Tonight is a really big night for Paramount and Cloverfield? Why? Well, in just a few hours Cloverfield will be screening for critics across the country. Additionally, a number of private sneak previews are being held in various cities. If I can get out of my apartment in time, I'll be attending one of those sneak preview screenings, because I'd rather watch a film like this amongst fans over watching it with the press. There's just a different vibe when you're with the fans, and I want to swallow that in. If critics and fans alike walk away from tonight's screenings all jazzed up (as Harry Knowles was recently), then you can bet your ass the buzz could potentially carry this film a very long way. When it's all said and done, will Cloverfield become the highest grossing January release in history?

Sounds crazy, I know, but it doesn't have go too far to take that coveted spot (if we're talking films that were specifically released in January). You've got A Beautiful Mind which racked up roughly $170 million, but that was technically released in December, as were a bunch of other high grossing films like Traffic and Black Hawk Down. The online buzz did practically nothing for last year's Snakes on a Plane, but that movie sucked. If Cloverfield is half as good as some people are making it out to be, the buzz from this week could provide that much-needed jolt the film will need in order to cross over into $100 million territory. It's cold. There's nothing else out right now that could damage this film box office-wise, so if it rocks, the people will come. If I make it to the screening tonight, I'll definitely let you know my initial reactions before we present you with our official review later this week. Big night tonight. And by tomorrow morning, after all the internet writers run home and write something up, we'll finally know whether Cloverfield was well worth the wait.

Lucasfilm has released a brand new photo from the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. From the looks of it, that's Indy himself (Harrison Ford), Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf) and I believe that's Mac (Ray Winstone) in the background. All three seem to have stumbled into an ancient temple of some sort, with statues and cobwebs galore. I don't know about you, but that set is definitely vintage Indy -- right down to the fire torch in Indy's hand. Why are they there? What's in front of them? And will LaBeouf wear that cruddy leather jacket for the entire film? All of these questions (and more) will be answered when the much-anticipated sequel arrives in theaters on May 22.

Note: Shia Labeouf's name in the film is apparently Mutt Williams. Do you get it? Mutt? Like his father, who was named after the dog. Cute, huh?

[via MTV Movies Blog]

You better start getting used to a new Smith family member showing up in huge, big-budgeted flicks. The Hollywood Reporter tells us that Jaden Smith (who plays Will Smith's son in real life) has signed on to co-star in the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still for 20th Century Fox. And yes, he'll be doing so without Pops in the scenes with him, as we saw last year when both Smith family members starred opposite one another in The Pursuit of Happyness. This time, Jaden Smith will play the 8-year-old stepson of scientist Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly). HR confirms that Kathy Bates and Jon Hamm will also star off a script written by David Scarpa, while Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose) directs.

The Day the Earth Stood Still is a remake of the 1951 flick carrying the same name, and it revolves around an alien who arrives on Earth with a giant robot to learn about the planet and spread a message. In a part that suits him more than perfectly, Keanu Reeves will be playing the alien (who goes by the name of Klaatu), while Connelly will play the woman who first comes into contact with the extraterrestrial. As HR points out, "Smith's Jacob and stepmother Helen get caught up in Klaatu's mission, coming to understand the ramifications of his being a self-described "friend to the Earth." Fox will shovel this one out on December 12, making it this year's big flick to see while struggling to afford Christmas presents. Anyone else think Keanu Reeves is actually an alien in real life? Dude is so ... odd. Perfect role for him, and I'm looking forward to this one.