CD Package Includes Booklet of Never-Before-Seen Photos And Excerpts From Hedberg's Private Journals
The long-awaited third album from the late comedy icon Mitch Hedberg, "Do You Believe in Gosh?" is set for release on COMEDY CENTRAL Records on Tuesday, September 9.
The CD was recorded two months prior to his death and contains nearly 40 minutes of previously unreleased stand-up material. "Do You Believe in Gosh?" captures most of the material Hedberg was working on for what would have been his next full-length album in a free-form show with a large amount of audience interaction. Listeners can expect the same bizarre one-liners like, "Is a hippopotamus a hippopotamus or just a really cool apoatmus?" delivered in the drawly, good-natured way only Hedberg could pull off. Hedberg gives his unique point of view on such topics as the headless horseman, Medusa, whom he refers to as the "snake-haired bitch" and squirrels on water skis. Also included in the CD package is a booklet including never-before-seen photos and excerpts from Hedberg's private journals. The CD pulses with Hedberg's unique wit and spirit and is a document of a comedy master.
Mitch Hedberg was one of the most beloved comedians and world renown for his off-kilter one-liners and inimitable style. He died in March of 2005 with nearly an album's worth of new material he was preparing to record later that October. While he never had the chance to record the album as he wanted, "Do You Believe In Gosh?" was taped live just prior to his passing and captures a large portion of his new jokes.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Mean Girls 2? Naked Gun 4? Road Trip 2? Grease 3?
I’m sure that the downfall of modern entertainment will someday be linked to the concept of direct-to-DVD movie sequels. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a shitty home video sequel of Wrong Turn, but when they start messing around with films that people actually care about (like Lost Boys or Wargames), that is when I begin to get angry. Imagine someday Warner Bros will be making a direct-to-dvd sequel of The Dark Knight. I can’t wait (sigh). Paramount has announced that they are launching a new label that will focus on developing dvd movies based on successful properties from their library. The label is being called Paramount Famous. And by “Famous” they mean, “We are ripping off you, the unknowing stupid consumer, with a sub par low budget movie that just happens to have the same name as a famous movie you loved, followed by a number 2, 3, 4 or rather some witty subtitle”.
The first film in the line is Without a Paddle: Nature’s Calling (yes, notice the witty subtitle), which just wrapped and is scheduled to hit DVD in 2009. I’m fine with a direct to DVD sequel / spin-off of Without a Paddle, because if you buy such a movie, you only deserve what you get. But THR’s story claims that Paramount Famous has already begun developing a half-dozen other projects based on such movies as Road Trip, Bad News Bears, Naked Gun, Mean Girls and Grease. Do we really need another Naked Gun sequel? And I’m pretty sure that Mean Girls said everything that needed to be said about the world of mean high school girls. And without a young hot Lindsay Lohan in the lead role, what’s the point exactly? I guess you could argue that Hayden Panettiere starred in one of the awful direct-to-dvd sequels for Bring It On.
But one of the more disappointing points is that a direct to dvd sequel degrades the property that it is raping. I never want to see a Grease sequel, but I know a lot of women who would. The release of Grease: Greasing To Win It will ruin any hope for another big screen film. But the sad fact is that these movies sell because people are stupid. According to The Hollywood Reporter, most of the American Pie and Bring It On DVD sequels have sold between 1 million - 2 million copies each, which is nearly as much money as 300 or Ratatouille made at the box office.
The first film in the line is Without a Paddle: Nature’s Calling (yes, notice the witty subtitle), which just wrapped and is scheduled to hit DVD in 2009. I’m fine with a direct to DVD sequel / spin-off of Without a Paddle, because if you buy such a movie, you only deserve what you get. But THR’s story claims that Paramount Famous has already begun developing a half-dozen other projects based on such movies as Road Trip, Bad News Bears, Naked Gun, Mean Girls and Grease. Do we really need another Naked Gun sequel? And I’m pretty sure that Mean Girls said everything that needed to be said about the world of mean high school girls. And without a young hot Lindsay Lohan in the lead role, what’s the point exactly? I guess you could argue that Hayden Panettiere starred in one of the awful direct-to-dvd sequels for Bring It On.
But one of the more disappointing points is that a direct to dvd sequel degrades the property that it is raping. I never want to see a Grease sequel, but I know a lot of women who would. The release of Grease: Greasing To Win It will ruin any hope for another big screen film. But the sad fact is that these movies sell because people are stupid. According to The Hollywood Reporter, most of the American Pie and Bring It On DVD sequels have sold between 1 million - 2 million copies each, which is nearly as much money as 300 or Ratatouille made at the box office.
The Many Worlds of Jonas Moore Coming to TV
MGM Domestic Television Distribution has optioned U.K.-based online graphic novel "The Many Worlds of Jonas Moore" for development as a series, reports Variety.
The studio aims to develop "Jonas" into an action-drama, with a U.S.-U.K. co-production deal a possibility, according to Chris Ottinger, executive VP of worldwide TV for MGM. Film Collective's Ruth Vitale is attached to the project as an executive producer.
"Jonas" revolves around a fugitive video game player in a futuristic world where the British empire still reigns supreme and America is just one of thousands of virtual worlds in a global game network.
Howard Webster created and produced the graphic novel for his London-based Factory Publishing imprint and Triumph Motorcycles.
MGM is shopping for a writer to adapt the novel for TV. Ottinger hopes to have a script commissioned in the fall so the series is ready to go next year.
You can find out more at the graphic novel's official website.
The studio aims to develop "Jonas" into an action-drama, with a U.S.-U.K. co-production deal a possibility, according to Chris Ottinger, executive VP of worldwide TV for MGM. Film Collective's Ruth Vitale is attached to the project as an executive producer.
"Jonas" revolves around a fugitive video game player in a futuristic world where the British empire still reigns supreme and America is just one of thousands of virtual worlds in a global game network.
Howard Webster created and produced the graphic novel for his London-based Factory Publishing imprint and Triumph Motorcycles.
MGM is shopping for a writer to adapt the novel for TV. Ottinger hopes to have a script commissioned in the fall so the series is ready to go next year.
You can find out more at the graphic novel's official website.
Favreau Gets to Work on Iron Man 2
The Los Angeles Times talked to Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau, who says they have started working on the sequel:
I just talked to Jon Favreau a bit ago, and he said that while there hasn't been an formal announcement on the sequel to "Iron Man," he's begun developing it. "We're working on it now," he said, "which hasn't been officially announced. It will be released in 2010."
Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures are targeting an April 30, 2010 release date in order to be the first film to kick-off that summer, much like Iron Man did on May 2nd of this year.
Justin Theroux (Tropic Thunder) is writing the script and in addition to Robert Downey Jr., the first film's co-stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrence Howard are expected to return as well.
I just talked to Jon Favreau a bit ago, and he said that while there hasn't been an formal announcement on the sequel to "Iron Man," he's begun developing it. "We're working on it now," he said, "which hasn't been officially announced. It will be released in 2010."
Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures are targeting an April 30, 2010 release date in order to be the first film to kick-off that summer, much like Iron Man did on May 2nd of this year.
Justin Theroux (Tropic Thunder) is writing the script and in addition to Robert Downey Jr., the first film's co-stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrence Howard are expected to return as well.
Where is Superman Headed?
Variety's Anne Thompson reports that Superman: Man of Steel is in a holding pattern at Warner Bros. Pictures as the studio figures out what to do next. Here's a clip:
They too believe that the last movie didn't break the mold and wound up in some kind of middle limbo. Today I was told that it is a priority at the studio to find the right direction and if Bryan Singer is willing to do that, fine, but if he gets in the way, he may not stay on the project. There are no writers working on a Superman script now. The studio wants to figure it out. "It might be better to start from scratch," one exec admitted.
What do you think? Should they continue the story from Superman Returns or completely start over?
They too believe that the last movie didn't break the mold and wound up in some kind of middle limbo. Today I was told that it is a priority at the studio to find the right direction and if Bryan Singer is willing to do that, fine, but if he gets in the way, he may not stay on the project. There are no writers working on a Superman script now. The studio wants to figure it out. "It might be better to start from scratch," one exec admitted.
What do you think? Should they continue the story from Superman Returns or completely start over?
Snowden and White Penning Poltergeist Remake
Boogeyman scribes Juliet Snowden and Stiles White will write the screenplay for MGM's planned remake of Poltergeist, the 1982 horror film that was directed by Tobe Hooper and produced/co-written by Steven Spielberg.
The MGM/UA release grossed $122 million worldwide and earned Oscar nominations for its ILM-designed visual effects, sound effects and score.
The story of a suburban home built over an Indian burial ground and thus inhabited by a nasty spook earned further cult status when two of the child actors in the movie died after the film's release. Two sequels were produced.
Snowden and White have also had a hand in the remake of The Birds and co-wrote the upcoming Knowing.
The MGM/UA release grossed $122 million worldwide and earned Oscar nominations for its ILM-designed visual effects, sound effects and score.
The story of a suburban home built over an Indian burial ground and thus inhabited by a nasty spook earned further cult status when two of the child actors in the movie died after the film's release. Two sequels were produced.
Snowden and White have also had a hand in the remake of The Birds and co-wrote the upcoming Knowing.
Vin Diesel Directing Fast and Furious Prequel
Vin Diesel, who stars in next Friday's Babylon A.D., told ComingSoon.net today that he is directing a 20-minute prequel to Fast and Furious, the fourth installment in the Universal Pictures franchise.
Diesel will star in the prequel along with Michelle Rodriguez reprising her role as Letty and Sung Kang returning as Han. Diesel didn't say how the prequel would premiere; it could be on a DVD, online, TV, etc.
The fourth movie is a sequel to the first installment, and though Diesel didn't elaborate, we assume this 20-minute prequel will tie-in some of the events from the second and third movies. Rodriguez appeared in the first movie, Sung Kang in the third, and Diesel in the first with a brief cameo in the third.
In the Justin Lin-directed Fast and Furious, opening June 5, 2009, fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto (Diesel) reignites his feud with agent Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker). But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmanuever him.
Diesel will star in the prequel along with Michelle Rodriguez reprising her role as Letty and Sung Kang returning as Han. Diesel didn't say how the prequel would premiere; it could be on a DVD, online, TV, etc.
The fourth movie is a sequel to the first installment, and though Diesel didn't elaborate, we assume this 20-minute prequel will tie-in some of the events from the second and third movies. Rodriguez appeared in the first movie, Sung Kang in the third, and Diesel in the first with a brief cameo in the third.
In the Justin Lin-directed Fast and Furious, opening June 5, 2009, fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto (Diesel) reignites his feud with agent Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker). But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmanuever him.
Cruise and Raimi Team on Sleeper
The Hollywood Reporter says that Tom Cruise and Sam Raimi are setting up Sleeper at Warner Bros. Cruise is loosely attached to star in the adaptation of the DC Comics/Wildstorm comic that Raimi would produce with his Star Road Entertainment partner Josh Donen.
Written by Ed Brubaker with art by Sean Phillips, "Sleeper," which ran from 2003-05, centers on an operative whose fusion with an alien artifact makes him impervious to pain and allows him to pass it on to others through skin contact. He is placed undercover in a villainous organization by an intelligence agency and falls for a member of the group, named Miss Misery.
Sleeper is being eyed not only as a starring vehicle for Cruise but also as a possible franchise for Warner Bros. Pictures.
The trade says that it looks like Cruise's next acting gig will be the Spyglass thriller The Tourist. Cruise is currently appearing in a cameo role in Tropic Thunder and will return to theaters on Dec. 26 in Bryan Singer's Valkyrie.
In addition to Sleeper and The Tourist, a third project Cruise is attached to currently is the Working Title/Universal comedy Food Fight.
Written by Ed Brubaker with art by Sean Phillips, "Sleeper," which ran from 2003-05, centers on an operative whose fusion with an alien artifact makes him impervious to pain and allows him to pass it on to others through skin contact. He is placed undercover in a villainous organization by an intelligence agency and falls for a member of the group, named Miss Misery.
Sleeper is being eyed not only as a starring vehicle for Cruise but also as a possible franchise for Warner Bros. Pictures.
The trade says that it looks like Cruise's next acting gig will be the Spyglass thriller The Tourist. Cruise is currently appearing in a cameo role in Tropic Thunder and will return to theaters on Dec. 26 in Bryan Singer's Valkyrie.
In addition to Sleeper and The Tourist, a third project Cruise is attached to currently is the Working Title/Universal comedy Food Fight.
Writing Begins for The Hobbit Films
Both TheOneRing.net and Entertainment Weekly are reporting that writing has begun for The Hobbit, targeted for a December 2011 release, and its sequel, coming December 2012.
"The Lord of the Rings" screenwriting team of Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens have joined director Guillermo del Toro to write the screenplays for the two planned movies.
Shooting is expected to start at the earliest in the fall of 2009 in New Zealand.
"The Lord of the Rings" screenwriting team of Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens have joined director Guillermo del Toro to write the screenplays for the two planned movies.
Shooting is expected to start at the earliest in the fall of 2009 in New Zealand.
F. Gary Gray Helming Julius
Mandalay Pictures has acquired film rights to the Oni Press graphic novel "Julius," with F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job, The Negotiator) attached to direct.
Written by Antony Johnston and illustrated by Brett Weldele, "Julius" is a contemporary urban crime adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar."
Mandalay president Cathy Schulman said that Gray "has a vision for this adaptation that will satirize obsessive consumerism while providing a thrilling ride for audiences."
Written by Antony Johnston and illustrated by Brett Weldele, "Julius" is a contemporary urban crime adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar."
Mandalay president Cathy Schulman said that Gray "has a vision for this adaptation that will satirize obsessive consumerism while providing a thrilling ride for audiences."
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