The Kids Are All Right has been doing more than all right in the box office and seems to be a film that really connects with audiences (read my review here). I was fortunate enough to sit down with the cast of the film, director Lisa Cholodenko and her co-writer Stuart Blumberg to discuss the subtle details and subtext that create such a realistic environment.

The script had been toiled over for several years and seemed to be in a constant state of evolution. The result is a shockingly genuine portrait of the modern family that is both funny and heartfelt. So check out my interview with Josh Hutcherson, Stuart Blumberg, Mark Ruffalo, Julianne Moore and Lisa Cholodenko and learn more about this refreshing summer hit.

Check out the interview below: (warning minor plot spoilers)

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One of the riskiest big budget films currently in development is Marvel Studios’ The Avengers. Compiling Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Hulk, and side characters from some of the films that those characters are from, a character who is being brought to movie theaters for the first time, and with one exception, all the original actors from those films, it’s going to be a big project. I am quite excited for it, but I also know that there is plenty of room for failure. I would be a liar if I said that the introduction for the actors featured in the upcoming movie at the Marvel panel held at Comic Con didn’t help get me excited. The video below should do the same for you.

The video comes courtesy of Cinematical, and I would highly recommend watching it, as it simply feels cool to see the main actors and the movie’s director, Joss Whedon, all up on stage together.

The biggest news to come from this is that Mark Ruffalo is the actor replacing Edward Norton for The Hulk, as was rumored before. In addition, Jeremy Renner is playing Hawkeye, who hasn’t been featured in any other movie that the other characters in this movie are coming from, which could be a risk, but he’s an excellent actor, so I trust that he’ll bring many good things to the table. I find it hard to not be excited. It could be a complete disaster, but something tells me that it could be pulled off.

The Avengers is looking at a summer 2012 release.

Does this video raise any of your expectations for The Avengers? Do you think that this movie will live up to large expectations?

In many ways, it seems to be much ado about nothing. Mark Ruffalo is (or shortly will be) Marvel’s new Hulk, to star alongside all of their other superheroes in the much-anticipated Avengers film [Deadline].

But one has to imagine since it’s the Hulk, not Captain America or Iron Man, it’s B-property and someone who’ll get something of a supporting role in the film.

And maybe that’s a good thing. The third time’s the charm and should be here, by making the green meanie part of a feature film rather than the entire feature film. Ang Lee and Eric Bana couldn’t do it, and neither could Louis Letterier and Ed Norton.

Joss Whedon writes supporting characters well (see Firefly) and do a lot with the precious little Bruce Banner has to offer in 20 minutes or so. Ruffalo could take that and make it even more interesting. Just as long as they keep everything on the back burner, and leave the super-heroing to real superheroes.

Are you excited Mark Ruffalo is the Hulk?

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Chalk this up as unexpected. After Edward Norton and Marvel split for Joss Whedon‘s upcoming Avengers film, it was unknown who would play the role. Deadline is now reporting that Shutter Island, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Kids Are All Right star Mark Ruffalo is in “late-stage discussions between Marvel and his brand-new agency United Talent” to take over the role of Bruce Banner/The Incredible Hulk. Read the full story

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According to a conversation with Blackbook, Mark Ruffalo is working on his next script for his sophomore directing project. Read the full story

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The Kids Are All Right is the latest film from well-respected female director Lisa Cholodenko (High Art, Laurel Canyon) and features an all-star cast that includes Annette Bening, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo. It was a darling at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and one of the few films to cause a bidding war between studios. The film is based on an original screenplay that Cholodenko and co-writer Stuart Blumberg (Keeping the Faith) worked on for over four years, borrowing heavily from both of their own personal experiences. The premise is to present a portrait of a modern day family and what it actually means to be in a family in this day and age. And while the film does an exceptionally well job at bringing to life vivid and real characters, the overall message or point of the film can’t help but remaining somewhat aimless.

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Actor Mark Ruffalo is set to take the lead role in the upcoming adaption of Larry Kramer‘s semi-biographical play, The Normal Heart. According to The Playlist, the play revolves around a prominent HIV advocacy group founder. Ryan Murphy (Glee, Nip/Tuck) is also attached to the project.  Ruffalo recently told MTV:

“It’s basically a story of when the AIDS outbreak happened in New York. It wasn’t really taken seriously, I think specifically because it was ‘the gay cancer,’ they called it. I think it’s a really interesting time in America. I think to see someone who really does change the world by his commitment and he’s even totally by himself at times, there’s still a real power in that. I love that it’s a people-powered movement that actually changed the way our government looked at this epidemic. I think there’s a real powerful message to that and something that we forget.” Read the full story

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While the cinematic gems promised by any collaboration from Marion Cotillard, Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke should result in a smile sneaking across the face, it appears that their low-budget indie project, Second Coming, might jerk a few tears instead.

According to The Playlist, the trio is set to star in the Richard N. Gladstein (Finding Neverland, Cider House Rules) and Laura Bickford (Traffic, Che)-produced drama about John Zener (Ruffalo), an actor whose life gets thrust into the limelight after starring in a controversial film surrounding the second coming of Christ. After said controversy results in the paparazzi-caused death of his wife (Cotillard, who is also executive-producing) and daughter, Zener is caught in an emotional struggle to maintain his own sanity, and ventures through New York City, France and Spain to rid himself of his former life.

The film is also said to be produced by French producer Ludovic Dardenay, and co-star Anjelica Huston and Thandie Newton. It will also be the first feature film effort of director Nenad Cicin-Sain, wrote the screenplay as well. There is no word yet on who Hawke will play, but seeing him onscreen with the above talent should be a treat nonetheless. After all, he’s just so damn handsome.

So what of it? Are you excited to see actors like Cotillard, Ruffalo, Hawke, Huston and Newton come together? With previously nominated producers like Gladstein and Bickford in the mix, will we have a tear-jerking Oscar contender on our hands? Sound off.

From beginning to end, Date Night, starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey, feels like a film left over from the 50s, remade in the 80s and now brought to life in 2010. Though it be high concept formula entertainment through and through, it succeeds where its players do. Luckily they’re all more than capable.

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Focus Features picked up this Sundance hit, directed by Lisa Cholodenko and now we have the first trailer. The comedy stars Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson. I think it looks hilarious and further proof Mark Ruffalo is an incredibly overlooked actor. Check it out below or over at Apple in HD. Read the full story