Babes, Bombs, and Blockbusters Movie News Report 11.25.08

Posted by Mike Gorman on 11.25.2008

Mike Gorman has wrestling on the brain when he was creating this week's 3B's News Report. Check out a pictorial of Stacy Keibler shots and a Top Ten list of Pro-Wrestler Hollywood turns. As it is Thanksgiving week you can also expect a full serving of movie news including Vera Farniga's new role, SAG negotiation updates, and Steven Soderbergh's porn star casting.

It may be Turkey week but I am still digesting the results of this week's WWE Survivor Series. It is nice to see Edge and Cena holding belts again. With that in mind I decided to see what happens when you look at Wrestlers crossing over to another entertainment field, film. This further inspired me to select a retired diva as your Babe of the Week. Enjoy!







I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume that most of you recognize this week's Babe, Stacy Keibler, former WWE diva and actor.



























Check out these latest Hollywood news bombs!

Surprise news of the week
What will Hollywood think of next? After taking in just $70 million this weekend, a sequel to Twilight has been given the go-ahead. This risky venture will be an adaptation of the next book in this teen vampire love story, New Moon. I know I am crossing my fingers for this one to be a success!

SAG Strike looms in the distance
After mediated talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP) fell apart this past weekend, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) has stated that they will begin to educate their members about the issues holding up an agreement and will begin preparations for a strike-authorization vote. SAG leaders say that a strike is not an inevitability but the AMPTP disagree. They are also going to begin an educational campaign with SAG members to ensure they are clear on what they had been offering. If this means another spring packed with bad reality TV I might need to begin an educational campaign of my own.

Vera Farmiga joins Clooney Up in the Air
Vera Farmiga has been cast opposite George Clooney in Paramount Pictures & Montecito's new film Up in the Air. The film center's on Clooney's character attempting to achieve his millionth frequent flyer mile to the detriment of the rest of his life. Farmiga will play a woman who falls in love with Clooney as they connect in airports around the country.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button's big bust
This long awaited film was to be screened by a select group of press and Hollywood types this past Thursday but as they say, "The best laid plans..." Paramount and director David Fincher did not want to wait for theater prints and went ahead with a digital screening. Earlier in the day two run-throughs went
smoothly but when the Thursday evening performance began things were tinted a bit green. After trying to fix the glitches to no avail, the screening was canceled.

Josh Brolin wants you to listen
Josh Brolin is hoping to bring America's greatest speeches to the big screen with the help of stars like Matt Damon, Sean Penn and Pink. Brolin wants to turn celebrity filled readings into a motion picture. The People Speak is based on an idea from activists Anthony Arnove and Howard Zinn. Brolin explained, "Anthony and Howard created live performances of some of the speeches that have been taken out of people's history in the United States; some anonymous and some are famous from John Brown, which is the speech I perform, to Martin Luther King." Sounds like this could be a unique way to connect people with American history on many levels.

Soderbergh casts a porn star
Director Steven Soderbergh has decided to cast a known porn star in his next film. Soderbergh told Interview magazine that the project is, "about someone who feels as though she is in absolute control of the way that her life works and, over the course of a week, comes to realize that's not true." The adult film star, Sasha Grey, credits include Anal Acrobats 3 and Blow Me Sandwich 11. At least it sounds like she'd be open to a sequel if the demand is there. Go ahead, make your "open" jokes now.













This year's WWE Survivor Series has come and gone so I have wrestling on the brain. So I thought this might be a good week to share with you my Top Ten Films featuring Pro-Wrestlers. They may be the lead or just a quick cameo but in my opinions this ring warriors made their impact on these ten big screen films. Honorable mentions to my list include George "The Animal" Steele in Ed Wood, The Big Show in Waterboy, and the list of cameos in The Longest Yard.


10. Tyler Mane in X-Men
He was no classic thespian but Tyler Mane cast an imposing form as Sabretooth in the X-Men. The character was played more as a Wookie than the devious Sabretooth from the comic books but still he was an interesting opponent. Ok, maybe not that interesting but he took a lightening bolt well.


9. King Kong Bundy in Moving
King King Bundy's turn as Gorgo the mover of your nightmares added to the fun that was this Richard Pryor film. Short on lines but big on disaster, the king sized Bundy definitely proved he did not know the meaning of "Handle with care" in this 80s comedy gem.

8. Randy Savage in Spiderman
When Peter Parker decides he needs some cash, he comes across a wrestling ring challenge. This moment is an important one in Spiderman history as it is when he receives his name and leads to the moment he makes his fateful decision to not stop the criminal who later kills Uncle Ben. In order to bring this moment to life on the screen the producers needed to find a larger then life personality for Peter to battle. Randy Savage filled that spot perfectly as Bone Saw McGraw.


7. John Cena in The Marine
This film is no masterpiece. This film is hardly a film. And that is why it is so great! It is so bad that it is really bad. I am a John Cena film and I even found this film hard to watch the first time around. Why did it make my list then you ask? Because during a repeat viewing I discovered it was fun to disconnect your brain and enjoy the mindless action. Also, there is nothing funnier than watching Cena struggle to woodenly deliver his lines. It is very clear at points that he is looking at a cue card.


6. Triple H in Blade III
I actually really liked this often dissed sequel in the Blade series. Between Ryan Reynolds wise cracks and Triple H's chewing of the scenery there were plenty of reasons to enjoy this film. Triple H played the vampire thug well and took his hits from everyone on screen including fellow vamp Parker Posey.


5. Hulk Hogan in Rocky III
Rocky had faced a lot of challenges in his career but he did not know what he was facing when he agreed to a charity Boxing vs. Wrestling match. Hulk Hogan brought his usual over the top energy to "Thunderlips" and some of his signature moves. Though I do think he could have used a wardrobe makeover, Thunderlips ring gear was a bit over the top.


4.Jerry Lawler in Man on the Moon
Lawler brought his infamous (and allegedly kayfabe) feud with Andy Kauffman to the big screen when he agreed to cameo in this film. It was great to see their animosity and attacks on each other once again. This case of art imitating art/life was a great movie moment.

3. Everyone in Ready to Rumble
This movie plays like an homage to verve and spirit of wrestling fans capturing the insanity that is the true fan. Watching it is a bit like paying more attention to the audience than the ring when watching RAW, Smackdown or Impact. From Goldberg to Bam Bam Bigelow there were a slew of cameos in this film that definitely added to the fun.

2. Rowdy Roddy Piper in They Live
This John Carpenter sci-fi/horror thriller is a great combination of chills and laughs. It was meant to be a serious film but once you learn that you can only see the aliens with special sunglasses, it became ok to find certain moments funny. Piper was excellent in the lead here and brought a ferocious energy to many moments, including the infamous fight scene that has now been spoofed on South park. Piper's most famous turn in the film is probably the line so many people have quoted since, "I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum." When Piper says it you know he is a bad ass.


1. Andre the Giant in The Princess Bride
Sometimes I do question whether I am putting the right flick or moment in the top spot on my lists but this week I know I am correct. Andre the Giant's portrayal of Fezzik the gentle giant is a bright spot in this great film. The Princess Bride is not that old of a film but I feel no shame in labeling it a classic. It is a story we can all relate to on some level and full of so many hilarious scenes I could probably do a future column just ranking those moments. Andre's Fezzik is a contradiction himself as he appears to be a frightening ogre who in reality is the heart of the film. My favorite Fezzik line comes after Wallace Shawn's Vezzini admonishes Fezzik with, "No more rhyming I mean it!" Pause for a beat and then Fezzik replies, "Anybody want a peanut?" Classic!

Special Honorable Mention: I know that I already gave you a few of the films that almost made this list but I have to give another nod here. While they did not appear in the film itself, the pro-wrestling cameos in Cyndi Lauper's music video, "The Goonies R Good Enough" will always hold a special place in my heart. As a kid it was so much fun to see the athletes I loved watching on Saturday mornings show up in a music video from one of my favorite films. Check out the complete video (parts one and two!) on the Goonies DVD if you get the chance.





















































Have a great Thanksgiving all!



(All information and gossip gathered from Fark.com, Aintitcoolnews.com, Hollywoodreporter.com, Hollywood.com, Reuters.com, Variety.com, MTV.com, IMDB.com)