Lesbian Werewolf Movie Jack And Diane DELAYED
While doing some research on Juno (what else), I came across an unfortunate bit of news about an indie film which I’ve been tracking for some time, Jack and Diane.
Bradley Rust Gray’s film is about two teenage lesbians (Ellen Page and Olivia Thirlby), who meet in New York City and spend the night kissing ferociously. Diane’s charming innocence quickly begins to open Jack’s tough skinned heart. But, when Jack discovers that Diane is leaving the country in a week she tries to push her away. Diane must struggle to keep their love alive while hiding the secret that her newly awakened sexual desire occasionally turns her into a werewolf.
Jack and Diane was set to start production this fall, but I guess funding fell through recently.
“It’s a drag that we, as of yet, haven’t filmed it. But it will happen,” says Ellen Page. “It’s kind of super-subtle and not really ‘about’ anything. Not a lot happens, there’s no car explosions.”
Some critics (Ebert included) are even predicting that Page will earn an Oscar nomination for Juno. And I’m sure if that happens, funding will quickly follow. I just wish there were some company that would see the genius of this idea, and the potential marketability of Page the potential oscar hype, and get this project off the ground sooner rather than later.
In a world where venture capitalists are throwing money at the stupidest of stupid ideas, there must be someone with some cash that is willing to help this movie, right? Mark Cuban, where are you?
Photo credit: Scott McDermott
Five Gone Baby Gone Video Clips
Ben Affleck’s directorial debut Gone Baby Gone is nothing short of one of this year’s best. It’s a great film, with a few unexpected twists. Ed Harris easily earns an Oscar Nomination before your eyes, and I think this might be Casey Affleck’s breakout role. Our friends at Collider have five clips from this amazing film. Check them out, and mark this movie on your calendar (October 19th).
Factory Girl Movie Review
Factory Girl could have been Lindsay Lohan’s E! True Hollywood Story. It could have made a watch-able television documentary. But instead it’s a pointless independent film with nothing to say.
Starring: Guy Pearce, Sienna Miller, Hayden Christensen, Jimmy Fallon, Meredith Ostrom
Directed by: George Hickenlooper
Running Time: 87 minutes
Genres: Drama and Biopic
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive drug use, strong sexual content, nudity and language.
Distributors: The Weinstein Company, MGM
Director George Hickenlooper is clearly in love with Warhol, and for the most part treats him like a God. There is nothing like-able or sympathetic about Edie Sedgwick. What did Warhol see in Sedgwick? Whatever it was isn’t apparent. She had no real talent other than being pretty and doing drugs (if that’s considered a talent). If it wasn’t for Warhol, she wouldn’t even have a listing in wikipedia. So why should we care about her decline from b-status glory? Exactly, we don’t.
The film is filled with pointless cameos. Jimmy Falon and Mena Suvari have minor parts that don’t add up to much. Hayden Christensen plays an obvious copy of Bob Dylan. Due to legalities, he’s named “Musician” in the film’s credits, which may annoy some. Christensen once showed promise in Shattered Glass and Life as a House, but has since made it clear that he’s not much more than a pretty face. I use to stick up for him, blaming George Lucas for his horrible performance in the Star Wars prequels. Sienna Miller is unlike-ably annoying, but perfect in the role. They pushed her performance for an oscar nomination, and came away empty handed.
Factory Girl makes me wonder: Why don’t we have famous popular artists in today’s world? What happened to artists making experimental films? Where is our Warhol? But the film answers none of these questions.
Box Office Predictions: Will Norbit Rise above Hannibal?
I had another solid week last week. I was right with The Messengers for the #1 movie, but over shot the total by about $4 million. I was very close for the totals of Epic Movie and Night at the Museum, but was one spot off for Epic Movie which I had coming in #2. Instead, Because I Said So was #2 and did much better than I expected. After a good start, Smokin Aces really dropped down. Now, with two new movies opening up, both of which have had tons of commercials, what will reign supreme? Read on to find out:
1. Norbit. Eddie Murphy garnered a Golden Globe win and an Oscar Nomination (perhaps a win too) for his supporting role in Dream Girls. Somehow I doubt that he will get one next year for his starring role in Norbit. The movie doesnt look very good, but neither did last years similar looking Big Mommas House 2 which made an impressive $27 million its opening weekend. Murphy has a history of box office gold with this type of movie. The Nutty Professor movies both earned over $120 million at the box office, and the sequel started out with a huge $42 million. I dont see Norbit being that successful, but it should do very well nonetheless. It gets off to a good start with $22 million.
2. Hannibal Rising. I was very tempted to put this lower on the list, but there is not much competition. The top two movies last week made only $15 and $13 million which isnt a high total and those numbers will come down in their second week of release. Even if The Messengers hangs on to an astounding 67% of its audience (which is very rare and only happens on huge blockbusters) it would still only make $10 million this week which isnt a very high total for Hannibal Rising to shoot for. The other recent Hannibal Lector films have done very well, but they stared Mr. Hannibal Lector himself, Anthony Hopkins. I dont see this prequel having the same drawing power, but it will have enough for the #2 spot making $13 million.
3. The Messengers. As mentioned above, it got off to a good, but not stellar start last week. I dont see it having a lot of staying power and it has competition in the horror category from Hannibal Rising. It drops down to $8 million.
4. Because I Said So. I was surprised that it made $13 million last week. That is a solid start. It has a chance through good word of mouth to have some nice staying power, but it will still also drop down, and will bring in $7 million.
5. Epic Movie. It got off to a good start, but lost a huge percentage of its audience from week one to week two. I guess people caught on to the fact that the movie looks terrible. It barely stays on the top 5 list for one last week. It makes $6 million.
Night at the Museums run in the top 5 was very impressive but is over. It will hang around the top 10 for awhile though and keep crawling towards $250 million. At $225 million right now, I say it will fall just short of that mark.