The News: "De Niro Inc."

"There! We will build there!"

By S.T. VanAirsdale

Some of today's movie news of note from around New York:

--I overlooked this investigative report of Robert De Niro's Tribeca business dealings published in Sunday's NY Daily News, but I'm trying to figure out what the "news" is. The Tribeca empire (and its attendant self-defense mechanisms) aren't exactly sneaking up on anyone, and the Tribeca.net proprietor Chuck Harris seems as voracious a press hound as anybody at the Tribeca Film Center. Laurence Asseraf's BEFilm (née Tribeca Underground Film Festival) isn't even hosted in Tribeca anymore. The project to watch is the $626 million boondoggle on the riverfront, not a hotel on Greenwich Street that got $39 million in tax-exempt financing. Except, you know, it's been done. So... do-over time, guys?

--I'm not sure how I feel about Joe Pantoliano invoking his history of depression to promote his new film Canvas. Apparently it's Mental Illness Awareness Week, however, so perhaps we can chalk this up to really uncanny sharing. Or not. I'm just saying.

--Kyle Smith on Control: "It'll inspire many a young viewer looking for tips about the workings of self-torture and famous doom." But enough about the reviewer.

--Head On director Fatih Akin will rebuild Ellis Island next year near Potsdam for a film he is calling his first Western. "From New York the action would swing to the American Southwest where 'Indians will be involved,' " reports Der Spiegel. Ugh. Nobody tell Joe Pantoliano.

Posted at October 10, 2007 9:27 AM