ROTTEN TOMATOES: Weekly Ketchup: Adam Sandler joins The Zookeeper, David Fincher joins Facebook Comments

Weekly Ketchup: Adam Sandler joins The Zookeeper, David Fincher joins Facebook

by Greg Dean Schmitz | June 26, 2009

Summary

Most of the entertainment media's attention is focused on the deaths of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, but there were still interesting film development news this week, including two new video game based projects, a surprising new movie for director David Fincher (Fight Club), an even more surprising remake of a Coen brothers classic, and new movies for Daniel Craig, Adam Sandler and Kevin Spacey. And oh yeah, the Academy is totally changing the way the Oscars works. #1 THE ACADEMY AWARDS DOUBLES THE BEST PICTURE FIELD AND HALVES THEIR IMPORTANCE. In a surprising move, this week the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that they are doubling the number of movies that will be nominated for Best Picture (from five to ten) reverting to the way the awards were nominated back in the 1930s and early 1940s, up until 1943. Back to Article

(1-36 of 36 posts) | Reply

ledawg1138 writes:
on Jun 26 2009 03:34 PM

"Kane & Lynch: Dead Man" dosen't need a film. It might eff it all up. (Awesome game by the way.) "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune" is like a film, like "Dead Man", but maybe that makes the film adaptions all the more useless. Still, they'll prbably be better than most video game films. But what does that say? Nothing.

(Reply to this)

Christopher B. writes:
on Jun 26 2009 05:01 PM

In reply to this comment (#2517864)
I agree with ledawg - "Drake's" is a game that tries hard to emulate a summer blockbuster. So if you make a movie, based on a game, that seems more fit to be a movie, are you really doing anything?

Also, The Zookeeper sounds horrific.

(Reply to this)

Hurjay M. writes:
on Jun 26 2009 05:02 PM

Just because the Academy is doubling the slots the doesn't mean it will expand their taste past art-house and drama. So... more sap to suck on.

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proletariat13 writes:
on Jun 26 2009 05:07 PM

It frustrates me that the academy has "suddenly" decided to add more nominees to the best pic category after so many people across this country were calling for TDK to be nominated... Its bull**** I think that they wait a year until a truly exceptional year of films to expand the category. This last year in films was one that only comes along every once in a while.

I do not think that Hitman needs a sequel... the first one sucked and the sequel is going to suck even more. Why do video game movies suck so much? There is always enough action in them but directors and writers seem to forget that they need to put a story behind the action.

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fvzappa writes:
on Jun 26 2009 05:15 PM

Oh wow, no news about ANY remakes? I mean, sure, there's a few sequels (that don't seem so great), but no remakes? Hooray!

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JettaJameson writes:
on Jun 26 2009 05:19 PM

When the hell are comedy categories going to be added to the Oscars? The Academy is so out of touch with.........everything.

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Chris B. writes:
on Jun 26 2009 05:42 PM

yeah Drake's Fortune is almost like a movie itself. I don't think it will be as hard to adapt it to film. the first Hitman movie sucked anus and the second one probably will, too. I could care less about the Kane and Lynch movie because the game was really bad. I thought it would be good but I ended up taking it back up to Gamestop the very next day.

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Paints Hz Shirt Red writes:
on Jun 26 2009 08:00 PM

another hitman?! cant they waste money on something else.

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vader_of_vjun writes:
on Jun 26 2009 08:17 PM

Why do people expect that having 5 more Best Picture nominees will drastically lengthen the ceremony? All it means is that whoever reads out the nominees has 5 more names to read out... and presumably, those little crappy things they do for each of the nominees...can't be more than 5 minutes worth extra.

Also, why are people going all silly about the 5 extra nominees? The Academy did just fine when they were doing it in the 30s and 40s (although...dumb choices for the winners were still picked. I'm looking at you, You Can't Take It With You. You're a fine film, but you're no The Adventures of Robin Hood.) There are actually at least 10 good films made a year that aren't blockbusters. Don't worry children, Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen won't make a showing in the category. Neither will a good blockbuster, like Star Trek. People kinda forget that The Dark Knight's impact transcended standard blockbustery, hence the uproar. I think you'll find that there were far fewer people disappointed that Iron Man didn't get a showing last year.

Also, to continue mindlessly picking on that particular item, opens the door for embarassing choices? The Academy manages to get at least 1 unsuitable choice each year with 5 slots, thanks. Last time they had a perfect playing field was probably... 1982. And before that, 1974. Then 1972. Then 1964. And so on.

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ledawg1138 writes:
on Jun 26 2009 09:35 PM

In reply to this comment (#2517909)
Kane & Lynch? Really bad? WHAT?! Sure it's not perfect, but it's a hell of a good time, (for the sadistic part of you) with an engaging story and AWESOME voice acting! I give a solid 8/10. What is so bad about it?

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Chris B. writes:
on Jun 26 2009 09:37 PM

blockbustery? is that even a word? but, yeah, I agree that reading five more movie names really isn't all that time-consuming. and I'm pretty sure that the right movies will get nominated.

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Chris B. writes:
on Jun 26 2009 10:46 PM

to be honest with you, it's been a while since I had it but from what I can remember was that 1)the graphics sucked and were boring 2)the voices of Kane and Lynch themselves were annoying and 3)the controls felt slow and not comfortable. luckily for me though, I had bought Drake's Fortune and Ratchet and Clank at the same time so I, at least, had something fun to play. I'm seventeen years old and I sound like a little kid right now lol.

(Reply to this)

ledawg1138 writes:
on Jun 27 2009 12:00 AM

In reply to this comment (#2517981)
Well, the graphics are lacking honestly. And the controls weren't perfect. But the voice acting was great! And it was a nice package overall. Yeah, "Uncharted" and "Ratchet & Clank" are far better, and you know what else is? METAL GEAR SOLID 4! Ha ha ha! Advertising rules!

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Chris B. writes:
on Jun 27 2009 12:35 AM

I never played the new Metal Gear but, obviously, I heard it was good. and, yeah, it's pretty obvious that you like Metal Gear lol.

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RexLaboro writes:
on Jun 27 2009 02:32 AM

They laughed in Uwe bowels face when he said he wanted to screw up Metal Gear.

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ledawg1138 writes:
on Jun 27 2009 09:04 AM

In reply to this comment (#2518010)
Yeah, he got owned! And it's about time. Kojima refuses to let his series get raped!

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D343CT1V3 D3T3CT1V3 writes:
on Jun 27 2009 08:39 PM

If they do Uncharted justice than it will be better than the last indiana jones. I don't think they are going to do a literal translation of the first game, but I do think it will be somewhere along those lines.

Personally, I thought Kane and Lynch was one of the worst games I have ever played, and I can not believe that it is being adapted w/ Bruce Willis of all people!

The plot is just really dumb, its about a couple of hitmen trying to get even w/ their last employer or something, but there is nothing redeeming about these characters. They are vulgar for the sake of being vulgar, they are just disgusting people, but not in some kind of flawed anti-hero way.

I played through the game on co-op and I was so underwhelmed by it, I swore there had to be a twist ending or something, I thought they were going to come up w/ Kane and Lynch being the same person, but no, that is the way the game was supposed to be. I would give it a 3/10.

(Reply to this)

ledawg1138 writes:
on Jun 27 2009 09:18 PM

In reply to this comment (#2518268)
I agree, that Kane & Lynch aren't remotely heroes. They're bad guys. One is bad, one is evil. But the plot is engaging! Decent game. Worth renting. 7/10 (I played it again recently). As far as crime games go, it's no "Grand Theft Auto", but it's still fun enough.

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Chris B. writes:
on Jun 27 2009 09:50 PM

now if they announce a Grand Theft Auto movie with someone like Martin Scorsese or Michael Mann(as long as he doesn't use the documentary-like camera work like he uses in Public Enemies) then I would be ecstatic.

(Reply to this)

ledawg1138 writes:
on Jun 27 2009 10:33 PM

In reply to this comment (#2518287)
I think we would all want that. Base it off GTA 4, and I'm happy.

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Philip F. writes:
on Jun 27 2009 11:26 PM

Here's how to save Moneyball. First fire Soderburg and replace him w/ Michael Bay.It goes without saying Zaillion needs to go then you bring in Orci and Kurtzman to "tune up" the script. Also throw another 150 mil at the project.
A synopis:
Billy Beane is a retired navy SEAL who has to caoch the A's to world series championship while also being the only man to have survived the wrath ruthless terrorists who have hidden an atomic bomb at the stadium.
Throughout various fans can go through various comedic pratfalls while others are mercilessly shot by the terrorist as they try to leave the stadium and/or get a hot dog or some ****.
Final shot after taking out the final biggest baddest bad guy w/ a rocket like pitch and yelling "Still got it!", Beane cuts the green wire just as the A's hammer in a last batter full count grand slam to win the decisive game.

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Philip F. writes:
on Jun 27 2009 11:49 PM

One more thing; he didn't use "ole Louis" his primary weapon/baseball bat in the final scene because he already broke it over the masterminds bodyguard/cheif enforcer in the previous scene. Of course w/ various emphasis he says "single, double, home run etc.." depending on the scope of struggle with each encounter.
Someone stop me, this thing is writing itself.

(Reply to this)

Philip F. writes:
on Jun 28 2009 12:22 AM

One more thing and thats it. It goes without saying each player on the team will represent a ethnic/ racist stereotype.
I need an agent now!

(Reply to this)

Chris B. writes:
on Jun 28 2009 12:24 AM

In reply to this comment (#2518304)
haha. god knows, please don't let the executives at 20th Century Fox read that. they might like it. hell, even they might find a way to screw it up even more than it is lol.

(Reply to this)

FURY.UK writes:
on Jun 28 2009 02:24 AM

Kane and Lynch was an awful game. I exchanged it the day after I bought it. Probably the most underwhelming game I've ever played. Who greenlit the film? They're absolutely mad.

Drakes Fortune on the other hand is very good and could easily be adapted into a film - to do it correctly they would have to give it a big enough budget and a decent director. For some reason, I think Jennifer Aniston would be good as his side kick..don't ask me why..lol

Hitman was one of my favourite game series on the ps2. The first film was incredibly dumb (barcode on neck? Bald guys running around in suits? - cops/military unable to find them). I still enjoyed the film, but it makes me laugh unintentially. I thought Olyphant did a decent enough job considering all the problems they had with the script.

Adam Sandler is just not funny...period

Personally I couldn't give two hoots about the Oscars - overblown, overwinded, overemotional, overbudget.... there's something very disturbing about it. I can't help thinking about all the "real" heroes in the world who never get a mention, and how much we immortalise "actors" who wouldn't last a day in the real world.

(Reply to this)

D343CT1V3 D3T3CT1V3 writes:
on Jun 28 2009 07:44 AM

I wonder if Bruce Willis even knew what Kane and Lynch was about before he signed onto it. I think he's just trying to collect a paycheck. Its one thing for a game to try and be edgy, Kane and Lynch is just in poor taste. Its no wonder there are never any successful game-film adaptations, they always do the worst games.

My top 5 game adaptation wish list

1.Zelda
2.MGS
3.Uncharted
4.Shadow of the Colossus
5.God of War

(Reply to this)

Bob S. writes:
on Jun 28 2009 09:31 AM

@Philip F:
I LOL'd. Nice one.

@CtrlAltDestroy:
DUKE NUKEM belongs at the top of every such list. You know a Zelda adaptation would star Zac Efron.

(Reply to this)

ledawg1138 writes:
on Jun 28 2009 09:32 AM

FURY.UK: Wow. I didn't know I was so alone on liking "Kane & Lynch". And I only mildly like it. I never liked the Hitman games. They bore me. The Uncharted fim may turn out like Lara Croft (worst case scenario) or a poor man's "Romancing the Stone". But, it should be fine.

FURY.UK again: Adam Sandler isn't funny. Agreed.

As for the Oscars, they've been a joke since conception, in recent years becoming worse and worse. I don't give a crap about anything they do now.

CtrlAltDestroy: You're right. They choose have strange choices for video game movies. I mean, "Bloodrayne"? That game was awful. "Max Payne"? The games aren't that notable. (To me.) "Hitman"? I've mentioned I don't like them. We agree, "Zelda" and "MGS" NEED film adaptions. "MGS" might to complex for some, and "Zelda" might be to much like other fantasy for others, but I think in the right hands, they could work.

(Reply to this)

ledawg1138 writes:
on Jun 28 2009 11:16 AM

In reply to this comment (#2518378)
NOOOO (to Zac Efron) NOOOOO!

(Reply to this)

Tridus writes:
on Jun 28 2009 11:24 AM

Kane & Lynch is more well known for the review buying scandal that it spawned then for the game itself. The game was entirely forgettable.

(Reply to this)

gm1200 writes:
on Jun 28 2009 11:38 AM

Love the Michael Bay comment about stereotypes...Zookeeper is gonna be the same thing...I bet the Elephant is really big and picks stuff up with his trunk...and of course they get a comedian to play the monkey so he can be funny and do stuff like throw his poop...whats wrong with holywood anyway?

Geeze some folks are dense. Comedic stereotypes are funny...period...mainly because they are so grounded in reality...but reality that most people don't want to admit

(Reply to this)

Bob S. writes:
on Jun 28 2009 11:39 AM

In reply to this comment (#2518403)
Not saying it's a good idea - just that it's bound to happen.

(Reply to this)

Jack Waters writes:
on Jun 28 2009 07:26 PM

Bruce Willis is perfect for Kane and Lynch(as Kane of course). I can't wait for that film to be made. The game was terrific and Bruce Willis is the perfect action star. But, ya, they also might eff it up. They eff up most game adaptations. Also, The Testament is a great book and one of Grisham's best so I can't wait to see the movie especially since Grisham will have creative input.

(Reply to this)

Philip F. writes:
on Jun 28 2009 08:15 PM

In reply to this comment (#2518411)
What i was trying to .....nevermind.

(Reply to this)

Jack Waters writes:
on Jun 29 2009 06:52 AM

In reply to this comment (#2518379)
Don't worry, I feel pretty alone now too since I thought the game was pretty great. Sure, the story wasn't perfect but it was great fun and you're right the voice actors were perfect and really grounded the game and made it even more fun.

(Reply to this)

Jack Waters writes:
on Jun 29 2009 06:56 AM

In reply to this comment (#2518362)
What's with the complaints that the game and characters were in poor taste and were just straight up bad guys? No ****, Sherlock. The ending was meant to set up a moral dilemma for you and these "bad guys" where you choose whether to selfishly save yourself and your daughter and face the consequences of those actions(her not forgiving you) or you decide to go back and save your men in the name of your daughter and then face the consequences of those actions(you end up barely saving one, and your daughter may very well die from her gunshot wound). Both, Kane and Lynch were bad men and had serious psychological issues but that played into the fun of the game and worked its way into the moral dilemma at the end, which was pretty brilliant and pretty original.

(Reply to this)

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