Now that we've all had a chance to see some of the video footage that has been leaking from the set of Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds (footage that has since disappeared), you might have noticed that the man himself was nowhere to be found in most of the clips. But, according to The Quentin Tarantino Archives, one man who has been behind the camera lately is Mr. 'Torture Porn' himself, Eli Roth. Rumor has it Roth is directing a Nazi propaganda film to be included in the story of "...a group of prisoners-turned-soldiers whose mission is to take down a group of Nazis, and the other follows a young Jewish woman who seeks to avenge the death of her parents by this Nazi group."
The horror director first signed on to the project back in August to play Sgt. Donnie Donowitz, "a baseball bat swinging Nazi hunter". But, I guess Roth wasn't content with just being in front of the camera this time around. QT Archives reports that Roth is directing the story of "Daniel Brühl as a Nazi sniper and GIs on a suicide mission." -- presumably while Tarantino was off teaching Til Schweiger how to do a spit take.
You almost have to feel sorry for Tarantino with the amount of scrutiny surrounding his WWII epic -- think about it, when was the last time a headline about an orchestral score got this much attention? So far, Tarantino and company have managed to keep a few details from spilling with the help of the odd water cannon. So, you may be wondering: why all the mania? Well, maybe it's because Tarantino has been talking about making Basterds for so long -- or maybe it's just because for a lot fans, Grindhouse wasn't the comeback they had been hoping for. Either way you cut it, we may not like what the guy has come up with, but at least it will be like nothing else we've seen before.
Since I started this crazy Cinematical gig, Gale Anne Hurd has become one of my heroes. She digs comic books, and she digs badass chicks, and she's often behind a movie that combines the two. And this project is no exception. According to Variety, she's has optioned Gearhead, Dennis Hopeless' four issue series from Arcana Comics.
Gearhead is the story of Shelby Cooper, a chick who disdains the electric cars and PC-living of a United States set in a fascist and post-apocalyptic future. She's the daughter of Gearhead, a vigilante hero who lacked superpowers, but fought crime with a giant wrench. Though she's more into racing and repairing her illegal gas guzzling car, she find herself taking on her father's vigilante persona in order to find her missing brother. All four issues are up on Wowio -- I've only read the first so far, but it seems like a lot of fun. Plus, Shelby owns a pug dog, which endears her to me even more than her skull-splitting ways.
Hurd is a self-avowed fan of the book, and told UGO last month that she thinks Ellen Page would be great in the title role. The dialogue certainly has that Page level of snark to it -- and it would be pretty fun to see her mouth off while bloodying someone up. I'll definitely be checking out the rest of the series, and looking forward to seeing Hurd bring another tough chick to the screen. Someone has to do it!
Last week, I had the chance to visit the set of Dear John, Lasse Hallström's adaptation of Nicholas' Sparks heartbreaking novel. I'll get to tell you all about the visit and the movie at a later date, so keep an eye out. In the meantime, though, I thought I'd tease fandom with a Captain America soundbite. While talking to the film's leading man, Channing Tatum, I couldn't resist asking him if he'd play the First Avenger, mentioning that at least one reader had nominated him for the part last week. Surprisingly, that reader isn't the first one to think of him for the part -- a crew member tried to soften him up, too! Here's his unvarnished response:
"Captain America? Oh my God! Oddly enough, I just got given a book – one of the painters came up and here gave me a book. I would think about it. Maybe it's destiny! I would definitely think about it – I just got done doing G.I. Joe, though. If Joe does well, and it doesn't seem to be the exact same story, then I would. I don't know. They seem to be very, very similar – almost identical. Except for the – I think he takes a serum? Like a strength serum? [But the WWII setting] could be very very cool. "
So, there you have it. Tatum is definitely a bit reluctant to jump into the All American Hero mold again -- but it is Captain America, which is a pretty tempting superhero for any actor to play. I'll freely admit a bit of bias in saying that Tatum has risen on my personal "Who should play Cap?" list, because he certainly has the right personal qualities. He's a genuine, stand-up guy -- there's a reason Hollywood is itching to have him play in uniform so often. And hey, there's worse things than being typecast as the heroic soldier!
Well, that was cleared up quickly! Just the other day, I reported on rumors flying about the ending of Australia, and claims that Fox had pressured its director, Baz Luhrmann, to change it. Luhrmann quickly informed The Sydney Morning Herald that the film's ending was entirely in his hands, bristling at the suggestion that it wasn't. "It's really simple: on a Baz Luhrmann film, I decide."
I'll fill in the spoilery blanks for you now -- rumors were that test audiences were quite appalled that Hugh Jackman's character, The Drover, died at the end of the film. Fox was certain that Jackman's tragic end spelled doom for the box office, but Luhrmann brushes off the rumors, calling them "naive" and "profoundly misinformed." He also points out that Fox would hardly have taken issue with The Drover's death, since they happily froze Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic, and we all know how that box office turned out.
It turns out, he filmed three different endings and tested two -- one where Jackman lived, and one where he died. Audience reactions were the same for both endings, but he decided to choose the third, which remains a mystery to all but him and his cast. "There was always a struggle within me," he said. "There's the way Titanic ends and there's the way Gone With The Wind ends. It's neither of those. It's an ending specific to this moment and it's what I want the film to give out and what I need in my own life. It's what I want to feel. On that level, it's completely personal."
So, now you have it -- Luhrmann is firmly in control, we'll be delightfully surprised by the ending, and I may not have to watch The Drover die. Good news all around! (We won't talk about the fact that its reportedly still not done ...)
"It was all a dream! It was all a dream! It was all probably a coke-induced dream!"
My friend pointed me towards this clever YouTube video by the Fine Brothers, in which the duo do exactly what they set out to: reveal one hundred movie endings within four minutes. It's like the logical extension to that spoiler T-shirt that made the rounds a while back, and while the Meg Ryan streak they demonstrate (you'll see) is telling enough (not to mention the sports movie bits), I could see them pulling pretty much off the same thing with Drew Barrymore -- not that it's their fault, more so the industry's. (Oh, and this video is pretty much exactly what I get for not having seen Wild Things by this point in my life.)
And for those so inclined as to watch the same thing, only with the brothers naked, click here and, um, enjoy. (SPOILER ALERT! They're not wearing clothes!)
When Red Cliff (Part 1) rolled out across most of Asia in July, John Woo's historical action epic generated very good box office returns, and its recent release in Japan continues the trend. Topping the charts for the second week in a row, according to Variety, Red Cliff has earned more than $18 million so far.
Part 2 of the four-hour plus Red Cliff is due for January release in Asia, and an international (i.e. short) version is also being prepped for the beginning of the year. Theatrical distribution deals are set in Europe (France, Finland, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, and Norway), with Summit Entertainment (distributor of Twilight and Sex Drive) handling international sales.
Still, no US distribution deal has been announced. What's holding things up? Will Summit take it on? Will North American audiences ever get to set Red Cliff on the big screen, where it clearly belongs? Or are distributors spooked by the prospect of marketing one more foreign-language action epic?
Red Cliff is based on the classic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms; the title refers to the location of a battle involving more than a million soldiers that brought an end to the Han Dynasty in 208 AD, resulting in the division of China into three kingdoms. Tony Leung Chiu-Wai (Lust, Caution), Takeshi Kaneshiro (House of Flying Daggers), Zhang Fengyi (The Emperor and the Assassin), Chang Chen (Blood Brothers), and Lin Chiling (gorgeous Taiwanese model in her acting debut) star.
Bit by tenuous bit, Todd Solondz's next film is coming together. It started brewing in June of 2007, then stalled due to money issues, and then got cooking again in August with the help of Werc Werk Works. But now, oh now, the film has got its superstar.
The Hollywood Reporter posts that Paris Hilton has signed onto the dramatic comedy, along with Allison Janney and Charlotte Rampling. (In addition: "Ciaran Hinds, Shirley Henderson, Renee Taylor, Michael Lerner, Michael Kenneth Williams, Chane't Johnson, Eric Wareheim, and Chris Marquette are among the other actors that Werc Werk Works announced as joining the project. ")
Once called Life During Wartime (there's no title attached to the current news), the film still stars Paul Reubens and focuses on a family during wartime. If nothing has changed, it brings together characters from Welcome to the Dollhouse and Happiness with different people playing the roles. I first imagined Reubens as Dawn Wiener, but maybe it's Paris?
This could be terrible, and help along Solondz's cinematic decline, but I wonder if this could have House of Yes potential -- in other words, could Paris pull off something Tori Spelling-esque? If anything can make her interesting, I'd think it'd be screen time with PeeWee and Janney. Thoughts?
I'm going to attempt to write this as spoiler free as possible, saddened that as a Cinematical blogger, I inevitably ruin every single movie for myself.
According to The Guardian, Baz Luhrmann was reportedly convinced to change the ending of Australia after "intense discussions" with 20th Century Fox. Early test screenings were quite negative towards the original ending which is, apparently, quite a downer. Now, you'll save on Kleenex, because it's being rewritten for everyone to live happily ever after. (You're probably saying "Just say what the ending is, it's not a spoiler if it's changed!" but I don't want to take the risk. Please don't blab it in the comments, either.)
Over at Rope of Silicon, they say Fox insists Luhrmann has the final cut, and his vision is being respected. If the ending has been changed, it's because he wanted to change it. So there's both sides, and I guess we'll be able to put two and two together after we see the film. To add a little extra credence to this story, the fact that The Australian was reporting as of Halloween that the film still wasn't done suggests the ending could be one of the final difficulties. The Guardian only mentions a rewrite, and not a reshoot, so let's hope they filmed some alternate versions in order to avoid further delay. Now that I've lost The Road, I'm counting on The Drover to brighten up Thanksgiving weekend.
A few new images from the film were also just released, and we've added them to our brand new Australia gallery below. The ending might be changed, but she certainly is a beauty to look at.
Will it be tragic or inspiring to see another Iraq war-centric film up on the big screen?
The Hollywood Reporter posts that America Ferrera is heading to New Mexico this February to star in a new film from writer/director Ryan Piers Williams called American Tragic, which she will also executive produce. The story focuses on a young soldier (Ryan O'Nan) who finds that it's hard to readjust to normal life after serving in Iraq. Unable to cope, he leaves his small hometown and hits the road "in search of redemption." Ferrera will play the wife he leaves behind while Melissa Leo plays his mother and June Diane Raphael (Bride Wars co-scribe) plays his sister.
It sounds like Stop Loss without the stop loss, but between Leo and Ferrera, who received acclaim for her work in Real Women Have Curves, this could prove to be an interesting film. Whether it'll be received by the public, that's another story. Iraq-centric films haven't done so well at the box office, so I'm always amazed when another gets added to the list.
Two weeks ago, Scott Weinberg and I sat down to discuss the DVD release of The Incredible Hulk. It proved to be a popular conversation starter among readers, and I had planned on doing it again the next time there was a big movie release to theaters or DVD. I don't want to abuse the format, and I hardly think everyone wants to just read my goofy AIM conversations. But with the news that First Avenger: Captain Americafinally had its director in Joe Johnston, I decided that the news was worthy of sitting down with the biggest Captain America fan I know, Wes Robinson. Robinson is the steady first mate of Enchanted Grounds, arguably my favorite place in Colorado. Robinson is one of the best Dungeon Masters in the state, pulls the coolest comics for me, is a maker of fine food and coffee, and an all around awesome guy.
What I think is particularly key about a conversation like this is how quickly it destroys the notion that devoted fans are impossible to please. We really are an enthusiastic and optimistic group of people, badly represented by a few rabid nuts with online access. Don't get me wrong -- I know they exist and I've written about them, but this notion that "the fans will hate it anyway, so who cares" really ignores the normal, happy-go-lucky fans that I know and write for. So, more than a goofy AIM conversation, think of this yet another effort to knock down that Berlin Wall of bad reputation. And I hope you enjoy, and pick up the conversation where it left off.
Wes: Captain America!!!
Elisabeth: Yeah! Let's talk Captain America!
Wes: Okay!
Elisabeth: So, what do you think of the choice of director?
Wes: Well I was a big fan of The Rocketeer ...I think he will be able to capture the feel of a period piece Cap movie for sure. I mean, that's really the only way to do the first Cap movie -- set in WWII. I am happy they chose someone who is familiar with doing period pieces. So overall, I am very optimistic about the choice.
At last, First Avenger: Captain America moves forward! According to The Hollywood Reporter, Joe Johnston has landed the job of directing one of the most beloved superheroes in Marvel's canon. Get this -- he's been in talks for this for two years straight, and most of the plans currently swirling around Cap originated then, thanks to Johnston. So he's certainly put his time in on the character. At the present time, no writer has been hired, but the pitches are pouring in, so expect another announcement soon. The movie is still scheduled to be released May 6th, 2011.
Johnston probably isn't the most glamorous or obvious choice -- but, arguably, he's handled patriotic themes of Americana well in October Sky and the overlooked Hidalgo. But perhaps the biggest credit to his name when it comes to Captain America is The Rocketeer, which is nearly what a Captain America film should be. I liked what I saw of The Wolfman, and it could be that a big Marvel film is the one that Johnston's been gearing up towards. And that's exactly what Marvel's Kevin Feige thinks, too. Says the Man of Marvel: "This is a guy who designed the vehicles for Star Wars, who storyboarded the convoy action sequence for Raiders of the Lost Ark ... you can look at pieces of his movies and see how they lead to this one."
But we all know the truth -- the movie we want depends purely on who they cast as Cap. The man to wear the red, white, and blue is what will make or break this movie. Nevertheless, feel free to praise or criticize Joe Johnston, the man they call director, below. (Plus the guy did a pretty solid job on Jurassic Park 3! -- Weinberg)
There's two Greek epics racing to production as we speak -- Relativity Media's War of the Gods, directed by Tarsem Singh, and Louis Leterrier'sClash of the Titans for Warner Bros. Both are looking to fill the muscle-and-sandal void left by 300, and plan to employ the stylish green-screen effects that made 300 so darn pretty to look at, and cheap to make.
And it looks like they'll be borrowing something else from 300 -- manly eye candy. According to Variety, both films are in negotiations for their lead actors. War of the Gods is looking to cast Henry Cavill as Theseus, legendary king of Athens. Cavill is best known as the rakish Charles Brandon on Showtime's The Tudors, and as Albert Mondego in The Count of Monte Cristo. That's him on the right. He's ridiculously handsome, and thus an ideal candidate for a mythic Greek.
Meanwhile, the increasingly in-demand Sam Worthington is in talks to play Perseus in Clash of the Titans. By now, Warner Bros has undoubtedly seen him in action in Terminator: Salvation so they'll know if he's the right man to take on Medusa. Again, he's not a bad looking fellow, and should look good in bronze and leather. Incidentally, both he and Cavill were once in the running to play James Bond.
Both films are expected to start production in late winter or early spring, so this will be the first of many casting announcements. I wonder if both films are doomed to move in sync, lumped together in the trades until the day they hit theaters.
There's a bunch of new Australia photos over on the New York Times' website and, as usual, they are jaw-dropping and gorgeous. If you're a history and costume nerd like I am, you'll love this little feature, as the film's costume designer Catherine Martin elaborates on the authenticity and art behind some of the outfits. If you can tear your eyes away from Hugh Jackman's biceps, you might like to learn all about the shirt and belts encasing his ridiculously impressive frame. Says Ms. Martin: "The T-shirt he is wearing is, in fact, a shearer's shirt, a traditional shirt that has been in that style since the late 19th century. These are very traditional, classic Australian clothes, as is the plaited belt. Most of the stockmen made their own leather goods around the campfire. The second, so-called hobble belt is used to tie together the legs of horses to keep them from wandering off. The pants are the equivalent of Australian jeans. They are made from moleskin, and weirdly, in Australia, we wear it with the furry side in."
Moleskin facts aside, I can't get over the production value. Even the costume stills have been tweaked to look like they're from the 1940s. There doesn't seem to be a single area of this film that they haven't lavished an incredible amount of work and detail on. Let's hope the story and the script are as up to snuff! Australia opens November 26th.
One of the movies I've been dying to get a glimpse of is Stephen Daldry's The Reader. The Weinstein flick that didn't get thrown into the Great Harvey Migration of '08, The Reader follows Ralph Fiennes as he thinks back and remembers his first love -- the older Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet). But it isn't merely simple Graduate type of romance. After a summer together, she disappears, not to reappear until years later -- while she's on trial for war crimes because of her work as a guard at Auschwitz.
And that's pretty much what you can see in the trailer above -- which does a good job of setting up this complicated story and heaping on the questions and intrigue. (First you have to watch a trailer before the trailer, so be patient. Gotta love the world we live in today!) Anyhow, this film is setting off those Oscar signals and if this collection of clips is any clue, this has a good chance of bringing Winslet her sixth Oscar nomination. (Whether she actually wins for a change, who knows?!)
It's been an interesting ride for Tom Cruise'sValkyrie. It's received lots of apprehension, unkind words, a falsePhotoshop drama and a bit of a jostle with its release date. The film's mission to get to the screen seems almost as dangerous as von Stauffenberg's quest to assassinate Hitler. Now its arrival is almost upon us, and with that, we've got a new trailer.
If you want to get the trailer off on the right foot, Terence Stamp (who plays General Ludwig Beck) is definitely the way to do it. The honor, tenseness, and drama -- it plays out as a trailer should. But I just can't get behind Cruise's lack of an accent. Sure, the accents from everyone are far from accurate, but in a sea of British talent, Tom's voice sticks out like a sore thumb. If there was even the slightest hint of an accent (as if he was trying to suppress it and sound American), it'd even work. But as is, the only thing I can think is: "Who is that American dude in the German army?"
That being said, everything else has me really curious about this feature. How about you?
Now that we've all had a chance to see some of the video footage that has been leaking from the set of Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds (footage that has since disappeared), you might have noticed that the man himself was nowhere to be found in most of the clips. But, according to The Quentin Tarantino Archives, one man who has been behind the camera lately is Mr. 'Torture Porn' himself, Eli Roth. Rumor has it Roth is directing a Nazi propaganda film to be included in the story of "...a group of prisoners-turned-soldiers whose mission is to take down a group of Nazis, and the other follows a young Jewish woman who seeks to avenge the death of her parents by this Nazi group."
Since I started this crazy Cinematical gig, Gale Anne Hurd has become one of my heroes. She digs comic books, and she digs badass chicks, and she's often behind a movie that combines the two. And this project is no exception. According to Variety, she's has optioned Gearhead, Dennis Hopeless' four issue series from Arcana Comics.
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Bit by tenuous bit, Todd Solondz's next film is coming together. It started brewing in 
Will it be tragic or inspiring to see another Iraq war-centric film up on the big screen?
There's 
