RockNRolla was Guy Ritchie’s return to prominence, but it still didn’t match what I consider to be his best film, Snatch. His first film, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels had obviously made the rounds in America as he was able to enlist A-listers like Benicio Del Toro and Brad Pitt to embody characters he created, while still maintaining the focus on bumbling English gangsters.

The whole film essentially revolves around a slew of characters out to get their hands on a fist-sized diamond that was stolen from Antwerp. The diamond exchanges hands constantly in a fit of different situations. In this scene, Tommy, a dimwitted thug, ordered to buy a new caravan, and Gorgeous George, an underground boxer, arrive at a gypsy (aka “Pikey”) campsite to purchase said caravan. What ensues is brilliant.

If I hadn’t become a huge Brad Pitt fan the year before this with Fight Club, I think this would’ve turned me into a convert. The Pikey’s are devious little things, but hilarious. His character in this is named One-Punch Mickey, and you’ll find out why. My friends and I would endless quote Pitt, trying our best to do the accent. Enjoy.

Some days there is not a lot shaking so you have to stretch the news a bit or grab some more random, interesting stuff.  Consider today one of those days.

Found this list of the 25 Most Successful Actresses of the Decade at [Examiner].  Perhaps some quesitonable criteria but an interesting list nevertheless.  It made my think of our list of 20 Actors Who May Want To Call It A Career, and if you read both, you will know why.

Speaking of lists, if you are excited for Friday’s Wolverine, then you may be inclined to read these 9 Wolverine Books You Must Read Before the Movie.  [io9] If any of you do it, you have to tell us about it…the clock is ticking!

[IESB] has an interview stating that Ridley Scott is considering an Alien prequel or reboot after he finishes with Robin Hood, which is currently shooting.

Russell Brand of Forgetting Sarah Marshall fame is doing a Drop Dead Fred remake of the 1991 film.  [Pop Crunch] breaks down Universal’s plans for the film.

For those into the business side of the movies, it is a real big deal that William Morris (WMA) and Endeavor have decided to merge as a power agency in Hollywood.  [Reuters] They should be bigger than “Entourage”s Miller Gold.  Barely.

Finally, only [MTV] has this for some reason, but it appears Benicio Del Toro is in talks to play Bret Easton Ellis (yes, him) in Lunar Park.  Now this would be wild for Del Toro to go from Three Stooges to this.

We bring another classic scene to you today, which is probably one that most, if not all of you are familiar with. However, it’s always great to give it a second look. Or a third. Or a fourth. If you haven’t seen The Usual Suspects before, you should do so, but watch this scene first. It doesn’t ruin anything at all, but provides some great humor and excellent line-readings.

There’s very little set-up necessary for this scene. Five career criminals are brought in for a police line-up to read the line, “Hand me the keys, you f***ing c***sucker.” Benicio del Toro gets a lot of love for his performance in the film, as well as this scene, and it’s deserved. However, Stephen Baldwin is the absolute star of this short scene. Although you may never see another movie with the guy for as long as you live, he’ll forever be a genius due to his performance right here. I remember my friends and I driving each others cars, mainly so we could ask for our own set of keys back using his line.

From the line all five suspects have to read, you might know the scene is obviously NSFW. Enjoy.

This is some crazy news. I still don’t think it equates to Michel Gondry directing The Green Hornet level of craziness, but still. The long rumored Three Stooges project from the Farrelly Brothers is finally coming to fruition and you wouldn’t believe the cast they’re bringing with them: Jim Carrey, Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn. Boom.

“Variety” confirms Curly, Moe and Larry are headed back to the big screen. Who’s playing who? Penn will be Larry, Carrey will be Curly and Del Toro will be Moe. Also, the film will not be a biopic, but rather a “straightforward” Stooges type comedy.

I was just having a conversation with The Rake last night about Matt Damon branching out to play comedic in the Farrelly’s Stuck on You, and although the result wasn’t much, the act was interesting. Now, we’re getting two dramatic heavyweights in Penn and Del Toro going comedic and Carrey returning to his Dumb and Dumber roots.

This project will be very intriguing and very anticipated. The Farrelly’s are in need of a hit. They haven’t really had one since There’s Something About Mary, which was 11 years ago  now. Although, I do remember really liking Me, Myself & Irene when it came out. However, the Stooges are here now. Production will start in fall for release in 2010. Be there.

So, what do you think of this project? And the casting?

Here’s a Stooge clip for you to whet your appetite:

Lauded Oscar-winning Director Martin Scorcese is temporarily abandoning his love affair with muse Leonardo DiCaprio by grabbing Daniel Day-Lewis and Benicio Del Toro for his upcoming film Silence.  The additionally heralded actor Gael Garcia-Bernal is also in on the tight-lipped film.  MTV reports on Scorcese’s decade long dream project:

Based on Shusako Endo’s historical novel of 17th century Japan, it’s the story of two Portuguese Jesuit priests who travel to Japan to investigate the fate of their mentor, and to continue the spread of Catholicism in Japan. But they find the Christian population driven underground, their mentor in prison, and a political and religious climate that is fraught with danger, torture, and personal anguish.

This sounds like Oscar-bait to me.  Religion and politics mixed with some possible action?  Count us intrigued to say the least.  Bringing Day-Lewis and Del Toro together is cinematic brilliance.  These two heavyweights may offer up a master class in acting in the film.  Both are Oscar-winners and both are known to disappear into their characters on set.  That would be fun to be a fly on the wall there.  We’ll keep you abreast of what happens with the project from here.

Are you cool with the idea of Scorcese bringing new actors into the fold, or would you prefer more Leo?  As much as I have grown to enjoy Leo (see Revolutionary Road review) I think both actor and director need new stimuli to bring them to another level.  I doubt the partnership is through by any means, so this will likely be a temporary hiatus.

Here is our list of the Top 20 Most Anticipated Films of 2009 (in convenient alphabetical order!)

Angels & Demons – I’m hoping Ron Howard and Co. will atone for their sins from The Da Vinci Code. The book was sweet. (Machinegunrap)

Avatar - James Cameron finally directs another fictional film. (Machinegunrap)

Bruno – Would have easily made the list but I am just afraid of a letdown with the heights that Borat reached. (The Rake)

Funny People – Apatow’s directorial follow-up to Knocked Up is sure to be funny. Even the title promises it. (Machinegunrap)

The Human Factor – Clint Eastwood makes great movies. This is sure to be his next. (Machinegunrap)

Inglourious Basterds – Tarantino is back with Pitt in a main role.  Not happy about the subject matter (WW II) but it is a passion project of his, so I am hoping it turns out. (The Rake)

The Lovely Bones – Peter Jackson directing a murdered young girl as she watches her family from heaven. (Machinegunrap)

Public Enemies – Michael Mann, Christian Bale and Johnny Depp.  Any Mann film makes this sort of list consistently for me.  Watch Collateral again if you need a refresher. (The Rake)

The Road – Because I read the book and thought the production stills (see below) I have seen have nailed what I envisioned when I was reading it.  Disappointed that it had to be pushed back to this year. (The Rake)

Sherlock Holmes – Ritchie is back with 08′s RocknRolla and the stills for this look good.  Another RDJ starrer and add in the answer to Chris Rock’s Oscar-question (Who is Jude Law?). (The Rake)

Shutter Island – Scorsese. DiCaprio. Lehane. Memorize it. Be there. (Machinegunrap)

The Soloist – This one being delayed sucks, but RDJ and Jamey Focks (I mean, Jamie Foxx) based on a true story.  This one could be moving. (The Rake)

State of Play – Russell Crowe and Affleck (acting again) is enough to get some intrigue.  We’ll see if it pans out.  The trailer is here. (The Rake)

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – The Transformers themselves were the best part of the first film. There are more of them this time. (Machinegunrap)

Up – At the moment, Pixar magic only comes around once a year. Cherish it. (Machinegunrap)

Watchmen – I know nothing of the graphic novel but this has a great trailer and Patrick Wilson, so it’s enough to get me excited. (The Rake)

Whatever Works – Woody Allen teams up with Larry David, if there’s a better pairing imaginable, I don’t want to hear it. (Machinegunrap)

Where The Wild Things Are – Years ago, this book was a childhood favorite.  Maurice Sendak rules and Spike Jonze directs. (The Rake)

The Wolfman – The photo still of Benicio Del Toro as the Wolf Man is just fresh.  Only question is, did he need any make up?  Love you, Benicio. (The Rake)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine – Mr. Jackman is  growing on me and the trailer is simply dope.  Normally this wouldn’t rate that high for me, but I am anticipating it based on what I have seen. (The Rake)

Some others we have a definite interest in as well:

Taking of Pelham 123 – Denzel in a remake of the 1974 classic heist film.

Killshot – Elmore Leonard adaptation (one of my favorite authors) and because Out of Sight was so good.

The Maiden Heist – Morgan Freeman, Chris Walken, and William H. Macy.  A cast to drool over.

Push – Dakota Fanning and Chris Evans in a quasi-Superhero movie.  It looks and sounds good.

Game – Mainly for Gerard Butler.  His RocknRolla performance won me over.

Duplicity – Clive Owen and Julia Roberts re-team after their hot pairing in Closer.

Green Zone – Paul Greengrass directs CIA agents searching for WMD’s. It’s gotta be tight.