1. What’s the one movie you’ve seen more times than any other?
It is probably a three way toss up between Casablanca, It’s A Wonderful Life or Creator. Casablanca is a great basic story, with a small, tightly constructive narrative and casting that is magic. They don’t make films like this anymore. It’s A Wonderful Life is a Christmas tradition and I do a pretty entertaining Jimmy Stewart impression. Creator is the odd ball in the list but in my Army and college years I was smitten by this film. I think it is the super cool Peter O’Toole, but I can’t put my finger on it.
2. If you could turn one book, comic book or other print story into a feature-length movie, what story would you pick and why?
I am sure I have finished a book before and said to myself, this would make a great movie. I know I said that about Mosquito Coast and guess what, the movie wasn’t so good. I think though that in the right hands Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie would be a very entertaining film.
3. Whom would you cast?
I always seem to have a Jeremy Irons like character in my head whenever I read Rushdie. It must be the deep, vedy, vedy, English accent.
4. What one movie would you like to see “updated for the year 2005”? (Ie, a remake)
This is always troubling because so many remakes are ruined by the current Hollywood focus group process. Endings are changed, story lines changed. But maybe something light, like an old John Wayne Western, redone with Hollywood hunks and starlets might be fun. And nothing sacred really, has been damaged.
5. What one movie are you most looking forward to this year?
Star Wars Episode Three (If it lives up to just a little bit of the hype) And The Da Vinci Code (It could be the next Indiana Jones)
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1. Tough call. Either “A Room with A View,” or Kieslowski’s “Red.” A Room With A View is a lovely adaptation of an E. M. Forster novel, and is perhaps one of the most technically perfect films made in my lifetime (I’ve seen it over 20 times and have seen only two continuity errors). Red is just breathtaking, and has a life-affirming ending.
2. I know that there have been many adaptations, but I’d like to see “The Great Gatsby” turned into a good film. Every 20 years or so someone tries to turn it into a movie, but no one has captured nuances of Nick Carraway’s revulsion and attraction to Gatsby, nor has any prior adaptation captured the decadence and desperation of Gatsby himself.
3. Whom would you cast? These are getting harder. . . . . the key is getting a Nick Carraway who has some depth, and can be distant. Maybe Jake Gyllenhaal?
4. Technically, mine is an update, so IÂ’m off the hook for this question.
5. As my taste in films runs towards the more obscure, I don’t have a good answer. I am curious to see what that kooky Tim Burton has done to “Willy Wonka.” I’m also intrigued by Robert Rodriquez’s next movie, “The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl in 3-D,” for the title alone.
1) Sadly, I’ve seen The Little Mermaid more than any other film. When my nephews were younger & I was an aloof, selfish parent, I found it easier to let Diney raise them. 300 or more times. Seriously. Dancer In The Dark is creeping up there though. I take more inspiration from it everytime I watch it.
2) I’d like to see a film version of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods. It’s a fascinating read & I think bringing a war of old & new gods to the screen would look really cool! How daft does that sound?
3) Ron Perlman would play Shadow & the oldest talented actor alive would play Wednesday (I can’t think of someone off the top of my head).
See mine at the link above
BELOW. Jesus, I do that every time!
1. Probably Santa Sangre by Alejandro Jodorowsky. Incredibly disturbing and beautiful at the same time. I saw it at the Ogden years ago, over and over. As if Bacon or Bosch were translated onto film.
2. Done right, The Lovely Bones could be a haunting, gorgeous film. Well apparently, I’m onto something. Peter Jackson will be directing it, movie due out 2007.
3. I’m not too familiar with pre-teen actresses, so I have no idea.
4. Johnny Guitar – the updated version could push the feminist angle even further.
5. Star Wars and Batman ~ I’m in the mood for some good old-fashioned entertainment.
1. hmmm…either “the shining” “the big lebowski” or “pet semetary”. pet semetary is the most underrated of king’s movies, in my opinion. the dreadful feeling that keeps smacking you in the face throughout the film is very unnerving…and well done.
2. Groo the Wanderer. funniest comic book ever. look it up..it was fucking awesome. i have issue #1 too.
3. i cant really think of anyone who could get it right…think of Homer Simpson with swords.
4. hmmmm….Rear Window maybe? although no one could ever possibly do it right. it is simply brilliant. but i guess i’d like to see someone try.
5. star wars episode three….if it’s half as good as the trailer would suggest, it will be stunning. i wish it had Britney Murphy in it, though. rats.
4) They ARE updating my movie for 2005! My favorite weirdo Tim Burton is directing Charlie & The Chocolate Factory starring Fom’s boyfriend Johnny Depp (who has said he took inspiration for the role from Mr. Marilyn Manson). The new version supposedly follows Roald Dahl’s novel & his estate (children) are reported to have liked it). It seems Mr. Dahl was not fond of the Gene Wilder rendition.
5) Charlie & The Chocolate Factory! I only wish I still did acid so I may see it as I first saw the original. It made so much more sense to me whilst altered. Much like Jesus And Mary Chain lyrics.
1. Probably something with Steven Segel since those movies are on every minute on TBS, USA, and TNN networks.
2. Fragments, one man’s experience of the concentration camps in WWII Germany. Disturbing.
3. It would have to be an unknown.
4. Cleopatra, done well, with Nicole Kidmann.
5. I agree with Edward I’m excited about Charlie and Chocolate Factory, but really I’ve got a boner thinking about the new Batman.
1. Caddyshack. When I see it on as I am flipping through channels I just can’t turn it off. Since I was in high school I’ve been fascinated by this movie. Carl the assistant greens keeper is The greatest character ever created for the silver screen. Played to perfection by Bill Murray. I have probably seen it over 200 times.
2. I’m reading a book now by Kinky Friedman called “Ten Little New Yorkers” and have been curious about how it would look on screen. I like the jaded yet hopeful outlook he has on things. Also from my childhood I’ve always wanted to see a book called “The Sword of Shannara” by Terry Brooks made into a movie. But I think after Peter Jackson’s adaptation of “Rings” we’ve all had enough epic fantasy tales.
3. In Ten Little New Yorkers I would have to cast Nick Nolte. He has a way with “down and out”. As for “Sword”, all I can picture right now is the cast from L.O.T.R. so ask me again in a few years.
4. “Pride of the Yankees”. It’s hard to beat Gary Cooper but I would love to see a modern version of that film. With more realistic game action, an accurate representation of the horrors of A.L.S. it would be hard to screw this movie up. And it would be a great way to show baseball fans of today the spirit of this man and what an incredible player he truly was. A much needed reminder to the true fan of why they love the game.
5. See above. Episode 3. Burtons Willy Wonka. Batman. There is a film version of “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” coming out. Love those books. We’ll see.