Swing Vote

The first trailers I saw for Swing Vote had me skeptical. A presidential election hangs on one man's vote, and he's a nit wit. Then I saw an interview with Kevin Costner this week, and was a bit smitten. I've always liked his work, but I wouldn't call myself a big fan. I do remember being impressed with him in The Upside of Anger, and his character in Swing Vote seemed to have the same effect on me. The character, Bud Johnson, is witless and endearing. The themes of civic responsibility, family and media insanity are well treated. I was surprised that I liked this film as much as I did, worth a look.

Step Brothers

Last week, I had free passes to see Step Brothers. The night of the screening we had dramatic thunder storms, traffic into the city was a mess, early reviews on the film were poor, I decided to stay home. All week I've been wondering, "could it really be that bad?" Also, Richard Jenkins is one of my favorite actors, I was anxious to see his performance. After a long week, today was one of those days I didn't want to talk to anyone, so I scheduled a triple play at the movies. Step Brothers was everything I expected. Silly story, poor execution, but Jenkins' performance made it worth my movie dollar. I kind of felt sorry for the guy who tried to engage me in conversation, on the way out, by saying, "that was freakin' hilarious!" Not so much for me.

Anchorman : The Legend of Ron Burgundy

When Anchorman:The Legend of Ron Burgundy first came out, I avoided it, because the trailers made it look so sexist. When Step Brothers came out, people were waxing poetic for classic Will Ferrell comedic acting. I got just that from Anchorman. Not only from Ferrell, but Christina Applegate (who sweetly gave me an autograph after seeing her in Sweet Charity on Broadway), Steve Carell, Vince Vaughn, Fred Willard and Paul Rudd turned in strong performances. Cool cameo appearances made this fun to watch. After seeing it, I realize it was not sexist, but funny, clever, smart, and, did I mention, funny? Well written and executed, I'm probably one of the last people on the planet to see this one. Enjoy!

Friday Flick Picks 8/1/08

RI theaters enjoy the charm of Kevin Costner in the new movie Swing Vote. A comedy that takes on politics and civic responsibility. The Mummy:Tomb of the Dragon Emperor looks like a big mess, but I loved the first 2 parts of the franchise, so I'll probably check it out. The french thriller Tell No One is in art houses, along with The Wackness and The Rape of Europa. For the fun and funny there's Mamma Mia!, Step Brothers and Wall-e. The best action film of the summer, The Dark Knight is well worth your movie dollar. If none of this appeals to you, rent Shine a Light, out in DVD this week. RI International Film Festival starts Tuesday, check out the schedule here. Enjoy!

Octopussy

When I was fresh out of college, I had a job as the assistant to the director of an air show. I was 21, single, ambitious and loved airplanes. I met acrobatic pilots from all over, and more military flight jocks than any girl could dream. It was a fun job and a wonderful education. Our show was respected in the industry, and so was I. The pilots were always very sweet, and sometimes protective. At the frequent parties, if I was getting what appeared to be unwanted attention, I would feel an arm around my shoulders, and a familiar voice greeting me in a brotherly fashion. One of my guardian angels was the jet pilot Corkey Fornof. Not only a talented stunt pilot, but a hell of a nice guy and easy on the eyes.

In my continuing quest of viewing all that is James Bond, next was Octopussy. The opening sequence involves an escape from the bad guys in a miniature jet. As I watched, I thought, "hmmm, that move looks familiar." Upon checking the credits, sure 'nuff, the stunt pilot was my bud Corky Fornoff. Fun stuff. The movie was OK, a bit slow. I liked Maude Adams as Octopussy. Sexy and strong, a good Bond character. Most fun for me were the aerobatic stunts, thanks Corkey!

Rock n Rollers in DVD

In DVD this week, is the wonderful documentary , Shine a Light. Up on the stage with The Rolling Stones, Martin Scorsese weaves his film magic around intimate performances at New York's Beacon Theater. I'm not even a Stones fan, and I loved this movie. In Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, the stoner duo are on the road. Running from the law, rude crude, socially unacceptable and full of laughs. Enjoy!

The Wackness

Memorable quotes from The Wackness :

"I see the dopeness in everything, and you just see the wackness."

"We just come in here to laugh at the weird old guys."

"I'm not a virgin, I just haven't officially had sex yet."

For me, The Wackness is a brave film that tells the story of a young man trying to find his way with his heart and his life. Odd friendships and young love, make for an interesting story. The characters are quirky, and wear their hearts on their sleeves. The references to life in New York City in the early 90's are poignant, accurate and bold. I enjoyed this film .... a lot!

Friday Flick Picks 7/25/08

RI theaters are all about The Dark Knight this week. Stunning film. For fun there's Mamma Mia! People are singing along. For super silly, Step Brothers opens this week, I'll wait till DVD for this one. The Wackness arrives this weekend along with CSNY - Deja Vu. Kinda slim pickin's in RI movie theaters, but Son of Rambow is at the second run movie house, the Patriot. Well worth a look. Enjoy!

Gamble with DVD

The depiction of a group of MIT students taking Vegas for millions, makes for good film, in this weeks' DVD release, 21. An all star cast tells an interesting story. Worth a rental.

Mama Mia!

For years, the posters of Mamma Mia!, the Broadway musical, have assaulted me every time I visit New York. Though I love musical theater, I have never had the desire to see it. The premise sounded silly and c'mon, ABBA?!? All set. Then, this spring a trailer came on TV, for the movie version. It looked so joyful and fun, I was smitten. And ever since an encounter with Meryl Streep, her performances carry new meaning for me. I was sold.

After reading mixed reviews, I went to see the new movie Mamma Mia! today. No expectations, I figured it would be silly and light. For the most part, I was right. The beginning of the movie was fun , developed the characters well and I'm grateful that I have no familiarity with ABBA tunes. A lot of the musical numbers need to be taken for the fun that is intended. Then the second act hit, and I became the blubbering mess in the middle of the movie theater, as I watched a single mother spend the night before her daughter's wedding in maternal bonding bliss. (Once again, did not bring enough Kleenex *damn*) The third act was a bit of a mess, plot wise, but the crazy antics and happy ending worked for me. There has been criticism of the singing performances, especially the men, but it kind of reminded me of the myriad of 50th birthday parties I've been to in the last few years. My friends and I sound a lot worse, though we have just as much fun! Mamma Mia! was a fun summer movie for me!

The Dark Knight

I don't often post pictures here, but this license plate in the parking lot of the movie theater, when I went to see The Dark Knight today, was so appropriate. The movie was all I wanted it to be. The performances were strong. The bad guys, oh so bad, the good guys moral and flawed. There were plenty of surprises, and rockin' fight and chase scenes. The vehicles and gadgets always give me a thrill. Heath Ledger's performance, as The Joker, is one of the best I've ever seen. Nuanced and maniacal, as entertaining as he was freaky. Add another strong action movie to the summer collection!

Friday Flick Picks 7/18/08

Every Friday morning I sit with the movie section of the morning paper and a highlighter, planning my viewing strategy for the weekend. This morning I have a thick, yellow border around The Dark Knight, it will be my priority tomorrow, can't wait! At some point I'll get to Mama Mia! as well. If the heat gets to be too much (it's supposed to be a scorcher here this weekend) I've marked Encounters at the End of the World, Up the Yangtze and When Did You Last see your Father?. Have a great weekend and stay cool!

Robbery and Romance in DVD

In DVD this week, The Bank Job is the story of a bank robbery in London. Intricate and well planned, it's told well. In the film Penelope, a girl with a strange birth defect has to learn to function in the world, and cope with her surroundings and herself. Both of these films are good rentals.

Friday Flick Picks 7/11/08

The big red guy arrives in RI theaters this weekend, Hellboy : The Golden Army should be a fun ride for fans of the comic book hero. Journey to the Center of the Earth as well, a family adventure. I was asked what my favorite movies of the summer are so far, and I'll say that WALL-E tops the list. Iron Man is on my "must see" list. This has been such a great summer of movies, so far. Don't forget Indiana Jones, Get Smart, The Incredible Hulk, Hancock and Wanted. Mongol, The Edge of Heaven and The Fall are in art houses. The kids will enjoy Kung Fu Panda and Kit Kittredge. Grab a popcorn, sit back and enjoy!

City of Men

Rio de Janeiro is exotic, tropical and dangerous. In City of Men we see two young men turning 18. They do not know their fathers, their families are fragmented. They struggle with the responsibilities of life, while the gang culture around them is daunting and violent. An interesting story, in an exotic setting. A heartbreaking life to watch in this film.

Hancock

It's hard to watch a Will Smith film without thinking of what made him famous. Roles like Fresh Prince and Men in Black as a wise cracking, smart-ass, are embedded deep in our fan brains. Smith is capable of so much more, and has proved it in roles like Ali, Pursuit of Happyness and I am Legend. Though the trailer for his latest release, Hancock, makes this look like a mindless action comedy, it's not. The story of John Hancock, a misunderstood, haphazard, superhero, is an interesting treatment of heroism, image, discovery and doing the right thing. Smith brings a sadness and isolation to his misunderstood character. I really liked the jarring twist that comes midstream, and was so invested in the characters, that by the end, I got choked up at seeing a single image. There are some funny lines, but I'd have trouble classifying this as a comedy. Relax, have no expectations, open your mind and let the story unfold. I did, and totally enjoyed this summer action film.

Kit Kittredge : An American Girl

The film Kit Kittredge:An American Girl, draws an interesting audience. There were families, senior citizens and my favorite, the little girl tightly clutching her Kit Kittredge doll. The American Girl books are a series of stories, about strong young women throughout history. Well loved by young readers, and perfect for adaptation to the screen. Julia Roberts and her sister Lisa, gave this project a little umph, along with the star power of Abigail Breslin, Joan Cusack, Jane Krakowski, Chris O'Donnell, Stanley Tucci, Willow Smith (not a typo, it's his daughter) and a wonderful supporting cast. They do a nice job bringing the young, depression era journalist to life. A good story of resilience, community, prejudice, service, family and loyalty. I liked this film a lot, take the kids, take your folks!

My Blueberry Nights

My Blueberry Nights was nominated for the Palm d'Or at Cannes in 2007. It did not win, but it is a strong drama, with a unique style and all star cast. Gentle and slow, the story unfolds through a young woman's eyes. She is coming out of a relationship, befriends a stranger, leaves town, works to build a new life, and takes risks grounded in trust. Norah Jones, Jude Law, Rachel Weitz, NataliePortman and David Strathairn do this story proud.

Friday Flick Picks 4th of July 2008

Though the cookouts, beach and parades are a fun way to celebrate, I love a movie on the 4th of July (surprise). If it's scorching hot, you are in the comfort of the movie theater, if it's overcast and drizzling (like today) you are in the comfort of a movie theater, follow? RI theaters have a lot to offer on this 3-day weekend. The big opener is the new Will Smith action comedy, Hancock. Will Smith? I'm in! We've also got Kit Kittredge:An American Girl, a story from the American Girl franchise, set in 1934. Produced by Julia Roberts and her sister, Lisa and starring Abigail Breslin, this one looks good. Mongol, The Fall, Before the Rains, Surfwise and The Children of Huang Shi offer nice variety in local art houses. If you haven't seen WALL-E yet, what are you waiting for!?!?! Box office blockbusters, Iron Man, Indiana Jones, The Incredible Hulk, Get Smart, Wanted, Sex and the City and Kung Fu Panda are all at the multiplex, enjoy!! Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

Terrorists in DVD

This week there's only one DVD release I've seen. Vantage Point is an OK thriller. I was disappointed in the ending.

Wanted

I've seen so many good films in the last week, and Wanted joined the list today. The bloody story of an ancient group of assassins is stylish and thrilling. And might I say, though Angelina Jolie has worked hard on the dramatic work in her career, I really like her as a bad ass. The story is interesting, the casting strong and the action sequences explosive. The designers of the action scenes did a great job with the filming, editing and style. There's a train scene near the end, that plays out like a crazy ballet of chase, gun play and thrills. Another great summer action flick, we're on a roll!

The Philadephia Story

Next up off the AFI 10 Top 10 list is The Philadelphia Story. A wonderful tale of the rich and strong headed, with an amazing, classic cast. The setting is the day before a society wedding. The family has some secrets, the press tries to uncover them. Romance enters and all bets are off. An entertaining film that was Academy Award nominated, and charming as they get!

Harold and Maude

My Netflix que has swelled since AFI put out the last 10 Top 10 list. First up today is Harold and Maude. Harold is a neurotic teen who fakes suicides to get his mother's attention. He is obsessed with death and destruction. He attends funerals ad demolitions. Maude is an eccentric 80 year old woman who loves life, growth and has a penchant for driving off in the closest available vehicle. The two become friends. Maude is a free spirit, with very little grounding in the real world, she is delicious! A dark comedy with many laugh out loud moments and a wonderful comment on living life with a Shakespearean ending, brilliant!

Friday Flick Picks 6/27/08

The enchanting film WALL-E arrives in RI theaters this weekend. I saw this Wednesday and can't wait to see it again. Be there on time to see the wonderful short film Presto. For action, there's Wanted. Assassins at their best (?!?) Iron Man, Indiana Jones, Get Smart, Sex and the City, The Incredible Hulk and Kung Fu Panda are still in the multiplex. Mongol and The Visitor are in art houses. A special treat is Young @ Heart playing at the Patriot Cinema in East Providence. A great film at bargain prices. And don't forget to check out the relief efforts for the folks in Iowa, thanks!

WALL-E

Can a film draw you in to care deeply about the main character in 5 minutes?
Can a film make subtle political, personal and social statements without being offensive?
Can a film convey romantic notions in robots?
Can a film do all this with almost no dialogue, gorgeous, exciting animation and a kick-ass soundtrack?
Yes, yes, yes and yes, if you are lucky enough to be in a theater watching Pixar's summer offering WALL-E. Enjoy!!

Flood Relief for Iowa

A little break from movies to look to the folks in Iowa who have been under water. When I see natural disasters on the news, I feel helpless. I'm glad when someone I trust puts together a relief effort, I have more confidence in the giving . Film maker, musician and MTV producer, Benjamin Wagner , together with his pals at Authentic Records, has put together such an effort. Though his home and offices are in New York City, the Iowa born musician returns to his home turf with Authentic Records as his label. Months ago, the plan was to have a rock show after the Hy-Vee Triathlon in Des Moines, to promote the release of his new CD The Invention of Everything Else. They were planning to raise money for a worthy cause, and then the cause happened. The flood waters rose, and they decided the United Way of Central Iowa and Governor Chet Culver's fund for disaster relief, would benefit from their fundraising efforts. A concert of local talent was organized, money was raised, over $3000. If you'd like to help out, Authentic is still taking contributions to help those who's lives have been ravaged by the flood waters. At their home page, click on "buy" and then the River Songs image. Every little bit helps.

A Plethora of film in DVD

This week I've seen a lot of the films out in DVD. Click on the titles to see what I thought when I saw them.

10,000 BC

The Spiderwick Chronicles

Definitely, Maybe

In Bruges

Persepolis

Charlie Bartlett

Enjoy!!

Mongol

My parents are both very interested in history. They read a lot of books about historical figures, and historical dramas are their favorite films. But this time of year, their activities usually include, gardening, travel, boating and a busy party schedule. A few months ago, my mother had to have hip surgery, then a few weeks ago, my father suffered a heart attack. Their physical recovery (which is going well) is frustrating for this active pair. Family and friends have been trying to visit, and keep them supplied with books, DVDs and puzzles so they don't go nuts, and do stuff they shouldn't. When Mongol hit our local art house, I figured I had found a film my parents would enjoy (I'm not sure they understand why I spend so much time in movie theaters). The story is about the rise to power of Genghis Khan. Little did I know, they both had a strong working knowledge of the life of the Mongolian king. The Academy Award nominated film was a treat for them (me too). My dad also has a hearing problem, so the subtitles were a bonus. In the opening scenes of the film, my father leaned over to me and said, "it's just like they described it in my books!" The film is beautifully shot. The film is also an interesting character study. Not only did we all enjoy the movie, but my parent's knowledge of that period in history made for lively dinner conversation. It might not have been a day on the boat, but I was happy to find a low key way to while away a Sunday afternoon that they seemed to enjoy. See, movies can be therapeutic!

Get Smart

In Get Smart, Steve Carell brings the character of Maxwell Smart to the big screen. As the movie opens, the cold war is over, most think that the spy agency, Control, has been shut down and Maxwell Smart is an analyst. When Russian bad guys try to steal uranium to make nuclear weapons, Smart is made an agent, teamed up with Agent 99 and sets out to save the world (cue the closing song). I thought this was a fun action comedy with plenty of laughs and surprises. Light summer fare.

Friday Flick picks 6/20/08

For me, the summer releases have been a lot of fun. The fun continues with the release of Get Smart. A funny romp back to the world of Control and KAOS. Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway do the characters of Agents 86 and 99 proud. In RI theaters this weekend there's more fun in The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Indiana Jones, Kung Fu Panda, Sex and the City and the Chronicles of Narnia:Prince Caspian *whew*. The Visitor is still playing and I'm going to check out Mongol, new to RI this week. Have a great weekend.

Films, Fools and Family in DVD

Be Kind, Rewind is a silly comedy about a love of the movies. Light fare, ideal as a rental. Another light romantic comedy is Fool's Gold. Lots of eye candy and adventure. And Under the Same Moon (La Misma Luna) has a mother and son that have been separated for years and the effort to be together, a thoughtful film. Happy renting!

The Incredible Hulk

The pleasure was all mine when I went to see The Incredible Hulk today. Marvel has figured out that their superheros just need good actors and a simple story to entertain the movie masses. They did it with Iron Man, and now, with the Hulk. Edward Norton is another actor I just adore. I was skeptical when he was cast as Bruce Banner, the scientist who turns into the green monster when he gets angry. I was wrong, he plays the character to perfection. In an effort toward anger management, he disappears to South America after an ugly incident. His return is subtle, rational and necessary. Liv Tyler does a nice job as his paramour, Tim Roth is menacing, William Hurt is ruthless and Tim Blake Nelson is engaging, all build their characters nicely. The action sequences are pretty cool. As one young member of the audience observed, "he's a good jumper!" There are two cameo appearances to watch for, from stars of the TV series (no spoilers here). Well done, a highly entertaining superhero action film to add to the summer roster. I especially liked the ending, as General Ross asks, "who's we?". Nice job!

Friday Flick Picks 6/13/08

The beauty of living in a small state, is that things are pretty close together. I'm having my car serviced tomorrow, and there is a movie theater across the street. Guess where I will be while my oil is being changed?? hehe The Incredible Hulk opens this weekend. A great addition to the other summer action films, Iron Man, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. and The Chronicles of Narnia : Prince Caspian. The kids will have fun at Kung Fu Panda, and those gals from Sex an the City are still going strong in RI theaters. In art houses we've got Roman de Gare, Priceless and The Visitor. Enjoy!

Screen Scenes : Jane Pickens, Newport, RI

I know I wrote about the Jane Pickens Theater and Event Center back in the fall, but after meeting the owner this weekend, I feel compelled to give a little shout out again. Kathy Staab bought the theater with a vision for independent film and events. Tonight they are screening The Singing Revolution, with a Q&A with the writer, Mike Majoros. 7 PM, check it out! She told me she is organizing more events like this, to enhance the film experience for enthusiasts. I'm thrilled! It's a charming old theater, the concession area is loaded with exotic candies, yummy beverages, fresh popcorn and interesting books and cards. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and when the weather challenges the old heating system, ask for a blanket. Kathy keeps a freshly laundered stack to keep her patrons comfy! A cinematic gem in the heart of Newport, RI!

Buddies, Boleyns and Bullies in DVD

In DVD this week, there's the buddy film The Bucket List. Two men with a cancer diagnosis go on the adventure of a lifetime. The medical scenes are intense, but this is worth seeing. The Other Boleyn Girl tells the brutal story of how Henry VIII treated women like objects. History in very simple terms. Funny Games is a remake of the German classic by the same director. A brutal home invasion is a manipulative turn from a director who screws with the audience and their thirst for violence.

NIFF 2008 Final Day

It's the last day of the Newport International Film Festival and everyone is exhausted. But there are still films to been shown, tickets to be torn and theaters to be cleaned. Not sure what to make of finding a toothbrush in a cup holder after a screening of The Red Balloon today (did I say I liked cleaning the theater?). A double dutch demonstration in Washington Park, from the kids in the documentary Double Time, was inspiring and entertaining. The festival awards were presented today, always good to put these films on your "to see" list if you missed them this week. It's been a good week of film and friends. Thanks NIFF, see you next year!

NIFF 2008 (what day is it?)

I've been a bit distracted with a family emergency, so I'm a little out of sync to what day of the week it is. Now that things are sorted out , I'm back at the Newport Film Festival and it's closing night. I arrived in time to catch a presentation by Pixar animator and director, Jim Capobianco, who presented the short film Your Friend the Rat, made for the DVD of Ratatouille, and a "making of" program. It was interesting. The closing night film was The Wackness. The line went around the corner by the time we were able to seat the film. A lot of laughter came from the theater and there were many positive comments coming out of the theater. The last program was two short films. I got to sit down for the second, Academy Award nominated short documentary, La Corona. The story of a beauty pageant held in a Colombian women's prison. Interesting stuff. The first heat wave of the season is upon us, but with the ocean as a natural air conditioner, it was 93 degrees at my house and 75 degrees in Newport, what a beautiful day!

Friday Flick Picks 6/6/08

Kung Fu Panda is in RI theaters this week. A fun animated adventure with Po the Panda in a martial arts adventure. Fun for adults as well as kids. Iron Man, Indiana Jones and Sex and the City are still battling out the top box office spots. All worth seeing, but I think the Panda and friends could give them all a run for their money, hiyaaaaaaaa!! Newport International Film Festival is in full swing through Sunday night. A Pixar presentation Saturday night will be worth seeing and The Wackness is the closing night film. Check out the schedule here....enjoy!

NIFF 2008 Day 1

On the first full day of film festival, I was an usher at the Jane Pickens Theater. I was supposed to man the Information tent in Washington Park, but the rain drove us inside. The crowds were enthusiastic for a shorts program and two feature films. I tore tickets, edited intros and helped clean the theater after the screenings. Also, fun to chat with the other volunteers, and catch up on what folks have been up to during the year. So many interesting people. After getting so much enjoyment from film festivals over the years, it always feels good to lend a hand at this one, if only for a few days. I'm a little surprised at how much I enjoy picking up the empty popcorn bins to get the theater ready for the next screening. I guess it's like cleaning the house before company comes, somehow satisfying.

NIFF 2008 Opening Night

Newport International Film Festival 2008 is underway! The opening night was graced with the film Man on Wire. This is the story of a young French street performer, who tightrope walked between the World Trade Center towers in 1974. An interesting man, a death defying feat and a wonderful film to open the festival. Phillippe Petit, the tightrope walker, was in attendance and conducted an entertaining Q&A. Engaging, charming and enthusiastic , Monsieur Petit took many questions. The best from a young girl who could not have been older than 11 years old, who asked "how did you feel when you took that first step out on the wire?" The answer was much longer and enthusiastic than this, but he summed up by saying "terrified and elated!" A wonderful start to the next 5 days of film here in scenic Newport, RI. Stay tuned..........

Laughs in DVD

Get ready to laugh with the men in DVD this week. Will Ferrell tries to bring the funny to basketball, but it's a bit of a swish. Semi Pro has it's moments, but it's not great. It may be more satisfying in DVD than on the big screen. Not for the kids, pretty vulgar. I enjoyed the Vince Vaughn documentary, Wild West Comedy Show:30 Days & 30 Nights-Hollywood to the Heartland. Out in DVD, watch while Vaughn and four stand up comics hit the road to spread the funny! (I've noticed they renamed the film for DVD as "Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show") Enjoy!

We Own the Night

We Own the Night is a typical drug lords vs cops story. A family rules the cop side, there is conflict and angst. Melodramatic and dark, not a happy film, but an OK rental.

Bella

A trauma changes a successful athlete's life in the film Bella. The film bounces back and forth between two stories with skillful editing and wonderful writing. Family, pain and redemption are central to the story. Beautifully filmed, I really enjoyed this film.

Grace is Gone

Grace is Gone is the touching story of a family whose mother is serving in Iraq. The father must break difficult news to his two daughters. Before he does, they embark on a road trip to avoid the news. Emotions are raw in this film. Issues of absent parents, loss, adolescence and innocence are sensitive and sweet. The acting in this film is outstanding.

Teeth

Teeth is a crazy horror film about sexual vengeance. A teenage girl has a physical condition that is every man's worst nightmare. A strange ride.

Sex and the City

On my last trip to New York City, I bought a pair of red patent leather high heels. I had been mentally scolding myself ever since, knowing that I didn't have anywhere to wear them. Then, last week, I received an invitation to a screening of the Sex and the City movie. The scolding stopped, I knew where to wear the shoes. I felt a little silly walking into the suburban multiplex in my kick-ass heels, most women were wearing flip flops and sneakers. Once in the theater, I felt much better. Many of the women were dolled up for the occasion, this is truly an "event" movie. As the red carpet coverage rolled, I was content inside my red stilettos ..... ahhh the joy of pretty shoes.

I did not follow the TV series, but rented several episodes on DVD, and have one season in my DVD collection (a gift). To me, this show is a guilty pleasure. Light viewing, great clothes, great shoes. The movie is the story of writer, Carrie Bradshaw, and her relationships with gal pals Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte, and her true love, Big. I was glad I didn't know anything about the plot of the movie going in, and knew just enough about the characters. It is about maturity, decisions, commitment, forgiveness and, yes, sex. Seeing this movie was an experience, as I was surrounded by die-hard fans, hooting and hollering, cheering and crying (I'll admit to getting choked up at least once). A fun film that will have no problem being called a chick flick, as it is that, and then some. Wear pretty shoes!

Son of Rambow

When it's Memorial Day, the skies are sunny and the temps are in the seventies, not many people go to the movies. Hence, I had a private screening of the film Son of Rambow today. Yup, me and the movie *sigh* Son of Rambow is the story of two boys making their own home movie version of First Blood. One boy has an amazing imagination, the other, big dreams and ambitions. This British film is charming, funny, touching and creative. Family, friends and adolescence are dealt with well. I left the theater with a spring in my step, the film made my day.

Philosophical Thriller in DVD

The Air I Breathe is the only film I've seen released to DVD this week. A crazy thriller, with a dark tone and life philosophies. A decent rental.

The Visitor

In The Visitor, a bored professor finds squatters in his unused Manhattan apartment. Through compassion and curiosity, he lets them stay, and they become friends. Turns out they are illegal immigrants and are thrown into the turmoil of discovery and detention. The professor uses his resources as best he can to help them, friendships deepen, small gestures become very important. A human drama with a big heart.

P.S. I Love You

In P.S. I Love You a young woman is left a widow. She is sent on a journey through her grief, by letters from her deceased husband. A charming, romantic story of love, family and self discovery. A bit of a tear jerker. I liked this one.

Friday Flick Picks 5/23/08

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is the big film in RI theaters this weekend. Iron Man and Speed Racer are close behind, and fun to watch. Search the film listings for gems like Young@Heart, The Visitor, Son of Rambow and Then She Found Me. Comedies worth checking out are Baby Mama, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Harold and Kumar and Made of Honor. On a TV note, HBO airs the movie Recount both Sunday and Monday nights, set your DVRs. Pace yourselves, and have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Indiana Jones is back, and he looks good. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is the return of Dr. Jones to help young Mutt Williams rescue his mother from the jungle of Peru and the power-hungry Russians. Secrets are revealed, friends reunite. That's it folks, add a few chase scenes, some snappy dialogue and you've got a satisfying adventure film with a cheesy ending. I love Spielberg's camera work and lighting magic, dude knows what he's doing. As the elaborate scenes unfold, I couldn't help but wonder what the story board meetings were like. There's lots of crazy action, full of imagination and amazing engineering. A fun ride, but if you long for the young Indy, go back and watch Raiders of the Lost Ark, it's still the perfect adventure film in this fan's eyes.

Newport Film Festvial June 3-8, 2008

The schedule for the 2008 Newport International Film Festival is up online! It runs June 3rd-8th and is always a lot of fun for me. I work this one as a volunteer, every year is different, every year is a thrill. Check out the schedule, see a few films ..... stay tuned!

Treasure in DVD

The gang from National Treasure are at it again in DVD this week. National Treasure:Book of Secrets hits DVD shelves this week, fun stuff!

Speed Racer

At the peak of an exciting scene, during Speed Racer, a little boy in the audience screamed, "Go, Speed Racer, Go!". The little guy was pretty excited. The audience I saw this with was predominantly little boys with their dads (yay for the two little girls, two Moms and me, for the estrogen factor). Little boys have a tough time sitting for two and a half hours (so did this big girl). So, if anyone asked me to edit this film, here's what I'd do.

What I'd leave in:
The kaleidoscope of colors that bombarded us in every scene.
The portrayal of women as smart and strong.
Boys in monkey pajamas, monkey in boy pajamas.
A strong emphasis on family.
The smart, sharp, creative scene cuts.
The last half hour.
The wonderful cast that really works.

What I'd take out:
The corporate, economic mumbo jumbo (blah, blah, blah)
The guns
The piranhas

Hmmmm, that cuts about an hour, perfect!

The Chronicles of Narnia:Prince Caspian

I voraciously worked my way through the seven books in C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, when I was a kid. As part of a literature course in college, I reread the series. They held the same appeal for me, at both ages. Now, thirty years later, these books are being adapted to film, and I'm a happy fan. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe delighted me, and as the trailers for Prince Caspian hit theaters, I was psyched. I went to an early screening today, and was not disappointed. The Pevensie kids return to Narnia as the kings and queens they became in the previous tale. It is 1300 yeas later in Narnia, though only a year has passed in London. The evil uncle of Prince Caspian is trying to get rid of him, and keep Narnia in exile, but many battles, and the eventual intervention of Aslan prevail. There are plenty of battle scenes, well placed moments of humor and a story that was adapted better than I expected. All time favorites of mine, Peter Dinklage and Eddie Izzard give strong performances to tell this epic story.

Canvas

Mental illness is rough on the patient and the family. The film Canvas is a compassionate depiction of schizophrenia, in a woman whose husband and young son find ways to deal. Joe Pantoliano gave an excellent radio interview a few months ago, when the film was released to theaters. A true advocate of mental health awareness (depression is his affliction) he was passionate and articulate. The performances are strong, and accurate. This film is uplifting, honest and sensitive. I liked how the title of the film becomes relevant in one of the final scenes, quite touching. Out in DVD, this one is well worth a look.

Friday Flick Picks 5/16/08

New to RI theaters this week is The Chronicles of Narnia : Prince Caspian. This is the second, of the seven book series, adapted to film. The children return to Narnia to find folks in exile and Prince Caspian battling his evil uncle. If you take little ones, talk to them about movie violence and battle death, this one is heavy on both. My Blueberry Nights is at the Opera House in Newport. Also in art houses is Young@ Heart and The Band's Visit. For comedy there's Baby Mama, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Harold and Kumar. Iron Man, Redbelt and Speed Racer round out the action films at the megaplex.

Then She Found Me

The Second Monday Series of the Newport Film Festival has been a lot of fun. Last night they screened the new film, from Helen Hunt, titled Then She Found Me. A story of love, betrayal, family, adoption and life, told with love and humor. Well written and well acted, with an amazing cast. The film is based on a novel by Elinor Lipman, who conducted an informative, entertaining Q&A after the film. Wonderful film that's worth a look.

Debate and Divas in DVD

Out in DVD this week, The Great Debaters is a solid drama about a college debate team. On a totally different note, the frivolous Mad Money hits DVD lists as well. Both good rentals, enjoy!

Redbelt

The fight drama Redbelt found it's way into the Top 10 of Box Office sales this weekend. A Jiu-Jitsu studio owner has philosophies, ethics and compassion. He can also kick ass. He has no money, and is lured to the glamor of Hollywood by a set of unfortunate circumstances. Things go wrong and he must prevail. A good sports story, I liked this one.

Flannel Pajamas

Justin Kirk is another actor that I would watch read the phone book. His facial expressions, verbal inflections, body language *sigh*. In Flannel Pajamas, he plays a man who falls in love, marries and struggles with his relationships. An interesting look at love and family.

Friday Flick Picks 5/9/08

Two fun movies open in RI theaters this weekend. Speed Racer for the kids, and What Happens in Vegas for the grown ups. David Mamet's Redbelt is here as well, a smart drama. In arthouses we've got Young at Heart and Shine a Light for music lovers. In drama there's The Visitor and the amazing Iron Man. For funny there's Baby Mama, Harold & Kumar, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Made of Honor. Enjoy!!

Dylan in DVD

The only film I've seen in the DVD releases this week is I'm Not There. A film based on the life of Bob Dylan. Not a biopic, but an interesting portrait of a life.

TIFF 2008 Day Four

The weather has turned grey and damp, so I don one of my new scarves, and head out to meet my friend Catherine for breakfast at Little Place. After breakfast, a brisk walk north took me to the IFC Film Center to see the film Mister Lonely. The film center is lovely, and the film was cool. Headed over to the east village to kill a little time before my last screening. Cafe Deville on 3rd Avenue was a great find for a glass of wine and a snack. Bart Got a Room was my final screening of the film festival. A charming story of teen angst, centering on the prom. Great film with a Q&A by the director and lead actor. On my way back to the hotel, I stopped at a party at the west village apartment of one of Liza and Ryan's friends. A subway ride back to Tribeca and I stopped in to the new Barnes & Noble to pick up a few gifts. A huge slice of Brick Oven pizza was my dinner, as I wound down from a great time here in New York. Heading home tomorrow, it's been fun!

Bart Got a Room

My last film of the Tribeca Film Festival is Bart Got a Room. This is the story of Danny, a young man who turns down a safe date with his best friend for the prom. He tries to pursue a fantasy date with some hottie, because the picture is the most important thing. Yeah, right. Danny's divorced parents try to help him with details like tux, limo, and hotel room (because, after all, Bart got a room). The circumstances become very funny. The characters are charming, this story is well written and well acted. The director Brian Hecker and actor Steven Kaplan conducted the Q&A. A great way to end my film festival experience. Thanks TIFF!

Mister Lonely

I have followed the activities at the IFC Center in the west Village, for years. Today I had time for an extra film, so I went to IFC to see Mister Lonely. This is the story of a group of impersonators, living together on a commune. This film is poetic and beautifully shot. It is a touching story of living for your joy. There is also a side story about a group of nuns who find they can fly ... sort of. A wonderful film experience.

TIFF 2008 Day Three

Relaxed this morning, then headed uptown. Chose the Triple Crown Pub for lunch, and it was fun to see all the prep for the Kentucky Derby. Coming back to the "hood" Tribeca Grille was a safe haven for a Bloody Mary and catching up on the doings in town. Met my friend Randi for the film War, Inc. at the Performing Arts Center. Dinner was great at Gigino on Greenwich Street. Another day of good film and good friends.

War, Inc.

War, Inc. is an off the hook political satire. In a fictional middle eastern country, private industry's product is war. An all-star cast brings this crazy film to life. Along with the bold political statements, there is a lot of shooting and explosions. The Q&A with the director and writer was insightful. Cool film.

Friday Flick Picks 5/2/08

Though I'm in New York this week, I'm still checkin' out what's in RI theaters this weekend. The most exciting opening is Iron Man. The story of how Iron Man, the comic book hero, came to be, is well done. Another exciting arrival to RI theaters is the documentary Young @ Heart. In light comedy there's Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Baby Mama, Made of Honor and Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. The Visitor, My Blueberry Nights and Under the Same Moon are in art houses. Have a great weekend!

Iron Man

What I loved about Iron Man :

Robert Downey, Jr. *sigh* as the suave, smart Tony Stark.

Humor that was perfectly placed and became part of the action.

The coolest super hero suit ever.

Bad guys that got what was coming to them.

Gwyneth Paltrow playing a smart, light role as Stark's assistant, Pepper Potts. (in kick-ass high heels)

A story that explains the origin of Iron Man and sets up adventures to come.
Enjoy!

TIFF 2008 Day Two

Though I have all my tickets for the film festival, this morning my mission was to obtain tickets for the opening night of Iron Man. The Regal Theater at Battery Park is not as busy as the mid-town theaters, but I like to have tickets in hand. I arrived at the theater before the box office opened, but the ticket kiosks were working, so I had two tickets in short order. There is a DSW in the building, so I felt drawn to the clearance racks. A sassy pair of red high heels found their way into my shoe collection, it was a productive morning. Strolled back to the hotel through Rockefeller Park and enjoyed the river, the kids playing, elderly folks doing tai chi, students on their lunch break and the sparkling morning sunshine. I grabbed a quick bite at the New York City Hot Dog Company, home of every kind of hot dog known to man, and headed to the subway. Back to the AMC 19 for a screening of the comedy thriller Baghead. An excellent film! I shopped my way back to the hotel. Scored a new purse and a few scarves (it's a little cooler than I expected) on Canal Street. Liza met me for dinner at Mary Ann's, a cool little Mexican restaurant *delish*. Then off to the theater for Iron Man. Of course we stopped in to DSW again, and this time, Liza found a pair of red, platform high heels ... sweet! The movie was great, the shopping was great, the food was great...... hmm, another great day! On the way home, I declared this "the day of the red high heels", stay tuned......

Baghead

Baghead is a contemporary thriller-comedy that is of a genre called mumblecore. Hand-held video camera style, mostly improvised script, very clever, very funny, very well done. In the film, four friends go to an isolated cabin to work on a film script to work their way to fame and fortune. Once there, they have trouble finding a story, and in the mean time, they think there is a guy in the woods with a bag on his head....and they don't know what he wants. The tension is great, I jumped more than once, the actors deliver, this was a good solid film.

Zoned In

In the documentary Zoned In, we have Daniel Nartey, who went to Taft High School in the Bronx. He had moved there when his family had to leave North Carolina. He sold drugs, he left behind a young son and he was still in high school. With the encouragement of a teacher, he applied to colleges and was accepted at most of the Ivy leagues. He chose Brown University for his studies. His time at Brown was interesting. Of course I loved all the footage of Thayer Street, as that's where the Avon Theater is. Though he was very bright, hard working and motivated, he still experienced a lot of the angst, discouragement and anger young college students feel. He graduated and returned to the Bronx as a history teacher. This film spanned 9 years of a young man's life, it was interesting. He now teaches at Taft and his students were sitting in the row in front of us, cheering on the film and their teacher. Pretty cool.

TIFF 2008 Day One

I woke to the bustling street sounds of lower Manhattan. My hotel is at Chambers and West Broadway and the place looks different every time I come. There's a new building going up across the street, and the workers did not get the memo that I'm on vacation. "Yo Lou" were the shouts I awoke to. Better than the drunk at midnight, loudly swearing up a storm and folks on the street shouting "shut the f**k up!" Though I was annoyed, I smiled and thought, "Ahhh. New York!"

My daughter Melanie met me for an early lunch at Edwards, a quiet neighborhood restaurant. We chatted, babies (hers arrives in October), jobs (did I mention I'm on vacation?) and family. As we started to take a walk, the brisk breeze had us rethink our strategy and we sought refuge in the comfort of Church Restaurant in the Tribeca Grand Hotel. A lovely setting with comfortable couches, a handsome waiter with a charming accent, a Bloody Mary for me (did I mention I'm on vacation?) and warm chocolate cake for her, all is right with the world.

A quick subway ride uptown to meet my friend Lucy at the AMC 19. We had time for a drink at Sala, a charming Spanish tapas bar. Then back to the theater for the documentary Zoned In. The director and subject conducted a thorough Q&A. Down the street to Duke's for dinner. A down-home, southern themed restaurant, whose menu features comfort food (yay for meatloaf). Lucy and I had a great time, we parted ways in Union Square. My iPod ran out of battery on the ride home, so I ended my day the way it started.... with the sounds of the street.

TIFF 2008 Arrival

Tribeca Film Festival is in full swing, and today I arrived! After driving for 2 hours in the pouring rain, the skies cleared as I approached Manhattan. My first mission was to collect my tickets at the box office. A smooth exit off the FDR Highway at 23rd Street, and shortly I was in front of the AMC at 19th and Broadway. At the red light, we performed a little Chinese fire drill, I went to the box office, my daughter took the car into traffic. At the will-call window, they printed all the tickets I had ordered online, and I was on my way, took 5 minutes. Great new system! I called my daughter, who had rounded the block, and was back in the spot I had left her. I jumped in the car and we headed south, sweet! The rush hour traffic wasn't too bad, Liza navigated like a champ. Dropped the car at the parking garage and checked into the hotel. Liza's boyfriend, Ryan, met us at the Italian restaurant, Ecco!, for dinner *yum*. The kids headed back to Brooklyn and I took a walk down Chambers to see what was going on at the Performing Arts Center. Watched the red carpet for Finding Amanda, looked like most of the folks were in the press area. A big limo bus emptied out in front of me, but no one I recognized. Took a slow amble back to the hotel. Spoke with Melanie and Lucy and planned our rendezvous for tomorrow. Happy to be back in Tribeca, stay tuned .....

Paralysis, Partners and Pressure in DVD

One of my favorite films from 2007 is out in DVD this week. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a foreign film well worth a look, for an inspiring story. In 27 Dresses, an eternal bridesmaid gets a shot at romance in this romantic comedy. (filmed in RI, woo hoo!) The fantasy film The Golden Compass, is also available in DVD. The adventure and visuals make this one worth a look.

Young @ Heart

The Young @ Heart Chorus is an inspiration. This afternoon, I saw a screening of the new documentary Young @ Heart, and after the film, the chorus performed! In a word, it was amazing! The Young @ Heart Chorus is a group out of North Hampton, MA, comprised of 70 and 80 somethings. Despite the gray hair, gnarled fingers and bum hips and knees, these people have more spunk, heart, talent and energy than most people I know. They are internationally acclaimed and, oh, did I mention their set lists features cover songs from the Rolling Stones to Radiohead? The film is well done, but it had nothing on the performance. It was the first time the group had performed with the film. They sang over a dozen songs, and at one point a young man was enticed to get up on the stage and shake it down with the group during Walk on the Wild Side. It was great! I was sitting between a couple in their early 30s, on my left, rockin' to the tunes of Sonic Youth, and, on my right, a couple in their eighties, who's daughter in California had bought their tickets. The wife was singing along during Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark. There were many standing ovations, the Q&A was lively, and for me, this afternoon was true testimony to two old adages, "music is the universal language" and "age is only a number"! See this film when it comes to your town, it is inspiring!

Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

I loved Harold and Kumar go to White Castle. A funny, irreverent stoner movie with a heart. I'm always surprised by how much I enjoy these boys. Their return to the big screen in Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay picks up at the preparations to go to Amsterdam. Things go very badly in transit, and the road trip is on. Ruder and cruder than the first, politically incorrect as it gets, and still very funny. Love still motivates the boys, but be prepared, even the 5 twenty-something guys sitting in front of me were grossed out more than once (as they laughed hysterically). Neil Patrick Harris is a comedic genius. Once again, playing himself as a character, he's offensive as all hell and funny as it gets (stay through the credits if you want to see more of him).

Friday Flick Picks 4/25/08

I need to start by saying how intimidated I was this morning, to follow an interview with Maria Shriver, with Friday Flick Picks. *Yeesh* Gio and Kim got a great interview, she was amazing, loved it!

Gushing aside, here's what's in Rhode Island theaters this weekend. Baby Mama opens today. Funny comedy about a woman who can't conceive or adopt. There's a twist, there's great characters, there's laughs ... fun stuff! Another buddy comedy hits theaters with Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. Irreverent, offensive and, I'm hoping, very funny. If you're not sure about this one, rent Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, then decide. The Visitor opens in theaters here, and Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden was held over a week at the Avon. Morgan Spurloc was another great interview on Giovanni and Kim in the morning this week. Horton Hears a Who! and the Stones, in Shine a Light, are still in theaters, check it out!

Baby Mama

I was fortunate enough to get invited to an early screening of the film Baby Mama (thanks Kim). Yes, I saw it the day before it had it's world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival! For some reason that gives me a thrill. This comedy, written by SNL alum Mike McCullers, and staring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler is light, funny and well done.

I met Tina Fey twice, at the Newport Film Festival here in Newport, RI. Once was a casual hello my first year as a volunteer in 2002. She was in town for an improv comedy show with the the Upright Citizen's Brigade, and was on a panel about comedy. She returned to perform again, in 2004. In a comic moment of panic, I ended up driving she, her husband and Rachel Dratch to diner from the show. She is funny, friendly and smart.

Baby Mama is about a woman who can't get pregnant or adopt, so she hires a surrogate agency. I was really taken by the dialogue and the characters. The story had an unexpected (by me) twist in the middle. It has been criticized for being predictable, the performances more than made up for that, for me. The audience cheered at the end of the film (love when that happens at a movie). The most common comment I heard, walking out of the theater, was, "that was a lot better than I expected." I liked this cool spring comedy. And, oh yeah, let Tribeca Film Festival begin ... I'll be there next week, woo hoo!!!

Politics, Parents and Predators in DVD

Out in DVD this week, Charlie Wilson's War, is a film depiction of Senator Charlie Wilson's involvement in the war in Afghanistan. Good movie, interesting story. Also out, The Savages, features adult siblings, who have detached from family, get sucked back into the fold by their father's decline. A sweet look at a difficult subject, aging parents. Cloverfield is a first-hand account of a monster destroying and terrorizing New York City. I really liked it in the theater, now I can rent it to see if the story holds up on a small screen. Emotional predators can be just as scary as big monsters. In Starting out in the Evening, an older writer enjoys the attentions of a young female student, but what does she really want? And then there are the predators of the mind. In The Orphanage, grief haunts a woman, from her past to the present. Well done. Good week for DVD releases, enjoy!

Steep

My brother Bob loves to ski. When I saw the movie Steep was coming to theaters last fall, I got him a gift certificate to our local theater. Sadly, Steep never opened here, I was bummed. Then the Movie Mom, Nell Minow, posted a nice surprise. She had 3 DVDs of Steep to give away in a contest. I entered, I won! I was going to give the film to my brother, but of course I had to watch it first.

Extreme sports scare the crap out of me, but the athletes and film makers involved in this film won me over. From France to Alaska, they take on the thrill of gravity and snow. It is inspiring, even to a casual skier like me. Beautifully filmed, and wonderful stories, Steep is a compelling documentary. I hope my brother likes it, I sure did!
(By the way, I delivered the DVD to him yesterday!)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Jason Segal wrote Forgetting Sarah Marshall as a way of dealing with his own romantic breakup. Laughter can truly be the best medicine. The story opens with Sarah Marshall dumping Segal's character, Peter. He becomes a pathetic mess, and goes on vacation, in Hawaii, to console himself. Unfortunately, Sarah and her new, rock star boyfriend, are at the same resort. It's awkward, it's uncomfortable, it's funny. Peter tries to pull himself together, acts like a decent human being, follows his dream and gets the girl (not who you think). Performances from this young cast are excellent. Awkward situations, nudity, crazy sex and clever dialogue bring the laughs. A good romantic comedy.

The 11th Hour

The 11th Hour is an interesting documentary about the aging of the earth. It combines research and perspective from scientists, chemist, environmentalists and the like, with gorgeous shots of this planet we call home. I liked that the film offers practical advice to lifestyle and how to live responsibly when it comes to consumer issues that are effecting our world and its ecosystems. Good things to think about.

Friday Flick Picks 4/18/08

It's all about the funny in Rhode Island theaters this weekend. Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a risque comedy about a man trying to get over his girlfriend who just dumped him. The critics say skip the thriller 88 Minutes, but hey, it's Al Pacino, I'll take a chance. Smart People is worth a look. In art houses we've got Under the Same Moon, Red Eye and Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?. Shine a Light moves into more theaters this weekend, and Horton Hears a Who! and Nim's Island are still out there for family fun. Enjoy!

Screen Scenes : Tribeca Bound 2008

On Saturday, I got on the Tribeca Film Festival website, excited for the opening of ticket sales. I was ready. List in hand, laptop ready to go. As usual, the site crashed. As I kept clicking forward - back - refresh - your order cannot be taken at this time - sorry for the inconvenience - try again *arrrrgh* !!! I broke tradition when my daughter Liza called to say hi, and had to hear my annual "Tribeca film site is down - I'm trying to buy tickets" tirade, (this honor usually goes to Melaine). In the end I scored tickets to three films (got sold out of two) and the resolution that I'll be in New York City, whose movie theaters offer a film festival-like selection every day ..... I think I'll be OK! I'm off to NYC on April 29th, stay tuned ......

Eddie Izzard : Live!

In 2002, I saw the film, The Cat's Meow. I was familiar with most of the actors, except the British actor, Eddie Izzard. My daughter knew all about him, and introduced me to his stand up act. Smart, clever, insightful and hilarious, I fell in love with the man and his comedy. Over the years, I have enjoyed him on audio and DVD, he is a regular on my iPod. I have tried to see him live in New York several times, but could never score tickets. On a road trip a few weeks ago, when he came up in the shuffle,I had the wistful thought, "I'm probably never going to see Eddie Izzard live." Imagine how stunned I was, the next morning, when I saw an ad in the Rhode Island Sunday paper for Eddie Izzard : Live, here in Providence. I flew to the computer, handed over my money, and became the proud owner of 2 tickets to his show, I was psyched! For weeks now, I've been positively giddy about the prospects of seeing this brilliant comedian, live. I am just home from the show, and I was not disappointed. A funny moment, for me, was when he walked out on stage, and I almost said out loud, "hey, that's Eddie Izzard!" Almost like I was surprised, it was an odd feeling. The man who has been in my ears for so long, was now standing in front of me, what a thrill! He was hilarious, poked good natured fun at Rhode Island, and how to make it one (practical bloke), demonstrated the beauty of Wikipedia on his iPhone and ran through history in his rambling, conversational way. He went on for 2 hours, looked fantastic (kinda macho in jeans and blazer) and returned to the stage after a standing ovation. I now feel exhilarated, ecstatic, exhausted and entertained, I've seen Eddie Izzard live ..... bravo!

Baby, Blow-up and Blow-out in DVD

A film that got a lot of attention in 2007 was Juno. Rightfully so. The writing, the acting, the music, worthy of all the awards and nominations. Check it out in DVD this week. A quiet triumph on the screen was Lars and the Real Girl, also out in DVD. A sweet, poignant story of growth and acceptance, loved it. One of my favorites from 2007 was Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. Intense, violent, disturbing and fantastic! A thriller that grabbed me from the opening scenes and never let go. Great films in DVD this week, enjoy!

Street Kings

Street Kings was my third mediocre movie of the weekend, what the ?!?!? A decent story with poor execution, poor overacting (are you listening Mr. Whitaker?) and poor resolution. The cinematography was pretty cool, and it was a bit mind bending to see Hugh Laurie as a cop instead of a doctor (though I got a chuckle out of his character's first appearance in the film in a hospital ER) . This will be a decent DVD rental, but I'd recommend you pass in the theater.

Reservation Road

Though I saw trailers for it back in the fall, I don't even remember Reservation Road being in theaters around here. A difficult story of a horrible accident, and unforgivable omission of the truth for way to long. A young boy dies in a hit and run accident, the film explores the agony of his family and the assailant. A film about grief, justice, conscience and consequence. A very intense film.

Smart People

The family drama, Smart People, has a lot to say. A widowed father and his two kids, deal with the issue of grief. The father is a brusque, college professor who is faced with the reality of his flaws. The kids are bright and interesting, but almost invisible to him. The performances are excellent, it's a brilliant cast. The film is a bit off balance, with a choppy structure, and editing. I forgave all this with the ending. The family dynamic, love and acceptance ring strong at the end.

Leatherheads

My love for George Clooney, and his work is no secret. So, I was pretty psyched to see Leatherheads. The performances were great! The story of the early days of professional football, struggles between light and silly, to serious and political. If the editing had been tighter, this film might have worked. As it is, it languishes too long in scenes, and "the big game" is almost painfully boring to watch. In my opinion, my dear George should stick to political thrillers.

The Music Within

Richard Pimentel was instrumental in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Music Within is his story. This story is about not settling, the final scene is subtle and poignant. The characters are brave, the issue important, a wonderful film.

Friday Flick Picks 4/11/08

From the reviews I've read, it looks like RI movie openings this week, fall in the land of mediocre. I'm looking forward to Street Kings and Smart People, but what I've read about both is very vanilla. The Bank Job and 21 are decent thrillers. Run Fatboy Run and Leatherheads fall in the date-night category. For the kids there's Nim's Island and Horton Hears a Who! The movie to see this weekend? I saw Shine a Light last week and loved it. If you like rock and roll, check it out! The art houses are stocked with films like Caramel, Starting Out in the Evening and The Counterfeiters, good stuff. Happy movie weekend!

Politics, Petrol, Puglists and Parody in DVD

All kinds of films out in DVD this week. Lions for Lambs is a subtle, thoughtful, political drama. The most impressive film of the year, There Will be Blood, is out in DVD as well. Intense, creative and startling, this period thriller within the oil business back in the day, is worth seeing. Resurrecting the Champ has a lot to say about ambition, drive and check your facts, when an old boxer seems to have reappeared. A parody of the music business, Walk Hard:The Dewey Cox Story is pretty funny stuff. Have a great movie week!

Shine a Light

I've said it before, I'm not a big Rolling Stones fan. The film magic of Martin Scorsese enticed me to the local IMAX theater to see Shine a Light. The intimacy of the concert film is done well, climbing right on stage with the band. Mick Jagger is an amazing performer. Engaging the audience, the band, the backup singers, while ignoring the camera. His energy is astounding to me. Keith Richards and Ron Wood show a true joy for their music and their jobs. Charlie Watts shows how much physical energy goes into a performance, by a mug at the camera after one of the songs. Cute, and pretty funny. The film has a very light vibe, laugh out loud moments are sprinkled throughout. The editing and sound mixing work well. I got a true sense of the band's long love affair with music, performing and life. The first Stones song I ever heard was a cover of Brown Sugar, by a high school garage band, at my first high school dance. It's one of the last songs in the film, and it took me back. I sat there in the dark grinning like a fool ..... come to think of it, I was grinning for about 2 hours. Cool film that I'd, gladly, see again.

Wristcutters : A Love Story

To start, all the characters in Wristcutters : A Love Story, are dead. Each of them a victim of suicide. One of them insists she's there by mistake, and needs to find "who's in charge", so she can go home. She meets a boy, who is smitten, a relationship develops. It becomes a sweet story of friendship and survival. I found this film endearing, quirky and very likable.

Friday Flick Picks 4/4/08

There is joy in RI theaters this weekend, as Shine a Light opens at the IMAX theater (much as I love ya, move over U2)! Martin Scorsese brings the Rolling Stones to the very large screen, in a concert documentary from a show in NYC from 2006. I've seen trailers that look amazing, and Scorsese weaves his film magic around these rock icons. My man, George Clooney, presents a comedy in the film Leatherheads. Set in the 20's, a WWI vet tries to bring commercial success to professional football. Great date flick! Other comedies in theaters, Run Fatboy Run and Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. Drama can be found in 21 , The Counterfeiters and Stop-Loss. Nim's Island looks like a good family, adventure film. And finally, take those kids to see Horton Hears a Who!

Cure Kids Cancer : donate here.

Run Fatboy Run

Run Fatboy Run has not done very well by the critics, but I have to say, my friends and I found this movie very entertaining. An out of shape loser, thinks he can win the girl by finishing a marathon. He has his supporters and his detractors. There are running gags, potty humor, bare asses and the cute kid to tug your heartstrings. The "message scene" is the only place the film lost me, but it didn't last long. Light, satisfying and funny, I liked this one.