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These probably are favorites of the Mighty Thor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
With “Pathfinder” leaving those of us yearning for the adventures of the Scandinavian seamen in the cold (I refuse to see it, and pray that God may direct the fury of the Norsemen in director Marcus Nispel’s direction), what movies besides the underappreciated 1958 Kirk Douglas classic “The Vikings” can you recommend with a Viking bent?
CHARLIE YOW, Marietta
Dear Eric the Rouge,
Ditto. I wasn’t much inclined either to venture toward any film made by the man who only a few years ago constructed such a ridiculous remake of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
And was “The Vikings,” with not only Kirk Douglas but also Tony Curtis, underappreciated? Certainly not by Mr. Smithee or, for that matter, any other male in the clan (most notably my once-wee sons D.W. and Cecil B.).
I recall D.W.’s wonderment about how Curtis’ character, Eric, got one of his hands lopped off by a sword.
We saw Mr. Curtis in the flesh a few years ago at a bookstore where he was signing copies of his autobiography. D.W., a mere innocent at the time, inquired about how effects were done to leave Curtis handless on one arm.
A cheery Curtis leapt to his feet, squinched one of his hands under the cuff of a long shirt sleeve and stood there smiling, appearing minus one appendage to a young D.W. with eyes bugged out and mouth clearly agape.
To be truthful, Chuck, I haven’t seen too many Viking movies. I did appreciate “The 13th Warrior” with Antonio Banderas as an Arab tagging along with vigorous Vikings and fighting a monster horde.
Some movie lovers speak highly of the Viking trilogy from Icelandic director Hrafn Gunnlaugsson - “When the Raven Flies” (1984), “The Shadow of the Raven” (1988) and “The White Viking” (1991). Good luck finding any of those on DVD or video.
There is Mario Bava’s 1966 “Knives of the Avenger” (aka “Viking Massacre”) with Cameron Mitchell, Disney’s limp 1974 “The Island at the Top of the World” and the made-in-Iceland “The Viking Sagas” from 1995.
Some people seem to like 1964’s “The Long Ships” with Richard Widmark, Sidney Poitier and Russ Tamblyn. Thou must not count Mr. Smithee among them.
But I am emboldened by two upcoming Viking movies.
The Weinstein Co. is in post-production on “Outlander,” starring Jim Caviezel (“The Passion of the Christ”) as an alien who brings his fight with a ferocious thingee to Earth during the Iron Age, pulling Vikings into the battle.
Can you say “Predator”?
“Outlander” could be ready by October.
A bet I like even better is “Valhalla Rising,” a Danish project reuniting “Pusher” trilogy director Nicolas Winding Refn with formidable actor Mads Mikkelsen (“Casino Royale,” “After the Wedding”). “Valhalla” is set to begin filming in August in Scotland and Louisiana. Details: www.ipsofactofilms.com/films/valhalla_rising.html.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Grindhouse” action figure and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
I’VE GOT MAIL: Some readers don’t have questions. They just have love.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Alan, you are right about everything - even Chris Schenkel. Always thought he was a lightweight airhead. Glad to know someone agrees.
JOHN INGERSOLL, Emory University
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Love your column, and the one on April 27 about gardening movies was great. Particularly inspired was the call out for Monty Python and the Knights Who Say Ni. Classic!
However, you missed the most obvious choice (and a darn good movie to boot): How about Peter Sellers as Chauncey Gardiner in “Being There”?
GARY McGRATH, Marietta
(Quick note to Gary: I am so not obvious.)
Dear Mr. Smithee,
I moved to the loveliest village of Auburn from Atlanta nearly four years ago to accept a job at the university here, befitting my love of higher learning. … I search online for you weekly, but it just isn’t the same as having the column in hand to point to and say, usually to my husband, “See? According to Mr. Smithee, I’m right!”
Be assured this shameless flattery is genuine.
DEEDIE DOWDLE, Auburn, Ala.
(Additional quick note: All of you will be receiving “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirts).
HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. SMITHEE?
E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessAtlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
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