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EXCLUSIVE: Images from 'The Wackness!'

Filed under: Comedy », Drama », Fandom », Movie Marketing », Images »



Known in some circles as "that movie where Sir Ben Kingsley hooks up with Mary-Kate Olsen," The Wackness premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival where it was met with an unbelievable online reception. Just about everyone I spoke to fell in love with this quirky drug-related dramedy from director Jonathan Levine (All the Boys Love Mandy Lane). While I didn't get the chance to see it (our own Scott Weinberg did), these good vibes have me all antsy to check out The Wackness when it hits the Tribeca Film Festival later this month.

Here's a bit from the synopsis: "... Luke (Josh Peck) is a socially uncomfortable teenage pot dealer with no friends, issues with his parents, and a whopping lack of confidence with girls. He trades weed for sessions with his therapist, Dr. Squires (Sir Ben Kingsley), whose much-younger wife (Famke Janssen) is slipping away from him. Squires, a drug-addled shrink with a hairline retreating to the back of his neck and a state of mind slouching back to adolescence, is an unlikely role model-but the two of them forge a friendship based on a mutual need: neither one is getting laid."

Check out both exclusive photos (including a larger version of the image above) from the film in the gallery below. The Wackness arrives in theaters on July 3rd. (And is it me, or does Kingsley have a little Keitel going on in that pic?)

Gallery: The Wackness

Heath Ledger Died from an Accidental Overdose, Says Medical Examiner

Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy », Fandom », Newsstand »

According to the New York City medical examiner, Heath Ledger's death was due to an "accidental overdose of painkillers, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication and other prescription drugs." For those hip to different medications, the official cause of death was "acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine." Apparently, these are the generic names for Oxycontin, Valium, Xanax, Restoril and Unisom. There was no word on how much of each he took, or whether a heavy dose of one was what ultimately did him in, but a spokeswoman did note that his death was due to "the cumulative effects of these medications together."

This ruling finally came two weeks after the actor was found dead by a masseuse in his rented SoHo apartment in New York City. Original reports claimed the apartment belonged to Mary-Kate Olsen (which turned out to be false), and the masseuse actually called Olsen several times before calling for an ambulance in an attempt to get the young actress to send her security crew. This was the part I had the most trouble with -- if you found this dude unconscious on a floor, would you want an ambulance there or Mary-Kate Olsen? Whatever the case, it's obvious Ledger (may have) had a pretty strong addiction to pain killers and sleep medication, if it was taking that many pills to knock the guy out. It's my belief that too many young kids today are sucking these pills down like they're water, not really understanding what they do or how they can harm you. Hopefully Ledger's death will provide enough of a wake-up call to those who are currently suffering from their own addictions.

Ben Kingsley to Star in New William Shakespeare Flick

Filed under: Drama », Casting », Deals »

When you look at the resume of noted actor Ben Kingsley, you notice that for every good role he has done, there is something a little less "dignified" right beside it (even earning him a spot on Jeffrey's list of the Seven Most Overrated Actors). Luckily, it doesn't look like his latest role will fall into that latter category. The Hollywood Reporter announced that Kingsley has signed on to play William Shakespeare in the literary adaptation, Will. The film is based on the novel by Christopher Rush, and is a fictional account of the playwright on his deathbed as he prepares his final will and testament. The book was only just released, but managed to garner a six-figure deal between the publisher and SBK Pictures (Kingsley's own production company) for the film rights. The book is part biography and part fiction, and Kingsley was quoted as saying, "Christopher wrote the most amazing, literate and entertaining novel I've read in years, and I'm both honored and excited to be part of bringing 'Will' to life".

If you are not a fan of the bard, Kingsley still has his share of projects lined up for the coming year. He has just wrapped production on The Wackness with Mary Kate Olsen (which has the dubious distinction of featuring an on-screen kiss between the two). Then it's off to the Hitchcock-inspired mystery Number 13 with Ewan McGregor and Dan Fogler (Fanboys) as Alfred Hitchcock and The Love Guru with Mike Myers. Last but not least, it has been announced that Kingsley will be joining the the Coen's comedy caper Gambit, with Colin Firth. Will is expected to begin shooting in the UK sometime next year.

London Charity Auctions Day On Set of 'Bond 22'

Filed under: Action », Drama », Romance », Sony », Fandom », James Bond », Remakes and Sequels », Daniel Craig »

A London-based charity called ARK recently held a big dinner, where Prince, Madonna and Bill Clinton showed up, and they auctioned off a bunch of prizes, one of which caught my eye - a "day on the next James Bond film set with actor Daniel Craig." I've been trying to get some further detail on this, but there's very practically no information available. (Another prize auctioned off included dinner with Mikhail Gorbachev.) Somehow I doubt that the prize-winner will end up lounging on a beach chair, watching as Daniel Craig films his love scenes with Carice van Houten (cross your fingers) but will instead be sort of hustled in and out in the space of a half-hour. Cinematical recently sent one of our people to the set of a major upcoming thriller and the person ended up watching an actor open and close a cab door for a million takes. It's a tough business, folks. The fact that the prize specifically says "with actor Daniel Craig" implies there will be a quick meet-and-greet and that will pretty much be it.

On a separate Bond note, the Bond girl rumors have now officially gone overboard, with some gossip rags reporting that Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are being courted to play 'good Bond girl twins' in Bond 22. Even in the homestretch of Pierce Brosnan's Bond run, when there were was an invisible car, a villain trying to take over the world with giant ant-burning magnifying glass and a machine that could change a person's race, no one would have dared suggest something so over-the-top as casting the Olsens. It's just not happening. So let's all go back to waiting for the official announcement of Carice van Houten's casting, which will hopefully be coming very soon.

Cinematical Seven: Actresses Who Should NOT Play Wonder Woman

Filed under: Fandom », DIY/Filmmaking », Cinematical Seven », Joss Whedon », Comic/Superhero/Geek », Remakes and Sequels »

Here's what we know right now: Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly) is re-visiting the character of Wonder Woman and bringing an updated version to the big screen. However, since the film was announced, a slew of names have come and gone, leaving us with absolutely no idea who will finally land the coveted role.

Over the last few weeks, we've reported on all of the Wonder Woman rumors, debated who should and shouldn't play the sexy, kick-ass superhero, while listening to all of you comment and tell us your opinion. Well, now it's time to get serious. Since Whedon can't seem to decide who he wants for the role, we're going to help narrow down the selection for him. It's time we take a stand people! This is Wonder Woman we're talking about - let's attempt to make it so Joss doesn't screw this up.

The following is a list of seven actresses who should definitely not be playing Wonder Woman. I feel, as a community, if we can keep adding to this list, then eventually it will be narrowed down enough to a point where we will all agree on the perfect name. The perfect female. The perfect Wonder Woman.

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