This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon: November 14, 2008 - Just because you're still trying to figure out how to catch every film at the festival this weekend (Let's see, if I can just teleport from Plaza Frontenac to the Tivoli in time for "Mishima" and then go back in time to catch "Song Sung Blue"...) doesn't mean that there isn't any other film news to think about. For instance...
There's a new James Bond movie with a really catchy title ! ...
Will Smith is coming to town for the premiere of his latest movie "Seven Pounds." He'll be at the AMC Creve Coeur 12 on Wednesday for a 7 p.m screening, but outside events and red carpet business start at 4. It's a benefit for the St. Louis Area Food Bank and Urban League, co-sponsored by the Rams, so if you bring a donation of food, you can be entered to win a chance to attend the screening. Be nice and restrain from shouting out anything about "Hancock 2," OK?
The latest issue of Film Comment is (partially) online. I'll direct your attention to two items: yet another symposium on the "crisis" in film criticism and a review of one of my favorite (but sadly unrecognised) documentaries, "Demon Lover Diary ."
.. and finally, because there's one born every minute, Ridley Scott has signed on to direct a movie based on "Monopoly." Yes, the one with Park Place and the Community Chest and the little plastic houses. The official announcement says that he will be "giving it a futuristic sheen along the lines of his iconic 'Blade Runner'." Expect three different director's cuts and a 17-disc collector's edition sometime in 2017.
It's being co-produced by Hasbro, which has also announced plans for films based on "G.I. Joe," "Battleship" and "Ouija Board."