Oct 28 2009 New 'Shutter Island' Trailer: Leo's Gone Crazy!
New trailer for Martin Scorsese's latest and Leonardo DiCaprio's most recent somewhat convincing accent! And something about these scenes tells me Leo's investigation into a criminally insane asylum isn't going as planned. In particular, the scene where he's cradling Michelle Williams before she crumbles into a pile of ash. That's just something you can't plan for, even if you are visiting an insane asylum:
Continue Reading " New 'Shutter Island' Trailer: Leo's Gone Crazy! "
Oct 27 2009 People Magazine's Hottest Hunks of Various Years Competing for Sinatra Bio?
The ever-reputable Guardian claims Martin Scorsese's Frank Sinatra biopic is the setting for a casting war! Except it's not so much a war so much as three big names that they're claiming may or may not be trying to get the lead:
George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp are all fighting to land the role that will surely give the victor the best chance yet of securing the critical acclaim to match their earning power.Scorsese, who won his first best director Oscar in 2006 for The Departed, wants his current muse DiCaprio to play the Rat Pack singer. The two are putting the finishing touches to Shutter Island, their fourth film together, before Scorsese turns his attention to making Sinatra next year.
Executives at Universal, the studio financing the film, are pushing for Depp to play Sinatra, after being impressed by his performance as bank robber John Dillinger in Public Enemies this year.
But Sinatra's daughter, Tina, has her own view of how her father should be portrayed, which critics feel would be a sanitised life story. She favours Clooney, in what would be his most challenging role to date, as a safe pair of hands.
Obviously Martin Scorsese wants Leonardo DiCaprio playing Frank Sinatra. Martin Scorsese wants Leonardo DiCaprio to play every part. Howard Hughes, Gangs of New York guy, Departed guy, Shutter Island guy, muse, friend, wife, loving mother to his bushy-eyed progeny: Scorsese wants to see DiCaprio's round head in every one of those roles. And besides that, he'd probably would be a pretty decent Sinatra.
What confuses me are the latter two claims...
Continue Reading " People Magazine's Hottest Hunks of Various Years Competing for Sinatra Bio? "
Jul 22 2009 'Shutter Island' Poster: Vague Missing Person Alert!
Nothing reels in audiences like the ominous presence of Leonardo DiCaprio's massive, angst-filled head. Time and time again those looming, furrowed brows prove themselves poster gold. (A faint mustache is preferred, but not necessary.)
'Shutter Island' Poster [Yahoo]
Jul 21 2009 EXCLUSIVE First Sort-of Look at HBO's 'Boardwalk Empire'
Martin Scorsese is shooting the pilot of Boardwalk Empire, the upcoming HBO series about the rise of Atlantic City as a gambling haven, and though you'll have to wait a bit longer to start Tivoing and lavishing it with Emmy Awards, my friend Todd got this shot of the filming going on in Park Slope, Brooklyn. If you can't tell, that's Steve Buscemi getting out of an old fashioney car! Look how the door opens, and where the steering wheel is! It's crazy!
I didn't say it was an exciting exclusive.
Jun 11 2009 Leonardo DiCaprio in a Mental Hospital -- FOR THE CRIMINALLY INSANE!
Martin Scorsese has got Leonardo DiCaprio doing funny voices again! This time it's for Shutter Island, Scosese's foray into the the crazy-spooky-shit-in-a-mental-hospital fare usually reserved for straight-to-video horror starring lesser Baldwin brothers. Take a look:
Continue Reading " Leonardo DiCaprio in a Mental Hospital -- FOR THE CRIMINALLY INSANE! "
May 14 2009 Scorsese Directing Sinatra Biopic, DiCaprio Undoubtedly Starring
In a grouping of Italian favorites the likes of which has previously only been seen on an Olive Garden menu, Martin Scorsese has signed on to direct and produce Universal's long-planned Frank Sinatra biopic. From Variety:
Universal Pictures and Mandalay Pictures are teaming on "Sinatra" and have brought on Scorsese — who has long flirted with a biopic on singer-actor Frank Sinatra — to direct and produce.Phil Alden Robinson is writing the screenplay.
Although no actor is attached to star in the film, Schulman said Leonardo DiCaprio is an obvious candidate because he has become Scorsese’s go-to actor over the past decade, having starred in the director’s past four features: "Gangs of New York," "The Aviator," "The Departed" and the upcoming "Shutter Island." Because any music in the film will come from Sinatra’s recordings, it will not be necessary to cast an actor who is a proficient singer.
Well, of course DiCaprio is going to play Sinatra. And I'm sure he'll do a fine job with it. But what I'd really like to see is DeNiro in a role--probably something mob-related--along with the inexplicable inclusion of Tony Montana, Al Pacino's character in Scarface, so that pizza places could just have this one poster and cover all their bases.
Oct 2 2008 Scorsese and De Niro Teaming Up in Typical Fashion
Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro: HEARD OF THEM? Of course you have. They did the movie with the cab operator, the good fellows one, black & white boxer, and I think some others, and now they're teaming again to bring us yet another movie about the mob. From Variety:
Paramount Pictures is plotting a return to organized crime for Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro. Studio has set Steve Zaillian ("Gangs of New York", "Schindler's List") to adapt "I Heard You Paint Houses," the book about the mob assassin who many believe was involved in the death of Teamster boss Jimmy Hoffa.Scorsese is attached to direct. De Niro will play Frank "the Irishman" Sheeran, who is reputed to have carried out more than 25 mob murders.
Pic’s title refers to mob slang for contract killings, and the resulting blood splatter on walls and floors. Book was written by Charles Brandt, who befriended Sheeran shortly before the latter’s death in 2003. Among the crimes Sheeran confessed to Brandt, according to the 2004 book, was the killing and dismemberment of Hoffa, carried out on orders from mob boss Russell Bufalino.
The combination of Scorsese, De Niro, and mob drama is like dough, cheese, and marinara sauce. You put them together, you pretty much know what you're getting (hint: it's Italian), but that's alright, because even at its worst it's still pretty good. I'll take it.
Feb 25 2008 Images from Scorsese's Stones Doc, 'Shine a Light'
"So, this will be like the fourth film I've made to feature your song 'Gimme Shelter', and since this is a documentary entirely about your band, think you could toss me one this time--gratis?"
"Not a chance in the world, old man."
More here.
Feb 8 2008 Scorsese Planning Bob Marley Doc, Mon
Following up his documentaries on Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones, Martin Scorsese will reportedly direct a film on the late Bob Marley:
Martin Scorsese, Steve Bing's Shangri-La Entertainment and international sales agent Fortissimo Films will reteam for the helmer's next musically themed effort -- a yet-to-be-titled documentary about legendary reggae star Bob Marley.Trio were behind the helmer's Rolling Stones docu "Shine a Light," which opened the Berlin Film Festival on Thursday. Tuff Gong Pictures and Shangri-La are producing the pic, which has been authorized by Marley's family. Docu is set for release on Feb. 6, 2010, on what would have been Marley's 65th birthday.
This news nearly confirms my theory that Scorsese has been using dorm room posters as his documentary inspiration. If his next film covers Dave Matthews Band, Scarface, or a really hot girl in a bikini, then we'll know for certain.
Scorsese sings Bob Marley's praises [Variety]
Dec 4 2007 Kingsley Catches Either Shutter Bug or Island Fever
When you need to add a certain bald sophistication do your movie, while at the same time avoiding thoughts of Star Trek: The Next Generation, can you do any better than the honorable Sir Ben Kingsley? The answer is no, which is why Martin Scorsese has added him to the cast of his period thriller, Shutter Island.
The film, adapted by Laeta Kalogridis from Dennis Lehane's 2004 novel, centers on a U.S. marshal (Ruffalo) who along with his new partner (DiCaprio) travels to a Massachusetts island to investigate the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane. During their inquiry, the two encounter a web of deceit, experience a hurricane and become involved in a deadly inmate riot that leaves them trapped on the island.Kingsley will play Dr. Cawley, the hospital's enigmatic chief physician who must reluctantly play host to the two U.S. marshals.
In announcing the news, Hollywood Reporter had a hard time deciding which part of the title makes for a better pun/more likely fanciful disease. In the title, they went with "Kingsley catches 'Shutter' bug," while the article insists he "caught a case of island fever." Which is it, guys? And why not: "Kingsley 'shutter'-ing after catching 'island' fever"? Or "Shutter Shutter! Island Island! Shutter Ben! Island Kingsley!"
Kingsley catches 'Shutter' bug [Hollywood Reporter]
Nov 29 2007 Watch a Scorsese-Directed Champagne Commercial!
At first glance, this Freixenet short seems to show Martin Scorsese misusing a rare, lost Alfred Hitchcock script to sell Spanish champagne, adapting a cultural artifact for petty commercial gain. But if you watch carefully, you'll realize that The Key to Reserva is just Martin Scorsese using his surprising acting talents and skillful direction to parody Hitchcock and channel Spinal Tap, all while still schilling alcohol.
That's better, right?
The Key to Reserva [Freixenet]
Oct 23 2007 Scorsese, DiCaprio Continue Love Affair on 'Island'
It's great to see young love. Or at least love between someone with a youngish, teen-stached face and an old man with eyebrows the size of my palm.
So imagine how pleased I was to hear that Martin Scorsese and his muse, Leonardo DiCaprio, are teaming up for another picture, Shutter Island. Set in 1954, DiCaprio will play Teddy Daniels, a US Marshall on the island to investigate the the disappearance of an escaped "murderess" (Variety is particular on the gender of murderers).
This is one of the few times, as much as I'd love to see another Scorsese/DiCaprio drama, I think this could be even better as a reality show. As little as we need more shows about watching people do nothing, throwing some D-list celebrities on an island and having them hunt an escaped murderess--preferably a celebrity herself, or at least fixated on murdering celebrities--could be worth a TiVo.
The title Shutter Island will still be relevant, because there are also paparazzi trying to both photograph and murder the celebrities.
Scorsese, DiCaprio team for 'Island' [Variety]
Aug 23 2007 Martin Scorsese's Shine a Light Trailer
Like everyone, I love Martin Scorsese, but this trailer for his Rolling Stone's concert documentary Shine a Light is doing nothing for me. The film covers two nights at the Beacon last last year, with cameos from Christina Aguilera, Jack White, Bill Clinton, and frequent appearances by Scorsese himself. With the release pushed to next April, here are some changes I suggest would make this better:
1. If it was 1970.
2. If the aged man resembling Mick Jagger weren't getting so disgustingly sexual while singing with Christina Aguilera. Is he trying to make David Bowie jealous?
3. Less of Marty and Mick pretending there was dramatic, behind-the-scenes conflict.
4. More of Keith Richards snorting things.
5. Robin Williams voicing Mick Jagger.
I would have really preferred something more like another No Direction Home than this. You?
Martin Scorsese's Shine a Light Trailer [Stereogum]
Apr 24 2007 Scorsese Finally Makes Movie About Italians
Scorsese accepting "Best Eyebrows" jury prize at the Hoboken Film Festival
The Italian film Nuovomondo, being released as Golden Door here, is now being "presented" by Martin Scorsese.
I tried to present a couple movies once, but then the security guard told me he didn't think a guy in a gorilla suit with the crotch cut out was the image they wanted to present for Finding Nemo. Fascists.
[The] Move is part of a campaign by the Disney division to gain awareness for a pic that, though it features European celebs like Charlotte Gainsbourg, has no stars who would resonate widely in the U.S.
Anyway, what's up with them changing the names of movies? Doesn't "Nuovomondo" mean "New World"?
See the trailer after the jump. Heart, consider yourself warmed.
Continue Reading " Scorsese Finally Makes Movie About Italians "
Mar 26 2007 Marty and Leo Investing Together
BFF.
Variety announced yesterday that Martin Scorsese has added Jordan Belfort's autobiography, The Wolf of Wall Street, to his list of potential projects, and guess who he wants to star as the Long Island stockbroker. That's right, ol' Leonardo DiCaprio. After Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed you'd think he'd be sick of the little twerp, but there it is. This confirms that they're definitely in love. You know they're in love, right? Because they're totally in love. On every film set they leave, the inscription MS + LD can be found somewhere, carved inside a heart. Fact.
Feb 26 2007 And the Winners Are... (Referring to Oscar Winners)
Last night, Hollywood held the most lavish employee of the year ceremony known to man, calling it "The Oscars." The results of their categorical awarding were as follows, accompanied by my recommended nickname(s) to use when congratulating the winner.
Best motion picture of the year
"The Departed"
Nickname(s): D-Part, Depart Chopra
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Forest Whitaker in "The Last King of Scotland"
Nickname(s): Witty, Forry, Rainforest, Ol' Screwy Eye
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Alan Arkin in "Little Miss Sunshine"
Nickname(s): Al of Ark, Alan of the Lost Ark, Barkin' Arkin, Alan Alda
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Helen Mirren in "The Queen"
Nickname(s): Hell Hole, Jeerin' Mirren, GILF
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Jennifer Hudson in "Dreamgirls"
Nickname(s): Hudsucker, J-Hud, American Idol Loser
Best animated feature film of the year
"Happy Feet"
Nickname(s): Hap-Fee, Stupid Dancing Penguin Movie
Achievement in art direction
"Pan's Labyrinth"
Nickname(s): Panny, Pan-Lab
Achievement in cinematography
"Pan's Labyrinth"
Achievement in costume design
"Marie Antoinette"
Nickname(s): Marieantoinette (said quickly, as if one word)
Achievement in directing
Martin Scorsese, "The Departed"
Best documentary feature
"An Inconvenient Truth"
Nickname(s): Incon, The Al Gore One, Liberal Lies
Best documentary short subject
"The Blood of Yingzhou District"
Nickname(s): The B.Y.D., Yingzy, Any combination of "ching, chang, chong" said in offensive accent
Achievement in film editing
"The Departed"
Best foreign language film of the year
"The Lives of Others"
Nickname(s): The L of O, Lives
Achievement in makeup
"Pan's Labyrinth"
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
Gustavo Santaolalla, "Babel"
Nickname(s): Guster, Tivo, Santa, La-la
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
"I Need to Wake Up" from "An Inconvenient Truth"
Music and Lyric by Melissa Etheridge
Nickname(s): Mel, Ether, Lesbian
Best animated short film
"The Danish Poet"
Nickname(s): D.P.
Best live action short film
"West Bank Story"
Nickname(s): West Bank Stor'
Achievement in sound editing
"Letters from Iwo Jima"
Nickname(s): Letters, Iwo Jimster, The Jimster, Iwo Jimbo
Achievement in sound mixing
"Dreamgirls"
Nickname(s): D-Girls
Achievement in visual effects
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"
Nickname(s): Rates-DMC, Dead Man's Chest, Peter O'Toole's Chest
Adapted screenplay
"The Departed"
Screenplay by William Monahan
Nickname(s): Bill Monahan
Original screenplay
"Little Miss Sunshine"
Written by Michael Arndt
Nickname(s): Mikey A, Arndt You Michael?
Feb 22 2007 Scorsese Adapting Children's Novel?
As reported by Variety, Martin Scorsese's future directorial efforts may include the children's novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, which Warner Bros. has just acquired the right to adapt.
Published last month by Scholastic, "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" concerns a 12-year-old orphan who lives in the walls of a Paris train station in 1930 and a mystery involving the boy, his late father and a robot.
I'll be interested to see how Scorsese adapts his typically tough-guy style of filmmaking to a children's book. I'll be even more interested to see how the kids react when the movie's robot, now Italian and played by Robert DeNiro, pulls the orphan boy's teeth out one by one for disrespecting his robot family.
Jan 23 2007 Academy Award Nominations and Predictions
The Oscar nominations were released today and it's taken me this long to post them? I'd better have a good excuse. I DO! Using sophisticated analysis, I've determined the surefire predictors, and I'm passing on to you the most accurate list available of who will take home the awards in the major categories. Please, to be fair to those who don't read this, no wagering.
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Leonardo DiCaprio in "Blood Diamond"
Ryan Gosling in "Half Nelson"
Peter O'Toole in "Venus"
Will Smith in "The Pursuit of Happyness"
Forest Whitaker in "The Last King of Scotland"
Just when it seems like DiCaprio can't be beat, having ridden his anger at no double-"nom" for The Departed into a thorough beating of Gosling and Smith, O'Toole, in full Lawrence of Arabia garb, appears seemingly out of nowhere. Though aged, his lithe frame moves with a surprising grace, forcing DiCaprio to admit Titanic was "pretty gay" before delivering the final blow. Unfortunately, the O'Toole's victory dance covers the sound of Whitaker's snarls as he slices the Venus star's hamstrings with a move he'd been saving since Ghost Dog.
WINNER: Forest Whitaker
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Alan Arkin in "Little Miss Sunshine"
Jackie Earle Haley in "Little Children"
Djimon Hounsou in "Blood Diamond"
Eddie Murphy in "Dreamgirls"
Mark Wahlberg in "The Departed"
A physical and emotional standoff between Arkin, Haley, Hounsou, Wahlberg and an unnamed sassy fat woman ends abruptly when it's discovered Murphy was actually all five parts. When the laughter finally fades, he is awarded five Oscars.
WINNER: Eddie Murphy
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Penelope Cruz in "Volver"
Judi Dench in "Notes on a Scandal"
Helen Mirren in "The Queen"
Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada"
Kate Winslet in "Little Children"
The nominees, looking lovely in their gowns, quickly devolve into blood-thirsty killers. Dench proves she's more than just a "dame" when she emerges with clumps of hair, clearly from Cruz and Winslet, larger than her stylish Vuitton clutch. As Mirren and Dench slip into a heated argument of who's "queenier," Streep discreetly collects the award for a role she describes in her acceptance speech as "a bullshit cakewalk."
WINNER: Meryl Streep
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Adriana Barraza in "Babel"
Cate Blanchett in "Notes on a Scandal"
Abigail Breslin in "Little Miss Sunshine"
Jennifer Hudson in "Dreamgirls"
Rinko Kikuchi in "Babel"
During what appears to be the bloodiest battle since 'Nam, the fearsome five fall out of sight for a time described by some onlookers as as few as two minutes, by others as many as twenty. When all is said and done, Blanchett rises and approaches the stage. As a gorgeously dressed Cameron Diaz prepares to deliver the award, Blanchett drapes herself unnaturally over the podium. It's revealed she was only being held up by the stiff microphone stand run through her lifeless corpse by the night's winner, Jennifer Hudson.
WINNER: Jennifer Hudson
Best animated feature film of the year
"Cars"
"Happy Feet"
"Monster House"
Cars wins!
WINNER: Cars
Achievement in directing
"Babel" Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
"The Departed" Martin Scorsese
"Letters from Iwo Jima" Clint Eastwood
"The Queen" Stephen Frears
"United 93" Paul Greengrass
Eastwood shows he's still got it by bringing out his old six-shooter and dispatching his fellow nominees with a valiant attempt at recreating his famous "Do I feel lucky" speech from Dirty Harry. Time and age prove to have taken their toll, with Eastwood's quote ending up fairly muddled, now ending with "Where's my lucky doggy?"
WINNER: Clint Eastwood
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
"I Need to Wake Up" from "An Inconvenient Truth"
Music and Lyric by Melissa Etheridge
"Listen" from "Dreamgirls"
Music by Henry Krieger and Scott Cutler
Lyric by Anne Preven
"Love You I Do" from "Dreamgirls"
Music by Henry Krieger
Lyric by Siedah Garrett
"Our Town" from "Cars"
Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
"Patience" from "Dreamgirls"
Music by Henry Krieger
Lyric by Willie Reale
No one cares enough to battle for the prize, and the decision is left to a board of out-of-touch industry voters.
WINNER: One of the turds from Dreamgirls.
Best motion picture of the year
"Babel"
"The Departed"
"Letters from Iwo Jima"
"Little Miss Sunshine"
"The Queen"
Babel and The Departed are made to look like a couple of pussies under the might of Letters from Iwo Jima, which in-turn falls to Little Miss Sunshine (the name ends up being sort of ironic). Despite its strong showing, LMS still finds itself unable to beat boring historic drama bullshit. I mean, come on--it's the Oscars.
WINNER: The Queen
Completists can see the complete list here.
Jan 15 2007 Golden Globes Coverage!
Golden Globes coverage in progress! It's like a big dumb prom with trinkets! See uninformed opinions below cut!
Dec 14 2006 Golden Globes Nominations! Yay!
Once a year, the Hollywood Foreign Press gets together to publicly acknowledge the greatness and talent of celebrities over normal people, rank them with awards, and add unnecessary clutter to DVD cover art with said awards. This year's nominations have been announced, and the foreigners have decided Babel is the best thing, leading the pack with 7 nominations. Other nominations have gone out to Will Smith, Ben Affleck, Beyonce, Renee Zellweger, Happy Feet and The Devil Wears Prada, proving that the primary goal of the Foreign Press is to award idiots for shit.
Full nominations list under the cut.
