NOTE: Y’all. That’s North Carolinian for “all of you.”
—BRETT RATNER TO PRODUCE OSCAR TELECAST—
This is a SUPERB idea. Truly. Other than the fact that we don’t like most of the people who show up to present and receive Oscars (hey, they started it), for years the problem with the telecast has been structure and pacing. The show just lies there for four hours in fits of starts and stops and never feels like it’s building towards anything. Any surge in momentum or anticipation is always snuffed by pointless montages and dance numbers no one, and I mean NO ONE, likes.
Who better to solve this problem than an action director. Especially an unpretentious one well known for his love of Old Hollywood. After last year’s disastrous telecast, I had suggested a reality-show producer take over, someone who knows how to craft and structure a compelling story out of nothing. This is actually a better idea.
Furthermore, I’m a Brett Ratner fan and it’s nice to see the man get a little respect.
—“RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES” AT 82% FRESH—
Someone who looks an awful lot like me might have to eat his words over this one. I’ve been trashing the “Apes” prequel since the first trailer was released, certain it was a campy disaster. But most critics (including our own Kurt Loder) like it. Some are even comparing it to the original “King Kong” — to which I can only say, Slow down there.
Believe it or not, I love being wrong about stuff like this. Even publicly wrong.
May “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” be a masterpiece and make a billion dollars.
–PHOTO OF ANNE HATHAWAY’S CATWOMAN RELEASED–
Given his options, director Christopher Nolan couldn’t have done much better than hiring Anne Hathaway to play Catwoman. (Penelope Cruz would’ve been interesting.) She’s a solid actress, a woman (not a girl), and doesn’t lack for sex appeal. But this production still lacks a little something I like to call va-va-va-voom. Maybe it’s the dorky glasses.
When you’re competing with Julie Newmar and Michelle Pfeiffer, first impressions matter. This one has only captured my indifference. Plenty of time to recover, though. Plenty of time.
—END OF AN ERA: JERRY LEWIS WILL NO LONGER HOST MDA TELETHON—
Lewis has been doing this every year since the year I was born in 1966. It’s hard to imagine flipping through the channels on Labor Day and not seeing the 85 year-old comedian pop up somewhere along the line. Though I can’t remember the last time I actually watched the telethon, there was the comfort of knowing it was still there and that Lewis was still going strong.
The word is that Lewis is too ill to even make a farewell appearance this year. I had heard that he intended to make a sing a farewell song — which would’ve been perfect.
60 years as MDA Chairman, $2.5 BILLION raised.
Godspeed, Jerry.
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LAST NIGHT’S SCREENING
Worked late last night. Fell asleep to “Ancient Aliens.” So other than bizarre dreams, nothing to report.
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TODAY’S QUICK HITS
ALREADY TALK OF A DIRECTOR FOR “THOR 2”
DOES THIS MEAN NO “BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE 4”?
THE “SHORT CIRCUIT” REMAKE WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR … OR NOT.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FLAMETHROWER IN FILM
10 THING YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT “STAR TREK”
GORGEOUS, PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED PHOTOS, OF LUCY
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CLASSIC PICK FOR SATURDAY AUGUST 6, 2011
TCM:
4:30 PM EST: Best Foot Forward (1943) — A movie star wreaks havoc when she accepts an invitation to a military academy dance. Dir: Edward Buzzell Cast: Lucille Ball, William Gaxton, Virginia Weidler. C-94 mins, TV-G, CC.
In honor of her 100th birthday, TCM gives us a full day of Lucille Ball, including this musical charmer, where the drop-dead beautiful actress plays herself. The plot is simple, the execution sincere, and the musical numbers surprisingly good, especially Harry James’ memorable rendition of “Flight of the Bumble Bee” (the bandleader can cut a rug, too!). The real star is the dialogue, which delivers plenty of laughs– thanks mainly to the contrived plot complications and Lucy’s sharp-edged delivery.
Look for June Allyson, Gloria DeHaven, Tommy Dix, Chill Wills, and a terrific, scene-stealing Nancy Walker (in her screen debut) in the supporting cast and prepare yourself for 94-minutes of light entertainment delivered with the kind of energy, gloss, and starpower classic Hollywood was so famous for.
–Please send tips/suggestions/requests to jnolte@breitbart.com
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