New LOST Tonight

A new episode (the 100th!), entitled The Variable, airs tonight at 9/8c on ABC. The time of reckoning has begun when Daniel Faraday comes clean regarding what he knows about the island. It was written by Edward Kitsis/Adam Horowitz and directed by Paul Edwards. I'm so glad to see more Faraday! This could be my favorite episode since The Constant.

CHUCK & HEROES Season Finales Tonight

The season finale of Chuck, entitled Chuck vs. The Ring, airs tonight at 8/7c on NBC. I thought the first season of Chuck was alright but I really enjoyed the second season. The show does have its problems, the humor is hit or miss and it doesn't get geek culture as well as other shows (like The Big Bang Theory or The IT Crowd), but the drama is always solid and it's a fun show. Plus you can always count on 'Browncoat' favorite Adam Baldwin and a pack of geek-friendly guest stars (including Tony Hale, Chevy Chase, and Scott Bakula) to entertain. It hasn't been picked up for a third season so this could be the final episode if NBC is dumb enough to cancel it, even though they've kept the vastly inferior Heroes around. In the season two finale, Ellie and Awesome's wedding day arrives but Chuck must save his sister from evil Fulcrum forces and Ted Roark (Chevy Chase). Plus the return of Jeffster!


The season finale of Heroes, entitled An Invisible Thread, airs tonight at 9/8c on NBC. Except for a few bright spots like Bryan Fuller's episode and guest star Zeljko Ivanek, the show has gotten pretty bad and I keep watching in the hope that it will return to its former glory. This episode has been getting terrible reviews and NBC should really let Bryan Fuller run the show next season if they want to salvage it. In the season three finale, Nathan faces off against Sylar to keep him from meeting the President (guest star Michael Dorn). Sylar has his own plans for his new partner. Meanwhile, Hiro learns that there are repercussions to regaining his ability. Elsewhere, Matt is forced to go to extraordinary lengths to protect his future with his family.

Soderbergh Casts Demetri Martin in MONEYBALL

Lately there has been a growing trend of casting comedians in dramatic films whether it's Todd Barry and Judah Friedlander in Aronofsky's The Wrestler, Patton Oswalt and a whole crew of comedians in Soderbergh's The Informant, or Demetri Martin in Ang Lee's Taking Woodstock. Now Martin has lined up another big role alongside Brad Pitt in Steven Soderbergh's "Moneyball," the adaptation of the Michael Lewis book about ballplayer-turned-Oakland Athletics manager Billy Beane (Pitt) and his attempt to field a competitive team on a slim payroll. Martin will play Paul De Podesta, a Harvard grad who turned down Wall Street jobs to use his statistical skills to change baseball scouting tactics. His system, known as "Earned Run Value," allowed Beane to evaluate valuable players he could hire at low cost. Also joining the cast is a group of actual baseball players: former Oakland A's team members David Justice and Scott Hatteberg have signed on to play themselves in the picture, while Daryl Strawberry and Lenny Dykstra are among those who will be seen on camera being interviewed about their experiences with Beane when he was drafted by the New York Mets before becoming a baseball scout. Oscar-winning screenwriter Steve Zaillian is doing a rewrite on a script originated by Stan Chervin. I think Martin is one of funniest comedians working today (watch his show on Comedy Central for proof) and I'm excited to see him transition to movies. Taking Woodstock will be released on Aug. 14th and Moneyball begins shooting in June.

First Photo of ROBIN HOOD

The first image from Ridley Scott's upcoming Robin Hood film has been released. They have decided to go with a more modern style which producer Brian Grazer says "looks, if anything, more like he did in Gladiator than anything we're used to seeing with Robin Hood." Nobody does period epics like Scott and while I haven't seen the BBC series I am glad to see the character back in a big way. Joining Crowe is Cate Blanchett as Maid Marion, Vanessa Redgrave as Queen Eleanor, Mark Strong as Sir Godfrey, Oscar Issac as King John, Léa Seydoux as French Princess Isabella, William Hurt as Earl of Pembroke, Scott Grimes as Will Scarlet, Kevin Durand as Little John, and Alan Doyle as Allan Adayle. The Sheriff of Nottingham has not been announced but how awesome would it be if they got Alan Rickman to reprise his role?

New LOST Tonight

A new episode, entitled Some Like It Hoth, airs tonight at 9/8c on ABC. Ben is abducted from the infirmary, arousing concern that hostiles have gotten into the Dharma village again. Meanwhile, Hurley and a reluctant Miles team up to deliver a package to a Dharma bigwig. It was written by Melinda Hsu Taylor/Greggory Nations and directed by Jack Bender. Looks like we will finally learn some more about the elusive Miles and is that not the best episode title ever?

New INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS Footage

So apparently Quentin Tarantino did a guest spot on American Idol last night (to help publicity I assume) but the good news is a new behind the scenes clip from his latest flick was released. It also shows some new clips from the film including the first look at Mike Myer's character General Fenech. It looks like it could be his most violent film and continues in the same 70s approach as Death Proof. It seems that Brad Pitt is having the most fun he's had since Burn After Reading and the war genre could certainly use a fresh take. The Nazi-killin starts on August 21st.

DEPARTURES Gets A Limited Release

One of the biggest surprises at this year's Oscars was best foreign film going to Japan's Departures instead of the favored Waltz with Bashir. Now Regent Releasing is giving the film a limited release on May 29th. The film follows Daigo Kobayashi (Masahiro Motoki), a devoted cellist in an orchestra that has just been dissolved and who is suddenly left without a job. He answers a classified ad entitled “Departures” thinking it is an advertisement for a travel agency only to discover that the job is actually for a funeral professional who prepares deceased bodies for burial. It looks like a charming Jim Jarmusch-style movie with dry humor, charming characters, and emotional moments. Once you've seen Up, seek it out along with The Brothers Bloom this May. Check out the trailer below.

TV-to-Film Adaptations

With State of Play (based on the BBC series) coming out this week and Hannah Montana currently #1 at the box office, I've been thinking about TV transitions. Studios have long mined the tube for ideas hoping to recapture some of that magic on the big screen but for every Mission Impossible there is a Wild Wild West lurking around the corner. Movies that use the same crew tend to be successful (Serenity, Borat) while movies that are made years after are hit or miss. So how do you stay true to the show without just making a 2 hour episode? (I'm looking at you Simpsons Movie) The best ones expand the universe of the show and do things they couldn't do in the series, using the medium to its full advantage. A bigger budget and the freedom of new settings offer countless opportunities to explore the characters we love. A great adaptation can even surpass its predecessor, I know I can't think of The Addams Family without conjuring up images of Raul Julia and a bald Christopher Loyd. Having said that, TV has come a long way especially in the last decade. With shows like The Sopranos, The Wire, and Battlestar Galactica, TV has proved it can do things that film simply cannot. Clearly some stories belong on the small screen. So what should be adapted and what should be left alone? I think if there is something to add to the narrative and talented people behind it, I'm willing to give it a chance.

New LOST Tonight

A new episode, entitled Dead Is Dead, airs tonight at 9/8c on ABC. To atone for sins of the past, Ben must attempt to summon the smoke monster in order to be judged. It was written by Brian K. Vaughan(!)/Elizabeth Sarnoff and directed by Stephen Williams. Also the new quirky cop show THE UNUSUALS, which stars LOST's Michael, premieres right after.

New DOLLHOUSE Tonight

This show has been getting progessively better, especially with the Whedon-scripted episode with Patton Oswalt. A new episode, entitled Needs, airs tonight at 9/8c on FOX. When Echo, Sierra and Victor awaken in the Dollhouse with most of their original personalities and memories intact, Echo leads the charge to free the Actives from their apparent captivity and escape the Dollhouse forever. Meanwhile, Ballard discovers the Dollhouse is closer than he thinks. It was written by Tracy Bellomo and directed by Félix Enríquez Alcalá. 'The Awakening' theory sounds good but I'm guessing they all get wiped at the end in order for the premise to continue. Hopefully the dolls will retain something from it and the writers will keep bringing non-mission stories to the show.

New LOST Tonight

An all-new episode, entitled Whatever Happened Happened, airs tonight at 9/8c on ABC. Kate goes to extreme measures to save Ben's life when Jack refuses to help. Meanwhile, Kate begins to tell the truth about the lie in order to protect Aaron. It was written by Carlton Cuse/Damon Lindelof and directed by Bobby Roth.

Forrest Gump in 1 Minute