Owen Wilson is a dog - Marmaduke to be exact

Another guy that no one has heard much about of late is Owen Wilson. Although he has been in 3 films, and voice acted for another, since 2007 you really haven't heard much about the man. And again there seems to be a great reason.

Wilson tried to commit suicide back in 2007. He was suffering from depression, and it was obviously far worse than anyone suspected at the time. But since then he has slowly continued to work, no doubt in part thanks to Ben Stiller.

Stiller has been in numerous films with Owen Wilson over the years. Most of the films have hardly been worthy of anything but the bargain DVD bin. Generally Wilson has outshone Stiller, even though Stiller has more clout and better pay - which would certainly depress me.

Of course the films that Wilson has picked without Stiller have hardly been awe inspiring. Not including his work with Jackie Chan, Wilson has made films with Jennifer Aniston (Marley & Me), Nate Hartley (Drillbit Taylor - flop) and a few others, almost all flops with a notable exception of The Life Aquatic. So Wilson has not helped himself with his choices.

looking forward, it doesn't seem like anything will improve either. Wilson will be in another Stiller film, the Little Fockers - the dread just grows on me about that one . Plus he has plans for 2 more animated films that he will provide voice work for. One will be the sequel to the successful Cars 2.

The other is the just announced Marmaduke movie. Yes, that comic strip dog. And I think this might be his worst mistake in quite some time. Potentially the worst film concept that Wilson has ever been attached to.

The comic strip Marmaduke is a generally funny serial. It's popular, and has a huge fanbase built over decades of readership. There are even plenty of stories for writers to copy so that they never have to think about what they are doing, and Hollywood executives can be sure it has no originality that might skew their projections.

But the last 3 (why they did it again and again I will never understand) times that such an idea was tried - Garfield - the stink of the bombs was intense. It didn't work on any level. Even Bill Murray took a hit off of that fiasco.

I doubt that Marmaduke will fare much better. Because there won't be anything original or interesting. Because Hollywood is following a formula. Because Marmaduke is funny in 15 seconds, but not really for 90 minutes. Because it's a mix of live action and animation, and the fact that Marlon Wayans is onboard. How many other reasons do you need?

Wilson needs a good agent and a friend to stop him from jumping at every script he gets. He could be far better, but at this rate we will never see it.

Who will replace Sean Penn as Larry in Three Stooges movie

Well there are a few changes that are coming up in several movies being planned for 2010 or so. Several high profile movie stars have been added or left planned movies. How this might affect these films is anyone’s guess. But at least you are forewarned.

The potentially big news is that Sean Penn has pulled out of the star studded Three Stooges movie, in addition to the film Cartel. The 3 Stooges movie includes Jim Carrey and Benicio Del Toro. So even without Penn this is a huge powerhouse to this film. The real question is who might be the actor to replace Penn as Larry.

So far, some of the rumors – or hopes – I have heard of include the following names: Johnny Depp, Ben Stiller, Jack Nicholson, Chris Tucker, and Ludivine Sagnier. Talk about a huge range of styles and skill. Each changes the dynamics completely.

In my opinion, Ben Stiller would be a horrible choice. I can imagine Stiller turning the film into Starsky & Hutch –esque style of bad acting. While his latest films have been good (Night at the Museum), his history of playing the same character, and badly, in each film would inevitably harm the quality of the film and drive potential viewers away. Plus he is no where near the abilities of Carrey or Del Torro.

Jack Nicholson is a stellar actor. I have no doubt that he could pull off the role. But he is older. Too much so to have a smooth mix with the very energetic Del Toro and Carrey. Plus I just can’t see him getting slapped around. That image just throws me off.

Johnny Depp seems like a great choice. He has the ability, range, and youth. He will drive in fans of all ages and backgrounds. He is a powerhouse on his own. And he has done comedic roles well. The only negative is that he might be too good looking. But makeup can fix that.

Going into the realm of something completely different, Chris Tucker would fit the bill. A Black Larry would really shake up the film. It puts a spin on the movie that I honestly can’t imagine right now. But to say that this would be a good thing is a statement I can’t make for sure. The best role I have seen Tucker in is arguably his support in Fifth Element, or perhaps the first Rush Hour film. Can his eunic like voice and race add to a film with far better actors and intense physical comedy?

Lastly there is Ludivine Sagnier. This choice has to be simply because the actress likes to be topless, and has had most of her film roles done in the nude. That is not to say that a woman could not be Larry. Just that I cannot imagine this woman in that role. Maybe Geena Davis, but not Sagnier.

Actually, now that I think about it more, I don’t see a woman in the role. Being slapped and hit, by men, with the intent of cruelty and punishment – it just doesn’t work with a woman. It crosses a boundary. It can too easily be taken the wrong way.

So of the above choices, minus Sagnier, who would I pick? Depp. He has the ability to match up with Del Toro and Carrey. He is the right age. He can easily capture the tone and essence of the character. And he can deliver.



With Penn gone, Depp is the perfect replacement. In fact, it can be easily argued that Penn should never have been in the film to start with. At least with Del Toro and Carrey in the mix.

But as a wildcard I will throw in one other name. Robert Downey Jr. While he is a bit too world-weary in his looks, there is no question of his ability or range. He might be a bit older, but not too much so. He is a powerhouse actor, and can commit to the film with as much dedication as Depp.

But who do you want as Larry in this Three Stooges remake?

Tropic Thunder draws questions of racism - 3.12.2008.1

I find it interesting that the question over the movie Tropic Thunder is quickly becoming an issue of whether or not a White man can play a Black man. How this became the case is not really the issue I expected, rather I was considering the question of whether this would be a funny portrayal and a decent movie.

I feel that Robert Downey Jr. is a great actor. I think he is dedicated to his roles. So I believe he will try to make this role as positive as possible. But a bad director and/or writer can kill a great film and performances by entertainers. That’s a fact. Thus I am concerned about what Ben Stiller is going to do, in his role as director. Because I think he is the weak link of every film he has ever been in.

But around the web I’m seeing the argument become, ‘Why can’t a White man play an African American?’

Some comments on it include

“I can totally see the outrage over this, I mean with all the white, young blonde actresses trying to get a break in Hollywood, how could these guys possibly be so racist as to take work away from who could be the next two big starlets of Tinseltown? I mean... um, what?... You mean this isn't all about White Chicks? There was no outcry over the race reversal in that movie?”

and

“How about Eddie Murphy playing an old white man in the excellent Coming To America? Or Eddie Murphy going undercover as a white man for Saturday Night Live? Both classic cases of just having fun, both some of the funniest films or TV moments from Murphy's career. (He was ROBBED at last year's Oscars!!)”

and

“Typical nonsense, the usual double standard. It's the same thing with black comedians ripping on white people, total acceptable, but lets see a white comedian tear into black people and listen to the out-cry. Eddie Murphy has made a career out of playing stereotypes for humor and no one says a word. Whether they be fat, white, Jewish, Asian, whatever, he has done it all and nothing is said.”

I can agree with the concept that acting ability is not limited to any one race. I have no doubt that a qualified and professional entertainer, with the proper tools can portray any race with respect.

At the same time I realize that there is a double edged sword in America. In the name of humor and jokes African Americans have long been ridiculed and minimized. The white actors portraying Amos n Andy, blackface, C Thomas Howell in Soul Man, and so many more are examples of bad representation. And there are those that are sensitive to this fact.

What’s the difference?

A Black entertainer making a bad portrayal of Whites is seen as a failure on the entertainer’s part. A White entertainer in the reverse position (for most of the history of Hollywood) had been seen as making an honest attempt at portraying Negroes, which were considered below them. That’s the history of the situation.

So I agree there is a double standard, and it is a matter of sensitivity. The double standard wasn’t created today, but is based in the past. While many Americans today don’t want to address or acknowledge the openly racist past (nor the quietly racist current day) of America, it does not change the wound that is there or its effects. To be aware of that is not to be alarmist, though some to go to that extreme.

The past cannot be ignored if one wants to make this movie a discussion or comparison of what race can or should play another. And the character that Jack Black has in this movie sounds exactly like a take on Eddie Murphy, so I do see that concern.

But I don’t think that should be the point.

Based on the storyline, and the roles that Robert Downey Jr. has had, I don’t think the intent is bad. But as they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Still the movie deserves to at least present its trailers before any conclusions are made.

The question here should simply be are they making a funny movie without degrading to laughter based on, or built upon, stereotypes. Without seeing what has been done, none of us can say.

Yet, to argue that other movies having an entertainer portraying another race and were done well means that all movies with such a device are ok is ludicrous. American memories are very short, and at times willfully so. But everyone remembers pain, and often there are questions asked that are embarrassing.

Like why in almost all westerns were the roles of Native American Indians played by Whites? In older movies Whites also played Asians too. And none of those roles were positive. Is that ok?

I recall when the movie Remo Williams came out. There was a huge outcry when the lead character of Chiun was given to Joel Grey (who was nominated for a Golden Globe for his portrayal). Chiun was supposed to be an old Korean and Grey made the character realistic and was respectful in his portrayal. I see no reason why Robert Downey Jr. cannot do the same thing.

If this film becomes an equivalent of Soul Plane, then all involved deserve to be ostracized. If it is the equivalent of Remo Williams they should be lauded. But to simplify the big issue no one wants to talk about, the elephant in the room so to speak, to they did it so we can too and it’s all ok is to say that Iran should be allowed to have nuclear weapons because France has them.

Not the best analogy but you get my point.

Is Robert Downey Jr funny as an African American? - 3.5.2008.1

On March 17th America will have its first chance to decide on what may become one of the largest bets made in the entire year. I don’t mean a Democratic Primary race. But it does cut along similar lines. What is it? Tropical Thunder.

Name doesn’t ring a bell? Me either. Until I saw a post at Slashfilm.com. Then I found out something I’m still not sure how I feel about.

Tropic Thunder is a film, directed and starring Ben Stiller. Generally I don’t like his films. Starsky and Hutch was a flop, Zoolander was ignorant, and so on. He isn’t funny and constantly plays the same dumb character in each film. Perhaps the only film I liked him in was The Royal Tanembaums, which I recommend, and he was the worst actor in the film.

The film is a spoof/satire on Hollywood actors. Specifically the prima dona set. A remake of Apocalypse Now stars several major actors that all have issues. Thus the director and writer place them in a real war scenario that they don’t realize is real. Cue the laugh track.

There are 2 things that may work for the film, and several that work against it. The biggest negative is Ben Stiller, as I mentioned. But on the positives there is the fact that Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. are in the film. Both can be great comedic characters and are quite successful at it. They are entertainers that usually get it right.

But Jack Black is playing a character that

“portrays a comedian known for performing multiple roles in a single film — his latest is called The Fatties: Fart 2.”

Sound familiar? That actor is Eddie Murphy. So we know that Stiller is directly taking on an Oscar nominee, an acclaimed stand-up comedian, and an actor that has more successful films than Stiller has been in. Now the fact they are making fun of Eddie Murphy is not necessarily a bad thing. Given the ability of Jack Black, it may even be a funny and well-done send up. But there is another component to the film that changes the tone of this characterization.

Robert Downey Jr is a great entertainer. He commits well to his roles and is able to play a huge range of roles. He dedicates himself to his character and makes them authentic. That’s the good thing. It makes me pause when I understand that his character is faking being Black. Not Jack Black, but African American.

Look at the photo. The person in the circle is Downey. He is not in black face, but in full make-up. His character in this film

“Kirk Lazarus, a very serious Oscar-winning actor cast in the most expensive Vietnam War film ever. Problem is, Lazarus's character, Sgt. Osiris, was originally written as black. So Lazarus decides to dye his skin and play Osiris, um, authentically.”

So we have a White man, playing as an African American, in a film making fun of actors. This is the razor’s edge indeed.

Can this be funny? Maybe. Some audiences so far have seen portions of the film and it is testing well, they say. Given the commitment of Downey, I can see the satire in it. But I don’t trust Stiller’s ability to direct or act. I’m not confident in the writing.

Most of all, I’m not sure how I feel about it.

This could be like the absurdity of Gene Wilder in Silver Streak. Or it could be Al Jolson. When you add in the nudge against Eddie Murphy, the undertone is not quite so positive.

On the 17th video clips and trailers will be released. Already Robert Downey Jr. has said

“At the end of the day, it's always about how well you commit to the character," he says. "I dove in with both feet. If I didn't feel it was morally sound, or that it would be easily misinterpreted that I'm just C. Thomas Howell in [Soul Man], I would've stayed home."

So given that we have yet to see more than the above picture, I wonder what you think.