A Melange of Movie Remakes, Special Effects and Bob and Carroll.(Column)

Byline: Dutch Mandel

Now and again enough stuff crosses this desk and mind that it has to be put on paper. So, herewith, some disparate nuggets on which to gnaw:

I wait patiently for the redo of that hip '60s car flick, The Italian Job, to make it to the big screen. This Hollywood extravaganza is based a bit west of the first version-in Los Angeles-and the production crew has secured 40 Minis for stunt work. I fear the new one will lose some of the original's gritty gravitas, to use industry speak. This do-over pits new Minis slaloming through Los Angeles' subway tunnel, with a hitch-only electric vehicles are allowed in these catacombs. So the prop-master wizard created electric Minis. Can't you hear Ed Begley Jr. pining for BMW to bring these cars to the showroom floor?

Speaking of The Italian Job, word is that the vintage version will soon be available on DVD through Amazon or Duke Video for something close to $20 plus shipping. How cool will that be? Imagine the next Daytona 500 under rain delay spent snuggled with DVD versions of TIJ, Grand Prix, Le Mans, Gone in 60 Seconds and Bullitt. Throw in a sound disc of the Grand Prix of Gibraltar and you can just keep all them Labontes all wet.

Nissan released a DVD titled The Run, which is what you should do to get your own copy from the nearest Nissan dealer. It puts a 350Z on the streets of Prague traveling at something over a buck and it is caught on film by 14 different cameras. There was no speed-up cinematography or special effects used; still, you can change camera angles to suit your speed jones. Directed by two-time Academy Award winner John Bruno, it's one piece of work with which all enthusiasts must rendezvous.

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