Fallback Position

The Summer now behind us, Fall is the time of year when the studios release the films, they hope will lead to Oscar gold come next year.

This weekend, Hollywoodland (reviews) tops the roster of new flicks, and has generated quite the positive buzz.

The film focuses on the mystery that surrounds the death of actor George Reeves (1914-1959), who played Superman on TV, from 1952-1958. Was it suicide? An Accident? Or Murder?

Directed by first timer Allen Coulter, the movie stars Adrien Brody as private eye Louis Simo, who investigates the case, Diane Lane as Toni Mannix--Reeves' lover and Ben Affleck as Reeves. Affleck is getting raves for his work here. Some critics are even using the "C" word (comeback) to describe the effect the movie may have on his faltering career.

The Comeback Kid?

Affleck And Lane in Hollywoodland

Ian Mohr of Variety discusses how the change of seasons affects the studio mindset in B.O. takes an artful aura saying: Air of seriousness signals start of awards season.

The other new releases include a movie about dueling Warlocks, called The Covenant (reviews)...Directed by Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2), the film is not exactly getting good notices...Because, Uh Oh, it wasn't screened for critics--never a good sign...Martial arts guru Tony Jaa kicks butt in The Protector (reviews)--word is though it's not all that great of a film....

Entertainment Weekly's Michelle Kung asks if "The Covenant": No. 1 by default? Probably, she says, adding The warlock flick debuts with the biggest theater count this dismal weekend...

Also making news...The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced yesterday that Ellen DeGeneres has accepted their offer to host the 79th annual Academy Awards--which take place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on February 25 2007.

Timothy M. Gray of Variety says Thesp will be kudocast's sixth host in six years.

Read more about the story here...

I'm really ambivalent towards the news. DeGeneres as host...I was kinda hoping that Billy Crystal would return...

Finally, Happy 40th Anniversary to Star Trek which premiered on the NBC TV network on this day in 1966. I'll devote a post to all things Trek very soon...