Xixax Film Forum

What do you think is Cameron Crowes Best Film to date?

say anything say anything say anything

i fucked up the pole, will an admin please fix it

Quote from: Bankyi fucked up the pole, will an admin please fix it

Hahaha, that's so hilarious.  But it doesn't matter, the correct answer if Almost Famous

i love almost famous, but i love jerry maguire a little bit more.

yeah jm, vs, af are all pretty close but af pulls ahead

Vanilla Sky for me

Jerry Ma-fuckin'-guire

Quote from: RoyalTenenbaumJerry Ma-fuckin'-guire

:yabbse-thumbup:

Vanilla Sky

One of the few films that actually catch true love on film.

Quote from: kotteVanilla Sky

One of the few films that actually catch true love on film.

its rare for VS to get praised on this site

So I guess I'm not alone in thinking Singles wasn't the best thing?

Voted for Say Anything...

One more vote for Almost Famous and we'll have a 4 way tie for the best/more proof that Singles wasn't that good.

yeah singles sucks, and the symmetry proves it.

it's like, even the universe thinks so.

...almost famous from what i have heard is the best ..and i have seen it also...and yes it is simply the best.....sinngles was wack buit it gets a lest one star because eddie vedder was in it......and say anything has the cusack factor(bad)......and vanilla sky is his second best.....and jerry macguire is cheese.....and it has cuba 'radio -chill factor-boat trip' gooding...jr.....


.....

Quote from: NEON MERCURYand say anything has the cusack factor(bad)......

:?:

Quote from: Cinephile

Quote from: NEON MERCURYand say anything has the cusack factor(bad)......

:?:

.....ohh by that i...umm...i don't really like him as an actor....well being johm malko  was good ..but.....he falls under the "actor i just don't like" category...like dunst , witherspoon, stiles, freddie prinze jr., ....but the say anything(the film itself) is on point.......

Its not that singles is "bad" , its just that his other movies are just that much better! ...

IMO

and i voted for Almost Famous.

Quote from: NEON MERCURYhe falls under the "actor i just don't like" category...like dunst , witherspoon, stiles, freddie prinze jr.

You, sir, are sick when you compare Cusack do Prinze Jr., even if not a direct comparison, they should never be in the same category

You, sir, are sick when you compare Cusack do Prinze Jr., even if not a direct comparison, they should never be in the same category[/quote]

seriously that's bull dicky... if you've seen films like "High Fidelity" or "Grosse Point Blank"  you'd probably agree that Cusack is a much more legitiment actor than Prinze Jr.  They are not even from the same ball park!

Quote from: WesabeckYou, sir, are sick when you compare Cusack do Prinze Jr., even if not a direct comparison, they should never be in the same category

seriously that's bull dicky... if you've seen films like "High Fidelity" or "Grosse Point Blank"  you'd probably agree that Cusack is a much more legitiment actor than Prinze Jr.  They are not even from the same ball park![/quote]

Shit yeah!

Quote from: two hatersYou, sir, are sick when you compare Cusack do Prinze Jr., even if not a direct comparison, they should never be in the same category

_______________________________________________________________

seriously that's bull dicky... if you've seen films like "High Fidelity" or "Grosse Point Blank" you'd probably agree that Cusack is a much more legitiment actor than Prinze Jr. They are not even from the same ball park!

.....the key point is that ......they fall inder the category of actors that i just don't like....."the actor in question" may be talented but i just don't like 'em....

I've seen all but Singles, but now I'm not sure if I should...?

Almost Famous kicks my ass. Every second of that movie reminds me of travelling as a musician back in High School.

uh minus "Golden God" moments...

nevermind.

ALMOST FAMOUS!

About Singles : its definately worth watching IMO, even though its Crowe's "weakest" film, its still much better written and its above most of the crappy romantic comedies out there.

Almost Famous, though I don't really like any of Crowe's films that much.

Quote from: ProgWRXAbout Singles : its definately worth watching IMO, even though its Crowe's "weakest" film, its still much better written and its above most of the crappy romantic comedies out there.

I must second this. Not his best, but it has a few redeeming qualities.
I just can't recall them right now.

Quote from: ranemaka13

Quote from: ProgWRXAbout Singles : its definately worth watching IMO, even though its Crowe's "weakest" film, its still much better written and its above most of the crappy romantic comedies out there.

I must second this. Not his best, but it has a few redeeming qualities.
I just can't recall them right now.

Singles has a lot a great Crowe moments in them... it's probably his weakest film because it's his most laid back and simplistic film.  The thing that I really love about singles is that it perfectly captures a certain time in a certain place that is now lost.  It has plenty of great cameos from the grunge scene including amusing ones from the members of Pearl Jam and Chris Cornell, and also a cameo by Tim Burton.  I agree that Singles is Crowe's weakest film, but it is still pretty fucking awesome.

Quote from: NEON MERCURY.....the key point is that ......they fall inder the category of actors that i just don't like....."the actor in question" may be talented but i just don't like 'em....

I can understand it. I hate Sean Connery myself.

Say Anything.

Quote from: life_boySay Anything.

ball hair!

Quote from: Wesabeck

Quote from: ranemaka13

Quote from: ProgWRXAbout Singles : its definately worth watching IMO, even though its Crowe's "weakest" film, its still much better written and its above most of the crappy romantic comedies out there.

I must second this. Not his best, but it has a few redeeming qualities.
I just can't recall them right now.

Singles has a lot a great Crowe moments in them... it's probably his weakest film because it's his most laid back and simplistic film.  The thing that I really love about singles is that it perfectly captures a certain time in a certain place that is now lost.  It has plenty of great cameos from the grunge scene including amusing ones from the members of Pearl Jam and Chris Cornell, and also a cameo by Tim Burton.  I agree that Singles is Crowe's weakest film, but it is still pretty fucking awesome.

I have to put SINGLES above SAY ANYTHING.

Like my roommate says, "It's the grunge ANNIE HALL."

But UNTITLED (to be specific) is his best work.

Ah yes, Cameron Crowe. My favorite director.


My favorite work of Mr. Crowe is Almost Famous. Lovely. That movie makes me feel awesome inside. Makes me want to climb up on rooftops and scream "I'M A GOLDEN GOD." Makes me want to drop out of school and become Ms. Penny Lane. Makes me smile...

The music is excellent. Beautifully done.

Almost Famous is definitely Mr. Crowe's masterpiece.

I loved Singles, it serves me perfect...it's the time I wish I could go live in.

1. Jerry Maguire
2. Almost Famous
3. Vanilla Sky
4. Say Anything
5. Elizabethtown/Singles

Source: Hollywood Elsewhere

Making a bomb of epic proportions sometimes lands a filmmaker in "movie jail" unless he/she has an especially admirable resume. This is what kept Cameron Crowe, the director-writer of Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous. from incarceration over the last year or so following the disastrous reception of Elizabethtown, which opened and quickly died in the fall of '05. But you can't go through a major critical and commercial calamity without having it affect you on some kind of woe-is- me, what-the-fuck-am-I-doing? level.

Elizabethtown was Crowe's Waterloo. I know that it seemed to me and a lot of other journalists like one of the worst wipe-outs ever suffered by a gifted filmmaker. Crowe was mocked, villified, ground into hamburger . And for a while, according to this and that source, he went into a big funk about it and went off to lick his wounds. (Who the hell wouldn't?) But I'm told he's doing fine emotionally these days, and that he's working on a script that Adam Sandler wants to star in when it's ready.

Crowe usually takes a few years between films, so maybe he'll be back at it next year with the Sandler film (if it comes together in the right way) maybe peeking through in '09.

I had to ask others what was up because Crowe didn't get back to me immediately when I wrote him three hours ago.

How bad was Elizabethtown? I was there at that first Toronto Film Festival screen- ing, watching this and that journalist get up and go out for very long bathroom or popcorn breaks, or leaving altogether. It averaged a 28% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it almost killed the career of Orlando Bloom, it seemed to diminish the fortunes of Kirsten Dunst, and for all I know it may have even caused a slowdown in Kentucky tourism.

New Yorker critic David Denby wrote the following in his review: "It leaves one adrift on a raft of morose questions. How could this vacuous movie have got made? Didn't anyone at Paramount, which paid for the film, read the script? And also: What in the world has happened to Cameron Crowe? At times, the movie became so boring that I experienced the uncanny sensation that I could physically feel the film passing through the projector."

Elizabethtown had some good things in it (I liked the second half just fine) and Crowe enjoys too much respect and allegiance from too many heavy-hitters to have suffered any serious career trouble because of the reception. But an agent told me today that the feeling he's been getting is that Crowe is "still feeling a little of that E-Town after-burn."

The agent explained that in the wake of Elizabethtown that Crowe's general rep was that of a guy with a reverse Midas touch. People felt a little funny about coming to him with proposals because suddenly he wasn't the guy who might make another Almost Famous or Jerry Maguire, but a director who had lost his mojo and could possibly turn this or that project into a fart heard 'round the world.

Right around the time of Mission Impossible: 3 Crowe "was attached to do a Tom Cruise romantic film at Paramount," the agent recalls, "but who knows where that's languishing these days? Has it gone to UA? Let me get back to you on that."

A filmmaker who spoke to me this afternoon believes that Crowe had such a smooth and easy ride from the days of Say Anything to Vanilla Sky that he wasn't able to cope with Elizabethtown's total failure.

"Living on that fuel of being the greatest director....getting all that postive energy from everyone and and cruising on all that adulation doesn't toughen you up," he says. "It doesn't prepare you at all for failure. Crowe should have just gotten right back in the saddle [after Elizabethtown]. I spoke to him recently and he was in a great place. Woody Allen has always had the best attitude, I feel. he didn't take it very seriously when he was applauded and he didn't take it seriously wen he was panned. He just kept working."

And that's what Crowe is back to doing. Good for him, and it's great to hear about the Sandler thing. Maybe Crowe will get back to me and say something about that, or maybe he'll just stay out it by saying nothing. But if he wants to clarify anything I've written or add to it in any way, he knows what to do.

what an odd article.

Quote from: Pubrick on April 11, 2007, 02:45:12 AM
what an odd exaggerated article.

That article is so over the top. E-Town wasn't perfect, but a very good Crowe movie. You can really feel his heart was in it. I can't say the same thing about Vanilla Sky.

I guess I'm alone here, but I can't wait to see what he does next.

Stiller, Witherspoon fly with Crowe
Duo to star in Columbia Pictures comedy
Source: Variety

Ben Stiller and Reese Witherspoon will star in an untitled Cameron Crowe romantic comedy adventure at Columbia Pictures.

Columbia was the winning bidder, beating out four rival studios, in landing the fully developed project, which is being produced by Scott Rudin. Crowe, who wrote the screenplay, is also producing.

Studio is keeping the logline of the contemporary-set project under wraps.

Project reunites Crowe with Columbia for the first time since the helmer's "Almost Famous" in 2000. Crowe and studio topper Amy Pascal have a long-standing relationship that dates back to the filmmaker's 1989 "Say Anything," when Pascal was an executive at 20th Century Fox. Crowe made "Jerry Maguire" -- his biggest box office success -- for Columbia and Pascal.

Film, which will begin lensing in January when Stiller and Witherspoon's schedules open, brings together Rudin and Crowe for the first time. Columbia's move is reminiscent of Pascal outbidding several other parties in February to make Roland Emmerich's pricey "2012." Once again, Columbia is ponying up a sizable sum to add an instant slot-filler to its slate.

Stiller next will be seen in the August comedy "Tropic Thunder," which he also co-wrote, produced and directed. He is shooting "Night at the Museum 2: Escape From the Smithsonian."

Witherspoon's upcoming projects include "Four Christmases," opposite Vince Vaughn. She is voicing characters for DreamWorks Animation's "Monsters vs. Aliens."

okay.

one of my fav review sites (PAJIBA) posted this recently:

Touch Me I'm Dick


Singles / Dustin Rowles


I cannot imagine — on a site where the Coen brothers, Wes Anderson, geek culture, "Arrested Development," and Joss Whedon reign supreme — that this admission could possibly go over well, but my two favorite directors of all time, unabashedly, unashamedly, and unapologetically, are Billy Wilder and Cameron Crowe. And while Wilder still carries a certain amount of historical cachet thanks, in part, to his role in popularizing noir, Crowe — who refused to embrace what passes for cool these days, namely sardonic wit, post-irony irony, and the effervescent whimsy ushered in by Garden State, hipsteria Hollywood and a Comic-Con driven box-office — has more or less slowly faded into obscurity, either in an effort to regroup after the (massive) failure of Elizabethtown or because he's realized that his brand of cynicism-free filmmaking has no more place in today's pop-culture landscape than Lloyd Dobbler has in a restraining-order happy dating world.

Nevertheless, today I submit as the latest entry into our Pajiba Blockbusters series, not the best Crowe film (Say Anything), the most influential (Fast Times at Ridgemont High), the biggest box-office and awards recipient (Jerry Maguire), or even my favorite (Almost Famous), but perhaps the least appreciated, and the least talked about of all his films: Singles, a charming ode to dating in your 20s and an incredible love letter to Seattle. And the reason I chose Singles is simple: It is the antithesis to the modern, mainstream romantic comedy, where every Ashton, McConaughey, Heigl, and Dempsey tries to win over the love of his or her life by beating him or her over the head with a flailing, chicken-headed epic romantic gesture. Singles, and Crowe's other films to a lesser extent (see, e.g., Lloyd Dobler walking Diane Court around broken glass), are about the small gestures that blossom into a relationship. Any jackass can chase down a woman in an airport or unload two (or is it three?) months' salary on a diamond ring and bend down on one knee in a crowded public place. But relationships are made when she pulls open the lock on your car door or he simply wishes you good health when you sneeze. You want to know if you're meant to be? Don't wait for a marriage proposal, just ask yourself this: Is her leg still pressed up against you in the morning? Does he walk on the side of you closest to traffic? Or, after all these years, do you still hold hands when the lights go down in a theater? If so, you've found true love — Cameron Crowe love.

For what it's worth, Singles was also one of the, if not the first real Gen X film — predating (it's production, at least) Slacker, and eventually giving rise to other, lesser and greater imitations like Reality Bites, High Fidelity and — for better or worse — the television sitcom, "Friends." (Fun Fact: "Friends" was a second iteration of a planned television show based on "Singles" that Cameron Crowe vetoed). It's also worth noting that Crowe — the all-time youngest contributor to Rolling Stone — was well ahead of the pop-culture curve here; production of "Singles" was actually completed before "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was even released. Singles, initially, was a small film that revolved around the Seattle music scene (e.g., Mudhoney), and featured cameos from Chris Cornell, Alice in Chains, and all four members of Pearl Jam (all of whom, during filming, were obscure outside of Seattle — I'm not even sure the term "grunge" had been coined yet). Prescient as hell, by the time Singles was released two years later (the studio had no idea how to market it), grunge was in full-bloom, which is why the movie was largely overshadowed by its soundtrack (if you were over the age of 12 in 1992, you almost certainly owned it and you've probably had the relentlessly catchy "Dyslexic Heart" stuck in your head the second you saw what film was being reviewed here); it's also why the style of the film's characters was so oddly mixed between 80s fashion (see, e.g., the bangs on both Bridget Fonda and Sheila Kelley) and grunge (to wit: the attire of Matt Dillon or the soul patch on Jim True-Frost, or Mr. Pryzbylewski to fans of "The Wire.") And, like Dazed and Confused, released a year later, Singles had a lot of faces in it that wouldn't have meant anything to you at the time, but who are jarringly recognizable if you watch it today (in addition to Jim True-Frost, there is also a very young Christopher Masterson, Victor Garber, Paul Giamatti, and Jeremy Piven (pre-hairpiece)). Even Tim Burton made a small, but memorable cameo as the next Martin Score-sees.

The film deals, mostly anecdotally, with five characters — Janet Livermore (Bridget Fonda) is an insecure 23-year-old infatuated with one of her neighbors, Cliff Poncier (Matt Dillon), the self-absorbed, talent-deprived lead singer of Citizen Dick, a role that Kevin Dillon's character in "Entourage" must have pulled a lot from. Janet's insecurities led her briefly to consider a boob job to satisfy Cliff's hourglass syndrome. Debbie Hunt (Sheila Kelly) is looking for the perfect man via a video dating service ("Come to where the flavor is, come to Debbie country"). And then there is Campbell Scott, the twenty-something, less idiosyncratic version of Lloyd Dobbler, a traffic engineer trying to build a Supertrain in Seattle ("you give the people coffee and great music, they will park and ride"). He falls for Linda (Kyra Sedwick), an environmentalist with trust issues, and the two spend most of the film completely sabotaging their relationship. It's beautiful.

There's not really much of an overarching narrative in Singles; mostly, Crowe uses his characters to explore how small, isolated moments can affect a relationship. There's a certain sitcomy feel to the movie, but in the best kind of way — it's lightweight, but deceptively substantive, a thousand different pop songs distilled into an hour and a half. (It's also the perfect Hangover Theater flick if you fell in love with someone the night before.) But what I appreciate most about Singles is that the big, dramatic speech never works, nor does the name written out in rose petals — and in real life these gestures never do (desperation, after all, is the "world's worst cologne.") Instead, it's the small things — a single broken plate or a sneeze — that brings couples together.

Everything else is just an act.


:yabbse-thumbup:

yeah that was awesome.

Pearl Jam Taps Cameron Crowe For Documentary Feature
Published by MTV Movies

We've seen a lot of bands get the bigscreen treatment over the last few years, including the Rolling Stones, Metallica, U2, CSNY, the Jonas Brothers and most recently, Anvil. Now, it seems Pearl Jam is ready for its close-up, courtesy of director Cameron Crowe.

The "Almost Famous" filmmaker and former boy wonder reporter for Rolling Stone is prepping a documentary that will chronicle Pearl Jam's 20 years as a band in 2011.

Guitarist Mike McCready told Seattle's "Ron & Don Show" that the group is "trying to do a movie with Cameron Crowe with all of our existing footage." The plan is for the film to consist of existing concert, backstage and studio footage.

While his music credentials speak for themselves, Crowe would seem to be the perfect fit to direct a Pearl Jam doc having previously worked with them on "Singles," which included two Pearl Jam songs on its soundtrack and featured Eddie Vedder, Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard as members of the fictional band Citizen Dick.

Crowe's record label Vinyl Films recently helped the band repackage the reissues for its debut album "Ten," and Crowe also exec produced "Pearl Jam: Single Video Theory," a short making-of documentary about the group's 1998 LP "Yield."

Pearl Jam is pretty much the Last Band Standing from the heyday of the Seattle grunge scene (R.I.P. Nirvana and Soundgarden), so an in-depth look at the quintet is long overdue.

The band, which has sold an estimated 60 million records worldwide, will self-release its ninth album before the end of the year.

Today's guest VJ: Cameron Crowe's favorite musical movie moments
Source: Los Angeles Times

No one has a better ear for using music in movies than Cameron Crowe, so it's a delight to see that Empire magazine cajoled Crowe into picking his Top 10 movie music moments, though after his old rock writer genes kicked in, Crowe got started and couldn't stop--ending up with his Top 36 music moments  (the "Sorry I Couldn't Stop List"). You'll have to go to his post on Empire to see the whole gallery of choices. But let's just say that he leaves few stones unturned, not only giving props to Wes Anderson for using the Rolling Stones' "She Smiled Sweetly/Ruby Tuesday" in "The Royal Tenenbaums," but making room in the Top 10 for everything from Harry Nilsson's "Jump Into the Fire"  (from "GoodFellas") to Cat Stevens' "Don't Be Shy" from Hal Ashby's "Harold and Maude."

There are plenty of other inspired choices--only Cameron would remember how great Cheap Trick's "Downed" sounded in "Over the Edge" as well as what a shrewd choice Paul Thomas Anderson made by spotlighting Aimee Mann's "Wise Up" in "Magnolia." But for me, the highlight of the gallery is reading Crowe's fan's notes-style explications of his choices. Here, just as one example, is his mini-essay on Wes Anderson's adept manipulation of our pop music memory banks in "Royal Tenenbaums":

It's said that Jackson Browne, watching ''The Royal Tenenbaums," was so transported watching the "These Days" sequence that he thought wistfully, "This guy plays like I used to play." And then he realized--it is me. Wes Anderson's brilliant use of the Nico original galvanized and reinvented the song even for Jackson Browne, who now plays the song in its original mode at his live performances. All this, because Anderson picked the right song, the right camera speed and the perfect actors to play Margot and Richie Tenenbaum. It aches. And there is another stunning music-in-movies moment just around the corner in "Tenenbaums," when Anderson busts out the Rolling Stones. Margot and Richie have finally escaped to be alone under a tent with a record player. Their music choice is a vinyl copy of "Between the Buttons." Anderson lets the album track in the long unrequited love scene between the two. (Sadly, they're adoptive siblings) ... Many a director has tried to use "Ruby Tuesday," the evocative Brian Jones/Stones classic, and failed. Wes solves the problem by letting you hear it the way you'd hear it in life--devastating and random in the way it pops up, innocently requiring you to remember the moment forever.

http://www.empireonline.com/features/cameron-crowe-greatest-music-moments/default.asp

Thanks. It's been a long time since Almost Famous, and I've grown up a lot, in general and as a fan of cinema, but Cameran Crowe will always have a little piece of my heart.

Cameron Crowe May Direct We Bought a Zoo
Source: NY Mag

Vulture has learned that Cameron Crowe, who hasn't directed a film since 2005's Elizabethtown, is circling a script based on the best-selling Benjamin Mee memoir We Bought a Zoo. Back in 2006, Mee — then the do-it-yourself columnist for the U.K.'s Guardian newspaper — moved into a run-down twelve-bedroom mansion in the southwest English countryside with his wife, two children, brother, and 76-year-old mother. The catch? Their old manse also included the 30-acre Dartmoor Wildlife Park, a dilapidated preserve that was home to 200 wild animals. Poignantly, the Mee family's successful efforts at rehabilitating the zoo's menagerie of ailing beasts was juxtaposed with the steady decline of Mee's wife, Katherine, who received a terminal-cancer diagnosis.

From what we hear, Zoo already had a great script from Oscar-nominated Devil Wears Prada screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna. But if he signs on, Crowe will be doing a little rewriting before directing it, presumably to insert dialogue that zookeepers will repeat for the rest of their lives, much as any high-school student from the late eighties continues to quote "I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen."

mish. how are you going to put music in that?

Quote from: MacGuffin on March 03, 2010, 01:47:25 AM
Crowe will be doing a little rewriting before directing it, presumably to insert dialogue that zookeepers will repeat for the rest of their lives, much as any high-school student from the late eighties continues to quote "I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen."

hahhaa. i always chuckle when say anything is referenced. recently in an episode of modern family the young girl's boyfriend is holding up his ipod to her window, and the dad comes out to get the newspaper and says "say anything" and the boy goes "good morning"

and that episode of lost. i think in the first season. 


love it

Quote from: MacGuffin on March 03, 2010, 01:47:25 AM
Cameron Crowe May Direct We Bought a Zoo
Source: NY Mag

Vulture has learned that Cameron Crowe, who hasn't directed a film since 2005's Elizabethtown, is circling a script based on the best-selling Benjamin Mee memoir We Bought a Zoo. Back in 2006, Mee — then the do-it-yourself columnist for the U.K.'s Guardian newspaper — moved into a run-down twelve-bedroom mansion in the southwest English countryside with his wife, two children, brother, and 76-year-old mother. The catch? Their old manse also included the 30-acre Dartmoor Wildlife Park, a dilapidated preserve that was home to 200 wild animals. Poignantly, the Mee family's successful efforts at rehabilitating the zoo's menagerie of ailing beasts was juxtaposed with the steady decline of Mee's wife, Katherine, who received a terminal-cancer diagnosis.

From what we hear, Zoo already had a great script from Oscar-nominated Devil Wears Prada screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna. But if he signs on, Crowe will be doing a little rewriting before directing it, presumably to insert dialogue that zookeepers will repeat for the rest of their lives, much as any high-school student from the late eighties continues to quote "I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen."

interesting choice of thread to post this in..

dude is due for a redemption. his fall from grace has been so severe it makes us forget that he actually made some good films.

or is it that his films are only good for teenagers or ppl who feel particularly emotional at any given point? cos these days i can't even stand Almost Famous. havn't revisited Vanilla Sky but that wasn't even his idea so whatevs for the good and bad points of that film.. point is this sounds like a great film for him. it seems like an opportunity for him to mature after the abysmal failure of elizabethtown which single handedly made us all write him off for good.

Has Cameron Crowe Bought a Zoo?
Source: ComingSoon

Two months ago, there were rumors circulating that director Cameron Crowe, the Oscar-winning writer of Almost Famous who also received a nomination for his screenplay for Jerry Maguire, was looking at directing an adaptation of Benjamin Mee's bestselling memoir We Bought a Zoo from a script by Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada). It was reported by New York Mag's Vulture that he was circling the script and that was picked up quickly by other news sources.

A few new things have arisen since then that seem to confirm that Crowe has made a decision in the interim and will be making We Bought the Zoo his first movie since Elizabethtown in 2005.

Based on Mee's own experiences, the book with the full title... you might want to sit down for this one... "We Bought a Zoo: The Amazing True Story of a Young Family, a Broken Down Zoo, and the 200 Wild Animals That Change Their Lives Forever"... tells how the columnist for London's Guardian newspaper moved to a run-down mansion with his extended family, inheriting a wildlife preserve with 200 wild animals in the process. At the same time, Mee's wife had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The first thing that confirms this project has a director was the announcement today by 20th Century Fox of a release date for the movie on December 23, 2011, essentially the same slot where they put the similarly-themed true-life memoir movie Marley and Me, which went onto huge box office success.

What clinched it for us was when we were looking for more info on this project and found something hidden on Variety--who never even reported Crowe's interest in the project--that listed bookings and signings for the production people on various projects. We learned there that production designer Clay Griffith, who ironically was the set decorator on Jerry Maguire, had been booked on Cameron Crowe's "We Bought a Zoo". (IMDb Pro has both Crowe and Griffith listed as being attached to the project as well.)

It's not often that a story like this gets so little attention, especially considering how long it's been since Crowe has directed a film, but it you want to get a headstart on Crowe's new movie, you can pick up Mee's novel at Amazon.

Quote from: MacGuffin on May 16, 2010, 08:47:10 PM
production designer Clay Griffith, who ironically was the set decorator on Jerry Maguire

that's not ironic.

It's so ironic, my head literally exploded.

It's like the good advice that you just can't take.

Or Rain on your wedding day.

Ironically, Alanis Morrissette is also attached to the project according to IMDBpro.

just kidding.

how ironic of you.

Cameron Crowe to direct 'Zoo'
Film is adaptation of memoir; released December 2011
Source: Hollywood Reporter

Cameron Crowe is returning to movies for the first time since 2005's "Elizabethtown."

The filmmaker signed on to direct "We Bought a Zoo," an adaptation of a memoir by Benjamin Mee, being produced by Julie Yorn.

Crowe is notoriously picky about his projects and had been circling "Zoo" since the winter.

Once he dedicated himself to the project, he began rewriting the script, originally written by Aline Brosh McKenna, to reflect is sensibilities

The studio liked the direction enough to commit to the movie over the weekend and has dated it for December 23, 2011. 

"Zoo" tells the true account of how Mee and his family used their life savings to buy a dilapidated zoo, replete with 200 exotic animals facing destruction, in the English countryside.

Mee, along with his children, had to balance caring for his wife, who was dying of brain cancer, with dealing with escaped tigers, raising endangered animals, working with an eclectic skeleton crew and readying the zoo for a reopening.

The author also was the subject of a BBC documentary titled "Ben's Zoo."

With Crowe on board, Fox plans to move fast to cage an A-lister to play Mee.

The release date and the subject matter marrying cute animals and dramatic storylines are similar to Fox's 2008 box-office smash "Marley & Me," and the studio is hoping emulate that success.

Though not a very prolific filmmaker, CAA-repped Crowe has written and directed films such as "Say Anything," "Jerry Maguire" and "Almost Famous," which have tended to become part of the pop culture lexicon.

Almost Famous

What about it?!

is there a reason you only reply with bullet-points? do you have some form of Tourrette's?

The title of this thread poses a question, and I answered it, tout court.

Matt Damon circling the 'Zoo'
Actor in talks for lead role in Cameron Crowe feature
Source: Hollywood Reporter

Matt Damon may team up with Cameron Crowe for "We Bought a Zoo," Fox's adaptation of a memoir by Benjamin Mee.

The actor is in early talks to portray Mee who used his life savings to buy a dilapidated zoo, replete with 200 exotic animals facing destruction, in the English countryside.

Mee, along with his children, had to balance caring for his wife, who was dying of brain cancer, with dealing with escaped tigers, raising endangered animals, working with an eclectic skeleton crew and readying the zoo for a reopening.

Julie Yorn is producing.

"Zoo" would mark a departure for Damon, who tends to make more dramatic or action -oriented thriller. "Zoo" with its blend of animals and heartstrings, may occupy similar terrain to Fox's 2008 "Marley & Me." And with the input of Crowe, making his first movie since 2005's "Elizabethtown," the movie could end up juggling light moments with drama like the helmer's "Jerry Maguire."

Crowe rewrote the script, which was originally written by Aline Brosh McKenna ("The Devil Wears Prada").

Damon, who next stars in supernatural thriller "The Adjustment Bureau," is repped by WME.

awwws. this breaks my little black heart.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20428836,00.html

Quote
Rocker Nancy Wilson Divorcing Cameron Crowe

By Eunice Oh

Director Cameron Crowe and his musician wife, Nancy Wilson, are pulling the plug on their 22-year marriage.

Wilson, a singer and songwriter from the rock band Heart, filed divorce papers Thursday in L.A. County Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences. She lists June 15, 2008, as the date of their separation.

Crowe, who directed Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous, married Wilson July 23, 1986. The couple have 10-year-old twin boys, William and Curtis.

Wilson is seeking joint physical and legal custody of the children and has also asked the court for spousal support.

Quote from: Bethie on September 24, 2010, 03:08:12 PM
Rocker Nancy Wilson Divorcing Cameron Crowe

Looks like she finally saw Elizabethtown.   :yabbse-undecided:

Definitely Almost Famous.

But I like Vanilia sky alot too

Remember when we used to have a whole Cameron Crowe forum? God, that was weird.

Cameron Crowe —who is getting divorced from his wife of 22 years, Nancy Wilson, bummer —wants Amy Adams to play the zookeeper role alongside Matt Damon in the adaptation of "We Bought A Zoo" which is also scheduled for a Christmas release in 2011 which essentially means it too is vying for her attention. Damon plays a widowed man who buys a dilapidated zoo as a condition of purchasing a beautiful country estate.

wow, no source at all on that one.

must be another original xixax scoop!

or is it..

Scarlett Johansson Entering 'A Zoo'
Source: THR

Scarlett Johansson is in final negotiations to star opposite Matt Damon in We Bought a Zoo, the true-life drama that Cameron Crowe is directing for Fox.

The movie is based on a memoir by Benjamin Mee, who used his life savings to buy a dilapidated zoo, replete with 200 exotic animals facing destruction, in the English countryside. Mee, along with his children, had to balance caring for his wife, who was dying of brain cancer, with dealing with escaped tigers, raising endangered animals, working with an eclectic skeleton crew and readying the zoo for a reopening.

Damon has been on board as Mee since the end of June. Johansson will play Damon's wife, the grounded one in the relationship, and will be seen in flashbacks.

Julie Yorn is producing.

Teaser Trailer for his Pearl Jam documentary

http://vimeo.com/22759270 (http://vimeo.com/22759270)

ew

I believe he made the one for yeild to did he not?

Quote from: socketlevel on May 03, 2011, 01:34:09 PM
I believe he made the one for yeild to did he not?

Partly, he asked the band some questions but the doc was directed by Mark Pellington who also directed "Jeremy".

Twenty Years of Pearl Jam To Be Celebrated on PBS & In Theaters
by Bryce J. Renninger; indieWIRE

Cameron Crowe's "Pearl Jam Twenty," which celebrates the twenty years of grunge rock band Pearl Jam, will be released in select US cities in September. Richard Abramowitz's Abramorama will help with the film's theatrical release. The film will also screen on PBS's American Masters series. Full release below...

PEARL JAM RETRACES THEIR FOOTSTEPS WITH CAMERON CROWE RETROSPECTIVE FILM Theatrical Release of "Pearl Jam Twenty" September 2011 Celebrates the Band's 20-Year History

LOS ANGELES, CA (MAY 25, 2011) –In celebration of their 20 year anniversary, Pearl Jam is set to release the feature film Pearl Jam Twenty, a definitive portrait of the band as told by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker and music journalist, Cameron Crowe. The captivating documentary gives fans and audiences an intimate first glimpse into Pearl Jam's journey culled from more than 1,200 hours of rarely and never-before-seen footage, over 24 hours of recent interviews with the band, as well as live footage of their spellbinding concert performances.

Pearl Jam Twenty will enjoy a unique, simultaneous worldwide theatrical release in select cities and venues in September and thereafter will roll out in an accelerated fashion. Abramorama, headed by Richard Abramowitz, who steered the theatrical campaigns for Anvil! The Story of Anvil and the Oscar®-nominated Exit Through The Gift Shop, is releasing the independent film in the U.S. with Arts Alliance Media, best known for their deft handling of Iron Maiden's award-winning documentary Flight 666 and, more recently, Foo Fighters Back and Forth, handling the theatrical release overseas. The film's U.S. television premiere will be Friday, October 21st at 9 p.m. (ET/PT), as part of the prestigious PBS "American Masters" series, airing during the first-ever PBS Arts Fall Festival. The soundtrack and DVD of the film will be released worldwide by Columbia Records/Sony Music Entertainment, with the soundtrack released simultaneous to the film in September and the DVD following with a release in October.

Told in big themes and bold colors with blistering sound, Pearl Jam Twenty chronicles the years leading up to the band's formation, the chaos that ensued soon-after being catapulted into superstardom, their step back from the spotlight with the instinct of self-preservation, and the creation of a trusted circle that would surround them—giving way to a work culture that would sustain them. The film celebrates the freedom that allows the band to make music without losing themselves, their fans, or the music lovers they'd always been.

"When I set out to make this film, my mission was to assemble the best-of-the best from Pearl Jam's past and present and give audiences a visceral feeling of what it is to love music and to feel it deeply —to be inside the journey of a band that has carved their own path," said Cameron Crowe. "There is only one band of their generation for which a film like this could even be made, and I'm honored to be the one given the opportunity to make it."

Crowe was among the band's inner circle when they formed and has maintained a close friendship with the band since his days as a reporter for Rolling Stone in Seattle. Almost 20 years after the band's inception, Eddie, Jeff, Stone and Mike gave their longtime friend the okay to raid the vault and assemble from it the story no one but those closest to them ever knew.

As part of their year-long celebration, Pearl Jam is also releasing a Pearl Jam Twenty soundtrack and book of the same name, to accompany the film. The soundtrack is comprised of a selected track listing by Cameron Crowe—making the album a true companion piece to the film. Published by Simon & Schuster in the U.S. and Atlantic Books in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, the Pearl Jam Twenty book is an aesthetically stunning chronicle of the band's past two decades. Compiled and written by veteran music writer Jonathan Cohen with Mark Wilkerson, the book includes a foreword by Cameron Crowe (and material from all his own band interviews) as well as original interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, and Dave Grohl.

In addition, the band recently announced tour dates in Canada in September as well as two shows in the U.S over Labor Day weekend at Alpine Valley outside of Chicago.

After two decades, Pearl Jam remains a giant musical force and one of the biggest and most magnetic touring acts in the world. With over 60 million albums sold worldwide, they continue to create and perform great music—all on their own terms. Pearl Jam is currently in the studio recording their 10th studio album, marking the bands' second record released through their label, Monkeywrench Records.

ABOUT PJ20 2011 is a yearlong celebration of Pearl Jam's twenty-year history. The band started off the year with the release of a new live compilation album, Live on Ten Legs, followed by the expanded reissues of Vs. and Vitalogy in March. Things kick into high gear in September with the Alpine Valley Labor Day anniversary weekend concert, a ten-date Canadian tour, followed by the theatrical release of Cameron Crowe's film, Pearl Jam Twenty in September with accompanying book and soundtrack album and subsequent PBS airdate of October, ending the year with the DVD of the film available in October. For the latest Pearl Jam happenings, visit www.pearljam.com

ABOUT ABRAMORAMA Abramorama is at the forefront of innovation in the world of distribution and marketing independent films. It is an industry leader in the personalized, focused form of film marketing/ distribution that bypasses traditional film studios and their methodology, providing invaluable distribution alternatives to current content makers and owners.

ABOUT ARTS ALLIANCE MEDIA Arts Alliance Media, based in London with offices in Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Berlin, is Europe's leading provider of digital distribution services, committed to building the largest digital cinema delivery network in Europe, and to supply digital content -films, alternative programming and live events. AAM provides end-to-end digital cinema solutions encompassing equipment selection, financing and integration, operator training, installation and 24/7 helpdesk support, and content management and delivery. Currently, AAM has over 3000 screens signed up, and has Virtual Print Fee agreements in place with five Hollywood studios. All screens installed are DCI compliant, and the company's strategic partnership with Arqiva Satellite & Media allows exhibitors to benefit from satellite delivery of alternative content events and features. The company's in-house digital cinema lab has mastered over 1000 digital titles to date. AAM also sources, manages and promotes 'Alternative Content' programming for cinemas. AAM was founded in 2003 by Thomas Høegh.

Oh yes.

HBO Picks Up Cameron Crowe's Elton John Doc 'The Union,' Will Hit TV Screens In January 2012
Source: ThePlaylist

While he may have been off the grid for a few years there, Cameron Crowe is storming back in 2011. He's got the dramedy "We Bought A Zoo" with Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Angus MacFadyen, Elle Fanning, Patrick Fugit, John Michael Higgins and J.B. Smoove getting ready for a Christmas release. His documentary "Pearl Jam Twenty" on the titular grunge icons will premiere at the Venice Film Festival, before hitting theaters in September and PBS in October. And if all that isn't enough, he's actually already got another completed documentary in the can. Titled "The Union," the Crowe-directed documentary about Elton John chronicles the making of the album of the same name, a collaborative effort between John and songwriter and musician Leon Russell. Until they started work on the album, the two had not spoken for 38 years. Stevie Nicks and producer Don Was make appearances in the documentary as well, and while John isn't necessarily our musical cup of tea, with Cameron at the helm it should prove fascinating and we're kind of suckers for "making of" album films in any shape or form. The film opened the The Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year, but in case you missed it, HBO has now picked up the documentary and will air it in January 2012. Sure, it might see like a bit of wait, but there will be plenty of Crowe to tide you over until then.

Cameron Crowe Says He's Already Writing Next Film, Inspired By Kids He Met During 'Zoo' Auditions
Director Also Says 'Say Anything' Sequel Is A "Pipe Dream," But Reveals Deleted Scenes On His Blog
Source: Playlist

With three new films arriving in 2011, "Almost Famous" director Cameron Crowe has his hands full this year.

While it has no U.S. distribution yet, "The Union," the documentary look at the making of Elton John and Leon Russell's collaborative titular album, debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year. Coming in September is "Pearl Jam Twenty," a 20-year Pearl Jam anniversary documentary, which starts running in key markets on September 23rd before hitting PBS on October 21. Then finally, "We Bought a Zoo," starring Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson and Thomas Hayden Church comes to theaters nationwide on December 23.

Three years on one film threatens to be overkill unless you consider this: Crowe's been MIA in theaters since 2005's "Elizabethtown." And as much as a swing and miss that picture was, six years without a Cameron Crowe film is a long way to go. The wait after 2011 might not be as long. He already has a Marvin Gaye biopic called, "My Name Is Marvin" in progress, as well as a project called "Deep Tiki" potentially still kicking around if it hasn't been abandoned and, apparently, yet another that he's already started writing.

IFC recently sat down for a lengthy talk with the filmmaker and he said while 'Marvin' is still in the works, he's begun another screenplay which is inspired by all the children who auditioned for "We Bought a Zoo."

"This woman that I work with, Gail Levin ("Almost Famous," "Vanilla Sky"), is a great casting director. She's always finding new faces," he said. "The kids she found for 'We Bought a Zoo' are so exciting. We met with all these actors, and they would leave the room and it was a situation where I would turn to Gail and say 'They're not right for this one, but I want to write something where we can work with that person.' That was the genesis for writing a whole new script which I've been working on while we were doing 'We Bought a Zoo' and finishing this Pearl Jam movie."

Does the six years away from the screen mean Crowe is making up for lost time? "I'm trying out this prolific thing," Crowe joked. "The thing about being prolific? It's a lot of work."

One wishful thinking project you can likely wipe off his IMDB if you were careless enough to list it there is a sequel to his 1989 romantic comedy-drama classic, "Say Anything." While it's come up in recent months as something that he might consider, Crowe told IFC that the idea is "definitely a pipe dream."

"It's a personal thing for me, that movie," he said trying to clear up his comments from a few months earlier. "It's probably my favorite thing I've ever done. And the last thing I would ever dream of doing is touching something that I feel so proud about in any way. I just love the characters and I was sort of musing out loud with this really cool person that had asked the question."

Ok, case closed, but still, Crowe definitely has "Say Anything" on the brain of late. While the 20th-anniversary edition Blu-ray and DVD re-release of the film arrived in 2009, just yesterday on his blog, The Uncool, Crowe released six deleted scenes in script form. According to Crowe, more extended scenes from the final shooting script dated Jan. 18, 1988, might still be posted in the upcoming days.

Cameron Crowe to Direct Emma Stone in His Next Movie
Scott Rudin will produce the untitled film for Sony; Crowe hopes to begin shooting in the fall.
Source: THR

Cameron Crowe has settled on his next movie -- a yet-to-be titled romantic drama starring Emma Stone.

Crowe's reps confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter  that Sony has picked up the project, based on Crowe's original script. Scott Rudin will produce, with Crowe hoping to start shooting this fall. The hunt is now on for a leading man.

Crowe's last film was 20th Century's family entry We Bought a Zoo. The movie, released last Christmas, grossed $120 million worldwide.

Stone (The Help) is no stranger to Sony; she stars in the studio's summer tentpole The Amazing Spider-Man. She'll next be in theaters in January with The Gangster Squad.

Quote from: MacGuffin on July 30, 2012, 08:44:25 PM
The Gangster Squad.

Hollywood Reporter has officially become the movie-reporting world's uncool mom who asks you how to look things up on "the Google".

Meanwhile, Variety continues to be the dorky dad who makes up his own slang.

I'm working on collecting all the records that William fondles in the beginning of Almost Famous.



I need Pet Sounds. Anyone want to raid their parents record collection for me?

I got that, literally my parents. Really scratched up though. I'll give it to you. $5.

my first album I ever bought was Led Zeppelin II, I'll sell you that one. $10


Not much of a crowe fan, but I gotta say this is my favorite of his. PSH playing Lester Bangs? Come on.

Quote from: Bethie on August 09, 2012, 12:40:10 AM
I'm working on collecting all the records that William fondles in the beginning of Almost Famous.



I need Pet Sounds. Anyone want to raid their parents record collection for me?

Oh come on.... Save yourself some trouble. Just Torrent it and burn it to a CD.  :)   (Yes, I am THAT guy)


* My favorite Crowe movie has to be JERRY MAGUIRE, pretty much because of Tom cruise's performance, but also of course, the writing is excellent. ALMOST FAMOUS comes close second, but Cruise's performance as Jerry Maguire just blows my mind everytime I watch it. Should've gotten the Oscar for that..

Quote from: InTylerWeTrust on August 10, 2012, 12:30:44 AM

Quote from: Bethie on August 09, 2012, 12:40:10 AM
I'm working on collecting all the records that William fondles in the beginning of Almost Famous.
I need Pet Sounds. Anyone want to raid their parents record collection for me?

Oh come on.... Save yourself some trouble. Just Torrent it and burn it to a CD.  :)   (Yes, I am THAT guy)

"Please! Compact discs blow! People were not meant to hear music with such clarity. People need to hear snaps and pops and that shit."

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F25.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lkh8q6PSme1qhxkypo1_500.png&hash=156f261ed5058979c928c2766da70bfcb96cbdea)

Quote from: Reelist on August 10, 2012, 11:26:30 AM

“Please! Compact discs blow! People were not meant to hear music with such clarity. People need to hear snaps and pops and that shit.”

Quote from: Reelist on August 10, 2012, 12:23:48 AM
I got that, literally my parents. Really scratched up though. I'll give it to you. $5.

I'll take it. am i giving you 5 bucks or donating it to xixax?

DONATE!

but you have to give $920. That's my new rule, whatever your post count is. Trying to raise $$$ to bring down voting back.

Alec Baldwin Joining Cameron Crowe Pic
BY MIKE FLEMING JR

EXCLUSIVE: When I saw him in Cannes while he and Jim Toback were unveiling their hilarious documentary Seduced And Abandoned, Alec Baldwin made it clear that any roles he takes in the near future would have to square with his commitment to being a new dad. His wife Hilaria was close by, looking adorably pregnant. It looks like the Cameron Crowe-directed untitled film for Sony fits that bill because I hear that Baldwin is negotiating. Crowe and producer Scott Rudin have been discreet about the movie, but it looks like Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams and Danny McBride are all part of it. Look for Baldwin to lock his role shortly. By the way, that documentary, which showed Baldwin and Toback shopping a movie package to foreign sales moguls like Avi Lerner, will make its debut on HBO. Baldwin's repped by CAA.

I made one of the zep shirts from almost famous. (To be a rock and not to roll)

I just want Cameron to tweet @ me. Is that too much to ask?

Bill Murray in Talks to Join Bradley Cooper in Cameron Crowe's New Movie (Exclusive)
Murray's frequent collaborator Scott Rudin is producing the film, which co-stars Emma Stone and Rachel McAdams
Source: The Wrap

After working with producer Scott Rudin on numerous Wes Anderson movies, Bill Murray is in talks to join the new Cameron Crowe movie that Rudin is currently producing in Hawaii, an individual familiar with the untitled Sony project has told TheWrap.

Sony did not immediately respond to TheWrap's request for comment.

The romantic comedy stars Bradley Cooper as a defense contractor who's assigned to oversee the launch of a weapons satellite from Hawaii, where he falls for an Air Force pilot (Emma Stone). With the help of mystical island forces and a talking computer, they team up to scuttle the launch.

Rachel McAdams co-stars alongside Danny McBride, Alec Baldwin, Edi Gathegi and Jay Baruchel, who joined the cast last week as Cooper's step brother. He previously worked with Crowe on "Almost Famous."

Should a deal make, it would mark the first time writer-director Crowe has worked with Murray, whose role is being kept under wraps.

Sony and Rudin plan to release the movie, which is a revamped version of Crowe's old script "Deep Tiki," sometime in 2014.

At age 63, Murray shows no signs of slowing down following a stellar 2012 campaign in which he played FDR in "Hyde Park on Hudson" and co-starred in Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom." He just reteamed with the quirky auteur again on "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and also wrapped the title role in "St. Vincent de Van Nuys," which is expected to be an awards contender next year.

Murray will soon be seen alongside George Clooney and Matt Damon in the WWII movie "Monuments Men," which Sony will release on Dec. 18. He's represented by attorney David Nochimson of Ziffren, Brittenham.

Cameron Crowe Teams With J.J. Abrams & 'My So-Called Life' Creator For Showtime Comedy Series 'Roadies'
via The Playlist

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FwMM9kff.jpg&hash=0722970cd9751631ee38e4e1591fb106726be335)

Nearly ten years on, and Cameron Crowe's career is still putting itself back together after "Elizabethtown." Before that, Crowe was riding high with a number of hits in a row, most notably "Jerry Maguire" and "Almost Famous," but the much-derided Orlando Bloom/Kirsten Dunst film ended his run of success, and Crowe had trouble getting another project set up for a while, with six years passing until his next film, 2011's "We Bought A Zoo," and even that (while solid enough) was something of a work-for-hire gig.

But things are looking up in a big way. Crowe's currently in post-production on a still-untitled comedy (once known as "Deep Tiki"), with the A-grade rom-com pairing of Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone (along with ace supporting players like Rachel McAdams, John Krasinski, Jay Baruchel, Bill Murray, Danny McBride and Alec Baldwin) that hits at Christmas. And now news has revived from the freshly resurrected Nikki Finke that Crowe has another project, and it involves switching mediums.

According to the sorceress of gossip, Crowe is developing a TV comedy pilot for Showtime called "Roadies" with J.J. Abrams and his production company Bad Robot. As the title suggests, it seems to be a return to the kind of setting of "Almost Famous," being an ensemble comedy set on a U.S. rock tour, and Crowe has written, and will direct the pilot. The creator of "My So-Called Life," Winnie Holzman, who also wrote musical "Wicked," would serve as showrunner after that.

Christina Hendricks To Star In Cameron Crowe Showtime Pilot 'Roadies'
via Deadline

Mad Men's Christina Hendricks is set to star opposite Luke Wilson and Imogen Poots in Showtime's hourlong comedy pilot Roadies, written, directed and executive produced by Cameron Crowe and executive produced by Winnie Holzman and J.J. Abrams. Roadies follows the day-to-day life of a successful rock tour as seen through the eyes of the crew members who help get the show on the road. Hendricks will play Shelli, the band's production manager – Bill's (Wilson) ingenious work partner, tough, but privately emotional, married to her job... and scary-good at it. Rafe Spall, Peter Cambor and Keisha Castle-Hughes co-star in the pilot, which will shoot in Vancouver in early 2015.

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FRUms1LF.jpg&hash=97c587cffb233da79ada85db745bd96a4c0288f7)

Vanilla Sky comes to blu-ray (http://www.amazon.com/Vanilla-Sky-Blu-ray/dp/B00HETGCFM?SubscriptionId=AKIAIY4YSQJMFDJATNBA&tag=bluray-012-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00HETGCFM&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER) in 2 weeks. I haven't watched it in over 10 years. Was 15 in its release year and this was one of the first movies I remember being conscious of being panned but thinking there was something more to...sort of one of the first movies that "woke me up". No idea what I'd think of it now.

Anyway, let's all just have a moment of silence for a time long passed when Tom Cruise was still signing up for projects this weird:

It's close to the opposite for me, because Crowe was a first director whom I heard people say nice things about all the time and I was like, nah you being silly. I had the arrogance of youth (which oh do I still have that?) and wasn't having him. I clearly remember saying he and Ron Howard were examples of what I didn't like in movies.

The most recently I've seen a Crowe film is Singles last month or so, on a double with Reality Bites. Reality Bites was more impressively made in terms of what they did with their camera there, I thought that night, but I must say that my current emotional memories are richer for Singles. So, props there. I never got the nerve to go see Aloha. Vanilla Sky strikes me as a possible entry into liking Crowe more, if at some point in my life I'll start liking Crowe more, since this movie is different from his other movies. So please report back on that.

Also, regarding Howard, I still want to watch Rush, which I'd forgotten about until now.

Man, I'd forgotten about Rush too! And Aloha, even though it just came out. And I never did see We Bought a Zoo (which at the time of its release I always pronounced with the emphasis on "Bought"). Gotta triple feature it soon. I think I'm otherwise caught up with both of their oeuvres. (Is this perhaps the first and possibly only time the collected works of Ron Howard will be referred to as an oeuvre?)

As for Vanilla Sky, my memory is hazy, but I kinda lump it together with Donnie Darko as movies that blew my friends' minds in Grade 10 that I was too cool for because I had seen Mulholland Drive. The only things I really remember are the twist at the end and that a mole on Penelope Cruz's bosom played some key part. I definitely remember the bosom.