Movie Marks, Issue #4

Vigilante here once again. This time with the fourth issue of Movie Marks. The month of June is behind us, and went out with a few hits and misses. July, however, appears to be the biggest month in recent movie history. Lets take a look into the world of Hollywood...

Recent News/Gossip....

-A.I opened with 31 million dollars, and people that is rather piss poor for a film of its stature. With the reviews coming in saying that its either great, or the worst film ever make this opening the best its going to get. Too bad Kubric's final film couldn't be worth something.

-Personally I think Goc needs to pull the dick out of his ass, and recognize "Shanghai Noon" to be one of the best films of this past year. Owen Wilson was fuckin hilarious, and it was a much better comedy than "Rush Hour". The Goc needs an Enema.

-The movie "Rollerball" has been given the ol heave hoe by its studio, pushing the film from its August 17th release date to teh first quarter of 2002. MGM says they made the move to better market the film...Vig says they saw the utter bullshit they had before them, and decided to fix up the mess.

-Superman and Lethal Weapon director, Richard Donner, is set to helm the videogame based film "Crazy Taxi" scheduled to hit summer 2003. When asked about sequels, Donner responded "When I did Lethal Weapon, it was a one-shot deal; the sequels didn't come about until after it was a success. "We're focusing on this movie, and we'll make it as good as we can. If the audience enjoys it, there's always the potential for additional stories." Donner hasn't let me down yet!! Here's looking to Crazy Taxi.

-The Ghost Rider film has just gotten casting for its main character. Its none other than the emotionless Nic Cage. Perhaps he's a good choice for this character, but all I can say is "At least he's not Superman".

-The second Anne Rice novel in the vampire series, "Queen of the Damned", has been damned itself. It appears that the movie is not up to par, and is releasing this bad boy straigh to video. Poor Aaliyah...at least she has Matrix 2 & 3 to fall back on.

-British paper The Guardian reports that John Woo is set to create a $40-60 million budget CG-animated feature based on the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" franchise which became famous through three live-action movies and an animated series. The difference this time though is that the turtles co-creator Peter Laird expects Woo to return the creatures to "their darker, edgier comic-book roots". Woo himself seems very keen to do the film - "I've always loved the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. ... It's one of the greatest action-adventure properties ever". The project is aiming for a Christmas 2002 release. Vigilante is moist.

Don't Miss this Movie in the Theaters....

WATCH	Moulin Rouge
	Why? - If you haven't seen the best film of the summer, you deserve to be ran over by several tractors. This movie is a 'film lovers' dream, and anyone claiming themselves to be such and have NOT seen this film is nothing more than a poser. Rating:1/2 out of 4
ME!!!!!	Release Info: In Theaters Now!

Avoid this Movie At All Costs...

FEAR	Baby Boy
	Why? - The movie that should put John Singleton back UNDER the map. "Baby Boy" is a poor excuse for a drama that owes more to "Next Friday" than it does Singleton's previous masterpiece, "Boyz N The Hood." Rating: 1 1/2 out of 4
ME!!!!!	Release Info: In Theaters Now

Predictions...

-I think July will be the biggest month in movie history. With Juggernauts like "Planet of the Apes" & "Jurassic Park 3" tagged up with family flicks like "Cats & Dogs"a cash cow sequel in "Scary Movie 2" a videogame flick in "Final Fantasy: Spirits Within", a Jet Li action flick "Kiss of the Dragon",a more adult oriented smart flick with Eddie Norton and Robert Dinero in "The Score", and a chick flick worth seeing in "American SweetHearts". July is about to explode.

-I honestly believe that Final Fantasy will get lost in the shuffle of all the movies in July. Its just too many other things out for a cg flick to make it. I wish it the best, but I think its going to be dead on arrival.

- There is only a week gap between Jurassic Park 3 and Planet of the Apes. My heart tears me apart on both of these films, but I think the sequel heat of JP will hinder the box office cash that Planet could've received had it not been there.

-Why is Julia Styles allowed to breath the same air as us?

Upcoming Movie Spoiler...

-We have a huge spoiler (thanks to DarkHorizons) on the previously mentioned upcoming CG Turtles movie from John Woo. If you want one kick ass spoiler to marinate over for awhile, swipe your cursor below. BE WARNED!!!

- 'Movie Man' has a SPOILER-filled scoop on the new John Woo CG turtles movie: "This is one piece of information I am privy to due to my position, I don't want to give away my occupation or position for fear of losing it! But here is some info on the new Turtles movie. Firstly, Splinter will die at the end. That's the biggest news I have, but I have only seen the beginning of the script and most of that was draft work but I have been told and had it confirmed that Splinter is a goner. Secondly, Woo is going all out for this film I've seen some preliminary sketches he's had drawn and it's very much in the style of his earlier work".

10 Movies I WANT TO SEE NOW!!!!

1.	Jurassic Park 3	Damnit! I can't figure which one I want to see more. First it was PofA hands down, but hearing that endearing JP theme music has me ripped and roaring to see this sucker NOW!!
1.	Planet of the Apes	Burton is a God, simple as that. I wait with baited breath to see how he handles this franchise.
3.	Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back	I am a Kevin Smith mark, and after seeing this trailer...I can't take the wait anymore. August can't come fast enough.
4.	The Score	Look at the cast list...nuff said.
5.	Rush Hour 2	The sequel to one of the biggest movie suprises of this films release year. Not nearly as good as Shanghai Noon, but lets see if RH2 can improve on the Jackie Chan buddy formula like SN did.
6.	Kiss of The Dragon	This movie looks like a film the summer is in dire need of. One kick ass action film that leaves all the balls straight to the walls.
7.	Final Fantasy: Spirits Within	I know I will enjoy this film, but I don't think the entire world will embrace it. Its a real shame too.
8.	Bones	Snoop Dogg as a villian in an ultra cool , and seriously needed, horror flick.
9.	Oceans 11	I'm a Clooney Nut, I'm a Robert nut, I'm a Soderbergh nut. All the signs point to this film making Vigilante go into mad seizures.
10.	American Sweethearts	Another Julia Roberts romance flick, that looks very keen to take attention from the movie goers not looking for talking monkeys and man eating dinos. Catherine Zeta, Cusak and Crytal round out the cast.

Recent Trailers...

Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back - Click Here to View - Kevin Smith is at it again, and this time with the final outing for the View Askew duo "Jay and Bob". This trailer will have those waiting for this film in stiches. This movie will definately deliver. Eat your heart out Lucas;-)! Rating: out of 4

Jeepers Creepers - Click Here to View - A horror movie trailer for you, and it appears that Hollywood is not quite ready to put an end to the teen horror genre. This name may seem overly corny, but this trailer will definately fill the seats as it appears to be quite a scare.. Rating: out of 4

American Outlaws - Click Here to View - I wasn't looking foward to this film very much, I mean western films haven't really been occuring often in today's Hollywood. I believe "Tombstone" was the last great western. That film may have some competition though, as "American Outlaws" appears to be a western for the newest generation. Rating: out of 4

TOP 10 Most Powerful Movies NOW!

(based on recent awards, box office, rentals, etc.)

1.	Shrek	Is this beast every going to be stopped. It has found its way into the top 24 of highest grossing films of all time. With the shortest decline in grossing each week, it could find itself higher on that list when its all said and done.
2.	The Fast and The Furious	I haven't seen this film yet (Don't ask why), but it blasted into the number one spot last week with a healthy 40+ million dollars. Go Vin Diesel.
3.	Snatch	The Guy Ritchie flick gets the double disc treatment this tuesday as its released to DVD. People who slept on this film in the theaters...be prepared.
4.	A.I.	The #1 movie this week, but this will last about as long as Stalker in a room with a bunch of young girls. Look for A.I. to be here and gone in a two week block.
5.	O Brother Where Art Thou?	Quite a few people weren't able to see this film due to their location. Now its on DVD for all to see, and the masses are enjoying.
6.	Moulin Rogue	The audience this movie deserves hasn't been around, but the movie still managed to be critically acclaimed and make back the money it cost to make. Now, time to head over sees and cash in.
7.	Memento	Haven't seen it, but Goc said its flava. We agree on most things (Cept the Shangai Noon thing), so I say that this film is like Moulin Rogue. Both are great films that are getting ass fucked by the drones who adore "Fast and the Furious".
8.	Tomb Raider	Lara Croft managed to cross the 100 million dollar mark this past week, and it looks set to make a cool 120-135 to close. Not bad for a videogame flick that cost 80 mill to make.
9.	Dr. Dolittle 2	The movie that no one should be forced to sit through, this movie has somehow been making money.
10.	The Mummy Returns	I loathe Brendan Fraser, but this film was pretty cool. Its the second biggest money maker of the year...but I think things are about to change in July.

Must See Movie that's Filming Now...

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles CG - I don't know what the working title is for this film is, but I know its going to be a wet dream for a Ninja turtle freak like me. John Woo taking the Turtles back to the dark "mirage comics" type feel they were created on. I love the cartoon and movie versions of the turltes, but this Eastman/Laird Mirage comics are what started the entire franchise. Its great to see things returning to their origins. I can't wait till Xmas 2002.

Where the hell is this DVD?...

Masters Of The Universe

Why?: Yeah, the movie was bad & campy. But for me, it was one of the most memorable films in my entire life. He-Man was one of the greatest cartoons ever, and the film tried its best to follow suit. Critics panned it, but fanboys like me always pop this VHS into the vcr , call the boys over, and sit back and travel down memory lane.

What We Would Greenlight...

Extreme Ghostbusters

Recently, Dan Ackroyd said that he has given up efforts to do "Ghostbusters 3" becasue he felt he was fighting for a dead cause. Bill Murray would not let go of his 1/4 of the GB property to let things go foward. Well, I say to hell with Murray and the original Ghostbusters. Let's use the cast and ideas from the shortlived classic cartoon "Extreme Ghostbusters". A cartoon that took the GB's to the future, in a much darker toned version of the cartoon. There would be no need for Bill Murray and his bullshit.

Starring: Ben Affleck (Eduardo), Matt Damon (Garrett), Winona Ryder (Kylie), Terrence Tatum (Roland) , and Harold Ramis (Spengler)

Director: Kevin Smith (from Dogma & Chasing Amy)

Budget: $80 Million

Predicted Gross: $175 Million

Well that's all for Issue #4 of Movie Marks, I hope you enjoyed my take on these films, and if you have any comments/ feedback/ questions/ arguments please email 'em to movies@gyeah.com. Next issue, Goc will be the man spouting the knowledge, you've been warned...

-Now that you've read something, he's written. Wouldn't you like to find out more about Vigilante? Here You Go.