Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 09
Thursday, August 9, 2007
My taste in films leans toward firepower and cannolis
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Re: Your recent Food & Drink article on “Screen Cuisine.” You are a critic of life’s most enjoyable gifts — film and fusillini.
One of my memorable food scenes is in “The Godfather.” Clemenza is teaching Michael how to feed the “soldiers” when they go to the mattresses. Clemenza begins his gravy by browning garlic, onion and paste in a small amount of olive oil. Then he adds large cans of whole plum tomatoes and, of course, the vino.
Clemenza instructs Michael to add the meatballs to the sauce and cook all day. Clemenza knew not only Sicilian soldiers, but everyone, “travels on their stomachs.”
MARY WOOL TOBIAS, Peachtree City
Dear Cook Garlic Until It Becomes Pale Gold Otherwise It Goes Bitter,
You are absolutely correct. It’s a wonderful food scene.
Clemenza knows everything. It is he who utters the greatest food film line ever: “Leave the gun … take the cannolis.”
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Blades of Glory” T-shirt and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Thank you for your recent column telling the truth about Barbra Streisand and her unOscar-worthy directing. Her self-centered directing skills were about equal to Eddie Murphy’s in “Harlem Nights.”
MUSHU ORNSTEIN, Goodyear, Ariz.
Dear One Who Needs People,
I am all about truth.
And the reality is that at least Murphy figured out he shouldn’t be in the director’s chair.
ALAN
P.S. You get an “El Cantante” T-shirt and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
I recently found your articles on ajc.com and have enjoyed each one.
I competely agree with your recent assessment that subtitles are necessary on foreign films to fully appreciate an actor’s performance. However, do you think that subtitles possibly prevent a full appreciation of the screenplay? They are not always an accurate translation of the dialogue.
MICHAEL BARKER, Savannah
Dear Nice Try,
Dubbing certainly does not provide an exact translation of the foreign dialogue and should never, ever in any circumstance be used unless one is working with an Italian sword-and-sandal epic from the 1950s. Only then is dubbing not only acceptable, but preferred. Otherwise, there would be no audience laughter.
ALAN
P.S. You get “Hot Rod” undergarments and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
I don’t know how to categorize a movie like Woody Allen’s “What’s Up, Tiger Lily?” which I have never seen on a list of most funny films. Maybe my sense of humor is off-kilter.
Maybe I was under some strange influence when I saw it over 20-25 years ago. However, I had to bandage my sides I laughed so hard.
My question: Have you heard of it, and if so how would I be able to get a copy?
KATHY BARLEV, Marietta
Dear Off-Kilter,
OK. First off, here is another example of when dubbing is preferred.
Released in 1966, “Tiger Lily” is the foreign espionage film in which Woody Allen inserted his own rewritten dubbed dialogue turning a bad movie into an inspired spoof.
Now, in order to get a DVD of this film, you have to carefully complete a difficult process. It could take a while, so be sure to write it all down.
Ready?
On a computer, open an Internet browser and type www.amazon.com. Once on the site, pull the drop-down menu to DVD. Then, with fingered precision, type in the following title: What’s Up, Tiger Lily?
When you hit return, what follows seconds later will be the opportunity to purchase new or old copies of the film.
Good luck.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Knocked Up” bag and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-Shirt.
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.
Permalink | | Categories: Alan Smithee
This weekend is all about ‘Rush Hour 3’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s my indubitable list of what matters most at the movies:
1. “Rush Hour 3” — Just more manic comedy and manic martial arts.
2. “Broken English” — Parker Posey in all her glorious indie angst.
3. “Stardust” — Strictly for die-hard fans, a fantasy with all the trimmings (a magical land, feisty goats and Claire Danes falling from the sky).
4. “Interview” — It’s sleazy journalist (Steve Buscemi) versus sleazy star (Sienna Miller) in a volatile magazine interview. Never underestimate the power of celebrity.
5. “Sunset Boulevard” — If you’ve not seen Billy Wilder’s 1950 noir classic on the big screen, see it now. Plaza Theatre. Tuesday night.
Permalink | | Categories: Alan Smithee
