This week’s big film, and big story, as far as I’m concerned is Ender’s Game. I’ve been following this since it went into production, actually, and was kind of geeked for the first trailer. The other big release is Last Vegas, where Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Kevin Kline and Morgan Freeman opt to sell out one final time for a PG-13 version of The Hangover where everyone wakes up three times a night to pee.
I would mock that film more but I just can’t. My buddy Nick the Stand Up did on Twitter, for sport, and CBS Films actually responded to him. I think of it like this: the guy who occupies their Twitter Feed probably went to Film School and took a job at the studio so he could try and make great films that influence people.
And now … now that guy is defending Last Vegas. When you think your job sucks … well … you aren’t defending Last Vegas to a comic from Madison, WI, at least. Oh, and give my boy Nick a follow on the Twitter (@NickLComedy) … he’s genuinely funny.
Ender’s Game fascinates me this week because of Orson Scott Card. I want to see the film because I enjoyed reading the book on multiple occasions and am shocked it wasn’t made into a film earlier. It’s always been one of those books on every list of “Greatest Books never adapted into film” on such a regular basis that I was genuinely happy when it went into production with a really stellar cast.
Harrison Ford never embarrasses himself in a film. Lots of talented young actors in the film, too. Ben Kingsley isn’t clearly mailing it in the trailer, either, and this gives me hope. The source material is dense but anyone can see that if you thin it out a little bit Ender’s Game becomes cinematic on a number of levels.
The film follows the book’s premise: Ender Wiggins (Asa Butterfield) is talented in war and he’s being trained to be a great commander. Humanity is facing off against some aliens and is on the brink of losing. Thus the children are recruited and Ender is a special talent. Some people are artists in anything; his is war. The film follows him as he attends Battle School and Command School, pinned as humanity’s last great hope of winning the war.
It’s an incredibly engrossing novel and a great combination of science fiction, proper, with the more action-oriented science-fiction that Star Wars, et al, encompass. There’s also a strong character development aspect to it, as well, and some drama. These are children being called upon to engage in war … but without their creative capacity they might not have a world to live in. There’s so much going on, and the end being such a creative twist, that it becomes a great read. There’s been novels after, etc, but I only read the first. It was self contained and I didn’t feel the urge to continue on.
So when it was announced as a film I was genuinely excited. I’m a fan of characters when it comes to storytelling and “Ender’s Game” was a great character-centered novel. It’d be pretty hard to screw up, I think, and while the film probably won’t match the novel it’ll still be, odds-on, a very good film. It’s on my short list for potentially being a Top 10 film of the year. My expectations aren’t high, like in any film, but on paper it looks like it could be great. Only one thing is tempering my excitement for this film.
Orson Scott Card.
Or, rather, the fact that Card isn’t exactly the friendliest person towards the gay community. He’s openly against gay marriage, et al, and isn’t quite a fan of the gay community either. Card and I disagree in this regard, of course, and that’s where my problem comes in. Can I see this film, based off a book I enjoyed well before I knew of the author’s thoughts on a substantial portion of our population, without somehow tacitly endorsing Card’s opinion?
I’m the last guy to think of this usually. Usually I separate someone’s personal traits from their career as an artist; I can enjoy Sean Penn’s work but know that we’d probably disagree on almost every topic if we spoke of politics.
My hero as a child was Arnold Schwarzenegger for a lot of reasons … and while I disagree with his stance on a lot of things, from his treatment of women to his stance on a number of issues, he’ll still be my hero for what he did. He’s a great man with flaws, like all men are. Just because I disagree with him on some things doesn’t ruin my enjoyment of Predator, et al.
Heck, Bill Burr has a great bit about Arnold I think needs posting. Mainly because this column has been really serious and I need a good chuckle right about now.
With Card, though, it feels different than merely disagreements on political policy or abortion. I could understand if he was against gay marriage for some reason besides just blatant bigotry; if there was a good reason I could at least go “Ok, I disagree but his argument is on solid intellectual basis.” If I could do that I could be all “Oh, OK, here’s my money let me see some Ender Wiggins command battle stuffs” and be OK with it. I really wish it was that simple, honestly, because it’d make for an easier decision.
But I can’t.
Card is someone who isn’t just anti-gay marriage he’s also anti-homosexual. His writing and what he’s said over the years confirm this. There are boycotts, et al, and here’s a great piece on what you can do instead in certain cities. But I’m torn still. He didn’t write the film, as Gavin Hood adapted his novel, but I imagine he made a lot of money off it and his producer’s credit means he probably is going to get a cut of any gross profits the film makes.
Thus I stand at a dilemma. Do I plunk down my money for Ender’s Game … or do I not? It’s the Orson Scott Card problem. What do you think? Sound off below.
Stuff for General George S. Pimpage, Esq
I don’t do this enough but sometimes I think stuff needs to be read. Thus every week I’ll have a couple of links to stuff I’ve written, as well as some by others, which should be pimped. Think of it like sharing on a Facebook wall … but not.
I did a couple of reviews for the first time in a while. Check out reviews for Generation Iron, 12 Years a Slave and the Bad Grandpa film by the Jackass guys.
Travis took on The Counselor in theatres.
From elsewhere in the Inside Pulse Network:
I interviewed Pat Curran, Bellator Featherweight Champion and all-around nice guy, for Inside Fights. You can click here if you want to watch the interview, which he was gracious enough to give at his gym in Crystal Lake, IL, for us at InsideFights. He’s got a fight this weekend on Spike TV, so check that out too if you’re into MMA.
And now on MMC … we DANCE!
If you want to pimp anything email it to me with a good reason why. It helps to bribe me with stuff, just saying ….
A Movie A Week – The Challenge
This Week’s DVD Film I Saw in Theatres – Gravity
I needed a break from seeing films in the theatre; when you average a half dozen a weekend for a decade straight or so sometimes burnout happens. And that’s what happened to me; sometimes you just need to take a break from it all, watch one, and reflect. Well, burnout’s over and Travis’s enthusiastic review put this on my list.
Read it here … and then come back because my boy’s review is top shelf, yo.
It’s a simple premise: Sandra Bullock is in space with George Clooney when their ordinary mission turns into a mission for survival. Their return in a Space Shuttle is out because of debris trashing it. It’s up to Bullock to try and find a way home in the cold of space.
I liked the film but I didn’t love it the way a lot of other people did. My problem with it is that it’s just another generic action film in space; it’s special on an a/v level but it’s not in terms of character or story. It’s a gripping tale from its visuals but Sandra Bullock didn’t have to do much out of her wheelhouse. Once you get past the visuals, including the amazing opening shot, you’re not left with a lot of meat on the bone.
Slightly recommended.
What Looks Good This Weekend, and I Don’t Mean the $2 Pints of Bass Ale and community college co-eds with low standards at the Alumni Club
Ender’s Game – Aliens have invaded. It’s up to a kid to become humanity’s last hope.
Undecided – Not sure yet. Make a case below for me, either way, as the trailer makes me say yes and the author of the book makes me say no.
Last Vegas – Kevin Kline, Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro and Morgan Freeman cash a bunch of checks to do a PG-13, old guy version of The Hangover.
Skip It – Hopefully all four of the principals got paid a lot to do this film. Just saying.
Free Birds – Time traveling turkeys try to stop turkey from being the main dish on Thanksgiving.
Skip It – Your contender for worst animated film of 2013, everybody.
Scott “Kubryk” Sawitz brings his trademarked irreverence and offensive hilarity to Twitter in 140 characters or less. Follow him @ScottSawitz .
