Out Tuesday, Paramount Pictures is re-releasing “The Godfather” trilogy on a new special edition DVD and Blu-Ray collection.

Normally, I get a little peeved when studios keep releasing new “special” editions of movies. DVD collectors call it “double-dipping” as it is a clever way to get fans to purchase a favorite movie again because of some new feature.

George Lucas is particularly notorious for doing this, releasing slightly altered versions of the “Star Wars” movies, over and over again. That sucks.

But this time, it just might be worth it. ”The Godfather” and “The Godfather Part 2″ are arguably two of the finest films ever made. (While Part three pales to the others, it still has some remarkable scenes…and does finish the Michael Corlene story.)

I love “The Godfather.” It’s one of those movies I can watch over and over. And it’s so quotable! “I’m gonna make him and offer he can’t refuse.” “Leave the gun, take the canoli.” “Luca Braza sleeps with the fishes.”

The new version just out features a painstaking restoration of the entire movie. The movie has been digitized from a cleaned up and restored version of the original motion picture negative. It has never looked more perfect, just as the creators orginally envisioned it. The color and cinematography is amazing. Check out the promotional website here from Paramount about the restoration and re-release of these cinema classics.

Will I get this? Probably. This is a Blu-Ray leap.  

*****      

The new James Bond movie is coming.

A few years ago I had all but given up on James, James Bond. Each release seem to get sillier and sillier. Sorry, Roger Moore blew as Bond. Pierce Brosnan restored some of the luster. But when they re-booted the franchise with Daniel Craig and “Casino Royale” I finally found the worthy successor to Sean Connery. Did I say successor? In my opinion, Craig is the Best Bond ever.

The follow up to the superior “Casino Royale” is hitting theatres later this year. The follow up is called “Quantum of Solace.” Certainly not going to find another title like that.

The trailers look fantastic, picking up right after Bond’s girlfriend in “Royale” is murdered. And “Quantum” shows it looks like Bond is earning his license to kill. 

Check out the original trailer and the newly released trailer here at the official James Bond website.

*****

Is Toby Maguire worth $50 Million?
Maybe. He is reportedly close to signing on for “Spider Man 4″ and “Spider Man 5″ that will be shot back to back.

The UK’s Times Online says Maguire is expected to earn a record $50 million in salary and profit shares from starring in SPIDER-MAN 4 & 5, which will shoot back-to-back over six months next year.

The news source is also saying Maguire “has been granted ‘family time’ with his young daughter” as part of his deal. He would take early mornings and evenings off so he could play with his 22 month old daughter, Ruby Sweetheart.

Sony Pictures has not revealed yet whether Kirsten Dunst will be returning as Mary Jane Watson. The actress has recently stated she is struggling with clinical depression.

No official word yet from the studio on the above deal.

*****

Finally, with the new season of “Dancing with the Stars” now in full swing, I want to point out a special page here at TheIndyChannel.com full of “Dancing” pics, videos and other fun stuff. I’m doing double duty with a blog about “Dancing with the Stars,” too! Check it out here. Please?!

Jeffery Dean Morgan (Denny in "Grey's Anatomy) as The Comedian in "Watchmen"

Last weekend, “The Dark Knight” passed the $500 million dollar mark, shattering another movie record. (Why do we care how much something has made? I guess that’s another post)

The success of the Batman sequel is having a very dark impact on the future of comic book movies. In March 2009, Warner Bros. is set to release the darkest of dark comic book movies with the release of “Watchmen.”

“Watchmen” is based on the graphic novel of the same name. Graphic novels are what they call comic books these days…and the name change is justified. Comic books were much simpler and appropriate for youngsters. These days, graphic novels are not written for kids but for adults. And “Watchmen” released by DC Comics in the 80s, is widely regarded as one of the very best graphic novels ever published.

A friend recently loaned me his hard bound book edition and I re-read it. If you thought “Dark Knight” was too dark, “Watchmen” is pitch-black! Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, this is an inspired piece of work.

Here’s the premise…what if superheroes did exist? How would they be accepted by the public? Would they be accepted…or rejected?

A very different take on superheroes in "Watchmen"

Or would the public just think these people are off their rockers? That is part of the concept behind the story. It’s set in an alternate version of the 80s. Nixon has just been re-elected to a fourth term and the world is on the brink of World War III. (I told you it was bleak.) Superheroes have been outlawed. And someone is eliminating the few superheroes still around. 

As I write this, I can’t help enjoying the similarities with Disney/Pixar’s “The Incredibles,” the CG masterpiece released a couple years ago, written and directed by Brad Bird. Course, that animated classic was  light-hearted and told for laughs. There are very few chuckles in “Watchmen.”

This is not Superman. It’s not Spiderman. It’s not even “The Dark Knight.” This is a totally unique POV on the whole comic book genre written especially for adults.

I’m looking forward to the movie adaptation based on the trailer released earlier this summer. You can watch the “Watchmen” trailer here on TheIndyChannel.com. It looks faithful to the source material. And that means its gonna be very dark.

We’ll find out next March.

*****

Looks exciting…and incredibly dangerous.

Should be fun. Have a great weekend!

Heyyyyyyyyy!

After this summer’s stunning superhero success on the silver screen (how do you like that alliteration!) you can expect plenty more rubber-suited superheroes at the movies over the next couple years.

Earlier this summer Marvel Comics led off with “Iron Man” and the re-booted “Incredible Hulk.” “Iron Man” took off…literally. Marvel then took charge with reports of sequels to “Iron Man” (no word on “Hulk” yet) a Wolferine sequel to “The X-Men,” and eventually an “Avengers” movie. Can “Spiderman 4″ be far away (no word on if Tobery Maguire and director Sam Raimi will be doing that one…and when…but it will surely come.)

Recently, published reports say DC Comics and Warner Brothers had a “superhero summit” to develop a strategy for their comic catalog. DC publishes The Batman and Superman among other titles. Marvel and DC are the two major comic book publishers and in the recent movie successes are any indication, Marvel has been Kryptonite to DC…at least until “The Dark Knight” came out.

Many have complained Warners and DC have been too slow to unlock the treasure trove of characters like Marvel has done. Well, now they plan to catch up and exploit their characters.

So what can we expect to see from D.C.? A sequel to “The Dark Knight,” the biggest movie of the year is no doubt going to come. Christian Bale has said as much before “Knight” opened saying this Batman was conceived as a trilogy.

Another “Superman” movie (possibly called “The Man of Steel”) again starring Brandon Routh and directed by Bryan Singer (”Superman Returns”) will begin shooting in the next few months. (Hope its better than “Returns.”)

There is also talk of movies based on “The Green Lantern,” directed by Greg Berlanti, producer of TV’s “Brothers and Sisters” and “Eli Stone”) “The Flash”, “Aquaman” and finally “Wonder Woman.”

According to USA Today, all plans, though, depend on the course the studio charts in its summit. The studio is keeping details of its meetings under wraps, but issued a statement saying, in part, “We’re constantly looking at how best to exploit the DC Comics characters and properties.”

 Since Warner Bros. owns DC Comics,, they have first take on any DC heroes.

IF you saw “The Dark Knight,” you got a preview of what could certainly be the next big comic book movie. Zack Snyder, the visionary director behind last year’s sword and sandals graphic novel/movie “300″ is adapting “Watchmen,” the graphic novel many say is the best in the genre into a movie that will be released next spring. (I’m re-reading “Watchmen” and will post my take on it soon.)

Have a great weekend!