Random Short Cuts
We apologize for not blogging yesterday, we had a massive project to get out the door. You know, paying gigs and all. But things happened yesterday you should paid attention to. Here’s a greatest hits.
George Lucas took a preemptive apologist strike at those nerds who already think “Indiana Jones 4” will suck dogballs yesterday by admitting he knows you’ll be disappointed. The director/producer CGI-enthusiast basically said he holds nothing precious and prepared audiences to have your sense of nostalgia destroyed. “It’s just a movie. Just like the other movies. You probably have fond memories of the other movies. But if you went back and looked at them, they might not hold up the same way your memory holds up.” [USA Today]
Fabulous outsider filmmaker John Waters tries to dig at R.E.M’s Michael Stipe for coming out of the closet more than once? (publicity whore) [New York Magazine]
Sir Ian McKellan confirmed that if all goes as planned (i.e. if Peter Jackson and he have his way), he will return as Gandalf in the “Hobbit” film mostly likely to be directed by Guillermo del Toro. [Film Guardian]
Elizabeth Banks got cast as first lady Laura Bush in Oliver Stone’s upcoming George W. Bush screed. Josh Brolin is already signed on to play Dubya and as for Connie Rice? We humbly suggest Halle Berry, you know she’d be perfect with her “Storm” like hairdo. James Cromwell will play George Sr. and the great Ellen Burstyn will portray Barbara. [Empire]
Steve Earle played “The Wire” theme song – “Way Down In The Hole” by Tom Waits – on David Letterman. We poured out another 40 for our beloved Bmore crew. [Stereogum] Creator David Simon actually lectured to (or at?) Columbia journalism students last night in New York and we were very tempted to try and sneak in, but the callings of birthdays and beer were more important. Anyone have a report? We’re dying to hear.
Someone thinks there’s a market out there for $35 movie tickets that come with bells, whistles, questionable massages and the like. [Variety]