Neil Patrick Harris is taking advantage of his growing star appeal. The versatile actor just recently finished a successful stint as host of the Emmys and the Tonys and now he’s just accepted a new movie.
Harris is going to star in the Smurfs movie. This Smurfs movie is reportedly going to be a mix of both live action and animation. This means Harris is not just going to be voicing one of the Smurfs. He is reported to be playing the lead live action character.
Filming for the movie will commence this coming April, which will coincide with the end of the filming for Harris’ hit CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother.” The movie is expected to be released on July 29, 2011. Raja Gosnell will be directing the movie.
Stiller to do Trump Heist
Ben Stiller is reportedly interested in a new movie that was once offered to Eddie Murphy.
Apparently, Stiller is currently negotiating to star in the Universal Pictures movie Trump Heist. The movie, which may be retitled Tower Heist, will be about a group of con artists who think up of a plan to swindle the people who live in the upscale Trump Tower in New York.
As I have previously mentioned, Eddie Murphy was attached to this movie as the lead star. He was supposed to co-star with other black comics Chris Rock, Chris Tucker and Dave Chappelle. But with Stiller now taking over, the script is being rewritten and a new direction is going to be taken.
Brett Ratner is said to be attached to direct the movie.
Meet the Morgans
He was cute the first time.
Hugh Grant’s stammer had a clumsy kind of charm that worked in “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and, to some degree, “Notting Hill.” (We also concede that “About a Boy” was surprisingly entertaining, but it just fell flat at “Music and Lyrics” and “Two Weeks Notice”).
But the lameness factor just hit rock bottom with his latest movie, “Did you Hear about the Morgans?” He teams up with Sarah Jessica Parker, to deliver a totally forgettable romantic comedy that makes you want to say, “No I haven’t heard about the Morgans– and they’re not worth hearing about.”
Hugh once again dons that pained expression, as he plays Paul Morgan, whose marriage to Meryl (Parker) is on the rocks after his recent infidelity. He tries to win her back. She isn’t interested. And actually the whole audience why they’re together at all, because the two have no chemistry on-screen.
Their marriage is saved by, of all things, a murder. They both witness it, and they are sent by the FBI to a rural town that’s worlds away from their Manhattan lifestyle.
Hugh’s saving grace is his ability to give great one-liners, which periodically break the monotony of the movie. Unfortunately the good ones are too few and far between… just like Hugh’s movie career.
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes and Watson — one of literature’s most well beloved “couples” — are about to break up. Or so the movie begins, with Watson just about to move out of Baker Street and leave the life of crime investigation to settle down with a proper English lady.
Then a case opens, and Holmes tries to woo back his partner. So starts this comedy adventure. It’s your usual winning formula of villain on the quest for world domination + lovable hero + loyal sidekick + romantic sideplots. The movie also tops into the latest trend of witch craft and magic. Hmm. Sherlock meets Lord Voldemort.
The fight scenes are decent, with moments of genius. Watch for the scene at the shipyard. Unfortunately, Director Guy Ritchie tends to overedit some of the best sequences. Even the musical score has some great moments. Nothing to win an Oscar, but quite good for an action movie.
You get the feeling, after watching the movie, that the producers are gearing you up for a sequel. It may actually be a good idea. Robert Downey Jr. does a pretty good job of giving the Sherlock Holmes of classic lit a modern, sorta-sexy/sorta-funny vibe (the way Johnny Depp made being a pirate cool). And considering the Holmes-Watson tradition, there’s a deep well of possible story lines and a deep fan base who’ll follow the pair in whatever crazy adventure they get themselves into. (It may also turn the new generation towards the classics, and help them rediscover Sherlock Holmes and actually read the book!)
Don’t overcomplicate it
Nobody should go into the movie “It’s Complicated” (starring Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin) with high expectations. It’s a love story, really – the kind you watch when you want something light and easily digested and a little entertaining. It’s the film equivalent of a hotdog on a bun: a nice snack, but can get sloppy in parts.
The movie tackles the love story of a divorced couple who are friendly but get, uhm, a little too close during their child’s college graduation party. After way too many drinks they end up sleeping together (talk about a different kind of family reunion!).
It throws Jane (Meryl Streep) off balance. She’s finally over her ex, who cheated on her and impregnated his mistress (and later married her). Finally, her life’s going great — new business, more confidence, and a “kinda-sorta” dating thing going with her architect, played by Steve Martin.So, now… “it’s complicated.”
Common sense is to stay away from her ex, but no — they keep having sex (and a little marijuana). And so follows a comedy of errors, which will entertain you. What do you expect from a movie with Steve Martin and The Office’s John Krasinski? Just don’t over analyze it, which sadly, Meryl Streep sometimes does. Laugh, and pass the popcorn.