Hello folks, welcome to the February 2012 edition of Five of the Fifth!
As is customary for this monthly feature, I get to post five random news item/observation/poster, etc. and then turn it over to you to share your take on that given topic. You can see the previous five-for-the-fifth posts here. So let’s get started, shall we?
1. Well today’s the biggest night of football, I know my hubby will park himself on the sofa and watch Giants and Patriots battle it out at the Superbowl XLVI. You can’t say that I’m a fan of team sporting events nor sport movies for that matter, I can count with my hands how many sports-related or specifically American football movies that I enjoyed. I did like Rudy when I saw it in high school with my brother, but not so much because of the football part, but I just love the underdog story. I also like Jerry Maguire more for the relationship of Tom Cruise’s title role with his client and his loyal assistant-turned-girlfriend.
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Another fun one I remember is The Replacements... no I’m not saying it’s the greatest football movies ever, in fact it’s kind of a screwball but pretty enjoyable. Keanu Reeves plays a washed-up quarterback who’s recruited as part of the replacement team during a pro football strike. It even got Gene Hackman as the coach who believe in the unlikely if not preposterous players that include a Welsh former soccer player called ‘The Leg’ (Rhys Ifans) and a crazy defense lineman played by Jon Favreau. This dance scene done to the Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive is a hoot, always puts a smile on my face every time I watched it.
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So what’s your favorite football movie(s)?
2. The box office results hasn’t been posted yet but as of last Friday, Daniel Radcliffe’s horror flick The Woman in Black and the superhero-themed sci-fi Chronicle are on a tight race. Chronicle tells the story of three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery. It’s done in a low budget, shaky cam movie ala Paranormal Activity, which also has mostly unknown cast. From what I’ve been reading lately, it sounds like an interesting entry into the whole superhero genre, some even call it a deconstruction of the conventional superhero mythology.
My matey Scott @ Front Room Cinema made up a top 10 list of alternative superhero movies last Thursday, and my favorite of all of them remains to be Unbreakable, which is also my favorite M. Night Shyamalan’s work. It’s one of those rare films that despite the ‘whoa’ ending, it’s still rewarding to watch it several times over as there’s always something new you discover and appreciate. I might give Chronicle a rent, I always like a fresh new take of the oft-told plot of ordinary folks acquiring extraordinary superpowers.
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So what’s your favorite alternative superhero movie? Or if you happen to see Chronicle already, what did you think?
3. Ok time for some casting news. Last week, they announced a couple of duo casting I like. One of them is Rebecca Hall and Eric Bana in an untitled thriller by John Crowley (Boy A, Is Anybody There). I quite like Boy A, it’s an understated indie drama that shows the would-be Spider-man Andrew Garfield that he’s got some serious acting chops.
The plot for this upcoming project is quite intriguing… Hall and Bana will play former lovers who must work together on the defense team during a terrorist trial (per THR). I certainly like the cast, both aren’t A-listers yet, not sure why as they’re both not only gorgeous but massively talented.
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So which casting news that you’re thrilled about from the past week?
4. Now, another two duo casting I like feature two actors whose stars are quickly rising: Jessica Chastain and Joel Edgerton. Edgerton is another Aussie on my watch-list after his terrific performance in Warrior, and you already know from this post that I adore Chastain.
Now the projects are quite peculiar, they’re signing on to a double feature films called The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: His and The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Hers. a New York-based couple going through a rough patch in their marriage. His will follow the events from the perspective of the husband, a restaurant owner; Hers will tell the tale from the wife’s point of view as she heads back to college. According to SlashFilm, these two films are intended as standalone features based on a script by Ned Benson (In Defiance of Gravity).
So what do you think about this project? Would you watch a double feature like this one?
5.The Oscars is taking place in a couple of weeks, and since 1991, the Academy Awards ceremonies has made the Kodak Theater its permanent home. But soon that won’t be the case as the company has since filed bankruptcy and won’t be able to make the $4 million annual payment to retain that name on the building.
Per Reuters, last Wednesday the 131-year company asked a U.S. bankruptcy court judge to allow it to get out of its $75 million naming rights deal with the real estate company behind the complex. THR also reported last December that the Oscar ceremonies might actually move to another spot entirely after 2013. It’s kind of sad what’s happening to Kodak, given their crucial role in the entertainment industry and long-standing relationship with film makers for decades.
So what do you think about the Kodak predicament… and what sponsor do you think would replace the theater name?
Well, that’s it for the February edition of Five for the Fifth. Now, please pick a question out of the five above or better yet, do ‘em all!
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
Happy Super Bowl Sunday!
1) I think I will go with Wildcats with Goldie Hawn.
2) I would say I have 1/2 of a film – Hancock. First half was really cool; second half was a bit of a let down. But I have Kick Ass and Scott Pilgrim on my must watch list.
3), 4) #3 looks interesting, #4 does not sound too interesting to me. But it does seem like Hollywood loves casting these two (especially Chastain). Are any of them on your HFL squad?
5) It would be kind of sad to see the Academy movie after 2013. But I will tell you when you go to the Kodak Theater it is amazing how they convert it to be what it looks like on TV. But that is always the way it is when you see something in the real, nothing like you expect it to be.
THought about another fave football flick – Horse Feathers!
I haven’t seen Hancock but I heard it was bad so I avoid it. Haven’t seen Wildcats or Horse Feathers, are they good even for non sports-movie fans? 🙂 Y’know I haven’t been paying attention to my HFL Squad, but no I don’t believe they are.
Oh so you’re saying the actual theater isn’t all that great?
I thought you picked Hall for your team. And i’ve personally been keeping track of all casting announcements regarding my squad
Oh right, d’oh! Thanks for reminding me Julian, so yay! 🙂
They are most definitely appropriate for non sports fans – especially Horse Feathers – it is a Marx Brothers movie.
1) I most likely won’t be watching the Superbowl…I’m not really an American football fan.
2) I don’t believe I’ll be viewing Chronicle, but my current dislike of Daniel Radcliffe makes me hope that it does better than the Woman In Black.
3) I love Eric Bana! He’s not only incredibly attractive but also an amazing actor. I feel that he’s not an A-list actor yet because, unlike actors like George Clooney and Meryl Streep, he’s so talented that you seen his character, not “Eric Bana playing his character.”
4) The plot sounds intriguing…although, I’m sometimes disappointed by married-people-with-problems films because they so often seem to blame the man, even if the fault lies with the woman.
5) After seeing the…for lack of a better word, ridiculous nominations made by the academy this year, I will not be viewing the Oscars and so do you care where they host it.
Hello S.G., welcome to FC!
Why do you dislike Radcliffe? You’re just not into Harry Potter movies? I’m just neutral about him I guess, I like HP mostly because of the great supporting cast.
So agree about Eric Bana, he’s hugely underrated. I still hope that he’d get his big break one day, I mean he’s still relatively young. He really was the best thing about Troy, I lost interest after his character died.
So who are you rooting for to get the nominations this year? Yeah every year they seem to mess something up don’t they?
I like football, but I’ve found most football movies to be pretty drab, hackneyed, and clichéd. I love (or should I say, i luv) iluvcinema’s choice of Horse Feathers.
I genuinely like Brian’s Song as a family movie; I liked Rudy a ton at the time, although it’s apparently very inaccurate; and I have a soft spot in my heart for The Longest Yard because my parents love it. I’ve seen it lots and lots of times going back to when I was a kid.
Since you’ve likely have seen a ton of football movies, I’d have to take your word for it John. Rudy was quite sentimental but at the time I really like it. I’ve heard great things about The Longest Yard, should give it a shot one of these days.
That’s a shame about the Kodak theatre, that name has been synonymous with Oscar for as long as I can remember.
We don’t really get the Superbowl over here but if we did (I don’t have ESPN) I would watch it. Though I prefer rugby, don;t like the way US football stops and starts, not much flow to it. If you’re looking for a good American football movie you can’t go wrong with Any Given Sunday, solid script and a powerhouse performance from Pacino.
Enjoy the Superbowl Ruth!
I think I’ve seen bits and pieces of Any Given Sunday, yeah I think Pacino is good in it. I’m a bit sad about the Kodak company’s financial problems, I mean they’ve had such a longstanding history with the movie biz.
I like that clip from The Replacement…you make me want to see that movie again. I’m not a football fans and I haven’t watched many football movies.
My favorite alternative superheroes is definitely One Piece,it’s a Japanese Manga/anime about pirate with special gifts because they ate The Devil’s Fruit. The Captain is a rubber-man, the historian is a flower-woman (she can grow any part of her body everywhere she pleases), etc. All their power are so cool and unthinkable.
I bet you saw that movie because of Keanu right? 🙂 He’s quite cute in that movie. That One Piece sounds interesting Nov, I wonder if they have clips of that on YouTube.
1) I’m a Steeler fan so I’m used to tuning in for the Superbowl but this year I’ll just be rooting for the Giants to muss Tom Brady’s hair up pretty good. Football Movie? I gotta go with Friday Night Lights the TV series. Is than cheating? Peter Berg did an even better job on the series than on the original movie although I don’t think I’ll be going to see Battleship any time soon. Maybe if they bring “Operation” to the big screen. LOL.
2) Really looking forward to Chronicle. I think Michael B Jordan, who you might know from The Wire and Friday Night Lights,is someone to watch in the next few years. Kick Ass was the most fun I’ve had at the theater since The Dark Knight. Hope they make a sequel. Speaking of alternative superhero movies I can’t recommend enough the UK’s The Misfits for TV. It’s dark, profane, funny, sexy, it actually moves the plot along and has characters you actually care about. It’s everything Heroes was not sad to say. Unfortunately you will have to download it, find it on the web or get an all-region player.
Hey Dave, my hubby’s rooting for Giants too so yay, they won!! I actually saw an episode of Friday Night Lights, it was good but I don’t have a good attention span for TV plus I’m usually out on Friday nights.
I heard great things about Chronicle, I’ll rent that one. I reckon it’d be much different from Kick Ass which was also a good alternative superhero movie. I’ll look up The Misfits, or if you can find the clip as you always been so kind as to do so, I’d love to see it.
1. I don’t think there’s a great or even good football film yet, but if I have to choose, I’ll go with Any Given Sunday. This one could’ve been a great film about the most popular sport in the US but Stone really messed up by making the film too preachy about the business side of the game and how it effected the players.
2. I love Unbreakable too, might give Chronicle a rent. I still don’t care for this found footage type of story telling.
3. I really Eric Bana and still waiting for him to break into the A-list. The Hulk was supposed to be the film that made him a big star but as we all know, that didn’t happen.
It’s not a casting news but when I read that Ridley Scott has decided to sign on to direct Cormac McCarthy’s first script, I was pretty excited. I was afraid the studio might hire some new director with limited talent to direct it.
4. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: His and The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Hers sounds very interesting.
5. The Oscars = snoring for me. 🙂
All right, another vote for Any Given Sunday, I should watch it in its entirety one of these days.
I love that you’re with me about Bana, Ted. Oh that is cool about Ridley, I love his work too, I hope he can fit that into his crazy busy schedule. He’s already in his mid 70s but still has sooo much going on!
I have Any Given Sunday on Blu-ray, I can lend it to you whenever you want to watch it.
I hope Ridley will make McCarthy’s script as his next project since I don’t want him to go back and reboot or whatever he plans to do with his Blade Runner.
1. Favorite football movie: Heaven Can Wait (1978) with Warren Beatty and Julie Christie. A charming comedy/fantasy/romcom, a classic in my book.
Hey Becky, I remember you reviewed it here too, here it is: https://flixchatter.net/2010/02/07/everyones-a-critic-sports-edition/
Thanks for the linkages matey! you always know how to make me happy with a link….
Hold on why am I commenting as Custard again?? this is confusing…. curse you WordPress!!
You’re welcome matey, but where are your answers? 🙂
You know, for as much as I love football, I haven’t seen too many movies about the sport. I probably should have included Rudy in my new project, come to think of it…
As for #2, I really enjoyed Donnie Darko and Scott Pilgrim. I am drawing blanks when it comes to other alternative superhero movies, but those are good ones for sure.
Pardon my ignorance but I had no idea Donnie Darko has something to do w/ superhero stuff until recently, ahah.
As always, very good questions.
While I can’t say much about football, I love my superhero movies! Kick-Ass would be my choice for No 2. It was such a fun movie and the characters were very likeable. I’m still hoping to see Super, though I heard mixed reviews.
The Chastain/Edgerton films sound very interesting… I expect you to fill me in on all the future developments, Ruth!
And it is quite sad about the Kodak Theatre but in a ‘every cloud has a silver lining’ sense perhaps it will be quite an exciting development, and will allow another building to take its place and step into the history books.
Oh so what’s your number 1 superhero movie? Is it First Class? 😀
Yeah I will be blogging more about that project and the Eric Bana one when I hear more info, I love both cast in those.
Speaking of favourite football films I’d have to say r The Titans. Some terrific performances and a very worthwhile story that addressed racism in the sport and youth culture of the time/place.
In terms of alternative superhero movies I’d have to say the one I shall not name for fear of spoiling the twist but those that have seen it will know which film I mean when I say Bruce Willis is in a train crash.
Ahah yes Dan, that alt superhero movie you’re referring to is my all time fave as well 🙂
There aren’t that many good choices I can think of when it comes to football movies. I would have to say that Jerry Maguire is the one that comes to mind, fearing that I might just be missing one I really enjoyed.
As far as Chronicle goes, I am debating whether I go see it in theaters or not. It does seem to be getting a good reception from critics, so it might just be worthwhile to pay 10-12$ to go watch it now.
In terms of the pairings, I would definitely be in line to watch Edgerton and Chastain together, but the idea of the film project seems a little odd and uninteresting. Maybe it’s still in its infancy and we need more information? I hope it is because the title and the overall idea just sound BAD.
As for the Kodak situation, it’s definitely sad, but the company failed to adapt quickly enough to changing times, they were asleep in their laurels and by the time they woke up, there was nothing they could do to stay afloat. I had seen this one coming for years, it was just a matter of time. Too bad for the re-branding of the Theater, but it’s only the name, everything else will remain the same.
Check out my mini-review of “Warrior” which I just covered on my latest entry for my take on Edgerton and the film.
Niels
At a glance that The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby projects does sound odd, but I think w/ this cast it has potential. I can’t tell you how many films of Gregory Peck I probably would never watch unless he’s in them, I think to me casting is crucial.
Yeah I just read your review, I like both Joel and Tom’s performances, no wonder both are sought after in Hollywood these days.
Hi Ruth,
My favorite football flick, is a TV movie from 1971, Brian’s Song, with James Caan and Billy Dee Williams, which is about the real life friendship that developed between Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo.
Hi Dave, oh that movie sounds interesting. Gotta love James Caan!
1. My favorite would be Rudy although I like Remember the Titans as well.
2. Hollow Man is such a guilty pleasure I must mention it!
3. Tons of casting news this past week but I’m not particularly hyped about anything. I guess I would say Amy Adams in that adaptation of An Object of Beauty
4. It sounds like it has a lot of potential. I would wait for the reviews first then watch one to see if I like it 😉 Two hot actors though so it’s always a draw.
5. Wow Kodak going bk? Always sad to see a long-standing company going under. I’m sure they will find a sponsor in no time though.
1. The Longest Yard – the Robert Aldrich ’74 classic, not the brain-dead 2005 remake.
2. Easy, HELLBOY
3. I got nothin’ 😉
4. Don’t know enough to comment.
5. Since I’m from these parts, there’s a long trail of opinion on this one. First, Kodak’s predicament is really sad news for film lovers of kinds (I use to do amateur photography and Kodak film was the name in stock and chemicals most used in people’s cameras and darkrooms). Of course, the move to digital, and away from celluloid, was the major contributor to that dire result. Second, many folk around here, old-time celebrities and fans, thought that The Academy’s move to the new location, and away from established places like the Music Center, Shrine Auditorium, etc. was wrong and not needed (except for giving them control over the venue and latching on to corporate dollars in naming rights for their coffers). The Kodak Theatre was new, but it never had the prestige or historical significance like those older venues in L.A.. Ann Magnuson flat out called the new digs classless in an opinion piece a few years back, I believe. It’s sad, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they move away from that Hollywood & Highland location.
As always, very interesting questions you come up with. Thanks.
Just saw Chronicle last weekend. I say, yeah, it’s worth the watch. I rarely seen found footage in a movie, since they usually are horror movies. But Chronicle take it to the next level. Brilliant usage of found footage.
Great news on Joel Edgerton and Chastain! 🙂