October 26, 2008

Whoa is Me Redux

Will the poster by the name of "Dan C." please step forward and claim your prize? (E-mail me - billc@filmfreakcentral.net.) Life's too short to drag this out any further. Those caps came from Witchfinder General, The Butcher Boy, and Road Games, by the way; surprised no one got the third one, since I assume the film is quite popular around here as an '80s horror movie starring Jamie Lee Curtis. (I hadn't seen it, ironically, until excerpts from it in the terrific Aussie exploitation doc Not Quite Hollywood inspired me to rectify the situation. Truthfully? I was kinda disappointed, especially as an ardent fan of Richard Franklin's other Hitchcock shrine, Psycho II.)

One other bit of business before I scram: Walter Chaw's interview with Charlie Kaufman just went up at the mothersite, and I'm tempted to say it's the best thing we've ever published. Not to overhype it. And talk about landing the whale--where do we go from here?

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

How about a sit-down with zombie Kubrick?

Anonymous said...

You're not alone, Bill, for I too was quite disappointed with "Road Games" given all the positive critical accolades garnished upon it. And truth be told, for a second or two I thought the screenshot was from "Blow Out" where Lithgow kills that prostitute in the restroom of the train station, but the rabbit-like front teeth cancelled that guess.

Bill C said...

Was it just me, Jack, or did all the air go out of the movie when Jamie Lee left it? They basically put her in the Grace Kelly-in-REAR WINDOW role but then let her slip through their fingers. Also: apparently they ran out of money during production and so a lot of stuff never got shot, but I think they could've saved a pretty penny by scrapping that atonal action climax (faddish MAD MAX shit).

Jefferson Robbins said...

Don't know if other FFC readers have encountered his work, but sadly Andrew Johnston, a regular contributor to The House Next Door, died over the weekend. Today's Mad Men analysis is dedicated to him.

Bill C said...

Yes, Andrew's passing really shook me up. My introduction to him was through those Mad Men recaps, but I look forward to checking out his other work. What a loss.

Ryland Walker Knight said...

I've still yet to see _Synecdoche_ but I couldn't stop reading Walter's review. It's a reminder of why I (we?) love him as a critic. I may wind up finding faults with the picture, as I'm worried about his visual imagination not matching his "literary" imagination, but, shit, damn, motherfucker. Yessir. Thanks, WC. (And BC.)

I'll read the interview after I see the film. Hopefully soon.

Clint said...

"...where do we go from here?"

Walter C. interviews Werner H.

Anonymous said...

Excellent, excellent interview. So much to chew on and re-read. Thanks guys.

Anonymous said...

Please tell me that Walter's scathing Zack and Miri review will be up relatively soon. I can't wait for some fresh bile against that smug, self-satisfied douche Kevin Smith.

-Ryan

Keith Uhlich said...

Thanks very much for noting Andrew J.'s passing jefferson and bill. Had a wonderful memorial service for him yesterday in Manhattan - many stories shared and tears shed. He and his work are truly missed.

Bill C said...

After some technical delays, Walt's ZACK AND MIRI review is now live at the mothersite.

I had hoped to finish up a LET THE RIGHT ONE IN review in time for Halloween, but best laid plans... Digest version: it's fantastic.

Anonymous said...

Changeling, maybe? Hopefully? I already saw it anyway but I'm dying to hear what you guys think.

I have the film at ***1/2 and like it better than any Eastwood since A Perfect World.

Rick said...

Back to The Office, what I love about this season has been the subtle but cringe-inducing portrayal of long distance relationships, and the effect on the seemingly impenetrable Jim character, in one episode basically turning him into a stalker during a catalyzed moment of weakness. Certain situations can bring out the worst in people, but I really like seeing Jim being fleshed out and showing a side of vulnerability. With the first couple of seasons, Jim was only a Michael Ian Black-like cut out spewing endless snarky comments and reactions. Last season he showed empathy towards every other character and this season is showing that "the guy behind the guy behind the guy" may not be that different from everyone around him, thus accentuating the root of his empathy. This season has not been that funny, but it has been pretty damn good. I can't wait to see how they play it out, hopefully free of going big because they have been hitting the perfect notes so far.

Jefferson Robbins said...

Somebody should really make a movie of the 2008 presidential campaign. Wow, what a ride. And it ends in puppies for the First Kids!

Anonymous said...

R.I.P. Michael Crichton -- for the record, Westworld is the shit.

James Allen said...

My fave of his was The Great Train Robbery, his breezy, not thought off as much period piece, which he also directed.

The Terminal Man is also worth seeking out.

Anonymous said...

http://www.wwtdd.com/post.phtml?pk=14631

Kate Winslet + Belle Du Jour = Win.