'Moneyball' can't find a place in Hollywood's lineup
At a time when expensive adult dramas keep striking out at the box office, it appears not even Brad Pitt and director Steven Soderbergh can entice a Hollywood studio to spend about $57 million on a baseball movie.
Pitt and Soderbergh, who were given a short window to set up their adaptation of the 2003 bestselling book "Moneyball" at a rival studio after Sony Pictures unexpectedly killed the project just three days before production was to begin today, have been turned down by Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures, which shared concerns about the film's high budget and limited commercial appeal.
Sony movie chief Amy Pascal had given them the weekend to try and set the movie up at the two studios where they have the closest ties. Pitt's production company is based at Paramount, and the actor and Soderbergh have made the "Ocean's 11" movies at Warner.
On Friday, as first reported by industry trade paper Daily Variety, Sony's Pascal pulled the plug on the production after Soderbergh turned in a rewrite of the script by Steve Zaillian that she found unacceptable, according to people close to the situation. A person informed about the matter said that Pascal had liked Zaillian's adaptation of Michael Lewis' book about Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane, but when Soderbergh's rewrite came in last Wednesday, she was surprised that there were "substantial changes."
Pascal met with Soderbergh in her Culver City office to see if he was willing to revise his take, but the two couldn't agree on a vision for the film. They also disagreed over Soderbergh's plan to shoot the film in a more improvisational documentary style, the person said.
She then made a last-minute decision to scrap the production, shocking those who were about to start shooting, said one individual involved in the project.
By Monday, Paramount and Warner Bros. had already decided to pass. Similarly budgeted dramas aimed at adults, such as "State of Play," "Duplicity" and "The International," have all fared poorly at the box office this year. "Moneyball" has the added burden of being about baseball, which would not only limit its appeal among women, but also overseas audiences. International receipts from theatrical, television and DVD sales typically account for more than half of a film's total sales.
As studios continue to tighten their belts, those added up to more than enough reasons to flash a red light.
"In light of the economic climate, Warner and Paramount said they weren't going to make the movie," said Pitt's manager, Cynthia Pett-Dante. She added that Pitt "totally supports Steven all the way" in his vision for the movie.
Soderbergh's manager, Michael Sugar, declined comment on behalf of the director.
One executive who had considered bringing the project to his studio said the movie would have had to gross more than $100 million at the domestic box office just to break even.
Sony is still weighing its options, which now appear limited to either convincing Soderbergh to alter his vision, proceeding with another director, or putting the entire project on the disabled list.
Either way, the studio will be on the hook for the nearly $10 million it has already spent on preproduction and screenplay development.
'Scrubs' to change its name & location next season, former TV star to be recruited
"Scrubs," the beloved series we said goodbye to last month when J.D. (Zach Braff) made his exit from Sacred Heart, will return to the schedule this winter, but it won't be the same show... not at all.
"Scrubs" e.p. Bill Lawrence told EW.com last week that when the sitcom comes back, it'll no longer take place in the hospital, but in a medical school with professors Cox (John C. McGinley) and Turk (Donald Faison) instead.
Sacred Heart won't disappear completely though. Dr. Cox and Dr. Turk's students will end up seeing several familiar faces while doing rotations there every now and then... Braff, Sarah Chalke (Elliot), Judy Reyes (Carla) and Ken Jenkins (Dr. Kelso) have signed on to appear as guest stars throughout the season.
The med students will be comprised of actors new to the "Scrubs" family, though casting has not yet begun. Lawrence did, however, mention that ABC is encouraging them to hire one big name, someone recognizable.
Sources close to the series tell me "Gilmore Girls"' Lauren Graham is currently at the top of their wish list.
As for last season's newbies, Eliza Coupe, Betsy Beutler, Sonal Shah and Todd Bosley, the interns who were once rumored to be "Scrubs" future, I'm told Coupe will likely be the only one considered to return in some regular capacity.
Neil Flynn (The Janitor) and Christa Miller (Jordan) have both landed series regular roles on new sitcoms, however Christa can do double duty on "Scrubs" since her new gig is Lawrence's other show, "Cougar Town," which will film right next door.
No, not next door to the abandoned hospital in the Valley. "Scrubs" has actually packed up shop, its sets will be built on a studio lot in Culver City.
Insiders tell me the producers are busy brainstorming a new name for the show as well... something that will probably include "Scrubs," but somehow distinguish that it's different from the show we've watched for the last eight years.
The Couch Potato Report - June 20th, 2009
This week The Couch Potato Report peels a week, a car, a musical festival and asks: Who ya gonna call?
After a week away I am back with more critical analysis of movies that are now available on DVD and in High Definition on Blu-ray.
Up first this week is the Canadian film ONE WEEK.
Joshua Jackson from the television shows DAWSON'S CREEK and FRINGE stars as Ben, a man who is diagnosed with cancer and given a slim chance of survival.
But instead of going into treatment, he decides to take a motorcycle trip.
Along the way, Ben makes new friends and he ponders his relationship with his fiancée, his job, and his dream of becoming a writer.
Since ONE WEEK is a Canadian film about a road trip across Canada, it features some of the unique places and things that can be seen along the Trans Canada between Toronto and British Columbia, and that includes Saskatchewan.
And that is why I liked this film! No matter what I say for the next minute, please remember that I liked this film.
Yes, I liked it because I have driven the roads this movie travels, and I have visted the same unique places and things that can be seen along the Trans Canada...but at times the film just goes from one place to the next, and Ben has little to no human interraction with people.
And I can tell you for a fact that when you visit small town Canada, people are friendly, and they will talk with you!
Plus, the best people in the world can be found in small towns, and there is a plot point that happens at the end of this film that would never happen!! It would never happen in a small town!!! I won't tell you what it is, but when that event happened, I was disappointed in the filmmakers...not the film, per se, but the filmmakers.
They obviously didn't spent enough time in the great small towns - like Kipling - where they were filming.
In the end, as I said, I liked ONE WEEK, primarily because of how much of Canada it showed me during it's 94 minute running time.
No, it is not a perfect film, but at one point the lead character says that he is "...just searching for moments.", and there are enough good moments in this film for me to recommend it.
From the Canadian film ONE WEEK, let's park now beside Clint Eastwood's latest...this one is called GRAN TORINO!
In this great movie Eastwood plays a widowed, racist war veteran who dislikes, and then befriends his neighbor, a young teenager, who tried to steal his prized possession: his 1972 Gran Torino.
After filming MILLION DOLLAR BABY in 2004, Eastwood had said that he was done with acting and he was only going to direct from then on.
I - for one - am glad that he decided to appear in this film as well as no one else could have played this character.
He is so racist at times that a person with a lesser screen presence would have made the character unlikeable...however, Clint gives us another superb performance, and film.
GRAN TORINO is a great movie with real characters and it is also very funny at times. You might even learn a thing or two!
It is one of the best films I have seen in the past year.
Alright, let's rock!! Let's rock at Woodstock!!
Believe it or not, it has almost been 40 years since the Woodstock Music & Art Fair took place.
It took place in the rural town of Bethel, New York from August 15 to August 18, 1969, and now WOODSTOCK: 3 DAYS OF PEACE AND MUSIC DIRECTOR'S CUT - 40TH ANNIVERSARY ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S EDITION is the perfect way to relive it.
This set features more than three hours of extras - including two hours of rare performance footage with songs from Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Grateful Dead, Johnny Winter & Mountain who played at Woodstock but never appeared in any previous film version, plus a third hour of featurettes showcasing interviews from the filmmakers.
But it primarily features the music!
They say if you can remember the sixties you weren't really there, so if you'd like to experience what you missed, look for WOODSTOCK: 3 DAYS OF PEACE AND MUSIC DIRECTOR'S CUT - 40TH ANNIVERSARY ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S EDITION.
I have two films to get to quickly now before I tell you about the comedy classic that is debuting on Blu-ray this week, up first is the wanna be comedy FIRED UP.
In FIRED UP the two most popular guys in high school decide to ditch football camp for cheerleader camp so they can meet new women.
This is a pointless, very predictable film that offers nothing new. I say skip it and check out BRING IT ON or the eighties classic PRIVATE SCHOOL. They are much better films.
Two actors I like topline this next film, Clive Owen from INSIDE MAN and Naomi Watts from THE RING films star in THE INTERNATIONAL.
They are working together to expose a high-profile financial institution's role in an international arms dealing ring.
THE INTERNATIONAL takes you to Berlin, Milan and New York City, but with one exception it doesn't offer up anything we haven't seen before, so it is ultimately unsatisfying.
That one exception? There is an extended shootout that takes place inside New York's Guggenheim Museum...well, not the real one, but still...it is pretty cool!
However, if you want to see cool shootout's in New York City's landmarks, along with ghosts, goblins and things that go bump in the night, I have a film that continues to satisfy, twenty-five years after it's debut.
Yes, if there's something strange, in your neighbourhood, who ya gonna call?
GHOSTBUSTERS was released to theatres on June 8, 1984, and this week the BLU-RAY BEACON shines on the 25th Anniversary Edition of the film.
Many of the special features that have been available on the various DVDs over the years are included on this new Blu-ray, but there are a few features that are brand new, including a trivia and behind the scenes option.
GHOSTBUSTERS remains one of my all-time favourite films, and I loved watching it in High Definition!!
Yes, if I haven't been clear, I do recommend this movie...I still recommend it!!
Finally this week, it is the FOREIGN FILM FESTIVAL ON DVD!!!
We head to Columbia this week for the film DOG EAT DOG about two hoods who break the unwritten code of the country's crime world.
Yes, you can lie, cheat, steal and kill, but don't break the code, for if you do, you sign your own death sentence.
DOG EAT DOG isn't a film with a happy ending, but it is full of some great action sequences and scenes. I was left with a few questions at the end, but I still enjoyed looking around a country that I have never been to, and I enjoyed the Columbian film DOG EAT DOG, which is available now on DVD.
The 25 Anniversary edition of GHOSTBUSTERS, the okay THE INTERNATIONAL, the wannabe comedy FIRED UP, the 40 Anniversary Edition of WOODSTOCK, Clint Eastwood's great GRAN TORINO and the Canadian travelogue ONE WEEK are available now on DVD and Blu-ray.
Coming up on the next Couch Potato Report
I will talk about the made-in-Saskatchewan film 45 RPM, we'll hear about some CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC, and the BLU-RAY BEACON shines on the Extended Edition of the Tom Hanks' movie BIG.
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!
Kodak is taking Kodachrome film away
Sorry, Paul Simon, Kodak is taking your Kodachrome away.
The Eastman Kodak Co. announced Monday it's retiring its most senior film because of declining customer demand in an increasingly digital age.
The world's first commercially successful colour film, immortalized in song by Simon, spent 74 years in Kodak's portfolio.
It enjoyed its heyday in the 1950s and '60s but in recent years has nudged closer to obscurity: Sales of Kodachrome are now just a fraction of one per cent of the company's total sales of still-picture films, and only one commercial lab in the world still processes it.
Those numbers and the unique materials needed to make it convinced Kodak to call its most recent manufacturing run the last, said Mary Jane Hellyar, the outgoing president of Kodak's Film, Photofinishing and Entertainment Group.
"Kodachrome is particularly difficult [to retire] because it really has become kind of an icon," Hellyar said.
Simon sang about it in 1973 in the aptly titled Kodachrome.
"They give us those nice bright colours. They give us the greens of summers. Makes you think all the world's a sunny day," he sang."…So, mama don't take my Kodachrome away."
Vibrant colours
Indeed, Kodachrome was favoured by still and motion picture photographers for its rich but realistic tones, vibrant colours and durability.
It was the basis not only for countless family slideshows on carousel projectors over the years but also for world-renowned images, including Abraham Zapruder's 8-mm reel of President John F. Kennedy's assassination Nov. 22, 1963.
Photojournalist Steve McCurry's widely recognized portrait of an Afghan refugee girl, shot on Kodachrome, appeared on the cover of National Geographic in 1985. At Kodak's request, McCurry will shoot one of the last rolls of Kodachrome film and donate the images to the George Eastman House museum, which honours the company's founder, in Rochester.
For McCurry, who after 25 years with Kodachrome moved on to digital photography and other films in the last few years, the project will close out an era.
"I want to take [the last roll] with me and somehow make every frame count … just as a way to honour the memory and always be able to look back with fond memories at how it capped and ended my shooting Kodachrome," McCurry said last week from Singapore, where he has an exhibition at the Asian Civilizations Museum.
As a tribute to the film, Kodak has compiled on its website a gallery of iconic images, including McCurry's Afghan girl and others from photographers Eric Meola and Peter Guttman.
Guttman used Kodachrome for 16 years, until about 1990, before switching to Kodak's more modern Ektachrome film, and he calls it "the visual crib that I was nurtured in." He used it to create a widely published image of a snowman beneath a solar eclipse, shot in the dead of winter in North Dakota.
'Incredibly realistic tones'
"I was pretty much entranced by the incredibly realistic tones and really beautiful colour," Guttman said, "but it didn't have that artificial Crayola colouration of some of the other products that were out there."
Unlike any other colour film, Kodachrome is purely black and white when exposed. The three primary colours that mix to form the spectrum are added in three development steps rather than built into its layers.
Because of the complexity, only Dwayne's Photo, in Parsons, Kan., still processes Kodachrome film. The lab has agreed to continue through 2010, Kodak said.
Hellyar estimates the retail supply of Kodachrome will run out in the fall, though it could be sooner if devotees stockpile. In the U.S., Kodachrome film is available only through photo specialty dealers. In Europe, some retailers, including the Boots chain, carry it.
Responding to photographers like Guttman, who refuse to go digital, Hellyar said that despite Kodachrome's demise Kodak will stay in the film business "as far into the future as possible," even though the company now gets about 70 per cent of its revenue from its digital business.
Hellyar points to the seven new professional still films and several new motion picture films introduced in the last few years and to a strategy that emphasizes efficiency.
"Anywhere where we can have common components and common design and common chemistry that let us build multiple films off of those same components, then we're in a much stronger position to be able to continue to meet customers' needs," she said.
Kodachrome, because of its one-of-a-kind formula, didn't fit in with the philosophy and was made only about once a year.
Green Day Let the Bullets Fly in Marc Webb’s “21 Guns” Video
Green Day’s video for “21 Guns,” the second single off the band’s acclaimed 21st Century Breakdown, premiered last night on MySpace Music. The video was directed by music video vet Marc Webb, who previously helmed clips for Weezer and My Chemical Romance and will make his feature film debut later this summer with (500) Days of Summer.
Like the “Know Your Enemy” video, “21 Guns” is a performance-heavy clip that has the band — including touring guitarist Jason White — rocking inside a bleak single room where a young couple are barricaded. Newspaper clippings and the lyrics to the song (as well as other Green Day songs, including “See the Light”) cover the walls, and before long bullets riddle the room, smashing glasses and everything else in sight. But the pair suddenly lose their fear and walk proudly to the middle of the room, where they kiss in a scene that echos 21st Century Breakdown’s cover art.
Drummer Tre Cool recently told Spinner the clip does indeed mirror the album art, and he thinks “It’s the perfect video for the song.” What’s more, “There’s a hot girl and a hot guy in it.” Cool said the video was filmed on a two-day shoot and promised a “lot of explosions, good times and gunpowder.”
“21 Guns” will be among the songs on Rock Band’s Breakdown download three-pack along with “Know Your Enemy” and “East Jesus Nowhere.” Fans will able to see “21 Guns” live this summer when Green Day embark on their full tour starting July 3rd in Seattle.
New CD Releases, June 23rd: Pete Yorn, The Mars Volta, Cheap Trick, Dream Theater, Regina Spektor, and more!!
Pete Yorn "Back and Fourth" (Sony)
The alt-rock singer/songwriter is finally set to release his fourth studio album, which follows 2006's "Nightcrawler." "Back and Fourth" marks a production shift for Yorn, who played virtually all of the instruments on his first three albums, but worked with drummer Joey Waronker (Beck), pianist/arranger Nate Wolcott (Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley), bassist Joe Karnes (John Cale), backing vocalist Orenda Fink (Azure Ray) and Jonny Polonsky (the guitarist in Yorn's touring band).
The New Jersey native will showcase the new material at a sold-out album-release show at LA's Roxy Theatre June 24. He'll then launch a two-month North American tour beginning July 9 in San Diego, CA.
Yorn also has plans to drop another studio effort this fall--"Break Up," an album of duets with actress/singer Scarlett Johansson. The nine-track record is set to hit stores on Sept. 8.
* * *
The Mars Volta "Octahedron" (Warner Bros.)
The psychedelic-inspired hard-rock band returns to the fray with the release of its fifth studio album. "Octahedron" follows 2008's "The Bedlam in Goliath," which featured the Grammy Award-winning song "Wax Simulacra."
Having appeared earlier this month at the mammoth Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, TN, the group will again see massive crowds when it shows up in August at the second annual Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival in San Francisco.
* * *
Cheap Trick "The Latest" (Cheap Trick)
The legendary classic rock band is ready to give fans "The Latest." This new disc, which follows 2006's "Rockford," was produced by Julian Raymond and includes a cover of Slade's "When the Lights are Out."
Cheap Trick--frontman Robin Zander, guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson and drummer Bun E. Carlos--will back "The Latest" by joining Def Leppard and Poison on the road. The 40-city trek kicks off June 23 in Camden, NJ.
Also of note, the group made headlines recently when it announced plans to interpret The Beatles' classic 1967 album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" during an engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton, which kicks off Sept. 13.
* * *
Dream Theater "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" (Roadrunner)
The prog-metal act, which formed in 1985 in Long Island, NY, is set to unleash its 10th studio album. "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" follows 2007's "Systematic Chaos."
The new offering will be available in several different formats. Along with the standard CD, the effort will also be sold as a vinyl LP and as a three-disc special-edition package with the full album, as well as a disc of instrumental mixes and one featuring six cover songs.
Dream Theater will support "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" with another round of "Progressive Nation" tour dates. The trek begins July 24 in Miami and will end Aug. 29 in Los Angeles.
* * *
Regina Spektor "Far" (Warner Bros.)
The Moscow-born singer/songwriter/pianist is back with a follow-up to 2006's "Begin to Hope." "Far" features work from four big-name producers--Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra), Mike Elizondo (Eminem), David Kahne (Paul McCartney) and Garret "Jackknife" Lee (R.E.M.). Spektor will support "Far" with a seven-city North American trek that begins Sept. 11 in Saint Paul, MN, and finishes Sept. 24 in Philadelphia.
* * *
More new releases:
Neal E. Boyd, "My American Dream" (Decca)
Shawn Colvin, "Live" (Nonesuch)
Dinosaur Jr., "Farm" (Jagjaguwar)
Kurt Elling, "Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings the Music of Coltrane and Hartman" (Concord)
Escala, "Escala" (Columbia)
Judy Garland, "Live at the Palladium" (Collector's Choice)
Michael Johns, "Hold Back My Heart" (Downtown)
Bob Marley, "B is For Bob" (Tuff Gong)
VNV Nation, "Of Faith, Power and Glory" (Red)
Soundtracks and scores:
"Hair (The New Broadway Cast Recording)" (Ghostlight)
"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (Reprise)
Nickelback golden at MMVAs
Alberta rockers Nickelback may have picked up a leading three trophies at the MuchMusic Video Awards last night, giving music critics across the country another reason to groan, but in the end it was all about Lady Gaga's "flaming boobies."
The critically unpopular group, who picked up three Juno Awards back in March, went into the televised street-oriented awards show -- which saw thousands of fans take over the blocks surrounding MuchMusic's Toronto Queen and John Sts. headquarters -- with a leading five MMVA nods, tied with R&B Toronto newcomer Danny Fernandes.
Nickelback's trio of trophies were for best video and best rock video for Gotta Be Somebody while the clip also got the nod for best post production.
"Wow," said frontman Chad Kroeger, arriving on the red carpet with his bandmates in a bullet-proof van to find out they'd already won two awards before the official show even began.
"I give it all to the fans. The fans have stuck with us, they've been amazing. We're just trying to sustain it."
Added guitarist Ryan Peake: "Couldn't be a better band for this (bullet-proof) vehicle."
Fernandes, whose debut disc, Intro, was produced by Palestinian-born, Ottawa-based rapper Belly, picked up a single trophy for best pop video for Private Dancer and busted out a dance move as a presenter alongside MuchMusic veejay Sarah Taylor.
Piano-rockers The Midway State, whose members hail from Collingwood and Thornhill, Ont., were surprise double winners, picking up two MMVA trophies for best independent video for Never Again and Ur Fave new artist for the same song.
Montreal pop-punk band Simple Plan won Ur Fave video for Save You.
Teen-pop sibling act the Jonas Brothers, who were also co-hosts for the evening, opened the show with their hit song, Burnin' Up, which later won the award for Ur Fave international video, and were immediately followed by St. Catharines, Ont., post-hardcore-screamo act Alexisonfire performing Young Cardinals in a wild contrast of music styles.
And while the trio of brothers can certainly sing -- they returned to sing their current hit, Paranoid, to screaming female fans -- a skit later in the show with celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton fell totally flat.
"You guys truly are the greatest fans in the world -- we love you so much," said Nick Jonas, upon accepting their award.
When it came to international winners, many were on hand to pick up their hardware as they were also MMVA performers.
Lady Gaga picked up best international video (artist) for her breakout single, Poker Face.
"You guys make it so hard to live anywhere else," said Lady Gaga in a gold braided outfit and matching headband.
"To God and the gays!"
But she really had people talking when she later transformed the MMVA stage into a New York subway station and wore a revealing black leather and silver studded ensemble that barely covered her nether regions for her performance of LoveGame/Poker Face that also included dancing NYPD officers and sparks flying out of a metal frame bra she was wearing by the end of the song.
Black Eyed Peas, who currently have the No. 1 album in Canada with The E.N.D., won for best international video (group) for that album's first single, Boom Boom Pow, which they also performed with female singer Fergie decked out in hot pants, thigh-high boots and long fake finger nails on one hand.
Kelly Clarkson also blew the roof off the joint -- okay so there was no roof outside -- with her big-voice and hit song, My Life Would Suck Without You, as she performed barefoot in jeans.
One Canadian group who did well last night was Billy Talent. The Toronto pop-punk outfit picked up the international video award (Canadian) for Rusted From the Rain, the first single from their new album, Billy Talent III, due later this summer, and performed the song during the MMVAs broadcast on an elevated platform.
"I don't have any flaming boobies," said Billy Talent frontman Ben Kowalewicz as he picked up the award, in reference to Lady Gaga's eye-popping performance which had just occurred.
Books by Martin Luther King Jr. to be republished
ATLANTA – Four books that have been long out of print by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. will be published again under a new deal with Beacon Press brokered by King's youngest son.
Dexter King called it a historic partnership that will bring his father's words to a global audience. Beacon, a department of the Unitarian Universalist Association, publishes books on social justice, human rights and racial equality.
The Boston-based publisher will release new editions of "Stride Toward Freedom," "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?," "Trumpet of Conscience" and "Strength to Love" in 2010.
Under the agreement, Beacon will also compile King's writings, sermons, lectures and prayers into new editions with introductions by leading scholars.