$23 million!
868 screens – a per screen average of $27, 558.
Are you feeling like a fool now, Mr. Eisner?
(Of course, Spider-Man 2’s $45 million opening day is an incredible achievement for a worthy film too.)
Don’t forget the Men’s and Women’s finals at Wimbledon this weekend. For the women it will be fascinating to see Serena Williams come back from injury and become the first woman since Steffi Graf to win three in a row. Don’t forget that her semifinal opponent Maria Sharapova is the one the youngest Grand Slam finalists in the Open era. The unflattering Anna Kournikova notwithstanding, Sharapova has major game and should be around for a while (which will make the Tennis establishment very, very happy). For the men, it will (hopefully – since rain has delayed the semifinals as I am writing this) be a fascinating struggle between the sublime grace of Roger Federer (quite possible the most talented athlete on the planet) and the brute force of Andy Roddick.
And spare a moment for Marlon Brando, a once proud actor who had devolved into a sorry spectacle over the last 15-or-so years.
Happy Fourth of July everyone!
The basu! Guide to the Movies
July 2nd, 2004
Good Night, Marlon Brando
Before he became a self-parody, Brando was the greatest actor of his generation, and quite possibly of all time. You will hear this ad nauseum, but none of the acting heavyweights from the 1970s onward would be where they are if they had not been inspired by him. Do yourself a favor and check out everything from The Wild Ones, through A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront, Viva Zapata, Guys and Dolls, to Last Tango in Paris. You will see some of the greatest acting every put on film, but try not to think about what it means to be a self-destructive celebrity in the media saturated age that we live in.
Good night Marlon, and sweet dreams.
The Best Movie of the Year
Spider-Man 2
One to Watch – Bollywood
Lakshya
Directed by: Farhan Akhtar
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Om Puri, Singh, Raj Zutshi
Plot: A young man has to go to the most remote battlefield in the world, Kargil, to find himself. Oh, what a not-your-typical-Bollywood-merlodrama-with-some-pretty-slick-battle scenes type entangled web we weave.
The Buzz: Okay, so director Akhtar made one of the best Bollywood movies in the last five years (Dil Chahta Hai). That surpassingly good film about the coming of age of exceptionally wealthy young men who have been handed everything by their fathers must have rung true for him – after all he is the son of Bollywood royalty Javed Akhtar. This time around he is miles away from that urban milieu – figuratively and literally. Akhtar has made a war movie on location in one of the most remote regions on the planet (Ladakh), with a literal cast of thousands (no CGI for him), using only synch sound (a very rare thing indeed in Indian films), starring two of the biggest stars of their generations bouncing back after a string of forgettable films (Bachchan and Roshan) – and this time his reach has clearly exceeded his grasp. The film tries hard to keep the focus on the main character, but ultimately cannot resolve the many narrative threads running through the story. Roshan is better here than he has been recently, while Zinta continues to be annoying. The great Puri, as always, is fantastic in his role; while the underrated Zutshi might one day have the career that Puri has. Of course, no matter how big the film, Bachchan is bigger still. Dominating every second he is on film, this time he is given more to do than just stand around a give lectures; and he makes the most of it. The film might ultimately be a little too long, unfocused, and ultimately full of the clichés it had self-consciously tried to avoid; but the genuine talent of the young director manages to shine through pretty strongly. As they say, thank Raimi for small mercies.
Bottom Line: Thos Lucky Few in Jackson Heights, New Jersey and Artesia: Theatres – Eventually; Others: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): Dil Chahta Hai
One to Watch - Independents
The Corporation
Directed by: Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott
Starring: Noam Chomsky, Joe Bakan
Plot: A documentary that examines what it means to be a corporation. Oh, what a courageous-documentary-that-dares-to-raise-some-anti-capitalist-thinking-in-the-bastion-of-capitalism type entangled web we weave.
The Buzz: Thanks Antoaneta for bringing this to my attention. This is a truly remarkable film that mostly succeeds in its examination of what it means to be a corporation – a discrete legal entity, much like you and me. Of course, the examination yields what everyone already knows – that corporations are evil, terrible things that wreak havoc wherever they go. Of course, it is one thing for me to admire a film like this, and quite another for me to work for a powerful, global corporation. Granted, my company is a corporation that has professed to “do no evil,” but corporations, by their very definition, are at least capable of evil. The only reason for a corporation to exist is to make as much as money as possible – and this profit motive makes them inherently amoral. This thoughtful and absorbing documentary carefully examines the situation deliberately and precisely, refusing to serve up the easy answers of a Michael Moore. Unfortunately, though, like Moore, it has already made up its mind before the film in starts, and therefore does not look at the complicity that we as consumers must own up to. Corporations may exist to make money for themselves, but they do it by selling us things we do not need, yet cannot wait to consume – no matter what the moral implications. Of course, being the moral relativist that I am, I shall watch this movie as soon as I get my made-by-a-laborer-earing-60 cents-an-hour Guess shirt out of the laundry and finish up the porn campaign I need to post for the aforementioned do-no-evil corporation.
Bottom Line: Those Lucky Few in Manhattan (and Palo Alto): Theatres – First Week; Others: DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): Super Size Me, The Hunting of the President
New Movies (Opened Wednesday, June 30th)
Spider-Man 2
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Starring: Toby Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Alfred Molina, James Franco, J. K. Simmons
Plot: All grown up in the big city, our favorite arachnid hybrid has to deal with that immortal burden of all superheroes: “with great power comes great responsibility.” Oh, what a this-is-so-much-better-than-the-first type entangled web we weave.
The Buzz: OH MY GOD! With all due apologies to Batman Returns, Superman (the first one, and yeah the second was pretty dang good too) and even Hellboy (don’t laugh – a lot more verve and imagination went into that one that we had any right to expect), this possibly could be the best superhero movie of all time. Darker, and much more developed than the first, the film exhibits a welcome sense of melancholy that runs through the very heart of it. Don’t get me wrong, there are some incredibly funny moments here (and some pretty self-reflexive ones as well – thanks Ki for pointing out the “My back” bit), after all this is a Raimi film. However, now that the filmmaker has been unburdened of his responsibility of setting up the universe within which these characters live, he is free to explore the dark underbelly of the protagonists’ existence. Eyebrows had been raised when Sony picked Laura Ziskin to produces these movies (the former producer of such hits as Pretty Woman and Fight Club had mostly been doing grown-up fare for HBO before that), but it was an inspired choice to say the least. Of course it did not hurt that her partner is Alvin Sargent, the writer of such decidedly un-blockbuster films like Nuts, Ordinary People and Julia. Sargent did some uncredited rewrites on the first Spider-Man, but is given full rein here to adapt the story written by, among others, the one-time “it” author (and, INMHO, somewhat overrated) Michael Chabon. Sargent fleshes out all the major characters, taking the time to develop them into fully realized human beings (well, human beings that can shoot webbing out of their wrists, control super-strong metal tentacles, and act in an off-Broadway production of The Importance of Being Earnest with the worst English accent imaginable), so that by the end of it we are invested in what happens to each and every one of them. Casting Molina as the villain was an inspired choice if there ever was one – he goes so beyond the cartoonish characterizations that we have come to accept in such films, that he makes the tortured, conflicted Doc Ock a riveting presence. Dunst, that awful trailer notwithstanding, actually manages to get in some real acting this time. Simmons is a hoot as the blustery newspaper editor J. Jonah Jameson. Even Maguire, whom I positively detest, is fantastic here. In fact, this time around, his Spider-Man is as good as his Peter Parker ;-) Franco, however, is the one that really shines. Finally given something to do, he rises to the occasion and delivers a deeply layered performance, torn between his friendship with Peter Parker and the need to avenge his father’s death. Franco is the real deal man, he was absolutely astounding as James Dean in the TNT biopic, and acted circles around Robert DeNiro in the not-too-bad City by the Sea. Something tells me that he is going to get an even bigger showcase in the next installment. Raimi, god that you are, if you’re listening man, the way to go for Spider-Man 3, is to include a second villain – Venom. And if you’re looking for someone to play Venom, well, I’ll be your man. True story: When I was a kid in boarding school my house matron told us that if we prayed to God, all our wishes would come true. Well, I prayed every single day for Him and/or Her to make me Spider-Man (and in case that wasn’t possible, Batman would be an acceptable second choice). Well, since I found out the hard way that I could not, in fact, scale walls and jump from building to building, I am asking you again, Raimi, that Venom would be an acceptable third choice.
Bottom Line: Theatres – First Week! Anything else would be unacceptable!
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): Spider-Man, Superman, Batman Returns, Hellboy, and even Hulk
New Movies
De-Lovely
Directed by: Irwin Winkler
Starring: Kevin Kline, Ashley Judd, Jonathan Pryce
Plot: A biography that looks at the life of legendary composer, and bon vivant, Cole Porter. Oh, what a tries-hard-to-be-anything-but-a-standard-biography-but-ends-up-being-exactly-that type entangled web we weave.
The Buzz: Man, is it difficult trying to be “different” – believe me I know. The cleverness of the movie ends with its premise – that it is a stage show of Porter’s life being watched by Porter himself. Unfortunately, the ham-fisted Winkler butchers this into a boring, shallow quasi-musical that is so much less sexually adventurous than Porter that it’s laughable. A slew of contemporary pop stars, well, pop up to croon his tunes, and the results are as disastrous as you would imagine. Kline is a fine choice to play the title character, and his carefully cultivated screen-persona (with the obvious exception in A Fish Called Wanda) is a perfect fit for Porter. The normally luminous Judd is completely out of her depth here, and even the great Pryce is wasted. The film is too enraptured with the cleverness of its conceit and its, gasp, “daring” wink-wink depiction of Porter’s homosexuality to be anything but half-baked. Take my advice instead – grab a bottle of champagne, buy some cheap smoked salmon, invite some quasi-friends, and pop Night and Day into the DVD player. After all, as good as Kline is, he most certainly is no Cary Grant.
Bottom Line: Pass
Other Movies to Check Out (instead): All that Jazz, Night and Day
Before Sunset
Directed by: Richard Linklater
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy
Plot: A couple, after having spent the night with each other in Vienna, reunite nine years later in Paris. Oh, what a I-can’t-believe-it’s-been-nine-years-since-I-saw-the-first-film-in-college type entangled web we weave.
The Buzz: Ah, the passage of time – that unrelenting sand through the hourglass thing – is something I know very well. And it is this somber underlying theme which gives this quirky little film its edge. Like the earlier film, it is a little too in love with its own idiosyncrasies; but unlike the earlier film, it has the lived-in confidence which comes only with age. Hawke has left most of his annoying I’m-so-cool-for-doing-this-indie-type-movies mannerisms behind, and infuses his character with a gentle insecurity that belies his arrogant exterior. What most people may not remember is that it was the wispy Delpy who was the real revelation in the first film, and once again it is her wry optimism which carries this film. Lines are now faintly visible on her face, and the bags under the eyes that once graced perfume ads all over Europe are indicative of the years that have passed. Her gradual transformation over the course of the film (shot mostly in real time) is enthralling, and it is a pity that Hollywood has never figured out what to do with this talented young actress.
Bottom Line: Theatres – Eventually
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): Before Sunset, Waking Life
The Clearing
Directed by: Pieter Jan Brugge
Starring: Robert Redford, Willem Dafoe, Helen Mirren
Plot: A powerful businessman is kidnapped, and his wife discovers that he may not be as perfect a husband as he claims to be. Oh, what a wouldn’t-this-better-as-a-high-school-play type entangled web we weave.
The Buzz: This turgid, talky, purported thriller goes nowhere, and takes a long time getting there. Making an earnest thriller is one thing, but making one that takes away all the fun of a genre piece is another thing altogether. Dafoe is wasted in the unfocused role as the kidnapper, and Redford is at his deadly-boring worst. It is left to the amazing Mirren to do the heavy lifting, and she is more than capable. Oscillating between grief, anger, disbelief and guilt – often in the same scene, she delivers an exceptionally complex performance that must rank up there with what we have seen so far this year. It is a fascinating performance that is wasted in a mediocre movie. Mirren is an incredible talent, and if Fox Searchlight has any sense they will push her for an Oscar nomination when the end of the year rolls around.
Bottom Line: Pass
Other Movies to Check Out (instead): Ordinary People
DVD You Must Watch – (releasing July 6th)
Monsieur Ibrahim
Directed by: François Dupeyron
Starring: Omar Sharif, Pierre Boulanger
Plot: A shy Muslim man in Paris takes a young Jewish boy under his wing. Oh, what a great-little-life-affirming-movie type entangled web we weave.
The Buzz: A delicate, small, dare I say, tender film, which showcases, of course, the ageless virtuosity of Sharif. Matched with effortless grace by the young Boulanger, Sharif gives what is sure to be an Oscar nominated performance. Yes, we have seen this kind of film before. Yes, Sharif’s character might be a little too stereotypical in the fount-of-Eastern-mysticism mold. And yes, this modest, heart-felt little film will win me over from the opening frame.
Bottom Line: Uh, DVD
Other Movies to Check Out (as well): Dr. Zhivago, Funny Girl
Wow, This Must Be One of the Greatest of All Time
Ikiru (An incredible, incredible film. What does it say that I so completely identified with a dying Japanese bureaucrat in a foreign black-and-white film made more than 50 years ago?)
Will Ferrell
Old School and the upcoming Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (Ferrell has become one of our best comic actors and I can’t wait for Anchorman)
Top 10 Films Out Right Now That I Positively Have to See
Fahrenheit 9/11
I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story
The Terminal
Baadasssss!
The Story of the Weeping Camel
Bukowski: Born Into This
Control Room
Man on Fire
I’m Not Scared
The Passion of the Christ
Top 10 Movies of the Year (finally, I Can Put 10 On My List!)
Spider-Man 2
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Super Size Me
Kill Bill Vol. 2
Ripley’s Game *
Shrek 2
Miracle
Starsky and Hutch
Hellboy
The Day After Tomorrow
* Of course, since this premiered on DVD, it will not be eligible for my year-end list.