Butt imprints that have yet to subside. 🍑

May 13, 2020

GUESS THE QUOTE

Was curious when it'd happen, but we have our first actually coming to theaters trailer since "the bullshit" started. It's not a "big deal" release mind you, but still. The movie's called Unhinged, and it stars Russell Crowe as a guy with road rage that clearly doesn't live in a state with legalized weed. It's coming to theaters (some of which may soon owned by Amazon?) July 1 and is setup to be the first major release since theaters shutdown. And in an unplanned coincidence (I swear), you'll find a thematic connection with one of this week's Does It Hold Up? candidates.

Also two notable trailers for movies that would've (should've) been in theaters, but got pushed to VOD. First is Shirley, starring Elisabeth Moss as writer Shirley Jackson and her husband who're shall we say, troubled, and become more so when a young couple penetrates their weird little space. Supposed to be real good, and from NEON (which released Parasite). Out June 5th.

The other is The King of Staten Island, directed by Judd Apatow and starring Pete Davidson in what one YouTube comment called "Davidson's 8 Mile." Which, kinda feels like the case. I.e. it seems to be fairly autobiographical for the star (minus the SNL part). Out June 12th.

Does It Hold Up? Week 8: Love & Basketball

What a sweet movie. Not as in like "sweet, what does mine say," but genuinely as in "aw gee shucks, how sweet." It has an earnestness that makes you root for it, and not in a patronizing way. In large part because while it's "a movie," it also feels more realistic than lots of love stories. Realistic portrayal of mother/daughter and father/son relationships, no silly grand speeches or magical happenings. Just some humans doing some human things - along with some fun ball playing. It's also crazy how the movie's focus on Sanaa Lathan still feels progressive - 20 years later.

So yup, I'd definitely say it holds up. And you?

Cutoff? Go here, click "most recent edition."

WATERSHIP DOWN
(1978)

PG / 1 hr 32 mins
Warner Bros. / RT: 82% (34 reviews)

The author of the book Watership Down, Richard Adams, has been quoted as saying the story is just that, a story. He says it's "in no sense an allegory or parable or any kind of political myth. I simply wrote down a story told to my girls." You couuuld take the man at his word, but you might want to watch the movie first. It's not to say he's wrong, he did write the damn thing, it's just that, well, there's a lot going on in this one: escaping a tyrannical political environment, the "hero's journey," and big legitimately scary rabbits.

Maybe it's that phenomenon of the artist imbuing their work with things even they didn't know they were putting in there . Or maybe it's just people slapping their own meanings onto what is simply a children's bedtime fable. Either way, you'll have to watch it to find out. Oh, and to see if it holds up. ;)

Tip!: you can rent this via all the normal outlets, but it's also available on Kanopy, the service where you can watch movies for free with a local library card. Sick.

The Others: in case you preferred one of the alternate options, they were: The Dark Crystal, The Secret of NIMH & The Iron Giant.

BLOOD SIMPLE
(1984)

The Director(s): the Coen brothers

The Story: without giving too much away, it's a crime tale with sex, murder and revenge. Stars Francis McDormand, who also happens to be married to Joel Coen.

The Context: from arguably the best co-directing team... ever?

BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
(1999)

The Director: Spike Jonze.

The Story: pretty on point title here. John Cusack finds a hole into the mind, literally - not figuratively literally - but literality literality into John Malkovich's mind.

The Context: not only the first movie for Jonze, a prolific music video director (before and after Malkovich), it was also the first screenplay by Charlie Kaufmann, who also wrote Adaptation. and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

DUEL
(1971)

The Director: Steven Spielberg.

The Story: a madman truck driver terrorizes a regular ol' fella on the highway.

The Context: kicked off the career of the most successful director of all time.

SEX, LIES, AND VIDEOTAPE
(1989)

The Director: Steven Soderbergh

The Story: a man (James Spader) videotapes his interviews with women about their sex li(v)es and relationships. Follows the impact it has on one couple (Andie MacDowell / Peter Gallagher).

The Context: it won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and has been credited with expanding the independent film market in a major way.

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