Going For Your Masters

Two of my favorite film directors are making news:

Martin Scorsese and the late Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980)

Pamela McClintock of Variety has news of a deal between Scorsese and Paramount Pictures

Wooed by Brad Grey and enjoying the biggest commercial success of his career, Martin Scorsese has inked a four-year first-look deal with Paramount Pictures to direct and produce films, TV, direct-to-DVD pics and digital content.

One unique twist: Par has the option to own half of any film the filmmaker directs elsewhere, as well as to co-distribute.

Deal marks the first time in years that Scorsese has aligned himself with a studio; among directors, only Steven Spielberg has a producing deal of relative heft.

Despite all the recent talk of studios trimming costs by refusing to support the upper reaches of the star caste system, Scorsese deal signals that studios still care a great deal about working with top talent -- and hiring the director who can lure that talent.

For Scorsese's first Paramount feature, idea is for him to direct a larger-scale commercial film like "The Departed."

Of the more than 40 films Scorsese's helmed, Warner Bros.' "Departed" has turned into his best B.O. performer. Pic has grossed more than $150 million worldwide since its bow five weeks ago and is considered an awards contender.

Under the terms of the pact, Scorsese will work on films for both Paramount proper and John Lesher's Par Vantage. Lesher was Scorsese's agent before Grey hired him to run the studio's specialty arm.

First-look deal was revealed just days after Paramount announced it would distribute Scorsese's untitled Rolling Stones doc.

Continued...

Sounds like quite the deal....I'm just glad someone as talented as Scorsese is still in the game. Looks like he and Paramount will be joined at the hip for some time...Thanks to that co-distribute option...

When I read the Hitchcock story, I was both intrigued and excited--not just that Hitch is the subject of a feature film, but also by who may be calling the shots on the project,

Stax of IGN-Filmforce picked up the TMZ.com exclusive:

Focus Features is reportedly developing a thriller called Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho. John McLaughlin penned the screenplay.

Ryan Murphy, the creator of Nip/Tuck and the director of Running with Scissors, is Focus' pick to direct the project, according to TMZ.com (TMZ Story)

TMZ claims that the script "is being kept tightly under wraps, but we hear it blends both the actual and the not-so-factual events that lead up to the making of the classic thriller, a retelling wherein a killer outside the script becomes interested in Hitchcock's chilling masterpiece."

This isn't the only Alfred Hitchcock-inspired pseudo-biopic, movie-within a-movie that is in the works. Number Thirteen, starring Dan Fogler as Hitch, focuses on the Master of Suspense's lost and unfinished first film, complete with a murder plot and love triangle involving the filmmaker. Ben Kingsley co-stars.

Focus' parent company, Universal Pictures, is also developing a remake of Hitchcock's The Birds (story) with Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes [production company]

The film about the making of Psycho (1960) has me locked in on so many levels. As a fan of Nip/Tuck--I'm glad that Ryan Murphy is being considered to direct. They need a strong hand for what's sure to be tricky material. Murphy has already proven that he's up to the challenge as far as I'm concerned, I hope he signs on the dotted line.

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

The long awaited DVD release of Richard Donner's cut of Superman II is now just a mere 20 days away...As the clock ticks toward that special day:

The film had its worldwide premiere last Thursday, November 2nd, 2006 at the Directors Guild Of America.

The invitation-only event was sponsored by Warner Home Video and attended by Donner, Producer Michael Thau, actors Margot Kidder, (Lois Lane) Sarah Douglas, (Ursa) Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen) Jack O'Halloran (Non), Creative Consultant (Writer) Tom Mankiewicz Noel Neill (Lois Lane in the 1950's), among others...

Once again, my invite must have gotten lost in the mail... At least that's what I'm telling myself anyway....Thankfully, CapedWonder.com has posted a one hour audio file, recorded inside the DGA's theater one during the screening. Listen for snippets of the actual movie and a lively panel discussion--it's worth your time--and there's no real spoilers!!

Kidder And Donner At The Supes II-DC Screening

It's safe to say the Internet and the rabid interest over Donner's vision of Supes II--helped to make this long shot dream a reality...I first found out about the "Restore Donner's Supes II" campaign after visiting the UK site Superman Cinema, led by GandalfDC and his team, they did a great job and deserve the lion's share of the credit for making this happen. From the Supes Cinema site coverage of the event includes:

Richard Donner thanks the fans
DGA screening reports
DGA Screening photos

Meanwhile, The New York Daily News recently posted an article/interview with Donner regarding his return to all things Superman... Here's an excerpt:

"It was very discouraging that it would never see the light of day, but I accepted it and that was it," said Donner. "The fact that they turned it around has taken a lot of the pain away and has brought a lot of joy back into it and a good feeling of fulfillment.

"I am immersed in Supey and it's a gas. It's really quite interesting, it's very provocative. It's brought back a lot of great nostalgia."


The full interview can be found here.

Clint Morris over at MovieHole.net managed to grab an advance copy of "Superman II: The Donner Cut" DVD (Lucky Dog!), and has published a review. Here's an excerpt from it:


I don't want to say too much more about Donner's film, it's too good to spoil. I'm inclined to say that if it had been completely finished - and it's not far from it - it would've been just as good a film as the original.

Director Richard Donner and creative consultant Tom Mankiewicz provide an insightful and very honest - Donner is understandably and obviously rather hurt still, by what happened way back when, and isn't afraid to let it rip. For instance, he refuses to name 'Richard Lester' by name but sours at watching one of "his" scenes - commentary for the film, that's worth listening to once you watch the film with its soundtrack.

Other extras include an introduction to the film by Donner, a featurette about how the restored version came about, and an option to view the 'new' scenes on their own.

This is one of the most joyous DVD releases of the year. "Superman II" will never be the same again - and for once, that's a good thing.

Read the complete review....

Sounds really cool! I can't wait for my already ordered Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition to get here---So that I can finally see The Donner Cut for myself!

The Hall Of Heroes

Today's agenda concerns two comic book sequels...

Stax of IGN-Filmforce wrote yesterday:

Another day, another Dark Knight rumor. Now that The Joker has been cast, the rumor mill has been buzzing about who will portray D.A. Harvey Dent (a.k.a. the man who will be Two-Face) in The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins.

Just weeks after Ryan Phillippe dismissed talk that he was up for the role, Batman-on-Film.com claims that a new, heretofore unreported actor may be a contender to portray Dent.

According to a longtime "friend" of Batman-on-Film.com, Ethan Hawke (Assault on Precinct 13, Training Day) is up for the role of "a lawyer" in the Warner Bros. project. At 36, Hawke is about the right age for the young, doomed D.A.

Hawke's credits include Lord of War, Before Sunrise, Gattaca, Dead Poets Society, Reality Bites and Hamlet. He will next be seen in Richard Linklater's Fast Food Nation.

The Dark Knight is slated to begin filming early next year for a 2008 release

Can Hawke Make A "Dent" In The Dark Knight Casting Quandry?

Wow! Ethan Hawke is a name that I never even thought of. But you know what? He would make a great choice for the complicated role...Like his rumored predeceesor, Ryan Phillippe, Hawke has played both good guys and bad guys over the years. Hawke definately has the acting chops. I hope that Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan will let the world know soon, which actor will fill the role, so that the casting rumor mill on the film can quiet down a bit

The second story of the day also comes by way of Filmforce:

Marvel Studios and Universal Pictures have officially announced the big-screen return of The Incredible Hulk. Undaunted by the ho-hum 2003 film adaptation starring Eric Bana and Jennifer Connelly, the studios are plotting a new installment that's now set for a Summer 2008 release. Marvel announced today that The Incredible Hulk, as the sequel is called, will hit theaters on June 27th, 2008.

The Incredible Hulk, billed as an "action-packed adventure," is being independently produced by Marvel Studios through its $525 million, non-recourse film finance facility and will be distributed domestically and in several international territories by Universal Pictures.

Kevin Feige, President of Production for Marvel Studios, commented, "The Incredible Hulk will be the type of fun, high-octane event film people have come to expect from Marvel. We could not be more excited about this project and our summer 2008 prospects now that we have both our green goliath and our highly-anticipated Iron Man set for release."

Louis Leterrier (Transporter 2, Unleashed) is directing the movie which will supposedly take the franchise back to its roots. Marvel makes their case for the flick saying it will feature a "well-developed storyline with incredible action and fun."

X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand screenwriter Zak Penn is writing the screenplay.

There's no word yet on what actors might appear in the movie, but the press release circulated today mentions that casting is currently underway...

The Big Green Guy Is Set To Return To The Cineplex In 2008

The Hulk (2003) wasn't a bad movie... but it was too "internalized" concentrating on the dysfunctional family angle as the catalyst. By the time the climax came along--I thought I watching some daytime talk show---rather than a comic book adaptation. Great CGI can only get you so far...

Louis Leterrier certainly knows his way around an action film...I just hope Zak Penn can give the sequel/prequel/reboot what it needs most to work--a solid screenplay.

To The Victor Goes The Spoils

What a surprise! The Borat movie may have played in far less theaters than family friendly rivals, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause and Flushed Away, but that didn't stop the character comedy from taking the top spot...Wow!

Brandon Gray of Box Office Mojo writes in his Weekend Report:

'Borat' raked in an estimated $26.3 million, among the biggest openings ever for a modestly wide release, while 'The Santa Clause 3' [taking the second spot with $20 million in tix sold] and 'Flushed Away' [in 3rd with $19.1 million] duked it out over family crumbs....

Continued...

In a stunning upset Borat (Sacha Baron Cohen) is king of the U.S. multiplex

Ian Mohr of Variety:

After broad speculation that Internet buzz could turn Fox comedy "Borat" into "Snakes on a Plane 2," the Sacha Baron Cohen vehicle behaved more like "Fahrenheit 9/11" over the frame, coming in at No. 1 with $26.3 million.

Left-field hit won the weekend handily against all odds, playing on just 837 screens. "Borat" drew a whopping per-engagement average of $31,511, as the pic brought in an aud that was almost half over 25 as well as the expected college crowd.

Monday morning quarterbacks will wonder whether Fox could have captured even more B.O. dough had the studio rolled out "Borat" more widely.

But the studio's execs say that the movie plays best in a packed house, and that the initial run built the word of mouth that a pic such as this would need to expand.

Disney's "The Santa Clause 3," the No. 2 finisher, unspooled on 3,458 to hit $20 million. Disney said it had been expecting to finish at somewhere between $19 million and $21 million.

"Borat" won the day, in part, because "Clause" and Paramount/DreamWorks Animation's "Flushed Away" -- which washed in at No. 3 with $19.1 million -- split the family aud, while the fictional Kazakh TV commentator brought in adults and teens.

"This was not a conventional sell," said Fox production topper Hutch Parker of the "Borat" perf. "It's not a conventional anything. But it has had such unbelievable playability.

"We're not selling 'Wedding Crashers,' " he added. "This is not a TV-friendly sell. Rather than shotgunning it, we made people aware of it."

Comedy also was an international sensation for the studio, which will now ratchet up the pic's domestic play dates to 2,500 next frame. That move makes an already overcrowded fall that much more swamped with pics vying for attention...

Frame's other new wide opener, "Flushed," produced the highest-ever bow for a project produced via Brit banner Aardman. But Sony's "Open Season," which opened at $23 million in September, is still stealing animated biz: Pic finished at No. 9 after six frames and has taken in more than $81 million to date.

"Borat" helped boost B.O. overall from last weekend: Top 10 pics drew more than $111 million vs. $83.3 million last frame, when "Saw III" ruled the roost.

"Saw" this weekend lost more than half of its aud, taking in $15.5 million to bring cume to more than $60 million in just two frames.

Also notable on the weekend was "The Departed," which crossed $102 million to become Martin Scorsese's highest-grossing film ever. Pic slipped just 19% in its fifth frame...

Article Continues...

Joshua Rich of Entertainment Weekly, says in his weekend wrap-up:

"Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" bags the No. 1 spot...

Yeah, I know Borat won the weekend....but how 'bout Scorsese's The Departed passing the $100 million dollar mark...Hooray for him!!

A Resurrection And A Few Returns

Inside this week's Cinema Stew:

A film based on idea from maverick director Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999) is coming soon to a theater near you; A sequel to Spike Lee's intense thriller Inside Man (2006) seems likely; An even sooner than expected look at the second trailer for Spider-Man 3?--among other webhead rumors... And finally former man on the run Wesley Snipes makes nice with the Feds for tax evasion...

Charles McGrath of The New York Times has the info on Kubrick's "return":

Stanley Kubrick never threw anything away. On the other hand, he didn’t have much of a filing system, and when he moved — permanently, it turned out — from Hollywood to London in 1962, a great many things went astray. Among them was the sole copy of a film treatment called “Lunatic at Large,” which Mr. Kubrick had commissioned in the late ’50s from the noir pulp novelist Jim Thompson, with whom he had worked on “The Killing,” a 1956 bank-heist story that became his first successful feature, and then on 1957’s “Paths of Glory.”

The manuscript remained lost until after Mr. Kubrick’s death, in 1999, when his son-in-law, Philip Hobbs, working with an archivist, turned it up, along with a couple of other scripts, and set about trying to make it into a movie.

There were a couple of false starts. Mr. Hobbs originally approached the French company Pathé — partly because the French hold Jim Thompson in the same esteem as Edgar Allan Poe and Mickey Rourke — and after that arrangement fell through, he formed a partnership with Edward R. Pressman, a New York-based producer, and the London producers Finch & Partners. Mr. Pressman, who is expected to announce the completion of the deal..., said the film would be directed by Chris Palmer, from a finished script by Stephen R. Clarke.

“When Stanley died, he left behind lots of paperwork,” Mr. Hobbs said in a telephone interview.

“We ended up going through trunks of it, and one day we came across ‘Lunatic at Large.’ I knew what it was right away, because I remember Stanley talking about ‘Lunatic.’ He was always saying he wished he knew where it was, because it was such a great idea.”

Speaking from her home in Britain, Mr. Kubrick’s widow, Christiane, said: “My husband always had a drawerful of ideas. There were always a lot of stories on the go, things he started, things he left lying around. It was like being in a waterfall. I remember he was very excited at the time about ‘Lunatic at Large,’ but then other things happened.” First, she explained, Mr. Kubrick was forced off “One-Eyed Jacks,” with Marlon Brando, and then he was hired to replace Anthony Mann on “Spartacus.”

“ ‘Spartacus’ changed his life,” she said. “And after that his imagination was held by ‘Lolita,’ which gave him the opportunity to film in England, where making movies cost so much less.”

The loss of his manuscript was a bitter disappointment to Mr. Thompson, who had a long and mostly hard-luck relationship with Hollywood. Like a lot of writers who seek their fortune there, he eventually drank too much and became his own worst enemy. He died in 1977, much too soon for the revival of interest that made him a cult writer in the ’90s, when four of his novels were made into films: “The Grifters,” “The Getaway,” “Hit Me” and “After Dark, My Sweet.”

Despite its title, “Lunatic at Large” is not a horror story. It’s a dark and surprising mystery of sorts, in which the greatest puzzle is who, among several plausible candidates, is the true escapee from a nearby mental hospital...

Continued...

The premise sounds interesting enough...Kubrick had a very unique way of telling a story that is still unmatched...I hope the film avoids the pitfalls and problems of another unfinished Kubrick project turned movie--2001's Artificial Intelligence: AI from Steven Spielberg.

Variety reports:

Spike Lee and Brian Grazer are developing a sequel to "Inside Man" for Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment.

Lee is still in negotiations on a helming deal for the project, but he's already working with the original's writer, Russell Gewirtz, on a script.

For now, the pair are keeping their sequel concept under wraps, including whether it would involve the return of the original's main characters, played by Denzel Washington, Clive Owen and Jodie Foster.

Bank heist thriller became the biggest-grossing pic in Lee's helming career, earning $184 million at the worldwide box office earlier this year.

Sequel is now on a list of several projects Lee is considering for his next helming gig.

In addition to "Man," this year Lee also directed Hurricane Katrina docu "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts" for HBO.

I loved the original flick...Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, and Jodie Foster were an amazing trio in this movie...If the sequel moves ahead--I wish 'em luck--Catching lighting in a bottle twice in Hollywood is a tricky thing...

IGN-Filmforce via Superhero Hype! (and 2 blogs) posted the Spidey stuff...

The new trailer for Spider-Man 3 hits theaters later this month attached to prints of the new James Bond flick, Casino Royale. But fans may not have to wait that long to check it out.

The Superhero Hype website has received reader emails indicating that the trailer will make its debut on TV [this] Thursday between 10-10:30PM during MTV's The Duel. A Sony spokesperson was not immediately available to conform or deny the reports...

In other news, the Film Ick blog is passing along a rumor they've heard about Bruce Campbell's cameo in the new movie... They've heard that Campbell will make a brief appearance as a villain in the film (that brings the total to 4!), the fish bowl-headed Mysterio.

Finally, a making-of Spidey 3 book will be published by Chronicle Books prior to the film's May 4th 2007 [release]. Grant Curtis, who is writing the book, revealed this recently on his official blog and says the book will be a comprehensive look behind the scenes

If the rumor is true about Bruce Campbell's cameo this time out--it makes me absolutely giddy about the way things are coming together. Up until now, his appearances in the Spidey saga have been played for yucks...Of course Campbell's so good--he could be playing a head of lettuce in the film, and I would feel the same way...

Variety has the terms of the Snipes settlement. Given the circumstances and the state of Snipes career--making this "go away" is the only thing he could to avoid jail. I wonder if a regular guy like me does the same thing...what the chances would be for me to stay out of jail?

That's the Stew for now...

Later this afternoon...

The Miami Dolphins take on my Chicago Bears in Miami...

When The Shark Sings...

Goldentusk is at again...Putting clever lyrics to yet another classic movie theme song. This time the crooner takes aim at 1975's Jaws--a film that put both composer John Williams and director Steven Spielberg onn the Hollywood map. The collaboration also marked the start of one of cinema's best known professional relationships the medium has ever seen.

Clearly, this YouTube Music Video is meant as a tribute to a movie that, some credit as the first "Summer Blockbuster"...while at the same time poking some serious fun at it.

Enjoy!

Jaws Theme Song

"Hype"-er Active

Two family friendly flicks are set to do battle for box office supremacy over the weekend. While The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (reviews) and Flushed Away (reviews) duke it out-- a dark horse called Borat (reviews) is getting all the attention.

Borat (Sacha Baron Cohen) Graces The 903rd Cover Of EW

Variety's Ian Mohr gives us the lowdown:

The weekend looks like a winner for Disney's "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause" as the Mouse House takes early first dibs in the holiday derby for family [audiences]

But the real B.O. intrigue lies with Fox's "Borat," the outrageous Sacha Baron Cohen comedy that Hollywood has termed everything from another "Snakes on a Plane" to a modern-day, left-field hit along the lines of "Blazing Saddles" or "There's Something About Mary."

After an initial raft of crackling Internet and Hollywood buzz for "Borat," pic's potential potency was so feared that distrib heads all over town said they weren't going anywhere near it with compettit[ion] that would angle for young males.

But when the film's initially low tracking numbers hit -- reflecting the fact that auds outside the MySpace sphere had little interest in the kamikaze Kazakh TV commentator -- the debate became hit vs. hype. As a result, Fox ratcheted down the number of play dates to just 837. With so few screens, "Borat" has no chance of wining the frame.

However, it now seems that media reports of the pic's possible overhyping has actually spiked awareness, as Cohen, in character all along, has also pumped the pic's promotion.

Animated "Flushed Away" will, meanwhile, try and siphon off some of the kiddie crowd from "Santa."

Emerging as a perennial brand, the Tim Allen "Santa Clause" franchise has so far unwrapped more than $284 million domestically -- and shouldn't have too much trouble adding up to $30 million to its stocking.

Pic will play 3,458 engagements in the frame's widest new release by far; "Flushed Away" hits 3,707.

Par is expecting an opening "Flushed" frame in line with that of the $16 million-plus bow for 2005's "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit," another animated project from Brit banner Aardman.

Also angling for teen[s] will be last weekend's big winner, "Saw III," which slashed its way to a bow of $33.6 million, distrib Lions Gate's biggest opening of all time.

But with Halloween over, auds' attention should be divided.

Continued...

Meantime, Joshua Rich, over at Entertainment Weekly agrees that Santa Clause 3" will sleigh "Flushed," "Borat" adding: Two kids' flicks will serve to make less benefit glorious nation of Kazakhstan

Cohen's indeed been all over the place pimping Borat...I may be in the minority here, but I really don't see why everyone is going ga ga over Cohen. Sure some of his bits are very funny indeed...But after awhile his routine stars to wear a little thin. That said, he must be doing something right... I just think the whole thing has been way over exposed. I shouldn't be surprised one bit--This is Hollywood after all. You gotta admit, comparing the Borat movie (on its opening day no less) to comedy classics like Blazing Saddles and There's Something About Mary seems a bit much, if you ask me.

Also:

Jeez! Just 3 days after Halloween and we get our first "holiday" flick...Already? Sheesh!

Cruise Control

Cruise And Wagner Are The New Faces Of United Artists

Just when I thought actor Tom Cruise was keeping himself out of the media spotlight-after being dumped by Paramount last summer--he makes an odd career move. One that, when it was announced late Thursday afternoon, had the industry buzzing--He and longtime business partner Paula Wagner are set to bring back movie studio United Artists from the brink of death

Nicole LaPorte of Variety explains how it all went down:

Nearly a century after United Artists was founded by Charlie Chaplin, D.W. Griffith, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks as a studio run by and for artists, it's in for an auspicious rebirth.

Tom Cruise and his producing partner Paula Wagner are reviving UA, with Wagner to serve as CEO and Cruise to star in and produce pics for the MGM-owned label.

Cruise's arrangement with UA is not exclusive -- he will still be able to star in films at other studios.

No UA titles have yet been determined, but MGM is expected to announce the company's first release within the next several weeks.

Deal is a coup for Cruise, who was recently lambasted by Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone for his "inappropriate behavior" and rich salary as he and Wagner were exiting their long-standing production deal at Paramount, as well as for MGM chairman-CEO Harry Sloan.

Since he took over the reins last year, Sloan has been aggressively reviving the Lion, which many had believed to be somnolent, or at least under the grips of 20% stakeholder Sony.

Cruise offers MGM -- which under Sloan has operated as a distributor and marketer of low- to mid-budget indie pics -- more content, as well as an A-list property with major box office appeal. Cruise also fits into MGM's plans to get into the tentpole biz; studio recently announced plans for "Terminator 4."

Though dubbed a disappointment, Cruise's last pic, "Mission: Impossible 3" grossed $395 million worldwide.

In turn, UA offers Cruise an opportunity to rebrand with an historical name that stands for artist-driven filmmaking. His alliance with UA also answers the question on many minds of late: Does Tom Cruise still have the appeal to land at a studio? The answer, evidently, is yes.

With Wagner overseeing day-to-day operations, UA will develop and produce pics in the $40 million-$50 million range -- though some will have higher budgets -- with the goal of releasing four films a year. The movies will be distribbed and marketed by MGM. In some cases, UA will partner with other studios, including MGM.

A limited portion of the slate will be films produced by Cruise and Wagner; the rest will be produced by outside producers. Funding is close to being finalized -- the source is a high-profile investment fund.

Wagner says that the pics will not be "genre specific" and that tentpoles will be included in the mix.

"The whole concept is to make movies, and we have a company that is artist-friendly," she said. "We're going to do a wide variety of films. We are producers, and we know how to make economically sound choices."

Wagner and Cruise's relationship with UA is separate from the $3 million financing deal they recently signed with Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder. That deal continues to exist under the Cruise/Wagner Prods. banner and is not exclusive to any studio. Pics produced by Cruise and Wagner at UA and other studios will go out under the C/W banner...

...(It is not coincidental that when Cruise and Wagner set up new offices after leaving Paramount in August, they were in the MGM tower in Century City.)

Cruise and Wagner are substantial minority owners in UA and will have ownership of all forthcoming UA pics.

"What we needed to do was create a communication and dialogue between the studio-financing side and the talent side of the business," Sloan said. "By creating UA run by artists, and by having artists and top talent owning a nice, big piece of the studio and being involved in the financing, they have the opportunity to benefit from the success of the studio."

In UA's early stages, MGM will fund the company's overhead, production and development costs, but it will ultimately set up an independent financing structure for the label from outside sources.

"As the other studios do, it's a matter of managing portfolios, and we will be going out to the markets in order to set up co-financing structures, whether hedge funds or equities," said MGM chief operating officer Rick Sands.

Sloan said that "ultimately, UA will be able to stand on its own and have its own financing, credit lines, production funds: That's the goal."...

...Of the UA deal, Redstone said through a spokesman, "I wish Tom and his associates the greatest good fortune in their new venture."

UA was founded in 1919 by Chaplin, Pickford, Douglas and Griffith as the first independent studio run by artists. Later, UA flourished as a haven for filmmakers such as Woody Allen, Robert Altman and Milos Forman in the 1970s. In more recent decades, the company lost some of its luster, and when MGM was sold to a consortium of investors, including Sony and Comcast, in 2004, the label went quiet.

Cruise and Wagner's task will be to breathe life back into the label, just as the new MGM is getting the Lion to roar again.

In a statement Cruise said: "Paula and I are very respectful of the rich history and tradition of United Artists, and we welcome the opportunity to contribute to that legacy by providing a wide range of releases that appeal to all audiences. It's our desire to create an environment where filmmakers can thrive and see their visions realized."


The full story can be found right here...

The reason I call the move by Cruise/Wagner "odd" has more to do with the fact the pair already inked that deal with Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder than anything else....Running a studio on top of that seems like a lot...Since Wagner gets to steer the ship while Tom is out having fun on deck and he can also work for any studio that wants him--I wonder how involved he will really be with the business side of things...I think the real winner here is studio partner MGM which can now kick its own comeback plans into even higher gear with a marquee team on its side.

As for Cruise's next acting gig, Roger Friedman of Fox News says it's very Jerry Maguire-esque. Considering most of his female fans abandoned him over the last year or so--that's a wise move--making a romantic dramedy. As it is in politics, you gotta appeal to your base at some point in the campaign, the same holds true for "disgraced" mega-stars as well.

The Need For Speed

The long gestating film adaptation of the classic animated series Speed Racer-- is now officially a reality...The men behind The Matrix Trilogy have inked a deal to bring the Mach 5 to the big screen.

Michael Fleming and Pamela McClintock of Variety have the details:

Go Speed Racer Go!

In their first directing effort since "The Matrix" trilogy, Larry and Andy Wachowski will helm "Speed Racer" for Warner Bros.

The brothers, who are penning the script, reteam with producer Joel Silver, their accomplice in "The Matrix" films.

Production will begin in Europe next summer, and WB will release the pic in summer 2008. Warner will co-finance with Village Roadshow Pictures.

Japanese cartoon series "Speed Racer," created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, focused on Speed, his tricked-out Mach 5 race car and the adventures he got into with his family. He was often bailed out of danger by Racer X, a rival with a mysterious connection to Speed.

Silver most recently collaborated with the Wachowskis when they produced the James McTeigue-directed "V for Vendetta." Silver spent several months tying down the details with the siblings. After working in the pits with a number of filmmakers for over a decade, Silver was understandably revved up over finally locking in directors and a start date.

"I've struggled with this movie for a long time, but when Larry and Andy came across with their ideas and vision, it was so fresh and original that you wonder why nobody else thought of it," Silver said.

Silver said they're doing the movie out of a desire to reach out to a broader audience than they did with the R-rated "Matrix" series.

While the Wachowskis are still writing the screenplay, they've begun reassembling the "Matrix" team. Grant Hill will be exec producer and John Gaeta will be visual-effects supervisor, having won an Oscar for his "Matrix" work.

The logistics of the film haven't yet been worked out, but it is likely that shooting will be done in European locations.

"We shot 'V for Vendetta' in Germany and had a great experience," Silver said.

"We'll probably go in Europe, but these guys are so talented in visual effects, we don't know how much of this will be done in cars on a track. I am confident they will deal with car racing in a way you haven't seen before."

I loved watching the cartoon as a kid--So I'm kinda jazzed about the project... Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski know how to make good looking films. Even though the last 2 Matrix flicks were disappointing in terms of story--I'm hoping that they can pull off a winner here. At one time. Matrix star Keanu Reeves was rumored to be in the running for the role of Speed--I wonder if he'll reteam with the Matrix crew for the project?

Common Bonds

With 2 and a half weeks to go before the release of the latest James Bond film--Casino Royale, the last guy who had the coveted role Pierce Brosnan talked exclusively to Dark Horizons about Bond and life after playing the superspy:

Paul Fischer writes:

... former Bond star 007, Pierce Brosnan is reflective of his post-007 career. In Toronto for the world premiere of his latest film, Seraphim Falls, a tired looking Brosnan admits to being disappointed that he didn't get one last chance to don the famous tux in this adaptation of Ian Fleming's novel.

"I always wanted to go back, because it's the blueprint of Bond's character," Brosnan says of the first Fleming novel that is the basis for the upcoming film. "It's the one where Fleming really painted in the details of what Bond was about, so I was disappointed that it didn't happen but, you can't go around with that in your heart. It's all such a game really, and you win some, you lose some, you're there, you're not there."

The affable Irishman admits, now that he has had time to reflect on the character that would change his life, that "getting the part of Bond and playing the part of Bond was a blessing and a curse, which I think Connery has spoken about, and I'm sure Daniel is just getting the full taste of right now. So, you know, one can really only look at the blessings in life."

Those blessings include taking a chance and playing an assortment of characters in both independent and mainstream films, from the assassin in The Matador, through an-ex Civil War soldier in the gritty new western Seraphim Falls, in which he stars opposite Liam Neeson.

Continued...

I was also disappointed that Brosnan would not be back...at first. But then, I began to think of the casting change as a positive thing. After 20 films and nearly 45 years on the big screen a back to basics approach was necessary. And doing such a thing would be impossible if the established guy was still in the front seat of the Aston Martin.

Fingers Firmly Crossed.

Is it just me, or has Brosnan gotten more work post-Bond, then he got in between 007 adventures?

Halloween Quick Hits

In an effort to get into the Halloween sprit, I decided to rent a handful of "scary" movies, over the last week or so...Rather than go into any long diatribe about them--Here now are a few quickies, designed to get right to the point:

The 2006 version of The Omen is as I thought it would be--An almost beat for beat copy of the 1976 original. It's a film that desperately wants to work, and maybe it would have, if not for poor casting of the two leads...Ugh!

On the other hand, the updated (unrated) version of The Hills Have Eyes takes nothing away from the 1977 original, while somehow making it seem fresh. The gore factor is ramped way up for this one--It's not for the squeamish. Kudos to Aaron Stanford for giving an excellent performance as someone who's scared silly--yet still manages to do what needs to be done...

Dracula 2000 puts a few new wrinkles in the classic legend ala Scream with mixed results Worth the rent though...

Meantime, the folks at Rotten Tomatoes have compiled a four-part list of the top 20 best reviewed horror/suspense flicks....

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

The list is worth a look for some great films that will scare you silly as you celebrate Halloween! Save some peanut M&Ms for me to munch on...

Delay Of Game

Remember all of that optimism I had last week about the Halo movie being picked up by another movie studio--after Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox backed out last week? You can forget it--it's gone (for now anyway)


Apparently the other studios are a little gun shy about taking on the project right now...The movie is officially delayed indefinitely--But not dead.

Through a press release, New Zealand based Wingnut Films Ltd said:

As was previously confirmed, we deeply regret that both Universal and Fox did not choose to move forward with financing the Halo film under the original terms of the agreement.

At this time Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, along with their partner, Microsoft, have mutually agreed to postpone making a feature film based on the Halo video game universe until we can fulfill the promise we made to millions of Halo fans throughout the world that we would settle for no less than bringing a first class film to the big screen.

We are fully supportive of Director Neill Blomkamp's vision of the film. Neill is a tremendously gifted filmmaker and his preliminary work on Halo is truly awe-inspiring. While it will undoubtedly take a little longer for Halo to reach the big screen, we are confident that the final feature film will be well worth the wait.

I hope so too! Despite the delay, Neill Blomkamp gets a vote of confidence from Wingnut, which is fine... I really thought some other studio would snatch this right up--sooner rather than later...Now it's a game of Wait And See...

A Cut Above...And Then Some

Saw III sliced and diced the competition over the weekend, to become the top movie in America...In fact, the numbers so impressed the suits, the word is already here that a fourth film is already being talked up for the franchise

In his Weekend Report for Box Office Mojo Brandon Gray writes:

'Saw III' pulled in an estimated $34.3 million to set a new Halloween record...

Continued...

Jigsaw solves the cinema puzzle--Saw III comes up #1

Ian Mohr of Variety:

Halloween was lucky again this year for Lions Gate, which grossed $34.3 million for the third installment of its slasher series "Saw" -- the biggest bow in the company's history.

Frame's only other new wide release, Focus Features' political drama "Catch a Fire," flamed out, taking in just over $2 million from 1,305 locations and missing out on the top 10.

On the kudos front lines, Clint Eastwood's war epic "Flags of Our Fathers" expanded its campaign to an additional 314 locations but came up behind Martin Scorsese's "The Departed" -- which dropped just 27% in its fourth frame to land at No. 2 -- and Christopher Nolan's "The Prestige" at No. 3.

Paramount's "Flags" took in another $6.3 million on 2,190 battlefields, lifting cume to just under $20 million.

Pic -- which dropped 38%, with the added screens -- is playing on par with Eastwood's "Mystic River" and "Million Dollar Baby," which both gathered steam as they rolled into awards season.

Continued...

Finally, in his wrap-up, Joshua Rich from Entertainment Weekly says of the numbers of Saw III: The best in its franchise so far, the horror flick brings in $34.3 million.

It's nice to see the Saw saga hasn't lost any of its ability to put people in the seats--three films along--for 3 years straight. Pretty impressive if you ask me.

Meanwhile, Death Of A President only made about $1835, per its 94 screens...

The Festival Of Samhain

As I have said many times before--John Carpenter's horror classic Halloween is a nearly perfect piece of film making. Even now after almost 30 years since its original theatrical run the film holds up remarkably well. Spawning 7 sequels (with a ninth film in the pipeline) the saga of psycho slasher Michael Myers shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

To celebrate the enduring legacy of the film series, Anchor Bay Entertainment released Halloween: 25 Years of Terror, a direct to DVD documentary a few months ago:

Written and directed by Stefan Hutchinson the double disc set includes the feature length documentary--narrated by P.J. Soles (who played Lynda "See anything you like" in the first movie)--taking viewers through the entire series...Using "new" and archival interviews, the producers leave no stone unturned--discussing with great candor, both the high and low points of the series history...When it came to these films, I thought I knew most everything that a person could know. As it turns out, there was still plenty of stuff, for even this die hard fan to learn.

Disc 2 contains extended interview outtakes with cast and crew, a plethora of material from the 25th anniversary convention of 2003, and special panels for most of the films as well.

For fans of the Halloween series and horror flicks in general--the set is a great way to relive every moment of Michael's cinematic killing spree.

...The Chicago Bears return to the football field this afternoon, taking on the San Francisco 49ers. Do the Bears have a few tricks up their sleeves in order to get a treat in the form of another win?

You Don't Say

On today's menu of Cinema Stew:

A fond farewell to an unsung hero of film; A controversy surrounding Blood Diamond; News of 2 more trailers for Spider-Man 3; The Superman Returns sequel is confirmed again...and you'll also get to see an awards show calendar for dessert

Quint of Aint It Cool News starts us off with some sad news:

I may never have known the name Tommy Johnson, but I have heard him at least 400-500 times in my life... if not more when you factor in the spoof-usage of his work. He was the tuba player in John Williams' orchestra when recording the soundtrack for my favorite movie of all time, JAWS. That famous duh-duh duh-duh shark theme started as breath in his lungs.

Mr. Johnson died in Los Angeles at the age of 71 from cancer and kidney failure. Like most of these thankless talents in the business, when you do a little digging you find that they wove in and out of some amazing projects, lending their talent as invisible contributors to some of the greatest works of all time.

Mr. Johnson not only played music for JAWS, he also recorded for Coppola's THE GODFATHER, the STAR TREK films and Cameron's TITANIC. He performed regularly with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and even the Academy Awards Orchestra.

I couldn't have paid tribute to Mr. Johnson any better.... except by adding: Thanks for all of your fine work over the years.

From Studio Briefing:

Did 'Blood Diamond' Producers Back Out of Deal With Amputees?

The producers of the upcoming Blood Diamond have denied reports that they had reneged on an agreement to provide prosthetic limbs to amputees used as extras in the film.

The New York Post quoted one amputee, Nkululo Mnisi, as saying that Warner Bros. had promised to buy him and 27 other extras the prosthetic devices.

But producer Ed Zwick, in an interview with L.A. Weekly columnist Nikki Finke, said that such reports are "the work of someone who clearly bears the film ill will." Zwick claimed that those involved in making the movie set up a fund to aid the villagers who appeared in it. He said that the fund is being used for everything from classroom repair to road repair to prosthetics.

Zwick added, "People are still continuing contributing to the fund months since production ended. They were really trying to affect positive change. The fund has gotten to a number of things on the list, but there's more to go. And in the list of things to do, prosthetics are part of that list

Sony Pictures confirmed that the second trailer for "Spider-Man 3" will be attached to Casino Royale on November 17th, and the third trailer will debut on February 16th with Ghost Rider .

The studio wanted to ensure people would go see Nicolas Cage in "Rider"---that's probably why Spidey's tagging along.

IESB/The Movie Reporter tells us that director Bryan Singer has finalized a deal to helm the Supes sequel with a smaller budget at his disposal, this time 'round

Here's The Report.... This story was all over the place a few days ago...I let you decide if you think it's news-worthy--considering what we've known for months...

And finally Variety has published an award season calendar

Buzz Saw

Just in time for Halloween , the third installment of the Saw horror franchise, aptly titled Saw III, leads the pack of new releases. The reviews for the scare-fest are very positive (as I write this anyway)...As a fan of the first and second films, I look forward to seeing what "Jigsaw" is up to this time...

Tobin Bell Is Back For Saw III And He Is Ready To Cut You Up...

The other big release for the week is the Tim Robbins apartheid drama, Catch A Fire (reviews), surely hoping for a few votes at Oscar time...

Just in time for the 2006 mid-term election...The controversial film Death Of A President (reviews) opens in just 91 theaters today...

Getting even less play is the Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett flick Babel (reviews). Look for the film to go wide on November 10th 2006 when it will really make noise

Given the fresh competition out there, Saw III should come out on top for the weekend, when all is said and done.

Ian Mohr of Variety:

The third installment of the "Saw" horror franchise -- Lions Gate's left-field slasher series that has managed to gross out aud[ience]s to the tune of more than $142 million to date -- should easily top the B.O. charts in time for Halloween. Pic could take a stab at $30 million.

Away from any bloody good fun, a glut of highfalutin holdovers and new arrivals will battle it out for the remaining spots -- and awards momentum -- as the fall scene kicks into high gear.

Universal specialty arm Focus Features will roll out its politically themed "Catch a Fire" on 1,305 screens, trying to catch the spirit of last year's breakout "The Constant Gardener." But in the way are holdovers "Flags of Our Fathers," "The Departed" and "The Prestige." ....

Story Continued...

Joshua Rich of Entertainment Weekly says: "Saw III" will rip through the competition--This weekend's goriest release will extract big bucks from movie fans leading up to Halloween...

Sharper Blade

Grant Lauchlan of the stvsales.tv website got the chance to talk with director Ridley Scott about his extended cut of Kingdom of Heaven...I thought the theatrical version of "Heaven" was mediocre at best, while the longer version is better realized

Of even more interest to me though, was the fact that in this forum, Scott also discusses how the Hollywood studio system works, test audiences, and reveals what plans he has in store to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his seminal sci-fi classic Blade Runner. Was Deckard a Replicant or not? Hear it straight from the horse's mouth.

See the Ridley Scott interview now!!

The long-awaited four-disc anniversary edition is due for release September 2007 and will include his new extended release cut of the film. The interview has updated info on the set, not originally announced...

Blade Runner a great film about to get even greater.

Happy 1st Birthday!

It's hard to believe that a year has already gone by since I started The Last Reel blog!! Can you stand the excitement! Time flies when you are having fun!

I would like to take this occasion to thank all of my readers for their continued support over the last 365 days. It's much appreciated! I hope you have enjoyed my coverage and unique take on the film industry... A shout out must also be given to all of my media sources. To those websites and publications...Thank You.

This has certainly been quite a year:

From Paramount Pictures buying DreamWorks Pictures SKG, to the celebrity meltdowns of Tom Cruise (What’s his next movie, anyway? ) and Mel Gibson (His new film poses marketing challenge--Well Duhhh!) , to the film fests and big awards shows (Crash wins Best Picture at the Oscars...), the talented folks that have left us...Summer '06: Pirates of the Caribbean-Dead Man's Chest, X-Men The Last Stand, and of course, Superman Returns (BTW-The film hit the coveted $200 million mark in the U.S. a few days ago), premieres, casting news, all the problems that Casino Royale had out of the gate...Trailers...it's all been discussed here...

I hope I can get even better at this as the next year begins...

Thanks Again!
Tom

P.S. I haven't forgotten that I promised a post on the 40th anniversary of Star Trek...It's coming... really.

Flame On!

MTV personality, popular men's magazine cover girl and Entertainment Tonight host/correspondent Vanessa Minnillo has reportedly signed to star in 20th Century Fox's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Minnillo Has Landed Her First Film.

Variety is reporting that Minnillo will play the love interest of Chris Evans' character, the Human Torch. The role would mark the first "real" acting gig for Minnillo who up until now, has only appeared in bit parts on a few TV shows

Two Snaps Up--Evans Will Be Getting Hot For Minnillo In FF 2

IGN-Filmforce says that The Torch may indeed be busy with two ladies in the new movie

It's unclear whether or not the role filled by Minnillo is the same one that model-turned-actress Beau Garrett (Turistas) was linked to earlier this month. Garrett had been set to play Frankie Raye, a scientist (fans will know that she later becomes Nova) and love interest of Chris Evans' character. Maybe the Human Torch has more than one love interest? Go ahead, player! Otherwise, one of these actresses has got to go.

No matter which beauty plays a role in the film...The cast and crew are very lucky to have either lady (or both) on set. Acting skills? That's another matter all its own. Filming on Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer is underway in Vancouver Canada. The movie is scheduled to hit theaters on June 15, 2007.

Back And Forth

Trying to figure out just what the heck is going on with the Halo movie is like trying to find the meaning of life.

On Saturday I told you that film hit a major roadblock, after both Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox backed out of a deal to co-finance the flick. Until last week, Halo The Movie was to be directed by first-time helmer Neill Blomkamp.

Stax of IGN-Filmforce reports that folks behind the popular game offer their 2 cents about what happened:

...Industry reports claimed that the studios wanted a better deal for themselves and were concerned about the huge budget. Now the companies behind the video game sensation — Bungie and Microsoft — have chimed in on the film's collapse and offered hope for its future.

"We are disappointed that Universal and Fox wanted to significantly renegotiate the financial points of the deal," Microsoft said in a press release. "But the Halo franchise is hugely popular and our goal remains the same — to find a partner that shares our passion and will creatively collaborate with us to best represent the story and spirit of the Halo franchise."

The statement continued, "[exec producers] Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and the rest of the creative team are dedicated to ensuring the Halo movie becomes a reality. We are already in discussions with potential partners who recognize the value of the Halo brand and its appeal to consumers worldwide."

Bungie's Frank O'Conner said in a posting at Bungie.net, "The reality here at Bungie towers is a feeling of optimism, satisfaction and happiness for reasons we can't go into. Frankly we're interested in making the best movie, and it's possible that a partner who's more concerned with numbers, might not be the best partner for what's more vitally a creative process. Suffice it to say that Peter, Neill, Fran and Microsoft are as excited and dedicated as ever and WETA continues the pre-production process. Actually, when you do finally get to see the stuff WETA has already made, you will probably pee a little".

Bring on the Depends undergarments! Seriously, I think some studio will pick this up at some point...The genie is already out of the bottle for this thing not to happen. Momentum is there and so is the audience...

When it comes to Indiana Jones 4, there's been so much on/not on of late--I'm feeling a bit whipped by it all.

[Series star] Harrison Ford, speaking to the press at the Rome Film Festival - last week, said that he feels "fit to continue" to play Indiana Jones, despite growing older, the Associated Press reported. Ford, 64, said that he was delighted to team up again with director Steven Spielberg and producer George Lucas for the film.

"We did three films that stay within the same block of time," Ford told reporters. "We need to move on for artistic reasons and obvious physical reasons. I feel fit to continue and bring the same physical action."

Indiana Jones IV has been in development for more than a decade. Lucas has said he and Spielberg are working on a script, though no details have been disclosed.

Ford added that Sean Connery, who played Indy's father, Henry Jones, in 1989's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, might also appear in the planned fourth feature. "He's part of the emotional fabric of these films," Ford said. "I think there may be an opportunity, I believe that Sean is still willing, and I'd be delighted if he joined us." For his part, Connery has said previously that he's received no offer about the movie.

Ford says he is looking forward to Indy IV and hopes Sir Sean Connery will tag along again

Earlier this month Lucas did not sound as optimistic that Indy 4 would happen at all...Back in August, Ford himself seemed less than enthusiastic...

Come on guys, it's time to either ante up or fold and move on...I wish someone would just decide Indy's fate one way or the other.

RIP Jane Wyatt (1910-2006)

Actress (and New Jersey native) Jane Wyatt passed away in her sleep today...She was 96 years old.

Ms Wyatt began her long acting career, appearing in such films like 1934 version of Great Expectations, playing Sondra in Lost Horizon, and in the classic Elia Kazan drama Gentleman's Agreement from 1947.

Wyatt had the most success on television, playing memorable Mom Margaret Anderson on Father Knows Best (1954-1960). She also made guest appearances on countless other TV series. The one that will always be with me though is her role as Amanda (Spock's Mother) on the original Star Trek series 2nd season episode Journey to Babel. She would return to Trek for a welcomed cameo in the feature film Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home in 1986. Quite a "Lady Jane"--She will never be forgotten but surely missed

Be sure and read The Los Angeles Times obituary for this great lady here

Nothing Up Its Sleeve

Christopher Nolan's mystery/thriller The Prestige was a tough (magic) act to follow--taking the top spot as the #1 movie in the country. While its most direct competition, Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers, had to settle for third place...The makers of this WWII drama also find themselves responding to a "color blind" controversy for the movie...

Poof!-- Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman help make The Prestige

The #1 Movie In The U.S.

Leading off the analysis of the weekend numbers is Brandon Gray of Box Office Mojo:

'The Prestige' summoned an estimated $14.8 million to top the weekend, while 'Flags of Our Fathers' floundered [with just $10.2 million in tickets sold] and ' Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" [in 12th place with $3,.2 million] scared up strong business in 3-D...

Here's Gray's full report...

Over at Variety, Ian Mohr had this headline:

'Prestige' makes magic at B.O.

Fall is upon us: Three serious-minded pics with awards aspirations were tops at the B.O. over the weekend.

...Disney's "Prestige" conjured $14.8 million from 2,281 playdates for a per-engagement average of $6,496.

Mouse House distribution exec Chuck Viane said that older auds made up roughly a third of "The Prestige" turnout, adding that the pic benefited from positive reviews, as well as a following for "Batman Begins" helmer Nolan.

"Departed," from Warner Bros., meanwhile, slid just 28% in its third frame. Star-studded cop drama added $13.6 million over the weekend to hit $77.1 million, and is now on track to become Scorsese's highest-grossing film ever. Pic is playing in just over 3,000 precincts.

Paramount is taking a slow-and-steady approach with "Flags," which the studio unfurled at 1,876 in an attempt to mirror the perfs of previous Eastwood pics, "Mystic River" and "Million Dollar Baby." WWII epic planted $10.2 million for a healthy per engagement average of $ $5,437.

Perf of "Flags" -- co-produced by Par and DreamWorks -- was on par with that of Eastwood's 2003 effort "Mystic River," which opened on 1,470 to take in $10.4 million on its way to $90 million-plus.

"Million Dollar Baby" bowed in 2004 at 2,000, nailing a $12.3 million first frame before wrapping up $100.5 million and a best pic Oscar.

According to exit polls, 80% of "Flags" auds were over 30 -- a demo that doesn't typically run to the movies in their opening frames -- and 55% were men.

Par, meanwhile, is undecided how much it will expand "Flags" next frame: [President] of worldwide marketing Rob Moore said the studio would be pow-wowing with Eastwood -- who has been hands-on in all "Flags" decisions -- on Monday morning to mull any immediate expansion.

"Clint Eastwood tends to have an older audience," Moore said. "And this will play like 'Mystic River' and be driven by critical acclaim." He added that "Departed," which is benefiting from solid word of mouth, may have stolen some of the Eastwood pic's potential auds over the frame.

"There's no question that 'Departed' appeals to a significant core of our audience," he said. "With its subject matter, it did start out younger. But there's plenty of capacity in the marketplace now to support both."....

I think it's interesting that Gray calls "Flags" performance "floundering", while Mohr says that it was a "solid" showing--looking at the same data.

Finally, Joshua Rich of Entertainment Weekly called the entire weekend "sluggish" for his weekend wrap-up: New releases get off to a shaky start, while "The Departed" holds strong...

The Shape Stalks...

My favorite horror movie is coming back to theaters for a limited two day event..

Made on a shoe-string budget in 1978 John Carpenter's Halloween still packs quite a wallop--even after all of these years...The opportunity to see it on the big screen is a pretty cool way to celebrate all hallows eve 2006...

HalloweenMovies.com has all of the proper theater and ticket information you'll need...

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears have the week off. I'll have to settle for replaying the"They should have lost that game", from last Monday night in my head to hold me over till the team plays again