Movie: Bandslam * Gecko Preview *  Official Site
In Theaters: Aug. 14, 2009

Runtime: 111 minutes
Directed by: Todd Graff; Produced by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas

MPAA Rating: PG for some thematic elements and mild language
Gecko Rating:

I take back my earlier thoughts about "Bandslam." If, like me, you were expecting something akin to "High School Musical," you’d be dead wrong!
Yes, there’s a teensy bit of sap in this movie, but nothing like the volume offered up in Disney’s HSM. This is Summit Entertainment, after all, which automatically kicks it to a different level. The soundtrack includes Lou Reed’s "Femme Fatale" and Steve … [Read More]

Plenty of new movies in theaters this weekend. Something for everyone!
District 9 (R). Aliens become refugees in South Africa, where they’re kept isolated from any human contact. Only one guy can activate their weapons, but he becomes hunted and seeks refuge in … District 9. [producer Peter Jackson video] [Official Site]
The Time Traveler’s Wife (PG-13). Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana star in this weep-fest about a guy who suffers from a rare genetic disorder which causes him to drift back and forth through time. Take a box of Kleenex with you. [Official Site]
Bandslam (PG). Vanessa Hudgens, Gaelan Connell, … [Read More]

Zac Efron may be moving beyond Disney-type movies, but it seems like his girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens is sticking with the tried-and-true formula.
Hudgens ("High School Musical") and Alyson Michalka ("Phil of the Future," "Aly and AJ") are starring in "Bandslam," due in theaters Aug. 14, 2009. Michalka plays a gifted singer-songwriter who recruits a new kid in town (Gaelan Connell, "Chocolat") to manage her rock band. Her main motivation? Go up against her egotistical ex-boyfriend (Scott Porter, "Friday Night Lights") and his band at a battle of the bands competition. Meanwhile, Sam (Hudgens) and Will find romance.
My first … [Read More]

Vanessa Hudgens is moving beyond “High School Musical” with several new roles. And they sound like quite a diversion from HSM!
She’s signed for the teen romance “Beastly,” a film based on an Alex Flinn novel about a vain New York teen who’s made to look ugly in order to find true love. Sort of a reverse version of “Penelope.” Daniel Barnz has signed to direct.
Hudgens was also recently cast in an all-girl action flick “Sucker Punch,” co-written and directed by Zack Snyder (“300” and “Watchmen”). Kind of a different role for her, but you know, good for her.

While the rest of us turned off the tube and went to bed after the 2009 Oscars ended, the stars in Hollywood were just getting started.
E! caught up with High School Musical’s Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, who dished about how nerve-wracking their Oscar duet was, and what it was like being on stage with host Hugh Jackman. These two are such a cute couple. I hope they stay together for a while.

"High School Musical 3" is out on DVD this week! It’s a great ending to the series, and even left things open for a new batch of students to take over the franchise.
Somehow, I can’t see any future movies being quite the same, if Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale and the rest of the gang aren’t involved. But I’m sure the movies would probably have a following.
Read my review of "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," and check out this fun video from ReelzChannel, which catches up with Zac Efron and Corbin Bleu.

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The youngsters are taking over the Oscars this year! And it’s just days away! ABC’s live telecast from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre will air this Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET.
Robert Pattinson, the hunky vampire Edward Cullen in "Twilight" and the upcoming "New Moon," will be presenting, though I haven’t heard which award it will be. Also no word on whether his co-star, Kristen Stewart, will be by his side. Next up for the 22-year-old British actor is "Little Ashes," in which he’ll play artist Salvador Dali.
Also at … [Read More]

I just posted the other day that everybody in Hollywood (and their mother) wants to score a part in "New Moon." Now Hilary Duff has jumped on that bandwagon.
Vanessa Hudgens, Dakota Fanning, and the Jonas Brothers have all yearned for a spot in the credits, and "90210" star AnnaLynne McCord has auditioned for the part of Heidi.
Hilary Duff was recently spotted at the Mercedes Benz Fashion week, talking with "Twilight" star Peter Facinelli about how badly she wants a role in the sequel.
A source recently told Hollyscoop.com, "Hilary told Peter how bad she wants to be in … [Read More]

Vanessa Hudgens, Disney cutie and star of the “High School Musical” movies, reportedly auditioned for a role in “New Moon,” the upcoming sequel to last year’s smash-hit vampire flick “Twilight.” 
But it’s unlikely she’ll get the part – at least for now.
"I’m not sure about [final] casting, but I had heard Vanessa Hudgens was going up for the part of Leah [Clearwater, a werewolf]," screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, who wrote both films, told PEOPLE at the Directors Guild of America Awards in L.A. Saturday night. "But at the moment, the part of Leah doesn’t happen until the third movie."
Ok, … [Read More]

We have quite the discussion going here about “New Moon” casting news and rumors. But the thread is getting huge and cumbersome every time you click on it!
So let’s continue the discussion on this post. Feel free to offer casting tips, news, rumors, and anything else you hear about “New Moon” in the comments below.
The latest I’ve heard is that Vanessa Hudgens is NOT up for a role in the movie. Well, at least, according to Entertainment Weekly: “Sources inside Summit Entertainment and Hudgens’ camp tell EW that the filmmakers aren’t looking at the star for any role in … [Read More]