Tuesday, April 7, 2015

The Great Cocaine Treasure Hunt

The Great Cocaine Treasure Hunt
by Daniel Riley

If you knew where a million dollars' worth of blow was buried, would you go dig it up? Rodney Hyden would.

It stars Florida, Florida men, feds, turtles, and blow.

Think Big Fish meets Jackie Brown.


This is a twisty, true life tale with a surprising amount of heart. In the hands of a filmmaker like David O. Russell or Steven Soderbergh, I think it could hit just the right mix of comedy, crime, and pathos. 




Friday, March 27, 2015

Mile High

Being an Air Marshal Is the Sweetest, Horniest Job in The World
by Sam Biddle

Remember senior spring in high school? Now imagine if you could take all the irresponsibility, sex, and drinking, but set it 40,000 feet in the air and throw in a gun and federal mandate.


I'm thinking Wedding Crashers or The Other Guys at 40,000 feet. Then add in some international smugglers and our heroes having to actually solve a real case.

If you were a studio exec, would you buy a seat for that ride?

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

I Dated A Married Couple

That Time I Dated A Married Couple
by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

50 Shades of Grey proved that there's a robust audience for erotic thrillers at the multi-plex, and with the exception of the occasional niche film like Boy Next Door or Obsessed, we don't see them very often. So here's a new twist, focusing on a woman who dates a married couple. What could possibly go wrong?


Casting would be the fun part. How about Garrett Hudland and Elizabeth Olsen as the married couple and Emilia Clarke as their new muse? 




Maybe this needs to be a self-published fanfic novel that becomes a worldwide phenomenon first. But I think the set-up is a no-brainer. The question is whether or not Hollywood suits want to get in bed with the idea. 

Monday, March 23, 2015

The Pez Outlaw

How a Michigan Farmer Made $4 Million Smuggling Rare Pez Dispensers into the U.S.

This is a bananas story that would make a gem of a movie in the hands of filmmakers like Requa and Ficcara (I Love You Philip Morris) or the Coen Brothers Raising Arizona).


It's almost too much to believe. The article itself refers to its heroes - a bipolar father and his estranged son - as going on a Raiders of the Lost Ark adventure in search of rare pez dispensers. 


This is an American dream story on steroids.

But it needs a title. Any suggestions?



Gone in 30 Seconds

Gone in 30 Seconds: Motorcycle Thieves, Stunt Riders, and One Wild CHP Sting


When L.A.’s street bike culture started making motorcycle theft a major problem, the California Highway Patrol devised an undercover operation. Then things really spun out of control.


This Los Angeles Magazine article wastes no time in referencing both The Fast and the Furious and 21 Jump Street, so it's no surprise that the story seems destined for the big screen treatment. 

It's a bit reminiscent of the Furious knock-off Torque, but with more of a focus on character than action. 


I'm starting to see how easy it must be for producers and studio execs to read these true life stories and the ones with everyday characters up against unbelievable odds and say, "It's Argo meets... Fast and the Furious." This has that same vibe of real stakes, but super colorful characters, and unlikely heroes. 

Whether there's room for another undercover cops and fast vehicles flick, it's a fun read. 



Saturday, March 21, 2015

The Tunnel

The Incredible True Story Behind the Toronto Mystery Tunnel

Why Elton McDonald built the Toronto tunnel that captivated the world...



This terrific story by Nicholas Kohler appeared in Maclean's this month. I think there's absolutely movie potential, very much in the same vein as The Pursuit of Happiness or The Terminal.


It feels like something Steve Conrad might write for Gore Verbinski to direct in between tentpoles. There's also a nice plum part for an up-and-comer like John Boyega. 


What do you think? Should somebody dig deeper into this story and turn it into a movie? 

Friday, March 20, 2015

Bachelor Party Crasher

Man Mistakenly Included on Bachelor Party Email Thread Told to Come Anyway


For weeks, Joey DiJulio received emails detailing plans for a Philadelphia-based bachelor party. The email thread promised a laid-back weekend featuring several bars, maybe a casino, and of course, plenty of March Madness viewing. The only problem for DiJulio, who lives in Washington, was that he had never been to Philadelphia — or met the groom or any of the groom's friends.

It turns out DiJulio's last name is similar to that of a friend of groom Jeff Minetti. But when DiJulio, 31, got in touch with the group to explain the mix-up, they invited him out for the weekend, anyway.

"This is the city of brotherly love," Minetti told The Associated Press. "Any and all are welcome."

DiJulio told his story online and quickly raised enough money to cover the trip; any more cash he brings in, he says he'll put toward his new friend Minetti's honeymoon.


It's Bachelor Party meets Wedding Crashers. 

Hilarity and hi-jinks ensue.