Oh HAI! and random thought of the day
Hey, remember me? Yeah, I don't remember much about me, either.
Sorry I've been away so long. It's been more than a little chaotic lately. But I had a random thought this morning that I immediately decided I should do an LJ post on. Just because.
It's movie-related. Who's surprised? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Yeah, didn't think so.
Anyway, I've been thinking about seeing the new movie 'Arthur' with Russell Brand (mostly because Helen Mirren is in it). Many people are up in arms about this remake because how could it be better than the Dudley Moore/Liza Minelli version, etc. etc.? Personally, I never cared much for Dudley Moore. The biggest laugh Dudley Moore ever got out of me was by proxy, when Phoebe cut Monica's hair on 'Friends' and thought Monica said she wanted it like Dudley Moore when, in fact, Monica wanted it like Demi Moore. As for Liza Minelli...well, she's certainly not her mother. And that's strike one. Other than that, I have no issues with her.
But I do have issues with Hollywood's insistence that movies need to be remade. I'll admit, some are alright. Some are even great. But then you have travesties like 'Guess Who?', the remake of the amazing 'Guess Who's Coming To Dinner'. When I think of someone to step into a role once played by Spencer Tracy, Bernie Mac isn't exactly tops on my list. Nor is Ashton Kutcher a viable stand-in for Sidney Poitier. Flipping the races in the plot doesn't matter. Or you also have 'The Women'. One of the best movies of the 30's, starring some of the top actresses of that time. Fast forward to 2008, insert more highly talented women. And what you have is...a mess. Some stories shouldn't be taken out of their time period.
For some reason, 'To Kill A Mockingbird' jumped into my head this morning. And I immediately began to wonder what I would do if I were a casting director for a remake of this film. Or a re-adaptation of the book. As I considered the Finch family, I decided that I would want unknowns for the children. What to do with Atticus Finch, however? Good gosh, it's Gregory Peck! Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr., possibly Liam Neeson...these are the directions my mind went in. I eventually eliminated Liam. I've heard his Southern accent before.
But then my mind went freewheeling off in a different direction. Clearly, I am not a casting director. But what if Hollywood actually did do a remake of 'Mockingbird'? Well, that just opened the floodgates. Because I totally don't trust Hollywood with remakes anymore. Unless the Coen brothers are at the helm.
So....if Hollywood were to remake 'Mockingbird', this is what I thought would happen:
Atticus Finch: In a bid to make everyone take him a little more seriously, Ashton Kutcher has bought the production rights to the re-make so he can play the title role himself. Not the most horrific thing in the world. Except for his propensity to yell out 'BURN!!!' everytime his objections are sustained in the courtroom.
Jem Finch: Dylan and Cole Sprouse fight over this one. Dylan ultimately wins. In spite of the fact that both of them are far too old to be playing Jem.
Scout Finch: Abigail Breslin. Once again, far too old. But her name sells the tickets to the younger crowd, so Ashton keeps telling her to 'slouch down'.
Bob Ewell: As a nod to 'old-timers' who remember the original movie, the part of Bob Ewell: Scary Father has been given to Robert Duvall, who played Boo Radley in the original. Robert takes the part, simply because he needs the amusement of watching Ashton Kutcher do his best Gregory Peck impersonation.
Mayella Ewell: Since her recording contract with Disney is up after the whole 'Playboy' spread scandal, Miley Cyrus is desperate to be thought of as 'a real actress'. What better role to take than a girl who has been molested by her father and allegedly raped by a big scary black man who only has one working arm? The highlight of her performance is when she sings about the attack while on the stand.
Boo Radley: Excited by the thought of a role that would require minimal effort on his part, James Franco has gladly accepted this job.
Tom Robinson: The Wayans brothers take turns on this role. Just to try and mess with the prosecutor's mind. It's a new story twist. And speaking of new story twists...
Isabella Rodriguez: The screenplay writers, attempting to 'spice up' the story have thrown this new character in to complicate things in the small town even more. Isabella is the Finch's next door neighbor and also the secret lover of Atticus Finch. She will be played by Eva Mendes.
Tell me that there's no way even one part of this might come to pass someday. Go on. I dare you.
Sorry I've been away so long. It's been more than a little chaotic lately. But I had a random thought this morning that I immediately decided I should do an LJ post on. Just because.
It's movie-related. Who's surprised? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Yeah, didn't think so.
Anyway, I've been thinking about seeing the new movie 'Arthur' with Russell Brand (mostly because Helen Mirren is in it). Many people are up in arms about this remake because how could it be better than the Dudley Moore/Liza Minelli version, etc. etc.? Personally, I never cared much for Dudley Moore. The biggest laugh Dudley Moore ever got out of me was by proxy, when Phoebe cut Monica's hair on 'Friends' and thought Monica said she wanted it like Dudley Moore when, in fact, Monica wanted it like Demi Moore. As for Liza Minelli...well, she's certainly not her mother. And that's strike one. Other than that, I have no issues with her.
But I do have issues with Hollywood's insistence that movies need to be remade. I'll admit, some are alright. Some are even great. But then you have travesties like 'Guess Who?', the remake of the amazing 'Guess Who's Coming To Dinner'. When I think of someone to step into a role once played by Spencer Tracy, Bernie Mac isn't exactly tops on my list. Nor is Ashton Kutcher a viable stand-in for Sidney Poitier. Flipping the races in the plot doesn't matter. Or you also have 'The Women'. One of the best movies of the 30's, starring some of the top actresses of that time. Fast forward to 2008, insert more highly talented women. And what you have is...a mess. Some stories shouldn't be taken out of their time period.
For some reason, 'To Kill A Mockingbird' jumped into my head this morning. And I immediately began to wonder what I would do if I were a casting director for a remake of this film. Or a re-adaptation of the book. As I considered the Finch family, I decided that I would want unknowns for the children. What to do with Atticus Finch, however? Good gosh, it's Gregory Peck! Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr., possibly Liam Neeson...these are the directions my mind went in. I eventually eliminated Liam. I've heard his Southern accent before.
But then my mind went freewheeling off in a different direction. Clearly, I am not a casting director. But what if Hollywood actually did do a remake of 'Mockingbird'? Well, that just opened the floodgates. Because I totally don't trust Hollywood with remakes anymore. Unless the Coen brothers are at the helm.
So....if Hollywood were to remake 'Mockingbird', this is what I thought would happen:
Atticus Finch: In a bid to make everyone take him a little more seriously, Ashton Kutcher has bought the production rights to the re-make so he can play the title role himself. Not the most horrific thing in the world. Except for his propensity to yell out 'BURN!!!' everytime his objections are sustained in the courtroom.
Jem Finch: Dylan and Cole Sprouse fight over this one. Dylan ultimately wins. In spite of the fact that both of them are far too old to be playing Jem.
Scout Finch: Abigail Breslin. Once again, far too old. But her name sells the tickets to the younger crowd, so Ashton keeps telling her to 'slouch down'.
Bob Ewell: As a nod to 'old-timers' who remember the original movie, the part of Bob Ewell: Scary Father has been given to Robert Duvall, who played Boo Radley in the original. Robert takes the part, simply because he needs the amusement of watching Ashton Kutcher do his best Gregory Peck impersonation.
Mayella Ewell: Since her recording contract with Disney is up after the whole 'Playboy' spread scandal, Miley Cyrus is desperate to be thought of as 'a real actress'. What better role to take than a girl who has been molested by her father and allegedly raped by a big scary black man who only has one working arm? The highlight of her performance is when she sings about the attack while on the stand.
Boo Radley: Excited by the thought of a role that would require minimal effort on his part, James Franco has gladly accepted this job.
Tom Robinson: The Wayans brothers take turns on this role. Just to try and mess with the prosecutor's mind. It's a new story twist. And speaking of new story twists...
Isabella Rodriguez: The screenplay writers, attempting to 'spice up' the story have thrown this new character in to complicate things in the small town even more. Isabella is the Finch's next door neighbor and also the secret lover of Atticus Finch. She will be played by Eva Mendes.
Tell me that there's no way even one part of this might come to pass someday. Go on. I dare you.