Sketchy Star Trek

Sketchy Star Trek

In this episode TJ talks about the discontinuing, at least for now, of his weekly box office report article. But he’ll still keep talking about it on The Wrap. Also why hasn’t there been an episode of ‘The MovieByte Podcast’ this week? TJ explains. And then of course, he does discuss last weekend’s box office results. CBS says they’re not really interested in ‘Star Trek’ on TV right now. The ‘Fantastic Four’ reboot begins filming in March — TJ isn’t thrilled about this. A great video has in the “internets” about the ending of ‘Inception’. Check it out! Cookie Monster was in ‘The Hungry Games: Catching Fur’ which was pretty awesome! There’s a new worst idea ever: A sequel to ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. Gag. This week in ByteSized Video Reviews, TJ stepped back a few weeks and reviewed ‘Gravity’. Samuel L. Jackson says Hamill and McGregor have not been contacted about ‘Star Wars VII’. Weird about Hamill. Die Hard is plunging ahead with a sixth film and one must ask hard questions, like why? The MPAA is weathering serious losses from piracy — but not in the way you think. They’re spending all their money on lobbying to stop piracy. Ironic. And of course, TJ walks you through what’s available to see this weekend.

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Ben Stiller to the Rescue in ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ Clip

Ben Stiller to the Rescue in ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ Clip

Guys, I just don’t know about this one. I don’t know why I’m supposed to care or what the movie is even really about. This clip doesn’t actually help. Is the film about a guy and his daydreams? Beceause if it is, that’s just weird. Like I said, who really cares? I don’t think I do.

I also understand that it is getting bad cricital reviews…

Sony to Make ‘Spider-Man’ Spinoff Movies. Because of Reasons

Sony to Make ‘Spider-Man’ Spinoff Movies. Because of Reasons
Kevin Jagernauth — The Playlist

“We do very much have the ambition about creating a bigger universe around Spider-Man. There are a number of scripts in the works,” Sony Pictures Entertainment chief Michael Lynton said. And again, this isn’t exactly Earth-shaking news. There is already a “Venom” movie in the works with Josh Trank attached (though obviously, his first priority is “Fantastic Four” over at Fox), and with Sinister Six already teased pretty heavily and countless other Spidey characters from the canon to tackle, it’s clear the studio is looking at the Marvel model…

I just… I don’t even… sigh…

It’s like, “Oh…

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Don’t Catch a Cold, Catch Fire! - What to See This Weekend

Don’t Catch a Cold, Catch Fire! - What to See This Weekend

Some of you are not looking forward to this weekend. I know because I have interacted with you in the comments, on Facebook and the like. For others of us, we are expectant and hopeful. This is the week that we catch fire!

New This Weekend

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire — PG-13

While I found the book series was not without its flaws, I did enjoy them quite a bit. I could quibble stylistically with the books, but the story is sound. It was pretty decent cultural commentary. Where is our reality TV culture headed? Could it possibly come to this?

The first film was a good adaptation of…

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‘Devil’s Knot’ Trailer

‘Devil’s Knot’ Trailer

Hey, this looks really good! Of course it stars two good actors too — Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth — so perhaps it’s no surprise.

I admit I did not have any knowledge of the events this film is based on prior to reading for about sixty seconds just now on Wikipedia, but it looks like the film deals with some sticky issues, heartbroken parents, false convictions etc. I’m certainly interested to see if this film is any good.

The Revolution Begins Right now with New ‘Robocop’ Trailer

The Revolution Begins Right now with New ‘Robocop’ Trailer

There’s a lot of intersting stuff going on in this trailer and therefore in the upcoming Robocop film. I’m very interested to see if it’s any good. I was never into Robocop before for whatever reason. I’m debating now whether to go back and watch the original film sometime soon. I’m thinking I should. What do you guys think?

Mistaken Frog Identity - 2 ‘Muppets Most Wanted’ Trailers

Mistaken Frog Identity - 2 ‘Muppets Most Wanted’ Trailers

As I mentioned when I posted the first trailer for this film, I am not a huge Muppets fan. I mean I don’t hate Muppets, but I just don’t get it. But even I have to admit this looks pretty funny. and I’ll probably be seeing it so I might as well get into the mindset to watch it.

It looks like Kermit gets mistaken for the world’s greatest thief who happens to look just like him, and replaced by said thief. It’s up to the rest of the Muppets to figure it out.

‘Aningaaq’ - Short Based on Events in ‘Gravity’

‘Aningaaq’ - Short Based on Events in ‘Gravity’

This one is a lot of fun. It sure seems a shame that this is not somehow available in theaters, though I’m not sure how you would get it there. But somehow connect it with Gravity. This is sort of like a deleted scene that was never made. Given the nature of Gravity and the nature of the way the story was told, it would have been odd to cut to this. We only ever get to see things from the perspective of Dr. Stone.

Still, this is the other side of one of the most deeply moving parts of the film. There’s not really a point other than, oh, that’s what was going on. And that’s a lot of fun.

Paramount Will Fight ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Sequel

Paramount Will Fight ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Sequel
Entertainment Weekly

A studio spokeswoman said Wednesday that Paramount would fight the proposed follow-up to the 1946 holiday classic starring Jimmy Stewart as George Baily, a desperate family man who imagines what his town would be like if he’d never been born. Star Partners and Hummingbird Productions announced plans Monday to create a sequel titled It’s a Wonderful Life: The Rest of the Story.

Bob Farnsworth, president of Nashville, Tenn.-based Hummingbird Productions, told trade publication Variety that the film was set for release in 2015 and would star Karolyn Grimes, who played George Bailey’s daughter…

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MPAA Losing Money by Fighting Piracy

MPAA Losing Money by Fighting Piracy
David Lieberman - Deadline.com

MPAA’s Anti-Piracy Fight Contributed To Financial Loss In 2012 While Chris Dodd Collected $3.3M

The Hollywood’s lobby group’s finances took a hit in 2012, a tax filing shows — but CEO Chris Dodd did just fine even as the MPAA licked its wounds from its failed effort to promote tough anti-piracy legislation.  Dodd’s compensation came to $3.3M last year. (The package: $3M base compensation, $250,000 bonus, $41,930 other compensation, $13,753 retirement benefit, and $19,585 non-tax benefit.) That’s up 36.5% but it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison since he worked a partial year in 2011…

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