Movie Natters: August 28, 2007 Archive

Good news from the Oak Street

Posted at 9:04 AM on August 28, 2007 by Euan Kerr

There were skeptics, it has to be admitted, but the Oak Street just announced it's re-opening, and first up (speaking of tributes to the recently deceased ) there will be a series of Bergman films, including the new print of "The Seventh Seal." The Bergman fun begins September 7th. Details at the MFA site.

The softer side of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Posted at 2:59 PM on August 28, 2007 by Euan Kerr

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is in the midst of a major transition. After years pounding the snot out of people in the wrestling ring, and then getting medieval over space demons and bad guys in various action movies, his new movie "The Game Plan" has him playing - a dad.

Johnson is in the Twin Cities to promote the film which opens in late September. He's an imposing fellow, but remarkably easy with the succession of inkstained wretches who paraded though to talk with him today.

"The Game Plan" follows the adventures of a top flight quarterback who in the midst of a championship run-up discovers he has a 7 year old daughter his ex-wife didn't tell him about.

Johnson says with a six year old of his own he was interested in the script immediately. Also he really wanted to do a family comedy. The fact that the film is a Disney production was important to him too.

The finished product is reminiscent of the Disney films many of us watched growing up, with a smart script laced with pratfalls and belly laughs.

Frankly Johnson is pretty remarkable in the film, particularly given he has to share the limelight with Madison Pettis, who is maybe a sixth of his size, but can fill the entire screen with her charisma.

He raves about Pettis, about her intelligence and professionalism. They have remarkable chemistry on the screen.

It's a big change for the Scorpion King, but one with which he's clearly comfortable. When I asked what he hoped to be in 15 years he immediately said, "A great dad," then he admitted he hoped to be making great movies too.