Monday, August 24th, 2009

I've spotted the 1939 fantasy family classic The Wizard of Oz on several movie blogs today. Some have put in their two cents on the incredible achievement of still being very relevant today, despite the film turning seventy this year. Others have noted a possible sequel being mentioned by way of the Daily Express. More in particular, some blogs have focused on the rumor of Dakota Fanning taking on the role of Dorothy, while others have been focusing on a quote by co-producer Todd McFarlane stating that in this possible sequel from Warner Brothers the character of Dorothy would be more comparable to Sigourney Weaver's Ripley from Alien more so than Judy Garland's turn as the most celebrated cinematic version of L. Frank Baum's leading lady. This "dark" turn may sound shocking, but I'm quite surprised that none of the movie blogs have screeched to a halt while reading this and collectively said, "Holy shit! Todd McFarlane!?". Yeah, the accompanied picture is from McFarlane's "Twisted Land of Oz" toy series. The blindfolded, lingerie-clad, KISS boots-wearing, busty epitome of sexually charged S&M being dominated by some kind of perverted mutants is McFarlane's idea of Dorothy and the sweet little munchkins. I'm not saying this idea would be wholly unwelcome, as I would prefer to have a horror/sexploitation reimagining of the film rather than a failed Hollywood cash cow sequel. I am saying however, that of all the movie blogs I check daily, none of them connected McFarlane and Baum's sacred land of Oz to these very adult toys? Shotty journalism.

Another very interesting story, coming from DeadCentral is that John Landis, made famous by Schlock, An American Werewolf in London, Innocent Blood and the Michael Jackson video/short film Thriller, will be returning to the horror/comedy genre. The film, Burke and Hare, will be based upon a real life crime duo, William Burke and William Hare (check out their Wikipedia page, very interesting) that would kill people and sell their bodies for money during early 1800's Scotland. Oh, and get this, not only should we be excited that Landis is aboard, but Simon Pegg (known for his work with Edgar Wright in the subgenre) is also rumored to be starring in the film.

Spike Jonze's upcoming Where the Wild Things Are just keeps getting better and better. I've seen a few trailers, but I have yet to come across the fact that Karen O, of Yeah Yeah Yeahs fame, is doing several original recordings for the soundtrack that can be listened to for free on the movie's MySpace page right now. I almost can't see how this film can possibly live up to my expectations.

Inglourious Basterds easily took this weekend's box office, also setting a record for a Quentin Tarantino directed film and easily beating last week's top entry, District 9. The only other debut in the top ten would be from frequent Tarantino collaborator Robert Rodriguez in his children's flick Shorts in the six spot. So for next week, does Tarantino's Nazi themed epic stand a chance to stay atop in the wake of Halloween II's release?

Finally, Daily Star has an article stating that Robin Williams has been asked to play breakout Internet star and famed Britain's Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle. I personally imagine that Williams wasn't talking about a biopic, and possibly a future Saturday Night Live sketch, but whatever.