What Say You: Robert Downey Jr. In Blackface

On August 13, Tropic Thunder will hit theaters. If the trailer holds true, this looks to be a great comedy about Hollywood and action pictures. And as the spoof to end all spoofs on method acting, Robert Downey's character Kirk Lazarus surgically has the color of his skin changed to play an African American soldier in the movie.

There have been more than a few articles written about Downey's character in this movie and I guess I'm a little surprised. Of course it's impossible to look at this role historically and not think of Stepin Fetchit, Amos 'n' Andy even Judy Garland and Bing Crosby. But I certainly wouldn't put Downey's character in the same controversial category as these other roles. But hey, maybe I'm just an insensitive white guy.

Should Downey's character in Tropic Thunder be scrutinized along with the others, or have we all just become a bunch of politically correct ninnies?

WHAT SAY YOU?

What Say You: Old Heroes

I love movie trailers. Most people complain about them and say how there are getting to be more and more these days. I say there aren't enough. I would probably throw down good money to see two hours worth of trailers. I'm straight up crazy that way. I live literally 3 minutes away from an AMC gazillion-plex. I wish it were some smaller, older theater but I'm not going to complain. The wife likes to leave about 5 minutes before a movie is to begin. I myself don't like to cut it that close. The wife always says "we're only missing trailers, it will be fine." Now this is a woman who knows full well how I feel about trailers, and yet... AND YET... she still says that, digging the blade so deep in my heart. Good Lord, where am I and what am I talking about?

Okay, so I go to see Iron Man in its first weekend and the wife isn't with me which means I get there nice and early so I can catch all the trailers. Among the trailers is one for the new Indiana Jones movie. It's a good trailer and the movie looks to be entertaining enough. But damn Harrison Ford looks old. Not cool old like Sean Connery, just old old. He's not really that old, but he just looks old in this role. And so that begs the question, is The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull doing damage to not only the franchise, but to faithful audiences in general? There's a reason Superman never gets old, and it has less to do with his planet and more to do with the fact that people don't like to watch their heroes go gray. For me it's not a vanity thing, it's a fact that we're witnessing the magic wearing off. Like a really nice potion that turns that beautiful woman that you've been dating for a few months into a 90 year old woman right before your eyes. It hurts. Indiana Jones is all about movie magic. It is an homage to the serial movies of old. So why break that mold with this late installment? An entire age group could give a damn about an older Indy, but not me. To me, it's a reminder that we're all mere mortals, even Indiana Jones. But that's just me. Is the new Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull really that big of deal, or just good clean fun.

WHAT SAY YOU?

What Say You: The Naked Fight Scene

Okay, here's something to wrap the old gray matter around. When I read that Viggo Mortenson was nominated for his role in Eastern Promises, it got me thinking. If Viggo isn't naked in the steam room for his fight scene, does anyone even talk about the scene? Wait, allow me to rephrase. If Viggo were fully clothed and not swinging his pink propeller about, does anyone notice this scene? I have to tell you, the scene didn't do a whole lot for me. I've seen tons of fight scenes (fully clothed) that were much more impressive than this. And so then my first question leads me to this next question. If Viggo does the fight scene without his junk on full display, does he get the Oscar nomination? I believe it to be a legitimate question because when people speak of Eastern Promises, they don't talk about character development or storyline, they always ask me what I thought of the fight scene. So is the naked fight scene strong enough to make a movie and make a performance? Hmmmmmmm. I look to you for the answer.

WHAT SAY YOU?

What Say You: DVD versus Blu-Ray?

I own a lot of DVDs. Around 500 total. That's probably not as many as some. And probably a little more than others. My wife asks me from time to time why we own so many and my response is always the same: My DVDs are my security blanket. If we were in a blizzard that shut down Kansas City for several days, we would have endless entertainment with our large selection of movies. That has never happened, but it could. I take comfort in my large collection. And I find extreme pleasure in shopping for DVDs either in stores or on-line. Some might say I am making up for other shortcomings with my huge DVD collection. I myself would just ask that those people stop staring at my package and just be impressed with my vast DVD collection. But I digress.

So the other day, I got an e-mail from a friend asking me what I was going to do with my collection of outdated technology? He went on to ask if I was going to put my DVDs next to my LPs in the attic? This is a greeting I get from a guy in New York who I e-mail every other month or so. He leads with the punch, and then asks me how I'm doing. But again, I am digressing.

So here's the thing. Should I get all panicky? Is my extremely enormous (remember I'm not compensating) DVD collection truly worthless? Is Blu-Ray really that much better? I'm a techy guy, but I'm not convinced that I will see Blu-Ray and then want to burn all my DVDs. And if Blu-Ray really is that good, how much time do I have? A year? Two? So many questions, have I. And I look to you for the answers. Is Blu-Ray really the answer? And if it is, is anyone interested in a DVD fire sale?

WHAT SAY YOU?

What Say You: The Old or The New Ridley?

There are two Ridley Scott's that exist today. The BG Ridley (Before Gladiator) and the AG Ridley (After Gladiator). The BG Ridley did movies like Alien, Blade Runner, Legend, Black Rain and Thelma & Louise. Movies that didn't always receive high critical acclaim and didn't do gangbusters at the box office, but they were at best brilliant and at least interesting movie nonetheless. Movies that felt like they belonged to Ridley Scott and no one else. Every frame had his fingerprints all over them. Blade Runner is not a Harrison Ford movie nor a Philip K. Dick movie. Legend does indeed have it's flaws, but I would never pass up the opportunity to watch it again, or praise it. And Thelma & Louise received lots of press for its subject matter, but it still felt like a very personal movie. Ridley however was buried beneath the epic weight of Gladiator. Hannibal felt like a Ridley was plugged in to deliver a lesser sequel. And Black Hawk Down was a Jerry Bruckheimer movie and Ridley the new Michael Bay.

American Gangster was released this past weekend and some like Nick Davis of Nick's Flick Picks expressed his ho-hummness about it and I honestly can't blame him. The subject matter is interesting, but I don't feel like I'll be seeing a Ridley Scott movie. In a quest for commercial respect, I feel Ridley has lost his once strong identity and may never find it again. But that's just me.

WHAT SAY YOU?

What Say You: The tortoise or the hare zombie?

The Projection Booth is hosting 31 Days Of Zombie and we are given free reign to explore all things zombie. And since I have been especially sensitive as it relates to remakes, I thought that there was an interesting zombie question that needed to be answered which is: fast or slow zombies?


In other words, if we were to pick sides where would you stand, with the creeping shuffling zombies of Romero, or with the 2.0 versions as seen by Zack Snyder in the Dawn Of The Dead remake or by Danny Boyle in 28 Days Later? It might be surprising to hear that I myself am divided. To me there is something terrifying about a slow moving monster that one moment seems somewhat harmless but that can tear you in half the next. But then there is the visceral excitement I get from a fast moving zombie that can chase you across a field or down a street. Some might argue that it comes down to realism (and yes I know that's a funny question as it relates to something that doesn't exist). If the person has been dead for some time, then rigor mortis would cause severe mobility problems. So in the Dawn Of The Dead remake, Snyder is putting aside any desire for authenticity in an effort to update and generate effect. And honestly, I'm a bit surprised that Romero himself has not explored this territory in one of his more recent films, but he created the zombie rules and he's going to stick to them. Of course this argument does not work with the Rage virus from 28 Days Later, but when all is said and done the basic question still remains: fast or slow zombies?


WHAT SAY YOU?

What Say You: Movie Concessions

What you choose to eat at a movie is just as important as what movie you choose to see. I don't know about you all, but the theaters got a little bit darker the day they decided to stop serving Sweet Tarts. Those were my all time favorite treats. Although I'm not sure just yet the long-term damage they have done to my teeth. Skittles come in a much distant second for me. Of course it goes without saying that I also love movie popcorn. But no butter. And a large Diet Coke. That feast and a good movie and I'm in heaven. But that's me. What's your favorite concession of choice?

WHAT SAY YOU?

What Say You? Rogan Vs. Rogan

It's completely possible that Seth Rogan will be a big star. His lead role in Knocked Up and his friendship with Judd Apatow will certainly steer him in the right direction. So I think it warrants a little peek at his career thus far and maybe decide some next steps for him.

In the 40 Year Old Virgin, Seth Rogan plays a supporting role as a self-indulgent, cocky womanizer. He lives in the moment, has the best times and doesn't think about much else. He's a nice enough guy once you get to know him and funny as all get out. He's not too pretty but gets by all that fueled with high-octane ego.



In Knocked Up, Seth Rogan plays the lead as an everyday schmo. A sweet loser or sorts. A guy who is too scared to talk to the pretty girl and is usually the dumpee rather than the dumper. He wants to do the right thing but doesn't know how. He's not too pretty and like most unpretty guys, he gets by with a laugh or two.



In watching Knocked Up, I couldn't help but think about the two kinds of Seth Rogans. And I couldn't decide which one I liked more. The cocky one or the simple and sweet one. The supporting or the lead actor. I guess I liked a bit of both, but if I suddenly got pulled in to studio executives office and asked the question "which one" I would have to say the cocky supporting role Seth really makes me laugh the hardest. But that's just me.

WHAT SAY YOU?

What Say You? Michael Moore

Michael Moore has a new movie coming up called Sicko. It's his take on the current state of health care in the United States. His big mug on the cover of Entertainment Weekly has been staring at me all week. I'm kind of on the fence with this guy. While I think he tackles interesting subject matter, I don't like seeing him in his movies. And what's more, I shouldn't have to. I have always argued that what Moore does cannot be called documentary film making. He is clearly the star of his movies and that's obviously a conflict because a true documentary should be objective in its approach. So while I appreciate some of the information he presents, I just don't appreciate how he presents it.

Am I alone on this? Should Michael Moore continue with his crusade or should he just all do us a favor and shut the hell up?

WHAT SAY YOU?

What Say You? The Cannonball Run Dilemma

I shop for movies a lot. It brings me peace. I don't have any really cool little movie shops like Waterloo Records and Video where I can discover rare movies or peruse the Criterion selection. Me, I have BestBuy. And when that doesn't suffice, I go to deepdiscountdvd.com.

Anyways, every time I go to BestBuy, I always first shop in the bargain bins, looking for a great movie that's a steal. Or getting pissed because I didn't wait on Goodfellas and paid $20 for the DVD instead of the sale price of $11.99. And the past few times there has been a DVD in the bargain bin that has caused me great dilemma. That DVD is The Cannonball Run. Burt and Dom lay in that bin, staring up at me saying "remember us? the semi-modern day Laurel and Hardy? Buy. Buy. Buy." So I succumb to the urge and I place it in the shopping cart. I walk around some more and by the end of my trip, The Cannonball Run ends up on a shelf in the drama section right behind Do The Right Thing or something like that.

I want to, but I can't seem to do it. I remember the movie fondly. Fast cars, that crazy Proctologist, Farrah, Burt and Dom, Sammy and Dean. But that was some time ago. Maybe it hasn't aged well. But maybe it has. So I place this decision before you. My $5.99 is at your mercy.

Is The Cannonball Run a comedic steal or should I instead by a turkey on rye with a nice piece of cheese, easy on the mayo.

What Say You?

What Say You? The Big Lebowski

I'm starting a new idea.

I'm young in this blogging business and have big dreams for Lazy Eye Theatre. Big dreams, I tell you. And aside from a few commentary debates, there's been very little chitty chatty on the old blog. Maybe that will come with time, but I'm impatient. And like I've said before, I'm needy. So I'm starting something new, titled What Say You? where I create a debate topic and then let the cards fall where they may.

My first topic is one that seems to create some debate whenever I bring it up. It's about The Big Lebowski. I'm a big fan of the Coen Brothers but I think they missed the boat on this one. Whenever I tell friends I don't like it, I get blank stares (I think I actually go down a couple of notches on the old friendship meter) and then I'm told to watch it again. I think I've seen it three times now and still haven't found what makes it so great. But maybe I'm an idiot.

So here goes.

The Big Lebowski: Comedy gold or a blight on the Coen's resume.

WHAT SAY YOU?