Chad C is back with Law to discuss how much his kids will love Sonic The Hedgehog and whatever the hell Downhill is. Oh, it’s the new Will Ferrell movie? Cool story.
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Law grills Chad C about who killed who during MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS and how racist Mel Gibson comes off in DADDY’S HOME 2. Super racist, BTW. Spoiler alert. See it, stream it, or skip it? Come find out.
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This column will introduce you to the most popular movies that are coming out in theaters this weekend.
That’s right baby!!! Baby Driver is about Baby, a young getaway driver, who unwillingly takes part in a heist for a crime boss. Baby needs the music on his iPod to help him focus and concentrate on his driving. Music will play a huge part in this movie. Starring in this action crime flick are Ansel Elgort (The Fault in Our Stars), Jon Bernthal, Jon Hamm, Eliza González, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, and more. This is Edgar Wright’s 5th directorial film. His other films include The Cornetto trilogy and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Don’t be a baby, go see this flick in theaters this weekend.
During the Civil War, a wounded soldier finds his way to an all girl’s school in Virginia. While he’s there, sexual tension and rivalries take over the house. Starring in this period piece remake from 1971 are Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning, and more. I feel like Elle is getting way more work than Dakota. Anyway, Sofia Coppola co-writes and directs this film. Coppola’s last four films are A Very Murray Christmas, The Bling Ring, Somewhere, and Marie Antionette. Do you love period pieces? Then check this one out.
The Big Sick tells the story of a young couple and the way they deal with their cultural differences. Starring in this romantic comedy are Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano, and more. Michael Showalter of Wet Hot American Summer fame directs this flick, while Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V. Gordon are the writers. Showalter has directed Hello, My Name is Doris (2015), starring Sally Field. Are you sick of summer blockbusters? Then check out The Big Sick.
I am Gru. Gru is back in the third installment of the Despicable franchise. This time Gru meets his long-lost brother Dru, who is more cheerful and successful in life. However, Dru wants to join Gru for one last heist. What will Gru do? Lending their voices for part 3 are Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Trey Parker, Miranda Cosgrove, Steve Coogan, Julie Andrews, and more. There are 3 directors on this animated feature: Eric Guillon, Kyle Balda, and Pierre Coffin. Balda directed Minions, while Coffin directed Despicable Me 1,2, and Minions. Don’t be despicable, go to the theater.
The House tells the story of a couple who start an illegal casino in their house after they spent their daughters college funds. Starring in this comedy are Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Jason Mantzoukas, Nick Kroll, Rob Huebel, and more. Andrew Jay Cohen is the co-writer and director of this flick. This is Cohen’s first directorial/theatrical release, however, Cohen has written screenplays for Neighbors, 1 and 2, and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates. Now get out of the house this weekend and check out The House.
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Happy Valentine’s Day weekend everyone. I hope all of you are enjoying a nice weekend and were lucky enough not to waste your hard earned money on Fifty Shades of Grey. I know I didn’t, won’t, and wouldn’t ever make any plans to see this ridiculous flick. Seriously folks, don’t you know that you don’t have to drop forty bucks at the theater to watch something like this? You are aware that you can find movies just like this online for free, right? And from the trailer that I saw, the ones online probably have better dialogue too. But hey, if that’s what gets you going, by all means proceed.
But I’m here today to actually talk about good movies. A few weeks ago, I kicked off my Oscar series by talking about some of this year’s nominees and omissions. And just last week, I started a new fan vote that lets you make your choice for who should win each category this year. You’ve still got a week left, so take a few minutes and make your picks HERE.
I know Oscar night isn’t for everyone (check out this week’s Jack Attack Tuesday), but I’m actually a big fan. I know I shouldn’t be, as it’s really just a bunch of rich people celebrating other rich people, but hey, I guess I’m a sucker for things like this. It’s true that the big celebrities get most of the press, but it is nice to see some of the people behind the scenes get their fifteen minutes as well. I’m talking the costume designers, the set designers, the special effects team, and my personal favorite, the writers, get the recognition they so richly deserve. And while guys like me debate on who should win and who will win, the fact remains that somebody’s name eventually comes after the phrase “And the Oscar goes to….”. And this is my favorite part of awards season. People will argue forever about how this movie should have beaten that movie and this actor didn’t deserve that, but we never turn away from the speeches, even if we disagree with the outcome.
So the plan today is to just give you a few of the best acceptance speeches that I’ve seen since I’ve really started paying attention to the Oscars. But before I do that, I want to start with one that happened before I was even born. It’s perhaps the most controversial speech in Oscar history. In 1973, Marlon Brando was nominated for his work in The Godfather. But the night before the ceremony, he announced he would boycott the show due to the treatment of Native Americans in film. When his name was called the next night as the winner, young actress Sacheen Littlefeather would take his place on the podium, refuse the award, and read a statement that Brando had prepared.
JOE PESCI-GOODFELLAS
It doesn’t get much simpler than this.
JACK PALANCE-CITY SLICKERS
This might be the funniest one on my list. But hey, it’s normal for a man in his 70s to do one-armed pushups on national television in a tuxedo, right?
TOM HANKS-PHILADELPHIA
Longtime funnyman Tom Hanks shows everyone that he’s one of the best actors in the world with this performance. Seriously, if you haven’t seen this movie, you’re missing out. And his acceptance speech is almost just as good. Okay, that might be a stretch, but it’s pretty damn good.
CUBA GOODING JR.– JERRY MAGUIRE
At that time, I don’t think I’d ever seen anybody so excited to win. But just wait a couple spots and you’ll see one that might beat it. But still, this was a very good speech for a very good performance.
ROBIN WILLIAMS-GOOD WILL HUNTING
I almost didn’t put this one on here, as I don’t have much respect for people who commit suicide, but I couldn’t resist as this is one of the best performances I’ve ever seen.
BEN AFFLECK & MATT DAMON-GOOD WILL HUNTING
This was a very cool moment. At this time, these two were not the Hollywood heavyweights they are today. They were two young guys that had a dream and worked their ass off to achieve it.
ROBERTO BENIGNI-LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
This is what the Oscars are all about. As the director, Benigni would accept the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, which is what the clip below shows you. He would also win later in the night for Best Actor and delivered another great moment by telling the audience that “I used up all my English”. Great moment here.
ANGELINA JOLIE-GIRL, INTERRUPTED
And the award for the creepiest speech on this list goes to…Mrs. Pitt. Watch your back Brad. She really, really, really likes her brother.
JULIA ROBERTS-ERIN BROCKOVICH
I don’t pretend to be the biggest fan of Julia Roberts, but I really did like her speech when she won for Erin Brockovich. And she certainly earned that Oscar. I’ve obviously never seen the final vote count, but I’m betting that was one of the biggest blowouts in Academy Awards history.
HALLE BERRY-MONSTER’S BALL
Let the tears flow, Halle. In arguably the most emotional acceptance speech on this list, this was truly an amazing moment.
ADRIEN BRODY-THE PIANIST
It’s not even the speech that people remember here, but the moments leading up to it that make this a great Oscar moment. I guess when you’ve got the chance to go for it, just go for it. And that’s what Adrien Brody did when taking the stage to accept his Oscar from presenter Halle Berry. Pimp move brother.
JAMIE FOXX-RAY
If you would have told me that Jamie Foxx was going to win an Academy Award when I was watching In Living Color in the 90s, I would have had you committed. But I’m sure glad he did, because this may be my favorite speech of all time. Just listen to the end of this speech and try not to tear up.
REESE WITHERSPOON-WALK THE LINE
This was just a very nice speech from a great performance.
MARTIN SCORSESE-THE DEPARTED
It’s a crying shame that it took so long for this to happen, but the great thing about Martin Scorsese is that he just went with it, even asking if the envelope was correct. Well deserved after a long, long wait.
DUSTIN LANCE BLACK-MILK
For most, this is a once in a lifetime moment on that stage, and the writer of Milk certainly didn’t waste his opportunity. Some might call his acceptance speech too political, but I call it fantastic.
KATE WINSLET-THE READER
Okay, she didn’t have the wait that Scorsese had, but Kate Winslet had her fair share of disappointment before finally winning for The Reader.
HEATH LEDGER-THE DARK KNIGHT
This was another one I was hesitant to put on here, but there’s no denying that this was a powerful yet tragic moment in Oscar history.
AARON SORKIN-THE SOCIAL NETWORK
I just like Aaron Sorkin and I love the movie. Deal with it.
MERYL STREEP-THE IRON LADY
It’s nearly impossible to talk about the Oscars and not mention Meryl Streep.
CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER-BEGINNERS
“Where have you been all my life?” Classic.
JENNIFER LAWRENCE-SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Because it’s my list and she’s just so damn cute.
What’s your favorite Oscar speech? Let me know below or hit me up on Twitter @THElukenorris.
Don’t forget to cast your Oscar votes HERE. I’ll be back next week with the results and my picks for each and every category as we get geared up for Oscar night. Until next time, I leave you with this.
I believe I heard John Cleese refer to comedy as being brittle. He spoke about how with comedy, the tone has to be exactly right because if it fails at any point, you can lose your audience and, in turn, lose the joke. A lot of filmmakers struggle with comedy. Even the veterans, like the once god-like Mike Myers stumble and fall when attempting new things, like The Love Guru. Anchorman 2, for all intents and purposes, should have been an easy slam-dunk. You have the entire original cast returning, plenty of juicy celebrity cameos and the blessing of fans everywhere. So why is it, then, that Anchorman 2 so horribly mucks things up?
I am a devoted fan of the original film. I remember seeing it in the theater with my two brothers and my dad, and at at the time, loving it. That love never really went away and I to this day find myself quoting the film, sometimes unknowingly. I always liked the idea of an Anchorman sequel, but never really wanted one too badly, as I felt the original film was very much lightning in a bottle and couldn’t be replicated. With news of the new film and the rumors that the likes of the notoriously picky Harrison Ford signing on in a key role, I got excited. It turned out to be all for naught, unfortunately, as A2 falls prey to the recycled joke disease that has plagued so many films throughout movie history. There were a few bright spots in the film, such as the scene where Will Ferrell has dinner with his boss’ family and tries to “assimilate” with them, and I’ll admit a few scenes made me laugh, but I was overwhelmingly insulted by the trend used in the film where they just took all the jokes from the first movie, put them in this movie and tweaked them all slightly.
Look familiar?
I find it sad that the amount of talent on-screen here did not translate to quality comedy. There is always the argument that the naysayers will give you about “overthinking a stupid movie” or “reading too much into it”, but to that I suggest those people squarely A) Go fuck themselves and B) Take a look at Monty Python. Monty Python was, arguably, the greatest comedy group of all time. They were all Ivy League college students and grads who decided to set their sights on breaking down comedy and discovering what makes people laugh. Their success was a direct result of understanding what about stupidity is funny and using that to their advantage. Ferrell and his collaborator Adam McKay have that ability, as evidenced in their previous work together. Somehow here, however, they didn’t use that knowledge and instead copied and pasted from the first film. Maybe it was studio pressure, maybe it was a lack of genuine creative interest, but if anyone wants to honestly tell me that Anchorman 2 deserves to be spoken of in the same breadth as Anchorman, they need their head examined.
I used Mike Myers as an example earlier of how comedians sometimes mistake what the audience wants with what will actually work in a film, and to see that look no further than Austin Powers vs. Austin Powers 2 and 3. 3 and, to a lesser degree, 2, both have compromised elements that work against the finished product, such as shoehorning in Seth Green’s transformation into Doctor Evil. The problem is, when you take from earlier films in a series, no matter how funny/interesting the idea was the first time, but the second time you see it it feels wrong. Case in point, SPOILERS, the fight scene at the end of A2. I’m sorry, but I didn’t find one piece of that scene funny. Not only did most of those celebrity cameos do nothing for me, but the inclusion of ass-clown Kanye West was like a bitch-slap in the face of comedy. While in real life that guy is a walking punchline, the fact that a group of talented individuals I personally like and appreciate gave him a paycheck to star alongside them is betrayal on par with when William Wallace nearly slits Robert The Bruce’s throat in Braveheart.
Devastating
This is but one example, but it is the freshest in my mind because it so thoroughly fails to deliver the goods, despite the effort. At the end of the day, what did I expect out of Anchorman 2? Not much. I certainly didn’t expected to be blindsided by laziness, sloppy writing and piss-poor casting choices, but sometimes that’s the way it goes. Fuck this movie, go rent the first one instead.