The other day fellow Film Stage writer Hash Aguirre told me he purchased J.J. Abrams’ summer hit Star Trek on iTunes via a digital file. I was extremely confused when he told me this because like me, Hash is a big time hard disc media supporter. This is when he hit me with a bomb shell I was never expecting. He told me that iTunes was offering DVD style features along with the films purchase. I couldn’t believe it, so I went on to iTunes myself and I saw the picture above. What I want you to notice is the upper right hand corner of the screen, the tiny box that says iTunes Extras. Then look underneath that box: Read the full story

With the release of All Saints Day looming, we here at The Film Stage were left to wonder: what makes the perfect on-screen duo? Obviously, chemistry is the primary factor. But what else is there to the pairings we’ve been offered, time and time again, on the silver screen. In an attempt to find an answer, we’ve compiled a list of the top 20 duos of all time. In no particular order:

Tyler Durden + Narrator (Fight Club)

Fight Club is so much more than a mind-bender film. It contains elements that are embedded deep within the male psyche. Among everything else it does so well, it gave us one of the most complex duos of all time, adding a twist on the idea of a duo i.e. the duo as one person. Add to the formula top-notch performances by Brad Pitt and Edward Norton and you’ve got an American classic.

Butch + Sundance/Henry Gondorff + Johnny Hooker (Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, The Sting)

Few times has such an auspicious star-pairing worked out so well. There remain only a handful of examples, one of which is Robert Redford (Sundance) and Paul Newman’s (Butch) other duo movie, The Sting. These two epitomize movie stardom in both films, playing off of each other like old friends, while never stealing the other’s thunder.

Jay + Silent Bob (All ViewAskewniverse Films)

Like the Boondock brothers, these two have become an indie phenomenon thanks, in part, to their well-delivered vulgarities. Coming from the mind of comedy genius Kevin Smith, Jay and Silent Bob don’t try to pander to a societal norm. It isn’t because they are trying to be rebels but rather because they just have no clue. They are the comedic representation of the Gen X culture that defined the 1990s – think a far less serious version of Norton and Pitt from Fight Club. That is what makes them nothing but a fun team to watch.

Lector + Starling (The Silence of the Lambs)

Despite being divided by a clear wall and only having less than 10 minutes of actual screen time together, Hannibal Lector and Clarice Starling have become one of the greatest duos in film history. Again, like Fight Club we see a twist put on the idea of a duo and what it means to act as a team, redefining the term “necessary evil.”

Woody + Buzz (Toy Story + Toy Story 2)

These two put Pixar on the map, shaping the minds of an entire generation to learn the true meaning of imagination and wonder. Above all else the fact that such chemistry was created with two completely computer-generated characters is mind-boggling. With the third chapter in their journey looming it seems only fitting that they sit high with so many other great film teams out there.

Han Solo + Chewy (Star Wars Trilogy)

Every Halloween you always see at least 10 Chewys on the same street and another five Hans. Considering one of the characters can only speak in growls it’s amazing how far they have come. Between Han’s on-liners and Chewy’s unintelligible retorts, these two have gone down in history as one of the greatest teams to ever hit celluloid.

Indiana Jones + Henry Jones Sr. (Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade)

Continuing on our Harrison Ford kick is this duo. Though they only shared one film together out of the entire series, Indiana Jones and his father Henry Jones Sr. come to represent the lynchpin connection that drives most adventure heroes: the desire to make his father proud. Henry Jones Sr. added a much needed back story to the character of Indy and at the same time managed to define himself and the chemistry he shared with the famous archeologist is both funny and believable.

Bart + Jim (Blazing Saddles)

The two funniest characters in, arguably, the funniest movie of all time. Gene Wilder has never been better and Cleavon Little made a name for himself. These two, instead of out-acting each other, play off their respective timing perfectly, finding laughs where they might be harder to catch. The Butch and Sundance of the western-spoof.

Murtaugh + Riggs (Lethal Weapon Series)

Probably the most well-known buddy cop duo of all time, Murtaugh and Riggs are above all else funny and enjoyable, a slightly less zany, modern-day version of Bart and Jim. They are the constant clashing of two very different people. Always memorable with some of there famous lines like “I’m getting to old for this shit” and “Maybe we’ll stay alive long enough for me to buy you a present” Murtaugh and Riggs helped redefine a genre that many thought was set for nothing more than a doomed existence.

Hammond + Cates (48 Hrs.)

If Murtaugh and Riggs defined the buddy cop duo, then Hammon and Cates created it. The chemistry between these two is phenomenal on each and every viewing and ALMOST makes you forget about the sequel. These two are a laughable, witty and bad-ass duo all at the same time. These guys aren’t given enough credit for starting a phenomenon in the action genre.

Nick Angel + Danny Butterman (Hot Fuzz)

While on the running subject of buddy action-comedies, let us not forget the ingenious smart spoof Hot Fuzz. Taking all of the silly and some of the serious, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost make fun of the sub-genre by following all of its ridiculous rules down to a T, all the while  creating an extremely memorable team of their own.

Doc + Marty (Back to the Future Trilogy)

Who knew time travel could be such a funny, and action-packed, plot device? These two helped an entire generation re-experience what it means to be an explorer. Sitting somewhere between Abbott and Costello slapstick and Butch/Sundance camaraderie, these two ooze the kind of timeless teamwork only written for the movies.

Charlie Chaplin + The Kid (The Kid)

With one of the first and most prominent examples captured on film, Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Coogan portray a tender relationship full of timely themes in this 1921 classic. As the death of Chaplin’s first infant son occurred right before filming, one can see his feelings carried directly over to the production. As Chaplin finds the abandoned child in the film and they go on a adventure personal and social themes of poverty are deeply explored through this unforgettable pairing.

Vince + Jules (Pulp Fiction)

What do they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France? A perfect duo with cheese (see the film for the correct answer).

Abbott + Costello

Whether they’re meeting Frankenstein or Dracula or the werewolf, this odd couple did slapstick when slapstick was the thing to do – and they did it best. Who’s on first?

Feliz+Oscar (The Odd Couple)

If Abbott and Costello did the odd couple thing to slapstick, these two did the odd couple thing for petty realism, i.e. anal vs. carefree living spaces. This film has been duplicated hundreds of times, but never with the amount of precision these two play with.

Elwood+Jake Blues (The Blues Brothers)

These two fight, and make up, as much as the next set of brothers, only they rock out in between, and during, their feuds. One of the few completely successful SNL big-screen adaptations, this thing is stock full of cameos (James Brown and Ray Charles, mind you) and absurdest comedy. Sure, it’s not much of a story, but damn if the music isn’t good.

Louise + Thelma (Thelma and Louise)

There were never two better looking man killers in the history man killing. And to think this thing was directed by a man. These two lovelies make driving off into a canyon seem almost worth it.

Andy + Red (The Shawshank Redemption)

Two complete strangers opposite in every way finding common ground in the roots of their circumstances and form a bond stronger than blood. A bond that transcends race, class, age and everything in between. When the movie ends you are doing nothing but rooting for the two characters’ lives outside of the walls in which they became brothers.

WALL•E + EVE (WALL•E)

Pixar took a huge gamble back in 2008 by giving us a duo with the dialect capabilities of a Pokemon. Finding chemistry between two toys would appear hard enough, yet the studio managed to find it between two robots. It’s amazing how powerful the connection between WALL•E and Eve is. It is some of the best acting put to screen, surpassing many of that done by living, breathing actors.

What do you think of this list? Any duos we missed?

RunPee.com is an online database for informing users of the short period of downtime in a new theatrical film release when it is best to run to the bathroom. Last week, Apple’s App store approved the Web site to also serve as a new iPhone application, according to ABC News.

This way, your phone can prepare you for a cue line and take notes while you’re gone. On the way back to your seat, you can hit a button to unscramble text that provides a short synopsis.

Check out the rest of the article below >>

Pixar has delivered a true classic adventure that is both heartfelt and uplifting. Up is filled with joy, sadness, and suspense as it tells one of the most dramatic stories to grace the screen in recent years. No characters have ever been so authentic in an animated film before.

Up revolves around Carl Fredricksen who has spent his whole life hoping to explore the world and to live grand adventures. Now at age 78 Carl feels as if has unfulfilled this life long dream and decides to finally take on a new adventure by traveling to South America. He’s accompanied on his journey with the persistent boy scout Russell who soon shows Carl sides of life he has never seen before. While on their grand adventure they become close friends who must strive through the many mishaps they encounter on their journey.

Read the rest of this review >>

By Jack Giroux

2008 was a great summer for the movies. Good entertainment was had, and not just dumb popcorn movies for once. We got The Dark Knight, Wall-E, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Iron Man, Tropic Thunder, and Pineapple Express. This summer is even going to be better. Although the start was a bit shaky with Wolverine, Star Trek kicks it off right this weekend. Here are the top 15 stand out films this summer:

15- Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen

Release Date- June 24th

Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen will inevitably offer no more then a lot of explosions and CGI, but with robots. While the first film wasn’t a landmark of any kind, and mostly dumb, it was fun none-the-less. The 147 minute running time for the new one is a bit bothersome, but long running times are fine when the story calls for it. My only question is do we really need to see robots fighting for that long? Its a Michael Bay movie, there will only be good action, nothing more. Even the length of the first movie was a problem, the last thirty minutes turned into nothing but repetitive action. Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen will without a doubt be a fun action movie, even if it extends its welcome.

Read the rest of the list >>

In honor of the Dreamworks Animation Monsters Vs. Aliens hitting theaters this weekend here is a list of my 15 favorite animated films of the last 10 years:

15. Coraline 3-D (Selick, 2009)

Henry Selick uses 3-D technology to perfection in order to create a massively immersive fantasy. With a story based on a Neil Gaman book, we are led into a variety of environments with a world of intriguing characters.

Check out the rest of the list >>

Last night Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire cleaned up (as predicted) with 8 Oscars. I gathered as many acceptance videos I could find. Check them out below, kicking off with one of the best Oscar introductions to date and ending withe Judd Apatow’s hilarious comedy montage.

Hugh Jackman Opening Performance

Best Picture

Slumdog Millionaire, Christian Colson (producer)

Best Actor

Check out the rest of the winners and acceptance speeches >>

The Academy Awards start tonight at 8pm EST. Here are our predictions. Check out the full list of nominees here.

Best Picture

Will Win: Slumdog Millionaire

Should Win: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Actor

Will Win: Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler

Should Win: Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler

Best Actress

Will Win: Kate Winslet in The Reader

Should Win: Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married

Check out the rest of the predictions >>

(cast at Golden Globes, after they won Best Pic, Director, Screenplay)

Thanks to Awards Daily here are the winners of tonight’s Screen Actor’s Guild awards:

Film
Ensemble Cast: Slumdog Millionaire
Lead Actress: Meryl Streep, Doubt
Lead Actor: Sean Penn, Milk
Supporting Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader
Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Lifetime Achievement Award: James Earl Jones

Television
Lead Actress, Comedy Series: Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Lead Actor, Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Ensemble Cast, Comedy Series: 30 Rock
Lead Acress, Drama Series: Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Lead Actor, Drama Series: Hugh Laurie, House
Ensemble Cast, Drama Series: Mad Men
Lead Actress, Miniseries: Laura Linney, John Adams
Lead Actor, Miniseries: Paul Giamatti, John Adams

Here are the results of the Producer Guild Award yesterday:

Film – Slumdog Millionaire
Animated – Wall-E
Documentary – Man on Wire
TV miniseries – John Adams
TV comedy – 30 Rock
TV Drama – Mad Men

Go Slumdog! I wonder if Penn will upset Rourke at the Oscars as well. What do you think of the winner?

AICN’ s Quint [via /Film] is at The Santa Barbara Film Festival where director Andrew Stanton (Wall-E) had some more to say about his upcoming film John Carter of Mars:

• Yes, his John Carter will be a Civil War soldier. No fanbase-rattling updates into the modern day here. Presumably still a Johnny Reb – but that wasn’t confirmed and political sensitivity may just curb this.
• He hasn’t got the same kind of development and pre-production time for this film that he’d be afforded on a Pixar production, but he has been a fan since he was a kid and has therefore had plenty of ideas percolating for decades. I could say the same about a few books myself and, actually, there are definitely a few key scenes from literature that I’ve planned, filmed and edited in my imagination over and over, so I know exactly where he’s coming from.
• Not wanting his film to look or feel like Star Wars or any of it’s derivatives, Stanton is taking on a more naturalistic aesthetic here. He said that the film would be akin to what we’d see should a National Geographic stumble across a long lost civilisation in a cave – not unlike some of what Peter Jackson said about his Lord of the Rings films, in fact. More evidence that Rings is now a key genre paradigm just how Star Wars was for so long.
• The second draft of the script is now complete.
• Stanton doesn’t want to shoot in 3D, though he feels Disney may try to push him in that direction.

The plot of John Carter of Mars follows Civil War vet John Carter who is transplanted to Mars. He discovers a lush, wildly diverse planet whose main inhabitants are 12-foot tall green barbarians. Finding himself a prisoner of these creatures, he escapes, only to encounter Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, who is in desperate need of a savior.

The story sounds great and with Stanton as the director I have no doubts. I just really have no idea what to expect. I can’t wait to get more info.

What do you think of John Carter of Mars?