Weekend Newsreel: February 24, 2006

     China Outlaws Roger Rabbit: The Chinese State Administration of Radio, Film and Television have issued an edict last week prohibiting films featuring live action actors combined with either hand drawn or computer generated animation with live action. The ban is being explained as a way to help stimulate China’s own animation industry.

     Brokeback Mountain Sweeps BAFTAs: The drama Brokeback Mountain dominated the British Academy Film Awards last weekend, sweeping up four awards including Best Film and Director. You can read the complete FilmBuffOnLine coverage here.

     Deja View: Comic Chris Rock will headline a remake of the 1972 French comedy Chloe In The Afternoon entitled I Think I Love My Wife. Rock and his long term writing Louis C. K. are adapting the screenplay with Drumline’s Charles Stone set to direct. The film is scheduled to begin filming in New York City this spring.

     In Remembrance

Bill Tung Piu- The Hong Kong supporting actor best known for his appearances in Jackie Chan’s most popular films has passed away at age 73.

Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez- The comic character actor who appeared in numerous films including The High And The Mighty (1954) and Rio Bravo (1959) has passed away at age 80.

     Opening This Week

February 24

·         Dirty (NY, LA)- website

·         Doogal- website

·         Little Fish (NY, LA)- website

·         Running Scared- website

·         Sophie Scholl- The Final Days (LA)- website

·         Street Fight (LA)- website

·         Trudell (NY)- website

·         Tsotsi  (limited)- website

·         Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion- website

·         Unknown White Male (NY, LA)- website

·         Workingman's Death (NY)- website

March 1

·         Our Brand Is Crisis

·         Sorry Haters (NY)- website