Sean Penn on Between Two Ferns

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Sean Penn from Between Two Ferns

That's Sean, and not his twin brother Ballpoint....

Water For Elephants rumored to have Robert Pattinson, Sean Penna and Reese Witherspoon to star

Director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) is set to direct an adaptation of the best selling novel Water for Elephants.  Sara Gruen's book will be adapted for the screen by Richard LaGravenese (PS I Love You).  Yesterday, word came out that Water for Elephants may be Robert Pattinson's next project, to film in June before Breaking Dawn.  Reese Witherspoon has already been attached to the film, and Sean Penn is rumored to play Reese's husband in the film, the other part of the love triangle.

When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, grifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.

Sean Penn as a paranoid schizophrenic animal trainer?  Yeah, I can totally see that.  This looks like it would be a good role to break into more "serious" films for Robert, who would obviously play Jacob.  Deadline Hollywood reports:

Deals still have to be made, and putting three pricey stars in a period adult drama is a challenging proposition. Pattinson, who between Twilight segments starred for Summit in Remember Me, has been cautious about choosing his next job, but the prospect of starring in another well-known literary adaptation, potentially alongside two Oscar winners, seems a strong move.

I haven't read the book yet, but I've got it on order!

Farrelly Brothers to Make Three Stooges Film

I am nearly speechless after reading the cast.

Studio has set Sean Penn to play Larry, and negotiations are underway with Jim Carrey to play Curly, with the actor already making plans to gain 40 pounds to approximate the physical dimensions of Jerome 'Curly' Howard.

The studio is zeroing in on Benicio Del Toro to play Moe.

Okaaaaay. Jim Carrey as a Stooge brother -- easy to see. Benicio was funny in Snatch, so sure. But Sean Penn as LARRY??!! He hasn't done a comedy in at least 10 years!!! Literally! I was reminded of his Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High as someon dressed as his character this weekend at an 80's fundraiser. Doesn't it feel like that was a million years ago that he was that funny?

Whoo boy, but the Farrelly Brothers have that way about them.

Milk - Mini-review

Got Milk yet? If not, you should. You've seen the commercials where Sean Penn as Harvey Milk shouts to the crowd, "I'm Harvey Milk, and I'm here to recruit you!" Well, I'm Movie Maven, and I'm here to recruit you to see a fantastic film, and one of the best performances I've ever seen of Sean Penn.

We all know how the story ends, with the assassination of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official. The movie begins with the news footage of the real Diane Feinstein reporting that he and the mayor of San Francisco have been shot. The movie is then told in a series of flashbacks interspersed with Harvey Milk taping his story into an audio tape recorder "in case of my assassination." It's an incredible story, and even knowing the ending, I wept at the end when it happens.

I have never seen Sean Penn better than he is in this film. Usually he's so dour and morose, and as Harvey Milk he practically vibrates with joie de vivre and passion with that infectious smile. His romance with James Franco is so affecting. Their scenes together, especially their "meet cute" in the subway are possibly the most romantic I saw all year. Josh Brolin as Dan White, the man who kills Harvey Milk, is also excellent, and will like earn a supporting nomination this year.

I just adore this film. You'd think it would be depressing, but it is so uplifting how Milk fights for gay rights. It's particularly poignant given the Prop. 8 debacle in California. Highly recommended, four stars. Consider yourself recruited!

Milk Trailer Out!

This one looks like a good biopic for Sean Penn. 'Tis the Oscar season approaching...