“Pirates of the Caribbean” Franchise is Not Dead Yet

Disney began cranking up the publicity machine for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales by releasing the first advance poster and a teaser trailer for the fifth installment of the adventures of Capt. Jack Sparrow.

Interestingly, franchise star Johnny Depp is nowhere to be seen in either. Perhaps the studio’s marketing people (wisely) assume that everyone has a very clear image of Jack Sparrow already, and what they need to do is start introducing the new elements.

The clip focuses on this installment’s new villain, Captain Salazar, played by the wonderful Javier Bardem (SkyFall), who always place a brilliant baddie — and even won an Oscar for playing one in No Country for Old Men. Check it out:

What is ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ All About?

I have to admit that I wasn’t holding out much hope for the big-screen adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies — the mashup of Jane Austen and the undead. It felt like a late-comer compared to 2012’s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. But the more I learn about the project, the more hopeful I’m becoming.

The first thing that piqued my interest was the casting of former 11th Doctor Matt Smith — not that his movie career has been exactly stellar so far *coughTerminator:Genysiscough* — but of course he has the look and accent for the period drama.

Now, take a look at the first official, full-length trailer for the feature:

Looks pretty interesting, amiright?

Why Bill Murray Finally Agreed to a ‘Ghostbusters’ Redux

Just about everyone was floored by the news that Bill Murray had agreed to appear in the so-called “all-female” Ghostbusters reboot after so many decades of refusing to associate himself with any of the long-mooted attempts at making a third film in the franchise.

Well, newsflash folks: Murray has not only agreed to make a cameo in the new flick — he has already shot his role (as a ghost debunker). So there’s no turning back now.

Vulture asked Murray why he did it, and he replied:

“I thought about it for a very long time. Like, many, many months. No, that’s not right. I was seriously thinking about this for years, really… It kept eating at me, and I really respect those girls. And then I started to feel like if I didn’t do this movie, maybe somebody would write a bad review or something, thinking there was some sort of disapproval [on my part].”

“He slimed me.”

‘Godzilla’ — the Honest Trailer

This one is for my brother and his wife, who really hated Godzilla:

DOCTOR WHO 8.03 (Modern Era) 34.03 (Classic Series): “Robot of Sherwood”

Funny thing about myths and legends: They have a way of taking on lives of their own. Look at the Doctor. He started out as a crotchety old man on a children’s show, and now look at him: a worldwide phenomenon beloved around the globe.

And Robin didn’t start out as a hero. He was a thief who grew into a folk hero, just like the Doctor. The Doctor will be the first to admit he’s not hero – he’s just the guy willing to step forward and make decisions when no one else will (See: “Voyage of the Damned). The 12th Doctor is still unsure if he’s even a good man, let alone a hero, so he resents meeting a man Clara regards as a hero – even if he never really existed. See the problem?

Happy National ‘Ghostbusters’ Day

It’s National Ghostbusters day! Today marks the 30th anniversary theatrical re-release of the 1984 film starring Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson.

So who ya gonna call? How about those wacky folks at “Honest Trailers”?

A limited theatrical engagement starts Aug. 29, and a 30th Anniversary Edition comes out on Blu-ray Sept. 16.

 

Peyton & Eli: Rapping Redux

NFL quarterback brothers Peyton and Eli Manning are at it again: shilling for DirecTV with another fun rap performance, this one called “Fantasy Football Fantasy” and promoting a new all-fantasy football channel. The Super Bowl-winning bros are hilarious together:

In case you thought you recognized a few other faces — aside from Hall of Famer Joe Namath, that is — the Mannings are joined by current Giants players Justin Pugh and Will Beatty as well as recent retiree Chris Snee, and current N.Y. Jets running back Chris Johnson. And, of course, there’s a cameo by the legend himself, Archie Manning.

As a reminder, here’s another look at last year’s promo, “F.O.Y.P.” (or “Football On Your Phone”):

Alert! Alert! SHARKNADO Warning!

The hotly anticipated followup to SyFy’s instant classic, SHARKNADO, has been rescheduled to run a day earlier than previously announced. SHARKNADO 2: THE SECOND ONE will premiere Wednesday, July 30, at 9 p.m.

The cast includes original SHARKNADO survivors Ian Ziering and Tara Reid, along with newcomers Vivica A. Fox as an old friend of Ian’s Fin; Judd Hirsch as a NYC cabbie  (typecast much?); Andy Dick as a police officer; Judah Friedlander (30 ROCK) as a guy named Brian; Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray) as Fin’s brother-in-law; and Kelly Osbourne (THE OSBOURNES) as a flight attendant.

 

 

 

Preview Clips of ‘Grand Budapest Hotel’

The latest from quirky master filmmaker Wes Anderson is called The Grand Budapest Hotel, and it bows on March 7. Here are a pair of clips that tease the typically odd experience in store for fans.

Look! Up on the Screen! It’s a Crappy Movie!

All too often, we hear people say, in regards to awards, “It’s an honor just to be nominated.” Well, that’s not the case with The 34th Annual Razzie Awards, from the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation, designed as the anti-Oscars to point out the worst work of the year in Hollywood. It is definitely not an honor to be nominated. And actually winning? Well…

Here is a complete list of losers hacks nominees for 2013. You can find out who blew the biggest chunks when the losers winners are announced online March 1, the day before the Oscars.

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