Looking More Like Something Worth Watching

The campaign for 'The Family' got off to a rough start. Early trailers played up the movie as a standard fish-out-of-water caper and it was flat. So flat. I couldn't really watch them. The movie looked dumb.

Thing is, this was a classic case of trying to make an edgy (I'm guessing) comedy with some pretty hardcore violence, or at least graphics acts of violence, look like a fluffy comedy that the average person might like. And it is, except for the violence.

Sure, it's not gritty. This isn't an exposé of gang/mafia life, but it does depict some pretty brutal stuff. It may not replicate all those beatings and acid baths, but it makes like the real thing. So, those first trailers weren't being honest and, as usual, they came off like they had something to hide. I thought it because the movie didn't have teeth. Turns out it was that the movie does, in fact, have teeth, and it looks pretty damn funny.

Liking much better. I want to see this now.

Oh, and, dear Marketing: Don't pull your punches.


I'm moving. My new blog is 101-to-la, as in highway 101 to Los Angeles. I'll be double posting here and at the new blog for a while, then retiring MoovyBoovy. 

Shooting The Bad Life: 'Malavita'

Luc Besson directs from a script by Michael Caleo based on the novel by Tonino Benacquista. The logline from IMDb:

• A retired American gangster relocates his family to Normandy and lives under the witness protection program.  

Well. That could lead anywhere. However, with Robert De Niro (as the retired gangster no doubt), Tommy Lee Jones, and Michelle Pfeiffer it should be easy to watch.

Looks like it's easy to shoot what with all that red wine.

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Stardust Interviews

IESB has video interviews with 'Stardust' stars Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, and director Matthew Vaughn.

Hairspray On Fresh Air

Terry Gross with Adam Shankman, director of the remake of 'Hairspray'. Gross also replays part of the 1988 interview with John Waters about writing and directing the orignal 'Hairspray'. (31 min.) David Edelstein reviews 'Hairspray'.

Stardust

Recognize her? I thought the full-tilt tribute to Hitchcock by Robert Zemeckis, 'What Lies Beneath', was Michelle Pfeiffer's swan song (the little-seen 'I Am Sam' and the excellent 'White Oleander' seem like afterthoughts). But she returns from hiatus with 'Stardust', coming this summer. From the look of the trailer this will be a must-see, must-own movie. This movie could have no story whatsoever and still be irresistible -- it just has that thing going -- and boasts not only Pfeiffer, but also Robert De Niro, Peter O'Toole, Sienna Miller, and Claire Danes in the cast. 'No way', you say. Yes...way.

But, back to Michelle...shall we. Why no major movie in seven years? Seriously, I fretted. But, never mind, she's back with three projects in 2007 -- 'I Could Never Be Your Woman' (Michelle, never say Never), 'Hairspray', and 'Stardust'.

To celebrate this star's return to the big screen I wrote a few verses:

In A Darkened Theater Near Me

Thank you, O thank you! I've missed you so. The silver screen has been so dull
without your elegant figure and shimmering hair.
Without your blue eyes, smoky voice, and lips so full.
Is there another movie star to you we could compare?

Why did you leave us and stay away for so long?
If you had not come back now how would we go on?
Without you the story moves so slowly -- the actor plods, and the dialogue bogs.
Others try to replace you -- they imitate your elegance and your grace.
But, movie after movie, we could barely stay awake.
It's you we wanted, and always wanted, to come back to us -- take after take.

And, now you are back and our wishes have come true.
You're in this new movie called Stardust...and a couple of others, too.
How soon can I see you in a darkened theater near me?
This summer you say, no sooner shall it be.
Alas. Then I will wait.
For to see you again will truly be great.