Brad Pitt Kicks It With John Norris

Love ya Brad. Keep doing the best you can. Stay cool.

Hi there cook. Nice to see you around. Hope all is well with you and family. Just about to sign off coz its my night time here. See you around the threads.

I think I’m having Chinese for lunch…and, maybe dinner?

Hi Sheri, thanks for letting me know of the new thread.
Did you get my email? card came back.. Merry Christmas!

Hi malibumom! :smile: Merry Christmas! :smile:

Hello Janice :smile: Merry Christmas! :smile:

Irma, promise you will get email from me today :smile:

Hello Ameena!! Thanks for opening the Ecard! hugs :smile:

Hi Cliniqua! : smile: Merry Christmas! :smile:

Hi lylian! :smile: Merry Christmas! :smile:

Hi THINK POSITIVE! ! :smile: Merry Christmas! :smile:

Pitt’s star power couldn’t help ‘James’
Specialty film fails at box office despite Brad
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK”The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” signals a trend that leaves Hollywood worried as 2007 rings out: A number of pics touting the biggest stars couldn’t find their groove.
Specialty films like “Jesse James,” featuring Brad Pitt and directed by New Zealander Andrew Dominik, joined others starring Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep in getting lost at the box office this fall.

“Jesse James” has grossed just $3.8 million domestically and another $7.5 million overseas. It’s still playing in 30 or so theaters in the U.S., with Warners hoping for a bump from its awards runs. But with such low box office, the film is in a precarious position.

All the publicity is putting a lot of pressure on Mike Nichols’ Tom Hanks-Julia Roberts starrer “Charlie Wilson’s War,” which unspooled Dec. 21.

The idea that the biggest stars aren’t bulletproof is nothing new; it’s just never happened to this extent in one year.

And, in the case of “Jesse James,” it once again raises the age-old question — at what point does a studio take back power from the filmmaker?

Making “James” was a long and arduous process. There was a well-publicized tug-of-war between director Andrew Dominik, who caught Hollywood’s attention with indie title “Chopper,” and Warners over the editing of the film.

Warners’ wasn’t entirely in sync with the pacing of the movie, or the length (one cut ran more than three hours). Dominik was thinking more like Terence Malick in examining the relationship between the famous outlaw and his eventual assassin, Robert Ford, played by Casey Affleck. Warners was in favor of having at least a bit more action.

Dominik based his script on the book by Ron Hansen.

Ultimately, Warners went with Dominik’s version, even though Dominik didn’t have final cut as part of his contract. Part of the reason was that Pitt, who produced the movie through his Plan B shingle, backed Dominik. At one point along the way, Pitt and exec producer Ridley Scott had put together their own cut. When it tested to only so-so results, they went back to Dominik’s.

Another chief reason is that Warners considers itself to be a filmmaker-friendly studio. That has been one of the hallmarks of Jeff Robinov’s tenure as prexy of production, and he soon will be transitioning to a larger role at the studio.

“We’re not a place that says, ‘It’s my way or the highway,’ ” one Warners executive says.

The studio says “Jesse James” cost $30 million to produce. Shooting was actually completed in the latter part of 2005; the release was delayed by more than a year until September 2007 due to editing.

By the time “Jesse James” opened in five locations Sept. 21, Warners had tempered its expectations; usually, when a film underperforms at the box office, there’s all sorts of hand-wringing back on the studio lot.

Warners is surprised, though, that Pitt isn’t getting more awards attention in the U.S. after winning best actor for the pic at the Venice Film Fest.

So far, it’s Affleck who is feeling most of the awards heat. Affleck nabbed a Golden Globe supporting actor nom, and won the supporting actor nod from the National Board of Review.

One studio exec says people are in the mood to be entertained — regardless of the name on the marquee, at least to some extent.

“I think it’s the movie, not the movie star,” one studio exec says. “Movies like ‘Juno’ have the accumulation of great contemporary resonance, and you have a dazzling breakthrough performance in Ellen Page.”

The star that turned out to be the legend of the 2007 box office? Will Smith, whose “I Am Legend” debuted at $76.5 million, the highest opening ever for a December pic.
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Shame. I like that movie. Arthouse movies are never successful with the BO.

cook @ 12/22/2007 at 10:11 am

Hi Alex,

The Steelers sort of redeemed themselves Thursday for the play-offs. Are you a Chargers’ fan?

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Hiya cook, how are you? Are you ready for the holidays? They sure did, it was a great game for them. No, I am not a Chargers’ fan, they are okay now that I live in SD, but my heart belong to Big Blue, love my New York Giants, no matter what City or State I move to, the Giants will always be my team. We have a big game against Buffalo tomorrow, I hope we can win it and wrap up a playoff spot

Alexanderina @ 12/22/2007 at 10:41 am I think this is very nice

People News

Angelina Jolie’s giving Christmas

Dec 22, 2007, 7:30 GMT

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt will spend Christmas helping others.

The couple are planning on teaching their children - adopted Maddox, six, Pax, four, Zahara, two, and their biological daughter, 18-month-old Shiloh - the real message of the festive season by helping people in New Orleans who were affected by last year’s Hurricane Katrina.

Angelina said: “We’re talking about spending the holidays in New Orleans. We’ll spend the morning with our children, make it special for them and then we’re going to spend the day helping others in need.

“It’s important to teach our children that it’s not about what they’re going to get, but it’s about who they’re going to think of.”

Angelina also confessed seeing others who are less fortunate than herself make her realise how lucky she is.

She added: “I’m very fortunate in my life. I love my kids and Brad is an amazing man and a wonderful partner - we’ve found a great balance together.”

http://people.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1382754.php/Angelina_Jolies_giving_Christmas

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Thanks for bringing this.love jp’s family.

hiya to all jp’s fans all over the world.I will come back later.just stop to say hi.

Anna,

I can buy your comment…that’s all I said and got the s hit kicked out of me. As a guy, I don’t put on kid gloves when I discuss another guy…most of us don’t. He just has to practice more cause you don’t have to be a politician to articulate…just KNOW your material and be confident, then , open your mout h loud.

Morning JP fans, Thanks for the new thread JJ

Alex,

I am ready for the holidays. My son is looking forward to the school break and he doesn’t really get excited for gifts now.

I’m originally a Jerseyian and liked the Giants during the “Big Tuna’s tenure. Now, y’all need a more consistent quarterback…it ain’t Eli Coli Manning.

Moderated @ 12/22/2007 at 11:00 am

STFU stupid crazy trashy b1atch. :)

I donated $20…so it’s OK to give that too
if you can only swing that. Even $5….
Give guys…because this aint no BS charity.

Thank you Brad…