Hey folks, Harry here... Each year at ShoWest they have a couple of screenings of movies that the studios or indie folk feel are guaranteed players on the national scene. This film, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING produced by Tom Hanks looks to be pretty good. More confirmation that Lucas may be handing the naysayers their balls in a pretty red bow. Check it out...
Dear Harry,
First time writing. This was also my first ShoWest. Just wanted to give you a little information on the films I saw and other items.
1) Attended showing of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Produced by Tom Hanks/Rita Wilson, Starring Nia (can't remember last name) and John Corbett. Nia wrote the screenplay also. Great date movie both guy and girl will like. Very funny and flowed nicely. Nothing ground breaking, but it's nice to see a comedy put together well. Actors and Wilson were in attendance, all very excited and nice. Ran into Nia on the tradeshow floor, very happy to hear I liked the movie, would have kept talking if her handlers had not pulled her away. Obviously, she is not a jaded star yet. The title of the movie says it all. Take's place in Chicago, via filming in Toronto. 30 year old Greek woman lives with parents, works in parents restaurant, has huge Greek family who are all want her to marry nice Greek man. John Corbett is definately not Greek and of course they fall in love. I have been to a Greek Orthodox wedding where the man was not Greek and it was exactly like this movie.
2) Windtalkers directed by John Woo, starring Nick Cage and Adam Beach. Definately John Woo, lots of noise and explosion. Basically it tells the story of Navahos recruited to use their language as a code. It follows two such "Windtalkers" and their "protectors", in this case Cage and Christian Slater. The best part of the movie was that it was shown via a digital projector, otherwise it was just a typical explosive war movie that used every cliche Woo could get his hands on. Recommend you see a matinee or dvd.
3) Saw the Star Wars Ep. II footage and presentation. Other readers have described so I won't bother. Needless to say, I have not been this excited since waiting for Empire Strikes Back. I truly believe Lucas heard the fans. The digital presentation was mindblowing. In the little that was shown, Hayden Christenson seems to have done a good job. He comes across as both awkward, cocky, extremely talented in the force and yes a touch dark. I have read Moriarty's script review and I have no doubt Hayden will pull off those "chilling" seens mentioned.
4) Attended MGM luncheon. Steve "Crocodile Hunter" Irwin, his wife, daughter and snakes were present and presented a funny presentation. He spent time talking about Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course. I'm a big fan of Irwin, who is obviously insane as proven by the freakin' huge alligator he brought out on to the stage to sit on top of. Oh, did I mention the rattle snake and cobra that he man handled? Unfortunately, no reporters were bitten. Bruce Willis also came out on stage (he produced). MGM showed a few previews, including Collision Course which looked a little cheesy, but should be a fun rental.
Call me Sticker.
