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December 21, 2001

Looking over the list of nominees for 2002's Golden Globes, I'm struck by the following notion - Newmarket isn't doing nearly enough to push MEMENTO.  LORD OF THE RINGS and SHREK aside, MEMENTO was probably the best-reviewed film of the year (93% approval on Rotten Tomatoes compared to 71% for MOULIN ROUGE and 79% for MULHOLLAND DRIVE) yet walked away with one measly screenplay nomination.  What gives?  Well the old adage goes that the Golden Globes are the best awards money can buy.  I've seen a lot of "For Your Consideration" ads lately but not once have I seen one for MEMENTO.  Could it be that Universal, New Line, Miramax and USA Films simply outmuscled and outspent Newmarket for a nomination?   I don't mean to suggest that they bribed members of the Hollywood Foreign Press (...), simply that other, more experienced and well-financed studios are playing the promotional game better.  Either way I'm becoming genuinely concerned about my favorite film of 2001's chances at the big dance this Spring and the increasing likelihood that it'll be the ALMOST FAMOUS of 2002.

In other non-MEMENTO related talk, what happened to BLACK HAWK DOWN?  As far as I've heard this film was one of the top contenders for awards but didn't get one single Globe nomination.  Was it not released in time?  I can't imagine that the HFP would completely ignore this film...

While I'm disappointed that MEMENTO wasn't given props, I'm elated to see that THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE got recognized in a big way.  The film was virtually ignored at the box-office, but I'm glad to see that it crept back into the voters' consciousness.  MULHOLLAND DRIVE continues to surprise me with how well it's being received all the sudden.  Winning critics awards right and left and now a Best Picture nomination.  Yet I can't help but wonder where Naomi Watts' name is in the Best Actress category.  Speaking of snubbed actresses, Reese Witherspoon over Audrey Tautau for Best Actress - Musical or Comedy?!  Reese's was a nice enough performance but c'mon...

Steve Buscemi just has to win for GHOST WORLD. For nothing else because I can't wait to see him onstage in a tux, finally accepting the award he's deserved for so long.  He's got some damn formidable competition in Jim Broadbent and Ben Kingsley, but a guy can hope, can't he?  And while we're talking Supporting Actor, where the hell was Sir Ian for Gandalf?  Instead they went with Jude Law's sketchy A.I. performance.  Hmmm.

I could go on forever, but I'll save that for the actual awards.  Until now, I'll just give you a quick list of who I'm officially rooting for.  NOT who I think will win but who I want to win:

BEST PICTURE - DRAMA: LORD OF THE RINGS
BEST PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY: SHREK
BEST ACTOR - DRAMA: Denzel Washington (TRAINING DAY)
BEST ACTRESS - DRAMA: Sissy Spacek (IN THE BEDROOM)
BEST ACTOR - MUSICAL OR COMEDY: Gene Hackman (THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS)
BEST ACTRESS - MUSICAL OR COMEDY: Renee Zellweger (BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Steve Buscemi (GHOST WORLD)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Jennifer Connelly (A BEAUTIFUL MIND)
BEST DIRECTOR: David Lynch (MULHOLLAND DRIVE)
BEST SCREENPLAY: Duh. Have you been paying any attention??

Make your own Golden Globe predictions here
  

December 21, 2001

It was reported a few weeks back when Jennifer Connelly joined the cast of THE HULK that Nick Nolte was in talks to play her father in the film, General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross.  We have now learned that Nolte will not play General Ross but Dr. Banner, father to Bruce Banner, the Hulk's alter-ego.  The part of General Ross, who runs the military site where Banner is exposed to the Gamma rays turning him into the Hulk, has gone to the equally gritty Sam Elliott (BLACK HAWK DOWN).  The film is scheduled to begin production early next year with a June 20, 2003 release date scheduled.  Eric Bana, Elliott's co-star in BLACK HAWK, is starring as Bruce Banner while the Hulk himself will be CGI created.
 

December 21, 2001

Somewhat of a consolation after the Golden Globe announcements was the fact that MEMENTO was named Best Picture by the Toronto Film Critics Association.  The film also won Best Screenplay while David Lynch won Best Director for MULHOLLAND DRIVE.

James Franco, Mena Suvari and Brenda Blethyn will star in Nicolas Cage's directorial debut PONY RIDE (formerly titled SONNY).  The film, which Cage is also producing, begins filming in New Orleans in January and revolves around a young gigolo (Franco) who joins the Army to straighten out his life only to be seduced back into the lifestyle once he is released.  Blethyn plays his Madam mother and Suvari one of her hookers.

Fox will release the Erika Christensen (TRAFFIC) stalker film SWIMFAN in the US and most international areas.  The thriller follows the obsession a teen girl has with the most popular couple in school, who are also star athletes on the swim team.

The official James Bond website has confirmed that Halle Berry will star in BOND 20 as a character named Jinx.  They also mentioned another female character, Gala Brand, who will be played by Rosamund Pike.
 

December 20, 2001

I'll editorialize more on this tonight but here's a quick list of all the Film nominees for the 2002 Golden Globes.  Notice anything missing?....*cough*memento*cough*....

Share your thoughts on the 2002 Golden Globes here
  

December 20, 2001

Here's a look at the teaser poster for AUSTIN POWERS: GOLDMEMBER.  The trailer is also available here at JoBlo.com in the Movie Trailers section. None of this does anything for me.  The poster is bland and the trailer is just not funny.  Midgets were funny at first but I think that whole thing has worn itself out. Meanwhile, Mike Myers could be starring in one of the most anticipated films of next year CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND.  "You have chosen...poorly."

<click to enlarge>

Now if you want to see how a trailer should be done, I highly suggest you download the teaser for M. Night Shyamalan's next film SIGNS.  Spooky stuff!!  Again, the film is available in our Movie Trailers section and the poster is below, courtesy of Coming Attractions.

<click to enlarge>
    

December 20, 2001

Just when it looked as if things might be heating up for the long-troubled adaptation of John Grisham's RUNAWAY JURY, the project has once again fallen apart as both director Mike Newell (DONNIE BRASCO) and Will Smith have abruptly left the production.  The company behind the film, New Regency, halted production on the film which, according to Variety, as of Monday was still scheduled to start in March.  It appears as if Smith was the first to leave and once Newell caught wind of his star's departure, he wasn't far behind.  All this after Regency paid a whopping $8 million for the film rights to the book in 1997.  Since then the project has had a variety of different directors and stars but never quite got off the ground.

So the question begs to be asked - what exactly went wrong this time.  No one was giving any specific reasons for the dissolution but a separate report in Wednesday's New York Post claims that Grisham (who has final cast approval in his contract) did not like the choice of Will Smith as the star and made that point very clear.  Their source claims that the author refused meetings with Newell as long as Smith was still attached to the project.  The Post article paints Grisham in a rather unflattering tone saying he also "hated" the choice of Denzel Washington starring in THE PELICAN BRIEF and there are very subtle hints that the novelist could be racist.  While I'm sure the latter isn't true, I'm suspicious of the Post's story only because their source seemed intent on smearing Grisham's name.  While I don't doubt that casting differences could've led to the end of JURY, I certainly can't believe it was the only thing.  I chalk it up to something Robert Shaw said in JAWS - "There're too many captains on this island..." 

It should be noted that there is no animosity between Newell and Smith who are reportedly working on a separate unnamed project.
  

December 20, 2001

Adam Sandler's official website has updated with some never-before-seen publicity stills from his 2002 Holiday animated film 8 CRAZY NIGHTS.  Here's what they say about the film in addition to three pics:

December 20, 2001

Looking at that headline you might think I was talking about Will Smith in ALI (I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist), but in fact, I'm referring to the Johnny Knoxville-hosted MTV stunt show "Jackass."  Knoxville, along with co-creators Spike Jonze (the same of BEING JOHN MALKOVICH fame) and Jeff Tremaine, have signed a development deal with MTV and Paramount that would, among other things, bring a JACKASS movie to theaters near you.

I'm not exactly sure how they plan to make a movie out of JACKASS, but I think it'll be a longer version of the TV show - just a bunch of gags like "Beard of Leeches" or "Prostitute Boat Race" in a 90-minute format. Tremaine will direct, Jonze will produce and Knoxville will star in the film which will likely be shot overseas.  Also as part of the deal, the trio will film 3 JACKASS specials to air on MTV in 2002.  If you've ever seen the show, the specials will reportedly be similar to the "Gumball Rally" episode in style. JACKASS cast members Steve-O and Chris Pontius are also in talks with MTV for a spinoff that may be produced by the show's creators.

December 20, 2001

Hopefully you're not sick of him by now, but here's yet another look at an upcoming Adam Sandler film.  This one is the comedy MR. DEEDS loosely based on the old film MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN. Sandler co-stars alongside alleged kleptomaniac Winona Ryder in this fish-out-of-water comedy.  Let's see what our old pal Honest Abe has to say about the script...

MR. DEEDS (mixed, minor spoilers)
Originally, this was going to be a negative review but I just saw the trailer and a glimmer of hope. Let me start off by saying that I like Adam Sandler. I enjoy his movies for the pure goofy fun. Whether he's being a party monster or a sweet guy. The one main problem with Deeds though is that it's not original at all. I understand that this is supposed to be some kind of modern day update of Jimmy Stewart's Mr. Deeds Goes to Town but having never seen that (okay, I suck) I'm forced to read this with an open mind. Regardless of the original, it's still nothing to get too excited about. Sandler plays Deeds (no first name, just Deeds) who lives in a simple town and writes greeting cards. He's also the sole heir to Peter Blake, a Ted Turner type with a 40 billion dollar empire. There's the adjustment period where Deeds gets used to his new found wealth and of course, there's the scheming executives who want the company for themselves. Winona Ryder portrays an undercover reporter trying to get the inside scoop on just who Deeds really is and naturally, just when she starts to actually fall for him, her cover is blown. Gee, do you think all will work out in the end and Sandler will get the girl? DUH?!?!? Having just watched the trailer, I actually did laugh a bit so there may be some hope. Bottom line (for now at least) I'd sneak in or catch a matinee. Where's a Bob Barker brawl when I need one?
 

December 20, 2001

The reigning King and Queen of romantic-comedies, Richard Gere and Meg Ryan will join forces to the delight of women everywhere and the terror of their boyfriends/husbands.  The pair will star in WEDLOCKED as married divorce lawyers on the brink of divorce themselves, who are fingercuffed together by their marriage therapist. I can only imagine the hilarity and wackiness and sweetness that ensues.  Should the deal finalize, a suitable director will be found and production will begin as soon as the stars finish their next films.

It's of my opinion that Meg Ryan has become too reliant on the romantic-comedy to get by.  Her departures are few and far between and are often not that good.  In all fairness, her next film AGAINST THE ROPES, has her starring as a female boxing manager, but where are the gritty ERIN BROCKOVICH-esque roles?  She desperately needs to get back to WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN territory.  Get down and dirty with a role - do something you can sink your teeth into.  Look at the past five movies Meg Ryan's done:  KATE AND LEOPOLD, PROOF OF LIFE, HANGING UP, YOU'VE GOT MAIL and CITY OF ANGELS.  In all fairness, I haven't seen KATE AND LEOPOLD yet but the rest of those films are currently being employed by the US government as tortuous ways to extract information from the enemy.  I promise you, one day Meg will have a Robin Williams-esque revelation and start doing some juicy roles and eventually win an Oscar. She's got the talent, right?
 

December 20, 2001

Kate Hudson will star in and co-produce the creatively titled AMERICAN GIRL IN LONDON for Paramount Pictures.  The film follows (get this) an American girl in London and her romantic exploits with a married Brit!  Sounds as much fun as a kick in the balls. Hudson will produce with parents Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. (Variety)

Timothy Olyphant (GO) and Donnie "I used to be more successful than my brother, but now he's more successful than me" Wahlberg have joined Morgan Freeman, Jason Lee, Thomas Jane and Tom Sizemore in DREAMCATCHER.  The pic is based on the Stephen King book of the same name and is directed by Lawrence Kasdan (MUMFORD). Olyphant, Lee and Jane play childhood friends who share telepathic powers that are reunited by a mentally-challenged Wahlberg (in the movie, not in real-life) to stop a mysterious force in a New England town. (Hollywood Reporter)

Brittany Murphy (DON'T SAY A WORD) will star alongside Ashton Kutcher (DUDE, WHERE'S MY CAR?) in the romantic-comedy JUST MARRIED.  The duo will play a young married couple who elope and embark on a dream honeymoon, when a series of disasters shows them they have less in common than they thought. (Hollywood Reporter)

Kevin Spacey will produce Don Cheadle, Chris Klein, Jena Malone, Michelle Williams and Ryan Gossling in UNITED STATES OF LELAND, a film from first-time director Matthew Ryan Hoge. LELAND follows a fifteen year-old convicted of murdering an autistic child and his teacher who has to help decipher why the boy committed the crime.  The project begins filming at the end of January. (Hollywood Reporter)

I know we don't normally cover TV-related things here at JoBlo (it's a "movie" site first and foremost) but I just have to take a quick second to tell everyone reading this that if you're not watching "Undeclared" on Fox, you're missing out on the funniest half-hour since "The Simpsons."  Maybe it helps if you're in or fresh out of college, but damn if they didn't get the whole thing right.  I swear I haven't been paid by Fox or the show's producers to say this (although I wouldn't be above such a thing) but seriously, check it out on Tuesday nights. Enough shameless free promotion...

On a final note, thanks to the good folks at Spider-Man Hype and their extensive archive, we have some screenshots of the best part (or parts...) of last week's SPIDER-MAN trailer (and one of Spidey too-- along with 140 others on their site).  Enjoy, fellow pervs!

<click above to enlarge & see entire gallery>
 

December 19, 2001

Every year the United States Library of Congress elects 25 films to be added to the National Film Registry for their contributions to American cinema and history. While HARDBODIES was once again snubbed (highway robbery!!), JAWS, the original PLANET OF THE APES, THE SOUND OF MUSIC and ANIMAL HOUSE were all selected to be preserved for eternity in the Library's film headquarters in Ohio.  The Registry contains over 300 films and the selection for each year's 25 picks are whittled down from thousands of nominees.

MANHATTAN, ALL THAT JAZZ, ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN, HOOSIERS and THE THIN BLUE LINE were other notable films that made the cut. I don't know which President started the Registry, but a pat on the back to that guy.  The fact that little Indy Sampson can sit down years from now with his kids and watch a flawless print of Robert Shaw saying "I don't want no volunteers, I don't want no mates, there's too many captains on this island. Ten thousand dollars for me by myself. For that you get the head, the tail, the whole damn thing" just thrills me to death.  Ahhh, the joy of film....
  

December 19, 2001

The proposed sequel to last summer's surprised hit THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS went from 0 to 60 this week (me make funny) as Universal retained Michael Brandt and Derek Haas (the guys behind that Billy Zane TV show INVINCIBLE) to write a script for the second film. This script is in addition to the one being worked on by original TF&TF writer Gary Thompson.  It's unsure at this point whether the studio will opt for the better version or, what seems to be a frighteningly overused tactic in Hollywood lately, combine the two versions into one script.  Vin Diesel and Paul Walker are both expected to return but both have busy schedules so deciding on a start date for this film could be tricky.
 

December 19, 2001

Steve Martin will write and star in an adaptation of his critically acclaimed novella SHOPGIRL for Lakeshore Entertainment (THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES).  The comedy follows a young woman who works at the accessories counter at a department store and falls for an older, divorced man (Martin) as she becomes bored with her life.  The script went out to directors immediately and producers are looking to begin filming as soon as Martin gets done shooting IN THE HOUZE with Queen Latifah. It should also be mentioned that Martin may return as host of this year's Academy Awards which could potentially conflict with the shooting schedule.  Or will SHOPGIRL keep Martin from returning as host??
 

December 19, 2001

Miramax Films has picked up the film rights to an animated movie based on the comic strip BLOOM COUNTY for their Dimension Films company to release.  Artist and creator Berkeley Breathed will write and direct the film which will follow the misadventures of penguin Opus but its unknown if it will feature wacky Bill the Cat.  Miramax picked the property up after viewing Breathed's first animated short EDWURD FUDWUPPER FIBBED BIG which features the voices of Frances McDormand and Haley Joel Osment.   I haven't read a BLOOM COUNTY book in a long time but I remember back in the late 80s/early 90s, this strip combined with "Calvin and Hobbes" and "The Far Side" busted my gut on a continual basis.  I always thought it was good fodder for an animated movie and in fact in 1994 there was a Christmas special entitled "A Wish for Wings That Work" based on the strip.  Excited to see what this looks like...

December 19, 2001

Model-turned-actress James King will play the female lead alongside Chow Yun-Fat and Seann William Scott in BULLETPROOF MONK.  The film, based on the Image comic book, follows a monk who chooses a street-wise urban kid (Scott) to protect an ancient scroll that holds unlimited powers.  King will play "Bad Girl" (not a description but her actual name), a mob mol who befriends the pair and helps them protect the scroll.

X-MEN 2 and BEHIND ENEMY LINES screenwriter Zak Penn is set to make his directorial debut on JOHN DOE, based on a script he also wrote.  New Line bought the sci-fi script which Penn says includes some SIXTH SENSE-esque twists. Aren't twists better when you don't know that there's a twist?...

Rick Yune (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS) will star in BOND 20 as the main villain Zao, a North Korean General.  Yune joins Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry and Michelle Yeoh in the film which will follow Bond chasing a device that enables facial mutation (?). 
 

December 18, 2001

There were rumors last week that Jim Carrey would be playing Howard Hughes in an upcoming biopic and now we have detailed confirmation of that story.  Christopher Nolan (MEMENTO) will write and direct the film, starring Carrey as the eccentric Hughes, based on the book "Hughes: The Private Diaries, Letters and Memos."  Carrey and Nolan were reportedly deadset on getting the rights to this book but made it known they would make a Hughes film with or without it.  Carrey has a busy schedule ahead with his untitled romantic comedy with Nicole Kidman and CHILDREN OF THE DUST BOWL filming next year, but Nolan (who just finished INSOMNIA with Robin Williams and Al Pacino) will begin writing the script immediately.

So now that Carrey and Nolan are determined to finally make a Howard Hughes film, what will happen to the other Hughes films being planned?   Michael Mann is reportedly working with Leonardo DiCaprio and Milos Forman has been planning one with Ed Norton for years.  Will they attempt to compete or simply fade away?  Considering they've gotten the rights to what is considered to be the ultimate Hughes biopic with the author (a close Hughes confidant) onboard as a consultant, chances are most films will pale in comparison.  Then again we had DANTE'S PEAK and VOLCANO or DEEP IMPACT and ARMAGEDDON, so you never know.
  

December 18, 2001

That wily bastard Honest Abe (I mean that in the best of ways) is back again with some more script-related goodies for you.  This time he reviews SCENE OF THE CRIME and SERVICING SARA.  Take it away, Abe!

SCENE OF THE CRIME (mixed, minor spoilers)
I had heard about this project a long time ago and I thought I had heard that it was for Jeff Bridges and Tim Robbins (or maybe I had just seen Arlington Road). Anyways, what you have is the potential to be a nice tight thriller that if done right, could even be done in real time. Lenny is your average Joe who as a side job, acts as a driver for Rick. Rick is kinda like a junior mob enforcer. Anyways, today's job involves Rick kidnapping Jimmy (for reasons I won't say). However, in the exchange, Rick winds up dead and Lenny winds up with a gun in Jimmy's face. Jimmy tries to help understand the situation. He's just the driver so if he just walks away, he's got nothing to lose. Lenny unfortunately gets all caught up in the face off and is naturally terrified of what will happen to him the moment he leaves the van. Multiple phone calls later between Lenny, Jimmy and their respective bosses heighten the tension for, like I said, what could be a nice tight thriller. Could be, but needs a little work. There are just a few scenes that need to be shortened but the way I see it, it's all going be how this is edited. If someone with David Fincher's style gets a hold of this, the tension could crush the audience. If there's one problem, I figured out one of the major plot points VERY early on. Bottom line: good potential to be a great thriller. It has to be done right though.

SERVICING SARA (positive, major spoilers)
I hate Matthew Perry. Look at the women he's been fortunate to co-star with: Salma Hayek, Natasha Henstridge, Amanda Peet, (no need to mention the women of Friends) and now add Elizabeth Hurley to the fold. Perry, you the mack! Jealousy aside, I'll start right off by saying that while I liked this, it reminded me too quickly of Midnight Run. Perry stars as Joe, a process server. The opening demonstrates Perry's knack for comedy as he goes about trying to serve papers to a mafia type guy. Joe works for Ray (Joey Pants type guy) who thinks that Joe has lost his edge and takes too long on assignments now. Also working for Ray is Tony (John Ashton type guy except Italian...see how this all matches so far?) Tony is Joe's main competitor. Joe's assignment is to serve Sara (Hurley) with divorce papers which naturally comes as a shock to Sara. She thought her marriage was blissfully perfect. Incensed, Sara hatches a plan. If Joe will forget he served her and instead will serve her husband with papers, she'll cut Joe in for a percentage of her divorce award. (She's very rich, like millions). After hesitating for a moment, Joe agrees to the deal and off they go. Unfortunately for Joe, the hubby, Gordon, is being warned ahead of time by Ray. (lots of double crossing going on) so the chase is on cross country. There's a subplot involving Gordon attempting to sell the cattle ranch to some Japanese investors but not everything is legit at the ranch. And of course through all this, Joe and Sara develop feelings for each other. (Like you didn't see that happening.) If you like movies like Fools Rush In, actually, if you like Matthew Perry hijinks, then you'll love this movie. I think this has great possibility to be a great time at the movies...providing you, like me, can keep your jealousy in check.
 

December 18, 2001

Steven Norrington (BLADE) has signed on to direct the feature film adaptation of Alan Moore's graphic novel THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN.  The plot, which takes place in 1901, follows a group made up of familiar British characters including Dr. Jekyll, The Invisible Man and Captain Nemo, who are recruited by the Queen of England to stop a madman bent on world domination. Fox acquired the rights to Alan Moore's (FROM HELL) novel way back in 1998 but had a difficult time developing a proper script.  While reports in the past have said comic-book writer James Robinson's script was scrapped, that apparently is the version Norrington will be directing.  Because the director's other upcoming film, TICK TOCK with Jennifer Lopez and Sam Jackson, is scheduled to start in June/July, the studio is anxious to get this film cooking and looks to start filming this March.
 

December 18, 2001

DreamWorks long delayed ROAD TO PERDITION has finally found itself a release date.  Once scheduled to release this Christmas, the Tom Hanks/Sam Mendes drama will unfold this July 12th.  At this time, the only major film PERDITION would compete with on that day is the dragonslaying epic REIGN OF FIRE.  (Variety)

Miramax's holiday romantic-comedy KATE AND LEOPOLD has been moved from December 21st to December 25th.  Not sure why the last minute move, especially considering the film now goes up against ALI and another Miramax owned film IMPOSTER.  Weird...

Facing stiff competition from X2, which was scheduled to open on the same day, Universal has moved THE INCREDIBLE HULK to a new date - June 20, 2003.  Smart move if you ask me.  Dividing the fanboy audience like that would just be silly.

The American Film Institute (AFI) will be hosting their inaugural award show this year and the nominations for the AFI Awards 2001 have been released.  There's a long list of nominees way to in-depth to get into here, so I suggest you head over to their official site to read all about it.