It’s that time again for TGITDNMAR, which (obviously) stands for Thank God It’s The Day New Movies Are Released.
If you just looked at the marquee and saw the new releases, would you be able to tell we were in the dog days of August? I sure would…
Lawless
Or as I like to call it, Legends of the Newton Boys Fall.
You’re dying for a prohibition action/drama, aren’t you? I know you are.
Listen, I think we’re all feeling the same thing here, or at least close to it. Lawless has a solid director in John Hillcoat (The Road, The Proposition), a might-be-interesting Western-y plot, an awesome cast that features It Guy Tom Hardy and It Gal (still?) Jessica Chastain, as well as Guy Pearce, Gary Oldman, Mia Whatshernameski and…the Shia. Yea.
Shia went from somewhat-lovable up-and-comer to mostly-annoying potential douchebag faster than you can say Transformers: Revenge of the Crystal Skull. Lately, he’s come out and more or less blasted Spielberg, the studio system, his career choices, the color yellow and/or anything else in his line of vision at that moment. Basically, he’s talking a big (credibility) game, but can he deliver? Can he bring the charisma and humor (oh, and dramatic acting chops, which I’m not sure we’ve really seen yet) that made him an up-and-comer in the first place? Lawless seems as good a test as any, and his being surrounding by acting studs certainly can’t hurt. I only hope his presence doesn’t submarine the film’s chances of being seen by a wide-enough audience.
P.S. – Big ups to Pearce for sporting just about the least attractive hair/eyebrows combo imaginable. Seriously, what is going on there?
Dylan’s Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 45%
The Possession
Take note, Melrose Place fans: Grant Show (now 50) appears here. You’re welcome…I think.
Anyway, I’m still awaiting the answer to my burning question from some years back, which is “Why does (most) every possession flick center on a female? I’ve never thought of being possessed as a sexual thing, but I suppose there could be some homophobia going on – writers/directors/actors not wanting to be involved with a male (usually teen) character who has another “man” (the devil or some or such spirit, which are usually portrayed with masculine characteristics) inside him. Is it seriously as simple and stupid as that? I swear, possession victims in film fit the “female, 12-25″ demographic something like 98% of the time (disclaimer: I don’t actually watch very many of these flicks, I just notice that at least one a year pops into theaters for a few weeks).
Speaking of their frequency: I’m sick of possession flicks. You know, probably because since they all have female victims aged 12-25, they all appear to be the same thing. Freaking strange coincidence, huh? Anyway, it got me to thinking the same thing any time I’m reminded of a genre or trope that I’m sick of: can we please mix the possession flick with the vampire flick and/or the zombie flick in an effort to kill two birds (two undead birds?) with one stone? If we feel like making the undead zombie possession victim part of an underdog dance troupe, that works for me, too.
I’m so making that movie.
Dylan’s Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 4%
LIMITED RELEASE LOOK
Many of those who saw Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist came away loving Ari Graynor. I was not one of those people, and I’ve yet to see a single one of her projects since, so suffice to say I’m not as excited about her career as some appear to be. That said, far be it for me to discount her potential based solely off that role, either. For a Good Time, Call… (aka the phone sex comedy) has a bit of buzz behind it, but not enough for me to perk up my ears too much, despite the presence of Justin Long (Master of Romantic Comedies that Involve Telephony) and Seth Rogen.
Wayne (7)
Andrew (6)
Josh (6)
John (5)
Steve (5)
Justin (4)
Lauren (3)
Nick (3)
3guys1movie (2)
Andy (2)
Nice Newton Boys reference! I watched that for Alyssa alone…
BTW, I can back you up on the female-possession trope – I can even think of foreign movies that have females getting taken over by a demon or “the devil” itself. Yes, it’s a trope, and the only reason I can think to justify it is this: if we were dealing with a man (especially in their 20s/30s), the audience’s concern for the protagonist would drop like a stone. I think it’d be that horror movie where people in the crowd would just call out, “Why don’t you just kill his dumb ass?”
I would contribute to the kickstarter for your movie idea, btw =)
I’m pretty sure the possession thing has more biblical/religious roots. It’s the whole “innocent virgin” thing–the easiest prey for a demon. Hence why the age is so low, as well. You’re not gonna find too many innocent virgins past 25 these days. Generally the same reason you always have to “sacrifice a female virgin” in rituals.
Twitter: agracru
August 30, 2012 6:19 am
Nailed it.
Twitter: agracru
August 30, 2012 6:26 am
The good news is that The Possession feels like a Sam Raimi movie. The bad news is that it only feels that way in the last 15 minutes. The rest of the time it’s just a terribly directed and substandard entry in the “demonic possession” sub-genre of horror; Jeffrey Dean Morgan has great chemistry with the girls playing his daughters, but even he (and a surprisingly important Matisyahu) can’t save the movie from Ole Bornedal’s sluggish, dull direction.
The most interesting thing about the film: it directly references a Jewish principle of law (which states that the preservation of life overrides nearly all religious obligations, save for things like murder and idolatry) that I’m using to examine The Cabin in the Woods in an essay I’m writing. And I had a discussion about that principle with a fellow Boston critic just before watching the movie. Still, you’re better off just watching The Dybbuk than this, though I do appreciate that exorcism films of today are more and more leaning toward Judaism as a refuge rather than Christianity (see The Unborn. Well, don’t, it’s not very good, but it’s better than The Possession and it has Gary Oldman.)
Speaking of indies (and I’m told that For a Good Time Call… is real good), check out Oslo, August 31st if it’s playing anywhere near you. That goes for everyone.