THE KARATE KID In Rush Hour, Jackie Chan showed Chris Tucker a few tricks on how to kick butt. Now, with Columbia Pictures' revamped Karate Kid, maybe he can do the same for Jaden Smith.

The martial arts superstar is in final negotiations to play the role of Mr. Miyagi in the remake of the 1984 classic. He'll mentor Smith, who will take on the weak ruffian role once played by Ralph Maccio. The script, written by Chris Murphy, will likely retain the basic character structures of the original film.

This new version is co-produced by Jerry Weintraub, who helped with the first Karate Kid twenty-five years ago. Will Smith is also a listed producer.

Harald Zwart, whose Pink Panther 2 is set to release in February

The winners and nothing but the winners ... besides the ones they beat.FILM BEST FEATURE - DRAMA: Slumdog Millionaire The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Frost/Nixon The Reader Revolutionary Road

BEST FEATURE - COMEDY: Vicky Cristina Barcelona Burn After Reading Happy-Go-Lucky In Bruges Mamma Mia!

DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE: Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire Stephen Daldry -The Reader David Fincher -The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon Sam Mendes -Revolutionary Road

ACTOR – DRAMA: Mickey Rouke - The Wrestler Leonardo DiCaprio - Revolutionary Road Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon Sean Penn - Milk Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

ACTRESS – DRAMA: Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married Angelina Jolie - Changeling Meryl Streep - Doubt Kristin Scott Thomas - I've Loved You So Long

ACTOR - COMEDY OR MUSICAL: Colin Farrell - In Bruges Javier Bardem - Vicky Cristina Barcelona James Franco - Pineapple Express Brendan Gleeson -

Iron Man 2 It looks like the comeback is in full affect for Mickey Rourke. Variety reports that Rourke is in talks to star as a villain in Iron Man 2.

Let's hope this isn't the kind of decision Halle Berry made when she went from Monster's Ball to Catwoman. Actually, there's no way to compare those super hero movies, I apologize for the comment. After all, Don Cheadle and Robert Downey Jr. guarantee a certain amount of credibility.

Rourke, awaiting his Oscar nomination for The Wrestler, will play Crimson Dynamo, a heavily tattooed Russian arms dealer, if he signs on.

Sam Rockwell, who nailed his character in Frost/Nixon, is in negitiations as well, though there is no specific character for him to play yet.

Source: Variety

It's the little theater that could ... or I guess did. The Hollywood Theatre joins a few others around the country as part of the Sundance Family. Let's all look forward to shaking Robert Redford's hand next time we head to this Portland institution (institution in the good way, not the crazy way). Here's the press release ...The Sundance Institute has selected Film Action Oregon’s historic Hollywood Theatre as one of only eighteen theaters in the country to be part of the Sundance Institute Art House Project.

In 2005 the Sundance Institute established the Art House Project with select cinemas exhibiting independent film. The Project’s mission is to build audiences and develop a supportive national community of theaters committed to independent film. The Project unites the country’s best independent theaters and

Here's the press release from TWC annoucing a war movie that has the potential to be THE GREATEST WAR FLICK OF ALL TIME!.. too much? Have I already over-hyped? Sorry, here's the info ...December 31, 2008 – The Weinstein Company (TWC) and Universal Pictures announced today that Academy Award-winning director Quentin Tarantino’s World War II epic, Inglourious Basterds, starring Brad Pitt, will open domestically August 21, 2009. The announcement was made by Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of TWC and David Linde, co-chairman of Universal Pictures who are partners in the film. TWC and Universal are co-financing and co-presenting the film with TWC handling domestic distribution and Universal handling international distribution. International release dates will be announced shortly. As we reported yesterday, Watchmen is still on schedule to open in theaters (and IMAX)

Don't worry, the Watchmen is still coming. Fox has been trying to block Warner Bros. from the March release of the film Watchmen.

They say they own some rights to the film based on the most popular graphic novel of all time. Warner Bros. is ignoring them, but it all likelihood, they will have to open up their wallet, and hand some cash to Fox just to get them to shut up.

But all signs still point to March 6 when you can see Billy Crudup, Jackie Earle Haley and Carla Gugino -- sorry, I mean -- Dr. Manhattan, Rorschach and Silk Spectre.

Source: Variety

There has been talk that Arrested Development has been down two cast members. Michael Cera and Will Arnett had not signed on yet. Well, it sounds like we can

WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, DECEMBER 26-28, 2008 Rank. Movie Title - Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. Marley and Me - $37.0 million | 3,480 | $51.7 million | 1 2. Bedtime Stories - $28.1 million | 3,681 | $38.6 million | 1 3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - $27.0 million | 2,988 | $39.0 million | 1 4. Valkyrie - $21.5 million | 2,711 | $30.0 million | 1 5. Yes Man - $16.5 million | 3,434 | $49.6 million | 2

Source: boxofficemojo.com

Marley and Me was the no-brain winner of the box-office this weekend. Just think what it could have done if Bedtime Stories (and it's insanely low Rotten Tomatoes score) would not have come out.

For all the odd disdain for Valkyrie, it still did

WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, DECEMBER 12-14, 2008 Rank. Movie Title - Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. The Day the Earth Stood Still - $31.0 million | 3,560 | $31.0 million | 1

2. Four Christmases - $13.3 million | 3,540 | $88.0 million | 3

3. Twilight - $8.0 million | 3,649 | $150.1 million | 4

4. Bolt - $7.5 million | 3,133 | $88.9 million | 4

5. Australia - $4.3 million | 2,703 | $37.9 million | 3

Source: boxofficemojo.com

The Day the Earth Stood Still was pretty much guaranteed the top spot this weekend. But $31 million is a disappointment. Two new releases of note here ... Nothing Like the Holidays failed to capture the spirit, landing at #7 with just $3.5 million. And completely forgotten is

More quotes and reactions for actors nominated for the Golden Globes.The show will be on air January 11, 2009 live on NBC.

KATE WINSLET, nominee for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, THE READER: “Playing April Wheeler and Hannah Schmitz, two strong and complex characters was a true gift. To be recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for both performances is a genuine honor and I am incredibly grateful. I am forever thankful to my husband Sam Mendes, Leo and fellow cast members and for Justin's beautiful script. I am equally proud to share this day with Stephen Daldry and David Hare.”

JAVIER BARDEM, nominee for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical - VICKY

With the Golden Globe nominations out, that means people need to be happy and humble.Here's thoughts from Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, David Fincher and Eric Roth.

“It is so exciting to be nominated, but working with Emma was reward enough. Don’t get me wrong, I still want to win!” - Dustin Hoffman, LAST CHANCE HARVEY, nominee for Best Actor (Musical or Comedy)

"Dustin and I had the best time making this film. It seems insane to get an award nomination on top of that, but I'm thrilled." - Emma Thompson, LAST CHANCE HARVEY, nominee for Best Actress (Musical or Comedy)

"I would like to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Kathy Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Cean Chaffin, Paramount and Warner Bros. for allowing me to make this movie that I've wanted to make for

The awards have started. Here are the nominations for the 2008 Golden Globes. You may remember last year's awards ceremony, it was the odd infomercial (due to the writers strike) with Queen Latifah. Well, my first thoughts are there is no love for Valkyrie and very little love for The Dark Knight.

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Frost/Nixon The Reader Revolutionary Road Slumdog Millionaire

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon Sean Penn, Milk Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married Angelina Jolie, Changeling Meryl Streep, Doubt Kristin Scott-Thomas, I've Loved You So Long Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road

BEST MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY Burn After Reading Happy-Go-Lucky In Bruges Mamma Mia! Vicky Cristina Barcelona

BEST PERFORMANCE

Overture Films is trying something new. Available now on their website, you can download The Visitor and Last Chance Harvey. Though they are really pushing the first.

Overture Films is proud to announce the screenplay of The Visitor is now available online. Please visit www.overturefilms.net/awards/downloads.html to download your copy.

The inspiring story, written and directed by Tom McCarthy (The Station Agent), reminds us of the beauty of human connection and the impact one person can make in the lives of others. In The Visitor,  Richard Jenkins (“Six Feet Under,” Burn After Reading), a veteran actor for over 30 years, steps into the spotlight in his first leading role as Walter Vale, a Connecticut economics professor whose life is transformed by a chance encounter with a young immigrant couple in New York City.  The

Maybe it's because I recently saw The Day the Earth Stood Still, and was completely underwhelmed, but Alien Trespass seems like a tough sell. Simply the names Urp and Ghota are going to be tough to work through. The one thing it does have going for it is the 1950's. The problem with recent alien invasion flicks is that we have to spend time with technology (cell phones and news casts) instead of focusing on characters. ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS TO RELEASE ALIEN TRESPASS

STARRING ERIC MCCORMACK

World Premiere at the 2009 Palm Springs International Film Festival

Los Angeles (December 5, 2008) - Roadside Attractions has acquired the U.S. theatrical rights to R.W. Goodwin’s (The X Files) colorful homage to 1950’s

Sci-fi alien invasion films, ALIEN TRESPASS.  The film stars Will & Grace’s, Eric McCormack in his

WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, DECEMBER 5-7, 2008 Rank. Movie Title - Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. Four Christmases - $16.8 million | 3,335 | $70.8 million | 2

2. Twilight - $13.2 million | 3,620 | $138.6 million | 3

3. Bolt - $9.7 million | 3,516 | $79.3 million | 3

4. Australia - $7.0 million | 2,721 | $30.9 million | 2

5. Quantum of Solace - $6.6 million | 3,423 | $151.5 million | 4

Look closely, not one new film made it into the Top 5 this weekend. You'll have to drop down all the way to the 7 spot ... Punisher: War Zone bombed. Thank goodness. We shouldn't reward mindless violence unless it's the good kind. Yes, Quantum of Solace, I'm talking about you.

Cadillac Records

WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, NOVEMBER 14-16, 2008 Rank. Movie Title (Distributor) Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. Quantum of Solace (Sony / Columbia) $70.4 million | 3,451 | $70.4 million | 1

2. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (Paramount (DreamWorks)) $36.1 million | 4,065 | $118.0 million | 2

3. Role Models (Universal) $11.7 million | 2,798 | $38.1 million | 2

4. High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Buena Vista) $5.9 million | 3,202 | $84.4 million | 4

5. Changeling (Universal) $4.2 million | 1,896 | $27.6 million | 4

Source: www.boxofficemojo.com

Just as you would expect, Bond broke records. I predicted last week that it would pass Casino Royale's opening weekend. But even I am a little surprised by $70 million.

Next week will be very interesting with Bolt and Twilight coming into play. It could be

Is there any actor better than Ed Norton right now?.. OK, the answer is probably yes. But please remember this is the man from Fight Club, American History X and The Painted Veil (which more people should have seen)... Well, maybe "Leaves of Grass" will bring him back. I mean, there's two of him. What could go wrong? HollywoodChicago.com -- TSR's news partner -- just published a first-look production still for the comedic thriller "Leaves of Grass" in which Edward Norton stars as twin brothers. The film, which recently wrapped production in Shreveport, La., is due out in 2010. It also stars Richard Dreyfuss, Keri Russell and Susan Sarandon.

See the first-look "Leaves of Grass" production still at The Scorecard Review partner HollywoodChicago.com.