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Believe It or Not, I learned more about RIPLEY'S!
Harry here, yesterday I had discussions with Jim Jacks, one of the producers of the RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT about that project which I discussed on the page yesterday. It turns out the information about the film being a biopic was not accurate. It seems that they envision the film as being a series of action-adventure films... tall tales if you would about the life and adventures of Robert Ripley and his quest for the strange and unusual things in the world of the 20's, 30's and 40's.
Jacks quite passionately described the life of Ripley as one of the daringest adventurers to have ever walked the Earth. Comparing his real life to that of the famous Pulp hero of DOC SAVAGE. He traveled with a team of experts, when he met remarkable people imbued with the abilities beyond those of normal beings... such as walking on hot coals, Ripley would convince them to teach him. He mentioned that there were rumors the Ian Fleming partially based the fictional character of James Bond as partially upon that of Ripley's. He traveled the world with a harem of 30 beautiful Asian women, had homes in California, New York and Florida. His travels took him to every country in the world, and he was known as a formidible boxer. They are currently searching for writers to help them craft the life of Ripley into a series of adventures and journeys. And he mentioned that several filmmakers have expressed interest in taking on the project out of the sheer joy of playing the era, dealing with a character of near legendary proportions.
I've heard from several folks that have been associated with BION (Believe It Or Not) projects in the past, that were everything from serious Biopics to comedic takes being tailored for Bill Murray. These versions have been titled everything from AMERICAN ODDITY to STRANGER THAN YOU THINK. It seems the most successful of these was a serious look entitled AMERICAN ODDITY, that various companies toyed with for a while. It was written by Rob Healy and his writing partner (both working on an eccentric redneck FORMULA 51 film about a super rich redneck 'a real one' that believed there were trees on the moon and founded TelStar) and their version was taken to Dreamworks by Jersey Films, Paramount by Cruise/Wagner, Neil Labute took it to USA Films and finally Mary Jane and Harry Ufland went to New Line with it. Their take was a more somber take about a man "who spent his entire life looking for the strangest of the strange, the ultimate oddity, only in the end to find that it was himself."
However, now all the rights to Ripley's life and story are in the hands of Alpaville and Paramount, who are very excited about fleshing out and bringing to life the biggest possible series of stories about this remarkable life... with a nod here and there to the Pecos Bills and Paul Bunyons and John Henrys in the world. Personally, I'm curious about all of this.
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This sounds like it could be really cool. A sort of Indiana Jones with a different type of humanity
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So there actually was a guy named Ripley? Cool. I thoguht they just used the name cause it sounded wicked.
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I agree with yesterday's assessment that if handled correctly this film would rock. You would have a "Raiders" based in reality. Kind of like that old TV show that was based on the life of Frank Buck, "Bring 'Em Back Alive." That show wasn't the best, but where Buck was searching for animals Ripley searched for, and often found, the incredible. Yeah, with the right treatment my ticket is already bought.
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In the never ending pursuit of the cinematic holy grail (i.e. boxoffice gold), I guess this attempt is as valid as any other. But selling Ripley to the computer generation will be a formidable task. Kids today can see anything and everything at the click of a mouse. So this picture may be a letdown. The comparisons to Doc Savage did intrigue me though. If Clark and the amazing five are so great, why not just bring them to the silver screen instead of Ripley? That would be the movie to make. If Arnie doesn't want to do it, get the Rock! Hulk Hogan can be John Sunlight. LOL.
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It would garner interest from most demographics though anyway. Some because they're familiar with Ripley himself and others that aren't but want to see a big budget adventure period flick. I doubt it would crash and burn.
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I'm sure Ripley did all that stuff and it sounds like they want to make a franchise out of it. To me it sounds like the next Indiana Jones, but a little different. Do you think they will cast Brendan Fraser? Don't get me wrong it sounds interesting, but it also sounds like ideas we have heard before.
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Nov 16, 2002 10:02:49 AM CST
Jersey Films... mmmm... isn't that the people that brought us Er
by doran
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Nov 16, 2002 1:25:02 PM CST
The following is a 2500 word "Ripley's Believe it or not!" poem.
by neofromthematrix
As if. - I know Kung Fu
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Nov 16, 2002 2:10:30 PM CST
Lets just run around in circles with our hands in the air making
by 1001 jedi nights
Is that strange enough? Do I get the part? Awww... c'mon. Well, at least all the ads say "404 Not Found"
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this movie sounds great - ripley was an amazing character. today's ripley column is nothing like it was.
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I bought Spider Man and I keep all the Proof of Purchases from the DVD I get, but my Black Hawk Down one is unmarked, I have it narrowed down to about 5 posibilities. Does anyone know the Prook of Purchase number, or the color of it so I can get my free DVD?
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...My little brother tells me that you are in grave error on your quest for your free Columbia Pictures DVD. He informs that in addition, you need approximateley 5,000 "Force Points" from Star Wars Action figures (which you can easily find in any K-Mart Isle of Misfit Toys...I.E. the clearance rack), and approximately 45 Flag Points from any 80's GI Joe. Better get on E-Bay, crackhead.
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"...which leads to our show. Was Amelia Earheart abducted by a subspecies of Sasquatch descended from the giant heads of Easter Island and given signals from the ancient mounds of the Anasazi Carvings? During the filming of this episode, In Search Of cameras caught this startling image!"
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Okay, for the LAST TIME, Bond was directly based on Ian Fleming's days in the British intelligence services.
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...You posted on the wrong Talkback thread, Theta. Talkbacker fuckheads in deed!
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Nov 16, 2002 3:06:14 PM CST
The Strange...The Bizarre...The Unbelievable...This Is The Movie
by spelunker gregg
Believe it...or not...that it sucks ass.
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Their take was a more somber take about a man "who spent his entire life looking for the strangest of the strange, the ultimate oddity, only in the end to find that it was himself, a psychotic murdering homosexual.
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In case you guys don't know who he is: JJ is responsible for finding distribution for Blood Simple and producing Raising Arizona (in other words, giving the Coen's their start), for bringing John Woo to the states (not altogether good thing, but smart on his part to notice the guy in the first place), for Universal's resurrection of the Mummy Franchise (say what you want about the second, the first was a helluva lot of fun), etc. etc. etc. He's also very grounded and down-to-earth, and I for one trust him with this Ripley thing. Let's hope that "RED CELL" moves along as well.. heh heh.
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He was also responsible for "Mallrats," which was a great film too.
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... George isn't at home, leave a messaaaage after the beep. I must be out or I'd pick up the phone whhhhheerrreee could I be. Believe it or not, I'm not hoooooome.
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oooOOoooOoooh, don't pretend to be sisters with Lynn Cheney and Laura Bush... unless you mean it. :) http://www.kappaalphatheta.org
not that I know anything about secret handshakes or controlling the world or anything... -
Nov 16, 2002 10:41:08 PM CST
"the ultimate oddity, only in the end to find that it was himsel
by tav
now that's a hunk of cheese. yo greenbay.
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... what with being so busy not giving a crap and all !
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If what Ripley finds are true wonders that challenge our beliefs and make us think beyond ourselves, like In Search Of, I might check this out. If, however, they go the sideshow freak route, I'll pass thank you. I don't need to pay to see people hammering nails in there head, swallowing animals, removing body parts, or what ever other sick shit they can think up.
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Nov 17, 2002 12:46:11 AM CST
"He mentioned that there were rumors the Ian Fleming partially b
by three quarks
(Doing my best Jack Palance impression) Believe it... or not.
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Nov 17, 2002 5:32:50 AM CST
I envision this as the best acting Sigourney Weaver and Matt Dam
by enigmainyourhead
...in "The Ripleys"
The Talented Tom Ripley marries a woman named Ripley Ripley and they travel the earth together searching for aliens who have disguised themselves as humans. The aliens stick out to the Ripleys because of their unique abilities that expose them as more than human. Tom Ripley wants to harness their unique abilities and document them for all the world to see. Ripley Ripley has a horrifying encounter with an alien disguised as a drooling bald man, and goes on an alien killing spree. Eventually, Tom has his wife's memories erased and freezes her body in order to preserve his research on the fascinating aliens. Ripley Ripley one day wakes up in the distant future, where her Alien killing instincts take hold again... -
punctuated by heavy breathing, jack palance exclaims "a tribe of native that spoke backwards all their lives... believe or... ton"
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"So there actually was a guy named Ripley?"
Yes, and he was not exactly photogenic. He was balding and dumpy looking, like a real-life CPA. Realistic casting would be someone like Tom Bosley. Hollywood casting will of course be Tom Cruise or Edward Norton. -
I'd like to appear in this flick. Seems rather interesting actually in a brechtian sort of way. But i'd like to appear as some sort of.. how would i put it? UNDEAD DENIZEN? Could I ... ahem... appear as a zombie?
Please consider my request carefully.
Bruce
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