Osama bin Laden thriller finds distribution

In the wake of the assassination of one of the world's most infamous terrorists, Columbia Pictures announced that Sony will distribute director Kathryn Bigelow's thriller, which focuses on the hunt for Osama Bin Laden.

Development began on the film in 2008. It will incorporate the recent ambush that resulted in bin Laden’s death. Bigelow will be reteaming with screenwriter Mark Boal, who also penned “The Hurt Locker.”

Filming is scheduled to begin this summer, with a release date planned for later next year. Sony's head Amy Pascal said this film "could not be more relevant." With Bigelow on board, it sure will deliver the goods!

(via Chicago Tribune & Sony)

Jeremy Renner to board 'Battleship'?

Actor Jeremy Renner is nominated for an Academy Award for his extraordinary performance in "The Hurt Locker," and now, the guy's also in talks to star in Peter Berg's big upcoming adventure "Battleship."

A recent Reuters news article about Oscar nominees revealed this information. It also points out Renner will shoot a film titled "Raven" soon. It's a period thriller that also has Ewan McGregor attached to it.

But hey, Renner is no stranger to acting, because his credits include "28 Weeks Later," "North Country," "S.W.A.T.," TV's "The Unusuals" and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

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Today's film news: 'Hurt Locker' wins award, James Marsden boards 'I Hop,' 'Apes' reboot a go?

James Marsden gets ready to 'Hop'

James Marsden ("The Box") will join Russell Brand in Tim Hill's upcoming comedy "I Hop," a mix of live-action and CGI about a guy (Marsden) who injures the Easter Bunny (voiced by Brand) and must care for him until he's all fit again. To tell you the truth, I know this one's going to suck big time. (THR)

'Hurt Locker' picks up major award

Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" didn't win at the Globes, but the war drama scored the Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures at the 21st annual PGA Awards this past weekend. Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro are sharing the prize! (PGA)

'Fourth Kind' director to helm thriller

Olatunde Osunsanmi, who last directed the disappointing "The Fourth Kind," will next helm "The Commuter," a thriller focusing on a man's deadly commute from work in NYC. Byron Willinger and Philip De Blasi wrote the script for the film developed by Gold Circle Films (Variety)

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Stephen King picks his favorite films of 2009

Stephen King obviously loves movies, and that means he obviously has some favorites...

Stephen King picked his 10 best films of the year 2009, and I bet you will be surprised by some of the the flicks he put on that list. EW posted his picks with some thoughts from King himself, and here's what he liked the most in 2009:

No. 10 on his list is "2012," which despite awesome effects and some hilarious sequences would never make my best of list. "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is his No. 9, and I admit that's one of the films I agree with him about. It is truly a fantastic animated adventure.

Moving on, he picked "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" as No. 8, "Law Abiding Citizen" as seventh, and "District 9" as No. 6. Okay for "District 9," but the other two? "Citizen" was pretty entertaining, sure, but I admit I was really disappointed by "Pelham."

"The Reader" made it to No. 5 on King's list, and "Disgrace" is his No. 4. "The Road" is No. 3 (couldn't agree more), and the big shocker comes in at No. 2: "The Last House on the Left." Come again? Well, I'm glad he's among those who loved that flick.

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National Society of Film Critics Awards 2009

The National Society of Film Critics liks 'Hurt Locker;' 'Up in the Air' nowhere to be seen

The 2009 awards season is not over yet. The National Society of Film Critics picked their winners for the year that is now history, and the big winner is "The Hurt Locker," which won best film and best director for Kathryn Bigelow.

Jeremy Renner also won best actor for his strong performance in "Locker." Yolande Moreau was voted best actress for her role in "Seraphine." Meanwhile, Mo’Nique was named best supporting actress for "Precious: Based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire."

Christoph Waltz ("Inglourious Basterds") tied with Paul Schneider ("Bright Star") for the award for best supporting actor. Joel and Ethan Coen won the best screenplay prize for "A Serious Man."

Also, Christian Berger was voted best cinematographer for "The White Ribbon," while Nelson Lowry took home the award for best production design for "Fantastic Mr. Fox." "The Beaches of Agnes" won best non-fiction film.

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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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2009 Screening Log Movie Awards Winners!

A week ago I posted the nominations for the 1st annual Screening Log Movie Awards, and here are the winners I picked for the year 2009. These are really the best of the best of the year.

The big winner for me is "Up in the Air," which received three awards, including best film, best screenplay and best supporting actress (Vera Farmiga). Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds" won two prizes.

As you can see below, the best actor category ended in a tie. It's something I don't usually like to do, but Nicolas Cage and Jeff Bridges just equally surprised me this year. Enjoy all the winners below.

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Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2009

Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" emerged as the big winner as the Chicago Film Critics Association picked the best films of 2009. "The Hurt Locker" won best film, and Bigelow was named best director.

"Locker" also took home the award for best original screenplay for Mark Boal, and Barry Ackroyd picked up the award for best cinematography for the war drama. Lead Jeremy Renner was voted best actor.

Carey Mulligan was named best actress for "An Education," while Christoph Waltz won the award for best supporting actor in "Inglourious Basterds." Mo’Nique won best supporting actress ("Precious").

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2009 Screening Log Movie Awards Nominations!

The nominations for the 1st annual Screening Log Movie Awards are in! I've selected the best of 2009 and narrowed them down to less than a dozen per category. Winners are announced Dec. 28, 2009.

A few notes on the process: These nominations reflect my selection of the best films I've seen this year. I've enjoyed many excellent movies this year, and I engaged in this process to honor my favorite ones of '09.

Over the course of this week, I will be looking more closely at each category and pick the ones I personally believe deserve to win. Please know these are solely my own, personal favorites of the year!

Let's get to it then! Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" took home four nominations, and "Up in the Air" received seven nominations. Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds" earned six, and "The Road" took five.

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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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