411 Fact or Fiction Movies 07.21.06: Week 39
Posted by Tim O'Sullivan on 07.21.2006
Dave O Mac and Sirois talk Supermans return, Entourage, Clerks 2, plus more, in week 39 of Fact or Fiction
Week 39 boys and girls.
This week's competitors are
Fact or Fiction's keenest contributor, step forward, George H. Sirois
and ..
One of the new crop of movie zone writers, step forward, Dave O Mac
Let's get amongst it.
Play:
1. Superman Returns is a superior movie to the overrated original
Sirois
FICTION: The original Superman set the bar for comic book films, and in my eyes, stayed at the top of the genre for over twenty-five years until Batman Begins knocked it off its perch. The best moments in Superman Returns are echoes of the original, while Richard Donner and Co. had nothing like it to look back on as source material.
Dave
FICTION: The very fact that Singer was desperately trying to tie Returns to Donner's original and even used clips of Brando that were unused in that movie, shows his love for the original. Because of this Superman Returns could never stand on its own. The reason Batman Begins did so well was because they started over and didn't mess with Burton's original masterpiece. While the original may be overrated to some, no one who grew up watching those movies can deny the special place they have in our hearts. Wasn't the best part of Singers new movie hearing the Superman March in the beginning? There's just something about that song.
2. You are not expecting Clerks 2 to be as good as the original
Sirois
FICTION: The original Clerks can be entertaining as hell in small doses, but it can be a bit of a chore to get through in one sitting, especially when you're watching it with someone whose not familiar with Kevin Smiths films. Kevin's even told stories about both executives at Gramercy Pictures and his own producer Scott Mosier saying how Clerks is barely a movie. Since Clerks, Kevin's films have gotten a lot better and so I'm expecting Clerks II to be better than the original since it will combine the characters from the original with the more film-like feeling of his other five films.
Dave
FICTION: Holy Shit! This is one of the summer movies I have been looking forward to the most. The majority of people think this is going to suck, and after Jersey Girls, why wouldn't they think that. The thing is, this is Smith at his best. A bunch of sarcastic slackers talking shit for two hours. The original Clerks was amazing for just the conversations and the best part of Smiths other movies have mostly been the dialogue. I honestly think this might be Smiths biggest box office success as there hasn't been a good comedy yet this summer. Smith made the right choice moving it up to this Friday and I for one will be in line after work waiting to get in.
3. The success of the Pirates of the Caribbean sequel is almost completely down to Johnny Depp
Sirois
FICTION: Johnny's definitely a major element, but it is also the writing of the original, the directing of the original, the excitement of the original, and the surprise factor that the original had. Nobody expected a movie based on a theme park ride to be THAT good, and so everyone had to run out to see Dead Mans Chest since they were all so positive this one would be just as good. Even though I haven't seen it yet, judging by the reviews that have come in, turns out $250 million worth of ticket holders CAN be wrong.
Dave
FICTION: There are too many factors that have created the success of Pirates. Sure Depp is the star and Jack Sparrow will be a movie Icon by the end of the summer but there were a lot of factors for this success. A brand name that everyone knew from the theme park ride, two great stories, the perfect cast that really brings their characters to life, and great film making. I think Pirates is hitting what we want out of summer movies, fun. Da Vinci Code, X3, MI-3, etc all the blockbusters this year were ok, but none had the fun factor. Pirates is a movie everyone can enjoy. When I went last Saturday afternoon, which was sold out all day long, I saw all ages, families, friends, groups of elderly people, kids, literally every demographic. I don't know how they did it, but Disney found a way to entertain everyone.
Will Smith says, "SWITCH"
4. Entourage is the only must see television show of the summer
Dave
FICTION: I'm not a big fan of Entourage, but I cant deny its success or the fact that its good television. Yet it most certainly is not the only must see summer show. In a summer full of crap on the networks, I think Cable is doing a great job. With return of Mind of Mencia, Reno 911, and the controversial Chappelle lost episodes, Comedy Central has made Sundays a must see destination for comedy fans. Yet to me the must see show of the summer is USA's Psych. The show is a unique spin on the detective show, is humorous and has an amazing cast. Along with Monk, the best cop show on TV, USA to me is the must see destination of the summer.
Sirois
FACT: The quality of the show took a dip with the Dominick episodes, but the past two have been golden, and so far it looks like even though the overall season isn't as good as the second one, Entourage is on its way to being the best show of the summer.
5. The UK film distributors were wrong to hold big movies back until the culmination of the football World Cup, as a good enough film would attract the punters anyway
Dave
FICTION: Its a smart move. After all look at America. The summer is our biggest movie season because TV is set to reruns and there are no major sporting playoffs. Ever check out the box office for Super Bowl weekend? Sure a good movie will attract an audience, but in a world that concerns itself more on the opening weekend returns, its just good business.
Sirois
FICTION: But this is more of a Tim question, which makes sense since he's the one who asked it. Considering that he was less upset about movies coming out late during the World Cup than he was before and after it, it seems like the UK distributors made the right call.
6. The Wayans brothers should not be allowed to make anymore movies
Dave
FICTION: I really enjoyed White Chicks, and there is an audience that goes to see these movies. Sure they are not the best, but to me they are definitely worth forgetting about life's problems for a couple of hours for goofy fun. I don't plan on seeing Little Man in the movies, but will check it out when it's on Starz.
Sirois
FICTION: Say what you will about the quality, but the Wayans bring in the box office business, and that's just what moviemaking is. The simple fact of the matter and this is gonna hurt J.T. more than it hurts me is that Little Man made more this week than Superman Returns. So this means well be seeing plenty more Wayans movies in the future. Hell, I got a kick out of White Chicks.
