Mrs. Doubtfire Sequel: Is It Really A Good Idea?

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It has been recently revealed that a sequel to the comedy favorite Mrs. Doubtfire will be made with original director Chris Columbus and leading man Robin Williams.

 Although an exciting prospect, one can’t help but wonder if it is really a good endeavor. What direction will they take the plot in to make it not utterly ridiculous? Made 21 years ago, what reason would Williams’ character Daniel Hillard have for dressing up in drag again?

There are a few questions about casting as well. Robert Prosky, who portrayed Mr. Lundy, (a CEO for a television station who ultimately becomes Hillard’s boss) passed away in 2008. Although the character wouldn’t necessarily be required, it is a sad notion to think that another film would continue without him.

Another consideration is to make is lack of commitment from Mara Wilson, who is currently refusing to be in the film. Wilson has expressed her dislike for the Hollywood grind several times in the past, quoting to U.S Weekly  in a past article, "Film can be exciting, but more often, it's tedious. The celebrity aspect is nothing short of ridiculous, and auditioning is brutal and dehumanizing. Every time I see a pretty young girl on the subway reading sides for an audition, my only thought is, 'Man, am I glad I'm not doing that anymore.' I never feel nostalgia, just relief." Wilson portrayed Natalie, and it would be interesting to see what has happened to the adorable character in the last 20 years. Leaving Natalie out of the plot would be a shame, and getting another actress would be the worst possible solution. To see a more in-depth article and interview about Wilson, go to: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/child-star-mara-wilson-why-i-quit-film-acting-2012174.

And what about Sally Field? If she’s to be included, what is her role in the film? It would diminish the ending of the ever-so realistic ending to the first film if her character Miranda and Daniel were to reconcile after their divorce. But would it be worth-while to see a sequel that didn’t include her?

My point is that yes, I will definitely be seeing this film because I have faith in Williams that he will deliver another comedic spark of genius. However, I am also skeptical, and feel that the sequel that this family favorite deserves (if a sequel is really even that necessary), should have been made about 15 years sooner.

 

A New Twist on Pinocchio Brought to you by Guillermo Del Toro

Photo Courtesy of hollywoodgothique.com

http://www.hollywoodgothique.com/2012/08/knotts-scary-farm-2012/knotts-scary-farm-2012-pinocchio/

In case any of you did not know, Guillermo Del Toro is set to direct the next fairy tale themed film, Pinocchio. I personally am psyched about this development. Granted, the whole fairy tale fad that has taken over Hollywood is getting a bit predictable, but for anyone who knows Del Toro’s work and style of filmmaking, it is a prospective work of genius. The film will no doubt break away from the childhood rendition of the tale, turning into a dark, tale of horror.

            The film so far does not have a set release date, but Del Toro’s fans are holding on at the edge of their seats. If you need some convincing that he will produce a noteworthy adaptation of the fable, just look at his past works. They may not be traditional fairy tales that were a part of every childhood, but they have fantastical elements that show he is gifted with the mystical and the creepy.

• The Hellboy films---Del Toro both wrote and directed the two films about a demon turned good, and has been announced to be writing and directing a third film in the series. Filled with humor and darkness, the films instantly became cult classics.
•  Pan’s Labyrinth---If you haven’t seen this film, you are lame. It is a brilliant piece of art, a perfect example of magical realism. It brings together a story book like fairy tale with the historical Spanish Civil War in 1944. I imagine Pinocchio will be reminiscent of this film in style.
• The Hobbit series---It is pretty self-explanatory that anyone who directed films inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien as well as Del Toro has can take on a dark story of a wooden boy.
• Mimic---The man wrote and directed a film about man-killing cockroaches, on a level far beyond a Syfy channel low budget film, like most insect horror films tend to be.

Fairytales have certainly been a recurring theme in recent films, and it appears as though they will continue to be. Current popular works of the genre include Snow White and the Huntsman, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, Red Riding Hood, Beastly, Jack the Giant Killer, Oz the Great and Powerful, and the ABC series Once Upon a Time.  Upcoming fairy tale films include Maleficent, The Jungle Book (a live-action depiction to be directed by Andy Serkis), and The Little Mermaid (Sophia Coppola.)

Imprisonment as a Theme in Stephen King's Works

Everyone knows that Stephen King is a master of his craft, that is, stories of horror and the supernatural.  Some of the best science fiction and thriller films have been based on his work, whether inspired by his literary works, or whether he himself straight up wrote the screenplays. At first his stories may seem vastly different, I mean, Dreamcatcher and The Shawshank Redemption have two completely story lines; however, King uses one recurring theme in most of his works. Imprisonment. Whether that be literal or in a metaphorical sense, his characters are more often than not trying to escape from some burden or institution.

The most obvious example of confinement in a King based movie is The Shawshank Redemption. Based on the short story Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, it tells the story of characters Andy Dufresne and “Red”, who are literally prisoners in a late 1940’s prison. There are no magical powers or instances in this tale. It quite simply gives us a remarkable period piece about hope and human nature when subjected to incarceration. The film stars Tim Robbins as Dufresne and Morgan Freeman as Ellis “Red” Redding. This may be my favorite work of King’s, although I’ll never commit to saying it is for sure, as I love all that King delivers. All I know, is that I read the novella at the speed of light, and watch the film every time it comes on, (Which is ALL THE TIME, so if you have yet to see it, you really have no excuse).

The next film demonstrates examples of both literal and symbolic imprisonment. Hint: It too is a period piece (circa 1935), and it stars Tom Hanks.

If you guessed The Road to Perdition, you are absolutely incorrect. No, I am of course speaking of The Green Mile. This narrative has everything. The nostalgia of 1930s America, magic, violence, and a WHOLE lot of drama that will rip your heart out. Meet John Coffey, a gentle giant with a magnificent power. The power is also his personal prison. Although he acquires this incredible capability, it also burdens him with pain and a greater knowing of the world he lives in. Coffey also happens to be a death-row inmate, along with his fellow prisoners most of whom are also likeable characters. Enter Paul Edgecomb. Although we see him in the film prior to Coffey, we do not learn of his confinement until the end of the film. I will not give any spoilers, but I am very disappointed if you don’t already know what I’m talking about.  Cue Melinda Moores, a victim of a horrible tumor in her brain that makes her lose all traits of herself. She eventually escapes her prison. See what I mean? Everyone is trying to escape something.

SPOILER ALERT—DO NOT READ THIS SECTION IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE FILMS DREAMCATCHER, THE DARK HALF, OR SECRET WINDOW

Although not set in a literal federal prison, the film Dreamcatcher has many examples of the concept. Following four friends who are spending a weekend together at their vacation cabin, the film tells the story of how they acquired a telepathic bond with help from their special needs childhood companion “Duddits”, and their current struggle against an extraterrestrial being. Character Jonesy, portrayed by Damian Lewis, has the most eloquently displayed example of a metaphorical prison in all literature and film. After encountering the alien enemy, Jonesy finds himself a prisoner in his own mind, physically possessed by the paranormal entity. The Alien controls his body and his physicality, but Jonesy is enabled to hid secrets, information, and thoughts from his parasite.

Another example of imprisonment is more literal, a sort of “camp” set up by the government to quarantine anyone in the area who may have been exposed to “Mr. Grey”, an eventual nickname of the space creature.

Here are a few more examples of characters who are in some way prisoners in King-inspired films:

·         The Mist- Wouldn’t you feel confined if you were forced to stay in a grocery store with some possible lunatics, whilst creatures from another dimension are wreaking havoc outside?

·         The Dark Half/Secret Window-These two stories are very similar in many aspects, but they also contrast in many ways. Both follow key characters who are novelists. The Dark Half, starring Timothy Hutton, following Thad Beaumont, who is a prisoner in his own subconscious; taunted and plagued by an alter-ego who turns out to be so much more. Secret Window follows Mort Rainey played by Johnny Depp, who is scrutinized by his split personality John Shooter, who can be found incarnate of John Turturro.

There are many other examples of literal and symbolic prison and prisoners in King’s works and inspired films, but you get the point. It is a talent of his, to show this concept as a repeating theme in his work without it ever becoming boring. Can you think of any other authors/screenwriters who you can say the same about?

Back in the Game

        So obviously I have not been diligent in my posting--In the past, I was so busy with school and dedicated all of my writing to my University's paper and being editor, and when at home I didn't have Internet to do any posting during winter or summer breaks. This year however, I have decided to focus on my scholastic duties and not participate in the school's publication. As sad as this makes me, it will leave me with more time to do posts here on a more regular basis and build up my presence, (hopefully). So be looking out for a steady flow of columns, and I hope you enjoy my writing!!!

        If you have a request for what I should write about, comment here, or email me at bsolomon89@gmail.com, and put something about my blog in the subject space so I won't assume you're spam....

Best School Movies

Cinema Blend recently composed a list of the best "Classic School Movies". Although many of the films they chose do belong on the list, they neglected quite a few, including those about college life, and the lives of faculty and teachers. They just highlighted movies accentuating High School life for the students. Here is my list of the 20 Greatest School Movies:

20. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
19. Lean On Me
18. School Ties
17. World's Greatest Dad
16. Dead Poets Society
15. Lost and Delirious
14. Pump Up the Volume
13. Mean Girls
12. Dazed and Confused
11. Good Will Hunting
10. Back to School
9. Clueless
8. Jawbreaker
7. Easy A
6. 10 Things I Hate About You
5. Old School
4. Animal House
3. The Faculty
2. Fast Times At Ridgemont High
1. The Breakfast Club 

To Compare My List to Cinema Blend's, go to:

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Fetch-Me-Gently-With-Chainsaw-Grading-20-Classic-School-Movies-32673.html

Casablanca Turns 70

This was an entertainment column I wrote for A&M-Texarkana's online newspaper, The Navigator:




Right now all the buzz in the movie industry is the outcome of the Academy Awards which were held in February, and upcoming movies such as The Hunger Games and The Avengers. However, there is one film that is redeemed as a true American classic headlining entertainment news; yet no one seems to know.


This year Casablanca celebrates its 70th anniversary of its release.What is astonishing is that not only do most people not know about this iconic event in movie history, but they haven't even seen the movie. Particularly people who fit in the college-age demographic. "To be ignorant of American art is astounding", Dr. Wagy, History professor at TAMUT said.


The film follows character Rick, who owns the night club "Rick's Cafe Americain" in unoccupied Casablanca, Morocco during World War II. His encounter with a former flame and her libertarian husband supplies us with the plot; the characters deal with emotional wounds of their past that are now brought into the present while also encountering situations with Nazis.


IMDB lists these headlining actors that can be seen in Casablanca and other movies you can see them in: Humphrey Bogart(The African Queen), Ingrid Bergman(Murder on the Orient Express), Claude Rains(Lawrence of Arabia), and Peter Lorre(The Maltese Falcon).


Although the movie is set in a french-speaking country, the movie is an obvious American-made product. Rick, although a solemn character who keeps to himself and "sticks his head out for nobody", is respected and admired by all of the citizens of Casablanca. He, the American, is depicted almost as the epitome of cool. The local government keeps his club open because they know that he has nothing to do with certain illegal activities that goes on in it, and also because he fixes Roulette to where Claude Rains' character, Captain Louis Renault wins big money.


Although Casablanca focuses on the romantic and war aspects of the plot, it does deliver several doses of humor. In one scene, Rick is speaking to Captain Renault about why he is in Casablanca. He says he came their for the waters, where Renault exclaims, "The waters, what waters? We're in the desert!" where Rick states "I was misinformed."


The acting in this movie has never really been surpassed in any other. The actors perform in such a way that conveys how one can experience multiple emotions at a time. Anger, bitterness, fear, heartache, confusion, and excitement can all be identified in Rick when his lost love Ilsa comes back into his life. Another instance where emotions are realistically conveyed is when a flashback of Paris being taken by the Nazis is shown, and the sheer panic and fear is shown by the extras who are playing Perisian citizens.


Everyone has movie quotes that they love to bring into everyday conversation. This movie gave us many quotes that have been duplicated in other movies for comedic effect. "We'll always have Paris", "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world she walks into mine", "Play it again Sam", "Here's looking at you kid", and "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship" are some quotes you may recognize. One film, Out Cold, is almost an unofficial modern remake of Casablanca, as the plot and some of the quotes are similar.


It should be noted that this film was actually made DURING World War II, so emotions were high when it came to Nazis. In one scene, some Nazi characters are singing a German anthem, when all of the other patrons in the club start singing "La Marseillaise", the French national anthem at the same time, starting a "battle of the anthems" with the Germans. They eventually blur out the German song with theirs and start yelling "Viva La France!". The scene is very powerful as I watch it in 2012, I can only imagine the effect it had on audiences in theaters when the film was first released.


For those of you who don't know much about the plot or the actors in the movie, you may just want to watch it just for the fun of it. This movie was made when men and women alike dressed in style, and the costume design of this film really shows it. There are some black and white movies that move at a much slower pace than what we're used to today, but this film is not one of them; it is entertaining and informative of World history from beginning to end. If that doesn't make you want to watch it, atleast see it for the pure beauty that is Ingrid Bergman.


To celebrate the film's 70th anniversary, many theaters are showing the film for one night only, and one of Texarkana's own cinemas is doing so! Cinemark Movies 14 will be showing the film on March 21st at 7 P.M. To find out other theaters Casablanca will be showing at, go to: http://www.fathomevents.com/upcoming/alllocations.aspx?eventid=1067

Movies about Movies article

Here's a link to an entertainment column I did for my college's online newspaper--April edition
http://tamutexarkana.wordpress.com/movies-about-movies/