Robert Redford is working on two projects. A Jackie Robinson film that is delayed by the writer’s strike, and a project, just announced, “A Walk in the Woods,” an adaptation of best-selling travelogue by Bill Bryson. Barry Levinson is working with Redford on the project. Levinson is looking at directing the film, which has been in development for a long time. “Walk” was even thought to be a Redford-Paul Newman reunion (Boy, would I like to see those guys together again!)

Popularity: 1% [?]

G.I. Joe” enlisted Dennis Quaid and Channing Tatum as leads in the Paramount action film. Complete ensembles of actors get to play Army: Marlon Wyans, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rachel Nichols, Sienna Miller and Said Taghmaoui. Quaid plays General Hawk, the grizzled team leader and Tatum plays Duke Hauser, the lead soldier of the film directed by Stephen Sommers.

Shooting starts in February and is set to open August 7, 2009.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Julianne Moore will take the lead role in the supernatural horror thriller “Shelter.”

“Shelter,” based on a script by Michael Cooney, will be directed by the Swedish duo Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein. Camera starts filming in March.

Plot is being kept under wraps.

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From the director of “‘Urban Legend” comes “Storm Warning,” unrated, winner of the best special effects and best score at the 2007 ScreamFest Horror Film Festival.

A storm forces a couple to land their sailboat far ashore,  they stumble upon a remote island inhabited by a demented father and his psychotic sons. Captured, beaten and sexually enslaved, the couple turns the tables in a bloody fight for survival.

This is an intense movie — yikes!  Check out the trailer.

“Storm Warning” will be on the shelves soon.   I have two DVDs as giveaway!

So answer this question and your name will be submitted into the pool, and I will draw two winners! 

Question: Who directed Joan Crawford as Miss Menlo in the 1969 “Night Gallery” television pilot?

Popularity: 1% [?]

The controversial horror film “All the Boys Love Mandy Lane” was supposed to debut in theaters last summer, but a week before its opening it was yanked. The Weinstein Company apparently got scared by poor box office showings for similar horror films, and sold off the rights to Senator U.S. who decided to hold off for a 2008 release.

It’s now 2008, and the only scheduled release for “Mandy Lane” is in the United Kingdom, where it is now slated for a February release. As part of the film’s promotion, Yahoo! UK is showing the first ten minutes of the film on their site.

But will it ever see the light of day in the U.S.?  At this point, it seems unlikely.  What’s is more likely to be the case, however, is that it’ll just go straight to DVD.

“All the Boys Love Mandy Lane” tells the story of a popular teenage girl, played by Amber Heard, who goes along with five friends on a weekend trip. True to form, each of her five friends is eliminated by a mysterious killer… leaving Mandy there to sit and wait in horror for her turn!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Just three years after “Crash” inexplicably snagged Best Picture at the Oscars, the Starz! network is planning on turning the film into a 13-episode television series. According to Variety, this is the network’s first original drama series.

Kevin Beggs, the president of programming at Lionsgate, which is producing the series, indicated that none of the film’s original characters will appear. However, Don Cheadle will be working behind the camera, so there is the off chance that his character might reappear.

Paul Haggis, the film’s director/co-writer, is also slated to be involved with the project, as is co-writer Bobby Moresco.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Director Michael Mann signed Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en rose”) to play Billie Frechette, John Dillinger’s lover in Mann’s “Public Enemies.” Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Channing Tatum and Giovanni Ribisi also star in the drepression-era crime drama. The film goes before the lens March 10 in Chicago.

Tatum plays outlaw Pretty Boy Floyd, and Ribisi plays Alvin Karpis. 

Bale plays Melvin Purvis, who was tapped by FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover to lead a manhunt that established the FBI as the country’s first federal police force after the G-Men killed Dillinger (Depp) outside the Biograph Theater in 1934.

Popularity: 1% [?]

According to various sources, Guillermo del Toro is currently in talks to direct back-to-back installments of J.R.R. Tolkein’s “The Hobbit”, which is being co-financed by New Line and MGM.  Del Toro is well known for his high-quality work on such films as “Pan’s Labyrinth”, “Hellboy”, “Blade 2″, and “The Devil’s Backbone.”

Peter Jackson, who directed “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, was not able to take on writing and directing roles on “The Hobbit” due to other commitments, including “The Lovely Bones” and “Tintin.”  Instead, Jackson is opting to become an executive producer with approval over creative elements of both films.

The first “Hobbit” film is slated for a 2010 release, with the second film scheduled for a 2011 release.  Principal photography for the films, which will be shot simultaneously, is tentatively set for 2009.  Production budget is set at about $150 million for each film.

“The Hobbit” centers on Biblo Baggins and Gandalf, who go on a quest to find the treasure of a dragon named Smaug.  “The Lord of the Rings” wasn’t written by Tolkein until 17 years after “The Hobbit.”

Popularity: 1% [?]

The votes have been tallied and the awards handed out, which means we have now a full list of this year’s Sundance winners.  Leading this year’s awards were Courtney Hunt’s “Frozen River”, a drama about women helping illegal aliens enter the U.S., and Jonathan Levine’s “The Wackness”, a comedy about a teenage dope dealer in mid-’90’s New York.  “Frozen River” took hope the grand jury prize, while “The Wackness” snagged the audience prize.

In the documentary category, “Trouble the Water” from Tia Lessin and Carl Deal, which gave a look at post-Katrina New Orleans, took the grand jury award.  Josh Tickell’s “Fields of Fuel”, which gives a look at one man’s effort to alter America’s energy policy, went home with the audience prize award.

Directing awards went to Lance Hammer for “Ballast” and Nanette Burstein for “American Teen.”

Read on »

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On February 12, 2008, the Dragon Dynasty label from Genius Products and The Weinstein Company is releasing the high-energy action films “Royal Tramp 1″ and “Royal Tramp 2″ on a special double-feature DVD.  Starring in the films is Hong Kong superstar Stephen Chow, who stars as a fast-talking conman who manages to avoid death and score hot women - all while trying to save the Ming Dynasty from falling.

“Royal Tramp” is based off the book “The Deer & the Cauldron”, and was lauded as one of the top five grossing films in Hong Kong in 1992.  The DVD set also includes commentary by Hong Kong expert Bey Logan, original theatrical trailers, and an interview with “Royal Tramp 2’s” writer/director, Wong Jing.

Popularity: 1% [?]

“Meet the Spartans” spoof-movie beat out “Rambo” by just an inch this opening weekend.  “Rambo” still proved vital by making over $18 million compared to Sly Stallone’s other remake ”Rocky Balboa” grossing $12 millon on its opening weekend.

According to Variety, Harvey Weinstein feels, based on the numbers,  the “Rambo” franchise should be revised with another “Rambo” movie.

Here is the Weekend Box Office Score (Estimate)

1          Meet The Spartans      $18,725,000

2          Rambo                         $18,150,000

3          27 Dresses                   $13,600,000

4          Cloverfield                  $12,700,000

5          Untraceable                 $11,200,000

6          Juno                             $10,300,000

7          The Bucket List          $10,210,000

8          There Will Be Blood   $4,887,000

9          National Treasure        $4,664,000

10        Mad Money                $4,610,000

Popularity: 1% [?]

The red carpet rolled out, the glamor and glitz abound as winners were announce during the 14th Annual Screen Actor Guild Awards.

Daniel Day-Lewis (”There Will Be Blood”) and Julie Christie (”Away From Her”) won best actor and actress in a leading role.  I am so excited for Julie Christie; she just keeps winning like Day-Lewis. I hope Christie wins the Oscar!

Performance by suporting actor and actress award goes to Javier Badem (”No Country for Old Men”) and Ruby Dee (”American Gangster”).

“No Country for Old Men” also won best performance by cast in a motion picture.

The newest category, best performance by stunt ensemble in a motion picture went to “The Bourne Ultimatium.”

 For a complete list of winners go to SAG.

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Courtney Hunt’s “ Frozen River,” grave and gripping film about two wretched women who smuggle illegals into the United States, won the grand jury prize for dramatic features at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

On the comedy side of the festival, Jonathan Levine’s “The Wackness ,” coming-of-age serious, comedy about a teenage dope dealer, won the audience award.

For a complete list of winners go to Sundance.

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The best cinematographer award for 2007 was a tough one for the competitors –all beautifully filmed movies. “Atonement” with the endless shot on the shoreline after the battle is one example. Yet Robert Elswit held on and won a tough competition Saturday night at the American Society of Cinematographers awards ceremony when he was awarded the feature competition for Paul Thomas Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood.” Elswit, has shot all of Anderson’s movies starting with the filmmaker’s 1996 feature debut “Hard Eight.” Interesting note all nominees for the ASC award are also competing for the Oscar, a first in 22 years. For a complete list of winners go to ASC.

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Ethan and Joel Coen (with Martin Scorsese in the photo) won the top prize for best feature award for “No Country for Old Men” at the 60th annual DGA Awards  Pay attention because one-for-one the award is an Oscar indicator because most years the award parallels with the Academy Award’s director honors.

 From the television world, “Mad Men” director Alan Taylor beat out double nominees from “The Sopranos” and “Lost,” winning the best directing drama award for his work on the retro pilot, “Smoke Gets in your Eyes.”

For a complete list of winners go to DGA.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Newspaper reports every year claim that January is the worst month of the year. All festivities are over. The world is in come-down mode. The most amount of sick-days from work are taken. And we’re all ill. Struck down with colds, flus, etc. There’s nothing worse than having a flu. Everything hurts, everything annoys you. You’d think you’d enjoy the privilege of staying in bed, but that just feels bothersome.

The last time I was sick, I watched Once Upon a Time in the West. It’s graceful, epic visuals and beautiful soundtrack somehow soothed me. And then Happy Days managed to keep me occupied by being mildly amusing yet not requiring any mental concentration. But there are some films in this world which not only should be avoided when sick, as they only seem to accentuate your symptoms, but may actually make your healthy body feel ill when watching. Read on at your own risk….

Stand By Me

Not an obvious choice at all. This Stephen King novella sets out to be a heart-warming tale about a group of boys who bond while searching for a dead body. It’s really a typical coming of age tale, albeit one of the best, but during one scene the protagonist, Gordie, amuses his group with a story. It tells the tale of Lardass, who gets revenge on his cruel town during a pie-eating contest by eating a concoction of nauseous foodstuffs. He vomits during the contest, and the vile smell induces everyone in the audience to mass-projectile vomit all over each other. You just knew you couldn’t watch something devised by King that wouldn’t sicken you at some stage. You can watch the barforama here. Read on »

Popularity: 3% [?]

RKO Productions, the latest company to sign an interim comprehensive agreement with the Writers Guild of America, was announced today.

Similar agreements to those struck by the WGA and several production companies and studios, including Lionsgate, Marvel Studios, The Weinstein Co., United Artists, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Spyglass Entertainment, MRC, Jackson Bites, Mandate Films and Worldwide Pants.

Popularity: 1% [?]

14th Annual SAG award show is Sunday on TNT and TBS.  So far and with the Oscars show not final, SAG is the only glitzy award show this year.  Quite different from other shows, SAG is about peers acknowledging each other,  an honor among one’s own peers means a lot when you stand on stage and accept your award. 

I have never watched the SAG Awards because, for one, they used to not be televisied until cable was invented.  Second, I never really understood the SAG awards until now.  Third, they are young compared to the Oscars. 

I guess, if you need your fix of a live glitzy award show, you better tune in on Sunday and have your fill; it just might be your only chance this year.

SAG AWARDS 

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 Juliette Lewis and Vincent Gallo will head the voice cast for Swedish animated pic “Metropia.”   The animated film takes place in a not-so-distant, terrifying Europe where the world is running out of oil. A net of undergrounds has been connected, creating a gigantic web underneath Europe. Roger (Vincent Gallo) from a suburb of Stockholm tries to stay away from the underground. He thinks it’s unpleasant and sometimes he hears a strange voice in is head.One day Roger discovers his life is controlled in every detail. He tries to break free. In order to succeed he needs super-model Nina (Juliette Lewis) to help him. Or is it maybe Nina that needs Roger? “Metropia,” which has been in development for four years, combines animation and live action, will be ready for delivery spring 2009. 

Popularity: 2% [?]

“Cloverfield” made over $51 million this week, making the horror film the number one movie for week, while “Atonement” made over $6 million, making the love story number ten at the box office this week.  At number six is “Mad Money” a comedy, which made over $10 million. Not bad for a week that included a three day weekend. 

I’m interested in seeing what happens to the three movies that open this weekend, ”Rambo,” “Untraceable” and “Meet the Spartans.” I am betting  on ”Rambo” to take the number one spot because the trailer is hot and the franchise is strong. 

Here is the full list.

WEEK BOX OFFICE FINAL  Jan 18 - Jan 24, 2008
1. Cloverfield (Paramount)$51,593,976

2. 27 Dresses (20th Century Fox)$31,747,354

3. Bucket List, The (Warner Bros.)$19,914,610

4. Juno (Fox Searchlight)$14,725,944

5. National Treasure: Book Of Secrets (Disney)$10,873,762

6. Mad Money (Overture Films)$10,674,174
7. First Sunday (Sony)$10,501,606

8. Alvin And The Chipmunks (20th Century Fox)$10,228,952

9. I Am Legend (Warner Bros.)$6,878,216

10. Atonement (Focus Features)$6,817,833

Popularity: 1% [?]

Laurence Fishbourne and Columbus Short star together in “Armored.” Jan Reno and Milo Ventimiglia also star in the film about a rookie truck driver (Short) who gets persuade by Matt Dillion to steal $10 million dollars but backs out and goes on the run because Dillion wants to kill the rookie for fear he will talk to the authorities. The film is shooting in Los Angeles.

Popularity: 1% [?]

There is a way production companies can negotiate with the Writers Guild of America. Lionsgate, the largest independent film producer, and Marvel Entertainment just worked out a deal with WGA to keep their production going.

Production will now resume for Lionsgate television programs indie’s Showtime comedy “Weeds” would normally be gearing up for pre-production right about now, and its understood that the company had hoped to begin prepping the second season of its much-praised AMC drama “Mad Men” as early as last November.

Marvel resumes work with writers on future projects including “Ant-Man”, “Captain America,” “The Avengers” and “Thor.”

Way to go Lionsgate and Marvel!

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Robert De Niro will be honored in Berlin by receiving the 43rd annual Golden Camera Lifetime Achievement Award on Feb. 6.

 Past recipients of the award include George Clooney, Steven Spielberg, and Cate Blanchett. 

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We are all familiar with incidents involving UFOs and extraterrestrial life. Such incidents have been reported throughout history. “UFO Hunters,” a new series on The History Channel, follows a group of experts as they subject some of history’s most intriguing UFO accounts, and the evidence surrounding them, to exhaustive scrutiny in an effort to uncover the actual facts. The series is a spin-off from the network’s hit program “UFO Hunters,” which premiered in 2005. The new HD series “UFO Hunters” airs Wednesdays at 10pm/9c on The History Channel.  

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I’m not sure how many “American football” fans there are across the pond in England, but nevertheless, BBC is planning to broadcast the Super Bowl live for the first time ever.  Perhaps there is a strong demand from American expats living in the UK.

The Super Bowl will air live on BBC 2 at 10:50pm local time on February 3. Introducing BBC’s first Super Bowl live from the University of Phoenix Stadium will be Jack Humphrey, who will be joined by Mike Carlson and Rod Woodson.

The BBC has signed an exclusive two-year deal with the NFL to broadcast the Super Bowl live on its free to air services in England. They will be taking the World Feed pictures and commentary provided by the NFL.  This year, Fox is the host broadcaster in the US.

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