The Inside Scoop

Hello to all.  I apologize for the lack of posting this last month on my part.  I took an unannounced hiatus from The Inside Scoop to assess the just announced decision to officially retire from The Inside Scoop after nearly 11 wonderful years.  EI has been a labor of love for me, as well as for our current and previous co-owners Rusty White, Stephen Wong, and Jonathan Hickman.  We've been through many ups and downs on the site and it is exciting to see how far Entertainment Insiders has come.  The new revamp, thanks to David and Kathy Stover (new co-owners as well), looks wonderful. 

But at this stage in my life, while juggling family time, my own screenwriting career that is currently on a slight upswing, and my duties as president of the non-profit Wisconsin Screenwriters Forum (www.wiscreenwritersforum.org... new website just a couple weeks away), I'm having to set some new priorities and while I truly do love sharing my passion of movies with you via The Inside Scoop, I just think it has run its course and its time to step away from those duties.  Barring any complications, I plan on retaining my co-ownership of EI and will also plan on contributing to the DVD review section as well.  

I'd like to thank Stephen, Rusty (former co-owner and obit writer), and Jonathan for a long lasting working relationship and friendship.  It's amazing that EI has been around for 11 years.  Stephen and I connected in '98 when he was looking for someone to write a section called The Inside Scoop.  Jonathan came on a couple years later and really put forth a lot of effort on his part, taking the site to a whole new level. 

Until we meet again, I bid you a fond farewell and say thank you for your continued support and interest.  It's been an excellent 11 years and while I leave with a little sorrow, my heart is full;)  Okay, this is getting too sappy.  Take care everyone.  And always remember... Spider-Man franchise needs a facelift and is a bit overrated... G.I. Joe rocks (the first flick was a good start at the very least)... Transformers still rocks despite a terrible second effort on Michael Bay's part... Mad Max without Mel Gibson is a bust, but I'll be there nonetheless because George Miller is still directing... Stallone's Expendables is the must see of the coming year... and well, I'll leave you guys with that.  Hasta la vista... baby.     

Best,

Ken Miyamoto

With winter fast approaching nothing brings a smile to my face more than cuddling up with a good book with my kids.  One of my daughter's favorites is the Berenstain Bears series.  So she will be very happy to find out that the fuzzy, fun-loving, furry family is headed for the big screen.

Shawn Levy is spearheading the film that is said to be a combo of live action and CGI.  Rumored released dates are somewhere in the realm of 2011.  If you are not familiar with the "Bears" you really should read up on them a bit.  It's a great series about a Bear family living in "Bear Country" which is a land of "Bear" people.  They work out everyday problems and lessons that are great for kids but entertaining enough for adults to enjoy.  Which is why I think the market research guys took a look at this one and figured they could really sell the crap out of this one.

Levy says that instead of being completely faithful to the story's setting he wants a more wry comical view of the bears.  He will set them in a real world setting as if they truly belong in our world.  I'd be careful with how you do that.  The Berenstain Bears are a cemented classic among young literature and my personal feeling is that you mess with it too much you may have a disaster on your hands.

Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing what develops on this one.  My kids and I will certainly be checking it out.

C

Source: Moviehole.net

DISTRICT 9 & GOD OF WAR^® III UNITE ON FIRST MOVIE/GAME DEMO BLU-RAY™ HYBRID

Blu-ray watchers who own a PS3 will be happy to know that not only will Sony's hit sci-fi thriller 'District 9' arrive on blu-ray on December 29, the disc will also feature a playable game demo of the PlayStation^®3 system (PS3™) exclusive, God of War^® III – one of the most anticipated video games of 2010.

After successfully completing the game demo, the consumer will be able to unlock an exclusive making-of featurette about the game.

District 9, which took the box office by storm in late summer with a $115.5 million domestic haul, will be available on Blu-ray™ for $39.95 SRP.

Hi all.  I'm Back!  First of all let me apologize in droves about my absence.  In all the October madness that usually surrounds my life I ended up getting the H1N1 bug.  Not fun folks, not fun.  But I'm better now, and after kicking the piggy swine's butt I'm itching to  get on with some scoops. Shall we?

This first one is a short one but oh so damn cool.  The long awaited project "THE A TEAM" finally has a marketing beauty shot.  And it doesn't disappoint.

Liam Neeson as Hannibal is just bad ass.

Enjoy!

C

Source: Moviehole.net

I can believe the Tom Hardy part of the scoop. He's a great actor. And even you call me an idiot for liking "Star Trek: Nemeses" you have to admit he was one awesome bad guy. But the part I'm not really buying is...well...that there is going to be a "Mad Max 4: Fury Road".

This project has been on-again off-again for years now. However, sources ARE saying that Hardy is up for the main spot as well as Charlize Theron.

I don't know. No script, no shots, no signings, no contracts, but reports are insisting it's true. I can only hope.

C

Source: Moviehole.net

Yup you read that right.  A project is in the works for another installment of the Beverly Hills Cop line.  Oh brother!  The original not only cemented Eddie Murphy in the mainstream but man it was one of the best films of it's genre to come along since.  The second installment was also a great movie.  Not as good as the first but well done none the less.  The third, however, was the definition of awful.  In fact, I don't think there is a word in the English language that can clearly define how horrible that third picture was. Russian, maybe.  Kilingon, certainly.  The original will always stand out as the benchmark.

Ah the memories: the banana in the tail pipe, the Eddie Murphy laugh, being tossed out of a department store window, and...Taggart and Rosewood!

That's right folks, not only has Murphy hinted he is on board but actors Judge Reinhold and John Ashton are rumored to be returning for the project.  Reinhold is a go and Ashton isn't signed yet but it sounds like that deal could go down soon.  Characters Rosewood and Taggart were the secondary comedy in the original that was brilliantly acted and written.  They were the perfect accompaniment to Murphy's wit.

Sources say this next installment will be closer to a direct sequel than the third one was (thank GOD!).  Here is to looking forward to this one!

C

Source: Moviehole.net

Fans of the Australian rising star Bojana Novakovic will rejoice in the news that she has landed two very plum gigs.  Appearing briefly in Sam Raimi's "DRAG ME TO HELL", she has now caught the attention of higher ups in Hollywood.

She will be soon be seen opposite Mel Gibson in "EDGE OF DARKNESS" and also has snagged a role in M. Night Shyamalan's "DEVIL".  Directed by John Dowdle, the picture looks to begin shooting in Toronto October 24th.

The plot and story are being kept quiet but reports are saying the lead character has something to do with a newly sober homicide detective. Gee, DRAG ME TO HELL, EDGE OF DARKNESS, now, DEVIL.  Anyone getting a theme here?   Let's keep an eye out for this one.

C

Source: Moviehole.net

The stories of Jack Ryan have been trying to be relaunched by Paramount for a while now.  Apparently, one of the hurdles they face is getting an actor attached that could fit the approach of the screenplay.  And to that end, what kind of story they want to spin this time.

Some of the actors on list have been: Ben Affleck, Harrison Ford or George Clooney as an older Jack Ryan, or Aaron Eckhart.  Now it seems that all of these actors could be taking a back seat to Chris Pine.

Pine has been one of the most sought after talents since his stint last summer as Captain Kirk in the Star Trek reboot.  Which was not only a great movie in this trekkie's opinion but a fantastic performance by all involved.  Pine is expected to be Jack Ryan as Paramount fleshes out the project.  It is unclear at this time if Pine will end up doing another Star Trek sequel before or after the new Jack Ryan thriller.

Keep your eyes open on this one folks!

C

Source: Moviehole.net

Here's a short scoop but a good one to discuss none the less.  "INDEPENDENCE DAY" has always been one of my favorites.  I'm sure it may be yours as well.  It has now been revealed that a sequel has been planned for many years.  The production has been in "on-again off-again" mode for quite some time it appears.  Now, reports are coming in that the reason it hasn't happened is due to Will Smith's price tag.

The actor simply wants way too much money to star in the film than the studio is willing to pay.  Now as I sit here eating my cereal during breakfast and typing away I can't help but think that ANY price tag he could come up with would more than be made up in box office/DVD sales.  I'm no economist but don't you think that a sequel to ID4 would be big enough (assuming it wouldn't suck) to bring in enough dough?  It is rather puzzling.

I certainly hope they find a way around this.  An ID4 sequel would be awesome!

C

Source: Moviehole.net

Now here is a tasty scoop.  Bryan Singer may be coming back to direct another "X-Men".  COOL!  As the story goes, he was up to do the third X-men movie but when Warner Brothers offered up "Superman" he bolted off the mutant project.  Now, news is that he is itching to come back for a 4th X-Men flick.

Here's the thing I am wondering about.  If you're keeping score the Mutant team is down three members: Scott Summers (Cyclops), Jean Grey, and...oh yeah Professor Xavier,  Yup, they're dead.  I don't know about you but I'm wondering how they are going to spin this one without those key characters.  Of course, it is the X-Men.  Just about anything is possible.

Fox has not said what would happen one way or another but you have to think that they would embrace Singer to helm this and other projects.  Certainly great new for any and all X-Men fans.

C

Source: Moviehole.net