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November 23, 2001

It's that time again folks.  The time when I look for filler and turn to other sites and newspapers to steal their ideas.  This time I've been "inspired" to predict the nominations for 2002's Academy Awards.  Granted I haven't seen half these films so I'm basing a lot of it on what I've heard from those who have and what the overall feel in the industry is.  It should be interesting to come back to this list in a few months to see how close I was.  Remember, this isn't who I'd like to see to see nominated (that'd be a completely different list, made up predominately of MEMENTO cast and crew), but who I think will be followed by my thoughts on the category.  Let's get started:

Best Picture
BLACK HAWK DOWN
A BEAUTIFUL MIND
SHREK
THE SHIPPING NEWS
THE MAJESTIC

Considering that four of these five movies haven't opened yet, it's hard to say really what will or won't be nominated.  Public perception (although it's not supposed to) does factor into these things and no one knows how the public will take to those four films.  It's clear everyone loves SHREK, so that's easy. As for the rest, it's basically a matter of pedigree.  BLACK has Ridley Scott, MIND has Russell Crowe, NEWS has Lasse Hallstrom and Kevin Spacey and MAJESTIC has Frank Darabont.  These people have Oscar on the mind and have been involved in winning projects the past two years.  I didn't include ALI primarily because the film will push Will Smith harder than a Best Picture nomination.

Best Actor
Denzel Washington - TRAINING DAY
Will Smith - ALI
Russell Crowe - A BEAUTIFUL MIND
Gene Hackman - THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS
Sean Penn - I AM SAM

Mark my words.  This will be the year that an African-American wins an Oscar for Lead Actor.  The race boils down to Denzel or Will Smith, both who put in stellar performances.  Which one will it be? Denzel was snubbed for HURRICANE and already has a Supporting Actor trophy for GLORY.  But Smith's role is more inspiring and the overall movie will likely be better.  Hmmmm....

Best Actress
Sissy Spacey - IN THE BEDROOM
Nicole Kidman - THE OTHERS
Halle Berry - MONSTER’S BALL
Tilda Swinton - THE DEEP END
Renee Zellweger - BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY

I know I'm going out on a limb with Renee for BRIDGET JONES but never ever ever count out Miramax.  They've proven in the past that they've got the ability to make a non-contender a contender.  I'm sure a Zellweger nomination would be great for Miramax and their CHICAGO adaptation she's starring in.  Halle Berry's gotten great reviews for her gritty role in BALL but will voters forget her fluffy film resume?

Best Supporting Actor
Joe Pantoliano - MEMENTO
Ben Kingsley - SEXY BEAST
Martin Landau - THE MAJESTIC
Ed Harris - A BEAUTIFUL MIND

Just give it to Ben Kingsley already and get it over with.   He's had this one wrapped up for a long time.  Although it would be nice to see Joey Pants get some recognition.

Best Supporting Actress
Judi Dench - THE SHIPPING NEWS
Angelica Huston - THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS
Maggie Smith - GOSFORD PARK
Kate Winslet - IRIS
Marisa Tomei - IN THE BEDROOM

Judi Dench again?  Yes, again.  The perennial Oscar nominee is back in two films this year but expect NEWS to get her nominated.   Warners may also push Maggie Smith for HARRY POTTER but GOSFORD is the juicier role.  Can Marisa Tomei prove once and for all that Jack Palance isn't senile?

Best Director
Michael Mann - ALI
Ridley Scott - BLACK HAWK DOWN
Lasse Hallstrom - THE SHIPPING NEWS
Jean-Pierre Jeunet - AMELIE
Ron Howard - A BEAUTIFUL MIND

The look on Ridley Scott's face when Steven Soderbergh won the award for directing TRAFFIC last year was priceless.  The man's been on a mission and it shows in what I've seen so far of BLACK.  The film also seems to come at a perfect time in the Nation's history.  Patriotism is at an all time high which could certainly help. 

Best Original Screenplay
THE OTHERS - Alejandro Amenebar
THE MAN WHO WASN’T THERE - Joel and Ethan Coen
ALI - Stephen J. Rivele, Christopher Wilkinson, Eric Roth
MEMENTO - Christopher Nolan
THE MAJESTIC - Frank Darabont, Michael Sloane

While personally I thought **spoiler alert** THE OTHERS was awfully derivative of that other Oscar ghost movie THE SIXTH SENSE **end spoilers**, most people seemed to really dig it.  Darabont has had his previous two screenplays nominated and he looks to continue his streak.  Clearly though, the award should go to Christopher Nolan (MEMENTO is considered "Original" because the movie came out before the book was published).  The movie won't get recognized at the Awards this year except for this category.

Best Adapted Screenplay
VANILLA SKY - Cameron Crowe
BLACK HAWK DOWN - Mark Bowden, Ken Nolan, Steven Zaillian
THE SHIPPING NEWS - Robert Nelson Jacobs
A BEAUTIFUL MIND - Akiva Goldsman
IN THE BEDROOM - Robert Festinger & Todd Field

Tough, tough call.  Who the hell knows what Cameron is doing with VANILLA but from what I've heard it's very similar to ABRES LOS OJOS. Many are even calling it a "cover" of the Spanish original. So that could hurt him in regards to a win.  Too many cooks on BLACK could cancel that out. Goldsman has the history and Jacobs was nominated last year for CHOCOLAT. Way up in the air at this point...

Give us your picks here!!
 

November 22, 2001

1) I will be taking a few days off
2) I will spend those days eating, drinking, watching football and sleeping and...
3) the news pretty much slows to a screeching halt for the next few days

I've prepared a few goodies for you to (hopefully) tide you over until Monday and there might even be a pretty cool exclusive here on Friday, but we've still got to cross the T's and dot some I's on that. In any event, if you've got any pressing scoops or comments that just have to be heard, send them over to joblo@joblo.com.  I'll be in the backwoods of Pennsylvania, far away from any computer and unable to check my scoops mail.  See you on Monday and if you celebrate Thanksgiving, enjoy the holiday.  If not, enjoy your Thursday.
  

November 22, 2001

Thanks to Gino for the head's up on this bit of news. Yes, I'm as excited as the next guy about the prospect of seeing a Steven Soderbergh film starring Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Julia Roberts and a host of others, but what about the kickass posters for the movie? Well, here's the latest one according to the official OCEAN'S 11 website...enjoy!

< click to see bigger versions >
  

November 22, 2001

A bunch of new behind-the-scenes pics from SPIDER-MAN popped up online at a photographer's official site.  The pictures are actually props from the film and will be used as the pictures Peter Parker takes of Spider-Man in action.  So these shots show Tobey Maguire's stuntman in a variety of different poses, superimposed on other shots of New York.  Some are cheesy, some are cool.  But it just goes to show you what you can find if you surf the web long enough...

Well, that was quick.  Sony wasted no time in having AICN remove their article as well as going straight to the source and having the photog remove the photos.  So, needless to say you won't see them here as well.  I'm sure if you look hard enough they're still out there...
 

November 22, 2001

Just got word that the official BOURNE IDENTITY website has gone live with a brand-spanking-new trailer available for download at JoBlo's Movie Trailers as well.  There's also a synopsis and screensaver downloads for ya.  The film stars Matt Damon, Franka Potente (RUN LOLA RUN) and Julia Stiles and was directed by Doug Liman (GO).  BOURNE opens on May 31st.
 

November 22, 2001

Miramax has bought the rights to a GREEN HORNET film from Universal who left the film for dead last year.  They paid $3 million for the rights for the film, which Dimension Films will release, beating out Paramount and Sony.  Universal reportedly spent over $10 million developing the film and at one time were very close to a go with George Clooney and Jet Li starring.  As Jet Li told me in an interview this summer, neither he nor Clooney are still involved. (Variety)

Andrew Bergman (HONEYMOON IN VEGAS) will direct the film SONNY BRIGHT with the Farrelly Bros. producing.  The film follows a man who impersonates a dead ex-con and becomes a pawn in a woman's kidnapping scheme. Doesn't sound like your usual Farrelly Bros fare does it?  Do I smell a departure?... (The Hollywood Reporter)

Reports are rampant all over the web that Jodie Foster will make a cameo in RED DRAGON as a young Clarice Starling.  Apparently, the offer went out and she loved the script and is finalizing a deal.  Before you get too excited 1) it's still just a rumor and 2) it would only be a, according to the scooper, a "hi and bye in a corridor" type situation. It would still be a pretty cool idea though, eh?
  

November 22, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• The new poster for Ah-nuld's COLLATERAL DAMAGE is online exclusively here
• A script review for the next Brad Pitt/David Fincher collaboration SEARED is online here
• A test screening review of BLADE 2 is online here
• Two more clips from ALI are up online here and here

November 21, 2001

The Nicole Kidman/Ewan McGregor musical MOULIN ROUGE will get another chance at box-office success and more importantly another opportunity for Academy Award consideration. The film will hit theaters in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco (there's a San Fran joke in there somewhere but in the interest of political correctness I'm staying FAR away...) on December 21st for limited engagements in a move that Fox hopes will remind Academy members of the film when nomination time comes.
  

November 21, 2001

Here, courtesy of Lions Gate Films, is a first look at the one-sheet for the Billy Bob Thornton, Halle Berry, Heath Ledger drama MONSTER'S BALL.  The film follows a racist prison guard (Thornton) who falls for the wife (Berry) of a Death Row inmate (Sean "P. Diddy" Combs).  The flick opens in NY and LA on December 26th to qualify for the Oscars and the rest of the country can see it when it goes wider on February 1st. Stay tuned to JoBlo.com this week for even more cool stuff from the film.  By the way fellas, Halle Berry ups the SWORDFISH ante in this one if you know what I mean (*wink*wink*). Remember this?

November 21, 2001

Martin Lawrence could join a very elite club should he collect the whopping $20 million offered to him to star in THE BOMB, an urban re-telling of the Bo Derek film 10.  The script has had numerous drafts and over four writers so far (never a good sign), the last of which being BLACK KNIGHT scribe Darryl Quarles (another bad sign). Directors Steve Oedekirk, who wrote and directed the upcoming KUNG POW! and Les Mayfield who directed Lawrence in BLUE STREAK are negotiating to helm.  Only a few of Hollywood's A-list celebs command $20 million including Jim Carrey, Eddie Murphy and Mike Myers.
 

November 21, 2001

Check out the ultra-weird site for the equally weird film THE BUSINESS OF STRANGERS.  The site, created by the team behind www.requiemforadream.com, actually has two versions - one for the daytime and another for nighttime.  The best time to check it out is at 5:55pm when the site makes the transition from day to night. STRANGERS stars Julia Stiles and Stockard Channing and opens on December 7th in NY and LA with more cities added on the 14th.

While there is a chance you may see the BLADE 2: BLOODLUST trailer before LORD OF THE RINGS this December, it's not a done deal.  Instead you can bank on a teaser trailer for AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER which will be attached to all prints.  So when can we see internet versions of these trailers? (Film Force)

Seann William Scott (AMERICAN PIE) has signed to star alongside Chow-Yun Fat in BULLETPROOF MONK for first-time feature director Paul Hunter.  MONK is based on the Image comic book with the same name but the film will take a slightly different route than the book.  The pic will follow an "immortal martial arts master who becomes a mentor to a young, street-wise boy."  Hunter has had success directing music videos and last directed the award winning "Lady Marmalade." (Variety)
 

November 20, 2001

Brett Ratner (RUSH HOUR 2) will immediately follow up his duties on RED DRAGON by producing and directing a live-action version of the critically acclaimed Cartoon Network series SAMURAI JACK for New Line.  Series creator Genndy Tartakovsky will pen the script for the film and will also work on an animated feature for the studio.  In addition to creating JACK, Tartakovsky is the man behind such other successes as DEXTER'S LABORATORY and THE POWERPUFF GIRLS, the latter of which will be a Warner Bros. animated film next summer.  In case you're unfamiliar with the series, here's the lowdown on JACK from the official Cartoon Network website:

"In the distant past, an evil shape-shifter named Aku has brought destruction upon the land. As the citizens' last hope, a youngster is sent away to train as a samurai warrior. But when he returns as an adult to confront Aku, the warrior finds himself flung into the future through a time portal, landing in an unknown time and place. There, the locals dub him 'Jack' and help him in his quest to return to the past and undo the evil brought by Aku."

November 20, 2001

After he finishes filming MEN IN BLACK 2 and takes a well-needed vacation, Will Smith will begin work on his next project - the long-in-development adaptation of the John Grisham novel RUNAWAY JURY.  Director Mike Newell (DONNIE BRASCO) is close to signing on to direct the film about a tainted jury at a landmark trial involving the gun industry (changed from tobacco in the book).  The project has been stewing since early 1999 when the rights were purchased by Warner Bros for a cool $8 million.  Ed Norton, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sean Connery and director Joel Schumacher were all at one time attached but as time went on they all left to pursue other projects.  Smith is also deciding on his post JURY project, making the choice between BAD BOYS 2 and I AM LEGEND.

November 20, 2001

Smilin' Jack Ruby attending the OCEAN'S ELEVEN junkets late last week and came back with an interesting scoop regarding yet another George Clooney/Steven Soderbergh project. Clooney revealed that he would star in Soderbergh's next (after the experimental FULL FRONTAL), an epic space adventure titled SOLARIS.  The plot of the film is difficult to describe (something about a psychologist investigating the mental breakdown of space station astronauts) but Soderbergh has said he hopes it will be a cross between 2001 and LAST TANGO IN PARIS.  The film was originally to be directed by James Cameron (who has since decided to simply produce) but Soderbergh was so excited about the project, he convinced the King of the World to let him helm.  The project will mark the third time Clooney would star in a Soderbergh directed film (OCEAN'S ELEVEN and OUT OF SIGHT being the others).  The dynamic duo are also behind production company Section Eight who have such top-notch films as INSOMNIA and CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND coming up the pike.
 

November 20, 2001

James Mangold (COPLAND) will direct the film I.D. based on the script by writer Michael Cooney. The film revolves around "10 strangers who are stranded at a desert motel by a violent storm and quickly find themselves being murdered, a la 'Ten Little Indians.' As the corpses pile up, the survivors begin to turn on one another, and accusations fly before a final surprising twist that reveals the true identity of the killer." (Variety)

The Dustin Hoffman/Susan Sarandon flick, BABY'S IN BLACK has undergone a title change and is now known as GOODBYE, HELLO.  The Brad Siberling directed drama hits screens next spring.  (Variety)

Britney Spears and Quincy Jones will play themselves in AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER, the final chapter in the POWERS saga. Mike Myers and Beyonce Knowles star in the flick, once again directed by Jay Roach (MEET THE PARENTS).  POWERS hits theaters on July 26th. (Variety)

An early version of the official website for FEMME FATALE, starring Rebecca Romjin-Stamos and directed by Brian DePalma, is online here
  

November 19, 2001

Congrats are in order to the team behind HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCEROR'S STONE which had an easy record breaking weekend with an estimated $93.5 million beating the previous best of (which included a four-day holiday weekend) $90 million for THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK.  It broke a whole mess of other records too in addition to getting decent reviews from most critics.  So expect to see more POTTER at theaters next Thanksgiving.  And the one after that....and after that....

Get the full box-office report here
  

November 19, 2001

After going from the goofy GRINCH to the melodramatic MAJESTIC back to an untitled comedy, Jim Carrey decided it was time to make yet another go an the elusive Academy Award.  His pattern of funny-serious-funny-serious continues as he has signed to star and produce the Miramax film CHILDREN OF THE DUST BOWL.  The film is based on the non-fiction book of the same name and revolves around a high school superintendent teaching the children forced to flee the furious dust storms of Oklahoma.  Think DEAD POETS SOCIETY meets GRAPES OF WRATH. Carrey will produce the film alongside Jersey Films who he last teamed with on MAN ON THE MOON.  I like Jim Carrey and all but will someone please just give him an Oscar so we can skip over the obvious Award material? I want to see more ass-talking.
 

November 19, 2001

Honest Abe has a nice little treat for us.  We present a first look (along with Dark Horizons who also publishes Abe's reviews) at the script for the feature film version of FAT ALBERT.  In addition we have a review of John Carpenter's next.  Let's see what the ole boy has to say for himself:

VAMPIRES: LOS MUERTOS (negative, minor spoilers)
Essentially, this is the sequel to JOHN CARPENTER'S VAMPIRES. The only character to return though is Father Adam. James Woods' Jack Cross is killed as the story opens with Fr. Adam cleaning up the remains of a vampire nest but Jack was killed too. It turns out that Jack wasn't the only slayer employed by the Church but after the first few pages, the script essentially boils down to a rehash of the first movie. A new slayer, a young kid, a badass (who's severely underused) and even a girl who was bit but hasn't turned yet who has a connection to the vampire master, here a female named Una. (Wonder if Sheryl Lee was offered this?) More fights, more and more blood. It's not bad but it's not original. The only bright spot is that the girl, Zoey, actually takes a pill concocted by a doctor in Mexico (all the action takes place down south) that allows her to keep the hunger and pain in check and when Una gets her hands on the pills, they work for a limited time on her also. Second, the black cross from the first movie (I forgot what it was called) is needed by Una so she too can become a full time day walker. And again, all the vampires are killed at the end. If you're still not sure if you should check this out or not, let me just leave you with this frightening thought: Jon Bon Jovi is slated to star. Bottom line: Pass or wait till video.

FAT ALBERT (positive, major spoilers)
Hey hey hey!!! When this landed on my desk I dropped everything else and started reading. Let me start by saying that I am a big fan of the cartoon and would love to see it again. So, remember how in just about every episode, the gang was always trying to help someone whether it was a fellow schoolmate or someone else that had a problem and there would be a good life lesson at the end? Well, simplistically, that's the same gist here. The script starts out animated and Bill Cosby himself who wrote this is watching the show on his TV. The opening scenes are of the gang trying to talk to a girl in their class about being herself because that's whats important and it's cool to be true to yourself etc. This is intercut with a scene in the "real world" of two sisters, Lauri and Doris. Doris is booksmart but not as attractive as her sister Lauri, who is a foster child. Fat Albert, in mid-lesson, can actually hear Doris cry and steps out of the TV into our world. (When he steps through, he becomes human but retains all the innocence of a cartoon character.) Soon, the whole gang, except for Bucky step through which of course initially frightens Doris. "This is beyond physics!" When the show ends, the gang is stuck in this world until the next airing tomorrow afternoon. One of the things that happens to the gang is some of them become the opposite of who they normally are. Dumb Donald becomes smart. Mushmouth becomes intelligible and Old Weird Harold is suddenly no longer clumsy. Fat Albert falls for Lauri who actually takes a liking to his sweetness. Something else that I loved: Remember how fast the gang, especially Albert, could run? Well, there's a scene where Albert is challenged by the school track star and Albert just smokes him. That should be quite hilarious to see as it was to read.

While all this is going on, Bucky (back in the TV with old Mr. Mudfoot, another mainstay of the show) decides to host his own show. As I was reading this, I thought to myself, too bad the Brown Hornet isn't in this and who do you think Bucky turns to for help??? Well, it's not a bird and it's not a bee! It was a short scene but yes, the Hornet and his gang are there for a page or two.

Meanwhile, the TV network is trying to dodge the press and Bill Cosby himself in explaining how all the characters except Bucky just disappeared. Albert gets close to Lauri and learns that she's a foster child cause her real parents are druggies. Fat Albert wants to stay here in the real world now cause he's fallen for her. He always saved the day in the show and he tries to do so again here. Finally, we get the meeting of Bill Cosby and and Fat Albert face to face! It's a short scene but Albert tells Bill of the problems with Lauri's folks. You get a brief scene of Bill meeting Lauri's real parents but the scene is unfortunately cut short.

Then a new problem arises. The gang is starting to fade!. They can't just repaint themselves cause it doesn't work. Fat Albert realizes that he must go back into the TV and this of course is after telling Lauri that he'd never leave her unlike everyone else in her life. Well, the script wraps up with the sisters on better terms and feeling more secure with each other and themselves. I find two problems with the script. First of all, there is too much going on and the wrap up at the end suffers because of it. For example, Bill going to talk to Lauri's real parents about their daughter and the drug problems was nice but not really necessary. Or, if it was necessary, it's not resolved. All you get is Bill standing on their doorstep and introducing himself to them. "I'd like to talk to you about your daughter." And that's it! We don't know if anything happened because of it. There is also the high school track star and rival to Albert for Lauri's affections. We don't get enough of him to know anything except he's jealous of the attention Albert gets from Lauri. The second problem: the reason why Albert and the gang chose to help Doris (out of everyone else in the world) is REALLY hokey. Personally I think the story would be better without it. Why does there have to be a reason in the first place??? Can't it just be for the simple fact that the gang wanted to help someone? Bill, please, you gotta lose that. I understand what you were trying to go for but it really is not needed at all. It's a plot device too ridiculous to be even remotely credible even in a movie like this. I'm also curious to see how the characters transform from animated to live action and not lose their looks. It takes more than just clothes. Anyone remember when they wanted to make BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD live action with Adam Sandler and I believe Dana Carvey? It would have been a disaster. With the right talent though, FAT ALBERT will fly. I hear Forrest Whittaker is in talks to direct, too. Bottom line: I'll go see it and get ready for the onslaught of Albert nostalgia. Hey! Hey! Hey!
 

November 19, 2001

George Clooney is dating Renee Zellweger, best buds with Julia Roberts and has now added Catherine Zeta-Jones to his stable of extremely attractive female co-stars.  Mrs. Michael Douglas will star alongside Clooney in INTOLERABLE CRUELTY, a dark romantic comedy from the Coen Bros. Here's the word on the plot straight from Variety: "Clooney plays a divorce lawyer so skilled that he manages to keep a client from losing his fortune to his ex-wife even though he was caught in the clinches with another woman. The ex-wife, played by Zeta-Jones, is so angry that she lays out a plan to separate the lawyer from his fortune. That plan is complicated when romantic sparks fly".  This will mark Clooney's second effort with the Coens after O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? and Zeta-Jones' first.  Filming will begin once Zeta-Jones finishes CHICAGO and Clooney finishes CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND.

Gratuitous sexy pics of Zeta-Jones here!
 

November 19, 2001

Harvey Keitel, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Mary-Louise Parker have all joined the cast of RED DRAGON, the third in the modern Hannibal Lecter series of films. Keitel will play veteran FBI agent Jack Crawford, Hoffman will play tabloid reporter Freddy Lounds and Parker will play Molly, the wife of Ed Norton's Will Graham. Anthony Hopkins will reprise his role as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the prequel to SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and HANNIBAL and Brett Ratner (RUSH HOUR 2) will direct. (Hollywood Reporter)

Disney will film a biopic on the life of pro-skateboarder Tony Hawk that they look to be a combo of ROCKY and FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH.  The project will follow the life of Hawk, who as a lanky, geeky teen went pro as a skateboarder at 14 and became on the most successful and prolific skaters in the sports history.  Hawk has a serious of successful video games and has made numerous appearance on MTV's JACKASS. (Hollywood Reporter)

Asia Argento (read Arrow's interview with her here) has signed on to play the female lead in this summer's bid budget action flick XXX. Argento, father of famed horror director Dario Argento (SUSPIRIA), will star alongside Vin Diesel and Samuel L. Jackson in the story of an extreme sports star turned government operative.  Rob Cohen, who last worked with Diesel on THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, will direct.  (Variety)

Donald Petrie (MISS CONGENIALITY) will take over the directing duties of HOW TO LOSE A MAN IN TEN DAYS from Danny DeVito who recently left the project.  The film stars Kate Hudson and revolves around a womanizer who makes a bet with his friends he can stay in a relationship for longer than 10 days.  Lucky for him, that woman turns out to be Kate Hudson...(Variety)