The documentary film No Impact Man is coming to theaters this September 11th — but as we mentioned last week, a dramatic movie based on a book of the same name is also in the works. The plot line, as described on the site, goes something like this: “A guilty liberal finally snaps, swears off plastic, goes organic, becomes a bicycle nut, turns off his power, and generally becomes a tree-hugging lunatic who tries to save the polar bears and the rest of the planet from environmental catastrophe while dragging his baby daughter and Prada-wearing, Four Seasons–loving wife along for the ride.”

Anyways, we recently talked with Colin Beaven, the No Impact Man himself, and he confirmed that Sony/Columbia had picked up the rights to the book “on behalf of producer Tod Black (Seven Pounds, SpiderMan 4), who produced all the films that had Will Smith in recently.” So that’s where the Smith reference by the LA Times can into play — even though nobody knows if he will really be attached to the film.

Currently, IMDB is listing the release date for 2012. As soon as we learn more about attached talent, we’ll let you know!

The LA Times has a great article up on the dearth of cash flow for recently-released environmental documentaries — mostly because audiences are looking for escapism at the theater. However, it was this paragraph that really made me go “huh?”:

It’s not just the call-to-arms message that might be limiting the appeal of some of these films; unlike the hits “An Inconvenient Truth” and “Fahrenheit 9/11,” the green documentaries don’t have recognizable stars such as Al Gore and Michael Moore. (In a classic Hollywood twist, “No Impact Man,” about a New York family struggling to live without refrigeration, electricity and even toilet paper, is being reworked as a possible drama for Will Smith.) (Ed note: emphasis mine)

Whoa!

Now, with the exception of the LA Times, nothing on the web backs any of this information up — so obviously, the author has some kind of inside-info on Smith’s potential involvement. Running with this for a moment, it would be an interesting project to re-tool a documentary into a dramatic film. First of all, it would be really cool to have sustainability spotlighted in a way other than through a doc. Second, Smith draws people into theaters and his acting is, in this writer’s opinion, some of the best in Hollywood. The two combined could make for a really great film.

Anyways, the  No Impact Man documentary opens in theaters on September 11th — with the book now available for preorder. You can also view the blog that started it all by jumping here. We’ll keep you updated should we spot anything more on this rumor…

Woody Harrelson, showing a sweetness we haven’t seen from him in years, plays an unflappable seller of frozen steaks. (The movie has a strong vegetarian agenda: Harrelson’s character doesn’t eat his own product, Dawson’s eats no meat at all, and the word “vegan” is prominently shown behind Smith on a hospital chalkboard.)

Subliminal veggie messages in a movie that deals with life-or-death choices? Interesting angle. Check out a clip from the movie after the jump — where we see that even Rosario Dawson’s character’s dog is vegetarian!

The famous duo have donated over $1.3 million to charitable causes in the last year. And just where is that money going? Well according to Fox News (always a reliable source), the cash has been split between civic, religious and arts groups, including $122,500 to friend Tom Cruise’s Church of Scientology.

The biggest single contribution was to Yesha Ministries of Philadelphia. The born-again Christian based organization received $250,000. Smith donated a further $200,000 to a Christian ministry outside Los Angeles called Living Waters. JESUS!! No, I mean literally…Jesus!

Does it make YOU feel all warm inside when you hear about your favorite star’s gift-giving ways? Chime in share your thoughts!!

Admission to the event, for which Smith attended, was some canned goods. “Capitalism always assumes we’ll have big hearts,” he told the crowd before the movie started. “It’s hugely important to get back to the spirit of what our country was meant to be. We believe, when the rubber hits the road, we’re going to help our neighbors.” (Check out a video of the event here!)

Seven Pounds tells the story of a man who through a variety of circumstances decides to help total strangers. It was in this spirit that Smith took Charlotte by storm — with visits to Levine Children’s Hospital, John Taylor Williams Middle School and Northwest School of the Arts. As the Charlotte Observer noted, all of this was done without reporters or photographers so as not make them publicity stunts.

Earlier in the week, Smith donated 300 turkeys to needy families through Second Harvest. Look for his film to debut next weekend.

Impressive. Check it out below — and don’t forge to make some time for next Tuesday, November 4th to vote!

Talk about commitment — she is turning down acting roles after her latest film finishes shooting to focus on the Fall push for voter awareness. It’s not like she isn’t getting good offers either. She’ll be starring in Eagle Eye with Shia LaBoeuf and Seven Pounds with the blockbuster-king himself, Will Smith.

If you’re not registered yet, visit Voto Latino right now to register…Right now.

via: celebitchy.com

About 630 guests showed up, including famous faces like Bill Clinton, Denzel Washington, Elizabeth Hurley, Simon Cowell and Will Smith, who all had to pay the 3,000 Euro ($4,700) donation simply to enter. DAMN!

The night included dinner, concert and an auction that boasted such prizes as a trip to Africa with Elton John and lunch for six with Bill Clinton. By the end of the night the auction alone had raised $20 million for the charity. 

Don’t have a tiara, white tie OR $4,700? You still can help out! Vist Elton John’s AIDS Foundation to learn more about the organization and to find out how you can get involved!

via: nydailynews.com

But, we’ll leave the religious controversy to others — what we’re really focused on here is Will’s decision to give all attending students a cafeteria filled with all-organic and sugar-free foodstuffs. Every kid will also receive a laptop — which sure as hell beats the school-themed bumper sticker I received on the first day of third grade. Then again, my parents weren’t also shelling out $12,500 for me to attend, so I guess it’s all relative. From the official site,

“We serve an organic, balanced, sugar-free, low-fat breakfast and lunch each day to all of our students. There is a no-sugar policy at the school.”

In addition to this grooviness, the “New Village Academy” will also offer a longer school day (ends at 4pm) and promotes less homework and more family time. The inner-kid inside me loves that.

For more info, check out the official site here.