Posted on 01/02/2006 4:03:35 AM PST by Liz
The "Rumor" mill grinds on. With Warner's romantic comedy "Rumor Has It..." taking in just $7 million in its opening frame, second-guessing quickly ramped up. Not that Warners execs should have been surprised: Tracking data on the project -- which Rob Reiner took over directing just 10 days into shooting when tyro helmer Ted Griffin was fired -- showed the pic wasn't likely to wow.
Griffin, who penned the screenplay, might be glad he got the boot. Not so happy might be Reiner-- who hasn't seen a hit in some time, and who lately has been preoccupied by politics and his universal preschool initiative -- and Section Eight which produced the pic for Warners.
Critics lambasted Reiner for applying a shallow gloss to what was, at its heart, a quirky, indie-like script. One even quipped that Reiner directed "between naps." But some blame might rightly rest with Griffin, who decided to give the pic a mainstream feel in casting Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Costner and Shirley MacLaine.
Mark Ruffalo was the only "indie" guy in the bunch. You'd never guess from the utterly mainstream marketing and poster that the film picks up where "The Graduate" left off. Instead, you might think Aniston had landed a new post-"Friends" TV show.
Pic was to be released last April, but was pushed to December because it wasn't ready. But in opting for a Christmas Day berth as counterprogramming, Warners put the film into competition with seven other wide releases.With that kind of jostling, it's no wonder this "Rumor" never got started.
Jennifer's bid to be another Audrey Hepburn is going nowhere.....thanks to Reiner's botching the job.
And that's a shame...about Aniston's career taking a hit. In the few interviews I've seen, she comes across as sensible, down to earth, and a nice person. I wish her success. I did try watching Friends, not very hard, never could manage more than one scene...but she was the pick of that litter, too.
I never got over her being nasty to Jenna Bush, when Jenna had an internship out in Hollywood while an undergraduate.
Oh yeah? What'd she do?
Isn't this the epic of one man having affairs with women in three generations of one family? And they peddled this dreck at Christmas. Are the investors in this tripe nuts?
"Jennifer's bid to be another Audrey Hepburn is going nowhere.....thanks to Reiner's botching the job."
I tried posting this story a few minutes ago, but was unable to access Variety's website via Drudge. I so wanted to be a bearer of bad tidings for Meathead.
Anyway I couldn't have matched your quip (above).
Cruel words..(g).and I must say you're off to a fine start for the new year..kicking America's putative sweatheart when she's down...LOL
Then Jennifer bragged about it to a Hollywood columnist, about how funny she thought it was.
It was a very mean and shallow thing to do, and I have never cared for her after that.
Naaah, It was Joey carrying that crew.
Reiner's next filme will be an updated remaked of "the Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer" starring Aniston and Howard Dean.
Thanks. I thought it was right on, myself. LOL.
Aniston's a skank. Here's what she was saying while she was out promoting the flop:
"Everything is imploding. It all seems to lead back to our dear president.”
No kidding?
I heard Reiner had options on a remake of "Beach Blanket Bingo."
Plus I remember her making some really juvenile anti-GWB remarks last year during the pre-election. Old Jen is not having a very good holiday. Particularly if the rumor is true her recent ex-husband has impregnated Ms. Jolie.
Don't know which is a bigger drag on our culture----Reiner in politics or in moviemaking.
It seems to be worse than that -- apparently there is a plot device which depends on Costner having sex with the youngest of the three, who appears to be his daughter!! Incest humor at Christmas that's Hollywood's idea of counter-programming!
"Jennifer's bid to be another Audrey Hepburn is going nowhere.....thanks to Reiner's botching the job."
Her own limited talents are also holding her back; it can't ALL be blamed on Reiner.
Hmm, I'd forgotten the nasty Aniston/Jenna-as-intern episode. Thanks for the reminder. And it was crass and cruel, at the very least. People do and say things in Hollywood because of a real fear that they'll never work again. It doesn't look as if Aniston falls into that category, so she's off my 'worthy' list. There's never an excuse for publicly slamming someone young and vulnerable -- who can't answer back, no matter what the motive is. (I haven't seen a movie in years and don't expect to start now.)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.