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.
Princess Bride directed itself from the perfect novel by a screenwriter.
Once Patinkin and Andre were cast, sock puppets could have done the rest.
That doesn't surprise me. I read an interview with Aniston once where she sounded like the dumbest, ditziest Valley Girl on earth. "Like, oh, my God, Bush is such an F'n idiot, like, he's such an F'n moron, like totally!" She sounded like a crude, foul-mouthed, utterly classless idiot.
Sheesh, if I saw Chelsea Clinton somewhere, as much as I loathe her father, I wouldn't be mean to HER. Have a little class, Jennifer, or is that too much to ask?
She's just another showbiz homewreckin' slut..like Amy grant, or Tricia Yearwood.
It was all just a cruel conspiracy to confuse us! After three blasted sequels and a nonsensical television show, I still don't know what the heck a 'Quickening' is. You know the sequels are getting REALLY pointless when Russell Mulcahy won't even show up to direct em anymore.
Anything with Christopher Lambert in it is meant to cater to the lowest-common-denominator European audiences. Nobody here gives a rats donkey about ole Chris over here, but the EuroTrash will line up to watch him pick his nose over there. Hell, if it's got explosions, a nonsensical plot line, and Chris, it'll rake in the bucks over there.
This market is also responsible for some of the most horrible crap that pollutes our video store shelves. Not the least of which is the entire directorial resumes of Albert Pyun and Deran Sarafian, as well as the latter half of what we loosely refer to as Steven Segal's career.
NO, you can't argue when you don't have the facts on your side. Ths truth is, neither of us know if they did or didn't. And it really is none of our business. NOW, I find it odd, that you chastise me and call me starstruck, yet it's you who quotes from an interview she did. So, who it that's starstuck? Hmm?
I see, the woman is a slut, so what's the man?
Hildy thinks Jolie has done some admirable things.....so do I.
Personally, she strikes me as more of a whole person than Aniston.
I don't remember reading harsh words toward Bush from Jolie....(unlike Aniston)...
..she seems to use clout to help 3rd world countries, and spends a lot of her own money (so I've read) to get it done.
She has a past.....she owns up to it.
And I don't think Aniston is Polly Pure.
Same thing. Is there anyone I haven't offended today?
Are you a director? Do you know what a director does? Obviously not, so don't embarass yourself anymore, I beg you.
Why would you care about my career? Have you read this book?
I don't give a rat's ass what you do, but you said that this movie could have directed itself, so I asked you if you knew just what a director does? No, I haven't read the book and I can pretty much assure you I never will. What does that have to do with it? I'm sure it was a great book. But a movie needs a director. And a bad director can ruin even the best of books. A good director can make a great book a classic. A movie cannot direct itself. That was just a stupid thing to say.
You are evidently the only person I’ve heard that liked Pride and Prejudice. I thought it was OK, nice cinematography, romantic and clean but I went with a friend who is an English teacher and Jane Austin her favorite writer and she HATED it. She’s making me watch the 6-hour A&E version as she says it follows the book, in dialogue, setting and characterizations so much better.
Sorry to disagree. Anyone with enough money can adopt babies from overseas. This doesn’t make her a nice person, accountable or responsible, just a smart publicity hound.
Although she is striking to look at (and yes I’m a chick but no I’m not into that), remembering how Ms. Jolie nearly made out with her own brother at the Academy Awards, that she was married to Billy Bob Thornton and that she has a reputation as a switch hitter – I hope good old Brad has an unlimited supply of penicillin. That and I don’t have much respect for a husband stealer even if I have problems the wife’s politics, talent or intelligence.
Angelina is even more of a sleeze in my book.
I absolutely loved A&E Pride and Prejudice. AWESOME
Jennifer Aniston is a pretty girl who seems to be carrying her looks reasonably well into the on-set of middle age. Her political commentary, however, comes straight off the Barbra Streisand web-site.
Good point. It would be great if his head exploded in the middle of a scene while he was wearing a fashionable green turtleneck sweater. That would be entertainning.
I disagree with you only on When Harry Met Sally. It still ranks as one of my favorite romantic comedies. Back in the day Meg Ryan was still cute and Billy Crystal was kind of sweet and vulnerable and sexy in a nerdy way. I watch this movie every New Years Eve and of course I cry every time. My favorite scenes are of course the dinner – “I’ll have what she’s having” and the end – “That’s just like you Harry” and “I really hate you”. But then I guess I’m still looking for my “Harry” – best friend and love of my life.
Aniston is no Audrey Hepburn and any way shape or form. Another of my favorite movie endings is still Breakfast at Tiffany’s – George Peppard and Audrey in the rain, looking for Cat, although the novella was not so sweet and happy as the movie. Audrey was a real beauty, a good person with great depth and a wonderful actress.
"...give the pic a mainstream feel in casting Jennifer Aniston,
Kevin Costner and Shirley MacLaine. "
Why I go out to see a movie...why give money to the "usual suspects"?
Most of which can't really act...and will use my money to blather their
inane views on TV, etc.
The difference between an actor like Ms. MacLaine and Ms. Aniston is that Shirley MacLaine and the other great ones like her, become the character they portray whatever that character is and Ms. Aniston is, well always that girl from Friends. She made a good try at “The Good Girl” but I couldn’t buy it – she didn’t sell it.
I don’t care how strange she is in her personal beliefs, Shirley MacLaine is multi-dimensional – can act in both dramatic and comedic roles and can sing and dance to boot. Terms of Endearment may have been her greatest role. I loved the scene with her and Nicholson at the airport – she really looked tired and drained, was not wearing any makeup, looked her real age and still gave Nicholson probably the best on screen kiss he’s ever had.
Can I mock Jennifer for being an admintted pothead?
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