Denise has found some information on the Radio Times site about Cocozzo’s Way (or Strictly Sinatra as it’s known here.) Richard’s part is a cameo and apparently the film has already been in cinemas in Britain.

Strictly Sinatra (2000)

Radio Times Rating – 2 out of 5.

Director: Peter Capaldi
Starring: Ian Hart
Certificate: uncertificated for video
Running Time: 96mins
Country of Origin: UK

You can hear the pitch: “Here’s a brilliant twist on a tired old gangster scenario! Take a loser Sinatra obsessive. Give him some acclaim after singing for the local mob boss who says he’ll make it big. Have him then sell out on life and love. Set the tale in Glasgow. Fabulous.” Only this isn’t.

Despite the efforts of actor/director Peter Capaldi in his feature debut and a strong cast – Brian Cox, Alun Armstrong and the two leads Ian Hart and Kelly Macdonald – this takes us on yet another trip to turgid Lock, Stock territory.

Hart as the pseudo Sinatra is exactly what he’s supposed to be: sad, clad in shiny suits and sporting a dreadful perm. Yet there’s something inherently depressing about him as the film’s focus. He sells out
his pianist mentor Armstrong and girlfriend Macdonald all too easily. And for a world that is so obviously full of hollow promises. Ironically the only great thing here is the Sinatra soundtrack. With the remainder, you just don’t buy it. LH

More details:

Title: Strictly Sinatra (2000)
Genre: Romantic Crime Drama
Alternate Title: Cocozza’s Way
Original language: English
Theatrical Distributor: UIP
UK Cinema Certificate: 15
UK Cinema Release Date: November 2001

Cast
Toni Cocozza – Ian Hart
Irene – Kelly Macdonald
Chisholm – Brian Cox
Bill – Alun Armstrong
Michelangelo – Tommy Flanagan
Connolly – Iain Cuthbertson
Dainty – Una McLean
Richard E Grant Richard E Grant
Jimmy Tarbuck Jimmy Tarbuck
Crew
Director Peter Capaldi
Screenplay Peter Capaldi
Cinematographer Stephen Blackman

For Australian fans, Maureen says that Hard Times is programmed for May 3rd and 15th on Movie 1 and for May 8th and 9th on Movie Extra. Also A Merry War is programmed for 3rd, 9th and 27th May on Showtime. She didn’t know the times, but those people who get those payTV stations can look that up themselves. :-)

Jolie has found another article written by Richard himself. The article’s rather long but do take time to savour as Richard reveals quite a lot about his growing-up years in Swaziland. You can read that here.

KJ thought that you guys might find this next snippet interesting and amusing! It appears that Withnail is included in the EmpireOnline list of “Miscastings Which Worked”. You can read that here.

REG Announces

REG announced the nominations for the Orange British Film and Television Awards this year.

Richard could be seen ocassionally in the background during the actual awards, seated at a table with Joan.

There were one or two hassles in getting REG to the award announcements however. He did finally make it to the venue after some complications. Some of you may have seen the highlights of the announcements in the news and heard about the troubles REG had in getting there. In Richard’s own words (via email):

“I apparently turned up as a news item this morning, as I had to be biked into Piccadilly yesterday to announce the BAFTA nominations as the trains were on strike. ‘Gosford Park’ which opens Friday, garnered nine nominations as well as best director for Altman at the Golden Globes last week.”

The TV program “Film 2002” (UK) showed Richard standing at a podium reading the nominations. There was a short interview with him (was he wearing the orange jacket in support of sponsors?) and there was even film showing the press photo opportunity with Richard holding a BAFTA award.

REG posing for pictures after announcing the 2002 BAFTA’s

From NOW Magazine

Rosemary found this clipping in a magazine (1995 approximately). You can click on the image to see a larger version of it.

KJ has some REG-related news to report. She works for a TV and movie production company and their latest project is a full feature-length movie that will be filmed on the Costa del Sol.

Now it seems that one of the writers and the director of this production (Piers Ashworth) was also the writer and producer of “A Case of Evil” – one of REG’s Sherlock Holmes projects – and for a while KJ and crew were hoping that he (REG) might play one of the parts in the film, but it looks as though that’s gone to another actor now (for whatever reason.)

It’s not all bad however as it seems REG might be able to have his arm twisted (gently of course) in the future, which would be great!

Kirsten happened to be watching “The Weakest Link” (quiz show on BBC) and Anne Robinson asked one of the contestants which actor had played the Spice girls manager in “Spice World”? The contestant didn’t know – obviously not one of the REGiment!

According to Rosemary, information from the TV & Satellite Weekly today is as follows:-

Sunday 21st April at 9 p.m. – The Scarlet Pimpernel (OK Drama)

Thursday 25th April at 12.10 a.m. – Warlock (Sky Moviemax 4)

Friday 26th April at 4 p.m. – Warlock (Sky One)

Someone at Sky certainly does like Warlock!!