THE FIRE WIRE
Popular Culture, Books, Comics, Music, Movies, Television, Gadgets, Posters, Toys & More
Monthly Archives: October 2008
The Worst Halloween Costumes of All Time
I think I had the Mr. Kotter costume found HERE.
Meet In Between
This Google Maps application chooses a middle point between two locations and recommends places to meet such as coffee shops, theaters or the Apple store. Plus, you have to love their slogan: “I’m not drivin’ all the way out there!”
The Most Disturbing Halloween Candy
Remember the good old days, when Halloween candy consisted entirely of safely neutral geometric shapes, like circular lollipops and rectangular candy bars? Those days are gone. Gradually over time, a sick humor has taken over our candy stores, and an eerie candy-based level of reality has set in. Cute little gummi bears have given way to fake-blood-filled gummi eyeballs. Check out the bizarre choices of candy HERE.
Halloween Candy Code
Growing up in the Bowling Green neighborhood of Sacramento, this blogger was taught how to read and mark houses with the Halloween Candy Code. For kids with an early curfew these codes were invaluable. Once they tagged a house, peers could use our marks to reap the best full-size chocolate bars while avoiding Chex mix and dried apricots.
Most marks were left in bright chalk at the bottom of the driveway. See the codes HERE.
Mark Millar Explains His Potential 8-Hour Superman Film
You have to hand it to Mark Millar. He’s certainly making the best of Hollywood’s interest in anything with his name attached to it. Take, for instance, the resurfacing of Millar’s pitch for an epic, live-action Superman story that would involve multiple films and chronicle the entire life of DC’s favorite Kryptonian superhero.
EmpireOnline has a brief interview with Millar that reveals a few more details about the massive pitch, which he compares to the “Godfather” trilogy in its birth-to-death take on a single character.
“I want to start on Krypton, a thousand years ago,” said Millar, “and end with Superman alone on Planet Earth, the last being left on the planet, as the yellow sun turns red and starts to supernova, and he loses his powers.”
Millar told Empire he’s working closely with a “big Hollywood action director” to make the project a reality, and proposed releasing the story in three films, spaced a year apart in theaters — similar to “Lord of the Rings.” The writer also explained what he saw as the major flaw in releasing “Superman Returns” in 2006, telling Empire it was “like releasing ‘Star Wars’ in ’77, ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ in ’80 and then waiting 28 years to release ‘Return of the Jedi,’ it wasn’t relevant.”
Millar’s interest in crafting an epic Superman film went public almost a year ago today, when it was announced that the “Superman Returns” writers weren’t returning for the proposed sequel, “The Man of Steel.” At the time, the adaptation of Millar’s “Wanted” was still in the early stages of development, but Millar responded to Warner Bros’ open call for Superman scripts by pitching one of his own — and posting some details about it on his MillarWorld forums. He later announced that Warner Bros had declined his pitch due to his close ties with Marvel Comics.
However, with the impressive box-office success of “Wanted,” a film based on another Millar-penned series, “Kick-Ass,” currently filming in London (and starring Nicolas Cage), his work on Marvel’s “Ultimate” line often cited as the basis for “The Avengers” and many of Marvel Studios’ other upcoming superhero films, one has to wonder if Warner Bros might be a bit more open to his ideas these days. There’s no arguing that the Scottish writer has been pretty busy in the last year.
George Bush – War Vs. Peace
Veja magazine ran a series of advertisements featuring portraits of people and messages composed of typographical characters.
Music From The Beatles Is Coming To Videogames
MTV Networks and Harmonix — the game developer behind the popular “Rock Band” franchise — together with the Beatles’ Apple Corps Ltd., are developing an entirely new interactive music game based solely and exclusively on the entire Beatles catalog.
The game, which does not yet have a title or release date, will not be part of the “Rock Band” franchise, but will be based on the same platform. Since the project is still in early development, all parties were stingy on details during a conference call this morning (Oct. 30). But here’s what is known so far:
The game is designed to take users on an “experiential journey” through the Beatles’ career, music and vision. It will also include new types of interactive gameplay associated with the Beatles’ imagery in addition to its music. Surviving members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, are involved in the vision and creative direction.
The music will come from master recordings of the Beatles’ U.K. releases, but will not be remixed or remastered. Giles Martin, the son of original Beatles producer George Martin and co-producer of the Beatles’ “LOVE” project, will serve as music producer.
A fourth-quarter 2009 release is in the cards.
There are numerous details still unconfirmed. Neither MTV or Apple Corps would comment on whether Beatles content will be available for the “Rock Band” franchise as downloadable content at any point, and Apple Corps CEO Jeff Jones said the announcement was in no way meant as a precursor to the Beatles’ catalog arriving at digital music services.
It’s also unclear whether the new game will be compatible with any existing “Rock Band” game peripherals — such as the plastic guitar and drums controllers — or if new custom instruments can be expected.
AT&T Launches Free Wi-Fi For iPhone Users
AT&T has finally launched its free Wi-Fi access for iPhone users at all AT&T-branded hotspots in the U.S. The service will provide free high-speed Internet access to iPhone users at all AT&T hotspots, including those found at Starbucks. To access a hotspot, users must launch the Safari browser, enter their 10-digit phone number on the page provided, agree to the Acceptable Use policy, and tap continue. AT&T will then send the user a text message containing a link, which the user must then open in Safari, and tap a link on the page. The company notes that the link sent via SMS will be valid for 24 hours, and only at the location from which it was requested.
The $460 Yo-Yo
If you’re looking for the ultimate in yo-yos, take a gander at the Catch 22 Yo-Yo ($460). This luxury toy is limited to just 70 units worldwide and boasts a bi-metallic design with a black aluminum body and titanium rims for excellent weight distribution, along with a long-spinning Dorothy bearing and a silicone response system for great play and feel. It comes complete with its own carrying case and a host of extra parts; ability to actually yo-yo not included.
Sam Mendes to Direct Preacher
Columbia Pictures has picked up the film rights to Preacher, the popular 1990s Vertigo series, for an adaptation to be directed by Sam Mendes (upcoming Revolutionary Road).
The Hollywood Reporter says Neal Moritz and his Original Films are producing with Kickstart Productions’ Jason Netter.
Created by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, “Preacher,” which ran from 1995-2000, told the story of a down-and-out Texas preacher possessed by Genesis, a supernatural entity conceived by the unnatural coupling of an angel and a demon.
Given immense powers, the preacher teamed with an old girlfriend and a hard-drinking Irish vampire and set out on a journey across America to find God — who apparently had abandoned his duties in heaven — and hold him accountable for his negligence.
The project was previously set up as a one-hour series at HBO but was put into turnaround. Mark Steven Johnson wrote a pilot which Howard Deutch was attached to direct.
A previous movie version, to have been produced by Kevin Smith’s View Askew, among others, got to the casting stage, with James Marsden attached for the title role and a reported budget of $25 million. (From ComingSoon.net)
Don’t Vote, Things Are Fine Just The Way They Are
The posters below were created for thingsarefine.org by the Portland, Oregon advertising firm, Borders Perrin Norrander. The simple, clever and powerful images encapsulate the key issues that are of prime importance to voters for this election. America’s dependence on oil is depicted as a baby bottle, global warming becomes a rock band’s farewell tour t-shirt design and the housing market is literally turned upside down.
More images can be seen and downloaded HERE.
M. Night Shyamalan’s New Horror Film Project
M. Night Shyamalan and Media Rights Capital have formalized the first project in their three-picture deal to hatch horror films, reports Variety, They’ve set Brian Nelson (30 Days of Night) to write Devil, a film that will be directed by Quarantine helmers John and Andrew Dowdle. The supernatural thriller is based on an original story by Shyamalan, who’ll produce with Sam Mercer under The Night Chronicles banner. The Dowdle siblings will be executive producers. The film will be PG-13 and will begin production next year. MRC set The Night Chronicles as a financing and production partnership with Shyamalan in July. The company’s goal is to generate one genre film per year over three years, with Shyamalan hatching the ideas and overseeing the selection of talent the creative direction.
Robert Downey Jr., Jon Favreau & Don Cheadle Suit Up for The Avengers
Marvel Studios has sent out the following two-part production update for Iron Man 2 and The Avengers!
ROBERT DOWNEY JR. AND JON FAVREAU SUIT UP FOR MARVEL STUDIOS’ THE AVENGERS AND IRON MAN 2
As part of his four picture deal with Marvel Studios, Robert Downey Jr. is appearing as Tony Stark in THE AVENGERS motion picture, as well as reprising his starring role as the larger-than-life leading character in IRON MAN 2. Jon Favreau will return to direct the sequel to the blockbuster IRON MAN, which to date has grossed over $578 million worldwide, as well as executive produce THE AVENGERS.
DON CHEADLE WILL STAR AS RHODEY IN IRON MAN 2
Marvel Studios is pleased today to confirm that an agreement has been finalized with award-winning actor Don Cheadle to take on the role of Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes in Marvel’s IRON MAN 2 due in theaters on May 7, 2010. In casting Cheadle, Marvel replaces Terrence Howard who appeared in the role of Rhodey in IRON MAN.
Cheadle is also signed on to perform the same role in THE AVENGERS and subsequent installments of the IRON MAN franchise.
“We are very excited about working with the extraordinarily talented Don Cheadle as we expand the role of Rhodey in Iron Man 2. It has already become apparent as we prep the movie for production, that the dynamic between Robert and Don will take Iron Man 2 to new heights,” said Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios.
Based on Marvel’s iconic Super Hero, IRON MAN 2 continues the story of this summer’s box office blockbuster IRON MAN, the first feature film produced independently by Marvel Studios. IRON MAN 2 will be produced by Marvel Studios’ President, Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, David Maisel and Denis Stewart.
In a movie event, THE AVENGERS will bring together the super hero team of Marvel Comics characters for the first time ever, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk and more, as they are forced to band together to battle the biggest foe they’ve ever faced.
The highly anticipated sequel to IRON MAN will be released in theatres on May 7, 2010 and THE AVENGERS will be released July 15, 2011. Both films will be distributed by Paramount Pictures. (From ComingSoon.net)
In honor of Halloween, some Shining Trivia
Classic Kubrick, classic Nicholson. Released in 1980, the Shining was one of the first films (and definitely the most famous of these early movies) to use the newly-invented Steadicam. It was a camera that was weighted, which allowed for smooth movement even in smaller spaces. Here is some trivia regarding this classic spooky movie.
Jack Nicholson’s visitors on the London set of the Shining included Anjelica Huston, Mick Jagger, George Harrison, John Lennon and Bob Dylan.
Other actors considered for the Jack Torrance part were Robert DeNiro, Robin Williams (can you imagine?) and Harrison Ford. Nicholson was always the first choice, though. DeNiro later said the movie gave him nightmares for a month. Stephen King didn’t like any of those choices and tried to talk Stanley Kubrick into using Jon Voight or Jack Palance.
Diana Vreeland is pretty much the reason the movie was able to continue shooting. Jack’s back was bugging him from a previous movie injury and he was popping all kinds of pills to try to alleviate the pain. Nothing worked and he was starting to get worried that his pain was going to have to halt production. The fashionista heard about this while at dinner and promptly left her meal and had Jack’s driver take her to a pharmacy, where she purchased two back plasters. Then she went back to the eatery, commanded that Jack drop trou and applied the plaster right then and there. It worked, and the film was finished.
Jack Nicholson claims he wrote the scene where Jack Torrance writes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” over and over and over. “That’s what I was like when I got my divorce,” he said.
It got baaaaad reviews: Variety said it was the “biggest box office disappointment since Exorcist II”, the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner said it was “completely fake and banal” and the Wall Street Journal said it failed not only as a horror movie, but as any other genre as well.
The famous “Heeeeeeeere’s Johnny!” line was improvised.
Although most exterior shots were done at the Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, Oregon, all of the interiors were a movie set. Kubrick refused to film in the States if he had to, since he was an ex-pat. At the time, the movie set was the largest ever built.
Stephen King didn’t care for much of the Kubrick version, which is why he made his own T.V. miniseries version in 1997. Among other things, he didn’t agree with the casting of Shelley Duvall as Wendy Torrance. He pictured Wendy as a blonde, cheerleader type who had clearly never known any type of hardship – pretty much the opposite of Duvall. He cast Rebecca DeMornay in the 1997 version, which, you have to admit, fits King’s original vision much better.
Donuts And Bacon ‘08
Not to be confused with…
Click on either t-shirt to order.
