|
| Movie Review: Hollywoodland Alternate Title: It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's
a Mediocre Movie!
Story: TV's Superman, George
Reeves committed suicide on June 16, 1959. Or did he? I, as
a young conspiracist in the making, always had doubts that he offed
himself. This docu-drama about the life
and struggles of George Reeves covers the three existing theories about
his death and ultimately comes to no definitive conclusion. a) He committed suicide b) He was murdered by his soon to be ex-finance
Leonore Lemming c) He was murdered by Eddie Mannix' men. Mannix
was a Vice-President at MGM.He was an unsavory character with mob ties.
He was also accused of having murdered his wife Beatrice (in a make-believe
high speed car crash) in 1937. He was also accused of having murdered
producer Paul Bern. His wife, Toni Mannix was having a long time affair
with Reeves with Mannix' consent. All of this true life stuff makes for great story
telling. However, director Allen Coulter makes the
fictitious PI as important as the real compelling story and for me,
took away some of the oomph. The time line goes back and forth between
speculation about Reeves' life before the murder/suicide and the life
of the fictitious PI. I was always more interested in Reeves and was
annoyed when the scenes traded places. The story unfolds at an evolutionary pace. But
if you like Superman, like a bit of noir, like to escape, check out
this fall film. Acting: Adrian Brody is always good.
Ben Affleck did a fine job as Superman. Bob
Hoskins and Diane Lane can never be bad.
Predilection: I like all things Superman
Critters: None
Food: Just lots and lots of booze.
Blatant Product Placement: Jack Daniels
Soundtrack: Overdone
Theater Audience: About 30 other Superman fans.
Weather: It's LA. It is always 72 and sunny.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I started to look at my watch after
90 minutes. Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Either would do.
Length: A bit over two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 6
|