Starring: Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper
Directed by: Spike Jonze
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Rating: R

Nicolas Cage is the kind of actor that is present in movies that you either love or hate. Adaptation is one of his movies that you will enjoy.

Charlie Kaufman (Nicolas Cage) is a screenwriter who is an awkward individual with no sense of confidence. However, he is a brilliant screenwriter – or so he thought. When he is contracted to write a film adaptation of a non-fiction novel about orchids, Kaufman develops a sudden case of writer’s block. At this point, he relies on his less-talented twin brother to help him further develop his script. As the two research the author (Meryl Streep) of the novel that they are adapting into film, they soon find themselves in the midst of a chain of events that will change their lives forever. Because of these events, Kaufman is forced to learn what it truly means to undergo adaptation.

Adaptation is one of Cage’s films that I had not seen until recently, and I was very pleasantly surprised. There have been a lack of any decent Cage films for a long while, and it was refreshing to see a movie that he starred in that really surprised me. Cage’s tendency to have a monotone voice really works well for his character in this movie.

Charlie Kaufman is a man who struggles to develop human connection. He constantly fears what other people think of him, and as a result he becomes a sort of hermit. By the end of the film, he is able to adapt and undergo a remarkable transformation that is exciting and moving.

If you haven’t seen Adaptation yet, be sure to rent it this weekend!

Rent Adaptation on Netflix.
Buy Adaptation on Amazon.

• General Admission – September 5th, 2008
• Trailer: Philip Seymour Hoffman in Synecdoche, New York
• IHM Staff Pick – March 18th, 2010: “Sunshine”
• RA: Renters Anonymous – May 20th, 2008
• IHM Staff Pick – Feb. 25, 2010: “Once”

Director Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake, Stardust) is back, bringing his upcoming film Kick-Ass to the big screen. Recently released on Myspace, this red band trailer is well worth the watch. The trailer contains a good bit of cursing, comedy and people getting beat up. You’ll immediately recognize some of the actors: Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Nicolas cage will undoubtedly make an interesting team in the film, and Mark Strong should definitely make for an awesome bad guy. The elements of humor seem to flow really well. There’s nothing quite like watching a kid dress up as a super hero, attempt to stop a crime in progress, and then get owned in a street fight. I guess that sometimes a costume that resembles my little brother’s pajamas and two blunt weapons just aren’t enough. This looks like a promising film.

Kick-Ass tells the story of average teenager Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), a comic-book fanboy who decides to take his obsession as inspiration to become a real-life superhero. As any good superhero would, he chooses a new name — Kick-Ass — assembles a suit and mask to wear, and gets to work fighting crime. There’s only one problem standing in his way: Kick-Ass has absolutely no superpowers.

His life is forever changed as he inspires a subculture of copy cats, meets up with a pair of crazed vigilantes — including an 11-year-old sword-wielding dynamo, Hit Girl (Chloë Moretz) and her father, Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) — and forges a friendship with another fledgling crimefighter, Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse). But thanks to the scheming of a local mob boss Frank D’Amico (Mark Strong), that new alliance will be put to the test.

–excerpt taken from the official Kick-Ass website.

The film is based on a series of comics with the same name.   The trailer promises plenty of profanity, violence and humor.

If you haven’t heard about Kick-Ass until now, get excited. The film will come to theaters on April 16 this year.

Will you be checking it out once it arrives?

• This Stuff is Kick-Ass
• IHM Staff Pick – March 12, 2010: “Adaptation”
• General Admission – September 5th, 2008
• ‘Role Models’ or “The troubled youth of America are always an untapped fountain of comedic gold” (Review)
• Trailer: Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott are Role Models [Red Band]

Disney has just debuted its first theatrical trailer for the upcoming The Princess and the Frog today via Yahoo Movies.  The trailer focuses on Princess Tiana (Disney’s first African American lead character) and her transformation after a certain kiss.  Check out the trailer after the jump.

A female twist on the traditional Frog Prince tale that takes place in New Orlean’s French Quarter.

The Princess and the Frog is Walt Disney Animation Studio’s first attempt at a non-CGI based animated film in quite some time.  Recently, they’ve expended a lot of their talent and films towards those (Bolt, Meet the Robinsons).  The film was directed by Ron Clements (Aladdin, Hercules, The Little Mermaid), who also co-wrote the film, and John Musker (Aladdin, Hercules, The Little Mermaid).  Joining Clements in writing for the film was TV writer Rob Edwards.  The film is set to release on December 11th of 2009.

• Pics: Disney/Pixar Release a Blogload of Promo Pics
• Video: 3+ Minute Clip from Disney’s Bolt
• Pic: Adam Sandler Tells Disney’s Bedtime Stories
• Reader Feedback: What Are You Seeing This Weekend?
• General Admission – November 21st, 2008

If you didn’t think today was big trailer day, you will now. First it was the release of the Avatar teaser and now (courtesy of Yahoo! Movies) we’ve got our grubby little hands on the new trailer for The Wolfman that stars Benicio Del Toro. Maybe we can pack in a few more long awaited trailers today to really get everyone up in anticipation. Check the trailer out after the jump.

Upon his return to his ancestral homeland, an American man (Del Toro) is bitten, and subsequently cursed by, a werewolf.

The Woflman (alternatively titled ‘The Wolf Man’) was directed by Joe Johnston (Jurassic Park III, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Jumanji). It was penned by Andrew Kevin Walker (Se7en, Sleepy Hollow, 8MM) and David Self (Road to Perdition). It’s set to release to theaters on February 10th, 2010.

• Pics: Hugo Weaving and Del Toro in The Wolfman
• Hellboy 2 Posts New Trailer
• Trailer: Greg Mottola’s Adventureland
• IHM Gallery: Zack and Miri Make a Porno
• Poster: Teaser for Megan Fox and Jennifer’s Body

The first teaser for James Cameron’s Avatar has just popped onto the web today thanks to Apple.   While it’s been a tough morning of everyone complaining the trailer was down, working copies are just starting to emerge.  I guess people really want to see the teaser for a film that Cameron has been working on for the past 10 years (as he slowly developed the technology to make the film).  Check out the trailer after the jump.

(trailer hosted by Firstshowing)

Avatar is the story of an ex-Marine on the planet Pandora who, as an Avatar – a human mind in an alien body – finds himself in a desperate fight for his survival and that of the indigenous beings called Na’vi.

Avatar was both written and directed by James Cameron (The Terminator, True Lies, Titanic). The film is set to release on December 18th.

• General Admission – December 12th, 2008
• 82nd Annual Academy Awards Nominations
• Alien Anthology Coming to Blu-ray
• Trailer: The Wolfman starring Benicio Del Toro
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A new red band trailer for Adventureland released tonight over at IGN.  And since we’re so awesome, we decided to give you a look.  It’s filled with profanity, alchohol, drugs and sex.  It also gives you a good reason to not get drunk and fall asleep around your friends/enemies.  But if you want to see more about what the film is about then you should check out the original trailer which gives you more story.  I’d have to say it looks pretty funny, especially with Ryan Reynolds being his great funny and profanity filled self even though it looks like that Bill Hader might steal the show.

What does everyone think?  Going to catch this one?

• ‘Special’ Theatrical Release
• RA: Renters Anonymous – June 17th, 2008
• General Admission – April 11th, 2008
• General Admission – April 3rd, 2009
• RA: Renters Anonymous – June 24th, 2008

Discuss: What did you think of the video?

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Greg Mottola is setting himself up to strike theaters again with his next movie (due out next spring) titled Adventureland.  For those of you who aren’t well versed in Mottola, he directed a little movie called Superbad that had everyone laughing but still feeling a heartfelt touch.  Well, he’s looking to score again with his followup coming of age story about a recent college graduate who’s unable to find employment at anyplace but a local amusement park.  Of course, through the job he considers undesirable, he’ll learn all of life’s lessons and much more.  Check out the trailer and more after the jump.

The trailer actaully looks really good.  It seems to have the same heartfelt/comedy approach that Superbad took as well as a nice little mix in of the raunchy humor.  While much of Superbad’s credit could be attributed to the cast some does deserve to fall to Mottola and now it’ll be interesting to see if he’s able to pull it off without really comedic stars (beyond Ryan Reynolds).  One question I do have though, is what is his obsession with putting two words together as one for movie titles?  Seriously, I’ve been wanting to know.

It’s the summer of 1987, and James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg), an uptight
recent college grad, can’t wait to embark on his dream tour of Europe.
But when his parents (Wendie Malick and Jack Gilpin) announce they can
no longer subsidize his trip, James has little choice but to take a
lowly job at a local amusement park.  Forget about German beer,
world-famous museums and cute French girls-James’ summer will now be
populated by belligerent dads, stuffed pandas, and screaming kids high
on cotton candy.  Lucky for James, what should have been his worst
summer ever turns into quite an adventure as he discovers love in the
most unlikely place with his captivating co-worker Em (Kristen Stewart),
and learns to loosen up.

Discuss: What’d you think of the trailer?  Would you eat the corndogs?

• Rogen Plans Superbad/Pineapple Express Crossover
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• General Admission – April 3rd, 2009
• List: This Summer’s Sucktacular Movies
• RA: Renters Anonymous – August 25th, 2009

I never really expected to see a movie about a wrestler be one of the most buzzed about movies.  Especially in a year where we had The Dark Knight, were wowed by Wall-E and shown that Robert Downey Jr. is back (Iron Man and Tropic Thunder).  But alas, here we are talking about the newest Darren Aronofsky film The Wrestler (again) which stars Mickey Rourke and is supposed to be a tour de force.  And from everything I’ve seen so far I’m buying it.  The trailer we’ve got today looks great and Mickey seems to really command control when in front of the camera.  Plus, you won’t hear me complaining about Marisa Tomei being a stripper in the movie.  Catch the trailer after the jump and let me know what you think of it below.

Back in the late ‘80s, Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was a headlining professional wrestler. Now, twenty years later, he ekes out a living performing for handfuls of diehard wrestling fans in high school gyms and community centers around New Jersey.

Estranged from his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and unable to sustain any real relationships, Randy lives for the thrill of the show and the adoration of his fans. However, a heart attack forces him into retirement. As his sense of identity starts to slip away, he begins to evaluate the state of his life — trying to reconnect with his daughter, and striking up a blossoming romance with an exotic dancer (Marisa Tomei) who is ready to start a new life. Yet all this cannot compare to the allure of the ring and passion for his art, which threatens to pull Randy “The Ram” back into his world of wrestling.

Discuss: What did you think of the trailer?  Are you ready to rumble?

• Pics: Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler
• ‘The Wrestler’ or “This film will piledrive your emotions, brother!” (Review)
• General Admission – January 23rd, 2009
• Renters Anonymous – April 21st, 2009
• Trailer: Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott are Role Models [Red Band]

If the film world wasn’t nerdy enough right now with the release of the trailers for Watchmen and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, internet nerds are now getting the Star Trek trailer to make this a threesome of nerd awesomeness.  Oh, see I started this off making you think I wasn’t all impressed, and truly the world of Star Trek is not one I find myself in often, but this trailer is BADASS.  So much so that I used all caps to say that word.  I know, you’re impressed already.  So, make sure you click the little linky to see more and watch the trailer.  Oh, and don’t forget to tell me how great you thought it was too.  We can go to geek rehab together soon, don’t worry.

Discuss: What do you think of the trailer?  Are you more or less geared up to see this now?

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• Trailer: New Zack and Miri Make a Porno Red Band
• Trailer: Greg Mottola’s Adventureland