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Dan Owen reviews

DAN'S   MOVIE   DIGEST

I s s u e   # 1 5

2 5   O c t o b e r   2 0 0 2

** MOVIE NEWS **

Cover "JOHNNY BRAVO"

'Warner Brothers' have purchased the rights to a movie adaptation of 'Cartoon Network' series "Johnny Bravo", as a possible project for WWE wrestler The Rock.

Producer Marty Adelstein said: "When the Rock mentioned to Neal (Moritz) and myself he was a big fan of 'Johnny Bravo' and thought it was a great idea for a movie, we thought it was a natural fit and potentially a great role for him to play, so we went aggressively after the property."

The animated series is about a muscular, vain, sweet-talking ladies with the voice of Elvis Presley!

"BRIDGET JONES' DIARY 2"

'Ananova' reports that actress Renee Zellweger is refusing to gain weight for the sequel to "Bridget Jones' Diary". For the first film she famously put on 10kg (22 pounds), but has so far stuck to an earlier agreement to never pile on the pounds for a sequel.

"CURSED"

Writer-Director Wes Craven ("A Nightmare On Elm Street") is teaming up with his "Scream" screenwriter Kevin Williamson on a werewolf movie - which should be released on 8th August 2003.

'Dimension Films' executive Bob Weinstein says: "Kevin wrote a fun, scary and surprise-filled script just like the original 'Scream.' The only person I thought of to direct it was Wes Craven, and I couldn't be more excited to team them up again for what I think is another crowd-pleasing thrill ride. In the way they made scary movies fun, Kevin and Wes will reinvent the werewolf genre".

Craven had been on pre-production of his movie "Pulse" - which has now been put on hold in preference for "Cursed".

"DAREDEVIL" 'Superhero Hype' have released some great pictures from next year's live-action comic-book adaptation of "Daredevil" (see above).

"THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW"

Director Roland Emmerich's $110-125m global-warming action flick "The Day After Tomorrow" has its first batch of star names attached - Dennis Quaid, Sela Ward and Jake Gyllenhaal ("Donnie Darko").

"DOMINO"

Director Tony Scott ("True Romance") will direct "Domino", a dramatic thriller penned by talented writer-director Richard Kelly ("Donnie Darko").

The film is based on the real-life story of Domino Harvey, an ex-Ford model and daughter of actor Lawrence Harvey, who gave up a pampered L.A lifestyle to become a real-life bounty hunter.

Cover "THE EXORCIST - THE BEGINNING" 'Sci Fi Wire' recently interviewed Gabriel Mann (who plays Father Francis in the upcoming prequel to "The Exorcist"), about the new movie which starts filming in Morocco in a fortnight.

He said: "I think that it's the [film] that seriously makes the closest attempt to get back to the elements that made the first one so great. To me, it's something that moves away a little bit from running-around-with-axes, chasing-people-through-woods kind of terror, to the kind of creeping, growing eeriness that starts to really permeate inside you until you realize you're really scared and really freaked out."

Cover "FREDDY vs JASON" Director Ronny Yu has spoken about his upcoming "Freddy Vs Jason", which finally sees "A Nightmare On Elm Street" villain Freddy Kruger battle it out with "Friday The 13th" slasher Jason Vorhees.

He said: "Last night was the first time I worked with Robert Englund [Freddy Kruger]. After we wrapped, he said, 'Ronny, the way you make movies is different.' How do you mean different? 'Different from American or European directors. You don't go the normal way like doing a master, then coverage and da da da da da. You just say what you need and what reaction you need, act scared and jump up.' I said, 'What's so different?'"

"I like to have a little bit of humour in all my movies. It doesn't matter what genre. I need the audience when they're sitting there to feel it's a fun thing. So that's why I insist in 'Bride Of Chucky' that they have a lot of fun, like humour, even though it's a nasty humour. Still, you laugh and say, 'Ooh, that's nasty.' But still you laugh."

Yu also confirmed that he is shooting alternate endings to the movie, perhaps meaning audiences will never know which ending they will see in the theatre!

The director also spoke to 'About.com' saying: "The action will be fast, pacing will be fast but it depends what you mean by Hong Kong-style action. Like 'Crouching Tiger...', no. Definitely not because I think the audience would be disappointed. You have two guys like flying everywhere? No, no, no. But some very dynamic action, yes".

"I think that seeing less is better. That's what Wes was telling Englund all the time. Seeing less is better, more scarier."

"GLADIATOR II" 'IGN Film Force' has reported that the sequel to "Gladiator" will be set during the reign of Roman Emperor Lucius Septimius Severus - who restores stability to the Empire after the tumultuous reign of ex-Emperor Commodus [Joaquin Phoenix] and the civil wars that erupted in the wake of Commodus' murder [at the hands of Russell Crowe's Maximum].

"GREASE 3"

'Women's Day' magazine said that popstar Kylie Minogue is set to join the cast of the "Grease 3" as the daughter of Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta's characters! Minogue later denied her involvement.

"HANNIBAL"

The elephant-riding general Hannibal (not the liver-eating cannibal) was discussed recently by attached-star Vin Diesel. Diesel spoke to the 'UK Times' about the project, saying that Ron Howard ("A Beautiful Mind") could direct.

Vin Diesel: "... what I'm really excited about is 'Hannibal', about the Carthaginian general rather than the cannibal killer. It's been a pet project for years."

He stated that Ridley Scott is not attached to the movie. Producer Joe Roth has said that: "I have a meeting with Ron Howard when I get home. It's going to be amazing. We'll have battles, elephants, Carthage..."

Cover "THE HULK"

Star Eric Bana has spoken about "The Hulk" director Ang Lee, saying: "I think Ang's very specific vision is buried deep in his head. It was fascinating to work on because all you could do was have complete and utter confidence in what he was wanting... just surrender yourself to it, and that's what I loved about it."

"It's a stylised piece of work with elements that are obviously extremely deep, and deeper again because a lot of it is in his head - and not all of it is he able to communicate to you - or would want to. So it's a very scary and thrilling experience; you have to relinquish all your control to this auteur. But the man is a genius..."

"I knew it would have a lot more elements than people would be expecting. So in that sense I wasn't surprised. You had to work extremely hard in every facet. Ang's a perfectionist and he has a very determined vision. We all worked hard - not just hours, everyone works long hours, but in intensity. The level of intensity was extreme. He made me dig deep and go places that I found pretty uncomfortable - but I'm weirdly attracted to that, so that as fine by me."

Cover "THE MATRIX RELOADED"

One-sheet posters for "The Matrix Reloaded" have been released, and should adorn cinemas (and quite a few bedrooms!) around the world very, very soon.

Take a look at all of them here but for now, take in the majesty of Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity... (right)

"THE NUMBER 23" Director Joel Schumacher ("Tigerland") is in negotiations to direct 'New Line Cinema''s "The Number 23" for 'Firm Films'.

The screenplay has been written by British newcomer Fernley Phillips, and is a psychological thriller about a man who becomes obsessed with an obscure book called 'The Number 23', that he thinks is based on his own life - as the number 23 is strangely woven throughout his life...

"JUMANJI II: ZATHURA"

A sequel book to Robin Williams' special-effects comedy-adventure "Jumanji" is in the works, entitled "Jumanji II: Zathura". The next book focuses on a variant magical board game that utilizes a science-fiction theme instead of a jungle premise - with meteor showers, space pirates and evil robots!

It's not yet known if the new book will be adapted into a movie, but it is quite likely given the original's success.

Cover "THE RING 2"

Naomi Watts, the lead actress in recent smash-hit horror "The Ring" has spoken about the possibilities of a sequel to 'Fangoria' magazine. She said: "Yeah, I would [return], I would always be nervous about doing a sequel, but just because I feel like I'm in safe hands - the 'Dreamworks' people are really smart."

"We did a lot of script changes while we were shooting and we shot a few different endings and we didn't know what we were going to use and the way they played it out, I think, was really smart and I love the way it ends."

"So, I feel inspired and encouraged by that and hopefully Gore [Verbinski, director] will be able to do the sequels, too. [My character is] obviously going to go through a lot again. It will be a big one. I do like that character, so I'd be happy to go to more dark, strange places."

"SPIDER-MAN 2"

Jessica Biel is rumoured to be lined up for a role in "The Amazing Spider-Man" (a.k.a, "Spider-Man 2"). Perhaps she will play Gwen Stacy - a character that screenwriter Michael Chabon is apparently keen on.

Cover "SUPERMAN"

Director Brett Ratner spoke about his decision to cast Anthony Hopkins as Jor-El in the upcoming new version of "Superman". He said: "He [Hopkins] did such a good Brando impression for me, I said I gotta get this guy to play the father of Superman."

What does Ratner think of the scathing reviews of the first "Superman" draft by J.J Abrams? "I trust my instincts... a script is a script, it's not a movie - it's my interpretation of it and I think they're reading like old drafts or something - I just got the new draft yesterday that was hand-delivered by like a guy with a gun".

'Moviehole' scored a great interview with Ratner this week, too - hightlights below:

Q: First off, I've heard a rumor the last few days that Edward Norton might be playing Lex Luthor in "Superman"?
A: That would be great. He's a little young though. He's definitely not Superman - but I like the Luthor idea. I suppose people are saying this because we worked on "Red Dragon" together, but no, it's good.
Q. Any other thoughts on casting yet for "Superman"?
A: No. It's too early. I just got the job like two weeks ago. I'm not talking to any actors. I'm going to do a search for Superman - maybe an unknown - and surround him with a great Lex Luthor and a great Jimmy Olsen. I might just find Superman on the New York Stage or something.
Q. And what about Christopher Reeve, will he get a cameo?
A. I've had a lot of people ask me. That would be nice. I don't know what he could do - he's kind of capacitated.
Q. Do you think you'll still be casting an unknown for the role?
A: It's possible. That's what I'd like to do. People want to see a character, not a movie star.
Q. So how far along is "Superman" anyway?
A. The scripts almost there. I'm just casting, crewing up, getting it together.
Q. What's your take on the script that was floating around the net?
A. Oh god. Yeah, that wasn't even a draft. It was ridiculous. Some old script - someone with too much time on his or her hands. I mean I agree with some stuff, I mean some of it spilt over into my script, but Lex Luthor is NOT going to be an Alien and we ARE blowing up Krypton. It keeps the law that people know but it goes a step further. I can do the fuck I want. I mean I have 'DC Comics' and all the creators of the cartoon behind me. Some people aren't going to like it, that's inevitable. Thing is, I know it'll be a boring movie if I just remake Dick Donner's film, because it's already done. I mean I haven't changed it much at all - I just added some new shit, so how can anyone be mad at me. And we're talking about the trilogy - it's full on. Conference calls with the studio and Jon Peters and...
Q. So Jon Peters is still attached (trying not to laugh)?
A. Yes.
Q. So are you basically remaking the first one or are you starting afresh?
A. It's a re-inventor but it's based on the story, "The Death of Superman". It's going to have the old mythology, but it's not going to be camp, it's going to be a bit more psychological. More traumatic and it's going to be darker.
Q. Are there any other Superhero features you'd be interested in?
A. I would have loved to have done "The Hulk"- that will be a cool movie. I like Batman. "Batman vs Superman" was going to be done.
Q. Someone told me that it's not going to happen now at all?
A. No I don't think so. Wolfgang [Peterson] really wanted to do it. I mean who really wants to see an Old Batman and an Old Superman. "Batman: Year One" would be good though.
As well as what's happening with "Rush Hour 3"
Q. You have "Rush Hour 3" coming up. When's that?
A. After "Superman" I think. I'm working on a script now. This time we're going to put them somewhere where they're both out of water. The first one it was Jackie in L.A, the second one it was Chris in Hong Kong. Possibly Australia.
Q. So even though you're doing "Rush Hour 3" is there anything inside you that says 'hey, I really don't want to do this?'
A. I mean everyone is saying 'you don't want to do "Rush Hour 3"'. But I created "Rush Hour", I love it, I'm not a snob. I mean I'm following the same career path as Richard Donner - "Superman", "The Omen", and "Lethal Weapon".

"SURRENDER DOROTHY"

A sequel to "The Wizard Of Oz" is being lined up to star Drew Barrymore as Dorothy, according to 'Varuety' magazine.

Cover "TERMINATOR 3"

Arnold Schwarzenneger spoke to Australia's 'The Herald Sun' newspaper about the fight sequences in "T3", saying: "I love the Hong Kong style of action movies, but that only looks good for small guys. The reason why the whole style was developed over there was because those guys were very puny guys. They're not powerful looking guys."

"There's no weightlifting champion coming out of Hong Kong - maybe in the bantam division or the lightweight division or something like that. In order for them to be equal in a fighting situation, they had to learn a technique that small people can do that is as effective as the big guy's strength. So that's where the martial arts came from.

"Therefore, it was always a smaller person's trick. The Bruce Lee kind of a guy, he looks very ordinary and small, but he's very quick and can fly through the air and kick and all that stuff. It looks great, but when you're a big guy, it doesn't look as good."

"When you're a big guy the people like to see you pick up the guy, take him and throw him against the wall. They think that's a cool move when you're a big guy. Like in 'Terminator'... be thrown around. They want to see the size of body do something. They would be disappointed if a big guy always had to resort to those tricks because that would mean that he had no power."

"THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE"

Yes, Marily Manson has been confirmed as the music scorer for this remake of Tobe Hooper's 70's classic. Also, Andrew Bryniarski ("Pearl Harbor") is playing the lead role of chainsaw-wielding nutjob Leatherface.

"THREE MEN & A BABY 3"

As reported a few issues back, the second sequel to 80's comedy smash "Three Men & A Baby" is going ahead. Steve Guttenberg, Ted Danson, Tom Selleck and Nancy Travis will star, with "baby" Mary now an 18-year-old.

"THUNDERBIRDS - X-RATED"

'Ananova' reports that 'South Park' creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are creating their own adult version of "Thunderbirds"! Stone said: "... it's going to be for over 16's, very over the top, and no holds barred.

Cover "TRAINSPOTTING 2"

'UK Yahoo' recently spoke to director Danny Boyle ("28 Days Later") about author Irvine Welsh's sequel to his acclaimed novel "Trainspotting".

Danny Boyle said: "I've just finished reading it, funnily enough, and I really enjoyed it. I found it very difficult to start with, because I am in such awe of the original book, which I think is a modern Ulysses. I think the idea of taking the characters ten years on is brilliant, but one of the problems at the moment is that the actors - Ewan and Ewen, Bobby, and Jonny - don't look ten years older".

But would he direct a film version? "It's a fantastic idea. I don't know whether it will happen or not because of the logistical problems that would be involved. I'd love to go back to it; I think the idea of a ten-year gap is a great idea".

Cover "WALLACE & GROMIT" Animator Nick Park ("Chicken Run") spoke recently to 'USA Today' about the upcoming 2005 feature-film of "Wallace & Gromit" entitled "The Great Vegetable Plot".

Nick Park said: "That was the working title of the 'Wallace & Gromit' feature. I can tell you that in the way we often borrow movie references (Ealing comedies, Hitchcock, etc.), this one borrows most from B-movie horror and British horror. But it's also about vegetables, so we often describe it as a vegetarian horror movie. The rest you'll have to imagine."

Park also spoke about the delayed movie "The Tortoise & The Hare", saying: "It's actually gone back into development, and it's now amongst two or three films we're developing. It will happen eventually. The voices are all being reconsidered."

Cover "X-MEN 2"

'Entertainment Weekly' printed a new photo of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine from next year's movie "X-Men 2" (right). Go here for even more images from the film, including as-yet-unseen pictures of the cast!

"xXx 2"

'Yahoo Movies UK' has reported that Samuel L. Jackson may return for the sequel to this year's spy hit "xXx". Director Rob Cohen indicates that Jackson's character of Gibbons may not even appear in the sequel, saying: "I'm not certain about that... I love Sam and I was very happy with what he did in the film but the road divides at a certain point."

"You either go down one of two roads with a character. He either remains the handler and is always on the phone going 'Get out of there Xander' and all that stuff which is thankless for an actor or it becomes 'Lethal Weapon' and suddenly it's a buddy movie and neither option at the moment seems as anarchistic as I'd like."

"What might be interesting is that there's another force that comes into the story. I really want the movies to stay fresh and not to go 'Oh, here's the familiar, comfortable element'... so we'll move on and hopefully it'll be a good surprise".

Cover

US TOP 10 (CINEMA)

1. The Ring ($15.0m)

2. Sweet Home Alabama ($9.5m)

3. Red Dragon ($8.7m)

4. My Big Fat Greek Wedding ($7.1m)

5. Brown Sugar ($5.2m)

6. The Transporter ($5.0m)

7. Abandon ($5.0m)

8. Tuxedo ($4.1m)

9. Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie ($3.9m)

10. Tuck Everlasting ($3.7m)

UK TOP 10 (CINEMA)

1. xXx (�3.4m)

2. Lilo & Stitch (�1.5m)

3. Red Dragon (�1.4m)

4. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (�0.8m)

5. Signs (�0.44m)

6. Road To Perdition (�0.43m)

7. My Little Eye (�0.25m)

8. Slap Her, She's French! (�0.21m)

9. One Hour Photo (�0.19m)

10. All or Nothing (�0.16m)

** WEBSITES **

Cover "28 Days Later": The official site for British director Danny Boyle's England-set zombie flick starring Christopher Ecclestone. One to watch!
CLICK HERE

** TRAILERS **

"House Of A 1000 Corpses":

Rob Zombie's stalled horror movie is finally being released. Too much gore and violence nearly stopped a theatrical release - now if that's not a recommendation, I don't know what is ;)

Buzz Rating: 2/5 - Beyond gore-addicted teens it's difficult to see this movie doing very well at the world-wide box-office. A cult status on DVD beckons...
CLICK HERE

Cover "Catch Me If You Can": Steven Spielberg teams up again with Tom Hanks and Leonard DiCaprio. Hanks plays an FBI Agent tracking DiCaprio's master conman, in a story based on real events. The comedy also stars Martin Sheen and Christopher Walken.

Buzz Rating: 3/5 - There's no denying Spielberg's on a role after "AI" and "Minority Report" and the film will doubtless look fantastic, but this is Spielberg's first comedy since box-office turkey "1941" - so can he tackle the genre successfully? With fine support from Hanks, Sheen, Walken and an apparently excellent DiCaprio - things do look good, just not great.
CLICK HERE