Tag: Movies

Movie reviews

“Without Love” (1945)

Emma1 Comment

Like I wrote before, Katherine Hepburn + Spencer Tracy = movie magic.  In this (lesser-known) rom com, Hepburn and Tracy play two opposites who agree on a marriage of convenience, BUT end up falling in love.  Lucille Ball co-stars as Hepburn’s tough-talking real estate agent.  Keenan Wynn plays Hepburn’s tipsy cousin, who may or may NOT have feelings for his ex-gf (Ball), though he’s engaged to a high-maintenance society woman.  Wynn and Ball provide GREAT comic relief in this film, but never go overboard! 

Wealthy young widow Jamie (Hepburn) has been living alone for several years in a big house in Manhattan.  Her cousin worries that she’s lonely.  To help the war (WWII) effort, she marries a brilliant and blunt-speaking scientist, Patrick (Tracy).  She doesn’t want love, as she feels she’s already had the love of her life.  He doesn’t want love either, having fallen for the wrong woman before.  Emotions are too messy for him.  They quickly marry, then begin working on a (top secret) invention in Jamie’s basement. 

From their first meeting, there is a spark of interest between the pair.  Patrick can play piano (which Jamie likes).  Jamie’s knowledgeable about science, having assisted her father for many years.   (She’s a big help to Patrick.)  But the BEST thing- they respect each other!

The dialogue is smart and snappy, but there are also some quiet, meaningful moments when the camera actually captures Hepburn and Tracy’s REAL love for each other.  This film is a must-see!          

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038256/

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

“Hamlet” (2009)

EmmaLeave a comment

A hit, a hit, a palpable hit!  The Bard’s most popular, and arguably best-written, play springs to life w/ a fresh, modern adaptation by the RSC.  (It is now available on DVD in the US.)  This one is a must-see for all Shakespeare fans!  Tall, wiry Scotsman David Tennant (Dr. Who) tackles the title role and theater veteran Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation) portrays the ghost of Hamlet’s departed father and Claudius (Hamlet’s “uncle-father”).  They played these roles on stage, so are well prepared for the screen version.

Hamlet (sometimes in a single scene) must be able to convey much- anger, intelligence, melancholy, and wit.  Tennant creates a Hamlet for our time;  he shows us Hamlet’s isolation, emotional torment, confusion, and self-awareness.  I feel Tennant does a GREAT job in showing us Hamlet’s muti-faceted personality.

Unlike in the theater, here we get close-ups of the actors.  Hamlet can connect more deeply with the audience (a glance into the camera, a side joke).  The use of a pistol in a pivotal scene rendered the scene less dramatic in my opinion.  The dark main set didn’t appeal to me, but the use of the large broken mirror was a good directorial choice.  The use of surveillance cameras was interesting; Hamlet is always under watch.

On to the supporting cast…  Claudius is played with grace and subtlety by Stewart; often villains pretend to be just like ordinary people.   I thought he was VERY effective as the ghost as well.  Polonius and Gertrude did a fine job, as did Horatio (who had a sense of gravitas and a marvelous speaking voice).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYZHb2xo0OI

“Elmer Gantry” (1960)

Emma1 Comment

The screen has never known a man like ELMER GANTRY!  (movie tagline)

At the opening, we meet Elmer Gantry (Burt Lancaster), a travelling salesman in a dusty little town in Prohibition era Midwest.  He drinks and tells stories at a rowdy bar on Christmas Eve.  All the while, he keeps an eye on the red-suited blonde in the corner.   (Women are one of his weaknesses.)  Some men comment that he “talks like a preacher” after Elmer convinces them to give money to women representing the Salvation Army.   At the end of the night, he takes home the blonde.  Well, it’s not really his home- it’s a tacky hotel room.

       

Something seems to shift in Elmer’s mind (and maybe his heart) when he goes to a tent revival and sees a beautiful, Evangelical preacher called Sister Sharon Falconer (Jean Simmons).  Earlier, he’d seen her posters; she’s kind of celebrity in small Midwestern towns.  When he briefly speaks to her, he realizes that she’s a no-nonsense gal.  Elmer is even more intrigued, so he cozies up to the group’s choir leader, Sister Rachel (Patti Page), to learn more about Sharon.  Rachel gets a huge crush on Elmer and invites him to join their entourage.  Never one to shy away from dramatics, Elmer hops onto the train at the last minute. 

Aboard the train, Elmer gets a seat by Sharon.  She finds him interesting; he’s a far cry from the “sanctimonious prigs” she usually meets.  Elmer also meets Jim Lefferts (Arthur Kennedy), a jaded Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who’s been travelling w/ these Evangelicals and reporting on their movement.  Jim believes in evolution, not God.  Both Sharon and Jim quickly realize that Elmer is not a “true believer” in any cause (except maybe himself).

In no time, Elmer takes center stage at revivals, “warming-up” crowds for Sharon.  Her sober-minded manager doesn’t like the new direction.  But Sharon points out that Elmer’s “theatrics” are bringing in more lost souls yearning to be saved.  (Of course, some just want to be entertained.)  As Elmer (who was kicked out of his seminary) gains popularity, it appears that he’s finally found his calling- selling salvation.  Sharon starts to get close to him, too.  But wait, this isn’t the end of the story!       

Elmer Gantry explores some big issues: ambition, corruption (moral/political), faith, freedom of speech, forgiveness, hypocrisy, etc.   Even before this Oscar-winning film (based on a novel) was released, it was controversial.   Initially, no studio wanted to finance it.   Director (Richard Brooks) didn’t want Shirley Jones (pic above) in the role of Lulu, the young woman who unlocks Elmer’s past, but Burt Lancaster insisted. 

Though some viewers called his portrayal over-the-top, that is precisely what the character demanded!  Elmer is a bundle of energy, confidence (false or real), and words.  Not only does Lancaster make Elmer likeable, he makes him very fun to watch.  (There are MANY laughs in this film!)  But my fave scene is the one out in the woods where Elmer confronts Sharon about what men and women REALLY want from each other.  Elmer is not w/o redeeming qualities.  But does he deserve to be saved?  Watch this multi-layered film and decide for yourself!    

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053793/

What I watched recently…

EmmaLeave a comment

Casa de los Babys (2003)

Motherhood can be one of life’s joys, but it is also fraught with trials and tribulations.  But what about the path to motherhood itself?  It’s not always smooth and easy.  This film (written, directed, & edited by indie filmmaker John Sayles) concerns a modern/controversial issue- foreign adoption.  As with Sayles’ other films, Casa de los Babys is for thinking people.  No character is one-sided.  Each actor gets a scene (or two) to shine.

Somewhere in Latin (or South) America, 6 women wait in the same hotel (nicknamed by locals as la casa de los babys) for their chance to be a mother.  (This film was shot in Acapulco, Mexico.)  The women don’t have much in common, hailing from different states and backgrounds.  But the women hang out at the beach, shop in the bazaar, see the sights, and share meals together.  They discuss future plans for their babies.  Who has the best ideas on how to raise a child?  Who has the most potential to be a positive/nurturing mother?

Skipper (Daryl Hannah) is a statuesque/serene woman from Colorado who works out often and speaks little.  Gayle (Mary Steenburgen) is a soft-spoken/born-again Christian/Southerner who seeks to mediate conflicts between the group members.  Jennifer (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is a wealthy 24 y.o. from DC who’s nervous and missing her husband terribly.  Eileen (Susan Lynch) is a sweet/thoughtful Irish immigrant to Boston who’s pinching pennies b/c her hubby is out of work.  Nan (Marcia Gay Harden) is a Kansan who holds strong (and often offensive) opinions.  She’s ticked off b/c she’s beein waiting longer than the rest (2 mos.) for her baby.  Leslie (Lily Taylor) is a single, 30 y.o. editor from NYC  who speaks Spanish and is brimming w/ sarcarstic humor.  Though still young, she’s “done the relathionship thing,” and wants to “get on with the kid thing.”

Besides the Americans, there are several other interesting characters.  Senora Munoz (Rita Moreno) is the tough/determined owner of the hotel who worries re: her ex-con son.  Senora Munoz’s brother Ernesto (Pedro Armendariz) is the forthright lawyer who helps the Americans w/ their adoption paperwork.  Asuncion (Vanessa Martinez; the teen Pilar in Sayles’ Lone Star) is the hardworking young maid at the hotel who supports her younger siblings; they are orphans who live in the mountaineous region above the beach.  Diomedes is a gentle/educated man who wants to go to the US b/c there is no work locally.  He gives Skipper and Jennifer a little tour, as he has nothing else to do.  A little homeless boy (around 7 or 8 y.o.) wanders the streets of the town washing windshields and looking to make money.  (To me, he is a sad reminder that older kids are rarely adopted.)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303830/

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

 

Law & Order: UK (Season 1)

Dick Wolf has transported his successful NYC-based Law & Order TV series “across the pond” to London.  All of the Season 1 episodes (13 on 3 discs) were based on shown-on-TV L&O episodes.  (Long-time fans will recognize this right away!)  The producer took various scripts and modified them to fit UK law.  This show looks wonderful (high production value- like a big-screen movie), is fast-paced, and has top-notch (subtle) acting.  The veteran actors have terrific chemistry w/ their younger partners.  Some eps are more exciting than others, as w/ other L&O shows.

The Brit detectives are DS (Detective Sergeant) Ronnie Brooks (Bradley Walsh), “a gentle man and gentle cop” who’s a recovering alcoholic/street food lover.  Ronnie has a sympathetic ear, talks often re: his 2 exes, and is VERY likeable.  His partner is DS Matt Devlin (Jamie Bamber from Battlestar Gallactica), a young man of Irish parentage who worked his way up from humble roots.  He’s charming and eager to please.  While the experienced Ronnie sees a case from many perspectives, Matt is more quick to judge.

The lawyers (called Crown Prosecutors) are James Steel (Ben Daniels), a highly principled/sharp-dressed barrister from the upper crust (w/ posh accent).  His intensity, height, and sharp blue eyes may bring to mind actor Michael Moriarty, who played ADA Ben Stone.  James wears a wig in court, as is the custom.  Judges are referred to as “my lord” or “my lady.”  His is supported by Alesha Phillips (Freema Agyeman from Dr. Who), a young woman who has worked her way up from a council house (like the inner-city projects in US).  She performs research and goes through a mountains of paperwork (everything needs to be on hard copy).  Alesha is very passionate about the law, like her boss.

London is itself a character in this series.  Issues of class, race, and poverty are dealt w/ directly (perhaps more so than in the US).  One’s class is usually denoted by one’s accent.  (Not all English accents are the same!)

You will see a few British Asian (South Asian/desi) guest actors on L&O: UK.  In fact, the CPS barrister who consults on this show is British Asian- Nazir Afzal, director of CPS London South, is well-known for cracking down on “honor” crimes.  He has been awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire).

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

http://www.cps.gov.uk/london/

 

Spring is here!

EmmaLeave a comment

Update on me:

Last Wednesday night, I went to a speed dating event at K St Lounge hosted by Professionals in the City.  [I had been to this lounge when South Asians for Obama (SAFO) had an event last year.]  This event was also geared toward South Asians around my age, though there were 2 guys who were not South Asian.  It was a pretty fun event, though I thought it could’ve been better. 

First of all, there were TOO many people- 27 men and 30 women!  It took more than 2 hours to talk w/ every guy.  The time (4 mins) went by VERY quickly w/ few exceptions.  When you go to events like this, there are bound to be 1 or 2 people who have ZERO interest in talking w/ you (not even to be polite).  They will just hem and haw, not bothering to think up a topic to discuss.  In my opinion, 4 mins is just TOO short.  I think 7 mins would be better.  

Second issue: quite a few people came w/ their friends to this event.  Okay, maybe they wanted to feel comfortable going with a little group.  Or they just have single pals.  But the POINT of this event was to meet NEW people!  The petite gal sitting next to me also came by herself, and I chatted a bit w/ her.  She commented that most of her friends are getting married, not going out as much, and so on.

I didn’t have HUGE expectations going into this event.  I arrived a BIT early and noticed that people were talking w/ their pals or just standing about.  I wanted to go up and chat w/ some gals, but they didn’t come off as very friendly.  Or maybe they were a little nervous?  Okay, on to the guys!

The guys (expect perhaps 2 or 3) were Indian Hindus.  One guy said he was 1/2 Bengali (mom’s side) after I mentioned I was Bangladeshi.  As you may expect, most were American desis (born and raised in US).  But I was surprised to see many immigrant and 1.5 gen guys (and gals) at this event.  (At a similar event in NYC 2 years back, there were very few immigrant guys and no immigrant gals!) 

All the guys were professionals (of course!); most work w/ the fed govt (IT contractor, IT manager, computer engineer).  I think there was only 1 investment banker, 2 lawyers and 2 or 3 research scientists.  A few of these guys impressed me, BUT I don’t think I clicked w/ any.  Too bad!  At least I took a chance. 

You can check out the web site below if interested.  This organization holds events in various cities.               

http://www.prosinthecity.com/dcevents.php

 

Movies I’ve Seen Recently:

Gran Torino (2008)

I saw this movie while my mom was visting; she REALLY likes Clint Eastwood.  I thought there were some nice/funny moments, BUT it seemed implausible to me (especially the ending). 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205489/

Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948)

This is a melancholy romance/drama set in Austria.  It has great atmosphere and lighting.  It’s worth a look!   

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040536/

 

Recent iTunes Downloads:

BardCast: The Shakespeare Podcast 

http://bardcast.blogspot.com/

Chop Bard

http://www.inyourearshakespeare.com/chopbard.html

 

What I’m watching:

Babylon 5: Seasons 1 & 2 are on Hulu.  This sci-fi series (5 seasons total) came out around the same time as Star Trek: DS9.  I’ve seen 8 eps so far, and it get’s getting good!   

http://www.hulu.com/