#SceneStealing AMERICAN PSYCHO (2000)/THE OUTSIDER (2018)

You Like?

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

(For the first of the New Year, by now you might be familiar with our #SceneStealing feature birthed after 2020's lockdown. One that takes a deeper look at key scenes from movies, but this time splits the latest edition in two...much like that Bateman axe did to the "bone" of Paul Allen's skull. Enjoy!)

WARNING: Contains mild spoilers for 'American Psycho' and 'The Outsider'. 

"You like Huey Lewis and The News" (not much...I'm not 'Hip To Be Square')? Batman asks The Joker. I'm sorry. Christian Bale asks Jared Leto. Forgive me. Patrick Bateman asks Paul Allen. New York, 1980's. Displaying the jewel case from his CD rack like "Steve who?" as Jared just slumped on a couch with newspaper all around him looks as bored as he does young. More interested than the whiskey dissipating in the bottom of his glass instead of if Bale is redecorating or not (he's about to...in a shade of burgundy). "Ahh...they're okay," he barely replies in a less than sober stupor to that classic line as the look Christian gives him in return just says, "well you're f#####g stupid". Shrugging it off as he continues what he leant next to his sound system to say. Dialling it to eleven. "They're early work was a little bit too 'new wave' for my taste" the business man says strolling over in oversized Capone pinstripes. But when 'Sports' came out in '83 that's when he really comes into his own like News did. Commercially and artistically. "The whole album has a clear, crisp sound" he continues excitedly whilst heading into the bathroom and grabbing what looks like the shower curtain..."and a new sheen of consummate professionalism". It's not a shower curtain...one wouldn't fit that well. Pills. Cold water. A look in the bathroom mirror on reflection, even icier. Sliding through with the whitest moonwalk you've ever seen, as he runs through Elvis Costello comparisons...WAIT! Is that a bat?! NO! Turns out this Bate's man has an axe to grind over a business card and in a minute nothings going to be subtle off-white about the finishing of this room. NOW Jared's Allen asks about the newspaper, forget the News. "Do you have a dog. A little chow or something", an obnoxious laugh. "No Allen!" "Is that a raincoat?" "YES IT IS!" Bale's Bateman replies, finishing buttoning it up and walking past Leto's slight, sobered protesting, second guessing finger if it wasn't for the two in his glass to continue his Huey Lewis monologue. "In '87 Huey released this (that point as the music plays loud enough for the neighbours to call the cops...they're going to have to), 'Four', their most accomplished album. I think their undisputed masterpiece is (and there's that shimmy and walk), 'Hip To Be Square'" as the song plays like the good ole days. "A song so catchy, people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should". Know why? Because otherwise they'll get chopped in the cranium like wood? Well that and "it's not just about the the pleasures of conformity" too. It's also a personal statement about the band itself. "HEY PAUL!" 

"You like whiskey?" Now the answers more definite than Huey Lewis and the News this time. "Yeeah (what are you f#####g kidding me?)!" "I have got a surprise for you". 1950's Osaka and a slicked back Jared Leto with sullen sockets of an older man with the weight of the world is further east. Walking through the Japanese backstreets of diners fresh off the grill and bars on taps. Suited and booted "like a lounge singer", he's cock of the walk until someone really about to go 'Into The Wild' calls his name. "NICK!" "NICK F#####G LOWELL" Emile Hirsch halfway house asks and exclaims as he rises from his table in all his stars and stripes. Leto looks around to see if his cover is blown. "You got to be (same sentiment in epic expletiveness) kidding me!" 'Is that you's' all around in recognition. "You look pretty f#####g good for a dead man," he proclaims. Shove! Leto doesn't play that s###. Woah, Woah. Emile was just kidding. Barrack ball busting. He's on weekend leave. "Let me buy you a drink". Five minutes for an old friend...captain. Where? Okinawa. Bull#### tour of duty after they (America) dropped the first one (you know what we're talking about). That's his mission. Nick's old friend asks him if he has a place out here in Kansai. Sparse reply like the consideration. "You weren't always so calm and quiet", he nicely needles. "You know that?" He adds with more serious warning to his comrade. "Well maybe you just didn't know me so well" comes the retort. Half humor. Half hard heart. All that's left is a few more days leave. Maybe time to come by and see his place. "NO!" No? Five minutes are up. That's how it is. Can't even drink with a guy from your own unit. Even if he rolls out the bills to pay. "F You!" If Emile didn't know any better, he'd think Jared's Nick was dodging court martial out here in the land of the rising sun playing gangs with the yakuza. I wonder what they guys will say when he tells them who he bumped into. NOW his covers blown. "Someone would love to pay you visit" threats. Apologies. Now how about that drink? For old times. I hope he keeps a raincoat at home because this all sounds familiar. Back to the lair. A couple of Buds for his old bud who can see half of Osaka from his apartment and walks back the threat with "secret safe with me" security. Hirsch sees the good thing Jared's got here. Don't worry. "I always liked you." "Jesus man", sucking on suds. What a world. What a life. Here comes the whiskey business of that surprise. "Do your best" Emile says to the last. Oh...he will. That wine opener looks strangely like its switching to something else. Something that could redecorated his apartment from the neck down the way he treats this same vein like a letter opener as Leto gets to work. Message received in the blade of a reply. "I'm sorry." He means it. But revenge is always served this iced out like a few cold ones. 

Cinematic callbacks are always classic. Back in the new millennium of the year 2000, Jared Leto's life was a 'Requiem Of A Dream'. Starring in classic movies like this and the iconic classic 'Fight Club' we just can't help talk about like its birthing of the beginning of the twist era. All whilst this Academy Award winning actor made even more hits than he took in that Brad Pitt and Edward Norton movie with his breaking band Thirty Seconds To Mars and their 'Beautiful Lie' that would come a half decade later before all their out of this world 'War', 'City Of Angels' and 'Love, Lust, Faith + Dreams'. But it's his cameo in Christian Bale's crazy coming out party for you squares that exists in the canon...or should we say woodshed. Jared Leto went on to win an Oscar like Matthew McConaughey for the definitive 'Dallas Buyers Club' and play the iconic Batman villain in DC's 'Suicide Squad' villain movie deal that finally gave us Harley Quinn and the actress born to play her, Margot Robbie. The man who previously seldom did movies (who has since changed that stance) even had a compelling cameo in the beautiful blockbuster 'Blade Runner' sequel in '2049'. But for most he's still the guy who got axe murdered for having a better business card than Bruce Wayne. The fact that he played the Clown Prince of Crime a decade and a half later is just classic and meant to be coincidence. But what's more so is what came two years later in Japan the same year he released 'AMERICA' in 30 Seconds. Back in his Osaka apartment, sleazy neon instead of the Empire State in view, Leto gets his revenge for what Bale did to him all those years back. But this time in the amazing atmosphere and fifties Japanese aesthetic of this Netflix movie it's "you like whiskey", not Huey Lewis. Now how's this for news? 'Once Upon A Time In...Hollywood' star Emile Hirsch getting it in the neck worse than he did by 'Dallas Buyer' McConaughey in 'Killer Joe' instead of the business end of a tree surgeon. And his characters name? PAULIE! Now let's see his card. Now let's see Jared's new deal. "We live in a society"...where Zack Snyder has just given his version of The Joker a new cut for HIS 'Justice League' that's about to take it to the max on HBO featuring a Knightmare scene as cool as that coat in the 'Dawn Of Justice' one. "Isn't that right...BATMAN!" Goodbye damaging tattoos and Joaquin Phoenix's outstanding Oscar win kicking him out of Gotham like those puddles on the iconic staircase scene. The joke is back on this supervillain Jared who is also about to play with James Gunn's 'Squad' like Idris Elba instead of Will Smith Deadshot and get his teeth into Marvel anti-hero 'Morbius' as soon as we're done with coronavirus (can't even suck blood these days). What did you want more? Well, if you want a little undead preview than halfway house between Morbius and Manson, Leto's award turn nomination in his latest movie is more than 'Little Things' like the big beard, long hair and lack of sleep in those devilish eyes. In an Oscar winning big three with Denzel Washington and the 'Bohemian Rhapsody' of Mercury rising Queen King, Rami Malek, Jared shows the forthcoming Bond bad how to play a real vile villain. One so creepy, yet undeniably charismatic in his compelling characterization. How can we marvel (no pun intended) at something so menacing ("11 more and you've got a calendar" he replies to Washington showing him a photo of a dead girl he might have murdered), even in this true crime obsessed Netflix age? "Oh poop!" Either way, right now Jared is the s### and this is his year after all the Joker card cuts and whitewashing claims leaving him an 'Outsider'. He got his revenge in said movie from his own home invasion and now creaking back from under the career floorboards he's about to floor us once again. Don't believe us then how about this...you like magic tricks? 

REVIEW: MALCOLM & MARIE

  

4/5

Malcolm and Marie in the Middle.

106 Minutes. Starring: Zendaya & John David Washington. Director: Sam Levinson.

You won't have to worry when it comes to Zendaya getting thanked for 'Malcolm and Marie', because when Oscar season comes around, she'll be getting all the awards herself instead. This movie that scratching at the boiling and simmering tensions of Tennessee Williams' 'Cat On A Hot Tin Roof' and the London, West End amazing adaptation of it starring 'Starred Up' star Jack O'Connell and 'Layer Cake' star Sienna Miller's theatrical take on Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor's Hollywood classic would be perfect for the off-Broadway stage. But it's all about the spotlight on 'The Greatest Showman' actress and 'Spider-Man' game changing M.J. star Zendaya who despite the forthcoming Denis Villeneuve 'Dune' remake has always had the wattage power to go by one name like Aaliyah, Rihanna or of course...Beyoncé. This former child star whose made her own destiny is on an epic, euphoric run. As GQ Magazine said in last months cover feature on the amazing actress, we're living in Zollywood now. Forget Dollywood with all due respect to the legend. Zendaya's compelling power is so mac and cheese in a pot boiling hot, nobody can touch her. And in reuniting with 'Euphoria' writer/director Sam Levinson for something so black and white blinding we thought HBO would take it to the max, this new Netflix classic worthy of a 'Marriage Story' nomination for the Academy actually looks to one-up the stellar series and her career high so far in Levinson's (who also produces Netflix's other powerhouse drama of emotional stakes in Vanessa Kirby's 'Pieces Of A Woman') showstopper with this romantic reckoning of a dark drama that really takes a piece out of you...and all you wanted was some macaroni. No matter how much it's eaten obnoxiously. 

'One Perfect Shot' would have a field day with 'Malcolm and Marie'. Every frame is formidable from the car pulling into the lake by the ocean, dream home turned into a lonely is the only company nightmare establishing shot, to the final frame from the bedroom window looking on to a new day. Arguably the best account on Twitter that has just scored a documentary deal with 'When They See Us' and 'Selma' director Ava Duvernay, might get muted with how many shots they might have to post here like the title track mac. Zendaya lighting a cigarette with a kitchen lighter outside in a cold we can see even in 'Parasite' monochrome. Zendaya looking in at her lover starring into a punch drunk glass on reflection. Zendaya in a cocktail dress. Zendaya sitting on a garden chair in her underwear. Zendaya in the bath. Zendaya on the bed. None of it graphic or gratuitous. All just classic and cinematic for the canon. Beyond the words you read here with tasteful tact, when you see it, you'll believe. You'll realize. This is art and the art of war and emotional warfare that is relationships and this modern love were we count hearts not in our lovers beats, but our friends emojis and retweets. "All she wanted was a thank you", people will say and "all he wanted was a ready meal". No...that's not it. Far from the truth that maybe they can't handle as we play pretend it's all good and love on the socials that are about as social as having your head down all day starring at a screen you think is making everything brighter, but instead is just highlighting the point for anyone willing to read it instead of scroll through it. And who is he? Starring at Zendaya's Marie holding a knife on the living room floor with real, cutting authenticity. Well, the Malcolm in the middle of this picture is no other than the star of the only big blockbuster to come out in cinemas last Summer, John David Washington. The former 'Ballers' and American Football running back going in a new direction and quarterbacking Christopher Nolan's terrific 'Tenet', now taking his career to infinity with inspired indies and a great building idea for a LEGO movie that will really stick it to you. Malcolm's Washington actually made his debut in daddy Denzel's 'Malcolm X' movie (is the name a nod?) before being directed by Spike Lee himself in one of the 'Do The Right Thing' dynamic directors best in 2018's 'BlacKkKlansman'. His director character is even compared to him here and the 'Moonlight' of the most slept on, Oscar winning director of the moment like his last film ('If Beale Street Could Talk') Barry Jenkins. John David his own man brings that Oscar powered acting that could even translate to a Tony the way he sings for the fences. But whilst father is taking time producing August Wilson plays with Viola Davis for Netflix like this Christmas last and best Chadwick performance in 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom', son is a star in his own right. From getting on up to James Brown in a suit and tie like a Boseman biography tribute, to breaking down in a vest and slacks. We'd say more...but we've seen how his character reacts to reviews in this movie. King Kong aint got s### on it.

Kid Cudi (or should we say Scott Mescudi?) produced. Labrinth (or should we say Timothy Lee McKenzie?) scored. Music plays an instrumental part in this films influence and this labyrinth of a soulful playlist sees beneath your beautiful like kids see ghosts. None bigger of more brutally beautiful then John David singing "have I told you lately that I love you/Well if I didn't darling I'm sorry/Did I reach out and hold you in my loving arms/Oooooh when you needed me" off William Bell's 'I Forgot To Be Your Lover' as Zendaya's reflection reaction from outside says it all. He really didn't remember like a forgotten anniversary, or apology for a misplaced thank you, forever being left on a notes scrap of paper like an I.O.U. that will never be paid back in kind. A far cry when he was whiskey and soda gyrating to the Godfather of Soul's 'Down and Out In New York City' with the J.B's, as we thought this night was about giving all your love like the Alabama Shakes. But between the 'Flor de Azalea' of Frankie Reyes or the 'BOA' of Sam Gendel and Wilkes, this relationship that is about to be DOA if it does not tread or talk carefully is in need of a 'Sentimental Mood' like Duke Ellington and John Coltrane if this love ever wants to be supreme again. Otherwise before we see a love 'Liberation' like an OutKast, Cee-Lo, Erykah Badu and Big Rube's 'Aquemini' classic, we'll see Zendaya decked out on a garden chair like a classic black and white photo or painting singing along to Dionne Warwick's 'Get Rid Of Me' passive aggressively, but beautifully as John David knows it. Hey, even does the soul queen and everyone's auntie as Miss Warwick took to her favourite medium right now of Twitter to congratulate Zendaya on her real and raw rendition. All underscoring Levinson's levitating direction to the cinematography canvas of Marcell Rev. This 35mm vivid and visceral film may be missing a few steps away from the modern classic we hoped it would be in five stars, especially in this cinematically starved time, but that is no real knock. It's still one of todays greats and even the lack of a resolute ending just holds up a mirror reflection through a windows view of relationships these days as this one rolls up the shirt sleeves and stockings down to fight another day. There's more grey areas to this and what's black and white. No matter what you take from this movie, or to who in your everyday life. It's clear to see through all the forgetful mistakes and things this cinematic couple could wish they could take back (or even give more of) that the 'Euphoria' of Zendaya's 'Marie' is clearly Levinson, Washington and our very own muse. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Queen & Slim', 'Pieces Of A Woman', 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'. 

T.V. REVIEW: PRETEND IT'S A CITY

4/5

The Pretenders.

7 Episodes. Starring: Fran Lebowitz & Martin Scorsese. Director: Martin Scorsese. 

I heart New York. As a matter of fact, New York, I miss you. I miss the moment you descend towards your touchdown in JFK and see the whole Empire in front of you as your state of mind changes like the keys of Alicia and Jay-Z epic energy. I miss the sea of yellow that greets you as you make your way out of passport control after hearing your first New York accent for real. "How many days you stayin' heeere?" "Hey...forget about it!" I miss when the cab makes it through the Lincoln Tunnel toll on a dime and then you're in the concrete jungle. Dreams being made on every corner like the spirit of the steam that rises from the manhole grids and the hot dog grills. I miss, missing the Empire State Building, but wait...you head down a few blocks and there it is again. I miss debating whether the Chrysler is nicer. Or if like King Kong it ain't got s### on NYC and the world's most famous landmark. I miss passing the World's Most Famous Arena and knowing tomorrow you're about to see an NBA game in the Mecca of Madison Square Garden. No matter how bad the Knicks are. That didn't stop Bernard King, Patrick Ewing and Carmelo Anthony from becoming Big Apple hoop legends like Pee Wee at the Rucker. I miss when yellow and red tail lights meet all the electricity and then you're here. In the heart of New York and the entertainment core of the world, Times Square. I miss all the lonely people like Eleanor Rigby. Hey, we all do. I miss being crammed in here for New York watching the ball drop in 2015 with Old Blue Eyes, no toilet breaks and a piercing glare at the family who managed to hustle in some crackers. I miss how calm these busy streets are on top of those red bleacher Tkts steps. I miss finding a last minute ticket to see comedian Dave Chappelle on Broadway when I was in the city that never sleeps and that I've lost count on of how many times I've been to on my last trip there before this Englishman once in New York like Sting moved further East to Tokyo, Japan (which may have just been my last trip...at least for a bit). I miss seeing fireworks on the fourth over Brooklyn Bridge. I miss Dumbo like I miss Barack's big ears when that was America. I miss all the times I ended up on the city for Thanksgiving (I was just trying to catch the start of Basketball season) and I ended up seeing the Macy's Day Parade again from a spare sidewalk, but no turkey. I miss the people you would meet. I miss Billy being on these streets. I miss staying in the John Hughes 80's decor (never change) of the Hotel Pennsylvania across from the Garden which meant I could go to games in my bathrobe. I miss postgame Dunkin Donuts adjacent from the mailbox like a Fun Lovin' Criminal or something. I miss grabbing Seven Gramms of coffee a few blocks down. I miss walking the High Line to the Tribeca, the Meatpacking District, Lady Liberty. Chelsea. I miss the Staten Island Ferry. Central Park. The Guggenheim. Everything being a straight walk away. Amsterdam Avenue. Broadway Bagel and the owner who nodded at me and smiled through the sunshine of the glass as I headed for my flight. The Broadway Diner and Mario. If you know, you know. The place I saw Springsteen, Seinfeld and Tony Bennett. Hosted by Jon Stewart for the heroes. I miss seeing a taping of 'The Daily Show', Letterman, Fallon rehearsing. I miss the late nights. I miss the early morning coffee. I miss why we wake up in the mornings. I miss the Subways. The bus. I miss the Greyhound to Boston...and the divine Providence that came between. Port Authority. I miss coming back. 

If you miss New York too then 'Pretend It's A City' is the show for you. As the humorous humorist, public speaker and American author Fran Lebowitz walks around in Dylan shades and countenance down these former 'Freewheelin'' streets with a coat hunched for the cold. Not to mention The Queens Museums perfect Robert Moses Worlds Fair 3D model Panorama Of The City Of New York which is the closest we can get to taking a real bite out of the Big Apple right now, besides this marvellous miniseries. All to the direction of Netflix's 'The Irishman' Martin Scorsese giving the best of his digital deal as he leads the cameo judge of his modern 'Wolf Of Wall Street' classic who executed Leonardo DiCaprio's Jordan Belfort with one look up from the legal briefs when one of his rap sheet highlights included perverting the course of law. Its that same incisive look that comes with knowing that makes her incendiary insights so spot on but also bang on your funny bone. No matter whose interviewing her. Alec Baldwin, SPIKE LEE trying to convince her that Basketball is an art form (I'm sorry Fran you have me on everything...but it is), Olivia Wilde, Marty himself, who can't resist cracking up as we do too. Every time she cracks the whip. She's just that smart and right now with all the original series Netflix has rights to, nothing is more original, refreshing or so funny in a time were we all need a little laugh, like this. Sardonic, but never too shamelessly sarcastic in her social commentary of sensibilities, you can tell this modern day Dorothy Parker loves this city, even if she tells fellow commuters on their phone like they're all alone to pretend it's one. Her enthusiasm for it never really Larry David curbed as she strolls the sidewalks. Look up after you've seen Library Walk and all the quoted grids at you feet, you'll never guess what or who you might see on the street when you stop it with the tweet. In this social media OTT age of oversharing just so we can be the first to do it, everyone's tweets should come with an embedded spoiler alert. But this isn't what we do here and we won't ruin any of the punchlines for the great gags here. No matter how funny they are, or no matter how much we want to tell you about them like we want to say whose behind that door in Disney + and Marvel's wonderful and visionary 'WandaVision' series (Spoiler Alert 3000: It's not Iron Man). Still all the sharp and cutting cackle jibing jokes land like we wish we could back in JFK, LaGuardia, or hey, even Newark...we ain't picky. 

Seven seals to take you through the five boroughs of New York will have you clapping your hands like we were back on Broadway...and how about Scorsese's scoring dynamic direction that breathes life and rhythm into the history and magical mystery tour of these NYC streets? As New York as the time this guy Harry met this girl called Sally in Katz Deli (I'll give what she's getting). From old movies to found footage of everyone from a young Fran to Motown's very own Marvin Gaye performing most of the soulful songs ever recorded from the heart on wax in a tracksuit like he was going out for one hell of a run (he was). This is another one for the archives for Toni Morrison...forever. In inspired interview and compelling conversation you could listen to these two and Scorsese and Lebowitz all day like Martin could Francesca. Part biography, all audiobook tour of NY, with street signs in perfect photography for your feet up on the coffee table. Not sleeping like this big city of dreams brighter than those 42nd street lights. From 'Cultural Affairs' to the Met (take your pick, museum, or transport), or the time Charles Mingus chased her down the street (we told you we won't tell). Stacking books over money. Sports and what really gives you wellness. Technology. Of course social media and bad writers (hello!) who live life with less character. The Hall of Records and let's not forget for the public volumes a library. All that makes this manifesto and visual tome a testimonial and love letter to New York and all its traditions. From your first port of call at Ellis Island complete with eye drops, to all you see in the city that never gets any shut eye before you close yours, even though you just want to continue watching until the only thing streaming is your pupils. Study hard when it comes to this public speaking course, because this piece of entertainment is also an education on the world's most famous arena of a town. Think you know New York City? Ask Fran that question again and she'll show you a side that you never see in the brochure but would have sold you on punching your souvenir ticket a long time ago. Getting into the grease of this place like cardboard slices of NY's finest pizza base. This is THE city. No reason to pretend. And who would of though the director of dark dramas like 'Taxi Driver' and these 'Mean Streets' would have the easiest going laugh that is a pure joy, encouraging the same? Martin Scorsese's 'Pretend It's A City' perfect Players Club (wait 'till you hear who owned this place and the joke that comes next) barroom conversations on streaming tap is the best thing on Netflix right now. And with so much to swipe through like the calendar days of a corona quarantined lockdown at home, that's no mean feat. New York, New York. Let's name and sing it like Sinatra twice. Here's to the greatest city in the world. Just pretend you're there. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'New York, I Love You', 'Public Speaking', 'The Wolf Of Wall Street'.