Amalgamated Zen

Who Ya Gonna Call...GhostBusters 3

In a conversation with MTV news Harold Ramis has confirmed a new Ghostbusters movie is in the works. The Original cast is expected to reprise their roles with their characters becoming "sage mentors" to new a new team, in a passing of the proton packs to a new generation of Ghostbusters.
Though the first draft of the script is apparently still in the works, Judd Apatow is signed on as at least a producer so thus far the casting rumors have been hovering around members of the "Apatowverse" Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen being tapped to take up the fight.
Taking into consideration the track records of the parties involved, I believe this will be a worthy sequel/reboot of the franchise and I'm actually enthused about this project coming together.
What do you think?

Simon Pegg's a weasel

Don't worry... this isn't a slanderous attack on Simon. Quite the contrary. British actor Simon Pegg has confirmed that he is part of the cast for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs which is due out in July of this year. Pegg, who joins original actors Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, and Ray Romano along with Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott and Josh Peck from the second installation, will be voicing the character Buck. As Pegg describes him, "Buck is a one-eyed, swashbuckling weasel who's personality is reminiscent of Captain Ahab". Most of Pegg's movies are oriented towards the older audience, but the funny-man wants to do something a little more family friendly so his child (due in June) along with his nieces can see what exactly he does. And if that means being a weasel, it's a good start.

Sean Penn a Stooge?

Sean Penn will be following up his Oscar winning turn as Harvey Milk with a role that can be literally considered a slap in the face. Variety magazine reports that Penn has reportedly signed on to portray Larry in the Farrelly Brothers new Three Stooges flick which is to begin production in the fall for release in 2010.
In addition to Penn, the Farrelly's are in negotiations with Jim Carrey to portray Curly and are attempting to snag Benicio Del Toro for Moe. Carrey is apparently planning to gain 40 pounds for the role instead of going with a fat suit, but no mention has been made as to weather he'll be shaving his head.
The film is supposed to be an actual Three Stooges movie and not a behind the scenes biopic about the lives of the legendary funny men.

Box Office Hits & Misses

The fans have spoken and the box office tells their story! Nic Cage's new movie Knowing sits at the top of the box office bringing in $24.6 million in the opening weekend. The anticipated film, directed by Alex Proyas (The Crow, Dark City) is all ready half-way to budget and still has plenty of time in theaters. Following another dismal weekend for a movie that was so highly anticipated, it seems that word-of-mouth has failed The Watchmen. The movie brought in a mere $6.8 million this weekend bringing it's gross box office to $98.1 million... still significantly short of the $130 million it cost to make. Meanwhile in comparison, the movie Taken which cost 30 million Euros ($40.6 million) has grossed $133 million in seven weeks out and Tim Burton's Coraline has grossed $73 million in six weeks for a movie that cost $35 million to make.

Paul Blart gets Taken

Despite two weeks at the top of the Box Office, Kevin James' comedy Paul Blart: Mall Cop has been "Taken" by Liam Neeson's new movie. "Taken" finished it's opening weekend with $24.6M while "Mall Cop" pulled in $14M for it's third weekend out. Horror flick "The Uninvited" with Elizabeth Banks, "Hotel for Dogs" and Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino" round out the remaining top spots.

Weekend Box for Jan. 16-19

Kevin James'  comedy Paul Blart: Mall Cop arrested the competition this weekend ringing up a resounding $39 million. In a weekend where the box was up by about 29% overall Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino racked up another $25 Million putting it over the $70 million mark, while other strong openings garnered over $20 million apiece for My Bloody Valentine 3D, Notorious and Hotel for Dogs in a weekend of wide variety.

Jessica Biel "Reneges"

Jessica Biel has finally "reneged" on her strict 'No-Nudity' policy. The actress has three movies coming out in the near future, two which have... we'll say... certain scenes. The first of the two, Powder Blue is a story plot loosely similar to "The Air I Breathe" (both movies star Forest Whitaker) in which Biel plays a stripper. The second movie, "Nailed", is a comedy in which Biel's character plays a nymphomaniac. However, there is one small catch - Biel is only nude for one of the roles. In a recent interview, Jessica states that she appears nude in Powder Blue but uses a body double for Nailed. Either way... I'm quite content.

Opening Next Week

NINJAS VS. ZOMBIES - Trailer

My Name Is Bruce

The Chin himself will be appearing in person and doing Q&A at each showing of his new movie My Name is Bruce. B Movie Legend Bruce Campbell is mistaken for his character Ash from the Evil Dead trilogy and forced to fight a real monster in a small town in Oregon. Click here for the My Name Is Bruce calendar.