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Dan Owen reviews

DAN'S   MOVIE   DIGEST

I s s u e   # 1 3

1 1   O c t o b e r   2 0 0 2

** MOVIE NEWS **

Cover "DR. SEUSS' THE CAT IN THE HAT" - Myers Meow!

'USA Today' have revealed Mike Myers in full make-up for his role as The Cat in "Dr. Seuss' The Cat In The Hat" (right).

Myers told the newspaper that he was always a fan of the 1957 classic. But it was the modern-day take on the book that persuaded him to take the part. He said: "Not only is 'The Cat in the Hat' my favourite children's book, it's one of the best scripts I've read in years. It's a huge honour to be part of a brilliant cast and a team of filmmakers dedicated to making a children's classic."

"ALEXANDER" - Tally-Tittle-Tattle / Leo's Next?

Screenwriter Ted Tally ("The Silence Of The Lambs") has again spoken about his upcoming "Alexander" biopic, to be directed by Baz Luhrmann ("Moulin Rouge").

He said: "We [Baz & I] haven't really worked together yet. We've met and talked on the phone, but it's been so far more general. We haven't gotten down to nuts and bolts of the revisions yet. I think he's going to want more scenes of Alexander's childhood, but we haven't really gotten down to the details yet. He's agreed to do the movie and the studio greenlit it, but there's still script work to be done"

Later Tally also spoke of the difficulty in making the movie: "It's from a trilogy of novels. It's 1400 pages, these books put together. So, to reduce 1400 pages to 130 or so is insane. It's just a monstrously difficult thing to do."

"Even though Alexander only lived 32 years, they were awfully packed years. You could make a movie about any 10 year period of his life. You could make three movies, him to the age of 10, him to the age of 20, and 20 to 32. You could make three movies, his life is that packed. So, that was the hardest adaptation just as sheer struggle with the material."

Leonard DiCaprio, due to play the titular Alexander, will not begin filming in January 2003 as first thought. He will first play Howard Hughes in biopic "The Aviator" for Martin Scorsese.

"AMERICAN PIE 3" - Weddings Bells?

"American Pie 3", a.k.a "American Wedding", begins shooting in January 2003, for a summer 2003 release. Star Alyson Hannigan recrently said the script is wonderful and that she was never contractually obliged to do an "American" sequel, but she took the second and third because she thought they were both excellent screenplays.

It was also heavily hinted at that the wedding in "American Wedding" is between Jim (Jason Biggs) and Alyson's flute playing sex-freak with the heart of gold, Michelle. Seann William Scott is coming back as Stifler (as best man?) and Eugene Levy will return as Jim's dad. From the sounds of it, no other original cast member will return.

"AUGUST 5th" - Minogue In WWII

'Sky News' has reported that Aussie popstar Kylie Minogue is in talks for the lead role in an epic war film called "August 5th". The movie, already being touted as the UK's "Pearl Harbor" could see Kylie playing a 23-year-old woman whose fiance Henry (an RAF pilot in World War II) is killed in action and must cope with his death.

Kylie has apparently instigated script changes to enhance her role. Producer Don Simpson said: "Kylie feels this movie will prove she can act. She knows she could easily get an undemanding role in a big Hollywood blockbuster. But she wants to test herself and prove she can do more than look good in hot-pants."

Cover "BEOWULF" - Adaptation Done!

'Entertainment Weekly' has reported that director Roger Avary ("Rules of Attraction") and "Sandman" creator Neil Gaiman have co-written an adaptation of the heroic poem "Beowulf".

The famous 6th-Century tale of the Scandinavian warrior has been adapted many times before, though this time Avary not only plans to be faithful to the original text but intends to use an actual actor as the monster Grendel rather than relying on CGI. He said: "I want to do something that is on the scale of 'Excalibur'"

"CAPTAIN SCARLETT" - This Is The Voice Of Mr Anderson...

Gerry Anderson, creator of "Thunderbirds", has confirmed that he's been approached to make a live-action version of his other puppet hit "Captain Scarlett", about an indestructible futuristic agent.

Cover "THE CORE" - Delayed!

'Variety' magazine reports that 'Paramount' have delayed their sci-fi thriller "The Core", starring Oscar-winner Hilary Swank ("Insomnia"). Instead of debuting in November, the high-concept movie - about a team of scientists tunnelling to the centre of the Earth to prevent a global catastrophe - will premiere in early-2003.

'Paramount' C.E.O. Rob Friedman said: "'The Core' is a huge film with exciting innovative effects and we always knew we were on a tight post-production schedule. In order not to compromise the quality of the effects, we have decided to give the filmmakers more time to perfect them. It's important to us to make the best film possible, not a release date."

"DUKE NUKEM" - Moving Ahead...

'Blackbelt' TV network president Josh Wexler spoke to 'UGO' recently about his involvement in the planned "Duke Nukem" movie - based on the video-game character.

Wexler said the project is: "...moving very fast ahead now." The interviewer suggested either Bruce Campbell or The Rock for the role of Duke and Wexler responded that he "would have to tend to agree with your second choice."

"DUMB & DUMBER: WHEN HARRY MET LLOYD" - Back To School!

That's the new title for the "Dumb & Dumber" prequel movie, which has been confirmed to take place in 1986 with idiot friends Harry and Lloyd meeting for the first time in High School. The plot has an evil Principal (Collins) creating a High School Special Needs class in order to qualify for a half-million-dollar grant.

Harry and Lloyd are two of the social misfits enlisted to the class, together with: a wheelchair-bound girl, a girl with a mouthful of orthodontic machinery, a guy with big ears and hearing aid, a guy who ears thick glasses and a French exchange student.

They quietly band together with the help of a Straight-A student to rebel against Collins, and our duo end up going undercover as "normal" students to get the evidence they need.

The 'Coming Attractions' website has indicated that Christopher Walken is attached to the movie, most likely to play Principal Collins. Production begins on 16 November 2002.

"HOUSE OF THE DEAD" - Director Ditches Animation...

Director Uwe Boll will be directing the movie adaptation of video-game shoot 'em up "The House Of The Dead". Recently he said: "I make my movie 'House of the Dead' for the horror and video-game fans around the world. In thousands of e-mails they showed me that they don't want Video Game Animation Scenes in the movie and so I changed now the movie! The fans can be happy now! In a DVD version maybe six months after the theatrical release I will show my Animation stuff additional".

"GLORIOUS BASTARDS" - Let Slip The Reservoir Dogs Of War?

Quentin Tarantino is two-thirds of the way through writing his next film project, the World War II action movie "Glorious Bastards". Tarantino promised himself he'd make two back-to-back movies - after years of absence post-1997 following "Jackie Brown".

Cover "INDIANA JONES 4" - Indy's Exes / 2004 Start?

Harrison Ford was interviewed for 'Total Film' magazine recently and confirmed a strong rumour... He said: "There's a scene [in 'the new Indiana Jones screenplay'] where a lot of Indy's ex-girlfriends show up - it's probably going to be the best scene in the movie. With Indiana there will be different aspects of his character that we're [Lucas, Spielberg and himself] working on. We'll see him in the 50's in America, or at least for part of the film and I think that's an interesting opportunity there".

Ford gave another quote to Empire magazine: "We want to preserve the spirit of the original... but I hope we have some good jokes in there about it [being older]. It was always as much fun for the audience to see me get beat up as it was to see me beat somebody up. That's kind of unique".

Harrison Ford was also interviewed recently by Jonathan Ross for 'Film 2002' and indicated he may be gearing up to start shooting "Indiana Jones 4" next year in 2004!

"KARATE KID 5" - Wax On, Wax Off...

'Karate Bushido' magazine has indicated that a fourth sequel to the original "Karate Kid" film starring Ralph Macchio is being written by Rick Filon. Producers are already scouting locations in Mexico.

"KILL BILL" - The Game!

'Black Label Games' will produce a video-game based on Quentin Tarantino's upcoming "Kill Bill" movie. The game will debut in 2004 to tie-in with the film's DVD/video release date.

"PLANT LIFE" - Talking To Foliage!

'The Hollywood Reporter' says that special-effects studio 'Digital Domain' has teamed up with "Shrek" writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio to develop the screenplay "Plant Life", written by Tina Anderson and Steve Barr.

'Digital Domain' President Scott Ross will produce the movie with writers Rossio and Elliott. "Planet Life" will be combine live-action with CGI effects and concerns an office plant-lady who gains the ability to speak with plants and becomes the ultimate corporate spy!

Terry Rossio said: "After this film, you'll never look at the plant in your office the same way again. Steve and Tina have created an enchanting group of characters - both human and foliage."

"THE RING 2" - Sequels?

'Cinescape' interviewed "The Ring" producers Walter F. Parkes & Laurie MacDonald about a potential sequel to the US remake of the Japanese original.

They said: "You know, the idea is to hope the first movie works, and if it does, it's a very challenging franchise to create because I don't think, at least in initially looking at the other "Ring" sequels [made in Japan], there's an obvious story to take. I don't think any of them were nearly as good as the original. We hope the movie's a success and it leaves itself open to some interpretation for a second, but we would start at the beginning creatively saying, 'Is there a story worth telling?'".

"SCREAM 4" - Third Sequel Coming Soon?

Well, no. Screenwriter Ehren Kruger ("Scream 3") revealed during an interview to promote his latest work ("The Ring") that there won't be a third sequel to Wes Craven's "Scream".

He said: "No. To the best of my knowledge, no one is working on that project. To the best of my knowledge there is no project."

"THE SIX BILLION DOLLAR MAN" - Writer Attached!

'Variety' reports that 'Dimension Films' has asked screenwriter Trevor Sands to pen a movie adaptation of cult 70's TV series "The Six Million Dollar Man", retitled to "The Six Billion Dollar Man" due to inflation, for the movie.

"STAR WARS EPISODE III" - Jones Is Back / Jackson Out?

The 'Toronto Sun' newspaper spoke to actor James Earl Jones (who voiced Darth Vader for the original "Star Wars" trilogy), about his role in "Episode III". Jones said: "George Lucas says 'when Anakin goes bionic - that will be in the last five minutes of episode three - they will hear you."

What does Jones think of new Vader actor Hayden Christensen? "Aren't you impressed with him? I like his whole bearing, the spine, the neck... he's like a snake."

In a recent interview, Samuel L. Jackson told 'SciFi Wire' the he has discussed his role in "Episode III" with George Lucas. He said that: "[George and I] were just talking about stuff and then [George] finally said, 'Okay, so you know you've got to die. I haven't quite figured out how I'm going to kill you yet, because I guess you're the most important guy that's going to die. In the other ones, Obi Wan is still there and Yoda's still alive and Darth is still there.' So I become the most important character that can die. I guess it's got to be pretty dynamic. So he's working that out."

"SUPERMAN" - Ratner Psyched!

Director Brett Ratner ("Red Dragon") spoke to 'E! Online' briefly about his next project - "Superman". He said: "I'm so happy about it. I've been trying to do it for years and they wanted me to do it for years - but the script was never right. Then I read this script and said I've got to do this movie. It's got heart, it's got soul, it's got emotion. It's awesome."

There were rumours that early versions of the screenplay were very similar to Richard Donner's "Superman", which starred Christopher Reeve. But now, Ratner says: "It's very different. J.J Abrams has done an amazing job. It's top secret, and I don't want to give anything away. They spanked me so bad."

Josh Hartnett ("Pearl Harbor") is still being rumoured to play Superman, and 'Entertainment Weekly' reported that Josh Hartnett was present at the premiere for Ratner's "Red Dragon". When Hartnett's representatives were asked if he was still in the running they had no comment, and when the magazine asked Ratner himself he just smiled coyly. So who knows...?

Ratner also commented more about last month's negative review of J.J Abrams' first draft of the script. He said: "The script I'm shooting has none of that stuff [such as a gay Jimmy Olsen, Lux Luthor being an alien and that Superman is killed, only to be reborn with more power."

"TERMINATOR 3" - VFX Guru Speaks!

Pablo Helman ('ILM''s visual effects supervisor) spoke with 'TheArnoldFans' website about what audiences can expect to see visually in "Terminator 3" next year.

He said: "Well, we are doing some really interesting visual doubling on the TX, on the female terminator and also on Arnold. And it's mainly for very safety concerns, stunt cinematography. We're also doing a lot of fluid simulation, which is basically we're taking the skin of the TX and making it into basically liquid metal, but peeling off and revealing a bunch of surprises".

Helman confirmed that "T3" will contain between 350 and 500 visual effects compared with "T2"'s 47. Will it be as revolutionary though? Helman says: "I think it will be revolutionary from a scientific point of view because like I said, we're developing a lot of fluid simulation, computer simulation stuff that hasn't been seen before"

"THUNDERBIRDS" ... are... oh NO!

The "Thunderbirds" script, written by William Osborne, has been leaked to 'Aint It Cool News' recently - and the resulting review should cast a great shadow over the project Jonathan Frakes ("Clockstoppers") looks set to direct.

Such crimes against the TV series include; no actual rescues taking place, the majority of the Tracy brothers having minimal screentime, a camp villain named Aristotle Spode and the fact Brains has a son called Fermat!

The plot sees the Thunderbirds team stranded in outer space after Thunderbird 5 explodes, leading to arch-nemesis Spode trying to steal their vehicles for nefarious purposes.

Oh dear. Gerry Anderson - make the madness stop if you can... please!

"TIME DOGS" - From Muppets To CGI Doggies!

'The Hollywood Reporter' says that 'Jim Henson Pictures' will co-produce their first CGI-animated feature film - "Time Dogs" with 'The Shop' productions company.

'The Shop' is a new Vancouver-based digital animation studio co-founded by president and C.E.O Ian Pearson and entertainment executive Aaron L. Gilbert.

Lisa Henson, president of 'Jim Henson Pictures' said: "This venture into CG feature animation promises, like all of our films, to be funny and fresh with something entertaining for kids and adults alike," said Lisa Henson, president of Jim Henson Pictures."

"Time Dogs" is about a pair of canines who travel through time to save their master and in the process save all dogs from a life of slavery. The script, in its final stages before going into visual development, was written by Christopher Leone and Laura Harckom. Leone is set to direct the project.

"WESTWORLD" - The Action Threesome!

'Hotdog' magazine have summarised a few rumours about the proposed remake of Michael Crichton's "Westworld", now starring Arnold Schwarzennger (in the Yul Bryner role of a malfunctioning cowboy robot).

In the remake Arnie apparently wants to star alongside ex-'Planet Hollywood' partners Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone! Stallone's character is expected to die very early in the film, but Willis' role will be as hero against Arnie's villain.

A script being worked on apparently sets the futuristic holiday centre on the Moon, with 'Aquaworld', 'Lunarworld' and 'Jurassic World' joining 'Westworld' as their destinations.

Cover "X-MEN 2" - Stewart Spills Story!

Patrick Stewart was interviewed by Sci-Fi Wire about "X-Men 2" recently and said: "We were [originally] introducing people to who the X-Men were, to what their world was like, who their enemies were and what their conflicts were going to be like."

"'X-Men 2' is really extending those themes and notions that were just sketched in in the first film, and we're extending them much more deeply. So, there's my continuing conflict with Magneto [Ian McKellen] and with a new enemy, a very, very dangerous individual [General Stryker] played by Brian Cox. And, of course, Xavier is attempting to hold the X-Men together and trying to change humankind's perception of what mutants are, which finally climaxes in the movie with a very strong scene in the Oval Office between Professor Xavier and the president of the United States [played by Cotter Smith]."

"xXx 2"- Jackson Talks!

Samuel L. Jackson spoke about the probable sequel to "xXx". He said: "We're talking about it, yeah, and we - actually Rob and I - had some conversations about what Gibbons back story is and why he is what he is, and hopefully that will show up in the next one. I purposely did not pick up a gun. I purposely didn't beat anybody up. I was just Gibbons, so he's this mystery guy, so may be we'll find out what happened to his face. We'll find out if he was a Bond-type, and why he is where he is, and why he gets to do that stuff."

Cover

US TOP 10 (CINEMA)

1. Red Dragon ($36.5m)

2. Sweet Home Alabama ($21.3m)

3. Tuxedo ($10.0m)

4. My Big Fat Greek Wedding ($8.2m)

5. Barbershop ($6.6m)

6. Jonah: A Veggie Tales Movie ($6.2m)

7. The Banger Sisters ($3.4m)

8. The Four Feathers ($2.0m)

9. Moonlight Mile ($1.8m)

10. One Hour Photo ($1.7m)

UK TOP 10 (CINEMA)

1. Lilo & Stitch (�1.5m)

2. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (�1.39m)

3. Signs (�1.34m)

4. Road To Perdition (�1.0m)

5. My Little Eye (�0.8m)

6. Boat Trip (�0.425m)

7. One Hour Photo (�0.420m)

8. Van Wilder: Party Liaison (�0.37m)

9. The Bourne Identity (�0.30m)

10. Sweet Sixteen (�0.14m)

** WEBSITES **

Cover "Below": 'Miramax' didn't bother making an official site of David Twohy's "Below", so the filmmakers went ahead and made their own - so here it is!
CLICK HERE

"House Of A 1000 Corpses": Take a look at the website for Rob Zombie's long delayed schlock horror movie, due out next year!
CLICK HERE

'The Facer': Take a look at the opening sequence of "Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets" in storyboard form at this site!
CLICK HERE

"The Ring": US remake of the cult Japanese thriller, starring Naomi Watts as a reporter who discovers a video-tape that instigates the death whoever watches it...
CLICK HERE

** TRAILERS **

Cover "DIE ANOTHER DAY" [Theatrical Trailer #3]: The third trailer for Bond's 20th adventure on his 40th Anniversary. More gadgets, more girls, more action, a return of the 'villain's lair' and even some in-jokes for fans. What more d'you want from a Bond movie? Are you desperate to see clips of what you'll be watching every Bank Holiday Monday post-2005? Look no further!

Buzz: 4/5 - Bond movies are always highly anticipated, but "Die Another Day" takes it to a whole new level. They can't disappoint us on the 40th Anniversary can they? So far there's been no bad word on 007's latest offering, and the trailers look good (as always).
CLICK HERE

"BELOW" [Theatrical Trailer #1]: Writer-Director David Twohy ("Pitch Black") returns with this horror movie set aboard a haunted submarine.

Buzz: 3/5 - A strange one, this. Intrigue is slowly building around this movie simply because of the unique combination it offers. First there's the movie's strong filmmaking pedigree - director David Twohy and co-writer Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem For A Dream") - but with almost no studio marketing! This could become a sleeper hit if strong word-of-mouth takes hold, but it could also be this year's "Deep Rising". One to watch with interest...
CLICK HERE

"HARRY POTTER & THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS" [Theatrical Trailer #2]: The latest trailer for the second boy wizard's adventures, due out November!

Buzz: 4/5 - with the foundation successfully set down by last year's "Philosopher's Stone", director Chris Columbus can breathe a sigh of relief and begin twisting the screws on this darker Potter adventure. The cast are now experienced, "Chamber" has a more focused narrative, 'ILM' are now in charge of the extensive special-effects, and even more famous Brits have been cast in key roles! Tremble box-office records, tremble...
CLICK HERE