The problem with books that get adapted into movies, is that, well, if you've taken the time to read the novel then you've created an entire ecosystem of scenery, face and motivations in your head. It's a completely unique world that's precious and belongs only to you. But when an auteur armed with a budget and his own ecosystem comes along, all those images are forcibly replaced. It's like a referendum on your imagination. It's not even a matter of not seeing the movie; advertising and promotion are unavoidable. So while there is some thrill in watching fuzzy-wuzzy creatures come to life or some Victorian suitor resurrected, it most often feels like a transgression, like something is being taken, not given. And that's why I won't be seeing "The Informant," which is based on the Kurt Eichenwald book. (Ha, got ya.) But here's some stuff that you should see and do.
Still. True. We are all up in arms about adaptations, due to news of a movie version of Netherland-and also there is product placement in the upcoming "The Road." (How?) Harumph!)
On to delightful things!
Movies: Consider The Fox
Jennifer's Body. Me and The Awl staff are torn on this moving picture. But I'm going to overall endorse it and tell you that Megan Fox embodies the evil alpha queens of Heathers and does a pretty marvelous job delivering Diablo Cody's dialogue. Here are six other great reasons to see it. (Today)
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs: Oh man, I really liked this! (II know, surprise!) Mr. T has a big-ass part and is surprisingly a pretty fine voice actor. It also has a kicky script (even though it has a obligatory 'message to young people' ending tacked on. Boo!) and transfixing effects. (Today)
Brief Interviews with Hideous Men: So, this was a risky move, right? It's not all bad, there are some very good monologues and sincere performances but there is a mortal flaw: David Foster Wallace. Writer/director John Krasinski, of Office-fame, did not adapt the book for the screen – as in, the actors are essentially reading off the page. Which means you have 17 different character actors all talking like DFW, it's unnerving and kind of deadening. Still, not terrible though!
Also, this trailer for Paranormal Activity, which comes out in small release on the 25th, has been getting a lot of hype and has been called one of the scariest movies EVER. Thoughts? Anybody?
TeeVee: EmMehs?
You know, I love the silliness and pomposity of the Oscars but the Emmys have always been totally lifeless. BUT! TV is kinda better than movies these days, right? So it could be cool this year. Also. Mad Men looks to sweep so might be worth tuning in to see steely Hamm eyes and man bangs. (ALSO! Our fabulous pal Mary may be live-blogging right here! SUSPENSE!) (9/20)
Bookses
Everyone and his mother is reading tonight! Bennett Madison! Paul Ford! Others! (9/18)
Preorders:
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby. Hey guys, Hornby! (9/29)
Richard Powers: Generosity: An Enhancement. (9/29)
Music: You once were poor and lonely, wise and brave
Lightning Dust, live. Rather spooky indie folkies, really quiet enjoyable-opening for someone we've never heard of, at Bowery Ballroom. (9/19)
PLASTIC ONO BAND. FOR REAL. (9/22)
A.F.I. There are a slim selection of our readers who understand why A.F.I. is a 'problematic' but super catchy punk-vegan-straight edge band that enjoys commercial success. Do you want to be one of them? (9/29)
Mariah Carey. We love her. She has problems. She is probably a genius. (9/29)
Things To Do In New York That Do Not Involve a Trattoria
Tonight, awesome Miami photographer Naomi Fisher opens a new show at Leo Koenig. It is about a bunch of vintage Versace she found in the trash and nature? Totally worth it. (9/18)
Brooklyn Fashion Festival+Williamsburg Fashion Weekend is being billed as THE TENTS VS. 11211 (9/19)
The Craft Beer Scavenger Hunt. For those of you who like hops and being zany. (9/19)
Taxi Driver at the MOMA! (9/21)
David Byrne will be speaking at Barnes and Noble! Someone bring me a silver hair spike! (9/22)
There's a fake wrestling show thing at the UCB . It's called Cage Match. Described as Winner vs. Classic Masculinity. (9/24)
Doesn't that just sum it all up? Have a blessed weekend, you guys.
Cage Match doesn't involve wrestling. It's just two Harold teams and you vote your preference ('Winner' etc.).
Yes, but what are your thoughts on Netherland?
Didn't read it. Mendes annoys the hell out of me. Vedict: adapt away, no skin off my ass.
Yes, but it's ANNOUNCED like it's fake wrestling. Which is. . . kind of annoying? But puts NVC back in the "sort of right" column.
It's a comfy column.
There's always some fighting angle to the bits before and between, but it's really just two Harold teams. It's been going on forever and draws mostly a UCB community crowd (if there were a tag for the show it would be 'Too Insidery'). I only bothered to mention because they do one-offs that really are fighting/wrestling/UCF stuff, and if that's what you want, watch for those.
Yup! Off to listen to lots of AFI and get all nostalgic!
Is it just me or does that man goat pic from "Where The Wild things Are" look disturbingly not unlike Macaulay Culkin.
You need to lay off of the furry lifestyle for a while, man.
Tim Roth
don't do that, disturbing person.
HE DOES! Also? Looks kind of like the Luck Dragon. Which also looks like Posh Spice. Anyways, goat people, they're a problem.
Macaulay as reimagined by Matthew Barney.
Oh yeah, Lightning Dust are *really* good! Go
One exception to the books-into-movies thing was "No Country for Old Men," which was fantastic and also made the whole shootout scene a lot less confusing than it was in the book.
Oh, and you left out my must-see: Craig Ferguson at the Union Square B&N next Thursday night.
I'd also add 'Notes on a Scandal' is a good book to great movie adaptation.
Right now NYC is the only place in the country where you can see the film version of J.M. Coetzee's Disgrace.