Blockbuster or Bust: The New Movies for Fall
By Judi Vitale

In 1977, Scorcese was 34. Leonardo DiCaprio (another Scorpio) and Cameron Diaz (a vivacious Virgo), the stars of his new movie, were just two and a half - and just beginning to test out their thespian skills in sand box soap operas. Of course, it's been a long time since this idea of Scorsese's was first publicized as a two-page ad in Variety. What could possibly bring all these people together, some 25 years later, to make this film?

While these movers, shakers and actors have been busy since then, either building or maintaining their careers, the planets have brought them through lots of changes. And now, as the film is about to be released, we can see some planetary cycles that would bring on the completion and release of this mammoth-scale production.

Here's the scoop:
Scorsese was going through a transit of Saturn in 1977, as the age of the big director drew to a close. He was finishing another Saturn transit at the peak production for this film. Saturn makes us serious and gets us down to work. During production, Scorsese got confidence and faith from a Jupiter return, too - a 12-year cycle that renews our faith in our own ability. We can safely assume Scorsese feels gratified now that he's finally made this movie, but he also has a lot riding on it. Since this is his second Saturn return and the beginning of his sixth Jupiter cycle, he's not only pressing for success; he's hoping that this film will wind up being a shining jewel in the crown that is his legacy. Although he says he doesn't care whether his films "sell", he would probably be shattered if this one didn't.

Leonardo DiCaprio is just beginning to bloom as an actor, and Scorcese knew he was perfect for his picture when he picked him for the part of Amsterdam. And even though cynics might think he wanted to cash in on Leo, Scorsese says he wanted DiCaprio for more than just his box office draw. No wonder! The two of them have nearly identical configurations of Sun, Venus and Mars in the chart; and Scorsese must see in DiCaprio a more youthful version of his own artistic self. At the moment, Leonardo is experiencing the some of his first adult planetary milestones- the return of the Progressed Moon to its place at birth, the onset of Saturn at his Midheaven (a career peak) and his first Saturn Return ("true" adulthood).

Scorsese said that he chose Cameron Diaz to play Jenny Everdeane, the pickpocket who steals Amsterdam's heart, because the chemistry between Diaz and DiCaprio was instantly obvious. Sure - they're friends, but they also have some cosmic compatibility credentials like connections involving the Sun, Moon, Venus and Mars. Maybe they're too sensible for a tawdry dressing room romance, but it sure does look like they could put on some very convincing love scenes together. And oh- by the way- Cameron's also just had her first Saturn Return, so this movie will also mark her "true" adulthood as a serious actress.

If you're not convinced yet that Saturn had something to do with matching the people who made this movie happen, I'll add that co-stars Liam Neeson and Daniel Day Lewis also currently have Saturn affecting their charts. This tells us that everyone involved with this film was asked to put in a level of work that went way beyond what's usually required to make a film in Hollywood. The love for their craft and a desire to make a lasting impression on the world are the things that will make or break this movie. But even with all that, it remains to be seen how well the public will like it.

The studio chose Christmas for a release date, so the execs must be hoping this film will score in popularity as much as it does in cinematic legend. Scorsese never sets out to make blockbusters, because he says it's the story that really matters. But the studio wants to make money, and the planets make this movie look like a big smash. So, what's the thing that will make this flick attract swelling waves of the popcorn-crunching public?

From the astrologer's vantage point, it looks like the "thing" will be Leonardo DiCaprio and the career-boosting planets that are lighting up his chart. And, much to Leo's dismay, it won't be just his acting that people come to see. Most of planetary interactions between DiCaprio's chart and the release day have to do with Venus and Mars - so it'll be his sexuality (and that white-hot chemistry with Diaz) that sells.

The Virgo Moon on the day of release hints at the possibility of critics trying to nit-pick the film to an early death, but the public will love DiCaprio and his romantic antics with Diaz more than anything. Also, as the Moon moves toward the Christmas Day position of Saturn, magic could happen. The hard work the actors put in could be widely appreciated by the public. The film might turn out to be more of a Hollywood-formulated success than Scorsese was after, will he really hate having a huge pile of money after all the attendance figures are counted? Scorsese may be intense, and even a little eccentric - but he's also pretty pragmatic. Besides, he can always use the spare cash to bankroll his next big idea.