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Dan Owen reviews

DAN'S   MOVIE   DIGEST

I s s u e   # 2

2 6   J u l y   2 0 0 2

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** MOVIE NEWS **

"Alien Vs Predator"

The creature every nerd has dreamed about may finally be here! If that's a good thing - some may think otherwise! Of course, it's clear the "Predator" franchise has a lot to gain from this pairing, but does the respectable "Alien" saga have anything to gain from a film an adaptation of a comic-book grudge match? If this movie's a disaster it could also kill all hope for a fifth "Alien" movie!

Regardless of your opinion on such a film, most people will agree that the choice of director starts alarm bells ringing. Yes folks, it's our old friend Paul Anderson who will write and direct the crossover movie. Anderson, whose latest celluloid stillbirth is the "Resident Evil" adaptation, has an increasing amount of expensive flops in his back-catalogue already (such as the excessively gruesome "Event Horizon" or the $70 million straight-to-video monstrosity "Soldier"). All does not bode well.

Austin Powers 4?

Jay Roach, director of the "Austin Powers" movies, spoke with The Arizona Daily Star and indicated he's willing to do a fourth Powers adventure, so long as "Goldmember" is as well-received as the first two. He also confirmed there is no script for "Meet The Fokkers", his planned sequel to "Meet The Parents" starring Ben Stiller, and was therefore unsure if it will be his next project. "I'm still waiting for a script that's as funny as the title", he said.

"Batman Vs Superman" Casting

Rumours are now circulating that director Wolfgang Petersen views Christian Bale as a strong contender to go from playing "American Psycho"'s Bateman to Batman, with fresh-faced actor Paul Rudd ("The Cider House Rules") shouldering the cape as Supes.

"Crouching Tiger II"

The China Post has confirmed that Ang Lee's kung-smash Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon will be given a prequel adventure. It should start shooting early next year after Lee finishes "The Hulk". Jet Li is strongly expected to play Lee Mubai in the prequel - which should adapt the third book of five in the literary saga "Crouching Tiger..." is based on.

Cover Indiana Jones 4

Harrison Ford spoke with US film critic Roger Ebert recently about, you guessed it, "Indiana Jones 4". "We've had story meetings and a writer is assigned and scribbling away, and if we get a script we like, we've all held a slot in 2004. I'd love to do it again." The franchise has held up, he thinks, because "we complicated the character a little more every time we went back to him. And the ambition to make a good film never wavered; that has a lot to do with Steven [Spielberg] taking the obligation of directing every time as well."

Curse Of "The Exorcist"?

Liam Neeson has assured fans of "The Exorcist" that the prequel (working title "The Exorcist: Dominion") will still go ahead following the tragic death of its director John Frankenheimer - which some are citing as further evidence of the film's "curse". Don't believe me? Just look at the career trajectory of Linda Blair. I rest my case.

Neeson told the press: "We lost our director, John Frankenheimer, who passed away, so we're all still in a state of mourning and actively looking for another director." The film is still set for a 18th July release next year, and should involve Neeson playing a younger Father Merrin (the part played by Max Von Sydow in the original) as he battles the demon that possessed Regan for the first time in 1940's Africa.

"Green Lantern" Casting Rumour...

Superhero Hype suggests that the role of Green Lantern - yet another superhero hoping to break into film following the success of "Spider-Man" - is being targeted at Nicholas Brendan. Brendan plays Xander Harris on TV's "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" (and was a contender for the role of Spider-Man according to some sources).

She-Hulk?

We know there's going to be "Hulk Dogs" in Ang Lee's "The Hulk" next year, but now word reaches us that a "She-Hulk" will be seen early on in the movie! Apparently, a female lab assistant turns green-skinned and angry � but later dies as a result.

Independence Day 2

Following the recent news that Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich � the duo behind "Independence Day" � are now actively considering a sequel, it has been revealed that Will Smith is not so keen on a possible return. However, Devlin doesn't seem fazed: "Will is a great guy and he's been a real friend to us since we made that movie. I think if he likes the script, he'll want to do it. If he doesn't like the script, he won't want to do it,� Devlin said.

"It was a wonderful cast, and they're really terrific people. I mean, I've been blessed. I haven't had the egomaniac star yet in any of my films. It's always been a pleasure. And that film - which had over 200 speaking roles - we didn't have an ego in the bunch. It was a really unique experience. In fact, Will Smith really kind of led that down-to-earth attitude on the set. He was the guy who was willing to stand out in the sun, in baking heat, and be his own stand-in while the cameras were being set up.

He was such a trooper during the making of the picture."

The Mask Of Zorro 2

The original's director, Martin Campbell ("Goldeneye"), is currently working with screenwriter Dan Gilroy on the sequel to "The Mask Of Zorro", which starred Antonio Banderas and brought Catherine Zeta Jones to Hollywood's attention. Pre-production is aiming to begin in September.

Sam Raimi Sucks... Blood!

Following the success of "Spider-Man", director Sam Raimi has decided he'll start work on "30 Days Of Night" immediately after filming Spidey's sequel next year. The movie is based on a comic-book by Steve Niles who says he "couldn't be more thrilled" with Raimi's decision to adapt his story about an Alaskan town that has a month of night because of the Earth's annual tilt away from the Sun. Niles says he's "excited for the comic, the artist Ben Templesmith, and for IDW Publishing. But I never in a million years would have imagined I'd be working with Sam Raimi. It's an amazing opportunity." If all goes to plan Raimi's vampire flick should debut in 2004.

"Signs" Sightings

Another publicity crop-circle has appeared in Unterehrendingen, a village in the Canton of Aargau in Northern Switzerland. check it out here!

Cover Return To Castle Wolfenstein

Variety reports that the world's first 'First Person Shooter' computer game will be adapted for the silver screen very soon. The game allowed players to control "a highly decorated Army Ranger given the task of escaping, and then returning, to Castle Wolfenstein - the stronghold of Gestapo head Heinrich Himmler - whose occult and genetic experiments are raising an unstoppable army to level the Allies". The game set the stage for "Doom" and "Quake" to dominate the genre in the 90s.

"Terminator 3" � Actor Speaks!

MTVOnline spoke to "Terminator 3" actor John Stahl (who will be playing an adult John Connor) about the new sequel due in mid-2003: "The script is really solid," Stahl said. "I think the main aim was to basically up the stakes from the last one and to make the newest one even more groundbreaking. Because the second one, really nothing like that had been done before... and the effects, you know, there's a lot of effects that are done these days that weren't available 10 years ago. In that way, visually, it's gonna be more realistic. It's hard to know how it's going to turn out, but if the script says anything I would say that it's definitely as good, if not better, than the last one".

And what of the, er, "Terminatrix" � the female Terminator antagonist played by newcomer Kristinna Loken? "[She's] new and improved," Stahl teased. "But I don't think I could. They won't let me say any more. It's very top secret stuff". Rumours perists that the new Terminator model will have the same liquid metal properties of "T2"'s villain The T-1000, but will be comprised of "frequency matter" (giving her the ability to vanish!), and be able to control machinery telepathically. Arnie's sure going to have his work cut out for him!

Thunderbirds"... Are Go?

Tentatively, yes. Hopefullys filming could begin next year (fingers remain crossed since 1994), with "Star Trek"'s Jonathan Frakes targeted to direct. Frakes' last project was the family sci-fi adventure "Clockstoppers" - still awaiting a UK release. My tip for the role of craggy-faced butler Parker? Gotta be craggy-faced Geoffrey Palmer (star of TV's "As Time Goes By", co-starring best mate Judi Dench.) Time to start working on the voice Geoff...

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US TOP 10 (CINEMA)

1. Road To Perdition ($15,412,515)
- With a limited distribution for Sam Mendes' second movie following "American Beauty" this is an amazing achievement and word of mouth has secured this movie with the No.1 position.

2. Stuart Little 2 ($15,115,152)
- The further adventures of the little mouse who lives with Geena Davis and Hugh Laurie.

3. Men In Black II ($14,552,335)
- Despite mixed review, the pairing of Smith & Jones is proving financially sound!

4. K-19: Widowmaker ($12,778,459)
- The true story of Russia's first nuclear ballistic submarine with Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson, directed by Kathryn Bigelow.

5. Reign Of Fire ($7,317,994)
- Mixed reviews, but there's no denying this futuristic tale of dragons in a post-apocalyptic London has captured peoples' imaginations!

6. Mr Deeds ($7,312,128)
- Adam Sandler plays... Adam Sandler. Again. Even with Sandler's perlplexing popularity in the US, his latest venture has failed to achieve the highs of past efforts "Big Daddy" and "The Waterboy".

7. Eight-Legged Freaks ($6,485,458)
- See below for more information

8. Halloween: Resurrection ($5,520,536)
- Holding onto the coat-tails of "Jason X", Michael Myers gets another slice of the limelight. Who said he was decapitated?

9. Lilo & Stitch ($4,973,660)
- Congratulations Disney for giving us something half-way original this year, just a shame it hasn't really captured the minds of American children.

10. The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course ($4,667,895)
- Looked bad on paper, looks only mildly amusing on screen. A TV screen, sadly, as Collision Course quickly fades away into obscurity. The video shelves surely await in the UK...

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UK TOP 10 (CINEMA)

1. Scooby Doo (�2,513,564)
- Well atleast Matthew Lillard is the perfect Shaggy... and Scooby isn't too shabby. But the rest of the gang are stuck in a nightmare of cardboard cutout banality and a turgid script. But � kerching! � goes the UK box-office anyway!

2. Minority Report (�2,010,518)
- Knocked off the top spot by a talking pooch, but Spielberg and Cruise have nothing to cry about. Minority Report ranks as one of the UK's most profitable Summer films � not bad for something most people didn�t know was due out, thanks to over-marketing of "Spider-Man"...

3. Stuart Little 2 (�1,343,398)
- The further adventures of the little mouse who lives with Geena Davis and Hugh Laurie.

4. Resident Evil (�518,624)
- Psst! If you really want to see this - it's on Region 1 DVD now. Don't spend your money on a cinema ticker and give the UK the shame of seeing Paul Anderson's depressing adaptation climb the charts any further...

5. Spider-Man (�508,899)
- Only now does the webbed-wonder's momentum begin to ebb, after a summer of worldwide domination. For pure escapist fun and frolics, there hasn't been a better family adventure for years.

6. Bad Company (�308,155)
- Chris Rock & Anthony Hopkins. The latest polar opposities to be spliced together in a formulaic espionage thriller. Those still interested should consider medical treatment.

7. Devdas (�248,538)
- A Bollywood film in the UK Top 10? Thought I'd never see the day. Yep, Asian films are hip � following "Bend It Like Beckham" and "East Is East". Massive production values bring the love story of "Devdas" to life... again... for this is just the latest in a long line of "Devdas" reinterpretations.

8. Jason X (�233,090)
- Surely the 9th sequel is 9 sequels too far?

9. Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron (�109,635)
- Unfortunately, quite a disaster for Dreamworks � especially as this was hyped as "from the creators of 'Shrek'". Not helped by a soundtrack by Bryan Adams either, but the overtly 2D animation was another nail...

10. Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones (�105,632)
- Yes, it's better than Episode I, but it still rings somewhat hollow compared to the simplistic power of the originals. But, for visual spectacle, action, and Yoda doing his best Mr Mayagi impersonation... you can't fault it.

** TRAILERS **

Cover Halloween: Resurrection: Oh dear. If there was ever a pointless sequel, this is it. Just when the "Halloween" franchise had a fitting finale in the shape of a "Scream"-style sequel starring Jamie Lee Curtis again... they go and ruin it. Er, wasn't Mr Myers decapitated last time, anyway?
CLICK HERE

Eight Legged Freaks: B-movie madness from the "Independence Day" team, who mix "Arachnophobia" and "Tremors" together for this cheesey horror comedy about a small town coming under attack from gigantic killer spiders! Starring such Hollywood luminaries as Kari Wuhrer (the tasty strumpet from "Sliders") and David Arquette (the comically moustachiod copper from "Scream") The whole things reeks of Oscar success!
CLICK HERE

Lilo & Stitch: A new Disney animated adventure that breaks the mould? Could be! As this trailer indicates, it seems Disney have finally decided to ditch the "movie-cookie-cutter" and create something modestly fresh and engaging.
CLICK HERE

The Santa Clause 2: Tim Allen continues his struggle as an actor in the movie world - between voicing "Toy Story" movies - and so returns to the sequelise his first real success. Allen again plays the hapless father who is forced to become Santa Clause this Christmas. But can the filmmakers give audiences anything new from a sequel which seems to be just reheating the original concept again?
CLICK HERE

Cover Simone: From the writer of "The Truman Show" comes another high-concept slice of dramatic fantasy, this time starring Al Pacino as the producer of a movie whose lead actress storms off the set? His solution? Simple � just create the world's first 100% computer-generated actress - Simone - who becomes an overnight sensation, without anyone realizing she isn't real! Despite reservations about the concept (suspension of disbelief required!) test screenings have been very positive, with some saying this could easily equal the success of "The Truman Show" for writer/director Andrew Niccol.
CLICK HERE

Signs: Excellent test screenings have been had for M. Night Shyamalan's latest supernatural thriller after the delights of "The Sixth Sense" and "Unbreakable". Mel Gibson plays the farmer with the flattened crop fields...
CLICK HERE

Terminator 3: Please be good, please be good, please be good... well, actually the trailer's disappointing - because it's just a teaser featuring the logo. But just to hear that soundtrack again makes Summer 2003 seem a very long way away...
CLICK HERE

Undercover Brother: A modest hit in the US, as the 70's inspired Austin Powers-alike revs up to attack UK cinemas soon...
CLICK HERE