"Gainsbourg": A Heroic LIfe

"Gainsbourg", directed by Joann Sfar, follows the life of French singer/songwriter/film director 'Serge Gainsbourg' (Eric Elmosnino), from his childhood in occupied France, to his rise as an international pop star.

His varied style and individuality made Gainsbourg's songs difficult to categorize, although he is often regarded as one of the world's most influential popular musicians.

In 1969, he released the song "Je t'aime... moi non plus", featuring explicit lyrics and simulated sounds of a female orgasm.

The song also appeared on the LP "Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg".

Originally recorded with actress Brigitte Bardot, the recording was released with future girlfriend Birkin when Bardot backed out.

While Gainsbourg declared the composition "the ultimate love song," "Je T'aime" was censored in numerous countries, with the Vatican declaring the song 'offensive'.

Despite the controversy, the song charted in the top ten throughout Europe, with Gainsbourg writing soundtracks for more than 40 films, as well as directing the movies "Je t'aime... moi non plus", "Équateur" and "Charlotte For Ever".

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Marvel Studios Conjuring Up "Dr. Strange"

Development continues on Marvel Studios comic book adaptation of a younger version of Marvel Comics' 'Sorcerer Supreme', "Dr. Strange", with Disney very interested in getting in on a potential, billion dollar earning, "Harry Potter"-type 'sorcery' movie franchise.

According to reports, the latest screenplay draft by Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer ("Conan the Barbarian"), has been turned in, with Marvel Studios preparing a list of potential directors.

Following their Marvel Comics' success with "The Amazing Spider-Man", creators Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko debuted 'Doctor Strange' in the comic book "Strange Tales" #110 (July 1963), fashioning the physical look of the character after creator Lee Falk's popular, 1930's comic strip character "Mandrake The Magician".

'Dr. Stephen Strange' was an arrogant, world-renowned neurosurgeon, until a car accident damaged his hands, preventing him from conducting surgery. In desperation, a bitter Strange seeks out a legendary Tibetan hermit living in a 'Lost Horizon' of the Himalayas who may have the cure to his debilitating condition.

Strange finds 'The Ancient One', possessed of the knowledge of sorcerous spells and incantations, invoking names and aspects of extra-dimensional objects and beings of power.

Some of these phenomena include the 'Flames of the Faltine', the 'Shades of the Seraphim' and the 'Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth'.

When Strange selflessly thwarts the evil ambitions of the Ancient One's disciple 'Baron Mordo', the 500-year old wizard tutors Strange in the 'mystic arts', teaching him how to use magical artifacts to augment his power, including the 'Cloak of Levitation', the all-seeing 'Eye of Agamotto' and the 'Book of the Vishanti'.

Strange's residence in New York's Greenwich Village, referred to as his 'Sanctum Sanctorum', figured prominently in stories focusing on extra-dimensional battles in the Big Apple.

Strange uses his magic to achieve a number of effects, including energy projection, teleportation, telepathy and astral projection.

Strange was also schooled in the use of addictive and corruptive 'dark magic' by one-time foe 'Kaluu', using it to destroy the entity known as 'Shuma-Gorath'.

Doctor Strange has been featured in several self-titled Marvel Comics series and Marvel-endorsed products including arcade/video games, animated TV series, a direct-to-DVD film and merchandise including trading cards.

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'The Charmed Ones' Face Another Threat

Zenescope Entertainment's "Charmed" #15, available October 2012, continues the adventures of the TV series in graphic novel format, written by Paul Ruditis, with illustrations by Dean Kotz and a cover by David Seidman :

"...trouble comes knocking for 'Paige' at her front door when a mysterious fire nearly burns down her house. The nature of the attack suggests a 'firestarter', but the real answer might not be that simple. Are 'The Charmed Ones' about to face another threat from the past or is the culprit a more recent addition to their lives? A secret that 'Piper' has been keeping might hold the answer to more than just Paige's question or it could lead to a whole new set of problems..."

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"Salem's Daughter: The Haunting"

Zenescope Entertainment's "Salem's Daughter: The Haunting" #4, available October 2012, is written by Ralph Tedesco, with illustrations by Allan Otero and covers by Stjepan Sejic/Natali Sanders :

Heigl Dreams Of "I Dream Of Jeannie"

According to studio reports, Columbia Pictures wants Emmy Award winning actress Katherine Heigl ("Grey's Anatomy") to star in a big screen remake of the classic 1960's TV sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie".

Created by Sidney Sheldon in 1965 to compete against ABC's "Bewitched",  "I Dream Of Jeannie" starred actress Barbara Eden, as a 2000-year-old female 'genie' and actor Larry Hagman ("Dallas") as an astronaut who becomes her master (and eventual lover), for directors Gene Nelson, Hal Cooper and Claudio Guzman.


In the pilot episode, "The Lady in the Bottle", astronaut 'Captain Tony Nelson, US Air Force', is on a space flight when his one-man capsule 'Stardust One' comes down far from the planned recovery area, near a deserted island in the South Pacific.

On the beach, Tony notices a strange bottle that rolls by itself. When he rubs it after removing the stopper, smoke starts shooting out and a Persian-speaking female genie (wearing an enticing harem costume) materializes, kissing Tony on the lips with devoted passion.

Tony expresses his wish that 'Jeannie' could speak English, which she then does. Then, per his instructions, she "blinks" and causes a recovery helicopter to show up. A grateful Tony tells Jeannie she is free, but Jeannie falls in love with Tony, re-enters her bottle and places it in Tony's duffel bag so she can accompany him back home.

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"The Dark Knight Rises" In Pittsburgh

Sneak Peek new set shots and video from "The Dark Knight Rises", Warners upcoming 'Batman' movie currently shooting in the Pittsburgh area.

Through fake snow blowing through the air, the pictures show a fight scene between Batman (Christian Bale) and the villain 'Bane' (Tom Hardy).

Director Christopher Nolan's third and final "Batman" motion picture is based on DC Comics vigilante superhero character.

The feature is co-produced by Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures.

Leading an international cast, Oscar winner Bale ("The Fighter") reprises his dual role as 'Bruce Wayne/Batman', with Anne Hathaway, as 'Selina Kyle' aka 'Catwoman' and Hardy, as 'Bane'.

Also starring are Oscar winner Marion Cotillard ("La Vie en Rose") as 'Miranda Tate' and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as 'John Blake'. Returning to the main cast, are Oscar winner Michael Caine ("The Cider House Rules") as 'Alfred', Gary Oldman ("Bram Stoker's Dracula") as 'Commissioner Gordon' and Oscar winner Morgan Freeman ("Million Dollar Baby") as 'Lucius Fox'.

For the film, director Nolan is utilizing IMAX cameras more extensively than he did on "The Dark Knight".

Screenplay for "The Dark Knight Rises" is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, from a story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. Producers are Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight." Jordan Goldberg co-produces. Executive producers are Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull.

"The Dark Knight" is based on characters created by Bob Kane.

Locations for the film include the US, India, England and Scotland.

"The Dark Knight Rises" is slated for release, July 20, 2012.

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