Chen: 'Big Brother 5' to be 'twisted'
There are changes coming to how the 'Big Brother' game is played but host Julie Chen is providing few details.
In a highly-edited promotional video interview on the official 'Big Brother 5' site, Chen confirms that the new rules are going to handicap the liars and deceivers.
"I think these new rules are probably going to hurt people who go in as a manipulative player and help those who go in with a pure and open heart," said Chen without explaining what the modifications might be. Whatever the changes are, they could be in response to finale of last year's series which saw the much loathed twosome of Jun Song and Alison Irwin finish first and second. It is rumoured that the way in which the producers are handicapping the liars is that the Head Of Household bedroom has been modified to allow those in it to spy and eavesdrop on the other houseguests.
Chen also promises that this season's twists will shock and surprise the viewers as well as the houseguests themselves.
"Last year, we threw in ex-girlfriends and ex-boyfriends of houseguests. They had to deal with that. This season, we have major twists in how the game is going to be played and it is so twisted it is going to make the X-Factor look enjoyable," Chen stated.
One surprise that Chen did unveil in the interview segment is that there will be one bedroom in the 'Big Brother' house which will be as comfortable as sleeping on a bed of nails.
"Let me just say there is one bedroom that is going to make the army cot that we had as a bed from previous seasons look comfortable. All of the bedrooms are never created equal and this season there is one that is pretty bad so you don't want to be the one stuck with that bedroom," Chen warned.
'Big Brother 5' debuts on Tuesday, July 6th on CBS. On the 'Big Brother' series, a group of strangers will live together in a house outfitted with dozens of cameras and microphones recording their every move 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As the outside world watches on television and the Internet, the HouseGuests will vote each other out, one by one, until only one remains and goes home a half million dollars richer.
Jennifer Garner Explores Elektra's Darkness
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Jennifer Garner needs to get something off her chest.
Regardless of what it may have looked like at the end of "Daredevil," Elektra isn't dead. In fact, she's alive and well and kicking some serious ninja butt in a movie of her own.
"That's a common misconception, that she died, but she wasn't dead," Garner insisted, taking a break before enduring a grueling stunt sequence on the chilly set of the "Elektra" movie.
"Apparently we didn't explain that very well. But at the very end of the movie, when Daredevil found the necklace that said 'Elektra' in braille, that was his message from her saying, 'I'm alive. I'll come back ... I'll have a spinoff!' "
FOX studio executives were so intent on launching Garner's character into a film of her own that during production on "Daredevil" — the Ben Affleck comic-book flick that made over $100 million last year despite mixed reviews from critics — they had writer/director Mark Steven Johnson film Elektra spinning her trademark Sai swords on a rooftop across from Daredevil when he finds the necklace.
Johnson ultimately cut the shot, which was done with a stunt person posing as Garner, afraid that the character's "death" at the hands of Colin Farrell's Bullseye would lose its emotional impact.
But now, a new director is at the helm (Johnson retains an executive-producer credit) and the Marvel Comics heroine lives. "We did not see her actually die in 'Daredevil.' Even if she flatlined, there is a plausible point that we can bring her back," insisted Rob Bowman, whose credits include the "X-Files" movie, several episodes of the television show and "Reign of Fire."
"But we don't bring her back through conventional means. We bring her back through... um, a higher form of martial arts," he said. "I'll just be cryptic like that. That's all I can say."
The director's attention on this particular day was focused on the rain machine, which soaked the fake pine trees on his soundstage so thoroughly that everything started to smell like mildew; and on making sure that every stunt felt real and served a genuine storytelling purpose.
Ben Affleck is nowhere to be found on the set of "Elektra," which will focus on the character's training by a band of ninja assassins known as the Hand. Bowman won't have her leaping from rooftops and isn't relying heavily on special effects, opting instead for crazy camera angles and a more character-driven story, with movies like "The Cooler" and "21 Grams" as his reference points.
"We have our share of blowing things up, I've learned a few new weapons and I'm definitely, definitely fighting. It's not like I'm in a period piece, in a corset, or talking Shakespeare," Garner promised. "But it is very much driven by Elektra's darkness and what happens when she comes back to life, and what that second life means: whether it's redemption or whether it's a dark place from which you can't be redeemed. It's very dark and honest."
To that end Bowman is employing similar lighting techniques (and the same cinematographer) he used on "X-Files" to lend the movie a look in line with its story. His goal, at least partially, is to reinvent the way comic-book movies are done. "Because Elektra is a tortured soul, and in the middle of an emotional crisis, I thought this would be the right way to go," he said.
And what makes Elektra so dark? Well, during the course of this film, we'll learn that she kills people for hire. In the comic books she does a lot more for hire, too, although the film won't be exploring that. "I would rather follow the story and not focus on the gore or the fact that she sells her body," Garner admitted. "[In the movie] she's not a prude, she just isn't interested. And I love to fight but it kind of kills it for me to see people bleeding all over the screen. As long as a ninja dies I don't really care how much blood there is."
This isn't meant to imply that "Elektra" has gone soft or will abandon its source material — far from it. In fact, the movie is relying heavily on the Marvel comic books, from putting Garner in a red outfit more true to the character than the black leather she wore alongside Affleck, to the introduction of several supporting players taken right from the page.
"I have the comics pasted up all over my trailer, because it's as though we have our storyboards right from the comic book," Garner said. "You'll see the Hand, Stick, Typhoid Mary; we definitely fold them into our story."
"Typhoid Mary is kind of loopy and armed with this enormous power to kill people," Bowman said of the villainous girl portrayed by model/actress Natassia Malthe. "Because of her beauty she can lure you in right up to that poisonous kiss."
Terence Stamp, whom comic book fans remember fondly as General Zod in the "Superman" movies, has taken on the role of Elektra's martial-arts mentor, Stick. "He is the grittiest guy in the movie, the smartest guy, and I'm sort of making him into a prophet," Bowman explained. "He is the perfect example of 'tough love' and the architect of this journey. Stick feels like there is a gem of light buried inside Elektra's black soul."
Ah yes, Elektra's "black soul." Is there any hope for her at all? Neither Bowman nor Garner will tell, but if there is, it will likely come in the form of a father (played by Goran Visnjic of "ER") and his daughter (newcomer Kirsten Prout) and the bonding the three of them do in a cabin around Christmastime.
A cabin, of course, that gets attacked by ninjas.
"I love playing this role, I love how lethal she is, how completely different she is from me, and how hard it is to find a crack or a crevice in her heart or soul," Garner said, shortly before being called back onto the set. "She's pretty cold. When we're shooting, Rob is always saying to me, 'Too nice, too nice! Go back, there's too much heart, go back.' And I love that!
"Because, he's right, Elektra would just as soon kill you as look at you. And I would play her any day of the week and twice on Sundays."
"Elektra" is due in theaters next year.
High School Confidential
Don't piss them off!
Some MEAN GIRLS are going to hit DVD on September 21st, so hide your burn books.
Paramount Home Entertainment will give this $85 million hit the special edition treatment, complete with anamorphic widescreen transfer, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track, audio commentary with director Mark Waters and writer Tina Fey, featurettes, deleted scenes and the theatrical trailer.
Sam Roberts video wins three trophies as Beasties rock MuchMusic Video Awards
TORONTO (CP) - A video from Sam Roberts snagged three trophies and Avril Lavigne was the people's choice for favourite Canadian artist as fans clamoured Sunday night at the gates of the music industry's annual house party, the MuchMusic Video Awards.
"We've done very little to deserve any of this," said the scruffy-faced rocker from Montreal. Roberts' modesty was somewhat accurate, as the video Hard Road won for best director, best post production and best cinematography - tasks taken on by members outside the band.
"We contributed our song and whatever acting skills we could muster," said Roberts. But of his band's success this year, the affable singer took credit where credit was due. "It's been based on hard work, there's no hype."
The remainder of the microphone-shaped trophies were spread evenly among several other contenders at one apiece, with best video going to Finger Eleven, and best pop video to Nelly Furtado.
The video for Fallen, which marked Sarah McLachlan's return to the music scene after a lengthy hiatus, snagged the MuchMoreMusic Award.
As in previous years, the show was held at MuchMusic headquarters - both in the parking lot and throughout the building. With no podiums or scripted dialogue, and an absence of seats from which to take in the multi-stage, live performances, the event has a reputation as the most unconventional of awards shows.
Enthusiastic teenage fans squealed as the rock heroes made their way down the red carpet, but the chatter from the artists predominantly revolved around one act - Beastie Boys.
"It's huge, it's huge," said Nickelback lead vocalist Chad Kroeger of the groundbreaking hip-trio's performance at the awards. "It really puts the spotlight on Canada."
Roberts, Three Days Grace, and shock funny man Tom Green were on the same page. "I've never seen them live," Green enthused.
While the Beasties - who made the trip from hometown New York to drop their cheeky rhymes on the Much audience - were a critical favourite they left empty handed, losing to Outkast for best international video by a group. Crazy in Love won best international video for artists Beyonce and Jay-Z.
Performers who were on the bill included Evanescence, Kanye West, Hoobastank, Fefe Dobson, Finger Eleven, Three Days Grace, Hilary Duff, and Billy Talent - who won for best rock video.
"We live just down the street, so for us, this is just hilarious," said singer Benjamin Kowalewicz of the fan adulation.
Those who lined the streets around MuchMusic for the 15th annual event delighted in the star gazing, perhaps more so than the awards. Hollywood celebs Rob Lowe and Heather Locklear were joined by Vivica A. Fox of Kill Bill: Volume 1 and 2 fame and Samaire Armstrong from the TV series The O.C. on the list of guests announcing the homegrown and international winners. Kaley Cuoco, who plays daughter Bridget on the TV series 8 Simple Rules, and David Gallagher, Simon from 7th Heaven, were on hand, as was one of the Baldwin brothers - Daniel.
But there was no shortage of Canadian content. Green and Sum 41 were tabbed to present trophies as the party raged around them.
"Let's hear you make some noise Chicago," Green shouted out to the Toronto crowd.
Toronto's Jelleestone won best rap video while the honours for best R&B video went to In Essence. Local band Pilate took home the trophy for best independent video.
"We had five nominations and anything would have been great, and this is a great one to have," said singer Todd Clark.
And it wouldn't be a Canadian awards show without a couple of hockey players in attendance, namely Joe Thornton of the Boston Bruins and Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets - both on the list of invitees.
Always an event that can be counted on to be different, the inaugural MuchMusic Awards were held in 1989 during a train ride across Canada.
Awards are chosen by an in-house MuchMusic panel, except for the People's Choice Awards which are selected by fans via an online and telephone voting system.
Here are the winners of the 2004 MuchMusic Video Awards handed out Sunday night in Toronto:
- Best Video: Finger Eleven, One Thing
- Best Pop Video: Nelly Furtado, Powerless (Say What You Want)
- Best Rock Video: Billy Talent, Try Honesty
- Best Rap Video: Jelleestone featuring Elephant Man, Who Dat
- Best R&B Video: In Essence, Friend Of Mine
- MuchMoreMusic Award: Sarah McLachlan, Fallen
- Best Independent Video: Pilate, Into Your Hideout
- Best Director: Kyle Davison, Hard Road (Sam Roberts)
- Best Post Production: Kyle Davison/Erik Nordby/Pete Dionne, Hard Road (Sam Roberts)
- Best Cinematography: Erik Nordby, Hard Road (Sam Roberts)
- Best French Video: Corneille, parce qu'on vient de loin
- Best International Video, Artist: Beyonce featuring Jay-Z, Crazy In Love
- Best International Video, Group: Outkast, Hey Ya
- VidoeFACT award: Alexisonfire, Counterparts And Number Them
'Dodgeball' Bombards 'Terminal' in Debut
LOS ANGELES - Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn buried Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg under a barrage of red rubber balls. Stiller and Vaughn's "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" debuted as the weekend's top movie with $30 million, whipping Hanks and Spielberg's "The Terminal," which opened at No. 2 with $18.7 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
"With a Spielberg and Hanks movie, we never thought we would be this far ahead. That's rarefied air," said Bruce Snyder, head of distribution for 20th Century Fox, which released "Dodgeball."
The weekend's other new wide release, Jackie Chan and Steve Coogan's "Around the World in 80 Days," came in at No. 9 with just $6.8 million for the weekend and $9.6 million since opening Wednesday.
"Dodgeball" stars Vaughn as a gym owner whose squad of geeks and losers tries to save their destitute health club in a dodgeball showdown against rival bully Stiller's team.
The movie's lowbrow humor — including a coach forcing his players to duck metal wrenches to hone their dodging skills — proved a stronger draw than the classy comedy "The Terminal," about an Eastern European stuck for months in customs limbo at Kennedy airport.
"It's really hard to beat a movie like `Dodgeball.' Everybody I talked with wanted to see it, even though they thought it looked really dumb," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.
"The Terminal" had the weakest opening among Spielberg's recent wide releases — "Catch Me If You Can," "Minority Report," "A.I. Artificial Intelligence" and "Saving Private Ryan." Those films all opened in the $30 million to $35 million range.
"Dodgeball" drew a young male audience, while "The Terminal" played mostly to older crowds less likely to rush out on opening weekend. DreamWorks, which distributed "The Terminal," hopes the film has staying power.
"Smart, high-concept movies can be a difficult sell, but they often have a long theatrical life," DreamWorks head of distribution Jim Tharp said.
Based on Jules Verne's adventure and featuring a cameo by Arnold Schwarzenegger, "Around the World in 80 Days" was produced by Walden Media, a family-entertainment outfit that is part of Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz's empire.
Disney acquired the movie, which became the latest in a string of duds from the studio this year, including "The Alamo," "Home on the Range" and "Raising Helen." The studio hopes to rebound with "King Arthur," "The Village" and "Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" in July and August.
"Little streaks like this happen to everybody, but it's never about the short term," said Chuck Viane, Disney head of distribution.
After a monthlong surge, Hollywood's business dipped, with the top 12 movies taking in $126.9 million, down 10 percent from the same weekend last year.
Some of the previous weekend's new flicks tumbled. Vin Diesel's "The Chronicles of Riddick" fell from second place to seventh, taking in $8.3 million, down a steep 66 percent. Nicole Kidman's "The Stepford Wives" came in at No. 6 with $9.2 million, a 57 percent drop.
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," the No. 1 film the previous two weeks, was No. 3 with $17.4 million. Its 17-day total of $190.3 million lagged about $10 million behind revenues for the franchise's last installment, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," after 17 days.
"Shrek 2" was fourth with $13.6 million, pushing its total to $378.3 million and passing "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" to become No. 6 on the all-time domestic chart.
Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story," $30 million.
2. "The Terminal," $18.7 million.
3. "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," $17.4 million.
4. "Shrek 2," $13.6 million.
5. "Garfield: The Movie," $11 million.
6. "The Stepford Wives," $9.2 million.
7. "The Chronicles of Riddick," $8.3 million.
8. "The Day After Tomorrow," $7.55 million.
9. "Around the World in 80 Days," $6.8 million.
10. "Troy," $1.7 million.