Disney has just released this 5-minute clip from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. It features Jake Cherry as a young boy who gets his first lesson in magic from Nic Cage. Check it out below:

From the official plot synopsis:

Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina).  Balthazar can’t do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness.  It’ll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

So, what do you think? Before I saw any footage, I had no idea what to expect, but this movie looks like it will be a lot of fun. Nicolas Cage is always awesome as well, so I’ll definitely be checking this out come next Wednesday, July 14th.

I’m gonna get Biblical and quote Solomon “there is nothing new under the sun” and there isn’t but why does Hollywood feel they have to give their take on everything? I see film as an art form and as an artist I think that sometimes someone else got it right, their representation of a thought or idea says it best. Hollywood on the other hand sees someone elses work turn popular and decides they need to get in on the action. There are two remakes due out very soon and not long after their originals were rolling in cinemas.

Just three short years ago Frank Oz (the capable director of such recent classics as The Muppets Take Manhattan, Little Shop of Horrors, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, What About Bob? and Bowfinger) released Death at a Funeral a British dark comedy starring some recognizable names- Peter Dinklage and Alan Tudyk alongside a mostly British cast. Death turned out to be a hit, well maybe not a hit but they made money on what was a small indie film in limited release. I suspect that most of the film’s success came from the fact that for the price of admission you got to enjoy a pitch perfect British dark comedy directed by a Hollywood veteran that introduced you to a few new faces on the screen.

Now three years later Hollywood has Easy-Baked you a remake starring a Who’s Who cast including Chris Rock, Danny Glover, Tracy Morgan, Martin Lawrence, Luke Wilson and Peter Dinklage. Yes the same Peter Dinklage in the same role he played three years ago. Directing this time around you’ve got Neil LaBute, who? You know he directed Lakeview Terrace starring Samuel L. Jackson and The Wicker Man (2006 remake) starring Nicolas Cage that Neil LaBute. Honestly I’m not sure who should be more offended, the cast of the original Death or Tyler Perry, one look at the trailer of the new Death at a Funeral and you’ll be left asking where Madea is (I think she’s still in jail). Hollywood is trying to squeeze every dollar it can out of your movie going pockets- don’t let them!

The second remake I’d like to question is that of the 2008′s Swedish vampire suspense thriller Let The Right One In with the Hollywood remake titled Let Me In. Easily the best vampire movie of the decade Let The Right One In needs no remake, sure it was subtitled in English but who’s complaining? In fact I think the lack of spoken English and the success of the film are evidence of just how well made the movie really was. The images told the whole story, isn’t that what all movie makers should strive for? I think so.

Whatever you do, whether you see the remakes or not, watch these two wonderful original foreign films and share your experience, hopefully your appreciation for them with us!

Lionsgate just unleashed this eye-popping one-sheet for the Matthew Vaughn film based on Mark Millar’s acclaimed Marvel comic book series.

Kick-Ass follows a group of costumed vigilantes through a gritty, “real world” setting. No superpowers necessary. They just kick ass.

Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) is a nerdy high-schooler and an avid comic book reader that decides one day that all he needs is a costume and a name, and he can take to the streets as a baton-wielding enforcer of justice. He’s joined by a few others with the same idea (namely Big Daddy, Hit Girl, and Red Mist) before running afoul of mobster Frank D’amico (Mark Strong.)

Director Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake, Stardust) co-wrote the screenplay with writing partner Jane Goldman.

The film stars Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson, Mark Strong, Chloe Moretz, and Superbad‘s Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

Fists, feet, and foul language start flying April 16th.

Just last week January Jones revealed that, while they were dating, Ashton Kutcher told her he didn’t think she’d be any good at the acting biz, and that she should call it quits.

Well, Jones certainly wasn’t deterred by the lack of support from Kutcher. Already having cemented her place as a TV starlet with her role on Mad Men, Jones is ready to take on the big screen.

Before making a name for herself with Mad Men, Jones had supporting roles in numerous movies including Love Actually, American Wedding, and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. Jones has moved past being a supporting actress, signing on for starring roles in two films in the past week.

Last week Jones signed on for Dark Castle’s Unknown White Male with Liam Neeson and Diane Kruger, and it has now been revealed that she will also be starring with Nicolas Cage in Hungry Rabbit Jumps, a dramatic thriller from Endgame Entertainment.

Jones and Cage play a married couple, with Cage becoming involved with a vigilante organization after Jones is victim to a violent attack.

The Bank Job director Roger Donaldson will be directing, with Tobey Maguire producing.

Filming is set to begin in January.

Thanks to IGN.com, we have our first look at the upcoming Season of the Witch starring Nicolas Cage, albeit a very brief look. 30 seconds isn’t quite enough to differentiate one film from the rest of the crowd, but this does give a good sense of the tone of the film … and Cage’s chosen hairpiece.

Season of the Witch is directed by Dominic Sena (Whiteout, Swordfish) from a script by Bragi F. Schut, who’s a relative unknown. The film deals with a group of knights in the 14th century, who deliver a witch into a monastery in order to determine if her powers might be responsible for the devastating Black Plague. from the look of things, I’d guess they’re on to something. Also, the film co-stars Ron Perlman, who is fantastic in just about everything.

The film is scheduled for release on March 19, 2010. Get excited for another Nicolas Cage horror rampage, and watch the teaser below!

Every so often in Nicolas Cage’s career comes a film that reminds you why he’s so prevalent these days, in crappy films like Bangkok Dangerous and Ghost Rider. A film that hearkens back to Raising Arizona, or even something silly and entertaining like Face/Off. Werner Herzog’s Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans could be that film.

This trailer displays just the right dose of good direction, interesting ideas, and over the top (good over the top) Nicolas Cage. It’s enough to get me excited for the film’s release, which is currently unscheduled.

It also gives a glimpse at performances by Val Kilmer and Xzibit. What a pair!

Keep your fingers crossed that we actually have a good Nicolas Cage performance on our hands. As much as I love to slam the guy, I’d be eager to see him prove me wrong. View the trailer below.

Columbia Pictures fills up its schedule, putting together a sequel for the Nicolas Cage 2007 film Ghost Rider. In talks to pen the script is scribe David Goyer who previously worked on The Dark Knight and The Unborn. Actor Nicolas Cage will be reprising his role as the motorcycle riding demon, no word at all if Eva Mendes will be adding onto the cast list. Through a spokesperson, Goyer said he hadn’t signed on yet. But plans are already under way to base the sequel on a “Ghost Rider” script written years ago by Goyer (Variety).

The sequel adds onto the never ending list of Marvel properties that continue to make their way onto the big screen. Currently several projects are in development which include Captain America, Ant-Man and The Avengers. Twentieth Century Fox at the moment is in the middle of rebooting their own Fantastic Four franchise while DC Comics revamps their lineup with the pre-production of The Green Lantern along with the possible revival of The Justice League movie. At the moment, Marvel’s latest property Iron Man 2 is in the middle of post-production with a May 7th release date.

Nicolas Cage became another casualty in the never ending string of problems for Sony Pictures feature The Green Hornet. After negotiations with the star’s contract came to a standstill, the actor dropped out of the cast. Cage was signed on originally to play the villain Mr. X in the Michael Gondry directed film. Now that Cage is out of the picture literally, and for this to happen during the start of filming as shown here, the never ending slew of problems continues to plague this project.

Starring Seth Rogen, Cameron Diaz and Jay Chou, The Green Hornet is set to be released in theaters alongside Tron Legacy on December 17, 2010. Being pushed back several times, Sony will have to scramble quickly to find a replacement unless they want their crime fighting hero to feel the sting of defeat when all he has to fight right now is air.