Ask 411 Movies for 4.16.07: The Column that Draws to the Inside Straight!
Posted by Leonard Hayhurst on 04.16.2007
Grindhouse, Casino Royale, The Descent, Christian Bale, bad endings and Carlos Mencia caught stealing…and I don’t mean by Victor Martinez as he went for second
This coming Sunday, April 25th, I'm going to be guesting on the internet radio show the Political Universe hosted by 411's own Jason Easley around 2pm Eastern. We haven't set topics yet, but I'll try not to get him kicked off the air.
I caught Grindhouse and really liked it. It's done poorly at the box office, but that doesn't surprise me. It's a film that caters to a specific audience, but that audience is a core of the internet film community. They drummed up faux buzz and expectations, much as they did with Snakes on a Plane last year. It's a vocal community, but not large enough to impact the box office even when considering they will go see a movie multiple times. It was a fun viewing experience and all the little touches in the presentation and storylines were top notch. If anything, the special effects and stunt work were probably too good when compared to the classic grindhouse films. The acting was also too good as the cast not only featured good actors, but ones that understood the concept. All the fake trailers really made the film worth seeing and I'd love to see just two hours of those.
"Mr. Russell, I'm fine with the wig, but could you stop calling me Goldie."
Actor Roscoe Lee Brown passed away last Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. He was 81. Brown was known for his deep voice and commanding presence. He often served as a narrator for films such as the recent Epic Movie and Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties. His other films include Terror in the City, Black Like Me, the Comedians, Up Tight!, Topaz, The Cowboys, Uptown Saturday Night, Logan's Run, Twilight's Last Gleaming, Legal Eagles, Jumpin' Jack Flash, The Mambo Kings and Dear God.
Author Kurt Vonnegut died last Wednesday as well of brain injuries from a recent fall. He was 84. Many of his books have been turned into films including Slaughterhouse Five, Breakfast of Champions, Mother Night, Welcome to the Monkey House, Slapstick and Displaced Person.
NETFLIX MOVIE OF THE WEEK: CASINO ROYALE
I liked the movie a lot, but I didn't feel it was a great departure from the film series as many have claimed. Outside of the noirish opening, I felt it combined the darker tone of the two Dalton films with the action spectacle of the Brosnan era. Bond films are usually long, but I felt a tighter pace and less winding narrative would have made a better introduction for Daniel Craig and a series reboot. As action star, Craig is the best Bond by far. I'm still not sold on him as a charmingly smooth sex symbol, but I bet the ladies disagree with me. I'm interested in seeing the next film in the series. I think they should reintroduce Blofeld and make him more Bond's opposite number than a preening cartoon character of a villain.
From YouTube this week we have a clip my friend Brian sent me. It's from the Vinyl Junkie playing a rare jazzed up version of "The Bob Newhart Show" theme song "Going Home to Emily." YouTube: where watching a record spin can be entrancing viewing.
Q: I have just read the following comment
"I liked it better than The Illusionist because it was a more compelling film in the story, acting and presentation. As is said of Hugh Jackman's character, it knows how to sell itself better. The structure was convoluted and at times confusing as we jump around from three different time periods. I figured out the ending before the finale, but I don't know if it sits well with me as a satisfactory payoff. I think the real illusion of the film, and hopefully not giving anything away, is that it's a science fiction movie that doesn't come off as such through out."
I agree The Prestige is a more compelling from than the Illusionist in the story action, presentation - and not to forget the excellent script and direction. Hugh Jackman's character knows how to sell itself better simply because it is in the hands of a very talented actor.
However, I thoroughly enjoyed this film and the pairing of Hugh Jackmanand Christian Bale was a stroke of genius by the director. Both stars played to the hilt with edge going to Hugh Jackman because he had a great deal to show in his character as he disintegrates from a first class showman and magician who is happily married and his wife is 'murdered' because the trick was not presented as he needed it. He then descends to a rather cruel and twisted man who is always tormented by Bale - the transition is first class. There are two cameos as well from him and each one has a different character this is why I have a great deal of time for this actor. I do not discount Bale, of course, they played each other off and it was compelling viewing but where I completely disagree with the comment above quote "and hopefully not giving anything away, is that it's a science fiction movies that doesn't come off as such through out."
Of course it does not come off as a science fiction movie - SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS NOT SCIENCE FICTION.
Thank you for letting me comment
-Anne Hedley
A: Jackman and Bale both gave great performances. In what could be showy parts, they were understated and they perfectly defined three dimensional characters. The movie is compelling and emotionally impactful thanks to their performances and the finely tuned creation of the plot elements by director Christopher Nolan, even though I didn't care for the narrative structure.
According to dictionary.com science fiction is "a form of fiction that draws imaginatively on scientific knowledge and speculation in its plot, setting, theme, etc." To not give anything away, the plot and payoff of the film is heavily relied on a device that doesn't exist. What about that isn't science fiction? Science fiction isn't necessarily fighting aliens in the future. The fact that the movie doesn't come off as traditional science fiction, but still has distinct sci-fi elements is one thing I really liked about the movie and it's films like this that opens up what has been a very limited, niche genre to new fans and new creative possibilities.
Q: What up Leo. I read what your thoughts of The Prestige, I feel the same way. The structure was all over the place, which in a lot of movies I don't mind, but in this it didn't work. I wanna ask about what you think of Christian Bale. He's a great actor but it seems like after Batman, his stock may have dropped. He was terrible in The Prestige. Harsh Times, come on. I loved Memento, American Psycho, Equilibrium & of course Batman. I just hope the next movie he makes before the next Batman is good. I don't want him to be stuck in the same role of Batman, like Tobey Maguire. I mean how many movies has he done since Spiderman. Even if the next Batman is awful (which I doubt, Chris Nolan is gonna be great for a while) its gonna bank at the box office, spawning a sequel, and you know Bale will back in it.
-Jdunk
A: Bale has the potential to be a great actor. However, if I had to sum him up in one word I would go with ‘smarmy.' He seems like the kind of guy that refers to acting as his ‘craft' and you don't want to be that guy. If anything, Batman Begins raised his stock in Hollywood by making him a bankable leading man at the box office. Bale will next be in the high profile Bob Dylan project I'm Not There Yet as one of several Dylans and 3:10 to Yuma with Russell Crowe. Bale is not the kind of actor to go out and do slam bang action films to make money. He is going to make films that interest him and not all of those are going to be targeted blockbusters. Also, Bale wasn't in Memento. It starred Guy Pearce. It was directed by Christopher Nolan who helmed Batman Begins and The Prestige.
"If Kevin Costner can make that pool cue shot in Tin Cup so can I."
Tobey Maguire has made two movies since starting the Spiderman series in Seabiscuit and The Good German. The films that Maguire has been doing, including the Spiderman series, are ones that are physically demanding and with long shooting schedules. He could be working more, but he doesn't have the time and energy too. On Seabiscuit he suffered an accident that almost took him out of the Spiderman sequels and has given him back pain since. By the by, Jake Gyllenhaal was going to replace him.
From the upcoming gay prison movie Assume the Position (I better say that's a joke or I'll catch hell.)
Q: I have been dying to find out what movie this is. When I was younger I remember seeing a part of movie where Jesus was on a cross, but it was present day. This part of the movie took place on a live TV Show, like Jerry Springer. The crowd was cheering or booing and I remember the camera zooming into see Jesus' face who had a tear in his eye. What movie is this?
-Brendon
A: 411 writer Nick Wallander gives two suggestions on your film. The French Canadian Jesus from Montreal about a group of actors who stage a modern day passion play and fall under fire by the Catholic Church. In 1999's Book of Life Jesus (Martin Donovan) his assistant Magadelena (PJ Harvey) and Satan (Thomas Jay Ryan) debate ending the world on the cusp of the millennium. Arnold Furious also remembers Harvey Keitel having a "Jesus moment" in Bad Lieutenant.
Q: I just got done watching the Unrated version of "The Descent" on DVD. I think it is one of the best horror flicks of the past 10 years at least, but I did have a couple problems with it. What's you opinion on it?
1.) The vague ending. If you have to include a special feature that has to explain and defend the ending, it's not a good one. I've always found that whenever a director says something like "I deliberately left the ending like that so viewers can come up with their own conclusions." to be code for "I couldn't think of a proper ending, so I just left it like that. You figure it out." I actually like that the ending is downbeat, but I think I would have preferred seeing all of the women killed by the creatures instead. Let the monsters win once in awhile.
1a.) Speaking of bad endings to good movies, what are your least favorite endings? I've always found the ending to "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" to be tacked on. The twist in "Upside of Anger" sucked. "White Noise" is an underrated film with an unneccessary downer of an ending (as opposed to the good downer ending in Descent).
2.) I DEFINATELY didn't like the repeated, soap opera-ish attempts at turning Juno into a "villain." We didn't need things like an affair, or lying about accidentally killing Beth. She didn't deserve her fate at the end. In fact, minus those two things, I found her to be the most likable character in the movie. I think the movie would have been better if they all remained friends throughout the film who were trying to survive from being killed and failing. Sorta a "All for one, one for all" type ending.
Keep up the good work.
JLAJRC
(Because I will always make room for a bloody screaming chick in my column Except Carrie. She just creeps me out.)
A: I'll be honest in saying I didn't care for The Descent. It's a naval gazing vaguely lesbian, pretty overtly misandorous flick (the creatures are obviously male caricatures) with horror overtones as window dressing. And it doesn't matter that the writer and director is male. Characters were not clearly defined or explored, so you didn't really care about anyone. As you stated Juno is about the only character you can like or care about because she's the most fleshed out. Many of the plot elements feel tacked on in order to give a vague sense of storyline and character development. They take too long with the setup and about only the last half hour is compelling and well done in the tight action sequences. Of course the last five minutes shoots that to hell with a head scratching ending that is less mysterious and more "meh, yeah, whatever, let's go with that." I had heard that it was an intelligent and creative horror film, but it was just a bad movie masquerading as something more. Much as I said above with The Prestige I do see where this film can open horror films up to new ideas and new audiences, which isn't a bad thing.
Monty Python often has non-endings or out of the blue endings thanks to their background in sketch and improvisational comedy and that is often part of the joke, so they get a pass. The twist at the end of The Upside of Anger I felt was really unneeded and unraveled a lot of the thematic elements and character development built through the film. I haven't seen White Noise because previews didn't interest me at all. I'll see about catching it.
It's been mentioned in the column before that A.I. had a horrible ending and it should have stopped with David staring at the Blue Fairy, which is where I felt Stanley Kubrick would have ended. We've also talked about The Hulk several times in this column. First, it's not overly clear what happened between Bruce and his father. Second, Bruce saying "You wouldn't want to see me when I'm angry" in Spanish was a huge laugh line in the theater I saw it in. Hannibal I've also said before was stupid. Hannibal Lecter is a master escape artist and psychopathic genius, but he can't pick the lock on a pair of regulation handcuffs with a kitchen full of utensils and a good five minutes to spare.
Q: Hey Leo-nard,
Not sure if you're in tune to it or even care, but asking never hurts. I wanted to get your thoughts on the whole Carlos Mencia situation recently. Do you think he's a joke thief hack? Are Joe Rogan and George Lopez right? I became a fan of Mencia almost instantly when I got the assignment to review his second season box set, but if there is something I should know, by all means Wise One, fill me in.
On a personal note, I've researched a good deal (not all) of this evidence against Mencia being a joke thief and came to a few conclusions: 1) Joe Rogan is a 10-year-old, even if it turns out he's right; 2) I would classify a lot of these jokes Mencia is accused of stealing as pretty generic, something even I could come up with; 3) Considering the amount of comedians in not just the U.S. but the world, can't it be argued that there will always be some comedy that will overlap eventually? 4) Carlos never lied about his real name or his race. He has been open about that, and he IS hispanic; 5) George Lopez isn't funny.
But anyway, even if all that is true, if Carlos is a hack, I won't support him. Comments?
-Ryan Latimer
A: Joe Rogan has been one of the most vocal comedians against Carlos Mencia and Dane Cook as plagiarists. Rogan confronted Mencia on stage at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles this past February. Footage can be found on YouTube of the confrontation. Rogan has been banned from the club for filming this for use on his internet reality show when he was asked not to film inside the club. George Lopez has stated on "The Howard Stern Show" that he noticed a bunch of his material in Mencia's HBO special and that they later had a physical altercation over it. Specifically Mencia has allegedly closely copied bits by Ari Shaffir on a border fence with Mexico and Bill Cosby on a father teaching his son how to play football.
Carlos Mencia's mother is Mexican and his father Honduran. His name at birth was Ned Amel Mencia. His mother did not give him his father's name because they were on the outs, but Mencia did go by the very white sounding name of Ned Holness until he was 18. He was born in Honduras, but raised for a good part by his aunt and uncle in East Los Angeles. Where Mencia comes under fire here is the notion that he tries to pass himself off as wholly Mexican American and entrenched in that community when his background is a bit different.
I liked the first season of "Mind of Mencia," but found that he purposely tried to be too in your face and racially charged with his second season. This could be Comedy Central putting pressure on him as the heir apparent to Dave Chappelle. I find Mencia to sometimes be funny and right on the money with his politically incorrect viewpoints, but he comes off as arrogant and self-righteous. Don't ditch Mencia just because I say though, which I'm not. You can throw Dane Cook under the comedy bus though.
Don't die. I think we can declare the photo captions as my jumping the shark point.
"When you hire Machete to kill the bad guys make sure the bad guy isn't you."
