Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
'The Railway Man' First Trailer
colin firth is one of my faves. the film itself is not generating buzz on the festival circuit. i don't care. if colin's in it it is a must see.
it is based on a bestselling memoir by eric lomax. Firth plays Lomax, a man who was captured in Signapore and forced into a Japanese POW camp, where he was made to work on the Thai-Burma Railway. Kidman plays his wife, who wants to get to the bottom of her husband's suffering and Skarsgard is a fellow survivor of the ordeal.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Sunday, September 8, 2013
'Morning' Trailer
also coming out of toronto is 'morning' starring jeanne tripplehorn as the grieving mother dealing with ehe accidental loss of her child. kyle chandler, jason ritter and laura linney also star. it is set for a 9/27 opening. looks like a sleeper that could to me. i'll keep an eye on this one.
here is the haunting trailer.
here is the haunting trailer.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
John Barrowman on Being Gay and Gay Marriage
i love this guy more and more every day. you can catch him on 'arrow' and don't forget he's a terrific singer. more than terrific. yeah i love this guy.
Toronto: Your Best Picture Winner Will Be '12 Years a Slave'
i am reprinting this 'new york' magazine article without permission. why? because it states what every critic i've read coming out of thr toronto film fest is saying" 12 years a slave will be hard to beat this coming awards season.
(i will remove if requested)
Suspend the betting, close the books, and notify the engraver: I've just seen what will surely be this year's Best Picture winner, and it's 12 Years a Slave. There's no question in my mind that this will be our ultimate awards season victor, and the fact that there's still any room for debate at all means that Oscar bloggers were high on more than mountain air last week at the Telluride Film Festival, where the film first sneaked before tonight's official Toronto Film Festival premiere. In fact, I'll go one further … no, two further: Not only will 12 Years triumph in the Best Picture category, but I'd put my money on a historic Best Director win for Steve McQueen, and I'd mark Chiwetel Ejiofor as the frontrunner for Best Actor. Like, what's gonna beat this movie? Freakin'Monuments Men?
To bring you up to speed — though if you're unfamiliar with 12 Years a Slave, that won't last long — the fact-based film stars Ejiofor as Solomon Northup, a free violinist living in 1841 New York who is drugged by two shady employers (one of whom, randomly, is Saturday Night Live's Taran Killam), then kidnapped from his family, transported to Louisiana, and sold into slavery. Renamed Platt, the badly beaten Northup struggles to sublimate his personality in order to survive, a task that is already dehumanizing but becomes downright untenable when he is sold to the sadistic plantation owner Edwin Epps (played by Michael Fassbender, who previously starred for McQueen in Hunger andShame).
I'll leave the eventual review of 12 Years a Slave to my colleague David Edelstein; all I can tell you about is the audience reaction, plus my gut instincts. On the first count, the movie was simply shattering. It wasn't just that people broke down crying throughout — though plenty in my audience did — it's that during the closing credits, when I finally found it in me to stand and turn around, I looked back at faces that were shell-shocked to the core. One writer friend of mine was inconsolable, speechless; I took him to get a drink, and for a while at the bar, we just sat and said nothing. At a film festival, you're often expected to move on to the next screening or assignment, but this movie had knocked us flat, and two people normally quick with words not only couldn't find them, but didn't need to. Later, I had that same, silent "holy shit" moment with several other colleagues who'd seen the movie; when my roommate came home from her 12 Years screening as I was writing this article, she said simply, "There it is, we're done. Game over."
I expect the Academy will agree with her. There are still many movies yet to screen here at Toronto — August: Osage County, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, could be a contender — and Oscar blogger Jeff Wells told me he thinks that David O. Russell is due for an Academy Award and that the forthcoming American Hustle could be his ticket. But could even the best versions of those movies feel seminal the same way 12 Years a Slaveimmediately does? There hasn't been a filmed project that engages this galvanically with the subject of slavery since the television miniseries Roots; yes, we got Django Unchained last year, but compared to the hard truths of 12 Years, that jape-filled Best Picture nominee is from another dimension. It helps, too, that the movie is an across-the-board formal triumph. McQueen makes not a single misstep with the camera, many of the actors are turning in career-best work (or, in the case of surefire Supporting Actress nominee Lupita Nyong'o as a sympathetic fellow slave, building a career on the spot), and behind-the-scenes contributions from writer John Ridley and compose Hans Zimmer are simply sterling.
Should another film come along that's capable of equalling 12 Years a Slave, I'd be happy for my awards predictions to be proven wrong, but let's get real: That isn't going to happen. It's the capstone to a remarkable year for black cinema that also includes success stories Fruitvale Station and The Butler, and it could reign supreme in a night destined to make Oscar history, especially if McQueen becomes the first black filmmaker to take home Best Director. As I sat in the bar with that shattered writer tonight and we struggled to speak, I said, "A century from now, when they put together a montage about the history of movies? They'll put the film we just saw in the first ten seconds of that montage." He didn't even question it; he just nodded, a lump rising in his throat. Normally, I'd feel like I was sticking my neck out to engage in that sort of hyperbole, but this is as easy a call as I've ever made. Beat that, kids.
I'll leave the eventual review of 12 Years a Slave to my colleague David Edelstein; all I can tell you about is the audience reaction, plus my gut instincts. On the first count, the movie was simply shattering. It wasn't just that people broke down crying throughout — though plenty in my audience did — it's that during the closing credits, when I finally found it in me to stand and turn around, I looked back at faces that were shell-shocked to the core. One writer friend of mine was inconsolable, speechless; I took him to get a drink, and for a while at the bar, we just sat and said nothing. At a film festival, you're often expected to move on to the next screening or assignment, but this movie had knocked us flat, and two people normally quick with words not only couldn't find them, but didn't need to. Later, I had that same, silent "holy shit" moment with several other colleagues who'd seen the movie; when my roommate came home from her 12 Years screening as I was writing this article, she said simply, "There it is, we're done. Game over."
I expect the Academy will agree with her. There are still many movies yet to screen here at Toronto — August: Osage County, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, could be a contender — and Oscar blogger Jeff Wells told me he thinks that David O. Russell is due for an Academy Award and that the forthcoming American Hustle could be his ticket. But could even the best versions of those movies feel seminal the same way 12 Years a Slaveimmediately does? There hasn't been a filmed project that engages this galvanically with the subject of slavery since the television miniseries Roots; yes, we got Django Unchained last year, but compared to the hard truths of 12 Years, that jape-filled Best Picture nominee is from another dimension. It helps, too, that the movie is an across-the-board formal triumph. McQueen makes not a single misstep with the camera, many of the actors are turning in career-best work (or, in the case of surefire Supporting Actress nominee Lupita Nyong'o as a sympathetic fellow slave, building a career on the spot), and behind-the-scenes contributions from writer John Ridley and compose Hans Zimmer are simply sterling.
Should another film come along that's capable of equalling 12 Years a Slave, I'd be happy for my awards predictions to be proven wrong, but let's get real: That isn't going to happen. It's the capstone to a remarkable year for black cinema that also includes success stories Fruitvale Station and The Butler, and it could reign supreme in a night destined to make Oscar history, especially if McQueen becomes the first black filmmaker to take home Best Director. As I sat in the bar with that shattered writer tonight and we struggled to speak, I said, "A century from now, when they put together a montage about the history of movies? They'll put the film we just saw in the first ten seconds of that montage." He didn't even question it; he just nodded, a lump rising in his throat. Normally, I'd feel like I was sticking my neck out to engage in that sort of hyperbole, but this is as easy a call as I've ever made. Beat that, kids.
'Stay' Steve Grand's Follow-Up to 'All American Boy'
mr grand is fulfilling the need: young men in love in the summer, music and on video. i happily support him and his music.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Thursday, September 5, 2013
'12 Years a Slave' Featurette
coming out of the festivals at toronto and telluride '12 years a slave' heads to the top of the oscar frontrunners this year. it's been getting rave reviews from the sources and persons i admire most in film critique.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Monday, September 2, 2013
Sunday, September 1, 2013
"Downton Abbey" Season 4 Trailer Is Here!
oh how we have missed you!
now i just have to avoid the spoilers that will inevitably fly across the pond before january.
but how to stop them?
but how to stop them?
Friday, August 30, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
'Divergent' Stars Shailene Woodley, Kate Winslet, Theo James Explain the 'Factions'
it doesn't open till march 2014 but the push is on. the next 'hunger games'? that's the hope of the studio and the producers. and possibly the stars who might find themselves in a successful, thus lucrative, franchise.
at least i have kate's 'labor day' to look forward to on christmas day.
Washington 1963
peter, paul and mary sand 'if i had a hammer'. peter and paul sang it together yesterday. mary has passed on. so here we go 50 tears back to the future. it was all about the future!
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
'The Butler' ***1/2
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the oscar season truly has begun. 'the butler' is a contender. it's american history from the perspective of afro-americans. finally! well yes you can argue that it has been done before by let's say spike lee. it just has not been universally accessible before. mr lee was just to angry for mass audiences. lee daniels has made an honest, tragic at times yet heartwarming film from the black man's perspective. it has dignity and that dignity comes from the heart and soul of the forest whitaker character cecil gaines. the real life white house butler's story takes us through five or so presidents (mr truman seems to have been left out) and the civil rights struggles and triumphs during their tenure.
along with mr whitaker's cecil david oyelowo and oprah winfrey shine as son louis and wife gloria respectively. make no mistake i am not a big fan of ms winfrey but her performance here is oscar nom noteworthy as is mr whitaker's and mr oyelowo's. the rest of the cast which is large adds dimension and depth to both the black and white characters. this really is a must see. in the theater. now.
so you may ask why only ***1/2's? well there was a bit of stunt casting in the case of the president's depicted. they did not work. in fact they were a distraction in an otherwise flawless ensemble. and having two of hollywood's biggest liberals, john cuzak and jane fonda, portray richard nixon and nancy regan was just gimmicky. i admire both actors and i am a liberal but it ruined the flow of the film. nitpicking? not really. it just 'hurt' the film and knocked it off it's pace. that being said it is still a must see. now. today. this coming weekend. just go to a theater and support this film. it's a very welcome relief from the summer crap we are subjected to.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Sunday, August 25, 2013
R.I.P Julie Harris
broadway lost one of it's best. the most honored tony winner, 10 nominations with 5 wins in the best actress category. she received a sixth for lifetime achievement. i had the privilege to see ms harris on broadway a number of times. amazing. a great loss.
many of you may remember her as lilimae clements on 'knots landing'.
ms harris was 87.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
50 Years Ago
it may me the day i started the journey to the moral center i own today. it may be the day liberal thinking entered my young mind. anyway it had an effect on this white guy and proudly admit this life changing moment.
we celebrate today as we move forward. now we just need to get the republican party to stop stop stop their hopes of turning the clock back with their insideous voting rights laws thet are determined to pass state by southern state.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
'Revenge Season 3 Promo
season 2 was a mass confusion with the 'initiative' et al. it gave me a migraine week after week. but i refused to give up. season 3 they promise will go back to the basic emily/amanda seeks revenge. well this promo certainly opens the door for just that.
R.I.P. What a Shame
lee thompson young currently on 'rizzoli and isles' was found dead of an apparent suicide. i feel like there is a barrage of youngdeaths coming from hollywood this year. why?
Monday, August 19, 2013
'The Borgia Apocalypse'
for those who like me were, still are, disappointed that strarz cancelled 'the borgias' before it concluded you now have the opportunity to read neil jordan's two hour series conclusion via ebook. it's better than the nothing that starz offered us. it is a screenplay not a play and reads as such. though most of us are not used to reading screenplays it does give us a satisfying conclusion to the damned good series. and speaking of damned....starz be damned. this is not the first time that pay network has kept us hanging. remember 'camelot' anyone? and now 'magic city' joins the list of their premature cancellations. it is proving to be an untrustful network that does not give a damn about their subscribers. c'mon they could not give us the two hour 'borgias' movie? no they could not. time to unsubscribe. hit them where it hurts. their bottom line. money!
so if you want to see, well read, the end try neil jordan's ebook available at amazon and i'm sure other ebook sources.
and oh yeah...cancel starz!!!
Josh's Jukebox: 'Anything Can Happen'
from the soundtrack of my mind
a 'glee' moment
melissa benoist and kevin mchale
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Documentary 'Obsessed With Vertigo' About The Making & Restoration Of Alfred Hitchcock's Masterpiece
i am obsessed with 'vertigo' the film about obsession. it is one of film's best and in my estimation hitchcock's best. starring james stewart and the wonderful kinm novak it was really a box office flop when it was released. since that time it has become a cinematic classic.
in 1997 amc produced a documentary, 30 minutes, on the making of and the 1992 restoration of this masterpiece. it is now on you tube and here.
finally 'vertigo' has been released in bluray format currently available. this is the doc.
Friday, August 16, 2013
'Never Forget'
they may be getting older, they may be infirm, they may be dying. but they are still complicit. they must be caught and brought to trial. never never forget.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Bingeing: 'Vikings'
with dvrs, netflix, huluplus and other streming sources 'binging' is the new way to watch tv. i binged on 'house of cards' and saw the entire brilliant series over 3 days while recuperating from surgery. i bing on each season of 'game of thrones'. i've binged each season of 'vampire diaries'. i binged the first four seasons of 'breaking bad'. i like binging. it's like watching great full length films. i turn them into events. mini-series.
'vikings' sat on my dvr for months. i was avoiding it for some reason. once i started it by the end of episode 1 i could not stop. it became a daily event that i finished over 4 days and was damn glad i watched it that way. it is a really good series. it took me to a time and place i knew of but really nothing about. was it historically accurate? who cares! it took me to other lands, other places and peoples. it was like reading a good book. i can't wait for season 2. i'll dvr and spend a weekend with rangar lothbrok and his clan. their travels and escapades. but i won't watch it till the full season is recorded. then i'll sit down, put my feet up, open a bottle of wine and binge...on the series not necessarily the wine...i repeat not necessarily the wine.
travis fimmell plays ragnar. he embodies ragnar. he is wonderful. and damn those eyes. i repeat those eyes. he's as sexy as they come. actually he is truly hot. hot with a difference: he can act!!!
get your hands on season 1. binge. you will not be sorry.
those eyes...damn!
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Christina Bianco Sings 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' as Adele and 18 Other Divas!!
this woman is amazing. she is brilliant!
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Monday, August 12, 2013
R.I.P. Eydie Gorme
so this is what t'he soundtrack of my life' is all about. it's those songs that filter through my brain on a continual loop. one of those songs has been 'blame it on the bossa nova'. it is truly all i really know about edyie gorme who was a bit to 'vegas' for me. ms gorme passed on saturday. but 'bossa nova' was just a catchy tune i heard in passing but stuck in my brain cells.
i have added 'what did i have that i don't have from 'on a clear day you can see forever' as it is one of my favorite musical songs. she doesn't deliver it as the great barbara harris did in the original cast but what the heck here it is anyway.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Thursday, August 8, 2013
James Franco Roast Promo: 'It Ain't Gonna Be Pretty'
here's the promo to be aired on comedy central beginning labor day 9/2
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