Archive for category Film
Limitless: film review
Posted by Amy Steele in Film on March 21, 2011
When a drug called NZT enables a writer to kick-start his life, he quickly becomes addicted to the intense power it allows him. Once Eddie Morra [Bradley Cooper] takes one pill, he’s frenetically productive and accesses 100 percent of his brain. This gives him a photographic memory, the ability to pick up new languages within hours and amass all types of other knowledge. It’s addictive. How could it not be? It makes him a better, more interesting, more successful person than the struggling writer he used to be. He has idea after idea to make money and just can’t slow down. Eddie relies more and more on NZT and fails to consider what would happen if he runs out of the drug or stops taking it. When his drug connection gets killed, Eddie grapples with the startling side-effects of the unapproved super-drug.
Cooper excels as a smart guy who becomes brilliant, envied and unstoppable. You really root for him to succeed. He’s likable as a scraggly humble writer and with more confidence; his character only becomes that much more appealing. As the newbie and the seasoned executive, Cooper and Robert DeNiro trade plenty of snappy dialogue and provide plenty of twists. The delightful, talented Abbie Cornish turns in a refreshing performance as Eddie’s on-and-off-again editor girlfriend. And Anna Friel? Try to even recognize her. I didn’t. Neil Burger provides sharp direction that keeps the film tight and moving at a steady clip the entire time. Limitless is the best film I’ve seen this year.
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Women’s History Month: some of my favorite films by women
Posted by Amy Steele in Film, Women/ feminism on March 16, 2011
Grace of My Heart [1996]
written and directed by Allison Anders
–Loosely based on the tumultuous rise of singer/songwriter Carole King, Grace of My Heart is a tour-de-force and one of my favorite films ever. Starring Illeana Douglas, Grace of My Heart takes viewers through the music biz from the famed Brill Building to communes and the hip 60s and beyond as one woman strives to find her own voice in a male-dominated industry.
Waitress [2007]
written and directed by Adrienne Shelly
–a charming and heart-warming film about an independent, spirited small-town woman [Keri Russell] determined to leave her abusive husband and make it big on her own.
Monsoon Wedding [2001]
directed by Mira Nair
Away from Her [2006]
written and directed by Sarah Polley
–a graceful love story about a woman with Alzheimer’s
Searching for Debra Winger [2002]
directed by Rosanna Arquette
–documentary on women in film, which includes amazing and very honest commentary from stars from Gwyneth Paltrow to Whoopi to Vanessa Redgrave to Salma Hayek to Charlotte Rampling to of course Debra Winger. It’s great that these women feel comfortable with age but sad to see the frustration and that there still is the issue of great roles for women over 30.
Broken English [2007]
Written and directed by Zoe Cassavetes
— story of Nora [formidable, immensely talented Parker Posey], a 35-year-old who seems stuck in a rut—both personally and professionally. Nora has become complacent and settled at her hotel job. She is beginning to delve into the Bell Jar after years of seeming to know what she wanted and now being at the age where she feels she should already be there.
The Namesake [2006]
directed by Mira Nair
–the story revolves around Gogol [Kal Penn], a mid-twenties architect who has been fighting against his traditional Indian family and heritage. He gets pulled back in by an unforeseen family crisis and it changes his outlook and future forever.
Bright Star [2009]
written and directed by Jane Campion
–wondrously languid, romantic and exquisitely filmed. It tells the story of the tender and tragic love affair between poet John Keats [Ben Whishaw] and his muse and love Fanny Brawne [Abbie Cornish] as told through her eyes.
Come Early Morning [2006]
written and directed by Joey Lauren Adams
–a woman [Ashley Judd] who struggles with alcoholism tries to get her life on track
Fire [1996]
Earth [1998]
Water [2005]
written and directed by Deepa Mehta
scene from Water
2 Days in Paris [2006]
written and directed by Julie Delpy
–an American and a Parisian talk a lot, fight a lot
Girlfight [2000]
written and directed by Karyn Kusama
–focus on female boxers
Somewhere [2010]
written and directed by Sofia Coppola
–a wayward actor [Stephen Dorff] and his heartfelt relationship with his daughter [Elle Fanning]
The Parking Lot Movie [2010]
directed by Meghan Eckman
–three years following the ins and outs of the attendants at a parking lot in Virginia. truly riveting. really.
SherryBaby [2006]
written and directed by Laurie Collyer
–after serving a three-year prison sentence, Sherry [Maggie Gyllenhaal] returns to New Jersey to try to re-establish family ties, including one with her daughter
The Hurt Locker [2009]
directed by Kathryn Bigelow
–heart-pounding thriller about the guys who diffuse IEDs in Iraq
The Kids Are All Right [2010]
co-written and directed by Lisa Chodolenko
–the teenage children of lesbian parents decide to contact the sperm donor and meeting him has implications on the entire family
Please Give [2010]
written and directed by Nicole Holofcener
Winter’s Bone [2010]
written by Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini
directed by Debra Granik
–a teenager [Jennifer Lawrence] searches for her father in dangerous, bleak meth-country
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Women’s History Month: Focus on Jane Russell
Posted by Amy Steele in Film, Women/ feminism on March 12, 2011
Jane Russell [1921 –2011]—actress
–born in Minnesota
–she had four brothers
–in the 1930s, the family moved to San Fernando Valley, California
–Russell attended Van Nuys High School where she participated in drama and also took piano lessons
–after graduating from high school, she worked as a receptionist but also studied drama and acting with Max Reinhardt’s Theatrical Workshop
–In 1940, Howard Hughes discovered Russell and signed her to a seven-year contract
–Her film debut was 1943’s The Outlaw
–She played Calamity Jane opposite Bob Hope in The Paleface [1948] and Dorothy Shaw in the hit film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes [1953] opposite Marilyn Monroe for 20th Century Fox.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes [1953]
–to compare to actress of today, Russell was 5’9″ and her measurements were 38D-24-36
–In 1955, Russell and her first husband, former Los Angeles Rams quarterback Bob Waterfield, formed Russ-Field Productions. They produced Gentlemen Marry Brunettes [1955], The King and Four Queens [1956] starring Clark Gable and Eleanor Parker, Run for the Sun [1956] and The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown [1957].
The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown [1957]
I’m just a simple business girl. I sell a funny, phony little commodity called sex and if customers are hungry enough to buy it, I run my own factory in my own way.
–Laurel [Jane Russell]
–In 1957, Russell debuted in a successful solo nightclub act at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas.
Russell remarked in 1999: Why did I quit movies? Because I was getting too old! You couldn’t go on acting in those years if you were an actress over 30.
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Week in the REALM: quotes
Posted by Amy Steele in Books, Film on March 7, 2011
“It’s not anything like that. You make it sound ridiculous. And you who ought to know Grandpa Kleinman. There are things you can do: Write Congress. Inform yourself. Give to charity. Tzedaka—sharing of yourself. It’s a venerable tradition.”
—Carry Me Across the Water by Ethan Canin
Sometimes we have to let go of things we like.
—Spring Summer Fall Winter . . . Spring
A June day required so much of a person. Enthusiasm, cheer. She didn’t doubt that seasonal affective disorder was real, but wasn’t it also possible to suffer from a surfeit of sun?
—I’d Know You Anywhere by Laura Lipmman
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Michel Gondry directs video for THE LIVING SISTERS
Posted by Amy Steele in Film, Music on March 3, 2011
If you like sweet harmonies and strong, memorable female vocalists, you’ll adore L.A.-based trio The Living Sisters who has a new CD out called Love to Live [Vanguard Records].
purchase at Amazon: Love to Live
The Living Sisters is Eleni Mandell, Inara George [The Bird and the Bee] and Becky Stark [Lavender Diamond, LA Ladies Choir].
on working with Michel Gondry:
Becky Stark: “Working with Michel was hilarious, amazing and thrilling,” states Becky Stark. “He is so wild. It’s pretty amazing how it was made. Over a hundred people worked on it- there were miniature sets built, and tons of special digital effects. It was so much fun to make and an incredible experience!”
Eleni Mandell: “Working with Michel was such a thrill. I was 4 months pregnant with twins when we shot the video and I was made to hop on the back of a motorcycle, among other things. I hope I got enough street cred to get me through the teenage years!”
Michel Gondry
Academy-Award winning director/screenwriter Michel Gondry has created music videos for Björk, The White Stripes, The Rolling Stones, Radiohead and more. His feature films include Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Be Kind Rewind, The Science of Sleep, and The Green Hornet.
more information on The Living Sisters: myspace page.
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bits and bobs from Academy Awards
Posted by Amy Steele in Film on March 3, 2011
David Seidler with Colin Firth
My father always said to me I’m a late bloomer. I think I’m the oldest person to win this award.
–David Seidler, Best Original Screenplay, The King’s Speech
I have a feeling my career’s just peaked.
— Colin Firth, Best Actor, The King’s Speech
Colin Firth is not laughing. He’s British.
–presenter Kirk Douglas
the BOB is IN again:
Scarlett Johansson:
Marisa Tomei:
Who I thought looked fantastic:
Mila Kunis [Black Swan]– she looks pretty in this frilly lavender Elie Saab dress with train
Jennifer Hudson— wearing orange Atelier Versace
Hailee Steinfeld [True Grit]– in a blush-colored Marchesa gown
Reese Witherspoon— classic black and white old Hollywood glamour in Armani Prive
Gwyneth Paltrow in a metallic Calvin Klein
Jennifer Lawrence [Winter’s Bone] in red Calvin Klein
Robert Downey Jr. [with wife Susan]
Mark Wahlberg [The Fighter] [with wife Rhea Durham]
Cate Blanchett in a lovely, one-of-a-kind design by Givenchy
Helen Mirren in steely Vivienne Westwood
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Academy Awards 2011: my picks
Posted by Amy Steele in Film on February 23, 2011
Best Motion Picture of the Year
the nominees:
• Black Swan
• The Fighter
• Inception
• The Kids Are All Right
• The King’s Speech
• 127 Hours
• The Social Network
• Toy Story 3
• True Grit
• Winter’s Bone
my pick:
The Social Network
I appreciate every film in this category and that’s unusual for me. I thought it a weak year in film. The Social Network really represents the time we live in NOW. The lack of privacy. The incestuous relationships between Google and Facebook and Twitter and others. Everything’s connected. Nothing remains private. The Social Network is an effectual, creepy telling of the infiltration of social media onto our lives. I left the theater wanting to delete my Facebook profile but unfortunately for me, and to Facebook’s benefit, it’s my only way to stay connected to my high school class and some other people and organizations.
Achievement in Directing
the nominees:
• Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan
• David O. Russell, The Fighter
• Tom Hooper, The King’s Speech
• David Fincher, The Social Network
• Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, True Grit
my pick:
Tom Hooper, The King’s Speech
Such an exquisite film and a perfectly imperfect performance by Colin Firth as King George. Magnificent cast and genuine story. A little film with massive heart.
Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
the nominees:
• Javier Bardem, Biutiful
• Jeff Bridges, True Grit
• Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
• Colin Firth, The King’s Speech
• James Franco, 127 Hours
my pick:
Colin Firth, The King’s Speech
So credible. So regal. Loved him last year in A Single Man. And if you saw that film and the Bridget Jones movies, you know the range this actor possesses.
Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
the nominees:
• Christian Bale, The Fighter
• John Hawkes, Winter’s Bone
• Jeremy Renner, The Town
• Mark Ruffalo, The Kids Are All Right
• Geoffrey Rush, The King’s Speech
my pick:
Christian Bale, The Fighter
He morphed into a drug-addled townie.
Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
the nominees:
• Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
• Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole
• Jennifer Lawrence, Winter’s Bone
• Natalie Portman, Black Swan
• Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine
my pick:
Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
This might be one of the toughest categories. Kidman excels at grief in The Rabbit Hole, Michelle Williams spans decades through a challenging marriage in Blue Valentine, Natalie Portman goes from perfect to paranoid in The Black Swan, Jennifer Lawrence captivates in Winter’s Bone but Annette Bening really shines in The Kids are All Right.
Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
the nominees:
• Amy Adams, The Fighter
• Helena Bonham Carter, The King’s Speech
• Melissa Leo, The Fighter
• Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit
• Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom
my pick:
Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit
I’m going out on a limb for Hailee Steinfeld, the youngest nominee. Without her and her gutsy, bold performance for the Coen Brothers, there’d be no True Grit. But in the end, it’ll go to Melissa Leo.
Original Screenplay
the nominees:
• Another Year, Written by Mike Leigh
• The Fighter, Screenplay by Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson. Story by Keith Dorrington, Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson
• Inception, Written by Christopher Nolan
• The Kids Are All Right, Written by Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg
• The King’s Speech, Screenplay by David Seidler
my pick:
David Seidler, The King’s Speech
Adapted Screenplay
the nominees:
• 127 Hours, Screenplay by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy
• The Social Network, Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin
• Toy Story 3, Screenplay by Michael Arndt. Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich
• True Grit, Written for the screen by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
• Winter’s Bone, Adapted for the screen by Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini
my pick:
I know EVERYONE adores Aaron Sorkin but I’d like to see Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini for the harrowing Winter’s Bone.
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
• Biutiful (Mexico)
• Dogtooth (Greece)
• In a Better World (Denmark)
• Incendies (Canada)
• Outside the Law (Hors-la-loi, Algeria)
my pick:
Dogtooth.
unbelievably creepy and disturbing.
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Has Bradley Cooper finally found a “Limitless” showcase for his talent?
Posted by Amy Steele in Film on February 22, 2011
Limitless
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, Anna Friel
A copywriter [Cooper] discovers a top-secret drug, MDT-48, that enhances intellect and other abilities. As his life rapidly changes and improves, he also considers the drug’s questionable origins.
in theaters in March.
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Water for Elephants film poster
Posted by Amy Steele in Film on February 4, 2011
Twentieth Century Fox’s Water for Elephants starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson.
The film, based on the best-selling novel by Sara Gruen, focuses on a veterinary student [Pattinson] who joins a traveling circus as their vet following his parents’ death.
In theaters April 22.
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Bridesmaids Trailer [weddings–boo; Kristen Wiig–hooray]
Posted by Amy Steele in Film on February 1, 2011
Here are a few reasons to see the film Bridesmaids when it opens in May:
–co-written and starring SNL’s Kristen Wiig [Adventureland, Whip It, Date Night] and Annie Mumolo
–also stars Maya Rudolph [so wonderful in Away We Go], Melissa McCarthy [Samantha Who,? Mike and Molly], Rose Byrne [Damages, Adam]
–produced by Judd Apatow
–likely to be a strong contender for the female version of The Hangover
–Jon Hamm is in it
–VEGAS!
trailer:
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About Me
covering mostly music and books. focus on alternative/indie and women in music, literature and the arts. feminist. vegan. mostly alternative, a bit bohemian. Masters in journalism from Boston University. BA from Simmons College.
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