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November 16, 2001

It's been rumored to be everything from KNUCKLE SANDWICH to THE DENISE SHOW to PUNCHDRUNK LOVE.  But now we've finally got a title for the Paul Thomas Anderson/Adam Sandler collaboration:

PUNCHDRUNK KNUCKLE LOVE

According to unofficial official PT Anderson webmaster, he's "100% confident" this will be title of the film and even says it has always been the title.  The film, which co-stars Emily Watson, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Luis Guzman is slated for a spring 2002 release.

To be honest, I'm not exactly sure what PUNCHDRUNK KNUCKLE LOVE is supposed to mean, but I imagine it's some odd amalgam of PUNCHDRUNK LOVE and KNUCKLE SANDWICH.  So how does it fit into the supposed plot of a man who saves pudding coupons to fly to Hawaii and marry the woman he loves?  Guess we'll have to wait until 2002 to see...
  

November 16, 2001

On November 15th, 1965 (36 years ago yesterday) a small community in West Virginia got its first glimpse at the mythical creature that would be known as "the Mothman."  When all was said and done, over 45 people were dead and the phenomena went unexplained.  On January 25th, 2002 the Mothman...will...return...

< click to check out official site >
 

November 16, 2001

Bruce Lee died over 28 years ago but that's not stopping him from starring in movies.  A CGI Bruce Lee will star in the $50 million kung-fu action flick DRAGON WARRIOR, a Japanese/Korean film. ShinChine Communications, the Asian studio backing the film, bought the likeness rights to the late actor from his estate and plans to create the first film that would feature an entirely computer generated star  (Andrew Niccol's upcoming SIMONE came close but the CGI-actress in that film is only a supporting role). The script is currently being worked on by a team of writers who are writing the script in Japanese which will then be translated into English.  No word on which American studio will distribute the film.  Bruce Lee died at the age of 32 after filming a bunch of "DRAGON" movies, notable ENTER THE and WAY OF THE. Below are two "tests" that the company doing this thing, did about a year ago.

See Clip #1 of CGI Bruce Lee character (0.5MB)

See Clip #2 of CGI Bruce Lee character (0.5MB)
 

November 16, 2001

Not sure how many people are excited to see this flick, but whatever the case, it seems as though the marketing machine is in full gear on this one, and here's a look at the official teaser poster, according to Coming Attractions.

< click for big version at CA >
 

November 16, 2001

While over at PTAnderson.com, I stumbled upon an article that originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.  This may not mean a whole lot to people out there who aren't Beatles freaks (gasp!) like me, but I still think it's pretty fascinating.  If you're not aware, the three surviving Beatles and Yoko aren't very forthcoming when it comes to lending their songs to films, television, commercials or what-have-you.  But this holiday season, two films will prominently feature Beatles songs in their films.

First, the Sean Penn film I AM SAM heavily features the Beatles throughout, including a pivotal courtroom scene where Penn's character compares his relationship to his daughter to that of Lennon and McCartney (check out the movie's trailer here). Producers wanted to feature Beatles songs throughout the film but obtaining the rights were harder than they expected.  Yoko and McCartney approved but George Harrison was ailing and couldn't be reached.  They instead snatched up cover rights to Beatles songs and hired young artists to cover them for the film.  Here's a listing from the soundtrack:

"Blackbird": Sarah McLachlan
"Two of Us": Aimee Mann and Michael Penn
"I'm Looking Through You": The Wallflowers
"Across the Universe": Rufus Wainwright
"Mother Nature's Son": Sheryl Crow
"Strawberry Fields Forever": Ben Harper
"You've Got to Hide Your Love Away": Eddie Vedder
"Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds": The Black Crowes
"Golden Slumbers": Ben Folds
"Nowhere Man": Paul Westerberg
"Let It Be": Nick Cave
"Don't Let Me Down": The Stereophonics
"We Can Work It Out": Heather Nova
"I'm Only Sleeping": The Vines
"Help!": Howie Day
"Revolution": Grandaddy
"Julia": Chocolate Genius

In other Beatles film news, it looks like Wes Anderson may have succeeded where I AM SAM failed.  The report says that Anderson and THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS (check out the movie's trailer here) writing partner Owen Wilson are working diligently to finalize rights to two songs - "Hey, Jude" to open the film and "I'm Looking Through You" to close it.  Cameron Crowe was the last director who came this close to getting the rights to a Beatles song (for ALMOST FAMOUS) but budgetary restrictions prohibited the usage in the end.  ROYAL opens in LA and New York on December 14th and I AM SAM opens on December 28th.

Pre-order the ROYAL TENENBAUMS soundtrack here

Pre-order the I AM SAM soundtrack here
 

November 16, 2001

Harrison Ford will be honored with the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award at next year's Golden Globe Awards, taking place on January 20th.  Ford has been nominated for a Golden Globe four separate times and for an Academy Award for WITNESS.  Other nominations for the Globes will be annouced on December 20th. (Hollywood Reporter)

Another top 100 list from the fine folks at the American Film Institute.  This time it's the "AFI'S 100 Years - 100 Passions" list which will document the best in romantic films.  Four hundred films were nominated and the ballots have already been sent out to over 1,800 members of the Hollywood community.  The special detailing the winners will air on CBS in June. (Variety)

FilmForce has a whole bunch of cool new pics from next summer's THE SCORPION KING.  Click on The Rock below to see even more of what they have for you.  SCORPION co-stars Michael Clarke Duncan and is the third film in the MUMMY series. (FilmForce)

   << ya call that a knife?! >>
 

November 16, 2001

• Another new ATTACK OF THE CLONES trailer has hit the Net (yes, that's 3 in less than two weeks...hey Lucas Films, every heard of the word "overkill"), and you can check it out at JoBlo's Movie Trailers
• A script review for the Wolfgang Peterson Batman/Superman film WORLD'S GREATEST is online here

November 15, 2001

Honest Abe has been kind enough to grace us with three new script reviews and please allow me to get out of your way and stop wasting your time with idle chit-chat.  Go and read the words of Abe!:

DEATH TO SMOOCHY (positive, minor spoilers)
A delightful dark comedy set in the world of children's television. HUH??? Robin Williams stars as Rainbow Randolph, a Barney-esque character loved by children who gets caught in a bribery scheme. Subsequently fired, enter Ed Norton as Smoochy the Rhino. Smoochy becomes a new national hit and Ed Norton who plays him is as squeaky clean as can be. Well, the fact that the nation has embraced him drives Randolph over the edge and he sets out to ruin Smoochy. That isn't the easiest thing to do though cause Smoochy is just so damn likable and good-hearted. He refuses to sell out to the corporate machine or compromise himself. All in all, I found this to be quite enjoyable and am really looking forward to Williams vs. Norton. The writing is slick and the humor is right on target. I only had one minor problem and that's one of the side stories involving a retired boxer who idolizes Smoochy but maybe it will play better than it read. If you like a good black comedy then this is definitely for you. Bottom line: opening weekend fur sure!!!

ORANGE COUNTY (positive, minor spoilers)
Living in Orange County, I immediately scooped this script up. Funny thing is, for the most part it's pretty accurate. People think that all we do in OC is surf and sun, get drunk and get high. Regardless, Colin Hanks stars as a high school senior whose dream is to attend Stanford and study writing. Standing in his way is Lily Tomlin as the ditzy guidance counselor who inadvertadly sends the wrong transcript, thus getting him rejected from Stanford. Along with wanting to study writing, he wants to get away from his space-cadet family. His mother drinks, his brother does drugs and his step-father is half crippled. His two best friends are stoners and his girlfriend is a bleeding heart animal activist. What transpires is a quest to get him into Stanford which involves a couple of road trips, a fire, a eulogy but most of all, the realization that you shouldn't run from what makes you what you are. You should embrace it. Trust me, it all makes sense. I hope to see some familiar locales when I check this movie out next January. As should you. A good matinee for a Saturday afternoon.

THE CROW: LAZARUS (mixed, major spoilers)
We all know the story of The Crow (at least those of us who've seen the movie) and while this attempts to come off as another sequel to a great original film, it ultimately winds up a victim of it's own story. Lazarus (I heard it's to be played by rapper DMX) is a young rapper at the top of his game when he decides to retire and settle down with Mary. This upsets Stone (Puff Daddy wannabe), his manager/promoter who naturally once was involved with Mary. He's jealous of all that he has and has Laz gunned down along with Mary but not before getting nailed in the crossfire himself. Actually, a rival of Stone's, Papa Smurf (Suge Knight wannabe) tried to have Lazarus gunned earlier in the evening of his final show but missed. Fast forward one year later and Laz is back for revenge. But Stone is back too and there is a white crow who is his "guide". That part is never explained unfortunately cause it's one of the only times I sat up while reading this. Stone looks none the worse for wear when he agrees to a merger with Papa Smurf to join their two record labels together in his plot to kill everyone once and for all. He also learns a way to kill Laz by way of a witch who conjures a potion made from among other things, Mary's ring. You can see where this is all going, gunfights and lots of blood and bodies. The only bright spot is Detective Albrecht who is in the shadows one step behind Laz but he knows why Laz is back and tries to help him by telling him about the crow who follows his every step. I would have liked a little more of his character but the story ain't about him. In the end, we get a vicious mano a mano fight which provided another surprise courtesy of Laz that I won't reveal here. Now, the rumor I hear is that this is no longer slated to be another entry in The Crow franchise but instead will stand alone as just "Lazarus". I guess we'll find out eventually but regardless, even if you're a fan, I'd wait for video and that's only because I liked DMX (if he's still attached to this project) in the Steven Segal come back (*cough cough) EXIT WOUNDS.
  

November 15, 2001

Yup, it's that time of the year again...the time when JoBlo has to decide how he's going to keep the site going next year, without the proper funds needed to propel it onwards (if you don't know the whole story by now, read the SUPPORT OUR SITE here). Anyway, with X-Mas on the way, here's a nice way to score yourself a cool poster and help our site at the same time. Buy this double-sided poster below and support this site at the same time. Thanks, in advance.

November 15, 2001

Jesse Peyronel (who according to IMDB doesn't have a whole lot of experience) has optioned the rights to write and direct an adaptation of the Chuck Palahniuk (FIGHT CLUB) novel INVISIBLE MONSTERS.  The film follows a "disfigured fashion model and a pre-op transsexual on a road trip of revenge and recovery."  Okay....The superb Palahniuk novel SURVIVOR was optioned by Fox some time back and came close to getting a greenlight but consider the book's content it'll never get made in this post September 11 world.  I think it's way to soon for a black comedy that strongly features a plane hijacking. (Variety)

The director of QUILLS, Philip Kaufman, is negotiation to take on the same role for PERFECT STRANGER, a suspense film to star Julia Roberts. STRANGERS follows a female investigator who takes to the internet to solve a murder.  Roberts, should she sign, would also produce with her Shoelace Productions company. (Variety)

It was previously known as both THE ART OF NEGOTIATING A TURN and HOW TO SURVIVE A HOTEL ROOM FIRE, but Steven Soderbergh's next film (post OCEAN'S 11) has finally decided on a title - FULL FRONTAL.  Personally I think this is the least exciting out of any of them but likely the most marketable.  The "comedy" stars David Duchovny, Blair Underwood, Catherine Keener, David Hyde-Pierce and Julia Roberts.
  

November 15, 2001

• Download some shorts other goodies created by the folks at Pixar (MONSTERS, INC) at their official site
• Two new clips from the SPIDER-MAN movie are online at the official website. They're only available to members at this point so either register or wait until they go public on Friday
• 13th Street posted up a bunch of new stills from 2002's creepy MOTHMAN PROPHECIES.  Check them out here

November 14, 2001

Siighhhhh. You can't be right all the time.  Such is the case today as Warner Bros. released the official teaser poster for SCOOBY-DOO.  If you'll remember, I brought you a first-look at a prototype teaser poster which was originally thought to be a final design back in July (still pretty close though, right?).  Take a look at both versions below and you'll see the changes they've made to the previous version:

<click to see bigger version>	<click to see bigger version>
<The old protoype design>	<The new, official one-sheet>

As you can see, although they share generally the same layout, there are some major changes.  I guess I like the new poster a little bit more but only because I thought the green of the older image was a little overwhelming.  I really don't like the new pose the cast has and I think they should've kept that to more of a smaller, teaser type image.  I don't know what they're all looking at but every single one of them has a stupid look on their face.  And where is Fred's trademark orange ascot?? But before I get started again, I have to give Warners credit for picking up the pieces on this front.  SCOOBY was turning out to be a major PR disaster but the majority of the things they've tossed out since haven't sucked too bad at all.  Does this mean the movie will be any good? Dunno, but at least they're making the right moves now.

Download the SCOOBY-DOO teaser trailer here

Discuss the SCOOBY-DOO trailer & poster here
  

November 14, 2001

Three generations of Douglases will star in the comedy SMACK IN THE PUSS, the first time father and son Kirk and Michael Douglas share screen time.  They will also be joined by Michael's son Cameron but NOT by crazy brother Eric.  Michael Douglas himself spoke about the film saying "It's a black comedy about three generations of a dysfunctional family living in New York, and their attempt to reconcile."  He goes on to discuss the decision to finally star with his famous father saying "I realized this offered the perfect chance to finally do a picture with my father … Dad and I could never decide on one to do together before, though we came close a couple of times. He is pretty picky and so am I. We've found a lovely script that's not simply us venting our demons."  Fred Schepisi (SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION) is currently negotiating to direct the film from a script by Jesse Wigutow, who wrote SEARED, the upcoming David Fincher/Brad Pitt movie.  The film may change it's title to avoid confusion with an S&M porno film that has a similar name.
 

November 14, 2001

Director Bryan Singer has left his post as producer and pilot director for the BATTLESTAR GALACTICA revival because of his commitment to direct a sequel to X-MEN.  Singer used his post X clout to convince Fox TV execs to bring back GALACTICA in a new big-budget TV series. They agreed under the assumption that Singer would direct the pilot episode and be instrumental in the development of the show.  Fox Filmed Entertainment became worried this could interfere with Singer's involvement in their top-priority X sequel and nixed any plans for him to direct a pilot.  Apparently, Fox TV bailed once they heard Singer wouldn't direct the pilot, a likely result of high-budgets and an overall lack of confidence. In any event, Singer is still hard at work on the X-MEN sequel (being referred to as X:2...) and the film is reportedly on track for a fall 2002 release. Production will reportedly get underway in January in Vancouver and Los Angeles.
 

November 14, 2001

Sydney Pollack recently spoke about COLD MOUNTAIN, a film he's producing for Anthony Minghella (THE ENGLISH PATIENT) to direct and said that Tom Cruise has signed to play the lead.  Cruise had long been interested in the role but then again so did many other A-list stars.  Whether this is a done deal or simply "negotiations" is unknown but it appears Cruise is the man to beat. (Reuters)

Damian Lewis (BAND OF BROTHERS) will join Jason Lee and Thomas Jane as childhood friends reuniting to fight a mysterious force in Lawrence Kasdan's DREAMCATCHER.  Morgan Freeman and Tom Sizemore are also starring in the film which is based on the novel by Stephen King. (Hollywood Reporter)

Orlando Jones (EVOLUTION) is set to star in DRUMLINE, a film described as the BRING IT ON for black college marching bands.  If you think I'm joking, I'm not.  The movie follows a talented drummer (Jones) who attends an Atlanta college with a presitigious marching band. He fouls up at first but eventually wins everyone's heart and the championship. (Hollywood Reporter)

Tcheky Karyo (WING COMMANDER) has joined the ensemble cast of next summer's big-budget action flick THE CORE.  He joins Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank and DJ Qualls in the film that follow a group of scientists who are sent to the Earth's core to figure out why the planet has stopped rotating.  Again, I swear I'm not kidding.  Filming begins next month in LA. (Variety)
 

November 14, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• A test screening review of the submarine thriller BELOW is online here
• Exclusive on-set pictures from HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS are online here

November 13, 2001

Let me set the record the straight. I have never read a HARRY POTTER book in full. Over two years (or so) ago, my wife - then girlfriend - gave me her copy of SORCEROR’S STONE and urged me to read it. Since, at the time, I was still in the wooing process, I blindly agreed. I never made it past page 30. Something didn’t work for me. I had just finished reading A HEARTBREAKING WORK OF STAGGERING GENIUS and was still riding high off that experience (sidenote: I’m normally not one of those snotty book-pushers that recommends every half-assed piece of crap they lay their spectacled eyes on but, if you haven’t read this book, STOP! Get your hands on a copy and read it front to back. Skip nothing. You’ll be happy you did.) HARRY just didn’t hold much water for me and the unfortunate part was, I really wanted it to. I had heard so many great things about it, from kids, adults and anyone who had the pleasure to read it. But I just couldn’t do it. I returned the book and continued to lead my life blissfully unaffected by the POTTER phenomena sweeping the nation.

So here we are a mere week before HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCEROR’S STONE opens in US theaters. Another thing I should probably mention is that I don’t plan on seeing HARRY POTTER in the theaters. Considering I never read the books, there are other holiday films I’m paying close attention to like OCEAN’S ELEVEN and THE MAJESTIC (before you start accusing Warner Bros of paying for this article, let me add that VANILLA SKY and A BEAUTIFUL MIND are also high atop my list of things to do). I’m sure I’ll catch it eventually but I don’t have the time or energy to try and see this film amongst the opening weekend(s) rush. So you’re probably wondering why the hell I’m writing this then, eh? Well, it’s that aforementioned rush that’s inspired me to get off my duff and put pen to paper, so to speak.

Before we begin talking about November 16th, let’s first start talking about September 11th. It will be just over two months when POTTER opens since the brutal attacks on New York City and Washington, DC. In the aftermath of those attacks many questioned whether movies and the way people watch them would ever be the same. Predictions for this Holiday season were grim - people just aren’t ready for the movies yet, they said. Analysts pointed out that parents won’t have forgotten the tragic events by then and while kids might, how willing would parents be to bring their kids out in public to a potentially easy terrorist target such as a movie theater. And for a while the numbers backed that theory. Films performed decently in the weeks after the attacks but box-office receipts were down drastically. Completed movies were being rescheduled or shelved completely, scripts being rewritten, and scenes digitally edited. It certainly seemed like things may never get back to normal at the local multiplex. Then along came the wizard known as Harry Potter.

In early November, a good two weeks before the film even opened, HARRY POTTER began doing more business on ticket sites like Fandango and Moviefone than most films do on their opening night. The book on which the film was based (first printed way back in 1998) soon rocketed back up to number 1 on the bestseller lists (just recently has the book been bumped out of the top spot to #2). Long write-ups began appearing from prominent national magazines such as Vanity Fair, Premiere, Time and Newsweek. Not to mention cover stories on Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide, USA Today and coverage on practically every single movie website out there. The buzz was getting so high only dogs could hear it. At the London premiere you might have thought you were back at the Ed Sullivan theater when the Beatles made their first appearance. Tens of thousands of fans (and celebs like Sting, Cher, Ben Stiller and Cate Blanchett) crowded Leicester Square in London for the film’s world premiere just to catch a glance at young Daniel Radcliffe or one of his co-stars. Critics and fans alike raved about the film and no one seemed bothered by the film’s one suspected detractor - it’s length. Once the bevy of ultra-positive reviews from across the pond started pouring in things really started to get crazy.

And now here we are. In just a few short days theater doors will open up to mobs and mobs of kids and their parents and their friends and their parents’ friends and etc. Industry analysts say they haven’t seen anticipation like this since STAR WARS and a few are saying POTTER could overtake TITANIC as the highest grossing film of all time. A few things are for sure: it will beat THE LOST WORLD’s record for biggest opening weekend and Chris Columbus will become the only person to have directed two films that grossed over $300 million (HOME ALONE being the other). How much money HARRY makes isn’t the point I’m trying to make though. The point is that HARRY POTTER is exactly what the world needed. Something to get people feeling normal again. A reason for people to go out with their families on Thanksgiving weekend and get back to living their lives again. I’m even happier that this sounds like it’s a winner.

HARRY POTTER couldn’t be more important at this time. Normally I wouldn’t consider this movie anything other than a chance to cash in on one of the most lucrative franchises in recent history. And while that still is true, I can look past that and see the look on the faces of the children as they just talk about seeing HARRY and how happy it makes them. The thought of war and terror and tragedy are so far away at that moment. That’s why I love movies. They offer a two-hour bit of escapism and that’s just what we need right now. Despite all this hoopla, I still probably won’t see HARRY POTTER in the theater. But again, that’s missing the point. I’ll go see OCEAN’S or SPY GAME or whatever happens to strike my fancy. It’s just inspiring to know that a mere two months after the United States’ greatest tragedy while on our way into a deep recession, we could possibly have the biggest film of all time. Kids today may finally have their STAR WARS. And it couldn’t be better timing.

Anyway.......

PS: Oh yeah, and JoBlo did see the movie on Sunday but isn't allowed to put up his review until Friday (studio embargo on reviews) but you can read some of his thoughts, and ask him questions about the flick, here.
  

November 13, 2001

There was the image almost a month ago that no one thought was true.  Heck, even Fox flat-out denied it was real.  Then came more proof.  And now finally we have confirmation from LucasFilm (and a nice quality image to boot).  In case you were still doubting, here is the official teaser poster for ATTACK OF THE CLONES:

<click above to see the larger image>

Also announced on the site was the release date for AOTC.  Bumped up 5 days from the original date of May 22nd, you can now see EPISODE 2 in theaters on the 16th of May.  I'll bet there are already people waiting in line...And in case you haven't seen the bitchin' new trailer for the flick, head over here and we'll show you where to get it...

November 13, 2001

Adam Garcia (COYOTE UGLY) and Giovanni Ribisi (SAVING PRIVATE RYAN) have signed on to co-star alongside John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson in the military thriller BASIC. We've also finally got word on which actor (Travolta or Jackson) will be playing which part. Travolta will be playing the DEA agent forced to hunt down legendary drill instructor (Jackson) who has gone missing along with a number of cadets. Ribisi will play one of Jackson's cadets and Garcia will play an underling of Travolta's.  John McTiernan is directing the film which should begin filming shortly. (Variety)

Actor/Director Forest Whitaker is currently in negotiations to step behind the camera to direct the feature film adaptation of FAT ALBERT, one of Fox's big summer releases for 2003.  Whitaker has directed films such as WAITING TO EXHALE and HOPE FLOATS and has starring roles in upcoming films like PANIC ROOM and PHONE BOOTH.  Whitaker would direct from a script co-written by Bill Cosby who created the cartoon the film is being based on. (Variety)

Nicole Kidman is negotiating to star in THE FORGOTTEN, a thriller that revolves around a divorced couple who reunite to solve the mystery of their abducted daughter.  The script was written by Gerald Di Pego who last wrote ANGEL EYES (oooh, bad sign...) and was recently purchased by Revolution Studios (AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS).  No director is attached to the project as of yet.  (Hollywood Reporter)
 

November 13, 2001

• Another exclusive clip from ALI can be seen over at Coming Soon by clicking here
• Two new posters for holiday films have popped up - one for KATE AND LEOPOLD and the other for Tim Allen's JOE SOMEBODY
• A brief set report, including pictures, from the UNTITLED DETROIT PROJECT starring Eminem is online here