The 2013 Razzie Nominations Announced, 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2' Leads The Pack

Sorry Twi-Hards, but your beloved Breaking Dawn, Part 2 led pack in today's nominations for the 33rd Annual Golden Raspberry Awards, which will once again honor the year's worst in cinema.

The tongue-in-cheek antithesis of the Academy Awards, the Razzies managed to honor the final chapter of the Twilight Saga with a comfortable clean sweep and a nod in all ten categories including Worst Picture, Worst Director, Worst Screenplay and Worst Acting nods for cast mates Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Ashley Greene and Taylor Launtner (respectively).

Other films honored with multiple mentions include the $200 million sea-dud Battleship, That's My Boy starring Razzie veteran Adam Sandler, and Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection. Individuals singled out for their body of thespian work throughout the year were Kristen Stewart for Twilight / Snow White and the Huntsman, Tyler Perry for Alex Cross / Good Deeds (plus two Worst Director nods), Brooklyn Decker for Battleship / What To Expect When Your Expecting,  Liam Neeson for Wrath of the Titans / Battleship and Jessica Biel for Total Recall / Playing For Keeps.

The 33rd Annual Golden Raspberry Awards ceremony will be held the day before the Academy Awards on Saturday, February 23rd.

Here is the complete list of honorees:

Worst Picture

• Battleship
• The Oogieloves in Big Balloon Adventure
• That’s My Boy
• A Thousand Words
• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2

Worst Director

• Sean Anders – That’s My Boy
• Peter Berg – Battleship
• Bill Condon – The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
• Tyler Perry – Good Deeds / Madea’s Witness Protection
• John Putch – Atlas Shrugged: Part I

Worst Actress

• Katherine Heigl – One for the Money
• Milla Jovovich – Resident Evil: Retribution
• Tyler Perry – Madea’s Witness Protection
• Kristen Stewart – The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 / Snow White and the Huntsman
• Barbra Streisand – The Guilt Trip

Worst Actor

• Nicolas Cage – Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance / Seeking Justice
• Eddie Murphy – A Thousand Words
• Robert Pattinson – The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
• Tyler Perry – Alex Cross / Good Deeds
• Adam Sandler – That’s My Boy

Worst Supporting Actress

• Jessica Biel – Playing For Keeps / Total Recall
• Brooklyn Decker – Battleship / What to Expect When You’re Expecting
• Ashley Greene – The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
• Jennifer Lopez – What to Expect When You’re Expecting
• Rihanna – Battleship

Worst Supporting Actor

• David Hasselhoff – Piranha 3-DD
• Taylor Lautner – The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
• Liam Neeson – Battleship / Wrath of the Titans
• Nick Swardson – That’s My Boy
• Vanilla Ice – That’s My Boy

Worst Screen Ensemble

• Battleship
• The Oogieloves in Big Balloon Adventure
• That’s My Boy
• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
• Madea’s Witness Protection

Worst Screenplay

• Atlas Shrugged Part II
• Battleship
• That’s My Boy
• A Thousand Words
• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2

Worst Remake, Rip-Off, or Sequel

• Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance
• Piranha 3-DD
• Red Dawn
• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
• Madea’s Witness Protection

Worst Screen Couple

• Any two cast members from Jersey Shore in The Three Stooges
• Mackenzie Foy and Taylor Lautner in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
• Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
• Tyler Perry and his drag in Madea’s Witness Protection
• Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, Leighton Meester, or Susan Sarandon in That’s My Boy

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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: 'Total Recall' Can't Take Down 'Dark Knight Rises'

The Dark Knight Rises had little trouble this weekend taking the top spot for a clean threepeat victory at the box office with $36.4M. Sony's Total Recall starring Colin Farrell was the only major contender against Christopher Nolan's conclusion of his epic big screen Batman trilogy, and came up short trailing TDKR by over $10M.

Total Recall, which took to big special effects and a straightforward darker storyline over the campy 1990 Arnold Classic, didn't click with critics either, scoring only 31% on Rotten Tomatoes.

This week The Dark Knight Rises also became the third quickest movie to hit $300M in domestic ticket sales, crossing that mark in 12 days. The series' previous installment, 2008's The Dark Knight did it in ten days, while the all time champ, The Avengers, hit the mark in nine this summer.

Worldwide The Dark Knight Rises has amassed over $733 million since its July 20th debut, with a large play on IMAX screens. Sony's The Amazing Spider-Man has spun a world wide web to the turn of nearly $678 million, while Seth MacFarlane's Ted still holds extremely strong approaching $281 million in worldwide ticket sales.

1. THE DARK KNIGHT RISES - Weekend Gross: $36.4M, Total: $354.6M
2. TOTAL RECALL - Weekend Gross: $26.0M

3. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID - Weekend Gross: $14.5
4. ICE AGE 4  - Weekend Gross: $8M, Total: $131.5M
5. THE WATCH - Weekend Gross: $6.3, Total: $25.3
6. TED - Weekend Gross: $5.5M, Total: $203.4M
7. STEP UP REVOLUTION - Weekend Gross: $5.3M, Total: $23.1
8. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN - Weekend Gross: $4.5M, Total: $250.8M
9. BRAVE - Weekend Gross: $2.8M, Total: $223.2M

10. MAGIC MIKE - Weekend Gross: $1.7M, Total: $111.2M

Next week there are three major releases, and have classic counter programming all over them. Universal unveils the Matt Damon-less actioner The Bourne Legacy, Warner Bros has The Campaign with the one-two punch of Will Farrell and Zack Galifianakis, and for the older set there is Sony's Hope Springs starring Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones.

With the final week of the Olympics upon us, which has been eating away at movie attendance, some big questions come into play: How long will The Dark Knight Rises remain at the top stop? Can the Bourne franchise move forward with Jeremy Renner in for Matt Damon? Will the powerhouse comedic team of Ferrell and Galifianakis equal a hit (bear in mind the teaming of Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn in The Watch did not)?

SOURCE: Deadline, Box Office Mojo

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Film Review - TOTAL RECALL ★★½☆☆☆

Has it really been 22 years since Arnold Schwarzenegger 'got his ass to Mars' in the original Total Recall? Yes it has, your memory is intact. Based on Philip K. Dick's short story We Can Remember It For You Wholesale, the 1990 film directed by Paul Verhoeven strayed away a bit from the source material, but brought a lot of muscle, some timeless campy one-liners, a three-breasted Martian prostitute, Kuato, and even offered us a peek at a young Sharon Stone early in her career.

So let's flash forward to 2012, we are still in our Golden Age of the remake, redux, and reboot, so let's welcome Total Recall up to the plate. This darker gritty remake directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free or Die Hard), excises the Martian aspects of the original, and stars Colin Farrell who steps into the big Schwarzeneggarian shoes of Douglas Quaid.

The plot follows many of the same beats we have seen before, but with lavish expensive special effects, quick cutting chase scenes, hard hitting hand-to-hand fights, heavy nods in production design to Blade Runner and Star Wars, and a healthy helping of J.J. Abrams-style ice blue lens flare for good measure. Not all of this is necessarily a bad thing, it just depends on how you like your Total Recall served.

In a nutshell, Douglas Quaid, an everyman assembly line worker married to the stunning Lori (Kate Beckinsale), yearns to add a little more excitement to his mundane married life in a environmentally ravaged future world. Welcome to Rekall, a company that can implant fabricated memories into the brain and let you live out your fantasies as if they were your very own. For Quaid, the Rekall experience happens to offset the effects of a total mind wipe he had. The ride in the light up brain chair partially shell shocks him back to remembering his former self, who happens to be the highly trained government assassin known as Hauser.

Quaid learns the hard way the entire life he thought he had lived has been an imprinted lie. His lovely wife isn't really his wife, but rather a lovely undercover agent who not only kicks major ass, but is extremely well trained with various firearms. Lori, along with a bunch of government stormtroopers, set their sights on taking down Quaid on the orders of Chancellor Cohaagen (Bryan Cranston). Plot twists of identity swiftly switch back and forth as Quaid seeks the truth regarding what is real what is not. Aided by Melina, a tough as nails rebel he knew in his former life (played by Jessica Biel), he becomes the unwitting key to bringing down the ultimate diabolical plans of Cohaagen for world domination.

Recall boasts impressive set pieces, top notch production value, pricey visual effects, and loud lightning fast action sequences. Although the film's setting in a rain soaked above-the-ground world complete with flying cars sometimes screams Blade Runner, it's worth noting that both films are based on the work of Philip K. Dick. Director Len Wiseman is a solid go-to guy for films like this. He knows how to construct, execute, and deliver well paced big screen eye candy. With the Underworld franchise firmly notched on his belt (two as director, credited writer on all four films), as well as the love it or hate it Live Free or Die Hard, Wiseman knows how to give an audience a loud frenzied film with harsh bloodless violence, while escaping with a PG-13 rating.

The cast is fine in the straightforward roles they are given, as this is a no-nonsense sci-fi romp with little tolerance for lighthearted fare. Colin Farrell is no Schwarzenegger here, nor should he be, and amps up Quaid's paranoia as necessary. Bryan Cranston and Bill Nighy have extended cameos that add some weight to the cast in the third act, but it's mostly a three ring spotlight for Farrell, Beckinsale, and Biel. They deliver the necessary push to the rock 'em sock 'em cat and mouse chase plot.

But lets get to Kate Beckinsale, who steals the show in the dual role of the sexy faux wife and the relentless huntress for most of the film. All those years in the black latex catsuit kicking ass and wielding all sorts of heavy artillery as the vampire Selene in the Underworld films have paid off here. She lights up the screen as Quaid's unstoppable pursuer. She manages to hand both Colin Farrell and Jessica Biel their asses in hand to hand combat all while twisting her villain's mustache and maintaining her poise, perfectly blown-out mane of hair, and smokey eye makeup. It probably doesn't hurt that she is married to director Wiseman, but besides the fact that Beckinsale is one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, she has never been more fun to watch while tearing and shooting up the scenery.

The film is straight forward and takes its plot dead set serious. The Paul Verhoeven infused camp from the original film has been gutted, practically to a fault if you really have affection for the Arnold Classic. While Recall is intense at times, delivers crowd pleasing shoot-outs, high octane chases, and multiple plot twists, it sacrifices all the fun that was the soul of the original by playing it so serious. Also for fans of the original (count me in), you may wish your pre-knowledge of all the meaty identity plot twists could have been wiped out in your own Rekall session. All the great turnarounds, double crosses and who's who moments are sadly of no surprise in the remake since both versions share the same whodunnit outline.

Had this Recall been the first stab at Dick's short story, there would be more fun to report and less to hold this version up against. While 2.0 has its own hi-tech merits, and I sat back freely and enjoyed the ride, it trades charm for grit. The shadow this reboot stands in, even 22 years later, remains a tough one to step out from, and perhaps your fond memories are best left alone.  

Total Recall opens in theaters and select international IMAX screens on August 3rd.

REVIEW RATING:  ★★½☆☆☆
Directed By: Len Wiseman

Starring: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, John Cho, and Bill Nighy

Studio: Sony Pictures

Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 121 minutes

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WEEK IN GEEK: Comic-Con News • 'Firefly' Reunion • 'Wolverine' • 'Skyfall' • 'Thrones' • 'Walking Dead' • 'Fantastic Four'

Firefly had its long awaited reunion at Comic-Con yesterday, much to the delight of the thousands of rabid Browncoats in attendance. Entertainment Weekly has an exclusive photo shoot with the cast and creator Joss Whedon, CinemaBlend posted a great live blog of the panel, and Collider has a nice wrap up and video of the emotional question that had the crowd on their feet cheering, and brought both Joss Whedon on Nathan Fillion to tears. Science Channel was on hand to cover the event and will air a Firefly Reunion Special on November 11th.
(EW, CinemaBlend, Collider)

Although Jessica Biel is reportedly set for the female lead opposite Hugh Jackman in The Wolverine as Viper, she held firm at Comic-Con while promoting Total Recall that "It's a little bit too soon for that kind of an announcement," in an interview with Hitfix.
(Deadline, Hitfix)

Game of Thrones will feature 14 new characters next season, and HBO released a video introduction to all the actors joining the cast, which includes Diana Rigg, most famous for her role as Emma Peel in The Avengers (as in the 1960s British spy television show). Season Three will be based on George R.R. Martin's massive A Storm of Swords novel, an adaptation that will run the course of two entire seasons. The hit show is set to return to HBO on March 31, 2013.

(Entertainment Weekly).

Sony released their first official picture of Ben Whishaw as Q from the upcoming 23rd James Bond film Skyfall starring Daniel Craig. CinemaBlend also has a detailed description of the new IMAX trailer that screened at Comic-Con this week.
(NRS, CinemaBlend)

AMC released a trailer for The Walking Dead 's upcoming third season following its Comic-Con presentation, and has confirmed its season premiere for Sunday, October 14, at 9pm. The sixteen episodes will be split into two parts, with the show returning on February 13, 2013 for the remaining eight episodes
(AMC).

Following his inadvertent loose lips slip last week of the super secret identity of the villain played by Benedict Cumberbatch in Star Trek 2, Karl Urban revealed to Ain't It Cool News exactly how director J.J. Abrams reprimanded the actor, and what he is is to do if asked anything further regarding the sequel while promoting Dredd at Comic-Con.
(SFX, Ain't It Cool News)

Here is a hot trailers and clips Comic-Con roundup from Oz The Great And Powerful, Frankenweenie, Dexter, and Dredd.
(NerdyRottenScoundrel)

20th Century Fox is fast tracking their reboot of The Fantastic Four, setting both a director and screenwriter this week. Chronicle helmer Josh Trank has been confirmed to direct the reboot of the Marvel Comics super team. The now done deal follows the rumors regarding Trank inheriting the franchise that started hot on the heels of the success of his found footage 'teens with superpowers who go bad' hit for the studio. In addition, Fox has tapped Jeremy Slater to pen the script.
(CinemaBlend, The Hollywood Reporter).

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TRAILER: 'Total Recall'

The full length trailer for Total Recall has hit the web. The 2012 movie update of the Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi actioner (which was based on the short story We Can Remember It For You Wholesale, written by Philip K. Dick) is directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free or Die Hard) and stars Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, and Bryan Cranston. The film promises to stay closer to the published source material than to the previous film.

Official synopsis:

"Total Recall is an action thriller about reality and memory, inspired anew by the famous short story “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale” by Philip K. Dick. Welcome to Rekall, the company that can turn your dreams into real memories. For a factory worker named Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell), even though he's got a beautiful wife (Kate Beckinsale) who he loves, the mind-trip sounds like the perfect vacation from his frustrating life - real memories of life as a super-spy might be just what he needs. But when the procedure goes horribly wrong, Quaid becomes a hunted man. Finding himself on the run from the police – controlled by Chancellor Cohaagen (Bryan Cranston), the leader of the free world – Quaid teams up with a rebel fighter (Jessica Biel) to find the head of the underground resistance (Bill Nighy) and stop Cohaagen. The line between fantasy and reality gets blurred and the fate of his world hangs in the balance as Quaid discovers his true identity, his true love, and his true fate."

Total Recall is set to hit theaters on August 3rd.

TRAILER TO THE TRAILER: 'Total Recall'

The Hollywood trend nowadays seems to be releasing a teaser just before a full movie trailer is set to debut. A trailer just isn't enough it seems. Neither is a teaser trailer. Now you need a trailer to the trailer.

Paramount did so for Marvel's The Avengers just before letting loose its much hyped Super Bowl spot. And most recently 20th Century Fox whet the appetites of Prometheus & Alien fans with both a clever faux TED video featuring Guy Pearce as Peter Weyland, and a teaser montage shortly before unveiling the full movie trailer at WonderCon and on the web earlier this month.

The full trailer to the reboot of the Arnold Schwarzenegger classic (and movie update of Philip K. Dick's short story) starring Colin Farrell is set to debut this Sunday, as its unmistakably announced in this teaser.

The 2012 movie update of Philip K. Dick's We Can Remember It For You Wholesale is directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free or Die Hard) and also stars Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, and Bryan Cranston.

Total Recall is set for release on August 3rd.

Check back here for the full trailer on Sunday!

'Total Recall' Gets A Total Official Synopsis

The Total Recall reboot now has an official synopsis on record.

Taking over for Arnold Schwarzenegger as Douglas Quaid is Colin Farrell. This new version promises to stick closer to Philip K. Dick's original short story "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale" than the '90s version that made the line "Get your ass to Mars" a pop culture catch phrase. Though the prospect of not seeing Quatto emerge from a man's stomach to eerily inspire Quaid to "release his mind" will take some getting used to.

Farrell turned in a fine performance last August in the reboot of Fright Night, so hopefully there will be as much to look forward to with this remake.