Keanu Reeves supports 'revolution' in paralysis treatment

By John Morgan, Spotlight Health
With medical adviser Stephen A. Shoop, M.D.

As Neo in The Matrix, Keanu Reeves realizes he is 'the one.' In real life Reeves hopes to start a revolution in the treatment and care of people suffering from spinal cord injuries.

Reeves joined fellow celebrities and NHL stars last Sunday for a celebrity hockey game to benefit the Spinal Cord Opportunities for Rehabilitation Endowment foundation.

"SCORE provides support for people who have experienced spinal cord injuries," says Reeves who tended goal during the game. "It helps them with what can be extremely expensive medicals costs. So we're hoping to raise money for a great cause. And we get to get out on the ice with the NHL guys."

"And hopefully I'll be able to stop a few pucks," Reeves adds joking.

Firing away at The Matrix: Reloaded star were such Hollywood hockey fans as Cuba Gooding Jr., Brendan Fehr from Roswell, Jay Harrington of Couples, D.B. Sweeney, Alan Thicke, and Rachel Blanchard of Clueless. Some of the NHL's top stars filled out the team rosters, among them were Luc Robitaille, Glenn Murray, Marty McSorely, and Rob Blake.

"A lot of the people that SCORE helps are all athletes - people who were injured while playing their sport," says Paulie Kosta, who plays with Reeves in a new band called becky. "So I think that makes this game more important, especially because of what happened to Sean [Gjos]."

SCORE was founded in 1999 after UCLA graduate student Sean Gjos suffered a paralyzing hockey accident.

"I was chasing a puck into the corner and the other team's player body checked me - it was a clean body check - and I went into the boards in an awkward back-first manner," Gjos recalls. "I dislocated one vertebra and fractured another. The net result was I squeezed my spinal canal to 10% of normal size."

The tragedy of Gjos' injury was apparent to him immediately.

"I was conscious throughout the entire accident so I felt the numbness sweeping up - I knew immediately something was very wrong," states Gjos, who is SCORE's honorary chairman. "When they straightened out my legs I still felt like they were bent and that's when I really knew how serious it was."

Now paraplegic, Gjos' accident illustrates the frailty of human health. His story was not far from the minds of the stars and pro players participating in the charity event.

"It's very scary that you could be doing a sport you love and one quick accident could change your life," says Blanchard, who was the lone female on the ice. "And it can happen to anybody at any time."

SCI score sheet

According to the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, approximately 250,000 Americans are now living with spinal cord injuries. Of these, 52% are paraplegic like Gjos and 47% are quadriplegic like the famous actor. Additionally, about 11,000 people suffer SCIs every year. Fifty-six percent of these are between the ages of 16 and 30 and 82% of all cases are male.

Only about 7% of spinal cord injuries occur from sports related activities, like the ones suffered by Gjos and Reeve. According to University of Alabama National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), other causes include:

Vehicular accident - 38%
Violence - 24%
Falls - 22%
Other - 8%

"You could be playing any sport, not just hockey, and a freak accident happens and we want to make sure that they are not forgotten," urges Luc Robitaille. "They need help and financial support because their care is very expensive."

In fact, the medical costs are daunting.

Only about 52% of SCI victims are covered by insurance. And the NSCISC reports that first year medical costs for a paraplegic SCI can run as much as $209,000 or more. Lifetime costs for a 25 year-old paraplegic like Gjos can exceed $730,000.

"One of the things that is great is not only does SCORE provide research funding but it also provides funds to transform a house - by providing wheel chair access -- so they can move around in their own home," notes Reeves, who will again play Neo in The Matrix: Revolutions due out this November. "They also do mentoring and help people finish their education."

"SCORE gives financial grants because the costs are substantial to retrofit homes, cars, and get adequate rehabilitation and we'd rather people focus on rehab issues not financial ones," Gjos says.

Cuba Gooding Jr. stressed that research funding is equally critical right now.

"Christopher Reeve has regained some abilities that weren't there so that obviously tells us we don't know enough yet, and we need to get more funds for research because the cure is out there," Gooding Jr. says. "Stem cell research and other new innovative ways may be what help heal people who are paralyzed. But we have to get more money."

And knowledge.

The 'Matrix'

Research scientist and doctors have been struggling with how to regenerate nerves for many decades. But now there is budding hope that breakthroughs will be within future reach.

"Spinal cord injury is a process that primarily destroys connections between the brain and the spinal cord," says Mark H. Tuszynski, professor of neurosciences at UCSD and director of Center of Neural Repair. "The problem isn't so much that cells die but that these wires that connect the two are disconnected. The real challenge of regeneration research is to reconnect the wires."

Tuszynski says that a "great deal of progress" has been made in the last 15 years in understanding why these 'wires' don't reconnect themselves and how doctors can augment that recovery. For people who have an established injury, research is directed at nerve regeneration.

While peripheral nerves do regenerate, the spinal cord does not. Scientists now know a lot more about these previously mysterious mechanisms.

"A peripheral nerve regenerates for three reasons," Tuszynski explains. "First, the structure of the tube surrounding the nerve remains pretty intact, which helps align nerves into the correct orientation for regeneration. Second the injury site fills in with cells that help with the attachment of the injured nerves so they can move along - almost like a bridge that supports axon growth. And third, cells along the injured nerve secrete growth factors at the injury site to stimulate growth of new connections."

But in the spinal cord these things don't happen.

Tuszynski says that following a SCI there is no matrix of cells or proteins that the nerves can attach to as they grow along. Additionally, the spinal cord not only doesn't make growth factors, but it and the brain actually produce inhibitors that actively block the new growth of nerves throughout life. Another final obstacle to regeneration is no guidance mechanism exists to get the nerves growing to the right location.

"So research for regeneration centers on providing growth factors, providing a matrix to the injury site and neutralizing the inhibitors," the expert says. "In my opinion a multi-faceted approach, rather than one single approach, is most likely going to be an effective therapy for the complicated problem of spinal cord injury."

The good news for the injury community is there have been definitive successes in coaxing injured nerves to grow again and to grow into a site of spinal cord injury.

"The challenge remains to convincingly show that those growing nerves hook up to the right targets in order to allow functional recovery," Tuszynski states. "We have come a long way and we still have a long way to go but there is more hope than ever."

"I'm playing because the money and awareness raised can make a real difference in people's lives right now," says Reeves. "This is a great cause and it deserves attention."

Keanu sighting

Last-minute table for 16 at Bluehour? No problem especially if a member of the party happens to be megamovie star Keanu Reeves, in town for an indie movie called "Thumbsucker," and he's just finished a hard day's filming in the Mount Tabor area. ... And, of course, when he and the rest of the cast show up, the other patrons get on their cell phones and call their friends, and they call their friends, and ... Stop it, Portland! Haven't you ever seen a movie star before? ... Will the Oregonian editorial board kindly lay off our fine state legislators for daring to wear aloha shirts to work Friday? Of course they're irresponsible and incompetent – the legislators, that is – but it doesn't have anything to do with what they're wearing. They've been wearing suits and ties for all these years and look where it's got 'em. ... Willamette Week reports that the feds have been asking for long-gone ecofugitive Tre Arrow at the Red and Black, the anarchist coffee collective-diner on Division. "That's nothing," says the young lady behind the counter. "We're looking for him, too." ... Turns out that Tre, who's accused of setting fire to logging trucks, may have left behind an unpaid bill or two. Now he's really in trouble.

Rachel Weisz Cast as “Constantine” Female Lead

Written 08-20-2003 by ChrisFaile

From a number of sources, FilmJerk.com has learned that Rachel Weisz has been cast in Warner Bros.’ “Constantine,” an adaptation of the DC Comic comic book “Hellblazer.” Weisz, who was last seen in “The Shape of Things” and “Confidence” – as well as the upcoming fall films “Envy” and “the Runaway Jury” – will be playing Angela, the lead female role. Reeves and Weisz previously co-starred together in the ill-fated 1996 film "Chain Reaction."

As we initially reported in June, producers were looking to cast an actress for a role described as a “beautiful, intelligent and strong detective in her mid 20's to mid 30's, imbued with more than just instinct and seems to be in the right place at the right time where her perps are concerned. She serves as the foil to John Constantine (played by Keanu Reeves), a world-traveling man with occult powers who investigates supernatural mysteries, often walking a thin line between evil and good.

According to our earlier casting notes, Angela meets Constantine in an effort to enlist his help in tracking down her twin sister's murderer, even though initially it seems like a suicide. She is deeply religious and becomes very concerned when it seems that supernatural forces are involved in her sister's death. Through this journey, she realizes just how strong she is without having to be so tough.

Although the original casting notice made it a point to note that they were looking for Hispanic and African-American actresses for this role, they chose London-born Weisz instead.

In related news, the casting director for the film is looking to cast a younger version of the Angela role, as well as her identical sister Isabel. According to casting notices obtained this afternoon by FilmJerk.com, producers are looking to cast 8- to 10-year-old identical twins to play the sisters, looking especially for those who bear a physical resemblance to Weisz. The casting notes indicate they are non-speaking roles, but “require good actors who can react, follow direction and are not afraid to ride on a swing.”

“Constantine” is set to start filming on September 22 in Los Angeles and is scheduled to open 360 days later on September 17th, 2004.

Big Matrix Battle Promised

The Matrix Revolutions star Keanu Reeves (Neo) told the Australian Herald Sun newspaper that the upcoming third movie will feature "a battle between Zion and the machines, and the relationship between Agent Smith [Hugo Weaving] and Neo is resolved," according to a report on the Dark Horizons Web site. "[Also] some questions of the journey of Neo as the One are answered, and lots of surprises."

The Matrix Revolutions will contain a 17-minute battle conducted on the scorched earth of the nuclear-ravaged real world, littered with crumbling cathedrals and leading Neo to his true destiny, the newspaper reported.

Co-star Jada Pinkett-Smith (Niobe), meanwhile, said that she's "more involved in the story. I help save the day, and you see my love story with Laurence [Fishburne (Morpheus)] resolved. [But] I don't think anybody gets married." The Matrix Revolutions opens Nov. 5.

Weisz in talks to join Reeves in occult movie

Rachel Weisz is in negotiations to star opposite Keanu Reeves in a new movie based around the occult world.

Constantine stars Reeves as John Constantine, a man who dabbles in the occult and teams with a female police officer to fight evil forces.

Weisz would play Angela, an officer who becomes involved with Constantine when her twin sister dies in a mysterious suicide.

The movie - an adaptation of the DC-Vertigo comic book Hellblazer - will be directed by Francis Lawrence.

Fans of Weisz, who is best known for her role in The Mummy, will next see her in new movies Runaway Jury, alongside John Cusack, Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman, and Envy, with Ben Stiller.

Weisz to star in next Keanu movie?

21/08/2003

Rachel Weisz, whose new movie 'Confidence' opens in Ireland tomorrow, is in talks to star opposite Keanu Reeves in 'Constantine'.

The Hollywood Reporter says the film is an adaptation of the acclaimed comic 'Hellblazer'.

Reeves will play John Constantine, a man with knowledge of the occult who joins forces with a female police officer to fight evil.

Should Weisz sign up for the movie, she will play the police officer, Angela.

Matrix Reloaded may not be considered for Oscars

The makers of Matrix Reloaded may not enter it for next year's Oscars even though it broke worldwide box office records.

Warners are considering promoting only the third film, Matrix Revolutions, which is due out in November, for the Oscars, reports the BBC.

The company had considered pushing for both films to be nominated as a single entry, because they were shot on the same 240-day shoot, but the academy refused.

"Two separate releases with two separate marketing campaigns - even if they were four-walled together as one movie - would have to be considered two different films," said the academy's executive administrator Ric Robertson.

Warners then asked the academy if there was anything preventing them from offering only one of their films for consideration. The academy said it was within the rules.

There may also be two Kill Bill films this year because director Quentin Tarantino has split the movie into two, leaving its producers Miramax with the same dilemma.

Miramax has not yet decided whether both of its Kill Bill films will be released this year, although Kill Bill Vol 1 will be released in the US on 10 October.

THEY SAY THEY WANT A 'REVOLUTIONS' OSCAR NOD

By LOU LUMENICK August 19, 2003 -- WARNER Bros. reportedly is considering writing off the Oscar chances of the sci-fi epic "The Matrix: Reloaded" so as not to hurt the Academy Award prospects of the sequel, "The Matrix Revolutions," due in November.
Both the studio and the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences are grappling with the unique situation of two movies, shot back to back, being released during the same calendar year.

The original "The Matrix" won Oscars in the four categories for which it was nominated: editing, sound, sound effects editing and visual effects.

Oscar officials are cool to the idea that both of this year's "Matrix" movies, released six months apart, be considered as one movie.

"Two separate releases with two separate marketing campaigns - even if they were [shown] together as one movie - would have to be considered two separate films," Academy executive administrator Rick Robertson told the Hollywood Reporter.

But the Academy has given Warner Bros. its blessing to use a legal loophole that lets a studio choose not to submit films for Academy consideration.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. is considering withholding "The Matrix: Reloaded" from consideration so Academy nominators and voters can focus on "The Matrix Revolutions."

Matrix III is in the can

From Sydney Confidential
18aug03

IN The Matrix Revolutions, the third and final part of the movie trilogy, hero Neo (Keanu Reeves) gets in contact again with his nemesis Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving).

Due for worldwide release on November 5, The Matrix Revolutions comes with the tagline "everything that has a beginning has an end". And, says the hype, while the second of the trilogy, Reloaded, was about life, "Revolutions will be about death".

A climax of Revolutions will be a 17-minute battle conducted on the scorched earth of the nuclear-ravaged real world, littered with crumbling cathedrals and leading Neo to his true destiny, says 7 days editor Jenny Dillon.

This segment cost about two-thirds of the budget of the first film alone. The Matrix cost $100 million, and took $690 million around the world.

The second and third parts, like the first made in Sydney over 18 months from March 2001, had a budget of more than $460 million.

The original's most ardent fans always thought the revolutionary creation of Andy and Larry Wachowski would be a tough act to follow.

But already Reloaded, released in May this year, has returned $1100 million globally, putting it at number 13 in the list of the top grossing moves of all times in worldwide box office figures.

Producer Joel Silver said that the reason for the release of both movies within six months of each other was that the sequels are not two movies released back-to-back, but one movie cut in half and shown in two parts.

Unlike the Star Wars stories and the never-ending tales of Harry Potter, there will be no fourth Matrix film. "The story the Wachowskis wanted to tell ends at the end of Revolutions," said Joel Silver.

Silver, Reeves & Pinkett Smith Talk Matrix Revolutions! , August 17, 2003

Silver, Reeves & Pinkett Smith Talk Matrix Revolutions! Source: The Herald Sun, Entertainment Weekly Sunday, August 17, 2003

The Herald Sun talked to producer Joel Silver about the highly-anticipated The Matrix Revolutions who says it's "an all-out war between the humans and the machines, and will blow minds".

One of the key scenes, Silver says, is "a 14-minute, $40 million battle scene that is the most complicated sequence ever put on film." The latest Entertainment Weekly has more on this sequence. The magazine says it's a 14-minute, low-altitude helicopter chase. Whether or not that is accurate, we do not know for sure yet.

What we do know is that "there's a battle between Zion and the machines," Keanu Reeves tells the mag. "And the relationship between Agent Smith and Neo is resolved." Also, "some questions of the journey of Neo as The One are answered. And lost of surprises."

Jada Pinkett Smith returns as Niobe in the third film. "I'm more involved in the story," she says, "I help save the day, and you see my love story with Laurence resolved." She adds, "I don't think anybody gets married."

There's a new picture from the film at the source link above as well. If you missed the new picture which was included in the EW article, that is still available here. Thanks to 'Keanuette' for contributing to this article.

Matrix splashes out on final take

18aug03

THERE are two months to wait, but here's a small taste for Matrix fans.

As this exclusive image from the third and final Matrix movie, Matrix Revolutions, shows, the action is as fast and furious as ever, with Neo (Keanu Reeves), again fighting an army of evil Agent Smiths (Hugo Weaving). The film, which was made in Sydney with the second in the trilogy, Matrix Reloaded, opens on November 7.

The first two in the trilogy, written and directed by the mysterious Wachowski brothers, Larry and Andy, broke Australian box office records.

The first, made $23.1 million and the second $33.4 million at the Australian box office.

According to producer Joel Silver, Matrix Revolutions is "an all-out war between the humans and the machines, and will blow minds".

"We have a 14-minute, $40 million battle scene that is the most complicated sequence ever put on film," he said.

Revolutions Revealed

New pic and poster for the third Matrix flick!

August 15, 2003 - The poster for the final chapter in The Matrix trilogy, The Matrix Revolutions, has been revealed (dig the image below). It sports the familiar cascade of green characters along with the phrase: "Everything that has a beginning has an end."

Warner Bros. has also released a new image from the film (also below) with a somewhat familiar scene – the pic shows a rain-drenched Neo and Agent Smith fighting it out while a group of other Smiths look on.

Meanwhile, Cinescape's Coming Attractions has heard a rumor about when fans can expect to get their first real tease of the film. According to the site, Warner Bros. has tentatively scheduled the Revolutions trailer for Sept. 12, which coincides with the studio's release of Ridley Scott's Matchstick Men, starring Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell.

Unfortunately for eager fans, CA's source also tips that the preview is mostly a re-editing (albeit a very good one) of previously glimpsed scenes from the third Matrix film, with the exception of a couple of new scenes.

The Matrix Revolutions is due in your local megaplex and at your nearest IMAX theater on November 5th.

If not Gov. Terminator, then who? Some suggestions

August 17, 2003

California's recall election couldn't get any weirder.

Actor Gary Coleman, the pint-sized star of "Diff'rent Strokes," Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt and watermelon-smashing comedian Gallagher, along with dozens of other duly registered candidates, will have to run hard to catch Arnold "The Terminator" Schwarzenegger, who is so far the man (or is that cyborg?) to beat.

But let's get serious.

While Aug. 9 was the deadline for filing with the California secretary of state, Sept. 23 is the deadline for filing as a write-in vote candidate.

Here are some other high- profile

[Snipped for Keanu]

Keanu Reeves

• Slogan: "Whoa!"

• Qualifications: Would have the surfer-dude vote all tied up. Can fight as many as 100 opponents at a time ("The Matrix Reloaded"). Met Abraham Lincoln in "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure."

People: Chitchat about the stars

Keanu Reeves has gone from "The Matrix" to the mosh pit with his cameo in Anthrax's video for its new single "Safe Home." Apparently Reeves, who plays bass in his vanity rock band Dogstar, is a longtime fan of the thrash metal band with the unfortunate name, the New York Post reports. On its new album "We've Come for You All," Anthrax also enlisted The Who's Roger Daltrey, as well as fellow metalheads like Pantera's "Dimebag" Darrell.

Anthrax's video for their new single, "Safe Home."

August 14, 2003 -- KEANU Reeves has gone from "The Matrix" to the mosh pit with his cameo in Anthrax's video for their new single, "Safe Home." Apparently Reeves, who plays bass in his vanity rock band Dogstar, is a longtime fan of the thrash metal band with the unfortunate name. On its new album "We've Come for You All," Anthrax also enlisted The Who's Roger Daltry, as well as fellow metalheads like Pantera's "Dimebag" Darrell.

Keanu Gives It Up!

August 15, 2003

Taking a break from his 'Matrix' duties, KEANU REEVES is teaming up with screen legends JACK NICHOLSON and DIANE KEATON for the romantic comedy 'Something's Gotta Give,' coming to theaters this December. Tonight on ET, we have your exclusive first look at the hilarious new trailer!

In the new comedy, Nicholson plays Harry Sanborn, an aging playboy with a libido much younger than his years. During a romantic weekend with his latest conquest, Marin (AMANDA PEET of 'The Whole Nine Yards'), at her mother's Hamptons beach house, Harry has chest pains. Marin's divorced mother, Erica (Keaton), reluctantly cares for Harry, and in the process he develops romantic feelings for the more age-appropriate woman.

But while Harry struggles to change his old habits, his charming, 30-something doctor (Reeves) steps in and begins to pursue Erica! Now Harry, who has always had the world on a string, finds his life unraveling.

Also starring FRANCES McDORMAND and JON FAVREAU and directed by NANCY MEYERS ('What Women Want'), 'Something's Gotta Give' gives in to audiences everywhere December 12.

Matrix Revolutions Theatrical Trailer Coming When?

Source: Coming Attractions at Cinescape Friday, August 15, 2003

Coming Attractions at Cinescape is hearing that Warner Bros. is releasing the new trailer for The Matrix Revolutions in theaters on September 12, most likely with Ridley Scott's Matchstick Men. The trailer isn't expected to be all new though, but more of a re-editing of previous seen material with a couple of new shots as well.

If you haven't downloaded our exclusive look at the UK teaser trailer, then be sure to head here!

Actors with their L-plates

Showing on August 16
Actors with their L-plates on

Before They Were Stars
6.30pm, Ten (Syd only)

IT'S hard to know why seeing what celebrities looked like before fame is so appealing. Perhaps seeing how dorky stars look with bad 1980s haircuts and even worse '80s clothes doesn't make us feel so bad about how bad we looked then. Or maybe it reassures us that it's only by the sleight of hand that is make-up, hairstyling and possibly even plastic surgery, that these people look so good.

Or perhaps it's comforting to realise that they might be at the top now, but they had to start somewhere. It's easier to live with the fact you aren't where you want to be in life when armed with the knowledge that Brad Pitt was once in a Pringles ad. Actually, on reflection, it's probably just because we like laughing at their bad haircuts and cheesy commercials.

Before They Were Stars comes from the cheap end of television production – it's just a collection of these pre-fame moments sorted into categories, such as beauty pageants or sitcom appearances, iced with a goofy American announcer.

Obviously, then, we're not talking about the most in-depth viewing – even given the trivial topic. For instance, in showing a young Dylan (then known as Mark) McDermott auditioning for the 1988 movie The Night Before, it would have been worth mentioning that the role went to an also young Keanu Reeves.

And it's not as if the footage is necessarily the oldest available of a given star – yes Jennifer Connelly was young when she made Creepers in 1985, but she was even younger when she appeared in Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in America or Duran Duran's Union of the Snake video.

But the main problem is the length of the clips. Once you've realised it's Jeri Ryan (Boston Public, Star Trek Voyager) singing badly in a beauty pageant, you shouldn't have to endure another 30 seconds of it.

However, if you have the patience, there are a few gems. It seems Halle Berry's emotional Oscar acceptance speech was not a one-off – she was equally demonstrative when crowned Miss Teen All-American in 1984. The early works of Mel Gibson (1977's Summer City), Nicole Kidman (what else – 1983's BMX Bandits) and Russell Crowe (the '70s soap The Young Doctors) get a look in. But by far the most interesting is an early Robert De Niro appearance.

The idea of De Niro doing commercials would be fodder for a million sketch comedies and here he is in an ad for the AMC Ambassador car. Watch it without saying "Are you talking to me" – if you can.

- Kerrie Murphy