Nic Cage: National Treasure - Second Editions

Today's edition of "Nic Cage: National Treasure" is brought to you by the number 2.

First, we have the second trailer for Kick-Ass, one of many Nicolas Cage movies coming soon to a theater near you. Most of the films that Cage has made throughout his career (especially in the last decade) have been pretty ridiculous. This has potential to be ridiculous in a good way. Judge for yourself (via The Hollywood Reporter):

Second, I bring some news that is ridiculous in a bad way. We've known for a little while that Ghost Rider 2 was a possibility, but things are really getting underway. Collider recently interviewed producer Mike De Luca, and, thanks to some help from Ben Wood, I've found an MTV interview with writer (and possible director) David Goyer from November. Cage is attached to reprise his role as the titular character.

I should mention that I haven't actually subjected myself to the torture of the first Ghost Rider, but from things I've read and things people have told me, I know it's not good. Both De Luca and Goyer address that, and claim that the sequel, which has been given the full title Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, will be different from and better than the first movie. According to Goyer: "I hate to say it's more realistic, because he's got a flaming skull for a head, but it's a bit more stripped down and darker. It's definitely changing tone. What Casino Royale was to the Bond movies, hopefully this will be to Ghost Rider." I would like to share a rebuttal: First and foremost, "realistic" is not a word that should be associated with this at all. "Stripped down and darker" maybe, "realistic" definitely not. Second, please do not compare your crap movie (and likely crap sequel) to one of the most successful movie franchises in the history of cinema.

The only possible "good" news about this is that Mark Steven Johnson, who directed the original, and Eva Mendes, who co-starred in the original, will not be returning.

I'm sure that both Ben and I will have more to say about Kick-Ass and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance in upcoming "Nic Cage: National Treasure" posts.

Two for 2010

In 2009, I had a lot to look forward to as far as new movie releases go: Up in the Air (George Clooney movie that filmed in my hometown), Public Enemies (Johnny Depp and Christian Bale!) and Nine (a musical with Daniel Day-Lewis and every female star), just to start. 2010 seems to pale in comparison, although there are two movies I really can't wait to see.

Inception (Release Date: July 16)

I haven't felt this strongly about a movie since The Prestige, which combined the acting talents of Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall and the filmmaking talent of Christopher Nolan - all of whom I am fans. This time, Nolan puts Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ken Watanabe, Ellen Page, Michael Caine, Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy and Lukas Haas (again, I'm fans of them all) together on-screen for what seems like it might be one of the best thrillers to hit theaters in a long time. In fact, it may be since The Prestige. Nolan has become a master of low-key thrillers, and this looks no different. The actor I'm most excited about in this film is Gordon-Levitt, who has also been building a resume full of varied performances that showcase the range of his intensity, most notably in Brick, Mysterious Skin and The Lookout.

Website: http://www.yourmindisthesceneofthecrime.com/

Trailer:

Alice in Wonderland (Release Date: March 5)

I've been raised on the dynamic duo of Johnny Depp and director Tim Burton, from their first pairing for 1990's Edward Scissorhands through 2007's Sweeney Todd. The announcement of their seventh collaboration for Alice in Wonderland took my love for their pairings (and both men's other films) and added it with my strong appreciation for all things fairy tale-related. That appreciation started back in the 1980s, when I was exposed to "Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre," which originally aired on PBS. Burton even directed the "Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp" episode. (Hulu just posted the entire series to watch online for free.) Also, add in that the Oscars are on March 7, and that weekend should be full of memorable movie-related experiences for me.

Website: http://disney.com/wonderland

Trailer:

This year will also see the second Iron Man, the third Toy Story, Shrek Forever After and the first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - the next installments of four movie franchises of which I've enjoyed previous movies, but I'm not over-the-moon about them like I am for Inception and Alice in Wonderland.