Ah, love…cannot live without it and it makes us not think straight when we have it! If it were as simple as the movies would have it, then we’d fall in love with that man that owns his family business and can jet- set the live long day away or she would be the pretty maid or struggling working girl that wants to make a name for herself while coincidentally finding love along the way. They meet, they kiss, the music swells and they live happily ever after.
The VALENTINE'S DAY option for 2013???
Did the rock group “The J. Geils’ Band” have it right when they simply stated on one of their hit songs that “Love Stinks?” Oh, come on…we are drawing near Valentine’s Day and love should be in the air. What do the studios have lined- up for the lovers out there? Nothing! I haven’t seen any trailers for anything that spells- out L O V E! Well, now, I take that back…there is one called SAFE HAVEN starring Josh Duhamel (TRANSFORMERS) and former “Dancing With The Stars” darling Julianne Hough (FOOTLOOSE) about a woman with a secret past that ends up in a small town to start anew, while her troubled male past comes back to reclaim what he feels is his… can we say SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY rip- off??? That’s OK; no one under 25 will know the difference! Aside from that little bon- bon of a treat, we are also treated to the romantic A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (aka DIE HARD 6, if you’re counting), the swooning BEAUTIFUL CREATURES about witches and black magic and the animated love letter ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH…ah, yes, love is definitely wafting in the atmosphere!
Let’s face it, love stories have taken- up its own rules to follow and they have all pretty much looked the same since. The typical lead male is either Channing Tatum, Matthew Mcconaughey or even Gerard Butler and the lonely ladies are Jennifer Lopez, Sandra Bullock or Kate Hudson. Well, I decided to put a spin on the talk and bring up the love stories that DO NOT follow the rulebook as such. As I researched and talked it over with my “expert” on such topics, I started to see that some movies…you’ll pardon the pun…don’t receive the “love” they deserve. Here, now, are a few fractured love stories to put a twist on the upcoming Valentine’s Day or any day you need to feel the “love” (OK, that’s enough of that!)
SOMETHING WILD (1986) - This warped little love tale, directed by Jonathan Demme (THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS) stars Melanie Griffith (BODY DOUBLE) as the free- spirited “Lulu” who runs into the conservative and boring businessman Charlie Driggs (Jeff Daniels) and turns his world upside down when a ride back to the office turns into a “kidnapping” out of town for an adventure to change old Charlie’s ways. Along the way, the couple runs into Lulu’s ex- husband, the recently paroled and violent Ray (Ray Liotta)… and that’s when the adventure really takes place!
Demme has always presented a certain style that veers to the “off- side” when it comes to character development and story telling. The pairing of Lulu and Charlie creates a fun and intriguing tryst as we find that opposites do attract with conflicting personalities. A second ‘fractured’ love line brings Lulu’s ex into the picture who will stop at nothing to get her back.
ENJOY THE ORIGINAL TRAILER FOR "SOMETHING WILD"
WILD THINGS (1998) – Accusations fly high as a South Florida high school councilor (Matt Dillon) is brought up on charges of rape from a snobby rich girl (Denise Richards) and her trashy classmate (Neve Campbell). A detective (Kevin Bacon) suspects a conspiracy is in the works and goes on the case to unravel the real story.
Wrapping itself within the swampy marshes of South Florida and creating a steamy setting, the film definitely knows how to turn up the heat and turn it up as often as possible. The audience is led to believe that some kind of attraction (or lust) is helping keep this game fully amped. The story oozes with passion, greed and betrayal as the main characters find themselves in the oddest of couplings. The film carries a classic noir setting that reminds us of those glossy, yet campy, movies that informs the audience of the cliche roles they play throughout the story telling.
EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY (1988) – Another bright and shiny sexy comedy romp produced in the 80’s. Somewhere, on the other end of the Hollywood sign, a trio of furry aliens accidentally crash- lands into a young woman’s (Geena Davis) pool. The alien leader (Jeff Goldblum) immediately finds an attraction to the Earth woman and desperately tries to help her see the error of her ways by dumping her egotistical boyfriend and hooking- up with him instead! Can Valerie see past the alien and actually find love beyond the stars?
The cult flick is lovingly directed by former music video director Julien Temple (has worked with Michael and Janet Jackson, Madonna and David Bowie) and Temple’s eye for slick video- making is evident throughout the film’s production. Davis and Goldblum were only dating at the time of the production but followed it with a marriage (and quickly followed that with a divorce), but the romance factor is cute and cuddly and never gets overly sappy! Aside from the fact that some great up- and- coming comic actors also made their debut (Julie Brown, Damon Wayans and Jim Carrey) and great bouncy musical numbers are sprinkled along to add- on to the entertainment!
THE VERY COOL TRAILER TO "EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY!"
WHAT’S UP, DOC?(1972) – Director Peter Bogdanovich’s (PAPER MOON, NASHVILLE)comedy- romantic romp through the streets of San Francisco is a stand- out treat in any sense of the word. The confusion amongst four identical plaid overnight bags brings the union of the overly- smart Howard Bannister (Ryan O’Neil) and a care-free young woman named Judy (Barbra Streisand). Judy finds Howard interesting and toys with his smarts and finds a slightly- off romantic connection that is irresistible. With the mix- up of the bags come stolen jewels and shady characters who just want the right bags returned to their rightful owners. Screwball, zany and a little sexy love make this a highly entertaining film.
O’Neil and Streisand are a perfect match as Howard is more the deadpan, easily distracted character while Judy is the upfront extrovert that wants to help Howard see how exciting life is… all by a chance meeting! Bogdanovich shines as both director and co- writer of this wacky film and presents a wonderful supporting cast that included Madeline Kahn (BLAZING SADDLES) and Kenneth Mars (YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN).
A BEHIND- THE- SCENES LOOK AT "WHAT'S UP, DOC?"
THE CRUSH (1993) – OK, so we’ve seen the story told before (ummm, LOLITA, anyone?) but there is a twist! Instead of the older man crushing on the innocent young teen… the tables are turned as the teen becomes the temptress on the unsuspected older man! Who couldn’t help but fall for the doe- eyed debut of Alicia Silverstone as the 14- year old Adrienne presenting a mad- crush on an unsuspecting 28- year old Nick Eliot (Cary Elwes- THE PRINCESS BRIDE) who was just looking to move into her family’s guest house? After Nick’s refusal to accept Adrienne’s sexual advances, he finds himself in a world of sabotage and danger with no safety to be found around the family’s property or even outside of his home.
Love will make you do crazy things at times, but obsessive and compulsive behavior becomes a toxic mix as this teenage drama presents a sexy villain in Alicia Silverstone! The film represents a dangerous kind of love: one- sided and near obsessive and played with a nice mixture of both suspense and believability by Elwes and Silverstone.
THE SUSPENSEFUL TRAILER TO "THE CRUSH"
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993) - In the more saddening of love- torn stories, the couple does not happen and the audience is left pining and wishing for a happier ending. However, what can be said about a skeletal dead being and a mad scientist’s creation finding love in a world of Halloween? The stop- motion animation film uses the storyline of love as a secondary plot with the focus remaining on how the Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown, becomes bored with the annual celebration of Halloween and curiously discovering Christmas as the new diversion he’d been after! Sally, the sewn and stuffed creation of Dr. Fenklestein, understands that there is a whole other world to be discovered other than the one she is kept in within the confines of her laboratories home. Jack and Sally quickly discover their similarities for another life than the one handed to them and find a love between them through their journeys of rediscovery.
Produced by Tim Burton, NIGHTMARE is a contemporary cult classic in every sense of the word.The film and its characters have exploded in popularity over the years with a strong marketing push on anything displaying the now iconic resemblances! Aside from the undead characters, the film’s major achievement is the memorable music and lyrics by composer Danny Elfman (who also voices all of Jack’s singing), which helps add another layer of grim and darkness to the underworld setting of the plot.
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1986) – The popular musical pays tribute to the sci- fi B- films of the 1950’s as the story is spot- on with the era’s definitions of nerds, babes and the power of the doo- wop sound! Nerdy florist Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis) works within the lower side of town at the Skid Row Florist Shop. Blond bouffant cutie Audrey (Ellen Greene) reports to work with visible bruises from her abusive Dentist boyfriend (Steve Martin) and Seymour secretly wishes to take her away to a better life. A mysterious flower pod is discovered and suddenly Seymour begins to grow an unusual Venus flytrap- like plant that becomes the talk of skid row turning the little flower shop into a bustling overnight success! But, with fame comes a price as Seymour finds that the plant not only grows and survives from its victim’s blood, but the fact that it must be human! Do Audrey and Seymour have enough baddies in their lives that deserve to be served as the next meal to the floral sensation they dub as “Audrey II?”
Directed by ‘muppeteer’ Frank Oz (DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS), a marvelous cast including Vincent Gardenia (MOONSTRUCK), James Belushi (K-9), John Candy (UNCLE BUCK) and Bill Murray (GHOSTBUSTERS) flesh- out the characters originally presented as an off- Broadway show composed and written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, before the duo collaborated for such Disney classics as THE LITTLE MERMAID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and ALADDIN. It literally is a film that presents the love- triangle of man- loves- woman, woman- loves- man and plant- loves- man!
DANGEROUS LIAISONS (1988) – A tasty and very twisted storyline that plays with a variety of different emotions including desire, lust and even love. The question proposed is: can a person be subjected into a drawn- in and carefully calculated act of love just for the fun of it? Aristocrats Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil (Glenn Close) and the Viconte Sebastien de Valmont (John Malkovich) sit around their posh surroundings in 1760 France and plot and propose challenges to the other as to whom they should seduce… just for the sport of it. However, can the act of playing turn into real love as a true challenge presented in the innocent Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfeiffer) that creates a real ponder for Valmont.
Based on the successful Broadway play written by Christopher Hampton and directed by Stephen Frears (THE QUEEN), this Academy Award nominated picture presents a marvelous amount of talent including cast, production design, set design and costumes. The original plot was based on actual corresponding letters that details accounts of such deceit played out for simple pleasures!
THE DECEIVING TRAILER FROM "DANGEROUS LIAISONS"
U TURN (1997) – A story of forbidden passion and the lengths that a man goes through to attempt to have what he cannot have. A drifter’s (Sean Penn) car breaks down somewhere in the desert and discovers a small town inhabited by unusual characters including a beautiful femme fatale (Jennifer Lopez) that temps the drifter into a world of deception as he discovers that her husband (Nick Nolte) decides to hire him to kill his wife…at the same time that she hires the drifter to kill her husband as well! Wait til you see what happens at the very end!!!
Not one of the more commonly recognized films by director Oliver Stone (JFK, PLATOON) but the film literally follows on the heals of the highly- experimental (and controversial) NATURAL BORN KILLERS... which explains the off- setting of the story and the similarity of strange characters and plot twists. Yet, those twisted ingredients still makes this film an enjoyable and intriguing love/ lust yarn!
THE STEAMY TRAILER FOR "U- TURN"
REVENGE (1990) – A fractured love fable in every sense of the word. Unsure exactly where his life is going now, Michael Cochran (Kevin Costner) has retired from a twelve year run with the Navy. With the intentions of taking a well- deserved holiday, he decides to go south of the Border to visit an old friend, Tiburon Mendez (Anthony Quinn) a very shrewd and powerful businessman… who might be a little corrupted as well. Upon arriving at Mendez’ compound, he discovers that “Tibey” has taken on a ‘trophy wife’ by marrying a much younger and very attractive woman, Miryea (Madeline Stowe). Playing with some serious fire, Cochran cannot help but see Miryea’s desires as she looks upon him… passion ensues and they are instantly discovered and brought forth to “Tibey.” Leaving them both for dead and taking his whore wife away to hidden away, Cochan finds that he barely survives the beatings left on him only to come back to find Miryea and give “Tibey” the rightful payback for his actions!
A real scorcher of a tale, indeed… directed with heated flair by famed director Tony Scott (TOP GUN), the film captures both the heat of the Mexican desert and the passion of the forbidden affairs of our main characters. A definite must- see!
A VERY SEXY MUSIC VIDEO FOR "REVENGE"
As some lessons to be learned, not all love stories have to be storybook- based and not all love stories end with that “happily ever after” wish. Fractured as they may be, their individual and original tales still leave an audience understanding that love comes in many shapes and sizes and that beauty can sometimes be ugly as well!
What fractured love story do you enjoy? What have others have to say about it? Does it really matter? The invitation to forward your comments and suggestions always await your pick- up with a sense of friendly greetings and welcoming arms extended out!
I hope that you thoroughly enjoyed this blog entry and that you keep coming back on a bi- weekly basis for more cinematic fun! Join me as we skip to FRIDAY MARCH 1st for the rundown of the Highlights from the Academy Awards! Thank you and take care!
JER: HAPPY 2013 TO EVERYONE! I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our readers: whether you are just passing by or ones that look forward to our regular submissions, as we celebrate our THIRD ANNIVERSARY this month! As you have noticed, there are a few changes, the biggest being that my “COUNTERPART” partner, JOHNNY CHAZZ, has decided to hang- up his critic’s hat. His views will be greatly missed. I, on the other hand, am looking forward to a brand new year of topics and discussions with the hopes to appease you, the reader!
Presenters (l) Emma Stone and (r) Seth McFarlane
CINEMA: COUNTERPOINT’S very first topic was the Academy Awards then and now CINEMA: JER’S POINT begins 2013 with a brand new topic talking about a new year’s worth of nominations and snubs that caused quite a stir during that early morning as the list was officially announced from the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California on Thursday January 10th, 2013. The finals read- off with a surprising lift of new life as Nominations for the 85th Annual Academy Awards were announced by actress Emma Stone (GANGSTER SQUAD) and Seth McFarlane, who will host this year’s telecast. The two paired off nicely as jokes kept the early- risers wide awake with expected anticipation.
Ben Affleck wins Best Director (ARGO)
The 70th Annual Golden Globes ceremony was held in the Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunday January 13th, 2013. Many people would like to assume that the wins will be reflected on the Oscar wins as well. This has always been a misunderstood and distant concept to accept. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) are the common voters of the Golden Globes and have a variety of different reasons for their nominations, tallies and wins. They are made up of Press representatives that represent the foreign film markets in various countries around the world, whereas, the Academy Awards are voted upon by their peers. However, most people like their odds based on those Golden Globe wins so let me quickly announce those winners and the categories they represent.
BEST PICTURE- DRAMA= ARGO
BEST MOTION PICTURE- COMEDY/ MUSICAL= LES MISERABLES
BEST ACTRESS- DRAMA= Jessica Chastain – ZERO DARK THIRTY
BEST ACTOR- DRAMA= Daniel Day- Lewis – LINCOLN
BEST ACTRESS- COMEDY/ MUSICAL= Jennifer Lawrence- SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
BEST ACTOR- COMEDY/ MUSICAL= Hugh Jackman – LES MISERABLES
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE= BRAVE
BEST DIRECTOR= Ben Affleck – ARGO
The following are just some of the categories nominated for Academy Awards. I have provided the nominations and my winning predictions as well. And so, without further delay, here are some of the highlights!
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Amy Adams- THE MASTER
Sally Field- LINCOLN
Anne Hathaway- LES MISERABLES
Helen Hunt- THE SESSONS
Jacki Weaver- SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Anne Hathaway
The buzz that is circulating is the “mature” vote going to Sally Field. Not only for her broad repertoire of respected work, but for playing the real- life Mary Todd Lincoln (aka Mrs. Lincoln) to which Academy members seem to usually cast the vote towards. This time round, however, it must be said that Anne Hathaway’s portrayal of the hardened- lived Fantine in LES MISERABLES is a role that cannot be easily erased once seen. So, my prediction will lean towards ANNE HATHAWAY= LES MISERABLES.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Alan Arkin- ARGO
Robert DeNiro- SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Philip Seymour Hoffman- THE MASTER
Tommy Lee Jones- LINCOLN
Christoph Waltz- DJANGO UNCHAINED
An interesting group of talented men that have all won Academy Awards at least once before throughout their respected careers. As much as I enjoyed ARGO as a film, I didn’t think that Mr. Arkin’s performance was necessarily deserving of a nomination…with all due respect to his fine acting abilities. Can we be surprised to see Christoph Waltz win yet another Award for a Quentin Tarantino- created role? (He had previously won Best Supporting Actor in Tarantino’s 2009 INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS.) I would like to point out that it is refreshing to see Robert DeNiro receive recognition for his role in SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. It is the opinion of this critic to recall the disappointments felt by the recent poor choices of roles played by this talented actor in the past. (Anything with the word “FOCKER” in it!) The choice here, I will predict CHRISTOPH WALTZ= DJANGO UNCHAINED.
A look into Christoph Waltz in DJANGO UNCHAINED
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:
BRAVE
FRANKENWEENIE
PARANORMAN
THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS
WRECK- IT RALPH
God bless Tim Burton and his numerous tries in trying to present something entertaining to his audience of minions! I recently rented FRANKENWEENIE with the intentions of watching this film with a goal of being entertained and viewing it with an open mind. That path was quickly changed somewhere after the first half hour and made a speeding detour into a brick wall! The storyline couldn’t exceed from its original short live action film in 1984. Thank God for Disney! With two divisions, respectfully, being represented in this category (DISNEY and PIXAR STUDIOS,) I believe that doubles the chances with either the well- received BRAVE and WRECK- IT RALPH taking away the win. My choice? BRAVE has a strong female lead with enough drama and humor to enthrall children of all ages with a storyline promoting self- empowerment and the ability to represent individuality.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
AMOUR- Michael Haneke
DJANGO UNCHAINED- Quentin Tarantino
FLIGHT- John Gatins
MOONRISE KINGDOM- Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola
ZERO DARK THIRTY- Mark Boal
Quentin Tarantino in DJANGO UNCHAINED
I would buy an E- ticket (remember those, old- schoolers?) to ride the attraction within the mind of one Quentin Tarantino. I imagine him standing in front of a three- way mirror just babbling out loud to himself… as if he enjoyed the sounds coming out of his own mouth! He has a mini- tape player eagerly recording every catch phrase and sound escaping his lungs and then writing it all down with much enthusiasm as he repeatedly says, “This is going to be fucking amazing!” Joke as I do about it all, I love the guy and project rays of envy and jealously towards the man’s success! The vote must go to the “original” QUENTIN TARANTINO!
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
ARGO- Chris Terrio
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD- Lucy Alibar & Benh Zeitlin
LIFE OF PI- David Magee
LINCOLN- Tony Kushner
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK- David O. Russell
This is not an easy pick… Is it an injustice to say that LINCOLN could lose to ARGO? And what about the deviant words of David O. Russell’s SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK? Regardless of the argument, only one will win and only one can be selected. I am going to make a bold move and trust my gut instinct with my original choice: ARGO for the win!
The thrilling trailer to Ben Affleck's ARGO
BEST DIRECTOR:
Michael Haneke- AMOUR
Behn Zeitlin- BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
Ang Lee- LIFE OF PI
Steven Spielberg- LINCOLN
David O. Russell- SILVER LININGS NOTEBOOK
Steven Spielberg: BEST DIRECTOR
A very disappointing category this year! Not necessarily for the Directors who were nominated, but for those that were snubbed! Ben Affleck for ARGO- snubbed! Quentin Tarantino for DJANGO UNCHAINED- snubbed! Tom Hooper for LES MISERABLES- are you kidding me with the snub on this one? And finally Kathryn Bigelow for ZERO DARK THIRTY- snubbed! As respected as I feel Ang Lee’s nomination is and deserving, I don’t feel that a candle can be held upon the lush and meaningful direction of Steven Spielberg for LINCOLN. (That’s my choice, by the way.)
BEST ACTRESS:
Jessica Chastain- ZERO DARK THIRTY
Jennifer Lawrence- SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Emmanuelle Riva- AMOUR
Quvenzhane Wallis- BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
Naomi Watts- THE IMPOSSIBLE
The category that made Oscar history this year: At 85 years old, Emmanuelle Riva (AMOUR) is the oldest living Actress nominee to date as Quevenzhane Watts (BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD) is the youngest at 9 years old. With all due respect to the various ages and talents involved, it is clear to see that Jessica Chastain has always been an exceptional actress with many great roles under her belt already (TAKING SHELTER, THE HELP) so it would be a justifiable win to see her receive an Academy Award for her portrayal of true- life CIA Agent ‘Maya’ in ZERO DARK THIRTY!
Behind- the-scenes look at ZERO DARK THIRTY
BEST ACTOR:
Bradley Cooper- SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Hugh Jackman- LES MISERABLES
Daniel Day- Lewis- LINCOLN
Joaquin Phoenix- THE MASTER
Denzel Washington- FLIGHT
Hugh Jackman
Not as easy as it may seem! We might be looking at two front- runners here. The general flip of the coin is going to be Hugh Jackman (LES MISERABLES) on one side; the other would be Daniel Day- Lewis (LINCOLN). So, who gets to call ‘heads’ or ‘tails’ on this one? My vote would have Hugh Jackman for LES MISERABLES land on the winning side.
BEST PICTURE:
AMOUR
ARGO
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
DJANGO UNCHAINED
LES MISERABLES
LIFE OF PI
LINCOLN
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
ZERO DARK THIRTY
The controversial of all nominees as of late. Could we easily have dealt with five nominations as we had in the past? If so, which ones of these nine would stay and which would go? Could we shave off the access weight and say that the “fair five” would have been ARGO, LES MISERABLES, LINCOLN and ZERO DARK THIRTY and maybe either DJANGO UNCHAINED or LIFE OF PI? Is this an agreement between the Academy and Studio to allow their “pick of the week” to garner one last chance at making some bank before they are whisked away into the world of Redbox or your local Costco for sale or rent? This category has not had one definitive film lead the race… some may call the true life telling of LINCOLN the front- runner, yet others will say that the biographical accounts of the hunt for Osama Bin Laden in ZERO DARK THIRTY might be winner. Tough category, indeed! I will take a huge leap of faith and cast my vote for… drum- roll, please…BEST PICTURE= LES MISERABLES!
A great behind- the- scenes look at LES MISERABLES
A BEST PICTURE should be just as the title state, an overall satisfying and well- presented motion picture. All departments play a vital role in the assistance of any film winning Best Picture, in my book. One has to consider everything from the acting to the screenplay, the Art Direction to the Cinematography, costumes to the musical score: every integrate piece of the puzzle creates the overall picture. If a piece is missing, the puzzle is not complete and the overall image is left incomplete. This year’s LES MISERABLES had fine drama, tears, a touch of laughter, intensity, perversion and even music! Tom Hooper’s direction MUST be recognized for a wonderful transition into a dark historical part of France’s history and for a near- flawless adaption of a classic and beloved Broadway hit! Bravo!
And so, the race begins! The nominations have been casted and the votes from the individual categories are being drawn. Then there are those of us who will await the final announcements on Sunday February the 24th to see what has been selected and watch host Seth McFarlane do and say whatever it'll take to bring down the walls at the newly- christened Dolby Theatre (formally The Kodak Theatre) in Hollywood, CA.
I now turn the written opportunity to you, the reader. Do you agree with some of my predictions or who do you feel should deserve the win and why? I welcome everyone's opinion and plan to post and reply to all comments. Please feel that you are a part of this blog- site and I look forward to your words!
Make sure that you visit back for my next entry post on FRIDAY FEBRUARY 1st, 2013as I re-visit the wins and the loses from the 85th Annual Academy Awards! See you back here soon and visit as often as you'd like! Thank you for stopping by!
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JER: My “COUNTERPOINT” partner, JOHNNY CHAZZ, was supposed to have conjured up an interesting, possibly controversial, subject to discuss this week on his turn. However, my poor friend has been feeling a bit under the weather and passed the literal baton off for me to complete the race instead. So, after some pacing the floors and waiting for lightning to strike with inspiration, I came up with the idea of focusing on a film that might be celebrating an anniversary before we kiss- off the year that was 2012!
By looking at anniversaries, I thought that 30 was a nice, round number to begin with. It turns out that 1982 was a pretty good year for a collection of films that have stood the test of time, maybe some a little more popular than another, but still holding their perspective place after 30 years. Some of those films include BLADE RUNNER, HEAVY METAL: THE MOVIE, THE THING, PORKY’S, TRON, FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH, CONAN: THE BARBARIAN, POLTERGEIST, PINK FLOYD: THE WALL, STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN, THE DARK CRYSTAL and BREAKING AWAY. Again, good or bad, whatever your opinions might be, they have all gathered a sense of ‘cult’ followings, respectfully, and a fan base of devotees always ready for another screening of their favorite.
My attentions, instead, went towards a film that actually changed my personal perspective of both film- watching and the mechanics of film making. The film, somewhat, sneaked its way into the theaters during the Summer of 1982… having a very limited engagement… almost testing the waters, for fear of failure. The film I would like to recognize and highlight is the Steven Spielberg classic, E.T.: THE EXTRA- TERRESTRIAL.
The film would open a month before I would turn 14 years old on June 11, 1982. It was the “Summer Of Spielberg” since POLTERGEIST had just opened a week prior on June 4, 1982… although credited as Story, Screenplay and Producer; it was obvious that there was a lot of Spielberg projecting onto the screen by way of direction and not at all like the films that its director Tobe Hooper (THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE) was known by. At this time in my life, what was there not to know of Steven Spielberg from CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, JAWS and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK?
PLOT: A group of alien botanists visit planet Earth one evening and explore an outer forest section on the outskirts of a suburban neighborhood. While collecting specimens to observe, their mission is cut short as investigators come barreling in all terrain vehicles, as they must have witnessed and tracked the landing of the alien ship. Quickly, the aliens are summoned back into the ship before they are captured…except for one. One of their own had strayed a little too far, taking in the wonderment of the forest’s trees and is left with the desertion as his fellow botanists’ ship departs while leaving him behind.
Enjoy this wonderful tribute to E.T.
Quickly, the alien tries to hide from the human intruders and seeks shelter below the path now leading towards a residential area. Elliott is a typical ten year old boy living in a typical middle- class American home with a typical family. As if through some sort of sixth sense, Elliott is led to the outdoor shed where certain gardening tools are kept… he realizes he is not alone.
Through curiosity, Elliott finds a way to persuade the alien out of hiding and into his room, where he befriends and cares for his new found companion. The secret is broken as Elliott divulges the discovery to his siblings without mom’s notification.
Elliott names his new friend E.T. after the title of extra- terrestrial, meaning life from outside Earth. Elliott and E.T.’s connection grow strong as one can feel what the other feels. Although there is a feeling of safety, E.T. still expresses the need to return to his home and asks the assistance of Elliott in finding a means to communicate with his fellow botanists to come back and retrieve him.
ORIGINS: Although director Steven Spielberg didn’t write the story, there were many compatibilities between his childhood and that of Elliott’s, the protagonist of the film. Focusing on Elliott’s plight, he is a meek 10 -year- old boy. In 1982, it could arguably be said that it was more of an awkward time to grow- up in, aside from his age, then that of a 10- year- old growing up today. Elliott would not have grown up in a world of de-sanitation with the exposure of the internet and the frankness of the media and television. Hard to believe, but 1982 was considered a more innocent time in America than 2012 could ever be. Elliott is also coming from a newly separated family, with his father no longer in the picture and being the middle child to an older brother, Michael and younger sister, Gertie. Spielberg also endured a divorced upbringing with older siblings as well… he was the only boy (or ‘man’) of the house with the absence of the father figure. Both Spielberg and Elliott grew up in sheltered homes with mom playing both parental figures and a feeling a sense of rejection and ‘not fitting in’ with classmates and the world around them.
Spielberg, at an early age, discovered how to work his father’s home movie camera and used the new media as a means to escape and express what was once missing in his life. Elliott, on the other hand, was given a friend, being entrusted to care for someone as he once wanted to be cared for. Both found something that would allow expression and love to replace a state of loneliness that once was felt.
Spielberg explains the origins of E.T.'s storyline
Divorce has always been a very personal, hurtful and touchy topic on any scale. Hollywood had never really presented a film that dealt with the subject. The world was making a change in itself, technology and music was continually experimenting and films were becoming far more sophisticated than it had within the last ten years. Spielberg knew that with change came the responsibility to introduce families, especially children, into the world of divorce. The rates were growing higher than ever before and the time to heal was now.
Screenwriter: MELISSA MATHISON
Writer Melissa Mathison was a female screenwriter who was just beginning to make a name for herself within the Hollywood circuit. Having co- written the Francis Ford- Coppola produced THE BLACK STALLION in 1979, Mathison was enjoying the critical praising from the film. Having just started dating actor Harrison Ford, Mathison and Spielberg were introduced. Spielberg began pitching an idea about a boy who was dealing with divorce and how he wanted to combine that concept with the idea of his visiting aliens from CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. His thoughts were always that he didn’t want to see the aliens leave in the end… he wanted them to stay so that we could learn more about them and interact with this new species. So, the thought of “what- if” came into his head: what if one of them stayed behind and befriended someone whose innocence, almost ‘childlike’ qualities, were what was needed to truly except the new being. With that pitch, Mathison began to work on a storyline structure…the rest, as they say, was history. Now that the screenplay was ready for the cameras, the idea of how E.T. would come to life needed to be worked out.
Creature Creator: CARLO RAMBALDI
Special Effects and puppeteer expert Carlo Rambaldi had previously worked with Steven Spielberg in the creation of the aliens seen in CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND in 1977, a year later he assisted with the head movements for the creature in Ridley Scott’s ALIEN. Spielberg approached Rambaldi with the task of creating an even- more detailed alien than anything he had ever created. Its articulations, body and facial appearances needed to be so life- like that audiences could lose itself in the character than point out that it was a guy in a suit or just another puppet on a set. It would take a total of seven operators to control E.T. and bring him to life. The results were so exceptional, that many of the actors and crew members believed that E.T. was just another living actor on the set. Many of the child actors would attest that they knew him to be alive throughout the production. Many of the operators would keep E.T.’s movements alive even when the cameras weren’t rolling to keep an ongoing sense of magic on the set. Carlo Rambaldi won an Academy Award for Best Effects/ Visual Effects for his creation of E.T. His career would have his wizardry appear in later films like DUNE (1984) and Stephen King’s SILVER BULLET (1985) before he would continue doing some minor make- up effects for his native Italian- made films until 2006. Rambaldi died on August 10, 2012 in Italy at the age of 86.
Rare glimpse of Carlo Rambaldi talking about creating E.T.
As much as earlier Steven Spielberg films went, his casts were always made up of real people whom the audience could conceivably believe could possibly live though any scenario their director might have in store for them, however, he rarely used Hollywood big name talents. Many of the cast, especially the children, were first- timers on any Hollywood set.
HENRY THOMAS
Henry Jackson Thomas Jr. was only ten years with a very minor film role under his belt before auditioning for the role of Elliott. It was during a weepy improvised scene involving taking E.T. away from Elliott that made Spielberg teary- eyed while blubbering, “kid, you got the part!”Thomas’ career has been a flourishing one since with roles in such films as CLOAK & DAGGER (1984), LEGENDS OF THE FALL (1994), GANGS OF NEW YORK (2002) and the recently completed BIG SUR set for a 2013 release.
ROBERT McNAUGHTON
Robert MacNaughton was fifteen years old when he played Elliott’s older brother Michael. His acting career had consisted of three minor roles before his audition for E.T. Since then, MacNaughton did one other feature film entitled I AM THE CHEESE (1983) and did some minor television appearances before leaving Hollywood in 1987. His last known whereabouts was that of a U.S. Postal Service employee in Arizona. He has stated that he felt very blessed to have been an actor but that he was ready to move on with his own life.
DREW BARRYMORE
Drew Blyth Barrymore was a tender six year old when she received the role of younger sibling Gertie. Considered to be the more successful of the child actors that came from E.T., Barrymore’s credits include actress, director and producer. Granddaughter to screen actor John Barrymore and Great- niece of famed actors Ethel and Lionel Barrymore, Drew’s personal history carried equal attention as that of her professional career. She began drinking alcohol at the age of 9, took up marijuana at ten and began snorting cocaine at the age of twelve. Fame gave her freedom to do whatever she pleased and pulled her life together by the mid 90’s. Today, Barrymore is best known for her acting roles in such memorable films like CAT’S EYE (1985), BOYS ON THE SIDE (1995), SCREAM (1996), THE WEDDING SINGER (1998), CHARLIE’S ANGELS (2000) and 50 FIRST DATES (2004). She also founded her own production company, Flower Films, in 1995.
(left) PETER COYOTE (right) DEE WALLACE
Two adult characters took center stage within E.T. Actress Dee Wallace would play Mary, the recently separated mother of Elliott, Michael and Gertie. Wallace, at the time, was recognized as the heroine Karen White in Joe Dante’s THE HOWLING. Since her breakout role, she went on to star in films like CUJO (1983), Peter Jackson’s THE FRIGHTNERS (1996) and Rob Zombie’s HALLOWEEN (2007).
The other adult actor was Peter Coyote who played a character simply known as “Keys” (named so for the large, jingly keying attached to his belt while searching for E.T.) Since his role, Coyote is still a very busy television and screen actor to this date.
(left) JOHN WILLIAMS with STEVEN SPIELBERG
MUSICAL SCORE: The impact of E.T.: THE EXTRA- TERRESTRIAL lies in many different aspects: cinematography, lighting, set- design, screenplay, acting and direction. One of the most important and notable pieces of this or any film is the soundtrack. It would be very difficult to imagine anyone other than composer John Williams creating and conducting the music that accompanies E.T. right from the very start of the film. From the first alto flute note heard at the opening to the orchestra’s finale, the music becomes a character all of its own throughout the journey.
Before E.T., Williams had worked with Spielberg previously by scoring his earlier films: THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS (1974), JAWS (1975), CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977), 1941 (1979) and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981). To date, Williams has scored an overall 25 films for Spielberg total. There is much to be said about the magic of the music that brings equality to what E.T. as a film defines as. There is innocence, fear, action, suspense, drama, tears and joy presented on screen and heard in the various melodic themes though out.
John Williams conducting the "Flying Theme" from E.T.
John Williams would go on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Score for E.T.: THE EXTRA- TERRESTRIAL in 1983.
THE AFTER-MATH: E.T. IS A HIT!: Words cannot describe the out- pour of E.T. after its release. Everyone wanted a piece of E.T. memorabilia and every known studio, merchandising network and product were all too quick to please the high demands!
E.T.'s likeness was plastered on everything from his own cereal, lunchboxes, underwear, t- shirts, posters, toothbrushes, trading cards, Christmas ornaments, coloring books, candy, action figures, plush dolls and paperback novels... just to name a few items!
Two very ambitious and entertaining projects came from musicians that were 'touched' by E.T.'s magic, child- like qualities and the positive presentation of friendship. One was a long- playing album that told the story of E.T.'s adventures on Earth... it was read by none other than the 'child' superstar himself, Michael Jackson!
The other was a reflection of emotions projected from the film that inspired singer/ songwriter Neil Diamond to write a hit song entitled "Heartlight." The song talks about the development of friendship, not leaving and even flying over the moon!
A live presentation of HEARTLIGHT by Neil Diamond in 1988
13 YEAR- OLD JER WITH E.T.!!!
Universal Studios offered fans their chance to visit the Studio/ Theme Park that Summer to experience THE E.T. EARTH CENTER. It was a magnificent collection of all the available products and merchandise all under one roof (well, under one tent, to be exact). Wall- to- wall, as far as the eye could see offered visual candy to anyone who had fallen in love with E.T. One of the greatest opportunities available was a photo center that allowed anyone to take Elliott's seat on the bike as you went whisking past the moon with E.T. riding along in the basket in front. No surprise...I had to have my own photo, which I display proudly to this very day! Eat your heart out!
THE AFTER-LIFE: THE BLU- RAY RELEASE: Anniversaries can go many different ways. Depending on the magnitude and impact that a particular motion picture made to pop culture or contributed to the industry, many anniversaries have been celebrated with re- releases, special editions or even a face- lift by way of a re-mastered process. This portion of my topic will now focus on the first- ever release of E.T.: THE EXTRA- TERRESTRIAL in the blu- ray format.
The news had officially announced that the long- awaited release of the beloved film would finally make its way onto the blu- ray format on October 9, 2012 as part of Universal Studios 100th Anniversary as a working film studio. E.T. would also be released at the right time, since it was celebrating its own 30th anniversary, respectfully as well.
The blu- ray format offers a special digital transfer that creates a much cleaner and detailed image to meet the standards of the current high- definition seen in most formats like I- phones, I- pads and flat screen television screens. In order to truly get the best transfer available, it narrows down to source to which the process is transferring from. Based on how well the film was originally photographed and cared for by its rightful studio, a film can re- represent itself in a very clean and pristine copy or it can be derived from a lesser- than edition. Most studios have been put ‘in- check’ with the lack of care placed in some of its digital transfers. E.T., on the other hand, does not suffer from such issues.
The original 35 MM negative to E.T. was pulled from the vaults to follow through the digital process, a timely procedure that literally photographs each analog frame digitally from the negative. Just to give you an idea, the digital outcome creates clarity three times the actual resolution of the film. Once the entire film was photographed and processed digitally, a restoration crew of professionals will analyze and repair each frame as needed. All dirt will be removed, all tears in the film will ne patched up and any tarnishes or discolorations from the film can be color- timed to the best imaginable image. A film made in 1982 now looks like a film made weeks ago in 2012.
The same procedure is similar for the digital process of the film’s sound. Sound is typically recorded separately, unlike a camcorder, which records picture and sound together in the same format. The best available reproduction of sound is also based on the highest available source. In the case of E.T., the original sound was still intact and used to not only be used for a digital transfer, but to be reproduced in a newly created 7.1 surround system. The name is a common term for an eight channel home theater sound system by adding two more speakers to the conventional 5.1 (or six channel system). There is the standard front let and right speakers, center, subwoofer, and not two but four rear channels that are split to create more of a fluid surrounding of sound.
The picture clarity’s transfer is spot- on with the film never looking so good previously. I personally had owned the VHS tape and DVD releases with no comparison whatsoever. The newly recorded sound and music also carries through with a sense of hearing things that had never been picked up before.
Trailer announcing the release of E.T. onto Blu- Ray
Back in 2002, when E.T. celebrated its 20th anniversary, director Steven Spielberg decided on using the digital graphic imaging (CGI, as it is commonly known as) to help ‘touch- up’ some moments that couldn’t be completed in 1982 originally due to the lack of sophisticated special effects. Spielberg incorporated new digitally- enhanced expressions on E.T.’s face as well as touching up some the lesser- than spectacular effects. Considered one of the most controversial steps taken by Spielberg was the digital ‘removal’ of the federal agents’ rifles and instead, replacing the agents hands with walkie- talkies. There was some back- lash from the purists who felt that Spielberg was finagling with the classic, much like director George Lucas had done with the original STAR WARS trilogy.
(left) Original scene with rifle (right) 2002 version with walkie- talkie animated it
With that being said, both Universal and Spielberg decided to release the original 1982 edition without any digital enhancements.
FINAL THOUGHTS: So, in conclusion, E.T.: THE EXTRA- TERRESTRIAL is a film that excused a number of different expressions from various people. It is a happy and imaginative film to some, an anti- political presentation to others and a weepy and emotional heart- wrenching film to the rest. The film represents a bench- mark setting for the typical 80’s films in the early years and set a standard in quality storyline and filmmaking for years to come thereafter… however short- lived that became in the end. In the end, thank goodness for films like E.T.: it allows us to believe in the power of storytelling and imagination in a cinematic world of re- makes and un- imaginative fluff that we are made to endure presently.
E.T. is also was considered a rarity of its own kind: being a blockbuster hit with an overall worldwide gross of nearly $800 million dollars and remaining the number one top- grossing film for almost fifteen years, Spielberg never made a sequel. Despite the current churn of spin- offs and quick sequels known by today’s standards, Universal actually backed- up Spielberg’s decision otherwise. As he put it, the journey of E.T. was a once in a lifetime adventure, never to be repeated again.
Look into the skies and dream…allow your senses to be fooled by what you might see or imagine seeing. For when Elliott thought that no one would understand him, along came a friend in the most unconventional way imaginable!
What are your earliest memories of E.T.: THE EXTRA- TERRESTRIAL? Do you have any happy thoughts when you think of E.T.? We always want to hear from you and we look forward to your comments...all will be answered in return within a short, few days!
CINEMA: COUNTERPOINT will be taking a short hiatus to celebrate the Holidays with our loved ones! Our next posting will be on WEDNESDAY JANUARY 23rd!
From all us to all of you...have a very Happy and Safe Holiday and a very prosperous New Year! SEE YOU BACK HERE IN 2013!
I hope that you thoroughly enjoyed this blog entry and that you keep coming back on a bi- weekly basis for more cinematic fun! Join me as we skip to FRIDAY MARCH 1st for the rundown of the Highlights from the Academy Awards! Thank you and take care!
