The Lone Ranger Starts Filming Next Month … No, Seriously.

Here’s a press release touting the (re)start of filming on the new adventures of the famous masked lawman. Johnny Depp stars as Tonto. Armie Hammer is in the title role.

January 13, 2012 SANTA FE – Governor Susana Martinez and the New Mexico Film Office announced today that Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ The Lone Ranger, directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Johnny Depp, will begin principal photography in New Mexico in February 2012, with production planned in and around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Shiprock and other locations around the state through the middle of August 2012. 

“The Lone Ranger is proof that New Mexico’s film industry is alive and well,” said Governor Martinez. “This administration is committed to fostering productive relationships with film studios so we can continue to offer our talented workforce and breathtaking backdrops for major productions. As we continue to build upon our reputation as a premier film production center, we are pleased to welcome The Lone Ranger to our state.” 

State and local officials have been working with the Walt Disney Studios for over a year to bring the project to New Mexico.

“We couldn’t be happier to bring The Lone Ranger production to New Mexico. The state’s world-class crews, local talent and spectacular locations will be critical in helping us take this iconic story and legendary characters to new heights,” said Jerry Bruckheimer, Producer. “I’d like to thank Governor Martinez, the New Mexico Film Office, and the people of New Mexico for welcoming The Lone Ranger to your state.”

“We welcome The Lone Ranger to Albuquerque,” said Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry. “We’re pleased that our local filmmakers will have job opportunities and appreciate the significant economic impact that this great film will provide to our city.”

Santa Fe Mayor David Coss stated, “I am thrilled that The Lone Ranger will be filmed here in Santa Fe and around New Mexico. Our community colleges have some of the best Film Technician training programs which put students to work; and the economic benefits that movies of this type bring to New Mexico are tremendous.”

The Lone Ranger is directed by Gore Verbinski, produced by Jerry Bruckeimer, and features an all-star cast with Johnny Depp as Tonto and Armie Hammer as John Reid, the Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger is a thrilling action adventure infused with action and humor, in which the famed masked hero is brought to life through new eyes. Native American spirit warrior Tonto recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid a man of the law, into a legend of justice—taking the audience on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption.”

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New “Hobbit” Promo Photo Released.

In Case You Were Wondering …

… here’s Bilbo Baggins hisownself.

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“Total Recall” Plot Synopsis Is Officially Mars-Free.

I’ve already asked myself a million times why Hollywood would want to remake 1990’s Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle “Total Recall.” While the original Philip K. Dick story is terrific, the film itself was a loud, disorganized mess.

Now, with the release of its official synopsis, I’m asking myself again. But you be the judge:

“Total Recall” is an action thriller about reality and memory, inspired anew by the famous short story “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale” by Philip K. Dick. Welcome to Rekall, the company that can turn your dreams into real memories. For a factory worker named Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell), even though he’s got a beautiful wife (Kate Beckinsale) who he loves, the mind-trip sounds like the perfect vacation from his frustrating life – real memories of life as a super-spy might be just what he needs. But when the procedure goes horribly wrong, Quaid becomes a hunted man. Finding himself on the run from the police – controlled by Chancellor Cohaagen (Bryan Cranston), the leader of the free world – Quaid teams up with a rebel fighter (Jessica Biel) to find the head of the underground resistance (Bill Nighy) and stop Cohaagen. The line between fantasy and reality gets blurred and the fate of his world hangs in the balance as Quaid discovers his true identity, his true love, and his true fate.”

(h/t to /film)

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New Chris Evans Pic From “The Avengers.”

Here’s a pretty good look at “Avengers” star Chris Evans in full Captain America regalia. This shot comes from EW via TotalFilm.

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“Gangster Squad” First Look.

Here’s your first look at the cast of director Ruben Fleischer’s upcoming “Gangster Squad.” The cast includes Ryan Gosling, Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emma Stone, Giovanni Ribisi, Nick Nolte, Michael Peña, Anthony Mackie, and Robert Patrick.

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Here’s the film’s synopsis:

“Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen​​ (Sean Penn​) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and—if he has his way—every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians who are under his control. It’s enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop…except, perhaps, for the small, secret crew of LAPD outsiders led by Sgt. John O’Mara (Josh Brolin​) and Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling​), who come together to try to tear Cohen’s world apart.”

If, like me, you’re a fan of classic film noir, then this one sounds like it could be a lot of fun.

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New “Hunger Games” Image Released.

Courtesy of Brit film site HeyUGuys, here’s an advance look at “Hunger Games” stars Jennifer Lawrence, Elizabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson.

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For the five of you unfamiliar with the premise of the dystopian YA fiction blockbuster, here’s a handy synopsis:

“Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.”

The film gets it release on March 23.

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New Pix Of Noomi Rapace In “Prometheus.”

Here’s the original “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” Swedish actor Noomi Rapace, caught on the set of director Ridley Scott’sAliens” prequel “Prometheus.”

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Pix courtesy of HeyUGuys.

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Weekend Box Office And Your Monday Must-Read

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Good Monday Morning, Everyone.
A new movie (“Contraband“) and an old favorite with a new coat of paint (“Beauty & the Beast 3D“) ruled the box office roost in a Top 10 filled with some serious Oscar bait.

Courtesy of Box Office Mojo, here’s the weekend, by the numbers:

1. Contraband $24,100,000
2. Beauty and the Beast (3D) $18,490,000
3. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol $11,500,000
4. Joyful Noise $11,345,000
5. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows $8,410,000
6. The Devil Inside $7,900,000
7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo $6,800,000
8. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked $5,800,000
9. War Horse $5,607,000
10. The Iron Lady $5,386,000

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Meanwhile, the New York Times takes a closer look at “Crazy Horse,” director Frederick Wiseman’s documentary about a Parisian strip club of the same name. It’s his 39th film and closes out a trilogy focusing on the City of Light.

Here’s the nut graf:

“What I am doing,” he said, “is showing many aspects of human behavior, which makes anything that interests me a possible subject.”

“I thought that the effort required,” he continued, “to create erotic fantasies is interesting.” Oh that. In which case Mr. Wiseman is rather late to documenting the gaming of desire. But in “Crazy Horse” he has devoted an entire film to the question of how sexual yearning is translated into a three-dimensional show. Not easily is the short answer. “Crazy Horse” asks the eternal question: Does one really want to see the naked woman behind the nude one?

“I always wanted to do a movie about a nightclub,” Mr. Wiseman said. “So I went with a friend to the Moulin Rouge, and I fell asleep after five minutes, literally put my head down on the table — boom. That was the end of the Moulin Rouge. Then we went to Crazy Horse,” where, apparently, he stayed awake.

Read the full story here.

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Those Who Rocked It On The Golden Globes Red Carpet

OK. I’ll say it. I, too, watch The Golden Globes to see what the actors and actresses are wearing. There’s no denying that Hollywood has an indelible impact on our national sense of style and the fashions on the red carpet reflect the tone of the times.

So while it’s entirely accurate to say that there wasn’t one person on that red carpet last night who’s felt the effects of the recession — the fashion did seem to reflect the austerity of the time. The dresses were classic. And after years of the awful “long tie” tux look (Sorry, Owen Wilson), it looks like we’re back to the classic black-with-bow-tie look that makes every man look like they’re James Bond.

A few of my favorite looks follow below.

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(George Clooney and actress/model Stacy Keibler)

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(Emma Stone)

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(Salma Hayek)

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(Tilda Swinton)

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(Leonardo DiCaprio)

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(Kate Winslet)

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(Charlize Theron)

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(Reese Witherspoon)

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(Bérénice Bejo)

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Golden Globes Food For Thought.

"The Artist" This year's Golden Globes favorite.

As you settle down to watch the Golden Globes tonight, the L.A. Times provides a bit of food for thought.

For example:

Feeling animated. By most metrics, it’s been a down year for animation. But that’s actually had a weirdly drama-inducing effect on the award race. Usually Pixar can be counted on to garner a healthy share of  votes. Not so this year, with the studio’s “Cars 2” a middle-of-the-pack choice. Plenty of others stand a shot of breaking free, including “Rango,” “Puss in Boots” and “The Adventures of Tintin.” And we’ll get a good sense on Sunday of what to expect down the road: the Globes have foretold Oscar’s animation winner four straight years.”

Read the full story here.

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