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“The Day the Earth Stood Still” — then & now
Posted on July 3, 2008 by Ed Symkus
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Have a look at the trailer for the 1951 film, and then, for those of you who do such things, check out the trailer for the remake, scheduled for release in December (scroll down to Keanu). I generally don’t watch trailers, but I gave this one a try, and am not sorry for doing it. This could be a classy, terrific film.
A few words in praise of “Hancock”
Posted on July 2, 2008 by Ed Symkus
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I don’t understand the critical backlash this film is getting. I just about totally enjoyed it — as did my wife, with whom I am in agreement, great moviewise, only on “Brazil,” “Flirting with Disaster,” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.” (Well, yeah, OK, and “Road House,” too) This movie is funny and startling and full of action and a little sad and … original. It’s certainly the first time I’ve met this guy in a movie. And it’s got terrific performances and visual things we haven’t seen before, and it’s got a nicely done mood change that works!
Yet it’s getting skewered by most critics. It comes across as a feeding frenzy, but in my mind it’s a strange choice to target. I’m looking forward to seeing it again.
My thumbs-up review has already been published on this blog.
But I found one other positive review, and then I found another one.
Early Pixar Shorts
Posted on July 2, 2008 by Eddie Shoebang
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In celebration of Pixar’s latest film, “Wall-E,” which is about a robot cleaning up a polluted and abandoned earth (wait, is there a hidden agenda there?), MentalFloss.com collected some early Pixar shorts.
Oh you watched the one above and didn’t think much of it? Well keep in mind it was made in 1984. Did you even know what a computer was back then (or were you born?).
Enjoy them all, though beware of “Red’s Dream” as it has the tendency to depress people.
Arrested Development Movie: Another Cast Member Says it’s happening
Posted on July 2, 2008 by Eddie Shoebang
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While Jason Bateman has been quoted on numerous occasions that the much rumored “Arrested Development” movie was in the works, I still felt it was on shaky ground.
Now there comes news that Jeffrey Tambor is confirming it as well. Is it time to start being optimistic?
AD was one of the best comedy shows in television history, so I, like millions of others, have been hoping for a movie ever since it was hinted at in the final episode.
Don’t know the show? Check it out on Hulu.com for free. Have no idea what Hulu is? Um…short answer: streams TV shows for free.
My lack of participation on the Arts Blog
Posted on July 2, 2008 by Eddie Shoebang
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It’s true. I’ve been gone for a while and, apparently, Symkus caught the blog bug and has been posting at a feverish (and almost mechanical) rate. I, for one, have no excuse.
I was going to blog about the beard race, about the informal “Lost” book club (list of books either referenced or seen on the show), and about this giant record player I was given for free on Cape Cod (it’s still sitting in my dining room).
Instead, I’ve been MIA, stuck in the strange land of city reporting for Brookline and Newton (things needed to be shifted around because, you know, things are tough).
So for a while, my brain was functioning a lot like a failed Steven Bochco television series (COP ROCK). Not sure what I mean? Check the video if you haven’t already.
Anyway, I’m still covering the other places, but wanted to let our readers (and I’m speaking to all 12 of you) that I haven’t strayed.
Is Roy Head a no-go on ‘ODS?
Posted on July 2, 2008 by Ed Symkus
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I love it when oldies stations and classic rock stations do the A to Z thing on holidays — forgetting about regular format and digging deep into the archives — playing (mostly) great old songs, one after another, in alphabetical order, by title. So for the past couple of days, no buttons have been touched on my car radio — it’s been set at 103.3 WODS. And all was going well … till about 10:00 this morning. There I was, cruising along 128, listening to “Treat Her Like a Lady” (an OK song, not a great one), knowing full well that, if alphabetical order did rule, the next song would be the very great and rarely heard “Treat her Right” by Roy Head, a song I always dug, especially when the nattily dressed one hit wonder would show up on TV and sing the hell out of it, complete with an insane James Brown-ish dance routine that featured leg splits, somersaults and various body contortions that just had to be painful. Alas, it wasn’t to be. 
The Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose tune was followed up by “T.S.O.P.”, the kinda middling instrumental by The Three Degrees. I felt deflated.
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I shook hands with …
Posted on July 1, 2008 by Ed Symkus
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no, not Bruce Willis or Mayor Menino or Mike Lowell. I shook hands with Abigail Breslin.
I had a one-on-one with her (actually, it was a one-on-three, as her cousin and her mom were sitting next to her) for her new movie “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.” So there I am with this 12-year-old girl, very poised, smiling, and I stuck out my hand and she shook it, and it was one of the wimpiest grips I’ve ever felt. And I’ve gotta say, I know my handshakes. I once got to do it with Ali. Great moment. So I let go, and said to her, “Let’s shake again, but do it firmer.” And she did, and I do believe I taught her a life lesson. She already had the smile, but now with the solid handshake, I believe she’s going to get ahead in the world.
So here’s my brief interview. For the record, after seeing it, I believe the movie is ideal for 8-12-year-old girls.
Film critic sits on thumbtack
Posted on July 1, 2008 by Ed Symkus
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Judging from his ridiculous, mean-spirited review in today’s Boston Globe, movie critic Wesley Morris must have been sitting on a thumbtack while watching the new Will Smith film “Hancock.” He goes out of his way to trash everything that’s good about it — and a very good film it is!
My guess is that the fellow needs a vacation.
Meanwhile, read my review. But save his, then go see the movie, and read his afterward. Do let me know who you agree with.
‘WALL-E’ director remains a Red Sox fan
Posted on June 30, 2008 by Ed Symkus
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Pixar director Andrew Stanton, who has both “”WALL-E” and “Finding Nemo” to his credit, now lives in San Francisco, but he grew up in Rockport. In a recent interview where he excitedly talks about the new film, he also mentions that he’s the proud owner of an interesting piece of Red Sox history.
http://www.wickedlocal.com/rockport/fun/entertainment/arts/x390619619/Rockport-s-Andrew-Stanton-brings-Wall-E-to-life-for-Pixar
Cheeta keeps on keeping on
Posted on June 30, 2008 by Ed Symkus
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Tarzan (Johnny Weismuller) is gone, Jane (Maureen O’Sullivan) is gone, and Boy (Johnny Sheffield) is still with us — at the age of 77. But check this out! Cheeta, too, is still with us, and he’s only 76. Wait, it gets better: He’s having a comeback!
Here’s the story, as reported on IMDB.com:
Tarzan Chimp Makes Hollywood Comeback
The chimpanzee star of movies Tarzan and Bedtime For Bonzo is making his return to Hollywood after a four decade-long hiatus - the ape’s handlers have signed a record and DVD deal and announced plans to publish a memoir on his behalf.
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