Alexa from Pop Elegantiarum here with your weekly arts and crafts.
I hope all of you are voting today, if you haven't already. By the end of the day a significant number of us will be disappointed at the wackadoodles in office. Here are some bipartisan opinions you might want to sport instead of bitching about the results.
Independence Day Bill Pullman or Deep Impact Morgan Freeman for president?
As cinema lovers and everyone else mull over Obama's state of the union address (replete with dissolute toadlike old power mongers muttering their villainous dissent in the audience), it's tempting to look for a Capra film to compare with, but shouldn't we go back farther, to GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933, and Busby Berkley's "Forgotten Man" number? Can't you feel it coming in the air tonight?
Opening with hot chicks (including Ginger Rogers) naked behind gold coins singing "Where in the Money" in Pig Latin, GOLD DIGGERS is as savvy and hip a denouncement of the status quo as hard times can produce. Robert Dudley (the Weenie King!) plays the good-hearted producer who wants to put on a show about "men, walking, hungry, jobs! jobs! jobs!" with heart-of-gold-digger Joan Blondell, the "comic" beanpole Aline McMahon, and normie Ruby Keeler, who--as always--is assigned to sing and smooch with Dick Powell. Of course it turns out Powell's a trustafarian, pretending to struggle in the Village rather than spend some of his trust fund and live a little, but he's got no problem bank-rolling the show, leading to--hilariously!--the entrance of beloved rogues Warren Willian and Guy Kibbee! All they need is some emotional blackmail to get them swinging on a star (note to Obama, send gold diggers to discredit these republican antagonists and all will be well).
Aside from some typically snapless romantic numbers between Powell and Keeler, this is surreal stuff all the way, and the climactic Forgotten Man number ends it with a superb mixture of tears, guts, heart and bang for your dime! I love Joan Blondell's open-hearted, deeply warm and potent mix of sexual and maternal compassion for all these hollow-eyed veterans as they stagger, stagger, stagger looking for jobs jobs jobs! The "Forgotten Man" was, incidentally, the phrase at the time for all the World War One vets who had come home from the war to no job opportunities whatsoever, staggering around hungry, their chests adorned with worthless medals... the only real money to be made was in bootlegging, so if they were honest, they starved.
As with most all of Berkely's numbers,"The Forgotten Man" is really a stand-alone short film that starts out, perhaps, as a stage number on opening night, but soon expands and contracts and zooms in until we're in a whole other universe. Blondell goes from trying to stand up for her beaten-down beau against an unfeeling cop, to addressing the audience, and the world, directly, her hands outstretched in a massive, Brodway belt of a plea. Watching Obama last night I was reminded not of Jimmy Stewart's hoarse fillibuster in MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON, but Blondell, opening her human heart a mile wide to engulf the nation in a surge of compassion as the music marches inexorably onwards. It's a galvanizing moment when music number, plot, message and fourth wall breaking all merge seamlessly together to create the purest most direct kind of art, and I wanted to present here, on dear Nathaniel's fantastically actressexual blog, in celebration of Miss Blondell and all those brave, forgotten men still treading the pavement for jobs, jobs... jobs.
Kenneth in the (212) "about face" is a new photography book restricting itself to just men's faces, unretouched. Lots of actors because they're handsome. I threw Jim Caviezel up to the left there. His career sure turned out odd, right? THRLet the Right One In's director Tomas Alfredson lines up his next project, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy based on the John Le Carre's 1974 espionage novel /Film Kate Beckinsale sues a newspaper for libel damages, claiming that they gave the impression her career was in decline. This is the type of thing that could so easily backfire. Suddenly we're thinking: Why is she so touchy about her career? Declining? The Notorious Nikki Finke hates on Nicole Kidman. But then who doesn't she hate on?
All Things Fangirl has a detailed review of Tom Lenk's (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) stand up show last night at Don't Tell Mama's. I was also there and it was indeed hilarious. Big Screen Little Screen who is the real James Franco? Just Jared Jude Law's tattoos Movies Kick Ass clicks its heels together for Meryl Streep Scanners another fine piece about the strangely heated Transformers divide, fans hating on critics for not agreeing with them. This happened last year with Dark Knight but it wasn't quite so widespread since most critics loved the hell out of The Dark Knight. a) why do movie fans need validation in the first place? and b) how boring would life be if we all shared the same opinions? Erik Lundegaard wants all 14 year old's responsible for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen punished. His plan is so diabolical! Has he no mercy?
Did y'all here about this DVD box set of American classics Barack Obama gave Britain's Prime Minister?
Bright Lights takes issue with the Daily Mail for calling this a lame thoughtless gift (because it wasn't personalized). I sure as hell would be happy to receive it, wouldn't you? So many goodies.
Were you to see receive a box set which movies would you want replaced? And with what? *
Today is the 20th Anniversary of Spike Lee's classic joint Do The Right Thing. There are a few retrospective interviews about the landmark film over at The Root. I'd include them here for you but their embed code leaves much to be desired.
I had no idea that Barack & Michelle Obama saw this on their first date together. But they apparently don't talk about that much. The movie was a hot potato back then and apparently still gives some people hot flashes today. But it's quite good. Have you seen it? I wonder if it would have made Oscar's shortlist if they had had 10 Best Picture nominees that year.
Maybe not. They didn't even nominate Malcolm X in 1992 and that's right in the Academy zone (epic biopic spanning the life of very famous individual who dies tragically). The nominees deemed better than Do The Right Thing for 1989 were:
Born on the 4th of July
Dead Poet's Society
Driving Miss Daisy
Field of Dreams
My Left Foot
Ouch. But I'm not big on the 1989 Oscars in general. They weren't kind to The Fabulous Baker Boys or sex, lies and videotape or Heathers. In short: Oscar was feeling old and creaky that year. They were drunk on geritol and had no time for fresh unruly voices and plenty of love for sentiment and nostalgia.
Still, I remember being shocked -- SHOCKED -- that Kim Basinger, whom I'd never thought of as a tastemaker per se, spoke out against AMPAS for excluding it in the Best Picture race... and she did so on the actual Oscar broadcast. She did so while wearing a dress she might have borrowed from Wendy & Lisa. Well, she was all up in Prince's grill in the early 90s, don'cha know. *
I love Barack Obama as much as the next person who voted for him -- well, maybe not quite as much as some of the next people. I think of him as a charismatic, intelligent, erudite, inspiring and diplomatic human being but not as someone who might die for me on a cross or cure my hemorrhaging were I to touch his garment. Nevertheless, I'm super excited for a new era for American politics. But there's a time and place for everything and I do not need to be staring at the President's face, no matter who the president is, when I'm looking at the two most sacred Oscar season covers in magazine-land. The Oscar cover of EW was strange enough but now he's on my beloved "Hollywood" cover of Vanity Fair instead of that highly discussable rotating parade of a dozen stars?
What is going on here??? Calm down Conde Naste / Time Warner drones! Obama is awesome but he's not a movie star. And he's only been in office 14 days. Can we let him work at the job for awhile?
This kind of spoils what I had planned for my long running "Vanity Fair Hollywood" series (click the label to see the old ones) unless Barack Obama has a movie career somewhere that I don't know about. If he does, send me screeners so I may review.
But on a more frustrating note this overselling and pedestal raising of President Obama in the usually semi apolitical entertainment arenas is not helpful. It just gives more ammunition to all the wingnuts out there who love to sell those stupid "liberal media" conspiracies that make it easy for people to play scapegoating games and to excuse their avoidance of any contact with actual reality. In short, I hate it when the far right gets to seem semi lucid instead of batshit crazy. *
Philadephia Inquirer man shot for talking during Benjamin Button! Get the Big Picture on the best posters of the year. Yes, I'll do my own list veddy soon. Stale Popcorn also goes there <--- IMDB a court decision regarding those Watchmen battles is in and Warner Bros loses to Fox. Translation: That March 2009 release date is looking very subject to change Art of the Title on Edward Scissorhands. God, I love those credits In Contention looks briefly at the disparity between two sets of critical roundups on the year's best. Harvey Fiertstein (the great) has some insightful words for Barack Obama Best and Worst Musicals of the year courtesy of EIKILFM BlogStage 'Sean Penn is not in Milk, as the credits suggest' Huffington Post all the celebrity divorces of the year. Awardage for best divorces, Madonnamony and whatnot Moviefone has a list of the 50 best movies. They manage to include just about everything including a few really awful movies. The top ten is a please-everyone mix of superhero movies and Oscar hopefuls.
And while we're on the topic of top tens ... /Film wants to know why you read top 10 lists. This topic always makes me crazy because I get weirded out by the fairly common notion (which this article actually kicks off with) that individual lists that don't fit the larger consensus list are worthless. Ummm... isn't that a Bizarro world complaint. Isn't the joy in list-making and reading what's individual and idiosyncratic? For many I guess it isn't. I'm just trying to figure our where said joy is for those people --is there joy to be had in reading 100 lists that are virtually identical? I'm not trying to judge but to understand. Am I missing some hidden beauty in homogeny?
This is the last political post for awhile...just gotta get this one last out before I can concentrate on watching and talking about movies. My apologies to non political junkies
Have you rented The Times of Harvey Milk yet? It's beyond. I've told you before. Bone up on the history before the feature version of Harvey's life story, Milk, comes out. I'm so sad today that Focus Features did not release this movie before that despicable Proposition 8 met with California voters in the booth. I'm not the only one. It really needed to be part of the conversation. Maybe the movie wasn't ready yet but I blame studio obsession with holiday Oscar strategizing because that's an easy thing to blame it on. I'm frustrated so... pass the scapegoat!
Harvey Milk was an American icon and hero and it's heartening to see him being ressurrected in popular culture by way of the film. I'm crossing my fingers that the new film is a worthy companion piece to the documentary.
Yesterday Americans elected another inspiring leader who broke barriers and made the kind of "I can't believe this is happening" history that puts tears in the eyes of open hearted people of all stripes. I am very hopeful that his moment will last much longer than Milk's and won't end as tragically. I don't think it will. For today, all across the country --even in the "red" states -- people are feeling good that we've embraced a political figure worth following in a passionate way. ["Red" Tangent: Aren't we glad to have a man going to Washington who followed Howard Dean's lead (he never gets enough credit) for rejecting the whole notion of "red" & "blue" and realizing you have to win hearts and preside over citizens in all 50 states, United States as it were.]
The forward-projecting mass jubilation over Barack Obama suggests to us two things.
Obama set the bar very high for himself --people will be expecting miracles. And...
They might actually get them if they, as voters and citizens, continue to choose hope over fear and show a willingness to part with old ways that don't work. But as California voters sadly reminded us yesterday, even in a moment when many voters were feeling hope, generosity and inclusiveness while letting go of past divisions -- they couldn't quite let go of other fears and prejudices. That's truly depressing but let's all HOPE anyway. It's audacious!
Nations often end up reflecting the character of their leader and even if Obama isn't yet pro gay marriage he inarguably has an inclusive spirit as a leader. Obama even mentioned gay people twice in his acceptance speech which is, I believe --though correct me if I'm wrong, unprecendented for a President Elect. Reflecting their new president's inclusive spirit should serve Americans very well as they move forward into this new millenium. After all, diversity of opinion, religion, sexual orientation, color and basic worldview aren't going anywhere. We're going to need a bigger tent.
And now we really are returning to the movies! Promise -->
Next: Velvet Goldmine's 10th anniversary for our 'Musical of the Month' club (delayed until nov. 11th), a conversation with Sally Hawkins from Happy-Go-Lucky, some thoughts on Slumdog Millionaire, a Rachel Getting Married interview (it goes wide this Friday). Plus: Gone With the Wind vs. The English Patient as 'Best Pictures from the Outside In' resumes.
GreenCine rounds up the Newman tributes Are You There Blog? finds a great humanist quote from Newman. And I already really loved Newman. I didn't need more reasons. NewNowNext Gwyneth Paltrow's new business venture. (Maybe she should, you know, concentrate on improving her acting career while she's still young. Just a thought) Some Came Running Glenn Kenny on Bill Condon's Oscar gig. Crazy ass screengrabs Fabulon checks in with Sharon Stone. Someone has to Mirror Who's That Girl? It's not Madonna. It's Debbie Harry, looking all polished and Madonna-esque. Everything comes full circle you see? Defamer's a Call to the BullPen: Dakota Fanning on Facebook. Hee
Goatdog accomplishes the seemingly impossible. He's now seen every Best Picture nominee. Go congratulate him. I'm not even close. A Socialite's Life Anne Hathaway making the rounds with Rachel Getting Married in NYC Just Jared Ryan Reynolds and Scarjo are now husband & wife. [see previous TFE post for their engagement announcement] Filmbo makes an odd comparison. Honest to blog Moviefone asks Stan Lee (Marvel Comics) a bunch of questions. Bizarre asides about Will Smith as Captain America and Barack Obama follow. Coffee Coffee and More Coffee reviews Seoul Raiders, that movie I'm giving away starring Tony Leung. Today is the last day to enter that contest.
Colorful Animation Expressions dives deep into 101 Dalmations' frames My New Plaid Pants less frightening: Happy Underwear Day. Mmmm Tatum Club Silencio movie educators on each subject you might encounter. I'm so pleased to see Carrie's gym teacher within Tom Cruise 25 Years (though he's been in movies for 27). This video edit from the Museum of the Moving Image reminds you what a ginormous star Tommy boy always was --and thus how sad the sprung leak behavior recently has been. He's leaking legacy. 'Plug it up. Plug it up' -- but it skimps on Magnolia. And given that that's arguably his best work... And the Winner Is... finally does first round Oscar predictions Obsessed With Film Mark Ruffalo moving to directing? As long as he'll still spend time in front of cameras, thank you...
off-cinema Inanimate Alice this web series is really absorbing and mildly disturbing... though I'm not sure why it upsets me. I haven't watched all the episodes yet NY PostProjectRunLoveway. I totally knew it. Caught that vibe Huffington Post Scarlett Johansson on the recent e-mail sit'ch with Barack Obama
MCN two ways of seeing Barack Obama Defamer "Tom Cruise as The Village People" What a biopic that would be. Can we get Todd Haynes to direct? NY Post strange case of Kiss of the Spider Woman'slong wait for a DVD Scanners the color of movie blood MNPP "incinerated by lousy dialogue"
Twitch a new DVD release for Terrence Malick's The New World in October. Why is it that I just can't handle the issue of this ever-evolving movie? It really bothers me. Films are not blogs --you're not supposed to keep fiddling with the design (*refresh your screens*). They're more like books. Books don't suddenly get rewritten. Even when I love the movie in question (Blade Runner and this) I have issues. When I see a movie, I want to know that I've seen it. When I watch it again I want to marvel that the detail I'm catching for the first time is, in fact, something I've seen twice. I want the "never before seen" thing to be a figurative experience, not literal. I don't want the "you haven't really seen the movie!" feeling hanging over me like some mutated sword of damacles...(wielded by Audrey Rose?). This hurts me. I can't wrap my head around the existence of three versions of one movie less than three years after its debut.
"I'm not here to make friends" FourFour Rich is utterly brilliant, yes? Check out his latest video montage. This is why I can't watch much reality TV. Once you've seen one, you've seen them all.
This being an election year (don't worry Nathanial, I'm not going to get political - just ponder portrayals) and Nathanial's trip bringing back memories of youthful excursions to the Hall of Presidents, my thoughts have turned to Presidents on Film ("two minutes later" ). Only one is among the top five most portrayed historical figures in film, Abraham Lincoln. The full top five, including number of portrayals is: Adolph Hitler (68), Vladymir Lenin (77), Abraham Lincoln (133 - but if you count portrayals in documentaries then many, many more), Jesus Christ (151) and Napolean (182).
John Kennedy was the only President portrayed in a film in current release when he died, that film being PT109, starring Cliff Robertson as Kennedy in World War II.
So now I'm thinking, if when the inevitable cable movie gets made about the nomination battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama (you know it will be) who will play these two prominent politicians? I've already got my nominees. For Clinton, one possibility is Amy Poehler. They could age her and she could add a wry humor to the portrayal. Susan Sarandon is already the right age and a formidable actress and Judy Davis is a favorite of mine. She doesn't look anything like Hillary but she didn't look much like Judy Garland either yet they made her up and she passed it off. I think they'd all do a terrific job but my frontrunner is Amy.
And for Obama? I'll go with Tim Russ. Who's Tim Russ you ask? He played Tuvok on Star Trek Voyager and he's a pretty good actor who doesn't get a lot of work. Two other top choices would be Don Cheadle and Joe Morton but I like rooting for the underdog and since Russ isn't as widely known perhaps it could become a breakthrough role for him.
Look for it soon: Primary Reckoning, starring Amy Poehler and Tim Russ. "In the race for the nomination, crossing the finish line was their primary concern."
some of these links might be a day or two old but I've been away. enjoy them again if you've already had the pleasure...
To Ponder Slant Ed Gonzalez looks at film criticism, race, Barack Obama and politics. Heartfelt thoughtful stuff The Projectionist on the (unfulfilled) talent of Anthony Minghella (RIP)
To Read FourFour on the Madonna / Justin Timberlake collaboration Self Styled Siren, who can always be counted on for a good movie star tribute, expresses love for the excellent and undervalued Joan Crawford Movie Marketing considers the Flashbacks of a Fool poster (starring Daniel Craig) Go Fug Yourself Juliette Lewis vs. Keira Knightley / Sharon Stone vs. Scarjo PopWatch "Harvey Scissorhands" is at it again. This time with Fanboys. And they aren't happy about it. I know I've asked this question too much but why does anyone sell their film to him?
To Look At Circus Hour Renée Zellweger lamp. teehee Movie City Indie "Sometimes I Doubt..." Everything Oscar Johnny Depp as John Dillinger in Public Enemies MNPP a very special Buffy reunion
Check this out, the Psycho shower scene back to back (or side to side rather, with the original Hitchcock and the Van Sant recreation) thanks to Dennis for the heads up...
