Press 04-01-04
 

Movie featuring Jon Bon Jovi may be filmed here
By J.D. Walker
Staff Writer, The Courier-Tribune


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ASHEBORO - Just call us Hollywood East.

Another production is interested in filming in Asheboro, this time in the historic Randolph County Courthouse on Worth Street and featuring well-known rocker-turned-actor Jon Bon Jovi.

Linda Brown, Randolph County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) director, will address county commissioners Monday to request permission to use the facility as a film site.

Brown said Wednesday that National Lampoon producers want to film a courtroom scene for an upcoming, low-budget comedy entitled "The Trouble with Frank."

The film production is based in Greensboro. If use of the site is approved and film producers confirm their intent, actors and crews will be in Asheboro around May 8-14.

The movie stars Bon Jovi whose music credits include such hits as "Wanted Dead or Alive" and "A Wing and a Prayer" and his film credits include "U-571," "Vampires: Los Muertos" and "Pay It Forward." He also took a turn in several episodes as Ally McBeal's love interest before that show was canceled in 2002.

The comedy is about long-time loser and chronic dreamer Frank Hopper, who is convinced he's hit the jackpot when he receives a credit card in the mail, said Brown. Soon he's on his way to financing his dream of creating an all-woman ice hockey team, and also in debt to the tune of over $300,000.

Other players being solicited for the film include Cary Elwes ("The Princess Bride"), Jonathan Silverman (the "Weekend with Bernie" series), Nora Dunn ("Saturday Night Live," 1985-90) and David Faustino ("Married With Children").

Brown toured the old courthouse Wednesday with local officials, producer Phil Smoot, the film's assistant director and the set builder.

Brown said she will ask the county to make the courthouse available at no charge. She will make a similar appeal to the Asheboro City Council on April 8 for special parking consideration and help in managing traffic.

Brown said it is common practice at the state level not to charge for use of state facilities. County commissioners voted in support of film industry incentives in December 2003 when the possibility was raised that production of a movie on the life of Richard Petty might be filmed in Georgia.

At the time, Georgia officials were rumored to be offering larger tax breaks and cash incentives to lure the production away from Petty's home state.

Brown said the goal is to encourage movie makers to think of North Carolina first (and hopefully, the Piedmont next) when they consider where to locate. Experts estimate that 25 percent of a film's production costs stays in the area where it is filmed in terms of money paid to hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, trades people, movie extras and construction workers.

Films also give an area valuable national exposure that lasts long after the movies leave the theater, said Brown.

"And you can't buy that kind of publicity."

Connect body, mind and spirit at expo in San Francisco
THE San Francisco New Living Expo, a gathering with the theme "Connecting Body, Mind and Spirit," will be April 23-25 in San Francisco. The event will feature more than 100 speakers and 300 exhibitors focusing on natural health products, holistic body therapies, yoga props, intuitive arts, natural foods and tools for expanding consciousness. Topics addressed will include spirituality, personal development, environment, conscious parenting, guided imagery, hypnotherapy and sexuality. Speakers include Mariel Hemingway, Daniel Peter Sheehan, Dan Millman, Geneen Roth, Dannion Brinkley, John Gray, Patricia Sun, T. Harv Eker, Baba Sri Siva and Tricia McCannon. At the event, in the spirit of a healthier planet, all the utensils, cups and dishes used by food vendors will be made from 100 percent corn. The event will be at the Concourse Exhibition Center at 635 8th St. in San Francisco. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. April 23, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 24, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 25. Tickets are $10 to $15 and include access to all lectures, workshops and discussions. For more information, call (415) 382-8300 or go to www.newlivingexpo.com. -- Melissa Schorr Benefits abound

The benefits of benefits are supposed to be of the self-sacrificing, noble variety. You part with a chunk of your hard-earned cash so that nonprofits might prosper -- or at least make it to another year.

But benefits can also be a lot of fun -- good company, good food and a chance to bid on some snazzy auction items.

For the theatrically minded, there's no shortage of upcoming benefits.

First up is Berkeley Repertory Theatre's annual Narsai Toast hosted by radio host Narsai David.

Scheduled for April 23 at San Francisco's Ritz-Carlton, the event boasts a four-course meal prepared by Jean-Pierre Dubray of the Ritz-Carlton, Gerald Hirigoyen of Piperade, Adrian Hoffman of One Market, Rick Moonen of Restaurant RM (in New York) and Ron Siegel of Masa's. The event begins with a reception and wine auction at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and a live auction at 7:30.

Tickets are $350. Call (510) 647-2903.

On May 1, Mountain View's TheatreWorks hosts its annual fund-raising gala, "Anything Goes!" at the company's scene shop, 1110 Hamilton Court, Menlo Park.

Cocktails lead to dinner. Dinner leads to dancing. And dancing leads to a live auction offering a chance to meet actor Liam Neeson, the opportunity to have Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan write you a song and a walk-on role in TheatreWorks' "Shakespeare in Hollywood." Tickets are $250. Call (650) 463-1950 or visit www.theatreworks.org.

On June 5, the Alameda Civic Light Opera presents "Hooray for Hollywood," the annual spring fund-raising dinner at the Alameda Elks Lodge. This Oscar-flavored salute to classic movies features an original floor show, dinner and both live and silent auctions. Tickets are $50 if ordered before April 15 and $55 after. Call (510) 864-2256 or visit www.aclo.com.

-- Chad Jones

Thanks for the update Becky!

"A Wing and a Prayer" - must have been when Tommy & Gina were working for the airlines - :lol: :wink:

Am I the only one who thinks this Movie is gonna BOMB? :shock:

If I am remembering correctly most National Lampoon Movies never did will in the theatres...but became sort of like cult classics.

I was too young for the Porky Movies..so I dunno how well those did or Caddy Shack either....

http://talk.livedaily.com/images/ld/smilies/roll.gif
Never heard that one before!!

Thanks for posting!

Daisy,

Bon Jovi's wife gives birth to boy



April 2, 2004, 1:15 AM EST


TRENTON, N.J. -- Jon Bon Jovi's wife has given birth to the couple's fourth child, a boy named Romeo Jon.

The child was born Monday morning at an undisclosed hospital near the couple's home in Middletown Township, according to a news article posted on the singer's Web site. Further details were not immediately available.

Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea, also have two other sons and a daughter.

"All are healthy and everyone is ecstatic" about the newest family member, the report said.


Copyright © 2004, The Associated Press | Article licensing and reprint options

Romeo Bon Jovi...wonder how well he'll do with the ladies!!! Porky's was a big hit btw...and is still worth a viewing late at night after a few beers. National Lampoons films have been woeful in recent years....anyone remember National Lampoons Scuba School with Corey Haim and Corey Feldman?? Virtually unwatchable!

I guess it was, because I never even heard of it. Straight to Video?

I've caught some of Porky's on cable as well as Caddy Shack. Gotta love that Gopher Dance...

Thanx for all the updates!