Entertainment News
Entries from August 2010
Retro is all the rage- as evidenced by director Bryan Singer revealing that X Men: First Class will be set during the John F. Kennedy administration and is inspired by the 60s James Bond films in terms of the sets and look of the movie. Click here for more
Tim Burton has hired his Ed Wood screenwriters to develop a script based on the drawings of cartoonist Charles Addams. The feature will be stop-motion and will be more reverent to Addam's original concept of America's most beloved family of weirdos. Click here for more
Movie fans love lists, but this one is truly unique: water issues expert Peter H. Gleick has compiled a list of major films that have water as a central theme. He's also asking readers to help contribute to any titles he may have missed. Click here to read
With most movie theaters catering to blockbuster releases, it's often hard for more discriminating audiences to find- or even learn about- smaller, less-heralded films. The New York Times reports that the Independent Film Channel is leading the charge in promoting high profile "premieres" of many great movies that you might otherwise be unaware of. Click here for details
Thomas Hauerslev, one of Denmark's most notable film historians and preservationists, was instrumental in honoring the 125th anniversary of the birth of Karen Blixen, the cauthor of the novel Out of Africa, which was based on her own experiences. The book was turned into an Oscar-winning Sydney Pollack film. Over 350 people attended a rare 70mm showing of the movie on the lawn of the Blixen estate. Concidentally, the event also marked the 25th anniversary of the film. For full coverage visit Thomas' excellent web site In70mm.com
It's hard to believe it's been 30 years since the release of Clint Eastwood's nostalgic comedy Bronco Billy. The film was very underrated in its day and did disappointing business at the box-office. However, a new generation of critics look far more favorably on the movie. Click here to read memories of local residents about the time Eastwood came to Idaho to make the movie
Netflix, the American movie rental giant that has millions of monthly subscribers, has closed a deal that will allow it to make streaming videos of recent films from MGM, Lionsgate and Paramount available to customers. Although traditional DVD mail order rentals remain the basis of the company's business, Netflix sees rapid growth in streaming video- which also reduces their mailing costs. Click here for details
Michael Douglas' reprise of his Oscar-winning role in Wall Street may end up costing him a bundle. His ex-wife Diandra is suing her former spouse, saying she is entitled to compensation for the sequel directed by Oliver Stone. Her basis is a divorce agreement that says she can earn money from films Douglas did during the period in which they were married. Although their marriage ended in 2000, Diandra claims that the character of Gordon Gekko was originated in a film Douglas starred in while they were still wed, hence - the logic goes- she is entitled to share in his salary from the new movie. Douglas' lawyer says it's time for Diandra to leave his client alone and get on with her life. Neither Michael or Diandra Douglas appeared in court, opting to let their mouthpieces battle it out. For more click here
It's been 40 years since Paramount's screen adaptation of Erich Segal's besteller Love Story opened to smash business. Many critics called the slight story of a doomed love affair between two Harvard students sappy and out of touch with the cutting edge films being made at the time. The public didn't seem to listen. Not only did Love Story become one of the studio's top-grossing films of all time but it also scored seven major Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture. That was then, this is now. In recent years, a new Harvard tradition has taken place: screening the film to derisive comments from the student body. New York Times writer Thomas Vinciguerra explores this phenomenon, which is fun for some and distasteful to others - and he gets some comments from the movie's star Ali MacGraw. At the risk of getting kicked out of Sam Peckinpah Fan Society, I can say I've always liked the movie and still do- even though it makes Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory look edgy in comparison. Click here to read
Sly Stallone's The Expendables managed to cling to the #1 spot at the weekend box-office, with a combined gross to date of $65 million in North America. The Julia Roberts film Eat Pray Love also held well. While neither film is shaping up as a blockbuster, they do indicate both stars still have an audience if they appear in the right type of movie. Not faring as well is the new Jennifer Aniston romantic comedy The Switch, which came in a dismal #8 with $8 million. For more click here
Despite contemplating pulling the plug on the project, Universal is pushing ahead to begin shooting a $200 million big screen adventure film based on the classic Hasbro board game Battleship. However, since the script calls for an alien invasion of earth- a concept never reflected in versions of the game- one wonders why they even bothered to get the rights to the original Hasbro concept. Universal is starved for hits and is rolling the dice on this. The budget will go primarily on special effects as the film will have low-wattage stars and director. The studio is hoping it has the next Jaws, but industry insiders are wary because Universal is the same studio that thought Waterworld would be a sure-fire hit. If this doesn't work, we understand Universal will try to lure Matt Damon into starring in a $500 million big screen version of Pick Up Stix. Click here for more
For many years the UK Film Council has provided incentives for major film productions to shoot in the United Kingdom. However, in the wake of severe budget cuts, Prime Minister David Cameron's administration has proposed doing away with the Council. This has outraged many notable actors and filmmakers who say that the costs of administering the Council are dwarfed by the money major movies bring into the UK. Among the critics: Clint Eastwood, who has personally written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to bitterly oppose the decision. Click here for more
Looks like Cinema Retro isn't the only magazine who appreciates the fact that the cool 1972 Raquel Welch Western Hannie Caulder has finally received a DVD release in North America. Click here for Entertainment Weekly reviewer Chris Nashawaty's take on the film. Click here to order from Amazon.
In the last week Bill Cosby has been busy with an unusual project- proving he is alive. Internet pranksters have passed around the rumor that the iconic comedian was no longer of this world. At first Cos took it all in stride, but he's now using every media outlet possible to prove that rumors of his demise are premature. Of course in an age in which the general public seems to believe every crazy conspiracy theory, the odds are against Cosby convincing most people he isn't really dead. Click here for more
Paul Reubens, better known as Pee Wee Herman, tells Playboy that he has proof that he was innocent of charges that he was masturbating in an adult movie house - an act that led to his arrest in 1991. The incident sidelined his career and made him the butt of endless jokes for late night comics. However, Reubens says, "Had we gone to trial, we had ready an expert from the Masters and
Johnson Institute who was going to testify that in 30 years of research
on masturbation the institute had never found one person who masturbated
with his or her nondominant hand. I'm right-handed, and the police
report said I was jerking off with my left hand. That would have been
the end of the case right there, proof it couldn't have been me." The mind reels at what the courtroom coverage would have been like... We're more intrigued by the fact that someone can get paid for 30 years to immerse themselves in masturbation. Man, did we pick the wrong career! For more click here
Disney is re-issuing their classic Oscar-nominated film Beauty and the Beast in 3-D to cash in on the latest technology craze. One critic who thinks it's a mistake is James Sims, who outlines why this strategy is an insult to the last great era of original Disney animation. Click here to read
This won't mean much to international readers but please bear with us. With former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich in the news again, having gotten a mistrial on 23 of the 24 federal indictments against him yesterday, it's time we pointed out a significant fact that we ran some time ago. Blago, as he is known to one and all, is quite possibly the most embarrassing and goofy American politician of our time (and that's saying something!). He fails to realize that his trademark tidal wave-style haircut has made him a national laughing stock. However, we did notice the similarity to the "do" worn by actor William Devane. The only difference is that Devane won't have to worry about how to maintain the style inside a federal prison, as Blago was still convicted on one count.
James Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Rob Wade have been hired to write a new international conspiracy thriller set in the Middle East. Purvis and Wade's recent Bond script is stuck in limbo as the franchise copes with MGM's financial woes that have delayed production of the next 007 film. For more click here
By Lee Pfeiffer
Distinguished British actress Emma Thompson is drafting a screenplay for a remake of the classic musical My Fair Lady, which won the Best Picture Oscar in 1964. It's controversial enough to be remaking a film that many consider near-perfect, but Thompson has ruffled feathers by assaulting the legend of Audrey Hepburn, saying her performance as Eliza Doolittle was over-praised and that the beloved Hepburn couldn't act. She attributes the film's success to others, saying: "It was (costumer) Cecil Beaton's
designs and (Hepburn's co-star) Rex Harrison that gave it its extraordinary
quality. I don't do Audrey Hepburn. I think that she's a guy thing ... It's high
time that the extraordinary role of Eliza was reinterpreted, because it's a very
fantastic part for a woman." In fact, Hepburn's voice was dubbed by Marni Nixon for the song sequences- a trait that was common in those days but which did muddy the effectiveness of a an actor's performance, especially in a musical. Still, the general consensus is that Hepburn's work in the non-singing sequences was marvelous. Thompson says she's bringing a feminist viewpoint to the remake. Although she is to be commended for her honesty, she's setting herself up for a major fall by comparing her reworking of a classic as a distinct improvement. Click here for more
Oscar winner Michael Douglas has confirmed he has been diagnosed with cancer. The 65 year-old son of screen legend Kirk Douglas has a tumor in his throat and will undergo chemotherapy treatments. He predicts he will make a full recovery. For more click here
Not long ago, Sylvester Stallone was relegated to the hell of "direct-to-video" feature films. However, his well received return to the Rocky and Rambo franchises yielded decent, if unspectacular box-office. The question has been whether Sly had any other arrows in his quiver other than his most reliable characters. The release of his star-packed adventure film The Expendables seems to prove that he has. The film opened #1 at the weekend box-office with $36 million. Those are not blow-away numbers by industry standards, but given the fact that August represents the dog days of summer movie releases, it is enough to demonstrate Stallone has got some of his mojo back. Also performing well: Julia Roberts' chick flick Eat Pray Love, which follows her disappointing run at the boxoffice. Click here for more
By Lee Pfeiffer
The fine line between politics and show business has been blurred once again - and this time involves an icon of retro pop culture. The Obama administration has enlisted a heavyweight talent to promote changes in America's health care laws that they say will add immeasurably to benefits for senior citizens. Andy Griffith, the 84 year-old comedy legend, appears in the ad, speaking directly to seniors and assuring them that the changes coming will aid them substantially. For the benefit of our many non-US readers, some context may be needed as to why the Obama administration would think that a social medical program for senior citizens would need defending by a high profile entertainer. The cause extends back to last summer's contentious debates over the President's health care bill, which was ultimately approved by the slimmest of margins. Many aspects of Obama's health care plan don't kick in until 2014,
though some benefits such as prohibiting insurance companies from
dropping children with pre-existing conditions have already been put in
place. During the height of the debates, Sarah Palin warned seniors that the plan would ultimately result in older citizens having to appear before "death panels" that would judge whether they qualified for life-saving medical treatments. Most prominent Republican officials quickly distanced themselves from this notion and the White House initially deferred comment, thinking the very idea was too absurd to respond to. However, Palin's tactics proved successful and even today, millions of seniors are convinced they will have to appear before a "death panel". Hence, the Obama administration's enlistment of the folksy Griffith to allay fears about the new health plan. Griffith doesn't get political in the spot and doesn't address any controversies, opting instead to tell seniors that their coverage will be enhanced. However, the ad is stirring up a hornet's nest among conservatives who say the administration has inappropriately spent $700,000 on what they regard as a propaganda campaign. The White House is dismissing calls to remove the spots from the air. (Griffith was not paid for his appearance.)
Continue reading "ANDY GRIFFITH MEDICARE TV SPOT STIRS POLITICAL CONTROVERSY "
Sexy Jennifer Aniston pays homage to the look of Barbara Streisand, circa mid-1960s, for an eye-catching cover of Harper's Bazaar- in glorious black-and-white. Babs approves the tribute, but wonders where her distinctive "nose bump" is. For more click here
By Lee Pfeiffer
Back in saner times, moviegoers were treated to newsreels and cartoons prior to the main feature. Today, we pay a king's ransom to sit through God-awful reels of the same dopey ads we see on TV. Yes, there's nothing quite like a mood-enhancer when you're anxiously awaiting an Oscar-nominated film - and nothing enhances that mood like a teaser featuring a rap artist screaming about Coca Cola. However, the picture may be getting brighter. On the IFC web site, writer Matt Singer points out that a long-dormant staple of the movie-going past is making a comeback: the short-form cartoon. Click here for more
Press release from Sirius XM Radio:
SIRIUS XM Radio announced today that it will launch Star Wars Celebration Radio, a four-day channel that will broadcast live from Star Wars
Celebration V at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL
starting on Thursday, August 12 at 6:00 pm ET on SIRIUS channel 108 and
XM channel 139.
Star Wars Celebration Radio will premiere on the first day of the official Lucasfilm event celebrating the popular Star Wars series. The limited-run channel will feature interviews with stars from the Star Wars
films, as well as behind-the-scenes talent and celebrity fans. SIRIUS
XM listeners will also be able to listen in on panel discussions live
from the Orlando Convention Center.
"Star Wars has some of the most dedicated and passionate fans you
will find anywhere and we are proud to give them their own radio
station," said Jeremy Coleman, Senior Vice President, Talk and
Entertainment Programming, SIRIUS XM Radio. "Whether it is a
play-by-play of droid races, a colorful account of Jedi Training, or
just hearing Obi-Wan and Yoda on their radios, we know fans nationwide
will be hooked."
The Star Wars Celebration Radio channel will be hosted by SIRIUS
XM Radio on-air personalities Raw Dog Comedy's Mark Says Hi and
Cinemagic's Dave Zeimer.
Star Wars Celebration Radio will air Thursday, August 12 through
Sunday, August 15 on SIRIUS channel 108 and XM channel 139 exclusively
on SIRIUS XM Radio.
Back in 1957, Laurence Olivier co-starred with Marilyn Monroe in the romantic comedy The Prince and the Showgirl. One of Olivier's staffers, Colin Clark, was assigned to look after the mercurial actress for a week on location in England. Clark's diaries of those days form the basis of the new movie My Week With Marilyn, with Michelle Williams playing Monroe. The scenario sounds like a British version of My Favorite Year. Kenneth Branagh is rumored to be interested in playing Olivier, which would be a relief. Given some of the dumb casting decisions that have taken place in recent years, we were fearing they might choose Adam Sandler. For more click here
Many of his fans may not realize that Leonard Nimoy's real passion is not acting, it's photography. For most of his life, he's been gaining praise for his remarkable photographs, some of which have caused considerable controversy. The New York Times recently spoke to Nimoy about his second career, as well as an on-going exhibition of his photos in North Adams, Massachusetts. Click here to read
A family that was in financial crisis and facing foreclosure on their home has been saved by Superman. The family found a stash of old comic books in the attic and one of them turned out to be Action Comics #1, the 1938 issue that the Man of Steel debuted in. An auction house estimates it will bring in at least #250,000. Talk about an incentive for doing some housecleaning! Click here for more
If you can overlook her troubled love life, Sandra Bullock has plenty to be happy about. Not only is she a recent Oscar winner, but she's also the top-paid actress in the world, pulling in an estimated $56 million during 2009. Trailing far behind are Reese Witherspoon and Cameron Diaz with "only" $32 million each. For more click here
City of Ruins is an ambitious 5 minute documentary film that is gaining high praise after its debut in Poland. A team of filmmakers spent two years creating a virtual flight over the city, using archival footage to demonstrate the level of wholesale destruction in Warsaw that followed the German invasion in September 1939. That incursion marked the beginning of WWII and Poland suffered terribly under Nazi occupation, in part because Adolf Hitler resented the nation's doomed-but-valiant resistance. In 1944, the city was virtually destroyed in reprisal for the Warsaw Uprising which saw hopelessly outnumbered Jewish underground fighters wreak heavy casualties on German forces, despite having only limited armaments. The film is being presented in 3-D in hopes of educating new generations about the extent of Polish suffering during the war. For more click here
The web site for The Today Show brings us a slide show of the 10 most iconic swimsuits of all time, though the term "swimsuit" seems to be loosely defined: outfits worn by Raquel Welch in One Million Years B.C. and Carrie Fisher in Return of the Jedi are included! Click here to view
The web site for the magazine Western Clippings has updates on your favorite cowboy stars of yesteryear. Here we have a trio of popular actors from 50s and 60s TV Westerns: Ty Hardin (Bronco), Clint Walker (Cheyenne) and Will Hutchins (Sugarfoot) For more about the magazine, visit the site by clicking here
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