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Sunday, January 30, 2011

Note: "The Company Men"

"The Company Men" review is now up on http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-the-company-men-ben-affleck-tommy-lee-jones/  It will be posted on the blog at a later time.

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Thursday, January 27, 2011

Just For Fun: Super Bowl Movie Commercials

The Super Bowl will provide the first glimpse of Hollywood's summer lineup. Paramount will have a monster studio presence during the February 6 telecast, buying ad time for J.J. Abrams' alien-invasion pic "Super 8," the threequel "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," Gore Verbinski's CGI film "Rango" and Marvel's superhero pics "Thor" and "Captain America: The First Avenger." Disney has bought time for "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," while Universal and DreamWorks' will plug the Daniel Craig-Harrison Ford sci-fi western "Cowboys & Aliens." All are high-priority 'event' movies.  

Check out the article on Hollywood Reporter:

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Academy Award 2011 Nominations

While the Golden Globe goes with "The Social Network, " it's not surprising to me "The King's Speech" leads the pack with 12 noms. Both are outstanding films, but the Golden Globe tends to go with the "popular kid" on the block as opposed to the "dark horse" ("The Hurt Locker" vs. "Avatar," "The Departed" vs. "Babel," "Crash vs. "Brokeback Mountain").  

"Inception" finally gets the recognition it so well deserves, sharing the spotlight equally (12/14/10 post) with "The Social Network" at 8 noms each.  If Best Picture goes to "The King's Speech" and Best Director to David Fincher, "The Social Network," I'd like to at least see that Christopher Nolan (snubbed or merely hasn't paid his 'dues' yet?), "Inception," goes up for Best Original Screenplay (or his film in either one of the other categories; Visual Effects/Score/Cinematography).

Best Actor and Best Actress nods stand for Colin Firth, "The King's Speech" and Natalie Portman, "Black Swan"

Check out the full list of the Academy Award nominations at http://oscar.go.com/

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Movie Brief: The Return of Roger Ebert


January 21, 2011 marks the debut of "Ebert Presents at the Movies." Christy Lemire (The Associated Press) and Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of (Mubi.com) will host the half-hour show every week.

The number of movies reviewed can vary from week to week depending on the release schedules, usually between four to six. The format will follow the original show between Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, "Sneak Previews," which started 35 years ago. A year after Siskel died in 1999, Chicago Sun-Times Richard Roeper joined him. Ebert left the television in 2006 due to thyroid cancer. In the new show, Ebert will wear silicone prosthesis, since he's lost much of his jaw due to the cancer.

The show marks the return of the Pulitzer Prize-winning critic. Ebert will host "Roger's Office" highlighting a film or film-related topic of his choice. In addition, there will be special segments with guest critics.

The show is produced in Chicago at WTTW and it will air on public television stations across the country.
Check your local PBS station for schedule.

For more information, check out http://www.ebertpresents.com/

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

"The Green Hornet"

Corny and unfunny.  I'm all for oversized ego; only if it's matched by brilliance (Tony "Iron Man" Stark, anyone?).  But certainly not bullying.  I've never watched a "hero" that is more insulting than trust-fund, boorish slacker Britt Reid (Seth Rogen).  When the sidekick, Kato (Jay Chou) is far superior, and you're rooting for anyone to remove Reid out of the equation, 'Hornet' doesn't stand a chance for salvation - except maybe for the last quarter of comic-style nonstop actions.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Golden Globes 2011

2010 was truly a phenomenal year for films!  Let's hope that 2011 will be at least as memorable.

Updated post (1/08/11) on Golden Globe nominations and pick for winners: 

Golden Globe winners:

Best Motion Picture - Drama
     "The Social Network" 
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama 
     Colin Firth - "The King's Speech"
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama 
     Natalie Portman - "Black Swan" 
Best Director - Motion Picture
     David Fincher - "The Social Network" 
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture 
     Melissa Leo - "The Fighter" 
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture 
     "The Social Network" - Aaron Sorkin
Best Original Score - Motion Picture 
     "The Social Network" - Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture 
     Christian Bale - "The Fighter"

Bring on the Academy Awards!

Friday, January 14, 2011

"The King's Speech"

What's so interesting about watching a stammering British royal in the 1930s learning to speak well? As it turns out, plenty.  

 In "The King's Speech," Colin Firth is Albert, a stuttering prince (Duke of York) on an accidental ascend to the throne. All available options exhausted, his wife (Helena Bonham Carter), finds Australian-born Lionel Louge (Geoffrey Rush), an unorthodox speech therapist who operates out of a humble family quarter, to "cure" her husband. Carter shows her softer side with a delicate piquancy in her role as Duchess of York and future queen mother.

Lionel, who later is found to have questionable qualifications, becomes Albert's private teacher and confidante. His unconventional method demands that they are on equal level, Albert simply referred as 'Bertie' (his nickname) and Lionel 'Louge' (without a "doctor" salutation). It's interesting to note that the stutterer does not stammer when he talks to himself, curses out, sings along, or reads aloud with a noisy background.

With the death of King George V (Michael Gambon), oldest son David (Guy Pearce), is crowned as King Edward VIII. Edward's relationship with a twice-divorced American commoner Wallis Simpson (Eve Best), and with whom he intends to marry, raises serious eyebrows of the parliament and church institution since he is the head of the church. Edward chooses love and abdicates his throne. Bound by duty and honor to serve the country, younger brother Albert is crowned as King George VI (father of future Queen Elizabeth II).

Since childhood, feeling the reject of his nanny, receiving negative reinforcements from his father, and living in the shadow of a self-assured brother and heir to the throne, self-doubter, naval officer Albert has been stuttering virtually all his life. He has all the right words in his brain but is just unable to orally communicate them. Firth's delivery, conveying his frustration, anger and fear over his handicap, and the extreme embarrassment it causes, is truly heartfelt.  

While a prince may get by without much public speaking, for a king, it's not an option. Impeccable speech gives voice to the face of a nation. This is especially amplified where leaders are expected to do public addresses that reach far and wide, courtesy of new technological apparatus, such as microphone or radio. Speech impediment would far lessen the ability to lead, particularly in times of unrest. With the distressing rise of Hitler and impending world war, people look up to its leader to speak with a credible and assuring voice, and hang on to every word.

With a running time of two hours, the story surprisingly maintains its momentum, although the standout scenes are clear. When Lionel's wife (Jennifer Ehle) finds out about who his husband's student really is, it's hilariously memorable. When Lionel tricks Albert to record and listen to his own voice, it's a real 'aha' moment. Firth encapsulates Albert's deepest pathos in a single scene where he breaks down in front of his wife over his upcoming coronation and reality of being king is sinking in. The first appearance before the parliament where Albert feels small and every man before him appears to loom large, is another shining moment. The accession ceremony rehearsal at Westminster Abbey is a must-see. Last but not least, the premiere of the pause-filled wartime speech is a must-hear. 

Firth gives an imperially admirable performance throughout and Rush is not much less regal. Lionel believes with sincerity and certainty that Prince Albert, King George VI is on the brink of becoming a "bloody good" king. The upclose, personal interactions between Firth and Rush are majestic. The quick-liners between them, stammer and all, flow mirthfully. Their unlikely rapport turns into a lifelong trust and friendship.

Once in a while comes a film that inspires and moves you, but rarely one that tells a story about a dry subject, which on the surface, as unrelatable as it gets since it involves a privileged royal family. Respectably applause-worthy, "The King's Speech" illustrates the power of storytelling. Hail to the king!


Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Note: "The King's Speech"

"The King's Speech" review is now up on http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-kings-speech/  It will be posted on the blog at a later time.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Movie Trend: In-Movie Dining

[Note: "The King's Speech" review will be up this week]

Audiences at a growing number of theaters can order such dishes as chinois chicken salad rolls or limoncello-tossed shrimp. More middle-of-the-road fare is also available, like cheeseburgers and chicken caesar salads. Seats in these so-called "in-theater dining" cinemas are big and plush. Lobbies are luxurious, with art on the walls and mood lighting. Popcorn is often complimentary and a full bar is de rigueur.

Check out this WSJ article on the double feature of dinner and a movie:

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Movies Flashback: The Last Decade

As we ring in the new year, I'm looking back to the last decade and putting together a list of memorable movies.  

These movies are not necessarily the best from professional critics' standpoint, although some certainly are. But they're epic, revolutionary, controversial, profound, serious, witty, smart, sweet, whimsical, sleek, adventurous, or brainless fun. Whatever it was, it left an imprint in my mind long after leaving the theater.

I've been asked why I love movies (or TVs) so much. Because it's such an immersive experience for me.

Where else can I be transported into different worlds - real or imaginary, past, present or future - filled with stories, characters and creatures that I may never encounter in real life? Through the lens of motion pictures, I feel magically enchanted, visually provoked, intellectually stimulated, emotionally touched, intensely scared, courageously inspired, instantly uplifted, immensely amazed and amused.

As a friendly disclaimer, for sure there are great movies left out because either I didn't get around to watch them somehow, I honestly forgot about them, they're purposely left out due to the imposed limit per year, or if part of the series, they may be represented in other years (although in some cases, there are certainly movies in the series with far lesser quality and not memorable). I'm also a "geek" at heart, so a number of these movies may not have the same appeal to a broader audience.

Below is a flashback to the last 10 years in films: (five each year in alphabetical order)

2010 - Black Swan, Inception, Red, Shutter Island, The Social Network
2009 - 2012, Avatar, Surrogates, Up, Up in the Air
2008 - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight, Indiana Jones: The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Iron Man, Wanted
2007 - Gone Baby Gone, Live Free or Die Hard, Michael Clayton, Mr. Brooks, Stardust
2006 - 300, Blood Diamond, The Departed, The Illusionist, Superman Returns
2005 - Batman Begins, Brokeback Mountain, The Constant Gardener, Red Eye, Sin City
2004 - The Aviator, The Bourne Supremacy, Crash, Finding Neverland, The Notebook
2003 - The Italian Job, Mystic River, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, Runaway Jury, X2
2002 - Catch Me If You Can, Equilibrium, Femme Fatale, Spiderman, Tuck Everlasting
2001 - Blow, Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone, Moulan Rouge, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Spy Kids

Stay tuned for 2011!

Monday, January 3, 2011

2011 Most Anticipated Movies

Aside from sequels ("Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," "Mission Impossible 4," "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," "Sherlock Holmes 2,") and comic-based adaptations ("Captain America: The First Avenger," "Green Lantern," "Thor," "Transformers: The Dark of the Moon," "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn," "X-Men: First Class"), one particular film that has caught my interest is the delayed "The Adjustment Bureau" (not included below).  Doubt it will be 2011's "Inception," but hopefully it's as promising as its premise!  

So fingers crossed 2011 is the year of surprises and sleeper hits.  Check out the article of the 20 most anticipated movies of 2011 on Movie-Moron:  http://www.movie-moron.com/?p=13779

Sunday, January 2, 2011

"Black Swan"


Shockingly disturbing. Words cannot adequately convey how hauntingly devastating "Black Swan" is.

Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a Dream," "Pi", "The Wrestler") crafts a visceral masterwork of an intimately dark portrait of a prima ballerina, Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman).

Ballet is Nina's entire existence. Being the "Swan Queen," the lead in the new rendition of "Swan Lake," becomes her sole purpose. Ballet is Nina’s entire existence. Being the “Swan Queen,” the lead in the new rendition of “Swan Lake,” becomes her sole purpose. In “Swan Lake,” a princess-turned-white swan longs for freedom, which could only be had when the spell is broken by a prince. Tricked by her evil twin, the prince falls for the black swan instead. The white swan dives off a cliff and finds freedom in her death.

Beautiful, fearful and fragile, Nina excels as the purely innocent White Swan. Sweet but frigid, precision or control is second nature to her. In order to shine, however, she also needs to be able to channel her passion and spread her wings freely as the vigorously seductive twin, Black Swan.  

In a surprising turn of event, Nina is selected as the lead soloist and then coached by the lecherous school director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel). Living with her overbearing and self-projecting mother, Erica (Barbara Hershey), Nina is constantly egged on to be the performer that her mother could not be in her prime time.

A wounded paranoid, Nina spends her life in the bubble of her pink-hued, childlike bedroom and insulated school of ballet. She's utterly frightened that an uninhibited newcomer, 'Lily' (Mila Kunis), is out to take her crown - just like she did earlier with a retiring star of the past, dramatically bitter Beth Macintyre (Winona Ryder).

"Black Swan" provides a glimpse of the rigorous practices that ballet dancers have to go through in perfecting their art. Will Nina break through her self-destructive cycle, withstand the pressure and triumph? Or will she drown in her fixation on perfection and break down in insanity?

Mirrors and contrasting colors of black, white and red are used to reflect darkness, light and blood, which are predominant in Nina's life. The music rhythmically underscores the graceful and forceful movements. While Portman's raw encounter with Kunis on screen may have stolen the spotlight surrounding the release of the film, it's a small sequence that, dare I say, doesn't have much bearing on the overall story. This transformative role demands Portman to give the performance of her life in so many different ways.

Trapped in a nightmarish pursuit for perfection, there is an aching desperation in Nina's obsession that I can't help but feel for her. At the same time, bizarrely realistic imageries in her hallucinations make my skin crawl - and it's virtually impossible to look away. Combined with distorted cuts of scenes and jarring score, psychosexual thriller "Black Swan" is on par with or intensely scarier than some horror movies.

"Black Swan" ties with soul-shattering "Shutter Island" as the most terrifying film of the year.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

10 Top-Grossing Movies of 2010

The highest-grossing film of the year is "Toy Story 3!"  2010 saw an impressive rise and importance in the use of 3D-technology in filmmaking and movie releases after the success of Avatar in the format. 

Check out this article on Film Filia regarding the top-grossing movies of 2010:

Which one of the best films of the year makes it to the top-grossing list?  "Inception"

Happy New Year!