Film School Rejects » Ashley Demma

Todd McFarlane’s Sick Version of Oz May Have It’s Dorothy

Ashley Demma — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:15:24 +0000

When I heard the news that Todd McFarlane (the twisted genius behind Spawn) wanted to lend his “Twisted Land of Oz” action figure characters to a movie, I said “hell yes!” …and a string of other colorful words inappropriate in the workplace. But then I heard the news that Dakota Fanning was in talks to play Dorothy from a report at The Sunday Express, and I went, “huh”. And then I heard that Warner Bros.’ intended screenwriter, Josh Olson said he wanted the film to be “Harry Potter dark, not Se7en dark”. And that made me go, “eff this”.

I mean, do it right or don’t do it at all. McFarlane’s action figure versions of the Oz characters are dark and disturbing to say the least. There would be no point in making a watered down version of his sci-fi, bondage creations. You want a kid-friendly, sci-fi Oz? Go watch Tin Man.

The proposed new story would “take place in present day and feature Dorothy’s granddaughter”, according to producer Basil Iwanyk. All that sounds well and good, but where does the over-sexualized, gritty fantasy come into play? Cuz I’m pretty sure that having Dakota Fanning in her skivvies and a collar, being walked on a leash by a munchkin, is pedo-territory that would give Mark McLeod something to think about in prison…

Filming is rumored to start as early as next year, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. This seems like the kind of project that will get stuck in “Development Limbo” for years.

What do you think of McFarlane’s dark vision for Oz, and possible choice of Dakota Fanning?

Field Report: Repo! The Genetic Experience!

Ashley Demma — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:46:47 +0000

Repo! The Genetic Opera is the most creative, complex, and vibrant film I’ve seen this year, perhaps ever. The brainchild of artist/screenwriter Terrance Zdunich and screenwriter Darren Smith has been a labor intensive project for the past 10 years, taking various forms including a stage play and a filmed short presented to movie executives. At long last, Saw franchise director Darren Lynn Bousman teamed up with Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures to bring Repo! to the big screen. But it hasn’t been easy.

When I heard that Repo! was on a strict 7 city, one night only tour, I knew I had to go. For $15 I couldn’t say no. Chicago’s Music Box Theater is a stunning movie palace, one of the last great theaters still running in Chicago. When I arrived at 9:30pm, people were lined up down the block, blasting “Zydrate Anatomy” and decked out in their finest Repo! costumes. Some fans had been waiting since 4, and one girl came from Canada. Like any good play, we were given “playbills” while waiting for the show to start. To my surprise, both Zdunich and Bousman were just…hanging out in the lobby. No bodyguards, no police, just them.

Before showing the film, Zdunich and Bousman came up to the screen and gave an introduction. When the red curtain opened up, the crowd went wild. Right from the beginning, it was nothing but cheers and singing the whole way through. Everyone laughed and cried and yelled at all the right parts. As for the film itself, I have nothing but amazing things to say about it. When it ended, the only thing that went through my mind was…I want more. I was speechless. Repo! is a visual feast and an aesthetic mind-fuck. There’s so much going on beyond the immediate world of the story that you feel as if the characters and their world could be real.

After the film, Zdunich and Bousman gave a gracious hour long question and answer session with the fans. I was shocked. I’ve never met two filmmakers who were more down to earth and loving of their fans. Yours truly managed to sneak in a question after much fangirl-like hyperventilation:

AD: When Buffy the Vampire Slayer ended, Joss Whedon continued the series in comic form. Have you both considered turning Repo! or its sequels into a graphic novel?

DLB: Fuck that! We want a sequel! *fans screaming*

TZ: Really, It’s up to you guys what happens. The material exists. What ended up in the film, the artwork, is only 1/3^rd of all of it. We could fill a book with just that…or the posters, the propaganda posters.

DLB: What we want to do is a prequel, and tell what happened before Repo! We want to tell what happened to cause this epidemic.

Bousman went on to say that Lionsgate is not the enemy here, but rather to have qualms with the movie industry itself. Repo! is the kind of movie that draws a very specific audience. How many horror rock operas have there been in the past? There is an audience for that kind of thing…it just isn’t mainstream. And Zdunich and Bousman aren’t apologizing for it.

I saw people yelling their favorite lyrics through the streets, with blue glow stick “Zydrates” in hand. I was part of a once-in-a-lifetime, interactive experience that was beyond just seeing a movie. It was being a part of something, and submerging yourself in a counterculture that is completely unique and exciting. The film is meant to be seen, and its meant to be seen live with like-minded people.

Zdunich and Bousman also spent time with the fans, talking to them about their viewing experience and answering their personal questions. They signed autographs and took pictures for free, all the while with smiles on their faces. If Repo! is coming to a city near you, go. Don’t think, just go. It’s worth it. And to pass on the words of Darren Lynn Bousman, “Spread the word!” Join the Repo! Army and fight to get this movie shown in wide release and another Repo! Road Tour.

For more information, visit the official site: www.repo-opera.com

P.S. When Bousman signed my autograph, I told him I wrote for FSR, and he remembered Neil Miller! He said he really liked the site. See, people do read us. Pretty freakin’ awesome people at that.

Check out some photos from the event:

7 Days of 007: 10 Spies Who Stole Moves from James Bond

Ashley Demma — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:00:02 +0000

Ever since Ian Fleming began penning his James Bond series in 1953, spy adventures and espionage have been hot topics for cinema and television. From Xander Cage to Maxwell Smart, we’ve got the top 10 spies influenced by James Bond.

**10. xXx – Xander Cage**

Vin Diesel is a badass. Say what you want about his questionable sexuality. The fact of the matter is, Vin Diesel could kick you in the teeth and smack you in the head with a vodka bottle, and you’d have to sit there and say, “You, sir, are a badass”. In 2005’s xXx, Vin stars as adrenaline-junkie Xander Cage, a thrill seeker recruited by the government to take down a Russian anarchist. He uses a dining tray as a shield and walks into a bar made out of ice in a full length fur coat. Oh, and he gets to be all up on Asia Argento. Best spy ever? Mayhaps.

9. Mission: Impossible – Ethan Hunt

Before aliens took over his body, Tom Cruise was an awesome action hero back in the day. Who could forget Ethan Hunt dangling precariously from the ceiling as that one bead of sweat threatens to expose him? Cruise performed as one of the coolest spies in movie history. Two sequels later, with awe-inspiring directors like John Woo and J.J. Abrams, Mission: Impossible remains a great spy trilogy.

**8. Alias – Sydney Bristow**

The first female spy on our list is Jennifer Garner on Alias. Living her life as a double-agent, Sydney Bristow seeks to bring down the Alliance of 12 that killed her fiancé. Throughout the show, Jen dons various disguises, all leaving little to the imagination. Throw in some daddy issues, leather pants, and karate moves…and you’ve got spy gold.

7. I Spy – Kelly Robinson and Alexander Scott

This classic 1965 TV show involves the lives of two American agents, under the guise of a Princeton law student/tennis player, and his personal trainer. The show only lasted for a few seasons but is beloved by fans. It is also the first American dramatic television program to feature a black lead (Bill Cosby).

6. Our Man Flint – Derek Flint

This may be the closest spy to Bond in terms of his playboy ways, wit, and charm. James Coburn is no Sean Connery, but is dashing and devious nonetheless. Derek Flint is meant to be a parody of James Bond. Still, parodies make for great movies, and Our Man Flint definitely falls under that category.

5. Spy Kids – The Cortez Family

Carmen and her brother Juni must act to save their spy parents Ingrid and Gregorio. Robert Rodriguez packed his trilogy with talented actors like Carla Guigino, Antonio Banderas, Alexs Vega, Cheech Marin, Alan Cumming, Tony Shalhoub, and Teri Hatcher. An entire family of spies, the Cortez team fights evil together. Rodriguez delivers big laughs and impressive special effects…even if you’re not a nine year old.

4. Austin Powers – Austin Powers

In perhaps the best-known and most lighthearted spoof (trilogies), Mike Meyers gives the comedic performance of a lifetime as swinging spy Austin Powers. Austin is frozen in the 1960s only to be revived later in the 90s with no understanding of how the new world works. Not just as Austin Powers, Meyers also portrays the likes of Dr. Evil and Fat Bastard. Full of double-entendres and hilarious one-liners, Austin Powers is a fine spy spoof.

3. The Bourne Trilogy – Jason Bourne

Matt Damon stars as memory-impaired agent Jason Bourne, an ex-C.I.A. man seeking to find out his true identity. If The Bourne Identity isn’t the film that made Sarah Silverman craft an ode to Matt Damon, then I don’t know what is. Incredible stunts and fighting sequences leave Damon all sweaty and sexy, letting the ladies have plenty of eye candy.

2. The Avengers - John Steed and Emma Peel

British secret agents with sexual tension? Sounds perfect. John Steed is a secret agent teamed up often with Emma Peel of the British Intelligence. A cult classic, The Avengers ran for 7 seasons. Steed faced everything from cyborgs to a killer who makes his victims sneeze to death, making the show quirky and unique.

**1. Get Smart – Maxwell Smart**

Don Adams made Agent 86 famous with his character’s constant slip-ups and incompetence. Earlier this summer Steve Carell reprised the role and brought Get Smart to a whole new audience. Get Smart combined Bond’s spy knowledge with Inspector Clouseau’s bumbling antics. What would a good spy be without a shoe phone?

While there are loads of other spy movies and shows out there, these are some of the best. With the success of the revival of the James Bond franchise and Quantum of Solace just a few days away, we can safely say that spies aren’t going anywhere.

Road to Perdition Sequels in the Works, Honor Paul Newman

Ashley Demma — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:14:17 +0000

The 2002 film starring Tom Hanks won an Oscar for Best Cinematography, and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Paul Newman). Not many people seem to remember that Road to Perdition was based off the graphic novel by Max Allan Collins and Richard Piers Rayner. Now a pair of sequels are in the works entitled Road to Purgatory and Road to Paradise. From the press release, Collins said:

“Road to Purgatory will follow the character of Michael Sullivan, Jr., the son of Tom Hanks’ character in the original film, who returns from World War II with a new determination to avenge his murdered father. His quest ultimately leads him to Frank Nitti, whom he is urged to kill on the orders of Al Capone. The second sequel will follow Sullivan’s continued plight.”

Now that the original co-creator is on board to pen the screenplays, fans will be assured that the sequels are in good hands. Road to Perdition was a powerful drama with commanding performances by Tom Hanks, Jude Law, and Paul Newman amongst others. I expect no less for these new sequels. I hope they film it in Homer Township again. Represent small town, Illinois. No one else? Okay.

What do you think about two sequels to Road to Perdition? Good idea?

Test Screeners Watch the Watchmen and Live to Tell All

Ashley Demma — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:24:41 +0000

Earlier in the week, some lucky fans got the chance to attend a test screening of Watchmen in Portland, and spilled the beans about how the movie is so far. Executives are trying to shut down the buzz and the so-called leaked information, but Spoiler TV has an interview style thread that tells all. The content of the thread has major spoilers, whether they are true or not.

The general consensus seems to be that the film stayed razor sharp, following Alan Moore’s beloved graphic novel to a T…but the ending has been modified. Personally, I hated the end of the graphic novel and thought it was a really lame way to end an awesome story. I am much happier with the film’s alternate ending.

At this point, there is still a lot of speculation about the truth of this leak. Some claim it’s just WB people trying to spread false information and confuse the fans. Some think that the leak is legit. Whatever the case, read for yourself now, or you’ll have to wait until next March to find out what happens.

Does an alteration to the ending of Watchmen bother you at all?

As Expected, Jude Law Appears as Dr. Watson

Ashley Demma — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:44:31 +0000

Ladies and gents, feast your eyes on these new photos from the set of Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes. Ritchie’s reimagining of the famous detective stories features a stellar cast, comprised of Jude Law as Dr. Watson, Rachel McAdams as American love interest Irene Adler, and Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes himself. Mr. Madonna explained the direction of the film as such:

“We’re going to try to introduce something we haven’t seen before, authentic to the narrative…we’re trying to make this film fresh. We should have some good fight sequences.”

Sounds good to me! After Iron Man, I’ve pretty much agreed to be RDJ’s slave for life. And what could be better than British detectives kicking ass? The answer is nothing. And from the sounds of it, Ritchie is pretty confident that our main men will deliver strong performances:

“My one concern was the accents but this is no longer the case. Robert Downey has the best English accent I’ve ever heard.”

For more images from the set, head over to Just Jared.

George Clooney Says Batman and Robin Changed His Career

Ashley Demma — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:46:24 +0000

George Clooney is one of the most sought after actors in Hollywood today. With titles under his belt like O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Michael Clayton, Ocean’s Eleven, and an impressive stint on the medical drama, ER, it’s hard to believe he ever made crap like Batman & Robin.

I appreciate awesomely-bad movies as much as the next gal, and 1997’s Batman & Robin is one of the best. Batsuits with leather nips, Arnold Schwarzenegger, underground motorcycle racing… I could go on for days. I guess everyone has to start somewhere, and this is no exception. Clooney told Showbiz Spy:

“I don’t regret anything…with hindsight it’s easy to look back at Batman and go, ‘Woah! that was really shit, and I was really bad in it. The truth is, Batman is still the biggest break I ever had. It changed my career. I wouldn’t be doing this now if it hadn’t been for Batman.”

The Batman franchise has seen an amazing rebirth in the last five years thanks to the work of Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale. Both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight were box office smash successes. In fact, Batman Begins had a strong hand in shaping the movie industry’s choices in making other comic book and graphic novel adaptations.

Before we go feeling too bad for George, let’s remember that Val Kilmer was in Willow, and Christian Bale started off in the cult favorite musical, Newsies. Singing newspaper boys. Think about that.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Pre-Screening Experience

Ashley Demma — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:16:07 +0000

I scored big time yesterday when my film student boyfriend nabbed us a pair of pre-screening tickets to Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Even better, the tickets came with a Q & A session with Michael Cera and Kat Dennings. There are few things I love more in this world than music, shy boys, Rachel Cohn books, and one night adventures (a la Can’t Hardly Wait). Needless to say I was stoked.

I got to the theater two hours early, the line was filled with hipsters, but the vibe was overall pretty good. When I finally sat down, a DJ spun some long forgotten, yet underrated tunes to get us excited. Fifteen minutes of Oasis, 311, Franz Ferdinand, and White Stripes later: the movie began.

Ten minutes into it, and I was already obsessed with Nick and Norah. Despite the Juno-esque titles and soundtrack (which is awesome by the way), I truly loved this film! It was hilarious and fun and sweet in all the right places. I was especially glad at how closely it followed the book. The only parts changed were the name of Nick’s band from the Fuck Offs to the Jerk Offs, and the craziness of Caroline. The whole part about her getting lost was great. Caroline made the movie for me.

Cera was awkward but endearing as ever. Dennings was sassy and clever. The Q & A session was a blast. Cera was a lot shorter in person that I imagined. There were a lot of questions about an Arrested Development movie, which Cera respectfully declined to answer. Dennings got a lot of questions about her experiences working on Charlie Bartlett. Yours truly even got to sneak in a question. It went something like this:

You were great on Sex and the City. How did you like working on the “bat mitzvah” episode (Hot Child in the City)?

Kat Dennings: It was great! I don’t think I had a bat mitzvah, so that was really fun. I did that when I was like 14, and I was just excited that I got to get my hair straightened for like the first time ever.

Did they let you keep anything? Any of the fashion?

Kat Dennings: Yeah actually. They let me keep my zebra print dress…well they made me buy it, but…

You’re welcome. That was the best thing I could think to ask. Someone beat me to “Michael, what kind of girls do you like?!” giggle. All in all, Nick and Norah was a great little flick with a lot of heart. Seeing Dev’s boyfriend head-butt Tal was awesome, along with Norah punching Nick in the throat. So if you like violence and semi-indie rock music, you’ll dig Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.

And just a side note postscript… I got recognized at the theater by a Film School Rejects reader! How ’bout that, eh? He asked me about the site and what I liked writing about. Nice kid. He and his friend were Pixar-hopeful animators. Long live 2D animation, T.J. and Laura.

Is True Blood the Adult Substitute for Twilight?

Ashley Demma — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 19:30:19 +0000

The new queen of vampires, Stephenie Meyer, has quite the cult following thanks to her internationally bestselling “Twilight” saga. Her books are chock-full of romance, excitement, danger, and moral questions. While fans are loyal to her stories about Bella and Edward, it seems like HBO might sway them to try something a bit more…mature.

HBO’s latest drama “True Blood“ is wild and sexy, pushing the limits of what people define as acceptable in society. “True Blood” asks the question, “What if vampires came out of the coffin?” What if vampires made their presence known and tried to coexist with humans peacefully? Naturally, there are two warring sides in the country. The American Vampire League supports vampire rights while the Fellowship of the Sun condemns them. The show is satirical in many ways, dealing with acceptance issues, hate crimes, politics, and counterculture. The AVL is the liberal to the Fellowship’s conservative.

The viral campaign is delicious, packed with extras that show just how far the “True Blood” universe spans. Vampire bars like Fangtasia, online dating sites like Lovebitten, radio stations like WDED Radio…the list goes on and on. Great attention to detail is really what made me appreciate the pilot episode. For example: a marquee reading “GOD HATES FANGS” (close to another hateful cry in our own world, eh?) HBO.com and a special feature on On Demand also display fake news reports and bulletins. Alan Ball (”Six Feet Under”) and the creators of the show have gone above and beyond to make their world seem tangible.

“True Blood’s” hold over “Twilight” is that television can go places that a book simply cannot. The power of online media and the depth of what a camera can capture knocks Meyer’s universe on its ass. Meyer can make her characters seem believable by explaining the depth of Edward and Bella’s love, and how far Carlisle and his family have gone to maintain peace and humanity. But where Meyer fails to gain a mature audience are her Mormon values. Her books are all about resistance while “True Blood” isn’t afraid to go all the way (and boy, do they!) However, in many ways I appreciate Meyer’s sense of modesty to the overt sexuality of “True Blood.” Maybe it’s a ‘why have the cow when you can get the milk for free’ thing? I like the cow. I like the free milk…er… blood, too.

It’s pretty clear that vampirism is hot. Vampires are sexy, sensual, and unattainable. People can’t get enough of it. From the beginning with Bram Stoker’s Dracula, to Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, to Joss Whedon’s “Buffy” and “Angel” and everything in between and beyond: vampires are here to stay. That being said, let’s just say that there’s a reason “True Blood” is on HBO and not the CW. This show is not for the kids, so wait until they go to sleep before catching the next episode.

What do you think? Did you catch “True Blood” this past week? If so, do you think it can capture that same “Twilight” magic for adults?

Lucky Fan to Fight Cancer, Earn a Walk On Role on Spidey 4

Ashley Demma — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:00:41 +0000

If you do by chance wanna burn through all your heard-earned Clevelands, eBay is offering a pretty amazing chance to do so. eBay is supporting a group called “Stand Up to Cancer”, which will be benefited by the winner bidder’s contribution. In return, the bidder gets a truly once in a lifetime VIP experience on the set of Spider-Man 4.

The winning package includes:

A visit to the set of Spider-Man 4 (one shooting day).
A meet and greet with the cast (1 hour).
A walk-on/ extra role in the film for the auction winner only.
A trip to the New York premiere.
Designer outfits to wear to premiere for winner and guest from top designers.
Winner and Guest will walk the premiere’s red carpet.

While I love helping out a great cause as much as the next gal, I think I’ll just buy a Product (RED) pin from the Gap and save $4,9995. But if you’re a die-hard Spidey fan, or have just been left a large sum of money by some distant relative, go for it.

Still Getting ‘Goosebumps’ After All These Years

Ashley Demma — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:59:04 +0000

R.L. Stine’s beloved scary story series, Goosebumps, is making its big screen jump after almost 15 years. Goosebumps began as a young adult novel series, spanning more than 50 books. Fox then picked up the books for a weekly television show in 1995. Subsequent VHS releases of the more popular episodes, including The Haunted Mask, Night of the Living Dummy, and A Night in Terror Tower, followed.

Now, Columbia Pictures wants to move forward with an actual film version of the stories. Writers Larry Karaszewski and Scott Alexander (who also penned the screenplays for Ed Wood and 1408), will make the adaptation.

The books have limitless potential on-screen. There are so many different stories, all with twist endings and enough scares to frighten an audience, while still being kid friendly. The real question is…will people be interested? Is it too late for a Goosebumps movie or will a new generation of readers become hooked in the addicting, nightmarish, otherworld of R.L. Stine’s imagination? I’ve read these books since I was about six, and I remember being thoroughly creeped out after each new installment. Something about the stories left me terrified but eager for more. Let’s hope that other moviegoers feel the same way.

Which stories would you most want to see adapted for the movie(s)? Who would be good choices for young actors?

The Princess and the Frog: Controversy or Innocence?

Ashley Demma — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:00:34 +0000

This Christmas, Disney returns to its beloved 2D animation with a little fairy-tale entitled, The Princess and the Frog. A lot of buzz has been surrounding the main character’s ethnicity, because for the first time, this Disney princess… is black.

Princess Tiana (voiced by Ankia Noni Rose) lives in the French Quarter in beautiful New Orleans, Louisiana. While the plot is still vague at this point, the story has gotten several disapproving comments. As Charlotte Observer columnist William Blackburn explains:

“This princess’ story is set in New Orleans, the setting of one of the most devastating tragedies to beset a black community. And then they throw in the voodoo theme [the fairy-godmother character is a voodoo priestess] and an alligator sidekick. When you put New Orleans, alligators and voodoo together, there’s no beauty there.”

Controversy surrounding the movie include issues with the original title (The Frog Princess-insinuating black women are ugly perhaps?), the Princess’ original name (Maddy-not ‘ethnic’ enough perhaps?), as well as the setting of New Orleans-a region where the lives of many black families (and white families) were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Additional complaints include: the use of voodoo magic and an alligator sidekick, making the film seem somewhat (if unintentionally) racist and pointed.

But let’s be honest here. It’s an animated movie, people. It is not a social cry or a political statement. It’s about a princess and her talking animal friends. Sounds like every other movie Disney has ever spit out. Still thinking The Princess and the Frog is racial? Well, consider the following racial assumptions made in other Disney animated features over the years:

In Aladdin, Princess Jasmine has an Anglocized name that doesn’t originate from Saudi Arabia.
In Mulan, the title character has a pet dragon, which could be offensive to the Chinese people.
Magic or the occult is used in several (almost all) films including: The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Sword and the Stone, Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty…So why is voodoo considered a taboo for The Frog Princess? If it’s a complaint about religious practices, it might be valid.

Regardless of social issues with the film, it’s nice to see Disney go back to basics on their latest endeavor. Best yet: this marks the first Disney musical since Hercules! I can’t wait to see inanimate objects and animals singing about love and magic. For some beautifully drawn artwork from the film, check out these stills:

Do you think The Princess and the Frog will make racist statements? Is Disney right in changing the original title and character name to better please black audiences?

Venom’s Creator Wants Him Creepier in a Solo Flick

Ashley Demma — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:05:54 +0000

Amidst the crap that was Spider-Man 3 (singing, dancing, emo angst) there was the glory of evil villain Venom. Played by That 70’s Show’s Topher Grace, Venom was pretty much a bad-ass. Fans’ biggest complaint with Venom, however, was his lack of on-screen time. Grace did a fine job bringing the monster to life, and the visual effects used to create Venom were fantastic. The teeth especially scared the hell out of me.

Now Todd McFarlane wants Venom to be creepier than ever for a possible spin-off movie. McFarlane is one of the artists who created Venom for the Amazing Spider-Man comics. And while he wants to be true to the character, McFarlane explained to IGN that understands not to go too far:

“He should be creepier than he was in Spider-Man 3. You don’t want to scare the kids, because the kids love the character, but I think you could add a little bit of a creep factor.”

And on debating the idea of a spin-off movie when past films have been disasters (Catwoman, Scorpion King), McFarlane had this to say:

“The reason [villains are] so cool as a bad guy is because they’re bad. And as soon as you try to give too much humanity to them, then you go, ‘No! Now they’re not as good as a bad guy because you’re trying to redeem them’.”

While I seriously doubt Venom could ever be anything but a maniacal, space-demon, super-villain… I think some deeper back-story on the character could be useful in plot development.

Do you think a Venom spin-off movie would be cool?

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Trailer

Ashley Demma — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:38:10 +0000

Can’t get enough of loveable geek Michael Cera? Love music and feel-good comedies? Look no further than the October 3^rd release of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. A newly released trailer debuts the charming story.

The flick tells the tale of Nick, a high school guitar player who has just been dumped by his girlfriend Tris. At Nick’s band’s show, Tris is there on the arm of a new guy. Norah is also at the show, taking care of a friend. Nick is trying to avoid Tris, as is Norah. The two pretend to be lovers for five minutes to show Tris how not uncool they are, and the story takes off from there.

Set in Manhattan against the whirlwind of the city lights and excitement, Nick and Norah have an unforgettable adventure sure to win over the hearts of audiences everywhere. Much like indie-hit Juno, this film is just as much about music as it is about storyline, featuring great talent such as: Band of Horses, The Ravonettes, Modest Mouse, and Vampire Weekend, amongst others on the soundtrack.

Starring in Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist are Michael Cera (Nick), Kat Dennings (Norah), Alexis Dziena (Tris), and a crew of other up-and-coming young actors. Based on the novel by young adult author extraordinaire Rachel Cohn (Gingerbread, Shrimp, Cupcake) and David Levithan, this story is surely not one to miss.

Have a look at the trailer below or see it in high definition over on MySpace:

What do you think of the first look at Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist?

Fergalicious Definition Joins the Cast of Nine

Ashley Demma — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:54:06 +0000

Ms. Stacy Ferguson, better known as Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas fame, has joined the cast of Rob Marshall’s Nine. Fergie had a small role in the zombie flick, Planet Terror, but has otherwise had no chance to showcase any acting talent she may possess. Nine is a screen adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical for the Weinstein Company. Marshall was also the director of the 2003 smash musical hit, Chicago.

Nine focuses on the life of famous film director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) who struggles to balance his personal and professional life, including his relationships with different women. These include his marriage to his wife Luisa (Marion Cotillard) amongst his extramarital affairs. Other big name actresses in the film include: Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Dame Judi Dench, and Sophia Loren amongst others. With a bevy of beauties at his side, the multi-talented Day-Lewis should have no problems in making the film a success.

The past decade saw a string of rather surprising musical hits: Moulin Rouge!, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Sweeney Todd, and the recent Mamma Mia! With the numerous Oscars Marshall’s Chicago won, including Best Actress (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Best Costume Design (Colleen Atwood), Nine is sure to be no different.

Film School Rejects » Ashley Demma

Todd McFarlane’s Sick Version of Oz May Have It’s Dorothy

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Field Report: Repo! The Genetic Experience!

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7 Days of 007: 10 Spies Who Stole Moves from James Bond

10. xXx – Xander Cage

9. Mission: Impossible – Ethan Hunt

8. Alias – Sydney Bristow

7. I Spy – Kelly Robinson and Alexander Scott

6. Our Man Flint – Derek Flint

5. Spy Kids – The Cortez Family

4. Austin Powers – Austin Powers

3. The Bourne Trilogy – Jason Bourne

2. The Avengers - John Steed and Emma Peel

1. Get Smart – Maxwell Smart

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Road to Perdition Sequels in the Works, Honor Paul Newman

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Test Screeners Watch the Watchmen and Live to Tell All

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As Expected, Jude Law Appears as Dr. Watson

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George Clooney Says Batman and Robin Changed His Career

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Nick and Norah’s Infinite Pre-Screening Experience

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