As properly befitting the Halloween season, we watched Bewitched, the Nicole Kidman/Will Ferrell homage to the ’60s television series (courtesy Netflix). Apparently after the failed Practical Magic, Kidman wanted to prove that she could indeed pull off a hot witchy character. And, in her defense, it almost didn’t suck. Admittedly, I’m not a fan of Will Ferrell–the man’s funny as epileptic slime mold–but Nicole Kidman is exquisite, Scientology and Eyes Wide Shut notwithstanding. And hey, I despise Tom Arnold, but thought he did an excellent job in True Lies, one of my favorite movies. So obviously a movie can overcome the shortcomings of its actors. Of course, Tom Arnold wasn’t the lead in True Lies, and while Nicole Kidman is a much more talented actor than Arnold Schwarzenegger, the screenplay of Bewitched was still inspired by a ’60s television series.
Kidman almost managed to carry it by the sheer virtue of her lovely self, and Michael Caine gave a Grade A performance as Samantha’s father. But being unable to find any redeeming qualities in the male love interest made it too frustrating to buy into, not to mention lethal to my suspension of disbelief.
Oh well. Netflix also sent us Frank Langella’s Dracula which I haven’t seen in several years. Looking forward to that being good.
Writing Stuff
New Words: 400
On the new heroic fantasy piece, tentatively titled “Rue and Ruin.”
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I’m not a fan of Will Ferrell–the man’s funny as epileptic slime mold
I have been trying to explain to the contingent of Will Ferrell fans who I know why I don’t like him. That is an EXCELLENT description. I have to remember that.
*bows* I just calls ’em like I sees ’em. It does, however, boggle the mind that the man has a contingent of fans. Guess someone has to like him for him to be so successful . . .
Will Ferrell is more understandable than Adam Sandler, though. At least Will Ferrell does an entirely accurate George Walker Bush.
I find Adam Sandler about as funny as diptheria, so no arguments from me there!
I agree about Adam Sandler – but there IS someone who’s worse.
Rob schneider.
That guy is such a sucky sucky suck that there just isn’t a simile to describe it.
‘scuse me, I just need to go and find a bucket as I remember the 10 minutes of Hot Chicks I viewed once when I was sick.
I think it’s ok to overlook Ms. Kidman’s Scientology connections as I have read that she never really bought in. 😉
That helps, although it still doesn’t explain Eyes Wide Shut. *shudder*
There can be no explanation for Eyes Wide Shut.
Pod person?
If Michael Caine’s in a movie, you can always count on him giving his all to the role. He may not make the best choices (*cough*Jaws: the Revenge*cough*), but he does by God throw himself into his work.
Very true. He’s had a long and distinguished career. I guess for every The Man Who Would Be King or Zulu, there’s got to be a Jaws: the Revenge or Bewitched. Hollywood Karma.
Sir Maurice Mickelwhite is a kickass actor and the best, but he’s the longtime runner up to Sir Christopher Lee in Great Actor Who’s Done So Much Schlock sweepstakes…both kick ass in everything, but their choices aint always the best…
No, but I bet his bank account is really comfy :P.
That, and Caine has a teflon career. He can take any role he wants, and still get offered choice pieces.
I heard an interview with Caine once wherein he said, “I have not seen Jaws: The Revenge. I’m told it was not a good movie. However, I have seen the house working on Jaws: The Revenge paid for, and it is a very good house.”
Waitaminute…
When did you see Zulu? Of course, you know, this sets a precedent. There is a war film that you like the acting in, so now you’re going to have to see more war films! Bwah-ha-ha-ha! 😉
PJI
Re: Waitaminute…
From what I understand, the man can’t *not* work, his work ethic is in overdrive. When he finishes a film, he calls his agent and takes whatever is the best of what is currently offereed to him that is starting soon.
I recently picked up Shock to the System, a nice little 1980s black comedy with Michael Caine, that I had not seen in years. It’s still fun.
Back to Eugie’s post, my girlfriend and I watched Frank Langella’s Dracula (me for the first time) this past year, and I liked it quite a bit.
I’ve heard that about him, too. That he learned from his father if you’re offered work, you take it and do it to the best of your ability.
Sage advice for any artist to follow!
Or pretty much anyone else!
I saw Bewitched and I can’t for the life of me remember seeing Tom Arnold in it.
But he was quite good, and likable, in Happy Endings.
“I saw Bewitched and I can’t for the life of me remember seeing Tom Arnold in it.“
No, no. Tom Arnold wasn’t in Bewitched. I was drawing an analogy between him being in True Lies, and being good in it, despite my expectations, with Will Ferrell in Bewitched not necessarily spelling the doom of that movie. Of course the analogy didn’t pan out because Will Ferrell did ruin any chance Bewitched had of working . . .
And, uh, I haven’t seen Happy Endings.
Happy Endings was very good. It was by the director of The Opposite of Sex; if you liked the one you’ll like the other.
Even though she’s seems like the archetypal blond starlett, I like Nicole Kidman, although for the life of me, I can’t figure out what she ever saw in Tom Cruise. (Okay, so there was that adolescent phase when I thought “Top Gun” Cruise was hot, but I’m all better now.
Personally, I’d take a Scientologist over a born-again, evangelical “Can’t shut up about God” Christian any day.
Interesting in seeing what ya think of Dracula. All I’ve seen is the Keanu Reaves version with him “Whoa-ing” his way through his role. Very meh. I need to expand my theatrical horizons.
Pat Kirby
I don’t get the Tom Cruise thing either. I thought he was pretty hot as Lestat in Interview with the Vampire, but overall he doesn’t really do much for me.
From what I remember of it, the Frank Langella Dracula is quite good. The Bela Lugosi version is a must see too.
And he’s short!
Loffs the Frank Langella Dracula! Oh, those long fingers! Oh, those magnificent eyes! Oh, that sensual mouth! *le sigh*
I like Will Ferrell better than you, but even that’s not enough to overcome all the bad things I’ve heard about Bewitched. As for Practical Magic, IMO its suckitude came from the total lack of chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Aidan Quinn.
Overall, Sandra Bullock’s career hasn’t panned out as well as I thought it was going to after seeing her in While You Were Sleeping. That was such a good romantic comedy.
We watched that the other night, too. But we liked it. Mostly.
Though it went something like this before we put it in: “Oh God, Will Ferrell, this will suck.”
“But it’s Nicole Kidman.”
“Ok, so it’ll balance out and be acceptable.”
And yes, Michael Caine was just great.
I <3 Frank Langella's Dracula. Enjoy!
I think I was like 16 when Dracula (Frank Langella) came out. I had a huge crush on him after seeing it at the theater and when it came on cable I think I watched it like 20 times in one month. It’s still one of my favorite versions.