Have you ever read about a movie, and said to yourself, "you know, I'm not sure I really want to see this movie, but I can tell it will probably win a lot of awards, and while people will be talking about the symbolism of the movie and how it relates to man's struggle against the world, all I will want to talk about is whether they are going to release an unrated version of Van Wilder 3."
Yeah, well maybe that is just me. I read in Variety this morning that Kevin Spacey and Colin Firth are going to film an adaptation of George Orwell's book Homage To Catalonia. It's a period piece so that makes Oscar voters pee themselves. Plus, it takes place in war time which they love. Finally, the book was written by George Orwell, who is always a big vote getter because half the Academy thinks they had to read a book by the guy in high school so he must be good. If you could throw a mentally challenged kid into it you would have a landslide of awards.
It is also the kind of film that no one ever goes to see. I love Colin Firth and Kevin Spacey, but do you want to see a movie that tells of Orwell and his wife Eileen's real-life story as they traveled to Barcelona to battle Stalinism. Orwell went on to fight with the Anarchist brigade and participate in the Spanish Civil War.
Specifically the film will focus on Orwell's relationship with brigade commander Georges Kopp.
It isn't that I don't love movies that make you think or challenge you. I just wonder who is actually going to see this movie. It is going to cost a fortune to make as they will be shooting in many countries and have the salaries of Kevin and Colin and will probably not come close to making its money back. I just think with the money you are spending you could make 30-40 just as important films and give many more people an opportunity.
I probably won't see it either. I don't like war movies.
ReplyDeleteThere's a part of me that has to see it, because last semester I took a class entirely dedicated to the Spanish Civil War. We never read that book, but we read plenty of other Spanish and English books on the subject.
ReplyDeletei absolutely won't see this film. but i know a nerd or two who'll be so into it.
ReplyDeletePshaw! How can you even consider watching Van Wilder 3 without Kal?! And Kristin Cavallari's in it too! I am very disappointed with you, Enty.
ReplyDeleteIf my current redneck lifestyle hadn't already sucked all the IQ out of me, I probably would go see it. I am (or was) just that much of a geek.
ReplyDeleteNowadays, I think I'd be lucky to wrap my head around whatever nuances a production of "LA Candy" would have.
Ooh, IMDB says that Steven Spielberg is going to make a Martin Luther King Jr. movie. Now that's going to be an awards-sweeper that will also be fascinating to watch!
ReplyDeleteBut Enty, you're in the movie business, right? Surely you understand they are not interested in making "30-40 just as important films and give many more people an opportunity" Isn't it all about the ego? Since when did anyone in Hwood care about giving work to lots of people? Stop it, you're confusing me!!
ReplyDeleteI will only see this movie if they give Jessica biel a chance and a good part
ReplyDeleteshe has experience playing soldiers and killers and she looks almost like a man....could be a challenger!
That book is so awesome! Orwell fought in the anarchist army, in which everyone was paid the same salary, regardless of rank and anyone was free to quit if they wanted to, which is neat in and of itself. He talks about how the people had control of Barcelona and how different that felt from the government having control. Who knows what treatment they will give the book or if it will be accurate or any good, but it's definitely a dramatic story that has the potential not to be dry at all. Thanks for posting about this.
ReplyDeleteOkay a las doce maybe it'll be worth a try.
ReplyDeleteWhen the movie comes out, you can give us a review and then, maybe I'll go see it.
Damn, that Jessica. The mere thought of her is bringing out the nerd in me.
Bonus awards if they cast an actress who is typically considered a beauty but has to get fug for her part, either by going w/o makeup or wearing a disfiguring prosthetic.
ReplyDeleteA bit gutsy that they're doing a movie in which Communists (Stalinist communists, in this case) are actually the bad guys. I'm tired of that Hollywood viewpoint that communists were just unfairly put-upon good-natured dreamers. In my mind, they're as bad as Nazis.
ReplyDeletehaving spent a bit of time over the last few years in Catalonia, I really can't see the people running off to see this. Locals see that time as very opressed and a sad era for their country, I doubt many will want a reminder.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever get the chance to visit, DO! Barcelona alone has such a great feeling of independence you can't believe there ever was a war.
I would watch Colin Firth read the phone book. Love him. Best Mr. Darcy ever.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you sunnyside, anything he's in, even Mamma Mia, I'd watch willingly. Same goes for Spacey. The man is a genius.
ReplyDeletelol@Priscilla
ReplyDeleteI've had enough with war movies.
shit, i'd see it. an intelligent movie? not a shitty remake of a good movie? or a bad one? not a sequel? not animated? not chock full of special effects? not geared towards 12 year olds?
ReplyDeletesign me up!
who is the director? because if the director is interesting,i would like to see this movie!
ReplyDeleteI'd pay to see it for certain.
ReplyDeleteI read the book. Along with many others about this subject. Spent a whole summer studying the Spanish Civil War, just for the hell of it. I just hope that they have hired a great screenwriter. I don't have a clue how you can even begin to explain this amid this mess of a practice WWII. Oy vay is all I'll say!
ReplyDeleteI'll watch any film set in Spain. Still waiting on Manolete!
ReplyDeleteI, too, love Colin Firth and Kevin Spacey. They are so different from each other that I am curious to see how they'll mesh, especially in such a dramatic offering.
ReplyDeleteI'll probably see it or download it. I want to see Dorian Gray with Colin Firth, too. It will be interesting to see if it's as good as the original.
ReplyDeleteI'll watch it on TMN.
ReplyDeleteEver since that BI about the actor trying to get too chummy with the key grip's 11 year-old boy, I've come to despise Kevin Spacey.
I wonder how Kevin Spacey plans to poison this movie with Kate Bosworth?
ReplyDelete