Ray's Quick Takes 04.02.09
A Star Is Born is being remade, with Russell Crowe favourite to step into the shoes of Kris Kristofferson, while BEYONCE will be playing the Barbra Streisand love interest for Crowe. BARF. This is one film that definitely does not need a remake; there have already three other versions of this tale. What more can possibly be said about this topic, besides trying to make a ham-handed statement about interracial coupling? NOTE TO PRODUCER JON PETERS: We don't need another The Bodyguard. STORY One of the big surprises at Sundance was a little film about a 24 year old photographer who falls in long distance love with a girl over the internet. The Crying Game-like twist finale left many critics raving. It seems that studios agree, and the film was finally bought by Rogue Pictures for 1.5 million dollars. Hopefully they will change the name of the film, which is horrible. I've heard some interesting suggestions for alternative names, all of which play on the film's twist. Some have suggested Dumbass, since nobody falls in love over the internet ... do they? I'm formally suggesting Suckerfish. That should give just enough away. STORY Nikki Finke is shooting down the viral news report that there is a sequel to Watchmen in the works. According to her "well-placed insider," there is "not a chance by a longshot." The first film was, after several viewings, one of the boldest films of 2009. I think a sequel could be interesting, but it shouldn't happen without Snyder at the helm. Now we just need to wait for the inevitable reboot of the "franchise" ... STORY Also from Finke, this documentary has been in the works for over a year. It's a "documentary" that purports to distill the emotions of people about this (now) controversial
filmmaker. Finke is reporting that the film will open the SXSW film festival next month, which baffles me. Is this really an important or necessary film at all? To me, it sounds like the creators of this film sat in a room and decided to make the one film that would get a lot of attention from fanboys. NOTE TO EVERYONE: Lucas doesn't care about your opinion; he just wants your money. STORY Why oh why. Disney is apparently gearing up a sequel to Enchanted, which was an enormous hit a few years ago. I could barely stomach the first film, which was so disgustingly sweet that I fell into a diabetic coma halfway through. It's unlikely that star Amy Adams would return for this, which would be fine with me. In my opinion, it's time for Adams to turn off the cute switch that has powered most of her performances, and start acting like a real woman. Disney wouldn't miss her; they'll just stick some nobody into it, ship it directly to DVD, and watch the truckloads of cash come rollin' in. CHA-CHING!!! STORY