Cable Catch-Up: Once Upon A Time In Mexico (2003)

Traditionally, “once upon a time” implies that you’re about to hear a story. But damned if I could find one in this movie. I had an easier time piecing together HIROSHIMA, MON AMOUR.

The sad truth is that while I love the idea of Robert Rodriguez – a one-man band who shoots, chops and scores his own flicks, as the credits on this one say – I have never enjoyed one of his movies. He comes from the Pixie Stix school of filmmaking, bouncing off the walls with unfocused energy. But I am a huge fan of REBEL WITH A CREW, his book on the making of EL MARIACHI.

Two actors manage to register amidst the mayhem: Johnny Depp, overacting as a renegade CIA agent, and Ruben Blades, who underplays as if he’s in a Michael Mann movie.

TV: The Academy Awards

Word is out that Chris Rock has been chosen to host. It’s an inspired idea, because of the very real risk that it will backfire. Rock was a presenter the year Elia Kazan received his honorary Oscar. He noted the irony that Kazan would be introduced by Martin Scorsese and Robert DeNiro – “because you know how they feel about rats.” Not the funniest line ever, but just about the only one to acknowledge the controversy. You could feel the air go out of the room after he said it. To have him host the Oscars in the year of THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST and FAHRENHEIT 9/11 is tempting fate. It’s sure to make great TV.

Miscellaneous: Link

Defamer steered me toward the new blog Query Letters I Love. Here’s a sample:

“Two die-hard BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA fans are on a quest to recover Kurt Russell’s tank-top after being outbid at an online auction.”

I can’t speak for everyone here, but I’d see that in a heartbeat.