CHAT TRANSCRIPT
Talk movies
Heading to the theater this weekend? Globe critic Ty Burr was online Friday, Aug. 17, at 1 p.m. to field your questions and comments about new and upcoming releases.
The transcript follows.
Ty_Burr: Afternoon all...
Ty_Burr: Ty Burr here from the Globe -- hope we've got some lunchtime chat visitors today...
Ty_Burr: Fire away with your qs regarding movies new and old and I'll try to keep up...
Ms__Fit__Guest_: CR$), am I first and, shockingly, I have no question.
Ty_Burr: Well, welcome anyway :) anyone can play.
bos312__Guest_: with the huge success of High School Musical why wouldn't Disney release HSM2 on the big screen? Wouldn't it make more $ that way. My nieces are counting down to tonghts premiere
Ty_Burr: Intereesting question... I think they want to just keep costs low and make sure the property remains the cash cow it is.
Ty_Burr: The real money comes from ad sales, CD sales, licensing tie-ins. Also, they don't have to pay the cast that much. And that's where the audience is. My own daughters are approaching it warily -- they really wanna watch but they don't want to admit it :)
Boston007: I hate to talk about Winter, but I love Christmas. Any great Holiday flicks coming???
Ty_Burr: Oh, lots of good things coming up... new ones from the Coen brothers (No Country for Old Men), Wes Anderson (Darjeeling Limited), David Cronenberg (Eastern Promises)
Ty_Burr: also, 12/21, Sweeney Todd -- from Tim Burton! Can Johnny Depp sing? We'll see. (I still say he's too young for the part, though Sasha Baron Cohen is perfect for Pirelli).
Ty_Burr: Will Smith inn "I Am Legend" (the post-apocalpyse sci-fi classic already made as "The Omega Man" way back when)
Ty_Burr: The movbie version of "The Kite Runner." Lots of stuff.
Ty_Burr: Natalie Portman and Scarlett Jo in "The Other Boleyn Girl"
Ty_Burr: co-starring Eric Bana as King Henry VIII, which I just can't see.
Ty_Burr: Cate Blanchett's playing Elizabeth I again in a sequel to "Elizabeth."
Ty_Burr: Blanchett's also playing Bob Dylan -- one of 12 actors playing the bard of Hibbing in the upcoming "I'm Not There". That one I can't wait to see.
cheesesteak__Guest_: I was a big fan of Downfall, and was dissappointed to hear the treatment the director's (can't spell names today) cut got post-production. Is the director now disenchanted with Hollywood or will he be doing anything else anytime soon?
Ty_Burr: Actually, cheesesteak, the couple of reports I've heard indicate Hirschbiegel is pretty okay with his movie being rescripted and reshot by others...
Ty_Burr: At least that's what he's saying. Which may be Hollywood diplomacy at work. You don't really want to get on the bad side of producer Joel Silver -- I think he'd throw a table at you.
Ty_Burr: Too bad, because pieces of "Invasion" work really well.
Boston007: Will it be called Elizabeth II??? ;-)
Ty_Burr: Cheeky, cheeky, 007. No, "Elizabeth: The Golden Age". Though I prefer "Elizabeth 1: 2"
Dave__Guest_: Any word on Peter Jackson and New Line settling their differences yet?
Ty_Burr: Nope. Stalemate. Don't expect "The Hobbit" to be made any time soon. Actually, New Line's having some bad patches, just lost a major marketing exec.
Ms__Fit__Guest_: Do I have to see the first two Bourne films to see the one that's in theatres?
Ty_Burr: Hmmm... No, not really, Ms Fit. Though obviously it would help, not just for plot reasons but to get up to speed with the series' vibe: lots of shaky-cam but no-nonsense action-thriller moviemaking.
Ty_Burr: Hold on, was just researching a question...
alfred_hitchhike__Guest_: Do you know anything about a movie being made of the book "The Tender Bar"? I know the right were sold and it's ripe for an excellent ensemble cast. Which probably means it will be ruined.
Ty_Burr: Upscale producer Scott Rudin bought it, which is a good sign, since he did "Notes on a Scandal" and other good lit adaptations.
Ty_Burr: Among his other projects in development are the currently hot "Dangerous Book for Boys" and the ever-great "Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay". Don't hold your breath on that last one, though.
cheesesteak__Guest_: I caught a trailer for a French thriller called "Ils" or "Them". Poking around a bit, it seems to have got a lot of critical popularity, but to me it looks like a euro version of "Saw" or maybe "Last House on the Left" (or something better left as a Grindhouse trailer). Wonder if you've seen this already given your stance on the whole torture horror trend in Hollywood. Is this just a euro-version of that, or something else?
Ty_Burr: Funny, I just got a heads up that this is on its way, will be getting a release at the Kendall on Aug 31. Can't comment until I see it, obviously (and I'll be on vacation so someone else may handle reviewing chores).
Ty_Burr: In general, I come down on the prove-it-to-me side of the extreme horror line. If there's a narrative or artistic reason for me to be taken there, I can be convinced. But people getting slaughtered in interesting ways purely for the sake of "entertainment" just ain't my cup of tea.
Ty_Burr: I try not to get all moralistic about it, but it can gete difficult when you're faced with something like the last Lindsay Lohan movie.
bos312__Guest_: Sad to see the for sale sign on the wilbur theatre, Is it that Boson just can't fill all the theatres we currently have
Ty_Burr: I agree, Bos312. I grew up seeing a lot of plays at the Wilbur.
Ty_Burr: I think big theaters are having a tough time in Boston and other cities -- not NYC, where they can charge three figures and get awayt with it. Smaller theaters are doing all right, though -- the New Rep in Watertown, the Lyric, all the little troupes at the BCA.
Ms__Fit__Guest_: Is beer at the Somerville theatre a unique situation or is this an upcoming trend?
Ty_Burr: Hm. Personally, I'd welcome a good snort of scotch given some of the movies I have to watch.
Ty_Burr: It's a sign of a growing trend in moviegoing, arising out of the need to compete with the ever more cushy home-viewing experience. You'll see a split in types of big-screen movies...
Ty_Burr: You'll pay extra for, say, nice seats and some drinks, maybe upscale food. Or you can pay the going rate and sit with the unwashed masses talking on their cellphones.
Boston007: Are you referring to I Know Who Killed Me? I'm sorry, I hope the torture trend goes away...It's gross and sadistic. Saw wasn't that grotesque compared to its sequals and it was the best one...My opinion of course...
Ty_Burr: Well, that's the thing -- the filmmakers have to keep upping the ante, to appeal to the gore crowd.
Ty_Burr: After a while, story, characterization, all that other good stuff becomes less importance. It's not called "torture porn" for nothing -- it pushes the same sort of buttons.
Ms__Fit__Guest_: I recommend Brookstone for a good flask.
Ty_Burr: :) Personally, I think I should be issued one from the Nat'l Society of Film Critics.
Boston007: Showcase in Revere is building a BIG bar/restaurant in there.
Ty_Burr: .
cheesesteak__Guest_: Only thing I don't like about theater beer, which I've had at indie places in Lawrence, KS and Madison, WI, is that it mixes poorly with popcorn.
Ty_Burr: .
Ms__Fit__Guest_: At least the Somerville plays mostly decent stuff...I can't imagine going to, say, that Lindsay Lohan movie with a crowd that can drink during the movie. "The horror, the horror!"
Ty_Burr: Although it *might* make for a fun drinking game. Take a shot whenever Lindsay delivers another bored, inept line-reading. You'd be under the seat in no time.
Dave__Guest_: Someone told me there's some mega-super-deluxe version of Blade Runner coming out (on dvd?) - have you heard anything about this?
Ty_Burr: Yeah, it's called "Bladerunner: The Final Cut," and it played the Venice Film Festival earlier this month. It's getting a theatrical release in LA and NYC in October, but the rest of us have to wait for the DVD release the following month.
Ty_Burr: Apparently Ridley Scott supervised the remastering, tweaked special effects, restored some scenes. Presumably Harrison Ford's narrative track is long gone at last.
cheesesteak__Guest_: I'm a bit miffed about JJ Abrams hijacking my 33rd birthday with his 01-18-08 untitled monster movie. You think the "mystery" marketing approach is gonna work or will I be able to enjoy the inauguration of my Jesus year with just some marketing footnotes in the press, can't say I've liked Abrams involvement with the big screen.
Ty_Burr: Ha! I feel your pain, cheesesteak: Today's my birthday (really), and I'm stuck with "The Invasion" opening on the big 5-0. Sigh. Does that mean I'm already a pod person?
Ty_Burr: If the Abrams thing opens on a Friday (which it probably will), come over to the chat and we'll light you a big electronic candle, cheese.
Ty_Burr: I do think it's a novel approach to marketing, and guaranteed to get the fanboys slavering and racing to post "scoops" on their blogs.
Ty_Burr: Though that didn't translate to box office for "Snakes on a Plane," did it?
Ty_Burr: cheesesteak, go see "Superbad" tonight -- it'll either make you feel really young or really old.
Ms__Fit__Guest_: Have you ever gone to the Santa Barbara Film Festival?
Ty_Burr: No, should I? My standard stop out qwest is Sundance, although Telluride is a great festival in a gorgeous location.
Ty_Burr: I think we're approaching a Warholian moment regarding festivals: In the future, every town will have one.
Ty_Burr: Getting awfully quiet out there...
Ty_Burr: This is like that moment at parties where the whole room suddenly goes quiet.
Boston007: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Ty_Burr: :) Thanks, 007
Ms__Fit__Guest_: I don't really know. I was always tempted when I lived in SoCal. Beautiful city, great shopping, great food.
Ty_Burr: Santa Barbara? Yes, really nice town. Though a little poddish. No accident that the original "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" was set in Santa Mira CA
Ms__Fit__Guest_: Also, cleaning out my files the other day and came across a little blurb about volunteering at Sundance. Not sure how much fun that would be but it might be the only way I ever get there.
Ty_Burr: It appears to be a lot of work but also a lot of fun. The volunteers appear happy, well-fed, not abused, and they come from all over the map.
Dave__Guest_: What are some good horror films to see (non-slasher, non-"gore-for-the-sake-of-gore" movies)?
Ty_Burr: Hmmm... where do I begin? some classics: Diabolique, Psycho (of course). Rosemary's Baby. 80s gonzo horror like Re-Animator (hilarious movie).
Ty_Burr: Feel free to throw in your own ideas, folks
Ty_Burr: The Vanishing (the dutch original, NOT the Jeff Bridges remake). The 2nd Evil Dead movie.
Ty_Burr: Anything by Takeshi Miike ("Audition" -- shudder)
Boston007: Ty I recently watched the Maltese Falcon, imagine? Anyways, I was spoiled by watching Casablanca FIRST among all Bogart's films. What are his other top 5?
Ty_Burr: Got a pen? In my opinion they are: The Big Sleep, To Have and Have Not, High Sierra, and the little known but really great "In a Lonely Place -- probably Bogart's best acting, that one.
Boston007: The Exorcist is THE classic horror movie, maybe the #1...For me anyways...
Ty_Burr: .
Ms__Fit__Guest_: The Birds!
Ty_Burr: .
Boston007: The Changling, George C Scott!
Ty_Burr: .
Ms__Fit__Guest_: Speaking of Rosemary's Baby, what's Polanski up to lately?
Ty_Burr: He's uh, appearing as an actor in "Rush Hour 3". Really. Man has to pay the bills. He's also working on a big-budget epic alled "Pompeii," about the eruption of the volcano. Lots of big-name stars rumored, nothing definite. The man's 73, doesn't have much longer. Oh, yes, and he's still a wanted man in the states.
cheesesteak__Guest_: Happy Birthday too, I liked your blog comments on Superbad, about how the movie seemed to front end a lot of it with advance screenings and YouTube promotion. I think HBO did the same thing with Flight of the Conchords, leaving one to wonder what's the point paying to see the film or watching a show on HBO if you get all the "good stuff" from the marketing.
Ty_Burr: It's a very good question -- I'll be curious to see how Superbad does this weekend and how its "legs" are. I think it's going to be huge right out of the gate but then tail off more sharply than the studio expected, because the film has already had its "moment."
Dave__Guest_: Back in the day, they said that they could never make a workable film for Tolkien. What are your thoughts regarding HP Lovecraft? I've seen some of Stuart Gordon's work, but they all seem low budget with ehhhh actors
Ty_Burr: You're right, the movies have never really done right by Lovecraft. (You ever seen the old 1970 version of "The Dunwich Horror"? Written by Curtis Hanson! His first film credit and one he all but disowns.
Ty_Burr: Lovecraft's stories have such a tricky tone that doesn't survive the transition to the big screen, especially in a culture that lives by irony.
Ty_Burr: He wrote Edwardian horror, which makes for excellent reading but borderline-silly watching.
Dave__Guest_: I saw Dunwich Horror ages ago (don't think I had read the original), and it was painful!
Ty_Burr: I interviewed Hanson a few years back and when I brought that movie up he visibly flinched.
Dave__Guest_: the material needs a slow build too, which can lose those with short attention spans
Ty_Burr: true. Would love to see a good filming of "The Colors Out of Space," though.
bostonguy67: Ty, have you previewed Gone, Baby Gone yet? Any buzz on the movie apart from Kevin Smith and Dennis Lehane?
Ty_Burr: hey bostonguy... haven't heard a blessed thing yet. They're not screening it yet, though I bet it'll start making the rouunds after Labor Day.
Ty_Burr: I'm hearing good things about the trailer but haven't seen it myself yet.
Ty_Burr: Put it this way: If they don't screen it until just before it opens -- 10/19 -- that's not a good sign.
Ty_Burr: Hey folks, clock on the wall says 2:02 and I've got to get going. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.
bostonguy67: The trailer looks amazing but I'm dubious about an Affleck directed project;)
Ty_Burr: Ye are not alone, friend :)
Ty_Burr: bye all
