Most Hollywood re-makes are subject to ire from passionate fans of the original(s), so get ready for that weird guy in your video editing class to be really super angry as Universal announces that they are re-making Videodrome (1983), David Cronenberg’ s grotesque exploration of televisual voyeurism. And while there’s plenty of opportunity to mess this up (Guys, just PLEASE don’t make it about a website instead of a TV channel. That movie already exists– it’s called Suicide Club ), we have some reason to be optimistic. The film will be the feature debut of director Adam Berg , who has been entrusted with the film after a series of high-profile commercial gigs like this one that are, we have to say, pretty damn cool. Ugh, wait, never mind. Deadline.com says that Universal plans to ” Modernize the concept, infusing it with the possibilities of nano-technology and blow it up into a large-scale sci-fi action thriller .” So like Total Recall (2012) but with more S&M. Speaking of, who will play the seductive superfreak so memorably portrayed by Deborah Harry in the original? We think that Noomi Rapace would look pretty good putting out cigarettes on her chest…or maybe that was just a dream we had when we fell asleep watching The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo ( 2009). Long live the nude flesh! See Deborah Harry in all her kinky glory in Videodrome (1983) right here at MrSkin.com!
The demise of film and the seeming triumph of digital has been a hot topic of discussion for insiders and hardcore enthusiasts for a number of years. But Keanu Reeves is taking the topic into the mainstream(ish) realm with his latest project, Side by Side , which bowed recently in Los Angeles and is set to hit cities around the U.S. in the coming weeks. Co-produced and narrated by Reeves, the 98-minute documentary landed the likes of James Cameron , David Fincher , David Lynch , George Lucas , Danny Boyle , Martin Scorsese , Christopher Nolan and Steven Soderbergh to weigh in on movie-making’s (d)evolution. Nolan, he noted, was the most difficult to reach among the people who appear in the doc, which features interviews with 70-plus filmmaking powerhouses. To lure The Dark Knight Rises filmmaker, Reeves went snail mail. “I actually wrote to him on an old-fashioned typewriter,” Reeves told Reuters . “I think he got a kick out of that and we finally shot him in his trailer on the Batman set in LA.” Reeves noted that Nolan’s schedule was “so crazy” because he was in the midst of filming The Dark Knight Rises , but wanted the filmmaker because of his long-standing opinions about the film vs. digital debate, which caught Reeves’ attention in earnest while finishing on a previous project a couple years back. While working on Henry’s Crime , which he also produced a couple of years back, Reeves and the film’s production manager, Chris Kenneally, began talking about the rise of digital technology. “We were sitting in the post-production suite trying to match the photochemical image with the digital image, side by side, and it just hit me – film is going away, and we should document this whole evolution,” Reeves told Reuter. “So Chris and I gradually put a team together to make the documentary.” A champion of film himself, none other than Martin Scorsese said earlier this summer he’ll probably go digital with his upcoming projects including The Wolf of Wall Street . His previous effort, Hugo was a de facto call for film preservation, something near and dear to the filmmaker’s heart. His longtime editor Thelma Schoonmaker told Empire magazine at the time, “I think Marty just feels it’s unfortunately over, and there’s been no bigger champion of film than him.” And as Side by Side gets set to expand, Reeves appears to agree that film will continue to disintegrate into the annals of movie history. “Even Chris Nolan admits that film, if not dead, is now on life support, and it’s just going to become more and more difficult to even get film. Personally I’m a big film fan and it’s sad to see it go but the future is digital.” Reeves himself is directing a big screen feature about a a young martial artist set in Beijing titled Man of Tai Chi and he has apparently also accepted – even if begrudgingly – the comparatively cheaper technology. “”We did [go digital],” he said. “I developed this project for five years and we’re shooting on location in Beijing and Hong Kong. I’m having a great time directing and I definitely plan to do it again.” [ Source: Reuters ]
Also in Tuesday afternoon’s round-up of news briefs, Dimension Films goes for a psychological thriller. Sundance and SXSW doc winners head for release. Kick-Ass 2 gets a “Night Bitch,” while the next Thor picks a return character. Angry Little God to Thrill U.S. Audiences Dimension Films has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Daniel Stamm’s psychological thriller Angry Little God . Stamm and his writing partner David Birke adapted the script from the original film which follows a bright but meek individual drowning in debt and desperate as he’s about to be married. He receives a mysterious phone call informing him that he’s on a hidden camera game show where he must execute 13 tasks to receive a cash prize of over $6 million. He accepts the challenge, but even with thousands of dollars suddenly appearing in his bank account, he realizes he’s in over his head. IM Global will finance and produce the film. Golden Globes Set Dates “The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) and producer dick clark productions (dcp) will present “The 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards” live on Sunday, January 13, 2013. Next year’s show will air live on NBC coast-to-coast from 5-8 p.m (PT) and 8-11 p.m. (ET) from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. Nominations for the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards will be announced at 8 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, December 13. This year’s Cecil B. DeMille Award , honoring the lifetime achievements of actors and filmmakers, will be announced on November 1.” Sundance & SXSW Doc Winners Head for Distribution SnagFilms will handle domestic distribution rights for Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner The House I Live In and SXSW Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner Beware of Mr. Baker . House centers on America’s war on drugs, while Mr. Baker takes a look at drummer Ginger Baker who worked with Eric Clapton, Cream and Blind Faith. Digital distribution is expected to cover “key pay platforms and eventual ad-supported release” on snagfilms.com. Around the ‘net… Warner Bros. Stakes Out Pontius Pilate The studio has picked up a script by Woman On Top writer Vera Blasi that centers on the Biblical figure who became the Roman governor over Judea and oversaw the fateful decision to crucify Jesus, Deadline reports . Lindy Booth Eyes Kick-Ass 2 Booth is in talks to be cast in the super-hero sequel as Night Bitch. Aaron Johnson and Chloe Moretz are reprising their respective roles of Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl in the second installment, Kick-Ass 2: Balls to the Wall , directed by Jeff Wadlow, THR reports . Kat Dennings Eyes Thor 2 2 Broke Girls star Kat Dennings will again play techie Darcy Lewis in Marvel Studios’ sequel Thor: The Dark World , Deadline reports .
“Do you have any idea what a Thompson submachine gun does to a mortal?” Guy Pearce tells Tom Hardy about midway through this red-band trailer for Lawless . And, well, before you can say, “Swiss cheese!”, Gary Oldman is riddling some poor sap in an old-fashioned automobile with lots of lead. That’s not even the toughest scene to stomach in the promo for this inspired-by-true-life tale about the brutal bootlegging Bondurant Brothers in Prohibition-era Virginia, which also stars Shia LaBeouf, Jessica Chastain and Mia Wasikowska. There’s another luckless soul who appears to be force fed about a gallon of gasoline — and they don’t even check his oil! Check it out below:
I suppose it makes sense: According to Vulture rumor-slinger Claude Brodesser-Akner, Disney’s new regime under Alan Horn is developing a remake of 1991’s The Rocketeer — a box office disappointment that nevertheless built a cult following owing to its retro-futuristic vibe, Billy Campbell’s irresistible hair, and Jennifer Connelly ‘s Jennifer Connelly-ness. The Rocketeer told the story of Cliff Secord, a square-jawed airplane pilot who battles Nazis with the help of a rocket jetpack in 1930s California. Audiences rejected it upon release, but the film won dedicated fans (myself included) in subsequent years. The report, based on studio spy whispers, points out that such a reboot might be successful thanks to its similarities with Marvel’s Iron Man properties — both were adapted from comics, both involve a hero in a supercool metal suit flying into action against baddies, etc. One way of updating the Rocketeer property could be to make it slick and high-tech and even more Iron Man -esque… though the idea of Disney courting such obvious parallels to Marvel’s best-loved new Avengers superhero doesn’t make much sense. If Disney reboots The Rocketeer , I can’t imagine fans of the original comics and the Joe Johnston-directed film would accept anything less than a faithful period setting, in keeping with the original story’s spirit and sense for nostalgic idealism; good luck finding a Cliff Secord with hair as phenomenally perfect as 90s-era Campbell. I mean – JUST… LOOK… AT THIS HAIR! YOU GUYS . On second thought, let me put this out there: Armie Hammer as Cliff. Jennifer Lawrence as Jenny. Michael Fassbender as Neville Sinclair. Discuss. [ Vulture ]
Vanessa Hudgens is about to put these dance moves to good, nearly naked use. The actress portrays a stripper named Cindy in the upcoming thriller The Frozen Ground , which is based on real-life events and stars Nicolas Cage as an Alaskan State Tropper who partners with Hudgens’ character because she was lucky enough to escape a serial killer who abducts young women. Scheduled for a November 30 release, the film also stars 50 Cent, Dean Norris and John Cusack. Watch the first official trailer now and look for Hudgens to slink around the stripper stage around the 50-second mark:
Also in Monday morning’s round-up of news briefs, Cosmopolis lead a weekend of specialty release titles in the box office. Samuel L. Jackson is joining an upcoming Spike Lee project. And remembering Gregory Peck’s widow who has passed away. Huge Crowds to Buy Hunger Games DVD Fans turned out in droves for the weekend release of The Hunger Games DVD. Cast members made appearances at select Walmarts in various cities, signing DVDs and Blu-rays, Deadline reports . Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis Strong in Deubt, Robot & Frank Solid: Specialty Box Office Cosmopolis launched its run in the U.S. and qualified as a master of the specialty universe – at least this weekend. After a blitz of media coverage worthy of a studio blockbuster, the David Cronenberg-directed, Robert Pattinson-starrer averaged a fairly impressive $24K-plus in three locations Stateside, Deadline reports . Samuel L. Jackson Boards Spike Lee’s Oldboy After a 21 year gap, Jackson will play a small but important part in Lee’s adaptation of the second part of Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook’s trilogy Oldboy . He’ll play a man who is tortured by the film’s hero, played by Josh Brolin in a key revenge scene, the Playlist reports via The Los Angeles Times . James Gunn Eyes Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Gunn is Marvel Studios’ choice to direct its upcoming space superhero saga Guardians of the Galaxy . The official log line for the film says it is centered on a “U.S. pilot who ends up in space in the middle of a universal conflict and goes on the run with futuristic ex-cons who have something everyone wants,” THR reports . Gregory Peck’s Widow Dies at 80 Veronique Passani, widow of Oscar-winning actor Gregory Peck, died of heart failure at her home in Los Angeles. Born in Paris, Passani met the actor when he was traveling to star in Roman Holiday and interviewed him for French paper, France Soir , THR reports .
Also in Monday morning’s round-up of news briefs, Cosmopolis lead a weekend of specialty release titles in the box office. Samuel L. Jackson is joining an upcoming Spike Lee project. And remembering Gregory Peck’s widow who has passed away. Huge Crowds to Buy Hunger Games DVD Fans turned out in droves for the weekend release of The Hunger Games DVD. Cast members made appearances at select Walmarts in various cities, signing DVDs and Blu-rays, Deadline reports . Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis Strong in Deubt, Robot & Frank Solid: Specialty Box Office Cosmopolis launched its run in the U.S. and qualified as a master of the specialty universe – at least this weekend. After a blitz of media coverage worthy of a studio blockbuster, the David Cronenberg-directed, Robert Pattinson-starrer averaged a fairly impressive $24K-plus in three locations Stateside, Deadline reports . Samuel L. Jackson Boards Spike Lee’s Oldboy After a 21 year gap, Jackson will play a small but important part in Lee’s adaptation of the second part of Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook’s trilogy Oldboy . He’ll play a man who is tortured by the film’s hero, played by Josh Brolin in a key revenge scene, the Playlist reports via The Los Angeles Times . James Gunn Eyes Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Gunn is Marvel Studios’ choice to direct its upcoming space superhero saga Guardians of the Galaxy . The official log line for the film says it is centered on a “U.S. pilot who ends up in space in the middle of a universal conflict and goes on the run with futuristic ex-cons who have something everyone wants,” THR reports . Gregory Peck’s Widow Dies at 80 Veronique Passani, widow of Oscar-winning actor Gregory Peck, died of heart failure at her home in Los Angeles. Born in Paris, Passani met the actor when he was traveling to star in Roman Holiday and interviewed him for French paper, France Soir , THR reports .
Real talk, y’all: The first domestic trailer for Juan Antonio Bayona’s disaster drama The Impossible made me a little misty-eyed. Get ready to get your hearts touched by Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts as parents on vacay with their children who get separated by the devastating 2004 tsunami and attempt to find their way back to each other amid the destruction and chaos. Sniff. The first Spanish language teaser and posters caught our eye with their startlingly frightening imagery, but Summit’s trailer takes a different route with effective results, focusing more on the human drama and bonds at the center of the film. The Impossible marks director Bayona’s English-language debut after impressing with 2007’s The Orphanage . [Trailer debut in HD at Apple .] Based on the true story of one family’s survival of the 2004 tsunami, THE IMPOSSIBLE stars Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor and is directed by J.A. Bayona (THE ORPHANAGE). Maria (Naomi Watts), Henry (Ewan McGregor) and their three sons begin their winter vacation in Thailand, looking forward to a few days in tropical paradise. But on the morning of December 26th, as the family relaxes around the pool after their Christmas festivities the night before, a terrifying roar rises up from the center of the earth. As Maria freezes in fear, a huge wall of black water races across the hotel grounds toward her. THE IMPOSSIBLE is the powerful and unforgettable account of a family caught, with tens of thousands of strangers, in the mayhem of one of the worst natural catastrophes of our time. But the true-life terror is tempered by the unexpected displays of compassion, courage and simple kindness that Maria and her family encounter during the darkest hours of their lives. Both epic and intimate, devastating and uplifting, The Impossible is a journey to the core of the human heart. The Impossible will be released December 21. Follow Jen Yamato on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
Real talk, y’all: The first domestic trailer for Juan Antonio Bayona’s disaster drama The Impossible made me a little misty-eyed. Get ready to get your hearts touched by Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts as parents on vacay with their children who get separated by the devastating 2004 tsunami and attempt to find their way back to each other amid the destruction and chaos. Sniff. The first Spanish language teaser and posters caught our eye with their startlingly frightening imagery, but Summit’s trailer takes a different route with effective results, focusing more on the human drama and bonds at the center of the film. The Impossible marks director Bayona’s English-language debut after impressing with 2007’s The Orphanage . [Trailer debut in HD at Apple .] Based on the true story of one family’s survival of the 2004 tsunami, THE IMPOSSIBLE stars Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor and is directed by J.A. Bayona (THE ORPHANAGE). Maria (Naomi Watts), Henry (Ewan McGregor) and their three sons begin their winter vacation in Thailand, looking forward to a few days in tropical paradise. But on the morning of December 26th, as the family relaxes around the pool after their Christmas festivities the night before, a terrifying roar rises up from the center of the earth. As Maria freezes in fear, a huge wall of black water races across the hotel grounds toward her. THE IMPOSSIBLE is the powerful and unforgettable account of a family caught, with tens of thousands of strangers, in the mayhem of one of the worst natural catastrophes of our time. But the true-life terror is tempered by the unexpected displays of compassion, courage and simple kindness that Maria and her family encounter during the darkest hours of their lives. Both epic and intimate, devastating and uplifting, The Impossible is a journey to the core of the human heart. The Impossible will be released December 21. Follow Jen Yamato on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
