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StumbleuponThe best first impressions of movies
Friday, July 25, 2008
By ALAN SMITHEE
Cox News Service
Q Do you think there has been a better screen entrance than Omar Sharif's shimmering image in "Lawrence of Arabia"?
A There are ample examples of excellent screen entrances.
Personally, I remain quite impressed with William Holden's introduction in the great "Sunset Boulevard."
As his voiceover intones what amounts to the essential exposition of the story, his character is shown face down in a pool, the camera from below showing him bobbing in the water and the police and others standing to the side above him. It is some kind of terrific.
I certainly respect the extravaganza of aerial shots that lead to Julie Andrews twirling herself atop a picturesque Alp at the beginning of "The Sound of Music."
But, yes, the entrance of Omar Sharif in "Lawrence of Arabia" is the best ever.
From a far distance in the desert, he's seen as a blip on the horizon as he approaches. Then sort of a watery mirage as he gets closer. The scene lasts seemingly forever. It underscores the vast expanse of space and desert mystery that defines the film.
It is grand. It is great.
Q We saw "The Happening." I had heard it was bad, but I was not prepared for how bad it actually was.
Throughout the film, across the top of the screen, there were very noticeable microphones hanging above the actors heads. Sometimes the microphones mysteriously disappeared, but during most of the movie, they were very noticeable.
Later, I called a theater manager to complain. She said that was the way the movie was printed, that it was very low budget and that it was supposed to look that way.
Is that true?
A From time to time I receive similar complaints about other movies from other readers.
In truth, sometimes a film is printed in such a way that the microphone is visible. I can't tell you the number of times I've seen a microphone sneak into a frame. Remember, it is being hand-held. But the extent of microphone visage you describe suggests that the theater incorrectly framed the film.
That happens. And when it does you either need to get your money back or never set foot in that theater again.
ALAN
ANSWER MAN Alan Smithee resolves all sorts of reader movie questions. Is there really an Alan Smithee? That's one he won't answer. But he does allow that it's a name used for crediting purposes when directors want to disassociate themselves from a movie that, well, stinks. Have a question for Mr. Smithee? E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com.
