James Franco Wants to Revisit Rebel

James Franco just can’t shake the James Dean connection. Back in 2001, the actor won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Dean in a made-for-TV movie (the resemblance and mannerisms were uncanny). Now, he’s taking on a project about Dean’s Rebel Without a Cause co-star, Sal Mineo. Franco optioned the rights to Sal Mineo: A Biography and is interested in writing and directing a screen version. The book details Mineo’s life as a rising young star in films like Rebel and Exodus (1960) as well as his conflicted sexuality, friendships with Dean and Natalie Wood and his untimely murder at the age of 37. Hmm...wonder if Franco's gonna reprise his role as James Dean for this one.

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A Pirate Meets The Thin Man!

So I think maybe I’m a little psychic. Or maybe just super intuitive.

Way back in February of last year I wrote a post about franchises, focusing specifically on The Thin Man series and also referencing the shoulda-stopped-after-one Pirates of the Caribbean series. Little did I know over a year later these two franchises would be magically combined! How is this mash-up possible you ask? Picture Johnny Depp as Nick Charles, the cocktail-sipping, fast-quipping detective originated by William Powell, and you’ll get what I mean.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, it seems Warner Bros. is remaking the 1930s-through-40s franchise (six films over 13 years) with Captain Jack Sparrow himself in the lead role. Word is, Depp’s been trying to convince his Pirates 4 director Rob Marshall to direct him on this film too. Mind you, all of this is still in its early stages - there’s not even a script yet. But it’s an interesting prospect, no? We already know Depp has wit and swagger - plus he can rock a thin mustache.

Who do you think will snag the role of Nora, Nick’s sassy, wealthy wife and partner in solving crime, originally played by Myrna Loy? Cate Blanchett? Or am I just saying that because I believe she can do no wrong?

Two franchises merging into... a remake. Hollywood's really working overtime, isn't it?

Michelle as Marilyn!

Way back when (December to be exact), we posted that Michelle Williams was considering stepping into Marilyn Monroe's high-heeled pumps for the film My Week with Marilyn. Since that post not only as Williams accepted the role, she's begun filming it. As of today, the first pic of Williams as Marilyn was released, and let's just say she nails the blonde bombshell look.

The flick, due out in 2012, focuses on the personal account of assistant director Colin Clarke, who worked with Monroe and director Laurence Olivier on 1957's The Prince and the Showgirl. Word is, Monroe and Olivier did not get along. She drove him ca-razy. So crazy, in fact, that Olivier basically gave up on directing after that. Kenneth Branagh is playing Olivier and Eddie Redmayne is playing Colin Clarke.

What do you think of Williams' Marilyn look?

Old Hollywood's Ultimate Cougar!

Forget Demi Moore. She’s got nothing on Celeste Holm. The 93-year-old Oscar-winning actress (for her supporting role opposite Gregory Peck in Gentlemen’s Agreement) lives a life of luxe in a fabulous duplex apartment on Manhattan’s Central Park West…with her 47-year-old husband. That’s right. For those of you good at math, that’s a 46 year age difference. Meet Old Hollywood’s ultimate cougar.

Not bad for an actress who had a pretty low-key reputation back in the day. She was the wholesome best friend to Bette Davis’ grande dame of Broadway in 1950’s All About Eve, and a Broadway darling herself in numerous productions on the Great White Way. Holm never attracted much in the way of scandal – aside from four previous marriages that all ended in divorce. But look at her now!

According to the NY Post, Holm has kept her magnificent apartment largely unchanged since she purchased it for a mere $10,000 in 1953 (which today would be worth more than $10 million). And again, for those math whizzes – that’s before her husband, opera singer Frank Basile, was even born!

Not gonna lie, we’re kind of impressed. Out of all of these present-day Hollywood cougars, Celeste Holm reigns supreme. Get it, girl!

Jackie Earle Haley Goes Silent!

Ah, the silent film. No whiney voices (Miley Cyrus), no blank expressions (Kristen Stewart), no cheesy dialogue (pick any romantic comedy). Can’t we just go back to that? Ok, ok, so modern movies with sound aren’t all bad. Thanks for proving that, Christopher Nolan. But wouldn’t it be fun to see how some modern day movie stars fared without the use of their voice? Could they hack it?


In the film Louis, Jackie Earle Haley (the creepy guy in Little Children and…well, just about everything) gives it a shot. The film, directed by Dan Pritzker, is about a young Louis Armstrong and his dreams of becoming a musician. It aims to pay homage to the silent films of the early 1900s and Haley plays a Charlie Chaplin-esque villain (duh). The film is void of dialogue, but rich in cinematography (by Oscar winner Vilmos Zsigmond) and a blaring jazz score. It’s set to tour five cities in late August, complete with a 10-piece jazz ensemble.

It’s an ambitious idea to be sure, but I, for one, am curious to see how it turns out. You know what they say, actions speak louder than words.

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That's What Hitch Said!

Anyone who has watched The Office at some point knows Michael Scott's favorite "That's what she said" joke. But who knew the master of dark suspense Alfred Hitchcock had the same naughty sense of humor? Don't believe me? Here's proof, courtesy of the Huffington Post. It's video of a sound test for Hitchcock's 1929 film Blackmail. Granted Hitch actually says "as the girl said," but it's a variation on the same joke.



Once I saw this, I just new it was worth reposting. It certainly left me smiling and satisfied...


That's what she said.

On the Boulevard

Last summer while on vacation in London, I came across a Colin Farrell movie shoot in progress. I swear I must have a radar for these things. I stood across the street, watching the dreamy Irish actor shoot his scenes in a Rolls Royce, all the while pondering what movie it was and how I could get close enough to snap a picture. I did eventually sneak a photo – albeit a slighty blurry one (see above). And I also did eventually find out what movie he was filming, and whaddaya know? It has a classic movie connection. I’m tellin’ you – radar.

The film, called London Boulevard, is a loose take-off of Sunset Boulevard and based on the book by Ken Bruen. Instead of a ready-for-her-close-up Gloria Swanson, this film has Keira Knightley playing a reclusive former movie star. Farrell – a truly underrated actor, in my opinion - plays an ex-con who becomes involved with her. The director and screenplay writer is William Monahan, who also wrote The Departed, so expect lots of gritty tension and twisty turns.

The film doesn’t have a release date yet, but it’s something to look out for.

What do you think of the 1950 classic rebooted and set in London? Think Keira’s a little young to be playing a washed up actress? And, more importantly, should I have mauled Colin Farrell when I had the chance?