December 21-25, 2001

Archived update from Cigarettes & Coffee, run by Greg Mariotti & CJ Wallis from 1999-2005

There's plenty of discussion about Hard Eight in an article about Reno & its place in movies. You can check out here.

ESPN.com writer Bill Simmons is at it again. He talks about his love of Boogie Nights & DVD in his latest column. Check it out here. (Thanks Ian, Chas!)

I've received multiple emails regarding the similarity of a scene from Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's 11 & the casino scene during the prologue of Magnolia. Elliott Gould's flashback sequence in Ocean's 11 is quite similar right down to the freeze frame of a guy getting smacked in the face. It could be homage (to PTA or other directors), since PTA has clearly been influenced by the likes of Demme, Ophuls & Scorsese.

December 14-19, 2001

Archived update from Cigarettes & Coffee, run by Greg Mariotti & CJ Wallis from 1999-2005

As you've probably noticed, things have been extremely quiet, but I'm pleased to share some exciting news today. Yep, that's a behind the scenes still from the PTA/Adam Sandler film (courtesy of the Adam's official site). You'll notice that PTA's hair is quite short which means he probably continued his ritual of shaving his head whenever he starts work on a new film. Oh yeah, one more small thing. I've heard from PTA's camp that Punchdrunk Knuckle Love will not be the name of film. Not sure what happened, but I should be talking to Paul soon & I hope to find out.

Attn Canadian Readers: Showcase (sort of the Canadian HBO) is running a contest for people to vote for what movie they want played on New Years. Hard Eight, Exotica Another Day In Paradise, The Dreamlife of Angels & Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss are the nominees. You can vote at their official site.

December 3-6, 2001

Archived update from Cigarettes & Coffee, run by Greg Mariotti & CJ Wallis from 1999-2005

Adam Sandler is a busy man. According to Variety, his next film may be Revolution Studios' Anger Management, playing a timid businessman who is sentenced to an anger management program where he finds himself tutored by an ultra-aggressive psycho. Possible co-stars include Jack Nicholson, though no offers have been made.

In addition to the upcoming PTA film, Punchdrunk Knuckle Love, Sandler has also completed work on Deeds, the Sony/Columbia Tri Star picture inspired by Mr. Deeds Comes to Town co-starring Winona Ryder. Other possible Sandler projects include the romantic comedy Fifty First Kisses with Julia Roberts & Scared Guys, a Dean Parisot-directed comedy about a man with phobias who attempts to leave his apartment for the first time in years to stop a contract killing.

Michael Chabon will be interviewing Ricky Jay in this Thursday, December 6th in San Francisco at the Herbst Theatre. Definitely worth checking out if you live in the Bay Area. You can call (415) 392-4400 for more information. (Thanks John!)

As many of you reported, Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings) was among the guests on the premiere episode of MTV's Movie House. Hard Eight was mentioned as one of his favorite films during a trip into a video store. He even explained that the film's original title was Sydney. The PTA fan base continues to grow...

Director Joel Schumacher briefly mentions Boogie Nights, referring to the opening tracking shot as "great" during his commentary track for the St. Elmo's Fire DVD. (Thanks Jeff!)