I've refrained from making an RIP post for the late, great Paul Newman as I didn't feel I could say anything that hadn't already been said about this handsome, talented actor and his brilliant career, charitable causes, or long-standing marriage to Joanne Woodward. So I'll link to this morning's post from AfterElton.com. Lovely write-up about Newman and his stance on gay rights:
If I hadn't respected Newman before, I certainly would now.
The post also includes this gem -- a screen test between Newman and eternally-gorgeous James Dean for East of Eden with some impromptu "flirting". Newman may have lost the part to Richard Davalos, but in this screen test he didn't skip a beat:
Anyone else besides me who wondered what Kevin Bacon was doing with his other hand? Anyway, I found the DVD of Footloose in the bargain bin for $5. Seeing that as good an excuse as any to finally break down and invest in this, like, brilliant piece of 1984 cinema, I snatched it up, brought it home, and made my 13-year-old daughter sit down and watch it with me. As it happens, I was 13 when this movie was first released, and while I never quite gathered what the fuss was about, I confess I enjoyed select tracks of the soundtrack, ones that remained favorite "closet listens" well after I'd gone punk. Strangely, I found the movie more palatable during last night's trip down memory lane. Getting old will make one sentimental like that, though I suspect the Pinot noir I was imbibing may have helped.
So grab your coat, wave goodbye to your friends, and read more!
Upon viewing the opening credits --
Daughter: "Let me guess. This was your generation's High School Musical." (Meaning, from her, a movie you tell your friends you hate, but secretly make your mom watch with you at home on a regular basis while singing along to all of the songs. She pleads the Fifth on any such action on her own part, while I'll offer "no comment" as to why one of the secondary characters from Blue Ruin bears a suspicious resemblance to Zac Efron...)
Me: "More or less."
*****
Upon Kevin Bacon's character meeting that of the young, skinny, and still-very-much-alive Christopher Penn --
Me: "I guess if this movie came out today, you'd be slashing those two."
Daughter: "I'm already there."
*****
While viewing the following scene, we discuss throughout because that's what you're supposed to do during a movie --
Me: "He's having the 80's version of an emo moment."
(Kevin Bacon really gets into it.)
Me: "I can totally see Zac Efron in a scene like this."
Daughter: "No, Mom. NOOOOO."
(Kevin Bacon does his super-special-awesome sextuple leap courtesy of super-special-awesome edit FX.)
Daughter: "What the hell was that???"
Me: LOL because the wine has hit my head about this time.
*****
Upon closing credits --
Me: "Wasn't that an awesome movie?"
Daughter: Mumbles something noncommital, which I take as a "Yes" but she'll insist was a "No."
Me: "I'll make it up to you. We'll watch High School Musical again."
Daughter: "Good. You owe me."
*****
And guess what I just found out? Paramount has announced a film treatment of the recent Footloose stage musical, slated for release in 2010 and starring none other than Zac Efron cast in Kevin Bacon's role. Guess I'm not the only one who could see Mr. Efron in "a scene like this". Here's someone else who seems to agree:
So let's hear it for the boy! Though he's gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast and he's gotta be fresh from the fight. Egads, I think I'll finish off that Pinot noir tonight before my daughter puts on HSM...
Available now from Loose Id! Blue Ruin 3: Chains of Love
When Blue lands himself in the clutches of the Balkan mob, Derek must negotiate his freedom. The highly dangerous, very sexy Sasha offers the couple playtime in his private dungeon during Blue's stay. The catch? In exchange for Blue's release, Sasha gets to supervise.
It's another hot and wild ride in Katrina Strauss' Blue Ruin series as Derek becomes the trainee, while Blue faces off with a stern dominant determined to break him of his headstrong ways. But could it be that Sasha is in store for a lesson or two?
