411 Fact or Fiction Movies 09.07.07: Week 92

Posted by Ben Piper on 09.07.2007

Will 3:10 To Yuma be a modern western classic? Will people tune in to watch Chuck? Should Kid Nation be pulled from the airwaves? 411's Jeffrey Harris & Jason Chamberlain debate these and other topics in week 92 of Fact or Fiction: Movies!

Hello everyone. It's that part of the week yet again, which means it's time for Fact or Fiction! This week we have Jeffrey Harris and Jason Chamberlain lined up to take part, so let's see what they have to say for themselves, shall we?

1. 3:10 To Yuma has all the makings of a modern western classic.

Jeffrey Harris:Fact- Bale is one of the all time great actors of the decade and this generation and most likely decades to come. You have a legitimate and competent director in James Mangold. To me this is like Copland if it was a western. And hey you even had kind of a western style shoot out at the end of that movie. Not to mention you have Peter Fonda, the son of Henry Fonda from Once Upon A Time In The West. So the makings are definitely there. Count me in.

Jason Chamberlain: Fact- Keeping in mind that I haven't really seen many classic westerns, so I'm not the best guy to tell you how to make one. But as Jeff said, Bale is the f'ing man. Combine his presence with Russell Crowe, and add in Peter Fonda (who is about as western as you can get when Clint Eastwood isn't available) and this should be a celebrated addition to the genre.

Score: 1 for 1

2. You're glad that CBS pulled its latest reality show train wreck, Kid Nation from its fall lineup.

Jeffrey Harris: Fact- I hate almost all reality television except probably The Ultimate Fighter. Reality television has gone too far more often than not in its level of exploitation. I don't fucking care if the parents signed off on this bullshit. Or if people sign release forms. That doesn't absolve the networks that peddle this garbage IMHO. I'm just waiting for the reality series Phil Hendrie talked about where orphan kids have to compete in a talent show to get adopted by a heterosexual couple. If they lose, the runner-up gets a chance at getting adopted by a same sex couple. If you think that's offensive, reality television has been worse than that before.

Jason Chamberlain: Fact- Hi. Let me introduce myself. I am reality TV's sworn enemy. I wish I had a mythic broadsword with which I could cast down the evil beast that is reality TV. If I were a scientist I would attempt to create a device that, when activated, would carry out the genocide of all reality television properties. It would also scorch the earth that these ungodly creations crawl from so that no more of their demon seed could ever offend the human eye. Survivor, Big Brother, and the terrible devil herself, Nanny 911, oh yes, they would all shriek in terror and run from my piercing gaze. And lo, all would look upon me as an angel released from the heavens to do God's work, and there would be peace in the land. So, uh, yeah. I'm glad they cancelled it.

Score: 2 for 2

3. Despite its impressive cast, you don't expect Shoot 'em Up to do much at the box office.

Jeffrey Harris: Fact- I see it doing similar business to last year's Crank starring Jason Statham. It didn't do terrible business because it was a low budget movie. But it was a decent, fun action flick. It came out around the same time as Shoot 'Em Up. Movies like this tend to not do big business, especially in September, usually a dumping ground for movies because again they tend to not do big business this time of the year. I see it making around $30-40 million range in the US. $50 million tops. Anything more than that and I will be surprised.

Jason Chamberlain: Fact- With some reservations. The trailer looks badass and I fully expect this movie to rock the house. Having said that, I have a feeling that this movie may suffer from moviegoers that are just plain tired out from the blockbuster season and who are going to stay home for a while until the next 'big' movie comes out. This film, with its cast of not quite superstars, may not be enough of an 'event' movie to make much noise at the box office. Make its budget back and some more besides, sure, but I don't think it'll be a smash hit. It'll do respectable business.

Score: 3 for 3

Switch!!!

4. Based upon what you've seen in the commercials, you'll likely check out NBC's Chuck.

Jason Chamberlain: Fact- Well, I haven't seen any commercials (I live in Canada, you know. Canadian content and all that), but from what I've read I'll definitely check it out. I was a diehard viewer of Alias during its run and as has often been said (and even played with by the creative team a few years back in a side splitting vignette with Peter Falk as Columbo joining the team) it was always a few jokes away from being a farce. This show sounds like exactly that. A normal guy gets some top-secret info and is dragged into the crazy world of espionage. Add in Adam "Jayne from Firefly" Baldwin? Count me in!

Jeffrey Harris: Fact- I definitely want to give it a look to see what kind of direction it will be going in and if the performances are enough to keep me around. I enjoy secret agent or cop shows with humorous twists. But chances are, if it's good, the network will kill it in less than a season. Look at the fate of such fantastic shows as Keen Eddie. If the show ultimately regresses with Chuck being on the run from the government most of the time, I probably will turn it off. Spy shows and movies seem to be the in thing though right now.

Score: 4 for 4

5. The Brothers Soloman star Will Arnett is overrated.

Jason Chamberlain: Fact- Because I have no idea who or what you're talking about. So if by overrated you mean not known by the average TV/movie viewer, then you are correct!

Jeffrey Harris: Fact- I'd say so considering I had to IMDB him in order to recognize who he was. That and I think The Brothers Solomon looks absolutely terrible and I'm going to be avoiding it like the plague.

Score: 5 for 5

6. Cavemen is the lamest idea for a new show this year.

Jason Chamberlain: Fact- And fact, and fact, and fact and fact and fact. And for good measure..... FACT. Joss Whedon can't get financing for one measly little Spike telefilm, and yet ABC actually greenlights and buys a series inspired by those oh so funny and not at all crappy Geico Cavemen commercials. There is no God.

So Geico comes up with a commercial about... what is it? So easy a caveman could do it? Right. And then they do a commercial with an actual caveman who has been offended by said slogan. HAHAHAAHAHAH oh wow that's funny. Whatever, get it out of your system Geico. Hold on, they're not done. Now the caveman is at the shrink, talking about how offended and hurt he is by this catchphrase. HAHAHAHAAHAHA. Oh it's rich. Really. I'm laughing over here. But wait there's more... now the cavemen are at a party....

The only way I see anybody tuning to this show is if they're watching ABC before it comes on, and then the house catches on fire, necessitating a hasty retreat that leaves them no time to turn off the television.

Jeffrey Harris: Fact- Is it any wonder why network television is so terrible and all truly good shows that happen to pop up are killed in just a handful of episodes or a season? It's a series of cute little car commercial adds that are a little quotable and funny, but that doesn't mean they are worthy of a TV show. And from what I understand they don't even use the stand-up comedian that originated the Caveman in the ads. That aside, Joss Whedon is also overrated.

Final Score: 6 for 6

Hey, the second reverse no-hitter in three weeks! I must be on a roll here.

A few notes before we depart. I had read that CBS pulled Kid Nation after a lawsuit was brought against the network by the parents of one of the children involved in the show. Since then, the commercials continue to air and it appears like the show will in fact be broadcasted, so I apologize for the confusion. Furthermore, I would like to state for the record that I had made my mind up to watch Chuck the second I saw the commercial in which the main character and his best friend scat sing Iron Maiden's "The Trooper". Good stuff.

Okay, that's it for this week, check back in seven for more hair-raising debates as only Fact or Fiction: Movies can bring them.