August
19 Today's Linkage: 8/19/08

[Posted by Jeff Sneider]

According to Slashfilm and JoBlo, incoming latenight host Jimmy Fallon and "Arrested Development" star Alia Shawkat have joined the cast of Drew Barrymore's directorial debut "Whip It!" Fallon replaces Barrymore's ex-boyfriend Justin Long in the role of roller derby announcer "Hot Tub Johnny," which oddly enough was my nickname in college. At least, it should've been.

Coming Soon reports that Vin Diesel, he of the upcoming sci-fi extravaganza "Babylon A.D.," has decided to venture behind the camera to direct a 20-minute prequel to "Fast and Furious," the Justin Lin-helmed film set for release next June from Universal. We know Diesel's project will reunite him with Michelle Rodriguez who appeared in the original film, but if the luscious Jordanna Brewster doesn't at least make a cameo, I'll be "furious."

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Russell Crowe is developing a biopic about cult comedian Bill Hicks. It sounds like it could be a nice change of pace for the gifted Aussie actor if he decides to star in the project. Besides, would it kill the guy to smile once in a while onscreen?

According to our very own Box Office Boffo, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" has been bumped back a week to Christmas in the wake of Columbia moving "Seven Pounds" from Dec. 12 to Dec. 19. Can you imagine if Will Smith and Brad Pitt had gone head to head at the box office? Christmas would've come early for a whole lotta ladies. Meanwhile, Vulture asks why "Ben Button" needs to be so long? I ask, who cares? Too many people stayed away from Fincher's "Zodiac" because of its intimidating length but it was a great movie and in the end, it's about quality, not quanity. Now bring on Soderbergh's 4-hour cut of "Che!"

In Contention's Brian Kinsley digs into Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander's script for "Valkyrie." He calls the effort "fairly tight" and says we should keep our eye on Terence Stamp's performance as Ludwig Beck, which on the page may be enough to merit a Supporting Actor nomination. I don't know about you but this piece makes me want to go rewatch "The Limey." I wonder how many more roundabout Soderbergh references I can squeeze into today's Linkage?

AICN's Quint has a superb interview with the creative forces behind the "Child's Play" series, which has always been one of my favorites. They discuss the film's 20th anniversary DVD and bringing back the irreplacable Brad Dourif for the planned remake. Heidy-Ho, hahaha!

In the wake of the "Poltergeist" remake news and Anne's "Superman" story, I direct you to Cracked's look at "The Insane True Stories of 6 Cursed Movies." Had there been a 7th movie on the list it would've been Wes Craven's "Cursed," which was so bad that no one on Cracked's staff must've seen it. I saw it in a grimy Manhattan theater and when the ancient projector blew out during the final reel, it wasn't a curse so much as a blessing.

And finally, Showtime's "Dexter" invites you to test your "killer instinct" with a series of questions designed to measure how psychotic you may potentially be. It's a fun little time-killer but here's my diagnosis to save you some time: If you're not watching "Dexter," you're crazy. Check it out!

August 2009