edited by Jonathan Doyle

Mafioso (The Criterion Collection, 3.18.2008) Nino Badalamenti is a supervisor in a car manufacturing plant who hasn't taken a vacation in over two years. On his way out the door to visit his beloved childhood hometown of Sicily -- with his blonde wife and daughters -- Nino is handed a package by his boss and asked to deliver it to a powerful and influential Sicilian gangster named Don Vincenzo. Once in Sicily, Nino has a hoot seeing friends and family, but his wife has trouble fitting in and is unfairly dismissed as a snob by Nino's family. Even more worrisome, Nino finds himself entangled in an intricate web of secret mafioso dealings and is eventually sent on an unexpectedly... elaborate errand. (continued)

Upcoming

July 2

Hancock

July 3

The Whackness

July 4

Diminished Capacity

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson

Holding Trevor

Kabluey

We are Together

July 9

Full Battle Rattle

July 11

A Man Named Pearl

August

Eight Miles High

Garden Party

Harold

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Meet Dave

Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired

The Stone Angel

July 18

A Very British Gangster

Before I Forget

The Dark Knight

The Doorman

Felon

Lou Reed's Berlin

Transsiberian

July 22

Two Tickets to Paradise

July 23

Boy A

Alchemist Plan

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Harvey Weinstein announced this morning that he'll produce a $60 million adaptation of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, the worldwide best-seller (over 30 million copies) which was first published in 1988. Laurence Fishburne will direct, star and also produce.

Harvey Weinstein during this morning's announcement at the Majestic Beach.

Fishburne has produced several films (Five Fingers, Akeelah and the Bee, The Beltway) but directed only one -- Once in the Life, which came out in 2000.

The Weinstein Co. is "currently in negotiations with an Academy Award-winning screenwriter to adapt the novel into a screenplay," the press release says. Harvey said on the mike that he's read all the previous screenplay adaptations and "hated them." This viewpoint, he said, gives him creative cred as it indicates high standards. He envisions The Alchemist movie as a "simple, spiritual tale" that won't be lathered up in typical Hollywood style.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on May 18, 2008 at 02:05 AM

comment #1

AH says ...

There's $60 million down the drain.

Posted by AH at May 18, 2008 02:48 AM

comment #2

LYT says ...

Once in the Life was terrible, maybe the worst film Fishburne's starred in.

That right there makes me fear this project.

Posted by LYT at May 18, 2008 02:48 AM

comment #3

PastePotPete says ...

How can they think this is a good idea?

Posted by PastePotPete at May 18, 2008 05:12 AM

comment #4

Mgmax says ...

From the producers of Captain Corelli's Mandolin and All the Pretty Horses comes another great bestseller to the screen...

Posted by Mgmax at May 18, 2008 05:21 AM

comment #5

rockne says ...

Doesn't Mr. Weinstein look....I don't know....less than his '90's self in every photo he is in now? Not physically...just in his stances and in his face...I know he's older...but he just looks like....I don't know...and yeah....

MGMAX: "From the producers of Captain Corelli's mandolin and All The Pretty Horses...."

Hilarious...I had forgotten about both those films...that must instill confidence in people...I guess if you like either of those it will...
I know Hollywood can be cruel...but I always thought the Weinsteins would rule like kings until they decided to retreat to some island somewhere...

Posted by rockne at May 18, 2008 06:31 AM

comment #6

ElstonGunnAICN says ...

I wonder if Ron Harwood is the Oscar-winning screenwriter in negotiations, hot off "The Diving Bell & The Butterfly."

Posted by ElstonGunnAICN at May 18, 2008 08:12 AM

comment #7

Wrecktum says ...

Larry Fishburne = $100m opening weekend. Excellent move by the Whinesteins.

Posted by Wrecktum at May 18, 2008 12:09 PM

comment #8

Spicer says ...

I am probably alone on this one, but I would love to see Billy Bob Thornton's cut of All the Pretty Horses.

Posted by Spicer at May 18, 2008 02:08 PM

comment #9

Spicer says ...

Hey rockne, in the photo I think Harvey looks like he is contemplating whom he will berate next.

Posted by Spicer at May 18, 2008 02:10 PM

comment #10

ElstonGunnAICN says ...

Gunn To Spicer: I'd also love to see Thornton's cut of "All The Pretty Horses" with the Daniel Lanois score in tact. When Matt Damon was promoting "The Good Shepherd" he said that cut of "Horses" was the best thing he's done.

Posted by ElstonGunnAICN at May 18, 2008 04:13 PM

comment #11

JBM... says ...

The Weinstein Co. is "currently in negotiations with an Academy Award-winning screenwriter to adapt the novel into a screenplay," the press release says.

Not Akiva Goldsman, I hope.

This reminds me of Bruckheimer paying David Benioff $2m to build characters in Gemini Man -- about an aging hitman who battles his younger, stronger clone. Oy...

Posted by JBM... at May 18, 2008 04:49 PM

comment #12