If anyone is aware of Kathy Bigelow’s former relation to James Cameron, then this SDCC clip of Cameron praising The Hurt Locker (2008 Venice Film Festival SIGNIS Grand Prize) as the Platoon of the Iraq generation should prove interesting as he explains that they enjoy a professional friendship.
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DreamWorks is rushing around to find another distribution partner to take the place of Universal Pictures, which publicized their deal with DreamWorks just four months ago.
According to Variety, Universal has been engaged in talks with DreamWorks for the past two weeks to renegotiate the deal. DreamWorks was forced to modify the terms after it failed to raise money to match the $500 million invested in the company by Mumbai-based Reliance Big Entertainment. Thus, Universal and DreamWorks are not an item.
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Universal Pictures is working with Keanu Reeves to star in 47 Ronin. The project is an epic period based on the true tale of a band of samurai swordsmen who avenged the death of their master in 18th century Japan.
Chris Morgan, who co-wrote Wanted and penned the upcoming Fast and Furious. I guess, though, there won’t be any guns or cars in the film – just swords.
In 47 Ronin, Reeves play one of the swordsmen; the group and their master are revered in Japan for their revenge attack on Dec. 14, 1702.
According to Variety, the story will be told in a stylized version that mixes fantasy elements of the sort seen in The Lord of the Rings with gritty battle scenes similar to those in films such as Gladiator.
Once the director is hired the plan is to begin shooting next year.
I just read at i09 that Dragonball is going back for some reshoots. This looks promising and appears the negative response received from the recent trailer that circulated on the Internet could be the cause of the reshoot.
The reshoots start October 30th and the production is looking for Tibetan- and Nepalese-speaking actors.
Burn After Reading kept the lead for the box office score. This weekend should change a little with a few more comedies coming to the movie theaters.
Weekly Box Office
September 12, 2008 - September 18, 2008(*millions)
| FILM | GROSS | TOTAL* | |
| 1 | Burn After Reading | $25,106,964 | $25.11 |
| 2 | Righteous Kill | $21,109,754 | $21.11 |
| 3 | Tyler Perry’s Family That Preys | $20,856,260 | $20.86 |
| 4 | Women, The | $13,903,232 | $13.9 |
| 5 | Tropic Thunder | $5,458,817 | $104.25 |
| 6 | Dark Knight, The | $5,310,242 | $518.97 |
| 7 | House Bunny, The | $5,070,449 | $42.92 |
| 8 | Bangkok Dangerous | $3,559,632 | $13.69 |
| 9 | Traitor | $2,823,417 | $21.43 |
| 10 | Death Race | $2,706,670 | $33.88 |
The New York United Film Festival brings art and creativity together to create a united film community. The festival’s focus is to bring together talented filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, thus creating a “United” showcase of creative energy and talent.
If you are in New York, check out the film festival.
NY United presents an amazing list of Award-Winning Documentaries & NY Premieres. ”Last Cup: Road to the World Series of Beer Pong” covers this fascinating underground sport and will kick off the festival followed by a “Beer Pong Party”. A“Cultural Awareness” series which consists of “2nd Verse: The Rebirth of Poetry” which focuses on teen poets from all over the world, “The Listening Project” uncovers what 14 different countries think about America, “2 Turntables and a Microphone” is based on the life and death of RUN DMC’s famous DJ, Jam Master Jay, the film includes various artists such as Jay-Z & 50 Cent, “Eleven Minutes” which chronicles Project Runway winner Jay McCarroll’s first fashion show from conception to completion and more!
September 5th – 7th, 2008
Millennium – 66 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003
All screenings are $10. Tickets can be purchased at NY Film United Festival.
Strictly Background is premiering in New York at the New York United Film Festival. This is film that should be on the shelves of all theater departments in High School to Universities. Strictly Background tells you exactly what it takes to be a movie extra. Clearly it’s an acting gig that is not for everyone who wants to work in film.
Rest assured that Tom Cruise stays at the top of UA. Paula Wagner is out but will still help produce Cruises films. Harry E. Sloan the other part of UA is all smiles that Cruise is running the show, making the movies to keep the creditors happy.
Tropic Thunder opened with rave reports about Cruise’s cameo as a foul-mouthed producer. Valkyrie is opening in December with sneak peek reviews very positive.