Rapper/actor/producer Common was at the Sundance Film Festival with his newest film LUV, and in an interview with Movieline, he revealed that he’s joined Louis Letterier’s magician heist thriller Now You See Me. “I’m about to film this movie called ‘Now You See Me,’ which stars Jesse Eisenberg and Isla Fisher and Michael Caine and Mark Ruffalo - I’d say it’s an action movie, about these magicians. It’s dope.” This is one of my most anticipated movies of 2013 – read on for the full synopsis.

Collider got the synopsis from the American Film Market late last year, but this one slipped through the cracks for us. Described as “The Prestige meets The Town as a team of FBI agents hunts down a group of illusionists who perform miracle heists during their shows and shower the booty on their audiences,” this movie sounds amazing. Here’s the full breakdown from Collider (and click over there to see an early poster for the movie):

The Four Horsemen, a magic super-group led by the charismatic ATLAS (Jesse Eisenberg), perform a pair of high-tech magic shows, first astonishing audiences by robbing a bank on another continent, and then exposing a white-collar criminal and funneling his millions into the audience members’ bank accounts.

FBI Special Agent DYLAN (Mark Ruffalo) is determined to make the magicians pay for their crimes—and to stop them before they pull off what promises to be an even more audacious heist. But he’s forced to partner with ALMA (Melanie Laurent), an Interpol detective about whom he is instantly suspicious. Out of desperation he turns to THADDEUS (Morgan Freeman), a famed magic debunker, who claims the bank heist was accomplished using disguises and video trickery. One thing Dylan and Alma agree on is that the Horsemen must have an outside point person, and that finding him (or her) is key to ending the magicians’ crime spree. Could it be Thaddeus? Or Alma? Or could it really be…magic?

As pressure mounts and the world awaits the Horsemen’s spectacular final trick, Dylan and Alma race to find an answer. But it soon becomes painfully clear that staying one step ahead of these masters of illusion is beyond the skills of any one man—or woman.

Even though Letterier was critically reviled for Clash of the Titans, I still love what he did with the second Transporter movie, so I’ll give him a free pass when it comes to a cool concept with great actors like this. How about you? Are you excited for Now You See Me?

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Talk about a versatile director. George Miller, who years ago was at the helm for all the gritty and violent Mad Max films, dials up some of the most tender and heartfelt moments depicted on screen this year with Happy Feet Two.  As of today, the front-runner for Best Animated Film for 2011 has arrived.  And for someone (me) who historically pans the 3D gimmick, it’s actually put to good use in this 105 minute presentation.

We pick up with the dancing penguin, Mumble (voiced by Elijah Wood), who is trying to get his young son, Erik (cutely voiced by the young Ava Acres), to embrace their dancing culture that is now practiced all over their glacier territory.  Erik is flustered and believes that this environment just isn’t for him; so he ventures off with the always animated (no pun) Ramon (voiced by Robin Williams) – who knows a thing or two about being different – and they end up hanging with another set of penguins on the other side of the glacier.  This particular group worships, Sven (voiced by Hank Azaria), a presumed flying penguin.  Erik becomes instantly enamored with Sven and gets inspired to adopt his philosophy.

Meanwhile, Mumble is hastily tracking down Erik, but comes across problem that affects everyone who lives on the glacial ice as it threatens the lively hood of Mumble’s people; leading to an assortment of ice-dwelling animals to come to the rescue.

One of the cleverest elements about this story – aside from the underlying environmental stance – is that it feels like an adventure, yet only takes place in 2-3 places.  Besides the two penguin nations that reside on the ice caps, the story introduces a separate story line – ushering in the third location – featuring two Krill in Will (voiced by Brad Pitt) and Bill (voiced by Matt Damon).  Will is anxious to break away from the normal Krill life and become a predator.  His goal: shake-up the food chain and “eat something with a face.”  Bill, his loyal and nervous friend, constantly tries to talk him out of this new lifestyle as they roam around in the depths of the arctic sea.  But Will is determined and constantly puts his vulnerable self in harm’s way, as he attacks creatures a million times larger than him.

The Krill adventures brings in the perfect amount of comedy to balance out the cuteness and warming story going on with the penguins.  If you can recall the moment in The Lion King when Mufasa saved Simba by giving his own life, that emotional discharge you had (or should have had, unless your Satan)  is beautifully executed and projected in numerous sequences throughout this screenplay that encompasses a modest dramatic tone to it.  Not only is the direction of each scene crafted with care, the dialogue really brings in a substantial moments that is often missing with animations lately.  A lot of them are just show-and-go, with the goal of cheap entertainment.  And that’s fine for some.  However, when an animated flick can bring in every emotion and induce a wide-spectrum of reactions from the audience (there’s even a brief scare where you may jump a little), it’s a rarity to behold.

Plus, the 3D provides a nice scope for the fluid animated landscape.  It almost feels like you’re on a visual ride at a theme park, as you’ll have the urge to continually explore the surroundings.  And when factoring in the delivery method of the screenplay; which is filled with musical numbers, this feels like a major Broadway production in some respects that manages to keep every tone balanced and entertaining.

Overall, Happy Feet Two finds it rhythm early on and never misses a beat.  The splendid animation along with thoughtful dialogue will have all audiences fully engaged in all the emotions this flick is conjuring up.  Kids will learn something; adults will feel something; and everybody has a delightful movie going experience thanks to the flawless mechanics and intelligent storytelling.

RATING: 4.5 out of 5

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Screenweek got themselves four new images from Terminator Salvation which feature Common and Moon Bloodgood, two of which can be seen below.

Common (Wanted) plays Barnes, a Resistance soldier and one of John Connor’s closest friends.Moon Bloodgood plays Blair Williams, a pilot for the Resistance who has been described as “a no-nonsense and battle-hardened member of the resistance” suffering from survivor guilt. She took Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) to the Resistance base.

To see two more images click here!

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The wait is over and we now have a second trailer for Terminator Salvation. It didn’t get me as pumped as I hoped, but it is cool nonetheless. Lots of action, lots of explosion and most importantly, lots of Terminators! Watch it below!

Terminator Salvation stars Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood, Bryce Dallas Howard and Common.

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Wanted writer Chris Morgan recently spoke to MTV about how things were going with Wanted 2, which was greenlight within weeks of the first film being released due to it’s successful money earning abilities.

“Yes, I will be writing it,” confirmed Morgan. “I’m actually leaving this conversation with you to go to a meeting with the director, Timur [Bekmambetov], and we’re talking about the story.”

“As far as I know, the studio is finishing their deal with Mark [Millar], and then we’re all going to get together and collaborate,” said Morgan, a longtime comics fan. “And that’s something I’m very excited about.”

“…the point is to continue the journey that Wes started in the first film. Wherever he ended up at the end of the film, now it’s time to move him forward.”

“There’s a natural journey that Wes needs to take,” continued Morgan, adding that the sequel “is going to be opened up to be more global.”

I’m not sure what they plan to do about the cast. Obviously James McAvoy will return, however Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman and Common may not. If you have seen the film you will know why. I guess the writers will have to work that one out. (Trying to get the biggest female movie star in the world back should be a priority)

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Yet more Comic Con goodness has arrived online. This time we get to see director McG, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood, Bryce Dallas Howard and Common answer questions about the upcoming movie and their characters.

We also have a new poster with a rather mean looking Terminator who could probably do with a dentist.

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[Some Wanted spoilers]

Variety say that Universal Pictures have decided to keep Wanted producer Marc Platt for five more years, where he will begin work on Wanted 2 with director Timur Bekmambetov and writers Michael Brandt and Derek Haas.

Wanted was designed as a franchise from the very start, and the writers are going to have to rack their brains considering most of the original cast were shot through the forehead or temple.

“The writers are at work already, and those creative discussions are taking place,” said Platt

Their intention is to get James McAvoy back into gunslinging mode and we will have to wait and see what the writers do with the script to see if Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie or Common return.

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