A Little Push - Thoughts on the Hollywood Machine 05.09.09

Posted by Rick Tym on 05.09.2009

Saying goodbye to Scrubs, the extended Terminator: Salvation trailer and news on what may come next in the McG chronicles, Brett Ratner no longer helming the next Conan, Jules Winnfield: pirate negotiator and more as you wait for your screening of Star Trek to begin!

A Farewell to Arms Scrubs

Scrubs as regular viewers know it came to an end last Wednesday with J.D. leaving the staff of Sacred Heart to be closer to his son. Chocolate Bear hugs and the "Eagle!" ride of a lifetime were but a few of the many highlights of the finale. Note that all signs point to season rather than series finale as of this writing because the future of the show entered limbo even as a no-longer-so-young Doctor Dorian finished his final shift at the hospital. Whether or not the show comes back with some or all of its principal players—or guest spots for all of the regulars as Scrubs marches on to the beat of the new cast of interns—any fan can tell you that the last episode of the season was largely satisfying and succeeded in not overextending anything except the trademark charm, goofiness and heart that has become the norm even during the most uneven of seasons.


Bye-bye, guys—even if it's only for some of you.
Now, in the interest of honesty the Push will reveal that upon first viewing the finale didn't seem as "special" as expected. Maybe I thought there were going to be some more belly laughs; perhaps I thought I would have tears rolling down my cheeks instead of just experiencing a moist eye here or there. After all, the Push is known in its household for watching repeats whenever available, even if the episode(s) in question have already been seen fifty-four times. And if there are no reruns to be had and an urgent Scrubs itch simply must be scratched? Out come the DVD box sets. (Only the first two seasons, though—because quite simply, that show is syndicated, yo.) It's more that just yearning to turn off the brain and laugh as one of the cast members performs some oft-seen physical humor or the desire to laugh along with Dr. Kelso at "wet butt." There is, has been and always will be more than meets the eye when it comes right down to it, and for eight seasons Scrubs hit the mark more often than not when precariously balancing emotion with humor with downright ludicrousness—"floating head doctor," anyone? Watching these characters grow, regress and ultimately learn about and from themselves and their cronies made the show worth watching, and Sacred Heart Hospital (along with its parking lot and seemingly adjacent non-work-hours bar) provided the backdrop and impetus for many timeless moments that will always be fondly remembered by this longtime fan. So, what's with the not so "special" initial viewing thoughts?


Easy, big fella. The Push is about to explain itself.
My first thought was almost kind of a "Huh, that's the way they're going to go out if they do indeed go out? Weeelll…" But rather than visit the DVR well for a second helping, I've just been sort of thinking on the finale for a few days. And even though those aforementioned missing belly-busters and crying jags were the things that occupied my mind at first, I slowly (well, not too much like molasses; it's only been about a day and a half since it aired) began to realize that as I pondered the season's and perhaps series' closing of Sacred Heart, I was grinning and reminiscing about what was instead of ruminating on what may be been, and determined how wrong I was in thinking it was a whimper instead of a bang. And I remembered that's exactly what I was doing while watching the finale in the first place—smiling at the all the moments tender and humorous, strolling back down memory lane just like J.D. did as he left for the (maybe) last time. That's when I realized that no matter what creator Bill Lawrence, the producers and stars new and old may do in the future, Scrubs went out with an honesty and dignity true to the ideal of the show that had entertained me for so many years.


Don't worry, J.D. The finale wasn't overkill—and that's a good thing.
The one thing that will stick with the Push for a long time to come is not J.D.'s final walk through the hospital corridor—although it was effective and well done. No, it was the images that flickered before him on Turk's going-away banner, reflected upon his wondrous, joyous face as he pondered what the future may hold in store as he begins the next phase of his life. Heartfelt and genuine in the moments showing his and Elliot's possible future, hilarious and also somehow genuine depicting J.D. and Turk celebrating a certain engagement announcement, the ending was near perfection. It's what we all feel when coming to the many crossroads of our lives: the fear, the optimism, the joy and pain and sheer anticipation of what may lie on the path now placed at our feet. Thinking about that is what gets the Push just a little (get it?) choked up, and for that, to everyone ever involved with this wonderful series that meant so much to a fan, I simply say: thank you.

And if some or all do come back for another round, the Push doesn't think it's alone in expressing some giddiness at the possibility of seeing the revenge Dr. Cox will extract on a certain sunny intern for goading him into saying how he really feels about his favorite Newbie.


Oh, don't worry. Once I'm done here, I'm gonna get her.

Extended Terminator: Salvation Trailer

Take it away, Bale!



These four minutes continue to heighten the Push's excitement for the next installment in the Terminator saga. Some early reports have been floating around the interwebs stating mostly good things. Sets and effects are used wisely, the story is compelling and the acting is a nice surprise. No, the Push isn't talking about Christian Bale; rather, Sam Worthington is said to be the real star of the show, and the story of Terminator: Salvation lies mostly in hands. Supporting actors are also being conversed about favorably. Bale's role as John Conner shows him as an up-and-comer in the Resistance and not quite yet having assumed the role of head honcho.

That's all fine and good as there is sure to be more to come when you're talking about this franchise. Conner will be shown leading the war in a future that isn't entirely what he thought it was fated to be, and if done correctly the character arc should be interesting to monitor as it progresses. What's not cool are the reports stating that Bale isn't really all he could be in the role, that he doesn't bring quite the level of gravitas that he has to previous works. C'mon now, that's just not right. Who dare smite the name of Lord Bale?

Other iffy news includes McG talking about his intention for the fifth film. (These Hollywood Machine guys, always getting ahead of themselves. Oh well—we all know it's gonna happen anyway.) Apparently the director plans to institute some time travel trickery to bring the future war to the streets of L.A. in 2011. The Push has read many a comment across many a movie internet website board and it kind of has to agree with the following sentiment: why not just stay in the future, which is what fans want to see? No need to fill the proceedings with unnecessary plotholes involving time travel paradoxes and contrived "the future meets the past" conundrums? I say this because McG also talked about having Robert Patrick, who played the most excellent T-1000 evil robot, have a role as the creator of said shape-shifting metallic milk carton impaler.


Bad boy, McG.
Come on now, buddy. There's now some goodwill infusing the doubters and people are starting to get really jazzed to see what you've done with the future war. Let's not much it up now, eh?

Just Relaxin' in My Iron Suit

Here's a fun pic from the set of Iron Man 2. Apparently even the great one—Robert Downey Jr., that is—needs a break from all the action.


Chillin'. But not really—it's hot in this getup.

More Iron Man 2pictures can be seen by searching out the latest news in our movie and television section right here, on 411mania.com! (Flashes the outdated thumbs up!)

The Rat Is Out of the (Conan) Bag

Since its inception A Little Push has been lamenting the possibility of Brett Ratner helming the latest Conan reboot or sequel or rebranding or whatever the heck they're calling it these days. Well, myself and fans around the world can breathe a little easier as producer Joe Gatta has stated that Ratner will not direct the reboot or sequel or…well, you get the idea. Empire Online relates the following:

"We're currently in the process of hiring a director," he (Gatta) told us. "For the past six months we were discussing the movie with Brett Ratner, and for more timing issues than anything else we had to part ways with Brett. We all wanted him to do it, believe me; just the timing didn't work. But you never know what can happen."


Rumor has it this is the real reason Ratner left the project.
Okay, no more Brett bashing. Suffice to say, however, that is does not buy the "timing issues" argument.

And The Last Stand stunk. Okay, I had to get one more zing (!) in.

I'm Sick of These Mothableepin' Pirates on This Mothableepin' Boat!

Or, at least, something like that.

Variety has reported that Samuel L. Jackson, the man of a million movie projects, is developing, in conjunction with his own production company (Uppity Films) and H2O Motion Pictures, a film based on the life of a, well, real-life pirate negotiator. Shaft himself will be playing journalist and ex-Marine engineer Andrew Mwangura, who runs the Seafarers' Assistance Programme, a nonprofit group that offers humanitarian aid to all seafarers (credit: darkhorizons.net). Mwangura's job has changed recently to include negotiations between pirates and the owners of hijacked vessels.


No word yet if Jackson will get eaten by a shark in the upcoming film.
Sounds interesting, to say the least. The Push wonders how Sam Jackson is able to keep so many plates spinning at once. Man, that Pulp Fiction movie really gave him some legs, huh?

Before the commenters attack like those super-smart sharks in Deep Blue Sea, I'm kidding.

Outtro

The news report is a little light this week not because of the swine flu or time constraints but simply because the movie world is alight with the sound of Star Trek. The buzz has been overwhelmingly positive from all corners of the fiber optically-enhanced globe, and the Push can't wait to see it this weekend. Some thoughts on the film will rear their head in next week's installment.

Of course, the Push was going to see it at the drive-in. In fact, today a call was made to the local outdoor screening ground to determine what was playing this weekend. Lo and behold, the automated voice enthusiastically spoke of…

…17 Again?

Somewhere, Ben Piper is laughing.


Yep. I'm calling ‘em.
That'll do it for this week. As always, enjoy yourselves this weekend and the days beyond until we meet again. Thanks for tuning in to this edition of A Little Push.

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