Flipped
Who stars: Aidan Quinn (Michael Collins, Practical Magic), Penelope Ann Miller (Carlito's Way), John Mahoney (Frasier), ER's Anthony Edwards, Rebecca De Mornay (Risky Business), Kevin Weisman (Alias). The kids are played by Madeline Carroll (Swing Vote) and Callan McAuliffe. Directed by Rob Reiner.
What it is: An adaptation of Wendelin Van Draanen's youth novel about the evolving romance of two kids who start off hating each other. The story takes place between 1957 and 1963, following them as they grow up. Reiner could use a box-office hit so it makes sense to tap into to his Stand By Me vibe. Of course, Stephen King didn't pen this one and there's nary a dead body in sight.
Where: It's being mostly shot in Ann Arbor. Eve restaurant has once again become the Ray's Diner of the Midwest, attracting star diners, including "Meathead" and his clan. Coincidentally, owner-chef Eve Aronoff will be competing on an upcoming Bravo's Top Chef. Oh, the kismet. ...
The buzz: True to A2's self-righteous nature, locals raised a ruckus over a bit of tree pruning (necessary for filming) at a neighborhood park — one persnickety woman went so far as to stand in front of the city's cherry picker! Oh, please. Art first, we say. It all worked out in the end, though, but not without scrutiny from suspicious A2'ers. Hollywood is the "man," right? Funnily enough, the story centers around Carroll's efforts to save her town's lone sycamore tree.
Release date: 2010.
