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Spidey Speculation

Since the teaser image of Spider-Man in a black costume was released, much specualtion as gone on as to what will be in the next film. One dedicated fan even went to the trouble of doctoring up a frame from Spider-Man 2 (as pictured to the left). This image has made its way to a variet of rumour sites including Aint It Cool News.

It's pretty clear that we will be seeing both Sandman (Thomas Hayden Church) and Venom (Topher Grace), as Kirsten Dunst let that slip last fall during an interview. However, some websites are speculating that Grace is playing the blonde, ambitious billionaire Maxwell Dillion, who, thanks to one of those life-altering accidents that Marvel charcters are so apt to fall into, becomes Electro - master of electricity. Electro's powers allow him to generate electrostatic energy through his body and can override any electrically-powered device and manipulate it according to his mental commands.

The Hollywood Reporter has also mentioned that Dallas Bryce Howard, the daughter of director Ron Howard, will star as the famed Spidey love interest Gwen Stacy in Spider-Man 3. Apparently the Gwen character is the third part of a love triangle (Peter - Mary Jane - Gwen is the obvious). In the Spider-Man comic books, Gwen Stacy is killed during one of Spider-Man's battles with the Green Goblin but for obvious reasons that storyline is not possible in the movie series.

What actual shape the third story will take is still up in the air but May 7th cannot arrive soon enough for Spider-Man fans!

Is the Sony UMD Done?

When Sony first announced the UMD format for its PSP (Playstation Portable) it was with the hopes of marketing movies to yet another potential audience. However, perhaps due to the high price point, many news sources are reporting that the UMD is close to being scrapped. Retailers such as Wal-Mart are beginning to pull out of UMD sales and sections at other retail stores are shrinking.

The major movie studios have not been impressed with the sales figues and are beginning to view the PSP as a gaming platform only. One unnamed president of a major studio is quoted as saying, "No one's watching movies on PSP. It's a game player, period."

Universal Studios, like many others, has ceased UMD production. One of their execs was quoted by Reuters as saying, "Sales are near zilch. It's another Sony bomb."

The problem with the UMD format (UMD disc pictured above left) is that currently it cannot be played on anything besides the PSP. With prices starting at $16, many people simply purchase the DVD version and find a way to copy the movie onto their portable device. Kudos to Sony for trying something new but it looks like this particular gamble will not pay off.

Anatomy of a Scene

In an exclusive for the NYTimes, James McTeigue, the director of "V for Vendetta," introduces the film's main character, with a video clip and exclusive storyboards. I actually watched this before seeing the film and it does not contain any spoilers about the plot or outcome but is still insightful and interesting.

Will Smith becomes a "Thief"

In yet another film adaptation of an old TV series, Will Smith, who previously starred in the adapted Wild Wild West, is attached to star in It Takes a Thief. The film is based on the TV series of the same name, which starred Robert Wagner and ran from 1968 to 1970. Smith will play a master thief blackmailed by the CIA to work undercover for them. No director is attached, though David Elliot and Paul Lovett, wirters of "Four Brothers", will work on the script. A film version of this series has been set up at Universal for nearly a decade, originally with Michael Douglas attached to star.

Some rumours are calling the film To Catch a Thief, which is incorrect. To Catch A Thief is a 1955 film that was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starred Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.

Ron Howard to direct Iraq war film

Director Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13) is set to helm a movie set in war-ridden Iraq, according to reports.
The film will be called Last Man Home and is about a soldier missing in the country. The film is set in Iraq days before the US-led invasion in 2003, while the soldier disappeared during the Gulf War conflict some 13 years earlier.

With 2005's Jarhead leading the way, Iraq-based films are a popular trend with a number of productions in the works. Samuel L Jackson will star in Home of the Brave and play an army medic dealing with the aftermath of a tour of duty in Iraq. Harrison Ford is currently filming The Battle For Fallujah and there are a variety of other projects based on the events of 9/11 and the subsequent invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Guantanamo film gets North American release

US film distributor Roadside Attractions has signed a deal to release The Road to Guantanamo, a film which received 1.6 million viewers when BBC Channel 4 showed it as part of a simultaneous cinema, DVD and download March release.

The Road to Guantanamo tells the story of the Tipton Three from the West Midlands, who went to Pakistan to arrange a wedding. They were picked up as terrorist suspects in Afghanistan and taken to Guantanamo Bay, where they were held for two years. The men were eventually released in 2004 without charge. The film depicts treatment meted out at the camp and was made at a cost of around 1.5 million British pounds (approx $3.75 million Cdn)

As an ironic twist, upon returning from the Berlin film festival, the actors who play the British inmates were held and questioned by police at the Luton airport under British anti-terrorism laws. They were later released without arrest.

Yet more sour grapes

It seems that this year's Academy Awards results have produced more hard feelings than usual. I found an article penned by author Annie Proulx in the British newspaper The Guardian. In the March 11th article, she beomans the fact that her adapted story 'Brokeback Mountain' lost out to the multi-layered race-relations drama 'Crash'. Apparently grace and manners are out of style as she spews out the following diatribe:

"And rumour has it that Lions Gate inundated the academy voters with DVD copies of Trash - excuse me - Crash a few weeks before the ballot deadline. Next year we can look to the awards for controversial themes on the punishment of adulterers with a branding iron in the shape of the letter A, runaway slaves, and the debate over free silver."

She concludes the article: "For those who call this little piece a Sour Grapes Rant, play it as it lays."

Fine. I will. You lost, get over it and move on. I hate to be the one to tell you this but your story does not break new ground either. You're petulance only denigrates any positive attention your movie has received. There were many strong films this year that told important stories. Be happy that your story was appreciated, well-received and short-listed as one of the years best. Isn't that reward enough?

iPod movies too expensive?

Following their foray into selling TV episodes, Apple has begun selling a full-length movie, High School Musical -- a made-for-TV movie from the Disney Channel, through the US iTunes Music Store. This is a strong indication that Apple may be about to launch a fully fledged video download service.

Potential customers are likely to think twice about the $9.99 price as the download offers only a limited resolution of 320 x 240 pixels and none of the bonus features typically found on a DVD. Sony has also run into this problem with their UMD formatted movies for the PlayStation Portable.

J-Lo to star as Sue Ellen in 'Dallas' Movie?

In what sounds like another example of "brilliant" Hollywood casting, Jennifer Lopez has reportedly been offered the role of Sue Ellen in the "Dallas" movie. John Travolta has been offered the starring role of J.R., Luke Wilson is in talks to play Bobby and Shirley MacLaine could play Miss Ellie. Shooting on the film couldn't start until Travolta makes his next movie, the big screen version of the Broadway musical "Hairspray." All of these are just rumours at the moment but I'll keep you posted on further developments.

Hells Angels sue Disney over movie concept

The Hells Angels have sued Walt Disney Co., claiming that a movie about a group of motorcycle riders called "Wild Hogs" infringes on its trademark name and skull logo. "Wild Hogs," which has not started production, is the story of "a group of middle-aged wannabe bikers look(ing) for adventure out on the open road, where they encounter a chapter of the Hells Angels," according to the tag line on Internet Movie Database.

In the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court of California on Wednesday, the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corp. said the characters in the movie are identified as members of the club and wear trademark logos, although in the suit the club said Disney had not given it a copy of the script. A Disney spokesman said the suit was without merit.

What's next for Crash director?

According to various sources, including the Hollywood Reporter, Paul Haggis, the writer-director of the Oscar-winning 'Crash', is in final negotiations to produce and direct the political drama 'Against All Enemies'. The film will be based on Richard Clarke's best-selling memoir of the same name, which follows George W. Bush and his administration as they respond to al-Qaeda before and after 11 September.

More Da Vinci news

Two more groups have started websites in response to the book and upcoming movie -- The Da Vinci Code. I'm probably one of the few people left that has not read the book but I have done the background work. I have been taking a world religion course at the local university and that's part of why I have not posted in a few days. I have a final paper and exam due in the next few weeks so I may post a little less frequently until I am done.

Anyhow, I am looking forward to a chance to delve into the book (as well as 'The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail' whose author sued Da Vinci code writer Dan Brown) and some of the sites that have sprung up in response. The two sites that I want to link to here are the Opus Dei and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Opus Dei are the villains of The Da Vinci Code and have started a blog to post their views about the book. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has just launched a site in response to The Da Vinci Code. It includes a couple of interesting articles and is worth checking out especially if you've already read the book!

Sour grapes from Cronenberg?

David Cronenberg, in an article from the Toronto Star is quoted as saying his film A History of Violence was snubbed for an Oscar nomination because it did not directly challenge the policies of President George W. Bush. He's also upset with fellow Canadian filmmaker Paul Haggis for using the title Crash for the movie that won Best Picture, since that was the title of Cronenberg's award-winning 1996 movie. "The whole Crash thing has been very annoying. I've let Haggis know that as well," Cronenberg said. "It's not a legal issue, it's an ethical issue. And also I think it's just plain stupid."

Was it not enough that his film was well-received by critics? What ever happened to making art for art's sake and not worrying about pats on the back and collecting shiny baubles? Yes, it is nice to be recognized for your work and without a doubt A History of Violence was an excellent film but how much praise is enough?

Razzie Award Winners

At the 26th Annual Golden Raspberry (Razzie©) Awards ceremony, Jenny McCarthy's Dirty Love "won" in four categories including Worst Picture. Here are a list of some of the other "winners", check out www.razzies.com for more information.

Worst Picture: Dirty Love
Worst Actor: Rob Schneider - Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo
Worst Actress: Jenny McCarthy - Dirty Love
Worst Supporting Actor: Hayden Christensen - Star Wars III
Worst Supporting Actress: Paris Hilton - House Of Wax
Worst Remake Or Sequel: Son Of The Mask
Worst Screenplay: Dirty Love, Written by Jenny McCarthy

Oscar winners

Here a few of the winners from last night's 78th Oscar awards ceremony. A full list is available from oscar.com

BEST PICTURE - Crash
BEST DIRECTOR - Ang Lee, "Brokeback Mountain"
BEST ACTOR - Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Capote"
BEST ACTRESS - Reese Witherspoon, "Walk the Line"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - George Clooney, "Syriana"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Rachel Weisz, "The Constant Gardener"
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM - "Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit"
BEST DOCUMENTARY - "March of the Penguins," Luc Jacquet and Yves Darondeau, directors
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY - Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana, "Brokeback Mountain"
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY - Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco, "Crash"

Jet Li and Jason Statham Team Up

Jet Li and Jason Statham (The Transporter) will team up in a new action movie. Statham will play an FBI agent who tries to avenge the death of his partner by an assassin played by Jet Li. Philip G. Atwell will direct the movie and Corey Yuen will design its action sequences. Filming is due to start in March in Vancouver, Canada, according to the Web site.

You can find more information at either the "Rogue" official web site or the official Jet Li web site.

Animals Like Us

AnimalWatch Manitoba in partnership with the Park Theatre and Movie Cafe is presenting a film series about animals
in modern society. The series is comprised of short films on topics ranging from factory farming to the trapping/fur industry. More information is available at the Animal Watch Manitoba website.

Canadian Mobile Film Fest

Canadian film makers looking for a break into the industry may want to think small. Organizers of the festival Mobifest are looking for original films that are up to 60 seconds long and formatted for viewing on cellphones and other handheld devices. Similar festivals, for what is dubbed "short attention span theater," have been launched in Portugal and Asia.

Sponsored by Palm Canada, Mobifest will accept international submissions through April 30, 2006 with winners announced May 17, 2006. Finalists will be picked by online voters, who can view all the films at www.mobifest.ca. The festival judges will then determine winners for best Canadian mobile film, best of festival, and best film shot and edited exclusively on a Palm Treo smartphone. The top 50 submissions will be screened at the award ceremony, to be held at the Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto, and will receive prizes. Award-winning films will premiere on Movieola, The Short Film Channel, and screen on Air Canada flights this summer. The festival winner also gets a mobile movie production package worth about $1,500 Cdn.

Google teams up with US National Archives

The US National Archives department and Google are teaming up to allow unprecedented access to historical film properties for free. Through a pilot program, archivist Allen Weinstein has collaborated with Google Video to compile an online library of 103 films, including movies, documentaries and other cinematic creations that were previously not easily accessible by the general public.

Check out the collection at http://video.google.com/nara.html