07/28/2006: "Yes Yes Yes"

I will admit that I was skeptical about this when I heard about it at an AFI screening of "Infernal Affairs" where director Andrew Lau told the audience that he was meeting with Scorsese to discuss an American remake. After watching the trailer all I can say is that I am super-excited. I think this is one of those remakes that will surpass the original.

I wonder what people think of the songs used in the trailer? I was talking to a friend who works on the business side of the film and he was telling me that he saw 3 different versions of the trailer and said they chose the one with the worst song for the end. I feel like I want to disagree (tho not having seen the other versions) because, while it does fall into the power-rock ballad category, it serves the images, editing and overall tone of the film. I won't spoil it by mentioning what song, so watch it and see for yourself.

I will spoil it for you in saying that it is awesome to hear "Gimme Shelter" in the beginning, as the Rolling Stones very rarely let people use their songs for trailers, unless you're Bill Gates (Windows) or Ted Demme ("Can't You Hear Me Knocking" was used in the "Blow" trailer, but I think he was able to use it because his wife had a connection to Mick Jagger). Did anyone notice that an orchestral version of "Gimme Shelter" was used in the new Alfonso Cuaran trailer for "Children of Men"?

Lastly, if you're in LA, do yourself a favor and see the brilliant documentary "Gimme Shelter" playing at the Aero Theater in Santa Monica, August 25th along with "Monterey Pop." Funny Story - I once wrote a paper about both of those documentaries for a film writing class. It was either those two or one of them and "The Last Waltz." I got an A on the the paper. I was the fucking greatest.

Maybe the story wasn't that funny.