People who read my Serial blog are going to be a bit surprised about my review over here for Jake Rosen’s new book Superman vs. Hollywood, that chronicles all of the behind the scenes conflicts involved in getting the character adapted to other mediums. At my serial site I made some pretty snarky remarks about the book, but that was because as a serial fan the book gives scant new insight to the serials and most of what is put down I could find in any of several serial reference books I already own. But on the flip side, if you are a movie or Superman fan this book is a must have. It is a fascinating read detailing triumphs and tragedies surrounding the Christopher Reeve and Brandon Routh films. These two productions make up almost half of the 300 page narrative, with individual chapters also dedicated to the different TV shows done over the years, which is nice considering that in the documentary Look Up in the Sky, that chronicle the character’s history, gave short thrift to the syndicated Superboy series and Dean Cain’s still popular series Lois and Clark. Heck the guy even does justice to the Superman musical, a difficult feat indeed.
Archive for Reviews
Finally got around to seeing the third and for now final version of Blade Runner this weekend. I get the feeling that Ridley Scott is going to be like George Lucas and will continually tweak his, admitted, masterpiece and release a new version every so often, saying he is finally satisfied with it each time. Aside from fixing a mathematical faus paux that has plague the film since it’s original release, a quick revamping of dialog clears up the mystery of the missing replicant (Spoiler alert! Now it is two replicants got fried on an electric fence instead of one) not much has been done to film. Little in the way of new footage was added, all they did was enhance the sound and picture a bit but it just seems like a lot of fuss over nothing. The only real bonus is the four disc set includes the original version so that die hard fans can compare and contrast. If you really get into seeing even more shots of Harrison Ford drinking and looking pensive, more power to you. I am just not that die hard.
I saw the director’s cut of Rob Zombie’s Halloween at the library and debated with myself on whether or not to watch it. I hadn’t gone to see the film in the theaters because the original is one of my all time favorite horror films and this seemed to be an unnecessary remake. Then I thought about how it was the third version of The Maltese Falcon that is considered the best, so I decided to give Mr. Zombie a chance.
The films starts in some undisclosed time period that looks like the seventies where young Michael Myers (Daeg Faerch) is a disturbed kid who goes around wearing a clown mask and torturing animals. On Halloween night Michael kills a school bully, his Mom’s abusive boyfriend, his older sister, and her boyfriend. He is put in the care of Dr. Sam Loomis (Malcolm McDowell), where Michael reveals he has no memory of the murders. As years pass Michael (now Tyler Mane) becomes a hulking mute who makes and wears papermache masks. Then one night seventeen years after the murders though still looking like the seventies, Michael escapes and heads back home to find his little sister with Loomis, who has made himself rich writing books and lecturing about Michael, in hot pursuit. Michael kills his sister’s adoptive family and friends before eventually entering into a climactic battle royal with his surprisingly resourceful sibling.
Let me start off with saying that Zombie is a talented film maker. You may not like his work, but you cannot deny his films are well made and entertaining. That being said, personally I did not like this version. It comes down to the film’s first third. He takes a lot of time explaining exactly what is wrong with Michael, garners sympathy for him as a child, and ultimately does for this franchise what George Lucas did for Star Wars with his prequels, he ruins it. All of this background and psychological ruminations destroys all the mystic and mystery of the character by making him human. Gone is the iconic, seemingly indestructible, and silent boogie man of Carpenter’s film, here Michael is just another grunting movie villain. Worse, he isn’t even scary anymore. Now that we understand what makes Michael tick, it lessens the impact of his violence.
On the plus side Malcolm McDowell has his best role in over twenty years, playing one of the most complex and likable characters of his career, though I wish he had injected a little of Pleasance’s over the top lunacy into the part, still it is a great performances. I also enjoyed Brad Dourif’s cast against type as Sheriff Brackett, demonstrating he can give a nice understated performance when required.
Then there are the great cameo, like Tarentino, Zombie likes to cast his movies with older and sometimes forgotten actors. Here we have the ever present Sid Haig, William Forsythe, Udo Kier, Clint Howard, Danny Trejo, Sybil Danning, Dee Wallace, and Adrienne Barbeau (in a scene that was cut from the film but is included in the DVD extras). But the best bit part is by Mickey Dolenz as a gun shop owner selling Loomis a pistol. During that two minute scene where they are talking over each other Dolenz shows he still has his comedic timing.
Then there is what most critics kept harping on during it’s initial release, namely the appearance of grown up Danielle Harris (who played the preteen Jamie in 4 & 5) going topless for most of her screen time. Does it really matter that a former child actor is doing a nude scene? She is an adult now right? The fact that she gave a good performance seems to have gone past everyone’s head.
Ultimately if you are a rob Zombie fan you will like the film, and if you’re not, you won’t. I’m not.
