Support Leroy on Patreon:
TELEVISION - From Deadline: ABC's sitcom, "Fresh Off the Boat," will end Friday, February 21, 2020, the completion of its sixth and final season.
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MOVIES - From Deadline: "Scream 5" is in early development at Spyglass Media Group. It would be the fifth film in the franchise begun by writer Kevin Williamson and the late director, Wes Craven.
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MUSIC - From YahooEntertainment: Robyn Crawford was Whitney Houston's best friend, and the two always denied that they were lovers. Now, Robyn is talking in her new book, "A Song for You: My Life With Whitney Houston.
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CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment: Actor Richard Gere may be 70-years-old, but that did not stop him from impregnating his 36-year-old wife, Alejandra, with their second child.
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MOVIES - From THR: Legendary Hollywood star and icon James Dean died in a car accident in 1955. Now, Dean has been posthumously cast in the film, "Finding Jack." Dean will be reconstructed via "full body" CGI that will use actual (archival) footage and photos of Dean. The CGI will probably be posted on a body double actor, and another actor will provide Dean's voice. Dean's family has apparently approved of this.
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MOVIES - From CinemaBlend: Denis Villeneuve is working on "Dune 2" even as he is still compiling his "Dune" reboot.
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TELEVISION - From Deadline: Actor Lucas Black has left the CBS series, "NCIS: New Orleans," after six seasons of playing the character, "Special Agent Christopher LaSalle." Black was an original cast member.
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CELEBRITY - From Variety: Jamie Lee Curtis talks about her addiction, even freebasing once with her late father, legendary Hollywood star, Tony Curtis.
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TELEVISION - From Deadline: ABC's next "Live In Front Of A Studio Audience" will feature recreations of classic episodes of "All in the Family" and "Good Times" and will debut December 18, 2019. "ABC’s "Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons’" was nominated for three Emmy Awards, and took home the prize for "Outstanding Variety Special (Live)" and premiered on May 22, 2019.
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TELEVISION - From Deadline: In spite of recent controversy, the cable TV series, "Mayans M.C.," gets a third season from FX.
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TELEVISION - From Deadline: CBS has given a pilot production commitment to a reboot of its 1980s TV series, "The Equalizer" (starring the late, great Edward Woodward). This time Oscar-nominated actress, Queen Latifah, will play the lead role and executive produce.
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BOX OFFICE - From Patreon: My review of "Terminator: Dark Fate"
From THR: With an estimated debut of 29 million dollars in the U.S., "Terminator: Dark Fate" is looking like a box office bomb, especially with its production cost of 185 million dollars, which does not include marketing costs.
From Variety: The newest release in the "Terminator" film franchise, "Terminator: Dark Fate," seems fated for a lackluster box office debut weekend.
From TheWrap: "6 Major Ideas ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ Copied From Previous ‘Terminator’ Movies"
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ECO - From TheGuardian: Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio praises child climate change activist, Greta Thunberg.
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MOVIES - From Deadline: Director Rian Johnson says angry tweets about his film, "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" inspired his new film, "Knives Out."
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MOVIES - From ThePlaylist: Francis Lawrence has confirmed that he is talks to direct a "Hunger Games" prequel film.
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STEAMING - From ThePlaylist: Al Pacino is joining producer Jordan Peele on a new Amazon series about Nazi hunters.
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OSCARS - From IndieWire: There have been some changes to the Academy Award category, "Best International Feature Film" (formerly "Best Foreign Language Film"), including that voting members of the Academy (AMPAS) will be able to view the film onlin.
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MOVIES-MUSIC - From Deadline: "Bohemian Rhapsody" producer Graham King is one of the parties behind a biopic about the Bee Gees, the brotherly singing trio. They wrote songs for the 1977 film, "Saturday Night Fever," which yielded several hit songs and made the film's soundtrack, "Saturday Night Fever," one of the biggest selling albums of all time.
OBITS:
From NBCNews: The acclaimed Louisiana-based novelist, Ernest J.Gaines, has died at the age of 86, Tuesday, November 5, 2019. He was best known for his 1971 novel, "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman." The novel became a 1974 CBS television movie starring Cicely Tyson, which went on to win nine Emmy Awards, including one for Tyson. Gaines 1983 novel, "A Gathering of Old Men," and his 1993 novel, "A Lesson Before Dying" were also made into TV movies.
From Variety: British music and film producer, Nik Powell, has died at the age of 69, Thursday, November 9, 2019. Powell was one of the co-founders of Virgin Records and of the film production company, Palace Productions. Among the films he produced were "Mona Lisa" (1986) and "The Crying Game" (1986).
TRAILERS:
From YouTube: First trailer for Universal/Blumhouse's "Invisible Man" starring Elizabeth Moss. The film debuts Feb. 28th, 2020.
Showing posts with label Richard Gere. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Richard Gere. Show all posts
Friday, November 8, 2019
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Negromancer News Bits and Bites from September 1st to 7th, 2019 - Update #27
Support Leroy on Patreon:
STREAMING - From THR: Patty Jenkins signs a TV deal with Netflix.
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MOVIES - From BlackFilm: Michael Ealy talks executive producing and starring in the soon to be released remake of the 1990 film, "Jacob's Ladder."
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MOVIES - From THR: Here is a list of Fall 2019 horror films.
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TELEVISION - From Variety: Gabrielle Union will produce a drama-comedy for cable giant, Spectrum. Union is already starring in the "Spectrum Originals" series, "L.A. Finest."
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AWARDS - From THR: The 76th edition of the Venice Film Festival has come to a close. The "Golden Lion" went to director Todd Phillps and his film, "Joker." The "Silver Lion" went to director Roman Polanski and his film, "An Officer and a Spy."
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MOVIES - From Deadline: Haley Atwell is joining the next "Mission: Impossible" film. Atwell is best known for her appearances in "Captain America: The First Avenger" and its ABC TV spinoff, "Agent Carter."
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STREAMING - From Deadline: Darren Criss will star in and executive produce Ryan Murphy's Netflix drama series, "Hollywood." Criss won an Emmy and several other awards for playing spree killer Andrew Cunanan in Murphy's "The Assassination Gianni Versace."
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CULTURE - From YahooHuffPost: "Barbie Death Camp," the Burning Man festival - go, read.
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CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment: Actor Sean Connery reports that he and his wife rode out Hurricane Dorian from his mansion in the Bahamas.
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MOVIES - From Variety: Isaiah Mustafa talks about the transition from professional football to acting, including a role in "It: Chapter Two."
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TELEVISION - From THR: Milo Ventimiglia ("This is Us") will portray motorcycle daredevil, the late Evel Knievel for a USA Network miniseries.
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STREAMING - From THR: Hulu and MGM have the screen rights to the "The Testaments," the upcoming book sequel to Margaret Atwood's novel, "The Handmaid's Tale" (1985). Hulu is currently streaming an Emmy-winning TV adaptation of "The Handmaid's Tale."
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STREAMING - From TVGuide: Netflix is ending its comedy series, "Grace and Frankie" (starring Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda), after its upcoming seventh season. By reaching a seventh season, "Grace and Frankie" will become Netflix's longest-running series to date.
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CELEBRITY - From Deadline: Eddie Murphy is reportedly planning to return to stand-up comedy in 2020, via a tour.
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STREAMING - From THR: Will Poulter ("We're the Millers") has been named one of the leads in Amazon's "Lord of the Rings" series.
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AWARDS - From THR: The nominations for the 2019 E! People's Choice Awards have been announced.
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CELEBRITY - From THR: In a wide-ranging interview with "The Hollywood Reporter," Scarlett Johansson talks about a lot of things. But this interview may be remembered for her support of #MeToo casualty, director Woody Allen.
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OBAMA - From THR: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are having trademark issues of their company's name, "Higher Ground Productions."
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STREAMING - From Deadline: Television series mastermind, Ryan Murphy, is planning an impressive slate of programs as part of his Netflix deal. That includes a TV adaptation of the Broadway musical, "A Chorus Line" and a biography of iconic designer, Halston, with Ewan McGregor in the lead role.
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STREAMING - From TheWrap: AppleTV has scrapped plans to produce the Richard Gere drama, "Bastards."
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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 8/3 to 9/1/2019 weekend box office (the Labor Day weekend and the final weekend of Summer 2019) is "Angel Has Fallen" with an estimated take of 11.57 million dollars.
From Deadline: After Disney slaughtered its rivals at the summer box office, they ask, "what is theatrical."
From Variety: Even with big hits like "The Lion King" and "Avengers: Endgame," the North American box office experienced a two percent decline in Summer 2019 (4.32 billion dollars) from Summer 2018 (4.41 billion dollars).
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CELEBRITY - From Deadline: Actor-comedian Kevin Hart reportedly suffers "major back injuries" in a car accident in Calabasas, CA early Sunday morning, Sept. 1st.
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MOVIES - From TheDailyBeast: At the Venice Film Festival, Spike Lee defends Nate Parker, who is at the festival screening his latest, "American Skin."
From Variety: Director Nate Parker apologizes for being tone-deaf about the resurfacing of rape allegations against him in 2016 during the promotion of his film, "The Birth of a Nation."
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FILM FESTIVAL - From YahooNews: At the Venice Festival, controversy swirls around the film, "An Officer and a Spy," and its director Oscar-winner Roman Polanski. Polanski was convicted for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1978, and he has been a fugitive from the U.S. since then. Some believe his inclusion is out of touch in the #MeToo era.
OBITS:
From Variety: The actress Carol Lynley has died at the age of 77, Tuesday, September 3, 2019. She is best known for her appearances in "The Poseidon Adventure" (1972) and Blue Denim, both the original play in 1958 and its 1959 film adaptation. She also appeared in the 1972 TV movie, "The Night Stalker," which led to the short-lived ABC series, "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" (1974-75).
From YahooMusic: The Grammy-winning songwriter, LaShawn Daniels, has died at the age of 41, Tuesday, September 3, 2019. Daniels was a frequent collaborator of Grammy-winner, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and wrote or co-wrote songs for Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga. Daniels won the "Grammy Award for Best R&B Song" for Destiny Child's "Say My Name" in 2001.
TRAILERS:
From YouTube: The first trailer for "Bad Boys for Life" the third film in the "Bad Boys" film franchise. The film is due January 17, 2020.
STREAMING - From THR: Patty Jenkins signs a TV deal with Netflix.
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MOVIES - From BlackFilm: Michael Ealy talks executive producing and starring in the soon to be released remake of the 1990 film, "Jacob's Ladder."
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MOVIES - From THR: Here is a list of Fall 2019 horror films.
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TELEVISION - From Variety: Gabrielle Union will produce a drama-comedy for cable giant, Spectrum. Union is already starring in the "Spectrum Originals" series, "L.A. Finest."
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AWARDS - From THR: The 76th edition of the Venice Film Festival has come to a close. The "Golden Lion" went to director Todd Phillps and his film, "Joker." The "Silver Lion" went to director Roman Polanski and his film, "An Officer and a Spy."
----------
MOVIES - From Deadline: Haley Atwell is joining the next "Mission: Impossible" film. Atwell is best known for her appearances in "Captain America: The First Avenger" and its ABC TV spinoff, "Agent Carter."
----------
STREAMING - From Deadline: Darren Criss will star in and executive produce Ryan Murphy's Netflix drama series, "Hollywood." Criss won an Emmy and several other awards for playing spree killer Andrew Cunanan in Murphy's "The Assassination Gianni Versace."
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CULTURE - From YahooHuffPost: "Barbie Death Camp," the Burning Man festival - go, read.
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CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment: Actor Sean Connery reports that he and his wife rode out Hurricane Dorian from his mansion in the Bahamas.
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MOVIES - From Variety: Isaiah Mustafa talks about the transition from professional football to acting, including a role in "It: Chapter Two."
----------
TELEVISION - From THR: Milo Ventimiglia ("This is Us") will portray motorcycle daredevil, the late Evel Knievel for a USA Network miniseries.
----------
STREAMING - From THR: Hulu and MGM have the screen rights to the "The Testaments," the upcoming book sequel to Margaret Atwood's novel, "The Handmaid's Tale" (1985). Hulu is currently streaming an Emmy-winning TV adaptation of "The Handmaid's Tale."
----------
STREAMING - From TVGuide: Netflix is ending its comedy series, "Grace and Frankie" (starring Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda), after its upcoming seventh season. By reaching a seventh season, "Grace and Frankie" will become Netflix's longest-running series to date.
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CELEBRITY - From Deadline: Eddie Murphy is reportedly planning to return to stand-up comedy in 2020, via a tour.
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STREAMING - From THR: Will Poulter ("We're the Millers") has been named one of the leads in Amazon's "Lord of the Rings" series.
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AWARDS - From THR: The nominations for the 2019 E! People's Choice Awards have been announced.
----------
CELEBRITY - From THR: In a wide-ranging interview with "The Hollywood Reporter," Scarlett Johansson talks about a lot of things. But this interview may be remembered for her support of #MeToo casualty, director Woody Allen.
---------
OBAMA - From THR: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are having trademark issues of their company's name, "Higher Ground Productions."
----------
STREAMING - From Deadline: Television series mastermind, Ryan Murphy, is planning an impressive slate of programs as part of his Netflix deal. That includes a TV adaptation of the Broadway musical, "A Chorus Line" and a biography of iconic designer, Halston, with Ewan McGregor in the lead role.
---------
STREAMING - From TheWrap: AppleTV has scrapped plans to produce the Richard Gere drama, "Bastards."
----------
BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 8/3 to 9/1/2019 weekend box office (the Labor Day weekend and the final weekend of Summer 2019) is "Angel Has Fallen" with an estimated take of 11.57 million dollars.
From Deadline: After Disney slaughtered its rivals at the summer box office, they ask, "what is theatrical."
From Variety: Even with big hits like "The Lion King" and "Avengers: Endgame," the North American box office experienced a two percent decline in Summer 2019 (4.32 billion dollars) from Summer 2018 (4.41 billion dollars).
----------
CELEBRITY - From Deadline: Actor-comedian Kevin Hart reportedly suffers "major back injuries" in a car accident in Calabasas, CA early Sunday morning, Sept. 1st.
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MOVIES - From TheDailyBeast: At the Venice Film Festival, Spike Lee defends Nate Parker, who is at the festival screening his latest, "American Skin."
From Variety: Director Nate Parker apologizes for being tone-deaf about the resurfacing of rape allegations against him in 2016 during the promotion of his film, "The Birth of a Nation."
----------
FILM FESTIVAL - From YahooNews: At the Venice Festival, controversy swirls around the film, "An Officer and a Spy," and its director Oscar-winner Roman Polanski. Polanski was convicted for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1978, and he has been a fugitive from the U.S. since then. Some believe his inclusion is out of touch in the #MeToo era.
OBITS:
From Variety: The actress Carol Lynley has died at the age of 77, Tuesday, September 3, 2019. She is best known for her appearances in "The Poseidon Adventure" (1972) and Blue Denim, both the original play in 1958 and its 1959 film adaptation. She also appeared in the 1972 TV movie, "The Night Stalker," which led to the short-lived ABC series, "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" (1974-75).
From YahooMusic: The Grammy-winning songwriter, LaShawn Daniels, has died at the age of 41, Tuesday, September 3, 2019. Daniels was a frequent collaborator of Grammy-winner, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and wrote or co-wrote songs for Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga. Daniels won the "Grammy Award for Best R&B Song" for Destiny Child's "Say My Name" in 2001.
TRAILERS:
From YouTube: The first trailer for "Bad Boys for Life" the third film in the "Bad Boys" film franchise. The film is due January 17, 2020.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of September 21st to September 27th, 2014 - Update #16
NEWS:
From YahooTV: Information about some of the characters in the still-in-development Walking Dead spinoff.
From YahooCelebrity: George Clooney married Amal Alamuddin today, Saturday, September 27, 2014, in Italy. The marriage will be made official in a civil ceremony on Monday.
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From YahooTV: "Gilligan's Island" is 50-years-old today.
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From YahooScreen: Apparently, there will be a third installment of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. I don't like this movie, but strangely, I really loved Evan Dorkin's comic book adaptation of the film for Marvel Comics.
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From InsideMovies: Famously (infamously) reclusive writer, Thomas Pynchon, may make a cameo in Paul Thomas Anderson's film adaptation of his novel, Inherent Vice.
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From CinemaBlend: "Taken 3" gets a new title, Tak3n... seriously.
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From CinemaBlend: A story about Kenan Thompson of "Saturday Night Live" and "What Up With That?"
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From YahooNews: Will Smith posts cute birthday pic of he and and wife, Jada.
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From UPI: Oscar-nominated actress, Kate Hudson, claims that she and mother, Oscar-winning legend, Goldie Hawn, can see ghosts.
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From YahooCelebrity: Emma Watson, of Harry Potter fame, delivers a stirring speech on gender equality before the United Nations on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
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From TheHollywoodReporter: New release, The Maze Runner, wins the September 19th to 21st, 2014 weekend box office with an estimated take of $32.5 million.
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From the HuffingtonPost: Idris Elba's tale of the vampire Nic Cage.
COMICS BOOKS - Books and Films:
From TheMotleyFool: Five things you might not know about "Batman Vs. Superman."
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From Inquisitr: "Batman vs. Superman" cast member, Henry Lennix, says that fans of Frank Miller's seminal Batman graphic novel, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, will be pleased about the 2016 film.
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From Vulture: Bryan Singer will direct "X-Men: Apocalypse" and an update on his legal trouble.
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From CinemaBlend: If he is in "Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice," what will Aquaman look like.
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From YahooTV: TV Guide on what works and doesn't work in "Gotham" (FOX affiliates - 8 Eastern/7Central, but check your local listings).
STAR WARS:
From Inquisitr: Episode 7 concept art reveals a light sabre duel in a snowy forest
From CinemaBlend: Storm Troopers may have a new look in Episode 7.
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From IBTimes: Five villains who may be in Episode 7.
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From /Film: Roger Moore, James Bond and The Saint, talks about his Star Wars Episode 7 set visit.
INTERVIEWS and REVIEWS:
From The Hollywood Reporter via YahooMovies: Richard Gere talks about playing a homeless man in "Time Out of Mind.
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From YahooTV: A review of Episode 1 of Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 22
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From TheVillageVoice: An interview of Terry Gilliam for the release of his new film, Zero Theorem.
TRAILERS:
From 20th Century Fox: New trailer for Kingsman: The Secret Service.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Cast of Oscar-Winning "Chicago" Reunite at 2013 Oscars
Reunion Of "Chicago" Stars – Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, Renée Zellweger, And Catherine Zeta-Jones – To Present On 10th Anniversary Of The Film's Oscar® Win
Academy Award® winners Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones will join their "Chicago" cast mates Richard Gere and Queen Latifah to present together on-stage at the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.
"We are very excited to reunite the stars of 'Chicago' to present on the Oscars, on the 10th anniversary of the movie's win for Best Picture," said Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.
Zellweger, Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah received nominations for their performances in the film. Jones and Queen Latifah were nominated for their supporting roles, Jones took home the Oscar that year. Zellweger, who was nominated for her lead performance in the film, has been nominated three times, and won in 2003 for her supporting role in "Cold Mountain."
Gere, Queen Latifah, Zellweger and Zeta-Jones join a stellar list of previously announced Oscar presenters including Mark Wahlberg, Ted, and "The Avengers" cast members Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo; returning 2011 Oscar winners Jean Dujardin, Christopher Plummer, Octavia Spencer and Meryl Streep; special guests Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Daniel Radcliffe, Channing Tatum and Charlize Theron; and performers Adele, Dame Shirley Bassey, Norah Jones and Barbra Streisand.
Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.
ABOUT CRAIG ZADAN AND NEIL MERON
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are producers of critically acclaimed and award-winning feature films, television movies, series, and Broadway productions. Their feature films include The Bucket List, Footloose, Hairspray, and Chicago, which won six Academy Awards including one for “Best Picture.” For television, they’ve produced films of “Steel Magnolias,” "Life with Judy Garland," and "A Raisin in the Sun," among many others and the series “Smash” and “Drop Dead Diva.” They recently returned to their roots in live theater by producing Broadway revivals of the Tony-winning “Promises, Promises” and the Tony-winning 50th Anniversary revival of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”
Academy Award® winners Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones will join their "Chicago" cast mates Richard Gere and Queen Latifah to present together on-stage at the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.
"We are very excited to reunite the stars of 'Chicago' to present on the Oscars, on the 10th anniversary of the movie's win for Best Picture," said Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.
Zellweger, Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah received nominations for their performances in the film. Jones and Queen Latifah were nominated for their supporting roles, Jones took home the Oscar that year. Zellweger, who was nominated for her lead performance in the film, has been nominated three times, and won in 2003 for her supporting role in "Cold Mountain."
Gere, Queen Latifah, Zellweger and Zeta-Jones join a stellar list of previously announced Oscar presenters including Mark Wahlberg, Ted, and "The Avengers" cast members Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo; returning 2011 Oscar winners Jean Dujardin, Christopher Plummer, Octavia Spencer and Meryl Streep; special guests Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Daniel Radcliffe, Channing Tatum and Charlize Theron; and performers Adele, Dame Shirley Bassey, Norah Jones and Barbra Streisand.
Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.
ABOUT CRAIG ZADAN AND NEIL MERON
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are producers of critically acclaimed and award-winning feature films, television movies, series, and Broadway productions. Their feature films include The Bucket List, Footloose, Hairspray, and Chicago, which won six Academy Awards including one for “Best Picture.” For television, they’ve produced films of “Steel Magnolias,” "Life with Judy Garland," and "A Raisin in the Sun," among many others and the series “Smash” and “Drop Dead Diva.” They recently returned to their roots in live theater by producing Broadway revivals of the Tony-winning “Promises, Promises” and the Tony-winning 50th Anniversary revival of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Review: Norton is the Star in "PRIMAL FEAR" (Happy B'day, Edward Norton)
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 06 (of 2004) by Leroy Douresseaux
Primal Fear (1996)
Running time: 129 minutes (2 hours, 9 minutes)
MPAA – R for brief grisly violence, pervasive strong language and a sex scene
DIRECTOR: Gregory Hoblit
WRITERS: Steve Shagan and Ann Biderman (based upon the novel by William Diehl)
PRODUCER: Gary Lucchesi
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Michael Chapman (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: David Rosenbloom
COMPOSER: James Newton Howard
Academy Award nominee
DRAMA/CRIME/THRILLER
Starring: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney, Frances McDormand, Alfre Woodard, Terry O’Quinn, Andre Braugher, Steven Bauer, Joe Spano, Stanley Anderson, Maura Tierney, and Jon Seda
The subject of this movie review is Primal Fear, a 1996 courtroom drama and legal thriller starring Richard Gere and Laura Linney. The film is based on William Diehl’s 1993 novel, Primal Fear. This movie was also actor Edward Norton’s feature film debut, for which he earned a best supporting actor Oscar nomination.
I’ll begin with a minor spoiler warning, so skip to the second paragraph if you don’t want to know how the movie ends. I was thoroughly and completely happy that the murderer beats the system in the end; he was my hero throughout the movie. I enjoyed that he trumped the skuzzy and dishonest State’s Attorney John Shaughnessy (John Mahoney of TV’s “Fraiser”), who uses murder, intimidation, and lies to get his way like so many dirty people in district attorney and state’s attorney’s offices. Hooray to chaos! Damn the corrupt system! Now, on to the movie.
Richard Gere has spent the better part of three decades shining his lovely face in numerous films, although his skills as a thespian are usually in question, there is no doubt that he is a good movie star. He has an obvious, almost forced, charm, but he is also a charming rogue. He doesn’t bury himself in method acting; he simply plays the character as himself. It can be argued that no actress of similar skill and of similar shaky box office pedigree would continue to get choice projects, but then there’s Madonna.
In Primal Fear, Gere is the arrogant defense attorney Martin “Marty” Vail, and he just taken on the case of Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton) who has been arrested for the savagely murdering a popular bishop (Stanley Anderson). State’s Attorney Shaughnessy wants the death penalty, and he sends one of Marty’s former girlfriends and co-workers, Janet Venable (Laura Linney) to prosecute the case. Yes, Marty also has a history with the Shaughnessy, who was his boss not so long ago.
Gere is himself, and I can’t see any indication that this performance would standout amongst any others unless they were really bad. Laura Linney can certainly play the tough “cookie,” who roles with punches, taking anything life or ex-lovers have to throw her way. It’s always good to see the under utilized Alfre Woodard (as Judge Miriam Shoat) and John Mahoney is fun in practically anything.
Good performances by most of the cast aside, the scene stealing, showstopper is Edward Norton in this, his first film role. The fact of the matter is that Primal Fear is average potboiler without him. He so embodies his roles (he has more than one part, sort of) that you can’t help but be drawn into him. No matter what happens, you’re rooting for the boyish and obviously innocent and naïve country kid who was taken in and abused by the mean old city. He uses his entire body to become his character: gestures, facial expressions, hair, the way her wears his clothes, etc.
Director Gregory Hoblit, a director of episodic television, was lucky to have him. Norton transforms Hoblit’s film from a minor studio legal thriller that would have wound up in home video hell into something worth recommending to friends over and over again.
6 of 10
B
NOTES:
1997 Academy Awards: 1 nomination: “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” (Edward Norton)
1997 BAFTA Awards: 1 nomination: “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role” (Edward Norton)
1997 Golden Globes, USA: 1 win: “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” (Edward Norton)
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Monday, October 17, 2011
Review: "Chicago" is Bold and Splash (Happy B'day, Rob Marshall)
Chicago (2002)
Running time: 113 minutes (1 hour, 53 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sexual content and dialogue, violence and thematic elements
DIRECTOR: Rob Marshall
WRITER: Bill Condon (based upon the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins and the musical by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb)
PRODUCER: Martin Richards
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Dion Beebe (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Martin Walsh
COMPOSER: Danny Elfman
2003 Academy Award winner
MUSICAL/CRIME/DRAMA with elements of comedy
Starring: Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Lucy Liu, Taye Diggs, Colm Feore, Christine Baranski, Dominic West, and Mya
Adulterous Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) kills her lover after he boldly admits lying to her and stringing her along. Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) kills her song and dance partner sister and her own husband when she catches them knocking boots. Both end up in the same dark and dank prison awaiting trial, clients of William “Billy” Flynn (Richard Gere), a flamboyant lawyer who specializes in representing gals who’ve killed their husbands and lovers. Under the tutelage of Matron “Mama” Morton (Queen Latifah), the girls struggle to escape the gallows for their crimes and strive for fame in scandal laden 1920’s Chicago.
Yes, it’s good, damn good. Director/choreographer Rob Marshall’s Chicago, a film version of the famed musical, is a thoroughly enjoyable and invigorating film spectacle. If this and Moulin Rouge! represent what the return of film musicals will look like, we are in for a treat. Marshall choreographed “Annie” and “Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” for television. In his film, he creates lavish and electrical dance scenes of the musical’s songs and integrates them with the dark and gritty world of 20’s Chicago. The colorful staged renditions of the songs flit back and forth showing us the idealized worlds of the characters, juxtaposed against the brutal frankness of their real world. The dance numbers are stirring and attention grabbing, as visually attractive as anything on MTV.
Screenwriter Bill Condon, who won an Academy Award for writing his film Gods and Monsters, does an excellent job composing a story that can compete with the energy and electricity of the songs. That’s no easy feat. Condon had to structure the story so that we would be as interested in it as we were thrilled by the songs. Chicago’s central story is rife with engaging tension and conflict and with characters we can support along every step of their treacherous journey.
Can Ms. Zellweger, Ms. Zeta-Jones, and Mr. Gere sing and dance? The answer is a resounding “yes!” Seeing them in the staged numbers and in the story scenes is like watching six different performers. I had a hard time believing the actors and singer/dancers were the same people; I know these performers and to see them pull off these performances is a revelation. I didn’t know Gere had it in him. It’s simply stunning and worth every minute of your time to watch.
The supporting performances are quite nice. Queen Latifah’s presence asserts itself strongly on the film; it often seems as if Mama is the puppeteer backstage directing events. Taye Diggs adds a sense of style to the film, and John C. Reilly quietly adds a sense of innocence and moral dignity to a story of people ready to grab fame at any costs.
Chicago, like Moulin Rouge!, is not like your average film. In fact, it’s very different from most quality and “serious” films. Like a good drama, it’s thoughtful; like the best action movies, it’s quite explosive. Chicago is a dream work, a film that is as visually rambunctious as the best music videos, but with the strong story and characters that you can take to heart – a must see movie.
8 of 10
A
NOTES:
2003 Academy Awards: 6 wins: “Best Picture” (Martin Richards), “Best Actress in a Supporting Role” (Catherine Zeta-Jones), “Best Art Direction-Set Decoration” (John Myhre-art director and Gordon Sim-set decorator), “Best Costume Design” (Colleen Atwood), “Best Film Editing” (Martin Walsh), and “Best Sound” (Michael Minkler, Dominick Tavella, and David Lee); 6 nominations: “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” (John C. Reilly), “Best Actress in a Leading Role” (Renée Zellweger), “Best Actress in a Supporting Role” (Queen Latifah), “Best Cinematography” (Dion Beebe), “Best Director” (Rob Marshall), “Best Music, Original Song” (John Kander-music and Fred Ebb-lyrics for the song "I Move On"), and “Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay” (Bill Condon)
2003 BAFTA Awards: 2 wins: “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role” (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and “Best Sound” (Michael Minkler, Dominick Tavella, David Lee, and Maurice Schell); 10 nominations: “Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music” (Danny Elfman, John Kander, and Fred Ebb), “Best Cinematography” (Dion Beebe), “Best Costume Design” (Colleen Atwood), “Best Editing” (Martin Walsh), “Best Film” (Martin Richards), “Best Make Up/Hair” (Jordan Samuel and Judi Cooper-Sealy), “Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role” (Renée Zellweger), “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role” (Queen Latifah), “Best Production Design” (John Myhre), and “David Lean Award for Direction” (Rob Marshall)
2003 Golden Globes: 3 wins: “Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy” (Martin Richards), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy” (Richard Gere), and “Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy” (Renée Zellweger); 5 nominations: “Best Director - Motion Picture” (Rob Marshall), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” (John C. Reilly), “Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy” (Catherine Zeta-Jones), “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” (Queen Latifah), and “Best Screenplay - Motion Picture” (Bill Condon)
2003 Black Reel Awards: 1 win: “Theatrical - Best Supporting Actress” (Queen Latifah)
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Review: "Brooklyn's Finest" is Actually Not The Finest
Brooklyn’s Finest (2009)
Wide U.S. release: March 5, 2010
Running time: 132 minutes (2 hours, 12 minutes)
MPAA – R for bloody violence throughout, strong sexuality, nudity, drug content and pervasive language
DIRECTOR: Antoine Fuqua
WRITER: Michael C. Martin
PRODUCERS: Elie Cohn, Basil Iwanyk, John Langley, and John Thompson
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Patrick Murguia
EDITOR: Barbara Tulliver
CRIME/DRAMA
Starring: Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Brian O’Byrne, Will Patton, Lili Taylor, Ellen Barkin, Jesse Williams, Shannon Kane, Lela Rochon, Ed Moran, Isiah Whitlock, Michael Kenneth Williams, Hassan Iniko Johnson, Jas Anderson and Vincent D’Onofrio
Ever watch a movie that just frustrates you because you want it to be better than it is because it should be better than it is? That’s Brooklyn’s Finest, a crime film from director Antoine Fuqua, an accomplished director of violent action films like Training Day and Tears of the Sun, which are aimed at guys who love violent action.
Brooklyn’s Finest follows three veteran New York cops struggling with right and wrong. Cynical, washed-up Edward “Eddie” Dugan (Richard Gere) stopped caring about the job or the rules years ago. Days from retirement, he finds himself overseeing rookies who will be assigned to tough neighborhoods. Detective Salvatore “Sal” Procida (Ethan Hawke) is desperate for money to support his growing family, so he starts taking money he finds during drug busts. Deeply religious, he struggles to reconcile his criminal deeds with his family’s needs, but with a down payment on a bigger house due, he plots his most dangerous cash-grab yet.
Clarence “Tango” Butler (Don Cheadle) is an undercover narcotics officer who hopes his latest assignment will earn him a promotion to detective and a desk job. However, he must betray Casanova “Caz” Phillips (Wesley Snipes), a prison buddy just released from prison on appeal of his conviction. A vulgar federal agent demands that Tango set up a drug deal that will assure Caz’s return to prison, but that causes Tango to be torn between his conflicting loyalties – the job and his friend. Eddie, Sal, and Tango converge on the Van Dyke housing projects of Brooklyn’s notorious Brownsville section where their lives will change forever.
Brooklyn’s Finest is a sprawling crime drama that offers good characters and a good setup, but it never really develops. The characters are the kind of stock players found in movies dealing with the New York City Police Department and Big Apple crime: cynical cops, dirty cops, vulgar cops, asshole cops, compromised cops, bureaucratic cops, arrogant federal agents, prostitutes, wannabe gangsters, and drug dealers. Plus, there are shootings – lots and lots of shootings. Although Brooklyn’s Finest is his first screenplay, writer Michael C. Martin actually seems as if he is going to do something grand, if not different, with this story and these characters. However, he eventually writes himself into a corner, where violent death is the only resolution, so the movie ends up seeming so predictable. Martin develops everything slowly, as if this were a pilot for a television series, when it really is a movie screenplay. Martin just builds and builds, and before the plot can thicken, it’s time for the story to end. And the only way left to end this is by using good old mister shoot ‘em up.
The performances by the three leads are good, if not great. Richard Gere is so real as the cynical, burned-out Eddie that the character seems weird and out of place. The best acting comes from the supporting players. Wesley Snipes is pitch perfect as the old dog gangsta; Snipes shows it in his face that Caz is tired and out of place among the younger, harder, and more brutal drug dealers. The talented Brian O’Byrne is excellent as the way too underutilized character, Officer Ronny Rosario. Ellen Barkin reminds us how good she is as the ball-busting Federal Agent Smith, a part Barkin plays as if she has a chip on shoulder and dynamite up her ass. Someone should give Smith her own movie because the disappointing Brooklyn’s Finest is not worthy of the character.
4 of 10
C
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
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