Month: March 2020

Greetings, fellow space cadets.  First of all, I want to apologize for being absent for the past couple of weeks.  It’s been pretty rough around the world with the current situation with the covid-19 virus causing all sorts of havoc.  So, for everybody that is reading this right now, I hope you are staying home and staying safe.  I hope you’re doing everything you can to help slow the spread of this thing.  If you can work from home, do so.  If you can’t, make sure you are practicing social distancing and taking all necessary precautions while you’re out there.  As Harvey Dent said in The Dark Knight, “The night is darkest before the dawn, but the dawn is coming.”  The days ahead are going to be dark and they are going to be tough.  They will test your faith, your humanity, and your ability to do what’s right.  I bring that up so I can talk about what’s happening in the film industry right now.  It’s at a stand-still.  Every movie that was scheduled to be released to be released in the next few months have been pushed back until further notice or until this situation is under control.  Some movies that were supposed to be released this year, like Fast and Furious 9, have been pushed back an entire year.  Movie theaters around the world have closed their doors.  The damage that this pandemic is going to cause the film industry is astronomical.  I couldn’t put a number to it, even if I wanted to.

While my first paragraph sounds like it has a lot of doom and gloom about it, we will get past this.  We always have.  Humanity, as a species, has a knack of surviving some of the worst catastrophes in the world.  Whether it’s the Black Death or a World War, we always have a way of bouncing back stronger than ever.  Sometimes, though, in order to do that, we have to find ways of distracting ourselves to remain in control.  Books, music, art, video games, or movies, these are things that we can use to help cope with stressful and dark situations.  As a movie buff, I love movies because they can offer an escape from the real world.  For about two or three hours we can allow ourselves to be transported to another world in another galaxy, or to the distant past with swords and sorcery.  Allowing ourselves to take a few hours to sit back and watch something on our TV screens can have a very positive impact on how we deal with this crisis.  Movies are important not just because of how they help the economy, but also how they can give us a moment’s peace.

A movie’s purpose isn’t always just to entertain, but also to inform and educate as well.  There are hundreds of documentaries out there that talk about specific people and different places around the world.  At other times, movies offer a glimpse into a different time period, acting as a window of sorts.  Movies like Tombstone or Pirates of the Caribbean offer us a look into a world that no longer exists.  There is something truly special about a film that can take us from our mundane existence to an exciting new place, one that we may not have seen before.  To me, that is what is most exciting about film.  Beyond that, movies are a wonderful way to tell a story.  I don’t know about you, but I love being told a good story.  Whether it’s about man wearing a cape that’s flying through the sky or a knight in shining armor battling a fire-breathing dragon, a good story will always speak to that part of us that hasn’t quite grown up yet.  While many people would argue that books are better at stirring the imagination than films, the truth is that many of us don’t really have that great of an attention span.  Books can take days or weeks to finish, whereas a movie is over in just a couple of hours.  You can pack a lot of story into a 2-hour film if done correctly and it can be one of the greatest things ever.

While it is true that we can’t go out to the movie theaters right now, that doesn’t mean that we don’t have access to movies.  Some studios have begun to put some of their less-performing films on digital streaming right now like Bloodshot and other films like The Invisible Man that have been successful.  Make no mistake, upcoming movies like Wonder Woman ’84 will not be going straight to video, it would be financial suicide.  But there are a lot of movies that are available on YouTube, Amazon, Hulu, Disney Plus, and Netflix.  Access to movies is easier than ever, although I will admit that there are too many streaming services out there right now.  It can get pricey, but the amount of material on these services is extraordinary.  For those of us who really like physical media like DVD and Blu-Ray, that’s also an option.  I literally can just reach out and grab a movie from one of my shelves(yes, shelves) and I’ll be good for a couple of hours.

Movies have this really wonderful way of bringing people together, especially in hard times.  Sometimes, we could use a good laugh, a good cry, or a good scream.  But the most important thing is how movies can inspire us to be better and to remind us of what’s important.  Although, right now might not be the best time for us to be together.  At least, not literally.  6 feet is the recommended distance.  So, one person can sit on a chair, one on the couch and another on a bean-bag or banana-chair.  Each person would have to get their own bowl or bag of pop-corn and a drink.  Safety first, people.  Safety first.  In all seriousness, though, it is important to be distracted from time to time.  If we’re constantly worrying about what’s happening in the world, we’re going to end up a pretty depressed people.  I don’t know about you, but depression sucks.  Like Mega Maid.  So, to all my readers and everyone else around the world: Stay safe by staying smart.  This is Major Tom, signing off………for now.

As of this writing, it is March 8, 2020, which means it is International Women’s Day.  It’s a day that celebrates women and their accomplishments in politics, culture, and many other aspects of our world.  Over the centuries, women have fought to be heard and respected on the same level as men.  Over the past 50 or so years, we’ve seen women become more and more actively involved in civil rights, entertainment, and the political arena.  For this post, I want to celebrate the women who have made really strong contributions to the world of film.  I’ve already spoken about strong female characters and the actresses who play them, but what about the ladies that work behind-the-scenes?  I’m talking about producers, directors, and stunt-women.  While these roles are generally male-dominated, it’s important to understand that women have come a long way.  Over the past 30 years, we’ve seen some really strong movies with women in the lead as directors and producers.  It’s the same thing with television.  While I’ve generally asserted that one should hire the right person for the job, sometimes the right person is a woman.  So, let’s take a look at the ladies who are helping to shape the industry.

Zoe Bell – Stunt-woman

The job of a stuntman/stunt-woman is often a thankless one, and it’s a shame.  Stunts are an incredibly important part of film-making.  This one might seem like a cheat, because it’s something you can actually see, but hear me out:  The purpose of a stunt-person is to do the dangerous job that most actors can’t or won’t do like falling off of buildings are getting set on fire.  That’s where the stunt-person comes in.  Their other job is to make the actor/actress they’re doubling to look good.  Because of the nature of the job, stunt-people often don’t get the recognition that they deserve.  It’s even harder for women to break through in that field because it is so heavily dominated by men.  Zoe Bell of New Zealand, is one of the many women who are leading the way for more women to get involved with stunts.  Zoe has had a hell of a career doubling actresses like Lucy Lawless in Xena and Uma Thurman in the Kill Bill films.  In fact, Zoe Bell is one of the go-to stunt-women for Quentin Tarantino because she’s so damned good at what she does.  You want a perfect example?  Watch Death Proof.  Not only is the film her first real meaty role(playing herself), but she does ALL of her own stunts.

Kathleen Kennedy – Producer

Now, some people might get on my case for including Ms. Kennedy here because of how the last few Star Wars films have turned out.  As the leader of Lucasfilm, I think she’s in over her head with running a studio.  However, when you look at her filmography, you have to admire her career as a producer.  She’s one of the best in the world.  She’s worked with some of the best directors in the world including Steven Spielberg.  You look at the original Indiana Jones films, An American Tail, and Cape Fear, and you can see how she’s managed to keep these films from going off the rails.  Her first film as a producer was Steven Spielberg’s E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.  Basically, she hit the ground running and hasn’t stopped.  While she hasn’t always made the best decisions, her record speaks for itself.  Despite some recent issues with Star Wars, I think she deserves recognition as one of the best producers in the industry.

Kathryn Bigelow – Director

In terms of film, television and stage-plays, the director can be referred to as the “leader, the head honcho, or the captain.”  These folks are the reason why movies look the way they do.  They pretty much run everything that isn’t financial or basic managerial stuff.  With cameras, actors, and other staff, directors are easily the most important aspect of film-making.  Let me tell you, Kathryn Bigelow is a leader.  She is a pioneer for women who want to get in the director’s seat.  She’s responsible for some of the best movies of the past 40 years including Near Dark, Zero Dark Thirty, Point Break, The Hurt Locker, and Detroit.  Kathryn is also the first and only woman to win an Academy Award for best director, and that was for The Hurt Locker.  She’s also a producer AND a writer.  She’s phenomenal.

Jennifer Kent – Writer/Director

Coming from Australia, Jennifer Kent doesn’t appear to have much of a filmography.  She only has two full-length films to her name, The Babadook and The Nightingale.  While I haven’t seen The Babadook, I did see The Nightingale.  For Kent’s second film, The Nightingale is a powerhouse of a film.  It is one of the most brutal and unsettling period pieces that I’ve seen in years.  It’s not for everybody, but Jennifer Kent’s attention to detail and her passion for the subject matter is unquestionable.  While the film might drag at times, it’s an experience.  It takes a person of rare talent to craft a film that not only has a visceral impact on the audience, but to do it in a way that doesn’t feel exploitative is extraordinary.  Her method of story-telling is unlike anything I’ve seen before.

Gale Ann Hurd – Producer

Like Kathleen Kennedy, Gale Ann Hurd is one of the leading producers in the industry today.  Like Ms. Kennedy, Ms. Hurd has worked on some of the biggest movies in cinematic history including The Terminator, The Abyss, True Lies, Armageddon, and The Punisher.   If there was a big action/science fiction movie during the 80s and 90s, you would most likely see Gale Ann Hurd’s name attached, especially if the film was rated R.  She tends to be drawn to those kinds of movies and it shows.  Like Kathleen Kennedy, Ms. Hurd is one of the best in the business, and she knows how to get things done.  She’s currently an executive producer on The Walking Dead TV series, so she’s doing something right.  I’m an absolute fan of hers.

Patty Jenkins – Director

Patty Jenkins burst onto the scene with a little movie called Monster back in 2003.  It was a huge hit with audiences and critics alike.  Because of the film, Patty Jenkins career seemed to have taken off.  However, she wouldn’t direct a big-screen movie again until Wonder Woman.  I think that Wonder Woman is an important film in many ways.  Not only is it a fantastic comic book film in its own right, but it was well-respected by almost everybody.  It also hammered home the idea that Patty Jenkins was a force to be reckoned with as a director.  While I think Wonder Woman could have been okay if it was directed by a man, I think it was the right decision on Warner Bros. part to have a woman direct a film about a female superhero.  Obviously, Ms. Jenkins is a fan of the character, so she wanted to get it right.  She succeeded.  Wonder Woman ’84 is due to be released in June, and I am excited for it.  Patty Jenkins deserves a lot more credit and work than what she’s been given.

While women are still underrepresented in the film industry as far as film-making goes, we’re seeing more and more women taking on huge roles in the industry that require a lot of responsibility.  Directing, writing, producing.  These are the foundations of film-making and to see women willing to tackle these films is fantastic to see.  It’s even better when women can make a better movie than men.  Again, I will always say that you need to hire the right person for the job, but sometimes the best person for that job……is a woman.

Every fictional film ever made has a major focus on a handful of main characters, usually a male and female lead.  Then you have secondary characters that are part of the group or are friends of the main characters.  Side characters generally aren’t the most important characters in a story, since the main story tends to follow one or two people.  That’s not to say that some side characters aren’t important, they can be.  In certain cases they can be far more important than they initially seem to be.  For this list, I’m going to discuss some of the best and worst side characters that I’ve seen in film.  They’re all memorable, just not always for the right reasons.  Sometimes a character can be extremely annoying or a character’s presence can sometimes outshine the lead.  It happens more often than you’d think.  So, let’s get this party started!

Worst-Jar Jar Binks: Star Wars Prequels

I feel I have to apologize to my readers, especially the ones that grew up with the original Star Wars Trilogy.  Jar Jar Binks, as a character, is one of the most annoying creations that George Lucas ever thought up.  Believe it or not, I actually don’t hate the Gungans here, just Jar Jar Binks.  He’s clumsy, stupid, and quite frankly irritating.  I was waiting for more than one opportunity for the bad guys to turn him into a crispy critter.  Before somebody starts, I’m not blaming the actor for this.  Ahmed Best did the best he could with what he was given, and as such, it’s actually a decent performance.  It’s just that the character is horrendously written with some of the worst dialogue.  If Binks was supposed to be comic relief, he failed at that, like he fails at everything in the movie.

Best – Doc Holliday and Johnny Ringo: Tombstone

Tombstone is absolutely Wyatt Earp’s story, through and through, but these two particular characters, played to perfection by Michael Biehn and Val Kilmer, steal the show.  This scene in particular sets up the tension between Holliday and Ringo.  Both are experienced gun-fighters, but the film takes the liberty of making Johnny Ringo an educated man and speaking Latin.  Historically speaking, that was never the case, so this confrontation never actually happened, but it’s still bad-ass.  The scene is intense because when you translate what’s being said, those are threats on multiple levels.  While Ringo shows off his gun-slinging skills, Holliday pretty much mocks him by doing the same with his cup.  Tombstone is an amazing Western, and this scene cements that in so many ways.

Worst – Mutt Williams: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

I have a confession to make, I don’t hate any of the Indiana Jones movies.  Sure, Crystal Skull was pretty weak in a lot of areas, but it still managed to be a lot of fun.  Sadly, Shia LeBouf’s character of Mutt Williams was not one of my favorites.  Mutt is Indy’s son, but there’s nothing really there that indicates that, and LeBouf’s performance is almost embarrassing.  The character is completely one-dimensional and totally lacks the charisma and personality of Indiana Jones.  Crystal Skull is easily the weakest and I think Mutt is the weakest link in terms of characters.

Best – Brownies – Willow

Willow was one of the most underrated fantasy films of the 80s.  I grew up with this.  Everything about it was awesome.  You had sword fights, magic, cart chases, and more.  What the film had was a lot of charm.  The characters were memorable and the humor was on point.  It was a very well-written film.  While I definitely loved Val Kilmer as Madmartigan, it was Kevin Pollack and Rick Overton as Rool and Franjean.  These two pint-sized miscreants served as the film’s comic relief and boy did they deliver.  They stole every scene that they were in.  For a film that got as dark as Willow did, the comic relief was a welcome respite from some of what was going on.

Worst – Admiral Marcus – Star Trek Into Darkness

There were a lot of things that went wrong with J.J. Abrams’ stab at the Star Trek franchise, the least of which was the poorly kept secret of Benedict Cumberbatch being Khan Noonien Singh.  You know, the villain from the original Star Trek II.  While I don’t think Khan was the problem, making Admiral Marcus, the head of Starfleet, a main villain.  I credit Peter Weller for an awesome performance, but making him such an obvious villain with such a cliche plan was a bad move.  It’s not unusual for a film to have more than one villain, but when you have a genetically engineered super-soldier and an arrogant high-ranking military officer in the same film doesn’t quite work.  At least, not for me.

Best – Brother Gilbert – Dragonheart

Dragonheart is one of those films that despite the phenomenal cast, gets overlooked quite a bit in the fantasy genre.  Yeah, you’ve got Dennis Quaid playing a grizzled knight and Sean Connery as the voice of a dragon, but the one person that steals the show for me is the late Pete Postlethwaite as Brother Gilbert.  It’s one of those quirky roles that most people tend not to mention in film.  Postlethwaite was perfectly cast here.  He plays a humble poet/monk who just happens to be a natural at archery.  I really like this character because he’s not just a good guy, but he’s also not irritating and is legitimately funny at times.  Brother Gilbert is just so underrated as a character.

Worst: Prince Tarn – Red Sonja

Red Sonja for me is a very guilty pleasure.  There’s a lot of things wrong with this movie, from the casting of Brigitte Nielson as Sonja to the incredibly weak visual effects in the film.  This was originally supposed to be a third Conan film, but because of how the second film turned out, Conan 3 didn’t happen.  It’s a cheesy, but fun diversion for about 90 minutes.  But when Prince Tarn enters the picture, it’s headache-inducing.  I’m not blaming Ernie Reyes, Jr, because he was obviously just a kid at the time.  The character was poorly written to be a spoiled little brat who would have to be baby-sat by Red Sonja.  Tarn was ultimately a distraction, and not a good one at that, which took away from what Sonja was trying to do, which was get revenge for the murder of her family.

Worst and Best – Wade Wilson – Xmen Origins: Wolverine

I believe it’s statistically and scientifically proven that Xmen Origins: Wolverine is the worst X-men movie ever made.  Yes, it’s even worse than Dark Phoenix.  It’s poorly written with some really terrible visual effects, and a story that is as nonsensical as it is redundant.  Aside from Hugh Jackman and Liev Schreiber, the best thing this film has going for it is Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson.  This opening sequence with Wilson is pretty spectacular with Wilson delivering his requisite one-liners: “Okay, people are dead!”  It was pretty cool.  It’s just a shame that what the writers did with the character towards the end of the film ruined whatever good will they had with the opening act.  Don’t believe me?  Here, check it out for yourself:

Pretty awful, isn’t it?  Thankfully, Ryan Reynolds was really wanting to do a Deadpool film, so he kept fighting for it for years.  Thankfully, in 2016, not only did we get a proper Deadpool film, it was also one of the best X-men movies ever made.  It didn’t take itself seriously and was wonderfully violent.  So, in a way, if it wasn’t for X-men Origins: Wolverine, we probably would never have gotten Deadpool.  It’s interesting to think about that.

There were a lot of side characters out there.  A lot of whom can be fairly interesting, but can also be extremely irritating.  I’m going to end it here, because if I keep going, I’ll end up with a 25,000 word post that nobody would want to read.  These are just a few that stood out to me.  What do you think?  What are some interesting or annoying side characters that keep you watching?  Let me know.