Posts by Kim Voynar at Cinematical

No, really, it is -- just not in the cliched, melodramatic sense. The set-up of the film immediately calls to mind 2005's comedic smash hit, 40-Year-Old Virgin, but with a female lead instead of a guy. Where Virgin gave us a peek into the life of 40-year-old guy who decorates his apartment with new-in-box action figures and plays videogames by himself all the time, Year of the Dog gives us a window into the life of Peggy ( ), a similarly-aged woman living alone with her beagle, Pencil in her starkly neat home.

One of the strengths of Virgin was that it never stooped to mockery of main character Andy (Steve Carrell), the sad sack who's never managed to get laid. Andy wasn't ugly, he didn't have horrible breath, and he wasn't a serial killer with mommy issues; he was just a normal guy who dressed neatly and had a neurotic fear of sex after several bad experiences trying to lose his virginity. Andy was like a lot of 30-and-40-something guys living alone or in their parents' basement apartment, mired in a world where computer games and internet chat take the place of a real social life.

Likewise, in Year of the Dog, Peggy is never caricatured as a miserable old maid; she's just a woman for whom the progression of a relationship to marriage never happened.

.. Rowan Atkinson's Johnny English" (ugh, I don't even know what to say to that), but Get Smart series creators Mel Brooks and Buck Henry were not consulted on the script.

The reason for this, Wells' various communications with "insiders" allege, is that Warner Brothers is trying to prove that the work Brooks and Henry did on the original series was "work for hire" and that they are therefore not entitled to any compensation from this film should it end up making money. Depositions have supposedly been taken, etc.

As for the script, I'm not a huge fan of script reviews, because so much can change from a draft script to what you see on screen.

Nonetheless, a lot of folks have been pondering how exactly they're going to pull off the sexual tension between Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 that so underscored the original series, what with Carrell being quite a bit older than Hathaway. The script's storyline is supposed to go back to how Maxwell Smart became an agent and met Agent 99 (Hathaway), and has Agent 99 as a more experienced "female James Bond"-type who mentors Smart. According to one of Wells' insider reports, the script works around the age issue by saying that Agent 99 is actually older, but has had plastic surgery to conceal her real identity.

Not sure about that, it sounds like a bit of an overly convoluted plot idea to me, but we'll see how they pull it off.

I caught the film with a packed house at a screening at AFI Dallas, and if that crowd's reaction to the film is any indication, the film should do pretty well here.

The film, based on a novel by Japanese sci-fi master Yasutaka Tsutsui, is a trippy, visually rich tale about a group of private scientists at a research facility who have invented a device called the DC Mini that allows "dream detectives" to enter other people's dreams.

Would you like to be paid to write about movies? Well, we're looking for a few good writers. You don't have to be based in NYC or LA, but living in either place is a plus.

This round, we're looking for writers with a passion for independent film. If documentaries, films with subtitles and low-budget indie flicks get you excited and your feedreader is packed with indie film web sites, this just might be the right time for you to apply! Here's a rundown of what we're looking for:

REQUIREMENTS:

*Solid writing skills.

Basic knowledge of grammar and style, the ability to put together words so they flow nicely, and talent for writing sharp, professional prose.

*Experience. We're looking for people who have some writing experience, especially writing about movies.

It doesn't have to be paid experience, but having a proven track record for turning in consistently solid writing on deadline certainly helps.

*Dedication. Lots of people want to write about film.

Not everyone has the diligence and stamina to churn out 60 well-written posts/month, consistently. Do you?

GREAT!

THAT SOUNDS LIKE ME! HOW DO I APPLY?

Send the following info to apps (at) cinematical (dot) com with the subject line: CINEMATICAL APPLICATION [YOUR NAME ]:

*NAME
*GEOGRAPHIC AREA
*URLs for your personal blog and any other sites you write for
*Three original writing samples, previously unpublished and unposted.

Please do not just send links to blog posts.

(1) For the first two samples, pick current stories and write up a 200-300 word post on each, offering commentary, insight, further research, or some other added value. Do not just "reblog" the source material -- we're looking for your unique voice.

(2) For the third, give us your take on a recent major release in 750-1000 words. Can be a positive or negative review.

NO ATTACHMENTS, PLEASE.

*Please also answer the following:

Why do you want to write for Cinematical Indie?

What kind of content are you particularly interested in writing about? Do you have an area of particular knowledge, expertise or interest?