On January 1, 2008, I purchased the domain FilmArcade.net. Needless to say, from the beginning, it was a task that I was interested in pursuing. With a team full of awesome writers, I would like to say that we kicked some ass from the beginning. FilmArcade.net wouldn’t be without everyone that was involved.
And from the last two years, I say we indeed kicked some ass. We’ve gotten in touch with countless studios to help promote their movies. We sent two wonderful writers to the Sundance Film Festival last year. Our Oscar live blogs have kicked traffic’s ass. I say we pretty much gave a lot of film blogs a run for our money.
I say all of this because after two years of running a site like FilmArcade, it is time for me to put my reign to an end. I have begun pursuing further interests, and it has seemed like I’ve been away this past year. I’ve learned a lot this year, and discovered a lot of new things. Now that those things have come into play, running a site just felt like one of those things I just haven’t had the time to do.
But FilmArcade isn’t done its fight. We still have a long way to go. I have put the site in the hands of Anthony Thurber, who has been with me from the beginning and has never left. The man has been taking care of the site for a long, long time, and for that I can only thank him. I couldn’t ask for a better co-admin. Now, he has the position of the head admin.
As for me? I’ll still be around, peeking my head in and checking up on everything and everyone. I’ll be around for the Oscar Blog this year, and may even throw in a review or two if there is anything worth writing about.
This site has been my baby since the beginning, and giving it up seems like it would be one of the hardest things to do. But we’ve been going on for two years strong, and hopefully, even longer after I’m gone.
This is TonyD, signing off.
Welcome to the 218th Edition of my long-running series. This week I pay tribute to the late SPORTS MACHINE host George Michael (no it is not that singer), and French director Eric Rohmer. This one was a pretty easy one to put together unlike last week. Today I will be watching football and the Golden Globes. If you don't like football, you might consider going out and renting one of these movies.
King of California (2007): I found this one on On-Demand when I was at my dad's house for Christmas but due to my rules I had to advance to this one which happens a lot. Mike Cahill wrote and directed this independent film which stars Michael Douglas as the title character whose name is Charlie. Charlie is an unstable but friendly man who is just getting out of a mental institution. Evan Rachel Wood plays Miranda who is his 16 year old daughter who has always taken care of him and must do what she can to scrape by. When her father returns, he does everything he can to convince her that there is a buried treasure that will make them a lot of money. He then believes it is within a Costco building and Miranda finally goes along with her father who is very convincing in some rather extreme measures to get to it and destructive measures. As an employee at an Apple Call Center, I deal with the Costco concierges a lot where they call for help for a customer and then stay on the line with us while we try to help the customer. They sometimes get rather annoying in their questioning of what we do so that became rather fitting to me to see the destruction of Costco and no offense to people who work there or have actually had to make those kinds of calls as I'm sure you're just doing your job. This was a pretty nice take on an American father and daughter who have had a difficult relationship and on the American Dream. Douglas was great as Charlie and is far from the usual ruthless businessman and/or victimized husband he usually plays. I can always watch Evan Rachel Wood who works well with Michael Douglas.
Tin Cup (1996): This is my tribute to the late SPORTS MACHINE host George Michael who has a cameo as himself in that tv show. Ron Shelton co-wrote and directed this golf comedy which stars Kevin Costner as the title character which his nickname and his real name is Roy McAvoy. Roy is a washed-up golf pro who has blown it a lot in his career and owns a beat-up driving range in the middle of nowhere. Cheech Marin plays his caddy and his hapless adviser Romeo. Don Johnson plays golf pro David Simms who has always been a rival to Roy. Rene Russo is David's girlfriend Dr. Molly Griswold who is taking lessons from Roy and slowly starts to take a liking to Roy. Roy then decides to enter himself in the U.S. Open but lacks the discipline to really win where Molly and Romeo must help him. The interesting part of this is how David Simms is portrayed as the villain but has more sense than Roy. Rene Russo makes a good transition from the overly serious psychiatrist and kind of join Roy's world and his other loyal friends at the driving range. I really liked a scene towards the end that used a nice bit of false foreshadowing which reminded me a lot of the fight scene in 1956 film GIANT. Kevin Costner is pretty good here even if he is a bit unlikable at times.
Die Hard (1988): This is the first of a great action film series starring Bruce Willis as the maverick cop John McClane. He is an NYPD cop going to L.A. hoping to see his kids and his estranged wife. When visiting his wife at her work, he gets an unexpected hostage situation when terrorists lead by Hans Gruber, played very well by Alan Rickman, take it hostage but do not catch McClane. They also lock the building leaving McClane to fend for himself to save them while communicating with a police officer played by FAMILY MATTERS alum Reginald VelJohnson who has had a difficult career as a cop who while helping McClane is also helping him gain back his confidence as a cop. There is a lot of great action and look for former Bond villain Andreas Wisniewski who played Necros in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS and even Robert Davi who was the main villain Sanchez in LICENSE TO KILL. This is Rickman's feature film debut which is the start of a great career as one of the best character actors in the business in my opinion. If you want realistic action, this is not really it but it still has believable characters and is a very fun action film.
Welcome to Macintosh (2008): I found this documentary on CNBC and found it fitting to watch since I work at a call center where I troubleshoot people's issues with ipods and sometimes itunes. This movie focuses on the history of Apple Inc. which started in the late 70s but has come a long way. It takes a look at the ups and downs of the company. It shows a lot of footage on Steve Jobs and other people in the company. It has a lot of interviews from the corporate side, among other people. It also shows the impact they have made in the world in technology and even film where their computers have been used a lot for editing. It is pretty insightful and I guess it could have been longer but it is still very interesting to watch. Now we will see how the company does now that Steve Jobs is pretty much retired.
Millions (2004): This is my British film for the week which was directed by Danny Boyle. It is a film that questions ethics in the eyes of children. Alex Etel stars as Damian a young boy with lots of expertise towards saints and Lewis McGibbon stars as his older brother Anthony. Together they come across a big load of Pounds. Soon, pounds will be changed into Euros and the brothers disagree on what to do with it. Damian wants to give to the poor and Anthony wants to live it up. There are a lot of interesting dream sequences where Damian is speaking to certain saints who are giving advice. JEKYLL alum James Nesbitt co-stars as their father. I really found myself enjoying this film showing the great director that Danny Boyle is and the performances were very good. Boyle must really like WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE since there is a scene where the family is watching the British version. That show would be an important part in his later award winning film SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE which really made me take note of Boyle.
Toonerville Picnic (1936): This is my cartoon short for the week which centers on the hot-tempered Mr. Bang. His counselor tells him he needs a vacation but no one is making that easy for Mr. Bang when the trolley is very shaky and the people on the beach don't give him much quiet. It was an early cartoon which was pretty entertaining. Toonerville cartoons lasted in the papers for many years but not much were made in actual animation but lives on through my cartoon shorts DVD I have. This might be findable on Youtube. It was cool that they took a flawed, everyday older man who just had a lot of anger issues but still made the cartoons family-oriented.
Two Girls and a Sailor (1944): June Allyson and Gloria DeHaven play singing sisters Patsy and Jean. They meet many people in the military including a navy guy named John, played by Van Johnson, who has quite a bit of money which the sisters do not know. The sisters help him start up a service canteen but John becomes smitten with Jean but Patsy also likes him starting a bit of a love triangle. The reality of this film is that it is more of a variety show than anything. Jimmy Durante was amusing as Billy Kipp and many other singers from that era make cameos like Lena Horne and many others. This movie has some entertaining music numbers but if you are looking for a great story, it does not come here. It was still worth a watch if you like musicals though.
Boudu Saved From Drowning (1932): This is one of two French films I have featured for this week. This is an early film from director Jean Renoir. This movie is a social satire where Michel Simon stars as the title character. Boudu is a homeless man who decides to jump in the river and kill himself. He is then saved by the wealthy Mr. Lestingois and he takes him in, gives him shelter and tries to turn him upper-class. Mr. Lestingois' wife and maid are not very thrilled as he is very lazy and dirty so they must plot to get him out. It is a pretty funny film that holds up very well and was worth watching. Simon was great as Boudu.
Psycho (1960): Well, I bring you Alfred Hitchcock again as BBC seems to be doing a weekly showing of his films but I doubt very seriously Hitchcock will be on here next week. This movie centers around the Bates Motel where we meet Norman Bates, played very well by Anthony Perkins, who runs the hotel and has quite a mother complex. The movie starts with Janet Leigh as Marion Crane, a woman who steals a lot of money and while on the run takes refuge in the hotel where she learns may not have been the best idea. This movie also co-stars Vera Miles, Martin Balsam, and John Gavin who are looking for Marion Crane. This was a great, atmospheric film where everyone knows the infamous shower scene. This is based on a novel by Robert Bloch. Bernard Herman also wrote a good, creepy music score. Unfortunately as great as Perkins was as Norman Bates, that is always the label he gets even though he has done other good things.
DVD REVIEW
-TRAILER
Love in the Afternoon (1972): This is the trailer to my feature DVD review. The trailer really just showed some of the dialogue in the scenes of discussion but gives you a good idea just nothing flashy in the trailer
-SHORT FILM
Veronique and her Dunce (1958): This is an early short film in the career of director Eric Rohmer where a elementary age boy is being tutored by a college age girl and her trying to get through to him in every way possible. The interaction between the two is very interesting with her trying to help him in every way possible and the boy clearly not wanting to work and not understanding the importance of the work. This short seems to have been exposed most in this Criterion Collection of the DVD review since I did not see much exposure or response on imdb.com. It is worth the 18 minutes.
-FEATURE FILM
Love in the Afternoon (1972): This is my tribute to the late Eric Rohmer who wrote and directed this film which is the 6th and last part of his "Six Moral Tales". This movie focuses on a business executive who is happily married and expecting their second child. He tends to have a lot of flirtations and fantasies with a lot of girls which were pretty harmless until Chloe comes into the picture. Chloe was an old flam of his friend and gets herself into his life and he starts to question his ethics on what is right and what is not right. They have many meetings in the afternoon just like the title implies and she decides she wants to seduce him making it hard for him to resist even though he loves his wife. This movie has a lot of dialogue situations which is something Rohmer likes to do and begs questions that we do not always think about. His movies are not exactly flashy or action-packed but are compelling in people trying learn what is right and wrong when there are lots of gray areas.
SPECIAL FEATURE
-Afterward with Neil Labute (2006): Neil Labute talks about how Eric Rohmer was his inspiration. Labute directed films like IN THE COMPANY OF MEN, YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, and DEATH AT A FUNERAL. Labute talks about Rohmer's directorial style where he gives the characters to the audience and let them decide how to feel about them. I did notice that in both his short film and his feature film where each character has a moral dilemma and many shades of gray but does not do things like overplay music and such. He gave disagreements about people's thoughts about him being a boring director and how he tries to use this style in his own work.
OVERALL
-This was put out through the Criterion Collection who puts out a lot of things that have never really had a DVD release. I would have liked to see more insight into the actual film. I liked that they put one of his early short films and the brief interview with Neil Labute. However, I would have liked to see more of an analysis into the film like maybe a director commentary since Rohmer was still alive when the DVDE came out or just some kind of interview with him explaining his thoughts of the film. On the other hand, sometimes the film just speaks for itself where you do not need that kind of thing but I like to get some insight into these kinds of film which did not really happen here. However, it was worth it for the film and is worth a watch to foreign film buffs. I am not going to claim to be an expert towards the "Six Moral Tales" series from Rohmer since I have only seen one of the other ones but both have been rather fascinating and different.
Well, that is it for this week. Tell me what you love and what you hate and stay tuned for next week which so far includes director Ari Folman, Jennifer Lopez, Richard Pryor, Marion Davies, Kevin Bacon, Gary Cole, and many others.
MOST USED DIRECTORS
Danny Boyle 2 (Inspector Morse: Masonic Murders and Millions)
Alfred Hitchcock 2 (The Birds and Psycho)
I do not believe either one of these guys will hit three and I don't have anyone in the plans to join this list next week as of right now but that is subject to change.
MOST USED ACTOR
Tippi Hedren 2 (A Countess From Hong Kong and The Birds)
I doubt Tippi Hedren will have anything featured next week though but things are always subject to change. I have two people in the plans to join Tippi next week but as always, that is subject to change.
Welcome to the 212th Edition of my long-running series. This week, I pay tribute to the late Edward Woodward. I have three selections from the Random Myspace Profile selection process but some I do not remember who I chose from because the database I had them on was lost so now when making these selections, I will just use paper. A TIME FOR CHRISTMAS started over the weekend and is going very well.
Secret Honor (1984): This is one of Travis' co-op selections that he showed us and probably the most underrated of director Robert Altman. Philip Baker Hall stars in this fictional account of Nixon where he reflects on his life, political career, and the real reasons for Watergate. Support performances include... Oh, that's right, Hall is the only person in the whole movie. This is his 90 minute monologue which is just so complex with drama and some comedy. The movie was even a bit disturbing at times especially with his strange mother complex which made me think of PSYCHO. Altman filmed the movie at the University of Michigan and most of the people on hand were film students. Philip Baker Hall was great as Nixon and was able to keep my attention the whole way through.
The Conversation (1974): Francis Ford Coppola wrote and directed this movie which came right between THE GODFATHER and THE GODFATHER PART 2 so it went overlooked among the great films of Coppola. Gene Hackman stars as surveillance expert Harry Caul. He is hired by a "Director" to follow the actions of his wife and her lover. When he gets the footage together, he refuses to give over the footage fearing for their lives which causes him to develop a large case of paranoia and alienating everyone else. A young Harrison Ford plays the Director's assistant Martin and is determined to get the footage from Harry. Ford was originally going to make a cameo but Coppola liked him so much, he made him a supporting role. Other people in the movie include Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Frederic Forrest, Allen Garfeild, Teri Garr, and an uncredited appearance from Robert Duvall.
This Gun For Hire (1942): This is a selection from the Random Myspace Profile selection process and for this one I chose the Veronica Lake tribute profile. Alan Ladd stars as hitman Philip Raven who really has no compassion and will kill anyone who gets in his way. When he does his latest job for Willard Gates, he pays him in marked bills so Raven is determined to get revenge. Veronica Lake plays performer Ellen Graham who is asked to help pursue Raven. Ellen has her own encounter with Gates and not liking him. Philip and Ellen meet on a train where first they want to kill each other but then form an uneasy alliance out of their common enemy. Robert Preston stars as the detective out to get Philip and Ellen's boyfriend. This was a very entertaining film-noir with a good performance out of Ladd. This is based on the novel by Graham Greene.
A Bug's Life (1998): This is my Pixar film for the week which stars NEWSRADIO alum Dave Foley as the misfit ant Flik. Every year the ants must get together food for the evil grasshoppers but Flik drops a lot of the food into the river. The leader of the grasshoppers Hopper, voiced by Kevin Spacey, gives the ants a second chance. Flik then sets off to find bugs capable of taking on the grasshoppers and due to some misunderstandings gets a circus troupe of bugs instead. This movie has some great animation and a good story which is the most important thing. The circus bugs were the highlight in my opinion. There is also quite an all-star cast which includes SEINFELD alum Julia-Louis Dreyfuss, Phyllis Diller, Richard Kind, Denis Leary, Madeline Kahn, CHEERS alum John Ratzenberger, Roddy McDowell, and the list goes on and on. This is Roddy McDowell's last movie. Dave Foley has taken this character to other Pixar films. This movie is a loose remake of THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN.
Oranges: Revenge of the Eggplant (2004): This is a selection from the Random Myspace Profiloe selection process and for this one I chose the profile for this movie. I streamed this from Netflix instant and found this to be a rather interesting form of puppetry. The infamous Eggplant escapes execution and plans revenge on an orange called Dr. Sunkyst who he blames for his crimes. Each character is some type of fruit or vegetable like the head of the University being lettuce. I thought that was strange that the apple represented that black man and that Dr. Sunkyst was accused of being "fruitist". There is not much to explain here except that it is not for everyone as there is a lot of violence among these fruits but it still entertains.
A Christmas Carol (1984): This is my tribute to the late Edward Woodward who plays the Ghost of Christmas Present and my kickoff to the holiday season. I will try to have some Christmas oriented films this month but no guarantee. Most of us know the classic story here written by Charles Dickens and one I have been in twice at Muncie Civic Theater. In this tv adaptation of the classic, George C. Scott plays Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy man who has a lot of money but cannot reach out to anyone especially on Christmas. We all know that three ghosts come to visit him to show his past, present, and future in order to get him to see the meaning of Christmas and to not end up like his former business partner Jacob Marley. Scott was very good as Scrooge and this is a pretty good adaptation of the classic. I might have other adaptations this month, not sure yet.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007): This is one of the Random Myspace Profile selections that I don't remember who I chose. I am glad I chose this one which is the 5th in the series and honestly I have seen them up to this one but intend on doing the rest. Daniel Radcliffe reprises his role as the title character and believes that Lord Valdemort, played by Ralph Fiennes, will return. Dumbledore is getting the same warnings but no one believes them. Meanwhile, they appoint a new teacher as the Defense of the Dark Arts who becomes a big foe to Harry. Harry then secretly trains a group of Wizards to fight against Valdemort and all who is with him. I can always watch a movie with two of my favorite actors, Gary Oldman and Alan Rickman. This is from the book series by J.K. Rowling and I admit I have never read the books though I do not believe they are satanic like some. This all-star cast really works for this movie. There are some Christmas elements on here including some kissing under the mistletoe.
Rear Window (1954): I bring you "The Master of Suspense" Alfred Hitchcock in what many consider his best. James Stewart plays photographer L.B. Jeffries who is for right now confined to a wheelchair. In a wheelchair, what else is there to do but check out what his neighbors are doing across his apartment. He becomes very amused looking through other people's windows until he sees what he believes may have been a murder. Grace Kelly is his love interest who dismisses his theories at first but then starts to believe him. Raymond Burr plays the neighbor who might be a killer but first they must prove it. There is a lot of suspense in this film and will keep you through it all.
His Wedding Night (1917): This is another selection from the Random Myspace Profile selection process and for this one I used the tribute profile for Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle. This one is a short film which he did a series of shorts with Buster Keaton which was Keaton's big break. Arbuckle is the only person to have worked with the "Big 3" which also include Chaplin and Harold Lloyd. In this short film Fatty and Al St. John are rivals in a drug store for the same woman and go through some extreme measures in the drug store. Keaton delivers a wedding gown and then actually tries it on so we have him in a dress. There were some pretty comic moments here in Keaton's early career and he very much repaid Arbuckle who became blacklisted in Hollywood due to a rape trial and Keaton helped Arbuckle with his bills.
A Night To Remember (1958): I end with this epic on the doomed Titanic. This is a pretty straight-forward story and does not make some fictional account like the 1997 film TITANIC which I do like but I also like what this film does. We start where everyone is excited to be getting to go on this "unsinkable" ship. Since it was so unsinkable, why would they need that many lifeboats and other things so that would be a waste of money and time. However, the unthinkable happens and an iceberg hits the boat. At first, they did not think it would do much damage but as we all know they were wrong. This night they had was just as it sounded where the first class got pretty good treatment but not that second class. This is no love story, just an account of what possibly went on that night.
Well, that is it for this week. Towards the end of this blog, my writing may have sunk some since I just put lot of this together so sorry for that but tell me what you like and what you don't like and stay tuned for next week which so far includes a selection from Royce Clemens' Top 50 films of the decade, a documentary, Robert Taylor, Samuel L. Jackson, and many more.
FUN LITTLE FACTS
AIR FORCE ONE FRANCHISE
-Philip Baker Hall (Secret Honor) plays U.S. Attorney Andrew Ward
-Harrison Ford (The Conversation) plays President James Marshall
-Gary Oldman (Harry Potter) plays head terrorist Ivan Korshunov who has quite a fight with the President of the United States.
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FRANCHISE
-Philip Baker Hall (Secret Honor) plays Richard Nixon in this week's feature SECRET HONOR
-Gene Hackman (The Conversataion) plays corrupt fictional president Allen Richmond in the 1997 film ABSOLUTE POWER.
-Harrison Ford (The Conversation) plays the fighting president James Marshall in the 1997 film AIR FORCE ONE.
-Robert Duvall (Conversation) plays Dwight Eisenhower in the 1980 tv movie IKE: THE WAR YEARS.
Gene Hackman (Conversation) plays Superman's rival Lex Luthor in the Christopher Reeve era. Kevin Spacey plays the part in the 2006 film SUPERMAN RETURNS.
Gene Hackman (Conversation) plays Nicholas Earp in the 1994 film WYATT EARP. James Stewart (Rear Window) plays his famous son Wyatt in the 1964 film CHEYENNE AUTUMN
THE CONVERSATION actors John Cazale and Robert Duvall were stepbrothers in THE GODFATHER.
Frederic Forrest (Conversation) plays Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald in the 1978 tv movie RUBY AND OSWALD. Gary Oldman (Harry Potter) plays the part in the 1991 film JFK.
STAR WARS FRANCHISE
-Harrison Ford (Conversation) plays Han Solo in the first three films
-Warwick Davis (Harry Potter) plays an Ewok
Robert Duvall (Conversation) plays Roger Chillingworth and Gary Oldman (Harry Potter) plays Reverend Dimmesdale in the 1995 film THE SCARLET LETTER which was two great actors making unfortunate career choices.
Robert Duvall (Conversation) plays outlaw Jesse James in the 1972 film THE GREAT NORTHFIELD MINNESOTA RAID. Robert Preston (This Gun For Hire) plays the part in a 1956 episode of GOODYEAR TELEVISION PLAYHOUSE called MISSOURI LEGEND.
Kevin Spacey (A Bug's Life) did an impersonation of James Stewart (Rear Window) on the BBC tv show PARKINSON in 2002
Jonathan Harris (Bug's Life) played Dr. Smith in the 60s tv series LOST IN SPACE. Gary Oldman (Harry Potter) played the part in the 1998 film of the same name.
Madeline Kahn (Bug's Life) played the role of Elizabeth in the 1974 film YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. Helena Bonham Carter (Harry Potter) played the role in the 1994 film MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN. My Facebook friend Lisa also played the part in a production at the Muncie Civic Theater.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL franchise
-Roddy McDowell (Bug's Life) plays Bob Crachit in a 1985 episode of GEORGE BURNS COMEDY WEEK called CHRISTMAS CAROL II: THE SEQUEL
-Gary Oldman (Harry Potter) does the voice for Jacob Marley, Scrooge's overworked and underpaid worker Crachit, and Crachit's son Tiny Tim in this year's adaptation of the Dickens classic
-My Facebook friend Marty plays The Ghost of Christmas Present in this years radio broadcast play at Ball State and he played the part in the adaptation that I was in which was my first show in like 8 years.
-My Facebook friend Jim played The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in the version that I was in as a child where I was the Christmas Boy.
-My Facebook friend Neil played Tiny Tim in the 2004 musical version at the Muncie Civic Theater which I believe was Neil's first of many performances at Muncie Civic Theater.
-My Facebook friend Kelsey played Belle a couple years ago in the annual version at the Madison Park County Church of God.
-My Facebook friend Kristen played Emily, the equivalent of Belle, in the 2004 Muncie Civic Theater version
-My Facebook friend Erica played Fan in the 1993 Muncie Civic Version that I was in.
-My Facebook friend Sonya played Mrs. Fezziwig in the 2004 MCT version.
-My Facebook friend Josh played Peter Crachit in the 1993 MCT version.
George C. Scott (Christmas Carol) played Captain Edward J. Smith in the 1996 tv movie TITANIC. Laurence Naismith played the part in this week's feature A NIGHT TO REMEMBER.
George C. Scott (Christmas Carol) played John Proctor in the 1967 tv movie THE CRUCIBLE. Sean Connery (A Night to Remember uncredited) played the part in a 1959 episode of ITV PLAY OF THE WEEK and the episode had the same title. Susannah York (Christmas Carol) also played the part in the same thing Connery did.
Frank Finlay (Christmas Carol) played Porthos in the 1973 film THE THREE MUSKETEERS and the 1989 film THE RETURN OF THE MUSKETEERS. My facebook friend Edward played the role in a recent version at the Muncie Civic Theater.
DRACULA FRANCHISE
-Frank Finlay (Christmas Carol) played Van Helsing in the 1977 tv movie DRACULA
-Nigel Davenport (Christmas Carol) played Van Helsing in the 1973 tv movie DRACULA
-Gary Oldman (Harry Potter) played Dracula in the 1994 film BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA which is probably my favorite adaptation.
-My Facebook friend Sean played Dracula in a version at the Muncie Civic Theater
Film Arcade.net recently recieved three clips from Lionsgate for the upcoming Ethen Hawke, William Defoe film "Daybreakers" which theaters on January 8th.
Two-time Academy Award nominee® Ethan Hawke plays Edward Dalton, a researcher in the year 2019, in which an unknown plague has transformed the world's population into vampires. As the human population nears extinction, vampires must capture and farm every remaining human, or find a blood substitute before time runs out.
However, a covert group of vampires makes a remarkable discovery, one which has the power to save the human race.
"Daybreakers": Clip #1 - Accident
"Daybreakers": Clip #2 - Attack
"Daybreakers": Clip #3 - Birthday Party
“More of this is true than you would believe.”
You know, it’s really nice to see a movie use a phrase other than “based on a true story” or “inspired by true events.” Those descriptions have all but lost their meaning ages ago because even if what we’re seeing actually did happen, it has all been watered down into a formulaic feel good movie that we have seen over and over again to where we want to gag. Even worse, we keep getting suckered into seeing those same movies even when we should know better. Either that, or there’s nothing better to watch (or your latest rental fro Netflix hasn’t arrived yet). But this year has been great in subverting those worthless phrases with movies like “The Informant.” That one made clear that it was based on actual events but that certain parts had been fictionalized, and it ended by saying:
“So there!”
Now we have “The Men Who Stare At Goats,” one of the many George Clooney movies that we will be seeing this holiday season. It opens with the sentence at the top of this review. The story behind this one is so bizarre to where it’s almost impossible to believe that any of what we’re seeing could ever have happened. But it appears that a good portion of these happenings did take place, and it makes for what is truly one of the more unique war movies I have seen in awhile. The film is based on a (you’ve heard it) non-fiction book by Jon Ronson which looked at how US military forces used psychic powers against their enemies. They look at New Age concepts as well as activities of the paranormal to achieve these goals, and of how they worked to use these methods to their advantage (assuming of course that this is all true). The movie takes place in the backdrop if the
Jon himself serves as the inspiration for the character of Bob Wilton, an investigative journalist played by Ewan McGregor. Bob’s wife has just left him for his editor, and of course he is depressed and decides that he needs to do something more important with his life (in hopes he can get her back). As a result, he travels to
I love the irony of all the talk about “Jedi warriors” here, especially since Ewan McGregor played one in the “Star Wars” prequels.
Anyway, “The Men Who Stare At Goats” is really a cross between a war movie and a road movie as Lyn and Bob traverse the sandy dunes of the
Ewan McGregor is playing the main character here, but let’s face it, George Clooney steals the show right out from under his feet. His performance as Lyn Cassady is truly one of his most surprising in his creation of it. Despite how ridiculous he may seem Clooney plays him straight and never appears to be self-conscious. Seeing him trying to burst clouds with his mind, and trying to reach into his enemy’s mind by staring right at them has Clooney going through emotions ranging from serious to funny and to downright tragic. Having gone from playing roles in more dramatic movies like “Syriana” to “Michael Clayton” among others, George Clooney once again shows that he is also really good at comedy and never has to strive too hard for a laugh.
I don’t want to take away from Ewan McGregor though, who does manage to pull off a convincing American accent. In many ways, his role is more of a reactionary one as he is subjected to conditions he could never have fully prepared for. As Bob Wilton, he is bewildered at what Lyn is telling him, and yet he still wants to journey further and further into this guy’s head. I also have to give Ewan a lot of credit because he could have made it look like he was consciously aware of all those “Star Wars” references, but he never did. Had he, it would have taken us out of this film completely. May the force be with him!
But one of the great delights of “The Men Who Stare At Goats” is watching Jeff Bridges channel that inner-dudeness that made him so popular after “The Big Lebowski.” Jeff plays Bill Django, a military leader who after being wounded in
Having been in
Kevin has great fun as he channels the inner smugness that has enveloped his character over time, and which some say he has become well known for off screen as well as on (I don’t hang out with him, so I can’t say for sure). While his role is a little more serious than the others, he still has great moments of comedy that remind us of what a talented actor he is (as if that could ever have been in doubt). Spacey does a great work of balancing out the serious and comedic aspects of his character without tilting too much in one direction.
The movie was directed by Grant Heslov, George Clooney’s business partner on many films including the brilliant “Good Night and Good Luck” which he co-wrote. Heslov has his work cut out for him here as he must find a balance between the humorous and dramatic aspects of the story. Granted, he doesn’t always succeed but he creates a most unusual war movie, and it is all the more entertaining because of that. Even more telling is the way he shows off the Iraqi people in certain scenes. They are not all portrayed as gun toting terrorists, and he captures the look of their helplessness in having to deal with a military occupation they did not ask for.
Like I said, there’s no serious politicizing of the
***½ out of ****
Imagine living in a small town where everything is safe and happy…until suddenly it isn’t. Imagine your friends and neighbors going quickly and horrifically insane. In a terrifying tale of the “American Dream” gone horribly wrong, four friends find themselves trapped in their hometown in The Crazies, a reinvention of the George Romero classic directed by Breck Eisner from a screenplay by Ray Wright (Pulse, Case 39) and Scott Kosar (The Amityville Horror, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre).
David Dutten (Timothy Olyphant) is sheriff of Ogden Marsh, a picture-perfect American town with happy, law-abiding citizens. But one night, one of them comes to a school baseball game with a loaded shotgun, ready to kill. Another man burns down his own house…after locking his wife and young son in a closet inside. Within days, the town has transformed into a sickening asylum; people who days ago lived quiet, unremarkable lives have now become depraved, blood-thirsty killers, hiding in the darkness with guns and knives. Sheriff Dutten tries to make sense of what’s happening as the horrific, nonsensical violence escalates. Something is infecting the citizens of Ogden Marsh…with insanity.
Now complete anarchy reigns as one by one the townsfolk succumb to an unknown toxin and turn sadistically violent. In an effort to keep the madness contained, the government uses deadly force to close off all access and won’t let anyone in or out – even those uninfected. The few still sane find themselves trapped: Sheriff Dutten; his pregnant wife, Judy (Radha Mitchell); Becca (Danielle Panabaker), an assistant at the medical center; and Russell (Joe Anderson), Dutten’s deputy and right-hand man. Forced to band together, an ordinary night becomes a horrifying struggle for survival as they do their best to get out of town alive.
The film hits theaters February 26th.
The Crazies: Official Trailer #2
It’s a sad day in the cinema as the Associated Press and Reuters is reporting Brittany Murphy has passed away at the age of 32 early this morning. No details of cause of death has been announced at this time
Murphy, who first garnered attention in films, such as “Clueless” “ Don’t Say a Word” and “Girl Interrupted”. Her big break came in 2002, when she starred opposite Eminem in “8 Mile".
From there she would star opposite Ashton Kutcher in “Just Married”, and make other appearances or star in such films as “Sin City”, “Little Black Book”, “Love and Other Disasters”, and the upcoming Sylvester Stallone film, “The Expendables”. She also lend her voice to the popular TV series “King of the Hill, which aired for thirteen seasons.
She leaves behind her husband, British screenwriter Simon Monjack.
Film Arcade.net would like to extend our condolences to Brittany Murphy’s family and friends.
Brittany Murphy: November 10, 1977 – December 20th, 2009
Photo Source: Associated Press
Avatar
Year: 2009
Director: James Cameron
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Stars: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 162 Mins
“Avatar” is the very long awaited film from director James Cameron, who has done great films like “The Terminator” and “The Abyss”. His last film “Titanic” was his worst film, as I really felt that it focused too much on the “Gone With a Wind” type love story and was an hour too long. So going into this one, I was nervous that it would turn out to be another “Titanic” but in 3D. So I decided to put this film to the ultimate test and watch this film in IMAX 3D.
The film is about a paralyzed solider Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) who is dispatched to a planet known as Pandora, to drive one of the avatars that his deceased brother that has created. While there, he finds out that the person (Giovanni Ribisi) who is funding the research has intentions on driving off the natives, so that he can mine the minerals that are scattered throughout the planet. But he is offered the chance to walk again, if he gets intel for the military unit that is lead by ruthless colonel (Stephen Lang) that wants to drive the natives out. Soon Sully begins to gather infiltrates the natives, but while doing that he begins to fall in love with Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), a beautiful alien Sully is then forced with a very difficult choice continue with his mission or help the natives with their fight against the business man and his military force. The film also costars Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez and Joel Moore.
To me the whole 3D craze has gotten out of proportion with films like “Monsters and Aliens” A “Christmas Carol” and “The Final Destination” I don’t see the big deal with it. But this is the first movie that I can see the argument why 3D films are made. This is the first film that I actually get can say that it needs to be seen in 3D, as the images were just amazing to look at. It helped enhance the viewing experience to whole another level, as it has that magical feel that lose a bit when you the film in 2D.
Without the visual images in Imax 3D, “Avatar” is still a very good film. James Cameron erases any doubts that I about him as a director, after the awfulness that was “Titanic”. One of things that’s made him so legendary, the way he uses his imagination and translates that into the images that you see. It feels like you’re at an event, instead of watch a regular film. It worked with the first “Terminator” films, Aliens, “The Abyss” and this film here. Cameron makes sure that the technology is used wisely so integrates with the film’s story to give it that feel that you’re in that universal and not using it to blow everything up, every ten seconds. I wish “Mr. Awesome” Michael Bay could take lessons from this guy, instead of using it to blow everything up. Without the very good use of the technology, he still manages to make this film impactful through the acting, as everything worked onscreen. Cameron gets very good performances from his actors including, Sam Worthington, who makes his character work. His performance makes you interested in the story, because if the performance didn’t work, then this film wouldn’t had work as well since everything is tied to his main character. The film also has some very good supporting performances from Stephen Lang, as the evil colonel, Sigourney Weaver, as the scientist, who against everything that the corporation and Giovanni Ribsi, as the greedy businessman that wants the planet’s resources.
Cameron’s script was also better from the “Titanic” debacle. What makes this script good, the fact that he tells the story from the main character’s point of view instead of focusing on various characters to the point that everything becomes out of control. By doing that, it really makes an interesting story and not an effects film, which too many films have done this year (ie: “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”, “GI Joe” to name a few). I liked how everything is connected to this one character, from the backstory to the love interest. The relationship between Worthington and Saldana’s character work much better than main relationship in this last film because it’s fully develops instead of being forced. That really makes you appreciate movie magic, when all of these elements work to perfection. Everything just works on a very good level. Cameron also develops the planet’s backstory very well, as it feels magical and you develop a sense of compassion for the characters that are living there. The actions scenes were well timed and severed an actual purpose to the film story. The action is just powerful and entertaining, as it fits with the message that Cameron is trying to get across to his viewers. I fully wish that this would happen more often in screenwriting process, but it doesn’t because you have writers that want to blow up everything and sacrifice the story to do it. It pains me to say that, but it’s the truth. I wish screenwriters would view films like these and realize that it only makes sense to blow stuff up, when the story calls for it. Not to do it, just to put people in seats.
This is one of those rare films, in which the 3D technology it ment for. “Avatar is very intelligent story that is definitely a return to form for James Cameron, as this is truly an event film that worthy of your time
Review Rating: Five Stars
Welcome to the 211th Edition of my long-running blog. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I am thankful for my family, friends, the theater, and the people who read this blog. I just wrote most of this at the same time so my writing might be a little lackluster this week so forgive me for that one. I can't believe my show starts on Thursday so if you are in the area come see A TIME FOR CHRISTMAS.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990): The Facebook friend I chose for this week is Zach who I was in a Spanish class with in high school and in college. Admit it everyone my age, you watched this cartoon as a kid and you know it. I recently saw the newer cartoon version which just was not the same. I don't know if I would have said the same thing if I was this age during the rise of the turtles but the newer one lacked so much. This was their live-action movie they put out and I remember how popular this one was too. This one starts where they are trying to keep a low profile while saving the world. For those of you that actually do not know who these turtles are, these are four little turtles who ended up in some weird chemical called Ooze and then became genetically mutated into big turtles who are then taught martial arts and life lessons by the wise-rat Splinter. They were then named after famous artists Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello. In this movie, a lot of crime is happening where arch-villain Shreddar is forming a group called the Foot in an attempt to take over the world. Rebellious reporter April O'Neil, played by Judith Hoag, helps to uncover this where only the turtles really believe her and they must do what they can to stop Shreddar who is the most known villain in the cartoon series. Corey Feldman actually provides to voice of Donatello. Elias Koteas is a lot of fun as the Turtles' vigilante ally Casey Jones. Look for a young Sam Rockwell and even Skeet Ulrich as some of the thugs. Cowabunga everyone and bring back some of your memories with this one.
The Devil and Miss Jones (1941): Charles Coburn plays millionaire J.P. Merrick who owns a department store where he learns that many of his employees are trying to organize a union for more money and better working conditions. He then decides to use a fake name and become an employee at the store to find out who is behind this union. Jean Arthur and Robert Cummings are the employees trying to get better conditions and they befriend Merrick where Merrick starts to understand why they are doing what they are trying to do. This is a good comedy with good performances especially by Arthur. It is unfortunate that it is not more on the radar than what it should be.
My Night at Maud's (1969): This is part three of director Rohmer's Six Moral Tales. This movie centers around main character and narrator Jean-Louis. He then vows to marry a beautiful blonde named Francoise who he has never actually met. He then gets an invitation to visit his divorced friend Maud. Jean-Louis then spends the night and they have a philosophical discussion on live and she also helps him to get Francoise. This movie has some very interesting religious discussions.
Mutiny on the Bounty (1935): Frank Lloyd directed this classic which stars Clark Gable in my my favorite Gable film. This movie takes place on a ship that is on a voyage to go to Tahiti. The ship is run by the ruthless Captain Bligh, played very well by Charles Laughton, who does not treat his people very well. Clark Gable is his second-in-command who begins to disagree with Bligh's method's and leads a revolt. Franchot Tone is the conflicted midshipman who must defend himself against charges that he supported Christian. This is based on a true story and the three actors named were all nominated for Best Actor. This was remade in 1962 and 1984. I have seen the 1962 remake which was longer and went more in depth after reaching the island but just was not the same as this one.
Geri's Game (1997): This is my Pixar short for the week which was written and directed by Jan Pinkava. This animated short shows an old man playing Chess against himself and ends up having a very viscous game. It does not have any dialogue but does not need it and it has a good music score with funny moments. This won an Oscar for Best Animated Short and really deserved it. It is well worth the five minutes.
Man on Wire (2008): This is my documentary for the week which focuses on Philippe Petit who in 1974 successfully tight-roped across the twin towers. This documentary focuses on him and the others who helped to make this happen where they reflect on that time. Many of his friends were very reluctant but determined to help Petit achieve his goal. It also shows Petit's other feats like walking across the cathedral of Notre Dame. This is a great documentary of a man who did not like to go along with society with some great archival footage and interviews. We obviously know Petit survives since he lives to talk about it here. This movie won an Oscar in 2008 for Best Documentary.
Black Orpheus (1959): This is my South American film for the week which was co-wrote and directed by Marcel Camus. This is an interesting telling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth which was set in a carnival at Rio de Janeiro. Breno Mello plays Orfeo who is a train conductor and engaged to a girl named Mira. He then meets and falls in love with Eurydice. Orfeo must then protect Eurydice from Death. It really difficult to explain but if you stick with it, it will be worth it and the scenery is great as well as the performances. Orfeo and Eurydice have a great Samba dance.
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981): This is my sequel for the week which is directed by George Miller and stars a young Mel Gibson who reprises his role of Max. He is a loner and cynical drifter in a post-apocalyptic Australia years after avenging his murdered wife and son. He then agrees to help a group of survivors who have a big supply of fuel to help fight off some very ruthless gangsters who want it for themselves. This movie had a nice, dark feel to it with some good action and a good, early performance from Mel Gibson which got him recognized in the USA. It also had some nice narration in the beginning and end.
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969): Sydney Pollack directed this really strange movie that takes place during the depression era Hollywood. Jane Fonda stars as Gloria, a drifter who has always wanted a movie career but just cannot get to that level and along with many other people join an absolutely grueling dance competition. Michael Sarrazin plays Robert, an aspiring director who never gives up on his dream and joins the dance agreeing to partner with Gloria. The dance competition mostly focuses on survival and has nothing real upbeat about it driving Gloria to ask Robert to kill her. Red Buttons is good as one of the older dancers. It in some ways reminded me of SALO: OR THE 120 DAYS OF SODOM in a weird way, just not as extreme as SALO.
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005): This is my favorite of my selections for the week which shows Tommy Lee Jones making his directorial debut as ranch foreman Pete whose best friend which is in the name of the title is killed and he vows to avenge his death and give his friend the burial he wanted in Mexico. He learns that a border patrol member named Mike, played by Barry Pepper, did this so Pet abducts Mike to take him to Mexico to give Estrada the burial he wanted. January Jones, no relation to Tommy, co-stars as Mike's wife who is struggling to fit into the small town they now live in. Dwight Yoakam also shows his acting skills once again as the sheriff of the town. Jones makes a great directorial debut with this contemporary western which makes great use of flashback and a great story.
Well, that is it for this week. Tell me what you like and what you hate and stay tuned for next week. Also, don't forget to check out the blog JCVD VS. MY NAME IS BRUCE if you haven't yet.
Photos courtesy of Magnet Releasing
The Wagner/Cuban Companies' Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced today that it has acquired US rights to GEORGE A. ROMERO’S SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD, the latest in the legendary and beloved series of zombie films which bowed at the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals earlier this year. Romero, one of the most influential and respected horror auteurs of all time, has created a new, terrifying vision that combines viscerally gory undead action with biting social commentary and a return to the black humor and playfulness of his seminal film, DAWN OF THE DEAD. Magnet will release the film as part of its Ultra VOD program this spring, debuting it on VOD platforms nationwide a month before its theatrical release.
Like its predecessors, GEORGE A. ROMERO’S SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD takes place in a desperate, nightmarish world where the dead walk the earth, relentlessly attacking the living. It is the story of Plum Island – a beautiful refuge whose isolation allows two powerful families to maintain a semblance of order in the wake of the zombie holocaust. But as the inhabitants slowly die off, the two clans become sharply divided: the O’Flynns believe that the undead must be destroyed without exception, while the Muldoons insist that afflicted loved ones be kept “alive” until a cure is found. The result is an escalating showdown with echoes of a classic Western stand-off that erupts in brutality and violence.
“George A. Romero is an undisputed cinematic legend, and we’re honored to be bringing another installment of this incredible series of films to horror fans,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “SURVIVAL is smart, extremely fun and a worthy addition to the ‘Of the Dead’ franchise.”
Says Romero, “I’m a big admirer of the team at Magnolia. They’re creative and passionate, and I’m excited to put “Survival” in their hands.”
The deal was negotiated by Magnolia’s Senior Vice President Tom Quinn with Victoria Cook for Cinetic Media, on behalf of Art Spigel and Ara Katz of Artfire Films and Peter Grunwald of Romero-Grunwald Productions.
Bitch Slap is a post-modern, thinking man’s throwback to the “B” Movie/Exploitation films of the 1950’s - 70’s as well as a loving, sly parody of the same. Inspired by the likes of Dragstrip Girl;, Faster Pussycat, Kill, Kill; Kung Fu Nun and the pantheon of Blaxploitation films, Bitch Slap will mix girls, guns, outrageous action and jaw-dropping visuals with a message… don’t be naughty!
At its core, Bitch Slap follows three bad girls (a down-and-out stripper, a drug-running killer and a corporate powerbroker) as they arrive at a remote desert hideaway to extort and steal $200 Million in diamonds from a ruthless underworld kingpin. Things quickly spin out of control as allegiances change, truths are revealed, other criminals arrive for the score, the fate of the world hangs in the balance and they are forced to confront a villain much worse than they ever expected… themselves. It’s the ultimate morality tale as, one by one, they realize the whole she-bang was a set-up and one of them may not even be human...
What also makes Bitch Slap different is a complicated “B” story device that runs throughout the film to illuminate character, backstory and relationship histories not previously revealed. Like the film Memento, these scene flashbacks take place in reverse, so by the end of the film, you have a wholly different take on who these women are and why they are behaving so badly. Bet you never saw THAT in Jailbait Babysitter!
So grab your popcorn and fasten your safety belt. With “Cult Classic” written all over it, Bitch Slap is gonna be one wild ride…
Julia Voth, America Olivo, Erin Cummings, Kevin Sorbo and Zoe Bell star in "Bitch Slap", which will hit theaters and VOD on January 8, 2010.
"Bitch Slap": Official Trailer
Overture film recently send us over the latest trailer and a couple of stills for the 2010 remake of "The Crazies", which hits theaters on Febuary 26th.
Imagine living in a small town where everything is safe and happy…until suddenly it isn’t. Imagine your friends and neighbors going quickly and horrifically insane. In a terrifying tale of the “American Dream” gone horribly wrong, four friends find themselves trapped in their hometown in The Crazies, a reinvention of the George Romero classic directed by Breck Eisner from a screenplay by Ray Wright (Pulse, Case 39) and Scott Kosar (The Amityville Horror, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre).
David Dutten (Timothy Olyphant) is sheriff of Ogden Marsh, a picture-perfect American town with happy, law-abiding citizens. But one night, one of them comes to a school baseball game with a loaded shotgun, ready to kill. Another man burns down his own house…after locking his wife and young son in a closet inside. Within days, the town has transformed into a sickening asylum; people who days ago lived quiet, unremarkable lives have now become depraved, blood-thirsty killers, hiding in the darkness with guns and knives. Sheriff Dutten tries to make sense of what’s happening as the horrific, nonsensical violence escalates. Something is infecting the citizens of Ogden Marsh…with insanity.
Now complete anarchy reigns as one by one the townsfolk succumb to an unknown toxin and turn sadistically violent. In an effort to keep the madness contained, the government uses deadly force to close off all access and won’t let anyone in or out – even those uninfected. The few still sane find themselves trapped: Sheriff Dutten; his pregnant wife, Judy (Radha Mitchell); Becca (Danielle Panabaker), an assistant at the medical center; and Russell (Joe Anderson), Dutten’s deputy and right-hand man. Forced to band together, an ordinary night becomes a horrifying struggle for survival as they do their best to get out of town alive.
"The Crazies" (2010): Official Trailer #2
Film Arcade.net recently recieved the official poster of the new Nicolas Cage film, "Season of the Witch" from Lionsgate.
In the supernatural thriller Season of the Witch, Nicolas Cage stars as a 14th century Crusader who returns with his comrade (Ron Perlman) to a homeland devastated by the Black Plague. A beleaguered church, deeming sorcery the culprit of the plague, commands the two knights to transport an accused witch (Claire Foy) to a remote abbey, where monks will perform a ritual in hopes of ending the pestilence.
A priest (Stephen Campbell Moore), a grieving knight (Ulrich Thomsen), an itinerant swindler (Stephen Graham) and a headstrong youth who can only dream of becoming a knight (Robert Sheehan) join a mission troubled by mythically hostile wilderness and fierce contention over the fate of the girl.
When the embattled party arrives at the abbey, a horrific discovery jeopardizes the knight's pledge to ensure the girl fair treatment, and pits them against an inexplicably powerful and destructive force.
The film hits theaters on March 19, 2010!
For more infomation of the this film, you can goto the film's official website at: http://www.seasonofthewitchfilm.com/
"Season of the Witch": Teaser Trailer
Alright, let’s get this out of the way like hundreds of reviews before this one and hundreds after it; Werner Herzog’s “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans” is not a remake of Abel Ferrara’s 1992 film “Bad Lieutenant” which as a friend of mine pointed out “made ‘Taxi Driver’ look like ‘Alice In Wonderland’.” The only thing that these films have in common with each other is they have a main character who is a police lieutenant with serious gambling and drug addictions that sink them down into a world of immorality. Other than that, these are completely different cinematic works which somehow ended up with the same darn title. Comparing the two, while in some respects inevitable, does neither film any favors. If you do find me comparing them to each other, it is truly an accident (I understand if you don’t buy that). My guess is that the “Bad Lieutenant” title was chosen for commercial purposes, and that’s regardless of the fact that Ferrara’s film found a bigger audience on video and DVD than any NC-17 movie could ever hope to find in theaters (assuming if any near you dared play it).
Before I continue, I have to confess that this film is the very first feature length movie from Werner Herzog that I have ever seen. Yes, I did see his “Grizzly Man” and “Encounters at the End of the World,” but they were both documentaries (brilliant ones might I add). Being the big movie buff that I am, you will probably find this to be unbelievable and shameful on my part (it probably is). But on the upside, you won’t have to worry about me comparing this film to all his others he has made in a long and acclaimed career. Odds are that it might suffer compared to his other works, so be thankful I’m not stuck doing that here. From what I have heard, Herzog’s films deal with human psyches in a most extreme and uncontrollable state, so his “Bad Lieutenant” must be right up his alley in terms of themes he has dealt with throughout his career. It also allows Nicholas Cage a role where he can (and does he ever) go full out crazy in the only way an actor like him can. This is the kind of performance Cage is famous for, and the likes of which we have been denied for far too long.
Cage stars as Terence McDonagh who, when we first see him, is a sergeant with the
Terence starts off being prescribed Vicodin by his less than hopeful doctor, something I had when I got my wisdom teeth taken out, and which my mother became terrified I would get addicted to. It’s all downhill from there as the lieutenant quickly moves from Vicodin to cocaine, and then to crack or whatever else he can smuggle out of the evidence room. Just when you think McDonagh could not sink any deeper, he does. Then he hits rock bottom when he gets involved with local drug dealer Big Fate played by rapper Xzibit, looking far more lively here than he did in “The X-Files: I Want To Believe.” By collaborating with Big Fate, Terence hopes to pay off his mounting debts he brought upon himself by betting on the wrong damn teams. Throughout this twisted voyage of his, he is also met by a pair of iguanas who keep following him. Of course, no one can see these scaly animals except him.
As dark and immoral as the plot and the characters of this movie are, I actually found it to be shockingly funny. Seriously, “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans” has moments that were so laugh out loud funny, I almost couldn’t believe how much I was enjoying myself while watching this. It’s like Werner Herzog took the original “Bad Lieutenant” and subtracted all the Catholic guilt and angst and replaced it with a heap of bizarre black comedy that seemed never ending. What’s on display here gives “Observe and Report,” a movie that has grown on me a lot since I saw it, a big run for its money in the perversely funny department. The audience I saw it with at Landmark Theatres in
But the big delight I got out of “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans” is seeing Nicholas Cage acting in a totally unhinged state like he was doing a sequel to “Wild at Heart.” Maybe I’ve been too hard on Nic Cage lately, but this feels like such a welcome return to form for him. Actually, he was really good in a movie that came out earlier this year (“Knowing”), but this collaboration with Werner Herzog brings Nic back to the kind of role he does best. From “Leaving Las Vegas” to “Face/Off,” Cage proved to be a master of over the top performances infused with endless creativity. This was long before he did movies where he was just over the top, or went after one “National Treasure” too many. But here, Werner sets him loose to play a character whose mind is in a constant state of implosion that exposes a soul most corrupted.
One key scene which does look like it was taken from Abel’s film is when Terence pulls over a young couple who are about to drive home from a club. Nicholas plays the scene straight as he gets from these two what he wants and knows they have on them. Cage suddenly switches gears when the lady gives him a hit from what she is smoking (either marijuana or something much stronger), and he ends up making out with her while her stunned schmuck of a boyfriend watches. The scene is almost as horrifying as it is hilarious, assuming this debauchery is your kind of entertainment. You’re not really laughing at what he is doing as much as you do at the fact that he is debasing himself without a care in the world. Only an actor as risk taking and reckless as Cage could possibly sell us on such a scene.
So what’s Herzog’s “Bad Lieutenant” really all about? I’m not entirely sure. It could be that the director is looking at a man whose soul is as toxic as the water that submerged much of
Nicholas Cage is also surrounded by a good cast of actors who do memorable work here as well. It was nice to see Brad Dourif here, having seen and liked him not too long ago in Rob Zombie’s “Halloween II,” as Terence’s bookie whom he is heavily in debt to. Val Kilmer is very good as Terence’s corrupt partner, and that’s even if he has to stand in the shadow of Cage throughout (I hope Val was alright with that). I have to say I was very surprised to Jennifer Coolidge cast as Terence’s stepmother. Having seen Jennifer in so many comic roles that she was funny as hell in, it was interesting to see her to take on something different and more dramatic. Vondie Curtis-Hall appears as well playing Terence’s chief, and Tom Bower rounds out the cast by portraying his alcoholic father.
Eva Mendes is also on board here as the bad lieutenant’s prostitute girlfriend, Frankie. She previously co-starred with Nicholas Cage in “Ghost Rider,” a movie I’m not really sure I want to see. As Frankie, Eva plays the same kind of role she played in “We Own The Night”; a party girl whose boyfriend (played by Joaquin Phoenix before he went nuts) supplies her with all the fun and drugs she ever needs. I haven’t seen her in many movies she has appeared in, so I’m not sure if her range is limited to roles based on her gorgeous body, or if she has not been given the opportunity to stretch beyond that. On the basis of her performance here, I think she should get stronger opportunites because she plays off of the other actors very well, and she makes the transition from being selfish to being saved from herself effectively believable.
Herzog gives this film a rough and dirty look which all but suits the characters and the sleaze they involve themselves in. This whole shebang could have been ruined if he shot the whole thing in high definition, for it would have made things look too tidy. I could see all these hardcore movie buffs go after Werner Herzog and accuse him of selling out if he did that, but I believe he is one of the very few directors incapable of doing so. This is not a movie you want to look all smoothed over and polished at the surface. It requires an atmosphere thick with humidity and with slime dripping off of everything as it eats away what is left. For all I know right now, Herzog is not a director who is even remotely interested in sweetening up story and characters in order to make his movies more available to a mainstream audience.
“Bad Lieutenant:
***½ out of ****
Welcome to the 214th edition of my series. This week I have two selections from the Random Myspace Profile selection process, next week will likely have two but that is subject to change. This week I pay tribute to Gene Barry, Richard Todd, and Rupert Everett. I have two selections this week from the Random Myspace Profile selection process, next week will likely have none but is subject to change. The show is over now so I am as of right now without a play to be in but hopefully I'll get a part in a spring show.
A Hole in the Head (1959): This is a selection from the Random Myspace Profile selection process and for this one I chose Eminent Sinatra. Frank Capra directed this movie which stars Frank Sinatra as Tony Manetta who is running a very unsuccessful hotel and is struggling to keep his 12 year old son. He then asks his brother Mario, played by Edward G. Robinson, to bail him out once again. Mario then gives Tony some options including to give up his son or to find a nice woman to marry. All three names mentioned have done better but this was a decent film that in some ways focuses on the value of family.
Greed (2008): This is a selection from the Random Myspace Profile selection process and for this one I chose Coffee Shorts which you can view many of them at http://www.coffeeshorts.co.uk. This is a two minute Swedish short written and directed by Alli Sadegiani. This focuses on the psychological effects that greed has on someone which has some great animation and is pretty disturbing.
Fanny and Alexander (1982): I guess this is my second Swedish film for the week and is by a more known director in Ingmar Bergman. The title characters are sibling children from the Ekdahl household in the early 20th Century which their parents are big into the local theater. Their lives then turn very difficult when their father Oscar dies and their mother marries the very authoritarian bishop of the church who Alexander challenges many times. This movie does a great job showing each person's conflict and what they must do to deal with it. It also has the Jewish merchant Isak who is the lover of the grandmother and becomes the refuge for the two kids. There is actually quite a bit of Christmas in the beginning part so it fits here some. I actually got this from the library which is on the criterion collection. It actually has both the mini-series of five hours which Bergman prefers and the 3 hour version which was for the movie theater. I did the mini-series and while it took a while for me, it was worth it but not for everyone. There was a really good scene where Alexander is speaking to a "ghost".
Nothing Like the Holidays (2008): This is my main Christmas film for the week which I realized would have been a perfect "loophole" for the Horror Movie Madness Contest due to the distributor being Anchor Bay. This movie takes place with a Latin-American family getting together for Christmas and each person's conflict. I know it sounds familiar but I found it to be enjoyable for the holiday. Alfred Molina plays the patriarch of the family and Elizabeth Pena plays his wife who wants a divorce believing he had an affair so that announcement sends the family in an uproar. John Leguizamo is one of the family members and has a fiance in Debra Messing who can't decide between a child and a big career. I really liked UGLY BETTY alum Freddy Rodriguez who is trying to adjust to life after Iraq and an incident that happened there. I'm not going any further but I do believe that Rodriguez is very underrated and most performances were pretty good. I admit, I am a sucker for the holiday films in the December time of year.
Thunder Road (1958): This is my tribute to the late Gene Barry who recently left us and here he plays a Treasury agent who is trying to bring down a Moonshine ring. Robert Mitchum actually wrote the short story this film is based on and plays Korean veteran Lucas Doolin who is running the Moonshine business in his small-town but must go against big-time gangsters and the police trying to nab him and possibly even turn against the others out to get him. Mitchum's real-life son Patrick actually plays his younger brother who he does not want to end up in the same racket. It was a pretty good low-budget film where Mitchum actually sings the opening song. I was a little confused by the end but still enjoyed the action and such in the film.
A Man Called Peter (1955): This is my tribute to the late Richard Todd who recently left us and here he plays the title character of Peter Marshall. This is a true story where a Scottish boy dreams of going out to sea but gets what he believes is a calling from God to become a minister. He then goes to the states to form a small congregation but then lands a position of pastor for the Church of the Presidents and eventually becomes chaplain to the senate. Jean Peters plays his loving wife who is sometimes overwhelmed the way he works. This is mostly a character study and a film that has gone overlooked through the years. I actually did not know this was a movie as I heard of it when Lee's Theatrical Productions did a version of it. Their version focused on his life after he had a heart attack and his hard time resting instead of working. It mostly took place in Peter's home where he did a lot of work from and helped some people along the way. This movie goes more in depth from a little bit of his childhood up to his death. Todd was great as Marshall and I hope to be able to put this one a little more on the radar.
The Piano Lesson (1995): This is my tv movie for the week. This week I used NOTHING LIKE THE HOLIDAYS which focused on a hispanic family. This movie focuses on a dysfunctional black family in '30s Pittsburgh. This is based on a play written by August Wilson. Charles S. Dutton stars as Boy Willie, a man who does not like to work. He comes home hoping to claim the piano which is considered the family heirloom so that he can sell it to buy some land. Alfre Woodard plays his sister Berniece who does not want to part with it which adds a lot of tension between the two that obviously have never gotten along. We then see flashbacks as to her reasons of why she does not want to get rid of it. Dutton actually won a Tony Award in 1990 for playing the same part. It gives a very good look at a minority family of that era.
Johnny Got His Gun (1971): This is my WWI drama for the week which was written and directed by Dalton Trumbo which is based on his own novel and this is also the only movie he ever directed. Timothy Bottoms plays a WWI soldier named Joe who is wounded to a fate worse than death. He loses his legs, arms and face so he is confined to a bed but the doctors have no idea he still has the biggest part of his body which is the mind. Part of the movie is him in the hospital room and wanting to know what is going on around him since he does not know because he lost his hearing and his sight. He also reflects on his life before his horrible fate where some of it is reality and some is in dreams. There are also some very interesting interactions with Jesus, played by Donald Sutherland, which were written by the legendary director Luis Bunuel. I was quite blown away by the beauty and sadness of the film and the strange ending. There is a remake that was made in 2008 and have heard it is actually pretty good but don't forget this one.
Shrek 2 (2004): This is my tribute to Rupert Everett whose father recently died and he provides the voice of Prince Charming. I am a big fan of the SHREK series and even the third one. This is obviously the second in the series where Shrek and Fiona are happily married and are summoned by Fiona's parents to the kingdom to meet her new husband not really knowing their fate. Joined by Donkey, they set out to meet the parents, which are voiced by John Cleese and Julie Andrews, and they have a hard time accepting the ogre she married and also became. Prince Charming is also not giving up on his princess and with the help of his mom, the Fairy Godmother, he does what can to win Fiona. The King also helps them because he actually owes the fairy godmother and hires Puss in Boots, voiced by Antonio Banderas in a Zorro type portrayal, to kill Shrek but ends up becoming their ally. This movie was a lot of fun to me with Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy all reprising their parts. Jennifer Saunders is fun as the crooked Fairy Godmother and does a good rendition of HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO.
Doctor X (1932): This is my horror film for the week which would have fit in better in October but since when do I make those kinds of considerations. Lee Tracy stars as an eccentric reporter named Lee Taylor who is looking for "the Moon Killer". He stumbles upon a man named Dr. Xavier, played by Lionel Atwill, who gets together many colleagues and goes through some very strange experiments to prove they are not the killer. Pre-KING KONG beauty Fay Wray plays Dr. Xavier's wife and gets caught up in quite a bit of the mystery. It is a pretty well-moving chiller and absolutely for classic horror fans. Michael Curtiz directed this movie and would go onto direct far better than this one including CASABLANCA but this was a start.
Well, that is is for this week. Stay tuned for next week which includes more Frank Capra, James Cagney, Eric Bana, Francois Truffant, and many others.
Most people who know me and even the ones who just read my blogs each week know that I have had quite a bit of involvement in the world of community theater through the years. When I was about ten or so, my mom made her own community theater debut at the Muncie Civic Theater in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. When I saw this, I became pretty hooked and decided that I wanted to do it myself so with the support of my mother we were both in A CHRISTMAS CAROL and then I would go onto do a couple kid's shows there. However, after about mid-middle school I took quite a hiatus off the stage. I admit a lot of it was social reasons. It just did not seem socially acceptable to do this and we all remember those times when we were kids when we were trying to be popular which I never really succeeded with that. Many years later when I was going to college they were having auditions for their 2004-2005 season and decided it was time for me to get back into this world so coincidentally enough I made my stage return in another version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL once again with my mom. Since this time, this has become my addiction in life. I have been blessed with this wonderful life where I perform in theater, write movie recommendations and have gotten to be a ring announcer in the world of independent wrestling. I have met lots of great people through the years so I thank god, my mom, Marty, Darrin, Lisa and all the people who have supported me through the years. I have been in a little of 20 shows in my life so I am putting here my favorite parts. I always enjoy myself in a show but I am looking at my 10 favorite characters and the first couple on this list had multiple characters. As far as the top 10, this is something I just put together so just depending on my mood this could change. That is why I never call my movie blogs the top 10 movies.
10. A Time For Christmas (2008): I was in this show in late November of that year at the Muncie Civic Theater. This was not one of their season shows but a fundraiser. Muncie Civic Theater was suffering from a lot of financial trouble so a married couple named Mike and Laura asked the theater director Marty if they could do this as a fundraiser. They had done it a couple times at their church and are very passionate about this show. It is kind of a variation on A CHRISTMAS CAROL where an over-dedicated business man is visited by an angel named Bartholomew who shows him the ups and downs of Christmas through the year hoping to give him the meaning of Christmas. When I auditioned, to this day I still feel this is the best audition I have ever had. I was very on and felt great. I had some pretty notable chorus roles. I first played the shepherd Jacob who was sees the image of some beautiful angels. Then I played a guard in the Puritan scene where I help break up an illegal church service on Christmas which is the role I enjoyed the most since I like to play villainous characters on stage. I know many people who played puritans were very uncomfortable since I got into the part quite a bit. The other notable scene I had was when I was part of a 60s Doo-Wop quartet.
9. Annie (2008): This was a show done at the Anderson Mainstage Theatre and was my second and so far the last which we'll see what is going on next year. We all know the story here, a red-headed orphan gets to spend time with Daddy Warbucks and he then begins to like her and wants to adopt her. I auditioned wanting the part of con-artist Rooster but the director Bill still gave me a couple really good chorus parts. The first notable part was as a homeless man in the scene of HOOVERVILLE where Annie comes across many homeless bums when she runs away from the orphanage. I was given one of the lead bums and started playing around with a rather gruff voice when I first started looking at the lines and put it to test in the scene and saw it worked quite well where I even sang with the voice. Many thought it was funny, some thought creepy, and some I'm sure both. That was my popular character where my friend Bill who had not seen much I was in since I had known him for a limited time said that was the best thing he had seen me do which was comparing a couple performances at Lee's Theatrical Productions. That statement really meant a lot to me. I also played Franklin Roosevelt's's Secretary of State Cordell Hull where I had some dialogue so I decided to see if I could find footage of him. I found a couple videos of him on Youtube and did my best to imitate his southern voice so people who same me in the show and have seen footage of him can be the judge on how it sounded.
8. Honk! (2005): I consider this my breakthrough performance at the Muncie Civic Theater. I did this months after I made my stage return in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. This is a musical variation on THE UGLY DUCKLING. I was originally slated to be in the chorus but then Kevin, who was originally the Turkey, had to drop out because of his friend's wedding. Marty was then nice enough to move me into that part and I do not believe I made him regret that. This was a great supporting part where I then decided to use a very high-pitched voice and even used it to sing a few solo lines. I recall recently Civic Theater veteran Jan said that was still his favorite of everything he has seen me do. I also loved my outrageous costume that I wore.
7. MASH (2007): This was my second and last performance at the now defunct Lee's Theatrical Productions and met many people I still remain good friends with. This is based on both the movie and the tv series where it takes a humorous look at life during the Korean War. It is almost a situational comedy. It does not really have any plot or even anti or pro-war messages but just making the most of the difficult life. I had the pleasure of playing Walt "Painless Pole" Waldowski. Many people did not know that character unless they remember the movie as that character was never in the tv series. I played the dentist who was big on poker games but also threatened suicide a lot. The movie and this play were very different as to how this was handled and in the play, everyone gets together in a parody of FRANKENSTEIN where I was the creature so they painted my face green and when I woke up I had been drugged quite a bit and went screaming through the audience at people which was probably my favorite scene I had ever done.
6. The Nutcracker (2006): This was in Muncie at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts where each December, my mom's best friend Lisa runs the Children's Ballet Studio and puts on a performance for this show. This is the only ballet I have ever done and when I tell people I was in this show they just look at me in absolute confusion as people don't really see me as the ballet type. Well, they are right but I played the character of Drosselmeyer who is a magician and uncle I believe to Clara. I had more of a character role so I did not really have any ballet but many people seemed surprised by my characterization which was probably one of my hardest characters to have played. Usually, I know how my character moves through dialogue and singing but here I did not do those things so I had to tell a story through the instrumental music. Even the crowd of children spoke very highly to me after the show which ranged from late pre-school to about middle school and it is their compliments that mean the most since they may lie about a lot of things but that is not one of them. Lisa and my mom both seemed pretty surprised as well as the people in the show who seemed to respect my serious work ethic. I hope to get to do that again someday as that was a great experience.
5. D.K. Molar: The Devious Dentist (2007): This was my first show I did at Lee's Theatrical Productions in Anderson which was kind of an experimental show. I had actually gone there to see HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL because I just wanted to check the place out, see what the hype was all about, and see a couple friends. While HSM is not exactly my favorite show, I did look into the rest of their season and saw what I thought sounded quite interesting. It was about a crooked dentist who stole gold tooths from people and replaced them with pyrite. I went and auditioned for the show and the director Chad had me read for both male parts which were the evil D.K. Molar and the noble dentist Phil De Tooth. He ended up casting me as Phil in this show and Doug, who would become one of my best friends, as Dr. Molar. This was a six person cast which is something I always wanted to do so this was my first chance and my first leading man role as both male were equally as big and the female parts. I even got to have a love interest in Flossy Dailey which was also a first for me. It was an hour long comedy that went on for a weekend and I will always be grateful to Chad for casting this guy he had never met and then casting me in MASH in a good supporting part. I am very grateful to my brief experience in Lee's where while I was typecast as a dentist, I would get to play good parts and meet many lifelong friends which is the biggest reason in my #3 show which I will explain later.
4. 12 Bar Blues (2006): This was a show produced by the local Heartland Stage company in Muncie and we did this one-weekend show at the Muncie Civic Studio Theater which is actually the only time I have performed there but I hope to again sometime. This was a kind of situational show that took place in a bar and I played the role of Titus. I went to the bar and ordered a drink which took a long time to be made so I had a few scenes of dialogue and was otherwise sitting at my table observing the other situations and just making the most of my boredom. Each scene I came up with different things to do at my table including making a paper airplane out of a napkin and just came up with many things from my napkin and a couple drink coasters. The way I got a part in this one was that my mom was already cast in this show after being asked by Bonnie and I was just on quite a slump so my mom asked her if she had any parts for me and sure enough this great part was open. This is the only show where I met the writer of the play as he and his girlfriend were there all three shows and it meant a lot when they both spoke very highly to my limited dialogue but always came up with something to do.
3. A Few Good Men (2009): This is a show that I did because of my friends I met during MASH. This is so far the only show I have done for the Ricks-Weil Theater Group in Greenfield but hope to do more. I was at Bill's house during the Miller Family's weekly playing of cards where he got a message from our other MASH alum Thom informing us that there were auditions for this show in Greenfield. Bill then recommended I go out there and audition. I was a bit reluctant at first with the drive out there but when weighing out the pros and cons, I just had to give it a shot. I had been to Greenfield many times for wrestling shows and I go through there to get to my dad's house so I knew it was not a real bad drive since I work in Daleville right and am very close to I-69. I also sometimes went to Bill's house which is right outside of Anderson and caught a ride with all my friends that were in the show. The director Beth ended up getting the role of Corporal Jeffrey Howard which ER alum Noah Wyle played in the movie. It was not a big part but very notable and had three very good scenes as a marine. Being a Marine, I knew I could not keep my long hair and that I also needed to shave my facial hair so the week before I surprised everyone with how different I looked and the shortest hair I had in years but it was fine since it was for a show. I had seen the movie a couple years before this when I was at Rhonda's house for movie night but did not really remember how my character was portrayed so I made it a point to not watch the movie until the show was over and was surprised by how different my portrayal was to Noah Wyle's. He portrayed the character as humorous and care-free while I played the part as a hardcore Marine. It was nice to have a dramatic role that had limited comedy and was not really a villain.
2. Beauty and the Beast (2005): This was another show at Muncie Civic Theater where Marty seemed to have me heavily in mind for Lefou which was probably due to my performance in HONK! as the Turkey. This is based on the Disney movie which has a few additional musical numbers where I actually had my longest solo song in GASTON. Lefou is the buffoonish henchman of Gaston and is some of the comic relief of the show. I think this is the show that I got beat up the most and even hurt at times but I did not care. I received lots of compliments for this show and some even surprised by my singing abilities though it was a more humorous singing. I remember also thinking I had it pretty easy in a principle role where the chorus had lots of choreography to remember. This was another show with my mom who joined the cast at the last minute as the wardrobe and chased me off stage at the end of the show.
1. Frankenstein (2007): This was the perfect October show to do and was my first straight play I did on the Muncie Civic Theater stage though I did other non-musicals other places. The director Darrin cast me pretty quickly as Peter Schmidt, one of two gravediggers hired by Dr. Victor Frankenstein. Joe played the other gravedigger Hans Metz. This is definitely the meanest character I ever played where I had pretty limited dialogue but I was determined to make the dialogue I had mean something and really convey how villainous that character was. I have had many comedic roles but I did not want this to be one of them as I did not want any gray areas with this character's villainy. I spoke my lines pretty slowly, made my eyes pretty wide, and even worked some with make-up which I don't usually use unless I feel my character calls for it. In a scene where I worked with Ryan, he told me that he was naturally creeped out by me so I set out to do what I wanted and then it was really great to hear Darrin say it was the best thing he has seen me do. It was a very good Halloween play where each actor held their own.
I hope to keep doing shows whether I just stay here or pursue a career in paid acting. I am proud of all the variety of shows I have done and the many places that I have done shows. This is kind of my drug in life and this is the place I fit into the most. I tagged many Facebook friends who I have worked with through the years and I am sorry if I missed anyone as I am limited in my tags. Again, thanks to all the great people I have worked with and the respect you have all shown me. I know I have said some pretty limited names since I don't want this to be too long but you all know who you are if you were not mentioned or tagged. If my mom had not started when I was a kid, who knows what I would be doing right now?
