Cool News
AICN-Downunder: WHALE RIDER; MOULIN ROUGE; TEMPTED; VISITORS; MAD MAX; BLACK & WHITE; MATRIX; INNOCENCE
Hello Mates, Father Geek here with the latest edition of our popular new column AICN-Downunder. But before we get to Tamsin's, and Norman's reports there is this bit on a NEW doco on MAD MAX that found itself on my desk this morning...
Just got this in my mail box and thought I'd foreward it to you as I know a lot of Aussies read your site.
The doco is called WELCOME TO WHEREVER YOU ARE and is screening next week in Melbourne.
Cheers,
CragglesAnd then there was this frantic E-Mail Father Geek received last night...
DID YOU HEAR????
Lucas is cutting a scene in Ep.2 where a speeder, or ship, or something
crashes into a Coruscant building!!!!
I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT!
Yes the WTC tragedy was an awful, horrific event that deserves our respect
and support, BUT THIS HAS GONE TOO FAR! I can understand Spiderman and A.I.
and MIB2, but these films FEATURE THE WTC!!!!
Ep.2 is a FICTIONAL ENVIRONMENT! IT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE TO REALITY! And I
KNOW that reason Lucas is doing this OTHER THAN respect for the victims and
families is HE'S AFRAID EP.2 WILL SUFFER AT THE BOX OFFICE! That JERK! I
thought he didn't give a damn how much money the movies make? He's filthy
RICH anyhow! What a lying hypocrite! My respect for this man has
plummeted!
Ferrell
Well... Here's Tamsin...
DOWNUNDER AICN FILM REPORT # 5
Tamsin here, this last week's horrific events have had an enormous impact on the world. I know how terrible everyone in Australia feels and I can only imagine how everyone is coping in the US and especially Washington D.C. and New York. I think just about everyone either knew someone or knew of someone living in New York and experience that sharp jab to the stomach each time they re-play the footage of the plane hitting the World Trade Center. But for even those who don't know anyone from this magnificent city, or someone who worked at the Pentagon, or a passenger from one of the planes, there is absolutely no doubt that this was a barbaric act perpetrated by a group who have no regard for human existence. Fundamentalism and living for the "after-life" allow individuals to justify living their life on this earth as murderers. We need to learn to live for now, appreciate the short lives that we have, and find the positive elements of a world which is full of wonderful things. If anyone has eaten luxurious Lindt chocolate while listening to the smooth perfect tones of a song sung by Mel Tormé or while watching CITIZEN KANE for the fifty-sixth time, they'll know what I mean. An event such as this always reminds us of our mortality. It should also make us stop before we yell at someone when they accidentally cut us off in traffic or the next time we punish our children for knocking over a glass of milk. In the greater scheme of things, it doesn't really matter.
It feels strange to jump from this massive event to the world of film but the show must go on...
FESTIVAL NEWS
TEMPTED at the Deauville Film Festival.
Tamsin here, this last week's horrific events have had an enormous impact on the world. I know how terrible everyone in Australia feels and I can only imagine how everyone is coping in the US and especially Washington D.C. and New York. I think just about everyone either knew someone or knew of someone living in New York and experience that sharp jab to the stomach each time they re-play the footage of the plane hitting the World Trade Center. But for even those who don't know anyone from this magnificent city, or someone who worked at the Pentagon, or a passenger from one of the planes, there is absolutely no doubt that this was a barbaric act perpetrated by a group who have no regard for human existence. Fundamentalism and living for the "after-life" allow individuals to justify living their life on this earth as murderers. We need to learn to live for now, appreciate the short lives that we have, and find the positive elements of a world which is full of wonderful things. If anyone has eaten luxurious Lindt chocolate while listening to the smooth perfect tones of a song sung by Mel Tormé or while watching CITIZEN KANE for the fifty-sixth time, they'll know what I mean. An event such as this always reminds us of our mortality. It should also make us stop before we yell at someone when they accidentally cut us off in traffic or the next time we punish our children for knocking over a glass of milk. In the greater scheme of things, it doesn't really matter.
It feels strange to jump from this massive event to the world of film but the show must go on...
FESTIVAL NEWS
TEMPTED at the Deauville Film Festival.
It feels strange to jump from this massive event to the world of film but the show must go on...
FESTIVAL NEWS
TEMPTED at the Deauville Film Festival.
TEMPTED at the Deauville Film Festival.
Bill Bennett's TEMPTED (director of KISS OR KILL) had its world premiere at The Deauville Film Festival. Starring Burt Reynolds and Saffron Burrows this largely improvised film follows the story of a wealthy, jealous older man who tests his young wife with a "tempting" younger lover.
AWARDS
Recently held were The AWGIES (Australian Writers' Guild Awards) with top honours going to ONE NIGHT THE MOON (Best Television Original and the Golden Awgie), LANTANA (Best Adapted Screenplay), and MULLET (Best Original Screenplay).
MOULIN ROUGE choreographer, John O'Connell, has received an American Choreography Award nomination for his amazing work on MOULIN ROUGE. Veteran choreographer of stage and screen, some of John O'Connell's other credits include ROMEO & JULIET, MURIEL'S WEDDING, and the upcoming THE QUIET AMERICAN. Also nominated in the film category of the American Choreography Awards are Randy Duncan and Fatima Robinson for SAVE THE LAST DANCE, Peter Darling for BILLY ELLIOTT and Bill and Jacqui Landrum for OH BROTHER WHERE ART THOU. The Awards will be held at the El Capitan Theatre in LA on October 14th, 2001.
NEW ZEALAND NEWS
The New Zealand Film Production Fund has announced THE WHALE RIDER as the first film to be produced under this new scheme. Based on a novel by Witi Ihimaera, the film has a budget of NZ$10 million and will be directed by Niki Caro. The film is described as a "contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young girl fights to fulfil her destiny" and will start shooting at the end of this year.
NEW ZEALAND WEB SITE OF THE WEEK
THE NEW ZEALAND FILM ARCHIVE
http://www.nzfa.org.nz/
Film archives are one element of the film-making process which too often is overlooked but is vital for the preservation of film as both a record of the art-form and of the time it was created. The New Zealand Film Archive web site offers information regarding the history of New Zealand film and the importance of film archives. Without dedicated archivists, film past and present will be lost forever.
Looking forward to a better week next week.
Tamsin
tamsin@aintitcoolmail.com
Annnnnnnd now on to Norman and AICN-Downunder part 2...
Before I start, my greatest sympathies to all the families and friends affected by last Tuesday's tragedies. And a brief wish that while many of us are justifiably concerned with revenge, we try - in our own, small ways - to make our world a better, happier, more peaceful place. A place in which our conversations about movies, and the culture that creates them, can continue.
'GARAGE DAYS' GOES LIVE
tamsin@aintitcoolmail.com
Annnnnnnd now on to Norman and AICN-Downunder part 2...
Before I start, my greatest sympathies to all the families and friends affected by last Tuesday's tragedies. And a brief wish that while many of us are justifiably concerned with revenge, we try - in our own, small ways - to make our world a better, happier, more peaceful place. A place in which our conversations about movies, and the culture that creates them, can continue.
'GARAGE DAYS' GOES LIVE
Before I start, my greatest sympathies to all the families and friends affected by last Tuesday's tragedies. And a brief wish that while many of us are justifiably concerned with revenge, we try - in our own, small ways - to make our world a better, happier, more peaceful place. A place in which our conversations about movies, and the culture that creates them, can continue.
'GARAGE DAYS' GOES LIVE
* Alex Proyas' next film will film live at the Homebake music festival in 2001. GARAGE DAYS is a "coming of age comedy about the aspirations of a young Sydney rocknroll band" and the actors which comprise the band - Kick Gurry (BUFFALO SOLDIERS), Pia Miranda (LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI), Chris Sandrinna, and Brett Stiller - will be filmed on stage singing a song written by local muso Dave McCormack (of the band Custard). Homebake will take place at the Domain in Sydney, on December 8. Other notables in the cast include Maya Stange (IN A SAVAGE LAND) and the wonderful Tiriel Mora (THE CASTLE) - perhaps doing a turn as a dodgy band manager? Trust me, he's got that sort of face... Shooting is set to wrap just after Homebake, on December 14.
MORE DIRTY DEEDS
* Casting update on the tantalising-sounding Oz-60s-gangster flick directed by David Caesar... along with (welcome back) Toni Collette you've got Sam Neill, Bryan Brown (can he top his crim turn from TWO HANDS?), William McInnes, and Felix Williamson. Synopsis of the script, also written by Caesar, "an action-packed comedy set in Sydney in the 1960s amid the world of organised crime". Shooting on this Sydney production started on August 3.
EBERT GOES ALL NUTTY OVER OLD PEOPLE BONKING
* Spotted online this week was an absolute rave from one of my favourite movie critics, Roger Ebert. The film is INNOCENCE by veteran Oz director Paul Cox, and the word from the slobber-stained, four star review is "This is the kind of film that makes critics want to reach out and shake their readers... this movie is so wise about love it makes us wonder what other love stories think they are about." I'm embarrassed to say that I missed INNOCENCE during its Melbourne run, but Ebert's rave has me looking around my local video shop. I'd urge you to check out Ebert's review, followed soon after by Cox's film.
YES, IT'S ANOTHER STORY ABOUT THE MATRIX
* Anyway, that cattle call audition I mentioned last week took place, and although none of the bleedin' auditionees sent us in any reports, there were a couple posted on thematrixonline.com. Check them out for detailed info, meanwhile the highlights were probably... that for the purposes of the auditionees, the Matrix sequels would be codenamed "The Burly Man" (anyone know the story behind this? Joke, obscure reference?)... That the auditionees, if they matched a certain body size, were stood against a lifesized cut-out of Agent Smith (aka Hugo Weaving)... That filming will take place between 24 September and June 2002... and that the auditioners were after about 75-150 Hugo Weaving look-a-likes.
MORE ON BLACK AND WHITE
* I reported recently that Robert Carlyle is popping up in an Australian-filmed production soon, and a more detailed synopsis has popped up for BLACK AND WHITE. "Based on a real miscarriage of justice, the film tells a compelling story of right and wrong. Young lawyer, David O'Sullivan takes on a legal case in which it is soon clear that the Aboriginal person on trial has been framed by the local police. O'Sullivan finds himself embarking on a David and Goliath battle that threatens the world of closed ranks, hidden evidence and the establishment." Sounds a bit TV-movie for my liking, but I have faith in the screenwriter Louis Nowra to pull a powerful film out of this material...
SIX MONTHS ON A LEAKY BOAT...
SIX MONTHS ON A LEAKY BOAT...
* Richard Franklin (PSYCHO 2) has embarked on an interesting project titled VISITORS. It's the story of a solo circumnavigator, Georgia Perry, in a 44-foot sloop. She's been sailing for six months until the wind drops and she is becalmed for several days and things start to get... well, weird. Local scribe Everett De Roche (LONG WEEKEND, RAZORBACK etc) has tackled this sort of area before, notably on the schlocky but fairly fun PATRICK, way back in 1978 - which was also directed by Franklin. Nice to see these old sparring partners getting back together, 23 years later.
Until next week, you know the name and you know the drill...
normangunston@aintitcoolmail.com
-
+ Expand All
-
I *think* someone posted a long summary of the plot to "The Matrix Reloaded" online. It's in the message board at Coming Attractions. Just went up a day ago. He says his friend's dad works on the set. Who knows...
If it is true, then we know finally why it's called "Reloaded".
Check it out at the Corona Films Coming Attractions message board for "The Matrix Reloaded", then come back HERE to discuss! -
So he edited a scene? In the barbaric, tragic scheme of things that happened last week is it soooo important that Lucas cut a shot of a speeder crashing into a building? You don't know *why* he did it exactly, but does that matter?!!! In the wake of last week I'm more worried about future terrorist attacks, biochemical weapons, and the terrifying dangerous misperception that this problem would go away in an instant if the United States simply changed its foreign policy (as if ideological differences aren't ALSO prompting such extremism). I'm not worried about a god damned scene in SWII. The only reason I'm at this site is for a little escapism from the reality for a time. So Lucas cut a scene? So what?
-
What does it really matter? In the true scope of what has happened with the last week, does the fact that you will miss 5 precious seconds of footage matter in the large scheme of things? The answer to that would be a resounding NO! Secondly, If the artist decides to alter his work , out of respect or for whatever reason, it is his right to do so.
-
First, congratulations to Moulin Rouge. Man, that and Fast and the Furious (there's a weird combo) are my two favorite movies so far this year. I keep hoping that they'll release the rest of the music and the DVD will be mine on the day that it's offered. As to hating Lucas, get a friggin grip man! He cuts a shot of a speeder hitting a building and you now hate him?! 2 great and two mediocre SW films and it's all wiped away by a cut FX shot? Maybe the WTC really affected him and he finds the image painful. Maybe he thinks that others will find it painful. Do you honestly think that he's afraid of losing money? Most people wouldn't care (or notice) and the few who do will have already bought their tickets. He wouldn't lose a dime if its left in. While we're at it, lets crucify Raimi for taking the WTC out of Spiderman trailers. Now, I wish that he'd left it in as a memorial to that beautiful structure but I can understand him not wanting the baggage. Perhaps if Lucas cut the shot of the a-wing splatting the star destroyer in the Jedi DVD I'd be more irate but he cut a few second shot from a movie that is still being cut and has never been seen. Had no-one mentioned it you would never have missed it. Yeesh, perspective is a good thing.
-
I mean god, these films are art. Cutting a scene where something crashes into another building, my god, if it's not the WTC, then what's the point in cutting such a scene? It's friggin art! If you're afraid of watching a film, then don't watch it! And I hear that there's a group of people who want Independence Day and other films banned for good. Will someone give these people girlfriends or what? They're MOVIES, not documentaries!
-
he he he.
Removing that scene is realy not that bigger deal. I don't think you should cut into Georgie boy because of it. -
Being a New Yorker it kinda pisses me off to hear folks like him on the other side of the friggin planet be outraged over things like editing scenes that might be sensitive. Did he have over 5000 folks wipe out in his back yard? Did he have his city horribly scarred? Does he own any creative rights to Lucas's movies? The answer to that is no on all 3 counts. And to top it off, the movie is still in the editing stage, it's not like we have seen a finished project. If the news of this never broke, who outside of Lucasfilm would know? As far as the other movies go, it's a judgement call on behalf of the creators not us. When movies that have been already released are recalled and altered then you can voice your outrage, not on an unfinished product.
-
I love it. Harry and his twisted family and friends, Talk-balkers and film geeks wet their pants because Lucas cut a shot(or scene) that resembles the tragedy that occured last week. Oh and it's not because he has conscience, it's the money. Yeah, we all know how hard up for cash Lucas is. But I can hear it a year from now if he left it in. Everyone will be bitching about how insensitive Lucus is and how he trying to capitalize off this event. Remember Episode One how much flack he got for having certain characters with certain ethnic accents ? I don't blame him for cutting it. I wouldn't want to get crapped on twice...
-
I've been waiting so long for this to happen that it is still hard for me to realize that it is true.
But it is true, VISITORS is the long-awaited come-back on the silver screen both of the brilliant scriptwriter Everett DeRoche and director Richard Franklin.
Do you remember PATRICK(1978)the richly visual and eccentric story of the coma killer ?
Do you remember ROAD GAMES(1981)the psychological-thriller which starred Jamie lee Curtis and Stacey Keach on the open road of the Nullabor Plain ?
Do you remember LINK(1986) which was awarded at the FILM FANTASTIQUE FESTIVAL in France ?
It was them !
These two great names of the Film Industry are back for good and reunited for this 4th collaboration.
The VISITORS project is not only the best Film news of the year , it is - to me - the best Film news since the end of the 80's , VISITORS is to be placed amongst Everett DeRoche greatest screenplays , amongst the greatests screenplays ever !
And this is to become, under Richard Franklin's direction, a success.
Great news for the Australian Film Industry and for all cinema enthusiasts in the World.
The VISITORS project is not only the best Film news of the year , but - to me - the best Film news since the end of the 80's.
Stay tuned !
Thomas,(France)-
-
I've read this script a couple of times and it is chilling. Like all great films of this genre it has its elements of humour, drama, action, and some very eerie sequences. If I had to liken it to anything I guess it would be 'The Sixth Sense'...Not for the story in any way, but for the style in which the frights are dished out. Be prepared for a somewhat different style of story telling. Remember 'Pitch Black'? Well the star of that film - Rahda Mitchell - will bring our protagonist, Georgia Perry to life. A must see film for next year. As an Australian I am extremely jazzed about this film. It should prove to be a great boost for the country that gave birth to the feature film around a hundred years ago. Richard Franklin and Everett DeRoche have produced some brilliant films together, but the best is yet to come...VISITORS!
-
I think I have an idea about this Burley Man code name. Remember the scene in the first Matrix when they meet the oracle? Well, there was a burley man guarding the door who nodded at Morphius. I always felt like that burley man could kick some serious ass, or else he wouldn't be there.
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 325 total posts 322 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 106 total posts 106 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 63 total posts 60 posts
- Does ‘SNL’ Rhyme With ‘Deschanel’?? Learn Which SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Vet Hosts After Sexy Zooey!! -- 74 total posts 58 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 159 total posts 51 posts
- If the Behind the Scenes Pics of the Day drops her pen, pick it up, but don’t look at her legs or else it will be on your record. -- 47 total posts 41 posts
- AVENGERS enemy revealed as pink boardgame pieces... You might suffer some form of elation... SPOILERS!!! -- 161 total posts 34 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 488 total posts 33 posts
- Friday Brings SWEEPS DAY NINE!! Gab Here About Tonight’s FRINGE!! Plus Einstein on TIM, Wiig On PORTLANDIA, MAHER, CLONE, GIFTED, GRIMM, SPARTACUS, SUPERNATURAL, GOLD RUSH And More!! -- 121 total posts 23 posts
- Here's The Red Band Trailer For Drafthouse Films' THE FP! -- 70 total posts 20 posts