|
Reel News Tim Ryan |
Sackheim helms ‘Hawaii’
Emmy winner Daniel Sackheim (ABC's "NYPD Blue") will direct NBC's drama pilot "Hawaii," which begins 12 days of filming on Oahu Mar. 5. Sackheim replaces Jon Avnet, who dropped out because of a scheduling conflict.
After filming of "Hawaii" is pau, co-producer and unit production manager Frank Conway will assume the same duties on the WB's pilot "Rocky Point." Conway will once again join forces with the show's creator, director and producer John Stockwell, whom he worked with last year on the unaired Fox pilot "The Break."
"Rocky Point" begins filming here this spring. Joining Conway will be Angie Laprete as production coordinator. Laprete also is producing the eight-day (Mar. 25 to Apr. 1) Xenophobia 2004 bash in Waikiki by Pan Asian Entertainment, featuring MTV veejay SuChin Pak, as well as celebrities Cary Tagawa, Marie Matiko, Keiko Ageno, and Joy Bisco...
ABC's one-hour pilot "Lost" (written by "Alias" developer and producer J.J. Abrams), to be filmed in Honolulu, is doing a nationwide search for a boy, 9, of any ethnicity to co-star. There may be auditions here...
Audiences love "50 First Dates," filmed here, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Over the Presidents' Day holiday weekend in North America, the movie debuted with an estimated $46 million in ticket sales, setting records: It was the largest opening this year to date; the biggest Presidents' Day weekend debut; the biggest opening ever for a romantic comedy; and a personal best for both Sandler and Barrymore.
Critics have been lukewarm, but especially disliked comedian Rob Schneider's Hawaiian character Ula. Los Angeles Times critic Kevin Thomas says the characterization is politically incorrect and embarrassing to all native Hawaiians. Variety's Todd McCarthy calls the "paunchy, middle-aged Hawaiian stoner" character "an eyebrow-raising ethnic caricature that calls to mind Mickey Rooney's unfortunate Japanese turn in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' "...
Local comedian Cathy Tanaka will pair with video producer and filmmaker Jason Suapaia in hosting the upcoming OC16 TV's "Hawaii's Reel Stories," airing Apr. 19, which will showcase the local film scene. Other show talent will include Jeanna Garcia, actress and dancer; Levon Gardner, personal fitness trainer and make-up artist; Dorothy Stamp, actress; attorney Roy Tijoe, actor; Theresa Tilley, model and actress; and radio personality Pomaikai Uphouse...
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Reel News unspools every Wednesday.
Contact Tim Ryan at tryan@starbulletin.com.
