411 Fact or Fiction Movies/TV 08.27.10: Week 243

Posted by Ben Piper on 08.27.2010

Do people want to watch a Heidi Montag/Spencer Pratt sex tape? Will The Last Exorcism be an effective horror film? Is Steven Tyler a good choice to judge American Idol? Will anyone tune in to the Emmys? 411's Tony Farinella and Al Norton debate these and other topics in this week's 411 Fact or Fiction: Movies/TV!



Welcome back! Here we go again! Time to get our Fact or Fiction on! This time around Al Norton and the making up for lost time Tony Farinella are here with their thoughts and feelings. Let's get on with it already.



1.The Last Exorcism will be a nifty and effective piece of horror filmmaking.

Tony Farinella: Fiction. I'm going to vote fiction on this, only because I feel like we've seen this sort of movie before. These types of movies don't scare me, and they end up boring me to tears. You sit around, you hear a noise, someone jumps up, and that's about the whole premise of the movie. It's not my idea of a good horror movie. I understand a lot of people get into these movies and are scared by them, but I believe if you've seen one of them, you've seen them all. I like Eli Roth and he's usually involved in quality projects for the most part, but this one isn't striking me as anything out of the ordinary.

Al Norton: Fact. I am leaning heavily on the effective part of the statement since the ads seem pretty darn creepy to me but also at the same time so small in scope to be almost claustrophobic, and I mean that in a good way. Eli Roth certainly knows what he's doing but the part that intrigues me the most is the casting of Patrick Fabian as the lead. Fabian is one of the most prolific television actors in recent years, working steadily since the early 90's with a resume that includes CSI, Veronica Mars, Will & Grace, Providence, NCIS, Bones, Life, and most recently Big Love. Yes, he was also on Saved By The Bell: The College Years, but I won't hold that against him. He's someone who always makes an impression and I think people recognizing his face but not associating him with any specific role will help them accept him in this movie. Anyway, the movie looks pretty creepy to me, and since that's what I think they are going for, I give them my approval.

Score: 0 for 1

2. Steven Tyler is a good choice to be a judge on American Idol.

Tony Farinella: Fact. This is a different idea, so thus I like it. I like different ideas and people thinking outside the box. He has a storied career in the industry, so he's a good source of knowledge. American Idol is not really a rock and roll show, though, so I wonder if he will like a lot of their cardboard pop stars. I liked Ellen, though, because she brought the fan perspective to the show, but I'd prefer an expert. Aerosmith is still touring today, so they know a thing or two about longevity, which is interesting because a lot of artists on American Idol end up becoming one hit wonders.

Al Norton: Fact. The guy is the lead singer of a band that has had hit songs in FOUR different decades so him judging on a show that is looking to find a new star in the music industry makes perfect sense. His presence on the panel should also go a long way towards convincing the contestants they need to develop their own sense of style and stage manner since that was no small factor in Tyler longevity. Also, my guess is that because of said success, Tyler won't back down when it comes to giving his opinion.

I've got to disagree with Tony about Ellen, or at least about his reasons for why she was good. I'm a fan of hers in general but her place on the show never made sense since she was billed as being the "voice of the fan", as if that voice were needed. The fans have the single biggest voice involved in the show - they vote on the winner - so why do they need someone on the judge's panel, too? Plus, in the end, she didn't like to be negative, which is unlike any Idol fan I know (myself included), who love to trash contestants who bomb.

Score: 1 for 2

3. You plan on tuning in to this weekend's Emmy Awards telecast hosted by Jimmy Fallon.

Tony Farinella: Fiction. This has nothing to do with Jimmy Fallon, but I am probably not going to be tuned in to this show. I get antsy and bored during these shows. You have about thirty minutes of watchable television here and the rest is just filler. I'll google the winners and check out the speeches on You Tube, but these shows always run way too long with people giving speeches thanking their publicist, God, and their next door neighbor. I only really watch the Oscars, which is my favorite awards show. Everything else just seems way too long and overstuffed for my liking.

Al Norton Fact. Really, you need to ask? This is my Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Arbor Day all rolled into one! Awards shows are almost guaranteed to be somewhat boring by definition - the bulk of the show consists of listing off nominations you are already aware of and then speeches - but if you are a fan of TV, you'll want to see if your favorites win. Also, the Emmys seem to take themselves less seriously than the Oscars and at the same time have a bigger budget than the Golden Globes, so it can be funny and irreverent and also look good at the same time. I expect Jimmy Fallon to be funny - he's done some really great sketch work on Late Night this past year - but I'd be watching no matter who the host was.

Score: 1 for 3

Switch!!!



4. You'd rather gouge your eyes out than watch a Heidi Montag/Spencer Pratt sex tape.

Al Norton: Fiction. If I could gouge out one eye - the one that would see Spencer - than maybe I would have said "Fact" but I am fascinated by celebrity sex tapes. Not so much for the mastubatory puposes you'd think but because it's such a strange thing to see people from your TV & movie screens and/or your radio in such personal moments that I can't turn away; it's like a big naked car crash. Usually the participants aren't as guarded as they are during interviews or other standard on-camera activity, so it's a rare chance to see them really being themselves. In this case the rumors say there is footage of Heidi both pre and post surgery, and even in action with her current Playboy Playmate roommate. Don't kid yourselves, haters - this will sell HUGE.

Tony Farinella: Fiction. I have to go with Al on this one. If you get Spencer out of it and hide him, I'd be willing to check this out. There is interest in this sort of thing. I've seen a good chunk of the celebrity sex tapes, and it's for the exact reasons that Al mentioned. You are curious and can't look away. I'm not saying I watch them over and over and over again, but for a one-time viewing, you do want to see what happens. Heidi is an attractive, if slightly annoying personality, so thus I want to check it out. Just find a way to get Spencer out of it, and we're all set. I'm sure he'll be as irritating as ever.

Score: 2 for 4

5. You like the idea of Tim Burton producing a stop-motion Addams Family movie.

Al Norton: Fact. Based on that little bit of information, sure. I mean, I like Tim Burton, stop-motion animation can be fun, and I have always enjoyed the various incarnations of the Addams Family, but until I know the story and who's involved that's all I can really say, that I like the idea of the project.

Tony Farinella: Fact. Tim Burton rarely disappoints, keep in mind I said rarely, so I think it would be fun to check out. Addam's Family is always entertaining, and I think their weirdness mixed together with Burton's weirdness is a good combination. The weirder, the better. It seems like a match made in weird heaven.

Score: 3 for 5

6. Josh Holloway would be a fantastic choice to play the titular character in the TV reboot of The Rockford Files.

Al Norton: Fact, if you believe that there is anyone who can fill James Garner's shoes, that is. Some of you youngsters may not have a full appreciation for just how incredible mix of actor and role Garner was with Jim Rockford, perhaps the best private eye in television history and one whose sarcastic, sardonic take on the world is much more common among characters today than it was when it debuted. Dermot Mulroney was an awful choice, as evidenced by NBC not picking up the pilot he starred in this spring. Holloway has the low key charm, the devil may care attitude, and most importantly the ability to turn on the intensity when needed to have a real shot at success at playing a TV Hall of Fame character.

Tony Farinella: Fiction. I've actually watched a ton of episodes of The Rockford Files, because my dad's a huge fan, so I'm probably speaking from a more personal perspective. I just don't think there's anyone that could do this role better than James Garner. It's one of those things where it's almost untouchable. Have they mentioned who is going to play Angel Martin? It's interesting watching some of the older episodes today on DVD because you see so many appearances by actors who went on to big, big things. I don't know, I just have a personal spot in my heart for this show because I watched it with my dad, and I don't want anything to ruin that.

Final Score: 3 for 6

___________________________________________________

And there you have it, Al and Tony split the difference. Thanks to them both for their participation.

In hindsight, I probably should have asked about the re-release of Avatar but it completely slipped my mind. Ah, well. Stuff happens. See you next week.
-BP

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