Script Reviews
Martin Scorsese’s next collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio looks to be another winner, if the script is any indication. Come on in and we’ll talk about it maybe. Or I’ll talk, and you’ll read, and no one will discuss fandom in any way, okay? Okay?
Here’s a tale any Disney-phile is at least tangentally familiar with. The tale of Pocahontas and John Smith was never told quite so boringly outside of a classroom. Terrence Malick's script for "New World" isn't a bad read, but will it make a good film?
Spike Lee’s found success in the past few years by breaking away from the films he got his start with. The man is known for two things: his early career as a young, black independent film maker, and being a really lousy basketball fan. Neither of those things apply to "Inside Man". If you’re looking for a somewhat pretentious world view, though, you’ll find plenty of that here.
"Click" is the a straightforward family comedy outside the typical Adam Sandler vein. It’s more in line with 50 First Dates than Happy Gilmore or Billy Madison. Sandler seems to be moving more towards family-style comedy, but his fondness for the low-brow still bleeds through.
Now, I’ve heard great things about the theatrical production of Rent. Unfortunately, I’ve never had the opportunity to see it. This script was about as energetic and engaging as flossing. And you really need to pay attention if you want to get all of that plaque. So I guess, it’s actually LESS engaging than fighting gingivitis.
Providing further proof that Hollywood doesn't know what the hell it's doing, I have here the script for a sequel to the Vin Diesel extreme spy thriller XXX (pronounced "triple ecks," for those of you not in the loop). Diesel made the wisest decision of his career, however, and passed on reprising the role, paving the way for Ice Cube to be the new XXX.
My second script, or sophomore effort, for Insider takes the form of Michael Mann’s 2004 draft of Miami Vice. An adaptation of an above average television series which is, by itself, below average. The adaptation, that is.
That’d be me, I suppose. If I were a smarter man, I’d have just read the script my editor sent to me and write up a quick review. As I’ve clearly established numerous times in my life, though, I’m not a very smart man sometimes. I had to get into the mood for this one. What I have is a copy of David Hayter’s 2003 draft of the Watchmen film tentatively slated for a 2006 release. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Watchmen, sit back and let me fill you in.
