State of Play
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Box Office: Zac Is the Man of the Hour
Looks like young Mr. Efron is proving to be a bankable actor, as his movie, 17 Again, debuted at No. 1 this weekend, earning an estimated $24.1 million.
Meanwhile, Russell Crowe's political thriller, State of Play, came in second place with an estimated $14.1 million.
State of Play: Surprisingly Gripping Journalism Thriller
In the movies and on TV, investigations always look so exciting and fun — piecing together the facts, swapping clues, untangling the web strand by strand, etc. In a story centered around journalism, this mystery-solving stuff is what makes it fun to watch, especially if there's also a good dose of realism but not so much that it becomes mired in realistic details and we get bored. State of Play very nicely balances these things: It's a sensational murder mystery-thriller but with a scruffy, grumpy journalist lead character and a supporting cast of equally "normal" people.
Watch, Pass, TiVo or Rent: State of Play
Based on the BBC miniseries by the same name, this Friday's State of Play is a crime thriller in which "a team of investigative reporters works alongside a police detective to try to solve the murder of a congressman's mistress." Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams and Helen Mirren star, and Tony Gilroy (writer of the Bourne trilogy and writer/director of Michael Clayton) co-wrote the screenplay.
Do you think you'll check this out in the theater or wait for it to be on DVD?
Movie Preview: State of Play
Based on the BBC series of the same title, the film State of Play stars Russell Crowe, Helen Mirren, Ben Affleck, and Rachel McAdams. Crowe and McAdams are reporters who get wrapped up in the case of a congressman's (Affleck) murdered mistress.
From the trailer, it looks like a compelling crime thriller, though I'm not sure how it'll stack up against the acclaimed original series.
Edward Norton Leaves State of Play, Ben Affleck May Join
Well, my original excitement over a Fight Club reunion with Edward Norton and Brad Pitt starring in State of Play has been dashed. First Pitt dropped out of the project and was replaced by Russell Crowe. Now Norton has decided to leave as well, with Ben Affleck in negotiations to replace him.
Russell Crowe Replaces Brad Pitt in State of Play
So much for a Fight Club reunion: Citing concerns about the script, Brad Pitt has decided not to star alongside Edward Norton in the star-studded political thriller State of Play. Despite discussions with studio heads and director Kevin Macdonald (Last King of Scotland), Pitt's issues with the script could not be resolved and he pulled out altogether, causing those involved to wonder if the project could go forward. Russell Crowe, now in final negotiations to replace Pitt, has apparently "saved" the studio from shutting down the project.
The Cast of State of Play Got Even More Amazing
Just last week I told you that Edward Norton and Brad Pitt were reuniting for another film, this one based on the British miniseries State of Play. Well, the cast just got even bigger, with more good-looking, supremely talented people. In addition to Norton and Pitt, Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren and Robin Wright Penn will join the cast.
Brad Pitt and Edward Norton Together Again!
Fight Club reunion!
Brad Pitt and Edward Norton will share the screen again in State of Play, a film adaptation of the British miniseries. Kevin MacDonald, who did a phenomenal job with Last King of Scotland, will direct.
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Alan Ball Says Season Two of True Blood Is "Sexier and Gorier"
The second season of HBO's True Blood kicks off tonight and doesn't waste any time jumping into the scary murder madness that has engulfed the citizens of Bon Temps.
According to the show's creator, Alan Ball, everything intensifies this season: vampires are more monstrous, sex scenes are even sexier, shape-shifters become more, er, shape-shiftery, and the anti-vampire movement becomes even more zealous.
Here are more highlights from the conference call Ball recently held with reporters:
- Talking about the serial killer: "The first season we, the audience, did not know who the serial killer was.
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