Movie Review: A Single Man

Tom Ford the fashion designer can now add film writer, director, and producer to his repertoire. His first film A Single Man is a beautiful film loosely based on the book of the same title. The story follows an English Professor played by Colin Firth who juggles with his newly lonesome homosexuality in 1960s Los Angeles. Every scene, composed piece, and rhythmic piece of dialogue seems to suck the audience in more and more until the very last shocking scene.

I was lucky enough to catch the film when it screened at the Museum of Modern Art on November 23rd. It opens in limited release December 11th in the United States. Tom Ford and Julianne Moore, lead actress in the film, attended the screening and stayed for a talkback afterwards. Ford discussed how he was able to finally express himself artistically especially since he is seen as more of a commercial designer rather than into haute couture.

Although Moore's performance in the film is almost overshadowed by Firth's who seemed to be built to play the character of George, she talked about how easy it was for her as a veteran of the business to work with Ford as a new director. Although old friends, Moore explained that Ford really believes in the talent of his actors and allowed her to bring herself into the character she played.

Overall the scene composition, transition, and rhythm of the action to the beautifully crafted soundtrack made this film a very touching piece and left me intrigued to see Ford's future in film. Checkout the trailer below for A Single Man.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt on SNL is a Must Watch!

After watching the opening "monologue" that Joseph Gordon-Levitt gave on SNL the other night I think he may be my selection for male performer of the year (the female one stays with Carey Mulligan of An Education). I never realized how physically able he was or that he could really carry out a musical theater performance, you only really get a little glimpse of that in the song and dance number of 500 Days of Summer. Watch the clip below (it WILL make you laugh) and checkout his interview on Jimmy Fallon as well as he talks about an interesting website he created: hitRECord. Visit the collaborative artistic site, join, and share!

Look Ahead: Agora

This film isn't scheduled to be released in the U.S. just of yet but hopefully that will change soon! Agora stars Rachel Weisz as a female atheist philosophy professor in Ancient Egypt as the nation turns from its polygamist ways under Roman Christian persecution. Based on the real story of historical figure Hypatia of Alexandria the movie originally premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009 and will be released in Israel, Lebanon, and France in the next few months. While you await its release in the United States check out the trailer below as well as a clip of Ms. Weisz speaking about the film and her character Hypatia.

Casting News: The King's Speech

Stars Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush had been set to star in The King's Speech alongside newly cast Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall, and Michael Gambon.

The film follows King George VI, the father of the current Queen Elizabeth II as he assumes the title of King of England after his brother Edward formally relinquishes the title after involvement with an American divorce and socialite. Considered unfit by many because of a speech problem, George takes on linguistic help and forms a tight friendship with his new teacher as he rules Britain throughout tumultuous times that included World War II.

What to see this weekend: Fantastic Mr. Fox

Directed by Wes Anderson, you know right away this is going to be a quirky one. Checkout the trailer below which features the voices of Meryl Streep, George Clooney, Jason Schwartzman, and Bill Murray.

Movie Review: An Education

The film An Education is a must see in my opinion. Although it was only released in limited theaters in the US, I recommend renting this coming of age film as soon as it is available.

Carey Mulligan plays Jenny, a 16 year old girl growing up in 1960s London and is a little too wise for her own good. When she meets 30 something year old David, played by Peter Sarsgaard, her life takes a complete turn around from its normal routine. Jenny must decide between her past Oxford goals and her new and exciting life with David and his friends.

An unexpected highlight for me was the character of ditzy Helen, played by Rosamund Pike. Her one liners are meticulous and add much humor to the script. Watch the clip below as it shows several scenes from the film & an interview with Carey Mulligan.

Movie Review: Valentine: The Last Emperor

Valentino: The Last Emperor follows the Italian haute couture fashion designer in his final years as the principal designer of his line. As the oldest standing iconic designer the documentary is an interesting look at the man behind the famous gowns.

Although this film is definitely primarily recommended for those with an interest in fashion, it is also an in depth look at the world of design in general and how the balance of business and art mesh together, revealing ultimately that the glitzy end products and rail thin models are the least of anyone's worries.

Check out the trailer below & checkout the 2008 doc. on dvd.

Movie Review: Bronson

Bronson is a film that portrays real life British prisoner Michael Peterson, who dubbed himself Charles Bronson later in his life for fighting purposes. Notoriety came to be associated with his name as he slowly achieved his dream of fame through becoming Britain's most dangerous prisoner. He spent 34 years in jail and 30 of those in solitary confinement which did little to alleviate the menace that Charley Bronson was.

This film is definitely worth the watch, but not necessarily a double one. There is nothing extraordinary about this film except for Tom Hardy's performance. His portrayal of the sociopathic Bronson is impeccable, in particular when the film snaps to moments inside Charley's own head when he is performing monologues for an unknown audience.

Hardy brings to life the screenplay that could have easily been completely mutilated by a less than worthy actor. I hope to see more of Hardy who played so fearlessly he reminded me of Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood.

The film is in limited release currently in the United States. Check out the trailer & an interview with Hardy below.

Ewan McGregor Interview for The Men Who Stare at Goats

The Scottish actor best known for his roles in Big Fish, Moulin Rouge, and Star Wars: Episode III-Revenge of the Sith talks about why he was very much excited to take part in this project and why you should see the film which releases throughout the United States today!

What to see this weekend: The Men Who Stare at Goats

20 Actors I Would Watch in Anything!

Today seemed to be a great day for lists and Entertainment Weekly posted the 50 Actors They Would Watch in Anything but I narrowed it down to 18 and added two that weren't on the list with some of the notable movies I particularly liked them in.

1.) Clive Owen Closer

2.) Colin Firth Love Actually

3.) Joseph Gordon-Levitt 500 Days of Summer

4.) Alison Janney American Beauty

5.) Javier Bardem Vicky Cristina Barcelona

6.) Bill Nighy Love Actually

7.) George Clooney The Men Who Stare at Goats

8.) Amy Adams Julie & Julia

9.) Kate Winslet The Reader

10.) Jude Law The Talented Mr. Ripley

11.) Philip Seymour Hoffman Cold Mountain

12.) Meryl Streep Julie & Julia

13.) Johnny Depp Alice In Wonderland

14.) Daniel Day-Lewis Gangs of New York

15.) Kristen Bell Forgetting Sarah Marshall

16.) Emma Thompson Love Actually

17.) Catherine Keener 40 Year Old Virgin

18.) Paul Rudd Knocked Up

19.) Matt Damon (My Addition) The Talented Mr. RIpley

20.) Angelina Jolie (My Addition) Changeling

Part 1 of the full list

Part 2 of the full list

20 Best TV Shows of the Decade

Paste Magazine has come out with their list of the 20 Best TV Shows that have aired since 2000, agree/disagree; feel free to offer some supplements!

1. Arrested Development
2. The Wire
3. The West Wing
4. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
5. The Office
6. The Sopranos
7. Lost
8. Battlestar Galactica
9. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
10. Mad Men
11. Curb Your Enthusiasm
12. 30 Rock
13. Freaks & Geeks
14. The Colbert Report
15. Friday Night Lights
16. Weeds
17. Family Guy
18. Breaking Bad
19. Dexter
20. Deadwood

So while I don't watch some of these shows (Breaking Bad, Weeds, The Wire, Battlestar Galactica) I can respect the reasoning as the majority of these weeklies save television viewers from the majority of the reality mania that has otherwise invaded our screens.

For more info on why these shows made the list read the full article HERE!