The CLOG - A Clevver Blog

The nominees for the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards have been announced.  Compiled by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the Golden Globes have long been considered a precursor to the Academy Award nominations.  The awards will be handed out on January 11th and will air live on NBC.

Best Motion Picture - Drama

• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
• Frost/Nixon
• The Reader
• Revolutionary Road
• Slumdog Millionaire

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

• Burn After Reading
• Happy-Go-Lucky
• In Bruges
• Mamma Mia!
• Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Animated Feature Film

• Bolt
• Kung Fu Panda
• Wall-E

For a complete list of nominees, visit the official Golden Globes website.

Hot off the release of Guitar Hero: World Tour, Activision has announced that one of the greatest metal bands of all time will get its own game - Guitar Hero: Metallica will be released in 2009 and will utilize the new drums and microphone peripherals.

Metallica will be the second band to get its own game following the June release of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.  Unlike Aerosmith, the game will not follow the band’s rise to stardom, but instead follow a new band as it tries to make it on the road with the legendary rockers.  “There’s a historical element involving some memorable gigs we have played, but it’s not something that follows a chronological timeline to a tee,” says drummer Lars Ulrich.  “We kind of wanted it to be a little bit more about who we are now than a who-we-were-in-1986 type of thing.”

In addition to playing from the large catalogue of Metallica songs, the game will include appearances by over twenty guest acts ranging from artists that inspired the band or have toured with them.  The list of artists include Queen, the Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bob Seger.

In addition to the new game controls introduced in World Tour, a second pedal will be available for those wanting the full Lars Ulrich experience.  There is no word yet if the game will be sold with any special edition guitars or drum packages, but odds are likely it will.  Guitar Hero: Metallica will be available on the Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 systems.

Disney just released some new photos from the Jonas Brothers new concert movie called Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience. The movie hits theaters February 27th.

This Thursday, after the presents have been unwrapped, the turkey has been carved and Uncle Charlie has passed out on the sofa, how will you be spending the remainder of your Christmas?  If Hollywood has anything to say about it, you’ll be spending your holiday in a darkened theater.  There will be plenty of options for everyone in the multiplexes this year, so sit back, relax and take a look at what all there is to offer.

For the kids there’s Adam Sandler starring in his first family comedy Bedtime Stories and Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson in Marley & Me about a naughty puppy who teaches important life lessons (or something like that).

For those of you who prefer their movies with leading men in facial wear, there’s The Spirit based on the hit graphic novel and Valkyrie about Tom Cruise in an eye-patch (and a plot to kill Hitler for good measure).

And of course, being the end of the year, there’s plenty of films hankering for Oscar nods.  On the roster is Revolutionary Road, which marks the reunion of Titanic’s Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Kathy Bates.  An even bigger reunion happens in Last Chance Harvey which stars Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, who of course starred together in the blockbuster Stranger Than Fiction.

If you can’t find a film to satisfy your needs this holiday season, then perhaps you should just jump on the sofa and snooze the day away with Uncle Charlie.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good viewing experience.

Warner Bros. Pictures has released the second trailer for the new Terminator film starring Christian Bale as resistance leader John Conner.  The first trailer only gave us quick glimpses from the film, but the latest trailer teases us with a more in-depth look at the post-apocalyptic future.

In the film, due in theaters May 22nd, Judgment Day has finally happened and John Conner must lead the resistance against the evil machines.  Christian Bale appears to have brought along his raspy voice from The Dark Knight and there is no sign of Arnold, but there are plenty of other terminators, including a giant mech-looking one that seems to have made a wrong turn as it was heading for the Transformer 2 set.

Terminator: Salvation also stars Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin and Bryce Dallas Howard and is being directed by Charlie’s Angels McG.

Twentieth Century Fox has released the first trailer for next summer’s highly anticipated X-Men Origins: Wolverine.  The film, which stars Hugh Jackman reprising the title role, is scheduled to hit theaters May 1st.  The trailer focuses on the beginnings of Logan’s transformation into Wolverine including the death of his father at a young age, the death of his girlfriend at the hands of Victor Creed/Sabretooth (played by Liev Schreiber) and meeting William Stryker who gives Wolverine his adamantium skeleton through the Mutant X program.

The trailer also gives the audience glimpses of some new mutants to the film world including Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, Kevin Durand as The Blob, Will.i.am as Wraith, Daniel Henney as Agent Zero, Lynn Collins as Silver Fox and Taylor Kitsch as Gambit.

Wolverine is apparently holding the weight of any future X-Men films on its shoulders.  The studio is reportedly holding off on plans for X-Men Origins: Magneto until the box-office receipts are counted on Wolverine.  Despite a script from Batman Begins writer David S. Goyer and the huge success of The Dark Knight and Iron Man (and even The Incredible Hulk to a smaller extent), the studio is cautious about any future X-Men films.  From the looks of the first trailer and the response from the fans, the studio should have little to worry about and we should see a Magneto story on the big screen soon.

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are all set to reprise their roles as Bella and Edward, but the latest buzz is that Taylor Lautner may not return as Jacob. Apperantly the new director, Chris Weitz wants a more physically mature Jacob. Although 16 year old Taylor Lautner has been pushing for a return, he has yet to be given the green light. Just recently MTV has reported that Michael Copon, 26 is already in talks to take over the highly sought after role of Jacob.

Story Update! Taylor Lautner will be back as Jacob for New Moon. Click to read more!

Dwayne

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson stars in Race To Witch Mountain coming out March 13, 2009.  Walk Disney Pictures just released the new trailer that really emphasizes the whole “sci-fi” aliens theme.  Click here to watch the trailer for Race To Witch Mountain

The Plot:

For years, stories have circulated about a secret place in the middle of the Nevada desert, known for unexplained phenomena and strange sightings. It is called Witch Mountain, and when a Las Vegas cab driver (DWAYNE JOHNSON) finds two teens with supernatural powers in his cab, he suddenly finds himself in the middle of an adventure he can’t explain.  When they discover that the only chance to save the world lies in unraveling the secrets of Witch Mountain, the race begins, as the government, mobsters and even extraterrestrials try to stop them.  RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN is a fun and thrilling adventure featuring incredible special effects.

Star Trek Banner Art - Click To Enlarge

Check out this cool Star Trek banner art released by Paramount Pictures.  Feel free to grab it from here and use it!

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson from Twilight

American Pie director Chris Weitz will be directing the Twilight sequel New Moon. On her website, author Stephanie Meyers said “First of all, like you, I’m sad that Catherine is not continuing on with us for New Moon. I’m going to miss her, not just as a brilliant director, but also as a friend. She has such a distinct, authentic voice that did amazing things for Twilight. I’m looking forward to every movie she does in the future. And she didn’t leave us empty handed. We still get the benefits of her amazing casting and the beautiful visual world she created. This foundation puts us in a good place for New Moon.”

Meyers continued “Summit Films is moving forward with a new director for New Moon. They’ve asked Chris Weitz, director of American Pie, About a Boy, and The Golden Compass, to join us, and I am very pleased to announce that he’s agreed to be a part of our Twilight world. I’ve had the chance to talk to Chris, and I can tell you that he is excited by the story and eager to keep the movie as close to the book as possible. He is also very aware of you, the fans, and wants to keep you all extremely happy. (Torches and pitchforks are not going to be necessary.)”

Jennifer Connelly as Dr. Helen Benson and Keanu Reeves as Klaatu

The Day The Earth Stood Still took home the #1 spot at the box office this weekend earning $31 million dollars. The film stars Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly.

Actress Angelina Jolie has been named the top earning actress in Hollywood Reporter’s annual “Women In Entertainment Power 100″ special issue.  The star of this year’s Wanted reportedly earned $15 million to portray the role of assassin “Fox” in the film.  Jolie beat out last year’s number one earner Reese Witherspoon by a mere $1 million.  Witherspoon earned an estimated $14 million to star in the hit Four Christmases opposite Vince Vaughn.

Other top actresses on the list include Julia Roberts who returns to the screen after a long hiatus in next year’s Duplicity opposite Clive Owen, Cameron Diaz, Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl, Bride Wars‘ Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway and Jolie’s tabloid rival Jennifer Aniston who reportedly earned an $8 million paycheck for Marley & Me which hits theaters on Christmas Day.

Angelina Jolie is currently gaining rave reviews and possible Oscar buzz for her portrayal of Christine Collins in Clint Eastwood’s Changeling.

Just in time for the holidays, New Line Cinema and Paramount Pictures have released a new poster and trailer for next year’s Friday the 13th.  The film is said to be a re-imagining of the original 1980 cult hit, but considering it revolves around hockey mask wearing Jason Voorhees running around Camp Crystal Lake hacking up teens with a machete, the plot seems to follow more of the second and third installments than of the first film.  Fans will sure to remember that the killer in the first film is not Jason Voorhees at all, but his grieving mother, angry at the apparent death of her child due to neglectful and horny camp counselors.  Though Jason does make an appearance as a child in the first film, adult Jason doesn’t appear until the second film and he doesn’t don the infamous hockey mask until the third.

Nitpicking aside, the film seems more a chance to bring a new generation of horror fans to Camp Crystal Lake for good, clean slasher fun.  With director Marcus Nispel (of the 2003 Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake) helming the project and Michael Bay (Transformers) producing, audiences shouldn’t be disappointed when the film hits theaters on, you guessed it, Friday, February 13th.

Nominations for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards were announced last night on primetime television as part of “The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! - Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night.”  The one-hour special was broadcast live on CBS from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles and featured past Grammy winners and nominees reading nominations in several categories, as well as performing songs from the Grammy Hall of Fame in celebration of the grand opening of the Grammy Museum.  Two-time Grammy winner LL Cool J and 50th Grammy nominee Taylor Swift co-hosted the telecast, and presenters/performers included four-time Grammy winner Christina Aguilera, five-time Grammy winners Mariah Carey and Celine Dion, the
six-time Grammy-winning Foo Fighters, 14-time Grammy winner B.B. King, five-time Grammy winner John Mayer, and Swift.

Lil Wayne topped the list with eight nominations followed by Coldplay with seven and Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West each earned six nods.  Alison Krauss, John Mayer, Robert Plant, Radiohead and Jazmine Sullivan received five each, and Adele, Danger Mouse, Eagles, Lupe Fiasco, George Strait, and T.I. each garnered four nominations.

Nominees for Record of the Year include “Chasing Pavements” by Adele, “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay, “Bleeding Love” from newcomer Leona Lewis, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ “Please Read the Letter” and “Paper Planes” by M.I.A.

Album of the Year nominees include Coldplay, Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Radiohead.

The Best New Artist category includes Adele, Duffy, Jonas Brothers, Lady Antebellum, Jazmine Sullivan.

The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will air live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 8th on CBS.

Mega-star Jack Black has been touted to host Spike TV’s 2008 “Video Game Awards.”  The ceremony will recognize the best in gaming from the past year and will include world premiere looks at upcoming titles like Brutal Legend, God of War III, Terminator: Salvation, Watchmen: The End Is Nigh, Mafia II, Fight Night Round 4 and a special announcement regarding Gears of War 2.

In addition to great world premieres, the show will honor legendary game designer Will Wright with the first-ever Gamer God award for his achievements in the gaming industry.  Wright is behind such titles as Sim City, this year’s Spore and the upcoming The Sims 3.

Nominees for Game of the Year include Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Gears of War 2, Fallout 3, LittleBigPlanet and Grand Theft Auto IV.

Jack Black has had an incredible year with blockbusters Kung Fu Panda and Tropic Thunder.  “Jack is a huge gamer and a former performer and winner on the ‘VGAs’ having taken home Best Performance By A Human - Male in 2005,” said Casey Patterson, Spike TV’s senior vice president, event production and talent development. “We’re thrilled to have him as our host. With a record 10 world premieres including Brütal Legend starring Jack, it will be a big night and wild ride!”