It appears that despite all the Ron Howard haters, the less than awesome box-office and Russell Crowe having a fit at a hotel employee, CINDERELLA MAN just won't die. The film apparently got a great response from an Academy screening last week, attended by many, and according to those in the "Oscar-buzz" business, the buzz at, during and after the screening for the Academy members was defeaning. Then came news a couple of weeks ago that Universal plans to re-release the movie in the Fall/Winter timetable, possibly eyeing a late October re-release to harken an aggressive DVD campaign followed in December by a slew of FYC's and other tactics a la SEABISCUIT. The thing is that this time, unlike SEABISCUIT, CINDERELLA MAN has the stuff to actually go all the way. Paul G and Thomas Newman both still look like near-locks for nominations and most likely wins.Add to this a new remarkable development this week started by AMC theatres which is now offering you a FULL-REFUND if you aren't completely satisfying. This move is extremely telling as a theatre chain hasn't had this much faith in a movie to do something like this since the late 80's.All of these are very encouraging factors for CINDERELLA MAN's Oscar hopes. However there are two big question marks: VENGEANCE and MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, both due out for Christmas. Cinders has the edge here for now as we know its great, the critics did give it great reviews (some total raves such as Mike Clark), and the Academy loves it -- which is ultimately all that matters. And regarding the box-office? Its not an issue. THE PIANIST, which three years ago won Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay AND Best Actor only grossed $32 million in its entire run. CINDERELLA MAN has grosses $50M so far and still has legs to add another $10M to that possibly more and then the re-release as well.

In short, this year is going to be exciting and we may have our first legitimate summer contender since GLADIATOR...leave it up to Russell.

 cheers, Joshua Lawson