Meryl Streep's Song Reportedly "Cut" From Into the Woods & Unbroken Test Screens

Meryl Streep as The Witch and Mackenzie Mauzy as Rapunzel in Disney's "Into the Woods".

Remember that wonderful news that composer Stephen Soundheim wrote a new song just for Meryl Streep for the onscreen adaptation of "Into the Woods"? Remember how excited she was? Remember how excited we were? Well unfortunately, director Rob Marshall ("Chicago") tells us that the song has been cut from the film.

Angelina Jolie's Unbroken Leaps Ahead to Become Our Oscar Frontrunner

Any project Angelina Jolie committed herself to as director would receive an instant laurel of prestige. Throw in WWII, sweeping music, epic cinematography and being based on a true story and you have a film that seems destined for Oscar glory.

We've already discussed why Jolie's adaptation of real life Olympic winner/WW II vet Louis Zamperini is as buzzy as it sounds. But with the recent passing of Mr. Zamperini, one can't deny there is a timeliness in telling this incredible true story, and while Jolie isn't the most seasoned director (this is only her second time behind the camera), the results look astounding in this new trailer.

Handsomely mounted, and (from the looks of it) acted masterfully by Skins alum Jack O'Connell, "Unbroken" is sure to be a hit, and Oscar heavyweight.

Watch the new trailer below. Unbroken will be released everywhere on Christmas Day.

Thoughts on Angelina Jolie's "Maleficent"

When I first heard that there was a film about "Maleficent" in the works, starring Angelina Jolie, I have to admit I freaked out a bit. Maleficent has always been my favorite Disney villainess, and is arguably the most iconic. However, what really thrilled me was that early reports said the film would be Maleficent's "Wicked", i.e. tell her side of the story. That's what really got me going; Wicked (the book or the musical, either or) is one of the best retellings of a classic tale, offering depth and a new side to a character (The Wicked Witch of the West) we had all been told to hate for so long, and the fact that Sleeping Beauty's queen of evil was going to get that treatment was thrilling me.

Unfortunately, as much as early trailers excited me, I could see where Maleficent was headed... in the same canon as recent Disney CGI crap fests such as "Alice in Wonderland" or "OZ the Great and Powerful". While both were fun and silly, family targeted films, they didn't offer anything beyond their shiny, sleek appearances. However, the reason why Maleficent fails so much more than those films, however, is because of how much promise it squandered in favor of following OZ and Alice, not mention, it wastes Angelina Jolie's obvious talent.

Maleficent's Wings (EDITED: Now Includes Complete Trailer)

The untold story of Disney's greatest villain is drawing closer and closer (the film lands May 30th, just in time for Summer). While there's still time to kill, however, Disney is doing an excellent job at keeping us intrigued just what happened before Princess Aurora pricked her finger on the spinning wheel.

In this latest trailer, we learn that Maleficent had wings once, just like the other fairies. Unfortunately for her (and everyone else; could this be what drove her to become evil?), they were stolen from her. 

Take a look at the new teaser below.

*** I posted this yesterday before Disney released the full trailer. It has been modified with the new, complete trailer *** This is presumably the final trailer before the film's release

New Trailer for Unbroken, Directed by Angelina Jolie

It's been quite awhile since we've had an Angelina Jolie; she'll headline this year's Maleficent in the titular role, her first live action role in almost 4 years.

In 2011, Jolie stepped into the director's chair, directing the foreign language film "In The Land of Blood and Honey". The film received tepid reviews and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language film.

Jolie, however, is back in the director's chair, however with a brand new film, guns blazing. It's called Unbroken, and though we haven't truly put an end to 2013's award season, it's stirring up 2014 awards chatter.

Not only is Jolie's name reason to pay attention, but Oscar nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins is shooting it, and boy does it look gorgeous. Universal is promoting it, and it managed to nab a huge TV spot during the Olympics; you couldn't buy better publicity. The fact it's being released in the Oscar friendly month of December (on Christmas Day) doesn't hurt either.

Is Unbroken on your "One to watch" list? Take a look below, watch the trailer, and see for yourself.

All New Maleficent Trailer Featuring Lana Del Rey's Cover of "Once Upon A Dream"

Hot off of her contribution to The Great Gatsby's soundtrack with her song "Young and Beautiful", singer Lana Del Rey has returned with another soundtrack credit. Actress Angelina Jolie has reportedly handpicked the singer to perform a cover of the song "Once Upon A Dream" for the new Disney movie "Maleficent"

A new trailer featuring the song (which is quite great) has been released, which you can watch below. You can also find a link to download the track for free! (only for a limited time only).

New Maleficent Trailer

Disney is really starting to turn up the heat with their promotion of their newest film, "Maleficent".

Arguably Disney's greatest villain, the film takes a sort of "Wicked" approach; rather than focusing on Sleeping Beauty herself (played by Elle Fanning), the story will instead focus on the background of Maleficent (played by none other than Academy Award Winner Angelina Jolie), telling us how she got to be so evil.

After dropping a trailer about a month ago, a new one has surfaced featuring new footage and old scenes from the classic animated film, Sleeping Beauty.

The film is directed by Robert Stromberg, who previously served as a production designer on films such as Alice in Wonderland and Oz the Great and Powerful.

Watch the new trailer below.

Sorry! Also, Sky Ferreira and some other cool stuff

I haven't been posting as frequently as I'm known for, which I apologize for. I'm swimming in a pool of school assignments as the semester is drawing to a close. However, this Friday I'll be attending Sky Ferreira's concert in Philly in support of her upcoming album (which you can check out here if you haven't already), and will be live blogging the event here for you to all keep up with and check out.

And so I don't deter too far off of my blog's usual topic of film and the Oscars, I have some interesting stories happening right now, so check em out!

• The much hyped up Disney film, "Maleficent" starring Oscar winner and Hollywood Queen Angelina Jolie dropped a trailer today. Jolie stars as the iconic villain who put a curse on Sleeping Beauty (played in the film by Elle Fanning). The film is set to be released in May 2014, and tells the story of Maleficent, instead of the story we remember from the classic Disney film. You can read more about the film and watch the trailer here. 
• Jennifer Lawrence has apparently lost her Oscar! Maybe the Academy had second thoughts and deservingly gave it to Jessica Chastain or Emmanuelle Riva 
• American Hustle releases a new buzzy teaser. The amount of excitement I have for this film is officially reaching ridiculous heights. Watch it here. 
• Sasha Stone of Awards Daily reports that Oprah Winfrey is set to receive the Montecito Award from the Santa Barbara Film Festival. Is this the first of many awards for Oprah's supporting work in Lee Daniels' The Butler? Read here
• Kris Tapley of Incontention assesses the very weak field of Animated Films vying for an Oscar this year, and bangs the drum for Christian Bale's work in Out of the Furnace, which if partnered with his work in American Hustle, could help boost him to another Oscar nomination.