With the writer's strike less than a day away, major studios have released a "pre-strike short list" of films that will be made during the strike.
Bad news first. One of my top three favorite novels, Shantaram, will not be converted into film during the strike. Shantaram is about a Australian heroin addict who escapes a maximum-security prison and flees to Bombay, only to work for the mafia, be tortured in prison, set up a free medical clinic, and ultimately, find himself.
Russell Crowe and Johnny Depp had a fierce bidding war for movie rights to the film, with Depp winning. This 900+ page epic would have been great with Depp in the lead role.
Now on to the good news. The ridiculously awesome Casino Royale is getting the respect it deserves with Bond 22 to begin filming in a month.
Everyone's favorite mutant, Wolverine, will get a back story when Wolverine: Origins is made in December.
While The Da Vinci Code was a stinker, Angels and Demons (the far better novel) is being made. Tom Hanks is rumored to have received $50 million for his return.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Tricks and Treats
It is that wonderful time of year when I can dress up like an idiot and ladies can dress as seductively as humanly possible. It is also that time of year for some serious viral marketing.
Take for instance whysoserious.com, a website that is affiliated with the upcoming Batman Begins sequel, The Dark Knight. That candle has been dimming for the last week and just today the pumpkin started to rot on the right side only. It kind of reminds me of a certain Batman villain....
Also out this week is the official trailer for the futuristic vampire flick, I Am Legend. Will Smith plays the last human being on Earth who attempts to fend off vampires will creating a cure. This is up there on my "can't wait" list.
Cinematical.com has released a list of their hottest horror hotties. While I agree with Neve Cambell being on the list, where the hell is Jaime Lee Curtis?
Take for instance whysoserious.com, a website that is affiliated with the upcoming Batman Begins sequel, The Dark Knight. That candle has been dimming for the last week and just today the pumpkin started to rot on the right side only. It kind of reminds me of a certain Batman villain....
Also out this week is the official trailer for the futuristic vampire flick, I Am Legend. Will Smith plays the last human being on Earth who attempts to fend off vampires will creating a cure. This is up there on my "can't wait" list.
Cinematical.com has released a list of their hottest horror hotties. While I agree with Neve Cambell being on the list, where the hell is Jaime Lee Curtis?
Monday, October 22, 2007
"Voted Most Like Dexter"
As said earlier in this blog I dropped the bombshell that a writer of Dexter was coming to talk to my TV/Radio Broadcasting and Programing Management course. Last Friday, Tim Slotsman "voted most like Dexter" by his fellow writers) came and dropped dimes of important knowledge on my class.
Slotsman earned a master's in speech communication before heading to Hollywood. Before writing for shows such as Roseanne and Smallville, Slotsman started as a production assistant and writer's assitant.
"You start out being the whipping boy of every assignment," Slotsman said. "You have to know how to adapt."
Slotsman also offered some insight on how the actual production of shows goes.
"Once a company purchases rights for an idea, a producer usually hires writers he knows and trusts. After a pilot is made, it is either picked up or cancelled."
Slotsman has been part of Dexter since the idea was brought up. He is one of six writers of the show and shares writing duties for main plots of the season, as well as two entire episodes.
"The six of us sit down and start 'spitballing' ideas," Slotsman said. "After we make a timeline for for each character, we start making actual scripts.
Slotsman is part of the Writer's Guild of America, which plans to go on strike on November 1st. This would put a halt on any scripts and will inevitably put a halt to many television shows as well as films.
"Studios made $2 billion on DVD sales and internet sales last year. As of now writers are not seeing a dime of that money."
Hopefully Slotsman and his fellow writers can get a share of that so I can keep watching my favorite serial killer.
Slotsman earned a master's in speech communication before heading to Hollywood. Before writing for shows such as Roseanne and Smallville, Slotsman started as a production assistant and writer's assitant.
"You start out being the whipping boy of every assignment," Slotsman said. "You have to know how to adapt."
Slotsman also offered some insight on how the actual production of shows goes.
"Once a company purchases rights for an idea, a producer usually hires writers he knows and trusts. After a pilot is made, it is either picked up or cancelled."
Slotsman has been part of Dexter since the idea was brought up. He is one of six writers of the show and shares writing duties for main plots of the season, as well as two entire episodes.
"The six of us sit down and start 'spitballing' ideas," Slotsman said. "After we make a timeline for for each character, we start making actual scripts.
Slotsman is part of the Writer's Guild of America, which plans to go on strike on November 1st. This would put a halt on any scripts and will inevitably put a halt to many television shows as well as films.
"Studios made $2 billion on DVD sales and internet sales last year. As of now writers are not seeing a dime of that money."
Hopefully Slotsman and his fellow writers can get a share of that so I can keep watching my favorite serial killer.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
No Blog For You!
It is hard to argue that Seinfeld is not the greatest sitcom of all time, but it is insanely easy to argue the best episodes.
A poll conducted by The Hollywood News has found that the top three episodes of Seinfeld are:
1. The Soup Nazi
2. The Bubble Boy
3. The Opposite
While these are all appropriate and phenomenal pieces of television work, three others stand out for me:
3. The Hamptons - Season 5 - Episode 85. What does it take to ruin a gorgeous weekend at the beach? Apparently a grotesque baby (Jerry: Boy, a little too much chlorine in that gene pool.) and a quick dip in frigid water (Elaine: It shrinks? Jerry: Like a frightened turtle!).
2. The Marine Biologist - Season 5 - Episode 78. Seinfeld is known for its interweaving story lines, but the fact that George saved the life of the whale that Kramer shot a "hole in one" on is classic.
1. The Contest - Season4 - Episode 51. It still amazes me that a show about four friends wagering on who could be master of their domain the longest would pass on prime-time television.
A poll conducted by The Hollywood News has found that the top three episodes of Seinfeld are:
1. The Soup Nazi
2. The Bubble Boy
3. The Opposite
While these are all appropriate and phenomenal pieces of television work, three others stand out for me:
3. The Hamptons - Season 5 - Episode 85. What does it take to ruin a gorgeous weekend at the beach? Apparently a grotesque baby (Jerry: Boy, a little too much chlorine in that gene pool.) and a quick dip in frigid water (Elaine: It shrinks? Jerry: Like a frightened turtle!).
2. The Marine Biologist - Season 5 - Episode 78. Seinfeld is known for its interweaving story lines, but the fact that George saved the life of the whale that Kramer shot a "hole in one" on is classic.
1. The Contest - Season4 - Episode 51. It still amazes me that a show about four friends wagering on who could be master of their domain the longest would pass on prime-time television.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The Best Show You're Not Watching
I am as giddy as a Swedish chunky-boy at a chocolate factory. This Friday in my Broadcast/Cable Programming and Management class, one of the writers for the best show you are not watching, Dexter, is coming to talk with my class about writing in Hollywood.
Dexter follows the life of Dexter Morgan (played with brilliance by Michael C. Hall), who is a serial killer who kills other serial killers. After a horrific experience as a child, Dexter is adopted by a detective who teaches our anti-hero a positive way to vent his inner demons. Let the fun begin.
Set in the beautiful backdrop of Miami, Dexter must balance his quadrouple life as a vigilante killer, boyfriend, brother, and (believe it or not) cop.
While season two is already three weeks in, have no fear, Dave is here!
I stumbled across tv-links.co.uk looking for a website that provides streaming videos of my favorite shows. It has just about any program you can think of and is completely free. I implore you to watch Dexter.
Dexter follows the life of Dexter Morgan (played with brilliance by Michael C. Hall), who is a serial killer who kills other serial killers. After a horrific experience as a child, Dexter is adopted by a detective who teaches our anti-hero a positive way to vent his inner demons. Let the fun begin.
Set in the beautiful backdrop of Miami, Dexter must balance his quadrouple life as a vigilante killer, boyfriend, brother, and (believe it or not) cop.
While season two is already three weeks in, have no fear, Dave is here!
I stumbled across tv-links.co.uk looking for a website that provides streaming videos of my favorite shows. It has just about any program you can think of and is completely free. I implore you to watch Dexter.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Geek Out!
I have to be honest, Star Trek never tickled my fancy. It seemed like a campy cheese-fest for sickly dudes with skin issues. However, my favorite Hollywood heavy-hitter J.J. Abrams and his production company, Bad Robot, are developing a remake.
So far the cast includes:"Heroes" villain Sylar, Zachary Quino as Spock; Anton Yelchin (Alpha Dog) as Chekov and the ridiculously gorgeous Zoe Saldana as Uhura.
Now is seems Abrams and company have found their villain and Captain Kirk. Eric Bana, who has had some recent stinkers at the box office, will play the villain Nero. Dark Horizons is reporting that tween' romantic-comedy star Chris Pine will be playing Captain Kirk.
Speaking of campy cheese-fest, some news that I am emotionally invested in! Thunder, thunder, Thundercats HOOOOOO! One of my favorite cartoons growing up is getting the CG face lift. Warner Brothers has signed Jerry O'Flahtery to directed the new feature that is an origin story with a plot focusing on Lion-O becoming leader of the feline heroes.
So far the cast includes:"Heroes" villain Sylar, Zachary Quino as Spock; Anton Yelchin (Alpha Dog) as Chekov and the ridiculously gorgeous Zoe Saldana as Uhura.
Now is seems Abrams and company have found their villain and Captain Kirk. Eric Bana, who has had some recent stinkers at the box office, will play the villain Nero. Dark Horizons is reporting that tween' romantic-comedy star Chris Pine will be playing Captain Kirk.
Speaking of campy cheese-fest, some news that I am emotionally invested in! Thunder, thunder, Thundercats HOOOOOO! One of my favorite cartoons growing up is getting the CG face lift. Warner Brothers has signed Jerry O'Flahtery to directed the new feature that is an origin story with a plot focusing on Lion-O becoming leader of the feline heroes.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Casting Couch: Part Deux
Some interesting casting rumors have been fluttering around the web, and I grabbed that big-old butterfly net and caught them for you.
Everyones favorite fanboy site, Ain't it Cool News, is reporting that Vin Diesel is negotiations to play the Terminator in the fourth installment due out in 2009. The story supposidly follows John Connors rise as the leader of the remaining human race.
I previously discussed the casting for Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal in the war drama: Brothers. Now it seems the stunning Natalie Portman has joined the cast as Gyllenhaal's wife. Fingers are crossed that she will be wearing the same outfit from Closer.
Bradley Cooper (Zack "Sack" Lodge from Wedding Crashers) has been added to the Jim Carrey vehicle Yes Man. The film follows a man who says yes to everything for an entire year. Cooper will be playing Carrey's best friend.
Now it is time to let those rumors go free so we can catch more later.
Everyones favorite fanboy site, Ain't it Cool News, is reporting that Vin Diesel is negotiations to play the Terminator in the fourth installment due out in 2009. The story supposidly follows John Connors rise as the leader of the remaining human race.
I previously discussed the casting for Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal in the war drama: Brothers. Now it seems the stunning Natalie Portman has joined the cast as Gyllenhaal's wife. Fingers are crossed that she will be wearing the same outfit from Closer.
Bradley Cooper (Zack "Sack" Lodge from Wedding Crashers) has been added to the Jim Carrey vehicle Yes Man. The film follows a man who says yes to everything for an entire year. Cooper will be playing Carrey's best friend.
Now it is time to let those rumors go free so we can catch more later.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Rockies Mountain High
What an amazing game. My Colorado Rockies have just came back from a two-run deficit in the bottom of the 13th inning to advance to the playoffs for the first time since 1995. In honor of my boys, I am offering my top five baseball films of all time.
5. The Natural. Robert Redford delivers a tour-de-force performance in this period piece. The last five minutes of this film will leave you breathless.
4. The Sandlot. This feel-good coming of age tale has everything you want in a childrens film, except Dennis Leary as a dad.
3. The Babe. John Goodman as the greatest baseball player of all time? Don't mind if I do!
2. Field Of Dreams. While I think that Kevin Costner is one of the most overrated actors of all time, this is one of those rare films where it is okay to shed a man-tear.
1. Major League. I quote this movie at least once a week. From Rick Wild Thing Vaughn, to Willie Mays Hayes, the characters keep this classic comedy roaring. "This ain't the penal leagues!"
Go Rockies!
5. The Natural. Robert Redford delivers a tour-de-force performance in this period piece. The last five minutes of this film will leave you breathless.
4. The Sandlot. This feel-good coming of age tale has everything you want in a childrens film, except Dennis Leary as a dad.
3. The Babe. John Goodman as the greatest baseball player of all time? Don't mind if I do!
2. Field Of Dreams. While I think that Kevin Costner is one of the most overrated actors of all time, this is one of those rare films where it is okay to shed a man-tear.
1. Major League. I quote this movie at least once a week. From Rick Wild Thing Vaughn, to Willie Mays Hayes, the characters keep this classic comedy roaring. "This ain't the penal leagues!"
Go Rockies!
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