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.

"Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins": New on DVD

Now available on DVD from Universal Studios, "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins" tells the story of talk show host RJ Stevens (Martin Lawrence) who has made quite a name for himself in Hollywood. When his parents ask him to come home to Georgia for their 50th Wedding Anniversary, he really sees how the California lifestyle has changed him.

Cedric Kyles (aka Cedric the Entertainer), who hails from St. Louis, joins Martin Lawrence, James Earl Jones and Mo'Nique in this family comedy. The DVD features approximately 45 minutes of outtakes and extended scenes plus interviews with cast members who, like Roscoe Jenkins, had some interesting experiences with their families and friends after becoming famous.

"Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins" is rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, language and some drug references.

St. Louis Animator Ron Williams Kicks Back With "Kung Fu Panda"

St. Louis native Ron Williams worked on one of the hottest animated projects of the summer, "Kung Fu Panda." Williams started his career working on cereal commercials before heading over to DreamWorks.

Read the full Ron Williams interview by clicking here: "Kung Fu Panda" interview

"The Love Guru" Visits St. Louis

Photographic evidence shows Pitka, the hero of "The Love Guru," has visited St. Louis over the last few years. In the photo above, Pitka was present during the 2004 World Series.



And here you can see Pitka taking a ride through the St. Louis Arch.



Pitka, at ground level, plays tourist on the Arch Grounds.


Want to see how Pitka would look on vacation with you? Just follow these steps:

Go to http://www.lovegurumovie.com/

Go to the "Love Guru" website (http://www.lovegurumovie.com/)
Click Enter Site
Click Menu > Features
Click My Vacation with Pitka and follow the steps to create your photo

"The Love Guru" opens nationwide on Friday, June 20.

Movie Review: "Sex and the City"

After four years, countless rumors and speculation, "Sex and the City" has finally made it to the big screen, but the timing may be a little off. Sarah Jessica Parker and her three co-stars have the same magic that made the HBO series a success, but their problems seem a little trivial these days.

Read my full review by clicking here: "Sex and the City" review

"Tropic Thunder" Stars Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey, Jr. Become "The Pips" on "American Idol"

Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr., stars of the upcoming DreamWorks Pictures’ “Tropic Thunder,” performed as a modern version of “The Pips” to back-up legendary R&B artist, Gladys Knight (circa 1973) while she performed her classic hit, “Midnight Train to Georgia” on the season finale of “American Idol.”



Black, Downey and Stiller play actors shooting a war movie who get caught up in a real battle. "Tropic Thunder," which opens on Friday, August 15,has been rated R for pervasive language including sexual references, violent content and drug material.

Movie Review: "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"

After a nearly 20-year wait, the world's most famous archaeologist returns to theaters in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." The George Lucas/Steven Spielberg formula still works, but the franchise really is showing some wear and tear.

It is good to see Karen Allen returning for a second appearance as Marion Ravenwood, Indiana's love interest.

Read the full review by clicking here.

Robert Downey, Jr. is "Iron Man"

With director Jon Favreau at the helm, "Iron Man" is easily one of the best movie adaptations of a popular, long-running comic character. It's also hard to imagine anyone who could have played wealthy industrialist Tony Stark better than Robert Downey, Jr.

Read my full review by clicking here: Iron Man Review

New on DVD "Charlie Wilson's War"

Philip Seymour Hoffman received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for this film about real-life congressman Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) who got involved in the conflict between Afghanistan and the Soviet Union.

You may have missed this one at the theaters, but it's available starting today on DVD.

Mike Myers is "The Love Guru"

Mike Myers returns to the big screen on June 20th as "The Love Guru." Myers plays Pitka, a spiritual master in the ways of love. To give you a taste of what the movie is all about, visit these Guru-related sites:

Official Love Guru Movie Site

Vacation with Pitka (upload your photo and insert the Guru). You also can look at stills, the trailer and download some cool things from the film.

The Guru on Facebook

You could win a year’s supply of hot, sticky Cinnabons courtesy of The Guru by fanning our page! You also can check out the Viral Soundboard of funny lines from the film to pass along to friends and view a “Widgetized” video from the film.

The Love Guru on MySpace

Friend our profile for the chance to “Get Lei-ed in Hawaii”
Read the first person character profile created by The Guru Pitka
Check out the weekly character blogs from The Guru Pitka
Plus there's a Guru with Celebrities photo gallery

The Love Guru on YouTube

Weekly “Sutra” videos by Mike Myers as The Guru Pitka - with 1,071,108 video views to date

Guru Pitka Viral Site

This site contains the following "Guru" stuff:

Hub for Weekly “Sutra” videos by Mike Myers as The Guru Pitka
Word of the Week and Compound Word of the Week Videos from Mike Myers plus a Guru with Celebrities photo gallery.

Movie Review: "Forgetting Sarah Marshall"

In the new film from some of the creative minds behind "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "How I Met Your Mother" star Jason Segel plays a composer who has a very painful breakup with his longtime girlfriend. The film has some funny moments and Segel shows more of himself than most people want to see.

Click here for the full review: "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" review

"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" opens today (April 18).

Benjamin McKenzie Talks About "88 Minutes"

Benjamin McKenzie, late of television's "The O.C.", plays opposite Al Pacino in the new thriller "88 Minutes." Read what McKenzie has to say about his famous co-star and what it was like to film both his television series and this film at the same time by clicking here:

Link to Benjamin McKenzie Interview

"Son of Rambow" Short Film Contest

Hammer and Tongs, the production company that helped produce the upcoming "Son of Rambow," wants all aspiring directors to submit an original short film about any topic that you can imagine. The winning submission will be included in the "Special Features" section of the "Son of Rambow" DVD.

Full contest details are available by clicking here: Filmmaker Frenzy


"Son of Rambow," which opens in May, tells the story of Will, a sheltered boy who makes friends with Lee Carter, an odd child and an aspiring filmmaker. After watching the original "Rambo" movie with Sylvester Stallone, the boys create their own version of the film, with Will acting as the stuntman.

More details about the film can be found here: "Son of Rambow"

Movie Review: Will Ferrell Stars in Semi-Pro

In Will Ferrell's latest sports comedy, he plays a one-hit wonder who does triple-duty as the owner, coach and player on an ABA franchise in Flint, Michigan. Ferrell is quite likable here and the 1970's styles and fashions are quite detailed.

Read my full review by clicking here.

"Semi-Pro," rated R for language and some sexual situations, opens today.

Michael Haneke Remakes "Funny Games"

Movies get remade all the time, but it’s rare for a director to remake one of his own films, but that’s exactly what Michael Haneke has done with the new thriller “Funny Games.”

Haneke revisits his 1997 film with a new cast that includes Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, Michael Pitt, Brady Corbet and Devon Gearhart. While on vacation, Anna (Watts), George (Tim Roth), their son and two neighbors are planning to enjoy a nice relaxing summer getaway when things turn violent.

“Funny Games,” rated R for terror, violence and some language, opens in limited release on March 14.

Visit the official "Funny Games" website by clicking here.

Visit the Varitalk site for "Funny Games" by clicking here.

"Aristocats" on DVD

The 1970 Walt Disney Classic "The Aristocats" is back on DVD in a special edition. I had the chance to participate in an online Question and Answer session with Richard Sherman, who wrote the songs for the film with his brother Robert.

Read the Richard Sherman interview by clicking here.

Cloverfield is Coming