Joseph Gordon-levitt Page 8

Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are reportedly teaming up for a big screen musical comedy. According to The Hollywood Reporter the as-yet-untitled project was picked up by studio Universal after a competitive bidding war.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt will team with Channing Tatum for a new musical comedy.

The idea for the film was conceived over 15 years ago by Gordon-Levitt and Michael Bacall when the pair worked together on Manic, a drama Bacall co-wrote and acted in. Bacall, who also worked with Tatum on the 21 Jump Street movies, will now write the script.

Continue reading: Channing Tatum And Joseph Gordon-Levitt Teaming For Musical Comedy

The actor, writer and director Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been cast to play NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden in the Oliver Stone-directed flick 'The Snowden Files.' The 33 year-old star has been connected to the role since September, but the film's backers confirmed this casting news on Monday (11th).

Gordon-Levitt will portray Edward Snowden 

According to Reuters, the controversial film, which will depict how the former National Security Agency contractor released classified documents concerning numerous global surveillance programs, will begin production in Munich in January.

Continue reading: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Confirmed To Play Edward Snowden In Oliver Stone's 'The Snowden Files'

Sin City: A Dame To Kill For isn’t out until this coming Thursday, August 21, but promotion has been going on for months. Maybe you’ve noticed that this time around, it’s mostly (if not all) focused on the ladies – from Jessica Alba’s no-longer damsel-in-distress Nancy, to Rosario Dawson’s dominatrix with a deadly attitude Gail, to the Dame herself – Eva Green as Ava Lord. These are no-nonsense, cliché-free female characters. Well, technically they’re all cliché, but that’s the point – it’s all very post-modern and ironic and noir-inspired, etc.

Yes, ok, the women are still strutting around in their underwear. But this time they are empowered, apparently.

Continue reading: "Sin City" Stars Talk A Big Game Of Female Empowerment, But Will The Movie Deliver?

On the fortieth anniversary of Philippe Petit’s famous high-wire walk between the two towers of the World Trade Center, TriStar Pictures has released some shots of the new film they’ve been making about the event. The Walk, to star Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Petit and directed by the veteran Robert Zemeckis, is due to open in cinemas on October 2nd next year.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Philippe Petit in 'The Wire'

The stunt has already been the subject of an award-winning documentary entitled Man On Wire, which spliced real life footage of the walk combined with actors re-enacting parts of the young Petit’s life. On 7th August 1974, Petit performed the incredibly dangerous walk, dubbed the “artistic crime of the century”, having spent months planning it covertly with his girlfriend and a small group of relatives.

Continue reading: First Pictures Of Joseph Gordon-Levitt In 'The Walk'

If ‘The Wind Rises’ is really to be Hayao Miyazaki’s last feature, then he certainly departs the medium at a good moment, receiveing critical acclaim for his historical drama, which also achivieved commercial success by being Japan’s highest grossing film of 2013.

Jiro dreams of taking to the sky

Admist the backdrop of 1927 Japan, ‘The Wind Rises’ follows Jiro, who wants to take to the sky in beautiful planes of his own design - inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. For Jiro, aeroplanes aren’t intended for war or for profit, but to help realise the dreams of many; to soar above the clouds.

Continue reading: 'The Wind Rises' Stuns Critics As Hayao Miyazaki Leaves On A High

Neil Gaiman's award-winning novel American Gods is going to be adapted for the small screen by FremantleMedia after cable company HBO dropped the series last November. The adaptation of Gaiman's fourth prose novel was in limbo for some time but it now looks like American Gods will hit the small screen after all, along with another of his novels, Anansi Boys.

Neil Gaiman Will See Two More Of His Books Taken To The Screen.

 FremantleMedia, the company behind reality shows such as American Idol, announced the exciting news today: "Gaiman, the creator of the celebrated Sandman comic series, and the author of bestselling novels The Graveyard Book, Coraline and The Ocean at the End of the Lane, will executive produce the series along with FremantleMedia," via The Guardian.

Continue reading: Neil Gaiman's 'American Gods', 'Anansi Boys' Headed For TV: You Don't Want To Miss This

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is close to finalizing a deal to produce, direct and star in a Warner Bros movie adaptation of Neil Gaiman's comic book classic, Sandman. Gordon-Levitt made his feature directorial debut with the well-received Don Jon, though a Sandman movie would be far greater in scale.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Will Helm 'Sandman'

The comic book shifts between horror and fantasy and follows the central character Morpheus, the personification of dreams. After being held captive for 70 years, he escapes, gains revenge and attempts to rebuild his kingdom. 

Continue reading: Joseph Gordon-Levitt To Produce, Direct And Star In 'Sandman' Movie

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has already shown he is a jack of all trades by writing, directing and starring in this year's huge romantic comedy 'Don Jon'.

Deadline reports, the multi-talented actor is being recognised for his versatile work ethic and is close to secure a deal to star, produce and possibly direct an adaptation of Neil Gaiman's 'Sandman'.

The adaptation of the comic book will be made by Warner Bros., and David Goyer, who has written the treatment, will be joining Levitt as a producer.

Continue reading: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Will Produce, Star And May Direct The Adaptation Of Neil Gaiman's 'Sandman'

It’s a big weekend for the UK box office, kicking off tomorrow (Fri Nov 15), when Jude Law’s Don Hemingway, Forest Whitaker’s The Butler, Joseph Gordon Levitt’s Don Jon and Michael Fassbender’s The Counsellor all coming out.

Jude Law, Forest Whitaker, Joseph Gordon Levit and Michael Fassbender are all hoping to dominate the box office this weekend

Continue reading: UK Movie Reviews Special: Dom Hemingway, The Butler, Don Jon, The Counsellor

Scarlett Johansson is the female lead in Joseph Gordon-Levitt's first feature presentation Don Jon, a film where pornography features heavily as a major theme. Her character in the film is deeply opposed to porn, but it may come as a surprise to learn that Scarlett actually an opinion on adult entertainment and it is one that isn't wholly bad.

Scarlett has no problems with pornos

The 28-year-old actress stars as the cover girl on the December issue of the UK's Marie Claire magazine and during her interview she was quizzed on the merits of porn and gave an insightful view on the controversial business practice. To put it bluntly, Scarlett, it turns out, is pro-porn and has no hang up with discussing the matter.

Continue reading: Scarlett Johansson Discusses The Merits Of Pornography In Latest Interview

The stars continue to be out in London in the second week of the 57th London Film Festival. Judi Dench and Steve Coogan were on-hand with their new film Philomena, Joseph Gordon-Levitt got the crowd screaming outside the cinema before the screening of his writing-directing debut Don John, and. Click here for Philomena trailer and pics, or here for pics and the trailer for Don Jon and you can browse through our photo gallery of this week's Labor Day premiere in London.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus was also at the festival with filmmaker Nicole Holofcener for the UK premiere of their intelligent, offbeat romantic-comedy Enough Said, which features one of the final performances from the late James Gandolfini. It opens in British cinemas this weekend. You can read our Enough Said review here.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Stars Come Out In London, We Get A Glimpse Of The New Jack Ryan, And Keanu Brings Us A Japanese Fantasy

Joseph Gordon-Levitt makes his screenwriting and directorial debut in the upcoming Don Jon, a film in which he also stars and has received almost universal praise from critics thus far. Co-starring Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore and Tony Danza, the story of love, life and masturbation is being hailed as masterstroke by some, as JGL's first time behind the camera is earning him praise as a natural-born filmmaker.

JGL stars alongside Scarlett Johansson in Don Jon

Gordon-Levitt stars Jon 'Don Jon' Martello, a handsome, fashionable and some may say a little self obsessed twenty-something guy. His numerous exploits with women, and his apparent ability to land any girl, earned him the nickname 'Don Jon,' yet in spite of his prowess with women, nothing quite matches the joy he gets from working out. That is except for his love of internet pornography and masturbation. When he meets young romantic Barbara Sugarman (Johansson), Jon may have found what he's been loving for all his life, as he and Barbara attempt to balance their traditionalist expectations of love, with their own infatuations with their modern, media-driven lives.

Continue reading: Critics (Mostly) Agree That Joseph Gordon-Levitt Proves Himself As A Natural-Born Filmmaker With 'Don Jon'

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has always been a confident man. His roles befit an actor comfortable in his ability, and his entrepreneurial side is demonstrated by his own production company – hitRECord – which he runs with his brother.

Can this girl change Don Jon's ways?

So it’s no surprise that, even at a relatively young age, the Dark Knight actor has stepped behind the camera to direct his first feature. Oh, and he stars in it, too.

Continue reading: Joseph Gordon Levitt On Being The Don For 'Don Jon' - No Fear

As the Toronto Film Festival wrapped up earlier this week, 12 Years a Slave, the new film from Steve McQueen (Shame), took home the top prize, which makes it the frontrunner for Oscar nominations. It stars Michael Fassbender, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt and Benedict Cumberbatch. Read more about the win here.

One of the festival's most talked-about films was Don Jon, the writing-directing debut of actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who plays a womanising gym-obsessive who meets his match in the feisty Scarlett Johansson. Both actors were on hand for the film's gala New York premiere this week. Here's a video of Scarlett Johansson at the event and in this video you can see director/actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt at the event.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Slavery Drama Wins In Toronto, Gordon-Levitt Makes Filmmaking Debut, Diana Hits UK

Irresistibly smug, Joseph Gordon Levitt manages to match his irksome smile with an abundance of talent. The guy who ‘girls wanna be with and guys wanna be’ actually plays the guy who ‘girls wanna be with and guys wanna be’ in Don Jon, and (by the way: damn you, Gordon Levitt) he’s pulled it off. Oh he wrote and directed it too? F*** you.

Can this girl change Don Jon's ways?

Jon Martello – or as his friends call him, Don Jon – is a serial man-about-town. He’s handsome, charming, and can lure any girl he wants, whenever he wants. All number of swearwords are popping into your head now, but bear with us; there’s a chink. See, Don Jon isn’t happier than when he’s at home watching pornography.

Continue reading: Don Jon: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Is The Don Of Toronto With These Reviews

Advance planning for “Man of Steel 2” is well underway and that can only mean one thing – Warner Bross and DC are looking for their next Batman. Sure, they could have teamed up Kale-El with, say, Wonder Woman for their next step towards the franchise to end all franchises – Justice League. As it stands, though, the list of contenders is largely male, white and around the age of 40.

Predictions abound as to Henry Cavill's co-star in Man of Steel 2.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, quite a few actors have been considered for the part – from Supernatural’s Jensen Ackles and The Walking Dead’s Andrew Lincoln (could you imagine Rick Grimes as Superman?) to trending names such as Ryan Gosling and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. More outlandish rumors have even pegged Simon Pegg (ha!) and Daniel Dae Kim as being in the running. As of yet, however, no one is actually in the running.

Continue reading: Early Predictions Peg Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin As Possible Options Warner Bros.' Next Batman

Ever since Zack Snyder announced a Superman/Batman film in the works at last weekend's Comic-Con, the internet has exploded with rumors; few of which have been about the movie and more about who should replace Christian Bale as Batman in the Man of Steel sequel.

Ryan Gosling's was a name that surfaced quickly and it's easy to see why: Gosling has great stage presence and, as we saw in Drive, the ability to flip from calm to guns blazing in mere seconds. What Culture say that the 32 year-old "perfectly fits this more brutal and tortured Batman, not to mention that he possesses the suave playboy looks to serve as the cover story." So it's a shame really that it's not going to be Ryan.

Sorry Gosling Fans, It's Probably Not Going To Be Ryan.

Continue reading: Tyler Hoechlin More Likely To Be Batman Than Ryan Gosling: Here's Why

Since it was announced at the San Diego Comic Con over the weekend that Batman will be appearing alongside Superman in the follow-up to this years Man of Steel, the internet has been strife with discussion of who the next Batman should be. One of the leading contenders to done the famed black mask and cape is Ryan Gosling, who is one of the favourites to be the next saviour of Gotham City.

Ryan Gosling would make a good Batman

That said, many disagree that the Drive star should be the next actor to play the Dark Knight, and a slew of other actors are in serious contention to go toe-to-toe with Superman.

Continue reading: Should Ryan Gosling Be The Next Batman? Actor Favored To Be Caped Crusader

At the San Diego Comic Con International this weekend, Man of Steel director Zack Snyder made the entire conventional - and pretty much everyone else in the world who was't able to show up to the four-day event - simultaneously jump for joy with the news that a Superman and Batman will cross paths when the sequel to the Man of Steel is released in 2015.

Henry Cavill will be back as Superman

The announcement really did a number on Marvel's big reveal; the title of the next Avengers movie (Avengers: Age of Ultron), but now that the door is well and truly open for big name superheroes to cross paths, who knows what could happen next. With the Avengers already out there as a major motion picture and Gardians of the Galaxy and a Justice League movie coming soon, we can hopefully expect to see more and more superheroes all in one movie. Until then, here's what we hope/pray we can see in the not-so-distant future.

Continue reading: As The Batman & Superman Crossover Is Announced, Here's Some Other Superhero Cross-Overs Hollywood Should Consider Next

Well this is a surprising casting, though one that sort of makes a ton of sense. According to the Deadline.com, Marvel Studios has landed Oscar winning actress Glenn Close to play a major new role in its latest franchise, Guardians of the Galaxy. The actress will reportedly play a leadership role in Nova Corp, the intergalactic space control.

The new James Gunn-directed movie goes into production next month, so Marvel have left it late to cast what is essentially a major role. The movie already boasts a pretty decent looking cast including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker and John C. Reilly. Pratt landed the lead role following a search that included Marvel looking at Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Joel Edgerton, Jack Huston, Jim Sturgess and Eddie Redmayne. 

Sources tell Deadline that Close's role will be the closest thing to the one that Samuel L. Jackson plays in The Avengers, though perhaps with more of an edge. Close has proven she can play the hardnosed character in the likes of Damages, Fatal Attraction and, err, 101 Dalmatians and we see her being a real hit in Guardians.

Continue reading: Glenn Close To Play Top Cop In Marvel's 'Guardians Of The Galaxy'

Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson at CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards

The honourees at this CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards proudly displayed their accolades on the red carpet at Caesars Palace on April 18th 2013.

This year twelve phenomenal actors and directors were awarded at the Las Vegas resort and casino as CinemaCon came to a close this week. Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson landed Comedy Duo of the Year as they are set to reunite for the first time since 2005's 'Wedding Crashers' in 'The Internship'. Melissa McCarthy won Female Star of the Year after being hilarious in 'Identity Thief', while young Asa Butterfield who is set to star in 'Ender's Game' later this year won Rising Star of 2013. His co-star, Harrison Ford, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award while his other co-star Hailee Steinfeld was given an award dubbing her Female Star of Tomorrow as she takes on leading roles in 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Can a Song Save Your Life?' this year. Male Star of the Year went to Chris Pine with the upcoming release of 'Star Trek Into Darkness', 'Oblivion' star Morgan Freeman won Cinema Icon Award and Armie Hammer became Male Star of Tomorrow as he takes on the lead role in 'The Lone Ranger'. Other actresses to land awards were Aubrey Plaza with Breakthrough Performer of the Year as she is set to appear in 'The To Do List' and Elizabeth Banks from 'The Hunger Games' who won an Award of Excellence in Acting.

Continue reading: CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Award Winners Take To The Red Carpet [Photos]

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is fast expanding his share in the market called ‘creative’. Not simply an actor any more; the writer, director and CEO of production company Hit Record is making a TV show.

"These guys are doing things a little bit differently," Levitt said in the YouTube video blow, referencing the network his show will go on. "And I think they have a lot of smart ideas." So what will this show be? “Hit RECord on TV is gonna be a new kind of variety show,” JGL explains. “I’ll host the show and also direct our global online community to create short films, live performances, music, animation, conversation, and of course, more! Each episode will be focused on a different theme. And like always, anybody with an internet connection is invited to contribute.” And on this note, he wants people to get involved. All the separate aspects of the show, he wants contributors. "This is not a joke, this is not a marketing gimmick," Levitt said. "This is an invitation."

Continue reading: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Implores Artists To Get Involved In His New TV Show For Hit Record

Get a good look at the below, everybody. It's only the first still be released from the forthcoming Joseph Gordon-Levitt starring Don Jon!

The first still from porn-based drama Don Jon

Continue reading: First Look At Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Don Jon (Picture)

Issue No. 8 of the “Batman Incorporated,” will see Robin The Boy Wonder – otherwise known as Damien Wayne – die in a blaze of glory. And anyone annoyed with us, and thinks this is a spoiler, the comic book has the words R.I.P. written on the front, with the R replaced with Robin’s embalm. If you don’t get it from that, you’ve no business reading DC comics.

“He saves the world. He does his job as Robin,” writer Grant Morrison told The New York Post. “He dies an absolute hero.” The pint-sized hero dies at the hands of a ‘hulking assassin’, and Batman doesn’t arrive soon enough. “It’s all about the family and the family going to hell,” said Morrison. “The two adults in the story are both culpable. The kid’s the good guy.” The character of Robin, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt in The Dark Knight Rises, only dies in Batman Incorporated, but the effects will be felt in the DC Comics universe. This plotline, asserts Morrison, was part of Robin’s character arc. “What we did was turn this little monster into a superhero,” he said. “He’s a little brat, but he’s a super-brat.”

An essay posted on the official DC comics blog page, further explains the thinking behind the demise of Robin. "In many ways this has been Damian's story as much as it has been the story of Bruce Wayne and it's a story that had its end planned a long time ago — for what son could ever hope to replace a father like Batman, who never dies?" Morrison wrote. So will this be the end or Batman’s sidekick days? Or will he find another intern… “You can never say never in a comic book . . . Batman will ultimately always have a partner.”

Marvel's sci-fi adventure Guardians of the Galaxy has finally cast its lead actor, and it seems a pretty solid choice in fairness. Chris Pratt, of Parks and Recreation fame, will play Star-Lord Peter Quill, who finds himself in the middle of a universal conflict in space before going on the run with futuristic ex-cons. There's been plenty of incarnations of the Guardians team in Marvel's comics and the movie will include various well-known characters including Drax The Destroyer, giant tree-man Groot, Rocket Raccoon and Gamora.

It's been a pretty lengthy casting process, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt offered the role at some point, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Jim Sturgess, Zachary Levi, John Krasinski and Michael Rosenbaum are among the actors who met with Marvel or were screen-tested. Attention now turns to the casting of Drax the Destroyer, the supporting character in the movie. Reports suggest WWE wrestler Dave Bautista, Isaiah Mustafa (The Old Spice Guy) and Brian Patrick Wade have all been in talks.

The movie is schedule for a release on August 1, 2014. Pratt is likely to do a great job as Peter Quill, having shown considerable ability in his serious roles, Moneyball and Zero Dark Thirty.

Continue reading: Is Chris Pratt The Right Guy For 'Guardians Of The Galaxy?'

The Sundance Film Festival is almost over and so far it has been an eventful time. Here's a quick recap and review of this year's proceedings.

While the festival is held in high regard as a celebration of film and filmmakers, quite a few deals have also been struck at this year’s event. Notably, Daniel Radcliffe’s most recent flick Kill Your Darling, portraying the life of poet Alan Ginsberg, which received almost unanamously glowing reviews at the festival, has been picked up by Sony Pictures Classic for about $2 million. Austenland, Stephanie Meyer’s baby, went to Sony as well, for about $4 million, whilst the highly anticipated Don Jon’s Addiction, written, directed and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, went to Relativity Media, again for $4 million, with a reported $25 million promotional commitment.

A lot of other expected releases found a home during Sundance as well, and considering the success of certain Sundance films from last year (Beasts of the Southern Wild comes to mind), we probably have quite a few quality releases to look forward to in 2013. Other notable films that have been introduced (and subsequently sold) at the festival have been Prince Avalanche (to Magnolia Pictures), Lovelace (to RADiUS - TWC) and The Way, Way Back (to Fox Searchlight). All information provided by CNN.

As a first time feature film writer, Joseph Gordon-Levitt certainly didn't opt for the easy option. His screenplay Don Jon's Addiction (which directed and starred) is about a man who prefers porn to real women, before he starts a journey of self discovery. Without plumping for just one stereotypical view of the objectifying man, the movie also explores the unnatural and synthetic ideas about love and sex that women hold as well. Speaking to USA Today he praises his mother for the film. 

"She said she loved it, which means the world to me," he says. "She read the script, but she hadn't seen any of the cuts. You know a lot of what's in this movie is stuff that I learned from her. She... always brought me up to not look at women for their bodies and stuff. So that's the numero uno person that I wanted to like the movie." 

Returning to working with Gordon-Levitt is Tony Danza, with whom he worked in the 1994 movie Angels in the Outfield. Danza plays the father of the lead in the movie and has nothing but good things to say about Gordon-Levitt. "[H]e's so good in the movie," He said. "I met him when he was 12 when we did Angels in the Outfield. I'm always rooting for him. He's the real deal." 

A specially painted Air New Zealand plane jetted around the world this week, collecting cast and crew to attend the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on Wednesday. Wellington was renamed "The Middle of Middle-Earth" for the day, and the red carpet event was attended by Cate Blanchett, Martin Freeman, franchise guru Peter Jackson and more than 100,000 fans.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies Feat: The Hobbit, Helena Bonham Carter, Rise Of The Guardians, Ray Liotta, Ian McKellen, Jack The Giant Slayer And More!

It looks as though those rumors about Joseph Gordon Levitt becoming the new Batman may have had some substance to them, after all! According to Hitfix.com, it’s no coincidence that the ending of Dark Knight Rises hints at the potential for continuity for Batman’s story and DC and Warner Bros may well have plans in the pipeline for the character.

Christopher Nolan may have finished with the franchise but it looks as though Gordon-Levitt may be closer than previously thought to inking a deal that will see him slipping into that Batman suit before long. The story’s based partly on fact and partly on speculation but it certainly seems likely that JGL could be the next bat-suited hero to hit the big screen. There’s a suggestion that Batman’s character might be introduced to the end of Man of Steel, the new Superman movie, as Warner Bros have “been studying the way Marvel handled their build-up to "The Avengers," and once they've made the decision they've apparently made, why not start laying the groundwork as soon as possible?”

Joseph Gordon Levitt is clearly the man of the moment, he’s wowed the critics recently with Looper and makes an appearance in the Oscar-tipped Lincoln, too, so Warner Bros would be daft not to snap him up and get him involved in their plans for one of their favourite superheroes.

The Lincoln trailer debuted in-between the 2012 Presidential Debate, giving the film a great audience for its teasing premiere.

Whether you were watching the debate unfold on ABC, CBS or CNN you will have struggled to miss the shiny new trailer for Steven Spielberg's upcoming presidential epic. Scenes from the Civil War open the trailer with Lincoln, portrayed by Daniel Day Lewis reciting The Gettysburg Address in the background, and quickly we see the president conflicting with members of his cabinet. The film also stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field. The advertising and P.R buffs involved in the film must have been licking their lips at the chance to showcase the new trailer at the debate, as it looks like it was the perfect time to showcase the film. Lincoln hits selected theatres November 9, with a wider release planned for November 16.

Films such as Ben Affleck's Argo and Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman's The Master already are proven Academy Awards contenders through rapturous reactions from festival crowds or early theatrical audiences, but Lincoln may have something to say about that. With Oscar fever reaching higher temperatures by the day, many have already tipped Paul Thomas Anderson's post wartime drama to take the big prize, with the films protégé set to scoop the individual prizes, but early indications would suggest that Daniel Day Lewis could upset the odds.

Hotel Transylvania, the new animated comedy featuring the voices of Adam Sandler and Selena Gomez has topped the U.S. box office with $43 million – the highest September total ever. It’s also the biggest haul of any movie since the all-conquering ‘The Dark Knight Rises’.

It’s superb news for Sony, who couldn’t have expected that the quirky comedy would pull in so much cash. The good news didn’t end there for the studio either, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s ‘Looper’ taking second spot with $21.2 million. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the performance of both movies ensured that Sony took over Warner Bros as the studio with the current biggest market share ($1.285 billion). Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, ‘Hotel Transylvania’ is a family movie that’s success was fuelled almost solely by word-of-mouth. Rory Bruer, Sony’s president of distribution, said, “More than anything, this film has been such a collaboration of talent, and it paid off in such a huge way. Everyone in our company just loved this film. And to perform at this level in September shows that Hotel Transylvania has something for everyone.” The movie received lukewarm praise from critics, with the New York Times writing, “The movie loses its originality as it rolls toward its predictable conclusion, but it's still lovely to look at.”

It would be a huge result should ‘Hotel Transylvania’ hold onto the No.1 for a second successive week. Tim Burton releases his latest animated tale ‘Frankenweenie’, while Liam Neeson returns in ‘Taken 2.’

The North American Box Office was in need of boost, and it got it this weekend, when futuristic time travel film Looper and Sony animation Hotel Transylvania performing terrifically well, reports The Telegraph

.

With numbers at lows not endured for a decade, a record breaking September debut was exactly the medicine the Box Office needed, and Hotel Transylvania administered the antidote, colloquially known as cash, with gusto. The animated comedy - produced by Sony Pictures Animation and distributed by Columbia Pictures - pulled in an estimated $43m, which is a September record for a debut. “Hotel Transylvania' has been a labor of love for our studio," said Sony worldwide distribution topper Rory Bruer. "To have that kind of opening really gives you an idea of just how broadly the film is playing. And in September? I mean, come on!" Looper also performed well; the Joshua Gordon-Levitt time travel thriller over performed with $21.2 million, and did even better internationally, making it the first day-and-date release to earn more in China than in the U.S. opening weekend. This weekend’s performance outdoes last year’s effort by 24%, which is an impressive stat, especially considering an unremarkable summer for the B.O to stomach.

Continue reading: Hotel Transylvania And Looper Flourish In September Box Office

Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s latest movie has achieved the unthinkable. And no, we’re not just talking about the time travel that features in the movie. Looper has received resoundingly positive reviews, across the board. In terms of major movie releases, Looper has hardly received the kind of widespread attention of other major releases this year, such as Dark Knight Rises or Avengers but with such a strong, positive critical response, who knows how well Looper could do at the box office.

Science fiction movies don’t often grab the critics but Looper certainly seems to have managed it. Writing for Los Angeles Times, Kenneth Turan wrote “this is a highflying, super-stylish science-fiction thriller that brings a fresh approach to mind-bending genre material” and his sentiments were echoed by Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, who surmised “However long it takes to get your bearings, Looper is worth it. Bruce Willis expertly blends tough and tender and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is at the top of his game in this rip-roaring mind-bender.”

And of course, the star of the show, former child star Joseph Gordon Levitt, has impressed the critics with his performance, too. The New York Times critic Manohla Dargis was particularly taken with him, writing “Mr. Johnson throws a lot at the screen, blasted corpses included, yet little here is as initially transfixing as Mr. Gordon-Levitt's mug.” With an impressive 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an opening weekend ahead of it, can Looper top this weekend’s box office chart?

Dubbed as the new Matrix, does Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s sci-fi epic movie stand up to the hype? We check out some Looper reviews

In this futuristic thriller, which also stars action stalwart Bruce Willis, time travel has already been invented, but is illegal. And who likes illegal things? Mobs. That’s who. When the mob wants someone hit, they send their target back in time 30 years where a hitman (Gordon-Levitt) will be lying in wait. “This is a highflying, super-stylish science-fiction thriller that brings a fresh approach to mind-bending genre material,” writes Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times, in a wholly positive review. And in fact, the reviews are all great! “Even with its echoes of sci-fi thrillers past, from La Jette to The Terminator, Rian Johnson's mind bender feels fresh - fresh enough to be forgiven for sputtering off the rails in the final act,” said Dallas Morning News reviewer Chris Vognar.

Continue reading: Looper: Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Time Travel Flick A Success?

The Looper reviews are in, and it’s great news for Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis and director Rian Johnson. The futuristic action thriller is set in a world where time travel is invented, though illegal and only available through the black market. OK, so before you start making Inception comparisons… read on.

Gordon-Levitt – now considered one of Hollywood’s leading men – plays a hired gun who ‘takes care’ of men that the mob send back 30 years-old in time. His character is more than happy making quick-cash, until the mob decide to “close the loop” and send his future-self (played by Willis) back for assassination. Frankly, it’s a hugely intriguing concept and even the harshest critics were blown away by the movie. Roger Ebert said Looper “weaves between past and present in a way that gives Johnson and his actors opportunities to create a surprisingly involving narrative,” while Tom Huddleston of Time Out magazine said, “This is a hugely satisfying, enjoyable and thought-provoking piece of work.”

‘Looper’ currently holds a 94% approval rating on review-aggregating site Rotten Tomatoes (with 97% audience approval). That’s 10% more than Oscar-tipped ‘The Master’ and 7% more than ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. Whether its percentage score will decrease as more opinions flood in remains to be seen, though one thing’s for sure: Looper could be the surprise hit of 2012.

As the U.S. Box Office slumbers on into the autumn, the figures needed to top the charts are getting ever smaller. However, whilst that makes it largely a head-in-hands experience for many of the studios behind these movies, for those who enjoy waiting to see what the top five's looking like each Monday it's making for exciting watching as smaller figures mean smaller margins between films. Case in point was this weekend where the winner wasn't announced until today (September 24th), with the unfancied Jake Gyllenhaal-starring End Of Watch beating out the more fancied horror House At The End Of The Street and Clint Eastwood's film Trouble With The Curve.

End Of Watch was a victory for independent film studios too, with Open Road Films beating out Relatively Media and Warner Bros to top spot; they'll not care one jot that they took a meager $13.2 million. The other two films will be a little more concerned that they took only $12.2 million and $12.1 million respectively however.

Reflecting on his film's seemingly surprise victory, Open Road Films' Tom Ortenberg commented "We always knew we were going to outperform expectations, and I believe the film will have long legs."Looper, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis will be hoping to wake up the Box Office from the doldrums this coming weekend.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt followed on from Seth Macfarlane's well-received appearance on the first episode of the new Saturday Night Live series with an equally impressive show of comic talent and timing.

The Dark Knight Rises star tickled funny bones across America with his two spoof beer commercial skits, in which he played the son of the 'Most Interesting Man in the World.' The two skits, spoofs of the popular Dos Equis adverts, featured Gordon-Levitt as the underachieving son promoting 'Tres Equis' and detailing his life as a man who is the polar opposite of his famous fictional father. Some of his 'achievements' included using fake names at Starbucks and dating a model (who in actual fact isn't a model but stared in commercial for her dad's car dealership) as well as being the proud owner five differently styled fedora hats. The character explained that Tres Equis is "one Equis more than my dad's beer, because he was never there for me. [It's] two parts Dos Equis, one part none of your business."

For the second skit, the deadbeat son is joined by his father (played by Jason Sudeikis) who berates his son for his disappointing exploits.

Continue reading: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Proves A Hit As SNL Host

Frank Ocean’s appearance on Saturday Night Live and the release of his new video for Pyramids made for a busy weekend, reports MTV News.

The critically acclaimed singer songwriter took the stage on Saturday Night Live for the premiere of its 38th season. Introduced by Family Guy creator, Seth McFarlane, the Odd Future member trilled out his high-pitch hit ‘Thinkin Bout You’ under a lone spotlight on a retro stage, with vintage arcade machines scattered in the background. The lights shifted to reveal co-star on the show, John Mayer on guitar, who managed to get a solo performance in when Ocean returned to the stage to perform his song Pyramids. It was a bite size version of the track, as the album version runs for nearly 10 minutes, but it was still an impressive performance. The background arcade machines were utilised when Frank left to twiddle his thumbs on the joysticks, whilst Mayer did some of his own thumb twiddling on the guitar. A video for Pyramids was also in the offing for Ocean’s busy weekend, and MTV described it as a “dark, druggy thing that doesn't provide any answers; instead, it only poses more questions about the mercurial star.”

Overall it was a successful return for SNL, which will welcome Joseph Gordon-Levitt to present the next episode on September 22nd, with Mumford And Sons, Daniel Craig and Muse next in line on October 6th.