Entertainment News, Celebrity News Online

Dear Movie Industry,

We love you – just to clarify, “we” is most of America and large portions of the world-at-large.  But you’re quickly becoming prey to your own scheming and need to be saved before you collapse from the weight of your own self-indulgence.

We’re here for you.

Over your history, you’ve produced alot of good, quality movies of all types, genres, and styles.  Recently, however, you’ve become more interested in print-to-film adaptations, sequels, and reboots than true originality or creativity – just look at the recent list of sequels announced: Boondock Saints II, Spider-Man 4, Transformers 3, and Indiana Jones 5.  This may ultimately be your downfall.

Don’t get us wrong, we love some of your sequels.  And we love the movies you’re making sequels of – Transformers 2 may not have had the approval of the critics, but us fans seemed to love it.  The problem is when you assume that the financial success of certain types of movies (like action, scifi, or thrillers) means there not only should be a sequel, but that we somehow demand one and will support it through the end.

This inevitably results in disasters like Spider-Man 3, where the series concept takes a turn for the worse and throws dirt on its own good name.  The “they just don’t live up to their predecessors or expectations” label can applied to many sequels, like The Matrix movies – although they were still pretty awesome.

Between your sequel-happy trigger-fingers and the fact that only a few months can go by before yet another comicbook is announced as being adapted into a film, it would seem that you have lost your stride.  Yes, District 9 came out recently, but guess what?  You didn’t support the script, and Peter Jackson had to step in to help raise independent financing – good move.  Gamer was an original script, sure, but it also wasn’t the best movie you’ve ever produced.  Going down the release roster for the last few years doesn’t produce too many original or creative gems of genius either.

It’s time for you to bring back the creativity.  The Matrix, Star Wars, The Boondock Saints, and the rest of your biggest successes (both financially and those with cult status) have typically been original works of creation, not adaptations – The Dark Knight is an outlier, as The Watchmen so deftly proved.  Choosing a screenplay for production, or even an idea, should be based on its actual strengths and weaknesses, rather than whether it’s associated with previously successful movies, toy franchises, or highly successful graphic novels.

Don’t stop the sequels and adaptations, though – just make sure they’re warranted.

Guest post from Kyle Brady – a student, entrepreneur, and writer living in California who’d like a writing gig somewhere. Until then, he can be found at his blog.

The march of Harry Potter continues with what has to be one of the largest expansions for the franchise yet with the announcement and details of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter that is set to launch in the spring of 2010.

Working closely with J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. theme park giant Universal Orlando Resort is looking to provide visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience that will include

At the entrance of Hogsmeade, billowing steam and an iconic whistle signal the arrival of the Hogwarts Express into Hogsmeade station

Across the way is Zonko’s, a joke shop with a collection of tricks and jokes, including Extendable Ears, Boxing Telescopes and Sneakoscopes

Honeydukes is next door and full of treats like Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans

The Three Broomsticks and adjacent Hog’s Head pub will feature traditional British fare and drinks including Butterbeer and pumpkin juice

Across from the Three Broomsticks is The Owlery, where owls roost and await their next delivery

The Owl Post sends letters with a certified Hogsmeade postmark and sells official stamps from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Ollivanders wand shop is an incredible interactive experience where the wand chooses the wizard

Completing Hogsmeade is Dervish and Banges, the magical instruments and equipment shop featuring Quidditch equipment, Triwizard apparel, Spectrespecs and Remembralls

The first attraction, Dragon Challenge, features a twin high-speed roller coaster with many iconic elements from the Triwizard Tournament

Next is Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster simulating a Hippogriff training flight over the grounds of Hogwarts castle

Located in Hogwarts castle, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a thrilling new state-of-the-art attraction that uses entirely new technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced

Before exiting back into Hogsmeade, Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods is full of Ministry of Magic and magical creatures merchandise, Omnioculars, and even remote control Golden Snitches

From the press release

"All of the action and adventures of Harry Potter’s world will come to life here at Universal Orlando Resort," said Tom Williams, chairman and CEO, Universal Parks and Resorts.  "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be unlike any other experience on earth and we can’t wait to see the looks on our guests’ faces as they enter this rich environment."

Here are some of the artist rendering of this new addition to the theme park

Dervish & Banges

Flight of the Hippogriff

Hog’s Head

Hogsmeade

Honeydukes

Ollivanders

The Three Broomsticks

hat tip to My Modern Metropolis

Katy Perry was seen smooching the British comic star at Lady Gaga’s VMA after-party at New York
nightspot Avenue on Sunday night (13.09.09).

A source told the New York Post newspaper: “They were sitting together, flirting and whispering to each other with their faces very close. Then Russell leaned in for a long kiss. It didn’t look like this was the first time. He was looking extremely pleased with himself.”

Despite his encounter with Katy, Russell – who hosted the awards ceremony at New York’s Radio City Music Hall – had earlier admitted he was hoping to bed the party host.

Referring to some of Gaga’s unusual outfit choices at the event, he said: “Lust is one of the deadly sins so there was no lust. But when Lady Gaga had on her bird’s nest outfit and then went on to be wrapped in the red stuff, she’s incredible. I’d be all over that. She’d go all night.”

At the VMAs ceremony, Gaga caused controversy by pretending to stab herself in the chest at the end of her performance of ‘Poker Face’.

She was left covered in fake blood before disappearing into the arms of her backing dancers. The 23-year-old singer then reappeared hanging from a cord, with her neck twisted to the side and a blank look on her face.

Jennifer Grey, who starred alongside Patrick in 1987 movie ‘Dirty Dancing’, was quick to express her grief after it was announced he had lost his battle with pancreatic cancer yesterday (14.09.09) aged 57.

She said: “Patrick was a rare and beautiful combination of raw masculinity and amazing grace. Gorgeous and strong, he was a real cowboy with a tender heart. He was fearless and insisted on always doing his own stunts, so it was not surprising to me that the war he waged on his cancer was so courageous and dignified.

“When I think of him, I think of being in his arms when we were kids, dancing, practicing the lift in the freezing lake, having a blast doing this tiny little movie we thought no one would ever see. My heart goes out to his wife and childhood sweetheart Lisa Niemi, to his mom Patsy, and to the rest of their family.”

Whoopi Goldberg and Demi Moore, who both appeared in 1990 film ‘Ghost’ with the actor, have also praised Swayze.

Whoopi said: “Patrick was a really good man, a funny man and one to whom I owe much that I can’t ever repay. I believe in ‘Ghost’s’ message, so he’ll always be near.”

Demi choose to pay her respects on social networking website Twitter, as did a host of other Hollywood stars.

Referring to the characters they portrayed in ‘Ghost’, she wrote: “Patrick you are loved by so many and your light will forever shine in all of our lives… And in the words of Sam to Molly, ‘It’s amazing Molly. The love inside, you take it with you.’

“I love and will miss you Patrick.”

Actress Kirstie Alley wrote: “I will always cherish my amazing memories of Patrick… we had so much fun together… come back soon Patrick, we need you here.”

Ben Stiller said: “Very sad news about the passing of P. Swayze. He was a kind and generous man. Respect.”

Demi’s husband Ashton Kutcher left the simple message, “RIP P Swayze,” while Denise Richards asked fans to pray for his wife and family.

Other stars to post messages of support include Paula Abdul, Rose McGowan, Donnie Wahlberg, Ricky Martin and Ryan Seacrest.

Jessica Simpson has posted a heartfelt plea for information on Daisy’s whereabouts on social networking website Twitter after the pooch was swiped by the wild animal as she looked on.

Jessica wrote: “My heart is broken because a coyote took my precious Daisy right in front of our eyes, HORROR! We are searching. Hoping. Please help! (sic)”

Jessica and her family have even mocked up a poster of Daisy – who is a malti-poo, a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle – in a desperate bid to locate her.

The document includes a picture of Daisy and a banner reading: “I miss my mommy, Daisy.”

It details a special emails address so anyone with information can get in touch.

A neighbour of Jessica’s said: “We heard yelling and screaming coming from the direction of Jessica’s house around 9pm. I can only imagine that it was that moment that it happened because the next day we saw posters up around the neighbourhood announcing that Jessica had lost her dog to a coyote. It’s so sad.”

Although the exact details of Daisy’s disappearance are unknown, it is believed she was taken by the carnivorous canine on Saturday (12.09.09).

The 29-year-old star is said to be frantic with worry that Daisy has been eaten, and is now struggling to eat or sleep as she waits for news.

Last month, Jessica blogged about Daisy’s sexual orientation, saying she had found happiness with a female hound called Bella.

She wrote on Twitter: “Daisy and her best friend Bella back together again. Lesbian lovas forever! (sic)”

Harrison Ford has revealed he is in talks to play the whip-cracking archaeologist in a fifth film, just one year after he made his comeback in ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’.

Harrison told France’s Le Figaro newspaper: “The story for the new ‘Indiana Jones’ is in the process of taking form. Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and myself are agreed on what the fifth adventure will concern, and George is actively at work.

“If the script is good, I’ll be very happy to put the costume on again.”

Harrison first played the iconic character in 1981 blockbuster ‘Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark’

He reprised the role in 1984 prequel ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’ and 1989 sequel ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade before reprising the part in 2008 after a break of nearly 20 years.

Shia LaBeouf – who played Indiana’s son Mutt in the last film – previously hinted another sequel was in the works.

He said: “Steven’s just said that he’s cracked the story!”

‘Indiana Jones’ remains one of the highest-grossing film franchises of all time.

Disgraced music douche Kanye West continues to operate in damage control mode after interrupting Taylor Swift at the VMA’s, grovelling for forgiveness on Monday night’s Jay Leno show.

West, who was booked to perform on the show alongside Jay-Z, Rihanna, was thanked by Leno for appearing “in light of all the things that have been going on.” West responded that “it’s been extremely difficult…just dealing with the fact that I hurt someone or took something away, you know, from a talented artist or anyone.”

Not content to simply say “I was wrong,” Kanye still tried to justify his actions, going on to say “I only wanted to help
people. My entire life, I’ve only wanted to give and do something that I felt was right.”

In a moment of light banter, Leno asked West “So when did you know you were wrong? Was it afterwards? as you were doing it? When did it strike you, “Uh-oh”?” to which West replied “As soon as I gave the mic back to her and she didn’t keep going.

West though confessed that he needed a break, saying that “I need to, after this, take some time off and just analyze how I’m going to make it through the rest of this life, how I’m going to improve. Because I am a celebrity, and that’s something I have to deal with. And if there’s anything I could do to help Taylor in the future or help anyone, I’d like — you know, I want to live this thing. It’s hard sometimes.”

The Kanye West Jay Leno video as follows:

The movie biography of Charles Darwin won’t be seen by anyone in the United States because movie distribution companies are too scared of upsetting the creationist wing nut faction.

Creation, starring Paul Bettany, is the story of Darwin’s struggle between faith and reason during the time that he was writing On The Origin of Species. The movie opened the Toronto Film Festival and will have its London premiere on Sunday (interesting juxtaposition between the man and the “religious” day of rest). The movie has been solid in almost every country in the world with the exception of the US.

Jeremy Thomas, the Oscar-winning producer of Creation, said he was astonished that such attitudes exist 150 years after On The Origin of Species was published.

"That’s what we’re up against. In 2009. It’s amazing," he said.

"The film has no distributor in America. It has got a deal everywhere else in the world but in the US, and it’s because of what the film is about. People have been saying this is the best film they’ve seen all year, yet nobody in the US has picked it up.

"It is unbelievable to us that this is still a really hot potato in America. There’s still a great belief that He made the world in six days. It’s quite difficult for we in the UK to imagine religion in America. We live in a country which is no longer so religious. But in the US, outside of New York and LA, religion rules.

Source: Telegraph – Charles Darwin film ‘too controversial for religious America’

image: Paul Bettany plays Charles Darwin in Creation Photo: ALLSTAR