I was deeply saddened yesterday to hear of the death of Andrew Sarris , a passionate critic and elegant writer who didn’t just change the landscape of criticism; he changed the way many of us think about movies, challenging, with gentle humor and lots of grace, everything we thought we knew. Sarris was at the vanguard of film criticism in the ’60s and ’70s, along with Pauline Kael and Manny Farber. Over the years, there’s been plenty of fuss made over the Sarris/Kael feud, and movie lovers have often felt pressured to choose one camp or the other. But why? As I’ve said elsewhere, criticism isn’t about consensus – what’s most valuable is a critic’s ability to open your eyes, to make you see things that wouldn’t have occurred to you otherwise. The challenge isn’t just part of the bargain – it’s the whole bargain. And especially as we move further into an era of critic-proof big-budget movies – abetted by newspapers and other publications that happily repackage studio hype even as they’ve decided that professional critics are relics – Sarris’ contributions to the tradition and craft of film criticism have come to seem even more precious. In fact, they’re immeasurable. I knew Andrew only a little, but he and his wife, the extraordinary film critic Molly Haskell, have shown great kindness and generosity toward me. It would have been enough for Andrew Sarris to have been a fine critic. But in the end, it’s how you treat people that matters, and Sarris, who was a teacher as well – he was beloved by his students, and I can only imagine he was wonderful – led by example. Those of us who care about film – who continue to care about its guts and innards as an art form, and about the way it opens us to the wider world – owe a great deal to Andrew Sarris. We won’t see his like again. Follow Stephanie Zacharek on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
The Boy Who Lived gets a hellacious makeover in the pages of Moore’s latest ‘League of Extraordinary Gentlemen’ comic book. By Josh Wigler Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Photo: “Harry Potter” is not for everyone. Some people do not like fun. Some people do not like magic. Some people do not like fun and magic together. I get it, and I accept it. Harry hate isn’t something I’m into, but if that’s your position, have a ball. You’ll get no killing curses out of me. But killing curses are flying, it seems, from the wand of Alan Moore. The critically acclaimed and famously reclusive “Watchmen” writer is drawing a harder line against the boy wizard than even the staunchest “Potter” hater could dream up as the latest installment of Moore’s “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century 2009,” out in stores Wednesday (June 20), features Harry Potter as the Antichrist. Well, almost, at least. There’s an undeniable resemblance between Potter and Moore’s Antichrist. How startling are the similarities, you ask? Let’s count the ways: Moore’s character has a notable scar, a mentor named Riddle (the real last name of Potter’s lifelong nemesis, Lord Voldemort) and travels to a magic school by way of a magic train hidden in King’s Cross station, just like the Boy Who Lived. There is no mention of the words “Harry” or “Potter,” but the result is clear: Moore has cast an analogue of J.K. Rowling’s globally renowned hero as his very own Antichrist. Discuss: Did Alan Moore Say Harry Potter Is the Antichrist? But don’t start shipping Howlers off in Moore’s direction just yet, “Potter” heads, at least not until you get the full meaning of what the writer is going for here. In an early review of the new issue of “Century 2009,” the Independent ‘s Laura Sneddon analyzes Moore’s choice as follows: “The headlines almost write themselves — ‘Alan Moore says Harry Potter is the Antichrist!’ — yet they miss the point. When the Antichrist is met, overgrown and high on anti-psychotics, raging at the education system that let him down and sounding peculiarly like Harry Enfield’s teenage Kevin, he is surely no stand-in for one particular character but of the current obsession for replacing stories with money-generating franchises. Today, film rights are bought before publication, comics are written as storyboards, and teenage celebrities are given memoirs.” “What better representative of modern pop literature than J K Rowling’s boy wizard?” Sneddon continues. “Moore’s distaste for modern culture is made obvious, in keeping with his stance on the comics publishers he feels betrayed him.” Indeed, it certainly doesn’t go unnoticed that “Potter” is a part of the Warner Bros. family, the very same company backing DC Comics’ controversial “Before Watchmen” prequel series against Moore’s wishes; turnabout is fair play, after all. Moore’s choice of Potter as an Antichrist figure isn’t necessarily directed at that character or franchise itself, then — instead, he’s using the most famous, most recognizable and most relevant face possible to get his anti-franchise point across the table. “Before Watchmen” Confirmed: Will More Movies Follow? Is Potter the best option to make such a point? At first, I didn’t think so. Haters are going to hate, but the “Potter” books, if not excellently written, are compelling stories with compelling characters who have introduced new readers the entire world over to the fantastic realm of literature. The films, too, aren’t just commercial juggernauts, but critically acclaimed ones boasting top-tier talents such as Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon — the list goes on and on and on. There is strong craftsmanship on display in the “Potter” series on numerous levels. Why target something that’s actually good rather than, say, a series that hinges on hollow, vampire-obsessed protagonists? (Hate mail can be sent this way , FYI.) But in truth, “Potter” doesn’t end with the stories. The books are closed, the theaters are empty. (For now.) But there’s a whole new wizarding world out there: theme parks, online encyclopedias, unofficial off-Broadway shows and countless other parodies, toys, candy, more. I wouldn’t go as far as saying “Potter” replaces story with money-generating greediness, as Moore seems to believe. But there’s no denying that “Potter” really is more than just a collection of books and films: It’s a lifestyle, not just for fans, but for flesh-and-blood, real-world muggles who keep the Rowling-manufactured train rolling ahead full steam. If you’re looking for an instantly recognizable face to hang your broader anti-franchise sentiments upon, then? Well, I suppose you really don’t need to look any further than Hogwarts’ finest. As a “Potter” fan, I don’t like seeing Harry used as a symbol of what’s wrong in the world today. I’d like to think that there are better examples out there. But if you’re looking at what Moore’s trying to say here, maybe there really isn’t a better example for him to use. Harry isn’t just the Boy Who Lived anymore, after all; he is, inarguably, the Boy Who Lived Luxuriously. How do you feel about Moore’s depiction of “Potter” in the latest “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” comic? Give us your reactions in the comments below, or let me know on Twitter @roundhoward! Related Videos Before Watchmen | Alan Moore
The Kick-Ass sequel was a forgone conclusion but speculation mounted on when it would occur and if its stars including Aaron Johnson would take part. But all turned out fine and Jeff Wadlow will direct from his script, a follow up to the original that debuted at SXSW back in 2010 that went on to gross $103M at the box office worldwide. That’s a lot of ass-kicking! Star Aaron Johnson told Collider that he’s seen the script and it shouldn’t disappoint. “It’s pretty much set to go this fall,” he said. “I think now [Chloe Grace Moretz] and [Christopher Mintz-Plasse] are on board. I’m certainly set up to do it…Yeah, I think it’s going to happen.” Asked about the script, Johnson assures that the new version will keep the faith. “Oh, yeah! It keeps the standard from the first film.” Continuing, Johnson adds about creator Matthew Vaughn: “The only way he was ever going to make a sequel was if it could be anywhere close to the first one, and keep that class and that quality, and just maintain something original and new and refreshing. And this script delivers all of that, right now.” [ Collider ]
Well, not all of you. Just the ones on the haterade-swilling Anti-Sandler train, “an unconscious social ideology that protects Hollywood’s status quo” according to everyone’s favorite provocateur, Armond White : “Sandler’s key challenge notes the derangement of social values, beginning with the celebrity young Donny endured silliness doesn’t prevent Sandler from accurately pinpointing our social hypocrisy. That’s what W.C. Fields used to do Despite its deliberate ribaldry and outrage, That’s My Boy poignantly reminds the elite class of its forgotten virtues Sandler dares to express feelings about family, ethnicity, friendship – the realpolitik of genuine social interaction. [ City Arts ]
And doesn’t it make sense? With the final installment of the mega franchise coming out, how could there not be a ton of cash? Notes the publication, “At this point, could anyone else play Bella Swan in Twilight ?” Good point! The publication, which dishes out the super rich and famous wealth numbers annually said Stewart made an estimated $12.5 million plus a share of the profits from the mega-franchise in her last two stints on Twilight , but she also made more cash via Snow White and the Huntsman this past year. According to Forbes Stewart’s total earnings between May 2011 and May 2012 totaled a whopping $34.5 million. Not bad for a 22 year-old. She is the youngest person on the list by 16 years. In the previous year, the actress ranked 5th in the list (tied with Julia Roberts). And coming in second on the list is Cameron Diaz who is estimated to have earned $34 million in the same time period. Her big cash cow came courtesy of Bad Teacher , which Forbes noted only cost $20 million to make but brought in $216 million worldwide. Last year’s top earning actresses were Angelina Jolie and Sarah Jessica Parker who each cha-chinged $30 million between May 2010 and May 2011. [Source: Forbes ] And what do you think of these numbers?
Kate Upton bikini pictures these are not. But Kim Zolciak has once again proved that she is quite comfortable in her pregnant body, following up a naked photo shoot with a Twitter picture of herself in a bikini. “The whole family!” Zolciak Tweeted Sunday along with this image of herself, her kids and husband Kroy Biermann. “Great Daddy’s day today on the water… Happy Fathers day to [the] most incredible father and daddy. We love you so much and our so grateful for you!” Zolciak is due in a couple months with her latest child, a boy who will join Kroy, Jr., 2; and Brielle, 15, and Ariana, 9, Kim’s daughters from previous relationships.
A movie date night turned recently went really awry for Timothy Busfield, but the actor has been cleared in the sexual assault investigation that followed. No charges will be filed. The former West Wing and Thirtysomething star was accused of sexual assault by a woman who said he groped her breasts and genitals at the movies. According to reports, the 55-year-old got into this mess after the duo began smooching during a screening at a Thousand Oaks, Calif., theater. Apparently he thought the date was going better than she did. In any case, the cops investigated the matter and prosecutors declined to file charges. Insufficient evidence existed, so that’s that. The case has been officially closed … even if uncomfortable, borderline hilarious imagery lingers. [Photo: WENN.com]
With a number of The Dark Knight Rises midnight screenings sold out across the country, you might be out of luck snagging a coveted opening night ticket at certain theaters. But who’s willing to pay as much as $120 for a single TDKR IMAX ticket just to be among the first to catch the Batman outing this summer? ScreenCrush reports on the recent rise in scalped offerings for Christopher Nolan’s latest: “Tickets to the midnight IMAX screenings are popping up on eBay and Craigslist for over $100; at times an almost 80% markup…A few ‘entrepreneurs’ are even selling groups of seats for $500.” Silly spending or essential expense? Sound off, Batfans. [ ScreenCrush ]
Just a week after crashing her car into a truck between filming on her would-be comeback flick Liz & Dick , Lindsay Lohan has reportedly been hospitalized after being found unconscious in her hotel, though her condition is unknown. “ABC7 has learned Lindsay Lohan was taken to hospital after being found unconscious at Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey,” ABC7 reported via Twitter. A follow-up Tweet from the outlet added : “Attorney tells ABC7 that ‘She’s fine.'” Developing… UPDATE: The New York Post has more: “Lohan not hospitalized but paramedics called after entourage couldn’t rouse her from sleep,” the paper Tweeted . And yet more from E! Online , who cites sources who say exhaustion and dehydration were to blame for the incident this morning: “Lindsay has been working a grueling schedule for the last couple of days,” Lindsay’s rep Steve Honig told E! News. “Last night she worked from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. She was exhausted and went back to her room to sleep. Producers were apparently concerned and called the fire department and paramedics found her sleeping but determined that she was fine, just extremely exhausted and slightly dehydrated. “She is on her way home now to rest and will be back on set later today.” He added that no drugs or alcohol were involved in the incident. And TMZ , chiming in with the details: We’re told Lindsay wasn’t feeling well after complaining of exhaustion, she called someone from the Liz and Dick production team early this morning, and the team sent a private doctor to check on her. Before arriving, the doctor called the hotel and asked someone to check on Lindsay. Someone from the hotel went to her door, “checked on her” and determined she was “unresponsive.” The hotel then called 911. Lindsay’s rep says it was someone from the production team who called 911. Paramedics responded, and determined nothing was wrong with Lindsay. They left without transporting her to the hospital. Well, good. Sounds like a case of overblown media reportage, but the lesson here is this: If people around Lohan are so concerned that heavy sleep might be construed as unresponsiveness — and if Lohan’s working herself to the point of exhaustion, given her history — maybe the false alarm fuss should be taken as a warning, to Lohan, her team, and to those watching along at home. Nobody wants to see Lohan go out like Marilyn.
Bachelorette director Leslye Headland and Radius co-head Tom Quinn. Bachelorette was dubbed the “indie Bridesmaids ” at Sundance. OK, maybe there are some similarities. There are females and there’s a pending wedding and the proverbial “shit hits the fan,” but that’s about it. Based on a play of the same name by Leslye Headland who directed the screen version, the story is quite frankly not going to be a hit with everyone. But for the segment of the population that gets a thrill off of bad ass humor, Bachelorette offers up a load of laughs. John Waters appeared to enjoy himself at the screening of the film, which opened up the Provincetown International Film Festival this week, so that is a stamp of some sort of approval, right? “It was incredible to see it with that audience. There’s something about the [crowd] here that has the exact correct taste for this movie,” Leslye Headland said to ML with a big smile and laughs at the festival. “To have an audience that’s on the same page from the opening jokes right on through the final scenes was great. They accepted these characters. It wasn’t just affirmation with their laughter, but there was good will toward them too.” Starring a rabble rousing Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher and Lizzy Caplan, the trio hit New York to help their friend Becky (Rebel Wilson) prepare for her wedding. But these women are anything but prissy debutantes. Booze, drugs, blow jobs, foul mouths – it’s all there and it keeps coming for more. Becky is the only one who seems to have cleaned up her act, and the bad ass trio get into more trouble when they accidentally tear the wedding dress the night before the ceremony. “Kirsten, Isla and Lizzy never thought they should tone down their characters,” offered Headland. “They even improved stuff where where even I didn’t know if we could use some of the things they did. When you watch it, you can see that they’re having fun. I think they were excited to play women they had never met before.” Headland made the Black List for her script back in 2008, but had to go the independent route when studios shied away from the material Bachelorette had played off-Broadway and she was encouraged by a friend to make the screen version her way. “The idea was that could I make a romantic comedy that I would want to see. It’s not overly dire, but it’s dramatic and they’re acting like people. They’re making mistakes and they’re learning from them…” she said. “I wanted to make a film about women that treated them like people and not paper dolls that act all in the way we wish we acted.” The Weinstein Company’s new label Radius picked up the film after it debuted at Sundance. The film has since been re-edited and its pace is absolute killer. The earlier version was more melancholy and the moments of hilarity were buffered with some slow parts. But the version that is presumably the final one that will be released in theaters in early fall had the audience in stitches here in Provincetown. Still there are dissenters and Headland said she expects there to be people who won’t like it. “I’d be more worried if there was [indifferent] reaction to it,” she said. The women in this film are dealing with their inner-demons and resolution does not come in the course of one day as it might in other movies. Noted Headland: “People don’t change in one night, but one night can change people.”
