It’s been announced that Sandra Bullock – who planned to come to the UK for the premiere of The Blind Side – has pulled out at the last minute. The glitzy affair was due to take place at the Odeon in Leicester Square, but at the news of Sandra’s no-show the event has been toned down. No red carpet, we’re afraid. So what happened?

The lunatics are taking over the asylum, or that’s what Martin Scorsese’s impeccably crafted psychological thriller would have us believe. But then perception and reality are completely blurred in this 1950s-set mystery, adapted by screenwriter Laeta Kalogridis from the best-seller by Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone). But sadly, for all its style, Shutter Island is a largely predictable and pedestrian yarn, elevated by a superior cast.

After much speculation, rumour and set-backs, it could be that The Hobbit is actually going to start shooting in July. And how do we know? Cos Gandalf told us. Yeah. Put that in your elven bread and stab it to death with a big sword.

It’s been reported today that Sigourney Weaver is set to star alongside Alicia Silverstone and Krysten Ritter (of Confessions of Shopaholic non-fame) in a new modern twist on the vampire flick. The film will tell the tale of happy young vampire girls, happily chewing their way through innocent men everywhere.

In American Football – the opening credits of The Blind Side inform us – the highest paid player is the Quarterback. The second highest player is the Left Tackle – as the first bill you pay might be the mortgage, but the second is always the insurance. Now for anyone not American (a spectrum that very much includes us), this poignant opening message is kind of lost. But what emerges in the preceding film is an uplifting true story that emphasizes a message of the importance of protection, loyalty and trust. Which we’re pretty sure is what the Left Tackle thing is about. Yeah, we totally speak Football!
Kick-down, touch-up and homoerotic falling down!

I think it’s fair to say that if Toy Story 3 isn’t absolutely brilliant the world will rise up into anarchy. No pressure guys, but seriously, the future of Hollywood depends on you. Helpfully, initial responses seem to be overwhelmingly positive (but we’re still trying not to get too excited after being burned by Alice).

…Well, that’s the name of his new project anyway.

Carell will soon be taking a break from his sterling work in The Office US to star in a new comedy, penned by Dan Fogelman and the directors of upcoming smash I Love You Philip Morris – Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. So what’s Steve up to this time?

Hollywood has enjoyed a long love affair with man’s best friend. From 1943’s Lassie Come Home to last year’s Marley and Me, shaggy dog tales have always been a staple on the big screen, with the canine star often outshining the human actors. This is certainly true of Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, which pits Richard Gere and Joan Allen against the cutest of fluffy Akita puppies and an impeccably trained full-grown version. Though the story is more bark than bite, this is still a sweet little tale, well directed and well acted.

For the second time in as many years, Scandinavian cinema comes up trumps with a stylish and invigorating thriller guaranteed to have audiences teetering excitedly on the edge of their seats. In 2009, we were spellbound by the coming of age story Let The Right One In (Lat Den Ratte Komma In), which put a refreshing yet bloodthirsty new spin on the vampire legend. Now director Neils Arden Oplev introduces a memorably unconventional heroine in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo .

Paul Greengrass’s The Green Zone centres on one of the fundemental questions surrounding the Iraq war – When American and British forces withdraw completely from Iraq – a military strategy which seems unthinkable seven years into the campaign – will the lasting legacy be peace and democracy? Or will it will be a deep-rooted suspicion that the infamous weapons of mass destruction, the supposed justification for the invasion, never existed? It’s an interesting question, though the answers behind it are perhaps just a little too easy.