Rainn Wilson will star in the comedy "Girlfriend Experience" for DreamWorks, with Montecito partners Ivan Reitman and Tom Pollock to produce.

Wilson, who came up with the idea, will play a lonely geek who, in an effort to make himself seem more desirable, hires a prostitute to pretend she's his girlfriend.

Wilson approached the writers, Mark and Brian Gunn. after reading "Juvie," a Universal script they wrote for Wilson's "The Office" co-star Steve Carell about a man sentenced to a prison for juveniles.

Even more Star Wars news, this is a little different though. "Robot Chicken" creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich are channeling their inner geeks with "Robot Chicken: Star Wars," a special for Adult Swim.

The 30-minute stop-motion animation special, directed by Green, spoofs key scenes and favorite characters from the "Star Wars" universe, including the sci-fi saga's creator, George Lucas. It was done in collaboration with Lucasfilm, and Lucas is on board to voice the animated version of himself.

Robot Chicken isn't the greatest show on Earth but occasionally it can be funny. I'm not a normal viewer but if it's late at night with not much else on I will watch an episode. I like the fact that there is a stop motion animation show on television and of course I will be tuning in to see this special.

There is more news about the project here.

Movie City News posted this first but I have no problems ripping it off.

Below is the original trailer for Star Wars. 2007 marks the 30th anniversary of the movie so you will be seeing a lot of items like this in various places. Actually, after I post this I'm off to look for a new making of book that is supposed to be the definitive version.

Either way, it is interesting to see how this was marketed at first. It seems much more of a serious, almost scary, science fiction film. There is no sense of the adventure or light hearted humor from the film. I guess they were trying to amaze people with their special effects and creature, which seemed to have worked out for them in the long run.

I also really like the opening line from the trailer, "Somewhere in space this may all be happening right now."

Roger Ebert has updated the public once again on his health. On the eve of his Overlooked Film Festival he has posted a message on his website. This is just another reason that he is by far my favorite movie critic. Other than being a great writer he doesn't take himself too seriously and he seems to love movies more than just about anyone. The message is reprinted below.


My Ninth Annual Film Festival opens Wednesday night at the University of Illinois at Urbana, and Chaz and I will be in attendance. This year I won’t be speaking, however, as I await another surgery.

I have received a lot of advice that I should not attend the Festival. I’m told that paparazzi will take unflattering pictures, people will be unkind, etc. Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn. As a journalist I can take it as well as dish it out.

So let’s talk turkey. What will I look like? To paraphrase a line from “Raging Bull,” I ain’t a pretty boy no more. (Not that I ever was. The original appeal of Siskel & Ebert was that we didn’t look like we belonged on TV.)

What happened was, cancer of the salivary gland spread to my right lower jaw. A segment of the mandible was removed. Two operations to replace the missing segment were unsuccessful, both leading to unanticipated bleeding.

A tracheostomy was necessary so, for the time being, I cannot speak. I make do with written notes and a lot of hand waving and eye-rolling. The doctors now plan an approach that does not involve the risk of unplanned bleeding. If all goes well, my speech will be restored.

So when I turn up in Urbana, I will be wearing a gauze bandage around my neck, and my mouth will be seen to droop. So it goes.

I was told photos of me in this condition would attract the gossip papers. So what? I have been very sick, am getting better and this is how it looks. I still have my brain and my typing fingers.

Although months in bed after the bleeding episodes caused a lack of strength and co-ordination, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago restored my ability to walk on my own, climb stairs, etc. I no longer use a walker much and the wheelchair is more for occasional speed and comfort than need. Just today we went for a long stroll in Lincoln Park.

We spend too much time hiding illness. There is an assumption that I must always look the same. I hope to look better than I look now. But I’m not going to
miss my Festival.

Why do I want to go? Above all, to see the movies. Then to meet old friends and great directors and personally thank all the loyal audience members who continue to support the Festival. At least, not being able to speak, I am spared the need to explain why every film is “overlooked,” or why I wrote “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.”

Being sick is no fun. But you can have fun while you’re sick. I wouldn’t miss the Festival for anything!

P.S. To Gossip Rags: I have some back pain, and to make it easier for me to sit through screenings, the Festival has installed my very own La-Z-Boy chair. Photos of me in the chair should be captioned, “La-Z-Critic.”

There is probably a 99.9% chance that I will never see this movie. Jenifer Lopez hasn't made a good movie since Out of Sight, and that was in 1998 and something about her just really annoys me. As for Marc Anthony, he has actually done okay in the movies, taking smaller roles and working with some interesting directors. That being said, I do like this poster for their new movie, It has that hand drawn seventies feel. They also got the names in the right order which is always appreciated.

This probably won't interest many of you (though there aren't many of you reading this so the number just became lower) but Yahoo Movies has posted the new domestic trailer for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I have never read the books and don't really get too excited to see each new film but the last two have been really above average fantasy/adventure movies and this one looks to be much of the same

Revolutionary Road is becoming even more of a Titanic reunion. Kathy Bates is joing Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the Sam Mendes directed film. Somewhere Billy Zane is hoping they can find a role for him.

Superman is screwed.

Hot Fuzz

I missed Shaun of the Dead when it originally came out. I really had no interest since I didn't know anything about Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Edgar Wright and I usually shy away from the zombie genre. I skipped it again when it was released on DVD. By this time I had heard more about it but still didn't even attempt to see it. When I finally got around to watching, a while after it had been playing on cable, I discovered it was one of the funniest movies of 2004. Both a comedy and zombie film, each standing on its own while creating three dimensional characters with even a little bit of social satire thrown in. The reason I have taken this long before even mentioning Hot Fuzz is because it does the same thing, just replacing the zombies with police officers.

This film works both as an out-and-out comedy but also as a high paced action film. The movie doesn't play out like a parody of the genre, it uses cliches then changes them half way through. It's like a good version of Bad Boys II but actually funny.

My only complaint is that the film might be a bit too long. A mintute over two hours, there were a few scenes that probably could have been tightened up and an epilogue that felt unnecessary. This doesn't detract from the entire movie, though. Watching the characters in ridiculous situations and trying to notice all the movie references is more than enough for me.

I have never been much of a fan of Hal Hartley. Actually, let me change that. I have never been a fan of Hal Hartley and have never enjoyed any of his movies. It was of course no surprise to me that I didn't enjoy the trailer to his newest one, Fay Grim. Watching this trailer did make myself ask one question though; what the hell is up with all the dutch angles?

I really hate the news section on IMDB. I know it's not all their fault since they use the services of WENN but shouldn't the greatest source for info on movies and television shows takes theirs news a little more seriously. A few examples from today are below.

Scarlett Plays It Ugly on 'Saturday Night Live'

Scarlett Johansson put her title as one of the world's sexiest women at risk on Saturday when she appeared as an ugly, balding alien living in a comedienne's stomach on TV. The actress was hosting satirical show Saturday Night Live when she dressed down to play a 'quatto' who had taken over cast regular Maya Rudolph's stomach in one sketch. She ended the hilarious skit by tongue kissing a fellow quatto, played by comedian Andy Samberg, while human guests at a party threw up. Johansson further showed off her comedy skills on the show by playing Donald Trump's socialite daughter Ivanka Trump, a bratty socialite on the hunt for a trampy prom dress and the daughter of a New York marble column salesman.

Hilton and Blunt an Item?

The Simple Life star Paris Hilton is rumored to be romancing British singer James Blunt, after the pair were spotted smooching in a Los Angeles nightclub. The heiress, who was recently reported to be dating Depserate Housewives hunk Josh Henderson, partied with Blunt and her sister Nicky Hilton at LA hotspot Teddies on Wednesday night. According to PageSix, the pair "danced and held hands" before kissing. But a spokesperson for the singer - who recently split from supermodel Petra Nemcova - dismissed the reports, saying, "This sounds like gossip to me!"

Well, basically, there was this little dot, right? And the dot went bang and the bang expanded. Energy formed into matter, matter cooled, matter lived, the amoeba to fish, to fish to fowl, to fowl to frog, to frog to mammal, the mammal to monkey, to monkey to man, amo amas amat, quid pro quo, memento mori, ad infinitum, sprinkle on a little bit of grated cheese and leave under the grill till Doomsday.

I was watching Casino Royale again last night and was once again impressed with the opening chase scene. It is probably the best pure action scene from any movie from last year and also takes place in one of the best movies from 2006.

So while Roger Ebert has been sick Ebert and Roeper has had a revolving door of guest critics sit in for him. Everyone from A.O. Scott (film critic for The New York Times) to Kevin Smith (vastly overrated director) to just about anyone else. For this weekend I think they have reaches the zenith though, sitting across the aisle from Richard Roeper will be none other than...John Melllencamp.

Fox Searclight has added the trailer for once. Outside of anything directed by David Gordon Green this is my most anticipated film from the Sundance Film Festival this year.

You will have to click on the trailer once you go to the website, I couldn't link right to it.

The trailer for The Brothers Solomon has shown up online. It could be funny or it could be horrible (Bob Odenkirk hasn't directed that best of movies) but it features Will Arnett and Jenna Fischer and that's enough for me.

It seems George Clooney really likes working with the Coen Brothers and Brad Pitt. Pitt has just signed on to be in their next film (Clooney has been attached for a while) Burn After Reading. There isn't much known about the plot, Joblo has the most comprehensive listing...

Clooney will star as Osbourne Cox, a former CIA agent shopping his memoirs. A data CD with a draft of his writings is accidentally leaked after his ex-wife's divorce attorney (who has stolen the files as ammunition) leaves them at the gym. The disc is found by gym employees Linda Litzke and Chad Feldheimer who decide to sell what they think is the confidential information to the highest bidder in order to pay for a series of expensive plastic surgeries.

Frances McDormand also stars.

I was looking at the IMDB page for Woody Allen's upcoming film Cassandra's Dream and noticed that Phillip Glass is doing the score. If I am correct, this is the first time that Allen has used a composer since Bananas, his third movie.

So, people are now blaming Oldboy for the Virginia Tech massacre.

The Cannes film festival has released its official 2007 lineup. I was going to run a list of everything that was accepted but most of these movies I will probably never see and will never hear of again. Here is a short list of the things I am interested in.

IN COMPETITION:

"My Blueberry Nights," Hong Kong-France-China, Wong Kar Wai

Wong Kar Wai's english language debut. It is a road trip set in America that stars Norah Jones. Could be great, it will at least be interesting.

"Death Proof," U.S., Quentin Tarantino

An extended cut of Tarantino's Grindhouse entry. I bet this plays even better as a stand alone film.

"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," France, Julian Schnabel

From the director of Basquiat and Before Night Falls.

"No Country For Old Men," U.S., The Coen Brothers

A somewhat return to their roots for the Coen Brothers. Hopefully better than their last few misfires.

"Paranoid Park," France-U.S., Gus Van Sant

I know nothing about this about this but anything from Gus Van Sant is worth watching. I wonder if this will be in the same minimalist vein of his last three features?

"We Own the Night," U.S., James Gray

This has a great cast and Gray's last feature (The Yards) was actually pretty good.

"Zodiac," U.S., David Fincher

Just curious how this does in the competition.

UN CERTAIN REGARD:

"Mister Lonely," U.S., Harmony Korine

It's Harmony Korine so who knows what it is about. I read somewhere that Diego Luna plays Michael Jackson.

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

"11th Hour," U.S., Leila Conners Petersen and Nadia Conners

Another global warming documentary. Leonardo DiCaprio has something to do with this.


I am sure once the festival is underway there will be other films that gain my attention. This list is most of the American films that are being shown (it might be all of them) but I have no idea how to predict which foreign ones I will want to see.

Why is there a cocaine subplot in Three Men and a Baby?

I really hate it when movie posters do this.


For some reason it really bothers me when the names on the poster are not lined up with the actor. I know nobody is going to confuse John Krasinski and Mandy Moore but couldn't they have just switched their positions on the bed and made Robin Williams name a little bigger in the middle?

The movie is about marriage counselor who puts one couple through a series of relationship challenges during a the most grueling marriage preparation course ever. It is directed by Ken Kwapis who has helmed some of the best episodes of The Office and made a fair amount of bad movies.

It seems that the Will Ferrell/Adam McKay video I posted a few days ago is part of a much bigger plan for the duo. Yahoo is reporting that Will Ferrell's production company is partnering with a venture capital firm to launch the comedy video site Funny Or Die.

It will also features user-generated comedy videos, allowing anyone to upload their clips. But unlike YouTube and other popular user-generated sites, the viewers' ratings for the videos determine their fate -- thus the name of the site -- with only the highly rated staying on. Those with negative reviews are banished to the "Crypt" section of the site.

CBS has also released some new information on Mark Burnett's (creator of Survivor) upcoming reality show Pirate Master. It sounds like it could be quite entertaining. Sort of like Survivor on the high seas. Details follow...

"Pirate Master" will send 16 modern-day pirates on a high seas adventure where they will live as buccaneers and travel around the Caribbean island of Dominica in search of hidden treasure that will total $1 million. Over the course of 33 days, these pirates will live aboard a massive 179 foot, square-rigged barque which carries 12,500 square feet of sail.

Each week, the pirates will embark on extraordinary expeditions where they will decipher clues along the way in search of missing treasure. Gold coins -- real money which the pirates may take with them beyond the show -- will be awarded after each expedition, but only to some. The gold will play a key role as pirates strike deals with each other or plead for long-term security. In addition to claiming the lion's share of the week's riches, one pirate will become the captain of the ship and will assign roles and chores to the remaining crew members, setting the tone for either law and order or betrayal and sabotage, which could lead to mutiny by the crew.

Each episode will conclude on the ship at Pirate's Court, a lively gathering of public speaking and judgment where one individual will be eliminated and "cut adrift." In the end, one will be the first to find the largest booty, worth $500,000, and claim the title of "Pirate Master."

The next installment of Survivor will take place in China. The article says that the move to China for the 14th edition takes the series away from an island setting for the first time since the sixth installment, set in the Amazon jungle. I must remind them that this is wrong, lest we forget Guatemala. I was going to link to the Variety article but they use words like auds and skein that I dont understand.

The track listing to Spider-Man 3 has been announced. This is not really significant other than it seems Peter Parker is a big fan of indie rock. You can listen to the Snow Patrol, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and The Walkmen tracks at the Spider-Man My Space page.

Snow Patrol — “Signal Fire”
The Killers — “Move Away”
Yeah Yeah Yeahs — “Sealings”
Wolfmother — “Pleased To Meet You”
The Walkmen — “Red River”
Black Mountain — “Stay Free”
The Flaming Lips — “The Supreme Being Teaches Spider-Man How To Be In Love”
Simon Dawes — “Scared Of Myself”
Chubby Checker — “The Twist”
Rogue Wave — “Sightlines”
Coconut Records — “Summer Day”
Jet — “Falling Star”
Sounds Under Radio — “Portrait of A Summer Thief”
Wyos — “A Letter To St. Jude”
The Oohlas — “Small Parts”

Apparently The Weinstein Co. has already tried to split Grindhouse into two features and it is still a failure (from Joblo).

The Hoax

The Hoax is the kind of movie I'm glad I saw but if I missed it I don't think the world would have ended if I missed it. It's fascinating, entertaining, and there really wasn't anything about it that I didn't like but there really wasn't anything I loved either.

Richard Gere does a good job showing a man unraveling under pressure that he has created and Alfred Molina is good as always. In fact, I can't really think of any performance that didn't ring true, still there was nothing that I really took attention to.

I kept thinking that this would make a good double feature to watch after The Aviator or F is for Fake then when the movie was over I really wanted to watch F is for Fake again. It's interesting to see how Clifford Irving was able to fool everyone at his publishing company and I would actually like to know more about it, I guess that's what the book is for.

You don't want to make Edward Norton mad. According to Variety, Norton is set to star in the upcoming reboot of the Incredible Hulk series. This is some of the strangest casting, not because Norton is a bad choice to play Bruce Banner (he's not) but because it is such a mainstream movie and he tends to stay away from those. Then again, the first Hulk was the strangest super hero movie in, well, possibly the history of super hero movies.

This is actually one of the funniest things I have seen recently. It's a short starring Will Ferrell and Adam McKay (director of Anchorman, Talledega Nights). I would explain a little of the plot but it's probably just best if you experience it for yourself.

EW has a pretty comprehensive article up about the failure of Grindhouse. I agree with most of what the writer has to say, especially wanting Tarantino to tackle a subject other than movies he fetishized when he was younger. I disagree with his general assessment of Death Proof though. I thought it was one of the better movies so far this year, and while it was somewhat linked to the "slasher" genre it had enough originality and wackiness in it for me to really enjoy it. He also says a few unkind words for Jackie Brown. To me, that is the most mature of Tarantino's works and I wish he would try to make something next more in that direction (unless he finally wants to make his World War II movie, Inglorious Bastards).

This was taken from True Hoop. I'm not sure which one is worse, this guy at basketball or Luke Walton's acting.