Hope everyone has a very happy and healthy new year and in the meantime have a fun new year's eve!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Valkyrie Mit Tom Cruise!
So after attending an entire evening devoted to the media wonder that is Tom Cruise, I just had to go see Valkyrie. Although my sister and I had to watch the movie from the front row of the theater (all those Times Square tourists keep slowing us down - is it January yet?), I was still able to focus enough to enjoy what the movie had to offer. What I felt it was offering was a very simplistic view of a complicated group of German officers who plotted to overthrow and assassinate Hitler, the kind of simplistic view that only Hollywood, backed by a glitzy lead actor, could produce.
Now clearly assassinating Hitler is a plot that we can all get behind and the reasons to want to assassinate him would seem to be perfectly clear (and they do mention some of the obvious points, including a brief mention of how they would close the concentration camps) but I thought it could have been a much more interesting film if the plotters' motivations had been explored in more detail. The stated reasons why they were so determined to be the ones to stop him (as opposed to letting the Allies get him) is to end the war sooner and save more soldier lives, be able to negotiate a better truce with the Allies and show the world that not all Germans stood behind Hitler. This would keep Germany's national reputation intact and keep the country more sympathetic in the eyes of the world during a post-war rebuild. Of course, overthrowing Hitler would also allow the group to assume power and, as my sister pointed out, the officers seemed to be from aristocratic backgrounds and they may have been able to reinstate the aristocratic class under a new leader. But those background motivations may have just been too complicated to work into a Tom Cruise Hollywood thriller film.
Because at the end of the day, the film treats Hitler as the ultimate ubervillain widget; it was just as equally clear why The Emperor had to go in Star Wars. Tom Cruise, the commanding American-accented officer (with an imposing eye patch) orders around some stuffy British-accented officers (including the Harry Potter/Pirates of the Caribbean/British Stars of Today blockbuster collection of Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Wilkinson, Eddie Izzard and many other assorted film faces - it actually makes for a fun British Six Degrees kind of game) and promises that Hitler and the SS will pay. A seemingly perfect popcorn fun night at the movies plot. Sure, you know it is going to end badly before it begins but I still did have fun along the way.
Some particular highlights: The movie actually does have a couple thrilling sequences where the would be assassins try to carry out their plots - it makes me want to see more, possibly less historically charged, Christopher McQuarrie/Bryan Singer thrillers in the future (although it would take a lot to top their original effort The Usual Suspects). And David Bamber makes for a very scary Hitler - each time he appeared on screen, you could sense the villainy.
My summary may make the movie sound strange (how could one enjoy a film about Hitler?) but I actually did leave the theater satisfied. So if you're looking for a simple pleasures, diverting evening at the movies, Valkyrie may just be the film for you.
Now clearly assassinating Hitler is a plot that we can all get behind and the reasons to want to assassinate him would seem to be perfectly clear (and they do mention some of the obvious points, including a brief mention of how they would close the concentration camps) but I thought it could have been a much more interesting film if the plotters' motivations had been explored in more detail. The stated reasons why they were so determined to be the ones to stop him (as opposed to letting the Allies get him) is to end the war sooner and save more soldier lives, be able to negotiate a better truce with the Allies and show the world that not all Germans stood behind Hitler. This would keep Germany's national reputation intact and keep the country more sympathetic in the eyes of the world during a post-war rebuild. Of course, overthrowing Hitler would also allow the group to assume power and, as my sister pointed out, the officers seemed to be from aristocratic backgrounds and they may have been able to reinstate the aristocratic class under a new leader. But those background motivations may have just been too complicated to work into a Tom Cruise Hollywood thriller film.
Because at the end of the day, the film treats Hitler as the ultimate ubervillain widget; it was just as equally clear why The Emperor had to go in Star Wars. Tom Cruise, the commanding American-accented officer (with an imposing eye patch) orders around some stuffy British-accented officers (including the Harry Potter/Pirates of the Caribbean/British Stars of Today blockbuster collection of Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Wilkinson, Eddie Izzard and many other assorted film faces - it actually makes for a fun British Six Degrees kind of game) and promises that Hitler and the SS will pay. A seemingly perfect popcorn fun night at the movies plot. Sure, you know it is going to end badly before it begins but I still did have fun along the way.
Some particular highlights: The movie actually does have a couple thrilling sequences where the would be assassins try to carry out their plots - it makes me want to see more, possibly less historically charged, Christopher McQuarrie/Bryan Singer thrillers in the future (although it would take a lot to top their original effort The Usual Suspects). And David Bamber makes for a very scary Hitler - each time he appeared on screen, you could sense the villainy.
My summary may make the movie sound strange (how could one enjoy a film about Hitler?) but I actually did leave the theater satisfied. So if you're looking for a simple pleasures, diverting evening at the movies, Valkyrie may just be the film for you.
Time Warner Cable Consumer Alert!
I just saw this story on-line about how Time Warner Cable may lose the Viacom channels if it can't come to a deal by tomorrow night. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081231/ap_on_en_tv/viacom_time_warner_cable All I can say is that if I don't have access to the new episode of The Daily Show on Monday night, I might start researching what Fios can do for me.
David Fincher Double Feature What Was He Thinking?
So I just got an e-mail from the Walter Reade theater at Lincoln Center touting the David Fincher mini-film festival pairing his films in double features with classic films chosen by Fincher. Pairing Zodiac with Chinatown certainly makes sense to me as does pairing Fight Club with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid but I can not for the life of me figure this one out - http://www.filmlinc.com/wrt/onsale/fincher/se7en.html. Is it just because you need the unabashed happiness to recover from Se7en? Does anyone out there know the answer to this? If anyone goes to the interview with Fincher and finds out the actual answer please let me know.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Reminder: Scrubs on January 6th
As part of the countdown to the new season of Scrubs, there was an interesting article today in the Times about just how the show managed to jump from NBC to ABC and what that will mean for the show going forward. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/arts/television/30scru.html?ref=arts Peruse it if you will but please check out the kicker in the last couple paragraphs - looks like family friend Robert Maschio has some wardrobe changes coming his way!
Waltz With Bashir: An Animated Autobiographical Surrealist Docudrama
I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like Waltz With Bashir, the fascinating Israeli film which has just opened in New York. The movie was produced, written and directed by Ari Folman, the main character of the film. The film is an animated account of how Folman tries to reconstruct his memories of the 1982 invasion of Lebanon since he discovers he has suppressed just where he was and what he saw. He is spurred to investigate his role in the invasion when a friend reveals a nightmare he has from something he did during the invasion. Folman then visits a number of actual people who add their fractured memories to the story.
The movie is a strong comment on what comprises a memory and how hard it is to distinguish what is real and what is imagined. One of Folman's strongest memories may actually be an invention of his mind but it is a beautiful image of soldiers emerging from an ocean swim into the light of a city at war. The use of the animation technique aids this sense of uncertainty since it lends even possibly true memories an air of the surreal. The animation also allows each memory to be beautifully and artistically portrayed which makes the overall film a wondrous thing to behold.
As the barriers of the brain start to break and more accurate, horrific memories start to pile up, the film starts to turn towards a focus on what did happen and what role each person may have played in the horrible events. The film ends a bit abruptly with some actual news images which, for better or worse, certainly jerks the audience out of the cocoon of the animated world and back into the reality behind the film. Those images at the end are certainly something that can not be forgotten - after reading the next day about what is currently happening in the Gaza, there was nothing I could do to shake them from my mind.
To get a better sense of what this animated/memory/war film really is, check out the trailer:
The movie is a strong comment on what comprises a memory and how hard it is to distinguish what is real and what is imagined. One of Folman's strongest memories may actually be an invention of his mind but it is a beautiful image of soldiers emerging from an ocean swim into the light of a city at war. The use of the animation technique aids this sense of uncertainty since it lends even possibly true memories an air of the surreal. The animation also allows each memory to be beautifully and artistically portrayed which makes the overall film a wondrous thing to behold.
As the barriers of the brain start to break and more accurate, horrific memories start to pile up, the film starts to turn towards a focus on what did happen and what role each person may have played in the horrible events. The film ends a bit abruptly with some actual news images which, for better or worse, certainly jerks the audience out of the cocoon of the animated world and back into the reality behind the film. Those images at the end are certainly something that can not be forgotten - after reading the next day about what is currently happening in the Gaza, there was nothing I could do to shake them from my mind.
To get a better sense of what this animated/memory/war film really is, check out the trailer:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Or The Curious Case of How a Beautiful Film Could be so Inconsequential
I will go on the official record as liking the film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button although I will be forced to admit that there is not too much to it in the end. The best thing about it is its sheer visual beauty - every scene is perfectly lit and shot, every actor is perfectly lit and made up and watching Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett for a few hours could never be a bad way to spend an afternoon. Yet if you've read anything about it you know he is going backwards, she is going forwards and the film basically just portrays the incidents and bumps along the way.
There are a few awkward things about the film. What one assumes was intended to be a bit of a reveal is obvious from the beginning so there is nothing unexpected that occurs. Also, the most awkward point is setting the present day portion of the story (from which everything else is revealed in flashback) in August 2005 New Orleans with Katrina pounding at the windows. It is not clear what this was meant to accomplish or say but what it left me with was a fervent hope that the characters left behind to suffer through Katrina wouldn't be trapped in the Superdome.
Whatever joy there is to be had from the film really just comes from spending a bit of time in its overall presence and appreciating the little details all the way. There is an incidental story which opens the film that is beautifully told and shot, using the appearance of old sepia film footage, a technique which reappears as part of a running gag throughout the film (watch out for the lightening). One of the most beautiful sections of the film is when Pitt's and Blanchett's characters finally get together. I probably would have left much happier if I had walked out after that sequence as the end really brought me down.
All in all, I'm not entirely sure what the film was trying to say about life and time but I enjoyed watching it go by.
Check out the trailer and see what you think:
There are a few awkward things about the film. What one assumes was intended to be a bit of a reveal is obvious from the beginning so there is nothing unexpected that occurs. Also, the most awkward point is setting the present day portion of the story (from which everything else is revealed in flashback) in August 2005 New Orleans with Katrina pounding at the windows. It is not clear what this was meant to accomplish or say but what it left me with was a fervent hope that the characters left behind to suffer through Katrina wouldn't be trapped in the Superdome.
Whatever joy there is to be had from the film really just comes from spending a bit of time in its overall presence and appreciating the little details all the way. There is an incidental story which opens the film that is beautifully told and shot, using the appearance of old sepia film footage, a technique which reappears as part of a running gag throughout the film (watch out for the lightening). One of the most beautiful sections of the film is when Pitt's and Blanchett's characters finally get together. I probably would have left much happier if I had walked out after that sequence as the end really brought me down.
All in all, I'm not entirely sure what the film was trying to say about life and time but I enjoyed watching it go by.
Check out the trailer and see what you think:
The Class: Teenagers as they are
I really enjoyed the French film The Class which won the Palme D'Or earlier this year at the Cannes film festival and which has finally been released here in New York (it is France's official selection for the Oscars so hopefully it will expand to more theaters soon). The film is based on a loose, somewhat fictional autobiography/memoir of a French teacher François Bégaudeau, who stars as a version of himself in the film. The class that is the main subject of the film, as well as the other teachers in the film, are comprised of actual students and teachers from a middle school in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. This of course lends the film an air of realism which makes what's happening all the more interesting.
The film essentially follows the teacher and his class through a school year with all the rises and falls of various students along the way. Each of the students has a compelling story, particularly the troublemaker Souleymane and the quiet Wei. One of the most interesting aspects of The Class is the cultural diversity of its students and to see how their sense of cultural identity is explored through Mr. Bégaudeau's French literature class. There are many funny sequences in the film (including a discussion of the meaning of "Autrichien") but it is ultimately a serious look at the state of the educational system in France today given the diversity of its students. The full range of strengths and weaknesses of each character, including the main teacher, are on display which fill out a deep portrait of the school. There is definitely a sense that the problems which arise in the French middle school could just as easily arise in any inner city school in the U.S. which also gives the film an extra touch of interest and relevancy.
If the film comes around near you I definitely recommend it. To give you a taste, here's the preview:
The film essentially follows the teacher and his class through a school year with all the rises and falls of various students along the way. Each of the students has a compelling story, particularly the troublemaker Souleymane and the quiet Wei. One of the most interesting aspects of The Class is the cultural diversity of its students and to see how their sense of cultural identity is explored through Mr. Bégaudeau's French literature class. There are many funny sequences in the film (including a discussion of the meaning of "Autrichien") but it is ultimately a serious look at the state of the educational system in France today given the diversity of its students. The full range of strengths and weaknesses of each character, including the main teacher, are on display which fill out a deep portrait of the school. There is definitely a sense that the problems which arise in the French middle school could just as easily arise in any inner city school in the U.S. which also gives the film an extra touch of interest and relevancy.
If the film comes around near you I definitely recommend it. To give you a taste, here's the preview:
Recovering From Christmas
My apologies for hibernating over the Christmas holiday! The food coma is finally wearing off and I am back to blogging!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas Sesame Street Style
So to let you in on a little Jensen family tradition, we do not go to bed on Christmas Eve until we have watched the entire 1970s classic Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. So from our family to yours, here is a Christmas greeting a la Sesame Street and my favorite characters, Bert and Ernie:
And this is just the most adorable part of the show - how does Santa do it?
And this is just the most adorable part of the show - how does Santa do it?
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A Cold Winter's Night of Disney Childhood Memories
So as the cold weather started to arrive on Sunday night, I decided to settle in for a warm night at home. With the cold wind outside, TCM provided the perfect comfort fodder insider by showing a 12 hour marathon of 1970s Disney live action films. Thankfully, I made it home in time for one of my all time favorites, Bedknobs and Broomsticks and afterwards puttered around the apartment with Candleshoe and Freaky Friday playing in the background. Watching those films felt like bundling myself with a warm blanket - I'm just the right age to have warm, fuzzy memories of the film and it's so calming to see them again. Particularly my favorite portions of Bedknobs and Broomsticks including this mostly animated sequence which I vividly remember watching on an old film projector during one of my childhood birthday parties. A classic.
Prison Break Fall Season Concludes - Um, What Was That?
So I have officially made it through another half-season of Prison Break. Couldn't quite tell you why I stick with this show - what they call a plot is so convoluted and manipulated that there's no real point in even trying to make sense of it. Last night's high point had to be when the General said he wanted to end all the cat and mouse games which is exactly what I was thinking! Unfortunately, all the show is are cat and mouse games so the plot continues. After surviving brain surgery, Michael successfully evaded the psychiatrist who was trying to mind control him because the General's daughter told Sarah how to rescue him (after she couldn't be bribed by flowers and fruit baskets) and she conveniently arrived after he blew up the water tank and escaped to the road. Lincoln is now in charge of two ex-federal agents, a serial killer and a creepy female assassin type and they harassed some waitresses and people at a marina looking for someone they would have no way of recognizing. But now there is going to be a mother who was dead but isn't dead and has what both brothers want but will fight each other for. Thankfully, T-Bone at least gets to style his clean-shaven Miami look (love the ring on the fake hand). Here's hoping the next part of the season will be Gretchen/Susan free - what was her come on to Lincoln all about?
I'm sure none of this makes sense to those who haven't seen the show but if you're curious, here's a brief recap of last night's episode. http://www.fox.com/fod/play.php?sh=prison&ep=1229992030013#
I'm sure none of this makes sense to those who haven't seen the show but if you're curious, here's a brief recap of last night's episode. http://www.fox.com/fod/play.php?sh=prison&ep=1229992030013#
Scrubs is Returning - Merry Christmas!
Starting January 6th, Scrubs is coming back on a new network, ABC. I am still enjoying this show mainly because of its hilarious, wacky cast (including friend of the family Robert Maschio as "The Todd"). A sign of their wackiness is this video from last Christmas - a Scrubs voiced, raunchier version of the Peanuts' Christmas. Enjoy the yuletide cheer.
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Wrestler: Oy, the wrestling!
I have create a new personal movie-watching rule: if I am forced to close my eyes for more than a couple passing moments, I am not going to recommend that others rush out to see it. New rule in place, yes Mickey Rourke does a fine job, but you're not missing too much if you decide to skip The Wrestler.
The title character played by Rourke is a wrestler so naturally there is some wrestling in the film which, although I'm not a wrestling fan, is watchable and somewhat entertaining. The behind-the-scene moments where the wrestlers work out how to stage each match makes it more interesting because you get a real view of their world. However, when one wrestler introduces the idea of a staple gun and you're forced to keep your eyes closed for 10-15 minutes, that's where I draw the line. Such extreme violence may make sense in showing just how far Rourke's character will go but I would never call that interesting or entertaining.
So that's just 10-15 minutes you might say, what about the rest of the film? Well Rourke does a good job bringing the character to life but he's a not too bright man who makes somewhat questionable choices. He also leads a very lonely, depressing life and surrounds himself with other lonely, depressing people, including Marisa Tomei's stripper character. Tomei is fine I suppose but her part mainly consists of being mostly naked for extended sequences - a bonus for some perhaps but not for me. Everyone's relationship with each other is strained so you only get scene after scene of heartbreak which is a bit too much to take by the end. The end of the film too just left me so depressed that I could not take any positive feelings from the experience. If you're dying to see why everyone's hyping up Mickey Rourke then give it a go but when you leave with a cloud over your head don't say I didn't warn you.
P.S. The one thing that consistently intrigued me from the film's preview was the use of Bruce Springsteen's new song "The Wrestler." It doesn't make its appearance in the film however until the closing credits at which point I was already lost. Better to buy the song on iTunes and listen to it without the film.
The title character played by Rourke is a wrestler so naturally there is some wrestling in the film which, although I'm not a wrestling fan, is watchable and somewhat entertaining. The behind-the-scene moments where the wrestlers work out how to stage each match makes it more interesting because you get a real view of their world. However, when one wrestler introduces the idea of a staple gun and you're forced to keep your eyes closed for 10-15 minutes, that's where I draw the line. Such extreme violence may make sense in showing just how far Rourke's character will go but I would never call that interesting or entertaining.
So that's just 10-15 minutes you might say, what about the rest of the film? Well Rourke does a good job bringing the character to life but he's a not too bright man who makes somewhat questionable choices. He also leads a very lonely, depressing life and surrounds himself with other lonely, depressing people, including Marisa Tomei's stripper character. Tomei is fine I suppose but her part mainly consists of being mostly naked for extended sequences - a bonus for some perhaps but not for me. Everyone's relationship with each other is strained so you only get scene after scene of heartbreak which is a bit too much to take by the end. The end of the film too just left me so depressed that I could not take any positive feelings from the experience. If you're dying to see why everyone's hyping up Mickey Rourke then give it a go but when you leave with a cloud over your head don't say I didn't warn you.
P.S. The one thing that consistently intrigued me from the film's preview was the use of Bruce Springsteen's new song "The Wrestler." It doesn't make its appearance in the film however until the closing credits at which point I was already lost. Better to buy the song on iTunes and listen to it without the film.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Initials Arrive: Welcome CC and AJ to New York
That pretty picture represents $243.5 million in salary. Let's just hope Sabathia and Burnett live up to the promise and help turn things around. Now if only the Yankees could figure out how to plug up center field...
Tom Cruise, Movie Star
So as promised, I am reporting in on my evening last night in the presence of Tom Cruise. Right up until it began, I admit I was skeptical about the whole event wondering how he could actually live up to the hoopla. However, we got there early to get good seats and managed to end up in the second row. Which left us only eight feet from Tom Cruise. Which was pretty damn cool.
There is no doubt that Tom Cruise is a huge Movie Star and although I have certainly enjoyed many of his films over the years (you complete me) it wasn't until last night that I realized the level of celebrity he represents. I have been in the presence of many actors over the years, actors I truly admire, but I have never before felt as if I had been granted an audience with royalty. No matter what you think of Cruise, at the end of the day he is a very charming, very savvy public sensation who knows how to remind you just what a big deal he is and why you love him so. And love him you do.
After a year or so of embarrassing displays of public affection and Scientology beliefs, and seeing what effect that had on Lions for Lambs, Cruise is now on a PR mission (perfectly possible) to remind everyone that he is still Tom Cruise. He is the Tom Cruise that starred in Risky Business (we were treated to the dance clip), the Tom Cruise of Top Gun, the Tom Cruise of Rainman, the Tom Cruise of A Few Good Men, Born on the Fourth of July and Jerry Maf*&kinguire. Oh and the Tom Cruise that now has a Golden Globe nomination for making them roll in the aisles (if you haven't seen it, rent Tropic Thunder immediately and fast forward to all the Cruise and Robert Downey Jr. scenes).
So needless to say, the entire "interview" was a big fluffy pillow for Cruise to prop himself up with. Lynn Hirschberg from the Times Magazine started by asking him about his break into the business (with 1981's Taps where he got promoted from a bit character to the villain). That gave him a chance to tell some cute stories about how green he was when he started. Hirschberg also coyly admitted to Risky Business and Jerry Maguire fixations (what was it like to film that scene on the train with Rebecca?) and seemed like a girl with a teen idol crush. After showing the clip from Risky Business as well as a clip of Jerry Maguire in which Cruise was wearing sunglasses, Hirschberg remarked that the sunglass industry must be in his debt (how you wear those Raybans! He likes Raybans - scintillating). Somewhat incongruously, Hirschberg also had an Eyes Wide Shut fixation which led to interesting stories about Kubrick, an important cinema icon to be sure, but gave little insight into Cruise and his winning ways. We did learn that Kubrick would film the same scene over and over again for days shooting as many as 300 to 400 takes - I found that interesting anyway. But as Hirschberg seemed determined to keep the Eyes Wide Shut discussion going for as long as possible, Cruise finally mentioned Rainman and A Few Good Men himself to enthusiastic applause.
In answering the softball questions, which steered clear of any personal or religious discussion, Cruise came off as a perfectly polished smoothie. Every answer seemed to be true but also felt absolutely rehearsed at the same time. Every laugh, every gesture, every reaction was absolutely flawless, well-timed and charming but it all felt as if it was just part of the Tom Cruise show. For instance, when Hirschberg showed the clips from Risky Business, Jerry Maguire as well as one from Tropic Thunder, Cruise laughed heartily at himself (and his co-stars) in each clip. Does Cruise really find those clips funny? Well sure, why wouldn't he. Does he also subconsciously know that finding them funny will charm the audience's pants off? I would say yes. It absolutely worked on me - I couldn't take my eyes off of Cruise watching Cruise for any of those clips and watching him laugh put a big smile on my face. That is why the man is a Movie Star, he's got the charm and presence and he keeps the show going at all times.
He also clearly puts the work in at all times. He talked about how he likes to work on multiple pictures at once - he was working on Rainman, Born on the Fourth of July and Cocktail all at the same time (no, he did not accidentally throw bottles when in character as Ron Kovic). He also discussed all the thought and effort that he put into his characters down to the little details - he instinctively knew that T.J. Mackey of Magnolia needed the little ponytail and leather shirt like Tropic Thunder's Les Grossman needed the hairy forearms and large hands. Cruise seems to genuinely enjoy being an actor and said he wants to keep working on multiple pictures a year if he can. Now again, whether his ego getting inflated is a nice little side effect of acting so much and so publicly, you decide.
As the last piece of the puzzle, Cruise also really knew how to work the audience. My sister's friend Deborah submitted questions for the audience question portion of the evening and when her question was called ("Deborah would like to ask..."), Cruise asked where Deborah was and once he saw her in the second row, he delivered the answer looking at her the entire time, as if they were having a personal conversation and believe me, having him focused on a point that close to me was thrilling enough - I don't think I would have known what to do if he was talking to me. At the end of the interview, Cruise lingered on stage to sign an autograph and, once the crowd for autographs formed, stayed for a long time trying to get to every person and talking to everyone (even the Jews who wanted to talk more about what he learned by playing a Nazi). When Deborah identified herself as the Deborah of the question, he looked her in the eye, thanked her for the question and shook her hand. When the mother of a teenage boy waiting for an autograph shouted out that they had to go because he had homework to do, Cruise made the boy identify himself and gave him that autograph right away. Pictures of him interacting with the audience are to the left (cell phone cameras suck I know) - he is in there, talking with the people but still, never quite one of the people. The man may be genuine but he is just simply of a different species. I'm sure Tom Cruise loves his public but his public loves him and this is the only adult life he has ever known. The man knows what it takes to be a Movie Star and I have no doubt that he will do what is necessary to be that Movie Star for a long, long time to come.
So I know you have one question left - what the heck is that picture of the hand with the blue stamps? Well every Movie Star has to have a weakness and Tom Cruise's weakness is still visible on my hand and won't wash off. While waiting in line before the event, the Times made an announcement that everyone had to either check all coats and large bags or submit to a search. Since my sister and I had some valuable items in our bags, I took both our coats and large bags to be searched while she waited in the line for seats. The Times employee made a thorough search of every last inch of both coats and bags (although he didn't find my sister's wireless card which is still lost in her bag's depths) and then stamped my hand thrice so all would know that I had been quite thoroughly vetted. But vetted for what? I asked. Someone from the Times informed me that we were all being searched for "anti-Scientology masks" which I had never heard of but which are apparently V for Vendetta Guy Fawkes' masks (see Scandal List http://www.scandalist.com/2008-12-16/did-tom-cruise-really-elude-anti-scientology-protestors/). Not sure how one of those could fit in a coat pocket but my hand proves I had nothing to hide. Also, rather than the usual open mike questions, all questions were submitted in writing for some handy prescreening. Guess Tom Cruise is worried the public may not love him after all.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Flight of the Conchords has Now Returned!
So Funny or Die is hosting an on-line premiere of the first episode of Flight of the Conchords' new season. I haven't watched it yet because I'm going to see if I can hold out until January 18th - not very likely but I may be able to make the anticipation last a little longer!
If anyone just can't wait another second, check it out:
If anyone just can't wait another second, check it out:
Confessions of a Teen Idol - Billy Hufsey returns!
So I was casually flipping by VH1 this morning and froze as an image of Billy Hufsey flashed across the TV. Who, you might ask? Well, further to my recent gushings about Fame, he starred on that show for many seasons and was one of my first teen idol crushes. I believe I may have even written a fan letter and received a signed picture in return (I have to track that down!). Since he has disappeared from public view for many years, you can imagine my surprise to see him on TV!
Turns out he is one of several teen idols participating in a new VH1 reality show - I believe they are all going to live together in a house and try and relaunch their careers. Other teen idols include Adrian Zmed, Christopher Atkins, Eric Nies, Jamie Walters, and two guys from Baywatch. Adrian Zmed and Christopher Atkins are a bit before my time and I don't know much about Baywatch but my 90s high school side is curious about Walters and Nies. Besides Eric Nies' weird blond straight hair, is there anything else in this that intrigues anyone? Here's a full list of participants along with short interviews:
http://blog.vh1.com/2008-12-08/confessions-of-a-teen-idol-coming-soon-to-vh1/
I know what I'm watching January 4th!
Turns out he is one of several teen idols participating in a new VH1 reality show - I believe they are all going to live together in a house and try and relaunch their careers. Other teen idols include Adrian Zmed, Christopher Atkins, Eric Nies, Jamie Walters, and two guys from Baywatch. Adrian Zmed and Christopher Atkins are a bit before my time and I don't know much about Baywatch but my 90s high school side is curious about Walters and Nies. Besides Eric Nies' weird blond straight hair, is there anything else in this that intrigues anyone? Here's a full list of participants along with short interviews:
http://blog.vh1.com/2008-12-08/confessions-of-a-teen-idol-coming-soon-to-vh1/
I know what I'm watching January 4th!
Tom Cruise Talks About Nazis - Tune In!
So my sister and I have tickets to see Tom Cruise at the New York Times center tonight where he will discuss his new film Valkyrie. The event is sold out but there will be a live feed of the interview on the New York Times web site if you care to tune in at 6:30 http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/invitation-only-tom-cruise-on-the-moment/?WT.mc_id=TM-D-I-NYT-MOD-MOD-TTK-ROS-1208-TC&WT.mc_ev=click. I will discuss tomorrow.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Merry Christmas from The Big Bang Theory
Sheldon spent an entire episode last night stressing over getting an exactly compensatory gift for the unknown gift Penny said she was going to give him - he decided to have many different levels of gift baskets at the ready and, after seeing what Penny got him, run to his room, bring back the most equal gift basket and later return the others. But in the true spirit of Christmas, he learned the best gifts are those money can't buy in my favorite moment thus far from the show:
Monday, December 15, 2008
Juilliard Dance Presents New Dances/Edition 2008
My friend Patrick took me to see the Juilliard Dance School's fall performance featuring each class year in a different new work by modern choreographer. It was absolutely wonderful to see the young student dancers; they were all so amazing that I am looking forward to seeing them all dance for many years to come! You can read what the Times had to say at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/12/arts/dance/12juil.html but here are my thoughts:
The choreography of the four pieces was a bit uneven. The Class of 2012 performed Sidra Bell's Refrain for a Broken Chorus to live accompaniment by the Juilliard Jazz Ensemble. The music was fun, the dancers wonderful and the choreography was diverting although not especially exciting. I found the weakest choreography to be Darrell Grand Moultrie's Exposed Sights performed by the Class of 2011 - there were some gimic mirrors but not enough interesting movement and certainly not enough use of all of the dancers.
Johannes Wieland's "because there isn't any" performed by the Class of 2010 was certainly intriguing. There was wonderful live, on-stage accordion accompaniment (which made me think of the Amelie soundtrack) and some truly exciting moments of leaping and spinning with some gifted dancers. However, the piece was way too long - each time I thought it would end it just started right up again. Also, the dancers periodically used a microphone to ask Is there a place that's peaceful? No, because there isn't any. I'm not quite sure what that dialogue had to do with the movement but it at least added something different to the afternoon.
The most exciting and interesting piece was the Class of 2009 in a Larry Keigwin piece called Runaway. Set to interesting electronic music, the lights created a type of runway around the right and front edge of the stage. The dancers came around on an almost constant stream, first in uptight suits and dresses, then in various stages of undress. There was a lot of posing and fun, entertaining movement and there were laughs and gasps to be had aplenty. I had seen some of Keigwin's work before but now I am definitely going to seek out more! Here is a taste of some of his other work so you can get an idea:
The choreography of the four pieces was a bit uneven. The Class of 2012 performed Sidra Bell's Refrain for a Broken Chorus to live accompaniment by the Juilliard Jazz Ensemble. The music was fun, the dancers wonderful and the choreography was diverting although not especially exciting. I found the weakest choreography to be Darrell Grand Moultrie's Exposed Sights performed by the Class of 2011 - there were some gimic mirrors but not enough interesting movement and certainly not enough use of all of the dancers.
Johannes Wieland's "because there isn't any" performed by the Class of 2010 was certainly intriguing. There was wonderful live, on-stage accordion accompaniment (which made me think of the Amelie soundtrack) and some truly exciting moments of leaping and spinning with some gifted dancers. However, the piece was way too long - each time I thought it would end it just started right up again. Also, the dancers periodically used a microphone to ask Is there a place that's peaceful? No, because there isn't any. I'm not quite sure what that dialogue had to do with the movement but it at least added something different to the afternoon.
The most exciting and interesting piece was the Class of 2009 in a Larry Keigwin piece called Runaway. Set to interesting electronic music, the lights created a type of runway around the right and front edge of the stage. The dancers came around on an almost constant stream, first in uptight suits and dresses, then in various stages of undress. There was a lot of posing and fun, entertaining movement and there were laughs and gasps to be had aplenty. I had seen some of Keigwin's work before but now I am definitely going to seek out more! Here is a taste of some of his other work so you can get an idea:
Rock of Ages: Ah, My Youth
For better or for worse, I attended junior high and high school on Long Island from 1986-1992. So yes, the hair was big, the clothes were pretty awful and the music was cheesy and loud. Which makes me the perfect target audience for the new musical Rock of Ages at the New World Stages. My friend Zoe took me as a belated birthday present and although it is not the greatest musical ever, there is no denying it hits the nostalgia spot! The show features retreads of many songs of the era including music by Poison, Bon Jovi, Journey, Pat Benatar and many others performed by a big hair/tight clothes cast and a live rockin' band.
There is ostensibly a story about two young dreamers who meet at a rock bar on the Sunset Strip that is threatened by developers but since the main young woman is named Sherrie I think you know where the musical is really going. Kelli Barrett did a winning job as Sherrie playing against Constantine Maroulis' Drew (who wants to be called Wolfgang Von Colt) - I understand Maroulis is an American Idol finalist but since I do not follow that show, all I can say is that he has a fine voice but not so much of the acting skills. For the most part, the secondary players stole the show including Mitchell Jarvis as the story's mullet-equipped narrator and Wesley Taylor as the sweet, naive Franz. The most commanding performance of the night, however, had to be Will Swenson as Stacee Jaxx, a Bret Michaels-esque rock star. I saw Swenson in this summer's park production of Hair and thought he was good then but no matter what he does in this show, you just can't take your eyes off him (that may be in part because of the really tight pants).
All in all I would say if you like the idea of Mamma Mia! but ABBA just doesn't feed your nostalgia needs, Rock of Ages may be the way to go. By the end of the night I was clapping and grooving along and, heaven help me, speaking with that buried Long Island accent. Go ahead, just own that past.
Here is a promo for the show so you can get a better sense of it - wear your acid washed denim if it still fits:
There is ostensibly a story about two young dreamers who meet at a rock bar on the Sunset Strip that is threatened by developers but since the main young woman is named Sherrie I think you know where the musical is really going. Kelli Barrett did a winning job as Sherrie playing against Constantine Maroulis' Drew (who wants to be called Wolfgang Von Colt) - I understand Maroulis is an American Idol finalist but since I do not follow that show, all I can say is that he has a fine voice but not so much of the acting skills. For the most part, the secondary players stole the show including Mitchell Jarvis as the story's mullet-equipped narrator and Wesley Taylor as the sweet, naive Franz. The most commanding performance of the night, however, had to be Will Swenson as Stacee Jaxx, a Bret Michaels-esque rock star. I saw Swenson in this summer's park production of Hair and thought he was good then but no matter what he does in this show, you just can't take your eyes off him (that may be in part because of the really tight pants).
All in all I would say if you like the idea of Mamma Mia! but ABBA just doesn't feed your nostalgia needs, Rock of Ages may be the way to go. By the end of the night I was clapping and grooving along and, heaven help me, speaking with that buried Long Island accent. Go ahead, just own that past.
Here is a promo for the show so you can get a better sense of it - wear your acid washed denim if it still fits:
Wendy and Lucy: A Story of a Girl and Her Dog
Kelly Reichardt has been receiving much praise for her new film Wendy and Lucy as well as her last film Old Joy (which I DVR'd but didn't ultimately watch - I can only see so many!). Watching Wendy and Lucy I can certainly see why - the film is beautiful and portrays a real slice of life American story, in this case, the story of a young woman on the road with her dog. Michelle Williams is excellent in the film; although she doesn't say much, every emotion comes through clear across her face and she effortlessly swings from hope to fear to despair. It is certainly a triumph of her career.
However, it may be a matter of my own personal taste but I found it hard to be too engaged in the film overall. The story is very small which is not necessarily a bad thing but here just left me bored. I don't want to ruin the plot but most of the story revolved around the resolution of one incident which just didn't hold my attention. The movie was definitely a snapshot of a few days in a woman's life and thus there was not enough back story to understand her motivations and help you care for the character. There were a few interesting moments but I felt it was not enough to be strung together as a film.
Here is the trailer. My friend Lauren disagreed with me and obviously the critics did too so see whether this motivates you to see the film:
However, it may be a matter of my own personal taste but I found it hard to be too engaged in the film overall. The story is very small which is not necessarily a bad thing but here just left me bored. I don't want to ruin the plot but most of the story revolved around the resolution of one incident which just didn't hold my attention. The movie was definitely a snapshot of a few days in a woman's life and thus there was not enough back story to understand her motivations and help you care for the character. There were a few interesting moments but I felt it was not enough to be strung together as a film.
Here is the trailer. My friend Lauren disagreed with me and obviously the critics did too so see whether this motivates you to see the film:
Gran Torino Easily Makes My Top 5 Films of the Year
Although I imagined I would like Clint Eastwood's new film Gran Torino, I wasn't expecting to be quite as moved as I was. The film, which centers around retired, racist, curmudgeonly Walt Kowalski (in one heck of a performance by Eastwood) and his relationship with his Hmong neighbors, was funny, sad and inspiring all at the same time. Eastwood is of course wonderful in it (certainly one of the best acting performances of the year) and the actors playing his Hmong neighbors, particularly newcomers Bee Vang and Ahney Her, are very subtle but yet absolutely heartbreaking. The film also is a great comment on the changing face of our American society and the new challenges which arise with the new generation. It is also yet another advertisement for reasons not to visit Detroit (Detroit just can't catch a break!) but it is very interesting to see the backdrop of a city in decline and again, what that says about the trails of the younger generation.
I don't want to ruin one detail of the film since you MUST discover it for yourself but I will say (1) Eastwood gets in a lot of great one liners, (2) keep those tissues handy and (3) yes, there is an actual Gran Torino in the film.
All in all, I would say that Gran Torino as it stands right now is one of my top two films of the year (with Slumdog Millionaire).
Here is the trailer (which doesn't reveal enough to spoil any part of the film). Please watch the trailer and go see the film immediately:
I don't want to ruin one detail of the film since you MUST discover it for yourself but I will say (1) Eastwood gets in a lot of great one liners, (2) keep those tissues handy and (3) yes, there is an actual Gran Torino in the film.
All in all, I would say that Gran Torino as it stands right now is one of my top two films of the year (with Slumdog Millionaire).
Here is the trailer (which doesn't reveal enough to spoil any part of the film). Please watch the trailer and go see the film immediately:
Benjamin Millepied's Danses Concertantes at the Joyce
I thoroughly enjoyed the two short ballets choreographed by Millepied which comprised the Danses Concertantes program I saw at the Joyce Theatre on Friday night. The performance featured an amazing cast of dancers from ABT including Isabella Boylston and Cory Stearns in a couple outstanding duet solos. Both pieces, "28 Variations on a Theme by Paganini" (to music by Brahms) and the world premiere of "Without" (to music by Chopin), were everything classical ballet should be - interesting, beautiful and perfectly technically executed. The new piece "Without" was particularly enjoyable with the dancers in bright colored costumes slinking in and out from heavy curtains surrounding the stage. Although the promo video for the performance doesn't really capture what the actual performance was like, it does feature some nice highlights from Millepied's work so you can get a sense of it:
I do have to say that my sister and I were seated very close to the stage which has its pluses and minuses. On the plus side, you really get a great view of all the intricate moves and footwork as well as a close up of the dancers' expressions. However, it is a little hard to take in the entire piece when a number of dancers are on stage at once so I felt as if I was shifting my focus around a lot. Also, I know ballet dancers are supposed to be impossibly thin but one ballerina in particular, featured in an unflattering gray costume, looked so thin that at close range, it was a little off putting to watch her even though her dancing was beautiful. Next time I see her dance, I think I will sit at a greater distance.
I do have to say that my sister and I were seated very close to the stage which has its pluses and minuses. On the plus side, you really get a great view of all the intricate moves and footwork as well as a close up of the dancers' expressions. However, it is a little hard to take in the entire piece when a number of dancers are on stage at once so I felt as if I was shifting my focus around a lot. Also, I know ballet dancers are supposed to be impossibly thin but one ballerina in particular, featured in an unflattering gray costume, looked so thin that at close range, it was a little off putting to watch her even though her dancing was beautiful. Next time I see her dance, I think I will sit at a greater distance.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Exit the Comedy, Cue the Song and Dance
Apparently, Hugh Jackman has been announced as the new host of the Oscars http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/12/hugh-jackman-to-host-academy-awards/. Yes, he did a fine job at the Tonys but his skills are better suited to the let's break into a musical number vibe of the Tonys. I am of the opinion the Oscar ceremony is helped by a nice injection of real humor and I think Steve Martin and Jon Stewart have been great recent examples of that. I am skeptical that Hugh can make it feel like anything except the long wordy haul that it is but I guess we will see come February 22nd.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Bring on the Awards
So it's that time of year again. Today the Golden Globe nominations were announced (to be handed out Sunday, January 11th). Some thoughts:
1. Loyal readers will remember that in my assessment of Slumdog Millionaire, I commented that I had had to think back to last January's In Bruges to come up with my next favorite film of 2008. Much to my glee and surprise, the foreign press also remembered In Bruges, honoring it with a Best Comedy/Musical film and two Best Actor Comedy/Musical nods (for Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson)! It's on DVD folks - do catch up!
2. Another great entry in the Best Actor Comedy/Musical category is James Franco for Pineapple Express. His musings certainly were the best part of that film. In fact, I would say Best Actor Comedy/Musical is now my favorite category although I would put my money on Javier Bardem of Vicky Cristina Barcelona (another favorite of mine) to win.
3. I love that Tom Cruise got a nod for Tropic Thunder (although no love for Valkyrie) but it's unfortunate that he's pitted against Robert Downey Jr. for the same film in the supporting category. I would love to see either one of them win but now they will certainly cancel each other out. Not that either alone would ever really have a chance against the sorely missed Heath Ledger in the Dark Knight - although I hated that film, I do appreciate that it was one hell of a performance.
4. No Milk in the Best Film Drama?!? I would have thought that it would be a shoo-in with Slumdog Millionaire (which I really hope wins), Frost/Nixon (which perhaps could have been supplanted by Doubt), Revolutionary Road and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. But The Reader made the cut instead which seems odd since every review I read this week pointed out that it severely and offensively undercuts the magnitude of personal accountability which should be assessed to a concentration camp guard. Whatever the Foreign Press was thinking, I'm sure this odd nomination switch is one that will be corrected by the Academy come Oscar time.
5. I excited to see Happy Go Lucky get some love in the Best Comedy/Musical film and Best Actress Comedy/Musical categories and I do hope the Oscars remember the wonderful performance by Sally Hawkins.
6. Where have all the actress parts gone? With the caveat that I have not seen (or not yet been able to see) a number of the films, it seems to me that the Foreign Press had to scramble to find a full fifteen actresses to nominate while the fifteen actor slots all went to powerhouse performances. I will say that I think there are three worthy actress winners, namely, Anne Hathaway, Sally Hawkins and Penelope Cruz but we'll see what happens.
7. I am way behind on my foreign films! Usually by this time of year I have seen at least a couple of the foreign film nominees but right now I have seen none of them. Of course, I've been meaning to see Kristen Scott Thomas in I've Loved You So Long (better go this weekend before The Wrestler kicks it out at Lincoln Plaza) and Waltz With Bashir hasn't opened yet so hopefully I will catch up by Oscar time.
8. TV: As always, the less said the better. I am continually amazed by the poor taste of all nominating organizations when it comes to TV awards and the tradition continues. There are always a few worthy nominees, sure (I can get behind Mad Men and 30 Rock), but the amount of garbage that manages to overshadow the gems is scandalous. Kevin Connolly as Best Actor in a comedy series, seriously? He has no funny lines and one facial expression. Someone send the Foreign Press copies of Psych and Flight of the Conchords stat.
Check out the nominees for yourself and let me know what you think: http://www.goldenglobes.org/news/id/104
1. Loyal readers will remember that in my assessment of Slumdog Millionaire, I commented that I had had to think back to last January's In Bruges to come up with my next favorite film of 2008. Much to my glee and surprise, the foreign press also remembered In Bruges, honoring it with a Best Comedy/Musical film and two Best Actor Comedy/Musical nods (for Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson)! It's on DVD folks - do catch up!
2. Another great entry in the Best Actor Comedy/Musical category is James Franco for Pineapple Express. His musings certainly were the best part of that film. In fact, I would say Best Actor Comedy/Musical is now my favorite category although I would put my money on Javier Bardem of Vicky Cristina Barcelona (another favorite of mine) to win.
3. I love that Tom Cruise got a nod for Tropic Thunder (although no love for Valkyrie) but it's unfortunate that he's pitted against Robert Downey Jr. for the same film in the supporting category. I would love to see either one of them win but now they will certainly cancel each other out. Not that either alone would ever really have a chance against the sorely missed Heath Ledger in the Dark Knight - although I hated that film, I do appreciate that it was one hell of a performance.
4. No Milk in the Best Film Drama?!? I would have thought that it would be a shoo-in with Slumdog Millionaire (which I really hope wins), Frost/Nixon (which perhaps could have been supplanted by Doubt), Revolutionary Road and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. But The Reader made the cut instead which seems odd since every review I read this week pointed out that it severely and offensively undercuts the magnitude of personal accountability which should be assessed to a concentration camp guard. Whatever the Foreign Press was thinking, I'm sure this odd nomination switch is one that will be corrected by the Academy come Oscar time.
5. I excited to see Happy Go Lucky get some love in the Best Comedy/Musical film and Best Actress Comedy/Musical categories and I do hope the Oscars remember the wonderful performance by Sally Hawkins.
6. Where have all the actress parts gone? With the caveat that I have not seen (or not yet been able to see) a number of the films, it seems to me that the Foreign Press had to scramble to find a full fifteen actresses to nominate while the fifteen actor slots all went to powerhouse performances. I will say that I think there are three worthy actress winners, namely, Anne Hathaway, Sally Hawkins and Penelope Cruz but we'll see what happens.
7. I am way behind on my foreign films! Usually by this time of year I have seen at least a couple of the foreign film nominees but right now I have seen none of them. Of course, I've been meaning to see Kristen Scott Thomas in I've Loved You So Long (better go this weekend before The Wrestler kicks it out at Lincoln Plaza) and Waltz With Bashir hasn't opened yet so hopefully I will catch up by Oscar time.
8. TV: As always, the less said the better. I am continually amazed by the poor taste of all nominating organizations when it comes to TV awards and the tradition continues. There are always a few worthy nominees, sure (I can get behind Mad Men and 30 Rock), but the amount of garbage that manages to overshadow the gems is scandalous. Kevin Connolly as Best Actor in a comedy series, seriously? He has no funny lines and one facial expression. Someone send the Foreign Press copies of Psych and Flight of the Conchords stat.
Check out the nominees for yourself and let me know what you think: http://www.goldenglobes.org/news/id/104
Pre-Mourning Continues for Pushing Daisies
So the mystery last night was not that great although it had some great guest stars (including Mary Kay Place). But how adorable were those rain slickers! Cods for Emerson Cod, Olives for Olive and pies for the pie maker. God I'm going to miss this show.
NYC Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Spectacular
There's nothing quite like a holiday concert to really put you in the Christmas spirit. I had the pleasure of attending the NYC Gay Men's Chorus' holiday concert at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday night and now I am full of yuletide joy! Perhaps it was the peppy rendition of "All I Want For Christmas Is You" with the sychronized choreography of the 200 member chorus or the Twelve Days of Christmas singalong (although alas, for those of us up in the upper balcony, we only got one solo as the twelfth day). I also really enjoyed the soulful "Joy to the World" which closed the show and the bouncy Latino version of Jingle Bells.
Another fun part of the evening was an appearance by the cast of [title of show], which as readers of this blog know, is a musical I enjoyed earlier this year. Cast member Heidi Blickenstaff sang a beautiful version of "Chestnuts Roasting" which was interrupted by an adorable story from fellow cast member Susan Blackwell recounting the tale of an oddball classmate who took a stand one Christmastime. The punchline "this too shall pass" was a bit of a groaner but still a very entertaining cherry on the story.
However, there was a serious side to the evening as the focus of the performance was on those who have lost or had to create a new home because of who they are. The group performed a number of songs about home, including a stellar version of Kenny Loggins' "Celebrate Me Home" featuring the amazing chorus member Benjamin Smith, and told short tales of Christmas experiences. A particularly moving moment was the plea for help from a director of the Ali Forney Center which takes in teens who have been thrown out of their homes because of their sexual identity. I would encourage all of you to read about the center at http://www.aliforneycenter.org/ and give what you can - they are certainly doing good work and deserve the support.
Frost/Nixon is Frosty Indeed
So I was intrigued but not overly excited to check out Frost/Nixon and my lukewarm expectations were met. It goes without saying (since you can see yourself from the trailer) that Frank Langella does a killer Nixon impersonation and Michael Sheen is also very good as David Frost (more high profile roles for Sheen please!) However, the film itself was very dry and anticlimatic. The entire film builds up to one pivotal scene that you already know is coming so it ends up feeling devoid of any real emotion or excitement. There are few great sequences, particularly one where Nixon calls Sheen, that give you a small glimpse into the emotional state of the players. However, overall I found the film to be more about facts than emotion. I would say that unless you're a political junkie or dying to see the acting performances, there are more interesting films out there to see. It may also be that I don't have any strong connection to the events since I was only 2 at the time so if you remember the actual interview vividly, then by all means check out the backstory.
Here's the trailer - judge for yourself:
Here's the trailer - judge for yourself:
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Check Out Slings and Arrows
So I'm not sure what moved the New York Times to cover the brilliance that is Slings and Arrows in the Arts & Leisure section this week http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/arts/television/07stew.html?scp=1&sq=slings%20and%20arrows&st=cse since the complete 3 seasons came out on DVD back in February. However, any time is the right time to encourage people to seek out this funny Canadian show so I will play my part to encourage as well.
Here's the trailer for Season 1 AKA the Hamlet season. Starting at the beginning is always the very best place to start and the show is consistently great but I do have to put in a plug that my favorite season is actually the rip roaring insanity of Season 2 AKA the Macbeth season (Season 3 is the King Lear season). Get a taste and please please seek it out:
BTW, in keep with my post below, my parents own the entire show on DVD and do indeed lend it out to spread the joy.
Here's the trailer for Season 1 AKA the Hamlet season. Starting at the beginning is always the very best place to start and the show is consistently great but I do have to put in a plug that my favorite season is actually the rip roaring insanity of Season 2 AKA the Macbeth season (Season 3 is the King Lear season). Get a taste and please please seek it out:
BTW, in keep with my post below, my parents own the entire show on DVD and do indeed lend it out to spread the joy.
Buy a DVD and Pass It On
So I have made no secret about my fervent passion for the television show The Wire which ended its run on HBO earlier this year. I am so passionate about the show that I currently own the DVDs for seasons 1-4 (Dear Santa: I would like The Wire Season 5), two of which are autographed by Omar, Marlo and Carver (AKA Michael K. Williams, Jamie Hector and Seth Gilliam). I bought the DVDs with the thought that I would be able to watch the show over and over again to my heart's content. However, over the last few months, I have hardly had Seasons 1, 3 and 4 in my possession since they have been on nearly constant loan to various friends and colleagues (the autographs on Season 2 are too fragile to allow it to travel).
I will get them all back eventually and I can watch them over again when I do but I have found that there are pleasures to be had in loaning them out as well. For instance, whenever anyone asks about the show I can sing its praises and talk them into trying the first season (which inevitably leads to a dire need to keep going). I also can talk about the show over and over again with each new viewer and watch as they discover all the wonderful twists and turns that make the show so great (today's conversation: oh my god Stringer! I know, I know!). In a way, it's like getting to enjoy the water cooler conversation about The Wire over and over again which is almost more fun than watching it alone.
So my recommendation: If you have a DVD or book or CD that you're passionate about, pass it on and spread the love.
I will get them all back eventually and I can watch them over again when I do but I have found that there are pleasures to be had in loaning them out as well. For instance, whenever anyone asks about the show I can sing its praises and talk them into trying the first season (which inevitably leads to a dire need to keep going). I also can talk about the show over and over again with each new viewer and watch as they discover all the wonderful twists and turns that make the show so great (today's conversation: oh my god Stringer! I know, I know!). In a way, it's like getting to enjoy the water cooler conversation about The Wire over and over again which is almost more fun than watching it alone.
So my recommendation: If you have a DVD or book or CD that you're passionate about, pass it on and spread the love.
Flight of the Conchords is Coming Back!
OK not until January 18th but the promos that have been running on HBO remind me how much I love this show - the first one especially made me laugh out loud:
If you have not yet seen Season 1, you can find it on HBO on Demand or on DVD. You know the drill - go out and watch it immediately!
If you have not yet seen Season 1, you can find it on HBO on Demand or on DVD. You know the drill - go out and watch it immediately!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
One More Thing About Pushing Daisies
Kristin Chenoweth is awesome. This song from last night's episode has had me smiling all day:
Wonderfalls Comes to Pushing Daisies!
Although I am still pre-mourning the coming loss of Pushing Daisies, I was very happy to see the appearance on last night's episode of a character from Bryan Fuller's earlier series Wonderfalls (also starring Lee Pace)! It's nice to know that Marianne Marie Beetle continued to make a go of Muffin Buffalo although she's much nastier now than before. Guess that meddling Jaye hardened her up:
If you have no idea what I'm talking about then please rent Wonderfalls on DVD. Although there was only one 13 episode season, it was highly entertaining!
If you have no idea what I'm talking about then please rent Wonderfalls on DVD. Although there was only one 13 episode season, it was highly entertaining!
Prop 8 - The Musical!
This is absolutely hilarious and features more star wattage than Guttenberg the Musical! FYI, for all the fans I know are out there it has NPH:
I do wish this had been conceived of prior to the election but at least it's out there now so people can learn that gay marriage isn't an obamanation.
See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die
I do wish this had been conceived of prior to the election but at least it's out there now so people can learn that gay marriage isn't an obamanation.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wait Don't Tell Me
Walking through Times Square this morning I caught a glimpse of the silent jumbotron feed of Fox News. There seemed to be someone from Fox News announcing that Tony Danza would be coming up but Tony Danza stood next to him, bopping along and strumming a ukelele. Underneath, the banner had Danza's name and read "why does he have a ukelele?" I did not stick around for the answer.
Gavin & Stacey Final Questions
So I just watched the series finale of Gavin & Stacey which I am glad to say brought all the love back and then some. However, beyond the general will everyone stay happy questions there are just two nagging questions left hanging out there:
1. What does Gwen put in those omelets that makes them so popular? Whether with cheese or mushroom or even just plain everyone just seems to love them. Does she know how to cook anything else?
2. What on earth happened on Bryn and Jason's fishing trip? If Dave's not telling who will?
Soup and anti-gravity? I guess we'll never know.
1. What does Gwen put in those omelets that makes them so popular? Whether with cheese or mushroom or even just plain everyone just seems to love them. Does she know how to cook anything else?
2. What on earth happened on Bryn and Jason's fishing trip? If Dave's not telling who will?
Soup and anti-gravity? I guess we'll never know.
Fame: I Remember Your Names
So as I learned at an Academy screening of the 1980 film Fame this summer, there is indeed a remake in the works. This week's news is that a number of known actors who have all themselves had some form of professional training will be starring as the High School of the Performing Arts faculty: Megan Mullally, Kelsey Grammer, Charles S. Dutton, Bebe Neuwirth and of course Debbie Allen, now promoted to a principal http://uk.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUKTRE4B00Y320081201. You can debate whether this may live up to the original movie (which, remember, had the wonderful Irene Cara and Anne Meara among many others) and I will volunteer that nothing in the new film could possibly top the original's closing (apparently Body Electric isn't current enough for the new film) but there's just one thing that debate leaves out.
I was only 5 when the original Fame film hit movie theaters so needless to say, I did not see the film upon its original release. However, I was 7 in 1982 when the Fame TV show debuted on NBC. It was on late but my mom used our newly acquired VCR to tape episodes that my sister and I could watch later (with some fast-forwarding through the more adult content parts). I watched the TV show religiously right up through the last episode in 1987 - to paraphrase Emma Thompson in Love Actually, I loved that show and true love lasts a lifetime. Although my sister and I did buy my mom the complete first season on DVD, I haven't seen the show in a long time and the love is based purely on my scattered childhood memories of the show. Nevertheless, to this day, I remember all of the people who starred in the show over its six seasons (yes Michael Cerveris, even you) and those people are Fame to me - more than the 1980 film as great as it is and I'm sure more than whatever they are throwing together now. So cast who you will Hollywood but from the 1982 opening credits to the 1987 closing scene, these people are Fame:
I was only 5 when the original Fame film hit movie theaters so needless to say, I did not see the film upon its original release. However, I was 7 in 1982 when the Fame TV show debuted on NBC. It was on late but my mom used our newly acquired VCR to tape episodes that my sister and I could watch later (with some fast-forwarding through the more adult content parts). I watched the TV show religiously right up through the last episode in 1987 - to paraphrase Emma Thompson in Love Actually, I loved that show and true love lasts a lifetime. Although my sister and I did buy my mom the complete first season on DVD, I haven't seen the show in a long time and the love is based purely on my scattered childhood memories of the show. Nevertheless, to this day, I remember all of the people who starred in the show over its six seasons (yes Michael Cerveris, even you) and those people are Fame to me - more than the 1980 film as great as it is and I'm sure more than whatever they are throwing together now. So cast who you will Hollywood but from the 1982 opening credits to the 1987 closing scene, these people are Fame:
I Love Kate Winslet
I have seen many interviews with actors, live and on TV, and there are those that seem to be truly humble, those that are falsely humble and those that don't even attempt to be humble. There are those that are serious all the time and those that try to be easy-breezy funny. But I haven't seen one as truly humble, down to earth and genuinely entertaining as Kate Winslet. I once saw her interviewed by NYU's Prof. Richard Brown (who is presumptiously in the no attempt to be humble category) and although the interview was only supposed to last a half-hour, she chatted away for over two hours about her work and her life (she likes to talk about her kids). So I was very excited to go last night to a Times Talk with Winslet and her husband, film-theater director Sam Mendes who has directed her in the upcoming Revolutionary Road (co-starring Leonard DiCaprio).
I was lucky enough to have a front row seat to the proceedings and I was not at all disappointed. Winslet and Mendes were so adorable together and so funny - for example, she gently chided him when he said the interviewer's question was an "Entertainment Weekly" type question and he said "if you insist" when she said she had decided to show Titanic to her eight year old daughter. They told funny stories about the filming of Revolutionary Road, even though they claimed they had no funny stories, including one about how Mendes removed himself to another room while they filmed a sex scene but still shouted out directions from the other room ("dig your hands into his back") - apparently while they both found the situation incredibly awkward, Leo had no problem with it. They also kept complimenting each other - at one point, Mendes compared Winslet's style to Judi Dench and she looked genuinely touched and elated by the comparison. Both pointed out multiple times how lucky they both are to be able to do what they love and they seemed to really appreciate how great their opportunities have been. As Mendes put it, he once asked Tom Hanks on the set of Road to Perdition whether he was OK and Hanks' reply was I'm dressed as a gangster on the lot at Warner Brothers, about to shoot Paul Newman so what could be bad?
As much as I loved seeing Winslet and Mendes, unfortunately the talk did not make me want to rush out and see Revolutionary Road. Since Winslet is my favorite actress and DiCaprio is high on my list of favorite actors I am sure I will see it but it sounds as if it may be a depressing and headaching inducing exercise. A film about two people trapped in an unhappy marriage in Darien, Connecticut? Um, certainly not a rollicking good time. Even the few scenes that they showed were depressing and from what Mendes revealed about the plot it only gets worse. Here's another look at the trailer? What are you all thinking - excited or no?
I was lucky enough to have a front row seat to the proceedings and I was not at all disappointed. Winslet and Mendes were so adorable together and so funny - for example, she gently chided him when he said the interviewer's question was an "Entertainment Weekly" type question and he said "if you insist" when she said she had decided to show Titanic to her eight year old daughter. They told funny stories about the filming of Revolutionary Road, even though they claimed they had no funny stories, including one about how Mendes removed himself to another room while they filmed a sex scene but still shouted out directions from the other room ("dig your hands into his back") - apparently while they both found the situation incredibly awkward, Leo had no problem with it. They also kept complimenting each other - at one point, Mendes compared Winslet's style to Judi Dench and she looked genuinely touched and elated by the comparison. Both pointed out multiple times how lucky they both are to be able to do what they love and they seemed to really appreciate how great their opportunities have been. As Mendes put it, he once asked Tom Hanks on the set of Road to Perdition whether he was OK and Hanks' reply was I'm dressed as a gangster on the lot at Warner Brothers, about to shoot Paul Newman so what could be bad?
As much as I loved seeing Winslet and Mendes, unfortunately the talk did not make me want to rush out and see Revolutionary Road. Since Winslet is my favorite actress and DiCaprio is high on my list of favorite actors I am sure I will see it but it sounds as if it may be a depressing and headaching inducing exercise. A film about two people trapped in an unhappy marriage in Darien, Connecticut? Um, certainly not a rollicking good time. Even the few scenes that they showed were depressing and from what Mendes revealed about the plot it only gets worse. Here's another look at the trailer? What are you all thinking - excited or no?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Milk: Do See It If You Haven't Already
So as promised, I did indeed see Milk over the weekend and my final conclusion is that I would recommend it. Sean Penn does an amazing job as Harvey Milk, capturing all his joy, despair and drive for change. Emile Hirsch is also very good as Cleve Jones and has many funny lines (and dance moves). James Franco also does a good job as Milk's lover Scott Smith although his part is mostly restricted to the first part of the film (he does get one very heartbreaking phone call with Milk near the end). Josh Brolin is as always well nuanced in the role of Dan White (was he in hibernation until 2007?) and the rest of the cast also turns in fine work. The movie does an excellent job of telling Milk's San Francisco story and gets in all the political, historical highlights as well as enough personal details to really shine light on the man. I also thought the movie made excellent use of archival footage to make the reality of the story vividly clear (it should be noted for the record that my sister disagrees on this point but I think my friend Patrick, who was at one of the parades shown in news footage, appreciated its inclusion).
There's only one small problem from my point of view - based on a combination of the trailer, what I had read about the film and what I learned at the Times Talk I attended (mostly from the talk), I knew every little thing that was going to happen in the movie. I can't think of one anecdote or historical detail that I hadn't heard about it in advance. Even the movie's tragic climax scene had been discussed at the talk - I won't ruin it but the screenwriter claims the dramatic way in which it concludes was most probably true. So when my sister and I saw the film, it was like watching something we knew we had seen before. My sister was horribly disappointed by this and I think left with a sour feeling as a result (you can correct me if I'm wrong Mer). I certainly felt as if I missed out on the excitement of discovering a film for the first time but I was still moved to tears in many places. However, our experience was particularly unique (unless you were at the Times Talk too) so I have tried to look past that in reaching my above conclusion.
There is no doubt that Milk is a very timely film as there are obvious similarities behind the recent Proposition 8 vote and the drive behind 1978's Proposition 6 featured in the film. In one scene, the owner of the Advocate magazine lays out his strategy for defeating Prop 6 and it sounds exactly like the strategy used against Prop 8. Only Milk was there to explain why that strategy wouldn't work and indeed, it didn't work for this year's Prop 8 battle. I hope that this film will be seen by those unfamiliar with Milk and his story (see it because it might be nominated for Oscars, because you love Sean Penn, who cares, just see it) and will open at least a few eyes - any support is welcome as the fight continues.
There's only one small problem from my point of view - based on a combination of the trailer, what I had read about the film and what I learned at the Times Talk I attended (mostly from the talk), I knew every little thing that was going to happen in the movie. I can't think of one anecdote or historical detail that I hadn't heard about it in advance. Even the movie's tragic climax scene had been discussed at the talk - I won't ruin it but the screenwriter claims the dramatic way in which it concludes was most probably true. So when my sister and I saw the film, it was like watching something we knew we had seen before. My sister was horribly disappointed by this and I think left with a sour feeling as a result (you can correct me if I'm wrong Mer). I certainly felt as if I missed out on the excitement of discovering a film for the first time but I was still moved to tears in many places. However, our experience was particularly unique (unless you were at the Times Talk too) so I have tried to look past that in reaching my above conclusion.
There is no doubt that Milk is a very timely film as there are obvious similarities behind the recent Proposition 8 vote and the drive behind 1978's Proposition 6 featured in the film. In one scene, the owner of the Advocate magazine lays out his strategy for defeating Prop 6 and it sounds exactly like the strategy used against Prop 8. Only Milk was there to explain why that strategy wouldn't work and indeed, it didn't work for this year's Prop 8 battle. I hope that this film will be seen by those unfamiliar with Milk and his story (see it because it might be nominated for Oscars, because you love Sean Penn, who cares, just see it) and will open at least a few eyes - any support is welcome as the fight continues.
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