Father Geek here trying to squeeze one more report in before the wormhole closes for another 24 hours. Just got Tamsin's column from tomorrow, yes that's exactly what I meant to say. I got it today, but she sent it tomorrow. I still can't get use to that TIMELINE stuff she's got working for her down there. Oh well... here it is straight from the future...
The AICN DOWNUNDER REPORT #33
by Tamsin...
by Tamsin...
Australian film and television legend, Ruth Cracknell has died at age 76. She was best known for her performance as Maggie Bear from about the only truly successful Australian comedy series, MOTHER AND SON, however, she also starred in a number of film including LILIAN'S STORY and THE CHANT OF JIMMY BLACKSMITH. She will be sadly missed.
TIMELINE
Aussie, Frances O'Connor (A.I. ) has signed on to star in the time-travel drama, TIMELINE. Based on a Michael Crichton novel, TIMELINE will be directed by Richard Donner and will also star Paul Walker and Gerard Butler. O'Connor is soon be seen in the films, WINDTALKERS and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST.
TRAVELLING LIGHT
Filming is set to begin in September on TRAVELLING LIGHT, written and directed by Kathryn Millard (PARKLANDS which starred Cate Blanchett). Starring Pia Miranda (LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI) and Sacha Horler (PRAISE), the film chronicles the adventures of two Adelaide sisters and a visiting American beat poet.
NZ actor in STAR WARS EP II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES
Here is an interview by Eleanor Black from the NZ Herald with Daniel Logan, who plays a bounty hunter in the film.
You play the young Boba Fett, who goes on to become a legendary bounty hunter. What do you think of your action figure?
I love it. You can actually tell it's me. It's really big for New Zealanders to have action figures. It's a massive thing when you've got your own toy.
Was Temuera Morrison (who plays Boba's father, Jango Fett) a good dad?
He was a good dad. He's not such a serious man. He's serious in work, but outside work he's relaxed. He used to call me son and I used to call him dad and we used to go around together as son and dad. He still rings me, "Is my son there please?"
What was it like working for George Lucas?
George Lucas paid for our time so we didn't want to waste his time ... He's cool, me and him got along really well. He's a happy, smiley man. He walks around in jeans and a chequered shirt. You know how much money he's worth? You'd think he'd walk around in a gold-plated tuxedo, but he's like any other man. I liked him best because he treated all his actors the same.
How come the Fetts don't have American accents?
I think it's because Tem came from New Zealand as well, and we basically had the same voice tone. We just figured the Fetts came from New Zealand.
You are about to go to your first Star Wars convention. Are you excited?
It's going to be massive. I'm going to meet all my friends again, Ewan McGregor, George [Lucas], Rick McCallum [the producer]. Jay [Laga'aia] said some people are going to ask for 40 signatures [to sell], and he said try to give them one or two at most because there's going to be so many [autograph seekers].
So did you have a crush on Natalie Portman?
She's beautiful, she's a good actress, she's very professional. I got to sit in her room with her.
When schoolmates at Massey High School tried to find out about the film, what did you tell them?
I gave them a simple answer: I wouldn't want to lose my job because I like my job, and if I was to tell you this I would lose my job. And if you were in my place you wouldn't do this for me.
THE LAST SAMURAI
Producer Ed Zwick is currently in Taranaki exploring possible locations for the new Tom Cruise film THE LAST SAMURAI. Mt. Taranaki would be a stand-in in Mt Fujiama in the film. There has also been speculation that Akaoa, on the South Island's Banks Peninsula, will be used for a seaside location. Shooting is tentatively scheduled for January.
CAPTAIN INVINCIBLE
Cultish 1983 superhero musical, THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN INVINCIBLE, starring Alan Arkin, Christopher Lee and Richard O'Brien, has just been released on DVD. It was directed by Australian, Philippe Mora, (A BREED APART), who is currently in pre-production with his film WHEN WE WERE MODERN which is about a famous group of Australian artists including Sidney Nolan, John and Sunday Reed, Albert Tucker, Joy Hester and Arthur Boyd. WHEN WE WERE MODERN is starring Rachel Ward as Sunday Reed, Susie Porter as Joy Hester and Marcus Graham as Nolan.
Mora's last film SNIDE AND PREJUDICE (starring Angus McFayden) was set in a contemporary LA asylum where inmates believe themselves to be members of Hitler's inner circle in the last days of the Third Reich. The LA Weekly listed the film as one of the 10 best for 2001.
THE HARD WORD
New Australian film starring Guy Pearce, Rachel Griffiths and Joel Edgerton, THE HARD WORD has been picked up by Lions Gate Films for North American distribution. Directed by first-timer Scott Roberts, THE HARD WORD, is expected to be released in the US late this year.
Here is Clint from Moviehole's Advanced Review of THE HARD WORD
The Hard Word
Stars Guy Pearce, Rachel Griffiths, Joel Edgerton, Damien Richardson, Robert Taylor, Kate Atkinson, Vince Colossimo
Isn't it ironic that in-demand Hollywood player Guy Pearce should return to his home country to do the type of film his Australian comrades have fled from? Heath Ledger with Gregor Jordan's "Two Hands" and more recently, Eric Bana with his portrayal of "Chopper". Pearce's contribution to the Australian pie and chips crime thriller bears more than a passing parallel to the latter films; but in contrast is also equally novel. It might only have taken a slab, some blood sausages, some footage of the Melbourne Cup and a rifle or two to make, but there's no denying THE HARD WORD is still full to the brim, bursting with entertainment and it's own tricks up it's muddy sleeve.
Dale (Guy Pearce) and brothers Shane (Joel Edgerton) and Mal (Damien Richardson) are notorious bank robbers who pride themselves in the fact that no one ever gets hurt in their misdemeanours. Enter, Frank (Taylor), he's supposed to be their lawyer, but instead spends most of his time in the bedroom with Dale's missus Carol (Rachel Griffiths). Now, he's got a big time plan that will rid of his three little problems - being Dale, Shane and Mal - for good. It's the big one, a major game of 'stash the cash' on Melbourne Cup day. But will the boys stick to Frank's plan?
Pearce obviously didn't want to come back to his homeland for just any old movie, and THE HARD WORD is the proof. It gives Pearce the opportunity to play someone totally against type, and have a blast in the maniacal facades of the film's backdrop. It's also a much better movie than some of the debacles he's been offered overseas of late. As good as Pearce is though he is almost upstaged by his on-screen brothers Joel Edgerton and Damien Richardson. Edgerton (THE SECRET LIFE OF US, STAR WARS EPISODE II) is a marvel. He combines likeability and arrogance for a role that called for some real detail and pulls it off justifiably. Newcomer Richardson is especially likeable in the role of the daftest, but kindest of the three bank robbing brothers.
In lesser roles, Rachel Griffiths, as Pearce's unfaithful and conniving wife, Carol, alludes sexiness without outstaying her welcome - something Griffiths is usually renowned for -, and Robert Taylor is slick, but cold-cut wicked as the two-timing Frank.
Most of the merit goes to writer director Scott Roberts. Everything from the lingo that the boys speak (listen out for 'butcher' speak) to the meticulous madness of the final fix is handled with precise accuracy, and confident conviction, leaving Roberts looking look ahead of his game. But not all in his film is fresh, and depending on your cup of Tea, one might find the film a tad wearisome, over-violent or absurd. Those that that film is aimed at though will have a great time from start to finish. Guy Pearce should get back here more often.
DIRT MUSIC
Director Phil Noyce (RABBIT PROOF FENCE) has optioned the film rights to the Tim Winton novel DIRT MUSIC. To be produced by his company Rumbalara Films in late 2003, the book is the story of a woman in a small fishing village in Western Australia. Noyce's RABBIT PROOF FENCE will be released later this year in the US by Miramax.
2002 Milli Award
The 2002 Milli award for Australian cinematographer of the year was awarded to Russell Bacon for his work on MY BROTHER JACK. Tony Clark won the Golden Tripod for best feature film for TEMPTED (Bill Bennett directed) and Mandy Walker earned a distinction for her work on LANTANA.
I received a couple of posts last week regarding the LOTR: TWO TOWERS petition:
Firstly from Zack
I just heard about this petition that is trying to remove the name to The Two Towers. I couldn't resist telling you that there's another petition that wants to keep the name to the movie. It has only gotten 800 signatures so far. It needs more since there are 3500 signatures on the other (Ok, most of the signatures on the "remove the name" one are jokes and very hostile comments). Spread the word about this other petition. http://www.petitiononline.com/lotr2/petition.html
Then from Brennan:
Just wanted to pass along to you that the petition to change the two towers name is a hoax. It was created by Kevin Klerck, a widely known 'troll' on the website www.slashdot.org. Kevin regularly makes ridiculous claims in order to expose utter disregard that most humans have for actual knowledge. The movie is obviously based on the book, a book written decades before the WTC attacks. Anyway, there is your scoop.
