Nov 12 2009 'Old Dogs' Has Many Faces
And you too can see the ever-growing collection of Old Dogs faces at the Faces of Old Dogs blog. You can really tell this film is going to be a funny one. How could it not be with so many faces?
(Thanks, Greg and Devon.)
May 27 2009 'Scott Pilgrim' Blog Six: The Fighting One
Hey, it's director Edgar Wright's Scott Pilgrim vs. the World video diary #6: fight scene edition. Learn how stunt men practice with a really giant hammer while the kid from Hotel for Dogs sits around backstage! See production on the comic book adaptation first-hand from the comfort of your workplace/home/cell! That's internet power:
Continue Reading " 'Scott Pilgrim' Blog Six: The Fighting One "
May 18 2009 Nitpicky Nerds Have Nothing on 'Scott Pilgrim'
Edgar Wright has posted another video blog update on the progress of his Scott Pilgrim adaptation, and once again I'm astounded by the ridiculous detail he's gone through to accurately replicate the wardrobe, locations, and even exact panels from the graphic novel series. Like Sin City and Watchmen, this looks like it's going to be a movie where you'll want to make sure to read the comics beforehand so, later, you can experience the joy of smacking your friend's arms in the theater and shouting, "Holy shit, that's just like that part in the comic!" Except your friend doesn't even know what you're talking about; they've had The Dark Knight Returns borrowed for about a year-and-a-half and it's obvious they aren't going to read it or any of your other recommendations. What an asshole.
May 13 2009 Aziz v. IMAX
When you pay extra for an IMAX screen, you expect it to be ludicrously large--so vast that a six-foot man standing in the way of the screen would go nearly unnoticed--right? Well, I expect that. And so did comedian Aziz Anzari (Human Giant, Parks and Recreation), but when he went to an AMC Theatre in Burbank this weekend, he ended up paying five dollars extra for an IMAX screen only marginally bigger than usual, which the theater justified as being IMAX due to its "IMAX quality picture and sound." He complained, AMC workers refused to give any refund, he blogged about it, and now it's an internet thing.
Adding to the controversy, IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond has now defended the smaller screens, saying, "The overwhelming majority of comments on that guy’s blog this morning, more than 90% of them, are vehemently disagreeing with him. And consumers are confirming this with their continued purchases of tickets."
My take: Shut up, Richard Gelfond. When you started touting your idiotic brand name (Image MAXimum!!!) a few years ago, the before-the-movie commercials I saw bragged, "THIS SCREEN IS SO BIG YOU WILL BE PLAGUED BY FEELINGS OF INADEQUACY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE," or something to that effect. I don't remember anyone adding, "Oh, and also some IMAX screens are normal size and just have a slightly better picture, but still cost a ridiculous amount of money. So watch out for those." That is some B. shit.
So, has this happened to anyone else? And does anyone actually agree with the CEO, that it's fine to advertise a screen as IMAX and then reveal it's not even giant? If so, how is it working in IMAX's fake opinion dissemination department?
May 1 2009 New 'Scott Pilgrim' Blog Reveals Stars Live Nothing Like Us
On the official Scott Pilgrim vs. The World blog, a third video blog has been posted, this one focusing on director Edgar Wright and his cast and crew doing their first week on location in Toronto. Honestly, it isn't particularly interesting save for one fact the costume designer let slip: to help deal with the psychosomatic chill that results from working around fake snow, the actors were offered silk long underwear. SILK! The most luxurious fabric ever made! So I hope that keeps you warm, your majesties, because the entire long underwear budget probably went to making sure your legs were comfortable, and now the rest of the crew has to wear long johns made of loosely woven human hair. Does that make you feel like a big man, Michael Cera?
Continue Reading " New 'Scott Pilgrim' Blog Reveals Stars Live Nothing Like Us "
Apr 13 2009 Scott Pilgrim Vs. The Vlog
Hey, everyone, there's now an official Scott Pilgrim vs. the World blog--WITH VIDEO. And that's in addition to director Edgar Wright's daily photo blog! We Scott Pilgrim fans are going to need one of those browsers that can do the tabbing just to keep up with all this Pilgrim stuff!
Below the cut, Wright's first video blog (I call them "vlogs"):
Aug 27 2008 Woody Allen Makes a Production Blog, Calls It Outdated 'Diary' Because He's Old
Prominent neurotic Woody Allen has written a fake production diary in support of Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and it's just as absurd and self-deprecating as you'd think it would be:
JUNE 20Barcelona is a marvelous city. Crowds turn out in the streets to watch us work. Mercifully they realize I’ve no time to give autographs, and so they ask only the cast members. Later I handed out some 8-by-10 photos of myself shaking hands with Spiro Agnew and offered to sign them, but by then the crowd had dispersed.
JUNE 26
Filmed at La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s masterpiece. Was thinking I have much in common with the great Spanish architect. We both defy convention, he with his breathtaking designs and me by wearing a lobster bib in the shower.
Do you think there might be parts where he talks about having sex with Scarlett Johansson and Penélope Cruz? Of course there are. That's why it's classic Woody.
Read the rest here.
May 13 2008 Gervais's 'This Side of the Truth' Production Blog Still Entertaining
Ricky Gervais's This Side of the Truth production blog has quickly become the standard by which I'm judging all other production blogs (besides Aaron's uniquely retarded Street Fighter blog, of course). Focusing on his mock disrespect and Nerf gun assaults of his co-stars, Gervais has found a formula that is far more entertaining than the usual fare of storyboards and interviews with the costume department. In his latest video entry, he attacks Jason Bateman's bare ass with foam darts, then proceeds to remind us the Arrested Development actor is, first and foremost, Teen Wolf Too. If the finished film is anywhere near as entertaining, we're in for a treat.
'This Side of the Truth' Blog [Official Site]
May 6 2008 New 'Street Fighter' Shot, Aaron Losing His Edge?
Is Aaron depressed? My favorite blogger, Aaron of the official Street Fighter movie blog, has updated the site with two new images--a shot of new character Det. Maya Sunee and a fighting storyboard. But more importantly, Aaron's hip, youthful jargon has been seriously downplayed, possibly hinting at emotional turmoil for the young writer. You may remember from previous posts that he usually litters his updates with rarely-used (but clearly radical) slang like "flyin' at ya," "flippin'," (as in a euphemistic "f***ing"), and the sure-to-catch-on "go all 'American Idol' on your asses." In sharp contrast, this latest post uses "you" four times instead of his traditional "ya"! What's up with that, A-Dawg? If he hadn't explained that Maya "rocks a Ducati," and used the edgy, Spanish version of "please" (por favor), I'd hardly be able to tell that Aaron is a secret government awesomeness experiment.
Under the cut: the new storyboard and his precious few attitude-filled quotes.
Continue Reading " New 'Street Fighter' Shot, Aaron Losing His Edge? "
Apr 11 2008 'Street Fighter' Has a Flippin' Sweet New Production Blog
What up, dudes and dudettes? Are you totally stoked about Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li? Well, you totally will be after you read the rad new production blog by 24-year-old Aaron Horwitz ("comin' to ya live from Bangkok"), who is apparently somehow connected to the film. Judging by his first entry, he is either a robot programmed by a Sega Genesis ad, an idiot possessed by a Ninja Turtle, or speaking through a solution of Mountain Dew and the ashes of bygone MTV VJs. Here are some highlights:
I’ll be flyin’ at ya with exclusive scoops, stories, cast & crew interviews, artwork, set photos, and a ton of other Street Fighter kickbacks that you’ll find nowhere else on the planet. Maybe even some sweet video footage...Designer Michael Hanan (Blow, The Punisher, Ronin) creatin’ some crazy-cool sets, Cinematographer Geoff Boyle (Mutant Chronicles , The Dark Country) with some badass visuals, and cuttin’ up the action will be editor Derek Brechin...
Michael Clarke Duncan has been doing what he does best— smashing sh*t up and having a flippin’ blast doing it...
The integral role of GEN will be played by none other than……tune in next week to find out! Sorry to go all ‘American Idol’ on your asses...
It continues like that for quite a while, but really the only other relevant thing is the above "badass storyboard." Needless to say, I'm pretty flippin' excited for Aaron's next sweet installment, even if he did go all American Idol on my ass.
Street Fighter - The Legend of Chun Li Official Movie Blog [Official Site]
Apr 7 2008 First 'Watchmen' Video Blog: Carpentry
ComingSoon has received an exclusive new video blog (vlog?) from the set of Watchmen that covers arguably the most exciting aspect of production we've all been wondering about: set construction! It's actually pretty amazing to see how accurately they've visually recreated the comic's version of 1985, and more importantly, it's a much-needed follow-up to director Zack Snyder's in-depth report on how many nails were used in the sets.
First Watchmen Video Journal [Coming Soon]
Mar 10 2008 Gervais Blogs, Giggles About 'This Side of the Truth'
The usually funny (if not self-indulgent) Ricky Gervais has started a video blog covering the production of This Side of the Truth, his upcoming comedy about the first man to lie in a world where no one has. Only three are up so far, and, typical of Gervais's home videos, they mostly focus on his shrill laughter and ridiculing his underlings. Still, it might be worthwhile if you're a fan of Gervais, and at least he doesn't call it a "vlog".
This Side of the Truth: Ricky's Blog... [RickyGervais.com]
Oct 1 2007 Jackie Chan Hints at Self-Awareness
Showing hints of self-awareness never before seen in the action star, Jackie Chan has recently come out and said the Rush Hour series might not be as mind-blowingly awesome as we've been led to believe. Chan said of the film on his blog:
When we finished filming, I felt very disappointed because it was a movie I didn't appreciate and I did not like the action scenes involved. I felt the style of action was too Americanized and I didn't understand the American humor.
The actor added that it was only the insane amounts of money he'd be paid that kept him involved, noting that Rush Hour 3 wasn't really that good either:
Nothing particularly exciting stood out that made this movie special for me ... I spent four months making this film and I still don't fully understand the humor.
This is a huge step for Chan, and it's hoped within the next few months he may come to realize that The Tuxedo wasn't as revolutionary as once thought and that Shanghai Knights may have been a bit unnecessary as a sequel. In time, he may even learn to recognize his reflection or the sound of his name, but it's unlikely he will ever admit The Medallion was kind of shitty.
