I's time for me to be populist again, and post the trailer for a film, that I myself may not have any interest in, but which is high profile and I expect will top the UK charts for the month.
Last month I guessed Watchmen, and whilst I don't think it will be number 1 at the end of the month (now) I expect it will be number 2. Pressure is on then. April is much harder - it's not a month that big box office films generally come out over here so it's a toughie. There are 14 films opening wide in the uK over the coming months. Of these I'd say only 3 are in contention. I have discounted X-Men Origins: Wolverine as it opens early therefore only just hitting the month and probably won't have enough time to hit the top. The two films left, both opening this week are Monsters Vs. Aliens and The Boat that Rocked.
In light of the middling reviews for The Boat, and after it's impressive opening weekend in the States I'm going on record with Monsters Vs Aliens as the box office champ. Enjoy the trailer:
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Trailers
Christopher Walken
Happy Birthday to,
Christopher Walken
66 today
Walken is, in my mind, the epitome of the scary relative who nobody likes to talk to at weddings and may or may not have a tremendously horrific past. Happy birthday mate.
Running
I got a bit lost this morning so my route was a few minutes longer than anticipated. Of course that's just a rouse to avoid explaining how slow I was:
5.9 km in 34 minutes or 10.4 kmph.
Monday, 30 March 2009
Personal News (30/03/09)
I'm at that dreadfully glum stage between shows where you're all deflated form the one you've finished and not yet elated about the next one. Still need to get into the Hugh Grant alike ready for Lifelong Yearning.
Have at least started learning the script - begins with "Hi, I'm Oliver." Um, that's all I've learnt so far but it's a start.
Almost had another Murder mystery (ABBA themed this time) on Friday but it has unfortunately been cancelled. Heigh-ho.
Must go learn lines...
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Film News (28/03/09)
I could give you more exuses as to why this post is late - but I won't, please just accept my humble apologies.
Robin Hood
It's definitely coming - the Ridley Scott version of the classic tale of men in green tights. After a six month delay due to the wrong leaves filming commenced this week with Russel Crowe as Robin Hood, Cate Blanchett as Maid Marian and Vanessa Redgrave as Eleanor of Aquitaine (it's the first time I've hears of Eleanor being wove into this story so it could be interesting to see how they handle one of the most charismatic women on th Middle Ages). No casting on the Sheriff of Nottingham or Friar Tuck just yet.
I grew up loving the stories of Robin Hood so I'll definitely be in the front of the queue for this one. My concern is that Scott isn't a great director, and never really outperforms his material. Although on the plus side it's been written by Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential, Mystic River), so there could be a good starting point.
Saturday, 28 March 2009
Dianne Wiest
Happy Birthday to
Dianne Wiest
61 today
Dianne is a truly beautiful performers with a string of hits in the 80s and 90s. What makes it especially interesting is that she is as happy with comedy as with straight drama. Watch her 2 Oscar winning performances back to back (in Woody Allen's Hannah and her Sisters and Bullets over Broadway) and just marvel at the range and layers she brings to the rols.
Running
It's always the way after a week off the road, this morning I managed only a short distance but I was particularly knackered whn I returned.
It was 3.7 km in 20 minutes (I told it was short) which roughly equates to 10.9 kmph, so at least the speed wasn't embarassing, by my standards anyway.
Friday, 27 March 2009
Out this week (27/03/09)
The multiplexes are really quite busy this week, with 10 new features (as well as 2 docs) all opening. I can't say there are any that I've been jumping up and down about. I previewed the trailer for Life before her Eyes, and Knowing will certainly be the box office champ, however the top pic of the week goes to Two Lovers.
Aa Dekhen Zara
Bollywood sci-fi about a photographer who inherits his grandfathers camera and then his life changes inexplicably. I like to imagine what these Bollywood entries would be like if they were filmed in the west sometimes...
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Thursday, 26 March 2009
The Film Experience - Third Annual Actress Psychic Contest
I expect everyone who comes through here is aware of Nat Rogers and his incredibly exciting and all encompassing actrss psychic competition.
If not then I suggest you pop over to his blog and enter. It's all about guessing who will be the 5 nominees at next years Oscars. I've entered for the last 2 years (and been dreadful which is why I don't try doing predictions here) however it does add a little spice to the next 9 months as you boo all the films you haven't picked and cheer the ladies you have.
Go on, play along.
Alan Arkin
Happy Birthday to
Alan Arkin
75 today
Alan's been a key supporting player for most of his illustious acting career, but it took a herion junkie granpa in Little Miss Sunshine for him to return to the spotlight. Another decent film would be something though...
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Duplicity
2009. Dir: Tony Gilroy. Starring: Clive Owen, Julia Roberts, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Giamatti and Dan Daily. ●●●○○
2009 has now begun. We, or at least I, have seen the first film among my hotly anticipated titles for the year. The good news is that Duplicity is eminently enjoyable, with zippy direction, an exciting plot and some quality performances. The bad news is that at the end of the year I probably won't remember this film at all.
It's essentially a con-film where we know the lead protangonists (Roberts and Owen) are grifting their prospectively employers (Wilkinson and Giamatti) over a top secret product being developed by the rival pharmaceutical firms. As the film goes one we are forced to question the loyalty between the two them, their bosses and ultimately whether honesty has any place in the relationahips and cut throat society we have today.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Personal News (22/03/09)
I've been putting this post off for a couple of days and I'm not completely sure why. The Bus has now come, and gone, I don't know if any of you saw it (I doubt it) but I'd appreciate any feedback or comments you have.
The general consensus was that it needed some serious editing, especially to the first half, and the themes of the play were so tough to sit through that few people could call themselves entertained - although they were move to consider and question the nature of society, religion and persoanl freedoms. In that way the play was an enormous success. It's reviewed at the Birmingham Post, in which mine and Paula's performances are noted as being of a high standard.
Here's a, slightly stolen, production photo as well:
I'll update on other projects next week - right now I'm still emotionally exhausted.
Trailers - State of Play
I am veyr angry. Last week my trailer was for Everlasting Moments, due to come out at the tailend of April. Only now it's release has been put back indefinitely.
Honestly April was already a rubbish month - now I've only got State of Play coming, with it's derivative trailer below. Not to mention I'm on holiday when it comes out, anyway.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Catherine Keener
Happy Birthday to
Catherine Keener
50 today
It's a special day for Catherine, and a deeply surprising one too. Who could have guessed she was 50? Not only has she been fantastic actress in the past, but she has lots of intriguing projects on the way. I'm most looking forward to The Soloist and Where the Wild Things are, and I'm sure she'll be a highlight in both of them.
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Film News (21/03/09)
Sorry it's late but I've been acting my little socks off and wasn't able to get this completed yesterday. Anyway this weeks titbits that struck me were as follows:
The One
Squeezed into a routine press release about The Company Men was the great news that Kevin Costner is currently in pre-production of The One, which he will direct and star in as well as co-write with Michael Blake. So far Costner has reinvigorated the Western twice with Dances with Wolves and Open Range, so I'm really interested to see what he can do with this tale of inheritances, carribbean cruises and 21st century pirates.
Karl Malden
Happy Birthday to
Karl Malden
97 today
Karl is a bit of a miracle. He performed opposite Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront and Streetcar Named Desire and in both of them he's great. Truly a magnificent actor to manage that.
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Jaye Davidson
Happy Birthday to
Jaye Davidson
41 today
There are few actors who have made such a huge impact in their debut role as Jaye did in The Crying Game. As Forest Whitaker's hairdressing lover there was a subtle performance of quiet grief, when the twist was revealed the role appeared to be so much more. Of course he only made one more film (the £Million paycheck of Stargate) then returned to the real world. To do that takes a lot of guts, and for that (and for being a gorgeous woman as we as a stunning man) I applaud him.
Running
I'm still not getting enough sleep, although I hope that will be remedied over the next few days.
Anyway this morning I managed 5.3 km in 30 minutes, although it's really only 10.5 kmph due to rounding.
Friday, 20 March 2009
Out this week (20/03/09)
No problems in choosing a pic this week, although some regular readers will be surprised at how little the gap is between Duplicity and the rest of the pack. I'll be honest and say some of the lukewarm - nice but not ground-breaking - reviews have toned down my anticipation a little.
The Age of Stupid
Part documentary, part animation, part Pete Postlethwaite talking directly to the camera wondering where it all went wrong before global warming went berserk. Sounds like an interesting experiment if nothing else.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
William Hurt
Happy Birthday to
William Hurt
59 today
Hurt is difficult to pin down as an actor. In the 80's he had an incredible run of powerhouse performances, including Body Heat and Kiss of the Spiderwoman. The Nineties were a bit dry but he's reasserted himself critically and commercially over the last couple of years (with History of Violence and The Incredible Hulk respectively). Nothing exciting coming up, mind.
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Running
Before you judge me, and my inadequate performance this morning, let it be known I had less than 5 hours sleep, and it was really foggy.
Saying that 5.2 km in 31 minutes (10.2kmph) is still pretty atrocious.
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Marley & Me
2008. Dir: David Frankel. Starring: Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane, Alan Arkin and Kathleen Turner. ●●○○○
I will admit I had high levels of anticipation for this scruffy dog tale adapted from the scribblings of Journo John Grogan and pieced together by David Frankel. I was looking forward to it because a) I go all gooey when I see Labradors and b) Frankel has coped well with this sort of background before and whilst The Devil Wears Prada is set against the backdrop of high fashion it is still adapted from real experiences.
However I sat there watching the film and thinking “Why have they made this? Who is it for? What is the film trying to say?” I only ask these because it simply does not appear to be about a Labrador.
Brad Dourif
Happy Birthday to
Brad Dourif
59 today
Brad had so much promise in the early part of his career, following his rave notices for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, however he was content with gimmicky horrors and a virtual cameo in Lord of the Rings. Although he does have a couple of Herzog movies on his slate so maybe we'll once again see what he can do.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Trailers - Maria Larsson's Everlasting Moments
I'm a bit of an odd fish when it comes to movie choices - whilst I don't really fit into the blockbuster hypers, I'm equally not a true indie darling. Most of the films I go for have solid pedigree, are mainly dramatic types and may even have a Oscar speech or two in preparation. As a result I tend not to see many foreign language films.
However I will be seeing Maria Larssons eviga ögonblick as it does hit all 3 of my triggers:
- Directed by Jan Troell (The Emigrants) and starring Maria Heiskanen (Miehen työ) and Jesper Christensen (Quantum of Solace, The Interpreter).
- Turn of the century biopic about a victim of domestic violence who frees herself through her camera.
- Was in the final 9 for the Best Foreign Language Oscar, but sadly missed out on a nomination.
Enjoy the trailer, and let me know what you think.
Gary Sinise
Happy Birthday to
Gary Sinise
54 today
Gary is that rarest of rare things - a right leaning actor. He even contributed to the election campaign of John McCain. Still a fine actor though, even if he is onl on TV these days.
Monday, 16 March 2009
Running
So today I'm taking a bit of a sickie. The show opened at the weekend - more on that later - and for most of the weekend I was a stinking wreck, coughing a sneezing all over the place. With a sweaty sleepless night in the middle (no jokes that was purely due to a temperature). I'm still a bit chesty so I decided to take the day off work, or skive if you want to put it that way. It's a toughie as I'm probably well enough to work, but I feel cheated out of my weekend.
Anyway I've just gone out for a long run (I know that's a stupid thing to do with a cold, but lahdidah) 10 miles in 1 hour 35 minutes. That's 6.3 mph or 10.1 kmph which is the slowest I've been in a while but I blame this bug.
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Judd Hirsch
Happy Birthday to
Judd Hirsch
74 today
To the great comedic actor and star of Taxi, hope you're having a great day. I'm loving your TV work but when are you gonna do another movie?
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Film News (14/03/09)
Quite a quiet week, with few major press releases. There was a flurry of box office news, but so far only really for the US and I'll be putting that in a single round-up at the end of the month if it translates into UK release dates.
Indian Summer
Alex von Tunzelmann biographical story about the end of the British rule in India, the politics and players at the time, and the rumoured love affair between Lady Mountbatten and Nehru has been picked up by Working Title and Paramount with Joe Wright (Atonement) set to direct. It's a pretty complicated tale, and a fascinating piece of history. So if anyone can carefully combine the elements of romance against the playing out of history I'm sure Wright can.
Running
4.2 km in 23 minutes. That's 11.2 kmph.
Went on a different route today - through a local nature park. Forgot there was a big hill in th middle of it - absolute killer - was almost walking when I go to the top, but I suppose it's all good. Very short run though...
Michael Caine
Happy Birthday to
Michael Caine
76 today
Maurice Micklewhite has had more career resurgents than I've had hot dinners, thanks to his habit of doing stretches of bad films followed by a great one. Right now he's on a roll, his last film being The Dark Knight, but nothing coming up is making me terrible confident.
Friday, 13 March 2009
Out this week (13/03/09)
Not a classic week, with most of the films being low profile or just plain meh! Personally I'm going to see Marley and Me (I know I know but he's so cute...) however the recommended choice for the week will have to be The Burning Plain.
Alone
Turkish film, about a tentative romance between a chef and a girl he meets in a bookshop, with so-so reviews, and no stars. Why is it getting 3 blobs, I hear you ask? Because there were already 3 blobs here, and I can't be bothered to change it.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
William H. Macy
Happy Birthday to
William H. Macy
59 today
Cheer up Bill, it's your birthday. Why not spend it watching The Cooler, Fargo, Mabnolia, or maybe just chilling with Felicity.
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Trailers - Duplicity
I did think that by now Duplicity would have released a second trailer. They haven't but it's still a zinger.
Out next week, starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen, it's a tale of corporate espionage and trust in a relationship built on lies. Sounds like fun.
By the way I know I normally do trailers on Tuesday, but I had a bit of a funny turn, reviewed Requiem for a Dream a day early then couldn't be bothered to fix it.
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Terrence Howard
Happy Birthday to
Terrence Howard
40 today
It is, apparently, hard out there as a pimp. That may be the case but Howard's finding it just as hard as an actor - with the big money cheque for Iron Man (Yes, he really was the highest paid actor in that) cancelled for the sequel his slate is looking abit empty. Maybe a cut in salary demands and a return to indie fare may be the best thing.
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Requiem for a Dream
2000. Dir: Darren Aronofsky. Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans and Christopher McDonald. ●●●●●
How do you begin to review a film like Requiem for a Dream, the seminal drugs movie from Darren Aronofsky? Do you talk about it's intense fluid screenplay, the lead quartets superb performances or the energetic editing?
Let's start by describing the bare bones of the plot. It follows four characters as they move from Summer, when they are optimistic about their chances and futures, toward the Winter when everything has gone horribly wrong. Each of these characters - Harry (Leto), his mother (Burstyn), his girlfriend (Connelly) and his best mate/business partner (Wayans) - downfall can be attributed to their addictions to narcotics. Indeed it's probably true to say their addiction is borne on the desperation to achieve their long terms goals, be it weight loss or opening a boutique.
Running
It's slightly depressing to think I was doing so well at the wekend, but this morning I only managed 4.5 km in 25 minutes, which at 10.5 kmph is OK, but it's not close to what I was achieving at the weekend.
Monday, 9 March 2009
Personal News (08/03/09)
Albeit published on 09 March as I was far too busy going to bed after yesterdays rehearsal for The Bus. Tickets are still available by the way. It is also worth knowing, if you're a bit of a starf**ker, that we are expecting an oscar nominated actor to be attending one of the performances, so for a chance to rub shoulders with the stars do come along.
As well as 3 evening rehearsals in the week, yesterday we had 2 run throughs. It's an exhausting play for me - I run around the stage like a looney for most of it - so by the time we had finished I was seriously ready for bed. In between the runs we had a lunch break where all the other members of the cast went off to the pub/bit of shopping however I spent the hour experimenting and practicing with make-up effects for the 3rd Act (although it's actually the second half of the 4th act). I have included a picture of my made up face after the jump - however it is a minor spoiler so no peeking if you want the end to be a surprise.
I have also received the script for Deep Self. This is the new film by Peter Pallister, who directed Could be Brothers the World War 2 short I was in before Christmas. Deep Self concerns a medical trial on the effects of flotation tanks on the mind, it's set in the hospital facility and also follows a trip sequence. I play the guy undertaking the trial, which should be a fun role. However I am dreading some of the filming - there seems to be a scene that involves nudity and swimming in a lake. Now I have no problems with nudity or swimming, however we're shooting during April and I don't want little Ben to be very little Ben! Anyone got any ideas?
Juliette Binoche
Happy Birthday to
Juliette Binoche
45 today
Certainly one of the most naturally beautiful and talented actresses today. An capable of just going off on a modern dance tour at a moments notice. What a goddess.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Running
Like Nero, who fiddled as Rome burned, I'm running more as we get closer to opening night. It's an extreme example but I'm sure you understand.
4.9 km in 26 minutes or 11.1 kmph.
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Film News (07/03/09)
It's been a pretty odd week for news, nothing on Monday or Tuesday. Loads on Wednesday then 2 more days of nothing. What's going on? Have all the Hollywood PR chaps on parttime hours to help the studios during the credit crunch. Anyhoo here we go:
Downsizing
Now this is strange, but hopefully in a good way, Alexander Payne (Election, About Schmidt, Sideways) has settled on Downsizing as his next film and will be working with his stars from two of those: Paul Giamatti and Reese Witherspoon. The weird this about this is the somewhat unusual plot - Giamatti, in a bout of depression regarding his debt, decides to shrink himself. Now Payne's films have in the passed looked at extreme characters in a Universe we understand, so this sort of wacky premise may just be fascinating, or it may just flop.
Running
Another big one today - 12.95 km in 1 hour 12 minutes. That's 10.8 kmph - which makes it sound like I cheated or something.
Rachel Weisz
Happy Birthday to
Rachel Weisz
38 today
Yes, the English Rose that is Mrs. Darren Aronofsky is celbrating her 38th today. Congratulations. She's actually got quite a busy year ahead of her what with Lovely Bones and (if it happens) Dirt Music. I shall definitely be lining up to see her work this year.
Friday, 6 March 2009
Out this week (06/03/09)
If you go to see any of the 5 blob films this week I think you'll enjoy it. However whilst both Wendy and Lucy and The Young Victoria sound like tremendous films there is only one event movie this week - I guess we'll all be watching the Watchmen.
Flame and Citron
Danish movie about the resistance to Nazi occupation during the second world war. Flame and Citron are code names for 2 fighters (one with very red hair, the other with a lemon shaped head(!?)). In the vein of Black Book.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Running
I've been running, and by crikey do I know it.
15.7 km in 1 hour 34 minutes. Which averages out as more or less exactly 10 kmph.
I'm sooo tired, now.
Dean Stockwell
Happy Birthday to
Dean Stockwell
73 today
Whether you like Dean for his cutesy child actor period, his maturing into an young man in Compulsion and Long Days Journey into Night, or in forays into comedy and sci-fi in the 80's you've got to admit he's a right blast. I'd want him by my side when I Quantum Lept any day.
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Gran Torino
2008. Dir: Clint Eastwood. Starring: Clint Eastwood, Christopher Carley, Bee Vang, Ahney Her and Brian Haley. ●●○○○
Way back when the AMPAS used to give three awards for writers, for Screenplay, Motion Picture Story, and Story and Screenplay. I'm not sure how these match up with the current original and adapted screenplay awards, but I like to think that Motion Picture story is an award for a film with a great idea that somehow doesn't come to fruition. This year it would easily go to Gran Torino.
The film concerns an elderly Korean War Vet (Eastwood) who slowly befriends his Hmong neighbours, or at least the younger generation (Vang and Her) and seeks redemption from his past by protecting them from the local gangs. Indeed the payoff, a final shootout in front of the gangbanger house, is nicely set up echoing themes and actions that take place in the rest of the film and subverting the audiences expectations.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Trailers - Life Before Her Eyes
After the news last month that Life Before her Eyes will actually be seen in UK cinemas I've decided it will be this weeks trailer. I don't suppose it's going to burn the box office down, especially after it's damp squib of a US release but I'm still intrigued.
Running
I suppose I should just say to hell with it and set up a training programme, but for now I'm enjoying the hole running without any clear goals.
So this morning I ran 7.8 km in 46 minutes, which is a not terribly impressive 10.2kmph.
Monday, 2 March 2009
Jennifer Jones
Happy Birthday to
Jennifer Jones
90 today
Last seen falling from the exterior lift in The Towering Inferno, Jennifer was one of the biggest stars of the 1940's and 50's, famously married to David O. Selznick.
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Personal News (01/03/09)
The Bus creeps ever closer, to the point when I'm getting petrified about it now. Over the week we've had three run throughs and none of them have really gone (for me) as well as I would have liked. I have been looking at some of my lines more though and I think I understand them more than I have done up to hear, and I'm trying new things with the way I'm performing which is (hopefully) good.
Last night I performed in The Jealous Bride, which was a Murder Mystery evening performed to a Hen Night. I played Captain Horatio Weckter, and my job essentially was o guide the players through the game. It was a really fun evening both for me, and for the girls who were there. I'm hoping to do some more, so if you want to book one for any sort of corporate event then please contact Murder Mystery Meals.
Javier Bardem
Happy Birthday to
Javier Bardem
40 today
Isn't that a great photo. I have nothing else really to say, except that Javier always makes a film worth seeing, can't wait for Biutiful.
