Foreign Film Snapshot: "Rust and Bone" Starring Marion Cotillard

The journey to maturity and independence bonds two unlikely people together in the French-Belgian film Rust and Bone. Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts) is a young single father who is out of work and relies on his sister, Anna (Corinne Masiero), for a place to stay and food to eat. Their living arrangement is far from ideal, but the wayward Ali does not seem to mind. As a parent, Ali is impatient and occasionally resorts to physical abuse. He even forgets to pick his son, Sam (Armand Verdure), up from school and seems more concerned with spreading his seed that taking responsibility for his life. However, after receiving an offer to restart his interest in kickboxing, Ali finds a new purpose.

Stéphanie (Oscar winner Marion Cotillard) meets Ali at a nightclub where he works part time as a bouncer. After she gets into an altercation with another man and is injured, Ali takes her home, which does sit well with her boyfriend. The undeterred Ali is even brazen enough to leave his telephone number. Shortly thereafter, Stéphanie (Marion Cotillard), who works at a marine park, not unlike Sea World, as an animal trainer, suffers a terrible accident during a show. She is injured before falling into the water and is attacked by a killer whale and, as a result, her legs are amputated from the knee down. After being deserted by her boyfriend, she decides to call Ali, who helps to rebuild her self esteem. Before long, their relationship turns physical, but the wandering Ali continues to bed other women too, but at least he is honest about it. Stéphanie wants something more permanent with Ali and she decides to learn more about his violent role in the world of kickboxing, which has been very lucrative for him. Ali clearly has the drive to be successful and physically dominates his opponents. His desire to succeed inspires Stéphanie to begin to put her life back together and they begin to grow closer, which is helpful to both of them with the challenges they are about to face.

Rust and Bone, from writer/director Jacques Audiard, is an interesting character study that boasts strong performances from the aforementioned Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts and features an unlikely romance between the main characters. However, I found it difficult to root for them to be together because Ali is so unlikable and does not appear to deserve the decent people who populate his life. However, as the film moves along, viewers begin to see a different side of Ali, as challenges force him to rethink his life and priorities, but can he be fully redeemed? The answer to that question is up for viewers to decide. While I was invested in the story and the characters, with a run time of two hours, Rust and Bone feels overly long and the screenplay did not sustain my interest for the duration. However, the performances are well worth seeing, even though you may find yourself strongly disliking Ali for much of the film. That is not a criticism, as Matthias Schoenaerts should be credited with making viewers feel something for Ali, even if it is antipathy. 

Movie Recommendation: "The Impossible" Starring Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor

Imagine, if you can, enduring a natural disaster, being separated from family members, including children, and sustaining serious injuries. That is the plight of just one character in The Impossible, which is based on a true story about the experiences of one family during the 2004 tsunami that tore through Thailand. The Impossible will leave you breathless at times and, most likely, emotionally drained at the conclusion. The film opens as the Bennett family are celebrating the Christmas holiday in a beachfront hotel. As they frolic in the pool, strange noises permeate from the water until a wave blasts through the lower level of the hotel. Mother and son, Maria (Naomi Watts) and Lucas (Tom Holland), are swept away, but manage to find each other and head for higher ground. Maria, who is a doctor, sustains serious injuries to her chest and leg, but medical help may be long in coming. They are eventually found, along with a toddler, Daniel, who they happened upon during their journey. The trio are all taken to a hospital, where Maria undergoes multiple surgeries.

Meanwhile, the father, Henry (Ewan McGregor), and the two younger sons, Thomas (Samuel Joslin) and Simon (Oaklee Pendergast), survived the crushing waves and have been holed up in the hotel, waiting to be escorted to a safer location. However, Henry decides to continue his frantic search for Maria and Lucas and informs the youngsters that he is staying behind, while sending them on to a camp and trusting other adult victims of the disaster with their safety. It is a grueling, emotional decision that is portrayed perfectly by McGregor, who will make viewers cry repeatedly throughout the film. The balance of the film centers around the journey of the family members to find some way to reunite safely.

The performances from the aforementioned actors are sensational. While Naomi Watts has received a good deal of attention for her work, and deservedly so, Ewan McGregor has not and I do not understand why. He is consistently outstanding and provides, perhaps, the most emotional moment of the film, when he finally secures a cell phone to call home to his extended family. While I had been crying off and on before that scene, I audibly sobbed while listening to that telephone conversation. Indeed, The Impossible is a film that reels you in and simply will not let you go.

Director J.A. Bayona elicits superior work from his principal cast members. Yes, the child actors, who range in age from five to twelve years of age, deliver amazing and believable performances, too. Even the aforementioned toddler, Daniel, will leave you in a puddle and he does not even speak any lines. Bayona should also be given credit for recreating the formidable tsunami via special effects, which adds another chilling degree of realism to The Impossible. The screenplay, by Sergio G. Sánchez, is ripe with emotion, as the family struggles to survive and continues to hope for a reunion. They will not be deterred in their attempt at a reconciliation, even though they are not even sure if everyone survived. 

While I highly recommend The Impossible, potential viewers should understand the emotional heft the film carries. Parents may be especially susceptible to the emotional struggle that Maria and Henry face to protect their children in an unpredictable and terrifying situation, far from home and is an area that has literally been destroyed. I cried repeatedly throughout the film, sometimes for several minutes. Not just tears welling up in my eyes, but tears streaming down my face, while being choked up. No other film has ever had this profound an effect on me and even though it was difficult to sit through, the amazing story is simply too powerful to miss. In fact, I would like to see The Impossible again, just not right away. 

Emerging Artists Spotlight: Luke Potter and Roxanna

Photos and information courtesy of Miles High Productions

Luke Potter made his U.S. debut release with an exclusive three-track EP produced by Bleu (Demi Lovato, Hanson, Jonas Brothers) titled “One Day,” on January 14. “One Day” will be available on NoiseTrade.com, a music based website that allows users to download the EP for FREE. “One Day” aims to gain the attention of pop music fans who are seeking more emotional and honest heartfelt songs. These catchy and melodic tunes from Luke’s latest release are easy for the young generation to relate to.

“One Day," the title track and lead-off single, incorporates Luke’s influences for pop and rock, describing what it is like ‘starting over...’ The message in this song is about coming to terms with mistakes and learning from them so that one can get on with their life. The tone in his voice is all but pleading, “You don’t wanna know the lies that I’ve told, but I’ve paid for my mistakes now I’m on my way to brighter days...”

The track, “Chance Worth Taking,” showcases Luke’s more mature and personal side. It’s sure to grab the attention of any young listener by empathizing with its sentimental lyrics.

To cap-off the eclectic mix of songs, “Breathe In” ends with an upbeat ode showing another facet of Luke’s talent – a promising songwriter who, as Bleu describes, “Luke writes ear-sticking songs that just won't leave your brain!”

Not only is there an EP release, but Luke is also releasing the video to the track “Chance Worth Taking,” on January 16. This performance video provides an intimate look into the song as Luke serenades and mesmerizes any viewer with his acoustic performance.

A singer-songwriter at heart with an acoustic guitar always at hand, Luke spoils us with a hard-hitting electric guitar solo by the end of “One Day." This EP is the perfect coming-of-age and inspiring album for what’s to come from a full-length release. For more information on Luke Potter, please visit his official website: www.lukepottermusic.com

Roxana's new single, “Unforgotten,” takes you on a personal journey of an empathetic story. Joining forces with producer Mark Portmann, known for working with Michael Buble and Barbara Streisand, Roxanna has produced a polished and luxurious rich sound. Her upcoming album release will provide a seamless, mastered mix of adult contemporary, classic pop, world, and a taste of flamenco. This song is universal and anyone that has experienced heartbreak will be able to identify with the message.

Roxanna has always had a love for music. Growing up in Canada, she idolized Madonna, Celine Dion, Julio Iglesias, and Olivia Newton John. Not only did the musicians open up Roxanna to a new world of music, but was also how Roxanna was introduced to the English language. Before entering into the music industry, she would use music’s influence in her nursing profession to heal her patients.

Spain and the country’s music found its way into Roxanna’s heart as well, and it has inspired how she wants to convey her creativity. Due to her love for Spanish culture, she has decided to release an alternate Spanish version of the single “Unforgotten” titled “Para Siempre.” Both versions of the song can be found on upcoming album Exotica, due out late spring. For more information on Roxanna, please visit her official website:www.roxannamusic.com

The New Season of "Dallas" Begins Tonight on TNT

Photo Credit: TNT

The second season of Dallas kicks off tonight at 9:00pm ET on TNT, with two hour long episodes. The series, which started off strong last summer, has really hit its stride. In fact, the two episodes airing tonight rival the original series in quality and suspense. I believe having the beloved veteran characters play a more prominent role has already bolstered the second season, as Sue Ellen's past comes back to haunt her, J.R. pays a visit to a member of the Barnes family, and Bobby helps Ann deal with long held secrets. The younger generation has much to do as well. John Ross is double dealing, just like dear old dad, while still hurting from losing Elena to Christopher. Meanwhile, Christopher appears to have toughened up, thanks to the break-up with Rebecca, who now goes by Pamela.

The debut episodes also feature many references to the rich history of Dallas, which will certainly be appreciated by long time viewers. Overall, the performances from the younger cast members have improved, which is a positive sign. In addition, Mitch Pileggi, who portrays Harris Ryland, Ann's ex-husband, has been elevated to series regular, which is also good news. Harris's mother, Judith, is introduced in the second episode and is portrayed by Judith Light, who soap fans will remember for her unforgettable work as Karen Wolek on One Life to Live.

I hope Dallas is able to sustain its momentum throughout season two and beyond, but it will have to fill the void left by Larry Hagman, who passed away in November. Hagman had already filmed several episodes, so J.R. will be on screen for about half the season. It will be difficult to say goodbye, but I understand a fitting tribute has been prepared and several former cast members will be on hand to pay their respects to the iconic character who was integral to the success of the series for so many years. 

Screen Actors Guild Winners Include "Argo" and "Downton Abbey"

Argo's Oscar chances keep rising with Best Film honors from the Critics' Choice and Golden Globe awards, as well as Best Director nods for Ben Affleck. Argo was also honored with a SAG award for Best Cast in a Motion Picture during tonight's ceremony. The film now seems poised to make a run for Best Picture at next month's Academy Awards. Other films honored with SAG trophies include Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook and Les Misérables - all Best Picture contenders as well. On the television front, PBS's Downton Abbey won for Best Drama Ensemble and ABC's Modern Family won for Best Comedy Ensemble.

Here is a list of winners from the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards:

FILM

Male Actor, Lead - Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Male Actor, Supporting - Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln
Female Actor, Lead - Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Female Actor, Supporting - Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables
Cast in a Motion Picture - Argo

TV

Male Actor, Drama Series - Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Female Actor, Drama Series - Claire Danes, Homeland
Ensemble, Drama - Downton Abbey
Male Actor, Comedy Series - Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Female Actor, Comedy Series - Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Ensemble, Comedy - Modern Family
Male Actor, TV Movie or Miniseries - Kevin Costner, Hatfields & McCoys
Female Actor, TV Movie or Miniseries - Julianne Moore, Game Change


Life Achievement Award - Dick Van Dyke

CD Spotlight: Sunday Lane "From Where You Are"

Photo and information courtesy of LaFamos

Sunday Lane is not your typical singer/songwriter who left Middle America for the City of Angels. A classically trained pianist, she writes articulate lyrics about social injustices in our society, young love, and growing up. Her soulful approach to songwriting expresses the depth of her musicianship.

“I am most in my element when my hands are on the keys,” says the 22-year-old Tulsa native. After receiving tons of critical acclaim in her home state, Sunday Lane decided to pursue the only career path that made sense… music. She recently attended the Musicians Institute in Hollywood. Sunday has been playing some of the most sought after venues in Los Angeles and winning over new fans nationwide. More recently, two of her songs were featured on the CW TV show One Tree Hill.

Her debut EP, Bring Me Sunshine, displays her ability to write relatable songs with idiosyncratic phrases. Her first full-length album, From Where You Are, proves the multi-talented singer needs no musical decorations or distractions to create a nationwide buzz. With music videos for her songs “Won’t Go Back Down” and "Reckless One" and both her album and EP available on iTunes, sunshine is definitely in Sunday Lane’s future.

Visit her online at:  www.SundayLane.com

Movie Recommendation: "Warm Bodies" Starring Nicholas Hoult

Photo Credit: Summit Entertainment

Rrrrrrrrrrrrr
.....................Rrrrrrrrrr
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
.................Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

That is how some zombies communicate in the upcoming film Warm Bodies. I suppose the only other people who might know what they are talking about are pirates. The film is, surprisingly, a zombie romantic comedy and showcases the power of love like never before. After a so-called zombie apocalypse of unknown origin, the undead are sealed off from their human counterparts. However, intermingling of the species still sometimes occurs and usually ends badly for the humans, as the shuffling zombies are tough to kill and enjoy feasting on human flesh and organs. During one such encounter, a zombie known as "R" (who also serves as narrator and cannot remember his name, but he knows it starts with an R), kills and then devours the brain of a young man, Perry (Dave Franco), and then proceeds to fall in love with Perry's girlfriend, Julie. Perry's brain allows R (Nicholas Hoult) to possess his memories and feelings, which initially sparks the attraction to Julie (Teresa Palmer).

Even more important is the fact that R's heart begins beating again, thanks to Julie's presence. As a result, he saves her from being killed by the other zombies and takes her to a safe location, inside an airplane, where they become acquainted. Julie is, of course, scared to death, but she is able to overcome her fear by helping R speak more clearly and getting to know him better. She is literally helping him change from zombie to human again. R also relies on music, including the songs "Patience" by Guns N' Roses and "Hungry Heart" by Bruce Springsteen, to deal with his feelings for Julie. He is falling in love, while Julie is not sure what to make of the recent bizarre series of events. R and Julie face a difficult journey that is filled with threats from other zombies, as well as her own father, General Grigio (John Malkovich), who leads the crusade to eliminate the undead. However, R's transformation leads other zombies to begin to heal as well, prompting hope for a cure and the possibility for R and Julie to have a future together.

Writer/director Jonathan Levine has crafted a romantic, well acted and surprising film in Warm Bodies. My interest in the film was sparked by Nicholas Hoult, who has been delivering consistently good work since his role as Tony Stonem in the British television series Skins, and the commanding John Malkovich, who never disappoints. Hoult humanizes R as the film moves along and captures the hearts of viewers along the way. The sacrifices that he makes for Julie are truly romantic and viewers will root for the couple to overcome their problems and differences and find a way to be together. Of course, Teresa Palmer is the other half of that coin and she infuses Julie with warmth, patience and understanding, as she finds herself falling for someone quite different from her previous boyfriends. That is called the power of love and it is expressed honestly through Levine's pitch perfect screenplay.

Warm Bodies opens on February 1.

Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne Shine in "Les Misérables"

Musicals are my least favorite movie genre and since I had never seen the Broadway production of Les Misérables, my interest in seeing the movie adaptation was minimal. However, after the film was nominated for countless awards, I had to see what all the fuss was about. While Les Misérables has not changed my mind about musicals, the film is well worth seeing, if only for the performances by talented cast, including Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne.

The principal story is set in early nineteenth century France and centers around Jean Valjean (Jackman) a good natured man who spent many years in prison for a petty theft. After receiving parole, he starts a new life with a new identity, but the demons from his past, one in the form of prison guard Jarvert (Russell Crowe), continue to haunt him. Since his parole, Valjean has become a successful businessman and is a model citizen. He cannot bear to see injustice prevail and, as a result, he becomes involved in the life of a former employee, Fantine (Hathway), who is trying to earn enough money to support her illegitimate daughter, Cosette, who is being cared for by a dubious couple. Valjean promises to help Fantine and Cosette, but a serious illness soon takes Fantine's life. Undeterred, the wealthy Valjean finds Cosette and becomes a father figure throughout her life and provides for her every need.

The forever vigilant Valjean runs into Javert on several occasions, thus forcing him and Cosette to move from place to place to maintain their freedom. As the young woman becomes an adult, love beckons in the form of an idealistic student, Marius Pontmercy (Eddie Redmayne), but the road to love and happiness is a long and difficult one. Making matters more troubling is the beginning of a revolt against the French government, which finds Marius heavily involved with the violent uprising. However, Valjean intervenes once again to do what is best for Cosette because he understands that the two youngsters are very much in love and have been needlessly kept apart. His continued sacrifice is admirable and he is determined to keep his promise to Fantine. 

Director Tom Hooper has assembled a terrific cast and elicits strong performances from many of them. While Anne Hathaway has received a great deal of attention for her work as the doomed Fantine, Hugh Jackman and Eddie Redmayne are also spectacular. I was aware of Jackman's acting range, but he managed to surprise me anyway with his aching, believable and physically impressive portrayal of Jean Valjean, which may be his best work to date. In addition, Eddie Redmayne, who has toiled in Independent films for some time, may finally break out with his emotionally layered performance as Marius. Redmayne possesses strong vocal skills and displays solid chemistry with Cosette (Amanda Seyfried). Of course, it is Hathaway who belts out "I Dreamed a Dream" and she also makes the most of the small amount of screen time that she is given. Her performance is deeply moving, tragic and unforgettable.The very serious and often depressing subject matter is, thankfully, offset when Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen appear as Thénardier and Madame Thénardier, respectively. Their thin veneers cannot hide the fact that they are scoundrels who only look out for themselves, but the comic relief they provide is necessary and appreciated.

Of course, it is the music that is the center of film's success and, for the most part, it works wonderfully. I suppose I was not prepared for how much singing was involved throughout the film, but it did not take long to adjust. To his credit, Tom Hooper keeps the film moving along, but I did feel that it ran a bit long. For instance, the scenes featuring Javert and Valjean felt all too familiar after a while, with the same general outcome, until late in the film, when two events change the course of Javert's life forever. On the other hand, Hooper's attention to detail with the technical aspects of the film, including costume design, set design and make-up, is sensational. 

I largely credit Hugh Jackman with my overall positive opinion of Les Misérables. He is simply outstanding from start to finish by delivering a multi-layered performance and showcasing his considerable and varied talents. I doubt that there is anything Jackman cannot do well and if he is regularly cast in movie musicals I may be more inclined to see them in the future. The thing that surprised me the most about Les Misérables is the hopeful, even positive vibe that I felt as it concluded. With subject matter this dark, I am not sure how it is possible not to feel depressed or sad, but I did not. I guess that is the magic of film making.

DVD Recommendation: "Chasing Amy: The Criterion Collection"

After reading An Askew View 2: The Films of Kevin Smith, I decided to become reacquainted with a few of the director's older films that I have not seen for a while. Chasing Amy is at the top of the list, since it is my favorite Kevin Smith effort (and one I used to own on VHS tape). The film, which was released in 1997, holds up well and was ahead of its time in dealing with the complications surrounding contemporary relationships and issues of sexuality. As viewers might expect, there is no shortage of vulgarity and sexual innuendo, as well as commentary on popular culture, including Star Wars (a favorite Smith topic) and characters from Archie comic books.

Ben Affleck and Jason Lee star as comic book artists Holden McNeil and Banky Edwards, who also happen to be roommates and long time friends. Banky appears content to be single, but Holden is quite different and soon falls for Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams), who he meets at a comic book convention. Holden does not realize that Alyssa is a lesbian and learns that fact during a rather embarrassing scene in a gay bar, where Banky appears to enjoy seeing his best friend shot down. Despite the obstacle, Holden continues to spend time with Alyssa and falls in love with her. Perhaps he enjoys being self destructive, or maybe he really believes that she is "the one" and that they can somehow build a life together.

Alyssa and Holden become close, which angers Banky, who believes that Holden will end up with a broken heart and he has no trouble voicing his opinion. It appears Banky is jealous of the connection between Alyssa and Holden and is hostile towards her for the duration. After meeting with Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith), who is not so silent this time around, Holden receives uncomfortable information about Alyssa's past that threatens to derail their relationship, which is already on shaky ground. After an emotional and rather long argument with Alyssa, Holden decides to confront both her and Banky together and propose something unexpected, which is met with surprising reactions from both of them and creates even more interpersonal drama among the trio.

Kevin Smith serves as writer and director and excels at both jobs. He clearly understands popular culture and incorporates several clever and brutally honest observations that are delivered with perfection by the talented cast, especially Jason Lee, who is simply hysterical throughout the film. Indeed, Banky says what is on his mind at all times and that does not go over well with everyone. He simply does not care what anyone thinks or if anyone likes him, expect for Holden, of course. Smith also offers keen insight into romantic relationships and how sex can cause many problems, whether in potential heterosexual or homosexual pairings.

Chasing Amy is also perfectly cast by Smith and features solid performances from the aforementioned principal cast members, as well as a scene stealing supporting turn from Dwight Ewell, as Hooper X, an openly gay comic book writer who, like Banky, always speaks him mind. Frequent Smith contributors Ethan Suplee, Brian O'Halloran, Scott Mosier and Jason Mewes add to the enjoyment of the film, which also boasts a brief appearance by Matt Damon. Like many of Smith's films, there is an abundance of male actors who all seem to understand exactly how his words are to be read onscreen. Whether that is just great direction or a magic that Smith develops with his actors, I do not know, but it works beautifully in many of his projects and Chasing Amy may just be the best of the bunch.

The special features include Ten Deleted Scenes, Outtakes, Trailer, Audio Commentary, Special Insert: The Askewniverse Legend: A Guide to Characters in the New Jersey Trilogy, New Video Introduction to the DVD Edition from Director Kevin Smith and Video Introductions from the Cast and Crew, including a completely spaced out Jason Mewes.

By the way, regarding the Archie characters, I would not doubt that at least one of the main characters is actually gay, but a supporting character, Kevin Keller, was introduced as gay a couple of years ago. I suppose that was the easy way out for the writers of the Archie comic books, which continue to be popular, keeping Archie, Jughead, Reggie, Moose, Dilton, Betty, Veronica, Miss Grundy and even Mr. Weatherbee from exiting the closet any time soon. I wonder what Hooper and Banky would say about Kevin Keller?

Sci-Fi Spotlight: "The Martian War" by Kevin J. Anderson

A gathering of real and imagined extraordinary gentlemen (dare I say league) and one woman populate the re-release of The Martian War (Titan Books) by Kevin J. Anderson. Author H.G. Wells, biologist T.H. Huxley, astronomer Percival Lowell, Dr. Moreau, Hawley Griffin (The Invisible Man) and Wells' fiance Jane all play pivotal roles in the story, which centers around a potential Martian invasion of Earth. Wells, along with his mentor, Huxley, and Jane find themselves in the far reaches of space, after an accident that nearly costs them their lives. They are able to return to Earth at their leisure, but they decide to explore the moon and then Mars, which leads to many disturbing discoveries that places them all in danger yet again. Meanwhile, Dr. Moreau, who approached Wells and Huxley about a potential alien invasion before the accident, recounts a personal story about his encounter with a spaceship and a Martian. Moreau, along with Percival Lowell, struggle to learn as much as they can from their extraterrestrial find in order to prepare for and/or prevent an invasion. 

The author assembles an interesting cast of characters who mesh together well, even though they probably should not. As I was reading, I found it strange that I was partial to the narrative when it focuses on Dr. Moreau's journal than the exploits of Wells, Jane and Huxely in space. Both storylines are interesting and well written, but it was almost like two different authors took turns writing the story. Credit should be given to Anderson, who is clearly trying to channel the real life H.G. Wells and the fictional Dr. Moreau, who are two very different people, and succeeds in relating their unique points of view. 

Of course, it was Wells who wrote The War of the Worlds and The Martian War speculates that Wells may have been writing a true story based on his personal experiences. While some may find that far fetched, the famous 1938 radio broadcast of "The War of the Worlds," which was initiated by screen legend Orson Welles, convinced some listeners that the invasion was actually real. Yes, even in the late nineteenth and the early part of the twentieth century, some people wanted to, or were at least inclined, to believe in extraterrestrials. I am not sure if The Martian War is likely to change anyone's mind about the origins of The War of the Worlds, but science fiction fans will have an enjoyable time judging for themselves. 

Indie Film Spotlight: "Hyde Park on Hudson" Starring Bill Murray and Laura Linney

When Margaret Suckley passed away in 1991, her private journals and diaries revealed an affair with her cousin and then President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in 1939. That alleged affair has been adapted by writer Richard Nelson for the film Hyde Park on Hudson. Of course, Hyde Park refers to the home of FDR and serves as the setting for much of the film. While the relationship and romance between Margaret (Laura Linney) and Franklin D. Roosevelt (Bill Murray) is the primary focus of Hyde Park on Hudson, another storyline, featuring a visit from England's King George VI (Samuel West) and his wife, Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman), consumes an ample amount of time.

As the film opens, Margaret is summoned to Hyde Park to act as a companion for FDR, even though his wife, Eleanor (Olivia Williams), and an assistant, Marguerite LeHand (Elizabeth Marvel), are also present. Roosevelt takes a liking to the rather innocent and naive Margaret and their relationship turns romantic during a drive out to the country. Margaret seems to believe that she is the only woman in the President's life, besides Eleanor, of course, which leads to a broken heart when she discovers his other affairs (no, that is not a spoiler). Margaret feels even more alienated when King George and Queen Elizabeth arrive and learns that she is not invited to a dinner in their honor.

After the dinner, FDR and King George have a private meeting and discover that they have similar reasons for wanting to spend time together and they both involve the impending war. Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth takes exception to the wallpaper in the room they are staying in, which negatively depicts British soldiers. She is even suspicious of the Roosevelt's decision to serve hot dogs as the primary menu item for a picnic lunch the following day. The Queen's concerns, bordering on paranoia, add much needed humor and provide a balance to the more dramatic material.

Laura Linney delivers strong work as the somewhat frumpy Margaret, who has limited life experience, which may have been why she was chosen to act as the President's companion. Bill Murray is also quite good, as usual, and is made to look very much like Franklin Roosevelt. His hairstyle and hair color, as well as his complexion, are eerily similar, but I do not think that his vocal stylings were quite right, but I have not heard FDR's voice on film for some time, so I could be mistaken. One scene, featuring FDR and King George, is quite effective and shows how understanding and supportive the President was towards the King's speech impediment (which was the subject of the award winning film The King's Speech). The aforementioned talented supporting cast deliver fine work, too.

I appreciate director Roger Michell's low key approach to the film, as well as the music, which is subdued and appropriate. However, while Hyde Park on Hudson is relatively short, with a run time of just over 90 minutes, the film does not always flow easily, which becomes distracting. In addition, since I am not a student of history, I cannot speak to how historically accurate the film is and I have no idea if the information in Margaret Suckley's diaries and journals has been verified. Whether the film is fact or fiction, or perhaps a mixture of the two, it is an entertaining period piece with much to offer. 

New in Theaters: "Mama" Offers A Few Good Scares

Mama is able to accomplish two things that are rare among contemporary horror films; provide a few genuinely scary moments and put forth a talented cast. Yes, even the child actors are convincing in this sometimes absorbing, but equally confusing film from first time director Andres Muschietti. The titular character is discovered early on, as a distraught father, Jeffrey (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), murders his wife and business associates and then takes his children, five year old Victoria, and one year old Lily, with him. After crashing as a result of icy road conditions, Jeffrey and the girls walk through the woods until they stumble upon a deserted cabin. Jeffrey intends on killing himself and the children, but a malevolent spirit, Mama, intervenes and kills him instead.

Flash forward five years when Jeffrey's twin brother, Lucas (also portrayed by Waldau), is still searching for his brother and the girls. A search party finally locates the car, the cabin and the girls, who appear to be healthy, but behave more like animals than humans. Jeffrey and his girlfriend, Annabel (Jessica Chastain), place the children under the care of a psychiatrist, Dr. Dreyfuss (Daniel Kash), and plan to seek custody, much to the dismay of the children's wealthy aunt Jean (Jane Moffat). Soon after the girls move in with Lucas and Annabel, strange things begin to occur, as Mama, who apparently took care of the girls while they were at the cabin, has accompanied the youngsters to their new home. As a result, Lucas is quickly attacked and hospitalized, leaving a reluctant Annabel to care for Victoria (Megan Charpentier) and Lily (Isabelle Nélisse). While Victoria appears willing to open up to Annabel and let Mama go, Lily is not, perhaps because Mama is the only mother she has really known.

As Annabel grows closer to the girls, Mama becomes jealous and invades her dreams, which tell her sad and gruesome tale. Mama's aggressive behavior towards Annabel continues to unfold and she eventually reveals herself, much to the horror of the young woman. Meanwhile, Lucas is slowly recovering and is having strange dreams of his own, Dr. Dreyfuss is beginning to unravel Mama's backstory, and Jean suspects that the girls may be suffering physical abuse, which prompts an unexpected and unfortunate visit. All of the aforementioned events serve to set up the final act.

The screenplay, by Neil Cross, Andres Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, is interesting, suspenseful and features a healthy dose of humor to offset the horror. However, some things do not make sense. First of all, what role do moths play in Mama's existence? The clearly are important because they are shown in abundance when she is around, but there is explanation as to why. In addition, why did Mama not injure Annabel like she did Lucas? That would have allowed her to take the girls back much sooner. Furthermore, how can Mama be in two places at once, such as at the cabin and at the house? Does she have a twin sister? Also, how does she know to be at the cabin when it is located by other characters? Those questions, and a few more, bothered me because the story is interesting and the performances are equally good and I wanted everything to come together in a coherent way. 

Andres Muschietti is on to something good here, but there are many unanswered questions and holes in the story that become distracting. I am all for suspending disbelief during horror movies, but Mama stretched the limits of my patience.  Of course, the ending leaves open the possibility of a sequel, which may help to clear a few things up. In any event, Mama is a solid attempt at a modern day horror film and fans of the genre will want to see this one, although they should be aware of its shortcomings.

DVD Recommendation: "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" (2012)

I watch a lot of movies, but only occasionally discover a film that takes me completely by surprise. The Pirates! Band of Misfits is one of those films. Based on the first installment of Gideon Defoe's The Pirates! book series, the film centers around the Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant) who has fallen on hard times because his plundering efforts have been largely unsuccessful. He even considers changing careers, until his "number two," known as the Pirate with a Scarf (Martin Freeman), encourages him to try one last time with a ship called the Beagle. Alas, there is no treasure to be found, but the Pirate Captain and his crew capture Charles Darwin (the film is set in 1837), which proves to be fortuitous for them all.

Darwin has no money to speak of, but he informs the Pirate Captain that his pet parrot, Polly, is actually a Dodo bird, a species that has been long thought extinct. Darwin wants to enter the bird into the Scientist of the Year competition, which is being held in London, and promises that if he wins, it will mean untold treasure for the Pirate Captain. However, England's Queen Victoria (Imelda Staunton) hates pirates and that is made abundantly clear through sight gags, as well as her venomous outbursts. The Pirate Captain and crew decide to go to London anyway and since they are all experts in creating disguises, they will try to pass themselves off as scientists. That is no easy feat, since the crew members are not intellectually gifted. However, they are willing to do anything to help their leader.

While in London, Darwin's true colors are revealed, as he tries to steal Polly, but the seemingly incompetent Pirate Captain is lucky, if nothing else, and he is able to save his beloved bird. After Polly wins the Scientist of the Year award for the Pirate Captain, the untold treasures do not amount to much, but they do include a visit from Queen Victoria, who arrives promptly after the winner is announced and orders the Pirate Captain to be killed after his duplicity is revealed. However, Darwin intervenes and encourages the Queen, who he is secretly in love with, to pardon the Pirate Captain and she does, on the condition that he find Polly, who is actually hidden in the Pirate Captain's beard! The balance of the film finds the suddenly confident Pirate Captain entering into the Pirate of the Year competition, after sneaking out of England and away from the Queen, with Polly in tow. However, their paths cross again when the ruthless Queen makes him an offer he cannot refuse and then in the finale during an exciting seafaring adventure.

The aforementioned Gideon Defoe wrote the screenplay, which is consistently funny, often absurd and features countless sight gags that more observant viewers will appreciate. The deadpan delivery from the talented voice actors is hilarious, as they try to play the material straight, which is no easy feat. I enjoyed the risque nature of some of the situations. For instance, the Pirate Captain appears to really love Polly and the exact nature of their relationship is left up to viewers to decide. I also enjoyed the way Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is skewered, via his relationship with Bobo the monkey, and the unconventional names of the pirates. For example, Pirate with Gout (Brendan Gleeson) and Albino Pirate (Anton Yelchin). Finally, the camaraderie among the crew members is admirable. They all accept one another, without condition, and will seemingly do anything for their beloved, if challenged, Pirate Captain.

The Pirates! Band of Misfits is a rare film in the sense that it should play equally well to both younger and older viewers. Children will enjoy the animation and overall silliness of the story, while adults will recognize more subtle references, including the more risque ones. I had a smile on my face from start to finish while watching this film and I sincerely hope there will be a sequel. An outstanding effort overall. By the way, watch out for maps that depict sea creatures. They may not be just for show!

The Pirates! Band of Misfits is nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2013 Academy Awards.



Gus Van Sant and Matt Damon Reunite for "Promised Land"

Matt Damon re-teams with his Good Will Hunting director, Gus Van Sant, for the socially conscious drama Promised Land, which centers around the efforts of an energy company to purchase natural gas drilling rights from residents of a small farming town. Damon portrays Steve Butler, a rising star in his company, Global Crosspower Solutions, who partners with another employee, Sue Thomason (Frances McDormond), to secure the land rights quickly and with limited cost to their employer. Initially, their efforts are well received, but during a town meeting, a science teacher, Frank Yates (Hal Holbrook), expresses skepticism about the dangers of extracting the natural gas through a process known as fracking. Steve is not prepared for Frank's educated opinion and has trouble addressing his concerns, which seems to trouble the other residents. As a result, the locals decide to take a vote after they have had time to educate themselves about fracking. Soon thereafter, an environmental advocate, Dustin Noble (John Krasinski), arrives in town and works to convince the residents not to sell their land to Global because of the possible contamination of the water supply and the dangers posed to the animal population from fracking. Dustin's easy going, friendly demeanor helps endear him to the locals, who believe what he has to say, thus causing roadblocks for Steve and Sue to successfully purchase the land. 

Promised Land was filmed in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania which is a fracking hot spot these days. The fracking debate that is addressed in the film is not a new one and was the focus of a 2010 documentary, Gasland, which was nominated for an Academy Award. While the debate on the pros and cons of fracking continues, the farming industry continues to struggle, which is prompting more and more people to sell their land and reap the rewards. That reality is captured throughout the film, as Steve tries to convince the land owners that farming is a thing of the past and that their only real option is to sell. That may be an oversimplification, but Steve is trying to further his career, after all. Even though he tells the residents that he is not the bad guy, his inability to be completely honest with them suggests otherwise. However, Steve is likable and comes from similar small town roots, so he can relate to the people that he is trying to coax into selling their land. At times, Steve appears conflicted about his job, which becomes even more complicated when he knows that the promises that he is making may not come to pass for the residents, who are essentially being manipulated and not necessarily receiving a fair price for their land and the natural gas resources.

The screenplay, by Matt Damon and John Krasinski, starts off strong but loses momentum during the second half of the film, when I found myself becoming distracted during a few dialogue heavy scenes. When Promised Land stays focused on Steve's internal conflicts, the film works well, but when a needless potential romance develops between him and a local resident, Alice (Rosemarie DeWitt), the film veers off course. The romantic angle is never fully realized because the characters do not spend enough time together. In fact, viewers know next to nothing about Alice, so why should they care about her potential romance with Steve? Furthermore, there are too many characters introduced throughout the film, which is distracting at times and at least two of them, portrayed by the aforementioned and always outstanding McDormand and Holbrook, simply do not have enough to do. On the other hand, Damon and Krasinski play more substantial roles and deliver strong performances. Krasinski is particularly effective in a bar scene during open mic night when Dustin is trying to sway the residents against selling their land. He ends his speech by belting out Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark," which solidifies his "everyman" status with the locals. 

My expectations for Promised Land were high because the film features two of my favorite actors, Matt Damon and Frances McDormond. In addition, Gus Van Sant is one of my favorite directors and the aforementioned Good Will Hunting is one of my all-time favorite films. Unfortunately, Promised Land does not live up to its potential. While I appreciated the effort put forth by the considerable talent that has been assembled for this project, I cannot fully recommend this film. However, there is much to like about Promised Land, if you can overlook its shortcomings. For instance, small town life is perfectly captured, the music is well considered, humor is used well to offset the drama, and the main characters are realistically portrayed by exceptional actors. Of course, depending on where viewers fall in the fracking debate is likely to be crucial to their enjoyment of the film, which does an admirable job at looking at both sides of the issue, but ultimately appears to be saying that the potential dangers associated with the process need to be examined more closely. While that is reasonable, I suspect some viewers may not feel the same way. 

New on Blu-ray: "The Jazz Singer" (1927) - Starring Al Jolson

Photo Credits: Warner Bros.

The Jazz Singer, the first feature-length film with completely synchronized dialogue and musical sequences, marked another milestone on January 8 when Warner Home Video released the Blu-ray™ commencing the 2013 year-long 90th Anniversary of Warner Bros. Studios. This is The Jazz Singer's first release on Blu-ray and includes a total of three discs and a 90 page booklet that features production notes, countless photographs and information about the stars of the film, including Al Jolson and Warner Oland.

The film centers around Jakie Rabinowitz (Al Jolson), a Jewish man with a gift for song and dance. Jakie wants to become a jazz singer, but his father, a fifth generation Jewish cantor (Warner Oland), expects his son to follow in his footsteps. Indeed, it is that age old dilemma of whether to be loyal to family history and meet the expectations of your parents, or go off on your own and become the person you want to be and/or are destined to be. Jakie decides to be his own person and eventually becomes a success in show business. After receiving an offer to appear in a Broadway show, Jakie, who now goes by Jack Robin, comes home to New York and hopes to make amends with his father and reunite with his beloved mother (Eugenie Besserer). However, his father's illness causes Jakie to reconsider his priorities and places him in the uncomfortable position of choosing between his career and his family once again. 

The legendary Al Jolson delivers a remarkable performance in this history making effort, which was shepherded by the Warner brothers and marked the eventual end of the silent era and the beginning of talking pictures. While watching the film, I realized how many other movies and television shows have utilized certain dialogue and references over the years, from Looney Tunes shorts to The Golden Girls, which speaks to the enduring influence of The Jazz Singer. On a personal note, I remember Warner Oland from his role as detective Charlie Chan in a series of films that were produced in the 1930s and were rebroadcast some years ago as a weekly series.

The Jazz Singer premiered at the Warner Theater in New York City on October 6, 1927 and soon became a national phenomenon, limited only by the relatively small amount of theaters (200) which were already equipped with Vitaphone’s sound-on-disc technology (a process developed by Western Electric and Warner Bros. wherein a 16” disc was synchronized with standard 35mm projection equipment). The film was a smash everywhere it played, and led to the installation of sound equipment all over the nation. Less than two years later, nearly 8,000 theaters were wired for sound. Fueled by Jolson’s charisma and Vitaphone, The Jazz Singer created the momentum for “talking pictures” that could not be stopped. Silent films would soon become virtually extinct.

The Jazz Singer Blu-ray book is loaded with special features, including the full-length documentary feature, The Dawn of Sound: How Movies Learned to Talk. The 93-minute film covers the 30 plus year struggle to successfully unite sound and image on motion picture screens. The fascinating narrative of failures and triumphs is propelled by insights from notable film historians, including Leonard Maltin, as well as interviews from many talents, including Rose Marie and Andy Rooney, who reveal their personal experiences of this tumultuous period in film history. See below for a complete list of special features.

Own it on Blu-ray 

Special Features:

·         Commentary by film historians Ron Hutchinson (founder of The Vitaphone Project) and Vince Giordano

·         Collection of vintage cartoons and shorts:

o    “Al Jolson in ‘A Plantation Act’“ - 1926 Vitaphone short

o    An Intimate Dinner in Celebration of Warner Bros. Silver Jubilee – 1930 short

o    I Love to Singa - Classic 1936 WB parody cartoon directed by Tex Avery

o    Hollywood Handicap – Classic 1938 M-G-M short with Al Jolson appearance

o    A Day at Santa Anita - Classic Technicolor WB 1939 short with Al Jolson & Ruby Keeler cameo appearance

·         1947 Lux Radio Theater Broadcast starring Al Jolson (audio only)

·          Theatrical Trailer

The Early Sound Era

·         Feature-length historical documentary The Dawn of Sound: How Movies Learned to Talk

·         Two rarely-seen Technicolor excerpts from Gold Diggers of Broadway (1929 WB film, most of which is considered lost)

·         Studio shorts celebrating the early sound era:

·         Finding His Voice (1929 Western Electric animated promotional short, produced by Max Fleischer)

·         The Voice That Thrilled The World - Warner Bros. short about sound

·         Okay for Sound 1946 WB short celebrating the 20^th anniversary of Vitaphone

·         When Talkies Were Young 1955 WB short looking back at the early talkies

·         The Voice from the Screen -- 1926 WB ‘demonstration’ film explores the Vitaphone technology, and looks at the making of a Vitaphone short.

Vitaphone Shorts

In the 1920’s Warner Bros. began producing a series of short films which utilized the Vitaphone process. These films ran the gamut from musical theater legends and vaudeville acts, to dramatic vignettes and classical music performances from the most prestigious artists of the era.

Most of these were shorts considered lost for decades, until a consortium of archivists and historians joined forces with a goal to restore these magnificent time capsules of entertainment history. Up until now, contemporary audiences have only been able to see these shorts via rare retrospective showings in a few large cities, or through the limited release of a restored handful of the earliest subjects, which were part of a 1996 laserdisc set.

·         Over 3 1/2 hours worth of rare, historic Vitaphone comedy and music shorts

·         Elsie Janis in a Vaudeville Act: “Behind the Lines”

·         Bernado Depace: “Wizard of the Mandolin”

·         Van and Schneck: “The Pennant Winning Battery of Songland”

·         Blossom Seeley and Benny Fields

·         Hazel Green and Company

·         The Night Court

·         The Police Quartette

·         Ray Mayer & Edith Evans: “When East Meets West”

·         Adele Rowland: “Stories in Song”

·         Stoll, Flynn and Company: “The Jazzmania Quintet”

·         The Ingenues in “The Band Beautiful”

·         The Foy Family in “Chips off the Old Block”

·         Dick Rich and His Melodious Monarchs

·         Gus Arnheim and His Ambassadors

·         Shaw and Lee: “The Beau Brummels”

·         Larry Ceballos’ Roof Garden Revue

·         Trixie Friganza in “My Bag O’ Tricks”

·         Green’s Twentieth Century Faydetts

·         Sol Violinsky: “The Eccentric Entertainer”

·         Ethel Sinclair and Marge La Marr in “At the Seashore”

·         Paul Tremaine and His Aristocrats

·         Baby Rose Marie: “The Child Wonder”

·         Burns & Allen in “Lambchops “

·         Joe Frisco in “The Happy Hottentots”

You can watch a clip from the film below.