' ' Cinema Romantico: Honest to Blog?

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Honest to Blog?

While the majority of American moviegoers prime themselves for Jonah Hill taking the torch from Johnny Deep (did I really just write that?) in “21 Jump Street” followed by some “Games” involving “Hunger”, Cinema Romantico was priming itself for "Butter" - featuring Jennifer Garner as an Iowan seeking glory at the State Fair’s annual butter carving contest. As someone born and raised along the banks of the Des Moines River (which, of course, in German means A Lion Who Refrains From Roaring To Be Polite) I was beyond excited for Jim Field Smith’s slice of Iowa life. Alas, the film’s distributor, The Weinstein Company, recently pushed its release date from this Friday, March 16, all the way to October 5. October 5?! I’ll be 35 when I finally get to see this movie! (Insert sound of Nick’s sobs.)


You know, Harvey, I was the only film writer on the whole continent who named “Butter” his most anticipated movie of 2012. Yeah. That’s right. Find me someone else who said that! I dare you! You can’t! And THIS is the thanks I get?!

You know, Harvey, I’m the only person on the whole continent not related to the Paltrows and not employed by you or Miramax who continues to argue that “Shakespeare In Love” deserved Best Picture more than “Saving Private Ryan.” And THIS is the thanks I get?!

Now what I am supposed to do? Go see the stupid “Hunger Games”? I don’t want to see Jennifer Lawrence with a bow and arrow. I want to see Jennifer Garner with a butter carver.

As always, I hate everything.

7 comments:

Daryl said...

Okay, so before I say something snide or that can be misinterpreted as impolite, I want to clarify something. A movie about a small-town Iowa girl rising Karate Kid-style through the ranks of the competitive world of butter sculpting, which was filmed in Louisiana, thus removing any novelty effect it would have even in Iowa, starring a woman even Ben Affleck somehow outshines, and made on what Hollywood insiders are calling "leftover budget from one day of filming a REAL movie," a movie with a Q rating of "Urkel: The Movie," ... this is the movie you're surprised got pushed back?

Well, clearly, they want a release closer to the Oscar deadline.

Anonymous said...

Lol, I'm glad that you're passionate in what movies you do like and anticipate, and it's interesting to learn that you think Shakespeare in Love should have won over Saving Private Ryan (sorry, buddy, not with you there). But I have to respect someone who's honest enough to share his opinion, especially when he knows it's not popular.

I'm actually excited for The Hunger Games. I don't know if you read the books (or gave them a try), but I think there's a small possibility that you could at least respect the material. Then again, I'm a bit hypocritical in saying that since I have not even attempted to read the Twilight books and am perfectly fine bashing it (kindly, that is). Perhaps it was my viewing of the first film that had me so angry over wasting a dollar at the Redbox at how stupid it was that held me back from attempting to read the books.

Anonymous said...

Ahah, I don't mean to laugh but your rant is hilarious, Nick. I feel for ya, I HATE it when studios push out due dates!! One of my most anticipated movies starring Gerry Butler called Playing the Field is pushed out from March to December!! So I have an even longer wait than you for Butter, grumble, grumble!!

Oh and I am ok w/ Shakespeare in Love winning Best Picture over Saving Private Ryan, too, btw :D

Sam Fragoso said...

Wait, you're 34 years old Nick?

Nick Prigge said...

Daryl: As always, I bow to your wisdom. (Also, I should mention, little things I've read of it have said it's ACTUALLY supposed to less Karate Kid than Election, with Sidney Bristow as a kind of butter carving Michele Bachmann. Which I thought might intrigue you. Might.)

Kristin: I actually do want to see Hunger Games. I just had to pretend I didn't want to see it for purposes of this post (like in case Harvey Weinstein was reading). I just might avoid it on opening weekend. And I do still want to see Butter more.

Ruth: WHY must studios tease us?!

Sam: Yes. Yes, I am. (Sigh.) But you're only as old as you feel when you write......wait, is that how that goes?

Andrew K. said...

I'm anxious for this because last week I saw 13 Going on 30 where Garner is so delightful opposite Ruffalo and Jennifer did this thing in a scene where she straight up reminded me of Kate Hepburn in Stage Door (and you know that means a great deal from me) and I started feeling sad about Jen because she's so good there and was SOOOOO good in Alias and I want her to do more than pop out babies for Ben Affleck.

(And, I'm one of the few on MY continents who thinks Shakespeare in Love is EXCELLENT! I will sing it from the rooftops.)

Nick Prigge said...

I agree that Jennifer Garner can shine in certain things, like in 13 Going On 30 and, even more so, in Juno. She's fantastic in that part in Juno. And I think this part in Butter would be perfect for her, too, I just hope the script doesn't let her down.

But as I've said before, Ryan's wife over at The Matinee said she saw it and liked it. So here's to hoping.