The Phoenix Network:
The Phoenix
Boston
|
Portland
|
Providence
Stuff@Night
WFNX
Live Radio
|
On Demand
Adult
About
|
Advertise
Moonsigns
|
Band Guide
|
Blogs
|
In Pictures
Movies
Features
|
Reviews
-->
The Secret Life of Bees
Candide camera
Reviews
What Just Happened
Half-baked insider parody
By
PETER KEOUGH
|
October 28, 2008
WHAT JUST HAPPENED
" alt="photo of 'WHAT JUST HAPPENED'">
2.0
Stars
Based on the Art Linson autobiography, this half-baked insider parody tries hard to be madcap. Burnt-out producer Ben (Robert De Niro) has problems: the director of his new movie has concocted a final scene in which the hero — played by Sean Penn (played by Sean Penn) — gets killed and his dog has its brains blown out. After a disastrous test screening, Ben still can’t persuade the loony filmmaker to kill the killing of the dog. Another project stars Bruce Willis (played by Bruce Willis), who shows up on the set with a beard and a bad attitude. Then Ben finds a pink argyle sock under his ex-wife’s bed, the kind of hosiery that could be worn only by the screenwriter (who
isn’t
Stanley Tucci but
is
played by him), a man who earlier in the film pitched Ben a script in which Brad Pitt (played by no one; he never makes an appearance) plays a florist. “There isn’t a film there,” Ben tells the screenwriter. Sounds like
What Just Happened
.
107 minutes | Boston Common + Fenway + Fresh Pond + Chestnut Hill + Suburbs
Related
:
Fall back
This season, Hollywood lives in the past
The Oscars go to Hell
The Devil knows what the nominations will be for this year’s Oscars
War zones
Fall films face terror at home and abroad
More
Fall back
This season, Hollywood lives in the past
The Oscars go to Hell
The Devil knows what the nominations will be for this year’s Oscars
War zones
Fall films face terror at home and abroad
Apocalypse now and then
Doom, damnation, and other summer fun
Are we grading on a curve?
Peter Keough’s Oscar Scorecard
The girls of summer
The season for blockbusters, sequels, and . . . great roles for women?
Autumn peeves
Films with a full agenda
Dirty politics
Has the Right Wing hijacked raunch?
Off with their heads
Recent polls are giving the GOP the willies. So should the movies.
Bruce Willis lets loose
On the Die Hard films, Paris Hilton, and what scares him
Less
Topics
:
Reviews
,
Celebrity News
,
Entertainment
,
Movie Stars
,
More
,
Celebrity News
,
Entertainment
,
Movie Stars
,
Sean Penn
,
Bruce Willis
,
Robert De Niro
,
Art Linson
,
Movie Reviews
,
Movies
,
Sean Penn
,
Less
Share
:
Rss
Email
Print
Comments
Add a Comment
Today's Event Picks
[WORDS]
EAR TRAINING: RAN BLAKE
Plus 7 more >>
ARTICLES BY PETER KEOUGH
SIMPLE BLOOD
| November 19, 2008
Twilight puts the life back into the undead
WHIZ KID
| November 18, 2008
Slumdog Millionaire is a magical misery tour
A CHRISTMAS TALE
| November 18, 2008
A twisted Christmas stocking
INTERVIEW: DANNY BOYLE
| November 18, 2008
Slumdog slumming?
QUANTUM MECHANIC
| November 14, 2008
Little Solace for Bond fans
See all articles by:
PETER KEOUGH
MOST POPULAR
Most Viewed
Most Emailed
DIVIDE AND BE CONQUERED
The GOP relied on talk radio to carry its water, but votes are worth more than ratings
FAIR IS FOUL
What's the fuss over the Fairness Doctrine really about?
SIMPLE BLOOD
Twilight puts the life back into the undead
SAY IT AIN'T SO, JOE
Breaking: Biden resigns the vice-presidency amid Wentzgate scandal
DIVIDE AND BE CONQUERED
The GOP relied on talk radio to carry its water, but votes are worth more than ratings
FAIR IS FOUL
What's the fuss over the Fairness Doctrine really about?
MIND ARCHITECT
Sara Crall's expert hand is on show at Franklin Street Art Space
HOT TOPICS
Daniel Day-Lewis
,
Jack Black
,
Michael Clayton
,
Michael Haneke
,
Osama bin Laden
,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
,
Michael Jackson
,
Paris Hilton
,
Paul Thomas Anderson
,
Tommy Lee Jones
More Topics
. . .
LATEST SLIDESHOWS
Photos: Smashing Pumpkins at the Wang Theatre
Photos: AC-DC at TD Banknorth Garden
All Slideshows
Explore your Fantasies
Featured Articles in Music Features
:
Say it ain't so, Joe
Breaking: Biden resigns the vice-presidency amid Wentzgate scandal
Market demand
Deerhunter’s redistribution of rock
Stayin’ alive
How to survive without resorting to disco
Wandering star
Jolie Holland’s got demons on her trail
The Big Hurt: The week in digital mishaps
Internets threaten Kid Rock, Steven Tyler, and sexy bits
Thursday, November 20, 2008
|
Sign In
|
Register
thePhoenix.com:
Home
Listings
Editor's Picks
News
Music
Film + TV
Food + Drink
Life
Arts
Rec Room
Video
Phoenix Media/Communications Group:
Boston Phoenix
Portland Phoenix
Providence Phoenix
StuffAtNight
People2People
MassWeb Printing
G8Wave
About Us
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Work For Us
Sitemap
RSS
Mobile
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
Copyright © 2008 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group