Jack Black as Orson on "Drunk History"

[Wellesnet]

http://www.wellesnet.com/?p=10376

[Roger Ryan]

Not only is this funny take on the KANE origin story, but it really is a savvy homage to Welles' visual style. Note the use of dimming/rising stage lighting during the dissolves, the blocking of the actors and the camera compositions; it mimics Welles' style very well.

[Le Chiffre]

You're right, it is clever. The Hearst party scene has a slight Ambersons feel to it, and the technique of having the narrator talk over the lip movements of the actors is reminiscent of FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH.

I wonder if Richard Linklater ever regrets not having had Jack Black play Welles in ME AND ORSON WELLES, since Black starred in Linklater's only real box-office hit, SCHOOL OF ROCK, and also gave a fine performance in Linklater's BERNIE last year. It's hard to see how he would have been better then Christian McKay in the role, but it certainly would have brought more star power to the marquee.

[Wich2]

Forbid it, Chief!

Black was cute in that short parody; but as the semi-Orson character in KING KONG, he's gawdawful.

-Craig