Friday, May 25, 2007

No Capone for Cage; who should it be?

With this latest news via comingsoon.net, the notion of a prequel to "The Untouchables" has just gotten a lot more intriguing.

Actually, I've been pretty excited about the idea since I first heard of it. Though I know it has its haters out there, Brian De Palma's first "Untouchables" was a lot of fun, and he's one director from whom I never ask for much more than that.

The only problem with a prequel was the casting. Nicolas Cage was in serious talks to play Al Capone, but has now pulled out due to a scheduling conflict. Now, I'm not an across-the-board Nicolas Cage hater. I have liked the man in more than a few films - "Moonstruck," "Raising Arizona," "Leaving Las Vegas" and even "Matchstick Men" come to my mind first.

That said, he, to put it lightly, does like to emote just a bit. I like him much more in comedies than in movies where he plays the heavy. So, I just couldn't see him as Capone in a potential "The Untouchables: Capone Rising."

With Cage out then, the question becomes, who should play Capone. For me, the answer is Clive Owen. He's clearly a tough guy and a hell of an actor, and he would definitely be my choice. What do you say?

Already announced for the cast is Gerard Butler as Jimmy Malone, the role played by Sean Connery in De Palma's first flick. Butler is also a very bad man, so the combo of he and Owen would be intriguing. Actually, if I ran the world, I'd switch the parts, with Butler as the young Capone and Owen as Jimmy Malone. Now there's a movie I'd pay $10 to see.

"Knocked Up" clips

It's been at least a couple of weeks since I've plugged Judd Apatow's upcoming "Knocked Up," so it's time to get on board again. Coming one week after "Pirates," lord knows it's gonna need all the help it can get.

Here, courtesy of YouTube, are two clips that show just how funny this movie, starring Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl, should be. The first, just to warn you, is a deleted scene that is extremely profane. It features Jonah Hill (who is set to star in "Superbad" later this summer) riffing on what was missing from "Brokeback Mountain." Now, most "Brokeback" jokes weren't even funny right after the movie first came out, but this (remember, I warned you, very foul) clip manages to make it fresh and very funny again. And just watch Katherine Heigl's face as Hill delivers his rant. Priceless.

The second clip is a fairly generic behind-the-scenes clip, but still has some very funny stuff. In case you can't tell yet, I'm really psyched for this, which should be the funniest movie of this summer. Nell Minow, Yahoo's Movie Mom and an all-around friend to this blog, has already seen it and promises it will indeed be a hoot, and says to watch out for Paul Rudd. Anyways, enjoy the clips.





My movie weekend

Like everyone in the world, I will indeed be going to see "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," most likely Saturday afternoon, so please feel free to check back Sunday for a review. I'll also be going to see "Waitress" Sunday, and expecting to like it quite a bit, so I'll put something up about that Monday. Have a great holiday weekend.

21 comments:

jeremy said...

Seattle Internation Film Festival started last night. I bought a pass for 20 films. Three weeks. This weekend--Them, Knocked Up, and Waiter (not to be confused w/ Waitress).
Have fun at your films! (And take a look at the SIFF website to see if any of the films sound good to you.)

Reel Fanatic said...

Have fun at the festival, Jeremy ...I looked through the lineup, and didn't recognize a lot of the titles, but I'd definitely want to see Eagle Vs. Shark, the Joe Strummer flick and the musical Once

M said...

My dad saw a rough cut of "Knocked Up" a few months ago and said that even in it's unfinished state it was great. He went in fully expecting not to like it (not usually his type of movie) but ended up raving about it on the phone to me later that week. I am eagerly awaiting it's release. LOVE Seth Rogan.

Reel Fanatic said...

Seth Rogen is indeed just about the funniest man on the planet, m ... I'm a pretty much constant advocate for Judd Apatow's TV work, but if you haven't seen "Freaks and Geeks" or "Undeclared, both of which starred Rogen, they're well worth renting

M said...

That's how I fell in love with him! Still depressed that "Freaks and Geeks" didn't get more than one season it was pure genius. What an incredible cast! Need to own that on DVD for sure.

Chris said...

For me, Knocked Up can't get here fast enough. After what I consider a disappointing month of May (yeah, I didn't like POTC: At World's End, either), I know this movie is going to be hilarious, and we get the one-two punch with Superbad as well. If you haven't seen the "red band" trailer for Superbad, you need to watch it. More really funny stuff. Thanks for the clips.

Anonymous said...

I think I'll be heading off to see Pirates on Sunday. Looking forward to it actually.

Have a great long weekend!

Reel Fanatic said...

Everything I've seen from Superbad, Chris, does indeed look hilarious ... just that scene where the kids tries to use the fake ID which makes him in to a 25-year-old Hawaiian named McLovin is enough to get me hooked

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Jake Mabe said...

That first scene from "Knocked Up" is a riot. Thanks for sharing. Katherine Heigl's reactions are classic. She's not bad on the eyes, either. That movie is definitely going on my screening list.

Do tell us what you think about "Waitress" if you screen it, Reel Fanatic. I read a review of the flick earlier today and I think I'm going to go see it if I can ever get rid of these blasted kidney stones. Will await your review before making the trip, though. I'm not venturing too far out of the house until the stones are gone.

Your blog is a great service for all us movie freaks, Keith. Thanks again.

BTW, you got any opinion on that new Julie Christie flick?

M said...

I saw "Waitress" a few weeks ago (one of ENDLESS movies I've watched while having mono that won't go away) and my friend and I really enjoyed it. The whole cast is great and I'm not much of a Keri Russell fan but found her to be charismatic and enjoyable in this. The script is sweet and were it not for about 15 or 20 minutes too much in the running time, it would have been GREAT. As is, I felt it was still enjoyable just needed to be trimmed a bit.

Reel Fanatic said...

I'm afraid I haven't seen the Julie Christie flick, Jake, though assuming you're talking about Sarah Polley's "Away From Her," I certainly would like to .. We just don't get movies that good on first run out here in my little corner of the world ... I've decided to change my viewing order and go see Waitress tomorrow, so I'll have something about that up Sunday

M said...

I am planning on putting up some "Waitress" thoughts SOMETIME soon (even though I saw it a few weeks ago....this mono takes hold of my brain.) Excited to see what you think about it. I thought it was in fairly limited release, you have it though? That's excellent. Have fun :-)

Reel Fanatic said...

I think we're getting it only as part of Southern marketing strategy, M, plus we're pretty much addicted to Andy Griffith in this part of the world, so It's a natural fit

Chalupa said...

Like everyone else, I too am ecstatic about anything Seth Rogen related. Have you seen the trailer for I think that looks pretty good too.

Jake Mabe said...

Yeah, "Away from Her," that's the one. We're extremely fortunate up here in Knoxville. Regal Entertainment is headquartered in my 'burb (Halls), and we have an excellent indie movie house in West Knoxville (8 screens) --- very rare for a Southern city, it sounds like. Hate to hear Macon doesn't have a similar arrangement. Looking forward to your review of "Waitress."

Reel Fanatic said...

All we have here, Jake, is one Regal and one AmStar ... I believe, actually, the AmStar recently changed hands and is now known as something called The Grand .. I can only assume it's another chain company .. I saw Waitress today, and though I won't be writing anything until tomorrow morning, I found it to be thoroughly charming

Jake Mabe said...

Thanks for the heads up on "Waitress." I'll look forward to the review and, if nothing happens, plan to go screen it tomorrow afternoon.

Jeremiah said...

Superbad is a work of vulgar comedy genius. I saw an advanced press screening about a month ago...Every single person in the theatre was rolling...

Reel Fanatic said...

Thanks for the good word, Jeremiah ... With that and Knocked Up, this should be a great summer for smart comedy

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