"Spider-Man 3", "X-Men 3", "The O.C." News Updates!

““Spider-Man 3”, “X-Men 3”, “The O.C.” News Updates!”

By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright February 10, 2006

Seems like the folks in Hollywood land have plenty of time on their hands, so what better to do than keeping busy, keeping YOU guessing about what’s up with your (and our), favorite movies and TV shows.

“Spider-Man 3’s” ongoing production is revving up, still adding additional cast members to the flick, the 3rd in the Spidey film franchise.

Actor, James Cromwell, the esteemed, veteran character actor who many of you know from the charming Aussie film, “Babe” about the little pig that could (and whose storyline isn’t too different from that of the “X-Men” in terms of being a statement of tolerance, compassion, respect, understanding, and peace among different living beings), has joined “Spider-Man 3”.

Cromwell will be playing retired police officer, Captain Stacy, the father of Peter Parker’s new love interest, Gwen Stacy, played by actress, Bryce Dallas Howard.

We have always had a soft spot for the talented Cromwell and are eager to see if his character will prove friend or foe to Spidey!

Heavens, by now anyone who reads our column, knows that we adore the “X-Men” films. But, when will the film makers make a final decision and stick to what they want to title the 3rd installment, due for worldwide release May 26, 2006?

So far, we have heard, “X-Men 3”, then it was officially “X3”, NOW it’s “officially”, depending on which numerous sources you read, either….

“X3: The Last Stand” or “X-Men: The Last Stand”!

This is Xasperating!!!!

Whatever! Personally, we don’t care what you call it just so long as the film rocks! But it would be nice to settle on a title, so all of us “X-Men” film fans could use a moniker we can stick with, when making Xciting conversation.

We suggest to the film makers, make up 2 teams of the film’s cast members.

One team can be the virtuous, “X-Men” mutants’ actors and actresses (ie; Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, James Marsden, etc).

The other team can be the villainous mutants’ actors and actresses (ie; Sir Ian McKellen, Rebecca Romijn, Aaron Stanford, etc).

Have each of THEM, decide on a final name for the film, count the votes from each team, and if there’s a draw, have the actors portraying characters possessing ambiguous motives, as in, are they good or are they evil? (ie; Famke Janssen, Ben Foster) break the tie with their votes!

Whichever team’s title has the most votes, WINS and have the film makers use THAT title!

Madonna put it best when she said this, (hint, NOTE to the film makers!)…just Xpress yourself!

“The O.C.” is back to the residual, usual, Marissa romantic complex, sub plot “Do I love Ryan, or do I love Oliver, or Alex, or D.J, or, currently, the late, not so great, deceased Johnny” or whatever wishy washy character, “O.C.” creator, writer Josh Schwartz brings in, whenever he wants to infuse some romantic tension between lovebirds Ryan and Marissa.

Problem is, whenever these mini story arcs introducing Marissa’s “I can’t decide if I love so and so” happen, they bring in characters that have about as much chemistry with Marissa (aka, luscious, dazzling, actress, Mischa Barton), as a wet blanket. Not to mention that the series’ storylines always become flatter than a bottle of soda left out too long.

Plus Marissa keeps coming off as a flaky ditz, who we have to raise the question, “What the hell is she thinking?” for perennially putting aside her tried and true flame Ryan (aka, super stud, sparkling, actor, Benjamin McKenzie), and giving him the major runaround, when he has remained both faithful and loyal to her throughout every one of her confused romantic dalliances with limp bad boy, toys, not to mention her dysfunctional foul ups with alcohol, drugs, attempt at suicide, kleptomania, etc, etc. etc.

Note to Josh Schwartz. STOP IT! Stop it now!

“The O.C.” always works best, via your magic formula, when Ryan and Marissa canoodle big time and make goo goo eyes at one another. So just stick with the program!

And that’s the latest from Hollywood central! Be back in a flash!

Muse News And Micro Muse February 10, 2006

By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright February 10, 2006