A Solution for 'The Wolverine'

I must say, when I got home from work and saw the news that Darren Aronofsky would no longer be directing The Wolverine, I was bummed, really bummed.  Aronofsky is one of the best filmmakers working today, and the fact that he was going to make this film, made me have beyond high expectations.  The Dark Knight good.  Oscar good.

Anyway, after doing my reading on the story, it seems legit that Aronofsky did leave the film for personal reasons.  The guy's going through a divorce and trying to keep custody rights for his kid.  As much as we love movies, we have to remember these people are just like you and I, they have problems just like any other person.  If he needs time to focus on what's going on in his personal life, that's fine.  Glad to see the man has his head in the right place.

Some are saying it's a smokescreen for "creative differences."  I disagree.  Fox knew what they were getting when they hired Aronofsky and know the man is a control freak when it comes to making a film.  Not to mention, the script is said to be fantastic so I don't think it had anything to do with the quality of the film either.

However, what I find interesting is that the official statements released by both Fox and Aronofsky make no mention of the devastation that is going on in Japan right now.  The fact that the film was to shoot all but two weeks in the country has to have something to do with Aronofsky leaving.  What's going on right now in Japan is a tragedy, and I'm sure allowing Hollywood to shoot a major motion picture there is the last thing on anyone's mind.

With that said, I propose a solution to this problem:

POSTPONE.

Yes, postpone The Wolverine.  I know Jackman has been training like a madman since the fall to be as big as he's ever been, but it looks like he'll have to put his workouts on hold.  I propose this solution for a few reasons:

1.) Aronofsky has been developing this film to his own unique nature.  Any director that comes in will have to try to adapt to his style, which never makes for a good mix.  Let Aronofsky deal with his personal issues, then let him come back when he is ready.

2.) Japan is a mess.  No film is going to be shooting there for a while.  Let the nation recover then bring The Wolverine back for filming in a year or two.  A film like this needs autheticty, not sounds stages.

3.) Fox already has an X-Men film coming out this year with X-Men: First Class.  That should quench X-Men fan's thirst for at least 2-3 years.  In that time, The Wolverine can be made, without sacrificing quality.

4.) This film was never officially greenlit nor did it have an official release date.  With that, there is no pressure to get the film rolling to make any kind of "deadline."

I know this is a tough solution, but it makes the most sense given everything going on.  Yes, the director has dropped out of the project.  But so has something just as important, the SETTING!  Trust me, if in a perfect world, an earthquake had not struck Japan, this project could have a chance to move forward.  But with that now gone, there should be no other choice but to postpone. 

The Wolverine has a chance to be one of the best film's of this decade, and with greatness comes sacrifice, this is the sacrifice: POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Washington D.C. Runs Red!

Tuesday night I had the opportunity to attend the screening/Q&A for Kevin Smith's new film Red State at the Warner Theater in Washington D.C. Smith is no stranger to Q&A shows. The trend started several years ago when he decided to take his show on the road and visit several universities across the nation as well as overseas. Countless appearances and 4 DVD's later he's decided to take the framework of these events and couple them with a roadshow of sorts.

I'm sure that if you're reading this right now, you're no stranger to the press that Red State has received. The Westboro Baptist Church made it their mission to protest the screening of Red State at this years Sundance Film Festival. As usual it did not have the effect they had hoped as Smith gained more notice as he stood outside along with them holding up protests signs of his own. Some of which read "Thor Hates Straights" and "Dick Tastes Yummy".

Smith has been traveling across the country screening his new film. As he decided to forgo the usual distribution model, the film has been presented in a traveling roadshow format. This has not only allowed Smith to connect with his fans on a more personal level but also allowed for a more intimate setting to see the film.

The Film: -Spoilers ahead-

The film starts off without a bang. Smith is fully aware of what his audience is expecting from him, therefore we are given a somewhat normal, opening. This is what I would define as "The quiet before the storm". Travis, played by Michael Angarano is seen riding in his mothers car as he is driven to school. They are held up in traffic because Abin Cooper, played to perfection by Michael Parks, has decided to protest the funeral of the victim of a hate crime. In the world we live in, unfortunately, this is not an uncommon sight to see on the news. While it is unsettling to see this in any form, our characters share glances that only hint at what is to come. Travis is joined by his two friends Jarod and Billy-Ray, played by Kyle Gallner and Nicholas Braun. The dialog between them disarms you into thinking that you're watching another View Askew flick. The set up is simple enough, Jarod has set up a meeting with an older annonomous woman to have sex and he wants his friends to come along as the woman appears to want more than one partner. The location happens to be near Cooper's Dell. While it sounds like it has a reputation, our three friends agree to make the road trip later that evening. On the way there we are treated to our first look at Sheriff Wynan, played by the always fantastic Stephen Root. I won't spoil his entrance, but it's probably one of the last real comfortable laughs you will have in this film. As our would be heroes drive up to an old trailer things begin to get a little odd. Something is not right from the looks of it and I found myself saying "TURN AROUND NOW". It's at this point in the film that everything goes completely sideways and we are introduced to the family that inhabits Cooper's Dell. The View Askew Universe is nowhere to be seen.

The film first and foremost does not look anything like what we've come to expect from Kevin Smith. The charm and safety of his past is thoroughly washed away. What is left is what I can only describe as an exploitation film. I firmly believe it when I say that this film could have easily sat between Planet Terror and Death Proof when Grind-house was released. Smith made a comment after the film stating that this film is "QT by way of the Coen Brothers". That is exactly what you get honestly. The film is so tightly shot and edited that some may even come to think someone else was behind this. That's not a slight on Smith's film making, but rather an observation of the drastic change the flick takes. Despite what Smith and others have classified it, this is definitely not a horror film. It's what they have defined the flick because it simply can't be fit into one genre. This has exploitation elements, action elements, horror and for a brief moment you swear that it's about to get supernatural. The film moves at a frantic pace. Once we're in Cooper's Dell one screwed up event happens after another until we are presented with a firefight of epic proportions. Let me make it crystal clear. No one in this film is safe. The end of the film has been criticized by some for not taking the crazy route that it initially implies. To that I say BULLSHIT as it would destroy everything the film has built up. It would strip away the story and replace it with something cliche. It would also remove any point to the bait and switch it provides. It works because it's not what we expect. If those critics got what they had apparently wanted Smith might have lost me as a fan, but Smith knows his audience. That's why it works.

The cast does a great job throughout the film and each actor brings exactly what we love about them to the table. The second John Goodman turned on a light to introduce his character,ATF Agent Joseph Kennan, he was immediately received with applause from the crowd. He's immediately seen as a father figure to so many in the crowd. His character, while conflicted, seems to be doing the right thing but there are really no heroes in Red State. Everyone's actions seem to come from the gut rather than thinking things through. Goodman is perhaps the most level headed but even his character slips. You find yourself rooting for characters and yet questioning their actions. Melissa Leo shows why she won her OSCAR as she ranges from loving mother to insane follower with blood on her mind. I can't help but also mention the small role of Betty Aberlin. Yes we have seen her in other Smith films such as Dogma but it's here where she completely throws Lady Aberlin out the window. The cast is littered with notable actors and it's hard to single out everyone for their performances but everyone does a fine job. It's interesting to hear Smith say that he wants Hit Somebody to feature many of his staple actors because he has done that to some extent here. Each shows up and you find yourself thinking "oh yeah they're from..."

The breakneck pace at which the film travels does make it feel a bit short. The film is a very fast 97 minutes, however, that may have just been my being unprepared. I hope this gets a wide release of some kind or is released on video soon as repeat viewings will help. It's just so damn fast. Some may find the film as dialog heavy if not more so than Smith's other films. Personally I have never had a problem with Smith's dialog but if that has been your problem in the past it won't change here.

There is a lot to say about this film and honestly I'm still processing it days later. It's certainly a fun ride, but it also makes you question your own thoughts and feelings about the type of people it portrays, good and bad.

Red State is a grind-house film that deserves the treatment it's getting. Smith tweeted during the screening that the Warner Theater was the type of place he imagined for showing this film and he's right. The digital projection was great and the theater itself gave it all a sense of something bigger. I only hope that this starts a larger trend.

I'll talk more about the film this weekend on our Crashing Hollywood podcast. I'll also be discussing the Q&A that followed the film. There is so much to tell so stay tuned.   

Movie Moan TV - 'A Simple Plan' (1998)

If you want proof positive that a simple film with a simple story can be just as engaging and provoking as any other movie we've covered over the last few months then then look no further than 'A Simple Plan'.

It's Sam Raimi's best film you know. Jamie Williams has declared it.

Darren Aronofsky & The Wolverine Are Done Professionally

Just when fans were having their faith steadily restored in X-Men again as First Class approaches.

In news that will castrate enthusiasm for the sequel-to-a-prequel, THR has the breaking news of Darren Aronofsky vacating his planned directing duties on The Wolverine.

Both Aronofsky and 20^th Century Fox are playing nice with his exit releasing separate statements to the press and the Oscar-nominated director pegged it on his not wanting to leave the country for so long. Which, all due respect, reeks of bullshit. From the start, it was known this would be an overseas shoot with plans (in all probability down the toilet for obvious reasons) to lens primarily in Japan.

Personally I'm happy Aronofsky's off the project. If he has a big blockbuster itch to scratch, I never liked that he was settling on taking fourth-helpings after Bryan Singer, Brett Ratner and Gavin Hood instead of rebooting a franchise from the top up and adding his stamp or just doing something commercial originating from his own noggin. But yes, I'm disappointed for the fans looking forward to this.

How Soon Till We See Henry Cavill In Suit as Superman?

First impressions go a long way, and month or so after his hiring, Warner Brothers wisely threw new Superman Henry Cavill in the spotlight chatting it up with the press. It was a 180 from how Brandon Routh was kept shrouded in secrecy during the making of Superman Returns.

Though we're far from its December 2012 release and it's too early to take this as Gospel, reactions from general public type has been positive so far to Cavill. Where he has the advantage is his lack of, what I call, "new guy" syndrome. Having to be the first actor to occupy an iconic role after the most famous, recognizable one; that happened to Routh and George Lazenby and it's also a direction I think new Spider-Man Andrew Garfield is sadly headed in.

Most of their judgment is probably reserved until they get their first official look at the British actor as Superman. Speaking to Hero Complex, director Zack Snyder reveals the time of his unveiling in the newly-done suit could be sooner rather than later:

"I asked if Snyder had anything he could share about the costume that Cavill will wear. 'I can't say — although I appreciate the question. I’d love to talk about it. We're going to have to show it before we shoot, probably a while before that because [otherwise] someone will be on the set and get a picture of it.'"

My TMT partner-in-crime Peter and I were talking about this awhile back, and I recall presenting the idea of an early showcasing of the new suit. So this remark confirms those suspicions. Again, it's all about getting the word of a new Superman out as soon and as loud as possible.

Real Steel Goes Viral

Real Steel, director Shawn Levy's robot-boxing saga starring Hugh Jackman, has started a viral marketing campaign, which can be found at WRB.com.  WRB stands for "World Robot Boxing," naturally.  I normally have no patience to dig through these sites, which is still the case here (although I am looking forward to seeing the film), but thankfully fans have managed to unlock two quick looks at some of Real Steel's badass robot boxing action:

Thanks to The Daily Blam for posting the clips.  Real Steel opens in theaters on October 7, 2011.

I Wouldn't Count On a Liam Neeson-Absent Taken 2

File this under "Dumbshits, if they go through with it."

Due to a case of scheduling disagreements and surprisingly not money, there's a chance the filmmakers of Taken 2 might move forward without Liam Neeson says "TOLDJA."

Things have progressed so far as producer Luc Besson drumming up a list of available replacements including Sean Bean, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Mickey Rourke and Ray Winstone. All fine actors and all we could see in ass-kicker mode.

But we're talking about Taken, a movie that much to the surprise of everyone (including its own studio 20^th Century Fox) became a smash-hit despite being dumped on Superbowl 2009 weekend, and Neeson, an actor who audiences have clung to since the tragic passing of his wife and his "I will find you" speech. There wasn't a parent who saw that who didn't identify thinking, "Yeah, I'd hunt down anyone who hurt my child" and Neeson became the face of that sentiment.

Doing a Taken sequel without Neeson is on the level of executive-stupidity as a Jason Bourne movie without Jason Bourne. Something the studio and filmmakers appear to understand since they're working to arrange a schedule allowing Neeson to take a break as per his request.

Larry Crowne Trailer

The alternative programming during the July 4^th 2009 holidays playing against Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen for adults or adolescents with functional brain-power was Public Enemies. I know Michael Mann's period-piece-in-HD John Dillinger piece draw mixed reactions, but you can count me as one who liked it. Part of the enjoyment I'll admit was the lack of dickheadedness from older movie-goers; no cell-phones going off, talking, etc.

So two years on and Universal has another grownup-geared release playing against another Transformers; Tom Hanks' sophomore theatrical directing-foray Larry Crowne - he also co-wrote, produced and stars.

Yahoo! Movies has the trailer and it appears I'll have something else to gage my time as opposed to giant robots punching each other and exploding shit. As I said yesterday, Hanks has a skill in picking projects enticing both young and old, smart and stupid audiences and unlike Public Enemies, this could hold it's own versus Transformers 3.

Red Dawn Remake Will Now Offend North Korea Instead of China

When MGM inked their deal with the dark lord Satan to avoid financial oblivion (back when it was all but certain), apparently said agreement entailed them giving up their balls according to the Los Angeles Times.

The studio has made the controversial, and stupid, and cowardly decision to digitally alter their long-finished Red Dawn remake. Instead of our teenage freedom fighters (with Thor's Chris Hemsworth front and center) shooting rounds against the invading Chinese, it'll be the North Koreans now.

Because as we all know, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, whatever; as long as they have slanted eyes and talk in gibberish what's the difference right? For all their concern of pissing off the Chinese with their depictions in Red Dawn, isn't the "solution" even more offensive in nature?

Of all the extras used what portion of them was in actuality of Chinese descent? So just changing the symbols and some dialogue snip-bits should cancel out how flamingly racist this idea sounds?

Jimmy Kimmel Takes On Spiderman

It's time once again to check in with the theatrical soap opera that is Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark.  Last week, the mega-budgeted and even more mega-troubled production delayed its official Broadway opening for the sixth time.  The production team also essentially canned director Julie Taymor, and announced that the show will shut down for more than three weeks starting April 19 to completely re-work the show in time for the new opening night of June 14.

Maybe they're hoping this will be a long enough delay for the critics to forget about all of those scathing reviews they pounded the show with last month.  Who knows?  Needless to say, the drama surrounding the production has been ripe for parody, including some hilarious spoofs on both SNL and Conan. 

Now Jimmy Kimmel has given us his own take on the re-worked version of Spiderman by turning it into a new version of the classic Arthur Miller play Death of a Salesman.  Considering what I've heard about the show so far (and I will be seeing this train wreck before it shuts down next month), this is most likely an improvement: