J.J. Abrams discusses sequel to 'Star Trek'

As fans will finally be treated to the much anticipated "Super 8" this week, director J.J. Abrams recently gave his fans another special piece of news. In a press junket for "Super 8," Abrams stated “The next thing we’re working on, and hopefully we’ll be able to pass information out sooner or later, is the next 'Star Trek.'”

This means that fans of Abrams' highly successful 2009 reboot will finally get to see the next installment of the series in the near future. However, the question still remains as to when it will finally hit screens. 

Although Paramount has the film set to be released on June 29, 2012, Abrams did not confirm the date. When asked about it, he stated "I care much more that it be good than it be ready. I’m obviously doing everything I can to make sure that schedules don’t get screwed up. But I don’t think anyone wants a movie on time that’s not worth your time.”

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2010 Writers Guild of America nominations

The Writers Guild of America today announced the 2010 nominations for outstanding achievement in writing for the screen during the last year, and James Cameron's "Avatar" is among those fighting for an award in the category of best original screenplay.

Also competing for that particular trophy are "The Hangover" (Jon Lucas & Scott Moore), "(500) Days of Summer" (by Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber) "The Hurt Locker" (Mark Boal) and "A serious Man" (Joel Coen & Ethan Coen).

The nominees in the category of adapted screenplay are: "Crazy Heart" (Scott Cooper), "Julie & Julia" (Nora Ephron), "Precious" (Geoffrey Fletcher), "Star Trek" (Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman) and "Up in the Air" (Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner).

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'Star Trek 2' release date announced!

J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" showed up on my list of 10 best films of 2009, so I'm obviously excited about the sequel, which is supposed to head into pre-production at the end of this year. Well guess what? Paramount Pictures has set a tentative release film for "Star Trek 2": June 29, 2012. I know that's a long wait, but at least we have something to look forward to that summer, right?

Ten Best Films of 2009

The year 2009 has come to an end, and I admit I got to enjoy a bunch of superb films, even though the movie year wasn't necessarily as powerful in terms of quality as some other recent years.

That said, these are my favorite flicks of 2009. Please note I picked these movies from all those I've seen this year. I really tried to watch as many as possible, but I admit I did miss a few in the end.

To keep a long story short, enjoy these picks and feel free to comment on them or post your own top 10. Thanks for stopping by, and here's to a new year filled with awesome cinematic experiences.

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'Star Trek 2' pre-production to lift off in 2010?

"Star Trek 2" is coming for sure, and earlier this year, director J.J. Abrams said work on the script had already begun. The plan is to have the sequel to the 2009 hit movie "Star Trek" ready for a 2011 release.

In a recent interview with MTV, Zoe Saldana, one of the film's stars, said that pre-production on the anticipated follow-up may kick off in a year or so. We'll know soon enough whether that's the start date.

"... We'll probably be going into pre-production around this time next year," she said. She also said she recently talked to J.J. Abrams, who said they are still working on the script at this stage.

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Las Vegas Film Critics Awards 2009

The Las Vegas Film Critics Society picked its best of 2009 this week, and Kathryn Bigelow's war drama "The Hurt Locker" was vited best film of the year. Bigelow also won another best director award.

I already lost count on how many awards the film has been taking home recently, but "The Hurt Locker" also won the best actor award for Jeremy Renner, and the best cinematography prize for Barry Ackroyd.

It doesn't end there though, because "Hurt Locker" also won best editing for Bob Murawski. Meanwhile, Gabourey Sidibe was voted best actress for her role in "Precious: Based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire."

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Shortlist for visual effects Oscar contenders

As the 82nd Annual Academy Awards are slowly approaching, more lists of semifinalists are starting to pop up. Now we finally know what films will be competing for a nomination for best visual effects.

"Angels & Demons," "Avatar," "Coraline," "Disney's A Christmas Carol," "District 9," "G-Force," "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" are among the 15 films trying to get a spot.

Also competing for nominations are "Sherlock Holmes," "Star Trek," "Terminator Salvation," "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," "2012," "Watchmen" and "Where the Wild Things Are." Only three will make it.

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'Star Trek 2' and Mission: Impossible IV' news!

J.J. Abrams really is the man to go to for solid entertainment in Hollywood right now. I mean, this guy resurrected "Star Trek" earlier this year and just so happened to create one of the summer's most intriguing, most entertaining sci-fi blockbusters.

Of course, everybody is already looking forward to a sequel, and Sci Fi Wire and The Los Angeles recently asked Abrams about his plans for "Star Trek 2." The plan right now is to have the follow-up hit theaters in 2011. Abrams had some interesting things to say about the film, so here is the most important.

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Five best films of 2009 (so far)

5. THE SOLOIST
Even though Joe Wright's "The Soloist" did not impress me as much as I expected, I still ended up loving it, particularly because of its unforgettable story, gorgeous photography, stellar cast and marvelous soundtrack. As a film about the power of friendship and the struggle for redemption, "The Soloist" worked really well, and what I enjoyed most was Robert Downey Jr.'s honest and heartfelt performance.

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Box Office: 'Revenge of the Fallen' reaches $200M

Weekend of June 26 - 28, 2009

Michael Bay's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" crushed the North American box office this week with an impressive $201.2 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The anticipated sequel to "Transformers" opened at 4,234 locations Wednesday and scored a daily gross of $60.6 million, the highest ever for a Wednesday. The film brought in another $28 million Thursday and $36.7 million on Friday.

At a distant No. 2, last week's winner "The Proposal" collected $18.4 million, reaching a domestic gross of $69 million. Starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, the film follows an overbearing book editor who forces her assistant into marrying her when she faces deportation to Canada.

Following in third place with $17.2 million was Todd Phillips' comedy "The Hangover," which lifted its cume to a solid $183.2 million after a superb four-week run.

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