'Trailer Park Boys' about to hit the big screen
TORONTO (CP) - The boys are back.
For Ricky, Julian and Bubbles, it's out of jail and straight into a big-screen movie version of the sitcom series that has been a rarity in Canadian television: a bona fide audience hit for six seasons now.
Before season 7 begins on Showcase next spring, "Trailer Park Boys: The Movie" hits theatres across Canada this Friday. But with a modest $5 million budget, it has the same low-rent look as the small-screen version. No big marquee names. No big car crashes or things blowing up.
So the question for director, writer and co-creator Mike Clattenburg is: will fans pay to see something they get each week on the small screen for free (cable fees notwithstanding)?
"It's a cinematic experience," Clattenburg insists, adding there's a certain charm to the series' cheap video quality that fans will still want to see writ large. He even eschewed the usual 35mm and opted to film on grainier 16mm.
He notes that low-rent Canadian screen classic from 1970, Don Shebib's Goin' Down the Road, was shot in a similar social realist style. Come to think of it, there are other similarities in its story of a pair of Cape Breton roustabouts who decide to drive to Toronto in their beat-up Chevy looking for a better life.
"We didn't want to spend hours lighting stuff. . .we consciously didn't want to get too glamorous," Clattenburg adds. "(But still it's) very worthy of 10 Canadian dollars!"
When asked if a comparison can be made, too, to those two Canadian hosers from the early 1980s, the McKenzie brothers (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) of SCTV fame, Clattenburg says that was not a conscious decision.
If any of Bob and Doug's DNA exists in Ricky, Julian and Bubbles, it is far from intentional.
Still...
"Bob and Doug were born out of those guys hanging out and having fun and trying to make each other laugh," he says. "I think we are born of the same thing, a group of friends who are very serious about filmmaking but are very serious about exploring the depths of foolishness as well."
In the film script, the boys are let out of jail and immediately plan The Big Dirty: a major heist that will net them enough money to live high the rest of their lives. Alas, coming from the shallow end of their respective family gene pools, they decide the clever thing would be to make a big haul of change since coin, unlike paper money, isn't traceable by the law.
After knocking over some parking metres with little payoff, they spot a gigantic plastic bowl of coins in a movie-theatre lobby ... one of those contests where the winner guesses the correct amount of money therein. It's not hard to predict what disaster awaits them.
Clattenburg insists the Sunnyvale trailer park trio have not generated complaints from Maritime locals that this represents an insulting stereotype.
"It was in season 2, there was an elderly lady who came out of her trailer when we had cars on fire and (stuff) was wrecked everywhere, and she said 'You are trying to make us look like Yankee trash!' "
But he says that's about it, because most people know it's not an accurate portrayal of anything.
"It's absurd. Was Monty Python an accurate representation of the English? Is "The Sopranos" an accurate representation of Italian-American life? No.
"It's subjective. It's your sense of humour and it works for some and it doesn't work for others and that's completely cool."
While strictly a Canadian property so far, Clattenburg says buzz has already been generated in Hollywood about "Trailer Park Boys", partially because of Canadian-born uber-producer Ivan Reitman's participation in the film's making. Fans have also been downloading series episodes and BBC America aired three seasons but with much of the show's considerable profanity excised.
Clattenburg says the specialty channel wanted to broadcast them uncut but had to relent due to the industry chill that descended in the wake of the infamous Janet Jackson nipplegate incident during the 2004 Super Bowl telecast.
He concedes the boys' liberal use of the f-word can be offputting to some but laughs at objections to much of the other so-called profanity which, he says, is often harmless banter.
"There's cocknuckles and dicklock. I mean, what does that mean? That means nothing. You're just playing with the sound of the words and alliteration and all those things."
The TPB movie, incidentally, is being released theatrically on the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, a time when the big studios usually put their Academy Award contenders out there. Any such hopes for the boys?
"I'm absolutely sure we're probably going to get eight to 10 Oscar nominations," deadpans Clattenburg. "If it doesn't, I will be shocked!"
More "Wargames" On The Way
That classic '80s movie Wargames is finally getting a sequel.
Production Weekly says a script for War Games 2: The Deadly Game has been penned by Randall M. Badat (Hear No Evil) and is set to swing into production this November.
While the original Wargames starred Matthew Broderick as a young computer hacker that almost brings about a nuclear war, the new movie will instead focus on the threat of terrorism.
The new film will again focus on a teenage computer whiz, however this time around an online terrorist-simulator game-play strategy that sets off homeland security alerts, causing panic for both government and the unknowing teen.
New Releases, Sept. 26: Evanescence, The Killers, George Strait
Evanescence "The Open Door"
The Goth-rockers return with the follow-up to their multi-platinum debut, 2003's "Fallen." That previous work spawned two major hits, "Bring Me to Life" and "My Immortal," and earned the group two Grammy awards, for Best New Artist and Best Hard Rock Performance.
The first single from "The Open Door" is "Call Me When You're Sober." The song's lyrics reportedly stem from vocalist Amy Lee's now-defunct relationship with Seether frontman Shaun Morgan--who, perhaps not coincidentally, recently announced that he was heading into rehab.
Two days after the release of "The Open Door," the band will launch a North American club and theater tour. The trek kicks off on Oct. 5 in Toronto, and is scheduled to make stops in 17 cities by the time it wraps up on the West Coast in late October.
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The Killers "Sam's Town"
Having rocketed to stardom on the back of their 2004 debut, "Hot Fuss," which featured the mega-single "Somebody Told Me," The Killers return with the sophomore outing "Sam's Town."
The new disc features the cut "When You Were Young," which was released as a single last month. A few days after the disc hits shelves, the group will embark on a month-long tour that includes two-night stands in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City. So far, shows are lined up through Oct. 28, when the band will give a hometown performance at the Vegoose festival in Las Vegas.
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George Strait "It Just Comes Natural"
Strait is one of the most popular artists in country music history, claiming sales of more than 62 million albums and topping the country chart with 53 different singles.
The cowboy looks for his winning ways to continue with the release of his 34th album, the appropriately named "It Just Comes Natural." So far, so good; the set's first single, "Give It Away," is already a major hit.
Among the album's other tracks are the ballad "That's My Kind of Woman" (co-written by frequent Strait collaborator Dean Dillon), "She Told Me So" (a Bobby Braddock song), the title track (penned by Marv Green and Jim Collins) and "One Foot in Front of the Other" (by Lee Roy Parnell and Cris Moore). Three of Strait's trademark cowboy tunes can be found among the set's 15 tracks: "I Ain't Her Cowboy Anymore," "How 'Bout them Cowgirls" and the Guy Clark-penned "Texas Cookin'."
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Beck "The Information"
Having wowed fans and critics alike with his last album, 2005's "Guero," Beck is back with his eagerly anticipated new disc, "The Information."
The 15-song set was recorded with producer Nigel Godrich, who also worked with Beck on "Mutations" and "Sea Change." The package also includes a DVD featuring "homemade" videos for each track that were shot in the studio during recording sessions for the record.
So far, Beck is booked to play six shows in support of the new disc, a run currently scheduled to conclude Oct. 23 in Philadelphia.
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Lindsey Buckingham "Under the Skin"
Here's one that classic rock fans have been waiting for: Fleetwood Mac vocalist/guitarist Lindsey Buckingham finally returns with his first solo album in 14 years. Buckingham will also hit the road to back the disc, kicking off a 22-city trek on Oct. 6 in Atlanta.
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More new releases:
Jim Brickman, "Escape" (SLG)
Sarah Brightman, "Diva: The Singles Collection" (Angel)
Ray Charles, Count Basie Orchestra, "Ray Sings, Basie Swings" (Concord)
The Decemberists, "The Crane Wife" (Capitol)
The Hold Steady, "Boys and Girls in America" (Vagrant)
Jet, "Shine On" (Atlantic)
Gladys Knight, "Before Me" (Verve)
Amos Lee, "Supply And Demand" (Blue Note)
Sean Lennon, "Friendly Fire" (Capitol)
Los Straitjackets, "Twist Party" (Yep Roc)
Sarah McLachlan, "Mirrorball: The Complete Concert" (Sony)
Monica, "The Makings of Me" (J-Records)
Rodrigo y Gabriela, "Rodrigo y Gabriela" (ATO)
Skillet, "Comatose" (Atlantic)
Robin Thicke, "The Evolution of Robin Thicke" (Interscope)
Chris Young, "Chris Young" (RCA)
Seinfeld Soups Up 'Talkshow'
LOS ANGELES -- Spike Feresten provided Jerry Seinfeld with one of the more memorable episodes of "Seinfeld," and now Seinfeld will lend his one-time writer a hand by appearing on Feresten's late-night show.
Seinfeld will be the guest on the Oct. 21 installment of "Talkshow with Spike Feresten," the FOX show Feresten has fronted for the past few weeks. The comic will do a new piece of stand-up material and sit down with Feresten for an interview.
FOX is calling Seinfeld's booking "a rare in-studio guest appearance." While it's true that Seinfeld has stayed away from the talk-show circuit this year, he's not a recluse on the level of, say, Thomas Pynchon. He last appeared on "The Tonight Show" in November 2005 and was a guest on "Larry King Live" the following month.
He's also supportive of Feresten's early efforts on "Talkshow." "He's a really funny guy and he actually has a great thing with the audience," Seinfeld says of Feresten.
Feresten wrote the "Soup Nazi" and "Little Kicks" episodes of "Seinfeld," among others, and he and Seinfeld co-wrote (with Barry Marder and fellow "Seinfeld" vet Andy Robin) "Bee Movie," an animated movie scheduled for release next year. Seinfeld also voices the lead character.
"Talkshow" airs at midnight ET Saturdays, following "MADtv."
Foo Fighters Acoustic Trek Heading To CD, DVD
Three Los Angeles performances from the Foo Fighters' recent stripped-down tour form the basis for the live album "Skin and Bones."
Due Nov. 7 via RCA, the 15-track set was taped in late August at the Pantages Theater and spotlights an expanded eight-piece lineup featuring violinist Petra Haden and keyboardist Rami Jaffee.
A DVD from the shows, boasting additional songs and extra features yet to be announced, will arrive later in November.
The track list blends material from the band's half-electric/half-acoustic album "In Your Honor" with vintage cuts like "Big Me," "Everlong," "My Hero" and "Walking After You," plus the Dave Grohl-penned Nirvana B-side "Marigold," which the Foos had never performed prior to this tour.
As previously reported, the band is keeping the acoustic concept rolling with a host of fall dates, including three shows early next month in Australia, Oct. 21-22 appearances at Neil Young's Bridge School benefit outside San Francisco and a run of support slots for Bob Dylan through early November.
Here is the CD track list for "Skin and Bones":
"Razor"
"Over & Out"
"Walking After You"
"Marigold"
"My Hero"
"Next Year"
"Another Round"
"Big Me"
"Cold Day in the Sun"
"Skin and Bones"
"February Stars"
"Times Like These"
"Friend of a Friend"
"Best of You"
"Everlong"
Pete Rose admits taking amphetamines
NEW YORK - Pete Rose says he took "greenies" in his playing days, if only to lose a few pounds. Oh, and he doesn't bet on baseball anymore, but if he did, he'd pick the Twins and the Padres.
In an appearance on the "Late Show" taped Monday, Rose was asked by host David Letterman whether he ever used any performance-enhancing drugs as a player. Rose said he never did, but when prodded about "greenies," explained that he used them — though they were nothing more than "diet pills."
"Well, I don't think greenies would ever help you do anything," he said. "You know, I took greenies before in spring training only because I tried to lose some weight, see."
Letterman then asked whether the pills ever helped him ward off fatigue.
"No, not like steroids," Rose replied. "If I took steroids, I'd have gotten 5,000 damn hits."
Neither Letterman nor Rose used the word "amphetamines," which were commonly nicknamed "greenies" at the height of their supposed popularity in baseball. The sport added amphetamines to its list of banned substances last year.
Rose said he still enjoys watching baseball — as many as three games a day — and still holds out hope that he'll be reinstated. Letterman asked Rose who he likes in this year's playoffs.
"You sound like you're betting on baseball," Rose said, drawing laughter and applause. "You know, baseball's going to hate me — the two teams I like are San Diego and Minnesota. And I liked the Yankees until they lost Randy Johnson, I liked the Mets, who've had a fantastic year, until they lost (Pedro) Martinez. St. Louis is going into the playoffs playing as bad as you could play. Detroit, I don't think they have the experience."
He added that he can't bet on baseball anymore "because I know too damn much about it."
"It wouldn't be fair," he said.
Rose, the career hits leader banned from baseball for betting on games as a manager, also explained the story behind the balls he signed with the words "I'm sorry I bet on baseball" that hit the market last month.
He said he signed the balls in 2005 for a friend who planned to keep them for 10 or 15 years. But the friend passed them on to a partner, and they wound up in the hands of a collector who put them up for auction — prompting Rose to sign and market his own apology balls.
Talladega comes to DVD
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is ready for the release fo Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby on rated and unrated DVDs, a Blu-Ray and a UMD release.
The fastest man on four wheels, Ricky Bobby is one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. A big, hairy American winning machine, Ricky has everything a daredevil could want: a luxurious mansion, a smokin' hot wife and all the fast food he can eat.
But Ricky's turbo-charged lifestyle hits an unexpected speed bump when he's bested by flamboyant Euro-idiot Jean Girard and reduced to a fear-ridden wreck.
Losing his wife and job to best bud and fellow fool, Cal Naughton, Jr., Ricky must kick some serious asphalt if he is to get his career back on track, beat Girard and reclaim his fame and fortune.
The DVDs, and Blu-Ray will come with a gag reel, deleted scenes, alternate takes, interviews with Ricky, Cal and Carley, bonus race footage, the featurette Will Ferrell Returns to Talladega a 25 Years Later commentary, a NASCAR spot, interviews with Jean Girard and Gregory, Walker & Texas Ranger outtakes and Ricky and Cal's Commercials and PSAs.
The unrated cut will contain an additional 13 minutes of footage. The DVD versions will be available in both fullscreen and anamorphic widescreen versions
OK, so for those keeping track at home. The UMD, fullscreen theatrical, widescreen theatrical, fullscreen unrated and widescreen unrated versions will all arrive for $28.95 while the Blu-Ray will be pricd at $38.96.
All six discs will arrive on November 9th.