- The Associated Press has issued a negative review of The Rock’s new movie Journey 2. AP movie writer David Germain wrote the following about The Rock’s performance:

“[Journey 2] lacks the likable goof factor of Brendan Fraser, who starred in the first movie but isn’t back for the second. Dwayne Johnson steps in this time, and while he tries to yuck it up amid the nonstop action, he’s just not a goofball on the order of Fraser, who somehow can make extreme silliness palatable with that big, simpering grin of his. Johnson, on the other hand, merely simpers.”

“Johnson stars as ex-Navy guy Hank, stepfather to troublesome teenager Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson, reprising his role from the first “Journey”).”

“Size matters to the filmmakers here, which might be why they signed up Johnson, a co-producer as well as star, who strains for some laughs with an overdone gag about his massive pectoral muscles.”

Overall, the reviewer said the film is hampered by weak dialog and over-the-top gimmicky 3D effects. “If only the movie had the hint of a brain.”

- Former WWE wrestler Batista (Dave Bautista) has signed on to star in the third installment of the Riddick film series. The movie also stars Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Jordi Mollà, Matt Nable and Katee Sackhoff.

The film was delayed at one point due to financial issues but Universal Studios announced that principal photography has begun. Batista is said to have a major role in the movie, which will mark his highest-profile project to date.

Batista recently wrapped production on Russell Crowe’s latest film, Man With the Iron Fists, which is the directorial debut of hip-hop artist RZA of the Wu Tang Clan.

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