Sad a statement as this may be, for
many of us our world begins and ends with the
Mets. But, alas, there are only so many times
in a day that we can refresh our browsers over
on our favorite Mets related blogs and expect to
see something new.
The Metwork was created for
the spaces in-between. Of course, we'll always
post important Mets updates throughout the day
but here you'll also find posts on current
events/breaking news, film, T.V.,
original essays and other weapons of mass distraction.
Who's Running this Ship Anyway?
The Metwork was conceived by Internet-a-phobe Benjamin Truman with the encouragement of his consiglieres Gardner Sparks and Siddhartha Finch. Gardner and Siddhartha live in Los Angeles while Ben lives in an underground bunker at an
undisclosed location.
Comments Policy
Inappropriate comments are sort of like pornography--we'll know it when we see it, and it will probably turn us on. That being said, please show some class and try to keep it together.
From time to
time we're going to endeavor to make a few DVD recommendations for you
to add to your Netflix queues... The intention is to turn you on to
some films that you might not have seen or might have otherwise fallen
through the cracks over the years between your summer "tent-pole" films and the rest of their blockbuster
brethren...
The Principal (1987)
Dir. Christopher Cain
Starring:
James Belushi Louis Gossett Jr. Raw Dawn Chong Michael Wright Esai Morales
Synopsis: Back before the spare tire, the unfunny sitcoms and the dog comedies, James Belushi was quite the talent. He was physically fit, had a dab sense of humor and could truly kick some arse. One such movie “The Principal” utilized the versatile – and rarely seen – combination of Belushi-ness and gave Belushi one of his finest moments in modern-day cinema. Violent, but still darkly humorous, Christopher Cain’s “The Principal” takes the old ‘new teacher comes to rough high school and takes out the garbage’ theme and adds Belushi’s renowned sense of wit and likability. Belushi is Hard-drinking, motor-bike-riding Rick Latimer. He’s assigned to a new principal position at one of the cities rougher schools, because he just can’t seem to contain his temper. Naturally that temper is going to come in handy here – where the students don’t listen to the teachers, where people are getting killed, thugs own the hallways and Principals are targets for assassination.“The Principal” is pretty similar to “Dangerous Minds” and “The Substitute” series, and essentially anything that deals with a new teacher bringing justice to a tough high school. But, for a Belushi flick – this is great. He’s great. He’s funny, He’s tough and he’s extremely likeable. Sure he has to utter cheesy lines and play some pretty cringe-worthy scenes but all in all it’s a solid piece of entertainment, that makes you want to ask the question: where’s the sequel? --Clint Morris, from his Moviehole.net editorial review.
The Metwork Take: Sure, we're being a little nostalgic for 1987. The Mets had just come off their first championship in 17 years, the Reagan era was winding down, we were getting hair in all sorts of new places... But we digress... The Principal still holds up as a pretty kick-ass piece of pure entertainment. Jim Belushi circa 1987 (still in possession of at least a modicum of street cred) is funny as hell but also pulls off some of the film's more dramatic requirements without making you cringe. Michael Wright's turn as bad guy Victor Duncan is one of the most underrated villain performances of 80's, and Louis Gossett, Jr. puts in one of his last performances before being replaced by Morgan Freeman in the collective American psyche.
Trivia:
Director Christopher Cain's next film was Young Guns. His directing career has been largely unremarkable since (i.e. "The Next Karate Kid")
Christopher Cain's most well known project is, well... his son, Dean Cain.
From time to
time we're going to endeavor to make a few DVD recommendations for you
to add to your Netflix queues... The intention is to turn you on to
some films that you might not have seen or might have otherwise fallen
through the cracks between your Spidermans and their blockbuster
brethren....
First up: To Live and Die
in L.A....
To Live
and Die in L.A.
(1985)
Dir. William Freidken
Starring:
William Peterson Willem
Dafoe John Pankow John Turturro Robert Downey, Sr.
Dean
Stockwell
Synopsis: William
Friedkin briefly revived his faltering career with this sleek, bleak
thriller of a pair of secret service agents on the trail of a
counterfeiter. William L. Peterson is the hotshot protégé of a career
agent killed by the ruthless, almost feral counterfeiting genius Willem
Dafoe (Platoon). Now Petersen, teamed with the smart but still green
John Pankow (TV's Mad About You), is ready to twist arms, lean on
criminals, steal, and even murder to exact his revenge. The harrowing
chase through the streets of Los Angeles that climaxes on the freeway
at rush hour, where Friedkin's brilliant twist sends them heading the
wrong way, careening through a sea of cars coming straight at them, is
still one of the most breathtaking car chases ever filmed. Friedkin's edgy crime thriller, stylishly shot in
steely blues against hazy red and orange skies by Robby Muller (Paris,
Texas), paints a very thin line between the good guys and the bad guys,
and Wang Chung's techno soundtrack sets the proper mood--jumpy and
alienated. It's a cynical and very brutal look into the world of law
enforcement (adapted by Friedkin and former Secret Service man Gerald
Petievich from his novel) and a cold portrayal of the power games
between cops and feds, and cops and informants. John Turturro, Dean
Stockwell, and Robert Downey Sr. are featured in supporting roles.
--Sean Axmaker, from his Amazon.com editorial review.
The Metwork Take:
Based on the book by real-life Secret Service agent Gerald Petievich,
this 1985 film still holds up and remains one of the better crime
thrillers of the last 20 years. A very pre-CSI
William Peterson absolutely nails his role as anti-hero Richard Chance,
while Willem Dafoe turns in one his first of a long line of creepy
performances. The much revered L.A. freeway chase is probably
the best car chase ever captured on film (yes, it's better than the
French Connection car chase). A remarkable
soundtrack by the otherwise unremarkable band Wang Chung will leave you
scratching your head. Who knew these guys had talent that far
exceeded Dance Hall Days? Also famous for a twist
that most present-day Hollywood studios would never have the balls to
repeat. If you haven't seen it yet, add it to your
Netflix queue now and thank us later. Let
us know what you
think.
Trivia:
Gary Sinise had
originally auditioned for the part of Chance. When he was denied the
role, he recommended William Petersen to William
Friedkin.
After seeing the film, 'Michael Mann' sued
William Friedkin for plagiarism. He accused Friedkin of stealing the
entire concept of "Miami Vice" (1984) and lost the
lawsuit.
The car chase sequence took six weeks to
shoot. It was the last thing shot - primarily based upon concern that
one of the principal actors might be seriously injured during the
filming of this remarkably dangerous sequence.
Keep
your eyes peeled for Jane Leeves in a decidedly un-Fraiser-esque
role.
Be sure to check out the
uber-ridiculous alternate ending included on the DVD.
Comments or Suggestions?
From time to
time we're going to endeavor to make a few DVD recommendations for you
to add to your Netflix queues... The intention is to turn you on to
some films that you might not have seen or might have otherwise fallen
through the cracks over the years between your summer "tent-pole" films and the rest of their blockbuster
brethren...
Synopsis: Back before the spare tire, the unfunny sitcoms and the dog comedies, James Belushi was quite the talent. He was physically fit, had a dab sense of humor and could truly kick some arse. One such movie “The Principal” utilized the versatile – and rarely seen – combination of Belushi-ness and gave Belushi one of his finest moments in modern-day cinema. Violent, but still darkly humorous, Christopher Cain’s “The Principal” takes the old ‘new teacher comes to rough high school and takes out the garbage’ theme and adds Belushi’s renowned sense of wit and likability. Belushi is Hard-drinking, motor-bike-riding Rick Latimer. He’s assigned to a new principal position at one of the cities rougher schools, because he just can’t seem to contain his temper. Naturally that temper is going to come in handy here – where the students don’t listen to the teachers, where people are getting killed, thugs own the hallways and Principals are targets for assassination.“The Principal” is pretty similar to “Dangerous Minds” and “The Substitute” series, and essentially anything that deals with a new teacher bringing justice to a tough high school. But, for a Belushi flick – this is great. He’s great. He’s funny, He’s tough and he’s extremely likeable. Sure he has to utter cheesy lines and play some pretty cringe-worthy scenes but all in all it’s a solid piece of entertainment, that makes you want to ask the question: where’s the sequel? --Clint Morris, from his Moviehole.net editorial review.
Friedkin's edgy crime thriller, stylishly shot in
steely blues against hazy red and orange skies by Robby Muller (Paris,
Texas), paints a very thin line between the good guys and the bad guys,
and 
.jpg)
