Its Morphin' Time Again! Power Rangers Returning to the Big Screen

In another 90s throwback, The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are returning to the big screen. Lionsgate and Saban are working together to start a new franchise, and it will presumably be based on the original and most popular form of the Power Rangers before they started having a new concept every year.

The Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers ran for three seasons from 1993 to 1995 along with a successful movie in 1995 before reverting to using entirely different characters each season, which is actually still going to this day. The second movie in 1997, "Turbo", with new characters flopped at the box office. No word on if the movie will be as campy as the TV Show and original film, or if they're looking to make it a more serious version along the lines of modern superhero movies.

One thing we know they probably won't do with this movie...they won't have the black power ranger be black and the yellow power ranger be Asian like in the original. I mean the producers had to realize they did that.

Top 10 Films: Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock has been one of the most likeable and bankable actresses for over 20 years now. 2013 is yet another big year for her. The Heat has already been a big hit, making back its budget in a week while The Heat 2 sequel is already in the works. As I expected months ago, its on pace to be the highest grossing comedy film of 2013. That spot is currently held by Identity Thief, another film starring Bullock's Heat co-star Melissa McCarthy. Bullock & McCarthy clearly own 2013. Her next movie, Gravity, hits theaters on October 4, 2013. Its generating some early Oscar buzz, and will open the Venice Film Festival in August, the first 3D film to do so. Here are Bullock's top 10 films. Well, until Gravity premieres, which should enter any Top 10 list for her.

1. Speed (1994) - The film that launched her career into overdrive. Keanu Reeves became America's stoner action hero, while Bullock became "America's sweetheart", and a badass one at that. Speed blends everything we love about summer action movies. The movie never stops packing thrills and twists, and manages to get you to care about the characters at the same time, where some action/thriller movies can fail. For my money, Speed is one of the best "edge-of-your-seat" thrillers of all time. Bullock charms throughout the film, and her character delivers some laughs in an otherwise dire situation.

2. The Blind Side (2009) - A heartwarming sports movie is something we've seen often. What sets this one apart from the pack is Bullock, who expertly brings Leigh Anne Tuohy to life in a sassy and commanding way. She brings the laughs and draws you into the movie like no one else can as she struts around with quick wit and awesome comebacks. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in this role, and rightfully so.

3. While You Were Sleeping (1995) - This is one of three Bullock films that might be considered "chick flicks" under normal circumstances, yet everyone can enjoy them (the other two being Miss Congeniality & The Proposal). All guys should be thankful for these three movies which are not only tolerable, but interesting and funny. They make for a date night movie that keeps all parties happy. While You Were Sleeping is the best of the three, as Bullock takes that charm from Speed and turns it up a notch. Its because of this charm that the film doesn't suffer from being too sappy like many romantic comedies can.

4. The Heat (2013) - The Heat is a typical buddy cop film, yet Bullock & McCarthy have excellent chemistry that comes across well on screen, which sets the film apart. You can tell that they had a blast while filming it, and the supporting cast is excellent as well. We also get to see Bullock in an R-rated comedy for the first time, which is a nice bonus.

5. Crash (2005) - Sometimes movies with a large ensemble cast can be a mess (ahem, New Year's Eve). Crash manages to do a fine job with many different characters though. Bullock shows that she doesn't need to be funny or charming all the time. Her character is fairly cold and angry in the beginning of the movie, doing a fine job in one of her more dramatic roles to date.

6. Miss Congeniality (2000) - Before The Heat, Bullock starred as an FBI agent in this action-comedy that became one of the biggest hits of 2000/2001. A movie about a beauty pageant would normally draw yawns, but Miss Congeniality makes it work by both poking fun at the idea of a beauty pageant as well as humanizing the contestants. It packs a punch too. Just remember to SING.

7. Infamous (2007) - One of two films to be released around the same time about Truman Capote during his research and writing of the novel In Cold Blood. Even though Capote, starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman, got most of the attention, Infamous is the slightly better film. That is mainly thanks to a deeper look into Capote's life. Infamous goes into his Manhattan society friendships which give it a little something extra. Bullock plays Harper Lee, and manages to shine well next to Toby Jones (who does a wonderful job as Truman Capote). Daniel Craig, Lee Pace, Sigourney Weaver, Jeff Daniels & Gwyneth Paltrow all appear as well.

8. The Proposal (2009) - Another romantic comedy that can be enjoyed by all, since much like While You Were Sleeping, it is not at all sappy. They lean more towards comedy than romance, and of course Bullock knows how to make a romantic comedy interesting. Betty White steals the show of course, as this movie launched yet another chapter in her long career. Much like The Heat, its a movie where the chemistry between the cast oozes off the screen. Just watch White & Bullock do their Native American dance to the tune of "Get Low" by Lil Jon and try not to laugh.

9. The Net (1995) - The Net was one of the first cyber thrillers to deal with cyber terror, identity theft and the Internet. Without Bullock the movie may have seemed more ridiculous, but she manages to make you care about the character. While high-tech at the time, its all pretty dated now, with its use of floppy discs and dial-up Internet. Yet it still manages to be an interesting look at the early days of the web.

10. A Time To Kill (1996) - Ten movies have been released that are based on John Grisham novels, and A Time To Kill is the best of the bunch. It can sometimes drag in parts, but ultimately is entertaining and a solid adaptation. Some of the scenes that never drag are the ones with Bullock.

Movies That Should Be Re-Released in 3D

First of all, I'm generally against 3D re-releases since it seems like a big cash-grab, but I do think it makes sense for some films. Jurassic Park was a no-brainer, being one of the biggest films of all time and dinosaurs are pretty much the coolest thing you could see in 3D. Titanic made sense considering the time that went into it to make it perfect, as well as being a massive phenomenon. Animated movies make sense because it is much easier to convert them. The Phantom Menace? No Thanks. Here are a few where I think a 3D conversion could be pretty great, assuming they take the time to do it right.

Twister (1996) - Twister fits the mold of a big-budget blockbuster that was also a pretty great movie you'd want to watch multiple times. The special effects have also stood the test of time much like Jurassic Park. Watching the scene when the cows fly by, or when they drive through the house, or actually get a peek on the inside of the tornado when hanging on the pipes? Yes, please. These scenes are totally implausible in real life, but that is what makes them something you'd want in 3D.

King Kong (2005) - Giant bugs. Dinosaurs. Fighter planes. And let's not forget Kong himself. The details in this film seem like they would really pop out in 3D, King Kong has some of the best CGI you'll see in a film on both Skull Island and in 1930s New York City, which make an obvious candidate. I'm sure the scene with Kong on top of the Empire State Building would make many people get sweaty palms as they watched everything unfold, with Naomi Watts clinging to a falling ladder thousands of feet in the air. And how about when Kong snaps the T-Rex jaw in half? And the whole scene where everyone is surrounded by those giant bugs will make anyone squirm in their seats.

Dawn of the Dead (2004) - Zombies are all the rage right now with The Walking Dead dominating television, so it only makes sense. The earlier films were very low budget, but the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead managed to have a solid budget and a lot of critical praise. Extra tidbit: Ty Burrell has a role in it pre-Modern Family, bringing some much needed comedy to a film that takes place in the zombie apocalypse. Phil Dunphy would certainly approve.


The Matrix (1999) - "Bullet time" would make for quite the experience moving past you in the theatre, not to mention all the green code falling around you. Trinity (Carrie-Ann Moss) performing her famous jumping kick in the opening, coming right at your face. Or how about the helicopter crashing into the side of a building in slow-mo? Keanu Reeves looking stoned a lot is an added bonus as well.

And finally, Batman & Robin (1997). "Let's kick some ice!" Okay, I'm joking about this one. I hope...

Michelle Pfeiffer talks Catwoman & Anne Hathaway

Batman Returns, 1992

Michelle Pfeiffer famously played Selina Kyle aka Catwoman in Tim Burton's 1992 blockbuster Batman Returns, my favorite character from the original Batman movies. She did an interview with Empire Magazine for Dark Shadows and discussed Catwoman, as well as her thoughts on Anne Hathaway.

She mentions how Tim Burton wanted to create a Catwoman spinoff film with her after Batman Returns, but that went into development hell when the studio wanted more family friendly films. She says of Hathaway, "Oh I think she's great. I'm actually very much looking forward to seeing her in the role. I'm a big fan of hers and I think she has everything you need for that role. She has the humour, she can go to dark places, she's obviously very talented. I think she's going to be really good." She also says she would have played Catwoman again if Christopher Nolan had hypothetically asked her to in The Dark Knight Rises. Pfeiffer also loved playing such a dark and complex character which attracted her to the role. 

Anne Hathaway, The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Tim Burton's films took a fantasy approach compared to the realism of Christopher Nolan's Batman films. In Batman Returns, Catwoman has nine lives and develops her split personality after being pushed out a window. Nolan's Catwoman won't have nine lives, she's more of a street smart criminal true to the comic book character. There's no doubt that both interpretations will continue to be remembered for many years.              

Michelle Pfeiffer, Batman Returns (1992)

Anchorman Sequel Is Coming!

Rejoice Anchorman fans! Get your leather-bound books and "Sex Panther" ready. Will Ferrell has announced that the film will be getting a sequel, which fans have been wanting since the film came out in 2004. It also starred Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd and Steve Carell, and we hope they will all be back for the sequel. Rumor has it they will all be back. Adam McKay will also be back to direct the sequel, and is currently writing it with Ferrell. The film is planned to be released in 2013, so expect them to start filming it sometime soon. Sequels work best when the original cast and crew are involved, so this should be another hit. It won't be called Anchorman 2, but currently has no official title.

Ferrell appeared in character as Ron Burgundy of the Channel 4 news team on Conan to make the announcement, joking around with Conan O'Brien in the process. Watch for yourself below. You stay classy, planet Earth.

Harry Potter DVD & Blu Ray Production Being Halted

For those of you looking to complete your collection of the Harry Potter films, or still want Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2, you have to hurry because WB has halted production of them. Once they run out, that is it! It's similar to what they do with the "Disney vault" where they stop producing DVD/Blu Ray's for a couple years and then re-release them with new packaging and features, presumably to make money and introduce them to new fans.

But fear not Potter fans, they will be re-released apparently before/during the 2012 Holiday season, so it won't be a couple years. Hopefully when they do this, the films will be released in extended versions with never before seen footage. There is plenty of it. I doubt they will have as much extra footage as the Lord of the Rings extended editions, but hopefully something that adds to the value. Otherwise, what is the point of pulling them from the shelves for a year?

Also, please vote for PopCultureSpin for a shorty award in the "other" category! I will love you. http://shortyawards.com/category/other/ It takes less than a minute!

What To Look For In 2012

Just a few things to look for in 2012:

TV: Howard Stern begins as a judge on America's Got Talent in the summer. The "King of All Media" will finally return to Television, this time judging people. The Parents Television Council objected to this, but I say screw 'em. Stern will bring a new life to this show, and he doesn't need to be raunchy to be funny. If the PTC doesn't like it, change the channel. Smash, premiering in February on NBC and executive produced by Steven Spielberg, is supposedly one of the strongest new shows of the year. Can NBC make a comeback with this and The Voice?

Film: 2012 should be a big year for films. The Dark Knight Rises leads the pack, along with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Avengers, and The Amazing Spider-Man as the big action/adventure films. Titanic & Finding Nemo will be re-released in 3D. Classic novel The Great Gatsby gets a modern film version. Finally, look for a possible dark horse film of 2012 in November - Gravity by Alfonso Cuaron and starring Sandra Bullock & George Clooney who are astronauts that survive damage to a space station and need to figure out a way back to earth.

Sports: The London 2012 Olympics of course! Michael Phelps returns for his final Olympic games, and be on the look out for the women's soccer matches on the heels of the successful 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.  Maybe a rematch between Brazil-USA and/or Japan-USA? And in the NFL...what will the Colts do with Peyton Manning if they get the #1 pick and draft Andrew Luck?

Music: Madonna will perform at the halftime of the Super Bowl, and release a new album following that. Nicki Minaj is rumored to join her on stage for a song, and will also be releasing new music. Aerosmith returns as well following Steven Tyler's return to American Idol, with an album that will be reminiscent of 1970s Aerosmith. There is about a 50/50 chance of a new album from U2, and No Doubt will supposedly be releasing their first new album since 2001's Rock Steady. Also expect new albums from Cher, Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, Green Day, Wu-tang Clan, Christina Aguilera, Paramore, Willow Smith, Bruce Springsteen and the reformed Black Sabbath (with Ozzy Osbourne) and Van Halen.

Lindsay Lohan: Will she make a comeback in 2012? Besides an appearance in the 2010 film Machete, she hasn't been on the big screen since 2007. She was rumored to be in the Gotti movie, but who knows. Will she make it to 2013? Will she get any new outstanding mugshots? And how many clubs will she frequent with her mom Dina?

First Look at Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises

Warner Bros. was forced to release the anticipated first official photograph of Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle aka Catwoman from the upcoming film The Dark Knight Rises. They had to because there were leaked shots from the set.

I like this costume, it's pretty tactical and I like the goggles. It's missing the trademark cat ears however, but I'm speculating that they will come later. I'm not sure what's happening in the photo, if Batman gave her the Batpod, or if Catwoman is stealing it. Apparently the photo does take place during the fight between Bane and Batman that was released earlier. I'll assume this is earlier in the film and she is stealing the Batpod. I think she'll eventually join up with Batman and that may be when she gets a "Cat" mask that the goggles will go over, perhaps from Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman). The image is listed under Selina Kyle, so this may be an outfit she uses as Selina. We will surely find out more in the coming months.

Take a look at some previous versions of Catwoman in TV & Film:

Michelle Pfeiffer (1992) -The Best Catwoman, from the film Batman Returns

Lee Meriweather (1966)

Eartha Kitt (1967)

Julie Newmar (1966)

Halle Berry (2004)

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2 Review; Extended DVDs?

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2 is now here, and concludes the film series based on the books by J.K Rowling. As many of you may know, it has been getting the best reviews of the eight films, and even generating some much deserved Oscar buzz. I, of course, think it should at least be nominated for Best Picture, as well as other categories like effects, score, possibly even a supporting actor nomination for Alan Rickman. This is without a doubt the most action packed of the films, and really moves by quickly, at a little over 2 hours. I would give the film about a 95 out of 100, knocking a few points off because of some things I'll put below the cut. And it's been announced that the film has surpassed The Dark Knight to have the biggest opening weekend ever in the US, with around $168 million. It also crushed the Twilight record for biggest midnight opening, as well as biggest single day ever, grossing $92 million on Friday alone. The Harry Potter finale has cast a big spell, with records that should stand for a very long time.

Now, possible Spoilers beyond here, click "read more" for the rest, and thoughts on possible extended edition DVDs/Blu Rays.