Friday, April 6, 2001
03:00 p.m.
Timeline
It is reported that Richard Donner will helm the production of Michael Crichton's time travel novel.
Matrix 2
Filming of the new movie in Australia has been delayed due to the tragic death of Keanu Reeves former girlfriend, Jennifer Syme.
Soul Calibur
Apparently Sammo Hung will direct the US film adaption of the Namco game.
Monday, April 2, 2001
10:06 a.m.
Film Censorship
In Australia, the Federal Parliament has recently passed a bill that will enable moral rights and religious groups to appeal the rulings of the Office of Film and Literature Classification to the Review Board. The Coalition and the Labor Parties supported this bill that has been passed with no apparent demand from the public. This is not a good occurance, for example, the groups that brought complaints to the Review Board about the release of Lolita in this country will now have a standing appeal based on ’the contentious aspects of a film’s theme or subject matter.’
I am not happy with this outcome at all. I thought Lolita was a beautiful film and I feel cheated that in the future any film that raises an issue that is just a little too confronting to any number of religious or moral groups can be reconsidered and may be denied access or be unfairly rated or have a restricted release.
Saturday, March 31, 2001
05:41 p.m.
Red Dwarf: The Movie
The script is apparently complete and the cast have read through it for the first time last week in London's Shepperton Studios. The production is being directed by both series director Ed Bye and writer Doug Naylor, shooting is expected to start soon.
Wednesday, March 28, 2001
09:24 a.m.
Star Trek X
Apparently in the new film the character of Jean-Luc Picard will be killed, Patrick Stewert is aiming to make the new film his last appearance. A new super-villain that may be played by Alan Rickman will most likely be the key to his death.
Terminator 3
It has been reported by Variety that director Jonathan Mostow (U-571) is in talks to direct the new film.
Duke Nukem: The Movie
An official site has been released for the film. Use the link above to get there.
Alien 5
Sigourney Weaver remarked that while the rumours are false and there is no Alien 5 at the moment, she also said that there is a script for the film but she has not read it. With the ending of Alien Resurrection obviously left open there is always an option to create a fifth but apparently there is more motivation to persue an Aliens Vs. Predator film.
Tuesday, March 27, 2001
09:52 a.m.
The Oscars
Well it is over for another year and the outcome has been reasonably predictable. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, the winners all deserved their awards, but it makes you wonder if the award ceremony is becoming a measure of popularity rather than quality.
Steve Martin was a good host, bringing some humorous moments to the function, but he seemed at times a little wooden, scripted and corney. Russell Crowe's acceptance speach was inspiring and heartfelt, Julia Roberts was beautiful, funny and seemingly overwhelmed by the whole experience. The musical performances were great, but what was with Bjork's dress, she's a great and beautiful singer but that swan thing definitely wasn't doing her any justice at all.
In the end, there can be only one, so here's a list of the winners:
BEST PICTURE: Gladiator
BEST DIRECTOR: Steven Soderbergh - Traffic
BEST ACTOR: Russell Crowe - Gladiator
BEST ACTRESS: Julia Roberts - Erin Brockovich
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Benicio Del Toro - Traffic
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Marcia Gay Harden - Pollock
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Cameron Crowe - Almost Famous
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Stephen Gaghan - Traffic
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Peter Pau - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
BEST ART DIRECTION/SET DECORATION: Tim Yip - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Janty Yates - Gladiator
BEST SOUND: Scott Millan, Bob Beemer, Ken Weston - Gladiator
BEST EDITING: Stephan Mirrione - Traffic
BEST SOUND EDITING: Jon Johnson - U-571
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: John Nelson, Neil Corbould, Tim Burke, Rob Harvey - Gladiator
BEST MAKEUP: Rick Baker, Gail Rowell-Ryan - How The Grinch Stole Christmas
BEST MUSIC - SONG: "Things Have Changed" music and lyrics by Bob Dylan - Wonder Boys
BEST MUSIC - ORIGINAL SCORE: Tan Dun - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
BEST SHORT FILM - ANIMATED: Father And Daughter
BEST SHORT FILM - LIVE ACTION: Quiero Ser (I Want To Be...)
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY: Big Mama
BEST DOCUMENTARY: Into The Arms Of Strangers: Stories Of The Kindertransport
BEST FOREIGN FILM: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
There it is, the 73rd Annual Academy Awards. I also realise that this entry is dated two days after the ceremony, but I live in Australia and it screened on TV just last night with the time difference and all.
Sunday, March 25, 2001
12:28 p.m.
Big Trouble In Little China
This classic, cult, action/fantasy/comedy film by director John Carpenter is coming to DVD in a special edition. With extras involving a commentary track with Kurt Russel and John Carpenter, deleted scenes, trailers, magazine articles and more it is well worth getting. It will be available May 22nd.
The Vega Brothers
Quentin Tarantino is planning to release a prequel to the films Pulp Fiction and Resevoir Dogs. The film follows the story of Vincent Vega, played by John Travolta in Pulp Fiction, and Vic Vega, played by Michael Madsen in Resevoir Dogs. The Vega Brothers is set to begin filming after Tarantino finishes Glorious Bastards.
Wednesday, March 21, 2001
10:00 a.m.
Terminator 3
Linda Hamilton has briefly discussed the reason why she won't return for the sequel. The new script does not offer the character Sara a new direction as her story has basically been told and Linda would rather the character be remembered for the hero she is.
Rush Hour 2
Brad Allen, who is part of the stunt team assisting Jackie Chan in the new production has commented on the progress the film is making. Apparently the shooting is going well though they are behind schedule, this is due mainly to the amount of time they have been spending on the scenes with dialogue. Filming has been done in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Hong Kong, the film will also star Zhang Zi-yi who starred in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The plot basically involves Lee and Carter tracking down a counterfeiting gang of triads.
Duke Nukem
Variety reports that that Dimension Films has acquired the 'Duke Nukem: The Movie' production from Threshold Entertainment.
Tick Tock
Director Danny Boyle (Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, A Life Less Ordinary) is preparing to shoot a new thriller. The basic plot involves an amnesiac who wakes up in FBI custody to find he is the prime suspect in a series of bombings in LA. He helps a young agent to try and disarm the bombs as his memory returns to him.
Thursday, March 15, 2001
11:16 p.m.
Terminator 3
Shooting on this eagerly awaited sequel is expected to begin in LA and Montreal sometime before summer. Ridley Scott is rumoured to be the director, and with previous science fiction titles under his belt, namely Alien and Blade Runner, the film may turn out to be an equal and not just another sequel in this fantastic series.
Alien 5
Rumours report of both Sigourney Weaver and Winona Ryder signing up for another film and that the story may be partly located on Earth. Fox have denied rumours of any development of another sequel in the Alien Saga.
Spider-Man
The official site will launch on 23 - 03 - 01.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Prequel
Ang Lee talked to USA Today about the production on the prequel to his hit film. Apparently the budget may be a problem with the new project though, for with the first film they were charged only a fifth of the price for equipment as they were perceived as a TV production.
Monday, March 12, 2001
11:24 p.m.
Star Wars: Episode II
A detail of the plot has been revealed and it seems that Queen Amidala will have a key role in the temptation of Anakin towards the dark side. R.A. Salvatore, who is writing the novelisation of the movie, is quoted as saying, "People don't snap like that and go over to the dark side. Maybe they have temporary rage, but they don't become Darth Vader because of that. But with Anakin, there's a LOT more to it. That's the real beauty of it. She's a big part in what's going on in him."
It is not a hugely unpredictable plot point. Anakin's disillusionment and temptation was always going to involve his love for Amidala. The perseived depth of her involvement though is somewhat hightened by this release.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring
One of the most anticipated films of 2001 is the first installment of the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy. With a release date of December the 19th, the film has been gaining a lot of hype and will soon be revealed. New Teaser posters have been released and almost all movie news sites have been covering the film. I suggest though, before you get completely involved in the film that you take time to read the books.
I know you've heard it all before... "the book was much better than the film"... yada yada yada. But even I, a devoted film fanatic have read the series and find it a most encapsulating and rewarding experience. The books unfold the magical realm of Middle Earth and take you on a journey like no other. The characters, from Gandalf to Samwise are engaging and endeering. You will be moved and excited with scenes of great power, and great loss. I am being very vague but the emotional and visual beauty of the book is impossible to describe in only a few sentances. For more information on The Lord Of The Rings books and films, visit this site: http://www.thelordoftherings.com
Sunday, March 11, 2001
09:39 p.m.
American Beauty is now available on DVD in Australia. I highly recommend this truly wonderful, emotional and beautiful movie.
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