A new documentary

Love, Etc. is a new documentary that follows five couples for one year in New York City: old, young, gay, straight, falling in love, getting married, having babies, breaking up. The film showed the complexities of romantic love--not just the happy stuff of Disney movies. I watched it this week and adored it. It was funny, heartbreaking and beautiful. Here's the trailer...

What do you think, my darlings? Would you want to see it? (Here are show times.)

P.S. 10 best documentaries.

(Via Glamour)

Two summer movies

This morning, I came across two amazing summer movie trailers: Our Idiot Brother (August 26th) and...
50/50 (September 30th). Don't they look great? Will you see them? xo

P.S. I have a secret crush on Seth Rogan.

Just 'cause.

New York City traffic

A visual art student filmed a New York City intersection (Park Avenue and 28th Street), in an attempt to show "long-standing bad habits — such as pedestrians jaywalking, cyclists running red lights, and motorists plowing through crosswalks."

I've ridden my bike all over the city, but usually keep to the much quieter West Village. This video was jawdropping!
(Top photo of a Linus Bike)

Awesome People Hanging Out Together

Loving the new tumblr Awesome People Hanging Out Together. What a fun idea.

TRAILER: Deathly Hallows 2

Atlas Bugged

Furious about them there liberal critics, the producer of this year's biggest cinematic flop, Atlas Shrugged, says the movie's two planned sequels probably will not happen.

"Critics, you won," said John Aglialoro, the businessman who spent 18 years and more than $20 million of his own money to make, distribute and market "Atlas Shrugged: Part 1," which covers the first third of Rand's dystopian novel. "I’m having deep second thoughts on why I should do Part 2." "Atlas Shrugged" was the top-grossing limited release in its opening weekend, generating $1.7 million on 299 screens and earning a respectable $5,640 per screen. But the the box office dropped off 47% in the film's second week in release even as "Atlas Shrugged" expanded to 425 screens, and the movie seemed to hold little appeal for audiences beyond the core group of Rand fans to whom it was marketed.

Aglialoro says the cruelest review of all came from the New York Times, who never mentioned the film.

Julianne Moore As Sarah Palin

From the coming HBO movie about the 2008 campaign.

Game Change stars Moore as Palin, Ed Harris as John McCain, Woody Harrelson as Steve Schmidt, McCain’s senior campaign strategist; Ron Livingston as Mark Wallace, another top McCain advisor; and Melissa Farman as Dancing with the Stars contestant Bristol Palin.

Headline Of The Day

More third grader bait, courtesy of Boy Culture.

TRAILER: Question 1

In a new documentary about the battle to repeal same-sex marriage in Maine, Yes On 1 chairman Marc Mutty expresses regret for his role. The Portland Press Herald notes:

The six-minute excerpt, along with several other clips posted on the movie's Facebook page, offers front-row views of players on both sides of the hard-fought contest -- including a close-up of Jesse Connolly, campaign manager for No on 1/Protect Maine Equality, conceding with tears in his eyes that "at the end of the day, these people deserve to get married -- and I couldn't get it done for them." But it is Mutty, sitting atop a campaign almost identical to the 2008 effort that beat back same-sex marriage in California, whose on-camera disclosures could well steal the show. "This has been a (double expletive). This has been awful. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it," a clearly exhausted Mutty says midway through the trailer. At another point, he laments, "I fear I'll be remembered for the work I did on this campaign." He even goes so far as to plead "for forgiveness for the ways in which I might have betrayed my own self in this endeavor."

Mutty also acknowledges that his campaign's claim that "same-sex marriage will be taught in schools" was untrue.

(Tipped by JMG reader Seth)

China Bans Time Travel

TV Guide reports that China has banned the depiction of time travel on television and in movies because that "disrespects history."

In a statement on March 31, China's State Administration for Radio, Film & Television said that fictional time-traveling in programs "casually make up myths, have monstrous and weird plots, use absurd tactics, and even promote feudalism, superstition, fatalism and reincarnation." Time-traveling Chinese shows have been prevalent as of late, featuring protagonists going back to ancient times and writers taking liberties with events. "Producers and writers are treating serious history in a frivolous way, which should by no means be encouraged anymore," SARFT said.

Atlas Is Shrugging

Dick Armey's FreedomWorks ties in yesterday's movie opening with an attack on the president.

Our first date

Alex and I were reminiscing last night and realized that we went on our very first date exactly four years ago! I remember feeling giddy and nervous as I walked over to meet him at the Angelika Film Center. We saw The Lives of Others, the suspenseful German film about the East Berlin secret police. It was really intense and my heart was in my throat as we watched it.
Afterward, we took a cab over to Cafe Cluny, one of my favorite restaurants ever, and ordered steak and scallops, followed by two glasses of port, since it was one of Those Great Long Leisurely Dinners.
Then Alex walked me home, and, although I was usually a pretty slow mover (I'm a Michigan girl!), we kissed outside my apartment. The funny part? We were on Bleecker Street, so even late at night, crowds of people were passing by. Three drunk guys passed us and yelled, "Look at the lovers!" Romantic. :)

Another funny thing was, since we both really liked each other, we were searching for signs during the date that the other person was (or wasn't) into it. I got nervous when Alex offered me a bite of his steak, but then placed the piece of steak directly onto my plate; did he not want me to eat off his fork? And he later admitted that he thought the date was shot when I didn't lean on his armrest at the movie, but instead leaned toward the other side. So funny how nervous people can be when first dating!

Needless to say, it worked out, despite the armrest gaffe. And now he lets me eat off his fork:)

What about you guys? What did you do on your first dates with your main squeezes (or past boyfriends/girlfriends)? I'd love to hear...

Bill Cunningham documentary

Bill Cunningham is the street-style photographer for the New York Times. He's a hilarious, eccentric guy who rides his Schwinn bike around New York City (rain or shine) and captures fabulous people with his camera. Well, a documentary just came out about him. Here's the trailer. I can't wait to see it!

P.S. Movie times around the country, if you'd like to see it on the big screen.

(Film still by Richard Press)

God of Love

Yahoo!!! Our friend Luke Matheny's short film God of Love won an Oscar last night! (Well, he's actually a friend of a friend; but we've met him at parties:) I almost fell off the sofa when he got to go up on stage and accept his award.

God of Love is an amazing 18-minute comedy about a lounge-singing darts champ who receives a mysterious package of passion-inducing darts. Here's the trailer, below; you can download it (for $2!) on iTunes or watch it on the big screen at this New York theatre. Huge congratulations, Luke!

Love story, almost

Oh, this little video is really sweet. Go tell someone you love them!

(Thank you, Leigh)

Rides a bike

Loving this new Tumblr about celebs riding bikes. What fun! Now I'm itching to shovel my bike out from under the snow and go for a winter ride.

P.S. How cute were Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman together?
P.P.S. I love how Ringo always looks like he's twelve.

(Via Design is Mine)

Julian Ayrs Top 10 Flicks for 2010...The.Social Network, True Grit, Black Swan!

 



Now that the Oscar ballots have been mailed out to the voting academy, and choices are running swimmingly in the minds of the "show-biz" film wizards, I am inclined to publish my own picks for top ten best pics of the year.

In no particular order, they are as follows:

*The Social Network  
   Jesse Eisenberg (Lead actor)
   David Fincher (Director)
   Aaron Sorkin (Screenplay)

*The Black Swan  
   Natalie Portman (Lead actress)
   Darren Aronofsky (Director)
   Mark Heyman (Screenplay)
  
*Toy Story 3 
   Tim Allen (Lead Actor)
   Lee Unkrich (Director)
   Michael Arndt (Screenplay)
  
*127 Hours
   James Franco (Lead Actor)
   Danny Boye (Director)
   Simon Beaufoy (Screenplay)

*Tangled 
   Mandy Moore (Lead Actress)
   Nathan Greno & Byron Howard (Directors)
   Dan Fogelman (Screenplay)
 
*Made in Dagenham 
   Sally Hawkins (Lead Actress)
   Nigel Cole (Director)
   William Ivory (Screenplay)
 
*The Fighter 
   Mark Wahlberg (Lead Actor)
   David O. Russell (Director)
   Scott Silver & Paul Tamasy (Screenplay)
 
*The King's Speech
   Colin Firth (Lead Actor)
   Tom Hopper (Director)
   David Seidler (Screenplay)

*Somewhere 
   Stephen Dorff (Lead Actor)
   Sofia Coppola (Director)
   Sofia Coppola (Screenplay)

*True Grit
   Jeff Bridges (Lead Actor)
   Joel & Ethan Coen (Directors)
   Joel & Ethan Coen (Screenplay)

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James Franco in 127 Hours

The Stunt Man...Barbara Hershey, Richard Rush & Steve Railsback appear @ screening!

Although torrential rains poured down last night - and a truckload of puddle crashers swerved dangerously close to the curb spraying all-manner of creatures in sight (pedestrians in particular) - a posse of film buffs trotted over to the New Beverly Cinema to catch "The Stunt Man" starring Peter O'Toole.

Before the flick sprang to life on the silver screen, Director Richard Rush dashed up to the podium to enlighten the audience about the underlying theme about the film-within-a-film.

"Stunt Man has a complex structure," he underscored right off-the-bat.

"The theme is all about illusion and reality."

At this juncture, the well-respected auteur waxed poetically that people tended to view life through a keyhole of sorts.

"Because they can't see the whole picture, they tend to make things up as they go along, to make sense of things."

"If you don't understand something in the film tonight, just turn to the person next to you for clues. If they have no idea what is going on either," he chuckled loudly," then we're all in trouble."

I initially caught the flick in Vancouver (BC) when it was first released.

Thirty years later, the well-crafted celluloid offering has held up admirably.

In fact, "The Stunt Man" is a timeless piece of filmmaking that still resonates today.

In a nutshell, the intriguing tale focuses on a young man (ably played by Steve Railsback) on-the-run from the law, who stumbles on a film crew shooting a period piece on location in the countryside.

Suddenly, the hapless intruder is thrust into a make-believe world, that causes him to lose his footing (and sanity) momentarily.

According to the articulate director, the project was ten years in-the-making.

Initially, in spite of his success in the industry, the studios were inclined to reject the insider-look at the movie-making industry (with a big thrust on stunt men and the illusions they create on film at the drop of a hat).

When Rush approached the execs with the script, for instance, their immediate response was puzzling.

"Is it a comedy or is it a drama," they quizzed him stupidly.

The seasoned pro referred to the project as one that belonged to the "illusion reality" genre which ended up leaving them cold.

"Imagine, there is an assembly-line churning out Chevies. Then, a Cadillac comes along."

"They didn't know how to market the flick."

Rush noted that once stunt films like Hooper were released, he became hopeful that his pet project might get off the ground, because it had become a known commodity since it was first pitched.

However, when Rush took a second shot at promoting it to the studio suits, the response remained the same.

"What is it?"

Finally, one day when he was jetting across the country, an independent film producer made a financial commitment to finance the off-beat feature.

"There were so many occasions when I sat in the Polo Lounge and producers claimed to have the financing in the bag. But, it just wasn't so."

Even still - the heady offer he finally got a green-light for - took a couple of years to be signed, sealed, and delivered.

In response to a fan's query, Rush confided - that for the part of the "director" - Peter O'Toole was always his first choice.

But, Rush's lack of nerviness nearly screwed up the chance to land the celebrated actor.

"Through a friend, I met Peter at a quiet get-together. We chatted quite a bit, but I thought it was tacky to approach him about film work at a private party."

When O'Toole strode off into the other room, the visionary director beat himself up, for letting the opportunity slip through his fingers.

"You chicken shit," he inwardly cried out.

As luck would have it, O'Toole was having a conversation with another gent, who happened to mention that Richard Rush wrote and directed "Freebie & the Bean".

Apparently, O'Toole was a fan of the flick, so he trotted back out to Rush.

"I loved that film. I want to work with you."

Curiously, I was walking down the street one day years ago, when a stranger dashed up to me and gushed that I looked alot like Peter O'Toole.

Before I had the opportunity to utter up a response, the film buff was quick to butter me up.

"When O'Toole was young and glamorous."

During the "Lawrence of Arabia" phase of his career, I expect!

In the "Stunt Man", he's pretty dazzling, too.

Steve Railsback came to Rush's attention because he was a protege of Elia Kazan.

"I was cast for a part in 'The Visitors'," the actor piped up when the conversation turned in his diirection.

Rush pointed out that although Railsback had a masterful 'Manson' role under his belt, the film had not been cut at that juncture, so he did not have the opportunity to screen footage of the relative new-comer.

"I was impressed with the risks he took in the cold-reading. Right away, I knew Steve was right for the main character in 'The Stunt Man'."

Railsback, meanwhile, had nothing but rave reviews for O'Toole.

He revealed that in-between takes, he often huddled with O'Toole about the craft of acting.

The wide-eyed expressive thespian recalled that O'Toole summed up his acting skills this way:

"Art is choice."

For an actor, they both agreed, choices were what really mattered.

Railsback also confided that one fateful evening, O'Toole engaged in a sly little game with the wet-behind-the-ears actor, with the specific aim of testing his character.

"He tried to intimidate me to see if I could pass muster," he laughed in so many words.

Obviously, O'Toole was impressed with the way he handled himself that eventful evening.

After all, the following day - when Railsback stepped into his trailer - he found himself gifted with a bottle of wine  from O'Toole (wrapped ia a ribbon) with a note affixed to it.

The message read:

"To the most un-intimidatable actor I know."

The audience roared.

"I stood up to him. I mean, I had to show him I had the balls to do it," he fondly recalled.

Barbara Hershey (currently garnering rave reviews for "The Black Swan") came to the project because Rush was familiar with her earlier work on a TV series.

"Richard just blew me away. you know, I didn't think I was going to be able to do that scene with the old woman at the graveyard. But, as the camera started to roll, everytrhing began to click."

Like the others, Ms. Hershey was awestruck by Richard Rush's approach to his work.

"Barbara was perfect for that dingy role of the actress," he quipped in an after-thought.

"I don't give any direction until the actors have their stamp on the role and indicated where they intend to go," Rush underscored for the record.

A process that worked well in the instant case of the Stunt Man production.

Rush remembered one incident that makes him laugh and shake his head to this day.

Every morning, O'Toole would parade himself  before the director - for a wardrobe check, to discuss the day's shoot, and that sort-of-thing - before the shoot commenced for the day.

On one occasion, when O'Toole strolled in, it struck Rush that the wardrobe was not only - "dead on" - but somewhat familiar for some inexplicable reason.

Gotcha!

Behind Rush's back - O'Toole arranged for the wardrobe department to whip up a carbon-copy "look" - that Rush often sported on the movie set!

"At times, things got a little schizophrenic," he mused.

After the film wrapped, problems persisted with distribution for "The Stunt Man", unfortunately.

Allegedly, the backers managed to land a deal to screen the flick in Seattle/

"But, one of my enemies was inclined to book it into a movie house in the burbs. I thought one closer to the University would have been a better choice since that was where my true audience was."

When a reviewer noted that he intended to pen a critique, Rush made a deal with the journalist.

"If you hate the flick, then wait until after the release before writing your review.  Okay? If you love it, then please publish the critique before it premieres at the Theatre on opening night."

As fate would have it, the journalist gave a glowing review - and so - Stunt Man ended up running at the theatre for a year to packed houses (earning at least a million dollars during the course of the screening).

"After that - AVCO picked "The Stunt "Man" up - in Los Angeles."

When Rush's "baby" received a prize for best picture at the Montreal Film Festival, 20th Century Fox agreed to distribute the "illusion reality" genre hit Internationally.

However, Fox was inclined to wait until there were Oscar nods, before promoting it.

"When we got three Oscar nominations, Fox booked the flick into three Theatres. One for each nod," he uttered up in disgust.

When the studio ordered the prints, that signalled a death knell, too.

"In those days, to succeed at the box office, at least 1000 prints were needed (today it is 3000) for a decent campaign to drum up interest across the country. Fox only printed 250 copies, so what did that tell us?"

In spite of the reluctance of Fox to go full-throttle with promos, though, the reviews were fantastic!

Even still, the flick languished around the country, out-of-reach of film buffs pining to view it.

In tandem with the re-release of - "The Stunt Man" - a documentary was rustled up to facilitate an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the project.

"I intended to use video footage and insert a handful of interviews. But, as it turned out, there wasn't any video footage available. Also, a laser disc presentation had to be scrapped because the DVD format became more popular as a form of technology."

At that juncture, Rush had to scrap all the laser disc scraps, and start fresh.

"I footed the bill. And, it was expensive."

The disgruntled director admitted that - in the final analysis - the documentary was a bit self-serving.

But, what could he do?

Hershey (casually-dressed and radiating a healthy glow), Railsback (more of a character actor today - than the heart-throb of yesteryear) and Richard Rush (articulate and in good spirits) - were all well-received last night for good reason (by the way).

After all, the high-profile trio were pretty generous with their professional (i.e., posing for publicity stills with fans, signing autographs, sharing amusing anecdotes below the footlights of the revival house, etc.).

A good time was had by all!

http://www.thetattler.biz

A Christmas Carol...Santa Monica Library free screening! December 18th!

In keeping with their continued efforts to provide a wide-range of programs for their patrons - from educational courses to upbeat entertaining outings on the premises - the Santa Monica Public Library will screen an updated film classic starring Jim Carrey.

A Christmas Carol!

In sum, the flick is an animated re-telling of the Dicken's best-seller.

Treat yourself to a madcap couple of hours - and in the process - learn all about the true spirit of Christmas as told through the character of Ebenezer Scrooge.

See 'ya there!

Date:
December 18th (2010)

Screening:
3 p.m.

Location:

MLK JR. Auditorium
Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA

Gratis (free)

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