Angry Web

Just when you thought Jean-Claude Van Damme’s career had slumped to direct-to-DVD land, the “Muscles From Brussels” releases a limited release semi-biopic hit that garners praise from audiences and critics alike. Released in 2008, “JCVD” is a French film directed by French-Algerian director Mabrouk El Mechri, starring Van Damme, a struggling action star with a broken family, who finds himself caught in the middle of a post office heist in his hometown of Brussels, Belgium.

“JCVD” was screened on June 4, 2008 in Belgium and France, the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, and the Adelaide Film Festival on February 20, 2009. It currently holds a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 85% out of 93 critic reviews. I have seen the film and it is awesome. The acting is superb, the directing is enlightening, and the writing is highly original. This is an honorable comeback for Van Damme and I sure hope he returns to the big screen after this achievement. It is still unknown whether his next film, “Universal Soldiers: The Next Generation” is slated for a theatrical release.

“JCVD” is now available for instant viewing on Netflix. While the film is originally in French, it has been dubbed in English. The picture quality is also excellent. Be sure not to miss this one.

Fortunately, we had a chance to go to a screening of this film and if you thought “Borat” was good, you haven’t seen anything yet.

The Governator himself, Mr. Schwarzenegger recently did a Twitter Q&A and was asked about his possible cameo in Terminator Salvation.  Here’s what he had to say:

Right now, they’re looking at the technology and see if it is possible to create a technology where they can use my image in the film without me actually filming, because I made it clear I don’t have the time… and if they shoot outside the state, I would not participate… But I would be willing to be in the movie if they get the technology together. We have a great relationship with the people making the movie.. McG is the director, he’s a terrific talented guy. I’m going to be at the premiere, I told him I want to be as supportive as possible.

I think that within the next week or so, we will see if they are technologically able to do that. It’s terrific because they basically take technology out of Terminator 1 and use that walk of mine, and somehow bring it in… it’s just a brief scene, where we see one of the leads run into a room and he sees the future terminators because it’s kind of a prequel… then he gets thrown around, then he goes in another room and there’s other terminators, so there’s supposed to be all these new terminators. I think it’s cool to continue on with the franchise, and in case I want to jump over again and get into the acting when we’re through here.

Months ago, we reported a while back that Arnold’s face would be digitally mapped onto the face of an actor playing the part of the T-800.  This is most likely what he’s referring to when he mentions “using his image in the film”.  Could there also be a chance for him to return to acting?  Well, as long as we don’t see another “Jingle All the Way” headed our way, I’m definitely down to see Schwarzenegger back in action.

UPDATE: Arnold’s likeness will be appearing in Terminator Salvation.  Here an excerpt from Variety  magazine:

Turns out Schwarzenegger has been secretly working with helmer McG and the effects team to reprise his signature role … without lifting a finger.

A body-cast mold of Schwarzenegger, created when he first appeared as the muscle-ripped cyborg, provided the basis for a digital-effects version of his famous character. The figure appears in “Terminator Salvation” as a living, breathing actor.

Schwarzenegger viewed the resulting footage and gave his go-ahead just in time for McG to include the footage before the helmer completes his cut of the movie. Warners first screens the pic in early May and opens it May 21.

So let’s make this clear: Schwarzenegger has approved the use of his body-cast mold from the previous movies to be used in Terminator Salvation.  Some of you might not be so satisfied with this move, but look on the bright side – we’ll be seeing a 1991 (1984, depending on which mold they decide to use) version of Arnold back on the big screen!  If the digital effects team pulls this off, this will surely be something to marvel at.

Russell Crowe and Ridly Scott are teaming up once again to bring you a new epic film. This time, the classic tale of “Robin Hood” is being reimagined making it a point to stay clear of the tights that the charachter so commonly sports.

“He doesn’t have the old Robin Hood tights,” says producer Brian Grazer. “He’s got armor. He’s very medieval. He looks, if anything, more like he did in Gladiator than anything we’re used to seeing with Robin Hood.”

This movie is set to release May 14, 2010 and don’t worry…Kevin Costner has nothing to do with it.

Well, we can’t send you to Rome but we do have a couple of DVDs to give out to fans of Alan Moore. All you have to do is post a link to your Twitter account in a comment and we will follow you. Once you get our follow, follow us back and reply us in 140 characters or less why you should win. Be creative and make us laugh. We will post the winners and send you a copy of “The Mindscape of Alan Moore”. The deadline will be May 3rd!

In case a few Oscars weren’t good enough, it seems like everyone from the Slumdog cast is the next “hot thing”. Freida Pinto’s career has especially blossomed with rumors of Woody Allen’s next film and now this, from popcruch:

According to sources with Britain’s The Sun, the stunning 24-year-old has been invited to a screen test for the upcoming Bond flick after first coming to the attention of producers during the casting for Quantum of Solace.

“Freida came to the attention of the Bond team when they were casting Quantum of Solace. She was too young at the time to have a part as a love interest for a secret agent, but she has blossomed into an incredibly stunning young woman and would look perfect on Daniel Craig’s arm.”

Unless Freida gets naked I don’t see how this is newsworthy. What is newsworthy is the Slumdog action-figures that are coming out*. Yup, I got my hands on one of the prototypes and to see if it was really realistic, I took a dump, dropped the thing in the toilet and…Lo and behold! The action-figure came right back out with an autographed photo!

Technology is friggin sweet these days.

*This may or may not be true, but like my friend Mark Mcgwire I’m not here to talk about the past.

After lengthy negotiations over some hundreds of thousands of dollars (rich people have it tough these days too you know), Mickey Rourke has finally been signed on to play the Russian villain Whiplash in the upcoming Iron Man sequel. Iwatchstuff reports:

Rourke, who had reportedly been in negotiations for months following Marvel low-balling him with a $250,000 offer, will take on the part of the Russian villain Whiplash, while Johannson will be replacing a previously-engaged Emily Blunt as Soviet spy Black Widow.

I hope Rourke knows Johansson is married otherwise it’s going to be awkward on set when he goes around trying to bang her. And I could’ve posted pics of Rourke but what’s the point?