'The Cook' just got back the American Film Market in Santa Monica and thought he'd share some of the film news that arose from the convention:
"Saw some great films - may I recommend "Lost Skeleton of Cadavra", "Under the Radar" and "25 Degres en Hiver". Not so good were "Sci-Fighter" (a B martial arts feature), "Thunderstruck" (an Australian comedy) and "Crimson Rivers 2", which wasn't a shade on the original. I was also treated to a few sneaks - a rough piece from "Without a Paddle" which looks ok, and "Shrek 2" which is excellent.
News: Jennifer Tilly was representing 'The Civilization of Maxwell Bright' she's flying back and forwards from Romania where she's voicing the lead female doll in "Seed of Chucky" and also starring as herself at the same time. She said she'll be 'pooped' by the time it's over. She said the film's going to be full with numerous cameos, and nods to the first couple of Child's Plays.
Bruce Campbell's got a new film in the can called "Going Back" from Inferno Films about two friends who take a road trip. It's the buzz of the room. As is the fact that apparently Campbell's talking with New Line Cinema about resurrecting his "Evil Dead" character. Comeback indeed. Good Buzz also for Scott Speedman's new flick, it's going to be called "The 24th Day" (here's the poster)
Renny Harlin says he has finished "Exorcist" and that it's an all-new film, one which he'll be credited for. He said the people that were written out of the film, were written out only because they started afresh with a near new script. Those that have seen what Harlin's shot say it harks back to the original and is truly terrifying. "We already talking of doing number two. So they must like", he assured us.
There were promo banners around which look to be plugging "Jurassic Park 4" - though no lettering on them, simple 3D-ish T-rex popping out of the front, with a smoky city landscape behind him. 2005. is all it says. Also a big 'Firefly' poster hanging by thread, looks neat. There's word one studiomight be offloading some of their older properties to some of the distribs. One company called Arclight and another Gecchi are apparenlty in talks to take the studios two spooky TV franchises away. The studio don't plan to follow through on their promises for films of both but have given the go ahead to another studio to do so. For a nice sum I'm sure.
What was mad was all these NZ film companies like NZ Film talking up their future slate of "Rings" clones. One's apparently called "Spooked" and has Temura Marrison in it, one's a remake of 80's drag "Fright Night" that's already in preprod, and then there's things like "Warrior of the Sin" and "Dirt Pillars Ashay".
Thanks again to 'Crutch'.
