Friday, 26 December 1997

Universal Pictures has an expansive site. It takes a month to load, but such is the life of the Web. You can check out their only major Oscar release, The Boxer before you have any chance to see it. But the most popular thing on the site is the retro-horror section, which brings back Universal's horrific past (Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, et al). But back to its horrific present. Take an early look at Blues Brothers 2000 or other coming attractions.

Universal recently purchased a piece of October Films. They are the people who brought us Oscar nominee Secrets & Lies last year. They have posters for you and a look at some interesting movies, though no nominations are expected this year, unless Robert Duvall's The Apostle (still without its own link) comes through with the Billy Bob Thornton vote.

As alternatives, check out some of the independent Web sites. Polygram became a hot indie with Four Wedding and A Funeral. They are still busy pushing Fargo, last year's big critical hit. Castle Rock is the home of Rob Reiner, but these days Seinfeld takes precedence even over Rob. Not much there, but Coming Attractions includes -- what else? -- Seinfeld creator Larry David's first movie, Sour Grapes, starring Steven Weber, the hubby of Rough Cut TV's Juliette Hohnen. Last, but least, check out Trimark Picture's site, which is still pushing Chairman of the Board, starring Carrot Top. But seriously folks, the company put out the wonderful Eve's Bayou, probably by mistake.

E-mail your box office predictions. I'm back, live, on Monday and I'll give credit where credit is due.