Jackman promises more Logan
Yes, Crap Filter lives! Don’t worry kids, we’re going to resume publishing on a regular schedule with a new, less “bloggy” design very soon. In the meantime, here’s a little something to make you happy:
AMSTERDAM (Hollywood Reporter) - Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine will headline a spinoff of 20th Century Fox’s “X-Men” franchise.
At international industry conference Cine Expo, the studio promised the gathered exhibitors a Jackman starrer titled “Wolverine” for next year. Jackman himself sent the conventioneers a taped promise to back up the news.
Yeah, I know this isn’t exactly groundbreaking news, but it’s nice to have some solid confirmation. Click the link if you want, but those three sentences are the entire article.
Optimus Prime Test Footage
Thoughts?
‘Knight Rider’ coming to the big screen
You wanted it, you got it! Oh, you didn’t really want it? You just said it might be kind of cool? Well, you’re still getting it. The timeless story of an idiot and his talking car, “Knight Rider” will be making its way to a theater near you in a not-too-distant summer blockbuster season, according to a Hollywood Reporter article on CNN.
Larson has bandied about the project for years. “A number of people wanted to do a pure comedic send-up of it, but I always felt that would throw away the franchise,” he said. “There was always some humor on the show, but this film will probably have more gallows, foxhole humor.
Despite the darker tone, he said he would aim for a PG-13 rating because he doesn’t want to exclude the series’ core audience. The show ran on NBC from 1982-86.
I’m pretty sure that the show’s core audience can handle an R-rating, considering that they’re all in their 20s and 30s now, but whatever. PG-13 sounds about right for a talking car movie. Expect to see a really kick ass trailer that has nothing to do with the movie sometime later today.
Tribeca Film Festival: Week 1
ALEX: The Tribeca Film Festival started last week, though for the first time Lower Manhattan isn’t the only host to the festivities. Films are screening in such far off destinations as 34th St. and Lincoln Center. It’s an odd vibe for the festival which once occupied only a few blocks near Battery Park. There are an overwhelming number of choices too. In this piece, Michele and I are gonna tear through our first block of films, which seemingly star all of Young Hollywood.
First up is Fifty Pills, starring Lou Pucci, Kristen Bell, and John Hensley (aka Thumbsucker, Veronica Mars, and Matt McNamara of Nip/Tuck). Pucci is in danger of getting kicked out of NYU if he doesn’t come up with the last $1000 of owed tuition, and all he has to raise the money are the titular fifty hits of ecstasy.
MICHELE: I had been really excited to see this movie, since it had such a great cast. Lou Pucci was great in Thumbsucker, and John Hensley is my younger crush in Nip/Tuck. After Pucci’s roommate, played by Hensley, throws yet another party & gets busted, Pucci loses his scholarship & must pay back around a $1,000. This first off seemed impractical to me. You lose your scholarship half way through the semester & you only have to pay the remaining money? Last I checked, you had to pay it ALL back. But I digress. Hensley sets him up with the 50 pills (of ecstasy) as a way of making the situation better. For me this just doesn’t work- what dealer would just give 50 pills to sell, along with a beeper & tell him good luck? Only one who had a death wish from his supplier.
A new dimension for Superman
When I think of one-dimensional superheroes, I think Superman. He can do anything, has every possible power, and is basically indestructible, except when there’s kryptonite involved, which, as it turns out, is surprisingly often. Still, that’s not to say that Superman isn’t entertaining and that I’m not looking forward to the new non-primary-color underwear movie.
Back to my point here, Superman is one-dimensional no more.
Warner Bros. Pictures announced Thursday that the Man of Steel will be coming at you this summer. When Superman Returns opens June 30 in wide release, the film is also going to be shown on IMAX screens, with 20 minutes of the action converted into 3D.
That sounds pretty cool, but it really sounds like more of a gimmick of anything. Why is it only 20 minutes? If it turns out well, it’ll be a bummer for the other hour and a half. If it sucks, it’ll be a good way to ruin a $15 IMAX movie.
Or will it maybe be a total of 20 minutes when you add up explosions and Superman flying toward the screen?
Loony Tunes in Power
We all know China is a bastion of human rights violations and government control. Political dissidents are routinely jailed, and even the Internet is heavily censored. (which means Crapfilter might not work there…those bastards!) But those things seem unimportant now, as it has come to light that Chinese citizens can’t even get their Jessica Rabbit fix!
According to an article in today’s Daily Variety by Steven Schwankert, the Chinese Government has decided that films and TV shows that portray humans interacting with animated characters are forbidden. Movies like “Space Jam” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” are apparently dangerous for the Chinese public. Some claim this is a move to bolster domestic animation production. If that is true, one would think they would just ban all foreign animation, rather than isolating human/cartoon interaction. Are movies like “Mary Poppins” known to encourage dissent? This government also banned the film “Babe”, because talking animals were thought to be confusing to viewers. Way to go China. Hey international community, let’s all reward this government for their lunacy by giving them the Olympic games. Oh wait…
Let us not forget that the U.S. states that voted for the government in power now (the one that likes domestic wire-tapping sans warrants) are referred to as “red” states. Just a reminder.
Fans up in arms over blond Bond
I think we all saw this coming. I just didn’t know there was any organized movement of Bond fans to make it happen. James Bond fans are threatening to boycott “Casino Royale” over the choice of Daniel Craig to play the suave secret agent. Like any threatened boycott these days, this one’s on the web.
The site rounds up all the reasons why Craig is wrong for the role, including the facts that he just looks wrong, and he’s made a quasi-name for himself by playing the wrong kind of roles. They gush over Brosnan to a degree that makes me question whether it’s actually Brosnan coordinating this campaign, but at least it’s funny. They’re not totally anti-Craig, just anti-Craig-as-Bond. They even go so far as to offer up suggestions for roles he would be perfect to play.
And you know what? I think they’re right. As cartoonish as the series has become, I think Pierce Brosnan was a good Bond, and they could have salvaged it while keeping him. Invisible cars aside, he was a convincing Bond.
Deliver us Eva
And the new Bond girl is… Eva Green, according to the NY Post.
Great choice, I must say. And if you’re not sure about this one, guys, please rent “The Dreamers.”
She’s perfect because she’s not just some big name added to have a “name” on a poster, like what would have been the case with Angelina Jolie or Charlize Theron. Instead, she’s a smokin’ hot chick that definitely needed more screen time and more exposure, so to speak. Not exactly sure about the acting part yet. I might have to rent “Dreamers” again.
Again, for the most part, the new Bond film, “Casino Royale,” showcases lesser-known, yet still very talented actors that will bring a much-needed freshness to the series, and that’s a method I must applaud. It’ll make audiences focus more on plot points and character development, which is crucial to the success of 007 movies.
And if you’re not sure about Daniel Craig — the new Bond — rent “Layer Cake.” Even though the movie is a good time-killer at best, Craig definitely stands out and proves he has the charisma to play the world’s smoothest male chauvinist.
Hey, welcome to the party, Rob
Sure, Robert Redford is a couple years late on this, but he’s finally realized that his Sundance Film Festival has lost whatever credibility it had left, thanks in large part to appearances by a certain soulless socialite in Park City, telling Newsweek:
“To the outside world, it’s a big fat market where you have people like Paris Hilton going to parties. Now, she doesn’t have anything to do with anything. I think the festival is close to being out of control.”
And Rob is close to getting a clue.
If this signals the end for Sundance, I’m going to miss those magazine photo spreads with Paris pouting her lips next to Pamela Anderson’s cleavage. Those shots were no less annoying than a scarfed Parker Posey laughing it up with Zach Braff, or Natalie Portman hoping to hold on to her indie cred by posing with a frosty Philip Seymour Hoffman.
You see, Paris isn’t the only one to blame for the demise of the once-important independent film showcase. How about the independent film industry itself, which has absolutely sucked lately? Can you name a significant indie film that has hit the scene in the last five years and changed the way you thought about movies?
And don’t you dare say “Crash.”
Delicious ‘Strangers With Candy’ news
Every once in a while something awesome happens. This is one of those times. It looks like the “Strangers With Candy” film will finally get released, and it’ll be this summer.
NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Indie movie distributor ThinkFilm has acquired worldwide rights to “Strangers With Candy,” a feature based on the Comedy Central cult hit about 46-year-old ex-junkie high school student Jerri Blank.
The complex deal amounts to about $2 million plus box office bonuses for the filmmakers, according to a source close to the negotiations. The company plans to release the film in exclusive engagements in late June or early July.
Like the article says, ThinkFilm an indie distributor, so that means that you might not be able to catch it at your local Googolplex, but at least you will be able to catch it somewhere. If you’re not familiar with the show, it was basically put together like an after school special based on the life of a 46-year-old woman. The premise sounds weird, but it’s hilarious, trust me. Plus, it’s got Stephen Colbert, whose star has risen quite a bit since the series first ran in the late ’90s.
‘Office’ Filter
OK, I’m officially getting nervous about some of the choices Ricky Gervais is making since “The Office” closed shop, starting with his new, mediocre series “Extras,” which I’ve barely even thought about after watching the first season, and now the news that he’s joining the cast of the “Night At The Museum.”
Empire magazine has the details:
Paying [Ben] Stiller back for his appearance on Extras, Gervais will fill a small role as an uptight museum director in the film which sees Stiller’s night watchman unleash an ancient curse.
Already hired are Robin Williams, Carla Gugino, Kim Raver, Mickey Rooney, Dick Van Dyke and Bill Cobbs.
New Ford vehicle
The TV commercial for Harrison Ford’s latest movie, “Firewall,” starts off like your typical action movie promo — with a blurry action montage, cheesey one-liners and an even cheesier voiceover guy — then it takes a sharp turn… in a brand new Crysler 300C.
Come to think of it, maybe it wasn’t an ad for”Firewall”; Maybe it was an ad for Crysler.
Actually, it was both. Yup, that’s right, another lame product tie-in with a movie, and this time they’re not even trying to conceal it. What a great way to take the edge off an upcoming release. Not that people have expected anything significant from Ford since he spouted “Get off my plane!” in “Air Force One.” Continues after the jump »
Supernerds Rejoice!
No more wondering what might have been. No more buying bootlegged VHS tapes that show us the Canadian TV broadcast from the 80’s. Soon we will be able to go right to the source, and watch this stuff ourselves! After years of campaigning, Warner Bros. has finally been convinced to release the many different versions of the Salkind Superman films. The Richard Donner Superman II footage that we nerds have been wanting for years will finally be cleaned up and shown in all its digital glory!
To understand how cool this is, it helps to have been following this story for years. One of the best ways to do that is with the magnificent Superman Cinema website, which is arguably the best movie website I have ever seen. They have a number of great articles on the whole Donner/Supes II controversy, so all you who are not familiar can read up.
Oh what a glorious piece of news! I wonder what Richard Lester thinks of all this…
Bo and Luke vs. Paris
It’s finally here! Forget the Golden Globes and Oscars. All people really care about is who made the worst movies this year. And now we know. Today the nominees for the Golden Raspberry Awards were announced. The nominees for worst picture of the year are:
1. Son of the Mask
2. Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo
3. Dirty Love
4. The Dukes of Hazzard
5. House of Wax
The entire list of razzies can be viewed here. Let’s hope whoever wins worst actor has the guts to show up and accept the award. Halle Berry showed up and won for her performance in 2004’s Catwoman, and she got a standing ovation.
Weezer tries on Velvet; Robin as Teddy
Despite some early bad press for the movie “Factory Girl,” members of Weezer are playing members of the legendary band The Velvet Underground, according to Digital Spy. Weezer guitarist Brian Bell is portraying Lou Reed and drummer Patrick Wilson is playing John Cale in the Edie Sedgewick biopic.
The early bad press I speak of came from Reed, most famously known for attending Syracuse University, who isn’t exactly a fan of the movie, calling the director and the cast a “bunch of whores.” Continues after the jump »
Almighty, my ass
Why oh why must Hollywood milk things on every opportunity? Some movies do not need sequels… for instance Bruce Almighty. I know I may be late in learning of plans for the sequel, Evan Almighty, but that doesn’t make it any less of a bad idea now than it was when it was first announced. And, furthermore, the director apparently intends on turning it into a series. On CHUD.com Steve Carell says:
“I know Tom Shadyac is hoping that it is a series, and then a couple of years down the road … Will Ferrell or Ben Stiller or somebody else, God comes to them and they need to achieve something and sort of learn, and it’ll be a very sweet movie. It’ll be a nice family movie.”
The future installments are beyond where my concern can be focused at this point… I am way to worried about this Evan flick. True, Carell is awesome… I could watch The Office day and night… 40 Year Old Virgin was outstanding… but Evan was a dry and static character. I mean, he served his purpose in Bruce Almighty and Carell played him well. Is he worthy of his own movie? The clear answer is, “NO”.
How many movies can we ruin with sequels that shouldn’t exist? It’s a question not much unlike “How many licks does it to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?” The world may never know.
‘Nacho’ supreme
New photos of Jack Black’s next movie — “Nacho Libre” — have hit the Internet. After seeing them, there’s no doubt I’m doing up this movie, and I don’t even know what it’s about. I don’t care. You give me Jack Black wearing some Mexican wrestling costume and throw in a title like “Nacho Libre” and I’m sold.
I’m sorry, I can’t even give you a brief synopsis of the film, which just proves I’m totally serious about not caring what it’s about. But an article on calendarlive.com, which provides the new images, can.
Keep in mind that “Nacho Libre” will just be the appetizer to the main course that will be “Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny,” which is due to start kicking theaters’ asses in October.
Hey kids, who wants to see a Magnum P.I. movie?
Tough shit, because you’re getting it anyway.
That’s right, the show that made mustaches rides cool and Ferraris passé is coming to theaters. The movie, which is sure to have an awesome teaser trailer (due in theaters this Friday), will be directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber.
Thurber, who wrote and directed the hit comedy “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story,” is not making a spoof but rather something akin to the tone of the show, which mixed humor and danger. The story line for the film sees Magnum, with the help of his former military pals, searching for a missing buddy.
I don’t know who they’ve got planned to play Magnum, but I don’t see how it can be anybody but Tom Selleck In fact, I’m officially declaring the comments thread on this post to be the official “Draft Tom Selleck to reprise his role as Thomas Magnum” petition. Get to work people! I want to see mustaches!
Hulk’s coming back? And as Duchovny?
So which is the weirder revelation: That there is an Incredible Hulk sequel in the works or that there’s a good chance David Duchovny will take over the role of Bruce Banner from Eric Bana?
I guess it’s not too odd that another comic book movie is being made, even if it’s coming before we get Silver Surfer or Iron Man and even if it’s following a movie that was a total failure. So I’ll have to go with Duchovny, who IMDB claims could be getting his green on soon. Continues after the jump »
When Larry Miller attacks
Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller, who pulled the movie “Brokeback Mountain” from his theater after being informed of its subject matter, has ended his silence.
First, he provided some great video for KSL-TV after a reporter asked him about his refusal to show a movie about gay cowboys. Miller grabbed the reporter’s microphone and said in an earnest voice:
“I said everything I had to say when I pulled the movie. Okay? Anything else you want to know?”
Yeah, you think the Jazz can take the West this year? Continues after the jump »
Party like it’s ‘1984’?
Empire Magazine is reporting that Tim Robbins wants to adapt a novel that is a favorite of the George W. Bush administration — George Orwell’s prophetic “1984.”
Robbins is currently directing a stage version of the novel for his LA theatre troupe, The Actors’ Gang. That runs until April 8, but when we spoke to him yesterday, he told us that he doesn’t want the 1984 experience to end there.
“I’ve got a screenplay of it,” he told us (presumably written by Michael Gene Sullivan, who adapted the novel for The Actors’ Gang). “And now I’m starting the process of trying to put it together.”
Adapting “1984” for the big screen now seems too late. It’s obvious that Robbins wants to use it as a shot at Bush and the current political climate of fear and control, which I would applaud if it had come out before the 2004 election. But the damage has already been done. We’re totally fucked whether or not this movie comes to fruition.
Now, there are plenty of old mediocre TV shows that haven’t been made into movies yet, like “Hunter,” “A Different World” and “Cop Rock.” Let’s work on those first.
Weisz, Depp slated for Batman sequel?
We all know how rock solid Internet rumors can be. With that, I bring you the latest speculation as to who will be showing up in the sequel to Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins,” courtesy of Chud.com.
The latest conjecture finds Rachel Weisz playing the daughter of Ra’s Al Ghul, who comes to Gotham seeking revenge on Batty Bruce for punching the hell out of her dad and then dropping a monorail on him (spoiler!). On top of that, the studio’s number one pick for Batman’s grinning lunatic nemesis (the Joker, not Killer Croc) is apparently Johnny Depp, which is a staggering surprise!
If it happens, I like the Wiesz choice a lot. She was the only respectable aspect of last year’s overwrought and pretentious “The Constant Gardener.” I’m still on the fence when it comes to her “hottie” factor though.
Depp works for me as well here, even though he’s sort of suffering from overexposure thanks to his mid-career plunge into blockbuster roles like Jack Sparrow in “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Still, he’s got the complexity and intensity that would translate well in the darker Batman films Nolan is creating.
Whether Depp or somebody else ends up playing the Joker, it’s going to be quite a challenge to live up to Jack’s performance though.
Not gay cowboys, but close enough
Remaking a classic movie is bad enough. Remaking a classic movie that is absurdly overrated just cries out “bomb.”
OK! magazine is reporting that best buds Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are set to star in a new version of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”
Damon will reportedly take on the role of the Sundance Kid, which was played by Robert Redford in the original 1969 movie, while Affleck will try to live up to Paul Newman’s Cassidy.
“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” will mark the first film in which Damon and Affleck, friends since childhood, will appear on screen together since knocking up their girlfriends.
Hey funboys, take that
You knew it was coming. “Brokeback Mountain” is finally meeting some friction after weeks of good press.
Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller, who prefers point guards who wear shorts that leave little to the imagination (see image), pulled the film from his movie theater in suburban Salt Lake City right before it was to open on Friday, according to the AP.
A message posted at the ticket window read: “There has been a change in booking and we will not be showing Brokeback Mountain. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
Yes, Miller is indeed a member of the Mormon Church, a group that isn’t exactly known for its fondness of homosexuals. I’ll let you figure out the rest.
On top on that comes news that “Capote,” and not “Brokeback,” has been honored as the best movie of 2005 by the National Society of Film Critics. Philip Seymour Hoffman also beat out Heath Ledger for the society’s Best Actor prize for his portrayal of Truman Capote.
‘Clerks II’ teaser online
It’s been a while since Kevin Smith delighted us with his breakout movie “Clerks” — a poorly acted yet hilarious low-budget movie about the life and times of people who work in New Jersey convenience stores.
Ever since, Smith has experienced some ups (“Chasing Amy”), downs (“Jersey Girl”) and some really-downs (“The Tonight Show With Jay Leno”).
Now he’s trying to recapture some of his long lost cred by making a sequel to “Clerks” — “Clerks II” — thus bringing Jay and Silent Bob out of retirement for the 16th time.
I’m guessing comic books will be involved somehow.
Rosario Dawson is definitely part of this movie, which is a real mixed blessing. Sure, she’s smoking hot, but she can’t act her way out of a paper bag.
Anway, you can check out the teaser for “Clerks II” here.
‘Reno: 911!’ getting movie treatment
Yeah, I’m typically complaining about how Hollywood is so lazy and unoriginal these days, that all the movie studios do is remake old movies and produce films based on TV shows because it’s a safe way to cash in.
Well, the Comedy Central hit “Reno: 911!” will be made into a movie, according to the Hollywood Reporter, and I’m fine with it. Why? Because the show’s actually funny and the movie likely won’t include Jessica Simpson and Johnny Knoxville.
“Reno 911!: Miami,” which starts shooting Jan. 23 in Miami and Los Angeles, finds the officers visiting a national police convention in Miami Beach at the height of spring break. When the convention center is bio-attacked, it’s up to Reno’s “finest” to save the day.
OK, I’m not exactly sure how that’s going to translate. Still, I like the idea of it being an “improvisational-based project.” And I love the title.
In your face, Whoopi
Props to my co-worker Stacey for breaking the story (at least to me) of Jon Stewart being selected to host the upcoming 78th Academy Awards.
(Hold on for a second while I do my “I’m psyched Jon Stewart is hosting the Oscars” dance at my desk.)
OK.
This delightful bit of news comes from an article over on the LA Times’ Web site.
Times staff writers Scott Collins and John Horn report that Oscar show officials first approached Stewart shortly before Christmas. According to a source with first-hand knowledge of the situation, the deal was wrapped up in a flurry of activity a day or two before the holiday.
Larry David not big on gay cowboys
I’m planning on seeing “Brokeback Mountain” tonight, so my review should be up on Crap Filter soon. To hold you over, check out this hilarious and all-so-true Op-Ed about the movie from the New York Times written by Larry David of “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” fame.
I love gay people. Hey, I’ve got gay acquaintances. Good acquaintances, who know they can call me anytime if they had my phone number. I’m for gay marriage, gay divorce, gay this and gay that. I just don’t want to watch two straight men, alone on the prairie, fall in love and kiss and hug and hold hands and whatnot. That’s all.
Is that so terrible? Does that mean I’m homophobic? And if I am, well, then that’s too bad. Because you can call me any name you want, but I’m still not going to that movie.
To my surprise, I have some straight friends who’ve not only seen the movie but liked it. “One of the best love stories ever,” one gushed. Another went on, “Oh, my God, you completely forget that it’s two men. You in particular will love it.”
“Why me?”
You’re my boy, Blue
Cue “Dust In The Wind”
Patrick Cranshaw has passed away at the age of 86.
Although Cranshaw had been an actor since the mid-20th century, you probably remember him best as the frail elderly man named Blue from the 2003 movie “Old School.” In the flick, he joined the frat before dying while wrestling a pair of topless women. Of course, at his funeral, Will Ferrell’s character sang “Dust In The Wind” before screaming out, “You’re my boy, Blue.”
The role and the line resulted in a sudden surge in fame for Cranshaw, as the AP explains:
Fans would yell the signature line whenever they saw the actor and erected Web sites paying homage to his “Old School” character. He was even invited to meet with the Texas Rangers when they played the Angels in Anaheim.
The Rangers? Couldn’t we have given this guy some better perks? Like at least the A’s or something.
Now Watts?
I guess I’ve become the designated Bond girl update guy. I can only blame myself because I started it with the rumor of Charlize Theron possibly joining the new 007 movie “Casino Royale.”
Well, Naomi Watts, currently starring as a woman with a strange fetish in “King Kong,” is the latest to be asked after Theron, Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson turned the role down, according to various reports.
As I see it, the Bond people have two problems: 1. They’re aiming way too high for someone that will work alongside Daniel Craig, and 2. Watts isn’t as good as an actress as she’s being hyped to be. Continues after the jump »
Crystal method fails for Oscar
Billy Crystal is latest to turn down the hosting gig at the 78th Academy Awards. Chris Rock was the first reportedly to do so. This leaves the Academy about two months to find an emcee for the March 5 ceremony.
According the Los Angeles Times, Crystal turned down the offer “citing his stage, film and book commitments as a reason not to go through what is for him a time-consuming and nerve-wracking process.” Yes, those stage, film and book commitments I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot about in 2006. Let me give you Crystal’s real 2006 in a nutshell: an appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman” (perhaps unannounced to boost his ego), and a few cutaways during a Yankees TV broadcast.
Suffice it to say, the Oscars will go on without Crystal.
As for Rock, I wanted him to do well during his inaugural time as host last year, I really did, but he showed his ignorance to the whole movie scene during his opening monologue, most famously by making off-target cracks about Jude Law. It’s just not his forum, and neither are movies coincidentally.
So who’s left? Here’s a breakdown of the top candidates: Continues after the jump »
That Guy dies
Vincent Schiavelli, the quintessential That Guy actor, as he was That Guy from movies such as “Ghost,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” and “Amadeus,” has died at the age of 57.
That Guy from the movie “Kidco” passed away from lung cancer on Monday at his home in the Sicilian village of Polizzi Generosa.
That Guy from “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” is proof that characters actors are instrumental to the success of movies. Just look at the movies That Guy was in that by no coincidence ended up being box office hits, and in some cases classics.
Unfortunately, That Guys never quite land the fame and fortune of lead actors, that’s why they’re referred to as That Guys (a tag that has been around for a while, but I’m pretty sure was popularized by ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons). However, I’m sure That Guy from “Batman Returns” made a pretty comfortable life for himself by finding a niche as That Creepy Guy.
Next Bond girl in flux
It seems Charlize Theron, who’s currently disappointing movie-goers worldwide in “Aeon Flux,” had a stream of logic recently because she’s opted out of being the next Bond girl for the new 007 film “Casino Royale.”
Here’s more from Virgin.net:
Rumours did the rounds recently that the South African-born actress was interested in the role, which had also been offered to ‘Tomb Raider’ star Angelina Jolie and ‘Lost In Translation’ actress Scarlett Johansson.
However, according to The Sun newspaper, all three actresses have turned down the opportunity to become the next in a long line of famous Bond girls.
This means that Bond producers, already nervous of the reception Craig will receive as the new 007, have just a month to sign on a female lead for ‘Casino Royale’ which is set to begin shooting in January.
Can we just kill the Bond series then? Its best days are behind us. Let Spike TV show us the wonder of the good ol’ days of Bond with occasional marathon goodness.
Fast food for thought
If you’ve read “Fast Food Nation,” you probably hate Walt Disney and find it hard to step into a McDonald’s these days. Now, even those of you who are lazy, apathetic and whose chubby fingers make it hard to turn the pages in a book can get angry for two weeks. Fox Searchlight pictures acquired the rights to the muckraking best seller, and plans a release for 2006.
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Fox Searchlight Pictures has acquired North American distribution rights to “Fast Food Nation.”
Directed by Richard Linklater, the film is a dramatic character study about the fast-food industry based on Eric Schlosser’s nonfiction best-seller. A 2006 release is planned.
The ensemble cast includes Patricia Arquette, Bobby Cannavale, Luis Guzman, Ethan Hawke, Ashley Johnson, Greg Kinnear, Kris Kristofferson, Avril Lavigne, Esai Morales, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Lou Taylor Pucci, Ana Claudia Talancon and Wilmer Valderrama. It was shot in Mexico, Texas and Colorado.
I actually just finally finished reading the book last week. If you read Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” in high school, you’ll be happy to know that the beef industry is still evil, but only slightly less so. These days, the workers who get killed and injured in slaughterhouses are generally dark-skinned Mexican types. The rest is basically stuff you could have probably guessed.
This seems like one I’d like to check out, but I’m kind of confused as to how a non-fiction book gets made into a movie with an ensemble cast, and also why is Wilmer Valderrama in it?
Cohen gets ‘Curly’ cue
Sacha Baron Cohen, the man of many characters (OK, three, unless you count his cameo in “Curb Your Enthusiasm”), has signed on to play Curly Oxide in the upcoming movie “Curly Oxide And Vic Thrill,” according to Empire magazine.
Cohen will step into the shoes of Oxide, the real-life Hasidic Jew whose chance encounter with a rock musician in a Brooklyn bar led to an offbeat but successful recording career. The movie has been written and will be directed by Tina Fey.
Awwww. Everything was going so well until Tina had to pop her name in there. On top of that, hit-or-miss movie producer Lorne Michaels, who teamed up with Fey on “Mean Girls,” is also on board.
At least Cohen has a couple more intriguing projects down the line should “Curly Oxide” not work out. He’s set to star alongside Will Ferrell in a yet-to-be-titled NASCAR comedy and will bring Borat to the bring screen sometime in 2006.
Titans of comedy clash
Trouble’s a-brewin’ in South Park. Peter and Bobby Farrelly, the brains behind such comedies as “There’s Something About Mary,” “Dumb and Dumber,” “Kingpin” and others say that a 2004 episode of “South Park” in which Cartman pretends to be mentally retarded to get into the Special Olympics is a ripoff of their upcoming movie, “The Ringer.”
“When you think of a premise so radical it’s unmakable, you hang in for seven years to see it through, it is a shock to the system to have people on Websites saying, ‘You hack, you stole this from South Park,’ ” Blitt tells Variety. “I set this up so long before that episode was conceived. It is bad enough to have your idea taken: It’s 1,000 times worse when you are then accused of stealing.”
Damn, them’s fightin’ words. I don’t know what they hope to achieve. There’s probably no way to prove it was stolen, and calling out Trey Parker and Matt Stone is only going to cause them to respond, most likely with an episode where a couple of angry movie directors come to town and steal Cartman’s idea for a movie, and then hilarity and an abrupt ending ensue.
I’m sort of torn on who to believe here. Not having seen “The Ringer” yet, I’m suspicious as to how similar the plots really are. You could probably easily peg this as a cry for publicity from the Farrellys, but I don’t think they’d sink to that, nor do I think they’d make the claim unless it was really, really warranted. At any rate, I’m more interested to see the movie now.
‘Hot Fuzz’ should be killer
Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, the brains behind “Shaun of the Dead,” confirmed to Empire magazine that they have gotten the greenlight to make a follow-up to their 2004 surprise hit. However, the new film will not center on zombies, but instead on cops and carries the title “Hot Fuzz.”
The movie, which will star Pegg and Shaun cohort/real-life best mate, Nick Frost as two mismatched cops who team up in a West Country backwater, has been mooted for over a year now, with the delay in official news causing some people to fear that it would ever get made. However, just to put to bed the pernicious rumour (in no way started by us) that Pegg and Wright may have been slacking in any way, Pegg revealed the real reason for the delay.
“We’ve actually been writing it for most of the year!” laughed Pegg. “We’ve been working so hard on it. It’s such a complex script. “
Wright and Pegg told Empire that Shane Black and the movie “Dirty Harry” are the project’s influences, so honestly I have no idea what to expect from the pair, who somehow made a hilarious comedy about the walking dead. But I’m so ready to root for filmmakers from Britain that aren’t named Guy Ritchie.
Gay cowboys circle the Globes
The Golden Globes (you know, that elaborate excuse for famous people to throw a glamourous party and televise it) announced its nominations for the 2005 awards this morning and coming in with a hefty seven noms is “Brokeback Mountain.” The film about cowboys that prefer the company of men grabbed nods for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Score and Best Song.
On the TV side, “Desperate Housewives” led with of five nominations, with four of them coming in the Best Actress category (Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Felicity Huffman and Marcia Cross).
Before you put too much stock in these awards keep in mind that Madonna once won one for her performance in “Evita.” Suffice it to say that it’s not the best forecaster as far as the Oscars go. Continues after the jump »
It’s raining gay cowboys
I swear my whole fascination with a movie being about gay cowboys will subside sometime in January. For now, bear with me while I roll out my headlines.
The New York Film Critics Circle, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and National Board of Review have all released their 2005 movie honors, and “Brokeback Mountain” is the unquestioned champion of the lists, taking two of the three Best Picture honors. This makes it the early favorite as far as the Oscars go, if you buy into that sort of thing.
Here’s a rundown of the most glamourous categories:
New York Film Critics Circle (full list)
Best Picture: “Brokeback Mountain”
Best Director: Ang Lee - “Brokeback Mountain”
Best Actor: Heath Ledger - “Brokeback Mountain”
Best Actress: Reese Witherspoon - “Walk The Line”
Best Supporting Actor: William Hurt - “A History of Violence”
Best Supporting Actress: Maria Bello - “A History of Violence” Continues after the jump »
Yo Adrian, you got any money?
Do you have $1 million kicking around? Well then, you can buy the statue from “Rocky III.” No, not the rights to the movie “Rocky III,” the statue from it.
Again, starting bid is $1 million and it’s over on eBay, so act fast.
Created for the movie ROCKY III the statue was erected on the top steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. After the filming ended a furious debate arose in Philadelphia between the Art Museum and the City’s Art Commission over the meaning of “art.” Claiming the statue was not “art” but rather a “movie prop” the city considered various alternate locations and settled upon the front of the Spectrum sports complex in South Philadelphia. It was later returned to the Art Museum where it was used in the filming of ROCKY V, as well as MANNEQUIN (Andrew McCarthy) and PHILADELPHIA (Tom Hanks). Again it was removed to the front of the Spectrum where it stands today.
Well, it’s not the ACTUAL statue from the movie, which was created by artist A. Thomas Schomberg and still sits in front of the Spectrum. (I can confirm this to be true.) Three identical statues were cast by the sculptor, Pete McEntegart of SI.com explains, and this is one of them. Continues after the jump »
Oh I wish I was an Oscar, uh, nominee
Well, it’s beginning. Ninety percent of all the movies actually worth seeing come out in the last six weeks of any given year, and we’ve got three to go. Of course, this is the time of year that movies start coming out on Wednesdays and holidays, so it’s like you get two weekends for every week.
I can’t say any of this is necessarily bad. It’s either feast or famine with the movie studios. You’ve either got so many good movies that you can’t decide what to see, or so many bad movies, that you can’t decide which ones to make sarcastic comments about. Well, I do anyway.
With all the great movies coming out this time of year, there’s no hiding the fact that Oscar buzz is starting to build. And build. And build. Don’t worry, though. In another month and a half all this talk about who can direct and who can act will be replaced by talk of “who are you wearing?” Continues after the jump »
Someone should remake this list
FilmThreat.com has come out with its annual Frigid 50, a “top 50 list of the coldest, least powerful people in Hollywood,” and instead of being a sharp take on the year in movies, the list is once again loaded with unimaginitive attacks. A good example of this is who falls in at No. 1 and No. 2:
1. Tom Cruise
2. Katie Holmes
Sure, they dominated the headlines in ‘05 for all the wrong reasons and got on everyone’s nerves with their public relationship, but in terms of film success, did Cruise and Holmes really slip? Mr. Scientology will always have box office power no matter how many crazy interviews he does with Matt Lauer because he is, in actuality, a good actor. And Holmes was the lead female role in the hugely successful “Batman Begins.” If that constitutes frigid, then (Stallone voice) put me in the fridge. Continues after the jump »
Just say Dr. No
Alright, so when did it suddenly become the proper thing to do a Bond movie after winning an Oscar?
Wait, a better question: When did Bond become relevant again?
Well, the Daily Mirror is reporting that Charlize Theron is ready to taint her Best Actress Oscar by appearing in the next Bond film, “Casino Royale.”
Theron, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Aileen Wuornos in 2003’s “Monster,” is reportedly director Martin Campbell’s first choice to play the lead female role. She would follow in the footsteps of Halle Berre, who set back the progress of women actors 20 years or so by doing “Die Another Day” following her Oscar win for “Monster’s Ball.”
No word yet if Theron is angling to star in “Catwoman 2: Cat Scratch Fever.” Continues after the jump »
2 Crouching, 2 Hidden
Ang Lee has failed to reach the success of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” since it enraptured the movie-going public four years ago. His most recent film, “Brokeback Mountain,” which has come to affectionately be known as “The Gay Cowboy Movie,” is set to be released next weekend to uncomfortable audiences across America (mostly blue states). The artistic and risky choice for Lee follows “Hulk,” which also could have been called “Blah.”
So what’s a director to do to recapture his prominence?
How about a sequel? Or better yet, a prequel? Continues after the jump »
Not Lenny!
Jimi Hendrix just threw up in his mouth again. That’s because he heard the news that Lenny Kravitz is in talks to play the dead guitar god in an upcoming biopic.
That’s right, Lenny friggin’ Kravitz, who has become a cartoon of a cartoon of a rock star, and not Andre Benjamin (a.k.a. Andre 3000 of Outkast), who would have been too perfect I guess, considering he’s a dead-ringer for Hendrix, a way more talented musician and, oh yeah, a decent actor. Continues after the jump »
Third time is no charm
What a waste Chris Tucker’s career has been. The guy is mad talented: a funny dude and a good actor with great screen presence. But his resume is surprisingly flimsy.
Well, he’s about to sink even lower because he’s signed on to do a third “Rush Hour” movie. I understand the first two movies brought in some silly money (and Tucker made silly money), and that’s what it all comes down to, but “Rush Hour” was barely a movie that deserved one sequel, let alone two.
Here’s the gist of the first two: Tucker and Jackie Chan have trouble understanding each other and comedy ensues. Oh yeah, and Chan does his own stunts or whatever. Continues after the jump »
My prediction’s in ‘Flux’
I can’t decide if I want to see Aeon Flux or not. It looks like it might be half decent. The cartoons on MTV were good, in an “I’m not quite sure what the hell is going on” sort of way, but it was never the sort of thing I’d go out of my way to catch.
The fact that it’s being released in December instead of June or July sort of gives me some hope for it. I would guess that it’s coming out now instead of last summer due to the filming delays from when Charlize Theron got injured during filming last year, but I wouldn’t know for sure. I suppose it’s possible that the studio sees it as an end-of-the-year art film.
The show never had too much of a plot; usually it was just Aeon breaking into some secure bunker or assassinating someone. It looks like the movie’s going to be more of the same; I just hope they can make it work for a full-length movie without destroying the essence of the show.
The Real Story has an interesting little piece on the look of the film. I’m impressed by what I’ve seen in the trailer and constant TV spots. The technology in the movie looks pretty interesting too. I especially like the “smart grass” blades that stand up to stop intruders. Seems like a good pair of shoes might foil that security system though.
All the cool technology in the world won’t be able to save the movie if it’s got a lame plot. It does have Charlize Theron, and I would hope that she’d have the sense not to sign on to a blockbuster-style bomb after winning an Oscar for Monster.
Normally it’s pretty obvious which one are going to be especially bad, but I’m just not getting that out of this one. For now, the movie looks like a big question mark for me.
‘Superman Returns’ teaser hits THEATERS
Okay, so with in all due respect to the esteemed Chris Coleman, I must offer a differing opinion of the release of the teaser for “Superman Returns,” which is hitting theaters yesterday and today, in front of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” I am just now home, after seeing that movie, and said teaser. Here in Los Angeles, we are 3 hours late, so forgive the tardiness. Before we talk about the teaser, a little backround:
I have never been a big fan of Superman myself. The character, as Chris mentions, is too powerful. It is too easy for him to be heroic and dashing. He doesn’t have the same flaws that Spider-Man or Batman have. For this reason, he can be a bit of a dull guy.
Clark Kent is not the most interesting character either. I mean, would you rather be a millionaire playboy like Bruce Wayne, or would you rather schlep your way to the office to be a reporter like Clark Kent? Most people would choose to be Bruce in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, you cannot be Bruce without being Batman, and you cannot be Clark without being Superman. They are the same person. And this is the part that gets tricky. The immortal Christopher Reeve put it best in an interview. (I will have to paraphrase.) He basically said that Batman has a cool car and all, but Superman… he can fly. Continues after the jump »
Ferrell to strap ‘em on
“Anchorman” sounded like a brilliant idea for a movie at first, but its execution was extremely disappointing. Memorable lines and gags from co-writer and star Will Ferrell were overtaken by the overall boredom caused by an awfully lame plot (pandas?).
So with the news that Ferrell is set to star in a movie about pairs figure skating called “Blades of Glory,” why I am giddy at the prospects? Probably because he’s starring in a movie about pairs figure skating.
Still, there are some red flags here.
First, all these movies that Ferrell gets involved in always have great premises (like an upcoming role where he’s a NASCAR driver named Ricky Bobby). But they’d probably work better as skits, and not two-hour long movies. Continues after the jump »
Happy ‘Potter’ days
This Potter kid is a marketing genius. 
Because for the fourth holiday season in the last five years, young Harry has decided to regale us with tales of his latest Hogwart’s hijinks on or about the same time our ovens are brimming with free Shop Rite turkeys and our minds — completely devoid of any sense of responsibility, thanks in part to spiked egg nog — are on Hollywood’s most recent blockbuster releases.
Coincidence? I think not!
As certain as the winds turn cold and the perverted Uncle Larry’s of the world are getting ready to plug their birds with more than just stuffing, Mr. Potter will be hard at work trying to come between you and your hard-earned dough. And this year is no exception.
Will he succeed? The answer, of course, is up to you. But here are some early reviews of the latest installment, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Continues after the jump »
Yippee-ki-yay al-Qaeda
Uber patriot Bruce Willis is putting his money on the line for an American cause: publicity.
The star of “The Whole Ten Yards” recently told a MSNBC’s “Rita Cosby: Live And Direct” that he will give $1 million of his own money to any civilian who turns in Osama bin Laden and/or Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi.
Apparently, Willis figures getting a reward from John McClane would be a lot more glamorous than receiving the outstanding one from the government, which has offered $50 million.
Willis told Rita Cosby that he is making the offer because he does not think the government’s $50 million reward is enough to inspire someone to turn in bin Laden.
$51 million though…
I’m not sure money is going to do the trick here. Perhaps it has something to do with the only people close to al-Qaeda being religous fanatics that want to wipe out the western world’s materialistic culture.
Willis should instead use that money to compensate all of us that sat through “Striking Distance.”
Casting ‘Idiot’
Green Day confirmed recently that they are planning on making a movie based on their hugely successful anti-George Bush album “American Idiot,” which plays like a rock opera itself. Billie Joe Armstrong also confirmed that the band will take a role in producing and writing the film, but they will not be starring in it.
Since there are already reports out there that the trio is considering Benji and Joel Madden from Good Charlotte for certain parts, I figure I have to get to work on helping the boys cast this movie ASAP.
Let’s start with Billie Joe.
The first name that popped in my head to play Billie Joe was Elijah Wood, but to be honest, I’m so fucking sick of seeing that guy. Plus, I don’t really think he has the edge to play the lead singer of a punk, er, pop-punk band, no matter how many CBGB shirts he wears. I think the better option might be Frankie Muniz, star of “Malcolm in the Middle” and “Agent Cody Banks.” Continues after the jump »
Movie kills Pa. man
Yup, it has happened again. Hollywood is reponsible for the death of another human being.
This time it’s 30-year-old Shelton Flowers, who was shot to death in the foyer at Loews Cineplex at the Waterfront in West Homestead near Pittsburgh after watching “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” a biopic about gangsta rapper 50 Cent.
(Hmmmm. Maybe I should blame gangsta rap.)
I first heard about the story on one of those 24-hour news channels. It aired between reports of two seperate car bombings in Iraq.
The theater, for obvious reasons (public relations), has stopped showing the movie. Loews corporate spokesman John McCauley said in a statement, “We’re unclear whether there is a direct connection.”
Keep playing dumb McCauley, but showing that movie no doubt played a direct role in the death of Flowers, who was reportedly carrying an unregistered gun without a permit and had a criminal record.
When will the entertainment industry show the same moral conviction of our country’s top government officials?
Let me know if this puts you to sleep
Thomas Haden Church is finally cashing in on his career-changing turn in “Ned and Stacey” despite a little bump in the road called “Sideways.” Church, as some of you might already know, has scored a role as a villain in the upcoming “Spider-Man 3” (2007).
Well, it’s just been confirmed that the villian Church will be playing is the Sandman, and if you’re the type that gets excited about press photos being released way before the actual movie, there’s a fresh picture on the web to prove it.
Looks like someone has been working out and shopping at J Crew.
The Fast/Break parallel
If this site had some sort of breaking news graphic, this bombshell that was passed along to me from my friend Jeff Harnisch via email would definitely warrant it. Be advised “The Fast and the Furious” fans that all you believe in might be crushed if you read on.
I watched “The Fast and the Furious” today for the first time because I felt like watching something mindless. Holy shit, that movie is a rip-off of “Point Break.” Hard to believe. The following similarities:
1.) Stone-faced, rigid lead actor with poor acting skills (Keanu Reeves/Paul Walker).
2.) Number 1 is an undercover cop trying to infiltrate a group of guys who do some seriously illegal shit (rob banks/hijack trucks) to fund their passion (surfing/making Honda Civics into rocket cars).
3.) There is a lady friend in the gang who they develop “real” feelings for (Lori Petty/some chick who plays Vin Diesel’s sister).
4.) Very early in the infiltration members of the gang question the motives of the “new guy” only to have the leader (Swayze/Diesel) back the “new guy” up. Continues after the jump »
New Kong trailer is king
The (presumably) final trailer for “King Kong” hit the Internets on Thursday, in glorious HD Quicktime.
I’ve got to say that I’m finally excited for “Kong.” Not that I wasn’t already planning to see it, but now I know that I’m willing to wait in line and maybe miss a few hours of work to be first in line. The teaser trailer never really did much for me. The dinosaurs were originally quite unimpressive, but it looks like Peter Jackson has been spending his time well. Kong has even gotten a makeover since the last trailer.
Another little bonus that I discovered today, that everybody else probably knew, is that Andy Serkis plays Kong. Sure, he “plays” the ape in the sense that he “played” Gollum, but you get the idea.
Go check out the dizzying number of sizes and formats for the trailer, along with the “A Look Inside” featurette.