Um, there comes a point when reviving old films to tack on a sequel starts to get a little daft. Can Tom Cruise pull off a Top Gun sequel?

Movie bosses want to bring back cocky fighter-pilot trainee Maverick 22 years after the first film.

The move follows hit sequels to the adventures of fellow ’80s heroes Indiana Jones and Rocky.

A script outline has been written, but the sequel depends on Cruise, 46, saying yes.

An insider said: "The idea is Maverick is at the Top Gun school as an instructor — and this time it is he who has to deal with a cocky new female pilot."

Please, Tom, say no. Not just no, but HELL no!

Source: Tom has a shot at second Gun | The Sun |Showbiz|Film

"Before the thunder... comes the MADNESS!!!"

The Hype Machine(tm) for the upcoming Tropic Thunder is in full swing. Here's a "mockumentary" on the making of the film-within-the-film, called Rain of Madness... enjoy!



(Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!)

The initial reviews of Uwe Boll's 1968 Tunnel Rats are starting to roll in, and the initial reaction seems to be pretty positive, despite what everyone seems to think of Boll.(!) This one is from Variety.

Though dialogue (purportedly largely improvised) is not a primary element, Boll's screenplay takes some pains to show sympathetic and fanatical types on both sides, notably in the character of a young Viet Cong mother (Jane Le) who clearly doesn't relish having to kill the enemy.

This war is hell, natch. But unlike most Vietnam flashbacks, "Tunnel Rats" sports nary a whiff of moral judgment regarding U.S. involvement in the conflict. Instead, its focus lies strictly on the visceral horror of above-ground and underground combat. Sole occasion when that approach slips into overenthusiastic horror-movie gore sees a sword sliding through a neck as if the latter were margarine-filled.

Perfs are solid, tech/design aspects excellent apart from Jessica de Rooij's somewhat pedestrian score. Standout is the widescreen lensing by Boll's usual d.p., Mathias Neumann. Verdant jungle environs of South Africa stood in for Vietnam.

I'm still trying to figure out when average schmoe's like me will be able to see it! I can't seem to find any useful information on actual release dates or anything!

Link: Asia entertainment news from Variety - varietyasiaonline.com

Long-time war movie consultant Dale Dye is taking a shot at the director's chair! If you don't know who Mr. Dye is, he's been a sort of staple of modern war movies, from Platoon to Saving Private Ryan to Band of Brothers and lots more. He's usually got at least a minor role in the films he works on.

Quoted from the official movie site, http://www.nobetterplacetodie.com/

It is known as the bloodiest small-arms battle in the history of U.S. warfare. Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division jumped in the night through a torrent of gunfire into the swamped Normandy countryside. Hundreds were killed before they landed. Many drowned. Those who survived faced a deadly and vital mission. They were outnumbered and outgunned.

To the brave men whose blood and guts made possible the D-Day assault of June 6, 1944, there was “No Better Place to Die.”

Based on the true story of a young private who defied death to deliver orders from the commanding officers to the front lines at the La Fiere Bridge Causeway, “No Better Place to Die” relives the horrific fight that opened a route to victory for troops storming Utah Beach on D-Day.

The American soldiers had two heavily defended bridges to overtake and capture. They had 800 yards of hell to cross. Their only passageway: a narrow, elevated road surrounded by floodwater. As the hours and days passed, the water turned to blood in a battle of no turning back. Victory would bore a hole into Nazi-occupied France. It all came down to the heart, courage and will of heroes like PFC Charles DeGlopper, Gen. James Gavin, 1st Lt. John "Red Dog" Dolan, Private Bob Murphy and Lt. John Marr who could be found everywhere on D-Day.

They've got a blog, but it seems to be empty!

Found via the Armchair General Forum

Man, I am so far behind the curve when it comes to new stuff coming out... I just found out about this and it looks like it could be quite the picture.

From the official site, miraclemovie.com

MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA chronicles the story of four black American soldiers who are members of the US Army as part of the all-black 92nd "Buffalo Soldier" Division stationed in Tuscany, Italy during World War II.

They experience the tragedy and triumph of the war as they find themselves trapped behind enemy lines and separated from their unit after one of them risks his life to save an Italian boy.

Directed by Spike Lee from a screenplay written by James McBride, the author of the acclaimed novel of the same name, the film explores a deeply inspiring, powerful story drawn from true history, that transcends national boundaries, race, and class to touch the goodness within us all.

And, here's the trailer



Can't wait! 2008 is shaping up to be a good year on the war movie front!

Link: Miracle at St. Anna (official site)
Link: Miracle at St. Anna (2008) (IMDB)
Link: Miracle at St. Anna - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Holy short guys with guns, Batman!! How did I miss this news!! Caramba! Check out the trailer, BEFORE you read the lamenting article below... Then read the review over at IMDB. Mixed reactions? Sure, but it looks like it could be good.



Link: Cannes Market Flash: Uwe Boll’s Vietnam Epic | SpoutBlog
Link: (IMDB) Tunnel Rats (2008)

As is usually the case for a Memorial Day Weekend, several cable/satellite networks will be chock full of classic war movies this coming weekend. Namely Turner Classic Movies, Fox Movie Channel, and AMC. I'm sure there are many more but these are "The Big Three."

Here's what I've found out (all times US/Eastern). I've included links to reviews here at War Movie Blog for the movies I've seen.... Looks like a full weekend. Unfortunately it looks like (yet again) TNT will not be doing their 'Saving Private Ryan' showing.... Tsk. Click Through for the full list.