Celebrities And Controversy

06 08 2007

New Doc Implies Bobby Kennedy Killed Marilyn Monroe

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Filed under: Documentary, Independent, Celebrities and Controversy, Cinematical Indie

This weekend marks the 45th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death. Did she really commit suicide? Was her death an accident? Could she have been murdered? These questions have been asked for decades, but now a new documentary seems to have the answer: Robert Kennedy did it. Well, maybe not, but the then U.S. Attorney General was in fact at Marilyn’s house the night she died.

The doc, tentatively titled Death on Helena Dr., features an interview with an FBI agent who was also there that night, though outside in a surveillance van, and he claims to have witnessed RFK and other men enter Marilyn’s home, where they all screamed and yelled in the guest cottage. Apparently she may have been murdered in the cottage and then moved to the bedroom where she was discovered. I guess we’ll have to watch the film, produced by Marilyn memorabilia collector Keya Morgan, to find out more.

I’ve been a longtime enthusiast of conspiracy theories, but I never could get interested in the Marilyn death stuff. I guess I just didn’t care enough, and I didn’t believe the motivation to murder a huge movie star was there. Plus, I always figured, and still figure, that even if Bobby Kennedy was around that night, she could have just overdosed after he left. It makes more sense for her to have taken her own life after getting whatever news she received (possibly John F. Kennedy’s decision to break off their affair), rather than for her to have been killed because of whatever information she knew (about any number of other conspiracy theories).

Death on Helena Dr. seems to be anchored on the FBI agent’s interview, but it will also include other testimonials from former L.A. Police Chief Darryl Gates, Jack Clemmons, who was the first cop “officially” to arrive at the murder scene the morning of August 5, Abe Landau, who was Marilyn’s neighbor and a Beverly Hills detective named Lynn Franklin. Morgan claims his film will also offer new information on the assassination of Robert Kennedy, too. A release date for the documentary was not given.

06 08 2007

Ving Rhames’ Pet Dogs Kill a Man

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Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy

An employee of Ving Rhames’ was allegedly mauled to death Friday by the actor’s pet dogs. The victim’s name has not been released, but he was in fact the caretaker for the dogs — reportedly four of them, “the size of lions” — for the past two years. Described only as a 40-year-old African American, he was spotted on the front lawn on the property adjacent to Rhames’ early in the morning, at which point the LAPD was called. The four dogs, three bull mastiffs and one English bulldog, suspected to have been involved in the incident have been seized. Rhames was not at home and has so far not given a statement. Considering he’s attached to star in a number of films in the next year, I’m guessing that he was on location somewhere.

This is the sort of tragedy I would expect to befall an employee of Marcellus Wallace, but not the actor who played him. The real Ving Rhames seems like too nice a guy to have this happen on or near his property. Of course, he didn’t actually have anything to do with the incident, but obviously he has some mean-ass dogs. Hopefully he won’t have to endure any wrongful death suits as a result of his decision to own such violent animals; certainly the unnamed man was a canine expert and had to have been responsible enough — not to say he was at fault for his own death, but he knew the risk and the care required and unfortunately had a fatal accident despite that knowledge. From what the police have been able to determine, the caretaker died after jumping Rhames’ fence onto the lawn next door. It has not been officially confirmed that the dogs were the cause of death; they are currently at a shelter being tested for traces of the man’s blood. Although he had bites all over his body, it is possible the man suffered a heart attack or some other ailment. Photos of the dogs can be seen here and here.

06 08 2007

Weinstein Makes Changes to ‘Crossing Over’ After Complaints

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Filed under: Drama, Celebrities and Controversy, The Weinstein Co., Politics

The Weinsteins always enjoy a bit of controversy when it comes to their films, which is probably why it seems a little odd to see the larger than life Harvey Weinstein keeping so uncharacteristically quiet this time. The Guardian reports that the Weinsteins have been fielding complaints from the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) over a scene in their upcoming immigration drama, Crossing Over. Resulting in writer/director Wayne Kramer making some changes to the screenplay.

The complaint originated with “an actor of Iranian descent not on the project but who read the screenplay took umbrage over the scene, in which an Iranian-American man kills his sister after discovering she has been having an affair with a Latino man.” According to the president of the NIAC, the reason they made a formal complaint was that “Honour killings are accepted in some Middle Eastern cultures but not accepted in Iranian culture,” and that, “They sometimes happen in remote areas of Iran, but there are no cases of Iranians doing this in the U.S.” So far, no one on the production has commented on the revised screenplay or who the actor in question was.

Crossing has an all-star cast that includes; Harrison Ford, Sean Penn, Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd, and neither they or the Weinsteins have commented on the changes, or what took place during discussions with NIAC. But a spokesperson for The Weinstein Co. was quoted as saying, “While we believe strongly in freedom of expression, we also believe in the importance of constructive dialogue between artists and the communities they seek to portray.” Maybe in the end, it’s just not that big of a deal. Don’t most screenplays go through all sorts of changes before they make it to the screen? I guess we’ll never know; that is, unless someone starts talking.

06 08 2007

‘Pope Joan’ Director Fired Over Comments Made to Newspaper

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Filed under: Drama, Independent, Celebrities and Controversy, Religious

It is now anybody’s guess when Pope Joan will go into production. You may remember that the adaptation of Donna Cross’s novel hit a snag back in April because John Goodman abruptly departed the film. He was subsequently sued, and production of the film, which was supposed to start shooting in May, was put on hold. Now, the film has also lost its director, Volker Schlöndorff (The Tin Drum), who has been fired. Constantin Films gave Schlöndorff the pink slip following the filmmaker’s remarks to a newspaper about his problems with Constantin’s practice of simultaneously making extended versions of its films for play on television (ooh, does that mean there’s a longer cut of Perfume: The Story of a Murderer out there for my enjoyment?). I’m not sure what his stated problems were, whether he feels the practice makes audiences more patient to wait for films to hit their TV sets or if he simply has a problem with his work being out of his control and released in a cut that isn’t his own.

The film will (eventually) star Franka Potente (The Bourne Identity) as the title character, a woman who pretends she’s a man and manages to become Pope for two years in the 9th century. Although this film is based on a recent novel, Pope Joan is a legendary figure in history, and may have actually existed. She was previously portrayed by Liv Ullman in a 1972 film from director Michael Anderson. It should be a monumental role for Potente, who follows such Oscar-winning, cross-dressing actresses as Hilary Swank, Gwyneth Paltrow and Linda Hunt (plus cross-dressing/cross-gendering nominees Felicity Huffman, Julie Andrews and Ingrid Bergman). Pope Joan had been re-set to begin shooting in six weeks (they must have finally replaced Goodman), but it will probably be delayed again while Constantin searches for a new director. Meanwhile, Schlöndorff will just have to look forward to screening his latest, Ulzhan, at Toronto this fall.

06 08 2007

Will Lohan’s DUI Help Boost Box Office for ‘I Know Who Killed Me?’

Posted by: admin in Celebrities and Controversy

Filed under: Thrillers, Mystery & Suspense, Celebrities and Controversy, Box Office, Newsstand, Movie Marketing

Or, alternatively, which do you think would make more money at the theater: I Know Who Killed Me or Lindsay Lohan talking to Larry King for an hour? In case you’ve just woken up and Cinematical is the first thing you’re reading today (if so, we’re honored — thanks!), La Lohan was once again arrested in the wee hours of the morning and charged with a number of things, including drunken driving and cocaine possession. Apparently, the cops were called when the mother of Lohan’s former personal assistant found her vehicle being chased around a parking lot by Lohan. Just another day in the life, huh Linds? Her arrest comes only a couple days before her latest film, I Know Who Killed Me, is set to hit theaters. Since the marketing campaign for that film has been all but non-existent (has anyone even seen a TV spot?), there’s a chance all this free publicity might turn out to be great for a film heading into the weekend with little to no buzz behind it.

Although something similar happened the week before Georgia Rule hit theaters (in that case, video of Lohan snorting coke had surfaced online), it did nothing to bolster that film’s box office take. Then again, Georgia Rule wasn’t very controversial and/or appetizing — I guess some would call it a “chick flick.” On the other hand, I Know Who Killed Me features Lohan playing a stripper — it’s a thriller — and those attracted to her bad girl image might be more inclined to check it out after seeing her name splashed across the news all week. Keep in mind, each and every single story that mentions Lohan will, at some point, talk about I Know Who Killed Me. And although TriStar Pictures would never admit it, her getting arrested could be the best thing to happen to a little thriller lost amongst the hustle and bustle of this summer’s bigger films. What do you think? Will you be seeing the film this weekend? And will Lohan’s latest arrest factor into your decision?

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Continue reading Hollywood Producers Weigh In on Lohan’s Future

06 08 2007

Hollywood Producers Weigh In on Lohan’s Future

Posted by: admin in Celebrities and Controversy

Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy, Newsstand

It seems like a lifetime ago when I actually liked Lindsay Lohan. Of all the teen actresses wading through the cinematic sea, she seemed the most destined for success. LiLo had successful stints in both heavy family fare like Freaky Friday, and teen snarky fare with Mean Girls, but then it all started to crumble. Now, I just feel sorry for her — sorry that she’s troubled enough that she can’t even go a few months out of rehab without relapsing, sorry that she has an entourage that seems to have absolutely no motivation to help her or say: “No, Lindsay. You’re not going to hop in your car and drive drunk on a suspended license with cocaine in your pocket.”

With all of her legal and personal problems, the big question now is whether or not she will have a career after this latest brush with the law, and Variety has chatted with some producers to get their two cents. Poor Things producer Rob Hickman will “continue to be enthusiastic” about the Lohan production, which was supposed to gear up next month. He says: “We expect to announce details on a start date in the very near future.” Either he’s drowning himself in wobbling optimism, or they must be lining someone else up. I highly doubt Lohan will be ready for more work any time soon, even if Shirley MacLaine visits her in rehab again for more rehearsals.

Edit: Go to The Reeler to see Lohan as both a Howl-ing poetic figure to pop-culture Beaker.

06 08 2007

Disney Bans Smoking In Its Films

Posted by: admin in Celebrities and Controversy

Filed under: Deals, Disney, Celebrities and Controversy, Politics, Miramax

It was just this past May when Patrick Walsh blogged that the MPAA was going to start using smoking as a consideration of a film’s rating. Just a few months later, Disney seems to be following suit, declaring a ban on smoking in future films. Chief exec Robert A. Iger wrote a letter to US congressman Edward Markey about the subject, which the congressman has made public. Iger claimed that smoking in future Disney films would be “non-existent.” He also says that anti-smoking announcements would show up before any future film where smoking is shown. Personally, I’m not sure how he can have it be both non-existent AND showing up, unless he means future films already in production only.

While Markey is calling this “a really important first step,” I’m waiting to see something actually happen with it. The letter also states that Disney would “discourage” depictions of smoking in films that get released under Touchstone and Miramax. It’s going to be axed, then deterred and then discouraged? Sounds to me like making “effort” in word only, not in deed.

If you like the billowing, cloud of cinematic smoke, Film Forum has a NYC Noir series coming up, which has a bit of a celebration of smoke, because really, what’s old-school noir without the cancer stick? Organizer Bruce Goldstein told The Reeler: “I love images of people smoking, and I think [others] find it attractive, even if they don’t smoke — they find it sexy in old movie images. It’s so iconic, not only for film noir but for old movies. What’s better than a femme fatale with a cigarette dangling out of her mouth? What better image?”

Continue reading Now Playing at Cinematical Indie: ‘Your Mommy Kills Animals,’ ‘No End in Sight,’ and Spike Lee Scores Emmy Noms

06 08 2007

Now Playing at Cinematical Indie: ‘Your Mommy Kills Animals,’ ‘No End in Sight,’ and Spike Lee Scores Emmy Noms

Posted by: admin in Celebrities and Controversy

Filed under: Classics, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Foreign Language, Independent, Casting, Deals, Celebrities and Controversy, Distribution, Politics, Columns, Toronto International Film Festival, Cinematical Indie, Venice Film Festival

Have you been reading Cinematical Indie lately? If not, here’s what you’ve been missing …

COLUMNS, REVIEWS, and INTERVIEWS

Matt Bradshaw reviews Hollywood After Dark — with the guys from MST3K!!! — for Killer Bs on DVD.
Nick Schager reviews Your Mommy Kills Animals
Podcast: On The Rocchi Review, James Rocchi chats it up with Andrew Grant, the voice behind one of my fave film blogs, Like Anna Karina’s Sweater, and Aaron Hillis, who reviews film for the likes of ~~Variety~~ The Village Voice and Premiere. Both guys are also the brains behind Benten Films, which will release Joe Swanberg’s LOL on DVD August 27 28.
Erik Davis interviews Four Eyed Monsters Co-Director Arin Crumley. The guys talked so much we had to break it into two parts, so be sure to check out both Part One and Part Two.
Jeffrey M. Andersons 400 Screens, 400 Blows: Coming to America
Cinematical Indie Chat: Deliver Us from Evil director Amy Berg.
RvB’s’ After Images: Zouk’s Lair in Mr. Arkadin.
Review: alleyball
James Rocchi interviews No End In Sight director Charles Ferguson.

… and more, much more, right after the jump …

**Thanks, Aaron, for the corrections …

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06 08 2007

New Proposal Requires Permits to Photograph or Film in the Big Apple

Posted by: admin in Celebrities and Controversy

Filed under: Independent, Celebrities and Controversy, DIY/Filmmaking, Politics, Cinematical Indie

I would really like to know what the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting has been smoking. In case you haven’t heard, MOFTB is working on new regulations in New York City to control photography and filmmaking in the city — a decision that is inciting protest. What sort of regulations, you ask? Get this: the rules would require that any group of two or more people who want to use a camera in a public place for more than a half hour, or a group of five or more people who want to use a tripod for more than 10 minutes (including set-up time), would need a city permit and a flipping $1 million liability insurance policy. Oh so generously, the permits would be free.

This presents a two-fold problem. More encompassing — it will hurt the independent film industry and individuals who cannot afford that liability insurance, and as many filmmakers argue, free speech. Filmmaker Jem Cohen says: “I’m shocked that the very first sentence of the Bill of Rights can quickly become meaningless, because photography is an established form of free speech.” (He is no stranger to indie problems — he once had film shot from an Amtrak train window on the way to Washington seized by federal agents.) These regulations will interfere with small-scale photo shoots and filmmaking — even something as simple as an interview with someone on the streets of the city.

While officials say that these rules aren’t intended for tourists, or amateur filmmakers/photographers — come on! Who is to judge when they are amateur? Will tourists have to buy badges that say, in big letters, “TOURIST?” Under the current wording, if you go to Central Park, set up a tripod with a few friends, and try to capture some pictures of wildlife, you’d better be pretty speedy. If you want to grab your hand-held and take video of your trip, you best be taking that trip alone, and not with a group of people, because then you’d need $1 million insurance and a permit. Excuse me, I must go bang my head against the wall.

[via indieWIRE]