Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November
November 2007
Gloomy movies have a special place in the heart
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
I really enjoy your lists since they bring your erudite and esoteric knowledge to those of us in the masses.
With the holiday season upon us, I am drawn to memories of the more depressing episodes of my life and the films that have “highlighted” those low moments. I sometimes watch movies to be entertained, but true enjoyment comes from exiting a theater feeling like doom and gloom. I am talking about true downers —- not just anything starring Jennifer Lopez or Ben Stiller.
Pray tell, what does the perspicacious Mr. Smithee believe to be the most acheronian, melancholy and tenebrific of this morose sub-genre?
JACK JOHNSON, Atlanta
Dear My New BFF,
As a wee lad, I saw “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” and, once the credits rolled, realized I had witnessed the discovery of the meaning of life —- that ultimate joy cannot be expressed or really felt until one has experienced descending into the depths of the depressing dark.
During the holidays, my heart grows three times its size because I relish “Pan’s Labyrinth” and do not avoid watching Meryl Streep literally make “Sophie’s Choice.”
And, Jack, do I have some movies for you. If you haven’t yet seen “Margot at the Wedding,” go now. Add the upcoming “The Savages” with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney to your list.
For your delectation, here are my favorite depressing movies:
1. “Happiness” — Todd Solondz’s morose masterpiece begins with a solid kick in the stomach — the most awkward, verbally destructive end to a date and relationship ever depicted on film.
2. Ingmar Bergman — Pick any of his films you want: “The Seventh Seal,” “Scenes From a Marriage,” “Autumn Sonata” and “Cries and Whispers” are all good. And there are multiple moments of despair in “Fanny and Alexander” that balance out the opening’s Christmas fun.
3. “Decalogue 1” — The first installment in Krzysztof Kielslowski’s 10-part take on the Ten Commandments is the most devastating.
4. “Chinatown” — Is there a happy moment in the whole film? I think not.
5. “The 400 Blows” — A young boy in Paris is ignored by adults and struggles during a life of wandering in the streets.
6. “Requiem for a Dream” — It begins on a depressing note and just keeps going lower.
7. “The Bicycle Thief” — A classic example of post-WWII Italian neo-realism that will break your heart.
8. “Dancer in the Dark” — Musicals usually uplift spirits. This Lars von Trief masterpiece doesn’t.
9. “Lilya 4-Ever” — It’s the first film I ever saw about people tricking an Eastern European girl with promises of a better life into heading for a new country and the surprise of forced prostitution.
10. “21 Grams” — Sean Penn, Naomi Watts and Benicio Del Toro wallow in misery after a deadly car crash.
Others you might consider after all the above: “Dogville,” “Dark City,” “Irreversible,” “The Piano Teacher,” “Blade Runner,” “Memento,” “Open Hearts,” “Pusher II” and, of course, “Magnolia.”
ALAN
P.S. You get a DVD of the happy “All Quiet on the Western Front” and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
My question is, did Minnie Driver sing “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” — the old Carole King classic — in the film “Beautiful,” and where can I buy a copy of the soundtrack or her version of the song?
KEITH TOLAR, St. Paul, Minn.
Dear Can I Believe the Magic of Your Sighs?
That’s not one question, Keith. It’s two. Now I have to charge you double.
Here are your answers:
Yes. Miss Driver is indeed warbling the song. She does sing and has albums to her credit.
I didn’t have too much luck finding a “Beautiful” soundtrack CD, but I did locate an MP3 offering that includes “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” among eight other Driver tracks at www.knoizki.net/mp3/more-mp3-3/ (go there and then scroll to Minnie Driver).
ALAN
P.S. You get an “Across the Universe” cap and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. SMITHEE?
You can e-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessAtlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
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Kenny Leon’s ‘Raisin’ to screen at Sundance
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Stage director Kenny Leon’s new TV adaptation of “A Raisin in the Sun” will be screened at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
Leon directed the earlier Broadway revival of “Raisin” that won Tony Awards for Phylicia Rashad (best actress) and Audra McDonald (featured actress).
Both reprise their roles in “Raisin,” which was filmed in Toronto and airs on ABC on Feb. 25, the night after the Oscars telecast. Among others appearing in the film: Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Sean Patrick Thomas, John Stamos, Bill Nunn and Sanaa Lathan.
“Raisin” is expected to be screened near the end of Sundance’s 11-day fest.
“I couldn’t be more excited,” said Leon, reached by phone from New York. “We’re real proud of this thing and I expect we’ll all be there — Bill Nunn, Stamos, Diddy, Phylicia, everybody.”
Permalink | | Categories: Bob Longino
Too many good movies out there to let them pass by
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So many big movies are just around the corner in December — like “Atonement,” “The Golden Compass,” “I Am Legend” and “Juno” — that you’ll need to check your list twice to make sure you’ve seen what’s already playing.
If you haven’t seen these excellent little movies yet, see them now:
“Michael Clayton” — The intriguing, makes-you-think, lawyer drama with George Clooney. (It’s at one theater: Oaks 14 in Snellville).
“Gone Baby Gone” — Ben and Casey Affleck’s effective missing-child drama is one of the better surprises of the year.
“Into the Wild” — The story of a real-life adventurer is solid and the cinematography is breathtaking.
“Lars and the Real Girl” — Ryan Gosling delivers one of the finest acting jobs of the year in this oddly sweet fable.
“Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” — You want star power? This heist drama delivers Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney and Marisa Tomei.
“Margot at the Wedding” — A dysfunctional family film that’s devastatingly funny.
“No Country For Old Men” — I liked it even more the second time I saw it.
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And now: ‘Hannah Montana’ the 3-D concert movie
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Miley Cyrus fans need to mark their calendars for Saturday. That’s when tickets go on sale for Disney’s “Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert,” a digital 3-D film on the performer’s sold-out, 54-city singing tour.
The film will play in theaters for one week beginning Feb. 1. The movie will involve three concerts held recently in two cities.
Beginning Saturday, tickets can be purchased online at the movie’s official website: www.Disney.com/HannahMontana3D.
Tentative theaters in metro Atlanta include Mansell Crossing, Barrett Commons 24, Discover Mills, Southlake Pavilion, Riverstone 15, the Carmike Crossing in Conyers, Carmike 10 in Newnan, Carmike 12 in Snellville, Hollywood 24, Mall of Georgia in Buford, Arbor Place 18 and Medlock Crossing.
The movie’s director of photography is Mitch Amundsen, who recently did “Transformers.” Editor Michael Tronick (“Hairspray”) is also involved. The concert film director is Bruce Hendricks.
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Indie Spirit noms get one thing right — Don Cheadle
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The awards season’s first nominations — the Independent Spirit Awards — were announced today, and the best news is that Don Cheadle’s great performance in “Talk to Me” (below) didn’t get left out.
Most of the best feature film nominees haven’t even played Atlanta yet. “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,” “Juno” and “Paranoid Park” won’t be seen here till later. The multi-actor Bob Dylan biopic “I’m Not There” opened here last week and Angelina Jolie’s “A Mighty Heart” played here earlier.
Among the nominations’ good news: Lead acting nods to Ellen Page for “Juno,” Parker Posey for “Broken English” and Cheadle, plus supporting nods for Cate Blanchett for “I’m Not There,” Jennifer Jason Leigh for “Margot at the Wedding” and Chiwetel Ejiofor for “Talk to Me.”
What’s weird is that Nicole Kidman’s blistering lead performance in “Margot at the Wedding” is out and, yet, Sienna Miller of the little-seen “Interview” is in.
Here are the major nominees:
Female lead: Angelina Jolie (“A Mighty Heart”), Sienna Miller (“Interview”), Ellen Page (“Juno”), Parker Posey and Tan Wei (“Lust, Caution”).
Male lead: Pedro Castanda (“August Evening”), Don Cheadle (“Talk to Me”), Philip Seymour Hoffman (“The Savages”), Frank Langella (“Starting Out in the Evening”) and Tony Leung (“Lust, Caution”).
Supporting female: Cate Blanchett (“I’m Not There”), Anna Kendrick (“Rocket Science”), Jennifer Jason Leigh (“Margot at the Wedding”), Tamara Podemski (“Four Sheets to the Wind”) and Marisa Tomei (“Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead”).
Supporting male: Chiwetel Ejiofor (“Talk to Me”), Marcus Carl Franklin (“I’m Not There”), Kene Holliday (“Great World of Sound”), Irfan Khan (“The Namesake”) and Steve Zahn (“Rescue Dawn”).
Director: Todd Haynes (“I’m Not There”), Tamara Jenkins (“The Savages”), Jason Reitman (“Juno”), Julian Schnabel (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”) and Gus Van Sant (“Paranoid Park”).
Screenplay: Ronald Hardwood (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”), Tamara Jenkins (“The Savages”), Fred Parnes and Andrew Wagner (“Starting Out in the Evening”), Adrienne Shelly (“Waitress”) and Mike White (“Year of the Dog”).
Foreign film: “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days,” “The Band’s Visit,” “Lady Chatterley,” “Once” and “Persepolis.”
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Bob Longino
Is Terrence Howard the face of the holidays?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Few actors appear on the big-screen this holiday season more than Terrence Howard.
He plays a child advocacy agent in “August Rush” (below), which debuted last week. On Friday, he appears in in the thriller “Awake” with Hayden Christensen and Jessica Alba.
Just around the corner, Howard will show up Dec. 12 as Mr. Bah Humbug opposite super-nice Queen Latifah in supporting roles in the very-holiday movie “The Perfect Holiday.”
Already this year we’ve seen Howard in “The Brave One,” “The Hunting Party” and “Pride.”
Is he challenging Michael Caine and Samuel L. Jackson to be in the most movies ever? This year alone, Caine’s been in two movies and Jackson’s been in five TV and movie projects. Howard’s been in seven on TV and in the movies.
I usually don’t mind seeing Howard so many times because he’s almost always excellent.
Here are my favorite Howard performances:
1. “Hustle & Flow” — He more than deserved the Oscar nomination he got for playing a pimp trying to reconstruct his life.
2. “Crash” — He was a standout in a large ensemble cast of standouts.
3. “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” — A lot didn’t work about this drama, but Howard was on fire.
4. “The Best Man” — He seemed to be acting in a different movie than all the other performers. And, trust me, Howard’s movie was better.
Do you like Terrence Howard? Why? And what are your favorite movies starring this prolific actor?
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Who’s your favorite movie Santa?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This season seems to have brought more movie Santas than anyone can count.
Mekhi Phifer dons a red Santa Claus suit in “This Christmas.” And soon you’ll see Morris Chestnut as a mall Santa in “The Perfect Holiday” (debuting Dec. 12). If you’ve seen “Fred Claus,” you know not only does Paul Giamatti play St. Nick, but there’s a pack of Santas who chase after Vince Vaughn.
If “Fred Claus” wasn’t such a lousy movie, Giamatti might be among my favorite movie Santas. He’s kind, thoughtful and, sad to say, an enabler.
I have found that my favorite Santas cover a wide range of personalities:
1. Edmund Gwenn in “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947) — Simply the nicest.
2. Billy Bob Thornton in “Bad Santa” (2003) — Simply the naughtiest.
3. James Cosmo in “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (2005) — His Father Christmas looks exactly how I always pictured Santa.
4. Edward Ivory in “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993) — OK, he looks and sounds a little befuddled. But wouldn’t you in the same circumstance?
5. Peter Jackson in “Hot Fuzz” (2007) — Without a screen credit it’s hard to tell who’s in the Santa suit. This time it was the Oscar-winning director of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
Who’s your favorite movie Santa? Ed Asner in “Elf”? Tom Hanks in “The Polar Express”?
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A little bit of Atlanta in ‘This Christmas’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Holiday moviegoers helped make big-screen producer Will Packer of Conyers a man of his word.
Mere days before Packer’s latest film “This Christmas” opened on Wednesday he predicted it would rake in about $25 million over the long holiday weekend.
The movie, which was filmed in Los Angeles by Packer’s Atlanta-based Rainforest Films, performed even better than that. Over the five-day holiday, “This Christmas” earned an estimated $27.1 million. Its Friday-Sunday take of $18.6 million also made it the No. 2 movie in the nation behind “Enchanted,” which garnered a three-day total of $35.33 million and a five-day total that topped $50 million.
Disney’s “Enchanted” was expected to be the box-office heavyweight, especially since it is playing in 3,730 theaters. In contrast “This Christmas” is being screened in half that many theaters.
Of special note: The per-screen average take for “This Christmas’” was a staggering $10,010. Earnings of $5,000 per screen are considered strong.
Metro Atlanta moviegoers probably noticed a couple of Atlanta references in “This Christmas,” a light drama about a family gathering for the holidays. In the film, Mel Whitfield (played by Lauren London) attends Spelman College. Her boyfriend Devean (Keith Robinson) attends Morehouse College.
At a dinner, Devean is questioned about his reasons for attending an all-male African-American college. He launches into a speech about benefits and spirituality, ending his discourse like this: “the fact that everybody looks like me is an added bonus.”
At least twice in the film, he wears a Morehouse hoodie — in the group family photo and while family members shop for a Christmas tree.
What did you think of “This Christmas”? Did you notice other things of interest to metro Atlantans?
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If you can’t say something nice, come sit by me
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
In your recent column on musicals, you said “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is your No. 1. “Nightmare” is a movie I despise (mostly for use of claymation) but one most people I know seem to like. “It’s a Wonderful Life” also falls into this I-can’t-stand-but-others-love category. It just rubs me the wrong way.
With all the lists of movies you love recently, where are those popular “classics” that you just can’t stand?
MATTHEW M. COLLIE, St. Paul, Minn.
Dear Thanks So Much for Nothing,
Auntie Sarah Smithee used to always proclaim in that aging, cracking soprano of hers, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
It’s why — even as a wee one — I would always query her about those intensely dark circles under her eyes.
In the long-haired ’60s, she might greet me with this: “Oh, my dear boy, you’d be so much more attractive with a proper haircut.”
To which I would lovingly retort: “Perhaps you ought to consider a face-lift.”
I would always immediately be punished with a good lashing, which, I must say, Mother Smithee took some sort of extra-special glee in doling out.
Such unjust retaliation for so obvious an observation left me bitter, which might be a consideration in understanding why so many beloved films make me expel perfectly good chunks of, say, turkey and stuffing.
Like you, my good friend Matthew, I know what I like.
And these, as some readers who know me are well aware, are not it:
“Forrest Gump” — “Shut up, Forrest! Shut up!”
“An American in Paris” — Ballet de Atrocious.
“Love Story” — I’d rather watch … (gulp) … “The Way We Were.”
“The Greatest Show on Earth” — I had trepidations about naming my second once-wee son Cecil B. just because of it.
“Big” — Every time I land on it with my remote, I just quickly pass it by.
“The English Patient” — Elaine Benes knows of what she spaketh.
“The Sting” — It’s the gullible public that got stung.
“Mrs. Doubtfire” — Robin Williams is less irritating — but just barely — in “August Rush.”
And, Matthew, I’ve got two more. These may well land me in hot water with many a fine reader. But what do they really know?
“Gone With the Wind” — I can tolerate only a few minutes here and there.
“A Christmas Story” — I’d rather watch “White Christmas” or “It’s a Wonderful Life” or “The Ref” or “A Midnight Clear” or, naturally, “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” or “Die Hard” or even “Home Alone.”
ALAN
P.S. I dare not send you my 60th anniversary “It’s a Wonderful Life” bell with Zuzu’s petals. So you get my “Beowulf” fake fur piece and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
What actor has appeared (in at least a big enough role to be named in the credits) in the most movies that have won the Oscar for best picture?
Morgan Freeman was in at least three: “Driving Miss Daisy,” “The Unforgiven” and “Million Dollar Baby.”
GEORGE BARTON, Sharpsburg
Dear Give Credit Where Credit Is Due,
Three actors have appeared in five best-picture Oscar winners: Wallis Clark, Franklyn Farnum and Bess Flowers.
And maybe you are right to question the inclusion of someone like Flowers, who was not credited in any of her five (“It Happened One Night,” “You Can’t Take It With You,” “All About Eve,” “The Greatest Show on Earth” and “Around the World in 80 Days”). Known as the “Queen of the Hollywood Extras,” she appeared in more than 700 films before her death at age 85 in 1984.
Edwin Maxwell appeared in four top Oscar winners: “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Grand Hotel,” “The Great Ziegfeld” and “You Can’t Take it With You.”
Morgan Freeman was indeed in three. His total is shared with 24 other actors, including Clark Gable, Dustin Hoffman, Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.
ALAN
P.S. You get a plush “Shrek the Third” baby and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. SMITHEE?
E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessAtlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
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Can you spot the many Disney films in “Enchanted”?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As expected, Disney’s enchanting “Enchanted” took the lead in the long holiday weekend box-office race. On Wednesday, “Enchanted” garnered $8.15 million — nearly twice the $4 million-plus takes attained by No. 2 “Hitman” and No. 3 “This Christmas.”
Part of the fun of “Enchanted,” which mixes animation and live action as the fairytale princess-to-be Giselle (Amy Adams, in photo below) lands in real-life New York City, are the dozens of subtle and not-so-subtle references to previous Disney movies.
Here’s just a few:
“Beauty and the Beast” — When the Troll tries to grab Giselle in her treehouse home, on the right is the bell jar with the rose in it.
“Snow White” — On more than one occasion, Giselle is offered a poisoned apple.
“Cinderella” — At a formal dance, Giselle loses her glass-like slipper.
“Mary Poppins” — On a bus is a woman with a bag of birdseed in an homage to the earlier film’s “Feed the Birds” woman.
“Lady and the Tramp” — One NYC restaurant is named the Bella Notte Restaurant, which refers to the song in the classic animated dog film.
Did you notice more Disney references? Did you spot homages to “Pochohontas”? “Sleeping Beauty”? “The Little Mermaid”? “Tarzan”? They’re all there.
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The good - ‘Enchanted,’ ‘Christmas’ - and the turkeys
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s my indubitable list of new and recent movies for the Thanksgiving holiday:
YES
“Enchanted” — Fun, wink-wink, fish-out-of-water fairytale sold by the charming performance of Amy Adams.
“This Christmas” — A holiday feast with the best trimmings — R&Ber Chris Brown (pictured above with Loretta Devine) singing “Try a Little Tenderness” and, count ‘em, two “Soul Train” lines.
“No Country for Old Men” — Carnage, more carnage, memorable actors and one of the best movies of the year.
“Margot at the Wedding” — Noah Baumbach’s blistering family drama with devastating dialogue and on-target Nicole Kidman.
MAYBE
“Beowulf” — A gorefest certainly not for everyone. Crispin Glover’s Grendel is cool. Angeline Jolie is cooler.
“I’m Not There” — Kinda draggy Bob Dylan biopic with Cate Blanchett the best of six actors playing the enigmatic singer.
“Hitman” — Call it “The Bourne Wannabe.” At rare times, it actually succeeds.
NO
“The Mist” — Director Frank Darabont makes his horror movie long and boring instead of campy and scary-fun.
“August Rush” — Many people will be suckered in by this music-centered, bring-the-hankies drama. But its sappiness and senseless script make it offensive.
“Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” — It’s not magical. It’s simply tragical. Dustin Hoffman is just weird.
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‘This Christmas’ and its ‘Soul Train’ line dances
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One of the better holiday movies — “This Christmas” (opening Wednesday) from Atlanta-based producer Will Packer — doesn’t limit itself to one surprise “Soul Train” line dance. It has two.
The film, about members of a large family returning home for the holidays, breaks out in a lively “Soul Train” line led by Loretta Devine and emblematic of the TV dance show’s iconic groove.
And the funny thing about it is that studio executives at Sony were clueless.
Packer says the script said only “cut to the ‘Soul Train’ line” and the executives didn’t know what that meant until they saw the filming.
“At a black family reunion or around the holidays, somebody’s gonna put on a song and that ‘Soul Train’ line is gonna break out — followed by the Electric Slide,” Packer says.
The Sony execs were so taken with the line dance they asked that a second ‘Soul Train’ line be added with as many of the film’s characters as Packer could gather.
That second line was to be used as the credits rolled.
But … test audiences listed that second dance line as one of the top five moments in the movie.
“So we decided to make it a kind of curtain call,” Packer says. “It’s now a three-minute ode to Don Cornelius at the end of the movie (running just before the credits).”
The treat for moviegoers is a long line dance featuring, among others, Devine, Delroy Lindo, Chris Brown, Regina King, Columbus Short, Idris Elba, Sharon Leal, Keith Robinson and Mekhi Phifer.
Who leads the “Soul Train” line at your house? And what are your favorite memories of “Soul Train”?
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Scary hair: ‘No Country’s’ Bardem is not alone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In the great — and I mean great — “No Country For Old Men,” Javier Bardem plays a psycho killer. The film is set in the 1980s.
Know how I know without anybody telling me? Just look at his hair. Bardem’s mop-top is as frightening as any of the gruesome murders he commits.
His ‘do is an imaginative, smart choice. It doesn’t just make him any killer. It makes him a memorable one.
Here are a few other terrific examples of filmdom’s scariest hair:
“Bride of Frankenstein” (1935) — Elsa Lanchester sports a tremendous beehive gone on the frizz.
“Eraserhead” (1977) — It’s more difficult to figure out what the movie is even about than it is Jack Nance’s inspired blowout hair.
“Hairspray” (2007) — John Travolta and Nikki Blonsky define helmet hair.
“Hellraiser” (1987) — Pinhead makes it. Just don’t give him a pat on the noggin.
What are some of your favorite films with remarkably memorable tangled locks?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Alan Smithee
In praise of the magnetic Gary Oldman
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
As I was flying back to Atlanta from Los Angeles, I was watching the recent “Harry Potter” movie. As I was watching Gary Oldman playing Sirius Black, I began thinking of previous roles that Mr. Oldman has played that I have truly enjoyed. I was wondering how you rate Mr. Oldman in his craft and would you mind listing a few of your favorite roles Mr. Oldman has played.
HOWARD FANNING, Atlanta
Dear I Wouldn’t Mind At All,
There are actors who are consummate actors. Then there are actors who are celebrity hogs (John Travolta), actors who were once great and now simply yell (Al Pacino), actors who shouldn’t squint their eyes so much (Renee Zellweger) and actors who are so full of it, they’re about to burst open (for starters, Thomas Jane, Cuba Gooding Jr., and the ever-dreaded Gwyneth Paltrow).
Gary Oldman belongs in the first group. He also makes my list of the most underrated actors. That esteemed company includes Jeffrey Wright, Don Cheadle, Ryan Gosling, Viggo Mortensen, John C. Reilly and now, after “Gone Baby Gone” and especially “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,” one Casey Affleck.
Among others showing great promise lately: Emile Hirsch, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shia LaBeouf and Ellen Page (wait till you see “Juno”).
As for my favorite Oldman movies, I will admit that while I have not seen them all, I have endured his haircut in “The Fifth Element.”
His performances I really admire (in order): “Sid and Nancy” (1986), “True Romance” (1993), “Prick Up Your Ears” (1987), “Air Force One” (1997) and “Dracula” (1992).
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Fred Claus” coffee mug and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Readers,
As usual, there are plenty of you out there who seem to take it personally when one of my “lists” — like the recent compilation of my 20 favorite war movies — doesn’t include your personal favorite.
Clearly, the bulk of mankind must believe that people pick their friends by the movies they prefer and so many are now worried that I might not like them. That’s probable, I guess. But I say take heart, my potential friend. You can change.
To wit:
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Either you forgot about “The Deer Hunter,” or it was No. 21.
ROBERT W. GRAVES, Atlanta
Dear Mau!
It was No. 23.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Michael Clayton” cap and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
I agree with many of your war movie picks, and was surprised to see “Zulu” in there, which was great. But “Platoon” was very overrated. Too dramatic and corny. “Hamburger Hill,” which was released shortly after “Platoon,” depicted an actual battle with reasonable accuracy, was much shorter and far more believable.
You “followed the herd” by picking “Platoon.” Remember, it needs to be real and believable when you’re talking actual history. This isn’t “Harry Potter.”
BRIAN MORROW, Atlanta
Dear It’s Your Right To Be Wrong,
Moo.
Let’s also be accurate. I don’t follow the herd. I lead it.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Harry Potter” cap and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Thank you for the great article on war movies. Three that came to me were (1) “The Longest Day,” (2) “Midway” and (3) “Tora Tora Tora.”
I guess I will have to rent some of those you listed since I haven’t heard of them. They must be really good.
BARRY HEARD, Loganville
Dear Old School,
Those yours truly listed aren’t just really good. They are great.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “The Brave One” cap and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. SMITHEE?
E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessAtlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Alan Smithee
This weekend it’s ‘No Country’ vs. ‘Beowulf’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s my indubitable list of what matters most among new movies this weekend:
1. “No Country for Old Men” — Finally, a Coen brothers movie just like I like it: violent, dark, tense, relentless. The acting is good across the board, too.
2. “Beowulf” — Visually watchable. See it in 3D and don’t expect too much. And if you don’t like action movies, don’t go.
3. “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” — Just don’t go … period.
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The blood, guts and 3D pokes in the eye of ‘Beowulf’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Beowulf,” the epic Old English poem turned with clockwork precision into a movie that looks exactly like a virtual videogame, has a fire-breathing dragon, a hideous monster, brutal battles, endless bloodlettings, ages-old abs like “300” and long peeks at Danish fair maiden bosoms.
The film, rated PG-13, might not come with a joystick, but at least 11 metro Atlanta theaters will be showing it in 3D - which means blood often splatters toward a moviegoer’s face and pointy spears keep getting poked near a viewer’s eyes.
Happy holidays to you, too.
Even more local theaters will be showing the film in regular format when it officially debuts on Friday. But there are also early screenings Thursday night.
The movie, which alters the original tale of a tall, heroic Scandinavian (voiced by Ray Winstone) who battles monsterific figures like the deformed Grendel and a gigantic dragon, is a kind of heady mixture of live action and animation. “Beowulf” director Robert Zemeckis and crew captured the movements of his actors and rendered them in a computer into a kind of virtual flesh. It might not always look real, but in 3D the visuals can be compelling.
Here’s what moviegoers will likely be talking about once “Beowulf” debuts:
Grendel - Tall and merciless, he looks like the Elephant Man with a pituitary gland gone bonkers. His bloody fights with sword-bearing Thanes during his attacks on a Danish mead hall are frequently graphic and bathed by a raging blue fire that intensifies the horror. Weirdo actor Crispin Glover voices the deformed creature, spouting a kind of compelling, gutteral Old English.
Angelina Jolie - As Grendel’s monstrous mother, she’s playing a shapeshifter and when revealed she’s a long-legged beauty who, apparently, invented stiletto heels. In interviews, Jolie has reportedly talked about how surprised she was by her character’s nudity. I can confirm her character has impact.
The violence - Warriors get ripped apart by Grendel or skewered or chomped on or squashed. The innards of sea monsters spill out in a flashback as Beowulf relates one of his tales of bravery.
The humor - One doubts anyone will label the infrequent intentional-or-not comedy sophisticated. At one point, Beowulf strips before facing Grendel (the fight will be mano-a-creatureo) and well-placed props - a candle, a sword, etc. - mask our hero’s privates.
The 3D - Often, it enhances the viewing experience and is easier on the eyes than earlier three-dimensional formats. The film will be shown in IMAX 3D at the Buford Mall of Georgia. It will be screened in digital 3D at limited locations, including Hollywood 24, Medlock Crossing, Mansell Crossing, Discover Mills, Snellville’s Carmike 12, the Mall of Georgia, Southlake Pavilion, the Crossroads 16, Riverstone 15 and Arbor Place Mall.
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‘No Country’ among best Coen brothers movies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The best movie news this week is that the Coen brothers are back in form. “No Country for Old Men,” opening in metro Atlanta on Friday is classic Coen bros. (think violence, intensity and commanding cinematography) and easily one of the best movies of the year.
I am so glad Joel and Ethan Coen are off that muddled comedy kick of a few years ago — the bad “Intolerable Cruelty” and the worse “The Ladykillers.”
Here are my favorite Coen brothers movies:
1. “Fargo” (1996) — Violent as hell. Plus it ranks as one of the best comedies in filmmaking.
2. “Blood Simple” (1984) — The suspense is palpable and orchestrated with the assurance of Hitchcock.
3. “No Country for Old Men” (2007) — Javier Bardem (above) is a formidable psycho killer. Josh Brolin is never overshadowed by the great cinematography. And Tommy Lee Jones is classic Tommy Lee Jones.
4. “Miller’s Crossing” (1990) — Guns, prohibition and gangland killings. What’s not to like?
5. “Raising Arizona” (1987) — Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter are spot on and the comedy works.
Are you excited about the arrival of “No Country for Old Men”? What’s your favorite Coen brothers movie?
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For 2008: More Tyler Perry and Atlanta-made horror
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If current release strategy holds the first three months of 2008 will see the debut of three made-in-Atlanta movies, including Tyler Perry’s next stage-to-screen comedy “Meet the Browns” featuring the versatile filmmaker as his popular character Madea.
Here’s the month-by-month lineup:
Jan. 4 — “One Missed Call.” Based on a popular Asian film, this horror tale stars Edward Burns and Shannon Sossamon (in photo above) and involves people receiving odd cell phone calls in which they hear their own future deaths. The film was shot here in summer 2006.
Feb. 22 — “The Signal.” Bought earlier this year at Sundance by Magnolia Pictures, this inventive horror movie from Atlanta’s POP Films is divided into three sections, each helmed by a different director — David Bruckner, Dan Bush and Jacob Gentry. The story involves weird transmissions that turn people into killer zombies.
March 21 — “Meet the Browns.” Angela Bassett stars alongside Tyler Perry in the film version of his stage play. Perry plays both Madea and Uncle Joe and other stars include Irma P. Hall and Margaret Avery. Perry also directs and the film was shot in Chicago and Atlanta.
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In rapid fire, 20 best movies tackling war
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Like the bank robber said to Clint Eastwood, “I gots to know.”
What do you consider the Top 20 war movies of all time? I would like to limit the list to 20th century wars only, but that may be too difficult.
DON POULIN, Port Saint Lucie, Fla.
Dear Six Shots or Five,
Thank you for asking me to drop and give you 20, because I honestly believe I would have a hard time limiting my list to 10. At the same time, you might want me to limit the list to the 20th century, but I won’t do it.
There are a few war movies from earlier times that are too important to leave out. And I do realize that I have composed this list in a manner that leaves out the fantastic battle sequence at the beginning of “Gladiator.”
1. “Ran” (1985) —- Blood, gore in feudal Japan and the best battle scenes ever on film, provided by Akira Kurosawa.
2. “The Thin Red Line” (1998) —- I like how Terrence Malick gets into the heads of his characters to contemplate conflict and man’s inhumanity to man.
3. “Apocalypse Now” (1979) —- A stunner from start to finish, including all of Marlon Brando’s mishmash. The film would be great for the helicopter scene alone.
4. “Schindler’s List” (1993) —- There are moments that rank among the most forceful and compelling in filmdom.
5. “Zulu” (1964) —- The real-life 1879 battle pitting 139 Welsh infantrymen against 4,000 African warriors is filmed as an engrossing lesson in tactics and leadership.
6. “Das Boot” (1981) —- A riveting, claustrophobic look at World War II in a German U-boat.
7. “Saving Private Ryan” (1998) —- The 20 minutes of beach footage is astounding. And Tom Hanks’ performance is one of his best.
8. “Grand Illusion” (1937) —- Jean Renoir’s remarkable depiction of captured French soldiers in World War I evolves into a meditation on changes in European societal viewpoints.
9. “Casablanca” (1942) —- You must remember this.
10. “Braveheart” (1995) —- Mel Gibson’s 13th century tug-of-war between Scotland and England has great battles and great bravura.
11. “Gallipoli” (1981) —- Peter Weir’s stunning take on World War I’s fatal battle between Australians and Turks stars Gibson and Mark Lee.
12. “Paths of Glory” (1957) —- Stanley Kubrick’s anti-war saga.
13. “Glory” (1989) —- For the soundtrack to his final Civil War battle, Edward Zwick smartly chose “Carmina Burana.”
14. “Starship Troopers” (1997) —- Its gung-ho, fascist machismo cuts a nice satiric edge through battles to beat the bugs.
15. “Downfall” (2004) —- In one of the great modern-day performances, Bruno Ganz plays the bunkered Adolf Hitler as his country collapses around him.
16. “The Great Escape” (1963) —- World War II POW camp as pure entertainment. It’s a must-see for Steve McQueen’s motorcycle ride alone.
17. “The Bridge on the River Kwai” (1957) —- David Lean’s vibrant, epic tale of Pacific arena politics, gamesmanship and insanity.
18. “Full Metal Jacket” (1987) —- Stanley Kubrick’s Vietman War film’s first half explodes with blistering basic training, headed by an on-fire R. Lee Ermey.
19. “Platoon” (1986) —- The Vietnam War is a battle for Charlie Sheen’s soul.
20. “All Quiet on the Western Front” (1930) —- World War I is a battle for German soldiers’ souls.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Fred Claus” coffee mug and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
You were way off in your comments in last week’s AJC about “Bee Movie.” I saw it with my 9-year-old. Funniest movie I have seen in years. You need to lighten up. (“The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” is my favorite movie.)
GARY JACKSON, Atlanta
Dear Buzz,
I simply cannot be “way off” when what we’re talking about here is my opinion. When I say “Bee Movie” is a C-movie at best, I mean it.
And I’m a big fan of “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”
ALAN
P.S. You get “Bee Movie” toys and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
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Trust me, it’s a ‘Devil’ of a movie weekend
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s my indubitable list of what matters most among new movies this weekend:
1. “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” — First-rate actors like Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke (right and left respectively in the photo above) step into a heist script that leaves me caring not one whit what happens to anybody in the whole film.
2. “Lions for Lambs” — Robert Redford’s embarrassingly contrived posturing on “the war on terror” provides Exhibit A as to why political conservatives know Hollywood is full of bleeding-heart liberals. And I say this as a liberal.
3. “Fred Claus” — No, no, no!
4. “Dafur Now” — Should have aimed its camera more at the tragedy in Sudan and less at the activist celebrities.
5. “Rails & Ties” — An angst-filled train movie that derails again and again.
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The times when Vince Vaughn has been so money
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There are those actors that people seem to like a lot or not at all. I’m talking about Vince Vaughn.
I think he’s funny and I’ve rarely seen an actor with such a persistent motormouth.
Not that he doesn’t have a few movie failures (hint: wait till you suffer through “Fred Claus”).
But I count these as my favorite Vince Vaughn movies:
1. “Swingers” — He is so money.
2. “The Wedding Crashers” — It rides on the personalities of Vaughn and Owen Wilson.
3. “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” — Silliness can be a virtue.
4. “Old School” — Everybody knows a guy like Beanie Campbell.
5. “Into the Wild” — Vaughn proves here he’s not just a comic, but a bona fide actor.
6. “Rudy” — Yes, this is the movie where Vaughn met Jon Favreau. They both had supporting parts. Vaughn is the stuck up Notre Dame football player.
What are your favorite Vince Vaughn movies?
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Move over, Mei Lan, here comes ‘Kung Fu Panda’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Zoo Atlanta’s pert panda Mei Lan better watch her furry back. By summer the country will be awash in marketing that touts a different black and white bear.
Dreamworks will release the animated “Kung Fu Panda” in June, starring Jack Black as the voice of a panda named Po in China of yore. He must become a formidable fighter to save his community from a vicious snow tiger.
The film’s first marketing salvo arrived on my desk Monday — a large red box contained not only a DVD of the trailer but a big, blow-up “Kung Fu Panda” punching bag.
I’ll say this — the animation on the trailer looks really good. The fighting animals (and one insect) include a monkey, a mantis, a crane, a snake and a tiger. Po’s training takes a slide because he spends a lot of time eating. It doesn’t take a genius to guess the trailer’s very recognizable song: “Kung Fu Fighting.”
Do you think you’ll check out “Kung Fu Panda”? And what’s your favorite Dreamworks animation? The “Shrek” movies? “Madagascar”? “Bee Movie”?
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Everything you want to know about … me
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Readers,
Some time ago, one of my countless editors at the AJC received a very important missive that like Christina Rossetti’s immortal poem “Who Has Seen the Wind?” asked questions of profound importance regarding an elusive force. All the queries were about the writer whose work you are reading.
Forthwith, the letter from Sean Lanoue of Atlanta:
I have been in Atlanta now for nine years. I have read your paper most of the time during this period. My question is how long has Alan Smithee worked for the paper? Has he always been your Hollywood reporter? Is he getting close to retirement? Does he make any personal appearances in Atlanta? Married? A friend of mine believes he is not real. … Can you clear this confusion up?
My response:
What exactly is your friend’s definition of real?
My name is Alan, not HAL.
My valuable column “Ask Alan Smithee,” appearing Fridays in the AJC’s Movies & More section, began in 2003 and has always been penned by the esteemed personage referred to in the title.
But, Sean, let me answer you query by query.
“Has he always been your Hollywood reporter?”
Like all smart people such as Sean Lanoue, I am based in Atlanta. But I have been known on numerous occasions to travel for the AJC when duty calls —- as it so required in spring 2005 when I jetted to Los Angeles for an extremely important interview with Paris Hilton and, again, earlier this year for another airborne excursion to Hollywood to attend an extremely important Oscar ceremony and put up with more red-carpet snootiness from pouty Gwyneth Paltrow.
But realize I am also an Everywhere reporter. Proof positive is my recent sojourn to the lovely hamlet of Hampton, Va., for an exclusive report on the breathless goings on at “High School Musical: The Ice Tour.”
“Is he getting close to retirement?”
Should anyone in his or her late 20s be thinking so soon of retirement?
“Does he make any personal appearances in Atlanta?”
Busy being my middle name, there is neither enough time nor substantial enough stipend to compel a plurality of personal appearances. Lucky moviegoers might have spotted my visage last year (there were photos in the newspaper to verify such a vision) as I combed many metro Atlanta movie theaters for a decisive look at moviegoing here. That was documented under the headline “Mr. Smithee’s Mega Megaplex Adventure” and appeared May 12, 2006, in Movies & More.
“Married?”
My once-wee sons, D.W. Smithee and Cecil B. Smithee, have a mother.
“A friend of mine believes he is not real.”
What’s really important, Sean, is that if you believe I am real, clap your hands.
ALAN
Dear Mr. Smithee,
OK, I’ve been a fan of yours for years, but to deny “The Sting” a spot in your Top 10 con movies is inexcusable. It belongs right up there at No. 2. I do have to agree with you on “The Usual Suspects” as No. 1. But do you honestly think “Vertigo” is a better con movie than “The Score” or “The Italian Job”? C’mon man, you’ve disappointed me!
ALINE TILLEY, Atlanta
Dear When the Other Shoe Drops,
I acknowledge your pain. But the irrevocable truth, my dear, is I’m not the individual doing the disappointing.
ALAN
P.S. You get “Bee Movie” honey and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
This humble servant of yours is begging you to answer a question. In your infinite wisdom, what is your opinion of “Breaker Morant”? It is an excellent film but it wasn’t mentioned in your list of best foreign films.
GEORGE WALTERS, Norcross
Dear I Said No Starch,
I don’t think I have ever presented a list of best foreign films. I usually indicate that lists suggest only my favorites. That said, “Breaker Morant” is a movie I thoroughly enjoyed. It isn’t among my favorites and, sadly, not among those I would call “best” if limited to 10 or 20 choices.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Fred Claus” sock cap and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. SMITHEE?
E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessAtlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
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Must-see this weekend: ‘American Gangster’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s my indubitable list of what matters most this weekend among new movies:
1. “American Gangster” - Denzel Washington (in photo above) is good; Russell Crowe is good. The movie’s good, but I still wish it was better. And T.I.’s really not in the film that much.
2. “The 400 Blows” - OK, it isn’t new. But it’s a fresh print of Francois Truffaut’s 1959 French New Wave classic and it’s a must-see on the big screen at the Plaza.
3. “My Kid Could Paint That” - One of the best documentaries of the year, it’s an eye-opening look at the machinations behind a so-called pre-elementary school master painter.
4. “Blade Runner: The Final Cut” - Harrison Ford’s still shooting those replicants. And if you loved this film 25 years ago, you’ll love it just as much now.
5. “Jimmy Carter Man From Plains” - Georgia’s tough-minded ex-president faces down critics of his controversial book “Palestine Peace Not Apartheid.”
6. “Bee Movie” - It’s a C movie at best.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Categories: Alan Smithee
