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Sam's 'Devilish' Diary
Hello Filmspotter,
From Chicago, this is The Dope Sheet... I'm Sam Hallgren.
In this edition of The Dope Sheet, my Overlooked DVD Pick of the
Week and more Superman Returns feedback. But first ...
It was a beautiful day yesterday [Wednesday] in Chicago. Blue
skies, high 70s. I had a meeting in the morning downtown, and
another late in the afternoon, with the whole mid-afternoon to
myself. I decided to pop into the AMC at 600 N. Michigan to see a
noon showing of The Devil Wears Prada.
The place was dead. No one else in line. No one at the
concession booth. Two teenage girls were working the register. Now.
Am I the only guy who gets a little embarrassed about buying a
ticket to a movie that has been marketed so specifically to women?
(A movie, in fact, that was released the same weekend as the
boy-friendly "Superman Returns" in a strategic bit of
counter-programming?)
OK. It's dumb. But I know I'm not alone. I'm mumbling through
my purchase with the first girl, when the second girl at the end of
the register says, "What movie are you seeing?" "Superman Returns"
started in a half-hour. "Pirates 2" in forty minutes. "Um ... Devil
Wears Prada," I said, with as much conviction as I could muster. She
paused. "Bet it's not as good as the book," she said.
I didn't know how to respond to that. Was this an additional
test of my masculinity? Not only was I spending a beautiful
afternoon in a dark theater watching "Devil Wears Prada" ... but had
I also read the trashy, thinly-veiled autobiography? (I hadn't.)
When I got into my seat, it occurred to me that I should have
asked her to guess. "Which movie do you think I'm going to see?"
Something I've wondered for a while: do ticket-takers - particularly
at multiplexes - kill time by guessing which movie a particular
person or group of people have come to see? I know I would. Nothing
like a little stereotyping to while away the hours.
Anyway. The mild humiliation of going to the theatre alone and
buying a ticket to "The Devil Wears Prada" was tempered by the fact
that Adam had gone to see "The Lake House" alone a couple of weeks
ago ... and come out of the theatre beaming like a schoolgirl. What
a sissy.
NOTE: Adam and I will try to sneak in a review of "The Devil
Wears Prada" at some point in the near future. Possibly as early as
Filmspotting #116 (in two weeks).
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Programming Note
For those of you who may have missed the blog entry last week, next
week's show -- Filmspotting #114 -- will be available Friday instead
of the usual Wednesday. Adam will be in San Francisco this weekend
and then in Montreal and won't be able to record again until next
Thursday.
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Overlooked DVD Pick: Twice Upon A Yesterday
 Directed by Maria Ripoll
Falls into the category of "movies I thought I'd hate ... but
didn't." Like a guy's version of "Sliding Doors." Except better.
And with actual British people instead of Gwyneth doing a British
accent.
A couple of years ago my roommate at the time, Matty Ballgame
(who was much more adventurous at the Blockbuster than I was),
brought this home. On first glance, it seemed about as promising and
inventive as the title suggests.
The premise is just as silly-sounding as "The Lake House" -- guy
screws things up with his beautiful, successful wife, so he somehow
magically goes back in time and this time tries not to be such an
asshole. But fate is a funny thing. The second time around he
doesn't screw it up ... she does. And he meets Penelope Cruz.
I know it doesn't sound really groundbreaking, and it isn't. But
it's more honest about relationships than I expected it to be and I
liked the actors -- Douglas Henshell and Lena Headey as the
fated-to-split couple, and Penelope Cruz as the attractive Spanish
barmaid who for some reason takes a liking to the mopey,
hard-drinking Henshall. Also, Elizabeth McGovern shows up for a few
minutes completely at random, and I've always liked her.
Twice Upon a Yesterday is available on Peerflix
(Medium Wait).
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More 'Super' Feedback
 From long-time listener Alex Knesnik in Dallas, TX, after
hearing our review of "The Lake House":
Sam,
You are indeed a cold, dead, husk of a human being. I weep
openly for your unborn children. I can't wait until I hear your
black heart spill forth more delicious bile as you review Superman
Returns. I can already see you stomping into the theater with your
arms crossed (we call that closed body-language), sitting down with a
huff, and saying under your breath, "I am a rock. Let the winds
blow, for I am as constant as the stars. I will not move. I am
unmovable."
So, go to it Javert. Prosecute as you see fit. But know that in
the end you will die alone. Penniless. In the gutter. Hopefully,
after a long-suffering illness."
Of course, Alex is joking. And of course I would never walk into
a movie theatre with closed body language. But I have to admit, I
thought of Alex's email on my way to see Superman Returns ("what if I
don't like Superman?") and again on my way home from the theatre
("how am I going to talk about this movie like a rational person? I
think I just had a religious experience.").
Well, I laid it all out for you, Filmspotting listeners, and
here's how you responded:
A not atypical sentiment from listener Lou Sementa: "I
would like to propose to the Filmspotting audience a new unit of time
measurement: Superman Returns. Definition: a length of time
approaching but not equal to infinity. "
Yikes. Another blow to "Superman Returns" from
Joe Aiello writing from Providence, RI:
"During your review of Superman Returns, Sam told us: 'This movie
had a profound, almost religious impact on me.' To which Adam
responded: 'Wow.'
Now maybe, because I've heard every episode of
Cinecast/Filmspotting, I'm starting to read a little too deeply into
your comments, but go back and listen to the inflection Adam gives to
that 'wow'.
I think you'll hear in that brief moment, Adam, who initially
wants to laugh at the absurdity of the statement, quickly realizes
Sam may be heading down nostalgia lane, and fights back the urge to
derail his trip. I believe, in that instant, Adam recognized his
chance to let Sam's inner 12 year old take his critique into "Revenge
of the Sith" territory, thus returning some balance to the
Filmspotting force.
"Apparently, a man's love for love for his childhood, whether it
be in the form of Darth Vader or Kal-El, can trump even his best
efforts at being objective, and now both you have an equally nerdy
blemish on your records.
Being around the same age as you guys, and a comic book reader as
well, I wanted to like this movie as much as the next guy. However,
I can't get past its one major flaw... IT'S BORING. The tingles I
felt from the retro opening credits quickly turned to drowsiness and
while the action sequences were exciting, they were too few and far
between to keep me interested. This is truly disappointing,
considering how well Singer was able to balance characterization and
action in the X-Men films. And think about the cast he had to
introduce in those films versus Superman, a character whose origin
is practically part of the collective unconscious.
I just keep wondering, if I was a 12 year old now, how interested
would I be in a pouty Man of Steel, dealing with a love triangle and
baby's daddy issues, that doesn't have much to do or a worthy villain
to fight?"
This is a really interesting question, Joe. Are kids digging
Singer's Superman? Unfortunately, not a question I have the answer
to. I haven't seen Donner's original Superman movie since I was a
kid. And what do I remember? I'll tell you: Superman and Lois Lane
flying through the night. I don't remember a single thing about Lex
Luthor from the original. I don't remember his nefarious plan; I
don't remember a single thing he said. I remember the love story.
And I remember Superman.
So. Will kids like this Superman? I think it's hard to remember
what it's like to watch a Superman movie and to actually believe in
it. That alone might be enough to get kids to sit still for two and
half hours ... and leave the theatre humming the theme song, arms
outstretched, flying into the back seat of the car.
And finally, this one from Ian... someone who agree with
me:
"I also am 31, and had a similar reaction to Sam from watching
Superman Returns. Right from the first blue streaked letters and
rousing music I was sucked right in, similarly noting the quality of
Superman's voice when he said 'Goodnight Lois.'
Afterwards, while analyzing my reaction, it occurred to me that
Superman (the original) may very well have been the first movie I
ever watched at the cinema. If so, that would help explain the
reaction as I was being taken right back to the beginning of my
interest in cinema.
I will have to ring my Mum and see if she remembers."
Ian, I e-mailed my mum, too. And what she sent back is the
picture you see here of me and my younger brother, Ben. Note the
Superman pillow is ON TOP of the Star Wars pillow. (Adam would also
like you to note that he had the exact same pillowcase!)
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More Scores
From
Vern:
"Hey fellas, I've been listening to Cinefilmspotcasting for a
while now but I don't think I've written in before. But I wanted to
say I was really impressed that Sam mentioned RZA's score for Ghost
Dog when discussing the top 5 scores (even if it didn't quite make
the list). That's one of my favorites scores ever and nobody's ever
done anything like it, including RZA. One thing you didn't mention,
when you said it made you want to immediately go out and buy it - you
can't. The score was only released in Japan (the American version is
just a "songs from and inspired" soundtrack).
You guys did a good job on your lists (although somebody will
probably want to skin you alive for not mentioning The Good, the Bad
and the Ugly). Here are a couple choices I would've considered.
1. Halloween by John Carpenter, I don't think I need to explain
this one, everybody knows that's some of the creepiest music ever and
there's the famous story about how the movie didn't work at all
until they added the score.
2. Ocean's 12 by David Holmes. I know most people hate this movie
(I don't) but I can't get enough of the score, there are pieces on
there that I would like to have as my personal theme song while
walking down the street. Holmes also did a great job on Out of Sight.
3. Gotta have some Lalo Schifrin on there, there's a lot to
choose from but I think I would go with Enter the Dragon. That is
one of the most badass theme songs ever.
4. Superfly by Curtis Mayfield. This might not count since the
lyrics and singing are so much of its power, but the instrumental
bits are classic too, this is really a score that elevates the movie.
5. Profondo Rosso (Deep Red) by Goblin. I know Sam is afraid of
Dario Argento (and tries to disguise this fear as an ignorant
misunderstanding of his movies) but he should check out this weird
and sometimes funky score by
Goblin. They also did great work on Suspiria, Dawn of the Dead
and many other films but this one might be my favorite. Also they are
cool because they are called Goblin.
And I'm surprised you boys didn't mention The Virgin Suicides by
Air, I thought you were into that kind of thing."
Great list, Vern. And you're right. I bought the 'songs from an
inspired by' "Ghost Dog" soundtrack. And I was furious that it didn't
contain RZA's score.
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Podcast Alley Vote/Awards
Thanks to everyone who has
voted for us this month at PodcastAlley!
If you haven't already, we wouldn't turn down your
nomination for a Podcast Award.
You can nominate us under Movies/Film or anywhere else you see fit.
As always, thanks for your support.
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