Movie Mondays - Coming Soon

Last week I talked about Baz Luhrmann's upcoming film, the Great Gatsby. Well, for the rest of the week it seemed like more and more upcoming movies kept dropping out of the sky so I decided to do another article on upcoming features.

First of all, this year is the 60th anniversary of "Singin' in the Rain", and in honor of the event, a new digital transfer will be released in theaters for one night only! The film will also feature a behind-the-scenes documentary and interview with star Debbie Reynolds. I've already bought my tickets and I can't wait! In addition to the limited theatre release, a limited edition Blu Ray box set is already available for pre-order, including all kinds of special features, nifty extras, and an actual umbrella! Book your tickets to the premiere at Fathom Events, and click the image below to purchase the BluRay/DVD box set.

Second, a project a long time in the making. Many of you have probably heard of "A Star is Born", but whether it was the original version from 1937 starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, or the 1954 version starring Judy Garland and James Mason, or the 1976 version starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson will depend on who is reading this article.

What you might not know is that Clint Eastwood's latest project is a reboot of "Star" featuring Beyoncé Knowles. Similar to the struggle Luhrmann went through in casting "Gatsby", Knowles has been attached to the project for quite some time, but the question of the leading man has been quite an ordeal. Early potentials have included Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, and Leonardo DiCaprio, but the project seems to have landed finally on the shoulders of Tom Cruise. I know. I squirmed, too. Apparently this role would be a reiteration of sorts of Cruise's role in "Rock of Ages"... Because that movie did so well in the box office, right?

"I'll make millions, you say? It can't fail, you say? I'll do it!"

What were you thinking, Catherine Zeta-Jones? Anyway, allegedly the project was delayed by Knowles' pregnancy and may be going into production soon. Here's hoping that the project is delayed long enough for the male lead to change hands at least once more.

Third, a project that only exists in theory so far, and will hopefully never come to fruition. Brace yourselves. No, really. Sit down. Recently, in an interview, Justin Bieber expressed his desire to play Danny Zuko in a remake of "Grease". 

Because, apparently, "Grease 2" wasn't bad enough...

Apparently it's been talked about for quite some time. So much so that he's already got his Sandy all picked out. Wait for it - Miley Cyrus. Can you imagine a more inappropriate casting for "Grease"? I can't. Let's hope that like many a potential Grease remake before it, this one will fade into obscurity. If anything they should switch the roles. Even that would be a step up.

Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus in Grease... I can see it now!

The Artist - Film Review

Caution - spoilers and un-spoilers ahead.

Probably the most intriguing nominee for Best Picture this year is an unassuming import called "The Artist"

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It tells the story of (fictional) silent film legend George Valentin and (equally fictional) bright new starlet Peppy Miller during the advent of 'talkies'. While Valentin stalwartly stands by silent film, Miller embraces the new medium, to very different results





What really sets this film apart from its competitors is that it's both black-and-white and silent. That's right folks: a silent film took the Golden Globe this year! Here's my review in three parts. Story This was the weak-point of the film. The story follows the expected talkie-takeover plot until you near the end of the film, when the two characters meet again (under circumstances I shan't reveal). Here though, the film takes a couple of odd twists and turns, and doesn't really end up where you'd expect it, especially with the googly-eyes the protagonists are making at each other in the poster (have I said to much?). Then again, it's kind of refreshing to watch a movie that doesn't just follow the standard expected endings. I'll give this film a B for story.
 

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Craft This is where "The Artist" really takes the cake. It's been a while since I've been completely captivated by every moment of a film, and you might think a movie with no talking would put you to sleep, but here the silence electrifies the audience. I'd compare it to the idea that when one sense is taken away, the other senses take over. Since you can't hear the actors talk (and since you obviously can't taste, touch, or smell them), your eyes are drawn in as the only thing that can connect you to the story. The cinematography is outstanding, the actors are just the right amount of expressive without going overboard, and the black and white just made each scene delicious to watch.

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The film isn't 100% silent, actually - there are two scenes where sound is present, and the first (a nightmare sequence) takes full advantage of the audience's malaise at the sudden introduction of sound. There is also at the very least one instance where they take advantage of the silent film title cards to play around with the audience. My friend put it best when she said, "it's been a long time since movies have been coy." For craft, the film gets an A+.

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Costume The story covers the years 1927-1932, and though the costumes are beautiful, for the most part one fails to see the gradual transition over the course of the film. This might be understandable for a character who gets hit by the Great Depression, but Peppy Miller's Hollywood wardrobe doesn't really change for the greater part of the film, even after the Stock Market crash.

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The only costume I had real issue with was the uber-short fringed number pictured above and featured abundantly in the trailer. It was really short by 20s standards, even in pre-code Hollywood, that skirt would have raised eyebrows. Of course, if the script called for a Burlesque dancer or other such temptress then that would have been fine, but the scene they film in the movie is a sort of evening party. Basically the dress was pretty but just too short. Overall, I'd give the costumes a B.

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Please, please, please see this film while it's still in theatres. I guarantee it will not be the same on home video. This is a cinema experience you do not want to pass up.

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They do make them like they used to.