and thoughts in written form, and nothing more. I decided to start off with this because many people out there still tend to verbally attack reviewers who hate a movie they love. Keep it cool folks, because we all like and dislike different things. Now, let me move on to my review…

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'Get Him to the Greek' gets funny red band trailer

Nicholas Stoller's new comedy "Get Him to the Greek" will hit theaters June 4, 2010, and you can check out a new red band trailer for the flick right after the jump. First, let me say I adored Stoller's previous film "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," and that's also the reason why I have high hopes for this one. Lucilky, the new trailer is funny, even though a lot of footage is taken straight from its predecessor.

In the film, Jonah Hill plays Aaron Green, an assistant at a Los Angeles record company who flies to London and has 72 hours to bring back Aldous Snow, a crazy British rock star who's supposed to put on a big show at the famous Los Angeles Greek Theater. Only problem: Snow is completely nuts, and Green struggles to get his job done. Elisabeth Moss co-stars in the comedy. Have a laugh below.

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This and that in film news: Hugh Jackman to star in 'Avon Man;' 'Septimus Heap' coming to big screen

Here are some brief film news you shouldn't miss on July 15, 2009:

• Hugh Jackman is attached to star in 20th Century Fox's "Avon Man," based on a pitch by Kevin Bisch, screenwriter of "Hitch." The story follows a man who's laid off and tries his luck as an Avon salesman. Variety says the project takes on a "Full Monty" vibe.

• David Frankel, director of "Marley & Me," is set to helm "Septimus Heap: Magyk" for Warner Bros. The project is based on the book series by Angie Sage. The story follows two babies - one how is the seventh son of a seventh son and is set to become a wizard, and the other who is destined to become a princess. (THR)

• Pierce Brosnan, Patricia Clarkson and Julianne Moore will star in Stanley Tucci's comedy-drama "The Hunter." Written by Tucci, the film follows a middle-aged man "desperately clinging to the vestiges of his once-charmed life and world." Variety describes it as a coming-of-age story.

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Watch: 'Despicable Me' gets a funny first trailer

The first trailer for Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin's upcoming 3D-animated family flick "Despicable Me" has debuted online, and you can watch it after the jump.

Steve Carell voices Groo (or Gru), an evil man who plans to steal the moon. While his evil mother encourages him to execute his plan, Groo runs into trouble when he unexpectedly encounters three orphan girls.

The trailer below is more of a whole scene, in which we get a first glimpse at what Groo is up to. It looks funny, and I admit it got me to laugh a couple of times. At this stage, I'm quite excited about this one.

Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, the team behind "Horton Hears a Who!," wrote the script. Jason Segel, Kristen Wiig, Will Arnett, Danny McBride, Russell Brand, Jemaine Clement, Jack McBrayer and Julie Andrews are also part of the voice cast.

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Daily news dose: Pierre Morel books next thriller; Christian Bale talks 'Dark Knight' sequel

Here's your dose of film news for April 28, 2009:

• Pierre Morel, director of "Taken," is set to helm Paramount's upcoming untitled Tokyo thriller, which Frank Baldwin is writing. Accoring to Variety, the plot follows a CIA operative who is ordered to embark on a final mission before his retirement. Baldwin also wrote a remake of "The House of Flying Daggers."

• Universal is gearing up to remake "Drop Dead Fred" with Russell Brand attached to star. Writing the new version is Dennis McNicholas, who co-wrote "Land of the Lost." In the original, Phoebe Cates played a young woman who's reunited with her imaginary friend after returning to her parents' home. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Don Johnson is the latest to join Nick Swardson, Stephen Dorff and Christina Ricci in Tom Brady's "Born to Be a Star," a comedy Adam Sandler co-wrote and is set to produce with Jack Giarraputo. The plot follows a nerd (Swardson) who discovers his quiet parents were famous porn stars during the 1970s. Johnson plays a porn director. (THR)

• Total Film recently talked to Christian Bale and asked him about a sequel to "The Dark Knight." Bale said, "Will we do a third movie? It's got to be the right story. You can't make something like 'The Dark Knight' and then come out with something disappointing."