Episode 0 4
This Week in Movies #4 with George Spielvogel from Point Break Live
Sundays at 8pm PDT
SHOW NOTES:
Introduction
Farrell introduces the show, and her co-hosts Roger Erik Tinch (aka “Tinchy”) and Lon Harris. This week we have guest George Spielvogel from Point Break Live. She proceeds to remind everyone that they can find us at @TWiMovies on Twitter and notes that she looks a bit like a candy cane in her striped dress. (Lon assumed they were jammies.)
Trailer Talk! (3:00)
Two new trailers were viewed:
The first full trailer for the long-awaited (at least by our hosts!) new film about the founding of Facebook by director David Fincher.
Tinchy was rendered speechless by the trailer. He also noted that the rowdy audience before “Inception” sat in stunned silence for the entire trailer. (The music is a choral performance of Radiohead’s song “Creep.”)
Farrell worries the film may not be able to live up to the hype. She previously got very excited for Alfonso Cuaron’s 1998 adaptation of “Great Expectations” only to be let down when she saw the actual film.
Todd Phillips (of “The Hangover” and “Old School”) directs this road comedy starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis.
Farrell loves “The Hangover” (praising its unique structure and sense of humor) but was dubious that she’d also enjoy this one. Both she and Lon felt it looked too formulaic. (Lon and a chat room commenter both remarked that it looks very similar to “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”).
Roger agreed and noted that, while “The Hangover” has a lot of talented comedians involved, this seemed to rely much more on Galifianakis alone to carry the film.
Hollywood Headlines (14:40)
The Wachowskis are said to be working on an Iraq War movie set in the near-future and called “CN9.”
The group discussed the alleged plot line of the film. It has been described as a “hard-R war picture about a homosexual American soldier who falls in love with an Iraqi.” It may be set in the near-future and use backwards chronology to tell the story.
Farrell also observed that they should no longer be called “The Wachowski Brothers” now that Larry has renamed herself Lana Wachowski and started living as a woman. Lon suggests “The Wachowskis.”
Farrell has no interest in seeing the film. Lon said he admires that the Wachowskis are daring and take on new ideas with each project, even though he disliked the “Matrix” sequels and “Speed Racer.” (Roger loved “Speed Racer.”)
Mel Gibson Ranting Phone Calls
The hosts discussed the phone calls of an enraged Mel Gibson that have been made public by the blog RadarOnline.
After expressing general shock at Gibson’s tone, they proceeded to wonder if the ensuing scandal would affect the production or release of Gibson’s upcoming films, including Jodie Foster’s “The Beaver.” (In the film, Gibson plays a man who walks around with a beaver puppet that he believes is a real living creature.)
David O. Russell quits “Nailed”
David O Russell (director of “I Heart Huckabees,” “Flirting with Disaster” and “Three Kings”) quit working on his long-delayed film “Nailed,” starting Jessica Beil and Jake Gyllenhaal, and will likely have his name taken off of the picture. After a budgetary dispute with financier Ron Tutor, Russell told the Hollywood Reporter that he is no longer involved with the project. Tutor said he plans to hire another director to finish the movie, which has been described as a “quirky romantic political satire.”
The group discussed Russell’s reputation as a difficult, diva-like director and were reminded of the blow-out between Russell and actress Lily Tomlin that had been recorded on the “Huckabees” set.
Remakes!
Inspired by photos from the set of the upcoming “Arthur” remake starring Russell Brand and Helen Mirren, Farrell discussed her thoughts on Hollywood’s current love affair with remaking older films.
Farrell suggested that Hollywood should only remake bad films, not beloved classics like “Arthur.” Lon added that he thinks mediocre films make the best remakes, because there was at least a nugget of a good idea there that could be improved upon.
(NOTE: Everyone loved “The Crazies” remake but Lon.)
“I’m Still Here” Gets a Release Date
Casey Affleck’s documentary about Joaquin Phoenix’s “lost year,” titled “I’m Still Here,” has been sold and will be released on September 10, 2010 by Magnolia.
Hollywood “Blind Item” (34:51)
Who is this blind item about? We’ll tell you who the blogs are theorizing at the end of this post! (CAUTION: It contains some graphic sexual language.)
“This actor is both creative and inventive. He is straight but he needs the helping hand of a man to get “ready” for his actress wife. This service is performed by his assistant. Once he is “ready”, the assistant bows out and the wife takes over. Another interesting detail is that our actor has trouble going down on his wife without the assistance of a sweet condiment like honey or fluff. Sounds like a sticky, messy situation for all involved.”
Farrell likes the idea of using “fluff” sexually. Lon changed the subject.
Lon guessed Tom Cruise, as he’s been plagued by gay rumors for years. Farrell guessed Hugh Jackman. The chat room came up with John Travolta as an alternative.
In Theaters (37:00)
All 3 hosts saw “Inception,” the new sci-fi/thriller from Christopher Nolan, this week and discussed their reactions.
Farrell and Lon were both big fans of the film, which they called unique and imaginative. Lon pointed out how many different kinds of filmmaking were all folded into one clever conceit – the film is simultaneously a psychological thriller, a romance, a crime noir, a science-fiction fantasy and a “caper” film.
Tinch found the movie trite and predictable. He noted that, behind the gimmicks of “dream logic,” it’s really a rote heist plotline with paper-thin characters. He also argued that cutting constantly between different dream scenarios kills Nolan’s ability to build tension. Lon and Farrell agreed that the film does have some pacing issues.
The hosts then discussed the performances from Tom Berenger (who Farrell noted looks extremely “orange” in the film) and standout Tom Hardy, for whom Lon believes this will be a breakout role.
(You can read Lon’s full “Inception” review on his blog.)
Farrell reviewed this family comedy/drama from Lisa Cholodenko about two kids being raised by lesbian mothers who then meet the sperm donor who fathered them.
Farrell praised the film, which she describes as well-written, funny, well-directed and focused on small nuances and closely-realized performances. Farrell also liked Cholodenko’s previous films, “High Art” and “Laurel Canyon,” and feels that she’s now a fully-realized director whose movies are genuine and work on many levels at once.
She predicts that Mark Ruffalo will be nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars next year for his work in the movie.
DVD of the Week: “Greenberg” (56:00)
Noah Baumbach’s new comedy, with Ben Stiller, is available on VOD and home video this week.
“Greenberg” tells the story of a socially awkward man named Roger Greenberg who strikes up an unlikely friendship with his brother’s assistant (played by Greta Gerwig).
Farrell felt so much anxiety at watching Greenberg’s awkward, inappropriate behavior that the movie was almost like a thriller, and compared the Stiller performance to Larry David’s on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” She said the film reminded her that Stiller’s a talented actor.
Interview with George Spielvogel (1:01:00)
Spielvogel is an actor and director who portrays the “Gary Busey” character in the hit theatrical production “Point Break Live.” The show recreates the 1991 action film “Point Break” on stage, with a member of the audience selected each night to step into the Keanu Reeves role.
Spielvogel discussed some his favorite actors who have portrayed Keanu in the show over the years, including a 400 pound man (who was too large to do the skydiving sequence), a man with Down Syndrome, a Japanese man with a poor grasp on the English language and even an older lady.
“Point Break” director Kathryn Bigelow has actually attended a show, but did not actually perform on stage.
Spielvogel also discussed his experiences filming the little-seen 2002 film “Highway,” which also featured Jeremy Piven and Jared Leto. It was directed by James Cox, who went on to make the Val Kilmer crime thriller “Wonderland.”
For Better Or Worse (1:11:00)
In this new segment, Lon picks a variety of “categories” in film and then picks his “best” and “worst” example of that category.
Leonardo DiCaprio Performances
BEST: “The Aviator”
He completely disappears into the madness of Howard Hughes. Everything is note-perfect, from the accent to the slowly-mounting insanity.
WORST: “The Beach”
Another movie in which DiCaprio pretends to go insane, only this time, it’s ludicrous and over-the-top and insipid.
Roger suggested “Titanic” as Leo’s worst-ever performance.
Superhero Costume
BEST: Christopher Reeve as “Superman” and “Superman II”
It’s a classic. They didn’t change it for the movie. They just let Superman be Superman.
WORST: Ben Affleck as “Daredevil”
Looks like he has an S&M mask on. Also, having the eyes blotted out on the mask makes it obvious to bad guys that he’s blind. Why would you advertise that?
(Runner Up: Billy Zane as “The Phantom”)
George made a number of suggestions for great superhero constumes, including Indiana Jones, Mr. Freeze from “Batman and Robin” and Harry from “Harry and the Hendersons.” Lon noted that most of these characters are not traditionally considered superheroes.
Decapitation
BEST: David Warner in “The Omen”
Photographer Keith Jennings is one of those characters who’s introduced in the horror movie specifically to get killed in some elaborate way. There’s really no other reason for him to be there. A pane of glass is sent hurtling towards his head, which then rolls around on top of it before bursting through a window.
WORST: Wesley Snipes in “Demolition Man”
Snipes is already frozen when Stallone kicks his head off. That’s no fun at all.
Agree or disagree on any of these? Have suggestions for future “For Better or Worse” segments? Let us know @TWiMovies on Twitter!
Conclusion
The “blind item” guess on the blog’s was the same as Lon’s guess: Tom Cruise!
Follow us @TWiMovies on Twitter. Check out more episodes on http://thisweekin.com/thisweekin-movies. Thanks for watching!
- Rubyblue1
