Sydney Pollack, R.I.P.

By now, most film lovers don't need me to tell them that one of the great actor's directors has passed on. Sydney Pollack, the director of The Way We Were and Tootsie died of cancer at his home Monday afternoon. He was 73.

Pollack's career spanned over four decades, working in television and film. He will be remembered as a versatile director, able to work in almost any genres. He directed western, romance, intrigue, comedy and drama. He was nominated three times for an Academy Award for Best Director. He won for Out of Africa in 1986.

In addition to directing, he was also a producer. His last project was a film for HBO Pictures called Recount, about the 2000 election. He left the project when his health declined.

Pollack also acted in many films, even appearing in his own movies. His uncredited role as Dustin Hoffman's agent in Tootsie was done at Hoffman's request.

Film Review: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

My first thought, when seeing publicity stills from the making of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, was "Wow. Harrison Ford looks like my dad." While my dad would probably be happy with the comparison, it merely reinforces the fact that nearly 20 years have gone by since the franchise ended. While most fans had probably given up hope of ever seeing Indiana Jones don his trademark fedora again, director Steven Spielberg has given us a new tale of adventure just in time for summer!

Read the full review of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Indiana Jones Alternates

Who else, other than Harrison Ford, could have donned the whip and fedora to make Indiana Jones an action film icon? Well, fans all know the story about Tom Selleck, whose work on Magnum P.I. prevented him from accepting the role.

Over at Cinematical.com, Jette Kernion asks who else might have filled the role. Considering the decade, the ages and popularity of certain actors, Jette makes some wild speculation about how the franchise could have come to life in an alternate universe.

Nick Nolte?! (shudder) Personally, I like our universe just fine!

Read: Who Else Could Have Played Indy? over at Cinematical!

Screenland Armour Opens

On Sunday, The FilmGuru had the honor to attend the grand opening of Kansas City's latest movie theater, the newly-renovated Screenland Armour in North Kansas City. The event coincided with a sneak preview of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. (A review will be posted Thursday!)

For film lovers, this theater is a dream. It is a beautiful, single screen theater, lovingly restored. Although it may look like something from the Golden Age of Hollywood, make no mistake -- everything here is new! From the plaster molding around the screen to the murals on the walls, this is a wonderful recreation. The only thing that survived from the original theater are the light sconces on the walls.

The Screenland Armour has comfortable, stadium seating. There are also two VIP areas for rent, where you and your friends can get food, beer, and luxury seats. Oh, and did I mention that you can get beer? Beer and movies! What a concept!

And, of course, there is a red curtain. Best of all, the theater has Roscoe, a giant mechanical man who likes to turn the gears and open up the curtain before each show. It's fun to watch!

While North Kansas City is a bit out of my way for regular attendance, I plan to keep my eyes open for special screenings at this great theater. If you live in the area, I encourage you to support this deserving theater and treat it with respect.

Film Review: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

At the end of the 2005 film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lucy Pevensie asks the professor if she and her siblings will ever return to the magical land of Narnia. He answers, "Oh, I expect so. But it'll probably happen when you're not looking for it. All the same... best to keep your eyes open."

Now, after two and a half years, the much-anticipated sequel is finally in theaters. With The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, the series takes a slightly darker, more violent turn. But the magic of the original is here, too.

Read my full review of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Watchmen Contest

Zach Snyder Launches Contest for Warner Bros.'s Watchmen

Zack Snyder is offering you the opportunity to create "Veidt Enterprises" TV commercials that could end up in Warner Bros.'s feature film Watchmen, scheduled to be released in theaters on March 6, 2009.

To get started, download the standard definition and/or high definition assets from the links below, and then shoot your own original TV commercial that advertises one of the products! Remember, the movie is set in 1985, so TV commercials should be in 4:3 aspect ratio (so it looks like standard TV, not widescreen) and they should be either 15, 30 or 60 seconds in length. The products are all made by "Veidt Enterprises," and you can download the product logos for your use as well.

Make your TV commercial in NTSC standard definition (720x486) or higher resolution, upload it, and then others can vote on your work. The contest ends on June 2, 2008. The 40 finalists will win signed posters from Zack Snyder. The top five finalists from user votes will win High-Definition Canon Vixia HG10 camcorders. Up to 20 of Zack's favorite finalists will win $1,000.00, and have a chance to be included in the Watchmen feature film itself.

Contest Website: http://youtube.com/watchmenmovie

Bunker Hill Premiere

Bunker Hill, the new film from independent filmmaker Kevin Willmott will premiere tonight at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, Kansas.

Willmott (best known for the faux documentary CSA: The Confederate States of America) directs this drama, dealing with a fictionalized Kansas town that is isolated after a presumed terrorist attack. Cut off from the world, the town's militant past is reawakened and forces coalesce to protect citizens from an unseen enemy. The town's fear leads to the creation of a posse of gunmen, resulting in torture, illegal searches and eventually, murder.

The film stars Emmy Award-winning actor James McDaniel (NYPD Blue) as a former Wall Street executive who heads to Bunker Hill to reconnect with his ex-wife Hallie (Laura Kirk) and two children. Kevin Geer and Blake Robbins also star.

Visit Lawrence.com for showtimes.

Igor Trailer

The good folks over at The Weinstein Company have released the trailer for their new animated film Igor. The trailer will be attached to prints of Speed Racer this weekend. Or you can see it now over at Yahoo! Movies.

Igor is the iconic mad scientist helper. In this story, however, Igor wonders what it would be like to become a scientist and works to break the stereotypical role he seems fated to play. The animated film features the voice talents of John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Eddie Izzard, Jennifer Coolidge, Molly Shannon, Jay Leno, Arsenio Hall and James Lipton (playing himself).

The film is slated for release on September 19th.

Destroy Boll. Free Gum!

In what has to be one of the most bizarre publicity stunts in recent memory, the makers of Stride gum have vowed to give away a free pack of gum to every person who signs a petition to stop vile film director Uwe Boll from directing another movie.

Back in April, Boll promised he would stop making films if the petition scores a million signatures. The good folks over at Stop Uwe Boll are working to make that a reality. As of today, they have collected nearly 250,000 signatures.

Now Stride wants to encourage videogame fans (because so many of Boll's films are based on videogames) to join the petition. If the petition reaches the required 1 million signatures by May 14 at 5pm EDT, each signer will receive a digital coupon for a pack of gum.

"Since gamers are one of our most supportive groups, we've been looking for ways to return the favor," said Gary Osifchin, Stride North American Marketing Director in a published statement. "And what better way is there to get gamers' backs than by helping them rescue their cherished videogames from the clutches of Uwe Boll?"

If you're not familiar with Boll's work, be thankful. He makes some awful films. For some reason, he seems to be drawn to videogame adaptations. The three that have been released in the U.S. (House of the Dead, Bloodrayne and Alone in the Dark) have all received horrible reviews.

Boll's new film Postal -- also based on a videogame -- will be released on May 23, 2008.

Clone Wars Poster

Here it is folks. It may not rock as hard as the many beautiful posters of Star Wars films past, but it does look fun. Not exactly an epic feel, but it's engaging. But, it's still animated.

As I mentioned in my Summer '08 Preview, I'm not sure that an animated film can live up to the franchise standard. Sure, it looks neat, but how can animated effects compare with jaw dropping special effects like the AT-AT assault on the planet Hoth or the lightsaber duel between Yoda and Count Dooku?

What are your thoughts on the poster and the coming animated film? Sound off now!

Lionsgate Gets Christmas Spirit

According to Variety, Lionsgate has moved up the release date of Frank Miller's The Spirit. The adaptation of Will Eisner's classic comic character was originally slated for a January 16, 2009 release date. Now it will be featured as a Christmas 2008 release.

Tom Ortenberg, Lionsgate president of theatrical films, announced that the move to Christmas Day came after the project was presented to fans at New York Comic-Con. The stylish teaser trailer for the film has become a hit with a lot of good Internet buzz.

The Spirit is a classic action-adventure-romance. It is the story of a former rookie cop who returns mysteriously from the dead as the Spirit (Gabriel Macht) to fight crime from the shadows of Central City. His arch-enemy, the Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson) has a different mission: he's going to wipe out Spirit's beloved city as he pursues his own version of immortality.

Film Review: Iron Man

Here it is true believers, my first post for the summer! Check out all the superhero action that comes with the debut of Iron Man!

Well into the new millennium, there couldn't be a better hero for the Information Age. Iron Man is the dot-com revolution come to life. In director Jon Favreau's summer action film, the Marvel comic book character is finally given a chance to shine.

Read the full review of Iron Man.

Summer Preview '08

Are you ready for the summer? Are you ready for some good times? The season of the blockbuster is here, film fans! There's nothing to do now but wait for the movie goodness to wash over us. While you're waiting, you may want to do a little studying. No sense in wasting your hard-earned cash on movies that are a waste of your time. Don't see bad movies! Save that money for your gas tank!

The FilmGuru has put together his annual Summer Preview. Get the latest information on what will be hitting the theaters this summer and what you can't afford to miss. It's all here, and it's just for you!