Cars in Movies

Top 50 Memorable Movie Cars

2008-06-16T17:43:00.000-07:00

The rotten tomatoes have come up with their own list of the world’s most memorable movie cars. I know some of you are familiar with these spectacular vehicles. From the top 50 list, I took the top 10 cars that made a full blast in the silver screens.

10. Mr. Frye's Ferrari
Type of car: 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB
Special features: attracts joyriding parking attendants
Appears in: Ferris Bueller's Day Off

9. Tim Burton's Batmobile
Type of car: GM Batmobile
Special features: Turbine, remote control, shields
Appears in: Batman, Batman Returns

8. Starsky's Gran Torino
Type of car: 1976 Ford Gran Torino
Special features: Mag wheels, custom paint
Appears in: Starsky & Hutch

7. Bandit's Trans Am
Type of car: 1977 Pontiac Trans Am
Special features: T-tops, CB Radio
Appears in: Smokey and the Bandit, Smokey and the Bandit II

6. Ecto-1
Type of car: 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor
Special features: Siren, sliding proton pack storage
Appears in: Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters 2

5. James Bond's Aston Martin DB5
Type of car: 1963 Aston Martin DB5
Special features: Oil slick, smoke screen, ejector seat, radar tracking system, machine guns, revolving license plates
Appears in: Goldfinger, Thunderball, The Cannonball Run, Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale

4. Bullitt's Mustang
Type of car: 1968 Ford Mustang GT390 Fastback
Special features: Makes you feel almost as cool as Steve McQueen
Appears in: Bullitt

3. The General Lee
Type of car: 1969 Dodge Charger
Special features: Extensive race modifications, musical horn
Appears in: The Dukes of Hazzard

2. Herbie
Type of car: 1963 Model 117 Volkswagen Type 1 (Beetle)
Special features: Ultimate cruise control
Appears in: The Love Bug, Herbie Rides Again, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, Herbie Goes Bananas, Herbie: Fully Loaded

1. Doc Brown's De Lorean
Type of car: 1981 De Lorean DMC-12
Special features: Flux capacitor, remote control, hover conversion, Mr. Fusion generator
Appears in: Back to the Future, Back to the Future Part II, Back to the Future Part III

To view the complete list of Rotten Tomatoes Top 50 Most Memorable Cars, just rotten tomatoes!

'Starsky & Hutch' Ford Gran Torino

2008-06-03T17:57:00.000-07:00

Who could possibly forget the adventures of Starsky & Hutch. These two characters made us laugh with their funny antics and nerve-racking mishaps. Of course, the two looked so cool because of the legendary car they drove. In fact, Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson really rode in this 1974 Gran Torino. Built by Mike Walsh's Premiere Studio Rentals, it's one of the two "hero" cars built for the 2004 Starsky & Hutch film. Walsh sold the other hero car… a '76 Gran Torino but otherwise alike on eBay for $50,000. That's not a really enough for a indisputable movie star, but it radically sure enough for a vehicle like the Gran Torino.

Actually, this might be the greatest Gran Torino in reality. It has just more than 2100 original miles on its 33-year-old odometer and a hot-rodded 435-hp, 360-cubic-inch Ford Windsor pushrod V-8 underneath its hood. The framework and body is straight and hundred per cent rust-free, and it doesn’t create too much screeches or clatters.

The suspension has been reconstructed with more solid rear leaf springs and air shocks to provide a mean and sturdy rake. The slot mags wear 235/60R-15 BFGoodrich Radial T/As up front and 275/60R-15s in back. The PPG Viper Red paint is dang next to sightlessness. The Ford Gran Torino rests with a mean rumble and growls when provided a little bit of a motivation. It's even graciously rapid that can blast off to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 14.1 seconds at 102 mph, regardless of being prepared to sway its tail radically around corners fairly than speed up in a straight path.

The Mach 5 In Reality

2008-05-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

The Mach 5 has been a fictional vehicle model featured in the popular animation flick Speed Racer, but not until the blockbuster-in-the-making Speed Racer movie from Warner Bros. came into the picture. Oh yes, the Speed Racer film is one of this year’s most anticipated movies.

Speed Racer is played by Emile Hirsch along with leading-lady Christina Ricci as Trixie, Speed's girlfriend. Speed Racer is apparently born to race cars. He is aggressive, intuitive and, most of all, fearless. His only true competition is the memory of his late brother who he idolized - the legendary Rex Racer. Rex died in a race that has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to accomplish. Speed is loyal to the family racing business, led by his father, Pops Racer, the designer of Speed's thundering Mach 5.

The Mach 5 according to wikepedia:

The Mach Five is the racing car Speed Racer (Go Mifune in the Japanese version) drives in the anime series of the same name (known as "Mach Go! Go! Go!" in Japan). The car was designed, built, and created by Pops Racer, Speed Racer's father. It features a set of special devices which Speed Racer uses throughout the series. In the original 1966 series, the Mach Five is a white racing car with an 'M' written on its hood. In the 1993 American remake, the design was completely changed.

Its name probably derives from the fact that speeds above Mach 5 are known as hypersonic. However, the Mach Five cannot reach Mach speeds. The name is also a pun in two languages: the word for "five" in Japanese is "go". However, the "go" used for the car's name is a suffix attached to the names of ships, etc. Thus, the car is known in the Japanese version as simply the "Mach".

The Dark Knight's Lambo

2008-05-08T21:42:00.000-07:00

After ‘Iron Man’ had its world premiere last May 2, 2008, next month promises to be another blast for movie goers especially the Batman fanatics. Yup, the follow-up to the action hit "Batman Begins” is here. The “Dark Knight” from Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures is set to break box-office records once again as Christian Bale (Batman/Bruce Wayne) continues to eradicate evil in Gotham City!

The movie will feature Batman’s most popular arch-enemy, the Joker, which is played by Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger. Harvey Dent, also known as “Two-Face”, will be featured in the story as well. One of the best surprises viewers should look forward to is the scenes when Batman isn't protecting Gotham City from a variety of villains in the Batmobile. The billionaire Bruce Wayne selected one of Lamborghini's sexiest super sports cars ever created, the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640! Of course, Mr. Wayne is as cool and hip as Tony Stark (The Iron Man) too! Bruce Wayne's latest Lambo can be first seen raiding the streets of Gotham in the movie."The Dark Knight" is scheduled for worldwide premiere on July 18, 2008.

The Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Coupe appearing in "The Dark Knight" is power-driven by a 640 horsepower 12-cylinder engine and is capable of more than 211 mph.

"The Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 is the natural choice for Bruce Wayne's other car. Lamborghini is proud to be associated with one of the greatest movie franchises in history, especially co-starring with the night-bound Batmobile," says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

‘Entourage’ Makes Cars Stars

2008-02-13T17:43:00.000-08:00

Auto buffs consider movies as an extension to their fetish. I, for one, is not an exception. Cars in movies are stars. They are awesome. They are up for speed and elegance - not to forget fame.

Sure, cars have always been a secret ingredient in coming up with captivating movies that stay in the mind of the viewers. Think James Bond's Aston. Fabulous and uber refined! Or Steve McQueen's 1968 Mustang GT 390 in "Bullitt". Or maybe the trio of Mini Coopers in "The Italian Job." Or Thomas Magnum and his Ferrari. Think Bumble Bee and the yellow Chevy Camaro. If you are a movie fanatic slash auto buff, the list could be endless…

Cars have always been big stars in movie and television shows. The latest awesome attempt in TV is espoused by HBO series ‘Entourage’. The multiple car placements in the TV series could make my head spin like uber fast road machines. Unfortunately, the thing could also make your bank accounts spin.

Los Angeles Times writes:

In its four seasons to date, the show has burned through a pimped-out 1961 Lincoln Continential convertible, a Maserati Quattroporte, three Aston Martin DB9s, a BMW 745, a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a Lexus LS 600h, a Hummer H2 and a Bentley Continental GT convertible. Oh, and four Ducati motorcycles.

Does it make the cash register ring? Aston Martin Vice President and General Manager John Walton said yes but added that the company was really looking to the future. "We manufacture only a few thousand of these cars per year, so sales numbers don't factor into the equation. It's more about gaining cachet for the brand with a younger audience," he said.

The ask: Whether the members of the Y generation drivers would ever be able to pay for a DB9, which arrives with a $180,000 sticker price.

"Public Enemies" Seeks Vintage Cars

2008-01-30T17:12:00.000-08:00

The movie adaptation of Brian Burrough’s book titled Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-43 is seeking vintage cars.Public Enemies, having the Depression-era as setting, will require a throng of vintage cars for filming. As such film officials will come to Miller Park on Sunday to negotiate with local vintage car owners.

Howard Bachrach, the picture car captain for Universal Pictures, will be in Milwaukee to scout potential cars, trucks and buses to be used as background vehicles, according to GM Today.

"They (car collectors) are a bunch of great people and because they’re passionate about what they’re doing, they’re willing to help us out," he said, adding that he has contacted local car clubs in the area inviting them to bring their vehicles made from 1930 to 1935 to the stadium for consideration.

Public Enemies, which is directed by Michael Mann, stars Johnny Depp playing the legendary American bank robber John Dillinger. Dillinger was one of the most well-known crime figures from the early 1930s, responsible for a string of daring heists before eventually being shot dead by police in a Chicago ambush in 1934 aged 31, reported Reel Suave.

Other notorious criminals in the story include Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd. Christian Bale, meanwhile, plays Melvin Purvis, the one tapped by FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover to lead a manhunt.

Public Enemies’ production is set to begin later this winter in Chicago and other Midwestern locales.

500+ For The Mustang

2008-01-22T16:54:00.000-08:00

If the all-American pony car Mustang is a human being, it would probably be like a multi-awarded actor like Anthony Hopkins or Tom Hanks. Why? Here’s a trivia for all of you…

In its 40 years of glorious existence as America’s much loved pony car, the Mustang has starred in over 500 starring roles on the silver screen more than any other vehicle model in the history of Hollywood! Now that's really something.

Oh yeah… Check out some of the popular movies which featured the legendary Mustang or to view all movies! I know you’ll be surprised by this list (and it's not even complete yet!):

Amityville: The Demon (1965-6 Mustang coupe)
Batman and Robin (1964 Shelby 289 Cobra)
Beverly Hills Cop III (1966 Mustang convertible)
Bullitt (1968 Mustang Fastback)
Curse of the Black Widow (1968 Mustang convertible, 1967 Mustang coupe)
Fast Food (1966 Mustang coupe)
Fast Lane Blues (1966 Mustang convertible)
Fatal Beauty (1965 Mustang convertible)
Gas Pump Girls (1966 Mustang coupe)
General's Daughter, The (1965 Mustang coupe)
Hitchhiker Vol. 3, The (1971 Mustang Convertible)
Hollywood High (1968 Mustang coupe)
Immortal, The (1968 Shelby GT500KR Mustang)
Implicated (1966 Mustang convertible)
In a Cat's Eye (Classic Mustangs)
In Crowd, The (1966 Mustang coupe)
Incubus, The (1967 Mustang coupe)
Independence Day (1965 Mustang convertible)
J. F. K. (1965 Mustang convertible)
Jocks (1967 Mustang convertible)
Last American Hero, The (1967 Mustang Fastback)
Last Boy Scout (1965 Mustang convertible)
Last Don, The (1965 Mustang coupe)
Le Mans (1965 Shelby 427 Cobra)

Knight Rider’s 15-Second Clip Released

2008-01-01T20:41:00.000-08:00

Finally the long wait is over. NBC network in America has released a 15 second clip of the upcoming remake of the 1980’s iconic television show Knight Rider. The 540 horsepower Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR is officially the new KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) with the artificial intelligence voice provided by Will Arnett. NBC network will air the Knight Rider TV movie at 9pm ET on February 17, 2008 Sunday.

Knight Industries Three Thousand: 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR

Vehicle Type: Front engine, on-demand all-wheel drive, two-door coupe
Engine Type: Aluminum block/titanium heads 5.4-liter V8 internal combustion with Whipple supercharger and Knight Industries liquid air cycle auxiliary turbine engine. 540 hp in Hero mode. Power output can’t be measured in Attack mode.
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission with infinite power band
Price New: $45.6 million, as tested
Acceleration: 0 to 60 mph: 1.77 seconds. Standing quarter mile: 3.87 seconds
Braking (300 to 0 mph): 12 ft.
Fuel Economy: Not testable

Special Features as KITT:

Knight Industries 2000 microprocessor: Version 2.3
Auto Cruise
Auto Pursuit
Auto Collision Avoidance
Voice Interaction
Emergency Eject
Audio/Video In-Dash Functions
Radar
Sonar
X-Ray
Autopilot
Voice Analyzer
Infrared Tracking Scope
Range: 20 miles
Pyroclastic Lamination
Blood Analyzer
Microwave Jammer
Interior Oxygenator
Rocket Boosters
Smokescreen
Olfactory Detector
Spectrograph
Electromagnetic Field Generator
Microwave Ignition Sensor
Aquatic Synthesizer
Electronic Field Disrupter
Ultra Magnesium Charges
Ultraphonic Chemical Analyzer
Graphic Translator
Anamorphic Equalizer
DNA Analysis Equipment
Mass Spectrometer
Targeted Electromagnetic Pulse
Military-Grade GPS
Heated Seats
3D Heads-Up Display
Laser Weapons System
Holographic Projection
Keyless Entry and Ignition
Personal Safety System
Nanotech Cloaking
360-Degree Video Surveillance
Laser-Guided Missile Defense
Mini-KITT Reconnaissance Drone
24-Hour Roadside Assistance
1000-Watt Quadraphonic Stereo System
In-Seat Medical Diagnosis
Biometric Analysis

A Striped KITT

2007-12-27T00:03:00.000-08:00

The new Knight Rider will have stripes on it basically since it’s going to be a Ford Mustang specifically a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR that will portray the role of Knight Industries Three Thousand.

This will surely disappoint purists that are hoping to see a rebuilt Trans Am or another GM-made car such as the new Camaro or a Z06 Corvette. And also earlier pictures of the new KITT circulated on the web shows a Koenigsegg CCX which quite fits the role.

For the show, three versions of the car will be used the everyday KITT Hero, KITT Attack, and the driverless KITT Remote. The nanotechnology allows the KITT to shape shift and change color. The KITT’s super computer can hack into any computer and electrical system.

The voice of KITT will also be change instead of using the voice of William Daniels comic actor Will Arnett will become the new voice of KITT. However some feels that Arnett is somewhat miscast in the role.

Anyway that is no longer our concern (LOL). David Hasselhoff will remain as Michael Knight only older this time. He will be the personal trainer of All My Children star Justin Bruening who will play as an ex-Army Ranger Mike Tracer who will help in tracking down the original KITT creator, Charles. The other characters on the show include Deanna Russo as Sarah Graiman, Bruce Davison as Charles, and Sydney Tamiia Poitier as an FBI agent.

The Knight Rider to be shown at the NBC network on February 17 at 9pm ET will be a two-hour movie that will serve as a sneak peek of the coming new Knight Rider series and if the show is successful new episodes of the Knight Rider may be ready by the next fall season.

Aston Martin DBS to Star in New James Bond Movie

2007-12-17T00:38:00.000-08:00

The British manufacturer of luxury performance cars and favorite car brand of James Bond, Aston Martin has recently announced that the DBS which is the brand’s new flagship model will once again co-star with Daniel Craig in another James Bond movie to be produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for EON Productions and directed by March Forster.

The DBS has made its first appearance in Casino Royale where it was able to smash its way into the Guinness World Record books for “The Most Cannon Rolls in a Car”. The record-breaking stunt was accomplished by stuntman Adam Kirley and has become as one of the most spectacular in movie history when the DBS rolled seven times.

Dr. Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer said, “Aston Martin is proud of our long association with James Bond. The DBS has its own unique character which equals that of James Bond. It is explosive power in a black tie. It is the perfect car for James Bond as it delivers the complete driving experience and bridges the gap between our road and track cars – the DB9 and DBR9. It is equally at home on a twisting mountain circuit as on the open road and we are all very excited at the prospect of seeing it on the big screen again.”

The working title of the new James Bond movie is Bond 22 and is scheduled for international theatrical release in November 2008.

2007 Shelby Mustang GT500 Cast in I Am Legend Movie Starring Will Smith

2007-12-14T18:43:00.000-08:00

A year after the all-new version Ford Mondeo has grace the James Bond film Casino Royale another Ford vehicle will get its share of the limelight in a holiday blockbuster entitled I Am Legend starring Will Smith.

The movie will cast the 2007 Shelby Mustang GT500 in red with signature white stripes. Brian Daly of Ford Global Brand Entertainment (FGBE) which places Ford vehicles in movies, TV, and other media said, "There is no doubt that the Shelby Mustang GT500 is the costar of the first part of this story. Smith plays the sole survivor of an apocalypse who races around the deserted, gray, empty streets in this fantastic bright red Mustang. The sequences are incredible. The producers knew they wanted an American-made vehicle and the Shelby Mustang was perfect casting. But I also knew Chrysler and GM were making pitches. I kept imagining the folks at Camaro piecing together all kinds of prototypes to get those scenes."

It was in the spring of 2006 when Daly has started talking with Warner Bros. on the possible casting of Ford vehicles on the movie and thanks to his long working relationship with several studio executives he was given the chance to take a peak at the script.

I Am Legend is a movie adapted on the 1954 Richard Matheson science fiction novel that features a red Ford vehicle. The First adaptation of this novel is the movie The Omega Man which was released in the year 1971 and has featured Charlton Heston behind the wheel of a bright red 1970 Ford LTD.

For the I Am Legend, Smith will not only be seen driving a Ford convertible but will also be sharing scenes with a Ford Expedition and a Ford Escape Hybrid.

For this year, Ford vehicles have starred in some of the most exciting movies ever released including The Kingdom that featured a Range Rover and starred Jamie Foxx; Dan in Real Life wherein Ford starred with Volvo and Steve Carell; Rush Hour 3 that showcase a Jaguar XK and starred Jackie Chan; and Nancy Drew that featured a Ford Escape and Land Rover LR3 and starred Emma Roberts.

And next year, 2008, it’s still going to be a busy year for Ford vehicles on the screen as it joins the casts of the movie Nights in Rodante starring Richard Gere driving behind a 2008 Jaguar XK. Hopefully there would still be some more announcement after.

Top 40 Vintage movies featuring the greatest movie cars

2007-12-03T16:23:00.000-08:00

Can’t get enough of movie cars? And top tens gets you craving for more? Let me quench your thirst. Hotrod.com listed the top 40 greatest car movies of all time. Check them out and reminisce how each motion picture satisfied your gearhead appetite.

1> American Graffiti (1973)

Director: George Lucas
Stars: '32 Ford five-window, '55 Chevy, '58 Chevy
People: Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Charles Martin Smith,Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Phillips, Candy Clark, and PaulLeMat

2> Two-Lane Blacktop (1971)

Director: Monte Hellman
Stars: '55 Chevy, '70 GTO
People: James Taylor, Dennis Wilson, Warren Oates

3> Vanishing Point (1971)

Director: Richard C. Sarafian
Star: '70 Challenger R/T
People: Barry Newman, Cleavon Little, Dean Jagger

4> Bullitt (1968)

Director: Peter Yates
Stars: '68 Mustang GT 390, '68 Charger
People: Steve McQueen, Jacqueline Bisset

5> The Gumball Rally (1976)

Director: Charles Bail
Stars: '65 Shelby Cobra 427, '70 Camaro, '71 Ferrari DaytonaSpyder
People: Michael Sarrazin, Raul Julia, Gary Busey

6> Thunder Road (1958)

Director: Arthur Ripley
Stars: '50 Ford, '57 Chevy, '57 Ford
People: Robert Mitchum, Gene Barry

7> Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974)

Director: John Hough
Stars: '66 Impala, '69 Charger
People: Peter Fonda, Adam Roarke, Susan George, Vic Morrow

8> Smokey and The Bandit (1977)

Director: Hal Needham
Stars: '77 Trans Am
People: Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason

9> The Blues Brothers (1980)
Director: John Landis
Star: '74 Monaco Police Package
People: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd

10> Hollywood Knights (1980)

Director: Floyd Mutrux
Stars: '57 Chevy, '66 Cobra 427, and numerous street rods
People: Robert Wuhl, Tony Danza, Michelle Pfeiffer

11> Mad Max (1979)

Director: George Miller
Stars: '73 Ford Falcon Coupe
People: Mel Gibson

12> The Road Warrior (1981)

Director: George Miller
Star: '73 Ford Falcon Coupe
People: Mel Gibson

13> Le Mans (1971)

Director: Lee H. Katzin
Stars: Porsche 917, Ferrari 512S
People: Steve McQueen

14> Gone In 60 Seconds (1974)

Director: H.B. Halicki
Star: '73 Ford Mustang Mach 1
People: H.B. Halicki

15> Corvette Summer (1978)

Director: Matthew Robbins
Star: '73 Ford Falcon Coupe
People: Mark Hamill, Annie Potts

16> More American Graffiti (1979)

Director: Bill L. Norton
Stars: '32 Ford, fleets of vintage drag machines
People: Ron Howard, Paul LeMat

17> Funny Car Summer (1974)

Director: Ron Phillips
Star: Jim Dunn's rear-engine '73 'Cuda Funny Car
People: Jim Dunn and family

18> Cannonball (1976)

Director: Paul Bartel
Stars: '69 Mustang, '70 Trans Am, '71 Pantera, '68 Charger
People: David Carradine, Veronica Hamel

19> White Lightning (1973)

Director: Joseph Sargent
Star: '71 Ford LTD
People: Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty

20> Death Race 2000 (1975)

Director: Paul Bartel
Stars: Scads of kit cars
People: David Carradine, Sylvester Stallone

21> Eat My Dust! (1976)

Director: Charles B. Griffith
Star: '68 Camaro
People: Ron Howard, Christopher Norris

22> The Lively Set (1964)

Director: Jack Arnold
Stars: Chrysler Turbine, Top Fuelers, streamliners
People: James Darren, Pamela Tiffin, Doug McClure

23> The French Connection (1971)

Director: William Friedkin
Star: '71 Pontiac LeMans
People: Gene Hackman, Roy Schieder

24> To Live And Die In L.A. (1985)

Director: William Friedkin
Star: Early '80s Impala sedan
People: William L. Petersen, Willem Dafoe

25> Viva Las Vegas (1964)

Director: George Sidney
Stars: Cobras, Corvettes, and more
People: Elvis Presley, Ann-Margret

26> Ronin (1998)

Director: John Frankenheimer
Stars: BMW M5, Mercedes 6.9, Audi S8
People: Robert DeNiro, Jean Reno

27> Against All Odds (1984)

Director: Taylor Hackford
Stars: Porsche 911, Ferrari 308 GTSi
People: Jeff Bridges, James Woods, Rachel Ward

28> Christine (1983)

Director: John Carpenter
Stars: '58 Fury, '68 Charger, '67 Camaro
People: Keith Gordon, John Stockwell

29> Cobra (1986)

Director: George P. Cosmatos
Star: '50 Mercury
People: Sylvester Stallone, Brigitte Neilsen

30> Hot Rod (1950)
Director: Lewis D. Collins
Star: '32 Ford
People: Jimmy Lydon, Gil Stratton

31> Hot Rod Girl (1956)

Director: Leslie H. Martinson
Stars: Various rods, '56 Thunderbird
People: Lori Nelson, Frank Gorshin, Chuck Connors

32> The Cannonball Run (1981)

Director: Hal Needham
Stars: Dodge van, Ferrari 308 GTS, Lamborghini Countach
People: Burt Reynolds, Farrah Fawcett, Dom Deluise

33> The Driver (1978)

Director: Walter Hill
Stars: Chevy pickup, '76 Trans Am
People: Ryan O'Neal, Bruce Dern, Isabelle Adjani

34> Used Cars (1980)

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Stars: '57 Chevy, junk
People: Kurt Russell, Jack Warden, Deborah Harmon

35> Gone In Sixty Seconds (2000)

Director: Dominic Sena
Star: '67 Mustang
People: Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie

36> Hot Rods To Hell (1967)

Director: John Brahm/James Curtis Havens
Stars: '58 Corvette, '56 Chevy, '61 Belvedere
People: Dana Andrews, Jeanne Crain

37> Tucker: The Man And His Dream (1985)

Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Star: Tucker Torpedo
People: Jeff Bridges, Joan Allen, Martin Landau

38> Goldfinger (1964)

Director: Guy Hamilton
Star: Aston Martin DB5
People: Sean Connery

39> The Italian Job (1969)

Director: Peter Collinson
Stars: Mini Coopers, Lamborghini Miura
People: Michael Cain, Noel Coward, Benny Hill

40> The Fast And The Furious (2001)
Director: Rob Cohen
Stars: '70 Charger, '01 Ford Lightning, and a whole bunch ofreally hideous, overly done import cars with huge graphics.
People: Paul Walker, Vin Diesel

Looking back, what was the first ever Batmobile?

2007-11-17T00:51:00.000-08:00

In May of 1939, the #27 of Detective Comics introduced the superhero of Gotham City, Batman. For two years, Batman’s mode of transportation when catching the bad guys is not known, however, to make Batman’s job easier, the Batmobile came. The super car debuted in Batman #5 and became the comic cover of the Batman #20. That was in sketch.

In 1955, the real life Batmobile was made by Ford. During that time, Ford’s Lincoln division was able to create the futuristic concept car named Lincoln Futura. The Lincoln Futura was Italian handmade in Turin with a price tag of $250,000. That was the time when such amount seems like the price of the Bugatti Veyron. Like most of Concept cars, the Lincoln Futura was not put in production. Some time in the 1960’s George Barris of Barris Kustom City with his tactics bought the car from Ford Motor Co. for only $1.

To further see how Batman becomes Gotham’s super guy, the comic series was made a TV show. Of course, as Batman chases criminals he must be in his Batmobile. The problem was, is there a Bat-like car to fit our superhero?

To solve this problem, the producers of the “Batman” TV show asked the help of George Barris. Barris will be the one to build the Batmobile for the upcoming Batman show. Another problem was, the car is due by three weeks. With his new bought Futura having bat-like features his problem was cracked. For George Barris, there is no other car to be the Batmobile but his Lincoln Futura.

"Batman has two primary modes of transportation: swinging from gothic clock towers on his Batline, and cruising around Gotham in the Batmobile. Sure, he¹s got a Batwing and a Batjet and a Batcopter and even a Bat-Segway, but mostly Batman relies on his ride to get from point A to point B.” said David Campbell in his Batmobile essay.

The Bullitt Come back

2007-11-08T23:32:00.001-08:00

Way back in the 1960’s, the Mustang Bullitt hit the Hollywood screen with exhilarating car scenes. And now Ford’s racing pony comes back jam packed with the latest Ford Racing Technology features for its 2008 model year come back.

The special chassis and suspension tweaks make the Mustang Bullitt a versatile race icon. The new 4.6 liter V-8 engine built under its hood turns out a roaring 315 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque.

“The 2008 Mustang Bullitt embodies the true spirit of the 1968 movie car,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “Like the original Bullitt, this car dials the driving dynamics up a notch for Mustang enthusiasts who love the performance, handling and the sweet sound of Ford power that only Mustang can deliver.”

Early next year, you can expect the Mustang Bullitt to gallop in showrooms and dealership with a tag price of $31,075 which already include the destination charges. Ford limited the production of the Mustang Bullitt to only 7,700 units for the U.S and Canada.

“The 2008 Mustang Bullitt delivers balanced performance,” said Paul Randle, chief engineer. “Comfort is not compromised for performance. Performance is on demand. You can easily take Bullitt from the track to the street and back onto the track with confidence.”

The movie that gave the Mustang Bullitt its name celebrates its 40th year of release by Warner Bros. Pictures and the launching of this all-new vehicle is nothing but a great time. In the movie, legendary actor Steve McQueen drove a Dark Highland Green 1968 Mustang GT that gained cult status among Mustang enthusiasts, thanks to a seven-minute scene that film and car buffs believe defined the modern movie car chase.

“The machined appliqué differentiates the Bullitt from any other Mustang in the line-up,” said Gaffka. “It’s also perfect for the Bullitt. The graphic presentation pings back the feel of the ‘60s while still staying true to the Mustang’s modern interior design.”

The Rogue Assassin

2007-10-30T01:37:00.000-07:00

The hit movie “Rogue Assassin” stars “the One” hero Jet Li and the Transporter star Jason Statham. Directed by Philip G. Atwell, the inch-to-inch action film floods not just with the two world certified hit actors but with scenes that can make you eat all your popcorn until the last pop. Li plays as “Rogue” the international assassin that et off a bloody crime war between two Asian mobs: the Chinese Triad led by Chang (John Lone) and Japan's Yakuza headed by Shiro (Ryo Ishibashi). Car chases are also not deprived of this movie and perhaps is one of its highlights, as Jet Li rides his $257,000 silver Spyker C8 Spyder.

The magnificent Spyker has the following specs that brought it to the blockbuster action hit:

MSRP: $257,000 - $257,000
Length 165.0”
Body width 74.0”
Height 42.0”
Wheelbase 101.0”
Curb 2,750 lbs.

Interior
Maximum seating 2

Performance
Base engine size 4.2 liters
Base engine type V-8
Horsepower 400hp
Horsepower rpm 7,500
Torque 354 lb-ft.
Torque rpm 4,000
Drive type rear-wheel
Fuel tank capacity 1 9.8 gal.
EPA mileage estimates 14 / 19 (city/highway)

Not just the spyker, in the fictional Yamagawa Motors, which is Shiro’s car dealership, their showrooms are filled with high-end cars like Ferraris and Lamborghinis that at one scene became bits and pieces. Although fans of Statham's "Transporter" movies will be excited that he's once again in a film with flashy modes of transportation, he's not the one driving the fancy cars but the One star.

"Rogue loves it. Jet Li doesn't," says Li dryly. "Jet Li when he was 20-years-old would have loved it."

"Rogue" is the possible beginning of an action trilogy by writers Greg Bradley and Lee Anthony Smith. Famed fight choreographer Corey Yuen designs the martial arts action, while Devon Aoki, Luiz Guzman and Nadine Velazquez co-star.

These movies are Great but the cars are really the Stars

2007-10-20T02:10:00.000-07:00

David Cronenberg's film, A History of Violence was a story of an ordinary man living peaceful in a rural area of America who developed a fiercer version of himself after the robbery of his café. The movie’s got a lot of twist but without the mighty presence of the Chrysler 300C, it would not fit your criteria to be a great movie. Specially made for the movie to play the sinister vehicle, the jet black Chrysler 300C has chrome trim, darkened slit windows, gaping, barking-shark grille and low-rider stance. The evil Chrysler 300C was featured in the scene where the goons lead by Ed Harris went to the house of Viggo Mortensen to threaten his family.

Our second collection is the movie Swordfish starring John Travolta and the absurd looking TVR still carrying UK plates. According to screenwriter and film expert William Goldman, for a movie to be a sure hit, there should be seven people best in their leagues of being a director, director of photography, set designer, casting director, etc. But I want to add that choosing the car is as important as it is to choose the actor and Swordfish met my added criterion. The movie was crappy and ill-conceived mess that it became a blockbuster.

As I was talking about sinister vehicle earlier, if there would be the best sinister vehicle ever, the P5B Coupe in the Mick Jagger/James Fox Sixties acid gangster movie Performance would be the first to come to my mind.

I also doubt whether the folk in the next apartment to Keanu Reeves' character Neo in The Matrix would appreciate him smashing through their wall pursued by replicants. And as for that huge chase scene in the third Matrix film, where Neo and Laurence Fishburne are smashing up all those Cadillac CTSs, you will find yourself worrying about the other drivers' no claims bonuses. I mean, even if all those people are actually submerged in amniotic fluid while being fed nutritious mush through a tube while their minds are controlled by an evil computer, you can expect they'd still want a good credit-rating and clean driving license.

James Bond’s Greatest Gadgets

2007-10-12T00:55:00.000-07:00

We have treated the James Bond movie series as a worldwide epic, not just featured the exotic escapades of the mighty spy but also gawked our fill of its out of the ordinary gadgets. The popsci.com collected the ever famous Bond gadgets of all time so we’ll know which of them we can also have to feel some Bond action.

15. Car Magnet
You Only Live Twice features a number of over-the-top gadgets—trapdoors that lead to sliding chutes, exploding cufflinks, cigarette guns, bogus bridges that pass over a shark-infested tank—but the best gadget of the bunch would have to be the oversize, helicopter-carried car magnet.

14. Water Exhaust
To foil the bad guys in the beginning of Thunderball, Bond raises a bulletproof shield over his car’s rear window and converts his two exhaust pipes into fire hoses. A huge blast of water knocks over Bond’s pursuers, leaving them looking wet and silly.

13. Walther PPK
The first Bond gadget ever used was the Walther PPK automatic pistol used in Dr. No. In the first-ever onscreen meeting between Bond, M and Q, Bond is told to relinquish his Beretta in exchange for the Walther PPK.

12. Vital-Sign-Reading Cellphone
007's new mobile phone in Casino Royale acts as a personal media hub and on-call M.D. This modification of the latest Sony Ericsson has an MP3 player, Bluetooth, an RSS newsreader and a 3.2-megapixel camera with image stabilization. It’s one of only a few Bond gadgets that you and I can actually buy, although the sale model may not include the injectable sensor that monitors vital signs and transmits them back to HQ for emergency diagnostic testing.

11. Deadly Briefcase
In From Russia with Love, Bond is presented with “an ordinary black leather case,” according to the Q branch equipment officer—except, of course, for the 40 rounds of ammunition stored in containers that pop out from the bottom, a throwing knife that projects from the side, 50 gold sovereigns hidden in the lining and a bottle of tear gas disguised as talcum powder, magnetized to cling to the exterior. It will also explode if not opened properly. “A smart-looking piece of luggage,” remarks M.

10. Full-Scale Remote-Control Car
Q shows up in Tomorrow Never Dies as a worker at a car-rental agency, ready to present Bond with his new and improved ride. It’s a BMW 750iL with “the usual refinements” and one not-so-usual customization: Not only can it be turned on by a cellphone, it’s controlled by a touch-sensor directional pad.

9. Camera Gun
In a crucial scene in the 1989 License to Kill, Bond (played by Timothy Dalton) has a plastic explosive that looks like a pack of cigarette but actually is a camera but is converted into a long-range sniper rifle and is customized, through a sensor on the grip, to fire for only one person: James Bond.

8. Robot Dog
In A View to a Kill, walking in for his customary briefing in M’s office, Bond, played this time by Roger Moore, finds Q steering a “prototype for a highly sophisticated surveillance machine.” By the looks of the bulky, ’80s remote control, we have a different definition for “sophisticated” technology nowadays, but this robotic dog is still a Bond-gadget classic.

7. Alligator Conveyance
Bond has the unenviable task of sneaking onto the secret all-female island run by a woman known only as Octopussy, in the eponymous film. His method of getting there, it turns out, is by hiding inside an underwater mechanical alligator, which is successful in getting him both there and back.

6. Aston Martin DBS
In Goldfinger, Q reveals the Aston Martin DBS, “with modifications.” Its windows are bulletproof, and the number plates, as they’re known in England, are revolving. Then there are the controls within the armrest that can produce a smokescreen and an oil slick and raise a bulletproof shield (over the already bulletproof window). There are also front-wing machine guns and a rotating flower of blades that extend from the hubcaps. Finally, the top of the gear shifter flips to reveal a button, which Q tells Bond never to press as it is connected to the ejector seat.

5. Little Nellie
Little Nellie, Bond tells Tiger Tanaka in You Only Live Twice, is “a wonderful girl, very small, quite fast, can do anything—just your type.” Tiger is not impressed. After seeing it constructed, he asks, “A toy helicopter? This can only be used for children.” But Q explains the features: two fixed machine guns, two rocket launchers, two heat-seeking missiles and, in the back, two flame guns and two smoke ejectors; also some mines that can be dropped from the air.

4. Venom Boot
A favored gadget in From Russia with Love is the shoe with a spontaneously revealed venom-injector jutting out from the toe.

3. Laser Watch
In Goldeneye, things don’t look good for Bond (Pierce Brosnan) and Natalya Fyodorovna Simonova when they find themselves locked in a room on a train that’s set to explode imminently, but fortunately Bond has on his Omega Seamaster Pro, customized with lasers that cut through metal and detonate bombs remotely. He cuts a hole in the floor, and the two climb out, run, and jump from the explosion, much to the chagrin of 006.

2. Jetpack
After an extended brawl with (and the subsequent murder of) Col. Duvall in the opening sequence of the 1965 Thunderball, Bond escapes Duvall’s henchmen on a balcony by taking off in a jetpack.

1. Lotus Esprit
In The Spy Who Loved Me, Bond faces off with Karl Stromberg, a self-described recluse who lives in an underwater lair. Naturally, this means Bond needs a submarine car—a vehicle so worthy of envy that we’ve deemed it our favorite Bond gadget of all time. The Lotus Esprit features wheels that turn inward to reveal four lateral fins and a periscope from the roof.

Bentley for Bond

2007-10-06T01:58:00.000-07:00

James Bond being a Bentley guy was not really known to us, who have just seen the world-renowned spy in his movies. The first novel about James bond was written by Ian Fleming. In this initial narrative, James Bond first had driven a Bentley. The Aston Martin DBS which most regard as the ultimate Bond vehicle appeared a little later as an improved Bentley. Bond’s real personal car, now we know to be the Bentley is the spy’s only real “hobby” as said in the block buster movie series.

Being a certified Bond historian, Sebastian Faulks authored the Bond book as a tribute for the mind that gave the world James Bond, Ian Fleming. Fleming is celebrating his centennial birthday.

In contrast to the Bond movies set in the present times, we will be riding a time machine because the setting is sometime in 1967. Definitely, in this era, Bond wouldn’t be riding a Continental GT to fit his image and station.

In 1967, all Bentleys were a single letter, the model “T” as a sedan or a two-door coupe with coachwork by the in-house custom body builders of Rolls Royce, James Young and Mulliner Park Ward. To exclude the radiator shell, the T is almost a Rolls-Royce Silver shadow.

With Bond driving BMWs in the recent motion pictures, it may be considered dishonoring the automotive beginnings of the epic. With Bond having a Bentley again as his best buddy, it is but a proof that the two are undeniably a perfect tandem.

James Bond had driven three Bentleys of different models in the novels. He got his first Bentley in Casino Royale, it was a 1930 supercharged 4.5 liter model, the legendary “blower Bentley” one of the 55 manufactured in “battleship grey” which the spy bought in 1933 and he kept during the World War II. The production limited car was destroyed by a load of fourteen tons of newsprint dropped from a truck in Moonraker.

Bond’s next Bentley was a 1953 Bentley Mark VI, it was also a “battleship grey”.

The Thunderball featured the third of Bond’s Bentley. It was a Continental Mark II with an R-Type chassis, the vehicle reflects Bond’s taste in vehicles.

Was the 'Transformers' a GM ad in disguise?

2007-09-28T23:43:00.000-07:00

In July, almost all movie houses were posted by huge tarpaulins of the most awaited car film of the year, the ‘Transformers’ starring Jon Voight, Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel and Megan Fox. But the movie not just starred these famous Hollywood celebs, the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Solstice, GMC Topkick and Hummer H2, all General Motors produced vehicles are also on the lead.

“You’re going to see these cars as the heroes. You’re not going to see the other actors,” said Dino Bernacchi, GM’s associate director of branded entertainment.

“These cars are the stars, literally, in the movie.” he added.

With the film, toys, and video games featuring the robotic cars, GM is said to be targeting the youth demographics aging from 18-34. The automaker is luring them to their showrooms as its vehicles had oversized presence in the film.America’s top automaker is spending millions of dollars in marketing the vehicles starred in the movie but the company refused to give the figures. Thanks to the movie, GM is converting exposure to sales.

“This is hopefully a discovery point for maybe some of those who didn’t know the great design, the great-looking vehicles that we have out today,” Bernacchi said.

“I find it really difficult to believe that a global blockbuster movie like this that has so many merchandising components to it that we’re not going to get incremental exposure.” he added.

The ‘Camaro’, which is eventually the name of one of the vehicles, had been mentioned for a number of times by different characters. The Chevy, Pontiac, GMC and Hummer had close-ups for enough screen time.

“Product placement has never been so blatant, and the potential for a global platform to build brand awareness could not have come at a better time for GM,” said David Koehler, a clinical marketing professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

“The younger demographic most likely to flock to the theaters is exactly what GM needs,” he said.

On the other hand, according to Erich Merkle, the vice-president of forecasting for Grand Rapids-based auto consulting company IRN Inc., although the movie caught the youngsters impressed with the rides GM vehicles can give, it doesn’t mean that they will be directing themselves to GM’s showrooms to buy them.

“Keep in mind that some of the vehicles they’re showing are vehicles the youth market won’t be able to afford,” he said.

“But they do have a tremendous influence over what people who can afford those vehicles go to buy. You shouldn’t underestimate the influence of the youth. I don’t know a Baby Boomer out there who doesn’t want to be cool.” Merkle added.

Quentin Tarantino, ran out of Gas in Death Proof

2007-09-22T00:32:00.000-07:00

Quentin Tarantino, famous for his films including Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown and the Two-volume Kill Bill has proven that he is the main man, the bee’s knees and the charismatic director in one. His sixth film, Death Proof does not have the same zest as his previous films, says many movie experts.

According to a consensus, in this new film, Tarantino lost his ear for dialogue, gift for quirky characterization that made his previous movies on the box office.

The movie’s plot is that of the cheap seedy 1970s films featuring fast cars, guns and women. When shown in America, it flopped badly as it evoked the “grindhouse” era of American cinema. In Britain, it is being shown on its own with scratches on the print, bad color and the typical lost frame.

Although not very promising in the eyes of movie critics, Death Proof also has good shots including two high-speed car chases ending in crashes proving his talent for producing action movies. Stuntwoman Zoe Bell straddled the bonnet of her car on a second chase, and the film's funniest moment, when Russell, about to commit mayhem, stares at the camera and smiles and gleefully making the audience complicit with Mike's evil deeds.

The other 100 minutes of the film featured dull, repetitive and incessant dialogues from different women. Once, Tarantino had been known for his snappy and smart dialogues.

Tarantino said he hung out with these women, and insisted that “this is how girls talk”. QT said “this is how actresses talk when they know there's a writer-director in the room, eagerly taking notes”.

Their yakking is as tiresome as Tarantino's habit of ramming his taste down audiences' throats: the movie posters on every interior wall, the Joe Tex single lovingly framed on a jukebox – and the mention of "the white 1970 Dodge Challenger with the 440 engine in Vanishing Point", repeated three times.

Top 10 Best Car Movies

2007-09-15T01:13:00.000-07:00

Typically, a movie stars an actor and his leading lady. But with amazing cars around the corner, they have proven that they can also take the lead role with the lead actor or actress.

Let me give share this list I got from Edmunds.com where some extraordinaire vehicles shared the lead role of Hollywood stars that they eventually became Hollywood Star Cars:

1. American Graffiti (1973)
Stars: Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford
Star cars: 1932 Ford coupe, 1955 Chevy, 1958 Chevy Impala, 1951 Mercury coupe, 1956 Ford Thunderbird
Quote: "I'll love and protect this car until death do us part."

2. The Blues Brothers (1980)
Stars: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd
Star car: The Bluesmobile — 1974 Dodge Monaco
Quote: "It's got a cop motor, a 440-cubic-inch plant; it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say — is it the new Bluesmobile or what?"

3. Cars (2006)
Stars: Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Richard Petty
Star cars: Porsche Carrera, Hudson Hornet, Willys MB, Ford Model T, Volkswagen microbus.
Quote: "Turn right to go left! Guess what? I tried it, and you know what, this crazy thing happened. I went right!"

4. The Fast and the Furious (2001)
Stars: Paul Walker, Vin Diesel
Star cars: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Toyota Supra, Honda Civic, Mazda RX-7, Dodge Charger R/T, Volkswagen Jetta
Quote: "I live my life a quarter-mile at a time."

5. Gone in 60 Seconds (1974)
Stars: H.B. (Toby) Halicki
Star cars: Many, including a certain Ford Mustang Fastback named Eleanor.
Quote: "I bet five more cars have been stolen in just the time I've been here."

6. Grand Prix (1966)
Stars: James Garner, Eva Marie Saint
Star cars: 1960s Formula 1 racecars
Quote: "There is no terrible way to win. There is only winning."

7. The Gumball Rally (1976)
Stars: Michael Sarrazin, Gary Busey, Raul Julia
Star cars: Shelby 427 Cobra, Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona, Porsche 911 Targa, Camaro Z/28, Dodge Polara
Quote: "And now my friend, the first rule of Italian driving: What's behind me is not important."

8. Mad Max (1979)
Star: Mel Gibson
Star car: Australian Ford Falcon
Quote: "Look, any longer out on that road and I'm one of them, a terminal psychotic — except that I've got this bronze badge that says that I'm one of the good guys."

9. Thunder Road (1958)
Stars: Robert Mitchum, Gene Barry
Star cars: 1950 Ford coupe, 1957 Ford Fairlane
Quote: "That hard-headed hillbilly has caused us enough trouble already. Now tonight we're going to take him out. And I mean really out."

10. Vanishing Point (1971)
Stars: Barry Newman, Cleavon Little
Star car: 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
Quote: "And there goes the Challenger, being chased by the blue, blue meanies on wheels."

Top 15 most Iconic Cars in Movies

2007-09-07T20:51:00.000-07:00

Don't we all love lists? From theforrester.wordpress.com, I found this list of hot vehicles featured in equally steaming motion pictures:

1. DMC-12 from Back to the Future.

The DeLorean DMC – 12 in the 1985 science fiction-comedy movie made it to the top.Directed by top-grossing, Steven Spielberg, then teenager Michael J. Fox was sent thirty years back in time on the De Lorean time machine. The movie grossed $210 million at the U.S. box office.

2. Herbie from The Lovebug

Herbie is "played" by an L87 pearl white 1963 Model 117 Volkswagen Type 1 Deluxe Sunroof with yellow-on-black California license plates OFP 857.

3. The Batmobile from Batman

The batmobile provides batman with additional crime-busting features like carrying the highly intelligent computer that is remotely linked to the Batcave’s main computer, a remote control function, a field forensic kit and a personal small helicopter held in the trunk called a whirlybat.

4. Bandit 1 from Smokey and The Bandit

Smokey and the Bandit is a 1977 movie primarily starred Burt Reynolds and Sally Field. The film made use of five modified 1977 Pontiac Trans Ams that were each built according to the required stuntwork.

5. The General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard

The TV series, The Dukes of Hazzard, is an adventure story of two good old boys, Bond Like Duke, living in an unincorporated area of the fictional Hazzard County, Georgia, racing around in their modified 1969 the Gerneral Lee, a Dodge Charger.

6. Ford Gran Tourino from Starsky & Hutch

Two streetwise undercover cops played by Ben Stiller and Owen wilson in 1975, driving in a red 1974 Ford Gran Torino, chased drug criminals with the help of underworld player, Huggy Bear.

7. Christine from Christine

A movie based from Stephen King’s horror novel, Christine used a 1958 red Plymouth Fury was a story of a teenager and his evil car.

8. Ecto 1 from The Ghostbusters movies

The Ectomobile in the Ghostbuster movies is a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor limo-style endloader combination car of hearse and ambulance.

9. Blues Brothers Police Car from The Blues Brothers

The musical comedy movie starred John Landis and John Belushi featured musical numbers by R&B and soul legends James Brown, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, and epic car chase scenes.

10. Lightening McQueen from Cars

Lightning McQueen #95, typically referred to by his surname McQueen, and occasionally called "Stickers" by Sally, is the main character and is voiced by actor Owen Wilson. He is no real-world car in particular, but his overall profile was inspired by the Ford GT40.

11. Bumble Bee from The Transformers Movie

The Autonomous Robotic Life form or "Autobot" for short, Bumblebee is also on Earth, disguised as a 1976 Chevrolet Camaro.

12.”Black Moon” from Black Moon Rising

Black Moon, is a 300-MPH prototype vehicle where CIA agents kept the cassette containing vital information chased Sam Quint (Jones) and Marvin Ringer (Lee Ving).

13. Eleanor from Gone in Sixty Seconds

Codenamed "Eleanor", was played by a 1967 Shelby Ford Mustang GT 500.

14. BMW Z3 from Golden eye

The BMW Z3 is nothing but another car by the British crime-buster, James Bond.

15. Lamborghini Countach from Canonball Run

Jill, played by Adrienne Barbeau and Marcie, two attractive women drove the Lamborghini Countach.

Who wants that James Bond Car?

2007-09-02T23:21:00.000-07:00

The Aston Martin DBS first seen on wide screen driven by James Bond (played by Daniel Craig in the 2005 movie Casino Royale) is now a production car. Anyone can own it soon! Scheduled to go hit the car market early next year, the launching was held last weekend on the extravagant Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California.

Famous scene starring this blockbuster car where James Bond breathtakingly jumped and spin the car in mid-air, writing it off upon eventual impact on the ground despite no obstacles, bumps or cars to cause the mishap.

These Aston Martin DBS Specifications from digiads.com made it a Hollywood Car:

Body

Two-door coupe body style with 2+0 seating
Bonded aluminium VH structure
Aluminium, magnesium alloy and carbon-fibre composite body
Extruded aluminium door side-impact beams
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps (main beam)
LED rear lamps and side repeaters

Engine

All-alloy, quad overhead camshaft, 48-valve, 5935cc V12.
Compression ratio 10.9:1
Front-mid mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
Max power: 380kW (510bhp/517 PS) at 6500rpm
Max torque: 570Nm (420 lb.ft) at 5750rpm
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (0-62mph) in 4.3 seconds
Max speed: 302 km/h (191mph)

Transmission

Rear-mid mounted, six-speed manual gearbox
Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
Limited-slip differential
Final-drive ratio 3.71:1

Wheels and Tires

Front: 8.5'' x 20'' Pirelli P Zero 245/35
Rear: 11'' x 20'' Pirelli P Zero 295/30

Steering

Rack and pinion, Servotronic speed-sensitive power-assisted steering, 3.0 turns lock-to-lock. Column tilt and reach adjustment

Suspension

Front: Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bare and monotube adaptive dampers
Rear: Independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with Track mode

Brakes

Front: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 398mm diameter with six-piston calipers
Rear: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 360mm diameter with four-piston calipers
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Track mode
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Traction control

Dimensions

Length: 4721mm (185.9'')
Wheelbase: 2740mm (107.9'')
Width: 1905mm (75'') (exc. Mirrors) 2060mm (81.1'') (inc. Mirrors)
Fuel tank capacity: 78 litres (17.2 Imp.galls, 20.5 US galls)
Height: 1280mm (50.4'') Weight: 1695kg (3737lb)

The Bourne Ultimatum, also starring 2 Volkswagens

2007-08-15T22:15:00.000-07:00

The last chapter of the Bourne Trilogy, the “Bourne Ultimatum” will hit theater screens soon. Aside from the trained assassin, Jason Bourne (played by the actor Matt Damon), and his love interest Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles), Director Paul Greengrass also starred two Volkswagens to make the action thriller oozing with suspense.

The Volkswagen Touareg and Golf GT were showcased in scenes of amazing stunts and cat and mouse chase of Jason Bourne and Nicky Parsons while they flee from their enemies in different metropolitans around the world.

The movie features scenes like the retuned 2008 Touareg with Matt Damon in the steering wheel being chased by a NYPD car in the busy streets of New York. The scene features a lot of slamming and crashing and speed driving that definitely has the Touareg live up to the car it was built to be.

Bearing an image of an SUV, the Touareg 2 is redesigned with aerodynamic and sporty rear. Included in its three engine variations are the newly upgraded VR6 FSI and V8 FSI. Its 3.6 liter VR6 FSI can release up to 280 horsepower. The newly advanced 4.2 liter V8 FSI is Volkswagen’s first eight-cylinder engine with unleaded fuel direct injection that generates a remarkable 350 horsepower and 325 lbs. ft. of torque. The 5.0 liter TDI twin turbo delivers 310 horsepower and a striking 553 lbs. ft. of torque. The Touareg 2, with these three engines offers a maximum towing capacity of 7,716 pounds.

“This car is indestructible. We filmed crash scenes for three weeks, and the car kept going. This is one of the most incredible cars that I have ever driven,” exclaimed Graham Kelly, Action Vehicle Supervisor of “the Bourne Ultimatum”.

Another Volkswagen that continued its strong Hollywood presence in the film is the Golf GT sport. The Golf GT is built with the world’s first twin charged, direct air injection petrol engine. A new addition to its engine is the 1.4 TSI 140 PS engine that makes it achieve a 0-62mph in just 7.9 seconds. The performance this engine brings is matched with refined sporty good looks that’s more than eye candy for moviegoers.

“The involvement of these two Volkswagens in this elaborate and action packed production provides us ample opportunities to create innovative global marketing concepts,” says Jochen Sengpiehl, head of global marketing at Volkswagen.

Nicole Richie Gets Ready For Jail Life

2007-08-04T01:48:00.000-07:00

I remember Paris Hilton singing, “Jealousy” that goes like “You sold your self with your own fur, still never walk a day in my shoe.”

Well, Nicole is following her footsteps as she goes to jail too. She recently expressed an interest over submitting herself to the Los Angeles Country Jail.

The 25-year old Hollywood celebrity was caught driving under the influence of alcohol and prohibited drugs last December 2006 when she took the wrong way heading the freeway in Burbank. She also admitted recently that she is pregnant.

Last week, after the interrogation done by the prosecutors, the daughter of the balladeer Lionel Richie pleaded guilty on the charges given to her because of the misdemeanor she committed. She admitted what she has violated to avoid her from a potential stay on the jail for one year. She already had an alcohol-related conviction way back in 2003.

The “Simple Life” diva was ordered to stay in jail for 90 hours to pay for the DUI she committed. She will be imprisoned in any city jail that would accept here as released early this morning on news.yahoo.com.com. She communicated with her lawyer to tell the Sheriff's Department this week about her interest on giving a four-day service in jail. The new was announced last Thursday by Steve Whitmore, the sheriff's spokesman.

The sheriff did not mention any details about Richie’s prosecution but he said she should surrender herself to begin the sentence which must be completed on September 28. However, most inmates can only offer a few of their time serving the jail because of behavioral problems and overcrowding.

The call coming from her attorney was not replied immediately.

Paris Hilton spent 23 days in jail. She was imprisoned at an all women exclusive facility in Lynwood. Richie will also be staying in the said facility.

Now, Paris can never say, she’ll never walk a day in her shoes.

Transformers Sequel Soon?

2007-07-31T23:18:00.000-07:00

With the success of the recently launch Transformers live action film Paramount and Dreamworks, there is a possibility that the producers will make a sequel for the film. This is according to Hasbro, the owner of Transformers franchise and other toy lines. Another reason to make a sequel for the movie is that the sales of Transformers merchandise based on the film significantly boosted.

During Hasbro's announcement of its July sales, Alfred Verrecchia, CEO of Hasbro Inc., said:
"Transformers has been a unique box office success. Our U.S. retail sales of the new Transformers toys have exceeded our expectations with 3 million units sold since the said. We had a great first-half of the year and we do expect to grow business in the second-half but not at the levels that we did in the first and second quarters."

"It's too soon to say if there's a Transformers 2. No date has been set as yet, but a second movie is possible."

The Transformers movie can be considered as one of the most successful films of all time. In 28 hours, it sold $38 million and gathered 150 million on its first week. The film is extended in other theaters around the world so the producers are expecting for more money.

Meanwhile, the film's director, Michael Bay said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly (EW) that it is really possible to have a Transformers 2.

“I’ve got a lot of ideas for the next one. There’s a lot of really cool, big robot stuff that I had in my head that we didn’t do. I just want to see how this works. You might not grow as much as a director to do a sequel. But it’s kind of like you have your baby and you don’t want someone else to take it.” said Michael Bay.

EW asked Bay if "Will Transformers 2 be the directors next film?", he said:
“I don’t know if it would be ready. It just takes so long to do a script. A couple things are on the horizon, but [maybe] I’ll do my little movie that I can knock out, because we all think we’re going to have a strike.”

I think the Transformers 2 will also hit the box office sales if ever. Just like the Spiderman movie series.

Negative ‘Transformers’?

2007-07-26T22:04:00.000-07:00

I have been hearing from my officemates and seeing in the news that “Transformers” really rocks!

I am not fond of watching noisy movies, so I think I am left behind with the whereabouts in the movie scenes. Probably if there is no other choice, I would watch it in a DVD. Nevertheless, I saw the trailer, but still never caught my attention.

I am amazed with how modern individuals think. The movie “Transformers” is one manifestation how imaginative people are.

But just when I thought I was the only one not fond of the movie, I read an online article describing the movie as “assault noise and nonsense”. Well, as for me, it does have sense; it is just that I hate noisy films.

Let me share to you what the “negative” write up says.

According to it, the movie resulted to a partly car commercial and partly military recruitment ad.

Since I have not watched it, I heavy rely on the information I got through research (as it is forms part almost 99 percent of my job).

In the movie, the Autobots turn into American cars and truck - GM products if I am not mistaken. It takes flight with a harsh, confusing attack on an American military base in Qatar. In the country’s desert, muscled and sweaty military types (Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson) clash with an apocalyptic helicopter that transforms into an angry critter with an eloquent tail like that of a scorpion. Back in the US, the secretary of defence played by Jon Voight barks orders at other military types while Sam deals with his weird ride and his mounting fears.

From the trailer, I saw that there were many “running” moments. The robots which transform into cars somewhat always run and chase something or something I do not know. In this case, I wonder which could have been a more fitted car part; a honda timing belt or the GM one.

40 James Bond Vehicles and More to Come

2007-07-20T00:03:00.000-07:00

James Bond Movies has a total of 40 vehicles featured starting with the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 up to the 2008 Aston Martin DBS that was used for the Casino Royale.

And here is the list of the 40 high-performance vehicles featured in James Bond’s movies:

1. DB5: Goldfinger
2. Aston Martin Vanquish: Die Another Day
3. Lotus Esprit: The Spy Who Loved Me
4. BMW Z8: The World Is Not Enough
5. Citroen 2CV: For Your Eyes Only
6. Jag XKR: Die Another Day
7. Toyota 2000: You Only Live Twice
8. Lotus Esprit Turbo: For Your Eyes Only
9. BMW Z3: GoldenEye
10. Ferrari 355: GoldenEye
11. DB5: Thunderball
12. Aston Martin DBS: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
13. Mustang Mach 1: Diamonds Are Forever
14. Aston Martin V8: The Living Daylights
15. BMW 750i: Tomorrow Never Dies
16. Lotus Esprit: The Spy Who Loved Me
17. Sunbeam Alpine: Dr No
18. Triumph Stag: Diamonds Are Forever
19. MGB: The Man With The Golden Gun
20. Aston Martin DBS: Casino Royale
21. Cadillac Eldorado: Live And Let Die
22. Cougar: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
23. AMC Hornet: The Man With The Golden Gun
24. Bentley IV convertible: From Russia With Love
25. Tuk Tuk taxi: Octopussy
26. Mini Moke: Live And Let Die
27. Aston Martin DB5: Casino Royale
28. Moon Buggy: Diamonds Are Forever
29. Lada 1500 police car: The Living Daylights
30. Mercedes 250SE: Octopussy
31. Hispano Suiza: Moonraker
32. Ford Mustang convertible: Thunderball
33. Mercedes Benz 600: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
34. Daimler limo: Tomorrow Never Dies
35. Chevrolet Corvette: A View To A Kill
36. Willy's jeep: Octopussy
37. Range Rover convertible: Casino Royale
38. Ford Thunderbird: Die Another Day
39. Maserati Biturbo: Licence To Kill
40. Aston Martin DB5: Goldfinger

By the way I have gotten this list from www.mi6.co.uk where you can get loads of news and articles on James Bond.

List of vices require fancy cars

2007-07-05T02:31:00.000-07:00

One of summer’s hottest movies, Miami Vice, has an opening scene wherein a twitchy informant arranges a swift meeting with undercover cops Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs. As the informant arrives, a Bentley car is revealed. And in a Ferrari car, the cops roll up.

Since Don Johnson first donned a white linen jacket over a pink T-shirt, automotive style has been a part of Miami Vice, where cars definitely haven't taken a back seat. Johnson's Sonny Crockett drove a black Ferrari Daytona, a car that is at par today as it did in 1984. Paul Ferriss of the National Post writes that the sense of timelessness is roughly repaying “by Crockett's use of a portable phone the size of his forearm and by the fact that, on the way to the climactic meeting with a drug lord, he pulls his Ferrari up at a phone booth to call his ex-wife.”

According to the Internet Movie Database, the Daytona was not a Ferrari at all but a modified Corvette. This was a fact verified by a Ferrari North America spokesman who affirms that the disguised car has taken on near-legend status among both movie and car eccentrics. Ferrari executives were so angered by this - they offered the use of a new Testarossa to replace what they considered to be a hate. Complete with its camper van-sized driver's mirror, the white Testarossa resides at the Swap Shop Flea Market in Sunrise, Fla. But calls to the swap shop weren't returned.

The Ferrari F430 that appeared in the movie version of Miami Vice is the result of a product placement deal designed to enhance Ferrari's image in North America.

Marco Mattiacci, vice-president of marketing for Ferrari North America, said their company believes it never hurts to show its cars in a positive light, driven as only God and Enzo intended aggressively by Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. He added Ferrari has used product placement in movies (Charlie's Angels 2) and TV shows (Desperate Housewives, The Sopranos) to help indorse its products for the past three to four years. He further said Ferrari has an important relationship with the entertainment industry; proofs are company's previous relationship with the TV show and Michael Mann, the series' executive producer and the movie's co-writer and director, is a Ferrari owner and duff.

But Ferrari was not the only automaker that was exhibited in the movie. SUVs are the vehicles of the drug runners and neo-Nazis that battle against Crockett and Tubbs. As the film opens, two white Range Rovers dropped off some bad guys at a disco. Later, to do some showdown with the cops, some villains drive their GMC Yukons and Cadillac Escalades, while the cops roll up in a white BMW 6 Series and a black Dodge Charger.

Robert Thompson, director of The Center for the Study of Popular Television at Syracuse University in Syracuse, N.Y., said that cool cars can make an impression but have a limited amount of screen time in movies, whereas, on TV, they can develop over time.

GM Wants to "Transform Your Ride"

2007-06-26T21:40:00.000-07:00

General Motors Corp., in conjunction with the upcoming Transformers live action film has announced their pleasant offer for customers. Starting June 26 up to July 9, 2007, GM will offer the "Transform Your Ride Sale" promo that will enable qualified buyers to obtain 0% ARP for 36 months and $1,000 gift cash on some selected GM models.

"People who have recently switched to a GM vehicle tell us we’ve really changed their previous perceptions about our products. They love their new car or truck.” said Jim Campbell, GM’s director of Customer Relationship Management.

“We’ve enhanced the value of our cars and trucks with features like OnStar, XM Radio, superior quality and the best coverage in the business with a 5 year / 100,000 mile powertrain warranty plus roadside assistance and courtesy transportation. Just look at the award-winning Chevrolet Silverado or hot HHR. The “Transform Your Ride Sale” gives everyone the opportunity to buy a new car or truck with outstanding style, great fuel economy, performance and value.” he added.
GM vehicle models eligible for the "Transform Your Ride Sale" include:

Chevrolet: 2006 and 2007 Cobalt, Monte Carlo, Impala, HHR, TrailBlazer, Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche and 2007 900-series Silverado.
Buick: 2006 and 2007 Lacrosse, Lucerne and Rainier
Pontiac : 2006 and 2007 G5, G6, Grand Prix and Torrent
GMC: Envoy, Yukon, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL, Yukon XL Denali and 2007 900-series Sierra

Go to your nearest GM dealerships to avail this promo. Meanwhile, the Transformers movie, released by DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures is scheduled to arrive in theaters this coming July 3rd. The film stars four GM vehicles including:

* Bumblebee (1974/2008 Chevrolet Camaro): Rendered mute in battle, Bumblebee is an honest and friendly soldier who befriends humanity, namely Sam, in his efforts to find the Allspark.

* Jazz (Pontiac Solstice): The smallest and feistiest of the Autobots, Jazz is one of Optimus' best warriors, talented at learning new cultures.

* Ironhide (GMC Topkick pick-up truck): A tough, weathered soldier, Ironhide is one of Optimus' oldest friends, and is always the first in battle.

* Ratchet (Search & Rescue Hummer H2): The medic and scientist, Ratchet has a strong sense of duty to protect life.

Some Cars Trivia

2007-06-21T01:41:00.000-07:00

Remember the post I made last June 8th featuring the characters of the 2006 animated film Cars? Well, here is something to add up to that.

While browsing the web about the recent cars featured in movies, I bumped into this section in Internet Movie Database (IMDb) where it features some trivia about the movie Cars. There are really lots of interesting facts that I have read and I decided to share it with you guys.

Check them out!

This movie was originally titled "Route 66". The name was changed to "Cars" so as not to imply a connection with the TV show "Route 66" (1960).
The music that opens the teaser trailer of this movie is the main theme to A Bug's Life (1998).
The film's animators drew up over 43,000 sketches for designs of the cars.
Mia and Tia are modeled after the first-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata.
The rock formations in the distance beyond Radiator Springs resemble Cadillac Ranch, and is actually named Cadillac Range on the maps shown during montages. Cadillac Ranch is an art exhibit consisting of 10 Cadillacs half-buried in a line outside Amarillo, Texas, near where Route 66 once ran. Additionally, when seen from "above", the hills around Radiator Springs resemble the hoods and fenders (complete with ornaments) of classic cars.
Instead of making the cars' headlights the eyes, as is done on most cartoons, the Pixar artists decided to put the eyes up on the windshield, because that made the characters more expressive. This idea was largely influenced by the Disney cartoon Susie the Little Blue Coupe (1952), one of director John Lasseter's favorite cartoons.
Flo isn't based on any single car but shares elements of the 1951 Buick LeSabre, the 1951 Buick XP-300, and the 1957 Chrysler Dart--all actual show cars.
One of the bumper stickers on Fillmore reads 'Save 2D Animation.'
The neon lights on Flo's V8 Cafe in the movie flash in the proper firing order for a Ford flathead V8.
The number on the train that Lightning out runs is A113, a reference to California Institute of the Arts, where many Pixar animators studied.
Lightning McQueen's original number was to be 57, director John Lasseter's birth year. It was later changed to 95 to represent the year that Toy Story (1995) was released. The car in the final film who has the number 57 (who wins the race in the first teaser) vaguely resembles McQueen, and is probably an earlier production design for that character.
The tires of Lightning McQueen are Buzzard models manufactured by Lightyear, a reference both to the real Goodyear "Eagle" tires used in NASCAR and character Buzz Lightyear from John Lasseter's previous 'Toy Story' films.

Meet the Fast and the Furious Cars

2007-06-15T18:14:00.000-07:00

Since this particular site talks about cars used in movies, you will hate me if I will not include the 2001 action movie “The Fast and the Furious”.

Distributed by Universal pictures this movie stars Hollywood actors Paul Walker and Vin Diesel but on its sequel entitled 2 Fast and 2 Furious released by 2003, Vin Diesel was no longer included.

The movie features novelty at the same time series of visual effects and introduction of Japanese compacts into the American culture that made this movie as one of the most famous movies for 2001 and turned Vin Diesel as hunk Hollywood superstar.

For those who haven’t seen the movie the story is about a gang of hijackers that target trucks for their shipment of luxurious electronic equipment. The LAPD and the FBI discovered that those hijackers drove Sport Compact cars and used equipments for their mission. These government agencies sent Brian O’Conner (Walker) to be an undercover cop for them to find out the real culprit.

Actually there were 2 gangs in this movie- Toretto group and Johnny Tran’s team. O’Conner did everything to gain the trust of Toretto, he even saved the life of this leader in car racing raid and also in an incident with Tran’s group.

As much as I want to proceed with the narration but its much better if you watch the movie. You will understand it better, see the visual effects that I have mentioned and plus you will be able to see all the actions.

For those who have seen the movie did you ever wonder or even attempt to find out the series of upgraded and modified cars used in the movie, if not check this out.

Dodge Charger
Mitsubishi Eclipse GS
Honda Civic 2dr Coupe
Honda Civic 2dr Coupe
Honda Civic 2dr Coupe
Honda S2000 (AP1)
Honda Civic
Mazda RX-7 FD3S
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R
Toyota Supra
(JZA80)
Volkswagen Jetta
Acura Integra GS-R
Ferrari F355 F1 Spyder
Nissan 240SX (S14 Silvia) 2dr Coupe
Acura Integra
Chevrolet Chevelle SS

Cars Main Characters

2007-06-08T19:36:00.000-07:00

Has anybody seen the film Cars? The 2006 animated film released by Walt Disney Pictures and produced by Pixar? Well, if you're a car enthusiasts, probably you have seen it. This animated movie actually take place in a world populated by talking cars and other vehicles. Kinda weird huh? Anyway, Cars features the voice of some popular actors Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Tony Shalhoub, and comedian Larry the Cable Guy. The film also featured numerous real life car models. Want to know some of them? Then check out the main characters of the movie below.

Lightning McQueen
Vehicle Model: Le Mans endurance Auto racing
Voice Actor: Owen Wilson

Doc Hudson
Vehicle Model: 1951 Hudson Hornet
Voice Actor: Paul Newman

Mater
Vehicle Model: mid-1950s Chevrolet One-Ton Wrecker Tow Truck
Voice Actor: Larry the Cable Guy

Sally Carrera
Vehicle Model: 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera
Voice Actor: Bonnie Hunt

Chick Hicks
Vehicle Model: mid-1980s Buick Regal or Grand National
Voice Actor: Michael Keaton

The King
Vehicle Model: 1970 Plymouth Superbird
Voice Actor: Richard Petty

Ramone
Vehicle Model: 1959 Chevy Impala lowrider
Voice Actor: Cheech Marin

Fillmore
Vehicle Model: 1960 VW Bus
Voice Actor: George Carlin

Sarge
Vehicle Model: Willys US Military jeep model
Voice Actor: Paul Dooley

Flo
Vehicle Model: 1957 Motorama show car
Voice Actor: Jenifer Lewis

Luigi
Vehicle Model: 1959 Fiat 500
Voice Actor: Tony Shalhoub

Guido
Vehicle Model: Custom forklift, possibly an Isetta model
Voice Actor: Guido Quaroni

Sheriff
Vehicle Model: 1949 Mercury Club Coupe (police package)
Voice Actor: Michael Wallis

Mack
Vehicle Model: 1985 Mack Superliner
Voice Actor: John Ratzenberger

Lizzie
Vehicle Model: 1923 Ford Model T
Voice Actor: Katherine Helmond

Red
Vehicle Model: 1960s style fire truck
Voice Actor: Joe Ranft

Speed Racer to Hit the Big Screen in 2008

2007-06-08T00:29:00.000-07:00

One of the best and well-known Japanese animation -- Speed Racer will be having its widescreen version thanks to writer/directors Larry and Andy Wachowski, the creators of the groundbreaking "The Matrix" trilogy, and producer Joel Silver who will together collaborate to film the live-action, high-octane family adventure.

Set to be released May 9, 2008, the story centers around Speed Racer (to be played by Emile Hirsch), a natural behind the wheel and his quest to win the “real competition’ -- the memory of the brother he idolized—the legendary Rex Racer—whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to fulfill.

The story also touches on Speed’s love for his family and their racing business – led by his father, Pops Racer (John Goodman), the designer of Speed's thundering Mach 5. Things will get interesting with the movie’s various twists and turns, involving the film’s various characters including Speed’s girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci), Speed’s one-time rival—the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox), Speed’s mom (Oscar winner Susan Sarandon), Sparky (Kick Gurry), Sprittle (Paulie Litt), and villain Royalton (Roger Allam). The film also marks the major film debut of Asian music star Ji Hoon Jung (popularly known as Rain) as a rival driver.

"Speed Racer" is a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, of a Silver Pictures Production.

Daniel Randcliffe Goes for the Punto

2007-06-07T19:49:00.000-07:00

The Mirror of Erised said to Harry, “I show not your face but what your heart’s desire- it’s your family.” But in real life what does Daniel desire for? Especially now that his birthday is near? No, it’s not some girl to make his teenage girl-fans jealous -- it’s a Fiat Grande Punto.

Yes guys, you read it right. The hero of the Harry Potter series by English author J.K. Rowling is set to purchase the little car produced by Italian carmaker Fiat. One would expect the Harry Potter star to go for a flashy ride (maybe a Rolls-Royce or a Lamborghini) after all, he is the richest kid in Britain right now and on his 18th birthday this coming July 23 he will have access to his £23 million fortune. The car, says one close to the boy, is the first thing that Daniel wants to buy himself to celebrate his birthday.

According the news, Daniel chose the Fiat Grande Punto because it is one of the top five most environmentally-friendly cars in the UK. Apparently our Harry Potter is an environmentalist too.

The Grande Punto is sure low-key, but if Daniel wanted to he could always pimp his ride and go for the Need For Speed kit -- which includes a rear spoiler, 17in alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel and chrome exhaust – available from the automaker.

Daniel however, is reportedly keen on keeping it low, liking the fact that he’ll be able to drive around London without being recognized, especially by the paparazzi.

Let’s just hope that Daniel’s new car won’t suffer the same fate as the Ford Angila, the flying car used in the Harry Potter films which was stolen in October 2005 from the South West Film Studios in St. Agnes, England.

Well Happy Birthday anyway Daniel!

Get Ready for the Transformers Film!

2007-06-02T02:38:00.000-07:00

The much-awaited Transformers live action film that will premiere in worldwide cinemas this coming June 20 will be dominated by GM vehicles. The film, which is based on the 1980s animated series, is directed by Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg as the executive producer.

2007 Transformers film will feature live combat scenes between the two rival groups, the Autobots and Decepticons shooting missiles, firing guns, smashing their metal body structures, and tearing it apart. Going back to GM vehicles featured in the film, it includes the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Solstice, GMC Topkick pick-up truck, and the Hummer H2. All of these vehicles will transform into an Autobot member.

Checkout the main characters of the film.

Humans

Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky
Megan Fox as Mikaela: Sam's love interest.
Josh Duhamel as William Lennox: Captain of a Special Ops team in Qatar, who manages to escape the destruction caused by Blackout. He has a wife and child back home.
Tyrese Gibson as Epps: A combat controller who teams up with Lennox to escape Blackout and Scorponok.
John Turturro as Simmons: Head of Sector 7, a secret government group that holds Megatron hostage. Simmons is leading a team tracking down Bumblebee.
Jon Voight as Keller: The United States Secretary of State.
Kevin Dunn as Ron Witwicky: Sam's father.
Julie White as Mrs. Witwicky
Rachael Taylor as Maggie
Bernie Mac as Bobby Bolivia: A car dealer whom Sam buys Bumblebee from, both unaware of its alien origin.

Autobots

Peter Cullen as the voice of Optimus Prime (Semi-trailer truck): The powerful, wise leader of the Autobots, Prime comes to protect humanity from the evil Decepticons.
Bumblebee (1974/2008 Chevrolet Camaro): Rendered mute in battle, Bumblebee is an honest and friendly soldier who befriends humanity, namely Sam, in his efforts to find the Allspark.
Jazz (Pontiac Solstice): The smallest and feistiest of the Autobots, Jazz is one of Optimus' best warriors, talented at learning new cultures.
Ironhide (GMC Topkick pick-up truck): A tough, weathered soldier, Ironhide is one of Optimus' oldest friends, and is always the first in battle.
Ratchet (Search & Rescue Hummer H2): The medic and scientist, Ratchet has a strong sense of duty to protect life.

Decepticons

Hugo Weaving as the voice of Megatron (Cybertronian jet): The missing Decepticon leader held hostage by Sector 7, Megatron desires power over the Allspark and hates organic lifeforms.
Starscream (F-22 Raptor): Megatron's second-in-command, Starscream actually desires to overthrow Megatron and take the Allspark for himself.
Blackout (MH-53 Pave Low): The largest Decepticon, Blackout is fiercely loyal to Megatron and can fire electromagnetic pulses, making Decepticon attacks easier.
Keith David as the voice of Barricade (Saleen-modified Ford Mustang police car) : The Decepticon hunter who masquerades in society as a symbol of the law.
Frenzy (2-speaker CD player): The smallest of the Decepticons, Frenzy attaches to Barricade. His main purpose is spying on humans, but he is still a ferocious fighter, shooting blades disguised as CDs from his chest.
Scorponok (mechanical scorpion): He has a symbiotic relationship with Blackout, hiding within him until he is commanded to go and kill.
Brawl (Modified M1 Abrams): A moody warrior, armed to the teeth.
Bonecrusher (Buffalo H Mine-Protected vehicle): Another piece of Decepticon muscle, Bonecrusher has a hatred for all others and is only subservient to Megatron, whom he fears.