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Stevie's Week
by Stevie Wong (stevievipaccess@yahoo.com)
It's been a strangely quiet week for me in terms of the movie front. Though alot of my friends are heading over to LA this week to attend AFI Fest (American Film Institute Festival) and also the AFM (American Film Market), which is going on at the same time.
Now even though the AFI fest hasn't reached the prestige level of North American film festivals such as Toronto or New York, it has gotten a coup by becoming a last minute destination date for Oscar bait. This year, they open with the highly anticipated drama Doubt (starring Oscar winners Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman and nominee Amy Adams) and close with the powerful WWII movie Defiance (starring 007 Daniel Craig). Both films are highly tipped to be big players when the nominations will be announced later this year.
Check out their trailers below:
Doubt (dir: John Patrick Shanley)
Defiance (dir: Edward Zwick)
Now over at the AFM market, production companies are working on selling their slate of upcoming 2009/2010 movies to channels such as our very own STAR MOVIES. But besides wheeling and dealing, many buyers will be able to check out some hot titles that are world premiering exclusively for these lucky few. Though it's not open to the public, I have it on good authority that the following movies will be premiering here...
Stevie's Week in Hollywood
by Stevie Wong
Ok... we can do this two ways... one is to ignore the pink elephant in the room and pretend all is normal... the other is to just acknowledge the fact that there hasn't been a posting since early May. Since then, a man in a Bat Suit became the #2 grossing movie of all time, once 'has-been' actors such as Robert Downey Jr and Mickey Rourke have become possible front runners at next year's Oscar race, Shia LeBeouf has become a bonafide superstar with two #1 movies within a 4 month span AND an animated movie about a lonely robot ranks as one of the best movies of the year.
But don't think I've been sitting on my laurels these past few months, in this period of no correspondance, I did travel to the Cannes Film Festival (hung out with Indy and a Panda), trekked over to San Diego for Comic Con (where I met Hugh Jackman and became a nerd about Twilight and The Watchmen) and busted my bum covering the Toronto Film Festival (where Anne Hathaway gave me goosebumps and Jennifer Aniston called me cute). Oh yes, I've been a busy bee, just not a busy blogger bee...to which I officially apologise.
Ok, lets get back to the reason why you've returned to this site. I've got some cool stuff that have made blip that you should definitely know about.
Did you know Mark Wahlberg talks to animals?
Two weeks ago, the popular sketch comedy show, SNL, presented a randomly hilarious piece which portrayed Mark Wahlberg (played by Adam Sandberg) talking to animals.
Then last week, while the real Mark Wahlberg was doing press for his movie Max Payne, journalists kept on asking him what he thought about the much passed about sketch. At first, he wasn't too keen of it (see this angry clip), but the whole thing got so big that Mark had to address the cultural phenomenom... guess who showed up on SNL this weekend?
Of course all this didn't hurt the promotion of his action thriller Max Payne which easily took the #1 spot at the box office this weekend.
If you want to see my interviews with the wonderfully nice Mark, check them out on VIP Access next week!
I've seen the new 007 movie Quantum of Solace and you haven't !!!!
Cannes 08: I'm off!
by Stevie Wong
In less than 24 hours, I'm going to hit the ground running on the Croisette getting my accreditation, trolling through schedules and making up for the fact that I'm arriving in the middle of the festivals opening day (I'm MISSING the 1st Blindness screening at 10am!!!!)
So hopefully I'll be able to do a daily posting, offering up some personal views of the insanity that is the Cannes Film Festival.
First up, Kung Fu Panda! I'll post pics of the publicity 'stunt' as soon as I get them.
Trailer Alert: The Dark Knight
by Stevie
The gift of The Dark Knight keeps on giving as a brand new trailer was unleashed on the internet today with new scenes involving Harvey Dent (aka Two Face aka Aaron Eckhart) and Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal taking over from Katie Holmes).
Also, the havok that the Joker (Heath Ledger) unleashes onto Gotham City looks like it'll be more than explosions and bank robbery.
It's a packed new trailer, so you'll just have to see it for yourself.
Trailer Alert: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
by Stevie
I'm going to boast just a teensy bit. In less than 2 weeks, I'm going to be part of a small group of people who will get to see the world premiere of the film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull at the Cannes Film Festival.
Now with Iron Man, Speed Racer, Sex & The City and Narnia all behind me (yes I've been a busy interviewer), I can focus my internal excitement on this 4th installment of one of my all time favorite franchises.
This new trailer is especially fun to watch since we also get a better idea of Cate Blanchett and Shia Lebeouf's performances (and Cate's accent is a hoot!). TWO WEEKS PEOPLE!!!!
Oh and remember to watch my interviews, live from Cannes, on the next episode of VIP ACCESS!
Trailer Alert: The Happening
by Stevie
With little information on the upcoming M. Night Shyamalan film The Happening, a new trailer leaked online today giving away a bit more of the plot. Starring Mark Wahlberg, this definitely looks like M. Night is going back to his creepy roots (the movie is even rated R meaning he's not holding back this time around!).
June can't come fast enough. I'm excited!
VIP Access: IRON MAN --- Friday May 2 @ 8:30PM HKT / Sunday May 4 @ 8:30PM India
by Stevie
Remember to watch the latest episode of VIP ACCESS this weekend as we kick off the summer with an in-depth look at IRON MAN.
Directed by Jon Favreau (Swingers, Zathura) and starring Robert Downey Jr. as the billionaire turned superhero, Tony Stark, Iron Man has got everyone buzzing (including me) on the films cool suit effects and solid performances (heck, it's one of the best reviewed superhero movies in years!).
Our team has been extremely busy covered this film from all angles. We chatted with both Jon and Robert when they toured through Asia last month, plus I got some 1 on 1 time with everyone last week here in New York City (those interviews will make it online very soon!).
Not only are we excited about IRON MAN, but VIP ACCESS delves deeper into summer mode as we also bring you an exclusive interview with Korean popstar turned actor Rain (cue screaming girls now), who talks to us about his role in the upcoming film SPEED RACER.
It's a jam packed episode so don't you dare miss it!
Remember to catch our VIP ACCESS IRON MAN premiere on Star Movies Taiwan Friday at 8:30pm and Star Movies Asia and India on Sunday at 8:30pm (repeating throughout the week so check your local listings!).