MIA - BORN FREE

Two days ago, British musician/artist M.I.A. released the music video for her new song "Born Free"; and it has already been pulled off of the American and UK versions of Youtube -- by Youtube.

What have I been saying? It is potent stuff; and directed by Romain Gavras, son of filmmaker Constantinos "Costa" Gavras...
http://miauk.com/

AS I WAS SAYING...

British MP George Galloway was barred from entering Canada last year. Of course, because he would say things that certain government officials do not want to hear.

I saw Galloway speak three years ago. He is a firebrand -- but for good, not evil. The man is a brave one, amongst chicken-shits and sheep, who speaks his mind in countries where there is very little tangible freedom of speech.


Latest news...
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/801655--canada-unfairly-blocked-british-mp-court-hears?bn=1

CBC LEFT AND RIGHT

Be sure to check out 'television' writer John Doyle's brilliant piece in today's Globe and Mail...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/television/john-doyle/beating-up-the-cbc-is-like-beating-up-a-sick-puppy/article1548720/

To the average angry right-wing Canadian, of whom there are a few, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is the devil: Specifically the news organization. "Two sides to every story" is not what some people want to hear.

Anything that is not in synch with some loons' restricted and ignorant views is automatically propaganda. And do not ask these people to spell "propaganda": "P... ah, no... G... P... S... ahhh... "

(They think the word is "properganda". Which does not explain why that guy above thinks that there's an "S" in the word.)

CBC NO NHL TONIGHT

I just found out that there is no Stanley Cup playoffs action on the CBC tonight. Just what am I going to do?

1. Work.
2. Give the cat a bath.
3. Sleep off my depression.
4. Watch Crimes and Misdemeanors, and The Sheik (1921), and then the 2006 documentary Who Gets to Call it Art?

THE DISORDERLY ALIENS

According to Brit physicist Stephen Hawking, we should not necessarily be enthusiastic about meeting any genuine alien space people. They may be nomads looking to conquer our lovely little planet and enslave us.

I have two answers...

1. Arm everybody with "Phaser 2". And don't forget to include five extra power packs, each.

2. Keep on polluting the Earth ("Sol 3" to the aliens)... they won't want to settle here. That's right; smoke 'em out! That way, we'll get to keep our land.

DISORDER IN MY NHL UNIVERSE

Two nights ago, the Ottawa Senators were released from the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs by the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Penguins star Sidney Crosby was on the ice during all of Ottawa's goals... not good.)

Last night the Buffalo Sabres were convincingly eliminated by the Boston Bruins.

The problem is that I was cheering for the two dispatched clubs in question.

What's next, a bunch of arrogant aliens coming to Sol 3 to eliminate us and our greatest team sport? Stephen Hawking might have an opinion on that. NHL + Aliens? Don Cherry will have an opinion.

UNRIVALED - CANADIAN MOVIE

Shot in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the new Canadian flick Unrivaled is now on DVD and Blu-ray.

For those who reside outside of Ontario, you may not know that our 'government' will not allow Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events to be staged in this beautiful province.

Ontario Premiere Herr McGuinty may not like the sport -- I don't, total rubbish -- but his own lack of enthusiasm should not bear on the issue. After all, he allowed the movie Avatar to screen here.

I seek out movies that were done with little money but lots of gumption and enthusiasm.


Jason Anderson of the Toronto Star...
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/article/799957--canadian-made-fight-flick-unrivaled-punches-above-its-weight-class

METROPOLIS SCREENING

Fritz Lang's 1927 masterpiece Metropolis is one of my favourite films. While I group 40 - 50 films as my favourites, the futurist fantasy is at the top of the masthead.

Two years ago, a 16mm "reduction print" was discovered in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Any discovery of elements or versions of Metropolis is news, but what makes this one special is that it is by far the most complete. Much restorative work had to be done before it could be premiered, but premier it did, in Berlin a couple of months ago.

The Cinematic Holy Grail was shown in Los Angeles last night as the wrap up for the "TCM Classic Film Festival"...
http://new.blog.imdb.net/2010/04/26/tcm-classic-film-festival-day-4-a-thriving-metropolis/

AN NHL JOKE ON ME

Yesterday, and with some overt glee, I tried to impress with my intention to miss joining friends for food last evening so I could watch the Buffalo Sabres meet the Boston Bruins as part of NHL Stanley Cup ice hockey action at 7pm.

Just a wee problem in my calculations: These two teams play tonight -- Monday.

I learned this the hard way, when at a little after 7pm last evening I popped on the television, tuned to the CBC, and there was a documentary. The voice told me it was David Suzuki. The Nature of Things was covering the history of the Lunokhod space program. I had seen it before and it was fascinating. Well, I watched it again as I devoured my Big Mac and large Fries.

THE ENDLESS SUMMER

I popped on the television to check a VHS tape I found unmarked -- there are many more -- and SunTV came up on my screen. It was their Sunday afternoon movie. A movie about surfing. Classic 16mm footage with voice-over and continuous and outstanding music.

There was no way I could turn it off as I love all things ocean. I did not give much thought to what it is I was watching. Then the voice over said, "It seems like an endless summer".

"Endless Summer! That's the movie. I've never seen this." (I talk to myself a lot. The cat is smart enough to know that I'm not talking to him; which, from his perspective, makes me look even more the lunatic.)

Great stuff. You need not be a surfing fan to enjoy The Endless Summer (1966). Highly recommended.

A CALIBRE OF HOCKEY

You, dear reader, will not believe what I am about to reveal: I turned down a dinner date with friends so as not to miss tonight's NHL hockey game on the CBC -- specifically the match-up between the Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins. Buffalo won a scorcher the other night to stay in contention. The Bruins still have an edge with three wins to the Sabres' two. This will be game 6. Buffalo has to win the next two with no losses; it is a typical 'best of seven' contest.

What astounds this space man is the very high calibre of play... by every team I watch this Stanley Cup playoffs. Virtually every game has been exciting. No exceptions.

I responded to my friends' invite with, "I'll be okay, there's a McDonald's around the corner along with a convenience store".

My mouth's watering already.

Even with all the ridiculous shenanigan's by the NHL's head office, including the equally stupid recent addition of the referees now announcing whether or not a goal is allowed (the 'old' way was the best, not to mention much more dramatic... point to the center faceoff circle or to one near the last play... not the refs' fault, they are just doing what they are told), this league is still "it".

Oh, silly me, I forgot. The league wants to look more like the NFL. Insecurity abounds.

ALAN SILLITOE DIES

British writer Alan Sillitoe has passed away in London at the age of 82. Branded one of the 'Angry Young Men', a few of his books have been adapted for the big screen, the first two were part of and initiated cinema's "kitchen sink drama". Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (directed by Karel Reisz, produced by Tony Richardson), and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (directed by Tony Richardson) were adapted by the author and are today considered classics. As a matter of fact, TVOntario played Loneliness a few weeks ago as part of "Saturday Night at the Movies".

I admit that I have not read any of Sillitoe's stuff... maybe it is time to explore. (I've seen the movies: Does that count? They are outstanding. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning is great. My cup of tea.)

What is it about growing up dirt poor that encourages the pen? Sillitoe grew up in authentic working-class poverty.

Ignore those who claim to have come from an underprivileged background but, as any inquisitive journalist discovers, in fact sprung from either affluence or comfortable digs. Not that you have to be born poor to be a great writer, but why invent?

YOUTUBE TURNS FIVE

In the previous posting I spoke of Facebook. I'll just leave it at that. Another force of the Internet is Youtube.com

The first time I explored that cat-video shelf, was late 2006. In typical fashion, I hear about something and decide months later to investigate. Youtube is great, even with all the junk on there... which is fine, that is what it is for; have fun making a little video and put it up for all to see. Well, those who stumble upon it is probably more correct.

My favourite quality of Youtube? The variety of good and bad short films. I've seen hundreds of short films, many of those when I was a short-film programmer, and this type is probably my favourite. Most feature films are bad, as is certainly the case with the 'mainstream' ones; and there is nothing worse than having to sit through them, when they are. Oh, Avatar, what dost thou to mine eyes...


On Youtube's birthday...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/lights-camera-lolcats-youtube-turns-five/article1545453/

FACEBOOK IS (CAN BE) SCARY

Social networking sites such as Facebook are, whether you like it or not, or abstain from using, like yours truly, are undeniably here to stay. And are hardly a fad. But, and it's a big one, the 'bad' can all at once wipe out any of the good qualities associated with the services.

I don't elect to stay away from Facebook to impress anyone, but more because I am more than aware of the 'bad'; like this...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/facebook-users-risk-blackmail-privacy-czar-warns/article1545444/

... One benefit of signing up with Facebook, as a friend of mine has reminded me, is that you can find people from the past that you knew but lost touch with. This is actually a big reason why I have never signed-up with FB: Just in the last year alone, for example, I have found and re-established contact with three people who I went to school with, not by using a SN site, but simply by 'Googling' their names. It was too easy, in fact. Amazing. And it 'cost' me nothing. And spared me from revealing the fact that I like wearing pink shoes, including high-heels, and my favourite band is Suns of Vortoxic.

SABRES AND BRUINS

In follow up to my posting from last night, the Boston Bruins came back to defeat the Buffalo Sabres in double overtime. Final score: 3-2.

That is too bad, as the puck was clanged off the Bruins' net's crossbar in the first overtime period. Missed it by that much.

After the game, and with bleary eyes, I looked up the rosters of both ice hockey clubs. I learned some interesting facts: There are twice as many Canadians with the Bruins as there are with the Sabres. Buffalo has almost an even split between Canadian and U.S. players. There is a German-born player on each team. That I did not know. I did know that ice hockey has been played professionally in Germany for decades, but was not aware of so many Germans playing in the NHL (National Hockey League).

Which reminds me: Ice Hockey is much more successful covering the world than is North American football. For some reason we, over on this continent, think that is not the story. I have heard that a few attempts have been made to have "Football" take hold in Europe, but mostly to no avail.

Basketball has done well in that area, but that is simply because it is easy to set up and very cheap to play. After all, Basketball is as dull as dried-dung. Which reminds me: I was walking down Bloor Street, here in Toronto, with a friend a few years ago, where we were stopped by a young couple who had a pair of tickets for a (Toronto) Raptors basketball game. The conversation went like this...

COUPLE
We have two tickets for a Raptors game tonight... we can't make it so we are trying to get rid of them. Would you like them?

US
No thanks.

COUPLE
They're free.

US
No thanks, we don't like basketball.

COUPLE
No problem. We've walked from Spadina (We were at Bathurst which is about a five-ten minute walk) trying to unload them and no one wants them.

US
There's a garbage container right over there. (Just kidding, we didn't say that... I don't think. The joke is kind of obvious.)


... If those had have been Leafs tickets... The irony!

BRITISH BUDGET DEFICIT - WORST SINCE WW2

Britain has posted its worst annual budget deficit since the second world war. The joke is that they had not recovered from the first world war (then called "The Great War") when the angry little corporal decided to start a follow-up or payback model.

A few years ago I mentioned to an economist friend of mine that the UK had a rough time dealing with financial debt resulting from WW2. My appropriately accredited buddy said, "they have never totally recovered from the war".

Hey, let's go make a war so we can...


A blurb in theme...
http://money.ca.msn.com/investing/news/business-news/article.aspx?cp-documentid=23978363

NHL PLAYOFFS ARE ADDICTIVE

I have so much to do and not enough time to... baloney! I'm sitting at home every night watching NHL Stanley Cup playoff ice hockey action on the CBC, instead of producing.

In true Canadian fashion, I'm squeezing in a "quicky" (even if a blog posting): Right now it is the second intermission of the fourth game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins. After two periods of great hockey, it is Buffalo 2, Boston & Barry Smight no score.

FIVE CLASSIC WHO'S COMING TO DVD

Coming to DVD this coming July 6th are five classic Doctor Who stories:

Starring William Hartnell as The Doctor are "The Space Museum" (hey, I've visited there) and "The Chase". I did not realize that Jeremy Bulloch ("Boba Fett" of Star Wars, IV and V) was a guest star on Who.

Jon Pertwee (my fave) in "The Time Monster".

Tom Baker (the general fave) in "Underworld" and "The Horns of Nimon". (Both with "K-9", unfortunately.)


Look at the extras...
http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Doctor-July-2010-Slate/13515

(Photo above: Tom Baker in "Underworld")

ROCKET ROBIN HOOD ON DVD

Last week I was nosing around in Toronto's coolest video store, Suspect Video, and noticed that on the rack in front of me was a DVD case for Rocket Robin Hood.

That show had some good scripts, not to forget demented imagery, which set it apart from most kiddie fare.

This makes me want to rent the DVD set, eat some major 'shrooms and watch the freaky one where Rocket Robin and his gang are gassed into delirium by some giant mushrooms.

And then there's "Dimentia Five... Ha, ha, ha..." Listen to the creepy organ music.

Ah, childhood. Not to mention, continuing childhood.

(This reminds me of a story a friend told me some years ago: He was up really late one night watching some old musical from the 1930s or 40s. As per the type of film, a big dance number fired up with the chorus joining in. My friend was woken up from his half conscious state when he caught wind of the tune coming from his TV speakers. He shouted, "that's the Rocket Robin Hood theme!")

SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN COMING TO DVD

Gone are the days when I would check http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/ on a regular basis. Something made me check today; I went into the archived 'news' bits and saw that a favourite television show from my youth is being released (tentatively) to DVD this coming Autumn...
http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Six-Million-Dollar-Man-DVDs-Planned/13551

A couple of years ago a friend of mine sent me DVD-Rs ripped from the European (Region 2) DVD sets of both The Six Million Dollar Man. and its sister series The Bionic Woman. I watched a few and can safely say that those series' are "still good".

(Due to rights issues, those two series was released overseas but not in North America. Go figure... or at least talk to a lawyer who follows that stuff. A more miserable case of incredibly complex rights issues is the non-DVD release of the 1960s Batman television series. Apparently it's a nightmare to resolve due to the myriad of different rights holders -- the rumour is that even [the image of] the Batmobile built for the series is owned by a separate party which makes an almost unsolvable situation for all the lawyers. It's really that bad.)

WHO'S CREATURE FROM THE PIT

At the risk of becoming a Doctor Who blog I feel I must report that 1979's episode, starring then doc, Tom Baker, and side-kick Lalla Ward (as Romana 2), "Creature from the Pit" has been released to DVD. (The fact is I stumbled upon a link when I was on the National Post's 'entertainment' page.)

While I enjoy the original series very much, I have never bought a DVD due to their high cost. (I had bought a couple of episodes on VHS.) It must be said that there are always a load of quality 'extras' on the discs, not counting the lame commentaries by actors who obviously have not seen the episode in decades ("look at that hat I'm wearing; ha, ha, ha."), including the behind-the-scenes bits and making-of's which are really interesting and well done.

By the way, I've never seen this episode of Doctor Who. But I have seen the story which ran just before "Creature": "City of Death" is a justifiably praised episode, starring Julian Glover and Catherine Schell, and featuring a very brief cameo by John Cleese.

Review from yesterday's Bolton News...
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/leisure/boltonmusic/8106231./

Wikipedia entry on "City of Death"...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Death

THE GREAT GONE WITH THE WIND

Back in the summer of 1986 I made myself watch 1939's major motion picture Gone With the Wind. Lucky for me that it was playing at a Toronto repertory cinema. For years I insisted that I would watch it on the big screen only. I remember the big deal made about its premiere on network television back in 1976.

Gone With the Wind is a sumptuous movie, for sure. There is no denying that fact. I enjoyed watching it from head to tail, and on the big screen but I was not really caught up in the story.

Time to watch Gone With the Wind again.


A making-of documentary, narrated by Christopher Plummer, has been released on DVD...
http://www.nationalpost.com/arts/story.html?id=2916602

DISTURBING MAGIC ROUNDABOUT THEME

The Magic Roundabout played when I was a child. And as a child, I don't think I was sure what the show was about.

It came from France, originally, in the 1960s and an English version was pulled from it, which is what I would have seen. And tonight, four full decades later, I came across the show's opening. Smoke another one...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAcnDevkTnc

... I was so tired when I read the top three or four comments on the video file that I could not stop laughing; it was scary. Much like the clip. Yes, as the topper-most commenter said, as of this publication date, "this scares the shit out of me,... "

PEVERE ON PEKAR

In today's Toronto Star is an article by star arts journalist Geoff Pevere on Graphic novelist Harvey Pekar...
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/797048--pekar-the-unpredictable

As noted in the piece, what Pekar did not do, and it is all too uncommon, was just copy what he was seeing/reading.

WHO PRODUCER MOFFAT - BBC RADIO INTERVIEW

BBC radio interview with new Doctor Who producer Stephen Moffat...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2dCAv46AEE

... The radio interviewer introduces the spot by saying "in one of the most important jobs in television". I find this pleasantly funny. In Britain, their own television programs are the main thing, even if they do import very popular U.S. shows. Here in Canada, many folk don't even take our own fare at all seriously -- more a joke, if occasional diversion. In my own humble opinion, some terrific programs have been made here over the decades.

But: Canadian Sydney Newman is hired away to the U.K. and ends up becoming a bit of a legend over there; ultimately creating or kick-starting Doctor Who and The Avengers.

DOCTOR SMITH WHO

Interesting piece by Rob Salem in today's Toronto Star...
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/article/796106--the-new-doctor-is-in

... New Doctor Matt Smith is getting some warm reviews, already; just three episodes have been aired thus far with the new kid on the block. There is another new guy on of importance: Stephen Moffat has replaced Russell T. Davies as the series' executive producer. Hopefully the show will be more appealing for me. Friend Neil assures me that Moffat is more 'charmed' by the original Doctor Who series.

Even though I liked actors Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant (who Doctored the years 2005-09), I found that the scripting so often failed them. The producers were so in love with the technology available for production today that they... to use the British expression, "wanked". Please, no more light-beam-style optical effects coming out of orbs, radar arrays, eyes, noses, mouths... No more.

And no more phony orchestral swells and crescendos at the end of every episode (accompanying the light effects I mention above).

Story, story, story!

SARAH PALIN IN HAMILTON

Sarah Palin is wowing (some of) them in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. What is it about stupidity that attracts (some) people?

Or: Is it worth paying $200 a plate to see a linguistic train wreck?

MAPLE LEAFS APPOINT NEW CAPTAIN

I heard a few days ago that the Toronto Maple Leafs ice hockey assemblage has appointed a new "captain". (There is a "C" on a player's jersey.)

My question is, "what exactly is he the captain of?" (Quick answer: The new Leaf's golf team. He's gotta pick a course that is easy. And one with just two holes. His choice of refreshments will be a jug of pink lemonade... from canned concentrate... 'no name' brand... past expiry date. But they'll forget the can opener. And yet again, folks, that team will show up unprepared.)

MATT SMITH IS NEW DOCTOR WHO

Matt Smith is the latest actor to play the coveted role of "the Doctor" in the very long-running (with a 16 year break) BBC series, Doctor Who.

In Toronto last week, at the Masonic Temple, was a sneak preview for some...
http://network.nationalpost.com/NP/blogs/theampersand/archive/2010/04/14/q-amp-a-steven-moffat-of-doctor-who.aspx

How come I didn't know about this? And why was a ticket not offered to me (even though I probably would not have gone)?

THE VOLCANO OF DOOM?

Could this be the end of mankind? The news is the volcanic activity that is happening in Iceland right now could go on for years.

If so... prepare for tomorrow.

It was nice knowin' you.

Cue Carl Stalling cue.

Krakatoa, 2010...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/europe/ash-from-volcano-in-iceland-disrupts-european-air-travel/article1535053/

THE AVENGERS

Last night I sat down with a DVD containing three episodes of the original The Avengers television series (1961-1969).

This somewhat famous British show, created by Canadian Sydney Newman, who also initiated Doctor Who, was rerun a lot when I was a kid, and I remember enjoying it very much -- probably due to the occasional Sci-Fi timbre of the series. It was not afraid to go into territory of the bizarre, or offbeat.

After watching two episodes, back to back, I realized my fond memories are of watching the show from a child's perspective. ("What is so different now?", some friends might ask out loud.) While the banter between leads Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg -- these episodes were from 1965 -- is very good and a great part of The Avengers appeal, overall, I find it not overly successful when watching now.

(For you non-fans, or young-ones, the years with Diana Rigg -- 1965 to 1968 -- are considered by most to be the apex of the show. Generally, the later run with Linda Thorson is not regarded as highly. By the way, the first side-kick to Macnee's John Steed, was Honor Blackman.)

I'll watch the third episode tonight and file a more complete "viewer's report". I know you cannot wait.

PRIME TIME FOR DOCTOR WHO

If you want a good primer for Doctor Who, here it is...
http://www.avclub.com/articles/doctor-who,39924/

The writer of this piece is in error, however, when he says that Doctor Who is more popular than ever (with the new series). During Tom Baker's era -- as the good Doctor -- the show was hitting 13-15 million viewers a week; far more than the newest incarnation ever has. Plus, there has been nothing like "Dalekmania".

On the whole, though, a good overview and recommended by this old "Whovian".

LOVE, HATE, & PROPAGANDA

The CBC's documentary series, Love, Hate, & Propaganda, finished last week with the airing of its sixth episode. Generally it was well done, with the odd awkward stock shot (which did not match the descriptive).

The real problem with the show, and one which all but killed it for me, is that it was hosted by that lightweight CBC rabbit, George Stroumboulopoulos. A typical opening would have GS heavily back-lit as he opened up with the introduction to that installment. He looked goofy... he made the show look goofy. A program which dealt with the serious matter of 'manipulation' during the second world war was undermined by an intellectual shrimpkin.


(In all seriousness, for a moment, about a year ago I read a letter-to-the-editor by a woman who had just visited the The Hour program as one of the studio audience and she was struck by how ice-cold the experience was: The audience members were lined up outside the studio for quite a while before they were allowed to enter; they were unceremoniously led into the studio to take their seats; George was awkward and aloof, rarely making eye-contact with the audience during the commercial breaks; and when the whole thing was over, they were ushered out with hardly a word spoken. The whole thing was very clinical. The letter writer was expecting something more upbeat. Why am I not surprised?)

GOODBYE MAPLE LEAFS

I cannot believe I'm late on this one: A few days ago, the Toronto Maple Leafs was officially eliminated from any chance of making this year's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Universe is working properly.

Now for George Stroumboulopoulos...

LESS SHOPPERS

Shoppers Drug Mart (a large retail chain here in Canada) is trimming back staff, employees' hours, and even some stores, as the result of its ongoing battle with the Ontario government's plans to cut the price of generic prescriptions in half *...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/shoppers-drug-mart-to-slash-store-hours-staff/article1528421/

I knew something was brewing when two weeks ago one of the cashiers at my local Shoppers told me that everyone's hours had been trimmed back; hers to make just one shift a week. Her status as one of the longer-running employees apparently counted for nothing.

Do not worry, the money men will not really suffer.


(*As we all know, a bad thing.)

GEORGE LUCAS IN-SANE

I don't mean to be too irreverent, but I think a behind-the-scenes sitcom about George Lucas working to destroy his own franchise would be funnier than the regular on-screen Star Wars idea.

Judge for yourself...
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/article/791944--canadian-helps-star-wars-to-laugh-at-itself

STAR WARS SITCOM

Creator of a Universe, George Lucas, wants to make a Star Wars sitcom? What? Animated?

He already made three of them: The Phantom Menace; Attack of the Clones; Revenge of the Sith. There are over 6 hours of material there. That is enough for about 16 episodes. Just posterize the image and viola... an animated Star Wars sitcom. My name for it is All in the Family.

Is there a laugh-track audio file titled "Pained Laughter"?

No more Star Wars. Please. No more. We get it; we really do.

(Besides, the magic is long gone.)

3D FLICKS FAIL TO IMPRESS

Interesting article by 'film' writer Jim Slotek, in today's Toronto Sun newspaper...
http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/movies/2010/04/05/13471096.html

Does content really matter in a movie? Or is it all about the fact that "it's in 3D!!!"?

A friend of mine said something one day about ten years ago that made me howl with laughter. We were talking about Star Wars - The Phantom Menace and the plan by creator George Lucas to shoot the two follow-up movies in Hi-def video. Friend added, with a bit of no-holds-barred seriousness, "I wouldn't care if he shot them in 16mm if he came up with a good story".

Holy shit...

I COULD NOT FINISH STRANGE DAYS

I could not finish watching the feature length movie picture, Strange Days (directed by Kathryn Bigelow). I tried, I really did. I'm sitting there and friend Neil's voice whispered in my ear, via some hallucinatory moment, "these are sixty minutes you can't get back". I mumbled a reply: "Neil, you are right. Please let me." Click.

What a load of rubbish. And inept. Ralph Finnes was horribly miscast. The good news is the same director's recent and Oscar winning effort, The Hurt Locker, is better.

As antidote, I watched "Voyage of Discovery", the premiere episode of the 1973 television series, The Starlost. It was not that bad, although it is all relative; if you get my drift.

NEW BEN HUR

The CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) is running episode one tonight of the remake of the William Wyler-directed classic film from 1959, Ben Hur. I watched old Ben Hur five years ago and thought it a magnificent movie, again, and on so many levels; including, no surprise, the vastness in scope. Shot in "MGM Camera 65" (65mm 'with an anamorphic squeeze'), it's a monster which just happens to also contain tonnes of emotional content effectively dwarfing anything made today. Emotional content and expansive vistas all at the same time!. Imagine that... wow.

But, that is not to devalue Hur Ben, the new. I am busy enough, but it's the kind of event that I can spare two hours to watch... give a chance.

CBC, tonight at 8pm. I'm not sure when the U.S. networks are premiering the show.


(Picture above: Charleton Heston in the great chariot race sequence from 1959's Ben Hur)

CLASH OF THE TITANS - ROSENTHAL

This morning I skim-read a couple of reviews (how could I miss them) for the new Clash of the Titans film, which is a remake of an okay 1981 opus. The original was moderately budgeted but it still was no slouch in the visuals department, and featured stop-motion effects produced and directed by the legendary maestro Ray Harryhausen.

I remember when the '81 Clash hit the theatres... we knew it was coming. It was years later that I got around to watching the movie. I remember some reviewers commenting at the time that the visual effects were already 'old school' considering the great strides made in effects technology such as motion control. The effects were still effective, to me. They supported the story and enabled some instant classic moments such as the rise of the Kraken.

However, the most supportive ingredient in this Clash, and one element which is actually superb, is Laurence Rosenthal's score. It qualifies as one of those "makes the movie seem to be better than it perhaps is" works. John Barry was to do the score but his effort was tossed and Rosenthal was brought in to write a new one. By the way, the paperback book, undoubtedly already inked and cut by the publisher by the time the decision had been made to take another stab at the music, actually had Barry's name credited on the back cover; which might make the tie-in book a bit of a collector's item for those who look for that sort of thing.

Last night I decided to look on Youtube for any clips of Laurence Rosenthal's score...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT0My8Pr7bo&NR=1

Great stuff. Even away from the movie. I have the LP packed away somewhere. Bought it back when the film was released.

The new Clash is getting less than stellar reviews. More important, I would like to hear what the civilians have to say about it. If I do go to the movie house to watch, I will do so in one which is playing good ol' 2-D.