Actors Hilary Swank and Jeffrey Dean Morgan are currently filming "The Resident" in New York City, and I’ve got a couple of on-set images below.

The thriller follows a young doctor (Swank) who suspects she may not be alone in her new Brooklyn loft. She soon learns that her landlord is obsessed with her. Scheduled for a 2010 release, the movie is directed by Antti J. Jokinen and also stars Christopher Lee.

Hey, it’s nice to see Jeffrey Dean Morgan playing something besides a dead guy, and Swank is great with the dramatic roles. Should be a good pairing.

Read more

Much of the population might think that vampire Edward Cullen and his human alter-ego Robert Pattinson is cuter than cute. But he doesn’t share that feeling, and says that not only did he almost back out of auditioning for the role, but seeing himself on screen makes him sick!

For the rest of us, we’ll get to see Pattinson as the sultry vampire again on Nov. 20, 2009, when "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" hits theaters.

Here’s the trailer for "Daybreakers," the vampire movie starring Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe. It’s the year 2019, and Hawke plays a researcher investigating a plague that’s transforming people into vampires. Check out the poster here. The movie hits theaters Jan. 8, 2010. Nice way to start the year!

Wow, it’s been a rough week in Hollywood, with the passing of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and now Michael Jackson. While he was known more for his music than anything else (well, and his eccentricities), I think we can all agree that "Thriller" is a great music video that really qualifies as a movie short. Here’s the short version of the smash-hit video (thanks to MTV!).

We’re starting to get some info on 2010 moves now, and the vampire theme continues on and on (which is fine by me!).

I just received a poster for Lionsgate’s "Daybreakers," starring Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe.

Hawke plays Edward Dalton, a researcher in the year 2019, and a plague has transformed the world’s population into vampires. Humans are becoming extinct, and vampires must capture and farm every remaining human, or find a blood substitute before time runs out (they haven’t heard of "True Blood"?). 

But then a covert group of vampires makes a remarkable discovery, one which has the power to save the human race. The movie hits theaters January 8, 2010. Check out the official site, and the first teaser poster (creepy, huh?).

Image: © Lionsgate, 2010

This looks like a cute, sexy, funny movie; a subtitled French film you might see at a film festival or arthouse theater.

"The Girl From Monaco" is about a high-priced Parisian lawyer named Bertrand (Fabrice Luchini) who travels to Monaco to defend a wealthy woman accused of murder. He discovers that his bodyguard, the scowling Christophe (Roschdy Zem), can be useful in a variety of ways. But then they run into a stunning – and dangerous - TV weathergirl, played Louise Bourgoin.

Directed by Anne Fontaine, it’s rated R for some sexual content and language. Arrives in theaters July 3, 2009.

After the jump, check out the trailer…

Read more

Attention, anyone looking to play Seth or Leah in "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"!

There’s an open casting call listed for these two characters at EclipseOpenCasting.com. Thanks to Nieko in Film Gecko’s "New Moon Casting News & Rumors" thread for the heads up!

From the Open Casting site:

Seth Clearwater: Seth is a Quileute Indian and the youngest member of the La Push wolf pack. He is a tall, gangly limbed boy with a huge, happy grin, the son of Harry and Sue Clearwater and the younger brother of Leah. Seth idolizes Jacob, and is always eager to please. NOTE: This is an excellent opportunity for Native American and First Nations actors. Seeking age 14-19 to play age 15.

Leah Clearwater: Leah is a Quileute Indian and the only female member of the La Push wolf pack. She is tall and slender with beautiful skin and short cropped black hair. She would be considered gorgeous if not for the perpetual scowl she carries due to a broken heart and her anger issues. She is the daughter of Harry and Sue Clearwater and the protective older sister of Seth. NOTE: This is an excellent opportunity for Native American and First Nations actors. Seeking age 18-25 to play 19.

Auditions are due by June 30, 2009. Again, visit the Eclipse Open Casting site for more info and to submit your audition.

Good luck, everyone! First dibs on interviewing the lucky actors who make it!

Image: TM and © 2009 Summit Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The vampire trend continues with “Blood: The Last Vampire,” coming to theaters July 10, 2009. It’s actually an English version of a Japanese anime feature film from the producer of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”

Saya (Gianna Jun) is a 400-year-old half-human, half-vampire samurai who preys on those who feast on human blood. Joining forces with a covert organization known as the Council, she’s dispatched to an American military base, where a series of swordfights leads her to the deadliest vampire of all!

Directed by Chris Nahon, “Blood: The Last Vampire” also stars Allison Miller, Liam Cunningham, Michael Byrne, Koyuki, and Colin Salmon. Check out the film’s Facebook Page, MySpace Page, and Official Site.

On the surface, this movie looks like it’s trying to glom onto the vampire trend created by “Twilight,” “Moonlight,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel,” among others. But I would hasten to add that the original anime film was released in 2000 (and won several awards, too), so it may have been leading the pack on this current wave. Yes, I know Buffy started pre-2000 and, of course, people have always been fascinated with vampires.

What do you think? Are you planning on seeing “Blood: The Last Vampire”?

More stills and a trailer after the jump…

Read more

Clint Eastwood continues to knock me out with his heartfelt performances, this time in "Gran Torino," in which he plays Korean War vet Walt Kowalski. It’s a racially charged story that’s also violent and disturbing, with Eastwood’s classic humor thrown in for good measure.

Read my review of "Gran Torino," and buy the DVD on Film Gecko’s DVD Store on Amazon.

Bonus Features include some of the filmmakers reminiscing about their first cars or dream cars. We also get to see a Detroit rally of classic cars along Woodward Avenue, which is bittersweet considering Detroit’s altered auto scene in recent months. 

Also on DVD this week:

Crossing Over (R). Harrison Ford, Sean Penn, Ashley Judd, and Ray Liotta star in this movie about crime, fraud and murder, all revolving around a missing illegal. Buy "Crossing Over."

The International (R). Clive Owen and Naomi Watts star in this crime thriller about an obsessive Interpol agent who spearheads an investigation into a high-profile banking institution. Buy "The International."

Image: Amazon.com

We’re starting to get some buzz around the film “9,” directed by Shane Acker and produced by Tim Burton. Check out the theatrical poster below, offered exclusively to Film Gecko, and watch the trailer and a clip here.

The story follows a ragdoll-like creature named “9” (voiced by Elijah Wood) who comes to life and finds himself in a post-apocalyptic world where all humans are gone. When 9 discovers a small community of others like him taking refuge from killing machines, he convinces the others that hiding will do no good. They must take the offensive if they are to survive, and the future of civilization may depend on them.

Definitely not a light-hearted, fluffy kids’ flick. Also check out the Facebook page, where the back-story of “9” has begun to unfold through the voice of the film’s Scientist. You can see for yourself the Machine that will help rebuild the Nation and his designs that will change the world. 

Set for a Sept. 9, 2009 release date, voice talent also includes Jennifer Connelly, John C. Reilly, Crispin Glover, Martin Landau and Christopher Plummer. It doesn’t get much better than that.

What do you think of the poster?

Image: © FOCUS FEATURES LLC. All Rights Reserved.