What with the usually running routine, the temping job and doing a play (did I mention "Baby Jesus Freak" is on this week?) I've not had the chance to look at much news this week - not to mention less chance to actually write this piece hence the delay, so please forgive me if something has really jumped out at you that I've missed - and feel free to add it in the comments.
Paper Wings
Back on Wednesday an article appeared in the UK's free commuter paper about a big, star-studded Scientology meeting that took place in a quiet restaurant in LA. Among the patrons were both high-profile and long rumoured practicitioners of the beliefs including Tom Cruise, Will Smith, Anna Kendrick and Eric Dane. Like a fool I bought into the idea that it was just a get-together for like minded individuals to discuss their shared beliefs. Of course that wasn't true (obviously really because when have Scientologists been known to be so open about their activities) and later I read that it was a read though of one of Cruise's potential projects: Paper Wings a drama set in the world of rodeos.
Now I remain to be convinced that a bucking bronco based plot is worthwhile it must be admitted that's a perfect cast on paper (sorry). What I think most worries me that I (and the Metro) were pefectly willing to accept this meeting had more divisive aims. I confess my personal prejudices against Scientology (which I should treat with no lesser or greater validity than any other belief system) allowed me think the worst both before I knew it was film related, and to a certain extent after when I started to assume the castings were predicated by a shared religious background. I suspect I'm not alone in this but that prjudice is wrong and should be fought against.
After all, if there is a bias it is hardly a first and hardly necessarily detrimental to the project. There have been plenty of examples throughout the history of Hollywood where producers/directors/actors have found a common bond which brought them together be it spiritual, political or just that they became good friends. Ultimately I hope the film is casting the best talent for the right reasons, but if a project does involve friends getting together then that's good too and I wish them the very best on the film.
Smith and Cruise come out of the four hour meeting certainly looking positive.
Read on for Hollwoods most famous mothers, the concept of hell and a biopic that's been in the works for 11 years.
Furious Love: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and the Marriage of the Century
With the recent publication of this title focussed on the tumultuous relationship between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton (left generating chemistry for the first time in Cleopatra) and the renewed interest in the couple's domination of the press and of Hollywood at the time it's little wonder that rumours of a film adapatation have begun to circulate. Some interesting names are being bandied about as potential castings (some of which you can imagine better that others). Options for Liz include Catherine Zeta-Jones and Anjelina Jolie with Russell Crowe, Clive Owen and Colin Farrell all in the frame for Burton. I'm not sure which of these I'd like to see, if that is I'd like to see any of these options, but I know I will definitely be up for a Dick/Liz film.
Heretics
The Christian film market is sizeable but it seems at odds with mainstream Hollywood. This weekend for instance Rocky Mountain pictures (erm, who?) have released Standing Ovation in the US on 623 screens. It will probably do OK, but not great business and notably more in the red states, but it remains a big enough demographic to wonder why the mainstream hasn't embraced evangelical Christianity. This might change with this potentially controversial but still insider story about the rising TV preacher Carlton Pearson who questioned whether the concept of hell was right or appropriate and found himself drummed out of his Church. I believe this will lead to interesting theological questions and hopefully will allow all sides of the arguement time to speak. Mark me as very interested in this.
Janis Joplin: Get it while you can
It's good to know the Joplin biopic that sprag fully formed on IMDb a few weeks ago wasn't part of my imaginaion. This week we've heard tha's it's definitely on and that Amy Adams has been cast in the title role. If you're as interested in the genesis of the film production of Janis's life as much as Janis herself then this article in Movieline reminds us of the various possible casting options that have drifted through in the last 12 years.
Here's Janis telling us about things we don't know:
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Networking, or something more? (Film News - 17/07/10)
Saturday, 3 July 2010
Lies, damned lies (and Film News - 03/07/10)
OK, I'll admit it. There are two big fat elephants in the room. I want them to go away, you want them to go away, they're making it difficult to concentrate on the mushroom vol-au-vents of this weeks news and they don't go with furnishings at all. So if talking about the elephants can remove the elephants here goes. I am not interested in seeing Meryl Streep playing Margaret Thatcher, espeically not if it wil be directed by Phyllida Mamma Mia Lloyd. Mark Ruffalo has said he's working on a film adaptation of The Normal Heart - I've pretty much given up on my chances to appear in a local staged version of it (not that I've had a no yet) and it's still a little raw. Have they gone now? OK, lets move onto the rest of the news.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
If you have any knowledge of the British involvement in Iraq you will know a Walter Mitty is a pejorative term for middle ranking intelligence officers who admit we went to war on a lie. That said the original 1947 film (below) starring Danny Kaye and directed by Norman Z. McLeod was a curious romp about a serial fantasist, continuously creating wild alternative lives to remove him from his dull day-job and overbearing mother until a real life adventure (involving crown jewels and shady European criminals) drags him out of his depth. There have been several attempts over the years to resurrect the character, with actors like Jim Carrey, Luke Wilson and Mike Myers all circling the role at one point. The latest star to have an interest is Sacha Baron Cohen, and he might just be able to make the remake a reality. Personally whilst I was underwhelmed by Borat I think he might just be perfect for the role, and will be able to bring both the cocksure attitude and the parcical action together.
Read on for spooky families, magical automatons, sequelitis, international terrorists and the production that's hacking itself to death, as well as the latest production updates from IMDb.
The Addams Family
Fans of the original Charles Addams cartoons (Right) depicting a gothic ghoulish family in an unspecified US location can rejoice as the stop-motion adaptation might not be a complete fabrication. Producer Christopher Meledandri has confirmed he is working on the project, with the aim of asking Tim Burton, or one of his close pals, to direct.
Hugo Cabret
Scorsese's Shutter Island follow-up started filming this week with an extensive list of thespian talent annouced to support Chloe Moretz, Ben Kingsley and Sacha Baron Chen (him again). Including the venerable Christopher Lee, Ray Winston and Jude Law. I'm not sure how they'll all fit into the Children's novel or who will play Melies, but as soon as I know more you'll be the first I share it with.
Mad Max: Furiosa
File this under rumours that make me mad. News from down under indicates that George Miller is prepping a second return to the Mad Max (original on the left, there will be no Mel this time round) universe to be filmed at the same time as Fury Road and to be released soon after. My advice: don't do it. Make one story, concentrate on that. If it does well then you can make a sequel. Thank you.
Nagasaki Deadline
As we anxiously await Spike Lee's feature follow-up to the disappointing Miracle at St. Anna (not that I'd know, it was never released here) we have been given a steady drip drip of potential projects. The latest is a terrorist themed thriller, in the vein of 24 with a FBI agent attempting to prevent two independent attacks on US soil. Lee has shown a shrewd hand in regards to action, with The Inside Man so this could be one to watch.
Scream 4
If you have been waiting 11 years for the fourth installment of the Scream franchise then please be wary that it might be dreadful. The production seems to be going hostface on itself with cast being replaced on a daily basis and even scriptwrite Kevin Williamson now shunned. On the plus side Mary McDonnell (Donnie Darko, Dances with Wolves, Battlestar Galactica) has joined the cast list. P.S. the killer is revealed if you star at the picture on the right until your brain fries.
By the way if you have been waiting for 11 years you should pop over to read Glenn Dunks at Stale Popcorn. He's reviewing the first three movies scene by scene. It's an utterly barmy endeavour, but great fun and worth dropping by for his witty and insightful work.
Production News
Once a month I scour IMDb, looking to see which films mentioned here have gone into production (only about 40% do, you know) and seeing if any other projects catch my eye. The ones covered include Steven Spielberg's War Horse, musical prodigy drama Song of Names, Cage and Kidman together at last in Trespass, the Tupac Shakur biopic, the second part of The Twilight Saga: Breaking (records) Dawn and The Chaperone, from the makers of WWF. As ever some other films came up which I had no idea about:
La Ligne Droite
French director Regis Wergnier, bst known for the Catherine Deneuve starring Indochine, has conceived, written and is now directing this under the radar number. My French is a little rusty, but I tink it means the straight line, which is suitably crytic.
Forrest of Mirrors
CIA conspiracy thriller about the cold war and US involvement in Latin America. Could be diverting, could be trash.
Janis Joplin
The most intriguing is this biopic about Rock and Blues singer Janis Joplin which has appeared under Fernando Meirelles (I was looking to see if 360 was in development). Janis tragically short life and astounding musical influence has been touted for a film for some time, but I can't remember seeing a story that attached it to Meirelles, in fact I've not seen anthing sine there were three projects all in development with Zooey Deschanel, Renee Zelleweger and Pink as propective Joplins back in 2006. I don't know if this is the real thing, but let's hope it is, Joplin's story is immensely cinematic.
Oh, and I must tell you this month we've reached the point when I can safely say I can do a 20 for 2011 (my annual countdown on my most anticipated films) as there are 20 films filming or in post set for next year that I want to see now. Admittedly for the time being they include Scream 4 but we're still six months away so plenty more can kick off. There is one film I mentioned today that's a shoe-in though. Like to hazard a guess which one?
