Monday, May 9, 2011

Reel Facts & Opinions

FACT: Steven Spielberg’s Abraham Lincoln biopic is looking to lock down some big names. Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, John Hawkes, Hal Holbrook, John Hawkes, Tim Blake Nelson, Bruce McGill, Joseph Cross, David Costabile, Byron Jennings, Dakin Matthews, Boris McGiver, Gloria Reuben, Jeremy Strong and David Warshofsky are all in negotiations to join the film; which already has Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role and Sally Field as Mrs. Lincoln.

OPINION: It is fair to say that the world has been without a definitive Lincoln movie, and Spielberg knows it and is taking this chance seriously. The top-heavy casting suggests that he is looking to avoid a one-man, DDL-show similar to THERE WILL BE BLOOD, but that wouldn’t be a bad thing either.

FACT: Speaking of THERE WILL BE BLOOD, Paul Thomas Anderson (director of BLOOD), has locked down his next film with the (fatass) Weinsteins. The untitled project has Phillip Seymour Hoffman returning from WWII and trying to rediscover his life. Joaquin Phoenix plays a 20-something who becomes his sidekick.

OPINION: Anderson knows how to get great performances out of his actors, and the return of Joaquin from Charlie Sheen-land is interesting. Hopefully the (fatass) Weinsteins won’t try to cut the nuts of this film like they did with the re-release of THE KING’S SPEECH.

FACT: And speaking of Abe Lincoln, a NY Times article has gone into some fine detail about the upcoming ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER. It seems that great effort is being taken to not disturb the historical aspect of Lincoln’s life. The production will use actual locations and historical costumes and props to add heavy authenticity. An Illinois state historian was consulted so the filmmakers could “slip vampires into Lincoln’s story with minimal damage to the historical record”.

OPINION: If you’re going to make a period piece set in an alternate universe, you’ve got to be respectful of the surroundings. So far this sounds better and better. Hopefully they’ll leave the (goddamn) 3D on the shelf.

What say you?

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