August
18
Today's Linkage: 8/18/08
[Posted by Jeff Sneider]
In Contention's Kris Tapley reveals that Rod Lurie's political drama "Nothing But the Truth" is headed to Toronto where he predicts Kate Beckinsale's performance will turn heads, while Jeff Wells also fesses up to having seen an early cut of the film, which he feels is Lurie's best yet. Any movie that reunites "Must See TV" stars David Schwimmer and Noah Wyle is a "must-see" for me. If only Toronto were closer to Los Angeles.
According to your local listings, Lionsgate has thrown Bill Maher's documentary "Religulous" into a pair of theaters in NY and LA as part of a one-week Oscar-qualifying run. I pray Larry Charles' film finds an audience once it gets a wider release because it looks hilarious and the topic of religion is ripe for the picking. I'm just glad Maher beat Michael Moore to the punch.
An AICN spy calling himself Darth Bruce has seen Pierre Morel's "Taken" (co-written and produced by Luc Besson, natch!), which stars Liam Neeson as a former CIA agent who turns the tables on his daughter's kidnappers. Thanks to a great trailer (not to mention Maggie Grace), "Taken" is one of my most-anticipated films of the fall. It looks like a fun popcorn movie that could serve as welcome break from all the Oscar-bait that clogs the season.
AICN has posted the first two installments of Rosario Dawson's web series "Gemini Division." I haven't watched them yet but you really can't go wrong with free Rosario Dawson anything.
CHUD's Devin Faraci is reporting the "rumor" that director Sam Raimi wants James Franco to take over Paramount's Jack Ryan franchise. I'm a huge Franco fan (you can Google my "Annapolis" review for proof) but I'm not sure he's the right fit for the character and besides, I thought Ben Affleck did a bang-up job in "The Sum of All Fears." Then again, I wouldn't protest if Affleck kept directing films after last year's deeply penetrating "Gone Baby Gone."
Apparently, Kevin Smith has seen Zack Snyder's "Watchmen" and he thought it was "fucking astounding." I have a friend at Paramount who also saw the film about a month ago and he called the 3-hour cut "fucking amazing." At this rate, every two-word review of the 2009 tentpole will be "fucking (insert ultra-positive adjective here)." I for one, can't fucking wait.
And now for a trio of solid interviews... JoBlo has an interview from March with "Tropic Thunder" director/co-writer/star Ben Stiller. AICN's Capone talks to "Hamlet 2" star Steve Coogan, whose head steals a hell of a scene in "Tropic Thunder." And MTV sits down with superscribe Justin Marks to talk about "Green Arrow: Escape From Super Max," which sounds genuinely awesome, aside from that title and all.
Lastly, it seems Simon Pegg will not be appearing in Quentin Tarantino's "Inglorious Bastards" after all, citing "scheduling conflicts." I imagine that has something to do with "Star Trek" but I could be wrong. The story has a happy ending though, as Pegg reveals he will reunite with buddy Nick Frost in "Paul," a comedy to be directed by Greg Mottola ("Superbad").
In Contention's Kris Tapley reveals that Rod Lurie's political drama "Nothing But the Truth" is headed to Toronto where he predicts Kate Beckinsale's performance will turn heads, while Jeff Wells also fesses up to having seen an early cut of the film, which he feels is Lurie's best yet. Any movie that reunites "Must See TV" stars David Schwimmer and Noah Wyle is a "must-see" for me. If only Toronto were closer to Los Angeles.
According to your local listings, Lionsgate has thrown Bill Maher's documentary "Religulous" into a pair of theaters in NY and LA as part of a one-week Oscar-qualifying run. I pray Larry Charles' film finds an audience once it gets a wider release because it looks hilarious and the topic of religion is ripe for the picking. I'm just glad Maher beat Michael Moore to the punch.
An AICN spy calling himself Darth Bruce has seen Pierre Morel's "Taken" (co-written and produced by Luc Besson, natch!), which stars Liam Neeson as a former CIA agent who turns the tables on his daughter's kidnappers. Thanks to a great trailer (not to mention Maggie Grace), "Taken" is one of my most-anticipated films of the fall. It looks like a fun popcorn movie that could serve as welcome break from all the Oscar-bait that clogs the season.
AICN has posted the first two installments of Rosario Dawson's web series "Gemini Division." I haven't watched them yet but you really can't go wrong with free Rosario Dawson anything.
CHUD's Devin Faraci is reporting the "rumor" that director Sam Raimi wants James Franco to take over Paramount's Jack Ryan franchise. I'm a huge Franco fan (you can Google my "Annapolis" review for proof) but I'm not sure he's the right fit for the character and besides, I thought Ben Affleck did a bang-up job in "The Sum of All Fears." Then again, I wouldn't protest if Affleck kept directing films after last year's deeply penetrating "Gone Baby Gone."
Apparently, Kevin Smith has seen Zack Snyder's "Watchmen" and he thought it was "fucking astounding." I have a friend at Paramount who also saw the film about a month ago and he called the 3-hour cut "fucking amazing." At this rate, every two-word review of the 2009 tentpole will be "fucking (insert ultra-positive adjective here)." I for one, can't fucking wait.
And now for a trio of solid interviews... JoBlo has an interview from March with "Tropic Thunder" director/co-writer/star Ben Stiller. AICN's Capone talks to "Hamlet 2" star Steve Coogan, whose head steals a hell of a scene in "Tropic Thunder." And MTV sits down with superscribe Justin Marks to talk about "Green Arrow: Escape From Super Max," which sounds genuinely awesome, aside from that title and all.
Lastly, it seems Simon Pegg will not be appearing in Quentin Tarantino's "Inglorious Bastards" after all, citing "scheduling conflicts." I imagine that has something to do with "Star Trek" but I could be wrong. The story has a happy ending though, as Pegg reveals he will reunite with buddy Nick Frost in "Paul," a comedy to be directed by Greg Mottola ("Superbad").
Subscribe to this blog's feed
Dude, STAR TREK has been wrapped for ages (as you should know). It has nothing to do with that.
Posted by: John Whorfin | August 19, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Well John, since you seem to be sooo in the know, what does it have to do with? And is it possible, just possible, that although "Trek" has wrapped ("ages ago," apparently) he has press committments to honor, especially abroad, or perhaps for another movie like How to Lose Friends and Alienate People? Maybe Pegg just didn't like the script, or the role he was offered, but it seems like him and QT would be a match made in heaven, no? Regardless, thanks for reading and I appreciate the comment, even if it's just to rib me for being clueless.
Posted by: Jeff | August 19, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Jeff, it looks like you got a broken link to my site, but i appreciate the attempt!
http://theplaylist.blogspot.com/2008/08/simon-pegg-wont-appear-in-inglorious.html
Posted by: The Playlist | August 20, 2008 at 12:10 PM