The Playlist

Todd Phillips Says A 'Hangover Part 3' Is Being Planned & 17 More Things Learned From 'Part II'

By Edward Davis
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May 27, 2011 8:27 AM
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50 Comments

Todd Phillips Rips Movie Critic David Poland A New Asshole, Cast And Crew Talk Getting Sick On Set & Possible Spin-Off FilmsAhh, "The Hangover Part II." Todd Phillips' sequel is already upon us and has already grossed $31 million in its first day of release (it's evidently on track for a $100-$125 million Memorial Day opening weekend; the masses like a familiar opiate).

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Virginia Madsen Steps In For Annette Bening In Rob Reiner's 'Summer At Dog Dave's'

By Kevin Jagernauth
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May 27, 2011 8:07 AM
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1 Comment

Kenan Thompson Also JoinsIt seems that even before it has started lensing, the next effort from the inconsistent Rob Reiner is already trading down. First announced as "The Third Act," the title is now "Summer At Dog Dave's," which sounds like a wacky made-for-Nickelodeon movie that we would never watch. Next, Morgan Freeman and Annette Bening were said to be toplining the film, but the latter (who apparently was never officially signed on) has been replaced by Virginia Madsen -- who is a fine actress indeed -- but obviously doesn't bring as much zing to the movie.

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'Elysium' Gets Out Of The Way Of 'Oz,' Moves Ahead To March 1, 2013

By Kevin Jagernauth
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May 27, 2011 7:34 AM
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0 Comments

Well that didn't take long. 48 hours after Disney announced that they were dropping Sam Raimi's "Oz: The Great and Powerful" on the same date as Neill Blomkamp's sci-fi epic "Elysium," Sony has blinked.

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Colin Hanks Joins 'My Mother's Curse' With Seth Rogen & Barbra Streisand

By Kevin Jagernauth
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May 27, 2011 7:04 AM
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0 Comments

It can't be easy being the son of Tom Hanks, just ask this guy. But for Colin Hanks, he's done a pretty solid job so far of moving up the ranks of Hollywood. Sure, he teamed with Papa Hanks for "The Great Buck Howard," but no one saw that movie anyway, and he's been quietly amassing screen credits (and when he's not in meetings, he's been hitting Twitter pretty hard) featuring most prominently in "Orange County" and "King Kong." But 2011 seems to be the year we'll he'll finally start getting a much higher profile. He recently scored a prominent, recurring role on the forthcoming, sixth season of "Dexter" and now he's set to join what should be one of the bigger comedies of 2012.

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Watch: Seth Rogen Helps Joseph Gordon-Levitt Deal With Cancer In Trailer For '50/50'

By Kevin Jagernauth
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May 27, 2011 6:01 AM
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8 Comments

After enduring a couple of talent switch-ups (Joseph Gordon-Levitt replaced James McAvoy; Jonathan Levine came aboard when early director Nicole Holofcener exited the project) in addition a few title changes (it was first known as "I'm With Cancer," then changed briefly to "Live With It") a trailer has finally landed for "50/50," a dramedy which tackles the big C-word.

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12 Things You Need To Know About The Making Of Terrence Malick's 'The Tree Of Life'

By Drew Taylor
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May 27, 2011 5:51 AM
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21 Comments

Terrence Malick's long-awaited “The Tree of Life,” opening today in select cities, is the kind of movie that is designed to be talked about, chewed on, and poured over. It’s a movie that demands you grasp at the unknowable, is challenging and gorgeous in some very deep and profound levels and asks big questions about who we are and where we came from, not just on a human level but on a grander, “how does life exist” scale. (On the same token, its complete lack of an identifiable narrative/dramatic structure and emotional aloofness might drive you batty.) Looking into “The Tree of Life” (and beyond), though, you’ll find even more tantalizing questions, possibilities, and dead-ends. The fact that most of us are still as intrigued, befuddled, and mystified by the film after we’ve seen it is a testament to its singular, oddball power. So we now present to you 10 things we’ve learned about 'Tree of Life' that maybe you never knew. This feature is probably best enjoyed after you’ve seen the film, but we give proper warning when discussing plot (if that’s the right word) specifics.

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Peter Jackson Confirms Orlando Bloom's Return As Legolas In 'The Hobbit'

By Kevin Jagernauth
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May 27, 2011 5:46 AM
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3 Comments

While this was largely expected to happen, the last time we heard from Orlando Bloom about his possible (inevitable) reprisal of Legolas in "The Hobbit," the actor played it safe. During the press rounds for "Sympathy For Delicious" Bloom told us, “My fingers and toes are crossed, but, yes, I’ll be there. We’re just waiting for everything to get straightened out.” Well, the ink has dried and the schedules have been made as Peter Jackson confirmed Bloom's return in aFacebook post today:

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In Theaters: Finish Him! 'Kung Fu Panda 2' Karate Chops 'The Hangover Part II'

By Katie Walsh
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May 27, 2011 5:09 AM
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3 Comments

The summer of sequels begins in earnest as two box office behemoths of years past hope that audience goodwill and fond memories translate into ticket sales. "The Hangover Part II" does its 'Hangover' thing, this time in Bangkok! And "Kung Fu Panda 2" hi-yahs onto screens with a stacked roster of all-star voice talent. Annnnd, oh my god, talk about burying the lede! Fuckin' "The Tree of Life" starts its roll out! Terry Malick! Brad Pitt! Sean Penn! Dinosaurs! At least 15 of you just wet yourselves. I know you. I know you Playlist readers, and your love of T. Malick. With good reason. Will it be everything you dreamed of and more? I really hope so!

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Sienna Miller Joins 'Freaky Deaky' With William H. Macy

By Kevin Jagernauth
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May 27, 2011 4:15 AM
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1 Comment

Update: Reps for Sienna Miller have confirmed she is attached to "Freaky Deaky."

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Watch: Rachel Weisz Is Just Doing Her Job In Trailer For 'The Whistleblower'

By Kevin Jagernauth
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May 27, 2011 3:54 AM
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3 Comments

Sometimes a movie just doesn't work out, no matter how strong the ingredients. Here we have a film with a first rate cast, tackling some strong subject matter, but "The Whistleblower" just didn't seem to work out. The film premiered at TIFF last year to a muted response and when we caught up with it at IFFBoston, we found the film to feature strong performances but let down by its one dimensional approach. And the new trailer for the film kind of bears that out.

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