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September 7, 2001

This morning in Variety and in a subsequent press release, New Line Cinema announced the title of the third AUSTIN POWERS film - AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER.  Along with the title, a tentative July 26th, 2002 release date was set.  Myers will return to play four characters: Austin, Dr. Evil, Fat Bastard and the titular villain, Goldmember.  Both Liz Hurley and Heather Graham will return in cameos but a new "Powers Girl" will star in this installment.

As a result of the fast-track schedule (the release date is less than a year away - yipes!), Myers and director Jay Roach's previous projects, PINK PANTHER and MEET THE FOCKERS respectively, have been delayed indefinitely.  The Tom Cruise rumors was officially denied by New Line but there was no mention about whether Sean Connery would be playing a role, possibly as Austin's father.  Is it just me or is "GOLDMEMBER" just not that funny.  I thought "THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME" was a hilarious sub-title but this one is just so-so in my book.  Maybe the character will expand on the name and make it a tad bit more humorous.
  

September 7, 2001

From their upcoming improvisational film DANCING AT THE BLUE IGUANA, here are some lovely shots of Jennifer Tilly, Daryl Hannah and other actresses in stripping in the buff, courtesy of "The Ratt".  In case you want to know who to thank, IGUANA was directed by Michael Radford (IL POSTINO) who let his actresses create most of their dialogue and rely heavily on improv.  I haven't been able to find out when the film opens (IMDB says it opened in 2000?...) but hey, these shots are enough to keep things steamin' until then.  Enjoy mates!

< Darryl Hannah >

< Jennifer Tilly >

< Jennifer Tilly: Part Deux>

< Kristen Bauer >

< Charlotte Ayanna >
  

September 7, 2001

Two of my favorite actors in Hollywood (although for completely different reasons), Julia "Furious" Stiles and Jason "Buddy" Lee are teaming up to star in the comedy, A GUY THING.  The film revolves around a young man (Lee) who winds up in the bed of a stranger (Stiles) the night after his bachelor party.  He frantically begins to cover his tracks, not knowing he's innocent of any infidelity.  So he's frantic because he woke up in a bed with Julia Stiles?  And this is a problem because?...Chances our his wife wasn't as hot as Jules (unless of course she were my wife, which a completely different story), so I say drop the bitch like a bad habit and make tracks to Tijuana to live a life of ease.  Anywho, the film will be directed by Chris Koch, who oddly enough last directed the kiddy-flick SNOW DAY.
 

September 7, 2001

The demure Meg Ryan is about to take a big step in a different direction. Instead of playing the coquettish sweetheart to Tom Hanks' goof in love, Ryan will star as Jackie Kallen in the biopic AGAINST THE ROPES.  Kallen was one of the first successful female boxing managers, who working with several pro boxers including former middleweight champion James Toney (never heard of the guy...then again, I'm no sports historian).  The project will mark the directorial debut of none other than Charles "ROC" Dutton, who's been acting up a storm for many years now.  ROPES is scheduled to begin filming this November.
 

September 7, 2001

As reported at the top of this page, it was announced today that AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER will be released on July 26th.  This news did not put smiles on the faces of the producers of XXX, the Vin Diesel spy pic which opens on the same day.  Billboards began to pop up all over Hollywood last weekend touting the film's release which hasn't even begun filming yet.  Revolution Studios says they were anxious to get a jumpstart on the promotional campaign because off their fellow spy competitor, AUSTIN POWERS, and because of Vin Diesel's lack of name recognition.  Considering that 2002 is the summer of STAR WARS, SPIDER-MAN, MEN IN BLACK, MINORITY REPORT and many other big name releases, it's probably a good idea that they got the ball rolling this soon.  Question still remains whether people will still remember XXX next July. And if they remember, will they care?
 

September 7, 2001

LL Cool J will reteam with director Renny Harlin (they worked together previously on DEEP BLUE SEA), for the upcoming psychological/action/thriller MINDHUNTERS.  LL will play Gabe, one of seven FBI recruits, from the profiling division, stranded on a deserted island.  But when recruits begin to turn up dead, the profilers must profile each other to determine who's the killer before it's too late.  That sentence sounds like it was taken directly from the press notes.  Production will begin this November in the Netherlands.
 

September 7, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• Julius Funkenstein wrote in to tell us about The Rock's appearance on Conan O'Brien.  When asked if he would be starring as the real CONAN in KING CONAN, CROWN OF IRON, he tried avoiding the topic but eventually hinted he might be. Hmmm...let's keep our eyes and ears to the ground and see what becomes of this
• A review from a New York City test screening of A BEAUTIFUL MIND, starring Russell Crowe, is online here
• A bunch of pictures from Tony Scott's SPY GAME, with Brad Pitt and Robert Redford, can be found here
• The official site for MAX KEEBLE'S BIG MOVE has gone live and you can access it here
• Another test screening review, this time of Matt Damon's THE BOURNE IDENTITY, is online here

September 6, 2001

Fresh off the news that David Duchovny was joining Steven Soderbergh's HOW TO START A HOTEL ROOM FIRE (as originally reported by the fine, FINE folks at Us Weekly), the guys at David-Duchovny.com were kind enough to send a heads up regarding another piece of casting news regarding the film.  Gossip columnist Liz Smith reported in Wednesday's New York Post that Julia Roberts will re-team with her ERIN BROCKOVICH and OCEAN'S ELEVEN director Soderbergh to star in HOTEL ROOM.  She joins Duchovny, Catherine Keener (BEING JOHN MALKOVICH) and FRASIER's David Hyde Pierce.  In case you hadn't heard, HOTEL ROOM is a sequel of sorts to Soderbergh's 1989 film SEX, LIES AND VIDEOTAPE.  There has been no official confirmation from Julia, Soderbergh or Miramax, who is distributing the film.
  

September 6, 2001

Newly named head of production at DreamWorks, Michael DeLuca, has picked up the feature film rights to FORBIDDEN PLANET from his former company, New Line Cinema.  The film will be a remake of the 1956 sci-fi classic of the same name. PLANET has drawn interest from lots of hot-shot directors, most notably Frank Darabont (THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION) who at one point was attached to write and direct the film. The original film was loosely based on Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST and revolved around astronauts who crash land on a planet to find there are only two inhabitants, who just happen to be survivors from a failed attempt at colonization. DreamWorks is currently shopping the project around to writers and from there will look to hire a director.  No word on whether Darabont is still interested in possibly directing.
 

June 14, 2001

James Cameron's production company, Lightstorm Entertainment, has bought the feature film rights to the comic book FATHOM, created by Michael Turner. FATHOM was originally intended to be an animated film but the project has since moved over into the realm of live-action (probably because of post-TITAN AE downsizing at Fox Animation).  The project revolves around a beautiful young woman who was found on a boat with no memory of her past.  As she grows up into a marine biologist she finds out mysterious things about herself and what exactly is lurking beneath the ocean waves.  Doesn't this project about a beautiful young woman with "super powers" sound an awful lot like that other Cameron production, DARK ANGEL?...
 

September 6, 2001

Director Gary Ross (PLEASANTVILLE) and writer Scott Frank (MINORITY REPORT) have both left the WILLY WONKA remake, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, according to Film Force.  A reporter for their site spoke with a representative from Brillstein-Grey who owns the rights to the original WONKA film.  They stated that both Ross and Frank were "no longer involved" with the production and that they were "currently speaking with other directors and writers to take on the project."  They declined to name names but did confirm that a film is definitely in the works.  Can Nicolas Cage fit the film into his busy schedule? Dunno.  Will Marilyn Manson play Wonka?  No, that rumor was debunked months ago silly goose.
 

September 6, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• Watch a ten-second clip from Britney Spears' new movie WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR that shows her taking off her top and making out with a boy (I shit you not!) here
• Mariah Carey was scheduled to sit-down with Barbara Walters to discuss her breakdown and promote her movie GLITTER, but called the interview off at the last minute.  Find out why here
• Two new shots from Mel Gibson's WE WERE SOLDIERS have popped up online here and here
• A whole mess of stills from the Coen Bros' next film, THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE, can be found here

September 5, 2001

The gossip section of the New York Post (so take this news with a grain of salt...) is reporting that Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro "look(s) set to star" in David Fincher's next film SEARED.  The Post spoke with author Anthony Bourdain, who wrote KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL, the book on which the screenplay is based. Bourdain wasn't the one who tipped them off to Del Toro's casting (in fact the article doesn't mention where they heard the news), but when asked about the item the author says "I'd love it if Benicio Del Toro was in it. I'm a huge fan of his."   The author goes on to say that the script (written by Jesse Wigutow) is "very different" than the book he wrote and is only "very loosely inspired" by his novel.  Pitt is expected to begin work on SEARED as soon as he finishes post-production work on THE PANIC ROOM with Jodie Foster.
 

September 5, 2001

Joaquin Phoenix looks set to fill in for the departed Mark Ruffalo to join Mel Gibson in SIGNS, the next film from M. Night Shyamalan.  Ruffalo recently left the production due to a cyst that had to be removed from his inner ear.  The news that Phoenix would be joining the film was reported on crop circle website www.circlemakers.org. SIGNS revolves around a farmer (Gibson) who discovers mysterious circles on his Pennsylvania farm.  According to the website, filming begins on the 13th of September on 100 acres of farmland in Doylestown, PA with additional shooting in nearby Newtown. A JoBlo Call To ARMS!: Anyone who lives in this area or attends Delaware Valley College - contact me, Joey Baloney, to discuss your visiting the site and reporting back to JoBlo.com.  We will pay you nothing but your work will make you the admiration of film fans across the globe.  Go, go, young reporter!  Take pictures!  Tell us what you see!!

As for the whole Joaquin Phoenix thing, I hope it's not true.  For some reason that I can't put my finger on, I just don't like the guy. I shouldn't say I don't like him, cause I've never met him.  But, I just can't get into him as an actor.  I thought Jude Law would've made a 100 times better Commodus in GLADIATOR if that deal had worked out.  Pretty much the only thing I enjoyed his work in was TO DIE FOR.  Maybe this film will turn my thoughts of him around.  I hope so, cause I really want to like this movie.
  

September 5, 2001

It seems like the talk of a fifth ALIEN movie will never die.  After old rumors of ALIEN 5 popped up a few months ago (that had BUFFY creator Joss Whedon scripting) the rumors were quickly debunked by all involved.  It seems though that those very rumors have caused some of the ALIEN players to begin considering a return to the saga.  Sigourney Weaver spoke out (again) about the film saying, ""It was only when the rumors about PART 5 started that we realized what an appetite there was for it."  When asked if she's in discussion to reprise the role of Lt. Ripley, Weaver says, "Yes, I've been talking to a few people - no names - about it, but I left my character not knowing even what species she was, so right now I'm a little unclear as to how things can progress."  There was no mention in the article where these quotes came from so let's wait and see whether there's a confirmation or denial from Fox and Weaver's reps.
 

September 5, 2001

His books have spawned films like THE FIRM, THE PELICAN BRIEF and THE CLIENT.  John Grisham wrote some of the most memorable courtroom dramas from the 1990s.  Now he's working on two films that are missing his trademark lawyers in peril.  First up is MICKEY - a film with a Little League scandal that looks as if it was snatched out of last week's papers. It revolves around a young pitching ace who turns out to be too old to play in the league.  Next up is SKIPPING CHRISTMAS, which is described as a "holiday season-set comedy" that should be released in X-Mas 2002.  Also in the works for Grisham are films based on his novels THE RUNAWAY JURY and THE PAINTER'S HOUSE.  Both MICKEY and CHRISTMAS will be independently financed by Grisham and director pal Hugh Wilson (THE FIRST WIVES CLUB).
 

September 5, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• Smilin' Jack Ruby posted his script review of the upcoming film DAREDEVIL here
• Read the very intriguing cover page (trust me...) to Steven Soderbergh's HOW TO SURVIVE A HOTEL ROOM FIRE script here
• Watch the absolutely hilarious GOOD WILL HUNTING spoof scene from JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK online here
• Read this interview with George Lucas who now says there will be no fourth INDIANA JONES until at least 2006
• Curious as to why there's no BACK TO THE FUTURE DVD? Read this interview with producer and co-writer Bob Gale

September 4, 2001

If you've been watching MTV lately, well shame on you.  But maybe you're lucky enough to receive MTV's much cooler younger brother MTV2, which actually plays videos and good ones on a consistent basis.  And if you've been scoping MTV2, you've probably seen the video for "Clint Eastwood" by the Gorillaz.  Besides being a kick-ass tune (that's been stuck in my head all day) the Gorillaz (made up of Blur's Damon Albarn, Del the Funky Homosapien, Cibo Matto's Miho Hatori, and the Tom Tom Club's Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz) could see their amazingly animated video turned into a feature film by none other than Steven Spielberg.

According to the music news site Dot Music, Spielberg called Albarn at his British studio to discuss a possible animated feature film with DreamWorks.  The original report implies that Spielberg would be directing but since then, it was reported that Spielberg was only calling on behalf of DreamWorks and NOT as a potential director.  The video was conceived of and directed by Jamie Hewlett who's probably best known for creating the comic book (but not the crappy Lori Petty movie) TANK GIRL.

Curious to see what all the fuss is about?

Download the music video (Windows Media format) for "Clint Eastwood" here
 

September 4, 2001

The rumors about the ALMOST FAMOUS special edition DVD were apparently true and the disc is set for release on December 4th. You can read all of the details about the DVD further down on this page, or just click here. You can also support our site by pre-ordering your copy below.

< click to pre-order the DVD >
  

September 4, 2001

While at the Venice Film Festival promoting his latest film HEIST, writer/director David Mamet revealed a few hints about his next project.  The former stage writer said that he has lined up Jude Law and Rebecca Pidgeon (hey Becca, me thinks it's time for a name change...) to star in his, as of now, untitled next film.  He didn't give away many more details but did say, "It's a kind of turn of the century melodramatic thriller."  Does that mean turn of the century, 1899/1900 or 1999/2000?  I'm guessing it's probably the former but you never know these days. HEIST, starring Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito and Delroy Lindo opens on October 26th while the rest of us wait rather unpatiently for a Super-Fucking-Duper Special Edition DVD of GLENGARY GLEN ROSS.  Today people!!!
  

September 4, 2001

Despite my prayers every night to pretty much every diety I can think of (let's see, I've covered God, Jesus, Buddha, Ganesha, Muhammed just to cover most of the major religions), the DEATHLOK feature film is moving along nicely at Paramount.  Being a former (former not for lost love just the lack of time and money) comic book collector, I can honestly say that when the book premiered some 15 years ago (I've still got issue #1 sitting around here somewhere...), I wasn't impressed.  For me, it ranked right up there with titles like NOMAD; pointless comics put out with a fancy cover in an attempt to get kids to shell out $1.95 for a "First Issue!!" in hopes that character would become as popular as Wolverine and turn into a hot collector's item.  The plot, characters and stories just didn't do a whole lot for me.

The news that Hollywood had snatched the property made me realize the words of Brodie Bruce in JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK couldn't be more true.  After the success of X-MEN, Hollywood went comic book crazy and started buying up properties left and right, only to flood the market with shite that will eventually kill the genre (don't believe me?  Take a look at what SCREAM started with horror films...). For those who are unaware, DEATHLOK revolves around man who becomes a unwilling participant in government experiments that slowly turn him into a living computer. Stu Zickerman and Raven Metzner are currently writing the script for producers Avi Arad and Brian Witten.
 

September 4, 2001

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE's Tracy Morgan has signed on to star in NUMBER ONE WITH A BULLET for Fox Searchlight Films.  The script was written by three members of the US comedy troupe "Broken Lizard" who recently wrote the Sundance hit SUPER TROOPERS.  The project revolves around a hip-hop one hit wonder, whose artist fakes his death to boost sales of his lagging follow-up album.  The stunt has (theoretically) hilarious consequences when nothing goes according to plan.  Morgan can be seen recently in a funny cameo as a union drug dealer in Kevin Smith's JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK.
  

September 4, 2001

Then there may be another film award show that may wet your whistle.  The American Film Institute is looking to capitalize on the success of their "100 Years, 100..." series of best of lists by producing a yearly film and television award special to air on CBS.  The program will highlight the best in Hollywood for the year with 12 film and 7 television awards plus a "Top Ten" list of the year's best films.  The three-hour special is set to air on January 5th which would add it to the list of major predictors of Academy Award success (nominations are announced in February). Also around the same time, you can check out this very site for JoBlo's annual Top Ten Films list. 
 

September 4, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• Check out some shots from such prestigious Winter films like VANILLA SKY and A BEAUTIFUL MIND here
• 'Stax' was lucky enough to get his mitts on a copy of the script for WONDER WOMAN (currently with Sandra Bullock attached to star) and his shares his thoughts here