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Commentary – Red
…once again the love affair between a graphic novel and Hollywood has been consummated to satisfaction. Bruce Willis plays Paul Moses who is a retired CIA agent. Although the back story for his early retirement is rather mundane and never becomes a plot point, the opening montage does a good job of showing us that although he’s living among average suburbanites, he’s not feeling content. The highlight of his month is pretending his pension check has not arrived, giving him an excuse to call Sarah Ross (Mary-Louise Parker), a customer service, paper pusher who has no idea she even inadvertently works for the CIA. Their understated, flirtatious phone romance, picks…
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Commentary – It’s Kind of a Funny Story
…The movie centers on relationships and about finding life wherever you are standing at that moment. It’s about learning how to give yourself a break. For those of you reading this old enough to remember “After School Specials”, in some ways, although not cheesy or hokey, that ’s what this movie reminds me of; I think it might have the ability to change the perspective of some kids going through these same overwhelming fears about life. Keir Gilchrist feels like a real kid, he plays the role low key and believable, he’s not trying to go for the quirkiness of a Michael Cera. I like the non-traditional casting of Zoe…
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Spotlight on Spotlight Cafe
In June I attended a film premiere and fundraiser for the non-profit organization, IDEA Performing Arts Center, which benefits at risk kids in Camden by channeling their energy into multi-media production, filmmaking, visual arts , music and dance. I really feel this is a worthwhile endeavor and would love to see the organization make strides; because what we still don’t see enough of is minorities in the mainstream mix of filmmaking and film production. To that end, I am once again highlighting an event I attended for IDEA, last Friday.George Graves is the Business General Manager for the organization and it’s his job to come up with fund raising ideas…
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Quick Commentary – Life As We Know It, Never Let Me Go, The Social Network
The first scene in the movie has Kathy in a hospital saying she's a "carer", but I thought she was saying "carrier", and figured she had contracted AIDS, then she mentioned donors and I was mystified how someone with AIDS could be a donor. So the beginning of the film didn't clue me in at all. This role is a good fit for Mulligan's quiet strength and independent maturity. Knightley truthfully conveys someone desperate to create love during her short life span. Garfield, who plays a heart wrenching, too sweet imbecile in this film
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19th Philadelphia Film Festival Preview
216 screenings, 11 screens, 6 venues, 10 days! So many great films to see, so many synopsis to read, not to mention industry panels and parties; this is the great thing about film festivals, the bad part – there’s no way to see and do it all. Here’s my tentative list (click to view on PFS blog) of films I plan to see during the Philadelphia Film Fest. I also hope to blog quick, on the spot film reviews by attendees after screenings, so look for me during the festival. Food and Film Tidbit: 5:30-7PM before the opening night screening of “Black Swan” City Tap House (3925 Walnut Street) is…
