There are very few names in the film world quite as enigmatic as actor/director Crispin Hellion Glover. Best known for turns in a wide range of films such as CHARLIE’S ANGELS to the sequel OPEN SEASON 2 (side note: WTF?) as well as his directorial efforts WHAT IS IT? And IT IS FINE! EVERYTHING IS FINE (side note 2: awesome titles) Glover is very much a cult icon.

And now he’s joining one hell of an odd cast. Variety is reporting that Glover has joined the cast of the upcoming Elmore Leonard adaptation, FREAKY DEAKY, joining Michael Jai White, Christian Slater, and Billy Burke in the crime film. (more...)

¡Ay dios mio!

It seems Magnet/Magnolia Pictures have decided to redo the poster for their upcoming release of Álex de la Iglesia's phenomenal film THE LAST CIRCUS (read my review here). Why they decided to change up the artwork is beyond me. Instead of sticking with something darker like the original, and a more little elegant I guess they wanted to mimic the film’s insane tone by making an all-over-the-place image. In that they somewhat succeeded.

The whole thing looks hastily done and reeks of some less than stellar Photoshop work. When you have such a gorgeous woman in your movie like Carolina Bang, why would you want her on the poster in the most unattractive way possible? There is nothing special about this poster and, frankly, it’s kind of a turn off. But don’t let it deter you. This is an amazing film. Go and see it, if at all possible, when it gets released on August 19th and check out their website for more info.

Have a look after the break at the original poster and the red band trailer, both of which are better than this one-shit…er, sheet. (more...)

If you are like me, then the blue-skinned, green-haired entity known only as Captain Planet ultimately played a huge part in your day to day activities as a youngster. You would wake up early and watch the cartoon, buy the toys, and most importantly, buy the cheap fake rings that were sold, and ultimately would play as the character during recess at your school. No? No one? If so, this bit of news will have you freaking the hell out.

Deadline is reporting that TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON producer Don Murphy and Cartoon Network are in the midst of developing a live-action motion picture based on the environmentally conscience super being, created by Ted Turner. (more...)

Hey, they at least deserve a bit of credit for trying.

History lesson. A while back, Universal revealed that not only were they going to be bringing us an adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower, but that it would be an unprecedented event. Three films would be crafted, the first to be helmed by Ron Howard, as well as a TV series that would fill in the time between the respective films. They did find a lead, Javier Bardem, but now, that appears to be all for naught.

Deadline is reporting that Universal has cancelled plans for the project, killing the entire set up. It remains to be seen as to the state of the project itself, but for the time being, Ron Howard and writer Akiva Goldsman are looking behind the eight ball here. Could they ship the project to another studio? Let’s just say that this news has left the film world with more questions than answers with regards to the project. (more...)

Optimum Releasing have unveiled the official U.K. poster for TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY, the feature film adaptation of John le Carré's acclaimed 1974 spy novel of the same name. TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY centers on espionage veteran George Smiley who, in the bleak days of the Cold War, is forced from semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6's echelons.

Directed by Thomas Alfredson, who was responsible for bringing LET THE RIGHT ONE IN to the big screen, the film features a fantastic cast headed up by Gary Oldman; Tom Hardy, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, John Hurt, Ciarán Hinds, Mark Strong, Toby Jones, Stephen Graham, and Kathy Burke make up the supporting cast.

Check out the full poster after the break. (more...)

Francis Ford Coppola is making his first appearance at Comic-Con in twenty years. The last time the filmmaker was there was with his 1991 film BRAK STOKER'S DRACULA. His upcoming film, TWIXT, has brought him back to the land of the geeks.

TWIXT is a gothic inspired film starring Val Kilmer as an unsuccessful horror novelist who is led to a strange small town to explore a murder of a young girl by haunting visions. According to Entertainment Weekly, Coppola was inspired by authors Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allen Poe for the film. TWIXT does not have a distributor or a release date set yet, but as seen in the picture above, will star Elle Fanning as the young girl murdered. (more...)

If this isn’t making the best out of a bad situation, then I don’t know what is.

Following the departure of Bette Midler from the cast of David Mamet’s upcoming Al Pacino-starring Phil Spector biopic, a major void was left in the film’s cast.  However, Deadline reports that it just got filled and in one hell of a big way. The outlet has revealed that Helen Mirren has joined the film’s cast, and will play the role of defense attorney Linda Kenney Baden, who sparked a relationship with Spector during his 2007 trial. Spector was charged with the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. (more...)

This year’s Asian Film Festival of Dallas (AFFD) has a wonderful line-up of films representing all manner of countries in the East. Unfortunately there’s just not time enough to see them all. I am the lone GATWer covering this festival so instead of doing full reviews of all the films, which would take forever, I’ll be giving shorter critiques in a couple of recapping posts to give you a wide look at everything this ten-year-old fest has to offer. (more...)

“Trash or Treasure” is a recurring feature at Gordon and the Whale in which I return to a film that holds a special place in my heart (for a multitude of possible reasons) - and see if it is still deserving of that place. Have I been holding on to a piece of trash, or are my beloved films still bonafide treasure?

This edition of Trash or Treasure is inspired by the iconic marvel superhero Captain America. Nope, not the new CAPTAIN AMERICA directed by Joe Johnston starring Chris Evans. I’m referring to the version that was brought upon this planet by Albert Pyun in 1990. Now I’m sure you’re asking yourself why I’m not just doing that movie for Trash or Treasure, and if you really want me to: TRASH!! There, I’m done, that’s about all I ever want to write about that movie. No, I decided on THE PUNISHER because it got me reminiscing about this time in my life. The late ‘80s and early ‘90s was a strange time for comic book movies, it seems. (more...)

Kevin Costner is going to have one hell of a 2012. Along with roles in MAN OF STEEL and the upcoming HATFIELDS AND MCCOYS for The History Channel, Deadline has revealed that the actor is in talks to join one of 2012’s most anticipated films.

The outlet reports that Costner will join the cast of Quentin Tarantino’s DJANGO UNCHAINED. He’ll take up the role of Ace Woody, a “sadistic trainer of the male fighting slaves who entertain the white patrons of Candyland as well as the female slaves who are forced to be prostitutes.” (more...)