Movie News Page 1020

Both received huge praise from critics around, "Casino Royale" and "The Queen" finally came out as the RottenTomatoes.com's picks for best-reviewed movies of 2006.

The site, which is operated by Fox Interactive Media, called "Casino" the Best-Reviewed Wide-Release Film of the Year while naming "Queen" so for that of limited release, the former scoring positive rating of 95 percent while the latter a near-unanimous 98 percent rating.

Finally, she is in. Director Rob Zombie has confirmed on his MySpace blog that Danielle Harris is ultimately counted in for highlighting his project of "Halloween" after previously being reported to be engaged in talks to star in the movie.

With this inclusion, the flick therefore will be the third time Harris gets involved in the series after her appearance as Jamie Lloyd Carruthers in both "Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers" and "Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers."

Shining extremely bright lately, no doubt due to the vast accolades he receives for his portrayal in "The Last King of Scotland", it seems that Forest Whitaker won't suffer a lack of roles in the coming years. Production Weekly has just reported that the prolific actor is currently involved in talks to take a leading part in a big screen feature titled "Afterwards."

If a deal is reached, Whitaker will likely to be billed as Nathan Del Amico, a brilliant New York lawyer who was once declared dead yet somehow managed to wake up after drowning in a lake during his childhood.

The voice cast of Exodus Film Group's animated project "Igor" has got more lights on as Jay Leno and Jennifer Coolidge have both struck deal to join the list. Joining the likes of Christian Slater, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Jeremy Piven, and Molly Shannon, the two will voice Malaria's Machiavellian ruler King Malbert and the village vixen Sybill, respectively, with Slater as the title character.

"Jay and Jennifer each have unique voices and brilliant comedic timing, both of which are ideal for the film," the flick's director Tony Leondis commented. "We're thrilled to have them join an already stellar voice cast."

Developing what looks like to be the equal competitor to "Fishing on the Edge", Lionsgate is about to make a big screen feature titled "The Bass Master" from a spec script it has successfully purchased, Variety has learned.

Intended to be a comedy set in the world of competitive bass fishing, the project has already had Tab Murphy and Devin Maurer to both pen the script with Todd Garner seating as the producer. No words yet on either cast lineup or production details so far.

Snatching up a handful of notable names in acting field, Focus Features has listed Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clemence Poesy, and Jeremie Renier as the cast members for its new project "In Bruges."

Scheduled to start filming next month in Bruges, Belgium, pic is a darkly comic tale of two hitmen, played by Farrell and Gleeson, whose views on life and death get skewed when they become entangled with locals, tourists and a film shoot in the city.

Reuniting on the big screen after their latest appearances in "Jackass: Number Two", Chris Pontius, Steve Glover aka Steve-O, Preston Lacy, and Jason Acuna are all poised to star in "Hosed", a new comedy project which marks the collaboration between Madonna's Maverick Films and HBO Films.

Currently in development under Picturehouse, the flick revolves around an over-enthusiastic volunteer firefighter who is finally assigned to a firehouse where he has to deal with a band of misfit firefighters from the wrong side of the tracks. Pontius, Glover, Lacy, and Acuna are billed to play the misfits with the former becoming the troupe's leader.

Set to shift from theater to film industry, stage director Phyllida Lloyd is engaged in negotiations to helm "Mamma Mia!", an adaptation of the popular ABBA musical created by Judy Craymer and Catherine Johnson, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed.

A joint production between Universal Pictures and Tom Hanks' production company Playtone, the project will likely stay true to its original material which follows a bride-to-be as she locates three men who might be her father and invites them to her wedding.

Back to the film industry after her last uncredited appearance in Steve Rash's 1987 effort "Can't Buy Me Love", Paula Abdul has agreed to both star in and executive produce "Bratz: The Movie" as well as to consult on the flick's casting, music, dancing and fashion, Variety has reported.

The beauty, who said she was drawn to the film's message, will become a key part in discovering talent for the picture. The movie itself tells about four teenage girls from different economic and social backgrounds who bond together over the ups and downs of adolescent life at Lewis & Clark High School.

Honoring Canada's best in the film and television industries, the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television has unveiled on Tuesday, January 9, in Toronto the list of titles and names nominated for its Genie Awards.

For the top prize of Best Motion Picture, the organization lined up four Quebecois films namely "Bon Cop, Bad Cop", "Un Dimanche A Kigali" aka "A Sunday in Kigali", "Maurice Richard" aka "The Rocket", and "Guide De La Petite Vengeance" aka "The Little Book of Revenge", to face off against the English-language flick "Trailer Park Boys: The Movie."

Showing respect to young actress or actor who has displayed exceptional on-screen talent with great promise for the future, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts has named the nominees for its Orange Rising Star Award. Debuted at last year's BAFTA Awards, the honor is set up in honor of the late Mary Selway, a lauded BAFTA Award-winning casting director.

Announced by "The Last King of Scotland" star James McAvoy, who won the prize last year, the finalists were "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" star Cillian Murphy, "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" star Ben Whisaw, "Casino Royale" star Eva Green, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" star Naomie Harris, and "The Devil Wears Prada" star Emily Blunt.

Keeps hunting to find new director for its third installment of "The Mummy" franchise despite an offer made to "Jurassic Park III" director Joe Johnston, Universal Pictures is reported to get "XXX" helmer Rob Cohen in talks for the position.

The flick has already had Brendan Fraser onboard to reprise his role of Rick O'Connell, the lead character of the series. Meanwhile his co-star Rachel Weisz has expressed her interest in returning as an original cast member.

Continues to unveil titles vying for Oscar slots, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that its members have compiled a shortlist of movies considered for Best Make-Up nomination for the upcoming 79th Academy Awards.

Seven titles have made their ways to the list and they are "Apocalypto", "Click", "Pan's Labyrinth", "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest", "The Prestige", "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause", and "X-Men The Last Stand."

Creating a breaking move in expanding its status as a leading network for young generation, MTV: Music Television has revealed an all-new Monday night programming line-up which will start exactly on January 15, 2007 from 9 pm ET/PT.

"MTV has always been a destination for young adults to find programming that not only entertains but also connects with our audience on a deep, emotional level," Executive Vice President of MTV Series Entertainment Lois Curren stated. "With this block of programming, we've created a night of shows that capture the rollercoaster ride of young adult life by highlighting moments, individuals, stories, and relationships that not only feel familiar to our audience but also reflect their voices, hopes and dreams, as well as the issues they face on a daily basis."

Elaborating his pact with Imagi Animation Studios, Kevin Munroe is preparing himself to work on "Gatchaman" after his highly anticipated flick "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", "Cat Tale" producer Tom Gray has confirmed.

"Kevin is going on to do 'Gatchaman' as his next project," so he stated while revealing that the move has been taken upon learning that "Cat Tale", which was supposed to be Munro's writing project right after "TMNT", is put on hold despite the time and money spent for the flick.