1. Wasteland Warriors … for a Weekend
Everyone knows an oil-shortage-and-nuclear-war apocalypse is for keeps, not just three days, but that didn’t stop a bunch of rabid “Mad Max” fans from donning the leather and chains and revving up their motley machines over three days in the Californian desert recently. The LA Weekly story and photos are fantastic, although I’m a little disappointed these faux-barbarians from Down Under flew the New Zealand flag instead of the Australian standard. But, hey, when society has crumbled and the crossbow bolts are flying, you make do, right?
2. What’s the Question?
Ever have those dreams where you’re back at school, unprepared for a crucial exam? Well “Exam," the new British movie by Stuart Hazeldine starring Luke Mably and Jimi Mistry, could be your worst nightmare. I’ve always enjoyed watching filmmakers try to rise to the challenge of a single-set story and this one, about eight high-fliers taking a sinister corporate exam, looks like it could be up there with “Saw” and “Cube” in the mind-scrambling stakes.
Kat Dennings, who I’ve praised here before, is to join the cast of “Thor." The beautiful 23-year-old, so good in “Nick And Nora’s Infinite Playlist," “Shorts” and “Charlie Bartlett,” is to play Darcy, sidekick to Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster character. With this and “Defendor," I’m again saying it’s only a matter of time before fanboys catch on and turn Ka-Den into the next Scar-Jo.According to Cinematical, original “A-Team” cast member Dirk Benedict is to join Dwight Schultz in filming a cameo for Joe Carnahan’s big-screen adaptation of the hit 1980s show. Mr. T, though, still isn’t on board, although it is worth noting that his very amusing denunciation of the cameo idea came over two years ago. Who knows where he’s at now? But if he still doesn’t want to play B.A. Baracus Snr, perhaps he could sign up for “Star Trek 2”? I pity the Klingon, etc…
According to S. Freud, horror was all about “the uncanny," or the return of the repressed. These days it’s about returning to the last thing that gave you a box-office hit, no matter how wrung out the concept may be. Thus there now, according to U.K. site Black Book, would appear to be confirmation that Wes Craven will be back directing Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox and David Arquette in the Kevin Williamson-written “Scream 4." I liked the “Scream” trilogy, but the interview with Ms Campbell suggests that script and characterization are even less important than we thought.
6. "Amityville": HorrorWant something even more depressing than “Scream 4” news? Bloody Disgusting is reporting that the Weinstein Company and Dimension are considering a remake of “The Amityville Horror." No, not a continuation of the 2005 remake that starred Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George, but a brand-spanking “new” remake of the same-old-same-old. How long will it be before movies that premiere in January have their remakes released December of the same year?
Man, I’d give anything to hear what Katie Holmes was talking about non-stop during a screening of “New Moon." “Sources said she kept talking about the film and everything else,” reads the report. Everything else? I’m guessing that the following comments passed the lips of Suri’s mom.
Movieline made great sport of “New Moon” being a strong contender for the Oscars this week. Now they’re running what’re supposedly full-page color “For Your Consideration” ads that’re going to be in the trades next week. Please, no.
It was a half-century ago that William Castle released “The Tingler," his most famous gimmick-flick, which gained its notoriety because he had cinema seats wired up to give patrons a mild electric buzz that’d replicate the effect of the feature’s creature.
I know it goes against the whole anti-remake thing but I can’t help but be excited still for “The Wolfman,” and the one-sheet posters don’t diminish that. Here’s hoping it’s really something to howl about.
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