MICHAEL BAY AND I AM NUMBER FOUR?

Step aside giant robots, Michael Bay has signed to produce and possibly to direct a new movie - thus talking a break from directing the Transformers franchise for some moment.

Empire Online reported that Michael Bay is in fact very interested with the upcoming book 'I Am Number Four', the first of six planned series - "a sci-fi novels about nine teen aliens on Earth, who escaped their planet just before a hostile race destroyed it. While the nine are busy adjusting to their new world and new roles, the titular Number Four discovers that those who destroyed his world are still determined to hunt him down." - EO



Although the first book was written by two writers under a pseudonym, and it is said that that one of them was James Frey, best-seller author for semi-fictional memoir 'A Million Little Pieces'.

The film will be developed by DreamWorks, with possibility that Steven Spielberg will be the producer.

2012 OFFICIAL TRAILER IN HD

Roland Emmerich's later this year's disaster movie (again) which take-in the concept of the Mayan apocalypse prediction that will happen on 2012 (20 December that year to be exact) has landed online.

First response, WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT? Here, I would like to raise my doubt. despite a stunning effects waiting for you to get you on the seats, remember 10,000BC? Or probably The Day After Tomorrow?

2012 will be released in a worldwide scale of November 13, 2009.



The film has an ensemble cast, including John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Danny Glover, Thandie Newton, Oliver Platt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Woody Harrelson. The film will be distributed by Columbia Pictures.

US BOX OFFICE 28 JUNE 2009

As always been predicted for long now that no one dare to even get the hands on the giant Transformers 2 on the box office this week. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen had smashed several records on the way for the big eye-popping records.

This week, the talking giant robots seized the market and turning in the highest weekend grossing of the year. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen jammed the cinemas with US$ 112 million opening on traditional Friday-to-Sunday weekend after a stunning US$ 82.9 million on the first two days since Wednesday opening.



Since Wednesday's opening, Transformers 2 had scored several records:

1. The largest opening day for Wednesday opening ever, beating the previous record of $44.23 million set by Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix in July of 2007.
2. The second largest opening day of all time, behind last year's The Dark Knight's $67.17 million on July 2008.
3. The fourth largest opening day when ticket price inflation is considered, behind The Dark Knight, Spider-Man 3 & Pirates of the Caribbean 2.
4. The biggest June opening weekend ever, beating the previous record of $93.69 million set by Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix in July of 2007.
5. The highest-grossing non-holiday period.
   
6. The highest non-Friday opening weekend.
7. The seventh largest opening weekend of all time. (Reference)
   
8. The second-largest five-day start of all time behind The Dark Knight's $203.8 million.
9. The biggest IMAX weekend ever: included in its grosses was $11.7 million at 169 IMAX locations (for $14.4 million in five days), topping former title holder Star Trek's $8.5 million at 138 venues.

US TOP 12 BOX OFFICE (26-28 June 2009)

*Notes: Courtesy of boxofficemojo.com
*Actual gross...

01) TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN (Paramount)
gross: US$ 109.0 M total: US$ 200.1 M

02) THE PROPOSAL (Buena Vista)
gross: US$ 18.6 M total: US$ 69.2 M

03) THE HANGOVER (Warner Bros)
gross: US$ 17.0 M total: US$ 183.1 M

04) UP (Buena Vista)
gross: US$ 13.1 M total: US$ 250.2 M

05) MY SISTER'S KEEPER (Warner Bros.)
gross: US$ 12.4 M total: US$ 12.4 M

06) YEAR ONE (Sony)
gross: US$ 6.0 M total: US$ 32.5 M

07) THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1 2 3 (Sony)
gross: US$ 5.5 M total: US$ 53.5 M

08) STAR TREK (Paramount)
gross: US$ 3.7 M total: US$ 246.3 M

09) NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF SMITHSONIAN (Fox)
gross: US$ 3.6 M total: US$ 163.4 M

10) AWAY WE GO (Focus)
gross: US$ 1.7 M total: US$ 4.1 M

11) LAND OF THE LOST (Universal)
gross: US$ 1.2 M total: US$ 46.8 M

12) ANGELS AND DEMONS (Sony)
gross: US$ 1.1 M total: US$ 130.3 M

TRANSFORMERS 2 SMASH ONE HELL RECORD

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen had smashed one record on its Wednesday's opening day in the United States. Including a hefty US$ 16 million on the midnight shows, the first day take for the robotic film scored a massive US$ 60.628 million in the box office receipt.

With the US$ 60.628 million on Wednesday, the movie scored:

1. The largest opening day for Wednesday opening ever, beating the previous record of $44.23 million set by Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix in July of 2007.
2. The second largest opening day of all time, behind last year's The Dark Knight's $67.17 million on July 2008.
3. The fourth largest opening day when ticket price inflation is considered, behind The Dark Knight, Spider-Man 3 & Pirates of the Caribbean 2.

Transformers 2 opening is higher than the first installment opening of $27.85 million on a Tuesday in July of 2007 ($36.65 million when including grosses from its initial Monday evening performance).

For that Green Tea Movie!! will keep track of the box office perfomance from Day 1, you can check the box office on the right sidebar.
OTHER LINK: My review on TFT2

FACEBOOK GOT A MOVIE

Sony Pictures' Columbia Studio's upcoming project will see a social network-themed movie. "The social Network" the title of the upcoming movie will be a biopic of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Mark is the person whom had brought revolutionary with his online creation phenomenon has now accounted for 200 million users worldwide as the #1 Social networking site in the world.



David Fincher has been attached to direct this biopic. Of course, those who are not familiar with David Fincher may recently heard about his Oscar nomination for the Best Director in the recent Academy Awards for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Past filmography includes Panic Room, Zodiac and ever popular Fight Club.

It is not clear how the visionary story of the founder himself would go, but the drama may include "Zuckerberg's falling-out with Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss and Divya Narenda, who claimed via lawsuit that he stole their idea." - Empire Online.

GRISHAM'S THE TESTAMENT INTO A MOVIE

The Da Vinci Code, the best selling novel by Dan Brown, which is currently estimated to have sold more than 80 million copies worldwise since 2003, has been translated into a silver screen adaptation. With the novie-movie tie shows a link between a massive readership and a mega box office, Hollywood studios are now piling up to adapt another author's huge work in literature world.

John Grisham, a popular legal thriller author with best selling list that includes The Testament, The Associate and The Partner is definitely getting a lot of pay check. Grisham could have been extra wealthy back in the 90s but he decided to impose a moratorium on optioning any of his novels - means no adaptation into a movie, which he only lifted three years ago.



Recent development sees The Testament, Grisham's 1999 best selling novel about a climatic legal battle that deals on an $11 billion inheritence case, will be optioned into a big screen treatment, joining The Partner and The Associate.

Only in this month, news that Oscar-winning screenwriter William Monahan and Shia LaBeouf will be attached to The Associate, The Treatment's option seems to make Grisham the man of the month.

Warner Bros. is now attaching Hunt Lowry (A Time To Kill), John Grisham himself and Mark Johnson (Prince Caspian) and 821 Entertainment for the production. No word yet on who will write the screenplay.

For sure, in the next couple of years, expect The Partner, The Associate and The Testament to reach the silver screens.

ALICE IN THE WONDERLAND - EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS

When I first heard about this movie, "my initial response was there you go with another cartoon, hope they do not spoil it with another remake". However, my perception changed tremendously upon hearing that the respectable duo of Tim Burton - Johnny Depp will be involved inside the movie.

If you have not heard of Tim Burton, where on earth have you been? Tim Burton is the man that had brought you productions of dark stories like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, Bettlejuice, Batman, Big Fish and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.



And who does not know Captain Jack Sparrow himself?

USA Today and Empire Online had published some gorgeous new images from Tim Burton's Alice In The wonderland. The art conceptual pictures can be available in the USA Today website, and I believed it would be another creative presentation that combines live action, stop motion and animation with 3D-isation to be installed.

If you are familiar with this children literature, you will be aware that this movie is of course based on 1865 Lewis Carrol's Alice In The Wonderland - a story about a little girl, Alice on her adventure into a fantasy land while meeting up with various animal characters and bumps into the Kingdom of the Playing Cards. Further, the movie also took inspiration from the sequel from 1871's Through The Looking Glass with several characters were also slotted for the movie version.

If you think this is a direct translation from the books, well think again. "This altered movie will takes place ten years after Alice's first encounter into the Wonderland of which she has no remembered anything. Fleeing from a society party, she stumbles back down the rabbit hole and is co-opted by the creatures into a revolution against the crimson monarch." - Empire Online.

Here's some exclusive early shots from Disney Pictures.

Johnny Depp as Mad Hatter

Helena Bonham Carter as Red queen. Rumours has that this version of Red Queen will be an amalgamation of Queen of Hearts (from the first book, whom fond of crying "Off With Their Heads!") and the Red Queen (from the second book, whom owns a moat full of bobbing skulls)

Anne Hathaway as White Queen

Tweedledum and Tweedledee

The White Rabbit

Australian newbie Mia Wasikowska as Alice

I wonder how are these characters may look like...

Christopher Lee as the Jabberwock

Alan Rickman as the Caterpillar

Stephen Cry as The Cheshire Cat

Crispin Glover as The Knave of Hearts

TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN

ENGLISH - (PG13) - 24 June 2009 - Action/Adventure/Science Fiction
Distributor: Dreamworks/ Paramount Pictures
Running time: about 147 mins.
Director: Michael Bay
Producers: Steven Spielberg, Lorenzo diBonaventura, Inn Bryce, Tom DeSanto, Don Murphy
Writers: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Ehren Kruger
Casts: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturo, Voice: Peter Cullen, Hugo weaving, Mark Ryan, Jess Harnell
Plot: Michael Bay returns to helm the sequel to the highly successful big-screen adaptation of the Transformers toy line for DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures. Much of the original cast returns for the second installment, including Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, and John Turturro, with... Rainn Wilson joining in the fun as a college professor.

THE VERDICT:

Green Tea Bern says:

WARNING FOR SPOILER! Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, a highly anticipated sequel to the first Transformers movie franchise, has finally land on our shore. There are few words to describe it - Amazing, Spectacular and Breathtaking. Michael Bay's art of testosterone combined with the genius trio of writers do make the story works very well while the neglecting a highly action-packed thrills with fair execution of story are not ignored.

The sequel tells about the return of the Decepticons to the Earth to search for their source of energy called Energon, which is used to harvest their power. On the other hand, Sam Witwicky, a human whom had bonds with the Autobots choose to head for a normal life; while the Autobots under the command of Optimus Prime join forces with the human to form NEST to combat the remaining Decepticons on the Earth. With the search for the Energon becomes intense, autobots with human forged an epic tussle against Decepticons to gain their first hand on the Energon.



Storywise, it is a solid, highly action and intense screenplay but an issue of complexity may arises here. Started from a mere tale about a speck of the Allsparks, it lead us to something bigger, something more complex. Fan boys will nevertheless enjoy it but it can get a little to catch-up for those who are not.

Although there are several plots to follow, they however interwind perfectly into the final battle scene. Thus, you have to be alert on the earlier part of story as you need to focus yourself on several paths of story. I also notice quite a number of unnecessary scenes to back up this story, perhaps, the movie should have a shorter running time than 147 minutes.

Fortunately, a big praise for the teams of Orci, Kutzman and Kruger for bringing in a great story-telling - been fun, enjoyable and hilarious. Although there are some scenes may not make any sense, but things in Hollywood are easily forgivable, with a complex take on a story comes a witty and enjoyable moment. The dialogue is very much slaps on humour while balancing the mood of laughter and seriousness - not too heavy. Intensity and more emotions are writen in it this time, tickling most on the personal inner depth of hearts.

The casts are as wicky as the first movie too. Each character has a moment of seriousness and an equal moment of laughter. Performance is lively and bubbly as always. Highly praisable to John Turturo who is as wacky as always. Ramon Rodriquez may be a bit too over-reacted but still ignites on his silly-ness. Shia and Megan are great couple as always.

Best of all, this time expect more action sequence and on scene giant robotic battle that really make you feel blown-away. Also, more dialogues to deal with in among the robots themselves. Cinematographic features are breathtaking with great detailed movement of the robots capture it the most. The centre of attention in many minds is how transforming and combining several robots into single unit can be dealt with? One word - Awesome.

The battle as mentioned earlier, are intense, detailed and energetic as always, couple with some spectacular special effects that is breath-taking enough. Action rocks and continues towards the end, while bomb shells never stop raining.

In a nutshell, if you expect much from this sequel, well it did. Although the mood and feeling are not the same as watching as the first one, this sequel is definitely different from its predecessor - let alone standout. It won't be fair to judge two different premises of story but I bet you will feel the same sense of entertained when leaving the theater. Do enjoy and get blown-off!

Autobots, transform and roll out! Decepticons attack!

THE RATINGS.....
CAST - 3.5 stars
STORY - 3.0 stars
CINEMATOGRAPHY - 4.5 stars
EFFECTS - 4.5 stars
an overall>> 3.5 stars
GreenTea-O-Meter: 15.0

US BOX OFFICE 21 JUNE 2009

With Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen assuring a big blockbuster opening next week, box office in US closed their weekend account 5% ahead of the same frame last year when Get Smart opened to number one last year.

This week, Sandra Bullock scored a massive debut in her career highlight along with co-star Ryan Reynolds as well. The couple combined force to bring The Proposal to the top with US$ 33.6 million, while fellow debutant, Year One by Jack Black and Michael Cena, posted a solid but not spectacular US$ 19.6 million.

The Hangover and Up still posted a strong holdover, both on their way to reach a milestone of their own. How much will Transformers 2 goes this weekend?

US TOP 12 BOX OFFICE (19-21 June 2009)

*Notes: Courtesy of boxofficemojo.com

01) THE PROPOSAL (Buena Vista)
gross: US$ 33.6 M total: US$ 33.6 M

02) THE HANGOVER (Warner Bros)
gross: US$ 26.8 M total: US$ 152.8 M

03) UP (Buena Vista)
gross: US$ 23.5 M total: US$ 226.3 M

04) YEAR ONE (Sony)
gross: US$ 19.6 M total: US$ 19.6 M

05) THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1 2 3 (Sony)
gross: US$ 12.0 M total: US$ 44.1 M

06) NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF SMITHSONIAN (Fox)
gross: US$ 7.8 M total: US$ 156.5 M

07) STAR TREK (Paramount)
gross: US$ 5.5 M total: US$ 240.3 M

08) LAND OF THE LOST (Universal)
gross: US$ 4.4 M total: US$ 44.1 M

09) IMAGINE THAT (Paramount)
gross: US$ 3.3 M total: US$ 11.5 M

10) TERMINATOR SALVATION (Warner Bros)
gross: US$ 3.3 M total: US$ 119.7 M

11) ANGELS & DEMONS (Sony)
gross: US$ 2.8 M total: US$ 128.2 M

12) DRAG ME TO HELL (Universal)
gross: US$ 2.0 M total: US$ 39.2 M

TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN PREMIERS 5PM

Now fan boys of the movie, cartoon and toys, get ready.

TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN will premiers at nationwide at 5pm. The show times has been available since a week ago and I have to say it will be a blockbuster sellout. The movie will be played simultaneously exactly at 5pm in most cinemas nationwide with GSC, TGV and Cathay had already reported early and advance ticket booking.

So what say you?

I'll be heading down to Cathay KK at 5PM tomorrow...

Autobots, Transform And Roll Out
Decepticons Attack

TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN INFO (PART TWO)

Yesterday we look at the story and the robots that will be featured in the movie, click here for the first part. Looks like it will be hell of a movie with autonomous alien robots will kick ass each other for the second outing. For this second part of Green Tea World's coverage on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the author will brings the readers more into the casts and the characters inside the movie.

CASTS AND CHARACTERS

Shia LaBeouf plays Sam Witwicky, the main human protagonist, a teenager attending college to learn astronomy.



Megan Fox plays Mikaela Banes, Sam's girlfriend, who cannot afford to go to college with him and works in a motorcycle repair shop.



Josh Duhamel plays Major William Lennox, a US Army Ranger and part of the NEST.

Tyrese Gibson plays Master Sergeant Robert Epps, a US Air Force Combat Controller and part of NEST.

John Turturro plays Reggie Simmons, a former agent of the defunct sector 7 unit.

Kevin Dunn and Julie White play Ron and Judy Witwicky, Sam's parents.

Ramon Rodriguez plays Leo Spitz, Sam's college roommate who owns a website on conspiracy theories.

Matthew Marsden plays Graham, a member of the UK Special Forces who joins NEST.

Isabel Lucas plays Alice, a Decepticon's Pretender who stalks on Sam.

THE MUSICS

I guess many have knew it but in case you don't, Linkin Park is given the chance again to sing the theme song for the movie. Linkin Park's latest single to be taken from the movie is New Divide, launching a more vibrant music life to the movie. You can listen to the new clip from the the official theaterical trailer.



Also in this soundtrack, Green Day's 21 Guns which also found in their latest album, 21st Century Breakdown.



The Fray also contribute Never Say Never for the soundtrack.



Nickelback's Burn It To The Ground...



All American's Rejects Real World...



Hoobastank's I Don't Think I Love You...




Looking at the few choices of selection, this is going to be a good hella Transformers 2 Soundtrack, a great tunes of the alternative rocks!! Get this album soon, it is scheduled for release on June 23.

TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN INFO (PART ONE)

Now that the movie will be coming up very soon in your local cinema; next week to be precise, I have decided to take my dear readers to the hype and the mounting anticipation where the fan-boys of the robotic animation Transformers will be screaming right now. It is a sad case that I will not attending the Premier Screening because I am in (you know where) right now. Congratulations to those attending and please don't tell me whether it is good or not soon.

THE BOX OFFICE

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, a sequel from the 2007's mega-hit will be in the theater next week, 23 June. 2007's Transformers collected more than RM 18million in the local box office, easily became the most box office sales in the Malaysian history. So, just how much the new movie will make? If possible please make a guessing.

THE STORY

This time, Sam witwicki (Shia LeBouf) will be attending the college and will be enrolled in the astronomy course. While the other autobots now laying low in the secretive life among the human, a war is about to be forged. Sam Witwicky discovers something about the origins of the Transformers and their history on Earth after receiving visions from a remaining piece of the Allspark. The evil Decepticons need to capture him for information. The climactic battle takes place at the Giza pyramid complex, where a temple is located within.

THE ROBOTS

The sequel will features a new range of robots, including some from the previous one. I have made a post on this last time but here is the more updated version on choices of robots that will be featured.

AUTOBOTS

Optimus Prime The noble leader of Autobots. Voiced by Peter Cullen. Alternate form is a red-and-blue Peterbilt truck. The big question, will he died in the movie?

Bumblebee Gallant protector of Sam Witwicky. Voiced by Mark Ryan. Alternate form is an upgraded 2010 yellow Chevy Camaro.

Ironhide The Autobots' weapon specialist. Will be in its GMC Topkick. Voiced by Jess Harnell.

Ratchet The Autobots' medic-robot. Retain its Search-and-rescue vehicle Hummer H2 appearance. He is not seen in the first official trailer. Voiced by Robert Foxworth.

Arcee First female Autobot. Transforms into a pink motorbike (belongs to Mikaela Banes in the movie). It can split into three seperate robots, glimpsed in the trailer.The three are Arcee in pink, Chromia in blue and a purple coloured bike. Voiced by Susan Blu.



Jetfire A former Decepticons who crosses over the good force. Transforms into an SR71 Blackbird jet. It uses a walking stick and seen in the trailer been attacked by Scorpionok. Voiced by John Turturro.

Sideswipe A sleeky silver Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept. It has a brother by the nmae Sunstreaker but will not make an appearance in the movie yet. Voiced by Jason Griffith.

Jolt A new Autobot, perhaps a foot soldier that many sees as the most environmentally-friendly robot to date. It turns into Chevy Volt, an upcoming plug-in hybrid car.

The Twins They are Skids and Mudflap, based on GM's new cars; The Trax and Beat. Serves as a comedic environment to the new movie. Mudflap is the red Trax while Skids is the green Beat.



Wheelie I am clueless about this character myself. It is a small radio-controlled truck.

Now, let us move on to...

DECEPTICONS




Megatron Did I need to say anything about this guy. After killed and thrown into the Laurentian Abyss, he is revived. Classic enemy - voiced by Hugo Weaving.



The Fallen An ancient, malevolent, snarky evil behind the formation of the Decepticons. Leonard Nimoy was approached to voice it. It was reported it can teleports!! Voiced by Tony Todd.




Starscream Last seen flying and blasting off to Cybertron in search of reinforcements, now in the process to assume Megatron's throne. It transforms into an F-22 Raptor jet. Voiced by Charlie Adler.




Soundwave The new feature is that it can fly as a satellite, orbiting in the space and updating the Decepticons about movements in earth. No more CD player for you!! It transform into Cybertronian craft and satellite. Voiced by Frank Welker.





Grondor and Scorponok Grondor is an MH-53 Pave Low Helicopter that resembles Blackout. Scorponok meanwhile is an evil scorpion-like that gives a hell out on the first movie but ended up losing its tail. Now it is back!!



Sideways A new Decepticons that transforms into an Audi R8. Seen smashing some Chinese apartment walls while Arcee in hot pursuit.




The Doctor Rumoured to be called simply as Scalpel. A tiny Frenzy-like robot that can transforms into various torture tools. It has a scary glowing red eye. It seems like a hell time for Sam.




Ravage A huge fan-favourtie. It is an expert of hunting and spying, known for its authentic and unique look as an one-eyed cat or jaguar.




Devastator An enormous giant robot formed when seven smaller Constructicons come together. The scraps robots include Scavenger, Scrapper (right arm), Hightower (left arm), Longhaul (right leg), Rampage (left leg), Overload (torso) and Mixmaster (head).




Demolisher Supermassive Constructicons that does not need other minions or smaller robots to combine with. In the teaser, it was seen facing off with Optimus Prime somehow...

Did I missed out something?

Barricade A Saleen S281 police car that MIA during the first movie. Voiced by Jess Harnell in the first film. Will he be a surprise entry into the movie??

That's the end of the first part........
TO BE CONTINUE
More On Transformers Soon