It’s hard to imagine "Harvey" with anyone but Jimmy Stewart as Elwood P. Dowd, the guy who befriended a 6 1/2-foot-tall invisible rabbit in the 1950 film version of Mary Chase’s play — which won a Pulitzer Prize, by the way.
But if anyone can do a remake, it would be Steven Spielberg, who plans to direct an upcoming film, a co-production of 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks. It’s the first film under DreamWorks’ new incarnation; the company will finance 50% through its new partner Reliance and distribute through Disney.
It’s funny how all these film companies are hooked … [Read More]

I saw “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice” at the Traverse City Film Festival yesterday. It’s the 40th anniversary of the Oscar-nominated film, released in 1969, and director Paul Mazursky was on hand to answer a few questions after the screening.
What strikes me about the film is that most movies in the 1960s focused on the younger generation – the Woodstock generation. But this film concentrated on two wealthy, upper middle-class couples living in L.A. I was coveting their homes and cars and swimming pools, but of course, under the facade are  bunch of issues – sexual … [Read More]

You know, some things you shouldn’t mess with. Just the thought of Tom Cruise and John Travolta doing a remake of the classic 1969 western "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" makes me want to hurl.
But apparently, that’s the plan. Cruise even got the A-Ok from Paul Newman just a few months before the legend died of lung cancer last September. Cruise intends to produce the film through United Artists, the studio he helped to resurrect as an MGM property in 2006.
Cruise, 46, would play Sundance, the role made famous by Robert Redford, while Travolta, 55, would … [Read More]

Hilary Duff is set to star in a remake of "Bonnie and Clyde," the 1967 movie that earned Faye Dunaway an Oscar nom. "The Story of Bonnie and Clyde" will start shooting in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama soon, and is scheduled for a 2010 release.
Apparently, when Dunaway heard of the casting, she said, "Couldn’t they cast a real actress?" Duff replied with, "I think that my fans that are gonna see the movie don’t even know who she is … I think it was a little unnecessary, but I might be mad if I looked like that now, too." … [Read More]

Fox/MGM recently released James Bond movies on Blu-ray in various collections, and I’ve got several to give away! Today’s Giveaway:
THE BlU-RAYS: “Live and Let Die,” “From Russia With Love,” “Thunderball,” and “For Your Eyes Only.” They’re super editions that include tons of extras.
THE GIVEAWAY: I have ONE set to give away, meaning one winner will receive all four movies. To enter the contest, simply leave a comment on this post by midnight on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. Be sure to include a valid email address. A winner will be drawn randomly. I’ll email the winner for their snail-mail … [Read More]

I can’t tell you the number of times I had to endure the “Me Tarzan, you Jane” jokes growing up. Or upon learning my name, people would ask, “Where’s Tarzan?” Very funny, ha ha.
Anyway, pretty soon, we’ll all know where Tarzan is, because he’s making a comeback to the big screen. But don’t expect the same-old-same-old on this one.
Director Stephen Sommers (”The Mummy”) and screenwriter Stuart Beattie (”Australia”) are ditching the boy-raised-by-apes story for a 1930’s action caper with lots of romance.
They’re saying it’ll be similar to “Pirates of the Caribbean” with tanned-and-toned … [Read More]

Gecko Featured DVD:
Casablanca (Ultimate Collector’s Edition). Wow, when they say this is the ultimate collector’s edition, they’re not kidding! In addition to the classic movie starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart, this three-disc edition, available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, contains:

an introduction by Lauren Bacall, Bogart’s widow
the documentary “You Must Remember This: A Tribute to Casablanca”
a production history gallery
deleted scenes
outtakes
the Warner Brothers cartoon “Carrotblanca”
the 1993 documentary “Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul”

In addition, there’s a 48-page book, one-sheet reproduction cards, copies of archival correspondence, and “exclusive passport and luggage tag.” This set is awesome! Check it … [Read More]

Fox/MGM is releasing James Bond movies on Blu-ray in various collections, and I’ve got several to give away! Today’s Giveaway:
THE BlU-RAYS: “Live and Let Die,” “From Russia With Love,” “Thunderball,” and “For Your Eyes Only.” They’re super editions that include tons of extras.
THE GIVEAWAY: I have TWO sets to give away, meaning two winners will each receive all four movies. To enter the contest, simply leave a comment on this post by midnight on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008. Be sure to include a valid email address. A winner will be drawn randomly. I’ll email the … [Read More]