ScreenCrave.com » Jon Hamm

Mad Men: Season 5 Episode 9: Dark Shadows—TV Review

Jordan Thompson — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:26:07 +0000

Sunday’s episode of Mad Men, entitled “Dark Shadows,” featured many quarrels; some fleeting and a few that will shape the rest of the season. As Don regained his footing in the workplace, a glimpse of his vintage, brooding self came out of hiding. Hello old friend, you have been missed.

Check out our full review below…

The Players:

Director: Scott Hornbacher
Writer: Erin Levy
Cast: Jon Hamm, John Slattery, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones, Christina Hendricks, Elisabeth Moss, Jared Harris, Robert Morse, Rich Sommer, Aaron Staton, Kiernan Shipka, Christopher Stanley, Jessica Parè, Jay R. Ferguson, Ben Feldman

Episode Title: “Dark Shadows”

As Thanksgiving approaches, Betty continues to wrestle with her weight. In the face of temptation, she’s forced to compare Don’s happiness with her own—with entertaining results. Meanwhile, Roger and Bert drum up some business. Roger enlists the help of his soon to be ex-wife Jane, with a few predictable complications. Elsewhere, Don and Megan continue working without one another. And she flounders as his competitive streak flourishes.

The Good:

Sterling Cooper: Once upon a time Roger Sterling and Bert Cooper were the men to impress. But these days, they’re more like the agency’s silent partners, than its enforcers. Watching them band together to draw in business—without a certain Mr. Campbell—was a reminder of the olden days. Continuing with Roger’s upswing is good, but giving Bert more than two lines is even better.
Lovely Megan: Watching Betty plant a seed of discord in her daughter’s mind to upset Don’s happiness was almost as horrifying, as it was satisfying, to watch the Drapers deal with the problem. Don doesn’t have to cross over to the dark side to give viewers a taste of the attitude they love. His new marriage didn’t implode, but gave fans the fight they’ve been clamoring for, while still showing the strength of the union.
A Snow Ball’s Chance in Hell: As Bert pointed out a few weeks ago, love has made Don lose his competitive edge. That’s no longer the case. Was it right to leave Michael’s ad in the cab? Of course not, but it forced Don to really sell his idea, instead of resting on the laurels of his team’s work. It laid the groundwork for a continued struggle between Don and Michael, which could be as entertaining as the constant clash between Pete and Roger.

The Bad:

Overweight Sympathy: When the season began, the controversial “Fat Betty” plot line garnered sympathy for the character. But due to her jealous motives and manipulative meddling there’s little chance of that lasting past this episode. Betty quickly returning to her old ways isn’t surprising. But it’s a little jarring that the writers would abandon the opportunity to give her a chance to gain a fan base. Seems like Betty’s back to being the coldest mother on television.

The Quotable:

“When a man hates another man very, very much, sometimes he wants to know something is his. Even if in the end, he has to give it up.”
“I’m thankful that I have everything I want. And that no one else has anything better.”

Overall:

At the beginning of the season, things didn’t feel right. No matter how hard you tried to ignore it, everything was just a smidge too happy for Mad Men. However, in recent weeks, the writers have done a good job of returning the gloom the show thrives on. Let Don be content in his home life, but give us the deception and scheming we salivate over. “Dark Shadows” was another step in the right direction.

Rating: 8/10

Mad Men airs on Sunday nights at 10 p.m. on AMC.

What did you think of last night’s episode?

Mad Men: Season 5 Episode 8: Lady Lazarus – TV Review

Jordan Thompson — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:25:40 +0000

Happiness is fleeting and disappointment reigned in last night’s episode of Mad Men. “Lady Lazarus” features a stunning performance by guest star Alexis Bledel as an unhappy housewife. Megan gives in to her heart’s desire as Pete digs himself into a deeper hole. Also, Peggy wrestles with a secret.

Check out our full review below…

The Players:

Director: Phil Abraham
Writer: Matthew Weiner
Cast: Jon Hamm, John Slattery, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones, Christina Hendricks, Elisabeth Moss, Jared Harris, Robert Morse, Rich Sommer, Aaron Staton, Kiernan Shipka, Christopher Stanley, Jessica Parè, Alexis Bledel, Jeff Clarke

Episode Title: “Lady Lazarus”

Peggy stumbles upon a lie that puts her in a compromising position. Meanwhile, Megan makes a confession that changes things for Don. Elsewhere, Pete attempts to help a friend but gets himself into serious trouble.

The Good:

Skis: Until last week, Roger was the season’s most morose character. It was lovely to see him regain some of his spunk and humor. Thankfully, that hasn’t dissipated. He manages to stay chipper in the face of Pete snagging yet another one of his clients. His scenes were brief, but they gave hope that this Roger might be in it for the long haul.

The So-So:

So What Do You Want To Do?: To his credit, Don took Megan’s decision in stride. His happiness has been a change of pace for the show, one that the audience has enjoyed. However, with all that’s happening in his work and home life that may end. Having him resume his bad habits might not be the best course, but Dark Don is a beast everyone loves. It’s just a matter of waiting to see which version we’re given.

The Bad:

Ominous Elevator: Peggy, Don, and Megan’s elevator ride was foreshadowing for Megan coming clean, as well as Peggy and Don’s conflict. Don’s absentee elevator is an obvious nod to what’s ahead. From the look of it, whatever’s coming isn’t good.
Insurance: Roger and Pete are like the sun and the moon: as one rises, the other must fall. Pete’s displeasure with life has made more than one appearance this season. In the wake of his tryst with Betty Dawes, he seems to be on the brink of deep-seated misery. A character in the midst of conflict is practically a guarantee for more face-time. But since most fans already view Pete as a jerk, his wayward husband shtick won’t improve popular opinion.
Just Taste It: Megan’s delightful presence at Sterling Cooper Draper Price was fodder for the Peggy and Don debacle. With her there both titans of advertising had to form new work habits. Peggy found self-confidence, while Don bounced ideas off of his chipper wife. In her absence, it is critical they find harmony once again. Their dynamic is as essential to the show as Don’s suits. Without it, Mad Men might crumble.

The Quotable:

“I’ve had men pay attention to me since before it was appropriate and they don’t care what I say. They just watch my lips move.”
“It’s so simple when it’s someone else’s life, isn’t it?”
“You’re everything I hoped you’d be.”

Overall:

Things definitely picked up last night. There were quite a few laughs, and it was chocked full of exciting moments. That, coupled with an impressive guest star, made for the best episode of the season so far.

Rating: 9/10

Mad Men airs Sunday nights at 10p.m. on AMC.

What did you think of the episode?

Mad Men: Season 5 Episode 7: At the Codfish Ball —TV Review

Jordan Thompson — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:25:44 +0000

As one character rose from the bowels of discontent, two more lined up to take his place on last night’s episode of Mad Men. “At the Codfish Ball” features the return of Sally Draper, and a visit from Megan’s parents. Wherever the in-laws go, conflict is sure to follow.

Check out our full review below…

The Players:

Director: Michael Uppendahl
Writer: Jonathan Igla
Cast: Jon Hamm, John Slattery, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones, Christina Hendricks, Elisabeth Moss, Jared Harris, Robert Morse, Rich Sommer, Aaron Staton, Kiernan Shipka, Christopher Stanley

Episode Title: “At the Codfish Ball”

Don receives an award and Megan has an idea that saves an account. Also, her parents decide to stop by for a visit. Sally and Bobby spend time at their Dad’s place, while Roger and Pete look for new business. Elsewhere, Peggy takes the next step in her relationship.

The Good:

007: Of course Don Draper reads James Bond. He’d be the first no-nonsense version of the spy. Don would punch the bad guy at first glance and step on his throat until he confessed his plan and admitted defeat.
Someone Dumped You: Peggy’s disbelief that some man, or any man, would end a relationship with Joan was a tiny slice of perfection. It was a miniscule moment for sure, but it spoke to the psyche of many women. Females often have trouble being realistic about the lives of women they worship or find exceedingly beautiful. Looking at Christina Hendricks, it’s easy to forget she’s just as normal as anyone else.
Last Shot: Kudos to the director for the presence of mind to include that final shot. The Draper-Calvet family sitting together, all of their bubbles appropriately burst. That was the best end to an episode so far this season.

The So-So:

Megan, Copywriter Extraordinaire: Thanks to Don and Megan’s lightening speed courtship it’s been hard to form a real opinion about her. But Megan is now seen as likable, genuine, and devoted to her husband. Copywriting is as instinctual to her as it is to Don and Peggy, but it doesn’t seem to be making her as happy as her marriage. It was blatantly obvious after her interaction with Peggy, but her conversation with her perceptive father drove the point home. Unfortunately, with no real insight into what’s troubling her, it’s hard to say which way this will go. If it’s a change of career that Megan seeks that might cause problems for Don. Without his love-colored glasses, work could become as dreary as it was before.

The Bad:

Approval: Often when children seek approval from their parents they know beforehand what the parents’ reaction will be. It wasn’t really a surprise that Peggy’s Catholic mother didn’t approve of her shacking up. What was surprising was that her disapproval centered more on Peggy selling herself short than anything else. Peggy has never seemed happy with Abe, and at work her happiness is waning as well. Peggy might be the next character headed for a downward spiral.
The Dirty City: It’s obvious Sally is on her way to growing up. Nothing made that more clear than her poised and appropriate behavior at her father’s award dinner. It’s unfortunate she walked in on Roger, but it’s more worrying that she called Glen afterwards. You know, slightly creepy, older Glen who holds a torch for women with the last name Draper. Seems like the writers might be inching towards Sally growing up even faster than we’ve anticipated.

The Quotable:

“Men don’t take the time to end things. They ignore you until you insist on a declaration of hate.”

Overall:

It was nice to check in with the Draper children, although it seems Bobby and Glen will never be fully formed characters. There was balance in this episode, as one character (Roger) pulled himself out of a tailspin, two more (Peggy and Megan) entered the fray. It’s hard to tell in which direction the core cast is headed, which is as frustrating as it is intriguing. More than anything, an episode that addresses the health of the company is necessary.

Rating: 7/10

Mad Men airs Sundays at 10 p.m. on AMC.

What did you think of the episode?

Mad Men: Season 5 Episode 5: Signal 30 – TV Review

Jennifer Spelkin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:54:18 +0000

After the high drama of “Mystery Date,” Mad Men keeps the heat on with “Signal 30.” Desperate for new clients, Lane tries to secure Jaguar, via an acquaintance of his. Pete’s unhappiness with his life and marriage takes a turn for the worse, while power struggles at SDCP come to a head.

The Players

Director: John Slattery

Writers: Frank Pierson and Matthew Weiner

Cast: Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Jessica Pare, Alison Brie, Christina Hendricks, Robert Morse, Jared Harris

The Plot:

Lane brings in the possibility of new business, Jaguar, by way of an old friend of his (to Pete’s chagrin) while Roger offers some unsolicited advice regarding the project. Lane then fails at his first attempt at seducing Jaguar to sign, but Don and company take the Jaguar rep for a second spin and entertain him with booze and women to seal the deal. At modern day brothel, Pete ends up sleeping with a prostitute while the Jaguar man is entertained. Meanwhile, Pete and Trudy host a dinner party, which Don tries to get out of but succumbs to. Trudy tries to show how perfect their life in the country is, but it’s obvious that all is not well.

The Good:

Rousing Roger: Roger actually steps up for a change and is helpful in his exchange with Lane, instead of being the lazy, incompetent boozehound of the last few seasons.
Pouty Pete: Pete’s deteriorating happiness in his marriage begins to intensify. He finds living in the suburbs a bore and finds himself crushing on a teenage girl in his driving class. It seems as though he is searching for youth in his life that no longer exists.
Leakage: The symbolism of the leak in the Campbell’s home was a good one for Pete’s marriage; a slow leak building up until it finally explodes. It will be interesting to see how the marriages survives- or won’t as the seasons moves on.
Fight On: The fight scene between Lane and Peter was absolutely hysterical. Lane may look innocent but he packs quite a punch. In the end the British brawler took out the Yankee loudmouth who called Lane a “homo” and told him he couldn’t close a deal with his own friend.
Joan’s Comfort: Joan offers comfort to Lane after the fight by telling Lane it’s a good thing he’s not like Don and co; he returns the kind words with an unsolicited kiss. Hints of a future fling perhaps?

The Bad:

Costume Overload: During the dinner party scene, the plaid and patterns and color schemes of the Campbell’s household had me feeling woozy. I know it was the style of the time, but my god, was it garish.
Ken the Pen: Ken Cosgrove’s sudden second foray into writing seems to come out of nowhere, as far as plotlines go, and as a rabid Mad Men viewer, I have to say I really am uninterested to see where this goes. Even worse though, Roger is discouraging his pursuits.
Women Workers: I scowled as the women all got up to clear the dishes during the dinner party: some things never change.
Pervy Pete: Pete’s misconduct made me aware of the smarmy, annoying Pete from earlier seasons (including the affair with Peggy) that we all loved to hate. Pete had done such a good job of making me forget that behavior. Well, he’s back. In fact, he’s becoming the next Don Draper.

Overall:

When Lane Pryce tries on the hat of an account man for the day, he fails miserably because he doesn’t know how to “entertain” in the way that certain clients demand. But as Joan astutely points out, this is no failing of his. It’s an important lesson to take away. Pete’s unhappiness gives us a new storyline to focus on for the rest of the season, and we are ambivalent whether to feel sorry for him or whether to feel he deserves it. An episode with a lot going on, “Signal 30” gave the Mad Men faithful a lot to think about.

Rating: 9/10

Mad Men airs on Sunday nights on AMC.

What did you think of the episode?

Mad Men: Season 5 Episode 3: Tea Leaves – TV Review

Travis Woods — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:47:59 +0000

The second episode of Mad Men’s fifth season aired last night, with Jon Hamm taking over as both director and lead actor. In a solid-to-occasionally-great episode, Season Five’s still-forming primary theme seems to be that of change—both the rampant social/political/cultural changes of the 1960s, and the inevitable changes (including death) brought on by aging—as Don is forced to be less than cool at a Rolling Stones concert while a now-obese Betty faces her own mortality. Check out our review of “Tea Leaves” below.

The Players:

Director: Jon Hamm
Writers: Erin Levy and Matthew Weiner
Cast: Jon Hamm, Elizabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones, Christina Hendricks

Episode Title: “Tea Leaves”

[Spoilers ahead!]

Independence Day, 1966. Betty Francis is finally seen—after her absence from the Season Five premiere—and discover what she’s been doing since the close of Season Four: eating. A now quite obese Betty spends her days drowning the deep existential maw that looms inside of her with pounds and pounds of food. Her chilly depression is then exacerbated with the news of a possible fatal tumor, driving Betty to actually be kind to her new husband, to her children, and to even cry (gasp!).

Elsewhere, Peggy hires the handsome yet annoying Michael Ginsberg as the office’s new copywriter, while Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce has gained an African American secretary—SCDP is no longer immune to the sweeping social changes happening outside of its windows.

Meanwhile, Don and Harry must attend a Rolling Stones concert (the band was then touring behind the Aftermath LP) to try and sign the band to perform an advertising jingle. While there, Harry makes a fool of himself to those only slightly younger than he is, and Don, once the chameleonic ladies man, no longer has a drive to flirt with the beautiful young women at the concert; rather, he begins to show a fatherly concern for them.

The Good:

Betty: In a novel attempt to mask January Jones’ real-life pregnancy, Betty has plummeted into depression and is now self-medicating with food. Watching her sink further and further inside herself, while struggling with the news of a possible mortal illness (spoiler: it’s benign), was one of the highlights of the episode, as the Ice Queen finally let slip some of her humanity. Also, it’s notable that when faced with the bad news, Betty called Don after she was unable to reach her husband.

Ch-ch-ch-changes: It seems the ‘60s have finally caught up with Mad Men, in terms of integration and the rising youth movement. Watching the world of SCDP confront this massive social upheaval is going to be a joy in Season Five. Also, many of the characters, most especially Don and Betty, must now finally confront the two things over which they can exert no control: aging, and death.

The Bad:

Betty’s fat suit: While the necessity of a fat suit is understood, the obviously fake suit required a high degree of suspension of disbelief to get past its awkwardness.

Heavy hands: One of Mad Men’s occasional faults is the Matthew Weiner’s inability to trust that the audience is smart enough to understand the themes of the show. Look, Matt, we get it–the characters are getting old. We get it. Did we really need to see Harry behaving like an out-of-touch grandpa with a group of kids who are barely younger than he is? It almost felt as if there was a neon sign over this scene, repeatedly flashing the words “GET IT, GUY?” over and over again.

Overall:

While not quite the entry that last week’s stellar opening episode managed to be, “Tea Leaves” was a solid entry into the burgeoning Season Five, and, with the Betty’s mortality/ Don at the Stones plots, a fairly massive escalation of the thematics introduced in “A Little Kiss”—namely, the ‘60s have truly arrived, and that our cast of characters may no longer be nimble, or youthful, enough to balance themselves atop such precarious and ever-changing times.

Rating: 8/10

Mad Men airs Sundays on AMC.

News Roundup: ‘Mad Men’ Details, Amanda Seyfried in Deep Throat, The Muppets at the Oscars and More

Laura Aguirre — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:35:35 +0000

This week the Academy added The Muppets and Cirque du Soleil to its Oscars telecast. We’ll have the chance to see acrobatic dancers perform, and best of all, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. Jon Hamm also revealed some new “Mad Men” details, all during an interview at the BAFTAs. We’ve also got some stills from the upcoming movie Deep Throat, starring Amanda Seyfried as Linda Lovelace. Catch up below.

Cirque du Soleil and Muppets At the Oscars: Today the Academy announced that Cirque du Soleil will perform a brand-new number during the Oscars. In 2002, the acrobatic dancers performed at the coveted awards’ in front of scenes from Charlie’s Angels and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. But if you’re not excited to see some acrobatic dancers via television, how about the Muppets? According to OK Magazine, they’ll be there too.
The Jenji Kohan/Netflix Project: According to Bloomberg, Netflix is adding a second project to it’s programming experiment. This time, the streaming giant will produce an adaptation of Piper Kerman’s popular 2010 prison memoir Orange Is the New Black from “Weeds” creator Jenji Kohan. Oh no! Does this means “Weeds” is officially over?
Mad Men Details: At the BAFTA’s, Jon Hamm told a reporter that a relationship between Jon Draper and Joan Holloway might be explored in the upcoming season. Mad Men returns March 25, and according to Hamm, we’ll be “exploring” the “Don-Joan dynamic.”
Tomorrowland Opportunity: Tomorrowland and Talenthouse, along with photographer, Ryan Dinham are looking for the next photographer for the 2012 Tomorrowland Festival in Belgium. This is a challenge where one winner will be picked to travel to Belgium in July 2012. For more information go to www.talenthouse.com.

New Photos:

Amanda Seyfried Channels Linda Lovelace: The New York Times ran a large feature on the upcoming film Deep Throat this past weekend, describing the tone and casting of the film. Throughout the article they also shared a few stills showcasing Amanda Seyfried as Linda Lovelace. Check them out below.

That’s the end of our round-up. Keep checking back at ScreenCrave for more entertainment news.

What are you excited for?

Bridesmaids: Movie Review

Mali Elfman — Thu, 12 May 2011 21:00:26 +0000

Time for some lovely ladies to do some not so lovely but extremely funny things to ensure that EVERYONE laughs their asses off this weekend! Bridesmaids is proof that comedy is not a mans world. Despite the trailers which could lead you to believe this is a chick flick — this film is for everyone and is hands down, the best comedy of the year so far. These ladies will do whatever it takes to get the whole audience doubling over, without playing into any of the usual cliches. Find out why this film kicks so much ass…

The Players:

Director: Paul Feig
Writer: Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo
Actors: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Rebel Wilson, Ellie Kemper, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Chris O’Dowd, Matt Lucas, Melissa McCarthy, Jill Clayburgh, Michael Hitchcock, and the uncredited Jon Hamm
Original Music by: Michael Andrews
Cinematography by: Robert D. Yeoman

The Plot:

Nothing is Annie’s (Wiig) life seems to be going her way. She’s single, her business has failed, and now her best friend is getting married. Though she’s happy for her friend, with the wedding comes the planning and a team of insane bridesmaids sure to make her life hell. Enjoy!

The Good:

Wiig in the Lead!: It’s about damn time! They can’t put her in any more SNL skits without renaming the show after her and she’s consistently been one of the strongest comedic presence in numerous other comedies (Adventureland, Walk Hard, Knocked Up…). Finally they put her in the lead and she in no way disappoints. She’s a comedy powerhouse that somehow manages to give a huge performance without ever going over the top and makes us care about her odd, though lovable character. Not only will she have you laughing, but she proves in this that she’s also able to carry an entire film and act her ass off. More Wiig! More Wiig!
Chick Power: It’s nice to not only see such a powerful female lead but such a strong supporting cast of comedic women. Literally, every single one of these ladies pack a comedic punch that at some point in the movie will leave you gasping for breath.
Pacing: They spaced out their jokes and overall timing perfectly so that there was almost no point where the film lacked momentum. It was one laugh after another and the story never lagged for a moment.
Jon Hamm: This is possible his best role since “Mad Men” and it couldn’t be more different, nor he more unattractive. This is by far the most unsexy and hilarious Hamm has ever been. He proved on “30 Rock” that he has some amazing comedic chops as a naive, pretty boy and this time he brings back that same idea, but with a whole lot more edge. He’s fantastic in this and him and Wiig make an amazing comedic duo.

The Bad:

Zip Zero: This film was so much fun, for men, women, anyone who enjoys an off the wall, fast-paced, raunchy comedy!

Overall:

Watch out Hangover 2, the Bridesmaid bitches are in town and they’re ready to throw down. This film was so much fun to watch, I will happily watch it again with a group of friends (and that’s VERY rare!). Great pick if you’re looking to go to the theater and just have some fucking fun.

Rating: 9/10

Bridesmaids hits theaters May 13th, don’t miss it!

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

Megan Fox and Jon Hamm Shooting Friends With Kids

Mali Elfman — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:11:18 +0000

More pretty people doing pretty things! Only in this case, one of them is just pretty while the other one pretty mass of talent — I’m not saying which is which, I’m just saying… OnTheRedCarpet just released a little news from Megan Fox who was talking about how she’s in the midst of shooting her new movie Friends With Kids with none other than Jon Hamm.

She told them that “They recently shot some scenes for the film at the Mt. Peter ski resort in Warwick, New York.” Recently some pictures popped up of the two in the Daily Mail reported alongside the director of the film, Jennifer Westfeldt, Hamm’s real-life girlfriend.

For me, I can’t tell who is more out of place in this film. Fox or Hamm? (So many obvious jokes for those two names!!!) They definitely don’t seem like a likely duo, but then again, maybe that’s what makes it so charming? Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, Edward Burns and Maya Rudolph also star in Friends With Kids, which tells us one big thing ROM-COM! Hopefully it’s got some kind of edge to it, otherwise I’ll just re-watch the last season of “Mad Men” again — damn that show is good. it definitely has a cast that knows humor and the majority of them can act!

Westfeldt is officially making her directorial debut with Friends With Kids a film she also wrote and will be making an acting appearance in. Seems like she’s all over this bad-boy! Now is that a good or a bad thing? Only time (and a trailer) will tell!

The film is currently in production and is set for release sometime in 2012.

What do you think of Friends With Kids so far? Destined for greatness or just another…?

Source: OTRC

Howl: Movie Review

Justine JC — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 01:55:08 +0000

James Franco gives a career-defining performance in this weekend’s limited release, Howl, directed by Oscar winning documentary filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. Franco portrays American poet/Beat movement founder Allen Ginsberg, alongside Jon Hamm, Mary Louise-Parker, and Jeff Daniels. Though unlikely to sway commercial audiences due to its funky, unconventional nature, the film provides an innovative spin on contemporary storytelling. Though a slightly premature shot to call, Franco should sweep awards season with this one…

Check out the review below…

The Players:

Writers/Directors: Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman
Cast: James Franco, David Strathairn, Jon Hamm, Bob Balaban, Alessandro Nivola, Mary Louise-Parker, Jeff Daniels
Director of Photography: Edward Lachman
Producers: Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman, Elizabeth Redleaf, Christine Kunewa Walker
Animation Designer: Eric Drooker

The Plot:

Howl follows the young Allen Ginsberg, the poet, counter-culture icon, and founder of the Beat movement. The film centers on his most acclaimed piece of work, “Howl” and interweaves three stories: the infamous 1957 obscenity trial that challenges its content, a series of interviews/flashbacks with Ginsberg, and a slew of animated clips of the poem.

The Good:

James Franco: When your protagonist is as iconic as Ginsberg, naturally, the pressure is on to find an actor to portray him as honestly as possible. His thick New York accent, utterly specific mannerisms, bizarre but unrelenting spirit, etc - James Franco captures the essence of Ginsberg without skipping a beat (…pun intended). Most notably Franco nails Ginsberg’s distinctive, pitchy cadence while reading his work aloud. Franco’s commitment to the role is exceptional.
Tone: The gritty, provocative disposition of Ginsberg’s ideas and wildly free-verse style of writing propels him into the controversial throes of the Beat Generation. The revolutionary quality of his lifestyle and body of work is well depicted in the film – the cinematography (jumping from court scene to animation to interview) is just as chaotic as Ginsberg himself. Structurally the film is all over the place, but in doing so it reinforces the overall nature of the story.
Animation: The animation was an imaginative way to expand on Ginsberg’s material. Eric Drooker, the designer, illustrated Ginsberg’s poems before he died.

The Good/Bad:

Poetry Heavy: The film is very dialogue heavy. It feels like a two hour poetry reading/visual – and we’re not talking “roses are red, violets are blue” – this is edgy, sexually explicit material. It will undoubtedly captivate fans of Ginsberg’s work, but could potentially bore/offend those who have little interest in him.

The Bad:

Length: There is no real climax or pivotal story point aside from the outcome of the trial at the end of the film. This, coupled with the never ending dialogue slows the pacing from time to time.

Overall:

Fans of Ginsberg/Beat Generation will dig this picture – otherwise, it’s unlikely that it’ll be enjoyed. If anything, see it for Franco’s performance.

Rating: 6/10

Howl is open in limited theaters everywhere.

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

Are you interested in seeing Howl?

Jon Hamm: Mad Men Carries Over Into His Howl Role As Jake Ehrlich

Laura Aguirre — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 20:12:43 +0000

Jon Hamm just scored big with Ben Affleck‘s The Town. Not only are people enjoying it, but it’s also making big money at the box office — it came in at number one this weekend. But now, Hamm has something new to look forward to, and it’s not “Mad Men,”… not yet anyway. His movie Howl, directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, is hitting theaters this coming weekend.

In Howl, Hamm plays Jake Ehrlich, the defense attorney who helped Allen Ginsberg against charges of obscenity. Hamm intentionally had to make a few adjustments to his character and wardrobe because he was worried that audiences may wonder what Don Draper (his alter-ego on “Mad Men”) is doing in the courtroom.

“I realize that, being on a television show as someone who is cool and has clicked-back hair, it may be a difficult prospect for some people to reconcile that with my role in ‘Howl.’ Part of being on TV is, unfortunately, sometimes these things can carry over.”

To adjust art had to give way to the times and they decided to downplay the real Ehrlich’s flamboyant side and cut down all the accessories (ie big chains and gold watch) so that people would be able to see the character and not Don Draper. It’s hard because in trying to stay away from one character, he ended up not fully being able to look the part of Ehrlich. He stated that he’s worried people will think “He doesn’t look anything like Jake Ehrlich” who was much heavier and far more dolled up.

Though at the end of the day, the two characters are similar and there’s not much anyone can do another it. Draper and Ehrlich have a lot in common, they’re from nearly the same era and are similar in their swagger…

“They are very similar in the way they express their points. They are very persuasive in getting things across. Don would have been a really good lawyer, actually.”

Hamm is damn good at not only portraying men of that era, but what it takes it bring both these characters to life. Looks like the best man for the job got the role!

And for all you “Mad Men” fans out there, don’t fret! Though Hamm will be appearing a number of times on the big screen, he’s committed to the hit show until the final episode.

“It’s really all up to [Matt Weiner] as long as he wants to make the show, I will show up and say his words.”

Excited to see Howl this weekend?

[via San Francisco Chronicle]

Video: Jon Hamm Gets Hit on By Jon Stewart

Krystal Clark — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:48:32 +0000

Jon Hamm is a good looking man, there’s not doubt about it. He looks great in 60s fashion, 80s trends, hell he probably found a way to make a mullet attractive during the early nineties. The actor recently appeared on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” to promote his new film The Town, and it was revealed through a hilarious and uncomfortable exchange that Hamm was at the top of Stewart’s cheat list! Hamm is Stewart’s “freebie.” Take a look…

We have the entire segment, which is over 6 minutes long and starts off with Stewart revealing his secret crush on Hamm. After his admission the actor stated, “That’s going to make the rest of this interview, uh, ‘interesting,’ to say the least.” Later on Stewart went on to say, “This type of handsome. That’s just not right … it’s not right.”

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c

Jon Hamm

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

Beyond that point, Hamm reveals that they finished the fourth season of “Mad Men” a few weeks ago and since then he’s been promoting The Town non-stop, which had its big premiere in Boston (where the movie takes place). As for Stewart, Hamm’s not an average dude. His looks are mesmerizing!

What do you think of the two Jon’s interview on The Daily Show? Was it funny, uncomfortable, what’s your take?

Superman Jon Hamm Rumors Still Going Strong

Krystal Clark — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:20:01 +0000

Last week we learned that Warner Bros and DC Entertainment were making headway with their adaptation of The Flash and their Green Lantern sequel. It’s also no secret that Christopher Nolan and his camp are steadily working on Batman 3, so where does that leave the leader of the DC team? Superman, is set to hit the big screen again in a reboot tentatively within the next few years.

Even though his previous portrayer Brandon Routh is open (and eager) to reprise the role, the studio is going for a different look this time. Could Jon Hamm finally be inching his way to the head of the casting line?

According to TMT, Warner Bros is seriously considering Hamm to take over the role of Supe. For years the actor has been a fan favorite with his tall stature, square jaw, and obvious maturity. He definitely reminds us of the Alex Ross version of the hero, and it would be a needed change of pace. Hamm is currently 39 years old and his age is the only thing keeping him from really taking this thing on.

But to combat that issue, people are noting that Robert Downey Jr. was over 40 when he was hired for Iron Man, and nobody and we mean NOBODY wanted him in that role! Look how well that turned out. Hamm recently spoke to MTV, and he talked about the responsibility of taking on a comic book franchise.

“It’s a tricky road to go down with some of those heroes, because they’re not flawed. Superman is Superman — he’s invincible, so where’s the drama? I think what people are finding with the success of things like Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Iron Man, it’s much more interesting to talk about the person behind these heroic personae rather than the flying, shooting fire and lasers and all this other stuff.”

Touche, touche Hamm. Nothing has been set in stone but people just won’t let this rumor die….keep it up!

Do you want to see Hamm as Superman in the new film?

ScreenCrave.com » Jon Hamm

Mad Men: Season 5 Episode 9: Dark Shadows—TV Review

The Players:

Episode Title: “Dark Shadows”

The Good:

The Bad:

The Quotable:

Overall:

Rating: 8/10

Related Posts

Mad Men: Season 5 Episode 8: Lady Lazarus – TV Review

The Players:

Episode Title: “Lady Lazarus”

The Good:

The So-So:

The Bad:

The Quotable:

Overall:

Rating: 9/10

Related Posts

Mad Men: Season 5 Episode 7: At the Codfish Ball —TV Review

The Players:

Episode Title: “At the Codfish Ball”

The Good:

The So-So:

The Bad:

The Quotable:

Overall:

Rating: 7/10

Related Posts

Mad Men: Season 5 Episode 5: Signal 30 – TV Review

The Players

The Plot:

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 9/10

Related Posts

Mad Men: Season 5 Episode 3: Tea Leaves – TV Review

The Players:

Episode Title: “Tea Leaves”

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 8/10

Related Posts

News Roundup: ‘Mad Men’ Details, Amanda Seyfried in Deep Throat, The Muppets at the Oscars and More

New Photos:

Related Posts

Bridesmaids: Movie Review

The Players:

The Plot:

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 9/10

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

Related Posts

Megan Fox and Jon Hamm Shooting Friends With Kids

Related Posts

Howl: Movie Review

The Players:

The Plot:

The Good:

The Good/Bad:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 6/10

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

Related Posts

Jon Hamm: Mad Men Carries Over Into His Howl Role As Jake Ehrlich

Related Posts

Video: Jon Hamm Gets Hit on By Jon Stewart

Related Posts

Superman Jon Hamm Rumors Still Going Strong

Related Posts