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| 1.MAY'S MEETING WAS A KICK (AND A PUNCH AND A FLYING
LEAP)!
In May we had our first of two evenings of martial arts films. We focused on the Wuxia films of China. The movie we watched was the 1994 Jet Li remake of Bruce Lee's FIST OF FURY. This one, FIST OF LEGEND, was a hit with club members (no pun intended). We also got to see Mitch Klein's short film, AUSTIN POWERS AND THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN FANGS (starring our guest for the evening and [we hope] future member, Gene Crowell and makeup effects by another May guest and possible new member - Tim Davis). We also got to watch the next chapter in our ongoing serial, "The Mysterious Dr. Satan." We punched the meeting up (so to speak) with a lively business meeting and (for some of us) a trip to the diner. If you missed it you missed a great meeting. 2.NEWS OF OUR MAY MEETING Our May meeting will be held on Saturday June 29 at 5:30 P.M. Please take note, we've switched from our usual last Saturday of the month so that we didn't conflict with the Memorial Day Weekend. As usual we'll be at the church hall behind the Perry Hall Presbyterian Church located at 8848 BelAir Road. Take Baltimore Beltway exit 32 north on Belair Road. Turn left onto Joppa Road. Immediately past the miniature golf course turn left into the parking lot. If you miss it there are ample turn-around opportunities. If you get stuck call 410-598-8005. That's Dave Henderson's cell phone. He'll talk you in. 3.Tim and Heather Fleming will be telling us all about time travel in the movies (unless, of course, they already have, botched it, then went back in time and altered the past, which might put us in a temporal causality loop - in fact they might be able to fill the room with various versions of themselves from slightly different moments laughing and nodding lovingly at all of their jokes). Their official movie theme is "Off-Beat Movies" (quite apt for this group). They'll be featuring movies that contain unusual music or have music as a significant item in the plot. Gee, I wonder if we can make wisecracks through the movie? 4.WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS - BLAKE AND TAYLOR SHERBLOM-WOODWARD We were pleased to welcome our newest ICS members to the fold, Blake and Taylor Sherblom-Woodward (and thank you to Tom Woodward for introducing us to Blake and Taylor). They're friendly, they're smart and they've got lots of opinions - in short they've got everything they need to make them perfect ICS members. Please, if you haven't got to know them yet, take the time to do it. It's worth it! Maybe, just maybe, if we twist their arms, we can talk them into hosting an evening of anime for us. We've been talking about it for a long time. Blake and Taylor may be just who we need to make it happen. 5.FANEX 16 As announced earlier, the Imaginative Cinema Society will be working with our old friends, Gary and Sue Svehla, on FANEX 16 from August 16-18 in Timonium, Md (see details below). They have asked us to use our video projector. In return we'll be get table space in their convention. We'll need volunteers to work it (they'll be a sign-up sheet at the next meeting) and to run the movies. Anyone wearing an ICS badge will be allowed in for free. We encourage everyone to come by, work the table and enjoy the convention. We'll also be playing a round of "ICS Academic" at the convention. It will be Saturday, 4:00. It should be a very good time for everyone. 6.GOT A BADGE? The only members walking into FANEX 16 for free are the badge-wearing ones. If you don't have a badge, or can't find your badge, get in touch with Dave Henderson. You can talk to him at a meeting, e-mail him at imhendo@hotmail.com or call him at (410) 529-0726. He'll need to know what movie character that you'd like for your ICS Badge. 7.GOT A MOVIE? We'll be selling movies at FANEX 16. We would like club members to bring us your laser discs, VHS tapes and DVD's. Beginning at our June meeting, bring along anything in your collection you'd like to say good-bye to. We ask that you only bring along pre-recorded videos. This is your chance to unload some of the stuff you got in the auction! 8.CONDOLENCES TO ROBIN CHANEY Many of you don't know Robin Chaney. She's not a member of our club. She currently lives some distance away in Pennsylvania. Those of us who were part of the old HFFS will know her well. Robin's father recently passed away. We extend our sincere condolences to Robin and the Chaney family. No words we write can ever lessen the pain of separation from a loved one. As inadequate as the sentiment is, we can only say that we are sorry for your loss. 9.AHEAD FOR THE ICS We've got all sorts of summer treats in store for our members. On July 27 John Clayton's theme will be "Forgotten Horrors (and why they deserve to be forgotten!)." That is also our annual "Pizza Night." Come hungry! On August 16-18 the club will be at FANEX 16. ICS members get in for free. We'll need your help with staffing the tables and assisting with movie projection. On August 24 Donna and Dava Sentz give us an evening of Hammer Films (and particularly a favorite of the Sentz ladies - Christopher Lee). Our first meeting of the fall will be September 28. I'll be taking us back to Asian Cinema for "The World of Martial Arts Films II: The World of Bushido." We'll be looking at the great classics of Samurai cinema. We've got good times ahead! |
| 30.THINGS TO COME
CREEP CON takes place at the Baltimore Convention Center from June 7-9. Guests include Anthony Head (Giles on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER); Adam Busch ("Warren" on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER); Robert Hall (Special Make-Up Effects for BUFFY, ANGEL and BLACK SCORPION); Warwick Davis (LEPRECHAUN, STAR WARS and WILLOW); Virginia Hey (FARSCAPE, THE ROAD WARRIOR); Kane Hodder ("Jason" FRIDAY THE 13th films); Alexxus Young (scream queen, star of the upcoming ARACHNIA); Muse Watson ("Fisherman" from I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER), David Carradine (KUNG FU); Ben Chapman (THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON); Bill Moseley (TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2); Linnea Quigley, Miguel Nunez, Jewel Shepard, Beverly Randolph Hartley, Jules Brenner, Brian Peck, John Philbin,Don Calfa, Kenny Myers and William Stout (all from RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD); Leonard Lies and Marty Schiff (both from DAWN OF THE DEAD); Brian Penikas (special make-up effects artist); Jerome Blake (STAR WARS: EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES); Mike Quinn (RETURN OF THE JEDI); Michonne Bourriague (STAR WARS: EPISODE I - PHANTOM MENACE); Shannon Baksa (STAR WARS RPG model); Debbie Rochon (NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD); Dick Durock (SWAMP THING); Edwin Neal (TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE); Reggie Bannister (PHANTASM series); Kevin Summerfield (director SLEEPY HOLLOW HIGH 1 & 2); Velvet Chain (L.A. band that's appeared on BUFFY); Darling Violetta (California band that did the theme for ANGEL); Frank Cho (comic artist); Virgil (WWF Superstar); Remy Marks (model and Playmate) and Nicole Wood (Playboy Playmate, Miss April 93). Scheduled events include a special Friday Night, Creep Con Opening Ceremony at The Vault on Baltimore St. The show is limited to only 200 Tickets. It starts at 6:00 and continues through the night. There will be open bar and food available. Doors open Saturday and Sunday at 10 AM for VIP ticket holders, 11 AM for everyone else. General admission at the door is $20 per day, or $30 for the weekend. General admission in advance is $15 per day, or $25 for the weekend. V.I.P. Gold are $125 each. These passes give you admission on Saturday and Sunday 1 hour earlier than the general public, access to the Friday Night Creep Con Opening Ceremony, one free autograph from most guests appearing on stage and best seating in the auditorium for the guests Q&A sessions and special events at the show. For further information or tickets either click on the link at the beginning or (for you snail mailers) contact FOD Entertainment/ C/O Creep Convention/ P.O. Box 2139/ Glen Burnie, MD 21060-2139. ASIAN FANTASY FILM EXPO 3 is being held on June 15 & 16 at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center in Saddle Brook, New Jersey. This is THE convention for people who like their monsters large, aggressive and Japanese. Guests include Shusuke Kaneko (director of GODZILLA • MOTHRA • KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK), Teruyoshi Nakano (special effects director of Godzilla films in the 70's and 80's), Shinichi Yokokawa (with Bandai, creator of Japanese monster character toys), Carl Craig (the American Boy Scout in DESTROY ALL PLANETS), Bob Eggleton (America's leading Godzilla artist) and Remy Marks (fantasy model and Playmate). One day passes are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Two day passes are $18 and are available only in advance. Children age 5 and under are free. To order click on the above link or contact P.O. Box 1614 Fort Lee, NJ 07024/ 201-587-8112/ fax: 201-587-8114. SHORE LEAVE 24 is being held July 12, 13 and 14 at the Marriott Hunt Valley Inn in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Their interesting assortment of guests range from show business celebrities to writers to scientists. Their show biz guests include John Billingsley (Dr. Phlox in ENTERPRISE), James Marsters (Spike in BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER), Richard Biggs (Dr. Stephen Franklin in BABYLON 5), Julie Caitlin Brown (Na'Toth in BABYLON 5), Jason Carter (Ranger Marcus Cole in BABYLON 5), Dee Wallace Stone (the mother in E.T.), Richard Herd (V's Supreme Cmdr; guest in TNG/VOY) and Spice Williams (Vixis in STAR TREK V). The author guests include Jim Butcher, Greg Cox, Ann C. Crispin, Peter David, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Kevin Dilmore, Michael Jan Friedman, Dave Galanter, Robert Greenberger, Jeffrey Lang, Marco Palmieri, Roberta Rogow, Dayton Ward, Howard Weinstein and Joan Winston. The science guests include; from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center astrophysicists Dr. David Batchelor, Dr. Kirk Borne and Dr. Dan Delaney. JPL-NASA Solar System Ambassador Dr. Loretta McKibben will be there. From Hubble astrophysicists Dr. Keith Noll, Dr. Sean O'Brien, Dr. Massimo Stiavelli, Mr. Ray Villard and Dr. Mark Voit. Finally astronaut and shuttle pilot and commander Richard A. Searfoss will be there. Other guests include f/x wizard Adam "Mojo" Lebowitz, musical group The Boogie Knights, science fiction cartoonist and satirist Tye Bourdony, artist Gayle Freyman and comedy act Luna-C. Among the events are a special Klingon Feast with Spice Williams, a special benefit concert given by Julie Caitlin Brown, a special meet-the-pros party to mingle with writing and science guests, a filk concert, a Saturday evening masquerade, dancing in Ten-Forward, the Prometheus Radio Theatre performing Episode 7 in their continuing series, "The Arbiter Chronicles," a Sunday Evening Showcase Theater by The Not Ready For Paramount Players, an art show and, as you'd expect, a large dealer's room. They'll be fan panels, special workshops and special science programming. If this looks good to you, and you want to pre-register, you'd better hurry. Pre-registartion ends May 31. At that point it's $50 for adults and $12 for children 5-12 (under 5 is free). After May 31 it'll be at the door only and the costs will be the weekend for $60, Friday only for $15, Saturday only for $35 (includes Masquerade and Ten-Forward), Saturday evening only for $10 for admission to the Masquerade and Ten Forward only, Sunday only for $30 and children (5-12) will still be $12 and under 5 free. For more information you can click the above link, drop a line to Shore Leave 24/ P.O. Box 6809/ Towson, MD 21285-6809 or you can call 410-496-4456. OTAKON 2002 will take place on July 26, 27 and 28 at the Baltimore Convention Center. This is a very large anime' convention. Their guest list is pending. Activities include the Otakon Gameshow, Live Action Role-Play (LARP), the Otakon 2002 Masquerade and costume contests and fashion show, an anime' music video contest, karaoke and a karaoke Gong Show, workshops and lots of video gaming. Admission is $40 until May 4 and $45 until July 8. For more information either click on the above link or contact Otakon 2002 Registration, 491 Baltimore Pike #689, Springfield, PA 19064-3810. FANEX 16 is coming to the Timonium Days Inn, located at 9615 Deereco Road in Timonium, Maryland. The convention's on August 16-18. THE ICS WILL HAVE A TABLE AT THE SHOW. WE'LL ALSO BE SHOWING MOVIES THERE. ICS MEMBERS WHO WEAR THEIR BADGES WILL GET IN FOR FREE. At this writing the folks from FANEX are still building their guest list. So far they've got John Saxon, Carol Lynley producer Ted Bohus, director Fred Olen Ray, local legend George Stover and director Robert Tinnell. They'll also have their very knowledgeable staff of writers on hand. They've got Anthony Ambrogio, Mark Clark, ICS member Cindy Ruth Collins, Gary Dorst, Charlie Ellis, James Janis, Paul Jensen, Tom Johnson, Allen K., Richard Klemensen, Lenny Kohl, Jonathan Lampley, Greg Mank, John E. Parnum, Michael H. Price, Mark Redfield, Robert Sargent, Bryan Senn, Brian Smith, Don Smith, Gary J. Svehla, Jeff Thompson, Steven Thornton, Steve Vertlieb, Neil Vokes and Tom Weaver. Events include Eurotrash 101, Jack the Ripper (hopefully not live and in person), YOUNG GOODMAN BROWN (a lost film from Robert Tinnell) a premiere of the new DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE film from Baltimore's Redfield Arts, a recollection of FANEXes past on Friday night and a special Saturday night trip to the Bengie's Drive-In Saturday night! After the first run feature, the Bengie's will show shorts and a film selected for FANEXers! For the general public a weekend memberships is a very thrifty $30. Memberships at the door are $10 a day. For more information either ask at a club meeting or click on the above link. SLANTED FEDORA is coming to the Doubletree Hotel-Crystal City, located at 300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA from August 16-18. This is not a fan-run convention. This is a for-profit endeavor and is priced accordingly. This is their last large event in Washington, DC. They'll be narrowing their focus (starting next year) to only six large events a year, and a large number of smaller events. Next year they'll hold a single day event in DC, followed by several additional one day events in the surrounding area. The guests are all TREK guests. From TNG they'll have Marina Sirtis (Troi) appearing Saturday only. From DS9 they've got Michael Dorn (Worf), Andrew Robinson (Garrick, appearing Saturday only) and Alexander Siddig (Dr Bashir - appearing Sunday only). From VOYAGER they've got Ethan Phillips (Neelix - appearing Sunday only) and Robert Picardo (The Doctor). There is a complex pattern of who will sign when and how much they'll charge. It's enough to make a Ferengi dizzy! See the Website or drop them a note for more information for the skinny. They'll be live theatre. On Friday, August 17 Alexander Siddig and Andrew Robinson will star in their original play, "Into the Matrix" featuring their characters from DS9. On Saturday August 18 live dinner theatre starts at 7 PM (starring Michael Dorn and Marina Sirtis starring in Neal Simon's "Plaza Suite"). All advertised guests will sign a set of autographs for all reserved seat ticket holders each day. The show hours are Friday, August 16, 2 PM till 8 PM, with evening theatre starting at 8:30; Saturday, August 17 10 AM till 6 PM, with evening dinner theatre starting at 7 PM and on Sunday, August 18 from 10 AM till 6 PM. The daily general admission is $10. Daily general admission gets you into the convention. General admission tickets are not available in advance. General admission seats are subject to availability, once they're sold out, they're sold out. General admission seating is available behind the reserved seating, and behind the VIP Reserved/Theatre package seating. General Admission seats do not include a guaranteed opportunity for autographs. Many times, the stars will be able to sign extra autographs but there will always be an extra fee. Convention weekend reserved seating is $60. With this you keep the same seat all weekend long. Autographs are called row by row. For the shortest wait in the autograph line, order early. Convention reserved seating includes the convention, access to the dealer room, access to the stars presentations, plus a complete sets of all autographs from all advertised guests. Reserved admission seating is available behind the VIP Reserved/Theatre package seating. Saturday or Sunday one-day reserved seating is $50. The theatre package is $100 for people who don't want anything but the theater. The VIP reserved seating/theater package is $125. You get up close seating, autographs from all the guests, the convention and the theaters. You can order tickets Online at the above link, call them at (913) 441-9405 or mail them a check at Slanted Fedora Entertainment/ 4623 Aminda St./ Shawnee, KS 66226. The prices sited did not include the local 7.25% sales tax. HORRORFIND is returning to the BWI Airport Marriott at 1743 West Nursery Road, Baltimore, on August 23-25. For those of you who went last year and may have been put off with logistical problems, the Horrorfind folks promise us they've got it under control. For fans who had to park down the road and walk forever to get to the hotel, the Marriott has made more space available this year and a new parking lot has opened just across the street. For fans who got hassled waiting to meet Bruce Campbell, this year they're going to use a special colored and numbered custom printed ticket system. They'll announce over the PA system as well as post signs throughout the convention which color and numbered ticket is up for getting in line. For attendees who thought there to be a larger area designated for people to gather for some of the guest speakers, a new layout will allow us to make a large section into a speakers area with large seating capacity. They've also made arrangements with the hotel to convert the bar and or entire indoor pool area into large capacity theater style seating for the highest demand speakers. Some guests may also be scheduled to speak twice in separate sessions. Speaking of guests, the show biz folk scheduled to show include Dee Wallace Stone (ET, CUJO), Doug Bradley (HELLRAISER'S Pinhead), Linda Blair (THE EXORCIST), an EVIL DEAD reunion with Bruce Campbell (EVIL DEAD, EVIL DEAD II, ARMY OF DARKNESS); Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker, Sarah York, Tom Sullivan (Make-up Effects EVIL DEAD - he'll be bringing a large selection of original props and memorabilia for the Evil Dead movie); an EVIL DEAD Museum!; Tom Savini (Special FX, Actor, Director - Tom Savini will do a special Haunted House Illusions seminar on Sunday - stay tuned for details); Ken Foree (DAWN OF THE DEAD) Mel Welles (LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, INVASION EARTH), Michael Berryman (THE HILLS HAVE EYES I & II), Dick Dyszel (Count Gore De Vol - TV's CREATURE FEATURE Horror Host), Brinke Stevens (HAUNTING FEAR, NIGHTMARE SISTERS), Countess Vladmira (actress, model and comic book star of Countess Vladmira: Blood Relations), Jasi Cotton Lanier (actress, model and stunt woman) Baltimore natives Joe Ripple and Don Dohler of Timewarp Films and Kevin Scarpino (The Son Of Ghoul is Northeast Ohio's longest running costumed horror-movie host of 16 years). There'll also be plenty of horror and science-fiction authors on hand. You'll have a chance to meet Douglas Clegg, Thomas "Black Jack" Ketchum, Tom Piccirilli, Edward Lee, Karen Taylor, John Pelan, Yvonne Navarro, Weston Ochse, Brian Keene, David Whitman, Gene O'Neill and Mark MCLaughlin. They'll also be various other guests, such as Leonard Pickel (Owner, Haunted Attraction Magazine, known as Mr. Halloween to some, Mad Doctor), John L Burton (a giant in the Haunted House and Halloween industry) Mason Winfield (paranormal investigator and occult writer), The Patient Creatures (a Halloween acting and story telling group), The Maniacal Brothers (haunted house designers, make-up and performers) and Ron Chamberlain (Monsters in the Basement Make-up Artist). Special events include a special Tour Baltimore offer for discounted $10.00 per person tour tickets for the Fell's Point Ghost Walk during the convention and Halloween and Haunt Seminars by some of the biggest names in the Haunt industry. This year they'll also have more Big Halloween and Haunt Vendors bringing displays of cool stuff. This year they promise a Halloween Dungeon -full of surprises. There'll be a seance with Mason Winfield - this time in a big dark scary room, horror author readings and signings, a packed dealers room with lots of horrors, a costume ball Saturday night, a rare (special permission) showing of the independent film, IN THE DARK. The show hours are Friday August 23: Show Starts 7 PM lobby, dealers room 7:30 PM to 11 PM. Saturday August 24: Dealer's and Celebrity Rooms Open 10 AM - 7 PM and special events, shows, movies and party from 6 PM on. Sunday August 25: Dealer's Rooms Open 11 AM - 5 PM. Tickets prices are $30.00 for a weekend pass, $20.00 for a single day pass. |
| 36.QUICK TAKES
DANES LANDS THE T3 ROLE. Claire Danes has joined the cast of T3: THE RISE OF THE MACHINES after newcomer Sophia Bush was thought to be too young to play hero John Conner's love interest in the movie. . . . TOM CRUISE'S WAR OF THE WORLDS. Tom Cruise and his partner Paula Wagner will be turning H.G. Wells' THE WAR OF THE WORLDS in to a feature film for Paramount Pictures. Production on the film is set to take place in 2003. . . . SPIELBERG'S DEGREE. Steven Spielberg dropped out of California State University, Long Beach, in the 1960's. He's finally gotten his B.A. degree. He didn't attend regular classes, but the 55-year-old director wrote papers, worked on independent projects and consulted with professors to receive his bachelor's degree in film and electronic arts. He quipped, "Completing the requirements for my degree 33 years after finishing my principal education marks my longest post-production schedule." . . . CHARLIE CHAN IN A BRA. Lucy Liu is in talks with 20th Century Fox to play Charlie Chan’s granddaughter in a film titled appropriately CHARLIE CHAN. This would be a modern-day version with Liu playing the Chinese-American female detective Charlie Chan, who like her famous grandfather, is an A-list detective. There’s also hope that, like the original series, this too will be turned into a profitable franchise. The original CHAN movies were based on novels by Earl Derr Biggers. This version will be produced by John Woo and Terence Chang's Lion Rock Productions. . . . SEX AND THE SINGLE JEDI. Jedi Knights have sex after all, according to George Lucas. Speculation that the lightsaber wielding warriors were supposed to live a monk-like existence has been rife since ATTACK OF THE CLONES was released. Lucas says it's romance, rather than hanky panky, which is banned by the Jedi code. He says, "Jedi Knights aren't celibate - the thing that is forbidden is attachments - and possessive relationships." No Jedi Knight has yet been seen with a partner in any of the five STAR WARS movies. So girls, don't wait by the phone waiting for Yoda to call. The Jedi seem committed to one night stands. . . . SHAOLIN AND THE FORCE. Samuel L Jackson watched kung-fu movies to get in the mood to play his character Mace Windu. He imagined the Jedi Knights, including Windu, are similar to the Shaolin Monks featured in Hong Kong action classics. He says, "I actually try and treat my Jedi character like I would imagine most Shaolin monks do, because I watch Hong Kong films a lot. I tend to see a correlation between how they meditate and work and train - and when they become men of action, they become men of very definite action." . . . INDY 4 IS ON THE WAY. George Lucas said recently that he is at work on a fourth Indiana Jones movie. "I'm working on a story right now," Lucas said. "I've got something that both Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford like." Lucas added that a writer will be hired soon, with production slated to begin the year after next. Harrison Ford will be 60 this July. . . . X2 GOES PYRO. Newcomer Aaron Stanford has been cast as Pyro, the newest X-Man, in X2. Production is scheduled to begin in the summer for a May 2, 2003, release, with Ralph Winter, Lauren Shuler Donner and Avi Arad producing from a script by David Hayter. . . . GEORGE LUCAS JUST SAYS NO TO A THIRD TRILOGY. George Lucas reiterated that he has no intention of creating a third STAR WARS trilogy once he's done with EPISODE III. "I thought it might be fun to bring Carrie [Fisher] and Mark [Hamill] and Harrison [Ford] back when they're 65 and make another movie with them," Lucas said. "But I'm going to be over 60 when I finish this, and it takes 10 years to do a trilogy. I'm not going to spend my last 10 years doing STAR WARS." . . . WHILE OTHERS LEAVE, SONY ENTERS. While several other studios have abandoned their attempts to establish traditional feature animation units, Sony has hired two DreamWorks producers to head up a new computer animation division. The two are Penney Finkelman Cox and Sandra Rabins, who started DreamWorks' animation division and exec produced SHREK. Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment President Yair Landau said that the move has the full backing of corporate headquarters in Tokyo. "It's a fulfillment of what they believe the company can become," he said. 37.BRITNEY SPEARS HAS A KILLER BOD . . . LITERALLY (SPOILER ALERT!!!) Britney Spears uses her breasts to fight off Austin Powers in GOLDMEMBER. She makes a cameo appearance as herself in the third installment of the series. Britney attacks secret agent Austin with her bulging bosom. Austin wanders onto the set of one of Britney's music video's and discovers she is really a deadly "Femme Bot." In the script, Britney even jokes about real-life rumors she has had a breast enlargement, quipping, "It's true, my breasts have been enhanced." Her nipples then open up to reveal machine guns, which she fires at Austin. A source with the production said, "Britney's breasts are the star of the show. The scene is hilarious. She reveals her rude side - and she isn't afraid to make fun of her own boobs." Britney isn't the only star to make cameo appearances in GOLDMEMBER. Tom Cruise, Danny DeVito, Kevin Spacey, Ozzy Osbourne and Gwyneth Paltrow also make cameo appearances. 38.BLADE III LOSES DEL TORO Guillermo Del Toro, the director of BLADE II won't be around for the sequel. The filming would have conflicted with his next movie, HELLBOY. He explained, "I had to choose, and I had no problem choosing." The director said the sequel would proceed without him. Del Toro also said he will not co-produce the third BLADE film, as many directors do on sequels to their films. "I don't believe in that kind of Hollywood attachments that just make the thing heavier," the director said. "I loved doing BLADE II. I would have loved to do BLADE III, but I'm going to see it in the theater." 39.SAM RAIMI MEETS THE BOGEYMAN Director Sam Raimi plans to follow up his SPIDER-MAN success by tackling one of the world's greatest bad guys - THE BOGEYMAN. Raimi admits he has been fascinated with the legend of The Bogeyman ever since he was a child. He says, "He's a mythical character that is the stuff of stories of generations. He is a horrible creature that consumes human beings whole and exists in a thousand different forms in children's imaginations, living in the shadows of the clothes hung in the closet or in the darkest regions underneath the bed." 40.ASHLEY JUDD TALKS CATWOMAN Ashley Judd said that the success of SPIDER-MAN has helped her CATWOMAN project's chances of taking its superhero mythology seriously. "One of the things I loved about SPIDER-MAN is that for the genre, they made it very real. They played the emotion very genuine, and even the news editor, who was the most campy sort of iconic cartoon figure, there was something really great and plausible about him. It just definitely reinforced the direction that we had been planning on taking CATWOMAN all along, which is why we've worked so hard on the script in order to make it more real." Judd conceded that the CATWOMAN script will have to alter one inside joke, since SPIDER-MAN already covered it. "I think our joke was a Superman joke, so we've got to find a good joke, since there was a good Superman joke in SPIDER-MAN." Michelle Pfeiffer, who played Catwoman in 1992's BATMAN RETURNS, previously said that Judd should make sure to have fun in the role. Judd agreed. "My first sort of internal response was it's got to be the funnest thing I've ever done in my life, or else it's not worth it, because [these films] are hard," Judd said. "It sounds so trivial, but the reality of being in that costume and doing all that stuff is just if you do it for something like four months, that can be miserable. It's got to be the funnest thing ever." Judd has studied Pfeiffer's performance as Catwoman. "I remember watching it in spring of 2000 and just thinking, she's definitely got the devilish part of Catwoman, which is so delicious." Judd said that she has never seen the Julie Newmar Catwoman from the 1960's BATMAN television series. There is no start date yet for Judd's CATWOMAN, but Judd added that she hopes it will be this year. 41.COPPOLA TALKS ABOUT HIS SON'S CQ An interesting new movie has just opened up in limited release (read "art houses"). The film is CQ. It tells the story of the making of a fictional 1969 science fiction film. Its director is Roman Coppola. The film's executive producer, Roman's father, Francis Ford Coppola, said that the genre is important to his son. "I know Roman is a great fan of those movies, the Mario Bava films," Coppola said. "If you look carefully in the film, you see many references to specific films, not only of that genre, but also of the great films of Europe of the time. I think Roman approached those films as an admirer." Coppola said that CQ in some ways reflected Roman's growing up on film sets. "It really comes out of things he observed in his life when he was young," Coppola said. "Myself and my colleague, George Lucas, were all sort of like the filmmaker in this story, making our little personal movies and working on Roger Corman horror films and science fiction films. All my children liked being around the set. They would watch everything, and they would participate. It's our belief to put them to work. The best way to have apprenticeship is if the apprentice really does something." Coppola talked about the familial film ties that often keep his films together. "It's like the circus or a theater family," he said. "We all work together right from the beginning, and some of the kids did one-act plays, and they were with me on my earliest film. Roman's in YOU'RE A BIG BOY NOW, which I did in 1966. Imagine they're there, and the family, of course, like a circus family, when I needed a baby in THE GODFATHER, I took my own baby and had Sofia play in the baptism scene. It's a natural extension of this philosophy of the troupe." 42.NEXT MOVIE MARVEL: DAREDEVIL As SPIDER-MAN continues to spin a web of gold at the box office, Ben Affleck has stepped into the costume of the next Manhattan-based Marvel Comics superhero to hit the big screen: Daredevil, the man who can neither see nor fear. "The struggle with the costume is staying faithful to the comic and at the same time not making it look ridiculous," says director Mark Steven Johnson, now shooting the film for 2003 release. "We knew we weren't going to do red tights." The filmmakers went with a sculpted leather bodysuit hybrid, combining a partially form-fitting costume (like SPIDER-MAN) with the molded look of BATMAN. And fans will be taking notes. "Daredevil is not as well known as Spider-Man, but his fans are devout," Johnson says. Created by Stan Lee and Bill Everett, the character was reworked by Frank Miller in the 1980s and more recently by Kevin Smith. "He has always been my favorite superhero since I was a kid," Johnson said. "He was literally the one I would go wait for at the drugstore in Hastings, Minn., when they would get the shipments in." Daredevil's daytime alter ego is lawyer Matt Murdock, who becomes a vigilante by night. Though he lacks sight, his other senses are hyper-acute. "He'll know if you have a gun in your pocket because he can smell the gunpowder," Johnson says. "He knows if you're lying because he hears your heartbeat. And while Spider-Man is more of a wish fulfillment - gee, what would it be like to be a superhero? - ours is more about the repercussions. Unlike Batman, Daredevil doesn't go back to his Batcave. He goes back to his apartment in Hell's Kitchen and pops pain pills." Daredevil will battle two villains in the movie: wealthy businessman and mob godfather Kingpin (THE GREEN MILE's Michael Clarke Duncan) and the assassin Bullseye (Colin Farrell of HART'S WAR), whose deadly, forceful aim turns pencils, paper clips and anything he can get his hands on into fatal weapons. And he also will have to dodge Elektra (ALIAS's Jennifer Garner), another vigilante who tries to kill Daredevil by night but dates Matt Murdock by day. 43.ENDER'S GAME MOVES CLOSER TO THE SCREEN Orson Scott Card has carved out an outline that would combine two novels from his classic science fiction series into one film. Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow will be merged into a single film. Card explained, "The movie can't show everything from either book, let alone both. So there will almost certainly be scenes and even plot threads that you cared about which are not present in the film. Fortunately, the books still exist, and so readers will be able to experience those scenes for many years in the future. The most important thing for the film, though, is that it be a marvelous movie in its own right, whether you've read the books or not." Nothing will be done about casting or hiring until after the script is finished. The film's release will not be scheduled until the script is fully agreed upon and the director has finished his next film. It will be at least two years and more likely three, maybe even four years before the film is released. 44.GHOST RIDER MAY (FINALLY) MAKE IT TO THE SCREEN Some of you might recall the turmoil around the idea of a Ghost Rider movie. It finally ground to a halt when the geniuses at Dimension Films insisted that the title character, a man with a skinless flaming skull, riding a motorcycle and seeking vengeance, be a warm lovable guy. Well now Sony Pictures, riding the success of the film SPIDER-MAN, is in negotiations to purchase the rights to a fellow Marvel Comics character. Avi Arad, head of Marvel Entertainment and a SPIDER-MAN executive producer, would produce Ghost Rider. Shane Salerno, one of the writers of ARMAGEDDON, is negotiating to write the screenplay. "Once again, I am very happy to be in business with Sony," Arad said. "And I hope they are just as happy to be in business with me. This is a big, exciting story that has some spectacular visual effects. It's one of the most stunningly visual comics in our collection." No word yet on whether actor Nicolas Cage or director Stephen Norrington, who'd both been attached to Dimension's Ghost Rider project at various stages during its bumpy road to the screen, will be involved in the Sony Pictures production. 45.GODZILLA AND BIN LADEN FBI investigators put New York's Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge on full alert after renting out a copy of the 1998 American film, GODZILLA. The film was referred to cryptically by Al Qaeda prisoner Abu Zubaydah during FBI questioning and agents felt sure clues of a new terrorist attack would be found in the movie. You may remember that the film depicts the two New York landmarks in peril at the hands of the big green guy. Zubaydah, believed to be one of Osama Bin Laden's right-hand men, suggested future terrorist attacks might be targeted at "the bridge in that movie" and "the statue in the water." This is usually the place where I like to insert a closing wisecrack. Not this time. I'm speechless. 46.THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO COMES TO THE BIG SCREEN Somewhere out there lives a GREATEST AMERICAN HERO fan. He can sing the theme and sound exactly like Joey Scarbury. He scares his friends with endless William Katt trivia. He can name all 44 episodes by title and give a convincing plot synopsis and cast list. He sits in front of his computer, dressed in a faded, patched, red superhero uniform, prowling e-Bay for GAH deals. Wherever that guy is, he's smiling. His dearest wish is in the process of being realized. Disney has hired Paul Hernandez to write the script for a big-screen version of the 1980s superhero television series. Hernandez, in his second year at Disney's in-house writing program, convinced HERO producer Stephen J. Cannell to update the property by locating and bringing to the pitch session the original alien suit sported by William Katt. Like the series, the film will focus on a nerdy teacher who struggles with the superhero powers he gains after he dons a costume given to him by aliens. As of yet, no actors or director are attached to the project. 47.A POSSIBLE INDEPENDENCE DAY SEQUEL Dean Devlin said that he and Roland Emmerich are gearing up to make a sequel to INDEPENDENCE DAY. "Roland and I, we're back to work on doing a sequel to INDEPENDENCE DAY," Devlin said. "I think we finally found a story that we wanted to tell." Devlin and Emmerich wrote and produced the original film, which Emmerich directed. ID4 is the 11th highest-grossing domestic release of all time, with more than $300 million at the North American box office. Devlin added that he hopes to assemble as many of the original cast members as possible. "I like to think that hit movies are like a cocktail, you know?" he said. "You want to try to get all the ingredients back together again and try to get the same mix. But we'll see. We'll see what we can get back. We'll try to get everyone. We'll just have to see how it plays out." The original film's cast included Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Judd Hirsch and Margaret Colin. As for the sequel's story? "I can't tell you that," Devlin said with a laugh. "Then there's another science fiction film that Roland and I are working on, called THE HUNT," Devlin added. "So hopefully both of those will get started within the next year." 48.TWO TOWERS PROTEST More than 1,200 people have signed an online petition in a bid to ban Peter Jackson from calling the second LORD OF THE RINGS movie THE TWO TOWERS. The petition argues that Jackson is referring to the attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Center last September - even though author J.R.R. Tolkien's novel, "The Two Towers," was written 48 years ago . A statement on the site insists, "The title is clearly meant to refer to the attacks on the World Trade Center." It continues, "When I learned that there apparently was to be a sequel, I was overjoyed. However, Peter Jackson has decided to tastelessly name the sequel The Two Towers. "In this post-September 11 world, it is unforgivable that this should be allowed to happen. The idea is both offensive and morally repugnant. "Hopefully, when Peter Jackson and, more importantly, New Line Cinema, see the number of signatures on this petition, the title will be changed to something a little more sensitive." A voice of reason does appear on the site. One internet surfer points out, "'The Two Towers' is the title of the J.R.R. Tolkien book originally published in 1954. The title was thus established some 47 years prior to the attacks on the World Trade Center towers." 49.MARVELS RACES TO THE SILVER SCREEN In the wake of SPIDER-MAN's blockbuster box-office, Marvel announced tentative release dates for several upcoming movies based on its comic franchises. SPIDER-MAN 2 has been slated for May 7, 2004. Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst will reprise their roles as Spider-Man and girlfriend Mary Jane in the sequel, and filming is scheduled to begin early next year. X2, the sequel to X-MEN, has been slated for a May 2003 release, with production to have begun on June 1, Marvel announced. DAREDEVIL, starring Ben Affleck, is currently in production and scheduled for a January 2003 release (see above). BLADE 3 is also heading into development (see above). Ang Lee's THE HULK, meanwhile, is aiming at a June 2003 release. And a new version of Marvel's PUNISHER is eyeing an August 2003 release, the company announced. 50.MATRIX UPDATE: THE STORY Time Magazine recently ran a still from one of the coming MATRIX sequels. We see Neo, in a long black leather coat battling several Agent Smiths (Hugo Weaving, who you also saw as Elrond in LORD OF THE RINGS). Since the original film, Smith has learned to replicate himself (he's a computer virus), which means Neo will have to fight several Smiths at once. When asked Reeves won't elaborate on that particular shot (it takes place in a climactic battle scene in part three), but he does give the following overview of the trilogy: "The first one is about birth," says Reeves. "The second one is life; the third is death." Thanks, Keanu. Reeves went on to say "The brothers [writer-directors Andy and Larry Wachowski] have put up some great obstacles to test those powers, and the story kind of goes outside of the Matrix and starts to concern itself with the machines in Zion. So it’s almost [that] what he can do in the Matrix is not enough. And he’s still on the path of discovery and choice. He’s told by the Oracle that . . . he has some choices that he’ll have to make that will affect the survival of the human race. And there are some hardships. And all of us are trying to save the world. And the development between Neo and Trinity [Carrie-Anne Moss] is explored, and with Morpheus [Laurence Fishburne] and [Agent] Smith [Hugo Weaving]. And so I think that’s just about it. It’s the development of the hero journey for my character, which is new challenges and choices. And it’s not so much about being born. He wanted to find out where he was. Now he knows. Or he thinks he knows." This much we know: in parts two and three, Neo must persuade the omnipotent machines to set his people free. Part two takes place primarily in the gleaming world of the Matrix, while the more serious-minded part three is set in the scorched real world. In the sequels, we will also visit the vast underground city of Zion, inhabited by the few hundred thousand humans who have managed to escape cyberimprisonment. Laurence Fishburne (as the sage Morpheus) and Carrie-Anne Moss (as Neo's love interest, Trinity) are also back. This time they're joined by Jada Pinkett Smith as Niobe, another rebel and a former lover of Morpheus', and Nona Gaye (daughter of Marvin). Gaye stepped in to replace Aaliyah in the role of Zee. Gloria Foster, who played the wise old Oracle in the original, also died in September, at age 64, after she shot her scenes for part two. What about part three? Thanks to a quick rewrite on the script, the Oracle will be back, but in a different form. They're planning to release the two sequels to THE MATRIX within months of one another next year. The first one, MATRIX RELOADED, is due to be released in May, and the second, MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, in August or November. 51.MATRIX UPDATE: THE EFFECTS In the world of the Matrix, all things are possible, but the vexing real-life question is, how do you top a film whose unique style has been copied by nearly every action movie since? "We're just trying to make the best and most surreal action ever," says visual-effects supervisor John Gaeta, who developed the groundbreaking and extremely cool "bullet time" technique, in which the camera seemed to circle Reeves in slow motion as he dodged bullets. Gaeta says he's "expanding" on that technique for the sequels, though "there's pressure to do it without going into military-budget levels." Too late. Warner Bros. will spend close to $300 million on MATRIX two and three, all in hopes that Neo can still soar. MATRIX producer Joel Silver promised that the visual effects in the two sequels will outdo anything seen in movies so far. "When we made the first movie . . . we didn’t have an enormous amount of money to work with, and the boys had very strict ideas about a specific visual effect that they wanted to explore, and they ended up using it four times in the picture, and . . . we called it . . . bullet time. And it was during the Stone Age. It was a Stone Age effect. . . . And immediately when the movie opened, we saw repetitions of that. . . . Television commercials came first. They were the first out. And then we began seeing it in a few movies here and there. And then every movie. And it wasn’t just the visual effects that were being stolen. . . . It was the way the boys staged, shot, cut, moved the camera. It was pretty much everything they did began to be copied in every other movie." Were the Wachowskis flattered? "For a while I bet they thought it was flattering," Silver said. "But after a while, they kind of got angry about it. So they decided that, in these two movies, they would create visual effects that could never be copied. So we have done visual effects for the movie that, because of the time that we took to make them and the cost, will never be seen again. So I really think that the bar has been raised so high that, you know, there is no bar. This will end the way movies have been made up to now, because they can go no further. The computer is allowing us to do things that we never dreamed we could do before. The [first film’s] bullet-time sequences . . . were the beginning, the embryonic stage of what computers could do. It’s just now at such a level that they can do anything they want. And the great thing about it is that the guys have enough intellect and understand the process enough so they are able to create an arena that this stuff can exist in that could not exist anywhere else." David Ellis, the second-unit director who supervised some action scenes in the sequels, said that a freeway chase sequence will surpass anything in movies so far. Ellis directed the multicar sequence last year in Alameda in Northern California before the sequels moved to their current production location in Sydney. "You have seen some really good freeway chase sequences in your day, but you haven't seen one where guys are leaping from car to car and fighting as they leap and doing all the Matrix stuff in the middle of the car chase as well," Ellis said. "And Trinity [Carrie-Anne Moss] does some pretty amazing motorcycle riding. It's going to be cool. Before they left [for Australia], we saw some, like, 60 seconds of stuff, some really quick things, but it's going to be cool. And those guys are so talented and so hands-on and [involved with] every single little minute detail that happens in the film." 52.RON HOWARD JUST READS PLAYBOY FOR THE ARTICLES Ron Howard has bought up the entire archives of Playboy Magazine. His Image Entertainment movie company has teamed up with Universal Pictures to snap up the rights to 48 years of the magazine's material, so they can make films based on Playboy stories. Imagine previously purchased the rights to the life story of Hugh Hefner. From its debut issue in December 1953, the magazine has published short stories, articles and excerpts from some of the most distinguished writers of the past century, including Ray Bradbury, John Irving, Larry McMurtry, Rod Serling, Jean Shepherd and Ian Fleming. Among the works that first appeared in Playboy that went on to become major motion pictures are THE HUSTLER, ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP, THE FLY, 9 1/2 WEEKS, FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH and several films in the James Bond series. Playboy has been the most desirable place for writers for years. It's the single best paying buyer of fiction anywhere around - and it has been for decades. Imagine's Brian Grazer said, "For almost 50 years, Playboy magazine has served as the birthplace of source material for numerous movies, TV shows and plays, but we think there's still a lot of gold left to be mined from those archives. They're a veritable treasure trove of really great movie ideas." 53.CONNERY VS. BOND? NEVER! Sean Connery has ruled out returning to a James Bond movie to play a villain. Connery, who played Mr. Bond in six movies, had been approached by film executives to play an enemy agent in a future installment. Connery said, "Absolutely no way - I could never be an enemy of James Bond." The 72-year-old also added that, from the four actors who have played the character since Connery, current Bond Pierce Brosnan impresses him most. "He has worked hard to take Bond back to the real character, be someone who can really be identified." 54.SEPTEMBER 11 ON THE BIG SCREEN One of the first films based on the September 11 terrorist attacks on America has just finished shooting in New York City. THE GUYS stars Sigourney Weaver, Anthony LaPaglia, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon. It's based on the one-act play by Anne Nelson, the story centers on a journalist (Weaver) who tries to help a grieving fire captain (LaPaglia) write eulogies for the eight firemen from his precinct who died in the rescue operation. The play, which is directed by Weaver’s husband Jim Simpson who also produced the stage production, is based on Nelson’s real-life experiences last September when she assisted a Brooklyn fire captain who was struggling to find words to pay fitting tributes to the firefighters under his command. Many New York firefighters participated in the making of the film, which was shot in several fire stations in New York. "A lot of the people working on the movie were affected personally by 11 September and wanted to come together to do this,” Weaver said. "I do think it's a very delicate balance, but our intention is completely respectful." The producers are hoping to release THE GUYS on September 11, 2002. 55.TOBEY MAGUIRE'S TOPLESS AUDITION Tobey Maguire secured the lead role in SPIDER-MAN by going topless for his audition. He failed to catch the producers' attention in his first audition for the part of Peter Parker. They were unconvinced that his slight frame could see him play an action hero on the big screen. However, when called back for a more physical try-out Maguire, unveiled his yoga-toned pecks to try and clinch the deal. He explains, "I decided I was going to own this. I was in pretty good shape - I do yoga - and I took off my top, tied it around my waist and did it topless. The next day the studio gave me the job." 56.THE NEXT TREK IS NOT NECESSARILY THE LAST Patrick Stewart said that the STAR TREK: NEMESIS movie won't be the last for the NEXT GENERATION crew. "There's been a lot of gossip about this being the last NEXT GENERATION film," Stewart said. "Those conversations are only happening in the fan community. As far as the studio is concerned, and our executive producer is concerned, and indeed as far as all of us are concerned, though we all have our own opinions and feelings, there is nothing official at all about it being the last. This would be a very appropriate way to take our leave of STAR TREK. Everything about the ending of this movie has a sense of closure about it. But there is also a huge opportunity for a sequel to this movie just sitting there, should it be taken up." Armin Shimmerman once said that the execs at Paramount are the ultimate Ferengi. The Ferengi Commerce Authority would have been thrilled to hear Stewart's assessment of the fate of the franchise. "My feeling is that with Paramount it will totally be a matter of profits. If this film does really well, there will be another one. And that will continue, so long as they do well. The first time one does badly then 'clang!' We shall be put out to graze." 57.DUELING DARTHS - WHO WILL BE THE DARK LORD IN EPISODE III? Who plays Darth Vader? Well everyone knows that Hayden Christensen played him young and pre-helmeted. David Prowse lent his body (and James Earle Jones's voice) to the man in black in the originals. Both men lay claim on him. Both expect to play him in EPISODE III. Christensen said, "I'm looking forward to it. I can only extrapolate from what's been told in the previous trilogy about my character. I have to murder the entire Jedi race. I'm extremely psyched to put on [Darth Vader's] helmet. I was always hoping that I'd get to wear the dark helm. That's the only thing I'll ever ask George [Lucas] about, is getting to wear the Darth Vader outfit. He likes to give me a wink-wink, nudge-nudge. I have actually put it on, but just for the hell of it. The last time I was here [at Skywalker Ranch], I was checking out the archives, and I saw the Darth Vader helmet. I got a picture of myself in this gray tracksuit that day, with this enormous Darth Vader helmet. It looked really funny." David Prowse wasn't laughing. Despite arthritis, crutches and one useless arm, the man who played the original Darth Vader is determined to make his mark on the final STAR WARS film. Life-long body builder David Prowse, 66, is eager to return for the historic final installment, which begins shooting next year. He says, "I still definitely want the part again. I'm going to have an operation on my hip in September and then I'm planning to go back to the gym. I should be fit and ready by next year. I have such a large following that if George Lucas offered the part to someone else, I'm sure fans would boycott the film." And Prowse is convinced he one other major advantage. Hayden Christensen, who plays Darth's Jedi alter ego Anakin Skywalker, is nearly one foot shorter than Prowse was as Vader. 58.C-3P0 AND ROBO-AMNESIA Lucas recently explained why the droids C-3P0 and R2-D2 have no memory of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. C-3PO should have been particularly thrilled to see his old creator in what is now EPISODE IV of the six films. Lucas explained that their memories have been wiped prior to the beginning of EPISODE IV. "[C-3P0's] memory system has been erased, and so has R2's," Lucas said. "So they don't remember anything from the first trilogy. I'm telling you something from EPISODE III, but I shouldn't be telling you that, but I think most of the fans already know that." That might explain why Darth is so evil. He's just mad over all the Father's Day cards he never received from his ungrateful robotic offspring. 59.EXPERTS PRAISE THE NUCLEAR ATTACK ON BALTIMORE Experts who have viewed the film THE SUM OF ALL FEARS have agreed that the filmmakers have been diligent in portraying a nuclear attack on Baltimore with accuracy. Donald Lumpkins, an antiterrorism officer with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, commented: "It always helps me to do my job when people understand a little of what we're dealing with." Aihud Pevsner, a high-energy physicist and professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, called the film "a cautionary tale for our times," but pointed out one quibble - the fact that after the nuclear bombing of the city, people are still using cell phones. He observed that a nuclear detonation would release so much electromagnetic energy that unshielded electronic devices like cell phones would instantly "fry." 60.JACKO AND THE WOLF You thought he looked weird before? Honey, you ain't seen nothing yet! Michael Jackson will get really scary when he stars in and produces a freaky new werewolf film. Jackson announced to the Cannes Film Festival that he will produce the $28 million movie WOLFED, as well as playing a lead role. Jackson's interest in the genre developed after seeing John Landis' classic 1981 movie AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON. He subsequently hired Landis to direct his THRILLER video, and is said to have landed the film's make-up artist Rick Baker to create effects for WOLFED. But Jackson's on-screen turn may not go smoothly - a veteran Cannes film watcher says, "Judging by the state of him, he'll need a high-powered special effects team just to make him look normal, never mind a werewolf." 61.IMAGINATIVE CINEMA FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE JUNE 7: BAD COMPANY is the story of a "street-wise" African-American bookie (Chris Rock) who is enlisted by the CIA to take the place of his late, Harvard-educated twin, so he can finish an important project his brother was working on. Expect fish-out-of-water hilarity. Anthony Hopkins plays a veteran CIA agent who trains Rock to act like an agent. The director is Joel Schumacher (BATMAN AND ROBIN, 8mm). The screenwriter is Jason Richman (who makes his debut; he's also working on BEVERLY HILLS COP IV). JUNE 14: THE
BOURNE IDENTITY stars Matt Damon as a man who washes up on an island
in the Mediterranean Sea, suffering from gunshot wounds, and amnesia .
. . he can't even remember his name, or what type of person he is. He soon
finds that he is being hunted down by mysterious men, and that he is particularly
capable at killing them before they get him, but it's the question of identity
that drives him along even as he fights to stay alive, and who's the Jackal?
The director is Doug Liman (SWINGERS, GO). The original novel was written
by Robert Ludlum. The screenplay's by W. Blake Herron and Tony Gilroy (DOLORES
CLAIBORNE, PROOF OF LIFE) and David Self (THE HAUNTING, 13 DAYS)
JUNE 21: MINORITY
REPORT is set in the city of Washington D.C., circa 2080 A.D. It's
a time when technology has advanced to the point where crimes can be detected
before they're committed. A police officer (Tom Cruise) in the Pre-Crimes
division finds himself hunted (by Colin Farrell) for a murder he hasn't
even committed yet. The director is Steven Spielberg. The screenwriters
are Scott Frank (OUT OF SIGHT, GET SHORTY) and Jon Cohen (making his debut).
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| 62.DVD RECORDERS SEEP ONTO THE MARKET
Recordable DVD's are slowly creeping onto store shelves. Since their introduction they've been marketed as high-end professional units. The retail has finally broken the $1000 barrier on the Phillips DVDR985 (all the way down to $995, he said sarcastically) and their sales are responding. It was tough to move them at $4,000. Now their selling as quickly as they're made. Panasonic is expected to lower their price to $800 this summer. When prices hit below $499 (and they will in the foreseeable future) we're apt to see an explosion in the market place. 63.MATRIX FANS GO NUTS OVER THE TRAILER MATRIX fans are going wild for the teaser trailers posted to the official Web site for the sequels. Even though they won't be released until 2003, the site has received over 20 million page views since the trailers were released on May 15. In the first 72 hours that the trailers were up, they were downloaded over 2 million times, breaking previous records held by such recent releases as HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE and THE LORD OF THE RINGS: FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING. "The teaser trailer clearly drove the initial traffic, but the jump in hits above and beyond the teaser is a testament to the fans' massive sustained interest in the sequels," producer Joel Silver noted. 64.ANIME MATRIX PREMIERES THIS FALL Ten anime films set in the universe of THE MATRIX will debut on the official Web site in the fall. The anime films - including four written by Matrix directors Larry and Andy Wachowski - may also make it onto DVD, with the last released theatrically. The Animatrix shorts will be directed by Japanese and other animators. The 10th installment will act as a prelude to THE MATRIX RELOADED. The 10-minute anime feature will be released by Square, the video game publisher that also produced 2001's computer-animated movie FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN. |
