Scully, It’s Me
X-Files Set for Greener Galaxies with Series Finale.
Day: May 17, 2002
This Weekend’s New Films
Even if you have been under a rock, you likely know that Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones is now in theatres. Seriously! You must know! You must also know what I wrote about it:
The 5th chapter in the “Star Wars” saga opens today and it has been much maligned in all facets of the press. And on one hand, I can see why. Parts of it are derivative of other films, and some of it could be construed as a bit slow. Meandering even.
But I didn’t see it that way.
Instead, in my afterthoughts of “Episode II” I keep coming back to something I wrote after I saw “Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace”:
“All that I want when I sit in a theatre to watch a ‘Star Wars’ film these days is to be magically transported back to a time when I was a young goofy kid and the films were unlike anything I had seen before. No matter the plot, effects or characters, as long as it delivers me to a place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, and make me feel 9 years old again, then the film has done it’s job.”
And “Episode II” has done it’s job. And done it quite admirably! For some reason, I will cut this film, and however many “Star Wars” films George Lucas wants to make, some slack. I don’t and I won’t hold it up to the same criticisms that I would other films because it made me feel like a kid again.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones” and I hope you do too! I’m not here to review it, I’m simply here to endorse it!
BUT THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER FILM THAT IS NEW THIS WEEKEND
Now, with all of the hype that has surrounded Star Wars: Episode II- Attack Of The Clones, it’s understandable that you might not know that there is another film opening in your local multiplex.
But there is! It is called About A Boy and it too is incredible!
The film’s pedigree is impressive. The producers (Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner) are the men who sat in a similar chair for “Bridget Jones’s Diary.” The writer of the novel upon which “About a Boy” is based (Nick Hornby) is responsible for the source material for “High Fidelity.” And the directors came into prominence by doing unspeakable things to desserts in “American Pie.” Add to that the always-appealing Hugh Grant and the gorgeous Rachel Weisz, and is it possible to go wrong? If About A Boy is anything to go by, the answer is no.
About A Boy is not a daring film, but it is immensely likable. Every once in a while, a movie comes along that, despite traversing familiar terrain, is made with enough all-around skill that it overcomes its clichÈd origins. About a Boy is such a movie. In a summer when pyrotechnics, superheroes, sequels, and mindless action are sure to rule, this film gives us a feel-good human story to savor between bursts of testosterone and adrenaline.
Sniff, sniff…I think I need a tissue!
Hee hee hee! I love it when I make fun of myself!
Anyway, may the force be with you, enjoy the popcorn and I’ll see you at the movies!
Categories
I’ve already stocked up on blank CD’s
Categories
Star Wars, all of them, on DVD
Here’s The Almost Official Word on the Star Wars On DVD Rumours
Given that this weekend marks the debut of the all-digital “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” in theaters, it’s only appropriate to give you all a rundown of the Star Wars DVD situation. There are many “new” reports appearing in the press about this (stirred up for obvious reasons), but there’s no real news to be found. At least nothing those of you who have been following the subject forever don’talready know.
But for the rest of you, the basic story is this. Elements of the Episode II DVD have already been in production for many months. The DVD will be a 2-disc release, patterned very closely after the recent Episode I DVD. That means you can expect the film in anamorphic widescreen video on Disc One, along with Dolby Digital 5.1 EX surround sound and THX-certification. Word is Lucas and company are also planning another trip to the audio commentary booth for the DVD. Disc Two is likely to feature another “behind-the-scenes” documentary, along with a number of deleted scenes completed for the release, trailers and TV spots, the Episode II web documentaries and more.
The title IS expected to be released later this year, probably in October or November (latest word is you’ll have it before American Thanksgiving).
Lucasfilm has also basically suggested that it’s likely Episode III will be released on DVD without delay after that film appears in theaters in 2005.
NOW HERE’S THE BAD NEWS
As for the original Star Wars films, Lucas has himself confirmed that he’s filmed additional scenes (during the production of these prequels) that he intends to add into Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi to “complete the Saga the way he always envisioned it”. He’s also expected to enhance and/or replace more special effects sequences with CGI and make other refinements to the original films. These “ultimate” versions are what will eventually find their way to DVD (there’s no word as to whether or not he’ll also include the unaltered theatrical versions – those of us who grew up with them certainly hope so). Lucas has also stated recently that he and his crew didn’t create as much “making of” material during the production of the original trilogy, so it will take time to compile new material for the eventual DVD release. And while he’s working on the prequels, time is something he doesn’t have a lot of. What that means, is that you shouldn’t expect the original films to appear on DVD until sometime after the release of Episode III in 2005.
And that is, more or less, the best and most up-to-date information available on the subject of the Star Wars films on DVD. We’ll be sure to keep you appraised as the production of the Episode II disc continues. You can reasonably expect official details to begin appearing from Lucasfilm later this summer.
Austin Powers and Britney Hook Up for Video
Austin Powers will appear in Britney Spear’s next video and single, “Boys.” Spears and Mike Myers, the man behind Powers, began filming the video on Tuesday at a mantion in Hollywood. The two will also appear in a Pepsi commercial together. Both spots tie into the third Powers film AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER, where Spears makes a cameo appearance.
Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca in the original STAR WARS trilogy, has said that he will appear in Episode III.
Filmink magazine caught up with Peter ‘Chewbacca’ Mayhew when he was recently in Australia; and found out that he Chewie might be one of the closely kept secrets of Episode III.
Mayhew admits that his schedule is full, but mention the upcoming prequels and you sense the quiet desperation he feels towards his alter ego’s big screen future.
“I wasn’t involved in either “The Phantom Menace” or “Attack of the Clones,” but there is also Episode Three to come, and that has got to join up with Episode four. So Chewy Has got to be there. It’s a guaranteed job, maybe this year, maybe next year. I don’t know. But I’ve always been there if needed”, he says.
THAT’S A NASTY CURVE
Tawny Kitaen launching the latest salvo in her ongoing and increasingly catty divorce/custody battle with pro baseball pitcher Chuck Finley. She says Finley drives drunk, smokes pot and uses steroids. Finley had earlier blamed Kitaen’s drug problems for the fight that led to her arrest last month.
Categories
The HYpe Continues
FAMILY ALBUM
Kelly Osbourne, the 17-year-old daughter in the Osbourne clan, recording Madonna’s 1986 hit “Papa Don’t Preach” for an album collection of the family’s favorite tunes to be released June 11 by Epic Records. The album will also include former Osbourne neighbor Pat Boone’s version of Ozzy’s “Crazy Train.”
Categories
Wow! Did my series get picked up?
The Fox network does a complete overhaul, adding 10 news shows.
To compare, the other networks averaged 4 to 5 new shows.