Joe Harrington’s Movie Madness

The Incredible Hulk

When I heard that there was another Hulk movie being made I thought, Why?   Any frequent reader of this column knows that I am not fond of remakes.  But they also know that I am a huge Edward Norton fan.  This guy has an uncanny eye for picking roles that make him shine like the star he is.  So I thought, I have to watch this flick, if only to see what part or all of the script caught Norton’s eye.
But first some trivia questions.  Ed Norton’s first role catapulted him skyward as a phenom.  What was the movie?  What movie was he in with Brad Pitt?   What movie with Chaleze Theron?  How about Robert De Nero?  What was the musical where Norton proved he can’t sing worth a hoot?  What role did he have with Woody Harrelson?  One more fore luck and not about Norton: What was the color of The Hulk when he first appeared in the comic book?
The origin of The Hulk was a Marvel Comic called (what else?)  The Incredible Hulk – issue #1, May, 1962.   This plot is basically a knockoff of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, published in1888  – right down to our protagonist/antagonist being a doctor.  The comic book series was eventually made into a television show of the same name,with Bill Bixby as Doctor Banner and Lou Ferringo as his alter ego – the green monster.  Just as when in Dr. Jekyll turns into Mr. Hyde, the Hulk goes on rampages when he gets angry, hurting people – usually police or military personnel.
In the original comic book storyline – ripping off another classic story called Dracula --  has the Hulk transforming every night at sundown.  Later, the plot changed to when he got angry. 
I thought that the 2003 movie Hulk (starring Erik Bana) would have placed a skull and crossbones on any potential further exploitation of Stevenson’s classic tale.  I was, obviously, mistaken.  That earlier movie received a consensus – from Rotten Tomatoes – of: “Too much talking and not enough smashing.” 
The Hulk’s comic book debut lasted only for six issues – from May to March (1963.)   He disappeared for a year and a half, then was resurrected in the comic Tales to Astonish (issues 59 to 101.)  After that run of 42issues he was awarded, again, with his own comic magazine.  This ran from issues 102 through 474.  That’s stardom from 1968 through 1999.  Since then he has sporadically appeared in issues like The Incredible Hulk 2000 and The Incredible Hulk 2001.     
So, what is the big green man up to this time around? 
Good bad guy actors here – Tim Roth and William Hurt do an excellent job as military schemers looking to – what else? – use Norton’s powers as a weapon.   Norton is hiding out way South of the Border down in Brazil.  He is trying to learn to control his emotions.  Maybe he should have, in his search for tranquility, headed for Tibet instead.  There is a pretty darned good chase scene up front.  Then, unfortunately, later on – as if it is not bad enough to be plagiarizing Dr. Jekyll and Dracula – there’s a scene where our Hulk carries the femme fatal off to a cave.  I think I just saw that in the latest King Kong movie.  Or, more correctly, every King Kong movie. 
Trivia answers:  Primal Fear (1996); Fight Club (1999): The Italian Job (2003); The Score (2001).   Woody Allen’s musical Everybody Says I Love You (1996) – I loved the scene involving the corpses and the song, “Enjoy, Yourself, It’s Later than You Think.”  The People versus Larry Flint (1996.)   Note:  The last three movies mentioned where all released in 1996 – demonstrating not only a tremendous work ethic, but also a huge range of ability to play different roles.  No type casting Norton.  The color grey – in later issues he was morphed into green.  The color choices were based on not wanting to offend and ethnic group.  Wow – political correctness all the way back to 1952. 
Recommendation:  If the movie Hulk was criticized for too much talking and not enough smashing, then this film can turn a phrase off of that with: Too much smashing and not enough talking.  The star of the film, Edward Norton, has refused to do any publicity.   Kind of says it all.  However, if you are Hulk fan this movie is heads and shoulders above the one that came out in 2003.

Joe Harrington is an internationally-published author and a documentary filmmaker.  Suggestions and criticism should be directed to: JoeMovieMadness@Yahoo.com.  Artwork by R.L. Crabb.
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Lorenzo Sevilla Inaugurates Author’s Jewels

The Fuller Fine Art gallery was all decked for the inauguration of Lorenzo Sevilla’s Joyas de Autor, pieza única en cobre y plata hecho a mano (Author’s Jewels, unique handmade pieces in copper and silver) where, in addition to admiring true works of art, you could also purchase them.
This extensive exhibit includes necklaces for both men and women, and earrings that look antique because of the materials used in their manufacture - one of the creator’s characteristic trademarks.
The original pieces of jewelry range from rosaries to short and long necklaces with little balls that come in red, blue or amber, strung with wire or leather.
Some feature charms with copper circles and plated silver in different shapes, while others are shaped in different zodiac signs.
There are earrings of different sizes and shapes that will surely captivate you, among which you will find little balls, braided with stonework, elongated ones, etc.
Lorenzo’s handiwork, his creativity and original designs are visible in every piece, carefully elaborated with the quality of material for which he has become known.
Another interesting aspect: the shape of each piece comes straight from his inspiration, and each one can take as long as four hours to create.
In order to melt the materials he needs, Sevilla uses a blowpipe and various moulds in which he cuts the various figures of the colguijes, the material he keeps in his workshop in the back of the gallery.
So now you know, if you like being original, don’t miss a visit to the Fuller Fine Art gallery. The exhibit will only be there for one more week, at 169 Corona Street downtown. Tel.: 222-8196.