In case you’re a little rusty on your Tolkien, both of these titles come from chapters of the book (“An Unexpected Party” and “There and Back Again”).  Now, since I don’t have anything else to say about these confirmed titles, here’s a massive list of the cast:

See Video Of Peter Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit’ Being Made Before Your Very Eyes

Whew! No wonder the movie is in two parts. (ComingSoon)

Now director Peter Jackson has asked McKenzie to return to Middle Earth, this time as the Elf of Rivendell himself, Lindir, in The Hobbit. Hopefully this will give McKenzie a chance to strap on an accoustic guitar and sing a comedy song that inspires you to faintly smile and nod your head a tiny bit in amusement.

Based on the classic J.R.R. Tolkien novel, The Hobbit also stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett. The two parts will venture into theaters late 2012 and late 2013. (Variety)

Hanna is the kind of action movie I enjoy, where you understand the visual language. You see a lot without explanation, and what you don’t quite see often tells more of the story. Modern audiences may call this revolutionary. Let’s go with “old school.”

In her first scene hunting a deer, Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) disappears instantly with a camera move. We always see stealthy killers disappearing in a cut, but it means a lot more to show it fluidly. Hanna’s been trained out in the snow by her father, Erik (Eric Bana). If the deer didn’t convince you, her fight with Erik shows you she’s got skills.

Marisa Wiegler (Cate Blanchett) is introduced dramatically, from behind during her daily routine. That pays off later when she brushes her teeth with less confidence. Wiegler provides a brief dossier, something genetic about Hanna and covert about Erik. She’s the bad guy.

I’m being glib because I think it’s perfect that they don’t over explain too much. Eventually you learn exactly what’s special about Hanna but only when it dramatically pays off. As far as I’m concerned they could leave it vague. We just need to know there’s a basic relationship and antagonism. The story and the actors deliver the gravitas without explaining this is why they’re acting this way.

You completely understand the methodology of Hanna’s skills. When she escapes, you don’t exactly see all her moves but you know what she’s doing and how she’s leveraging her opponents. In a flashback for Wiegler, you hear a car crashing off camera, because what’s important is Wiegler’s action. A gunfight has all to do with Wiegler reaching her gun some distance ahead of her.

Hanna is not just an action thriller though. Hanna hooks up with a traveling family in an RV. Their daughter, Sophie (Jessica Barden), is such a spoiled brat it’s an adorable counterpoint. When her mom (Olivia Williams) asks Hanna how her mom, her blunt honesty is priceless.

This is all a very technical way of saying Hanna is awesome. The action is cool, the characters are memorable and it’s made in a clear, exciting way.

Director: Joe Wright

Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana

Synopsis: A 16-year-old who was raised by her father to be the perfect assassin is dispatched on a mission across Europe, tracked by a ruthless intelligence agent and her operatives.

Release Date: April 8, 2011

Franco’s power drain is also having an impact on his less-prolific colleagues – Cate Blanchett was also attached to the project before dropping out. No reason is given although it’s being speculated that her duties with The Hobbit are the source of a conflict.

Fans of James Franco will have to settle for merely seeing him in every aspect of modern life that isn’t While We’re Young. (via The Playlist)

First of all, let’s recognize that Galadriel does indeed totally look like Spaghetti Cat. Second of all, Cate Blanchett is returning as Spaghetti Cat in Peter Jackson’s multi-racial The Hobbit. Galadriel! I mean Galadriel. Jackson had this to say about Blanchett donning her elf years again: “Cate if one of my favorite actors to work with and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have her reprise the role she so beautifully brought to life in the earlier films.”

I see what you’re doing there, Peter. Ian McKellan hasn’t yet signed on to return as Gandalf, but after he reads your little love letter to Cate he’s sure to scoop up that staff as quickly as his bones will allow. Andy Serkis is also expected to return as Gollum. Not much of a surprise considering he eats, breathes, and sleeps in a mo-cap unitard. (Deadline)

The new trailer for Robin Hood proves it’s a tough business stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Robin from da Hood, played with convincing mean-face by Russell Crowe, trots his way into Nottingham and says, "Nuh uh" when he witnesses how a despotic sheriff is treating his peeps.

So he does what any other man in tights with a bow and arrow would do: he finds other men in tights with bows and arrows and forms a merry gang. Together they fight a smooth-headed Mark Strong, a formidable foe as Sir Godfrey, as Robin from Da Hood tries to get in Maid Marian’s (Cate Blanchett’s) panties. All of this is a lot more epic and romantic than I’m describing it, but you get the gist. Look folks, Ridley Scott directed the damn thing. You know what to expect. My words can’t do sweeping wide-shots justice.

Check out the new trailer after the jump. Robin Hood storms into theaters May 14, 2010.

Robin Hood New Trailer – Watch more Movie Trailers

Director: Ridley Scott

Cast: Russell Crowe, William Hurt, Cate Blanchett

Synopsis: The origin story of the legendary her Robin Hood, charting his life as an army level archer to the man that takes from the rich and gives to the poor.

Genre: Adventure

Release Date: May 14, 2010