Father Geek here with the latest from our man downunder...

Gentlemen, to our wives and our sweethearts... May they never meet.

AICN-DOWNUNDER

Okay, the year is winding up and everything’s exceptionally busy. Sure, I don’t have a BNAT to organise or anything, but there are many loose ends that must be tied up before the clock ticks over to 2004. Basically what I’m saying is no reviews. But all that will change next week when finally go see something again.

In the meantime, here’s some junk that happened.

NEWS

* All the fairly-reliable speak of Naomi Watts playing the non-title role in KING KONG seems to have paid off with lots of the “real” media outlets reporting that she’s close to signing. And if you don’t already know, Andy Serkis is practicing his ape movements (don’t think too hard about those choice of words) to CGI the ape a la Gollum. Also, there’s talk of Ian McKellen joining the cast. Personally, I want to see him conquering Kong’s island wearing the big white suit and hat he had in GODS AND MONSTERS. But now I’m digressing.

* It’s being reported that Frances O’Connor (A.I.: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE) has joined David Wenham and Sarah Wynter in THREE DOLLARS. Hope the film turns out to be as good as the cast.

* Russell Crowe stands alongside Brad Pitt and Ewan McGregor as those up for the role of Richard Branson in the adaptation of his autobiography, “Losing My Virginity”. The film will take place over the course of his life (obviously), and show the world’s numerous changes from his perspective. As for the casting rumours? I say let Timothy Busfield play the role!

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS From the 5th of January to the 5th of February, Melbourne University will play host to a bunch of filmmaking short courses, including screenwriting classes, documentary classes, cinematography classes, and even advanced courses on the use of the Steadicam. For information, go to www.summerfilmschool.com or call (03) 9347 5035.

BOX OFFICE

The hottest 70s TV show remake to hit screens in at least a week or so took out the top spot, whilst the family comedies made a bunch of cash with the holiday season approaching.

The winners this week are...

• 1. SWAT
• 2. SCHOOL OF ROCK
• 3. ELF
• 4. MATRIX REVOLUTIONS
• 5. TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE

RELEASED THIS WEEK

Peter Jackson gets top billing for liking a film, Burt Lancaster returns to the screen in a film made over twenty years ago, and Russell Crowe goes fightin’ round the world.

Annnnnd here are the the new ones...

• CABIN FEVER
• THE LEOPARD
• MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD

NEXT WEEK

- Sean Astin to play a mentally-retarded Hobbit fighting for the right to raise his daughter Eleanor in I AM SAM

- Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan star as a pair of magical English nannies who take care of a banker’s children in MERRY PIPPINS

- John Rhys-Davies to play a hitman with a bad haircut who converts lesbians in GIMLI

Peace out,

Latauro

downunder@aintitcoolmail.com