Thanks to Faye for typing up this PoA review From Heat magazine: What Katie Did Next Will this low-budget indie flick provide Katie Holmes with much-needed career heat? The Plot: Katie Holmes' attempts to leverage her small-screen heat into a big-deal movie career have so far been mostly blighted. Mainstream teen flicks Disturbing Behaviour and Teaching Mrs Tingle went awry; The Singing Detective bombed; and she didn't have a lot to do in Phone Booth. Go was good, as was the little-seen Wonder Boys, but this body of work doesn't add up to an effective counter-balance to the 100 or so episodes of Dawson's Creek. Will she ever escape Joey's shadow? In Pieces of April she gives it a damned good try: a lead role in a credible independent picture that was made for peanuts and went on to become one of the hot properties at last year's Sundance Film Festival. Katie is April, a rebellious eldest child living in bohemian poverty with her boyfriend (Derek Luke) on New York's Lower East Side. Long estranged from her family, she's trying to make amends by inviting them for Thanksgiving dinner. What's Right With It? Katie convinces as this feisty independent spirit. She's also suitably empathic as she flails way out of her depth, seeking help from her neighbours when it turns out her oven doesn't work. This cute premise introduces an eclectic batch of characters, notably Sean Hayes (Will and Grace's Jack) as a control freak who seizes April's turkey as hostage. While the comic drama plays out, we switch to April's family, motoring slowly to the anticipated culinary apocalypse. All give good banter, but special kudos goes to indie queen Patricia Clarkson (Oscar-nominated for this performance) as April's acid-tongued terminally ill mum, one of the least-sappy cancer sufferers in history. What's wrong with it? The $300,000 budget makes this a less-glossy package that some viewers may be used to. You might also find the Benetton-ad politics a little trite; while April's white neighbours prove no help at all, the film is in danger of slightly patronising the good-hearted ethnic minority families who rally round to keep the Thanksgiving spirit alive. The feelgood ending, giving the film a more mainstream appeal, feels out-of-kilter. Length: 80 minutes Verdict: In a week that lacks any major Hollywood offerings, Pieces Of April has a decent chance of crossing over. Director Peter Hedges' screen writing credits include the Leo Dicaprio classic What's Eating Gilbert Grape? and About a Boy-so he's no slouch as a storyteller. Vivid characters, snappy dialogue and a talented cast make this one of this year's more likeable American indie flicks. **** 4 Stars Thanks to Alan for letting us know about this Batman filming tidbit from Dark Horizons :) Batman: Intimidation Game: Shooting is expected to hit the windy city of Chicago sometime in July/August - further information on potential locations/extra possibilities won't be available til June at the earliest. Thanks to mendozav23 for letting us know that there is a Katie pic in the March/April edition of "Glow" magazine. If anyone can scan that pic and email me, that would be great :) Upcoming Katie TV Appearances: (Times ET) +Revealed with Jules Asner - Thursday, February 19th 10:00am E! +Vogue Fashion Superstars - Thursday, February 19th 11:00am VH1 +Go - Sunday, February 29th 1:00am USA +Phone Booth - Saturday February 28th 8:00pm HBO - Sunday February 29th 4:25am HBO +Wonder Boys - Saturday, February 28th 3:00pm FX

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