Super-Cool Close Encounters DVD Hits Stores

Finally! A DVD release with all three cuts of the film - the original 1977 theatrical release, 1980's Special Edition, and 1998's Collector's Edition (basically the Special Edition with the mothership interior stuff removed). You can get it on standard format DVD ($28.99 + shipping at Amazon), or Blu-ray ($32.95+shipping). This is the best idea since Criterion released their laserdisc version (you could program your player to watch either the theatrical version or the Special Edition)! Filmmakers can tweak their films all they like - I just want to be able to pick the version that I want to watch!

Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull

NEW YORK (AP) -- The title of the new "Indiana Jones" movie, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford, has been revealed.

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" will be in theaters May 22, 2008.

The title of the long-awaited fourth installment of the adventure series was announced by Shia LaBeouf, who co-stars with Ford in the film, at the MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday.

The new Indy adventure, which is set in the 1950s, also stars Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent and Karen Allen.

Sean Connery, who played dad to Ford's globe-trotting archaeologist in 1989's "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," will not reprise the role in the new movie.

The series began in 1981 with "Raiders of the Lost Ark," followed by "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" in 1984.

In promotional photos, the 65-year-old Ford appears fit as ever.

"I have to say, he looks amazing," Kathleen Kennedy, the film's co-executive producer, along with George Lucas, told The Associated Press in July. "He looks fantastic in the outfit."

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Bummer. I was rooting for "Indiana Jones and the City of Gods" myself. Sounds like we're in Sankara Stone territory again.

PS - Here's some not-very-encouraging background on the crystal skull thing.

The Shark Is Still Working

I just subcribed to Kevin Smith & Scott Mosier's SModcast, and they talk about an upcoming three hour documentary about Jaws called The Shark Is Still Working, directed by Erik Hollander, written by James Gelet and produced by Gelet, Hollander, Jake Gove and J. Michael Roddy. It sounds great, and the filmmakers are talking now with Universal about distributing it. Good luck, guys - can't wait to see it!

Children To Stop Reading Another Book Series In Favor Of Viewing Aggressively Marketed Films

Spielberg’s DreamWorks moves to bring cartoon hero Tintin to the big screen
By RAF CASERT - Associated Press Writer

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) — It was a quarter-century in the making but then again, nothing is easy for cartoon heroes such as Tintin.

Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks, a division of Viacom Inc., has committed to produce at least one movie about the adventures of the intrepid Belgian reporter, said Nick Rodwell, head of Moulinsart NV, Tintin’s commercial studio, on Thursday.

“After 25 years, they finally said, ‘OK, let’s go,”’ Rodwell said of the protracted talks with Spielberg. In an interview with The Associated Press, Rodwell said the Hollywood company will go into preproduction for a movie, which should appear in theaters in about two years.

It wasn’t clear whether the film would be cartoon animation, computer animation or a movie with actors, or which of the 24 cartoon books of Tintin’s adventures would be picked.

“If movie No. 1 works, we will continue,” Rodwell said.

Talks about a Hollywood movie on Tintin, who saves the lives of countless people and makes sure criminals end up behind bars, have long stalled on financial issues and production questions.

The first plan surfaced just before Tintin’s creator, Georges Remi, aka Herge, died in 1983. Even at that time, Remi, one of the world’s foremost cartoon strip authors, delighted in Hollywood’s interest.

“If Steven Spielberg wants to make a Tintin film I cannot imagine anything better,” Rodwell said of Remi’s thoughts, and he fully realized that a movie adaptation might well change the way Tintin looks.

“Let’s see what he comes up with,” Rodwell said.

Tintin books have sold 220 million copies worldwide and have been translated in 77 languages.

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Well, we'll have to see what develops. I know Spielberg's been interested in making a Tintin film for a long time, so it makes sense that he'd land it eventually. I'd love to see a 2-D animated feature, but I have a feeling that's the least likely of the options (i.e, 2-D animation, live-action, or 3-D animation). The graphic novels are beloved all over the world (and rightly so), but I wonder if they're too violent for a PG-13, family-friendly American film.

Please, Please Stop

VARIETY: 'Indiana Jones 4' finally has a script
Paramount to begin filming pic in June By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK

After years of languishing in development, the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise is finally moving ahead, as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford look to reconnect with their blockbuster roots.

For Spielberg in particular, the project marks a return to the kind of pure entertainment fare on which he built his career before his interests turned to more social-minded fare like "Schindler's List," "Saving Private Ryan" and "Munich."

The trio confirmed Monday that Paramount is set to begin lensing the new Indiana Jones pic in June from a script by David Koepp ("Spider-Man").

Par and Lucasfilm, which is producing, are eyeing a May 2008 worldwide release -- some 19 years after the last film in the action-adventure franchise, "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," came out.

Fans have long clamored for another installment in the series, but some questioned whether Ford would be able to keep up with the vigorous physical requirements of the role after the long delay. "I'm delighted to be back in business with my old friends. I don't know if the pants still fit, but I know the hat will," said Ford, who is 64.

Thesp, who will again topline, had always said he would reprise his role as the adventuring archeologist if he liked the script. Several scribes tried their hand at the project before Koepp was brought aboard in 2005.

"We feel that the script was well worth the wait. We hope it delivers everything you'd expect from our history with Indiana Jones," Spielberg said. "George, Harrison and I are all very excited."

Producer is Frank Marshall, while Kathleen Kennedy and Lucas are exec producing.

For Paramount, the greenlight seems to be another benefit of its pricey acquisition of DreamWorks.

The film doesn't yet have an official title. Producers wouldn't disclose the storyline other than to say there would be plenty of action. Pic will be shot in undisclosed points around the globe, as well as in the U.S.

All told, the first three "Indiana Jones" films grossed more than $1.18 billion at the box office.

The upcoming installment is looking to be Spielberg's next directing project. The helmer continues to alternate wider-appeal projects with more serious dramas: He's also slated to helm "Lincoln," with Liam Neeson attached to star, for DreamWorks. He was last in theaters with "Munich."

Project reunites Spielberg and Koepp, who penned helmer's "War of the Worlds" and "Jurassic Park," among other pics.

Lucas was grand marshal of the 118th annual Rose Parade on Monday, celebrating the 30th anniversary of "Star Wars."

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What's worse than hearing the news of a franchise overstaying its welcome?
The news that a screenwriter you don't like is writing the latest installment.