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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

WRONG Tomatoes: Red Dawn


After 2 months without a post, I now present to you my new segment entitled "Wrong Tomatoes," where I take a film that I have seen and explain how the score that it's given on Rotten Tomatoes is wrong. In this first edition I will discuss the current remake of the 1984 film Red Dawn. As of today it has a score of 11% on RT.....eleven. The original holds a 53%.

So, let me explain to you the issues I have with this by telling you what was wrong with the original film. It lacked character development of any kind. Out of the 8-or-so teenagers that made up the guerrilla warfare group called the Wolverines, about 3 of them had a distinct personality. The others neither had any identifiable traits, nor did they have any sort of relationship with each other. This made it difficult to become emotionally attached to any of the characters. If an audience isn't attached emotionally, they no longer care about the outcome.

Also, throughout the entire film things keep happening that seem like they were included last minute. A scenario that stands out is where, towards the end of the film, Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze's characters are seen in a playful manner as the former intentionally sprinkles food crumbs onto the latter's head. They both get a laugh. However, before this instance, both characters hardly even acknowledge the other's presence. Shortly after this event, Jennifer Grey's character gets killed, which finally clears up the decision for randomly and absurdly including the prior sequence. It was things like this that really lead me to believe that the creators were more into the IDEA of the film, rather than how they will make it entertaining for the audience.

Now, the remake fixes many problems that the '84 version suffered from. The story didn't feel rushed and you actually saw relationships forming between the characters. The issues that they dealt with were more realistic and you saw most of the maturing as the film developed. I mean, it had some issues of its own, but they were minor compared to the distracting and frustrating ones from before.

I know it's hard to have a film that was so significant and meaningful at one point in time and then have it remade. But compared to some of the most recent remakes such as Footloose or Conan the Barbarian, this one wasn't too shabby. It threw in a couple of twists to make it distinguishable from the original and, in my opinion, became a better film because of it.

All nostalgia aside, the 1984 version is pretty below-average. Although relevant to the times, the original is far worse than the 2012 remake. I understand that remakes generally suck especially if it is of such a "legendary" film, but despite the significance of this film in a trivial sense (e.g. the first PG-13 release and Charlie Sheen's first film role), it's hard to classify it as a classic for anything other than its historical representation.

Now, I urge critics to see the remake as its own film first and then re-watch the original with a new frame of mind to make the comparison. The acting might not be at par, but neither was the '84 version's. It's not, by any means, a perfect movie, and I could probably write a whole article about how it's not, but it's hard to believe that it's worse than the original.

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 11%

What it SHOULD be: 64%

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Upcoming Biopics

If any of you are like me, you become fascinated by a celebrity, historical figure, or even an interesting true story, and think to yourself, "I wish they would just make a movie about it so I don't have to spend 25 minutes on reading the Wikipedia page!" But realistically, films can be a powerful tool in learning about something and retaining that information through the use of visuals. I mean, sure, many book versions are way better than the film adaptations, but I always say that 90% of the time it's worth seeing the movie first before determining whether or not you want to read the same story you just watched. However, as far as biopics go (biographical films), that number rises to 100% for me because I don't want to waste my time reading about somebody or something that I realize isn't all that interesting. And if I watch the film and it sparks my interest, I will usually go on a hunt to see what other books or articles I can find on the topic.

Anyway, I have been researching and compiled a list of any planned, rumored, or in-production films that I could find in order of release date. But I do want to warn you that towards the lower part of this list, many of the films may remain "in-development" forever. I put the subjects in bold for easier detection of what may look interesting to you...


Chasing Mavericks
Subject: Surfer, Jay Moriarity
Starring: Jonny Weston as Moriarity, and Gerard Butler as his mentor, Frosty Hesson
Director: Curtis Hanson and Michael Apted
Set in Northern California (Santa Cruz), this film covers the life and adventures of famed surfer, Jay Moriarity, and his search for the most dangerous wave in the area.
Release Date: October 26, 2012

Hyde Park on Hudson

Subject: Franklin D. Roosevelt
Starring: Bill Murray as Roosevelt
Director: Roger Michell
Taking place in 1939, this film covers the relationship of Roosevelt and his distant cousin with the same last name as they fall in love. (Don't make that face).
Release Date: November 7, 2012

Lincoln
Subject: The invention of Lincoln Logs--just kidding.
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln, Sally Field as his wife, Mary Todd, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as their son, Robert
Director: Steven Spielberg
Based on the book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Doris Kearns Goodwin, this film covers the last four months of Lincoln's life. And most importantly, the film will be scored by John Williams.
Release Date: November 16, 2012

Lovelace
Subject: Linda Boreman aka Linda Lovelace (adult film actress)
Starring: Amanda Seyfried as Lovelace, Peter Sarsgaard as her divorced husband, Chuck Traynor, and Sharon Stone as her mother, Dorothy Boreman. Also with James Franco, Sarah Jessica Parker, Adam Brody, and Hank Azaria.
Director: Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman
This film covers the star's persuaded entry into the adult film industry to her eventual denouncement of the business. Lovelace eventually became a spokeswoman for the anti-pornography movement.
Release Date: December 2012

The Grandmasters

Subject: Yip Man, Bruce Lee's mentor
Starring: Tony Leung as Man
Director: Wong Kar-wai
This film tells the story of the life of the Wing Chun grandmaster.
Release Date: December 18, 2012

Bolden!
Subject: Buddy Bolden
Starring: Anthony Mackie as Bolden. With Jackie Earle Haley.
Director: Dan Pritzker
Bolden was a jazz and ragtime coronet player back in the early 20th century. The tale goes that he was offered a deal that would make him the first jazz track ever to be put on record. He declined in paranoia that his songs would be stolen. He suffered from schizophrenia and was put into a mental institution, where he died. There are no recordings from the man that is claimed, by many, to be one of the most influential, if not THE most influential jazz musicians of the time. All that is left is his legend and mythical persona.
Release Date: 2012/2013 (as of now)

Captain Phillips

Subject: Captain Richard Phillips
Starring: Tom Hanks as Phillips
Director: Paul Greengrass
Based on his own memoirs, Phillips was the captain of a Maersk cargo ship when it became under attack by Somali pirates. He saved his crew by giving himself up as a hostage.
Release Date: March 22, 2013

42
Subject: Jackie Robinson
Starring: Chadwick Boseman as Robinson, Harrison Ford as executive manager, Branch Ricke, and Lucas Black as Pee Wee Reese
In 1947 the color barrier was broken by a brave guy who became the first black Major League Baseball player. This film is about the many obstacles he overcame.
Release Date: April 12, 2013

Rush
Subject: Formula One drivers, James Hunt and Niki Lauda
Starring: Chris Hemsworth as Hunt, and Daniel Bruhl as Lauda. Also with Olivia Wilde
Director: Ron Howard
This film focuses on the rivalry between Hunt and Lauda immediately following the 1976 crash that nearly killed the latter.
Release Date: September 20, 2013

The Wolf of Wall Street

Subject: Jordan Belfort
Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio as Belfort, and Jonah Hill as his best friend. Also with Jean Dujardin, Matthew McConaughey, Jon Favreau, and Rob Reiner
Director: Martin Scorsese
The real-life version of Gordon Gekko (Wall Street), Jordan Belfort, scams his way to being one of the top stock brokers of his time. His money and power soon catch up with him as the FBI attempts to take him down. This film is based on his own memoir which discusses rising to the top while maintaining your integrity.
Release Date: Fall 2013

Untitled Warren Beatty Project
Subject: Howard Hughes--NOT Warren Beatty
Starring: Warren Beatty as Hughes, and Felicity Jones as his love interest
Director: Warren Beatty
Aviator/Mogul Howard Hughes begins an affair with a much younger woman later in his life.
Release Date: Winter 2013

Foxcatcher
Subject: John du Pont
Starring: Steve Carell as du Pont, Mark Ruffalo as Olympic wrestler, David Schultz. Also with Channing Tatum.
Director: Bennett Miller.
Miller, who also directed 2005 biopic, Capote, comes back with this interesting casted film about a schizophrenic philanthropist (du Pont) who builds a wrestling training facility on his large estate. There, he shot and killed Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler, Shultz. He goes to prison, where he ends up dying in 2010, 14 years after the murder.
Release Date: Winter 2013

Joplin
Subject: Janis Joplin
Starring: Nina Arianda as Joplin
Director: Sean Durkin
Singer Janis Joplin died at the young age of 27 in 1970. Before that, she had become on of the most recognizable and popular music artists of the hippie era. This film is based on the book, Piece of My Heart, by David Dalton. This film has been in-development for awhile and everyone was attached to the title role, including singer, Pink, and Zooey Deschanel.
Release Date: Winter 2013

The Drummer
Subject: Dennis Wilson
Starring: Aaron Eckhart as Wilson, Chloe Moretz as his daughter, Jennifer.
Director: Randall Miller
As The Beach Boys are my favorite music act of all time, I am thrilled to say that there is finally a legitimate theatrical biopic related to them! The younger brother of musical genius, Brian Wilson, died in 1983 of an accidental drowning. This film will concentrate on the last 6 years of his life and his famous relationship with Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie (Vera Farmiga).
Release Date: 2013

Dirty White Boy
Subject: Russell Jones aka Ol' Dirty Bastard
Starring: Michael K. Williams as Jones
Director: Joaquin Baca-Asay
Ol' Dirty Bastard was a member of the legendary hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. He was known for his unique vocal delivery as well as his odd behavior offstage. Although this film is mainly about ODB, it focuses on his relationship Wu-Tang co-founder Jarred Weisfeld, who eventually became Jones' manager--which is how I believe this film got its name.
Release Date: 2013

Untitled Miles Davis Biopic
Subject: Miles Davis
Starring: Don Cheadle as Davis
Director: Don Cheadle
This list keeps getting better and better, as I have always wanted an official biopic on the late Miles Davis--one of music's most brilliant innovators. The film is, so far, about his life story.
Release Date: 2013

Mystery White Boy
Subject: Jeff Buckley
Starring: Reeve Carney as Buckley. Also with Patricia Arquette
Director: Jake Scott
This is one of two biopics involving the late Jeff Buckley that is scheduled for release in the next few years. Buckley was a musician on the rise of his career when he tragically drowned back in 1997. Before his death, he had only release one studio album. I guess James Franco was originally considered for this role.
Release Date: 2013

Diana
Subject: Princess Diana
Starring: Naomi Watts as Diana
Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel
This film will focus on the two-year secret love affair between the Princess and Dr. Hasnat Khan. It ended shortly before Diana died in a car crash in 1997. Although this fact, in my opinion, gives her false praise, I am not sure which direction this film will take.
Release Date: 2013

The Iceman
Subject: Killer, Richard Kuklinski
Starring: Michael Shannon as Kuklinski, and Winona Ryder as his wife, Deborah. Also with Ray Liotta, Chris Evans, and James Franco
Director: Ariel Vromen
Kuklinski was a contract killer, who committed most of his crimes between 1948 and 1986. Between those years, no one is sure how many people he murdered. Some say over 100 and some say over 250. He worked for the five major mob families in New York at the time. In 2006 he died in prison, 20 years after his arrest. This film is based on Anthony Bruno's book, The Iceman: The True Story of a Cold-Blooded Killer. Another film about Kuklinski, starring Mickey Rourke, was scheduled to be released in the coming years, but its status is still "in-development."
Release Date: 2013

Green Blade Rising
Subject: Abraham Lincoln....again....for the third time in 2 years
Starring: No word yet on who is playing Lincoln, but Diane Kruger is starring as his step-mother, and Jason Clarke as his father
Director: A.J. Edwards
Although the subject has been used a lot lately (by film standards), I believe that this film will be the most interesting because it revolves around the President's younger years and the people he met on his journey.
Release Date: 2013 (as of now)

The Longest Cocktail Party
Subject: The Beatles
Starring: N/A
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Based on the book by the same name by Richard DeLillo, who used to hold a gofer-like position over at Apple Records (The Beatles' own record studio). It focuses on the Fab Four between the years of 1968 and 1970. The score will by composed by Liam Gallagher from the band Oasis.
Release Date: 2013 (as of now)

Jobs
Subject: Steve Jobs
Starring: Ashton Kutcher as Jobs
Director: Joshua Michael Stern
This film concentrates of Jobs' life from when he dropped out of college to about the year 2000--a year before the first release of the iPod.
Release Date: 2013 (as of now)

All Is By My Side

Subject: Jimi Hendrix
Starring: Andre Benjamin (Andre 3000 from Outkast) as Hendrix. Also with Hayley Atwell.
Director: John Ridley
Wow! I never though this would ever happen! Not only is this film trying something completely different in its approach to making a music biopic, but it's not even doing it out of desperation. They're not using a single Hendrix song in the entire duration of the film about Hendrix! Although his estate is notorious for not granting the rights for the late musician's music to be used in any film so as to deter any filmmakers from making a biopic about him, the producers don't care because they weren't planning on using it anyway. This film is going to take place between 1966 and 1967, when Hendrix was still backing up other bands and in the process of getting discovered. It won't cover any of the short career leading up to his death in 1970. Well, either way, I don't think the representatives of the estate are too fond of this quasi-loophole, as they were quoted in saying, "[a film about Hendrix without Hendrix music is like] a movie about Lincoln without being able to use the Gettysburg Address." Mmm...yeah...not sure that's a good comparison because I would like to think that there was more to Lincoln's life than the Civil War--in fact, there's a film about it coming out in a year or so. However, I can respect their concern for not wanting the deceased musician to become a posthumous sell-out, but that is a debate for a different post.
Release Date: 2013 (as of now)

Straight Outta Compton

Subject: Rap group, N.W.A.
Starring: N/A
Director: F. Gary Gray
Although no information has been released regarding who is starring in this film, valid sources confirm that they are in the principle photography stage of this movie. In case you don't know, N.W.A. was a rap supergroup that had about a 5 year run in the late '80s/early '90s, while helping to pioneer the gangsta rap subgenre. The group consisted of Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, MC Ren, and the late Eazy-E. Their music sparked up controversy because of their violent and explicit lyrics, which pushed the envelope of the unwritten music "code." Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and Eazy-E's widow, Tomica are all producers on this project.
Release Date: 2013 (as of now)

Blonde
Subject: Marilyn Monroe
Starring: Naomi Watts as Monroe
Director: Andrew Dominik
Yet another biopic about Marilyn. While living such a short life, she sure created a whole lot of stories about herself. This one seems to be an unusual take on the star's life. The film, much like the fictional memoir it's based upon by Joyce Carol Oates, roots itself in true stories but then takes itself away on a semi-fictional account of Ms. Monroe's life. The author, herself, even calls her book a piece of fiction. I think it will be interesting to see how this turns out. And it will also be interesting to see how many die-hard Marilyn will become livid after watching this film.
Release Date: 2013 (as of now)

The Right Profile

Subject: Joe Strummer of The Clash
Starring: N/A
Director: Julie Delpy
As a film about the punk-rock pioneers, one would think that this project is moving along very quickly with funding by all sorts of musicians and music moguls. Well, last I heard, it isn't. However, I can't wait until its release. It will concentrate on the time around the making of their legendary London Calling album.
Release Date: 2013 (probably later, but hopefully not)

Untitled Tupac Biopic
Subject: Tupac Shakur
Starring: N/A
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Much like the Notorious B.I.G. biopic, Notorious, released back in 2009, this film will chronicle the life and early death of Biggie's west-coast equivalent.
Release Date: 2013 (as of now)

Hitchcock
Subject: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Anthony Hopkins as Hitchcock, Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh, Jessica Biel as Vera Miles, and Helen Mirren as his wife, Alma Reville
Director: Sacha Gervasi
Originally called Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho tells about Hitchcock's life during the making of the legendary film, and his struggles with getting the film financed and with the controversy following its release. It will also tell of his relationship with his wife. This behind-the-scenes look on the man's life is supposed to be a drama just as much as a comedy.
Release Date: Winter 2013 (as of now)

Saving Mr. Banks

Subject: Walt Disney
Starring: Tom Hanks as Disney, Emma Thompson as PL Travers, Colin Farrell as Travers Robert Goff, Jason Schwartzman and B.J. Novak as the Sherman Brothers. Also with Paul Giamatti.
Director: John Lee Hancock
I couldn't have chosen a cooler story for Walt Disney's first film portrayal. The story is Walt's attempt to persuade the author of Mary Poppins book series, PL Travers, to allow him to bring the characters to life on film. It seems as though there will be scenes involving Travers as a young girl, because Farrell, who plays her father, is much younger than Thompson. The Sherman brothers were Disney's go-to songwriters for most of his films of the time. Giamatti plays Travers' Los Angeles chauffeur. No word yet as to who will portray Julie Andrews or Dick van Dyke, or if they will even be involved.
Release Date: 2013

Long Walk to Freedom
Subject: Nelson Mandela
Starring: Idris Elba as Mandela, and Naomie Harris as his wife at the time (both rumored, but most likely)
Director: Justin Chadwick
The long-awaited film based on political activist and former South African President's autobiography of the same name, which covers all of Mandela's life up until he was released from prison in 1990, and shortly afterwards.
Release Date: 2013 (as of now)

The Butler
Subject: White House Butler, Eugene Allen
Starring: Forest Whitaker as Cecil Gaines (fictionalized depiction of Allen), Oprah Winfrey as his wife, Helen, Robin Williams as President Eisenhower, James Marsden as President Kennedy, Liev Schreiber as President Johnson, John Cusack as President Nixon, Alan Rickman as President Reagan. Also with Jane Fonda, Melissa Leo, Alex Pettyfer, Lenny Kravitz, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Vanessa Redgrave, Mariah Carey, and others.
Director: Lee Daniels
With a star-studded cast, which hopefully won't overshadow the quality of the film, this project revolves around the real-life butler, Eugene Allen, who served in the White House for 8 Presidents (Truman through Reagan). Ford, Carter, and Truman are left out of this movie due to time constraints (although, somehow, Obama gets a depiction). According to filmmakers, the movie will deal with a fictional butler (Gaines) inspired by the real guy (Allen), and surrounded by non-fictional events and details. I guess they just thought that the dramatization of the real man's personal life would be unfair to him and his family, and therefore shouldn't be depicted on screen. Either way, I think this is going to be an awesome film and can't wait til it's in the can.
Release Date: 2013

Jersey Boys
Subject: Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
Starring: N/A
Director: Jon Favreau
If anyone hasn't seen this musical in stage format, go out and see it asap! It's truly amazing! I just hope that the film can live up to the expectations of the source material. It chronicles the legendary singing group's beginnings through stardom. I'm also happy to see Favreau on board to direct this film. I just hope the cast isn't too ridiculous and catering to the younger crowd in order to increase popularity amongst them.
Release Date: 2013 (as of now)
Marco Polo Project
Subject: Marco Polo
Starring: No word as to who plays Polo, but Li Gong from Memoirs of a Geisha will play a Mongolian Empress
Director: Tarsem Singh
Although this film is mostly in English, it focuses itself on the Venetian explorer's productive escapades in China in the 13th century.
Release Date: 2014

Girls Like Us
Subject: Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Carly Simon
Starring: Taylor Swift as Mitchell. The others are yet to be determined.
Director: Katie Jacobs (rumored)
If you know nothing about these 3 singers (not Taylor Swift), then you should study up. They are 3 of the best (if not THE best) female songwriters and lyricists of all time. Based on the book by Sheila Weller, it will take place in the '60s when all three of them came to prominence. I'm SO glad Taylor Swift is to play the leading role because she has proved to us before that she is an amazing actress! I just hope they get a really talented actor, like Taylor Lautner, to play a supporting role.
Release Date: 2014 (as of now)

Steve Jobs
Subject: Steve Jobs (no, that's not a typo)
Starring: N/A
Director: N/A, although I think I can confirm that the screenplay will be adapted by Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network and Moneyball)
This film is based on the biography of the same name, which was released less than 3 weeks after Jobs' death in 2011. And it's interesting because the author, Walter Isaacson, worked very closely with Jobs while composing this book and interviewed the man over 40 times in 2 years, as well as interviewing his family, friends, colleagues, and "enemies," all while Jobs encouraged them to speak with complete honesty. So, after 2014 everyone will be caught up on the life of Steve Jobs (assuming they see the movies).
Release Date: 2014

A Kind of Magic
Subject: Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury
Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen as Mercury
Director: N/A
Here is another film which, after mixed feelings by bandmates, has finally gotten on track. Queen was one of the biggest rock sensations out of the '80s, and they were one of few bands that echoed the voices and styles of the productive decade that preceded it. And they were led by extravagant singer and composer, Freddie Mercury. This film will follow the band's formation and career up until the Live Aid benefit concert in 1985. Mercury died in 1991 due to the AIDS virus, which he kept private up until shortly before he died.
Release Date: 2014 (as of now)

Londongrad
Subject: KGB spy, Alexander Litvinenko
Starring: Michael Fassbender as Litvinenko (unconfirmed)
Director: Rupert Wyatt (unconfirmed)
I hadn't heard of this story until I discovered the planned film under Johnny Depp's production banner, Infinitum Nihil.  It revolves around the life and mysterious death of Litvinenko, former KGB spy. In 1998, the man attempted to blow the whistle on a conspiracy of one of his superiors and was subsequently arrested because of it. After being acquitted, he fled to the United Kingdom and wrote a couple books where he revealed much more information. In 2006, he was poisoned, fell ill, and died. There's a whole lot more to this story, but I'm sure it will all be told in this film which I'm definitely going to see...if it ever gets made.
Release Date: 2014 (as of now)

Einsenstein in Guanajuato
Subject: Filmmaker, Sergei Eisenstein
Starring: N/A
Director: Peter Greenaway
Few people nowadays have heard of the brilliant Russian filmmaker, but he happens to be one of, if not THE most ingenious directors of the 20th century. Starting his career in the silent film era, Eisenstein rejected Hollywood and America, pretty much, as he was a Soviet Russian. However, modern directors and film connoisseurs must recognize the man's contribution to the process. He made revolutionary steps forward in film making by pioneering the use of montage, which is a theory in film that takes a forward-looking understanding of editing. Well this film, in particular, concentrates on Eisensteins trip to Mexico in 1930 with the intent of researching and making the impactful film Que Viva Mexico!, which became an abandoned project for him (and I'm aware that "impactful" is not a word).
 Release Date: 2013/2014

Kaze Tachinu
Subject: Aeronautical Engineer, Jiro Horikoshi
Starring: N/A
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
This will be an animated biopic, based on the book of the same name, about the life of the engineer who designed the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter planes that were used by the Japanese army in World War II, most notably used to bomb Pearl Harbor back in 1941.
Release Date: 2013/2014

Queen of the Desert

Subject: Gertrude Bell
Starring Naomi Watts as Bell, and Robert Pattinson as T.E. Lawrence
Director: Werner Herzog
As Watts gets more and more placements in these biopics, it makes me wonder why there aren't better suited actresses, but oh well. In this film she portrays British political atache for the turn of the 20th century. Before that she was a well-renowned traveler, which helped her get the job for His Majesty. Together, with Lawrence (of Arabia), they helped Britain revolutionize several Middle Eastern countries, such as Iraq and, what is known now as Jordan. Mind you, this was extremely rare for a woman at that time in history.
Release Date: 2013/2014

One Chance
Subject: Paul Potts
Starring: James Corden as Potts, and Alexandra Roach as his wife
Director: David Frankel
Produced by Harvey Weinstein, this project focuses on the life of Britain's Got Talent winner, Paul Potts, who was previously just an aspiring singer. Katy Perry was originally slated to play his wife in the film, but I guess that fell through.
Release Date: 2013/2014
Hemingway & Fuentes
Subject: Ernest Hemingway
Starring: Anthony Hopkins as Hemingway, Andy Garcia as Gregorio Fuentes, and Annette Bening as his wife, Mary Welsh Hemingway
Director: Andy Garcia
Those who know a little about one of the greatest American authors, Ernest Hemingway, will know of his Nobel prize-winning story The Old Man and the Sea. Well, this film will tell the story of his friendship with boat captain, Gregorio Fuentes, the man who inspired the legendary novel.
Release Date: 2014

Houdini
Subject: Harry Houdini
Starring: N/A
Director: Gary Ross
After dipping out of directing The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the hottest sequels of the next few years, Ross signed right on to direct a film based on the most famous magician and stunt man in history. It is going to be based on the book The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero by William Kalush and Larry Sloman, and will reveal some interesting secrets about the man's life that few know to this day. This is definitely on my "Top 5 Biopics to See" list, which will air a special on VH1 next month.
Release Date: 2014 (as of now)

Grace of Monaco
Subject: Grace Kelly
Starring: Nicole Kidman as Grace Kelly, Tim Roth as Prince Rainier III. Also with Frank Langella.
Director: Olivier Dahan
Considered on of the greatest screen actresses in the history of Hollywood, Grace Kelly died early in a car crash. However, this film, set in the early 1960s, will cover her marriage to Monaco's Prince Reinier III and his complications with France over the tax laws. I find it odd that the first major biopic about Kelly is less about her and more about a political feud.
Release Date: 2014

Untitled Thelonius Monk Biopic
Subject: Thelonius Monk
Starring: Denzel Washington as Monk (rumored)
Director: N/A
Some call him crazy, others call him a genius, but most call him both. I, personally, just think of him as one of my biggest inspirations to just play whatever music I please, because that's how he did it. He was one of the most revolutionary pianists of all time, with pieces that could put his thought process on the same page as Beethoven. Being his own character, Monk had one of the most unique improvisational styles, and is often thought of as being one of the few jazz musicians of the time to not have any issues with drugs--although he became mentally ill towards the later part of his life. I really hope this film comes to be because the world needs to be educated on the likes of this brilliant man.
Release Date: 2015 or later

Sinatra
Subject: Frank Sinatra
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio as Sinatra (rumored)
Director: Martin Scorsese
Although back in 2000, Scorsese originally planned to make this film starring John Travolta as the titular role, in never came to be and was scrapped. But hopefully now Scorsese will have better luck. However, this one does seem to be further along in development, as it already has a producer (Scott Rudin) and script writer (Billy Ray) lined up to tell the life story of the singer/actor.
Release Date: 2014 or later

The Human Fly
Subject: Hollywood Stuntman, Joe Ramacieri
Starring: N/A
Director: Steven Goldmann
Back in the late '70s Marvel comics had a 19-issue run with a superhero named The Human Fly. He was a Hollywood stuntman who was involved in a car crash and had to get much of his body replaced with steel. Well, that character is based on a real life stuntman (Ramacieri). But don't let this mislead you to think that you will see another character introduced into the Marvel film universe, because the rights to the character were bought by a couple of interested filmmakers. So, basically, this project will most likely be made by an indie studio, rather than be a big budget blockbuster. I'm not even sure yet if this will be more of a story about Ramacieri or if it will be a superhero film about the comic book character. Fortunately, this project will probably see the light because the director is the same guy who bought the rights to The Human Fly from Marvel.
Release Date: 2013/2014

Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father

Subject: John Gotti and the Gotti Family
Starring: John Travolta as John Gotti Sr., Ben Foster as John Gotti Jr., Al Pacino as Aniello Dellacroce. Also with Kelly Preston and Chazz Palminteri.
Director: Barry Levinson
This film will focus on the relationship between the head of the Gambino crime family, John Gotti,
and his son, who is trying to give his family a better name after his father is sentenced to life in prison. The Gamibinos were, at the time, the most powerful and dangerous crime family in the nation. I believe this project already had many establishing shots filmed, so it is definitely happening.
Release Date: 2013/2014

American Sniper
Subject: Former US Navy SEAL, Chris Kyle
Starring: Bradley Cooper as Kyle
Director: David O. Russel (rumored)
The title of Kyle's autobiography, in which this film is based on, American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History, tells you exactly what this film will be about. As a sniper, he has 160 confirmed kills, which indeed makes him the most lethal soldier in the history of US military. This movie will tell about how his life overseas has made a huge impact on his life afterward and his relationships with the people he loves.
Release Date: N/A

Silver Ghost
Subject: Founders of Rolls-Royce, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce
Starring: N/A
Director: Richard Attenborough
This film will tell the story of the rise of Rolls-Royce Limited and it's founders, as well as portraying the love affair between Lord John Douglas-Scott-Montagu and his secretary/mistress, Eleanor Thornton, whom he wanted to play mascot for his own model car.
Release Date: 2014 (as of now)

The First

Subject: Mary Pickford
Starring: Lily Rabe as Pickford, and Michael Pitt as Owen Moore
Director: Jennifer DeLia
Interestingly enough, one of the first giant Hollywood film actress wasn't even from America. Not only that, but she was one of the founders of United Artists film studio--along with Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith. She was a pioneer and survived decently well in an industry of male dominance at the time. This film will portray all of this and how she helped shape the industry into what it is today. It is based on the biography, Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood, by Eileen Whitfield.
Release Date: 2014/2015

The Imitation Game
Subject: British Mathematician, Alan Turing
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio as Turing (rumored)
Director: J. Blakeson
This is the guy who helped lead the British to victory in World War II by cracking Germany's Enigma machine. He was later prosecuted for being homosexual, which lead to the United Kingdom "treating" him with female hormones. His death about 2 years later was ruled a suicide, but new speculation has come out that makes some think otherwise. It is based on a biography by Andrew Hodges. This project was just dropped by Warner Bros. and it is uncertain if who will pick it up.
Release Date: N/A

Jesus of Nazareth
Subject: Jesus Christ
Starring: N/A
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Based on the controversial book of the same name that was written by the director, this film is already controversial in nature. It celebrates Jesus, but tries to make the story earthly. Verhoeven--yeah, the guy who directed Showgirls--attempts to discredit all of Jesus' miracles and divine actions. Instead, he decides to compare him to many political leaders who "share his sentiment." Not only am I not looking forward to the uproar of complaints, I'm not looking forward to the seemingly painful portrayal of the Son of God (I'm a practicing Catholic).
Release Date: N/A

Blood, Bones & Butter
Subject: Chef, Gabrielle Hamilton
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow as Hamilton
Director: N/A
Based on the memoir of the American chef who owns the restaurant, Prune, in New York, this film will document her journey through life in different places throughout the world to become as successful as she is now. Paltrow, who has her own book on cooking, should fit perfectly into this role, as she is growing and growing as a go-to leading lady.
Release Date: N/A

Nina
Subject: Nina Simone
Starring: Zoe Saldana as Simone, and David Oyelowo as Clifton Henderson
Director: Cynthia Mort
As one of the most influential singers of her day, Simone's eclectic writing and performance range has helped make her a go-to reference for musicians of all genres. This film will focus on the singer's rise to fame and relationship with manager, Clifton Henderson.
Release Date: N/A


Greetings From Tim Buckley
Subject: Jeff Buckley
Starring: Penn Badgley as Buckley
Director: Daniel Algrant
Wow! I can't believe the late Jeff Buckley is getting a second biopic listing! Well, this particular project chronicles his preparations for the 1991 tribute concert for his father who abandoned him. This is the show that launched his career and legacy. In hopes of being purchased by a studio, it was released at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month.
Release Date: N/A

The Dive
Subject: French Free-Divers, Pipin Ferreras and Audrey Mestre
Starring: N/A
Director: Martin Campbell (rumored)
The point of free-diving is to see how far you can dive on a single breath of air. Well, Audrey Mestre happened to break the world record for this sport on a couple of occasions. Her husband, Pipin Ferreras was also a free-diver. Mestre's last dive, where she attempted to shatter her previous record, ended up very badly as something went wrong with her ascent to the surface and the 3 minute dive turned into over 8 minutes. She was pronounced dead on the shore. Many believe her husband planned this to happen because he was upset that she wanted to leave him.
Release Date: N/A

Beautiful Boy
Subject: Nic Sheff
Starring: N/A
Director: Cameron Crowe
Based on the New York Times best-selling memoir, Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Sons Addiction,by Nic's father, David, this film will chronicle how he and his family dealt with Nic's meth addiction.
Release Date: N/A

Untitled Buddy Cianci Project
Subject: Rhode Island Mayor, Buddy Cianci
Starring: N/A
Director: David O. Russell
This film will be based on Cianci's own memoir, Politics and Pasta, which discusses his duration as mayor of Providence and how he rid the town of corruption. However, he later served four years in prison for racketeering conspiracy.
Release Date: 2015 (as of now)

Untitled Steve McQueen Biopic
Subject: Steve McQueen
Starring: Jeremy Renner as McQueen
Director: Ivan Zacharias (rumored)
It's about time! A biopic about the greatest actor of all time (I look forward to your letters) is finally coming to the big screen! Hitting number 1 on my list, this film will be based on Marshall Terrill's two novels, Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel and The Life and Legend of a Hollywood Icon. Finally the King of Cool will get his long-deserved revival. Apparently this film will concentrate on his life growing up, but hopefully it will continue a little past that. We will see if Renner can finally show us his depth as an actor while playing every one's favorite anti-hero. They have a slight resemblance if you ask me.
Release Date: N/A

The Glass Castle
Subject: Jeanette Walls
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence as Walls
Director: N/A
Former MSNBC.com gossip columnist wrote an autobiographical memoir in 2005 which was on the New York Times Best Seller list for a total of 261 weeks. Well, it is now being made into a film. And just like the book, the film will recount the writer's dysfunctional and impoverished upbringing.
Release Date: N/A

Untitled Evel Knievel Project
Subject: Evel Knievel
Starring: Channing Tatum (rumored)
Director: N/A
The most famous motorcycle stuntman/daredevil of all time is finally having his FULL story taken to the big screen. It will be based on Stuart Barker's book Life of Evel.
Release Date: N/A

Untitled Joe Paterno Project
Subject: Joe Paterno
Starring: Al Pacino as Paterno (rumored)
Director: N/A
The recently announced biopic about the late Penn State football coach, who was fired because of a sex scandal that happened under his watch, will cover his whole career rather than just the tragic ending.
Release Date: N/A

Untitled Josh Hamilton Project
Subject: Major League Baseball player, Josh Hamilton
Starring: N/A
Director: Casey Affleck
The current baseball star will already have a biopic about his past struggles with drugs and alcohol, and how he overcame them.
Release Date: N/A



....let me know if I'm missing anything!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Astral Weeks and I Don't Sleep

Pretty much anyone who follows music knows of, or has at least heard of Van Morrison. You know--the guy who sang "Brown Eyed Girl"--yeah, that dude. Well, it just so happens that he is considered by many to be one of the best songwriters of the 20th century. And well deservedly. His lyrics, although overshadowed by Bob Dylan's, have inspired dozens of musicians. Most famously, but not limited to, Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Bob Seger, and Elvis Costello (go look it up).

For most of my life I have viewed Morrison's album Moondance as his masterpiece album and by far his best. However, on every one else's "Greatest Albums of All Time" list, Moondance is never the first to be mentioned. Instead, it is his previous album, 1968's Astral Weeks. Now, my dad has this one and would play it every so often when I was growing up, but I never seemed to appreciate it. I always thought that it was just a statement of the times in which it was released, and influential at best. I hadn't heard it in years, up until last night when I decided to listen to it from beginning to end--twice.

I have matured a lot, musically, since I graduated from high school. And last night I realized that this is way more than just an album that represents the times that were--it's a piece of art that is more relevant now (I'd like to think) than it was 44 years ago. After hearing the lyrics (and reading along to them via Google searches), there is so much relatability to these songs that hadn't ever been put down on vinyl up until that point. Yeah, yeah, I know I sound like a music snob...well, I guess I kinda am. But now, in a day and age when people have trouble connecting to each other and spend most of their time indoors and can go a whole day with just the comfort of their own smart phone, Astral Weeks touches on aspects of life that go overlooked. And you know what? Even if it is just a portrait of the era it came from, it's an optimistic look forward to whatever the days and years will present to it.

And hey, not only where there NO singles released from the album, it didn't even achieve gold status until 33 years AFTER its release. It has been compared, by several music historians, to classical music because of how it's success goes far beyond the day and age its released in and will be studied for decades and centuries. This album may not ever be known or even acknowledged by the masses, but neither will much of Mozart's masterpieces.

I'm not even gonna give listening examples or suggested songs to listen to because all it would do is break up this very complete piece of work. It would be like framing only half of Starry Night or just showing the end of The Godfather. This is a concept album that demands your attention. It's not just a casual listen, and it brings us back to a time where we couldn't just press "shuffle" and go about continuing with our lives. It's eclectic and beautiful, and he was younger than me when he wrote the majority of it. It's not just the constant complaining and resilient "stand-taking" of Dylan. Morrison's symbolism is not overkill, and his optimism is refreshing and contagious.

But the mistake that I made was listening to this album (twice) before laying down in bed at night. My mind was racing full of ideas for new songs, and the inspiration that I received was shoving itself through my head at such a steady pace that, while I was able keep up with it all, I could neither write it all down in time, nor catch a break enough to actually keep my brain relaxed so I could sleep.

Now, there's a lot more to this album than what I can possibly fit into this blog (good thing I upgraded from Twitter), and my thoughts about it will most likely be even more profound years from now, but that's what Astral Weeks is all about. It's about maturity and revelation.

Despite what I said earlier, we all have that instrinsic need for connectivity to each other--not to materialistic things, and Van Morrison understood that. He expresses it in so many words through his depiction of life and people and the earth's nature. 

In the words of Johnny Depp, "He put on Van Morrison's Astral Weeks. And it stirred me. I'd never heard anything like it." (That's an actual quote--not a line from one of his movies).

And if you listen to it now and don't share my (and Johnny's) sentiment, you will some day...

Friday, September 7, 2012

Dirty Dancing?! More like.....Stupid Dancing....

The year was 1987, and I bet you will never guess what film was number 1 in the U.S. box office...I bet you're NOT guessing Three Men and a Baby. I sure know I wasn't. Some of you may have said Beverly Hills Cop 2 or even Lethal Weapon...but really?! I mean, it's a great movie--but REALLY?!?!  Ted Danson, Tom Selleck, and Steve Guttenberg adjusting to the hardships of fatherhood took the gold that year?!

Anyway,  I would like to say that fortunately, despite its "timeless" portrayal, Dirty Dancing didn't even make the top 10 during such a slow year. And I am in no way saying that box office performance determines the quality of a film--but it does make me feel better about humanity.

Some of you may be wondering why I even decided to take time off my busy schedule to watch this film when I haven't even seen Rocky yet. Welp, I can say with confidence that there is absolutely no rational reason why I did that.

So, let me tell you about the film. It takes place in 1963 and tells the story of a girl named Baby (Jennifer Grey) who is vacationing with her parents at a resort. She is very innocent and sees the world with a child-like view, and she is very close to her parents. However, while on vacation she meets this guy, Johnny (Patrick Swayze), whom she finds herself intrigued by. He is a dancer at the resort and she knows nothing about dancing or the ways of the world. Baby's parents don't like this Johnny guy or his "influence" on her. The story goes on with them falling in love and him teaching her how to dance and so on.

I was not impressed. Not once did I crack even a smile throughout the duration of this movie. It takes itself way too seriously, and it's predictable the whole way through. However, I do have to say that the character development was good and Swayze's performance was on par.

But now, moving on to the thing that REALLY irked me....the movie takes place in 1963--so it needs to stop playing music from 1987!! I wish this film would decide what decade it wants to be in! I mean, despite it being predictable and all that, I could have felt SOME sort of nostalgia while watching it if it actually made me feel like I was in a particular era! And I suppose I would have been fine with one or two 80's songs as part of the soundtrack, but they used at least 3 of them as actual source music! As in, they were DANCING to it!! In a film about dancing in the 60's and how the times were-a-changin' in the 60's, one would think that they wouldn't be dancing to 80's music! They should have just thrown in some disco to complete chronology!

So I did some research after I finished the film (as I usually do after watching movies) to see if other critics shared my sentiment about this whole music ordeal. To my surprise, I found no mention of it. I must be going crazy!

This movie was supposed to be released for one weekend only and then go straight to video. Why does this film have such positive reviews?! I don't get it. It makes me upset!

 Just don't let its "legendary" status fool you, folks!

And to those of you who love this movie, I guess I forgive you...

Your Everyday Movie Critic is Back

So, my New Year's Resolution in 2010 was to see every wide-release film (600 theaters or more) as they came out. I blogged about each of them on my last blog page everydaymoviecritic.blogspot.com. Well, after the year was over and I fulfilled my resolution I kinda stopped. Here I am, over a year-and-a-half later, remembering how enormous of a following I had (yeah, right), so I decided to go back to my glory days and start blogging again (gee, I hope I still have it in me).

This time, however, I am broadening my subject matter by not limiting myself to just reviewing movies I see. And honestly, I have NO idea what I am going to discuss at all, or even if this one will have a theme. I'm kinda just starting it for the sake of starting it and seeing which direction it goes organically and letting it create itself, I guess. Now, if as many people follow this site as they did my last, I will be pleased--but I suppose I can just ask my parents.

Nonetheless, it doesn't matter if 1 or 1000 people read my thoughts--it's just nice to get my creative juices flowing.

So, wish me luck and I hope I don't offend anyone in the process--although I probably already did with my eclectic choice of films to include in the wallpaper background...