KPBS Film Club reviews IL DIVO, WHATEVER WORKS, PUBLIC ENEMIES, THE HURT LOCKER and PONTYPOON
July 9th, 2009 by Scott Marks
Toni Servillo in “Il Divo”
Wendy, I’m home!
After a viscous virus that lasted fifteen day and spanned three Staples stores my computer is finally clean. Real clean. Like my conscience. Nice to be back.
So much has happened in the past two weeks, but nothing was more shocking than the passing of an architect of entertainment, an international icon who redefined an art form, and an industry giant. Of course, I refer to Kaiser of Copycats, the late, great Fred Travalena. The impressionist was dubbed “The Man of a Thousand Faces” for his uncanny ability to ape not only celebrity voices, but their anthroposcopy as well.
Mr. T died three days after Farrah Fawcett and already there is talk of a “Good Sports” curse. Mr. Travalena starred opposite Ms. Fawcett in the series premiere. In addition, the 1991 sitcom starred William Katt whose career died ages ago. There is also a Michael Jackson connection. Travalena appeared as Jacko on the 1992 MTV Music Video Awards. I have yet to unearth a link to Gale Storm or Billy Mays.
The impersonator will always have a warm spot in my heart for a blinding display of in-joke absurdity. Jim Nabors as played by Fred Travalena as played by Dave Thomas on SCTV’s “The Merv Griffith Show” was the first thing that came to mind when news hit of the entertainer’s passing. Fred Travalena was 61.
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While Michael Jackson was being interred I was in mid-turd watching “Adam,” a Lifetime disease-of-the-week movie erroneously being released in theaters. I only caught swatches of the funeral and if there is humor to be found in tragedy, take a look at the ghoulish getup Corey Feldman wore.
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This month’s Film Club aired on June 30. I am proud to say that business for “Il Divo” rose dramatically after Beth and I gave it an audiogenic bj. Sadly, the show aired on a Tuesday and Landmark’s bookings are put to bed on Mondays. The film only lasted one week at the Ken.
Kudos to Beth for unearthing “Pontypoon,” a Canadian zombie film (without any onscreen zombies) currently playing On Demand.
Fred Travalena on “Merv”
Tags: corey feldman, Farrah Fawcett, Film Reviews, fred travalena, fred travalena dead, fred travalena dies, KPBS Film Club, Michael Jackson, movie reviews IL DIVO, PONTYPOON, PUBLIC ENEMIES, THE HURT LOCKER, Video, WHATEVER WORKSShare: 
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6 Responses to “KPBS Film Club reviews IL DIVO, WHATEVER WORKS, PUBLIC ENEMIES, THE HURT LOCKER and PONTYPOON”
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Welcome back! You gonna bust my chops?
Yeah, I thought of the same SCTV sketch after Fred died. I met him once years ago in Vegas. I was working for a guy who knew Sandy Hackett, Buddy’s son, and he offered me a free weekend in Vegas with all the trimmings (sans whores). I saw Hackett, Rickles and Travalena. Loved it.
Boy, Merv sure loved his impression of Reagan! “BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”
Hi Scott!
Glad the computer is fixed! I agree with your assessment of “The Hurt Locker” because in general, the DP seemed lazy. Although the super high speed photography was pretty stunning. The Steadicam work was sloppy and forced, and if there is no diegetic reason for it, it should not be a stylistic choice. The DP also should have put some ND filters in the box and made a shallower depth of field. Most of the scenes seemed flat and lifeless. With a better colorist and a DP that wasn’t so in love with steadicam, it would have been exemplary visually.
YOU’RE UP! Thank each of the Gods in the sky (and a few below!)
EC LIVES!!! If you need proof that your web site serves a useful purpose then here it is:
I didn’t know Fred Travalena died until I read it here - several weeks after the fact.
I’m happy you’re up but sorry Shirley MacLaine’s longtime opening act died… talk about conflicted!
So glad EC is back up on-line!
I listened to some of the show. I couldn’t stand PUBLIC ENEMIES for a few reasons: 1) I felt very distant from the characters. 2) The sound mix was horrible; gunfire sounded as loud as a DIE HARD explosion 3) I have never seen a big budgeted film look like such crap, being shot on video! It looked like it was shot hi-8 and blown up to 35mm! Ef Michael Mann.
Long live EC!
thank you for coming back - i am anxiously awaiting your review of Drag Me to Hell as I am driving in my Buick with pedal extensions to the only theater in Chicago, Ford City.
(sent from my iPod touch at 75 miles an hour)