The host of the 2015 Oscars is...

Multi-talented, multi-hyphenated Neil Patrick Harris is the new host of the 2015 Oscars. This is pretty awesome.  This will be the first time the actor is hosting the Oscars, although he has hosted the Emmys twice and the Tonys four times.  He also an Emmy and an Tony.  Hmmmm, methinks he aiming for the EGOT of hosting AND winning.  That Barney Stintson always was an overachiever.  Harris is currently starring in David Fincher's Gone Girl which could quite possibly be nominated for some awards itself come Oscar day.  The Academy Awards airs live worldwide on February 22, 2015.  

New Trailers: Tomorrowland, Foxcatcher and Focus!

Shortly after the first images were released from Disney's Tomorrowland (2015), the first teaser was unveiled too. Starring Britt Robertson as Casey as young girl who stumbles across a secret world (aka Tomorrowland) by possessing a very special pin. This first teaser shows us how Casey comes about that pin. Also making an appearance in the trailer is George Clooney as former boy-genius Frank Walker who promises "a secret place, where nothing is impossible. A miraculous place where you could actually change the world." I'm ready to go, Frank! Tomorrowland releases worldwide on May 22, 2015.

  

Director Bennett Miller's (Capote, Moneyball) next is based on the true story of millionaire Jon du Pont (played by an unrecognisable Steve Carell) and his involvement with the Schulz brothers, Mark (Channing Tatum) and Dave (Mark Ruffalo).  This longer trailer shows how du Pont's sponsorship of Mark for national and international competitions complicates relationships between them all.  And spoiler alert, things do not end well!! Miller has already won the Best Director award at Cannes this year and big things are expected from Foxcatcher this awards season.  Foxcatcher releases November 14, 2014.

There was a time when Will Smith dominated the box-office with his films. But since taking a four-year hiatus from films and coming back with less than stellar cinema (Men in Black 3, After Earth), Smith needs to bring back some of his old mojo. Focus, a romantic thriller, pairs him with Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street) as two con artists who were once romantically involved. Three years later, they meet again in Buenos Aires and throw a wrench in each other's con games. Directed by Glenn Ficarra & John Recqua (Crazy, Stupid, Love.), Focus releases next year on February 27, 2015. I've missed a good Will Smith movie and this one hopefully shows Smith back in form. Unfortunately, the release date (right after the Oscars) is maybe not the best opening for the film. Fingers crossed!

New Images from Disney's Tomorrowland

My favorite place in Disney's Epcot Center is Tomorrowland. Always has been. As a child, I thought it was the coolest 'lands', mainly because of the future it promised.  Oh, think of the flying cars!! It's one of life's greatest disappointments that there are no flying cars.  Disney's big summer tentpole for 2015, Tomorrowland, hopefully has some flying cars.  The mysterious project, directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol), has long been under production without much information... until now!

Entertainment Weekly has some cool new images - showing the concept art and stills from the upcoming film.  

Concept Art from Disney's Tomorrowland (2015)

Britt Robertson as Casey Newton in Tomorrowland (2015)

George Clooney as Frank Walker with Britt Robertson in Tomorrowland (2015)

A quick look on Disney's website brings up this synopsis of the film:

From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s riveting, mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever. Featuring a screenplay by “Lost” writer & co-creator Damon Lindelof & Brad Bird, from a story by Damon Lindelof, Brad Bird & Jeff Jensen, “Tomorrowland” promises to take audiences on a thrill ride of nonstop adventures through new dimensions that have only been dreamed of.

Most intriguing is Lost co-creator and writer (who also co-wrote this screenplay) Damon Lindelof's take on the film. He says, “What Hogwarts is to magic, Tomorrowland is to science: They are both easy to find if you are a wizard and very difficult to find if you’re a Muggle."  Curiouser and curiouser.  I'm loving the Potter references and adding this to next year's list of eagerly awaited films.

Tomorrowland also stars Hugh Laurie, Judy Greer and Keegan-Michael Key and releases on May 22, 2015.  Check out the Entertainment Weekly article on Tomorrowland to read more of what the filmmakers have to say about the film.  

First Teaser Trailer for Pixar's Inside Out

It feels like it's been such a long time since we've seen a Pixar film and looking at some old friends (Dory, Woody, Remy, Merida and more) at the beginning of the first teaser trailer for Inside Out, the next offering from the famed animation studio, those old emotions are coming back again.  Did I say emotions? That's funny! Because director Pete Docter's Inside Out is all about emotions. Specifically, the emotions that reside inside 11-year-old Riley, who wrestles with Joy (voice of Amy Poehler), Fear (voice of Bill Hader), Anger (voice of Lewis Black), Disgust (voice of Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (voice of Phyllis Smith) in her head.  The film takes us through Riley's journey as she adjusts to a new life in a new city after her father moves their family to San Francisco.  Inside Out releases on June 19, 2015.  My question: Why do we have to wait that long? I want to see this now!

The Theory of Everything Trailer

The second trailer for the keenly anticipated biopic The Theory of Everything, based on the extraordinary life of Dr. Stephen Hawking hit the web yesterday. The film highlights Hawkings's days at university, his theoretic work and research of the black holes, time and relativity and of course, the relationship with his wife Jane Wilde. The Theory of Everything stars young British thespians Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking and Felicity Jones as his wife Jane. I've wanted to see this ever since I saw the first trailer and this second trailer only solidifies my interest even more. The film, directed by James Marsh, releases on November 7, 2014.