Movie: The Brothers Bloom * Trailer * 2-minute clip * Official Site
In Theaters: May 29, 2009

Runtime: 113 minutes
Directed by: Rian Johnson

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence, some sensuality and brief strong language
Gecko Rating:

“The Brothers Bloom” is a funny little movie, the sort of movie you might watch at an arthouse or indie theater, then walk away going, “Yeah, that was an interesting movie with great acting.”
It stars Mark Ruffalo as Stephen, and Adrien Brody as his younger brother Bloom. These two brothers have been con artists since they were kids, with Stephen orchestrating intricate stories for each swindle and Bloom …read more

I’m absolutely cheering over this news, because I not only saw "Anvil! The Story of Anvil" at the Traverse City Film Festival last year, but the band also played after the screening. Talk about fun! I’ve been waiting for a good opportunity to interview these guys, and this is definitely it.
It’s a documentary about a real-life heavy metal band that’s basically been playing and striving their whole lives to get somewhere, but in the meantime working at dead-end jobs and doing measly European tours. It’s a little bit like "This is Spinal Tap," only these guys are the …read more

Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, and Alan Arkin star in "Sunshine Cleaning," a comedy about two sisters who decide to dig out of their dead-end lives by starting a business cleaning up crime scenes.
The little movie opens in some theaters on March 13, and it looks like a quirky film that even made my list of 2009 movies I’m looking forward to.
Hollyscoop.com caught up with the stars at the premiere of the movie, which also stars Mary Lynn Rajskub, Kevin Pollack, and Christine Jeffs (who also directs). The screenplay was written by Megan Holley.

It’s hard to think about the words "rape" and "love story" together in a title, but here it is. Samuel L. Jackson has just signed to star in "Rape: A Love Story," an independent drama also starring Abigail Breslin and Maria Bello.
Jackson will play a sympathetic cop who offers kindness and comfort to Bello’s character and her daughter (Breslin), following a brutal gang rape. These are the kinds of movies that are often thoughtful and insightful, but that I usually decide to skip, lest I’m depressed for days afterwards!
I lamented a few days ago that maybe Jackson wouldn’t …read more

Sometimes when a TV show is canceled, the actors fade into obscurity. Not so with Evan Jones, whom you may have seen on ABC’s canceled "October Road."
Jones has two movie projects in the works: "The Book of Eli," a futuristic Western from Warner Bros., and "American Tragic," an indie flick written and directed by Ryan Piers Williams.
In "Eli," Jones will play the leader of a group of bikers. Produced by Joel Silver, the movie also stars Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Jennifer Beals and Mila Kunis.
In "Tragic," Jones will play an old friend of James (Ryan O’Nan) …read more

Not a lot of new DVDs out this week, but I saw "An American Carol" in the theater and thought it was pretty funny. Even moreso because I know Michael Moore, and the film is sort of based on him.
An American Carol. An anti-American filmmaker who’s out to abolish the July Fourth holiday is visited by three ghosts who try to change his perception of the country. Based loosely on documentarian Michael Moore. [Official Site] [Buy It]
Towelhead. A young Arab-American girl struggles with her sexual obsession, a bigoted Army reservist, and her strict father during the Gulf War. [Official …read more

Oh boy, I’m going to have to be in the right mood to see a grizzled Mickey Rourke in this movie, but I’ve only heard good things about it. Also stars Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood. In theaters Jan. 16, 2009. Check out the trailer:

Ever heard of a movie called “Paper Hearts”? Most people probably haven’t, but it’s looking to be a big hit on the film festival circuit this year, possibly premiering at Sundance in January. Quirky-film darling Michael Cera stars.
Along with “Arrested Development,” Cera has made a name for himself doing offbeat comedies like “Juno” and “Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist,” and this movie looks to follow suit.
Those familiar with “Paper Hearts” describe it as a mix of documentary and scripted comedy about the real-life relationship between Cera and his girlfriend, Charlyne Yi, another member of the Judd Apatow …read more

Maybe Michael Moore should team up with Roland Emmerich for a “2012″ companion movie. Word is that Moore’s follow-up to “Fahrenheit 9/11″ was originally supposed to focus on foreign policy. But since the economy’s nose-dive in recent months, he’s decided to focus on that instead.
The still-untitled project is said to contain an end-of-the-empire tone that doesn’t focus on politics. Say what?! I can’t believe any movie of Moore’s won’t include his left-leaning views. Maybe because there’s a Democrat in the White House now?
Still, Moore (pictured with pal Madonna at the Traverse City Film Festival) has never been …read more

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What a cast this movie has! It’s “Gigantic”!
Zooey Deschanel, Paul Dano, John Goodman, Ed Asner and Jane Alexander star in “Gigantic,” a comedy that’s has just been picked up by First Independent Pictures.
Executive producer Dano plays a mattress salesman who wants to adopt a Chinese baby. Deschanel (pictured, with Mark Wahlberg) plays an off-kilter woman who distracts him during his quest. She’s SO good at the off-kilter women.
The film premiered in September at the Toronto International Film Festival and screened this weekend at the American Film Market, where the deal was closed. …read more