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Friday, March 14, 2003
Reader Joe Littrell forwarded a few pieces of news for us this week, the first being that Cult Movies Online is currently offering -- well, cult movies online, in streaming format. You can watch films individually for about $3 each for a day's "rental," or watch any of the films from their (somewhat limited) collection any time for a $7/month subscription fee. Films online include Fantastic Planet, The Hills Have Eyes, and Vampire Hookers.
I'll be trying the service out this weekend from home to see how it plays over a typical cable modem connection, and I'll let you know it goes next week.
Joe also let us know about this Ireland Online story that discusses an upcoming Bettie Page biopic. Currently rumored to be up for the role are Liv Tyler, Charlize Theron, and Hilary Swank. I'm not sure I'd be entirely happy with any dramatization of the life of the iconic '50s pinup queen – could any modern star capture her presence? But of those three, Theron would probably be my first choice, followed by Tyler.
Thanks again to Joe L. for passing on some great news.
posted by Christopher 7:26 AM | Comments
Here’s a correct version of blurb that got messed up in yesterday’s report: Jason Priestly, who damn near became a corpse himself not too long in a racing accident, has signed on to star in a zombie movie. According to Fangoria, "It’s about two guys running a video store in LA whose best friend vanishes, and who get sent by his father to find him. They think he’s in some Betty Ford clinic drying out, but he’s actually in a Scottish castle performing one-man plays to a theater full of zombies every night." Well…it’s original. I’ll give it that.
But wait because there’s plenty more news where that came from today!
Looks like one comic book may not be making it to the big screen after all. Despite the fact that filming was supposed to begin next year on the big screen adaptation of THE FANTASTIC FOUR, Fox execs apparently aren’t happy with the script and may be sending it back to the drawing boards. It makes you wonder about the script when even movie execs known for greenlighting even the most mediocre screenplays don’t like the script. Hey, maybe they could just finally release that Roger Corman produced FANTASTIC FOUR movie that’s been rotting on someone’s shelf for the past decade instead. Can’t be any worse.
Word is out that the battle for SUPERMAN is down to two. With Paul Walker coming to his senses and ruling himself out, it comes down now to two people. Man of Steel wannabe #1 is the star of such films as GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE, MONKEYBONE, ENCINO MAN and the MUMMY movies. Yes, its Brendan Fraser. Man of Steel wannabe #2 is a virtual unknown known mostly for appearing on such soap operas as Guiding Light and All My Children. His name is Matthew Bomer. Ironically, Christopher Reeve was a virtual unknown who had done some soap opera work as well before getting the gig. I guess we’ll know soon enough who will inherit the blue spandex and possibly the alleged curse that comes with it.
If you want to see something truly horrifying, and not in a good way, head over to the official website for Harlan FX and take a look at they’re prototype make-up work for Nic Cage’s GHOST RIDER. Seems the Spirit of Vengeance no longer has a flaming skull head but instead a flowing mane of red hair that looks more like a wig Tina Turner would wear. Granted this is only a prototype but even so, this project is doomed!
Its official, Halle Berry will be playing CATWOMAN in a movie very loosely based on the actual comic book character. Also mentioned in the story that ran in today’s Variety, the film will be directed by French filmmaker Pitof, who previously made the film VIDEOCQ. Seriously, the sheer volume of comic book films is bordering on ludicrous. It looks like this could get as bad as the glut of reality programs on TV.
Video game movie #2387054 – DEUS EX. Columbia pictures are looking to turn it into a feature film. At this point, I just don’t care anymore! Until word comes down the pike about that live-action PAC-MAN movie I just don’t want to keep hearing about pointless video game movies.
Now I don’t watch Dawson’s Creek but I understand Katie Holmes actually sang in one episode and her vocal talents were the kind that cause dogs to start howling. Keep that in mind because she’s currently the frontrunner for the female lead in the movie version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical reworking of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. According to Variety, Miss Holmes is reportedly working with a vocal coach as we speak.
According to the UK’s The Z Review, Jennifer Love Hewitt is in talks to star in the feature film version of 21 JUMP STREET. How ironic? She’s going from starring on a Fox series to starring in a movie based on a Fox series. Oh yeah, her career is really on the upswing. Sheesh.
Coming soon…. NY GIANT! A hotheaded football player is forced to deal with an uptight female etiquette expert or risk losing his lucrative endorsement contract. In the process, the unlikely pair falls in love. According to the Hollywood Reporter, it’s written by the folks responsible for THE WEDDING PLANNER and will star Vin Diesel. A Vin Diesel romantic comedy? I guess that beats all that talk of him starring in the movie version of GUYS AND DOLLS.
Fangoria reports that Tobe Hooper is in negotiations to direct the fourth and fifth movies in the RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD series. Part 4 will be subtitled RAVE FROM THE GRAVE and will have a more comedic tone being described as “ANIMAL HOUSE meets the original NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.” After RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD 2 you’d think they’d want to stay the hell away from trying to do a zombie comedy. Some people just don’t learn. Part 5 is subtitled BATTALION and its being described as “BAND OF BROTHERS with zombies.” Something tells me it will have far less chance of sucking than the movie preceding it. Both sequels are expected to film this summer.
Fangoria also reports that Brian Yuzna’s production company has a couple of new projects in the works. The man responsible for such flicks as BRIDE OF REANIMATOR, FAUST, and ARACHNID is set to produce ROMSANTA: THE WEREWOLF HUNT in May and ROTTWEILER in July. ROMSANTA is “based on a true story about an 1850 serial killer who tried to use the “I can’t help myself because I’m a werewolf” defense when put on trial. ROTTWEILER is about the epic battle between an ordinary man and an evil superdog that grows bigger and stronger when wounded. I don’t know about the former but the latter sounds like it could be a real howl.
Ted McGinley has signed on to star in a new WB supernatural drama series called Family Curse. The series will focus on a family of archaeologists led by McGinley that hunt down ancient evils. This is amusing because McGinley is something of the butt of many jokes since he’s primarily associated with shows “jumping the shark.” It was around the time that he joined such once popular shows as Happy Days, Love Boat, and Married…With Children that they’re ratings began to take a hit and critics declared the shows to have “jumped the shark.” Now with Family Curse we’ll get to see if the McGinley curse applies to shows starting from scratch.
Finally today, I have another review up at Creature Corner and this time the movie actually turned out to be halfway decent. Who knew the combination of Lance Henriksen and Bigfoot could actually go together well? You can read my review of SASQUATCH here.
–Scott Foy
posted by Christopher 7:08 AM | Comments
Thursday, March 13, 2003
Good morning, Mr. & Mrs. Fanboy and all the geeks at sea…lots of news today so let’s go to press!
Remakemania has been sweeping through Hollywood this past week like an Ebola outbreak in the Congo. It all starts at the feet of John Travolta as he in talks to star in a remake of the 1950 Jimmy Stewart film HARVEY. Travolta will inherit the Jimmy Stewart’s role as an amiable drunk who pals around with a six-foot-tall invisible rabbit named Harvey. Personally, I think Travolta would be better suited to playing the rabbit but that’s just me. Travolta is also looking to star in the big screen version of the musical GUYS & DOLLS because he’s apparently still kicking himself for turning down the role that went to Richard Gere in CHICAGO.
Steve Martin, fresh off his success in the current smash hit GIMME A BREAK: THE MOVIE…. I mean BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, has signed on to star in a remake of the 1937 Cary Grant classic TOPPER. Martin will play one half of a married couple who die in an accident only to return as ghosts and must use their spectral powers to haunt people while trying to get into the afterlife. Imagine BEETLEJUICE without the title character. Martin’s previous trips down remake boulevard include THE OUT-OF-TOWNERS and SGT. BILKO and we all know how well those turned out.
Rounding out this week’s bout of remake madness, a remake of THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY about an ordinary fellow who daydreams about being a swashbuckling hero. The original 1947 version starred Danny Kaye but the new version will star Jim Carrey and be directed by Señor Spielbergo. Richard Gere has signed on to star in an American remake of the 1997 Japanese hit SHALL WE DANCE?, about a guy who takes ballroom dancing lessons to impress a pretty young dance instructor. And finally, TERMINATOR 3 scribe Tedi Sarafian has been hired by Universal to write the screenplay for the remake of THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON. Unfortunately, it appears that director Guillermo Del Toro might not be directing as he has other projects on his already full plate.
Okay, enough with the remakes. Who wants some really pathetic comic book movie news? Columbia Pictures is partnering with Marvel Comics to bring THE GARGOYLE to the big screen. What do you mean you’ve never heard of him? He had a miniseries back in ’85. He’s a stone gargoyle with a human soul that comes to life? Nobody remembers him? Doesn’t matter anyway because the script will reportedly have virtually nothing in common with the comic book character. In the movie version, the Gargoyle is a man who was cursed 100 years ago and only comes to life when an imaginative boy starts talking to him. Together they search for a talisman that can reverse the curse. Writing the script will be Jonathan Hales, who previously co-wrote ATTACK OF THE CLONES and THE SCORPION KING. At this rate I suspect that movie version of SPEEDBALL I’m always joking about will be made within the next two years.
The latest SUPERMAN rumors as reported by a variety of sources: Keri “Felicity” Russell is being looked at for the Lois Lane role. Director Brett Ratner may depart the project in the week or so. And word on the current design for the Superman costume has it as a dark blue suit and the “S” on his chest is black without the yellow field. (This could be a nod to the original 1930s costume design, or it could just be someone's bad idea. - Ed.) Topping it all off, no cape! As I said before, a hysterical comedy of errors movie could probably be made just based on everything that has gone on behind-the-scenes thus far and it would probably make for a more entertaining movie than whatever, if anything, they actually make.
In a recent interview with Page Six, Arnold Vosloo, who plays the Mummy in THE MUMMY movies, said that neither Brendan Fraser nor Rachel Weisz would be involved in the forthcoming MUMMY 3. According to Mr. Vosloo, King Imhotep would wake up in contemporary times, possibly 1950s or '60s. If Vosloo was smart, he’d also bail on the franchise because from here on out its obviously just going to go on auto-pilot in order to milk the audience for every penny possible. Run, Vosloo, run!
Dark Horizons reports that even though the AGENT CODY BANKS has yet to open the studio is already planning a sequel. If think the studio is jumping the gun here. Just because SPY KIDS was a huge hit doesn’t mean that SPY TEEN, and that is what this film really is, will make bank.
Jason Scott Lee, who will be starring in that direct-to-video TIME COP sequel the world is anxiously awaiting, has signed on to star in THE PROPHECY 4 and THE PROPHECY 5, which are also going to be direct-to-video sequels nobody wants. Appearing in those PROPHECY sequels will make it a trifecta for the actor because he’s also starring in the upcoming direct-to-video sequels to DRACULA 2000. I’d make a sarcastic comment but this is just too sad as it is.
Speaking of unwanted direct-to-video sequels, Lance Henriksen has signed on to star in HELLRAISER: HELLWORLD, in which he and Pinhead open a satanic amusement park. Well, no, that’s not really what it’s about but I’m sure that would be more entertaining than whatever they really have lined up. Also appearing in the movie will be Kari Wuhrer, who is starring in HELLRAISER: DEADER, the yet-to-be-released sequel that precedes it. I guess working with Cenobites still beats doing love scenes with Eric Roberts?
Oh, and CHILDREN OF THE CORN 8 is also in the works. Hey, only two more and they can make CHILDREN OF THE CORN X and set it in outer space in the future. It could be like SILENT RUNNING but with demonically possessed children murdering people up with futuristic farming equipment. I’d watch it!
Finally today, make room in your DVD collection for one of the all-time best of the worst. On April 15th, you’ll finally be able to own BREAKIN’ 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO on DVD. Truly a movie that is more famous for its title than for anything in the movie itself!
–Scott Foy
posted by Christopher 1:30 PM | Comments
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
Not much news today but here’s quick update anyway.
Justin Timberlake as Jimmy Olsen? Selma Blair as Lois Lane? Those are the latest SUPERMAN casting rumors to make the rounds. Let’s just move on.
MonkeyPeaches reports that Steven Seagal has already begun the casting process in Beijing for his GENGHIS KHAN biopic in which he will star. That is going to be one for the ages!
Dark Horizons and Creature Corner both report rumors of a possible modern day updating of FRANKENSTEIN starring Christopher Walken as the mad scientist and Marilyn Manson as his monster. I’ll buy that for a dollar!
FREDDY VS JASON director Ronny Yu told Rue Morgue magazine that the film is designed to be a first in a new franchise. Yu also says the movie will feature 3 different endings. In the first ending, Jason will win, in the second ending, Freddy will win, and in the third ending, Mrs. Peacock will be revealed as the killer. Oh wait, I’m getting this movie mixed-up with CLUE.
Synapse Films has picked up the DVD right to the 1978 cult classic THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN. The movie, featuring early f/x work by Rick Baker, is about an astronaut who returns to earth with a strange disease that slowly causes his skin to dissolve turning him into a murderous monster. The movie was once featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000. A late 2003 release is planned. No word on supplements but a spokesman for Synapse says they’re going to contact Rick Baker to see what he can come up with. I don’t know about you but I’m still waiting very impatiently for that special edition dvd for I COME IN PEACE that is long overdue.
Yahoo Movies reports that November 19th, 2004 is the official release date set for the feature length animated version of SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS. Just thought I’d give you a head’s up for those of you who might want to go ahead and start camping out in front of the movie theaters now.
According to TV Guide, Fox is developing a new version of the classic comedy series Mr. Ed. A contemporary version of a sitcom about a talking horse on the same network responsible for Herman’s Head and Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire? Be afraid! Be very afraid!
Coming to your friendly neighborhood video store tomorrow: SASQUATCH – Lance Henriksen vs. Bigfoot! And its supposedly based on a true story. Sounds like a winner.
Finally today, yours truly wasted some precious time watching a really mediocre movie called BOG CREATURES over the weekend and decided to write a review for it over at Creature Corner to warn others. Read my pain!
–Scott Foy
posted by Christopher 6:46 AM | Comments
Monday, March 10, 2003
Martin Leggett, Region 2 editor of Cult DVD Zone, brings us a couple of tidbits involving Mark Altman:
First off, Ain't It Cool News had something I was actually interested in reading for a change with a review of House of the Dead.The amazing news is it sucks even worse than Harry's website design.
While looking around at other stuff related to the movie I happened upon this article and an entry on IMDb which says that there's going to be a Free Enterprise 2. Bill Shatner should be starring again, which is good as he was the only person in the first one who I didn't want to punch repeatedly in the face, which says more about them than Shatner if you ask me.
Thanks Martin!
Also, faithful reader Joe Littrell forwarded a number of interesting articles.
The first is a Sci-Fi Wire confirmation of the Jerry O'Connell Superman rumor reported in our Saturday update.
Next up, Joe points us to a CNN article about the remake of George Romero's Dawn of the Dead, which was scripted by James "Scooby-Doo" Gunn and will be directed by Zack Snyder, an alleged European "commercials wizard." I'm not sure quite what that means, but it sounds, uh, interesting.
Finally, Joe directs us to the sad news that Fred Freiberger (writer-producer of The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms) has died. Freiberger, who also wrote episodes of some of the most beloved TV series of all time, was 88.
posted by Christopher 7:41 AM | Comments
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