Haunted Hickory Tickets are still on sale for Friday and Saturday night, Oct. 3 &4, and at Time Tunnel Comics – go online and see all the great guests. And, of course, they will be available at the door – so don’t miss this great event!
Don’t forget the 2nd annual Broadway Showcase at Hickory Community Theatre. The evening of music is on October 18 at 8pm and will feature some awesome musical performances – including Clam himself! Tickets are just $10 and are available now at the theatre or online at www.hct.org.
EAGLE EYE
Yes, I do enjoy some good, insane action - especially when it furthers the plot. And speaking of plot, the whole “big brother is watching” theme of this movie is what gives the film its charm. That, and the mystery of what the final outcome will be and ultimately who is doing the watching. Then couple that with the fact that you can’t help but wonder how much of a reality the points of the plot could actually be in today’s society. But when all is said and done, it’s the action that is the true star, even though the actors help it along. I came to see things blow up and such – and Eagle Eye delivered. Enjoy! – CLAM
Scene from "Eagle Eye" with Shia LeBeouf & Michelle Monaghan
With major roles in two action blockbusters- Transformers and Indiana Jones 4 - it's obvious Shia LeBeouf is gearing toward becoming the next action hero. Now he gets a chance to prove himself for action junkies by headlining in a film that brings to light anything and everything you ever feared about "Big Brother". LeBeouf plays his role to perfection and the feature flows smoothly with series of continuous, coordinated chase sequences. It's when things slow down a bit that the ridiculous and overly unrealistic plot comes into question. Not bad for a quick action filled matinee but remember you're there for the action- trying to appreciate the plot could cause a self-induced lobotomy. Nuff said! – CHAINSAW
MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA
Sad to say, whatever selfish reason Spike Lee had for making this movie, I actually did not find it all that bad, though perhaps a little embellished. One thing I did not expect is that half the movie is subtitled (German and Italian) which was an interesting choice. Many of the characters were quite colorful and interesting on so many levels. Whether it be the childish innocence or psychotic ramblings, it was a nice change from the usual WWII stereotypes we have come to expect. I did, however, expect a bigger miracle after three hours. It’s not a total loss, the cast is entertaining to say the least, and the Nazis do some unusual things, but I would suggest a little more research before venturing out to this one. - CLAM
"Miracle At St. Anna"
Three hours of the most pointless, poorly edited, round in circles crap this reviewer has ever seen in a WWII film. The saddest part is the actual story leading into the film is quickly buried under a pile of subplot garbage. It becomes obvious early on that Spike Lee was more focused on revenge rather than accuracy or telling a decent, interesting story. Revenge? Yes, Mr. Lee had a little racism tiff with Clint Eastwood over the lack of black actors in Eastwood's two WWII epics- Flags of our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima. Ya know, due to the controversial content it would take to explain this let's just say the film's crap so wait for the boring-arse DVD. – CHAINSAW
FIREPROOF
I really have way too many thoughts about this movie – the first is that it’s a great marketing campaign. If you go to the website, the resources available to the public are mind-boggling. Even the book is available for purchase from one on several retailers. So essentially, the film is there to sell the book and I have always had a problem with using God as a marketing tool. I came very close to not watching this movie simply because it’s hard to separate my own views and opinions to give an open ended review of the movie.
"Fireproof"
And be happy Chainsaw didn’t see it because his review would have literally burned your eyes out. So I will say this: Fireproof is a sweet movie, perfect for couples and church groups – but my honest opinion is, the movie could have stood on its own without the whole religious aspect. The basic values stated within are something all married couples should follow – adding the Bible verses just adds another group to market to and more money in someone else’s pockets. Notice there are five production companies credited in the opening sequence – and you will never convince me they all did it for free because they have a strong belief in what God can do in a person’s life. I am not dissing religion, but if you really think about it, this movie is a kind of propaganda for a group that wants to sell their particular view to you and make money in the process. I could go on but I had better stop before everyone in the world hates me. That’s just my opinion. - CLAM
OKLAHOMA!
The Green Room Theater
Newton, NC - I don’t think I would be a great full time theatre reviewer because I am way to close to the situation – but I just have to say that, as always, I really enjoy hearing David Townsend (Curly) sing. I don’t know what it is about his voice, but his expressions always put me in the moment whether he’s a cowboy or Jesus. Elizabeth Murphy (Laurey) is so powerful that she is a force to be reckoned within the local theatre circles - she is absolutely up and coming. And what is a show without comedy relief? Hailey Clark (Ado Annie) and Gardy Munoz (Ali Hakim) do their best to keep you in stitches and the bellies of the audience jiggling in delight. With the audience standing on their feet, applauding, Green Room’s Oklahoma! is truly a crowd pleaser and a gem for those who frequent or are looking to enter into to the magic of live stage performances, This is the last weekend the show - so take time to catch it. www.the-green-room.org - CLAM
All films are showing at the Carmike Cinemas 14 in Hickory – 304-0004. Send your questions and comments to clamandchainsaw@xtremeol.com. We love to hear from you.
THE GREAT MOVIES
by Adam Long
“Slap Shot” (1977)
It would be impossible to write this column without mentioning the passing of actor Paul Newman, who died from lung cancer last week at the age of 83. Newman was one of the last of a generation of actors that burst onto the scene in the 50s, a generation that also included Marlon Brando and James Dean among it‘s peers. Newman appeared in more than 65 films spanning 50 years before hanging it up after the 2002 film, “Road to Perdition.” In 1974, Newman appeared in “The Towering Inferno,“ the first film to truly make an impression on me and the film that sent me on a lifelong love of film.
A good number of Newman’s films were well regarded at the time of their original releases but Newman was also fond of appearing in riskier film projects that sometimes died a quiet death only to resurface years later as cult movie favorites. One of those films which was mostly hated by critics on its release, as much for its cynical viewpoint as its relentless profanity. “Slap Shot” has since become something of a cult classic.
“Slap Shot” was directed by George Roy Hill. Hill and Newman were no strangers to each other, Hill having directed Newman in two of the actor’s most fondly remembered films, “The Sting” and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” Set in the low-rent world of minor-league hockey, the movie follows the efforts of player-coach Reggie Dunlop (Paul Newman) to turn around the Charlestown Chiefs’ final, losing season in a dying Pennsylvania steel town. Reggie loves using dirty tricks and believes in letting his players get physical when he has to. It isn’t long before Reggie’s tightwad manager (Strother Martin, who appeared alongside Newman in many films) decides to cash in on Reggie’s idea of using dirty tricks to win and brings in the Hanson Brothers, three thick-headed goons who are more interested in fighting than playing Reggie’s brand of “old-time hockey”.
The late Paul Newman in "Slap Shot"
It soon becomes apparent that the hometown crowd loves the Hanson’s rough and bloody style. Reggie soon realizes the value of his team and concocts the story that, if they can win the championship, the owner will be able to sell the franchise to a group of rich retirees in Florida. The story, of course, is only a ploy to fire the team members up and get them to win.
Beneath its comic and, at times, vulgar exterior, “Slap Shot” has some deeper things to say about the American worship of success at all costs, and (long before the rise of the WWF) our fascination with violent sports. Many later films such as “Bull Durham” and “Major League” have borrowed elements of this film’s gritty style and there are also elements of “Slap Shot” in such films as “The Full Monty” and “Brassed Off”, where the characters fight to hold onto their lives after the collapse of hometown industry.
Having said that, “Slap Shot” is still an undeniably funny movie. It plays really well as a straight comedy and the film contains many classic characters and set pieces including, not only the aforementioned ‘Hanson Brothers’ but also a clueless, toupee-wearing sportscaster (Andrew Duncan); the team’s tiny Quebecker goalie (Yvon Barrette), and Jennifer Warren as Reggie’s long-suffering, estranged wife. Newman, himself, had gone on the record and stated that his character in the film was actually one of his personal favorites which, I suppose, vindicates the many fans of the film who have grown to love the film in spite of its initial failure.
“Slap Shot” also manages to throw in some interesting material on relationships, male bonding, machismo and the like.
Unfortunately the subplots in the film prove to be a double edged sword and force the film to take a few detours and stay off the ice for a little too long. As a result the movie does drag in a few spots but I suppose it’s a minor price to pay for what is generally an entertaining and offbeat film. The film is not only a comedy but also an excellent representation of what old time hockey used to be like before marketers and big business left the game in ruins.
Nowadays it seems that too many participants in professional sports are like Reggie himself: they don’t seem to notice that they’ve gone too far and they are forced to create a spectacle just to fill arenas. Meanwhile, those with real talent get benched right along with the national anthem. At least we have “Slap Shot” to remind us how it once was.
“Slap Shot” is a film that is in that same type of rarified league that films like “The Big Lebowski” and “The Goonies” inhabit. It’s the type of film, that, when the topic comes up with your friends, or even people you have just met, you spend hours reciting all your favorite quotes, trying to out-do each other. For a film that failed so miserably in its original release it’s great to see that “Slap Shot” has finally found it’s place.
“Slap Shot” is available on DVD from Universal home video.
Questions or comments? Write me at filmfan1970@hotmail.com.
MOVIE NEWS
Douglas and Damon to Go the Full ‘Liberace’
SOURCE: MSN Entertainment
Lost in all the daily reports from the Toronto International Film Festival and Britney Spears’, um, comeback at the VMAs last week was a peculiar little story about a new Liberace movie in the works. That’s right, the flamboyant pianist who melted girls’ hearts on the Vegas strip while he was playing with the boys back at his palatial home is coming to the big screen. What’s more intriguing about the project is that, at least according to Variety, director Steven Soderbergh is behind the picture, and he’s convinced Michael Douglas to play the diamond-ring-wearing piano man. Oh, and Soderbergh isn’t stopping with the unconventional casting there. He’s also in discussions with Matt Damon to play Liberace’s longtime lover, Scott Thorson.
Michael Douglas
Anticipated to cover most of Liberace’s life, the biopic won’t shy away from one of Liberace’s most embarrassing moments, Thorson’s $113 million palimony suit in 1982, restitution he felt he was owed after being the performer’s companion for five years. While Liberace denied he was gay (he passed away from complications of AIDS in 1987), he reportedly settled with Thorson for $95,000, a couple of cars and two pet dogs.
While this project is bound to get a lot of attention, no doubt because everyone wants to know if Douglas can really pull this role off, it’s still a few years away from production. Soderbergh still owes five more films to Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner’s 2929 Entertainment and HDNet network after they fronted the money for his experimental flick Bubble in 2005. Soderbergh will soon start work on The Girlfriend Experience, about a call girl, to start working down the contract.
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