Call them "cult classics." "Guilty pleasures." "Comfort movies." We all have a mental rolodex of flicks that may not be terribly popular but, for one reason or another, they resonate in a very special way. Maybe you saw it at the right moment. Maybe you just see gold where everyone else sees feces. Whatever the case, these are the special favorites that you keep stashed away for sick days. Here are some of ours.
If I could redo my college thesis, I'd skip over the deformed-step-child-of-Hemingway creative writing project and undertake a comprehensive analysis of the time travel movie genre in Hollywood. In lieu of some assistance from a Flux Capacitor-equipped DeLorean or a George Carlin-provided phone booth, I think my only viable option is to devote my first Sick Day Stash to an underrated gem of the field: Jean-Claude Van Damme's bundle of schlocky goodness, "Timecop." Read more...
Why didn't they just call it "Awesome"?
Everybody's favorite Belgian kickboxer, Jean-Claude Van Damme, is being teamed with Vinnie Jones, our modern-day model for the strong, silent type, for Flagship Studios' upcoming "Weapon." The Hollywood Reporter brings the word that the duo will play rival assassins who are forced to cooperate in their efforts to bring down a drug cartel. Jones' character is handy with guns of all sorts while the Muscles From Brussels is a master of blades. Russell Mulcahy will direct the film for Flagship, with a Vancouver-based shoot currently set to begin in August.
If you rolled your eyes at the sight of the above headline, move on and make sure your weekend ticket purchase for "Angels & Demons" is squared away. If, on the other hand, you got an enormous thrill out of The Asylum's trailer for "Giant Octopus Vs. Mega Shark," then "Weapon" is the movie for you. I for one think that the pairing of Jones with Van Damme for a mindless action feature is an inspired bit of casting. Now how about another "Timecop"?
What's your stance on The Muscles From Brussels? How about Jones? Are you excited by the prospect of seeing them join forces in the War on Drugs?
Last week Jean-Claude Van Damme told MTV News that the long-rumored “Universal Soldier 3” was absolutely going to happen very soon, albeit without the services of one Mr. Dolph Lundgren, of whom the producers reportedly said there was “no more value” to be had in casting.
“Absolutely untrue,” Lundgren insisted, clearing the air with a surprise call to MTV News HQ. “I’ve met with the producers many times, and I AM the one resisting. I want it to be a good picture, and I’m working with the producers on the materials and trying to work it out. The truth is it’s still a script and I think it needs some work.”
One of the main sticking points, Lundgren said, was the size of the roles offered to both of the main actors from the original 1992 film which, according to JCVD, amounted to about “10 days of work.” Basically glorified cameos, Lundgren said. Read more...
I report the following with a mixture of sadness and pleasure. After years of rumors and suspect IMDB updates, Jean-Claude Van Damme, hot off an honest to goodness fine piece of acting in "JCVD" (check it out if you want to watch the "Bloodsport" star cry and I mean a lot) just told me he's in for the third "Universal Soldier" movie. Er, or is that DVD?
"I don’t know if they want to make it a video release or theatrical," he said. Actually there are a lot of question marks, like is he really starring in the film or is this a glorified cameo? "I'm just going to do 10 days." Hmm, so what about Dolph Lundgren? He's back, right?!? "I told them, guys bring in Dolph! They said there’s no more value [to cast him]. I said, 'it will have value with me!'"
So much for that reunion. But there will be a familiar Van Damme collaborator joining the franchise on this go round. As has been rumored in the past "Timecop" director Peter Hyams will serve as director of photography for the film. In fact, that confirmation just happened. "Peter Hyams just yesterday called me to say he’s going to DP my film," Van Damme said excitedly. Read more...
