Anytime Ayer goes to work on a crime drama, we should all get ready for something intelligent and explosive!

Street Kings is rated “R ” and hits theaters on April 3.

In Street Kings, Keanu Reeves portrays a former LAPD cop who, while dealing with the death of his wife, must defend himself against fellow cops as some evidence implicates him in the execution of a fellow officer. Forest Whitaker and Hugh Laurie portray police captains in this one, however, Laurie portrays the Head of the Internal Affairs Department.

If you’ve enjoyed films such as The Departed or Assault On Precinct 13 (cops being bad…), Street Kings looks even more bad ass. It’s been described as “hard-nosed” and “gritty” by a reviewer over at IMDB. If Whitaker’s (The Last King of Scotland) character here resembles an inkling of his role from The Shield, fans are in for a treat. Although Reeves is mostly known for his sci-fi roles, I’m hoping that as the lead in this film, we’ll see him as more of the tough detective. He sounds pretty tough in the trailer.

David Ayer wrote the explosive crime films, Training Day and Dark Blue among others, so it’s expected that with this amazing cast, compelling story, and his directing, we’ll be happily surprised.

Some of the other cast include Jay Mohr (The Groomsmen, Are We There Yet?), Terry Crews (Get Smart, Balls Of Fury), Naomie Harris (August, Pirates of The Caribbean: At World’s End) and actor/Chicago-bred rapper Common.

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Mel Gibson filming a scene from “Edge of Darkness” in Boston’s South End. Gibson plays Boston homicide detective Tom Craven investigating the death of his activist daughter.

The film is based on the BBC miniseries Edge of Darkness. The film follows a veteran homicide detective, Tom Craven, who works for the Boston Police Department. His only child, a daughter who is an activist, is murdered right in front of his home. The film is in post-production, and was filmed in Boston and Massachusetts.

Directed by Martin Campbell, the Darkness screenplay is based on a story written by what seems to be a slew of writers.

I’m not sure if the biggest news here is that Gibson is getting back to acting portraying a cop, or if it’s that a studio wants to get back in with Gibson. Since his mega production projects, The Passion of The Christ, and Apocalypto, this may very well be his first acting role (since his lead in M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs).

Some of Gibson’s darker roles are from films such as The Patriot, Conspiracy Theory, and Payback.

Image: Newscom

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Although Farrell is quite funny in In Bruges, (film for which he won a Golden Globe), he’s getting back to his bad boy roots in London Boulevard.

Departed writer William Monahan is directing for the first time here, and the film takes it cue from a 2001 crime novel (of the same name) written by Ken Bruen, writer of noir crime fiction.  The novel itself received some great reviews, and one reader noted that although Bruen’s characters are very unlikable, we are irrevocably drawn to them.

Here’s hoping that success translates well on film. With Colin Farrell as the lead, there’s no doubt he’ll come across as bad enough while still perhaps seeking a bit of redemption in this one. Some of my favorite roles for Farrell are from SWAT, Miami Vice, Phone Booth, and of course his latest one, as the hitman in In Bruges.

Knightley will portray the reclusive actress who offers Farrell’s character a bit of this and that…according to the novel. I’m used to seeing her portray either a swashbuckler or a character in a romantic war story, so her portrayal in this crime drama should be refreshing.  She’s also tapped to portray the audacious jazz icon Zelda Fitzgerald in The Beautiful And The Damned.

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In the video, Kyra talks about the show, and her character as she is asked various questions from press reps. They also ask about her dress, her daughter, how she keeps fit, and how long the show is going to last. This was in 2007, and the series has continued to garner success since then.

Here are the current crime drama nominations for this year, and the actual winners will be revealed tonight:

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series – Drama

Mariska Hargitay – Law & Order

Kyra Sedgwick – The Closer (TNT)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Kiefer Sutherland – 24 (FOX)

Of all these guys, I think I’m pulling the most for Kyra Sedgwick for The Closer.

Also of note, Ron Howard’s film, Frost/Nixon is nominated for Best Motion Picture Drama, and Frank Langella is nominated for Best Performance By an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for his portrayal of former President Richard Nixon. The movie is also up for Best Screenplay and Best Original Score. The show itself is going to be amazing with a huge list of A-list actors presenting tonight.

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In this launch video, Robert Downey Jr. talks about an amazing quality that he and his character share (being a weirdo). Guy Ritchie is tapped to direct the film Sherlock Holmes, for Warner Bros., and Jude Law is in talks to portray the dashing detective’s hardy partner, Dr. John Watson. Robert Downey Jr. is confirmed to star in this film as Detective Sherlock Holmes.

It’s been reported via Hollywood.com that Gerard Butler, Colin Farrell, and even Russell Crowe were rumored to be trying out for the film. Now with Law on board, things seem to be moving forward. Interestingly, the filming locations include St. Paul’s Cathedral, Freemason’s Hall and the Liverpool Docks in England.

If you were hoping for an update, this looks like a portrayal of the original story, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. However, Downey Jr. did mention that there is a bit of martial arts in the film, and Ritchie says his goal is to bring something different from the usual fare, in his directing and in the film.

It should be interesting to see Downey Jr. as the fearless detective, who is often dramatic, and generally passionate when he’s on a case. Jude Law’s Watson, if anything like the fictional one, will show us an astute medical doctor, brave and supportive, and a bit of a lady’s man.

Production has already begun, and the film is expected to be released in a year.

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In 1977, Richard Nixon was interviewed by British TV broadcaster David Frost, and it was in one of these interviews that he admitted some guilt in the Watergate Scandal. Frost/Nixon is a re-telling of the fated interview, and the behind the scenes negotiations that took place to make the interview happen. the film is scheduled for a limited release on December 5, 2008 in the US. You can check out the official site soon, at www.frostnixon.net.

The film stars stars Frank Langella (as President Nixon) and Michael Sheen (as David Frost), and some other amazing and untouchable talent (Kevin Bacon and Oliver Platt among others). Directed and produced by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, respectively, the film origins stem from a play of the same name by Peter Morgan (The Last King Of Scotland).

The FBI investigations were key, as they revealed not only the burglary of the Watergate Hotel, but other crimes that include campaign fraud, and illegal tax audits.

I’m not sure if the current political climate has spurred this project onward, which will make this seem like another attempt by liberal Hollywood to preach to us.  I hope it’s just an attempt at making a good movie (with some good FBI portrayals of course).

Images with permission via Universal Pictures

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Criminal Minds’

Although the trailer, and the movie premise is a bit disturbing, writer/director Luke Ricci has managed to make this look totally entertaining.

The film centers on a happy guy named Mike who has found his life purpose in the kill. Even in the movie poster, you can see that Mike has an ax, and wields a nice smile, which is just as dangerous.

It seems the tagline for the movie is “It’s time to start listening to the voices in your head”. Mike gets in Gubler’s character, Bart, an eager apprentice of sorts, and he teaches him methodology, ethics(?), and disposal techniques (shudder).

There is even a bit of gun play, and what seems to be some wonderfully spoofed bits. I think that disturbingly, many of us will enjoy the film. It might be necessary to remember that it’s all in fun, and is, after all, our loveable Dr. Reid of Criminal Minds in this role as Bart. Just from seeing the trailer though, I’ll probably never look at a pair of pliers in quite the same way.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.Net

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I’m not sure is this song is a part of the movie, but it’s certainly appropriate to the scene and should be. Custody stars Rob Morrow, James Denton (Desperate Housewives, Threat Matrix) and Kay Panabaker (Phil of The Future, Summerland), and follows the story of a widowed college professor who may lose custody of his 13 year-old step-daughter to her biological father.

I’m looking forward to seeing this movie, and especially seeing Rob Morrow as as a caring (and snarky?) dad for a 13 year-old. This film released in September, 2007, before The Bucket List release in 2008. After seeing the clip, you may find yourself in love with this one just for Kay Panabaker’s role as the unhappy teenager. You can see images of Rob here at Lifetimes’ image section for the film. You’ll also find more info, such as cast interviews there. Now if I can just wait until September.

Via Lifetime Movie Network & IMDB

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FBI Drama star Anthony LaPaglia is looking for a place to stay. If he needed shelter, would you let him sleep on your sofa?  Residents of Darwin in Australia have been asked this very question. OK, I’m kidding…not sofas, but rental space.  Why you may ask? LaPaglia along with the cast and crew of the Balibo Five movie will begin production on June 30.

More On The Balibo Five Film
The film follows the real life story of five Australian TV journalists who were shot and killed at Balibo in 1975 by Indonesian Troops. Balibo is a town in East Timor (fka Portuguese Timor). LaPaglia is to portray the character Roger West, a journalist who was killed a day after investigating the deaths of the five.

Unfortunately, tourism season has left very few places to stay, so local residents are being asked if they have an empty house or apartment they’d be willing to rent out for the project.

LA Galaxy Celeb Soccer Match
As you know, LaPaglia is no stranger to the game of soccer, and he’ll be appearing for the LA Galaxy Celebrity Match this week, along with other stars from television, music, and the world of soccer. Interestingly, this event is a part of BritWeek, which is a focus and celebration of the British influence in LA and Southern California. For info about the star line-up, you can visit www.lagalaxy.com.

 Info via ABC News Australia, Soccer365.com & IMDB

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