Neat Special Effects, Will the Film Live Up to Them?

I remember when the first Tron film was released (thus providing a further hint that I'm a bit older). People were freaked out for some reason that Disney was putting out a movie that wasn't rated G. Sure, that seems absurd now, but at the time it was an honest concern for some people.

I watched the film, both in the theatre and on cable. It was all right, but it didn't captivate me as much as other productions at the time. Excalibur came out around then. Remember that King Arthur epic? Major cool. Anyway, Tron was okay, but not the most special thing in the world. They came out with some video games. The cycles. The flying discs. Interesting in a time of early standup gaming, but after a game or two you could move on without dropping more quarters into the slots.

So why is Disney releasing Tron Legacy (formally Tron 2)? I don't know. But if the movie is half as cool as the updated special effects, I'll have to give it a go. Empire Online is one of the spots where you can view the trailer shown at Comic Con. Is Jeff Bridges a bad guy this time around? Or is there more to his hunting down that other cyclist than meets the eye?

I think I'll be able to manage waiting until 2011 to find out. Until then, how about a sneak peek at Olivia Wilde's character? C'mon, guys!

Chuck News is Good News

Back from my vacation and there's oh so much stuff that I could cover. So why not get started with a personal favorite? The gang over at My Hollywood Dream has posted some links concerning the excellent television series Chuck. Nearly destroyed by NBC's apathy, a very loyal fan base made sure that the show would return after a number of initiatives. Check the link out for, well, more links. I can hardly wait for the new season! How will Chuck's new knowledge affect his life? Does he need Sarah and Casey any longer? Will we be seeing more of Chuck's father? And, most important, how about more scenes of Sarah getting ready for dates? I think you know what I'm talking about.

Portman Joins Cast of Thor

Natalie Portman has signed on as the romantic lead in the upcoming Thor, based on the Marvel comic about the Norse god of thunder. Portman is to play Jane Foster, who was a nurse in the early comic life of Thor, but who knows how they'll modernize her in this adaptation. Chris Hemsworth is already inked to play the title character, with Tom Hiddleston as god of mischief Loki. Kenneth Branagh will be directing. Shooting will begin in early 2010 with a May 2011 release planned.

Loved by movie nerds everywhere, Portman has starred in Star Wars episodes one through three and will be in the update of the lizard-alien-eatin'-dem-humans show V. I personally can live with or without her, but I admit she's got some acting chops and her name will ad to the marketability of Thor. I just hope she doesn't play Jane Foster as the timid girlfriend. She's overdone that. Looking forward to this one, but I can wait two years. Plenty of films out before then.