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From: M&C Books (The Detail is here) Book Review: The Faithful Spy by Alex Berenson
A thriller worthy of le Carre, beginning with an improbable premise?namely, the infiltration of al-Qaeda by an American agent. John Wells is a former college football star, unrepentant about having broken a Yalie`s leg on the field of battle. Now, in a real war, he`s a devout Muslim with a long beard and access to Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahri. But is he really a fundamentalist promoting terror? That`s the lingering question of this taut tale by New York Times reporter Berenson (The Number, 2003), who deftly imagines the international shadowland where spooks and assassins ply their trades. In doing so, Berenson avoids the perils of caricature; his bad guys are legion, but they are also recognizably human, and if some of them are a shade evil ('The thought of attacking America always excited him'), others are not completely on board with the whole slaughter-the-infidel program. Wells, as it happens, works for the Great Satan; he`s a 'singular national asset,' but one who likes to play by his own rules. Still, has he been turned? The bad guys seem to think he`s one of them, for they`ve sent Wells home to enact a chain of events that will end with the detonation of a dirty bomb somewhere in New York. There are moments in all this that beg for the willing suspension of disbelief, but Berenson doesn`t belabor them; neither does he overwork the formulas (rogue agent falls in love with beautiful but hard-bitten agency handler; bad guys make murderous mayhem), though the book is full of genre conventions. The payoff is tremendous, and there are standout episodes that hint that the fundamentalists know how to work American decadence?as when one terrorist recruits a patsy by telling him that it`s all part of an audition for reality TV. Well done throughout, and sure to be noticed. After all, Keanu Reeves has already expressed interest in playing Wells. c 2006 Kirkus. All Rights Reserved
From: Digitalgamedeveloper.com (The Detail is here) Company 3's David Hussey Takes Constantine to di
Company 3 recently provided digital intermediate services for Constantine, the new Warner Bros. feature film. In his first feature film outing, Colorist David Hussey performed all of the telecine work for the film, working hand in hand with director Francis Lawrence, with whom he had previously collaborated on numerous music video projects and for whom Constantine was also a first feature. Based on the DC Comics/Vertigo Hellblazer graphic novels and written by Kevin Brodbin and Frank Cappello, Constantine tells the story of John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), a man who has literally been to hell and back. When he teams up with skeptical policewoman Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) to solve the mysterious suicide of her twin sister, their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists just beneath the landscape of contemporary Los Angeles. Caught in a catastrophic series of otherworldy events, the two become inextricably involved and seek to find their own peace at whatever cost. Despite its supernatural theme and otherworldly locations, Constantine has a very naturalistic look. “I based everything on reality,” said Lawrence. “Some of the scariest scenes take place in the day, in the late afternoon when the sun was bright. Some films take a stand with the way they look, but my film is more realistic and each scene has its own situation. Some scenes are very cyan and green, others are warmer. Some are dark, others are very bright.” Lawrence was insistent on using the DI process to post his film. Citing his background in music videos, he said that the DI environment offered him the real-time interactivity and the ability to work directly with a colorist that he was used to—and he didn’t want to give them up. “I’m used to having control over the color and contrast, and I was nervous about having to work the old fashioned way—color timing in a lab,” he observed. “DI makes color timing seem archaic. I wanted to have control; control over the contrast, control to put color in the blacks. I wanted to have the ability to make subtle color changes and to use windows to affect discreet areas of the image.” Once the decision to go DI was made, the choice of Hussey as colorist was a foregone conclusion. Hussey has been Lawrence’s colorist of choice for years. They have worked together on dozens of videos for such artists as Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Will Smith, Gwen Stefani and Aerosmith. “David knows what I like, and I know that he has good taste. I can trust him,” Lawrence said. “He knows where to go with ideas and he doesn’t have a pedestrian view of color. Even with a relatively simple scene of Keanu and Shia Laboef walking across a street, I know it’s going to have an edge to it.” Despite his familiarity with Lawrence, Hussey found there was a distinct difference in moving from three minute videos to a two hour feature. “With a music video you scan through the film quickly and start playing with your ideas. In a day or two, it’s done,” Hussey observed. “With the movie we had weeks to do it. We could come up with different looks. We could create different looks within scenes. We could see how they looked together. We could change our minds, so that the look of the film evolved over time. It was helpful to have the luxury of time, to not feel so rushed.” This being his first experience with DI, Hussey was concerned with how his work would translate when it was output to film. “Film is a different medium; it’s a more organic source,” he said. “But I was very pleasantly surprised by the results. It was very close, almost an exact match for the digital projection. We didn’t have to change a thing. The translation was amazing.” Hussey was not surprised that his first opportunity to color time a film would come via a director with a background in short form. “We have long relationships with a lot of directors who do commercials and music videos,” he noted. “The great thing about DI is that when one of those directors does a feature, they can jump into the process and immediately feel comfortable. They can work with us in the same way that they always have.” Company 3, under the leadership of Stefan Sonnenfeld, has been a pioneer in the development of the Digital Intermediate process, completing such titles as Collateral, Man on Fire, Bad Boys II, and After the Sunset.About “Constantine” Warner Bros. Pictures presents in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Donners’ Company / Batfilm Productions / Weed Road Pictures / 3 Arts Entertainment Production: Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz star in Constantine, also starring Shia LaBeouf, Tilda Swinton, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Djimon Hounsou, Gavin Rossdale and Peter Stormare. Directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Kevin Brodbin and Frank Cappello, story by Kevin Brodbin, Constantine is based on characters from the DC Comics/Vertigo Hellblazer Graphic Novels and is produced by Lauren Shuler Donner, Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Erwin Stoff, Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Akiva Goldsman. Executive producers are Gilbert Adler and Michael Aguilar. Philippe Rousselot, A.F.C./ A.S.C., is the director of photography ; Naomi Shohan, the production designer; and Wayne Wahrman, A.C.E., the editor. Music is by Brian Tyler and Klaus Badelt. Constantine will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures. This film is rated R by the MPAA for “violence and demonic images.” Company 3 Santa Monica, is located at 1661 Lincoln Blvd. Ste. 400 Santa Monica, California 90404. For more information, call Stefan Sonnenfeld at (310) 255-6600. Company 3 New York, is located at 545 Fifth Avenue, 5th floor, New York, New York 10017. For more information, call Stefan Sonnenfeld at (310) 255-6600.
From: All About (The Detail is here) Lucus Foster and Constantine pair will make the Night Watchman
Producer Lucas Foster Discusses "Mr and Mrs Smith"[snipped for Keanu] Foster on His Upcoming Projects: “I have ‘The Night Watchman’ next and another movie with Keanu Reeves after that. Akiva [Goldsman] and I are doing it together at Warner Bros. It’s based on a famous book from the 70s, a spy novel, about a retired assassin who really is retired and doesn’t want to go back to work. And various forces conspire to pull him back into active duty.”
From: MoneyPlans.net(India) (The Detail is here) Keanu Reeves' paranormal experiences on Constantine's set!
Keanu Reeves and director Francis Lawrence claimed "supernatural forces" had disrupted the shooting for a vital scene in "Constantine". According to the filmmakers, the cast and crew who had gathered in sound stage 16 at Warner Bros' Hollywood studio were soon desperate to leave when "paranormal activity" allegedly started to arise in the building, the Internet Media Database reported.
From: Warner Bros (The Detail is here) Japanese promo Constantine kit
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From: CNN (The Detail is here) Between the devil and 'The Matrix
Between the devil and 'The Matrix' Tuesday, February 22, 2005 Posted: 1042 GMT (1842 HKT) First, Diane Keaton dumped him in "Something's Gotta Give" for pudgy Jack Nicholson, who's old enough to be Reeves' dad. Then his idyllic serenity as a Zen orthodontist was shattered by a rebellious teenage patient in "Thumbsucker," an independent flick that premiered at January's Sundance Film Festival. Now, Reeves literally finds himself in the abyss as the title character of "Constantine," an antihero dispatching demons back to the underworld in hopes of erasing a mortal sin from his own personal checklist come Judgment Day. "Constantine" is based on the DC Comics' "Hellblazer" series of graphic novels. It's the first lead role for Reeves since 2003's "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions," which completed the sci-fi trilogy. In between, Reeves took on supporting turns in director Nancy Meyers' romantic hit "Something's Gotta Give" and "Thumbsucker," in which he plays a dentist who loses his inner calm in the wake of some comic vengeance inflicted by his young patient.Coming this fall for the 40-year-old Reeves is "A Scanner Darkly," adapted from a Philip K. Dick story about an undercover cop of the future who's hooked on a drug that has given him a split personality as a narcotics dealer.Directed by Richard Linklater, "A Scanner Darkly" was shot in live action, with the final film presented in computer animation created by digitally "painting" over the images.Reeves also is preparing to shoot the romantic drama "Il Mare," reuniting with "Speed" co-star Sandra Bullock.Q: Did you grow up rooted in the Christian mythology "Constantine" is based on? KEANU REEVES: I did not. I mean, I went to a Catholic boys school for a year, but that was to play hockey. Religion class was quite contentious for me. Q: So did you have to research the mythology for the film? REEVES: I really took it in-house. The Constantine character has a kind of flesh-and-blood practical look at things that would seem, other people would use the word, occult or spiritual. But here, demons are real. So for me it was more taking it from the film itself. I didn't really need to go outside the piece itself to inform me because the perspective on it, what the character does, was provided by the script. Q: He's matter of fact about the demon world. REEVES: Yeah, that was my take on it. Performing an exorcism was like changing your oil. It's a drag, but necessary. Q: What are your notions of heaven and hell, eternal damnation vs. eternal bliss? REEVES: Well, I hope I get the bliss. And I know I'm going to have to work for it. But I've got to say, really, I have no kind of, can I say "secular religiosity"? ... I don't have a denominational sight. I think, like in the stories that we tell, there is an aspect of the living life informing where we go. A transfiguration, there must be. Energy can't be created or destroyed, and energy flows. It must be in a direction, with some kind of internal, emotive, spiritual direction. It must have some effect somewhere. ... I do think there must be some kind of interaction between your living life and the life that goes on from here. Reeves stars in the title role of "Constantine." Q: What would be your concept of a personal hell for all eternity? And don't say a press junket that never ends. REEVES: No, no, this is not hell. I guess living without love, without experiencing it or being able to give it. I think the aspect of that would be, that's pretty strong punishment. Q: "The Matrix" films and now "Constantine" have spawned video games. Is it strange to see a likeness of yourself in them? REEVES: I think of it as, me performing Constantine is the same as the character Constantine becoming a video game. It becomes inspired by another kind of entity. It is surreal. But I did "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure." They made a cereal out of it, so once you've had a cereal, it doesn't get much more surreal than that. Surreal cereal. Q: After "The Matrix" movies, you did supporting roles in a bigger movie, "Something's Gotta Give," and a smaller one, "Thumbsucker." Was it a palate-cleansing thing to do supporting parts before taking on another huge project like "Constantine"? REEVES: It was kind of an open-ended question of where is some good work to be had? I wanted to act, and these were projects that my manager and agents found, and so I went to some meetings and liked the people involved. Nancy Meyers, and to work with Jack and Diane Keaton. It was a really good role, something I hadn't done in a long time. Light romantic comedy, I hadn't done that for a while. Q: How about a lead role in a light romantic comedy? REEVES: Yeah, that sounds great. You got a script? Q: I'll go home and write one. REEVES: There you go. Try. It's very difficult, comedy. Q: What kind of movie is more fun to go to work on in the morning, the big "Constantine" production or a smaller, more intimate movie like "Thumbsucker"? REEVES: Sometimes, with the scale of a film, it's like when I walked on the sets of "The Matrix," especially in "Reloaded," there was the city square, or in "Revolutions" with some of the machine world, you're like, "Wow, this is a big playground," which is fun to watch. But the acting experience and the collaborating and creating the world, working on the piece, they're the same joys. Q: Your thoughts on turning 40 last summer? Milestone, or just another birthday? REEVES: No, it wasn't just another birthday for me. ... It carried quite a wallop. I have all the classic symptoms. Reflection. Where am I now? Where have I come from? What's important? Dealing with the moment of a different kind of feeling for mortality. Shifting of the body. Contextualizing or reevaluating behaviors and values. All those kinds of things.
From: Seek Lyrics (The Detail is here) Passive Lyrics
Passive Lyrics (A Perfect Circle)
From: Position Music (The Detail is here) "Frozen" has been licensed for the upcoming Keanu Reeves film trailer "Constantine," based on the DC/Vertigo comic book Hellblazer.FILM "Eurotrip" (Dreamworks) featured 4 Position Music songs, including Chapeaumelon's French version of The Who's "My Generation" as the opening title and The Salads' "Get Loose" as an end title song. Chapeaumelon's "Nonchalant" and Maurice Chevallier's "Prosper yop la boum" were also featured in the film. Additionally, three songs were included on the soundtrack. Other recent film placements include “The Butterfly Effect" (New Line), "The Cooler" (Lion's Gate), "Elf" (New Line), "Catch That Kid" (Fox), "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" (Sony/Miramax) and the upcoming "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (New Line). Recent trailer placements include "The Punisher" (Lion's Gate), "Constantine" (Warner Bros.), "Punk'd DVD" (Warner Bros.), "Timeline" (Paramount) and "Paycheck" (Dreamworks). CELLDWELLERCelldweller is having an incredible year in Film/TV/Vide Game licensing. We have now licensed all 15 songs from the record for various Film/TV uses. "Switchback" continues to be a favorite and is currently in "The Punisher" trailer. We are also in the process of shooting a music video for the song. "Frozen" has been licensed for the upcoming Keanu Reeves film trailer "Constantine," based on the DC/Vertigo comic book Hellblazer. Celldweller's other placements include “Enter the Matrix" (Atari – 2 songs), "Timeline" TV spots (Paramount), "Paycheck" trailer (Dreamworks), “Bad Boys 2" Featurettes/Making Of (Sony), “National Security" TV Spots (Sony), “Profiles from the Front Lines" TV Promos (Bruckheimer Prod./ABC), “Mindhunters" (Dimension), “Out for a Kill" (Steven Seagal – 5songs), “Bring it On Again" (Universal), “Kart Racer" (Randy Quaid), “XGRA" Video Game (Acclaim – 4 songs), “Out of Order" (Showtime), “Veritas" (ABC), “Miracles" (ABC), “Black Sash" (WB) and “The Twilight Zone" (UPN). [Snipped for Constantine]
From: eBay (The Detail is here) Stainless Steel Gurney - Keanu Reeves, Constantine Prop
Seller Informationpmsrla Bidding StatusWinning bid: US $280.00 This rolling gurney was used in the upcoming Keanu Reeves film Constantine. It measures roughly 7' x 3' x 4'. Perfect for racing up and down hospital hallways, or serving as a unique table or desk. All stainless steel frame and table. About Us Post Mortem Studio Rentals is the entertainment industry source for medical and death related props. Our props and sets have appeared in such films as Disney’s Haunted Mansion, Bad Boys 2, and Martin Scorsese’s upcoming Frankenstein. We’ve also appeared in music videos by Blink 182, No Doubt, 50 Cent, and the Cure, and Television shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and CSI. For a complete listing of our credits, and images, visit us at http://www.postmortemstudiorental.com/media.htm What began as an actual mortuary supply business branched off into Post Mortem Studio Rentals, a prop house providing authentic autopsy, morgue, mortuary, and medical equipment to Hollywood. We’ve since added an art department to create custom caskets, corpses, and headstones. To see our complete line, visit us at http://www.postmortemstudiorental.com We are currently selling off parts of our inventory to make room for more. This is a unique opportunity! Own a piece of Hollywood history. Our props are the real deal- genuine medical equipment and genuine movie memorabilia- sure to make a great collectors item and conversation piece! View our other auctions at http://stores.ebay.com/Post-Mortem
From: Cinescape magazine (The Detail is here) Cage Attached to CONSTANTINE
After struggling with the aborted SUPERMAN movie project and the still developing GHOST RIDER, Nicolas Cage finally got a comic based property in CONSTANTINE. Cage will play the title role of John Constantine, a man who lives on the fringes of the supernatural world and manipulates others to defuse situations that threaten all life on our world. The movie is based on the DC Comics series HELLBLAZER. The Warner Bros. film project is scheduled to ramp up production on March 1st. Tarsem (THE CELL) will direct.
From: http://www.action-figure.co.uk/Article13053.html (The Detail is here) CONSTANTINE MOVIE STATUE: KEANU REEVES AS CONSTANTINE
John Constantine is a man who has literally been to hell and back, in this adaptation of the Warner Bros. Pictures film Constantine, a supernatural thriller based on the long-running hit DC Comics/VERTIGO HELLBLAZER graphic novels. When Constantine teams up with skeptical policewoman Angela Dodson to solve the mysterious suicide of her twin sister, their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists just beneath the landscape of contemporary Los Angeles. Caught in a catastrophic series of otherworldly events, the two become inextricably involved and seek to find their own peace at whatever cost. This hand painted, cold cast porcelain movie scene statue in the likeness of Keanu Reeves measures approximately 10.25" tall x 6" wide x 6"deep, includes a full-color certificate of authenticity, and is packaged in a 4-color box. This statue is strictly limited to 1,000 pieces. On sale January Statue • $195.00 Established since 1st September 2001 By 999 SQUARES. |
CONSTANTINE MOVIE STATUE: KEANU REEVES AS CONSTANTINE