Since Omar has stopped writing his “Movies This Week” entries, I am shamelessly stealing the concept. (Sorry, Omar. If you start writing them again, I’ll stop.)
Mine aren’t going to be nearly as funny, though, because I’m not automatically funny the way Omar is. Also, I am including movies that will be shown in Austin—not just new movies, but revival/retrospective stuff that I think is noteworthy.
And I don’t get to see any of these movies in advance like Omar did, so I have to write about stuff I haven’t seen, which is tricky. We’ll see how well this works.
New movies this week:
America’s Heart and Soul—This movie is touted as “the anti-Fahrenheit 9/11 and is being heavily promoted by Disney. You know, Disney, who declined to release the Michael Moore film. And the Move America Forward people are endorsing it. That alone is affecting people’s decision to see it, no matter how good it might or might not be. In limited release last week, it was virtually ignored by audiences—it’ll be interesting to see what happens in wider release this weekend. (The theaters in Austin that are showing it are not showing the Moore movie.)
Anchorman—You see now why I don’t want Will Ferrell cast as Ignatius Reilly in A Confederacy of Dunces? Farrell plays this vain news anchor who has to deal with an ambitious chick (Christina Applegate) wanting to break into the male-dominated business and spoil all the fun. I used to be a journalist, so I don’t think this is a very amusing premise. Probably it’s just an excuse for Ferrell to mug for the camera and do funny stuff and wear hilarious Seventies fashions, though.
Before Sunset—My favorite Richard Linklater film is School of Rock. I am strangely unashamed.
The Clearing—Robert Redford. Helen Mirren. Yawn. Willem Dafoe. Hmm. Slow-moving suspense film. Isn’t that a contradiction in terms?
King Arthur—I think I’m going to boycott all Keira Knightly films to protest her being cast as Lizzy Bennett in an upcoming adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Not that I would see this anyway. It looks like a very messy excuse for a summer blockbuster. Hey, did you know that Eric Idle has written a Broadway musical from Monty Python and the Holy Grail called Spamalot and they’ve cast Tim Curry as King Arthur? And Hank Azaria as Lancelot? That, I’d watch.
Sleepover—La la la, I’m ignoring all teen movies.
Notable revivals in Austin:
The Freshman—Alamo Downtown is showing this Harold Lloyd silent movie on Saturday night (July 10) at 7 and 9:45 pm, with live music accompaniment. It’s nearly impossible to see any Harold Lloyd movies these days, as they’re not available on DVD or VHS, so take advantage if you can.
I’m pissed because I really wanted to see Baadasssss! this weekend, but Arbor Great Hills got rid of it, preferring to show that stupid “pro-America” Disney film. Thanks, guys. (Yet another reason for me to avoid that particular theater and the Regal chain.) We’re seeing The Freshman on Saturday and Spider-Man 2 either this weekend or next.
Also, my boyfriend rented the Brother Bear DVD with the Rick Moranis/Dave Thomas (“we’re not the McKenzie brothers, we swear”) commentary track, so we might be enjoying that too. And depending on how the mail runs, we may have Out of Sight to watch.
Damn, this is difficult. I have gained much respect for Omar.
Speaking of bad movies, have you ever seen “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes?” (I have a poor copy, taped when it was on TV years ago.
Didn’t we once agree that Jack Black should play Ignatius?
No – if one wishes to talk bad movies, try RETURN of the Killer Tomatoes. Oh, so bad. And yet I love it. But really, it is a stinker. A stinker with George Clooney.
I saw “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” in high school, taped off late-night TV, and what I remember from that movie is the awful music: the theme song and “Puberty Love.” Eeep.
I saw “Return of the Killer Tomatoes” at a free sneak at LSU, right before it released-I-mean-escaped. All I can remember are the awful pizzas they created because tomatoes were banned. I have no desire to see either movie again, even though I like George Clooney.
And yeah, Jack Black should play Ignatius. Assuming a film of the book ever actually makes it into production, which seems quite doubtful. Perhaps the ghost of Toole has cursed it. Perhaps that’s best.
Oh, please don’t bash “Anchorman.” It’s Judd Apatow’s (Freaks & Geeks, Undeclared) first foray into the big wide world of super-famedom. In other words, it’s probably going to be the suckiest thing he’s done and also make the most money and have the highest profile.
Have I mentioned I hate people’s taste? OK, then, I will: I hate the awful taste of most people in this country. People who will waste their money going all the way to the theatre to see “The Terminal” and “The Notebook” and pass over such darling gems as “Freaks & Geeks” and “Firefly” that they could watch in the comfort of their own home.
Yeah, the bitterness? It’s who I am with regard to TV/movies and many people’s taste.
Go back to bashing “Anchorman,” will you? I’m totally on board with you now. It just took me some time to catch on.
Will Ferrell as Ignatius? Kiera freakin’ Knightley as LIZZY, for god’s sake? WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS WORLD?!
Good news! The Harold Lloyd Collection is out on dvd today.