The Big Screen Bulletin 11.20.06: Stuffing Your Turkey With News
Posted by Chad Webb on 11.20.2006
All the latest birthdays, "Happy Feet" tramples over Bond, thoughts on the "Borat" scandals, news on upcoming sequels, Will Ferrell grabs "King Dork", Quentin Tarantino's future film, new releases, borthdays, trailers, and much more!
Birthday Bash
Meg Ryan turns 45 – Despite her age, Ms. Sleepless in Seattle is still super sexy. She has kept quiet the past couple years, but she has Homeland Security, as well as a movie with Colin Hanks called The Women. She's had enough of Tom, so it's on to his boy.
Jodie Foster turns 44 – She is a spectacular actor, but I never really found her that attractive. She has The Brave One and Sugarland, which she is directing. Hopefully, if another Inside Man is on the horizon, she is included.
Owen Wilson turns 38 – This Wilson brother always has a project to work on it seems. He looks like a guy in his late 30's. His next films are Drillbit Taylor and Outsourced with Vince Vaughn.
Martin Scorsese turns 64 – The best filmmaker alive today is getting older, but is still as brilliant as he ever was. He has four projects on the slate. A documentary on the Rolling Stones, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, Silence, and an Airbus documentary. The mastermind never stops.
Scarlett Johansson turns 22 – The sexiest woman on earth is still so very young, but already has a terrific career behind her. While I think my fantasy that involves her, her next films are The Nanny Diaries, The Other Boleyn Girl, Brilliant, Mary Queen of Scots, and a few others. I love that she always chooses interesting and diverse roles.
Next Week: A straight to video nightmare with Dorm Daze 2
The News Bulletin
The Feet trample over the Casino
It looks as if the animated penguins beat out James Bond for first place at the North American boxoffice on the weekend before Thanksgiving. But with the two movies so close, it could be that Monday afternoon's final numbers will be the true determinant of who wins the frame. As it stood Sunday, estimates reported by each of the studios indicated that Warner Bros. Pictures' "Happy Feet" is the winner by a $1.7 million margin. The PG-rated CG-animated film earned an estimated $42.3 million compared with Sony Pictures' "Casino Royale," a Columbia Pictures/MGM co-production, which grossed $40.6 million. The other new wide release, Universal Pictures' "Let's Go to Prison," bowed at a dismal $2.1 million, good for 12th place overall. Even with two $40 million-plus openers, the weekend still was down a staggering 22.3% compared with last year at this time, when Warners' juggernaut "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" bowed to $102 million and 20th Century Fox's "Walk the Line" opened to $22.3 million. Today's numbers will be telling, considering that "Casino" is handicapped by a 140-minute run time, while "Happy Feet's" family-friendly themes will attract a lot of kid-priced tickets. Nonetheless, the two well-reviewed films each scored in the range expected.
I guess the shorter and friendlier family film caught the parents fancy above Casino Royale. The new comedy Let's Go To Prison debuted horribly at #12. I am somewhat surprised. Bond should rule all dammit! However, both releases gave great box office totals compared to previous weeks. Borat is still holding on in the top 3, and Santa Clause 3 is also continuing to present a strong showing. Otherwise, The Queen barely makes it at #10, while Babel is also staying put at #7. The Departed dropped a good bit to #9, but besides that, not much else is new on the top 10 this weekend. On the limited side of things, Richard Linklater's Fast Food Nation bombed big time in 321 theaters, while For Your Consideration from Christopher Guest did better in only 23 theaters. Next week, Tony Scott's Déjà vu, Tenacious D, and Bobby have an incredibly tough hill to climb.
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Some People No Like "Borat"
British funnyman Sacha Baron Cohen has been threatened with legal action by the Romanian village which stood in for his comic creation Borat's native Kazakhstan in his hit movie. Gypsy citizens of Glod are outraged that Cohen ridiculed their lifestyle in "Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan", which has topped international box offices, and paid them a pittance to allow farm animals into their homes. Local leader Nicolae Staicu will meet with a public ombudsman today to formulate legal action against Cohen and distributor 20th Century Fox. Staicu accused the producers of paying locals just $4 to perform degrading acts, misleading the village into thinking filming was for a documentary and refusing to sign proper filming contracts. Resident Dana Luca, 40, says, "We thought they came here to help us - not mock us. We haven't got anything here. We haven't got running water. We can't even bathe. We are poor people, but we are still people."
Two college fraternity members who appear in "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" have filed a lawsuit against the producers and 20th Century Fox studios claiming they were plied with alcohol and duped into signing a release agreeing to appear in the film. According to the plaintiffs, who are listed in the lawsuit as John Does, the filmmakers had assured them that the movie would not be shown in the U.S. (they presumably were under the impression that it would be shown in Kazakhstan) and that their identities would not be revealed. They are demanding unspecified compensation for their "humiliation, mental anguish, and emotional and physical distress, loss of reputation, goodwill and standing in the community." Also on Thursday, Russian authorities effectively banned the film by refusing to issue a certificate of distribution on the grounds that it "contains material that some viewers may consider offensive to certain nationalities and religions."
Wow, a lot is happening with Sacha Baron Cohen's hit film huh? After reading Al and Bryan's comments in this week's edition "Fact or Fiction", I do agree with their opinions. It is no surprise that since this film is such a success that people are coming out from underneath their rocks to sue as much as possible for some dough. I am sure these claims are from folks who just want some money for looking like retards on screen. However, it does make one think. Exactly what the hell went on during the filming of Borat. What lengths did they go to in order to get laughs? These people should have gone public before the movie came out, but they didn't, hence their sudden outrages look foolish. I find it hard to believe that Director Larry Charles would have stooped to a level of getting kids drunk to sign papers, but then again weirder things have occurred in cinema. To me, it has to hurt the reputation of this film just a tad. I am sure most fans will forget about these claims soon enough though. Will people say "Borat was a great movie, but...." in the future?
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A View At The Future
MGM is ramping up for 2007 production starts on the next installments in the James Bond, "Pink Panther" and "Thomas Crown" film franchises. Studio chairman and chief exec Harry Sloan revealed the plans while speaking to the European Media Leaders Summit in London, reports Variety.
Another "Pink Panther?" Yup. According to the trade, Steve Martin has penned the screenplay for a new movie in the series which will see his Inspector Clouseau forced to team with equally eccentric and bumbling detectives from other European nations to defeat a continent-wide crime wave. Shooting on the comedy crime caper is expected to start in February. As for the new "Thomas Crown" film, which will once again star Pierce Brosnan... the $100 million flick is slated for a March start. And Daniel Craig will be back as Bond in the sequel to "Casino Royale."
What does the future hold for arguably the most anticipated film on the studio's development slate, "The Hobbit?" Sloan confirmed that MGM is in early discussions with Peter Jackson to make two films. The first film would be a straight-up adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's prequel to "The Lord of the Rings." And the second, he says, would be crafted using "footnotes and source material connecting "The Hobbit" with "Lord of the Rings." Sloan gave no projected start dates for "The Hobbit" projects, but an MGM spokesperson told Variety that talks with Jackson are on-going and that the production isn't expected to get underway until 2008 or 2009.
A Pink Panther sequel? Someone please shoot me now. I guess this was inevitable, but that remake just plain sucked. I am all for a healthy dose of slapstick comedy, but I did not laugh once, and for the most part, the plot was boring. Give me Buster Keaton. Remakes, and then sequels to remake….when will it all end? The answer is never. As for the sequel to Thomas Crown Affair remake, that is a great idea. That is a rare exception though. That remake was arguably one of the best remakes ever made. I expected Craig to return as Bond. However, it will interesting to see the details of the next plot seeing as how the entire Ian Fleming canon has been put to film now. I deeply hope that Jackson agrees to a deal for The Hobbit movies. The fans deserve this Peter. Think not of the money, but of the loyal fans that need another installment Gandalf to be nerdy about.
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Ferrell Is Crowned "King Dork"
Will Ferrell has picked up the rights to the suitably titled book "King Dork", with plans to turn it into a pic, says The Hollywood Reporter. Ferrell and Adam McKay's Gary Sanchez Prods handed over a large sum of cabbage for the rights to Frank Portman's debut novel as part of their overall first-look deal with Paramount Vantage. "King Dork" has generated a lot of interest since its debut in April. It centers on 14-year-old Tom Henderson, a typical high school slacker whose life changes when he finds his late father's copy of the Salinger classic "The Catcher in the Rye." "Chris and Adam assured me this book, once turned into a movie, will make $500 million domestic," said Sanchez, the fictitious former NFL kicker from Paraguay. "If it does not, I will hit each of their hands with a hammer." Said Vantage head of production and acquisitions Amy Israel: "Frank has such an original voice, and his novel brilliantly captures the sort of insecurities all kids feel growing up." With all these original projects in the go, it's little wonder that Ferrell has passed on the opportunity to make sequels to "Old School", "Elf" and "Anchorman".
This book has received excellent reviews, and it's funny because I have been trying to get a copy on audio C.D. to listen to, but I haven't gotten off my ass to do it. Yes, I listen to audio books. I have no time to read them. I listen to them in my car. Anyway, I now have to get my butt in gear to read this before the movie is released. These are the kind of projects I like to hear about in the news. I have no doubts that Ferrell will choose a role in this film down the road. $500 million is certainly a steep mountain to aim for. The producers might go into shock if that goal was attained. I will take this opportunity to thank Ferrell for not participating in the unnecessary sequels to his successful films. They do not need them! Constantly searching for inventive projects will only cause him to be more adored.
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"Master & Commander" Weir Goes Diving
Australian director Peter Weir, still drying off from "Master & Commander", is about to get wet again with "Shadow Divers". According to The Hollywood Reporter, the FOX 2000 project is based on Robert Kurson's best-selling non-fiction book "Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Discovered Hitler's Lost Sub". It revolves around two of the world's foremost deep-sea wreck divers who discover a sunken U-boat 60 miles off the coast of New Jersey. Despite considerable danger, the young divers risk their lives in their obsession to identify the submarine over the period of six years. Bill Broyles ("Cast Away") wrote the screenplay, and is executive producing. Weir is in talks to produce, too.
Mr. Weir is undoubtedly an underrated filmmaker. His resume includes The Truman Show, Dead Poet's Society, and Witness. I loved Master & Commander, and I think Cast Away was a masterpiece, so the combination of Broyles screenplay and Weir's direction should result in a sure thing. Strangely, Peter Weir has two projects ready to launch, according to IMDB.com. The first is War Machine, which revolves around a magician who helped defeat Rommell and the Nazi war machine. The second is about Cayce Pollard, who is some person searching for odd film fragments on the internet. If Shadow Divers is on his table, it will not be a reality for many years. I will have to dig for more info on this.
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If "Pulp Fiction" and "Resovoir Dogs" Have a Child…
It's the film Quentin Tarantino fans have spent the best part of a decade waiting for. The latest word from Michael Madsen is that the proposed "Pulp Fiction" and "Reservoir Dogs" spin-off, featuring Madsen and John Travolta as the Vega brothers, could be heading for production after all. The idea originally formed in Tarantino's mind because Vincent Vega from "Pulp Fiction" and Vic Vega from "Reservoir Dogs" had always been conceived as siblings. But with both characters having been killed in their respective films, the only possibility appeared to be a prequel, which was looking less and less likely given the advancing years of Travolta, 51, and Madsen, 48. According to Madsen, however, the maverick director has come up with an ingenious plan to make the film happen after all. He told Moviehole.net: "Well, first he said he would do it, then he said he wasn't going to do it. Then he called me and said, 'You know, I've figured out a way to do it. It can't be a prequel because you and John don't look the same. "It wouldn't make sense as a sequel because you're both dead.' And he gave me an idea that would be really outrageous - that John and I would be the twin brothers of Vic and Vincent. We come from Amsterdam to LA to avenge the deaths of our brothers. I think that's pretty interesting. For me, I'd love to do it." In the meantime Madsen fans will have to be content with the fact that the actor is currently preparing to reprise his role as Bob in "Sin City 2."
Separate twin brothers of both these characters join to avenge their deaths? Hmmm. I understand that Madsen looks like Bogart when Tarantino directs, but if this is the idea, I am against it whole heartedly. Many thought Kevin Smith was desperate for publicity when the premise for Clerks II was announced, but this takes the cake of desperation. I hope Quentin was just shutting him up by feeding him this bogus storyline. That would funny. Travolta, more than anyone else in Hollywood right now, needs a hit film, but I think he can find it elsewhere. I hope this isn't serious. I love Tarantino as much as anyone, but I hope most people foresee this concept being as retarded as I do. This is not an ingenuous plan. Vic and Vincent do not need anyone to avenge their deaths.
The 20 Second Sermon
The first poster for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is out, and even though it will be the beginning of hundreds more posters, it still looks appropriately awesome with Ralph Fiennes. On a sad note, fans of graphic novelist Alan Moore and his Watchmen might be pissed off now that Director Zach Snyder is cramming the entire adaptation into one film. The comic book nuts have already gathered protesting signs, and the internet nerds are typing frantically. Also, I will now go hide under my bed like a girl with the announcement that Director Mark Steven Johnson and Michael Clarke Duncan want to make a Daredevil sequel. Oh, and TomKat finally got married, and I still could care less.
What's Coming to DVD….Buy or Avoid?
An Inconvenient Truth - This is still a very important documentary, and although my opinion has changed slightly, due to finding out that Gore ignored many sides of the debate, it is still worth a purchase. Buy
Ice Age 2: The Meltdown - This was a cute family film that adults will chuckle at, but it is nothing to spend too much money on. Rent it, but don't buy it. Avoid
Seinfeld: Season 7 - Well, this is one of the better seasons, mainly because of "The Soup Nazi" episode. This is a definite purchase. Buy
Star Trek: The Animated Series - This release should please all the trekkies. I am interested to see how the cartoon is. I have had the pleasure of catching an episode.
Da Ali G Show: Da Compleet Seereez - This was the perfect time to release something like this as many new fans will pick it up to see more of Cohen's comedy.
Scoop - This follow up to Match Point was just a huge disappointment for Woody Allen. Avoid
You, Me, and Dupree - I missed this film, and to be honest it didn't look funny at all. Maybe I'll rent it, but I doubt it.
Home Alone: Family Fun Edition - It's about time they release a better DVD edition of this classic family film. This should be on many peoples Christmas list.
The Punisher: Extended Cut - I have seen the first one, but not this one. I have heard terrible things. Maybe the extended cut will improve the movie as a whole? Lol.
A Good Year - If you want the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new romantic comedy/drama, click here to read my full review.
Stranger Than Fiction - I was pleasantly shocked that Director Marc Forster's new film was as good it was. After all, this was the man who gave Stay last year. Each member of the cast portrayed such wonderful roles here, including Queen Latifah, who I usually dislike. Firstly, I must give applause to Will Ferrell, who has shown that he does have tremendous range as an actor. His performance is excellent. My favorite part of this film was the charming Dustin Hoffman, who was the definite stand out among the others. Emma Thompson delivers a fine performance as always, and Maggie Gyllenhaal is growing into an amazing actress from her magnificent roles this year. The little touches of CGI work that displayed the thoughts in Harold Crick's mind opened strong in the film to get everyone's attention properly. Just when I expected the story to go cliché, it did not, and I appreciated that. This is a funny, intriguing, absorbing, unpredictable, and even moving piece of cinema. This is not perfect, because it does raise some questions at the conclusion, but I won't spoil the ending. My main problem was the trailer, which I saw a thousand times. It gave away too much information about the plot. This most certainly took some of the wind out of the film like a person punching you right in the stomach. It could have been near flawless had the trailer been altered. Final Rating = 8.5
Movie Dictionary: Word of the Week
Sequel - A sequel is a work of fiction in literature, film, and other creative works that is produced after a completed work, and is set in the same "universe" but at a later time. It usually continues elements of the original story, often with the same characters and settings, although this is not always the case. For example, if the main character dies at the end of the first work, a new character (such as a son or daughter) may take up the role in the sequel. A sequel is somewhat different from a series, in which the same character appears in a number of stories, although some media franchises have enough sequels to begin to resemble a series.
The popularity of sequels comes about in large part because it is less risky to build on a known success than to gamble with new and untested characters and settings. And audiences often beg for more stories about a certain character or setting. "Sherlock Holmes" was so popular that Arthur Conan Doyle was unsuccessful in his attempt to kill off the character and gave in on demands to bring him back. Often movie sequels are criticized as artistically inferior, and accused of simply repeating the story of the original film. However, a sequel can give an opportunity to address weaknesses in the original. However, there are plenty examples of sequels that are superior to the original.
Prequel - A related word, prequel, is used to describe a work that portrays events which precede those of a previously completed work. "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" is the best-known film that has multiple prequels. A prequel can often avoid the plot problems associated with having to deal with the consequences of the original. An example of this involves the "Planet of the Apes" series of movies, where the entire Earth was destroyed in "Beneath the Planet of the Apes." The succeeding movies were technically prequels as they took place before the original two films and explained the events that led up to the original film. Prequels often have the problem of maintaining dramatic interest when the outcome is known, and often gather interest by attempting to show aspects of familiar characters that were not seen in the original.
Based on the Trailer…
Zodiac - David Fincher's new thriller with Jake Gyllenhaal looks outstanding. I cannot wait for this. Fincher is a genius. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0
The Simpsons Movie - I am not the biggest Simpsons fan, but this trailer is hilarious. Maybe this movie won't be all that terrible. Trailer Rating = 8.0/1.0
The Fountain - Darren Aronofsky always creates intriguing films, not matter how bad or good they are, so this is definitely worth seeing. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0
Bridge to Terabithia - I realize this was a popular book, and I don't care which one came first, but this is so close to Chronicles of Narnia. I see no originality. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0
Hostel: Part II - If you have read my material for the past 10 months, you know how I feel about this. The first one sucked, and this one will also. Trailer Rating = 3.0/10.0
Reno 911: Miami - I have never really watched the show, but this looks very funny. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0
Evan Almighty - This sequel doesn't have strong plot. Evan is told to build and ark. Dumb, but Carrell is still funny. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0
Hot Fuzz - This is the new film from the Shaun of the Dead group. It looks very funny. I'm looking forward to it. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0
Night at the Museum - Ben Stiller's newest adventure looks like it will be a relaxing and enjoyable time this holiday season. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0
Dreamgirls - This is the film getting all the Oscar buzz? It looks good, but not Oscar good. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0
The Good Shepherd - Wow, this looks outstanding. It has a great cast, Deniro directing, and Joe Pesci is back! You can't go wrong. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0
Black Christmas - Another remake. They never stop! This teaser really doesn't show a whole lot. This will be terrible. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0
Grindhouse - The unique offering from Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez will most likely rock, but the trailer makes it look quite bizarre. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0
Charlotte's Web - This looks ok I guess, but it has the opportunity to be terrible. Talking animals is getting redundant. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0
The Pursuit of Happyness - It feels like a while since we've seen Smith, but this looks pretty decent to me actually. I'll give it a chance. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0
Freedom Writers - I think I already saw this when it was called Dangerous Minds. It's like the exact same movie only with Swank as the teacher. Trailer Rating = 2.0/10.0
Eragon - This looks average, but it seems to be going for that Lord of the Rings crowd. I doubt it will be that good. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0
300 - This is a new film inspired based on another Frank Miller graphic novel. It catches my interest, but perhaps a bit too much CGI. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0
Blood Diamond - From Director Edward Zwick comes another film with Leo Dicaprio. It has good cast, and looks damn good to me. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0
Déjà vu - Director Tony Scott and Denzel looked to have created a gem here. I don't wanna speak too soon, but this looks very good. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0
Norbit - Another movie where Eddie Murphy plays a zillion roles. Don't care. It's not funny anymore. Trailer Rating = 3.0/10.0
Home of the Brave - It is a war film with Samuel L. Jackson, Jessica Biel, and 50 Cent. It doesn't look terrible, but what an odd cast. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0
Children of Men - Alfonso Cuaron is a unique director, and I think this has a whole lot of potential. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0
Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny - I think Tenacious D is hilarious, but geez this looks horrible. It seems so much like Blues Brothers. Trailer Rating = 3.0/10.0
Apocalypto - Mel Gibson is having his share of problems, but this film looks amazing. I cannot wait to see it, regardless of Mr. Mel's shenanigans. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0
Rocky Balboa - I don't care what people say, this movie looks incredible. This second trailer is slightly more terrific than the first. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0
TMNT - Since I grew up watching these guys, I will go see this movie no matter what. The trailer is average. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0
Spiderman 3 - Despite my dislike of the second one, this newer trailer is friggin awesome. I'll admit, I'm looking forward to this greatly. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0
Transformers - My initial reaction to this teaser was laughter, not like I thought it looked bad, but because it was totally unexpected. A little early to tell, but so far so good. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0
Ghost Rider - This looks decent to me. The special effects might be a downfall, but all in all I'm looking forward to Cage in this role. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0
Other Stuff to Read
411 November Roundtable - Matthew Craggs gathers the readers thoughts on the November releases and more!
Fact or Fiction - Matt Craggs gathers the thoughts of Al Norton and Bryan Kristopowitz this week!
Furious on Film - Arnold Furious gives you quick rundowns of interesting movies every week.
Scene Anatomy - George H. Sirois discusses 61 this week!
411 Top 5-Trevor Snyder returns and puts together everyone's Top 5 Bond Films! I didn't get a chance to offer my 2 cents, but my favorite is Goldeneye.
Ask 411 Movies - Leonard Hayhurst answers all the questions in Ask 411 movies.
Forgotten Films - Tony Farinella fills you in on some movies you might not have heard of.
