Master of the documentary Michael Moore has another one due out Oct. 2, 2009.

It doesn’t have a title yet, but distributors Overture and Paramount Vantage said it’s about the collapse of the world economy. I’m sure Moore will sink his teeth into that one!

The film will delve into the "root causes of the economic meltdown," as well as the "corporate and political shenanigans" that resulted in the financial crisis.

In a statement, Moore said, "The wealthy, at some point, decided they didn’t have enough wealth. So they systematically set out to fleece the American people."

Moore’s most recent doc was 2007’s "Sicko," an expose on health care. Any Michael Moore fans out there? Whatever is in his films, I appreciate the effort he’s put into founding and maintaining the Traverse City Film Festival (my home town!).

Image: INF

I suppose YouTube is feeling the heat from Hulu, because they announced today that they’ll be streaming full-length movies and TV shows. The only thing surprising about this is that it’s taken so long to come about.

According to a Hollywood Reporter story, the movies and shows will be streamed on a separate section of YouTube, and include titles from Sony and Lionsgate, as well as TV networks and independent studios.

YouTube has already made deals with MGM (for TV shows and full-length films) and Disney (excerpts from ABC and ESPN shows). Titles include the James Bond flick "Casino Royale," CBS’ new mystery series "Harper’s Island," Morgan Spurlock’s "Super Size Me," and Richard Linklater’s "Slacker."

This is pretty cool, and I can’t really think of a downside. Of course, I’ll always see movies in theaters, because I just love the experience of it. The popcorn, the dark theater, a great movie on a big screen … nothing compares with all that.

But I can see how sites like Hulu and YouTube are a great place to catch up on TV shows and films I missed in the theater.

What about you? Do you watch movies and TV shows on these sites?

Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. 

Well, this news isn’t good. I just read in Variety that DreamWorks Animation’s net income fell 45% last quarter to $52 million, from $94 million the year before.

Even though sales of “Kung Fu Panda” DVDs generated $102 million during the quarter, revenue still fell 31% to about $200 million, down from $290 million.

Hmmm, this is a little different report than I posted earlier this month. I don’t know about you, but I’ll be one sad puppy if this company, which helmed films like “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” “Over the Hedge,” and “Flushed Away” takes a dive.

CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg said in a statement that he thinks 2009 will be driven by more “Madagascar,” as well as “Monsters vs. Aliens,” the company’s first 3D release which opens in theaters March 27, 2009.

“We believe that Monsters vs. Aliens will reset the bar for what moviegoers should expect from a CG animated film,” Katzenberg said.

I hope so. I’m pulling for you, DreamWorks!

Image: Paramount/DreamWorks Animation

It’s official. Steven Spielberg and his partners at DreamWorks Studios have agreed to a distribution deal with Disney: Walt Disney Studios will market six DreamWorks live-action movies a year.

It makes you wonder what goes on behind the scenes, because DreamWorks has sort of been all over the place since it was formed by Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg (former CEO at Disney), and David Geffen in 1994.

Several years later, DreamWorks hooked up with Paramount Pictures and released several smash-hit films, including 2007’s Transformers. But there must have been some feuding going on, because they split up, and  DreamWorks hooked up with Universal.

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Well, sort of. Mickey Rourke just signed to star in “St. Vincent,” a movie about a hitman who returns to New York to complete a botched hit.

Here’s the catch: His character masquerades as a priest who ends up hearing the confession of the man he’s supposed to take out.

Am I misremembering, or didn’t Rourke have a priest in NYC who helped him through some rough times? Maybe that was another guy who dropped out of Hollywood for a while…

Directing “St. Vincent” is Walter Hill, who also directed Rourke in the 1989 gangster film “Johnny Handsome.” Shooting is scheduled to start later this year.

Catch Rourke in “The Wrestler,” in theaters right now. Read my review here.

Image: TM and copyright 20th Century Fox Film Corp.; Source: Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

There are a few things that seem to be recession-proof, and CG-animated family movies are in that category, says DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeff Katzenberg.

He recently talked up his company’s resilience to the global recession and outlined its film slate through 2012, including new installments to the "Madagascar" and "Kung Fu Panda" franchises. "Kung Fu Panda 2" is scheduled for a June 2011 release, and "Madagascar 3" for summer 2012.

It’s somehow comforting to think that family movies might not be swayed by a spiraling economy. You have to wonder why. Maybe it’s because family movies are usually a good way to spend time together. And they’re also a fun escape from any dire financial situations we might be facing.

I’ve often thought that people go to light-hearted movies more during hard times. It takes our mind off of things, offers a good escape from the world, and is just plain fun, no matter what’s going on outside the theater.

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Here’s a look at what’s on tap from Sony Pictures for 2009. Some great films! 

I’m especially looking forward to "The Pink Panther 2," "The Ugly Truth," "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans," and "Angels & Demons." And I’m REALLY curious about "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," because that was one of my kids’ favorite books.

Which of these movies are YOU most looking forward to?  

"Not Easily Broken" – Jan. 9, 2009

"Paul Blart: Mall Cop" – Jan. 16, 2009

"Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" – Jan. 23, 2009

"The Pink Panther 2" – Feb. 6, 2009

"The International" – Feb. 13, 2009

"Fired Up" – Feb. 20, 2009

More after the jump…

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Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, Jane, why the heck are you posting nude pictures of Scarlett Johannson? Well, because they’re actually MOVIE RELATED, believe it or not!

They’re stills of Scarlett Johansson skinny-dipping in “He’s Just Not That Into You,” a romantic comedy hitting theaters Feb. 6, 2009. You can’t really see that much anyway, but, you know, whatever.

And here’s the thing. This is brilliant marketing by New Line Cinema, because not only will girls flock to see the new chick-flick starring Jen Aniston and others, but with scenes like this one, guys probably won’t have any problem seeing it either. And for New Line to stir things up this early in the game with these pics … well, I’m sure the movie will open big!

Check out more pics after the jump…

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Ever heard of a movie called “Paper Hearts”? Most people probably haven’t, but it’s looking to be a big hit on the film festival circuit this year, possibly premiering at Sundance in January. Quirky-film darling Michael Cera stars.

Along with “Arrested Development,” Cera has made a name for himself doing offbeat comedies like “Juno” and “Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist,” and this movie looks to follow suit.

Those familiar with “Paper Hearts” describe it as a mix of documentary and scripted comedy about the real-life relationship between Cera and his girlfriend, Charlyne Yi, another member of the Judd Apatow school (she played the pigtailed stoner in “Knocked Up”). Like “Nick and Nora’s,” music is a key theme.

It’s an interesting move, keeping things super-secret. I guess it heightens the expectations for it, and certainly makes me curious to see what the movie’s about. Plus, I’ve always wondered if Cera’s real-life persona mirrors his on-screen persona. Maybe I’ll find out in this film.

Nicholas Jasenovec, a relative unknown who’s worked on other Apatow titles, makes his directing debut with the pic.

Image: Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Columbia Pictures, 2008

Maybe Michael Moore should team up with Roland Emmerich for a “2012″ companion movie. Word is that Moore’s follow-up to “Fahrenheit 9/11″ was originally supposed to focus on foreign policy. But since the economy’s nose-dive in recent months, he’s decided to focus on that instead.

The still-untitled project is said to contain an end-of-the-empire tone that doesn’t focus on politics. Say what?! I can’t believe any movie of Moore’s won’t include his left-leaning views. Maybe because there’s a Democrat in the White House now?

Still, Moore (pictured with pal Madonna at the Traverse City Film Festival) has never been particularly optimistic about the United States, so a lot of us are wondering how that’ll play into his filmmaking in this more-hopeful Obama climate.

More after the jump…

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