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