Does Jeff Bridges think he’s “The Dude” or is he just grateful that he got to play that role? Either way, we love him.
Q. As we see tonight, for a lot of your career you’ve been defined by one movie, The Big Lebowski. Will this put that to rest? A. I’m digging the Dude. You know, I love him. That’s wonderful. You know, the success that he’s had. I was a little disappointed, when it first came out, it didn’t do much. But now we have Lebowski fests and all kinds of things.
Q. I was wondering what you were listening to on your iPod this morning when you were walking through Beverly Hills? A. I was digging a little Benji Hughes. Do you know Benji Hughes? Q. I don’t. A. Check him out.
SXSW just keeps getting better and better. Given that last year gave us the multi- Oscar nominated Hurt Locker, it’s best you stay on top of what’s playing the festival this year to get a jump on things. The line-up is always eclectic and this year is no exception. Finally, we get to see “Lemmy“, the documentary chronicling the enigmatic Motorhead frontman and then there’s “One Night In Vegas” about a 1996 Mike Tyson comeback fight that includes advice from his friend Tupac Shakur. Take a look at some other choices highlighted by the New York Times here. Stay on top of everything that’s happening in the SXSW film worldhere and view the complete film line-up on the SXSW site here. And, for the love of rock and roll, enjoy the trailer for Lemmy below!
What a great week for DVD’s and a perfect time to catch some major award winners you may have missed.
We first told you about The Hurt Lockerhere and it’s been collecting awards and accolades ever since. While the film is powerful just based on the subject matter of the Iraq war alone, the style of the filmaking is equally impressive. The film is certain to be nominated for a bunch of Academy Awards, including some in smaller categories. And now, you’ll have the edge in your office Oscar pool you see it pop up in categories like Sound Editing.
Sam Rockwell is “Sam”, in director Duncan Jones sci-fi thriller, Moon. We loved this movie and appreciated it’s storytelling and throwbacks to thrills that involve human drama rather than scary space creatures. And check out our interview with director Duncan Joneshere.
Brothers Bloom has lots of great early buzz and opens in New York and L.A this Friday, everywhere May 22nd. Mark Ruffalo (Zodiac) and Adrien Brody (The Pianist). star in this globe trotting comedy about the last great adventure of the world’s best con men. The lovely Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardner) also stars as a bored New Jersey housewife who gets caught up in the adventure. Learn more about the movie here. Take a peek at the trailer here.
Also the trailer for Whatever Works has been released. Take a peek here. Read more about the movie in our article here.
Sorry for that headline. It’s our twisted homage to Gene Shalit. This weeks dvd releases are Wendy and Lucy and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Wendy and Lucy is one of those indie movies that you either love or hate. Here’s the story: a woman’s life is derailed en route to a potentially lucrative summer job. Then her car breaks down, and her dog is taken to the pound, and the thin fabric of her financial situation comes apart, and she is led through a series of increasingly dire economic decisions. Michelle Williams gives another great performance but the movie is slow. We say “see it”, but take a peek at the trailer below to decide for yourself.
Benjamin Button is aging backward and given little hope of survival. But, he’s Brad Pitt and there’s a movie to be made here people, so of course you know he’s going to get more handsome and fall in love with the beautiful Cate Blanchett (Daisy). It’s the kind of heartwarming fantasy/love story/ fable that makes for e a great movie. And, we can’t forget the Oscar nominated performance of Taraji P. Henson as the woman who cares for Benjamin, Queenie . Enjoy the video review by Mr. Gene Shalit below.
Now if you don’t feel like getting out the hankies this weekend, kick some ass with Liam Neeson in Taken.
Liam Neeson is a CIA badass who must rescue his daughter after she is kidnapped in Paris by human traffickers. It’s a solid film that won’t make you feel like you wasted your time or money. Although, you may wish that his daughter stayed kidnapped at times. Enjoy the trailer below.
Ladies and Gentleman The Wrestler is out on DVD today! Starring Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei, this a gritty look at the regional circuit of wrestling in the equally gritty state of New Jersey. Darren Aronofsky is known for his stylistic directing but here, takes it in a new direction that only heightens the drama of the movie- by playing down the tricks he actually brings nuance to the story and its surroundings (with props to cinematographer Maryse Alberti as well). All of the Oscar nominations for this film were well deserved and Mickey Rourke gives such a real “performance”, you never catch him acting. Pay close attention to the scene in the bar when “Round and Round” by Ratt comes on. Brilliant.
Mickey Rourke gave a hilarious accepatance speech when he won Best Actor at The Independent Spirit Awards. Enjoy it uncensored below
After a phenomenal Broadway run, Frost/Nixon gets an equally well done turn on film.
For some reason, it’s one of those films that you never think you’re in the mood for, but then you watch it and wonder what took you so long to see it.
Oscar-winning director Ron Howard tells the story of the fateful interview between former U.S. President Richard Nixon, and British television personality David Frost that revealed a side of politics and politicians to Americans that most had never seen before. Luckily, the brilliant actors who had played the roles on Broadway were able to reprise their roles here too- Tony winner Frank Langella as Nixon and Michael Sheen as David Frost.
Kate Winslet won a well deserved Oscar back in February for her performance in The Reader. It’s not your typical good vs. evil story. Instead, we are taken on a journey about humanity and shown why people make the choices they do.
Winslet’s touching and believable performance of a conflicted guard who starts a sexual relationship with a much younger man who reads to her in bed is unforgettable.
Our Hidden Gem this week is American Swing, adocumentary about the rise and fall of Plato’s Retreat, the infamous Manhattan sex club of the ’70s and ’80s. There aren’t a lot of pretty people in this film and that adds to the grit of what was really going on, From the middle-class exhibitionism to the bad lasagna-and-chicken buffet, the film brilliantly captures that hedonistic moment in time.
Slumdog Millionaire, Marley and Me and Tell No One are all released on DVD today.
Slumdog Millionaire introduced many of us to a culture we were mostly unfamiliar with. But, it is the humanity of the story that cross all cultures. This Best Picture Oscar winner deserves a second look on DVD.
Marley and Me is cute dogs, cute leads acting cute and cute kids. The tear-jerker ending though gives this movie some depth.
We previously wrote about Tell No One here and it’s still a big fav. It’s a romantic psychological thriller that keeps twisting and turning right until the end. It doesn’t matter that there aren’t any big stars in the film, except for Kristin Scott Thomas, because the story is the star. Take a chance on this one if you missed it in theaters and then you can be the guy who suggests the good movies for once.
Two Hidden Gems on DVD this week are Killer At Large and School House Rock!Earth.
The original creators of School House Rock! are back with School House Rock!Earth. This time, kids can learnfrom songs about saving the environment as a primer for Earth Day April 22nd.
Killer At Large is a documentary about the growing epidemic of obesity in this country. Very powerful and thought provoking stuff.
Also the trailer for Whatever Works has been released. Take a peek 
Ladies and Gentleman The Wrestler is out on DVD today! Starring Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei, this a gritty look at the regional circuit of wrestling in the equally gritty state of New Jersey. Darren Aronofsky is known for his stylistic directing but here, takes it in a new direction that only heightens the drama of the movie- by playing down the tricks he actually brings nuance to the story and its surroundings (with props to cinematographer Maryse Alberti as well). All of the Oscar nominations for this film were well deserved and Mickey Rourke gives such a real “performance”, you never catch him acting. Pay close attention to the scene in the bar when “Round and Round” by Ratt comes on. Brilliant.
Marley and Me is cute dogs, cute leads acting cute and cute kids. The tear-jerker ending though gives this movie some depth.
