Holiday CD Spotlight: "A Winter Gathering" by Shauna Burns

This entry was originally published on November 4, 2011

Singer/songwriter Shauna Burns puts her own unique spin on several classic holiday songs, as well as a few new offerings, on her recently released CD A Winter Gathering. The twelve selections featured on this latest effort from the Indie talent are broken into three "songscapes," beginning with "Winter Star," which is followed by "Luma" and concludes with "The Gathering." The holiday favorites sandwiched in between include "Carol of the Bells," "The First Noel" and "Silent Night."

Like her 2008 effort, The Moon and the Fire Circle, Burns takes listeners on an almost mystical journey, complete with atmospheric Celtic influences that accentuate several traditional holiday favorites. From the piano driven "Carol of the Bells" to the fast paced and lyrically different "The First Noel," Burns makes the standards sound fresh and alive. One of the strongest selections, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," features a unique and interesting vocalization that reminded me of singer Kate Bush.

Shauna Burns possesses a vocal talent that exhibits a gentle strength, which is appropriate for the traditional holiday offerings highlighted on A Winter Gathering. While the arrangement for "White Christmas" is not necessarily different from what I am used to hearing, Burns delivers an exceptional vocal performance and the selection is my favorite of the dozen songs included here. A Winter Gathering concludes with instrumental versions of "Carol of Bells" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," which allows listeners to ease out of the journey that they have just experienced on this solid, atmospheric effort.

The 2013 Independent Spirit Award Nominees

John Hawkes and Helen Hunt (pictured above), from The Sessions, are two of the worthy nominees of this year's Independent Spirit Awards, which will be presented on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Hawkes is nominated for Best Male Lead, but faces tough competition from Jack Black (Bernie) and Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook), while Hunt is nominated for Best Supporting Female. The aforementioned Silver Linings Playbook snagged five nominations in all, including Best Feature, Best Female Lead (Jennifer Lawrence), Best Director and Best Screenplay (both nods for David O. Russell).

Moonrise Kingdom was also honored with five nominations, including Best Feature, Director (Wes Anderson), Screenplay (Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola), Supporting Male (Bruce Willis) and Cinematography (Robert Yeoman). Three Spirit nominations went to Beasts of the Southern Wild, including a nod for Quvenzhané Wallis for Best Female Lead, even though she was only five years old when the film was produced. I was pleased to learn that Martin McDonagh received a nomination for Best Screenplay for the smart and often hilarious Seven Psychopaths. The film also received a nod for Best Supporting Male (Sam Rockwell).

One of my favorite films from this past year, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, received just one nomination, for Best First Feature (Steven Chbosky). I was hoping Logan Lerman, Ezra Miller and Emma Watson would score acting nods for their tremendous work as well. Finally, congratulations to Matthew McConaughey for snagging two acting nominations, for Best Male and Best Supporting Male, for Killer Joe and Magic Mike, respectively.

Here is a list of the nominees for the 2013 Independent Spirit Awards:

BEST FEATURE
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Bernie
Keep the Lights On
Moonrise Kingdom
Silver Linings Playbook

BEST DIRECTOR
Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom
Julia Loktev, The Loneliest Planet
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Ira Sachs, Keep the Lights On
Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild

BEST SCREENPLAY
Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola, Moonrise Kingdom
Zoe Kazan, Ruby Sparks
Martin McDonagh, Seven Psychopaths
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Ira Sachs, Keep the Lights On

BEST FIRST FEATURE
Fill the Void
Gimme the Loot
Safety Not Guaranteed
Sound of My Voice
The Perks of Being a Wallflower

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Rama Burshtein, Fill the Void
Derek Connolly, Safety Not Guaranteed
Christopher Ford, Robot & Frank
Rashida Jones & Will McCormack, Celeste and Jesse Forever
Jonathan Lisecki, Gayby

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Linda Cardellini, Return
Emayatzy Corinealdi, Middle of Nowhere
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Quvenzhané Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Smashed

BEST MALE LEAD
Jack Black, Bernie
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
John Hawkes, The Sessions
Thure Lindhardt, Keep the Lights On
Matthew McConaughey, Killer Joe
Wendell Pierce, Four

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Rosemarie DeWitt, Your Sister’s Sister
Ann Dowd, Compliance
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Brit Marling, Sound of My Voice
Lorraine Toussaint, Middle of Nowhere

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Matthew McConaughey, Magic Mike
David Oyelowo, Middle of Nowhere
Michael Péna, End of Watch
Sam Rockwell, Seven Psychopaths
Bruce Willis, Moonrise Kingdom

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Yoni Brook, Valley of Saints
Lol Crawley, Here
Ben Richardson, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Roman Vasyanov, End of Watch
Robert Yeoman, Moonrise Kingdom

BEST DOCUMENTARY
How to Survive a Plague
Marina Abramović: The Artist is Present
The Central Park Five
The Invisible War
The Waiting Room

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
Amour (France)
Once Upon A Time in Anatolia (Turkey)
Rust And Bone (France/Belgium)
Sister (Switzerland)
War Witch (Democratic Republic of Congo)

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD – (for features under $500,000)
Breakfast with Curtis
Middle of Nowhere
Mosquita y Mari
Starlet
The Color Wheel

Holiday Gift Ideas from It Books: Archer, Batman, Jeanne Cooper and Heart

The four books featured below are some of my favorites from 2012 and are all published by It Books, a division of Harper Collins. Click on the title of each book to read my review.

For fans of adult oriented humor, How to Archer turns the spy genre of its ear. Based on the FX animated hit series.

For the superhero fan, Wayne of Gotham features an older and weary Dark Knight. 

For fans of The Young and the Restless, Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor) tells all in Not Young, Still Restless

For the classic rock fan and the Lovemongers in your life, Ann and Nancy Wilson reveal their eye opening story in Kicking & Dreaming.


Also from It Books:

The Burning House
Talking Pictures

Remembering Larry Hagman

Photo Credit: TNT

I was first introduced to Larry Hagman while watching reruns of the situation comedy I Dream of Jeannie in the mid 1970s. His character, Major Tony Nelson, was a down to earth guy who just happened to have a real live genie at his personal disposal. However, his life became more complicated, instead of easier, with the well-meaning Jeannie (Barbara Eden), and he was made to run constant interference between her and his superior, Dr. Bellows (Hayden Rorke). Almost a decade after I Dream of Jeannie came to an end, Hagman greatly expanded his acting range by tackling the character of J. R. Ewing, a ruthless, backstabbing, deceptive S.O.B. who would become the ultimate television villain on the long running CBS series Dallas.

While I was, in theory, too young to be watching Dallas, the most popular prime time soap opera of its era, I tuned in every Friday night anyway. As a youngster, I did not like J.R. and was upset when he would make life difficult for my favorite character, Pam (Victoria Principal). But over the years, Hagman won me over as J.R. and became, without a doubt, a much beloved and irreplaceable character. If there was no Hagman, there would be no Dallas.

Last summer, I was very pleased to see the Dallas reboot, on TNT, with Hagman, Patrick Duffy (Bobby) and Linda Gray (Sue Ellen) reprising their roles from the original series. However, the new younger cast members appeared to receive more airtime than the veterans, so it may be possible for the new series to fill the void left by Hagman, but the producers will need to mine the history of the series and come up with original and creative ideas to keep the show afloat. I hope it can survive, but I am skeptical.

In recent years, Larry Hagman made guest appearances on Nip/Tuck and Desperate Housewives and I was fortunate enough to see his performances since I watched both series. Hagman was always a treat to watch, but his work as J.R. Ewing was his crowning achievement. He could say so much with just a mischievous smile and that twinkle in his eye that alerted viewers that J.R. was up to no good. Hagman made it fun to root for the bad guy and created an unforgettable character in J.R. Ewing that will never be forgotten. Thanks for the memories Larry. You will be missed.

Larry Hagman died on November 23 due to complications from throat cancer. He was 81 years old. 

Holiday Gift Ideas from Warner Bros. - Scooby-Doo, Pepe Le Pew, Unforgiven, The Lieutenant, The First Christmas and Shazam!

The products below are some of my favorites from 2012. Click on the title of each one to read my review.

For kids of all ages, Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated (Season One, Part 2), the best Scooby-Doo series since the original.

For fans of the classic Looney Tunes, as well as the hopelessly romantic, Pepe Le Pew is a true Super Star.

For the Clint Eastwood fan (and who isn't?) - the Oscar winning Unforgiven Blu-ray Book.

For Gene Roddenberry fans and classic television buffs, The Lieutenant, Parts 1 and 2.

For fans of classic, heartwarming holiday specials, The First Christmas, from Rankin-Bass

For those who remember how cool Saturday morning television was in the 1970s - Shazam!: The Complete Live Action Series.

Indie Film Spotlight: Zac Efron is All Grown Up in "The Paperboy"

Films set in the southern states have always appealed to me. Among my favorites are Hush....Hush, Sweet Charlotte and Body Heat, which both feature quirky characters, large estates, sweltering heat and an element of murder. Perhaps it is the heat that makes people do crazy things. For instance, when Charlotte Hollis (Bette Davis) brandishes a shotgun to the construction crew who are trying to bulldoze her home in Hush....Hush, Sweet Charlotte, or when Ned Racine concocts a scheme to murder the husband of his generous and passionate lover, Maddie Walker (Kathleen Turner), in Body Heat. The heat may also be a contributing factor in the bizarre behavior depicted in director Lee Daniels' latest film The Paperboy, which is set in southern Florida in the late 1960s.

Like the aforementioned films, The Paperboy features quirky characters, sweltering heat and an element of murder. It more closely resembles Body Heat in its approach to sexual longing and passion. That is made abundantly clear when young Jack Jansen (Zac Efron) is shown wearing only his underwear in multiple scenes, which fully displays his lean and muscular body. Of course, it is very hot and Jack wants to keep cool (while offering titillation to viewers, no doubt). As the film moves along, we learn that Jack has not had sex in quite some time, which appears to be directly related to his absent mother, who left the family for a new life across the country (calling Dr. Freud). Jack manages to keep his sexual urges in check until a older woman, Charlotte (there's that name again), played by Nicole Kidman, arrives in town to meet with Jack's brother, Ward (Matthew McConaughey), who is investigating a murder case that resulted in Charlotte's husband, Hillary Van Wetter (John Cusack), being sent to prison.

Charlotte is not quite what you might expect. She covers up her beauty with too much make-up and a messy hairstyle, but Jack sees something in Charlotte, perhaps his own mother, that gets him all hot and bothered. While Charlotte may appear to be trashy, she intends to be faithful to Hillary, even though she understands that Jack wants to have sex with her. That does not deter Jack, who becomes sullen when the sexual temptations become too much to handle. Instead of finding a more appropriate relationship, he decides to wait for Charlotte. His patience is admirable, but not necessarily believable.

Meanwhile, Ward and his partner, Yardley (David Oyelowo), have reason to believe that Hillary did not commit the murder that he has been imprisoned for. As a result, the men place themselves in dangerous situations with a potential suspect and even during prison visits with Hillary, who seems like he has the capacity to kill. Eventually, Jack becomes involved with Ward's investigation, thanks to his longing for Charlotte, thus putting him in danger, too. The Paperboy is told in flashbacks, as the Jansen maid, Anita (Macy Gray), recounts what happened to the Jansen brothers. Gray's voice is immediately recognizable and she delivers a fine performance.

Zac Efron receives more screen time than his veterans co-stars and delivers a surprising performance in terms of depth. Yes, his physical attributes are on display most of the time, but there is much emotion simmering beneath the surface, including desire, anger, frustration and loneliness. Jack looks like he could erupt at any moment, but he keeps his emotions bottled up for the most part. However, they eventually come spilling out during the final 15 minutes, which gives Efron a platform to show how well he has developed as an actor.

The Paperboy is a very different kind of film that deals with a few unexpected and unorthodox situations. They including Hillary and Charlotte achieving orgasm without touching, Charlotte urinating on Jack after he is stung by a jellyfish, and a few scenes of brutality that I, personally, could have done without. Clearly, Lee Daniels, who also wrote the screenplay, which is based on the novel, of the same name, by Pete Dexter, is not afraid to delve into the depravity of these characters and their sordid lives. As a result, he elicits interesting performances from his cast, who are up for the challenge. I liked The Paperboy enough to want to watch it a second time, mainly because of the performances, cinematography and music, but I realize that I may be in the minority.

Movie Snapshot: "Red Dawn" - A Pointless Remake

The original Red Dawn was released more than a quarter century ago and my memories of the film are fuzzy at best, so it clearly did not leave a lasting impression on me. Regardless, I was interested in seeing the remake, which stars three of my favorite younger actors; Thor's Chris Hemsworth (pictured), Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games) and Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights). However, even they cannot salvage the mess that is Red Dawn.

The story centers around the invasion of the United States, by North Korea, that begins in Spokane, Washington, where Jed Eckert, a former marine, has recently returned home. Jed, along with his younger brother, Matt (Josh Peck), find themselves running for their lives as the enemy occupation begins. They are able to escape to the family cabin, along with a few other locals, and proceed to hide out from their would be captors. With Jed as their leader, the group devises a plan to fight the invaders until other help arrives.

As you might expect, Red Dawn features plenty of violence and battle scenes. However, the shoddy camera work prevents viewers from determining what is going on. The only way to know for sure what occurred is to watch subsequent scenes where the previous events are discussed, but even that does not always help. The film is also filled with completely absurd situations (for instance, the overall premise) and while I do not mind suspending my disbelief for a while, I refuse to do so for an hour and forty five minutes. Because of the strong focus on battle scenes, gun play and explosions, there is little character development within the rather large cast of characters, making it difficult to be upset when one of the "good guys" is killed, with one notable (and unexpected) exception late in the film. With little else to occupy your mind, you may find yourself thinking "please don't kill the hot one," which, I guess, is better than nothing.

Weekend Box Office Estimates: November 23-25, 2012

The final installment in the Twilight franchise, Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (Lionsgate/Summit), continues to dominate at the box office. For the second time in a row, the film captured the top spot at the weekend box office, earning about $43.0 million, which is a steep drop off from last weekend. However, after just 10 days, the film has earned more than $225 million. That's what you call a monster hit. Second and third place belonged to more adult oriented films, Skyfall (Sony/Columbia) and Lincoln (Disney/Dreamworks), which are both holding up well. Skyfall grossed another $36 million and its cumulative take now stands at over $220 million after just 17 days. Lincoln dropped only slightly from its debut weekend and managed to add another $25 million. The film looks poised to easily top the $100 million mark.

Two new films rounded out the top five. The (mostly) family friendly Rise of the Guardians (Paramount/Dreamworks) earned about $24 million, which was good enough for fourth place, while Ang Lee's Life of Pi (Fox) snagged $22 million and a fifth place showing. Finally, in limited release, Silver Linings Playbook (The Weinstein Company), starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, earned $4.6 million and a ninth place finish in under 400 theaters.

Here are the Top Ten Weekend films, according to early estimates (numbers are in millions):

1. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2- $43.1

2. Skyfall - $36.0

3. Lincoln - $25.0

4. Rise of the Guardians - $24.0

5. Life of Pi - $22.0

6. Wreck-It Ralph - $16.8

7. Red Dawn - $14.6

8. Flight - $8.6

9. Silver Linings Playbook - $4.6

10. Argo - $3.9

Movie Recommendation: "Silver Linings Playbook" Starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence

Photo Credit: The Weinstein Company

Dealing with mental illness can be a real bitch. Just ask Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper), who is faced with completely rebuilding his life after almost killing a man who was having an affair with his wife, Nikki (Brea Bee), in the recently released film Silver Linings Playbook. Pat, who is bipolar, has spent the better part of a year in a psychiatric hospital and is now prepared to move back home with his parents, Pat Sr. (Robert De Niro) and Dolores (Jacki Weaver), but is under strict supervision and even has a police officer assigned to keep an eye on him. Pat also appears to be suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder, which causes him to fixate on Nikki, who he is forbidden from seeing, courtesy of a restraining order. Regardless, Pat is determined to reconnect with Nikki, who was "the one" for him, or at least he thought she was.

Pat's move home is not an easy one and before long it becomes clear that his obsessive compulsive disorder may have been inherited from his father, who has little rituals planned for each Philadelphia Eagles football game and relies on similar talisman to hedge lofty bets with a family "friend." While mental illness is not funny, the absurdity displayed by both Pat and Pat Sr. provides several laugh out loud moments throughout the film. Despite his problems, Pat is determined to find a silver lining in any situation, but his obsession with Nikki initially hampers his progress. However, after meeting Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a recently widowed young woman, Pat's life begins to change. After a rough start, they become running partners and develop a tentative friendship. Things really start to click for them when they make a deal - Tiffany will help Pat reconnect with Nikki if he will enter a dance competition with her.

Tiffany, like Pat, is also trying to rebuild her life after making several very bad decisions which resulted from the grief over losing her husband. She is sullen and brooding, but withholds judgement of others and does not fear confrontation. In fact, when confronted with false accusations, Tiffany stands up for herself and typically wins people over through the use of her logic and considerable intelligence. She is very likable and a good match for Pat. They are both outcasts who need each other to spark their much needed return to normalcy.

Pat gradually changes throughout the film, thanks mainly to Tiffany's support and friendship. Bradley Cooper transforms Pat from a disturbed young man to a relatively stable one in memorable, believable and completely effective performance. Viewers will root for Pat to get past his fixation on the woman who broke his heart and see Tiffany for the wonderful, if troubled, young woman that she has grown into. Jennifer Lawrence's strong-willed and sometimes heartbreaking performance is equally effective and she makes viewers care about Tiffany in a way they may not expect. Tiffany is still in recovery mode and she is reaching out for something that Pat may be able to give to her, if only he would stop thinking about Nikki. The performances from Cooper and Lawrence are award-worthy.

Director David O. Russell, who also wrote the screenplay, which is based on the novel, of the same name, by Matthew Quick, has crafted an emotional, amusing and extremely well acted film that will make viewers laugh and cry. While Tiffany and Pat drive the story, Pat Sr. takes a similar journey with them, but in his own way. They are all trying to become better people and the first step is understanding what problems they are facing and then take steps to deal with them. In Pat Sr.'s case, he does not seem to realize that he has a problem and appears baffled that his son is so troubled. They may not be one and the same, but they are darn close. Robert De Niro delivers some of his finest work as the loving, concerned and somewhat oblivious Pat Sr. The supporting cast includes strong turns from the aforementioned Jacki Weaver, as well as Chris Tucker, as Pat's friend Danny, who keeps finding ways to escape from the institution, and Anupam Kher, as Pat's psychiatrist, Dr. Patel, who fully embodies the role of therapist in their sessions together.

Silver Linings Playbook drew me in quickly to the quirky and troubled lives of Tiffany and Pat. I was not uncomfortable watching them, but I marveled at how nervous they made the other characters, who looked at them like they were from another planet. Of course, those who are not familiar with mental illness or have not suffered from disorders themselves, simply do not fully comprehend that Pat and Tiffany are just like everyone else, they just have different battles to face and problems to overcome. The performances by Cooper and Lawrence are so heartfelt that I felt inclined to jump onscreen and tell them that everyone would be OK. I can think of no greater compliment to pay either one of them.

New in Theaters: "Rise of the Guardians" Will Make You Believe

Photo Credit: DreamWorks

Like the Josh Groban song from The Polar Express, anything is possible if you just Believe. Indeed, belief is the key to the story in the new animated film Rise of the Guardians, which features Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, Sandman, Jack Frost and even the Boogeyman! As children, we may or may not have believed in the aforementioned and well known legends, many of whom are known as the Guardians in the new film, which is based on William Joyce's book The Guardians of Childhood. Even though the Guardians are alive and well, a renewed threat from the an old nemesis, Pitch Black (the Boogeyman), threatens their existence.

Pitch Black (Jude Law) wants to stop children from believing in their childhood idols and hopes to snuff out all belief on Earth, which is displayed on Santa's huge globe. Pitch begins by dispatching the Sandman, also known as Sandy, who does not speak, but wields immense power. Once Sandy is gone, it is up to Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy to avenge him and halt the plan hatched by Pitch Black. With help from the Man in the Moon, the Guardians suspect that young Jack Frost may be able to join their ranks, but Jack is not so sure. He is frustrated that no one believes in him and that he cannot be seen by others when he wants to play and have a good time. Jack enjoys starting snowball fights between children and also saves them from injury from time to time, but he never gets any credit. On the other hand, the Guardians can be seen because children believe in them, but their time may be ending if Pitch Black's plan comes to fruition.

Jack is unable to remember his early life, but Pitch Black apparently does. He also understands that Jack may be powerful enough to be a Guardian, so he lures him away from the others by kidnapping one of the Tooth Fairy's little helpers. Pitch tricks Jack and then proceeds to break his staff, which is the source of his power. Having defeated two Guardians, Pitch's plan is set in motion.

Rise of the Guardians features unconventional representations of the aforementioned characters. For instance, Santa Claus (Alex Baldwin) displays a Russian accent, a kick-ass attitude and is a wild sleigh rider. In addition, the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman), sports an Australian accent and is also a no-nonsense tough guy, but does not possess the diplomacy of Santa, who appears to be the group leader. Then there is the lovable and beguiling Sandy, who uses images made out of sand to communicate with the others. He is, perhaps, the most powerful Guardian, but since he falls asleep on the job, he is not the best choice to be the leader.

I always imagined the Tooth Fairy to be a male, but the female version depicted here works well, thanks to the energy and enthusiasm of Isla Fisher. Tooth appears to be constantly happy and proves to be a good caretaker for her mini-fairies, who are threatened by Pitch. Rounding out the Guardians is, of course, their potential newest member, Jack Frost (Chris Pine), whose youth seems out of character, but his back story explains a great deal. Jack's journey is the centerpiece of the film and conveys the message that it is amazing what someone can do when he/she is surrounded by people who believe in him/her.

The adapted screenplay, by David Lindsay-Abaire, is targeted to the younger demographic, although the sometimes dark subject matter and the limited violence may be too disturbing for some children. Of course, older viewers are likely to be familiar with all of the Guardians from their own childhood, in one form or another. In addition, the animation is beautifully presented and the 3D technology does add some enjoyment to the film, but is not essential to fully appreciate the effort put forth here.

I was surprised that the film is set during springtime, since Santa Claus and Jack Frost may remind viewers of the winter months and the holiday season is now upon us. Perhaps the filmmakers, including director Peter Ramsey, wanted to shine a light on the underrated Easter Bunny, whose land of mini-eggs is showcased and will surely make viewers smile. In any event, Rise of the Guardians is a wonderful family film that has cross generational appeal and may make choosing a holiday movie that everyone can enjoy a little easier this year.

Ang Lee's "Life of Pi" - One of the Best Films of the Year

Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox

Ang Lee is a genius. The director behind Brokeback Mountain (for which he won an Oscar) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has adapted the novel Life of Pi, by Yann Martel, into a spectacular and visually mesmerizing film that demonstrates the upside of using 3D technology. Besides James Cameron's Avatar, I cannot recall a film that looks so brilliant in 3D.

Life of Pi tells the story of Piscine Molitor Patel, an eager and intelligent young boy who shortens his name to Pi because of teasing from his classmates, who refer to him as Pee or Pissing, and because he grasps the mathematical understanding of Pi , which is limitless, but not unknown to the youngster. Pi is also fascinated by the animals at his parent's zoo, in Pondichery, India, and tries to form a bond with a Bengal tiger. However, after trusting the animal, named Richard Parker (his name is actually Thirsty, but a paperwork mishap branded him Richard Parker), Piscine narrowly escapes with his life, thanks to his father (Adil Hussain), who then demonstrates why the tiger is too dangerous to trust. Piscine understands, but still believes that he can look into the eyes of any animal and make a connection.

Several years later, the zoo goes broke and Pi's parents plan to move the family and the animals to Canada to start over. Pi does not want to go, but he has little choice. They pack all of their belongings on a huge ship and set sail. However, during a storm, the ship begins to sink, but Pi is able to escape onto a life boat, which also houses a variety of wildlife. Unfortunately, Pi appears to be the only human survivor. He then spends the majority of the next year adrift in the ocean along with Richard Parker, the Bengal tiger, who battles Pi for space and dominance aboard their small sailing vessel.

After a rough beginning, Pi's survival instinct kicks in and he utilizes his considerable intelligence to find a way to hold Richard Parker at bay, build a temporary refuge away from the vessel, and find and prepare food. There are rations in the boat, but the ocean also offers a wide variety of options. Pi's journey is not an easy one, but his spirit is admirable, despite facing constant threats from above and below board. He is determined to survive and even finds ways to occupy his mind, including keeping a journal of his incredible story. Pi shows great bravery in every aspect of his new life, but his will is tested time and again. His journey allows him room to grow as a person and opens up a vast new world to explore and understand, but the seemingly endless solitude takes its toll and during another severe storm, Pi loses something important and asks God why everything has been taken away from him? That scene is reminiscent of the story of Job and is played perfectly by Suraj Sharma. Pi's partial meltdown is soon forgotten as he awakens near a beautiful island populated by Meerkats, but his journey is still far from over.

The movie begins with an older Pi (Infan Kahn) being interviewed by a writer (Rafe Spall) about his experiences, which leads into the story aboard the boat, which consumes most of the two hour film, before circling back around for the finale. The beginning and ending provide appropriate bookends to the story and allows viewers to decide for themselves what really happened during Pi's adventure.

I found Life of Pi to be inspirational and admired the aforementioned Suraj Sharma for his remarkable performance. After all, he spends the vast majority of the film alone on the boat and in forced to act by imagining the world around him. I believed in Pi and grew to care about the sincere and capable young man as he faced incredible hardship, but rarely allowed himself to become angry or sullen. He is one the youngest role models I ever recall seeing in a film.

The use of 3D technology is expertly used during Pi's journey, especially at night, when the ocean provides surreal lighting and teems with life, some of which pose a threat to Pi. The scenes featuring flying fish and the extended island scenes with an endless number of Meerkats milling about, are truly extraordinary. I suspect Ang Lee's considerable efforts will earn him another Oscar nomination for best director and he should be the early front runner, in my opinion. I am still amazed at what Lee was able to accomplish with Life of Pi. The film, which is written by David Magee and based on the aforementioned novel, struck a chord with me and I have thought about it repeatedly for over a week. I am not sure if other viewers will be as fully impacted, but Life of Pi is a movie that I would encourage everyone to see.

Happy Thanksgiving

I would like to wish all of my readers a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!

"The Master" - Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix

Photo Credit: The Weinstein Company

Individuals with a troubled past and a fractured family tend to be easy targets for cult leaders. After all, they are longing for someone to care about them and perhaps explain why their life has been so tough. Is it their own fault, or just God's will? Those lost children, of any age, jump at the kindness and attention that can be bestowed upon them by the crafty cult members who are looking to garner an army of supporters in order to build their organization. This is the set-up for writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film The Master, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Phoenix portrays Freddie Quell, a soldier returning from the second World War, who is battling post traumatic stress disorder and a sex addiction. His father has passed away and his mother is apparently confined to an institution. His only other close familial tie is to his aunt, but the nature of their relationship is unhealthy, to say the least. Freddie did have a girlfriend, but he did not bother to contact her when he came home from the war. So, he is alone and drifting until he stows away on a boat owned by Lancaster Dodd (Hoffman), who offers Freddie a place to stay and speaks to him about his organization, known as "The Cause." Dodd appears to like Freddie, but he may just see an easily manipulated young man who is lost in every sense of the word. Freddie also happens to be an alcoholic and can become violent in an instant. In other words, he needs help and Dodd seems eager to be there for him.

Dodd can offer Freddie guidance and care for his everyday needs and the price is simple loyalty, which Freddie readily gives. He hangs on Dodd's every word, even when others within "The Cause" understand that Dodd is making things up as he goes along. Freddie even exacts physical revenge on those who question his "master" and his sometimes outrageous claims. Eventually, Dodd is arrested for dispensing medication without a license. During the arrest, Freddie attacks several officers and is also taken away. After being thrown in jail, Freddie has a meltdown and a serious argument with Dodd ensues. Freddie accuses him of lying and they have a falling out. However, all is forgiven when Freddie returns to the home of one of Dodd's supporters, as they aggressively embrace each other, which may lead viewers to wonder what type of relationship the two of them actually share. It appears to be far stronger than just a teacher and a student or even close friends.

Freddie's behavior, including his excessive drinking do not go unnoticed by others in "The Cause" and he is encouraged to clean himself up if he intends to stay. He promises to do just that, but soon falls back into his old ways. Instead of finding salvation, Freddie continues to become more disillusioned and lost during his time with Dodd, but he really does not seem to fit in anywhere. He needs help, but is not getting it from "The Cause," which further complicates his relationship with Dodd and prompts him to make a change.

The performances by Hoffman and Phoenix buoy The Master, but I am not sure if I understand what the film is really about. It appears to be a character study of two unique individuals and not necessarily a cautionary tale of the repercussions of being a cult member. In fact, I am not sure if the true purpose of "The Cause" is ever discussed in detail. Yes, Dodd is in charge and most everyone goes along with what he says, but what is he really offering his members, other than a place to stay and food to eat? When they hang on his every word and believe everything he says, Dodd is able to manipulate them with lies and false promises and thus takes away their free will. I wish more time would have been devoted to explaining the meaning of "The Cause" and why so many members stuck around.

As good as the performances are, they cannot sustain a two plus hour film, which seems to meander around. While the subject matter is thought provoking, it is also very dark and depressing, which is not easy to watch. Even though I wanted Freddie to get the help he desperately needed, he is unlikable, as is Dodd, so it is difficult to find anyone to root for or really care about. To make matters worse, both characters continue to hurt others as the film goes along, making them both even less appealing.

The talented supporting cast, including Amy Adams, Laura Dern and Jesse Plemmons (Friday Night Lights), are not used enough or to their full potential. I also felt rather cheated with how The Master concludes, as I expected more resolution between the lead characters. In any event, the film is worth seeing for the performances and the technical aspects, including the top notch cinematography, but do not expect to be enlightened by Paul Thomas Anderson's screenplay.

The Master is still playing in limited release.

Movie Recommendation: "Arbitrage" - Starring Richard Gere

Photo Credit: Lionsgate

Why is it so difficult for some people to do the right thing? Of course, when someone potentially has billions of dollars at their disposal, it may be possible to buy their way out of anything, so he/she may forego doing the right thing because there may be no real consequences. However, having those resources does not absolve anyone of their guilt and hedge fund manager Robert Miller (Richard Gere) learns that the hard way in writer/director Nicholas Jarecki's Arbitrage.

Robert Miller is a troubled man who is trying to hide the financial state of his company by manipulating earnings reports and is also carrying on an affair with a much younger woman, Julie (Laetitia Casta). Miller believes that he can secure the capital necessary to protect his future, albeit through deception. However, that problem pales in comparison to the one he encounters when he falls asleep at the wheel while driving late at night with his mistress, which results is a crash that claims her life. Instead of reporting the accident to the authorities, Robert calls a friend to pick him up and leaves the scene of the crime. He suspects that he may get away with it because the car eventually went up in flames, thus burning any forensic evidence.

However, the police soon come calling when a connection between Robert and Julie is established. While Robert's wife, Ellen (Susan Sarandon), knows what her husband has been up to, she decides to hold the cops at bay in order to protect her family, but she also has something in mind to settle the score with the wayward Robert. Meanwhile, Robert's daughter, Brooke (Brit Marling), who works as an executive in the company, begins to learn that the financial statements have been fudged and is afraid that she may be implicated, along with her father, if the truth comes out. And it always does.

Arbitrage taps into the recent financial scandals that have plagued the nation and also examines the lack of culpability that is expressed by those individuals who believe that they can buy and deceive their way out of anything. Even though Robert Miller is unlikable and completely selfish, he is very intelligent and resourceful, as he leverages his contacts and people that he has helped in the past to assist him in getting out of the mess that he has made of his life. Robert clearly loves his daughter, but even she is not immune to his greed and deception. When Brooke confronts her father with the truth, he actually looks like he feels guilty for causing her pain. The character runs the emotionally gamut throughout the film and Richard Gere perfectly conveys Robert's strength, intelligence, pain and vulnerability in a spectacular performance. While I did not want to see Richard get away with his crimes, I marveled at watching him weave a labyrinth of deceit that causes much pain for everyone he allegedly cares about. Could he really get away with everything because of his wealth and power? A check of recent history reveals that, yes, he could, but at what personal cost? The answers may be uncomfortable to contemplate, but they make for a fascinating and cerebral film.

Arbitrage is still playing in select theaters and is available On Demand.

DVD Spotlight: "Bugs Bunny Superstar"

That Oscar winning rabbit, Bugs Bunny, takes center stage in the newly released DVD, Bugs Bunny Superstar, from the Warner Archive. The ninety minute documentary was originally produced in 1975 and is hosted by the legendary Bob Clampett and includes interviews with two other Looney Tunes legends, Tex Avery and Friz Freleng. The early history of Looney Tunes is examined throughout the documentary, which also includes nine animated shorts starring Bugs Bunny, Tweety, Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and Foghorn Leghorn, among others. In addition, Bob Clampett discusses his early days working at "Termite Terrace," which was the poorly constructed building where the Looney Tunes gang conspired to produce the timeless animated characters and short films that have been a part of the pop culture landscape for more than eight decades.

There is a large amount of Looney Tunes merchandise photographed throughout the film that may make viewers wonder who much that memorabilia would be worth today, since the classic cartoons are still in high demand. Bugs Bunny Superstar is narrated by screen legend Orson Welles, who likens "Termite Terrace" to other notable structures, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles. The special features include audio commentary by director Larry Jackson and an Image/Photo gallery.

The animated shorts included in the documentary are What's Cookin' Doc?, A Wild Hare, I Taw a Putty Tat, Rhapsody Rabbit, A Corny Concerto, Walky Talky Hawky,The Old Grey Hare, My Favorite Duck and Hair-Raising Hare.

Watch a clip below:

"The Perils of Sherlock Holmes" - Short Stories by Loren D. Estleman

The legend of Sherlock Holmes continues to resonate in popular culture. The recent films featuring the legendary sleuth have become enormously successful, a new television series, Elementary, is one of the highest rated new series, and a recently released book of short stories, The Perils of Sherlock Holmes (F+W Media), by Loren D. Estleman, prove that the legendary sleuth, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle more than a century ago, has not lost his appeal. Indeed, the legend lives on and readers who appreciate the classic portrayal of the detective, as opposed to the more contemporary representations in television and film, will likely enjoy The Perils of Sherlock Holmes.

The majority of the short stories featured here are narrated by Dr. Watson, Holmes' friend and mystery solving partner, and include a variety of rather interesting villains and guest stars, including Wyatt Earp, the "ghosts" from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and even the Devil himself, or at least someone professing to be the ruler of Hell. From Victorian Era London to the American Wild West, Holmes and Watson always seem to find themselves in the middle of some sort of mystery that is populated with colorful characters and precarious situations.

The two finest short stories featured in The Perils of Sherlock Holmes are "The Adventure of the Three Ghosts" and "Sherlock Holmes and the Devil." Of course, I may be biased since the former features a nod to Charles Dickens, while the supernatural tone of the latter, which features an open ending that readers can determine for themselves, is very appealing to me. Another enjoyable and unexpected selection, "Dr. and Mrs. Watson at Home: A Comedy in One Unnatural Act," features clever dialogue that showcases the duo's intelligence and tests their patience with each other. In addition to the short stories, Loren D. Estleman includes three essays, an annotated bibliography and a section on other suggested titles featuring the legendary detective.

The limited duration of the stories is appreciated and allows readers flexibility, which is a plus for those of us who are always busy. However, the brevity does not diminish the storytelling, which is certainly reminiscent of the classic detective stories. Readers are transported back to another place and time during the series of short stories that pay homage to the legend that is Sherlock Holmes.

Weekend Box Office Estimates: November 16-18, 2012

Photo Credit: Lionsgate/Summit

The final entry in the Twilight franchise, Breaking Dawn - Part 2, steamrolled the competition at the weekend box office. The final chapter earned over $140 million, which was $100 million more than second place Skyfall. While Lionsgate and Summit are surely disappointed that the current Twilight saga is wrapping up, there will be additional installments, but without Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner. The aforementioned Skyfall (Sony/Columbia) grossed an estimated $41.5 million, but dropped more than 50% from its debut weekend. However, after just ten days, the latest James Bond film has surpassed the $160 million mark.

Lincoln (Disney/Dreamworks) opened in wide release and secured the number three spot, with about $21 million. The Steven Spielberg film is playing is far fewer locations that either Skyfall or Twilight, so the historical epic is off to a good start. Another Disney film, the animated Wreck-It Ralph, landed in fourth place, with over $18 million. Rounding out the top five is Flight (Paramount), starring Denzel Washington, which earned slightly more than $8.5 million over the three day frame.

Here are the Top Ten Weekend films (numbers are in millions):

1. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 - $141.3

2. Skyfall - $41.5

3. Lincoln - $21.0

4. Wreck-It Ralph - $18.3

5. Flight - $8.6

6. Argo - $4.1

7. Taken 2 - $2.1

8. Pitch Perfect - $1.3

9. Jab Tak Hai Jaan - $1.25

10. Here Comes the Boom - $1.2

DVD Recommendation: Tim Burton's "Ed Wood" (1994) - Starring Johnny Depp

Ed Wood is a veritable pop culture feast. Why it took me 18 years to watch this film, I do not know. I recall the buzz surrounding the movie when it was released and was aware that Martin Landau won the Oscar for Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Bela Lugosi (Dracula). I have also been a fan of Johnny Depp, Tim Burton and Bill Murray for many years and remember Martin Landau from the 1970's sci-fi series Space 1999. However, I did not realize that professional wrestler George "The Animal" Steele played a supporting role, as another wrestler/actor, Tor Johnson. I recall frequently watching George Steele play the villain of few words (but plenty of groans) in countless wrestling matches during my youth.

Ed Wood is set during the 1950s and is shot in black and white, which added to my enjoyment of the film. The story centers around the life of cult filmmaker Ed Wood, who struggled to make most of his films, but somehow managed to secure funding, sometimes through strange circumstances and with the use of his silver tongue. Wood was a transvestite and appeared completely comfortable with himself, but struggled to gain acceptance from others. His demeanor was usually positive, outgoing and matter of fact, which must have played a role in his rather long, but not necessarily acclaimed career. Wood is portrayed as childlike and, perhaps, naive in many scenes, but he is a very likable person who had the power of persuasion over many people. That ability came to benefit Bela Lugosi, who Wood befriended late in the actor's career. Bela, suffering from depression and a morphine addiction, would call Ed when he was feeling down and even when he was contemplating suicide. Ed would always try to be there for Bela and help him in any way he could, even attempting to make him a star once again by giving him roles in several movies. Their friendship is the highlight of the film and is portrayed brilliantly by Depp and Landau.

Martin Landau is simply phenomenal as the aging Lugosi, whose wife left him as he struggled with many problems. He seemed to be such a sad man during the latter part of his life and clearly something was missing for him to sabotage himself with drugs. Landau is able to tap into that pain and showcase it in several scenes as Lugosi's morphine habit spirals out of control and lands him in rehab. Landau perfectly captures Lugosi's accent and he convincingly conveys the late actor's physical struggles, as his body began to fail him in many ways. Landau's make-up, by Rick Baker, is uncanny and was also honored with an Oscar.

Wood's 1952 film "Glen or Glenda" (originally titled "I Changed My Sex!") is discussed during the early part of the film. While the movie is considered one of the worst ever made, credit should be given to Wood for having the guts to direct a film with such potentially controversial subject matter (it was the 1950s after all). A close friend of Wood's, Bunny Breckenridge (Bill Murray), spoke about having sex reassignment therapy throughout the film, so perhaps that influenced Wood to tackle the subject matter. In any event, I was surprised to learn about "Glen or Glenda" and that it was made nearly 60 years ago.

In addition to Depp, Landau, Murray and Steele, the supporting cast features Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City), Patricia Arquette (Medium) and the great character actor Mike Starr. While the film may be set in "simpler times," the principal struggles of the characters are anything but simple and I rooted for many of them to overcome their demons, which is a testament to the performances from the talented cast and to director Tim Burton for soliciting such fine work from all of them. Finally, viewers who enjoy learning about old Hollywood, especially the horror and sci-fi films of the 1950's, will likely appreciate the considerable effort behind Ed Wood. 

Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" - Starring Daniel Day-Lewis

Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures

A brilliant cast, a brilliant director and a brilliant president, perhaps the best ever, conspire to create one of the year's best films. Lincoln centers around the last four months of the life of the sixteenth president of the United States and is based on the novel Team of Rivals, by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Tony Kushner provides the screenplay, which focuses on Abraham Lincoln's attempt to abolish slavery and end the Civil War that divided the nation.

The soft spoken commander-in-chief is underestimated by some of his political rivals, but he is always the smartest guy in the room. Although the long and bloody Civil War has made him weary and tired, he is intent on ending slavery and the war through a series of political calculations and gambles. He is not afraid to do whatever is necessary to see that the 13th amendment to the constitution is passed. Lincoln relies on his powers of deduction while regaling those around him with stories that relay his point of view in a non-threatening way. His tales are not appreciated by everyone, but those who do listen are captivated by what he has to say and the power of his words. Indeed, Lincoln does not command respect as much as he earns it with his silver tongue.

Lincoln relies on the assistance of three men, William N. Bilboe (James Spader), Colonel Robert Latham (John Hawkes) and Richard Schell (Tim Blake Nelson), to twist the arms of the outgoing congressional Democrats to garner their support for passage of the amendment to abolish slavery. The trio utilize unorthodox methods while Lincoln works behind the scenes and even resorts to deception in order to accomplish his goals, which he firmly believes will save the divided country. Lincoln also has help from Republican leader and abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones), who employs some interesting and effective methods of convincing fellow politicians to see things his way. Stevens is hard as nails while at work, but shows a surprisingly softer side at home. Of course, the outcome of the abolitionist movement and the Civil War is well known, but the struggles associated with them are endlessly fascinating to behold in this two and a half hour epic.

Daniel Day-Lewis is once again able to fully immerse himself into his character. He appears to be very comfortable in Lincoln's skin and is relaxed in his more verbose scenes, where he relays long stories that tie his ideas together in a coherent and convincing way. Day-Lewis should be given credit for making those extended dialogue heavy scenes look easy. Lincoln rarely appears angry and shies away from raising his voice to his fellow politicians, but the same cannot be said for him when dealing with his troubled private life, including his marriage to Mary Todd (Sally Field). Indeed, the emotions come pouring out during scenes where they discuss Mary's emotional problems, the death of one son and the potential danger of losing another son, Robert (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who wants to be a soldier and fight for what he believes is right. Mary is a force to be reckoned with too and has no trouble speaking her mind to powerful political rivals who are not in step with her husband's wishes. They make for a fascinating and formidable duo, despite their personal issues. Lincoln appears distant with his son Robert, while he bestows much attention on his youngest child, Tad (Gulliver McGrath). I am not certain why the distance is there, but Robert is clearly not happy with his father and their troubles boil over at one point, adding to the President's already substantial number of problems.

Steven Spielberg clearly understands how to manage a large cast of talented actors and allow them each to shine by giving them something substantial to undertake. The supporting cast, led by the aforementioned Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones, deliver award worthy work. In addition, James Spader's Bilboe works tirelessly to get the votes necessary for passage of the 13th amendment and also provides some much needed comic relief, while David Strathairn's William Seward, one of Lincoln's closest allies, has no problem being brutally candid with his boss, which is something that Lincoln very much needs. Rounding out the superb cast are Hal Holbrook, John Hawkes (The Sessions), Lee Pace and Jackie Earle Haley.

In addition to the performances, the direction and the screenplay, Lincoln features outstanding costume design, art direction, make-up and expert use of lighting that helps to set the mood for any given scene. The extended run time and verbose nature of many scenes should not deter potential viewers from seeing Lincoln in theaters. The film is well paced, completely authentic and boasts some of the finest acting you will see this year. Overall, a fitting tribute to the legendary Abraham Lincoln.

Indie Spotlight: John Hawkes and Helen Hunt shine in "The Sessions"

Photo Credit: Fox Searchlight

John Hawkes has mastered the art of playing the villain in films such as Winter's Bone and Martha Marcy May Marlene. However, he completely switches gears for his latest role, as poet and polio survivor Mark O'Brien, in the recently released film The Sessions. Based on a true story, O'Brien contracted polio at a young age and essentially lost his mobility, except in his head and face, and he needs the assistance of an iron lung to breathe. As Mark approaches middle age, he decides that he wants to lose his virginity before he dies and initially consults a priest, Father Brendan (William H. Macy), for guidance. Father Brendan, sympathizing with Mark's plight, takes a liberal stance with the request, but clearly has conflicting emotions, which are conveyed perfectly by the always reliable Macy, whose comedic talents are razor sharp.

After falling in love with at least one of his caretakers, the ever charming, positive and intelligent Mark seeks out a sex surrogate, Cheryl Cohen Greene (Helen Hunt), since he is unsure how long he has to live. He does not have the patience to wait any longer and despite feelings of love being reciprocated by other women, they cannot get past their own issues to allow themselves to be fully loved by Mark. The initial meeting between Cheryl and Mark does not go well, mainly because of nerves and their unusual relationship. However, over time Cheryl and Mark become closer than either one of them suspected, which places Cheryl is a difficult situation, because she is a professional and is only able to see Mark for a fixed number of sessions.

It is impossible for those who encounter Mark not to like him. He endears himself to others just by being himself. He is incredibly funny and completely likable. He is also devoid of sentimentality and there is not even a hint that he feels sorry for himself. Mark has made the best of his situation and has lived longer than anyone thought possible, which makes a strong case for the power of the mind to overcome physical illness. Cheryl is impressed with Mark's resolve and finds herself being drawn to him, as she helps him explore his body and discover what feels good. This causes problems for Cheryl, who is married. When her husband, Josh (Adam Arkin), finds a letter, complete with a poem, from Mark, he promptly throws it away, but Cheryl picks through the trash in the middle of the night to find the letter and allow herself to feel something with Mark that she cannot with Josh. Their sessions together become the centerpiece of this film, which will make you laugh one moment and then cry the next.

John Hawkes and Helen Hunt are phenomenal in the respective roles, which should garner award season attention. Of course, Hawkes has the more difficult job, as he is limited to using only his facial features and vocalizations to convey the many emotions that Mark is experiencing for the first time. Nevertheless, Hawkes completely becomes the character and pulls viewers in with little effort. Hunt, who has been absent from film for some time, delivers some of her best work to date, as the patient and caring Cheryl, who tries her best to remain professional at all times. Hunt should also be credited for appearing nude in several scenes, which is very brave for any actor.

Writer/director Ben Lewin's screenplay is also award worthy and constantly walks the tightrope between comedy and drama, with outstanding results. The various emotions that viewers are likely to feel throughout the film are a testament to the genuine nature of the screenplay and to the aforementioned performances, which also feel completely authentic. The fact that the film is based on a true story will make viewers marvel at what someone can do with their life with limited mobility, a positive attitude and a huge heart that is not afraid to be broken.