Joe Garagiola, R.I.P

Thank you Joe for being a big part of my baseball life growing up :(.......and for the inspiration for Fred Willard's role in Best In Show R.I.P

Don't Be Afraid Of The Remake (For The Most Part)

Maybe it was because my aunt did double duty on a date once by babysitting my brother and I at the drive-in for a double feature of The Conqueror Worm and The Masque of the Red Death with no discernible harm to our young psyches. Certainly watching Night Of The Hunter whilst my age was still in single digits didn't deter me from trusting adults either. However, the one movie/television event that left me shaken and scared was the 1973 program Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark; the tension created by the noises from the demonic creatures that lived under the house was truly terrifying; the fact that our baby-sitters let us watch the program and were then not malicious enough to try and scare the wits out of us kids afterward is still something I marvel at to this day.



In today's Los Angeles Times I came across a story debating the FUTURE OF MIRAMAX FILMS WITH DISNEY there was a paragraph about the upcoming remake of that classic show, starring Katie Holmes and produced by Guillermo del Toro. That second factor is enough to assure me that this will be a worthwhile project, though I am certainly proud of the fact that I have not directly paid one cent to see a movie with Mrs. Cruise, something that will probably change with this one.



Thanks once again to Youtube for allowing people like SciFiPilots to post sections of the original online, where people all across the country can watch it again and make comments such as "This movie scared the CRAP outta me when I was a kid!. In this clip, the heroine begins to tamper with things that she was warned against doing in her dream house.

MST3K: Pants UP!

Daddy-O remains one of my most watched MST3K episodes, a 50's b-movie crime flick that might've remained in obscurity if not for the Best Brains folks back in the early 90's. It's still not been re-released on any of the great Rhino DVD's for who-knows-what reason exactly (more than likely issues with whomever owns the rights to this movie though).



The first host segment of the show also remains one of my favourite things from the series, with Joel and the bots be-bopping about the pants of the hero and the way that he wears them in the movie. TV's Frank and Dr. Forrester are also seen doing what they do in this segment. Dig it baby, it's solid gold! (thank you Samtaco!)

Big Boffo Box Office: $384.00. Eight Theaters.

That's the reported box office take of Jessica Simpson's latest movie venture,Blonde Ambition. The amount of screens playing this movie certainly define the term, limited engagement, even for Simpson's home state of Texas. Dallas Cowboy fans, pissed off with the woeful performance their team played against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 16th, losing 10 to 6, which Simpson attended wearing a Tony Romo jersey, certainly have as good a reason as anybody to avoid this cinematic debacle heading straight to DVD; count me as one who can't even be bothered to watch Jessica in her Daisy Dukes when the remake of Dukes Of Hazzard is on HBO. There are many other things that would benefit from my time and money than anything that features Ms. Simpson. Sad, really, cause I actually did like her Irresistible single. More details, and some math for the numbers, is HERE.

Up And At Them, Peter!

Way to represent Congressman DeFazio. This is for keeping the whole SIMPSONS MOVIE PREMIERE IN VERMONT WHEN IT SHOULD BE IN OREGON question in the proper perspective by adding a certain amount of ridiculousness in his humorous letter of protestation over the curious result. The story in today's Albany paper is HERE.




Of course, the movie could be a total dog, with the same quality that recent seasons of the television series have exhibited, in which case we might not have anything to complain about. I did catch the two gents from KFLY's Donkey Show calling in on KPNW's SportsTalk this week, urging a boycott of the movie and of products from Vermont. That latter request seemed easy enough to do (maple syrup? just buy Canadian) but then it was pointed out the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream would be on that list as well, at which point both Steve and Nate paused and realized what they would have to give up, a tough decision to make indeed. Have to say that it would be hard for me, I am rather attracted to the Phish Food, though I am happy to admit that I am in no way a fan of the Vermont band.

Control: Critical Plaudits At Cannes

A good sign for the upcoming film by Anton Corbijn titled Control with THIS story about the films reception at Cannes. Also in the article is a short interview with Sam Riley, who portrays Curtis in the movie.


Another good sign for the movie is the final quote from the director, who was worked with Joy Division and New Order many times over the years, which tells me everything I need to know....They hardly ever agree on anything together, but they have agreed that they all love the film."




Another story on the reaction to the film, along with some more information about some of the principals, is HERE, from today's Guardian.

Hogzilla The Movie

I've always enjoyed watching the Hogzilla documentary, which gets to the bottom of the issue concerning the size of the legendary Georgian beast, that the National Geographic television channel has aired from time to time, it certainly beats watching American Idol in terms of watching creatures on the tube.



Looks like a film is due to be made on the porcine king, in a horror-movie style with attacks on humans. Some more details HERE

Control To Be Screened At Cannes

Being a long time Joy Division fan (no, loving the band and its music has never made me wear black, or consider killing myself), the news that famed photographer/video director Anton Corbijn was to direct a film based on the book by his wife Deborah has intrigued me. The good news is that his eagerly awaited film will be shown at Cannes next month, with wide release apparently sometime in the fall.


I still cannot underestimate the importance of hearing Joy Division as a teenager though; after the fury of punk had died down, the intensely personal music of JD hit me in a palpable way, my introduction to the band being that a friend of mine, late in 1979, had bought the Transmission single, based solely on it cover. Hearing that incredible opening (the throbbing bass of Peter Hook, the clattering drums of Stephen Morris, the stinging guitar of Bernard Sumner, and then the vocals of Ian Curtis, all blended superbly by Martin Hannett)left me wanting more.....immediately. Of course, the band was not to exist for much longer, there wasn't much information to be had in this area in the pre-internet era, and when I finally was able to track down a copy of the New Musical Express, in June of 1980, the cover featured Corbijn's iconic photo of the band in the subway, the band facing forward, with Curtis looking back toward the photographer, and the headline announcing the suicide of Curtis to those in the world who weren't in the area where JD had made their rounds.


Deborah's book showed the all-too human side of Ian, something that was not quite in step with the darkly imaginative lyrics he would pen, especially as JD developed their sound and style. As mentioned before, my love of JD didn't make me go and harm myself or anybody (honestly, I have no reason to really complain about anything...), but that book, entitled Touching From A Distance gave me an insight on how the demands of fame could place on the artist and their respective families, things I'd never considered before. Sure, I love my favourite artists a lot, but not at the expense of them harming themselves or anybody else for that matter. Touching gave me an idea on how to relate to people whose work I admire, hopefully this film will give a wider audience that same feeling.



STORY

The Angel Of Death: Virginia Madsen

Playing a central role in Robert Altman's last movie, as the Angel Of Death visiting the set of A Prairie Home Companion on the evening of their last broadcast before being shut down, actress Virginia Madsen gives an interview to Beliefnet on what her experiences were on the shoot, and her own belief about angels. Interesting to note that it was Altman's specific vision of the angel to walk and talk almost glacially, in a calm tone, a certain nod, in my opinion, that when it's time to go, death is nothing to be afraid of. She certainly provided that in her characterization in the movie, and I particularly liked her comforting the soon to be deceased Chuck Akers (LQ Jones) before his memorable and touching song in the movie.




INTERVIEW

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere: Springfield OR In Contest To Host Simpsons Movie With Other Springfields

Can't say that I've been to many of the 16 Springfields across this country, but I find it hard to believe that many have a chance to top the one here in Oregon as a model for the city in the television series, and soon to be released movie.



Yes, all of the towns with the same moniker have been invited to a competition to put each one's best foot forward in a promotional film that Fox studio execs will review, and somehow tie that film to the television series.



The winning Springfield gets to host the world premiere of the Simpsons movie in July, so there's lots on the line for all of these places to advertise their home town to the world.


Hard to say what the impact on the contest by the fact that Simpsons creator Matt Groening is a native Oregonian, but the Oregon city, while a pleasant place to drive through on your way to somewhere else, should certainly be considered an obvious choice.



FULL STORY

Aqua Teen Hunger Force Movie Trailer

Dang, with this one coming up, that'll make it, what, four movies that I'll have actually paid to sit in a theater within a 12 month period? (Those'd be Borat, Pan's Labrynith, Reno 911 and this one). Looks good to me so far.

Reno 911 Movie On February 23rd

Not just about promoting upcoming music releases, but also movies about a ridiculous television show about inept cops. Sometimes great, sometimes grating, nevertheless the Reno 911 show was one of the last things I ever made a point to catch (at least since both Insomniac and Chappelle's Show went off the air). Sorry gents, endless repeats of MadTV doesn't do anything for me, though to be fair, I'm sure endless repeats of MST3K back in the day didn't do anything for a lot of people either. Bring back the Sports Monster!


Anyways, the Reno 911 cops have a Myspace page out, I saw this in the previews before the Borat movie. A lot of ridiculousness in it........just like in real life.



MY SPACE

Pan's Labyrinth In Portland

Having been captivated by Guillermo del Toro's The Devil's Backbone, which was on IFC twice yesterday, the eagerly awaited Oregon debut of his new film Pan's Labyrinth occurred last Friday at Cinema 21.


The film opens at more theaters this Friday, I'm hoping that Salem or Eugene might be amongst those cities, for shorter traveling distance, but then heading up to Portland for a day of film, food, browsing and shopping is not an unpleasant day out to be sure.


The rich mix of reality and fantasy in this new film seems to be a winner once again set during the Spanish Civil War, I was mesmerized by the beauty (and tragedy) of del Toro's work in Devil's Backbone, walking the fine line between human needs and wants delicately, aided by some stunning visual work as well.


REVIEW

Sascha Baron-Cohen On Borat

An interview with the creator of Borat, Ali G, and Bruno. From today's LA Times, an interesting look at some of the views behind the insanity. I can still feel the sorority girls sitting next to me in the theater cringing in their seats during the wrestling scene. Can't get that experience watching a DVD at home.



OUT OF CHARACTER

"Manos" The Hands Of Fate

I'm always pleased to revisit things that've brought me pleasure and entertainment in the past (it's definitely a bonus if they still bring me the same joy years later). Having been a MST3K fan for over a decade (I think it appeared on the Salem-area cable somewhere in their season two, which is when I became aware of it via Comedy Central of course), I came across this article detailing the "plot" of one of the worst movies ever to be panned by Joel and the bots.


There is a statement by the author, drawn by the views from some of his friends, that that particular episode of MST3K, which he hasn't seen, wasn't a particularly funny one, but I think that it is indeed some good work by the SOL crew, though the author is right when it comes down, as always, to a matter of personal taste. Personally, I'd always been drawn in by the awfulness of the film, which is one reason I've watched that episode several times, but as Mary Jo Pehl notes in the Episode Guide book, it definitely wasn't easy work. This movie was like watching a train wreck----we couldn't bear to watch it but we couldn't look away. There were many times during the writing process when we simply couldn't make comments, so caught up in the wretchedness of this movie were we.


Both versions of the movie are available via Amazon and other retailers, but if you've never seen "Manos", check out the I-Mockery link for the full rundown. The other two links are for more history and MST views of the movie.



I-MOCKERY



MANOS


AGONY BOOTH

Garrison Keillor On Robert Altman

Some memories from Keillor on the late director, about the final project of his life. From the Guardian today. Still R.I.P. Robert..........and I need to go find a copy of the film A Prairie Home Companion ASAP.




HELLO LOVE

Bill Plympton In Salem

Cartoonist Bill Plympton, another cartoonist I became acquainted with from my days of reading the National Lampoon in my youth, and who originally hails from Oregon, will be appearing in Salem at the Salem Cinema for a three-day run, starting on December 21st, as the theater begins its showing of his new animated film, Hair High. Very nice to note in a chat that he did with readers from the Salem Statesman-Journal that he appreciates the Salem Cinema, which is truly a wonderful place to watch quality films.



S-J CHAT



INFO ON BILL

How Borat Plays In Israel

Very well indeed, as one might expect. Something that gives Israeli audiences an inside view about the film is the fact that the character Borat does not speak in Kazhakh or gibberish, but rather in Hebrew, which delights audiences.




Full USA Today story HERE

The Battle In Seattle: Coming To A Screen Near You

A riotous day in Northwest history is being filmed where it took place in November 1999, downtown Seattle, home to the first World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting on American soil. According to the story in today's P-I, the film, starring Charlize Thereon, Woody Harrelson, and Ray Liotta, is taking great care not to take any specific stance, rather it seems like they'll be doing it in a near-documentary style, leaving the audience to ponder things themselves (along preconceived notions, undoubtedly. ) Why then didn't they contact the then-Mayor of Seattle at the time? We shall see how they turn this story out.





SEATTLE

A Withnail & I Reunion

Some news about one of my fave films of all time, the English film Withnail & I , and a reunion of sorts of the two characters of the title, played by Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann, respectively. The original film follows the two on a weekend country getaway from their dull lives in late sixties London.





We want them NOW!!!!