Sunday Morning Shootout – Best Of Season One
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: C Episodes: B+
Starting in 2003, The AMC Network began what is the most
antagonistic TV series on films since Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel originally
turned up on the PBS/WTTW Sneak Previews series in the late 1970s with Sunday
Morning Shootout. This time, it is
co-hosted by Variety Magazine writer and sometimes film-producer Peter Bart and
bombastic film producer and one time co-studio head Peter Guber. Guber is a smart businessman often, but is
so hell-bent on the money aspect that he constantly misses the point of how
unique filmmaking and the film business is, as well as being totally clueless
about why the 1970s was such a key time for filmmaking and Hollywood. Bart, who debates him throughout every show,
has a better grasp in the heart and soul department, yet here they are fighting
instead of making films. The Best Of
Season One is a 6 DVD set.
Though the show is topical to the point of being dated
quickly in parts, which is actually brave these days, it is the most important
regular series on film along with Inside The Actor’s Studio. While actual film critics shows have gone
into decline and self-satire, this show does have its brief film criticism, but
even that is different from the usual yes/no voting. The analysis is the reason to watch each and every show, whether
you even like the starts or the guests.
At a time people seem to want to know everything, this might be too
intelligent for pseudo-know-it-alls, but for those serious about filmmaking as
an art and business or who take film seriously will want to make sure they have
seen every show at least once. Yes, it
is that good.
At the heart of the show is the most open view of the
movie business since the 1970s via two men who really left their mark, getting
people who would often never get interviewed having elongated discussions and
are very key people makes for a priceless record of the business both at this
time and over the decades. The more you
recognize the guests, the more likely you will enjoy this set. If you love movies, many of the names are
ones you should get to know better.
Reporter Linda Grasso occasionally gives a news update, but not
always. She also sometimes reads viewer
e-mails. The shows are as follows:
1) Danny
DeVito
2) Kevin
Costner
3) Sylvester
Stallone
4) Clint
Eastwood
5) Mel
Gibson
6) Kevin
Spacey and Lionsgate head Mike Burns
7) Ron
Howard & Brian Grazer from Imagine Entertainment
8) Edward
Zwick
9) Brett
Ratner & Pierce Brosnan
10) Kevin Smith
11) Garry Marshall, Matthew Perry & Jonathan
Lynn
12) The Wayans (Keenan/Marlon/Shawn)
13) Edward Norton & Tim Rothman
14) Samuel L. Jackson
15) Robert Downey Jr.
16) Jack Black
17) Jim Caviezel & Rowdy Harrington
18) Andy Garcia
19) Laura Linney
20) Charlize Theron
21) Sherry Lansing
22) Nancy Meyers/Barry Levinson/Chris Weitz
23) Stacey Sher/Paula Weinstein/Lucy Fisher
24) Bernie Brillstein
25) Joe Roth & Cuba Gooding Jr.
26) John Calley & Anthony Minghella
27) Peter Jackson & Bob Shaye
28) Art Linson/Cassian Evans/Mark Gill
29) Dustin Hoffman
30) Anthony Hopkins
31) Ben Kingsley
32) Adrien Brody
33) Denzel Washington
Of course, you can look up any name you don’t know online,
but seeing these talents being so articulate and open is rare any more versus
the closed “we don’t need you” ignorance of people being disposable that has
set in since the 1980s and its rollback politics. A series like this is long overdue and has not become the
phenomenon it deserves to become. Sure,
it is extensive, but for all the celebration of extras and behind the scenes of
so many films and TV shows, you still do not get the insiders view you get in
these direct shows. It also allows to
see all the participants at their best and in the best light. Kudos to Delta for getting this show out on
DVD. We all hope it is a watershed and
we see many seasons to come!
The 1.33 X 1 image is pretty good and well-transferred,
with better color than usual for the professional NTSC format on DVD. Detail is still an issue, but it is
watchable. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
is simple and clear, but nothing fancy.
The theme song is borderline annoying and amusing at the same time. I wonder if they’ll keep it. Extras include a sneak preview of the second
season (just over 13 minutes) and a featurette (running nearly 40 minutes)
about the stars of the show. There is
also an Oscar-night special on DVD 6 that compiles highlights of the episodes,
but it is not exactly something we could consider an extra, though it is a good
show and has some new interviews.
- Nicholas Sheffo
