THE BIG SHORT is a film that answers several questions about the financial crisis that took place during 2007-2010. The director and cast are believable and do a fantastic job of showing various aspects of the problem. The presentation is unique: the story is a drama with some quirky comedy included.
The crisis was incredibly unfortunate and affected so many hard-working people. Individuals were laid off jobs, lost retirement savings, and abandoned homes they could no longer afford. Greed caused the situation and THE BIG SHORT makes that clear.
THE BIG SHORT is based on the book of the same title written by Michael Lewis. The movie is playing in theatres, winning awards, and receiving numerous nominations for more awards. To learn more about the film visit http://www.thebigshortmovie.com/.
MR. HOLMES is a wonderful film for Sherlock Holmes admirers. MR. HOLMES stars Ian McKellen. The story takes its audience into Holmes' private life and not just him being a sleuth. He masterfully solves a mystery, even when intending to shift into another phase of life.
This week I had the pleasure of attending a preview
screening for the movie WAR ROOM.The film is produced by Alex Kendrick and Stephen Kendrick.The Kendrick brothers are the creators of FIREPROOF,
COURAGEOUS, and FACING THE GIANTS.
Usually people see prayer as a last resort, but WAR ROOM
shows how having prayer as a daily part of one’s life can make a difference.Relationships with others can be more
positive and one can be at peace. In the movie a couple’s marriage relationship
is strained.Elizabeth, a real estate
agent, meets a new client, Miss Clara, who shows her how a “war room” and
battle plan for prayer can help her family.
WAR ROOM is an entertaining and inspirational film. To
learn more visit the official Web site at http://www.WarRoomTheMovie.com.The film will be in theatres on August 28th.
THE JUDGE is a beautiful movie (as in texture), because of
the phenomenal acting and writing. Robert Downey, Jr. plays a lawyer who
escapes to the big city because of the problems he had with his father while
growing up in a small town. His father, played by Robert Duvall, is the town’s
judge.
The lawyer returns home for a family matter, and while he is
there his father is accused of murder. The lawyer ends up providing legal
counsel for the judge, and that is when family secrets are unveiled. There are
other surprises in the movie by way of the well-written characters and the
actors who play them.
A MOST WANTED MAN is an excellent film based on the book by
John le Carre. It is a spy thriller full of suspense, starring Philip Seymour
Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Willem Dafoe, and Robin Wright.All the performances are exceptional. I was especially
impressed with McAdams’ portrayal of an attorney helping immigrants,
which Hoffman’s character refers to as “a social worker who helps terrorists.”
A MOST WANTED MAN is one of the best films I have seen in a
long time and is currently playing in theatres. For more information visit http://amostwantedmanmovie.com/.
I adapted the short story "Party Tonight!" from my book, Growing Pains - 10 short stories about growing up (http://www.tdaentertainment.com/growingpainsbook.htm). The short film is currently in post-production, which means it is being edited. The story is about 'Kim,' a conservative college freshman, who has a roommate named 'Teresa' who likes to party. The odd pairing makes the narrative comedic and dramatic.
I produced and directed "Party Tonight!" It stars Desiree Cruz as 'Kim' and Aryn Bigler as 'Teresa.' David Lundell appears as 'Joe' (Teresa's boyfriend).
The television series Bates
Motel is extraordinary. PSYCHO movie enthusiasts are drawn to the show
because it is a prequel to the film. For the series’ writers, exploring the
early life of Norman Bates must be a complex, but enjoyable task. As a writer,
I would dive into the opportunity of writing for this show (the writing staff
is all female with the exception of executive producer Carlton Cuse). The Norman
character is complicated, and his mother Norma Bates is equally interesting, as
she operates on various levels. They are both complex. This makes Bates Motel an adventure for viewers; no
one knows what to expect.
Anthony Perkins played Norman Bates in PSYCHO, and would
probably be satisfied with Freddie Highmore’s magnificent portrayal of the
character. Olivia Hussey played Norma Bates very well in PSYCHO IV: THE BEGINNING, and Vera
Farmiga takes the character’s insane antics even further in Bates Motel. Farmiga deserved her 2013 Emmy
Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and it would
not be surprising if she is nominated again.
Bates Motel takes
place in White Pine Bay, Oregon
as opposed to Fairvale, California in PSYCHO. This is an intelligent
change, as the idea of a coastal community makes it more likely that people
would visit the quaint town and need a place to stay. However, with the
storyline about the bypass being built, it is uncertain if Norma will have many
guests at the motel. This makes Norma extremely angry. Watching her go off on
the city council is amusing and frightening at the same time. She is one crazy
lady, and this is why Bates Motel
should be on television: viewers get to see Norman is nutty courtesy of his unbalanced
mother.
On the other hand, Norma’s eldest son Dylan, played favorably
by Max Thieriot, seems more balanced. However, being a part of such an insane
family must affect him in some ungainly way. The writers know this and viewers
have seen Dylan in situations that support this notion.
The town of White
Pine Bay is home for several peculiar residents,
including the obscure sheriff, played by Nestor Carbonell. Overall, the writers
have created engaging characters and storylines. Hopefully Bates Motel will be on television for a long time and sufficiently
reveal the irregular lives of Norman Bates and Norma Bates.
The movie BLACK NATIVITY is a great story about family and
forgiveness. Screenwriter and director Kasi Lemmons adapted the Langston Hughes
play for the screen.
BLACK NATIVITY is a musical drama starring Forest Whitaker,
Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, Tyrese Gibson, Jacob Latimore (impressive performance),
Mary J. Blige, Nas, and Vondie Curtis-Hall. Since the movie is based on a play,
when leaving the theatre after the screening one feels like he or she has just
attended a stage play presentation. That is a good feeling. Because the actors are all good singers, the
film provides a musical theatre experience.
THE BIBLE miniseries currently on the History Channel is an
excellent adaptation of the Bible. In the past filmmakers have focused on one
book of the Bible. But executive producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett have
endeavored to adapt the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
THE BIBLE shows all the drama, conflict, romance, and
redemption of the Bible in its proper time period. However, it is filmed for a
present day audience. For example, the special effects for the parting of the Red Sea could not have been filmed as magnificently as it
was if this miniseries had been produced before the technology used to
create it.
Watching THE BIBLE miniseries is similar to reading the book,
THE STORY. THE STORY is the Bible as one continuing story of God and His
people. THE STORY is written in the New International Version (NIV), condensed
into 31 chapters, so it can be read like a novel.
The DirecTV Audience Network series, Damages, ended this week. It was certainly an amazing program! The storylines were consistently intriguing and unique. The actors were always superb. Excellent casting and writing made Damages very enjoyable to watch.
Glenn Close is nominated for an Emmy–Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series. It is her fourth Emmy nomination for her portrayal of ‘Patty Hewes’ on Damages. She truly deserves the award (it would be her third Emmy for the role).
THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL is a movie about British retirees who move to India. The story shows how uncertain life is and the importance of just living.
THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL has a talented cast: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Tom Wilkinson, and Maggie Smith. All of the actors know how to present a story well.
On Saturday, May 12th I will be participating in The Auburn Friends of the Library event, Gold Country Authors Faire, from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m at 350 Nevada Street in Auburn, California. I will sell and sign my book, Growing Pains - 10 short stories about growing up.
MAYOR CUPCAKE is a fun movie. Lea Thompson is wonderful as ‘Mary Maroni,’ a cupcake baker who lives in Bridgeville, Delaware with her husband ‘Donald’ (played by Judd Nelson) and their three daughters. Unknowingly, ‘Mary’ is nominated for mayor of Bridgeville and wins the election, beating out a four-term mayor and another male opponent. She is unenthusiastic about the job, but swiftly makes the best of it and does very well with help from her friend ‘Albert’ (played by Dorian Harewood). She even takes pride in her duties since she was born and raised in Bridgeville and loves the town. However, there is conflict because some do not want her being their mayor. It is comical watching them try to thwart her.
Bridgeville has unique residents. One man makes it his chore to let drivers know to slow down since the police write a lot of speeding tickets, and another man owns an antique store but does not want to part with any merchandise. These and other characters are what make MAYOR CUPCAKE fun. Stories like this are good for the whole family to watch.
RED TAILS is an outstanding film about American heroes: the Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen are a group of African American pilots who fought in World War II. In the movie, as in real life, there is resistance to having them participate in the war, but after the gentlemen display their excellent skills they earn respect.
The cast of RED TAILS is very good. In addition to the exciting combat scenes, the characters’ personal lives are shown. The actors’ great performances make all the scenes fascinating. In the following interview Terrence Howard discusses his role, the special effects used, and the historical significance of RED TAILS: http://video.pbs.org/video/2189885982.
“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;”
(Jaques, II. vii. 139-140, from As You Like It by William Shakespeare)
The new film ANONYMOUS may define the quote above. The story suggests that William Shakespeare is not the author of his plays, sonnets, or poems. Instead Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford (played by Rhys Ifans) is the true scribe.
Since being a writer embarrasses the family, de Vere chooses someone to name as an originator of his work. Initially he selects writer Ben Jonson (played by Sebastian Armesto), but Jonson has too much integrity to participate in such an exercise. Jonson expresses this to his actor friend, William Shakespeare (played by Rafe Spall), who publicly clings to the idea of being a clever playwright. As a result, de Vere’s only option is to write that each work is penned by “William Shakespeare.” This is the plot of ANONYMOUS.
In the film Shakespeare is referred to as an illiterate. One character even says he cannot spell. On the contrary, the real William Shakespeare is known as brilliant and one of the best writers of all time. As someone who has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with an emphasis in literature and teaches the subject, Shakespeare is esteemed as the genuine author of his works. However, one can read miles of research on the subject in books and on the Internet to develop a foothold on the matter.
ANONYMOUS is excellent filmmaking. The story, a political thriller, is very fast paced in the beginning with short scenes, and as the tale unfolds the scenes become longer. The film has superior direction, acting, cinematography, and costumes. It also includes an intriguing storyline about the succession of Queen Elizabeth I and the Essex Rebellion against her.
Each weekday I look forward to reading Film News Briefs (http://filmnewsbriefs.com/). As stated on the Web site, the reason for reading the daily newsletter is "To Stay in the Know." Anyone interested in the film industry will appreciate the project announcements and updates, acquisition and film festival information, business news, etc.
Film News Briefs was started in 2007 as a daily executive memo for a movie mogul, detailing the day’s most important entertainment, media and technology news. Since the newsletter’s debut, the subscriber list has grown exponentially and continues to be a ‘must read’ for influential industry insiders from film studios, top agencies, management firms and filmmakers. FilmNewsBriefs.com re-launched in September 2009 with new re-design and functionality, becoming the destination for cutting edge entertainment, media and technology news.
The movie THE WAY is an inspirational story about individuals who walk El Camino de Santiago in Spain. Emilio Estevez has written, produced, and directed a simple story with a profound plot. Martin Sheen gives an exquisite performance.
Anyone who has lost someone close to him or her, and especially parents certainly understand Sheens’ character’s motivation for taking the trek. One may assume that for each of the characters’, the adventure is a spiritual journey, even though they give other reasons. For the most part, the characters are authentic. When referring to his life one character says, “I’m not sorry. It’s the life I chose.” Instead of being regretful and complaining about his past, he is honest and realistic.
It seems like more movies should be like THE WAY. The story is refreshing. This film is why I appreciate independent moviemaking.
THE WAY is in theatres now. For more information visit the official Web site at http://theway-themovie.com/.
Paramount invited me to a screening of FOOTLOOSE. At first I was apprehensive about seeing the movie because I enjoyed the original. To my surprise, this new film is awesome! I had so much fun watching it. From the beginning I was entertained because the actors enthusiastically dance.
For those of us who have seen the 1984 film the story is familiar, but there is originality, and even modern updates with the music. Songs from the 1984 movie have been redone. My favorite FOOTLOOSE song has always been “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” by Deniece Williams. I am so happy her version is in this film. However, this song has also been updated. The very talented Jana Kramer provides an excellent rendition that also plays in the movie. Thanks to Jana, “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” is still my favorite FOOTLOOSE song.
In addition, the film has a great cast: the acting and dancing are very good. Kenny Wormald’s (‘Ren’) performance is entertaining, along with Julianne Hough (‘Ariel’), and Miles Teller (‘Willard’). Thanks to Miles, ‘Willard’ is my favorite character. The movie also stars Dennis Quaid and Andie MacDowell. Overall, this film has a diverse cast.
This past weekend I visited Old Sacramento (http://oldsacramento.com/), rediscovering what a wonderful place it is and why people travel from all over the world to see it. The theme was “Gold Rush Days.” People walked around in period dress, soldiers rode on horseback, historical re-enactments took place, and bombs went off.
First, I toured the California State Railroad Museum (http://www.csrmf.org/), which is always a pleasure, because the exhibits are fun and informational. One exhibit featured films that involve trains titled, Rails and Reels: Hollywood, Trains and the Making of Motion Pictures.
Second, I stopped by the Sacramento History Museum (http://www.historicoldsac.org/shm.asp) where there is an entire room dedicated to educating visitors about Susan B. Anthony and her campaign for women to vote in government elections. I also observed several other interesting exhibits displaying the history of Oak Park (a Sacramento community) and gold mining.
Lastly, I ate lunch at Fanny Ann’s Saloon, made a candy purchase at a taffy store, and strolled along the Sacramento River. I appreciated all of the upgrades and renovations the city has made to this area. It was relaxing being able to stop, sit, and watch boats go by while enjoying a peaceful atmosphere.
