Christmas Day will see the release of the second Alien vs. Predator movie, which is subtitled Requiem. Directors Greg and Colin Strause are fueling fans’ curisioty by suggesting that this movie actually leads into another one, and that Alien vs. Predator 3 is not too far off in the future.

The Alien vs. Predator idea first began as a comic book series in 1992, after which it was transformed into a video game. There was then a science fiction novel series based on the same idea and Alien vs. Predator hit the big screen in 2004, earning around US$ 38 million over its opening weekend in the USA. It drew negative reviews from critics, but ended its international earnings from the box office at US$ 171.2 million worldwide.

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For those who love spy movies and have a soft spot for comedy, the perfect combination is due for release soon. Get Smart is based on Mel Brooks’ 1960s television series parodying the spy genre and is soon to be a feature film starring Steve Carell and Ann Hathaway.

The television series had been extremely popular, airing from September 1965 to April 1969 on NBC and then on CBS for a year from September 1969. The main character, Maxwell Smart, was a clumsy secret agent who continually achieved success, mainly due to dumb luck. He is married to Agent 99, whose name was never revealed during the series.

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State of Play, originally a television mini-series produced by BBC One, is now set to be adapted as a feature film. The movie, due to be released in 2008, stars Edward Norton, Helen Mirren, and Russell Crowe, the latter coming into the picture after Brad Pitt dropped out.

The mini-series was originally broadcasted in 2003 and consisted of 6 one-hour episodes based in the United Kingdom. The movie adaptation has moved the location to the United States, although the main characters have been kept the same. The plot centers around an ambitious Congressman whose political career is threatened when his mistress is found dead and foul play is suspected. Crowe plays a campaign manager turned investigative journalist who helps the police in studying the case.

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Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Mozart’s 1791 opera, which is set in a 20th century war scene is fresh, fun, and uplifting. The film uses some talented opera singers, such as Joseph Kaiser, who’s remarkable and sympathetic as the leading man Tamino, and Amy Carson as his beautiful love Pamina. The actors have mutual attraction, that is very natural and convincing. Rene Pape makes a charming character from evil Sarastro, and the Queen of the Night is stunning with her beautiful voice.

The plot is simple, but the movie is mostly enjoyable, the singers look good and perform well, and the music, of course glorious.

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The Terminator series is set for a new chapter with Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins earmarked for release in the summer of 2009. Warner Brothers announced that Christian Bale will star in the movie, but there is much speculation as to whether he will play John Connor, as some rumors claim, or a Terminator.

The first movie in the series came out in 1984 and was written and directed by James Cameron. He also directed the sequel, subtitled Judgement Day which was released in 1991 and was a huge hit. The third movie, Rise of the Machines, hit the theaters in 2003 to mild success. The movies have also spawned a television series, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, currently in production for the FOX network.

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