Pop Cultural District

Feel the need for 'Exit Speed'

I can think of better places than a Studio Movie Grill to hold a red-carpet premiere for a movie, but that's where the North American Red Carpet Premiere of Exit Speed will take place next week. Filmed in an around Dallas, including Coppell, Carrollton and Parker, the movie is a thriller about a bus accident that turns into a battle between the passengers and a gang of bikers. I'm oversimplifying a bit, but that's the gist of it.

Fred Ward and Lea Thompson are among the stars expected to attend the premiere, with red-carpet festivites getting under way about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Studio Movie Grill, 11170 N. Central Expressway in Dallas. Movie starts at 7:30, and tickets are regular price plus whatever you want to drop on the Studio Movie Grill''s food. --Robert Philpot

Mamma Mia, indeed

E! Online allows us to brace ourselves for the upcoming sing-along version (and apparently dance-along, too) of Mamma Mia. Any excuse for an ABBA video ... Robert Philpot

This sounds too good to be ... good

Steve Carell and Tina Fey will play a married couple in an upcoming movie called Date Night, Variety reports. And once again, I worry that a project that sounds great on paper is going to misfire when it hits the screen. Not that I have preconceived notions or anything.

--Robert Philpot

"Starring David Hasselhoff as Hammett, the ruthless mercenary and snake slayer."

That''s right: The Hoff will star in Anaconda 3, MTV's movies blog reports in an amusing post. It's straight to video. Reserve your copy now. (AP Photo/Sang Tan from Star-Telegram archives)

--Robert Philpot

Well, he does kinda look like the lost Ramone

Variety reports that Howard Stern is producing a remake of Rock 'n' Roll High School. Speaking of Howard Stern, here's some news about him and a Dixie Chick.

--Robert Philpot

Put your head in a bag and win a contest

No, this isn't a really dangerous dare. It's a reference to the Angelika Film Center's Baghead contest.

--Robert Philpot

Shaking and stirring the James Bond theme

Alicia Keys and Jack White will do the theme song for the upcoming Quantum of Solace, one of the worst-titled James Bond movies ever. The interesting pairing will do the first theme-song duet in 007 series history, Billboard reports via Reuters.

--Robert Philpot

Hard times for Batmen

First, there's all this Russ Martin stuff that happened while I was gone. I e-mailed Martin yesterday and he told me (in so many words) that his attorney has advised him not to comment.

Then there's this Christian Bale incident that's one of the first things in my e-mail this morning.

Then there's the fourth hour of Today starting off with "Holy Batman, everybody!" That's just going too far.

--Robert Philpot

'The Dark Knight': Best 'Batman' Yet?

Here's something to whet your Batman appetite. First words out of the The Dark Knight screenings is that this could be the film of the summer.

---Cary Darling

Re: Art House for Fort Worth?

Cross your fingers on this one, film buffs. Magnolia at the Modern does a good job, and TCU and the public library do what they can for the Fort Worth film scene, but Cowtown hasn't had a true art theater since the Ridglea stopped showing indie films sometime in the early to mid-'90s. In these days of $4-a-gallon gas, you don't want to drive to Dallas to see an art film, especially if you like movie popcorn (which is more than $4 a gallon at many theaters).

--Robert Philpot