DVD Patrol: Salute to Michael Douglas
There has been a lot of press lately within the show business community doing what they can in the fight against cancer. One actor who is doing his part is Michael Douglas. It was recently revealed that Douglas was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer. That hasn’t stopped him because he has kept on working and his latest film, “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” has just come into theaters. The Toddster has brought the patrol crew back and asked them to tell us about their favorite Douglas movies and what they mean to them. Michael has been a terrific actor and has a range few have been able to cover throughout their careers. We have a few favorites and we hope you like them, too.
MELISSA STAGNARO
War of the Roses (1989)
I’ll never forget the first time I saw this 1989 film starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner as Oliver and Barbara Rose, and Danny DeVito as the narrator/divorce attorney. Based on the novel of the same name by Warren Adler, the movie is a cautionary tale about divorce. But in my naiveté, I didn’t realize that.
Prior to watching “War of the Roses,” my only experience with divorce was the feel good movie version a la “The Parent Trap” - the Hayley Mills version. As I watched Barbara and Oliver meet, fall in love and get married, I was convinced this too would have a happy ending. Sure, I saw the facade of their happiness start to splinter, as friction grew and their incompatibility became evident. But I was convinced - wrongly, as it turned out - that underneath it all, they still loved one another to overcome their difference. Even when they were at each other’s throats, fighting tooth and nail over their house and possessions, I was sure that at some point they would recognize the error of their ways.
In fact, I kept hoping for that happy ending all the way to the bitter, bitter end. Even as Oliver used his last bit of strength to put his hand lovingly on Barbara’s shoulder, as they lay broken and battered, I still had hope.
Until, of course, Barbara used the last bit of her strength to knock his hand away. At which point those hopes were shattered just like the chandelier that was the end of them both.
Because there is no happy ending. This is a cautionary tale, depicting the worst-case scenario tale of how two people, who once professed to love one another, can melt down into two, snarling wildebeests out to rip one another apart just for spite. But it’s masterfully done. Which is why it’s hands down one of my favorite Michael Douglas films.
JEFF GENUNG
Disclosure (1994)
Sure that at least one of my colleagues would pick “Fatal Attraction” (but none did!), I instead opted for the lesser known of Douglas’ pyscho-witch thrillers, Barry Levinson’s “Disclosure.” Based on the book by Michael Chrichton, “Disclosure” tells the tale of Seattle software exec Tom Sanders (Michael Douglas), who’s passed over for a major promotion in favor of shark Meredith Johnson (Demi Moore), who also happens to be his former lover. When Meredith gets all aggressive and wants to resume their affair, now-married man Tom demurs. Next day, she hits him with a sexual harassment suit.
The film is an interesting exploration of double standards when it comes to workplace sex – in this instance it’s actually Tom who’s being harassed, but no one believes him. Turns out there’s much more to Meredith’s plan – she’s out to set Tom up to take the fall for a software snafu that she’s responsible for. Full of corporate intrigue and plenty of twists and turns, “Disclosure” is a great play on the “Fatal Attraction” theme. Plus it’s cool to see the cheesy computer graphics, back when “e-mail” was newly-fangled – and the set for the fictional DigiCom has to be the coolest office on film, ever. Though Douglas is great as Tom, the film really belongs to the brassy Meredith, and Demi Moore hasn’t been that engaging since.
TYLER MURPHY
American President (1995)
In what world does a political romance involving a love story between an environmental lobbyist and a widowed president on the eve of a reelection enthrall my interest? One starring Michael Douglas apparently. Those were pretty much my exact thoughts after accidentally renting the well-written drama and watching it out of disgusted boredom. In one of the first scenes, the movie beat my preconceived notions to the curb with the idiom stick, “you never judge a book (movie) by its cover.” With the first daughter learning to play the trumpet, President Andrew Shephard steps in for a brief one on one moment. There are few actor’s feet that can fill the presidential shoes like Michael Douglas. In the short amusing scene Shephard offers some inspiring American history in hopes of kindling his daughter lacking appetite for the topic in school. They then talk of how “mom” died three years earlier and as he’s promising to find more time to be a family responsibilities call him away. As he leaves, the daughter plays the tune, Hail to the Chief. The president later bumps into a loud mouthed political gun hired to get the White House’s attention in the form of Sydney Helen Wade, played by Annette Bening. After a charming but awkward introduction, Shephard makes the later controversial decision that the president has a right to a normal life. He calls Sydney, sparking an intriguing relationship and sharp criticisms from his political rivals. Once fearing to attack a widowed president before the public the challengers unleash a barrage of controversial debates involving the new found love affair. After taking a political and emotional beating through most of the movie, love finds a way. The final scene is perhaps the best in the entire flick when Shephard delivers a passionate speech before the White House press corps. I rewound that part and watched it again and every time the movie is on I look forward to it. I have no doubt Michael Douglas helped make that movie the “diamond in the rough” it turned out to be. Bravo.
BRIAN GOLDEN
Ghost in the Darkness (1996)
While it’s certainly not universally acclaimed as one of Paramount Pictures’ most prolific offerings, “The Ghost and the Darkness,” released in 1996 and starring Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer, has always been a favorite of mine.
Although Douglas – appearing as a larger-than-life, raucous, brazen, cowboy figure – doesn’t make his first appearance until midway through the movie, his performance stands out to me as one of his best. In reality I suppose I was simply unprepared for the prolific actor to star in this type of role.
In the film, Colonel John Henry Patterson (Kilmer) is contracted to build a controversial railroad bridge located in late 19th century Africa, taking on a project that is already seriously behind schedule. When workers complain of lion attacks in the region, Patterson impresses the crew with a one-shot kill during his first evening on the job.
Soon afterward, with the project back on schedule, a pair of man-eating lions descend upon the camp, a scenario the local workers have never experienced before. Calling the pair “The Ghost and the Darkness,” the terrified crew threatens to flee and Patterson is at the end of his wits as he is unable to locate and kill the lions.
Enter Douglas as experienced hunter Charles Remington.
Arriving with a group of local Maasai hunters, Remington, Patterson and the native warriors successfully track the man-eaters, yet ultimately fail to get the job done.
Douglas’ role in the film certainly doesn’t last long and after several more failed attempts at hunting down the lions (Remington does manage to kill one, using Patterson and a baboon as bait) he is, in one of the motion picture’s more terrifying moments, dragged out of his tent to his death.
Douglas’ performance throughout the movie is quite enjoyable in my opinion and he has some truly memorable lines. My favorite – “Oh, you’re right. The devil has come to Tsavo. I am the devil.”
TODD CAMPBELL
Romancing The Stone (1984)
A lot of actors often try to branch out into producing and directing. Douglas pulled this one off producing and acting in this terrific movie starring himself and Kathleen Turner. Turner plays Joan Wilder, a popular romance novelist whose characters in her books have all the romance, but her real life is a totally different story. Joan’s life is about to get a dose of action that only her books can bring when she finds out that her sister has been kidnapped.
She managed to send a map to Joan that will lead whoever follows it to a very expensive treasure that takes Joan to South America. Joan doesn’t know she is being followed by those who also want the treasure too. When it looks like Joan is about to be captured, she runs into Jack Colton (Douglas). Colton was one of those fortune seekers who has tried to make his fortune with whatever was safe.
After Colton scares off the bad guys, Joan makes a deal with him to take her to a phone. What follows is a fun adventure heading through the jungle and seeing the interaction between Douglas and Turner was what made this movie so much fun. Check it out!
MELISSA STAGNARO
War of the Roses (1989)
I’ll never forget the first time I saw this 1989 film starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner as Oliver and Barbara Rose, and Danny DeVito as the narrator/divorce attorney. Based on the novel of the same name by Warren Adler, the movie is a cautionary tale about divorce. But in my naiveté, I didn’t realize that.
Prior to watching “War of the Roses,” my only experience with divorce was the feel good movie version a la “The Parent Trap” - the Hayley Mills version. As I watched Barbara and Oliver meet, fall in love and get married, I was convinced this too would have a happy ending. Sure, I saw the facade of their happiness start to splinter, as friction grew and their incompatibility became evident. But I was convinced - wrongly, as it turned out - that underneath it all, they still loved one another to overcome their difference. Even when they were at each other’s throats, fighting tooth and nail over their house and possessions, I was sure that at some point they would recognize the error of their ways.
In fact, I kept hoping for that happy ending all the way to the bitter, bitter end. Even as Oliver used his last bit of strength to put his hand lovingly on Barbara’s shoulder, as they lay broken and battered, I still had hope.
Until, of course, Barbara used the last bit of her strength to knock his hand away. At which point those hopes were shattered just like the chandelier that was the end of them both.
Because there is no happy ending. This is a cautionary tale, depicting the worst-case scenario tale of how two people, who once professed to love one another, can melt down into two, snarling wildebeests out to rip one another apart just for spite. But it’s masterfully done. Which is why it’s hands down one of my favorite Michael Douglas films.
JEFF GENUNG
Disclosure (1994)
Sure that at least one of my colleagues would pick “Fatal Attraction” (but none did!), I instead opted for the lesser known of Douglas’ pyscho-witch thrillers, Barry Levinson’s “Disclosure.” Based on the book by Michael Chrichton, “Disclosure” tells the tale of Seattle software exec Tom Sanders (Michael Douglas), who’s passed over for a major promotion in favor of shark Meredith Johnson (Demi Moore), who also happens to be his former lover. When Meredith gets all aggressive and wants to resume their affair, now-married man Tom demurs. Next day, she hits him with a sexual harassment suit.
The film is an interesting exploration of double standards when it comes to workplace sex – in this instance it’s actually Tom who’s being harassed, but no one believes him. Turns out there’s much more to Meredith’s plan – she’s out to set Tom up to take the fall for a software snafu that she’s responsible for. Full of corporate intrigue and plenty of twists and turns, “Disclosure” is a great play on the “Fatal Attraction” theme. Plus it’s cool to see the cheesy computer graphics, back when “e-mail” was newly-fangled – and the set for the fictional DigiCom has to be the coolest office on film, ever. Though Douglas is great as Tom, the film really belongs to the brassy Meredith, and Demi Moore hasn’t been that engaging since.
TYLER MURPHY
American President (1995)
In what world does a political romance involving a love story between an environmental lobbyist and a widowed president on the eve of a reelection enthrall my interest? One starring Michael Douglas apparently. Those were pretty much my exact thoughts after accidentally renting the well-written drama and watching it out of disgusted boredom. In one of the first scenes, the movie beat my preconceived notions to the curb with the idiom stick, “you never judge a book (movie) by its cover.” With the first daughter learning to play the trumpet, President Andrew Shephard steps in for a brief one on one moment. There are few actor’s feet that can fill the presidential shoes like Michael Douglas. In the short amusing scene Shephard offers some inspiring American history in hopes of kindling his daughter lacking appetite for the topic in school. They then talk of how “mom” died three years earlier and as he’s promising to find more time to be a family responsibilities call him away. As he leaves, the daughter plays the tune, Hail to the Chief. The president later bumps into a loud mouthed political gun hired to get the White House’s attention in the form of Sydney Helen Wade, played by Annette Bening. After a charming but awkward introduction, Shephard makes the later controversial decision that the president has a right to a normal life. He calls Sydney, sparking an intriguing relationship and sharp criticisms from his political rivals. Once fearing to attack a widowed president before the public the challengers unleash a barrage of controversial debates involving the new found love affair. After taking a political and emotional beating through most of the movie, love finds a way. The final scene is perhaps the best in the entire flick when Shephard delivers a passionate speech before the White House press corps. I rewound that part and watched it again and every time the movie is on I look forward to it. I have no doubt Michael Douglas helped make that movie the “diamond in the rough” it turned out to be. Bravo.
BRIAN GOLDEN
Ghost in the Darkness (1996)
While it’s certainly not universally acclaimed as one of Paramount Pictures’ most prolific offerings, “The Ghost and the Darkness,” released in 1996 and starring Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer, has always been a favorite of mine.
Although Douglas – appearing as a larger-than-life, raucous, brazen, cowboy figure – doesn’t make his first appearance until midway through the movie, his performance stands out to me as one of his best. In reality I suppose I was simply unprepared for the prolific actor to star in this type of role.
In the film, Colonel John Henry Patterson (Kilmer) is contracted to build a controversial railroad bridge located in late 19th century Africa, taking on a project that is already seriously behind schedule. When workers complain of lion attacks in the region, Patterson impresses the crew with a one-shot kill during his first evening on the job.
Soon afterward, with the project back on schedule, a pair of man-eating lions descend upon the camp, a scenario the local workers have never experienced before. Calling the pair “The Ghost and the Darkness,” the terrified crew threatens to flee and Patterson is at the end of his wits as he is unable to locate and kill the lions.
Enter Douglas as experienced hunter Charles Remington.
Arriving with a group of local Maasai hunters, Remington, Patterson and the native warriors successfully track the man-eaters, yet ultimately fail to get the job done.
Douglas’ role in the film certainly doesn’t last long and after several more failed attempts at hunting down the lions (Remington does manage to kill one, using Patterson and a baboon as bait) he is, in one of the motion picture’s more terrifying moments, dragged out of his tent to his death.
Douglas’ performance throughout the movie is quite enjoyable in my opinion and he has some truly memorable lines. My favorite – “Oh, you’re right. The devil has come to Tsavo. I am the devil.”
TODD CAMPBELL
Romancing The Stone (1984)
A lot of actors often try to branch out into producing and directing. Douglas pulled this one off producing and acting in this terrific movie starring himself and Kathleen Turner. Turner plays Joan Wilder, a popular romance novelist whose characters in her books have all the romance, but her real life is a totally different story. Joan’s life is about to get a dose of action that only her books can bring when she finds out that her sister has been kidnapped.
She managed to send a map to Joan that will lead whoever follows it to a very expensive treasure that takes Joan to South America. Joan doesn’t know she is being followed by those who also want the treasure too. When it looks like Joan is about to be captured, she runs into Jack Colton (Douglas). Colton was one of those fortune seekers who has tried to make his fortune with whatever was safe.
After Colton scares off the bad guys, Joan makes a deal with him to take her to a phone. What follows is a fun adventure heading through the jungle and seeing the interaction between Douglas and Turner was what made this movie so much fun. Check it out!
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