You can buy Johnny's DVDs new and used at Amazon.com

By GEORGETTE GOUVEIA
ggouveia@thejournalnews.com
What makes someone beautiful? Is is merely a matter of fine, symmetrical bone structure (think Johnny Depp)? Or must beauty also be lit from within (think Rosa Parks)?

"I'd move to France and watch over his lookalikes." SPIDER-MAN star KIRSTEN DUNST ponders an alternative career as a nanny to JOHNNY DEPP's children.

(please note, this same story is on our Shantaram pages, but JoBlo has added some oldie-but-goodie Johnny photos for us, so please visit his page to read the entire article)

Jason Surrell Appearances Announced
Pirates of the Caribbean
From The Magic Kingdom to the Movies

Artwork © Disney

"So--ye comes seeking adventure and salty old pirates, aye? Sure, ye've come to the proper place. But keep a weather-eye open, mates, and hold on tight...with both hands if you please. There be squalls ahead. And Davy Jones waiting for them what don't obey."

Join us at the MAGIC KINGDOM® as Disney hosts a special appearance by author, screenwriter, and Walt Disney Imagineering Show Writer Jason Surrell who will be on hand to sign his latest book, Pirates of the Caribbean: From The Magic Kingdom To The Movies..
Book Signings with Jason Surrell
 

Friday, October 28, 2005
1:30pm - 3:30pm & 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Magic Kingdom: Pirates Bazaar, Adventureland
 

Saturday, October 29, 2005
3:00pm - 5:00pm
MGM Studios: Writers' Stop
 

The Pirates of the Caribbean: From The Magic Kingdom To The Movies book will be offered for $22.95, plus tax.

Theme Park Admission Required. Information subject to change without notice.

Johnny Depp has reportedly given Kate Moss a strange gift to celebrate her leaving rehab - a mirror.

The heartthrob actor is said to have presented the shamed supermodel with the looking glass - which drug addicts often use to snort cocaine off - as she prepares to leave the US clinic where she was treated following her drug scandal. .

The handsome actor - who used to date the catwalk queen - wants Kate to use the mirror to "face herself without fear", according to a report in Britain's The Sun newspaper. .
The star, who is part Cherokee, says the mirror therapy is an old Indian belief. .

Last week it was revealed Kate has turned to poetry in a bid to beat her drug problems. The stunning 31-year-old allegedly writes poems then reads them to lover Pete Doherty over the phone.
 

One verse reads: "What matters is what is underneat" h.

A friend revealed: "She's found writing her thoughts down in verse very calming Her friends and family are pleased she has had something to focus on while she recovers"

CATCF has passed the $450 million mark worldwide and stands at $457.8

The Corpse Bride is at $62.4 million worldwide total so far, with lots more international openings to come.

Depp played a debauched 17th Century poet in The Libertine
The Libertine and Mrs Henderson Presents have received the greatest number of nominations at this year's British Independent Film Awards.

They have eight nominations each, with Johnny Depp competing for the best actor prize for his Libertine role.
Nominations for Mrs Henderson Presents, starring Dame Judi Dench, include best film and director for Stephen Frears.  The Constant Gardener, which stars Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes, is nominated in seven categories.
Winners will be announced on 30 November.  The Libertine stars Depp as 17th Century poet John Wilmot, who received posthumous acclaim after living a debauched life.  It earned Laurence Dunmore a best director nomination and best supporting cast nominations for Tom Hollander and Rosamund Pike.

2005 Nominations Announced

Nominations announced today for the 8th Annual BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS to be held on Wednesday 30 November at Hammersmith Palais, London W6

A trio of films dominate the 2005 British Independent Film Award (BIFA) nominations announced today, Tuesday 25 October.

The BIFAs, now regarded as the kick-off of to the awards season which culminates in the BAFTA and Academy Awards in Spring 2006, will be presented on Wednesday 30 November at Hammersmith Palais.

Stephen Frears’ Mrs Henderson Presents, debut director Laurence Dunmore’s The Libertine, and Brazilian director Fernando Mereilles’ The Constant Gardner, top the list of most nominated films; Frears and Dunmore’s films each registering eight nominations, followed by Meirelles’ with seven nominations.

The Libertine draws nominations for actors Johnny Depp, Tom Hollander, Rosamund Pike, and Rupert Friend, a best director nomination, and a possible vote for best British film.

Elsewhere the field is wide open: proving you’re never too old or too young to get a break in the business, the best newcomer category sees septuagenarian Coronation Street veteran Thelma Barlow, making her film debut in Mrs Henderson Presents, line up against eleven-year-old Millions star Alexander Nathan Etel. Also contending in the category are Emily Barclay (In My Father’s Den), Samina Awan (Love + Hate) and Rupert Friend (The Libertine).

Apart from seasoned actor Bill Nighy, receiving a second nomination in three years, this time for The Constant Gardner, the best supporting actor/actress category welcomes for the first time Rob Brydon, for A Cock and Bull Story, Rosamund Pike and Tom Hollander, both for their roles in restoration drama The Libertine, and Kelly Reilly, for her role in Stephen Frears’ Mrs Henderson Presents.

The Debut director category brings nominations for Annie Griffin (Festival), Julian Jarrold (Kinky Boots), Laurence Dunmore (The Libertine), Gaby Dellal (On A Clear Day), and actor-turned-director, Richard E Grant, for his dramatisation of his South African childhood years, Wah-Wah.

Best British Film
A Cock & Bull Story
The Constant Gardener
The Descent
The Libertine
Mrs Henderson Presents

Best Actor
Ralph Fiennes – The Constant Gardener
Matthew MacFadyen – In My Father’s Den
Chiwetel Ejiofor – Kinky Boots
Johnny Depp – The Libertine
Bob Hoskins – Mrs Henderson Presents

Supporting Actress/Actor
Rob Brydon – A Cock & Bull Story
Bill Nighy – The Constant Gardener
Rosamund Pike – The Libertine
Tom Hollander – The Libertine
Kelly Reilly – Mrs Henderson Presents

Most Promising Newcomer
Thelma Barlow – Mrs Henderson Presents
Alex Nathan Etel – Millions
Emily Barclay – In My Father’s Den
Samina Awan – Love + Hate
Rupert Friend – The Libertine

Best Director
Michael Winterbottom – A Cock & Bull Story
Fernando Meirelles – The Constant Gardener
Neil Marshall – The Descent
Laurence Dunmore – The Libertine
Stephen Frears – Mrs Henderson Presents

Debut Director
Annie Griffin – Festival
Julian Jarrold – Kinky Boots
Laurence Dunmore – The Libertine
Gaby Dellal – On A Clear Day
Richard E Grant – Wah-Wah

Best Technical Achievement
Peter Christelis - Editing – A Cock & Bull Story
César Charlone - Cinematography – The Constant Gardener
Jon Harris - Editing – The Descent
Sandy Powell - Wardrobe – Mrs Henderson Presents
Ben van Os - Production Design – The Libertine

NEW YORK, NY--(MARKET WIRE)--Oct 24, 2005 -- The Weinstein Company and Deep Focus have reached an agreement for Deep Focus to act as the online agency of record, overseeing all of the company's online media planning and buying, creative advertising, and public relations. The Weinstein Company is the new multi-media company created by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, who co-founded Miramax Films in 1979. The joint announcement was made today by The Weinstein Company co-chairmen Bob and Harvey Weinstein and Deep Focus Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ian Schafer.

The agreement marks a new chapter in the long relationship between the Weinsteins and Deep Focus. Deep Focus CEO Ian Schafer was previously Vice President of New Media at Miramax and Dimension Films from 1999-2002, and Deep Focus has handled Miramax's and Dimension Films' online media and creative strategies for the past three years.

Bob Weinstein stated, "We are thrilled to be renewing our relationship with Deep Focus. Their expertise and experience in entertainment marketing online is matched by no one, and they will provide us with invaluable assets in creating revolutionary online advertising campaigns for our properties."

"To be able to re-team with the Weinstein brothers in their new venture couldn't make us happier," said Ian Schafer. "Our memorable collaborations with the marketing of films such as 'Sin City' and 'Kill Bill' online have inspired much of the groundbreaking work we have done at Deep Focus," continued Schafer. "We are excited and honored to continue to innovate with them in our continued relationship with The Weinstein Company."

About DEEP FOCUS

Deep Focus (www.deep-focus.net) develops impactful online advertising campaigns, effective cross-media advertising strategies, buzz-generating virals and websites, integrated promotions, PR & grassroots marketing strategies, and good karma for each of its clients. Deep Focus has launched numerous successful (and award-winning) campaigns for clients such as HBO, Interscope Records, Geffen Records, Universal Music Group, Jive Records, Atari, 20th Century Fox, Fuse Networks, and The Weinstein Company. Headquartered in New York, with offices in LA, Deep Focus is privately held.

About THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY

The Weinstein Company was created in March of 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films Corp. in 1979. The Weinstein Company is a multi-media company that officially launched on October 1st, 2005. Dimension Films, the genre label that began with Miramax, will also be included under The Weinstein Company banner. The Weinsteins are actively working on the production, development and acquisition of projects for The Weinstein Company. While at Miramax, the Weinsteins released some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful independent feature films of the past decade. They received 249 Academy Award nominations and a record 16 Best Picture nominations over the past ten consecutive years.

The Weinsteins have acquired the following titles to be released by The Weinstein Company: "Decameron," "The Libertine," "Last Legion," "Young Hannibal," "Hoodwinked!," "Transamerica," "Nomad," "Outlander," "Stormbreaker," "Lucky Number Slevin," and "Master of the Crimson Armor."

It's absolutely impossible to not hear these words in a bar after telling a stranger what I do during my day - "Who is the coolest celebrity you've ever interviewed?"

It's tough to come up with just ONE celebrity. Different actors, directors, screenwriters, and producers each have their own style as to how they present themselves to reporters, as well as how they respond to certain taboo questions.

Below, Sean Chavel and I have compiled a list of 10 memorable interviews that we did for this site. You can click on the link on each name to read the original piece. Interviews will open in a new window.

1. Johnny Depp – “Pirates of the Caribbean”
Author: Sean Chavel
Original Post Date: July 9, 2003

I still feel the movie jammed too much CGI (computer generated imagery) to overwhelm Depp’s otherwise marvelous performance, but it was a complete joy sitting down with the actor. Not caught up in the industry hype, Depp is a totally unassuming and practically as easy-going an actor as you’re likely to find. My best memory from his interview is how he discussed that he almost turned down the part if the producers refused to allow him to use his ugly gold teeth and braids in his hair for the role. Depp remains cool because he upholds principles of creativity when everyone else chooses to go the safe route. - SC

Best Job Ever: Dollmaker
staring at dozens of photos of Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom. He obsesses over their eyes, studies the intricacies of their mouths and pays closer attention to what they wear than a married father of three probably should. Hell, he's spent hours running his hands over their hair.

Then again, it's his job.

Brooke is mooning over the two actors because he's trying to figure out how to translate their Hollywood glamour into a wax mold that will serve as the basis for an action figure for the upcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean" sequels. Getting the intricate folds of Depp's flowing, nappy locks just right is a rough job, but the low-key Brooke is glad he's the one doing it.

In the past two years he's crafted creatures for a series of "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" figures, sculpted My Little Pony dolls, worked on toys of the main characters for the upcoming Pixar movie "Cars," the Minotaur from "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and, in his proudest moment, molded just the right clueless look onto a limited-edition talking Napoleon Dynamite clay statue.

All of this from the guy who made his name first by crafting Barbie eyes, then by dealing a mighty blow to the old "G.I. Joe" kung-fu grip.

How He Got Here: Why does a guy like Brooke get such prime gigs? Easy — he's one of the best. The work-at-home dad lives in a rambling Victorian near the University of Cincinnati campus, which is overrun by his playfully ghoulish paintings, homemade puppets, handcrafted train sets and kids' art projects, got his start drawing as a kid, later obsessing over the monsters in magazines like Cinefex.

After college, Brooke got work as a "doll-eye specialist" at Kenner Toys working on Barbie and Baby Alive, when he discovered his real passion. "Pretty soon after that I started building models, and they bumped me up to a full-time model maker, which is when I got into sculpting," said Brooke, who used to play bass in local bands Red Math and Roundhead.

"I was a girl's-toy sculptor for a while then I got on boy's toys and toward the end of my time there I got on the G.I. Joe line and that's when I killed the kung-fu grip." Brooke had the unheard of idea of dropping the signature move for the macho doll and replacing it with the "gung-ho" grip, which featured added points of articulation and made Joe even more of a badass.

Brooke, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, is soft-spoken and moves slowly around his small basement studio, where a fat cat makes himself comfortable on a stool and trays of heads, feet and silver and flesh-colored hands are lying about. His work area is littered with soldering guns, crock pots for cooking his special molding wax, casts of various figures and, for no apparent reason, a "Beverly Hills, 90210" miniature hair dryer signed by Tori Spelling. He uses dental tools and homemade implements made out of looped guitar strings to do his sculpting, which involves hours and sometimes days of painstaking detail work to get something like the folds in Napoleon Dynamite's jeans or the clumps of Johnny Depp's dreadlocked hair just right.

When he was working on a Chewbacca for the "Original Trilogy Collection," Brooke used those tools to make the wookie move better than ever, with 16 points of articulation, some of which gave him 360-degree movement. How did he conceal those highly mobile joints? By covering them with layers of wookie fur, giving the hairy beast a more detailed look — down to his anatomically correct toes — than those smooth-bodied figures you remember from when you were a kid.

The Secret: "It's all word of mouth," said Brooke of his series of high-profile gigs.

Brooke got the Napoleon job after the creator of the doll couldn't get his usual Chinese artists to capture the character's quirky personality.

"They kept sending me back prototypes that looked nothing like Napoleon," said Jay Kamhi, the brainchild behind the Dynamite doll. "They didn't understand Napoleon and they couldn't capture that droopy, sleepy look. They'd get him physically right, but he'd look too happy. So I got Paul's name and he said he couldn't take on any new projects for three months, but when I told him it was Napoleon Dynamite, he said he'd push everything aside to do it in a week and he nailed it!"

What's Next: Brooke is working on a new line of dolls from the founder of the American Girls franchise, and he's even cooked up his own top-secret music-related project that he hopes will hit stores next year. "I can't tell you much about it right now," said Brooke, a sly smile crossing his face, "but I think they're going to be huge."

But first he's got to finish the logical successor to the Napoleon dolls, a talking "40-Year-Old Virgin" figure. "I've seen the movie and I'm in my 40s, so I thought it was hilarious," he said.

Due around Christmas, the jockey-shorts-clad figure will sprout 18 or so signature phrases and come with real flocked chest hair with painstakingly re-created bare spots.

— Gil Kaufman

The hat, first worn in the 1890s, has made a stylish comeback.

But it's not just girls who are getting in on the act. Movie hunk Johnny Depp frequently sports one, as do singers Justin Timberlake and Robbie Williams.

Following the popularity of the flat cap and the beanie, this retro menswear classic, named after the hat-wearing heroine of George du Maurier's novel of 1894, is a must-have for this winter.

The look has been picked up by designers including Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Aquascutum.

But there are plenty of affordable styles out there. Here are our Top 20 trilbys from the high street

The Fountaindale Public Library will host a movie party from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at its Bolingbrook branch. "Pirates of the Caribbean" will be shown, and participants will be able to snack on popcorn and pizza, play games and more. The program is for those in sixth grade and older. For information, call Randi Carreno at (815) 886-2030, Ext. 7914.

10/21/05

AFI FEST 2005 presented by Audi has selected actor Johnny Depp as this year's tributee. The Tribute to Johnny Depp will take place at ArcLight Hollywood on Friday November 11, 2005, followed by the World Premiere of The Weinstein Company's THE LIBERTINE, starring Depp, Samantha Morton and John Malkovich, as part of the Festival's Special Screening series. The film is director Laurence Dunmore's directorial debut.

Johnny Depp will make a rare appearance in a lively on-stage conversation with acclaimed film critic, commentator and author Richard Schickel. The Tribute will also include a career montage, and a series of clips that will take a close look at the work and art of this singular, stylish performer. The Tribute is made possible through a collaborative partnership with the Skirball Cultural Center.

"Johnny is a brilliant and truly unique actor, whose remarkable career has been defined by its diversity and veracity. The originality of both the characters he has portrayed and the films he has made, further emphasize his integrity and passion, says Laurence Dumore, director of THE LIBERTINE. "I am delighted Johnny is being honored by AFI FEST."

THE LIBERTINE stars Depp as history's notorious enfant terrible, the Earl of Rochester. Rochester was a man of many contradictions: an anti-monarchist Royalist who was the friend confident of British King Charles II (played by John Malkovich in the film); an atheist who converted to Christianity; and a poet and pornographer in Restoration-era Britain. The film follows how Rochester's famous cynicism is thrown for a loop when he falls in love with a struggling young actress (Morton).

"Johnny's character in THE LIBERTINE is multifaceted and he conveys the complexities with brilliance," says Harvey Weinstein. "He is a true master and his performance in this film is outstanding."

Johnny Depp is one of the most versatile and compelling actors working in contemporary world cinema. His ability to recognize and then whole-heartedly immerse himself in memorable film roles has made him the rarest of movie stars-- simultaneously iconoclastic yet eminently bankable--a true original. Pivotal performances in films as diverse as CRY BABY, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE?, ED WOOD, DONNIE BRASCO, FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, DON JUAN DEMARCO, BEFORE NIGHT FALLS, BLOW, CHOCOLAT AND ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO make his matinee idol good looks almost incidental to his work as a great actor.

More recently, PIRATES OF THE CARRIBBEAN (now with two sequels currently in production), FINDING NEVERLAND, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and the daring THE LIBERTINE, have earned Depp a new legion of fans and made him more in demand than ever, with a slew of new projects in the pipeline.

Johnny Depp will be in conversation with Richard Schickel, a film critic, documentary filmmaker and movie historian, who has written over 30 books, among them The Disney Version; His Picture in the Papers: D.W. Griffith: An American Life; Intimate Strangers: The Culture of Celebrity; Brando: A Life in Our Times; Matinee Idylls and Good Morning Mr Zip Zip Zip. He has made thirty documentaries including CHARLIE: THE LIFE AND ART OF CHARLES CHAPLIN; WOODY ALLEN: A LIFE IN FILM and SHOOTING WAR, the latter of which is about combat cameramen in World War II.

Schickel recently completed the book Elia Kazan: A Biography, and is working on a documentary about Martin Scorsese, which will be the 18th installment in a series of portraits of American film directors he has made over the course of his career. He also recently completed a reconstruction of Sam Fuller's classic war film THE BIG RED ONE, restoring over 45 minutes cut from the original release print. He has been reviewing movies for Time since 1972 and writes a monthly column, "Film on Paper," for The Los Angeles Times Book Review. He has held a Guggenheim Fellowship and was awarded the British Film Institute Book Prize, the Maurice Bessy prize for film criticism and received an Honorary Degree from AFI.

October 21, 2005

Oscar®-nominated actor JOHNNY DEPP trades in his pirate's sword for a writer's pen in the controversial dramatic comedy 'The Libertine.'

The film takes place in 17th century London, and follows the rise and inevitable fall of notorious, real-life poet JOHN WILMOT, the Earl of Rochester (Depp), as he romances the beautiful young actress ELIZABETH BARRY (SAMANTHA MORTON) and partakes in a wild life of debauchery.

In 'Libertine,' Wilmot is commissioned to write a play by KING CHARLES II [JOHN MALKOVICH], and the scandalous script that he comes up with earns him banishment and disgrace.

In the present day, Wilmot is celebrated not only for his poetic genius, but also his strong belief in personal freedom and liberty-- hence the film's title.

The 'Libertine' screenplay was written by STEPHEN JEFFREYS, and is based on Jeffreys' stage play of the same name.

Be sure to tune in to ET tonight for a first look at the film's trailer! 'The Libertine' is in theaters November 23.

Disney have had to halt production on their sequels to Pirates of the Caribbean as Hurricane Wilma blows ever nearer towards land.

Pirates Of The Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest, and the as yet un-named third film are currently shooting in the Bahamas, but as warnings about Wilma grew more severe the decision was made to get everyone out of the firing line.

Planes were chartered to evacuate the cast and crew from their Bahamian location, and Disney is confident they have ensured the safety of the whole production team.

Shooting has been under way for over 6 months on the films already, so there's a chance everyone will be relieved to enjoy a well-deserved break while the tropical storm completes it's course.

While the likes of Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom are now safe, there are still concerns over whether the film's sets can weather the storm, which is unlikely if Wilma was to make a direct hit. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Director Gore Verbinski will be glued to the weather reports over the next few days.

We'll just have to wait and see how long the hiatus in production is, after all no-one can control the weather, not even Disney.

Tim Burton seems to have a man crush on Johnny Depp. I guess you can't really blame him - Johnny Depp is the man! From his off kilter performances (as in Pirates of the Caribbean and Willy Wonka) to his incredibly heartfelt and touching roles (as in Finding Neverland), this guy can do no wrong.
(click link to read full article)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcone/listings/programme.shtml?day=today&service_id=4223&filename=20051017/20051017_2320_4223_37787_30

There's also a review of Corpse Bride at BBC Films:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/10/10/corpse_bride_2005_review.shtml

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Johnny Depp will be this year's honoree at AFI Fest 2005, which kicks off in Los Angeles on November 3. The tribute will take place November 11 at ArcLight Cinemas, followed by the world premiere of his new film, "The Libertine." Depp will have an onstage conversation with film critic/commentator Richard Schickel, and the tribute will include a series of clips examining Depp's work.

Posted Oct 15, 2005, 4:55 PM ET
by Martha Fischer

Johnny Depp; LibertineIt's just been announced that Jack Sparrow Johnny Depp will be the subject of a "special tribute" at the American Film Institute's upcoming International Film Festival (aka AFI Fest). The Festival, which has a program massive and luscious enough to make me want to move (at least until I remember that I hate LA), opens this year on November 3 and runs through the 13th; the Johnny lovefest will take place on the 11th and will include a screening of The Libertine. According to Fest director Christian Gaines, the goal of the annual tribute is to "find someone who is a highly accomplished artist about whom we crave to know more." While the link to the Depp page on the festival site is broken, this makes it sound like there might also be an interview portion to the event (in addition to the already-confirmed general fawning.) Either that or they just like to give awards to enigmas.

Start your pools now about what Depp will wear - if he shows up in a tux he'll be totally demolishing his Eccentric Star rep.

by Erik Posz / Staff Writer

I must say that I am awaiting the release of "The Rum Diary" in 2006, starring Johnny Depp as Paul Kemp.

Other cast members include Benicio Del Toro, Josh Hartnett and Nick Nolte.

Of course, part of the excitement comes in seeing Depp and Del Toro interact again on film.

It goes without saying that the two of them starred in and made "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" the cult classic that it is today.

There is one thing that worries me a little bit about "The Rum Diary."

I have a certain amount of expectation about the new movie. This is something I rarely have.

I go into most movies with the expectation that it is going to resemble a vacuum cleaner.

And in most cases, I'm right.

This is the best attitude to have when going to a movie.

That way, when there is that rare gem that comes along that doesn't have Hoover action to it, I'm thoroughly surprised.

Take for instance the movie "Wonderland" starring Val Kilmer as the late adult actor John C. Holmes.

I rented it last week because I couldn't find anything else that even looked mildly interesting at the video store. I like Kilmer and he is reported to have hung out with Depp, Del Toro and Thompson himself on occasion, so he can't be all bad.

I still figured the movie was going to be fodder for yet another euphemism about household appliances that clean carpet.

While the movie was by no means great, it wasn't bad.

I ended the movie feeling entertained, not cheated.

It blended well with the heavily fictionalized "Boogie Nights," which was an all together amusing movie.

This brings me back to Depp, Del Toro and the late Thompson.

I've read the book "The Rum Diary." I have an expectation of what things are going to look like, what the interaction of the characters will be and how the movie will feel.

This, however, isn't where the danger of dashed expectations comes in.

No.

The hope on my part is that I will have a movie that will be as well directed, acted, and loved as "Fear and Loathing."

My hope is that I will have a new movie in my top five movies of all time list.

This is a lot to demand from a movie, but honestly, this is the first movie in over a decade that I have been waiting for.

My one hope is that director Bruce Robinson will create a feel and atmosphere that is close, if not right on to that created in the book.

I've never seen any of Robinson's stuff. He's an unknown element in the mix.

Sometimes it's the unknown element that saves a movie from being completely worthless.

We'll see you in the theater sometime in 2006 - save me an aisle seat.

FOLLOWING ON-STAGE TRIBUTE

LOS ANGELES, October 13, 2005 - AFI FEST 2005 presented by Audi has selected actor Johnny Depp as this year's tributee. The Tribute to Johnny Depp will take place at ArcLight Hollywood on Friday, November 11, 2005, followed by the World Premiere of The Weinstein Company's THE LIBERTINE, starring Depp, Samantha Morton and John Malkovich, as part of the Festival's Special Screening series. The film is Laurence Dunmore's directorial debut. (Picture of Johnny Depp available upon request).

"Our challenge each year in choosing a tributee is to find someone who is a highly accomplished artist about whom we crave to know more," says Christian Gaines, Director of AFI FEST. "Johnny Depp is such an artist. He has made interesting, risky choices in his career and has evolved into one of the most absorbing actors of our time."

Johnny Depp will make a rare appearance in a lively on-stage conversation with acclaimed film critic, commentator and author Richard Schickel. The Tribute will also include a career montage, and a series of clips that will take a close look at the work and art of this singular, stylish performer. The Tribute is made possible through a collaborative partnership with the Skirball Cultural Center.

"Johnny is a brilliant and truly unique actor, whose remarkable career has been defined by its diversity and veracity. The originality of both the characters he has portrayed, and the films he has made, further emphasize his integrity and passion,” says Laurence Dumore, director of THE LIBERTINE. "I am delighted Johnny is being honored by AFI FEST."

THE LIBERTINE stars Depp as history's notorious enfant terrible, the Earl of Rochester. Rochester was a man of many contradictions: an anti-monarchist Royalist who was the confident of British King Charles II (played by John Malkovich in the film); an atheist who converted to Christianity; and a poet and pornographer in Restoration-era Britain. The film follows how Rochester's famous cynicism is thrown for a loop when he falls in love with a struggling young actress (Morton). THE LIBERTINE opens in New York and Los Angeles on November 23, and wide on January 13.

"Johnny's character in THE LIBERTINE is multifaceted and he conveys the complexities with brilliance," says Harvey Weinstein. "He is a true master and his performance in this film is outstanding."

Johnny Depp is one of the most versatile and compelling actors working in contemporary world cinema. His ability to recognize and then whole-heartedly immerse himself in memorable film roles has made him the rarest of movie stars—simultaneously iconoclastic yet eminently bankable—a true original. Pivotal performances in films as diverse as CRY BABY, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE?, ED WOOD, DONNIE BRASCO, FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, DON JUAN DeMARCO, BEFORE NIGHT FALLS, BLOW, CHOCOLAT and ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO make his matinee idol good looks almost incidental to his work as a great actor.

More recently, PIRATES OF THE CARRIBBEAN (now with two sequels currently in production), FINDING NEVERLAND, and CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY have earned Depp a new legion of fans and made him more in demand than ever, with a slew of new projects in the pipeline.

As part of the Tribute, AFI FEST 2005 will also screen a retrospective of four of Depp's films during the 10-day Festival: DEAD MAN (1995), directed by Jim Jarmusch; EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (1990), directed by Tim Burton; FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS (1998), directed by Terry Gilliam; and WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE? (1993), directed by Lasse Hallström—whose latest film, CASANOVA, will close the Festival's program this year.

AFI FEST 2005 presented by Audi will run November 3-13, 2005. Passes are on sale now and individual event tickets go on sale to the public on Friday, October 14, 2005. To order passes and tickets and to get more information, visit www.AFI.com or call 1.866.AFI.FEST.

Hollywood heart-throb JOHNNY DEPP developed an unhealthy obsession with women's clothes while starring in film biopic ED WOOD.

Depp played cross-dressing film director Ed Wood in the 1994 film.

The 42-year-old says, "Since wearing a slip and a bra in Ed Wood I have much more respect for women.

"Actually I find myself sneaking a look at women's shoes and stockings. I've developed this subconscious habit. It may be a little dangerous - I'm a little worried."

11/10/2005 13:43

Revered as the highest honor at the festival, this award is about dreams and the people that encourage dreamers. It is presented to the actor or actress that embodies the spirit of Gary Cooper. The first recipient is longtime Montana resident Peter Fonda, who received the honor for his unique and bold contribution to the world of filmmaking and his love of sharing artistic knowledge with students of film and theater throughout the world.

"We are so honored to have a recipient who will be thought of in generations to come, the way Gary Cooper is thought of today". Scott Billadeau, Executive Board Hatch

Among a group of high profiled celebrities, an actor/ actress is selected by the Hatch board of directors, for their profound work as an artist and their contribution to film, to receive the award. The artist selected embodies the spirit and legacy that is Gary Cooper.

"Johnny Depp is a perfect choice. He embodies the aura and generosity of Gary Cooper" Actor, Morgan Freeman

Directors, colleagues, musicians and industry professionals have often referred to Mr. Johnny Depp, as "the next Gary Cooper". Recognized as one of the most versatile actors of this day in Hollywood, he is celebrated for his execution of dark sinister type roles from "Donnie Brasco" to the "Secret Window", including a wide range of roles in movies that are similar to those portrayed by Mr. Gary Cooper, who is also very famous for his successful portrayals onscreen as the dark, quiet, laconic type.

"Johnny Depp is an inspired choice to receive the Gary Cooper Spirit of Montana Award. Like Cooper, JD is his own man. Al Pacino admires Gary Cooper for his astonishing integrity as an actor. Johnny Depp embodies that same integrity. This is inspired!" John Mulholland, Representative of the Gary Cooper Estate.

Mr. Depp throughout his career has proven to be a role model for aspiring talent worldwide. His love for music and the arts, as well as his proven diversity in a series of roles such as Captain Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean" and Willy Wonka in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" to "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and "Edward Scissorhands", has marked Mr. Depp as a leading actor and mentor of our time.

"JD is a pioneer, a groundbreaker in his own right. He's taken many risks and is one of the few modern day actors that do not conform to Hollywood's template, but defines himself with characters that are innovative and provocative. There is no other JD just as there is no other GC". Yarrow Kraner- Co-founder Hatch

Following the closing ceremony, students and Hatch participants rubbed elbows with entertainment's leading icons at the VIP after party. This is all about networking and forging personal business contacts with Tinsletown residents and Hollywood heroes.

HatcH, where dreams aren't far from reality; provides the unique opportunity for emerging artists to have their work viewed and critiqued by industry veterans. This year, HatcH offers up to $60,000 in cash and prizes, along with a $25,000 scholarship award from annual contributor, Moonlight Basin.

The culminating award's ceremony was held at the Ellen Theatre on October 9, 2005 at 8pm after the special screening of Gary Cooper's legendary cowboy classic "The Westerner" and a Gary Cooper Legacy Panel which included Peter Fonda, Richard Shepherd, John Mulholland and Michael Anderson.

The HatcH Festival is a non-profit organization, brought to fruition by the unwavering support and dedication of its founders and team, whose union represents the most talented and unstoppable resource pool in their respective fields. Major sponsors of the event, include Moonlight Basin Ski & Spa Resort, Getty Images, Gibson Guitar, Panavision, and The Syndicate. Local sponsors include, Montana Film School, Thirsty Ear, Music Villa, The Emerson, The Baxter, The Eagle, The Moose, The Zebra, Dick Walter, KGLT, and Classic Ink.

For more information on ticket sales, showcasing, screenings, special attendees and jury, please visit the website at www.hatchfest.com

Note from Kazren: Congratulations Johnny!

The interview is from the CATCF junket in the Bahamas nothing really new except this

Like Father, Like Son

'Sometime in your late teens, you begin to get a voice in your head that says. "I am not going to be like my parents". And then, all of a sudden, when you hit your mid-20s, you look in the mirror, and you start to see your dad! And it stays that way. There was one time when I was at the premiere of, I think it was Chocolat, I was sitting next to my sister, and at one point in the movie, and I don't remember exactly what I did or said on the screen, but my sister and I just turned to each other at exactly the same time and said, "Uh - Dad!" I'm very much like my dad, in my looks, my mannerisms, even down to - well, look at this'.

He jumps to his feet and indicates his belt. It is wide, brown and adorned with a simple buckle that is not placed at the centre, but slung rakishly to one side.

'See this buckle? My dad always wore his buckle to the side like this. I don't know when I started wearing it like this, but these days, I just don't even think about it. If I had to wear my buckle here', he yanks it around to the normal place, and grimaces, 'well, that would really freak me out. I'd be really upset! So, yeah, both of my parents have had a huge influence on me, in any number of ways.'

Feature Gabrielle Donnelly

The Pirates of the Caribbean actor toyed with the idea of becoming a musician before taking a plunge into Hollywood. However, the Fifties legend convinced him to change careers.

Johnny told Radio 2 that he has been a huge fan of James Dean since he was young, when he was influenced by the 'Fifties stuff', wearing 'big hair, jeans and biker jackets'.

"I started out as a guitarist in the early Eighties. I hooked up with a guy who idolised James Dean and he gave me a copy of the Dean biography, The Mutant King, which I thought was really interesting," he was quoted by the Sun, as saying.

"While reading the book, I watched Rebel Without A Cause, and I thought, 'Wow, this guy really has something', and I was hooked.

"I wasn't really into acting at the time - but James Dean was the catalyst," he added.

By BARBARA VANCHERI, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Published: Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005

CLIC TO ENLARGE PHOTO

This photo from the Walt Disney Co. shows Johnny Depp at the Walt Disney Studios Showcase 2006 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on Sept. 22. Depp is currently filming the “Pirates of the Caribbean” sequels.
Photo by The Associated Press
This photo from the Walt Disney Co. shows Johnny Depp at the Walt Disney Studios Showcase 2006 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on Sept. 22. Depp is currently filming the “Pirates of the Caribbean” sequels.

Johnny Depp never forgot what Marlon Brando told him.

Or exactly how Brando sounded, since Depp does a spot-on imitation of the late legend.

Brando once asked the younger actor how many movies he made a year.

“I said, ‘I don’t know, sometimes two, sometimes three,’ ” Depp said.

Brando cautioned Depp to watch himself.

“I said, ‘Why’s that?’ And he said, ‘It’s because we only have so many faces in our pockets.’ After all this time later, I realize how right he was,” Depp said. “He was very, very wise.”

Depp’s pocket has produced some unforgettable faces, from James M. Barrie and Captain Jack Sparrow to Ichabod Crane, Ed Wood and Edward Scissorhands.

This year, Depp adopted the pale, pageboy-framed countenance of Willy Wonka for “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and lent his voice to Victor Van Dort, a hapless, spindly legged bachelor who unwittingly weds a dead woman in “Corpse Bride.”

“The amazing thing is, people have said there is some degree of resemblance” with Victor. “The funny thing is, they came up with those designs like a year before,” says a bespectacled, soft-spoken Depp, whose smile glistens with the gold teeth he’ll sport in a pair of “Pirates of the Caribbean” sequels.

Depp’s children with French actress Vanessa Paradis – his personal focus group – were enthralled by the romantically macabre tale.

“My daughter’s 6 and my boy’s 3, and my daughter, she’s quite calm, ladylike, princessy, and so she’ll sit there and watch a movie and not get real antsy,” Depp said.

“Normally, my boy will watch for about 3½ seconds and then sprint as fast as he can across the room and go break something, and with this film, we watched ‘Corpse Bride’ together, and my boy sat on my lap and watched the entire film. Didn’t move, was just riveted. Loved it.”

He got a jolt now and then, but so did Depp.

The actor had virtually no time to prepare for Victor. He was just starting “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” with Tim Burton when the director said maybe he could take a look at another project.

“Somehow, it didn’t occur to me that we were going to be doing it at the same time,” Depp said. “I thought it was going to be, like, months down the road, so I would have some time later to prepare for the character. You can imagine my surprise when – because I was very, very focused on Wonka – Tim arrived on set and said, ‘Hey, maybe we’ll go and record some of ‘Corpse Bride.’ ”

In the 15 to 20 minutes it took to walk from the “Charlie” soundstage to the “Corpse” recording studio, Depp quizzed Burton about Victor’s origins and voice. He was able to see Victor the puppet, but says with deadpan humor that he was remiss in his preparation: “I should be flogged.”

“Corpse” marks the fifth collaboration for Depp and Burton, following “Charlie,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “Ed Wood” and “Edward Scissorhands.”

Depp calls Burton a genius and added, “And that’s not a word that you can throw around very easily.” Their working relationship is . . . weird.

“There is a sort of emotional shorthand there,” Depp said.

People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive 2003” says he has worn many hats – literally, figuratively, fashionably – in his time. He was wearing a jaunty one this day, with a T-shirt, casual pants and enough funky bling of jewelry and fabric wrist wraps to look like a cross between a hippie, a modern-day pirate and an unintentional style-setter.

“I’ve done everything from sold ink pens over the telephone to screen-print T-shirts to construction,” Depp said. “I was a musician for a number of years. I was a busboy.

“I’ve done a lot of things, and I’ve had a great deal of luck in this business, so I’m somewhat together enough to know that if the ride is going smooth and fun and well and everything’s peachy keen this week, that all can evaporate next week, and once again, I’m that weird guy who does art films. Which is OK.”

With two “Pirates” sequels looming, Depp’s ride could be peachy keen for years. He’s thrilled to put on Captain Jack’s puffy shirt once more.

“It’s a very strange situation where, as a grown man, you start having separation anxiety with an imaginary character,” Depp said. “It’s worrisome because you know it’s not normal, but you can’t stop yourself. I like the guy.”

FINDING NEVERLAND (2004)
Saturday at 9 p.m. on Starz

Marc Forster's drama about the man who wrote "Peter Pan" and the boys who inspired him is just a well-dressed tear-jerker in the end, but the cast and Mr. Forster add an enormous amount of dignity and charm. Johnny Depp plays J. M. Barrie, a Victorian gentleman with a bad marriage who finds himself drawn to a lovely widow (Kate Winslet) and her four sons. As Peter, the boy who grows closest to Barrie, Freddie Highmore is exceptional, especially when his mother's health fails. This is not exactly the way it happened in real life (Ms. Winslet's character was still very much married, for one thing), but that doesn't detract from a story about the magic of childhood and one man's understanding of the desire never to grow up.

When the Weinsteins, co-founders of Miramax Films, announced their split from Disney in March, they proclaimed their intention of building "a giant multimedia company." The brothers have been aiming to raise a $1 billion war chest, comprising $500 million in equity and a $500 million line of credit.

Thirteen Weinstein Co. films are slated for release this year and next. The Weinsteins are distributing "The Libertine" for Miramax;

Posted Sep 30, 2005, 6:02 PM ET by Jette Kernion

Johnny Depp in Benny and JoonOver the years, you'd think that moviegoing audiences would have learned the lesson of Don't Try This At Home. But no ... now people are starting to look to films for cooking lessons. And not foodie films, either, but culty Johnny Depp movies. This Web site illustrates one couple's adventures in making grilled cheese sandwiches with an iron "the Benny and Joon way." They discovered that the film may have taken some liberties in cooking accuracy, perhaps for the sake of comedy. Turns out the rayon setting that Depp's character recommends for ideal sandwiches produces quite inferior grilled cheese. Not only that, but the movie fails to mention that using the iron without a protective layer of foil or waxed paper will render it unfit for clothes pressing afterwards, unless you like that burnt-cheese stench.

I can only hope this isn't the beginning of a trend. Which Johnny Depp movies might adventurous cooks imitate next: Pirates of the Caribbean? Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas? Let's hope they steer toward Chocolat and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory instead.

Question: Can you talk a bit about 'pirates?' how hard was it to get two more sequel scripts that were just as good as the first one?

Verbinski: We don't have those scripts yet [LAUGHS]. We're just making the movie. No. We actually have a pretty good second script and the third script is still on the operating table. And we're in triage constantly, everyday. I don't recommend making two movies at once. I think that we're going to get there, but it's just madness. You're like building ships and the ships aren't ready and you have four hundred extras. There's a lot of fun and I think that the second movie is strong and clever and has a lot going on. The third movie we're still working on.

Question: So you're not doing like 'lord of the rings' and shooting them both at the same time?

Verbinski: No. We are. We are. We're shooting scenes in the third movie without even knowing what the hell we're doing. We are.

Question: Will Keith Richards be in it?

Verbinski: We hope so. We're trying to work out his dates. We all want it to work, but it's his tour dates and his lawyers.

Question: How much of the magic was Johnny's [Depp] performance holding it all together?

Verbinski: Yeah, but it's tricky. You can't just phone that in. We actually have a story that's challenging and compelling and dangerous and he's still the character that gets to weave his way through  that story and affect  everyone else with his own agenda. But you don't want to make the mistake of going, 'Well, they loved Johnny Depp. Put him in every scene.' You'd then kind of wear that out. You need a very unique take.

Question: So he's still a supporting actor in these movies?

Verbinski: Supporting? No. I think that he's carrying the movie.

Question: Technically, have you wrapped two and doing three now?

Verbinski: No. I'm a quarter of the way through the third one and three quarters of the way through the second one. It's madness.

Question: Did you talk to Peter Jackson at all about doing this?

Verbinski: I did talk to Peter Jackson about it. He said, 'Re-shoots.'

Question: When is it supposed to open?

Verbinski: July 7th.
Question: Will you do re-shoots then?

Verbinski: We don't have time for re-shoots. We don't have the time.

Question: Is it a lot of pressure doing this and did you know what you had on the first film?

Verbinski: Well, I mean, I knew we had a fun movie that was going to make it's money back, but the exponential factor was Johnny's performance and that character which they were so nervous about.