The focus of this week's Trailer Park is going to be a bit more self-indulgent than usual. If you've read previous installments, you've seen how I usually discuss several trailers that can be grouped together under a common theme. Sometimes, though, as I look at all the new previews no pattern emerges, so the trailers I'm focusing on this week are mentioned here purely because they appeal to me personally. It's "what looks good to me" week on Trailer Park.
Run Fatboy Run Based on the fact that Shaun of the Deadis one of the funniest films of all time, and Hot Fuzz, which I haven't had a chance to see yet, looks quite awesome as well, anything starring Simon Pegg will grab my attention. Pegg's co-star from Shaun, Dylan Moran, also shows up in this trailer. Unfortunately, this preview suffers from one of my pet peeves: it doesn't actually tell you what the film is about. According to the synopsis on IMDB, Pegg is training for a marathon to win back the woman he dumped ten years earlier. What we do get, however, is Pegg running around in a pair of shorts even shorter than the ones Lieutenant Jim Dangle wears on Reno 911. Who knew that was even possible? There's some pretty good physical comedy on display here; like when Pegg takes a dive down a flight of stairs (yes, grievous bodily harm can be hilarious in the proper setting) and the bit with him drinking the raw eggs made for a pretty good laugh. This film marks the feature directorial debut of Friends star David Scwhimmer from a script by Michael Ian Black. Here's Erik Davis's take on the trailer. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Obviously this is one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the summer, and I'm just as excited about it as anyone. I've read all of J.K. Rowling's Potter books, and like the films, each one has been better than the last. Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) is loose once again, Dolores Umbridge, has been appointed Grand Inquisitor of Hogwarts School, and having read the books I couldn't help smiling when the trailer showed a bit of the Weasley twins laying mischievous waste to the school. The preview is flat out spectacular and I can't wait for this one. See for yourself:
Last night, I had a chance to see my first film of the Tribeca Film Festival, Charlie Bartlett. While I'll save plot details and the like for my review, I will point out that, in the film, Robert Downey Jr. plays a high school principal who's also a recovering alcoholic (though he's not doing so good with the whole "recovering" part). I point this out because it's been awhile since I've seen Downey Jr. on the big screen; I'm waiting to watch the majority of his recent roles on DVD. And though Charlie Bartlett certainly had a few flaws, I couldn't help but lose myself in Downey Jr.'s acting -- and all he's playing is a damn high school principal! Imagine how I'll feel when I see him as Iron Man. As I left the screening room last night, I couldn't help but thank God that this guy got clean. It is my opinion that he is one of the best actors working today, and to lose him to a drug would've been a damn shame.
That said, USA Today has a whole article on the Iron Man production which includes a brand new pic of Downey Jr. (as Tony Stark) forging the Iron Man suit. As you can see above, the dude looks pretty badass. Apart from the pic, the article delves into some of the training that Downey Jr. had to endure in order to get in shape for the role. Apparently, he's been lifting weights five days a week, while also practicing a good amount of martial arts. Says Downey Jr. about the role: "I'm more diligent than I used to be. I want to show Jon he was right to have faith in me. Whatever questions might have arisen about my life weren't issues with him." Though substance abuse is fairly common among actors and actresses, it has to be tough to play a role that's so close to the man you were (or are); to share your personal demons with the world, instead of just some therapist. I applaud Downey Jr. for taking the risk, and I cannot wait to see him play Tony Stark. Iron Man will hit theaters next May.
Here's a little controversy and rumor reaction for your Thursday:
I recently posted about Richard Gere inspiring burning effigies in India when he dipped and kissed Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty while promoting AIDS awareness. Now Guardian Unlimited reports that an Indian judge has issued arrest warrants for the actors, citing the country's public obscenity laws. Considering the fact that the UN AIDS agency says that India has the largest number of HIV/AIDS cases (5.7 million), perhaps it's time to focus on education, and not putting an actor up for a possible three months in prison, and/or a fine, for a cheek kiss. If the matter is not resolved, this could interfere with Gere's causes -- he has often visited Tibetan exiles in Dharmsala to offer support.
If there is any truth to the rumor that Kate Beckinsale could be the next Barbarella, I bet she will be cast. According to IGN, they've talked with the actress, who has confirmed that no one has approached her about the film. However, she doesn't seem to be averse to the idea: "It's thrilling! I've never heard anything about it before today." She continued on to joke about a name change: "Beckinsale-arella! It's gotta happen!" With her positive reaction to the idea, we might just have Beck-Barb confirmation in no time.
Alec Baldwin has been all over the news lately. If you haven't been following -- his ex-marital woes recently fueled him to leave a nasty message for his daughter, calling her a "rude, thoughtless little pig." Now CNN has reported on Baldwin's disdain for his business, which obviously stems from the never-ending custody suit with Kim Basinger over their daughter Ireland. He's tried to get out of his contract for NBC's 30 Rock, which was refused, and in a pre-taped interview for The View, he said: "If I never acted again, I couldn't care less." He continues: "I've had enough of this quite frankly to last me a lifetime, especially in the modern tabloid world." Whether these are words uttered in the heat of his distress, or firm feelings, remains to be seen.
When we first brought you pics from the set of Cabin Fever 2, it was kind of hard to make out what was going on. We knew some sh*t was going down at a prom, but we were unable to clearly see with our own eyes what sort of madness director Ti West was cooking up for the sequel. As you're probably already aware, the first Cabin Fever featured the directorial debut of Eli Roth. For practically no money (something like $1.5 million), Roth managed to scrape together a pretty decent horror flick; it went on to do good business at the box office, earned Roth a gig helming Hostel and the rest is history. Now, almost four years later, a second Cabin Fever is heading our way -- but this time, Roth handed over the reigns to West and newbie scribe Joshua Malkin.
Like Dread Central before, it appears Fangoria was at the same set visit, on the same day, while they were shooting the same scene. However, Fangoria has some much better images of the action taking place -- pics that include a group of prom patrons sprawled out on the floor, while a bucket full of red stuff is thrown all over them. God only knows what's going on in this scene (the folks from Fangoria aren't allowed to say), but I think it's safe to say no one is getting lucky after this dance. As far as plot goes, we're being told the flesh-eating virus from the first film returns; only this time, it decides to throw on a suit and party it up with a bunch of unsuspecting teens. Says West about the sequel: "Everything is quite gross and pushes the limits as far as they can go at times. It will be interesting to see what people think, because it's nothing like the first." Yum, looks delicious.
I've got some casting news for y'all, starting off with the most amazing casting news of the century...
Variety reports Jenny McCarthy is joining Witless Protection, which stars Larry the Cable Guy. The movie, directed by Charles Carner, is about a small-town sheriff who must protect a federal witness. We all know this will be a winner, because Larry the Cable Guy is starring in the movie. Thanks Lionsgate.
Variety also says Dinosaurs Alive, an Imax movie appearing this summer in both 2D and 3d, will be narrated by Michael Douglas.
Queen Latifah will topline a remake of All of Me, the 1984 comedy that starred Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin, Variety reports. The original movie is about a dying heiress whose soul inhabits the body of a successful attorney, but in this new movie, a female Jesse Jackson-type finds herself stuck in the body of a political conservative. Uh-oh!
More news from Variety has Disney signing Robin Williams and Kelly Preston to star alongside John Travolta in the buddy comedy Old Dogs, directed by Walt Becker. Ella Travolta, the daughter of two of the three stars (guess which ones!) will also have a role.
News from The Hollywood Reporter, for a change, has Val Kilmer (Deja Vu, The Doors), Wilmer Valderrama (Fast Food Nation, Yo Momma), and Marg Helgenberger (Mr. Brooks, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) starring in Columbus Day, a crime drama about a thief who has just one morning to fix what has gone awry in the biggest heist of his life, all while attempting to repair his relationship with his ex-wife (Helgenberger). Valderrama will play a longtime associate who helps plan the crime despite grave concerns.
Back to Variety... Rainn Wilson will star in the comedy Girlfriend Experience, based on a screenplay by cousins Mark and Brian Gunn, which is about a lonely geek who, in an effort to make himself seem more desirable, hires a prostitute to pretend she's his girlfriend. Nice!
Focus Features is saying Academy Award-winning filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen will write, produce, and direct their next two films for the company - A Serious Man and the dark spy comedy Burn After Reading. Burn After Reading will star Academy Award winners George Clooney and Frances McDormand; Brad Pitt has also joined the cast.
Welcome back to Eat My Shorts, where Cinematical regularly highlights short films that you can watch from the comfort of your nice warm computer. I'm going to try to fill Erik Davis's shoes, or rather -- well, if I said "shorts" there, I'd probably get reprimanded for harassment. At any rate, Erik's a tough act to follow. Since I'm just starting, of course I am looking for shorts to feature -- if you've made a short film yourself, or seen one online that you've enjoyed, please email shorts AT cinematical DOT com with a link. The entire short must be available for public viewing online. I love watching short films so writing this column is going to be a real treat for me.
On my first week, I thought I'd start with some shorts that I've seen at film festivals recently and have found online. The shorts all have been featured at Texas film festivals (what can I say, I rarely get to leave the Lone Star State), where most of them won awards ... or should have. Short films usually don't play many theaters, and few end up on DVD, so normally when I see something good at a film festival, it's frustrating because other people don't usually have the opportunity to see the film I'm gushing over. Fortunately, the miracles of the Internet mean that I can share some of these festival favorites with you.
The full Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix movie trailer is now online, and man, this movie is going to kick ass. The trailer starts off dark, then lightens up as it introduces some funny moments revolving around the new Dark Arts teacher, but then quickly uncoils to the beginning of a war. Harry and the rest join forces to train against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and things get even more intense from there. To cap things off, the final seconds of the trailer are chilling, to say the least.
I don't have much to say about the trailer. This is how movie trailers should be. It really doesn't show too much of the plot (for those who haven't read the book, or for those of us, like me, who can't remember every plot detail) and sets the expectation levels extremely high.
Good job, Warner Brothers marketing!
Watch the full Harry Potter movie trailer!
When it comes to Terry Gilliam, you always have to take his word with not only a grain of salt, but sometimes the whole shaker. In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, the director spoke about his next project, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. The story would center on a traveling circus with the added bonus of allowing audiences to enter the mind of the shows headlining star -- It doesn't exactly take Freud to work out some of the symbolism on that one does it? As most fans know, Gilliam has had a troubled history when it comes to studios and finding financing, he says, "The cost of marketing a film is so high now that they'd rather gamble on a $US150 million [$180 million] film that they can market well than four, say, $US40 million films. Because the gamble, if it pays off, goes gangbusters. If it doesn't, you lose your shirt." Although, on the upside, at least when Don Quixote fell apart we got a documentary out of the deal. Interestingly, Gilliam says in the piece he's still keen to get Don Quixote made, despite the long and tortured history of his involvement with the project.
Gilliam has a number of activities in the works, which he discusses in the piece: he will be working with the animated band Gorillaz this September on a film that will serve as the band's swan song, and he is also still holding out hope for his long-suffering adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Good Omens and there have even some vague rumblings of a return to Don Quixote with Johnny Depp back in the lead. That is quite the action-packed schedule if he can keep to it. As much as I admire his enthusiasm, you know one of these will drop by the wayside, the only question is; which one should it be?Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
They owe him at least that much, right? Warner Independent Pictures has snapped up the Radcliffe-starring indie drama December Boys and is partnering with Village Roadshow Pictures to distribute it in September. The film, which was directed by television vet Rod Hardy and was shot last year on location in Australia and South Africa, is set in the 1960s and centers on four orphan teens who grow up in the Australian outback and learn to use magic on each other. Okay, I made up the last part. When a childless couple moves into the area where the four orphans live, they begin to compete with each other to see who can get adopted. Other cast members credited in the film are Christian Byers, Lee Cormie, Teresa Palmer, James Fraser and Jack Thompson. According to IMDB, the film is a drama, a family film, a romance, and in the end, "each boy learns something about himself and his place in the world."
Variety also notes that the project was long in the making, with producer Richard Becker first optioning the book back in 1992. I'm completely unfamiliar with Radcliffe's work outside of the Harry Potter series, so I have no idea if he's a talent we'll be hearing from regularly after the Potter series takes its final bow, or if he will sort of fade into obscurity like so many child stars before him. From what I've seen of the Harry Potter films, it seems like it's Emma Watson that has the most potential to be a break-out star -- expect Warners to give her the lead in some kind of teen comedy two or three years from now, or toss her a couple of damsel-in-distress parts in an action franchise, to see if she can hold her own.Permalink | Email this | Comments
When telling you about Jackie Earle Haley last month, I mentioned one of his upcoming films, the biopic of Charles (Buddy) Bolden called, aptly, Bolden. Now The New York Times published a piece that gives some background into this ambitious indie project. Basically, there are two features, all sibling-like. The first is the Bolden biopic, which will try to delve into Buddy's world, even though most of the details surrounding him are myth. (The jazz performer was a big draw from 1895 to 1907, but was never recorded and ended up being sent to an institution after a bout of acute alcoholic psychosis, which ended his career.) The second is an hour-long silent film called The Great Observer, about a young boy named Louis (recalling Louis Armstrong) who dreams of playing the horn, while getting entangled in New Orlean's red-light district.
The pair of films are the project of Dan Pritzker, who is a billionaire's son and musician, and now, director. His plan is to debut the movies in tandem, and have the silent film play with a live performance by Wynton Marsalis. I have to say that I'm really happy and amped to see more being done with silent film, especially after how phenomenal Guy Maddin's Brand Upon the Brain! was when it was teamed with live performances. But first, Pritzker's team, which includes Derick andSteven Martini as screenwriters and Vilmos Zsigmod as the director of photography, has to get past the hurdle of piecing together the bits of Buddy's life that can be siphoned from references and oral storytelling. According to the Times, the film will imagine the musician "in the last year of his life, hearing a radio broadcast in which Artmstrong, who became the public face of New Orleans jazz, paid tribute to the music's supposed birth with Bolden."Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Last night, I had a chance to see my first film of the Tribeca Film Festival, 
Here's a little controversy and rumor reaction for your Thursday:
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They owe him at least that much, right? Warner Independent Pictures has 
When telling you about Jackie Earle Haley 
