Monthly Archives: July 2008

Movies

Leatherheads

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Nothing like catching up on old reviews…

Flashback to May. Everyone was talking about Iron-Man and hoping Indy would not disappoint. I was a couple of weeks into my layoff and jonesing for some entertainment. Even though I had heard that it wasn’t that good, I wanted to see Leatherheads.

It is a simple movie that attempts to 3 dissimilar audiences: sports fans, period piece fans, and romantic comedy fans. Unfortunately, in trying to please all, it disappointed all.

My biggest beef is with the casting. Individually, great choices; together, not so hot. In order to pull off a love triangle story, the lead actress must have chemistry with the main guy and a little with the other guy. Renee Zellweger, while fun to watch in period pieces, had zero chemistry with George Clooney and Jim Krasinsky; as a matter of fact, the guys had better chemistry with each other. This made it hard for me to believe that they would fight over each other.

The story had potential, but lacked focus. Everything else was fine.

Leatherheads

My advice: catch it on cable – fun, but not worth paying for…

Editorials

For The Last Time, The Balcony Is Closed

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Last year, I wrote an editorial regarding a dispute between Roger Ebert and Disney regarding the use of the “Thumbs” — In it, I expressed a desire to see Roger’s wish fulfilled of the everyone reuniting.

Unfortunately, it did not happen…

As noted in Roger Moore’s blog, Ain’t It Cool News, and Roger Ebert’s site, “Ebert & Roeper” (formally “Siskel & Ebert”) is no more.  Disney, Ebert, and Roeper could not come to agreement on several matters.  Roeper’s parting is noted in this article in the Chicago Sun-Times .

So it is with a whimper that an institution that changed the career paths for many reviewers and inspired many fans like me to enjoy the theater experience ends…

I do hope that Roger Ebert continues to inspire a love for movies for many and that he finds another way to reach the TV audience.

Unfortunately, I am upset at Disney for letting this die.  While I have been happy with most of the post-Eisner decisions, this one boggles me.  First they play hardball with the people who own the trademark and gave them this fruitful enterprise.  Then they refuse to come to terms with Roeper.  While I may not be a big fan of his, Roeper has done alright holding down the fort for Roger.  Disney had a prime opportunity to celebrate the ending in style if they wanted to end things — now it is marred with backstage talk of contract squabbles…

Until Gene and Roger are reunited in Heaven, the balcony remains closed…