Bad news, nostalgists: the Dirty Dancing reboot is happening. Worse, it doesn't even matter who Lionsgate casts in the lead roles (provided they can, y'know, dance) as the brand itself will sell the movie -- which you will likely see whether you want to or not. (For reference to this phenomenon, see Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough in the lead Footloose remake roles.) Still! Rather than curl up into a ball and listen to "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" on repeat for the next week to mourn the latest attempt by Hollywood to scorch the earth of your childhood, why not embrace the reboot and help Movieline cast this sucker? Ahead, some casting suggestions for Dirty Dancing.
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Two and a half years ago, Universal announced that Clue was getting a big-screen revamp in the form of a global caper directed by Gore Verbinski. Well, most of that information remains true: Clue, Gore Verbinski, and globetrotting are all part of the picture, but Universal has dropped the property in favor of its other board game-based projects like Candy Land, Battleship, Ouija, and the Taylor Lautner-attached Stretch Armstrong. Now, here's what makes Clue different than other board games -- at least in my eyes: It rules, and those properties don't. In order to protect the valor of Clue, Movieline is offering three ways for the film to retain the sinister cool of its original film and game(s). Frankly, Miss Scarlet, we give a damn.
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Yes, Funny Girl, the 1968 debut vehicle for Barbra Streisand that won her an Academy Award, is getting a remake -- but not with the McKinley High belter you expect. According to E!, Lauren Ambrose, best known for Six Feet Under, is close to getting the part. Weird! But never fear, Lea Michele: We can think of three Streisand films that deserve remakes and you on the marquee.
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Earlier on Thursday, Variety reported that Eli Roth is designing a Hostel-themed maze for Universal Studios Hollywood's "Halloween Horror Nights" theme park franchise. Because what parents don't want to lead their kids into a labyrinthian torture factory where other humans are seemingly being slaughtered for sport against a backdrop of sexually suggestive imagery? In honor of this cuckoo bananas development, Movieline has brainstormed five other amusement park attractions based on horror films that seem just as appropriate.
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For whatever reason -- boredom on the Bop Decameron set, boredom with Italy in general -- Alec Baldwin has chosen to answer dozens of rapid-fire questions posed by his fans on Twitter in the past 24 hours, ranging from "Who was your favorite onscreen kisser?" to "What is your favorite sexual position?" Oh, and in between, he lists his favorite movies of all time. Check out the information below and see just how well you know the Emmy-decorated actor. This information could come in handy if Trivial Pursuit ever releases a Celebrity Twitter Feed edition.
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Today, Vulture reported that outspoken filmmaker, discriminated plane passenger and interview over-sharer Kevin Smith is developing a half-hour syndicated talk show. Which is fine, and honestly, a naturally-fitting format for Smith. No disrespect to Smith -- even if we did once resolve to silence him by wiring shut his mouth -- but he already has podcast and Twitter platforms to preach from, and we'd rather see a few other filmmakers host a talk show first. Take a look at our suggestions and share your own in the comment section below.
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Friends with Benefits will surely exhibit more of Justin Timberlake's comic brio, but is anyone worried that we're forgetting what's really important? I'm talking about keeping pop stars where they belong -- in melodramatic music videos. In honor of Timberlake's new film and the 2011 Video Music Award nominations, Movieline is reinspecting the careers of seven pop stars who also act, and picking their single best performances in music videos. Bring your leafy skirt, Beyonce fans.
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By now you've likely heard about the pie flung at media emperor Rupert Murdoch, Laurel & Hardy-style, during a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday. Disappointingly, the fight did not escalate into a full-blown Battle of the Century affair on live TV because Murdoch's wife, Wendi Deng, shut the assailant down with a sharp right hook before he was quickly escorted out of the room by police. In light of this attack -- which failed to meet our own lofty pastry battle standards, mainly because it was actually just shaving cream foam -- Movieline has compiled five pro-pieing tips from cinema.
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As the beloved Harry Potter film series comes to a close this weekend, you may find yourself adrift; with no more films to look forward to, what's a Harry Potter fan got to live for? Well, here's one way to keep the magic alive, post-Deathly Hallows: Wizard rock, the musical movement made by and for hardcore fans that celebrates all things Potter, in song. After the jump: A primer!
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Customarily on Fridays, when a new movie reaches theaters over the howling, nose-pinching, and often very funny protests of the critical establishment, the saltiest of those responses are gathered here for your browsing pleasure. That's given that there is enough of a sample, or that the stinker in question is intended for a broad enough audience for us to advise viewers of the open manhole in their path. And then... there's the Sarah Palin documentary.
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This weekend's new release Winnie the Pooh is a soft-spot for us blowhards at Movieline, as it combines cherished characters, a charming new story, and a slender run time. All wonderful things! However, in the past 50 years, Winnie the Pooh and his friends have enjoyed some not-so-pure moments on their numerous VHS adventures, and in honor of Pooh's latest film, Movieline is shedding light on seven of those now. Heffalumps abound!
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Bridesmaids is arguably the biggest success story of the year, if you consider that its box office grosses not only turned a female R-rated comedy into a blockbuster, but gave new life (and industry confidence) to the entire subgenre of lady-fronted comedy. Looking back on the first half of 2011, though, not every surprise was a Bridesmaids; some hit the jackpot without making nary a splash in the public eye. Continue along our look back from the midpoint of the year and consider these five quiet hits that you probably didn't know were hits.
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It's the unofficial 84th birthday of our favorite chain convenience store, 7-Eleven, meaning two things: First, you're entitled to a free Slurpee (at all participating locations) and second, it's as good a time as any to look back at some of the best scenes set in 7-Eleven-like establishments in movie history. Who knew that one-stop-shop marts were appropriate settings for pregnancy scares, super-human cyborgs, Michael Bay-directed hold-ups and most frightening of all, a skinny, '90s era Alec Baldwin in a track suit?
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As part of this week's midpoint celebration, Movieline has already run through the 2011 films that are most likely to contend in this year's Academy Awards race. But what about the titles that completely fell short of moviegoer and studio expectations? Ahead, Movieline recalls the five biggest box office disappointments of 2011 thus far.
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It may seem like some cruel joke, but this past weekend marked the midway point of 2011. Where has the time gone!? Actually, don't answer that rhetorical question -- there will be plenty of time for looking back on the first six months of the year in the coming days here at Movieline. Instead, click open your Google Calendars and mark off the nine most important dates to remember for the rest of the year.
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