Movie News: Monday, October 16

Diane Lane logs on to cyber thriller (Reuters)
   Reuters - Diane Lane is set to play an FBI agent who must track down a ruthless online predator in "Untraceable," a thriller that begins shooting in February.

Vampire comic draws movie "Blood" (Reuters)
   Reuters - Rogue Pictures has pre-emptively bought film rights to an upcoming vampire comic book titled "Blood on the Tracks."

DiCaprio going green with "E-topia" TV series (Reuters)
   

Reuters - Leonardo DiCaprio is helping to develop a reality TV series focusing on the environment.

"Grudge 2" tops box office, fans underwhelmed (Reuters)
   

Reuters - "The Grudge 2" earned less than initially forecast, according to final weekend box office data issued Monday, but still managed to take the top spot with a $20.83 million opening. A day earlier, the film's distributor, Sony Pictures, had estimated a $22 million bow.

Audio Edition - October 16th 2006
   

Welcome to this installmetn of the weekly Monday Round Table fo The Audio Edition! Today, Bruxy, Doug, Darren and I yack about:

1) Rambo 4 in trouble

2) Deliver Us From Evil - the documentary on Priests sexually abusing kids. This is a really livley discussion.

3) Catch A Fire - New Tim Robbins movie... is it trying to make a point about Iraq?

4) UHF - And how great the movie is! Joy!

5) Robin Williams and the failure of Man of the Year

6) Iron Man looking for fans help

7) Plane Dead and the sad lack of Voodo Magic Zombies in movies today

8) Grindhouse

9) Chad Vader Videos

10) Google's Purchase of YouTube

11) 6143 people downloaded the Conan The Barbarian commentary... 7 people made donations! LOL

12) Darren and I totally geek out about Battlestar Galactica and the first few episodes of this new season

All this an a few things more.

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Bruxy Cavey's Site
Darren Conley's Site
Doug Nagy's Site

Appeal in Cameron Diaz case rejected (AP)
   

AP - A photographer who took topless photos of Cameron Diaz when she was 19 and tried to coerce her into buying them back for $3.5 million after she became famous lost an appeal Monday challenging his conviction.

Stone film sets sights on Osama bin Laden (Reuters)
   

Reuters - In a follow-up to his recent 9/11 drama "World Trade Center," filmmaker Oliver Stone plans to direct a movie about the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan and hunt for Osama bin Laden, Paramount Pictures said on Monday.

Bruce Willis gets star on Hollywood Walk (AP)
   

AP - Surrounded by family, friends and fellow A-listers, Bruce Willis received a star on the Walk of Fame Monday as scores of fans looked on.

Feast
    ( Released: 10/17/2006   Avg. Score: 3.5/5     | Trailers | Photos | Reviews  ) — The winner of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's Project Greenlight series, Feast focuses on the patrons of a small-town bar fighting off a pack of flying creatures who are hungry for human flesh.

American Dreamz
    ( Released: 10/17/2006   Rated: PG-13   Avg. Score: 2.25/5     | Trailers | Photos | Reviews  ) — On the eve of his re-election, the president (Dennis Quaid) decides to read a newspaper for the first time in years. His new knowledge of current events sends him hiding in his room for weeks, so his chief of staff (Willem Dafoe) books him as a guest judge on American Dreamz, a TV talent contest hosted by Martin Tweed (Hugh Grant). This prompts a terrorist plot surrounding the telecast that may derail the career of would-be pop star Sally (Mandy Moore).

Over the Hedge
    ( Released: 10/17/2006   Rated: PG   Avg. Score: 4/5     | Trailers | Photos | Reviews  ) — Turtle Verne (Garry Shandling) and his woodland friends discover that a tall green thing has appeared in the middle of their neighborhood — it's a hedge. R.J., a devious raccoon (Bruce Willis), explains that beyond the hedge are creatures called humans, and the food they throw away is delicious. Verne doesn't want to go, but R.J. convinces everyone that there's no choice. Will the gang of critters venture into suburbia to see what's in store?

The Omen
    ( Released: 10/17/2006   Rated: R   Avg. Score: 2.75/5     | Trailers | Photos | Reviews  ) — A government official (Liev Schreiber) and his wife (Julia Stiles) gradually come to think that their cute little tyke, Damien, might be the Antichrist.

The Break-Up
    ( Released: 10/17/2006   Rated: PG-13 - for sexual content, some nudity and language   Avg. Score: 2.25/5     | Trailers | Photos | Reviews  ) — After their latest squabble, art dealer Brooke (Jennifer Aniston) decides to break up with her boyfriend, Gary (Vince Vaughn), who hosts bus tours of Chicago. But breaking up and moving out is hard to do, especially when the former couple's friends and family (and even complete strangers) offer their advice on how to deal with the situation. To make matters worse, the former flames live in a sweet downtown condo, and neither of them wants to move out.

Make Prime Speak Voting Begins!
   

Remember that post we did about Making Prime Speak? Well thanks to the magic of the Paramount Mailing list, it seems submissions are in and voting is on!

Their War. Our world.

Your Words.

Registrants: The voting phase for the TRANSFORMERS - MAKE PRIME SPEAK CONTEST has begun!

Thousands of fans submitted their chance to have Optimus Prime speak their line of dialogue in the upcoming TRANSFORMERS movie, in theatres 7.4.7.

The TOP 100 Submissions are now posted at www.TransformersMovie.com.

The Voting Phase ends on OCTOBER 23rd.

The winning TOP 10 entries will be announced by November 9th.

During the Voting Phase of the contest, it is one vote per person, per email address used during the submission phase.

Users must have submitted a line in order to have your vote count during this phase.

All users are encouraged to check out the finalists, but again ? the only votes that will count are from those who submitted a line to the contest.

Thank you, Registrants.

NOW ROLL OUT AND VOTE AT www.TransformersMovie.com!

Ironically, the "leader" in the voting (at the time of this post) thus far is "Do a Barrel Roll!" Like that makes any sense??

Neil Simon honored with Mark Twain Prize (AP)
   

AP - Neil Simon can now add the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to his extensive list of honors.

Male fashion stands test of time in chic movie list (Reuters)
   Reuters - There are lists of great films, great actors, great actresses and great supporting actors and actresses.

Oliver Stone film sets sights on Osama bin Laden (Reuters)
   Reuters - In a follow-up to his recent drama "World Trade Center," filmmaker Oliver Stone plans to direct a movie about the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, Paramount Pictures said on Monday.

People in the News (AP)
   AP - BUSAN, South Korea — It's that time of the year when South Korea's entertainment elite descend upon a southern beach resort town for the country's flagship film event, the Pusan International Film Festival.

Review: `The Prestige' cold and distant (AP)
   AP - At the outset of Christopher Nolan's "The Prestige," we're told the title refers to a magic trick's big climax, the performer bringing back the thing he just made disappear.

All Your Friends are Either Dead or they Hate You - Shatner Roast
   

Admittedly it has been a LONG time since I have seen a celebrity roast. Well one of the most contraversial and hated/loved men in Hollywood got his roast and I spent most of it with my mouth hanging open in shock, or trying to catch my breath from laughing.

William Shatner was recently roasted by a circle of his peers. Here is the short segment of Betty White taking her shot at Shatner and her other roasters as well. WARNING! This sweet little old lady makes some crude jokes that may include content that might offend Doug.

Now I might have missed something, as I was under the impression that when you roast a celebrity, you poke fun at them, make some jokes, (take em down a notch if you gotta) and then offer some kind words and reflection on how they affected you much like Greg Giraldo did. It seems among the few kind words there is a LOT of real hostility and bashing. Now I understand this is the point of a "roast" but I couldnt help but think this particular one went over the top.

Check out the roast by George Takei (Sulu). The rumours of his dislike for Shatner REALLY comes out in this roast. He doesn't hold back at all. It seems he takes the opportunity to take shots at Bill right to the jugular!

I still have to say William Shatner, no matter what you think of him, has grown far bigger even his roles or even himself. FOr this he deserves to be called a Legend.

Chan cramped by Hollywood safety rules (AP)
   AP - Jackie Chan, famous for his daredevil stunts, says he's frustrated by Hollywood's safety rules.

Lau named Asian filmmaker of year (AP)
   AP - BUSAN, South Korea — It's that time of the year when South Korea's entertainment elite descend upon a southern beach resort town for the country's flagship film event, the Pusan International Film Festival.

Coppola, Dunst go royal on `Antoinette' (AP)
   

AP - Sofia Coppola and Kirsten Dunst want to reacquaint the world with the beheaded queen that history has painted as a spoiled rich girl whose extravagance helped ignite the French Revolution.

Mortensen in Rome for film `Alatriste' (AP)
   AP - For Viggo Mortensen, it's loyalty to friends — not to flag or country — that keeps soldiers on the battlefield, as depicted by his character in the film "Alatriste" about a soldier in 17th century Spain.

Favreau Needs Help for Iron Man
   

You know all those people who criticize the movie, insisting THEY could do better? Pick a better person for the role? Do a better Batman film than Joel Schumaker (ok Uwe Bole could have done that). Well here is your chance!!

SuperHero Hype reports:

Iron Man director Jon Favreau has asked for ideas for the character of secretary Pepper Potts on his official Blog. If you'd like to give your fan input, just hit the link and let him know what you think.

Imagine how it will feel to go see Iron Man, and if the advice you give is the one (or one of many) he follows, and be able to say, "I sent Favreau a message on his blog and he agreed with me that Lindsay Lohan would make the perfect Pepper Potts"

It could happen. Of course, adversely you could be blamed for it for all eternity too. But how often do the fans really get a direct line to the director of a movie to voice their opinion on a part of the movie.

It does appear that the character will be in its introduction and likely the love interest for Robert Downey Jr's Tony Stark. Let me give you a little bit of background on Virginia "Pepper" Potts.

Virginia "Pepper" Potts is an executive secretary to Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, (First appearance in Tales of Suspense 1960s). Pepper was originally infatuated with Tony and responded to the attentions of Stark's chauffeur and assistant Happy Hogan with caustic remarks. However, she eventually fell in love with and married Hogan. She is in her early 20's, 5'4" and 110lbs with "glowing auburn" hair.

Later, Pepper divorces Happy Hogan and her initial infatuation with Stark returns, and they decide to be friends. She is aware of Stark's secret identity. Likely in this movie, since it appears she will be the love interest she will either be just introduced to Stark, or she may be recovering from her divorce. It would be interesting to see a love interest dissolve into an amicable strong friendship. Why does every action star have to get the girl??

So who would you see as Pepper?

---

Rambo in Trouble
   

Anyone excited about the new RAMBO movie coming out, put up your hand! Oh, Nu-Image, not so fast. Seems there is trouble in the works that may mean bad things for Rambo.

Cinema Blend offers:

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the distribution rights to the Rambo property are in question. Nu-Image got the rights from The Weinstein Company in 2004, and have gotten moving on making the film. Meanwhile, they've approached Lionsgate about distributing the movie once it's finished. Weinstein on the other hand, claims that they have first right of refusal on who gets to distribute it, and apparently they don't want it to be Lionsgate since they've filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court.

I mean really, are there not enough distribution companies out there? Why can't Nu-Image just say, sorry guys, nothing personal, but Mr. W says we cant continue negotiations, and leave it be. Does it HAVE to be Lionsgate? Why is this a conflict?

Sure, Harvey Weinstein is notoriously vindictive when it comes to getting his way. But why cant the boys at Nu-Image just send an email to Weinstein and ask "what companies WOULD you approve of us for distribution" and move along their merry way.

But this could get messy, and all that often spells doom for a movie. How many movies were held back and money wasted on just to get all the legal crap out of the way? Superman alone went through dozens of scripts, legal rights battles, and even a number of people got paid to be in a Superman movie that was never made.

Eventually it did, but it was a LOT later than they had planned. Stallone doesnt have this luxury. His fitness is something of question to be playing these action roles, and NO ONE could play Rambo but Sly. If they bother to make a Rambo movie without him, they might as well change the name, and just stick with the plot.

Call it "Pissed off Guy with a Gun" and get The Rock to be in it. It will still sell.

New DVD releases include `The Break-Up' (AP)
   AP - Selected home-video releases:

Around The Web - October 16th 2006
   

Here is some of the other movie news making it's way around the web today that you might be interested in:

- Scorsese says he wants a break from Hollywood
When you've already done everyting there is to do and you're one of the best at it... why not do something different for a while?

- Clooney gets American Cinematheque Award
This man is the face of the film industry... and should totally be hosting the Oscars instead of that waste "Ellen". Ug.

- Rachel Bilson Joins The Cast of Jumper
The film about a kid who can teleport (Haden Christensen) and also stars Sam Jackson. Oh... and I'm in it too. No, I'm not kidding. I am "Guy on Bus" and "Guy in Pub". Watch for me... Oscar material.

- Chris Nolan Says No to the Penguin
GOOD!!!! Too many villains spoil the soup.

- Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s Universal Training Video
I actually saw this about a year ago... but man it's funny. Steven Spielberg as the tour guide is hilarious.

- Farmingville
A documentary looking at illegal immigration in a small town. I'd love to see this thing.

- Yamato Review

- The Dark Knight to Film in Liverpool?
"He's looking to bring the director Christopher Nolan up at the end of the month. However, they are also looking at Yorkshire, Glasgow and parts of London as well."

- Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (Locked 'N Loaded Director's Cut)
Holy crap I LOVE this movie

Wolverine Script Completed
   

We've all known for a while now that there is going to be a Wolverine spinn-off movie. What hasn't been so clear is when it's coming and really what it's going to be all about. Well.. looks like we could be waiting till 2008 for the film... which isn't really all that surprising at all.

The good folks over at Cinema Blend give us this:

Why will it take a year for them to get going? I'm guessing Mr. Jackman's schedule is to blame. With less than three months to go, he'll be in five more films before the year is out. Then for 2007 and 2008 he has committed to another 6 movies, one of which is Wolverine. Not much time for bike tours across France, or if you're Ewan McGregor motorcycle tours across Russia.

Oliver Stone's New 9/11 Movie
   

It didn't surprise any of us when word came out that Oliver Stone was going to be doing a movie based on the events of 9/11. What was surprising was the fact that "World Trade Center" WASN'T a controversial or political movie at all... it was really just the story about two men trapped under the rubble of the towers.

WATCH MY INTERVIEW WITH OLIVER STONE HERE

But hold on kiddies... it looks like Oliver Stone isn't done with 9/11 yet after all... and this time it will be a little more political me thinks. The good folks over at Movieweb give us the following:

Oliver Stone is set to direct the political drama, Jawbreaker for Paramount Pictures. According to Variety, the film will focus on America's response to the terrorist attacks with the invasion of Afghanistan and hunt for 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden. It's loosely based on a memoir by Gary Bernsten, the CIA's pointman during the invasion, who coordinated the efforts of the CIA and Special Operations Forces to end Taliban rule.

Rob Zombie wins 'Chainsaw' movie award (AP)
   

AP - Rocker-turned-director Rob Zombie picked up a Chainsaw Award for his horror flick "The Devil's Rejects." The "Killer Movie" award, presented Sunday night to Zombie by Robert "Freddy Kruger" Englund, was part of the first televised "fuse Fangoria Chainsaw Awards" to honor the best films and actors in the horror genre.

Nicolas Cage Transforming Into Ghost Rider Video
   

So far I really haven't been very impressed with anything I've seen out of Ghost Rider so far. The basic story idea seems modestly interesting, but the "feel" I've got from the trailers so far has been less that cheesy, and the visual effect have been sub-par. Not to mention I've never really been a fan of the Ghost Rider character anyway.

But hold on a sec... give a little credit where credit is due. Terry just gave me the heads up on this little video that can be seen over at the official Ghost Rider blog. In it we get a look at Nicolas Cage actually going through his transformation into Ghost Rider... and man... it looks SICK GOOD! The first time I watched it I actually felt a little uncomfortable. It really is horrific. Excellent job.

So go on over and take a quick peak at the video. You can see it here. Then come back and leave your thoughts.

Catch A Fire Trailer
   

The new http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437232/ trailer is here. Love or hate the politics or world view of Tim Robbins, there is no denying the man is one hell of an actor. Also, films about South Africa in the 80's and apartheid always get my attention. There is so much to learn from that whole situation... so much evil and horror that came out of what many people thought were "good intentions". Lessons we often ignore today. Put the two of those things together and I'm hooked.

Here is the lenthy synopsis of Catch A Fire:

Powerfully telling the story of a South African hero's journey to freedom, Catch a Fire is the new film from director Phillip Noyce (The Quiet American, Rabbit-Proof Fence). The political thriller takes place during the country's turbulent and divided times in the early 1980s, and in the new South Africa of today. Derek Luke portrays real-life hero Patrick Chamusso. Patrick is a charming and loving husband to his wife Precious (Bonnie Henna), and a caring father to his two young daughters. He works as a foreman at the centrally located Secunda oil refinery, which is a symbol of South Africa's self-sufficiency at a time when the world was protesting the country's oppressive apartheid system. In his spare time, Patrick coaches a local boys' soccer team. Carefully toeing the hard line imposed on blacks by apartheid, Patrick is completely apolitical. Academy Award winner Tim Robbins plays Nic Vos, a Colonel in the country's Police Security Branch. The shrewd and charismatic Vos strives to maintain order in volatile situations, which have become more and more frequent as the outlawed activist organization African National Congress (ANC) rallies blacks against apartheid. Vos is also concerned for the safety of his wife and two daughters. He and his family live a world away from the Chamusso family ...until the innocent Patrick comes under suspicion and is arrested (in June 1980) for sabotage of the Secunda oil refinery. His alibi is compromised, and Patrick is desperate to shield Precious from a past indiscretion and keep his job. But he is ill-prepared to withstand brutal interrogations by Vos' men. As Vos further insinuates himself into the lives of the Chamussos, to Patrick's shock and shame, Precious herself is jailed and tortured. Although he and Precious are soon released from custody, Patrick is stunned into action and completely reorients his sense of self and purpose. He leaves his family to join up with the ANC. Becoming a rebel fighter and political operative, Patrick is radicalized on behalf of his people and his country. He ultimately envisions a formidable and dangerous follow-up strike against the Secunda refinery, risking his own life and future. Change must and will come, for Patrick and his family, and for South Africa itself.

"Prada" still in style at foreign box office (Reuters)
   Reuters - Fueled by strong openings in Germany, Italy and Taiwan, "The Devil Wears Prada" logged a second consecutive weekend as the No. 1 film internationally, grossing an estimated $22.7 million from 42 markets.

Biblical saga "One Night" an unholy mess (Reuters)
   Reuters - "One Night With the King" has all the trappings of a biblical epic with resplendent Mogul palaces of Rajasthan, India, standing in for fifth century B.C. Persia and sumptuous costumes and design elements re-creating the Persian empire in breathtaking splendor. Yet the heart of the matter, the story of Esther, an orphaned Jewish girl who becomes a queen and saves her people from annihilation, is inert.