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Exclusive! 6 questions with Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie in ‘Salt’

2010/07/15 at 12:00am

Exclusive! 6 questions with Angelina Jolie

07.15.2010 | By Karen Posada |

ShowBizCafe.com obtained a very exclusive interview with the multiple award winner and humanitarian actress, Angelina Jolie about her upcoming action film Salt opening July 23rd nationwide. She cleared up some rumors and spoke of her motivation as well as her ideas of new projects.

ShowBizCafe: At this point in your career what validates your work? Is it what critics say? Or?…

Angelina Jolie: I never read what critics say, I think it’s healthy. (laughs) I like the process of making a film, when we’ve worked really hard in making a good film I feel satisfied. I like the team of other actors, and the crew, the director; I just love the family and if we feel we’ve done our best I feel happy. The best obviously is when an audience responds and enjoys the film and people tell you they’ve had a good time, or they’ve learned something, it’s the greatest.

SBC: Do you think the length of 90 minutes works and helps this film?

AJ: I don’t have the longest attention span, so I think it depends on the film. This one is kind of relentless from start to finish, that’s what we tried to do. I don’t think you can handle that for too long.

SBC: Since you did your own stunts, what were your days like? Were you exhausted?

AJ: It seems like so much but it was spread out and I was exhausted. But the kids would come and we would have lunch and I was home by the time the sun went down. There are much harder jobs (laughs).

SBC: Vanity Fair reported you saying that you’d give up acting at some point, is that true?

AJ: Not that I’d give up acting, I think I would just do less at some point. I have a few more stories that I’d like to tell but I can imagine that I’ll just do less and less as my kids grow up. I’d like to do other things before my life is over.

SBC: Cinematically what things do you feel you haven’t done?

AJ: Well there’s been talk about Cleopatra, I haven’t done a historical epic of that nature and she’s always been fascinating to me. I feel that as much as her story [has been done so many times] it’s never been done accurately. Not that any movie can get history perfectly right. There’s no universal truth to history in film but you can get closer and I feel that there’s a lot that hasn’t been explored about her. Theres a lot that would have to come together for that to work.

SBC: Finally, what was your reaction when you first heard about the alleged Russian spies that were recently arrested?

AJ: It was the day before we started press so at first I didn’t believe it. It was bizarre. It was two-fold. The part of me that’s interested in politics felt ‘ I hope this doesn’t affect our relationship with Russia and our relationship with moving forward and [with] Afghanistan and Iran. And all these things and I don’t know what this means.’ The other part of me, that does films thought ‘ what extraordinary timing’ and this is because all through the making of this film we would question: Is this possible? are we bringing back Cold-War propaganda that’s unnecessary? and [is this]something we should leave alone? With no intention on doing anything like that. It just felt true to the story and when I [Evelyn Salt] would have been young that would have been the war so it would make sense to do that sleeper. It was just bizarre when we read it and we have been following it, it’s extraordinary how it’s unfolding

‘Sex and the City 3’: A Trilogy or a Tragedy?

By Jack Rico

2010/06/06 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Sex and the City 3’: A Trilogy or a Tragedy?

06.6.2010 | By Jack Rico |

‘Sex and the City’ has been nothing short of a phenomenon. From the onset, the series, the girls and the city they lived in was an immediate hit, drawing millions of viewers to HBO, later TBS and now the Box Office. The draw is one that is still strong today 12 years later. Proof of this can be seen on Perry Street in the West Village, where one is almost guaranteed to see fans, mostly young and middle aged women, posing in front of a chained-off townhouse with a sign reading “NO TRESPASSING”.

After some deconstruction of the phenomenon, I believe it really boils down to 3 things: fabulousity, nostalgia and hope.

You can say whatever you want about the recent movie ‘Sex and the City 2’ … but one thing is for sure is that the power of the brand remains strong.

So strong that I agree with Sarah Jessica that they should complete the trilogy with a third and final run.

My advice to her though is to remember the three things that made you.
1- Fabulousity. We want fabulousity but we want it to feel real. Abu Dhabi was fun, but in hindsight the Hamptons may have been more authentic.
2- Nostalgia. Tap into this powerful emotion, but do it remembering to be relevant today. Why did we relate? who did we relate to? But keep it real. Don’t go over the top with the characters and don’t forget the times.
3- Hope. Here you have been nailing it. At the end of the day, whatever twists and turns life puts in front of Carrie and her posse… they survive and thrive, holding their cosmos in bejeweled hands.

So here is to the final ‘Sex and the City 3.’ One with “NO TRESPASSING”.

By Karen Posada

2010/01/28 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Edge of Darkness’ movie review

01.28.2010 | By Karen Posada |

‘Edge of Darkness‘ was directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale) who also directed the English mini-series from the 80’s with the same title on which the movie is based on. Not being familiar with the mini-series I thought the previews had given too much away and I could guess the outcome of it. I was wrong. There are many surprising moments and twists that have you guessing and wanting to know more. The story unfolds nicely and though at times it is hard to understand Gibson’s mumbles as well Winstone’s english accent, I enjoyed the thrilling ride.

This is the story of a Boston police investigator in the quest to find out who brutally shot his daughter and the reason why. Thomas Craven (Mel Gibson) is a widowed parent who has a estranged relationship with his only daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic), he seems to love her deeply but know very little about her life. Once she’ shot he’s got nothing to loose and decides to put justice in his own hands. On his road to finding his daughter’s killer he opens up a can of worms and finds himself in the middle of a big corporation/governmental plot. In this quest he ends up getting to know his daughter more than he did when she was alive and finds that her principals were just what he taught her. A professional killer (Ray Winstone) sent to kill Craven proves to be his only ‘friend’ through his dilemma, a character that complements him well. Craven states the premise of the movie perfectly ” you had better decide whether you are hanging on the cross or banging in the nails”, this is exactly what the film makes us think of as we are introduced to new settings and characters.

The one thing that bothered me about the film were the moments where Craven hallucinates hearing and seeing his daughter as a child and an adult, there was no need to play the crazy card; his irreparable pain was enough and his misplaced anger worked to show it. Craven acting as a superhero for the later part of the film would have bother me except that knowing he’s a father that finds himself on ‘the edge of darkness’ and his only purpose is to revenge his daughter’s death lets me accept his ‘superpowers’.

Gibson’s words from our interview resonated as the movie continued, I got the connection he made to Jacobean tragedies and this film and you will too. It is a film that does make you think about how much power the government and how little we may be able to do about it. For those that know the series they might not find it as appealing as they already expect the shocking moments but it may appeal to them to see it under a new light. At some points the thought provoking plot does get in the way of the action but the moments of surprise make it worth it.

‘Where’s Waldo?’ to be found on the big screen

By Mack Chico

2009/06/02 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Where’s Waldo?’ to be found on the big screen

06.2.2009 | By Mack Chico |

Several studios were in on the search, but Universal and Illumination Entertainment were the ones who found “Where’s Waldo?”

U and Chris Meledandri‘s family film unit have acquired screen rights to turn the “Where’s Waldo?” book series into a live-action family pic. Deal was worth high-six against seven figures. Meledandri will produce.

Among other bidders, Warner Bros. chased the property for Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne’s Unique Features banner. The rights were brokered by Classic Media’s Eric Ellenbogen, who’ll be executive producer.

Written and illustrated by Martin Handford, the “Waldo” books have sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. The books contain complex, full-page illustrations of large crowd scenes in which the main character is somewhere hidden, dressed in a red-and-white shirt, a hat, glasses and a walking stick.

U and Illumination will seek to create a movie with strong global appeal.

Series launched in 1987 in the U.K., spawning a TV skein, comicstrip and videogames.

Handford’s business partner Mike Gornall will also be involved in the film in some capacity.

Deal comes as Illumination readies its first picture, “Despicable Me,” for a July 9, 2010, release via Universal. Voice cast includes Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Danny McBride, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig and Julie Andrews.

Next up for Illumination is “Flanimals,” an animated film based on the children’s book series created by Ricky Gervais, who’ll voice the lead character in the film scripted by Matt Selman (“The Simpsons”).

By Mack Chico

2009/04/09 at 12:00am

Movies

Al Pacino to play Napoleon

04.9.2009 | By Mack Chico |

Al Pacino, who has long been interested in tackling the character of Napoleon, is on tap to play the French emperor in a screen adaptation of Staton Rabin’s children’s book “Betsy and the Emperor.”

GC Corp., the venture capital fund headed by Adi Cohen and Joseph Grinkorn, has picked up rights to the project that had been held by the Bob Yari Co. GC, which will secure financing, has assigned “Betsy” to Killer Films, with plans to begin filming in late autumn.

John Curran (“The Painted Veil”) is attached to direct from a screenplay by Brian Edgar.

Producing are Killer Films’ Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler as well as Zvi Howard Rosenman, Colleen Camp and Fonda Snyder. Cohen and John Wells will serve as exec produce.

Killer, Curran and Pacino are repped by CAA. Rosenman, Snyder and Rabin are repped by Lynn Pleshette for this project, and Camp is repped by Gersh.

Surprise! ‘Watchmen’ is #1 at the box office

By Mack Chico

2009/03/09 at 12:00am

Movies

Surprise! ‘Watchmen’ is #1 at the box office

03.9.2009 | By Mack Chico |

“Watchmen,” the superhero epic from Warner Bros. and its partners, led the movie box-office through another strong weekend but stopped short of peaks hit by some of its predecessors.

The film, directed by Zack Snyder and based on a graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, had an estimated $55.7 million in ticket sales, easily outpacing the weekend’s second-place film, “Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail,” from Lionsgate, which took in about $8.8 million at the domestic box-office for a total of $76.5 million to date.

“Watchmen” was handicapped by its unusually long running time of nearly 2 hours 45 minutes. Longer films get fewer showings in each theater through the course of a day.

The movie was also stung by the ambivalence of critics and fans, many of whom came to it with expectations based on a familiarity with, and often deep reverence for, the complex illustrated story of damaged crime fighters being hunted by a killer.

“Everyone around me liked it a lot more than I did,” said James Thompson, who teaches a course in genre film, television and comics.

Oddly, though, his doubts may bode well for Warner. Thompson said that he and others he knows expected to see the film again this week, to reassess an opinion that he said may have been colored by his own history with the illustrated series. Repeat customers are definitely gravy.

Also in the top five at the weekend box office were “Taken” at No. 3 with $7.5 million, “Slumdog Millionaire” at No. 4 with $6.9 million and “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” at No. 5 with $4.1 million.

Exclusive! ‘Cantinflas’ producer Jay Weisleder talks cast, premise and a 2010 release

By Jack Rico

2009/01/19 at 12:00am

Movies

Exclusive! ‘Cantinflas’ producer Jay Weisleder talks cast, premise and a 2010 release

01.19.2009 | By Jack Rico |

Exclusive! 'Cantinflasâ€™ producer Jay Weisleder talks cast, premise and a 2010 release

Just last week, Variety announced that NBC Chairman and President Ben Silverman was going to executive produce the biopic of ‘Cantinflas,’ the most famous comedian in Mexico’s history. Since not much was said, we had to get in contact with Jay Weisleder, a 34 year old Costa Rican Jewish producer and brainchild behind bringing the comedian’s life to the big screen, to expand on the details of the project.

We called him on his cell phone while he was in Los Angeles and here’s what we were able to obtain and print on record:

– The lead for the film is unknown and they will not be looking for potential lead actors until Alejandro Monteverde, the co-writer and director, finishes developing the script. Four years ago they had in mind Diego Luna, Wilmer Valderrama, John Leguizamo and Gael Garcia Bernal to play the role. When we probed Weisleder about Leguizamo, he said he saw ‘Paraiso Travel’ and enjoyed his performance in it and that he would love to sit with him and other potential candidates in the near future. His criteria, though not strict, has him nailing down a Mexican actor which is why we think he is leaning towards Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna. Since Gael is the stronger actor of the two, we’ll assume he’s their #1 desired candidate. On the female front, Natalie Portman, Rachel McAdams, Scarlett Johansson are being thought of as possible co-stars.

– The synopsis has been a kept secret from the press due to the delicate, sensitive nature of the script. We were conveyed the whole plot line, but were asked, off the record, to not print any verbiage of it. What we can tell you is that most of the story will be focused around two characters and a possible third one, a female. It will also explore self discovery, responsibility, a coming of age theme and an intense family transgression. As soon as we get the ok, we will posting up more info about the film in the upcoming weeks.

– The movie will be spoken in Spanish with some scenes in English and they’ll be shooting for a 2010 Mexican/US production release under, perhaps, a Universal Pictures distribution.

For those of you unfamiliar with Cantinflas’ work, here’s a snippet of his acting from ‘Around the World in 80 Days’

We want to get more of your feedback on the casting process and see if you have better ideas on who should be playing Cantinflas. Stay webbed!

By Mack Chico

2009/01/15 at 12:00am

Movies

Steve McQueen film in the works

01.15.2009 | By Mack Chico |

Producers Michael Cerenzie and Christine Peters are bringing a Steve McQueen biopic to the bigscreen.

The pair have acquired the rights to Marshall Terrill’s biography “Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel.” Project will likely land at Paramount, where Cerenzie-Peters Prods. has a first-look deal.

Project will primarily chronicle McQueen’s Hollywood career, which began in 1956 when the Indiana native got his break in the pic “Somebody Up There Likes Me.”

Cerenzie and Peters are producing alongside Brian Oliver and Chuck Rock of Arthaus Prods.

Tome, which was published in paperback in October, also delves into McQueen’s offscreen penchant for motorcycles, fast cars and drugs. Project will examine his three marriages, including his stormy relationship with Ali McGraw, as well as his battle against lung cancer.

Cerenzie has secured the cooperation of McQueen’s widow, Barbara Minty.

Cerenzie and Peters are close to attaching a director to the project.

Cerenzie, who most recently produced the Philip Seymour Hoffman starrer “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead,” has several films set up with Peters including the crime drama “Black Mass,” which is also being produced by Arthaus.

Peters (“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”) is producing “The Friday Night Knitting Club” at Universal with Julia Roberts attached to star.

‘Monsters vs. Aliens’ 3D trailer to be seen in Super Bowl!

By Mack Chico

2009/01/04 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Monsters vs. Aliens’ 3D trailer to be seen in Super Bowl!

01.4.2009 | By Mack Chico |

Some 150 million 3D glasses will be given away for Super Bowl viewers to watch a 90-second 3D sneak preview of the big-screen animated feature “Monsters vs. Aliens.” While 3D telecasts are nothing new, this marks the first time one has been done for such a large audience.

DreamWorks Animation chief executive Jeffrey Katzenberg called the stunt “perhaps the biggest media-advertising event in history.” He wouldn’t give a hard figure on the cost, but said it “involves tens of millions of dollars.”

Katzenberg promised the quality of the 3D will be superior to what has been done in the past. He said the glasses will use Intel InTru 3D and ColorCode 3-D, which updates the old red-blue Anaglyph system.

The technology will also allow those without the glasses to see an almost ordinary image on the TV screen. But, Katzenberg added, it still doesn’t come close to the 3D quality moviegoers will see in theaters when the film opens stateside March 27.

“Monsters vs. Aliens” follows a group of ragtag Earthling monsters who are out to save the world following an alien invasion. The film features the voices of Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen and Kiefer Sutherland.

The glasses will be distributed free at Pepsi/SoBe Life Water displays at 28,000 locations including grocery, drug and electronics stores and big-box retailers.

The promotion was unveiled Saturday during NBC’s telecast of the AFC Wild Card Playoffs between the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers. NBC, which will air the Super Bowl on Feb. 1, has its own interest in making sure the glasses are used, as it will air a 3D episode of its series “Chuck” the following night.

“Monsters vs Aliens” is co-directed by Rob Letterman (“Shark Tale”) and Conrad Vernon (“Shrek 2”), who supervised production of the promotion that will air during the Super Bowl.

The directors said they will be watching the telecast from home. “With beer,” Vernon said, laughing. “We’re going to test the effects of beer and 3D,” said Letterman.

By Mack Chico

2008/12/24 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Tron 2.0’ is coming back for 2009

12.24.2008 | By Mack Chico |

Bruce Boxleitner is in the sequel! Now if only they’d change that awful name.

Until they do change the name, the internet seems determined to ignore the one Disney has chosen. So we’ll follow Coming Soon’s lead in calling it Tron 2.0 even though that’s not what it’s called, but that’s what they boldly called it when breaking the story of Boxleitner’s involvement.

In the original Tron, Bruce played Tron. He’s the real star of the movie, a program created specifically to destroy the MCP and aided by a human named Flynn, played by Jeff Bridges. Now both Bridges and Boxleitner are back. In fact, Bruce is actually on set somewhere filming his role right now. Well maybe not right now, but somewhere around now.

No word on what part he’ll play in the sequel, just as we still don’t really know what Jeff Bridges is doing. Only that they’re both back. Now tell me they’re also bringing back Peter Jurasik and this little Tron nerd may digitally mess his pants. Oh my user!

CS does offer a couple of new plot details though regarding the parts played by other cast members and Tron newcomers Olivia Wilde and Beau Garrett. Apparently Olivia is playing a worker in the virtual world who aids in the fight aga inst the Master Control Program (sounds a lot like the role played by Cindy Morgan in the original film) and Beau Garret will play some sort of virtual world “siren”.