Back on Track

It may look as if I've been slacking off, and perhaps I have been as far as postings, but actually I've been busy busy busy going to movies and theater events in spite of the fact that the change to colder weather has been trying to keep me down.

I've been checking out the new fall TV season too and posting blogs at tvguide.com for one of the most engrossing shows I've watched in a long time, HBO's Tell Me You Love Me, and filling in for Brothers & Sisters. Be sure to check them out and stop back to see where I've been.

Into the Wild

FLICK Emile Hirsch totally embodies the spirit of 20-year-old Christopher McCandless in the engrossing film Into the Wild based on the nonfiction bestseller by Jon Krakauer. Rejecting the materialistic values of his parents (Marcia Gay Harden and William Hurt) McCandless searches for a peaceful existence living off the land. With elements of a road trip film, the film is more a portrait of an optimistic young man renaming himself Alexander Supertramp and exploring ways to become a better and more simplistic person.
The title suggests going somewhere savage. And literally McCandless finds himself naively in a few tough spots, being beaten while hitching a ride on a train and ending up in the middle of Alaska to live in a run down bus. But it also suggests venturing into the mind of a young man who can be seen alternately rebellious and a free spirit happily living an idealistic lifestyle. Chris is influenced by Henry David Thoreau's Walden, which helps to push him to achieve his goal and abandon not only his family's ethics, but also the family itself. (In a revealing interview with Premiere, Marcia Gay Harden considers McCandless' mother's point-of-view stating that though it was hard to accept his leaving it was crueler for him to leave them without saying goodbye.)
The entire cast is incredible, including Katherine Keener, Vince Vaughn and especially a heartfelt performance by Hal Holbrook.
While emphasizing a simplistic existence, Sean Penn's direction is ambitious going on location and showing vast landscapes from around the country and up to Alaska mirroring the beauty of Chris' intentions and the extent that he's willing to go to achieve it. The nonlinear structure of the story pits McCandless' solitude against a variety of people he meets, ultimately realizing too late that it's the connections we make that are truly valuable. My Score: 8.5 out of 10.

Jim Norton: Monster Rain

TELEVISION Popular words and phrases are easily found online in the Urban Dictionary, and the title of Jim Norton's HBO comedy special Monster Rain, airing Saturday night at 10PM, is no exception. The phrase comes from a childhood "game." Whenever it rains, someone screams "monster rain" and you run under the porch to get a blowjob. Norton said he played with at least 10 boys and girls by the fourth grade. Sound like fun? Check out the hilarious special!
His childhood encounters haven't hindered his adult experiences, and though it seems he prefers women, Norton's stories express that sex is sex no matter where it's coming from. He takes away the social standards and gets to the heart of what make most men tick. Though offensive to some, it's this all-inclusive hold-nothing-back brand of humor that makes him such a lovable little pervert.
Norton's book "Happy Endings: The Tales of a Meaty-Breasted Zilch" was released in the summer and went as high as #4 on the New York Times bestseller list for hardcover nonfiction. In it he shares a wide variety of memories in humorous essays that range from working on the Colin Quinn show Tough Crowd, hooking up with hookers, and obsessing about meeting Alan Alda.
Previously on the HBO sitcom Lucky Louie, he's still a busy fucker as a regular on the daily XM satellite radio program The Opie and Anthony Show.
Everyone and everything is a target in Jim Norton's world, including pop culture, race and Islam. As he says in tomorrow night's special: "Don't say the F word, don't say the N word, don't say the C word. How the hell is anyone supposed to know when you're addressing them?"

Top Chef – Finale, Part One

TELEVISION After a one month break, the four remaining chef-testants travel to Aspen for the final leg of their trek to be named Top Chef. Approaching the helium balloon that they’ll be boarding, Brian lets out a perfect gay gasp and grabs hold of bi-Hung’s arm. It’s nice to see the excitement and camaraderie. Taking in the fresh mountain air while heading to their final destination, they had to breathe deeply to take command of cooking fresh trout in the Frying Pan River Challenge. Guest judge Eric Ripert speaks with authority when telling them “good luck, you’re going to need it.”
While rushing around, seafood expert Brian drops his fish on the ground and loses time starting over. He also makes a comment that trout is not considered seafood. I’ve not heard that before. As he’s floundering, Hung finishes seven minutes before everyone else. I first wondered if it would be too long for the dish to just sit there but as time ran out it became moot point when he realizes that he forgot to add lemon juice. He should have been a little more focused, especially during the judging when he mentions his error. He still came in second place above Brian, who served an accompanying salad unsalted and Dale, who added a dash too much cayenne pepper to the apple and fennel. Casey reeled in a winner as her trout was served with crisped skin, grapes and corn, and was told it had soul.
The Elimination Challenge takes place at a rodeo where they’ll have to prepare free-range elk for 45 cowboys and cowgirls. Brian dons his cowboy hat and tells Chef Tom that he’s adding everything but the kitchen sink to his dish. As we’ve seen before, Tom humorously just tilts his head questioningly. Padma too is wearing a cowboy hat and rings the triangle for all to come and get it. Though the judges all found Brian’s explanation of his dish to take longer to say than eat, the editors had fun putting it together and dissolving from one portion of his “Whiskey Braised Elk Shank with Horseradish Sour Cream Potato Puree with Pancetta Corn, Asparagus relish and Blackberry, Balsamic and Sage Brown Butter” to the other. It also hurt when he gave the judges a choice of Roquefort or gorgonzola cheese instead of presenting what he felt would be the better choice.
Casey served a mushroom-crusted loin of elk that she said was rare but Ripert thought it was under-cooked as to call it black and blue. But he went all out to say her accompanying smoky tomato butter was amazing. Gail agreed saying that this “one component” was good. Casey also served a puree of cauliflower that Tom didn’t like because of the bits of caramelized cauliflower she added to it.
Hung got caught in a lie. When told they would be serving elk, he said in his interview that elk is boring and he didn’t enjoy cooking it. (He also asked “what do cowboys eat besides baked beans, baked beans and baked beans?”) In front of the judges, he sang a different song saying he loved elk and had fun cooking it. I agree when they say he is technically (techniquely) good but it’s this kind of regular back pedaling and bullshitting the judges that keeps me from rooting for him.
Dale was right up front about having a backup plan when his goat cheese tart didn’t turn out because there was no cream cheese available to add to it. Anticipating disaster, he had prepared cauliflower and fingerling potatoes adding dried cherries and toasted pecans to them which completed his spiked elk loin with huckleberry-blueberry sauce plate. His honesty didn’t hurt as he told the judges that when the restaurant where he worked closed, he didn’t work for 1 ½ years before the competition but has found himself again since. Dale has the good karma thing going on too and it was in the air as he won the evening’s competition. Proving that bigger, or more, isn’t always better, Brian was sent packing for having too much happening. Part two of the finale airs next week and it looks to be anyone’s game.

HEROES – Four Months Later

TELEVISION The sun rises on a new dawn… and it was worth the wait. I liked this episode because we were caught up with most of the main characters, it set up some new stories, and left me with lots of questions and still wanting more. There were a lot of little details presented and not everything needed to be explained all at once, but I do want to know everything!

The Bennets are now on the west coast. Claire is in a new school where she is in the closet about her powers. But her new buddy, who may have sensed she was different, confirmed it after hovering outside her bedroom window. Looking like a younger Peter Petrelli, he flies off into the night. Since her real dad, Nathan, and Uncle Peter can fly, will this be a real turn-on for her? Can we assume he’s a good guy and not a bad guy?
Suresh is lecturing about a killer virus and meets Steven Tobolowsky (Memento), who can turn stainless steel into gold. There is a power I hadn’t considered wanting until I saw it. Suresh is working with HRG on a plan against his old company. Matt Parkman and Suresh have joint-custody of Molly. Since Parkman and Molly are my least favorites, I’m hoping that she will have a great storyline to draw me into them. Or I’ll continue to be disappointed that Matt didn’t die when he fell out the window last season. (Maybe she’s having too many nightmares from eating too much pizza!)
New heroes Maya and Alejandro are hoping to get across the border. Can’t wait to see how she moves when aggravated. I can understand why she would lash out at the drivers, but why the others in the back of the truck?
Over in 1671 Japan, Hiro will probably step up to the plate to become the hero he’s looking for since Kensei isn’t all he’s cracked up to be. Nice casting when David Anders, who played Sark in Alias, took off his mask and appears as Kensei.
Who is killing off the first generation and why? And who was that masked man, uh, hoodied person who went overboard with Mr. Nakamura (George Takei)? He recognized and never expected who was going to kill him. I have no clue who it would be, but the least likely person would be his son, Hiro. Perhaps he learned something in the 325 years he traveled. There are a thousand possibilities, but we’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.
Nathan is drinking too much, but not too far gone to throw his mother out. It’s too bad he couldn’t continue with his political career, but he had to save his brother and world, let alone the cheerleader.
Peter’s locks are cut. (I'll miss them but he’s still cute as hell with his hair slightly buzzed.) Questions: how, when and why did he get to be where he is, and where did he pick up his lightning flash power?

Tell Me You Love Me

TELEVISION If you like mature dramas that focus on the nitty gritty in the lives of the characters, try checking out the new HBO drama Tell Me You Love Me. The show centers on three couples with relationship troubles plus their therapist, played by Jane Alexander.

Though less intense, I’m tempted to say that it reminds me of Ingmar Bergman’s Scenes from a Marriage. But the focus is on a larger group of characters, so in this case, bigger is better. The show presents many contemporary issues, from obsessive love to infertility to a sexless marriage. Oh, and did I mention there is nudity and sex? Not to be confused with Skin-e-max, TMYLM focuses on the why and when the couples are having sex instead of placing them on exhibit for a voyeur’s delight.

Episode three premiered last night. If you’re looking to catch up, check out my blog at TV Guide.

Across the Universe

FLICK With a reputation for creating spectacular eye candy, director Julie Taymor continues to deliver the sweet stuff with Across the Universe, a psychedelic love story during the changing 1960’s propelled by the music of The Beatles. Though also song-driven but nothing like the 1978 film Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band featuring Peter Frampton and the Bee Gees, Taymor’s version shows how dancing at proms gives way to radical protesting. And as the story tackles more serious times, our sentiments grow stronger for the central characters.

Familiarity with The Beatles and their music will add to the fun of recognizing name references. Jim Sturgess is Jude, a dockworker from Liverpool who travels to Princeton in search of his father. While there he meets Max and Lucy, played by Joe Anderson and Evan Rachel Wood. Not only is the talented cast adept with interpreting the music, it is diverse.
Prudence (T.V. Carpio) is an Asian-American lesbian cheerleader who makes an entrance into the house through the bathroom window. People and events of the era are referenced too. Inspired by Jimi Hendrix, Jo-Jo (Martin Luther McCoy) is a guitarist, and aspiring sexy rock singer Sadie (Dana Fuchs) echoes Janis Joplin. And there is a moment that recreates when the Fab Four jammed at lunchtime atop their Apple Studios. (The studio here is called Strawberry Jams.)
In the midst of the Vietnam War, Lucy is protesting while Jude, an artist, sketches what the Beatles used for a logo, a green apple. Taymor is inspired by the song "Strawberry Fields Forever" as Jude sticks strawberries on a white canvas. The fruit look like small hearts that bleed down the white background emphasizing the killing abroad and the bashing during rioting at home.
The film takes several detours to give us the mind-altering splendor we expect. Eddie Izzard is the circus MC Mr. Kite accompanied by what resembles paper mache Blue Meanies, and Bono portrays an author whose book is titled “I Am the Walrus”.
The actors creatively interpret the songs with slight shifts in perspective from their original versions. When the army drafts Max, a poster of Uncle Sam comes to life, pointing his finger and singing “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” while video game-looking recruitment officers step in time, gather inductees’ physical statistics and eventually carry off the Statue of Liberty.
Offering more than just whirling dervishes of color and love, love, love, Across the Universe is a total entertainment package that is out of this world. My Score: 8.5 out of 10.
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite












Across the Universe Trailer 2 (I've Just Seen A Face)

Assassins

THEATER Kicking off its 20th season with a bang, Philadelphia’s Arden Theater Company presents Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical Assassins. With movies like Shoot ‘Em Up and The Brave One recently opening, the show, with a book by John Weidman, is a perfect fit in a fall season where murder is in the air. Though the body count is much less the victims, and their killers, have a much higher profile.

The show maintains a carnival atmosphere profiling men and women who have attempted to assassinate US Presidents. Director Terrence Nolan makes good use of the entire theater space to expand the area where these living ghosts can suddenly appear. As with history, they’ve made their mark and will never go away. Nolan has perfectly put together a solid cast that really knocks ‘em dead.

The opening song lures us in with a jolt as the character of the Proprietor (Jay Pierce) says if you’re feeling blue to "c'mon and shoot a president" to cheer yourself up. And as the song goes on, everyone is eventually, lovingly singing, “Everybody’s Got the Right” to their dreams, as if they were in A Little Night Music.

We initially meet “the father of presidential assassins” John Wilkes Booth (Jeffrey Coon) who is serenaded by the Balladeer, musically asking, “Why did you do it, Johnny?” The Balladeer is also the character of Lee Harvey Oswald (Ben Dibble) who is pushed by Booth to avoid suicide and make a name for himself. Strong portrayals of these two pistol-packing powerhouses bookend the show filled with profiles by performers that all also hit a bulls-eye.

The conversation between Lynette `Squeaky’ Fromme (Erin Brueggemann) and Sara Jane Moore (Mary Martello) who both made attempts on the life of Gerald Ford displays a lot of humor while contrasting the imbalance of one woman who was obsessively devoted to her man, Charlie Manson, and another who had paranoid tendencies and married five times. Unrequited love is the reason John Hinckley (Timothy Hill) attempted to kill Ronald Reagan, looking to gain the attention of actress Jodie Foster.

Scott Greer has a few intensely manic moments as the Santa suit-wearing Samuel Byck who attempted to off Richard Nixon, but a real scene-stealer is James Sugg as the man who killed President Garfield, Charles Guiteau. He is incredibly delighted at his success, climbing the stairs to be hanged and gleefully singing “I am going to the Lordy.”

We live in a time when the themes of this show can be disturbing. Suicide bombers regularly pick their mark, reasoning that they are making the world better. The selected assassins may have been delusional but had similarly varied reasons – love, anger, or egotism – for what they did. But it’s the outstanding performers who recite the cleverly constructed words and make us look beyond the famous events presented here that make this a killer show.

Top Chef – Manhattan Project

It was no circus when the five remaining contestants showed up at the renowned Le Cirque restaurant in New York City to dine with owner Sirio Maccioni and Padma. As they were served a Paupiette of Sea Bass wrapped in a sheet of potatoes over braised leeks, it was mentioned that this was an entrée served only to VIPs. Close attention had to be paid as this became the dish to recreate for the Quickfire Challenge. With only 25 minutes for preparation, it this difficult and quick-thinking challenge that elevates Top Chef above other competition shows.
Hung was first in the kitchen. When he finished and joined the others, Dale asked him whether he used the oven or the stove top. Hung chose not to say, which prompted Dale to comment that though Hung has technical skills, he has no heart. On one side of the ladle, the chef-testants have been unusually close for the most part this season, and much more so than on any other competition program I’ve seen. So, helping one another do his or her best adds to honest gamesmanship and in effect raising the bar for themselves. On the other hand, it is a competition and if you want to leave the others on the chopping block, it should be expected. But as I mentioned last week, karma has reared its head here and there and may do so again when it comes to the finale.
It helps to have knowledge of the tools and techniques required to be successful. Dale not only under-seasoned his dish but got hung up using the mandoline, which is commonly used in most upscale restaurants, not to mention many homes as it’s readily available in many cooking supply stores. But it’s necessary to get the desired effect for these particular potatoes. They have to be thin and pliable to completely wrap around the fish while allowing it to cook. Sara did not allow herself enough time and therefore served her sea bass undercooked. Brian was told his dish tasted well, Casey’s was better than most, but Hung won this round.
Moving to the French Culinary Institute, the Elimination Challenge was to produce greatness by simply using a chicken, russet potatoes and an onion. The taste testers this time included not only the regular judges but dean Andre Soltner and a half dozen other distinguished members of the institute.
Hung did one better than the rest again, winning by preparing his chicken sous-vide, which is throwing all of the ingredients in a plastic bag and slowly cook by submerging it in hot water.
Casey keeps her good karma going by recreating the Coq au Vin her grandmother used to make. The problem she ran into was its name. The panel of classically-trained French chefs demands that the dish should be slow-cooked and made with a rooster and not a chicken. But in the end it was full of flavor and won her second place.
Brian’s Peasant Pie was a little green from using the leafy onion-like ramps but it too was flavorful and kept him in the running.
Dale was sited for having a flawed concept, preparing two petit dishes using a truffle sauce and a rosemary-honey sauce. Clearly feeling the stress, he forgot to plate the second sauce. For the second time in a row, Sara served food that was pink and undercooked. Questioning whether failing with concept or execution was worse, the judges decided that Sara should pack her knives and go, leaving us with four who will be featured in the two-part finale in Aspen.

TOP CHEF – Snacks on a Plane

TELEVISION As dawn breaks in Miami, the usually reserved Padma Lakshmi becomes extremely cheerful and blurts out the words “rise and shine” directing the command not to baked muffins but to the six remaining sleeping chefs for a Quickfire Challenge. Using Breville blenders (my recent blender of choice) and selected ingredients before them, breakfast was to be prepared within 20 minutes. Besides limited time and space, the chef-testants zip around the room with a few other obstacles in their way. Known for going right into hyper-speed, Hung doesn’t disappoint as he immediately knocks a bottle of truffle oil off the table, creating a slippery mess with oil and broken glass all over the floor. Not only does he deny doing this but, repeating what he did in a QFC from early on, drops food from the refrigerator and leaves it on the floor. This speediness doesn’t contribute to efficiency or having focus but rather shows a narrow vision and being unaware of your surroundings, not to mention causing a hazard and earning the right to be called a spazz.
As the only judge, Padma tastes all six offerings and seems to dislike only Brian’s berry shake for not having the seeds strained. Her two favorites were Sara’s French toast with an egg in a hole and Hung’s steak and eggs served with a papaya and banana smoothie spiked with Grand Marnier, which ultimately won the challenge. His prize was a copy of Padma’s new book “Tangy, Tart, Hot & Sweet” plus picking out the protein used in his next challenge. Padma asks the group if they had fun and CJ responds with “except when Hung broke the oil.” While watching Hung swirl around faster than his breakfast shake and listening to CJ point out another’s mistakes (which he seems to do in every episode – remember pointing out Brian sweating?) it becomes apparent that karma is what will make or topple a chef.
For the Elimination Challenge, everyone packed their bags and got ready to go to New York. What they didn’t plan for was the layover at the Newark International Airport where they would have to prepare restaurant quality airline food to be served to a dozen or so flight attendants. Not only were the chefs working in an unfamiliar kitchen, but the challenge also required them to prepare meals in individual containers that were approximately two inches high and could be heated within 10-15 minutes.
One thing I notice week after week is the camaraderie and respect some chefs have for others. Even though this is a win-or-lose competition, some like Dale are ready to help, but Casey is always shown pitching in to assist with serving or plating a dish for someone else when she can. When Dale says that Hung is not a team player, we see Hung cleaning up his station but not offering a hand to anyone. (And who cleaned the oil off the floor?) Think karma, Chameleon.
I get a little excited when Chef Anthony Bourdain shows up to assist in the judging. His comments are biting, spot-on and not to mention humorous. He even caused Chef Tom Colicchio to burst into laughter, particularly when calling CJ’s seared halibut with overcooked broccolini something they found cleaning the closet at Bob Marley’s house. Broccolini was not the only item bashed. Brian got called out for serving rubbery lobster and poorly executed purple Peruvian potato hash (say that phrase 10 times real fast.)
Dale’s steak au poivre was a crowd-pleaser but having forgotten one serving only 17 of the 18 diners had their palettes tickled. Hung’s sea bass held its moistness but that karma thing bit him and kept him from winning. That honor went to the creative and daring Casey, who generated not only good will among everyone, but successful veal medallions with crimini and apple brandy. Having won two weeks in a row, she is a definite contender for the title of Top Chef.
And CJ was asked to pack his knives and go for putting out that filthy broccolini that was too limp and overcooked. But I think pointing out other’s flubs was the karma breaker.

Dans Paris (Inside Paris)

FLICK As Jonathan jumps out of bed leaving a man and a woman behind in one of the first shots of Dans Paris, he walks to the balcony, looks directly into the camera and explains to us exactly how he ended up there. Like the circular structure of the film, director Christophe Honoré has swung back 40 years to use a variety of film styles that identified the French New Wave and brings it back into vogue. Honoré skillfully uses those techniques to accent his characters and balances lightness when telling the story of a man with mood swings living with his brother and father.
Jonathan (Louis Garrel) describes in flashback the failed relationship his brother Paul (Romain Duris) had with girlfriend Anna and how it stirred up Paul’s depression. Clearly establishing a connection with us, but like the detachment that runs in the family, the irresponsible Jonathan introduces us to Paul then leaves us with him for the next 20 minutes. Later, he tells Paul he will phone him in 30 minutes after reaching Le Bon Marché, but calls seven hours later having taken a detour to bed three women. All in all, Jonathan loves his brother and sleeps in the living room so Paul can isolate himself in the bedroom. Garrel is incredibly charming when portraying Jonathan as a joker – wearing his boxers on his head attempting to make his brother laugh and, with sped-up film, appearing like Charlie Chaplin as “The Tramp.”
While Duris commands the screen with emotional extremes, Honoré’s use of nonlinear structure coupled with the use of simple costumes accent the changing state of mind and disjointed thoughts in Paul’s head. Having moved to the countryside because life would be easier, or smoother like his clean-shaven face, Paul’s beard mirrors change, as it grows longer, or rougher, each day he lives in his father’s apartment. After washing himself off in the bathroom, Paul dons a crisp white “don’t touch me” shirt while Anna, wearing nothing, lists reasons why he doesn’t want her. Dropping Anna off at the train station, he wears drab browns and earth tones that match the background he’s blending into. But for most of the movie, while lying on a bed covered with sheets that have faded flowers, like the faded love in his life, he wraps himself in a brown multi-patterned sweater echoing the jumbled, confused feelings he can’t sort out.
Though their father (Guy Marchand) attempts to nourish his sons by doing the cooking and attempting to bring life – a Christmas tree – into the apartment, something as simple as singing a duet about a breakup over the phone is what most comforts Paul.

Honoré’s attentive flair combined with adept acting presents the effects of depression without ever making you suffer. My Score: 9 out of 10.

3:10 to Yuma

FLICK Whether you’re a fan of westerns or not, you should giddy up and go see 3:10 to Yuma, director James Mangold’s remake of the 1957 classic based on a short story by Elmore Leonard. Mangold has reinvented the Van Heflin and Glenn Ford oater, replacing those stars with today’s finest, Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, focusing more on character than the state of the Union and giving us one of the best shoot-‘em-up action flicks of the year.
Bale is Dan Evans, a down-on-his-luck rancher who has hopes to earn a large reward by escorting captured outlaw Ben Wade (Crowe) on a two-day journey and putting him on the train to Yuma, where he will be hanged. But as they cross the beautiful and vivid landscape, the challenge is to avoid the rescue attempts of Wade’s gang, led by his second in command, Charlie Prince, played with psychopathic gusto by Ben Foster.
The filmmaking is as strong as a sarsaparilla spiked with whiskey, and the actors never waver, excelling shot for shot. Bale gives another outstanding performance this year (see also Rescue Dawn) and emotes the right amount of intensity and determination to balance the perceived shortcoming of a man with a missing leg. He will do anything to support his wife and sons but without over sentimentalizing the fact.
Ben Wade is regarded as the meanest man around, and though Crowe exudes confidence his image is softened when we see his sketches of birds. His complexity is exposed when he draws a picture of Dan sitting in a chair on the inside cover of the Bible, showing a reverence to the man turning him in to the law. Perhaps he’s contemplating what life would be like if the shoe was on the other foot. When Dan confides to Ben about his leg and the perception of heroism, their bond is complete and Ben is committed to helping a greater good.
Foster makes the biggest bang as Prince who is intensely devoted to saving Ben. With little background to their friendship, Foster gives us the impression that they are more than just chums – at least in his mind. Whether it’s the sensitive sketch artist or the rough and ready gunslinger he’s attracted to, Foster lets us presume there is a personal history regarding his feelings for his pardner with just a few glances. After all he’s literally saving Ben’s ass from getting shot.
Round up Peter Fonda, Gretchen Mol, Dallas Roberts, and Alan Tudyk and this corral of strong supporting performances is way more than OK. Smart direction, stunning cinematography and character connections that never miss their mark elevate an otherwise standard cowboy movie and squarely hit a bull’s-eye. My Score: 9 out of 10.

TOP CHEF – Chef Overboard

TELEVISION The battlefield is changing as we go from seven to six chef-testants in this episode of Top Chef. Starting with Quickfire Challenge, called the Aisle Trial, everyone was given a budget of $10 to shop in just one aisle of a grocery store. The thing about the QFC is that you do have to think quickly and use your wits, especially when you are limited to ingredients.

If you have the cereal aisle, breakfast would be the first thing to come to mind, which is exactly what Hung did, creating what Dale called a Smurf village. His eggs with leeks and potatoes garnished with cereal was certainly the most colorful and creative. What else could you do but have fun with it? Guest judge Michael Schwartz, who had lots to say about presentation, had it coming when Hung called him closed-minded. Granted, Hung has called out the chefs in almost every episode but this time he was justified.

Casey’s pudding with mango preserves and ginger snaps looked yummy. But having taken the biggest chance, Brian won with his Spam corned beef hash and fried egg. Having substituted salt for sugar, CJ’s curried potato risotto was voted one of the two least favorites. The other belonged to Howie who offered nothing since his canned mandarin oranges didn’t pan out. Some felt it was a cop out as he could have done something given the silly nature of the challenge, but Howie got caught up with what the judges have previously said about presenting something un-servable. He takes a lot of pride in his food, but this time he should have lightened up and went with it.
The Elimination Challenge was to cater an ultra exclusive party on a yacht thrown by 23-year-old fashion designer Esteban Cortazar. With a modest budget of $350 for 60 guests, which comes to less than $6 a person, the chefs really had to produce. In fact, it didn’t help Dale, who had to put back goat cheese and substitute yogurt for his gougere, which he ultimately, to its detriment, had to alter and turn into a stuffed puffed pastry. Speaking of puff pastry, Howie was criticized for his greasy asparagus wrapped “Cigars”. But it was his duxelles in puff pastry that caused a stir. Not only were they the reason Dale had to put back the goat cheese, the mushrooms turned an ugly brown color. That was to be expected but had they been tasty, their appearance might have been overlooked. On the other hand, these two dishes were not that imaginative. And since we’re half way through the competition, he should have pulled out the stops and thought outside the box.
Since Brian was in charge, he blew it by not taking more control. He wanted everyone to have a voice in choosing the hors d’oeuvres and instead of doing a few really well, he chose quantity over quality. It didn’t help that he served yet another tartare.
Though they lost the text message poll (Which group of chefs is more talented – the men or the women) Sara and Casey had the best showing. I wanted to reach through the TV screen and grab one of Sara’s tomato bread puddings. Casey won the evening with a carpaccio and watercress in a shiitake broth.

Hung was criticized for his "outdated" salmon mousse on cucumber, but this finger food seemed very appropriate for the setting and for the weight conscious fashionistas. But seeing the writing on the wall, Howie did what Mia did last year before the judges and asked to remove himself from the competition. When requesting to bow out, Padma said that the judges would make that decision. And after deliberating, that’s exactly what they decided.

Shoot 'Em Up

FLICK Having just written about queasy-cam and ASL (average shot length) in my most recent posting it was difficult to avoid noticing them in Shoot 'Em Up, starring Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti. This fast-paced, non-stop action flick has got to have an ASL clocking in around one second. If anyone can count the number of shots fired during its 85 minute runtime, I’d like to know if was at least 1,000 because the average had to be more than 12 shots/minute.
Owen plays Smith, a carrot-chomping innocent bystander who gets involved delivering a newborn baby boy and then, after his mother dies, is on the run keeping him from being harmed by an endless number of hit men led by Hertz (Giamatti). Smith enlists a lactating prostitute (Monica Bellucci) to help him with the motherless child because he has to keep his pistol popping while momentarily stopping for a nourishing bite of a carrot. Why carrots? They’re good for any rascally rabbit’s eyesight. And that’s pretty much all we get to know about who Smith is. Character development is blasted to hell, as there is no time to stop and let us know who this guy is. Though any movie that uses a carrot as a deadly weapon and wraps a baby in a bulletproof vest instead of a blanket is going more for the playful and mischievous side of presenting violence, if there really is one. The whole reason for the baby chase involves a political plot point that’s a bit absurd. But the real problem in most movies like this one is finding humor in shooting off people’s body parts and blood spurting all over the screen.
Though the action scenes are like a ballistic ballet, director Michael Davis’ best move was in casting his two leads. Giamatti seems to be having fun as he snarls his lines, but Clive Owen keeps us involved with his quick-thinking tough guy by managing to project a thoughtfulness onto someone we really don’t get to know. With the national crime rate increasing perhaps you should hope that the next carrot-wielding baby-carrying bystander you see is really an anonymous hero. My Score: 6.5 out of 10.

The Bourne Ultimatum & Queasy-cam

FLICK The exciting three-part action series featuring amnesiac spy Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) concludes on a high note with the tension ever mounting and Bourne learning who he is and how he got there. What makes this series kick butt is that it works on every level. It starts with a good story and characters. We’re sympathetic to Bourne not only because he is a man searching for his identity, but also because we’ve seen the human and sensitive side of the assassin – a man who has loved and lost that love. It’s not often we get to see a smart action hero with feelings.
Damon plays Bourne with a certain amount of brooding to balance his intensity during fight scenes. We also get to see him smile briefly during his short periods with his girlfriend Maria, played by Franka Potente. The supporting cast has always been a powerhouse. Joan Allen meets her match in this installment with David Strathairn clashing on the best way to reign in Bourne. Other notables have been Brian Cox, Chris Cooper and Julia Stiles who gets in hot water but is never played as the damsel in distress.
The suspense in the action scenes is what carries the series. It’s not only the car chases and hand-to-hand battles, but it’s the walking and being followed around the narrow streets and rooftops of cities around the world that make you want to find out what or who is lurking around the corner. (Though time is stretched a bit thin when the globetrotters are in Paris one moment and then Moscow the next, the intrigue picks right back up and it becomes a minor detail.)
While doing some movie reading at flickgrrl, the blog written by Philadelphia Inquirer’s film critic Carrie Rickey, the discussion of form following content took me to several other spots that expanded my thoughts on the film. It’s true that the rapid camera movement mirrors Bourne’s situation and agitated state, but Roger Ebert states on his website that hand-held cameras (AKA shaky-cam, queasy-cam, or whatever you call it) interacting with fast-cutting is a popular phenomenon that is not going away anytime soon. He brings up and comments on how some in the audience were getting sick from the rapid motion discussed at film theorist and author David Bordwell’s website. If you’re interested in film analysis, check out Bordwell’s article as he goes on at length about the varying styles and shot dissection within the three Bourne films.
Ebert then takes things a step further by mentioning Borwell’s experiment of sending students into a movie theater to track a film’s average shot length (ASL). (The "'vomiting point'… is apparently when a film doesn’t vary its pace, but is largely made of short hand-held shots, edited together by quick cuts that ignore spatial continuity.") He refers to cinemetrics.tv to find “the theory, measuring methods, and software” in determining ASL at home. If you really want to have a thrilling experience, extend your film fun by reading up on what makes some queasy in the theater while it’s a cinematic explosion for others. Believe me. You won't forget it. My Score (of the movie series): 9 out of 10.

Flight of the Conchords – The Third Conchord

TELEVISION I've realized, and I'm not sure why, I don't watch a lot of sitcoms. Those I will check out are The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, plus repeats of Coupling, Arrested Development and Sex and the City. What's the connection with them and newest fave Flight of the Conchords?

Besides the quirky and humorous songs, Bret and Jemaine who make up the duo have subtly nuanced responses that can be absurd and somewhat dimwitted but are always sincere. Band manager Murray is always trying to keep things together, even when he inadvertently creates tension by introducing Todd as a third bongo-playing member to the group, as he does in this first-season finale. But it’s Mel, the one and only obsessed fan who adds a loopiness that makes everyone else seem quite normal (whatever normal is.) Check out my TV Guide recap then watch the video below to see Mel’s reaction when she meets Todd, the third Conchord, for the first time.

Also, I thought that Bret's solo dance in the second video below had flashes of Jennifer Beals in Flashdance, but it was pointed out to me that it's more like Footloose. Compare.

Inland Empire

FLICK When a movie combines film noir with scenes that play with time and space plus bunny people on a theater stage you can only be in David Lynch-land. Taking us down the rabbit hole to an awesome wonderland of stylish visions with plenty of mood and mystery, Lynch, who previously gave us Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvet and the cult favorite “Twin Peaks”, sets up Inland Empire with the making of a Hollywood movie that has a screenplay cursed by a Polish Gypsy folk tale. But Lynch’s film is anything but a Hollywood movie and may not appeal to those who are impatient and expect rapid storytelling or demand traditional structure and story arcs.
Lynch is a modern artist who creates film images like a surreal painter uses his canvas. Using a variety of techniques and with the occasional look of a Japanese horror movie but with less gruesome violence, Lynch adds some humor and pop references with songs by Beck, Etta James, and a group of young women dancing to “The Loco-Motion,” though refrains from the obvious choice of Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit”.
Laura Dern gives a mesmerizing performance as Nikki, the actress who falls for her leading man, played by the handsome and immensely talented Justin Theroux. Nikki plays Susan in the film-within-the-film whose life begins to blur with her character. With fine showings by Jeremy Irons as the director making “On High in Blue Tomorrows”, and particularly, in a brief role as Nikki’s neighbor who foretells of danger, Grace Zabriskie, it’s Dern who becomes the chameleon ”when logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead.”

But back to the eye-catching humanoid bunnies on stage who behave like very normal boring people, either sitting on a sofa or ironing. When one bunny man makes his entrance, there is a huge applause from the audience, in recognition of his fame and star power. They appear to comment on rather than parallel the plot and eventually interact with Nikki/Susan via telephone, allowing for connections of what is real and what is a made up story to intersect. But if all the world’s a stage, I think I want to stop and get off. Running time: 179 minutes. My Score: 8.5 out of 10.

Rocket Science

FLICK “Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes, turn and face the strain.” Stuttering in rock music has helped to create cool-sounding songs but it can be very troublesome when it happens to a teenager in high school. So imagine what it’s like for nerdy Hal Hefner (Reece Thompson) when he’s asked to join the debate team by the brainy and attractive Ginny Ryerson (Anna Kendrick).
Director and screenwriter Jeffrey Blitz makes a nice transition from his documentary Spellbound, about training for the national spelling bee, to dramatic features with another teen tale Rocket Science.
When telling the story, Blitz doesn’t make expected choices, which is what really works here. While we want Hal to succeed and win the debate, it becomes more about self-discovery and being triumphant with oneself.
Themes and situations that suggest reasons for Hal’s lack of social skills and "disfluency" are presented but not always explored, allowing the viewer to make their own connections with the characters.
Hal’s stuttering represents the inability to express what is inside. His unstable home life with separated parents and a bullying brother serves to fester his insecurity, making him feel at odds with other adolescents while trying to find a way to fit in.
There is a lot humor but we never laugh at Hal. Thompson has a natural sincerity and is incredibly convincing at showing frustration one moment and a desire for achievement the next. You feel his embarrassment as he stammers in front of the cafeteria ladies waiting for him to decide if he’ll order fish or pizza for lunch. Though you can’t be certain of Ginny’s motivations, she has given him a goal and something to accomplish. You still wonder whether he’ll get the nerve to go a step further and make that love connection with her, even as she moves away from him.
Rocket Science is “not trying to cause a big s-s-sensation talking about my g-g-generation.” But it does simply comment on the missteps of adolescence while avoiding predictability. However you say it, this is a refreshing coming-of-age film that is certainly un-debatable. My Score: 8 out of 10.

Flight of the Conchords – The Actor

TELEVISION All the world’s a stage, and Saturday Night Live’s Will Forte isn’t the only one who gets to search for his inner thespian in this episode. Forte perfectly plays dry cleaner and semiprofessional actor Ben, who, at the urging of Bret and Jemaine, takes on the task of trying to lift Murray’s spirits. Pretending to be Stefan Gucci, a producer from Sony records, Ben ends up offering Murray a $2 million contract for the band. Thinking of promotion, Murray then gets all of the regular cast members into the act for Bret and Jemaine’s Lord of the Rings spoof-video “Frodo, Don’t Wear the Ring.” You can read my recap at TV Guide.com then check out the video below.

TOP CHEF – Second Helping

TELEVISION Someone came up with a good recipe for entertainment when it was decided that this episode would be a continuation of the Restaurant Wars because the non-stop excitement was served speedier than burgers at a fast food joint. Beginning with the appropriately titled Quickfire Challenge, swiftness was essential when creating mise en place, the prep work done to make the kitchen or dining room of a restaurant run more smoothly. Keeping the same teams as before, the first to finish shucking oysters, dicing onions, breaking down chickens and whisking egg whites would have the benefit of spending an extra $200 plus the assistance of a sommelier. With Brian’s experience working with seafood, Team April started off fine but failed dismally when Casey took dicing onions to a creative instead of practical level, (in other words she’s slooow), and never giving CJ and Tre a chance to compete before The Garage team won the challenge.
Before diving into day two, the chefs were able to reassess what failed the first time and were offered critiques by the surprise blogger, Andrea Strong, and assistance from interior designer, Christopher Ciccone. Though he actually helped to fine tune the décor, everyone was reluctant to meet up with the smug Ciccone, who later disagreed with The Garage’s name change to Quatre, saying the word for four in French was not pretty. It’s a good thing Ciccone is not on every week or this show would become the nasty dish-fest like Simon Cowell promotes on American Idol.
Familiar faces appeared as service began. Past season three chef-testants like Sara N, Lia and Joey were guest diners, and season one’s Stephen was the wine steward for restaurant Quatre. I don’t know if it helped, but Dale politely asked him to tone down his intrusively talkative style.
As both teams suck it up and make changes, Quatre takes a bigger gulp with their more extreme makeover. It helped that there were two offerings per course this time instead of one. Dale contributed a dish of Mint Gnocchi and Poussin with Split Pea Puree but was totally dissed by Ted Allen for wearing a polo shirt and jeans to greet and serve the guests. Quatre also got rid of Howie’s disastrous risotto and substituted Halibut with Braised Leeks and Grapes. Sticking with the previously successful Tuna Tartare, guest judge Geoffrey Zakarian, chef and author of "Town/Country," called the dish clichéd. So does that mean one should never serve it again?
The criticisms for restaurant Quatre were minimal and it won the war. As executive chef, Sara held it together and was voted the winner on the team. Quite the opposite happened with restaurant April. CJ, who assembled “the dream team,” was sited for not keeping them focused and for spending too much time making only one dish – an overly-salted Lobster Salad. Padma called Casey’s Seared Monkfish with Buerre Blanc overcooked, though her Chilled Carrot and Ginger Soup worked. But poor executive chef Tre was grilled for re-serving the Seared Tenderloin with Gorgonzola, combining too many flavors in a beet-marinated Salmon over Macadamia Pesto with Grapefruit, and not smoothing out a chunky Apple Brioche Bread Pudding. Though I thought he would make it as a finalist, Tre was asked to pack his knives and go.

Flight of the Conchords – New Fans

TELEVISION It was fun spending a little more time with our faithful fan Mel who was not too pleased with newbies Summer and Rain as they wanted more than just dinner with Jemaine and Bret. And learning a little about Mel and Doug’s past, it seems there may have been legal issues concerning possibly a restraining order against Mel with Doug’s former family shortly after they met. Mel says she always gets what she wants. She got Doug, but Bret and Jemaine left with the girls to get whacked out – on drugs.

Check out my FOTC posting at TV Guide, and then take a psychedelic trip with the "Prince of Parties."

Death at a Funeral

The wacky world of mourning is laid to rest in Frank Oz’s Death at a Funeral, a black comedy that becomes a solemn occasion. When a British family gathers at the memorial service for their patriarch, a series of non-stop farcical moments follow that fall flat and feel strained. Things begin humorously enough when the wrong coffin is delivered to the country house of the deceased’s son Daniel (Matthew MacFayden), a relatively calm man who lives in the shadow of his novelist brother, Robert (Rupert Graves). But pacing problems and strained jokes about bowel movements, hypochondria and blackmail become grave errors.
One unoriginal plot point about a mislabeled pill bottle comes to life when Simon (Alan Tudyk), nervous about making a good impression on his fiancée’s family, swallows hallucinogens instead of Valium. Appearing nude on the rooftop limply shows his rebirth and regaining confidence. Tudyk’s performance is way over the top but his pratfalls and silly expressions breathe life amid ridiculously unmoving elements of surprise. As an unexpected mysterious guest, Peter Dinklage elicits an emotional response, as he is simultaneously a victim and an attempted extortionist.
But the real nail in the coffin is the element of the gay surprise, when the characters are horrified to discover that someone has a secret life. We can’t know everything about a person but this supposed scandal doesn’t need to paralyze straight people. You’d think by now people would become accustomed to individuality. Is it funny when one presumes that everyone behaves the same in his or her bedroom only to find out that that they don’t? You’re killing me. My Score: 6 out of 10.

The Invasion

FLICK Anytime a science fiction classic is remade, or any good film is updated for that matter, the new version usually will have to redefine it to make the venture worthwhile and escape the wrath of moviegoers and critics. As John Water’s once said, it’s the bad movies that should be remade, not the good ones.
In The Invasion, the latest incarnation of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the story has stayed relatively the same, but it has a slicker look than the prior adaptations and stars Nicole Kidman. Though Daniel Craig is given second billing, he has way too little screen time.
It all begins when a space shuttle reenters the earth’s atmosphere and crashes, releasing a strange substance unknown to scientists as well as doctors at the Center for Disease Control. Jeremy Northam is one of those doctors as well as Kidman’s estranged ex-husband who gives good stares and is our first clue that at the signpost up ahead our next stop will be the twilight zone. Kidman is a mother and a psychiatrist who deals with the emotions of her patients, yet everywhere she turns people are starting to lose their personalities and possess the same blank expressions. I wouldn’t say she’s miscast, but Kidman has this same tabula rasa look from the beginning and creates little distinction later when she’s trying to blend in.
Creepier than The Stepford Wives, and more effectively suspenseful than Kidman’s ex-husband’s assault movie War of the Worlds, The Invasion is successful as an action thriller plus uses subtle political undertones that were present in the earlier works. When it's announced that they come in peace, and later you see George Bush signing a treaty on the television, you might question why allowing the takeover would be a bad thing. That this “danger” is never explored is just one of the film's faults. You could question the implausibility of some scenes, but it’s a sci-fi mystery so it’s fair game.
Though directed by Oscar-nominated Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall) much has been made about the Wachowski brothers’ uncredited overhaul of the chase scenes, which work but seem to go on a bit longer than needed. The sections apparently by Hirschbiegel are more nightmarish and create a sense of paranoia.

Oh, and don’t go to sleep. My Score: 7.5 out of 10.

TOP CHEF – Restaurant Wars

TELEVISION If you’re going to have a competition to create a gourmet burger, it’s most appropriate to have renowned chef Daniel Boulud, who offers $32 burgers at his DB Bistro Moderne in New York City, as the evening’s guest judge. The Quickfire Challenge had the majority of the chefs creating assorted seafood burgers but, playing to Boulud’s strong suit, only the sweaty Howie used truffles with his burger and was one of the favorites. Sara made a crab burger with a citrus remoulade that looked delicious but while trying to keep it light in carbs, she was criticized for serving it on lettuce instead of a bun. The big winner was CJ serving a Scallop Mousse and Shrimp Burger with Tangerine. Speedy Padma was prompt in telling him that from this point on the QF winner will no longer have immunity in the Elimination Challenge.
Having worked in many restaurants, the EC in this episode was one of my favorites. The chef-testants were to divide into two groups and open a restaurant from scratch. CJ was given an advantage for winning the QFC and was allowed to choose his own team. Though he picked what I thought would be a strong team, Brian, Casey and Tre, what he didn’t consider was the lack of restaurant experience three of the four had.
Beyond creating a menu, starting up a restaurant has many variables that need to come together, like a concept, décor, service and a catchy name that could come from anything. CJ’s sister is named April, so his team went with that. Inspired by the blank slate of a room, the other team named their bistro The Garage, which might be nice for a supply store but maybe not so great for a dining experience.
While shopping for the front of the house, Casey mentioned to Brian about getting something that smelled for the table but Brian knew better and went with a décor that was soft and light. Unfortunately, Dale and Hung went with an industrial look of black table cloths with strong vanilla-scented candles that everyone found offensive. Does Dale really have a weak sense of smell? And it was funny to hear Dale say that Queer Eye has nothing on his decorating sense. You can check out Ted Allen’s response at his blog.

Restaurant April: Tre was executive chef and CJ was sous chef. The first thing Padma mentions after being seated is the dust on the plates. Yuck! Brian took care of service and was told he was sweating a lot. (Did no one ever see Howie in the kitchen?)
Menu
1. Seared Sea Scallop on Corn and Truffle Custard (I assume this was Casey’s dish)
2. Grouper with Shellfish and Artichoke Hearts was CJ’s and the fish looked great.
3. Wild Mushroom and Gorgonzola Crusted Beef Tenderloin with Smoked Potatoes. Tre created this dish but the smoked potatoes overpowered it all.
4. Apple Tart Tatin

The Garage: Sara was head chef, Howie sous chef, Dale did no cooking. This menu was considered too rich for a warm summer night.
Menu
1. Tuna Tartare with Nicoise Olive Puree was Hung’s and was told it was delicate and successful, though with too much white asparagus
2. Mushroom Risotto with Foie Gras and Truffles was thick and “gluey.” Howie nonetheless liked the way he made it with heavy cream and parmesan cheese.
3. Braised Lamb Shanks by Sara only added to the overall heaviness of the menu.
4. Crepes with Dark Chocolate Again, something lighter was needed

Brian and Dale, the two in front of the house, were called to face the judges, who made a good decision. They were told that no one was going home. They all have another chance to make changes and reopen their restaurants next week. Tom said to consider it a soft opening.
Taking notes throughout dinner was Andrea Strong, a writer of a weekly blog pertaining to dining out in NYC. Check Gail Simmon’s blog for her experience with Chef Daniel Boulud, who thoughtfully handed out copies of his book of essays, Letters to a Young Chef, to the contenders.
I tend to agree with the Text Poll: At which restaurant would you make reservations? April 75%, The Garage 15%

RAOUL BOVA

Though he’s been hot on the Italian scene for a while, I first took notice of actor Raoul Bova when he did a Gap jeans commercial in 2003. Suddenly I saw him everywhere, courting Diane Lane in Under the Tuscan Sun and the object of Giovanna Mezzogiorno’s affection in Facing Windows (La Finestra di fronte). It’s this second film, directed by Ferzan Ozpetek (His Secret Life), about an unhappily married mother and housewife (Mezzogiorno) who daydreams about the man next door that made an impact on me. In his complicated and passionate role of Lorenzo, the Clark Kent-glasses (or mini-windows) Raoul wears do nothing to detract from the Italian heartthrob.

Born August 14, 1971 in Rome, Italy, Raoul was a swimming champion in his teens and began acting after serving in the Italian Army. His first starring role was for television but he easily moved into a wide variety of film parts. Somewhat accessible to Americans, Bova can be seen, when not wearing a space helmet, in diverse parts such an archaeologist in Alien vs. Predator, a priest in the 2005 TV movie Karol: A Man Who Became Pope, and briefly as Rosanna Arquette’s husband Lorenzo on the ABC show “What About Brian.” He has been happily married to Chiara Giordano since March 2000 and has squashed the dreams of many hoping to make a love connection with him. With several upcoming English and Italian-language movies, Raoul Bova is someone you'll want to keep your eyes on.

Buon compleanno, Raoul!

• Apparently successful with the first, Raoul made a second Gap ad.
• Another Italian, Madonna Louise Ciccone, had lips stuck with Raoul in a Max Factor commercial in 1999.
• And be sure to check out Raoul's Official Website.

My Best Friend

FLICK Friendship. What’s the perfect blendship? Director Patrice Leconte explores what goes into personal relationships in My Best Friend (Mon meilleur ami), a light comedy that would most likely become overly sentimental in the hands of a typical American director. The acting and directing capture appropriate tone and details to give insight to the main characters without becoming a thorough psychological examination on the nature of sociology.
Daniel Auteuil has a way of choosing just the right expressions and inflections when playing François, a successful businessman who has no problems dealing with antiques but doesn’t realize he lacks the necessary skills to deal with people on a close intimate basis. We get a glimpse of him caring more for things in the first scene when, at a funeral, he finagles a piece of furniture from the wife of the deceased.
When his business partner makes a bet with him that he can’t produce a best friend within 10 days, he finds the challenge is harder than he imagined. Searching for a pal, he meets taxi driver Bruno (Dany Boon) who is willing to show him ways of connecting with people and learning that if you’re ever in a jam, here I am. But becoming the other half of this odd couple may not have all the rewards Bruno is looking for.
The film shows that human interactions are not to be taken for granted and the difference between being a nice or friendly person is subtly distinguished with the bonds we make. In the end, you’ll wonder how many people you can truly say when other friendships have been forgot, ours will still be hot. My Score: 8 out of 10.

Flight of the Conchords – What Goes on Tour

TELEVISION It’s raining mermaids, hallelujah! But for Bret and Jemaine, they are no match for a women’s water-polo team that they meet at the hotel where they are staying. That rain also does a number on their new leather suits, which not only shrink but rides up a little too close in the crotch for Jemaine. Amen.

If you’re having fun watching Flight of the Conchords or want to find out what they’re all about, go on and get yourself absolutely soaking wet by checking out my episode recap blog at TV Guide. Then go see the video for the song "Mermaids. "

Stardust

FLICK Twinkle, twinkle, everyone’s looking for a little star in this fun romantic fantasy. Narrated by Ian McKellen, Stardust centers on the charming Tristan (Charlie Cox), who comes from a small village called Wall, because a stone wall separates it from the magical kingdom of Stormhold. When he promises to bring a fallen star within a week to Victoria (Sienna Miller) the girl of his dreams, it sets off an adventure escaping the clutches of evil witches, comical ghostly princes and a boatful of bandits.
You never know what you’re going to get when you wish upon a star. In this story, that would be Yvaine (Claire Danes), who is the star that falls to earth and inhabits a human body. Becoming Tristan’s new love interest, and looking curiously like Gwyneth Paltrow, Danes doesn’t emit much emotion except when she’s confused and turns her face into a scrunchy.
Michelle Pfeiffer plays Lamia, the hideous hag who turns herself into a beautiful enchantress hoping to trap the young couple and cut out Yvaine’s heart. Pfeiffer is so dazzling (and Danes is so bland) that you almost wish she would succeed.
Always on the run, Tristan and Yvaine meet up with Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro) who navigates a flying pirate ship. It is here that Tristan transforms into an adult and gets a complete makeover from the cross-dressing skipper. Gay or not, or just feeling pretty, DeNiro seems delighted to be camping it up while applying makeup and wearing a boa over a sundress in the captain’s quarters.
Despite a few missteps and getting a little bogged down in the middle, this fabulous fairy tale has some marvelous special effects and is told with lots of humor. Except for Danes, the acting is generally spot on. Impressive supporting performances include Ricky Gervais, Jason Flemyng, Rupert Everett, and Peter O’ Toole.
When I screened the film, a couple brought a baby into the theater that occasionally cried and made other sorts of distracting noises. It only stressed how much this movie would appeal more to adults than children. My Score: 8 out of 10.

Rufus Wainwright – Release the Stars

MUSIC Don’t be startled by the man wearing the lederhosen and looking like one of the Von Trapp kids on the inside sleeve of Release the Stars. That’s just Rufus Wainwright looking cute and deceivingly innocent on an amazing album that displays not only his growth as a singer-songwriter but as a man considering his place in the world.
Starting with the question in the opening song “Do I Disappoint You” right through the end of the twelfth and title track, Rufus pleases the ears with varied rhythms and thoughtful rhymes. Enlisting the help of Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant as producer, the use of lush orchestrations on most tunes only enhances the sound that seems to whirl and swirls to transport you over the rainbow.
Getting away or perhaps moving forward is a theme that creeps up in a few songs. In “Going to a Town” he, along with so many others, is so tired of the America evolved from the George Bush era. He reluctantly relates that he “may just never see you again” because he’s “got a life to live” relating to the fact that this country has a tendency to hold people back and judge those with opinions and lifestyles not held by the majority. ("Do you really think you go to hell for having loved?") His passion extends beyond politics to the heart as he softly sings the toned-down ballad “Leaving for Paris” most likely parting from a lover.
Balancing the use of flutes and trumpets, Rufus rocks with the crankin’ guitar-driven “Between My Legs.” And belts out that everyone must follow the instincts of the birds and the bees in “Rules and Regulations.” In “Slideshow” we get the accumulation of all of these elements as he wants to know “do I love you because you treat me so indifferently or is it the medication.” He’s looking for a return on his emotional and financial investment when he blares out that he “better be prominently featured in your next slideshow.” And don't we all want want to be our loved one's hot topic?
With subtleties and metaphors Rufus always puts himself out there. It’s the variety of themes and sounds that has made the entire album my favorite set of songs all summer long. To answer the first question, Rufus does not disappoint.

Videos from Release the Stars at YouTube:

Rules and Regulations

Going to a Town