Father Geek here in Austin, Texas along with Robert Bernocchi in Rome, Italy, ratbert in England, our friends in Ireland, and a few spies scattered around the continent to bring you another edition of our regular weekly column on what's going on cine wise in Europe. Lots of Cannes coverage on the site today in seperate columns including Grozilla in Paris, make sure and check them out. Now before we move on to Robert here's something of interest ol' Father Geek received at our Central Texas AICN Compound from China this morning...
I saw the posting about the upcoming re-release of Cinema Paradiso (one of my favorite films), and was surprised. I live in China, and I got a DVD copy of that about 6 months ago. Here's a bit of info about it.
It's still a great movie, but the extra stuff doesn't add much to it. It does change the focus of the movie though. It's mostly about the Toto's relationship with the girl (whose name I forget). After he returns, he sees a girl who looks like her and discovers it's her daughter. He tracks down the mother and they talk. She tells him why she did not contact him or meet him and there's all kinds of stuff about the relationship. She still loves him, and he loves her. He has not been able to have a serious, stable relationship because he still loves her. But she is married and has a life and can't go off with him.
It's well done and interesting, but it changes the focus of the film. Instead of being a story about a young man and his mentor, the girl becomes the focus, or more so. Instead of being a girl who broke his heart, she becomes the love of his life. And a much more important part of the movie. It's not a detrimental change, and in a way, it's interesting. But it wasn't a hole or problem in the first version. I rather liked the ambiguity of why Toto as a grown man was still unsettled. By giving an answer, it makes it too neat. If you enjoyed the original version, you'll like the nuovo version as well. If anyone hasn't seen either, the new stuff isn't a must-see, and the original may be better -- leaner and sharper.
Still a great movie.
Slugdeath
Father Geek back... Now here's Bernocchi and company with...
The Euro-AICN Report...
Hi people. Considering the large amount of Cannes reports these days, the Euro column is a bit short today. Anyway, we have great stuff about Tom Cruise, Ridley Scott, Space 1999, The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone remake, Wallace and Gromit (Great!) and... Britney Spears (Oh my god). But first, we have to apologize with Empire Online. In the latest column, we posted an item (unfortunately without mentioning the source) originally appeared on their site here: http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?3918
And now, let's start. Enjoy...
News from ShowbizIreland
Legendary Actors Roman in Dublin...
ShowBizIreland.com got exclusive access to the set of The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone starring movie legends Helen Mirren, Ann Bancroft, and Mel Brooks. The movie, based on the 1961 classic by the same name, centres around Helen Mirren's character Karen Stone and her introduction to a younger man after the death of her husband. Star of The Graduate, Ann Bancroft, plays The Contessa that introduces young men to lonely American widows. She introduces Mirren's character to a dashing toyboy Paola.
The set with Mirren, Bancroft and her husband Mel Brooks was located just off Dame Street in Dublin's City Centre. The characters in period dress seemed to fit well into the backdrop of Dublin Castle and City Hall. Watch out for Bancroft's husband, comedy actor and movie director Mel Brooks, as he only has a bit-part in the movie and is not one of the main protagonist. Apparently Brian Dennehy also has a part in the movie and will be flying into Dublin this week.
For exclusive photos from the set go to This Location
Prince William Filming in Dublin...
ShowBizIreland.com also got invited to the set of a movie currently being made in Ireland for US TV called Fathers Son. Apparently the movie will depict the relationship between Prince Charles and his two sons William and Harry. Rupert Murdoch's Fox TV producers intend to give US viewers an insight into their royal lives post death of Princess Diana. The controversial project has already been slammed by the actual Prince of Wales.
The film will start with the horrific Paris car-crash of Diana in 1997. The role of the young royal pin-up William is being played by aging pop singer Lulu's son Jordan Frieda (24). Prince Harry is being played by Eddie Cooper and Charles is being played by Martin Turner.
The scene witnessed was on location on the grounds of a school in Palmerstown, Dublin. The shot was supposed to be the eclusive English upperclass college Eton. In this particular scene William has just won a swimming contest and been made captain of the swimming team. Some of the dialogue we caught a glimpse of was Harry asking William if Charles' infamous girlfriend Camilla Parker Bowles (Carolyn Pickles) could attend his future school events. All extras in the shots wore the traditional Eton formal uniforms.
"Somethun Cool" seems to have a scoop for us. I never was a great fan of Buffy, but castingBritney, hope this is not true...
First time I have had a scoop for you, and I hope its true!
In the British Daily Star Today they have stated that- Pop star Britney Spears is set for a role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She is planning to take on the part of a blood-sucking baddie, according to reports.
"She will star opposite Buffy Babe Sarah Michelle Gellar for six episodes in the show's next season. Britney is hoping the guest appearance on the programme will boost her acting career.
One insider said: "This will be an amazing sight. "Millions will tune in to see the two of them fighting in their trademark figure-hugging outfits. "It will be a sure-fire ratings hit," reported the Daily Star."
Wow! Buffy and Britney stand-off this would be fantastic!!!
Ratbert has the usual amount of news for us, including Tom Cruise, Ridley Scott, Madonna and, most important, Wallace and Gromit!!!
Ho, it's me, Ratbert. World Cup fever is mounting, but there's still plenty of movie news amid all the football talk. This week - the Wallace and Gromit movie we're all waiting for, more children's book politics from Hollywood, a Western directed by a Brit(!) and the next Bond theme song is revealed.
The new Wallace and Gromit film is scheduled to be released in November 2004. Wallace And Gromit: The Great Vegetable Plot is the duo's first full-length film. It is being directed by Nick Park and Peter Lord, who also directed Chicken Run.
Tom Cruise is to produce a film about illegal immigrants who use the Channel Tunnel to enter the UK. His production company has bought the rights to an article published in America, which tells the story of an American refugee who helps smuggle immigrants on to trains. Peter Landesman, who wrote the original article, will write the script. He says: "The Chunnel is deadly and thrilling because those trains are so lethal, but the subject matter also reflects post-911 political realities. It has been a known pit stop for Al-Qaida, because refugee status offers perfect cover. There are a lot of timely issues, but behind it is a redemptive story." Also expect a finale involving a Eurostar train and a helicopter.
Ridley Scott is to direct a Western. His company Scott Free has bought the rights to a story written by Bruce C McKenna, who scripted episodes of Band Of Brothers. Scott is currently working on Matchstick Men with Nicolas Cage, before directing Russell Crowe in Tripoli. Scott has always wanted to direct a film set in America's West.
The title track to the new James Bond film will be called Can't You See My
Mind. The song will be performed by Madonna. It has been arranged by
composer Michel Colombier. According to Colombier's website, the song will
also appear on Madonna's next album.
Phil Merkel has some exciting news about Space 1999....
The item I mailed to you below has finally come into print!
The new Space 1999 book, Resurrection started shipping copies last month. The book is available on the POWYS media website www.powysmedia.com and the new company is planning on releasing more original Space 1999 books in the months to come.
Resurrection is a sequel to one of the first season Space 1999 episodes, End of Eternity. I don't work for POWYS media, but i have been friends with the publisher, Mateo Latosa for several years. I read Resurrection right away, it was a terrific read written in the spirit of the show and quite well done by the author, William Latham.
