Geetings!

Dec. 22, 2006

To all the bloggers who talked to me in 2006, even the ones who strayed way, way off movie topics, thanks for your thoughts. It's been suggested that I ask bloggers to not stray _ how about that dialogue a couple of you had going on religion and education! But after all, this is America and freedom of speech is uppermost.
While I'm on Christmas vacation, do me a favor and seek out good movies _ in theaters and on TCM, et al. Report back to me on what you saw, what you loathed, what you loved.
Let theater owners know when you're unhappy (commercials, lousy lighting, noisy patrons, bad prints, stale popcorn) and don't be afraid to make booking suggestions. Yes, they are part of nationally owned behemoths that move slowly and in lockstep but keep pestering them. They need your business.
See you at the movies!

Sucker Punch

Dec. 19, 2006

Call me a sucker, but "Rocky Balboa'' got to me.
Rocky writer, director and star Sylvester Stallone swears number six is the last. It's probably the best "Rocky'' since number two.
Yes, Sly is 60 and he's showing it, but his script is funny and his intentions understandable. He says this last installment about the Italian Stallion from Philly is autobiographical: Rocky, i.e., Sly, wants to put his past to rest and leave on an adulatory note. And he does: not to give away the ending (!) but the final frames show Rocky basking in glory.
Ciao, Rocky.
And this just in (can you stand it!): Mel Gibson is being sued by a woman who claims to be his "love child'' from a liaison with her mother in Australia in 1976. The Daily Dish on SFGate.com says Gibson will have to admit paternity or submit to a DNA test. Has 2006 been Mel's year or what!

Borat Rules

Dec. 12, 2006

Regarding "Right On:'' Anonymous is tuned into the zeitgeist: A pal who votes with the New York Film Critics Circle, which yesterday named Forest Whitaker best actor for "The Last King of Scotland,'' says Sacha Baron Cohen, aka Borat, also did well in that group's voting. Another industry insider, who runs a prestigious art house, says this year's oddball choices are because "They like to be different.'' Here's a scary thought: Baron Cohen is nominated for an Oscar, wins, and takes the stage in his "Borat' underwear. Could happen.

Right On

Dec. 11, 2006

Gee, I was away from the blog for awhile and all heck broke loose in my absence (re: "I'm Sorry'' post)!
But it does my heart good to see that such passion is incited on a blog about movies. Responders really ran with the topic _ on to education, patriotism, Ed Sullivan, et al. Surely somebody is gonna do a movie about bloggers and the art of duking it out in cyberspace.
Today, we are moving past celebrity public drunkenness and mea culpas to the horror of Sacha Baron Cohen being named, by the L.A. Film Critics, co-best actor of the year for "Borat.'' He shares the award with the legitimate choice of Forest Whitaker for "The Last King of Scotland.'' Hmm, do I smell a cop-out by naming two winners?
At best, Cohen's Borat was a dopey curiosity. At worst, he was a bully taking advantage of naifs. Really, there was no shortage of great film acting this year (Clive Owen, Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Smith, everybody in "Little Miss Sunshine,'' Penelope Cruz, et al.), so let's get real.