I’m awesome. I wrote a book. It’s got little to do with movies. Download and read “Thank You, Goodnight” right HERE for free.
Yes, I’ll get back to the usual griping and nitpicking of what was awesome and what was not in moments but I had to start by saying that after seeing a screening of TROPIC THUNDER on Friday night during the Comic-Con I have had every ounce of ill will towards Tom Cruise expunged from my pores.
No longer can I honestly bag, rag or tease the couch-jumping midget with incisors that could fillet a tin can (and still cut a vine ripened tomato!) as I have to go on record as saying that he gives a brilliant comedic performance that I will not spoil in TROPIC THUNDER. I was shocked by the amount of blue eminating from his mouth in this film and, so much so, I had double-take a few times as I wondered why he would go out on that limb; it was completely against type of everything you think you know about him. There was the kind of ferocity brought into the character he plays that, damn near like Heath Ledger’s iconic performance as The Joker, you forget about all the batshit crazy antics that drove him to the point he is today. Needless, the movie was spectacular and you really do need to go into that movie with as little spoiler-y information as possible. This is honestly a movie that rewards people who go into it blind as, without question, it was the second best comedy I saw all summer. What was the first, you may never ask yourself?
HAMLET 2
Now, this one was different in that I saw the trailer and adored it. It had such a spark that it was in danger of not being able to live up to the marketing. I was beyond pleased to find out that this is a movie that is at once absurd and wickedly sharp. While it takes the Teacher/Student genre and spins it sharply on its head you have Steve Coogan who is allowed to let his freak flag fly mightily. Just when you start to worry that his is a character is really a caricature you begin to love this guy who is at once so full of optimism and so miserably inept. And everything you read about the eventual play they put on the end should all point to the fact that this is the crowning moment that takes this comedy and imbues it with a tenderness that you don’t see much in even straightforward dramas. And I hope everyone enjoys the musical stylings of The Tuscon Gay Men’s Choir; they are brilliantly used and have everything to do with the aforementioned moment that brings this whole film together. And, in celebration of this film I have tons to share regarding this film: interviews with star Steve Coogan, director Andrew Flemming and co-writer Pam Brady. This is one that really deserves a big hug by consumers this month.
As well, who could’ve missed watching the WATCHMEN
Zack Snyder knows how to work panels and, just like he did with 300, the man came prepared to let people know just how seriously he was working on this film adaptation. The footage he showed, in an extended trailer that mixed in some of the more sharp elements from the trailer already out there did 2 things: 1. It made you pay attention to the magnitude and scale of this production 2. It conveyed a sense of a world just like outs that could really exist. Snyder has made a world within a world and it was breathtaking to see how he has used his prowess as a sharp filmmaker to mold and pump into life this graphic novel that has finally found its pulse. The panel itself, as well, was one of those things where Snyder was allowed to work his magic on the crowd while still allowing all the stars of the film to be included into the conversation. Even media shy Cruddup seemed to be enjoying the absurdity of it all, being tossed questions about absolutely random things but loving every minute of it. The roundtables for this film, as well, were the highlight of my trip to San Diego and made all the cash I had to spend to get there worthwhile. I know we sort of eschew the roundtable format around these parts but since I was armed with a video camera and an audio recorder I made to videotape the panel and videotape the roundtables. I will be posting both soon but if you’re whipping yourself that you weren’t able to make it for this one should rest assured that you’ll be able to enjoy the entire panel in a matter of days. A special note needs to be made about meeting C.H.U.D.’s Devin Faraci. If there is anyone I would point to as a respectable model for how interviewing should go it would be him. We were in the same pool of other writers scrambling to cover the WATCHMEN roundtables and, with the exception of a Herman Munster look-a-like who made a few moments real uncomfortable for everyone involved a few times, I was genuinely honored to be in the presence of the guy. He’s the go-to person for damn near every solid interview over at C.H.U.D. and if there was anyone who makes me want to be a better conversationalist with those who are making films or being a part of them, it is he. I just hope I carried myself well as I would loathe to be on the receiving end of any editorial that starts with, “I was at a roundtable with this one twit who…”
CHUCK
No one loves Zach Levi more than me. Pressured to talk to the guy based on his role in BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE 2 I could not have been more impressed with an actor on the bubble. The man was well read, had a jolly disposition, loved video games and was honestly engaged with the conversation the entire time. I’ve since interviewed him a few more times since then and I did it again after his well-attended panel in Room 20, a step up from his previous Room that did not hold nearly as many individuals who were in love with his lovable geek. One of the highpoints for this panel was Levi’s interpretation of Yvonne Strahovski, and her command of her Australian accent, when she uses the word “No.” AEIOU plays a part of the punchline and it was just nice, in case you’re wondering about these things, to see these co-stars all hanging out afterwards at the Hard Rock, just enjoying each other’s company and the rather tasty delights of fried calamari. (I had some and it was delicious) The interview I did with Zach and co-star Josh Gomez needs to be seen to be believed and shortly you will when I upload the video to celebrate Season 2 of CHUCK when it comes back on NBC at the end of September. If I could give out an award for Person I Would Defend In A Battle of Public Opinion, Zach and Josh would get it just from the standpoint that these guys are genuinely appreciative of where they are and how they got there.
THE BITCH SLAP GIRLS
Hot ladies, a 45 minute interview and conducting it in bed with them. Yeah, I know the other interviewers getting my sloppy seconds conducted the interview in the same manner but don’t burst my bubble. I’m special, dammit. The interview, though, was phenomenally entertaining and this movie looks wickedly exciting. This movie, one that hearkens back to the exploitation films of the 70’s but differs insofar as the script is presumably laden with sharp dialogue and the kind of action you wish Tarantino had employed in DEATH PROOF. As well, this is one of the few movies shot entirely with the Red Camera. The screen shots I saw were sharp, crisp and as the filmmakers explained what they had to go through in getting this done with this heavy piece of equipment I can only hope the film is as good as the ladies made it sound. They were charismatic, beautiful, hilarious and had lots of good things to say about anyone who thinks that making an exploitation movie in the desert would be a part and a half. The stories about where these girls found sand weeks later after the shoot was done is worth the price of admission.
ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO
This was a fascinating panel. I taped it (and will be uploading it soon for your perusal) so you can decide for yourself but Seth Rogan and Company made short work of the geeks and dweebs who wanted to go toe to toe with those on the stage. The clip of the movie that was shown was excellent in that Justin Long was perhaps the best thing about the scene that was shown and, incidentally, makes what would otherwise be your average gay porn actor come to life with such screaming ferocity you would be hard pressed to not think this man enjoyed tube steak on a nightly basis. Everyone in the panel should be commended in just braving the moment they were in and Kevin delivered yet another memorable evening. You half-wonder if he could navigate these things in his sleep as he made it all look effortless.
I also taped the FRIDAY THE 13TH panel and it gets my Surprise award for Panel I Didn’t Think I Would Like So Much. Jason seems to have caught a viewing of Snyder’s DAWN OF THE DEAD as the man looks like he has strapped on his Nike’s and is ready to cut a few people up at a running pace. The footage they showed was minimal but there were a few quality kills in there and the panelists, as you will hear if you decide to listen to it, should have the benefit of the doubt when you think about whether this will be an inspired entry into this series.
And, for fuck’s sake, why aren’t there any accommodations made for journalists who want to cover popular panels? Having to wait in line isn’t such a drag, Lord knows I got in line for the WATCHMEN panel at 6:30 in the morning (Yeah, I am a loser), but Jesus Christ, some kind of effort should be made for people who want to actually write about the big moments of this thing.
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