It’s a couple of weeks over ten years now since The Blair Witch Project proved to be a strange freak of box office nature. Back at it’s release on July 30th 1999 the film was given a crazy leg-up by its accidentally wonderful online marketing and a public desperate to buy into something spiritual-mystical, however crazy. We also shouldn’t underestimate the voracious appetite of the dedicated horror audience, of which I would suppose I am a member, and our never-ending desire for something new, fresh or exciting.
The sequel, Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows, was an entirely different beast to the original, eschewing the Last Broadcast-style handicam aesthetic for something in the vein of classical narrative film stylings. Personally, I thought it was conceptually a far more exciting film than the first though somewhat hampered by its lackluster realization. I do still relish the irony, though, that this second film was directed by Joe Berlinger, typically a maker of documentaries.
So, which way would a third Blair Witch film go? Back to the faux-doc approach of part one? Or further into the potential of ‘traditional’ film language?
The BBC have spoken to Eduardo Sanchez and Daniel Myrick on the occasion of the film’s tenth anniversary, and their conversation turned to a possible sequel.
Sanchez admits they are still undecided how to proceed with the project, whether to stick with the grittiness of the first film, or make a more polished and more obviously expensive sequel. Sanchez began by explaining one of thei abandoned ideas:
Ideally, each Blair Witch film would be a completely different kind of movie. We’ve thought about doing a film that takes place in the late 1700s and looks like a Kubrick movie with gritty looking people and lighting.
Gritty looking people? Nice. That idea, however, has already given way to something more in step with the series’ legacy:
But now, we’re thinking about going back and and seeing what happened directly after the first film finished. I think it will have some kind of video element in it, but it won’t be a first person hand-held movie.
“Some kind of video element” brings back bad memories of Fear.Com and Halloween Ressurection.
Myrick was also asked about the possible return of the originals’ cast:
I talk to Josh quite regularly and Mike Williams as well. Actually, he had a role in my last movie. Heather, I haven’t seen in years. The last I heard, she had got out of the business and gone up north and is living on a ranch somewhere. Maybe she’s still traumatized.
The Blair Witch mantle seems likely to be scooped up by Oren Peli’s Paranormal Activity, in both low budget and studio-funded remake forms. Will a relevant Witch sequel make it out of the traps before the brand is completely devalued?
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Warner Bros Developing LEGO Movie?
With the success of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and GI Joe: The Rise Of Cobra, movie studios are looking for the next toy they can turn into the next huge big screen franchise. Problem is, most of the good properties have already been snatched up, and we’re beginning to see Hollywood scraping the bottom of the barrel, acquiring the rights to board games and toys from yesteryear that either lack any recognizable narrative (ie Stretch Armstrong, Viewfinder) or no longer have name recognition from today’s kids.
I’ve become much less cynical about the whole process. When I learned today that Warner Bros is developing a film based on LEGO building blocks, my first thought was: hey, at least everyone knows what Lego is.
But what kind of story could be created using the toy building blocks? Most of the popular LEGO properties today involved other licensed properties. For example the video games and toy lines for Lego Star Wars, Lego Batman, Lego Indiana Jones and the video game Lego Rock Band (which I’m still trying to understand… what’s the purpose of the Lego involvement on that one?).
Screenwriters Dan and Kevin Hageman (no produced credits) are currently working on the script, but the plot is being kept under wraps (they must be worried that MEGA Blocks will steal the concept). All we know at this time is that the film will involve mix of live action and animation. I could maybe imagine a Toy Story type of deal, where the Lego men are actually alive, but only when humans aren’t watching. Their abilities, of course, would be building structures, vehicles and weapons out of the Lego bricks. That is the only logical concept, right? The tyos must fight other toys, save one of the kidnapped or missing toys, or escape (thats the three basic stories, right?).
Dan Lin (Sherlock Holmes, Terminator Salvation) will produce the movie through his Lin Pictures shingle, along with Roy Lee and Doug Davison, who will produce through their Vertigo banner.
I’ve become much less cynical about the whole process. When I learned today that Warner Bros is developing a film based on LEGO building blocks, my first thought was: hey, at least everyone knows what Lego is.
But what kind of story could be created using the toy building blocks? Most of the popular LEGO properties today involved other licensed properties. For example the video games and toy lines for Lego Star Wars, Lego Batman, Lego Indiana Jones and the video game Lego Rock Band (which I’m still trying to understand… what’s the purpose of the Lego involvement on that one?).
Screenwriters Dan and Kevin Hageman (no produced credits) are currently working on the script, but the plot is being kept under wraps (they must be worried that MEGA Blocks will steal the concept). All we know at this time is that the film will involve mix of live action and animation. I could maybe imagine a Toy Story type of deal, where the Lego men are actually alive, but only when humans aren’t watching. Their abilities, of course, would be building structures, vehicles and weapons out of the Lego bricks. That is the only logical concept, right? The tyos must fight other toys, save one of the kidnapped or missing toys, or escape (thats the three basic stories, right?).
Dan Lin (Sherlock Holmes, Terminator Salvation) will produce the movie through his Lin Pictures shingle, along with Roy Lee and Doug Davison, who will produce through their Vertigo banner.
Hugh Jackman Offers 'Wolverine 2' Update: 'We're Starting To Work On It Now'
Late last year, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" star Hugh Jackman began teasing that he'd like to bring Logan to Japan for a live-action adaptation of Frank Miller and Chris Claremont's fan-favorite story arc that had the Marvel Comics hero learning Eastern philosophy and fighting skills. While the actor offered up a confirmation of sorts prior to "Wolverine" hitting theaters that he was "talking to writers" about going the Japanese route for the sequel, the studio made it official after the film found success at the box office.
During this weekend's Teen Choice Awards, Jackman devoted part of his acceptance speech ("Wolverine" won the action/adventure film category) to teasing the aforementioned sequel -- and Logan's impending journey to Japan.
"Who knows, maybe Wolverine will use one of these when he heads to Japan," Jackman told the crowd, holding up the surfboard that served as the award. "See you next time around!"
"The 'going to Japan' was pretty serious, the 'using the surfboard' was not. Not a lot of surfing in Japan," laughed Jackman when we caught him backstage.
Offering an update of sorts for the sequel, Jackman told MTV News "Japan is where we're heading, [and] we're starting to work on it now. We're in the ... first steps of developing that story."
Reiterating his desire to Miller and Claremont's story arc brought to the screen, Jackman said he's "made no real secret" of his fondness for that particular chapter of Wolverine's history. "I think the fans love that saga. It's my favorite saga of the Wolverine stories."
"That's a movie I've longed to make from the beginning, so that's where we're heading," he said.
During this weekend's Teen Choice Awards, Jackman devoted part of his acceptance speech ("Wolverine" won the action/adventure film category) to teasing the aforementioned sequel -- and Logan's impending journey to Japan.
"Who knows, maybe Wolverine will use one of these when he heads to Japan," Jackman told the crowd, holding up the surfboard that served as the award. "See you next time around!"
"The 'going to Japan' was pretty serious, the 'using the surfboard' was not. Not a lot of surfing in Japan," laughed Jackman when we caught him backstage.
Offering an update of sorts for the sequel, Jackman told MTV News "Japan is where we're heading, [and] we're starting to work on it now. We're in the ... first steps of developing that story."
Reiterating his desire to Miller and Claremont's story arc brought to the screen, Jackman said he's "made no real secret" of his fondness for that particular chapter of Wolverine's history. "I think the fans love that saga. It's my favorite saga of the Wolverine stories."
"That's a movie I've longed to make from the beginning, so that's where we're heading," he said.
Michael Jackson's This Is It to be Released Oct. 30
Beginning October 30th, the world will have a front-row seat for Michael Jackson's final concert, as Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment release Michael Jackson's This Is It.
This Is It is being produced with the full support of The Estate of Michael Jackson and will be drawn from hundreds of hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage, captured in high definition with state-of-the-art digital sound as the late singer was preparing for his concert series in London. The film, which will also offer select sequences in 3-D, will provide a unique career retrospective and feature interviews with some of Jackson's closest friends and creative collaborators.
The announcement was made by Michael Lynton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of the studio, Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, Chief Executive Officer of Sony Music Entertainment, and Rob Stringer, Chairman of Columbia/Epic Label Group, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. The companies serve as the principal entertainment divisions of Sony Corporation.
Joining Sony in the announcement was The Estate of Michael Jackson, administered by his longtime attorney John Branca and veteran music executive John McClain, a Jackson family friend for more than 40 years. Proceeds the Estate earns from the film's release will benefit the Michael Jackson Family Trust, the entity that Mr. Jackson specified in his will is to receive all of his assets.
The rights to the exclusive footage were acquired from AEG Live and The Estate of Michael Jackson. Sony Pictures and Sony Music will co-produce with AEG Live and the Estate, and Sony Pictures will distribute the film worldwide. Randy Phillips and Paul Gongaware of AEG Live will serve as producers of the film.
The majority of the film's footage was shot in June, 2009 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California and The Forum in Inglewood, California, as Jackson prepared for "This Is It," the series of fifty concerts Jackson planned to present at the O2 Arena in London.
This Is It will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer, his career, and the stage spectacular that would have been. The film will provide moviegoers with an unforgettable front row experience compiled from extensive footage that shows Jackson's meticulous preparation for his 2009 London shows.
Said Branca, "Our goal is to work with partners who treat Michael's legacy with dignity and respect, while allowing us to substantially build the value of his estate for the benefit of Mrs. Katherine Jackson, Michael's three children and the charitable causes that meant so much to him during his life. We are confident we found the right partners for this project in Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment. Sony and Michael enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial history together, and it's only fitting that the relationship continues."
Said McClain, "This film is not only a tribute to an artist who created excitement every moment he was on stage, but also is a fitting gift to the millions of fans worldwide who loved him and who he devoted his professional life to entertaining. John and I are thrilled to be working with Sony to build on Michael's musical legacy in a way that will generate significant proceeds for his family and for children in need."
"People who have seen this footage are astounded by the amazing quality of Michael Jackson's performance," said Lynton. "This historic recording of the last time he sang and danced on stage shows the legendary artist in an incredibly powerful way, with crystal clear images and sound. We understand the importance of producing a film that pays tribute to Michael as an artist, and are honored to work with The Estate of Michael Jackson to give audiences the gift of his final performances. I know this film will serve as further proof that Michael Jackson is one of the greatest entertainers who ever graced a stage."
"Michael lives on through his songs, his creative genius, his body of work and his passion for his art," said Rob Stringer. "He was a perfectionist on stage and through this unique film, audiences will be able to see, many for the first time, how much Michael poured into making his performances as special as they were perfect."
Said Kenny Ortega, director of and Jackson's creative partner on the "This Is It" concert, "The world will see what our team was so fortunate to experience, which was the full commitment, passion and creativity that Michael put into this project. He was the architect of 'This Is It,' and we were his builders. The footage that was captured from the early stages of the production to our technical rehearsals at the STAPLES Center in L.A. will show Michael as he truly was, creatively involved with every aspect of the production, from the staging and choreography, to the music, lighting, production design and conception of the original short films and video backdrops. It will also show Michael as one of the greatest entertainers in the world and one of the industry's most creative minds. 'This Is It' was Michael's last theatrical work and although it was still a work in progress, I think the footage will show that the process was something that Michael deeply enjoyed and that it was clear that he was on his way to another theatrical triumph."
Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture.
Five of Jackson's solo albums - "Off the Wall," "Thriller," "Bad," "Dangerous" and "HIStory," all with Epic Records, a Sony Music label - are among the top-sellers of all time and "Thriller" holds the distinction as the largest selling album worldwide in the history of the recording industry with more than 70 million units sold. Additionally, singles released from the "Thriller" album sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, another all time record.
During his extraordinary career, he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and "Thriller" as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award.
Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. In the early 1980s, he defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and the epic "Thriller." Jackson's sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists.
This Is It is being produced with the full support of The Estate of Michael Jackson and will be drawn from hundreds of hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage, captured in high definition with state-of-the-art digital sound as the late singer was preparing for his concert series in London. The film, which will also offer select sequences in 3-D, will provide a unique career retrospective and feature interviews with some of Jackson's closest friends and creative collaborators.
The announcement was made by Michael Lynton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of the studio, Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, Chief Executive Officer of Sony Music Entertainment, and Rob Stringer, Chairman of Columbia/Epic Label Group, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. The companies serve as the principal entertainment divisions of Sony Corporation.
Joining Sony in the announcement was The Estate of Michael Jackson, administered by his longtime attorney John Branca and veteran music executive John McClain, a Jackson family friend for more than 40 years. Proceeds the Estate earns from the film's release will benefit the Michael Jackson Family Trust, the entity that Mr. Jackson specified in his will is to receive all of his assets.
The rights to the exclusive footage were acquired from AEG Live and The Estate of Michael Jackson. Sony Pictures and Sony Music will co-produce with AEG Live and the Estate, and Sony Pictures will distribute the film worldwide. Randy Phillips and Paul Gongaware of AEG Live will serve as producers of the film.
The majority of the film's footage was shot in June, 2009 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California and The Forum in Inglewood, California, as Jackson prepared for "This Is It," the series of fifty concerts Jackson planned to present at the O2 Arena in London.
This Is It will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer, his career, and the stage spectacular that would have been. The film will provide moviegoers with an unforgettable front row experience compiled from extensive footage that shows Jackson's meticulous preparation for his 2009 London shows.
Said Branca, "Our goal is to work with partners who treat Michael's legacy with dignity and respect, while allowing us to substantially build the value of his estate for the benefit of Mrs. Katherine Jackson, Michael's three children and the charitable causes that meant so much to him during his life. We are confident we found the right partners for this project in Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment. Sony and Michael enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial history together, and it's only fitting that the relationship continues."
Said McClain, "This film is not only a tribute to an artist who created excitement every moment he was on stage, but also is a fitting gift to the millions of fans worldwide who loved him and who he devoted his professional life to entertaining. John and I are thrilled to be working with Sony to build on Michael's musical legacy in a way that will generate significant proceeds for his family and for children in need."
"People who have seen this footage are astounded by the amazing quality of Michael Jackson's performance," said Lynton. "This historic recording of the last time he sang and danced on stage shows the legendary artist in an incredibly powerful way, with crystal clear images and sound. We understand the importance of producing a film that pays tribute to Michael as an artist, and are honored to work with The Estate of Michael Jackson to give audiences the gift of his final performances. I know this film will serve as further proof that Michael Jackson is one of the greatest entertainers who ever graced a stage."
"Michael lives on through his songs, his creative genius, his body of work and his passion for his art," said Rob Stringer. "He was a perfectionist on stage and through this unique film, audiences will be able to see, many for the first time, how much Michael poured into making his performances as special as they were perfect."
Said Kenny Ortega, director of and Jackson's creative partner on the "This Is It" concert, "The world will see what our team was so fortunate to experience, which was the full commitment, passion and creativity that Michael put into this project. He was the architect of 'This Is It,' and we were his builders. The footage that was captured from the early stages of the production to our technical rehearsals at the STAPLES Center in L.A. will show Michael as he truly was, creatively involved with every aspect of the production, from the staging and choreography, to the music, lighting, production design and conception of the original short films and video backdrops. It will also show Michael as one of the greatest entertainers in the world and one of the industry's most creative minds. 'This Is It' was Michael's last theatrical work and although it was still a work in progress, I think the footage will show that the process was something that Michael deeply enjoyed and that it was clear that he was on his way to another theatrical triumph."
Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture.
Five of Jackson's solo albums - "Off the Wall," "Thriller," "Bad," "Dangerous" and "HIStory," all with Epic Records, a Sony Music label - are among the top-sellers of all time and "Thriller" holds the distinction as the largest selling album worldwide in the history of the recording industry with more than 70 million units sold. Additionally, singles released from the "Thriller" album sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, another all time record.
During his extraordinary career, he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and "Thriller" as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award.
Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. In the early 1980s, he defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and the epic "Thriller." Jackson's sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Vitality Sensor Coming 'Not Too Late' Next Year
President Iwata says this could have a similar impact to Wii Fit.
Surely topping most Nintendo fans lists of most anticipated games, the Wii Vitality Sensor will be making its way to store shelves next year, according to President Satoru Iwata.
During Nintendo's recent financial briefing, Iwata was asked for his feelings on how well the Vitality Sensor would sell, and if it would be comparable to Wii Fit.
"Before Wii Fit launched, everyone doubted how well it could sell. As for Wii Vitality Sensor, I think it will face similar doubts as to whether such a product will sell well in the video game market," he said.
"Of course no one can tell how people respond to it before the launch. We understand everyone wants to enjoy a vibrant lifestyle, so I believe if the product could support that desire, it would make a large impact in society."
Iwata then followed up his comments by giving a release window for the finger-inserting game.
"We would like to deliver the actual product not too late in the year next year," he added. "As I have mentioned, last-minute polishing is crucial for developing video games, so please understand that we'll need to refrain from commenting on an exact release date."
Surely topping most Nintendo fans lists of most anticipated games, the Wii Vitality Sensor will be making its way to store shelves next year, according to President Satoru Iwata.
During Nintendo's recent financial briefing, Iwata was asked for his feelings on how well the Vitality Sensor would sell, and if it would be comparable to Wii Fit.
"Before Wii Fit launched, everyone doubted how well it could sell. As for Wii Vitality Sensor, I think it will face similar doubts as to whether such a product will sell well in the video game market," he said.
"Of course no one can tell how people respond to it before the launch. We understand everyone wants to enjoy a vibrant lifestyle, so I believe if the product could support that desire, it would make a large impact in society."
Iwata then followed up his comments by giving a release window for the finger-inserting game.
"We would like to deliver the actual product not too late in the year next year," he added. "As I have mentioned, last-minute polishing is crucial for developing video games, so please understand that we'll need to refrain from commenting on an exact release date."
GI Joe Sequel Will Soon Go Into Development
GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra earned an estimated $100 million worldwide despite mostly negative buzz and reviews (39% on Rotten Tomatoes). The film surpassed studio expectations domestically, earning $56.2 million stateside. All of this can mean only one thing - a sequel is already in development. Paramount Picture’s vice chairman, Rob Moore, confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that a sequel “will soon go into development.” According to the report, all of the movie’s lead actors are “contractually obligated to return for another film,” though director Stephen Sommers is not.
Like many of you, I screened the film over the weekend, and had more fun than I was expecting (I briefly tweeted my thoughts from my iphone). The film was the best case scenario of a bad situation - a horrible script, badly written characters, horrible production and costume design, sometimes questionable CG, but somehow the action sequences with crazy high tech impossible weaponry which were fun enough to make it worth my $8. But it wasn’t a good movie by any stretch of the imagination.
I wrote on twitter after my screening that I would actually like to see Paramount make a sequel. That without a looming writers strike, maybe the screenplay and production won’t suffer as much as they did with Rise of Cobra. And hopefully that sequel would be directed by someone other than Sommers. The concept and franchise has potential, if only if it is handled right. The first film was even built to set up a sequel, but do they have a plan?
Like many of you, I screened the film over the weekend, and had more fun than I was expecting (I briefly tweeted my thoughts from my iphone). The film was the best case scenario of a bad situation - a horrible script, badly written characters, horrible production and costume design, sometimes questionable CG, but somehow the action sequences with crazy high tech impossible weaponry which were fun enough to make it worth my $8. But it wasn’t a good movie by any stretch of the imagination.
I wrote on twitter after my screening that I would actually like to see Paramount make a sequel. That without a looming writers strike, maybe the screenplay and production won’t suffer as much as they did with Rise of Cobra. And hopefully that sequel would be directed by someone other than Sommers. The concept and franchise has potential, if only if it is handled right. The first film was even built to set up a sequel, but do they have a plan?
Michelle Branch Steps Out Solo Again
A funny thing happened to Michelle Branch on her way to Nashville: She scored hit singles as a member of the Wreckers, a country-pop duo that broke up after one successful album.
The Wreckers-Branch and Jessica Harp, a friend and a former backup singer-released three singles during their short career. The first, "Leave the Pieces," spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart in 2006. The pair's album, "Stand Still, Look Pretty" (Maverick/Warner Bros.), has sold 856,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Now Branch is once again ready to step out on her own. The singer/songwriter's first solo album in six years, "Everything Comes and Goes" (Reprise/Warner Bros. Nashville), is due in late fall while the defiant first single, "Sooner or Later," has just arrived at country radio. Although it hasn't yet charted on Hot Country Songs, the song is picking up early airplay in Chicago; Cleveland; Nashville; Des Moines, Iowa; and Bakersfield, Calif. It became available July 28 exclusively through iTunes' Premiere of the Week program.
Once past the Wreckers' breakup-which she compares to a divorce-Branch threw her energy into a new solo album. Her two previous solo pop albums, 2001's "The Spirit Room" and 2003's "Hotel Paper," have sold a total of 3.2 million copies, according to SoundScan.
But after "Everything" was written and recorded, Warner execs in Burbank, Calif., and Nashville began wondering aloud whether Branch's new album would fare better in the country or pop market. "I pretty much came up with the album and finished it within the first six months [after the breakup]," Branch says. "Then everybody started overthinking every little piece of the record.
"It was my nightmare position to be in," Branch adds. "I'm very impulsive, especially with music. If it feels right, you should walk away and say, 'We're done.' But I actually stopped and listened to everybody giving their two cents about what the record should be."
The back and forth delayed the release of the album, which Branch had hoped to put out in 2008. "This record has been a process for sure," she says. "I'm used to a quick turnaround, but this album has been two years of my life."
In the end, the label agreed that what Branch had originally recorded would stick. "It's the next progression," she says of the new album. "I started out as a pop artist, then came to Nashville and it changed me. I don't know how or why I could turn my back on that. I hope it's a happy marriage of both [genres]."
John Leventhal and John Shanks, or "my two Johns," as Branch laughingly refers to them, produced the new set. Branch wrote the album's title track soon after the Wreckers disbanded. "I was in Canada on a bus and couldn't sleep," she recalls. "Instead of going down a dark road, I began purging myself by writing. It was the first song that I had written by myself in a long time. I realized that everything changes; I started out making records by myself and I can do it again."
As difficult as the dissolution of the Wreckers was for the Arizona native, Branch realizes the duo's success paved the way for her work as a solo country artist. "I don't think I would have ever been able to go into Nashville on my own and accomplish what I did," Branch says. "I have Jessica to thank for that. And because of the Wreckers, people know this is where I want to be."
Branch will headline select dates this fall and hopes to join a country tour in the winter. "I'm dying to play this music live," she says. "I've never been off the road for this length of time. I didn't realize how much I missed it and loved it until I didn't do it for a few years."
The Wreckers-Branch and Jessica Harp, a friend and a former backup singer-released three singles during their short career. The first, "Leave the Pieces," spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart in 2006. The pair's album, "Stand Still, Look Pretty" (Maverick/Warner Bros.), has sold 856,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Now Branch is once again ready to step out on her own. The singer/songwriter's first solo album in six years, "Everything Comes and Goes" (Reprise/Warner Bros. Nashville), is due in late fall while the defiant first single, "Sooner or Later," has just arrived at country radio. Although it hasn't yet charted on Hot Country Songs, the song is picking up early airplay in Chicago; Cleveland; Nashville; Des Moines, Iowa; and Bakersfield, Calif. It became available July 28 exclusively through iTunes' Premiere of the Week program.
Once past the Wreckers' breakup-which she compares to a divorce-Branch threw her energy into a new solo album. Her two previous solo pop albums, 2001's "The Spirit Room" and 2003's "Hotel Paper," have sold a total of 3.2 million copies, according to SoundScan.
But after "Everything" was written and recorded, Warner execs in Burbank, Calif., and Nashville began wondering aloud whether Branch's new album would fare better in the country or pop market. "I pretty much came up with the album and finished it within the first six months [after the breakup]," Branch says. "Then everybody started overthinking every little piece of the record.
"It was my nightmare position to be in," Branch adds. "I'm very impulsive, especially with music. If it feels right, you should walk away and say, 'We're done.' But I actually stopped and listened to everybody giving their two cents about what the record should be."
The back and forth delayed the release of the album, which Branch had hoped to put out in 2008. "This record has been a process for sure," she says. "I'm used to a quick turnaround, but this album has been two years of my life."
In the end, the label agreed that what Branch had originally recorded would stick. "It's the next progression," she says of the new album. "I started out as a pop artist, then came to Nashville and it changed me. I don't know how or why I could turn my back on that. I hope it's a happy marriage of both [genres]."
John Leventhal and John Shanks, or "my two Johns," as Branch laughingly refers to them, produced the new set. Branch wrote the album's title track soon after the Wreckers disbanded. "I was in Canada on a bus and couldn't sleep," she recalls. "Instead of going down a dark road, I began purging myself by writing. It was the first song that I had written by myself in a long time. I realized that everything changes; I started out making records by myself and I can do it again."
As difficult as the dissolution of the Wreckers was for the Arizona native, Branch realizes the duo's success paved the way for her work as a solo country artist. "I don't think I would have ever been able to go into Nashville on my own and accomplish what I did," Branch says. "I have Jessica to thank for that. And because of the Wreckers, people know this is where I want to be."
Branch will headline select dates this fall and hopes to join a country tour in the winter. "I'm dying to play this music live," she says. "I've never been off the road for this length of time. I didn't realize how much I missed it and loved it until I didn't do it for a few years."
Yo Joe!! That's An Awesome Opening Weekend!
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
The month of August kicked off with the long-awaited live action movie based on the popular Hasbro toys, comic books and cartoons as Stephen Sommers' G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (Paramount), starring Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, Dennis Quaid and Marlon Wayans, took the top spot with an impressive $56.2 million (estimated) in 4,007 theaters, averaging roughly $14,000 per location. It takes its place as the fourth-biggest August opening of all time, and when one adds in the roughly $44 million grossed overseas this weekend, it makes "G.I. Joe" one of the top August openings of all time.
Second place went to Nora Ephron's foodie biopic Julie & Julia (Sony), starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, which brought in $20.1 million in 2,354 theaters. With a rumored production budget of $40 million, it's looking to become Sony's second profitable movie of the summer with strong hopes for next week's District 9 to be the third.
Jerry Bruckheimer's 3D guinea pig action adventure G-Force (Disney) dropped to third with $9.8 million and a running total of $86.1 million after three weekends.
The sixth installment of Warner Bros.' hit franchise Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince fell two places to fourth with $8.9 million, down 50% from its last weekend. In four weeks, it has grossed $273.8 million, which is more than any of the previous movies in the franchise did in the same time frame. Currently, it's shooting to be the second-highest grossing movie of the franchise after the first, as it aims for the roughly $292 million made by the previous movie.
Judd Apatow's Funny People (Universal), starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen, tanked badly in its second weekend, plummeting 65% to fifth place with $7.9 million and $40.4 million total. Apparently, the more serious nature of the movie has really hurt the movie with both Apatow and Sandler's fans as the exit polls done by CinemaScore last week were not very favorable. Best it can hope for is roughly $50 million total at this point.
Dropping to sixth place, Sony's battle-of-the-sexes comedy The Ugly Truth took sixth place with $7 million and $69 million total, based on a $38 million production budget, nearly half of what it cost to make Funny People.
The return of director David Twohy (Pitch Black) with the paradise-based thriller A Perfect Getaway (Rogue Pictures), starring Milla Jovovich and Timothy Olyphant, failed to find much of an audience, as it brought in just $5.8 million in 2,159 theaters for seventh place.
Fox's family comedy Aliens in the Attic was eighth with $4 million and $17 million total, while the Warner Bros. horror-thriller Orphan added $3.7 million to its total gross of just under $35 million.
Marc Webb's (500) Days of Summer (Fox Searchlight), starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (also in "G.I. Joe") and Zoeey Deschanel, expanded nationwide into 817 theaters, allowing it to finally break into the top 10, just below Orphan.
The Top 10 grossed roughly $127 million, which is down roughly 9% from the same weekend last year.
Opening in 38 theaters in select cities, Charlyne Yi's romantic mockumentary Paper Heart, co-starring Michael Cera, brought in $206 thousand, a relatively meager $5,400 per site.
The month of August kicked off with the long-awaited live action movie based on the popular Hasbro toys, comic books and cartoons as Stephen Sommers' G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (Paramount), starring Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, Dennis Quaid and Marlon Wayans, took the top spot with an impressive $56.2 million (estimated) in 4,007 theaters, averaging roughly $14,000 per location. It takes its place as the fourth-biggest August opening of all time, and when one adds in the roughly $44 million grossed overseas this weekend, it makes "G.I. Joe" one of the top August openings of all time.
Second place went to Nora Ephron's foodie biopic Julie & Julia (Sony), starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, which brought in $20.1 million in 2,354 theaters. With a rumored production budget of $40 million, it's looking to become Sony's second profitable movie of the summer with strong hopes for next week's District 9 to be the third.
Jerry Bruckheimer's 3D guinea pig action adventure G-Force (Disney) dropped to third with $9.8 million and a running total of $86.1 million after three weekends.
The sixth installment of Warner Bros.' hit franchise Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince fell two places to fourth with $8.9 million, down 50% from its last weekend. In four weeks, it has grossed $273.8 million, which is more than any of the previous movies in the franchise did in the same time frame. Currently, it's shooting to be the second-highest grossing movie of the franchise after the first, as it aims for the roughly $292 million made by the previous movie.
Judd Apatow's Funny People (Universal), starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen, tanked badly in its second weekend, plummeting 65% to fifth place with $7.9 million and $40.4 million total. Apparently, the more serious nature of the movie has really hurt the movie with both Apatow and Sandler's fans as the exit polls done by CinemaScore last week were not very favorable. Best it can hope for is roughly $50 million total at this point.
Dropping to sixth place, Sony's battle-of-the-sexes comedy The Ugly Truth took sixth place with $7 million and $69 million total, based on a $38 million production budget, nearly half of what it cost to make Funny People.
The return of director David Twohy (Pitch Black) with the paradise-based thriller A Perfect Getaway (Rogue Pictures), starring Milla Jovovich and Timothy Olyphant, failed to find much of an audience, as it brought in just $5.8 million in 2,159 theaters for seventh place.
Fox's family comedy Aliens in the Attic was eighth with $4 million and $17 million total, while the Warner Bros. horror-thriller Orphan added $3.7 million to its total gross of just under $35 million.
Marc Webb's (500) Days of Summer (Fox Searchlight), starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (also in "G.I. Joe") and Zoeey Deschanel, expanded nationwide into 817 theaters, allowing it to finally break into the top 10, just below Orphan.
The Top 10 grossed roughly $127 million, which is down roughly 9% from the same weekend last year.
Opening in 38 theaters in select cities, Charlyne Yi's romantic mockumentary Paper Heart, co-starring Michael Cera, brought in $206 thousand, a relatively meager $5,400 per site.
The Three Stooges: Paul Giamatti Joins, Jim Carrey Leaves?
In June, a gossip columnist suggested to the Farrelly Brothers that Paul Giamatti play Larry in The Three Stooges after Sean Penn backed out of the role due to family issues. Bobby Farrelly admitted to the paper that Giamatti would not only be “a sensational Larry,” but they’d “love to have Paul.” Unfortunately “an offer” has already been sent out “to someone else.” Giamatti who was also in town at the Nantucket Film Festival with his comedy Cold Souls, didn’t seem too responsive to the idea.
“They were always so dark and grim. And Moe was this ancient man with a little boy’s haircut. But Larry? I don’t get Larry. He’s strange. He’s sort of the blank guy in the middle.”
The whole thing seemed rather speculative at the time, but it appears the tides have apparently changed. The Boston Globe now reports that the Farrelly Brothers has not only signed Giamatti to take over the role of Larry, but Jim Carrey is no longer attached to play Curly, even though he was reportly gaining a bunch of weight for the part. No word on a replacement for Carrey just yet. Benicio Del Toro is still attached to play Moe. I’m starting to think that this film may never happen, which might be for the better.
“They were always so dark and grim. And Moe was this ancient man with a little boy’s haircut. But Larry? I don’t get Larry. He’s strange. He’s sort of the blank guy in the middle.”
The whole thing seemed rather speculative at the time, but it appears the tides have apparently changed. The Boston Globe now reports that the Farrelly Brothers has not only signed Giamatti to take over the role of Larry, but Jim Carrey is no longer attached to play Curly, even though he was reportly gaining a bunch of weight for the part. No word on a replacement for Carrey just yet. Benicio Del Toro is still attached to play Moe. I’m starting to think that this film may never happen, which might be for the better.
Courteney Cox offers up a few more Scream 4 hints
Courteney Cox, who is set to star in a fourth Scream movie, elaborated on a few details that were revealed by writer Kevin Williamson a couple of days ago about the sequel, which picks up the story 10 years after the events in 2000's Scream 3. Cox will reprise the role of TV reporter Gale Weathers.
"She has a kid now," Cox said in a group interview Saturday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Pasadena, Calif., where she was promoting her ABC show Cougar Town. "She's married to Dewey."
Scream 3 ended with Deputy Dewey (David Arquette, Cox's real-life husband) proposing to local newswoman-turned-true-crime guru Gale. The characters bonded during their investigation of the first Scream murders, through the campus crimes of Scream 2 and the film-within-the-film of Scream 3.
Williamson previously described Scream 4 as the beginning of a new trilogy. Cox has no trepidations about beginning another three films. "No, because [I take things] one day at a time," she said. "But I heard the idea for Scream 4, and it's fantastic."
The Scream series tweaked the conventions of horror movies as film-obsessed killers terrorized teens a la their favorite slashers. Nearly a decade later, Cox said that she is ready for round four. "I'm excited," she said. "It'll be really fun."
With Cox and Williamson both beginning new shows this season, Williamson expects to turn in a final draft for Scream 4 during hiatus and make final deals with cast and directors after that.
"She has a kid now," Cox said in a group interview Saturday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Pasadena, Calif., where she was promoting her ABC show Cougar Town. "She's married to Dewey."
Scream 3 ended with Deputy Dewey (David Arquette, Cox's real-life husband) proposing to local newswoman-turned-true-crime guru Gale. The characters bonded during their investigation of the first Scream murders, through the campus crimes of Scream 2 and the film-within-the-film of Scream 3.
Williamson previously described Scream 4 as the beginning of a new trilogy. Cox has no trepidations about beginning another three films. "No, because [I take things] one day at a time," she said. "But I heard the idea for Scream 4, and it's fantastic."
The Scream series tweaked the conventions of horror movies as film-obsessed killers terrorized teens a la their favorite slashers. Nearly a decade later, Cox said that she is ready for round four. "I'm excited," she said. "It'll be really fun."
With Cox and Williamson both beginning new shows this season, Williamson expects to turn in a final draft for Scream 4 during hiatus and make final deals with cast and directors after that.
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