News From Buffalo

[Andromeda-1]

I'm just going to start posting links

Video: http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/playlist/5...

[Andromeda-1]

Keanu Reeves is back in the Queen City and this time, he stopped for a photo with Mayor Byron Brown.

The picture of the two men was sent to us by a Two On Your Side viewer on Wednesday afternoon.

Another viewer e-mailed Two On Your Side a photo of Reeves with a few Buffalo firefighters.

Reeves was in town last month as part of a scouting trip for his upcoming film titled "Henry's Crime." His most recent visit made headlines because he was given a tour of the Erie County Correctional facility.

If you have a picture of Reeves visit to Buffalo, send it to us by clicking here.

http://www.WGRZ.com/news/local/story.aspx...

[Andromeda-1]

Actor and producer Keanu Reeves poses downtown Wednesday with fan Jackie Nocera of the City of Tonawanda.
Derek Gee / Buffalo News

'Henry's Crime' a local hit already
No filming yet, but actor Reeves is quite an attraction
By Tom Buckham
NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Updated: November 05, 2009, 9:16 AM / 11 comments
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GALLERY: Keanu Reeves in Buffalo
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Keanu Reeves can only hope “Henry’s Crime,” the movie he is due to begin filming in Buffalo later this month, generates the same excitement that his preproduction forays in and around the city are causing.

The Toronto-born actor, who scouted possible locations here in September, stirred up a fuss Wednesday when he returned to check out more sites downtown.

After touring City Court on Niagara Square, Reeves created pedestrian gridlock at Main and Huron streets, where he eyed the former Goldome Bank building as a potential backdrop, observers said. A crowd mainly made up of women gathered after the actor, heavily bearded and wearing shoulder-length hair, stepped from a bus-limousine, coffee in hand, just after 11 a.m.

Several, including Nicole Sheehan of Snyder and Jackie Nocera of the City of Tonawanda, worked up the nerve to break away from other gawkers and ask the star to pose for pictures with them. He quickly obliged.

Kathryn Engel, who works at M&T Bank in the old Goldome building, said police tried to bar picture-taking before Reeves called them off.

“He was very happy to pose for a quick one with us and was extremely kind,” Engel said.

“The guy is great. He was friendly to everybody,” said Deputy Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda, part of the escort assigned to the entourage.

Sheehan even got in a hug before members of Reeves’ party shooed the women away.

Moments later, Mayor Byron W. Brown popped up to chat briefly with Reeves outside Buffalo Place on the Main Street transit mall.

Apparently, some passers-by were not so taken with the hirsute visitor from Hollywood.

“It was funny watching most people just walk by him, oblivious,” reported advertising executive Steve Bell.

Reeves and his crew stopped for coffee in Starbucks at Delaware Avenue and West Chippewa Street before heading to Niagara Falls to look at more possible locations.

Meanwhile, Variety, the show business weekly, reported that Vera Farmiga and James Caan have signed to co-star in “Henry’s Crime,” which it describes as a “Capraesque” romantic comedy in which Reeves “will play a bighearted man who is falsely accused of robbing a bank in Buffalo.” Reeves also will produce the film.

Engel said she was told that the M&T Center branch in the old Goldome building may be the setting for the cinematic heist.

Farmiga reportedly will play the romantic interest of Reeves’ character, though Caan’s role and whether any of his scenes will be shot here were not disclosed.

No starting date has been set for the local filming,“but it’s fair to assume that they are getting closer — probably sometime after Thanksgiving,” said a source who is tuned in to the Hollywood rumor mill.

Buffalo Niagara Film Commissioner Tim Clark, who escorted Reeves’ group, declined to comment.

(pic, too!) http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/850670....

[Andromeda-1]

Hunky Keanu Reeves In Buffalo Again

Actor Keanu Reeves was back in Buffalo today. The big screen actor continues to scout locations for the filming of his upcoming movie "Henry's Crime."

Reeves was spotted in downtown Buffalo late this morning. The actor and his crew was even greeted at one point by Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.

Reeves was last here in September when he stirred up some controversy after he and his crews were allowed into the Erie County Holding Center downtown and the Correctional Facility in Alden. Some suggested the actor should not have been allowed access since the Collins administration is not allowing the Justice Department inside to investigate claims of abuse against prisoners.

The Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corporation has alo been criticized for allowing Company Films to use vacant space inside the Market Arcade Building rent free for 90 days. The actual cost would have been $30,000.

In "Henry's Crime," Reeves plays a man wrongly accused of robbing a Buffalo bank. Film crews are expected to spend at least three months here once filming gets underway.

Buffalo Niagara Film Commission Executive Director Tim Clark declined comment due to confidentially agreements.

Nice pic. The man is obviously happy to be working. http://www.wben.com/Keanu-Reeves-In-Buffalo-A...

[OnlyBeMe]

Andromeda, thanks a lot for all these links! It was really great to see him again. What would I give to be there...even if it´s only to see him walking:)

[Andromeda-1]

I can't imagine how many women are on a pilgrimage to Buffalo this month to do their "Christmas shopping" LOLOL...

[Kate67]

Thanks for the links, Andromeda.
Nice to see Mr. Reeves in a happy mood.
Is he really one of the producers AND acting?
I'm really curious about Henry's Crime.
I like romantic comedies.
Well, I think it will be out here in Germany much later, but I'm curious to hear your oppinions when it's out in your countries.
I wonder, how long it does take to make a movie?
I know it depends on the kind of movie, but how long would it take for such movie?

[OnlyBeMe]

Andromeda-1 wrote:

I can't imagine how many women are on a pilgrimage to Buffalo this month to do their "Christmas shopping" LOLOL...

They may have to organize special transports. It´s too late to build new hotels:)

[OnlyBeMe]

Hi Kate, I do not know the answer to your questions, but to be behind the scene would be certainly a great experience...

[bungeegee]

He is such a sweety.

[Andromeda-1]

Kate67 wrote:

I wonder, how long it does take to make a movie?
I know it depends on the kind of movie, but how long would it take for such movie?

I'm not sure. It's not like there is any CGI so maybe six or seven months? Then they have to strategically set a date for release to that it's not opening against a powerhouse franchise like Twighlight, etc. on their opening weekend. It's really anyone's guess as a film could suffer any kind of unforeseen delay.

[Lizaird]

Hi Kate - Nice to hear from you - how are things going ?

As to the question of how long - it depends on the script. A good day can see 5-10 pages. A regular shooting schedule is in days not weeks. An average film these days has 60 + shooting days.(that doesn't include time off weekends bad weather etc.)

As producer however Ke would be required to be available for non-shooting days and pre + Post production. As you can see already the process has already started. Pre Production including site location etc. can take some time - especially if a great deal of permits are required. If specialty locations are used the shooting schedule must work around special and outlined conditions as part of the permit (ie jail).

Release date tends to be governed not by the director or producer but by negotiations with distributor. They want the best return so they do stratigically place a film on a schedule.

Simple rule of thumb - anything released after the american thanksgiving (other than family fare) is considered a film with oscar potential. Last seen - first remembered for when the ballots go out in January.

[Lizaird]

I Know as well that many do not buy into the "Oscar" thing but it does mean money. It has been estimated that for an Oscar attached to a film it adds upwards of 15 million to the gross. Multiply that by number of Oscars. In addition Oscar nominations are also worth money to the film. No matter how much you care, develop and promote a film, nothing compares to the ultimate in press coverage of the Oscars.

But keep in mind as well - many film festivals influence Oscar voters as well - so here's to keeping fingers crossed for Pippa Lee because it was very well received at TIFF.

[Andromeda-1]

Hey again, Lizaird. I just have to comment on the Oscar thing. Yes, for the industry participants who will play "ball", it will translate into money for them. But that's just it, it's political and you have to kiss butt (lots of it) show up to the luncheons and schmooze your face off to be considered favorably.(Julia Roberts even admitted to this... which she did... and lo and behold she WON!) What was it, the writers' strike a few years ago? And an email went out from an actress strongly suggesting that voters not support (vote for) nominees who didn't support the strike?(Or something or other.) She was a voter. The president had to go out and do some serious damage control after that email was leaked.

Just my opinion: Yeah, it's such a credible honor. Not.

The run for Oscar reminds me of the figure skating world. And everyone knows how that game is played.

[Lizaird]

There is still too many long shots that have won to make it a fixed race. Although I will admit the Oscar race is a political quagmire - I still believe.

[Seer]

I would hope that for K the leaning would be more toward appreciation from the festivals, and if Oscar follows all well and good ;).

[Jane Doe]

Andromeda-1 wrote:

I'm just going to start posting links
Video: http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/playlist/5...

Super happy pics. I wonder if he made it to Niagra Falls yet?
My grandparents, Charles and Helga, had thier honeymoon there.
I lived in Detroit for 25 years, so I know the cold is going to
be pretty fierce. Hopefully he will be out of town by January,
or cuddling with someone. At least he has a chance there to meet
some real women.

[Jane Doe]

PS. I can DISS Los Angeles women because I lived there for the last 4 years. I rented a house in MISSOURI for a year, so I can totally relate to back-to-the-midwest shock feeling.

[Andromeda-1]

Periodically I google "Keanu Reeves News" (how I found Topix in the first place). Tonight I googled news and came across this:

A source close to the situation tells 2-On Your Side reports that Keanu Reeves will not be shooting a movie in Buffalo are false.

Earlier today, a local talent agency, Exxcel Model and Talent, told 2-On-Your-Side the casting call for "Henry's Crime" went out for New York City only. However, our source says several local crew members have already been hired for pre-production.

There's been lots of excitement here surrounding the film. Just two weeks ago, several of you e-mailed photos of Reeves scouting locations for the romantic comedy. It's plot centers around a toll booth attendant looking for meaning in life when he's falsely accused of robbing a bank in Buffalo.

We contacted the Buffalo Niagara Film Commission for comment about the developments involving the film. They had no official comment.

WGRZ/wgrz.com

http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx...

Interesting. Maybe they're filming in NY *and* Buffalo?

[Seer]

This is beginning to look like one of those 'wait and see' things, half the reports say no, half yes :)

Who knows?

Only Keanu knows.

{{cue Only The Shadow Knows}}

:D