FILM OF THE WEEK: The Raven

May 9, 2012

That’s life. So much less satisfying than fiction.

John Cusack stars as Edgar Allan Poe in this macabre and darkly humorous blending of fiction and reality. With a serial killer using Poe’s stories as a blueprint, Baltimore police turn to the author for assistance. It’s particularly personal for Poe as his reputation and the life of his girlfriend are both at risk.

Being a fan of both Edgar Allan Poe and John Cusack, I enjoyed every moment of The Raven.

written by: Ben Livingston, Hannah Shakespeare
directed by: James McTeigue

starring:
John Cusack
Luke Evans
Alice Eve
Brendan Gleeson


FILM of the WEEK: Damsels in Distress

May 3, 2012

ONE OF THE BEST FILMS I’VE SEEN THIS YEAR.

Greta Gerwig, Adam Brody and rest of cast are fantastic. It’s about a group of young women intent on radically changing the male-dominated environment of their college campus. Fraternities and rape crisis centers get equally sardonic treatment. Whit Stillman is a brilliant writer/director. Of course I’m already a fan of Metropolitan, Barcelona, The Last Days of Disco. If you enjoy intelligent humor, go see it!

They’re in that sympathetic range of being not good looking and not smart. There’s something reassuring about that.

written and directed by: Whit Stillman

starring:
Greta Gerwig
Adam Brody
Carrie MacLemore
Megalyn Echikunwoke
Analeigh Tipton
Ryan Metcalf
Jermaine Crawford
Caitlin Fitzgerald
Zach Woods


HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: SEE, HEAR, READ

March 8, 2012

SEE: Searching for Debra Winger [written and directed by Rosanna Arquette]
–honest, refreshing examination of women in entertainment

purchase at Amazon: Searching for Debra Winger

HEAR: Oumou Sangare

download: Seya

READ: All the Stories of Muriel Spark by Muriel Spark

purchase: All the Stories of Muriel Spark


Friends with Kids: in theaters March 9

March 2, 2012

written and directed by Jennifer Westfeldt

two best friends decide to have a child together and keep their relationship platonic.

starring:
Adam Scott
Maya Rudolph
Kristen Wiig
Jon Hamm
Edward Burns
Chris O’Dowd
Megan Fox


Viggo Mortensen to receive 2012 Coolidge Award on Monday, March 5

February 23, 2012

repertory screenings:

A History of Violence
Tuesday, February 28 @ 7:00pm

A Walk on the Moon
Wednesday, February 29 @ 7:00pm

The Road
Thursday, March 1 @ 7:00 pm

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Marathon
Sunday, March 4 @ 11:00 am

Coolidge Award screening featuring Q&A with Viggo Mortensen
Eastern Promises
Monday, March 5 @ 12:00 pm

for tickets visit the Coolidge Corner Theatre website


FILM: Fighting Trafficking Through Film Forum 2012

February 2, 2012

This weekend, the Boston Initiative to Advance Human Rights (BITAHR) in collaboration with Suffolk University Law School, presents its 2nd Annual Film Forum.

“Fighting Trafficking Through Film” takes place February 3-5 at The Modern Theatre, Suffolk University.

from the BITAHR site:
The forum will consider the role of film in advancing women’s human rights and the many governmental and non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) efforts to combat sex trafficking. Preliminary research indicates that this forum will be the first of its kind, merging filmmakers and academics in order to understand the phenomenon on all levels, from theory to practical solutions and law.

films:
The Whistleblower starring Rachel Weisz
Fatal Promises
Very Young Girls
The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan
Call + Response
Sacrifice: Child Prostitutes from Burma

for schedule and more information BITAHR website


Golden Globes 2012

January 16, 2012

winners of the 69th annual Golden Globes:

MOTION PICTURES

– Picture, Drama: “The Descendants.”

– Picture, Musical or Comedy: “The Artist.”

– Actor, Drama: George Clooney, “The Descendants.”

– Actress, Drama: Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady.”

– Director: Martin Scorsese, “Hugo.”

– Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jean Dujardin, “The Artist.”

– Actress, Musical or Comedy: Michelle Williams, “My Week With Marilyn.”

– Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, “Beginners.”

– Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, “The Help.”

– Foreign Language: “A Separation.”

– Animated Film: “The Adventures of Tintin.”

– Screenplay: Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris.”

– Original Score: Ludovic Bource, “The Artist.”

– Original Song: “Masterpiece” (music and lyrics by Madonna, Julie Frost, Jimmy Harry), “W.E.”

TELEVISION

– Series, Drama: “Homeland,” Showtime.

– Series, Musical or Comedy: “Modern Family,” ABC.

– Actor, Drama: Kelsey Grammer, “Boss.”

– Actress, Drama: Claire Danes, “Homeland.”

– Actress, Musical or Comedy: Laura Dern, “Enlightened.”

– Actor, Musical or Comedy: Matt LeBlanc, “Episodes.”

– Miniseries or Movie: “Downton Abbey (Masterpiece),” PBS.

– Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Kate Winslet, “Mildred Pierce.”

– Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Idris Elba, “Luther.”

– Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange, “American Horror Story.”

– Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones.”

looks I liked:

Ariel Winter from Modern Family
–love it all. the style, the texture, the color.

Calista Flockhart and Harrison Ford

svelte and talented Claire Danes [who won for Homeland]

stunning Dianna Agron of Glee in this bold dress

Elizabeth McGovern [Downton Abbey won]

Evan Rachel Wood from Mildred Pierce

such a stunning color on Viola Davis [The Help]

could Gerard Butler be an more handsome?

gorgeous Sofia Vargas of Modern Family

uber-magnificent Helen Mirren

always lovely Kate Beckinsale

vibrant Paula Patton

Nicole Kidman

Reese Witherspoon

Julianne Moore and Laura Dern

Salma Hayak


FILM: Best of 2011

December 29, 2011

strong year for Ryan Gosling (Drive, Ides of March, Crazy Stupid Love), Jessica Chastain (Take Shelter, The Help, Tree of Life) and Brad Pitt (Moneyball, Tree of Life)

Melancholia
– brilliant, intense film about depression, anxiety and the end of the world
starring: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Keifer Sutherland
written and directed by: Lars von Trier

Take Shelter
–mesmerizing, creepy
starring: Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain
written and directed by: Jeff Nichols

Midnight in Paris
–romantic, magical
starring: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Michael Sheen, Marion Cotillard
written and directed by: Woody Allen

Moneyball
–fascinating whether or not you follow baseball
starring: Brad Pitt, Robin Wright
directed by: Bennett Miller
written by: Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin

Young Adult
–smart, acerbic, dark
starring: Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson
directed by: Jason Reitman
written by: Diablo Cody

Meek’s Cutoff
–sweeping saga of a covered wagon trek through the dangerous landscape comprising the Oregon Trail
starring: Michelle Williams, Shirley Henderson, Bruce Greenwood, Paul Dano
directed by: Kelly Reichardt
written by: Jonathan Raymond

Win Win
–unique, moving, honest
starring: Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan
written and directed by: Thomas McCarthy

Margin Call
–quietly effective, potent
starring: Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci and Kevin Spacey, Demi Moore, Paul Bettany, Penn Badgley
directed and written by: J.C. Chandor

Another Earth
–dreamy, pensive
starring: Brit Marling, William Mapother
directed by: Mike Cahill
written by: Brit Marling, Mike Cahill

Jamie and Jessie are Not Together
–inventive, alluring, engaging
starring: Jacqui Jackson, Jessica London-Shields
written and directed by: Wendy Jo Carlton

The Future
—bizarre, amusing, wistful existentialism
starring: Miranda July, Hamish Linklater
written and directed by: Miranda July

Crazy Stupid Love
—sweet without being predictable or over-sentimental
starring: Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone
directed by: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
written by: Dan Fogelman

The Muppets
–nostalgic, happy
starring: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper
directed by: James Bobin
written by: Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller

Drive
–retro, startling
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Mel Brooks, Bryan Cranston
written by: Hossein Amini
directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn

Into the Abyss
-superb meditation on the death penalty and our criminal justice system
written and directed by: Werner Herzog

The Tree of Life
–exquisite misery
starring: Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain
written and directed by: Terrence Malick

Martha Marcy May Marlene
–disturbing and haunting
starring: Elizabeth Olson, Sarah Paulson
written and directed by: Sean Durkin

My Week with Marilyn
–delightful film and amazing performance by Michelle Williams
starring: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh
screenplay by: Adrian Hodges,
directed by: Simon Curtis

Jane Eyre
–lovely, sweeping, romantic
starring: Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender and Jamie Bell
screenplay by: Moira Buffini
directed by: Cary Fukunaga


Into the Abyss: film review

November 19, 2011

Into the Abyss is another accomplished, engrossing Werner Herzog documentary. It’s an exploration of the reasons why people kill. Herzog speaks with death row inmate Michael Perry, his accomplice, Jason Burkett, in the crime as well as those most closely affected. He also questions people about the validity, morality and overall effectiveness of the death penalty. As an anti-death penalty film, Into the Abyss brings up some standard arguments from a former Death House officer and others. The strongest, most compelling and moving documentary about the death penalty is At the Death House Door. Texas kills so many inmates annually. Many states might have the death penalty but don’t really practice it. I can’t understand the reasoning behind it. It doesn’t deter someone from a crime and it also doesn’t bring the dead back.

Ten years ago, two drug-addled teenagers killed a woman to take her car. And in the process they killed two other boys their own age. One sits on death row. The other has a life sentence. The ever inquisitive Herzog interviews law officials, career criminals and white trash for the most part. The erudite Cambridge audience I sat in a screening with laughed at much of what these people said, to my dismay—“I can’t read”—“My father’s in prison too.” They talk about guns with such bravado, knowledge and comfort that it’s disturbing. Then again, it’s Texas where I think infants learn to shoot before they learn to read. The provocative Into the Abyss reveals quite a bit and will engage you throughout the film.

Directed by Werner Herzog
IFC Films/ Sundance Selects
107 minutes


Forks Over Knives: DVD/netflix streaming

October 4, 2011

Forks Over Knives is one of the most effective documentaries about going vegan that I’ve seen [better than Food Inc. and Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead]. It provided me with more arguments to use when someone wonders why I’m a vegan and if I’m truly getting all the proper nutrients etc. Yes I am. I feel better than I would if eating dairy or fish and I’ve not eaten meat since I was 18. Forks Over Knifes shows how doctors made a link between some of the most serious chronic conditions [diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease] and the consumption of a whole foods plant-based diet. Some of these conditions get completely reversed by changing one’s eating habits.

–40% of Americans are obese
–The U.S. spends $2.2 trillion on healthcare, which is 5x the defense budget
–Per person, Americans consume 222 lbs of meat, 147 lbs of sugar and 605 lbs of dairy annually
–increased dairy consumption leads to increases incidences of osteoporosis and hip fractures

for more info: Forks Over Knives website


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