http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005 by the authors Mon, 19 Sep 2005 22:23:33 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/09/01/142305.php#comment-237664 The difference in the characterizations of the Foreman is significant in that Balsam, the lowly assistant football coach at Andrew McCorkland high school, is finally given a chance to "lead" when handed the reins of the jury. Notice how upset he gets when his authority is challenged ("Boy, I don't care what you do!", "Come on, fella, stay in there and pitch!"). The other important detail of his backstory at the window to Henry Fonda is not the football game, but the language he uses to describe the running back. "Cutting" and "slashing!" The look on Fonda's face is what's important here. He seems to be thinking "Will you listen to what you're saying?" as Balsam winds up his violent football analogy with the kicker line "It was murder." In the re-make, Courtney Vance's weepy football tale does nothing to enhance the story or character except show that the actor can "do sad." Jack Klugman and Dorian Harewood's Juror #5 is supposed to be unemployed. Question: In the remake, if Tony Danza is so intent on making it to the baseball game, why does he refer to a notepad with details of the trial? Ed Begley plays his racist role as the type of man you could easily imagine in the 50's; Mikail T. Williamson plays his character like a psychopath (About the boy, "Here's one we can get anyway"). There never should've been a re-make, but if they had to, they should have done it like the current Broadway play and leave the story in the 1950's where it belongs. You wouldn't update MOBY DICK, would you? 237664@blogcritics.org Mon, 19 Sep 2005 22:23:33 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/09/01/142305.php#comment-237658 The difference in the characterizations of the Foreman is significant in that Balsam, the lowly assistant football coach at Andrew McCorkland high school, is finally given a chance to "lead" when handed the reins of the jury. Notice how upset he gets when his authority is challenged ("Boy, I don't care what you do!", "Come on, fella, stay in there and pitch!"). The other important detail of his backstory at the window to Henry Fonda is not the football game, but the language he uses to describe the running back. "Cutting" and "slashing!" The look on Fonda's face is what's important here. He seems to be thinking "Will you listen to what you're saying?" as Balsam winds up his violent football analogy with the kicker line "It was murder." In the re-make, Courtney Vance's weepy football tale does nothing to enhance the story or character except show that the actor can "do sad." Jack Klugman and Dorian Harewood's Juror #5 is supposed to be unemployed. Question: In the remake, if Tony Danza is so intent on making it to the baseball game, why does he keep a notepad with details of the trial? Ed Begley plays his racist role as the type of man you could easily imagine in the 50's; Mikail T. Williamson plays his character like a psychopath (About the boy, "Here's one we can get anyway"). There never should've been a re-make, but if they had to, they should have done it like the current Broadway play and leave the story in the 1950's where it belongs. You wouldn't update MOBY DICK, would you? 237658@blogcritics.org Mon, 19 Sep 2005 22:16:24 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/09/01/142305.php#comment-237656 The difference in the characterizations of the Foreman is significant in that Balsam, the lowly assistant football coach at Andrew McCorkland high school, is finally given a chance to "lead" when handed the reins of the jury. Notice how upset he gets when his authority is challenged ("Boy, I don't care what you do!", "Come on, fella, stay in there and pitch!"). The other important detail of his backstory at the window to Henry Fonda is not the football game, but the language he uses to describe the running back. "Cutting" and "slashing!" The look on Fonda's face is what's important here. He seems to be thinking "Will you listen to what you're saying?" as Balsam winds up his violent football analogy with the kicker line "It was murder." In the re-make, Courtney Vance's weepy football tale does nothing to enhance the story or character except show that the actor can "do sad." Question: In the remake, if Tony Danza is so intent on making it to the baseball game, why does he keep a notepad with details of the trial? Ed Begley plays his racist role as the type of man you could easily imagine in the 50's; Mikail T. Williamson plays his character like a psychopath (About the boy, "Here's one we can get anyway"). There never should've been a re-make, but if they had to, they should have done it like the current Broadway play and leave the story in the 1950's where it belongs. You wouldn't update MOBY DICK, would you? 237656@blogcritics.org Mon, 19 Sep 2005 22:13:51 EDT