TFC Journal at TheFilmChair.com

In the age of the Internet, how this remained a secret, I will never know.  But it was announced this morning that Marvel Entertainment would become part of the Walt Disney Co., giving Disney the outlet it needed to appeal to males ages 13-30. It’ll still be a few years before we hear the Touchstone and Disney fanfares in front of Marvel Studios releases, so I’ll drink the Kool-Aid for now.

Both Marvel and Disney this morning made an effort to compare the deal with the one the Mouse House struck with Pixar Animation Studios, which only happened three years ago. Truth be told, we haven’t really seen what the Disney-Pixar deal means for Pixar motion pictures… or for Disney for that matter. Up was already well into production at the time of the merger. Bolt is only half-Pixar. The Princess and the Frog and Toy Story 3, the first two solidly post-merger animated features, will be the real tests.

Still, Marvel Comics waited until the right moment to get exactly what it wanted. And like the Disney-Pixar deal, we won’t likely see the real effects until after The Avengers is in the bag. Marvel fans have a right to be worried, just like I’m worried about Pixar. But as long as both mergers turn out better than the Muppets acquisition did, I think we’ll all be happy. (And yes, I’m still waiting for America’s Next Muppet, Disney.)

Top Story: Looks like Sylvester Stallone will don the bandana one more time. Stallone will star in, write and direct a fifth Rambo movie for Nu Image/Millennium Films.  The film, which was just greenlit, will revolve around the Vietnam War vet returning to America where he must save an abducted young woman from human traffickers and drug lords on the U.S.-Mexico border. (Variety)

In Other News: Columbia Pictures has hired Peter Craig to write a third installment of the Bad Boys franchise.  The studio hopes to reunite director Michael Bay, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence for the threequel. (THR)

In other Bruckheimer news, the producer has nabbed the rights to a short story, titled Shake, by screenwriter Derek Haas. The story follows an FBI agent who starts to lose control of his own body as he hunts for a killer. (THR)

Like Twitter? Like Glee & Fringe? Well Fox has a deal for you! Fox is teaming with the micro-blogging site to promote two of its big fall premiere by airing special Twitter commentary versions of Fringe & Glee episodes from last season. Cast member and producers’ tweets will scroll on the bottom third of the screen during the shows. (Variety)

Final Destination 3D topped the weekend box office, taking in $28 million. (erc BoxOffice)

Fin.

I couldn’t wait for an official music video to post Karen O and her untrained children’s chorus’ delightful little song from the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack. Sure, the Arcade Fire trailer was engrossing, but this song from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs lead singer adds some innocent fun to the mix.

Where the Wild Things Are, directed by Spike Jonze, opens Oct. 16.

Top Story: Though they probably should have waited to announce this on International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 19), DreamWorks has nabbed the rights to Michael Crichton’s Pirate Latitudes. Steven Spielberg will produce and possibly direct  the film, which David Koepp has signed on to write. (THR)

In Other News: Halloween 2 hits theaters today, but Rob Zombie is already planning his next picture. Zombie will write, direct and produce a remake of The Blob. (Variety)

Daniel Craig will star in Jim Sheridan’s thriller Dream House. (Variety)

Robin Williams will star in Disney’s Wedding Banned, which follows a divorced couple who kidnap their daughter on her wedding day to prevent her from make the same mistake they did. (THR)

Opening Today:
Halloween 2
Final Destination 3D
Taking Woodstock

Fin.

Top Story: Well, fuck me gently with a chainsaw. Fox, Sony and Lakeshore Entertainment are planning a TV show based on the 1989 cult classic Heathers. Mark Rizzo and Sex and the City scribe Jennifer Bicks are adapting the film for television.  (Variety)

In Other News: Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively has joined the Ben Affleck-directed crime thriller The Town. Affleck, Jon Hamm, Rebecca Hall and Jeremy Renner also star. (THR)

The creators of Smallville, Al Gough and Miles Millar, will adapt the sci-fi children’s novel I Am Number 4 as a possible directing vehicle for Michael Bay. (Variety)

Fin.

“I have a motor oil commercial audition, and I still have to find the perfect bikini.”
–Stacy after noticing that she’s running late.

Ted Kennedy (1931-2009)

“For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.”

Top Story: Rumor alert! AICN is reporting that Christopher Nolan’s third Batman film will be shot fully in IMAX. This is 1.) a HUGE technological challenge that I’m sure Nolan is up for and 2.) a great gimmick but not great enough to trump Heath’s Joker.  Now if only Cleveland had an IMAX theater that played first run Hollywood movies. (AICN)

In Other News: Susan Sarandon has joined the cast of Wall Street 2. She joins a returning Michael Douglas, as well as Shia LaBeouf and Frank Langella. (Variety)

Fin.

For nearly forty years this story has given faithful service to the Young in Heart; and Time has been powerless to put its kindly philosophy out of fashion. To those of you who have been faithful to it in return … and to the Young in Heart … we dedicate this picture.”

MGM’s The Wizard of Oz was released seventy years ago today. Even after seven decades, its faithful service to the young at heart has not gone out of fashion. I had a chance to see The Wizard of Oz on the big screen for the first time three years ago. It was an unforgettable experience even though I watch the movie every few months on DVD. Say what you will about the convenience of watching movies at home, but seeing The Wizard of Oz projected on the big screen allows you to see things you’ve never seen before… even if you’ve seen the film 100 times.

The good news is everyone will get a chance to see The Wizard of Oz the way it was meant to be seen next month. Fathom Events is holding a special 70th anniversary screening of the classic motion picture on Sept. 23 in 440 movie theaters.  Tickets are on sale now.

I’m already counting down the days. There’s no place like the cinema.

Top Story: Columbia has hired Adam Fierro and Glen Mazzara to pen the sequel Hancock. The Will Smith superhero movie made $624 million worldwide. If you ignore most what goes on in the movie, it built up the Hancock mythology enough to get me into the theater for a second round. Let’s just hope they make a superhero movie instead of an action-comedy. I love you Jason Bateman, but… (THR)

In Other News: So about Inglourious Basterds box office. The final tally came in at just above $38 million dollars, slightly higher than the $37.6. (Variety)

Dan Savage may be headed to HBO. The syndicated sex columnist is developing a non-airing presentation pilot titled Savage Love to show the premium cable channel. Note to HBO: I’ll definitely keep my subscription after True Blood is over if you pick this show up. (THR)

MTV is developing a U.S. version of the U.K teen drama series Skins. Hopefully it will be as good as Undressed.  (Variety)

Fin.