Shyamalan Signs on for Live-Action Adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender”

Via Reuters -

Fresh from directing the box office bomb “Lady in the Water,” M. Night Shyamalan is making a rare foray into family films with a feature based on a popular animated series on the Nickelodeon kids cable channel.

“Avatar: The Last Airbender,” a series influenced by Asian art, mythology and fighting styles, has attracted an audience beyond Nickelodeon’s usual 6-11 demographic.

Shyamalan will write, direct and produce the live-action adaptation for Paramount Pictures’ MTV Films and Nick Movies. They hope it will turn into a three-picture series with Shyamalan’s continuing involvement.

The project marks the first time that Shyamalan, who is known for crafting original screenplays, will direct material he didn’t create. His last children’s film was 1999’s “Stuart Little,” which he co-wrote.

Created by Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, “Avatar” is set in a world balanced on four nations — Water, Earth, Fire and Air. In each society, there are masters who can manipulate their native elements — Waterbenders, Earthbenders, Firebenders and Airbenders — while the one person who can master all four is the Avatar.

When the current Avatar, a 12-year-old boy still learning to master his powers, seemingly dies, the Fire nation launches a war for global domination. One hundred years later, two teens discover and free the Avatar and his flying bison from suspended animation, and he must fight to restore harmony among the four nations.

Since James Cameron is also about to film a new project titled “Avatar,” the films could end up in a showdown over their titles. Cameron’s camp said he began his “Avatar” screenplay 12 years ago. Both camps say they have registered the title with the Motion Picture Assn. of America.

Call me a psychic, or maybe a liar, because just a few days ago I was watching this show with my son and thought to myself that it would translate well to the big screen.  I’m not so sure about that with Shyamalan directing, but as with all of his previous pictures, I’ll likely give him another chance.

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Browse and purchase Avatar: The Last Airbender books, DVD’s, and merchandise at Amazon.com

 

New Indiana Jones Slated for Filming in 2007

Via Yahoo News –

“George Lucas said Friday that filming of the long-awaited “Indiana Jones” movie will begin next year.

Harrison Ford, who appeared in the three earlier flicks, the last one coming in 1989, is set to star again.

Lucas said he and Steven Spielberg recently finalized the script for the film.

“It’s going to be fantastic. It’s going to be the best one yet,” the 62-year-old filmmaker said during a break from preparing for his duties as grand marshal of Monday’s Rose Parade.

Exact film locations have not been decided yet, but Lucas said part of the movie will be shot in Los Angeles.

The fourth chapter of the “Indiana Jones” saga, which will hit theaters in May 2008, has been in development for over a decade with several screenwriters taking a crack at the script, but it only recently gained momentum.

Lucas kept mum about the plot, but said that the latest action flick will be a “character piece” that will include “very interesting mysteries.”

“I think it’s going to be really cool,” Lucas said.

At the inaugural Rome Film Festival in October, the 64-year-old Ford said he was excited to team up with Lucas and Spielberg again for the fourth “Indiana Jones” installment. Ford said he was “fit to continue” to play the title role despite his age.

Ford played Indiana Jones in 1981’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” 1984’s “Temple of Doom” and 1989’s “The Last Crusade.”

Lucas praised Ford for breathing life into his character.

“Mostly it’s the charm of Harrison that makes it work,” he said. “

Word is also spreading that Natalie Portman may sign on to play Jones’ daughter in the upcoming film. What do you guys think — will this be a worthwhile trip to the theatre? My only concern is whether or not the script places Jones in the 21st century. Remember that he drank from the Holy Grail, and for his character to look as old as Harrison Ford, about 80 years will have needed to lapse.

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Browse the full Indiana Jones collection on DVD at Amazon.com

 

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer Teaser

“The Fantastic Four meets their greatest challenge yet, as the enigmatic, intergalactic herald, The Silver Surfer, comes to Earth to prepare it for destruction. As the Silver Surfer races around the globe wreaking havoc, Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben must unravel the mystery of the Silver Surfer and confront the surprising return of their mortal enemy, Dr. Doom, before all hope is lost.”

Fox can church it up however they see fit, but they had my $9 at “Jessica Alba.”

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Click here to browse Fantastic Four DVDs at Amazon.com

 

DVD Review – Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest

2-Disc Special Collector’s Edition
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: December 5th, 2006
Run Time: 150 Minutes

Very rarely does a sequel pack the same punch as the original, and unfortunately Pirates 2 is no exception. It’s imperative that I point out how much I really (really) liked the first one. With that said, I’m going to take opposition to a lot of the other reviews out there that tore it apart and proclaim once and for all that I did indeed like this film (sorry though, no reallys).

Pirates 2 picks up not long after the end of the first, with the interrupted wedding of Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), both of whom are arrested for aiding in Captain Jack Sparrow’s (Johnny Depp) escape. They can only win back their freedom by obtaining Captain Jack’s compass, which is later revealed to have a roundabout connection with a chest owned by Davy Jones (Bill Nighy), tentacled pirate of the deep and captain of the Flying Dutchman.

It’s essential to know in advance that Pirates 2 is a link, or a cliffhanger, to Pirates 3. For that reason many feel that it fell short by breaking a lot of the supposed standards for movie serials. There are no plot points resolved whatsoever. No “mini-battle” has been won. In all actuality, the plot creates far more questions than it gives answers, but manages to do so without losing pace or direction. The action and special effects alone are mind-blowing, most notably the CGI work done for Davy Jones and his crew of indentured souls. And if you are expecting to see a re-hashed version of the first film, beware — there is a noticeable difference in how the main characters handle themselves in the new situations and developments of Pirates 2. Don’t worry too much though, you can still expect Captain Jack to slur and swagger around while Will takes the hard and higher road.

The special features on this DVD complement the film to the extreme, offering an in-depth look at the making of Pirates 2, including the particular woes for the director and producers while trying to wrap both movies (2&3) in 200 days. Along the way they faced countless obstacles, including budgetary constraints, hurricanes, and even the logistical nightmare of planning locations and casting parts around an unfinished script. There are also some great extras about the extensive CGI artistry done for Davy Jones and his barnacled crew, and how Disney “re-imagineered” the Pirates of the Caribbean ride to include Captains Jack and Barbossa.

The special edition DVD is a must-have in any collection, especially for fans of the first film. Even those disappointed in this second installment of the franchise will find the level of detail exposed within the extras to be engaging. As for the third adventure, which is due out Memorial Day 2007 and titled Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, rest assured that each viewing of Pirates 2 will only add to the mounting anticipation for what is set to be an amazing theatrical release.

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Click here to purchase Pirate of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest 2-Disc Special Collector’s Edition