I've been watching the series Treme. Each week I try to create a theme in my film and movie viewing. Last week was all about films and movies that were shot in NOLA. Either in their entirety or partially. I was supposed to start with Dracula 2000, but I seemed to have misplaced it. I started with Double Jeopardy, starring Ashley Judd, Tommy Lee Jones and Bruce Greenwood. It's one of those movies that's entertaining. It's called a revenge movie, about a woman accused of killing her husband only to find out it faked his own death. There are certain things I didn't like. They had a meeting in the cemetery which I know the cemeteries in NOLA are unique, but people don't go there for meetings. Then there is a scene in the French Quarter where it rains and everyone just happens to have an umbrella. That would never happen. I know it was for effect, but it just rubs me the wrong way.
Red was the next movie I decided to watch. It was also partially filmed in NOLA. It's a funny movie and I needed a good laugh. It stars Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary Louise Parker, Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman.
Candy Man Farewell to the Flesh has an interesting storyline. Since it is sort of a horror film I'll let certain things slide. They tried to incorporate Mardi Gras into the storyline and it didn't really work for me. You have to live and breath Mardi Gras to get it down on paper. Tony Todd returns as the Candy Man.
Interview with the Vampire. The reason I saw the movie was because of all of the controversy surrounding it. Anne Rice supposedly was not happy with the end results. I tried to read several of Anne Rice's books, but I just couldn't get into her style of writing. Kirsten Dunst stole every scene she was in. She really made the movie for me. River Phoenix was to play the interviewer, but he took his own life and the role went to Christian Slater. Brad Pitt was okay and I felt Tom Cruise came across as a caricature. The movie does have its moments.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is based on a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The film brings CGI to a new level as we see Brad Pitt age from an old baby into a young boy. Taraji P. Henson and Oscar winner Mahershala Ali who was using his full name for this movie appears. Hurricane Katrina is incorporated as a subplot. It's a film I've not seen in a long time. It was like watching it for the first time.
Finally, I ran across Dracula 2000 and I was able to watch it. What can I say? It's filled with a lot of familiar faces. Christopher Plummer, Jennifer Esposito, Johnny Lee Miller, Omarr Epps, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Girard Butler as Dracula. The movie was filmed in NOLA and tries to incorporate Mardi Gras as the back drop and one again it just doesn't work for me. It's a good way to get some T & A into the movie and to fill up time.
Mr. 3000 starred Bernie Mac as a baseball player who discovers his record of hitting 3000 balls is off by 3. The movie was filmed in NOLA and Milwaukee. It stars Paul Sorvino and Angela Bassett.
I ended the tribute to New Orleans with the movie Angel Heart. It is based on the book Fallen Angel. The movie stars Mickey Rourke, Lisa Bonnet and Robert DeNiro. This movie was the first thriller directed by Alan Parker. It deal with race and voodoo. The cinematography is excellent. Bill Cosby had advised Lisa Bonnet not to do this movie. I'm guessing because of the subject matter and all of the nudity. I do feel the movie hurt her career. She pops up from time to time in small roles, but nothing to show that she can carry a movie.
As I am getting older, keeping up with the four different blogs is becoming a challenge with not having access to the internet on a daily basis, etc. I will be making the same posts on all of the blogs incorporating a little of everything. This way if you come back here you won't be missing anything. I will try to make a post at least once a month and more often depending on the time and what is going on.
(Next up: Nexx Fazz )
Thanks for stopping by; Keep an open mind. Do return to see where the journey leads.
www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com
www.artbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
www.filmlover4pg@blogspot.com
www.psychedmaster.org
