1 maggio : News!

	DOUGLAS'S LONG HAUL: Let's see, there was Don't Say A Word and The In-Laws, and he was here almost the entire time wife Catherine Zeta-Jones was filming Chicago. Add his latest feature, and Michael Douglas may yet have a shot at the title of Top Torontonian, Hollywood division (I think Brian Dennehy is the guy to beat). Douglas is back next month to film and produce The Sentinel, a big-budget thriller that is scheduled to make Hogtown home for six full months. Douglas plays an FBI agent who stumbles on a neo-Nazi plot to infiltrate the White House, an investigation complicated by his affair with the First Lady (Kim Basinger). Kiefer Sutherland is along as a hard-headed fellow agent. Prodigal Toronto son Clark Johnson (S.W.A.T.) directs. Eva Longoria of Desperate Housewives is also in the cast.
	Top 50 United States Video Rentals for the week ending 24 April 2005: 50. 37 Cellular (2004) 96 $310K $42.1M.
	Top 50 United States Video Rentals for the week ending 17 April 2005: 37. 28 Cellular (2004) 89 $480K $41.8M.
	Elderly cinema buffs' movie terror error horror - NUDE scenes of Kim Basinger and Jeff Bridges have shocked a group of elderly cinemagoers, who were expecting to see a different film. Fishguard's friendship circle had been looking forward to My House in Umbria, a drama about a group of friends coping after a terrorist attack - Dame Maggie Smith at her best. What greeted them on the silver screen instead was Bridges's character Ted wandering around the house naked, while his wife Marion, played by Basinger (pictured), embarked on a racy relationship with his young colleague. It was more than many members could stomach, and some walked out. An internet review said of the film, "Ted hires fresh-faced college student Eddie as his assistant. But before you can say Mrs Robinson, Marion's teaching the boy to do more than just proofread." It transpired the original film had been damaged and had to be replaced. Theatre Gwaun manager Mel Lucking told the County Echo in Fishguard, "We decided to get another film which was offered to us by the distributors in London. We though that would be better than no film. What might seem appropriate to someone in London need not necessarily be appropriate to someone in West Wales. "The more elderly did not like the film, but the ones in their fifties and sixties found it more interesting. "It seems you cannot please everyone all the time." Friendship Circle secretary Susan Neil said, "There were a lot of naked scenes - the film started off with one. "Some of our members walked out because they could not make head or tale of it. "A few decided to stay right until the end. "Although we have 60 members we didn't have all that many there, thank goodness."
	CELLULAR - Overseas Total as of Apr. 24, 2005: $23,637,630  Argentina 11/18/04 $501,302 Final  Australia 2/10/05 $851,527 4/13/05  Austria 2/4/05 $714,251 Final  Baltic States 11/19/04 $90,794 Final  Belgium 11/24/04 $694,692 3/2/05  Bolivia 12/30/04 $20,691 Final  Brazil 11/12/04 $1,408,165 Final  Bulgaria 11/26/04 $87,511 4/13/05  Central America 11/3/04 $227,122 Final  Chile 1/6/05 $105,749 Final  Colombia 11/12/04 $242,291 Final  Croatia 12/9/04 $11,940 Final  Czech Republic 11/11/04 $43,060 Final  Denmark 11/5/04 $115,666 Final  Finland 12/3/04 $65,721 1/30/05  France 11/17/04 $2,468,831 Final  Germany 2/3/05 $1,782,495 Final  Greece 10/15/04 $695,331 Final  Holland 11/11/04 $204,088 Final  Hong Kong 11/11/04 $139,404 Final  Hungary 11/11/04 $106,624 Final  Iceland 10/8/04 $31,225 Final  Indonesia 1/5/05 $150,540 4/24/05  Israel 9/16/04 $527,795 Final  Japan 2/26/05 $1,033,301 Final  Lebanon 11/24/04 $358,751 Final  Mexico 11/19/04 $2,342,012 Final  Norway 11/19/04 $144,144 3/23/05  Peru 12/2/04 $95,127 Final  Philippines 10/20/04 $263,438 Final  Poland 12/10/04 $411,320 Final  Portugal 12/2/04 $276,827 1/23/05  Puerto Rico 9/17/04 $443,000 Final  Romania 11/26/04 $74,026 Final  Russia 11/11/04 $900,202 Final  Serbia 11/18/04 $28,660 Final  Singapore 10/28/04 $230,932 Final  Slovenia 12/2/04 $68,614 Final  South Africa 2/25/05 $413,141 4/24/05  Spain 11/12/04 $1,797,048 Final  Switzerland 1/19/05 $58,123 2/27/05  Taiwan 11/19/04 $585,113 Final  Thailand 9/23/04 $248,126 Final  Ukraine 11/11/04 $99,222 Final  United Kingdom 9/24/04 $1,914,470 Final  Venezuela 12/17/04 $553,982 Final
	Lucina Morelli, 22 Aprile 2005: Esuberante - Cellular di David R. Ellis Una commando criminale si introduce in casa Martin e rapisce Jessica (Kim Basinger), portandola fuori Los Angeles e rinchiudendola in una soffitta. Lei, insegnante di biologia e moglie di un assicuratore, sembra ignorare il motivo per cui sta accadendo tutto questo ma i malviventi non le credono. Sono in cerca di qualcosa di cui lei e suo marito sono in possesso e per ottenerla sono disposti anche a rivalersi sul loro bambino. Chiedere aiuto in quelle condizioni, avendo poi di fronte a sé solo un telefono fracassato, è obiettivamente difficile ma Jessica è una donna dalle mille risorse e capisce di avere un'unica possibilità, e cioè quella di provare di ricollegare alla buona i fili e chiedere aiuto a chiunque pronunci la parola "Pronto?!" all'altro capo del telefono. A pensarci bene la cosa più difficile non sembra questa, ma quella di far capire ad uno sconosciuto interlocutore mai visto né sentito prima l'effettiva gravità della situazione e convincerlo a farsi aiutare prima che sia troppo tardi...  E' difficile in un mondo come questo avere fiducia negli sconosciuti, ed appare oggettivamente inverosimile pensare di affidare a qualcuno la propria vita e quella dei propri cari, ma quando si è disperati, quando non si ha altra scelta, allora non ti resta altro da fare che provarle tutte. Ora mettiamoci dall'altra parte: pensate a quanti di voi avrebbero creduto ad una simile telefonata e a quanto sia difficile decidere di mettere a rischio la propria vita per salvarne un'altra, sempre che chi ti sta parlando non ti stia prendendo in giro. E' questo l'aspetto che più risalta nella storia di "Cellular" contrapposto con lo stesso peso specifico con l'ironia, talvolta la tragicomicità, che si nasconde dietro certi nostri atteggiamenti verso quell'odiato - ed allo stesso tempo amato - aggeggio che ha cambiato (in meglio o in peggio decidetelo voi) il destino e la quotidianità di miliardi di persone. Basti guardare l'ironia e contemporaneamente l'isterismo (in questo caso più che giustificato) della scena più divertente del film in cui il protagonista (l'eroe della situazione) si reca in un negozio di telefonia alla ricerca disperata di un caricabatteria…  Ironica la sceneggiatura, fresca e movimentata la regia, talvolta caricaturali i personaggi. Ma non c'è da sorprendersi visto che il regista è David R. Ellis, che già in "Final Destination 2" aveva piacevolmente sorpreso per il tocco sarcastico e decisamente brillante che in alcuni punti era riuscito a dare ad un sequel piuttosto banale. L'autore del soggetto è niente meno che Larry Cohen, lo sceneggiatore del fratellastro "In linea con l'assassino" di Joel Schumacher, il quale come intensità e adrenalina pura era una spanna sopra questo ma che se ne mettiamo a confronto l'originalità ne esce sicuramente sconfitto. Intendiamoci, non c'è niente di originale nel plot di fondo e nella prova degli attori protagonisti che hanno saputo offrire veramente molto poco, ma c'è sicuramente qualcosa nella regia e nella confezione dei particolari che rende "Cellular" un prodotto stra-commerciale ma assolutamente godibile sotto tutti i punti di vista. A tal proposito vi consigliamo di seguire con attenzione i brevissimi ma geniali titoli di coda. L'unica cosa molto poco geniale è il titolo del film, sgradevole come pochi. Sarebbe bastato un pizzico di fantasia in più.
	Dodici film in uscita il weekend - Basinger sfida Charlize Theron  Roma, 28 aprile 2005 - Sono 12 i film in uscita nelle sale italiane questo fine settimana. Quattro le pellicola italiane che sfideranno, tra gli altri, il dramma con Penelope Cruz e Charlize Theron, il film su Hitler con Bruno Ganz e l'action-movie 'XXX'.  GIOCO DI DONNA (genere: drammatico) di John Duigan, con Charlize Theron, Penelope Cruz - Sullo sfondo dell'ascesa in Europa del nazi-fascismo, lo scoppio della II Guerra Mondiale e il D-Day, si sviluppa la sofferta storia d'amore tra l'idealista irlandese Guy Malyon e la bella Gilda Bessè, una fotografa franco-americana pronta a vivere ogni tipo di esperienza. Ruolo fondamentale nella vita dei due sarà l'infermiera Mia.  TROPICAL MALADY (genere: drammatico) di Apichatpong Weerasethakul, con Sakda Kaewbuadeee Banlop Lomnoi - Il soldato Keng e il contadino Tong hanno una vita semplice e felice. Il tempo scorre tra pomeriggi piacevoli, allegre passeggiate e sortite notturne in città. La loro tranquillità è spezzata dalla scomparsa di Tong e dalla presenza nel paese di un animale selvaggio. Keng, armandosi di coraggio si inoltra da solo nel cuore della giungla in cerca dell'amico. Premio speciale della giuria al festival di Cannes.  CELLULAR (genere: thriller) di David R. Ellis, con Caroline Aaron, Kim Basinger - Ryan è un ragazzo allegro e spensierato, ma la sua vita raggiunge una drammatica svolta quando al suo cellulare arriva la telefonata di una donna disperata: Jessica Martin, una tranquilla insegnante di liceo rapita da cinque sconosciuti che l'hanno portata in un misterioso nascondiglio. Per il ragazzo inizia una disperata lotta contro il tempo.  SAIMIR (genere: drammatico) di Francesco Munzi, con Mishel Manoku, Xhevdet Feri - Saimir, un sedicenne albanese emigrato in Italia vive in un sobborgo del litorale laziale dove suo padre gestisce un piccolo traffico di immigrati clandestini. Tenta di salvare una minorenne coinvolta in un affare di prostituzione, ma attira su di sè le ire dei complici del papà. Inutile ogni tentativo di salvare il ragazzo: Saimir viene sottoposto a una punizione esemplare.  L'UOMO PERFETTO (genere: commedia) di Luca Lucini, con Riccardo Scamarcio, Gabriella Pession, Francesca Inaudi, - La pubblicitaria Lucia non accetta che Maria, la sua migliore amica, stia organizzando il matrimonio con Paolo, l'uomo da lei amato in segreto sin dai tempi di scuola. Ingaggia Antonio, un attore squattrinato, e lo addestra per farne l'uomo ideale di Maria.
	Cellular - Ultimamente pare che nel cinema i soggetti aventi come nucleo centrale un telefonino abbiano preso piede un po' in tutto il Mondo, descrivendo quasi una tendenza di mercato. Dal Giappone alla Korea, con il buon The Call e i vari Phone, fino in America, da Scream passando per un In linea con l'assassino, i cellulari e i telefonini sembrano affascinare gli scrittori per il cinema. E se in Asia il mezzo più usato della Terra racconta trame sanguinolente e malate, negli Stati Uniti i telefoni si fanno spesso minacciosi annunciatori di morte. A due anni di distanza dal suo ultimo trhiller, quel Final Destination 2 che divise la critica, David R. Ellis torna dietro la macchina da presa con Cellular: l'ultima fobia dal mondo dei telefonini. Attraverso una trama rocambolesca ed una regia frenetica, Ellis disegna un film fatto d'inseguimenti e corse contro il tempo. Un soggetto drammatico, stemperato però da una sceneggiatura che assume troppo spesso tempi e ritmi narrativi volontariamente ironici. Si assiste quindi, dopo un inizio che faceva presagire uno spettacolo teso e avvincente, ad un film d'azione leggero e quasi scanzonato. E' così che Ryan, il classico ragazzo americano senza troppi problemi se non quello di conquistare la ragazza che gli piace, si ritrova a essere protagonista di scene a metà strada tra Un giorno di ordinaria follia, come la scena in cui si ritrova costretto a "usare la forza" per comprare un carica batterie in un negozio di telefonini, e Die Hard-Duri a morire, legato com'è dalla trama al rapporto via etere con la bella Basinger, che lo implora costantemente di aiutarla e di raggiungere questa o quella destinazione entro un tempo limite. Se non fosse per il fatto che proprio la Basinger recita con una drammaticità che sottolinea la sua decennale esperienza come attrice, si potrebbe pensare che ciò a cui si sta assistendo è un film comico. Curioso. Insomma Cellular è un film che evita accuratamente, e saggiamente, di prendersi sul serio. Per una serata in pieno relax all'insegna di quelle che vengono definite, bonariamente e col senno di poi, delle "americanate". La frase: "...Mi date quel cazzo di carica batterie?!..."

24 maggio : News!

	Andamento di "CELLULAR" al box office italiano: 29 aprile - 1 maggio: 6 CELLULAR EAGLE PIC 3gg 246.424,31 0 226 246.424,31 (Settimana: € 355.859). Da Box Office Mojo: 6 - Cellular Eagle $316,358 - 226 $1,400 $316,358 1. 6 - 8 maggio: 10 CELLULAR EAGLE PIC 2 113.409,52 -55 174 469.490,54. Da Box Office Mojo: 10 6 Cellular Eagle $145,686 -54% 174 $837 $603,109 2. 13 - 15 maggio: 18 CELLULAR EAGLE PIC 3 33.196,85 -71 42 551.677,03. 20 - 22 maggio: 31 CELLULAR EAGLE PIC 4 6.602,40 -80 13 572.197,78.
	Writer resorts to filming his own books - A best selling British author has become so disillusioned with film adaptations of his books that he has chosen the entrepreneurial path and decided to create them himself. 56-year-old, Peter James, whose works include Dead Simple and The Truth, will bring his six-million selling novel, Possession, to the big screen in the first of a line of literary film productions. The supernatural thriller has already been translated in 26 languages, and enjoys a readership of six million readers worldwide. For the project, James has teamed up with film director Michael Radford, who has agreed to work on a script that could be accepted by Hollywood star Kim Basinger, depending on the outcome of talks. Basinger, who is lined up to play the lead role as a mother who discovers that her dead son was murdered, represents the starting pistol for James’s 14 other novels which he may decide to equally deserve an on-screen presence. “I’m slowly getting the rights back,” said James, alluding to some of his novels, which will remain untouched until the options on the work expire. In addition to Possession, James is expected to create a film of his novel The Truth, separate to filming a television drama based on his debut crime novel, Dead Simple. The novelist however, already has some high–profile experience in the film industry, having been Executive Producer for 13 commercial releases, including The Merchant of Venice and Head in the Clouds, which had a combined budget of $300m.
	Dave Grusin to score new Mark Rydell picture: Dave Grusin hasn't written a theatrical film score for six years (the last one was Random Hearts), but now he is back in the game again. He has been assigned the musical responsibility on veteran director Mark Rydell's new film Jump Shot, a serious story about gambling addiction starring Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, Ray Liotta, Forest Whitaker, Tim Roth, Carla Gugino, Jay Mohr and Nick Cannon. Dave Grusin has worked with Mark Rydell before on On Golden Pond and For the Boys.
	'I Dreamed of Africa' author accused over deaths of black rhinos - A glamorous Italian-born writer and land-owner, whose life story was turned into a movie starring Kim Basinger, is in the middle of an environmental storm after four rare black rhinos died on arrival at her Kenyan farm. Kuki Gallman became well known after she wrote a syrupy autobiography, I Dreamed of Africa, which tells of how she came to Kenya and decided to stay even after her husband and son met violent deaths there. After the book was turned into a film in 2000, visitors began to flock to her ranch Ol Ari Nyiro (Place of Dark Waters) to stay in luxurious cottages and gaze at the scenery she described. She now focuses on environmental work, and hosts operas with the Rift Valley as a backdrop. The Kenya Wildlife Service agreed to send 10 rhinos from Nairobi National Park her 100,000-acre ranch after she promised to provide a safe environment in which they could roam. But four of the animals died of acute pneumonia shortly after arrival, and wildlife experts complained they had not been given suitable holding pens. Many white farmers in Laikipia have cut back on unprofitable cattle-rearing and turned to eco-tourism. Western tourists pay up to £200 a night to stay in luxury accommodation and drive around in four-wheel-drives looking for animals. Ranches that offer the chance to spot endangered animals such as rhinos are especially popular, and most land-owners are keen to host rhinos, lions and hippos. The deaths of these black rhinos have, however, raised questions about the whole system of giving private landowners rare wildlife. Most experts say Ms Gallman should have made better preparations for the rhinos' arrival. "The air in Laikipia is much colder than in Nairobi, and rhinos are always weaker after they travel long distances," said a source at one wildlife support group. "In Ol Ari Nyiro, the rhinos were put into muddy pens when they should have been allowed to acclimatise somewhere warm and dry after their journey." The Kenya Wildlife Service, meanwhile, was accused of putting the demands of wealthy white farmers ahead of the welfare of the animals. Its spokesman, Connie Maina, said all procedures were followed, and it was baffled by the deaths. "We have put together a team of five people to look into the deaths, and at our overall rhino management policy," he said. "Kuki has other rhino on her ranch and they have done very well." The rhino population in Kenya has been reduced dramatically by poachers, who sell the horn to buyers in the Far East, and there are now estimated to be only 435 black rhinos in the country. They are highly susceptible to changes in their environment, and they often become agitated if transported in crates. Many rhinos die while being taken from one place to another, but conservationists are deeply concerned about the loss of so many animals in one move. Earlier this year, the wildlife service came under fire for plans to send hundreds of animals, including rhinos, to a zoo in Thailand. It is going ahead with the plan.
	Paisley kicks up a fuss over 'quickie' peerage for Trimble. * David Trimble's election defeat hasn't just sent shock-waves around Northern Ireland; it's also landed Tony Blair with a diplomatic problem in his own back yard. A row has broken out over plans to award the departing Ulster Unionist leader a peerage. Blair - who regards him, fondly, as an architect of the Good Friday agreement - intends to announce the move next week. Trimble's political opponents are hotly opposed to it. The Reverend Dr Ian Paisley, far right, believes that since his rival Democratic Unionist Party is now the biggest in Northern Ireland, it deserves a seat in the Lords. Not a single peer currently takes the DUP whip. Paisley has therefore insisted on being given at least two new peers - including the party chairman Andrew Hunter - before Trimble can be appointed. Downing Street advisers have warned that a Lord Trimble may upset the Nationalist community in Northern Ireland. No 10 will not comment on future appointments, but at his press conference yesterday Blair hinted: "David Trimble was immensely brave and I hope very much that is recognised. I'm sure it will be." He then added quickly: "...When people do a historical analysis." * Sharon Stone made headlines this week when she rushed back to the US from London - she's been filming the sequel to Basic Instinct at Pinewood Studios - to meet her new surrogate baby. It's not the first time she's allowed family commitments to get in the way of her acting career. The author Peter James tells me that Stone also pulled out of his film Possession - scripted by Imogen Lloyd Webber - because of its delicate subject matter. "I worked with Sharon on A Different Loyalty, and really wanted her to be in Possession," he says."But she's just adopted a little boy, and the story is about a mother whose child is killed in a car crash, so she was a bit uncomfortable with it and eventually said no thanks." James, who was speaking at the launch of his new novel Dead Simple has now found a capable second string. "It looks like Kim Basinger is going to take the lead role, instead, so we haven't done badly." * The New Statesman's butch new editor John Kampfner - owner of the shortest arms in journalism - is to kick off his reign by camping things up a bit. Having already (as this column revealed) persuaded both Trudie Styler and David Bowie's wife, Iman, to write upcoming diary columns, I gather that the Staggers' next celebrity signing is to be Elton John's fiancé, David Furnish, pictured together right. Furnish will submit a column in June, lifting the lid on Elton's annual white tie and tiara ball. Among other things, he's expected to reveal who was (and was not) considered worthy of an invite. Staff at New Statesman HQ are delighted by the move. But they're bound to be surprised by recent staff changes: outgoing editor Peter Wilby recently told me rumours of his departure (in favour of Kampfner) were "absolutely untrue". * It's the final humiliation for Rosie "five homes" Millard, the proud owner of Britain's worst middle class debt. This evening, on Tonight With Trevor MacDonald, the comely arts journalist undergoes a financial makeover. Despite her £2.6m property portfolio, she admits to a £1.1m mortgage, £50,000 overdraft, and £20,000 in credit card bills. Under cross-examination from financial expert Martin Lewis, it emerges that Millard has never actually prepared a personal budget and giggles that she "isn't quite sure" what one is. Eventually, though, she agrees to make a few hefty sacrifices, giving up weekly haircuts, Stila make-up and her subscription to The New Yorker: "It's like a colonic irrigation," she claims. Up to a point! * Not all Hollywood stars regard it as their birthright to be ferried around in a stretch limo. Just ask Val Kilmer, who is currently in a West End production of The Postman Always Rings Twice. Since arriving in London, Kilmer has insisted on travelling on a push-bike. It's a move that Ken Livingstone (and others) will wholeheartedly endorse - though they'll be sure tohave minor reservations about comments on British bus-drivers. "I've always loved cycling, and think it's great that it's so easy to get around this town on a bike," he said, at PartyPoker.com's party at Selfridges on Wednesday. "I've really enjoyed it, but there is one downside: the traffic can be really hectic and your bus-drivers are definitely on crack."
	Screen siren SHARON STONE has shunned a lead role in an upcoming thriller - because she would have had to portray a woman haunted by the death of her adoptive son. The sexy 47-year-old, who adopted a second baby boy earlier this month (MAY05), politely declined the offer of the role in POSSESSION - a screen adaptation of PETER JAMES's hit novel of the same name - because she didn't want to tempt fate. James says, "Sharon was concerned. She felt superstitious about playing such a character and decided playing it was too close to home. We are now talking to KIM BASINGER.".
	DVD "Nadine" will be released on July 5, 2005 (EUA).