–REMAKE “BEWITCHED?” AGAIN?--

Even in the 1960s, the concept for “Bewitched” was impossibly lame. No one, and I mean no one, tuned in to watch the concept. They tuned in to watch Elizabeth Montgomery and Agnes Moorehead — who cannot be replaced.

We were told Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell were the biggest stars on the planet when the 2005 “Bewitched” screen adaptation flopped in every way imaginable. Was no one paying attention?   

–“RESIDENT EVIL 5″ ANNOUNCED–

THE best film franchise currently in production is the ongoing story of “Alice’s” quest against the Umbrella Corporation in a post-apocalyptic world filled with flesh-eating zombies. Unpretentious, filled with action, and starring the tough, sexy and smart Milla Jovovich (who oozes badass without being strident) — with the exception of a “Death Wish 1-5,” I can think of no better way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon than sitting down for a “Resident Evil 1-4″ marathon.  

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The short clip floating around where “Dancing with the Stars” champ Jennifer Grey says it felt damn good to beat Bristol Palin — and who can blame her? — is a wee bit deceptive if you look at the entirety of her interview with MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell. While he goes on and on like a DWTS Truther about the Tea Party supposedly stuffing the ballot boxes in favor of Bristol, Grey refuses to take the bait. Actually what O’Donnell is doing is more like throwing chum, but still Grey refuses to bite and join him in his sad conspiracy mongering or say anything negative about the Tea Party.

O’Donnell also spends a few minutes hoping to coax the “Dirty Dancing” star into saying something negative about Bristol Palin, either personally or about her dancing abilities. But once again, Grey keeps it classy:

Grey: I have to say that [Bristol] really came a long way.
O’Donnell: No, you don’t have to say that.
Grey: No, she did.
O’Donnell: I saw her dance.
Grey: Did you see her at the beginning, see her at the end? Totally different, and she’s a lovely girl.
O’Donnell: How could she not improve slightly? If they keep her — if the fake votes keep her in the competition the whole time.
Grey: Well, bully for her. Bully for her.

Grey couldn’t have been any more gracious. And I want to thank her for that. If you don’t insult me or mine I don’t care how you vote. So all remains good on the “Dirty Dancing” front, which is a relief because I’m kind of an eleven year-old girl when it comes to that one. (more…)

Terrible news. Fox News just reported that actor Patrick Swayze lost his fight with pancreatic cancer today at the age of 57.

Swayze arrived on the scene in a big way in 1983, with a starring role in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Outsiders.” Distinguishing yourself among the likes of Tom Cruise, Ralph Macchio, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez and Matt Dillon in that film was no small feat. And while all would go on to enjoy very successful careers, none would star in “Road House” and “Red Dawn.”

My definition of a great actor is one who convinces in the role; one who doesn’t take you out of the story with all the tics and technique. By that standard Swayze never disappointed. A trained dancer, his physical abilities sold the action, his sincerity brought heart to the romance and a complete lack of pretension made him accessible — made him something that is all but extinct today: a real-live movie star.

Time is what creates the classic film, not critics or box office, and time has made clear that Swayze made a mark on cinema few might have expected twenty years ago. “Road House,” “Point Break,” “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost” live endlessly on cable television and DVD players everywhere.  They are a immortal part of our culture and … they are Patrick Swayze movies.  (more…)