Feldman @ the flicksPeter Feldman07/03/2008 07:26:54 
Copyright Artslink.co.za 1997-2008 Feldman @ the flicks Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway get in among the action in “Get Smart,” a ‘60s TV series now updated to the big screen. Get Smart Cast: Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin, Terence Stamp Director: Peter Segal “Get Smart” was a ‘60s hit TV series about a moronic secret agent (Don Adams). The brains behind the series were comedy mavericks, Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, who conceived a show that was clever, irreverent and hilarious. But there’s no such luck here. Peter Segal’s production tries to capture the spirit of the original with comedy star Steve Carell, updating the central character, the naïve analyst Maxwell Smart. But what was fresh and innovative back then, like the shoe phone, is not quite ground breaking now. When the headquarters of U.S. spy agency Control is attacked and the identities of its agents compromised, the Chief (Alan Arkin) has no choice but to promote his ever-eager analyst, Maxwell Smart. Smart had always dreamt of working in the field alongside stalwart superstar Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson). Instead, he finds himself partnered with the lovely-but-lethal veteran, Agent 99 (a gorgeous Anne Hathaway who has learnt some nifty footwork). Given little field experience and even less time, Smart, armed with nothing but a few spy-tech gadgets and his unbridled enthusiasm, must now thwart the doomsday plans of KAOS head Siegfried (Terence Stamp). Incidentally, one of the thugs (Dalip Singh) seems modelled on Richard Kiel’s famous character, Jaws, in “The Spy Who Loved Me.” Peter Segal’s offering consists of plenty of frenzied action involving death-defying manoeuvres and some stunts that go astonishingly flat. The story is held together with sticking plaster and faith, as the scrappy team of Smart and the appealing Agent 99 come up against overwhelming odds - and there is not even a romantic spark between them. While the original “Get Smart” set about satirising the James Bond franchise, this one is more of an updating of the TV series, leaving the spoof aspects to Austin Powers who did it better. Two South Africans are involved with this production, musician Trevor Rabin, who penned the score, and former Johannesburg actor, David Lee, playing a Russian billionaire. Bella With: Eduardo Verástegui, Tammy Blanchard, Manny Perez, Director: Alejandro Gomez Monteverde “Bella” marks the cinematic debut of Mexican director Alejandro Gomez Monteverde and it’s a fine effort. He has produced an uplifting film, with plenty of feel good moments, that moves away from depicting stereotypical Mexican characters. It never resorts to overt sentimentality and gives the characters some balance that makes them credible entities. The production, inspired by true events, deals with a young soccer star named Jose (Eduardo Verástegui) whose life changes dramatically when he is involved in a motor accident while on his way to sign a multi-million dollar contract. After five years in jail, Jose ends up working as a chef in his brother’s restaurant where he is able to retreat from the world. Here he meets a young, unmarried waitress Nina (Tammy Blanchard) who is pregnant and facing a bleak future. A simple act of kindness from the chef turns the woman’s ordinary day into an unforgettable experience. Before the day is over he must confront his own haunting past to show Nina how the healing power of love can help her embrace the future. Director Monteverde reflects a different aspect of Latino life, showing them as everyday heroes who are hard working people of integrity, individuals who are willing to sacrifice for their family and for others. The unknown cast, including a talented little girl of the title, deliver in a film that is deserving of attention. Bustin’ Down the Door With Shaun Tomson, Mike Tomson, Mark Richards, Ian Cairns, Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew Director: Jeremy Gosch “Bustin’ Down the Door” is a fascinating and informative little documentary about a group of South African and Australian surfers who set a benchmark on the surfing scene, way back in the ‘70s. This is their story. It is intimate, it is moving and it is, thankfully, devoid of the kind of Hollywood gimmicks that cheapen the soul of the surfer. The core of this production is set in the ‘70s and begins during the winter of 1975 in Hawaii. An intrepid group of young surfers from Australia and South Africa sacrificed everything and put it all on the line. What these hardy pioneers achieved was to create a sport, a culture, and an industry that is today worth billions of dollars and has captured the imagination of the world. With a radical new approach and a brash colonial attitude, they crashed headlong into a culture that was not ready for revolution. The men, who have since become household names, were South Africa’s world champion Shaun Tomson, his cousin Mike, and the Australian contingent of world champions Mark Richards, Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, Ian Cairns and Peter Townend. Footage is shown of those early days in Durban and North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, and the various stories and situations are updated and explored with articulate interviews with the surfers as they are today. Hollywood actor Edward Norton serves as the business-like narrator and sets the scene. “Bustin’ Down the Door’ is an enriching documentary where one can relate to the men on screen and re-live with them their amazing experiences. Hancock With Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, John Galecki Director: Peter Berg (Not seen) Will Smith has been everything. He`s fought robots, aliens, and mutants. He`s been a cowboy, an unemployed dad, and even a fish. It`s now time he was a super-hero. In the film, he plays a tortured, alcoholic and out-of-work superhero, who has fallen out of favour with the public. He enters into a questionable relationship with the wife (Charlize Theron) of a public relations professional (Jason Bateman) who`s trying to repair his image. He tries to transform himself by romancing this alluring housewife, causing chaos in the city. * Listen to Peter Feldman on 1485am Radio Today for his movie and theatre round up on Sundays at 11am and a re-broadcast on Mondays at 10am. Copyright 1997-2008, Artslink.co.za. All rights reserved. This article may not be copied, reproduced, published, uploaded, posted, "mirrored" or included on your own server or publication, re-used, transmitted or distributed to others, without the express permission of Artslink.co.za. You may arrange to reproduce this article at competitive rates by contacting Artslink.co.za at: 082 230 2255 or info@artslink.co.za Accreditation must be given in the format: "Peter Feldman - Artslink.co.za" |
Previous
