Quvenzhané Wallis Is Annie!

Two years ago Overbrook Entertainment partners James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith announced plans to remake the classic musical “Annie”.  Rap artist and entrepreneur, Jay Z would arrange the music and Willow Smith would portray Annie.  However, Willow Smith had a major growth spurt since the initial announcement was made and aged out of the part, leaving the role open for another child star. It didn’t take long to find a perfect replacement.  Less than a month after news broke about Willow’s departure from the project, Deadline reported Overbrook Entertainment and Sony Pictures found their Annie in Oscar nominated Quvenzhané Wallis. 

At 9-years-old Wallis is the perfect age for the part. Aileen Quinn, who starred in the 1982 film version of the classic Broadway musical, was only ten when she stole movie audience’s hearts with her portrayal and Wallis will no doubt do the same.  She already won us over with her remarkable performance in “Beasts of the Southern Wild”, which by the way is available on Blu-ray and DVD. 

“Easy A” director Will Gluck, who is helming the film, is in the process of revising the screenplay penned by Emma Thompson which was also rewritten by Aline Brosh. For the full press release, read below:

QUVENZHANÉ WALLIS TO PLAY ANNIE FOR OVERBROOK ENTERTAINMENT, MARCY MEDIA AND SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT 

CULVER CITY, Calif., February 24, 2013 – Overbrook Entertainment, Marcy Media, director Will Gluck and Sony Pictures Entertainment have cast Academy Award® nominee Quvenzhané Wallis, the star of Beasts of the Southern Wild, in the title role of Annie, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures, and Hannah Minghella, president of Production for the studio. 

Commenting on the announcement, Minghella said, "With the recent Academy Award® nomination and critical acclaim, Quvenzhané Wallis is a true star and we believe her portrayal as Annie will make her a true worldwide star. She is an extraordinary young talent with an amazing range, not only as an actress but as a singer and dancer, and we can't wait for audiences to further discover her."

Annie will be released during the winter holiday season in 2014. The film is being directed by Gluck and produced by James Lassiter, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Will Smith through Overbrook Entertainment, and by Shawn "JAY Z" Carter, Jay Brown, and Tyran "Ty Ty" Smith through Marcy Media. Gluck is currently revising the film's screenplay, which was written by Emma Thompson and rewritten by Aline Brosh McKenna based on the musical stage play "Annie," book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and on "Little Orphan Annie," © and ® Tribune Media Services, Inc. The film is being overseen at the studio by Andrea Giannetti and Devon Franklin.

QUVENZHANÉ WALLIS' favorite pastimes are reading, singing, dancing, acting, and playing her iPod and Nintendo DS. Her favorite TV stars/singers are China McClain, Selena Gomez, and Miley Cyrus. Her favorite sports are basketball, volleyball, dance and cheerleading. Her upcoming films include a role in Twelve Years a Slave with Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender and director Steve McQueen.

In addition to Steve McQueen’s “Twelve Years a Slave” Wallis can also be seen in “Boneshaker”, which debuted last month at Sundance and screens at this year’s New York African Film Festival in April.

I have to say, having grown up with the 1982 film, I wasn’t at all excited about this update, but with cutie pie Wallis starring in it, I’m totally sold.   Come December 25^th, 2014, when Sony and Overbrook Entertainment’s re-imagining hits the theater, I’ll be there.  Will you? 

Read More

Guardians of the Galaxy: Jason Momoa is Out

Two weeks ago, Latino Review reported that Jason Momoa flew to London for a screen test with the folks at Marvel. Apparently, they were so impressed with his Dothraki skills, Momoa was offered the part of Drax the Destroyer for the upcoming “Guardians of the Galaxy” feature.

Well, as of Feb. 21, the same source tweeted Momoa stepped down from the project — quite possibly over money.

Marvel is back to screen testing actors for Drax. Somebody needs to remind Momoa that nobody saw his last 2 films & take Marvel's offer.
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) February 21, 2013

I, for one, am very disappointed by this news. Momoa as Drax was spot on casting. But I can’t say I’m surprised about money being the issue. Marvel is known for low-salary offers, which may have ruined their relationship with Jon Favreau.

As for who Marvel could choose now? Perhaps they’ll look back at Isaiah Mustafa, Dave Bautista and Brian Patrick, who also auditioned for the part.

Shooting for “Guardians of the Galaxy” is slated to begin sometime this year to make the Aug. 1 release date.

Read More

Review: Somewhere

Sofia Coppola returns to familiar territory with her latest film, “Somewhere.” More rewarding than the somewhat disappointing “Marie Antoinette,” “Somewhere’s” simplistic and intimate storyline about a lost A-list actor is very refreshing. While some may not enjoy the movie’s unhurried pace, I found the film fascinating. Sofia Coppola’s long and intrusive shots made “Somewhere” feel like a case study — the subject, a man who has everything yet is seemingly unhappy.

Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) is a Farrari-driving playboy who lives in the Chateau Marmont where he is often entertained by twin pole dancers.

An action star, Marco is a part of a big franchise, yet his status doesn’t impress his co-star Rebecca (Michelle Monaghan), who can’t stand him. Similar to the films he makes, one would think a man of his status lead an exciting life. We soon discover his world is pretty mundane.

He spends hours sitting on the ledge of his balcony looking nowhere. Sexual liaisons with beautiful young women, although fun, are not as exciting as they once were. Enter Johnny’s daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning), whose very presence shakes things up a bit. Out of nowhere, Cleo’s mother informs Johnny she needs a break, dropping their daughter on him for a few weeks before she goes off to summer camp.

Due to Marco’s film schedule and lifestyle, father and daughter barely know each other. Yet through video game tournaments, ice-skating practice and a trip to Milan, they grow close and Johnny begins to realize how much of Cleo’s life he missed out on. A bittersweet moment happens right as the 11-year-old heads off to camp. Another follows once Marco is forced to face his loneliness.

“Somewhere” was brilliantly shot. By choosing to capture Marco’s everyday routine through lengthy close-ups, the viewer becomes completely engaged. I know I was. An unconventional way to tell a narrative, this proves challenging for the actor. In Stephen Dorff’s case, since most of his scenes are solo, he is forced to draw entirely upon himself. If he mugged for the camera, his performance would have read insincere, hokey even. Thankfully, Dorff’s portrayal of a 30-something celebrity searching for a sense of direction was authentic and not artificial.

Elle Fanning was simply radiant. She conveyed the light Marco lacked in his lowly life perfectly and the pair’s chemistry was just right. Much of the perfect cohesion can be attributed to the fact that Coppola, with permission from Fanning’s parents, had Dorff pick Fanning up from school daily before the project began, creating a bond between the two.

Similar to “Lost in Translation,” “Somewhere” is character driven. Minimalism is Sofia Coppola’s forte. She also has the uncanny knack of leaving the viewer wanting for more. In the film’s opening scene, Johnny Marco races his Ferrari in circles, obviously headed nowhere. But by the time the credits roll, it’s made very clear he’s headed somewhere. Where to exactly? That’s up to the viewer to decide.

Read More

Under Review: ‘The Fighter’

Not since “Rocky” have I been moved to tears by a movie about a boxer. “The Fighter” managed to leave me shattered — but in a good way.

A true-life account of two brothers, the powerful boxing movie directed by David O. Russell is not your typical sports film. In fact, I would venture to say it’s a picture about family dynamics with well-choreographed fighting sequences peppered throughout. Sure to hold the intellectual’s interest, there is enough emotional strife without becoming melodramatic and for the action enthusiast the boxing scenes are pretty brutal without being gratuitous.

Set in Lowell, Mass., the story is about brothers Dicky (Christian Bale) and Micky Ecklund (Mark Wahlberg). Dicky was a boxer who may or may not have knocked out Sugar Ray Leonard. Unfortunately, drug addiction ends his boxing career relegating him to becoming a trainer. For years, the elder Ecklund instructs his brother. Living vicariously through him, he gives Micky counsel on how to best his opponent. But, eventually, Dicky’s bad habit becomes detrimental and Micky, at the behest of his girlfriend Charlene (Amy Adams), decides to dismiss his brother once he is arrested and sent to jail.

Meanwhile, Micky’s overbearing mother and manager, Alice (Melissa Leo), is determined to hold onto the reigns. She doesn’t appreciate Charlene’s interference and, in an amusing scene, she along with her seven daughters, attempt to put a stop to her meddling. This, of course, puts Micky in the middle, but forces him to take a stand and do what’s best for himself and his career.

David O. Russell should be commended for his fantastic work here. Although the movie clocks in at just less than two hours, I couldn’t help but feel cheated. So very invested in the characters and their journey, I wanted more. At the edge of my seat during poignant moments, I was completely enthralled. The pacing was perfect. There were no unintentional lulls — just moments of substance.

Mark Wahlberg impressed me. Sure, at times he gets a bad rap. But in “The Fighter,” he was more than adequate. He conveyed the frustration Micky harbored toward his then-toxic family and elevated his performance in any scene with Christian Bale.

Then there’s Leo, who was jarringly perfect as the enabling and manipulative Alice. She was so fantastic in the part that I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her husband George (played by Jack McGee), particularly when she hurls a frying pan at him, striking him square in the shoulder.

As spitfire Charlene, a college dropout who has definitely been around, Amy Adams leaves her cute comfort zone. She’s a tough, no-nonsense kind of girl who delivers some of the best lines and throws a mean punch, too.

But the actor everyone will be and should be discussing is Christian Bale. As Dicky Ward, Bale proves just how versatile he is. Thirty lbs. lighter, but not as terrifyingly thin as he was in “The Machinist,” he channels the real life Dicky. There is no trace of Bruce Wayne or Patrick Bateman or remnants of Bale himself. As evident during the final moments of “The Fighter,” Bale is simply genuine.

I cannot forget to mention the well-crafted screenplay. Written by screenwriters Scot Silver, Paul Tamasay, Eric Johnson and Keith Dorrington, the actors are given more than enough material to work from and the director, adequate substance to lead. It took a few years to bring this story to fruition. Four in fact. That’s how much time was needed to get Wahlberg into boxing shape, giving testimony to the actor’s conviction. It was definitely time well spent.

Go see “The Fighter” this weekend. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll cheer. Most of all, you’ll leave the theater fulfilled.

Read More

Seth MacFarlane Throws Party to Celebrate ‘It’s a Trap!’ Release

Seth MacFarlane sure knows how to throw one heck of a party. To commemorate the Dec. 21 release of “Family Guy’s” latest “Star Wars” spoof “It’s A Trap!,” MacFarlane and Fox celebrated in style at the Supperclub in Hollywood Dec. 14. The red carpet was littered with paparazzi, each of course wanting to take photos of MacFarlane and other notable talent, including Dr. Drew, Bill Maher, Nathan Fillian (“Serenity”), Jerry Ferrara (“Entourage”) and Jake Busey (“The Good Guys”). Who knew they were fans of “Family Guy”?

Everyone at the event was in great spirits. Not only was this shindig in honor of MacFarlane and his successful series, it was also a holiday gathering. Drinks were, of course, on the house and cleverly named. For example, I started off the night with Meg’s Margarita, and ended it with Cleveland’s chocolate mint drink. Both bars within the lively establishment were fully stocked with plenty of bartenders at work whipping out drinks at mach speed. Also popular with the party-goers were the delicious hors d’oeuvres served along with the tasty cocktails.

Once equipped with beverage and snack, everyone congregated around Santa Brian for pictures. Dressed as Kris Kringle himself, the smooth pooch was accompanied by a sexy Mrs. Claus. One wouldn’t expect anything less from Brian. That’s just how he rolls. While attendees memorialized the memorable moment with photos with Santa, Christmas music boomed throughout the white barroom, ushering everyone into the holiday spirit and before the area grew too crowded, large red curtains parted open revealing a sizable lounge.

At that moment, DJ Vice switched up the music, replacing the holiday tunes with dance, old school R & B and some Top 40. Shaped in an immense square, the walls of the main room were lined with white plush couches where guests could mingle and enjoy bottle service. In the center was a large dance floor. Straight above, to coincide with the “It’s A Wrap” themes, were a pair of Princes Leias suspended from the ceiling. Between them was a hunky Jedi in an open robe, wielding a light saber. He wielded it quite well.

Stormtroopers, complete with Santa hats, shook their groove thang with guests. An amusing sight to behold, I was reminded of the “Star Wars Christmas Special.” If you haven’t seen it, do run a search for it via Youtube. You won’t be disappointed, I assure you.

As the DJ continued to crank out good tunes, projecting behind him upon a huge screen was “It’s A Trap!” Every now and then, the music would stop so that everyone could listen to snippets from the hilarious homage to “Return of the Jedi.”

The vibe was definitely exuberant Tuesday night, and everyone had a great time. Me included. But what impressed me most was the camaraderie. Many of the attendees were people who worked with Seth MacFarlane from the “Family Guy’s” inception. Having spoke with several, each had wonderful things to say about the creator. “He’s a man with no ego,” one animator said. An editor told me that he really is a “nice guy.” I was fortunate enough to witness MacFarlane’s graciousness first hand. Although many guests wanted photos with the talented animator, writer, producer, comedian, actor … I could go on and on, he does everything … he was ever so patient.

His counterpart, Seth Green, was also amiable. I didn’t think to ask him about his thoughts on the “Buffy” reboot and I can just kick myself for not doing so. Maybe next time. Until then, I’ll watch “It’s A Trap!” again and I’ll keep a close eye on Seth MacFarlane’s next project, “Ted” a hard R comedy about a man and his teddy bear. At present, Mila Kunis, Adam Scott and Mark Wahlberg are in negotiations to star in the adult comedy. I can’t wait to hear more details about it. Rest assured, as more info becomes available, it will be covered here at It’s Just Movies.

Thankfully, Seth MacFarlane and the gang has left us “It’s A Trap!” to keep us occupied. The Blu-ray and DVD streets Dec. 21.

Read More