It’s that time again for TGITDNMAR, which (obviously) stands for Thank God It’s The Day New Movies Are Released.
The Bourne Legacy
I don’t care what you say – this film is going to be real and genuine and honest and true. It will live a full, dynamic life filled with inspired, honest and true moments. It will rise to the African sun and the sounds of elephants and dine with bulls in Pamplona on its way to Paris.
In other words – it’s got frickin’ Hemingway in it, so it can’t be bad, right?!?
So, what was I talking about? Right, the fourth Bourne film.
I am, like most people, not generally a fan of star switcheroos (or fourth films in a franchise, ahem!). There’s just not a great track record even when people like, I don’t know, Harrison Ford are attached, much less downgrades from Matt Damon to Jeremy Renner (albeit a minor downgrade). On top of all that, writer/director Tony Gilroy was trashed (?) in the media some months ago as having turned in some kind of an embarrassing screenplay for this film that former Bourne star Damon called “a career-ender.” Harsh words, and curious ones considering Gilroy’s track record as a writer and director.
What I love about this film (so far as I can tell/have heard) is that is chose not to shy away from the lack of Damon/Jason Bourne, but to tackle the issue head-on (apply directly to the forehead…Head-On!). As if they’re coming out and saying, “Yeah, Damon’s gone…so what? We’re still making a kick-ass film!”
Obviously, I don’t know yet if that’s true, but their swagger and moderately-impressive trailer(s) and cast have me much more interested than I was at the onset of this mission.
Dylan’s Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 79%
The Campaign
This should be a lock, right?
But it isn’t. I wonder how much a director plays a role in the success or failure of a comedy (shouldn’t the script and/or the charisma of the star(s) play the biggest role there?), but I can’t help but look at the name Jay Roach and think that he is perhaps the reason why the buzz on this isn’t so good. Sure, he made the Austin Powers films, but in Hollywood years, that was eons ago. Since then? The first two in the Meet the Parents franchise (only seen the first, not that big a fan), the horrible Dinner for Schmucks, and not much else.
Aside from that, I will see this eventually. Ferrell’s track record is pretty great, and I find that even his films that I don’t enjoy all that much the first time around (Anchorman, Step Brothers) come around for me. As for Beardo (who is sans beard here), I’d prefer if the roles were switched, if only so he didn’t appear to be playing the same fey, creepy, bizarre character he’s been playing for the past few years. He could just as easily pull off the blustering idiot, and I’d like to see that.
Dylan’s Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 33%
Hope Springs
Nope – I got nothing. No expectations, no knowledge of, no interest. To those that do, go crazy.
Dylan’s Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 1%
LIMITED RELEASE LOOK
If you never saw Julie Delpy’s 2 Days in Paris, do yourself a favor and watch it soon. It’s a raw look at a rawer family, and is hilarious in a Curb Your Enthusiasm-y uncomfortable way, anchored by Delpy and her at-the-time real-life boyfriend Adam Goldberg (at his funniest) and with an assist from Delpy’s parents, playing…her parents.
Five years later, the sequel, 2 Days in New York arrives, this time sans Goldberg (boo), but with a new boyfriend for Delpy’s family to torment: Chris…Rock…?!? I would have been interested in her sequel regardless of who was in it, but the thought of Delpy and Rock as a couple would have been intriguing enough a setup to pique my interest no matter what the film was.
Sidenote: if the ___, I Love You people come out with London, I Love You and Delpy comes out with 2 Days in London a few years later, I’m going to seriously suspect her of quasi-travel-related movie thievery.
In a truly odd bit of serendipity, and speaking of famous New Yorkers, another quasi-sequel comes out this week: Spike Lee’s Red Hook Summer. Its ties to Do the Right Thing should be enough for any film fan to be interested (not to mention Lee’s solid track record), but I can’t say that I’m all that enthused for it. To be fair, though, I haven’t heard much at all about it, though it’s current 4.3/10 rating on IMDb isn’t helping matters.
Wayne (6)
John (4)
Mette (4)
Nic Cage (4)
Sebastian (4)
steve (4)
Nick (3)
Chip Lary (2)
Dan (2)
I have two main thoughts…
1) I’m getting more excited for BOURNE every day. I think it looks great and Renner is a fantastic addition (not replacement) for Matt Damon in this series.
2) CAMPAIGN looks god-awful. The TV spots don’t even make me smile, let alone laugh. I continue to enjoy Ferrell (I mean, that ANCHORMAN teaser killed me) but Galifanakis might just be a one-trick pony and he’s worn out his welcome with me. This would have been a great idea 5 years ago, but in 2012, I say no. And I think it’s going to do quite poorly at the Box Office, too.
Twitter: manilovefilms
August 15, 2012 2:09 pm
Any excitement I had for Bourne has already faded in favor of spending my time in other ways more productive or meaningful to me. I’m sure I’ll catch it on TV at some point, but a theatrical viewing is unlikely at this point.
I don’t think I’ve tired of Zack G. just yet (hell, I could watch Between Two Ferns all day long still), but a new trick is certainly in order.
Oh my God, Hope Springs is finally coming out, I can’t…I’m sorry, it was hard for me to sustain that for very long.
Twitter: manilovefilms
August 15, 2012 2:10 pm
I had no idea Steve Carell was even in Hope Springs until about 4 days ago. That’s how little I care about it.
I suggest a sequel: Hope Springs Even More at the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Geriatric box office bonanza!!!
Twitter: agracru
August 9, 2012 6:43 am
The way that The Bourne Legacy addresses the absence of Damon/Bourne and strives to establish continuity and a solid timeline between this film and the last is admirable. But as well-intentioned as Tony Gilroy may be, his approach works against Legacy pretty fiercely. The most notable effect is that Legacy‘s first hour– which unfolds at the same time the entirety of Ultimatum plays out– feels like it’s two hours, and nothing really exciting happens for that two hour period. By the time the film reaches its own third act, it’s too little too late, and it ends in the most baffling, unsatisfying way possible. It’s the worst symptom of franchisement.
Renner’s great, and he makes for a strong Bourne “replacement” who differs completely from his predecessor in ways that are alternately refreshing and frustrating. At the very least, Renner plays the character well. Beyond that, there’s little good to be said of Legacy– outside of the appearance of the fine and noble Corey Stoll.
The Campaign is totally hilarious, but it doesn’t say much about anything. It feels really out of date, which makes no sense; a movie about political campaigns should feel of-the-moment as we inch closer to November 6th’s voting day. But this feels a couple of years behind the times, outside of its Koch brothers surrogates, who are really just there to twirl imaginary mustaches as they drive the plot artificially forward.
But no one is going to watch it for plot. They’re going to watch it for laughs, and it delivers. Ferrell and Galifianakis are great, but for me Dylan McDermott represents the film’s secret weapon. He kills it EVERY TIME he’s on screen.
Anyways. My two cents.
Twitter: manilovefilms
August 15, 2012 2:13 pm
I wonder how much I’ll agree with your assessment of Legacy’s first hour (when I eventually see it), if only because I seem to dig Gilroy’s slow-burn. I’m sure plenty of people thought Michael Clayton boring as fuck (not saying you’re one of them, though you might be), but I thought it was riveting. One of my favorites from that year.
I read another review of The Campaign that said the exact thing you did here about it not being at all meaningful. Tis a shame, but should we really be surprised? Ferrell’s history shows no indication of real social commentary. Even his Bush impression – while hilarious – is pretty toothless.
I always appreciate your two cents (even if it takes me a week to respond some times…like now).
Twitter: agracru
August 15, 2012 6:17 pm
I’m a selfish asshole so I want you go pay money to go see it now just so that I can get your reaction to it sooner than later. That said there’s occasionally something nice about having a truly wretched movie to criticize at every opportunity. At least if you’re me, but, you know.
I think The Campaign wins just because it’s funny. It’s a shame that it doesn’t have more to say, especially since it has all the foundation needed to do so (I mean, it starts off with a very real, very stupid Ross Perot quote), but I’m glad I was able to choke on my own guffaws a bunch of times.
If you appreciate my two cents, I will always give them. I will also give them if you don’t. So, basically, you’re stuck with my two cents no matter what, which I guess means it’s good that you appreciate them.
Twitter: NeverTooEarlyMP
August 9, 2012 10:43 am
Hope Springs is probably the one that I’m MOST likely to see of these options, so I can only assume that you meant to write 91% instead of 1%.
Twitter: manilovefilms
August 15, 2012 2:13 pm
Is that out of an actual desire to see Streep and TLJ act all lovey dovey or just out of apathy/disdain for the other options?
Twitter: NeverTooEarlyMP
August 16, 2012 6:05 pm
Mostly it’s because I prefer films where the acting is the focus, as opposed to the jokes or the gunfire and explosions.
Plus, I am more likely to end up being an old person some day than I am to run for office or discover that I’m a secret government experiment, so maybe I’ll learn something that I’ll be able to use.
Twitter: manilovefilms
August 20, 2012 7:08 pm
Touche, NTEMP. Though, for this past weekend, I chose Beasts of the Southern Wild over anything that’s been released in either of the last two weeks, so I think I chose wisely.
And I’m going to run for office WHILE being a secret government experiment, so I’ll show you. That’s right – I’ll be the Manchurian Candidate.
Twitter: ptsnob
August 9, 2012 8:43 pm
I’m with you on the Bourne Legacy. I’d planned to skip it since it felt like a money grab, but I’m intrigued by the trailer. It’s interesting that it’s including some of the same moments as the Bourne Ultimatum in a different way. It’s also cool that David Strathairn and Joan Allen are involved. The trailer looks great, but I’m still wondering if it will work. I’m also not entirely convinced that Renner can carry a movie.
Twitter: manilovefilms
August 15, 2012 2:15 pm
Yeah, having Allen and Straithairn aboard was a wise move (and probably a necessary one). Without them, who would be left to tie the films together at all?
I don’t think Renner is oozing charisma by any means, but he can’t be any worse in that regard than Daniel Craig.