'No Country For Old Men' Movie

Watch the trailer here:  http://movies.aol.com/movie/no-country-for-old-men/25145/main

Javier Bardem, the actor featured above also stars in the Cholera film and another one, Goya's Ghosts,  that got disappointing reviews and a limited showing but we liked it: http://movies.aol.com/movie/goyas-ghosts/26832/main

There are two ways of judging an adaptation: One can compare it to the source for better or worse, or one can ignore the original and judge the adaptation on its own merits. Since I haven't read Cormac McCarthy's 2005 novel, I'll base my opinion on what I saw at a packed matinee.  The media reviews have been good but readers blogs have been trashing it for its inconclusive ending. When it was over, one guy near me shouted: "WTF??"  Many around me laughed and grumbled as we knew what he meant. Some reviews say this movie is the best thing the Coen Brothers have done since Fargo but I thought that one was overrated.

Technically this is a well photographed and edited movie with many good performances and sharp dialogue. Josh Brolin, who also was fine as a dirty cop in American Gangster, shines here as a desperate man fleeing with stolen drug money while ruthlessly pursued by a sadistic hitman played with cocky cruelty by Bardem. They almost upstage Tommy Lee Jones as the sly, old sheriff on their trail.  There's plenty of suspense and action scenes filled with lots of killing to satisfy most fans of this kind of movie but all this doesn't make up for leading us to the unsatisfying ending. I recommend this movie for its merits and you should judge for yourself about the conclusion.

'Love In The Time Of Cholera' Movie

Here's the trailer: http://movies.aol.com/movie/love-in-the-time-of-cholera/25302/main

I haven't read Colombian author Marquez's novel, the source of this movie. From what I heard about the novel, it's another of his densely textured works that I've read.  The NY Times reviewer complained that the movie "sets itself the elusive task of translating Gabriel García Márquez’s masterpiece of magical realism into an upscale art film with popular appeal. Faithful to the outline of the novel but emotionally and spiritually anemic, it slides into the void between art and entertainment, where well-intended would-be screen epics often land with a thud. Stripped of multiple layers of philosophic and poetic implication, the metaphorically loaded story of a man’s lifelong passion for a beautiful woman who marries another man emerges as a weightless, picturesque gloss."  For more of his comments: http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/11/16/movies/16chol.html?ref=movies

I understand the reviewer's complaints but anytime a complex novel is adapted for the screen, there's always a lot of things that can't be shown due to time limitations and budget. And there's the added danger of making talky philosphical passages undramatic and boring. How much was left out here I don't know but there were enough snippets about the nature of love scattered into the story. The visuals (sets, scenery, costumes) looked ravishing on the big screen and the story and acting were more than satisfying. The characters were fleshed out enough to meet the restrictions of the adaptation and the aging makeup was about as good as it gets. Native Colombian Shakira's non-hipswinging songs helped enhance the contemplative mood.

I guess if you are unfamiliar with the novel, you will enjoy this movie as a grand soap-operish love story set in the cities and jungles of 19th & 20th century Colombia. The movie version of Doctor Zhivago had the same criticism of being stripped down to a travelogue romance with snippets of politics and still pleases audiences. You can always read both novels to see what you missed. Meanwhile treat yourself to a journey to another time and place.

'Beowulf' Movie

Watch the Trailer here:  http://movies.aol.com/movie/beowulf/23494/main

Here's the New York Times review:   http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/11/16/movies/16beow.html?ref=movies

After having read the original Early English epic poem and this review, I'm expecting to see less literature and more of a visual extravangza. However the thought of Angelina Jolie as the monster Grendel's mom already gives me the shivers; not because of her frightful role but for what she'll do to the role. She already helped trash another lousy epic, the not so great Alexander the Great where she played the title character's mother. Listening to her weird Eastern European accent as she chewed up the scenery and seeing how she didn't age in her later scenes had me gnashing my teeth when trying not to laugh. That entire movie is a mess but that's another story...

We're back from seeing Beowulf and we enjoyed it. I would basically agree with the Times review  It's probably better the original  Beowulf author is unknown because he would be rolling in his grave if he saw what was done to his epic poem. The movie sorta follows it but with added subplots and distortions of characters.  The visuals have an almost 3-D effect. Some theaters are showing it in 3-D but I think almost two hours of visual bombardment would tire your eyes. I've seen IMAX short films wearing those special electronic glasses and that was plenty. Director Robert Zemeckis used the same video style of The Polar Express but this time it's more refined and detailed. I didn't see 300 because it looked like a video game and it was historically inaccurate; The History Channel's version is the one to watch. Beowulf's visuals were impressive on the big screen although the dragon scene looked a bit cartoonish/video gamelike. Here's an article about how the visuals were created: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/movies/18kehr.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

The acting was generally good and even Angelina was OK  although in the beginning she seemed to be speaking Early English to her son Grendel or was it another of her weird accents. I had to strain my ears to understand what she was uttering. Her character was unlike the one in the poem, including parading around nude for what unknown reason except to bring in the audience. Actually her character lives in water so wearing no clothes seems logical but she sure spent enough time on land flaunting her supple body to lure men to their doom. Overall this movie was a decent action/fantasy epic and should be seen in a theater to appreciate the visuals. If you haven't read the epic poem, try reading a good translation for a comparison. I'm sure my late college professor who lectured us on this work is rolling in HIS grave. 

Norman Mailer 1923 - 2007

Yesterday we lost one of our country's greatest writers. I read a few of his books and one of my college English professors wrote two books about his work. I prefered listening to him on TV where I saw him a few weeks ago. His health was frail but his mind was as sharp as ever. One of the greatest  TV moments anywhere was on The Dick Cavett Show about '71 when he got into a verbal fistfight with Gore Vidal.  Their erudite insults were beyond witty, including Cavett's who had to referee. They returned for another show to tell their sides of the incident but before the taping, Mailer headbutted Vidal who was later seen rubbing his forehead during the interview. Years later they ended their feud and worked together. I still remember watching it while in college and wish it will be issued on DVD. Mailer will be sorely missed.  He was more than a writer and created controversy wherever he went. Here's an overview of his career and wild life:  http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/books/11mailer.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

'Dan In Real Life' movie

Before I mention the movie we saw today, let me tell you about my latest purchase I'm listening to as I write this. It's the second collaboration  ('77) of two masters of music - just Tony Bennett's voice & Gil Evans' piano. Nobody else and nothng short of amazing. Their first pairing is a classic and this one is just as good.  http://www.amazon.com/Together-Again-Tony-Bennett/dp/B0000BWVCK/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/105-3203825-8570002?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1194745100&sr=1-2

Now about this movie.  Watch the trailer here:

http://movies.aol.com/movie/dan-in-real-life/23761/main

The story is more serious (without being too heavy) than the trailer leads you to believe. Steve Carell gives a likable performance as a widower raising three daughters, writing an advice column, and dealing with his large family who wants him to be happy. But there's a price he soon learns; he can give advice to others but can't apply it to his own life.

The rest of the cast is fine. John Mahoney of Frasier & Diane Wiest of Law & Order as his parents provide the advice Carell needs to hear. The luminous Juliette Binoche who's usually seen in foreign films comes between him and his brother played by Dane Cook. Again Emily Blount (seen dancing with Carell in the above pic) impressed me playing another character unlike her others in The Devil Wears Prada and The Jane Austin Book Club. She keeps doing good supporting work and it's time for her to take on leading roles.

'American Gangster' movie

Tuesday is Bargain Night/$5 at our local cinema and this new movie was packed. Not because of the price but because it's a very good movie from beginning to end. Last weekend's opening made it the #1 film and this week should be another moneymaker. Watch the trailer here:

http://movies.aol.com/movie/american-gangster/19137/main

The movie lasts over two and a half hours and never drags due to Director Ridley Scott's typical visual panache combined with a solid script. His earlier films were more style over substance but not the case here. The surround sound was the best I've heard in a long time and the choices of 60's & 70's funk/soul period music blended well with the dramatics. Denzel Washington's smoldering intensity festering under his cool, controlled facade erupts at times with a chilling effect. One surprising outburst of violence caught the audience offguard. Every scene with him is memorable. He casts a shadow over the film when he's not onscreen. Russell Crowe as the detective tracking him has the less showy part but is equally good in his own way. The film slowly builds to their final and only scenes together at the end and is worth the wait. The rest of the cast does fine work, inclusing a few rappers.

Their world is a gritty, corrupt cesspool of drugs, slums, bad cops, rival gangsters, and dirty money. The American Dream of hard honest work as the road to success has become a nightmare: it's Horatio Alger turned on his head. Family loyalty only serves their sordid aims except for the great Ruby Dee as Denzel's mom whose big moment is saved for near the end when she tries to make him not seek revenge. The movie's title suggests an epic with its fusion of facts, history, and larger than life characters.

Yes facts. Washington's character is based on a real person. Here's an interview with the real Frank Lucas:

http://nymag.com/guides/money/2007/39948/

 

TWENTY-FIVE REASONS WHY YOU “SHOULD, TOO!” GO TO THE OPERA

(OK folks. As I promised you. I wish I wrote this one but I added a few items)

1. It’s the only place you can watch dying people sing. And they usually take a long time to die so you get to hear some beautiful music before they croak.
2. It’s the only place you can watch singing people make love.
3. It’s the only place you can watch people making love and not get in trouble for watching.
4. It’s the only place you can watch other people watching people sing, make love, and die -- without their minding that you’re watching them watch.
5. You can wear fancy clothes if you like and people think it’s O.K.
6. You can even wear jeans and a sweatshirt if you like, and people will think you’re eccentric, or maybe even intelligent.
7. If you like lavish scenery, it’s at the opera.
8. If you like big, fluffy costumes with lots of jewelry, they’re there.
9. If the sound of a symphony orchestra playing the world’s best-loved tunes thrills you, you can hear it at the opera.
10. If you like exciting singing -- high sopranos, deep basses, big choruses -- there’ll be some of that, too.
11. Opera has the longest history of any of the performing musical arts and...
12. ... it’s not any more difficult to understand than, say, West Side Story or Les Miz or Miss Saigon.
13. The story line of Miss Saigon is taken from an opera plot, anyway. Guess which one?
14. Every great community supports its arts organizations -- a drama company, a symphony orchestra, a theater company, an art museum, and an opera company -- and you should be a part of this support group, too.

15. If you’re afraid you won’t understand what’s going on, most companies nowadays run a simultaneous translation on a screen right above the stage. They call these translations “supertitles,” because you can read them by a very slight nod of the head upwards, not just because they’re great little titles. It's like watching a foreign or silent film so don't let a little reading scare you.
16. No commercial breaks but needed intermissions; how many depends on the length.
17. It’s more cultural than boxing, and the outcome is more certain than a hockey game ...
18. ... and fewer people wear face guards.
19. Every great composer has written at least one opera, and you owe it to the geniuses of the past to acknowledge this fact at least once.
20. Some operas have a lot of dancing.
21. Some even have acrobats.
22. One even has live horses on the stage.
23. In the early days of opera, singers acting like gods and goddesses came down from the heavens in little flying machines. Sometimes an opera character disappears though a trap door in the floor of the stage. And all the time, they keep on singing...
24. ... which provides excellent material for you if you’re dummy in a bridge hand.
25. Opera can lift the soul out of the day-to-day grind of life and, with the combined wonders of orchestral music, great drama, stage spectacle, vocal singing, and imaginative lighting, it’s one of the greatest 5-for-1 combinations invented in the last four hundred years. And you get the most for your money.

Now open your mind, ears, & eyes, and treat yourself to a new experience. If you can't attend an opera, rent some DVDs.  There are many great performances immortalized on video. For starters, watch the movie version of The Who's Tommy. It is a real opera.

'Tosca' opera

Since we're into all kinds of music, a few years ago we decided to take an adult ed. course about opera because we wanted to learn more about it. We liked it so much we go every term - 2 hours a week for 8 weeks, no tests, watch & discuss videos, just fun & lstening to relaxing music for $50.  For those who don't like opera, it's not what you think it is until you see a good production. Later on I'll explain why people like opera.

Tonight a free school bus takes us into Hartford to see a production and brings us home; no driving or parking worries. We only pay for the tickets.  We're seeing one that would please almost anyone. It's loaded with lots of passion, lust, intrigue, jealousy, treachery, torture, killings, and Puccini's great music - all in about two hours. Most operas run about three hours and longer; and that's not including the usual two intermissions.

Here's some brief info:

Giacomo Puccini's
TOSCA

Librettist: Giacosa and Illica
Based on a play by Sardou

Cast of Characters

• Floria Tosca,Soprano,Celebrated singer and actress
• Mario Cavaradossi,Tenor,painter
• Baron Scarpia,Baritone,Cheif of Police
• Cesare Angelotti,Bass,a political prisoner
• Sacristan,Baritone
• Sciarrone,Bass,a servant
• Jailor,Bass
• Shepherd,Contralto
• Roberti, Executioner, a Cardinal, Judge, Scribe, Officer, Soldiers and Citizens.

Setting

Rome in June 1800.

Premiere

14th January 1900; Teatro Constanzi, Rome.

Plot

Floria Tosca and Mario Cavaradossi are in love and all they want is to be left alone. Baron Scarpia, however, wants Floria for his physical needs. He arrests and has Mario tortured for aiding a fugitive and tells Tosca she can save him by giving herself to him. She agrees, but the kiss he has so longed for is the fatal kiss of a knife blade. He had promised to setup a false execution for Mario, but the treachery of Scarpia is revealed as Mario is killed. As the police arrive to capture her, Tosca vows to meet Scarpia in front of God as she leaps over the side of the building to her death.

Memorable sections of music

Recondita armonia di bellezze
Qual' occhio al mondo
Te Deum
Act II: Torture Scene
Floria, Amore!
Vissi d'amore
E lucevan le stelle
O dolci mani

Here's links to the local newspaper's rave review & pictures.

http://www.courant.com/entertainment/music/hc-toscarev.artoct30,0,2501196.story

http://www.connecticutopera.org/newsroom/press/WebProofs/ClickHereToView.html

It's midnight here and we're home after seeing a very good thrilling production, probably the best one our class has seen so far and that was their opinion too. Sets, costumes, orchestration, singing, acting: all components melded together to create a highly pleasurable experience. Tosca is the kind of opera that would make anyone who doesn't like opera change their mind after seeing. I pretty much agree with the review and the audience felt the same in their enthusiastic applause. I thought the male leads were a bit better than the female lead in projecting her good voice (the Mrs disagreed), a minor quibble that did not spoil my enjoyment.