Helen Mirren is wonderful and brings Queen Elizabeth to life (yes, she is alive, but rarely heard from and never seen in the context of her private life) in "The Queen". I cannot rave about the film as many have, but I did enjoy it and found it a worthwhile film to view. The script was excellent and interesting. Viewers get inside Buckingham Palace, go on holiday with the Royals and get another chance to remember Princess Diana as her death and its impact on the Queen is explored.
Tony Blair is interesting as well, especially given his evolution since election.
Definitely check this one out before the Oscars if you're into catching all of the nominated films or on DVD for sure once it is released. A friend of mine described the movie very well and simply when she said for her it was like the best TV movie of the week that she's ever seen. It is a big screen film of course, but still, that was a great descriptor.
Bow for Her Majesty. She deserves it.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
MS Walk Time Again
I just registered for the 2007 MS Walk. This will be my 6th year participating in the San Diego MS Walk after having been diagnosed in late 2000. I am again captain of Team Proflowers and am proud to again be part of the event!
Please join the team and walk with us if you can, or, please donate to this cause by going to this URL:
http://www.mswalk.com/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=210718&u=210718-3635438
Even $5 will help and any more you can give will be even better. This is my first fundraising push for this year before the team really gets going.
Please join the team and walk with us if you can, or, please donate to this cause by going to this URL:
http://www.mswalk.com/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=210718&u=210718-3635438
Even $5 will help and any more you can give will be even better. This is my first fundraising push for this year before the team really gets going.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Shout Out: NBC Thursday
Thursdays have typically been my favorite night of the week for television (Must See TV back in the day). For a while it was a little iffy but I'm back on board with NBC's full line-up. Here's why I loved television tonight:
My Name is Earl: John Waters' guest spot. Very cool and still creepy. :) His weird lifestyle funerals were great. I'm afraid that mine would be much like the guy's at the end. I'd be posed to sit on the couch with my laptop in my lap, watching tv and writing in my blog!
The Office: Dwight and Angela are the new power couple and doing a good job keeping it under wraps for the most part. Good team. Ed Helms is annoying the hell out of me but at least "Jam" got a chance to team up for a prank again because of him. I feel bad for the new girl but they are Jim and Pam are meant to be...eventually...hopefully. It's TV, so it has to work out. Otherwise it might as well be real life.
Scrubs: The Musical: I loved the singing! The fact that they worked "Drop the kids off at the pool" into the song "Everything Comes Down to Poo" was great. "Guy Love" was super cute and usually J.D. is my guy but Turk had me this episode. This episode could have been annoying or lame but they really pulled it off.
30 Rock: Alec Baldwin is awesome (and a Golden Globe winner!). Here is my favorite line from his character tonight: "I'm gonna be your bottom Kenneth, and you're gonna ride me as hard as you can." Fun episode. Brian Williams' dressing room was great, every time. Good for Liz getting a date with "The Hair" although of course something had to go wrong. Kissin' cousins...gross. :)
Tune in next week...you'll burn calories laughing.
My Name is Earl: John Waters' guest spot. Very cool and still creepy. :) His weird lifestyle funerals were great. I'm afraid that mine would be much like the guy's at the end. I'd be posed to sit on the couch with my laptop in my lap, watching tv and writing in my blog!
The Office: Dwight and Angela are the new power couple and doing a good job keeping it under wraps for the most part. Good team. Ed Helms is annoying the hell out of me but at least "Jam" got a chance to team up for a prank again because of him. I feel bad for the new girl but they are Jim and Pam are meant to be...eventually...hopefully. It's TV, so it has to work out. Otherwise it might as well be real life.
Scrubs: The Musical: I loved the singing! The fact that they worked "Drop the kids off at the pool" into the song "Everything Comes Down to Poo" was great. "Guy Love" was super cute and usually J.D. is my guy but Turk had me this episode. This episode could have been annoying or lame but they really pulled it off.
30 Rock: Alec Baldwin is awesome (and a Golden Globe winner!). Here is my favorite line from his character tonight: "I'm gonna be your bottom Kenneth, and you're gonna ride me as hard as you can." Fun episode. Brian Williams' dressing room was great, every time. Good for Liz getting a date with "The Hair" although of course something had to go wrong. Kissin' cousins...gross. :)
Tune in next week...you'll burn calories laughing.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Golden Globes Review
No surprise, I of course sat before the television from start to finish for tonight's Golden Globe awards.
A list of winners can be found here. I won't comment on all of the awards but here are those that gave me something to talk about.
Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls: This is truly amazing. She was great on American Idol when she was kicked off too soon. This shows that greatness is meant for some, no matter what the defeat early on.
Hugh Laurie, House: "I am speechless. I am literally without a speech." Before I say anything else, it is so fun to hear Laurie in his British accent! I wonder how many people are surprised he's British actually. I'm sure some people were at home saying, "What? Dr. House isn't from here?" Anyway, I fell for House a little later than some but I think it is a wonderful show and Laurie is totally ruthless as Dr. Gregory House. Cheers!
Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada: "I think I've worked with everyone in the room." Meryl made the movie as good as it was. She was ice cold and relentless and in the only part of the film that allowed her to appear vulnerable, she let go just enough as only she could. Brilliant! That's all...
Bill Nighy, Gideon's Daughter: I added this film to my Netflix queue as soon as Emily Blunt was announced (also in The Devil Wears Prada) and though I haven't seen it, I have seen Nighy's work elsewhere and can't wait for this one.
Jeremy Irons and Helen Mirren (2), Elizabeth I: Another that I haven't seen but can't wait to see. Mirren looked extraordinary and with her and Irons in a film, there could have been little question it would be special. Mirren also won for The Queen. Bravo!
Peter Morgan, The Queen: I mention him because his speech is something that, if it is available on YouTube, is worth hearing. Unfortunately he paid attention to the producers when they told him to wrap it up and he was cut short but he made the first political statement of the night and it was well said.
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock: Anyone could have gotten the award in this category and it would have been well-deserved but I am thrilled that it was Alec Baldwin. He has really devised a 2nd career with comedy and it is a joy to see him each week. His speech was lovely and appreciative and be sure to tune in!
Clint Eastwood, Letters from Iwo Jima: It is fascinating to me that Best Foreign Film went to an American director and also that 2 American directors were nominated for creating foreign language films. Haven't seen it but better believe it's on my list of things to do. Shame on the producers of the show for denying anyone but Eastwood the chance to speak.
Ugly Betty: America Ferrara and cast were honored, her individually and also for Best Comedy. Many Congratulations to them. Check it out online, full episodes are available. You may remember America from Real Women Have Curves, a film that similar to this show, made women who did not know they were beautiful understand that they are indeed.
Warren Beatty: This year's recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award is a favorite of mine. I met him once, at Dodgers Stadium and was to taken aback that all I could say was, "Bulworth was cool," with a stutter. To that he replied, "Thank you."
Martin Scorcese, The Departed: Just to hear him and see him, the man who looks like a caricature, it was great that he won. I still think this was one of the best film of the year and if you haven't seen it, do that sometime soon. Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, etc...
Sacha Baron Cohen, Borat: Certainly the most entertaining speech of the night and an unnecessary reminder of one of the nastiest and hilarious "sex" scenes ever filmed! Borat!
Disappointments:
Jack Nicholson: I didn't think he'd win but really wanted him to take one home for The Departed. His presence up front and the frequent mention of him was fun as always.
Jamie Foxx: His presentation of "Dreamgirls" was lame and obnoxious. Love him if you like but I just can't.
L.A. Traffic: Prince missed his award acceptance because he was stuck in traffic. Traffic in L.A. is a bitch for sure. Hugh Grant was cool and had him take a bow once he was there though.
Babel: I still don't get what the big deal is about this movie. I thought it was better than OK, but not the best. Not this year.
DiCaprio: Another time.
"Governor" Schwarzenegger: Please. Is there nothing else going on in our state?
A list of winners can be found here. I won't comment on all of the awards but here are those that gave me something to talk about.
Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls: This is truly amazing. She was great on American Idol when she was kicked off too soon. This shows that greatness is meant for some, no matter what the defeat early on.
Hugh Laurie, House: "I am speechless. I am literally without a speech." Before I say anything else, it is so fun to hear Laurie in his British accent! I wonder how many people are surprised he's British actually. I'm sure some people were at home saying, "What? Dr. House isn't from here?" Anyway, I fell for House a little later than some but I think it is a wonderful show and Laurie is totally ruthless as Dr. Gregory House. Cheers!
Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada: "I think I've worked with everyone in the room." Meryl made the movie as good as it was. She was ice cold and relentless and in the only part of the film that allowed her to appear vulnerable, she let go just enough as only she could. Brilliant! That's all...
Bill Nighy, Gideon's Daughter: I added this film to my Netflix queue as soon as Emily Blunt was announced (also in The Devil Wears Prada) and though I haven't seen it, I have seen Nighy's work elsewhere and can't wait for this one.
Jeremy Irons and Helen Mirren (2), Elizabeth I: Another that I haven't seen but can't wait to see. Mirren looked extraordinary and with her and Irons in a film, there could have been little question it would be special. Mirren also won for The Queen. Bravo!
Peter Morgan, The Queen: I mention him because his speech is something that, if it is available on YouTube, is worth hearing. Unfortunately he paid attention to the producers when they told him to wrap it up and he was cut short but he made the first political statement of the night and it was well said.
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock: Anyone could have gotten the award in this category and it would have been well-deserved but I am thrilled that it was Alec Baldwin. He has really devised a 2nd career with comedy and it is a joy to see him each week. His speech was lovely and appreciative and be sure to tune in!
Clint Eastwood, Letters from Iwo Jima: It is fascinating to me that Best Foreign Film went to an American director and also that 2 American directors were nominated for creating foreign language films. Haven't seen it but better believe it's on my list of things to do. Shame on the producers of the show for denying anyone but Eastwood the chance to speak.
Ugly Betty: America Ferrara and cast were honored, her individually and also for Best Comedy. Many Congratulations to them. Check it out online, full episodes are available. You may remember America from Real Women Have Curves, a film that similar to this show, made women who did not know they were beautiful understand that they are indeed.
Warren Beatty: This year's recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award is a favorite of mine. I met him once, at Dodgers Stadium and was to taken aback that all I could say was, "Bulworth was cool," with a stutter. To that he replied, "Thank you."
Martin Scorcese, The Departed: Just to hear him and see him, the man who looks like a caricature, it was great that he won. I still think this was one of the best film of the year and if you haven't seen it, do that sometime soon. Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, etc...
Sacha Baron Cohen, Borat: Certainly the most entertaining speech of the night and an unnecessary reminder of one of the nastiest and hilarious "sex" scenes ever filmed! Borat!
Disappointments:
Jack Nicholson: I didn't think he'd win but really wanted him to take one home for The Departed. His presence up front and the frequent mention of him was fun as always.
Jamie Foxx: His presentation of "Dreamgirls" was lame and obnoxious. Love him if you like but I just can't.
L.A. Traffic: Prince missed his award acceptance because he was stuck in traffic. Traffic in L.A. is a bitch for sure. Hugh Grant was cool and had him take a bow once he was there though.
Babel: I still don't get what the big deal is about this movie. I thought it was better than OK, but not the best. Not this year.
DiCaprio: Another time.
"Governor" Schwarzenegger: Please. Is there nothing else going on in our state?
Saturday, January 13, 2007
PSFF (Palm Springs Film Festival)
The Palm Springs Film Festival is currently the largest festival in the U.S. I did not realize this when I traveled to Palm Springs this week with my friend, but after attending, it was obvious why. We went to the festival not expecting much other than to see a couple of films but it turned out to be a great experience and we had the opportunity to see some films we really enjoyed.
The theater, The Camelot, is a great venue. All 3 of the films we saw were shown there so we didn't check out the other festival locations. It was a nice theater and there was a great bar upstairs that offered a nice view and a cozy place to hang out in between films. It was very low-key possibly because people didn't realize it was there.
We didn't get to see our first choices in some cases because films were selling out well in advance. That is a great sign for a festival and though we didn't get to see our first choices, we weren't shortchanged. Here are mini-reviews of the 3 films we did see:
East Side Story: Gay white men are moving into East L.A. and taking over. In the meantime, a Mexican family, native to the area, are struggling to keep their restaurant and family together as the youngest member of the family comes out as gay as well. It was a very funny film and gave an interesting look inside the young man's struggle to come out. This director has promise for sure.
The Line of Beauty: This was a remarkable BBC produced drama was adapted from a novel and looked at Nick Guest, a young gay man from a modest background who moves in with the family of a college friend whose father is a politician. The actress who played the daughter in the family was brilliant and lent to some of the most heartbreaking and joyous moments in the film. Elements that were dealt with included the beginning of the AIDS epidemic and its impact, drugs, infidelity, closeted romance and mental illness. The film was done as a 3-part mini-series and is recommended to those interested whenever available on DVD.
The Boss of It All: Director Lars von Trier's latests film lacks some of the obscurity and darkness of his previous works but still brings some of those qualities on which he has built his career. This is the story of an IT company which is run by the boss of it all, the President of the company whom no one has ever seen. In reality, the President of the company is Ravn, a spineless man who blames the boss of it all for unpopular decisions he makes. When he decides to sell the company, he hires an actor to play the boss because he needs someone to sign the deal and to blame. Other than being a fun, "The Office"-esque comedy, the special thing about this film was von Trier's shooting style which he has dubbed Automavision, employing the use of an automatic randomised camera. Definitely worth seeing.
The theater, The Camelot, is a great venue. All 3 of the films we saw were shown there so we didn't check out the other festival locations. It was a nice theater and there was a great bar upstairs that offered a nice view and a cozy place to hang out in between films. It was very low-key possibly because people didn't realize it was there.
We didn't get to see our first choices in some cases because films were selling out well in advance. That is a great sign for a festival and though we didn't get to see our first choices, we weren't shortchanged. Here are mini-reviews of the 3 films we did see:
East Side Story: Gay white men are moving into East L.A. and taking over. In the meantime, a Mexican family, native to the area, are struggling to keep their restaurant and family together as the youngest member of the family comes out as gay as well. It was a very funny film and gave an interesting look inside the young man's struggle to come out. This director has promise for sure.
The Line of Beauty: This was a remarkable BBC produced drama was adapted from a novel and looked at Nick Guest, a young gay man from a modest background who moves in with the family of a college friend whose father is a politician. The actress who played the daughter in the family was brilliant and lent to some of the most heartbreaking and joyous moments in the film. Elements that were dealt with included the beginning of the AIDS epidemic and its impact, drugs, infidelity, closeted romance and mental illness. The film was done as a 3-part mini-series and is recommended to those interested whenever available on DVD.
The Boss of It All: Director Lars von Trier's latests film lacks some of the obscurity and darkness of his previous works but still brings some of those qualities on which he has built his career. This is the story of an IT company which is run by the boss of it all, the President of the company whom no one has ever seen. In reality, the President of the company is Ravn, a spineless man who blames the boss of it all for unpopular decisions he makes. When he decides to sell the company, he hires an actor to play the boss because he needs someone to sign the deal and to blame. Other than being a fun, "The Office"-esque comedy, the special thing about this film was von Trier's shooting style which he has dubbed Automavision, employing the use of an automatic randomised camera. Definitely worth seeing.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Notes on a Scandal
Dame Judi Dench is fabulous. If I said nothing else, it would be unimportant because Notes on a Scandal , though it had an excellent script and is an intriguing story, would not have been the same without Dench in the lead role. She plays perfectly the psychotic spinster alongside adultress Cate Blanchette in this film that I highly recommend. It is worth the cost of going to the theater and if you don't see it there, is a definite must to rent. In the interest of preserving the story (the preview does not give away the movie entirely as occurs with some films), I will reserve from much talk of how it goes.
Dench's character Barbara provided wonderfully sinister and entertaining lines throughout as penned her thoughts in her journal. She said cruel things that rendered at least a snicker if not a full laugh from the audience. Blanchett was perfectly cast in her role as well. The young man she enjoys an affair with was much better than I anticipate from the preview. Lastly, it was a joy seeing Bill Nighy as Blanchett's older husband. He was great and in a particular scene exploded in anger and hurt beautifully recognizing his age and her trespass.
This is a smart thriller to be sure. Enjoy.
Dench's character Barbara provided wonderfully sinister and entertaining lines throughout as penned her thoughts in her journal. She said cruel things that rendered at least a snicker if not a full laugh from the audience. Blanchett was perfectly cast in her role as well. The young man she enjoys an affair with was much better than I anticipate from the preview. Lastly, it was a joy seeing Bill Nighy as Blanchett's older husband. He was great and in a particular scene exploded in anger and hurt beautifully recognizing his age and her trespass.
This is a smart thriller to be sure. Enjoy.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
What do you dream about?
This is a silly but very quick quiz on what nightmare type you are prone to. Pegged me pretty well:
| Nightmare Labyrinth I'm usually fighting to save another, but lose them and myself among the many turns, dead ends and identical doorways.
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| Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests. |
Friday, January 05, 2007
James Brown is Dead (but his wifey ain't stopped talking!)
So, I'm not going to make fun of James Brown and I'm actually going to reserve comment on his widow. I am however going to post for you, a YouTube clip you must check out. I'd say something more but just watch and you'll see why, 'Nuf said.
Palm Springs in the Winter
I'm going to go and check out the Palm Springs Int'l Film Festival one day next week. A cheap hotel room and a little time and I'm all set to check it out! I'm excited about seeing some festival films and just spending the day with a friend so I thought I'd share.
If there is any place I should check out while I'm there, let me know and I'll try to fit it in!
If there is any place I should check out while I'm there, let me know and I'll try to fit it in!
Packing@DunderMifflin.com
Do NOT read any further until you've seen The Office from this week (January 4). I don't want to ruin it for you.
I was physically uncomfortable the minute Michael told Packer he was going to email the picture of he and Jan to him. I didn't know who the email would go to but I figured it would have to be going to the entire company, at least eventually.
It is a great episode and was actually very well done because it went unexpectedly after the predictable moment when Michael revealed he and Jan were in Jamaica together. From Jan's reaction to Pam's broken heart, The Office was the place to be this week. Bravo, writers.
I was physically uncomfortable the minute Michael told Packer he was going to email the picture of he and Jan to him. I didn't know who the email would go to but I figured it would have to be going to the entire company, at least eventually.
It is a great episode and was actually very well done because it went unexpectedly after the predictable moment when Michael revealed he and Jan were in Jamaica together. From Jan's reaction to Pam's broken heart, The Office was the place to be this week. Bravo, writers.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Va a Volver
Volver is Spanish director (my favorite director) Pedro Almodovar's latest film and I am happy to report that it exceeded my expectations when I saw it this afternoon. Of course I did vow to lower my expectations after my disappointments with other films lately but even so, I had the bar set pretty high and I am happy to report that it was a great film and one I recommend to those who don't mind reading subtitles and can appreciate great acting and a great story even when they can't understand the language the actors are speaking.Volver explores death and the return of the dead in a darkly humorous way...my favorite way, by the way. I think this film is one that would most easily be consumed by American audiences in looking back on Almodovar's previous works, with "All About My Mother", one of his greatest accomplishments and then "Talk to Her" running 2nd and 3rd behind it. It was a less obscure film than his others and at times disturbing, at other times stunning, and most of all funny with the subtlety and darkness that few can accomplish.
Penelope Cruz leads a wonderful cast of Almodovar regulars (think Christopher Guest--there are certain people he always casts and for good reason) in the story of two women, Raimunda and Sole, whose mother passed away but returned from the dead. I would elaborate but it would ruin the movie. Raimunda's husband also experiences death and her daughter Paula is along for the ride as the subject is explored from several angles. The exploration of superstition and rebirth told in this way makes for an interesting film. It is actually really difficult to summarize though so I think I'll just end here and say it gets 4 stars or 2 thumbs up or whatever you'd like. I really need to come up with my own scale soon!
Volver = to return
Before I go, it was fun being at the movies on a weekday afternoon. I was in a theater where everyone else was about 60 or older except a group of girls who were clearly ditching work. This older guy of at least 70 started chatting with me in line and of course the first thing we talked about was the weather. He told me a great story about when he lived in Maine and the weather got down to 40 below. I love those random conversations that last the duration of a stay in line. That old guy, along with Almodovar, made my day.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Winter Break Films
I had a chance to catch two films last week, both of which left me slightly disappointed. There were both fine, just not what I expected and someone who goes in expecting less than I did (this review may help) might thoroughly enjoy the films.
The Good Shepard: I wanted to love this film because one of my Top 10 guys, Robert DeNiro directed and also appears in it. Alec Baldwin who I currently adore is also in it. The Angelina Jolie factor and Matt Damon's starring role also played into my expectation that this would be the film that made me re-rank my Top 2 for the year (Little Miss Sunshine and The Departed). It did not. I thought it was ok. I got confused which doesn't usually happen and didn't really feel much overall. I thought there were some interesting parts but overall, it wasn't great for me. Also, I hate to be fickle but the guy who played the son was a decent actor but was really hard for me to look at. I know this review lacks the detail of most but I don't have much to say.
The Pursuit of Happyness: I really wanted this to be an amazing film. I wanted to cry, a lot, and just be overwhelmed by it. Why? Because I could hardly watch the preview with out being choked up, and it is so cool to see Will Smith mature as an actor. Fresh Prince of Bel Air was a fun show but he really came into his own after that. Smith's son, Jaden, made his film debut and in addition to being a cute kid, he did an outstanding job. It was a good film and I did cry at the end but I thought it was slow. I think it is worth seeing but can wait to be viewed as a rental.
I am excited that Volver, Pedro Almodovar's latest is still in theaters. I plan to check that out, as well as The Queen, this week, though I am lowering my expectations ahead of time so as to not be disappointed again. If you have seen either of these films, comment and let me know what you think.
Happy New Year.
The Good Shepard: I wanted to love this film because one of my Top 10 guys, Robert DeNiro directed and also appears in it. Alec Baldwin who I currently adore is also in it. The Angelina Jolie factor and Matt Damon's starring role also played into my expectation that this would be the film that made me re-rank my Top 2 for the year (Little Miss Sunshine and The Departed). It did not. I thought it was ok. I got confused which doesn't usually happen and didn't really feel much overall. I thought there were some interesting parts but overall, it wasn't great for me. Also, I hate to be fickle but the guy who played the son was a decent actor but was really hard for me to look at. I know this review lacks the detail of most but I don't have much to say.
The Pursuit of Happyness: I really wanted this to be an amazing film. I wanted to cry, a lot, and just be overwhelmed by it. Why? Because I could hardly watch the preview with out being choked up, and it is so cool to see Will Smith mature as an actor. Fresh Prince of Bel Air was a fun show but he really came into his own after that. Smith's son, Jaden, made his film debut and in addition to being a cute kid, he did an outstanding job. It was a good film and I did cry at the end but I thought it was slow. I think it is worth seeing but can wait to be viewed as a rental.
I am excited that Volver, Pedro Almodovar's latest is still in theaters. I plan to check that out, as well as The Queen, this week, though I am lowering my expectations ahead of time so as to not be disappointed again. If you have seen either of these films, comment and let me know what you think.
Happy New Year.
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