MOVIE & TV NEWS

The Last Duel Variety reports that Martin Scorsese is developing and will possibly direct an adaptation of the Eric Jager novel "The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal and Trial by Combat in Medieval France" for Paramount. The book is about a 1386 duel between Jean de Carrouges and Jacques LeGris. This happened at a time when the government (read: The King) could santion such activity. This particular duel was the last sanctioned by the French government of Charles IV.

No He-Man The long discussed live action version of "He-Man" by director John Woo, may me dead. Moviehole says : "Executive Producer Rodney Ferrell ('Flicka'), of Fox2000 pics, tells Moviehole that they've just literally just wiped their hands clean of the property. 'This was a project set up at Fox,' begins Ferrell, 'but in the recent months we gave the project back to Mattel and are no longer involved.'"

Whose in Spider-Man 4 Anyway? Tobey Maguire says, "This might be a good place to stop - - I am not tied contractually to anymore Spider-Man movies. I am not completely closed to the idea of another one if it made sense but I would say the odds were in favor of this being the last one." Kirsten Dunst said: "I'm not the type of actress who does movie after movie."

Starship Troopers 3 Production Weekly and IMDb say that Edward Neumeier will make his directorial debut with "Starship Troopers 3." Neumeier was the writer of both previous installments. Casper Van Dien is in negotiations to retun as Johnny Rico, now a General in the Terran Mobile Infantry embroiled in a vast interplanetary war. The project, shot in hi-def, will be done in South Africa, with principle photography scheduled to start in March.

NFL in Theatre 3! Reuters reports that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told them that he has had talks with Shari Redstone, president of National Amusements, which owns the Cinema De Lux, Showcase Cinemas, Multiplex Cinemas, and The Bridge theater chains about showing NFL games in their theaters.

Apocalypto While many believe that Mel Gibson's epic about Mayan race, will tank at the box office because of his anti-Jewish rant during a late-night traffic stop and arrest. Gibson says, "People aren't like that . . . (My new film) is primarily entertainment . . . The movie will stand on its own, regardless of any unfortunate experience I may have stumbled upon."

Beverly Hills Cop IV Eddie Murphy has taken a few missteps in his film career of late, so it may surprise no one when word comes out that he plans to return as Axel Foley in "Beverly Hills Cop IV." The Paramount Pictures project has no story or writers at the present time. It is also concerning to some that Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced the first two films in the franchise will not be involved.

Mike Fright: Stand Up!

#380
Check Out: The Mike Fright Site !

Comic Previews
Image Comics has posted preview pages for
ShadowHawk One-Shot,

Fear Agent #7,

Elephantmen #2,

Battle Pope #10,

Impaler #2,

& Pirates of Coney Island #2

Don't miss the C. Wayne Owens/Seymoure Store at our
CafePress.com Page

And C. Wayne Owens' New Publishing Site is
New Books by Wayne

--posted by Wayne Friday, December 01, 2006

--posted by Wayne Friday, December 01, 2006

The Last Unicorn Followers of this website know my feelings towards Peter S. Beagle. Now AnimatedBliss.com reports that there is a 25th Anniversary Edition DVD of "The Last Unicorn" to be released February 6, 2007. The DVD will, for the first time, present the movie in anamorphic widescreen with a Dolby 5.1 soundtrack. Connor Cochran, Mr. Beagle's business manager, confirmed that the DVD will be made from digitally-remastered the German edition of the DVD, which is a better quality print than the American pan-and-scan print. Beagle has also provided a video interview as an extra for the new disc, as well as photos, art scans, and text. The sad truth is that the new release does not signal a change between Beagle and Granada over payment of Beagle's profit share from the original film (details of which are available at the Conlan Press website). According to Cochran, their conflict is "with the folks at Granada, not Lions Gate," and Beagle does support this release because "fans of The Last Unicorn deserve better." Cochran added that the re-release of the film will promote Beagle's other books and his website, and that negotiations with Granada continue.

Clive Barker & Poe Clive Barker is working on a young-adult thriller about a group of teenagers trying to uncover what happened during the last two weeks of Edgar Allen Poe's life. They trigger a curse that ushers Poe's nightmares back into the world, and from which they must escape. Alex Schwartz, executive VP of production at Walden Media, said: "By focusing on mood and atmosphere rather than blood and guts, Clive Barker brings a smart, literate take on the horror genre that will expose young audiences to its great literary underpinnings." Barker added: "I think we might have a chance with this project to bring the character of Poe alive for a new audience and weave his shadowy existence into the dark enchantments of his stories so that for our protagonist, and for our audience, it will be difficult to be sure where one finishes and the other takes flight."

White Jazz George Clooney will both star in and produce "White Jazz." Based on James Ellroy's novel, the film will be for Warner Independent and production begins in 2008. The book is the last installment of the "L.A. quartet," which includes "L.A. Confidential," "The Big Nowhere" and "The Black Dahlia." Clooney plays a corrupt L.A.P.D. lieutenant assigned to a volatile case for the while the department is under investigation. Joe Carnahan will direct.

Saturday Night Pre-Live NBC is discussing the possibility of broadcasting Friday night rehearsals of "Saturday Night Live" over the Internet. George Kliavkoff, NBC Universal's chief digital officer, says: "Sometimes it's a lot more interesting than the show. It's something we watch on the cameras at 30 Rock."

3 Lbs After airing only 3 episodes CBS has canceled the Stanley Tucci medical drama "3 Lbs." This is the second new CBS drama to crash in the Tuesday 10 p.m. slot this fall, the first being the Ray Liotta crime saga "Smith."

The Wild, Wild West Again After just putting out the first season, word from TVShowsOnDVD.com is that season 2 of "The Wild, Wild West" will be in stores on March 20th, 2007. More info is here.

HBO's The Best Awful HBO is adapting the Carrie Fisher novel "The Best Awful" into a miniseries, to star Meg Ryan. A follow-up to Fisher's best-selling, thinly veiled autobiographical novel "Postcards From the Edge," the story centers on a bipolar, ex-actress, celebrity talk show host with a 6-year-old daughter, a gay ex-husband, and an aging movie star mother. Fisher is writing the script.

Mike Fright: Stand Up!

#377
Check Out: The Mike Fright Site !

Comic Previews
Devil's Due has posted preview pages for
G.I.Joe: America's Elite #18,

Dragonlance Chronicles:
Dragons of Winter Night #3,

Dreadnoks: Declassified #1,

G.I.Joe: America's Elite #17,

Family Guy #3:
Books Don't Taste Very Good,

Forgotten Realms: the Crystal Shard #2,

& Nightwolf #2

Don't miss the C. Wayne Owens/Seymoure Store at our
CafePress.com Page

And C. Wayne Owens' New Publishing Site is
New Books by Wayne

--posted by Wayne Thursday, November 30, 2006

--posted by Wayne Thursday, November 30, 2006

A Fine & Private Place I am repeating this headline story, since those involved are responding glibly to first e-mails, and I think they need a bit more push about "A Fine & Private Place" by Peter S. Beagle. I had written an article about the musical version of the brillaint book. Later in the day I took the article down because I got a note from his agent (Connor Cochran, a good man who can represent me anyday) telling me that not only did Peter hate the play but: "The composer and bookwriter/lyricist lost their contractual rights to the property more than a decade ago, but they have been putting on productions anyway. Even beyond not having any rights any more, they haven't been paying Peter his due share from their earnings." They are now in the midst of a huge court battle for which there is no excuse. This is the point at which I call on you to write Samuel French (the publisher of the musical) to withdraw the show, and the criminals themselves and tell them that they should stop what they are doing and give this great American author his due. Then tell as many friends as you can think of to do the same thing. It will take but a moment and you will be doing right by a great man. (If we flood them with messages, perhaps they will loose their attitude, at the very least)

A Confederacy of Dunces David Gordon Green has been set to direct "A Confederacy of Dunces," with Will Ferrell to star.

The Talent Thief Variety reports that Shawn Levy will produce and direct the film version of Alex Williams' "The Talent Thief." The adaptation will be written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, and tell of a boy battling a villain using a bizarre creature to steal people's special talents.

Writers Strike Coming? The Los Angeles Times is reporting that J. Nicholas Counter, the head of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, recently said that he has been "rebuked" by the Writers Guild of America, West after proposing early contract negotiations. He told the paper that he had offered to begin negotiations in January, but that propsal had been rejected by WGA Executive Director David Young, who countered that talk should begin in September. Since the writers' contract expires on Oct. 31. Counter said that the refusal raises strong possibility of a strike and he suggested that it may cause the studios to accelerate production of films and stockpile scripts.

Bosom Buddies TVShowsOnDVD.com has posted that "Bosom Buddies" is finally being issued on DVD. You can find that link here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel Anna Faris, Chris O'Dowd, Marc Wootan and Dean Lennox Kelly will star in the science fiction comedy "Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel." The movie follows two geeks and a cynic who try to navigate a time-travel conundrum in the middle of a British pub. Faris plays a girl from the future who sets everything in motion. Production starts next week in the UK.

HBO Picks Up Preacher HBO is developing a one-hour series based on the popular Vertigo comics series "Preacher." "Preacher," tells the story of a down-and-out Texas preacher possessed by Genesis, a supernatural entity created by the unnatural coupling of an angel and a demon. Endowed with immense powers, the preacher, an old girlfriend and a hard-drinking Irish vampire and set out across America to find God, and make him account for his negligence. A movie originally to be produced by Kevin Smith's View Askew production company, among others, got to the casting stage, with James Marsden attached for the title role and a reported budget of $25 million, and then unraveled. The comcis were created by Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon. Mark Steven Johnson is adapting the pilot, with Howard Deutch to direct.

Mike Fright: Stand Up!

#376
Check Out: The Mike Fright Site !

Comic Previews
Newsarama has posted a full issue of
Red Sonja #1,

plus preview pages for
New Avengers #26,

Witchblade #102,

Death Comes to Dillinger,

Hellshock: The Definitive Edition,

The Brave & The Bold #1,

Shazam & the Monster Society of Evil #1,

Loveless #16,

God Save the Queen,

& Guy Gardner: Collateral Damage #1

Don't miss the C. Wayne Owens/Seymoure Store at our
CafePress.com Page

And C. Wayne Owens' New Publishing Site is
New Books by Wayne

--posted by Wayne Wednesday, November 29, 2006

--posted by Wayne Wednesday, November 29, 2006

A Fine & Private Place Those who read the page early yesterday saw a story that was later excised. It was about the musical version of one of my favorite works, "A Fine & Private Place" by Peter S. Beagle. Later in the day I took the article down because I got a note from his agent (Connor Cochran, a good man who can represent me anyday) telling me that not only did Peter hate the play but: "The composer and bookwriter/lyricist lost their contractual rights to the property more than a decade ago, but they have been putting on productions anyway. Even beyond not having any rights any more, they haven't been paying Peter his due share from their earnings." They are now in the midst of a huge legal battle for which there is no excuse. This is the point at which I call on you to write Samuel French (the publisher of the musical) to withdraw the show, and the criminals themselves and tell them that they should stop what they are doing and give this great American author his due. Then tell as many friends as you can think of to do the same thing. It will take but a moment and you will be doing right by a great man.

Poltergeist Bloody Disgusting says that the newest Poltergeist sequel is dead in the water. But, instead, we will see a remake. The new version will supplant the proposed script, "Poltergeist: Kayeri."

A Big Screen Christmas Thanksgiving holiday weekend shoppers found that the nation's largest retailers had slashed prices of large-screen LCD and plasma TV sets, and therefore bought them in record numbers. Information Week says that plasma TV sets 42 inches and smaller are being phased out as the prices of LCD sets fall. They say that by this time next year "there will be no price difference between plasma and LCD TVs" for 42-inch models.

Superheroes Going to Court? Marvel Entertainment says that future of X-men and Spiderman movies depend on talks between Marvel, Sony, and Fox over the next several months. Sony is confident that Spider-Man 3 will be a hit and so both they and Marvel are in full blown talks about more movies with current casts and crews. On the other hand the talks between Marvel and Fox are not so easy. At the time of X3’s release, the fact that this was "the last one" was openly reported. But Fox changed their minds due to the Box Office, while Marvel felt they could have a better deal.

The Gift Ralph Fiennes has been named as the star of writer/director Jacob Aaron Estes' "The Gifted." Fiennes will play philanthropist Zell Kravinsky. The film is based on Ian Parker's New Yorker article about Kravinsky, who made millions in real estate and has given nearly $45 million away, while he lived in a modest home. In 2003 the man donated his kidney to a stranger. Production startsn next spring in New York.

TV's Catch Phrases TV Land has put together a list of the 100 greatest catchphrases in the history of televison. They will air a countdown special, "The 100 Greatest TV Quotes & Catch Phrases," over five days starting Dec. 11. Larry Jones, TV Land president, said: "We have found that television is such a huge part of baby boomers' DNA that it makes sense that so much of America's pop culture jargon has come from TV." The list, in alphabetical order, is here.

And the Cancellations Begin Reuters is reporting that Fox has reduced their order for "The Loop" by three episodes, and ABC has dumped "The Nine." Fox has the drama "Drive" and the comedy "The Winner" in the cue for midseason, with David E. Kelley's untitled wedding project also targeted for later this season. "The Nine" has been removed from the schedule, effective immediately. Seven episodes of "The Nine's" 13-episode order have aired. On Wednesday, the final night of the November sweep, ABC will air a special "20/20" in the low-rated serialized drama's 10 p.m. slot. The remaining six episodes of "The Nine," will return later in the season.

Mike Fright: Stand Up!

#375
Check Out: The Mike Fright Site !

Comic Previews
Mile High Comics has posted
preview pages for
Avengers Next #2,

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #14,

Nextwave Agents of Hate #10,

Onslaught Reborn #1,

Sensational Spider-Man #32,

Stan Lee Meets Dr. Doom #1,

What If?
Wolverine Enemy of the State #1,

& X-Men #193

Don't miss the C. Wayne Owens/Seymoure Store at our
CafePress.com Page

And C. Wayne Owens' New Publishing Site is
New Books by Wayne

--posted by Wayne Tuesday, November 28, 2006

--posted by Wayne Tuesday, November 28, 2006

The Da Vinci Sequel

Scriptwriter Akiva Goldsman has reportedly been paid $3.8 million to adapt Angels And Demons (the prequel to The Da Vinci Code ) as a sequel to the film. The Dan Brown book sees cryptologist Robert Langdon help a woman discover the links between her father's death and a secret society, and a batle to stop a terrorist plot against the Vatican. The movie is expected to be released in 2008.

Stamos Joins "Raisin" Cast In Lorraine Hansberry's play, "A Raisin in the Sun," a family living and struggling on Chicago's South Side in the 1950s, fights to move to a better life. John Stamos has been cast as Carl Lindner, who tries to buy off the black Younger family before they can move into the white neighborhood. The three-hour ABC movie also stars Sean Combs, Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald and Sanaa Lathan, who reprise their roles from the 2004 Broadway revival.

Australia Baz Luhrmann has revealed $100 million epic outback romance film will be called "Australia." Shooting starts in March and will take five months. A video of Baz talking about the project is now up at MSN.

Bilbo Meet Sam, Raimi That Is. TheOneRing.net reports that New Line has turned to Sam Raimi for Hobbit duty.
The site writes: "Word from a reliable source indicates that Sam Raimi has been approached to direct THE HOBBIT. Since Peter Jackson's (Middle-)earth shattering news that he is off the project, it seems the Spider-Man director may step into his place. Raimi was born on October 23rd, 1959 in Royal Oak, Michigan. His first big hit was 'The Evil Dead' but he really gained cult status with 'Evil Dead II'. It is his amazing work on the Spider-Man series that has propelled Raimi to the mainstream. His latest film 'Spider-Man 3' is due out this May."

Whose Line UK DVD Amazon.com is listing a February 27th release date for Seasons 1 & 2 of the UK version of "Whose Line is it, Anyway?" The SRP from A & E video is $49.95, but of course, pre-orders will be less.

Mike Fright: Stand Up!

#374
Check Out: The Mike Fright Site !

Comic Previews
IGN Comics has posted
preview pages for
Dragonlance Chronicles:
Dragons of Winter Night #3,

Magician: Apprentice #4,

Lost Books of Eve #1,

X-23: Target X #1,

Exiles Annual #1,

Wonder Man #1,

& What If? X-Men Deadly Genesis

Don't miss the C. Wayne Owens/Seymoure Store at our
CafePress.com Page

And C. Wayne Owens' New Publishing Site is
New Books by Wayne

--posted by Wayne Monday, November 27, 2006

--posted by Wayne Monday, November 27, 2006

If you're interested in what's happening in the entertainment world, then signup for this newsletter. Wayne scours all the top websites for the latest entertainment news and sends them out every day for your pleasure. There's a particular emphasis here on Science Fiction and Fantasy. Big news items like Star Wars, Star Trek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and just about anything by Steven Spielberg.

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Archives

· Brobdingnagian Bards Free Music Downloads · Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers · Celtic Music MP3 Downloads Magazine · Tolkien's The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Music · Free Music Blog · Directory of Free Music Downloads ·

· Brobdingnagian Bards Free Music Downloads · Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers
· Celtic Music MP3 Downloads Magazine · Tolkien's The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Music · Free Music Blog · Directory of Free Music Downloads ·