OCTOBER 2005
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30 October 2005
Aussie Epic Speculation
- Still no word from Baz
Luhrmann about the progress of his Australian epic, but once again media
speculation is circulating that the film is still set to go into production
early next year. The following article is from Sydney's The Daily Telegraph
(27th October). Unfortunately, I could find no corresponding link, but the
article was featured in the news section of the fansite, Russell
Crowe: The Prose and the Passion, which I highly recommend. The article
reads as follows:
"Bodey Line column. -- A load of hot air -- Best film rumour sweeping Sydney this week? That Baz Luhrmann is remaking Gone With The Wind with Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe. Bodey Line can quash that one comprehensively, although the Moulin Rouge! director has intimated that his next Australian film will be a Gone With The Wind-style epic. While he's still working on scripts and nothing has been confirmed, Crowe and Kidman are circling for an early 2006 shoot for the Fox Searchlight studio. And the story? Can't say too much, but it draws on a true story from World War II focused in the Northern Territory and featuring a major cattle drive (which Luhrmann researched during the Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive this year) and big love story. A Lawrence Of Australia, if you will."
Indeed, this is a gossipy article that admits it is based on rumour alone. But it does mention a couple of new pieces of information that I have not read before. One is that the film may be set in the Northern Territory and, most intriguingly, that it will feature a major cattle drive! I remember Baz Luhrmann taking part in the Great Australian Outback Cattle drive earlier this year, but I had no idea it would have anything to do with his Aussie epic! The corresponding article and my comments at the time can be found in my 6th June 2005 news update entitled Baz gets 'rouge backside' and featuring the above picture of Baz! However, I must stress that the this latest article should be considered as rumour only until we hear directly from Luhrmann himself about his future plans.
Film Works Reviews
- I have now purchased a copy of the much anticipated Film Works. My review of this wonderful album can now be found in my Craig Armstrong section here.
As reported in my last news update, Craig Armstrong's official website has recently been updated with a mini-site dedicated to Film Works. All links are now operational, including a link that enables you to sign up for future updates from the record label.
Another mini-site has also been launched by Contact Music, with a link enabling you to watch some of Armstrong's videos and listen to some tracks from Film Works. This is accompanied by the following review of the CD:
Craig Armstrong - Filmworks (1995-2005) / 5 Star reviewed Collection of classic film music from top Hollywood arranger
"Craig's original compositions evoke stories and are like soundtracks to films not made yet. You only need to hear a few bars of music and you know instantly
it's a Craig Armstrong composition" Baz Luhrmann
There are no barriers in Craig Armstrong's world. He's done everything from collaborating with the biggest names in pop, including Madonna, Massive Attack and U2, recording three gorgeous solo albums, composing classical pieces and writing endless film scores.
The latter is the reason for the forthcoming "Film Works" album, released today (October the 24th).
It's the accompaniment to last year's sublime "Piano Works" and embodies many of Craig’s finest moments, including arrangements from Baz
Luhrmann's "Romeo and Juliet", for which he won a Bafta and Ivor
Novello, and
"Moulin Rouge", for which he won a Golden Globe, Ivor Novello and American Institiute Award. He notched up a third Ivor Novello for his music for Philip
Noyce's "The Quiet American". Also on the album are arrangements from his scores for
"Ray", "Love Actually", "Plunkett and MacLeane",
"Cruel Intentions" and "The Bone Collector".
The album closes with Craig's arrangement of the classic Clair de Lune for the recent high profile
"Chanel No.5" ad starring Nicole Kidman and directed by Craig's long time cohort, Baz Luhrmann.
The original intention was to release the "Film Works" album with an accompanying DVD of a short 30 minute version of the beautiful
"Piano Works" film that was shown at this year's Sundance Film Festival and the Notting Hill Film Festival - but this will now be available as a digital download only.
The "Film Works" album is a truly stunning and remarkable body of work, which only serves to accentuate what a talented composer Craig Armstrong is."
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25 October 2005
Film Works - Out Now!
- I am very happy to announce that yesterday, Craig Armstrong's latest album, Film Works, was released in the UK. The CD is now available in all good UK music stores. But fellow British fans please note - I went along to my local music store yesterday and got a bit confused when I could not find Film Works in the soundtrack section. However, it turns out HMV currently has it stocked in the rock and pop section! ;-)
As far as I know, the CD has only been released in Britain so far. For anyone living outside the UK, Film Works can also be ordered online through UK websites such as amazon.co.uk and play.com. Alas, I cannot afford my own copy at the moment, but will write a review as soon as I get my hands on the CD.
Craig Armstrong's official website has finally been updated to include information about Film Works, including snippets of the excellent reviews the album has been receiving. The official site also now boasts a Film Works 'micro site'. This mini-site pops up on a separate page. It only seems to have started working today, and currently I cannot seem to access the links in the top right hand corner of the page. However, I will keep an eye on this and, as always, I will keep checking the site for future updates.
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17 October 2005
Happy Birthday, Lilly!
- I have been offline for the past week while on holiday in Barcelona and therefore belatedly report the birthday of Lilly Luhrmann! Lilly turned 2 years old on 10th October - congratulations! :-)
Meanwhile, still no word from Baz Luhrmann about his next project. Let's hope that after the celebration of Lilly's birthday last week, he will make an announcement soon!
Film Works
- The release date for Craig Armstrong's latest solo album, featuring music from movies including Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge, has been pushed back to 24th October here in the UK. The US release date has also been pushed back from 6th December to 31st January 2006. Dates all seem to be tentative at the moment. I will feature a review of the CD as soon as I get my hands on a copy.
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