September 2006
Summer blockbusters tried to have something for everyone, made for neither the old nor the young but rather for the child in the adult and the adult in the child. "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "The DaVinci Code" were raked across the coals by the print critics yet pulled in mucho bucks at the box-offices.
Now we're having thrillers, mysteries, sci-fi's, outer space and the likes. We'll see. But soon we'll be getting films with substance like "All the King's Men," from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel with a deck loaded with star cards like Sean Penn, playing an idealist's rise to power (Inspired by Huey Long) in Louisiana politics and the corruption leading to his downfall. Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Anthony Hopkins also star. This could be another Oscar for Sean Penn.
"Hollywoodland" is one of 'our town's' real life mysteries. Adrien Brody plays a 1950s private eye investigating the mysterious death of famed Superman star George Reeves (Ben Affleck, who is great) and his torrid affair with Diane Lane who plays the wife of studio exec Bob Hoskins.
Another film noir is ‘THE Black Dahlia” dealing with an unsolved murder, but not nearly as good.
Early October brings us Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed,” a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong thriller “Infernal Affairs”. This one is supposedly set in Boston and deals with cops, mobs, etc. and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson and Matt Damon.
"Aurora Borealis" is a very sweet and touching film with Donald Sutherland, Juliette Lewis, Louise Fletcher and young Josh Jackson who visits his aging grandparents’ senior residence. He becomes the building's handyman bringing him closer to his failing grandfather and wanting to know more of his own father's unresolved death. Manwhile, falling for Juliette Lewis, Sutherland's nurse..
"Sherry Baby" has wonderful actress, Maggie Gyllenhaal attempting to reconnect with her child after her release from prison.
Some marvelous documentaries: Last years’ fabulous "Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo," the legacy of the Ballets Russes is now out on DVD; "WTC, The View," another concept of 9/11; "The Ground Truth," yet another and "The U. S. vs. John Lennon," artist, humanitarian and, according to the Nixon era politicos, a U.S. human threat. It's very compelling.
If you’re into costume films, and what female isn’t? Males too. “Marie Antoinette,” the frivolous teenage queen, played by Kirsten Dunst sets a new look on this decadent period in history. How director Sofia Coppola got the French bigwigs to open Versailles on their off-day is a coupe and the shots inside the Palace are incredible. Watch for it in October.
Maggie Smith, as a housekeeper, brings a dark twist into the home of small-town vicar, Rowan Atkinson and Kristen Scott Thomas, in “Keeping Mum.” She fixes problems in “Sweeney Todd”-style.
A sleeper is “Flyboys”. Takes place in 1916 prior to the U.S. entering World War 1 where some American young men volunteer to join France’s Lafayette Escadrille as the first American fighter pilots to see action against the Germans- flying in open-cockpit planes. The aerial photography is amazing and young James Franco should be Hollywood’s next heartthrob.
Another fascinating film is “Catch A Fire” during South Africa’s apartheid. Tim Robbins plays a Police Security cop hot on the trail of a man who was wrongfully imprisoned and out to seek revenge. Based on a true story and it’s really good.
Can you picture Jon Stewart or Robin Williams running for U.S. President? Well, in “Man of the Year,” Williams, as a comedian talk-show host, does just that with his rapid-fire comic timing in a television debate with his two opponents.
My last film in this set is “Infamous,” the second Truman Capote film in as many years about the events surrounding the writing of his masterpiece, “In Cold Blood.” Deals more with Capote’s glittering Manhattan life with politicos, socialites, celebs and publishing czars. His party people include Bennett Cerf (Peter Bogdanovich), Babe (Mrs. Wm.) Paley played by Sigourney Weaver, Gwyneth Paltrow is the night club singer ala Peggy Lee. Really, Gwyneth sings! Sandra Bullock plays pal Harper Lee but the main characters are amazing. Toby Jones, a Brit, IS Truman and plays him so well being small of stature and the incarcerated murderer, Perry Smith is played by Daniel Craig, also a Brit, and the latest James Bond 007. His portrayal is amazing and Oscar worthy.Their romantic scenes are riveting. Be sure to see this when it hits the large screens next month and make your own comparisons.
IN THE WINGS theatre news will follow shortly.
Now we're having thrillers, mysteries, sci-fi's, outer space and the likes. We'll see. But soon we'll be getting films with substance like "All the King's Men," from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel with a deck loaded with star cards like Sean Penn, playing an idealist's rise to power (Inspired by Huey Long) in Louisiana politics and the corruption leading to his downfall. Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Anthony Hopkins also star. This could be another Oscar for Sean Penn.
"Hollywoodland" is one of 'our town's' real life mysteries. Adrien Brody plays a 1950s private eye investigating the mysterious death of famed Superman star George Reeves (Ben Affleck, who is great) and his torrid affair with Diane Lane who plays the wife of studio exec Bob Hoskins.
Another film noir is ‘THE Black Dahlia” dealing with an unsolved murder, but not nearly as good.
Early October brings us Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed,” a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong thriller “Infernal Affairs”. This one is supposedly set in Boston and deals with cops, mobs, etc. and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson and Matt Damon.
"Aurora Borealis" is a very sweet and touching film with Donald Sutherland, Juliette Lewis, Louise Fletcher and young Josh Jackson who visits his aging grandparents’ senior residence. He becomes the building's handyman bringing him closer to his failing grandfather and wanting to know more of his own father's unresolved death. Manwhile, falling for Juliette Lewis, Sutherland's nurse..
"Sherry Baby" has wonderful actress, Maggie Gyllenhaal attempting to reconnect with her child after her release from prison.
Some marvelous documentaries: Last years’ fabulous "Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo," the legacy of the Ballets Russes is now out on DVD; "WTC, The View," another concept of 9/11; "The Ground Truth," yet another and "The U. S. vs. John Lennon," artist, humanitarian and, according to the Nixon era politicos, a U.S. human threat. It's very compelling.
If you’re into costume films, and what female isn’t? Males too. “Marie Antoinette,” the frivolous teenage queen, played by Kirsten Dunst sets a new look on this decadent period in history. How director Sofia Coppola got the French bigwigs to open Versailles on their off-day is a coupe and the shots inside the Palace are incredible. Watch for it in October.
Maggie Smith, as a housekeeper, brings a dark twist into the home of small-town vicar, Rowan Atkinson and Kristen Scott Thomas, in “Keeping Mum.” She fixes problems in “Sweeney Todd”-style.
A sleeper is “Flyboys”. Takes place in 1916 prior to the U.S. entering World War 1 where some American young men volunteer to join France’s Lafayette Escadrille as the first American fighter pilots to see action against the Germans- flying in open-cockpit planes. The aerial photography is amazing and young James Franco should be Hollywood’s next heartthrob.
Another fascinating film is “Catch A Fire” during South Africa’s apartheid. Tim Robbins plays a Police Security cop hot on the trail of a man who was wrongfully imprisoned and out to seek revenge. Based on a true story and it’s really good.
Can you picture Jon Stewart or Robin Williams running for U.S. President? Well, in “Man of the Year,” Williams, as a comedian talk-show host, does just that with his rapid-fire comic timing in a television debate with his two opponents.
My last film in this set is “Infamous,” the second Truman Capote film in as many years about the events surrounding the writing of his masterpiece, “In Cold Blood.” Deals more with Capote’s glittering Manhattan life with politicos, socialites, celebs and publishing czars. His party people include Bennett Cerf (Peter Bogdanovich), Babe (Mrs. Wm.) Paley played by Sigourney Weaver, Gwyneth Paltrow is the night club singer ala Peggy Lee. Really, Gwyneth sings! Sandra Bullock plays pal Harper Lee but the main characters are amazing. Toby Jones, a Brit, IS Truman and plays him so well being small of stature and the incarcerated murderer, Perry Smith is played by Daniel Craig, also a Brit, and the latest James Bond 007. His portrayal is amazing and Oscar worthy.Their romantic scenes are riveting. Be sure to see this when it hits the large screens next month and make your own comparisons.
IN THE WINGS theatre news will follow shortly.
posted by Harriette at 6:43 PM
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