Hollywood to Award Reality Show Winner with Starring Movie Role?!
With the success of American Idol, I knew it would be only a matter of time before Hollywood would auction off film roles in reality television shows. VH1 has greenlighted a new reality series called Scream Queens which will involve 10 unknown actresses competing for a “Major Role” in a upcoming horror film from Lionsgate Films. The series will consist of eight hour-long episodes, and is set to premiere in the fall.
The horror genre isn’t taken seriously in the first place, but this is a new low. Giving a starring role to a reality show contestant? Am I wrong? I guess you could argue that it isn’t that much different that Project Greenlight. But for some reason the idea of giving a writer/director the funding to make his movie seems a lot less tacky than this. Maybe because the logic of rewarding a contest winner with a starring role instead of finding the best actress for said role, goes beyond all logic. But I guess that happens all the time in Hollywood…
Source: THR
VH1 gives Scream Queens the green light
This is news that leaves me somewhat torn. On the one hand, I really like horror movies, and by extension, I’m pretty fond of scream queens. On the other hand, just hearing about this show calls to mind the train wreck that was E!’s Kill Reality, and that isn’t a happy memory. I suppose it also sounds a lot like Joel Silver’s Next Action Star, which wasn’t all bad. But then, I might just be trying to talk myself into liking it because that picture of Lexa Doig (Jason X) is staring at me.
The new show will gather ten unknown actresses to compete for a role in a horror movie from Lionsgate Films. The contestants will compete in challenges and be judged by an as yet unnamed director. I’m guessing there will be blood, and possibly chainsaws. The drawback is that it’s not on HBO or Showtime, so despite having an acting coach on hand, these girls are all going to be cheated out of that valuable topless-in-the-steamy-locker-room training. I feel for them.
The series is set to premiere in the fall and play out over eight hour long episodes. My expectations are low, but there is just enough there to get me to tune in at least once.
Michael Moore’s Sicko: Third Biggest Documentary of All Time
Congratulations to Michael Moore, whose movie Sicko has just become the third biggest documentary of all time, surpassing Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. Check out the press release after the jump.
Michael Moore’s ‘SiCKO’ Becomes the Third Highest Grossing Documentary of All Time Surpassing ‘An Inconvenient Truth’
NEW YORK, Sept. 9 — “SiCKO,” Michael Moore’s highly
acclaimed and entertaining expose of the American health care system, has
just become the third highest grossing documentary of all time grossing
$24.2 million domestically since it debuted in theaters on June 29th.
“SiCKO,” one of the most talked about films of the year, moved into third
place taking the spot of previous record holder “An Inconvenient Truth” and
behind Moore’s previous film “Fahrenheit 9/11″ and “March of the Penguins.”
The announcement was made today by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, co-chairmen of
The Weinstein Company.
Harvey Weinstein stated, “It’s an incredible achievement for ‘SiCKO’ to
have become the third highest grossing film in the history of
documentaries. We are going to keep the movie in theaters and plan to
re-release it during the Fall so that audiences continue to have a chance
to experience this entertaining and profound documentary.”
“SiCKO” has been playing in theaters nationwide for over nine weeks and
had the second highest opening weekend of all time for a documentary.
“SiCKO” is written, directed and produced by Michael Moore. The film is
produced by Meghan O’Hara and co-produced by Anne Moore. Kathleen Glynn.
Bob Weinstein and Harvey Weinstein serve as executive producers. “SiCKO”
was fully financed by The Weinstein Company and is being distributed in US
theaters and on pay television in the US by Lionsgate Films.
ABOUT “SiCKO”
If you want to stay healthy in America, don’t get sick.
Following on the heels of his award winning hit “Fahrenheit 9/11″ and
his Oscar(R) winning film “Bowling for Columbine,” acclaimed filmmaker
Michael Moore’s new documentary sets out to investigate the American
healthcare system. Sticking to his tried-and-true one-man approach, Moore
sheds light on the complicated medical affairs of individuals and local
communities. “SiCKO” promises to be every bit as indicting as Moore’s
previous films. For more information, go to: http://www.sicko-themovie.com
Teeth gets an R-Rating, But How?
When The Weinstein Co and Lionsgate Films picked up Teeth at the Sundance Film Festival, everyone wondered if the film would be release unrated. The dark comedy follows a girl who has teeth in her vagina, and uses her extra set to take revenge against guys that have done her wrong. Harvey Weinstein said he didn’t want to cut the movie to ensure an R rating. And many people speculated that the film would be distributed by Lionsgate as unrated, since the studio is not a member studio of the MPAA. Well, the MPAA has made their judgement and Teeth has been rated R!
That’s right, a film which shows penis decapitation has been granted an R-Rating for the MPAA. The official MPAA database lists the film as Rated R For disturbing sequences involving sexuality and violence, language and some drug use. How did this happen? I saw the film at Sundance, and I can promise you, the version of the film I saw could not have been rated R. The MPAA notoriously hates violence mixed with sex/nudity, and that is what this film is. I wonder if Weinstein went back on his claim not to cut the film or if someone bribed the MPAA committee member (hey, we now know who they are thanks to This Film is Not Yet Rated).
Teeth will be released sometime later this year.