'Rumor' fades justs as it starts; Troubled Warner pic sinks at B.O. (Hollywarped bomb by Rob Reiner)

VARIETY ^ | 1/2/06 | PAMELA MCCLINTOCK, NICOLE LAPORTE

[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.

[Miss Marple]

Your friend could fight back, couldn't he? Your friend hadn't been splashed all over the front of the newspapers, and had total strangers comenting on how he had a drinking problem like his father, had he?

Jenna Bush had already been humiliated, and she was not yet 20 when Pitt and Anniston did this. They were picking on someone who couldn't answer back, due to her position. Furthermore, they bragged about it in the press.

[Liz]

....Jennifer Aniston is a pretty girl who seems to be carrying her looks reasonably well into the on-set of middle age.....

A delicious backstab.

[KamperKen]

"(I haven't seen a movie in years and don't expect to start now.)"

Go see King Kong. To the best of my knowledge, no one associated with the picture has described it as an allegory for the Iraq war or Bush presidency (yet). Plus, the dinosaur scenes are really cool!

[Miss Marple]

The only thing missing in that comment was "bless her heart."

[Liz]

Oops.

Thanks.

I'll remember that for next time.

[Vision]

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

That's her job. She's a raving lib

[SAMS]

Exactly on point about Anniston. Any movie I have seen her in, she always comes across as "Rachael" with a different name& friends. No depth. I did see "The Good Girl" and IMHO, she was not very good.

[Miss Marple]

Title: Russian River

Director:Miss Marple

Plot: A failing director is kidnapped by his successful father, before he can make another movie alienating their fan base and squandering the family fortune.

Stars: Rob Reiner, Carl Reiner, and featuring cameos by Shirley McClain, Angela Jolie, Bradd Pitt, and Jennifer Anniston.

[Thumper1960]

Poor, poor, poor Jen.

Stuck with the likes of Riener-the original Liberal "Meathead". Jen's also got to deal with ex-hubby Pitt supposedly knocking up Angelena Jolie and being "daddy" to her rent-a-brood.

Hollywierd just keeps sliming along.

[tarheelswamprat]

The promos on TV looked terrible, so I'll pass on this one when I take out free DVD's from the library.

I highly recommend Netflix. Sign up, then go to their Classics section. There are hundreds and hundreds of great flicks there!

[BenLurkin]

Not so happy might be Reiner-- who hasn't seen a hit in some time,

[Guenevere]

I certainly agree with you on this point...

I enjoyed the new Pride & Prejudice...but was constantly comparing Darcy with A&E's Colin Firth and thought Donald Sutherland a wrong, wrong choice.

Just like in King Arthur...Keira Knightly played it with a touch of modern day feminism....and I prefer A&E's.

[MSSC6644]

But Aniston has bigger boobs - doesn't that make her a bigger star?

Only to a big boob.

(rimshot -- thanks for the set up)

[Liz]

Sob, I'm all broke up about it, sniff.

[tarheelswamprat]

Jennifer's bid to be another Audrey Hepburn is going nowhere.....

I read with interest your, and several others' references in this thread to Audrey Hepburn and the idea of Jennifer Anniston somehow becoming her "successor". I confess that comparison never entered my mind!

However, I did catch on HDNet recently a movie called "The Audrey Hepburn Story" which starred Jennifer Love Hewitt which I found mildly enjoyable. Have you seen this? Hewitt is also no Audrey Hepburn (and no other modern actress is either) but I thought she made an admirable, sincere effort and gave a good performance. Do you have any thoughts on this?

[Liz]

Maybe Edith Bunker can do a cameo?

[steve8714]

Thanks for your reasonable and polite criticism. I'll take it into account..sometime.

[Liz]

Lookit, my mention of Aniston as an Audrey wannabe was a joke, and got the intended laugh track from posters.

Nobody can take Hepburn's place, and no, I didn't see the bio.

[RobbyS]

I agree. Hewitt now has this silly ghost show on Friday nights. It IS silly, but she looks good, more attractive than Aniston, and ten years younger.

[Mr. Blonde]

If you get the chance why not. And mocking someone and poking a little fun aren't quite the same thing in my book. You don't do things like that without expecting to let people have a little fun at your expense. That's part of making a mistake.

But by all means if you want to make fun of her feel free. But if I ever met her that wouldn't be at the top of my list.