#97

This week in my world:

This week I wanted to take the time to lift the top rope and wave into the ring an actor that may not make the main card or even make most people’s undercard. I will tell you this though, if you saw him plastered on a movie poster, you would know exactly who he is…

This week I want to take a look at a few notable points in the film career of Frank Whaley.

People will probably first remember Frank Whaley as the hitchhiking kid named Archie Graham who was just looking for a place to play baseball in the Kevin Costner classic film Field of Dreams. He was later able to show his neurotic side as Ferris Bueller’s confidant and acquaintance of the Godfather in the film The Freshman. Frank Whaley finally was given a starring role as the daydreaming loser in the film Career Opportunities. While this film should have been his breakout role as a comedic actor, the bittersweet truth of the matter is that he was upstaged by two of the most beautiful breasts to ever get trapped in an undersized tank top. After his supporting role (get it, supporting role) in Career Opportunities, he went a little paranoid in the Oliver Stone classic JFK, ran into a famous missing person in Hoffa, and pounded down a Kahuna Burger along with a tasty beverage in Pulp Fiction. After getting his fill of the Lord’s righteous anger, he played punching bag to Kevin Spacey in Swimming With Sharks. For a nice break in the torment, he went on to play opposite Meg Ryan in IQ, and chase after nuclear weapons thief John Travolta in Broken Arrow. Unfortunately, in the 10 years since, he has only really been seen in cameo roles in numerous films and guest starred in more than a few television shows. Anyone who isn’t very familiar with this wonderful actor’s work should take the time to add a few of his films to your Netflix list. Especially Swimming With Sharks and Career Opportunities. I think you will enjoy them.

This weekend at your local multiplex (5/11/2007)

28 Weeks Later: Horror
Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau, Catherine MacCormack, Imogen Poots
Plot: 28 weeks after the mutagen outbreak that wiped out Great Britain, the zombie-type creature have been wiped form the countryside and for many it is safe to return home. Just as everyone begins to feel safe, another outbreak forces the military to take drastic measures to save the population.
Buzz: Who doesn’t love a good post-apocalyptic thriller? While the original had a personal and intimate feel, the sequel seems to be all about mass scale destruction. Good stuff.

The Ex: Romantic Comedy
Zach Braff, Amanda Peet, Jason Bateman, Charles Grodin, Mia Farrow, Donal Logue
Plot: Man meets woman, man and woman falls in love, woman has male friend, male friend is in love with woman, friend tries to drive man and woman apart; oldest story in the book.
Buzz: Zach Braff is finally doing something other than artsy independent films, throw in Jason Bateman and I’ll be happy to buy a ticket.

Georgia Rule: Comedy
Jane Fonda, Lindsey Lohan,. Felicity Huffman, Dermot Mulroney, Cary Elwes
Plot: Lindsey Lohan’s character is a wild child. After one too many rebellious incidents she is sent off to her grandmother’s farm. Her grandmother isn’t your typical granny. She is wacky and a little off kilter. Together they form a special bond and learn about life.
Buzz: Jane Fonda and Lindsey Lohan in the same movie? This smells like one of those films that women are going to rave about it is in reality a complete piece of crap. Ick. Don’t let your girlfriend trick you into seeing this film. It is a trap! Run very far away and hide for a few days. Her impulse is sure to fade and you can always make it up with flowers and ass kissing.

Delta Farce: Comedy
Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall, DJ Qualls, Danny Trejo, Keith David
Plot: A group of friends decide to the army and go to Iraq. Instead, they end up in Mexico and start an international incident.
Buzz: I have to admit, I am a DJ Qualls fan, but I have to ask who could he have possibly pissed off to get stuck in this mess. A word of advice, stay away from the long line of rednecks in cut off flannel shirts and you should be ok. Poor DJ Qualls.


This week on DVD (5/8/2007)

Music and Lyrics
Catch and Release
Because I Said So
The Painted Veil
Fur: An Imaginary Tale
Deliver Us From Evil
Donnie Brasco (se)
Revenge: The director’s cut
Dirty Dancing (se)
Big (se)
That Thing You Do
Mrs. Doubtfire (se)
Lawrence of Arabia (se)
The Caine Mutiny (se)
Cagney and Lacey (season 1)
The Bridge on the River Kwai (se)
The Guns of Navarone (se)
To Catch a Thief (se)
The 4400 (season 3)
The Waltons (season 5)

 

As always, you can send me your loving adoration and hate mail to DPlace76@yahoo.com. You can read about my random musings at http://bigdpimpin.livejournal.com/ and you can read about all of the comings and goings of the Stumblebum crew at www.myspace.com/stumblebumstudios.