The Couch Potato Report - July 26th, 2008

This week The Couch Potato Report peels films made in Regina, Moose Jaw, Montreal and Australia. Yup, we are global!

Even though the film crews and people who work on the movies and shows made here in Saskatchewan do great work that is easily on par or better that the work done on any other location in the world, the actual films themselves don't always stand up for repeat viewing.

Sure, there have been a few movies made here that I would - and have happily sat through a second, third, or even fourth time - but for the most part - with all due respect to those local folks who work hard on these films - the truth is - that there haven't been a lot of cinematic classics that have been filmed in our province.

Sadly, that remains the case with this week's HOT POTATO...the made-in-Regina and Moose jaw film SLEEPWALKING, starring Academy Award winner Charlize Theron from MONSTER and this summer's HANCOCK.

However, even though it isn't a cinematic classic, it is still a pretty interesting film.

Theron stars in SLEEPWALKING as a mother who leaves her teenage daughter with her well-meaning brother, along with a note indicating that she has a plan and will be back.

The hapless brother then loses his job, gets evicted from his apartment and Social Services decides to take the girl away from him.

So they run away...in search of a better life....and they run straight to his abusive father's farm.

The father is played by the great Dennis Hopper.

No, SLEEPWALKING isn't a cinematic classic...and for a while around the 55 minute mark it gets really, really slow...but the total result is an interesting and intriguing movie, with some very good scenes, and a very nice ending.

The movie isn't for everyone, but I think that it is definitely worth seeing if slow, dramatic movies are what you enjoy .

And it is certainly worth seeing if you worked on it, or know someone who did.

From a movie made in our province, let's head to Quebec now for the latest release from Academy Award nominated director Denys Arcand, the man who gave us JESUS OF MONTREAL, THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS and THE DECLINE OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE.

His latest is the very entertaining comedy DAYS OF DARKNESS

DAYS OF DARKNESS takes place in Montreal - primarily at Olympic Stadium no less - in the not-too-distant future in a time when all is not well. People are dying, oceans are rising and countless epidemics are sweeping the country.

Jean-Marc Leblanc is an underachiever public servant; married to an ambitious real estate broker, and they don't seem to have much use for each other.

She for him because she is busy, and he for her as he is constantly fantasising about a better life with four gorgeous women, including actress Diane Kruger of the NATIONAL TREASURE films.

He envisions her as a confidant and multiple award winner.

When his wife leaves him, he starts to put his life back together, and the result is a great time. Sure, the Medievil Festival scenes go on a bit too long, but the stuff with the brutally honest doctor is very funny.

There are more than a few great moments in this very witty film, the Rufus Wainwright cameos are very funny, and it makes great use of foreshadowing as well...and...

Sorry, yes, I do have a lot of other films to get to this week, so let me surmise by saying that I enjoyed DAYS OF DARKNESS.

I wanted to enjoy SUPERHERO MOVIE and the direct to DVD release GET SMART'S BRUCE AND LLOYD - OUT OF CONTROL, but unlike DAYS OF DARKNESS, they were only mildly entertaining.

As I am sure you can figure out, SUPERHERO MOVIE is a spoof of superhero films, mainly the first SPIDER-MAN.

The film also pays tribute to AIRPLANE! and THE NAKED GUN, two films that co-starred the same Regina born actor, and yes, that same actor - Mr.Leslie Nielsen - co-stars in SUPERHERO MOVIE.

Sadly, SUPERHERO MOVIE - even at only 77 minutes is waaaay too long, and there are only a few funny scenes. If you have seen AIRPLANE! then you know almost all of the jokes here, and if you have seen SPIDER-MAN, then you know the whole story and that doesn't leave a lot for me to recommend...other than AIRPLANE! and the original SPIDER-MAN.

They are great films!!! As for SUPERHERO MOVIE...surely you can't be serious.

Just as SUPERHERO MOVIE needs AIRPLANE! and SPIDER-MAN, the film GET SMART'S BRUCE AND LLOYD - OUT OF CONTROL needs this summer's GET SMART remake to exist.

In that summer blockbuster Bruce and Lloyd are the two gadget technicinas that provide Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 with the support they need to work on their missions.

In this direct-to-DVD release the story runs concurrently to the events in the feature film, but it is a standalone story as Bruce and Lloyd are given their own assignment: to recover an invisibility cloak that has been stolen.

If you enjoyed the GET SMART remake, or are a huge fan of Anne Hathaway - who co-starred along with Steve Carrell in the film and makes a cameo in this DVD release - then you might get a kick out of BRUCE AND LLOYD - OUT OF CONTROL.

At only 62 minutes, it isn't too long, and there is some good stuff in it...most notably Anne Hathaway...but all told, unless you have all the free time in the world, I say skip the direct to DVD release and just go and see the GET SMART film.

That is because GET SMART'S BRUCE AND LLOYD - OUT OF CONTROL misses the mark, by that much.

If you have a lot of driving to do this summer with young kids, and you need some new DVDs to entertain them along the way, I have two to tell you about this week.

The first is the 45th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION of Walt Disney's THE SWORD IN THE STONE.

THE SWORD IN THE STONE is a little slow by today's animation standards, but it remains a fun film for kids who have a bit of an imagination.

The other release that I think would be great for kids in the car is the first release in the UNSTABLE FABLES series - THREE PIGS AND A BABY.

This series of stories are computer animated films produced by The Jim Henson Company...the same folks who gave us The Muppets...and they retell classic fairy tales and fables with an irreverent, unfaithfull and modern twist.

THREE PIGS AND A BABY is about how the three pigs become the target of a special-ops team of wolves.

It is a great program for kids, and might even have you adults laughing as well.

Enjoy the kids DVDs, and safe travels!!

Finally this week is ROMULUS, MY FATHER from Austrailia.

It is this week's entry in the FOREIGN FILM FESTIVAL ON DVD.

ROMULUS, MY FATHER tells the story of Romulus and his less-than-faithful wife Christina, and their struggle in the face of great adversity on their farm, and in their lives, as they raise their son, Raimond.

The film is incredibly well made and acted, and it won the Australian Film Institute awards for Best Film, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and a Young Actor's Award was presented to Kodi Smit-McPhee, the young man who plays the son.

If you enjoy very slow moving films that are very dramatic then ROMULUS, MY FATHER is a must see!! It is heartbreaking at times, uplifting at others, and features some good twists and turns that you won't necessarily see coming.

I liked it, ROMULUS, MY FATHER is a good movie, and this Australian film is the latest entry in The FOREIGN FILM FESTIVAL On DVD!!

ROMULUS, MY FATHER; the kids DVDs UNSTABLE FABLES - THREE PIGS AND A BABY and SWORD IN THE STONE, the not bad GET SMART'S BRUCE AND LLOYD - OUT OF CONTROL, the mildly okay SUPERHERO MOVIE, the Quebec film DAYS OF DARKNESS and the made-in-Saskatchewan movie SLEEPWALKING are all available now on DVD.

Coming up in on the next Couch Potato Report

LATE FRAGMENT is a Canadian made interactive film that allows YOU to decide how it ends.

I will also talk about EARTH - THE BIOGRAPHY, HAROLD AND KUMAR ESCAPE GUANTANAMO BAY and THE FOREIGN FILM FESTIVAL ON DVD entry next week is CHAOTIC ANNA from Spain.

I'm Dan Reynish. I'll have more on those, and some other releases, in seven days.

For now, that's this week's COUCH POTATO REPORT.

Enjoy the movies and I'll see you back here next time on The Couch!

Aronofsky rebooting 'Robocop'

Darren Aronofsky has accepted MGM's challenge to relaunch the "Robocop" franchise.

The company announced on Thursday (July 24) that the new "Robocop" feature is being fast tracked for a 2010 release with the "Requiem for a Dream" helmer directing from a script by David Self.

"Darren is undeniably one of the most talented, original and visceral film makers, and David is one of the greatest writers in Hollywood," says Mary Parent, chairman of MGM's Worldwide Motion Picture Group. "All of us at MGM couldn't be more excited."

The project will be produced by Phoenix Pictures' Mike Medavoy, Arnold Messer, Brad Fischer and David Thwaites.

In a statement, Medavoy says, "After making the first 'Robocop' at Orion more than 20 years ago, I'm thrilled to be helping to return this character to the screen with our partners at MGM and through the eyes of Darren Aronofsky and David Self."

Paul Verhoven directed the 1987 original, which focused on a Detroit cop played by Peter Weller. After being terminally wounded, the character is brought back as a law-enforcement cyborg bent on cleaning up urban blight.

The relatively low-budget film was a box office success and even picked up a pair of Oscar nominations.

"With a filmmaker of Darren Aronofsky's vision and imagination and a writer of David Self's caliber, we are poised to bring to the screen an entertaining and provocative film, which will now be under the creative guidance of two of the best storytellers working in our industry today," say Fischer and Thwaites in yet another statement.

Other credits for Aronofsky include "Pi," "The Fountain" and the upcoming "The Wrestler."

Self wrote the dramas "Thirteen Days" and "Road to Perdition."

Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks welcomes third daughter

NEW YORK - Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks and her husband, Gareth, have welcomed another addition to their all-girl brood: daughter Harper Rosie Maguire.

The baby was born Friday morning in Austin, Texas, weighing in at seven pounds, 10 ounces, the Dixie Chicks announced on their website. The couple have twin daughters, Eva and Katie, born in 2004.

"Martie is doing very well and Gareth and the family are over the moon," the band said in a statement.

Maguire, 38, plays fiddle and mandolin in the Dixie Chicks, which also includes Natalie Maines and Maguire's sister, Emily Robison. Hits by the Chicks include "Wide Open Spaces," "Without You," and "Travelin' Soldier."

Rolling Stones switch recording deal to Universal

LONDON - The Rolling Stones, the world's top-earning music act last year, have signed a long-term, exclusive worldwide contract with Vivendi SA's Universal Music, dealing a major blow to the group's former recording company, EMI Group PLC.

Universal said on Friday that the new deal covered both future albums by the Stones and their back catalog including such albums as "Sticky Fingers" and "Black and Blue" and songs "Brown Sugar" and "Start Me Up."

Universal, the world's biggest recording company, did not disclose terms of the deal.

The Stones' departure from EMI, where they'd been for more than 20 years, is a low point in a bumpy ride for Terra Firma Capital Partners Ltd., the private equity firm that bought the London-based recording company last year.

New EMI boss Guy Hands failed to re-sign British band Radiohead. Other major artists, including Coldplay and Robbie Williams, have expressed unhappiness with some changes at the company since the buyout.

"Universal are forward-thinking, creative and hands-on music people," the Stones said in a statement. "We really look forward to working with them."

The British group has already had some experience of working with Universal after the company, a subsidiary of French media and telecommunication giant Vivendi SA, in March released the soundtrack album from "Shine A Light," director Martin Scorsese's film of the Stones' 2006 performance at the Beacon Theater in New York.

Universal will now release all new recordings by the group through its Polydor label and take over full digital and physical rights. It added that it will "begin planning an unprecedented, long-term campaign to reposition the Rolling Stones' entire catalog for the digital age."

The Stones topped Forbes magazine's list of wealthy music acts last year, reportedly earning some $88 million between June 2006 and June 2007, mostly from their "Bigger Bang Tour."

EMI, whose artists also include the Beastie Boys, Norah Jones and Kylie Minogue, announced plans this year to cut more than one-third of its work force to offset a drop in CD sales revenue and the departure of several major artists, including Paul McCartney.

EMI has struggled more than the other major labels — Universal, Sony BMG and Warner Music Group — as digital music downloading has gained in popularity.

The company blamed disappointing North American results for a series of damaging profit warnings, but industry experts also pointed to internal control problems and the company's lack of new music.

Just 34 hours left for TV's "Lost"

SAN DIEGO - "Lost" fans can start expecting some answers.

Writer-producers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof said Friday that they know exactly how the ABC series will end.

"We have 34 hours left for you guys to see — seasons five and six," Lindelof told the Comic-Con crowd. "We owe answers. We know the answers that we owe. The questions have to begin to diminish."

"We know where we're going and we know how long we have left to tell the story," Cuse added. "There's also an organic process that goes on."

They compared the process to a road trip, which can often include alternate routes and unexpected stops.

The showrunners said they will continue to supplement their storytelling with Webisodes, mobisodes (on mobile devices) and games.

"We're doing it primarily for the die-hard fans of the show," Lindelof said.

They offered no spoilers at Entertainment Weekly's panel dedicated to visionary TV producers. But they did reveal they'd like to see the return of Mr. Eko.

"Mr. Eko was a character we really loved," Cuse said of the role played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Turns out the British actor didn't like living and working on an island.

"Hawaii was not his bag," Cuse continued. "Real life intervened and forced us to end the arc of that character much sooner than we would have liked."

No word on whether Mr. Eko will come back when "Lost" returns this fall.

5 nominated reality hosts to preside over Emmys

LOS ANGELES - The reality is, there won't be an Emmy host this year — there will be five.

The reality-TV hosts nominated in the new category that honors their work will preside over the show, ABC and The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences told The Associated Press on Friday.

They are: Tom Bergeron, of "Dancing With the Stars"; Ryan Seacrest, of "American Idol"; Howie Mandel of "Deal or No Deal"; Heidi Klum of "Project Runway"; and Jeff Probst of "Survivor."

The Emmy Awards will be held Sept. 21 and broadcast on ABC.