What is Movie News After Dark? It’s a nightly collection of things you’ll want to read, even if they didn’t originate on this website. We know, we know, all the good stuff can only come from Film School Rejects. But every once in a while (at least 8 times per day), other websites strike gold. And we’re here to celebrate their modest victories.
We begin tonight with an image from Tim & Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie, one of a number released today by Magnolia Pictures. It features Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim as… well, I have no idea what’s going on in this picture. But apparently people find this funny. Having watched numerous episodes of their show, I’m not convinced that they’ve ever been funny. But who am I to argue with the masses? Oh right, I do argue with the masses. Seriously, guys, this stuff isn’t funny. At all.
According to the always reliable British tabloids, the producers of the James Bond franchise would like to have Daniel Craig play Bond five more times, surpassing the Roger Moore held record of 7 times a Bond. He’s certainly a favorite among modern fans, but Craig is also an actor interested in diverse work. So playing Bond until the mid-2020s might not be something he’ll want to do. Then again, his Bond movies are serious money makers, so you never know.
Twitch is reporting that Clive Owen and Mia Wasikowska have been offered leading roles in Oldboy, the remake from director Spike Lee. Owen would play the villain, while Wasikowska would play the female lead. Who would have a twisted interest in Josh Brolin’s hero. If that doesn’t turn your stomach a bit, you haven’t seen the original.
Eva Green will play a villainess in 300: Battle of Artemisia, the Frank Miller created, Noam Murro-directed follow-up prequelquel to Zack Snyder’s 300. She will play ruthless, gold-covered goddess who convinces Xerxes to amass his army and lead them into battle, a series of events that lead to those of 300. She will undoubtedly have gold-painted lady abs, as well. And that’s okay.
Showtime is getting into the Australian family crime business, with Shameless showrunner John Wells picking up a script for a show based on the David Michod film Animal Kingdom. Now there’s a fine idea for a show, on a network that can make it happen in a brutal way. Cheers to good ideas.
Earlier today, we received an email from a gentleman named Matt Herrmann, who has created a blog we’ve since deemed to be one hell of a great idea. He’s created a site dedicated to his own original movie ideas. He even goes as far as creating a poster and full synopsis for each pitch. Some of them are interesting, others mediocre, but a few are actually quite good. The only danger, of course, is that all the good ones will probably be stolen quickly by Hollywood, those sneaky bastards. Still, our own Kate Erbland cited Is That You? as a movie she’d see, if it got made. Personally, I’d like to see this Farm Girls movie:
Over at Pajiba, Dustin Rowles has unearthed an oldie but goodie, a list of ten movies you’d never, ever want to watch with your parents. Yes, A Serbian Film is one of them.
Roger Ebert has assembled a behind the scenes look at Tom Cruise’s ridiculous stunts in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. It’s seriously one of the most intense sequences put on screen all year. And wait until you see what he actually did to make it happen. That Tom Cruise might be crazytown, but he’s a mother-effing movie star.
Shawn Levy sits down and has a smart chat with Gary Oldman, the man who is picking up quite a bit of well-deserved recognition for his performance in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
LA Times critic Kenneth Turan explores the best of 2011 in movies, citing the likes of The Artist and Hugo, two Oscar frontrunners, as well as a few films you may not have heard of yet.
Alyssa Rosenberg at ThinkProgress has an excellent essay about the fantasies of men and women, and what Charlize Theron’s Young Adult character has in common with Michael Fassbender’s Shame character. Note: it is not copious amounts of sex with beautiful people. She’s just got Patton Oswalt, after all.
It’s hard not to agree with every word Movies.com editor Erik Davis has written in his essay, Why Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is the Film to Beat This December. It is one hell of a ride and the rest of December is rather weak.
We close tonight with Taxi Driver, as sweded by Michel Gondry. This one needs no further explanation.