SIN CITY

For whatever reason, Robert Rodriguez has become a hot commodity in
Hollywood as of late. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of the creative
director and have been since he burst on to the scene with the low budget
gem El Mariachi twelve years ago. I just think it odd that he's in such
demand especially given box office revenue (the Spy Kids films were his only
pictures to really rake in a lot of dough). I'm not going to sit here and
tell you that box-office and talent go hand in hand. That's certainly not
true. Many of Martin Scorsese's films failed to find box office gold, and I
think he's one of the great directors of all time. It's just strange to me
that Rodriguez has been able to attract as many big name stars as he has for
the upcoming Sin City. Obviously, the source material is probably a big
draw. Frank Miller's graphic novels have become legendary through the years.

To call the cast of Sin City a star studded affair would be a gross
understatement. Already signed on are Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Johnny
Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Maria Bello, Michael Douglas, Carla Gugino, Steve
Buscemi, Benicio del Toro, Josh Hartnett, Brittany Murphy, Christopher
Walken and Elijah Wood. And their are still more joining the cast as we
speak.

The novels center around a violent city where the police are as corrupt as
the criminals in the streets. It's been reported that the film adaptation
will revolve around three separate story lines that intersect.

Rodriguez reportedly impressed Frank Miller with a sequence he shot from the
novels. Miller was impressed enough to not only give Rodriguez the
greenlight, but to also help with writing and direction.

As much as I enjoy Rodriguez's movies, I'm still waiting for his masterpiece
and Sin City could very well be it.

TARANTINEWS

It was six long years between Jackie Brown and Kill Bill, but I for one
thought it was well worth the wait. The second half of Kill Bill opens on
Friday, April 16th, and the big question on Tarantino fans' minds is; "How
long will he make us wait for his next movie." Well, nothing is absolutely
official yet, but most likely, Inglorious Bastards will be next. Plot
details are sketchy but I've read that the film will take place during World
War 2. And in some more recent, exciting news, rumors are running rampant
that Tarantino might be involved in a James Bond project. The
screewriter/director has always expressed interest in doing a new adaptation
of Casino Royale, and he seems keen on having Pierce Brosnon be part of the
project. It's far too early to tell if this will indeed happen. I hope it
does. Can you imagine Tarantino doing a Bond film? That's just to damn
cool!

And in other Bond news, rumors begin to swirl that Hugh Jackman might
replace Brosnon after he decides to hang up the old martini glass. Most
recently, I've also heard Heath Ledger's name mentioned. I like Jackman. He
kind of has a Sean Connery thing going. I really think he'd be good.