Filed under: Drama, Music & Musicals, Casting, Cinematical Indie
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Any day now, Carice van Houten is going to become a major international movie star, and when that day comes I will have a million-times fewer chances with the Black Book beauty. Right now I think I only have to fight Ryan and actor Sebastian Koch for her. Soon, I will have to fight the world. She’s worth it, though, as you’d know if you saw Black Book, or you will know once you see any number of films she’s slated to star in, including Bryan Singer’s Valkyrie, in which she plays wife to Tom Cruise. Other projects I look forward to seeing her in are Paula van der Oest’s Smoke and Ochre and Bond 22, which both Ryan and I insist she be officially cast in (last we heard she was being considered). Of course, there’s also older films of hers that I’m dying to see available in the States, such as Zwarte Zwanen and the TV movie Suzy Q.
Fortunately her latest casting is in a movie we’ll definitely see released in America, Boris Damast’s Vivaldi. Written by Jeffrey Freedman, the film will be a biopic of the 18th century Venetian composer, to be played by Joseph Fiennes, and is expected for U.S. distribution sometime in 2008. In addition to Fiennes, Van Houten joins Malcolm McDowell, Lena Headey, Gérard Depardieu, Jacqueline Bisset and little Elle Fanning. Van Houten is playing a character named Julietta, but I’m unaware of what relationship the character has to Vivaldi. In fact, none of the named actors’ characters are listed anywhere in the composer’s Wikipedia bio, so I guess I just need to do some deeper research. All I can find is that the character of Julietta was previously attached to actress Zuleikha Robinson. I’m not sure, though, if the change is because van Houten replaced her. The only thing I honestly know or care is that I love classical music and I love van Houten, and I will no doubt love this movie, good or bad.
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Filed under: Drama, Music & Musicals, Casting, Cinematical Indie
Any day now, Carice van Houten is going to become a major international movie star, and when that day comes I will have a million-times fewer chances with the Black Book beauty. Right now I think I only have to fight Ryan and actor Sebastian Koch for her. Soon, I will have to fight the world. She’s worth it, though, as you’d know if you saw Black Book, or you will know once you see any number of films she’s slated to star in, including Bryan Singer’s Valkyrie, in which she plays wife to Tom Cruise. Other projects I look forward to seeing her in are Paula van der Oest’s Smoke and Ochre and Bond 22, which both Ryan and I insist she be officially cast in (last we heard she was being considered). Of course, there’s also older films of hers that I’m dying to see available in the States, such as Zwarte Zwanen and the TV movie Suzy Q.
Fortunately her latest casting is in a movie we’ll definitely see released in America, Boris Damast’s Vivaldi. Written by Jeffrey Freedman, the film will be a biopic of the 18th century Venetian composer, to be played by Joseph Fiennes, and is expected for U.S. distribution sometime in 2008. In addition to Fiennes, Van Houten joins Malcolm McDowell, Lena Headey, Gérard Depardieu, Jacqueline Bisset and little Elle Fanning. Van Houten is playing a character named Julietta, but I’m unaware of what relationship the character has to Vivaldi. In fact, none of the named actors’ characters are listed anywhere in the composer’s Wikipedia bio, so I guess I just need to do some deeper research. All I can find is that the character of Julietta was previously attached to actress Zuleikha Robinson. I’m not sure, though, if the change is because van Houten replaced her. The only thing I honestly know or care is that I love classical music and I love van Houten, and I will no doubt love this movie, good or bad.
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Filed under: Drama, Thrillers, New Line
He’s either really hot right now, or he’s indecisive. Just last week we heard that Carl Franklin (Devil in a Blue Dress) would be directing The Maintenance Man, which he had decided to do instead of Tulia (now to be helmed by John Singleton). Today The Hollywood Reporter has Franklin linked to another project, a thriller at New Line titled Snitch. Of course, he could be lining up the film as his next job following The Maintenance Man. But the only thing THR mentions as being on his slate is an episode of HBO’s upcoming miniseries The Pacific. Personally, I would be fine if Franklin abandoned The Maintenance Man, which sounds beneath him, but I’d also like to see him make up his mind. It’s been four years since his last release, Out of Time.
Snitch seems like a good project for the director. Written by Justin Haythe (The Clearing) and based on an episode of PBS’ Frontline documentary series from 1999, the film will focus on Joey Settembrino, an 18-year-old looking at about 30 years in prison for selling drugs after being ratted out by a snitch. To help his son get off with a lighter sentence, Joey’s father goes undercover in an attempt to deliver other drug dealers to the feds, a plan that was actually suggested by the government. I’m picturing a movie similar to Paul Schrader’s Hardcore, which is about a father doing detective work in an underworld setting in order to save his daughter. Frontline producer David Fanning will also be producing the adaptation along with Haythe and Spitfire Pictures’ Guy East and Nigel Sinclair. As far as I know, it will be the first movie spun-off from the series.
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Filed under: Drama, Thrillers, New Line
He’s either really hot right now, or he’s indecisive. Just last week we heard that Carl Franklin (Devil in a Blue Dress) would be directing The Maintenance Man, which he had decided to do instead of Tulia (now to be helmed by John Singleton). Today The Hollywood Reporter has Franklin linked to another project, a thriller at New Line titled Snitch. Of course, he could be lining up the film as his next job following The Maintenance Man. But the only thing THR mentions as being on his slate is an episode of HBO’s upcoming miniseries The Pacific. Personally, I would be fine if Franklin abandoned The Maintenance Man, which sounds beneath him, but I’d also like to see him make up his mind. It’s been four years since his last release, Out of Time.
Snitch seems like a good project for the director. Written by Justin Haythe (The Clearing) and based on an episode of PBS’ Frontline documentary series from 1999, the film will focus on Joey Settembrino, an 18-year-old looking at about 30 years in prison for selling drugs after being ratted out by a snitch. To help his son get off with a lighter sentence, Joey’s father goes undercover in an attempt to deliver other drug dealers to the feds, a plan that was actually suggested by the government. I’m picturing a movie similar to Paul Schrader’s Hardcore, which is about a father doing detective work in an underworld setting in order to save his daughter. Frontline producer David Fanning will also be producing the adaptation along with Haythe and Spitfire Pictures’ Guy East and Nigel Sinclair. As far as I know, it will be the first movie spun-off from the series.
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Filed under: Action & Adventure, Deals, Scripts & Screenwriting, Remakes and Sequels
There is still some “owski” in this new remake, but not the kind you’re probably thinking. Way back in September of 2005, Erik Davis posted that the Wachowskis were interested in remaking Shinobi, and turning it into a spy caper, of all things. Now the Japanese action hit is getting a remake, but with Max Makowski instead. Variety has reported that Universal nabbed the remake rights to the film, and set up Makowski to write and direct it. The director’s last film was the 2005 Asian gangster feature called One Last Dance, which premiered at Sundance, and got him a nomination for the festival’s Grand Jury Prize.
Our Kim Voynar reviewed the original Shinobi last year at SIFF, and described it as a “visually stunning” and “satisfying little flick.” Now the question is — just how much is going to be different for this remake? While it is still keeping the ties to Romeo and Juliet, Makowski plans to modernize it and reset it in his home-base of Hong Kong. Instead of rival ninjas dueling, “the victor of a 160-year-old feud between two multinational security forces is being decided, with a love affair complicating matters.” Sticking to his last theme, the director will incorporate Asian gangster elements, along with some from ninja films. Well, at least it isn’t spies! But really, with all of these changes, why not start from scratch? This is sounding a lot more like an “inspired by” instance, and not a remake. Plans are to finish the screenplay by the end of this year, and start production in early 2008.
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Filed under: Action & Adventure, Deals, Scripts & Screenwriting, Remakes and Sequels
There is still some “owski” in this new remake, but not the kind you’re probably thinking. Way back in September of 2005, Erik Davis posted that the Wachowskis were interested in remaking Shinobi, and turning it into a spy caper, of all things. Now the Japanese action hit is getting a remake, but with Max Makowski instead. Variety has reported that Universal nabbed the remake rights to the film, and set up Makowski to write and direct it. The director’s last film was the 2005 Asian gangster feature called One Last Dance, which premiered at Sundance, and got him a nomination for the festival’s Grand Jury Prize.
Our Kim Voynar reviewed the original Shinobi last year at SIFF, and described it as a “visually stunning” and “satisfying little flick.” Now the question is — just how much is going to be different for this remake? While it is still keeping the ties to Romeo and Juliet, Makowski plans to modernize it and reset it in his home-base of Hong Kong. Instead of rival ninjas dueling, “the victor of a 160-year-old feud between two multinational security forces is being decided, with a love affair complicating matters.” Sticking to his last theme, the director will incorporate Asian gangster elements, along with some from ninja films. Well, at least it isn’t spies! But really, with all of these changes, why not start from scratch? This is sounding a lot more like an “inspired by” instance, and not a remake. Plans are to finish the screenplay by the end of this year, and start production in early 2008.
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Filed under: Documentary, Music & Musicals, Distribution
If you happened to see Rolling Stones: At the Max years ago, just imagine what the band will be like now. Martin Scorsese’s new concert documentary on the band, Shine a Light, is going to hit Imax screens the same day that it will come out on regular screens — September 21. The director, who was behind the huge concert film The Last Waltz, said in a statement: “The larger-than-life images and sound of an Imax theater will only enhance the experience of giving viewers the best seat in the house to watch the Rolling Stones perform.”
Or, as might be more apt, a seat close enough to see every one of the wrinkles the aged rockers have — well-lit, sweaty and all. While I’m not sure how keen I am to see Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, et all several stories tall, it does sound like an interesting project. The film includes show and backstage footage as well as historical clips and interviews. However, they seem to really be emphasizing the two days of filming the band at New York City’s Beacon Theater, so I imagine most of the film will revolve on the Stones’ performances last year. What’s really cool are the names that Scorsese brought together to shoot the band. The Director of Photography is Oscar winner Robert Richardson (The Aviator), and he supervised award-winning cinematographers like John Toll (Braveheart), Andrew Lesnie (The Lord of the Rings), Stuart Dryburgh (The Piano), Robert Elswit (Magnolia), Emmanuel Lubezki (Sleepy Hollow) and Ellen Kuras (Summer of Sam). At the very least, you can be sure to get some great concert footage!
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Filed under: Documentary, Music & Musicals, Distribution
If you happened to see Rolling Stones: At the Max years ago, just imagine what the band will be like now. Martin Scorsese’s new concert documentary on the band, Shine a Light, is going to hit Imax screens the same day that it will come out on regular screens — September 21. The director, who was behind the huge concert film The Last Waltz, said in a statement: “The larger-than-life images and sound of an Imax theater will only enhance the experience of giving viewers the best seat in the house to watch the Rolling Stones perform.”
Or, as might be more apt, a seat close enough to see every one of the wrinkles the aged rockers have — well-lit, sweaty and all. While I’m not sure how keen I am to see Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, et all several stories tall, it does sound like an interesting project. The film includes show and backstage footage as well as historical clips and interviews. However, they seem to really be emphasizing the two days of filming the band at New York City’s Beacon Theater, so I imagine most of the film will revolve on the Stones’ performances last year. What’s really cool are the names that Scorsese brought together to shoot the band. The Director of Photography is Oscar winner Robert Richardson (The Aviator), and he supervised award-winning cinematographers like John Toll (Braveheart), Andrew Lesnie (The Lord of the Rings), Stuart Dryburgh (The Piano), Robert Elswit (Magnolia), Emmanuel Lubezki (Sleepy Hollow) and Ellen Kuras (Summer of Sam). At the very least, you can be sure to get some great concert footage!
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Filed under: Horror, Deals, Scripts & Screenwriting, Remakes and Sequels
The master of horror is back! (The previous is said completely tongue-in-cheek.) Jamie Blanks has just signed on to direct a remake of the 30-year-old Australian suspense film, Long Weekend. You don’t know who he is? Well, he’s the man behind the first film I ever bought previously-viewed for a whopping $10 (and a big guilty pleasure of mine), the tepid thriller Urban Legend, and he’s behind the film I wish I never spent money on — the Denise Richards/David Boreanaz crapfest Valentine. So really, this is 50-50 between not-bad and ick, unless he hits this one out of the ballpark.
The original is an environmentally-conscious film about a couple who decide to spend on a long weekend on an isolated beach to repair their relationship. While there, they “encounter nature’s revenge.” Maybe they’ll get pelted with tons of water bottles and buried under piles of littered garbage. The story is once again coming from the pen of Everett De Roche, who wrote the original, but there is no word on how much has been updated. This is actually the second of back-to-back films from Blanks about couples in peril in nature. He just wrapped another film called Storm Warning, where a yuppie couple get lost in a swamp and “drift off course and into a world of pain.” Principal photography is set to begin in October, and the movie will probably come out in 2008. In the meantime, I’d like to start up a campaign that keeps the word “suspenser” from ever being used again.
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Filed under: Horror, Deals, Scripts & Screenwriting, Remakes and Sequels
The master of horror is back! (The previous is said completely tongue-in-cheek.) Jamie Blanks has just signed on to direct a remake of the 30-year-old Australian suspense film, Long Weekend. You don’t know who he is? Well, he’s the man behind the first film I ever bought previously-viewed for a whopping $10 (and a big guilty pleasure of mine), the tepid thriller Urban Legend, and he’s behind the film I wish I never spent money on — the Denise Richards/David Boreanaz crapfest Valentine. So really, this is 50-50 between not-bad and ick, unless he hits this one out of the ballpark.
The original is an environmentally-conscious film about a couple who decide to spend on a long weekend on an isolated beach to repair their relationship. While there, they “encounter nature’s revenge.” Maybe they’ll get pelted with tons of water bottles and buried under piles of littered garbage. The story is once again coming from the pen of Everett De Roche, who wrote the original, but there is no word on how much has been updated. This is actually the second of back-to-back films from Blanks about couples in peril in nature. He just wrapped another film called Storm Warning, where a yuppie couple get lost in a swamp and “drift off course and into a world of pain.” Principal photography is set to begin in October, and the movie will probably come out in 2008. In the meantime, I’d like to start up a campaign that keeps the word “suspenser” from ever being used again.
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