by Sandy | Dec 19, 2009 | Actors, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Directors, Film, Movies
Don’t let the title fool you. This is not a Z list reality TV show.
“Dirty Pretty Things”, 2004 DVD, is a movie that explores how “invisibles” get over/get by in a hostile environment. Illegal immigrants often perform work that nobody else wants to do, but are not really seen. Jobs are done without creating attention or much notice being paid – which works well for those who live in a foreign country without “papers”.
Directed by Stephen Frears, the film, with the help of a great cast- Chiwetel Ejiofor, Audrey Tautou, and Sofie Okendo – tells a story of men and women so desperate to find a better life far away from their home, that poverty and humiliation is endured day after day. Everyone has at least 2 jobs if they’re lucky and manage without sleep. Their situations are precarious and they can be easily exploited. But, this is not a PBS documentary.
This film has humor, charm and suspense. The 2 likable lead characters, a Nigerian Taxi driver and a Turkish hotel maid, cleverly interrupt a black market scheme to harvest body parts for profit. I found myself rooting for them to get over/get by – so that all their trials and tribulations were worth it.
“Dirty Pretty Things” – I enjoyed the movie!
by Bob Martin | Dec 15, 2009 | Actors, Art, Creativity, Live Performance, Movies, Theater, Writers
This quote, attributed to Tennessee Williams is said differently in the 2008 film Transsiberian (“Kill off my demons and My angels might die too”) can be said about all of us. The heroine Jessie, played by Emily Mortimer who’s beauty is hidden by the innocent gangling lumber of her walk and a face that says there should be freckles here and a cow nearby. For all its plainess, the visuals are spectacular, there is a sense of nowhere and dread in this thriller. If you have ever traveled somewhere not knowing the customs or language you will revisit your fears of that time in watching this movies. Good fun.
Cate Blanchette in Streetcar Named Desire
Keeping in touch with Tennessee Williams and quoting him through Blanche DuBois “I don’t want realism. I want magic!” Yes, yes, magic. I try to give that to people. I do misrepresent things. I don’t tell truths. I tell what ought to be truth.” Magic is where the Poetry is. The truth is never as much fun. Cate Blanchett who is starring in Liv Ullmann‘s “Streetcar Named Desire” is a magical actor and perfect fit for what I hear is a transformational point of view for this Tennessee Williams play.
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by Sandy | Dec 8, 2009 | Actors, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, dvd, Film, Movies
Directed by Sam Mendes, “Road to Perdition”, 2002, is based on the novel “Perdition” by Max Allan Collins. This excellent movie takes place in violent, 1930’s Chicago– “man on the run” story turns into a father & son bonding adventure- full of anger, blood, and revenge, but also humor and sweetness. There is the discovery that a son can be the mirror of his father, but still choose a different life path.
The actors are terrific, especially Tom Hanks as the father who mastered the art of being a “hitman” at an early age and Tyler Hoechlin as his son. Paul Newman is wonderful as the organized crime boss, outward paternal goodness covering a ruthless core. The beautiful Jude Law has an ugly and deadly role as a crime scene photographer with a sideline. Daniel Craig, before he became “007”, is easy to hate as the weasel that starts all the mess in motion.
A beautiful looking film, the cinematographer was Conrad Hall, full of shadows and weather- scenes shot in rain and snow, and then changes to beach and sun as the drama itself starts to clear.
“Road to Perdition” – outstanding!
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by Bob Martin | Oct 13, 2009 | Actors, Art, Creativity, Live Performance
Baghdad’s theater re-opens with a night time performance of “To enjoy the sweetness you must taste the bitterness” a play directed
Photo: AFP
and performed by Iraqis. The impact of war or any kind of violence is devastating to any community regardless of its size. What may go unnoticed amongst all the destruction is the difficulties in creating, sharing and viewing of art. Being unable to renew ourselves with what art brings to our “souls” and “culture” is a great loss, but some how people are able to overcome. The title of the play is ironic and true, but was it really necessary to have to swallow so much bitterness?
** Post header – Oil painting by Wasima Al-Agha **
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by Bob Martin | Sep 23, 2009 | Actors, Art, Artist, Creativity, Culture
Just a quarter of a century ago, in the neighborhoods you were told to stay clear of , the theory was that the new “Cosby Show” was not reality. The show was funny, responsible and smart, but some people thought it was a fairy tale.
The Huxtables
The focus on this one fictional Black Family mirrored the lives of many Africans American families whose existence had been overlooked by the general media as well as those who needed and deserved a different kind of role model.
How important is the media!
Last year when then candidate Obama was running for the Presidency it was said (often) that people where now open to this possibility having seen movies and a TV show with an African in American as commander and chief.
The Cosby show first aired at a time when MTV, a breeding ground exclusively for white recording artists, was under pressure to include more colorful acts. At that time, the thought of an African American quarterback leading a team to a Superbowl win was seen as a bigger fantasy then a Black doctor with a stable home life.
I don’t think there is a show on the air now that represents the promise of the kind of change in cultural understanding that the Cosby Show offered. Maybe there is one, but I’ve not seen it yet.
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by Sandy | Aug 17, 2009 | Actors, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Film, Movies
A special box set of 17 DVDs/13 films, along with an illustrated coffee-table book, will be released this September as a celebration of this actors work.
Some of the films included:
The Long, Hot Summer (1958), From the Terrace (1960), Exodus (1960), The Hustler (1961), Hombre (1967), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), Quintet (1979), The Verdict (1982
(Some of my favorites are not included in this tribute, but all are available on DVD: The Sting, The Hustler, Road to Perdition, Hud)
Paul Newman passed away in September, 2008 at age 83. A good actor and humanitarian, he had a long, full and varied life – he entertained us and he contributed to us.
“Paul Newman: The Tribute Collection” to be released 9/22/09
