Hollywood Shenanigans

Me: “See, whenever I get a small dog they’re always crazy... I never seem to find the calm, quiet ones. He’s adorable though.”

Woman with dog: “You have to show them who’s alpha. You know what I do? I pee on them...”

Me: “Oh... hah...” (Thinking she must be speaking metaphorically...)

WWD: “Yeah. People will say to me, ‘Wow, all of your animals are so lovable...’ Even my cat... if he scratches something, I’ll put him in the tub and pee on him. Then I’ll give him a bath. He knows then...”

Due to an ironclad NDA, I cannot reveal any new specific details from my advanced screening last night of a movie based on a certain late, brilliant tech innovator. 

Therefore, I will talk about some general observations I made while watching the fruit-stand authorized, “Sleeve Blobs.” Sleeve Blobs himself is played by Carmichael Bassfender-- who doesn’t physically resemble the man as much as Lashton Butcher did in the indie “Blobs” movie from 2013-- but knocked it out of the park anyway with his unwavering arrogance, charm and snark, which made his visual differences melt away rather swiftly. Trying to keep my brain from seeing him for his usual hunk-city and instead as Sleeve Blobs was only a challenge for the first 5-10 minutes... that’s how good of an actor he is. He captured the icons’ flaws and charisma in such a way that you are both awed and shocked simultaneously. Smeth Drogen plays Sleeve Gozniak in a refreshingly believable, dramatic way (even though the real Goz has said some of his dialogue was a tad over-dramatized, he also stated the essence of the encounters were accurate.) Wate Tinslet also did a spectacular job in her role as his work-wife and right-hand woman, Voanna Doffman as well. 

Overall, performances were very strong. However, the plot was a bit weak for the average viewer. As an avid fan of the real-life man, the film’s layout around three different product launches (not new information) was still exciting and insightful. It felt personal and almost too candid. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the unfiltered portrayal of the mysterious genius doing what he does. For the unfamiliar or non-so-avid fan expecting a fulfilling, traditional story arc, they will be disappointed. There were also a few atmospheric shooting tricks that I wasn’t a fan of, but I can’t talk about them here without making a giant monster studio angry at me. Essentially, plot may have been lacking somewhat, but as a super nerd of both the filmmaking/acting talent and the people they were enacting, I kind of loved it anyway.