SLC PUNK

I just watched SLC Punk I had forgotten what an interesting movie that it is. If you like punk music the soundtrack alone is worth listening to. But that really is not the most interesting aspect of the movie. It is really an existential exploration of what the punk movement meant to people in the 1980's. Or more accurately what punk meant to one man.

I would put it into the same category as Fight Club because it really is asking what a person is supposed to do as they move from childhood to adolescence to adulthood. It is really a question of how do you stay authentic within a scene like that when to be authentic is to not move forward in life. As the characters in the film grow older they begin to split apart and cracks start to form in their friendships as the real world starts to intrude on the adolescent existence.

A girl in the movie finally asks the main character why he is trying so hard to look a certain way. She says wouldn't it be more rebellious to just leave your hair alone and not spend all your time trying to find punky clothes to wear. She had realized that the whole scene was dying and had become basically one big Halloween party where everyone was beginning to look exactly the same. That is the problem with any group movement when people have to start wearing a uniform to be what they think is an individual.

That is the sad nature of the punk scene today. I see these kids roaming around the town looking exactly like the punks did when I was in highschool. Nothing has changed. The world hasn't been destroyed the system of capitalism hasn't fallen apart. Corporate Amerika hasn't eaten itself (though it might in the future) . There is no scene, nothing is original anymore it is only a variant on what has gone before. It isn't about selling out or even buying in.

It is just about doing what you want to do and not being worried about whatever particular scene you want to fit into.

Top 5 Worst Remakes!!

I wrote an article for my friend Christophers Blog on my Top 5 Worst Film remakes and I wanted to post it hear as well. I intend to write more on here as I move toward a set schedule of some sort.

Hello my few and I hope loyal readers. I am sorry that I was not able to make an appearance on CT’s blog the last couple of weeks but the real world got in the way. That is all taken care of and I am now back to ask you this question.

When it comes to film, why make a remake? As we move further into the 2000’s it seems that Hollywood is having a harder and harder time coming up with new and fresh ideas. Oh sure there are always a few new films that surprise us but even those it seems come from the world of graphic novels and literature and not just appearing on screen for the first time fresh as if they have been taken from their mothers womb.

So, why make a remake? Is it all about the money? Well certainly a large part of it is. But, that can’t be the only reason. Perhaps, the power behind the remake had such a deep respect and love for the original material that they wanted to make a remake as a tribute to the original. I can understand that desire but I wonder if the love for the source material is such that they are unable to look back with a clear eye at it.

Maybe they think the original missed something and that they can retell the story making it that much better. That their vision will be clearer and more nuanced then the original. But sadly more often then not the remake misses the mark and what ends up on screen is either nothing like the original, is insulting to the fans of the original, or so much like the original that it makes you wonder why they bothered at all. Why not just re-release the original?

I think that my top five worst remakes are a pretty simple list and my reasons run from lack of money made to just being a bad film or I felt that it didn’t really need to be remade in the first place.

1. Psycho (1998) A shot for shot color remake by Gus Van Sant of one of the best films of all time let alone one of the best black and white films of all time. A remake that didn’t need to be made.
2. Planet of the Apes (2001) this had some potential but it was just not a good film. There really wasn’t anything likeable about it.
3. Transformers (2007) this film had several problems for me. The biggest one being Michael Bay with him directing the only way I would have wanted to see this film less was if it starred Tom Cruise. I mean come on roller bladeing robots?
4. The Manchurian Candidate (2004) This was directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Denzel Washington, both of whom I like, but it just didn’t work for me. The original in 1962 is just an amazing film that really keeps you glued to your seat and the ending will blow your mind.
5. The Nutty Professor (1996) This travesty of a remake of the classic Jerry Lewis film was just sad for me to watch as Eddie Murphy attempted to fill Lewis’ shoes and failed miserably.

Well that is my top 5 or bottom 5 if you would rather. What are your thoughts agree or disagree please tell me why?

*Incidentally, a prequel to the miserable Planet of the Apes remake is planned.

Weekend Top 10!!

It was a sad weekend for Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana fell out of the number 1 slot. Who dethroned her you ask, well it was another product of the Disney machine Zac Efron, (He really has done well since graduating from "High School Musical") , starring in yet another remake of "Freaky Friday" a little film called "17 Again". I complain and complain about these remakes but I guess it doesn't matter because Hollywood keeps cranking them out and you lousy mouth breathers go to watch them. So after that abusive and baseless accusation here is the weekends Top 10.

1. “17 Again,” $24.1 million.

2. ” State of Play ,” $14.1 million.

3. “Monsters vs. Aliens,” $12.9 million. ($163,723,000 total)

4. ” Hannah Montana: The Movie ,” $12.7 million. ($56,133,000 total)

5. “Fast & Furious,” $12.3 million. ($136,720,610 total)

6. ” Crank: High Voltage ,” $6.5 million.

7. “Observe and Report,” $4.1 million. ($18,692,000 total)

8. “Knowing,” $3.5 million. ($73,698,556 total)

9. “I Love You, Man,” $3.4 million. ($64,657,000 total)

10. ” The Haunting in Connecticut ,” $3.2 million. ($51,920,000 total)

[source = mediabynumbers ]

FOX Network Sucks!!!!

There I said it and by and large I believe it. But, every now and then something comes along that makes me say "Hey, maybe they are willing to be creative and try something a little different." Of course this all means nothing if they do not let the show stay on the air for a few seasons and gain some fans. That said I want you to watch this preview of an up coming show and tell me what you think. I will freely admit that I am a sucker for musicals. Now watch this while I dance around the room and make jazz hands!!

My 10 Favorite Shows That Were Canceled To Soon!!

I watch a fair amount of television, well to be honest I watch my television on the computer using HULU and other free television services. That said I grew up watching a lot of television. I have fond memories of being home after school and sitting down in front of KPTV Channel 12 and watching The Brady Bunch followed I believe by Gilligan's Island then an episode of Wonder Woman or Buck Rogers and often there would be some Starsky and Hutch as well as a Battlestar Gallactica thrown in there. I really think that in some ways before cable when television was syndicated it was a better time. I do not think that more channels has made fore better television. Sure there are more choices out there but when the choices are just different levels of crap it kind of sucks. But, I realize that often there are good shows out there that just disappear. That the fan base just didn't show up for or perhaps the network really picked a crappy time slot or the network didn't care about them. That being said I bring to you my top 10 favorite shows that were ended to soon.

1. WKRP in Cincinnati - A really excellent show and one that failed really because of network stupidity I believe.

2. Arrested Development - Another show that really proved how stupid the executives at Fox really are.

3. The Ben Stiller Show - This may be a controversial choice but I think this is some of Ben Stillers best work and often far better then his movies. An example of both fans and Fox (again) executives just not getting it.

4. Firefly - Oh look, three in a row for Fox!! Though, I would contend that if the show had continued I am not sure if the quality would have stood up.

5. Freaks and Geeks - A really, really, good show. One that scored on all levels and the cast has by and large gone on to bigger and better things. I blame NBC for not knowing how it market what they had. Maybe it is possible to be to smart for television.

6. Andy Richter Controls The Universe - I think this show was ahead of its time. It really seems like people just did not get it. Oh and surprise, surprise Fox (again).

Change of plans. I am stopping at 6 because it is just to depressing to go on. So tell me what your favorite canceled shows are. I look forward to hearing from you.

Hannah Montana is # 1 !

It was a big weekend for Disney and Miley Cyrus as her Hannah Montana movie took in an estimated $34 million at the box office in what was Hollywood's biggest Easter weekend ever. The top 10 is listed below. (Media By Numbers)

1. Hannah Montana- The Movie Disney $34M

2. Fast & Furious Universal $28.7 M

3. Monsters Vs. Aliens Paramount $22.6 M

4. Observe and Report Warner Bros. $11.1 M

5. Knowing Summit Ent. $6.6 M

6. I Love You Man Paramount $6.4 M

7. Haunting in Conn. Lionsgate $5.7M

8. Dragonball Evo. Fox $4.6M

9. Adventureland Miramax $3.4 M

10. Duplicity Universal $2.9 M

Now, there are some enjoyable movies on that list. Are they movies of quality? Will that depends on what you are looking for in a movie. I really enjoyed "I Love You Man" but was it a film that really used cinema to tell me something that I didn't know about myself or shine a light on something in the world that I did not fully understand? No, it di not. But, what it did do was entertain me and I did not feel that my $9 dollars was wasted at the movies. Often, that is all people are looking for and there is no harm in that.

Revenge of the Nerds!!

I just wanted to give everybody a heads up as one of my all time favorite comedy movies. Hell, I am willing to call it one of my all time favorite movies. It seems that the glorious people at Hulu have just loaded up "Revenge of the Nerds". So please join me and watch the adventures of Lewis and the rest of the nerds in their quest to become Lamda, Lambda, Lamda!

You know that you love it!!

Sam Jackson to be Furious for Nine more times.

In news that really makes me scratch my head it seems that Samuel L. Jackson has signed a 9 picture deal with Marvel to play Nick Fury. I am not sure what to make of it. Let alone the fact that I do not buy Jackson as Nick Fury but I will wait to complain about that until the Avengers movie and I am proven pleasantly wrong or correct. I mean 9 more Marvel films?

Lets do the math. The first "Spiderman" pretty good movie and one I liked. "Spiderman 2" the slide downwards begins and by "Spiderman 3" the bottom had pretty much been hit. The trend pretty much continues with the rest of the Marvel films that have been made. Well except for Daredevil but that was just so bad. The "Punisher" films have all sucked. The first "X-Men" movie followed the same progression a steady downward slope. "Ghost Rider" sucked to begin with. I could go on and on.

So from a finance point I think I see what Marvel is doing. According to CHUD this model is the new plan for Marvel - "low paychecks per movie, but with a 9 movie option." While I like the continuity that this gives for the viewer I am not sure why a film star would sign on for this type of thing. Though I guess it could be about the easy money because I do not see Nick Fury being anything but a bit part in most if the potential Marvel movies coming up.

It will be interesting to see what is next for Marvel it looks like "Thor" will be next so we shall see. I do not have high hopes.

"Arrested Development" the movie is a go!!

Well, well, well, in big news for fans of smart television EOnline is reporting that Michael Cera has signed on the the long rumored "Arrested Development" movie. I am kind of ambivalent about this news. It looks like the whole cast is returning and that is a plus. Also according to EOnline Mitchell Hurwitz is writing the script and will also be directing that is a plus as well.

I wonder though, as much as I loved the show, is a movie really needed for this? But, if, I am going to ask that question then I have to ask, is a movie ever really needed, I do not think so. It just seems like some stories are deeper then others and the more shallower stories are what gets turned into films.

I am not saying that television is better then movies because both mediums are primarily full of crap. I also think that since the mediums are so driven by the consumer they tend to highlight the worst aspect of people. But that is a little deep for this particular blog.

The television fan inside of me is just going "WHEE!!" I can't wait for this movie and I hope I am as happy about it when I am sitting in the theatre on opening night. I mean there is always money in the Banana Stand.

Friday bits-n-pieces

It has been a pretty slow week entertainment wise at least what I find interesting anyway but I thought I would mention some things that are coming in the future that might be fun to watch or talk about or just to keep an eye on.

The first thing being according to EW it seems that Jonah Hill (Superbad) and Max Winkler (Fonzies son) have written a script that was just sold to Universal Pictures for seven figures. Now the cost in and of itself is not a surprise to me but some other bloggers feel that everything happened so fast that there is no way that the script has even been read by anyone. Irregardless of that it looks like Jonah and Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore) are slated to star in it and negotions are being conducted with Akiva Schaffer (Lonely Island) to direct. I see potential with this but really not much else right now. So I am marking it as somthing for you to keep an eye on.

The second thing is really more of an I told you so because it looks like Kevin James (Paul Blart: Mall Cop) has just signed with MGM to star in "The Zookeeper" the story centers on a lonely zookeeper who decides to leave his job because he can’t meet a girl, leading to an intervention by the zoo’s animals. What the heck? Why is this even being made? Is it off the strength of Paul Blart? Because I just can't imagine even reading a treatment of that script and saying hey here is a good idea lets throw millions of dollars at it. What a waste of celluoid.

And lastly back on the useless remake tip John Travolta is already filming a remake of
"The Taking of Pelham One Two Three"



Now this is a classic movie based on a book by Morton Freedgood. Now this will be the third remake of this film. WHY? WHY? WHY? Is it that hard to come up with new ideas? It does not surprise me that this has been made because obviously creativity is almost dead in Hollywood.

Seth Rogan VS Kevin James

In an almost mind blowing act of coincidence there is another movie about a mall cop scheduled to be released. I am speaking of the Seth Rogan vehicle "Observe and Protect" (it appears that the title has been changed from "Observe and Report) So perhaps we are witness to a new genre being born. The genre of the mall cop, perhaps I was to quick to dismiss the power of Paul Blart (The Original Mall Cop) because after seeing the trailer that I am posting below. (Redband may be NSFW) you will be enlightened.



I actually enjoyed this preview but I will confess to being a Rogan fan from back when he was on the truly inspired "Freaks and Geeks" see it if you get a chance. So I am a little biased to begin with but I felt that I watched the trailer with an open mind and I was pleasantly surprised. So let me know what you think. Though I wonder does Ray Liotta consider this a step down from "Good Fellas" or a step up from "Wild Hogs".

Who Doesn't Love Will Ferrell?

The trailer for the remake of "Land of the Lost" has just hit the web and while I normally do not care for remakes. I do think that when they go the comedic route they can sometimes be funny. So as a courtesy to my, I believe possibly 3 or 4 readers, I wanted to post the trailer. Also a big shout out to my buddy Joel he is easily the biggest Will Ferrell fan that I know and I am sure he will be camping out for this one as he has for all the other Will Ferrell film openings.



As always there is no need to thank me Joel. I just hope I am helping to make your dreams of an all Will Ferrell all the time world a reality. Because as you always like to remind me "He truly is the funniest man alive."

Baseball = "Moneyball"

According to Variety both Brad Pitt and Steven Soderbergh are in talks to work on "Moneyball" a Columbia Pictures adaptation of a book written by Michael Lewis titled "Moneyball: The Art of Winning An Unfair Game.". I am a little bit interested in this for a couple of reasons. I like Brad Pitt and most of the time I enjoy his work. I do not think that anything he does in the future is going to ever rival "Fight Club" for me but he is still doing good work. The other reason that I am interested in this story is because the book is about when Billy Beane took the Oakland A's to the brink of the World Series despite having a payroll that was far less then the majority of the teams in major league baseball.

I am just wondering how they are going to make this into an interesting movie. I do think that Beane's ideas have translated into a change in Baseball in terms of teams deciding whether or not to pay the big saleries. I just wonder where the suspense or comedy is going to come from. I would think that this is a story better suited to a documentary but I have been wrong before.

Oh No They Didn't !!

I hate to harp on the remake issue and Hollywood but they keep bringing it to the forefront. It seems that they have no respect for the films that have come before. I am just tired of what is going on in Hollywood today. That being said. This is what has me riled up today. I am sure that most, if not all, of my readers are aware of a little film called "Slapshot". I would say, if asked, that this film is easily in my top 5 sports films of all time.


Well as it turns out "Slapshot" has been slated to be remade. According to Variety

" Universal Pictures is ready to drop the puck on its "Slap Shot" remake, setting Parisot" href="http://www.variety.com/profiles/people/main/31780/Dean%20Parisot.html?dataSet=1">Dean Parisot to direct the redo of the 1977 hockey comedy classic.Peter Steinfeld ("21") is penning the script; Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall will produce.The original starred Paul Newman as the fading player/coach of a minor league hockey team. Trying to hype the Charlestown Chiefs for a possible move South, the coach ramps up interest by turning his team into a group of brawling thugs.When Steinfeld took the writing job and spoke about it last summer, Internet pundits were critical of the notion of updating a favorite sports film. Yet such nostalgic resistance certainly did not hurt "The Longest Yard, remake, a global hit that grossed far more than the original.Parisot last helmed a remake of another comedy "Fun With Dick and Jane."

Maybe it is a little early for me to get upset about this. I might enjoy the treatment, but, what concerns me is the precedent that this is setting. It seems that any film is allowable to be remade and that just is not right. So that being said, I was wondering if there were any films that you guys feel are to special to be remade. I am going to write next about the films that I feel should not ever be remade in any way shape or form. So lets hear about it.

Super Sunday Movie Ads!! (Budweiser Sucks)

As well as yesterday being the Pittsburgh Steelers record setting 6th Super Bowl win, it was also a day for lousy Budweiser commercials. I mean come on no body cares about some stupid Budweiser horses!! A horse that follows his love to the circus and she runs off with him. I just can't believe that they are paying people to make these commercials. But I did not start this post to complain about Budweiser and believe me I could fill a post on the piss like nature of that rice fueled beer.

I wanted to address the movie promos that were shown. I felt that there were some pretty exciting previews (well maybe 3) but the rest were pretty lame as usual. So without further ado I will give you my top three.

1.

I know there are people who are tired of Jack Blacks shtick but I think he is very talented and I like it. I also have to give it points for the Old Testament biblical reference.

2.

I was not excited about this at first but the preview did it's job for me. So get over it

3.

Another actor that generates severe hatred is Will Ferrell but I find him humorous and this is my list so suck it. There were also ads for another "Fast and the Furious" called "Fast and Furious" it looked lame. A new Tom Hanks film "Angels and Demons" lame again. Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) in "Race To Witch Mountain" another film on the remake tip and lame. I need to stop there because the rest of the films were just so pathetic. I do not have high hopes for film in the upcoming year but it does look like comedies might be strong. I am also hesitant to jump on the "Watchman" bandwagon but I am willing to withhold judgment.

Any thought on the ads feel free to comment below.

Paul Blart : What Did I Tell You!!!

Well, well, well it looks like the first example of the genius of myself has appeared and it took less then a week. If you recall in my opening post about the death of cinema and the evil that is modern Hollywood I postulated the theory that they would already be working on a sequel to 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop". Well it has happened, potentially, because according to the LA Times there is a chance for a sequel. I would say that I am surprised but I am not this is just typical of Hollywood.

Hilary Duff to replace Faye Dunaway??

In yet another example of the idiocy that runs rampant in Hollywood. Hilary Duff has been picked to star in what they are claiming is not a remake but a retelling of the story of "Bonnie and Clyde". If you ask me that still sounds like a remake because, now I know this may be hard for some of you mouth breathers to grasp, it has been made before! When a story has been told and then is retold with new actors playing the role of the old actors that is a remake!! When asked her thoughts on the new film Faye Dunaway reportedly said "Couldn't they at least cast a real actress?" I love it sharpen up those nails ladies!!

The original "Bonnie and Clyde" was made in 1967 and was nominated for 10 Oscars while winning 2 of them. I am not even going to bother telling you the name of the director of this new version or even who Clyde is because they really just do not matter. I really need to start writing my reboot of the "Sound of Music" I think I am going to set it in Iraq and I will make American soldiers the bad guys. What do you think? Sounds like a win to me!!

The A Team is Go!!

According to Reuters "A Plan Has Come Together" A big screen version of the A Team is set to hit screens in June 2010. Now, while this just seems to be more of the same crap with Hollywood , there is some potential for this to be a fun movie but I doubt it and these are just a few of my reasons. The first being Fox signed Joe Carnahan (Smokin Aces, Narc) to direct now while "Narc" was a fine movie "Smokin Aces" was a big pile of poo!! (In fact on my pile of poo meter I think I would give "Smokin Aces" two big piles of Poo!! It wasn't as bad as "Shoot 'em Up" but that is best left for another day)

They have exchanged Vietnam for the Middle East and are updating everything so we all know how will that usually works. I am just waiting for the announcement that one of the Judd Apatow guys is going to be Hannibal Smith and maybe Neil Patrick Harris as Faceman. What do you guys think the casting could be amazing.

I just do not have high hopes for this I am predicting a rehash of the same tired old jokes and the same tired old stunts but perhaps with some 'parkour' thrown in.

The Simpsons = Epic Fail

There was a time when I was young. When I used to look forward to the Simpsons. It seemed fresh and funny and sometimes clever. So it was with some anticipation that I sat down to watch the latest episode on HULU. (If you haven't tried www.hulu.com please do you will not regret it.) But the glories of Hulu aside and believe me I shall write about it one day. The latest episode of the Simpsons was really a pointless rip off of the classic Peter Jackson film "Heavenly Creatures" . This film was made in 1994 and is really an amazing film. There was nothing amazing or groundbreaking about this Simpsons episode in fact it failed utterly as both a homage and as a comedic episode. At what point did it seem like a good idea to rip off a film that was 15 years old and was loosely based on a tragic true story. Since when does this become fodder for comedy? It really seems to me that the Simpsons has jumped the shark and is now following the spiral toward the crap heap. I am just waiting for them to adopt a new cute kid. As it is Simpsons I bid you good day sir!!

"Worst Fail Ever"

Monday, January 26th, 2009

Have you ever truly asked yourself during times of trouble "What would so and so do in this situation"? Well I think the time has come for a new person to ask this question about and that person is Thomas Magnum.

You have to ask yourself what the hell is going in in the world when the number 1 movie in the country is Kevin James as Paul Blart : Mall Cop. It's not that I dislike Kevin James I found him actually pretty funny in "King of Queens" but my tastes run more toward Patton Oswalt and his style of humor. I might also add that this is the second week in a row at number 1. Now what does this mean is it a sign that movies and the movie making industry are just putting out big steaming piles and the average American movie goer has no taste? I think it is. Are things really that bad that we need this kind of entertainment? Come on people there has to be something else to do. When you spend money on movies like this it only encourages them and now I would be willing to bet that a sequal is in the works. In fact, I bet we are witnessing the birth of a new "Hey Vern" franchise and it is all your fault. If anyone has a reasonable response to my accusation please feel free to step up to the plate.