December 4th, 2009
Nominated earlier this week for two Film Independent Spirit Awards, “Zero Bridge” is the feature-film debut from director and screenwriter Tariq Tapa which is currently screening across the globe.
Jack Stevenson at Bright Light Film Journal uncovers the story of “Porno to the People –The Danish Revolution That Liberated America.”
Based on the book by Steve McVicker, “I Love You Phillip Morris” stars Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor as cell mates and soul mates. With a February 2010 release date, the film is the first directorial effort from “Cats & Dogs” and “Bad Santa” screenwriters Glenn Ficarra and John Requa.
One Film Wonder: Born in Nova Scotia, Harold Russell was a U.S. Army instructor at Camp MacKall in North Carolina when he lost both his hands from a TNT explosion in 1944. Afterwards, Russell appeared in an Army training film which was seen by director William Wyler, who cast the non-professional actor in “The Best Years of Our Lives” in the role of Homer Parrish. The 1946 film — which chronicled the adjustment of three American soldiers (including Frederic March and Dana Andrews) to post-war life upon their return to their Midwestern hometown — won 7 Oscars, including Best Picture. Russell earned the Best Actor in a Supporting Role accolade and also received an Honorary Oscar “for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans through his appearance in ‘The Best Years of Our Lives.’” He is still the only person to win two Oscars for the same performance. With a university business degree earned following his appearance in the film, Russell became immersed in advocating for veterans’ groups. After a 34-year gap, Russell appeared in his second film, 1980s “Inside Moves.” He had roles in two other films: 1990s “Payback” and 1997’s “Dogtown.” Russell died in 2002.
Posted in Beyond the Reel |
Tagged Bad Santa, Bright Lights Film Journal, Cats & Dogs, Dana Andrews, Dogtown, Ewan McGregor, Frederic March, Glenn Ficarra, Harold Russell, I Love You Phillip Morris, Inside Moves, Jack Stevenson, Jim Carrey, John Requa, One Film Wonder, Payback, Steve McVicker, Tariq Tapa, The Best Years of Our Lives, William Wyler, Zero Bridge |
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June 5th, 2009
Coming this December, a buff Robert Downey Jr. stars in the title role of Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes” with Jude Law tagging along as his long-suffering Watson.
In the current issue of Bright Lights Film Journal, Matthew Kennedy reviews Frankly, My Dear: “Gone with the Wind” Revisited by Molly Haskell while during this 70th anniversary year of the classic film David Denby evaluates the career of director Victor Fleming, The Real Rhett Butler.
Later this summer, Charlyne Yi and Michael Cera will appear in “Paper Heart,” a romance melding documentary and narrative styles. I’m going out on a limb here but I predict that at some point Cera will be flummoxed. To the point of awkward silence.
The always frank, no bullshit slinging David Cross talks about a wealth of topics, including the joy of not having to talk anymore about whether there’s going to be an “Arrested Development” movie.
One Film Wonder: In 1986, in a watershed moment for American independent cinema, Spike Lee released “She’s Gotta Have It.” The shoestring budgeted film with the thunderbolt cultural effect artfully followed three suitors, including Lee’s comic creation Mars Blackmon, as they formed simultaneous relationships with the enticing and untethered Brooklynite Nola Darling, played by Tracy Camilla Johns. She’s only found roles in four projects since, including a part as a “club patron” in Lee’s “Mo’ Better Blues.”
Posted in Beyond the Reel |
Tagged Arrested Development, Bright Lights Film Journal, Charlyne Yi, David Cross, David Denby, Frankly My Dear: "Gone with the Wind: Revisited, Guy Ritchie, Jude Law, Matthew Kennedy, Michael Cera, Mo' Better Blues, Molly Haskell, One Film Wonder, Paper Heart, Robert Downey Jr., She's Gotta Have It, Sherlock Holmes, Spike Lee, Tracy Camilla Johns, Victor Fleming |
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