Rolling Stone: The Travers Take http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/ News and reviews from Rolling Stone's Movie Critic en Copyright 2008 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:09:43 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Peter Travers Video Review: Underrated Comedies As a bonus compendium to the current issue of Rolling Stone, this week's video review features Peter Travers' list of comedy films that were tragically overlooked by the Academy at Oscar time. Click above for the Rolling Stone film critic's thoughts on classics like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Borat and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. As a bonus compendium to the current issue of Rolling Stone, this week's video review features Peter Travers' list of comedy films that were tragically overlooked by the Academy at Oscar time. Click above for the Rolling Stone film critic's thoughts on classics like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Borat and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/09/peter-travers-video-review-und.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/09/peter-travers-video-review-und.php Peter Travers Video Podcast Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:09:43 -0500 Peter Travers Video Fall Movie Preview The summer is nearly over, which means Hollywood packs in their tentpole blockbusters and rolls out their high-minded Oscar bait. But what does Rolling Stone film critic Peter Travers think about the fall slate, and which films excite him most? Click above to find out, and check out the full Rolling Stone fall movie preview below. • Fall Movie Preview: The Smart Season The summer is nearly over, which means Hollywood packs in their tentpole blockbusters and rolls out their high-minded Oscar bait. But what does Rolling Stone film critic Peter Travers think about the fall slate, and which films excite him most? Click above to find out, and check out the full Rolling Stone fall movie preview below.

• Fall Movie Preview: The Smart Season]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/post-1.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/post-1.php Peter Travers Video Podcast Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:44:29 -0500 Peter Travers Video Review: "Hamlet 2," "The Rocker" Steve Coogan pens his own wacky high school musical as an out-of-place drama teacher in "Hamlet 2," while Rainn Wilson writes his rock & roll destiny as a has-been drummer leading a band of high school kids in "The Rocker." Peter Travers reveals which new comedy is worth the trip to the theater. Steve Coogan pens his own wacky high school musical as an out-of-place drama teacher in "Hamlet 2," while Rainn Wilson writes his rock & roll destiny as a has-been drummer leading a band of high school kids in "The Rocker." Peter Travers reveals which new comedy is worth the trip to the theater. ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/peter-travers-video-review-ham.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/peter-travers-video-review-ham.php Peter Travers Video Podcast Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:43:14 -0500 Mamma Mia! How Did This ABBA Assault Become a Hit on Screen, Stage and now CD? So I ask you: How did *Mamma Mia*, with film legend Meryl Streep trilling ABBA songs on screen, become a hit? And how did the director Phyllida Lloyd, who mounted the smash stage production that's still running on Broadway and all stops on the globe, allow Streep to sing her big number, "The Winner Takes It All," with her hair blowing in her face and mouth? Wait, I'm getting off track. How has *Mamma Mia!* managed to take in over $100 million at the movie box office? Is it the success of the stage show? Is it seeing Streep pull out all the stops? Is it female audiences starved for something about them that isn't *Sex and the City*? I can buy all those reasons. But please don't tell me it's the ABBA songs, sung bright (Streep, Christine Baranski), bad (Dominic Cooper) and bloody awful (PIerce Brosnan). On screen, at least, you have Greece and famous faces to distract you. But on CD the songs, overdubbed and overorchestrated, can drive you nuts. They sound like commercial jingles played on a continuous loop until you want to scream or leap off a tall building screaming, "MAKE IT STOP!" And yet the *Mamma Mia* soundtrack is currently the best selling CD in America. No shit. I want to know why. Watching Mamma Mia made me think of the state of the Broadway musical, the kind with original songs and not a jukebox compendium of ABBA, Billy Joel, Elvis or the Four Seasons. Is the original musical dead? The answer is NO, and I have three terrific examples, all available on CD: So I ask you: How did *Mamma Mia*, with film legend Meryl Streep trilling ABBA songs on screen, become a hit? And how did the director Phyllida Lloyd, who mounted the smash stage production that's still running on Broadway and all stops on the globe, allow Streep to sing her big number, "The Winner Takes It All," with her hair blowing in her face and mouth? Wait, I'm getting off track. How has *Mamma Mia!* managed to take in over $100 million at the movie box office? Is it the success of the stage show? Is it seeing Streep pull out all the stops? Is it female audiences starved for something about them that isn't *Sex and the City*? I can buy all those reasons. But please don't tell me it's the ABBA songs, sung bright (Streep, Christine Baranski), bad (Dominic Cooper) and bloody awful (PIerce Brosnan). On screen, at least, you have Greece and famous faces to distract you. But on CD the songs, overdubbed and overorchestrated, can drive you nuts. They sound like commercial jingles played on a continuous loop until you want to scream or leap off a tall building screaming, "MAKE IT STOP!" And yet the *Mamma Mia* soundtrack is currently the best selling CD in America. No shit. I want to know why. Watching Mamma Mia made me think of the state of the Broadway musical, the kind with original songs and not a jukebox compendium of ABBA, Billy Joel, Elvis or the Four Seasons. Is the original musical dead? The answer is NO, and I have three terrific examples, all available on CD: ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/mamma-mia-how-did-this-abba-as.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/mamma-mia-how-did-this-abba-as.php Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:18:20 -0500 "Tropic Thunder" Tops the Bat, but Can It Beat "Pineapple Express" as Best Comedy of the Summer? It had to happen, and now it has. *The Dark Knight* has lost the No. 1 spot after five weeks at the top. The victor is *Tropic Thunder*, Ben Stiller's comic bite on the Hollywood hand that feeds him. But don't get too excited. *The Dark Knight* took the No. 2 spot with $16.8 million, bringing its total so far to $471.5 million, passing the $461 million earned by the original *Stars Wars* to become—ta-da—the second biggest box-office hit in like EVER! Only *Titanic* with its $600 million total remains an obstacle—an insurmoutable one, I'd bet. But Stiller—the director, producer, co-writer and star— deserves his place in the summer box-office sun. There had been talks of picketing stemming from the use of the word "retard" in a scene in which Robert Downey, Jr., in blackface as an Aussie actor getting into character as a African-American soldier, tells Stiller about the dangers of going "full retard" if you want to win an Oscar. Nearly two dozen advocacy groups for the intellectually disabled protested. But the publicity made no dent at the box office, maybe because the target of the joke is not the mentally challenged but the egotism of Hollywood actors. *Tropic* wasn't able to match the $41.2 million five-day opening for *Pineapple Express* the previous week, and its $100 million production cost gives it a tougher time making a profit than *Pineapple*, which cost under $30 million. But consider another factoid: *Tropic Thunder* built its audience over the five days, while *Pineapple Express* dwindled, leaving us with the question that really counts: It had to happen, and now it has. *The Dark Knight* has lost the No. 1 spot after five weeks at the top. The victor is *Tropic Thunder*, Ben Stiller's comic bite on the Hollywood hand that feeds him. But don't get too excited. *The Dark Knight* took the No. 2 spot with $16.8 million, bringing its total so far to $471.5 million, passing the $461 million earned by the original *Stars Wars* to become—ta-da—the second biggest box-office hit in like EVER! Only *Titanic* with its $600 million total remains an obstacle—an insurmoutable one, I'd bet. But Stiller—the director, producer, co-writer and star— deserves his place in the summer box-office sun. There had been talks of picketing stemming from the use of the word "retard" in a scene in which Robert Downey, Jr., in blackface as an Aussie actor getting into character as a African-American soldier, tells Stiller about the dangers of going "full retard" if you want to win an Oscar. Nearly two dozen advocacy groups for the intellectually disabled protested. But the publicity made no dent at the box office, maybe because the target of the joke is not the mentally challenged but the egotism of Hollywood actors. *Tropic* wasn't able to match the $41.2 million five-day opening for *Pineapple Express* the previous week, and its $100 million production cost gives it a tougher time making a profit than *Pineapple*, which cost under $30 million. But consider another factoid: *Tropic Thunder* built its audience over the five days, while *Pineapple Express* dwindled, leaving us with the question that really counts: ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/tropic-thunder-tops-the-bat-bu.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/tropic-thunder-tops-the-bat-bu.php Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:34:14 -0500 Peter Travers Video Review: "Tropic Thunder" and "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" The summer is almost over, but the big ticket movies are still rolling out of Hollywood. This weekend pits the action satire Tropic Thunder against the Woody Allen sex comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Click above to see which flick Peter Travers would plunk down his movie dollars for if he had to pay for movies. The summer is almost over, but the big ticket movies are still rolling out of Hollywood. This weekend pits the action satire Tropic Thunder against the Woody Allen sex comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Click above to see which flick Peter Travers would plunk down his movie dollars for if he had to pay for movies. ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/peter-travers-video-review-tro.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/peter-travers-video-review-tro.php Peter Travers Video Podcast Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:08:21 -0500 "Pineapple" Nearly Smokes the Batman, plus a Tribute to Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes on Screen Box office news is still the same. Nothing can topple *The Dark Knight* from the No. 1 spot, though the stoner comedy *Pineapple Express*, which cost a mere $27 million to make, took in a smoking $40 million in just its first five days and easily finished at No. 2. Next week, Ben Stiller's *Tropic Thunder* hopes to catch the Knight slowing down in his fifth week. I think maybe. What's your guess? What I know for sure is that the shocking deaths of Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes over the weekend represent a major loss to the entertainment world. That the two costarred in *Soul Men*, scheduled for release in November, is a tragic irony. And a good reason to recall the best of Hayes and Mac on film. Box office news is still the same. Nothing can topple *The Dark Knight* from the No. 1 spot, though the stoner comedy *Pineapple Express*, which cost a mere $27 million to make, took in a smoking $40 million in just its first five days and easily finished at No. 2. Next week, Ben Stiller's *Tropic Thunder* hopes to catch the Knight slowing down in his fifth week. I think maybe. What's your guess? What I know for sure is that the shocking deaths of Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes over the weekend represent a major loss to the entertainment world. That the two costarred in *Soul Men*, scheduled for release in November, is a tragic irony. And a good reason to recall the best of Hayes and Mac on film. ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/pineapple-nearly-smokes-the-ba.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/pineapple-nearly-smokes-the-ba.php Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:58:41 -0500 Robert Downey Jr.'s Best Performances With Robert Downey Jr. on the cover of the current issue, Peter Travers takes a look at some of the actor's best work, from *Less Than Zero* and *Chaplin* to *Kiss Kiss Bang Bang* and *Zodiac* ("Nobody can do obsessed like Robert Downey Jr."). Plus, another look at Downey in *Iron Man*, where he gave a performance that reinvented the entire superhero genre. Click above to watch the video. • Robert Downey Jr.: The Man Who Wasn't There With Robert Downey Jr. on the cover of the current issue, Peter Travers takes a look at some of the actor's best work, from *Less Than Zero* and *Chaplin* to *Kiss Kiss Bang Bang* and *Zodiac* ("Nobody can do obsessed like Robert Downey Jr."). Plus, another look at Downey in *Iron Man*, where he gave a performance that reinvented the entire superhero genre. Click above to watch the video.

• Robert Downey Jr.: The Man Who Wasn't There]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/robert-downey-jrs-best-perform.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/robert-downey-jrs-best-perform.php Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:05:58 -0500 Peter Travers Video Review: "Pineapple Express" What makes Pineapple Express, starring Freaks and Geeks castmates Seth Rogen and James Franco one of the greatest stoner movies of all time? Peter Travers breaks it all down in his weekly video review. • Review: Pinapple Express (3.5 stars) • Killer Buds: The Story Behind Pinapple Express • The Stoner Movie Hall of Fame What makes Pineapple Express, starring Freaks and Geeks castmates Seth Rogen and James Franco one of the greatest stoner movies of all time? Peter Travers breaks it all down in his weekly video review.

• Review: Pinapple Express (3.5 stars)
• Killer Buds: The Story Behind Pinapple Express
• The Stoner Movie Hall of Fame]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/peter-travers-video-review-pin.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/peter-travers-video-review-pin.php Peter Travers Video Podcast Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:57:25 -0500 Batman Wins Again, but Who Gives the Film's 2nd Best Performance? These Monday box-office reports seem to be playing the same news on a continuous loop. Once again, *The Dark Knight* kills the competition. In its third week, Batman squeaked past the mucho-hyped debut of *The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* to win the No. One spot. It's $42.5 million for the Mummy, $43.8 million for the Bat. Of course, *Tomb* should be entombed by next week when word of mouth kicks in about how tired and stupid the third *Mummy* flick is. *The Dark Knight*, now nearing $400 million at the ticket windows will still be raking it in. As it should. The triumph of the summer's best live-action movie brings up a crucial acting question that needs the asking: These Monday box-office reports seem to be playing the same news on a continuous loop. Once again, *The Dark Knight* kills the competition. In its third week, Batman squeaked past the mucho-hyped debut of *The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* to win the No. One spot. It's $42.5 million for the Mummy, $43.8 million for the Bat. Of course, *Tomb* should be entombed by next week when word of mouth kicks in about how tired and stupid the third *Mummy* flick is. *The Dark Knight*, now nearing $400 million at the ticket windows will still be raking it in. As it should. The triumph of the summer's best live-action movie brings up a crucial acting question that needs the asking: ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/batman-wins-again-but-who-give.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/08/batman-wins-again-but-who-give.php Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:32:36 -0500 Peter Travers Video Review: "The Mummy," "American Teen" If the recent Indiana Jones movie was like a knock-off of an Indiana Jones movie, how bad is The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor? Pretty bad. Peter Travers tackles Brendan Fraser's latest CGI-heavy archeology-action flick starring Maria Bello, Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh, as well as the recommended "American Teen," a documentary that follows five graduating students in Indiana that's like The Hills with a conscience and a sense of humor. • Review: American Teen (3 stars) If the recent Indiana Jones movie was like a knock-off of an Indiana Jones movie, how bad is The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor? Pretty bad. Peter Travers tackles Brendan Fraser's latest CGI-heavy archeology-action flick starring Maria Bello, Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh, as well as the recommended "American Teen," a documentary that follows five graduating students in Indiana that's like The Hills with a conscience and a sense of humor. • Review: American Teen (3 stars)]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/07/peter-travers-video-review-the-3.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/07/peter-travers-video-review-the-3.php Peter Travers Video Podcast Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:54:32 -0500 Holy Box Office! The Bat Beats All! But Can the Joker Beat Hannibal and Darth as the Best Movie Villain Ever? My Monday box-office reports seem to be running the same news on a continuous loop. Yes, it's *The Dark Knight* again.It's nice that Will Ferrell is back on his game, with *Step Brothers* grossing a solid $30 million, but do you really care that the second *X-Files* movie tanked with a paltry $10.2 or that women are still showing up in droves (or $17.8 million worth) to support the tin-eared *Mamma Mia*? In money terms, *The Dark Knight* is still the only game in town. Having already scored the best opening day ($67.2 million) and best opening weekend ($158.4 million) in history, the Batman movie now racks up best all-time second weekend ($75.6 million). Total take so far: $314.2 million. Want more? *The Dark Knight* is now the fastest movie ever to reach $100 million (2 days), $200 million (5 days) and $300 million (10 days). Can $400 million be far away, what with the repeat business? *Shrek 2* managed the trick in 43 days. Warner Bros thinks the Batman and his Joker will do it in 18 days. I wouldn't bet against it. The new goal is $500 million and maybe even a shot at the all-time domestic record—*Titanic* at $601 million. What do you think? What I'm thinking at this moment is this: My Monday box-office reports seem to be running the same news on a continuous loop. Yes, it's *The Dark Knight* again.It's nice that Will Ferrell is back on his game, with *Step Brothers* grossing a solid $30 million, but do you really care that the second *X-Files* movie tanked with a paltry $10.2 or that women are still showing up in droves (or $17.8 million worth) to support the tin-eared *Mamma Mia*? In money terms, *The Dark Knight* is still the only game in town. Having already scored the best opening day ($67.2 million) and best opening weekend ($158.4 million) in history, the Batman movie now racks up best all-time second weekend ($75.6 million). Total take so far: $314.2 million. Want more? *The Dark Knight* is now the fastest movie ever to reach $100 million (2 days), $200 million (5 days) and $300 million (10 days). Can $400 million be far away, what with the repeat business? *Shrek 2* managed the trick in 43 days. Warner Bros thinks the Batman and his Joker will do it in 18 days. I wouldn't bet against it. The new goal is $500 million and maybe even a shot at the all-time domestic record—*Titanic* at $601 million. What do you think? What I'm thinking at this moment is this: ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/07/holy-box-office-the-bat-beats.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/07/holy-box-office-the-bat-beats.php Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:12:13 -0500 Peter Travers Video Review: "The X-Files," "Step Brothers" In this week's video review, Peter Travers discusses The X-Files: I Want to Believe and Step Brothers. Click above for the Rolling Stone film critic's take on the revival of the cult sci-fi TV show and the Will Ferrell/John C. Reilly buddy comedy. • Review: Step Brothers (2.5 stars) [Video: Pete Maiden] In this week's video review, Peter Travers discusses The X-Files: I Want to Believe and Step Brothers. Click above for the Rolling Stone film critic's take on the revival of the cult sci-fi TV show and the Will Ferrell/John C. Reilly buddy comedy. • Review: Step Brothers (2.5 stars) [Video: Pete Maiden]]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/07/peter-travers-video-review-x-f.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/07/peter-travers-video-review-x-f.php Peter Travers Video Podcast Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:37:03 -0500 Box Office Goes Batty: But Will "The Dark Knight" Be the Big Winner for the Summer and the Year? *The Dark Knight* shattered records over the weekend. The second installment in director Christopher Nolan's Batman series grossed $158.3 million, which flew past *Spider-Man 3*, the previous (and undeserved) gold standard with $151.1 million. *The Dark Knight* also hit the sales record books for single-day ($66.4 million), midnight screening ($18.5 million) and IMAX debut ($6.2 million). I couldn't be happier. It's satisfying when a comic-book movie this compelling and complex touches a universal chord. Success, as always, also inspires mucho bitching. Parents fear that the PG-13 film is too dark for their little ones (duh?) and what with brutal scenes like the pencil in the forehead they wonder if it's really not a popcorn movie for the whole family (double duh?). And then there are questions actually worth the asking, such as: *The Dark Knight* shattered records over the weekend. The second installment in director Christopher Nolan's Batman series grossed $158.3 million, which flew past *Spider-Man 3*, the previous (and undeserved) gold standard with $151.1 million. *The Dark Knight* also hit the sales record books for single-day ($66.4 million), midnight screening ($18.5 million) and IMAX debut ($6.2 million). I couldn't be happier. It's satisfying when a comic-book movie this compelling and complex touches a universal chord. Success, as always, also inspires mucho bitching. Parents fear that the PG-13 film is too dark for their little ones (duh?) and what with brutal scenes like the pencil in the forehead they wonder if it's really not a popcorn movie for the whole family (double duh?). And then there are questions actually worth the asking, such as: ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/07/box-office-goes-batty-but-will.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/07/box-office-goes-batty-but-will.php Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:30:22 -0500 Peter Travers Video Review: "The Dark Knight" In this week's video review, Peter Travers gives his endorsement to the highly anticipated The Dark Knight, the Batman movie featuring Heath Ledger's much-buzzed-about final performance as the Joker. Click above for the Rolling Stone film critic's full review. • Review: The Dark Knight (3.5 stars) In this week's video review, Peter Travers gives his endorsement to the highly anticipated The Dark Knight, the Batman movie featuring Heath Ledger's much-buzzed-about final performance as the Joker. Click above for the Rolling Stone film critic's full review. • Review: The Dark Knight (3.5 stars)]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/07/peter-travers-video-review-the-2.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2008/07/peter-travers-video-review-the-2.php Peter Travers Video Podcast Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:15:14 -0500