Movie: When in Rome * Official Site
In Theaters: Jan. 29, 2010

Runtime: 91 minutes
Directed by: Mark Steven Johnson

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some suggestive content
Gecko Rating:

“When in Rome” is one of those movies that’s cute while you’re watching it, but that you’ll probably forget within a couple of days. But in a sea of apocalyptic and doomsday movies out right now, its light-hearted nature is a nice change of pace.
It stars Kristen Bell as Beth, a young, ambitious New Yorker who’s focused on her career and has never had much luck in the romance department. She’s all but given up on …read more

I’m meeting some friends to see “When in Rome” on Friday. It just looks like a fun romantic comedy that’s perfect to see either with friends or your main squeeze.
Here Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel talk about filming the movie, about a young, ambitious New Yorker whose completely unlucky in love. But all that changes on a trip to Rome, where she impulsively steals some coins from a reputed fountain of love, causing her to be aggressively pursued by a band of suitors.
Now I’ve got “Three Coins in a Fountain…” stuck in my head. Not a bad thing, though. …read more

It’s never looked great for a “Veronica Mars” movie, and it’s still not looking good.
Creator Rob Thomas was at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, as part of Starz’s promotion for the second season of “Party Down.” He told The Futon Critic that he’d write the script if anyone would finance it.
“If anyone’s interested in making that movie I am available, Kristen’s [Bell] available. I would love to do it. I think the closest we came was Joel [Silver] pushing it at Warner Bros. and they didn’t bite. It has sort of gone away."
Thomas said he …read more

Movie: Astro Boy * Official Site * Film Gecko links * Trailer
In Theaters: Oct. 23, 2009

Runtime: 94 minutes
Directed by: David Bowers

MPAA Rating: PG for some action and peril, and brief mild language
Gecko Rating:

 
“Astro Boy” is one of those movies that’s cute, but that you’ll probably forget about a day or two after you see it. It’s also a little violent and sad for a kids’ movie. Not as sad as “Up” or “Marley and Me,” but still sad in its own way.
The concept began as a Japanese manga series and TV show first broadcast in Japan from …read more

Here’s a new clip from “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” in which Bella (Kristen Stewart) connects with the mysterious Volturi clan, learns something new about Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), and gets another protection vow from Edward (Robert Pattinson). The movie hits theaters Nov. 20, 2009.

The premiere of “Astro Boy” took place at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, and Kristen Bell was on hand to pose with Astro Boy himself! (Hmmm … who IS that under there?!)
In theaters Oct. 23, 2009, the CG-animated film is set in futuristic Metro City, where Astro Boy (voiced by Freddie Highmore) is a young robot created by a brilliant scientist named Tenma (Nicolas Cage). Powered by positive “blue” energy, Astro Boy has super strength, x-ray vision, unbelievable speed, and the ability to fly.
It also features the voices of Kristen Bell, Bill Nighy, Donald Sutherland, Nathan Lane, and Eugene …read more

That quote is what you get when you travel a ways to interview Malin Akerman, one of the stars of “Couples Retreat,” in theaters this weekend. Akerman mixed up a few cocktails for their interview with MTV. I would imagine there are worse locations to film a movie than Bora Bora.
Akerman and co-stars Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis, and Jon Favreau have been doing a lot of interviews for their new romantic comedy, so mixing some booze into the schedule probably isn’t such a bad idea at this point. Check out what the stars had to …read more

Jon Favreau says getting the massage in “Couples Retreat” was one of the braver things he’s done as an actor. Meanwhile, Malin Akerman says playing Vince Vaughn’s wife was like a dream come true (cue giddy school girl laughter)!
Check out what Kristen Bell, Jon Favreau, John Michael Higgins, Malin Akerman and Carlos Ponce had to say at the movie’s red carpet premiere. It hits theaters Friday, Oct. 14, 2009.

The “Couples Retreat” Web site is starting to add some fun stuff. I just took their Relationship Quiz and learned that my Animal Totem is the honeybee. After answering four questions, here’s what it said:
“You are a dedicated companion and have highly specialized skills. You work well with others, and strive hard to achieve your goals. Although you may leave the hive from time to time in search of nectar, you always return, happy to be home.”
Ok, I’m not sure about the nectar business, but I do consider myself a hard worker and goal achiever. I’d say that …read more

“Couples Retreat” hits theaters this Friday, and it looks like loads of fun. Sharks, hot yoga instructors, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Bell, and a bunch of other stars all cavorting on a plush tropical island.
Here are a few photos of gorgeous Kristen Bell (love her dress!) at the Los Angeles premiere, held at the Mann’s Village Theatre In Westwood, California. Watch the trailer here.

More after the jump…