SciFifty

The tag line for Rumble Fish is "The Motorcycle Boy's never coming back." Given the trajectory of the career of the actor who inhabited Motorcycle Boy, it sounds as though S.E. Hinton was into prophecy.

Born Philip Andre Rourke in 1956, Mick had an undistinguished career in high school opting for sports: baseball and boxing. He had great success as an amateur boxer but once venturing into the professional arena he had to quit after receiving serious facial and head wounds.

The beginning of his acting career was remarkable, including the aforementioned Rumble Fish and Diner in 1982, which netted him a nomination for a Golden Globe.

He was a case-book tough guy: tattoos, motorcycles and lots of trouble. He always followed his own muse, unfortunately his particular muse thought the road to success had many washouts and roadblocks, culminating in his receiving a Razzie nomination for worst actor for his role in Desperate Hours.

Mickey made some very strange career choices over the years, turning down some star-making roles. Conversly, he also had roles in some extraordinary films including Barfly, The Pope of Greenwich Village and Sin City. (Sin City 2 is currently in pre-production.)

And now The Motorcycle is back! His latest effort is in Darren Affronsky's The Wrestler, in which he plays the role of a broken-down former wrestler trying to reconnect with himself and his family. The film is receiving rave reviews and Mr. Rourke has already been nominated for best actor awards by The Golden Globes, the Independent Spirit Awards, the Screen Actors Guild and the buzz is looking good for an Oscar nom.

America loves the story of a has-been battling against all odds and reaching the top again, especially when the person involved really deserves it. Good luck Mr. Rourke.

Posted by webninny at 03:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light,
From now on,
Our troubles will be out of sight."
-- Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin

Posted by webninny at 09:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, I really was is no hurry to write this review of The Day the Earth Stood Still, because my mother always said that if you can't cay something good, don't say anything. Well that little homily held me at bay for a week and then the anger took over.

This remake, or whatever they want to call it, was an abomination. The movie was perfect for Keanu's acting style because it called for unemotioonal and laconic, and Keanu has those in spades.  OK, so they omitted one of the most iconic tag lines in movie history, but then to turn Gort into a swarm of annoying super-bugs and the ending into a bore fest?? I actually got up and left before the credits.

When they remake Casablanca, I want the director to forget all about beautifull friendships, and have Rick Blaine and Captain Renault grab their surf boards and head off to catch a wave.
 
Christmas Day brings us The Spirit and the reviews are already bad on sites which should know.

The best hope in our chosen genre is The Watchman. There is a great new trailer on the web site, and I for one, can't wait for the movie.

Posted by webninny at 05:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I am one of those people who think it is almost impossible to make an accurate movie from a book. Witness everything Stephen King ever wrote, even with the classics you can almost count on a stray love interest or ambient amnesia cropping up. Peter Jackson broke all the rules and bad karma with his magnificent trilogy of Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings".
 
Other source materials such as comics seem to fare better; what Christopher Nolan did with both Batman movies was genius. I personally enjoyed Constantine. Although it required the ability to pretend that it was new material, with fallen angels and a chain-smoking Keanu, how could you go wrong. Seriously though folks, Constantine would never quit the coffin nails.
 
Re-makes have the same curse on them, movie making is supposed to be a creative medium so go out there and create writers and directors. No one needs to see a word for word "re-imaging" of Psycho.  In this one I was on the mothers side. Now comes the reason for this mini-rant, I like most people live in hope and die is despair.
 
I am at the moment, clutching in my hot little hand, tickets for the ten-thirty premiere showing of the new "The Day the Earth Stood Still" in IMAX. Be still my beating heart.  Now, I understand this could be a total disaster, Klaatu could have amnesia, or the professor could run off with Maryann.This is where the "live in hope" part kicks in. The special effects look terrific and the cast is more than adequate.
 
The original "Day" is one of my all time favorite sci-fi movies, after I see it and the cd comes out, will I hide it behind Casablanca with Constantine or put it right out front with Blade runner? I will let you know on Sunday.

Posted by webninny at 09:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The BBC has been having a spot of trouble lately with what is perceived as prurient content.

A few weeks ago Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross went way over the line on their show.  They left lewd messages on the phone of 78 year old actor Andrew Sachs.  A joke about bestiality caused a ruckus because it was aired in the family hour.
 
Now we have the case of John Barrowman "exposing" himself on BBC one. Just how do you "expose" yourself on the radio?  I listened to the show in question last night. "Switch" with co-hosts Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw, presents itself as the place to go for whats new and exciting. The show was pleasant with little talk, unless a guest was present, and a variety of pop music.
 
Enter John Barrowman, and almost the first words spoken to him where "We understand you are famous for  taking your willy out in public, is this going to happen today?" A more conservative show might have asked about his new single or Torchwood Series3... but when the opening salvo involves the word "willy," I don't think they were expecting anything else.        
 
The studio was maned by adults who seemed to be having a great time. Mr. Barrowman is famous for his love of life and people and fun. Maybe it went a little too far, but he immediately apologized. Subject closed.
 
The BBC on the other hand gets one or two complaints and issues a public apology. Why?  For not backing up their people, creating a tempest in a teapot, or now seeing smut lurking behind every joke?
 
I had the pleasure of briefly meeting Mr. Barrowman at Comic-Con in San Diego this year and watched him interact with hundreds of fans. He was pleasant, welcoming and charming to one and all, old and young, male and female.

He might still have a lot of the little boy still in his soul, but isn't that a gift from God?

Posted by webninny at 09:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)