The new film from Michael Moore won't be here for another month and a half, but the controversies surrounding it are heating up quick. The documentary (say what you want, but it fits the definition of non-fiction film), which is titled Sicko, exposes the problems with the U.S. health care industry. And, of course, that industry is already beginning to slam the film. But so far the biggest attack on Moore, related to Sicko, is coming from the U.S. government. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who's seen Fahrenheit 9/11, though the action has absolutely no connection with Moore's speaking out against the government. The Treasury Department is simply investigating a trip Moore took to Cuba back in March, because he allegedly disobeyed our trade embargo with the country (see the whole letter here).
If you remember, we told you about Moore's trip to Cuba last month. Apparently he brought a number of ailing Ground Zero workers there in order to show the advantages of the Cuban health care system as compared to the American health care industry. According to the Treasury Department, if those workers received health care from Cuba, then the treatment may be considered "travel-related transactions involving Cuba", which is against the law. It seems that Moore's okay to go to Cuba was on a journalistic basis, and certainly the trip was journalistic in nature, but he has to realize that if he purposefully broke the embargo while there, that he'll be penalized.
An anonymous source, who supposedly worked on Sicko, has confirmed that about 10 persons received treatment, but so far there hasn't been a statement directly from Moore. Reportedly, though, he has stored a copy of his new film in a safe place outside the U.S. in order to protect it from government interference. Sicko producer Meghan O'Hara has written a response to the investigation, which she accuses of being politically motivated and an abuse of the legal process. She also stated that the current administration will not keep the American public from seeing the film. Unfortunately such a response comes off as just another cheap attack on Bush rather than an intelligent defense or explanation. So much for Harvey Weinstein's hopes for Sicko to unite the Republicans and Democrats.
Now that Spider-Man 3 has set the tone as far as this summer's box office goes, the entertainment world is patiently awaiting the arrival of Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End. Will the third installment put up bigger numbers than Dead Man's Chest; will it beat Spider-Man 3? Or, more importantly, will it provide fans with a satisfying ending to a trilogy that some feel hasn't lived up to the hype? While there have been rumors suggesting Pirates 3 will be cutting it close in terms of finishing all the effects and whatnot in time for the film's May 25 release date, producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed that they most certainly are in rush mode. In fact, the timeline is so tight, there have been no test screenings for the flick; the only audience to see it in its entirely were a group of director Gore Verbinski's friends. And, of course, they loved it.
Keep in mind, this doesn't necessarily mean the film will be bad; it just means Bruckheimer and friends have no idea how audiences will respond to the pic, which cost $272.6 million to create. Is it a risk? Yes. But when the first two films gross $792.5 million and $1.3 billion respectively, then it's a risk that's definitely worth taking. As with Spider-Man 3, there's been a ton of talk recently regarding whether or not Disney will continue the franchise past At Worlds End. In the past, both Johnny Depp and Bruckheimer have shown interest; not to mention these Pirates are insanely lucrative. Now, however, it appears Bruckheimer is on the fence when it comes to a fourth installment. He says: This is the end. This is the end of the trilogy. Whether there will be another movie depends on whether we can create something new and different, but this is the end."
Fear not fanatics, the man then goes on to leave open the possibility of a spin-off flick: "This is the end, but whether one of the characters or a couple of the characters continue on, it's a possibility. Certainly, in a moment at the end of the film there is a hope that something else might happen." But would a fourth Pirates flick do well without Johnny Depp as Captain Jack? I mean, that's if "new and different" is another way of saying "if we can find someone cool enough to replace Johnny." Here's my question to you: Which franchise do you think has a better chance of surviving without its main star: Spider-Man or Pirates of the Caribbean?
Day Night Day Night - Trailer A 19-year-old girl prepares to become a suicide bomber in Times Square. She speaks with no accent; it’s impossible to pinpoint her ethnicity. We never learn why she made her decision — she has made it already. We don’t know whom she represents, what she believes in - we only know she believes it absolutely. Directed by: Julia Loktev Starring: Luisa Williams, Josh P. Weinstein, Gareth Saxe, Nyambi Nyambi, Frank Dattolo
Rock the Bells - Trailer Personifying the fierce independence and Do-It-Yourself spirit of the Hip Hop movement, festival producer Chang Weisberg puts everything on the line for his impossible dream of reuniting notorious no-shows The Wu-Tang Clan. Directed by: Casey Suchan, Denis Henry Hennelly Starring: Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion, Cheryl Hines, Adrienne Shelly, Eddie Jemison
Waitress - Trailer B The story of one woman trapped in a life from which she dreams of escape. Jenna’s (Russell) secret ambition is to save enough money from her waitressing job to leave her overbearing and controlling husband (Sisto). Jenna is a sharp, sassy woman with a gift for making unusual pies whose recipes are inspired by the trials, tribulations and circumstances of her life. An unwanted pregnancy changes the course of events giving her an unexpected confidence via letters to her unborn baby.
Directed by: Adrienne Shelly Starring: Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion, Cheryl Hines, Adrienne Shelly, Eddie Jemison
Over at Ain’t It Cool News, a poster calling himself Walter B claimed that he’d seen the new PG-13 rated Die Hard film and said that it was as kick-ass as any R-rated feature.
Sounds a bit similar to what a Mr Bruce Willis had been saying last week, right? Well, it’s no coincidence, because representatives from the site confirmed that the poster was Bruce himself (Walter is his real name)
When asked about Michael Bay possibly helming a Die Hard film, Willis got slightly irate, to say the least. Read on to see Bruce’s comments:
Roth joins Liv Tyler and Edward Norton as The Hulk’s famous nemesis Abomination. Although apparently they’re coming up with a less stupid name. Abomination’s alter ego is KGB agent Emil Blonsky, who deliberately exposes himself to the same Gamma radiation as Bruce Banner. Why not?This Hulk re-imagining is shaping up quite nicely. We love both Roth and Norton. And Liv Tyler’s ok, I guess.
New Line have picked up Flight of the Dead, previously known as ‘Plane Dead’. Essentially, it’s ‘zombies on a plane’, which is simultaneously the best and worst idea ever. But zombies beat snakes hands down, if you ask me.
Apparently, the film will most likely go direct to DVD. While you wait expectantly, check out the trailer.
Here’s hoping ‘Sharks on a Plane’ will come along and complete the trilogy.
George Lucas has revealed to Fox News that he’s developing two live-action Star Wars films that will debut on television and will probably be an hour-long.
“But they won’t have members of the Skywalker family as characters,†he said. “They will be other people of that milieu.â€
Milieu? Ooh, look at fancy pants Lucas and his big words. However, Lucas couldn’t think of a fancy word when describing his disdain for Spiderman 3:
“It’s silly. It’s a silly movie,” he said. “There just isn’t much there. Once you take it all apart, there’s not much story, is there?”“People thought ‘Star Wars’ was silly, too,” he added, with a wink. “But it wasn’t.”
With a wink? Stop winking at people George and take a look at the last three Star Wars films. Then try not to use the word silly amongst the milieu of silliness that’s to be found in those steaming piles of disappointment.
The new film from Michael Moore won't be here for another month and a half, but the controversies surrounding it are heating up quick. The documentary (say what you want, but it fits the definition of non-fiction film), which is titled Sicko, exposes the problems with the U.S. health care industry. And, of course, that industry is already beginning to slam the film. But so far the biggest attack on Moore, related to Sicko, is coming from the U.S. government. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who's seen Fahrenheit 9/11, though the action has absolutely no connection with Moore's speaking out against the government. The Treasury Department is simply investigating a trip Moore took to Cuba back in March, because he allegedly disobeyed our trade embargo with the country (see the whole letter here).
Now that 
Over at Ain’t It Cool News, a poster calling himself Walter B claimed that he’d seen the new PG-13 rated Die Hard film and said that it was as kick-ass as any R-rated feature.
New Line have picked up Flight of the Dead, previously known as ‘Plane Dead’. Essentially, it’s ‘zombies on a plane’, which is simultaneously the best and worst idea ever. 
George Lucas has revealed to Fox News that he’s developing two live-action Star Wars films that will debut on television and will probably be an hour-long.
