'State of Play ' Review

Russell Crowe and Rachel McAdams in State of Play, directed by Kevin Macdonald. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/state-of-play/27010/main

State of Play is doing well at the box office. The reviews were favorable but some critics complained that the third act needed more work. Audiences have overlooked this point and accepted this handsome production loaded with good performances. The film is based on a British TV series which I haven't seen so no comparison is offered or needed as one must judge a work on its own merit.
Russell Crowe plays a slovenly reporter covering two murders. He eventually learns they are related to the mysterious death of an aide who we learn is having an affair with Congressman Ben Affleck, a former college buddy. To complicate matters, Crowe had an affair with Ben's wife played by Robin Wright Penn and he still cares for her. In researching his story, Crowe clashes with new reporter Rachel McAdams on methods and with his Editor Helen Mirren on deadlines and first scoops. These three actresses handle their parts well.
As the plot unravels, we are pulled into a political conspiracy worth billions and ultimate power to the bad guys if they succeed in covering up their schemes There's enough suspense and in-fighting at the newspaper to keep you interested as well as the friendship vs. the scoop issue. Is the third act a let down? I didn't think so as their were a few plot twists that might test your credibility. If you like films about reporters uncovering conspiracies, this one's for you.

DVD Alert: 'Russian Ark'

Watch the trailer: http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/265807/Russian-Ark/trailers

Here's an acclaimed Russian film from a few years ago that I got in Portsmouth and onsale/used. It would be better seen on a theater's large screen to fully appreciate the detailed visuals but it's still impressive on a large enough TV screen. Three hundred years of Russian history is unfolded through a tour of St. Petersberg's Hermitage. The trailer explains how this remarkable film was achieved and the DVD's 'making of' documentary is a must-see. The narrative may be hard to follow as events are out of place at times so just follow the dreamlike flow to let your eyes feast on the costumes, makeup, and decor populating 30 rooms.
Yes indeed the story has the disjointed quality of a dream as an unseen modern narrator wakes up into the past and is guided by a French nobleman through this tour of historical characters (Catherine the Great, Peter the Great, the last Romanovs - Nicholas & Alexandra and their children) and great works of art. You might be confused at times but so is our narrator. This is a demanding but rewarding film. The gimmick is that Russian Ark was filmed in ONE take as the doc explained how the filmmakers were given only one day to film on location so time was short with no room for mistakes. Consider this experiment a triumph of technique over narrative. Recommended for Russian history buffs. Subtitles only.

Phillip Glass in Concert - Portsmouth, NH

In November we planned a mini-vacation in our fave city, Portsmouth, New Hampshire staying overnight on April 19 to attend this concert:

Philip Glass featuring Philip Glass, Wendy Sutter & Mick Rossi

The Music Hall Presents: The first composer to win a wide, multi-generational audience in the opera house, the concert hall, the dance world, in film and in popular music – simultaneously. Glass’ 20 operas, eight symphonies, multiple concertos, and numerous film soundtracks have had an extraordinary and unprecedented impact upon the musical and intellectual life of our time. Most recently he composed music in the hit film The Watchmen, this BBC visionary operatic and symphonic composer has collaborated with Paul Simon to Yo Yo Ma. The Music Hall concert will feature “Songs and Poems for Solo Cello” written by Glass for Wendy Sutter.

“The most powerful composer of our time” – DAILY TELEGRAPH Tickets: $55, $35

Glass is probably not known to the average person. His work is being featured more in films and video games and that has led listeners to his other works. His style is minimalist which most people love or hate. For a full bio check him out on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Glass PBS's American Masters series recently profiled him and you can catch clips here: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/philip-glass/video-outtakes-from-the-film/1127/
We stayed again at this charming inn downtown minutes from the theater, great restaurants including a new Irish one we tried before the concert, and shopping. At my all time fave CD/DVD store I searched for a Glass anthology among his countless CDs but couldn't find the collection I wanted. I have his stirring soundtrack for Mishima that I wrote about here earlier but only on cassette and couldn't find the CD. There's always online shopping later. Glass also composed a score for Bela Lugosi's Dracula you can hear on that DVD's alternate soundtrack.
Portsmouth's Music Hall is one of the nation's oldest theaters restored to its former glory and presents all kinds of entertainment. On their website you can actually see how the stage looks where you will be sitting by clicking onto an unsold seat: http://www.themusichall.org/

We had rear seats on the aisle but a good view of the stage since the theater is small. Glass, a charming host, introduced his works and fellow musicians, cellist Wendy Sutter whose new CD of music written for her by him was on display at the store, and percussionist Michael Rossi who has previously performed with Glass. Sutter and Glass on piano would do solos, duets, and trios joined by Rossi. They played a balanced selection from his works and the program said this would be an 80 minute concert with no intermission. I could understand this time limit as playing his repetitive-sounding, but not really so as there's plenty of subtle variation & progression, music is taxing to musicians. The concert lasted 85 minutes and after the thunderous ovations, they returned for another 20 minutes of encores. What a wonderful evening! Again his music is not for all tastes but we all were mesmerized by these talented musicians. Glass is 72, doesn't look like it, and Martha who plays piano was dazzled by his fingering.
An update: According to the PBS show Glass is on his third marriage. Wikipidea says he is separated and romantically involved with Sutton. Talking about making sweet music together....

Dvds Alert: 'Open Your Eyes' & 'Vanilla Sky'

Watch the trailers: http://videodetective.com/TitleDetails.aspx?publishedid=8399&st=Open%20Your%20Eyes%20(1997) http://videodetective.com/TitleDetails.aspx?publishedid=00600659

Here's two movies that will leave you confused to say the least. These trailers are intriguing so proceed at your risk. Open Your Eyes is a 1997 Spanish film that was remade in 2001 as a big budget American production called Vanilla Sky starring Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, and Jason Lee (TV's Earl). Both feature Penelope Cruz in the same role. Her garbled English is hard to follow and I still don't know why the critics raved about her performance in Woody Allen's Vicky Christina Barcelona. And how she earned a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for that movie is another mystery to me. I still have trouble understanding her in TV commercials.
Back to these movies.... I had trouble following the plot of this artsy-fartsy reality vs. dream thing that's explained at the end but even that will require rewatching the last twenty minutes of each movie.... maybe several times. Both movies need to be watched a few times to add up all the pieces. I can imagine perplexed audiences leaving before or at the end of the film grumbling 'WTF was it all about?' I'm not sure I understood all of it too. The remake has better/expensive production values peppered with flashier editing and a good soundtrack of songs including the whimsical title one by Paul McCartney during the closing credits. The original is not dubbed in English but the subtitles were easier to follow than the plot. The remake has good bonus features and I need to hear the director's commentary to see what he meant.

DVD Alert: 'In The Electric Mist'

Watch the trailer: http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/398151/In-the-Electric-Mist/trailers

If you watch the trailer, this movie looks promising. It's based on a novel by a popular mystery writer. A good cast is lead by a famous French director. Lots of Louisiana location work well photographed and colored with a compelling music score. The movie never made it to theaters here and went straight to video. So what went wrong here?
The plot about Sheriff Tommy Lee Jones investigating a series of murders of young girls while discovering the body of an old murder victim is enticing. Are these events related? That's for you to see. Most viewers complained that the movie was well made but too laid back & lackluster. After watching it I seem to agree as it reminded me of an episode of a TV crime show stretched out over two hours.

It's not a bad movie and Jones is very good. He might remind you of his role in No Country For Old Men. It's a decent rent. My co-worker who lent me this Blockbuster DVD was turned off by seeing a portly John Goodman in a bathing suit. But Goodman makes an interesting villain so don't let this comment scare you away.

'Knowing' Review

Nicholas Cage at the site of an airplane crash he predicted in Knowing. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/knowing/32271/main

This movie is doing well at the box office dispite some negative reviews. The trailer says it all but there were some surprises including the ending. The plot will remind you of a few recent movies like Signs but don't let this or the unfavorable reviews scare you away. My wife weeped at the sad but happy ending (You'll understand this if you see it) that made me misty-eyed. I told you how movies do move me, hence their appropriate name.

Nicholas Cage plays an astronomer whose son takes a list full of numbers from an opened time capsule buried at his school. The list somehow recorded the dates of accidents and natural disasters from the past. Cage soon discovers the list can predict future catastrophes and tried to stop or warn those involved. Of course he's not taken seriously until it's too late. That's all I'll say so go see this intriguing movie as the plot gets more complicated and if you accept the premise you'll enjoy it.
The performances and special effects were good for this type of thriller.