My Netflix Queue

At Home

Happy Together: Two gay men in Argentina. Directed by Wong Kar-wai. Winner at Cannes. Sounds so cool, right. Well I've had it for almost 2 weeks now, and I only saw the first 3 minutes. Go figure.

Tell No One : I got this because of the reviews. And it was worth it. Although glad I waited for the DVD. Taut and tense thriller about a man suspected of his wife's murder, who might not be dead after all. And not as "French" as it could've been. Excellent performances all around.

Just returned

Jarhead : Surprisingly better than I expected. Of course all the chiseled shirtless men didn't hurt. But the movie itself looked fantastic, with eerie beautiful hued desert images. Fantastic performance by Peter Sarsgaard, why isn't he a bigger star?

Still in Queue

Milk: My choice for best film of 2008. want to see it again and see if there is any interesting commentary.

The Secret Life of Bees: Curious since it has a couple of thesps I like, J-Hud and Latifah. But it's been on "long wait" on my queue since its release. What's up Netflix.

Doubt: Deserves a second look on DVD. And I hear the commentary from director John Patrick Shanley is not to be missed.

Another Good "Grey"

What's behind the recent resurgence of "Grey's Anatomy"? For the third straight week, we got a fantastic episode.

Is there a more engaging realistic and fascinating love story on TV other than Cristina and Hunt? I'd have to go back to Cristina and Burke. From the shocking opening scene to the moving scene by the shaft where Cristina showed us again how tough and strong she can be to the sex and final tender moment, it was a full fledged love affair in less than an hour. Wow!

The story of the dying old lady had the best line "they are my people and people keep you going". I admit I teared up a little. Everyone needs people who love them around.

I was even not that annoyed with Mer/Der. Despite the cheesy elevator proposal I was happy for them. And Mer showed us how she matured by refusing to "make it all better" for Der before Izzie's operation.

As for Izzie and Karev, that story was good too. I loved that it was more about creating life than death. Mer forced them to think about keeping eggs and fertilizing them before it's too late. And then everyone rallied around her despite being scared and away at the beginning. Totally true to life.

I wish Grey's would lay off the schmaltzy music. Or as my friend Gary says "here's the music to tell me exactly how I should feel".

Another Trailer and this one's awesome

I don't usually watch kid movies - have yet to see Finding Nemo. But once in a while there's one that I can not resist - loved A Little Princess. I have a feeling I'm going to love Where the Wild Things Are. The trailer looks fantastic, plus it's directed by Spike Jonze. Mark your calendars; coming your way October 16.

Taking Woodstock Trailer Online

Anytime there's an Ang Lee film coming, it's a celebration for me. Love most of his movies. Which other contemporary director has the range to go from The Wedding Banquet to Sense and Sensibility to The Ice Storm to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to Brokeback Mountain. Just love his work.

So I was beaming with joy this morning when I found a link to the trailer for his latest, Taking Woodstock. Again it's a new territory for this artist, he never goes back to the same time and setting. This one takes place in the late 60s and is based on the memoirs of Eliot Tiber who played a major role in the huge cultural milestone that became Woodstock. Don't know yet if I loved what I saw. But I'm still excited and can't wait.

Perfect Casting?

Anne Hathaway is going to play Judy Garland in an adaptation of the biography "Get Happy". With those huge eyes, dark hair and singing ability plus a certain elfin quality, it sounds like perfect casting to me.

Does this mean Oscar? Definitely a nomination and a possible win unless the movie turns out to be another Immortal Beloved. Why does this scream Oscar? Well let's see:

- It's a biopic where Anne gets to play a real person. See Marion Cotilliard, Helen Mirren, Hilary Swank's first.

- It's produced by Harvey Weinstein. He helped previous best actress winners like Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet.

- Residual goodwill from Rachel's nomination and box office clout from Princess and Prada.

It's a slam dunk, y'all.

Monday Blues Antidote - First Edition

Every Monday I'll share photos of someone beautiful just because. We define the criteria as we move along.

Our first is Henry Cavill from The Tudors, which is coming back next month. Very handsome, British and apparently was considered for the lead in both Superman Returns and Batman Begins. I can see why. Maybe he'll have a bigger movie career soon.

Hot Paul!

I schlepped to Brooklyn last night to see Paul Newman in "The Long Hot Summer" at BAM. It was totally worth it, just to look at him. I'm not usually a fan of movies made before 1970s, and this one did not change my mind. Overacting, sometimes ridiculous dialogue and just overall being hopelessly dated. However Paul was great to look at. Who knew pecs existed in the 50S!!!

Look at the Little Diva!

Bossip posted this photo. That little guy is well on his way to becoming a full fledged diva. Check out the confidence in that pose. To repeat an atrocious and now past-it yet appropriate word: fierce.

Reasons for Optimism

Somebody actually has a site up because in this recession "real progress continues, beauty appears, brave new worlds are explored, and creativity flows". Hurrah to them. Check out these stories.

Why is Grey Gardens made for TV?

The trailer for the Drew Barrymore- Jessica Lang version of Grey Gardens is out online. And it looks great. There is obvious chemistry between the leads and they look like the real Edies. So why is this on TV? I know it's HBO and all but this could have been a theatrical release. Makes you wonder what happened to Drew's career.

Fighting

Low Resolution's Joe says this movie has "hot boy fighting". Which of course instantly pricked up my interest. After all Fight Club is my favourite movie of all time. Is this a pretender to the throne?

I think not. That movie remains a superior piece of art and a great story that hit the world at the perfect time. However this has a cutie too, Channing Tatum. He's no Brad or Ed but looks good in a wife beater. I have yet to fully see any of his performances, could not finish the boring Stop Loss. Maybe this will be my first movie with Channing? Then again I might just wait for the DVD.

Anyway it looks more interesting than glum full of themselves Roberts and Owen in Duplicity.

Is Damages the best show on TV?

It has got twists and turns at every corner. One of the strongest casts on TV (everyone except Rose Byre is fantastic). Well written ambiguous characters and the most fascinating lead character on TV now (yes more fascinating than Mad Men's Don Draper).

And season 2 central mystery is even more compelling than season 1's. Which is a tall order, since that season was compulsively watchable. So best show? Let's make a pro and con list :

Pro
1. Glenn Close and that cast.
2. The twists and turns and compelling storyline.
3. Even the smallest characters are well written.

Con
1. Rose Byre, kill her off please. Bland and unengaging.
2. Not as zeitgeist and moody as Mad Men or relatable yet out there as Big Love.

I think it comes close to being the best.

Grey's back to being good

Grey's Anatomy has been uneven at best and ridiculous at worst this season. But last night's episode was very good.

And not only because we finally found out what was wrong with Izzie, but because of how we found out.

Because of how Izzie taught her interns and came to deal with her cancer. Because of how and who she chose to tell. Because that person was Christina.

Because of how Karev became a good doctor.

Because Christina said to Hunt " It's going to take a lot more than a bad dream to scare me off".

Because Bailey told on the chief to his wife.

Because of the excellent sibling cancer story. Because of this quote "you don't leave the people you love alone".

As for Mer/Der...blah, blah, blah.

Happy Birthday Hulu!

Hulu celebrated its first anniversary today. I love Hulu. It's where I catch Damages, Nip/Tuck, 30 Rock, and most importantly my daily dose of Jon Stewart. For a few weeks this past fall my Saturday morning ritual included an hour on Hulu with Debra Messing in "The Starter Wife".

What would I do without Hulu? Like Gossip Girl's Eric Van Der Woodson said "Who watches TV on TV anymore? ".

Quick DVD Reviews

Here are some of the films I watched recently. I'm a netflix addict after all.

Body of Lies: Only interesting performance was Mark Strong's. Leo was serviceable, as for Crowe all I could think about was , look how fat he's become.

All the King's Men: This is a few years old. Rented it because it has a lot of actors I enjoy watching: Penn, Winslet, Jude Law, Mark Ruffalo, Patricia Clarkson. I was surprised by how boring and pedestrian it is. All these fantastic actors and nothing to show. Penn has a few bombastic speeches but that's it. Rent at your peril, only if you are a major fan of any of these actors and absolutely must watch all their oeuvre.

Wall-E: Not an animation fan but rented because of all the hype. Watched the first ywenty minutes or so. Not that interesting. Will go back and finish. Maybe.

Please say it isn't so

It looks like we will not be seeing Cate or Kate on screen this year. Kate has not signed up for any upcoming projects after her Oscar win. While Cate will star with Russell Crowe in Ridley Scott's Robin Hood, that movie is unlikely to be released before 2010.

Our only chance seems to be hearing Cate. She is doing voice over work in Fantastic Mr. Fox, Wes Anderson's animated adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel.

Could any other actress rise up and claim 2009 to be hers?

Photos of Jake released online today

OK these look very cheesy and definitely have a porn vibe. But I can't help but be a little intrigued. Not a fan of video game movies, but I think I'm looking forward to May 2010 to watch Prince of Persia. And it's all because of Jake's hairy chiseled chest.

Australia

Australia is 3 movies in one. It starts as a slapstick comedy, becomes an action adventure and ends as a war romance. Add to that a precocious kid, mystical magic and the plight of the "lost generation" of Australia and it is a hopscotch of many things, but not exactly a good movie.

That said it looks beautiful, well shot and designed. And Hugh Jackman is gorgeous, take your breath away gorgeous. Unfortunately Nicole Kidman does not fare as well. She's too manic and brittle to be an enchanting romantic heroine. And the supporting characters come in two stock types, hissing villians and angelic good people.

Rent it anyway but see it over 3 evenings.

A big year for Matt Damon?

It's been more than a decade since Damon won an Oscar for writing and was nominated for Best Actor. Since then he has become a bonafide action star as well as the "sexiest man alive". 2009 could be the year that finally brings back to the Academy's favor.

He has 3 films that will be released this year. In December he will star in Clint Eastwood's Untitled Mandela project with Morgan Freeman. He's playing South African Rugby player Francois Pienaar in a story about Mandela's campaign for South Africa to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Eastwood plus playing a real person means he will probably get nominated.

However I'm more intrigued by his reunion with Steven Soderbergh in The Informant. Playing another real life character, this time a corporate whistle blower, in what is possibly a taut thriller. Reminiscent of "The Insider" with echoes of its director's own "Erin Brockovich", this movie not only sounds interesting but could have for Damon the kind of role that the Academy just gobbles up.

His third film in 2009 is his reunion with Bourne director Paul Greengrass in Green Zone, based on the book " Imperial Life in the Emerald City". Although movies about the Iraq War have not fared well, if anyone can deliver one that audiences would want to see it's Greengrass.

3 movies, possibly 2 nominations = second Oscar. We'll have to wait and see.

Public Enemies aka my new obsession

The trailer is online. It rocks! It's awesome!

No words needed!

My most anticipated movie of the year!

Depp, Bale, Crudup, Cotillard, directed by Michael Mann ...I'm so excited! Can't wait for this movie. Coming Soon has the poster and link to new photos.

It is opening July 1. Will it be a factor in next years Oscars? Depp has been nominated 3 times, Mann 4 times (only once for Best Director). No wins for either yet. Cotillard is of course the Best Actress winner in 2007. Bale & Crudup still waiting for their first nomination. What do you think?

Rachel again in 2009?

Is Rachel Weisz about to have a really big year in 2009? She’s certainly working with two very interesting directors. Alejandro Amenbar in Agora where she plays the legendary astronomer Hypatia, in a story that takes place in ancient Alexandria. She’s also in Peter Jackson’s adaptation “The Lovely Bones”, as the mother. Double nominee, anyone?

The Bachelor surprise!

Finally an actual "most shocking rose ceremony". It was after the final rose though.
Jason proposes to Melissa, then breaks up with her on the show because he has feelings for Molly. Snap!
I was not a fan of Melissa. But totally understood her anger, she's entitled. She was not given a chance and she doesn't understand what happened. Of course not. I feel for you. Even Molly was dubious, what if he changes his mind again.