The REEL Box Office Buzz!

And no, that’s not a typo. 

Look out “24″ fans - there’s some real talk going on about a potential full-length feature film based on the hit Fox Television series starring Keifer Sutherland.  Extra reports that Keifer himself is excited about the possibilities.

“It’s certainly on the table and we’d be thrilled to make it, but we’re going to wait until the series is finished, “ Says Sutherland.

Now, I’m a HUGE fan of the TV series and have been having withdrawals.  Season 6 ended in May 2007 and we all know what happened with the Writer’s Strike later that year.  It put a damper on production for Season 7 and as a result, we fans are chomping at the bit until its return in January 2009. 

Still, I’m personally not sure how I feel about a 24 BIG-screen debut.  The whole premise of the show and what makes it so appealing is that each episode is one hour of a 24-hour period.  They would have to come up with some really good writing and some equally good cinematography, direction, and special effects to make it worthy of being associated with the television series…at least in my humble opinion.

What do you think?  Are you up for “24 - the Movie”?  Post your comments below.  I’m anxious to hear what other die-hard 24 fans have to say.

Until next time, see YOU at the movies!

Lisa

Matt Damon and his wife Luciana welcomed a bouncing baby girl into the world this week, Gia Zavala.  People.com reports that the couple and new baby are doing well.  Gia joins sisters, Isabella and Alexia (from Luciana’s previous marriage), to make the Damon brood a family of five.

Damon is probably best known for his Oscar-winning screenplay (co-written with best bud, Ben Affleck) for Goodwill Hunting as well as for his performances in all three of the highly acclaimed and Oscar-winning (The Bourne Ultimatum) Bourne movies.

While the 2008 Olympic Games continue on in Beijing, American film lovers everywhere were mourning the passing of two of Hollywood’s most loved and revered performers  - Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes.  Mac succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 50 on Saturday while on Sunday, Hayes passed away early that morning at the age of 65.  The cause of his death was unknown.

Bernie Mac starred with the likes of George Clooney and Matt Damon in the Oceans series as well as his own hit TV show, The Bernie Mac Show.  In 1977, he became a professional comedian working his way through several films until HBO came calling in 2000 asking for his participation in The Original Kings of Comedy.  His star began to rise from there and Bernie’s been loved and admired since. 

Isaac Hayes is probably best known for his role as Chef in the raunchy cable TV comedy series, Southpark, on the Comedy Channel.  However, did you know that Hayes won an Oscar for Best Original Song for a Motion Picture for the “Theme from Shaft”?  Hayes was a vocalist, musician, and composer before diving into the world of acting.

Both performers will surely be missed! 

Recently, I took a much needed vacation but it wasn’t any ordinary vacation.  Why am I telling you this?  Simple, really.  Some of what I did during my time off actually fits into this blog…sort of.  Here, let me explain.

My blog is about movies – not just the films themselves but the actors that portray the roles within, right?  Well, I happen to be personally acquainted with an actor in Hollywood but not just any actor, either.  That’s where this gets interesting.

In my spare time, besides blogging and writing, I’m also the President of the Official Jason Gerhardt Fan Club.  Mind you, I did not set out to be anyone’s fan club president.  As a matter of fact, as much of a fan as I am of several actors (and musicians), who would’ve thought I’d even be remotely interested in operating one of their fan clubs!  BUT, when Jason joined the cast of General Hospital (yes, I’m a closet Soap fan too) in January 2007, I knew I wanted to help him in any way I could.  The long story short of it is…I did my research on fan clubs, submitted a proposal to his personal manager, was interviewed via telephone by him and by Jason, and WA-LA…here I am! 

On July 12^th, our Club held its first fan event during General Hospital’s annual Fan Club Weekend festivities.  Entitled, “An Evening with Jason Gerhardt and Friends – a FUNdraiser for World Vision,” I organized, produced, and co-emceed the event with Jason.  The fans enjoyed an intimate evening with Jason and several of his friends including General Hospital castmates Brandon Barash, Ignacio Serrichio, and Kiko Ellsworth as well as several additional special guests that entertained the crowd throughout the evening.  Incidentally, Kiko recently wrapped up the NBC webseries, Heroes, as Echo DeMille. (pictured left to right - Jason, Brandon, and Ignacio)

Fan Club members also had the opportunity to have their pictures taken with Jason as well as any of the other celebs in attendance while also obtaining their respective autographs.  There was a silent auction with a selection of prizes including the opportunity to perform a scene from a “GH” script with Jason.  Proceeds from the silent auction, 50/50 raffle, and admission were split between Jason’s official charity for 2008, World Vision, and a local cause close to his heart, Guide LA.    It was a fantastic event and I was so honored to be a part of it! (In the picture to the left is fan club member, Desi with Jason; pictured below are fan club members Shelley and Wendy with yours truly)

So, how does this all fit into my blog, you still ask?  Well…Jason’s passion is for movies and he is pursuing film roles.  I may be blogging about him for years to come!  You never know. 

Until next time, see YOU at the movies!

Lisa

Images courtesy of Shelley Brown, Desiree Lopez, and Wendy Sorg.

And I’m pretty confident that ”dark” is the best way to describe it. 

Batman: The Dark Knight brings all other Batman movies to date to a whole new level.  I walked away at the end just utterly amazed at the sheer psychological factors that inhabit this film.  From the plot points (which you think you’ve figured it all out until - WHAM! - it changes on you) to the characters themselves (all of which have some psychological transformation about them), this Christopher Nolan version of Batman doesn’t compare to any of the others.  And in some parts it’s actually scary as hell.

The movie begins a few years from where the last one left off.  Bruce Wayne has rebuilt Wayne Enterprises with Albert and Fox still by his side.  Rachel Dawes is not only working for the DA’s office, she’s dating the DA and for all intense purposes, everything seems to be going well in Gotham City except for a little problemo called the mob.  As a viewer, you’d like to believe the whole movie is going to be centered around the mob, including when the Joker makes his entrance.  However, that is not even remotely the case.  The Joker does what the Joker always does, plays mind games.  This time, though, the games get more and more twisted and the characters fall prey to the tornado the Joker ensues.  What happens at the end brings all of the remaining characters full circle and leaves a dark mark on the Dark Knight…or does it?

Batman: The Dark Knight stars Christian Bale reprising his title role, Aaron Eckhart as DA Harvey Dent/Two Face, Gary Oldman reprising his role as Lt. Gordon, Maggie Gyllenhaal in the role of Rachel Dawes (previously portrayed by Katie Holmes), also reprising their roles of Albert and Dr. Fox, respectively - Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman - and in his last major motion picture before his untimely death, the incomparable Heath Ledger as the Joker.  Each actor did what each actor always does, played their roles brilliantly.  BUT, Ledger’s performance was absolutely masterful.

On a side note (but a HEFTY one), Knight broke all box office records for the first day in wide-release taking in an estimated $66 million as reported by Hollywood Today.  Also according to the article, it stated that all indications are pointing to a potential record $165 million for its opening weekend.  That shatters all box office records to date!

I definitely give Batman: The Dark Knight

This is the highest rating I have given for a film since I’ve been doing this but when you walk away from a film feeling so completely astounded by the story (in all of its guts and glory) that you just saw, it’s worth the 4-reel rating.  At least it is in my book.

Until next time, see YOU at the movies,

Lisa