New News

• Casino Royale finally has a Vesper Lynd, and Eva Green is playing her. Green was last seen in Kingdom of Heaven, opposite Orlando Bloom. Jeffrey Wright has been added to the cast as well, playing Felix Leiter, a CIA agent. Mads Mikkelsen, a Danish actor, who played Tristan in King Arthur, staring Clive Owen.
  
  

• Phillip Seymour Hoffman, has revealed his troubled past, in which he dealth with substance abuse problems. The favorite for Best Actor at the Academy Awards, for his portrayal of Truman Capote in Capote has been sober since he was 22 years old. The actor revealed this on 60 Minutes, which will air this Sunday in the US.
  
  
• The Bourne Ultimatum is set to begin filming in August. The third and final installment of the series of books, written by Robert Ludlum, may not be the last film. Producers would like to make a total of 5 films, but the decision is up to Matt Damon and if he wants to make that many. The third film will have Bourne team up with the KGB, and both Julia Stiles, and Joan Allen's character will have more central roles in the films. The first two films The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy, were hits in America as well as internationally.
  
  
• As Previously discussed Sin City 2 has been pushed back until next year. The film which was going to be released this summer has been pushed back since Robert Rodriguez is working with Quentin Taratino on Grind. Pushing back the release date is not a surprise, since filming hasn't even begun the film.
  
  
• Nathan Fillion who played Captain Mal Reynolds in Firefly and Serenity will star in the sequel to White Noise, entitled White Noise 2: The Light. His character (played by Michael Keaton in the first film) "realizes that he has changes and can now identify those about to die, but his powers come with some terrible ramifications." For more information visit empire article: Nathan Fillion Step Into The Light

The Matador

The Matador was one of the funnier movies that I have seen. The role of Julian was made for Pierce Brosnan, and it really showed that he has a comedic flair. This is not your basic hitman film, first off its funny, and second it has some of the best one liners. The film is about a hitman named Julian Noble, who is on assignment in Mexico, while there he meets Danny Wright a, businessman with rotten luck. The two start to taking and form sort of a bond while in Mexico, until Danny sees who Julian really is. When Julian starts to get fed up with the business he goes to visit Danny in Denver, meets his wife Bean, and asks Danny to help him.

Pierce Brosnan was really good as Julian. He was so funny and he cracked me up with some of the things that he said. Some of them being vulgar and offensive, which made them that much better. He and Greg Kinnear (who played Danny Wright) worked well together, they had good chemistry and they worked well off of each other. Hope Davis played Danny's wife, Bean and she was funny when she was shown. At one point she keeps cursing and Danny looks at her, and she said what "can't I curse, there is a hitman in our house, if not now when" and it was just so funny. The scene with the three of them in Denver was very funny and I could not stop laughing.

Another thing i liked about his film was the music that they used in it, it wasn't music that you think would be used in a film like this, but it worked really well. It reminded me of the music that Quentin Tarantino uses in his films, music that stands out and almost becomes a character itself.

For more information visit: The Matador at imdb.com

Review: Junebug

Looking at the message boards, I saw that a lot of people were dissapointed with Junebug. I can sorta understand that, but I would have to disagree. This film was different, and it had that going for it. But after all the hype for this film, and its major success at Sundance, it was different then I thought it would be.

The film is about an art dealer named Madeleine who travels with her husband, George, from Chicago to a backwoods town in North Caroline, to sign a deal with a reclusive artist. During the trip, they go to spend some time with his famliy, so that she can meet her new in-laws, including, his parents, Peg and Eugene, his brother Johnny, and Johnny's pregnant wife Ashley. During their trip, old resentments resurface, and new ones appear, and they have to pull together as a family, and be there for one another.

The scene stealer in this movie was Amy Adams who played Ashley. She was very funny and honest, and made me laugh throughout the film. She and Johnny, don't have the best relationship, but you can see that she wants it to work out. She is very impressed by Madeleine, and envys her lifestyle. Amy did a phenomenal job, and I see why she keeps getting nominated for her acting.

Benjamin McKenzie, played Johnny. His character wasn't very different from what he plays on The OC. Johnny was angry throughout the entire film, angry at his family, but mainly at his brother George. It seems as though they had problems in the past and haven't really spoken for a while. He is very quite and brooding throughout the film, saying very little.

George was played by Alessandro Nivola. His character was very focused on family, which was very important to him. George seems like the perfect guy, handsome, sensative, and an all around good person, he even sings church hymns. He is there for his family when they need him, and he has a touching scene with Ashley, near the end of the film, that makes you want to cry and laugh (the scene showed how good both of them were at acting).

Lastly Embeth Davidtz played Madeleine. Her character was basically a fish out of water. She was meeting her new in-laws for the first time, and it was very awkward for her. Also the family issue came back into play, because she was more worried about closing her art deal, then being there when they needed her.

This film had a lot to do with family. About people who are there for you when you need them, when your world is falling apart they are there to help you pick up the pieces. In some cases that person was there and in other cases they weren't. Also it was about admitting that you need your family, which is sometimes hard to do. We want to think that we are independent, and that we don't need anyone, but sometimes we do, and we have to realize that. This film had some really great shots of scenery and at one point when George and Madeleine arrive at the house, they gave the audience a tour of the house, which was pretty neat. Also some of the scenery was shot offcenter and then other objects would come into the frame, which was pretty interesting. I would recommend this film, give it a shot, maybe you'll like it, I did.

For more information on the film visit: Junebug on imdb.com

News, News, News!

• Filming had begun on Casino Royale in Prague, Czech Republic, without a new bond girl or a villain. There have been many actresses linked to the project, including, Angelina Jolie, Rachel McAdams, and Thandie Newton, whom have all been considered to play Vesper Lynd. Hopefully they will find the actors for the open roles, before they have to delay fiming.

• Would you like to be the next George Lucas? Want to make your own Star Wars film? Where here is your chance, Hasbro, who make Star Wars action figures (over 500 different ones), have launched a mini movie competition. Entrants can re-enact or spoof a scene from one of the Star Wars films, using Hasbro figures to do it. Entries will be judged and awards will be given to Best Creativity, Best Storyline, and Best Use of Characters. For more information visit: empireonline.com

• Just a reminder that the Grammy’s are being aired on Wednesday at 8 p.m. on your local CBS station. Jamie Foxx will be performing with Kanye West, along with a slew of other performances including, Mary J Blige and U2, Paul McCartney, Kelly Clarkson, and more. For more information visit. http://www.grammy.com/

• The Oscar statuettes have arrived in Los Angeles, practically a month before the award show, which takes place on March 5th. 50 of the gold statuettes, which are 13.5 inches tall, left New York, where they were being exhibited, on a special flight, with bodyguards, and arrived at Los Angeles Airport. They will be on exhibit from February 10th until March 3rd nearby the Kodak Theater where the 78th annual award show takes place.

• With the Super Bowl taking place this Sunday, some celebrities, athletes and politicians have placed their bets on who will win. To see their picks visit: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs05/news/story?id=2316803

Review: The Constant Gardener

So I have finally seen The Constant Gardner, and I loved it. The film was intriguing and visually appealing. While watching this film you really get caught up in the story. The film is about a widower named Justin Quayle, played by Ralph Fiennes, who must get to the bottom of his wife’s death (Tessa, portrayed by Rachel Weisz). The further he gets to the truth, the more danger his own life, and the lives of people around him are put in danger.

After Justin is sent to Kenya on a mission for the Queen, his pregnant wife who is an activist who sticks with what she believes in. Tessa discovers a very dirty secret about the pharmaceutical companies, and the fact that are benefiting from the AIDS virus as well as other diseases that are ripping through Africa. Justin as he gets deeper to the bottom of the corporate corruption he realizes that he can trust no one, including his coworkers.

I though that this film was just so good. It had beautiful scenery throughout the film, and the characters stories were very interesting, even characters that were only in it for 5 minutes. This film may be a drama, but really it was a love story, about a man who would do anything for love.

The one thing that I find surprising is that Rachel Weisz keeps winning all the Best Supporting Actress awards (at both the SAGS and the Golden Globes), but no one else from the film is being nominated. Fiennes was amazing, I don’t think that he is getting the recognition that he deserves for this role. Even the supporting cast did an excellent job, including, Bill Nighy and Danny Huston. I would recommend this film to any, without reservation.

For more information visit: The Constant Gardener at Imdb.com

I can't wait......

So production has begun on Grind (changed from Grindhouse....I like the latter better especially since the former is a skateboarding movie) and I Can Not wait for this film, or shall I say films. Grind consists of two 60 minute films, one called Planet Terror (being Directed by Robert Rodriguez), and the other called Death Proof (by Quentin Tarantino). Both films will be released together, with an intermission between the two, and during the fake intermission there will be fake trailers and ads. The films are a 70's exploitation-style project, and both are going to be full of gore. Planet Terror is going to be a zombie movie, while Death Proof is set to be a slasher film.

Some critics have already started to trash the film, calling it a vanity project, and blaming it for the delays on Sin City 2, and Inglorious Bastards. But this project is going to be different, and I think it will be interesting to see how it all plays out on the screen, especially with these two directors doing it. It's not that I can wait for Sin City 2, or Inglorious Bastards, its just that I want Grind a tad more, plus it will give Frank Miller more time to make an awesome script, and work on that new material.

I think Chris Hewitt on empireonline.com said it best, "the geeks will love it (and since I’m a geek, I should too)." I concur.....especially since I am a geek when it comes to things like this.

For more information visit: Grind at Empire Online or

Grind at Imdb.com

DGA Winners

On January 28, 2006, Carl Reiner hosted the Directors Guild of America awards. Here are the winners:

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs: Edge of America (2003) (TV) - Chris Eyre; Don Schain (unit production manager) (plaque); Matias Alvarez (first assistant director) (plaque); Miriam Footer (second assistant director) (plaque); Christopher Barnes (III) (second second assistant director) (plaque)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series’-Night: "Rome" (2005) - Michael Apted; Stanley Wlodkowski (unit production manager) (plaque); Sergio Ercolessi (first assistant director) (plaque); Julie A. Bloom (first assistant director) (plaque); Tommy Gormley (first assistant director) (plaque); Barbara M. Ravis (second assistant director) (plaque); Kiersten Pilar Miller (second assistant director) (plaque)- For episode "The Stolen Eagle".

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials: "General Hospital" (1963) - Owen Renfroe; Ron Cates (II) (associate director) (plaque); Christine R. Magarian (associate director) (plaque); Penny Pengra (associate director) (plaque); Peter Fillmore (associate director) (plaque); Craig McManus (stage manager) (plaque); Crystal Craft (stage manager) (plaque); Lisa Kaseff (production associate) (plaque); Denise Van Cleave (production associate) (plaque); Christine Cooper (IV) (production associate) (plaque)- For episode #10,914.

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series’: "My Name Is Earl" (2005) - Marc Buckland; Henry J. Lange Jr. (unit production manager) (plaque); Joan Cunningham (first assistant director) (plaque); Jeff Bilger (second assistant director) (plaque); Stacy Schrader (second second assistant director) (plaque)- For the pilot episode

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs: "Fear Factor" (2001) - J. Rupert Thompson; John Stewart (IV) (stage manager) (plaque)- For episode "Heist Fear Factor" (Season 6 Premiere), and "Three Wishes" (2005) - Tony Croll- For the pilot episode.

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: Brokeback Mountain (2005) - Ang Lee; Scott Ferguson (III) (unit production manager) (plaque); Tom Benz (unit production manager) (plaque); Michael Hausman (first assistant director) (plaque); Pierre Tremblay (II) (first assistant director) (plaque); Brad Moerke (second assistant director) (plaque)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary: Grizzly Man (2005) - Werner Herzog

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television: Lackawanna Blues (2005) (TV) - George C. Wolfe; Nellie Nugiel (unit production manager) (plaque); Mary Kane (III) (unit production manager) (plaque); Drew Ann Rosenberg (first assistant director) (plaque); Barbara M. Ravis (second assistant director) (plaque); Maria Mantia (second assistant director) (plaque); Anthony E. Kountz (second second assistant director) (plaque); Robin Jorden (second second assistant director) (plaque) and Warm Springs (2005) (TV) - Joseph Sargent; Carl Clifford (unit production manager) (plaque); Cas Donovan (first assistant director) (plaque); Michael Helfand (second assistant director) (plaque); Rhonda Guthrie (second second assistant director) (plaque); Mark Trapenberg (second second assistant director) (plaque)

Lifetime Achievement Award: Clint Eastwood

Frank Capra Achievement Award: Jerry Ziesmer

Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award: Don Jacob (II)

Academy Award Nominations

Tuesday Morning, the Oscar Nominations were read, and of course Brokeback Mountain took in the most nominations, with a total of 8, including Best Picture. Crash, Good Night and Good Luck, and Memoirs of a Geisha all had 6 nominations, with both Crash and Good Night and Good Luck being nominated for Best Picture. Other Best Picture nominees were Capote and Munich, each having 5 nominations (Walk the Line also has 5 nominations). In an interesting twist this year for each Best Picture nominee, the director of the film was also nominated for Best Director.

Here is the list in full:

Best Motion Picture of the Year

Brokeback Mountain (2005): Diana OssanaJames Schamus
Capote (2005): Caroline BaronWilliam VinceMichael Ohoven
Crash (2004): Paul HaggisCathy Schulman
Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005): Grant Heslov
Munich (2005): Steven Spielberg (I)Kathleen Kennedy (I)Barry Mendel

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Brokeback Mountain (2005): Heath Ledger
Capote (2005): Philip Seymour Hoffman
Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005): David Strathairn
Hustle & Flow (2005): Terrence Howard
Walk the Line (2005): Joaquin Phoenix

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005): Judi Dench
North Country (2005): Charlize Theron
Pride & Prejudice (2005): Keira Knightley
Transamerica (2005): Felicity Huffman
Walk the Line (2005): Reese Witherspoon

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Brokeback Mountain (2005): Jake Gyllenhaal
Cinderella Man (2005): Paul Giamatti
Crash (2004): Matt Dillon (I)
History of Violence, A (2005): William Hurt (I)
Syriana (2005): George Clooney

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Brokeback Mountain (2005): Michelle Williams (I)
Capote (2005): Catherine Keener
Constant Gardener, The (2005): Rachel Weisz
Junebug (2005): Amy Adams (III)
North Country (2005): Frances McDormand

Best Achievement in Directing

Brokeback Mountain (2005): Ang Lee
Capote (2005): Bennett Miller
Crash (2004): Paul Haggis
Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005): George Clooney
Munich (2005): Steven Spielberg (I)

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

Crash (2004): Paul HaggisRobert Moresco
Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005): George ClooneyGrant Heslov
Match Point (2005): Woody Allen
Squid and the Whale, The (2005): Noah Baumbach
Syriana (2005): Stephen Gaghan

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Brokeback Mountain (2005): Larry McMurtryDiana Ossana
Capote (2005): Dan Futterman
Constant Gardener, The (2005): Jeffrey Caine
History of Violence, A (2005): Josh Olson (I)
Munich (2005): Tony KushnerEric Roth (I)

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Batman Begins (2005): Wally Pfister
Brokeback Mountain (2005): Rodrigo Prieto
Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005): Robert Elswit
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005): Dion Beebe
New World, The (2005): Emmanuel Lubezki

Best Achievement in Art Direction

Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005): James D. BissellJan Pascale
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005): Stuart Craig (I)Stephanie McMillan (I)
King Kong (2005)Grant MajorDan Hennah: Simon Bright (II)
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005): John MyhreGretchen Rau
Pride & Prejudice (2005): Sarah Greenwood (I)Katie Spencer

Best Achievement in Costume Design

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005): Gabriella Pescucci
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005): Colleen Atwood
Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005): Sandy Powell (II)
Pride & Prejudice (2005): Jacqueline Durran
Walk the Line (2005): Arianne Phillips

Best Achievement in Sound

Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The (2005): Terry Porter (I) Dean A. Zupancic Tony Johnson (II)
King Kong (2005): Christopher Boyes (I) Michael Semanick Michael Hedges (I) Hammond Peek
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005): Kevin O'Connell (II) Greg P. Russell Rick Kline John Pritchett (I)
Walk the Line (2005): Paul Massey (I) Doug Hemphill Peter F. Kurland
War of the Worlds (2005): Andy Nelson (I) Anna Behlmer Ron Judkins

Best Achievement in Editing

Cinderella Man (2005): Daniel P. Hanley Mike Hill (I)
Constant Gardener, The (2005): Claire Simpson
Crash (2004): Hughes Winborne
Munich (2005): Michael Kahn (I)
Walk the Line (2005): Michael McCusker

Best Achievement in Sound Editing

King Kong (2005): Mike Hopkins (I) Ethan Van der Ryn
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005): Wylie Stateman
War of the Worlds (2005): Richard King (I)

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The (2005): Dean Wright (I) Bill Westenhofer Jim Berney Scott Farrar (I)
King Kong (2005): Joe Letteri Brian Van't Hul Christian Rivers Richard Taylor (III)
War of the Worlds (2005): Dennis Muren Pablo Helman Randy Dutra Daniel Sudick

Best Achievement in Makeup

Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The (2005): Howard Berger Tami Lane
Cinderella Man (2005): David LeRoy Anderson Lance Anderson (III)
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005): Dave Elsey Annette Miles

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song

Crash (2004):Kathleen York
Hustle & Flow (2005):Jordan Houston Paul Beauregard
Transamerica (2005): Dolly Parton

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score

Brokeback Mountain (2005): Gustavo Santaolalla
Constant Gardener, The (2005): Alberto Iglesias (I)
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005): John Williams (I)
Munich (2005): John Williams (I)
Pride & Prejudice (2005): Dario Marianelli

Best Short Film, Animated

9 (2005): Shane Acker
Badgered (2005): Sharon Colman
Moon and the Son, The (2005): John Canemaker Peggy Stern
Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello, The (2005): Anthony Lucas
One Man Band (2005): Mark Andrews (VI) Andrew Jimenez (I)

Best Short Film, Live Action

Ausreißer (2004): Ulrike Grote
Cashback (2004): Sean Ellis (II) Lene Bausager
Our Time Is Up (2004): Rob Pearlstein Pia Clemente
Six Shooter (2005): Martin McDonagh
Síðasti bærinn í dalnum (2004): Rúnar Rúnarsson Þórir Snær Sigurjónsson

Best Documentary, Short Subjects

God Sleeps in Rwanda (2005): Kimberlee Acquaro Stacy Sherman
Life of Kevin Carter, The (2004): Dan Krauss (I)
Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin, A (2005): Corinne Marrinan Eric Simonson (I)

Best Documentary, Features

Darwin's Nightmare (2004): Hubert Sauper
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005): Alex Gibney Jason Kliot
Marche de l'empereur, La (2005): Luc Jacquet Yves Darondeau
Murderball (2005): Henry Alex Rubin Dana Adam Shapiro
Street Fight (2005): Marshall Curry

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

Bestia nel cuore, La (2005): Cristina Comencini
Joyeux Noël (2005): Christian Carion
Paradise Now (2005): Hany Abu-Assad
Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005): Marc Rothemund
Tsotsi (2005): Gavin Hood (I)

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

Corpse Bride (2005): Tim Burton (I) Mike Johnson (V)
Hauru no ugoku shiro (2004): Hayao Miyazaki
Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005): Steve BoxNick Park


Taken from http://www.imdb.com/