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Thursday, January 15, 2009
Ricardo Montalban, 1920-2009
Tributes to Ricardo Montalban, who died Wednesday, run wife with references to “Da Plane” and “KAAAAAAAHHHHHHNNN!” Not to be unexpected, of course, but I still find that a little sad, considering those lines were actually spoken by other actors.
When I think of Ricardo Montalban, my thoughts run elsewhere. I think of the man who waxed eloquently about his early days at MGM in the documentary When the Lion Roars. I remember him having fun as the villain in the first of the Naked Gun movies.
But besides Star Trek II, my fondest memories of Montalban came courtesy of the Spy Kids series, in which he played the wheelchair-bound grandfather. In Spy Kids 3D, thanks to a little digital magic, he was freed from the confines of his chair so he could fight the bad guys.
Montalban (far right) in Spy Kids 3D
It warmed this handicapped critic’s heart to see the “dis” taken out of disabled in such an imaginative way, and Montalban’s effortless charm went a long way in making that character so memorable. For that, more than anything else, I will miss him.
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What’s opening Friday, January 16?
This Friday brings a pretty typical group of lame January offerings, with a sprinkling of Oscar bait.
JANUARY 16
Defiance: A group of Jewish brothers organize the largest armed rescue of Jews during the Holocaust. Daniel Craig leads the cast. This has turned out to be one of director Ed Zwick’s better efforts. Review posts Friday.
Hotel for Dogs: Orphaned teens Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austin turn an abandoned house into a canine hostel. As far as kids’ movies go, I’m more interested in next week’s Inkheart.
Last Chance Harvey: : Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman star in this story of a couple who meet when Hoffman’s life is at a low ebb. It looks like a mid-level production, but this pairing of two great actors has me intrigued.
My Bloody Valentine 3D: A man returns to his hometown on the tenth anniversary of the Valentine’s night massacre that claimed the lives of 22 people when he becomes suspected of the killings. It’s score at Rotten Tomatoes seemed surprisingly strong at 83 percent - then I realized that was based on six reviews. We’ll see.
Notorious: The story of the late rapper Notorious BIG. Reviews are decent so far.
Paul Blart, Mall Cop: A bumbling mall cop is called upon to save the day when thieves invade. Lots of fat jokes ensue. Thanks, but I’d rather see the Seth Rogen mall cop movie instead.
At the arthouses
Neon sticks with Slumdog Millionaire (stop reading this and see it if you haven’t already) and Milk. Little Art brings in the excellent Doubt.
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