Happy Birthday to
Jill Clayburgh
65 today
Jill's another star from the 70's who'd I'd like to see a lot more of in new films, but alas she's restricting herself to television in the curious "Dirty Sexy Money".
Happy Birthday to
Daniel Day-Lewis
52 today
It's truly an honour to say happy birthday to this titan of the art. Absolutely breathtaking in everything he does, coming up is the 8 1/2 musical, Nine and working with Scorcese again on the Francisan monks in Japan drama Silence. If nothing else I bet both will have fantastic soundtracks.
I'm going to be optimistic and put out the Everlasting Moments trailer agian. Last time I did this it took only a couple of days before it was delayed at the cinema, so fingers crossed that they won't mess with the schedules this time.
The film comes out on 22 May (hopefully).
Happy Birthday to
Ann-Margret
68 today
I think I'm safe in saying Ann-Margret is the only person to ever get an Oscar nomination for swimming in baked beans. It is totally deserved, mind.
Happy Birthday to
Anouk Aimee
77 today
How many actresses can claim to have inspired Fellini, Bertolucci and Lelouch. Just one, so far as I know, the beautifully serene Anouk.
Happy Birthday to
Al Pacino
69 today
That's right, The Godfather is 69. The whole aging process begins to sink in when you realise the greatest actor of his generation is close to his seventh decade. It may be that his best is behind him, we're definitely in the shouty Al period, but I'm sure his King Lear will be something worth waiting for.
By now you probably know I'm not really here, I hope to be watching Button and Hamilton practising on the track instead, however if the mood took me I wouldn't mind the opportunity to see this weeks big release State of Play, easily the recommendation. I'd also like to apologise if there's a Bollywood picture opening that I've missed, sometimes the releases are announced until a couple of days before so I may not have known about it - I promise to do a clear up exercise next weekend.
FAQ about Time Travel
Putting together Anna Faris and that bloke off the "IT crowd" sounds like an odd move for a film, but this lo-fi brit comedy about a group of losers discovering a worm-hole in their local may raise some chuckles.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
The Grocer's Son
The son of a grocer (natch) returns home after 10 years away from his family when his father has a heart attack and falls in love with a local girl, in this reasonably successful French export.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Observe and Report
This divisive comedy (Travis Bickle: Mall Cop) has been getting plenty of ink in the US for the unappealing and psychotic actions of it's antihero Seth Rogen. Should play better over here where cynicism rules.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Outlander
Jim Caviezel is an alien (or the looks exactly like human sort) who crash lands in Scandinavia during the height of the Viking powers, only he brings with him another alien (decidedly not looking like a human) and has to work with the locals in order to tame the beast. Um, I'll repeat Aliens vs. Vikings.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Shifty
A british film about low level drug dealers that doesn't promote mockneys or preach to the audience is hard to find. Starring Daniel Mays (Atonement, Vera Drake) and Riz Ahmed (Rage, Road to Guantanamo) as friends who's lives took different paths meeting again whilst Shifty carefully constructed dealer lifestyle is falling apart.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
State of Play
They've taken an awfully big chance condensing the acclaimed BBC miniseries about political corruption and journalistic integrity into a big screen format, hopefully it's been worth the wait.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●○○○
The Uninvited
Horror movie with a ghosts, vindictive step-mothers and mental hospitals. Anyone looking for a cliche this weekend then look no further.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Happy Birthday to
Shirley Maclaine
75 today
Who can possible argue that Shirley wasn't beautiful, even if it's in an unusual elfin kind of way. She's still working too, although mainly it's utter crud. Can no-one find her a part that deserves her talent?
Happy Birthday to
Judy Davis
54 today
Judy doesn't do as much as she could (why do I only like women who won't work). Her last film was in 2006 - although I suppose she makes more money in TV so who can blame her.
1943. Dir: Zoltan Korda. Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Bruce Bennett, J. Carroll Naish, Llyod Bridges and Rex Ingram. ●●○○○
Good news! I'm not talking about the godawful 2005 film with Matthew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz, but the mediocre 1943 film with Humphrey Bogart.
I suppose it's not this films fault that it's just a slice or propaganda with cardboard characters and unrealistic plotting, it certainly isn't the first piece of propaganda to exploit the 20th century's most inclusive artform: cinema. However as much as I prefer his politics Zoltan Korda is neither Eisenstein or Riefenstahl. Instead he pits a ragtag group of Allied soldiers with one US tank escaping from Tobruk against a battalian of thirsty Nazis.
It doesn't take a genius to work out that Bogart will hold out, and that most of the other characters are doomed. There's even a direct correlation in this film to the amount of home life you have to the speed with which you'll be killed - a fiance waiting for you (doubt you'll make it to the battle), beautiful children (shot in the back), no family at all (I'm all right Jack). What's more there's plenty of opportunity for the disparate team to share war stories and make impassioned speeches about the importance of freedom.
Even the Italian prisoner (Naish acting his little heart out and getting an Oscar nod for his trouble) gets the oppotunity to say how he doesn't understand fascism and knows Il Duce is just a flash in the pan. Needless to say the Nazi prisoner is neither sympathetic or courageous.
Saying that there are elements to like in this film. The set and art direction are top notch with painted dunes to increase the shadows. The tank is almost a character of it's own thanks to some interesting scripting and inventive soundwork.
It's just a shame none of this compensates for the sluggish direction and that feeling that we've seen it all before.
The cinema's are beginning to warm up for the blockbuster season, Wolverine is tracking well, Star Trek is getting previews, but the big one in May I'm looking forward to is Angels & Demons the better written prequel of The Da Vinci Code. I doubt it needs any introduction, but in case it involves Tom Hanks running around the Vatican and CERN trying to stop a plot to blow up all the Cardinals. Here's the second trailer. Enjoy.
The film is released on 15 May.
Happy Birthday to
Jessica Lange
60 today
I do worry about Miss Lange. She's a fantastic actress who is still getting rave reviews (see the web buzz about Grey Gardens) however whenever you see her she seems a bit nervy. Maybe it's all the doomed women she played earlier in her career (Patsy Cline, Frances Farmer).
I've been quiet on the personal news front for the last couple of weeks, but then things have been quite quiet for me, until now.
Deep Self is filming tomorrow and Tuesday. Cross fingers for good weather. And that I don't look too bad naked in digital...
The rehearsals for Lifelong Yearning have now started. Will finally get the whole cast together today, as we complete the blocking. Tickets are on sale at the various venues if you're interested. Kiddrminster Rose, Oldbury Rep, Highbury and Baron's Court London.
IN non-acting news I am off on holiday this week, after filming of Deep Self finishes I'm off to London and then flying out to Bahrain for the Grand Prix (and to visit my sister who lives out there). I've schedules the birthday, trailers, new release and review posts to go out without me (hang on, why do I do any of this I don't appear to be needed at all). Film News will have to have a week off, and as you know the running's been a little off the past couple of weeks. I will get back into that on my return (with a trainig schedule and everything).
I hope you all have a great time in my absense - I know I will.
Happy Birthday to
Catalina Sandino Moreno
28 today
Catalina became a virtual overnight success following her breakthrough performance in Maria, Full of Grace (pictured) as a Columbian girl forced to be a drugs mule to escape her poverty stricken life. Since then there has been a number of quiet roles in high profiles films, including the Che biopics.
For a couple of days it was pretty touch and go whether I would have an article this week, the news from Hollywood has been so slow. Eventually we had one fantastic piece of news so I've coupled that with a couple of non stories and here we go:
Somewhere
The best piece of news is that Sofia Coppola will be directing another film about alienation and disconnection from society. This time starring Stephen Dorff (was it only last weekend I was drooling over him in Cold Creek Manor - is it a coincidence or is Sofia reading my mind) as a self centred actor (huh?) with Elle Fanning turning up for some love and life lessons from her father. Like the beautiful Lost in Translation, Somewhere will be predominantly set in a hotel: LA's Chateau Marmont.
I have been a fan of Coppola Jnr. since The Virgin Diaries, and this project should be right up her alley so count me in.
Robin Hood
Another week another casting for Ridley Scott's Robin Hood. This time it's William Hurt riding into the frame as William Marshall, 1st Earl of Pembroke, "Lord Marshal" and often described as greatest knight that ever lived. Now I'm looking forward to the man who made wearing a towel on his head de rigour pulling that one off.
Zero Theorem
In a possible attempt to draw attention away from Billy Bob Thornton's lack of musical career the plot for his next collaboration with Terry Gilliam has been released. It's all about a mathematical formula that can only be uncovered within your soul (and a pretty girl he meets in the 25th century version of online, and the noble son of his corrupt bosses). Sounds slightly barmy and unlikely to succeed to me - perfect for Gilliam, and with the futuristic setting it may even be a Brazil for the tens. Let's hope for no studio interference this time.
Happy Birthday to
James Woods
62 today
We're wishing a happy day to one of cinema's most accomplished sleazeballs. And a hero to all of us.
I'm unlikely to make it to a cinema this weekend, I promise to update you about it on Sunday's Personal News post (and yes, I'll actually do one this weekend), but if I were I'd definitely be recommending In the Loop, the sort of big screen adaptation of the influential BBC comedy series.
Before I Forget
Fancy a night with depressed old men, not taking their HIV medication and picking up hustlers? No, it's not Broad Street but this new French pic. Jacques Nolot writes, directs and stars.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Crank 2: High Voltage
Did you like the first Crank, where Jason Statham had to keep his adrenalin pumping and take his shirt off lots in order to stay alive all to jumpy camera work? Then you'll like Crank 2, where he regularly electrocutesd himself and takes hi shirt off to stay alive.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Good
Cracking play about the drip drip erosion of one mans moral standards during the rise of the Reich. Apparently the film somehow misses what made the play work, and the subject may have been bettered covered in the tangental stories of last years Boy in the Striped Pajamas.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
I Love You, Man
The film that has offically defined "bromance". Metrosexual groom needs to make a new best friend before the wedding day in order to have a Best Man, no doubt learns about himself in the process. Oddly the trailer seems to indicate he has a brother, in which case surely the whole search isn't needed?
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
In the Loop
Peter Capaldi and Chris Addison return in this developemnt of "The Thick of It", it's been described as a more sweary "Yes, Minister". This time they're rescuing an out of his depth Tom Hollander from his own uninformed annoucements about anglo-american war efforts.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Mini Punjab
You couldn't have a week without a Bollywood film whcih I don't even have a plot description, although I do know it's directed by Rimpy Prince, which is a fantastically cool name.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Not Easily Broken
Christian propaganda, only without the fun of Madea, although it boasts oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson. Opinions regarding quality vary, but I'll give it 3 blobs in case there's a God.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Happy Birthday to
Joan Lorring
83 today
Joan's career trajectory is somewhat strange. After a couple of minor roles she won the coveted "Bessie" in The Corn is Green getting herself in the family way to ruin her betters (so it seems). And then pretty quickly she faded from sight. Retired now, of course, but I'd still like to wish her a glorious birthday.
2003. Dir: Patty Jenkins. Starring: Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern, Lee Tergesen and Annie Corley. ●●●○○
I think we can all agree that Charlize Theron is one of the most beautiful women on the planet, and that Aileen Wuornos the Daytone Beach prostitute - whose life story forms the basis for Monster - is not. Yet somewhere along the line it was felt best that Cahrlize take the role and gain 30lbs in order to play it correctly.
That sort of dedication to a role, or to unlikely casting, is commendable. However I am forced to ask why they did it? Sure Charlize is a good actress, and having her deglamming probably sold extra tickets and maybe without that the oscar wouldn't have been won, but surely there are some chunky blond actresses that could have equally taken the role.
I will confess it does make me slightly angry when this sort of thing happens. As a character actor myself (OK, not hugely celebrated now but there's still time) I can recognise this is the sort of role where someone previously unnoticed can breakout. Charlize was already making the big bucks, the prestige performance feels like it's be stolen from someone else.
This is not to say I wasn't moved by the performance - it is very good. The tale of a Floridean serial-killing, lesbian, street walker is fascinating and Theron hits all the rights notes of desperation, self pity and seething anger. So much so that you almost start cheering her on as she murders each of her victims, although that's a function of the screenplay more than the performance.
We see 4 murders. The first (which really is the first kill) is essentially self defence, Wournos is beaten and raped but manages to shoot her captor before he kills her, but each of the subsequent kills seem less and less rational (is he a peadophile, why is there a gun in the car, did this guy just want to offer help?). By ordering the murders in this way we are able to appreciate how Wuornos spirals out of control.
For me the stand out performance is by Cristina Ricci. The Selby character, girlfriend of Wuornos, has to be by turns infatuated, childish, self absorbed and frightened. Ricci shows her range, but also makes it clear that this is the same person, it's a totally organic performance with elements of her personality showing through in all scenes.
The production design is grungy enough and top marks for the make-up department.
Ultimately it's worth seeing this film, an interesting addition to the real life serial killer genre, without it becoming exploitation, but there are too little great elements to really recommend it.
Today the internet is awash, and everyone I trust is swooning, over the trialer for Antichrist, the new horror from Lars von Trier. However here at Runs Like a Gay I take a slower pace on trailers, and try to advertise for films that have release dates. So here's the trailer for Drag me to Hell, Sam Raimi's return to the genre.
Whilst it doesn't look as creepy as Antichrist, or as funny as Raimi's Evil Dead trilogy early word of mouth is fine and I will admit I'm looking forward to being scared agian.
Drag me to Hell opens on 29 May.
Happy Birthday to
Julie Christie
68 today
Julie is one of the greatest actresses and most beautiful women of her generation, who doesn't work as often as she used but can still pull out an incredible performance when needed, see Away From Her for example. I'm most looking forward to seeing her next in the collection of shorts: New York, I Love You.
Easter has effectively made it a four day week so you would have thought news would slow down - wrong I'm afraid. In fact there's been some great stuff about and all for films which are completely new to me.
Dream House and Scarpa
Morgan Creek, the production company behind such hits as True Romance and Ace Ventura have had a poor couple of years, but this week their new figurehead Rick Nicita annouced 3 films which are being worked on. Two of which may be worth seeing. Scarpa is about Greg Scarpa Sr, the FBI highest level informant. I'm also fascinated by Dream House, set to be directed by Jim Sheridan. I love iot when serious directors slum it for the money and this is about a family who move into a house where the previous father went a bit crazy and killed the family, and now he wants his house back... Sounds like some serious slumming, and eerily similar to Cold Creek Manor which gave us Stephen Dorff putting his snakes around his old home. If Dream House is anything close to that I'm there.
Stephen Dorff - snake not pictured.
Box of Delights
The kids classic from John Masefield is getting the big screen treatment. The plot is somewhat convoluted concerning a magic box that gives the user powers of flight, time travel, ability to shrink etc which a small boy has to protect from an evil wizard. I remember loving this book 20 something years ago - much more than I remember the book itself so the adaptation may be something to really get the kids interested in.
Morning Glory
It's been rumoured for a while but this week Diane Keaton and Jeff Goldblum signed to join Harrison Ford and Rachel McAdams in Morning Glory. Keaton and Ford will play warring co-anchors with McAdams and Goldblum trying to keep the peace. Hopefully a Broadcast News for the Noughties.
Twelve
Amazingly Joel Schumacher still has a career directing (although his last effort Town Creek has yet to score a release), what's more he can still assemble interesting casts for his projects. Chace Crawford, Emma Roberts, Rory Culkin, Ellen Barkin, Keifer Sutherland and 50 Cent have all signed up to Twelve, all about a NY small time drug dealer whose best friend is arrested for his cousin's murder. Interestingly 50 Cent was the star of Get Rich or Die Trying, which is the last film Jim Sheridan did for the cash, linking us back to the first story.
Happy Birthday to
Andy Garcia
53 today
Garcia began acting in films in the early 80s but it wasn't until The Untouchables in 1987 that people began to take notice of his talent. Three years later, in the ill judged third installment of the Godfather films, Garcia stole the films from the likes of Al Pacino and Diane Keaton. Since then he's not managed to get the roles his talent deserves, although I am looking forward to seeing him in New York, I Love You.
First of all let me tell you how sorry I was for not posting this yesterday, or even until extremely late today. I went out, unexpectedly, on Thursday night and didn't get home until 8. Then the internet connection was up and down for most of yesterday. And today I've been off doing family stuff. Anyway it's not difficult to choose which film to see this week - it's foreign language and it's a horror, but against all of my usual prejudices I'm recommending Let the Right one in.
Dragonball Evolution
On the Runs Like a Gay excitometer I tend to avoid the extreme scores. A film that bad or good looking must be rare and treated such. However for this westernised adapatation of a kids manga series, which has even flopped in Japan I'm willing to make an exception.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●○○○○○○○○○
Fast & Furious
I was shocked at how well this retread of the car racing franchise did in US box office. If it repeats it's success over here we should see $14m over the weekend. That seems high, but looking at the souped up corsa's around town does make you wonder if it may be achievable. (By the way having Paul Walker and Vin Diesel to look at can increase you're excitement about a film).
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
50 Dead Men Walking
Jim Sturgess continues to make his way in the business with some challenging and high profile films. Here he is affecting a Irish Catholic brogue to play an IRA informer. Ben Kingsley supports so could go either way.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Let the Right One In
Without a doubt the top film this week. It's been getting fantastic reviews since it started the festival circuit as a major leap in the quality and mythology of vampire movies. I urge you to see it.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Race to Witch Mountain
If those crazy boys with their homoerotic car chases don't make the number one spot then this kiddie fare with Dwayne Johnson will be the one to beat it. Remake of a cult 70s hit parents will be just the right age to have seen it and ensure their kids share the experience.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
17 Again
Like Big in reverse, only Zac Efron isn't in need of a starbreaking turn and Matthew "from Friends" Perry is being sidelined in the bookends. I'm also guessing the comic potential of the set-up is weaker.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Tera Mera Ki Rishti
This weeks Bollywood release is another cross culture romance, this time with a spoilt Canadian falling for a devout girl from Amritsar. I'm guessing it all works out in the end.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Tony Manero
In this Chilean film Alfredo Castro plays a man obsessed with John Travolta's character from Saturday Night Fever. Sounds endearing, doesn't it. Only he's a serial killer!!! Can't wait for the Hollywood remake.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Happy Birthday to
Joel Grey
77 today
Today's birthday is for another iconic star, but unfortunately one who couldn't reach out past one iconic role. Joel Grey simply is the emcee in Cabaret. To celebrate here he is:
Happy Birthday to
Max von Sydow
80 today
To have one iconic cinematic image is something to be treasured but to have 2 (playing death at chess and arriving to exorcism the demons) is surely incredible - so much so I can't think of anyone else with two - feel free to disagree. Next up for Max is Scorcese's Shutter Island, as I remember the role requires sitting in a big armchair and sounding sinister - that sounds like von Sydow to a tee.
2007. Dir: Sean Penn. Starring: Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Catherine Keener and Vince Vaughn. ●●●●●
I won't be going to the cinema again until after my holiday so it's a number of random film reviews until then. First up was this smart and inventive biopic about the 21 year old Christopher McCandless (Hirsch) who gave away his college fund and led a life on the road, eventually escaping to the wilds in Alaska.
The film intercuts between 2 or 3 different time periods. The first, or last chronologically, is based around Chris' life in the wild, living in the Magic Bus (an abandoned vehicle in the Alaskan wilderness) and being completely self-sufficent. The second strand, which forms the largest proportion of the film, follows the previous 2 years as Chris leaves his parents and travels America, the third is the narration and flashbacks as witnessed by his sister Carine (Jena Malone). During those 2 years of wandering the earth, Chris encounters a number of other people who he alternatively learns from, and helps.
As with all films based on true events the structure, or at least the history, are already there. If this were an original narrative would director Penn have let it end the way it did, would the unresolved ties with the strings of encounters have been tied up, would Chris ever have understood the importance of family and love.
Instead we are forced to see how nature first entices McCandless then turns on him as thoroughly as his father used to beat his mother.
The performances across the board are incredible. Hirsch is captivating and utterly believable as the rich kid who's wise beyond his years, although Catherine Keener and Brian Dierker are the ones who will stay with me as a hippie couple coming to terms with their own sense of loss and showing Chris what love truly is. The film also features career highs from Vince Vaughn and Hal Holbrook.
The screenplay is a shade too literate, everyone is able to keep up with Chris' intellectualism and always say exactly what's on their mind, but this is a product of the road movie and keeps the plot moving.
The directorial choices of Penn are faultless from the structuring of the storylines to the occasion decision to break the fourth wall. And the use of Eddie Vedder's folk music soundtrack is inspired.
Of course I wanted to shout at McCandless, tell him not to go to Alaska, tell him to fall in love, have his heart broken, share life with as many people as possible. But then I can't, he has to learn his lessons himself, in the same way we all do and perhaps the greatest lesson McCandless learns is the one in writes in the margins of his Tolstoy novels: "Happiness only real when shared."
I can't think of a better time to show this trailer than the week Nathaniel R over at the Film Experience has announced his predictions for the best actress oscar nominations next year. Of course it also comes out in 4 and a half weeks.
He's a big fan of La Pfeiffer and naturally has chosen her for one of his slots. I'm more wary, but only because I think there can only be one woman over 40 in the group - and this year it will be Helen Mirren. Nevertheless I am sure the picture and performance will be great. Here's the trailer.
I don't think I've seen a trailer which emphasises the laughing of the characters (and the costumes) in a long time, and now I'm wondering whether it's because the tone of the film is decidedly comic or because Frears is showing us the courtesans use laughter and gaiety to hide thier true feelings (which certainly would be in keeping wit the book).
Happy Birthday to
Russell Crowe
45 today
I don't care what anyone says, there is no way on earth I'd throw him out of bed. Yum yum. Plenty of chance to see Crowe in the next couple of years, too. First up is State of Play at the end of this month. Early reviews are good, even if it doesn't reach the heights of the BBC mini-series it's adapted from. Next year we have him in Lincoln Green for Robin Hood, and he's rumoured to be starring in the Aussie drama Dirt Music.
Another example of fartlek training. 6 minutes normal, followed by 4 sets of 1 minute fast with 2 minute cool, then 4 of 30 seconds with a minute slow, then jog home.
Overall 5.6 km in 31 minutes or 10.9 kmph.
Quite a slow news week - the biggest story throughout was the Wolverive leak, but I'm not covering that - as it's hardly an interesting story of film development. We also had Aprils fools which led to a number of false rumours starting on the web. Hopefully none of what I report here is one of those. If it is then I apologise - it seems I'm the April fool.
Eastern Promises 2
David Cronenberg has exclusively revealed to MTV that he and Viggo Mortensen are considered a sequel to 2007s Eastern Promises. This will mark the first time Cronenberg has considered a sequel to any of his films, even though many have had the story continued by other directors. I think this may work, at the end of the film we understood what Viggo was doing, but not how he was planning to proceed and a sequel would be able to carry on the story of Nikolai. I don't know which other characters will continue - I suspect Vincent Cassel will retrun as the unstable and untrustworthy Kirill however I can't see a continuation of the Naomi Watts storyline - it was the least satisfying part of the first film and it wouldn't make sense to bring her back into the criminal world she really has nothing to do with.
Eagle of the Ninth
Does anyone fancy watching Jamie Bell and Channing Tatum for 2 hours in togas and centurion outfits, worrying and chasing after a lost legion of Roman soldiers in the wilds of Scotland? Me too. This is an adaptation of the best selling novel by Rosemary Sutcliffe. I hope they get a chance to talk about the merits of snails and oysters.
Inception
The cast for Christopher Nolan's next not bat film is coming together nicely. Joing Leonardo DiCaprio will be Ellen Page, Marion Cotilard and Cillian Murphy, all of which bring stong acting chops to the piece. It's said to be a contemporary sci-fi actioner set within the architecture of the mind which sounds like a barrel of laughs for next summer.
Prisoners
All very much at the rumour stage Bryan Singer is circling Prisoners with Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg as the leads. It's a crime thriller with a father of 2 kidnapped children taking the law into his own hands. Could be riveting. Could be another Taken. We'll have to see who works on the script with Aaron Guzikowski who specced the project.
Staying over at my parents this weekend, so just a quick run about town - although managed faster than I have done in a while.
6.5 km in 35 minutes or 11.1 kmph.
I should have been sleeping in - it's a Saturday people - however instead I went out for a bit of a jog.
18.3 km in 1 hour 49 minutes. That's 10.1 kmph, but I don't mind because it was a long one.
I actually had intended it to be about 1 km longer, however I reached Dudley tunnel which has no tow path. Next time, I'll know to take a different route!
Happy Birthday to
Robert Downey Jr.
44 today
Robert currently riding high on his success in 2008 (Iron Man and Tropic Thunder), both commercially sound and picking up an oscar nod for the second. Over the next year he's got The Soloist (meh comments from Showest) and Sherlock Holmes coming up. That should keep him in the spotlight for at least next couple of years.
There's a big bun fight at the cinema this weekend between two films both with the potnetial to be massive hits. And there's little else in the way of counter-programming. Like all cinephiles I will have to decide on which side of the fence I belong, and fight for one of these films to be victorious. With that in mind I'm selcting Monsters vs. Aliens as the film of the week.
The Boat that Rocked
Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral) writes and directs this light hearted romp set on a 1960's pirate radio ship. With every film Curtis makes he seems to slip further away from his best work. Shame because it's a nice looking cast.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Cherry Blossoms
Well reviewed German film about an older couple looking back at the life they had and the lives they had hoped to live against the backdrop of terminal illness and self sacrifice.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
8 x 10 Tasveer
Akshay Kumar may have had Bollywood biggest export so far this year with the Indian chop-socky Chandhi Chowk to China, but he faced a critical drubbing from the fans for not giving them what they like. Hopefully this story of a man able to go back in time to investigate his fathers disappearance will help restore his glory.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
I can't think Straight/The World Unseen
It may seem strange bunching these 2 films together however I have done it for a reason. Both films concern cross cultural lesbian romances against disapproving backdrops (arranged marriages in London and South Africa's apartheid system respectively), they're opening at the close of the London Lesbian and Gay Film festival outside of the festival circuit, but most intriguingly they both are directed by Shamin Sarif and star Lisa Ray (Water) and Sheetal Sheth as the lovers. Strange, non?
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●○○○○ (Combined score - intrigued rather than excited)
Monsters vs Aliens
Doesn't the title say it all? Dreamworks animation with Reese Witherspoon as a 49ft radioactive woman and Seth Rogen as a blob of goo. Bizarre, but fantastic concept. If I had kids I'd be right there with them. As it is I'll be washing my hair.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●○○○○
Shortkut
A youthful and heart-warming slice-of-life comedy about the trials and tribulations of the two con artists.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Happy Birthday to
Marsha Mason
67 today
There was a time in the late70s when you could barely go to the cinema to watch a comedy wihout Marsha Mason popping up in it. But then Neil Simon's popularity waned and as she was tied to his style so did Marsha. She still pops up in the odd film, and works on TV and the stage, however I'd like some to see her in another top rated comedy. Come on Apatow, give her a call, there's bound to be a part for her somewhere.
Happy Birthday to
Linda Hunt
64 today
This diminutive actress is still the only person to win an oscar for playing someone of the opposite gender. That's quite a feat, really. She's also the narrator for the tremendously popular God Of War computer game series! Amazing.
So much for that Farlek yesterday making me any better - instead I recorded my slowest run in a long time this morning:
4.3 km in 25 minutes. A dreadful 10.1 kmph.
2007. Dir: Vadim Perelman. Starring: Uma Thurman, Evan Rachel Wood, Eva Amurri, Gabrielle Brennan and Brett Cullen. ●●●○○
I had been warned, but people whose opinion I trust, to avoid this film. I had been told it was not worth the ticket price. However I am a hardy soul so armed with my £7 I trudged across Birmingham to see The Life Before Her Eyes. It is a deeply flawed film, that goes without question, however it is not as bad as it's reputation may suggest. I would also like to apologise if I leave any spoilers (minor or huge) in this review. As you will see if you ever watch the film it is difficult to discuss without the plot twists front and centre.
Talking of the plot the action flips between Uma Thurman in her perfect marriage with her gawpy eyed child and Evan Rachel Wood as her younger self in the turbulent days leading to a Columbine style tragedy. Uma adult Diana is, during the week of the 15th aniversary facing up to the horror of the incident and especially over the memory of her and her best friend Maureen (Amurri) deciding which one of them will live.
The film has two themes which in it's attempt to keep the ideas in the air fumbles with both of them. The first is the guilt of being a survivor or a random shooting. This would be an interesting and insightful message to portray if the film were waiting to throw in it's second theme, which neutralises and belittles the idea of survivors guilt. This second theme, which for the sake of spoilers I won't describe in detail, has been used before in the horror and sci-fi genre (and it's interesting to see a drama use it) although I repeat this is not the background where I would have liked to see this. If the gilrs had been in a car crash the juxtaposition of themes would have been much more satisfying.
Vadim Perelman attacks this sensitive tale with the same blunt knife symbolism techniques he used in The House of Sand and Fog. Recurring images of water, nature and decay are returned to again and again, underlining the fragility of our existance and the beauty of our place int he world around us. He is aided by the beauty of Pawel Edelman's camera, he's a frequent collaborator with Roman Polanski and I doubt anyone could light a corpse so effectively, if a little too prettily.
Other areas of the technical side are less impressive - this being one of the biggest crimes of James Horner's career.
Acting from the leads is effective if uninspiring, however the further down the bill you go the more the characters and performances seem cartoonish and amateurish. Strict nuns can be forgiven (partly due to the nature of their part in the screenplay) but there is no excuse for the shuffling non entity of Jack Gilpin. I do want to commend Molly Price, as Diana's frustrated mother she makes a stong impact and I wish we had spent time exploring the mother daughter relationship rather than just reflecting it in the mistakes made between Uma and her offspring.
Finally I just want to highlight the opening credits of the film - by far the most compelling reason to see it and could well be among the most gripping credits I've seen in years. I haven't been able to find them (either a screen grab or the whole thing as a video) but if someone can point it out for me I'd be grateful. However, in lieu of this, the camera moves in and out of focus on bright summer flowers, and as it pans the colours slip away into swirls of paint. Like a watercolour being dunked. It's absolutely gorgeous and I could have watched that for an hour and a half and really felt my money was well spent.
Happy Birthday to
Debbie Reynolds
77 today
Don't cry, dear. Don Lockwood is in love with you - you're his lucky star. Debbie is one of the greatest "stars" of the fifties, even if she is limited as an actress or singer she knows how to sell her persona. Plus she created Carrie Fisher so it's all good.
Yes, you read that right. This morning whilst out on the road I did some fartlek training. That's fast for a bit then slow then back up to fast and slow again etc.
Overall 5.5 km in 30 minutes or when rounded 10.8 kmph. When 6 fast slow cycles.
