While you're at the office, listen to this Spider-Man (2002) commentary with myself, Aaron Neuwurth, and Jim Dietz.

Watching this two days before seeing The Amazing Spider-Man probably didn't help, because it just reminded me how much of Spider-Man worked just fine the first time.  Having said that, this is my first commentary and one of the more enjoyable things I've done in awhile.  It's myself, Aaron Neuwirth, and Jim Dietz.  Do enjoy, because I certainly did.

Scott Mendelson

Who says original filmmaking is dead? A glance at the Fall Movie Season to come...

When we pundits and critics wring our hands about the death of original cinema, we are frankly talking mostly about the big-budget tent-poles and/or genre films that are released by major studios.  In truth, there are plenty of films that qualify as original that are released year-round.  We obsess on the remakes and reboots because they generally fall in the film-nerd-friendly genres that we obsess over.  But there are plenty of original films out there for those who want to obsess on more than just the comic book adaptations, the animated films, and the sci-fi and horror genres.  Of the 98 films coming out between September and December (according to this week's Entertainment Weekly 'Fall Movie Preview'), only eighteen would theoretically qualify as a sequel, a remake, franchise revamp, or spin-off of a known property.  They are -

Comparing Bridesmaids to The Hangover isn't sexist, just inaccurate and lazy.

With the solid $26.2 million opening weekend of Bridesmaids officially cementing the film as a genuine hit, let us take a moment to examine one of the more consistent bits of absurdity that has surrounded the film's release, that the film was some kind of female version of The Hangover.  Of course, any one who has seen the film knows that to be a load of crap.  The Hangover is about plot, while Bridesmaids is about character.  One is a genuinely funny mystery film whose greatest asset is its tightly plotted narrative that plays out like a comic version of Memento.  One is a genuinely funny character piece whose greatest strength is its insights into its characters and the willingness to be uncomfortably honest with its emotions.  Other than the fact that they are both technically comedies, they have absolutely nothing in common whatsoever.  And while some may chalk up the comparisons as a form of sexism, that you have to find something male-oriented to compare it too in order to have it be relatable,  it really is just another example of the lazy tendency to compare any film to some other popular film even when they have nothing in common other than perhaps sharing the same genre.

Confirmed by Warner Bros: Mad Men's Jared Harris cast as Professor Moriarty in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes 2.

This was reported at The Latino Review a few days ago, but I was hoping to hear official word before commenting. Apparently Warner Bros. just confirmed it, so I can now report it as likely fact. Anyway, The role of Professor Moriarty has been cast in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes 2. It's not anyone off the 'dream list' (Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Daniel Day Lewis), nor was it either of my personal preferences (John Hurt or Chiwetel Ejiofor). The arch-villain role instead went to character actor Jared Harris

Harris is best known for his supporting role in seasons 3 and 4 of Mad Men. He also had a supporting role in Resident Evil: Apocalypse (easily the best entry in the B-movie franchise) and a reoccurring role on Fringe. Oddly enough (...useless trivia alert...), he also appeared in the fine straight-to-DVD horror picture From Within, which starred Elizabeth Rice, who reoccurs as Roger Sterling's daughter on Mad Men.

There isn't much to say about this one. Although it warms the heart to see that Guy Ritchie went with a somewhat unknown actor rather than cast whatever star would say 'yes'. I enjoyed the first Sherlock Holmes, finding it to be a messy and flawed, but genuinely engaging character-study/detective film. There is plenty of room for improvement, this is a step in the right direction.

Scott Mendelson