2008. Dir: Bryan Singer. Starring: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson and Carice van Houten. ●●●●○
If you are going to watch Valkyrie I implore you to leave all your baggage at the door. Whatever preconceived notions you may have about the film they will not help your enjoyment in any way. Whatever your thoughts about Mr. Cruise or Mr. Singer or any other people involved in the making of this film they are irrelevant.
Instead you should go into the cinema with a clear mind and a fair capacity to enjoy this "b"-movie thriller and you will enjoy yourselves.
That is is a "b"-movie is perhaps open to interpretation. It's cast list may include the most famous man on the planet and a classy set of british vets but ultimately the film is about the most famous failed assassination attempt in history.
We begin by meeting Colonel Claus von Stauffenburg (Cruise) in North Africa, his battalion being slowly beaten back by the advancing brits. Von Stauffenburg writes in his diary - a fascinating segue from written and spoken German to english - of his lack of faith in the Nazi party and his attempts to recruit other senior officers to help him let high command know the party must be stopped. It's a ridiculous scene, because only a fool would write what he was saying, but it helps to introduce his high moral standards before he's shot to pieces (losing an eye, a hand and 2 other fingers).
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Valkyrie
Film News (31/01/09)
A couple of new films greenlit, another finds a new financer and an exciting cast coming together, and this is only the news I've picked up on this week.
Chrionicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader
So having been dumped unceremoniously by Disney it was thought that Dawn Treader, the 5th of C.S. Lewis' novels, 3rd film, might not happen. Until this week when Fox came up with a package to launch the venture. I realise the last couple have been pretty poor, and this one brings back the insufferable Ben Barnes as Caspian, but it's by far the best book and it all takes place on a boat so what's not to love.
Jean Simmons
Happy birthday to
Jean Simmons
80 today.
Time can be very cruel to great acting talents like Jean Simmons. Unlike the bigger stars of the 50's, like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, Jean's no nonsense approach to hr performances and her less accentutated good looks mean she's been largely forgotten. However try to imagine anyone else giving Spartacus the love he needed to face the Romans and you'll realise how truly indespensible she is.
Friday, 30 January 2009
Out this Week (30/01/09)
Well, the votes are tallied and yes indeed it's Revolutionary Road that I'm recommending this week. Not that there's much competition, unless you're into multiply Lena Headey's or lots of music.
The Broken
Lena Headey (Brothers Grimm, 300) sees herself drive past in London. Naturally she doesn't just put it down to her imagination or make an interesting cocktail anecdote about it, instead she follows herself and finds she's in a thriller!
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Vanessa Redgrave
Happy Birthday to
Vanessa Redgrave
72 today
This Goddess of British cinema appears suddenly every couple of years and once again knocks the socks off the audience. She's currently rumoured to star in Ridley Scott's Nottigham, should the leaves ever be the right colour, I'm not sure who she'll be playing but it will certainly be an interesting portrayal.
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Trailers - Revolutionary Road
Yes, everyone else has already seen this, and it's opens here in the UK tomorrow (still haven't decided but I expect it'll be tomorrow's top recommendation), but I've been a bit quiet on the posting front. Three birthdays in a row and nothinge else. I've got a Valkyrie review in progress, but I've been so hectic I've not had a chance to finish it. Probably over the weekend.
In the meantime I'm sure a nice bit of Kate and Leo will brighten up your day:
Oprah Winfrey
Happy Birthday to
Oprah Winfrey
55 today
Talkshow host, sometime actress and argueably the most influential woman on the planet. Amazing, isn't it?
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Alan Alda
Happy Birthday to
Alan Alda
73 today
It's hard to believe, but everyone's favourite M*A*S*H doctor is 73 today. Alan's next film is Nothing but the Truth about journalistic integrity and source anonymity. It was released in that States late last year, but failed to garner any Oscar traction. Let's hope we do get to see it here as Alan is always worths spending some time with.
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
James Cromwell
Happy Birthday to
James Cromwell
69 today
James has recently made a nice career out of playing older statemen, be it George Bush Snr. or Prince Philip. Next on his agenda is Lyndon Johnson. Should it not work out with Obama I think Hollywood is hinting who should be next.
Monday, 26 January 2009
Personal News (25/01/09)
Albeit 24 hours late - another night involving fizzy pop yesterday.
The Bus
Rehearsals are now underway for the English Language premier for Lukas Barfuss' The Bus (or the Makings of a Saint). The play will debut at the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham on Saturday 14 March, and tickets can be bought here. This is certainly a play worth seeing; first produced in 2005, winning the Jury and audience prizes at the Moiheimer Theatertage, it looks at the issue of religion in the post atheistic society.
During rehearsals we have focused on our understanding of the characters and the journeys they make during the play. It's hard work, most of the characters hide behind a veil of lies and deceit disguising their true emotions except in periods of high stress or drunkeness. I'm looking forward to putting what we have discussed into practise.
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Running
Went out for a proper run this morning. 10.2 km in 1 hour. Not as fast as I have run but it's hell of a distance.
I'll be sore later that's for sure. (And I doubt running is the best way to deal with a hang-over)
Film News (24/01/09)
Techinically I'm past deadline this week so apologies for that, but it's not yet one hour into the 25th so I'm not very sorry. I'm also a little "tired and confused" so please forgive any atrocious spelling errors and the lack of pictures. Outside the Oscar nominations it's been a pretty slow week - casting, writers and rights only - no major projects falling away or just getting started.
The Ghost
The cast for Roman Polanski's adaptation of the Robert Harris novel is shaping up to be very interesting with Tom Wilkinson and Jim Belushi joining Pierce Brosnan, Ewan MacGregor and Olivia Williams. I've read the book and I really cannot guess who any of these people are playing, so that could make the film fun.
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Ernest Borgnine
Happy Birthday to
Ernest Borgnine
92 today
The irrepressive Borgnine not only continues to work in his 90's but also continues to say just the wrong thing at the wrong time. His admission to visiting prostitutes when he was in the Navy recently may have shocked many, but I'd be shocked if he hadn't.
Running
As promised I went out for another jog along the canal yesterday (it really was yesterday but I didn't have an opportunity to blog last night).
7.8km in 46 minutes, which means 10.3kmph. Ho hum.
Friday, 23 January 2009
Out this Week (23/01/2009)
An embarrasment of riches this week with three films nominated for Academy Awards yesterday, and a Tom Cruise film. Not to mention the highly praised Van Damme film. All the nominated films tie with 8 points, but if I had to choose it would be Rachel Getting Married, as it comes highly recommended by people I actually trust out there.
Better Things
Things are tough for the kids growing up in Middle England. A sort of Kidulthood set in the country. My Dad lives in the Cotswolds, I'm not sure he's safe now.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Oscar Nominations
I'm filing this under news, although it's been over 6 hours since the noms were announced. Apparently some people out there disagree with the choices, there's been some pretty hardline blogs about the place.
Of course AMPAS is a sham, anyway. The very idea that art can compared and ranked is farcical. Different people will always have different opinions, and just because the Oscars are voted by a large group of people doesn't mean their taste is better or broader it just means that the films they choose were more to their tastes than others. And the bigger the Group the stranger the choices might be - imagine a Best Picture line-up that included Hancock and the latest Indiana Jones - they're in the top 5 grossing films of 2008 so votes with their feet have given us these. I have never come to the end of a year and found myself agreeing with any one person about what qualifies as the best of cinema, and there is no reason to expect that a groupthink of 4000 industry insiders will agree with me.
What upsets me the most is not the anger thrown towards the Academy for failing to agree with the blogosphere by vitriol against the films that were nominated, as if it were somehow the fault of the individuals who made these films that others were excluded. It is therefor the opinion of runs_like_a_gay that we shoul celebrate the success of those nominated, not whinge about those that haven't. To the 160 people (give or take the producers of The Reader)who suddenly got automatic invites to the ceremony I salute you. (With apologies for the really crappy format - the idea's better than the execution, but if you double click you can read it properly)
Piper Laurie
Happy Birthday to
Piper Laurie
77 today
Everyone's favourite mum needs to be wished Happy Birthday. Otherwise she'll pray with you.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Running
Yes, it's a running post. Well I have to justify the name somehow.
5.4 km in 31 minutes. The best so far this year, but I know I can do better. Next run on Friday (promise).
20 for 2009 - Shutter Island
Or, Now Marty's got an Oscar is he going to let rip or will this be his way of getting one for Leo?
How can I be so cynical. This is my number one choice for 2009. Against the anticipation for Shutter Island all other films look pasty and irrelevant.
There is little I can actually say to really defend why I'm interested in this film. The novel is hokey with the ending telegraphed so clearly my dogs guessed what was happening. It also doesn't have the depth of story that Scorcese is used to dealing with. But maybe that's why I'll be there. It's simplicity will mean that Martin will need to make a great film to get away with it.
Seriously if you need me to tell you why I'm excited then you probably never will be anticipating this one.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
COMPETITION - 20 for 2009
Before I announce my top pick to watch in 2009 (which will be in about 26 hours) I just want to remind you I have a box of chocolates for the first person to guess the number 1. I will even post it to you free of charge. To help, or maybe ust because I like writing long lists of stuff here is a countdown of the top 20 so far, and after the jump there may be some more clues.
20. The Lovely Bones Dir. Peter Jackson. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz and Susan Sarandon.
19. Inglourious Basterds Dir. Quentin Tarantino. Starring Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger and Mélanie Laurent.
18. Biutiful Dir. Alejandro González Iñárritu. Starring Javier Bardem, Rubén Ochandiano and Eduard Fernández.
17. The Tempest Dir. Julie Taymor. Starring Helen Mirren, Russell Brand and Djimon Hounsou.
16. Hachiko: A Dog's Story Dir. Lasse Hallström. Starring Richard Gere, Joan Allen and Jason Alexander.
15. Crossing Over Dir. Wayne Kramer. Starring Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd.
14. Where the Wild Things Are Dir. Spike Jonze. Starring Paul Dano, Catherine Keener and Forest Whitaker.
13. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Dir. Terry Gilliam. Starring Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer and Verne Troyer.
12. State of Play Dir. Kevin MacDonald. Starring Ben Affleck, Russell Crowe and Rachel McAdams.
11. My Own Love Song Dir. Olivier Dahan. Starring Renée Zellweger, Forest Whitaker and Elias Koteas.
10. Love Ranch Dir. Taylor Hackford. Starring Helen Mirren, Joe Pesci and Sergio Peris-Mencheta.
9. Public Enemies Dir. Michael Mann. Starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Channing Tatum.
8. Nine Dir. Rob Marshall. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard and Penélope Cruz.
7. Whatever Works Dir. Woody Allen. Starring Evan Rachel Wood, Larry David and Patricia Clarkson.
6. Brothers Dir. Jim Sheridan. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman and Tobey Maguire.
5. Duplicity Dir. Tony Gilroy. Starring Julia Roberts, Clive Owen and Tom Wilkinson.
4. Angels & Demons Dir. Ron Howard. Starring Tom Hanks, Ayelet Zurer and Ewan McGregor.
3. The Soloist Dir. Joe Wright. Starring Robert Downey Jnr., Catherine Keener and Jamie Foxx.
2. Cheri Dir. Stephen Frears. Starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Kathy Bates and Rupert Friend.
1. To be announced.
To find out more about any of these titles, or why I've included it, please click on the 20 for 2009 label below and scroll down to the film you're interested in.
More clues to winning that chocolate after the jump.
Patricia Neal
Happy Birthday to
Patricia Neal
83 today
Patricia deserves a mention for two reasons. Not only is she a superb actress; winning an oscar for her performance in Hud as well as wowing broadway for the best part of 40 years. She is also a symbol of hope and victory for people who suffer from debilitating illnesses. Patricia had a major stroke in the mid 1960's and it seemed unlikely she would ever work again. Through hard work and dedication Patricia went on to receieve a second Academy Award nomination (for The Subject was Roses) and is still working today.
Monday, 19 January 2009
Seven Pounds
2008. Dir: Gabriele Muccino. Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Michael Ealy and Barry Pepper. ●●●○○
Between Bad Boys 2 and Hancock Will Smith has opened 7 films with a total US gross of $1.27bn, an average of $182m. Seven Pounds will struggle to hit $75m, his lowest tally since 2001's Ali. This film does not deserve to be the film the ends Will's $100m run, although I can understand why it will be. It is a measured and sophisticated look at the nature of love and sacrifice, it touches on how you deal with guilt and the nature of goodness, it is at heart a very bleak story with a flwaed hero. It is a film which I am glad to recommend.
The film opens with Ben Thomas (Smith) waering a "cinnamon" short sleeve shirt making a 911 call and speaking directly to camera. I won't tell you the details of this call, for fear of spoiling the effect, but we then jump back a couple of months and show how Ben got to that situation. Ultimately Ben is suffering from guilt brought on from a car crash which killed 7 people, including his wife. Ben blames himself for the crash as he was checking a text message at the time - I'm not sure that explains why so many people died (none of them appear to be wearing seatbelts in the fuzzy flashbacks, although perhaps that's how I'd feel not how Ben feels).
In order to assuage the guilt Ben is dishing out random acts of kindness to strangers that he feels deserve a better or new life, or just to ensure they live. For instance he gives his house to a battered wife and one of his kidney's to an Ice hockey coach.
20 for 2009 - Cheri
I realise that you all ar completely au fait with any bits of information I add ino my blog, and that there probably isn't a single film in my top 20 for 2009 that you aren't already salivating over (to a greater or lesser extent). However imagine my annoyance when my number 2 choice was pre-annouced by the Berlinale 09 announcement last week.
I know that the festival wants to big up it's attendees in order to get some good advance publicity, and if the delectable Michelle Pfeiffer were coming to my festival then everyone would know, but in all fairness I think they should have timed their annoucement to coincide with mine.
Doesn't she look lovely?
Cheri is based on a classic French novel by Colette, first published in 1920. It tells the story of an aging courtesan (Pfeiffer) and the death of her love affair with the incredibly handsome younger man Colette (Rupert Friend). The novel itself is beautifully written, even in translation you can see the poetry dripping off the page. The story is slow but measured as you pass from the immense happiness Lea feels when with her lover to destruction of her self esteem towards the end.
Sunday, 18 January 2009
20 for 2009 - The Soloist
The Soloist is another film on this list which I freely admit I could be mistaken in. The delay in release was concerning, especially for a film that had already issued a trailer. Not to mention it was a somewhat pedstrian trailer.
I still want to see this film though. The true story is pure academy fodder: gifted musician goes a bit crazy and ends up homeless. Sounds like Shine to me. Only with a cello, like Hillary and Jackie. Pulls it back to play at prestigious venue at the end (um, Music of the Heart). OK I'm stretching but the true mental illness hook works every time.
I also happen to believe the talent involved are on a role. Joe Wright is following up the superb Atonement with his first "American" film and Robert Downey Jnr. will likely get an Academy Award nomination on Thursday for blacking up in a Ben Stiller movie. Catherine Keener is supporting and lets face it this is probably the role Jamie Foxx was born to play.
Personal News (18/01/2009)
Only one thing to report this week.
I went up to Stoke to complete ADR (Additional Dialogue Recording) for Could be Brohters, a short film I shot back in early December. It was really hard going over the dialogue, making sure I was adding in the right pauses and emphasis that I had done on the original shoot, as well as getting into the scene. The film is set in a WW2 allied radio post, not far from the German line, and we shot it in near zero temperatures so trying to sound cold was quite tough.
The director, Peter Pallister was great though and allowed me to work at my own pace and helped me get the right intonation. He's an absolute whizz with a camera and believe me in a few years time Peter Pallister will be a name to remember.
He's entering the film onto HD fest and as soon as it's up there I'll be linking it for you.
Saturday, 17 January 2009
20 for 2009 - Angels & Demons
I'm a fairly MOR film fan. I like films with medium sized budgets with actors and directors I respect. It is therefore rare that I get interested in blockbusters. In fact as I wind down this list of top 20 films I'm looking forward to in 2009 I will name drop a few I have no interest in at all. However Angels & Demons is one blockbuster I will wait in line for. 
Tom Hanks is running this way (without the mullet from The Da Vinci Code).
When The Da Vinci Code was released it didn't really work at all. The pace was bogged down by unneccesary exposition, the plot was unbareably convoluted, Tom Hanks hair was a disaster. Nevertheless it grossed over $200m in the States, more than breaking even and greenlighting Dan Brown's prequel.
Hopefully Ron Howard and his team have recognised what was wrong with the original and crafted a more exciting thriller this time round. It is a much better novel which should make for a tighter screenplay - no red herrings in the cast and you won't need a degree in the beginnings of catholocism to understand all the references. It's still hokum mind - an anti-matter bomb hidden under the vatican by a millenia old sect determined to destroy the Church - but if the pacing is good we can all forget about the bad science and wonky history.
There's a lot more inside the Vatican scenes so I'm expecting some gloroius costumes from Daniel Orlandi who had surprisingly little to work with in Da Vinci. Also returning is Hans Zimmer whose compositions accompanying the previous film were probably the only well regarded part of it.
Film News (17/01/2009)
The news this week has been dominated by the awards season (Golden Globes and BAFTA nominees) and to a lesser extent by the Sundance film festival which opened on Thursday. I have opinions about film awards, but I will wait until the Oscar nominations this week before I make any rash statements. Sundance sounds exciting, and there are certainly a few films showing that I have an interst in, however I'll leave it to real journalists and critics who actually go there to inform us about the atmosphere and the quality of films being shown.
Here are this weeks other highlights.
Black Hole
And so the current financial crisis and mistrust of the banking system is beginning to filter into the multiplexes. Universal have picked up the rights to Michael Gilio's Black Hole script. Alas it isn't a remake of the classic 1979 Disney sci-fi, but a gentle tale about a retired rancher who loses his savings to a telephone scam somehow related to investment banking.
James Earl Jones
Happy Birthday to
James Earl Jones
78 today
An incredible character actor, James Earl Jones bridges the gap in African-American stars between Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington. Early in his career he took some edgy and controversial parts (see the Great White Hope) and contiually proved himself as an actor. He is now most remembered for the voice of Darth Vadar, and his destinctive vocals are regularly used to great effect in many films.
Friday, 16 January 2009
20 for 2009 - Duplicity
It's difficult to say why I'm interested in Duplicity, the latest from Michael Clayton director Tony Gilroy. To begin with I enjoyed the return to 70s intrigue that Gilroy evoked in his 2007 Oscar nominated picture and I thought this tale of corporate skulduggery may be in a similar line.
He assembled a fine cast - Julia Roberts and Clive Owen, reuniting for the first time since Closer, as a pair of corporate spies and Tom Wilkinson and Paul Giamatti as their respective bosses. He brought back most of his team from his previous film including James Newton Howard, Robert Elswitt, John Gilroy and Kevin Thompson.
I'm already interested so I sat and waited for more information to come along.
Out this week (16/01/2009)
There are 10 films out this week, but there's no real competition to my recommendation of The Wrestler. I doubt it needs any introduction from me, containing as it does one of the most hyped performances of he last 5 years - the return of Mickey Rourke. If this doesn't appeal then you could try A Christmas Tale (highly regarded French film) or Will Smith saving lives in Seven Pounds.
Beverley Hills Chihuahua
Can you imagine the pitch meeting for this film. A talking pampered chihuahua needs to get back to LA from Mexico. And someone paid for it. Saying that it has made lots of cash so someone must like it.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Thursday, 15 January 2009
20 for 2009 - Brothers
Back in 2004 Susanne Bier directed a romantic drama set against the backdrop of the conflict in Afganistan, Brødre. It did pretty well, winning audience awards at Sundance and Boston, and receieving high praise for the performances by the lead trio. In the US it went on to gross just under $400k. Not bad, but nothing special.
It was enough though for some unscrupulous Hollywood producer types to think, lets adapt the story to a US setting and remake the film with a young hot American cast and make loads of money. Why not, that's been done before? You see at this point I wouldn't be interested at all. The original was OK but I found the Danish homefront scenes painfully slow and the chemistry between the brothers a little forced.
Then I saw who was involved and my opinion changed. 
As the bad boy brother we have Jake Gyllenhaal, and whilst the bad boy may be a stretch, the letting him fix my kitchen, my kids and then my hormonal urges wouldn't be an issue at all.
The army brother is Tobey Maguire. It's risky casting but the darker sides Maguire showed off in The Good German may be handy here. I don't want to give the plot away but the experiences his character copes with in Afghanistan and the PTSD he suffers on his return will be plenty of an acting challenge.
Defiance
2008. Dir: Ed Zwick. Starring: Daniel Criag, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, Alexa Davalos and Allan Corduner. ●●○○○
Last week, when I reviewed Che:Part 1, I spoke of the difficulties that are faced when distinguishing the film from the subject in biopics. Che Guevera is a hero to so many people it is virtually impossible to seperate the myth from the man, so Soderbergh and Del Toro focused on the minutea that makes Che tick rather than the broader strokes. Defiance is also based on a true story, that of the Bielski brothers who led a community of Jewish refugees in the forests of Belarus, and like Soderbergh Ed Zwick focusses on the lifestyle and hardships endured by the partisans during that first winter and spring following their escape from the Nazi's.
Unlike Che Guevera the story of the Bielski's is virtually unknown. As Zwick himself has said: "You have these chapters of history that get lost. Sometimes that's down to political agendas or because mythologies are created. Ideas and events that are contradictory to those myths often disappear. That's what's happened here. The image of European Jews going passively to their deaths is inaccurate. We hope this film corrects that view, while also exploring the specifics of the Bielski story."
We know so little about the background to the Bielski brothers going into the movie that the differing ideologies and reactions of Tuvia (Craig) and Zus (Schreiber) seem arbitrary rather than the logical conclusions based on the character motivations. Why does Tuvia carry out and tolerate acts of barbarity and torture whilst condemning Zus' desire to fight guerilla style tactics against the Nazi occupiers? Why do the brothers react in such diverse ways when confronted with the news that their respectives wives have been murdered?
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
20 for 2009 - Whatever Works
For reasons I won't go into here (although I believe it's Karma related) I don't have time to write a long missive about Whatever Works.
Suffice to say whilst I'm not looking forward to it as much as I am to seeing Vicky Cristina Barcelona it's still Woody Allen, Larry David and Eva Rachl Wood in one little package.
Faye Dunaway
Happy Birthday to
Faye Dunaway
68 today
30 years ago Faye was on of the hottest stars in Hollywood. Coming off a fanstastic streak of films starting with Bonnie and Clyde in 1967 and running through The Thomas Crown Affair, Chinatown, Network and then is all stopped after Mommie Dearest. It seems that Hollywood just can't accept one of their own could be like her portrayal of Joan Crawford and shunned Faye because of it.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
20 for 2009 - Nine
Number 8 on my list is Nine. Obviously I could have planned this better.
Nine is a film based on a musical, based on Fellini's 8½ which is in part based on his own feelings of directors block. With me so far? You see, the film involves a director struggling to make his next film, struggling because his recent work has been critically hailed and he doesn't want to make a bomb, and struggling because of the state of the various relationships in his life. Including those with his wife, mistress, mother and muse.
Admittedly films about filmmaking and musicals can seem a little daunting at first but 8½ is a comic gem as well as being a deeply personal look at the effects of leading a creative life and of alienation in modern society; and the Broadway adaptation ran for 729 performances and won 5 Tony's back in 1982 including best musical and best original score for Maury Yeston. Overall then this pedigree appears to be pretty good.
In the middle of this picture are a number of women complicating the life of our director. Women, eh?
Monday, 12 January 2009
20 for 2009 - Public Enemies
Gangsters are intensely cinematic. Gangsters from the 30's more so than anyone else. Indeed Hollywood's relationship with the 30's gangster is a fascinating account of how tastes and values have changed over the years from Scarface to Some Like it Hot to The Untouchables. Public Enemies is therefore picking up that baton and running with it into the 21st century.
The film appears to be a depression era retelling of Michael Mann's previous hit Heat, in that it will show the point of view of both the FEDs, led by Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) and the notorious, most wanted trio of John Dillinger (Johnny Depp), Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) and Pretty Boy Floyd (Channing Tatum).
We know that Mann can deliver on the action front; watch any of his crime related output to see superb examples of gunfights. He is also able to bring out incredibly subversive performances from his actors - especially from those actors taking on the criminal roles.
Johnny Depp robs a bank; with a tommy gun - love it.
Luise Rainer
Happy Birthday to
Luise Rainer
99 today
Luise is a perfect example of how success can ruin a career. Winner of back to back oscars in 1936/7 and known to be hard work in the studio Luise found herself sidelined and difficult to cast following her critical successes, retiring from cinema less than 10 years later. She's now one of the last stars to remember the 30s and at 99 we all wish her many happy returns.
Sunday, 11 January 2009
20 for 2009 - Love Ranch
Number 10 on my top twenty is the third (and last) film featuring Helen Mirren, and it's certainly a doozy of a part for her.
Based on true events the film follows the life of Grace (Mirren) and Charlie Botempo (Joe Pesci) following the opening of the first legal brothel in Nevada. In fact not only will the film invove lots of sex (well duh, it's a brothel) but also loads of violence as Grace embarks on an affair with a boxer/business associate Armando Bruza (Sergio Peris-Mencheta). Naturally Pesci going shcizo at his wife's infedelity should be fun to watch.
This is Pesci looking classy in his costume.
Personal News (11/01/2009)
Not much of an update here. We have a final cast member for Lifelong Yearning. Next rehearsal will probably be in couple of weeks time.
I also have the rehearsal schedule for The Bus (by Lukas Barfus). Yes, in case you were wondering this is the UK premier of Barfus' award winning play.
I was also asked to audition for a short film about Wrestlers (as a manager). Unfortunately the ilming dates are a bit difficult for me to manage so I have had to decline that one but it sounds like a really exciting project, and timely too.
Saturday, 10 January 2009
20 for 2009 My Own Love Song
There goes the street cred.
There was a time when everyone thought Renee Zellweger was a good actress. Terrefic in Jerry Maguire and Nurse Betty. Convincing as Miss Jones and scarily thin but by no means embarrassing in Chicago. Then came the frankly dreadful oscar winning performance, you know of what I speak, and since then Renee hasn't managed to pick up a decent part. Often even get worst in show kind of reviews.
I am convinced this is temporary and furthermore this project may just show her turning a corner. In My Own Love Song she plays a disabled singer (shades of Passion Fish) who travels to Memphis with her best friend Forest Whitaker. As they make their journey the bond between them strengthens as they support each opther through the past tragedies of their lives.
Film News (10/01/2009)
Tintin
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost will continue to be best buddies in films as they have signed on as Thompson and Thomson in Spielberg's long awaited Tintin adaptation. This is great news. I love the comeraderie the pair have brought together in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, should be a riot to watch them bumble around together.
By the way have a look here for a fascinating article in the Times this week arguing the 80 year old Tintin might just need a good man in order to settle down.
20 for 2009 State of Play
Life got in the way on Thursday so I wasn't able to do a 20 for 2009 so I'll be popping 2 out today. State of Play this morning and another this evening. Indeed statistically I was likely to hit another Helen Mirren film and here we go.
Admittedly we only have supporting Helen in this one but that's better than no Helen at all.
State of Play is a big screen remake of an acclaimed BBC drama series, which tragically I missed, which follows an investigative reporter looking into the mysterious death of the girlfriend/aide of a former buddy who's now rising in the ranks of politics. The mast cast is filled out by Russell Crowe as the journalist and Ben Affleck as the congressman, although they were both called in to replace the rather more exciting duo of Brad Pitt and Ed Norton.
Here's the trailer:
Friday, 9 January 2009
Out this week (09/01/2009)
Toughie this week as two films draw on 6 coloured blobs. If you're in a mood to watch Jews killing Nazis then Defiance may be the one for you this weekend. I'm drawn that way, but only because I've already seen the incredible Slumdog Millionaire. I doubt Defiance will better Slumdog so see that and weep like a baby at the end of the feel good film of the year.
Bride Wars
Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson slum it in this tosh about two best friends whose weddings clash. Or at least Anne is slumming for Kate this is bread and butter work now.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
20 for 2009 The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
What do you do if mid way through production your lead actor dies prematurely?
Some people would close the production as a mark of respect, others would use a body double or CGI to finish the part, if your Terry Gilliam (no stranger to troubled shoots) you call in Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell to play different versions of the same character in parrallel realities.
And he might just pull it off.
This is certainly an odd film to envision. The plot, pure Gilliam, involves immortal travelling entertainers, virginal beauties and the Devil himself.
Imelda Staunton
Happy Birthday to
Imelda Staunton
53 today
A beautifully comic actress who stormed the awards circuit 3 years ago as the eponymous abortionist in Mike Leigh's Vera Drake. Look out for her in the forthcoming Taking Woodstock.
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Ron Moody
Happy Birthday to
Ron Moody
85 today
Ron belongs to that generation of broadway stars who transferred their hit performance to the screen and then were forever associated with that role, in his case Fagin in Oliver! It's a good performance but don't you ever wonder how good an actor he could have been if he didn't have that partiocular millstone around his neck?
Run Training Day 4
Hopelessly bad this morning. Should have stayed in bed - I'm sure I'd have gone faster if I did.
4.9 km in 31 minutes, or 9.6 kmph. A long long way to go.
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
20 for 2009 - Where the Wild Things Are
After a couple of days of "oh, really" here's a film I'm sure every geek in the world is excited about. Where the Wild things are is based on Maurice Sendak's classic chrildrens novel about a the wild things sprouting from a boys imagination.
Quick confession: I've never actually read the book. I'm not too old for it to have been in bookshelves when I was a boy but maybe I'm just too British with my hungry caterpillar. Anyway I have certainly seen it around and I know many of my neices and nephews are fans.
Not that I might be taking them to this - the rumours of children bursting into tears during test screenings and 60mph winds closing filming - I'm certainly going to check it out.
Nicolas Cage
Happy Birthday to
Nicolas Cage
45 today
I'm never too sure if I like Nic Cage as an actor; after all we know from Leaving Las Vegas and Adaptation that he can act when he puts his mind to it, yet his output still slants towards garbage like Bangkok Dangerous. Couple of good ones coming mind, might even go and see him in The Riot.
