film news: january 2009

Film School Rejects has listed the 25 Most Anticipated Movies of 2009, and amongst them are James Cameron's The Lovely Bones, Wes Anderson's The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are, Ricky Gervais's This Side of Truth, and Judd Apataow's Funny People (which stars Eric Bana!!).

Via Film Junk, Mickey Rourke is in talks to play the villain in Iron Man 2, though it's not clear who that villain will be. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think Rourke should get back into the blockbuster arena. He shouldn't have a Robert Downey Jr.-sized comeback.

Cinematical reports that Adam Shankman is going to remake Bye Bye Birdie. I can't help but think, out of all the musicals, who would want to remake that one? And why won't someone bring the musical Ragtime to the screen?

The Movie Blog lists out the upcoming comedies, horrors, and family films of 2009 by month. FYI: There's a family movie called Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Seriously?

Also from Cinematical, Hugh Jackman has dropped out of Steven Soderbergh's musical remake of Cleopatra. I think that's a wise decision, considering the previous fallout of 1963's Cleopatra.

Scott Weinberg at Cinematical lists his movie resolutions for the new year. 1. No more enjoyment of Milla Jovovich movies. 9. Find a way to cover hardcore pornography at Cinematical.

Den of Geek has the top 50 movie special effects shots -- complete with clips! I'll save you the suspense; #1 is from Jurassic Park where the T-Rex investigates the light (and the pupil dilates!). And I guess it would be cheating to have the entire film 2001: A Space Odyssey in the top 10, so they don't list the ultimate sci-fi film until #29 (entering the airlock without a helmet), which, yes, is absolutely unforgivable. Other notables: at #7, Hannibal Lecter eats Ray Liotta's brains for dinner in Hannibal; at #18, the receptionist recolors her nails in Total Recall (this beat the three breasted woman and the unlocking of the woman's mask?); and at #41 (seriously), the Dark Lord rises in Howard the Duck (seriously). I don't agree with list, but I appreciate the clips.