411 Fact or Fiction Movies 05.09.08: Week 125

Posted by Ben Piper on 05.09.2008

Will Speed Racer be an over the top mess, but in a good way? Will What Happens In Vegas be a box office flop? Are people genuinely happy for Robert Downey Jr's current success after all of his tribulations? 411's Seth Roy and Nick Wallander debate these and other topics in week 125 of Fact or Fiction: Movies!



Hello everyone. Welcome back yet again to the one column that's sure to either tickle your fancy or infuriate you to no end, Fact or Fiction! This week we've got the one 411 dude that promises that he won't lie to you, Nick Wallander. He'll be taking on yet another in the seemingly endless parade of 411 movie zone newcomers, Seth Roy, who recaps The Office for us. Let's have at it, shall we?

1. You anticipate Speed Racer will be an over the top mess, but in a good way.

Nick Wallander: Fact- I don't even like the idea of Speed Racer, but I do like the potential for this one. First and foremost has to be the unique style in which they shot the film. It might be difficult to see on the commercials, but if you look hard enough you can see that everything on screen is clear and in focus, just like in a cartoon. Normal film only has the focal point of the shot in focus, so this was a unique way to shoot a movie. The previews do provide a peek at a bundle of action, which is straight up fun if you ask me. it looks absurd, unbelievable, and somewhat ridiculous. Which coincidentally is exactly what a cartoon would look like. I have faith that we'll see a live action cartoon, much like Sin City was a live action comic book. Add to that the fact that Matthew Fox gets to be a badass and you have me on board.

Seth Roy: Fact- I guess it'll be a mess in that the action will be a bit nuts, but it should be very exciting. I agree with Nick about the cartoony-ness of the film, and think it should be something different. Also, the Wachowski Brothers have made a couple movies I really like, in The Matrix and V for Vendetta. Granted, the Matrix sequels may not have been at the same level as the first, but I still liked them.

Score: 1 for 1

2. You like the idea of Lindsay Lohan joining the cast of Ugly Betty for a multi-episode story arc.

Nick Wallander: Fact- I make no secret about my secret crush on Lindsay Lohan. I am always excited to see the next batch of Lohanigans that she will get herself into next. If it is a recurring role on a popular television show, then so be it. There are far worse career moves that a girl can make. When she shows up and is motivated, the girl can act. Go back and watch Mean Girls. Before all the cocaine and sex romps, Lohan did some real good work and was *gasp* kind of funny. If she can keep her shit together, she has a chance to be funny on an Emmy winning show.

Seth Roy: Fact- I have a confession to make: I don't watch Ugly Betty. So, maybe I can't say whether I like the idea of Lohan on the show because of any effect she'll have on the show. But! For Lohan's own personal issues, it would be great to see her have a successful turn on a, seemingly, top-notch show. Maybe it will jumpstart her career again. Also, Britney's turn as a guest star on a sitcom worked well for her.

Score: 2 for 2

3. What Happens in Vegas will be a huge box office flop.

Nick Wallander: Fiction- High school girls like Ashton Kutcher. High school boys like Cameron Diaz. Most high school girls like to go on dates with high school boys. High school boys are horny little bastards and will do anything if they think they are going to get some. This might include seeing a sub-par formulaic romantic comedy as an excuse to spend some time in the dark with their hottie. Think about it....

Seth Roy: Fiction- Did you know that Ashton Kutcher is 30? 30! Crazy. The star power will insure this movie isn't a flop, and though it looks somewhat conventional, it could still be entertaining. Both Kutcher and Cameron Diaz are entertaining in their own right. As for the date theory...That could very well be true. Though, I'm not much for paying $8 just to make out with someone.

Score: 3 for 3

Switch!!!

4. You're saddened that Men In Trees was canceled.

Seth Roy: Fiction- I had no clue what Men In Trees was before I was asked this question. So, no, I am not saddened. Looking it up on Wikipedia, I guess I've been missing the show for about two years now. And I don't feel too bad about that.

Nick Wallander: Fiction- I didn't even know that it was canceled. All my lady friends tell me how amazing the show is, but I never really got that vibe in the few episodes that I saw. You can't create a show on a major network that only appeals to women. It will rarely work, just like shows geared directly toward men won't work as well. I would be more upset if some show with great potential like Chuck ends up scrapped when the networks announce their fall schedules. Mr. Roy is spot on about not even knowing what the show was. I just asked my roommate if he heard about the show being canceled, which prompted him to give me a blank stare. Nobody is really going to miss this one.

Score: 4 for 4

5. You're genuinely happy for Robert Downey Jr.'s current success in light of everything that he's been through.

Seth Roy: Fact- Absolutely, I'm happy for the guy. I've thoroughly enjoyed him in Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, Good Night, and Good Luck, Zodiac and A Scanner Darkly. And, by all accounts, his turn as Iron Man is spectacular, as well (though I haven't seen it.) Any time someone can clean his/her life up and still have a successful career is great. How could you not be happy for him? Maybe Lindsay Lohan can take some notes from Downey.

Nick Wallander: Fact- Damn you, Seth Roy! You beat me to the blatant Lohan reference. She should take some notes and then come to the Mr. Wallander rehab clinic located downstairs in my bedroom. Okay, now back to the subject at hand. I am impressed as hell that Robert Downey Jr. has seemingly cleaned up his life. That is not an easy task when you are a Hollywood star living a lifestyle that gives you plenty of opportunities to f*ck up. I've loved what the guy has done recently, especially his understated role in Zodiac. He deserved an Oscar nomination for that. But yeah, I am happy for him. You should be too.

Score: 5 for 5

6. You want to strangle Ryan Reynolds for taking Scarlett Johansson off the market.

Seth Roy: Fiction- I'm actually more disappointed that Ryan Reynolds is of the market... Juuuuuuust kidding. Any way, no I don't care that Scarlett Johansson is off the market (coincidentally: My fiancée is probably reading this right now...) . In fact, good for them, and I hope it works out. I don't really know what the big deal about her is. She looks fine, and all, but, whatever. I actually haven't seen much she's been in, other than In Good Company, which I loved. I don't know if I see Alex Foreman getting married to Van Wilder, but whatever.

Nick Wallander: Fiction- Scarlett is a true beauty, but at the end of the day I can accept reality that I don't know her nor ever will. It's not like seeing some crush getting together with some tool you don't like. In fact, I should be giving Reynolds a high five for reeling her in. He is living the dream, my friends! I am a little jealous, but not enough to strangle the man.

Final Score: 6 for 6

DAMN YOU RYAN REYNOLDS! DAMN YOU TO HELL!!!

Er, uh, whoops? Sorry about that kneejerk outburst. Very unprofessional of me. My bad.

After several consecutive weeks of participants splitting the difference, Seth and Nick team up to complete a reverse no-hitter. Many thanks to them both for their solid contributions to the cause.

Useless Trivia Question of the Week

As you may remember, there was no contest last week as I was starting to get pissed about people posting the answers in the comments section. Hopefully things are ironed out on the 411 end in that regards, but as an extra precaution I will respectfully ask every one to NOT post the answers in the comments section. Of course, that right now will probably incite the one asshole in the bunch to do just that. Oh, well. What are you going to do?

And to the last contest winner, Chris, the letter is on the way. Sincere apologies for the wait. (And my bad penmanship)

Rules: First person to email me with the correct answer as well as their home address within the continental U.S. shall receive a hand-written letter from yours truly. Previous winners are ineligible, but can still write in to continuously prove what big brains they have.

Question: What does the "M" on Speed Racer's helmet and the hood of his car stand for/signify?

WAR KITTENS?!
-BP