Clint Morris over at Moviehole had a chance to visit the set of The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader and while perusing the Australian country-side, sat down with effects guru, Howard Berger, to talk with him about one of his upcoming projects, the Robert Rodriquez-produced Predators.

Morris, who got started in effects working with Stan Winston on the original Predator and Aliens movies, just received photos of the finished Predator(s) from his team in Los Angeles and says that they look “fantastic” and that the fans will be happy with the look of the Predator(s).

According to horror news website ShockTilYouDrop Aliens vs Predator 3 is going to be made. Here’s a quote from the site:

“An anonymous source over at 20th Century Fox got in touch with us over the weekend to relay the news another Aliens vs. Predator sequel is a ‘certainty’ at this point. If you recall, the brothers Strause – who helmed the Christmas release Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem – stated Fox was going to take a ‘wait-and-see’ approach to a third chapter, furthermore, that the story would have to continue in space.”

Just shoot me right now. Please.

By Vic Holtreman

Short version: I didn’t think it was possible, but AVP-R is worse than the previous Aliens vs Predator movie.

Abandon all hope ye who enter a movie theater that is showing Aliens vs Predator: Requiem.

It’s that bad. I kid you not. As first time directors, “The Brothers Strauss” (as they are referred to in the credits) are great visual effects guys. Honestly, I’m having a hard time coming up with ways to tell you just how depressingly awful this movie is, but I’ll do my best.

Considering the greatness that came before it, the first Alien vs Predator movie wasn’t a big hit with fans of either franchise. It was OK I suppose, but overall it was a bit of a letdown.

However, money talks in Hollywood, so it’s no surprise that a sequel has been made due to AVP’s $170 million worldwide gross.

Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem or AVP-R as the marketing guys would like it to be known, will be released on Christmas day, and the official website has now gone live.

There’s quite a lot to see on the site and you can also make your own Predalien or send a loved one your very own Facehugger E-card.

Did I really just type that?

Here’s a summary of what’s going on today in the wonderful world of entertainment…

- Harlan Ellison debunks the rumor that Star Trek 11 incorporates the Guardian of Forever. We reported this AS rumor a month ago, so we don’t fall under the category of blogs that Ellison so colorfully refers. – TrekMovie.com (warning, lots of colorful language… it IS Harlan Ellison after all)

- AICN floats a supposed alternative title to the upcoming Justice League movie which I believe is utter and complete hogwash and there’s no way it’s true. – AICN

- The uber-classic sci fi film Metropolis is headed for a remake. This could be incredibly stupid and the odds are that it’s a bad idea. However there is a very, very slight chance that if done correctly it could turn into a modern day classic. – FirstShowing.net

I was going to throw a copy of the new Aliens vs Predator:Requiem footage (it’s not really technically a trailer, actually it’s a scene from the movie), but it’s pretty damned gory so I’ll just point you towards IESB.net to check it out, where they will ask for some age verification.

This one looks to be shaping up as what the first one should have been.

Thanks to SHH! for the heads up.

If you are at all interested in seeing Aliens vs Predator: Requiem and want any sort of suspension of disbelief and sense of dread when it comes to the new Alien creature, I would recommend you not click on the image on the left. I purposely blurred and darkened the image you see to retain at least some sense of mystery about the creature because the large version is ridiculously bright, clear and completely devoid of any menace.

It actually looks kind of like a Halloween costume.

[UPDATE: Apparently I wasn't wrong: AVP-R is terrible - worse than the first one.]

Thanks to IGN.com we have a look at a brand new trailer for Aliens vs Predator: Requiem / AVP-R.

At least trailer-wise this thing seems to be looking better and better. There are scenes in this new trailer that actually seem to be paying homage to the original Alien movies, and the lead female Reiko Aylesworth seems to be channeling Sigourney Weaver big-time.

At the very least I’m betting it’ll be better than the first AVP…

While I really didn’t like the red band trailer for Aliens vs Predator: Requiem, I have to admit that the new one below is a vast improvement over that one.

Over at MTV.com the guys behind the AVP sequel Aliens vs Predator: Requiem spill a ton of details about the upcoming movie.

I won’t go into a lot of detail here since I try to avoid heavy spoilers on the site, but some of the highlights include:

I think the tagline for Aliens vs Predator: Requiem should be:

Abandon Ye All Hope

And I’m not referring to the characters in the movie… I’m talking about the audience.

The first trailer for AVP2 is out, and be warned that this is a “Red Band” trailer. Meaning it is not approved for all audiences, has tons of gore, violence and R-rated language.

According to ComingSoon.net, the latest title for the Aliens vs Predator sequel is:

Aliens vs. Predator Requiem

I think they’re missing a colon in there, and that it should be Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, but what do I know.

To me that sounds like a pretty highbrow title for a film such as we’re expecting.

Hugely important news out today concerning the AVP sequel…

Instead of being called:

Alien vs. Predator 2

the sequel will be called:

Some images have come out of the Predator-based Alien from the upcoming Alien vs Predator 2 (or AVP2). It was established in the Click to continue "First Look At A Predator-Based Alien From AVP2"

Sheesh, it’s easy to fall behind on this movie news stuff… miss a couple of days and there’s tons of new info out on all kinds of movies. So here’s a quick grab bag of news for ya…

Bill Shatner has no idea what’s going on with Star Trek 11. Are they sure they’re going to put him in it? TrekWeb

Here’s a list of some of the movies coming out this year… some are highly anticipated, others are on the list because I find them interesting in one way or another. And yes, I know that I should have called this post “2007 Movie Roundup”.

March 16
I Think I Love My Wife – Being married for 11 years, this one just struck my funny bone.

Shooter – Looks cool. Danny Glover is back and I like Mark Wahlberg.

March 23
The Hills Have Eyes 2 – Didn’t see the first remake, but from what I’ve heard do we really need a sequel to a remake?

The Last Mimzy – Mixed early reviews but looks like a good one to bring the kids to. (Don’t forget to enter the contest!)

TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) – Maybe this time they’ll get it right.

March 30
Blades of Glory – Looks like it could be funny, but VERY crass.

Meet the Robinsons – Disney CGI without Pixar? Uh oh…

April 6
Grindhouse – Tarantino and Rodriguez… won’t be for everyone but it’ll be a hell of a ride, I’m sure.

The Reaping – Modern version of the 10 plagues of Egypt. I wonder what the movies take on this will be?

So the buzz is beginning on Alien vs. Predator 2 with a behind the scenes video on YouTube as well as interviews popping up here and there.

Will AVP2 stink? Will it be better than the first debacle where the director took no responsibility for how horrible it was? Well let’s see…

You be the judge.

Personally suicide looks like a good option. The above script review makes the first AVP look like Citizen Kane.

According to Sci Fi Wire, an Alien vs. Predator sequel is being planned and it will apparently take place in a populated area as opposed to a remote location like Antarctica.

Thanks to overseas box office and DVD sales AVP turned a pretty penny so of course the studio is going back to the well. Although the first one pretty much stank, I can’t say I blame ‘em. A buck is a buck after all, and if folks are willing to shell out the cash for dreck…

P.T. Barnum would have been proud.

You may have heard that Paul Anderson has been complaining that the studio tied his hands in certain respects in regards to the production of Alien vs Predator. He has stated that his cut of the film would have been much better than the studios version, and has hinted that it will be available on the upcoming DVD.

Well, Peter Briggs (who wrote the first draft of Alien vs Predator) is here to tell you that Anderson is full of it, and the reason the film wasn’t very good (I gave it a qualified decent review) was all on Anderson, and no one elses fault.

By Vic Holtreman

Short version: A lame attempt to cash in on both franchises, but if you skip the first half of the movie, the second half provides some worthwhile action.

I finally had the chance to watch Aliens vs Predator (or as it’s affectionately known: AVP) tonight at a drive-in if you can believe it. It was that or Princess Diaries 2 (which my wife and daughter selected) so I was quite happy with my viewing choice. Here’s a tip: Show up about 30 minutes late and you’ll really enjoy this movie. Seriously.

Of the two images to the right, the top one is what makes this movie work. The bottom image is what makes it painful. I don’t think I’ll spoil much by letting you know that most everyone in the photo will be dead by the end of the movie… and let me tell you, that can’t happen fast enough. They drag the movie like a boat anchor, and once it’s free of them and concentrates on the Aliens and the Predators it takes off pretty well.