Weekend Film Recommendation: Cop Land (1997)

When James Mangold was announced as the official director to take on The Wolverine, the next installment in the X-Men franchise, his work on Walk the Line, Girl Interrupted, and 3:10 to Yuma were often mentioned in the same breath.  While the often unmentioned Cop Land may not be his best or most recognized work, it deserves to be mentioned as one of Mangold’s many great movies.  Cop Land is the nickname for Garrison, NJ a small suburb of New York city that is the home to a number of NYPD officers.  The sheriff of the town Freddy Heflin, idolizes most of his constituents and their profession, but is limited to his role as Sheriff because he is deaf in one ear due to an accident.  His opinion of the officers and his abilities soon come into question as he starts to uncover corruption and conspiracy amongst them.  Aided by NYPD Internal Affairs officer Mo Tilden (Robert DeNiro), Freddy has to restore order to Cop Land.

The only way Stallone knows how.

Mangold put together a phenomenal cast for this film that works really well as an ensemble, supporting Stallone in the leading role.  Throughout the film these characters felt really close to one another, and as an audience member it is easy to connect with their group and believe they are all neighbors and coworkers.  In addition to Stallone and DeNiro, who are outsiders to the ensemble due to their characters’ role; Harvey Keitel,  Ray Liotta, Peter Berg, Michael Rapaport, Frank Vincent , Robert Patrick , Noah Emmerich, John Spencer, and Janeane Garofalo round out the cast.

This is a surprising turn for Stallone, who plays a much more subdued and humble character than he’s typically known for.  He does well in the role but his physical stature at times did not feel it suited the role, ironic because he actually gained forty pounds for the part.  Still, it may be Stallone’s best performance to date; it’s a shame he hasn’t done more roles with this much depth over the course of his career. 

Then again, who needs depth...

Cop Land is a movie that can be enjoyed through repeat viewings, because it is technically sound but also very entertaining.  While still at the beginning of his directorial and writing career, it is clear that Mangold took notes from his predecessors (Martin Scorcese in particular) and adapted those notes well into his own work.  While not a masterpiece, Cop Land is a great film that is definitely worth a viewing on Netflix.

Click here to add Cop Land to your instant queue.

Yet Another Change in Michael Scott Replacement Rumors

At this point, the rumors about who will replace Michael Scott on “The Office” have changed as much as my girlfriend changes her nail polish.  Coincidentally, she was also the one that tipped me off to the new rumor from Perez Hilton‘s blog (so this may or may not be accurate) that Harvey Keitel is not going to be replacing Michael Scott as previously mentioned. These were the talking points about the rumors from Office Insiders (un-named):

– Harvey Keitel is not being seriously considered to replace Steve Carell.

Mr. White says, "I don't know what you think you know, but you're wrong."

– The first half of the season will highlight Michael’s last year as boss and highlight potential successors on the show.

– Ricky Gervais is going to make a guest appearance at some point.

– The writers aren’t sure yet if the new star of the show will be the boss of Dunder Mifflin‘s Scranton branch.

This is what one of the sources says:

“You’re looking for someone who can start stories. Someone whose judgment isn’t necessarily one where when an issue comes up and a boss with a correct judgment would quickly settle it and then you have no episode. You’re also looking for somebody who considers the rest of the office his family.”

That’s all that was really listed in the rumor. While I am excited to find out who will replace Michael Scott, the changing rumors don’t give me hope that the writers have a solid plan for what direction the show will or should go. I would like to know that the writers have a definite plan and that they are setting up the season finale early in the season. But, it doesn’t seem like that will be the case, especially since the season premiere is less than two weeks away and they don’t know who will replace Steve Carell. Although, if this transition is done right, I think this could be the best season since Season Three.

What are your thoughts about this? Are you disappointed that Harvey Keitel will most likely not fill Steve Carell’s shoes?

Another Michael Scott Replacement Rumor

So, for all of you that are following the major changes that will occur in “The Office” this season, there is another update about who will replace Steve Carell’s character, Michael Scott, as the regional manager of Dunder Mifflin at the end of season seven. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Paul Lieberstein, the producer of “The Office”, is saying that he wants Harvey Keitel to replace Steve Carell. Here is what he had to say:

” [Harvey Keitel] is probably the only guy who can do it, and he’s doing TV now…That’s what a very smart/eager man once called a ‘win-win-win.”

He then went on to say:

“”I haven’t started any talks with his people, but Harvey would do a great job—a very different energy,” Lieberstein says. “And we don’t want to bring in another Michael, having someone play a very similar character because we have such a high regard for Steve.”

World's Best Boss?

Well, Harvey Keitel would definitely bring a different energy to “The Office”, but, in my opinion, I don’t think that energy will work for the show to continue on for more than a season. I mean, Harvey Keitel is great, I mean who doesn’t love Mr. Wolf? But, if they are going to have a more serious boss, I think it will take away from a lot of the comedy of the show. Apparently, Paul Lieberstein is serious about getting Keitel to replace Carell and I don’t think it will work out well, but who knows, maybe Mr. Wolf will find a way to “fix things” again.

What are your thoughts?