Went to see Deadline USA with Sarah, who many of you have seen working on the quizzo documentary. Deadline USA is an old Humphrey Bogart film that for some reason never made it to video or DVD. Here were her thoughts: A rarely seen but superb film showcasing the drive and passion of dedicated journalists getting the news to the people, Deadline USA focuses on a hard-nosed editor, Ed Hutcheson (Bogart) who races against several clocks as he attempts to save The Day. He is trying to save his paper that will go under with its imminent sale, woo back his ex-wife and bring a murderous mobster to justice.

Mrs. Garrison (Ethel Barrymore), the widow of the founder of The Day, along with her two spoiled, whiny daughters that make Paris and Nicky seem tolerable, are in negotiations to sell the paper. Hutcheson sallies forth business as usual until the press stops running in just a few short days. He sends a reporter out to follow up on a lead involving the mobster only to find the reporter badly beaten – fueling his desire to send the paper and the mobster out with a bang. In the midst of the court battles over the future of the paper and chasing leads on the mobster, Hutcheson makes time to woo back his wife Nora (Kim Hunter) who is engaged to another man. Bogart, of course, handles it all with aplomb; convincing Mrs. Garrison to fight against her daughters for the paper, interrogating a witness of the murder, and romancing his ex. All in a days work for this unflappable editor. But that’s not all–

In between court cases and romantic dinners, Hutcheson stops one of the lamest fights ever on screen between a couple of his journalists; mentors a young, impressionable, wannabe journalist: “About this wanting to be a reporter, don’t ever change your mind. It may not be the oldest profession, but it’s the best;” and gives and receives a verbal pummeling with the ex’s new beau (fellas, if you’re looking to steal another man’s dame or keep yours from being taken – watch and learn).

Despite Bogart’s stellar turn, there are a few melodramatic scenes that bring things down…especially the wake scene held by the journalists for the paper. The score becomes unbearably hymnal and the dialogue ridiculous. There’s also the completely random and creepy scene where Hutcheson – in a supposed romantic gesture – gives his ex a doll that winks when it’s arm is raised. I don’t know what that was about but, guys – dolls are creepy, period. Don’t go there.

Melodrama and creepy dolls aside, Deadline USA is a pretty impressive film about old school journalism that still resonates today.

JGT’s take: Yeah, this was a pretty fun film that was supposed to be about journalism but is really all about Humphrey Bogart being cool under fire. The innuendo between Hunter and Bogart was pretty hot and for the time, extremely risque. There were a few silly and unnecessary melodramatic touches, but the story and the camerawork were both impressive. And the final line was vintage Bogey: “That’s the press, baby. And there’s nothing you can do to stop it.” All in all, a good, but not great, movie.

Total Ownage wins the pool, due to a total chokage by Memphis. Kids, work on your free throws.

Good luck tonight to Adam and Total Ownage. If Memphis wins, Adam gets the $100 in gift certificates, if Kansas wins, Total Ownage does. As for me, I am 72nd out of 73 people entered. Brackets are dumb, anyways.

Tried to go see a movie on Friday night, but it was sold out, so I spent Friday night hanging out in Old City (Plough and Stars, followed by Triumph, both pretty decent spots, provided you get out of Plough before 11 p.m.) Had better luck on Sunday. Saw Bogart film Deadline USA with Sarah (review coming manana) and Dangerous Parking with Andy. If anyone is interested in checking something out tonight around 7ish, let me know. Here is Andy’s review for Dangerous Parking:
Dangerous Parking is the kind of film I’d never really recommend anyone seek out, but would love to talk about after they’d seen it anyway. Its flawed, loses its identity about halfway through, and becomes so disjointed that its really two films presented under the same banner. However, it does confront alcoholism and addiction in a way that can make any “professional drinker” reflect.

The problem with Dangerous Parking isn’t its message. It really does gets into the main character Noah Arkwright’s booze and blow problems in a lighthearted and funny way. The film uses jump cuts and
post-production animations to flash back and forward to funny drinking stories, and not so funny binges, and kept me interested, entertained and engaged.

The problem comes when Noah gets himself domesticated. Maybe I find drinking stories more fun than love stories (and that’s going to get me immortalized in film one day), but I think the real reason is the
film completely changes personality. Noah’s still there, and he still struggles with his demons, but the film goes from in your face and comedic about one bad thing (addiction), to a soft and romanticized
touch about another (cancer). It could be the nature of the two diseases, but I question why you’d talk about Noah’s first fight in a”fun” way and then change gears and talk about the second fight in a
“miserable” way.

In the end, Dangerous Parking had Johnny and I talking for 20 minutes afterwards, and I think that’s what I’ll take from it most. The film is not forgettable, but is a missed opportunity at what could have been a better film.

JGT’s take: Yeah, I’m in cahoots with Andy on this one. Another thing that was really annoying was the cussing. I’m no saint, but I honestly bet this guy dropped the f-bomb more than Pesci in Goodfellas, and to less effect. One good thing about the film Andy failed to mention: the women in it are stunningly gorgeous, somehow much hotter than most women in Hollywood flicks. But yeah, it tried to be a combo meal: come for the wacky tale of battling addiction and stay for the uber-depressing cancer filled conclusion. Shoulda picked which film it wanted to be.