In a time when tent pole movies are protected like government secrets, “Jurassic World” has been fairly open with fans about what’s going on down on the New Orleans set.

For the latest peek behind the scenes, the “Today Show” sent correspondent Jenna Bush Hager to the “Jurassic World” set to get the scoop on the upcoming sequel from stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.

Surprisingly, Pratt’s explanation of the plot more or less encompassed the entirety of the leaked story details, which director Colin Trevorrow later confirmed.

“Today” also posted a short clip of Pratt clowning around in one of the set’s fake gift shops. And yes, we absolutely see the resemblance.

“Jurassic World” opens in theaters on June 12, 2015.

Kevin P. Sullivan

For fans of the ’80s cartoon, the new trailer for “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” should bare more of a resemblance to the phenomenon than any previous look at the film. There’s banter, April O’Neil’s yellow jacket, and Shredder.

There is still, however, a shocking lack of pizza.

The preview debuted after fans unlocked a series of character posters, giving them their best look yet at the reimagined versions of Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo, who were also featured much more prominently in the new trailer than previous ones.

The story this time around introduces a new generation to the turtles — and they’re definitely turtles, for any fans still worried about rumors of a new, alien origin. There’s even a knowing exchange in the trailer, seemingly addressing those concerns.

“So they’re aliens?” asks Will Arnett as Vernon Fenwick. “No,” April says. “That’s stupid.”

I see what you did there, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”

There’s also an interesting twist included in the spot. It appears that William Fichtner, who is credited at “The Shredder,” might not be the guy in the suit, at least early on in an attack that leaves Master Splinter in need of avenging. Is the rat sensei in danger of dying? That would certainly shake things up in the series.

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” opens in theaters on August 8.

Kevin P. Sullivan

The big factor behind the success of the revitalized “Planet of the Apes” series — aside from the movies being, you know, good — has been the technological advances that the effects team at WETA has been able to bring to ape effects.

The motion capture technology, combined with performances from actors like Andy Serkis and Toby Kebell, has created apes that the audience not only believes but empathizes with.

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” brought with it new challenges for WETA, and the behind-the-scenes featurette above (via IGN) offers a good look at what the effects company did to up the scale for the upcoming epic.

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” opens in theaters on July 11.

Kevin P. Sullivan

So maybe there was something to Simon Pegg’s tweets from last month. That’s when J.J. Abrams’ Scotty posted a photo of himself pulling into Harrison Ford’s parking spot, setting off speculation that he was visiting the Pinewood Studios set of “Star Wars: Episode VII.”

Now, an unverified Twitter account seemingly belong to Anthony Daniels, the actor who plays C-3PO, shares that Pegg has been to the set and that they’ve had a lovely chat.

He’s referring, of course, to this College Humor sketch Pegg did with his Cornetto compatriot, Nick Frost.

Is Pegg just swinging by the set to see what’s going on or are the fanboy theorists onto something? We’ll probably find out on December 18, 2015, when “Star Wars: Episode VII” opens in theaters.

Kevin P. Sullivan

On June 23, 1964 — 50 years ago today — Joss Whedon came into this world. That date also kicked off a half-century of badass characters and wisdom dropping from the creator of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel,” and “Firefly” and the assembler of the Avengers.

We love Joss Whedon, and we can think of no better way of celebrating his 50 years on this planet than by taking a look back at some of his own words that capture his intelligence and wit.

“I think there’s a lot of people out there who say we must not have horror in any form, we must not say scary things to children because it will make them evil and disturbed… That offends me deeply, because the world is a scary and horrifying place, and everyone’s going to get old and die, if they’re that lucky. To set children up to think that everything is sunshine and roses is doing them a great disservice.” Source

“You can either watch TV or you can make TV.” Source

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the road less traveled by and they CANCELLED MY FRIKKIN’ SHOW. I totally shoulda took the road that had all those people on it. Damn.” Source

“My visions of the future are always pretty much standard issue. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer… and there are flying cars.” Source: “Fray” foreword

“Very occasionally, if you really pay attention, life doesn’t suck.” ...