Monday, March 08, 2010
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Re-Run
So. DeNiro is working on making a sequel to Midnight Run. Given that my namesake originates in this movie, you'd think I'd be excited. However, it doesn't necessarily follow that Yaphet Kotto and his fabulous character would return as well (and given the indignity of his character popping up in a friggin Larry the Cable Guy movie two years ago, maybe that's for the best).
Other characters? Well, Grodin is still alive. So is Joey "Pants" and Dennis Farina. Just last week, I saw John Ashton (aka Marvin the Bounty Hunter) in Gone Baby Gone, so he's still kicking. Of course, bringing back characters simply because you can is not necessarily a good movie making strategy. Just look at Men in Black II (On second thought, don't).
Finally, I have to admit, I'd be interested in seeing what they do with this given that the last one ended (SPOILERS!) with DeNiro's character being given millions of dollars in cash and walking out into the night. There are some interesting prospects there. And I'll be interested in seeing it even if doesn't contain one solitary reference to really nice sunglasses.
Other characters? Well, Grodin is still alive. So is Joey "Pants" and Dennis Farina. Just last week, I saw John Ashton (aka Marvin the Bounty Hunter) in Gone Baby Gone, so he's still kicking. Of course, bringing back characters simply because you can is not necessarily a good movie making strategy. Just look at Men in Black II (On second thought, don't).
Finally, I have to admit, I'd be interested in seeing what they do with this given that the last one ended (SPOILERS!) with DeNiro's character being given millions of dollars in cash and walking out into the night. There are some interesting prospects there. And I'll be interested in seeing it even if doesn't contain one solitary reference to really nice sunglasses.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Clavin!
I'd been meaning to do a post on this subject for awhile now, but Salon has already beaten me to it. They currently have a slideshow up exhibiting the roster of B-list Hollywood celebrities who are vocal advocates of the right wing. Apparently, Victoria Jackson will be a (cough) headline guest speaker at the Tea Party Express kickoff event in Nevada.
I keep imagining her sharing a late night phone call with friend and former cast member Denis Miller and him convincing her that shilling for the GOP was a way back into the spotlight. And after reading her over-the-top comments about Obama sharing traits with the Anti-Christ, I have to imagine that either she is a total believer or she was really, really desperate for work and attention.
It's one thing the Salon piece does not touch upon: Citizens from the Midwest and the South will spit upon and besmirch any progressive thing a Hollywood entertainer has to say and immediately dismiss their opinion by virtue of their occupation and their place of residence. Yet throw them a conservative has-been who was once in a couple of good movies but has now hit the skids and suddenly right-wingers are drooling all over them with praise and respect.
The biggest surprise on the list is John Ratzenberger. Unlike many of the others in the Salon piece, he currently has a steady Hollywood paycheck as Pixar's lucky charm. How awkward must that be for him working with all those happy, contented liberals? I'm guessing he knows that Pixar will never let him go given their long term relationship, so he might as well speak his mind. That would place him squarely in the true believer category, which is all the more disappointing.
As for the rest, I'll be cynical and say that the exposure is the main lure. I'm not saying they don't have conservative convictions. I'm sure they do (and they're entitled to them). But I think cash drives them more than any particular cause. After all, they are Republicans.
I keep imagining her sharing a late night phone call with friend and former cast member Denis Miller and him convincing her that shilling for the GOP was a way back into the spotlight. And after reading her over-the-top comments about Obama sharing traits with the Anti-Christ, I have to imagine that either she is a total believer or she was really, really desperate for work and attention.
It's one thing the Salon piece does not touch upon: Citizens from the Midwest and the South will spit upon and besmirch any progressive thing a Hollywood entertainer has to say and immediately dismiss their opinion by virtue of their occupation and their place of residence. Yet throw them a conservative has-been who was once in a couple of good movies but has now hit the skids and suddenly right-wingers are drooling all over them with praise and respect.
The biggest surprise on the list is John Ratzenberger. Unlike many of the others in the Salon piece, he currently has a steady Hollywood paycheck as Pixar's lucky charm. How awkward must that be for him working with all those happy, contented liberals? I'm guessing he knows that Pixar will never let him go given their long term relationship, so he might as well speak his mind. That would place him squarely in the true believer category, which is all the more disappointing.
As for the rest, I'll be cynical and say that the exposure is the main lure. I'm not saying they don't have conservative convictions. I'm sure they do (and they're entitled to them). But I think cash drives them more than any particular cause. After all, they are Republicans.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Post-war Vienna at a reasonable price.
You never know what you're going to find at the Great Jacksonville Book Sale. In addition to buying books for a coworker, my wife and my baby daughter, I picked up a few things for myself: A paperback copy of the original Stainless Steel Rat novel and a copy of the website-inspired 100 Days of Monsters (of which they had over a dozen brand new copies).
Ah, but the piece de resistance was to be found not among the books, but among the DVD's. I didn't actually hit the DVD's first as I normally due because (a) I couldn't immediately locate it, (b) that area is always slammed first and (c) the pickings are usually slim anyway. But when I finally stumbled upon it, lo and behold between an old copy of Analyze That and a miscellaneous volume of Robotech was this:
My friends: Any day you can pick up a Criterion disc in good condition for two dollars is a great day.
Ah, but the piece de resistance was to be found not among the books, but among the DVD's. I didn't actually hit the DVD's first as I normally due because (a) I couldn't immediately locate it, (b) that area is always slammed first and (c) the pickings are usually slim anyway. But when I finally stumbled upon it, lo and behold between an old copy of Analyze That and a miscellaneous volume of Robotech was this:
My friends: Any day you can pick up a Criterion disc in good condition for two dollars is a great day.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Monday, March 01, 2010
Samuel L. Jackson Quote of the Month: March 2010
Ah, yes: Kiss of Death. When it was released, it was noted for David Caruso's first venture on the big screen after quitting NYPD Blue. That movie career didn't go as planned, but you can't blame the film. On it's own, it's a solid entry in the crime thriller genre.
Caruso gets plenty of help from his two costars. One is Nicholas Cage, who made this right before winning his Oscar and the film seems to foreshadow his eccentric, over-the-top roles to come. The other, of course, is Sam, who plays a cop named Calvin Heart. His character has a lot of pent up rage, and you can see it in his eyes as he describes the effects of being shot near the face.
Caruso gets plenty of help from his two costars. One is Nicholas Cage, who made this right before winning his Oscar and the film seems to foreshadow his eccentric, over-the-top roles to come. The other, of course, is Sam, who plays a cop named Calvin Heart. His character has a lot of pent up rage, and you can see it in his eyes as he describes the effects of being shot near the face.
Calvin Hart: "You see this eye, it runs all the time and does not stop. My left ear can only hear a third of the time, and whenever I go to the beach to see my kids, the sun gives me a migraine so bad that I cry like a baby."
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