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MOON Directed by: Duncan Jones Running time: 97 minutes Release date: May 12, 2009 Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy and Thriler Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics MPAA Rating: R This unique film was screened at Tribeca Film Festival and it had gained a buzz from its premiere at Sundance and like many I was anxious to see what it was all about. The program indicated by Tribeca Film Festival...More

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Votes -1 +0 / -1 thumb up thumb down TO THRILL OR NOT TO THRILL; THAT IS THE QUESTION by Gerald Wright Posted on 11/9/09 at 8:17 PM THE FOURTH KIND Directed by: Olatunde Osunsanmi Running time: 98 minutes Release date: November 6, 2009 Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Horror and Supernatural Distributor: Universal Pictures MPAA Rating: PG-13 This is the first major film written and directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi. It claims to be a re-enactment of original documented footage. It also claims to use never before seen archival footage that is intergrated into the film. The film is purported to be a documentary re-enactment set in Nome, Alaska, and deals with alien abductions in 1972. Residents report UFO sightings and state they made contact with extraterrestrials. The movie is contructed in a provocative manner, however the hype is more than the substance. Milla Jovovich portrays Dr. Abigail Tyler (psychologist) who treats pych patients who have the same encounter that her dead abducted husband had. Eventually, she becomes a patient after many therapy sessions. With supporting cast members Will Patton, Elias Koteas and Hakeem Kae-Kazim they just could not make this flick work. THE BOX Directed by: Richard Kelly Running time: 1 hour 54 minutes Genre: Drama, Horror and Thriller Distributor: Warner Brothers MPAA Rating: PG-13 In this supernatural flick based upon the classic short story Button, Button by Richard Matheson, Cameron Diaz plays Norma Lewis a teacher at a private high school and her husband Arthur (James Marsden) an NASA engineer have a visit from a representative from outer-space. Frank Langella plays Mr. Steward the representive who offers married couples with kids one million dollars to push a button on a box which will take the life of an unknown person. The plot starts off with suspense and fizzles away gradually. The story can go only but so far for this two hour movie. What more can I say for a film that relies on the death watch of a button pusher? NOTHING!
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Votes +1 +1 / -0 thumb up thumb down DOCUMENTARY SERIES ON CONTEMPARY AFRICAN DIASPORA - "AFROPOP" by Gerald Wright Posted on 11/1/09 at 12:11 PM \| Last edited on 11/1/09 at 4:54 PM Mood: Fresh "NEW DISNEY STAR ANIKA ROSE TO HOST AFROPOP PUBLIC TELEVISION SERIES" Tony Award winning actress Anika Noni Rose, who recently made history by being cast as the first ever African-American princess in Disney's The Princess and the Frog (Dreamgirls and HBO's The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency), has signed on to host the new season of AfroPop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange. An innovative documentary film series on contemporary life, art, and pop culture in the African Diaspora. As the series host, Rose will introduce audiences to poerful stories about African boxers who journey acrss the Atlantic to match their skills against the best in global contests; a teenage girl who travels to Ghana and a Sierre Leonian ex-patriate who returns to his homeland, each hoping to dispel prevailing myths about the two continents; Hurricane Katrina victims who find themselves refugees in their own country. SUMMARY REVIEWS OF SOME FILMS: "THE FIGHTING SPIRIT" Directed by: George Amponsah Running time: 85 minutes Country/Language: USA & UK/Engllish The filming locations is based in Ghana (the poor fishing village of Bukom) where a relatively female newcomer to boxing Yarkor "Chavez", who is fueled by her hate for men because of a cheating ex-boyfriend shows she has talent. She is known as "the first lady of boxing" in Bukom and shows potential, however she loses her first fight but refuses to give up in this brutal sport. The next profile is of George, a twenty two year old who gets a chance to box a British champion. This is the spotlight type of match that takes him out of Ghana and gives him a chance to see London. Unfortunately, he loses his fight, but gains the insight of the outside world. The main theme of their lifestyles is fighting and fishing. Disputes are settled physically and strength is the centerpoint of their heritage. Brutality is the means of survival. Filmmaker Amonsah captures a look at Ghana through the eyes of those fighting for their dreams. "DESERT BAYOU" Directed by: Alex LeMay Running time: 71 minutes Country/Language: USA/English The poignant film examines devastating things about Hurricane Katrina. It raises questions of race, poverty, politics and religion. Footage of the catastrophy is shown in detail with interviews of victims. Questions and answers concerning the care of the survivors. How they were taken to a place with warmth, dry buildings, clothes, food, medial care, telephones, opportunities for life changing education and jobs. Some people spoke of how nearby states and many major cities assisted. The message in this film is hope. "MOVING TO THE BEAT" Directed by: Caleb Heymann & Abdul Fofanah Running time: 47 minutes Country/Language: USA/English Escapees from civil war in Africa, young people speak of the turmoil they endured. Hip Hop music and culture is their linkage of Freetown, Sierra Leone and Portland, Oregon in which this documentary follows the Rebel Soulz group's journey to freedom. The old cliche' that music soothes the savage beast holds true. The result in the film is a deeply forged connection that transcends centuries of misunderstanding and separation, and becomes an inspirational call for people worldwide to transcend boundaries. "BLACK TO OUR ROOTS" Directed by: Tre Whitlow Running time: 53 minutes Country/Language: USA/English Discovery of one's beginnings is most important to everyone. However, this film looks at how the Habesha Program gives a tutorial of the African culture to African American teenagers. It is an inspirational story of a group of teenagers' journey from the inner city of Atlanta to Ghana in search of their ancestral home. Various teenagers are focused on spotlighting a range of emotions the teens experience as they expand their horizons. As a prerequisite, the teens from Washington D.C., South Carolina and Georgia do fundraising for their trip from America to West Africa which instills a source of responsibility in their personal structure. This coming of age observational film highlights the courage and determination of these underestimated teenagers as they work to raise money to fund their travels, grapple in focus sessions with issues of African American/African history, and leave their familiar surroundings. Change is a good thing for these kids. For more information on the series go to [url=http://www.AfroPop.tv/]www.AfroPop.tv
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Votes +1 +1 / -0 thumb up thumb down MJ'S "THIS IS IT" PREMIERE by Gerald Wright Posted on 10/30/09 at 9:14 PM \| Last edited on 10/30/09 at 10:00 PM Mood: Fresh "THIS IS IT" Directed by: Kenny Ortega Running time: 1 hour 51 minutes Release date: October 28, 2009 Genre: Documentary and Musical/Performing /arts Distributor: Columbia Pictures MPAA Rating: PG The public interest in the death of 50 year old Michael Jackson and the "This Is It" concert that was planned for 50 concerts which was scheduled to begin back in July 2009 and was to continue through March 2010, made a statement to the world. In light of his passing the posthumous film was made from hours of footage of preparations and rehearsals for the shows. Prior to the film's showing a red carpet from Nokia Theater in Los Angeles was screened via satillite to 17 countries. Celebrities from Paris Hilton to last minute arriving Will Smith was interviewed which made this gala tribute screening a most prestigous event. However, once the film began (although it was a 5 minute signal failure) the magic was in the air. This exciting and sometimes somber film is a rare look at the final days of Michael Jackson which used approximately 80 hours compiled into close to 2 hours. One could only marvel at the behind-the-scenes footage of the legendary "gloved one". His work ethics was one of a perfectionist who knew how to stage, perform, dance and orchestrate his music. The rehearsal footage shot in high definition, included Jackson performing his hits "Thriller", "Beat It", and lists goes on. His new songs "They Don't Care About Me" and "Earth Song" is something I'm sure will be released on the proposed album. An accompanying album to the film titled the same as the film will be a compilation inspired from the documentary. Of the Album, Sony said, "Disc one will feature the original album masters of some of Michael's biggest hits arranged in the same sequence as they appear in the film" and stated that "the disc ends with two versions of the 'never-released 'This Is It' song used in the film's closing sequence. Collaborators and close friends are included, giving this film a real sense of what goes into a workday with Michael Jackson. I see it as a hard working and festive means of employment that one can only learn from. This is a film everyone, no matter the age, must see. It is a distinctive treat for the eyes and ears. (FOR MORE FILM REVIEWS by Gerald Wright go to [url=http://www.HDFest.com]www.HDFest.com, [url=http://www.CriticalWomen.net]www.CriticalWomen.net, and [url=http://www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com]www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com)
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Votes +1 +1 / -0 thumb up thumb down THE HAPPENINGS AT NYIIFVF '09 by Gerald Wright Posted on 10/25/09 at 10:16 PM \| Last edited on 10/27/09 at 6:08 AM The New York International Independent Film & Video Festival (NYIIFVF) is one of the largest independent film festivals in the world. The NYIIFVF was founded in 1993 and has been recognized by the film and entertainment industry as one of the leading film events on the independent festival circuit. The festival hosts film, music and art events in the two entertainment capitals of the United States: New York and Los Angeles. NYIIFVF attracts many global entries, including: Australia, Brazil, Sweden, Kenya, Japan, Canada, France, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Colombia, Russia, Germany, Spain, India and the U.K. The scope of the festival ranges from high profile to novice, so one experiences an array of films and individuals driven by independent movie making. The NYIIFVF is a competitive event and is dedicated to making things happen for emerging filmmakers and screenwriters. The festival has cultivated excellent relationships with thousands of companies in both cities. Below a film review DEW (Dauw) Directed by: Ben Jurna & Carrien Dijkstra Running time: 72 minutes Genre: Documentary in Dutch with English subtitles In a tribute to the late Hans Essenberg (cameraman, cinematographer and actor) who began this project of filming the internationally acclaimed artist Marc Mulders, is a film that takes an up-close look at his fascinating Dutch art. After the death of Hans Essenberg, Ben Jurna and Carrien Dijkstra took on the task of making a full length movie honoring both men. Born in Tilburg, Netherlands in 1958, Marc Mulders has been known for years for his expressionist oil artwork is captured on film in his creative environment. His canvases, past and present gives a sense of his power and talent with his sensual paintings of flowers and wild animals that is painted from live subjects. He sometimes stands on thorns and sharp objects that he is working while in his motivationIly mode. I was extremely impressed with his majestic stained glass work Een Tuin van Glas (A Garden of Glass) from De Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam. Housed in 15 Dutch museums, this documentary examines his work as the public gazes in amazement. What troubles me about the famous artist is that he paints flowers when they are in bloom yet in the autumn and winter he turns his attention to dead rabbits,deer and butchered cattle. This film shows a personal interview by art journalist Hans den Hartog with Marc Mulders as he asks what motivates him. Yet, Mulders complexed feelings on spirituality versus the TV world (fake reality) troubles him. Marc Mulders born a Catholic, found himself left attending church alone once his parents stopped going. As he became an adult people spoke of him as "The Catholic Artist". Filmmakers Jurna and Dijkstra not only take a journey into Mulders life but they give a picturesque view of serine background and backdrops of clouds and comforting landscape to set the tone and theme for the viewer to ease into a fine documentary that is very enlightening.
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Votes 0 +0 / -0 thumb up thumb down WOMEN ISSUES INFLUENCE THE BIJOU by Gerald Wright Posted on 10/24/09 at 10:11 AM \| Last edited on 10/25/09 at 10:43 AM THE WEDDING SONG (Le Chant des maiees) Directed by: Karin Albou Running time: 100 minutes Release date: October 23, 2009 (limited) Genre: Art/Foreign, Drama, War and Romance in French and Arabic with English subtitles Distributor: Strand Releasing MPAA Rating: N/R In this coming of age period piece set during the Third Reich's occupation of Tunis in 1942, the story opens with a quasi-documentary sequence that spirts off into a narrative setting of the friendship of two 16 year old adolescent girls Nour (Olympe Borval) a Muslim and Myriam (Lizzie Brochere) a Jew who live and share the same house in a modest community in harmony. Each girl secretly desires the other's life: while Nour regrets that she doesn't go to school, Myriam dreams of love and romance. Myriam is also envious of Nour's engagement to her cousin Khaled, unfortunately Khaled can't find work which halts his marriage to Nour. Myriam's mother Tita (Karin Albou) decides to marry her daughter to a rich Jewish doctor who she doesn't love, and Myriam's dreams of love and romance dwindles away. As the Nazis enter Tunis pursuing the policies of the Vichy regime and imposes restrictions on Jews, Khaled who is a confused young man takes a job as an informant for the German Army. With rising political upheaval and Khaled's help in locating Jews, the two girls must take sides and drift apart. However the more they grow apart the more they need each other. Filmmaker Karin Albou centers the artistic direction of this movie using cold shades of color which encouages Tunisia's exotic image. The setting is also filled with tension and apprehension of what the once harmonial neighborhood of Tunis is about to endure. This film features bold and dynamic performances by newcomers Lizzie Brochere and Olympe Borva. Director/writer Karin Albou brilliantly crafts the dimension of two young emancipated women's lives in an environment that is repressive towards women. MOTHERHOOD Directed by: Katherine Dieckman Running time: 90 minutes Release date: October 23, 2009 (limited Genre: Drama and Comedy Distributor: Freestyle Releasing MPAA Rating: PG-13 This dramedy turn character study of motherhood in urban NYC is fascinating and hilarious. Starring Uman Thurman as Eliza Welch a former fiction writer who now resorts to blogging with her own site called "The Bjorn Identity." She is married to an absent-minded eccentric husband named Avery played by Anthony Edwards and have two young children. Her domestic lifestyle has put her creative ambitions on hold. They reside in one of those "once in a lifetime" situations; two rent-stabilized apartments in a walk-up tenement building in upscale Greenwich Village. The plot developement strengthens when Eliza decides to enter a contest and write 500 words answering the question, "What Does Motherhood Mean To Me", run by a parenting magazine. Uma Thurman is unique as an energized mom and creating a role that is quite good. She has a great supporting character with Sheila (Minnie Driver) her best friend who is pregnant and without a mate. I personally enjoyed the children of the Welch family. Six year old Clara (Daisy Tahan) who attends kindergarden is perky and fun to watch. The toddler of the household is Lucas played by David and Matthew Shallip, who innocently finds mischief. This is the meat of the plot where Eliza shows how exhausting it is to raise kids along with the overwhelming task of running a household, battling for parking space during alternate side parking showdowns and prepare for a birthday party. The audience will be entertained with the playground park mothers and nannies with kids while watching the many backdrop sequences of the NYC everyday people. This is a fun-filled study on being a mom with solid performances by a good cast. (UNTITLED) Directed by: Jonathan Parker Running time: 96 minutes Release date: October 23, 2009 Genre: Comedy, Musical/Performing Arts and Romance Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films MPAA Rating: N/R This a satire that makes fun of nuance personalities of New York's comtemporary artsy world. Two competitive brothers; one who is eclectic and plays piano named Adrian Jacobs (Adam Goldberg) and the other brother Josh (Eion Bailey) who is a commercially successful painter. Though the plot is a little pretentious it centers on how the two brothers are showcased by a stunning woman named Madeleine Gray (Marley Shelton), who commissions art showings and concerts in the Chelsea area of the city. Josh who is the stable and favorite of the Jacobs parents is in love with Madeleine, however she has fallen for Adrian who puts on bizarre avante-guarde musical concerts. The complications of the story is when Josh's highly commercial art work is sold to corporate clients discreetly out of the gallery's backroom which limits Josh's creative talent. The theme of the film is not to be realistic and luckily so, because it doesn't hit its mark with dry trendy humor. Perhaps one could say that the tone and the amount of restraint in the humor is fun to watch. However it does not deliver in its funny interplay. The simplest way of looking at comedy is to say that it surprises, startles, shock or delights us and the essentail aspect of all comedy is that it goes beyond the ordinary, the dull and the familiar. This movie lacks most of these elements and I found myself searching for understanding of this vague idea of what is really funny in relation to analyzing and understanding it. AMELIA Directed by: Mira Nair Running time: 111 minutes Release date: October 23, 2009 (wide) Genre: Drama and Biopic Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures MPAA Rating: PG-13 Amelia, is a dramatization of the life of Amelia Earhart. Based on the books East to the Dawn by Susan Butler and The Sound of Wongs by Mary S. Lovell this film chronicles Earhart's rise to fame and follows the relationship between Earhart and her husband, publisher, manager and promoter George P. Putnam. Hilary Swank as Amelia Earhart, Richard Gere as George Putnam and Ewan McGregor as Gene Vidal are the major characters of this lavish movie. The film opens up as she is piloting a plane in the clouds and most of the audience can guess this is her last flight. Soon after the film sequence flashes back to how she becomes the first woman to fly across the Atlantic (as a passenger), the film shows how she is thrust into the role of America's Sweetheart. In this lengthy movie the story written by Ron Bass and Anna Hamilton Phelan take liberties by sugar-coating this biopic with an elaborate mixture of a romantic/business relationship she has with George Putnam which turns into a marriage. Reality has it that Earhart was promoted into this stardom of the skies merely by a staged means of publicity. The clever Putnam marketed her for personal recognition and she went along with it for exposure, money and fame. While the film glorified her existence and purified her long lasting extra-marital sexual affair with pilot Gene Vidal, it lacked any form of excitement. Of course, she was an inspiration to people everywhere during the depression years, the film and Hilary Swank's performance did capture the personality of a woman flirting with danger and standing up as her own. The plot placed a heavy emphysis on her larger than life charisma and how outspoken she was. Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor's performances were at best alright. This is not due to their acting credibility but from the standard theme characters they were scripted to play. However, it became tedious as the story of this famed aviatrix rolled on. The final scenes predictably gave both Amelia and George a destined outcome. Unfortunately, it gave me a lackless movie to endure. (FOR MORE FILM REVIEWS by Gerald Wright go to [url=http://www.HDFest.com]www.HDFest.com, [url=http://www.CriticalWomen.net]www.CriticalWomen.net and [url=http://www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com]www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com ) .
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Votes +1 +1 / -0 thumb up thumb down GOOD HAIR HAS ITS OWN LANGUAGE by Gerald Wright Posted on 10/18/09 at 9:42 PM \| Last edited on 10/19/09 at 9:18 PM Mood: Fresh GOOD HAIR Directed by: Jeff Stilson Running time: 1 hour 35 minutes Release date: Oct. 9, 2009 (limited) Genre: Documentary and Comedy Distributor: Roadside Attractions MPAA Rating: PG-13 Chris Rock as one of the writers of this fascinating film takes an interesting look at the social and economical implications that hair has held specifically for African American women. The movie examines its connection to black pride, race and gender. Its context have taken place in the mainstream press and media; however, the similarities and differences between the hair of women from the dominant culture and the hair of women of African American decent have not been fully explored. In an interview with Chris Rock, he explained that his young daughter Lola asked him, "Daddy, how come I don't have good hair?" He decided to make this movie and find answers to her question and satisfy his own curiousity. This film is not only deeply original and brave but it sparks humor in its journey to beauty salons, scientific labs, cosmetology training, and Indian temples where hair weaves come from. Chris Rock is the main character who navigates the investigation and candid interviews with Nia Long, Raven Symone, Maya Angelou, Kerry Washington, Ice-T, Paul Mooney, and Rev. Al Sharpton. He tackles a range of issues that are highly charged, both in the arena of racial, social and political issues. Big business topics are brought to light as it is found out that mainstream corporations profit and the African American community doesn't always share in this. The research on the symbolic and moral meanings of hair in the black communities invigorates the analysis of the linquistic and social construction of personal and group identity. It demonstrates that hair is just not hair in the eyes of women, yet their is a racial division. Their is an invisible difference in Euro-American women's hair culture, however their is a blantantly obvious difference to the African American women's hairstylings. Exploring the significance of hair in the black culture, this movie shows how women have redefined beauty for themselves and used their hair as a symbol of self-confidence and advancement. This is the set-up for the subplot of a flamboyant hair styling contest from Atlanta, Georgia, that is exciting and entertaining. The styling of hair, props and dance routines are showcased in various forms for monetary competition. As for the question of "what is good hair"? I find that in the eyes of the one who has their hair styled. African American hair can range in texture from straight to tightly curled. If you are African American and want to wear your hair in some of the sleek, straight styles that are popular today, then using some method of straightening is usually necessary. Hair straightening is a process using a straightening comb heated to a high temperature. The pros in this is that no chemicals are used, if you want to go back natural it is reversible, and it's less expensive than chemical straightening. However, the cons in the process is that repeated heat styling eventually damages your hair, there's a risk of burning the scalp-face-ears, expensive for long thick hair, and bad weather can revert hair back to its natural state. Next is chemical straightening for a permanant alternative. Relaxers are the most common form of chemical straightening for African American hair which contains sodium hydroxide (lye) or calcium hydroxide. The benefits in this is permanent results and sleek, shiny hair that can be cut or styled in any number of ways. The drawbacks are hair damge and breakage, serious chemical burns to the scalp, and can be very expensive if done by a stylist every six to eight weeks depending on hair texture. And the other alternative is hair weaves that are attached to the natural rooted hair. This is the new market of natural hair from India which has turn into a big profit enterprise that is highlighted in the documentary. The minor flaw in the movie is that Mrs. Chris Rock did not give her opinion on the matter of how old a young girl should go through the process of getting her hair straightened. Whatever method of hair styling you prefer, it is a personal choice. However, I found GOOD HAIR to be a fascinating, funny and informative flick.
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Votes 0 +0 / -0 thumb up thumb down A BIOPIC & DOC FOR THE WEEKEEND by Gerald Wright Posted on 9/26/09 at 1:05 AM \| Last edited on 9/26/09 at 1:26 AM Mood: Indifferent COCO BEFORE CHANEL (Coco Avant Chanel) Directed by: Anne Fontaine Running time: 110 mins. Release date: Sept. 25, 2009 (limited) Genre: Drama, Romance and Biography in French with English subtitles Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics MPAA Rating: PG-13 The life of the famed French fashion designer Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel (Audrey Tautou) in this film begins in her early years as a strong will orphan to which her father never returned for her. Having to survive as a poor young woman in a hard Paris culture once leaving the orphanage, she finds herself working as a singer and a seamstress in a provincial bar. She earns her nickname "Coco" from the song she sings with her older sister Adrienne (Marie Gillain). However, as a cabaret performer with a weak voice who sings to an audience of drunks, the emancipated female protagonist falls back on her talent as a seamstress at a local tailor shop. There she meets a regular customer named Baron Etienne Balsan (Benoit Poelvoorde) who later becomes her protector. As a young thin courtesan, Coco finds refuge at the Baron's stud horse farm and lives as a kept woman. Audrey Tautou's performance is quite elegant and is reminiscent of the Shirley McClain made for TV movie version, however Tautou displays a more realistic adaptation. This version shows her as the petite and boyish person she really was in real life. The film gives a well defined structure and puts an emphasis on internal congruity. While the actors achieve the goals of the plot. These were good choices in casting for the roles they played. Romance and tragedy takes charge in the story when Coco finds love with an Englishman named Arthur "Boy" Capel while sharing her bed with Baron Balsan. Her life takes off as a ladie's hat-maker/dress-maker, but soon it finds a pitfall. As in any romantic tragedy to be a successful genre to work for film directors it must depend on the cinematography, plot and narrative drive, characters, acting and cultural discourses. Discourses are particularly pertinent to this genre as the subject matter, events and characterizations are historical. It allows the the audience to see and understand this in their own modern day minds. The film will capture attention because the tremendous journey of Coco from orphan to successful fashion designer who became a timeless symbol in a once male dominating industry, apart from lifeless romantic angle the movie could have made better. CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY Directed by: Michael Moore Running time: 126 mins. Release date: Sept. 25, 2009 Genre: Documentary Distributor: Overture Films MPAA Rating: R The production company's synopsis states that with both humor and outrage, Michael Moore explores a taboo question: What is the price that America pays for its love of capitalism? The examinating of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans (and by default, the entire world). While today the American dream is more of a nightmare as families pay the price with their jobs, their homes and their savings. Filmmaker Moore's movie takes the viewer into the homes of ordinary people whose lives have been destroyed and takes a look for explanations in Washington D.C. and elsewhere. His ultimate quest is to answer some of the questions that plague the masses. The thought is good in this film, however movie is poorly structured into a romp on the beauracrats and politicians. Rather than taking a serious look at the issues and placing some satire in his film composition, he orchestrates a 2 hour plus Michael Moore one-man show. It's too bad he couldn't do a better job. FOR MORE REVIEWS by Gerald Wright go to HDFest.com ([url=http://www.HDFest.com]www.HDFest.com), Critical Women on Film "he Said, She Said" ([url=http://www.CriticalWomen.net]www.CriticalWomen.net ) and Film Showcase ([url=http://www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com]www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com)
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Votes +1 +1 / -0 thumb up thumb down A SOLID CINEMA WEEKEND Posted on 9/20/09 at 2:58 PM \| Last edited on 9/20/09 at 6:26 PM Mood: Fresh 35 SHOTS OF RUM Directed by: Claire Denis Running time: 102 minutes Release date: September 16, 2009 Genre: Drama in French with English subtitles Distributor: The Cinema Guild MPAA Rating: N/R In this profoundly warm and tender story set outside Paris, Lionel (Alex Descas) a metro conductor lives with his daughter Josephine (Mati Diop) in a bustling apartment complex. Josephine is a beautiful university student who finds love in another tenant named Noe (Gregoire Colin) a handsome young man, while Lionel is drawn into a relationship with another neighbor of the complex Gabrielle (Nicole Dogue). Gabrielle drives a taxi and is a friend of everyone in the building. The storyline focuses on the strong father and daughter relationship. The close knit family bonding interferes with any other romantic involvement in their life. Complications and the mysterious complexities that surround evolving relationships, whether romantic or parental are the force in this rare movie. The plot is driven by what people say and what they hold back, by meaningless pauses between words and significant glances. As their lives are pulled in different directions, father and daughter realize they must finally confront their past in order to deal with their individual destinies. This intentionally slow starting plot associated with strong performances by an exceptionally good cast evolves into a solid film to enjoy. THE BURNING PLAIN Directed by Guillermo Arriaga Running time: 111 minutes Genre: Drama Distributor: Magnolia Pictures MPAA Rating: R Writer and director Guillermo Arriaga of Amores Perros (2000), 21 Grams (2003), and Babel (2006) puts up a film told in a non-linear narrative, where events of the plot are revealed out of sequence. The film starts off in the mid-1990s in a small New Mexico town bordering Mexico where Gina played by Kim Basinger, a wife and mother of four children (2 daughters and two sons) is having an affair with a local man Nick (Joaquim de Almedeida), who also has a wife and two sons. Gina's daughter Mariana (Jennifer Lawrence) finds out about the love affair and in an accident (?) Nick and Gina are killed in their secretive hide-away romantic trailer. What sets this plot reeling is that teenage Mariana and one of Nick's teenage sons Santiago meet after their funeral and develop their own secretive relationship. Soon Mariana becomes pregnant with Santiago's child and they run off to Mexico despite their family's disapproval. Mariana delivers a baby girl named Maria and abandons her new formed family and changes her name to Sylvia (later played by Charlize Theron). Plot skips 10 years where Sylvia works as a waitress in Portland, resorting to sleeping around with various men and having thoughts of suicide. However, young Maria (Tessa Ia) is search for her birth mother and the plot thickens. This dramatic ensemble host brilliant performances and projects very intense tragic love stories from different places and times, with characters trying to find the healing powers of love, forgiveness and redemption. DIL BOLE HADIPPA! (My Heart Goes Hooray!) Directed by: Anurag Singh Running time: 2 hours 25 minutes Release date: September 18, 2009 Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance and Sports in Hindi with English subtitles MPAA Rating: N/R Bollywood superstars Rani Mukherjee and Shahid Kapoor team up for the first time on screen for a fun loving movie about romance, the spirit of the game of cricket and sexual equality. Set in India, beautiful Veera (Rani Mukherjee) lives in a small village and can play cricket as well as (if not better) any man. She works in a local theater group performing in a mustache and beard on stage as a guy opposite an attractive woman. When she learns that Rohan (Shahid Kapoor) the famous Brit cricket player will captain the male only team in India, she decides to try-out for the team disguised as a man (using her stage make-up). In the theme of Bollywood, rythmatic dance sequences light up the screen (choreography by Vaibhavi Merchant, Chinni Prakash & Rekha Prakash), along with lively songs furnished by Pritam. The vivid colors of the costumes designed by Manish Malhotra, Mamta Anand and Soniya Tommy illuminates a spectacular ensemble of characters. This often exciting romantic sports film has many moments of comedy supplied by the very talented Rani Mukherjee impersonated a male cricket player while romancing her co-star Shahid Kapoor. She displays a perfect sense of comedic timing. In several scenes, such as the locker room scene when her sexual identity is almost exposed, I and the audience was laughing out of our seats. Many may consider this movie a chick flick. Many may not understand the game of cricket. However, it doesn't make a difference because I believe everyone will enjoy this film. (FOR MORE FILM REVIEWS by Gerald Wright go to [url=http://www.HDFest.com]www.HDFest.com, [url=http://www.CriticalWomen.net]www.CriticalWomen.net, and [url=http://www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com]www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com )
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Votes +1 +1 / -0 thumb up thumb down THE OTHER MAN review by Gerald Wright Posted on 9/12/09 at 3:29 PM \| Last edited on 9/13/09 at 7:49 PM Mood: Fresh Directed by: Richard Eyre Running time: 90 minutes Release date: September 11, 2009 (NY & LA) Genre: Drama, Romance, and Adaptation Distributor: Image Entertainment MPAA Rating: R This is a movie based of a short by Bernhard Schlink with the same title of infidelity and the uncovering of it after years of a so-call blissful marriage. Liam Neeson is Peter, the CEO of a London computer software company who has been married to Lisa (Laura Linney) for 20 years. However, this very edgy, dark, psychological and quite mysterious thriller sets Peter on an obsessive journey to uncover the truth surrounding the disappearances of his wife while she is off on her business trips. When he discovers that she has been receiving romantic emails and mobile messages from a man he never knew existed he is determined to find out the identity of this other man in his spouse's life. Ralph is masterfully played by Antonio Banderas, who is the other man who Lisa has a romantic and sexual interlude with during her time away from her husband Peter. He is a suave con man who seduces Lisa, however her character is one that needs two people to complete her life. Laura Linney gives a magnificent performance as a woman who is different things to different people and juggles with her love. Hurt and vengeful Peter flies to Milan to seek out the mysterious Ralph against the advice of his estranged daughter Abigail (Romola Garai). As a result of his search, Peter discovers the secrets of his enigmatic wife and her lover who is less than what he appears to be. The plot opens the world of love, betrayal and forgiveness. But more than that, learning about the unpleasant things of that someone you think you knew very well. Director Richard Eyre keeps the rhythm evenly paced and the story development brings out superb performances by a brilliant cast.
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Votes -1 +0 / -1 thumb up thumb down INDIES NOT HITTING THE MARK by Gerald Wright Posted on 9/7/09 at 5:43 PM \| Last edited on 9/7/09 at 9:43 PM Mood: Rotten SANDSTORM Directed by: Michael Mahonen Running time: 75 minutes Release date: September 4, 2009 Genre: Drama, Crime and Political in Chinese with English, French and Spanish subtitles Distributor: Requisite Films MPAA Rating: Unrated Based on the persecutions of Falun Gong practitioners in China, Sandstorm is a fictionalize story of torture, conscience awakening and tolerance. Filmmaker Michael Mahonen makes his debut as a writer/director with this film. He adopted the Falun Gong practice and researched the persecution of the followers by the cruel and corrupt Chinese government which prompted him to make this film. However, he assumes the audience is famliar with the subject matter and he does not lay out a backstory of a non-fiction story to start his fictionalize tale. The actual story is that hundreds of practitioners of a meditation and exercise based spiritual movement were marked as criminals by the ruthless Chinese governmeent. According to human rights groups, more than 35 deaths, 35,000 arrests, pervasive tortures, and the burning of as many as 7.8 million books written by the controversial founder of Falun Gong, Li Hongzhi. Most world citizens recall Tianamen Square, in Beijing, where protesters demanded their rights. In China, Falon Gong's point of view has been banned by using secret plots to frame, slander and exterminate this popular world-wide spiritual movement. This film sets itself in the world of mid-level police officer Hetian Ying played by Rong Tian who has the horrible task of torturing confessions out of Falun Gong followers. Ying is a mild mannered man and lives with a wife and daughter played by Zeng Ziyu and Annie Li. It seems that a monumental sandstorm cripples the city of Beijing and the plot indicates that this is due to the vengeance of a higher power. Ying had not picked his daughter up from scholl due to the road crossing. Now he and his wife are waiting for their daughter who is out there somewhere. The scenes flashback to his interrogation of a female Falun Gong follower and now prisoner brilliantly played by Lili Li. Ying's supervisor played by Steve Hong threatens torture to the death if necessary, however Rong Tian's character of Ying is performed in a manner that adds dignity to a weak man. Ying must come to grips with what is right and what is wrong in his duties as a policeman, and then learn to open his eyes to being humane. This film has a clear message of shedding light on a critical human rights issue barely acknowledged by people outside of China, however the movie lacks any real substance in storytelling. The setting never allows the audience to see the sandstorm which flushes the whole premise of the movie down the toilet. Great message - but a bad film. TICKLING LEO Directed by: Jeremy Davidson Running time: 90 minutes Release date: September 4, 2009 Genre: Drama Distributor: Barn Door Pictures MPAA Rating: Not rated Set around the days of Yom Kippur, this is a contemporary narrative that follows three generations of one Jewish family whose secrets from WWII that haunts them. When Zak Pikler played by Daniel Sauli gets word that his estranged eccentric poet/retired liteature professor father Warren Yitzchak Pikler brilliantly played by Lawrence Pressman is suffering from dementia in his secluded Catskills lakehouse, drives up from New York City with his newly pregnant girlfriend Delphina played by Annie Parisse. The story grinds out a loosely true account of how Jews who were rounded up in 1944 Hungary and were placed in ghettos. They were told to establish Jewish Councils known as Judenrat. However, reportedly as history has it certain heads of Councils negotiate with Adolph Eichman to send fellow Jews off to concentration camps. Then the plot skips back too quickly to the contemporary setting where the relatives of this dysfunctional family argues with each other over their lack of familial cohesion. This could have been a worthwhile film to watch, but the movie strains the audiences' attention span with an unbalanced plot. The production of this film is troubling, due to the one week before hand rehearsals and the 14 day shooting schedule. It delivers pointless dialogue and limits great actors Eli Wallach and Victoria Clark to minimal parts that have trouble getting off the ground. To say the least - This is a bad movie. FOR MORE FILM REVIEWS by Gerald Wright go to HDFest.com [url=http://www.HDFest.com]www.HDFest.com, Critical Women on Film for He Said, She Said reviews [url=http://www.CriticalWomen.net]www.CriticalWomen.net, and Film Showcase [url=http://www.FilmShowcase.blogspot.com]www.FilmShowcase.blogspot.com .
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Votes -1 +0 / -1 thumb up thumb down TO THRILL OR NOT TO THRILL; THAT IS THE QUESTION by Gerald Wright Posted on 11/9/09 at 8:17 PM THE FOURTH KIND Directed by: Olatunde Osunsanmi Running time: 98 minutes Release date: November 6, 2009 Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Horror and Supernatural Distributor: Universal Pictures MPAA Rating: PG-13 This is the first major film written and directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi. It claims to be a re-enactment of original documented footage. It also claims to use never before seen archival footage that is intergrated into the film. The film is purported to be a documentary re-enactment set in Nome, Alaska, and deals with alien abductions in 1972. Residents report UFO sightings and state they made contact with extraterrestrials. The movie is contructed in a provocative manner, however the hype is more than the substance. Milla Jovovich portrays Dr. Abigail Tyler (psychologist) who treats pych patients who have the same encounter that her dead abducted husband had. Eventually, she becomes a patient after many therapy sessions. With supporting cast members Will Patton, Elias Koteas and Hakeem Kae-Kazim they just could not make this flick work. THE BOX Directed by: Richard Kelly Running time: 1 hour 54 minutes Genre: Drama, Horror and Thriller Distributor: Warner Brothers MPAA Rating: PG-13 In this supernatural flick based upon the classic short story Button, Button by Richard Matheson, Cameron Diaz plays Norma Lewis a teacher at a private high school and her husband Arthur (James Marsden) an NASA engineer have a visit from a representative from outer-space. Frank Langella plays Mr. Steward the representive who offers married couples with kids one million dollars to push a button on a box which will take the life of an unknown person. The plot starts off with suspense and fizzles away gradually. The story can go only but so far for this two hour movie. What more can I say for a film that relies on the death watch of a button pusher? NOTHING!
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Votes +1 +1 / -0 thumb up thumb down DOCUMENTARY SERIES ON CONTEMPARY AFRICAN DIASPORA - "AFROPOP" by Gerald Wright Posted on 11/1/09 at 12:11 PM \| Last edited on 11/1/09 at 4:54 PM Mood: Fresh "NEW DISNEY STAR ANIKA ROSE TO HOST AFROPOP PUBLIC TELEVISION SERIES" Tony Award winning actress Anika Noni Rose, who recently made history by being cast as the first ever African-American princess in Disney's The Princess and the Frog (Dreamgirls and HBO's The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency), has signed on to host the new season of AfroPop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange. An innovative documentary film series on contemporary life, art, and pop culture in the African Diaspora. As the series host, Rose will introduce audiences to poerful stories about African boxers who journey acrss the Atlantic to match their skills against the best in global contests; a teenage girl who travels to Ghana and a Sierre Leonian ex-patriate who returns to his homeland, each hoping to dispel prevailing myths about the two continents; Hurricane Katrina victims who find themselves refugees in their own country. SUMMARY REVIEWS OF SOME FILMS: "THE FIGHTING SPIRIT" Directed by: George Amponsah Running time: 85 minutes Country/Language: USA & UK/Engllish The filming locations is based in Ghana (the poor fishing village of Bukom) where a relatively female newcomer to boxing Yarkor "Chavez", who is fueled by her hate for men because of a cheating ex-boyfriend shows she has talent. She is known as "the first lady of boxing" in Bukom and shows potential, however she loses her first fight but refuses to give up in this brutal sport. The next profile is of George, a twenty two year old who gets a chance to box a British champion. This is the spotlight type of match that takes him out of Ghana and gives him a chance to see London. Unfortunately, he loses his fight, but gains the insight of the outside world. The main theme of their lifestyles is fighting and fishing. Disputes are settled physically and strength is the centerpoint of their heritage. Brutality is the means of survival. Filmmaker Amonsah captures a look at Ghana through the eyes of those fighting for their dreams. "DESERT BAYOU" Directed by: Alex LeMay Running time: 71 minutes Country/Language: USA/English The poignant film examines devastating things about Hurricane Katrina. It raises questions of race, poverty, politics and religion. Footage of the catastrophy is shown in detail with interviews of victims. Questions and answers concerning the care of the survivors. How they were taken to a place with warmth, dry buildings, clothes, food, medial care, telephones, opportunities for life changing education and jobs. Some people spoke of how nearby states and many major cities assisted. The message in this film is hope. "MOVING TO THE BEAT" Directed by: Caleb Heymann & Abdul Fofanah Running time: 47 minutes Country/Language: USA/English Escapees from civil war in Africa, young people speak of the turmoil they endured. Hip Hop music and culture is their linkage of Freetown, Sierra Leone and Portland, Oregon in which this documentary follows the Rebel Soulz group's journey to freedom. The old cliche' that music soothes the savage beast holds true. The result in the film is a deeply forged connection that transcends centuries of misunderstanding and separation, and becomes an inspirational call for people worldwide to transcend boundaries. "BLACK TO OUR ROOTS" Directed by: Tre Whitlow Running time: 53 minutes Country/Language: USA/English Discovery of one's beginnings is most important to everyone. However, this film looks at how the Habesha Program gives a tutorial of the African culture to African American teenagers. It is an inspirational story of a group of teenagers' journey from the inner city of Atlanta to Ghana in search of their ancestral home. Various teenagers are focused on spotlighting a range of emotions the teens experience as they expand their horizons. As a prerequisite, the teens from Washington D.C., South Carolina and Georgia do fundraising for their trip from America to West Africa which instills a source of responsibility in their personal structure. This coming of age observational film highlights the courage and determination of these underestimated teenagers as they work to raise money to fund their travels, grapple in focus sessions with issues of African American/African history, and leave their familiar surroundings. Change is a good thing for these kids. For more information on the series go to [url=http://www.AfroPop.tv/]www.AfroPop.tv
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Votes +1 +1 / -0 thumb up thumb down MJ'S "THIS IS IT" PREMIERE by Gerald Wright Posted on 10/30/09 at 9:14 PM \| Last edited on 10/30/09 at 10:00 PM Mood: Fresh "THIS IS IT" Directed by: Kenny Ortega Running time: 1 hour 51 minutes Release date: October 28, 2009 Genre: Documentary and Musical/Performing /arts Distributor: Columbia Pictures MPAA Rating: PG The public interest in the death of 50 year old Michael Jackson and the "This Is It" concert that was planned for 50 concerts which was scheduled to begin back in July 2009 and was to continue through March 2010, made a statement to the world. In light of his passing the posthumous film was made from hours of footage of preparations and rehearsals for the shows. Prior to the film's showing a red carpet from Nokia Theater in Los Angeles was screened via satillite to 17 countries. Celebrities from Paris Hilton to last minute arriving Will Smith was interviewed which made this gala tribute screening a most prestigous event. However, once the film began (although it was a 5 minute signal failure) the magic was in the air. This exciting and sometimes somber film is a rare look at the final days of Michael Jackson which used approximately 80 hours compiled into close to 2 hours. One could only marvel at the behind-the-scenes footage of the legendary "gloved one". His work ethics was one of a perfectionist who knew how to stage, perform, dance and orchestrate his music. The rehearsal footage shot in high definition, included Jackson performing his hits "Thriller", "Beat It", and lists goes on. His new songs "They Don't Care About Me" and "Earth Song" is something I'm sure will be released on the proposed album. An accompanying album to the film titled the same as the film will be a compilation inspired from the documentary. Of the Album, Sony said, "Disc one will feature the original album masters of some of Michael's biggest hits arranged in the same sequence as they appear in the film" and stated that "the disc ends with two versions of the 'never-released 'This Is It' song used in the film's closing sequence. Collaborators and close friends are included, giving this film a real sense of what goes into a workday with Michael Jackson. I see it as a hard working and festive means of employment that one can only learn from. This is a film everyone, no matter the age, must see. It is a distinctive treat for the eyes and ears. (FOR MORE FILM REVIEWS by Gerald Wright go to [url=http://www.HDFest.com]www.HDFest.com, [url=http://www.CriticalWomen.net]www.CriticalWomen.net, and [url=http://www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com]www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com)
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Votes +1 +1 / -0 thumb up thumb down THE HAPPENINGS AT NYIIFVF '09 by Gerald Wright Posted on 10/25/09 at 10:16 PM \| Last edited on 10/27/09 at 6:08 AM The New York International Independent Film & Video Festival (NYIIFVF) is one of the largest independent film festivals in the world. The NYIIFVF was founded in 1993 and has been recognized by the film and entertainment industry as one of the leading film events on the independent festival circuit. The festival hosts film, music and art events in the two entertainment capitals of the United States: New York and Los Angeles. NYIIFVF attracts many global entries, including: Australia, Brazil, Sweden, Kenya, Japan, Canada, France, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Colombia, Russia, Germany, Spain, India and the U.K. The scope of the festival ranges from high profile to novice, so one experiences an array of films and individuals driven by independent movie making. The NYIIFVF is a competitive event and is dedicated to making things happen for emerging filmmakers and screenwriters. The festival has cultivated excellent relationships with thousands of companies in both cities. Below a film review DEW (Dauw) Directed by: Ben Jurna & Carrien Dijkstra Running time: 72 minutes Genre: Documentary in Dutch with English subtitles In a tribute to the late Hans Essenberg (cameraman, cinematographer and actor) who began this project of filming the internationally acclaimed artist Marc Mulders, is a film that takes an up-close look at his fascinating Dutch art. After the death of Hans Essenberg, Ben Jurna and Carrien Dijkstra took on the task of making a full length movie honoring both men. Born in Tilburg, Netherlands in 1958, Marc Mulders has been known for years for his expressionist oil artwork is captured on film in his creative environment. His canvases, past and present gives a sense of his power and talent with his sensual paintings of flowers and wild animals that is painted from live subjects. He sometimes stands on thorns and sharp objects that he is working while in his motivationIly mode. I was extremely impressed with his majestic stained glass work Een Tuin van Glas (A Garden of Glass) from De Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam. Housed in 15 Dutch museums, this documentary examines his work as the public gazes in amazement. What troubles me about the famous artist is that he paints flowers when they are in bloom yet in the autumn and winter he turns his attention to dead rabbits,deer and butchered cattle. This film shows a personal interview by art journalist Hans den Hartog with Marc Mulders as he asks what motivates him. Yet, Mulders complexed feelings on spirituality versus the TV world (fake reality) troubles him. Marc Mulders born a Catholic, found himself left attending church alone once his parents stopped going. As he became an adult people spoke of him as "The Catholic Artist". Filmmakers Jurna and Dijkstra not only take a journey into Mulders life but they give a picturesque view of serine background and backdrops of clouds and comforting landscape to set the tone and theme for the viewer to ease into a fine documentary that is very enlightening.
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Votes 0 +0 / -0 thumb up thumb down WOMEN ISSUES INFLUENCE THE BIJOU by Gerald Wright Posted on 10/24/09 at 10:11 AM \| Last edited on 10/25/09 at 10:43 AM THE WEDDING SONG (Le Chant des maiees) Directed by: Karin Albou Running time: 100 minutes Release date: October 23, 2009 (limited) Genre: Art/Foreign, Drama, War and Romance in French and Arabic with English subtitles Distributor: Strand Releasing MPAA Rating: N/R In this coming of age period piece set during the Third Reich's occupation of Tunis in 1942, the story opens with a quasi-documentary sequence that spirts off into a narrative setting of the friendship of two 16 year old adolescent girls Nour (Olympe Borval) a Muslim and Myriam (Lizzie Brochere) a Jew who live and share the same house in a modest community in harmony. Each girl secretly desires the other's life: while Nour regrets that she doesn't go to school, Myriam dreams of love and romance. Myriam is also envious of Nour's engagement to her cousin Khaled, unfortunately Khaled can't find work which halts his marriage to Nour. Myriam's mother Tita (Karin Albou) decides to marry her daughter to a rich Jewish doctor who she doesn't love, and Myriam's dreams of love and romance dwindles away. As the Nazis enter Tunis pursuing the policies of the Vichy regime and imposes restrictions on Jews, Khaled who is a confused young man takes a job as an informant for the German Army. With rising political upheaval and Khaled's help in locating Jews, the two girls must take sides and drift apart. However the more they grow apart the more they need each other. Filmmaker Karin Albou centers the artistic direction of this movie using cold shades of color which encouages Tunisia's exotic image. The setting is also filled with tension and apprehension of what the once harmonial neighborhood of Tunis is about to endure. This film features bold and dynamic performances by newcomers Lizzie Brochere and Olympe Borva. Director/writer Karin Albou brilliantly crafts the dimension of two young emancipated women's lives in an environment that is repressive towards women. MOTHERHOOD Directed by: Katherine Dieckman Running time: 90 minutes Release date: October 23, 2009 (limited Genre: Drama and Comedy Distributor: Freestyle Releasing MPAA Rating: PG-13 This dramedy turn character study of motherhood in urban NYC is fascinating and hilarious. Starring Uman Thurman as Eliza Welch a former fiction writer who now resorts to blogging with her own site called "The Bjorn Identity." She is married to an absent-minded eccentric husband named Avery played by Anthony Edwards and have two young children. Her domestic lifestyle has put her creative ambitions on hold. They reside in one of those "once in a lifetime" situations; two rent-stabilized apartments in a walk-up tenement building in upscale Greenwich Village. The plot developement strengthens when Eliza decides to enter a contest and write 500 words answering the question, "What Does Motherhood Mean To Me", run by a parenting magazine. Uma Thurman is unique as an energized mom and creating a role that is quite good. She has a great supporting character with Sheila (Minnie Driver) her best friend who is pregnant and without a mate. I personally enjoyed the children of the Welch family. Six year old Clara (Daisy Tahan) who attends kindergarden is perky and fun to watch. The toddler of the household is Lucas played by David and Matthew Shallip, who innocently finds mischief. This is the meat of the plot where Eliza shows how exhausting it is to raise kids along with the overwhelming task of running a household, battling for parking space during alternate side parking showdowns and prepare for a birthday party. The audience will be entertained with the playground park mothers and nannies with kids while watching the many backdrop sequences of the NYC everyday people. This is a fun-filled study on being a mom with solid performances by a good cast. (UNTITLED) Directed by: Jonathan Parker Running time: 96 minutes Release date: October 23, 2009 Genre: Comedy, Musical/Performing Arts and Romance Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films MPAA Rating: N/R This a satire that makes fun of nuance personalities of New York's comtemporary artsy world. Two competitive brothers; one who is eclectic and plays piano named Adrian Jacobs (Adam Goldberg) and the other brother Josh (Eion Bailey) who is a commercially successful painter. Though the plot is a little pretentious it centers on how the two brothers are showcased by a stunning woman named Madeleine Gray (Marley Shelton), who commissions art showings and concerts in the Chelsea area of the city. Josh who is the stable and favorite of the Jacobs parents is in love with Madeleine, however she has fallen for Adrian who puts on bizarre avante-guarde musical concerts. The complications of the story is when Josh's highly commercial art work is sold to corporate clients discreetly out of the gallery's backroom which limits Josh's creative talent. The theme of the film is not to be realistic and luckily so, because it doesn't hit its mark with dry trendy humor. Perhaps one could say that the tone and the amount of restraint in the humor is fun to watch. However it does not deliver in its funny interplay. The simplest way of looking at comedy is to say that it surprises, startles, shock or delights us and the essentail aspect of all comedy is that it goes beyond the ordinary, the dull and the familiar. This movie lacks most of these elements and I found myself searching for understanding of this vague idea of what is really funny in relation to analyzing and understanding it. AMELIA Directed by: Mira Nair Running time: 111 minutes Release date: October 23, 2009 (wide) Genre: Drama and Biopic Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures MPAA Rating: PG-13 Amelia, is a dramatization of the life of Amelia Earhart. Based on the books East to the Dawn by Susan Butler and The Sound of Wongs by Mary S. Lovell this film chronicles Earhart's rise to fame and follows the relationship between Earhart and her husband, publisher, manager and promoter George P. Putnam. Hilary Swank as Amelia Earhart, Richard Gere as George Putnam and Ewan McGregor as Gene Vidal are the major characters of this lavish movie. The film opens up as she is piloting a plane in the clouds and most of the audience can guess this is her last flight. Soon after the film sequence flashes back to how she becomes the first woman to fly across the Atlantic (as a passenger), the film shows how she is thrust into the role of America's Sweetheart. In this lengthy movie the story written by Ron Bass and Anna Hamilton Phelan take liberties by sugar-coating this biopic with an elaborate mixture of a romantic/business relationship she has with George Putnam which turns into a marriage. Reality has it that Earhart was promoted into this stardom of the skies merely by a staged means of publicity. The clever Putnam marketed her for personal recognition and she went along with it for exposure, money and fame. While the film glorified her existence and purified her long lasting extra-marital sexual affair with pilot Gene Vidal, it lacked any form of excitement. Of course, she was an inspiration to people everywhere during the depression years, the film and Hilary Swank's performance did capture the personality of a woman flirting with danger and standing up as her own. The plot placed a heavy emphysis on her larger than life charisma and how outspoken she was. Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor's performances were at best alright. This is not due to their acting credibility but from the standard theme characters they were scripted to play. However, it became tedious as the story of this famed aviatrix rolled on. The final scenes predictably gave both Amelia and George a destined outcome. Unfortunately, it gave me a lackless movie to endure. (FOR MORE FILM REVIEWS by Gerald Wright go to [url=http://www.HDFest.com]www.HDFest.com, [url=http://www.CriticalWomen.net]www.CriticalWomen.net and [url=http://www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com]www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com ) .
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Votes +1 +1 / -0 thumb up thumb down GOOD HAIR HAS ITS OWN LANGUAGE by Gerald Wright Posted on 10/18/09 at 9:42 PM \| Last edited on 10/19/09 at 9:18 PM Mood: Fresh GOOD HAIR Directed by: Jeff Stilson Running time: 1 hour 35 minutes Release date: Oct. 9, 2009 (limited) Genre: Documentary and Comedy Distributor: Roadside Attractions MPAA Rating: PG-13 Chris Rock as one of the writers of this fascinating film takes an interesting look at the social and economical implications that hair has held specifically for African American women. The movie examines its connection to black pride, race and gender. Its context have taken place in the mainstream press and media; however, the similarities and differences between the hair of women from the dominant culture and the hair of women of African American decent have not been fully explored. In an interview with Chris Rock, he explained that his young daughter Lola asked him, "Daddy, how come I don't have good hair?" He decided to make this movie and find answers to her question and satisfy his own curiousity. This film is not only deeply original and brave but it sparks humor in its journey to beauty salons, scientific labs, cosmetology training, and Indian temples where hair weaves come from. Chris Rock is the main character who navigates the investigation and candid interviews with Nia Long, Raven Symone, Maya Angelou, Kerry Washington, Ice-T, Paul Mooney, and Rev. Al Sharpton. He tackles a range of issues that are highly charged, both in the arena of racial, social and political issues. Big business topics are brought to light as it is found out that mainstream corporations profit and the African American community doesn't always share in this. The research on the symbolic and moral meanings of hair in the black communities invigorates the analysis of the linquistic and social construction of personal and group identity. It demonstrates that hair is just not hair in the eyes of women, yet their is a racial division. Their is an invisible difference in Euro-American women's hair culture, however their is a blantantly obvious difference to the African American women's hairstylings. Exploring the significance of hair in the black culture, this movie shows how women have redefined beauty for themselves and used their hair as a symbol of self-confidence and advancement. This is the set-up for the subplot of a flamboyant hair styling contest from Atlanta, Georgia, that is exciting and entertaining. The styling of hair, props and dance routines are showcased in various forms for monetary competition. As for the question of "what is good hair"? I find that in the eyes of the one who has their hair styled. African American hair can range in texture from straight to tightly curled. If you are African American and want to wear your hair in some of the sleek, straight styles that are popular today, then using some method of straightening is usually necessary. Hair straightening is a process using a straightening comb heated to a high temperature. The pros in this is that no chemicals are used, if you want to go back natural it is reversible, and it's less expensive than chemical straightening. However, the cons in the process is that repeated heat styling eventually damages your hair, there's a risk of burning the scalp-face-ears, expensive for long thick hair, and bad weather can revert hair back to its natural state. Next is chemical straightening for a permanant alternative. Relaxers are the most common form of chemical straightening for African American hair which contains sodium hydroxide (lye) or calcium hydroxide. The benefits in this is permanent results and sleek, shiny hair that can be cut or styled in any number of ways. The drawbacks are hair damge and breakage, serious chemical burns to the scalp, and can be very expensive if done by a stylist every six to eight weeks depending on hair texture. And the other alternative is hair weaves that are attached to the natural rooted hair. This is the new market of natural hair from India which has turn into a big profit enterprise that is highlighted in the documentary. The minor flaw in the movie is that Mrs. Chris Rock did not give her opinion on the matter of how old a young girl should go through the process of getting her hair straightened. Whatever method of hair styling you prefer, it is a personal choice. However, I found GOOD HAIR to be a fascinating, funny and informative flick.
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Votes 0 +0 / -0 thumb up thumb down A BIOPIC & DOC FOR THE WEEKEEND by Gerald Wright Posted on 9/26/09 at 1:05 AM \| Last edited on 9/26/09 at 1:26 AM Mood: Indifferent COCO BEFORE CHANEL (Coco Avant Chanel) Directed by: Anne Fontaine Running time: 110 mins. Release date: Sept. 25, 2009 (limited) Genre: Drama, Romance and Biography in French with English subtitles Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics MPAA Rating: PG-13 The life of the famed French fashion designer Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel (Audrey Tautou) in this film begins in her early years as a strong will orphan to which her father never returned for her. Having to survive as a poor young woman in a hard Paris culture once leaving the orphanage, she finds herself working as a singer and a seamstress in a provincial bar. She earns her nickname "Coco" from the song she sings with her older sister Adrienne (Marie Gillain). However, as a cabaret performer with a weak voice who sings to an audience of drunks, the emancipated female protagonist falls back on her talent as a seamstress at a local tailor shop. There she meets a regular customer named Baron Etienne Balsan (Benoit Poelvoorde) who later becomes her protector. As a young thin courtesan, Coco finds refuge at the Baron's stud horse farm and lives as a kept woman. Audrey Tautou's performance is quite elegant and is reminiscent of the Shirley McClain made for TV movie version, however Tautou displays a more realistic adaptation. This version shows her as the petite and boyish person she really was in real life. The film gives a well defined structure and puts an emphasis on internal congruity. While the actors achieve the goals of the plot. These were good choices in casting for the roles they played. Romance and tragedy takes charge in the story when Coco finds love with an Englishman named Arthur "Boy" Capel while sharing her bed with Baron Balsan. Her life takes off as a ladie's hat-maker/dress-maker, but soon it finds a pitfall. As in any romantic tragedy to be a successful genre to work for film directors it must depend on the cinematography, plot and narrative drive, characters, acting and cultural discourses. Discourses are particularly pertinent to this genre as the subject matter, events and characterizations are historical. It allows the the audience to see and understand this in their own modern day minds. The film will capture attention because the tremendous journey of Coco from orphan to successful fashion designer who became a timeless symbol in a once male dominating industry, apart from lifeless romantic angle the movie could have made better. CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY Directed by: Michael Moore Running time: 126 mins. Release date: Sept. 25, 2009 Genre: Documentary Distributor: Overture Films MPAA Rating: R The production company's synopsis states that with both humor and outrage, Michael Moore explores a taboo question: What is the price that America pays for its love of capitalism? The examinating of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans (and by default, the entire world). While today the American dream is more of a nightmare as families pay the price with their jobs, their homes and their savings. Filmmaker Moore's movie takes the viewer into the homes of ordinary people whose lives have been destroyed and takes a look for explanations in Washington D.C. and elsewhere. His ultimate quest is to answer some of the questions that plague the masses. The thought is good in this film, however movie is poorly structured into a romp on the beauracrats and politicians. Rather than taking a serious look at the issues and placing some satire in his film composition, he orchestrates a 2 hour plus Michael Moore one-man show. It's too bad he couldn't do a better job. FOR MORE REVIEWS by Gerald Wright go to HDFest.com ([url=http://www.HDFest.com]www.HDFest.com), Critical Women on Film "he Said, She Said" ([url=http://www.CriticalWomen.net]www.CriticalWomen.net ) and Film Showcase ([url=http://www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com]www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com)
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Votes +1 +1 / -0 thumb up thumb down A SOLID CINEMA WEEKEND Posted on 9/20/09 at 2:58 PM \| Last edited on 9/20/09 at 6:26 PM Mood: Fresh 35 SHOTS OF RUM Directed by: Claire Denis Running time: 102 minutes Release date: September 16, 2009 Genre: Drama in French with English subtitles Distributor: The Cinema Guild MPAA Rating: N/R In this profoundly warm and tender story set outside Paris, Lionel (Alex Descas) a metro conductor lives with his daughter Josephine (Mati Diop) in a bustling apartment complex. Josephine is a beautiful university student who finds love in another tenant named Noe (Gregoire Colin) a handsome young man, while Lionel is drawn into a relationship with another neighbor of the complex Gabrielle (Nicole Dogue). Gabrielle drives a taxi and is a friend of everyone in the building. The storyline focuses on the strong father and daughter relationship. The close knit family bonding interferes with any other romantic involvement in their life. Complications and the mysterious complexities that surround evolving relationships, whether romantic or parental are the force in this rare movie. The plot is driven by what people say and what they hold back, by meaningless pauses between words and significant glances. As their lives are pulled in different directions, father and daughter realize they must finally confront their past in order to deal with their individual destinies. This intentionally slow starting plot associated with strong performances by an exceptionally good cast evolves into a solid film to enjoy. THE BURNING PLAIN Directed by Guillermo Arriaga Running time: 111 minutes Genre: Drama Distributor: Magnolia Pictures MPAA Rating: R Writer and director Guillermo Arriaga of Amores Perros (2000), 21 Grams (2003), and Babel (2006) puts up a film told in a non-linear narrative, where events of the plot are revealed out of sequence. The film starts off in the mid-1990s in a small New Mexico town bordering Mexico where Gina played by Kim Basinger, a wife and mother of four children (2 daughters and two sons) is having an affair with a local man Nick (Joaquim de Almedeida), who also has a wife and two sons. Gina's daughter Mariana (Jennifer Lawrence) finds out about the love affair and in an accident (?) Nick and Gina are killed in their secretive hide-away romantic trailer. What sets this plot reeling is that teenage Mariana and one of Nick's teenage sons Santiago meet after their funeral and develop their own secretive relationship. Soon Mariana becomes pregnant with Santiago's child and they run off to Mexico despite their family's disapproval. Mariana delivers a baby girl named Maria and abandons her new formed family and changes her name to Sylvia (later played by Charlize Theron). Plot skips 10 years where Sylvia works as a waitress in Portland, resorting to sleeping around with various men and having thoughts of suicide. However, young Maria (Tessa Ia) is search for her birth mother and the plot thickens. This dramatic ensemble host brilliant performances and projects very intense tragic love stories from different places and times, with characters trying to find the healing powers of love, forgiveness and redemption. DIL BOLE HADIPPA! (My Heart Goes Hooray!) Directed by: Anurag Singh Running time: 2 hours 25 minutes Release date: September 18, 2009 Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance and Sports in Hindi with English subtitles MPAA Rating: N/R Bollywood superstars Rani Mukherjee and Shahid Kapoor team up for the first time on screen for a fun loving movie about romance, the spirit of the game of cricket and sexual equality. Set in India, beautiful Veera (Rani Mukherjee) lives in a small village and can play cricket as well as (if not better) any man. She works in a local theater group performing in a mustache and beard on stage as a guy opposite an attractive woman. When she learns that Rohan (Shahid Kapoor) the famous Brit cricket player will captain the male only team in India, she decides to try-out for the team disguised as a man (using her stage make-up). In the theme of Bollywood, rythmatic dance sequences light up the screen (choreography by Vaibhavi Merchant, Chinni Prakash & Rekha Prakash), along with lively songs furnished by Pritam. The vivid colors of the costumes designed by Manish Malhotra, Mamta Anand and Soniya Tommy illuminates a spectacular ensemble of characters. This often exciting romantic sports film has many moments of comedy supplied by the very talented Rani Mukherjee impersonated a male cricket player while romancing her co-star Shahid Kapoor. She displays a perfect sense of comedic timing. In several scenes, such as the locker room scene when her sexual identity is almost exposed, I and the audience was laughing out of our seats. Many may consider this movie a chick flick. Many may not understand the game of cricket. However, it doesn't make a difference because I believe everyone will enjoy this film. (FOR MORE FILM REVIEWS by Gerald Wright go to [url=http://www.HDFest.com]www.HDFest.com, [url=http://www.CriticalWomen.net]www.CriticalWomen.net, and [url=http://www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com]www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com )
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Votes +1 +1 / -0 thumb up thumb down THE OTHER MAN review by Gerald Wright Posted on 9/12/09 at 3:29 PM \| Last edited on 9/13/09 at 7:49 PM Mood: Fresh Directed by: Richard Eyre Running time: 90 minutes Release date: September 11, 2009 (NY & LA) Genre: Drama, Romance, and Adaptation Distributor: Image Entertainment MPAA Rating: R This is a movie based of a short by Bernhard Schlink with the same title of infidelity and the uncovering of it after years of a so-call blissful marriage. Liam Neeson is Peter, the CEO of a London computer software company who has been married to Lisa (Laura Linney) for 20 years. However, this very edgy, dark, psychological and quite mysterious thriller sets Peter on an obsessive journey to uncover the truth surrounding the disappearances of his wife while she is off on her business trips. When he discovers that she has been receiving romantic emails and mobile messages from a man he never knew existed he is determined to find out the identity of this other man in his spouse's life. Ralph is masterfully played by Antonio Banderas, who is the other man who Lisa has a romantic and sexual interlude with during her time away from her husband Peter. He is a suave con man who seduces Lisa, however her character is one that needs two people to complete her life. Laura Linney gives a magnificent performance as a woman who is different things to different people and juggles with her love. Hurt and vengeful Peter flies to Milan to seek out the mysterious Ralph against the advice of his estranged daughter Abigail (Romola Garai). As a result of his search, Peter discovers the secrets of his enigmatic wife and her lover who is less than what he appears to be. The plot opens the world of love, betrayal and forgiveness. But more than that, learning about the unpleasant things of that someone you think you knew very well. Director Richard Eyre keeps the rhythm evenly paced and the story development brings out superb performances by a brilliant cast.
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Votes -1 +0 / -1 thumb up thumb down INDIES NOT HITTING THE MARK by Gerald Wright Posted on 9/7/09 at 5:43 PM \| Last edited on 9/7/09 at 9:43 PM Mood: Rotten SANDSTORM Directed by: Michael Mahonen Running time: 75 minutes Release date: September 4, 2009 Genre: Drama, Crime and Political in Chinese with English, French and Spanish subtitles Distributor: Requisite Films MPAA Rating: Unrated Based on the persecutions of Falun Gong practitioners in China, Sandstorm is a fictionalize story of torture, conscience awakening and tolerance. Filmmaker Michael Mahonen makes his debut as a writer/director with this film. He adopted the Falun Gong practice and researched the persecution of the followers by the cruel and corrupt Chinese government which prompted him to make this film. However, he assumes the audience is famliar with the subject matter and he does not lay out a backstory of a non-fiction story to start his fictionalize tale. The actual story is that hundreds of practitioners of a meditation and exercise based spiritual movement were marked as criminals by the ruthless Chinese governmeent. According to human rights groups, more than 35 deaths, 35,000 arrests, pervasive tortures, and the burning of as many as 7.8 million books written by the controversial founder of Falun Gong, Li Hongzhi. Most world citizens recall Tianamen Square, in Beijing, where protesters demanded their rights. In China, Falon Gong's point of view has been banned by using secret plots to frame, slander and exterminate this popular world-wide spiritual movement. This film sets itself in the world of mid-level police officer Hetian Ying played by Rong Tian who has the horrible task of torturing confessions out of Falun Gong followers. Ying is a mild mannered man and lives with a wife and daughter played by Zeng Ziyu and Annie Li. It seems that a monumental sandstorm cripples the city of Beijing and the plot indicates that this is due to the vengeance of a higher power. Ying had not picked his daughter up from scholl due to the road crossing. Now he and his wife are waiting for their daughter who is out there somewhere. The scenes flashback to his interrogation of a female Falun Gong follower and now prisoner brilliantly played by Lili Li. Ying's supervisor played by Steve Hong threatens torture to the death if necessary, however Rong Tian's character of Ying is performed in a manner that adds dignity to a weak man. Ying must come to grips with what is right and what is wrong in his duties as a policeman, and then learn to open his eyes to being humane. This film has a clear message of shedding light on a critical human rights issue barely acknowledged by people outside of China, however the movie lacks any real substance in storytelling. The setting never allows the audience to see the sandstorm which flushes the whole premise of the movie down the toilet. Great message - but a bad film. TICKLING LEO Directed by: Jeremy Davidson Running time: 90 minutes Release date: September 4, 2009 Genre: Drama Distributor: Barn Door Pictures MPAA Rating: Not rated Set around the days of Yom Kippur, this is a contemporary narrative that follows three generations of one Jewish family whose secrets from WWII that haunts them. When Zak Pikler played by Daniel Sauli gets word that his estranged eccentric poet/retired liteature professor father Warren Yitzchak Pikler brilliantly played by Lawrence Pressman is suffering from dementia in his secluded Catskills lakehouse, drives up from New York City with his newly pregnant girlfriend Delphina played by Annie Parisse. The story grinds out a loosely true account of how Jews who were rounded up in 1944 Hungary and were placed in ghettos. They were told to establish Jewish Councils known as Judenrat. However, reportedly as history has it certain heads of Councils negotiate with Adolph Eichman to send fellow Jews off to concentration camps. Then the plot skips back too quickly to the contemporary setting where the relatives of this dysfunctional family argues with each other over their lack of familial cohesion. This could have been a worthwhile film to watch, but the movie strains the audiences' attention span with an unbalanced plot. The production of this film is troubling, due to the one week before hand rehearsals and the 14 day shooting schedule. It delivers pointless dialogue and limits great actors Eli Wallach and Victoria Clark to minimal parts that have trouble getting off the ground. To say the least - This is a bad movie. FOR MORE FILM REVIEWS by Gerald Wright go to HDFest.com [url=http://www.HDFest.com]www.HDFest.com, Critical Women on Film for He Said, She Said reviews [url=http://www.CriticalWomen.net]www.CriticalWomen.net, and Film Showcase [url=http://www.FilmShowcase.blogspot.com]www.FilmShowcase.blogspot.com .
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