Movies/TV's 3R’s 03.09.10: The Oscars, Alice in Wonderland, Indiana Jones, Mo’Nique, More

Posted by Shawn S. Lealos on 03.09.2010

From Alice in Wonderland’s great weekend, Jeff Daniels great Oscar speech, Sandra Bullock’s great Razzie speech, and Roger Ebert’s great new voice to Oliver Stone going Savage, Scorsese going 3D, Indiana Jones going too far, and more, 411's Shawn S. Lealos breaks down the Right, wRong, and Ridiculous from the week in Movies/TV!



Welcome to Week 37 of The 3 R's for the Movie/TV world.

THEATRICAL PICK OF THE WEEK

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK

Without any further ado, here is...

The Right

Jeff F'N Bridges: Most of you loved him as The Dude. Some of you younger kids only know him as the bad guy from Iron Man. I, however, have loved the guy forever. One of my favorite classic movies is The Last Picture Show, the movie that earned a 22-year old Jeff Bridges his first Oscar nomination. I was born in 1970 and when I was a kid, I played an Atari 2600 video game system. That meant when Tron came out right before my twelfth birthday it was the greatest movie in the world! Yep, more Jeff Bridges. Then he was freaking Starman! Then he started doing character pieces like The Fisher King before stepping into the bathrobe of The Dude. The guy went from a quality actor to a freaking ICON. Now The Dude is an icon with an Oscar Statue. And that award's speech is the best one I have ever heard. The guy is a legend.



The John Hughes Tribute: I spoke to another critic recently who seemed annoyed they honored a man they never cared to talk about before his death but I am the opposite. On a night where they paid tribute to Roger Corman and horror movies, it is only fitting another genre staple would get recognition. John Hughes was a legend to anyone, like me, who was a teenager in the eighties. When Molly Ringwald and Matthew Broderick came out I wondered what was up with the eighties reunion but then they introduced a clip of Hughes work. Then the clip ended and they were joined by Jon Cryer, Mac Culkin, Ally Sheedy, Anthony Michael Hall and Judd Nelson. They all said their goodbyes to the man who gave them their careers. Culkin's words were especially touching. Very classy and very awesome for the Academy to do.

Oliver Stone to lighten up some: At least, I hope he is based on the synopsis of his latest movie, Savages. "In Savages, two pals from Laguna Beach share the same girlfriend and a thriving business growing and distributing the best-quality pot on the planet. When they resist being muscled by a Mexican drug cartel , the girl is kidnapped and the ransom is every cent they've made for the last five years. They agree to pay but hatch an alternate plan to get her back, get revenge, and then get lost." I like Stone being controversial but I think the guy needs to step back and have some fun every once in awhile. This sounds like that chance.

Poor Sandra: Yes, Sandra Bullock finally won her Oscar but, in the same year, she also took home a Razzie for her performance in All About Steve. I have to question the woman's choices in films. I think she has a real chance of going the Halle Berry route and appearing in some real shit following the win, as she takes her post-Oscar paychecks. I hope not, though. However, her acceptance speech from the awards ceremony is AWESOME!



Martin Scorsese loves 3D: Check out this quote from Martin Scorsese: "We see in depth, for the most part. We go to the theater — it's in depth. Why couldn't a film like `Precious' be in 3-D? It should be," says Martin Scorsese. Even Scorsese says "I'd love to do one" — so long as he can still move the camera the way he'd like to. "It just seems natural that we'd be going in that direction," Scorsese says. "It's going to be something to look forward to, but to be used interestingly." I love 3D, not as a gimmick but as a storytelling device to enhance the viewing experience. This ain't going away folks. I will always go to a 3D film over the 2D version given the choice. The new TVs that will soon allow Blu-Ray to produce 3D films using the new polarized glasses are even coming down in price enough to make it worth the switch (I saw an ad for a 60" Mitsubishi for $1099 last week, with the glasses running $199 a pair).

Next up in my geek-excito-meter? Ridley Scott's Alien prequel will be shot in 3D! It was cool enough Scott was returning to his baby 31 years later but the fact that Hollywood's old guard are all slowly turning to 3D is amazing.

Frankenstein's Origin: I am one of the few people who enjoyed Paul W.S. Anderson's Death Race remake. With that said, I am also excited about the DTV prequel in the works. Anderson is not going to direct this prequel, instead stepping aside for Roel Reiné, Now Reiné is not my first choice of a go-to director after his last movie, The Marine 2 was not well received, but the cast he has assembled is inspired - for a DTV movie. Luke Goss (Bone Dry, Hellboy 2) will be Frankenstein, the original driver and a convicted cop killer. He will be joined by three great names for any DTV movie: Ving Rhames (Pulp Fiction), Danny Trejo (Desperado) and Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings). This cast makes it a must see.

Alice in Wonderland strikes it rich: While the movie didn't overwhelm me, the visuals did. The movie looks spectacular and the studio has to be happy it reached $116,300,000 in its opening weekend. That number is $103 million higher than the second place movie and is a large part of the reason Avatar is ranked below Cop Out, since Avatar had to be removed from a large number of 3D theaters to make room for Alice. That is domination.

The wRong

Further Behind The Mask: There is an old adage about lightening not striking twice in the same place. Very rarely is a surprise movie hit going to be milked for further gold. Usually when an unknown comes from out of nowhere and takes the world by storm, any further mining of the idea brings back less originality and it proves to be a disappointment, even to the original's core fan base.

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon is a movie that snuck up on me and made me it's bitch. The movie is a spectacular fusion of documentary and slasher flick and is one I will watch at any time and recommend it to anyone who loves a good, creative horror film. Now word comes from co-writer David J. Stieve, in an interview with Icons of Fright, that there is renewed interest in a sequel.

"I can tell you that there is a way we're blending the documentary and cinematic lenses again," Stieve said. "And there is also a manner in which Taylor [the final girl in the first film] and Leslie are forced to cooperate with one another, although not necessarily on the best of terms.

"There's definitely a perverse love story that must be honored," he continued, "but then again they did try pretty hard to kill each other. Not exactly a ‘kiss and make up' situation. There's a sort of bigger, badder influence that's threatening everything Leslie's worked to accomplish, and Taylor may have her own agenda for helping him."

I loved the first film and the fact they are mining it is discouraging. I can hold out hope the sequel will at least come close to the brilliance of the original movie, but that is rarely the case.



Stop. Please...: I enjoyed Kingdom of the Crystal Skull for what it was, a dumb, fun B-movie - just like the other three in the series. Now, it was nowhere near as good as Raiders but it wasn't that much worse than Last Crusade. However, it is time to let the fedora rest guys. This last week, Harrison Ford backed up what Shia LaBeouf had already said: there is a fifth movie in the works. It is still in the early stages but Ford says George Lucas is off working on the story ("a gem of an idea") and when he finishes, Spielberg and Ford will get the ideas and start working on it. I guess I would rather see Harrison Ford doing another Indiana Jones movie than the other crap he's fallen into lately, but come on. The well is running dry.

The Ridiculous

Wait, what?: Tim Burton (Alice in Wonderland) and Timur Bekmambetov (9) are teaming up again for a new movie, an adaptation of the novel Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith, author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. The plot is as follows: "Seth Grahame-Smith inserts a grandiose and gratuitous struggle with vampires into Abraham Lincoln's life. Lincoln learns at an early age that his mother was killed by a supernatural predator. This provokes his bloody but curiously undocumented lifelong vendetta against vampires and their slave-owning allies." Ok, then...

Gilligan's Island: Warner Bros. is developing a feature film based on the old television show Gilligan's Island. It has a good writer in Brad Copeland (Arrested Development, Grounded for Life, My Name is Earl) but what's the point? Unless The Harlem Globetrotters wash up on the Island, I don't see what it has to offer as a feature length movie. The dream cast for the producers apparently includes Michael Cera as Gilligan and Beyonce Knowles as Ginger.

Police Academy 42: Back to the Home: Steve Guttenberg says a new screenplay is being written for a new Police Academy movie and all the cast from the original movies that are "still around" will return. Other news however has surfaced there will be a new cast and the old guys won't be back. Either way, I can't build up the energy to even comment about this.

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The Right

Futurama is back: We have known for over a year that Futurama was coming back to TV and the entire voice cast was returning but the question remained when? That has now been answered. Futurama will be returning to television in JUNE with 12 new episodes premiering on Comedy Central, with more to follow. I love the fact they are on Comedy Central instead of Network TV and I can't wait to see the show once again!

This is really neat: Roger Ebert samples his new voice for his wife:



Rome will rise again: Fans took the promise that HBO's hit series Rome might continue on as a theatrical movie lightly. The same promise was made for Deadwood and, according to Ian McShane, that promise is officially dead in the water. Well, Rome is getting the chance to go Hollywood as series co-creator Bruno Heller has turned in his script for a feature length film. The script follows Pullo and Vorenus four years later in Germany. The movie will have no involvement from HBO and is looking for a studio and director.

The wRong

Bill Murray tells Letterman he don't wanna bust no ghosts: I have talked a few times about the rumors of Ghostbusters 3 and finally Bill Murray came out on Letterman and finally admitted to the world there will be a third movie. Unfortunately, he doesn't sound too happy about it. He flippantly dismisses Ghostbusters 2 and then calls Ghostbusters 3 a "nightmare." He says he would only do it if they killed him off at the start and reveals here "they found a way to do it" before rolling his eyes. The movie will be scripted by the Year One screenwriters and be directed by Ivan Reitman. If Bill Murray isn't happy about it, why should I be? Murray did have praise for the videogame, which he called a fun experience.



Come on guys: They listed a journalist and agents in the Oscar's Memoriam but left out both Farah Fawcett and Bea Arthur. Yes, they were both TV stars but they appeared in movies (Fawcett in some great ones) and deserved at least a mention. This is something that hits me every year.

The perfect video game for fat nerds: Are you a fat slob who never leaves your house and only speaks to other people from the comforts of your headset and PS3? Well, if you own a WII or Nintendo DS, you have the chance to finally marry the woman of your dreams. Coming this summer: The Bachelor: The Videogame. In the game, characters go up against other characters for "alone time" with the bachelor or bachelorette. And, yes, you can sabotage other character's dates. There are no words to describe how pathetic this game is.

The Ridiculous

Ridiculous: Sacha Baron Cohen and Ben Stiller had a great sketch thought up for the Oscars where they would make fun of both Avatar and director James Cameron. Well, the Oscars didn't want to hurt Cameron's feelings because they thought he would "walk out" and 86'd the sketch. When interviewed about this, Cameron had no idea what anyone was talking about and said he was fine with Avatar being the brunt of a joke. I think it is a case of a scared Oscar producer who believed Cohen's stunt with Eminem at the MTV awards last year really pissed off the rapper, when in fact Em was in on it from the start. Well, we'll never know how Cameron would have reacted to the stunt now and that kind of sucks.

Kate Gosselin dancing with the stars: I guess they are really stretching it with the term "stars." They are doing the rehearsals in her house though because, God knows, she always puts her kids number one above TV appearances.

Mo'Nique bares all to Barbara Walters: I don't like it when famous figures drop all their dirty laundry onto an audience. Does anyone really care that Mo'Nique's brother sexually molested her as a child? Does anyone care that when he showed up after her twins were born, she told him not to touch them and hasn't seen him since? Why the fuck does she feel it is necessary to bury her brother on national television? Yeah, it was wrong and he is a douche for doing it but what the hell is the purpose in bringing it out into the public forum. Some things should remain behind closed doors. Mo'Nique was going for pity but I loathe her for this interview.




What happened to Ebert is a shame. His doctors blew it. The New Tonight Show is essentially the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. NBC is putting no new money into it. First Night was alright and considering the competition he will be number one soon. Kimmel is truly the best but his timeslot is terrible. - Posted By: Jim (Guest) - I think my favorite recent Ebert quote is when someone looked at him and Ebert wrote him a note that said "don't pity me. I'm happy." I love Roger Ebert and he is one of the reasons I write about film professionally. As for Jimmy Kimmel, did you happen to catch the commercial during the Oscars where Kimmel woke up from a nightmare and when he rolled over, Ben Affleck was there to comfort him? Just as they professed their love, Jennifer Garner popped up from the other side and said it was getting creepy. That was some funny shit.

Two things I want to mention. Marlon Wayans was also good in "Above the Rim". Two, I hope "Unbreakable 2" does get made. The story was supposed to be a planned trilogy anyways, so it is not like they just thought about it just to cash in. Shyamalan is still capable of making a great movie if he put more effort into it. - Posted By: Captain Patterson (Guest) - I have never jumped off the Shyamalan bandwagon, despite a couple of lackluster movies. I think the guy is a tremendous director who might need a little support in the writing department.

am i the only one that thinks espn completely overreacted to kornheisers comments? - Posted By: free tony (Guest) - Nope, I agree completely, and so does the next commenter.

You are not alone. Tony is the king! He makes sly, douche comments ALL the time. Hell, he rips on Wilbon all the time. But now it's a fellow lady employee? I think being PC is a great thing at times, but he didn't flat out call her a fat hooker or whatever. If he did that, then I would see the issue - Posted By: Erik... (Guest)

And here is some Marlan Wayans' fans.

I think of all the Wayan's clan, Marlon is miles ahead as far as being a capable actor. I think he will shock us all with how good he does. - Posted By: Todd Vote (Guest)

YOU WILL EAT YOUR WORDS ABOUT MARLON WAYANS. He is easily the best actor from the whole Wayans family. The dude isn't just funny, but brings real emotion. In my honest opinion he is the best choice to be playing Richard Pryor. I've been a Wayans fan since ILC & the Wayans Bros. Trust me, Marlon is the perfect choice. - Posted By: Marcus (Guest)

and from 411's own Len Archibald:

I do think that Marlon Wayans is actually the BETTER choice to play Richard Pryor than Eddie Murphy. This is me sitting from the oh-too-familiar casting couch. Even though Murphy has Pryor's mannerisms and voice down pat (watch "Raw"), Wayans has the look, the youth and has actually proven himself to be an effective actor (face facts: even though Pryor was a GENIUS, he was also a drug addict – what was the last great role that Wayans had? Hint: he, too, also played a drug addict.) I feel Marlon could do more with the role and under a great director, could be used effectively enough to garner the same kind of attention Jim Carrey did for playing Andy Kaufman or Jamie Foxx did for playing Ray Charles.

…and Roger Ebert is a genius: as long as I have my DVD copies of "Grave of the Fireflies", "Citizen Kane" and "Floating Weeds", he will NEVER lose his voice. No one has been a more trusting and spot-on film critic than Ebert in history – and yes, I am including the uber-great Pauline Kael in that history as well. Could you imagine a "My Dinner With Andre" conversation about movies between him and Martin Scorsese? The universe would implode from the sheer amount of awesome and knowledge those two have.

As much as I *LOVE* Stephen Chow, I do NOT want to see a remake of "Way of the Dragon". I own the Bruce Lee boxset, know all about the man, could probably recite his Jeet-Kun-Do theory where he famously explains his fighting style "..be like water, my friend" off the top of his head, and I'm still waiting for the BLAM (Bruce Lee Arts Museum) to be built and opened in Seattle. In my feeble opinion, "Way of the Dragon" (which Lee wrote and directed, btw) is quintessential BRUCE, displaying his superhuman skills (the fight sequence in the back of his uncle's restaurant where he busts out the ‘chucks is an insane thing of martial-arts beauty) mixed in with his philosophies. As much as I feel "Enter the Dragon" is the more polished (ie, "better") film, I actually prefer "Way of the Dragon" (and to a lesser extent, "The Big Boss") over that film. Also, there is no way to top Bruce Lee vs. Chuck Norris in the Roman Collesium. It's just impossible…unless they go all "BRUCE LEE FIGHTS BACK FROM THE GRAAAAAVE!", resurrect him, bring in Chuck Norris and add Jet Li and Tony Jaa and make it a FATAL FOUR WAY FIGHT TO THE FINISH! ONLY AT WRESTLEMANIA!!!

(BTW, "Bruce Lee Fights Back From the Grave" is an actual film, made after his death - in which the trailer is one of the greatest things ever made in regards to the super cheesy and shameless cash-cow false promotion schemes in film history. Find the trailer on YouTube and *try* to keep a straight face.)

…God, what a glorious rant. I watch WAY too many movies! Great column - as usual, friend. - Posted By: The 8th Samurai (Registered) - I will take a wait and see attitude with Marlan. He has done great in the past (Requiem for a Dream) and has range (GI Joe) so I think he can make it work with this particular director. As for Ebert, if you haven't read his interview with Lee Marvin, seek it out. It's included in Awake in the Dark, a spectacular read.

Who gives a fuck how many celebrities support the West Memphis Three? Has ANY of it helped get ANY of them out of jail in the past 17 years? - Posted By: Guest#2669 (Guest) - As long as they help keep this case in the public eye, something might be done to allow a retrial.

For the record,I love the W.W.E. more for nostalgia than anything else[mainly i watch the documentary type stuff and the pay per view anthologys.] Its a huge part of my life and it demands respect for being the standard bearer. Not to mention that evry single indy guy would shoot their mothers for a chance to get noticed in the big time.Its like saying all indy bands would rather be at the bottom of the top instead of the top of the very bottom. The machine ,as you put it has entertained me for 30 years. When an indy fed gets noticed, how soon is it before the E comes calling? And when the calls you answer. As far as nickelback is concerened...they suck more balls than annabelle chong. I hope this wont be taken out of context, because your column is appointment reading. Keep up the good work and WELCOME TO THE MACHINE. - Posted By: Jeff Albertson (Guest) - I watch WWE pretty faithfully but I am more concerned with the people who refuse to acknowledge that anything else exists and, more importantly, those people who insult those who like the alternative. It gets real old to see the same old comments over in the wrestling section about how much they think Ring of Honor sucks and how people who like it are losers. The same thing happened in the Oscar thread yesterday. Someone said they hate it when movies "no one saw" win the awards. That's just dumb. --- Your comment wasn't taken out of context. Thanks for reading.

Baseball is terrible... Soccer is boring.... American Football is awesome but the stoppages become a bit much... Hockey video games are much better than hockey itself... Rugby League is really where it's at... I advise everyone to check it out... - Posted By: Sexy Steve (Guest) - I can't watch soccer because it bores me to death, but anyone who likes it disagrees, so to each their own. I can't watch baseball all the time but I do like watching a good game when it is on. I prefer to watch the highlight shows, though. Going to hockey games is better than watching it on TV and I LOVE football. Can't say I've ever watched a rugby game.