Archive for category Film
Lifetime TV movie review: Starving in Suburbia
Posted by Amy Steele in Film, TV on April 26, 2014
High-school senior Hannah [Laura Wiggins] puts a lot of pressure on herself as a teenager to look good and be thin as she’s a dancer surrounded by lots of seemingly perfect bodies. She’s also applying to colleges. Her younger brother, Leo [Brendan Meyer], is a wrestler who always needs to maintain his weight to remain in his wrestling competition class. Leo’s father [Marcus Giamatti] stays on top of Leo’s weigh-ins and monitors Leo’s eating and wrestling career. He’s under intense pressure.
One day when they’re supposed to be working on college essays, Hannah’s best friend shows her a “thinspiration” site [a website for people obsessed with dieting and eating disorders and being dangerously thin] and Hannah becomes obsessed with it. She originally wants to lose only five pounds but then gets further involved with the people on the site and losing more and more weight. Someone named ButterflyAna [Izabella Miko] takes a particular interest in her and pushes her to the extreme, getting inside her head and telling her to be in control by being as thin as possible and not eating. She eats less and less until she completely stops eating. Her original weight is 128. She gets to her goal weight of 123 and she’s thrilled. When her mom buys her a new pair of shorts, Hannah’s completely upset that they don’t fit and they’re a size 6. She flips out. With the support through her online friends she sets a new goal to lose 20 pounds.
Her mother finds out what she’s doing. Hannah tells her: “I believe what I do on my computer is private.”
Her mom says: “not private. The internet is public and it’s permanent.”
Even when her parents force Hannah into outpatient treatment, she’s sneaking behind their backs and losing weight and connecting with her ana [pro-anorexia, eating disorder] friends. She’s just as unhealthy, fixated and deceptive as she was before. It’s questionable what will break Hannah of her preoccupation with being as thin as possible. Leo tries to support his sister but his wrestling season keeps him so busy. He feels bad that he hasn’t been there for her as much as he used to be.
As Hannah’s mom, super-talented Callie Thorne looks wonderful and plays a supportive, caring mom. She realistically expresses the anger and concern for her daughter’s health as well as fear of her daughter at times. Hannah’s brain has become so malnourished through starvation that she’s lashing out at her mother. As Hannah, young actress Laura Wiggins impressively goes there. She’s deep into the darkness behind the disease and completely effective in the delusional states it causes. Clearly teens with eating disorders think they’re invincible and they’re confused by reality. This family learns the hard way that eating disorders silently take over and destroy young lives. Written and directed by Tara Miele Starving in Suburbia is scary, tragic good.
Starving in Suburbia airs on Lifetime, Saturday April 26 at 8pm ET/PT
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Women’s History Month: Biopics About Women Writers
Posted by Amy Steele in DVD, Film, Women/ feminism on March 25, 2014
Black Butterflies [2011]
Director: Paula van der Oest
Starring: Carice van Houten, Liam Cunningham, Rutger Hauer
–about the volatile life of South African poet Ingrid Jonker
Sylvia [2003]
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Daniel Craig
Director: Christine Jeffs
–focuses on relationship between poets Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes
Iris [2001]
Starring: Judi Densch, Jim Broadbent, Kate Winslet
Director: Richard Eyre
–lifelong romance between novelist Iris Murdoch and her husband John Bayley from their days as students through her battle with Alzheimer’s disease
Becoming Jane [2007]
Starring: Anne Hathaway
Director: Julian Jarrold
–pre-fame Jane Austen and her romance with a young Irishman
Miss Potter [2006]
Starring: Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson
Director: Chris Noonan
–Beatrix Potter, the author of the beloved and best-selling children’s book, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”
The Children of the Century [1999]
Starring: Juliette Binoche, Benoit Magimel
Director: Diane Kurys
–love affair between novelist George Sand and author Alfred de Musset
Mrs. Parker and the Viscous Circle [1994]
Starring: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Cambell Scott, Peter Gallagher
Director: Alan Rudolph
–Dorothy Parker and her heyday with the Algonquin Round Table circle of friends
Impromptu [1991]
Starring: Judy Davis, Hugh Grant, Mandy Patinkin
Director: James Lapine
–writer George Sand pursues pianist/composer Frederic Chopin in 1830s France
An Angel at My Table [1990]
Starring: Kerry Fox, Alexia Keogh, Karen Fergusson
Director: Jane Campion
–Janet Frame grows up with lots of brothers and sisters in a poor family in 1920s and 1930s New Zealand. She always feels different from others. After getting education as a teacher, she’s sent to a mental institution for eight years. She gains success when she begins writing novels.
[reprinted from March 2013]
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Women’s History Month: Documentaries about Women
Posted by Amy Steele in DVD, Film, Women/ feminism on March 19, 2014
Bhutto [2010]
–riveting, inspirational and moving documentary of the recently assassinated Benazir Bhutto who fought for democracy in Pakistan.
The Business of Being Born [2008]
–Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein investigate maternity care in the United States. fascinating whether you have children or not or plan to have children or not.
Venus and Serena [2012]
–engrossing documentary about top two tennis players in the world
What I Want My Words to Do to You [2003]
–A look at playwright Eve Ensler’s writing workshop inside Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women. intense. emotional.
Shut up and Sing [2006]
–the aftermath for the Dixie Chicks after Natalie Maines’ anti-George W. Bush statement at a 2003 concert.
Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer [2013]
–the story of the trial of the three Russian feminist punk singers/ performance artists on trial for a satirical performance in a Moscow cathedral.
Very Young Girls [2007]
–disturbing and hopeful film about Rachel Lloyd, a former sexually exploited youth-turned-activist, who started the New York City organization GEMS (Girls Educational and Mentoring Services) to help victimized young women escape their pimps and find another way of life.
Lioness [2008]
–The untold story of the first women in U.S. history to be sent into direct ground combat.
Searching for Debra Winger [2002]
–Rosanna Arquette directs this honest and important film about Hollywood sexism and ageism and why there aren’t very many good roles for women over the age of 35.
The Punk Singer [2013]
–look at the life of activist, musician, and cultural icon Kathleen Hanna, who formed the punk band Bikini Kill and pioneered the “riot grrrl” movement of the 1990s.
Ballerina [2006]
–follows dancers at all levels of their careers through practice and performances.
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Ranking Wes Anderson Films
Posted by Amy Steele in DVD, Film on March 18, 2014
1. Moonrise Kingdom (2012)–A
–sweet, lovely and a bit magical
2. Rushmore (1998)–A
–unexpected and SO funny
3. Bottle Rocket (1996)–A-
–there’s something endearing about these bumbling guys in Anderson’s first film
4. The Royal Tennenbaums (2001)–A-
–bizarre family. each character’s in pain. brilliant dark comedy.
5. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)–A-
–these foxes outfox everyone and it’s a blast to watch.
6. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)– B+
–three brothers bond on a train trip across India.
7. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)–B-
–strange aquatic voyage to seek revenge on a mythical shark.
8. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)–C+
–underwhelmed by this caper.
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book review: I Don’t Know What You Know Me From
Posted by Amy Steele in Books, Film on March 16, 2014
I Don’t Know What You Know Me From: Confessions of a Co-Star by Judy Greer. Publisher: Doubleday (April 8, 2014). Memoir. Hardcover. 256 pages. ISBN13: 9780385537889.
“I can’t afford a full-time assistant or organize my life, I don’t have a chef cooking for me and my family, I barely have time to work out or walk my dog (OK, fine, I do have a dog walker, I mean, I’m not going to shortchange my dog Buckley, come on).”
Part one growing up in suburbs outside of Detroit not terribly noteworthy. Part two, where Judy Greer begins to discuss her Hollywood life gets only slightly more appealing. She writes without a clear voice. The tone’s neither funny nor serious. And it’s not well-written or edited. Funny actors and comedians aren’t’ necessarily funny storytellers or have real-life amusing anecdotes or interesting lives off-screen. People expect it and it’s not the case 75 percent of the time. That’s why many people are drawn to acting so that they can become another person or express themselves in another way.
What I learned:
M. Night Shyamalan was the first director to call Greer and offer her a film (The Village). She dully proceeds to describe her three month shoot on location. Bottom line: it’s a job.
She did a short-lived series called Miss Guided. I thought it had a cute premise and seemed promising. Don’t think it got picked up past one season, per most network series I like. Ashton Kutcher was a producer. After filming the pilot he asked her what she would do if ABC picked up the series. He asked her what she wanted to do if the series were to become a success. She told him she wanted to buy her dad a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Ashton told her that if the series was picked up by ABC, he’s buy her dad one. When ABC picked it up for seven episodes, true to his word, Ashton did just that. What a generous, sweet guy.
In the chapter titled “Celebrities I’ve Peed Next To,” Greer only mentions Jennifer Lopez, Debra Messing and Heidi Klum and she was doing films with two of them so how could she avoid peeing next to them at some point?
Her publicist/agents/ manager told her to tweet/ Facebook/ instagram (message: don’t trust celebrity tweets) “I become temporarily obsessed with watching my number of Twitter followers grow, with who is following who, who posts what, how many followers he/ she has, especially in comparison to me. It’s kind of a ridiculous time suck isn’t it?” She SO doesn’t understand Twitter and social media.
RATING: **/ 5
–review by Amy Steele
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for review from Net Galley.
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Lifetime TV movie review: The Trip to Bountiful
Posted by Amy Steele in Film, TV on March 7, 2014
Carrie [Mother] Watts [Cicely Tyson] lives with her diligent, over-protective son Ludie [Blair Underwood] and conceited daughter-in-law Jessie Mae [Vanessa Williams]. Under Jessie Mae’s rules and clutches, unable to drive, Mother Watts feels suffocated and merely wants to visit her hometown of Bountiful. She tries repeatedly to escape infuriating Jessie Mae and frustrating Ludie. Finally Mother Watts manages to escape to the local bus station where she befriends Thelma [Keke Palmer] who’s on her way home to her parents while her husband’s off fighting the war. The pair proceeds to share endearing moments. This time around Mother Watts may have outsmarted Ludie and Jessie Mae and may make it home to Bountiful one last time.
“People ask me why I don’t have children and I say I have Ludie and Mother Watts and that’s all I need.”
Why watch?
–Based on Oscar, Pulitzer Prize, and Emmy Award-winning author Horton Foote’s Tony-award-nominated play.
–Now you get a chance to see it on Lifetime what Cecily Tyson won a Tony for on Broadway.
–Cecily Tyson brings depth, humor and sensitivity to her character. She’s at times a riot and at times truly moving. Tyson’s a legend and wonderful to watch.
–Lovely Vanessa Williams is flawless as uptight and stingy daughter-in-law Jessie Mae.
–Gorgeous Blair Underwood plays the subdued Ludie, stuck between his overbearing, demanding wife and his elderly mom. He wants both women to get along and be content which proves a near impossible task.
–Keke Palmer’s always a delight onscreen.
–First Lady Michelle Obama recently screened The Trip to Bountiful at The White House.
—The Trip to Bountiful isn’t about an old woman’s hopeless, wanderlust obsession. It’s about persistence. It’s about home. It’s about a sense of place. It’s about belonging.
–Beautifully acted and scripted, The Trip to Bountiful must not be missed.
The Trip to Bountiful premieres Saturday, March 8 ET/PT on Lifetime.
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Choice Quotes: Wadjda
Posted by Amy Steele in DVD, Film, Women/ feminism on March 2, 2014
“Here. I made you a mix tape since we’re friends now. But don’t sell my bike.”
“Interested in your fathers glorious family tree? You aren’t included, it only includes men’s names.”
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on DVD: films directed by/ written by women
Posted by Amy Steele in DVD, Film, Women/ feminism on February 21, 2014
Wadjda
Written and directed by: Haifaa Al-Mansour
Starring: Waad Mohammed, Reem Abdullah, Abdullrahman Al Gohani
–a smart, spunky, brave Saudi girl signs on for her school’s Koran recitation competition to earn the remaining funds she needs in order to buy the green bicycle that she really wants even though it’s frowned upon for girls to ride bikes in Saudi Arabia.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist
–A young Pakistani man chasing corporate success on Wall Street finds himself embroiled in a conflict between his American Dream, a hostage crisis, and the enduring call of his family’s homeland.
Directed by: Mira Nair
Starring: Riz Ahmed, Liev Schreiber, Kiefer Sutherland, Kate Hudson
–riveting, intense film that questions intentions, good vs. evil, nationality, identity and prejudice with Nair’s gorgeous, thoughtful, heartbreaking direction.
Touchy Feely
–A massage therapist is unable to do her job when stricken with a mysterious and sudden aversion to bodily contact. Meanwhile, her uptight brother’s floundering dental practice receives new life when clients seek out his healing touch.
Written and directed by: Lynn Shelton
Starring: Rosemarie DeWitt, Ellen Page, Josh Pais, Allison Janney
–quirky, charming, sweet
Adore
–two best friends fall in love with each other’s teenage sons
Written and directed by: Anne Fontaine
Starring: Robin Wright, Naomi Watts
–unsettling topic but with Wright and Watts it’s beautifully acted and as much about friendship as about these affairs with the young men. plus gorgeous, idyllic scenery.
Afternoon Delight
–Rachel, a savvy stay-at-home mom finds herself stuck in a rut of volunteering at preschool auctions, a lackluster sex life and long-gone career. When she visits a strip club to spice up her marriage and meets McKenna, she ends up adopting her as the family nanny.
Written and directed by: Jill Soloway
Starring: Kathryn Hahn, Juno Temple, Josh Radnor
–smart, astute script. unique film.
The Lifeguard
–29-year-old woman questioning her life’s direction, quits her reporter job in New York and moves home to Connecticut. she takes a job as a lifeguard and falls into a friendship with a teenager.
Written and directed by: Liz W. Garcia
Starring: Kristen Bell, Mamie Gumer, Martin Starr
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RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman [1967-2014]
Posted by Amy Steele in DVD, Film on February 4, 2014
–born in the Rochester, New York on July 23, 1967
–attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, graduating with a B.F.A. degree in Drama in 1989.
–died of suspected heroin overdose on February 2, 2014.
My Favorite Hoffman Films:
The Savages [2007]
written and directed by: Tamara Jenkins
also starring: Laura Linney, Philip Bosco
–siblings (Laura Linney plays his sister) must deal with their father’s rapid demise and thus face their own lives– their presents, their futures, their lost potential.
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead [2007]
written by: Kelly Masterson
directed by: Sidney Lumet
also starring: Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei, Albert Finney
–two brothers organize the robbery of their parents’ jewelry and the job goes horribly wrong.
A Late Quartet [2012]
written by: Seth Grossman, Yaron Zilberman
directed by:Yaron Zilberman
also starring: Catherine Keenar, Chistopher Walken
–members of a world-renowned string quartet struggle to stay together in the face of death, competing egos and lust.
Capote [2005]
written by: Dan Futterman
directed by: Bennett Miller
also starring: Clifton Collins Jr., Catherine Keener
–while researching his book In Cold Blood, an account of the murder of a Kansas family, Truman Capote develops a close relationship with Perry Smith, one of the killers.
The Master [2012]
written and directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson
also starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams
–a Naval veteran arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future – until he is tantalized by The Cause and its charismatic leader.
Doubt [2008]
written and directed by: John Patrick Shanley
also starring: Viola Davis, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams
—a Catholic school principal questions a priest’s ambiguous relationship with a troubled young student.
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Choice Quote: Kiera Knightley on feminism
Posted by Amy Steele in Film, Women/ feminism on December 31, 2013
“I remember doing interviews, and people would ask, as if it was a joke, ‘So you mean you are a feminist?’ As though feminism couldn’t be discussed unless we were making fun of it. I don’t want to deny my femininity,” she said at the time.
“I think it’s great that the discussions are finally being allowed to be had [about feminism], as opposed to anybody mentioning feminism and everybody going, ‘Oh, f***ing shut up.’ Somehow, it became a dirty word. I thought it was really weird for a long time, and I think it’s great that we’re coming out of that.”
Harper’s Bazaar UK, February 2014 issue
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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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