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David Poland

By David Poland poland@moviecitynews.com

BYOB Thursday The 18th Of February In The Year Of Our Lord Two Thousand And Ten

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51 Responses to “BYOB Thursday The 18th Of February In The Year Of Our Lord Two Thousand And Ten”

  1. mutinyco says:

    Guess The Lord gets the trademark on that one…

  2. guselephant says:

    Avatar already back up to number 2 in the daily grosses… Incredible.

  3. EthanG says:

    There’s been some CRAZY trade news the last few days. A 3-D erector set movie….Tarantino directing a slavery western….Irvine Welsh remaking The Magnificent Seven centering on a Tandoori Indian restaurant (WTF?!)…Tom Hanks remaking Summer Hours (boo)…Meryl Streep taking on Gielgud’s role in Arthur…and a live action “Phantom Tollbooth” movie from Gary Ross (the only actual good idea).
    What’s in the water lately?

  4. hcat says:

    Holy shit, they’re remaking Arthur? I always thought that would be remade as a broadway musical first. And is Tarintino’s film Forty Lashes Less One? He optioned a ton of Leonard’s stories back in the Miramax days but I didn’t know if they went along to the new company.

  5. hcat says:

    Is it wrong that I am more looking forward to Sandra Bullock’s winning speech and interviews than I am to actually ever seeing the role?

  6. Chucky in Jersey says:

    Hollywood’s out of ideas, Hollywood’s out of ideas …

  7. EthanG says:

    It isn’t Forty Lashes…it’s an original screenplay called “A Southern.”
    And yeah Arthur with Meryl Streep and….Russell Brand. Horrifying.

  8. LYT says:

    Why the hell would Hollywood remake Summer Hours? The only great thing about that movie is its unique French-ness.

  9. palmtree says:

    Hollywood’s out of ideas!
    Or as Hollywood calls it…Thursday.

  10. The Big Perm says:

    Tarantino will never make that slavery movie.

  11. hcat says:

    Russell Brand? awful. Dudley Moore was far from the most subtle actor but I can see Brand taking this right into Sandler Mr. Deed’s territory.

  12. Joe Leydon says:

    LYT: Actually, I can see Tom Hanks hitting precisely the right note of melancholy for a remake of Summer Hours. Mind you, the storyline would have to be completely reworked for a U.S. transplant. But, yeah: Hanks in the Charles Berling role. And Lois Smith as the mom.

  13. chris says:

    mutiny, I think the title of the thread might be a reference to “Riding Hood.” Which, by the way, is extraordinary.

  14. Gonzo Knight says:

    Chris, is right, of course but speaking of movie related phrases
    Is anyone else dissapointed that Speed Racer failed to make the phrase “Cool Beans” cool again?
    Not because I want to start using it… just because it would be kind of sweet in an annoying way, if others did?

  15. Foamy Squirrel says:

    I never stopped using it.

  16. Gonzo Knight says:

    Really? Cool story!

  17. I’ve been using ‘cool beans’ for as long as I can remember (more as a response ‘that’s fine by me’ than as an excited utterance). But then, I’ve never been under the impression that I’m particularly hip/cool.

  18. LYT says:

    Best use of “cool beans” in any movie: HOT ROD.

  19. hcat says:

    Saw Black Dynamite last night and loved it. Tonight is Coco Before Chanel, I know they’re pratically the same movie but am still looking forward to it.
    Since Hollywood refuses to come up with new stories, two remakes I would like to request are Damon and Hatheway in an english version of Priceless and Fincher and Depp making a fictional account of Man on Wire.

  20. I was juuuust gonna say HOT ROD also failed to bring back “cool beans,” unfortunately.
    Cooool beeeeeans. C-C-C-C-C-Cool. B-B-B-B-B-beans.

  21. Gonzo Knight says:

    Yeah, I remember Hot Rod. I just sort of figured that Speed Racer was the phrases best chance to be brought back (or just be brought).
    Oh and as for this
    “Avatar already back up to number 2 in the daily grosses… Incredible.”
    Totally saw that coming. In fact, it may get to #1 today and if it does, it may be the last time it’s at #1.

  22. Ju-osh says:

    Speaking of slavery/westerns, I just watched The Legend of Nigger Charlie the other day, and it wasn’t half bad. I could see Tarantino bringing a bit of good reviews Fred Williamson’s way were he cast him in this newest rumored ‘next pic.’
    Oh, and for those of you curious about the source material for the upcoming sure-to-be-blockbuster, Kick-Ass, the online comic book shop Heavy Ink* has made it their discounted graphic novel of the week: http://heavyink.com/graphic_novel/14405-Kick-Ass
    *You may recognize this shop’s name from the controversy they were involved in re: an unlicensed Olivia Munn parody comic. If not, go here for that story: http://www.boingboing.net/2010/02/04/law-firm-demands-pub.html

  23. EthanG says:

    I second the Depp in Man on Wire remake, with Herzog directing in a faux documentary style.
    Tarantino and spaghetti western go together like bread and butter…if he does do it I hope it’s better than Sukiyaki Western Django was though.

  24. Hunter Tremayne says:

    Actually, Meryl Streep and Russell Brand in an Arthur re-do is a brilliant idea. The reason Brand is getting a lot of deals recently is because GET HIM TO THE GREEK has been screened to industry, and he’s aces in it.

  25. LexG says:

    Sorry, Hunter…
    Russell Brand is TOTALLY one of those Brit-celebs that NOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOONE in America gets or cares about, and their crossover attempts are met with wholesale indifference. I’m not talking about the obviously excellent serious British actors and stars; But there’s this one strain of Brit tabloid regulars who you guys amusingly perceive as some kind of big deal, but nobody — NOOOOOBODY — on this side of the pond is falling for it.
    See also:
    Mr. Bean, Sadie Frost, Sophia Ellis Bextor, Kylie Minogue (Australian but her music has that British production and she’s huge there), the Beckhams, Geri Halliwell, and, sadly, ROBBIE WILLIAMS, who IS entirely too fucking awesome for this unfortunate fate.

  26. hcat says:

    Streep’s the biggest female box office draw at the moment, I can’t imagine she’ll agree to play second fiddle (or third depending on the female lead) to an up and coming british comedian. I think this will end up with McClellen though Alan Rickman would also be great in the role. Just hope they don’t dumb it down too much.

  27. LexG says:

    Also:
    ARTHUR is one of the most depressing fucking movies of ALL TIME. Despite the fact that it’s a comedy and probably Moore’s signature role, it’s got that DEPRESSING “Moon and New York City” song, which is bad enough, but then they base the entire score around it, in that maudlin early-’80s saccharine Muzak way. Can you imagine today going to see an Apatow or Sandler movie, and the fucking score is some screechy smooth jazz downer version of ARMS OF AN ANGEL by Sarah Maclachlan or something?
    Seems like everything from 1981 had that sound; Like PATERNITY or even CANNONBALL RUN, you’re watching this good-natured “comedy” but the score sounds like a 1979 Canadian TV movie about BUTHANE.

  28. Nick Rogers says:

    “Get Him to the Greek”: Russell Brand, annoying. Trailer, unfunny. Title, makes me think it somehow involves Jimmy Snyder in a “Cannonball Run” resurrection. Spinoff movie from “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” lame. Inconsistent character continuity from said movie with Brand and Jonah Hill’s characters, expected of a diminishing Apatow brand.

  29. Gonzo Knight says:

    Lex, I think you have a good point there. I also found it humorous that you reffered to Mr. Bean instead of Rowan Atkinson ;).
    Totally made sense in the context of what you were saying.

  30. I don’t understand why Get Him to the Greek features Brand’s character from Forgetting Sarah Marshall and yet… not Jonah Hill’s? Anyway, Lex is right. Those people he listed, however, will have to be content with being some of the biggest superstars in the world outside of America. Poor them. šŸ™‚
    I say “cool beans” a lot whenever I’m around people who won’t look at me like a freak (so, admittedly, not that often).

  31. Triple Option says:

    Anybody else go to Beyond Words, the panel discussion of Academy and WGA nominated writers? Cameron was quite insightful. Each had something worthwhile to say at some point. Hated that some of the more thought provoking questioned didn’t get answered by more than one or two people, as there was a whole circus/we don’t giva care tone set early on by moderator Apatow. Not intending to knock him. You gotta keep things flowing and certainly it can get old to the panelists who’ve been asked some things a million times but we in the audience haven’t heard the answers once.
    Seriously, an Author remake? I’m still waiting to see something Russell Brand has done that I could at least make my own personal judgment. Anytime I’ve ever seen him it’s been like 10 seconds or less.
    This would normally be about the time I’d launch into get Wall St outta Hollywood slash why must NBC go out of their way to screw up Olympic coverage tirade but tonight I must be tired cuz all I can think is how thankful I am to have my health and a job.

  32. LexG says:

    Watching the Olympics.
    It’s so cute how these hot chicks have their little sport.
    Triple Option’s post made me think for a second that Russell Brand (or someone else) should remakr AUTHOR! AUTHOR!, one of Al Pacino’s very worst movies.
    But Shia LaBeuof was BORN to take on the roles of ERIC GURRY, who was TOTALLY the Shia of 1982-1983 with his plum roles in Author and as Penn’s buddy Horowitz in BAD BOYS.
    Apparently that dude hasn’t worked since 1986.

  33. Stella's Boy says:

    SPOILER WARNING!
    I love how Scorsese is “slumming” because Shutter Island isn’t a serious biopic or a remake of an acclaimed foreign film. Or it’s, oh no, a HORROR movie. One of those couldn’t possibly be good. But I digress. Shutter Island isn’t a horror movie. It’s also not a great movie. Parts of it are superb though. Robert Richardson’s cinematography is pretty spectacular. The booming, string-heavy score is fantastic. The cast is excellent. There are great scenes scattered throughout, including a harrowing mass execution of concentration camp guards. The last 20 minutes are very effective as well, and the conclusion it quite powerful. Leo gets stronger as the movie progresses, and by the end I was convinced that he gives a damn good performance. Sure it’s not a masterpiece. It drags here and there and you can feel the strain from throwing so many red herrings at the audience, especially in the second half. I read the novel and I got pretty much exactly what I was expecting. Critics are so dismissive of genre fare and I wonder if some of them even tried to have a good time with this. I’d recommend it to anyone even remotely interested in seeing it.

  34. Eldrick says:

    hey, who is watching this Tiger Woods state of the union thing? and u thought the MJ death coverage was bad, the media in this country has jumped the shark.

  35. Eldrick says:

    Armond White says Scorsese should retire and become a producer so hungry directors can use his vast knowledege to better use than the man himself.

  36. EthanG says:

    White says in the very same article that Scorsese has devolvted from a “once significant filmmaker decaying into a big budget, poorly-motivated hack.”

  37. hcat says:

    All movies in the eighties had that Christopher Cross drowning Saxaphone sound, Tootsie being the worst of the lot. It seems like it was either that or a synth Tangerine Dream score were the only options till Elfman burst onto the scene.
    I have to disagree that Arthur is depressing. Cute, lovely little comedy with an attention to dialogue that just isn’t given today. It contains one of my favorite movie exchanges.
    “It’s my weaknesses that allow you to continue like this. A real woman could stop you from drinking.”
    “A real BIG woman”

  38. Chucky in Jersey says:

    LexG loves the NBC miniseries known as the Olympics. So do the TV critics — they don’t dare talk about NBC’s hardline attitude: tape-delay everything, f#)k off the viewers, stonewall the press.

  39. christian says:

    Just watched ARTHUR the other day for the first time since its theatrical release and it holds up great. What a terrific script. And Moore and Gielgud bantering, priceless. I thought the theme song fits well and the jaunty horn theme is nifty. But the sax was overplayed in NY films soon enough.

  40. christian says:

    Chucky makes sense for a change. Tape delay?

  41. Chucky in Jersey says:

    I’ve always made sense — you didn’t get it before.
    Now back to real life: “Alice in Wonderland” is running into serious resistance from theater owners, especially in Europe and England.

  42. EthanG says:

    I wonder if this boycott will hold. This is potentially $50 million in overseas box office if it holds…more than making up for any gains Disney hoped for in narrowing the window. Is this really the film they want to challenge exhibitors on?

  43. David Poland says:

    Challenging them on a lesser film would make the ability of exhibitors to bury it greater.

  44. EthanG says:

    True…although Iger running around admitting that 2009 was an embarrassing year for Disney emboldened the chains to challenge them though. It’s more evidence I think that “Persia” blows…if it didn’t, they would have picked that movie or Toy Story 3 and been able to approach the issue from a position of strength rather than being perceived as a studio desperate for a quick cash infusion.

  45. christian says:

    No, Chucky, you don’t often make sense.

  46. Chucky, you coulda told us that the point you were on about doesn’t actually come around until half way through the bloody article. Christ. What a waste of an article, filled with ridiculous hyperbole. Has ANYBODY said anything that rapturous?

  47. Chucky in Jersey says:

    At least I wouldn’t have imposed the Legion of Doom on people seeing the trailer.

  48. jeffmcm says:

    Chucky, I think you have some degree of autism, because your behavior displays frequent patterns of obsession and inability to understand the emotions/responses of others. It’s okay if that’s what you’ve got but you need to try harder to communicate with others.
    In other news, since this is BYOB, I went and saw The Human Centipede at the Silent Theater here in LA and it did not disappoint.

  49. Chucky in Jersey says:

    I get everything perfectly clear. Most everybody who comments sounds like a fanboy, a horny male or a genetic brown-noser.

  50. christian says:

    Or those who rail against name-checking then reduce everybody to three categories.

  51. The Big Perm says:

    Chucky, do you have autism, and do you live at home?
    I expect and answer to neither.
    So Jeff, I’ve heard about The Human Centipede…it wounds wild, but does it really work as a full length movie? A lot of times movies based around one central weird conceit run it into the ground and it never escalates. Human Centipede seems like that to me.

Quote Unquotesee all »

It shows how out of it I was in trying to be in it, acknowledging that I was out of it to myself, and then thinking, “Okay, how do I stop being out of it? Well, I get some legitimate illogical narrative ideas” ā€” some novel, you know?

So I decided on three writers that I might be able to option their material and get some producer, or myself as producer, and then get some writer to do a screenplay on it, and maybe make a movie.

And so the three projects were “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,” “Naked Lunch” and a collection of Bukowski. Which, in 1975, forget it ā€” I mean, that was nuts. Hollywood would not touch any of that, but I was looking for something commercial, and I thought that all of these things were coming.

There would be no Blade Runner if there was no Ray Bradbury. I couldn’t find Philip K. Dick. His agent didn’t even know where he was. And so I gave up.

I was walking down the street and I ran into Bradbury ā€” he directed a play that I was going to do as an actor, so we know each other, but he yelled “hi” ā€” and I’d forgot who he was.

So at my girlfriend Barbara Hershey’s urging ā€” I was with her at that moment ā€” she said, “Talk to him! That guy really wants to talk to you,” and I said “No, fuck him,” and keep walking.

But then I did, and then I realized who it was, and I thought, “Wait, he’s in that realm, maybe he knows Philip K. Dick.” I said, “You know a guy namedā€”” “Yeah, sure ā€” you want his phone number?”

My friend paid my rent for a year while I wrote, because it turned out we couldn’t get a writer. My friends kept on me about, well, if you can’t get a writer, then you write.”
~ Hampton Fancher

“That was the most disappointing thing to me in how this thing was played. Is that Iā€™m on the phone with you now, after all thatā€™s been said, and the fundamental distinction between what James is dealing with in these other cases is not actually brought to the fore. The fundamental difference is that James Franco didnā€™t seek to use his position to have sex with anyone. Thereā€™s not a case of that. He wasnā€™t using his position or status to try to solicit a sexual favor from anyone. If he had ā€” if that were what the accusation involved ā€” the show would not have gone on. We would have folded up shop and we would have not completed the show. Because then it would have been the same as Harvey Weinstein, or Les Moonves, or any of these cases that are fundamental to this new paradigm. Did you not notice that? Why did you not notice that? Is that not something notable to say, journalistically? Because nobody could find the voice to say it. Iā€™m not just being rhetorical. Why is it that you and the other critics, none of you could find the voice to say, ā€œYou know, itā€™s not this, itā€™s thatā€? Because ā€” let me go on and speak further to this. If you go back to the L.A. TimesĀ piece, thatā€™s what it lacked. Thatā€™s what they were not able to deliver. The one example in the five that involved an issue of a sexual act was between James and a woman he was dating, who he was not working with. There was no professional dynamic in any capacity.

~ David Simon