Adam West, Val Kilmer and Michael Keaton Weigh In On Affleck As Batman

Former Batmen Adam West and Val Kilmer voluntarily took to Twitter and threw their thoughts into the online nuclear firestorm that is Ben Affleck's casting as the next big screen Caped Crusader. While on the other side of the batcave, count on TMZ to ambush Michael Keaton for his thoughts on the situation as he was getting into his car.

Remember Ben, with the cape and cowl comes great responsibility (and lots of heat). Bring deodorant. #batman @BenAffleck
— Adam West (@therealadamwest) August 23, 2013

Give Ben a chance!
— Val Kilmer (@ValEKilmer) August 23, 2013

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First Look At Caesar In 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes'

We have our first look at the older, angrier and battle-ready Caesar from the upcoming Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. The follow-up to 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Andy Serkis returns as the revolutionist ape leader, and again providing unparalleled performance capture work that brings the character to life with CGI magic. Joining the cast on the human side this time out are Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty, White House Down), Keri Russell (The Americans, Mission: Impossible III) and Gary Oldman.

Director Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Let Me In) offered this update to Collider regarding Dawn's plot as it relates to continuing on ten years after the first installment:

"Caesar talks at the end of the movie, he has some level of speech. I wanted to make sure we’re continuing to go along the path of evolution without missing it, it was so delicious to watch in the first movie. It’s not like now they are talking in verse. Hopefully the movie is emotional and thrilling as you watch the apes come into being … The ape civilization is in the woods, between Vancouver and New Orleans, the world after what happens with the simian virus flu. The two main locales are San Francisco and the Muir Woods where the ape civilization is born. We’ll be doing a little shooting in San Francisco as well. A lot of the Louisiana shooting was to build huge wood sets outside in the woods to add realism, enormous exterior streets. We’re shooting in the rain, in the wind, all on location out in the open in the elements."

Fox also released this viral video in time for Comic-Con warning humanity of the Simian Flu that threatens the population.

Official synopsis from 20th Century Fox:

"A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth¹s dominant species."

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is set for July 18, 2014.

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'Frankenweenie' Exclusive Artwork for Midnight Screening IMAX Fans

Check out this exclusive '12:01' print that will be a special Thank You to fans attending the midnight IMAX screenings on October 5th of Tim Burton's Frankenweenie. The original limited edition sketch by Tim Burton, features Sparky, the canine star of Disney's new black and white stop motion animated feature.

Frankenweenie, directed by Tim Burton, features the voice talents of Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short and Martin Landau. The film will screen in 3D, RealD 3D, and IMAX 3D.

SOURCE: IMAX

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New Posters Reveal Characters From Tim Burton's 'Frankenweenie'

Check out the new character posters from Tim Burton's Frankenweenie, the stop-motion black and white remake of his 1984 short film of the same name. It features the voices of Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, and Winona Ryder. The film also marks the first time a stop-motion production will be seen in IMAX 3D.

The plot mirrors the original's re-telling of the Frankenstein story, with a focus on the special bond between a young boy and his beloved dog. Their relationship takes a twisted turn when the loyal canine is brought back to life following his tragic demise.

Official synopsis:

"From creative genius Tim Burton (Alice In Wonderland, The Nightmare Before Christmas) comes Frankenweenie, a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new 'leash on life' can be monstrous."

Frankenweenie is set for release in 3D, ReadlD 3D and IMAX 3D on October 5th.

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Batman & The Visual History Of The Bat-Suit

Check out this amazing infographic courtesy of Screen Rant that spotlights many of the significant Bat-suits worn by The Dark Knight over the years since his debut way back in 1939.

You will find numerous familiar variations, some more subtle than others, on the Caped Crusader's iconic costume, from the old school comic books, all the big screen versions, television and animated versions, video games, the modern graphic novel takes, and right up to the Dark Knight's look in the New 52.

You can double click the photo below to go the original post where it can be viewed at a much larger size, and the all the clever Bat-quotes are easier to read.

SOURCE: Screen Rant

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COMIC-CON THURSDAY TRAILERS - 'Oz,' 'Frankenweenie,' 'Dexter,' 'Dredd'

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TRAILERS: 'Total Recall,' Frankenweenie,' 'Indiana Jones' Blu-ray

Three hot new trailers hit the web this week. The first up is the reboot of Total Recall, starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Bill Nighy, Bryan Cranston, and Jessica Biel. Lots of action and suspense to be seen in this extended spot, but running at over two and half minutes, sometimes less is more and this trailer shows a little too much. Be on the lookout for some nods to the original 1990 version starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, both films based on Philip K. Dick's short story We Can Remember It For You Wholesale. The Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free Or Die Hard) directed film hits theaters on August 3rd.

Tim Burton's black & white stop-motion remake of his 1984 classic gothic short Frankenweenie, and featuring the voices of Martin Short, Christoopher Lee, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara has a brand new trailer. This twisted Burton-esque tale of a boy and his (re-animated) dog hits screens on October 5th in 3D, RealD 3D, and IMAX 3D.

Indiana Jones is finally coming to Blu-ray. Indiana Jones: The Complete Collection will feature all four big screen adventures of the iconic whip cracking fedora sporting archaeologist played by Harrison Ford. While the previous HD transfers on the first three films do their production design an immense world of justice after all these years, in high def Crystal Skull's attempt to look 1950s retro makes the disappointing fourth entry even harder to watch. The 4K Blu-ray transfer will most likely result in the same outcome. The blockbuster films will be packaged together along with a collection of new and old special features. The box set has a targeted street date of September 18th.

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Film Review - DARK SHADOWS ★★☆☆☆

Perhaps to no one's surprise if you have scratched your head after seeing the recent trailers and TV spots, it's kinda hard to pinpoint where exactly Dark Shadows is trying to fit into.

Based on the cult TV supernatural soap opera of the same name that ran on ABC from 1966-71 starring Jonathan Frid as the patriarchal vampire Barnabas Collins (and laying claim to the bloodsucker craze decades before Twilight, True Blood, Underworld, and The Vampire Diaries), director Tim Burton teams up with Johnny Depp on the big screen for the eighth time to provide their version of the show. It's not by definition a modern day update since much of the story is set in 1972, but there perhaps begins some of the film's quirks.

Like every Tim Burton production, the film is in no way short changed in regards to his checklist of signature features (gorgeous gothic art direction, characters bearing scant skin pigment, looming overcast skies, lavish architecture and costume design, and a rousing score by the great Danny Elfman), but it's when the film tries to find its actual identity in tone that it starts to hit some bumps in the road.

Depp stars as Barnabas Collins, a young well-to-do 18th century Brit living in Maine who finds himself cursed with a vampire's immortality and buried "alive" by his scorned lover, housekeeper (and witch), Angelique Bouchard (played by a sultry Eva Green). When Collins is dug up nearly 200 years later in 1972, he is left to find his way in the 'modern world' and make good once again his family name for whom the local town, Collinsport, was named for.

Once back among the living with his descendants who have financial woes yet still keep shop in the ancestral mansion Colinwood Manor, the fish-out-of water dysfunctional family dynamic ensues and Barnabas soon discovers his centuries ago nemesis Angelique is alive, kicking, and has maintained a monopoly on the local commerce since banishing him to an eternal grave.

Dark Shadows is a strange brew of horror, slapstick quirky comedy, and family drama all wrapped up in typical Burton-esque gothic themes. The eyebrow raising marketing set to a groovy '70s soundtrack has the film pegged as an off beat comedy, but Burton sees to it that the film also walks a line of various tones, but then crosses that line over and over throughout its near two hour running time. Additionally, much of the broad humor in the film has been revealed in the numerous trailers, leaving less to honestly laugh at when you actually sit down to see it in theaters.

While the movie is bookended by promising darker material, its the middle of the film that gets chatty with its fair mix of soap opera subplots, straight up horror moments, retro humor, visual gags, and even a campy musical montage. But the overall decision of having an 18th century vampire befuddled over dated relics like lava lamps, Troll toys, and Alice Cooper seem to limit the comedic possibilities that would appeal to a younger demographic had it been set in the present day.

The films boasts an impressive solid ensemble cast, including many players familiar to the Burton-verse. But the script doesn't quite find the time to spotlight any of them for too long until they are forced to find quick resolutions in the big finish third act. Michelle Pfeiffer (re-teaming with Burton after re-defining Catwoman in 1992's Batman Returns), Chloë Grace Moretz, Helena Bonham Carter, Jackie Earle Haley, and Eva Green all manage to deliver worthy performances in the time they have to share on screen among a large cast. The always underrated Eva Green really shines here in a standout turn as Depp's love/hate witch nemesis, but her Angie reminded me of a campy version of her stinging mystical Morgan(a) from last year's short lived King Arthur retelling Camelot on Starz.

Whether this was a Burton film or not, Depp's casting as Collins offers a solid choice to walk the mixed tone that is never quite firmly set in the film. His Barnabas is a charmer one minute, a blood sucking killer the next, but always finds maintaining a sense of strong family values at the top of his list of personal priorities. Though the man out of his time routine only goes so far, despite the charm Depp brings to the role. Jonathan Frid, who originated the iconic vampire role on the TV show, has a welcome blink and you'll miss it walk-by cameo. It goes without saying that life long Shadows fan Burton would make certain he had an appearance. Sadly, the actor passed away last month at the age of 87.

Last year's modern day Fright Night remake starring Colin Farrell pulled off a fantastic balance of horror that featured a snarky charismatic vampire, but also possessed a firm sense of confidence in embracing what it was trying to convey in tone on screen. It could be brutal in its horror violence, but its humor reflected that dark side. Shadows seems to suffer from an identity crisis at times, though the cast never flinch regarding the material and make each individual scene work. Though looking at both films overall, comparing Dark Shadows to Fright Night is the old apples and oranges debate.

Dark Shadows is a mixed bag of what you will be treated to on the big screen. As a Tim Burton production, there are all the familiar trappings you expect to see and will enjoy seeing. Those production perks do not disappoint. But overall I found it to be a bit confused regarding the who it is ideally targeting, and exactly the where it is trying to call home. But like any Tim Burton opus, if Dark Shadows comes across as a quirky misfit without a pace to fit in, then perhaps the director truly has succeeded in capturing a core theme common to all his films. 

Dark Shadows hits both 2D and IMAX screens today.

REVIEW RATING: ★★☆☆☆
Directed By: Tim Burton

Starring: Johnny Depp, Eva Green, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Chloë Grace Moretz

Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 112 minutes 

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TRAILER: 'Dark Shadows'

The remake of the '60s supernatural soap opera directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as vampire Barnabas Collins at long last has a trailer.

To say it is unlike anything you would expect would be an understatement. There has been endless speculation on how this film would come across when the first leaked photos of Johnny Depp in costume from the set made their way online.

Now that the first live action sneak peek has been released, you can safely throw away any notions of modern angst ridden tween friendly themes and brooding characters that have made Twilight, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries so popular. Burton's Dark Shadows bears the director's distinct gothic look and has an unexpected quirky campy '70s setting (and swinging soundtrack as well).

If you are unfamiliar with this cult favorite series from decades past, here is the official synopsis of the upcoming film from Warner Bros.

In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet--or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy...until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive. Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets. Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) has called upon live-in psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), to help with her family troubles. Also residing in the manor is Elizabeth's ne'er-do-well brother, Roger Collins, (Jonny Lee Miller); her rebellious teenage daughter Carolyn Stoddard (Chloe Moretz); and Roger's precocious 10-year-old son, David Collins (Gulliver McGrath). The mystery extends beyond the family, to caretaker Willie Loomis, played by Jackie Earle Haley, and David's new nanny, Victoria Winters, played by Bella Heathcote.

The all-star cast includes Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, and Chloe Moretz.

Dark Shadows hits theaters on May 11, 2012.

Tim Burton’s 'Frankenweenie' To Be Released In IMAX 3D

IMAX and Walt Disney Studios have announced that Tim Burton's 2012 take on Frankenweenie will be remastered for IMAX 3D to coincide with the RealD and 3D release on October 5th.

Not to be directly confused with the 1984 original live action version starring Shelly Duvall and Daniel Stern, which happens to be one of my all-time favorite Tim Burton classics (and where the VHS cover image to the left comes from). I actually still have the videocassette copy in my collection despite its inclusion on recent releases of The Nightmare Before Christmas on Blu-ray and DVD.

Burton has re-visited his black & white short as a stop-motion animated feature with voices from Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, and Winona Ryder. It also marks the first time a stop-motion production will be seen in IMAX 3D.

The plot mirrors the original's retelling of the Frankenstein story with a focus on the special bond between a young boy and his beloved dog. Their relationship takes a twisted turn when the loyal canine is brought back to life following his tragic demise.

From Disney on the new version of Burton's tale: "After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor's fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new "leash on life" can be monstrous."

"IMAX Corporation and The Walt Disney Studios today announced that Tim Burton’s stop-motion, animated film, Frankenweenie will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX 3D format and released in IMAX digital theatres worldwide day-and-date on Oct. 5, 2012. The film marks the first black and white Hollywood feature and first stop-motion animated movie to be presented in IMAX."

“IMAX has a long-standing relationship with Tim Burton, whose unique artistic vision and brilliant storytelling has captured the imagination of audiences around the world,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “We’re excited to add Frankenweenie as the second Tim Burton feature in our 2012 film slate, providing IMAX audiences a distinctive new way to experience animation.”

"The IMAX release of Frankenweenie will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX 3D Experience. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie."

As you can see from the trailer below, Frankenweenie will not disappoint fans when it comes to Tim Burton's gothic signature style of animation and character design. In keeping with his penchant for working with a close stable of actors, he re-unites with his Beetlejuice stars Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara, in addition to Martin Short who appeared in the under appreciated Mars Attacks!

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