"Scarface": DVD Platinum Edition.
September 29, 2006

"Nothing exceeds like excess."

Perhaps Universal Home Entertainment should pay attention to this odd bit of dialogue, spoken by Michelle Pfeiffer's coked-up character in the movie Scarface. When it comes to DVD releases of that rags-to-gangster-riches epic starring Al Pacino as drug dealer Tony Montana, the studio apparently knows all about excess.

First Universal released Scarface in 1998 as a Collector's Edition. Then 2003 brought the two-disc Anniversary Edition, issued simultaneously with a flashy deluxe set that paired the 1983 cocaine-fueled version, directed by Brian De Palma, with the 1932 Prohibition-era model, directed by Howard Hawks.

Now consumers get the Platinum Edition of Scarface ($29.98), another two-disc set that appears on store shelves Tuesday, coincidentally (ahem) a few days before the release of the bound-to-be-violent Video Game "Scarface: The World Is Yours." Just in case some people missed the oh-so-perfect synergy behind this cross-promotional maneuver, the DVD makes things crystal clear with a featurette titled "Making of Scarface: The Video Game," essentially a 12-minute commercial. (In case you're wondering, Pacino allowed his likeness to be used in the game and provided feedback to its creators, but his character will be voiced by a sound-alike. Finally, the Montana impersonator who spent years perfecting the phrase "Say hello to my little friend" has found the opportunity of a lifetime.) That featurette is one of a scant few additions to the Scarface package, which also includes "The World of Tony Montana," an insipid mini-doc filled with comments like this insightful observation from a Maxim editor: "I think the moral of the story is don't be a Miami drug dealer." The most clever element on this DVD is the Scarface scorecard, a pair of displayable tickers that lets the audience know exactly how many gunshot rounds have been fired and how many f-words have been uttered throughout the film's nearly three-hour running time. To avoid ruining all the counting fun, let's just say this: The number of rounds easily exceeds 1,000 and the f-word count surpasses 200, yielding an impressive (depending on your perspective) average of about 1.3 f-bombs per minute.

The DVD case also touts a newly enhanced audio track -- "Every sound effect has been replaced and remixed for the ultimate Scarface experience," it promises. Indeed the quality is impressive; jack up this movie in 5.1 surround sound and it's quite possible your neighbors will call the cops to report the sound of gunfire. Unfortunately, the digitally remastered picture doesn't look nearly as sharp as it should.

As for the rest of this collection, it's all rehash. The featurettes on the rebirth, casting and creation of Scarface as well as an amusing look at the discrepancies between the original and edited-for-television versions, appeared on the 2003 DVD.

Though it was panned by many critics at the time of its theatrical release, Scarface stands out as a revered cult favorite and a huge influence on popular culture; rap artists from the Geto Boys to Nas have quoted the film in their music, and "SportsCenter" anchors have used phrases from it for home-run calls. Perhaps that's why Universal believes there will always be an audience for another edition of this blood-soaked cautionary tale. In other words, don't be surprised in a couple of years to find the inevitable 100-Karat Gold, Pacino-Packed Edition, complete with "all-new" extras, at a DVD retailer near you.

"Hairspray" Behind the scenes.
September 28, 2006

Canada.com/entertainment has the exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of "Hairspray" directed by Adam Shankman. Here you can watch as the young stars, Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron, Nicole Blonsky and Elijah Kelley shoot a musical number. "Hairspray" also stars John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken and Queen Latifah, although these last ones don't appear on the video.

To read the relative article click here.
To watch the video click here.

Michelle Pfeiffer's Elvira inspires to Gwen SteFani.
September 18, 2006

With the MisShapes spinning their trademark jams and a glowing Gwen Stefani working the crowd, L.A.M.B's latest fashion presentation on Friday, September 15th was equally as glam rock chic as its music royalty designer.

"I was thinking about Michelle Pfeiffer in ‘Scarface, I just think she was so chic and so beautiful in that whole film."

Inspired by Michelle Pfeiffer's character, models donning platinum blond wigs posed for cameras against a mock photo-shoot backdrop wearing hipster luxe looks that showed the high life of the mobster's wife.

The wealth of the eighties made an appearance in cheetah printed tops and trench coats, while gold hardware details enriched the effect of a khaki safari suit and a strapless tent dress. Stefani's global influences could easily be tracked in a long seaweed safari dress, as well as an embroidered tunic hooded sweatshirt and a Mexican printed dress. The label's gothic insignia and the names of Stefani's favorite cities were emblazoned on more casual separates, including an all-white track suit, skinny pants and tube top.

Tasteful accessories, like L.A.M.B's timepiece collection and a new line of leather handbags, topped off Stefani's multi-culti collection. From hipster street wear to black-tie glam, this collection rolled with the mob in style.

Source: Fashion Wire Daily

New cameos for "Hairspray".
September 14, 2006

According BroadwayWorld.com, Jerry Stiller (who played Wilbur Turnblad in the original 1988 film) will be making a cameo appearance in the upcoming Hairspray film in the role of "Mr. Pinky." The writer/director of the 1988 Hairspray film, John Waters, will have a cameo in the film as well. Currently filming in Toronto, Hairspray will open in movie theaters on July 20th, 2007.

Comedian Jerry Stiller made his 1951 professional stage debut in The Silver Whistle, a play that starred Burgess Meredith. After some time spent as a stock actor, Stiller first became nationally known as half of the comedy duo Stiller and Meara, with his wife Anne Meara. Later, they were part of the improvisational team "The Compass Players" (which would become "The Second City"). The pair brought many of their real-life relationship foibles to bear on their often-improvised comedy routines. After some years honing the act, Stiller and Meara became regulars on The Ed Sullivan Show and other TV programs.

And John Waters is one of the founders of the American independent film movement, who transformed American cinema with his radical sensibility that gave us Pink Flamingos, the screen gimmick Odorama, the immortal Divine, the phenomenon of midnight movies, and Baltimore, Maryland as a film capital. As America's trash-auteur, author, social critic, debonair lover of the lurid, and provocateur, he has rejoiced in shocking and charming audiences throughout the world. Mr. Waters is the writer-director of the films Cecil B. Demented (2000), Pecker (1998), Serial Mom (1994), Cry-Baby (1990), Hairspray (1988), Polyester (1981), Desperate Living (1977), Female Trouble (1974), Pink Flamingos (1972), Multiple Maniacs (1970), and Mondo Trasho (1969).

allison Janney also joins "Hairspray".
August 29, 2006

Former "The West Wing" star Allison Janney has joined the cast of the New Line musical Hairspray and made a deal to develop a sitcom at CBS.

Janney, who won four Emmys for her role as White House chief of staff C.J. Gregg, will start rehearsals on the Adam Shankman-directed Hairspray right away. She'll play Prudy Pingleton, the overbearing mother of Penny (Amanda Bynes) who believes that dancing and having fun is sinful.

Michelle already in Toronto to set "Hairspray".
August 23, 2006

Michelle Pfeiffer has been photographed in Toronto where her next movie, Hairspray, will be filmed.

The site where the pic has been published, Enewsbuzz.blogspot.com, says: "What does Michelle Pfeiffer do while in Toronto for a short stay and meetins with the Hairspray production which she will be back in town to start shooting very soon... go to Indigo. Not only does she look good but she keeps on top of things."

Christopher Walken and Michelle Pfeiffer together in "Hairspray".
August 17, 2006

Variety reports that Christopher Walken, and not the previously-announced Jim Broadbent (also Billy Crystal was considered for the role), will play Wilbur Turnblad in the Adam Shankman's Hairspray at New Line Cinema.

Walken joins John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Amanda Bynes, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Marsden, Zac Efron and newcomer Nikki Blonsky in the cast.

Shooting starts next month, September 5, in Toronto. And also a change of date, the studio has accelerated the release to Summer 2007, which was sheduled for December 21, 2007.

It will be the second time that Pfeiffer and Walken coincide on the big-screen, they worked on Batman Returns, 1992. Walken played the villain Max Schreck and she was her secretary Selina Kyle turned Catwoman.

Stardust gets thumbs-up from Gaiman, fans at Comic-Con.
July 28, 2006

As we reported the past July 1, there was a whole Stardust-the-movie presentation, with footage from the film and special guests at the San Diego Comic Convention this year. The event took place the past Friday, July 21 and there were Neil Gaiman, illustrator Charles Vess, co-screenwriter (with director Vaughn) Jane Goldman, and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura who discussed the film.

And Mtv site has publised an interesting article about Stardust, Michelle Pfeiffer as Lamia and that was said at the presentation, it is titled "Michelle Pfeiffer Turns Witchy, Claire Danes Is A True Heavenly Body In 'Stardust'" and here you can read it:

Michelle Pfeiffer has become an evil witch.

For the past few months, she's been trying her hand at some black magic, like eating the heart of a young star, spilling unicorn's blood and turning people into billy goats just so they can pull her carriage along.

Don't worry, though — no goats or unicorns were harmed during the making of Pfeiffer's upcoming "Stardust," which has been filming quietly over the past few months in England, Scotland and Iceland, with hardly a word coming from the set of Pfeiffer's dark doings. That was, until last Friday, when about 8,000 fantasy fans got a sneak peek at the film, which is based on a book by legendary fantasy author/graphic novelist Neil Gaiman, during a presentation from the filmmakers at Comic-Con.

"This was great," "Stardust" producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura said. "We're really showing our underwear, in a way. Some of these scenes, we just saw them for the first time three days ago, and it's really a sense of, 'Am I showing all the warts and blemishes before we've had a chance to work on it?' "

The filming of "Stardust" — which also stars Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Sienna Miller, Robert De Niro, Rupert Everett and Ricky Gervais — is about three-fourths finished, but director Matthew Vaughn has been working overtime, shooting scenes with two units simultaneously, cutting as he goes.

So in many ways, the fans' first look was also a test case for its makers — is the film working? Is Vaughn, who has mostly worked on gangster films like "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," "Snatch" and "Layer Cake," also adept at fantasy, particularly one that's equal parts adventure, romance and whimsy? How close is the film to the world originally imagined by Gaiman? Will it win over the faithful as well as new converts?

"They've taken what we did and developed it into a slightly different world, but it's just as full and rich and wonderful," said Charles Vess, who illustrated the original work. "Everyone [at the Comic-Con panel] was very enthusiastic. There was a lot of clapping and hooting, so I think they liked what they saw."

Gaiman and Vess' story is about a young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) who is on a quest to retrieve a fallen star for a girl he's in love with. Unbeknownst to him, the star isn't really a "steaming leap of meteorite metal" as he supposed, but has human form as a glowing young lady (Claire Danes), who broke her leg when she fell from the sky, and is in no mood to be "dragged halfway across the world to be presented to anybody's girlfriend," as Gaiman said.

Tristran is also unaware that he's not the only one trying to steal the star: Michelle Pfeiffer's witch, Rupert Everett and his power-hungry prince brothers are also on the hunt for the star (its heart is a source of power) and are more than willing to use deadly force to get their way. "One thing I'm proud of is that our princes are more prominent characters," said screenwriter Jane Goldman. "They're not just lurking in the background, and we've got some amazing British comedians playing them."

Goldman said she was worried at first about adding a few characters that don't appear in the book, such as Gervais' Ferdy the Fence, but she was reassured by Gaiman's thumbs-up (he's been involved as a producer and had a hand in the casting the film, due March 9, 2007). "You have to choose your collaborators with great care," Gaiman said, "There were 'Sandman' scripts that arrived in the post from Warner Bros. that would leave me physically sick. I never finished reading some of them. But getting Jane Goldman as a screenwriter, getting Matthew Vaughn as a director means that I have a 'Stardust' being made I'm incredibly happy with."

"You can make an incredibly faithful adaptation, but that doesn't mean it's going to be a perfect movie, so yeah, there are things that are different, but the spirit of the book is very much there," Goldman said. "The fact is, knowing Neil is behind the movie has protected us an awful lot from the fury of Neil fans, if there was to be any. Neil's happy with it, so I think Neil's fans will be happy with it too."

Ain't It Cool with the filming of Stardust (Part 2).
July 21, 2006

A few weeks ago, July 7, we reported about the article dedicated to the visit to the filming set of Stardust at Pinewood Studios in UK by Moriarty, one of the contributors-staff of Ain't It Cool News, the website where he writes in. Now he has published the second part (and last) of his wander around where he tell us all he did and watched there. You can read the complete article cliking here.

On this News section you can read some of the parts referred to Michelle Pfeiffer and her role, Lamia, the parts which I think are most interesting for the pfans:

[...] "When we turned around from the witches lair, we ended up facing Lamia’s Inn, and it was impressive to see the skin that would slip over the skeletal outside of the set that I’d been on in the soundstage. This isn’t a building that was “built” by anyone’s hands in the context of the film. Lamia creates the inn by magic, and as a result, there’s not a regular angle in the whole thing. It stretches and bows in odd ways, and there’s a sign hanging out front with a picture of a small one-person chariot on it. I saw some footage of Michelle Pfeiffer riding in that carriage being pulled by a pair of goats in that 30 minutes that Vaughn showed me earlier in the day, so it made me smile to see that as the logo of her inn. It seems that Vaughn and Gavin Bouquet, his production designer, have had fun with every detail of this world. On one of the stages, I spotted a carriage that one of the Lords of Stormhold uses. It’s not your standard-issue carriage, though. Vaughn wanted it to look like a Hummer limosene, and he pulled it off. The thing’s long and low and has a back-end like an SUV, complete with giant pimped-out tires. [...] I headed back to the soundstage where the first unit was ready to shoot a scene with Michelle Pfeiffer’s character Lamia was preparing a hot bath for Yvaine [Claire Danes]. Pfeiffer plays Lamia as like Kaa from JUNGLE BOOK, insinuating and seductive. Watching her smother Yvaine with kindness, it’s like watching a snake toy with a mouse just before eating it. And Yvaine, who has very little practical experience with people, has no idea how wrong everything is with Lamia and her serving girl. All she knows is how tired she is and how nice they’re being to her. They talk to her in soothing, calm tones as they prepare her bath, and the whole time, Michelle Pfeiffer keeps this disturbingly sweet smile in place.

We watched them shoot the first part of the scene, as Lamia draws the bath, and then they started to set up for the next part of the scene, giving us a few minutes. " [...]

[...] "Back inside the stage, they finally set up for the next shot. By now, Yvaine is in the large metal tub, enjoying the restorative powers of the bath. As she sits there, Lamia adds more water, talking to her the whole time. This was the first real scene I saw Claire performing. As much as the earlier scene was about Lamia and the way she was trying to win Yvaine’s trust, this scene was all about Yvaine opening up and starting to relax. By this point in the day, it had to be at least 95 degrees inside the soundstage. People were drinking 8 oz. bottles of water in quick gulps. I think I personally must have finished 15 off over the course of the day, but never once had to leave the stage to find a restroom. I was sweating it out as quickly as I could drink it. Even so, Claire stayed in the bath between takes, enjoying the heat. They had the water superheated for her, so she was practically having an ALTERED STATES moment. Later in the day, she called it “the most relaxing day of acting I think I’ve ever done.” I can see why Matthew cast her. There’s something about Claire when she smiles... she really isn’t like any other young star out there. She’s still very much the same actress who made such a strong impression from the very start of MY SO-CALLED LIFE, emotionally open and direct. At first, she and Michelle left the set after each scene, checking the playback first to make sure they were happy. But as the afternoon wore on, Michelle came over and sat next to where Jane Goldman, Tarquin, and I were all sitting, talking about our kids. Tarquin’s a brand-new daddy like me, and I’d seen his wall of pictures of his beautiful baby girl in the production office. Jane’s got older kids, and she talks about how they’re more like buddies to hang out with than kids by this point.

Michelle jumped into the conversation, asking about Tarquin’s baby, asking about my baby, and for the first time that day, she seemed to really engage with everyone. That’s not to say that she’s stand-offish or anything. She just seems to take every opportunity to slip away, and she seems focused on her character between scenes. I get the feeling she’s got a process that she doesn’t like interrupted. But as she sat and chatted, Claire finally threw on a towel over the body stocking she wore in the tub and walked over to join us. If Michelle came across as a really serene and witty soccer mom, then Claire struck me as younger than she is... like a very bright recent college grad still sort of figuring herself out. She’s in her late 20s, but there’s a really appealing youth about her. She asked tons of questions of everyone about their taste in movies, music, about London itself. She confessed that she hasn’t seen “enough” films, and that she asks people what their favorites are so that she can make lists of stuff to see later. Both Claire and Michelle seemed to get more and more animated and outgoing the longer we all spent talking. Michelle broke out her personal stash of organic blueberries, which finally lured Matthew back over so he could start stealing handfuls." [...]

I Could Never Be Your Woman could be released in 2007 Valentine's Day.
July 21, 2006

According Variety and Boxofficeprophets, the release of I Could Never Be Your Woman has a new date delay, it will be in 2007 now.

According Juanita, a few weeks ago she spoke with one of the editors/assistant's who worked on ICNBYW, he said since they missed the summer release date they planned on, they are still debating on a release date, also he said they are thinking about September, or even pushing it way back to Valentine's Day 2007, but that's the least likely, they just want to be sure to pick a date that has the best chance for box office success. He also said he is pretty sure they will change the name of the film, maybe to "Wouldn't It Be Nice", and it was never really finished, it took a long time in post production, they wanted to make it as funny as possible, and alot of the actors live in different states, so getting them in studio to do extra dialogue was difficult, but he has seen the film about 50 times, and it's still really funny.

So the movie, and of course the performance of Michelle, will be out of consideration for any great 2006 awards or nominations.

Michelle Pfeiffer considered to be on Mamma Mia! Big-Screen version
July 21, 2006

Accordind Daily Mail web:

Michelle Pfeiffer is being seriously considered to play the dancing queen of Mamma Mia! the movie when it goes before the cameras next year.

It's very early days but Michelle is one of several leading ladies being looked at from afar by the film’s producer Judy Craymer, the theatre executive who risked everything she owned on a powerful hunch that a show featuring Abba songs would be a hit, and Gary Goetzman of Playtone, the production company owned by Tom Hanks.

Ms Craymer was right. The show wasn’t merely a hit. It's a phenomenon. But part of the secret of Mamma Mia’s! success was Catherine Johnson's seemingly simple script that underpins the show.

The two women are now at work getting a screenplay ready and there are rumours that Phyllida Lloyd — another architect of the show’s triumph, who directed the musical around the world (it's still selling out in London after seven years) — will also direct the film, which will shoot late next summer.

The choreographer Anthony Van Laast, who did the dance numbers on stage, will likely do the same for the film.

The main part in Mamma Mia! is that of Donna, a single mother who has raised her daughter on a Greek paradise isle. As the daughter prepares to get married, three men turn up — and each one could be her father.

Pfeiffer has recently re-charged her career with back-to-back roles shot in London. She did romantic comedy I Could Never Be Your Woman and last week completed work on Matthew Vaughn’s spectacular action-adventure fantasy film Stardust. Michelle plays an evil witch in the film. Or ‘the sexiest witch you’ll ever see,’ as Vaughn put it.

Next, she will appear in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Hairspray.

The part of Donna is a meaty role for a star a tad past her ingenue years (but she has to be able to sing).

Others likely to be sounded out along with Pfeiffer include Kim Basinger, Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep, who with her delicious turn in The Devil Wears Prada, proved she shouldn’t be ruled out of anything.

Meanwhile, as Mamma Mia! mints millions weekly around the globe for its various partners (Craymer, Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and the creative team) a book about the show called How Can I Resist You hits bookshops in the autumn.

My notes: The truth is really I doubt she does Mamma Mia!. Michelle signed to be on Hairspray and I think that two consecutive movie-musicals would be rare, she has always looked for role to don't be type-casted although I know that the role, Donna in Mamma Mia!, could be amazing. Personaly I think Michelle could be in a drama-movie for her next movie... she's just done a romantic-comedy (I Could Never Be Your Woman), a fantastic fairy tale (Stardust) and she will do a musical (Hairspray)... well, I think so...

Paramount launch Stardust's Official Site
July 21, 2006

You can already visit the official site of Stardust movie. At the moment you can see only the image of the Star falling... but it is so beautiful. The only information you can get is the link "Register for updates" where you can fill in the form to receive news about the movie.

Click the image to acess to the Official Site

Confirmed: Michelle will be Velma Von Tussle
July 18, 2006

According E! Online-news, Michelle Pfeiffer will be singing with John Travolta the next September and it seems it is confirmed:

Michelle Pfeiffer's gorgeous locks are set to reach new heights with a little help from some Hairspray. She's signed to play Velma von Tussuel (former "Miss Baltimore Crabs") in New Line's adaptation of the Broadway musical sensation.

Thanks Ivan for providing the info.

Michelle talks about surgery in the next InStyle
July 18, 2006

Michelle will be on the cover of the August issue of Instyle magazine.

People.com shows today an article where takes out some of the quotes said by Michelle on Instyle:

Michelle Pfeiffer, known as one of Hollywood's most beautiful women, says she has considered getting plastic surgery – just not yet.

"I toy with it," the 48-year-old actress tells InStyle in their August issue. "When I'm rested, I look pretty darn OK. I can hold off on that facelift for another few years. (But) when I'm feeling weary, then I think, maybe I better make that appointment."

Still, she says Hollywood's obsession with looks is getting out of control. "If that nose or those jowls bother you, do it," she says of getting surgery. "(But) this epidemic of people losing sight of what looks good, the distortion that has been going on is kind of creepy."

Pfeiffer says she doesn't feel older, though in her next film, I Could Never Be Your Woman, she plays up her age in her role as a TV executive who falls for a man 11 years her junior, played by Paul Rudd.

"I certainly see that I've changed. I just try not to dwell on it," she says of getting older. "Aging happens to every single one of us. Once you accept that it unburdens you."

Mostly, Pfeiffer says she is focused on having a "slightly slower" lifestyle, which she has accomplished by moving from Los Angeles to Northern California with her TV writer husband, David E. Kelley, and their two kids, Claudia Rose, 13, and John Henry, 12.

As for that facelift possibility, "I've seen some amazing-looking plastic surgery. But who knows what you'll get?" she tells the magazine, which hits newsstands July 24. "I'm hoping I'm courageous enough to grow old gracefully."

Michelle Pfeiffer joins finally Hairspray
July 17, 2006

According Hollywood Reporter and Variety, Michelle Pfeiffer is in final negotiations to join the cast of the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical comedy "Hairspray."

The play was itself based on the 1988 John Waters cult comedy feature about star-struck teenagers on a local Baltimore dance show.

Pfeiffer would play Velma von Tussel, a former beauty queen (Miss Baltimore Crabs) who can't move on and who is the producer of the dance show.

Already cast are