Get Smart: Why can’t the female lead be older?

June 25, 2008

I know this is something that has been going on forever, the 40-something guy in a film is paired with a 20-something girl.

Steve Carrell, who has extended his Office character way too far at this point, did a decent job here as Maxwell Smart. Anne Hathaway plays Agent 99 and she does a great job. I like Anne Hathaway. Liked her in Brokeback Mountain, Becoming Jane, The Devil Wears Prada and The Princess Diaries. But I want to see more women over 30 getting more roles.

If I were casting, I might consider these women for the role of 99:
1. Rachel Weisz

2. Thandie Newton

3. Angie Harmon

4. Elizabeth Hurley

5. Portia DeRossi

6. Kate Beckinsale

7. Ashley Judd

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Posted by Amy Steele

War Inc.: Film Review

June 13, 2008

“It’s the first war outsouced to private enterprises.”

This ironic, savvy political satire is set in Turaqistan, a country occupied by an American private corporation, Tamerlane, run by a former US Vice-President (Dan Aykroyd). John Cusack plays a hitman, a character not unlike that in one of my favorite Cusack films (mainly for the nostalgia of my high school class) Grosse Pointe Blank (a film he also co-wrote). His dry, sarcastic, breathy, rapid fire delivery is there as well as his dissatisfaction with his career choice. He seems to thrive on playing conflicted hitmen. In another war related film earlier this year, he wasn’t as strong as a widower whose wife died in Iraq in Grace is Gone).

Brand Hauser (Cusack) gets an assignment to kill the oil minister because his plan to build a pipeline will ruin the plans of Tamerlane, the company that controls every aspect of this country. As a cover, Hauser will run a trade fair in the Green Zone (aka Emerald City) that highlights capatilstic delights and features the marriage of pop star Yonica Babyyeah (Hilary Duff) to the son of the Emerit.
This ironic, savvy political satire is set in Turaqistan, a country occupied by an American private corporation run by a former US Vice-President (Dan Aykroyd). In this Muslim Country, America is welcomed in tongue-in-cheek manner with American style diners, a Jack in the Box restaurant and shameless advertising. The details are brilliant: the battered looking villagers are wearing crocs! The military hummers have advertisements on them, like taxi cabs. An erratic zealot dispatches Cusack to kill a leader in Turaquistan and he really does not want to be there. He meets a liberal, sexy journalist (Marissa Tomei) and tries to help the Arab pop star version of Britney Spears.

Everything gets outsourced. The spread of commercialism throughout the war is on full display. There’s money in war which I think anyone who’s ever seen a 60 Minutespiece on security or the “re-building” of Iraq knows. War Inc. possesses an absurdity but also so many layers and clear thinking about the consequences of our actions on a global and national scale. It’s obvious in its anti-war stance but in a clever, entertaining manner.

We all love John Cusack. Any Gen Xer does and he succeeds in this outrageous, provocative film. Marissa Tomei has chosen some fantastic roles of late (Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead) and I admire her for not relegating herself to the over 35-year-old mom roles. Joan Cusack plays a raving, over-the-top, eyes bulging, blabbering (saying everything we are thinking) assistant who cannot get out of this awful country fast enough.

Rated R, in limited release.

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The Other Boleyn Girl: DVD Review

June 5, 2008

She’s educated and for what? So she may be traded like cattle for the advancement and amusement of men?

–Lady Elizabeth Boleyn

At its core, The Other Boleyn Girl is about sibling rivalry. Two beautiful sisters who have been very loyal confidantes find themselves vying for the King of England’s affections. Fascinating in its details. Everyone knows how the story ends: the beheading of Anne Boleyn [and this is an intensely moving beheading scene]. The Boleyn family is very ambitious. The father and uncle are members of the court and want much more power and have a plan in mind. When Queen Katharine continues to have trouble providing the King with a male heir, they see this as their time to swoop in. As Mary is already married, Anne is introduced to the King but an accident while fox hunting, quickly derails that plan. The King takes notice of Mary and requests that she be called to court to be in service to the Queen. Mary is reluctant to go. She had planned on a quiet life in the country with her husband. Anne is mad and jealous. Mary wants love and Anne wants power. Mary is charmed and seduced by the King enough that she falls in love with him. He tires of her of course as he bounces from woman to woman and after she gives birth to a son, he has already moved on to her sister Anne, who has just returned from France and the Queen’s court there. She is a completely new person, having learned a thing or two from the French and the King takes notice and is genuinely smitten by her.

The film adaptation works beautifully but is sometimes a bit too staid and should either be more serious or campier. Philippa Gregory’s novel certainly has its over-the-top moments. It’s a long, detailed historical novel. At some points The Other Boleyn Girl becomes a real life harlequin romance novel—the initial sex scenes between Mary [Scarlett Johansson] and King Henry VIII [Eric Bana] and then when Henry confronts Anne [Natalie Portman] after she has rejected his numerous gifts, is smoldering. There’s palpable chemistry between Portman and Bana.

While I cannot imagine any other actors in the roles of Anne and Mary Boleyn at this time, are there no British women to play the leads? Two American women [Johansson and Portman] and an Australian man [the sumptuous Bana] have the leading roles in The Other Boleyn Girl. BBC Films is part of the production of the film directed by a Brit, based on a novel by a Brit, and with Brits comprising the supporting cast. So that’s curious.

This is a layered role for Scarlett and her films with Woody Allen [Match Point] surely have prepped her for this challenge because The Other Boleyn Girl certainly has more scope than The Nanny Diaries. Mary is light and the honesty and innocence of her character remain constant in Scarlett’s beautiful, glowing visage. Anne is darker and has mysterious motives for which Natalie possesses the range: the scheming, the jealousy, the confidence, the charms, the madness, the desperation. It’s quite the juicy role and if you liked her performance in Closer, you will enjoy this as well. Kristin Scott Thomas is bold and admirable as Lady Elizabeth Boleyn. Jim Sturgess [Across the Universe] plays it sweet and comforting as the girls devoted brother. After directing Bleak House for Masterpiece Theatre, Justin Chadwick deftly contrasts intimacy and pomp to showcase the Tudor era—several years are covered in two hours. And while a bit choppy, it never jars. There’s a lot of material to get through. The sets and costuming are ornate, colorful and detailed just like everything in the Tudor era. It is much better than Showtime’s The Tudors which I find excruciatingly dull with little charisma. Bana has the chops to play a King. Jonathan Rhys Meyers, not so much. Bana broods, rants and can steam up the screen if need be. Remember how good his was in Munich?

The Other Boleyn Girl is a must-see for anyone who loves a juicy based-in-fact story. Yes, I know that it’s not completely accurate but who cares? The main facts are in there. There’s sex, intrigue, and beheadings. And if Scarlett, Natalie and Eric don’t do it for you, there are exquisite gowns in vivid colors. And plenty of horses.

STEELE RECOMMENDATION: SEE IT!

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Mad Men: Season One

June 2, 2008


I’m finally watching the episodes that I’ve had on my TiVo since January. How did I miss this masterpiece of a show? The smart writing, the color palette, the layered characters. Three minutes in I got hooked. I love the old-fashioned feel, style and even sexism going on here. The 60s, the whole “ad men” thing, and the beginning of a new decade with political, social and sexual changes. And the blatant sexism is one of the best parts of this because it’s so smartly done. If you read my blog you know that I’m a feminist. And it’s unfortunate that a woman still has to state that she’s a feminist in 2008, it should be the norm as perfectly coiffed, dressed and lipsticked women were the norm in 1960.

Don Draper: So, without making things worse, can I ask you a personal question?

Rachel Menken: Don’t you wanna get a second drink in me first?

Don Draper: Why aren’t you married?

Rachel Menken: Are you asking what’s wrong with me?

Don Draper: It’s just that you’re a beautiful, educated woman. Wouldn’t you think that getting married and having a family would make you happier than all the headaches that go along w/ fighting people like me?

Rachel Menken: If I weren’t a woman, I’d be allowed to ask you the same question. And if I weren’t a woman, I wouldn’t have to choose between putting on an apron and the thrill of making my father’s store what I always thought it should be.

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Just Like Bad Sex: SATC: The Movie Left Me Empty and Disappointed

June 1, 2008


This film was directed and written by a man, Michael Patrick King, and it’s supposed to be representative of women? Yikes! It’s like the former SATC writer having such success and being on Oprah with his book “He’s Not that Into You.” It’s because as women, we have to realize that there is something wrong with us that we are single after a certain age. I speak to my therapist about it all the time. It’s unfortunate.

It’s okay to be over 35 without a boyfriend or husband but Hollywood does not want to show that of course and people don’t want to see it. Why else would people dress up to see this film and go get cosmos and make a whole girls night out when they don’t see another film for months at a time (in the theater)? I could go on and on but I won’t. Hey, it happens. Do I always want to be alone? Not really. Would I like to have sex 4-5x/week. Absolutely. Did I think I would be turning 39 without a boyfriend? Never.

SATC: The movie was predictable and pathetic with few laughs or witty moments. There are moments here and there that are worth seeing but it’s really just an extremely long episode of a half hour sitcom. The one-liners fall flat. There’s little creativity. The highlight of the film are the outfits. I commented more than once on a dress or bag I liked.

I enjoyed the television show and was a fan– what I appreciated was that Carrie did not end up with the guy and the ring at the end. When I heard about the movie and that there would be a wedding I expected mediocrity which is what this film is.
But the film and show has always been about Carrie Bradshaw and her thoughts on dating and mating: she’s always been in search of the guy and her happy ending. She made it seem like she’s doing it independently but when you’re always writing about sex and dating and reading magazines and shopping and coveting shoes of all things, it’s hard for any guy to look at you and say: “Wow that Carrie is independent.” There was an episode once where Carrie needed to buy her apartment and Miranda pointed out that she probably could have purchased it with the amount of money she spent on shoes (as most of her shoes cost at least $400/pair). Charlotte ended up helping Carrie out.

Four years after the series ended and all the girls are happily settled. Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Steve live in Brooklyn. She still treats him like crap and bitches about how much work she has to do and also has to take care of their son. Charlotte (Kristin Davis) is married and a full-time mom as she’s always wanted to be. Her husband, Harry (Evan Handler) is decicedly cool. Charlotte’s constant companion is her three-year-old adopted Chinese daughter Lily. The girl is like a prop. Can’t Charlotte do anything without her? She’s wealthy and must have a nanny. Miranda has a nanny for Brady. Samantha (Kim Cattrell) is on the Left Coast managing the career of Smith. He loves her, she loves him but as she says quite astutely “I love you but I love me more.” She finally realizes she cannot have her life revolving around a guy. Then there’s Carrie who thinks her life does not revolve around a guy but it actually does. She has managed to write three books about dating and love.

Big buys an amazing penthouse so that he and Carrie live there together and she freaks out. Now, I have nothing of my own to fall back on. There’s the bitter split of a mistress and her beau and the Christie’s auction at the beginning to show that women need to get married to protect themselves financially. Big makes a casual marriage proposal which Carrie finds rather cool.

Then suddenly it’s snowballing into an enormous event and then Big is Big and he bails. There’s the Page Six announcement and then Carrie’s spread as
“the face of 40″ in Vogue and also Big’s realization that on his third marriage he’d rather not have a big blowout. Carrie and friends recoup down in Mexico. Carrie takes to bed for days. And yes, after a breakup one might collapse for a while. But Big has done this so many times to Carrie that who didn’t predict this from the first mention of a betrothal? Everything works out in the end with Carrie and Big marrying at City Hall with Carrie wearing an vintage off-white suit and not the elaborate Vivienne Westwood gown. Kisses and cosmos all around.

Oh, and the friend a went with? A 46-year-old single mom of two, said she nearly cried a few times because the movie made her (and women in general) feel they may never find love over a certain age yada yada. Kudos to Sarah Jessica Parker and Michael Patrick King for making tons of money with this tripe.

Sex and the City: the movie is like putting on a pair of fabulous Chanel gladiator sandals without getting a pedicure. There’s just something amiss. Sure there’s mild entertainment scattered throughout. It’s fluff: empty calories.

STEELE RECOMMENDATION: WAIT FOR NETFLIX (IF YOU’RE A FAN, YOU’VE ALREADY SEEN IT)

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