DVD Alert: 'Ugetsu'

It's been a Criterion Christmas. With gifts & giftcards I acquired several Criterion Collection DVDs of classic films. As I wrote before, these editions are expensive but worth every penny because of their restored prints and the scholarly bonus features. This one is considered one of the world's greatest films and for those of you unfamiliar with it and its director Kenji Mizoguchi, you can read about it here: http://www.amazon.com/Ugetsu-Criterion-Collection-Masayuki-Mori/dp/B000BB14I0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1230738754&sr=1-1

Ugetsu is an elegant (startling but not scary) ghost story set in wartorn medieval Japan about two familes. Both husbands want to better themselves against the wishes of their more practical wives. One wants to be a successful potter while the other want to be a samurai. The movie's theme could be, be careful what you wish, for as the men's quests leads to tragic results. I couldn't find a good trailer that gives plot details instead of those with disjointed scenes that make no sense to the unfamiliar. The audio commentary is enlightening in understanding the production history and certain scenes. This is a movie that gets better with repeated viewings bringing out the richness of its deceptive simplicity. Mizoguchi was a perfectionist who demanded a lot from his cast & crew as a documentary here states, but the end result is a legacy of great films. I wrote about his Sansho the Bailiff on an earlier entry and I'm planning to acquire more of his films.

'Doubt' Review

Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman in Doubt. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/doubt/29875/main

Today we took Mom to see Doubt, a movie based on an acclaimed Broadway play and written & directed by its playwright, John Patrick Shanley. I never saw the play so I only know what I've read about it and from the movie previews. The reviews have been rapturous but you can wait until it comes out on DVD. The big screen does nothing to illuminate the scope and you might think it's a TV Movie of the Week. The story and acting are fine but I was slightly disappointed by the ending but to tell you it would be a spoiler.
Meryl Streep has a grand time chewing up the scenery as a stern nun and parochial school principal who suspects their priest, Philip Seymour Hoffman, of having an improper relationship with a student. She reminded me of some of the nuns who taught us religious education after school. Talk about Holy Terrors... If you ever went to one of these schools, you will be sorely reminded.
Hoffman is steamrolled by Streep's combativeness while young nun Amy Adams is torn between the two opponents and blames herself for bringing up the matter. They offer good performances but Streep has the showy part. There's lots of talk since Doubt is based on a play but it's good talk and enough camera movement and location work to make it cinematic.
Reflecting on the ending makes me think it was the only way possible to end the movie. See for yourself to learn the meaning of doubt.

'Valkyrie' Review

Tom Cruise as Col. Claus von Stauffenberg in Valkyrie. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/valkyrie/30574/main

This movie is based on a true event, the 15th and final known attempt to assassinate Hitler on July 20, 1944. The History Channel is running a documentary about this plot as a tie-in for the movie. Valkyrie is done quite well and suspenseful even if you already know the details and the tragic outcome. Some reviews have downgraded Tom Cruise's performance and the mix of English and German actors' accents as jarring but we didn't consider him or the others a distraction. All the performances are good including Cruise as a wounded officer intent on overthrowing Hitler and his SS henchmen. The story uncoils as the plotters hammer out details and demand other officers to join their cause, as almost like in one of Cruise's Mission Impossible movies. But as General Beck, well played by Terence Stamp warns him, "Expect things to go wrong."
Cruise has taken a lot of knocks in the media, some he deserved, but he does a fine job as the doomed coup's leader. One reviewer thought he was "too American" for his role but go see for yourself. Maybe the character's nobility is misinterpreted as a vanity project for Cruise but he's surrounded by many better actors who contribute to the scope of the film. Everyone involved on and off screen deserves credit.

DVD Alert: 'The Wonderful Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl'

Here's a requested Xmas gift. Film buffs will know about this controversial German actress, director, dancer, and photographer who died at 101 in 2003. Others unfamiliar with her can read her entry on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riefenstahl,_Leni Because she directed two of the greatest documentaries of all time while living in Nazi Germany, she was praised for one (the 1936 Olympics filmed in Berlin and considered by many the best sports film ever) and later vilified for The Triumph of the Will about the 1934 Nuremberg Nazi rally.
Because of her Nazi connections that she always downplayed, Leni's career was ruined after the war although she was officially classified as a sympathizer and not a collaborator. She defended her innocence due to political naivety but many didn't believe her protests as seen here in this fascinating documentary filmed in 1994 as she approached her 90th birthday. Feisty as ever, she defies her critics and gives her director a workout through a verbal warzone. She never understood or did not accept that propaganda was not separate from art as in her defense of making Triumph of the Will. Her filmmaking skills empowered that documentary to become a warning to the world about the rising might of Nazi power and fostering the cult worship of its beloved godlike leader.
This absorbing three hour documentary is full of generous restored clips from her films. I own several books about her, including her controversial autobiography. A good introduction is the recent Leni: The Life and Work of Leni Riefenstahl by Stephen Bach whose Final Cut about the making of the disastrous Heaven's Gate is a classic study of a film that went wrong.
Leni did have a wonderful and horrible life. I first saw this documentary years ago on cable and rewatching it was a treat. How this woman kept her beliefs to the very end is remarkable in itself. I think she used the Nazis to advance her career as much as they used her skills to advance their cause.

There's subtitles but don't let that scare you away.

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' Review

Brad Pitt & Tilda Swinton in Button. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button/23060/main

The Xmas season has been good so far. Besides feasting with family & friends, I've been surrounding myself with movies. I was gifted with several DVDs of choice and will try to see some new ones playing in theaters. Yesterday we caught a matinee of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button starring Brad Pitt & Cate Blanchett. It's as good as you read about it. For those who like long episodic sagas with lots of period details, this one is a feast for the eyes. Its running time of almost three hours never drags as you slowly savor the fine acting, dialogue, and production values. It's longish but never long and aided with a haunting waltz like score musical score that transports you to the correct moods. I read this was an expensive film co-produced by Paramount and Warner Brothers and all the money is up there on the screen.
The plot unfolds around a sickly boy (Pitt) born into a wealthy family in New Orleans circa 1918. He looks like an old man who looks frighten his father to abandon him. A kindly black woman finds him on her doorsteps and raises him as her own against all odds in the nursing home where she works. The gimmick is as he grows up, he ages backwards into a handsome young man while those he knows and loves age forward, all this accomplished by marvelous special effects and makeup. Button's life is the journey of an innocent whose reverse aging keeps him out of synch with the world as never finds permanent happiness because he knows he can't age along with the ones he loves.
The cast is well chosen down to the tiniest roles. Pitt proves again he is a good actor even when he's buried under makeup and digital effects. His narration's Southern drawl has the right convincing whimsy to carry along the strangeness of the story as Button's story is re-enacted from his diary left to a dying woman who wants to relive her memories of him as her daughter reads from it during the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina. Blanchett is too good for words to describe as the long love of Button's lifeas well as newcomer Taraji P. Henson as Queenie, Button's adoptive mother who teaches him simple values to handle his complex life. It's good to see Tilda Swinton in a more sympathetic role as an unhappily married woman who more than befriends Button and Jared Harris as a blustery but kindly tattooed tugboat captain who gives Button his first job.
The movie is ultimately sad and heartbreaking as it gives you insight into the aging process but is not to be missed.

'The 39 Steps' on Broadway NYC

A scene from Broadway's The 39 Steps, billed as 'Hitchcock Meets Hilarious' and rightly so!

I spent Saturday December 13 in NYC. The day was cold & dry but not windy so walking to my favorite stores was tolerable. My company chartered a bus for the day and seats were quickly sold out My buddy Russ went to a museum while I shopped until we met for our matinee. On arrival, I ran into a deli for coffee and a pastry to tide me over until I went to Barnes & Noble on 5TH Ave and eat more in their cafe when I could use my wife's 10% discount card that's good for food and shopping. I bought a Criterion Collection DVD of Mizoguchi's Ugetsu but that's for a future blog entry. He directed Sansho the Bailiff, an earlier entry. I saved 35% with deals on this one.
I passed the giant Xmas tree at Rockefeller Center before entering the French Bookstore to find a book to surprise my wife with something to bring home for her. I found the French translation of Harlan Coben's Tell No One which was made into a good French film that I wrote about earlier. She's reading both versions side by side to see how the novel is rendered in French, especially the street slang. Sadly this famous institution of NYC will be closing next year due to increasing rent although merchandise can be ordered online.
Then it was off to the Virgin Megastore on Times Square. Four floors of DVDs, CDs, books, related gear & clothing, and lots of bargain bins. It's my vision of heaven and for two hours I shopped til I dropped but I didn't go overboard on spending. Again no CDs although I browsed while checking my wish list that the stores didn't have. For DVDs I located an opera of Alice in Wonderland, A doc about Miles Davis, the sword & sandal epic Spartacus, a two disc set of the film version of Broadways' The Phantom of the Opera, and a two disc edition of Batman Begins, a surprise gift for our son. More on these choices for new blogs. Except for the opera, these DVds were priced $10 and under, all good bargains. I couldn't find two DVDs so my wife ordered then for Xmas gifts.
The highlight of the day was seeing a Broadway show called The 39 Steps based on Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 film. This melodrama, which concerns an innocent man framed for a murder and pursued by the police & a spy ring he's trying to infiltrate, was an international success that made Hitchcock's reputation and has been copied forever. The play's gimmick is that three men and one woman play all the parts amid a whirl of low tech special effects that copy the film. It's played for laughs but is also reverential in following the spirit of the film. This version reminds me of Irma Vep where two actors play all the parts. You can get an idea of this foolery by watching a two minute summary of the play and the original movie at the play's website. I enjoyed this show immensely and so did the audience as we had third row seats. This closeness to the stage made us part of the action as when a body fell onto the stage so near to us that we jumped out of our seats with laughter. http://39stepsonbroadway.com/
I made reservations for a small restaurant run by a Greek family where we had a five course swordfish dinner for $20.95 (appetizer, soup or salad, entree with potato & vegs), coffee, and dessert). Their wine list was reasonably priced so we ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio. Very good food and service. Check out the Hourglass Tavern at: http://restaurantrownyc.com/
It was a wonderful day and I actually came home with money put away for the next trip which might be in June. I set aside some money from each paycheck so when it comes time for the trip, it's paid for.

DVD Alert: 'Venus'

Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/venus/24591/main

I saw this movie in the theater on first release and founding it to be funny, touching, sad, and ultimately heartbreaking. This is one of Peter O'Toole's finest performances in recent years and watching him you feel that he's really not acting but living the part. Years of drinking has affected his health & appearance so he seems a natural for the part and it's hard to imagine any other actor in his place. Here he plays an old actor in ill health reduced to taking bit parts while he maintains his sense of humor and his taste for good liquor. As you see from the trailer, his routine life becomes complicated when he meets his friend's unruly grandniece. O'Toole takes her under his wing to find her a job and educate her in the finer things in life. He means well and in a way he's trying to recapture his youth by being with her, but some reviewers attacked his character as a leering dirty old man. I think this is an unfair criticism but you can decide for yourself. It's impossible not to like this old rascal oozing with charm and self-deprecating humor.
The trailer omits the plot's heavier turns so be forewarned. I was weepy when leaving the theater and watching it again on DVD, a two year gap, made me break down in tears. There's a few reasons: I do get teary-eyed when prompted by a good story. I sympathized with O'Toole whose character had prostate problems like me. And seeing how the ageing process changes your life is something I see with my parents and is something that is waiting for me as I turn 60 next year. As if all this wasn't enough to move me, I had a stressful week at work. So piling all this together and washing it down by a glass of pinot noir hit me hard at the film's conclusion.
The rest of the cast is marvelous including newcomer Jodie Whittaker who manages to hold her own against the rest of the seasoned pros like Leslie Phillips, Richard Griffiths, and Vanessa Redgrave who makes the most of her small role as O'Toole's patient & understanding ex-wife. Watching these two together is worth the price of the rental. There's a good 'Making of' featurette on the DVD. Playing the soundtrack in the surround mode diminished the clarity of dialogue so switching over to 2-channel stereo was a big improvement as you don't want to miss the jokes.

'I Loved You So Long' Review

Left to Right: Elsa Zylberstein as Léa and Kristin Scott Thomas as Juliette in I've Loved You So Long, a French film directed by Philippe Claudel. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/ive-loved-you-so-long/34549/main

This was one of the best films I've seen this year. Some may find it slow moving but the story builds to a shattering, emotionally draining ending. Kristin Scott Thomas, a bilingual actress best known for The English Patient and Tell No One, a recent French version of a Harlan Coben mystery (which I thought was better than the novel), plays an ex-convict who comes to live with her younger sister, husband, his father, and their two adopted Vietnamese children. We slowly learn she's been released after incarcerated for 15 years. The details of her crime are gradually revealed as she begins to open up to people who want to help her. I won't reveal her crime but let's say you will be able to debate her motive and wish you will never be put in her predicament of making a horrible choice that will affect you for the rest of your life.

Thomas has been acclaimed for this performance and rightly so. Her character hides behind an impassive mask and each smile is a painful crack in her defense that took years to build. The sad vacancy in her eyes speaks volumes about her secrets as well as her lack of emotion and reticence in answering personal questions. Slowly through small doses of interaction with her nieces and others like her sympathetic probation officer and her sister's smiling father-in-law who can't speak because of a stroke, which is good for her since he can't ask prying questions, does she regain her humanity. Her final confrontation with her well-meaning sister well played by Elsa Zylberstein will rivet you in your seat. The rest of the cast is fine.

For those viewers who hate subtitles, there's not a lot to detract you from the story. What's not said can be read from the characters' faces.

'Australia' Review

Nicole Kidman stars in Baz Luhrmann’s romantic epic, Australia. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/australia/32859/main

The trailer says it all. If you like old-fashioned epic movies like Gone With The Wind and Out of Africa, this movie is for you. What I mean by old-fashion is that Australia is long, episodic, full of larger than life characters, romance, war, social injustice, and lots of scenery that sweeps you away for two and three-quarters hours. All this is done in a good way that absorbs you by making the time pass without needing a bathroom break.
Nicole Kidman plays an snooty English Lady who takes over her husband's cattle ranch in 1939 after his death which is blamed on an aborigine. She's aided by her mach drover, Hugh Jackman who clash in the beginning but you can guess where this is going; think of The African Queen. They battle with a treacherous cattle baron and his even more treacherous son-in-law who do nasty things to force her sell her property to them. Then they take a half-caste boy under their wings against the rules of society which earns them more enemies. As if this isn't enough, in comes World War II with the Japanese bombing their country. Add some aborigine customs & magic to the mix and plenty of last minute rescues, you have quite an entertaining stew peppered with digital effects. And there's enough humor to speed along the story on its longish way.
Australia might seem corny or stereotypical to cynical viewers but don't listen to them. This is grand entertainment done on a grand scale. The plot touches on history without lecturing and the opening & closing titles will tell you enough. Australians are divided on their opinion of this movie but it should help their tourist industry. Fans of Australian films will see other well-known actors like Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson, Bruce Spence, and David Gulpilil as the child's grandfather possesed with magical powers. I read there was a four hour pre-release cut that might make it to DVD or later spread out over several nights on TV. It would be interesting to see what was left out of the theatrical version.

DVD Alert: 'Sansho the Bailiff'

The best DVD editions of foreign films, and with American films being added, are from the Criterion Collection: http://www.criterion.com/asp/
What makes these editions so special and worth their price range from $29 & up is the quality of the film and the extras you can't find elsewhere. Besides the glorious restoration of picture and sound, there's usually a scholarly audio commentary that enhances your knowledge and pleasure.I own several Criterions and recently purchased this one in Portsmouth NH's Barnes & Noble that has the largest collection of Criterions I've seen in any store. Japanese Director's Kenji Mizoguchi's Sansho the Bailiff from 1954 is a DVD I've wanted for a long time after seeing it years ago on TV. Its imagery and story still sticks in my mind so I decided to go for broke while we were on our recent mini-vacation. Here's links about the plot: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/sansho-the-bailiff/21892/synopsis and a trailer that doesn't explain the plot but shows the haunting photography: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAQMXboXgmI
The story based on ancient oral traditions takes place in medieval Japan as a noble family is separated and suffers under the worst conditions (prostitution and slavery) but kept alive by their longing to be reunited. I watched the film and was again impressed by its simple but deceptive presentation. This is one movie that reveals more details each time you watch it, the qualification of a good movie. The next morning I listened to the audio commentary that analyzed the movie and compared it with the earlier stories used as its basis. That section alone was worth the cost and the extra documentaries featuring cast & crew were useful and entertaining. Sansho the Bailiff is considered one of the greatest works of international cinema. It's an emotional experience that will stick in your memory for a long time. You can find articles praising it better than me. My next purchase will be the director's Ugetsu, another Criterion and a ghost story.

DVD ALert: 'The Lady and the Duke'

Watch the trailer and read the NY Times review: http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/254693/The-Lady-and-the-Duke/trailers

Here's an unknown gem from 2001 I found used for $7.95 in my favorite CD/DVD store which is in Portsmouth, NH. The cover art about the French Revolution and reading that the director is Eric Rohmer, one of France's famous filmmakers who's in his 80's, were enough for me to take a gamble and the price was right too. What was most interesting was that the historical exterior backgrounds were digitally recreated to resemble old paintings. They looked fine on my 32" TV screen and would have looked better in a theater's larger one.

What's also unusual that there's more dialogue than action here that the movie resembles a stage play with mostly interior scenes but is never stagy. The plot concerns an English lady living in France during the Reign of Terror and sympathetic to the aristocracy and risks her life to help a fugitive escape. Her former lover, a French Duke, wants to help lead the new France but hasn't convinced their new dangerous leaders of his loyalty. These two spend lots of screen time debating the merits of their beliefs as well as others who join in their arguments. There's enough suspense with 'will-they-get-away?' scenes as they avoid being caught or argue with their unruly accusers whose usual verdict leads to the guillotine.

Some may find this movie too talky for their taste but it's good talk. It's also based on the heroine's memoirs and the historical details will appeal to fans of costume epics. Call it an intimate epic boistered with good performances. If you hate subtitles and there's plenty needed to cover the debates, avoid it.

'I Served The King Of England' Review

Ivan Barnev as the younger Jan Dite (and Oldrich Kaiser as the older Dite), wearing a sash, plays a headwaiter who endures Nazis and Communists in I Served the King of England. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/search/i%20served%20the%20king%20of%20england

One of the reasons we planned an overnighter in Portsmouth NH was to see this remarkable foreign film. We stayed at this charming inn downtown: http://www.siseinn.com/index.html within walking distance of the historic theater where this film was playing: http://www.themusichall.org/ The weather was cold & windy but we enjoyed ourselves shopping & dining.
We caught the evening showing of I Served The King Of England after a dinner of good Mexican food. What made us want to see this film was reading this impressive review. http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/08/29/movies/29serv.html I don't agree that the scenes set in the grimness of the present/1960's clash with the earlier ones but are needed for contrast as our hero looks back on his life. You can find my comments with other readers under 'JohnCol' I know this is a cheat but I'm fighting a cold and the reviewer can say it better than me.

'Quantum of Solace' Review

Quantum of Solace stars Daniel Craig as James Bond and Olga Kurylenko as a potential romantic interest. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/quantum-of-solace/26922/main

Having read all the Ian Fleming novels and seeing all the James Bond movies, I have trouble accepting Daniel Craig as the actor to fill the role. He's a good actor but he's not my idea of Bond. Maybe it's because I grew up with all the movies with Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, and the other two who aren't mentioning because I never accepted them. Each actor played the role differently so it's like comparing apples to oranges to grapes. Craig seems not sophisticated enough and more brutish but these are different and harsher times so perhaps this Bond has to be tougher. His cold blue eyes says it all.
Quantum of Solace, the title of a short story, starts where Casino Royale left off. Bond wants revenge on the criminals who he blames for making a dead lover betray him. But did she really betray him? His boss M, admirably played with steely resolve by Judi Dench, thinks he's lost focus in killing those who can provide information. She thinks he's disobeying orders but he's really searching for the enemy in his own way.
There's plenty of rapid action scenes that are too tightly edited but will astound you. There's a parallel story of a woman seeking revenge on the man who killed her family. She and Bond join forces to hunt down the men who destroyed their loved ones and are now partners plotting to control a natural resource in South America. There's a good villain, played by the French actor Mathieu Almaric, oozing evil charm.
This is a good Bond film with everything you expect here but in different quantities. There's less gadgetry and more fights to the death, the usual foreign locations, more perversion than usual, and a ersatz John Barry music score. Too bad the movie starts off with a gawd awful song warbled by Jack White and Alicia Keys. Some reviews said it's the worst Bond theme song and I didn't believe it until I heard it.

The Ahn Trio in Concert

It's always great to see your favorite performers in concert. I've been fortunate to see most of them over the years, sometimes many years after they've been on the music scene and are still as good as ever. Last night we got to see a new favorite called the Ahn Trio that I wrote about on an earlier blog. Check out their website: http://www.ahntrio.com/v2/ These three Korean sisters (Maria the cellist and Lucia the pianist are twins and their younger sister Angella plays violin and spoke for the group) travel over the world with their eclectic mix of classical, rock, tango, jazz, etc. When I learned that they were playing in nearby Hartford and their tickets cost only $20, an incredible bargain but I would have paid double or more, we would be crazy not to attend.
Friday night was rainy so we left early to get there when the doors opened because it was general seating in a grand old church with vaulted ceilings and marvelous acoustics. We raced to get to the front row/pew so my wife who plays piano could watch the pianist's fingerings. They arrived on stage decked out in colorful gowns and sequined shoes. They charmed the crowd with their playful sibling rivalry banter. They played selections from their CDs and some new ones with one intermission where I bought their first two CDs to fill out my collection.
Seeing them live was as good as hearing their CDs and only better to watch this tightly-knit group keep pace but never upstage each other. My only regret is that they didn't play any tango but there was some worked into 'My Funny Valentine,' a fave song that's on their latest CD, Lullaby For My Favorite Insomniac. I managed to take video of their curtain call as they exited the stage. We could have met them after the show to sign our CDs but we were tired and didn't want to wait in line.
Here's a good introduction to them and their work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcsUVKo-UE4&feature=related Here's another video about their Lullaby CD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O1kmpHwS_8&feature=related

'Pride & Glory' Review

Edward Norton stars as Ray Tierney, a New York City detective, in Pride and Glory. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/pride-and-glory/23827/main


This movie is not doing well at the box office and the reviews have been mixed. I read that it sat on the shelf for a while. I enjoyed it but it has this 'you seen it before' feeling while watching it. It's loaded with cliches that you see on TV cops shows but I think this movie rises above them. It was entertaining with enough scenes where you think something is going to happen one way but it surprises you with a twist.
John Voight is a cop with two sons and a son-in-law who are also cops. One brother (Edward Norton) discovers a team of crooked cops lead by his sister's husband (Colin Farrell). Older brother (Noah Emmerich) is reluctant to accept the truth from his brother. Dad wants to be peacemaker and settle it without hurting his family or the force. You get a hint of how all this is played out in the trailer.
There are better cop movies but you won't go wrong if you like this cast that includes Jennifer Ehle ( of Pride & Prejudice fame) in a brief but touching performance as Noah's dying wife urging him to do the right thing.

'Rachael Getting Married' Review

Rosemarie DeWitt and Anne Hathaway star in Rachel Getting Married. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/search/rachel%20getting%20married

Here's a small film about Kim, a recovering drug addict well played by Anna Hathaway if you can accept her in this role because we're used to seeing her in comedies. Kim returns home to attend her sister Rachael's wedding. Dad (Bill Irwin) tries too hard to play peacemaker between the sisters as Rachael (Rosemary DeWitt) thinks Kim's presence is upstaging her big day as Dad overprotects Kim. A lot of ugly truths & lies, and repressed emotions are finally revealed amid the wedding preparations at their Connecticut home. Some issues are resolved and others don't have closure as the movie ends but that's life. The multi-ethnic wedding and its guests demonstrate the importance for accepting people regardless of their race or religion as Rachael marries a black man and Dad's second wife is black. For a liberal family, they need to learn to accept people's flaws and to forgive.
The sometimes jerkiness of the handheld photography compliments the scenes of emotional turmoil. There's plenty of different kinds of music performed before and at the wedding as the celebration continues with dancing. Performances are good, especially with a return to the screen of Debra Winger as the sister's mother. She has aged gracefully and you want her to be more in the story.
The main issue here is Kim facing the truth about herself as addicts must learn and how she can make amends for her past. And will the people she hurt can forgive and accept her? A powerful film that will resonate in your head for days....

'Don Giovanni' Review

http://ctopera.com/

If I haven't mentioned it before, my wife & I enjoy all kinds of music and wanted to know more about opera. There's an earlier Blog entry about why you should listen to Opera. A few years ago we started taking an Adult Ed course in town. 10 two hours sessions where we watch and discuss videos; no tests, just fun listening to great music. We're taken on a field trip to see a live production so this time we went to the Palace Theater in nearby Waterbury. And what a grand old showplace that was recently restored to its former majesty: http://www.palacetheaterct.org/
I've seen Don Giovanni before on stage performed by a local opera company. The sets were minimal but effective and the cast was wonderful. I own DVDs of Joseph Losey's marvelos 1979 version filmed on location and a recent filmed staged production featuring Renee Fleming. I won't bore you with a plot synopsis you can find online so let me say this was a big but good, conventional production that would satisfy those who never seen this opera and would also please fans.

'Ashes of Time Redux' Review

Tony Leung Chiu-wai as the blind swordsman in Ashes of Time Redux. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/search/ashes%20of%20time%20redux

As much as I like Chinese films, I won't recommend this one unless you are a rabid fan of its director Wong Kar-wai. I own two of his films and tried watching one of them. 2046's complex plot and subtitles needed more attention than my sleepy head could afford so I saved it for later. Chungking Express sits unwrapped but is supposed to be more accessible. As for Ashes of Time Redux, it was a chore and not a labor of love for me sitting through this one. The visuals were exciting but you needed to take notes to follow the plot's time shifts and repetitions. At times I wasn't sure which character was who. OK OK I won't make any jokes about all Asians looking alike but you get the idea.... Some films need multiple viewings to be understood as one critic mentioned he needed two sittings to understand the plot. Don't ask me to rehash it because I'm not sure. That's why DVDs can be watched many times and this one needs an audio commentary. Perhaps it will be dubbed in English to make it easier going.
The film was made in 1994 and this version is restored, re-edited, and digitalized. Having not seen the original, I'm guessing it was more confusing. How much of an improvement is this new version? The reviews have been wildly mixed for Redux. There are some swordfights but they are too hastily and choppily-edited to please fans of Hero, House of Flying Daggers, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. You might enjoy it for its ravishing visuals, but bring your score card. This movie was more exhausting than entertaining. Here's an article about the production: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/movies/05cheng.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

'Body of Lies' Review

Russell Crowe as Ed Hoffman and Leonardo DiCaprio as Roger Ferris in Body of Lies. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/body-of-lies/25139/main

I'm a big fan of director Ridley Scott's movies, even his less successful ones. Why is Body of Lies doing poorly at the box office? Is it because audiences are shying away from movies about Iraq regardless of good reviews or this one is a bit confusing if you don't follow it closely? You would think that casting two popular & talented actors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe should have been enough of a draw but this pairing didn't overcome the subject matter and complicated script problems.
DiCaprio plays a zealous CIA agent stationed in Iraq who uses everyone to find an elusive terrorist while his manipulative boss played by Crowe uses him and everyone for the same goal. Both men have different ideas and ideals which are on display as they constantly clash over the phone and in person. These two performances are worth watching and the rest of the cast is good too, especially Mark Strong as a Jordanian security officer who expects both men to play by his rules in his country. As he says, friendship goes a long way in his part of the world as well as good manners, something they learn the hard way when one of our stars is now on the receiving end of torture.
There's plenty of killings, explosions, chases, and grisly torture scenes edited for their full impact as one expects with visuals in a Ridley Scott movie. A budding romance between DiCaprio and an Iranian nurse is nicely worked into the plot, adding another spin on the class of cultures. The plot needs to be followed closely or you will be lost keeping track of events. Expect a bit of Middle Eastern stereotyping of villains but that's what you expect in this kind of story. DiCaprio keeps getting better with better roles that continue to develop his acting skills. Crowe put a lot into his performance too, as in gaining several pounds to make him look more like a bureaucrat who gave up running around in the field like DiCaprio.

'W.' Review

W. is Oliver Stone's latest presidential meditation featuring Richard Dreyfuss and Josh Brolin. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/w/32645/main

Although I'm a registered Republican, I'm no fan of George Bush and his administration. He will go down in history as one of our worst presidents for his bad decisions. Nobody wished 9/11 on him and we were all behind him on his war on terrorism until he got us involved in Iraq, a mess we cant easily vacate. When I saw the above trailer for W. I told many that the IRS would be auditing its director Oliver Stone for the next 20 years. Here Bush is portrayed as a buffoonish party animal. Since it's an Oliver Stone film I expected dubious history like in JFK or for him to come down hard like in his Nixon.
After seeing W. I'm not sure if this movie is a faithful portrayal of Bush or a comedy or a satire; it's probably a combination of them. I get the impression that Stone started out as a surreal satire but changed his mind to make him more sympathetic. The trailer is misleading as he's not always the fool or easily manipulated by his Cabinet. Yes he says a lot of dumb things, but he stands by his convictions when he feels he's right. The story hinges on simplistic Freud as reckless young George tries to live up to his tightass Daddy's expectations and is always compared to his successful brother Jeb. Barbara the Dragon Lady offers no support so it's up to his faithful Laura who keeps him on the right path.
The casting is amazing at times as certain actors resemble their characters. Richard Dreyfuss can be Cheney's twin and Josh Brolin is uncanny as Bush. Elizabeth Banks' performance as his kind and supportive wife is a tribute to the real Laura Bush we see on TV.
Those who detest Bush will enjoy the comic elements, especially the use of songs to punctuate the procedings, while his supporters will like the scenes where he overcomes the wild ways of his youth and stands up against his father and his Cabinet. Maybe this is what Stone eventually wanted, to please everyone in the audience. However you feel about Bush, you will find something here to relate to in W.

'The Duchess' Review

Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-duchess/32364/main

The Duchess has been tauted for its parallels between events in the life of the titled character, Georgiana Spencer with those of her famous descendent, Princess Diana. Both wed men above them in station and were denied of love as they took a back seat to their husband's infidelities. Both women were regaled for their fashion sense and became more popular to the dismay and possible jealousy of their cold fish mates who drove these women into the arms of others. You can read more about it here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/movies/moviesspecial/07kant.html?_r=1&ref=movies&oref=slogin
Forgetting current events, this is a grand costume drama lavish with details of dress and decor, great photography and a moving score by Rachel Portman. The actors are perfect for their roles and seem like they were born into their costumes. Kiera Knightley brings a determination to her role as a defiant wife trapped in a cruel marriage and society's rigid rules. Ralph Fiennes once again shows why he is one of Britain's finest actors. His reptilian performance as the Duke gets much mileage out of a stare or a sneer as well as his occasional outbursts. Like Georgiana, he's a prisoner of his social position and who's only interested in achieving a male heir instead of satisfying her needs. Added to this volatile marriage is Hayley Atwell who begins as Georgiana's live-in friend, becomes the duke's mistress, and ultimately her ally. She probably was the best thing in the recent remake of Brideshead Revisited, which worked better if you were unfamiliar with the novel and the miniseries. It's OK for the duke to have his women, but when Georgiana begins an affair with an old friend, he threatens to destroy their lives. The duke is a powerful adversary and not one to have as your enemy as they soon learn.
Other notable performances include Charlotte Rampling looking matronly as Georgiana's wise and ambitious mother and Simon McBirney as a crafty politician. Everyone here has their place in society including their servants whose expressions add a silent commentary to the action. It's saving face and position that seems to be the theme of this story. Those who don't follow the rules of outward appearances are crushed by them.

CD Alert: Closer: The Best of Sarah McLachan

Like my darling Joni Mitchell, here's another multi-talented Canadian singer/composer/guitarist/pianist who has her own style. If you like her music or aren't familiar with it, this new CD is for you. All her well-known songs are here as well as others that are just as good, including two new ones. Mellow might be a good way to describe her songs but in a good way.. McLachlan's vocal delivery moves from breathy to high trills with equal panache. She's never overpowering but takes command as she sways you along with her words & music.
There's a deluxe 2 CD edition with more songs but this one is fine. It's a good companion to her live Mirrorball CD that includes her hits and others not on this one. She's overdue for a new CD so let's hope the critical and commercial reaction to Closer will be the needed stimulus.

Remember.... Donovan?

Then.... and Now.

I was a big Donovan fan from his beginnings in the '60's but lost track of him after his limelight faded in the '70's when his type of music was pushed aside. A few years ago I learned that he's been performing & recording forever and soon I hunted down his CDs I missed. Three years ago I finally saw him perform and you can read about this wonderful concert as an older entry at the beginning of this site.

Above are two recent DVDs, the one on the second left is a recent concert showing how his voice hasn't changed much in over forty years. The one to the right is a new documentary with concert footage, interviews, etc. from over the years which will be a XMAS gift unless I purchase it sooner. If you are interested in hearing his music, I will recommend good starting points. He will be releasing a new CD called Ritual Groove so there's another one to add to my collection. Meanwhile check out his website at: http://www.donovan.ie/

'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' Review

Chloe, voiced by Drew Barrymore, performing the title role in Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Watch the Trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/beverly-hills-chihuahua/29987/main

I usually wouldn't see a movie like this because our son outgrew the Disney family fare. Since my wife who owned a chihuahua sorta forced me to see it and it's the kind of movie Mom would also enjoy, I reluctantly went with them since there was nothing else we all wanted to see. Well let me say I really did enjoy this amusing comedy. The audience was filled with young families who applauded during the moments when good stuff happened to the forlorn pooches.
Many famous Latino actors voice the dogs with some funny lines while Drew Barrymore sparkles as the spoiled, snobby pet Chloe of the title who learns a life lesson the hard way when she's stranded in Mexico and needs the help of other dogs less fortunate to get home. There's a parallel story about Piper Perabo, Chloe's dogsitter, learning not to think so much of herself and not to be prejudiced. Since it's a Disney film, our heroine and four-legged friends are in peril but only for brief moments with last minute-rescues. What could be excruciatingly cute in a kiddie movie was actually funny. The soundtrack loaded with good Latino music adds the right editorial comments during the plot.
Beverly Hills Chihuahua is fine family fare, a good time for dog lovers, and damn that Jamie Lee Curtis, as Chloe's owner, looks damn good at 50....

CD Alert: ZZ Top's 'Eliminator - Collector's Edition'

    Here's Amazon's product description:  'ZZ TOP' s 1983 masterpiece Eliminator illustrates their cultural evolution fired up with boogie and synths, the disc was both timeless Top and perfectly of-the-moment. It hit #9 in Billboard®, remained on the Hot 100 for three years and was one of the first albums to be certified Diamond by the RIAA for sales of over 10 million. At the first-ever MTV Video Music Awards in 1984, Legs took Best Group Video and Sharp Dressed Man won Best Direction. As this classic album hits its 25-year mark, Rhino pays its respects with a Texas-sized CD + DVD Collector's Edition.'   

     I got Eliminator in cassette form when it came out in '83. These three guys know how to rock and every song is a winner. The album eventually sold about 25 million copies worldwide. Their videos for the album were pretty good way back then. In some they acted like fairy godfathers teaching the under trodden to be winners. I have their greatest hits CD and we saw them live two years ago.  They are even better in concert and with their funny banter between songs. If you never saw them live or not really fans, go see them. I guarantee you will get more than your money's worth and their ticket prices are low.

   This new Collector's Edition also has live cuts and a few remixes.  The second disc is a DVD of the album's videos and are still entertaining.  They are more story-oriented without the fast-cutting you see on recent MTV fare.  There's also good live performances from an '83 British TV show.

   A must for any fan!

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'Nights in Rodanthe' Review

Diane Lane and Richard Gere in Nights in Rodanthe, directed by George C. Wolfe. Watch the trailer:  http://www.moviefone.com/movie/nights-in-rodanthe/29027/main

    Friends told me to bring a box of Kleenix to the theater because the novel was a tearjerker. I haven't read it but wanted to see the movie.  The preview and cast was enticing and there's nothing wrong with a weepie as long as it's not cheap sentiment. I cry along with the best of them and yes I do eat quiche. There was a lot of audience sniffling at the conclusion and I had to wipe away a few tears.

   This movie was sentimental but not pandering. The story and direction might be manipulative but in a good way. Some viewers might find it an old-fashioned love story  but that's not a bad thing. The plot is more than that. It's about grieving and healing, trying to correct the wrongs of the past and forgiving, and learning to grow from whatever life deals you.

    Richard Gere and Diane Lane's third pairing are a winning combination.  Gere is my age and looks better. Recently I rewatched his American Gigolo made in '80 and I would kill to look as good as him then (and in that fabulous Armani wardrobe) and now. G-r-r-r-r!!  Lane gets better with each role as she moves into middle age. The rest of the cast offers fine support including Viola Davis as Lane's best friend. Catch this underused actress in a rerun of Law & Order: Criminal Intent where she gives a chilling performance as a not-so-nice security guard. 

   OK Nights In Rodanthe may seem corny to some hard-hearted viewers and cynics will probably hate it but it's not made for them. Mom enjoyed its leisurely pacing and nice scenery as well as the stirring soundtrack which hammers you if you're not moved enough by the story & acting.  I just purchased the unabridged CD audio version of Nicholas Sparks' novel for commuting and better keep some Kleenix in the car.

DVD Alert: 'Brideshead Revisited' Miniseries

    It took several nights to recently watch this acclaimed 1981 miniseries of Evelyn Waugh's novel on DVD. I saw it when it was first broadcast but I don't remember a lot except for specific scenes that still linger in my head. So how does has it aged after many years?  It's as good as anything you will ever see if you have the patience to watch the story unfold over eleven hours. Some viewers might find it slow going but that's where its charm lies. A fortune was spent in providing the novel's details to readers and those unfamiliar with it will soon be sucked into a glorious recreation of a time and place no longer with us.  If you want fact pacing, move on. If you enjoy seeing the equivalent of reading a great novel, watch a chapter every night. The boxed set includes a 'making of' documentary explaining how this production was a labor of love.

   Besides getting a tour of England's stately homes inhabited by aristocrats trapped by their traditions & surroundings and traveling to different countries between the wars, there's the joy of watching a marvelous cast that will never be equaled. We saw Jeremy Irons in a Tom Stoppard play years ago and stood next to him while he signed autographs before entering the theater. His back was to us and I remember how tall and lean he was with his long limbs. He's the center of the miniseries narrating his story about how he came a part of the Brideshead family, first as a friend to Sebastian and later as a confidant to his mother, and a lover to his sister. Catholicism and its guilt is a major theme theme here as it guides the family while Irons observes as an agnostic.

     Forget the recent movie version; athough it's shorter, it omits characters and distorts the novel. If you haven't read the novel, you might enjoy the new movie as something like Atonement. Here's a review of the DVD miniseries and check out the original broadcast review on the same page: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/arts/television/24brid.html?ref=movies

'Righteous Kill' Review

Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in Jon Avnet’s Righteous Kill. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/righteous-kill/30163/main

    The reviews have been mixed, mostly disappointing for this second pairing of De Niro and Pacino.  The story has a gimmick that I guessed about a half hour into the story but it's cleverly done when you think it over. These seasoned actors star as cops on the trail of a serial killer who disposes of criminals who were freed in court and found with  poems on their bodies.  After a while, a cop is suspected of performing his own brand of justice and it's up our leads to find him. 

    The trailer hides an important fact that I won't reveal here. I will only say that a cop does the killing but you have to see the movie to learn his identity. There's plenty of red herrings to lead you astray so pay attention.

   It's always good to see two of our finest actors working together again and they didn't try to upstage each other. In the early 80's I saw Pacino onstage in American Buffalo and he's actually short but stands tall in any medium. 

   Righteous Kill needs to be seen a second time to savor their performances as well as the rest of the cast but to examine the plot twists & turns that are tied up perhaps too neatly at the end.

    And Mom, a 90 year-old Italian, was happy to see her boys in action.

The Ahn Trio

Here's two recent CDs of these three young Korean sisters who play piano, violin & cello.  They perform all kinds of music:  tango, classical, rock, movie sounndtracks, old standards, etc. but with their own stamp. As you see here, they're as easy on your eyes as well as your ears. I purchased both these CDs on vacation in Portsmouth and I never get tired of listening to them. The one on the left is their latest and worth owning if you prefer an eclectic mix of music.  Listen to samples on their website: http://www.ahntrio.com/v2/

The Ahn Trio will be playing nearby on Nov 14 and we have our tickets.

'The Women' Review

Annette Bening, left; Jada Pinkett Smith, center; and Debra Messing are some of  The Women, directed by Diane English.  Watch the trailer:  http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-women/30317/main

Reading reviews should be considered a starting point before seeing a movie, hearing music, or reading a book. It's best to read a few to learn what each reviewer likes or dislikes about his subject and then form your own opinion. How convincing they make they points will probably influence you. But the best rule of thumb is: go see what interests you, not what others think. Then make up your mind.

    The Women got mixed reviews and lead me to believe it was to be disappointing. After seeing it yesterday, it was better than I expected. It's a pleasant comedy about friendships, trust & betrayal, and following your own conscience & goals.  Each character learns a life lesson that results in some pain but they learn to grow from their experiences. All performances were pleasing and men will enjoy this movie too.

   It took years to finally make this remake of the 1939 version  with Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer and some updating had to be included. There's enough laughs to carry you along at a leisurely pace to its rightful conclusion. I woukl have prefered more cattiness between the gals but that's not how they behaved with each other, a minor quibble. A good bitch-slapping fest would have been nice too. Nothing too heavy here and you've seen similar stuff on episodic tv shows. A perfect matinee movie for a rainy day. I loved the NYC sights and can't wait for my next trip to the Big Apple. 

   Yes Mom enjoyed it too.  And why not?

DVD Alert: 'I Claudius"

    Watch the trailer although it hardly gives you a hint of what's to come: http://www.videodetective.com/?publishedid=3378

 

 We missed watching this acclaimed British miniseries when it debuted on PBS in 1977. The DVD set is expensive but I used a Borders' 30% discount coupon. I Claudius is based on two novels about the Roman emperor Claudius who managed to live a long time while everyone around him was killed off for political or personal reasons, usually the former choice.  Imagine history told as a classy soap opera but with lots of violence & sex. Not the usual toga party.....

  This enthralling saga is spread over 13 sections/hours and you will get hooked after watching the first one. Ancient Rome's upper class is a vipers' nest of opportunists who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Poison seems the easiest and untraceable method of disposing of rivals and enemies but there's plenty of stabbings when they are in a hurry. You will see many famous actors of the 70's and some who became famous later. You will never think the same about Patrick Stewart who later went on to the second  Star Trek TV series. Spoiler Alert:  He's not very nice here...  If you saw the movie Dune and thought Sian Phillips was a plotter there, she's an amateur there compared to her character as the Empress Livia. You will be dazzled by her performance as she steals every scene. I was afraid the series would suffer without her presence but it's evenly good though to the conclusion.  John Hurt is creepy and fascinating as the mad Caligula. As for the title character. Derek Jacobi deserved every accolade for his performance as he ages with his role, playing the stuttering, limping fool who survives by not posing as a threat to anyone's ambition.  

    This production is stagy because it was filmed in studios but it's the venomous dialogue and acting that carries you into this dark era. Example: When a soldier protests killing a young child because she's a virgin, his superior orders him with "Well make sure she's not a virgin when you kill her.'' Your imagination fills in what's not shown. The aging makeup for the cast is marvelous.  A DVD bonus is a documentary about an aborted movie attempt in 1937 using surviving footage and is a must for film buffs.

   Maybe your library or rental store has the set. Watching every chapter is like reading a good novel. The Mrs. bought the novels so I hope to read them soon. Here's a website for the miniseries with plot summaries and  fiction vs. history comparisons: http://www.anselm.edu/internet/classics/i,claudius/

DVD Alert: 'Cold Comfort Farm'

For those who enjoy British comedies and period pieces, here's a little gem I found on a Border's bargain table. Watch the trailer: http://www.videodetective.com/titledetails.aspx?publishedid=79693

Here's a summary:

Stella Gibbons' popular novel was published in 1932, and it has been adapted twice for British television, first as a miniseries in 1971, then by director John Schlesinger in 1995. That version proved so popular that it was released to theaters in the U.S. The heroine of Gibbons' story, Flora Poste (Kate Beckinsale), is an aspiring young writer with two needs: material for her first novel, and a cheap place to live and work. A wealthy friend (Joanna Lumley) encourages her to take advantage of her country cousins and impose upon them for lodgings. Flora finds Cold Comfort Farm to be a ramshackle affair populated by eccentrics including the imperious Ada Doom (Sheila Burrell), her daughter Judith (Eileen Atkins), Judith's rough but handsome son Seth (Rufus Sewell), and Amos (Ian McKellen), an amateur preacher whose sermonizing seems to release some kind of demons within him. Undaunted by this menagerie, Flora gets to work organizing the household, and she comes to realize that the material for her book is right in front of her. ~ Tom Wiener, All Movie Guide

     And what a menagerie!  The quirky characters grow on you as Flora, wiser than her young years. takes command of their lives. The events may seem unbelievable but you really want these oddballs to succeed. Kate Beckinsale, who later looked smoldering in leather in the Underworld movies, is a delight as well as the other performers. Everyone seems rightfully cast here. I was fortunate to see Eileen Atkins on stage as a fine Rosalind in Shakespeare's As You Like It and Ian McKellen as Salieri in Amadeus, one of the great theatrical performance I've seen anywhere.

    I had trouble listening to the dialogue & Bristish slang in the surround sound mode and switched over to 2-channel stereo which made it clearer. A good rent of a charming film.

'Transsiberian' Review

Emily Mortimer and Woody Harrelson escape on foot in Transsiberian, directed by Brad Anderson. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/transsiberian/33428/main

     Much has been made of this film as being influenced by Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes and other train-bound thrillers.  That's not a bad thing as Transsiberian  chugs along at a slow pace building to the nastiness that takes over during the second half. There's plenty of twists, red herrings, and surprises along the way as Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer play American teachers returning from Asia by crossing Russia and get mixed up with a mysterious couple and Russian policemen looking for drugs. Harrelson's 'Awe shucks' character seems too naive but you will change your opinion later when he is forced to take action.  Mortimer has a more complex part and it's her actions and reactions that move the plot. Ben Kingsley has a colorful role as a Russian detective who aids our travelers but is he to be trusted?  Everyone here has secrets that put their lives and others in danger.

    The wintry landscape and the squalid interiors of the train, hotels, and ruins add to the mystery's uncomfortable & menacing tone. The ending has been criticized for descending into predictable melodrama and brutality.  Perhaps this was the only way to bring the story to its conclusion. How you react to it depends on your suspension of disbelief.

    Transsiberian is a satisfying ride with a few bumps along the way but it never derails.

'Hamlet 2' Review

Steve Coogan plays a failed actor turned high school drama teacher in Hamlet 2. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/hamlet-2/32650/main

    Here's another example of a movie that isn't as good as the previews or as some of the rapturous reviews lead you to believe.  The plot is simple enough: A hapless actor teaches drama to uninterested high school students in Arizona. The local scenery is as bleak as his life. His lovelife is a shambles, his students belittle him at every opportunity, and his job is being phased out as well as his drama class due to budget cutbacks. He needs to win over his class to put on a play that will convince the school board to save their program. Accused of doing nothing original, he writes a musical call 'Hamlet 2'.  That's an interesting premise  except, as he is reminded, didn't everyone die in the first one so how can there be a sequel?

    He solves that problem and what a show it is!  Imagine Grease but with a number called 'Rock Me Sexy Jesus' which triggers the consternation of the authorities who want to close down the production. The actual show is the best part of the movie but it's a long wait to get there. Most of the jokes seemed forced as Steve Coogan tries hard to be sympathetic but comes across over the top. I thought he was one of the best things in  Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette where he gave a restrained dramatic performance.  He tried too hard in Hamlet 2's comic and serious scenes. You find it difficult to feel for him but he eventually wins you over by the end.  But again it's a long journey.....

    My wife & me were the only ones at Labor Day's 5:30 showing so that tells you how well this movie is doing at the box office. I think it would work better on the small screen so wait until it comes out on DVD or on cable.

'Traitor' Review

Don Cheadle’s character, the son of a Sudanese father and an American mother, is a trained warrior with an ambiguous edge.  Watch thr trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/traitor/33014/main

 Traitor is a good spy thriller about a devout Muslim, well acted by Don Cheadle,  who plays a double agent hired by our government to infiltrate a terrorist organization. These religious fanatics think he's one of them as he makes bombs to destroy their enemies. What they don't know is that he is opposed to killing and cleverly circumvents their goals while pursued by other government agents who don't know his real purpose.  How long can he fool everyone is what drives the plot.  

     I work with Muslims from Sudan and have learned much about their religion and culture, including acquiring an appetite for Middle Eastern cuisine supplied by their wives.  I soon learned that debating the Israel/Palestine standoff is a forbidden subject since they are set in their beliefs that Israel wants to conquer the world although my argument that Israel is a tiny country surrounded by their enemies and wants only to live in peace falls on deaf ears.

    How Muslims will react to this movie will be interesting. Adam Sandler's Zohan movie tried to debate both sides with humor and ended with a peaceful if fanciful  resolution. Quite the opposite here as Traitor explores some of these issues but never gets too windy as the plot develops. If anything Traitor is sympathetic to the majority of peace-loving Muslims but you can understand why the others are committed to their beliefs.

'Bottle Shock' Review

Alan Rickman portrays Steven Spurrier, the British wine dealer who organized a famous blind wine tasting near Paris in 1976, in Randall Miller’s Bottle Shock. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/bottle-shock/32518/main

Here's another small movie that's been compared to Sideways and almost as good. Both feature wine and likable losers & dreamers who finally succeed, but that's where the comparisons end.  Based on a true story from 1976 about how California wines competed with French wines in a show, Bottle Shock, is an easygoing time not just for wine lovers but for those who want to learn something about how wine is made.

   The small cast is filled with many faces from TV as well as film. Alan Rickman is marvelous as the snooty wine expert who comes to California to select wines to bring to France for his contest. He's usually good in these type of roles and who can forget him in Kevin Costner's Robin Hood where his performance as the Sheriff of Nottingham almost steals the film.  There's Bill Pullman &  Chris Pine, as a father & son owners of a winery on the brink of bankruptcy.  They clash heads as well as fists in a boxing ring to settle their differences.

   The humor here is as leisurely as sipping a good glass of wine. Savor the film's official sight: http://www.bottleshockthemovie.com/

 

'Vicky Christina Barcelona' Review

Javier Bardem and Scarlett Johansson in Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona.  Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/vicky-cristina-barcelona/32858/main

I haven't seen a Woody Allen film in years.  The reviews for his new one lead me to believe it's his best one in a long time. We took Mom to see it because she & Dad went to Barcelona when I was in college and she remembered some on the sites in the movie.  Other than that, the movie seems overrated to me. It's a pleasant painless comedy about two gals vacationing in Spain and meet an artist who wants to bed both of them. His unstable ex-wife keeps popping in on them and one two-way leads to a threesome done in a chaste manner since there's a PG-13 rating, Everyone here has doubts about what they want in a relationship and in themselves.

   OK there's some good one liners typical of Allen, plenty of sunny Spanish scenery, and lots of wine drinking on display. It's a pleasant comedy but not a laughfest.  Allen wrote & directed but we miss his onscreen presence although the uptight, neurotic Vicky character will remind you of his past roles. Allen should have done the narration and added more humorous insightful comments as in other movies.

   One reviewer touted Penelope Cruz's performance as worthy of a movie by itself and how she has a flair for comedy. I thought she was somewhat amusing...  when you could understand her garbled English. She speaks like she does in her Clairol TV commercials if that's an indication.

  Too bad this movie wasn't as funny as Allen's mock diary of its filming: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/movies/24alle.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=barcelona%20diary&st=cse&oref=slogin

 

'Henry Poole Is Here' Review

Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/henry-poole-is-here/30120/main

Henry Poole, a dying man, buys a home where he can spend his last days alone. A nosy but well-meaning neighbor sees a spot on his outside that she and others think resembles the face of Christ.  When another neighbor, a child who stopped talking after her parents split up, and a store clerk with poor vision are mysteriously cured after touching the wall, his house soon becomes a shrine with visitors much to Henry's annoyance. Is the red liquid oozing out of the wall holy blood with healing powers? The local priest is cautious in declaring his judgement on the events. Since Henry has a chance of finding love with the child's mother, will his cynicism yield to the spot's supposed powers and cure himself?

    This is a sweet, touching small film about the question of faith. Do miracles happen because we want to believe in them or do things just happen without explanations?  There's no easy answers here and the filmmakers leave it open.  The movie is not overly preachy and slyly creeps up on you. Performances are very good in an understated way. Luke Wilson's sheepdog persona suits him well as he withdraws into his memories of when his life was better. It's his neighbors who slowly bring him out of his funk with their problems and pain.

     Spoiler Alert: My wife says the movie's theme is about, sometimes you need a good hit on the head to see the light but that's getting ahead of the story...   A wonderful film for our times when faith and hope is needed. 

'Brideshead Revisited' Review

Hayley Atwell as Julia Flyte and Matthew Goode as Charles Ryder with Ben Whishaw as Sebastian Flyte in the new Brideshead Revisited.  Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie-trailer-hub?movieId=29872&movieTitle=brideshead-revisited    The official site: http://www.bridesheadrevisited-themovie.com/

     It's been many years since I read Waugh's novel or seen the acclaimed miniseries that came out in 1981 so my memory is fuzzy about details.  This new version is being trashed for not be faithful to the novel (changes & elimination of characters) but it has its admirers for its acting and scenery.  There's always dangers in adapting a novel or play and it's unfair to compare a two hour +  movie to a twelve hour minseries that can include every detail. Eliminating characters and subplots can be forgiven but when the theme or message is changed, that comes close to heresy.

    What has angered readers and reviewers is that of the protagonist, Charles Ryder, as one reviewer states: "The screenwriters, Andrew Davies and Jeremy Brock, took many liberties with the book, altering not only plot points but also the main thrust of Charles’s spiritual journey: instead of turning from an agnostic into a Catholic, he starts out an atheist and, seemingly, remains one. This change lends nothing to the film, a torpid version of a classic that is ultimately and unjustly devoid of passion." 

    OK it's safe to say if you haven't read the book or seen the minseries, you might enjoy this movie as an ornate episode of PBS's Masterpiece Theater or a darker version of Atonement. Performances are very good and the music and photography cast a mesmerizing languid spell.  Emma Thompson and Michael Gambon are superb as the estranged parents of Sebastian and Julia Flyte (Ben Wishaw and Hayley Atwell also very good).  As for our hero played by Matthew Goode, another critic lamented: "The role calls for a mix of diffidence and magnetism — Charles is a shy, stoical seducer — but Mr. Goode shows all the charisma of a stalk of boiled asparagus molded into the likeness of Jeremy Irons (TV's Ryder). The film can’t explain why Julia or Sebastian would conceive a risky, tempestuous passion for Charles other than that Waugh seemed to think they might." I wouldn't go that far but I see the reviewer's point...

     For those who are fond of the miniseries, here's an article about it: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/arts/television/24brid.html?_r=1&ref=movies&oref=slogin

 

 

Emma Thompson as Lady Marchmain