Return of Mood Hair

The first remarked-upon instance of "mood hair" since Mickey Rourke's appearance as the sometimes white-haired, sometimes grayish-black haired, sometimes grayish white-and-brown-haired Det. Stanley White in Year of the Dragon (1985) has been pointed out by Variety critic Todd McCarthy in his rave review of JJ Abrams' Star Trek.


Chris Pine in Star Trek; Mickey Rourke in Year of the Dragon.

McCarthy doesn't make a big deal out of it, but he does note that the mane of young Chris Pine, who plays a kind of surfer-dude version of Cpt. James Kirk, "varies from reddish to blond in some instances [so] someone should decide about his hair color."

The term "mood hair" was coined 24 years ago by critic Elvis Mitchell in his review of The Year of the Dragon. It was quoted by New Yorker critic Pauline Kael in her review of same.

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on April 22, 2009 at 6:10 AM

comment #1

gradystiles Author Profile Page says ...

After reading a fairly long, in-depth, very positive review of the movie, the only thing you comment on is a throwaway line about hair? Odd.

Posted by gradystiles Author Profile Page at April 22, 2009 6:50 AM

comment #2

Jeffrey Wells Author Profile Page says ...

It's not the only thing -- I'm about to post a summary of the review itself -- but it's definitely the funniest thing. And who else in the blogosphere is going to point out the Rourke/Mitchell/mood-hair precedent? Sharon Waxman?

Posted by Jeffrey Wells Author Profile Page at April 22, 2009 6:54 AM

comment #3

62Lincoln Author Profile Page says ...

Jeff, could you please get in to see this movie, and post your review? All the raves I've read are making me think the reviewers were wearing their James T. Kirk underwear at the viewings. I would certainly welcome your perspective.

Posted by 62Lincoln Author Profile Page at April 22, 2009 6:55 AM

comment #4

DavidF Author Profile Page says ...

I didn't even notice the hair remarks and was with Grady there.

IT was one thing to the ignore the fanboy raves coming out of Australia and Austin but now this thing is looking like it will be a REALLY GOOD movie and, I'd think, the most successful Star Trek film ever.

I've gone from being wary of it to having it firmly at #1 on my wanna see list...even if Kirk's hair colour is a bit inconsistent. I hope his weight is steady through the shoot, at least!

Posted by DavidF Author Profile Page at April 22, 2009 7:02 AM

comment #5

gradystiles Author Profile Page says ...

62Lincoln, if you read through some of the reviews, you'll see that virtually everyone is saying that this movie does not require a viewer to be a Trek fan in order to enjoy and appreciate the movie.

Posted by gradystiles Author Profile Page at April 22, 2009 7:04 AM

comment #6

gradystiles Author Profile Page says ...

...and I used movie too many times in that run-on sentence.

Posted by gradystiles Author Profile Page at April 22, 2009 7:05 AM

comment #7

rr3333 Author Profile Page says ...

Who cares! What about the movie?

Posted by rr3333 Author Profile Page at April 22, 2009 7:22 AM

comment #8

rr3333 Author Profile Page says ...

I dont know if you've ever seen this guy's re-enactments, but he's really good.

this is his 43rd re-enactment. He does a great hyper 'Pacino'. Sorry to hijack, but its a fun watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DvX73bqrVo&feature=dir

Posted by rr3333 Author Profile Page at April 22, 2009 9:37 AM

comment #9

NickF Author Profile Page says ...

Wow at those Mickey Rourke pictures.

Posted by NickF Author Profile Page at April 22, 2009 2:23 PM

comment #10

adam1214 Author Profile Page says ...

They got Connie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by adam1214 Author Profile Page at April 22, 2009 6:45 PM

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