HOLLYWOOD —Spring is finally here, the season of rebirth and sunny warm days, as good a time as any to read a book or see a movie. A good movie does so much for the mind and spirit. Why is Hollywood so promiscuously unfaithful to good literature? In Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland,” it’s only minimally faithful to Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” The relationship between fiction and film has become overly hostile; a battleground which proves that filmmakers’ anxiety of influence constrains their license for creativity. Then there are movies based on nonfiction, such as Robert Kenner’s “Food, Inc.,” an informative and enlightening stomach-churning look at the industrialized business of food production. It was basically inspired from Eric Schlosser, author of the book “Fast Food Nation.” The movie is an eye-opener for all those who want to remain health-conscious and wonder where the food they digest comes from. The movie “Food, Inc.” will be broadcasted on April 21, on PBS.
Writers and filmmakers in a nonfiction film tend to use a third person in a room when nonfiction text is being molded into a nonfiction film. Whatever they call it, be it at third element truth, the cause, or simply the message, in any case, it makes authors and filmmakers allies. The book is usually set aside, so the film can come alive. Sometimes the audience wonders why movies don’t usually go by the book. While the film drew attention to the book “Fast Food Nation” it successfully inspired people to investigate and take interest in the production of food and where it’s processed. Another interesting movie was Morgan Spurlock’s 2004 film “Super Size Me” a documentary that dealt with the toxic effects of a fast-food diet.
On Mar 31, “The Last Song” was released starring Miley Cyrus, a teen-oriented romantic drama based on a book by Nicholas Sparks. The movie was delightful for young teenage girls, yet, the cynical critics tore it to shreds. The movie had all the key elements, the Southern setting, first love, the character with a tragic secret, the reminder of mortality and the uplifting final ending. The book of course, went into more detail, but then again, the combination of survived tragedy and chaste love, undeniably works for Nicolas Sparks. (Even in between the movie screening, the young teenager behind me was sobbing.) Nicolas Sparks since the screening of the movie has been tweeting three times a day on Twitter, asking his fans trivia questions regarding the movie and rewarding the winners with signed posters.
Speaking of Twitter, everyone from Nicolas Sparks to writer-director Kevin Smith use the networking site either to promote a film or to rant. Nothing wrong, with ranting, especially when a person is deemed “too fat to fly,” and is asked to leave a flight. Then there was the Twitter tsunami of negative reviews of his last film, “Cop Out,” which by the way has had mostly positive reviews, some mixed, but mostly all recommend it. Let’s move on, the film was released last month. Kevin, we like you and you’re a talented filmmaker, ignore the spiteful larva and keep focused on filmmaking. While at first it seems charming, self-deprecation gets a bit tiresome. Critics are always the first to give unsolicited advice for a talented filmmaker, however, it’s time to do what you do best, write. When the urge to respond to a nasty review comes up, listen to Guns N’ Roses.
Rose’s Scoop: Get this, Guns N’ Roses will be finally eligible for induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.
