For one thing, you have to educate everyone in how to pronounce it. And for another – raising hand here — anyone who writes about it will undoubtedly get it wrong at some point. It’s just a pain.

But even with the hard-to-pronounce-and-spell title, “Reykjavik-Rotterdam” sounds like a good film, especially with Mark Wahlberg onboard.

The remake, based on an Icelandic film directed by Oskar Jonasson that’s in the running for an Oscar, centers on a security guard and former alcohol smuggler on the Iceland-Netherlands route who’s lured back into illicit after encountering money woes.

Still, the American version of the film should have a title that Americans can read and pronounce. Just sayin’…

Image: INF; Source: Hollywood Reporter

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In case you weren’t around in 1968, the sci-fi action-adventure centers on a female mercenary (played by Jane Fonda) who roams the universe of a distant future, taking on missions requiring bravery, creativity, and sensuality. It was all very sexy.

Now a remake is in the works! Joe Gazzam is writing the screenplay, with original producer Dino De Laurentiis  and his wife, Martha De Laurentiis on board to produce the update.

Originally, Robert Rodriguez was eyeing the project for Universal in 2007 with Rose McGowan in mind to star. But the studio and director couldn’t agree on where to shoot, so they parted ways.

Now I’m wondering who will be directing, because it sounds like just the quirky, sci-fi flick that Rodriguez is so good at. And let’s hope they find a fresh new face to star, rather than turning to the usual suspects like Megan Fox or any number of other actresses populating movie theaters.

Buy the original "Barbarella" on DVD.

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But if anyone can do a remake, it would be Steven Spielberg, who plans to direct an upcoming film, a co-production of 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks. It’s the first film under DreamWorks’ new incarnation; the company will finance 50% through its new partner Reliance and distribute through Disney.

It’s funny how all these film companies are hooked in together now. You never see a movie produced solely by MGM or Paramount.

At any rate, I hope Spielberg gets somebody who can do justice to the role. I’m thinking Tom Hanks or Steve Carell. Anybody else strike you as a good candidate?

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Directed by Peter Hyams, the movie is a remake of the 1956 film about a writer trying to expose a corrupt district attorney. It also stars Jesse Metcalfe, Amber Tamblyn (one of my favorite actresses!), and Sewell Whitney. It’s rated PG-13 for a sex scene, violence and brief strong language, and set for a Sept. 11, 2009 release date (it’s a memorable date anyway).

Image: Bauer-Griffin

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Image: Star Trek, Paramount Pictures, 2009

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Directed by Patrick Lussier, the flick stars Jensen Ackles (”Supernatural”) as Tom Hanniger, a man who returns to his hometown of Harmony haunted by a tragic coal mining accident and the massacre that occurred courtesy of vengeful survivor Harry Warden.

Ten years later, on Valentine’s Day, the killings begin again with a masked killer wielding a pickaxe on the loose. Has Warden returned?

My Bloody Valentine 3D opens in theaters on January 16th. Also stars Jaime King, Kerr Smith, Edi Gathegi and Kevin Tighe.

Watch the trailer after the jump (if you dare)!

Image: My Bloody Valentine 3D, Lionsgate, 2009

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Now Fox is talking about a possible prequel, with more info in between showings of the “Planet of the Apes” movies on Fox Movie Channel this weekend.

“We are very close at Fox on a new Apes script,” said Fox’s Tom Rothman. “This one is a kind of prequel story before the first story, with a return to the social thematics that mark the first one, but with an entirely contemporary setting – Earth 2009.”

Hmmm … not sure what to think about this, but it kind of makes me want to watch the original “Apes” movies again and see what all the hoopla is about. Any thoughts on this? Has the franchise already been done to death?

Image: Planet of the Apes, 20th Century Fox, 1968

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Stevenson recently directed “Kung Fu Panda,” which went over well as a family movie. I dunno … is “He-Man” pegged as a family movie? And even if it isn’t, I guess we don’t have to pigeonhole Stevenson into just one genre, right?

Any thoughts on this?

Image: Amazon.com

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In the oh-no-not-another-remake department, “The Karate Kid” remake is a go at Columbia, with Jaden Smith in the title role. That’s Jaden, pictured, along with his dad, Will Smith, at the Los Angeles premiere of “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” on Oct. 26, 2008. Look at that face!

Rumors have been circulating for a while, but a note landed in my inbox today confirming the casting of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s offspring. Jaden co-starred along with his dad in “The Pursuit of Happyness” (which I loved).

More after the jump…

Jerry Weintraub will produce, along with James Lassiter, Will Smith and Ken Stovitz from a script by Chris Murphy.

Shooting will begin next year in Beijing and other cities. While the new film will be set in that exotic locale, it will borrow elements of the original plot, wherein a bullied youth learns to stand up for himself with the help of an eccentric mentor.

Good news? Jaden Smith is a gifted actor who brings a lot to any role he plays. I’ll look forward to seeing what he does with “The Karate Kid.”

Image: Newscom

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