MarkWaters Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Review: Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Filed under: Comedy », Romance », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », New Line », Theatrical Reviews », Summer Movies »
I apparently loved Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.
See, according to the logic doled out by the monogamy-hating, scotch-addled mind of one Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey), the power of any relationship falls to whoever cares less, and my friends, I really could not care less about whether or not his boozing, cruising lothario was going to learn any magical lesson lifted straight out of Dickens. Ergo, the further I slumped in my seat while watching this mawkish, obvious, and not very funny film, the more powerful I grew in this particular relationship, and let me tell you right now: that and two bucks will get you a cup of coffee, with no need for any more artificial sweetener...
Memories of Rom-Coms Past in Trailer for 'Ghosts of Girlfriends Past'
Filed under: Comedy », Romance », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », New Line », Trailers and Clips »
Goodness me, for just how long has Hollywood been sitting on the high-concept rom-com that is Ghosts of Girlfriends Past? So narrow-minded lothario Matthew McConaughey (who's getting good at this kind of role) is visited by three of his exes and shown the error of his ways -- namely, letting childhood flame Jennifer Garner slip away (I'll give 'em that much; a dumb, dumb move). If the Moviefone trailer above is any indication, saccharine and slapstick will be in no short supply.
It seems that director Mark Waters has opted to skew the sharper comedic stomping grounds of, say, Mean Girls in favor of another rom-com fantasy in the vein of Just Like Heavin', from the pair of writers who also brought us Full of It and Four Christmases. If we're really supposed to have any hope for this project, let me know when you find it.
At any rate, Ghosts opens on May 1st as counter-programming against X-Men Origins: Wolverine -- for all the girls who just can't stand that Hugh Jackman fella, I suppose. Come on, which one are you readers counting down the days for?
Mark Waters Goes 'Minimum Wage'
Filed under: Comedy », Deals », Scripts »
If there's one thing you can't call Mark Waters -- it's "genre stuck." The man has brought us some pretty crappy romcoms, a family-friendly remake, an adventure movie, a film too often compared to Heathers, and one of my all-time favorites -- The House of Yes. And now, aside from the sequel to Mean Girls (he's listed as director on IMDb), The Hollywood Reporter posts that he's in final negotiations to helm a new comedy called Minimum Wage.Penned by Tegan West and Scott Atkinson, the film will focus on "a corrupt corporate executive who is convicted of fraud and sentenced to a year living on minimum wage in the town his company bankrupted." Now that is one heck of a unique punishment. Georgia Rule with older folks and hopefully less off-camera shenanigans? I'm sure he'll get charmed with small-town life just like Doc Hollywood. If only things like this could actually happen -- there are lots of bankrupting businessman who could use some stern rural lessons.
I can only hope that in the middle of all of his big-money films, he can get back to his roots. Waters may have surpassed The House of Yes, but it would still be nice to see him take on some sassy, verbally-heavy work -- he does a heck of a job shooting head-spinning dialogue. But for now, we'll have to settle for The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. Let's just hope it's not another Just Like Heaven or Head Over Heels.
News Bites: Full Love, Hollywood Stars, and More!
Filed under: Comedy », Drama », Horror », Music & Musicals », Awards », Deals », Fandom », Home Entertainment »
With J.C.V.D. charming audiences everywhere and making the unlucky of us foam at the mouth to see it, the big question has become: Would this be the start of a great career twist, or a charming, but fleeting, aberration for Jean Claude Van Damme? Rather than taking it step by step, the dude has jumped head first into the deep end -- next up will be Van Damme's labor of love, Full Love, which he wrote, produced, directed, and stars in. It's supposed to be a personal story, but is currently all hush-hush. But now we've at least got a peek inside, courtesy of Twitch. They've posted five images from the film, including the thumbnail to the right. It doesn't show much, but one thing that's definitely not there -- JCVD splits.Turning from possible success to definite success -- CNN reports that Tim Robbins has nabbed himself a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. In the ceremony last week, the actor said: "I used to take the bus from here to Burbank to go to work. When the bus was late, I would walk up and down and throw my cigarettes down. Now I have the honor of having this done to my star."
Meanwhile, if you've dug the tunes coming out of Repo! The Genetic Opera, Horror-Movies.ca reports that the film's soundtrack will be up for free for one day only, today the 13th, on the flick's official website. Go now!
And one last nibblet: Variety reports that Mark Waters, director of films like The House of Yes, Mean Girls, and The Spiderwick Chronicles, is heading to TV to helm the pilot Eva Adams. Adapted from the Argentinian telenova Lalola, the series will follow a womanizer who gets turned into a woman and must endure what he used to dole out.
Michael Douglas Joins 'The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past'
Filed under: Comedy », Romance », Casting », Deals », New Line », Movie Marketing »
If you ask me, it's about time that Michael Douglas got the chance to play with his reputation as a lady killer and, frankly, a bit of a hound. ComingSoon recently got the chance to speak with The Spiderwick Chronicles director Mark Waters and managed to score a little casting scoop for his next project, The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. According to their sources, Douglas is in talks to appear in the comedy alongside Matthew McConaughey.The story centers on "a womanizer (McConaughey) who attends the wedding of his younger brother and bride. There, he's haunted by several old flames, including the bride's best friend. Douglas will play "Uncle Wayne, a '70s playboy, who was his mentor and he wears Bob Evans shades and guides him (McConaughey) around the ghost world". The cast also includes Jennifer Garner as one of McConaughey's exes, Lacy Chabert (Black Christmas) as the bride, as well as Anne Archer and Emma Stone (Superbad).
Originally, the film was set to star Ben Affleck with Betty Thomas directing. The production hit a snag when Disney shut the film down and Affleck walked away from the film. Maybe Affleck just wasn't looking forward to all the conversations at home on the subject of previous girlfriends. McConaughey then rode in to save the day and now the film is back on. Plus, I have to agree with Waters when he says that, "There's something great about Matthew. He has an aspect of him that he can get away with murder with women. He's the kind of guy where women are apologizing to him when he breaks up with them, because he's so charming". Girlfriends Past will start shooting February 19th in Boston and will hit theaters sometime in 2009.
Another Poster for 'The Spiderwick Chronicles'
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Paramount », Family Films », Movie Marketing », Posters »
ComingSoon.net has the latest poster for the big-screen version of The Spiderwick Chronicles, and I'm afraid it is just another installment of one-sheets that I think looks pretty 'blah.' Sure, they all have the same look and feel, but since they aren't exactly the most eye-catching designs in the first place, this is not necessarily a good thing. Directed by Mark Waters, Spiderwick is based on the best-selling fantasy series by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. This is the third poster release for the film, and there was also a teaser trailer released in July. I'll admit that after watching the teaser, I couldn't help but think the whole thing seemed an awful lot like Pan's Labyrinth -- but without all of the trauma.Set in the US, the story revolves around three siblings who stumble across a "field guide to faeries" that opens up a parallel world. While the trio are discovering all kinds of benevolent little creatures, they come across some slightly less-friendly ones as well, and the latest poster even works in a little menace by adding 'Beware' to the heading. The family flick stars Sarah Bolger as Mallory Grace and Freddie Highmore as both Jared and Simon Grace. Rounding out the cast is David Strathairn as Arthur Spiderwick and Mary Louise Parker as Helen Grace.
There were over 12 books published as part of the series, including supplementary books, so there is a lot of material if Nickelodeon decides to make a franchise out of the film. Now that The Golden Compass' future is a little less sure, maybe Spiderwick can take the place of the "heir to Harry Potter" for children's fantasy films. The Spiderwick Chronicles opens on February 15th, 2008.
Mark Waters Directing 'Seven Days'
Filed under: Comedy », Drama », Deals », Scripts », Newsstand »
First came Daniel Waters with the cult classic, Heathers. Then, brother Mark Waters followed suit with his own cult take -- The House of Yes. In the ten years since the dysfunctional, Kennedy-obsessed family hit the screen, he's only helmed four other films. Now, however, he's doubling that number. Three have already been announced, The Spiderwick Chronicles, The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, and Will Sebastian. For the fourth, The Hollywood Reporter has announced that he'll direct Joshua Ferris' comedic drama, Seven Days.The premise is sounding pretty interesting. The film will focus on "seven pivotal days in a man's life during the course of 20 years, with each segment of the film beginning as he wakes up that day." Ferris has been developing the project for a while (pre-strike, of course), and says: "I can't remember large periods of my life that well, but certain days stick in my mind, for good reasons and bad. At the end, hopefully it will be a portrait of a life as its lived." Which days will end up as the magical seven remains to be seen. Unfortunately, Ferris didn't finish the script before the strike, and is waiting for it to end so that he can finish it up and finalize which days pop up in the final version. (Fodder for DVD extras? False scenes to throw off rumors?)
I imagine Waters could make a pretty good flick from this, especially if it has some of the spark and spunk that helped get him to where he is today. As for Ferris, he's really interested in the whole process of looking back on life. He's also got another script in need a producer, called The Life and Death of Jimmy Katz, which focuses on a murderer-for-hire's real life, the fantasy life he could have lived if he chose a different path, and his time in purgatory to make up for it. In the meantime, it's almost Thanksgiving, so it's time to baste the turkey, hide the kitchen knives, and put in The House of Yes.
Jennifer Garner is Looking to Join 'Ghosts of Girlfriends Past'
Filed under: Comedy », Romance », Casting », Deals »
After going nowhere with Disney, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past got nabbed by New Line, and it was over a year ago that the company was trying to get Matthew McConaughey to star. At the pace of a snail, the pieces are coming together. In February, The House of Yes and Just Like Heaven helmer Mark Waters had signed on to direct, from a script by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. Now, according to Variety, Jennifer Garner is in talks to co-star in an unspecified role. To recap -- the film will focus on a womanizer who gets haunted by 'ghosts' of his past, present, and future girlfriends while at the wedding of his younger brother. These apparitions lead him to realize that he's in love with his childhood sweetheart.I imagine that means Garner is the sweetheart, although she could be the new sister-in-law, or a ghostly shepherd that herds the beings in and out of the guy's head. I really hope this flick is worth it, but I don't have much hope. I'm quite sure it will be a fluff success, but it would be really nice if it could be a substantial, fun, and worthy comedy. Or, even a decent one -- 13 Going on 30 wasn't a flawless movie, but it was a welcome change from the usual fare, and it had a killer Thriller recreation. Furthermore, Garner has been involving herself in some solid work lately, like The Kingdom and the hugely-buzzed Juno, so it would be a waste to tarnish those stints with a stinker of a cinema cherry. We'll have to wait a while to find out, however -- production won't get in gear until January.
News Bites: The Devil, Walden's Will and 'Houdini' Writer
Filed under: Comedy », Drama », Music & Musicals », Deals », Family Films »
Before the weekend hits, here are some just-made deals:- The duo who brought us the likes of Chicken Little, Steve Bencich and Ron Friedman, have just sold their latest pitch, The Devil You Know, to 20th Century Fox. The film will be an adaptation of Nathan Hale's children's book, and while they're known for their animated films, this will be live-action. The books are about the Fell family, who share their house with a literal "little devil." The get fed up with his trouble-making, and call on Ms. Phisto (a spoof on Mary Poppins and Mephistopheles) to get rid of him and take his place. However, she proves to be more trouble -- she brings in boxes full of demons and calls a lake of fire and brimstone in the kitchen. How the pair are handling the adaptation is being kept under wraps, but hopefully it will maintain the charm and quirkiness of the original.
- The writer/director who brought us Camp in 2003, Todd Graff, is gearing up for another teen movie fueled by music. He is currently re-writing Josh Kagan's coming-of age dramedy -- Will. It is about an outcast in high school who befriends a popular girl because of their love for music. They bring together "a like-minded crew of misfits," form a rock group and plan to compete in their school's battle of the bands. Basically, it's just like Camp, but not at camp. Stay tuned for his upcoming films about misfits joining to form an air band for the local talent show, students doing a music internship over Spring break and wacky hi-jinx from a high school chorus class.
- In October, Mark Beall reported that Mark Waters, The House of Yes and Mean Girls, was going to be directing Walden's Media's upcoming film on Harry Houdini. Slowly but surely, the project is coming together and they've finally got a screenwriter. Variety has reported that Brett Merryman will be grabbing the pen to write the story about a 14-year-old boy who finds out that he is a Houdini descendant -- and decides to go on a quest to unlock the secrets of his famous ancestor. I'm waiting to see if the film gets the word "house" in it. Three out of the four films the screenwriter has been involved with have has it in the title.
Houdini Flick Finds Director
Filed under: Action », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Deals », Family Films »
Walden Media is taking a break from the "turn books into movies" business to develop a project of their own. The project doesn't have a solid working title yet, but the general idea of the plot centers around a young teenage kid who discovers he is a descendant of the famous Harry Houdini. This leads him on a discovery quest in an attempt to learn the (often secretive) story of Houdini's past. Walden is still looking for a screenwriter (brush up your resumes, guys) but they have attached a director to the project -- Mark Waters, of Mean Girls fame. If I were to admit to a guilty pleasure as a geek beat writer, it would certainly be kid flicks/family films. While I generally view, enjoy, and write about films with titles like Sin City which are packed full of non-family friendly goodness, I also really enjoy a nice little PG flick with fun, simple characters and a happy ending. I know, weird, right? One of my favorite movies in the recent past was Curious George. In the same vein, I've been thoroughly geeked out for the upcoming Happy Feet. There isn't enough information about this Houdini movie yet (obviously, since a script hasn't even been written), but I think it has good kid-flick potential. Stick around, Cinematical will be sure to bring you plot/casting updates if and when they happen.
Peter Jackson Says Spielberg's 'Tintin' is Done Filming, but...
Interracial Harmony: 'Ninja Assassin' vs. 'Blind Side'
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Exclusive 'Nine' Poster Premiere!
Exclusive: Title Track for 'The Road' Soundtrack
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