Vincents Movie Facts

2005-02-17T17:04:00.000-08:00

Wes Anderson Says He's Drawn to Failure

Wes Anderson said his quirky undersea adventure "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou," which screened Wednesday at the Berlin film festival, allowed him to continue exploring a long-standing interest in failure.

"It's not like I ever had any intention to write about failure or focus on failure but I feel like I have utterly," Anderson, whose previous movies include "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "Rushmore," told reporters. "Every movie I make is about someone who can't fit in or can't make things work or is dealing with failure."

The takeoff of undersea adventure movies stars Bill Murray as the Jacques Cousteau-like explorer of the film's title. The crew, assembled by Zissou to hunt for a rare shark that killed his partner, has to cope with mutiny, pirate raids and other problems.

Anderson said Cousteau provided the inspiration for the film.

"He was my hero as a kid," he said. "Not only was he an oceanographer, but he was an adventurer and a filmmaker and a kind of movie star and I've always been fascinated with him."

2005-02-16T17:05:00.000-08:00

'Miss Daisy' Writer Sued by Son-In-Law

"Driving Miss Daisy" playwright Alfred Uhry is accused in a $1.4 million lawsuit of defaming his former son-in-law, who claims he was wrongly accused of child abuse and attempted poisoning by nicotine patch.

The lawsuit, filed Feb. 1, says the Pulitzer Prize winner waged a smear campaign against Russell B. Rhea by telling friends and business associates that Rhea engaged in "various types of criminal conduct."

"It's ludicrous. It's preposterous," Uhry said in Tuesday's The Hartford Courant. "He has a credibility problem."

Around the time Rhea, 43, divorced Emily Ann Uhry in 2003, she sought a restraining order accusing him of spiking her drink with blood pressure medicine. She also said Rhea "attached nicotine patches to various parts of my body when I was asleep" after watching a TV crime show in which someone had been murdered that way.

Rhea denied the allegations and no charges were filed.

"If I really wanted to kill her, I had rat poison and weed killer in the garage," he said.

In a second lawsuit, Rhea accused another of Uhry's daughters, Katherine Fox-Uhry, of slandering him by telling people he sexually abused one of his daughters and beat another, and sexually abused a friend of one of the girls.

Pulp Fiction

2005-01-11T17:01:00.000-08:00

All of the clocks in the movie are stuck on 4:20.
Quentin Tarantino hesitated over the choice between the character he was going to play: Jimmie or Lance. He ended up choosing Jimmie's role because he wanted to be behind the camera in Mia's overdose scene.
Jules's character was originally written to have a gigantic afro, but a crewmember obtained a variety of afro wigs and one jerry curl wig. Quentin Tarantino had never thought about a jerry curl wig, but Samuel L. Jackson tried it on, Tarantino liked it, and it was kept.
Quentin Tarantino originally wrote the role of Jules specifically for Samuel L. Jackson, however it was almost given to Paul Calderon after a great audition. When Jackson heard this, he flew to LA and re-auditioned, getting back the part he was supposed to play. Calderon ended up with a cameo as Paul, the bartender.
The shot of Vincent plunging the syringe into Mia's chest was filmed by having John Travolta pull the needle out, then running the film backwards.

Star Trek

2005-01-11T17:00:00.000-08:00

The original captain of Star Trek's starship 'Enterprise' was Jeffrey Hunter, and not William Shatner, as Christopher Pike, in the pilot episode 'The cage' (1964). The cast was quite different from that of the classic series except for Leonard Nimoy as Spock.

Bill Murray Sports Tiny Trunks for Film

2004-12-25T16:34:00.000-08:00

Bill Murray's choice of swimwear in his new movie leaves little to the imagination. But the star of "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou" says he wasn't embarrassed to be seen in a tiny bathing suit."Being in a Speedo with other men in Speedos is, you know, is like you're on a swimming team," he told reporters recently, according to AP Radio. "It's the other men that are not in Speedos that are the problem because they're kind of going like, `Can you get a load of the guy in the Speedo?'"

Wes Anderson's gleeful takeoff on undersea adventure movies stars Murray as the Jacques-Yves Cousteau-like explorer of the film's title.

The 54-year-old actor said he didn't see his character as being physically vain.

2004-12-22T16:57:00.000-08:00

Sixth Harry Potter Book Due Out in July

Get ready for publishing's ultimate blockbuster sequel: Harry Potter VI. Setting the stage for another round of midnight bookstore parties and marathon readings into the morning, the penultimate novel in J.K. Rowling's mega-selling series, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," will go on sale 12:01 a.m. on July 16 in the United States, Britain and four other countries, publishers said Tuesday.

"I know you all expected this to happen on Christmas Day, but I was sure that those of you who celebrate Christmas have better things to do on the day itself than fight your way into my study," the British author wrote in a message posted on her Web site, "whereas those of you who DON'T celebrate Christmas would definitely prefer not to wait until the 25th."

Rowling, 39, noted that while she is pregnant with her third child, she has had the time "needed to tinker with the manuscript to my satisfaction and I am as happy as I have ever been with the end result. I only hope you feel it was worth the wait when you finally read it."

The book will also be published July 16 in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. With the previous works available in 62 languages, many, many other countries are sure to follow.

2004-12-16T16:57:00.000-08:00

Review: 'Aviator' Ultimately Superficial

Nearly three hours later, I still don't understand Howard Hughes any better than when I sat down to watch "The Aviator."

Oh, the film is visually astounding and all. Martin Scorsese's latest extravaganza is truly a sight to behold, constantly dazzling and frequently thrilling. Every detail is perfect as you'd imagine from a director who's as famous for perfectionism as the eccentric billionaire Hughes from the Art Deco accents on the stairway railings in Hughes' office to the red lipstick Gwen Stefani wears during a brief appearance as Jean Harlow.

Strong performances abound, from star Leonardo DiCaprio to Cate Blanchett as Hughes' legendary love, Katharine Hepburn, to Alan Alda as a scheming senator. (It's soothing just to hear his familiar voice again, even though every word that comes out of his mouth is duplicitous.)

See it for the plane crash alone a wondrously thunderous spectacle in which the stubborn Hughes refuses to land his newest aircraft during a test run, and plows it into the top of a Beverly Hills mansion.

2004-12-12T16:48:00.000-08:00

L.A. Critics Name 'Sideways' Best Film

"Sideways," a quirky comedy about two friends on a road trip through California's wine country, was picked as 2004's best film by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the group announced Saturday.

The movie won four other awards: best director for Alexander Payne; best supporting actor for Thomas Haden Church; best supporting actress for Virginia Madsen; and best screenplay, which was written by Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor.

Top acting honors went to Imelda Staunton of the abortion drama "Vera Drake" and Liam Neeson of the sex-researcher biopic "Kinsey."

The Shield - Season 1 DVD

2004-12-10T16:55:00.000-08:00

I really cant say enough good things about this program. I was fortunate during its run on TV in late 2002 to catch the pilot episode from the beginning and to be fair, from the 5th minute in I was hooked. In a nutshell its another American Cop series this time set in the fictional and gang ridden district of Farmington, L.A. An area seething with drugs, murderers, rapists, child killers, prostitues, child sex rings... the list goes on. If its bad, its in here. Director Shawn Ryan clearly has numerous saliant points to make regarding the way in which society is growing and altering these days, some would say degrading, and through the complex network of characters and storylines offers his opinions on how governments from senior politicans to local patrol cops really get their jobs done.

You cant review The Shield without commenting on the overall standard of acting in the show. This drama contains some of the finest performances I've certainly ever seen. You have to credit the story and plot to a large degree, but without this collective of talent, it wouldn't have worked. Michael Chiklis (Vic Mackay) is simply outstanding, and had duly been Emmy awarded for his portrayal of the raw, hard edged beefcake Strike Team leader. Vic and his boys are the kind of guys that use the "alternative" policing methods. They'll use some the more extreme tactics when extracting the truth from suspects, often to the degree that you're never really sure which side Vic is actually on! Does this really happen in realy life? I bet it does, and till now, The Shield is the only drama series I have ever seen to go there and show it. I would love to write further about everyone else, but I fear I'll be here all day... Do yourself a favour... buy this series.

2004-11-30T16:53:00.000-08:00

Actor John D. Barrymore Dies at 72

John Drew Barrymore, the sometimes troubled heir to an acting dynasty and absent father of movie star Drew Barrymore, died Monday. He was 72.

"He was a cool cat. Please smile when you think of him," Drew Barrymore said in a statement issued by her publicist's office.

No information was released about the cause of death or where in Los Angeles he died.

John D. Barrymore was part of an acting clan that included his father, the famed stage and early film actor John Barrymore, and his father's siblings, Lionel Barrymore and Ethel Barrymore. Drew Barrymore was his daughter by his third wife, Ildiko Jaid Barrymore.

John D. Barrymore was born in Beverly Hills on June 4, 1932. His mother was actress Dolores Costello.

Charlize Theron hurt on sets

2004-09-01T16:43:00.000-07:00

Charlize Theron was injured during the filming of Aeon Flux in Berlin early this week.

People magazine says although this year's Oscar winner did not have to be admitted to hospital, it wasn't known how serious the injury was.

The accident occurred on the sets of the science fiction film when Charlize was doing her own stunts.

She was executing a wire-hanging scene when the mishap took place.

Shooting has been halted to help the actress recover.

To prepare for her title role as Aeon Flux, a futuristic assassin, Charlize lost weight, went through a rigorous exercise regime and dyed her hair black from her beautiful blonde.

Her training included a high-protein, low-carb diet and a four-hour daily workout. She also learned some gymnastic moves.

For Monster, which got her an Oscar, she put on weight to fit into the role of a serial killer.

In Aeon Flux, she is a commando, member of a group that rebels against the government. The film is set in the future where most of the population has been wiped out by plague.

Halle Berry whips it up

2004-08-30T16:45:00.000-07:00

She's not merely the first African-American woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress (Monster's Ball), Halle Berry is also the first woman of colour to play the lead in a blockbuster.

Well, potential blockbuster. This US$90 million ($1.34 billion) action movie, based on the Batman comic-book character, has taken some rough criticism and hasn't fared well at the box office either (it debuted in third place with only US$16.7 million behind The Bourne Supremacy and I, Robot), but Berry is optimistic Catwoman will see the second of its nine lives.

"I loved playing Catwoman. She's an iconic character, and, like Catwoman, I've evolved into a woman who's pretty okay with my sexuality," says Berry. "It's taken me a while to get here but I think I've finally arrived at being really okay with myself and in my skin.

"I've realised that sensuality and sexuality really comes from some place inside. It's not about the lingerie you have on or how great your hair looks. It comes from a deep place in your soul," she says.

"I'm horrified that women today in their 30s are already having plastic surgery. It's a shame that they're mutilating their faces. Sure, Catwoman is a popcorn movie, but there is a little message underneath: beauty and confidence comes from somewhere else.

"Despite her glory and her sexy suit and her beauty, she's fighting to discover who she really is. That's the message I want to bring forward to women."

Spielberg backs blockbuster Memoirs of a Geisha

2004-08-20T16:46:00.000-07:00

Years after Steven Spielberg vowed to adapt Arthur Golden's bestselling Memoirs of a Geisha for the big screen, the film-maker yesterday unveiled a sensational cast and said filming on the white-hot project will begin next month.

Golden's account of an 18-year-old Japanese's orphan's induction into the life of a geisha brings together arguably the greatest ensemble of Asian actors ever lined up for a Hollywood picture.

Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh memorably played sworn enemies in Ang Lee's martial arts epic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, will respectively take the lead role of Sayuri, and that of the girl's mentor. Ziyi has Hollywood form in Rush Hour 2, while Yeoh played one of the classier Bond girls in Tomorrow Never Dies. Ken Watanabe, Tom Cruise's Oscar-nominated Japanese co-star in The Last Samurai, will play a wealthy businessman and Sayuri's love interest, while Gong Li, the star of such arthouse hits as Farewell My Concubine and Raise The Red Lantern, will play the geisha's rival.

Hollywood has already known for some time that the picture was not going to be directed by Spielberg, as originally thought, and instead Rob Marshall will make his first directorial outing since the Oscar winning Chicago in 2002.

'From the time I first read Arthur Golden's novel, I wanted to see this as a film,' Spielberg said in a statement, adding there was 'no one better than Rob Marshall' to bring the story to the big screen.

Spielberg will co-produce the project, which is being jointly funded by his DreamWorks studio with Columbia Pictures and leading US production company Spyglass Entertainment.

Filming is set to begin in Los Angles and Japan in September.

Equilibrium

2004-08-17T16:45:00.000-07:00

This movie takes place in a post-World War III society (named Libria) where feelings and emotions are prohibited by law and its citizens are kept under control by state mandated drug use.

John Preston (Christian Bale) is Libria's top enforcer and is ruthless in his enforcement of Libria's code of personal conduct until one day he forgets to take his required drug dosage. Preston then develops feelings for a woman he arrests as well as begins to appreciate the arts, crafts and books that he had no regard for as a Librian official and then joins Libria's resistance. The action is almost non stop throughout the film while it addresses many philisophical issues as well regarding personal freedom and tolerance which have been seen and addressed in other movies before.

This film has elements from movies like 'Blade Runner', 'Metropolis', '1984', 'Fahrenheit 451', 'THX-1138', 'The Matrix' and packs a whallop action-wise. All of the elements work out as far as I am concerned. It all comes together and is done very well. You won't be disappointed with this film. I wasn't.

We Were Soldiers

2004-08-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

'Saving Private Ryan' redefined the war genre and opened the floodgates to a new generation of war movies. It pushed the boundaries of acceptability by frankly showing war in all its grisly glory. As such it gave us a better understanding of how terrible and frightening war is. 'Black Hawk Down' took the graphic violence to a new level, with an intensity that matched the beach landing of SPR, but of a duration that was almost unbearable.

'We Were Soldiers' is the latest big budget war offering from Hollywood. In many ways, I consider this to be the most complete of the three. Writer/Director Randall Wallace (who wrote 'Braveheart', 'Pearl Harbor' and the screenplay for this film), takes the understanding of war to the next level, by offering more than one perspective to the events. Of the three films, this film has the best workup, the best character development, and the most nuanced look at the battle. He brings all the sustained intensity of BHD in the action sequences, but introduces the NVA perspective, the wives' perspective and a far more charismatic and heroic central figure in Lt. Col. Hal Moore.

Based on real events, this film shows war as being horrendous and heartless to both sides. It expands outside the combat zone to visit the ramifications on the families as well. The scenes with the wives getting the telegrams are poignant reminders of how war reaches beyond the battlefield. Wallace's treatment grabs us on an emotional level and shocks the senses. Unlike BHD, which presented the characters in a very anonymous way, we come to know these characters and their families and identify with them.

Of course, the film lacks the hard edge that would make it starkly believable. It is after all a Hollywood production and not a documentary. However, Wallace pours enough realism into the depictions to assure that this doesn't turn into another sappy melodrama like 'Pearl Harbor', which was really nothing more than a romance with a long battle scene in the middle. Wallace finds the optimal balance between engaging storytelling and the brutality of combat.

The acting is excellent. Mel Gibson offers the right combination of hard nosed officer and father figure (both to his children and his men). Gibson is steadfast and courageous without being harsh. His portrayal of Moore is so well played, so charismatic and heroic, that it is impossible to believe that such a person could actually exist.

Sam Elliot follows an outstanding performance in 'The Contender' with this gem as Sergeant Major Plumley, the tough as nails warhorse who serves as Moore's non commissioned adjutant. Elliot plays the intransigent career soldier to the hilt, where nothing including life itself is more important than honor and discipline. Barry Pepper also turns in a fine performance as Joe Galloway, the photo journalist who hops on a helicopter to take pictures in the center of the battle and finds himself with a rifle in his hands fighting for his life.

This is among the best war films in recent memory and probably the best film on the Vietnam War film since 'Full Metal Jacket'. I rated it a 10/10. This film is not for everyone. It contains graphic violence and disturbingly realistic battle scenes. It is a gripping and distressing film that should be required viewing for statesmen and generals alike.

New Bond Girl

2004-07-27T16:32:00.000-07:00

Jessica Simpson has been approached to play the love interest of Pierce Brosnan in his last appearance as 007.

Full Metal Jacket

2004-07-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

R. Lee Ermey, who plays Senior Drill Instructor Gunnery Sgt. Hartman, was originally the Technical Advisor for the film. Since he had really been a Marine DI, Stanley Kubrick asked him to give an example of how an SDI would talk to a new platoon of recruits. After some minutes of non-stop invectives without repeating himself, Kubrick was so impressed that he hired Ermey on the spot to play the role on screen.

Napoleon Dynamite

2004-07-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

High schooler Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) lives in Idaho with his fed-up grandmother and 32-year old brother Kip (Aaron Ruell). When his grandmother falls off her dune buggy and lands in the hospital, his Uncle Rico (Jon Greis) comes to babysit. Napoleon, who doesn't look at people when they talk to him, keeps his eyes closed most of the time, and speaks in one-word sentences, is miserable at school. He gets beat up a lot. He also lives in a fantasy world where he has martial arts skills.

Gothika

2004-07-19T16:42:00.001-07:00

Halle Marie Berry was born on the 14th August 1968 in Cleveland, Ohio (in the good old U.S. of A.). As a youth Halle attended the Bedford High School. Despite experiencing problems because of her race, Halle proved to be a bit of a model student. She was a cheerleader, editor of the school newspaper, was an honour society member and a class president. ... yada-yada-yada... That's enough bio-stuff. Fact is, Halle Berry is one fine piece of ass and here are the pictures to prove it.

Let's talk about xXx baby, let's talk about you and me...

2004-07-19T16:42:00.000-07:00

Asia Argento (aka Aria Argento), daughter of the famous director Dario Argento.

Fahrenheit 9/11

2004-07-19T16:41:00.001-07:00

Michael Moore retained Chris Lehane, a Democratic Party strategist on opposition research, used to discredit detractors. He also hired outside fact-checkers of The New Yorker to vet the film. He has consulted with lawyers who can bring defamation suits against anyone who maligns the film or damages his reputation.

Catwoman

2004-07-19T16:41:00.000-07:00

A Bengal cat, a domestic breed, was used in the film. Halle Berry loved her co-star so much that she announced that she was going to adopt it. Some media sources inaccurately described the 13 pound housecat as a tiger which caused the Fund for Animals to send her a nasty letter.

Harry Potter messes with the space-time-continuum

2004-07-19T16:40:00.002-07:00

In The Prisoner of Azkaban:

When Harry wears the invisibility cloak to beat up Malfoy and his friends outside the Shrieking Shack, you cannot see Harry's footprints in the snow.
When Peter Pettigrew transforms from Scabbers he has clothes on, but when he transforms back into Scabbers he leaves his clothes behind.
When Harry, Ron, and Hermione are talking to Hagrid about Buckbeak's execution we see Harry get up and walk away from the rock he is sitting on. But in the next shot, Harry is sitting back down on the rock.
When Hagrid tells Harry, Ron and Hermione that Buckbeak will be sentenced to death, Harry goes from standing up to sitting down between shots.
When Hagrid is standing in the lake and tells Harry, Ron, and Hermoine that Buckbeak has been sentenced to death, he throws a rock into the water. When the camera pulls back, there are no ripples, as if the rock wasn't thrown at all.

Reservoir Dogs

2004-07-19T16:40:00.001-07:00

"During the car scenes if you look closely you will see that the car itself is above the level of all the other vehicles passing by. This is because, instead of being towed as it should have been, the car was put up on the back of a trailer and then driven along. That disturbed me greatly because it was not how it should be and I felt the audience would notice it and therefore it would lessen the effect of the movie's authenticity." Monte Hellman, Executive Producer.

Goonies

2004-07-19T16:40:00.000-07:00

In the scene where the kids are arguing in the basement of the restaurant Mikey calls his brother by the name Josh (actors real name Josh Brolin) instead of Bran. No one caught this including the director. Watch the dvd with cast commentary and hear for yourself.

Psycho

2004-07-19T16:39:00.002-07:00

Janet Leigh refused to take a shower like the one in the movie, ever again, after she did the famous shower scene.

Highlander II: The Quickening

2004-07-19T16:39:00.001-07:00

During the scene where Conor McLeod is battling with one of Katana's henchmen, Christopher Lambert had his hand cut right to the bone. He continued filming the scene after a little on-set first aid.

Predator

2004-07-19T16:39:00.000-07:00

Jean Claude Van Damme was originally the Predator, but he kept fainting during shoots, that's how Kevin Peter Hall, who also played Harry in "Harry and the Hendersons", became the predator.

Daredevil

2004-07-19T16:38:00.002-07:00

Matt Murdock's dad, Jack "The devil" Murdock (named Battling Jack Murdock in the comics) fights John Romita in his final bout. John Romita is an artist for Marvel who drew Spider-man, Daredevil and more. Fallon the mob boss names three other fighters, Miller, Bendis and another, I think it's Mark? Miller is Frank Miller who scripted Daredevil before, Mark Bendis is also a comic book writer. In the forensics lab, the doctor paid off by Urich (more on him later) is named Kirby, after Jack "King" Kirby. He was a fantastic artist, Stan Lee's co-creator of a few teams and an inspiration for many of today's artists. Kirby is played by Kevin Smith. He is Silent Bob in the Jay and Silent Bob movies. Also a comic book writer. He recently revamped Green Arrow for DC comics and has written many more. He was instrumental in getting Daredevil to screen along with his buddy Ben Affleck. Now Ben Urich (Joe Pantoliano from The Matrix, Momento, The Sopranos and more) actually works for the Daily Bugle under J.Jonah Jameson. That's all I could glean from one viewing. More when I've seen it about ten times. Enjoy.

Dead Man on Campus

2004-07-19T16:38:00.001-07:00

The bridge used in the movie with the lions is actually in a different city than where the college campus they filmed at is. The bridge is actually the 9th Street bridge in Modesto CA, and if you anything about Modesto then you know its really not high enough to commit suicide off of. You might break a few bones but that is about it.

Wild Wild West

2004-07-19T16:38:00.000-07:00

George Clooney was originally going to play Kevin Kline's role as Artemus Gordon in Wild Wild West.

X-Men

2004-07-19T16:37:00.001-07:00

When Sen. Kelly comes out of the water at the beach he walks up to a hot dog vendor to watch the Tv and grab the cloths. If you look at the vendor it is Stan Lee. And if you know anything about X-Men he is the man who started it all and created X-Men.

Cliffhanger

2004-07-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

In the opening scenes Sylvester Stallone is seen climbing up a steep mountainside. The camera shows a guy from behind, actually climbing, and when the camera zooms in, a helicopter passes between the guy and the camera. When the chopper has passed, the guy watches up, and we se his face: Stallone. In slow-motion you can see that the chopper is optically added to hide the cut when the scene shifts from a stand in on a real mountainside, to Stallone on the studio mountain, which was a copy of the real mountain.

Monsters, Inc.

2004-07-19T16:36:00.000-07:00

In Monsters, Inc, when Sully is returning Boo to her room for the last time. As Sully enters Boo's room. Boo gives him stuff animals. One is Woody from Toy Story and the other is a clown fish. Possibly Nemo from Finding Nemo. Both which are Pixar productions.

The Matrix Reloaded

2004-07-19T16:35:00.000-07:00

To film the freeway scene they first wanted to do it on a real freeway in The US. They asked many states and they all said no, but Ohio said yes but they wound not doing it on a real freeway because it would back on traffic for a while so they built on a set a mile and half long freeway for the scene.

And Jesus Brought a Casserole.

2004-07-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

Dark angel.

Welcome

2004-07-17T16:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new fantastic, great, fabulous, super-duper Movie-Facts webblog.

Kill Bill

2004-03-24T16:47:00.000-08:00

Kill Bill.