Drug consumer par excellence, Hunter Thompson's legendary hallucinogenic and boozy escapades have by now been sufficiently documented, not to mention brought to pitch-perfect cinematic life by Terry Gilliam's 1998 adaptation of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Less well known, however, is his lifelong political conscientiousness, which receives the lion's share of attention in Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, Alex Gibney's (Taxi to the Dark Side, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room) loving yet even-handed non-fiction bio of the notorious father of Gonzo journalism. Narrated by Johnny Depp (Gilliam's Fear and Loathing star), and overflowing with archival footage and interviews with friends and enemies, the film lays out the vital details of its subject's life, from his outcast adolescence in Louisville, Kentucky to his suicide in 2005. Comprehensiveness, however, isn't necessarily the goal, and thus while most prime topics are tackled, the greatest focus is paid to Thompson's failed attempt to run for governor of Aspen, Colorado on a legalize-drugs platform, and his coverage of the 1972 presidential election, which resulted in the classic Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72.
Make-up, animatronics and effects legend Stan Winston passed away on Sunday at the too-young age of 62. In memoriam, Cinematical humbly presents this list of the man's most enduring achievements.
Some of my most treasured movie memories -- childhood and otherwise -- are courtesy of Stan Winston. What impressed me about this list as I was making it was that Winston specialized in realizing the imaginations of our greatest filmmakers -- directors like Burton, Spielberg, Cameron. Winston was a genius himself, of course, but he also facilitated genius, and that's just as important. Those guys owe him so much.
He had many accomplishments beyond the ones I've listed. That's what the comment thread is for.
It's hard to describe the impression Jurassic Park made back in 1993. I was 9 years old, which was just old enough to be properly amazed. This was the new generation of popular cinema: perfect, lifelike wonders on the screen as if it were the most natural thing on the planet. Earlier technicians did a lot with simple puppetry, stop-motion and miniatures, but now all bets were off, and all barriers seemed lifted. Once you accepted the scientific goofiness of the film's premise, no further suspension of disbelief was necessary. Winston opened the gates to a whole new cinematic playground.
I am now convinced that Johnny Depp doesn't age. The above is part of a collection of photos over at Just Jared that show Depp as John Dillinger in Michael Mann's upcoming gangster flick, Public Enemies. If I didn't know the context, I would've assumed that this was an old picture from some film of the past that I missed. But no, this is the actor filming on his 45th birthday.
Public Enemies is the sure-to-be-awesome Great Depression drama starring Christian Bale as FBI agent Melvin Purvis, who is trying to stop notorious bad boys John Dillinger and Pretty Boy Floyd (Channing Tatum). But the stars are only the tip of the talent iceberg -- Leelee Sobieski, Billy Crudup, David Wenham, Giovanni Ribisi, Marion Cotillard, Rory Cochrane, Stephen Dorff, Lili Taylor ...
I guess Elizabeth Swann is part of the powers that be at Disneyland. Jack Sparrow has had his rum taken away once again. Over at the Disney Blog, there's a post talking about an ex-Sparrow entertainer from the park, who says that Disney wanted their iconic character toned down. "Don't be flirtatious." "See women as trouble." And best of all -- don't mention drinking.
In other words: Don't be Jack Sparrow.
Considering the fact that this is based on a ride where all the pirates drink, and that any Sparrow fans out there have already seen him in action -- flirting and drinking -- this is one of the silliest bits of moral control that I've seen in a while. If a drunk pirate hero really isn't the type of dude Disney wants mingling with the kids, perhaps that should have been figured out a long time ago, before the film and the ride? And anyway, when did flirting become something inappropriate for kids?
I mean, sure, going through that ride a number of times as a kid, I got meself an eye patch, couldn't stop saying ARR!, and slept with a bottle of rum rather than a bear, but what's wrong with that?
When Heath Ledger passed away earlier this year, he left the planet as one of this generation's great actors; a guy who battled many personal demons off the screen, for sure, but one who gave everything to the role. And while we won't get to see his latest creation on the big screen until July 18th, early footage shows Ledger's version of Batman's arch-nemesis could go down as the darkest, baddest and craziest we've ever seen. My question to you, then, is: Will it be enough to land Ledger another Oscar nod come next year?
Sure, the Academy isn't all too keen on recognizing superhero movies unless we're talking about special effects or sound editing, but with bigger actors taking on riskier comic-related roles, isn't only a matter of time before one of these guys (or girls) turns out a performance worthy of a gold statue? Are these characters not meaty enough; are they not conflicted, troubled and crying out for a hug? If an Oscar can go to Javier Bardem for playing a sadistic, calculated murderer in No Country for Old Men, and Johnny Depp can be nominated for playing a sadistic, calculated murderer -- both in the same year -- I see no reason why Ledger's Joker can't be taken into consideration.
It's early still, I realize that -- but should this guy turn in the kind of performance we're all expecting, shouldn't he be recognized with an Oscar nomination? What are the chances here, folks?
We've been hearing about a possible 21 Jump Street movie for awhile now, and if Entertainment Weekly is to be believed, it looks like that film might be happening with Apatow love child Jonah Hill, who's in negotiations to work on the screenplay and executive produce. We assume Hill would also star in one of the lead roles, though that probably depends on whether they go the strict comedic route with this. 21 Jump Street, the TV show, was a pretty big hit during the '80s, and it starred Johnny Depp as one of a group of young cops who went undercover in high schools to help troubled kids.
I dig it. Something like this would only work today if it was done with a sense of humor, I think, and so bringing in Hill to sprinkle on some Superbad-ish jokes might work well for the film ... even though all the raunchy stuff would make it a completely different monster, and when it was all said and done, would probably have nothing whatsoever to do with the original TV show (besides the name and the premise). Could you see 21 Jump Street: The Movie working as an Apatow-esque comedy? Does it work better as a drama? And who would you like to see joining Hill as a fellow undercover officer?
When Marvel officially announced the release date for Thor last week (June 4, 2010), news quickly followed that Matthew Vaughn was no longer directing, a script was being fine-tuned and Marvel was in search of an actor to fill Thor's mighty shoes. Seeing as he's blonde, a very popular actor and has starred in films like Troy, the first name to pop into the minds of fanboys (and girls) everywhere was Brad Pitt. And whaddya know: Latino Review is saying this week that Pitt is at the top of Marvel's wishlist. Who woulda thunk it?
On paper, this does seem like a logical -- and realistic -- choice. Pitt is at a similar point in his career as Robert Downey Jr., Edward Norton and even Johnny Depp (who surprised fans by starring in three Pirates of the Caribbean films for Disney). If there ever was a right time for Pitt to take a leap and "do one for his kids," Thor would be that project -- especially since his gal Angelina has already starred in two Tomb Raider flicks. But then the guy would have to sign for at least three films (most likely), not to mention the fact that he'd need to be in phenomenal shape. Plus, perhaps Troy was Pitt's Thor, and maybe he's tired of all those giant blockbusters; maybe he'd rather do some smaller stuff.
However, then you look around Hollywood and, honestly, who else could play the Marvel superhero? Taking into consideration the move by Marvel to hire bigger names for their films, is there anyone else who could muscle-up and play Thor? Or is Pitt the only name that could truly bring this project to the next level?
With tales of Grand Theft Auto IV breaking sales records, and cartoon Russian Mob bosses plastered on billboards everywhere you look, it is the perfect time to give the Bratva more screen time (and it's probably about time we gave the Italians a break). The Hollywood Reporterannounced that Morgan Creek, in partnership with Universal, have purchased Rand Ravich's Russian mob script, Gregory Burns. Ravich's script centers on an undercover cop from Arizona who re-locates to L.A. to take down a Russian crime family.
Ravich has a mixed bag of credits to his name, including video games (Crime Lords), TV (Life), and feature films. His last feature was the sci-fi ode to Rosemary's Baby, The Astronaut's Wife. Sure, Wife might have been bad, but it was definitely a step up from his other foray into screenwriting.
According to THR, Burns has been floating around the studio for a long time and has been at the top of many a studio exec's wish list. After a series of false starts, the profitable indie studio has finally put the film into production. There is no word on casting yet, but if Morgan Creek is half as eager as they appear to get this film into the can, it shouldn't take long.
The timing of some stories is just creepy. I was just selling the virtues of Wuthering Heights to my cousin, and what do I find on The Hollywood Reporterthe same day? A new version is underway -- and Natalie Portman is set to tackle the famous character of Catherine Earnshaw.
Despite my medieval specialty, Wuthering Heights is my favorite book. I love it more than anything. It has everything -- ghosts, a Byronic hero (who you aren't supposed to love -- but I do anyway), a twisted love affair, sadistic revenge, even a dose of necrophilia. (Not that I roll with that sort of thing, but it's noteworthy in a Victorian novel.) I have never seen a film version, not even Lawrence Olivier's, because I never wanted my vision spoiled.
So, I confess I am immediately biased. But I cannot see Portman as Cathy. Look, I like her -- and I think she is very talented. Her youth works in her favor. But Cathy is psychotic and deeply unlikeable, something I have never seen in Portman. (Not even in Closer or The Other Boleyn Girl.) Ideal casting would have been Angelina Jolie in her Girl, Interrupted days, or Kate Winslet fresh off Heavenly Creatures. That's Cathy Earnshaw.
This movie either has Oscar winner all over it, or will massively collapse under the incredible power of its own cast. Variety has announced the latest addition to Public Enemies and it is the brilliant Billy Crudup, who will be playing legendary FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. There cannot be another actor working who is less physically similar to Hoover, and yet I have no doubt Crudup can completely embody that controversial figure.
Given that the film has already been shooting for several weeks, I wonder if Crudup is really making a glorified cameo. I am always surprised when movies add a cast member so late in the game, but maybe he simply needed to be freed from Watchmen duty.
Stephen Lang has also joined the cast as Winstead, the Texas Ranger who joins the manhunt for John Dillinger and his gang. He's nearly a Michael Mann regular, having appeared in Manhunter, Band of the Hand, and the series Crime Story. Public Enemies is set for release in 2009. And we'll either be saying "Of course it was good, look who was in it!" or "It's a mystery how it failed with that line up."
Slim pickins this week, no joke!, but at least there's one solid choice:
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street For some it's Stephen Sondheim's classic musical. For others, it's that super-sweet scene from Jersey Girl, and now, for many, it's the slicing and dicing Tim Burton adventure. Benjamin Barker (Johnny Depp) is an ex-convict who was wrongly imprisoned. After many years in a penal colony in Australia, he's back in London as Sweeney Todd -- all to get his revenge against Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman), the man who sent him away and ruined Barker's family. Teaming up with Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter), he whips up some rather unique meat pies and prepares for revenge. It's just the sort of thing that Burton could bring to life on the big screen.
Sure, the film has the usual Burton players, but this is classic Burton material, and Depp and Bonham Carter know the score. (The same cannot be said for their singing, but sometimes, that can be forgiven.) With added helpings of Timothy Spall, Alan Rickman, and Sacha Baron Cohen, it's hard not to at least fall for the talents within the film.
First up -- this bit borders on gossip territory, but I just can't resist mentioning it once I think about Johnny Depp's many roles over the years. According to the Daily Star in the UK, the actor has been offered a whopping $10 million to be the face of Trojan condoms. Oh, yes. He's been an advocate of safe sex education, and should he agree to be the face of rubbers, he would appear in "a series of offbeat TV commercials." Now, should this come to fruition, I can only hope that it riffs on his characters over the years -- perhaps some stints about keeping condoms safe and away from slicers and dicers like Edward Scissorhands and Sweeney Todd.
Then there's Kiefer Sutherland. He's been having many crappy 24-hour periods on television, some drunk driving issues off the camera, and now it seems that he's going to direct a music video for The Feeling. The Sun reports that the actor is friends with the band, and wants to helm their next video -- either for the song "Join With Us" or "Turn It Up." This wouldn't be the actor's first directorial gig, but it has been a while since he helmed Woman Wanted in 2000. He was so unhappy with studio interference on the project that he Alan-Smithee'd his involvement, so it's no wonder that he's stayed away from directing until now. Time will tell if this will bring him back to the directorial fold, or just be a break from counter terrorism.
Even though it wasn't necessarily my kind of movie, I can't deny that Enchanted was a huge hit -- and not just for the kiddies either. Looking to capitalize on some of that magic, Varietyreports that Warner Bros. has hired Enchanted director Kevin Lima to helm the adaptation of the children's fantasy novel, The Spook's Apprentice (aka, The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch). Note: Thankfully, Donald Trump is not involved.
The story will be based on the first book from Joseph Delaney's The Wardstone Chronicles, and it's centered on a young farm boy named Tom in a fictionalized Ireland known as The County. Tom is the seventh son of a seventh son, which in the world of The County means he is privy to all sorts of info about ghosts and goblins. Most of the story focuses on Tom's introduction to a mysterious sorcerer known as The Spook, and his time as his apprentice.
Originally conceived as a project for Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, WB already has a script courtesy of Matt Greenberg. Now that Lima has signed to direct, his team of producers will be in charge of re-working the whole thing. In fact, the group has already flown to London to work on the script with Delaney. Lima made his name as an animator for Disney, but has proven that he is just as capable with flesh and blood actors. There is no word on a release date for Apprentice, but judging from the box office returns Lima has been earning for Disney, I doubt WB is going to waste much time.
I imagine that the posthumous completion of Destino sent many a studio into a creative flurry. "Salvador Dali! Why didn't we think of it before! Let's get a movie in the works!" Then, of course, the idea spread through a billion little tentacles and we ended up with what Christopher Campbell said last year was 9 projects. Some have petered off, some have stayed around, and one seems to have nabbed its superstar.
The New Zealand Herald says that Johnny Depp is holding auditions to find screenwriters for the Peter Rawley-produced Dali picture. (When CC wrote about it last year, Rawley was trying to woo Depp.) In what I would call the best casting move in eons, Depp will star as Dali, and is scavenging the earth for the right writer. A source told the publication that Depp is "open to working with anyone -- from housewives to pensioners -- if the script is right."
Meanwhile, it also looks like the Al Pacino and Peter O'Toole pics are still in the works. Now, I completely get Depp as Dali, and think that's as good as you can get for the epic artist. I would also bet that O'Toole could pull off something funky, but Pacino? It almost sounds like a joke. Nevertheless, this might just pull me out of my distaste for back-to-back biopics on the same person. Stay tuned!
After the shock of Heath Ledger's death, there were questions about his latest project, Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. Then came rumors last month from AICN that Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell would ALL step in to replace the actor. Well, the site was right! Reuters reports that the filmmaker has confirmed the involvement of all three actors.
According to a statement from producers: "Since the format of the story allows for the preservation of his entire performance, at no point will Heath's work be modified or altered through the use of digital technology." They follow with: "Each of the parts played by Johnny, Colin, and Jude is representative of the many aspects of the character that Heath was playing."
For once, it seems like Gilliam's notorious bad luck will pay off into something special. In the words of the man himself: "I am delighted that Heath's brilliant performance can be shared with the world. We are looking forward to finishing the movie and, through the film, with a modicum of humility, being able to touch people's hearts and souls as Heath was able to do."
We've been hearing about a possible 
With tales of Grand Theft Auto IV breaking 
The timing of some stories is just creepy. I was just selling the virtues of Wuthering Heights to my cousin, and what do I find on 
This movie either has Oscar winner all over it, or will massively collapse under the incredible power of its own cast. 
First up -- this bit borders on gossip territory, but I just can't resist mentioning it once I think about 
Even though it wasn't necessarily my kind of movie, I can't deny that 
I imagine that the posthumous completion of Destino sent many a studio into a creative flurry. "Salvador Dali! Why didn't we think of it before! Let's get a movie in the works!" Then, of course, the idea spread through a billion little tentacles and we ended up with what 
After the shock of Heath Ledger's death, there were questions about his latest project, Terry Gilliam's 
