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Ridley Scott Confirms 'Brave New World'
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Deals, RumorMonger, Scripts
We might have all seen this coming, but then again, it is always nice to know you're right. The sci-fi blog, Io9 has now confirmed that Ridley Scott's next project will be a feature film version of Brave New World, Aldous Huxley's classic novel. In an interview with the blog, Scott told them about the origins of the project. Scott says, "I didn't choose to do it, someone came to me with it. In fact it was Leo's [Leonardo DiCaprio's] production company that came to me with that." Could this mean that Scott already has Mr. DiCaprio in mind for a role in the film as well? Rumblings about the project started back in June, when Scott announced that he was finally making a return to sci-fi -- but he wasn't giving away details at the time. As it turns out, the smart money was on a big screen version of Huxley's prophetic novel.
Written in 1932, Brave New World centered on a future in which everyone appeared happy and content while in a constant state of consumption (sound familiar?). When an outsider is brought into the 'perfect society', things get a little tricky. The message: we're all willing to give up our freedoms and humanity for a little comfort and entertainment.
After the jump, Scott talks about the script, and the problem with finding 'the perfect writer'.
Exclusive: 'Dear Zachary' Poster Premiere
Filed under: Documentary, Fandom, Movie Marketing, Images, Posters
Click image above to enlarge
Cinematical is very stoked to bring you this exclusive poster for Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, which is a documentary we here at Cinematical have been championing ever since the flick blew us away back at the Slamdance Film Festival earlier this year. Never have I experienced so many different emotions while watching a film, and when I left that tiny theater in Utah following the premiere, I vowed to spread this inspired piece of filmmaking as far and wide as I could. We praise and champion a lot of small films here at Cinematical (and hopefully turn you folks on to some great finds), but if I had to throw myself out there for one film this year, it would have to be Dear Zachary.
Since it's better to know as little as possible going into this particular doc, I've posted the synopsis after the jump (for those who want more details). Dear Zachary arrives in theaters on October 31st in New York and on November 7th in Los Angeles and Chicago, before expanding to other cities. Additionally, you'll be able to catch the entire doc when it airs on MSNBC this December 7th.
p.s. How cool is that poster?
The Latest Sports Tear-Jerker: '5th Quarter'
Filed under: Drama, Sports, Casting
Sports. Aside from being a Huey Lewis and the News album, it's a slice of life that has lived for a long time in contradiction. On the one hand, there's the cud-chewing, testosterone-laden toughness of actual sporting events. On the other, there's the ever-rampant tears pouring out of sports dramas and biopics -- and now we're getting one more ...But unlike pics that raise you up to a teary conclusion, this new feature looks like it will be a heart-tugger from the get-go. The Hollywood Reporter posts that Ryan Merriman and Aidan Quinn have signed on, with Andie MacDowell in final negotiations, for a new sports drama called The 5th Quarter. Based on a true story, the film centers on the way a young man deals with his brother's death. Basically, after 15-year-old Luke Abbate died in a car crash, his organs were donated to five people. In the wake of this tragedy, his brother (Merriman) got his football jersey changed to his brother's number (5) and then held up five fingers before the fourth quarter of each game, while his parents (Quinn and MacDowell) sat in section 5. See? Tear jerker -- one that might even require more than five tissues.
5th Quarter will also be a film that blends real life with fiction, not in the script, but in the cast and scenes -- the family's pastor is playing himself in the film, and real footage of the games will be edited into the film. Whether this will help or distract from the final product remains to be seen. Production begins this month.
Exclusive: Clip from 'The Duchess'
Filed under: Drama, Fandom, Movie Marketing, Trailers and Clips
Cinematical has just received this exclusive clip from the period drama The Duchess (click image above or head after the jump to view), directed by Saul Dibb and based on Amanda Foreman's best-selling novel. Starring Keira Knightley as Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire, the film chronicles the life of a vibrant beauty and celebrity of her time; a woman held prisoner in an unhappy marriage, but one who'd risk it all for the love of a young politician. (Been there, done that -- right ladies?) Also starring Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper and Hayley Atwell, the following clip takes us inside a pretty intense confrontation between Georgiana and the Duke of Devonshire (Fiennes) as they battle one another for the respect each feels they deserve.
The Duchess (which is currently enjoying a limited release) expands to theaters across the country on October 10.
This Just In: 'Let the Right One In' is Ten Times Better Than 'Twilight'
Filed under: Foreign Language, Horror, Romance, Thrillers, Magnolia
Sorry for tricking you, but I just used that headline to grab your attention. I haven't even seen Twilight yet. But if you're someone who's in the market for a film based on an award-winning book about a dark-yet-poignant romance between two young people -- one of whom happens to be a vampire -- then I have a movie that's NOT called Twilight that I want you to check out. You'll have to (gasp) brave some subtitles to earn your rewards, but Tomas Alfredson's Let the Right One In is one fantastic film. Either you know that already, you've heard it already, or you'll find out in a few months time: It's awesome.Anyway, Magnet / Magnolia has just announced an official release pattern for the brilliant Swedish film, and I'll give you the full calendar after the jump, but I will say this: There's good news afoot if you happen to live in or around New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Baltimore, Philadelphia (hooray!), Seattle, Denver, Nashville, Santa Fe, Hartford ... Oh hell, just click on in and check the big list. (And thanks to Fangoria for the heads-up.)
As much as I hate to contribute to "overhype," some films just deserve the praise. Like this one. As far as Twilight goes, well, if it's half as good as LTROI, then it will be a VERY good film. (Again, I'm not comparing -- merely piggy-backing on a popular title in the hopes of shedding some light on a much smaller one. Movie geeks are clever that way.)
**Update: Added NY and LA info
Jesse Eisenberg Joins Woody Harrelson in 'Zombieland'
Filed under: Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Casting
When it comes to 'Zombie comedy', (if that is even such a thing), you have to admit that it is going to pretty difficult to top Shaun of The Dead -- but you can't blame someone for trying. The Hollywood Reporter announced that Jesse Eisenberg (The Squid and the Whale) has signed to star opposite Woody Harrelson in the horror-comedy, Zombieland. According to THR, "Eisenberg is in negotiations to play Flagstaff, a terrified shut-in whose cowardice makes him an expert at surviving the zombies but who is forced out of his shell to join the band of survivors, which includes Harrelson."Zombieland was written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, and is about a "mismatched pair of survivors who find friendship and redemption in a world overrun by zombies." So I guess that makes Zombieland a comedy, a horror, and a 'feel-good' buddy flick? Ruben Fleischer has already signed to direct, and is a relative newcomer to the world of feature films. Fleischer might only have a few credits to his name, but he can include the dubious distinction of being one of the people responsible for unleashing Rob & Big onto the world.
Zombieland could be a gamble for Columbia. 'R rated' comedy has yet to prove that it can compete at the box-office, so it was only a matter of time before studios started tacking on a body count. Personally, I think I'll just hold out for Seth and Jay vs. The Apocalypse instead. How about you?
Fan Made: If Foodies Made 'Transformers'
Filed under: Fandom
Right off the bat, let me admit this: I never saw all of Transformers. I knew it wasn't my cup of tea, and when I caught about ten minutes at the DVD store recently, I was convinced I made the right decision. (God, that dialog made me laugh.) That being said, I think I might have been swayed if BBQ fiends had a hand in the film.
As Serious Eats has shared, the right porcine transformer above was part of the American Royal Barbecue Contest, which recently smoked up lots of meat and had some clever competitors from Massachusetts. I never realized before how perfectly a pig would fit into the Transformer mold until now. Instead of Optimus Prime, maybe it'd be Optimus Prime Rib? Rawhide rather than Ironhide?
Okay, so maybe a meat-themed Transformers movie would be a little weird, but that logo still rules.
The Geek Beat: A Lament for the Old School
Filed under: Classics, Fandom, Comic/Superhero/Geek, The Geek Beat
I have to warn you, this week's column is probably going to strike you as mawkish and personal – but I thought I'd give the topic a spin and see how it went. Next week, we'll talk about our hopes and dreams of a Daredevil reboot, but today's column is the result of a long vacation, lack of a social life, and downloading the Netflix player.
First off, I must confess – I'm dating someone. Clint Eastwood circa 1970, to be exact. Judge our DVD romance all you will, decry that we break the time-space continuum, but we're very happy together. We just spent a delightful weekend via The Beguiled and Two Mules for Sister Sarah. The sun came up and we were still together. What can I say? He treats me like a lady, despite the fact that he only ever sees me sans make-up and in pajamas.
The sad thing is, I'm only half-kidding -- and yes, I will look back on this period of my life (probably via therapy or alcoholism) and wonder why Eastwood was the most dependable man in it. But our affair got me thinking overmuch about today's men, both in and outside of Hollywood. And it didn't help that in the early days of my relationship with Eastwood, we lost the wonderful Paul Newman. I wrote in Cinematical's tribute to him that the world could use more men like Newman – and it is so very true. Where are the men like Newman, Eastwood, Robert Redford, James Garner and Gregory Peck? The men who are rugged, larger than life, and who exude honesty and decency even when acting in so-so films? Who exude it in real life? What the heck happened to the world since these guys arrived on the scene?
First off, I must confess – I'm dating someone. Clint Eastwood circa 1970, to be exact. Judge our DVD romance all you will, decry that we break the time-space continuum, but we're very happy together. We just spent a delightful weekend via The Beguiled and Two Mules for Sister Sarah. The sun came up and we were still together. What can I say? He treats me like a lady, despite the fact that he only ever sees me sans make-up and in pajamas.
The sad thing is, I'm only half-kidding -- and yes, I will look back on this period of my life (probably via therapy or alcoholism) and wonder why Eastwood was the most dependable man in it. But our affair got me thinking overmuch about today's men, both in and outside of Hollywood. And it didn't help that in the early days of my relationship with Eastwood, we lost the wonderful Paul Newman. I wrote in Cinematical's tribute to him that the world could use more men like Newman – and it is so very true. Where are the men like Newman, Eastwood, Robert Redford, James Garner and Gregory Peck? The men who are rugged, larger than life, and who exude honesty and decency even when acting in so-so films? Who exude it in real life? What the heck happened to the world since these guys arrived on the scene?
Cinematical Watches The 'Watchmen'
Filed under: Action, Fandom, Movie Marketing, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Trailers and Clips
"I'm most excited that it's brought people into comics." -- Dave Gibbons, when asked what his favorite part of this Watchmen journey has been.
Last night, Cinematical was lucky enough to attend a private screening of Watchmen footage hosted by director Zack Snyder and Watchmen co-illustrator Dave Gibbons. There was a reception before and after (where they served this really great sushi), and in a separate room off to the side they set up a sort of Watchmen museum, with costumes worn in the film, as well as drawings, set design stuff, character posters -- the works.
Once inside the theater, Snyder introduced the first twelve minutes of the film by giving us a little background on his past with comics (started reading Heavy Metal as a kid, and was immediately turned off when he read other graphic novels because there wasn't enough "f**king or dying"). His work on Watchmen began while they were still finishing up 300, and originally they wanted to update Watchmen to the War on Terror. Eventually, though, Snyder chipped away and convinced the studio to remain faithful to the source material, which meant a film that took place in 1985, included the Vietnam War, Richard Nixon and all the scary realities which make the graphic novel so intriguing to read.
My thoughts on the footage and notes from the post-screening Q&A after the jump ...
'Get Smart' Sequel on the Way, Along with More Steve Carell Goodness
Filed under: Comedy, Casting, Deals, Remakes and Sequels
This summer's Get Smart reboot, with Steve Carell as Maxwell, was far from brilliant, but sweet Jebus, Carell is funny. His improvised dance with a bewildered-but-willing overweight partygoer is one of this year's comic highlights -- a perfect blend of good-natured mockery and non sequitur. So the official announcement of the inevitable sequel strikes me as a good thing. I doubt they'll ever come up with any sort of finely tuned masterwork, but I figure it's guaranteed to have a bunch of great moments. Big budget comedies are often so dire that "uneven with flashes of inspiration" is music to my ears.Even better, the success of Get Smart has earned Carell a three-year deal with Warner Bros., giving him a chance to develop both starring vehicles and projects for others. It's good to see the right people take off like this, y'know? On the other hand, it's kind of unfair: why do today's teenagers get to inhabit a comedic landscape dominated by the likes of Carell, Judd Apatow, Michael Cera, Seth Rogen, etc., while I got Adam Sandler and Mike Myers? Kids these days, they don't know how good they got it.
I guess I liked Mike Myers back when; I was 13 when the first Austin Powers came out. I still kind of like him. But he's certainly overshadowed by the crop of comics in today's mainstream.
The Geek Beat: A Lament for the Old School
Cinematical Watches The 'Watchmen'
Spin-ematical: New on DVD for 10/7_thumbnail.jpg)
Exclusive: 'Special' Poster Premiere!
Fan Made: Tasty Life-Size Yoda Cake
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