MOVE

Mamma Mia!

2008-07-19T10:47:00.003-04:00

FLICK If you can't find the time or money to go to a Greek island, let Mamma Mia! take you to that happy place. That's the setting for the movie musical about a young woman, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried from TV's "Big Love"), about to be married and who has sent wedding invitations to three men who just might be her father. The film adaptation of the hit stage show is really a prop to on which to hang a string of pop songs by the Swedish group ABBA and is the real reason to go.
With the set up so light there should be no expectation for character depth. Meryl Streep acknowledges this with her whimsical portrayal of Donna, Sophie's mother and owner of the hotel were the guests and friends meet and prepare for the happy occasion. As a denim overall-wearing leftover from the free-love era Donna is not interested in knowing which of three men fathered her daughter. She is self-sufficient even though Donna could use the occasional help of a man's hand to help with the beachside hotel repairs. But she's come a long way without one and Streep conveys all of this with her loose and unrestrained performance.
As Donna's best friends showing up for the big day, Julie Walters, with her spiky haircut and thick glasses resembling Velma from Scooby-Doo and Christine Baranski adding a dash of class leaving you wanting more, they show that you can combine work with having lots of fun. Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard play the possible dads and, particularly Brosnan, shouldn't expect a singing carreer from this jolly holiday.
The choreography is mostly uninspired but the editing and energy keeps things moving and it's hard not to find your toes tapping. You don't have to be the first in line but if you don't take a ch-chance chance you could be facing your Waterloo, in which case send out an S.O.S. My Score: 7.5 out of 10.

14th Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

2008-07-13T11:22:00.010-04:00

After the first weekend of screenings at the 2008 Philadelphia International Film Festival, I'm off to a decent start but having watched the opening night film, Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild!, things can only get better. Gay Sequel revisits the same over-the-top comedy path as 2006's Another Gay Movie but goes down in flames faster and gets dirtier than the original. Only Jonah Blechman and Scott Thompson bravely return for the second outing, and help from RuPaul, Perez Hilton and Lady Bunny is not enough to lift this sinking mess out of the quicksand. Summer lovin' in Ft. Lauderdale will never be the same. My Score: 4.5 out of 10

La León, a somber film about a lone gay man who lives and works in the Argentine jungle is beautifully photographed in black and white and made me want to know more about the background and the sheltered people who live there. There is no gay culture here but there is homophobia. Though only 85 minutes long, the film takes its time and will pay off for those willing to devote their attention (unlike the two men sitting behind me who huffed and puffed and verbally blew out how impatient they were with the pacing – after five minutes.) My Score: 7.5

Based on the novel by lesbian author Sarah Waters, ("Tipping the Velvet") Affinity is an involving though uneven costume drama that ultimately satisfies. When an upper-class woman, Margaret (Anna Madeley), volunteers as a "Lady Visitor" at a nearby prison, she meets and falls in love with one of its inmates, Selena (the appropriately enchanting Zoe Tapper). As the story unfolds it's easy to get wrapped up in the desire for the women to meet outside of the prison and get swept up in the haunting and unexplainable mysterious happenings never expecting the approaching twist. With Logo as a distributor, it's likely to show up on the gay cable channel. My Score: 7.5

On hand for the Q&A after his film Mulligans was actor-screenwriter-producer Charlie David, who is as charming as he is hot. David stars as the college student who spends a summer with his best friend's family only to spark the interest of the BF's father. Comparisons to The Graduate are a stretch – no one is really seducing anyone and there is no alternate love interest to fall back on. The set-up is fine but as it tries to dig deeper into the ramifications of the tryst portions play out as expected and motivations are never explored as deeply as they should. Thea Gill ("Queer as Folk") plays the cheated-on wife who becomes more understanding than you could ever hope for. It all left me wanting more. If Afternoon Specials and movies of the week are your thing, then this might work for you. My Score: 6

Though there are multiple stories told in a lighthearted, non-linear style Spinnin' never is out of control. This Spanish delight is one of most enjoyable films I've seen in a while. Taking place in 1995 and focusing more on the characters rather than plot, there are many issues raised, such as love, marriage, parenting, HIV/AIDS, which affect both gays and straights equally. With the appearance of working with a low budget, this independent film benefits from the freedom of doing more with less and ultimately projects an infectious optimism that takes you to that happy place. My Score: 8.5

I was really skeptical about going to a movie where the little old ladies are being killed by a real estate agent so he could buy up the property, clean up the neighborhood and turn it into a hip gayborhood. But Boystown had a lot more laughs than expected and a lovable bear couple at its center trying to overcome mother-in-law problems. Boystown isn't just for cubs… My Score: 7.5

You don't have to go over the rainbow to find love because it just might be in your own backyard. This is a theme found in the Israeli film Antarctica, which has its characters searching high and low on the Internet and abroad hoping to make a match. And though their paths crisscross the web ultimately becomes untangled. Likable characters, good acting and smart directing choices combine to make this a comedy-drama that won't leave you out in the cold. My Score: 9

Xanadu and The 39 Steps

2008-07-07T13:25:00.004-04:00

THEATER A current trend on Broadway is to turn movies into theater productions. This more likely is meant to fill seats from familiarity than taking a chance on an original idea. But some can succeed by using a familiar film as its basis when its creative forces burst through that fourth wall and think outside the box. Mel Brooks stuck gold when he turned his film The Producers into a smash hit musical though is less successful with the current critical failure of Young Frankenstein. (Actually it's really going for the hard sell with the title The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein and isn't reporting its weekly box office grosses. And the NY Times reported that “Disney’s The Little Mermaid which also received some scathing reviews, is holding up fairly well…") But two film-to-stage shows currently playing that hit a bull's eye are the musical Xanadu and the comedy Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps.

The movie Xanadu is notoriously regarded as bad but the new Tony-nominated stage musical is a 90-minute laugh fest. Set in Venice Beach, CA in 1980, a Greek muse, Kira (Tony nominee Kerry Butler) descends from Mt Olympus to inspire sidewalk artist, Sonny (Cheyenne Jackson), and help him open the first roller disco. With its tongue planted firmly in cheek, Xanadu flaunts the styles of the day (like short denim cut-offs, leg warmers, and roller skates), ups the camp quotient and has Butler using an exaggerated Australian accent that pokes fun at her movie counterpart, Olivia Newton-John.

The pop-rock music incorporates the song "Suddenly" from the film plus Newton-John's singles "Magic" and "Have You Never Been Mellow?" Scenery chewers Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman (as Medusa and Aphrodite respectively) perform duets on Electric Light Orchestra's "Evil Woman" and "Strange Magic" with cackles so unforgettable you'll be cracking up for weeks. Though the set seems scaled-down for a Broadway production it only puts more focus on a cast that appears to relish every fun-loving onstage moment.

Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 thriller The 39 Steps gets a makeover that would most likely humor the master of suspense by turning it into a comedy. Four actors imaginatively take on what seems to be 100 different roles and sometimes change characters in the blink of an eye. This spoof maintains the plot of an international spy ring out to kill Richard Hannay (Charles Edwards), and playfully keeps stage show "mentalist" Mr. Memory, but heightens the drama to turn it on its end.

The quick costume changes and voice alterations right in front of you are amazing to watch and at some point become almost invisible from the fluidity and ease of the actors. The suspense here is to see how the cast will handle the next illusion. The sparse set can take on multiple locations as when it morphs from the interior of a speeding train to its roof with the use of a few trunks. And how often do you see shadow puppets pop up in a production? (Be sure to look for Sir Alfred!) Edwards stated in a Playbill interview that he doesn't mimic the film's lead, Robert Donat, but rather respectfully "conjure(s) up the spirit of the movie… and that style of acting". With a dozen or so references to other Hitchcock films this 2007 Olivier award-winning import easily deserved its Tony nomination for Best Play.

As these two shows prove, no matter how successful or poorly executed the source movie material, spoofing it is a fresher approach when appealing to today's sensibilities rather than literal translation. And live theater may just be the best medium to view them.

Love Songs

2008-07-04T13:33:00.004-04:00

FLICK There are many references to well-known French films in Christophe Honoré's L'Chansons d'Amour (Love Songs) but the tone of this romantic musical feels fresh and original. For those fearful of characters bursting into song, the transitions here are smooth, natural and effortless, reminiscent of the film Once, which is due to Honoré's direction. When the characters are outdoors, the scenes look as if they're happening in the midst of an average day. Nothing ever feels staged.
Lovers Julie and Ismaël (Ludivine Sagnier and Louis Garrel) have added a third, Alice (Clotilde Hesme), to their relationship. That this is more for Julie's delight than Ismaël's perhaps signals the overload, figuratively and literally, on her heart. Julie's mother (Brigitte Roüan) is fascinated with this arrangement and Julie's older sister Jeanne (Chiara Mastroianni) eventually develops a crush on Ismaël that may be an involuntary reaction to a tragedy. Though the girl-boy-girl relationship is presented in a way that's believable and works, the later moments with Ismaël and the young Erwann (Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet, who gave another fine performace in In the Arms of My Enemy screened at the 2008 Philadelphia Film Festival) has the emotional resonance that we've been waiting for.
The overall story is sketchy and it's this simplicity that lends more weight to the songs. Singer/songwriter Alex Beaupain, who previously worked with Honoré on the films 17 Times Cécile Cassard and Dans Paris targets the emotions of the characters and hits a bull's eye when choosing the words to explain their connections and interlocking moments alternately with meaning and a lighthearted rhyme scheme. His music is never intrusive and eases its way into the scene as if it were meant to be there.
With the looks of a silent screen matinee idol, Garrel easily and appropriately expresses an array of emotions that vary from light and charming to mournful to playful clown. And shows a comfortable ease of loving a man as well as a woman. When Erwann gives off a stalker-ish vibe, Ismaël realizes that he's being offered a love that he's missing. He satisfies them both by telling him: "love me less but love me a long time." This is a film I'll love, and enjoy re-watching, for a long time. My Score: 8.5 out of 10.

Shine a Light

2008-04-02T10:12:00.004-04:00

FLICK I've never seen the Rolling Stones perform live, but the next best thing is seeing their documentary concert Shine a Light on an IMAX screen. The rocking charity benefit concert (celebrating Bill Clinton’s 60th birthday) of over 20 songs is lightly interspersed with old film clips of the band most of which showing them speculating on a probable career in music. Martin Scorsese, who directed the performance, is seen at the beginning of the film considering camera placements and his obsessing pays off.

Backed by regulars Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Charlie Watts plus backup singers, a keyboardist and a horn section, Mick Jagger is front and center with cameras covering every angle and every wrinkle on everyone’s face. (And how many things dangle from Richards' hair?) New York's Beacon Theatre may be an intimate setting but the energy is high and the music kicks butt. Though a little commentary and a few interviews would offer insight, it would disrupt the forceful pacing of the music.

Classics like "As Tears Go By", "Tumbling Dice" and "Jumping Jack Flash" sound as fresh today as when they were created. Special guests included blues guitarist Buddy Guy who lends a smoking hand on the Muddy Waters tune, "Champagne and Reefer". Christina Aguilera plays well with the big boys on "Live With Me." And Jack White of White Stripes effortlessly joins Jagger for a duet on "Loving Cup". I'm not sure if White is into older men but the two sounded convincing when singing together, as if to each other: "See your face dancing in the flame, feel your mouth kissing me again, what a beautiful buzz…"

If you’ve not been to a Stones concert, start yourself up and go get some satisfaction.

Judy Garland and The Beatles Redux

2008-03-30T16:52:00.006-04:00

MUSIC Popular music styles may change over the years but well-written songs last a long time. Judy Garland and The Beatles were huge in their day and the recent rerecordings I've been listening to are totally satisfying and, like Garland sang, I find them "spinning round in my brain like the bubbles in a glass of champagne."

Despite all of her ups and downs, Garland's voice was strong and she popularized countless standards. Her legendary concert at Carnegie Hall in April 1961 showcased many of them and was a career highlight.

Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright recreated the entire concert several times and his 2006 Carnegie Hall performance Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall is available on CD. (His live show at the London Palladium is available on DVD.) Though his singing style and vocal quality are not the same as Garland's, Wainwright is quite the showman and easily carries off songs like "San Francisco", "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart!" and "That's Entertainment". Several slower songs particularly lend themselves to Wainwright's wailing style like "Do It Again", "A Foggy Day", "If Love Were All" and "How Long Has This Been Going On".

I've usually heard "Come Rain or Come Shine" by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer sung sweetly and in a moderate tempo. But Wainwright flawlessly executes Garland's version that starts a little more up-tempo and transitions to an almost manic frenzy. It drives me crazy and is absolutely my favorite version.

A faithful recreation of the cha-cha sounding version of the 1938 song "You Go to My Head" by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie has catchy and festive lyrics that have hooked me. And Wainwright includes little details as when he sings midway "…and I forgot the god darn words…" reproducing the Garland recording, exactly the way she did.

He enlists familial help from sister Martha Wainwright on “Stormy Weather,” and mother Kate McGarrigle on “Over the Rainbow”. Garland's daughter Lorna Luft appears on “After You've Gone.”

Though at time theatrical, Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall is unlike the revival of a well known musical, like The Sound of Music, but proves how timeless good music can be. The variety of composers Garland used were popular in the first half of the 20th century making way for four fabulous dudes from Liverpool to take over and change popular music and rock and roll in the latter half.

While the orchestrations are very similar to the original Carnegie Hall production, many of the arrangements of songs by John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison on the Across the Universe soundtrack are new and maintain the integrity of the original compositions. The movie's storyline may be light but the music is as solid as it should be.

This 2-disc deluxe compilation features, among others actors, Jim Sturgess and Even Rachel Wood as the central love interest in the film and therefore sing a bulk of the songs. Rocking tunes "Hold Me Tight" and "It Won't Be Long" have a relaxed feeling, which Wood carries off just as easily as she handles the sweet yet slightly slowed-down versions of "If I Fell" and "Blackbird". But it is Sturgess' soothing voice that makes the biggest impression overall lending a more personal tone on "All My Loving", an intimacy to "Something" and even making "Revolution" sounding sexy.

T.V. Carpio adds an aching urgency to "I Want to Hold Your Hand" while Dana Fuchs appropriately belts out the songs "Don't Let Me Down" and "Why Don't We Do It in the Road" but blends nicely with the other voices in "Dear Prudence". (She must have been perfect as Janis Joplin in the Off Broadway show Love, Janis.) Bono, Eddie Izzard and Joe Cocker show up but it's the lead actors that are worth listening to.

So if you're nostalgic for timeless pop and rock classics, or just newly discovering them, Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall and Across the Universe harmoniously kick butt and bridge any gap from yesterday to today. Forget your troubles, come on, get happy!

Lost: Meet Kevin Johnson

2008-03-23T11:11:00.002-04:00

Another great episode of "Lost" and another bunch of new questions...

So I guess I have to wait almost a month to find out if Rousseau is really dead. (Karl looks to be a goner.) Many think she is but I'm not ready to let go. Are we never going to get her backstory? I still want to know more about what her science team was doing when landing on the island and if it's possible that her crew died not only by the "sickness" but because they actually posed a threat to the Others. She supposedly finished them off because they were dying but could they have contracted the sickness from Ben and his people in the same way that the Dharma people died? And why was she the only one not to become afflicted? I'm thinking that she was spared by the Others because she was pregnant and could bring new life to the island. She is one more mysterious piece of the puzzle and I hate to see her go.

Some think that Ben set up the final scene in this episode but I disagree. I think that Ben did want Alex to reach the Temple safely because she could be used as leverage against him if caught. So I don't buy that he would have Karl and Rousseau killed when they were escorting her to safety. Unless there is some other reason unknown at this time, Karl and Rousseau were victims, but by whose trigger finger? Rebecca would an obvious option but most likely is the least likely suspect.

Michael’s flash was “forward” from the time he left the island, which is a few days after Thanksgiving and around two weeks before Christmas 2004. When Tom, AKA Mr. Friendly, stops Michael from killing himself he tells him the island won't let him. So is it that the island won't let him kill himself because he has "work" to do or the island just doesn't believe in suicide? And is this the same reason that Jack didn't kill himself by the bridge or is that a different circumstance?

Tom realized that the reason Walt won’t talk to Michael because of what he did to Ana Lucia and Libby. And now Michael is having visions of Libby, and disregarding her warning on the boat not to detonate the explosives. Was it just a little silly to see the flag pop up with the words "NOT YET"?

I'm on board believing Tom and Ben saying that the freighter belongs to Charles Widmore and that he's the real bad guy, including the story of digging up the dead bodies and staging the underwater crash site of Oceanic Flight 815. At least for now I am.

And in keeping with the diversity of the characters, it was nice to see that Tom gets to have a little free time with Arturo!
Does Sayid have something up his sleeve when he turned Michael in to the guys on the boat or is he just pissed off?

Another cheery Mama Cass song, "It's Getting Better", plays on the radio of the 70's car that Michael plowed straight into a maritime cargo container and when he is on the boat just before he presses the execute button.

"We kind of, like, knew that forever ago." – Another great Hurley response to Miles' comment that the freighter folk are there to get Ben.

"…Considering a week ago you had a gun to his head and tonight he's eating pound cake, I'd say he's a guy who gets what he wants." – Miles' subtle observation of Locke being manipulated by Ben.

And it looks as if Aaron is part of the Oceanic Six. How will they explain that one since he was not on the flight manifest? Is this going to be solved with a time travel explanation? I fear that many of our questions are going to be unsatisfactorily answered that way.

The Piano Lesson by August Wilson

2008-03-17T20:31:00.002-04:00

THEATER If you're interested in the distinctive voice of American theater, then don't miss the Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Piano Lesson by August Wilson now on the mainstage at the Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia. Wilson's classic is one of ten in a cycle chronicling the African American experience in each decade of the 20th century.
Set in 1936 in the Hill District area of Pittsburgh, The Piano Lesson centers around an intricately carved piano owned by Beniece, who lives with her uncle, and her brother Boy Willy, looking to advance his life by purchasing land. When Berniece learns his visit is to take and sell the piano that was handed down from their grandfather, a family dispute begins pitting an emotional hold on the past against moving forward and away from the thoughts of slavery and tradition.
Wilson's lyrical dialogue is delivered with heart by a top-notch cast that is as solid and harmonious as the ever-present upright that sits center stage. Kes Khemnu as Boy Willie keenly reigns his constant energy with determination to draw you into his character's plan to get ahead. Also amazing as Berniece is Kala Moses Baxter who, with one day of rehearsal, scores highly and owns her part. She exudes an appropriate amount of strength that the only negative is that she isn't on the stage more. Director Walter Dallas appropriately shifts the cast around the single set so as to create an appearance of motion within the two-room first floor of the family house that reflects the push and pull squabble of the brother and sister.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary season, Arden artistic director, Terrence J. Nolan, wisely and accurately commented that August Wilson is "a playwright whose exploration of family, community and identity is an unparalleled achievement full of insight, poetry, heartbreak and humor."

LOST: Ji Yeon

2008-03-17T00:36:00.004-04:00

TELEVISION If you've been following the TV show Lost, you'll most likely agree that the storytelling in each episode this season is full of depth – for the characters and the labyrinthine plot – and totally engrossing. Here are a few thoughts on the most recent episode titled "Ji Yeon" that contained both a flashback and a flash-forward!
Again, the old cell phone gave away that Jin was not in the present. But if I had been up on my Chinese calendar I would have known when the cashier suggested the stuffed dragon to Jin that it would be very popular during the year of the dragon, the year was 2000.
Jin’s gravestone says he died on 9-22-04, the date of the crash. But it most likely is a false cover story. It suggests Sun lied about when Jin died if he died at all. Most likely Jin is alive on the island as well as many others left behind, which the Oceanic 6 is pretending are dead. When Sun and Hurley visit the grave, she says, "I miss you", which sounds like Sun misses him more than grieves for him. Neither of them was nearly upset enough as they should have been.
And it was nice to see Hurley visit Sun – presumably before his meltdown that sends him back to the mental institution.
So Sun is one of the Oceanic 6, along with Jack, Kate, Hurley and Sayid. In the Season Three finale titled "Through the Looking Glass" the name in the obituary was listed only with a Jo, so it’s a stretch but could it be possible that it’s Michael’s alias Kevin Johnson?
With Harold Perrineau’s name in the opening credits since the season began, and speculation that he was Ben’s spy on the boat, what should have been a truly surprising moment was anticlimactic – like a soufflé falling. This is why I hate spoilers. So we'll most likely have to wait for the next episode to learn what Michael is up to.
On the boat, Regina was reading a book called The Survivors of the Chancellor. According to Wikipedia: "(it) is an 1875 novel written by Jules Verne about the final voyage of a British sailing vessel, the Chancellor, told from the perspective of one of its passengers (in the form of a diary)." Later when Regina appears on deck, seemingly in a trance and wrapped in chains, she jumps off the boat. I doubt it was cabin fever as suggested by Captain Gault.
The captain shows Desmond and Sayid the black box from Flight 815 and suggests that Charles Widmore staged the wreckage that found at sea. What’s up with Widmore and where exactly does one come across 324 dead bodies?
Didn’t you just want to slap Juliet when she blurted out to Jin about Sun having had an affair? We know that it was just to keep her from going to Locke’s camp, and it worked. But that was extreme. It also gave Jin time to talk and reflect with Bernard about karma and how he’s changed since landing on the island. Still it was most touching when Jin said that he would go wherever Sun goes.
Sun’s scene in the OR was weird. The doctor who came in saying that he would be treating her was not her regular doctor. This led me to believe that something was going to happen to the baby, like a switch or kidnapping. And when he said he wanted to do a C-section, the nurse shortly thereafter said Sun was crowning. Neither instance seemed necessary except only to create urgency in the scene.

"Expose" was on the TV at Sun’s house in the background.

10,000 B.C.

2008-03-07T00:38:00.004-05:00

FLICK Knowing the kind of lightweight big-budget movies director Roland Emmerich has produced (Independence Day, Godzilla) I had my doubts about going to the screening of 10,000 B.C. But when I lost interest in the film within the first 10 minutes I knew I was in trouble.
The plot centers on a love story. D'Leh (Steven Strait) meets the love of his life, the blue-eyed Evolet (Camilla Belle). When a mysterious and unidentified gang kidnaps her, D'Leh leads a small group of hunters from snow-covered mountain peaks through a tropical jungle and then the dry sand of desert to save her. How long would this take by foot? Then there is some fighting…
My mind drifts: Why do some actors speaking English do so with an accent and some without one? Do the bad guys have to speak in another unidentified language – shown with subtitles – to create more realism?
D'Leh and the dudes try to escape a stampede of mammoths. Their long curvy tusks look pretty good but overall not very scary. It looks as if the makeup department worked overtime draping long, straggly hair on them but given their number they no doubt are computer-generated images.
My mind drifts again: how did they make pants for those guys in 10,000 B.C.?
Though the mammoths, saber tooth tigers and landscapes were visually captivating we should care more about the characters and not be distracted by things like plucked eyebrows and dreadlocks.
My mind wanders to the dark side: Steven Strait occasionally looks like Colin Farrell but with a more buff body. I wonder what his workout routine is. And with his pearly teeth shining brightly, how often does he get them whitened? Did he think health coverage included dental cleanings for cavemen?

And why does the ending take place at the Pyramids when they were built around 1500 BC? Given the lack of drama, suspense and believable acting, caring whether any of this is even historically accurate is prehistoric. My Score: 2.5 out of 10.

Rendez-Vous with French Cinema

2008-03-03T13:57:00.009-05:00

If you don't have the time to travel to France this week, do the next best thing and check out the films in the Rendez-Vous with French Cinema series happening in New York City. With 15 US premieres being presented through March 9, you're bound to find a bonbon that will please your palate as well as your eyes. Though my train from Philadelphia arrived in the city a half hour late, the subway trains ran like clockwork taking me cross-town to get tickets and to screenings at the IFC Center in the Village and uptown to Lincoln Center.

The IFC Center, with its exposed brick walls and cushy seats, is a comfortable environment for indie and foreign films. My first screening of the day was the involving Those Who Remain, which warranted more than its half-filled audience. Vincent Lindon and Emmanuelle Devos, who previously costarred in the psychological drama La Moustache, play Bertrand and Lorraine who meet in the cancer ward of the hospital when visiting their bedridden significant others and come to fill an emotional void in each other. Though there is a backdrop of impending death, this drama is rarely bleak or maudlin. Those Who Remain has the feel of an American independent film yet retains a feeling that is distinctly French, taking a simple situation and focusing on the behavior of the characters. Devos (Kings and Queen) lends a lightness to Lorraine that plays well against the concern and guilt of Lindon's Bertrand. Writer-director Anne Le Ny takes a novel approach blurring the lines of love and comfort in a time of need.

Heading to the Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center the subway proved to be the best mode of transportation over a cab, as the train pulled into the station just as I arrived and delivered me uptown with a six-minute travel time.

Probably one of the best films shown in the series is A Secret, which deservedly garnered multiple César-award nominations and Best Film at the 2007 Montreal World Film Festival. Adapting the novel by Philippe Grimbert (published as Memory in the US) writer-director Claude Miller casts Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) as François, the story of a man looking back on his childhood during the outbreak of World War II. As a boy, taking an imaginary playmate has deeper meaning when François considers the secret in his family's history and how it continues to affect his life in 1985. Miller conducts the flashback structure with ease, using multiple visual tones for the different time periods. As he stated in a Q&A afterwards, things in the past are recounted in the present and the things recounted in the past are happening now. It's this attention to storytelling that elevates A Secret to its cinematic heights.

Director Cédric Klapisch (L’Auberge Espagnole, Russian Dolls) was on hand to speak about his latest film Paris, which uses a large cast to tell multiple stories from differing neighborhoods in the City of Lights. One of his stars in the ensemble, Romain Duris, makes his sixth collaboration with Klapisch. Playing a young man with a potentially fatal heart condition, Duris easily fluctuates from the sadness of his character Pierre's mortality to incredible glee shown during the happy days as a chorus dancer in a pink and white suit. Juliette Binoche displays a comfortable and natural quality as Elise, Pierre's sister who comes to live with him while awaiting word on a heart transplant. Fabrice Luchini is also captivating as a historian who attempts to woo a much younger woman by sending her anonymous cheezy text messages. Though love is in the air not a lot of new terrritory is covered in this fanciful tale. Yet Paris creates smiles and has enough charm to make any misanthrope say oui oui.

There are a dozen other titles playing at the two salles de cinema during the upcoming week. Be sure to rendezvous with popular young actor Louis Garrel (The Dreamers), director Christophe Honoré (Ma mere, Dans Paris) and other filmmakers scheduled to appear at screenings. Though I'd rather have been in Paris this past weekend, viewing French films in New York proved to be a très pleasant alternative.

My FLICK Scores: Those Who Remain = 8; A Secret = 9; Paris = 7.5

The Other Boleyn Girl

2008-03-02T13:27:00.001-05:00

FLICK The story of Anne Boleyn's rise to become Henry VIII's queen and her eventual beheading is somewhat accessible these days with many versions told in movies and on television. The historical fiction novel The Other Boleyn Girl, by Philippa Gregory, speculates on Anne's relationship with her sister, the lesser-known Boleyn, Mary.
Scarlett Johansson as Mary carries the emotional weight of the picture even in her adulterous scenes with the handsome Eric Bana as Henry VIII who is less a focal point than the sisters. Henry appears to have more of a connection with the fair and sensitive Mary rather than with the darker-haired Anne who uses her wits to snare the crown. Though Mary conceives a son with Henry, the little bastard is not considered royal material and is kept hidden. Natalie Portman's performance is strong as the conniving Anne determined to become Henry's queen. Persuading Henry to leave the Roman Catholic Church to divorce Catherine of Aragon is one thing but a male heir is still what matters most. Anne walks on shaky ground when producing daughter Elizabeth and creating the speculation of incest with brother George (Jim Sturgess).
And it's the speculation of Mary where things revolve. The script by Peter Morgan (The Queen) succeeds when contrasting emotion versus intellect, which Johansson and Portman do very well. But the feeling of passion is lacking overall. Kristen Scott Thomas is memorable as their mother who can't convince the men of the family that lives are being destroyed when trading their daughters for financial reward. Though neither wins only one lives with her head intact. My Score: 7 out of 10.

Mario's Movie Moments

2008-02-23T11:00:00.005-05:00

In Bruges
FLICK Playwright Martin McDonagh is primarily known for combining wit with dark scenarios in stage productions like The Beauty Queen of Leenane, The Cripple of Inishmaan and The Pillowman. This time he adds feature film director to his resume (McDonagh won an Oscar for a short film) as those qualities are displayed in this simple story of two hit men holed up in a hotel room in Bruges, Belgium after a murder goes awry.
It's the rhythm of the dialogue that particularly works here, and Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson spar nicely as the men in hiding and waiting for a phone call from their boss, played by Ralph Fiennes, who completes the mobster triptych. The acting is great all around but it's nice to see Farrell trade up his bad boy image with a character who has a sensitive side and Fiennes doing just the opposite.
There are few boundaries, sometimes at the expense of dwarf jokes and the ugly American, which meander through the story only to come back around presenting McDonagh's unique voice and showing off the actors more than action.
My Score: 8 out of 10

Vantage Point
FLICK Dialogue has less importance in this suspense film showing a terrorist plot from multiple perspectives emphasizing action rather than character background. I can be a sucker for a good gimmick and though I've seen this one before, particularly on television, the sum of the parts doesn't add up as satisfyingly as they should. But that doesn't mean it's not a fun ride.
The twists and turns take place within a half hour on the critical day when the US president is visiting in Salamanca, Spain. The concept is front and center moving the players along as if in a game of checkers - jumping over one another and building on the prior move to find a winning solution. Dennis Quaid looks nauseous as a Secret Service agent back on the job after taking a bullet for the president a few years earlier. Also joining an international cast are William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver and even to a degree Forest Whitaker who all essentially phone in their performances. Matthew Fox shows his lack of range copping the same attitude as his character Jack on "Lost". I was looking forward to Spanish actor Eduardo Noriega's English-language film debut, but while the star of Open Your Eyes (the basis for remake Vanilla Sky) does his part to create urgency he gets less screen time then most in the ensemble.
An extended car chase near the end of the film might have been more believable with more causalities since it primarily takes place in a densely populated area. But since this is a big-budget Hollywood film, there is little time for reality, no matter how many points of view you get. My Score: 6.5 out of 10

Persepolis

2008-02-01T19:45:00.000-05:00

FLICK When I think of an animated movie it's easy to expect fantasies like Hayao Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle, or fun family movies targeted to kids and adults like Toy Story and Monster House.
Persepolis is an endearing and witty coming-of-age film based on the autobiographical graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi who grew up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. But the story is incredibly involving and has so much heart that there were times I forgot I was watching an animated movie.
Marjane narrates her story beginning when she was a young girl living with her parents and regularly visiting her grandmother, who has strong feminist ideals and offers useful advice. As a teenager (voiced by Chiara Mastroianni, with her real-life mother Catherine Deneuve as Marjane's mother) she is sent away to Vienna to escape the repressive time of Tehran. She rocks out to punk music, learns lessons of love and eventually lives on the streets.
The bold black-and-white drawings have an expressionistic quality that offers a look at a less than joyful past contrasted with the supposed freedom expressed in the colored portions of present day France, where Marjane is today. But the constant motion of the images has a lyrical quality that nicely juxtaposes and makes easier to grasp the growing experiences of a youth within the absurdities of a dangerous political climate. This memoir has a lot of heart without being overly sentimental and I liked Marjane so much that I would have watched if the story continued to have followed her into and through the present. My Score: 9.5 out of 10

LOST and Found

2008-01-29T00:31:00.000-05:00

TELEVISION I've been enjoying some of the downtime created by the lack of new episodes of my favorite TV programs. There has been more time for movies, and Medium, Nip/Tuck and Project Runway have kept me busy. But the one show that has kept me waiting since last May is Lost. Even with a reduced season (8 instead of 16 episodes) due to the writer's strike, I am ready to get back to the island and find out what the creators and producers have put together for us. What makes this show work so well is the perfect blend of drama, multi-layered characters, mystery, a dash of science fiction, literary references and detailed storytelling that never ceases to surprise.

Most entertainment sites have recently been posting cast interviews and revealing spoilers but be sure to check out and catch up with the character profiles posted daily at TV Guide until Thursday's premiere. They kicked off with Sun Kwon, then followed with Desmond, Juliet and others with today's highlight being Kate, a character that is as mysterious as that smoke monster-inhabited island. So forget about the past and get ready to flash forward into what should be a thrilling season four. If you need to catch up on the past three seasons, check out Lost in 8:15!

In Treatment

2008-01-28T23:53:00.000-05:00

TELEVISION There is nothing I like more than character-driven dramas and HBO is serving up five sessions a week with its new serial In Treatment. Gabriel Byrne is commanding as the therapist, Paul, who offers perspective and ultimately gets involved in his patients' lives. There is no better way to see the multiple sides of these characters than when they're alternately introspective or combative with Paul as he attempts to make them aware of what their behavior means and from where their motivations evolve.
The acting is engaging, diverse and always thought provoking. Patients show up once a week on the same day. Laura (Melissa George) shows up each Monday to discuss her problems with men and complicates matters in the first episode by confessing her fantasies of Paul. Alex (Blair Underwood) is a navy pilot with father issues who challenges Paul every Tuesday. Wednesdays are reserved for Sophie (Mia Wasikowska), a smart teenage gymnast that resists therapy after a supposed accidental injury but may have family issues causing her rebelliousness. The next day a mismatched Jake and Amy (Josh Charles, Embeth Davitz) try to work out the imbalances of their marriage. On Fridays Paul visits his therapist Gina (Dianne Wiest) where we hear not only what is bothering him but his perceptions of the past week and how his own life has influenced the advice he gives, which may ultimately serve his own purposes.
The confinement of the meeting room is the perfect setting for this drama. There is nowhere to go other than to stay focused on the conversations. The camera has more options than you'd think but is best when the discussion heats up and slowly moves in on the characters' faces, not only for inspection but closing in on what may be the realization of their seemingly meaningless stories.
The writing is smart, insightful and becomes more engrossing with each scheduled visit. Make an appointment each night Monday through Friday at 9:30 to catch the next session.

Best Films of 2007

2008-01-07T12:56:00.000-05:00

The following choices are based on 124 films I screened in a theater in 2007. Still there are some titles that held a strong interest for me but I didn't get to screen, like "Lars and the Good Girl", "Margot at the Wedding", "In the Valley of Elah" and "Control". And then there are titles on DVD that I’ve screened that make up what I didn't see in the theater. (And I'll save television programs and performances for the end of the season.) In general, it seems a lot of the quality films this year were taken from well-regarded source material and little written directly for the screen. Not sure what that’s saying except that perhaps I better make more time for reading.

There Will Be Blood
Paul Thomas Anderson skillfully oversees the acting, cinematography, and music to give a stunning look at an oilman's greed gone out of control in Southern California at the beginning of the 20th century. It's particularly heightened when contrasted with bible preaching and the emotional bonds of fathers and sons. Every shot is carefully thought out, the music enhances each plot point, and Daniel Day-Lewis has created a new face of evil in epic proportions.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
I was initially skeptical to attend the tale of Sweeney Todd, having seen numerous stage productions of the amazing Stephen Sondheim musical, but was also curious as to how director Tim Burton might pull off material that seemed appropriate for his style. The choices made to tailor the material from one medium to the other suit it perfectly. Eliminating songs sung by the chorus helped a lot. And the dark look of London is the perfect backdrop for a barber seeking revenge and serving up pies with his murdered victims. (Quite the opposite of the sweet tarts served up in this year's confection Waitress.) Though Johnny Depp's voice occasionally sounds a bit thin, particularly when reaching for the high notes, his acting makes up for any shortness of breadth. Nothing's going to harm you in this successful production.

No Country for Old Men
There is yet more bloodshed in Joel and Ethan Coen well-crafted adaptation of the Cormac McCarthy novel. The Coen’s have found the perfect source material to match their style and sensibility. Their pitch perfect deliberate pacing is involving and adds appropriate tension, particularly when comparing the consequences of moral choices and fate. Lots of great performances here but who can forget Javier Bardem as a professional hit man with a page boy hairdo wielding a stun gun and carrying a tank of compressed air?

3:10 to Yuma
James Mangold’s remake of the 1957 classic based on a short story by Elmore Leonard hits the mark with one of the best shoot-‘em-up action flicks of the year. Thoughtful performances by Christian Bale, as the rancher who hopes to earn a reward for escorting an outlaw (Russell Crowe) to meet the train to Yuma are nicely contrasted with gang member Ben Foster who memorably plays his part with psychopathic gusto. Smart direction, stunning cinematography, lots of subtext and character connections that never miss their mark elevate an otherwise standard cowboy movie and squarely hit a bull’s-eye.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Le Scaphandre et le papillon)
Daring in that it's mostly filmed from the perspective of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffered a stroke and lives with "locked-in syndrome" (paralysis affecting most of his body except his left eye) we get a vision of what it may have been like for Bauby to see and hear. The contortions of actor Mathieu Amalric's body are not easy to see nor probably easy to maintain. Julian Schnabel's bio-pic celebrates the human spirit by communicating the importance of connecting no matter how large the odds.

Into the Wild*
Emile Hirsch embodies the spirit of Christopher McCandless in Sean Penn's thoughtful portrait of the idealistic 20-year-old who rejected the materialism he was taught to respect. The title suggests going somewhere savage but it also shows us the mind of a young man that is alternately rebellious and a free spirit happily living an idealistic lifestyle. Penn's direction is ambitious showing vast landscapes from around the country and up to Alaska mirroring the beauty of McCandless' intentions and the extent that he's willing to go to achieve it. The nonlinear structure of the story pits his solitude against a variety of people he meets, ultimately realizing too late that it's the connections we make that are truly valuable.

The Savages
The scars of bad parenting and damaged childhoods are gently revealed when Jon and Wendy Savage need to arrange for their father to be admitted into a nursing home. Director Tamara Jenkins’ script is the perfect combination of wit and perception and is kicked up a notch with nuanced performances by Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman as the siblings.

Across the Universe*
Julie Taymor's film uses songs by The Beatles to create a simple love story but makes up for anything lacking with lots of great singing, visual splendor and heartfelt entertainment. Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood are the romantic couple that we follow on a journey through a mixture of psychedelia, war protesting and love, love, love.

Paprika
An anime treat bursting with color that blurs the lines between reality and dreams. That's because someone has stolen a dream machine and is playing with the lives of others. It's science against nature, with psychological twists that keep you glued to the screen. And did I mention the colors? Leave the kids home for this one.

Away from Her*
Alzheimer’s is given sensitive treatment in Sarah Polley’s directing debut. The simplicity of her presentation accents the way the disease can suddenly intrude on your life without warning. Involving performances are headed by Julie Christie who portrays a multitude of expressions including confusion, love, recognition and detachment.

Other favorites:

Jindabyne*
Once*
La Vie en Rose*
SiCKO*
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
I'm Not There
Red Road*
The Host (AKA Gwoemul) 괴물

*See full reviews on this site

Back on Track

2007-11-05T09:46:00.000-05:00

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

2007-10-15T00:17:00.000-04:00

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

2007-10-12T20:40:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-27T13:46:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-25T11:23:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-24T15:51:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-23T23:48:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-21T09:42:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-20T14:31:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-13T11:59:00.000-04:00

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)

2007-09-08T11:16:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-07T09:58:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-06T20:19:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-05T01:24:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-04T11:50:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-03T09:31:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-02T16:37:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-30T22:01:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-27T11:09:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-23T11:55:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-20T16:41:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-18T11:57:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-17T09:54:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-16T13:32:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-14T16:53:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-14T13:30:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-13T11:53:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-11T10:11:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-10T10:36:00.000-04:00

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

TOP CHEF – Guilty Pleasures

2007-08-09T10:20:00.000-04:00

TELEVISION You scream, I scream, and the chef-testants screamed when told that the Quickfire Challenge involved Cold Stone ice cream. They were to create original mixes to work with the sweet cream flavor of this week’s promo product. Some kept it simple and others scooped up as many ingredients as possible.
Tonight’s guest judge was long-braided chef and author Govind Armstrong, owner of Table 8 in Los Angeles and Miami. He and Padma thought Casey’s Sriracha Sauce with Poblano, Dried Apricots and Potato Chips had too much going on but her dish actually made Chef Govind shudder. Thinking too far outside of the ice cream carton again instead of perfecting something simple that any monkey could love was Hung who offered white chocolate, candied pistachios, mint, tempura flakes and, surprise, a cauliflower foam. Not singled out was Tre’s Candied Hazelnuts with Raspberry Ginger Sauce that I would love to have tasted. Howie was favored with his Balsamic Mixed Berries but Dale won immunity with his Flambéed Peach Cobbler with Candied Pecans.
For the Elimination Challenge, Padma announces that the chefs are off the hook for now and to go out and enjoy the Miami nightlife. So everyone goes back to the hotel, gets dressed up and is driven in a white limo to Café Nikki, where CJ says their dreams came to a crashing halt. Padma is standing with Chef Govind and tells them they are to split into two teams and create a late night bar food menu to be prepared in and served from mobile kitchens. Some, particularly Casey and Sara N were not amused by the bait and switch. On the one hand they should expect the unexpected. On the other hand, not only are they not wearing protective clothes, they are in high heels which could be dangerous even if they took them off and went barefoot.
Dale totally lucks out and learns he has the night off to share a romantic, uh, make that a private four-course dinner with Chef Govind. The two seem to become fast friends as Dale holds the door like a perfect gentleman and the two clink wine glasses together. Maybe there is a challenge in there somewhere. (But what briefly appears onscreen is another fake out as it’s been reported that Chef Govind has recently proposed to his girlfriend.)
The Black Team, consisting of Hung, Sara M, Tre and Brian, seemed to fall right into place by first assessing the kitchen space then appearing to go into their comfort zones. Brian ran the raw bar spotlighting Oysters with a Watermelon Mignonette. Sara M’s Jerked Soft Tacos didn’t look appealing to me and Hung got called out for his Teriyaki Chicken Wings. But the team won and Tre took the top honors pleasing everyone with his Bacon Wrapped Shrimp over Cheesy Grits.
Everyone senses from the beginning that the Orange Team will have problems. The judges eventually told CJ that he should have pulled the team together, and being the most levelheaded of the four he could have. But our bulldog Howie jumps in and is allowed to dictate since he had experience creating bar food. That’s too bad since his Media Noche Cuban Sandwiches were called a big doughy mess. Casey’s four cheese quesadillas looked scrumptious and I wasn’t sold on CJ’s ceviche tacos, and didn’t seem appetizing after a night of cocktails. But Sara N had the most problems, especially with Howie. First he was breathing down her neck while making Sliders (mini hamburgers that seemed dry and unoriginal) and thick Milkshakes, and then called her the baby of the house in front of the judges. She may be the youngest but his words sliced like a knife, which she was asked to pack and then go.

It seemed as if the judging happened right after the challenge. The chefs bought food at around 10:45pm and started serving it at 1:45am. Was the judging happening at 5am?

The text poll for this episode asked which chef would you most like to share a midnight snack with. Brian and Casey each got 16%, Tre was a close second with 32% and CJ led the voting with 36%. But would you really want to eat his ceviche tacos at midnight?

El Cantante

2007-08-08T17:12:00.000-04:00

FLICKS “El Cantante De Los Cantantes” is the nickname that refers to the famed salsa singer Héctor Lavoe, who moved to New York from Puerto Rico in the early 1960s against the wishes of his father and set the world of Latin music on fire only to crash and burn out too soon. So why does it seem that this biopic gives us more of his wife Puchi than it does of Héctor?
Vocalist Marc Anthony totally embodies Lavoe with his charismatic stage presence, performing the songs with romantic energy and style. And though the music is terrific, a better script would make the movie feel less like a promotional tool for a tribute album. (And it really makes you want to own that entire album!)
The story is told by Lavoe’s wife Puchi, played by Anthony’s wife Jennifer Lopez, who doesn’t seem to be the most reliable narrator, though they do convincingly portray a couple devoted to each other. But we scarcely get a sense of what their family life must have been like and never feel close to them.
As directed and co-written by Leon Ichaso, and produced by Lopez, they are more interested in presenting Héctor spiraling downward as he takes more drugs and contracts AIDS, instead of showing his star rise and how he achieved his popularity. There is little in the way of learning how any of the revolutionary music evolved, which should be the film’s essence.
Though they tend to focus on the negatives, the positive moments are most memorable. In the end, it’s the music itself that shines and deserves the respect the filmmakers have affectionately presented. Perhaps the title should have been changed to La Música. My Score: 6.5 out of 10.

Flight of the Conchord – Girlfriends

2007-08-06T10:34:00.000-04:00

I swear this blog isn’t becoming totally devoted to Flight of the Conchords, but I've seemed to have had good luck with them this week and the guys just crack me up.

This episode is one of their best! The two musical numbers, “A Kiss Is Not a Contract” and the French souffle “Foux Da Fa Fa,” posted at You Tube, are really well done and would make many including Serge Ganisbourg smile.

And I’ve recently taken over the FOTC blog at tvguide.com. Click here to check it out when you get a chance.

Flight of the Conchords – Drive By

2007-08-03T09:38:00.000-04:00

TELEVISION Several weeks ago Bret and Jemaine were singing about the "Tape of Love" and how we should all stick together. This week our dynamic duo get a real taste of America when they become the victims of discrimination when attempting to buy fruit. It’s too bad the street vendor who denies them an apple and a banana because they are from New Zealand didn’t hear that song before pushing them to the brink of tears. But then we wouldn’t have had my favorite part of the show, which was Dave (who says there is a lot of "prejudism" in this country then wanted to frame the vendor in retaliation for murder) teaching the guys how to flip the bird – without using wings. (Don’t you think they really needed a back light to project the birds onto a wall?)
This episode had a moment that was close to feeling like an After School Special, with Bret and Jemaine sniffling when watching "Albi the Racist Dragon" (who lives in a cottage cheese cottage and cries jelly beans.) But every sentimental moment is balanced with lightness, like when they use hip hop to project anger but sound more like they’re burping when singing that "there's too many mutha uckas uckin' with my shi-…"
I hated seeing the guys getting picked on, especially when the cruelest thing Jemaine can think of for revenge on the street vendor is to think mean thoughts. And I was a little surprised that Jemaine knew the word xenophobe when he said that’s what the vendor was – instead of a racist.
I missed running into obsessive fan Mel this week, but that only gave us more time with Conchords manager Murray, who had a school-boy crush on the tech support girl. Maybe Murray is onto something creating an un-convoluted one-word love song "Hi". But you know he’ll move on when, at the end of the show, he sings, "Goodbye" to the leggy blond accompanied with cool sound effects from the office, like snapping scissors or tape. (The sticky stuff.) Murray will have to be content with the gift from his mother, the DVD, or Dubbed Video Dub.
So, in order to live in a better world, we should remember the profound words spoken by Jemaine: You’re a person and I’m a person and each person deserves to be treated… like a person.

TOP CHEF – Freezer Burn

2007-08-02T10:09:00.000-04:00

TELEVISION If you’re not one who does well on oral exams, then the Quickfire Challenge in this episode is not for you. The producers prove that their ideas are not half-baked when the chef-testants were put on the spot with a Culinary Bee, identifying by sight or taste a variety of unusual and ordinary items like Japanese eggplant, fish paste, miso, tahini, and quail eggs. But how difficult is it to identify oatmeal, kidney beans or bow-tie pasta? They should have at least required farfalle for the answer. Howie touted himself an academic but didn’t make it more than two rounds. CJ commented that Hung should do well but holding him back was his asshole-arrogant factor, which is indeed what happened. Had he tasted the celery seed before responding incorrectly he might have beat Casey, who won immunity.
Tonight’s guest judge was celebrity chef Rocco DeSpirito, who fit right in but looked like he left a cucumber mask on his face for a few weeks. Italian food company Bertolli, who offered the winners two tickets each to Italy, sponsored the Elimination Challenge. With the frozen dinner meal market worth $8.6 billion in the US alone, Bertolli could have had the entire episode filmed in Italy. The 10 remaining chefs were asked to pair up and create their own frozen dinner, which could be cooked in less than 10 minutes.
When shopping for ingredients, chicken and shrimp seemed to be most popular. Only Casey and Dale thought outside the pasta box and made meatballs. But the secret was inspecting how Bertolli packaged their product. Tre and CJ not only made the best use of their time but also individually froze each ingredient, allowing their Black Truffle and Parmesan Linguini with Chicken, Kale and Tomato Confit to retain most of its moisture. Their attention to detail became obvious and won them the challenge and the trip. It was almost unsettling to hear Rocco, and even CJ, call out Tom for questioning the Mediterranean-ness of the truffles.
Casey and Dale came in second with their Turkey and Pork Meatballs with Orecchiette in a Spinach Almond Pesto. But they had served Rocco a meatball that was still partially frozen and Chef Tom thought the artichokes in the dish had a tinny citric acid flavor. Winning immunity didn’t make Casey any less a team player, either with Dale or helping others bag their food for the freezer.
Hung was the first to mention freezing items individually but it somehow got lost in translation with his partner Joey because their Tricolor Fusilli with Garlic Chicken and Sun-dried Tomatoes came out of the bag in a lump. The pasta was stored with the sauce causing it to absorb the liquid and become mushy. They couldn’t even "sell" their free food to any of the customers. This team was on the chopping block at the Judge’s Table along with Howie and Sara M who didn’t work well together at all and didn’t even agree on the pasta to use. Their Shrimp Pasta with Fennel and Sun-dried Tomato Vinaigrette turned out dry and was called a disaster. Though Chef Tom repeated several times he didn’t see her contribute anything, Sara told the judges that she made many suggestions that bulldog Howie chose to ignore. I thought this interaction would send Sara packing her knives but it was Joey, who became very emotional when asked to leave.
Tonight’s text poll asked which chef annoys you most. I have no idea why Brian was included but he got 2% of the votes followed by Sara M with 16% and Howie with only 22%. But the winner with 60%, who probably thought the voters didn’t understand the question and I’m sure did not hang his head in shame, was Hung.

Flight of the Conchords

2007-07-30T10:42:00.000-04:00

TELEVISION If you’re not familiar with "New Zealand's fourth most popular folk-parody duo", then do yourself a favor and check out the cutting-edge 12-part musical-comedy series airing on HBO Flight of the Conchords. It makes my ears feel good and is soaring to the top of my must-see list. Yeah, Conchords. Not grapes, but these two guys, Jemaine and Bret, who create beautiful music together and are always looking for a gig. And it’s odd they don’t get more work because they have a wide variety of songs and sounds that comment on things from "Inner City Pressure" (reminiscent of the philosophical Pet Shop Boys) to a sweet serenade, singing "you’re the most beautiful girl in the whole wide room…you could be a part-time model…"
Now living in New York City, these dudes share a small apartment, give new meaning to the word chaperone, and are pretty much joined at the hip. Not literally joined at the hip, like Siamese twins, because they aren’t twins, or from Siam. Or Thailand. And I don’t even know if they like Thai food. But they fill my belly with laughs just like Pad Thai noodles.
The duo’s only and biggest fan is Mel, a young woman who seems to have eyes for Bret. Murray is the manager always working hard for their success and thinking outside the box, like when he sets up the two with a musical card manufacturer. But things don’t go well when Bret’s idol David Bowie appears in a dream (sounding a bit like James Mason) suggesting flashing the guy to help get the job. And Bret even painted lightning bolts on his member.
Always creative and expanding their repertoire, Bret and Jemaine even do some gangsta folk and pick rap names, like Rhymenoceros and Hiphopopotamus. But nothing is more touching than when they sing the reflective words: "Brown paper, white paper, sticking together with the tape – the tape of love… the sticky stuff."

Check out my favorite foreplay song "It’s Business Time" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGOohBytKTU

“Inner City Pressure“: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUiM1Ixp6K4&mode

“Tape of Love”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgh4B-SeV44

Rescue Dawn

2007-07-28T11:15:00.000-04:00

FLICK Adept at directing both documentaries and fiction, Werner Herzog has dramatized his real-life story Little Dieter Needs to Fly, about navy fighter pilot Dieter Dengler who was shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War and held captive in a prison camp.
Herzog transcends typical war clichés about survival to focus this compelling movie on bonding and camaraderie. That doesn’t mean he shies away from the nightmare of torture. Christian Bale excels as Dengler, appearing to do his own dangerous stunts as when we see him close to drowning in a well, having a Fear Factor moment at meal time and being dragged while having his hands and feet tied to the back of a cow. Apparently on the same diet as when he starred in The Machinist, Bale, along with an intensely gaunt Steve Zahn and Jeremy Davies, not only create the physically emaciated look of POWs, but present a convincing range of emotions that match the naturalness of their surroundings. Bale exudes an unexpected but appropriate calmness and confidence as Dengler concocts an escape plan not knowing where they are or what they will encounter on their trek. There are no unnecessarily contrived moments nor the conspicuous use of special effects. You’re always aware that they are really in the middle of the jungle, which, like a documentary, lends realness to the hunted evading the hunters but here involves the survival of the fittest using their wits.
Though there is an unavoidable urge to relate it to the current war in Iraq, Herzog distinguishes Rescue Dawn by keeping the focus on the empathy and humanity of the captives. This is particularly true of Dengler (Bale) and Duane (Zahn) holding onto hope and their commitment to watching each other’s backs in order to get out alive in the midst of a hell zone. My Score: 9 out of 10.

TOP CHEF – Watch What Happens

2007-07-26T11:10:00.000-04:00

TELEVISION I watched, but what happened wasn’t quite as much fun as the competition episodes. Though a lot of the info “revealed” can be found at the BravoTV.com blogs and message boards, the main reason to catch this episode is see some familiar and friendly faces.
But there were a few clips and tidbits that were worth sticking around for...

First, Ilan might have thought it was fun to wear the tux but it was not pretty, between the oversized tie and wearing no socks with the pant legs rising up above his calves.
Harold’s restaurant Perilla has opened.
Padma said she gained a lot of weight during season two. Where? In her thumb?
It was noted that Tom Colicchio eats precisely like a surgeon.
Regarding boyfriends and girlfriends, Hung said it could go either way. If only I could get Fan Favorite Sam over here, I’d overlook doing it in duck fat!
Three of the Top Chef Fights shown naturally involved Marcel. But my favorite of all time was Mia laying into Cliff, telling him to put his dick away, in front of the judge’s table.
The funniest moment of the night was a clip with the last five season two chef-testants recreating a Quckfire Challenge in their hotel room, with Elia doing a spot-on impersonation of Padma. I cracked up when she asked why the steak tasted like steak.
Dale’s response to the fact that the chef-testants have to give up cell phones, computers, TV and radio was all that’s left to do is “eat, sleep, drink, smoke – that’s about it.”
Regarding Padma’s outfits, Tim Gunn said that he loves them and Sandee responded that after looking at the chefs all day, Padma brightened up the kitchen! I'll bet she does.
Also loved hearing Padma say: "we're missing a spatula that I use for a mirror!
And we found out that Chef Tom is an icon of the Bear community. Ted summed up the description nicely, saying bears are burly gay men and find Tom delicious!

If Sam is the Fan Favorite (that’s such a no-brainer) then check out another contender, the evening’s hot and handsome host, Andy Cohen. http://www.bravotv.com/blog/andysblog/bio.html

Hairspray

2007-07-21T01:02:00.000-04:00

FLICK Borrowing a line from the finale, like the motion of the ocean, you can’t stop the beat – or the toe-tapping – once Tracy Turnblad leaves her home for school singing "Good Morning, Baltimore," in the new version of John Walters’ Hairspray. Set in the early 1960’s, open-minded and fun-loving teenager Tracy follows her dream to dance with the kids on the Corny Collins Show. With Negro Day happening only once a month on the locally produced program, Tracy challenges the forces of discrimination to promote integration so the world will live, and Twist, as one. With its celebratory tone and joyfully detailed choreography, this crowd-pleaser has lots of showstoppers that will put a smile on your face and make you feel as if you’ve used a relaxant all over your body.
Like the recent production of The Producers, Hairspray is the film adaptation of a Tony award-winning Broadway musical that was reinvented from a movie. The original film had an assortment of B-listers like singers Sonny Bono and Debbie Harry, Ricki Lake and most notably, the infamous cross-dresser Divine. This eclectic mix maintained director Waters’ subversive style while adding familiarity to an inventive script, nudging him into the mainstream. This new version ups the ante with notable A-listers and familiar faces to appeal to just about everyone. Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken and Queen Latifah work their magic along with newcomer Nikki Blonsky who easily carries her weight, and the film, as Tracy.
Keeping his personal beliefs aside, John Travolta is still the elephant in the room as housewife Edna Turnblad, a female character always played with a wink to the audience by a plus-sized man. With Divine in the film, and Harvey Fierstein and Bruce Vilanch alternately in the stage versions, there was never the need to feminize Edna, only to let a natural fabulousness emerge. Choosing not to mimic his predecessors, Travolta works hard doing the opposite, coming off ultra dainty and sweet, and the only one using a Baltimore accent. It takes a while to adjust to all of this, not to mention his physical appearance, as the obvious padded fat suit and makeup set Travolta apart, replicating one of the animated hippos in Disney’s Fantasia. But those hippos swayed gracefully when they danced, and so does Travolta, particularly in a backyard pas de deux with his devoted onscreen husband Walken.
With all the aerosol around, the younger cast members, including Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Elijah Kelley and Brittany Snow, gel and are never stiff, gliding smoothly in their beautifully appropriate period costumes.
For added dimension and contrast, check out the 1988 version. If you flip for the original, you won’t be teased by the remake. My Score: 9 out of 10.

Mommie Dearest

2007-07-20T00:21:00.000-04:00

FLICK From comedy to drama and Hollywood Royalty to Box Office Poison, Joan Crawford did it all. And so does Faye Dunaway playing Crawford in Mommie Dearest screening Saturday July 21, at 11:15PM at the Jamaican Jerk Hut as part of PIGLFF.

Though it’s been reported that Dunaway feels the film, based on Christina Crawford’s best-selling memoir, may have dismantled her career, she is no less than mesmerizing as the Oscar winner – from calm and reserved star to over-the-top maniac in kabuki-like makeup. The film tries to play it straight but veers out of control to become a camp classic. I get sucked in every time it’s on. But half the fun of watching the movie is repeating the memorable quotes. Listed below are my favorites. How many can you add? (1981, 129 minutes)

Joan (to the housekeeper, finding dirt under a planter): I’m not mad at you, I’m mad at the dirt!
Joan: Tear down that bitch of a bearing wall and put a window where it ought to be.
Joan: Don't fuck with me fellas. This ain't my first time at the rodeo.
Christina: There's a liquor store to the right. Joan: I should've known you'd know where to find the boys and the booze.
Christina: Yes, Mommie Dearest.
Joan: When I asked you to call me that, I wanted you to mean it.
Joan: Tina! Bring me the axe!
Joan: Why can't you give me the respect that I'm entitled to? Why can't you treat me like I would be treated by any stranger on the street? Christina: Because I am NOT one of your fans.
Joan: No wire hangers, ever!
Christina (racing Joan in the swimming pool): It's not fair to win twice.
Joan: Nobody ever said life was fair, Tina. I'm bigger and I'm faster. I will always beat you.
Joan (referring to a bloody steak on Christina’s plate): You haven't touched your lunch. Christina: It's raw. Joan: It's not raw, Tina, it’s rare.
Joan (on Oscar night): I would rather be here with you than anywhere else in the world. You, all of you here and everywhere, gave me this award tonight. And I accept it from you and only you. I love all of you. Now please forgive me, good night.

TOP CHEF – Latin Lunch

2007-07-19T13:12:00.000-04:00

TELEVISION: First the news: Congratulations on the first of many Emmy nominations! According to bloggingtopchef, the Top Chef Miami finale will air live, raising the cloche on the winner to both the audience and the cheftestants at the same time. Bravo also announced that season four’s location will be Chicago. Information on casting, which begins this month, can be found at BravoTV.com/casting.
But most importantly, according to viewers who answered the text poll, the sexiest judge is, without a doubt, Tom Colicchio, with 48% of the votes. Padma came in second with 38% and Gail, with the sparkling personality, came in third with only 14%. She can still come to my place for lunch.
Before the Quickfire Challenge begins, Joey states he’s the gray horse and no one sees him coming while Hung tells us the competition is all about finesse, style, grace and elegance. Are their comments spot-on? Tonight’s QFC has the flavor of Dale’s debacle from last week: create a dish using the widely used, timesaving innovation, the frozen piecrust. Serving as guest judge tonight is top pastry chef Maria Frumkin, owner of Miami’s Duo Café.
With only 90 minutes to roll them out, this challenge offers more range as the options can swing from sweet to savory. The least favorite dishes included mad man Hung’s runny Banana Rum and Chocolate Cream Pie that didn’t set properly. Dales was told the saffron was overwhelming in the Spinach and Salmon en Croute accompanied with Strawberry, Pear and Saffron Tart with Vanilla Goat Cheese Cream. (I’d love to taste his tart!) And Lia was told the flavors in her Artichoke Chorizo and Pork Tart with Fennel Pear Salad didn’t marry well together.
Best of the bunch was Sara M’s Rabbit Stew and Tre’s Apple Tarte Tatin but topping the tarts was gray horse Joey’s Tart Trio, guaranteeing he won’t be cut from tonight’s competition.
The Elimination Challenge required catering a Latin lunch for Latinos – 20 people from Telemundo’s popular telenovela "Dame Chocolate." Everyone went shopping for 30 minutes then returned to cook for three hours – until Chef Tom announced that lunch had been pushed up and they now have half the prep time! First there is dead silence then it’s fast-forward motion, especially for Hung, who is already cranked up and nearly slices Casey with a cleaver. Guess his earlier comment can go down the garbage disposal.
The luncheon seemed jovial and the guests were good critics but had to return to the set, leaving the judges at the chopping block. There was the good, the bad and the ugly, but nary a sign of what Brian prepared. Did I miss something?
The top two were new best buds Joey and Howie who couldn’t quit lapping up each other’s meals. Joey, who is now on a winning streak, created a Bean Stew with Lobster, Shrimp, Chicken, and Chorizo. But Howie won, again using Braised Pork Shoulder but adding Yucca Sour Orange Mojo. His prize was "a very, very nice" bottle of wine from Argentina that he shared with Joey. All the tension from the past seems to be released and hopefully they got a private room to sip the sweet stuff.
At the bottom of the barrel was Sara N, whose Avocado, Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche was more like a guacamole dip, and not a meal. You’d think if you couldn’t master basics like rice and chicken, it would be enough to get axed. Hung’s Arroz con Pollo was dry and under seasoned as was Casey’s, but her Coffee Molasses Glaze, which was supposed to be a variation on mole and sounded good, was called bitter. I was surprised that it was last week’s champion, Lia who was sent packing. Perhaps her Smoked Rainbow Trout with Pablano Polenta was the least Latin. Told it lacked flavor and was mushy, Padma said it was inedible but Tom said just wasn’t good.
This season, the chef’s seem more helpful and supportive, hugging and applauding each other. And given the name of the telenovela, it’s interesting that no one incorporated into his or her dish, known for euphoric and aphrodisiac qualities, chocolate…

Longtime Companion

2007-07-18T00:26:00.000-04:00

With a successful film and stage career, Craig Lucas has written six plays that were performed on Broadway and Off Broadway, including the Pulitzer Prize-nominated "Prelude to a Kiss," and most recently "The Light in the Piazza." He also adapted and directed his play "The Dying Gaul" for film. Lucas’ collaborator and Longtime Companion’s director, Norman René, died of AIDS in 1996.
FLICK Longtime Companion takes it title from the term that was used in obituaries to refer to the deceased's gay spouse, partner or lover. It's the portrait of a group of friends in NYC and Fire Island that we see for one day a year from 1980 over the span of 10 years, who are affected by AIDS, or the "gay cancer" as it was originally referred to in the New York Times. For having such a serious topic and several incredibly moving and memorable scenes (think of Bruce Davison, in an Oscar nominated performance, saying, "just let go…"), this film is insightful and lovingly told with humor.
The opening song, "The Tide Is High," sets the tone that something is about to overtake these characters but they won't let it hold them back. ("The tide is high but I'm moving on...I'm not the kind of girl who gives up just like that.") The ensemble cast is outstanding all around, with notable and enduring actors like Davison, Dermot Mulroney, Campbell Scott and Mary-Louise Parker.
There is no other scene in the movies that moves me more than the one on the beach, when three friends imagine all of their friends and other who’ve passed away returning for one last reunion. The song by Zane Campbell is appropriately titled "Post-Mortem Bar" and begins after the line "I want to be there if they ever find a cure..."
I've always wondered why there were two posters for this movie. The first one I saw has a close-up of Willy (Scott) and John (Mulroney) hugging. The second poster has a long shot of Willy , Fuzzy (Stephen Caffrey) and Lisa (Parker) walking on the beach. Was this second poster created so as not to be in your face with two men, and to include a woman in order to appeal to a wider audience and appear that this is not just a film for gays? Also, Fuzzy is wearing a white t-shirt in the second poster, but in the film, he is wearing a black t-shirt with two sailors kissing with the caption, "Read my lips."
Film historian Vito Russo stated in The Advocate: "It is the first major movie to deal with gay men and AIDS; it doesn't try to explain gay life to a mainstream audience; and it contains more affection and intimacy between men than virtually any other film in recent memory."
(1990) My Score: 10 out of 10.

Craig Lucas is receiving an Artistic Achievement Award at the 13th annual Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival this Saturday, July 21 at 5pm at the Arts Bank followed by a screening of Longtime Companion.

Times Have Been Better

2007-07-17T11:06:00.000-04:00

Boy, you can say that title again, especially after spending 90 minutes with distraught heterosexuals.
On a visit home, successful businessman Jérémy (Arnaud Binard, from 2004’s Grand Ecole) decides it’s time to come out of the closet and tell his family that he is gay. Though it was difficult for him, it becomes all about them. While his college-bound brother, Robin, has kept Jérémy’s secret for a long time, the reaction of his parents makes him realize that he will always be son numéro deux. While their parents are very liberal and lean to the left, when it comes to Jérémy’s sexuality they feel he isn’t right. When Jérémy explains that he is in a stable and loving relationship with Marc, he has created a situation for his parents to examine themselves and the state of their own connection. This would be fine in itself, but the rest of the film focuses on what a problem it is for Guy, his father, and how this has ruined his life and his virility is challenged. It gets worse when Guy must dissect and imagine exactly what it is that his son does in bed with his life-partner. Mon dieu!
When Jérémy’s mother, Rosine (A Love to Hide's Charlotte de Turckheim), seeks out the advice of her co-worker Yvan, he thinks that being a bitchy queen won’t help her but actually assists with her self-discovery.
For all of the frustrating plot points, this 2006 French made-for-TV movie has top-notch acting and great production values, particularly the soundtrack, which helps to keep the tone light and move beyond the downbeat straights and their supposed dilemma. (AKA Le Ciel sur la tête -- literally The Sky Above Your Head.) My Score: 6.5 out of 10.

Currently screening at the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (PIGLFF): http://www.phillyfests.com/piglff/home.cfm

PIGLesbianFF

2007-07-16T11:32:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend I was lucky to screen four strong and diverse films with a lesbian focus at the 13th annual Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (PIGLFF), continuing through July 24. If you haven’t seen any of the following achievements, keep your eyes open as they could pop up as a Festival Favorite at the end of next week. Hopefully they’ll get a theatrical release before landing on DVD. Each is unique in tone and point of view.
One of the great benefits about a film festival is having guests on hand. Two of the stars from Out at the Wedding, Cathy DeBuono and Andrea Marcellus, were mingling at the XXX at XIX party on Saturday night and seemed to make fast-friends with everyone they met. Their cheerful personalities are easily translated in the hilarious romantic-comedy, about a straight woman, Alex (Marcellus) pegged as a lesbian at her sister’s wedding. The laughs are non-stop, as the cast elevates the script about identity, perception and puts a new twist on staying in the closet. Instead of a gay person who is typically portrayed as uncomfortable with being out, it’s Alex who hides and keeps secrets from loved ones.
Also on hand this weekend were co-directors Dominque Cardona and Laurie Colbert who presented their impressive feature Finn’s Girl, about a lesbian mother juggling the troubles of raising a rebellious daughter while getting death threats from pro-life fanatics. This alternately touching and gripping drama takes a controversial topic and adds a ripped-from-the-headlines conclusion that challenges traditional thinking. I wasn’t familiar with the progressive theory but now have something new to read up on.
Radical feminist politics and patriarchy gets skewered in the satire Itty Bitty Titty Committee about a punk guerrilla group that influences a shy Latina working for a plastic surgeon. When Anna realizes that a chest size is unimportant and it’s the surgeon who is a boob, she joins the C(I)A (or Clits in Action) and helps the subversive sisters make political statements and raise consciousness. Some of the bois might like this one, but the target audience is definitely for the grrls.
Probably the most beautiful film at the festival is The Chinese Botanist’s Daughter, about a woman who goes to study herbal medicine and falls in love with the professor’s daughter. The stunning filmmaking accents the story from moments like a rainstorm seeping through the cracks in the bedroom ceiling that parallels a woman’s breaking heart to the general surroundings of the lush gardens that reflect the growth and beauty of two women in love.

Love and Other Disasters

2007-07-14T13:55:00.000-04:00

FLICK Did you ever think anyone would compare Brittany Murphy and Audrey Hepburn, let alone put them together in a sentence? A similarity becomes apparent after watching Love and Other Disasters, a light-hearted comedy channeling Breakfast at Tiffany’s, written and directed by Alek Keshishian, best known for directing Madonna’s Truth or Dare.
Murphy plays Emily, better known as Jacks to her friends, and works at UK Vogue wearing trendy clothes that Hepburn drool over. Though Jacks is in a dysfunctional relationship, she is ever the romantic and fixes up her gay roommate Peter (Matthew Rhys) on a date with coworker Paolo (Santiago Cabrera), not knowing Paolo is straight and interested in her.
The setup may seem familiar but the execution is fresh and the dialogue is crisp. Keshishian spins the Truman Capote classic into a modern-day tale without too much fluff. Obvious references to the movie and even a soundtrack that includes "Moon River" add to the lyrical tone.
Anyone currently watching "Brothers & Sisters", will recognize Rhys as Kevin Walker, the gay lawyer on the TV show. The contrast of the two characters is slightly obvious: where Kevin is more tightly wound, Peter is not quite as stressed out. Rhys gives a comfortable and commanding performance, perhaps due to speaking in his native British accent or just an astute observation of locale differences. Another actor on an American show from this past year is Cabrera who played the telepathic painter Isaac on "Heroes." In the film, sexy Cabrera gets to show a little more charm and, though the sparks could really fly with him and Rhys, he only has starry eyes for Murphy’s Jacks. Cameos by Dawn French, Gwyneth Paltrow and Orlando Bloom only up the ante for a winning full house.
We’re all after the same rainbow’s end, and any huckleberry friend or heartbreaker will find this enchanting and breezy film a dream maker. My Score: 7.5 out of 10.

Currently screening at the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (PIGLFF): http://www.phillyfests.com/piglff/home.cfm

PIGLFF – Opening Night

2007-07-13T11:27:00.001-04:00

It was full house at the Prince Music Theater last night for the opening of the 13th Annual Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. The effervescent duo of PIGLFF Executive Director Rosemary Connors and Development Director Thom Cardwell kicked things off, introducing Greater Philadelphia Tourism spokesman Jeff Guarcino and a well-received Democratic Mayoral candidate Michael Nutter, who got a standing ovation. Also on stage was Jesse Archer, star and screenwriter of the lite rom-com A Four Letter Word, which was the opening night film. Preceding the film was the festival trailer exposing an assortment of attractive, barely-clad men and women at a photo shoot using strips of film to strategically cover their itty bitty titties. This was certainly no bear bash!
At the after-party held at the Hyatt Regency at Penn’s Landing, most people were pretty in P.I.N.K., swigging the premium imported vodka from Holland. Injecting more energy into the evening, the complimentary drink, P.I.N.K., is infused with caffeine and guarana, which is an extract from a Brazilian plant and a natural form of caffeine that is 2 ½ times stronger than the caffeine found in coffee or tea. For the health conscious, it’s billed as having no added flavor, sugar, color or carbs. So it’s sorta like an alcoholic Red Bull without the syrupy sweetness, though the fruity stuff can certainly be added to sweeten your buzz. (Apparently the acronym is for the secret formula that makes up the libation.) Better drinking through balanced chemistry!
The groove was in my heart as DJ Lady Miss Kier was on hand to spin earthly Deee-Lites. (Actually, I didn’t hear anything by Deee-Lite so I couldn’t wait to go home and pull out my “World Clique” CD!) I also met one of the sweetest guys, actor Rex Lee, who plays Lloyd, Jeremy Piven's assistant on HBO's "Entourage." Rex will be part of the staged reading of Another Gay Movie 2: Gays Gone Wild! at the Wilma theater on Saturday night at 7pm.
Other guests I’m looking forward to meeting in the next 12 days are Hollywood legend Farley Granger, director Craig Lucas, Supermodel to the World RuPaul, RENT-boy Anthony Rapp, Rising Star Award recipient Charlie David, cutie-pie Michael Carbonaro, and dozens more that I probably don’t even know that I’m dying to meet!
The festival brings out familiar and fresh faces and is always a summer treat. If you haven’t yet picked up a catalogue to map out your screenings, check out the festival website below. See you at the movies.

PIGLFF Website: http://www.phillyfests.com/piglff/home.cfm

TOP CHEF – Cooking by Numbers

2007-07-12T12:42:00.000-04:00

TELEVISION The chef-testants woke up, got out of bed, and barely had enough time to drag a comb across their head when bam! It’s time for another Quickfire Challenge. The guest judge calling the shots was Global Ambassador to Bombay Sapphire gin Jamie Walker. I would love to have assisted him as a judge tasting the pairings of cool cocktails (made from this gem of a sponsor) with an appetizer accompaniment. Walker stated that many top restaurants now have a master mixologist marrying flavors to present a balanced dining experience.
While many of the cocktails sounded delicious, some of the dishes didn’t cut the mustard. Hung chose a raspberry and mint martini for which he created a Sour Cream and Meyer Lemon Balsamic Sauce with Salmon that sounds good but was told needed stronger flavors was too sweet. Not missing a chance to displace blame, Hung said Walker was confused (and said he called him out – but on what? Did we miss something?) Joey was also on the bottom trying to unite a roasted pineapple and vanilla martini with Caramelized Diver Sea Scallops and Jasmine Rice Risotto that was too heavy and unbalanced.
How convenient was it that Dale’s last consulting job was mixology and food pairing. His experience paid off as he landed in the top three, choosing Foie Gras with Candied Parsnips and Rice Wine Vinegar Gastrique to cut through the intense alcohol in his Sapphire sherry. Tre’s Sumac and Black Pepper Seared Halibut combined with the strawberry and basil martini made my mouth salivate. But Casey, who didn’t know exactly what a strawberry balsamic rickey was, presented a French Toast Baguette with Pecan-crusted Foie Gras and Raspberry Sauce to win the QFC and immunity.
This Elimination Challenge was the first team challenge of the season, and the chefs pulled names out of a hat to divide into four groups of three. They were to serve a tasting menu consisting of a trio of items per course to 10 members of Chaine des Rôtisseurs, an elite culinary group who love to wear sashes, as well as second guest judge of the evening, Barton G. Weiss.
Sensing potential problems, Dale was the first to switch teams, thinking QFC winner Casey (who looks like Jennifer Anniston) wouldn’t try hard and would combust next to explosive Howie. He chose Team Four, which Hung felt had problems wanting to serve dessert so he wisely bailed out going to Team One.
Team One’s Trio of Shrimp was the winner, and it was pretty much downhill afterwards. Brian dished up Pink Shrimp in Ceviche Marinade while Hung evoked the memory of Season 2’s Marcel with his Sauteed Shrimp with Corn Pudding and Shrimp Foam, which didn’t impress Barton G. But Lia took top prize with her Olive Oil Poached Shrimp with Avocado, Cucumber, Lime and Pepper Salad. She was invited to be the guest chef in the Hamptons for a charity event.
Team Two had problems with their Trio of Tuna. Casey was the weakest link and probably would have gone home without her immunity. Upset and crying, she drew the sympathy of bulldogs Howie and Joey and turned them into puppies.
Team Three had many compliments from the judges for CJ’s Cigar Tuile that sat atop Carpaccio with Sherry Viniagrette, Tre’s Seared Tenderloin with Mushroom Risotto, and Sara N’s Butter Braised Beef with White Truffle Sauce.
Since none are pastry chefs, Team Four took the biggest risk, doling out Trio of Pineapple desserts then was criticized for not doing something they could do well. Dale was pleased with the flavors for his Macadamia Pastry with Vanilla Coconut Cream and Roasted Pineapple but because of its appearance would rather have served it to “blind people”! Chef Tom said Sara M should have read the box when she mis-used powered gelatin for a frozen pannacotta that had to be transformed into a Semifreddo, and still didn’t work. (I read that the enzymes in fresh pineapple break down the gelatin.) But Camille, who couldn’t articulate her work, was criticized for using corn meal in her Upside Down Cake with Ginger Sabayon. That ingredient left the pastry dry instead of moist, and therefore was sent packing and went home.
I thoroughly enjoy watching this show (can you tell by this run-on summary?) and like the thoughtfulness of the judges, particularly tonight when Chef Tom said this challenge was about creating harmonies. This also reflects the supportive nature of this group of chefs. Though there is tension at times, they rise above for a collective cheer at the start of the show or a hug for who is leaving. Or could they literally be watching their backs when the loser packs their knives to go?

For more dish, check out Ted and Gail’s blogs at Bravo: http://www.bravotv.com/blog/

Michael Tolliver Lives

2007-07-11T09:31:00.000-04:00

READING If you don’t already know him, you should meet Michael Tolliver. He’s a great guy who lives in San Francisco and I was introduced to him over twenty-three years ago. We’ve never actually met face to face since he’s a fictional character, but he’s still very near and dear to my heart.
I was very happy to hear that the title of the new novel by Armistead Maupin, author of the "Tales of the City" series is "Michael Tolliver Lives." It’s been quite a while since we’ve heard about Michael and I was eager to find out what he’s been up to.
The first time I read any of the six TOTC books was when I was living in Pittsburgh and only the first four books were available. Somehow I got hold of two sets and shared them with three friends. As my friend West and I finished reading the same title, we passed them onto Beth and Kevin, until we had read all four. This shared reading event was incredibly fun, literally awesome, and an experience that has never been duplicated.
Reading about Michael in the new book is like visiting and catching up with my real life friends. And I couldn’t wait to hear every word he had to say. As we’ve all grown, seeking out adventures like those of the past is substituted with a comfort level in dishing about the details of our new loves, open-relationships and the lives and deaths of friends and family. When that kind of closeness and trust is developed, whom else would you freely talk about manginas and frankenpeckers with? As Michael would say, these people are part of my "logical" family.
The structure of this book is different in that there are no mysteries to be solved, and everything is from Michael’s point of view. We meet some nice new people in his life, like Jake, Patreese and his husband Ben, and hear about familiar ones, like Brian, Mona and Anna Madrigal. There are still some scars felt towards Mary Ann, who is initially referenced only as Brian’s ex-wife while he is on painkillers. But she is still family, and the mention of her was enough to put a big smile on my face, just like hearing the nicknames Mouse and babycakes again.
Everything’s up to date in San Francisco and there are many topics that will resonate with the gay community – and straight people too. Maupin gets a few humorous political digs in here and there, like when Michael’s ill mother, who lives in Florida, is dragged to the polls to vote for George Bush while carrying an oxygen tank. But Maupin is best at mixing wit with emotion, as when Michael asks himself if he could trade the happiness he has with his husband and says: "Not while love is still something I can taste and touch and nurture and pull down the pants of…"
Since it is not a sequel, anyone can jump in and read this book without having read the amazing "Tales of the City" books. But when you’re done with "Michael Tolliver Lives," you’ll want to know more.

Armistead Maupin’s website: http://www.armisteadmaupin.com/

P International GLFF

2007-07-09T10:23:00.000-04:00

The 13th annual Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (PIGLFF) gets started this Thursday night (July 12-24) and there looks to be a lot of great movies, parties, and special guests to keep everyone entertained in Philly for 13 days and nights straight. There are a growing number of new filmmakers every year pushing limits with original concepts and experimenting with newer formats like digital video.
What is notable about this annual festival, the largest on the East Coast, is how it makes use of the International part of its name. There are 34 features from 19 countries outside the US (plus a large number of shorts) listed in the catalogue and on the festival website (posted below).
While American films generally reflect what's happening here, what I like about the foreign films is that they may give us insight as to what’s going on artistically and politically in other societies, while touching on common emotions. You could also be exposed to fashion trends or music that hasn’t made its way to the States yet.
Plus, there are a lot of hot looking people in the world, so why to limit yourself to checking out dudes and dykes in one city – or country? Expose yourself. And those foreign accents can drive you wild with desire!
Don’t worry about the subtitles because after a while you won’t notice them. You might just find that you’re learning a new language. But as a precaution, when you attend the festival and need a translation, get out your glasses and read what they’re talking about.

For tickets and general information, check the festival website: http://www.phillyfests.com/piglff/home.cfm

Centerpiece films:
The Witnesses, directed by André Téchiné, Wild Reeds (1994), Strayed (2003), Changing Times (2004), Nominated for a Golden Bear award at this year's Berlin Film Festival
The Bubble, directed by Eyan Fox, Walk on Water, Yossi & Jagger

Notables
Anger Me, doc about filmmaker and "Hollywood Babylon" author Kenneth Anger
Here’s Looking at You, Boy doc on the history of gay and lesbian film with lots of familiar faces
One to Another, co-director Jean-Marc Barr was a featured actor in 2005 festival favorite Côte d’Azur, also acted in Le Divorce, 2003
The Picture of Dorian Gray Duncan Roy directed AKA, which played at PIGLFF 2002
Times Have Been Better was the recent winner of Best Foreign Narrative Feature Award at New Fest in NY and features Arnaud Binard from Grande École (2004)
Two Homelands: Cuba and the Night, doc about the gay community in Havana, features poetry by oppressed Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas, subject of Before Night Falls

· ARGENTINA Glue
· AUSTRALIA 2:37
· BRAZIL The Daughters of Chiquita
· CANADA 533 Statements (L); Finn’s Girl (L); Lonely Child
· CHINA, CANADA, FRANCE The Chinese Botanist’s Daughters (L)
· FRANCE One Night Stand; One to Another; Times Have Been Better; The Witnesses
· GERMANY Four Minutes (L); Here’s Looking at You, Boy; Two Homelands: Cuba and the Night
· GREAT BRITAIN Anger Me; Love and Other Disasters; Nina’s Heavenly Delights (L); The Picture of Dorian Gray; Rag Tag (Great Britain, Nigeria); Tick Tock Lullaby (L)
· HUNGARY Men in the Nude
· ISRAEL The Bubble
· ITALY Cover-Boy The Last Revolution; Shelter Me (L)
· JAPAN Boy’s Love
· PHILIPPINES Pantasya
· ROMANIA Love Sick (L)
· SOUTH AFRICA Black Beulahs
· SOUTH KOREA No Regret
· SPAIN The Two Sides of the Bed
· TAIWAN Eternal Summer; Spider Lilies
· Thailand The Victim
(L) = Lesbian focus

The Astronaut Farmer

2007-07-07T20:33:00.001-04:00

FLICK Hey, let's build a rocket from scratch in our backyard and then ride it into space! Sound reasonable? I didn't think so either. One has to totally suspend disbelief from the outset to buy into this overly sentimental family-fantasy film.
It’s tough not to like Billy Bob Thornton in The Astronaut Farmer, as he plays the former astronaut and friendly farmer Charles Farmer who has fantasized of going into space since he was a child. As someone who has built a rocket of his own, (don’t ask how, just believe) Thornton creates a solid foundation for his character that could come off as delirious and wacky. Posing a threat to his dream is the US government, which seriously considers the consequences if everyone wanted to build a rocket to the moon. And why wouldn’t you want to escape and orbit the earth when the bank is threatening foreclosure and news stations from around the country are invading the peaceful countryside to interview you?
Virginia Madsen overplays her part as Thornton’s devoted wife staring at him like one of those squeezable dolls with the eyes that bug out. The two daughters (real-life daughters of co-director Michael Polish) are incredibly sweet, but Max Thieriot playing the teenage son shows some promise adding just the right amount of emotional depth while keeping his feet on the ground.
Written by the Polish brothers, Michael and Mark (and directed by Michael), the film has a polished look but is lackluster from tired cliches and a far-fetched premise. But your heart might go out to the Farmers if you’re a fan of sappy dialogue and syrupy situations that salute families who rally around the one who wants to take a tour of the world – from the heavens. By the time this is all over there will be tears running down your face. Whether they're from joy or disgust will depend on your degree of lunacy. (2007) My Score: 5 out of 10.

DVD Release Date: July 10, 2007

After the Wedding

2007-07-06T12:23:00.000-04:00

FLICK Before the wedding, we see Jacob, an aid worker at a struggling orphanage in India, prepare to travel to Copenhagen for a meeting with Jorgen, an affluent businessman considering making a large donation to the institution. While there, alone and waiting for a decision, Jacob accepts Jorgen’s invitation to attend the wedding of his daughter. Things appear to go well but, as the title suggests, it’s after the wedding where the shit hits the fan.
The seemingly random events and plot twists that follow in After the Wedding (Efter Bryllupet) would appear conveniently coincidental and melodramatic in a lesser film but detailed direction and strong performances elevate the material to justify its Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language film.
Director Susanne Bier effectively marries jolting jump cuts with extreme close-ups to heighten the tension during intimate moments and to poetically expose inner conflicts. The animal motif, both living and stuffed, may suggest nobility and triumph but also signifies that there is no escaping a life-and-death situation.
Contrasting the extravagantly wealthy with the poor, as well as parental responsibility, is central and clashes not only when Jacob’s bond extends to and beyond one of the orphan boys, but when posed with a financial ultimatum. As Jacob, Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale) has a strong screen presence that is softened with the ill-fitted earth-toned suit he wears. He provides layers of emotions and is perfectly cast as someone having left the past behind, escaping to better the lives of others and fill a void within. Rolf Lassgard, as the initially unsympathetic and heavy drinking Jorgen, gives a multi-dimensional performance that clarifies but not necessarily justifies his actions and arrogance.
The film exceeds expectations as difficult choices are made and lives are altered … after the wedding. (Denmark, 2006) My Score: 8.5 out of 10.

DVD Release Date: July 10, 2007

Transformers

2007-07-04T02:03:00.000-04:00

FLICK Hey, wanna come out and play? That’s what Michael Bay must have asked the cast and crew when he signed them up to make the summer action film Transformers, about good aliens, Autobots, fighting against the evil Decepticons. Since movies these days are conceived from anything that’s popular, like rides at Disneyland, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the inspiration for this film is based on a line of Hasbro toy robots that shape-shift into cars. In the film, the brothers from another planet have transferred their battle to Earth looking for the Cube, and it seems they get the most mileage out of turning into motor vehicles. Looking slightly older than the 11th grade teen he’s playing, Shia LeBeouf stars as dorky Sam, whose father buys him a used yellow Camaro that becomes his protector, the towering good robot, Bumblebee. John Turturro is a government agent with a bizarre gaze in his eyes, looking as if he’s about to turn into a freak from outer space in the film Men in Black. And Josh Duhamel leads a group of soldiers in Qatar who, and I never know why they bother, fire their little guns at the metallic automatons that are the size of tall buildings and virtually indestructible.
Though the set pieces and CGI toys look very cool when they crouch and hide and morph into assorted shapes and sizes, director Bay gets carried away with images of non-stop action combined with non-stop camera movement that many times creates UFO swirls of color onscreen. The spin-art affect is particularly noticeable in the last 25 minutes. Overall it’s a simple story of good versus evil with even simpler dialogue. There isn’t time to develop characters so the writers use many cliches and visual shortcuts. And you can count on the music to substitute for human emotions, particularly for the overly affected moments imposed on a dented and banged up Bumblebee. But, of course, it’s based on toys and the extraterrestrial machines are meant to be the focus, with people just getting in the way.
The target audience was certainly won over as there was much applause at my screening whenever Autobot leader Optimus Prime appeared. With all of the attention Transformers is getting, it’s likely there will be a new amusement park ride created and perhaps a sequel inspired by the sentimental favorite returning home, titled "Flight of the Bumblebee." (2007, 144 minutes) My Score: 6 out of 10.

SiCKO

2007-07-02T10:32:00.000-04:00

FLICK Who’s a sicko? That would be anyone who can’t see that there’s a better prescription for the health-care system than is currently in the USA. Michael Moore examines this subject in his documentary Sicko and there is no debating the fact that his heart is in the right place.
Some may consider his presentation biased since Moore interviews few who work for the US health insurance companies. He did locate a man whose job it was to find excuses not to provide coverage and a woman who had to turn down claims. But the higher-ups probably wouldn’t want to talk with him anyway, especially when they would have to explain numerous Americans who’ve been victims of the system, like the woman whose baby daughter needed immediate attention and died because the hospital she took her to insisted she take her to another one covered under her plan. Moore exposes a few more horror stories then juxtaposes them with the uncomplicated and free national health care systems in England, France and Canada. In addition to many of these perceived humorous but powerful comparisons, he pulls the plug when he takes a group of chronically ill 9/11 rescue workers, who can’t get government help because they were volunteers, to Cuba (oh my God!) for treatment.
In a taped conversation, it seems our downward spiral began in 1971 when Richard Nixon approved a proposal to offer less care by maximizing profits. Wanting to reverse this should seem a no-brainer, especially when you consider that this country, one of the richest in the world, offers free public education and police protection but makes the physical and mental well-being of its people expensive, if not difficult to obtain. At least Bill Clinton tried to make changes when he appointed Hillary to oversee system reformation, only to be shot down by opposing forces that prefer to see their First Lady host Easter egg hunts. It’s a long shot but perhaps the current administration could watch the film and take advice from the former British MP, Tony Benn, when he says, "If we have the money to kill people (with war), we've got the money to help people."
I receive spam e-mails every day offering to save me hundreds and thousands of dollars on health-care insurance. So, it’s no secret that we're spending tons of money and even going into debt to maintain our bodies. And just like good Americans, these companies hope to profit and make more money from the deficient system.
You may not like the way Moore operates, but you can’t deny his desire to heal parts of this country that require repair. Anyone who isn’t moved by what happens in Sicko must be psycho. My Score: 9 out of 10.

The movie is making a big impact and obviously there are many stories out there about people losing their life savings just to cover an operation, not to mention their lives by avoiding treatment. Here is a story about a family that Aetna was forcing to pay a $65,000 hospital bill that the insurance company was supposed to cover! And there are more stories at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz7uRmMUSZM

Visit Michael Moore and check out the facts at: http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/checkup/

Manu Chao and Radio Bemba Sound System

2007-06-30T02:29:00.001-04:00

MUSIC CONCERT Que paso, que paso? (In case you don’t know, you have to scream real loud when you sing that.) Try again: QUE PASO, QUE PASO?
That’s how it’s done with singer-guitarist Manu Chao and his Radio Bemba Sound System band, who rocked the house at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia tonight. When the six man group took the stage, the drummer, bassist and lead guitarist were shirtless anticipating the workout they would get from their jumping, bouncing and high-energy music cranked out during the non-stop 2 ½ hour show. The audience who had no problem invading others’ personal space mirrored the intense motion on stage throughout the night.
Manu Chao is huge in Europe and Latin America so I was excited to hear he was touring around the US and a little surprised at the full house. Most of the songs, sung in Spanish, French and English, came from his two solo albums, 1998’s Clandestino and my favorite, 2001's Proxima stación: Esperanza (translates to "next station: Hope"), with none from his forthcoming third solo disc, La Radiolina, due in September. While Clandestino has a moderate reggae-influenced tempo and Proxima stación: Esperanza features a heavier Caribbean influence, the live versions of the songs are fierce fever-pitched salsa-flavored rock.
A lot of Chao’s music is political so it resonated whenever he sang the lyrics: "que hora son en Washington?" from "Me Gustas Tu." Many songs blend into one another and included "Mr. Bobby," "Clandestino," "Desaparecido," "Bongo Bong," "La Primavera," and the party anthem "Welcome to Tijuana" (tequila, sex or marijuana?) There was no stopping Chao and Radio Bemba as the audience cheered them back for what seemed like five or six encores.
If you appreciate world music and want to experience Manu Chao but can’t get to a live concert, pick up the Babylonia en Guagua DVD so you won’t have to ask "que paso?"

Preview the new song "Rainin in Paradize," available for download at the official website: http://www.manuchao.net/

Evening

2007-06-29T10:33:00.000-04:00

FLICK "It is the evening of the day; I sit and watch the children play…" When these lyrics are sung by The Rolling Stones or Marianne Faithfull, there is a mood created and you feel the sentiment. Though the theme is the same, it’s too bad the movie Evening doesn’t deliver as much emotion in about 117 minutes as the song does in three.
The amazing Vanessa Redgrave plays Ann who is on her deathbed, deliriously daydreaming of her youth and asking for Harris. When her daughters Nina (Toni Collette) and Constance (Redgrave’s own daughter, Natasha Richardson) ask who Harris is, she tells them he was her first mistake. With our curiosity piqued as to why he’s still lingering in her reverie, we’re now set up to return to the past and follow Ann (Claire Danes) as a young woman. It all takes place one weekend at a gorgeous seaside home for the wedding of her close friend Lila (Mamie Gummer, daughter of Meryl Streep who plays Lila as an adult). Ann shows up with Lila’s self-destructive brother, Buddy (Hugh Dancy), and consoles the doubting bride-to-be, but since Harris (Patrick Wilson) is the catch of the day, he creates conflicts for this group of friends.
The story in the past becomes the focus of the film but it isn’t sturdy enough to create the poignancy it should while connecting to the present. Young Ann’s failed singing career is meant to mirror Nina’s failed dancing career, and the confusion of love and passion for Harris may inadvertently relate to Nina’s commitment issues.
The problems don’t lie so much with the detailed direction by former cinematographer Lajos Koltai as with the screenplay by Susan Minot, adapting her own novel, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Cunningham ("The Hours"), which never reaches the heights of the brightly shining stellar cast. Dancy and Gummer give solid performances and both Streep and Glenn Close are flawless in minor roles. Wilson capably plays the leading man and easily lays on the charm while his character ends up "the mistake." And Danes is likeable though lacking an intensity and warmth that would connect her more closely to Redgrave who conveys an appropriately distanced glance that captivates as it transports you back to Harrisland. The lightweight and conflicting message –that there are no mistakes – may make you want to forget this journey and just go back into the past too – about 117 minutes. My Score 6 out of 10.

TOP CHEF – Family Favorites

2007-06-28T10:58:00.000-04:00

TELEVISION Are we getting to know the 13 remaining "cheftestants" yet? The stronger personalities are getting air time, and a few more, like Lia, Casey and Camille, are beginning to pop their heads up to provide interesting commentary.
Going right to the Quickfire Challenge, Padma introduced guest judge Chef Alfred Portale of the Gotham Bar and Grill and a James Beard Award-winner. The competitors were to catch exotic shellfish, like conch, crawfish and scallops, from a large tank using a small net. It’s a testament to their quick wits, as they executed an idea while shucking, cleaning and deveining their ingredients within 30 minutes.
Speedy Hung’s scooping technique was fast and finesse-less and seemed to make everyone nervous. He didn’t score any points when he left a dropped crawfish on the floor. Guess he’s used to having a busboy or dishwasher pick up after him.
Tre’s poached shellfish with summer corn and grilled leek compote floundered with the judges, as did Camille’s tea-infused flavors, which were too intense for the small delicacies. And Micah, whose conch salad had little conch served a "Sky Juice" that was apparently a tricky item that wasn’t magical. Chef Alfred told Hung he has big croutons, which Hung dismissed saying the chef didn’t understand the concept. I would love to have heard the others’ reactions when he said their cooking with white wine was simple but that his monkey could do it.
CJ’s pan roasted fruits de mer had well-integrated flavors and won him a top spot. Howie, whose ceviche was tasty though an obvious choice, was happy to have had an honorable mention. But last week’s winner, Brian, did it again with his "3 Rivers," a combination of raw (oysters mignonette) and cooked (mixed shellfish with lemon, wine garlic and shallots, and conch toast). Happy with the win, he stated that this doesn’t mean it’s time to relax, but that’s sort of what he does during the Elimination Challenge.
For the EC, the chef’s had to reinvent old-fashioned classics, like fried chicken, Sloppy Joes and fish ‘n chips, with a healthy spin and lower cholesterol count. The new family favorites were served to members of an Elks Club and their children.
Hung sprung up again when he turned the oven off, leaving it to cool down as Sara M was trying to heat up her chicken. But I don’t think this caused her to be in the bottom five. Five! There were five disappointing dishes with Sara M’s chicken a la king with couscous and Micah’s layered meatloaf the least favorite with the guests and the judges. Working against these two is the fact that they grew up in Jamaica and South Africa respectively and just weren’t familiar with these American staples. CJ’s tuna casserole with whole-wheat pasta was said to be too green, grassy and mushy. Lia substituted par-cooked lentils and store bought sausage for her franks and beans, and immunity man Brian made waves using typically high-cholesterol lobster in his stuffed cabbage. He was also urged to get out of his comfort zone and try a few meat dishes. In the end it was Micah who had too many inconsistencies and was asked to pack her knives and go.
Dale’s take on chicken and dumplings was enough to get him into the top two. It was questionable whether using the precooked rotisserie chicken and boxed potato flakes were going to cut the mustard, but the judges bought it. (I think he just smiled at them a few extra times!) It was Howie who wowed them with his tender pork, substituting fennel slaw with ginger reduction for the accompanying applesauce. As this week’s winner, he also won some books from Chef Alfred plus was invited to spend time at his restaurant. Nice comeback, Howie!
Howie was a double winner as he also won the text message poll against Joey as the better chef, with 88% of the votes.
I’m always looking forward to the next episode but I’ll have to stop watching the previews as they always show who is standing in front of the judges during the Elimination Challenge. Editors, please leave a little suspense for the viewers. It is a competition after all and I really don’t want to know who’s going to end up a loser before the show has even begun.

Padma has some nice alternatives for the Elimination Challenge and Gail has some funny observations judging as a viewer on their blogs at BravoTV.com.

SCREENED OUT – Code-Busters/Out & Open (Part 2)

2007-06-27T17:09:00.000-04:00

FLICK Robert Osborne and Richard Barrio have passed on a lot of insightful information when discussing the history and context of gays and lesbians in the movies during introductions and summaries on Monday and Wednesday nights this month. The struggles for gay rights issues continue but the films in this series have opened dialogue and pioneered all that we see today. TCM has done a great job with their programming and has shown that they can step up to the plate and tackle as many subjects as Hollywood has to offer. They have certainly lived up to the classic portion of their name.
On the final evening of Screened Out, the films presented are those taking advantage of the weakening Production Code and are moving toward a more open portrayal of “the love that dare not speak its name”.
Otto Preminger filmed Advise & Consent in 1962 and was instrumental in challenging the Production Code. He didn’t shy away from presenting a gay-themed storyline and the first gay bar scene. There is still some shame, blackmailing and dirty politics going around, but with powerful performances by Henry Fonda, Franchot Tone, Don Murray, Gene Tierney, and in his last performance Charles Laughton.
In the same year, challenging the Production Code continued in Walk on the Wild Side, with Barbara Stanwyck running a New Orleans bordello and having an affair with one of her "girls" (Capucine). Costarring Jane Fonda and Laurence Harvey.
Sandy Dennis and Anne Heywood are the lovers in The Fox (1968), one of the first films to be given an R rating. The third part of the love triangle in this adaptation of a D.H. Lawrence story is played by Keir Dullea as the fox who comes between them. And we’ll skip the significance of a tree and exactly where it lands.
The final film in the series is Robert Aldrich’s adaptation of Frank Marcus’ provocative and comedic play The Killing of Sister George (1968). George realizes the nurse she plays in a BBC soap opera is going to be killed off and that the female program director plans to lure away her live-in lover. This tale of London lesbians makes use of old stereotypes while also exploring new possibilities.

8pm Advise and Consent, 10:30pm Walk on the Wild Side, 12:30am The Fox, 2:30am The Killing of Sister George

PINK MARTINI – Hey Eugene!

2007-06-26T12:52:00.000-04:00

MUSIC Having a bad day? Did traffic suck and cause you to throw a tantrum? Then sit down, pour yourself a stiff one and listen to Pink Martini’s third and latest album called Hey Eugene! It’s sure to take you to that happy place.
From the sound of the harp introducing the first track titled “Everywhere” you feel as if you’re being transported over the rainbow and you’ll agree with the lyrics “your bliss is this.” From there you’re on an international journey with a light mix of musical styles from track two’s salsa flavored “Tempo Perdido” originally recorded by Carmen Miranda to the mysterious and soothing Japanese-language track “Taya Tan.” The title song was inspired when lead vocalist China Forbes was asked for her phone number by a guy she clicked with at a party, never to hear from him again.
Expanding on themes from their wildly popular debut album, Sympathique, Pink Martini has gone from performing well-known covers (like "Qué Será Será" and "Never on Sunday") to taking fresh variations on familiar tunes, recording mostly original songs in a variety of languages, like Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, and English as they did with their fabulous follow-up Hang on Little Tomato. Hey Eugene! goes even further, combining many global pop genres, with PM describing themselves as using melodies from the “golden-era Hollywood… to the French cabaret”.
China Forbes is like a mixologist, deliciously pouring out vocals for the 12-piece ensemble, led by pianist Thomas Lauderdale, to create an appetizing mood that will accompany the cocktail of your choice and swirl you into a stress-free zone.

Live performance of “Hey Eugene!” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vf4X6WKPtk

SCREENED OUT – Code-Busters/Out & Open (Part 1)

2007-06-25T10:19:00.000-04:00

FLICK Tonight Turner Classic Movies presents night seven of eight of its series focusing on gay images in film and my personal favorite lineup. Before pointing out some of the films’ deficiencies, it should be noted that there is a lot of distinguished talent involved in tonight’s selections that, in addition to the context of film history, make for worthwhile viewing.
In the late 1950s, the domination of the Motion Picture Production Code was waning as writers and directors began to challenge limitations and explore restrictive subjects. There is still a lot of self-hatred going on in these films, but they are transitioning toward openness and breaking down the closet door, despite some negative images. Three of the films are adaptations of Broadway plays but only the first two have altered endings required by the Production Code as well as the Catholic Legion of Decency.
In Vincent Minnelli’s Tea and Sympathy (1956), John Kerr recreates his stage role as a teenager cast as an outsider and harassed by schoolmates for being a sissy. What’s really going on is the fear of accusations, and assumptions being made just because Tom (Kerr) doesn’t want to play football and prefers the company of the coach’s wife (Deborah Kerr). The explicit change of the ending from the stage version offers the love of a good woman as a solution to the "problem", but because she commits adultery, she must suffer too.
Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine star in the 1962 film version of Lillian Hellman’s The Children’s Hour, about two women running a girl’s school. Accusations of lesbianism by a lying student create an awakening within Martha (MacLaine) realizing that she really has been in love with Karen (Hepburn). The discovery ultimately destroys more than their friendship. Originally directed by William Wyler in 1936 with many alterations under the title These Three, he decided to re-film it, bringing back many of the central themes and the original title.
The Motion Picture Production Code dismantled in 1968 allowing more frankness and exposition of gay-themed films, but perhaps taking baby steps away from the safety of the closet. Reinforcing stereotypes became problematic, particularly in Staircase (1969), starring Richard Burton and Rex Harrison as a pair of bitchy hairstylists.
Another adaptation battling stereotypes is Mart Crowley’s infamous and landmark play The Boys in the Band (1970). On the brink of the gay right’s movement, the action takes place in one evening at a birthday party where the guests vary from self-assured to acid-tongued self-loathing types, including a hunky cowboy as a birthday present. Starring the original theater cast, there are many thought-provoking moments intertwined with witty ones.
Ending the night is Victim, the 1961 British thriller starring Dirk Bogarde as a lawyer confronting blackmailers who pushed a past love to suicide. Of the films screened tonight, Victim exposes oppression and is the one that most urges tolerance and understanding by presenting the dangers of hiding one’s true self plus giving us a character that dares to choose visibility.

8pm Tea and Sympathy; 10:15 pm The Children’s Hour; 12:15 am Staircase; 2:15 am; The Boys in the Band; 4:30am Victim

ERASURE – Light at the End of the World

2007-06-24T09:32:00.000-04:00

MUSIC Whoa OH Oh oh…Erasure has a mix of new songs that may be reminiscent of some of their older songs, which is not necessarily a bad thing. The new CD is being heavily debated on the message boards, but it’s sure to please long time fans as well as anyone looking to get their groove on. Andy Bell and Vince Clarke have kicked things back up from their last venture, the unplugged Union Street and The Road to Nashville, and get the electronic party started.
The boyz burst out of the gate with the first track, "Sunday Girl," showing they’re not slowing down for anyone, singing "we can dance till Sunday morning girl." I’m going to do my best to refrain from comparing the new songs to the old ones I’m reminded of, so I’ll dare you to try and stay seated while listening to this – especially during the Chorus.
Whoa OH Oh oh…The party is still going strong on the second track "I Could Fall in Love with You", which was the first single from Light at the End of the World. It has a rolling, thumping beat to accompany Andy belting out the title followed by the line "there are times when I would scream till I was blue." I would never say Andy screams but he definitely puts it out there.
Though the tune has a travelling rhythm, the subject in "Storm in a Teacup" deals with the alcoholism of Andy’s mother. It creates strong images and reminds me of Bronski Beat’s "Smalltown Boy" in that instead of leaving "in the morning with everything you own in a little black case," Andy is stealing "away like a thief in the night." This song and the syncopated "Darlene" create sentiments that should appeal to the Innocents. And any Cowboy would love the light and mid-tempo "Golden Heart."
Whoa OH Oh oh…"How My Eyes Adore You" – and my ears are overjoyed as LATEOTW sounds better with each successive play. (I can't get the Whoa oh's from this song out of my head!) Overall, it’s partytime – the music gets your body moving and the lyrics will make you want to sing out. Anyone new to the Circus of Erasure should get ready to join in the festivities and get Wild!

The Erasure Information website has lots of fun stuff, currently including a contest where you can download instrument & vocal loops for the song "When A Lover Leaves You" to create your own remix. If picked, it will be an official release. http://www.erasureinfo.com/garageband/

Red Without Blue

2007-06-23T00:02:00.000-04:00

FLICK Mark and Alex, identical twins born three minutes apart, share a special bond that only twins can experience. But can that change when they are separated and no longer look alike? Identity is examined in this thoughtful documentary, shot over three years, about two gay brothers growing up in Montana who end up living on different coasts. Initially they are pictured as happy boys, but it’s telling when their father, Scott, points to a family portrait saying that everyone was miserable the day it was taken. Things begin to change for Mark and Alex when their parents divorce and they struggle with ridicule from friends and teachers about their sexuality. Discovered drug use and a failed suicide attempt cause the boys to separate, and end up living at different boarding schools.
As an adult Mark, expresses himself by attending classes at the San Francisco Art Institute. He marvels at a sculpture assignment with the subject blue, which happens to be the color given to Alex as a boy. Mark was assigned red. Alex, now living in New York studying sociology and psychology, is transgendered and has changed her name to Clair.
Directors Brooke Sebold, Benita Sills, and Todd Sills are very effective depicting insightful moments, as when the boys’ mother, Jennie, goes through many complex emotions stating that she saw herself a failure as a wife and mother. She feels Clair’s transitioning is a way to get back at her and sees her children simply as young people she knows.
While the siblings have been apart for almost eight years, their bond is unbreakable. Having no experience in a long-term dating relationship, Mark worries when he begins one with David and has to be told that it won’t lessen what he feels for Clair. While gender reassignment surgery is a possibility, Clair considers the meaning of visibility. One wonders if that is what Mark does while his face is concealed wearing a beard.
Compassionate and multi-faceted, the film focuses on self-examination and reconnection, revealing a family’s transformation, adaptability and evolution. Audience Award winner for Best Documentary at 2007 Slamdance Film Festival. My Score: 8 out of 10.

Official site: http://www.redwithoutblue.com/

The film has played the festival circuit and is premiering on Sundance Channel this Monday, June 25, at 9pm.

TOP CHEF – Sunny Delights

2007-06-21T10:49:00.000-04:00

TELEVISION The show got off to a swift start, first showing everyone rising up with the sun, Micah wanting to spend more time to stay in bed, and then whisking off to meet Padma and guest judge Chef Norman Van Aken for the Quickfire Challenge. The competing chefs had 30 minutes to incorporate Florida citrus fruits, like blood oranges, tangelos, key limes, grapefruits and Meyer lemons into their dishes. If they looked like chickens running around with their heads cut off it was due to the fact that all 14 were in the kitchen together at once.
At the bottom of the QFC, Sandee’s key lime mojito and pink grapefruit brulée thingy didn’t wow Chef Norman, who complained he had to pull out the flower out from the dish. Sara N flubbed when she couldn’t come up with a name for her blood orange and tangelo shrimp salad, which the judges called unfocused. Micah’s spicy avocado and red grapefruit soup became thick as pudding (yuck) and was told it was unremarkable.
Tre made it into the QFC top three and CJ’s sea perch with carrots, radicchio, oranges and hazelnuts looked yummy but seeds were found in it which may have cost him. It was Hung who won immunity with his slow roasted sea bass with blood orange and tangerine sauce. Hung has a lot of self-confidence and had earlier predicted his win, smiling all the way to the finish line.
Onto the gourmet barbecue Elimination Challenge where 6'8" CJ wished he was 5’3" to be closer to the grill and Sara N lit charcoal for the first time. Hung wasn’t buying Micah’s grumpiness at missing her daughter, saying she was down because of her low show in the QFC. During the preparations, Joey slings a crude remark to Hung about stealing his idea for serving watermelon and berry champagne. This is a drink anyone could have served and I don’t think Hung was out of line. Joey also mentioned after the QFC that he was pissed off because he wasn’t selected. This guy has a bit of an attitude problem, and it comes back to bite him.
At the judge’s table, Sara N and Micah make a nice recovery from the QFC to be in the top three, even though Sara N had left the Scotch Bonnet peppers for her Vietnamese BBQ in the sauce overnight. Since they were hot enough to burn her hands, wouldn’t the sauce have been too hot to eat? But it was Brian who had the winning Chino Latino dish that I would like to have tasted – Scallops, Shrimp & Sea bass Sausage with Ginger Slaw & Chili Glaze.
Tom was very complimentary tonight, saying that no one was particularly terrible, but earlier he did compare Sandee’s Vanilla Poached Lobster to putting lipstick on a pig. (Huh?) Tre, Howie and Joey joined Sandee in the bottom four. I didn’t understand how Padma and Tre thought his peach salmon was salty while Tom, Norman and Gail thought it was without flavor. In front of the judges, Joey recommended that Howie go home without having tasted his Jamaican Jerk Pork; then while waiting for the final decision, they verbally slam each other about not being a man. Their confrontations won’t last much longer as both will be out soon enough and crying like babies.
In the end, the remaining 13 were surprised that Sandee’s dish, though upscale, didn’t meet the grilling criteria and was asked to pack her knives and go. I’ll miss her sunny disposition and Mohawk, but perhaps Dale’s will make a flaming substitution.

Check the Bravo site for videos and more info on the “cheftestants.”

http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/index.php

Ocean's Thirteen

2007-06-20T15:36:00.000-04:00

FLICK Have you ever wanted to break the house in Las Vegas? That’s literally what’s going on in Ocean’s Thirteen. All of the familiar faces are back attempting to simulate an earthquake, trying to pull one over on casino owner Willy Bank (Al Pacino) for pulling one over on Reuben (Elliott Gould). Think the 13 guys are lucky enough to do it? Well, that’s not the real reason to see O13. There’s very little suspense and you know George Clooney and crew are going to get what they want in the end. So the reason for going to see this stellar ensemble must be to watch the mugs of Clooney and Brad Pitt – it certainly isn’t for the acting. In fact, the only ones really working hard for the money seem to be Ellen Barkin, as Willy’s assistant Abigail who has to shift gears a few times and looks great while doing it, and a jocular Carl Reiner. Pacino is also having fun but this really isn’t new territory for him. Don Cheadle works his British accent again, Matt Damon tries out a “Midi”-Me look in the final act, and Bernie Mac could crack me up reading a McMenu.
O13 is at least more likeable than the lackluster O12, and director Steven Soderbergh doesn’t really bother letting us know the details of the setup or wasting time with dialogue – and it doesn’t matter. We know the boys are going to wreak havoc on the opening night of the casino and get a shit-load of diamonds, and we go along for the fun never knowing exactly how it’s going to happen until it happens. Soderbergh nonetheless keeps the action moving, gives us enough stylishly different camera angles to accommodate anyone with ADD and has a playful time doing it.
If you’ve ever watched an episode of the BBC show “Hustle”, which airs on American Movie Classics, you’ll know that the five featured scam-artists, lead by Adrian Lester and Robert Vaughn, pay off with higher interest and in weekly installments. (2007) My Score: 6.5 out of 10.

PGLTF

2007-06-19T16:17:00.000-04:00

THEATER If you want to see out loud and proud live theater, then get up-close and personal with the queer performances at the Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Theater Festival, celebrating five years with a bang! Productions in the past have never been disappointing. I’m particularly interested in Tim Miller’s “Us” and hope to check out as many as I can before the end of the month. The festival is happening right now through June 30.

Us, written and acted by well-known performance artist Tim Miller, looks to be a social commentary on homophobia presented with fierce and funny childhood memories of Broadway musical numbers. Two nights only! June 24 and 25 at 7pm. Check out Tim's blog: http://timmillerperfomer.blogspot.com/
Heart & Music: An Evening with William Finn features a five-member cast performing songs from Falsettos, A New Brain and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee written by three-time Tony-award winning composer William Finn.
The Importance of Being Earnest looks to be an anything-goes re-imagining of Oscar Wilde’s witty play with absurd characters and outrageous situations.
Iron Kisses by James Still provides a “heartfelt, contemporary look at the changing relationships between parents and children and the emotional ties that hold them together.”
Theater District by Richard Kramer, a moving play examining coming out, self acceptance, and love.
Staged Reading of Gay & Lesbian Grimms Gay Grimms, a new musical by Dan Martin (music), Michael Biello (lyrics), and Ted Sod (book) tells the story of Jackie and Leon, the Cousins Grimm, adapting their ancestors’ beloved stories and adding a queer sensibility to them. 6/23 at 8pm - One Night Only!

For information on times and locations:
http://www.philagaylesbiantheatrefest.org/

To purchase tickets, contact the Festival Box Office at the Arden Theatre: 215.922.1122
All other inquiries: 215.627.6483

The Sum of Us

2007-06-18T10:57:00.000-04:00

FLICK Fathers and sons don’t get much closer than Harry and Jeff, who share a home, bicker amiably over household chores and toast each other’s dating successes. High-spirited Harry (Jack Thompson) is widowed and very accepting of his handsome gay son Jeff (Russell Crowe). His overly supportive nature toward Jeff finding Mr. Right can sometimes become embarrassing, but stems from his own mother having been in a long term relationship with another woman. Harry and Jeff’s relationship is sharply contrasted when Jeff dates a gardener who is thrown off by their openness, having to remain closeted with his own parents. But Harry loves Jeff, wants to see him happy and it makes no dif.
With their engagingly witty banter, Thompson and Crowe draw us even closer to them as they occasionally share their thoughts directly into the camera. When tragedy strikes there is still hope as this gimmick continues to work, not only because it serves to relieve the tension and sorrow we feel, but we remain connected and rejoice in a continued optimistic essence.
The Sum of Us is adapted from David Stevens’ Off-Broadway play, which exposes homophobia with a lightness that is never preachy. Many scenes look as if they were recreated from the stage, which could be distancing on film but is easily overlooked due to the overwhelming charm of the two leads.
This heartfelt romantic comedy never makes compromises, and its believability is infused with many positive and uplifting moments. Thompson has never been better and his unconditional love is easily returned by the other characters as well as the audience. Crowe does a terrific job displaying his lighter side, but none so convincing as when he says "I like doing it with blokes..." Australia, 1994. My Score: 9 out of 10.

Family Law

2007-06-17T10:52:00.000-04:00

FLICK When boys grow up to be like their fathers, is it hereditary or because it’s something they want to do? Family Law (AKA Derecho de Familia) is a witty portrait of a son who avoids being like his father until he then becomes a father reevaluating his own life and how he will raise his son.
Perelman (Daniel Hendler) is a lawyer who also teaches at the university but has avoided working side by side with his father Perelman Sr. (Arturo Goetz), where there is a place for him. In a lengthy voice-over, Perelman describes how he went to work with his father as a boy and witnessed a daily routine not easily followed. Perelman Sr. knows the birthdays of every client and the workers within the Argentine Jewish community, unlike his son who shows up for lunch and doesn’t remember that it’s his father’s birthday. At the university, the lessons Perelman teaches in his class mirror the lessons he’s about to learn in his life. One of his pupils, Sandra (Julieta Diaz), will become his wife and mother of his son but not until he takes a Pilates class from her and wins a legal problem for her never mentioning that it was with the help of his father.
Hendler is perfect at playing the dualities of Perelman, appearing successful yet under-achieving and subtly registering a mix of expressions from certainty (in his classes) to squinty-eyed puzzlement (with his father) and playfulness (with his son).
Director Daniel Burman lets us observe the characters in their daily routines making his point in understated moments like Perelman going to bed in his suit or creating distance by avoiding mentioning not going to work for a month. The film is more character-driven than plot-driven in order to place significance on contrasting identities of parent and child. Both Perelmans are never addressed by first name, creating a unity and closer familial bond, which may not be apparent to the younger Perelman but in the end, it’s like father like son. My Score: 8.5 out of 10.

TRUE COLORS Concert Tour

2007-06-16T14:18:00.000-04:00

MUSIC It seemed like an unusual spot to hold a concert to support human rights issues, but last night at the Borgata casino in Atlantic City, NJ, the True Colors tour shone brightly with a five-act line-up that rivaled the spectrum of the rainbow. For the unfamiliar, the True Colors concert tour is a 16 city nationwide tour supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality and is presented by the Human Rights Campaign and queer TV station Logo.
Margaret Cho was the divine diva who introduced the acts and appealed to the enthusiastic crowd when using her spicy humor for fun as well as to rip into classic homophobes like the (thankfully) recently deceased Jerry Falwell. Margaret is very observant not only when pointing out inequalities but also when telling the mostly gay crowd how they love their digital cameras. Cue flashes. And she looked fabulous in a multi-colored dress, not only accenting the theme of the show but also showing off a beautiful arm-length tattoo.
First up was The Gossip, featuring the lovely and large Beth Ditto with a voice to match and more energy than anyone at the local gym. If you aren’t familiar with this band, keep them on your radar as they are wicked when mixing feminist and gay issues with hard rock. Mesmerizing alt-punk duo The Dresden Dolls (singer/pianist Amanda Palmer and drummer Brian Viglione) added visual flavor to their eclectic sounding set that included my favorites "Coin-Operated Boy" and "Shores of California." What I’d like to know is whoever knew mime makeup could be sexy? Check out their impressive videos for these songs at YouTube.
Stage presence doesn’t come much stronger than Deborah Harry, who is quite commanding while gliding through songs from her upcoming album while still pulling off wearing a short skirt. Erasure kicked up the atmosphere with their synth-pop sound playing a solid mix of new hits and old favorites. Songs like "Sunday Girl" and "I Could Fall in Love with You" from their recent CD Light at the End of the World easily mixed with standards like "Blue Savannah," "Sometimes" and "Oh L’Amour." But the true headliner was Cyndi Lauper, who totally rocked. Her sincerity comes through either when speaking about wearing Erase Hate wristbands or singing songs like "She Bop," " Drove All Night," or Prince’s "When You Were Mine." With few interstitial videos keeping with the equal rights theme of the evening, Lauper punctuated their message by telling the crowd to contact their congressmen, stressing the importance of passing the Matthew Shepherd Hate Crimes Bill.
The big encore number of course is Lauper’s song "True Colors" bringing mostly everyone back on stage and Erasure’s Andy Bell sharing the lead vocals. With powerhouse performances and its heart in the right place, the evening embodied how your true colors are beautiful like a rainbow…

For more info on True Colors Tour: http://www.truecolorstour.com/main.html

Sign the 'Erase Hate' Petition
http://www.matthewshepard.org/site/PageServer
Select video: Erasure acoustic version of "Sunday Girl"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coHteu-bBF0&mode=related&search=

Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

2007-06-15T10:42:00.000-04:00

FLICK The biggest queen in the Outback isn’t a woman with a tiara or a man in high heels but a dilapidated pink bus christened Priscilla, and carrying three cross-dressing entertainers lip-syncing to disco and pop tunes.
The marvelous 1994 camp classic, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, features three strong performances by Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce and Terence Stamp, who shine as brightly as their sequins.
When Mitzi (Weaving) books a show at a resort in the middle of the desert, she enlists the help of her insult flinging friends Bernadette (Stamp) and Felicia (Pearce), not only to perform, but to be traveling companions – leaving Sidney behind and inadvertently learning some life lessons along the way. No matter how much they dress up, the movie finds a way to uncover their identities inside. Another familiar Australian actor, Bill Hunter (Muriel’s Wedding, Strictly Ballroom) carries his weight in a supporting role against the three dishing divas.
The presentation of the musical numbers, with songs like "Finally," "Shake Your Groove Thing," and "I Will Survive," is not only hilariously captivating but also unique with facial expressions bursting through glittered eye shadow. Talk about your extreme makeover, mamma mia! Couple that with colorful and dazzling Oscar-winning costumes, made with materials bought with a 15% discount at K-Mart (which might explain the flip-flop frock) and you have something that could knock me over with a feather boa.
The film, now released on DVD in an Extra Frills Edition, includes sparkling features like deleted scenes, outtakes, photo gallery, a director’s commentary, and a 30-minute documentary titled "Birth of a Queen."
With many high points, Priscilla also has a few sentimental moments and an emotional heart, which is certainly never a drag! My Score: 9 out of 10.

TOP CHEF – First Impressions

2007-06-14T12:17:00.000-04:00

TELEVISION Outside it looks like fun in the sun but inside there is heat in the kitchen for 15 new chefs in the third season premiere of Top Chef Miami. You can only get a glimpse into the personalities of the newbies from early episodes so check out their profiles at the link to the Bravo website below for more info on them. The first place we see the new contestants is at the beautiful Casa Casuarina, the former home of Gianni Versace. It appears to be a nice social gathering until Padma and Tom announce that the first Quickfire Challenge is to make an amuse bouche from the array of appetizers they’ve been tasting. Many of the concoctions created looked scrumptious, with Micah the first to win and gaining immunity, serving Tuscan sushi with figs and balsamic dressing. Things didn’t look good for Clay, Dale and Tre, who were at the bottom of the QFC. Mississippi boy Clay gave early indications that he would have an uphill climb when he presented his unappealing fruit gazpacho that was more of a first course than a palate tickler.
Exotic surf & turf was on the menu for the Protein Elimination Challenge, requiring the TC wannabes to use items like rattle snake, buffalo rib eye, whole black chicken, razor clams, geoduck (pronounced gooey duck, which didn’t look very gooey) and alligator tail. This is one time where I certainly would not liked to have been a tasting judge. It was nice to see chef-author-world traveler Anthony Bourdain return as the guest judge, who I’m sure will eat anything. (And regarding the text message voting as to whether Chef Anthony or Chef Tom is the harder judge, I think Anthony won not so much because he’s harder than Tom, but that he just doesn’t censor what comes out of his mouth.)
Some of the dishes created included spider crab jambalaya, wild boar chops, frog leg lollipops, ostriche tartare and goeduck ceviche. Hung and Tre impressed the judges most, with Tre bouncing back nicely from the blundering QFC, dishing up his ostriche fillet and abalone to win the challenge plus a set of books from Bourdain.
The bottom four included Brian, who was told his eel and snake dish was like eating bar food. Ouch! Howie, who didn’t complete plating his dish because of the clock (couldn’t he have just thrown the frogs legs on the dish?) cracked me up with his response on the time issue. When Bourdain asked “What’s your major malfunction,” Howie referenced one of his books and said Ecuadorian line cooks give it to you when it’s done. Way to do your homework! Reappearing from the QFC disaster were Dale, who served tough alligator tail and Clay, who was told his scorpion fish was inedible, had fundamental problems and ended up packing his knives and leaving.

Overall, the season three group looks very strong. It’s hard to tell who early favorites would be at this stage of the game, but keep your eyes on CJ (Chris), Tre, Sandee, Micah, and Hung. I’m glad to hear that CJ has survived testicular cancer, and standing at a cool 6’8” should give him a bird’s eye view on what the competition is slinging.

Top Chef cast: http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/cast/index.php

SCREENED OUT – The Dark Side: Film Noir & Crime

2007-06-13T11:02:00.000-04:00

FLICK Turner Classic Movies is continuing with night four of its Screened Out programming celebrating gay pride month. Tonight’s spotlight is on film noir and crime drama. The five films come from the period between 1941 and 1967, a time when gays and lesbians were pretty much pushed into the closet. The Hays Code set industry guidelines on what was morally acceptable between the years 1934 and 1967, so the gay characters presented tonight are mostly seen as sexual perverts. They will not have positive representations and their outcomes in the plot will usually serve to punish or kill them. But the stars in the films shine bright and are worth catching, particularly Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, Katherine Hepburn, Montgomery Clift, Rita Hayworth, and Peter Lorre.

Tonight’s films include The Big Combo (1955), Suddenly, Last Summer (1959), Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967), Gilda (1946) and The Maltese Falcon (1941).

Reflections in a Golden Eye gives us Brando playing Major Penderton, a closeted army officer married to Taylor but is more interested in a young private played by Robert Forster. Penderton is a tortured character with confused perceptions of masculinity and femininity. There is also a flaming houseboy running around, which serves as the visible embodiment Penderton thinks is hidden within himself. Scenes showing him applying make-up and committing murder are meant to show his evil side. To say he’s sexually frustrated would be an understatement.
Peter Lorre tangles with Humphrey Bogart, playing a devious criminal in The Maltese Falcon. And there is a troublesome threesome in Gilda, with Hayworth marrying gambler Glenn Ford, who keeps his sinister “buddy” George Macready nearby. Though their relationship is only hinted at, their sexual feelings for each other are unmistakable.
In Tennessee Williams’ Suddenly, Last Summer, adapted by Gore Vidal, Clift, who was actually gay, plays the neurosurgeon who tries to sort out the hidden secrets that caused the death of invisible central character, Sebastian Venable. It turns out Sebastian has replaced his aging mother (Hepburn) with his sexy cousin (Taylor) to procure young men for him. He is seen as such a fiend that he’s not even presented on screen. Vito Russo, in his groundbreaking book “The Celluloid Closet” compares Sebastian to the monster in “Frankenstein, in which the peasants pursue the monster to the top of a hill, where fire engulfs him.”

More info is available at the TCM website:
http://www.tcm.com/thismonth/article/?cid=159628&mainArticleId=159623

Original trailer for Reflections in a Golden Eye: http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/index/?cid=102301

Breach

2007-06-12T11:10:00.000-04:00

FLICK It’s spy vs. spy when trying uncover the greatest security breach in US intelligence history. Chris Cooper gives a gripping, multi-layered performance in this incredible true story about super-intelligent FBI double-agent Robert Hanssen who sold secrets to the Soviet Union. Ryan Phillippe is fine as Eric O’Neill the nervous mole with a quizzical look who initially knows little about his assignment while trying to gather evidence against Hanssen. Phillippe may not be as strong an actor as Cooper but the pairing proves beneficial as we misjudge Phillippe just as Hanssen fatefully did O'Neill. Nothing is as it seems as O’Neill plays against a master deceiver. As O’Neill’s superior, Laura Linney takes a moderate role and adds dimension and personality so that we have as much a sense of who she is as we do the others, with half of the screen time. Director and co-writer Billy Ray, who also directed Shattered Glass, about another real-life liar, takes a life and death situation and presents a cat-and-mouse game that is as thrilling as any bestselling novel.
What's lacking in the screenplay is information about how and why Hanssen became a US traitor. We’re told he has freaky sexual obsessions and has a strong religious devotion, but it's not enough to put it all into context. Still there is enough suspense to stay involved even though the outcome is common knowledge. Let’s hope Cooper is remembered next Oscar season for this intense portrait of Hanssen vacillating between confidence and slight paranoia. My Score: 8 out of 10.

THE SOPRANOS – Made in America

2007-06-11T23:54:00.000-04:00

TELEVISION There was so much going on in the finale of "The Sopranos," you could write a book about it. But after doing a lot more thinking and reading and talking about that final scene, and almost everyone was buzzing about it today, here is a summary that makes sense to me. It seems that Tony would be dead. My initial thought was that he is now paranoid, always looking over his shoulder and never knowing who will shoot him as he has shot and killed others. That was the life he would have to live. But the editing tells the story. Everything in the diner is from Tony’s point of view. He sees who is coming and going and where everyone is. And just before the screen goes black, we see him – it’s our view of Tony. When the screen goes black, it’s his POV again. He sees nothing because he got whacked. It's like Bobby mentions a few episodes earlier that you probably don’t hear it when it happens. We heard nothing.
There are many suspicious people lurking around in the diner. In the credits, the anonymous man at the bar in the diner is listed only as Man in Member's Only jacket. It’s been pointed out that the African-American guys were the ones who had tried to shoot Tony in the first or second season. There was also another suspicious looking guy wearing a USA cap (who someone referred to as the truck driver with a bug in his hat).
A scene that was nerve-wracking was Meadow trying to park the car. She had a hard time fitting into the parking space because, like the car, she didn’t fit into the family. She’s going to take up criminal law and work for those who try to bring down people like her father. If there were to be a happy ending, we would have seen Meadow join the family for a nice dinner.
The reason they were at the diner instead of at home eating Carmela’s manicotti wasn’t just because she had meeting, but because they are an Americanized family, eating hamburgers and onion rings. This is also why AJ gives up his idealism of wanting to fight the war on terror, so he can have the material things that are so important to his parents. [Carmela is out of touch with her children it was funny when she makes a funny face as she walks out of Meadow’s bedroom after hearing that Hunter, who had partied a little too hard, was in her second year of med school.]
The cat has several references. It could be the ghost of Adriana, staring down Christopher, or even represent Big Pussy. In any event, the cat unnerved Paulie who sat watching as he was sunning himself at Satrialle’s.
Songs like "You Keep Me Hanging On" and "Don’t Stop Believing" are telling us to set me free, get out my life why don’t you. And Carmela is certainly just a small town girl, living in a lonely world…
In the end, "The Sopranos" is like modern day Shakespeare. The following was forwarded to me from a friend who found this on a blog, comparing the last scene to Hamlet. A duel takes place and ends with the death of Gertrude, Laertes, Claudius, and Hamlet. Shakespeare ends with the words "the rest is silence."

MY FAVORITE BROADWAY – The Tony Awards

2007-06-10T05:16:00.000-04:00

THEATER Tonight the 61st annual Tony Awards will be broadcast from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. They haven’t been doing well in the TV ratings in recent years and I’m not sure how they will fare airing against another Tony in the series finale of The Sopranos. But there is always an excitement when watching this particular awards show, probably because the scenes of the live performances are just a taste of what happens when you see an actor on stage becoming a character for two hours. I regret having to say that this is the first year in twenty of regular New York theater going, which I have not seen any of the nominated performances. Not that I haven’t been to NYC, but I guess I’ve spent too much time in movie theaters since last fall.

In Good Company
Having said that, it still looks like an impressive season. I love live theater and a few shows I’d rush to see are "Frost/Nixon," "Grey Gardens," and "Spring Awakenings," the musical by singer/songwriter Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater. But the one at the top of my list would be the revival of Stephen Sondheim’s "Company," about a single man and his five married couple friends. This is the first show I ever saw on Broadway and it changed the way I looked at and listened to theater. It was nothing like the Rogers & Hammerstein shows I was used to. The music had a more contemporary feel and the lyrics were clever, precise and thoughtful without being overly sentimental. Sondheim is one of the best musical writers ever. One among many reasons to see this version of "Company" is for Raúl Esparza, who, I’m certain, is commanding in the lead role of Bobby. The one time I saw him perform live was playing Riff Raff in the revival of "The Rocky Horror Show." (On stage, he was fully clothed in a funky suit, but I was seated close enough to notice that when he bent over his pants were split and you could see his ass crack. I mentioned this to him when I met him outside the theater and he asked me if it was too much. I said it was perfect!) He is an amazing performer and one for whom you should keep your eyes and ears open.
I’m Just Wild About Audra
I’m totally in awe of Audra McDonald who is nominated a sixth time for a Tony (she’s won four times) in the revival of "110 in the Shade." The nominated performance Ms. McDonald didn’t win, but was certainly worthy, was for the lead in the musical "Marie Christine" based on "Medea" but set in 1890’s New Orleans. She is an incredibly versatile actress who has a soprano voice that would be well suited for opera but is perfect in Broadway musicals.
When on stage in concert, Audra combines a warm personality with a beautiful voice easily alternating from ballads and lullabies to powerfully belting out standards and show tunes. She expanded her repertoire with the recently released solo album, Build a Bridge, which includes music written by contemporary singer/songwriters like Elvis Costello, John Mayer, Neil Young, Rufus Wainwright, and Laura Nyro, among others. I once met Ms. McDonald who was quite personable and it comes across during a performance. I’ve seen her in concert several times, the most recent being when she shared the stage at the Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall in Philadelphia with another Broadway legend, Barbara Cook. This blending of voices from two generations was thrilling and something rarely seen nowadays. After an evening of performing songs tailored to their specific styles, they concluded with a patriotic medley of "Of Thee I Sing/America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America."
If you’re a musical fan (and if you’ve read this far, you probably are) one concert available on CD and DVD that is a must-see and a must-hear is My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies recorded live at Carnegie Hall. It’s one spectacular performer after another, including Bebe Neuwirth, Liza Minnelli, Linda Eder, Jennifer Holliday and Elaine Stritch. Audra McDonald appears in two numbers, a version of "Down with Love" that begins slowly and builds into a manic frenzy. Her second number is a real high point, The Webber Love Trio that includes the Andrew Lloyd Webber songs "Love Changes Everything," "Unexpected Song," and "I Don’t Know How to Love Him." Each are lovely on their own but combined in this particular arrangement creates feelings of love from blind elation to humiliation. Each of the women, Audra McDonald, Marin Mazzie and Judy Kuhn, sing one of the songs, respectively, which eventually intertwine creating a poignant mosaic and concluding with a powerful finish. Audra passionately belts out the line "Love will never let you be the same." This song will never let you be the same, and is one of the most moving recordings I’ve ever heard. Maybe ALW isn't so bad...

Tony’s:

http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/index.html

Raúl Esparza Official website http://www.raulesparza.com/

Audra McDonald sites (non-official): http://www.nonesuch.com/Hi_Band/index_frameset2.cfm?pointer=mcdonald.gif

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audra_McDonald

Côte d’Azur

2007-06-08T10:09:00.000-04:00

FLICK It’s a romp on the beach as directors Olivier Duscatel and Jacques Martineau (Adventures of Felix, My Life on Ice) pull out the stops and have fun in the Mediterranean sun in this hilarious screwball comedy, which never neglects the meaning of friends and family. When Marc and Béatrix take their teenage children Charly and Laura for a seaside vacation, it’s anything but relaxing as everyone has romantic secrets that escalate into mixed messages and sexual high jinks.
Complications arise for Marc (Gilbert Melki, Intimate Strangers) when he meets his gay childhood friend Didier (Jean-Marc Barr, Le Divorce), now a plumber, who gets his signals crossed and can’t let go of their past. The delightful Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi plays the open-minded mother, Béatrix, who is very supportive of her straight son that she believes is gay, and must hide her clinging lover Mathieu who unexpectedly pops up everywhere. Bruni-Tedeschi is as light, sexy and breezy here as she is intensely serious in the François Ozon film, also from 2005, 5x2. (Blink and you’ll miss her in Munich.) Melki and Bruni-Tedeschi easily anchor the shenanigans, which seems to stem from eating oysters and shellfish (alluding to the original French title Crustacés et coquillages) that create an aphrodisiac affect.
The misinterpretations and surprises surrounding everyone at the beach house are reminiscent of French farce, though no one is slamming doors. (But there is something going on with the hot and cold water in the shower!) The atmosphere is enchanting, the acting is pitch perfect, and there is even a musical number! Côte d’Azur is fun for the whole post-modern family. (2005) My Score: 8.5 out of 10.

TOP CHEF 4-Star All-Stars

2007-06-07T10:42:00.000-04:00

TELEVISION What makes Top Chef such an exciting competition program is that there are so many things that have to come together instantly. Once you’re given your challenge, you have to blend creativity, technique, art and beauty, know-how to tastefully combine an array of flavors and do it with speed and accuracy.
I’m glad TC is back and relished the Season One Vs Season Two face-off since both teams have a lot of talent, and it didn’t disappoint. First of all, the most obvious thing to notice was Ilan’s sculpted and Elia’s white hair. Marcel still looks like Eddie Munster. This brings back memories of when they were going to scalp Marcel, and Cliff ended up getting kicked off. Speaking of Marcel, it’s still so easy to dis the little rapper wannabe. Even the Season 1 chefs were telling him to shut up when they were in the hotel room. I cracked-up when he whipped up the saffron foam for his eggs in the Quick Fire Challenge, and then winning to become the team captain. He savored beating Ilan, calling it a real smack down, but all I really wanted to do was smack him down.
Though the TC1 team ended up winning both challenges, the personalities of the TC2 chefs are much more congenial. I’d certainly like to hang out with Sam, Elia and Ilan who are much more easy-going than uptight Tiffany, snooty Stephen and bitchy Dave. Harold is sort of laid back yet a little moody. It was nice that Dave held it together and didn’t cry. And way to go Lee Anne Wong who got a job on set as a Culinary Producer. I wonder what exactly that position entails.
Tom, Padma and Gail were in good spirits with Ted Allen making a nice addition to the judging table. Having the Season 3 competitors add their two cents didn’t really do much except to give them an idea of what to strive for and to introduce them to the viewers.
Seeing the two teams side by side during the dinner challenge made it easier to compare strengths. Though many liked Dave’s smoked scallops, Elia had a great idea and won with the combo seared and uncooked scallops with the citrus marmalade. That seemed to fit the hot environment, rather than Marcel’s melting geleé and tableside-presented lobster foam. Stephen, the TC1 captain, took the honors with what sounded like a delicious cauliflower créme angles with the lobster. The judges were disappointed with both winning Top Chefs’ duck dishes, saying that Harold’s lacked flavor and Ilan just having too many things going wrong. Ilan blew it earlier too when his eggs were too salty. (He should be a little more careful as I think he’s just generally clumsy, and didn’t intentionally try to sabotage Marcel when he dropped his diced mango.) Tiffani and Sam seemed to be the most evenly matched but the judges loved her raw Kobe crudo more than Sam’s seared Kobe beef with mushrooms and coriander.
Kudos to Season 1 team for winning $20,000 for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer organization. Sam must have read some unflattering things about himself online when his parting recommendation to the Season 3 contestants was that they shouldn’t read the blogs because they may find out things they may not want to know about themselves. How could you be nasty toward Sam? I say it only helps to create a better recipe for living. Bring it on, Season 3!

The photos are from the Bravo site, where you can also check out a more-detailed summary of the episode. http://www.bravotv.com/blog/thedish/2007/06/food_fight.php

5x2 & Time to Leave (Le Temps qui reste)

2007-06-06T15:04:00.000-04:00

FLICK My initial reaction to watching a François Ozon film is how simplistic it seems, but his movies tend to stay with me and upon reflection, I respond to them more over time, finding a vast depth in the characters and their stories. Tonight, Sundance Channel is airing two films written and directed by Ozon back-to-back beginning at 10pm.

5x2 follows French couple Marion (Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi) and Gilles (Stéphane Freiss) in five different periods of their unhappy marriage. The film begins at the end of their doomed relationship and ends at the beginning, which lets the viewer leave on a lighter note, only to ponder how this mismatched couple stayed together for so long. Ozon uses the reverse structure to add mystery though there is no defining moment of where things go wrong. Bruni-Tedeschi and Freiss turn in absorbing performances and are completely credible in this heart wrenching portrait. (2004) My Score: 8 out of 10.

Time to Leave (Le Temps qui reste) is not a perfect film; however I was again won over by filmmaker Ozon’s style and tone. Romain (Melvil Poupaud), a fashion photographer with a hot boyfriend, is told he has brain cancer, refuses treatment and goes on nasty tirades hurting those closest to him, including his sister and her children. The only person he confides in is his grandmother, French icon Jeanne Moreau, knowing she’s going to die soon too. Romain continues to create social distance until he later develops an unusual relationship with a waitress, played by Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi (5x2, Côte d’Azur) which initially seems selfish but ultimately satisfies them both. The handsome Poupaud (who plays another unlikable Frenchman in the Merchant-Ivory film Le Divorce) is very engaging as the unsympathetic character and easily handles the extremes and subtleties of dealing with certain death. His outbursts are what keep the film from becoming overly sentimental. Ozon may not provide reasons for Romain’s offensive behavior but he excels in creating mood, which is what takes us to the inevitable end. The title’s literal translation is "The Time That's Left." This is supposedly the second in a trilogy (Under the Sand being the first) about mourning or death. (2005) My Score 7.5 out of 10.

Bug

2007-06-05T14:46:00.000-04:00

FLICK A friend of mine wanted to see the film Bug because he had seen the original Off-Broadway play and wanted to compare the versions. I went along knowing only that it starred Ashley Judd and was directed by William Friedkin. Don’t expect another Arachnophobia or Starship Troopers. It would give the appropriate audience a better context if it were playing in art-house theaters instead of screening in the major theater chains and being marketed as a simple horror flick. I imagine this to be much better on a stage than on screen. Sharing an intense madness, Bug reminded me of theater like “The Chairs” by Eugene Ionesco, although the former being more of a psycho-drama than the latter’s absurdist farce. This doesn’t mean Friedkin doesn’t deliver the disturbing goods.
Bug tells the story of cocktail waitress Agnes (Judd), who has guilt over losing her son and fears her recently paroled ex-husband (Harry Connick, Jr.). But it’s her deceivingly calm friend Peter (a compelling Michael Shannon, recreating his stage role) who shows up and has the most impact on her. Couple Agnes’ worries and insecurities with Peter’s (who is also off his medication) growing paranoid schizophrenic personality and you have a folie à deux, which translates to double insanity. This happens when two persons closely associated with one another suffer a psychosis simultaneously, with one member having influenced or “infected” the other and then believe in and build on their delusions. Friedkin nicely contrasts the openness of the desert with the interior of Agnes’ claustrophobic motel room, reflecting differing and deteriorating mental states. As Agnes and Peter descend into madness, they talk of government conspiracies and look for bugs – the insect and man-made kind – under their skin and in their teeth, which results in self-mutilation and lots of blood. It’s insanely powerful stuff. If you’re itching to see this R-rated film, leave the kids home, unlike some of the parents who brought them along to the screening I attended and probably now have traumatized zombies running around the house digging their eyes out. My Score: 6.5 out of 10.

Screened Out

2007-06-04T09:57:00.000-04:00

June is bustin’ out all over as many TV networks celebrate gay pride month by pulling both old and new film titles out of the closet. Every Monday and Wednesday this month, Turner Classic Movies will air films to compliment Richard Barrios’ book “Screened Out: Playing Gay in Hollywood from Edison to Stonewall,” which follows gays and lesbians in the movies from the earliest years through the 1960’s. With varying themes, like film noir, prison drama, horror and comedy, each night is not only entertaining but also like watching a film history course. Tonight’s theme The Early Years kicks things off chronologically with a mix of silent and early talkies from 1912-1933. It’s interesting to note how some things have changed in the last 95 years as gay men from this period were presented only as flamboyant pansies and lesbians as cigar smoking butch-types in suits. These characters illustrate not only the public’s perception of the love that dare not speak its name in the early part of the 20th century but also how gays perceived themselves.

Tonight’s films include:
8pm Algie, the Miner (1912) about a man who goes west to become a cowboy
8:30 The Monster (1925), a horror-comedy with Lon Chaney
10:15 Exit Smiling (1926), a theater comedy with Beatrice Lillie and Franklin Pangborn
11:45 The Broadway Melody (1929), the first film musical, and Best Picture Oscar-winner
1:45am Way Out West (1930) William Haines is playful as a carnival barker who cheats 3 cowboys
3am The Office Wife (1930), features a cigar-smoking lesbian author
4:15 Stage Mother (1933) sordid backstage drama, includes a director who likes male companionship…

Go to the TCM site to view full details of their Screened Out programming. http://www.tcm.com/thismonth/article/?cid=159623

Read a review of the book, written by out actor, director, and author Simon Callow. http://film.guardian.co.uk/books/story/0,12788,891250,00.html

Knocked Up

2007-06-03T18:33:00.000-04:00

FLICK I always thought knocked up was a derogatory term for something a guy did to a woman, making her barefoot and pregnant. So, instead of the crude parody I was expecting writer-director Judd Apatow, who also directed The 40 Year-Old Virgin, gives us a well-balanced romantic comedy that focuses on the people, with the situation as a jumping point. Apatow blends the right amount of frat boy humor with lighthearted commentary on singles and married couples, plus some well-placed pop culture references, to show how it takes two to make a thing go right. Grey’s Anatomy’s Katherine Heigl is the lovely Alison who goes out to celebrate her E! Entertainment job promotion and has such a good time she winds up the evening having unprotected sex with slacker Ben (Seth Rogan). Two months later, Alison decides to pop the news to Ben that they are with child. You end up believing in Alison’s choice to let a dorky loser like Ben take part in the situation because the sincerity in the acting convinces us that these opposites could work it out. Heigl amazingly has a way of conveying a look of doubt while exhibiting confidence in her decision. And Rogan has a light innocence instead of a brashness that is typical of over-the-top performances from actors like Adam Sandler and Jim Carey. Contrasting unplanned parenthood and presenting a cautious view of married life are Alison’s sister Debbie (a perfectly cast Leslie Mann, who is also Apatow’s wife) and her restless husband Pete (Paul Rudd, owner of the best smile ever) who have a few issues to work out. But the central question remains: can a responsible woman actually make a go of it with an immature guy with whom she’s had a one-night stand? In this case, knock on wood. My Score: 8 out of 10.

Mr. Brooks

2007-06-01T11:12:00.000-04:00

FLICK Not being a Kevin Costner fan since way before he called Madonna’s Blond Ambition concert "neat" I wasn’t planning to see him star as Earl in Mr. Brooks, but I’m not disappointed that I did.
We get to see the duality of Earl Brooks up front at a banquet receiving a man of the year award and then going out for a night on the town as the elusive Thumbprint Killer. Costner gives a nuanced performance and has a way of making this unsettling serial killer so darn likeable that you hope he gets his wish to stop his renewed killing spree. He even goes to AA meetings for self-therapy thinking he’s on the path to quitting his addictive behavior. The most effective scenes show Earl having regular conversations with his conscience named Marshall, played with gusto by William Hurt. They make a great couple, like two-stepping partners dancing in rhythm and never tripping over each other.
The film begins promisingly but loses focus when it takes too many jarring turns away from exploring Brooks and his alter ego. Dane Cook gives a one-dimensional performance as Mr. Smith, a photographer who has witnessed one of the murders and blackmails his way into becoming Earl’s apprentice. Tracey Atwood (Demi Moore) is the detective hot on their trail. The script should have concentrated more on her hunt instead of investing time with distractions like her ongoing nasty divorce case, and that she is the target of an escaped convict’s revenge. There is also a dash of the film The Bad Seed in a subplot concerning Earl’s daughter (Danielle Panabaker). Though there is only one Rhoda Penmark, I never quite bought the central hereditary theory of that film either.
This visually stylish suspense-thriller succeeds as a Jekyll and Hyde tale but gets a little schizophrenic and distracted when adding others to the mix. My Score: 7 out of 10.

Disturbia

2007-05-30T12:15:00.000-04:00

FLICK A mildly successful thriller, Disturbia presents what would otherwise be a creepy Peeping Tom and positions him as the hero of the ‘hood. When we first see Kale (Shia LeBeouf) he is on a fishing trip with his father, in the big, beautiful openness of nature. Their bonding is literally turned on its head when the car Kale is driving flips over, leaving him the lone survivor of the accident. A year after the death of his father, Kale is clearly distraught. Sentenced to house arrest for popping a teacher in the head, he must wear an ankle bracelet that limits him to 100 feet from the house. Kale’s working mother (Carrie-Anne Moss) attempts to make the uninspired teen productive by taking away his Xbox and iPod privileges. Ever resourceful, Kale finds solace in voyeuristic activity by keeping binoculars handy and watching the comings and goings of people in the block. His favorite activity, ogling at sexy Ashley (Sarah Roemer), is disrupted as he’s tormented by the neighborhood kids (they love their flaming poo bags) and thinks he’s stumbled upon a possible serial killer in their midst. But are his suspicions real or just imagined? The title serves to represent not only Kale’s changing state of mind but also what lies underneath the suburban landscape where he lives.
LeBeouf is very likeable and his confident performance easily carries the movie. The attempts of director D.J. Caruso to pay homage to Hitchcock’s Rear Window lacks the suspenseful subtleties of that classic and, though making good use of camera phones, gets lost when updating the material to accommodate the teen target audience. The set-up is solid but there are no surprises as it eventually dissolves into predictaburia. My Score: 6.5 out of 10.

Paris Je T’Aime

2007-05-29T11:45:00.000-04:00

FLICK If you like attending shorts programs at film festivals, or have a little ADD, Paris Je T’Aime is sure to satisfy. The charming melange consists of 18 films by 20 internationally known filmmakers, which are approximately five minutes long and each set in a different area of the City of Light. The films in this mosaic appear unconnected but they actually create a portrait of a city with many perspectives. The shorts contain a variety of tones, with some having universal themes and others distinctly French, such as The Triplets of Belleville animator Sylvain Chomet’s live-action romance with two mimes.
There is a potpourri of well-known names turning in stellar performances, like American actors Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gena Rowlands Elijah Wood and Willem Dafoe, and French actors Fanny Ardant, Gaspard Ulliel and Juliette Binoche. Directors are as varied too, like Gus Van Sant, Wes Craven, and, pulling double duty, actor Gérard Depardieu. Some films are more successful than others like the Coen brother’s comedy featuring Steve Buscemi as an unlucky tourist waiting for a train in a Paris Metro station. Alexander Payne presents Margo Martindale (currently seen in FX’s "The Riches") as a Denver letter carrier narrating the experiences of her life-altering vacation in French with a typically American accent. Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) uses tricky speed photography to convey the mistaken romantic outcome of a blind student (Melchior Beslon) and his girlfriend (Natalie Portman). Craven sets Rufus Sewell and Emily Mortimer in a cemetery with the ghost of Oscar Wilde. And Gurinder Chadha comments on perception as a teen boy looks beyond religious and racial stereotyping. There are also scenes depicting a divorced couple, a drug deal and vampires. One dud was Alfonso Cuarón’s baffling story featuring Ludivine Sagnier and an almost unintelligible Nick Nolte. Overall, the film is charming and creates enough emotional highs to say Paris, I love you! My Score: 8.5 out of 10.

ROMAIN DURIS

2007-05-28T13:43:00.000-04:00

FLICK Do you enjoy watching good performances whether the film is great, average or a stinker? If so, then check out the some of films highlighted here starring Romain Duris, an amazing, chameleon-like French actor with a growing resume of remarkable movies. Born on May 28, 1974, Duris wasn’t looking for fame when a casting director noticed him standing in front of a Paris high school.
I was first introduced to him in the internationally popular romantic-comedy from 2002, L’auberge espagnole (The Spanish Apartment). Here he plays French student Xavier who moves to Barcelona to study economics and shares an apartment with six other students, all from different countries. In the light-hearted sequel Russian Dolls, Xavier is following his dream to become a writer. Duris pulls off the typically difficult role appearing as an apparent womanizer but actually learning about, while searching for, love. In the end he realizes that like Russian (or nesting) dolls, you have to date them all until you find the last one.
Duris soars higher as Thomas in the accomplished The Beat That My Heart Skipped (see my review here at mariomoves), convincing us that he is an animalistic thug working for his father and equally sensitive to rediscover his interest in playing classical piano, as his mother did.
The closest he’s come to making an American film is the Merchant-Ivory film, Le Divorce, (co-starring another French actor to look for, Melvil Poupaud). With his hair most Medusa–like, even more wild and noodley than the New York Times magazine cover (posted on the left), Romain shows off his sex-appeal as Yves who is having an affair with Kate Hudson’s character, Isabel. In one scene he sings a snippet of the song "Money Makes the World Go ‘Round" from Cabaret and his playful style makes it easy to see him someday in the lead role of the MC in that musical.
I’m looking forward to catching up with another film from 2002, 17 Times Cécile Cassard. Director Christophe Honoré has assembled 17 short films to tell the story of Cécile, unable to deal with the death of her husband. Duris shows his versatility in a supporting role as Matthieu, a gay man who becomes romantically involved with Cécile.
Follow this link to watch a video from the film, titled "Pretty Killer", as two share a sexy slow-dance with a third. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nTryJX7cn4&NR=1

The hair gets special treatment again as Romain plays the comedic playwright and actor in the upcoming summer release Molière. Check out the whimsical trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/moliere/trailer/

Though his physical looks change in almost every film, it’s the subtleties he emotes as well as the twinkling eyes and infectious smile that combine to make Duris one of the most electrifying international actors working today.
Bon anniversaire, Romain!

Black Book

2007-05-27T11:18:00.000-04:00

FLICK Paul Verhoeven, director of Basic Instinct and Total Recall, has taken the skills he honed in Hollywood back to his homeland, Holland, for the first time in 20 years to create a slick, fast-paced, and at times irreverent, WWII film. Based on true accounts, the story centers on Rachel (played with perpetual intensity by Carice von Houten), a Dutch Jew, once a popular singer now waiting for the war to end. When her safe-house is bombed, she is rescued by a young boy but must then go undercover, changing her name to Ellis de Vries and seeking revenge against the Germans in a harrowing non-stop series of narrow escapes and betrayals. Verhoeven doesn’t shy away from nudity, reminding us that he also directed Showgirls, by presenting Ellis as a hotsi-totsi Nazi performer. There is no time for character study as she must do anything to survive, including dying all regions of her hair blond in order to get closer to and deceive, among others, high-ranking officer Müntze (Sebastian Koch, who was equally engaging in The Lives of Others). Traditional good-guy/bad-guy clichés are annihilated here, but the sensational, over-blown sex and violence threaten to overtake any genuine emotions that could be conveyed. The framing device, initially showing Rachel teaching on a kibbutz, serves to remind us that there will be a sigh of relief after she meanders from one perilous moment to the next. But you might be breathless after witnessing the ambitious 145 minutes of unrelenting tension. My Score: 7 out of 10.