Trailer Park: 'The Last Airbender,' 'Toy Story 3,' 'Chloe'

Here's a look at upcoming movies. (Release dates subject to change). --Ellen

The Last Airbender (starring Noah Ringer and Dev Patel; dir. by M. Night Shyamalan) --Here's that other Avatar movie, based on the popular Nickelodeon series about a child named Aang who has the power to manipulate air, water, earth, and fire. The production's already drawn criticism for casting non-Asians in the roles (the lone exception is Patel, who only got cast after singer Jesse McCartney dropped out). If you're at all familiar with the show the difference is quite noticeable. Bet M. Night is hoping this isn't the next Dragonball: Evolution (Have you seen that movie? No? I did. I just saved you 90 minutes.) (Summer)

Chloe (starring Julianne Moore, Amanda Seyfried & Liam Neeson dir. by Atom Egoyan)-- I spent most of the trailer wondering what the hell Julianne Moore and Liam Neeson were doing in something that looks like a cross between The Hand That Rocks the Cradle and Fatal Attraction. Then I remembered that it's directed by Canadian auter Egoyan (The Sweet Hereafter), and plus those other two movies (Moore had a memorable death in Cradle) were actually pretty good genre films, so you never know. (Mar. 26)

Toy Story 3 (voices by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen dir. by John Lasseter): Remember in Toy Story 2, when Kelsey Grammer posited what would happen to the toys when Andy went off to college? Well, that's answered here, where the toys go to a donation center (complete with day spa!), Ken meets Barbie, and Woody is determined to make his way back home. Also, running pre-schoolers. Who isn't excited about this? (Jun. 18)

Comments

[Michael Couvillion on February 22, 2010 at 04:36 PM]

"The Last Airbender", a story about inhabitants not only on another world, but necessarily in another universe altogether, has drawn criticism for casting non-Asians in the roles? For what, exactly? There are certainly no Asians on a world with no Asia - nevermind the fact that the story is about a world-wide conflict, and thus would seem to require actors from various ethnic backgrounds, if for some reason we wanted to pretend it was set in this universe and on this planet.

[Ellen on February 23, 2010 at 09:55 AM]

for one, the airbender world is heavily drawn on asian influence and culture--down to the characters' names aang, katara, and zhao and sokka--even though it's a fantasy world. and the issue is just what you said: if it requires "actors from various ethnic backgrounds," why are the main characters white? it's sad that hollywood, which already doesn't diversify enough in films and television, has to take a prime opportunity for asian and asian-american actors and squander those roles. i'm sure m. night will defend it as "quality," but part of the director's job is casting the best actors that also believably look the part. quote from jackson rathbone, who plays sokka: "I think it's one of those things where I pull my hair up, shave the sides, and I definitely need a tan." critics are calling it charlie chan all over again.

[David on February 25, 2010 at 11:40 AM]

I was not thrilled with the Toy Story 3 trailer, though I'm sure I'll see it regardless because it's Pixar.

[Toy Story 3 SounTrack on April 21, 2010 at 04:43 AM]

Thank you for sharing the trailers for all the movies. All movies are looking good one. First of all, I would like to for Toy Story 3. I have heard lot about this movie. This movie is looking amazing.

[sensations on October 25, 2010 at 12:45 AM]

-Here's that other Avatar movie, based on the popular Nickelodeon series about a child named Aang who has the power to manipulate air, water, earth, and fire.

[xiao on November 14, 2010 at 05:28 PM]

First of all, I would like to for Toy Story 3.