Hanks, Howard are official back for Angels & Demons

Just a few days ago one of our sources reported that Tom Hanks had not only signed up for Angels and Demons, but also that he’d be receiving the biggest actor’s payday of all time. Now comes official word that director Ron Howard is returning for the Da Vinci Code prequel.
Sony hasn’t announced the deals just yet, but reliable sources told another reliable source that they’re pretty much locked up at this point. Apparently the studio is setting a January release date, they’ve hired their casting directors, and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman is busily clacking away on his keyboard.
According to just about everyone I know, Angels & Demons is actually a much better novel than The Da Vinci Code. (Even people who’ve never read the books say so.) I’m told it involves the same Robert Langdon character (hence the need for Tom Hanks, obviously) and a bunch of Illuminati-led assassinations in and around the Vatican. Or maybe I’m way off. Maybe I should read the book. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Speed Racer’s latest gal – Christina Ricci

Christina Ricci is joining Matrix creators Larry and Andy Wachowski’s live-action adaptation of the 1960s cartoon Speed Racer.
Emile Hirsch, Susan Sarandon and John Goodman already have boarded the high-octane Warner Bros. project, which is based on the anime series created by Tatsuo Yoshida for Japanese audiences and later imported to the U.S.
Speed centers on a young race car driver, Speed (Hirsch), and his quest for glory in his thundering, gadget-laden vehicle Mach 5. Ricci will star as Speed’s girlfriend Trixie, his formidable ally on and off the track.
The show revolved around Speed’s family. In the big-screen adaptation, Goodman will play Pops, a race car owner and builder. Sarandon is on board as Pops’ wife, the backbone of the family as well as the Mach 5 Go Racing Team.
The Wachowskis, who are writing and directing, are eyeing a summer shoot in Berlin with a summer 2008 release.
The casting is a change in direction for Ricci, who has tended to star in such indie-oriented fare as Monster, Penelope and the recent Black Snake Moan. She also appeared on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, a turn that earned her an Emmy nomination last year. (Reuters)

Kendrick joins new Stiller comedy

Broadway actress Anna Kendrick has signed on to star opposite Ben Stiller and Jason Schwartzman in the comedy The Marc Pease Experience.
Schwartzman plays the title character, a man 10 years out of high school and still living in the past, when he was the star in his high school’s musicals. Stiller plays Pease’s former teacher/mentor, Mr. Gribble.
Kendrick, who plays a high school senior romantically involved with both of their characters, was nominated for a best actress Tony for her turn in the musical High Society.
Todd Louiso, who directed Philip Seymour Hoffman and Kathy Bates in Love Liza, is shooting the project for Paramount Vantage.
(Reuters)

Undetected: Igby Goes Down

This feature will highlight good/enjoyable films that may have gone unnoticed to the mainstream public. Once again, I ask that those reading this post feel free to comment leaving suggestion and concepts for further installments.

Why is it important?
Igby Goes Down is a stellar drama, which takes the basic premise of the classic, The Catcher and the Rye, and updates it into a more modern setting. The film is not particularly groundbreaking – it doesn’t highlight an important moment in history or create understanding about a conflict, it does however piece together a very cohesive and poignant coming-of-age story. And what more can you ask from celluloid than a 90-minute movie that showcases one’s struggle and they either faced or overcame it.

What is it about?
The film’s premise can be easily described as a boy who never fit in with his own high society family breaks free to explore himself away from the things he despises most. Igby (Kieran Culkin) doesn’t like going to school, doesn’t care for his older brother and physically hates his mother, decides that running away is his only hope. The audiences see each new experience through his eyes and carefully watch as sometimes the juvenile makes some very bad choices. A vibrant supporting cast helps to crystalize the message behind the film and their clashing personalities give viewers a plethora of viewpoints. The film effectively gives us a balanced story and each character is crafted so the audience can identify with them.

Who is in it?
The cast includes Amanda Peet, Ryan Phillippe, Jeff Goldblum, Claire Danes and Bill Pullman. Igby Goes Down’s main attraction is the constant struggle between Mimi (played masterfully by Susan Surandon) and Igby (Culkin). The bitterness and contempt for each other is perfectly delicious. The pair picked up Golden Globe nominations for their performances in the film, but left empty-handed. The ensemble cast pulls it together and hit a home run that will continually bring pleasure to all those who
brave enough to pick it off the video shelves.

Final Thought…
Igby Goes Down is an engrossing drama with more than a handful of rib-tickling moments. The film is smart, witty and self-aware with more to offer the casual moviegoer than the usual polished Hollywood product.
Here’s the trailer to Igby Goes Down: