Brokeback musical to go ahead (sigh) - Rendition, Zodiac, Batman in London and Arcade Who?

Earlier this summer, the first rumours appeared concerning the possibility of Brokeback Mountain being converted into a musical. The idea didn't go down well here - I remember someone talking about throwing fruit, another talked of picket lines and someone else even mentioned Kalashnikov rifles. So I'd prepare to duck if I were you, because today the New York Daily News reported the musical is to go ahead.


'"Brokeback Mountain" writer Annie Proulx has given the go-ahead to an opera based on her story about two gay cowboys, we hear. Fellow Pulitzer Prize winner Charles Wuorinen will compose. Producer Beckett Swede, whose Future Music has mounted Gordon Getty's operas, is also creating "Popra: Famous for 15 Minutes ... My Years With Andy Warhol," written by former Warhol superstar Ultra Violet.' The idea of Jack Twist (played by someone other than Jake Gyllenhaal) sitting outside his pup tent, staring down at Ennis' camp fire, all the time singing to the sheep and coyotes, is enough to make my blood curdle.


A chance to listen to Gavin, Kelley and Omar

So while I calm down from that particular unwelcome thought, here is a happier idea. If you live anywhere near LA, on Monday 1 October at 7pm you can go along to the Wadsworth Theater on Wilshire and for a mere $20 listen to Gavin Hood, supersexy screenwriter Kelley Sane (slight Toronto bias, I'm afraid), and the handsome and kind Omar Metwally discuss Rendition in Reeltalk with Stephen Farber.


More radiant Zodiac reviews

I hope you will forgive me for continuing to post the excellent reviews of one of my all time favourite films, Zodiac. Today, DVD Times made a fuss of Zodiac and harped back to two recent reviews of this superb film. The first, by Michael Mackenzie, says: 'the film ends up being portrayed primarily from the point of view of Graysmith, portrayed here by Jake Gyllenhaal, who gives the cartoonist turned amateur sleuth a likeable bumbling quality that gradually gives way to a steely determination and obsessive resolve to solve the case. Graysmith is inexperienced and in way over his head, and Gyllenhaal ably conveys his growing obsession. The character is often the butt of his colleagues' jokes, but the script never portrays him as a fool or stoops to laughing at his expense. The rest of the cast are equally impressive, in particular Mark Ruffalo, who literally loses himself in the role of the flamboyant Inspector Toschi... Zodiac is a top-notch film, one of the best of 2007, and potentially Fincher's best work to date.'


The other review, by Richard Booth, says: ' For the first time in years Fincher is prepared to take a step back from the camera and let his characters breathe, and allow the story to find its own rhythm. Whilst the film is certainly a long one, it is well paced and satisfyingly edited. Details have undoubtedly been squeezed around the narrative in the name of poetic license, but apparently the significant details remain. It appears to be a very authoritative account of the sprawling case... Well written with wonderfully assured yet unshowy direction from Fincher (not to mention gorgeous period design and some of the most appealing cinematography I've seen from the digital Viper FilmStream cameras), it is one of the best produced films of the year so far. Recommended.'


It's interesting that DVD Times reports that there are problems with the R2 picture quality. I have yet to see any of the R2 edition (I have just watched the documentary) so I can't comment. I will do when I have had a good look: 'The Warner Region 2 disc of Zodiac has been much criticised for its poor picture quality. Paramount’s Region 1 release appears to be better although I haven’t seen the R2 myself. Colours throughout are gorgeous, fully realising the muted colour palate used by the cinematographer. The level of grain is just right and there’s loads of detail. However, the bad news is the distracting shimmering which afflicts some daytime sequences, particularly the panning shots across the city landscape. There’s even some edge-enhancement in places.'


Jake and Arcade Fire

Jake was seen at another event at the Hollywood Bowl during the last week. On this occasion, Jake was spotted sinking into his seat and plugging his ears to the music of Arcade Fire. 'Jake Gyllenhaal, taking in an Arcade Fire concert at the Hollywood Bowl. The actor, incognito in a baseball cap and hooded sweatshirt, bobbed his head to the music but had to take cover when the noise got too loud, plugging his ears as the crowd cheered, says a fellow concertgoer. Also rocking out: Rod Stewart and wife Penny Lancaster, who were escorted in by security halfway through the show, and new Emmy winner James Spader.' So, who knows anything about Arcade Fire? The picture below is of Jake watching Gnarls Berkley at ACL last summer with Lance Armstrong because there are no pictures, as yet?, of this event.


And finally

I learned today that the filming of The Dark Knight had moved to London (well, I'm there every single day and I've not seen them yet...) but the information came as a footnote to an awful story - a special effects guy was killed on set.

I think that if Maggie (and/or Heath) is filming in London, and I have no idea if these scenes involve her, then her little brother should get over here too. It's good to be supportive and Maggie could probably do with a babysitter.


Includes pictures from IHJ.