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December 7, 2001

Are you looking forward to the movie next week? Do you have a few hours to kill at work or at school? Well, then these goofy games are made just for you. Try the NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE games below and spend countless hours drilling beer bottles onto a fat guy, and even more time nailing nerds with a dodge ball. Aaaaaahhh...the memories of high school. Visit the official NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE website here.

December 7, 2001

Pretty cool news, I must say.  It was announced yesterday that Colin Farrell (MINORITY REPORT) will star alongside Ben Affleck in DAREDEVIL, as the Man Without Fear's nemesis, Bullseye. Farrell was once a contender for the lead role but lost out to Affleck and has since decided to take on the equally juicy "bad guy" role.  Reports from those who've read the script say what's written so far is excellent and Bullseye is shaping up to be one bad ass mother f***er.  All that's left for director Mark Steven Johnson is to cast the vital role of Elektra and folks we got ourselves a movie!

December 7, 2001

Steven Spielberg has hired writer John Logan (GLADIATOR) to pen the script for his planned biopic on Abraham Lincoln. Logan will write the script on Lincoln, with technical assistance from biographer Doris Kearns Goodwin, focusing on his days leading the Country through the Civil War.  It is unsure where this film falls on Spielberg's to-do list.  He has the Leonardo DiCaprio/Tom Hanks film CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA and BIG FISH all on his plate.  Logan is also busy writing a World War II script for DreamWorks and just recently finished a draft of the Howard Hughes biopic that Michael Mann plans on directing with Leo DiCaprio in the lead.
 

December 7, 2001

Nicolas Cage will make his directorial debut with SONNY, a drama about a gigolo who enlists in the Army to escape his wild past, only to be tempted upon his discharge.  Cage will direct and produce the film from a script by John Carlen, a veteran writer of TV movies. Cage is currently looking for a young actor to star who can also fit into his tight schedule.  Cage has CONSTANTINE, with director Tarsem, to film in the Spring and is looking to begin production on SONNY this January to finish before his work on that project begins.  If the schedule cannot be worked out, Cage and his Saturn Films production banner are expected to leave the film.
 

December 7, 2001

Danny DeVito, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey have joined Britney Spears in filming cameos in AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER.  The film hits theaters on July 26th. (Variety)

MGM will distribute Steve "Crocodile Hunter" Irwin's debut film, CROCODILE HUNTER - COLLISION COURSE for which filming has already begun.  Details on the film are being kept secret but will likely follow the Croc Hunter in similar situations in which his show on cable finds him. (Variety)

A contest where you can win a few copies of the new JURASSIC PARK 3 DVD is online over at the DreamWorks Fansite.  Go check it out if you've got the time.

Like we said yesterday, the MINORITY REPORT trailer will be in theaters today attached to OCEAN'S 11.  But if you can't make it to the movies, just head over to the new teaser site at www.minorityreport.com and download the trailer there. 
 

December 6, 2001

You heard the news here first yesterday about the MINORITY REPORT trailer hitting screens this Holiday season.  I promised to dig deeper and find out when/where and I did just that.  Would I ever let my devoted schmoes down? Never! Anyway, enough teasing.  I'll start by saying it's none of the three movies I suggested yesterday. I'll follow-up by saying it's coming a lot sooner than you think.  A LOT sooner.  Like Tomorrow.  Like attached to prints of OCEAN'S 11!

I hesitate to say it's 100% (I've been burned waaaay too many times in the past for that) but I just finished talking to Fox who passed this little nugget of info my way.  So I'd say, it's pretty much a done deal.  You might be asking, as I certainly am, how the hell they've managed to keep this quiet for so long. Isn't this something that's supposed to be all over the web by now?  All I can say is - Spielberg you wily bastard, you!!
  

December 6, 2001

THE HUMAN STAIN is a film that sounded extremely boring to me when I first read about it.   But it attracted the attention of Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman so I assumed the script had to be worth something.  I was curious and excited to see that Honest Abe had read the script and fill me in a little more as to what to expect.  Here's Abe with his thoughts:

THE HUMAN STAIN (mixed, minor spoilers)
Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman sound like a dynamite pair in an involving drama right? Right?? Hello??? Anyways, being a big fan of Sir Anthony, I eagerly sat down to read this. Hopkins stars as Coleman Silk, a distinguised university professor who is summarily fired for a bullshit charge of racism. Losing his job and then his wife shortly after, he takes up with Faunia (Kidman) who has three jobs and a psychotic Vietnam vet of an ex husband named Les. Coleman and Faunia soon take on a sexual relationship with Les one step behind them. Coleman's grown kids don't approve and neither does his best friend Nathan but Coleman doesn't care because he's enjoying his time with Faunia. The movie is told via flashback and Nathan provides the narration. It's a drama with a love story thrown in to boot. The distinguised Coleman and the white trash holding three jobs Faunia. So what's the problem? I just didn't really care on the whole. Part of my problem may be the fact that I don't think Nickel Kidman can act (no, I haven't seen THE OTHERS yet) but all in all. The story is very basic and there's a giant, I mean, HUGE "so what?" hanging over the whole script. Aside from Coleman (again, cause I love Hopkins), I just found little if any sympathy for anyone else. Faunia does have a troubled past and naturally it does define her character but again.......so? Les is a terrorized vet and there's what could be a truly moving scene where Les goes to an Asian restaurant with some fellow vets and struggles not to lash out at every asian he sees. Well, I could be wrong about the whole thing. Maybe this could be quite a beautiful movie. Maybe Nickel will prove me wrong and prove her worth. (Then I'll start calling her Dime) but bottom line, until I see the trailer, I'm hesitant. I'd watch it just for Hopkins but for right now, I'll just sneak in.
 

December 6, 2001

Cameron Diaz has become the second actress, after Drew Barrymore, to return in CHARLIE'S ANGELS 2 and will receive a whopping $20 million - making her the highest paid actress behind Julia Roberts.  The third Angel, Lucy Liu is currently in negotiations to join Diaz and Barrymore.  ANGELS 2 will once again be produced by Barrymore and directed by McG, with a script from John August, who wrote the majority of the script the first time around.  While it's expected that all 3 angels will return, don't expect to see Bill Murray back - he reportedly had a miserable time on the set and clashed repeatedly with Lucy Liu.  It was also announced that Diaz will get another large paycheck, $10 million, for one week's worth of voice work (!!!) on SHREK 2.  Her co-stars in that film, Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy, will receive the same.
 

December 6, 2001

The first predictor of Academy Award nominations, the National Board of Review Awards, were announced on Wednesday afternoon and the winners were a tad surprising - at least to me. In the past, the NBR Awards, have had a 41% success rate in predicting the winner of the Best Picture Academy Award.  Take a look at all the winners below:

Film - MOULIN ROUGE
Foreign Film - AMORES PERROS
Actor - Billy Bob Thornton (MONSTER'S BALL, THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE)
Actress - Halle Berry (MONSTER'S BALL)
Supporting Actor - Jim Broadbent (IRIS, MOULIN ROUGE)
Supporting Actress - Cate Blanchett (THE MAN WHO CRIED, SHIPPING NEWS, LORD OF THE RINGS)
Director - Todd Field (IN THE BEDROOM)
Documentary - THE ENDURANCE
Breakthrough Performer (Female) - Naomi Watts (MULHOLLAND DRIVE)
Breakthrough Performer (Male) - Hayden Christensen (LIFE AS A HOUSE)
Career Achievement - Jon Voight
Wilder Award Excellence In Direction: Steven Spielberg
Filmmaking Special Achievement - Peter Jackson (LORD OF THE RINGS)
Directorial Debut - John Cameron Mitchell (HEDWIG, THE ANGRY INCH)
Runners Up Best Film - IN THE BEDROOM, OCEAN'S ELEVEN, MEMENTO, MONSTER'S BALL, BLACK HAWK DOWN, THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE, A.I., THE PLEDGE, MULHOLLAND DRIVE
 

December 6, 2001

An actor who worked on X-MEN and will be working on its sequel, wrote in to Counting Down to say that in the second film, two new villains would be introduced who are so powerful, Magneto and Professor X must combine forces to stop it. How true is this?  Not sure, but I'd take anything X-MEN related with a grain of salt at this point.  (Counting Down)

Last week it was reported that Ralph Fiennes would be meeting with RED DRAGON director Brett Ratner about possibly taking the title role of that film.  Apparently their meetings went well because it was announced that Fiennes has officially signed on-board the HANNIBAL prequel. (The Hollywood Reporter)

So you think you're hot shit, eh? Think all those movie posters out there suck?  Well here's your chance to put your money where you mouth is.  Sony is challenging all those amateur artists out there to design the official poster for RESIDENT EVIL.  Not some fake "it's official but it's only on the web" poster, but the actual real-deal one-sheet for the film.  The winner gets cash, a private screening and more. Now's the time to head over to RESIDENT EVIL's official site and find out all the juicy info.

Now that you've read all the news, head over and read my interviews with Julia Stiles, Stockard Channing and director Patrick Stettner of THE BUSINESS OF STRANGERS. And, yes, Julia is that hot in person. More so even.

Read my interviews with Julia Stiles, Stockard Channing &
director Patrick Stettner of THE BUSINESS OF STRANGERS here
 

December 6, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• Three new publicity stills from SPIDER-MAN are online and you can check them out over at Dark Horizons

• A bunch of new clips from VANILLA SKY are available for download here

December 5, 2001

December 5, 2001

December 5, 2001

Ah-nuld Schwarzenegger will reportedly get a paycheck of $30 million to star in TERMINATOR 3, although the film's producers are denying his salary is that high.  Variety columnist Michael Fleming reported on Tuesday that Arnie would take in his highest payday yet, bigger than the $25 million for BATMAN AND ROBIN, for his work on T3.  Since the budget hasn't been broken down to specifics at this point, it's impossible to tell for sure, but various sources appear to confirm the $30 million number. 

The project is still moving ahead as studios are now in the process of bidding on who will obtain domestic distribution of the film, which carries a hefty budget of $180 million.  Universal seems to be the frontrunner with Disney and Paramount still in the mix.  Director Jonathan Mostow (U-571) brought on his writing team of John Brancato and Michael Ferris to touch up the script which finds an older John Connor once again teaming with the Terminator to fight the "Terminatrix," a new female Terminator whose far more advanced in powers and morphing abilities than the T-1000.
 

December 5, 2001

Man, that Jim Carrey is a busy guy.  It seems like we can't have a few days go buy before it's announced he's negotiating to star in another film.  Now, in addition to having CHILDREN OF THE DUST BOWL, an untitled romantic comedy with Nicole Kidman and a Howard Hughes biopic with MEMENTO director Christopher Nolan, Carrey has begun "early talks" to star in ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. If that sounds like an odd title, there's a reason why - it was scripted by Charlie Kaufman, the eccentric and Academy Award nominated writer behind BEING JOHN MALKOVICH and CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND.  The recently finished script hasn't been circulating around Hollywood long but has already attracted the eye of Carrey as well as what Variety describes as "much interest among A-list actresses" to star alongside him.  No potential female co-stars were named.

SUNSHINE will be directed by Michel Gondry, who achieved notoriety with his Gap commercials and has been touring various film festivals promoting his feature film debut HUMAN NATURE (also written by Kaufman and starring Tim Robbins and Patricia Arquette). The film offers an inside look at a man's mind after he breaks up with his girlfriend and attempts to forget about their steamy past.  Sounds like pretty strange stuff, but then again, how do you explain MALKOVICH in one sentence?

Of all the pics Carrey has been attached to, this is the only one that is generating any interest in my book (although the Howard Hughes biopic with Chris Nolan has potential). I'm sick of Jim Carrey trying to win over the nation with these roles that are there to prove simply how good an actor he can be.  We get it already!  You were robbed for THE TRUMAN SHOW and MAN ON THE MOON, but get over it.  This is the first step in the right direction and hopefully he can fit this in before he's scheduled to start on his UNTITLED Nicole Kidman film this May.
  

December 5, 2001

As JoBlo (who graciously took over the news duties while I toiled away on my BUSINESS OF STRANGERS work) reported on Monday, Ashley Judd signed on to star in UNTRACEABLE, a film that revolves around a woman who suffers from amnesia and is surprised to find out about the dark life she used to lead when she finally recovers.  What's interesting about that original report is that it mentions Judd is set to begin filming on CATWOMAN next for a 2003 release.

The film had recently been left for dead in the wake of the news that many of the BATMAN related films at Warners have all but officially been dropped. BATMAN BEYOND isn't happening and Darren Aronofsky's YEAR ONE film is so far off, who knows what's happening with it. In a report that first appeared on Coming Soon, it was reported that CATWOMAN "won't see the light of day."  Apparently Warners rethought things or really dug the new version of the script, written by John Rogers.  Either way, this project will star Judd not as the Selena Kyle version from BATMAN RETURNS but as a new CATWOMAN - Patience Price.  We'll keep you up-to-date as to any more information we get.

Meow!!

Check out the Ashley Judd Photo Gallery here
  

December 5, 2001

Kevin Smith has been retained by "The Tonight Show" to make a short film (the first ever for the show) that would appear on the show sometime in early 2002.  If audience reaction to the film goes well, Smith will continue, making more as time goes on. Apparently, producers were excited with what they saw in "Kevin Smith's Roadside Attractions," an ongoing segment to premiere next week on the show. They approached Kevin, he accepted and now he'll be filming the short on December 6th in his hometown of Red Bank, New Jersey.  So here's where you can help.

If you live in the area (I do, but crap...I can't go!!), e-mail the producer Ian at eighthmac@hotmail.com to be placed on the list. Don't expect a speaking part or anything as the scene they're looking to fill, is one that takes place during traffic.  You'll simply be a body in a car.  But you never know which one of Kev's celeb friends may show up and make your day.  Shooting begins at 7:00am on the 6th, so if you're available, e-mail the guy above and then write to your pals at JoBlo.com and let us know how it went!
 

December 5, 2001

The new SPIDER-MAN trailer will premiere on December 13th during the Fox TV show "Temptation Island" and in theaters on December 19th, attached to all prints of LORD OF THE RINGS.  No word on when it will hit the web, but I'd imagine some bootleggers will have it online somewhere on the 14th...(Spider-Man Hype)

In release date change news, Warners has pushed back EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS until August 30th and Disney has rescheduled BIG TROUBLE on April 5th.  FREAKS was moved likely because the WB loves the film and hopes it can do better business in the summer (rather than its original April date) and TROUBLE was moved because of concerns about terrorist material after the September 11th attacks. (Variety)

Nathan Lane will star in a feature film biopic about the life of legendary actor/comedian Jackie Gleason.  The film, titled TO THE MOON, will follow the star from his days on the nightclub circuit to the career-making role of Ralph Kramden on "The Honeymooners." (Variety)

That big lug SHREK has kicked the butt of the mighty GLADIATOR.  In just four weeks, SHREK has become the biggest selling DVD of all time, knocking off former champ GLADIATOR.  The film has sold over 5.5 million units since its release in early November and DreamWorks expects the film to continue its success into the holiday season and is scrambling to produce more discs to avoid selling out.

Taye Diggs has joined Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta in the cast of John McTiernan's BASIC. Diggs will play a cadet under the command of legendary drill instructor Jackson (who mysteriously disappears).  He will be seen next in the thriller EQUILIBRIUM with Christian Bale. (Variety)

Rita Wilson (JINGLE ALL THE WAY) and Maria Bello (COYOTE UGLY) will join Greg Kinnear and Willem Dafoe in AUTOFOCUS - the biopic about "Hogan's Heroes" star Bob Crane and his sordid past.  Wilson and Bello will play the ex-wives of Crane. (Variety)

While she will return to film the movie's sequel, actress Gillian Anderson will leave the X-FILES at the end of this season.  No word on whether the series will continue... (TV Guide)

As far as a film version of Chuck Palahniuk's SURVIVOR goes, don't expect to see it anytime soon.  The FIGHT CLUB author recently spoke at a CHOKE book-reading and said that in the post-September 11th world, a film that features a plane hijacking isn't getting made.  Consider this one all but over.
  

December 5, 2001

Source: Joey Baloney

• The official VANILLA SKY website has posted up some video interviews with the talent.  For an interview with Cameron Diaz, click here.  For an interview with Penelope Cruz, click here.  For an interview with Cameron Crowe, click here.  All videos are in Windows Media format
• The first photo of the car to be used in AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER has popped up online here
• A whole slew of images from the Salma Hayek film FRIDA are online here (thanks to www.blamemovies.com for the heads up)
• Counting Down has another one of their trademark "Bagel Cams" online.  This time it's a webcam positioned inside the craft services truck on the set of Jackie Chan's TUXEDO.  Check it out here and see who stops by

December 4, 2001

Here's 'Honest Abe' with two new script reviews for you.  One is the Darren Aronofsky produced thriller BELOW and the other is the Tom Green/Jason Lee comedy YOU PROMISED.  Let's take a read...

BELOW (positive/minor spoilers)
A nice tight thriller that plays like an extended twilight zone episode. Actually, it kinda reminds me of that one episode where that guy kept reliving famous ship sinkings. Anyways, in the middle of WWII, the USS Manta (a submarine) is dispatched to pick up the survivors of a torpedoed hospital ship. Lt.'s Brice and Loomis and Ensign Ordell lead the way in picking up only 3 survivors: Kingsley, Schihllings, and Claire Paige. However all is not what it seems. Once the survivors are onboard, strange things begin to happen. Like record players starting themselves up and voices being heard from dead bodies. It's definitely creepy but I really can't say too much more without giving away anything pivotal. Let's just say that it's well written and especially within the confines of the submarine, the claustrophobia only serves to heighten the tension. Bottom line: coming next spring is what could be the best sub movie since THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER and CRIMSON TIDE. Check it out. I will.

YOU PROMISED (mixed/minor spoilers)
John Plummer has a pretty good life. He has a beautiful, tough fiance Elaine and he works for his soon to be father in law at his pharmacy. Best of all, John and Elaine have managed to finally save up 30 grand for a down payment on their dream house. Enter John's trailer trash sister Patty and her 17 year old daughter Noreen. Seems that years ago, John promised to help Noreen get into college. Well guess how much Noreen needs? 30 grand. Now, John is a bit of a spineless moron so he can't bring himself to tell Elaine so he and his buddy Duff concoct a series of schemes to get ahold of the money. Throw in a bank robbery, a judge with a weird fetish (you gotta just see it) and a very thuggish individual from their past and you've got all the makings of hilarity. The problem is it doesn't jell. I can't put my finger on it but something just didn't seem right as I read this. Maybe it's because the white trash character has been beaten to death for laughs. Maybe it's the overly bossy father in law who's also been beaten to death. Maybe my shorts were binding up on me. I don't know. One of the bright spots was Noreen. There was something about this kid that I genuinely liked even though she has minimal screen time. I could be wrong about the whole thing and the execution of this script could be quite fun to watch. I'll reserve final judgment until I at least view the trailer...and that's the bottom line.
  

December 4, 2001

The MADE DVD hits stores today (December 4th) and while the disc is pretty sweet, the best part may have been the ad inside. It was an official announcement for the special edition RESERVOIR DOGS DVD.  There isn't much information offered but here's basically what it says:  "RESERVOIR DOGS - Ten Years: Special Edition DVD coming July 2002."  There's also a new sketch graphic of Misters Blonde, White, Blue and Yellow.  Now please get me the list of features for this disc.  I need to know!!! Email me here!

December 3, 2001

Well, that's the rumor, according to those crazy boys over at Ain't It Cool News. Of course, we all loved the original PROFESSIONAL (aka LEON), starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman (overacting, yet making it "work" somehow!) and the lovely Natalie Portman. But that was over 7 years ago, and everybody and their uncle seems to be talking the possibility of a sequel, based on Portman's character named MATHILDA. According to Harry, Besson is rumored to be directing, but only if Portman is on board, etc and so forth. Mostly rumors now, but a pretty cool one, if you ask me. BTW, did you know that THE PROFESSIONAL is ranked #68 overall according to the folks who vote over at the IMDb. Yup, yup!

December 3, 2001

Yup, we're not kidding. Rumor has it that man-child actor Adam Sandler is hoping to get actor extraordinaire, Oscar-winning thespian, Jack Nicholson in his next movie. Thankfully for all of us, the flick is a comedy entitled ANGER MANAGEMENT, which would see Sandler cast as a meek business executive who is sentenced to an impulse-control course, where his instructor turns out to be an aggressive psychopath (this is the part which they are hoping Nicholson will consider).

In even stranger Sandler news, Variety is also reporting that Adam is interested in taking over Robert De Niro's role in the planned SCARED GUYS, about a multi-phobic, apartment-bound man who must venture out into the world in order to prevent an assassination. I believe that was one of the signs of an apocalypse, no?
    

December 3, 2001

You've already heard about the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES making a comeback with John Woo along for the ride, well, now here are some clips from animated TV show "pilot", which apparently didn't get off the ground, but the idea behind them is pretty sweet. The motion picture is likely to have the same "atmosphere" and I for one, am pumped!

< click to check out the video clips >
  

December 3, 2001

According to Clint from Moviehole, rumors are running rampant about a script presently being written up for yet another AMERICAN PIE flick. According to one of the movie's main stars, Jason Biggs: "Sure they could do it BUT I can't think of any new situation. But then again I'm not a writer. And considering the sort of business 'American Pie 2' did in America, I'm sure they'll think of something. At the end of the day it's all about the dollar sign, so it would be a smart move to try to keep the franchise going", says Biggs." AMERICAN PIE grossed approx. $102 million and AMERICAN PIE 2 did even better, with a gross of over $145 million.

What do you think of this idea?
   

December 3, 2001

Not a "news" item per se, but I was just adding some New Movie Posters to our support section when I noticed these extra-cool-looking LORD OF THE RINGS posters that I hadn't seen anywhere else before. Anyway, thought you would get a kick out of it, and you are certainly welcome to support this site, by purchasing any posters through us.

Ringwraiths	Orcs
Click to see larger versions

Visit the LORD OF THE RINGS movie mall here
(merchandise, DVDs, posters, books, toys, calendar, etc...)
   

December 3, 2001

We just added a new parody goof trailer entitled KUNG POW: ENTER THE FIST to JoBlo's Movie Trailers. Check it out and discuss it with your fellow Schmoes here...

Where's Ashley Judd? Well, according to Variety, Castle Rock has just purchased the psychological thriller pitch UNTRACEABLE for the lovely actress. Read more here