The Karate Kid Remake, Watchman problems, Gran Torino Oscar-buzz, Chelsea Cinema

The Karate Kid remake: According to Variety, Jackie Chan will take on the role of Mr. Miyagi in the already announced remake of The Karate Kid. While Chan is an entertaining guy and a great martial artist he is NOT an actor. Pat Morita, who played the character in four films, received an Oscar nomination for the 1984 original. His performance was quite memorable. With Will Smith’s son Jaden already aboard as the film’s lead this appears to be a project that seems misguided at best. Jaden is only ten years old which makes him a decade younger than Ralph Macchio when he appeared in the first film in the series. While I’m open minded on most remakes this one just seems so unnecessary especially with this absurd casting.

With Warner Bros starting to promote its March release of WATCHMEN I’m still NOT sold that this will be as big with the masses as many seem to think. YES it’s getting a ton of hype on most movie blog sites but so did Snakes on a Plane. While I fully understand that the graphic novel it’s based on has a great reputation, and its director Zach Snyder (Dawn of the Dead, 300) is a talent, the trailers have NO emotional impact whatsoever. Visually interesting no doubt, but so far they don’t excite me. I just don’t see the non fan-boy crowd looking at this as a must see attraction, unless of course the film opens to rave reviews which is always a possibility. At this point Warner Bros needs to do a better job showing a compelling storyline. Its current trailers and TV spots have failed to do that – at least to this point.

Coming off its big weekend at the box-office, I have a strong gut feeling that Clint Eastwood’s GRAN TORINO might get an Oscar nomination for best picture. While I’m confident Eastwood will get a nod for best actor, I feel there is at least a 50/50 chance that the film itself will be nominated.

For anybody who is in the NYC area, the Chelsea Cinema on 23rd St and 7th Ave, host of the Weekly Clearview Classic series is putting a fan favorite back up on the BIG screen. They will show the 1972 disaster classic, THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, Sat January 24 at 10 pm. I just bought a ticket online and can’t wait to see it again. As many know who read this blog it’s my all time FAVORITE movie. Visit Clearview Cinemas

January 14, 2009 - Posted by Entertainment Today & Beyond | Reviews | Chelsea Cinema Classics show Poseidon Adventure, Gran Torino Oscar buzz, The Karate Kid remake, Watchmen March release

2 Comments »

I will concur that Eastwood seems a strong bet for an acting nod for Torino. He is vastly entertaining in the film and the Academy will likely reward him for it. But if GT gets nominated for a BP Oscar it will be a shame. I am so disappointed that he didn’t get better actors to work alongside him in the film. The Hmong actors being newbies kills any potential for truly being engaged by the movie. I blame Clint entirely for this and he should not be “rewarded” with a nom in my mind for the huge casting blunders.

Comment by thebsk | January 15, 2009 | Log in to Reply
Great point about Watchmen too. While they are visually appealing to me, the main grab clearly is the fan boy, and there truly is no revelation of story or structure there. I wonder if that will come in the next 5 weeks or so, assuming it still lands in theaters as planned.

Comment by thebsk | January 15, 2009 | Log in to Reply

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