They have officially handed Marc Webb (avoid obvious jokes) the reigns of the new “Spider Man” movie. You know by now, Dear Reader, that while I adore Marc’s debut feature “500 Days of Summer,” I have serious concerns about the ulterior motives present in hiring him. It’s important to remember that “500 Days” was, in fact, his motion picture debut, and while he has a healthy list of music videos and commercials behind him, he is definitely stepping into some deep water now.
Still, in fairness, maybe I’m wrong, and maybe Sony Pictures wants to emulate the example forged by Warner Bros with “Batman” and Fox with “X Men.” God knows Chris Nolan was not an action director when he took on the Caped Crusader, and Bryan Singer had to hit the ground running, too. It could well be that studios have seen enough success with fresh faces in the director’s chair that seasoned vets come across…a little tired. Still, even by that standard, this is an extreme move. Bryan Singer and Chris Nolan had both done some thrillers, worked with name actors, gotten the feel of larger-scale productions. This guy directed a quirky indie film.
In other news, “Edge of Darkness” is coming out soon, which stars Mel Gibson. I wrote a post which I thought better of publishing last night defending Mel, and though my feelings on the situation remain strong, I’m trying to get in the habit of not saying a bunch of things I can’t really stand behind. Let’s just say I don’t think his personal problems are our business, but even assuming they were, I think he has made every effort to publicly apologize. And come on, it’s been four years. Gibson’s not a perfect guy, but I don’t think painting him as an anti-Semite is fair. I don’t like how our culture has taken to black-listing people for off-hand comments, and calling that progress. Furthermore, he’s an enormously gifted actor and he’s never directed a film that wasn’t amazing—”Apocalypto” and “The Passion of the Christ” are among the most unique and daring mainstream cinema of the past decade. I would like to see him out of the doghouse and making movies again.
I think it’s bizarre that Hollywood can muster all this big-name support for Roman Polanski, and yet no one speaks out on behalf of a guy who had a problem and said some things he shouldn’t have. What is the system of morality at play here? Maybe there isn’t one. My father’s been trying to tell me that for years.
a few things-gave brand new the second chance, and they’re pretty good. ‘the devil and God are raging inside me…’ it’s too heavy, and i dig it for that.
-i definitely agree with the mel gibson business on all levels.
-i just saw ‘the book of eli’ and really liked it. its post-apocalyptic survival of the fittest is done as good as the best (if not better) and the man-on-a-mission denzel was spot on as well. i was wondering if you’d seen it and what you think?
A few replies:
-I’m glad you changed your mind about Brand New, they’re a very important band to me. I have a saying about “Devil and God”: I won’t say it’s my favorite album ever made, but I won’t say it isn’t, either. I’ve been listening to it since 2006, it’s an unstoppably good record. I would let that one work on you over time, it’s not the kind of thing that puts out quickly or easily.
Interesting side note, I didn’t like “Sic Transit Gloria” that much until your comment about the lyrics made me go read them more carefully. Now it’s one of my favorites.
-THANK you. I mean, jeez, what the eff.
-I also saw “Book of Eli,” and was surprised to find it better than I expected. It had some weaknesses, especially the ending, but I’m a sucker for a movie about the Bible. You’re right about Denzel, though, the dude is a god among men.