Grace Kelly: TCM November Star of the Month

Hi everyone! I know it's late in the game, but just wanted to let you know my favorite actress, Grace Kelly, is *finally* a Turner Classic Movies Star of the Month. This also marks her would-be 80th Birthday. Her films will be featured on Thursday evenings. For more information see the website. Also, here's a cool video of her acting career with commentary from her son, Prince Albert II of Monaco. Cool stuff!

A Serious Man (2009)

Read and comment here. Enjoy!

Nine the Musical movie update (part 39)

Finally! Someone who has sense and sees Nine like I do! See, read, love here.

By the way, saw about 30 seconds of Dancing With the Stars last night - the Nine feature. (Shakes head) Ghosts of things to come...

Nine the Musical movie update (part 38)

A few things roll your eyes about...

One - The official website is up and running in its polished "coolness," which has been approved by the money-making producers that created this mess. Heard on the website is Fergie's rendition of "Be Italian." It's not bad to be honest, but they left out a lot of the energy from the Broadway version(s) making it overall a letdown since it's such a fantastic number in the musical. Visit the downer here.

Two - They're promoting this b**** like the world's going to end tomorrow. It all starts tomorrow night with this HUGE promo on Dancing With the Stars - another reason why this movie is a sell-out.

Three - The cast will be on Oprah. This confirms Nine's selling out.

Four - Hollywood trailer #2.

Standard Operating Procedure (2008)

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Directed by: Errol Morris
Rated: R

Synopsis: A candid look at U.S. military police talking about the practice of "standard operating procedures" to suspected terrorists at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

Review: Given that I've seen documentaries that are obviously skewed or have a hidden agenda, this documentary is pretty much in the middle and just tells it like it is. Reminiscent to The Fog of War, Morris knows how to accentuate his films with great music (this time with Danny Elfman). I don't want to give a whole lot away, but it is an interesting film and recommend it to anyone (over 17 or 18) with interest. I do not recommend this for people sensitive to depictions of violence.

Grade: B

L'iceberg (2005)

Directed by: Dominique Abel and Fiona Gordon
Not Rated
French with English subtitles

Starring: Lucy Tulugarjuk (Nattikuttuk), Fiona Gordon (Fiona), Dominique Abel (Julien), Philippe Martz (René le marin)

Synopsis: Fiona is a fast-food owner in the French version of suburbia gets locked inside work resulting in her running away. There she meets René, a deaf-mute fisherman who accompanies her on a journey at sea. Fiona's husband, Julien, tracks her down creating a love triangle.

Review: Even though this movie is sweet and fresh, it reminds me of an Ikea advertisement due to the unusual, simplistic sets. There isn't a lot of dialogue said, but there is very unique, how you say, choreography in the film. Take for instance Fiona's sleeping positions or the way she walks around the boat. It's a short feature film (about an hour and 20 minutes), but worth a look if you would like to see something odd. It wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but interesting to watch.

Verdict: C+

Raise the Red Lantern (1991)

Directed by: Yimou Zhang
Rated: PG
Mandarin with English subtitles

Starring: Li Gong (Songlian), Saifei He (Meishan (Third Wife)), Cuifen Cao (Zhuoyan (Second Wife)), Jingwu Ma (The Master), Qi Zhao (Housekeeper), Lin Kong (Yan'er), Shuyuan Jin (Yuru (First Wife))

Synopsis: After the death of her father, Songlian is forced to leave college and become a concubine to the wealthy Chen family. Being the fourth wife to Master Chen, she discovers that he chooses who to spend the night with by lighting red lantern in her wing followed by getting royal treatment from the servants. This creates serious competition between the mistresses leading to bitter jealousy.

Review: There are two elements that I was most intrigued with - Master Chen and color. Even though Master Chen is the reason why all of these women are here, you never see him up close. If he was seen in bed, he would be either off camera or behind a heavy veil over the bed. I found this to be most interesting because he's the center of affection and attention for these women! This also brings up the point of how intoxicating these women are especially when it comes to competing for his affections. The second element is the use of color. The red lanterns blaze this glorious fire engine red that make you blink twice due to the vivaciousness. Also, the midnight blue after dusk against the red is equally compelling.

I would not recommend Red Lantern if you like fast-paced films. Even though it takes a while for it to pick up, this is a beautiful movie and recommend it if you want to see an interesting take on battle of the sexes and early 20th Century Chinese culture.

Verdict: B-
I dedicate this blog to Kathryn even though I saw this movie months ago. :-)

Incendiary (2008)

Directed by: Sharon Maguire
Rated R

Starring: Michelle Williams (Young Mother), Ewan McGregor (Jasper Black), Matthew Macfayden (Terrance Butcher)

Synopsis: A kept housewife begins an affair when her son and husband are absent. However, her world is torn when they are killed in a suicide bombing.

Review: Not know what this movie was about, this was a well-made character study about a woman who loses her family tragically. Williams and McGregor give brilliant performances, but what outshines more is the mastery of Williams's accent. It's frustrating to hear how "great" Paltrow's and Zellweger's accents are when they actually seem forced and theatrical. It's a great piece and worth a watch if you're in the mood for an emotional drama.

Verdict: B+

Nine the Musical movie update (part 37)

According to Variety, The release date is now December 18th as opposed to November 26th in a limited release. It will open everywhere Christmas Day. Boo-hoo.

You can use the new Vogue magazine cover with the Nine ladies on it to wipe your nose, or wipe of vomit.

District 9 (2009)

Read and comment here. Enjoy!