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Tom Joad looks at Oliver Stones' next film, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY
Well good ol Tom Joad and his mid-western sensibilities take aim at Oliver Stone's ANY GIVEN SUNDAY. I'm one of those people that literally taps their foot in anticipation for his films. Sure... the guy might come across as being Kevin McCarthy at the end of INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS from time to time, but dang it.... I liked that scene. He has made a consistent habit of making movies that... unsettled me. Films that cause days of discussion. Films that the national news talks about and are actually debated on the floor of Congress. Whatever he may be, he inspires or ignites dialogue and thought. At least that's my take on him. Here's his next project...
Tom Joad here, with a quick word on Oliver Stone’s next project: ANY
GIVEN SUNDAY. You see, a couple of his executive producers (one male,
one female) on one of his more controversial films, were in town for the
Austin Screenwriting Conference a few weeks ago (I can’t name names – ya
gotta figure it out!) and knowing that they weren’t currently working on
any projects with him, I asked if they knew what he was up to. Ja… er,
I mean one of them told me about ANY GIVEN SUNDAY and happened to have
an extra script that she… er, I mean they loaned me! Too, too cool!!!
Let me tell ya – this was one incredible read! This flick is going to
absolutely ROCK! (Joad technically pronounces this as RAWK) The script deals with football, but not the glorified,
antiseptic sport which millions of men waste weekend after weekend (and
who knows how much cash) watching. This tells it like it is: war.
Vince Lombardi called it a game of madmen, and this script acts as a
mouth within the madness. The manipulation, the pain, the glory and the
sacrifices one takes to achieve greatness are all here. This was
hardcore, and it touched on a million emotions. I was alternately
giggling with glee, bristling with goosebumps of elation, and crying at
the heartbreaks involved. The script moved me. I used to play ball and
I used to be a huge football fan – wouldn't miss a game on tv, be it
collegiate or professional. Yet, I have never understood the people who
can watch a four hour ballgame but are unable to watch a three hour
movie – the concept simply blows my mind. I’ve since decided that I’d
RATHER spend those four hours watching a couple of movies than watching
yet ANOTHER game of football, but my hidden love for the game was
recognized once again through the reading of this fantastic script. I
believe that ninety percent of those who watch football are either
remembering their days of greatness while doing so, or simply wishing
that they had days of greatness to remember. This movie will be right
up their alley.
Centering on the Miami Scorpions, we are taken on the trips of many of
the players and people involved. Be it a soaring trajectory or a
plunging descent. And what a ride it was.
JACK ROONEY – the Scorpion quarterback, age 35 – the best and the
brightest. He’s not fighting for greatness, he’s already attained it.
Everyone calls him “Cap” Rooney in honor of his nickname, “Captain
America.” He brings in the foaming, rabid fans in droves – many wearing
actual Captain America outfits. All revering his name. He’s aging, but
still has the best read in football and is at the peak of his game. The
question looms, however: how long can he maintain his edge, and more
importantly, his health? (I believe Dennis Quaid is to play this role)
PATRICK KELLY – a massive Scorpion lineman, known throughout the league
as “The Madman,” a name he’s both earned and deserving of. But the
Madman is on the verge of discovering something about himself.
Something he’s tried to ignore for some time. But soon has to face the
music and pay the fiddler his fare.
LUTHER REYNOLDS – a linebacker for the Scorpions, a complete and total
predator, nicknamed “The Shark.” He’s also due a certain degree of self
discovery, and what price will he be willing to pay to keep his
intensity once he realizes the nature of his beast?
IRA STONE – head coach of the Scorpions, is striking and intense. I
believe Al Pacino is on board for this role. He loves the game, he
loves what it’s become, but mostly, he loves the history, heritage, and
legends which have lent themselves to allow the sport to come to be what
it is. His tragedy is that he has given everything of himself to this
game which he loves so much. Devoted his life – every waking moment to
it. He’s lost his wife and family for it. And he lives to instill that
same love in all those he coaches. Most notably:
WILLIE BEAMEN – young, black and cocky, WILLIE is playing third fiddle
when his number is called. He’s the entry level rookie destined to
become a star. With one incredibly tough lesson to learn en route. In
many ways, his path is the most intriguing. He is introduced to many
things the weathered pros take for granted, and he'll be a delight to
watch on screen as he learns the sky-high ups and the rock bottom lows
of the game he’s been given a gift to play… and so desperately needs to
learn to understand. In an interesting casting turn-of-events, Sean
“Puffy” Combs balked out of this role (boy, will he be sorry!) and Jamie
Foxx stepped up and took the reigns. Hmmm… interesting… I’ve been a
fan of Jamie’s since his In Living Color days and I can’t wait to see
him stretch his dramatic muscles as well as he has his comedic ones. Of
which I’ve no doubt he'll excel at. Oliver Stone knows what he wants,
and he knows how to draw (or should I say manipulate) the performances
he wants out of his actors. Not a shadow of a doubt he'll succeed with
flying colors with Foxx.
This script reads like gangbusters. Taking the meatiest chunks from THE
BEST OF TIMES, THE PROGRAM, EVERYBODY’S ALL-AMERICAN, THE LAST BOY SCOUT
and NORTH DALLAS FORTY and tossing them into a blender with a heaping
helping of originality, scriptwriter John Logan has created one truly
engrossing beast here. Boy, will you be entertained. I cannot stress
how excited I am by the fact that Oliver Stone is directing this
picture. He first grabbed my by both the throat and mind with JFK, and
subsequently with SALVADOR, NBK, WALL STREET, U TURN, THE DOORS, NIXON,
TALK RADIO and PLATOON. I honestly love the man’s films! This will be
an interesting endeavor both for him and for all of us. I believe the
release date is a tentative winter/spring 99. I’m already counting
down…
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Way back when, wasn't Oliver Stone involved in Planet of the Apes? I remember this from back before NBK was released when he was working on the project...(long before Cameron was even mentioned).
Is the Oliver Stone draft floating around anywhere? -
I'm sure that no Stone fans that
read AICN know who those mystery
producers were (but I'd wager that
one of them changes her hair color
often).
Stone's "Apes" project was written by the great Terry Hayes who brought us "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" and Mel Gibson's upcoming Truffaut remake (I'm glad
Mel's finally working with Wim Wenders and Bono soon). Credit goes to Don Murphy for bringing "Apes" back to life a few years back. Are you excited? Too bad, you lose. An idiotic former suit at Fox named Dylan Sellers (uh huh) wanted to put sports in it (think "The Air Up There"), but he
ended up doing time for manslaughter in '95/'96.
Enough of that. I'm feeling pretty as a picture that Oliver Stone is back for good. I'm so glad Pacino had Puff Daddy removed because it was probably Budd Carr's idea for a commercial soundtrack in the first place. I think there should be a fair warning to the NFL. Oliver Stone is coming with his crew, his vision, and hopefully a ridiculous
amount of drugs. I'd like to be there to watch and indulge. Can anyone help get me there?
Looking for an inside informer. -
As a regular reader of the site, I'm rather offended... as if it's not obvious who the two are, perhaps you might want to check out a tell-all book by the name of _Killer Instinct_?
-
Thanks for the feedback...J. Johnson and MLWARE...
And you are correct MLWARE, the Apes project you outlined is the right tone and direction for such an endeavor.
I guess we won't see it happening though.
And J., wouldn't it be great if more studio execs did hard time?
Like the people at Warner Bros.
As torture, they'd be forced to watch their own crappy movies. Imagine it: The Avengers and Batman and Robin playing back to back on one continuous, painful loop. -
PLEASE! No Planet of the Apes remake. I couldn't stand it.
I don't want the film to be another stupid Schwarzenager action film. No Peter Hyams,
no James Cameron, no Michael Bay!
The original film was action but also sharp political drama, some satire and wonderful magificent
science fiction ideas brought to excellent fruitation.
I couldn't see anybody top it.
Nobody could top the film's script
adapted by Pierre Boulle's novel by the great Rod Serling and
Michael Wilson. And who could
forget Roddy McDowall or
Charlton Heston ?
And if Oliver Stone does do it,
well at least he'll give the film,
a sense of logic and make it more
than another action ape-killing
movie. I want an action film
with a brain. That not only excites but surprises and
teaches us.
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