Yes, ol'Father Geek is here with the comely Ms.Tamsin, and another report from tomorrow from those magical lands half a world away geographically, and half a year ahead of us seasonally. As is the usual case with her stories she's combined news of blockbusters we've all heard of and the "little" films we need to know about as well into a very interesting column for this work-week's final day here in the States. Sooooo, with no further adieu Father Geek turns you over to our lass in the know (because she lives in the future) and...
DOWNUNDER REPORT #29
Sorry that my column is a little late this week (usually a Tuesday, or Wednesday read). Haven't had a moment. Here is the latest report.
NEWS:
Sorry that my column is a little late this week (usually a Tuesday, or Wednesday read). Haven't had a moment. Here is the latest report.
NEWS:
Naomi Watts, English-born/Australian adopted, is that latest actress up for a starring role in THE RUNAWAY JURY, the latest from John Grisham. Also starring John Cusack, the film is a legal drama about a jury foreman involved in a lawsuit with a gun manufacturer. Grisham has finally cast approval which has caused the project to be put on hold on a number of occasions. Other films coming up for Watts are THE RING (Hollywood's remake of the recent Japanese film.why oh why do they do this!!!??? Think of your own ideas), LE DIVORCE and PLOTS WITH A VIEW. This is certainly a case of an over-night success taking 10 years for Watt. She's been around for ages in Australia and England.
BLACK CHICKS TALKING
Actress/Director Leah Purcell's (LANTANA) documentary, BLACK CHICKS TALKING has been accepted into the NEW YORK TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL.
This is the only non-American documentary to feature in the festival which opens on May 8th. BLACK CHICKS TALKING is a 50-minute documentary based on Purcell's book of the same name, and gives an insight into the diverse lives of five Aboriginal women, from Melbourne-based actress Deborah Mailman (SECRET LIFE OF US, RABBIT PROOF FENCE), to solicitor Tammy Williams and Cilla Mallone, a mother of six in the Cherbourg community.
BLACK CHICKS TALKING will screen in Australia on SBS in August with the book for release in June.
JAMES CAMERON SUED BY COUPLA AUSSIES
A Greek-Australian couple are currently in the process of suing James Cameron in the US Federal Court, claiming he used ideas from their movie for TERMINATOR II (don't they know you can't copyright ideas!). The couple, Filia and Constantinos Kourtis, from Melbourne, are asking for damages and credits on the film and its forthcoming sequel. Already a major US media outlet had expressed interest in purchasing exclusive rights to the story. (WHAT????)
The case is this. In 1988, Australian scriptwriter Bill Green was commissioned to write the screenplay for a proposed movie called THE MINOTAUR, set in The Labyrinth on the Greek island of Crete.
After shopping the script unsuccessfully around Hollywood, Mr Kourtis claims he received a call from Cameron while visiting Hollywood in 1989 in which the film-maker told him he "loved the project" and his agent would be calling him "soon".
According to the lawsuit, the Kourtis' later realised their concept had been used in Terminator II with Cameron also borrowing from THE MINOTAUR for 1989's THE ABYSS. They believe they are now entitled to money from DVD and video sales as well as action figures and games. It will be fun to see how this case turns out.
THE CROCODILE HUNTER ON RICH LIST.
Who would have thought Steve Irwin, THE CROCODILE HUNTER, would come in 5th on the Business Review Weekly magazine's Top 50 Australian entertainers chart with estimated earnings last year of 16.3 million Australian dollars, or $8.7 million US. Irwin came in just behind actor Russell Crowe and director Baz Luhrmann on the earnings list, published Thursday. Crowe was No. 3 with an estimated 29 million Australian dollars, or US$15.5 million.
Luhrmann took fourth place with earnings of around 19.7 million Australian dollars, or US$10.5 million.
Irwin topped Nicole Kidman, whose 2001 income was valued at 11.6 million Australian dollars (US$6.2 million), making her the nation's eighth richest entertainer.
Garage Days News from Mysteryclock.com
Things are winding up in the post department for GARAGE DAYS. And its looking and sounding great. With over 90 visual effects shots in the film, generated by leading Australian VFX companies ANIMAL LOGIC and FUEL, it's been a massive undertaking but the end is in sight!
Expect a release date announcement soon. Just Click Here , or if you crave additional info you can Click Right Here For More Coolness
GARAGEDAYSTHEMOVIE.COM
We have also updated the GARAGE DAYS website with a new Bruno Bite. This time Bruno talks rock n' roll with veteran rocker and GARAGE DAYS co-star Andy Anderson. Click Here To See
UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS
BAD EGGS
"A comedy thriller about two undercover detectives wit way too much publicity." Director/Writer: Tony Martin. Producers: Greg Sitch, Stephen Luby, Tony Martin. Finance/Distribution: Roadshow Film Distributors.
BATAVIA'S GRAVEYARD
"True story of an astonishing 17th century shipwreck and mutiny off the coast of Western Australian". Director: Paul Verhoeven. Production Company: Film Four Funny, there is a script, written by an Australia, floating around about this exact same subject.
NINE LIVES
"On his 21st birthday, Tom wanted to invite his eight closest friends to spend the weekend in each other's company at his ancestral Scottish estate. There is a terrible snow storm causing the house and its nine guests to be cut off from the rest of the world. But an unexpected visitor comes to spoil the party- the spirit of the estates' original owner. Director/Producer/Writer: Andrew Green. Finance: A&A Films
NEW ZEALAND'S THE WATER GIANT (was OGOPOGO)
Reheasals have begun in Queenstown, New Zealand for the NZ $42 million movie, THE WATER GIANT. Bruce Greenwood (RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, THIRTEEN DAYS) joined New Zealand actor Luanne Gordon (THE STRIP, STICKMEN) and Canadian 10-year-old Daniel Magder (X Men) for an intense rehearsal period before the 8 week shoot which begins April 21st. Other New Zealanders starring in the film include, Rena Owen (ONCE WERE WARRIORS, A.I.) playing Crazy Norma, Charles Mesure (STREET LEGAL, XENA) and Joel Tobeck (HERCULES, TOPLESS WOMEN TALK ABOUT THEIR LIVES).
Some Moviehole News
A couple of casting additions from here in Australia for THE MATRIX RELOADED and NED KELLY.
THE MATRIX RELOADED - Rupert Reid (TV's Blue Heelers) has joined the cast of the sci-fi instalments. It's believed his role is of great importance to the movies, but is being kept under wraps. Reid is believed to have been signed for both films, but Reloaded having already shot the majority of its scenes - will probably only feature him minutely. The former Blue Heelers star will join fellow Australians Hugo Weaving and Christine Anu on the set of Andy and Larry Wachowski's revolutionary sci-fi series this week. The series, with an estimated budget of more than $120 million, has been in production at Fox Studios in Sydney since last October. Reid, 27, said he was a "huge" fan of the first film, which has earned nearly $1 billion since its 1999 release. "To me, The Matrix is a seminal work," he said. Reid's contract states that he cannot discuss his character or the content of The Matrix sequels.
NED KELLY - Peter Phelps has signed on the dotted line to appear opposite Heath Ledger in NED KELLY. Phelps previous credits include TV's Stingers and Baywatch, and the recent film LANTANA. Joel Edgerton (STAR WARS EPISODE II) is also heading into Kelly country, negotiating for a role in the film.
Clint Morris
url : http://www.moviehole.net
email : cjnb@ihug.com.au
