Eric Darnell Returns to "Madagascar"

Kansas City native Eric Darnell returns to the popular island for "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa." The DreamWorks animator wrote and directed the sequel to the story of four pampered zoo animals who end up on a tropical island.

Read my interview with Eric Darnell by clicking here.

Movie Review: "Tropic Thunder"

A parody of all those summertime popcorn movies, "Tropic Thunder" is the funny, sometimes over-the-top story of three actors (Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey, Jr.) who end up in hostile territory while filming a Vietnam War film.

Read my full review by clicking here: "Tropic Thunder" review

Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey, Jr. Bring a Little "Tropic Thunder" to Camp Pendleton

On Sunday, August 3, Jack Black, Ben Stiller and Robert Downey, Jr. walked the Green Carpet into the MCC Base Theater at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California. As part of a cooperative effort between Navy Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR), Marine Corps Community Service (MCCS) and Dreamworks Pictures, the trio hosted a special advance screening of "Tropic Thunder."

In the photo above by Dave Gatley, Ben Stiller is shown greeting fans and signing auotographs before the event.

"Tropic Thunder" tells the story of three Hollywood actors who are filming an action flick that goes way over budget. To cut costs and increase realism, the director decides to send his cast deep into the jungle, where they encounter some very real hostile forces.

"Tropic Thunder, rated R for pervasive language, including sexual references, violent content and drug material, opens nationwide on Wednesday, August 13.

"The Dark Knight" Bat Pod and Bat Tumbler Tour

On July 4, the Bat Pod and the Bat Tumbler from "The Dark Knight" were on display in Webster Groves Missouri. This is some video I shot of the event.

"The Dark Knight" opens nationwide on July 18.

"The Dark Knight": Bat Pod and Tumbler Tour

In support of the upcoming release of "The Dark Knight," the second film in the revitalized Batman franchise, Warner Brothers is sending the Bat Pod (see above) and Bat Tumbler on a 14-city tour. St. Louis gets to see the stylized motorcycle and tank on July 4 at the following locations:

11:00am-1:00pm: Six Flags St. Louis
3:00pm-4:45pm: Wehrenberg Ronnies
6:30pm-8:30pm: Webster Groves Community Days

"The Dark Knight," rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and some menace, opens nationwide on July 18.

"Hancock" Helps With Your Mortgage

In a contest inspired Will Smith's upcoming superhero adventure, Columbia Pictures will pay off the mortgage (up to $360,000) of the winner of "Hancock's Helping Hand Mortgage" (up to $360,000).

In the film, Smith plays Hancock, a superhero who has fallen out of favor, but a public relations expert played by Jason Bateman helps him improve his image (see photo above).

To enter Hancock's Helping Hand Mortgage payoff contest and read the official rules, log on to the official "Hancock" website. Entrants need to write a 200 word essay explaining why they deserve the grand prize. You can enter now through July 6.

Hancock opens in theatres everywhere on July 2, 2008, with special advance screenings beginning nationwide at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 1.

Sneak Peek:"Notorious"

After a long search, actor Jamal Woolard (seen in the photo above) won the coveted role of Christopher Wallace in "Notorious." Also known as Biggie Smalls and "The Notorious B.I.G," Wallace made his mark in the rap world before his life was cut short.

For an early look at the film, take a look at this video diary. "Notorious" arrives in theaters on January 16, 2009.