Two tips from the blogosphere

First off, to give credit where credit's due, both these crazy rumors come from the Film ick blog, which I recommend visiting as often as you can. It's just that good.

First comes a very welcome notion: Michel Gondry directing a biopic about Debbie Harry. Another music biopic? I can hear the groans now, but hear me out. Gondry is a top-notch director, and he's showed his love of music with the great "Dave Chappelle's Block Party" and other movies. And putting him in the middle of New York's punk scene in the late 70s would be a wild ride.

There is, however, a downside to all this. In the same post, reported by Brendan Connelly, it was revealed - by Kirsten Dunst - that Ms. Harry will be played by, well, Kirsten Dunst. Sheesh. I have nothing against Kirsten but, the more she works, the more I become convinced she's just a tremendous ditz. She does, however, have a record of success with Gondry in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (though her main contribution to that movie, as I remember it, was dancing around in her underwear, certainly not unpleasant to watch.)

If I had a vote, I'd go with Canadian actress Sarah Polley, who I've just loved ever since "The Sweet Hereafter." Who would you like to see in this plum role? Please feel free to sound off.

Miyazaki's next move

The second Film Ick tip is about the great Hayao Miyazaki, who I admit I always have to check up on at the IMDB to make sure he is still alive.

It seems he indeed is, and has his eyes on a new project that sounds as crazy as it does cool. The next Ghibli film will reportedly be Miyazaki's adaption of the Chinese children's novella "I Lost my Little Boy." The story apparently revolves around a young boy dying from heart disease - but isn't at all downbeat, according to Mr. Connelly.

He reports the oddest thing about the project is that the book is very obviously inspired by Miyazaki's previous films, and even makes mention of the Miyazaki character Totoro as though he actually exists right at the very top of the first page.

It just sounds like a bizarre melding of two worlds that should be suited just right to Miyazaki. My only request would be that, unlike "Howl's Moving Castle," it at least have the semblance of a linear plot. Maybe my imagination is just eroding, but I find myself yearning for the simpler days of "Kiki's Delivery Service" and the even-better "Porco Rosso."

Either way, it's a relief to hear that this great man is still working at all.

"Idiocracy" on DVD tomorrow

Please, please, please take this chance to show your support for Mike Judge by either buying or renting his movie when it comes out on DVD tomorrow (I will, admittedly, be getting it via Netflix because my wallet is kinda empty this week.)

The saga of "Idiocracy" is a sad but all-too-familiar one. After playing in New York, L.A., his hometown of Austin and maybe a few other cities, it just disappeared. What makes this even more frustrating is that the few people who have managed to see all reported that it's quite entertaining.

How can we end this madness? By showing that tons of people want to watch smart fare like this. Every little bit can help.