Opening in theaters on May 25th is the third installment of the extremely popular science fiction comedy franchise Men in Black, this time entitled Men in Black 3. The new film once again stars Grammy-winner Will Smith (Ali) and Oscar-winner Tommy Lee Jones (Captain America: The First Avenger) as Agents J and K, respectively, and was also directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (Get Shorty) who helmed the first two installments. In addition to the return of Smith and Jones, the new movie also features Oscar-nominee Josh Brolin (Milk) as a younger version of Agent K, as well as performances from two-time Oscar-winner Emma Thompson (Love Actually), Alice Eve (ATM), Jemaine Clement (HBO's Flight of the Conchords), Nicole Scherzinger (Fox's The X Factor), David Rasche (United 93).

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had the pleasure of sitting down with makeup effects artist Rick Baker (The Wolfman, The Nutty Professor, Ed Wood) to discuss his work on Men in Black 3. The legendary makeup artist talked about the new movie, creating the '60s era aliens and his inspirations for them, why setting the film in the '1960s helped keep the third installment fresh, advances in CGI since the first movie, the importance of using both practical as well as CGI effects, working with director Barry Sonnenfeld for the third time, having to make two different versions of the film's villain, and why Harry & the Hendersons holds a special place in his heart. 

Opening in theaters on May 25th is the third installment of the extremely popular science fiction comedy franchise Men in Black, this time entitled Men in Black 3. The new film once again stars Grammy-winner Will Smith (Ali) and Oscar-winner Tommy Lee Jones (Captain America: The First Avenger) as Agents J and K, respectively, and was also directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (Get Shorty) who helmed the first two installments. In addition to the return of Smith and Jones, the new movie also features Oscar-nominee Josh Brolin (Milk) as a younger version of Agent K, as well as performances from two-time Oscar-winner Emma Thompson (Love Actually), Alice Eve (ATM), Jemaine Clement (HBO's Flight of the Conchords), Nicole Scherzinger (Fox's The X Factor), David Rasche (United 93).

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had the pleasure of sitting down with director Barry Sonnenfeld to discuss his latest film Men in Black 3. The director talked about his new movie, the art of making a time travel film, using Back to the Future as a template for the project, why they decided to introduce time travel to the Men in Black series, setting the movie in 1969, not shying away from the racism of the era, the film's over publicized script trouble, why they took a much needed break halfway through production, the brilliant idea of casting Josh Brolin as a young Tommy Lee Jones, the possibility of Jaden Smith appearing in MiB4, and the future of the popular franchise. 

Found-footage films are not a new concept; especially in horror movies where the idea goes all the way back to ‘1999’s The Blair Witch Project and has been utilized in such recent hits as Cloverfield, the Paranormal Activity franchise and The Devil Inside. However, two films in particular this year, Chronicle, and Project X, have pushed the envelope by incorporating the found-footage concept into entirely new film genres. With Warner Bros.’ Project X, the technique was used to illustrate a high school party movie, and with 20^th Century Fox’s Chronicle, which is available on Blu-Ray and DVD beginning May 15^th, the concept was fused with the super hero genre to great success as the film was an international box office hit.

First time director Josh Trank, along with screenwriter and childhood friend Max Landis, created a found-footage story about three friends who find something mysterious that gifts them with unthinkable super powers. The film follows Seattle high-school seniors Andrew (Dane DeHaan), his cousin Matt (Alex Russell), and Steve (Michael B. Jordan), as they form a close bond after receiving telekinetic abilities from an unknown object. The boys use their newfound abilities for mischief and personal gain until Andrew begins to utilize them for more nefarious purposes. Since the initial success of the film, Trank has been mentioned as a possible director for several upcoming comic book based films including a Fantastic Four reboot, a Venom Spin-off, and an adaptation of Image Comic’s The Red Star.

In honor of the Blu-ray and DVD release of the film, I recently had a chance to chat with director Josh Trank about Chronicle, as well as his rumored involvement in those upcoming comic book adapted film properties. Trank discussed his recent movie, developing the story with screenwriter Max Landis, marrying the super hero and found-footage genres, his actual cinematic inspirations for the film, what the studio wanted him to change, the technical aspects of directing a found-footage movie, and which comic book-based film he will direct next.

Opening in theaters on May 4th is the highly anticipated and soon-to-be summer blockbuster The Avengers, which was produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. The film marks the culmination of a promise that began in 2008 with Iron Man and continued in the years to follow with Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger, introducing new Marvel characters that all exist in one unifying cinematic Marvel universe. Marvel Studios has succeeded in the impossible, bridging together several different film franchises to create one world where all of Marvel Studio's on-screen characters can coexist and form the popular superhero-team The Avengers, based on the classic comic book co-created by the legendary Stan "The Man" Lee.

The Avengers was written and directed by fanboy favorite Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Cabin in the Woods) and truly stars an all-star cast that includes Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2) as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Chris Evans (Captain America: The First Avenger) as Steve Rogers/Captain America, Mark Ruffalo (Shutter Island) as Dr. Bruce Banner/Hulk, Chris Hemsworth (Thor) as Thor, Scarlett Johansson (Iron Man 2) as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Jeremy Renner (Thor) as Clint Barton/Hawkeye, Samuel L. Jackson (Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger) as Nick Fury, Tom Hiddleston (Thor) as Loki, Cobie Smulders (TV's How I Met Your Mother) as Maria Hill, Clark Gregg (Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor) as Phil Coulson, Stellan Skarsgard (Thor) as Erik Slevig, and Gwyneth Paltrow (Iron Man, Iron Man 2) as Pepper Potts. 

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had a chance to sit down with actor Clark Gregg to discuss his work on The Avengers. The actor talked about the new film, being a central part of the Marvel on-screen universe, having doubts early on that The Avengers would even get made, the emotional depth of the film, watching the original character her created become part of the Marvel comic book world and the Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon, his character's fear, working with writer/director Joss Whedon; his terrific script, and whether or not we will see Agent Phil Coulson in future Marvel Studio films. 

We live in a fabulous modern technological age, one in which promotional tie-ins for would-be blockbusters like The Amazing Spider-Man can take advantage of innovative and strange new means of pushing their product.  Today, for example, we have three new clips from that reboot of everybody's favorite friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.  All three clips are the result of a merchandising deal where consumers can point their clever phones at certain Kellogg's and Keebler products, prompting the clip to play immediately.

Today was new book day at a comic book shop near you, and one of the big new issues was the first in writer Brian K. Vaughan's new original series, Saga.  Appropriate, then, that the night also brought news relating to the book that put Vaughan very much on the pop-cultural map.  New Line is continuing its years-long attempt to make Y: The Last Man into a movie by hiring a fresh writing team to start from scratch. 

Opening in theaters on February 17th is the long awaited sequel to 2007's Ghost Rider entitled Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, which is based on the popular Marvel Comics antihero. The new film is directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (Crank), and once again stars Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas) as Johnny Blaze, as well as the role of Ghost Rider, which was portrayed by a stunt actor in the previous film. Besides Cage, the film features a cast of actors who are all new to the Ghost Rider franchise including Idris Elba (Thor, The Losers), Ciaran Hinds (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Violante Placido (The American), Christopher Lambert (Highlander), newcomer Fergus Riordan, and Johnny Whitworth (3:10 to Yuma) as the villain Blackout. 

IAR's very own Heather Newgen recently had a chance to sit down and speak with both Idris Elba, and Johnny Whitworth about their work on Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. The talented actors discussed the new film, their different roles, Elba's original character's connection to the Marvel universe; and why he is attracted to comic book adapted material, Whitworth's dual role; and how the actor was able to portray such a dark character, the directors unusual filmmaking techniques, and hot monks.

Directing duo Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, otherwise known as Neveldine/Taylor, made a name for themselves in 2006 when they released the adrenaline-pumping, low-budget action movie Crank. The stylized action and punk rock tone of Crank, its follow up Crank: High Voltage and their more recent Gamer have earned Neveldine and Taylor a cult following. The two have also earned a reputation for their daredevil approach to filmmaking, often shooting the camera while on rollerblades or hanging from wires. Now Neveldine and Taylor return to the big screen with a reboot of the Ghost Rider franchise entitled Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, which opens in 3D and 2D theaters on Friday, February 17th.

Oscar winner Nicolas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas) reprises his role as Johnny Blaze in a much darker and grittier vision of the Marvel Comics antihero than its 2007 predecessor. This time Cage also plays the Ghost Rider character, whereas in the earlier film that character was played by stuntmen. The film focuses on Johnny Blaze, who is still struggling with his curse as the devil’s bounty hunter. Blaze is lying low in Eastern Europe when Moreau (Idris Elba), the leader of a group of rebel monks, approaches him and promises to help Johnny rid his curse if he, in return, helps protect a young boy (Fergus Riordan) from the devil (Ciaran Hinds). What follows is a high-octane, explosive, roller coaster ride of intense action.

I recently had a chance to sit down and chat with directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor about Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. The directors discuss their new film, the iconic Marvel antihero, Nic Cage’s brilliance, their brand, the proper way to use the “F word,” the film’s missing sex scene, utilizing the characters in the Marvel universe, making people puke, a secret sock puppets movie, an action-packed remake of Debbie Does Dallas, Crank 3 in 3D, and the real reason why they dropped out as the directors on Jonah Hex.

Opening in theaters on February 17th is the long awaited sequel to 2007's Ghost Rider entitled Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, which is based on the popular Marvel Comics antihero. The new film is directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (Crank), and once again stars Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas) as Johnny Blaze, as well as the role of Ghost Rider, which was portrayed by a stunt actor in the previous film. Besides Cage, the film features a cast of actors who are all new to the Ghost Rider franchise including recent Golden Globe winner Idris Elba (BBC's Luther), Ciaran Hinds (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Violante Placido (The American), Christopher Lambert (Highlander), newcomer Fergus Riordan, and Johnny Whitworth (3:10 to Yuma) as the villain Blackout. 

IAR's very own Heather Newgen recently had a chance to "Get In The Cage" with Nicolas Cage himself to discuss Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. The Oscar winning actor talked about the new movie, his iconic character, why it was important for him to play both roles this time around, the challenges of embodying a character that is undead, his different look and voice for the sequel, why it takes place in Europe several years after its predecessor, cobras, and the directors willingness to "risk their lives to entertain you!"

We're now just a few days away from officially entering 2012, and between The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers, and The Amazing Spider-Man, it promises to be a banner year for familiar cinematic superheroes.  While the former two movies are dominating the overall nerd consciousness for obvious reasons, the Spider-Man reboot is gradually building no small amount of anticipation.  Sony Pictures has released a new batch of official images from the retelling of Spidey's origin story, giving clearer looks at several stills that were previously available only as low-quality scans, what with their blurriness and all.