Greetings from Blighty, where we exist in the future (until Sunday, I believe we’re six hours ahead of you east coasters across the pond; nine ahead of you west coast tossers). Just thought I’d check in with the ol’ update (as uneventful, yet eventful as it is).

As most of you are aware, we’ve been recording the score all week (well, it’s not really WE; it’s Howard and a scaled-down version of the London Symphony Orchestra). It sounds nothing short of tremendous, thanks to Howard and Co.’s tireless efforts. We’ve been recording at this old church that’s been renovated and turned into a studio (Air Studios, to be precise); quite fitting, actually. Tomorrow, we head over to Abbey Road (yes – THAT Abbey Road) to record the choral parts of the score, as well as the ‘Mooby March’ theme song (lyrics by yours truly).

With the daily schedule we’ve been keeping, I haven’t seen that much of the town (though I’ve been here a few times before, so it’s cool). I’ve been able to pop into a few comic book stores, and was pleased to find the comics and the shirts and such have traveled across the Atlantic. Kinda cool, that.

In the bizarre celebrity sightings department, Jen (whose here as well) saw Denise Richards jogging in Hyde Park (presumably here for the Bond flick);and we saw Billy Zane (the ‘Phantom’!) in a comic book store. Spoke to neither; but short of the scoring, it’s just been THAT uneventful a week, that it warranted a mention (I feel like NewsAskew, searching for anything Askew-related during a dry spell).

We head home Sunday for two weeks before we head back to Skywalker for the final mix. The Cannes screening (for fest-head Gilles Jacob) was moved to this coming Tuesday, so hopefully we’ll know then if we’re in or out at that point.

That’s about it, I guess…

With the exception of the Premiere piece that some of you have been hearing about. To that, at this point in time, I can only suggest staying tuned: it’s going to be an inter [END OF MESSAGE CUT OFF]

‘Dogma’ Difficulties?

There are rumblings that Dogma, Kevin Smith’s religious allegory, might be moving to another studio. According to an article in the upcoming April 13 issue of Premiere (via Mr. Showbiz’s Jeffrey Wells), reporter John Horn is suggesting that the film is still sitting in a troubling position at Miramax due to the potential furor that might be caused by its irreverent religious storyline. Horn reports that Miramax is rumored to have approached at least two distributors (with Paramount mentioned) about their taking over the film. Word has it that the screening of the film at Cannes is also intended as a means of showing off the film to potential buyers. Still, it sounds like there may be a chance that Miramax might distribute the film if, according to Horn, the studio “has discussed trimming some of the film’s more outrageous moments.” Or perhaps a very positive Cannes screening will change their minds.

Well, once again, there are a host of innacuracies in this report. I don’t know, nor have I ever met or spoken to Mr. Eisner– so I am certainly in no position to speculate on his thinking (nor, I strongly suspect, are the anonymous sources for this piece.) That being said, I DO KNOW that I have never ‘lobbied’ Mr. Weinstein not to abandon the movie or otherwise gotten involved in the politics of the release date of this movie in any way. It is true that Harvey can release any movie he wants that is not NC-17 and I’m sure he will make a decision regarding what he wants to do with the movie (and when) once he has seen the finished product. This is one of those stories (like all those put forth by anonymous sources about my supposedly acrimonious break-up, or my impending marriage, depending on whom you read) that will be proven false with time. Until then, I suppose it makes for good copy on a slow news day. It should also be noted that as a mere actor in the movie, any thoughts of mine are mere speculation and are as valid as any other casual observer’s– no more, no less. I wouldn’t worry though, you’ll get a chance to see the movie in good time. I just hope you enjoy it.