We’re only in the 9th year of the 21st century and already there have been more blockbuster fantasy film franchises than throughout the 20th century combined. That says something about the current trend in Hollywood. Apparently people really like fantasy movies. So far the great franchises (generating more than $1 billion in revenue) have included The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Spider-man, The X-Men (or just all Marvel super hero movies), Pirates of the Caribbean, and Star Wars (although the first three movies were made in the 20th century).
Virtually all of these megafranchises have either evolved past the classic trilogy format or they are in the process of doing so. The most complex megafranchise is undoubtedly the Marvel Super Hero universe. But now we’re about to see the dawn of a new era in Edgar Rice Burroughs-inspired movies, starting with The Asylum’s direct-to-dvd “A Princess of Mars”. Based on Burroughs’ first novel (by the same name), the Asylum movie is a low-budget adaptation. However, Disney Studuis and Pixar Animation have teamed up to film three live-action John Carter of Mars movies, the first of which is scheduled to be released in 2012.
John Carter of Mars is a classic swashbuckling hero who has inspired generations of ERB fans to hope for a movie adaptation. And yet, despite several attempts to make such a movie since the 1940s The Asylum will have the honor of being the first production company to release an actual John Carter movie (except that their John Carter has been updated).
Most fans may not care much about how faithful the Disney/Pixar John Carter will be to the books. The buzz around the John Carter of Mars movie has been very positive and forward-looking. The fact that successful director/producer Andrew Stanton is leading the project has only reassured fans that this is no low-budget affair. People are expecting big things from Disney and Pixar.
Taylor Kitsch plays John Carter in the Disney/Pixar films. Lynn Collins plays Dejah Thoris. Traci Lords was chosen to play Dejah Thoris in “A Princess of Mars” but it’s doubtful that she will make the direct-to-dvd movie anywhere near the big success people assume the Kitsch/Collins film will be.
MARTY (1955) is a film that cleaned up the Oscars in 1956 including Best Actor in a Leading Role for Ernest Borgnine, Best Director for Delbert Mann, and the Best Screenplay for the immortal Paddy Chayefsky.
Borgnine, whom we usually appreciate in secondary support roles, really nailed this role of a “fat and ugly butcher” from New York’s Italian neighborhood. You would think he was created for this role.
Betsy Blair, as the sensitive girl whom Marty loves and is loved in return, shines in an equally strong performance but she has been skipped by the Academy even though she was nominated for the Best Actress in a Supporting Role. What a shame.
It is partly her very credible portrayal of this vulnerable highschool teacher from Brooklyn that brought out Marty’s nurturing and compassionate side in full relief. The movie also won the Best Picture award for Harold Hecht.
Let me also add that Borgnine beat the likes of Frank Sinatra, Spencer Tracy, James Dean and James Cagney that year to win the Oscar.
Marty is a movie short on plot but deep in character and emotions. Marty is a 34 yr old butcher constantly assailed for not still having married despite the fact that his younger brother married the week before.
Burnt many times in the past by rejection, he is reserved and does not want to go out and date girls. But the delicate and equally rejected girl he meets by chance at the Stardust Dancing Hall changes his life over a single Saturday night.
The subplot involving his aging mother with whom he lives and his gloomy aunt, and the fears and idiosyncrasies of both ladies with heavy accents provide a nice counterpoint to Marty’s lead story.
A study in human dignity, hope and loneliness, Marty ends up on an upbeat note where even the “dogs” find the happiness they deserve in life — especially when they have a heart of gold.
Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a Creative Copywriter, Editor, an experienced and award-winning Technical Communicator specializing in fundraising packages, direct sales copy, web content, press releases and hi-tech documentation.
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