Tag: movies

film

‘Cadillac Records’ Review

Becca

Beyonce Knowles as Etta James
Beyonce Knowles as Etta James

by Rebecca Ford- Los Angeles Film Examiner

 

 

 

 

The blues are back. 

 

 

The songs will sound familiar to many—Etta James’ “At Last,” Chuck Berry’s, “Maybellene,” and Muddy Waters’ “I’m a Man.” The faces are new.

Instead of making a film about any one of these pioneers of music, “Cadillac Records” is about the place they all crashed into each other—Chess Records.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Chess records, run by Polish emigre Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody), became to epicenter of the future of music. The foundation for the blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll was laid—brick by brick—in those studios. “Cadillac Records” chronicles the rise of Chess records and the tumultuous lives of the musicians who called it home.

Like the Cadillacs the musicians and Chess pine after, the film is beautiful and shiny on the outside. The songs are memorable and the singers croon with the best of them. But cramming the entire history of the forefathers of modern music into 109 minutes makes the film seem rushed, and lacking in the rich details that probably filled those days….

 

see the rest here.

entertainment

Hold on to those coattails, buddy

Becca

I’ve always known that this city is saturated with leeches. You know, people riding on the coattails of their successful family member or friend. It seems that famous people are always just one degree away. “[Famous action director] is my 40-year-old boyfriend.” “[Famous director] is my brother.” “I’m [famous actor]’s cousin.”

And sometimes those people become successful. You can argue that talent and hard work are required at some point to really make it. Or not. Who knows?

But never have I seen such a blatant attempt to use someone else’s fame for their own success as in a recent email I received from a famous film director’s UNCLE. Here’s a sample of the email after I asked him what he was looking for me to write:

“i was trying to give u a story of one of the most famous directors in LA, You obvious dont have a clue to who [famous director] is?
I found u online, never read anything you wrote, I was giving you an opportunity of a life time , to interview my life , which is probably one of the most thrilling stories of our time , We have written a script on the story of my life called — which will knock you of your chair, Being am his uncle i thought it might be something you might of been interested in . LA times journalist approached me coming out of [director’s] house last year. and i said no , but i think its just the right time in my life , my projects, and my story.”

Now, I know a PR sceme when I see one, but I was shocked with how aggressive he got so quickly. I do of course know who this director is (and had double-checked with him that this was in fact his uncle), but I can’t quite see how this uncle thinks that any REAL journalist wouldn’t be able to see right through this poorly written attempt to sell the director’s story as his own.

I’m keeping this anonymous because I don’t want said UNCLE to receive any publicity from me, since that’s what he was going for in the first place. And I doubt this is the director’s fault, so he doesn’t deserve the bad press. And who knows, maybe the UNCLE’s intentions were genuine, but I think the words speak for themselves.

I wish people like this all the best. And I’m sure some of them make it. But their hands must get so tired from gripping so tightly on their relative’s coattails.

Hold on to those cottails, buddy
Hold on tight


film

“Quantum of Solace” Review

Becca

Bond: Beautiful and bold, just what we expected.

I’ve never been a fan of action movies. I don’t love violence in films. I’m more of a ‘it’s-all-about-the-story’ kinda gal.

But, with all my heart, I love Bond films.

From Goldfinger to GoldenEye  to Casino Royale, I’ve loved them all. I love them for the James Bond, the Bond Girls and the overwhelming chase scenes. I love them for the amazing, exotic locations and the hard-hitting fights.

So of course, I was pumped to see Quantum of Solace, the follow-up to Casino Royale starring Daniel Craig as James Bond.

And it did not disappoint, mostly.

Quantum is beautiful, exciting and fun. But it does lack the presence of past Bond movies.

In case you forgot, in Royale James Bond loses the love of his life, Vesper. So now, he’s out to find the man who did it, and stop an environmentalist from terrorizing South America.

The film opens with a car chase (Aston Martin, of course) which quickly reminds you of why Bond films rocks……..

Read more at The Cinema Source.

film

“Pride and Glory” Review

Becca

Pride and Glory

Review By: Rebecca Ford
TheCinemaSource.com

For the life of me, I could now remember the name of this movie. “Pride and Glory.” I think it’s because it’s so general. I mean, it says nothing about what the film is about. Is it a war movie? A period piece? A samurai film?

Turns out it’s a cop drama. And it’s the same-old-same-old, we’ve seen it before good-cop-bad-cop story line. Dirty cops in New York City?! Shocking!

Directed by Gavin O’Connor, who also directed “Miracle” (look at that title!), the Olympic hockey movie, “Pride and Glory” feels far too familiar because it is just another cop movie where violence trumps story, and sensationalism trumps substance….

see the rest here

Scarface?
Scarface?
film

RocknRolla Film Review

Becca


Review By: Rebecca Ford

I’ve always believed that deep down inside, everyone wants to be a badass. A rebel. A baller.

Or as it’s called in Guy Ritchie’s newest film—a Rocknrolla.

So what exactly is a Rocknrolla? He is the best of the worst. Drugs, sex and rock n’roll are not just a part of his life—they are his life. With Ritchie’s action-comedy set on the streets of London, we all get to visit this world, but thankfully, don’t have to stay in it forever. Because really, no one wants to deal with guns, bongs and torture on a regular basis (I think).

Ritchie, whose past hits Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch also explored the rougher edges of London, finds a rare balance between hard-hitting action and quirky dark humor. The cast of merry madmen, the interweaving of interesting storylines and a unique visual style all add up to a fun time in the underworld of London crime…..

See the rest at Thecinemasource

entertainment, film

Vicky Christina Barcelona- Review

Becca

When the closing credits rolled after Vicky Christina Barcelona, a man in the row behind me exclaimed,

“Gimme a break! I want a story. Come on Woody, I want a story.”

While I doubt the portly man knew Woody (Allen), he seemed to know even less about his films. His newest endeavor, starring Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz, and Javier Bardem, has the signature Woody moves– love triangles and trysts and quirky characters. Moreover, everything and nothing happens at the same time.

The story begins in the beautiful, romantic, whimsical city of Barcelona, where two American tourists have come to live for the summer. The analytical and pragmatic Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and her best friend, the unpredictable Christina (Johansson) could not be more different. They meet Juan Antonio (Bardem), a local artist, who invites them for a weekend trip of sight-seeing and love-making. There, they learn of Juan Antonio’s ex-wife (Cruz), a passionate, yet volatile woman who’s not afraid to use knives and guns.

While there are plenty of good, solid actors in this film, Cruz shines. Her character is both crazy and lovable, beautiful and complete mess. She seems most comfortable in her native language, which soars through the film like a bat out of a hell.

I’ve been to Barcelona a few times in my life. It really is a city of possibility, and Woody brings that to the highest level. Sure, a complete stranger will fly you to a small, romantic town and then sweep you off your feet and in to bed. Sure, his crazy ex-wife will teach you to photograph like you never have before. Sure. With a background of Gaudi design and the bustling of a beautiful city, how could it not happen?

Woody Allen’s films often transcend the need for an epic ending, for a life-shattering turn of events. Sometimes, crazy stuff happens, and then other stuff happens. For the man in the audience, that wasn’t enough. But sometimes, that’s all there is.

film

Mamma Mia!

Becca

I’ve always wanted my life to be a musical. For my friends and lover to break out into song during emotional moments of my rollercoaster life would make it all the better. And in musicals, all that messy stuff always works itself out right before the ending.

So when MAMMA MIA came out as a movie, I was pumped. 70’s ABBA music? Meryl Streep? Colin Firth? Greece? How could this be anything but AWESOME?

I discovered that I could never hate a musical. The singing always lifts my spirit, no matter how ridiculous. I’ve seen the live musical, and I loved it. The film could never live up to that, but it does have its own benefits.

If you’ve never heard the story before, it’s about Sophie (played by Amanda Seyfried–who CAN sing) who is about to get married, and wants her father to walk her down the aisle. The only problem is that she is not sure who her daddy is because her mom (Meryl Streep–whose amazing acting masks the fact that she can’t sing) slept with three different men around the time of Sophie’s conception. So, Sophie invites the three men (Colin Firth–who can sort of sing; Stellan Skarsgard–who doesn’t sing; and Peirce Brosnan–who should NOT be allowed to sing) to her wedding in order to find out who really is her father.

 While the singing is obviously not up to par with the musical, the scenery makes up for it. Shot in Greece, the cliffs and water and beaches are breathtaking. The camera work takes full advantage of the picturesque locations.

I’m glad I saw it. Heck, I’d even buy it because it makes me feel that good. Life (and film) really is better in song.

Men at Sea
Men at Sea