Spielberg and Jackson to Direct Tintin

Even Hollywood can make movies for the non-'lily-livered:' Nile Gardiner

(NEWSER) - "Hollywood may well be a bastion of liberalism, but it does continue to occasionally produce major films that advance conservative principles," Nile Gardiner writes in the Telegraph . His best of the aughts:

1. Master and Commander, 2003: The Peter Weir flick starring Russell Crowe is "an epic tale of heroism and love for country in the face of incredible odds, and a glowing tribute to the grit and determination that forged the British Empire."
2. Black Hawk Down, 2001: Critics may have called it an "anti-war film," but Gardiner doesn't buy it. Instead, it's "an extraordinarily powerful and deeply patriotic tribute to the heroism and bravery of the US military."

Unhappy DreamWorks director will likely seek new backer

(NEWSER) - A split between the DreamWorks braintrust and Paramount appears inevitable amid reports that director Steven Spielberg and partner David Geffen will seek new backers as soon as they're free to do so. The duo have been upset almost from the moment they sold Dreamworks to Paramount two years ago, complaining that the parent label takes credit for hits like "Transformers," and treats their friends poorly. More»

Camcorder killer coming to a theater near you

(NEWSER) - Movie makers are preparing to launch a major assault on video piracy—in 3-D. In two years, more than 4,000 theaters will be 3-D-ready, and top studios are gearing up to create films in the new format, which can't be recorded off the screen. Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson are using it, and James Cameron is filming his first feature since Titanic in the format. More»

Shia LaBeouf has two big roles in the can, and could soon be Indiana Jones's son

(NEWSER) - Wide-eyed child star Shia LaBeouf is making his debut as Hollywood''s next it boy, thanks to Steven Spielberg. The former Disney Channel star has already been cast in Spielberg's upcoming Disturbia and Transformers, and is on the short list to play Harrison Ford's son in the upcoming Indiana Jones revival. More»

6 highest-grossing films all have it

(NEWSER) - One key to The Avengers' record success this weekend: its PG-13 rating. The top six highest-grossing movies ever made are all rated PG-13; the rating points to a film that's titillating enough for teens but isn't likely to offend adults, the Los Angeles Times notes. The rating has become a Holy Grail for movie execs, particularly lately. Last year, R-rated movies accounted for 21% of US box office takings—the lowest figure in decades. More»