—SILLY HEADLINE: “AUCTION OF BRUCE LEE ITEMS EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS”—
Of course it “exceeds expectations.” We’re talking about The Mighty Bruce Lee. If I had the money I’d buy everything in the world associated with Bruce Lee and put it all in a giant warehouse and live in it like a happy hoarder and if anyone tried to take it away from me or get me any kind of psychological help I would claw them with my razorblade hand.
—SOUNDTRACK SALES PLUMMET 40% OVER LAST FOUR YEARS—
Soundtracks are all about reliving the movie experience through music. For years, I purchased more soundtracks than any other kind of music. But over the past decade the thought hasn’t even crossed my mind — probably for a few reasons. First off, the music industry doesn’t have much of anything new to offer these days. Very few new artists break out with the kinds of songs that capture the imagination. If there are no new songs worth purchasing, that means that the only good songs on soundtracks are those we already own.
Another reason to purchase a film’s soundtrack was for the actual score, but when’s the last time a movie score so moved you, you just had to own it? There was a time when scores from films such as “Dances with Wolves,” “Last of the Mohicans,” and “Legends of the Fall” were must-owns. You didn’t even have to fall in love with the film in order to fall in love with the score. You just don’t hear those kinds of scores anymore.
Finally, for the last decade, Hollywood hasn’t been making the kinds of films we want to relive again and again. This is part of the reason DVD sales have collapsed and probably why soundtrack sales have followed suit.
If you think about it, it’s something of a vicious cycle. If movie scores were better, movies would be better –which means DVD and soundtrack sales would improve. Hollywood’s answer: “Bring on “Green Lantern 2.”
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LAST NIGHT’S SCREENING
Red (2011): Entertaining but immediately forgettable. John Malkovich’s performance is the only thing to recommend. Someone should give that character his own movie.
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TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Christian Toto reviews something called “Another Earth“
“Rise of Apes” takes in $77M worldwide
Underappreciated gems produced by Steven Spielberg
It was difficult to imagine this sitting on some shelf in the prop department
If you want to know how Charlie Sheen’s “Men” character dies … click here
Awful: Anthony Quinn’s 48 year-old son, Francesco, dead of a heart attack at 48
Who should lead The Avengers? Captain America? Thor? Iron Man?
Sam Raimi’s Oz: The Great and Powerful gets Bruce Campbell!
Wow. A normal Hollywood baby name
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CLASSIC PICK FOR TUESDAY AUGUST 9, 2011
TCM:
8:00 PM EST: Scarface (1932) — A murderous thug shoots his way to the top of the mobs while trying to protect his sister from the criminal life. Dir: Howard Hawks Cast: Paul Muni, Ann Dvorak, Karen Morley. BW-94 mins, TV-PG, CC.
All these years later, The Mighty Paul Muni’s epic gangster tales holds its potent power thanks to a number of mature themes (including incest) that still resonate. You’ll be surprised at how closely Al Pacino’s remake stuck to its predecessor when it came to the basics of the story and character. But while the 80’s classic was famous for its over-the-top violence and language, the original is just as disturbing — but in ways that have nothing to do with chainsaws.
Today’s audiences like to think they’re more sophisticated because they can “handle” graphic sex and violence, when just the opposite is true. In the past, filmgoers didn’t need everything spelled out for them. They were able to pick up on themes and subtext using their own intelligence and life experience.
Funny how we define “sophisticated” these days, isn’t it?
–Please send tips/suggestions/requests to jnolte@breitbart.com
Thanks to ScottDS for some of today’s tips.
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