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Sundance 2012: Robot and Frank – Movie Review

Mali Elfman — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:50:36 +0000

Yet another one of my Top 5 Film Picks coming through. This film was exactly what I was hoping for: witty, funny, meaningful, enlightened and brilliantly acted by Frank Langella. The film takes a high concept premise and a character driven plot and turns it into a wonderfully executed experience.

The Players:

Director: Jake Schreier
Screenwriter: Christopher Ford
Producers: Galt Niederhoffer, Sam Bisbee, Jackie Kelman Bisbee, Lance Acord
Cinematographer: Matthew Lloy
Cast: Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, Liv Tyler, Peter Saarsgard

The Good:

The World: They were able to take a high concept idea and relate it to a world that we could all make perfect sense of. One not too far in the future to make the concept seem like a science-fiction premise, but with enough twists to make it new and inventive.
The Comedy: Subtle yet strong, and highly effective when used, the comedy in this film was well timed and executed. It helped to add to the drama of the film and the flow of the story, and added some surprisingly fun and light moments in the film.
Frank: The character and the actor, both were wonderful. The character was well rounded and fun to watch, and Langella as always gave a powerful performance that had me both laughing and crying.
The Robot: The design was well executed and Peter Saarsgard was perfect for the voice. His voice was a slight throw back to 2001, with a little bit of that possibly malicious tone of the robot in Moon.
Heart/Wit: The film does a wonderful job of always keeping these two things in balance, so that you never feel like it’s melodramatic nor a straight out comedy. It’s a lovely dramedy.

The So-So:

Storyline: There was one aspect of the story-line, that would have taken the film into more a detective/unexpected hero story, which seemed interesting, but was never fully fleshed out. This didn’t hurt the film, but did leave me wondering what was happening with one of the supporting characters that seemed to be driving our lead.

Overall:

Great movie, finely made and well worth seeing if you’re at the fest or hopefully when it hits theaters later this year!

Rating: 8.5/10

Beastie Boys Fight For Your Right – Revisited Trailer Brings Out the A-Listers

Damon Houx — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 22:13:16 +0000

There’s something to be said that only the Beastie Boys could bring out Danny McBride, Seth Rogen, Elijah Wood, Jack Black, Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Ted Danson, Stanley Tucci, Susan Sarandon and many more famous people for what appears to be a very funny goof on the history of the Band. McBride, Wood and Rogen play younger versions of the band, with Reilly, Ferrell and Black the older iterations. How this all works out is unknown, but the trailer is here for Fight For Your Right – Revisited, and it is great. Check it out…

This is a short film written and directed by Beastie Boy Adam Yauch. It will come with their latest album Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2, which hits stores and iTunes on 5/3. The premise is that it’s a sequel (as has been reported) to the Beastie Boys breakout video “Fight For Your Right to Party.”

With all the celebrities and cameos this could descend into navel-gazing nonsense if it goes too long or attempts too much, but with the sheer comedic talent involved, the likelihood of that is smaller than average.This trailer has everything, including Ferrell hitting a cowbell. It looks like inspired lunacy. Even if the B-Boys are middle-aged rappers in a genre of music that has yet to see many elder statesmen, the album should be worth getting for this.

Because you can’t, you won’t and you don’t stop, do you think The Beastie Boys came with the sure shot?

Sundance 2011: Beastie Boys ‘Fight for Your Right Revisited’ Review

Christie Ko — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:31:36 +0000

Adam Yauch’s Fight for Your Right Revisited, featuring Elijah Wood, Danny McBride, Seth Rogen, Jack Black, Will Ferrell, and John C. Riley delivers big time. Just imagine every actor you can think of packed into a hilarious 30 minute music video. This is Hollywood the way I like to see it, poking fun at itself and reminding everyone that the very best actors are not only able to make you laugh, but they’re able to laugh at themselves.

The Players:

Director: Adam Yauch
Written By: Adam Yauch
Cast: Elijah Wood, Danny McBride, Seth Rogen, Will Ferrell, John C. Riley, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Rashida Jones, Will Arnett, Rainn Wilson, Ted Danson, Roman Coppola, Steve Buscemi, Amy Poehler, Alicia Silverstone, Milo Ventimiglia, Jody Hill, Jason Schwartzman, Chloë Sevigny, Kirsten Dunst, David Cross, Orlando Bloom, Jack Black, Adam Horowitz, Mike D, Adam Yauch, Martin Starr, etc.

Review:

This short takes place the morning after the party featured in the Beastie Boys original music video, Fight for Your Right in 1986 (watch it here). The film comes complete with cameos from a cast I couldn’t believe, including Susan Sarandon, Jason Schwartzman, Rainn Wilson, and Stanley Tucci, to name just a few. It’s almost as if Seth Rogen, Elijah Wood, and Will Ferrell just walked through the studio lot and grabbed any actors they happened to come across, and they came across a few, including Steve Buscemi and Kirsten Dunst. The film has the feel and tone of a long SNL music video skit that you never want to end, even after a metaphorical pissing contest turns into a literal pissing contest and Chloë Sevigny stabs someone.

This film accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do, and that is show amazing actors really playing with an idea and having fun with each other. The Beastie Boys have come a long way since 1986, and I think this parody is their way of saying they know how absurd and ridiculous they were back then and are inviting everyone to join them in laughing at it. Even if you aren’t a huge Beastie Boys fan, this is still going to make you laugh.

Overall:

When this thing hits the interwebs, it’ll go viral and you’ll be able to watch it over and over again. Believe me, you will want to.

Rating: 6/10

Wall Street Money Never Sleeps: Movie Review

Krystal Clark — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 00:30:01 +0000

Oliver Stone returns to the big screen with the long awaited sequel to his 1980s hit Wall Street. Money Never Sleeps takes place during the 2008 recession and follows a new and younger group of Wall Street traders. The film doesn’t try to copy the original as much as you might think. Yes, there’s the mentoring of an up and comer by a devious veteran but it also tackles the politics and corruption present in the new millennium. Money Never Sleeps opens a whole new bag of worms.

Check out the review…

The Players:

Director: Oliver Stone
Screenwriters: Allan Loeb, Stephen Schiff, Oliver Stone and Stanley Weiser (characters)
Cast: Shia Labeouf, Michael Douglas, Carey Mulligan, Josh Brolin, Frank Langella, Eli Wallach, Susan Sarandon
Cinematography: Rodrigo Prieto
Original Music By: Craig Armstrong

The Plot:

Money Never Sleeps is set 20 years after the first film and centers on a young Wall Street trader named Jacob Moore (Labeouf), who gets taught some hard lessons in the business. After emerging from his stint in prison, Gordon Gekko has become a popular author and media expert on all things financial. He’s also Jacob’s future father-in-law who helps him take down the corrupt bank CEO, Bretton James (Brolin). In exchange for his services, Moore has to help Gekko repair his estranged relationship with his daughter Winnie (Mulligan). He soon discovers that playing with money is like playing with greed and greed isn’t good, it’s evil.

The Good:

The Cast: Money Never Sleeps is filled with a cast of Oscar winners and nominees led by the cool and collected Michael Douglas. Every actor elevates the other’s performance, which makes the film more watchable and more entertaining. LaBeouf may seem like an odd choice for such a dramatic role but he really brings it and proves that he can hang with the big dogs.
The Cinematography: New York City is shown in the way that would make any outsider jealous. It’s shot beautifully with the architecture being somewhat of a secondary character in the film.
The Wardrobe: All of the characters have money and we can tell. Their dressed from head to toe in the most expensive and tailored clothes. You will walk out of the theater with a sudden desire to hit the mall. The film makes you not only want to look good, but powerful as well.
The Set Design: Everything from the Wall Street offices, to the lofts, to the mansions are crafted with such detail. The set designers make sure that every nook and cranny tells a story about the characters and they do!
Carey Mulligan: Earlier I noted the cast but Mulligan’s performance deserves to be called out. Her portrayal as the long suffering daughter of Gekko and fiancee of Jacob is the heart and soul of the film. She’s the glue that holds both men together whether they realize it or not, and when she breaks the viewer does as well. That’s how good she is.

The Bad:

The Length: The only bad thing about the film is its length. The last 15 minutes could have been cut out. The story seems to have a natural resolve at a certain point but then it throws you a curve ball that then has to be played out. Unfortunately, by that time you’re ready for everything to wrap up.

Overall:

Wall Street Money Never Sleeps is a pleasant surprise. It’s not better than the original but it’s a solid stand alone film.

Rating: 8/10

Wall Street Money Never Sleeps opens in theaters nationwide on September 24th.

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

Will you be seeing Wall Street Money Never Sleeps this weekend?

Al Pacino in HBO’s You Don’t Know Jack Trailers

Krystal Clark — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:25:32 +0000

Two trailers have been released for the upcoming HBO feature film, You Don’t Know Jack. It’s based on the real life events circling the controversial “Dr. Death,” Jack Kevorkian. Al Pacino stars as the troubled physician and leads an all star cast in the Barry Levinson directed film. It looks like Pacino might have another Emmy and Golden Globe winning performance on his hands with this one. Check it out…

In You Don’t Know Jack, Pacino is practically unrecognizable as the Michigan doctor who became infamous for assisting the suicides of countless terminally ill patients. He took part in over 130 suicides and after willingly airing one his “procedures” on an episode of “60 minutes” he was arrested and convicted of second-degree murder. He spent 8 years in prison before being released on parole in 2007.

Besides Pacino, Oscar winner Susan Sarandon is also part of the cast as well as Danny Huston and John Goodman. All of the actors shown in the trailer appear to be in top form, so I can’t wait to see the finished product. You Don’t Know Jack looks like it will be a lighter take on the serious issue of having the “right-to-die,” which was the heated debate at the center of the Kevorkian controversy. The film is scheduled to premiere in April on HBO.

Watch the trailers below…

Promo 1

Promo 2

What do you think of Pacino as Kevorkian? Do you think he has another award winning performance on his hands?

Susan Sarandon to Star in Big Valley Movie

Krystal Clark — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:08:08 +0000

Oscar winner Susan Sarandon may be taking on the lead role in the big screen adaptation of The Big Valley. The film will be based off the popular TV show of the same name that ran from 1965-69. The show was in the same vein as Bonanza and Gunsmoke, which is another series being primed for a theatrical adaptation. Sarandon will have big shoes to fill as her character of choice was originally played by one the strongest female actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

The television series centered on the Barkley clan, a family of ranchers who lived during the 1870s in San Joaquin Valley. They were led by their mother and matriarch Victoria Barkley who was played by the legendary Barbara Stanwyck. Sarandon is said to be in talks to play Victoria in the feature version, which will have Kate Edelman Johnson producing. Johnson’s late father Louis F. Edelman, and writer A.I. Bezzerides co-created the original series.

“The Big Valley” only lasted for four seasons, but plenty of talent came out of the show. Lee Majors, who played Heath Barkley, went on to star in the “Six Million Dollar Man” and “The Fall Guy,” while Linda Evans who played his younger sister Audra starred as Krystle Carrington in “Dynasty.” And the fact that Barbara Stanwyck was the main character wasn’t too shabby either. Her film resume before she appeared on the show was filled with recognizable features.

Sarandon is a talented actress, but her look is drastically different from what Stanwyck portrayed on the show. Victoria was known for her silver-gray hair, and I can’t see Sarandon aging herself up for the part. If she did it would be more honest, but I think they’ll go as contemporary as they can for the time period.

What do you think of Sarandon taking on the role of Victoria Barkley in Big Valley?

The Lovely Bones Theatrical Poster

Krystal Clark — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:00:34 +0000

A poster has been released for Peter Jackson‘s upcoming drama, The Lovely Bones. The film stars Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz as parents grieving over the death of their young teenage daughter. The cast also includes several Oscar winners and nominees such as Susan Sarandon and Saoirse Ronan.

Take a look at the poster’s debut…

The Lovely Bones will also co-star Stanley Tucci as the murdering neighbor, who is behind the death of Ronan’s character. The film is based off the novel by Alice Sebold, and has been in the making for a few years. Originally there were rumors that Ryan Gosling was set to star in the role of the mourning father, but due to creative differences he left the project. I’m happy he made that decision, because I would not buy him as the parent of a teenager.

The film hits theaters in limited release on December 11th, and nationwide on January 15, 2010.

What do you think of the poster for Jackson’s The Lovely Bones?

Source: Empire

Susan Sarandon Cast in Wall Street 2

Krystal Clark — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:35:08 +0000

Oscar winner Susan Sarandon has been cast in Oliver Stone’s Wall Street sequel, Money Never Sleeps. According to Variety, the actress is in final negotiations to join the film’s ensemble, which currently includes Shia Labeouf, Michael Douglas, and Frank Langella. The film is a follow up to the 1987 hit, that earned Douglas an Academy Award for his role as the ruthless Gordon Gekko. More on the film below.

The trade is reporting that Sarandon is finalizing a deal to star in the film as Labeouf’s mother. His character, much like Charlie Sheen‘s in the original, falls under the money hungry spell of Gekko. He also falls in love with the businessman’s daughter, who’ll be played by British actress Carey Mulligan. Allen Loeb wrote the initial screenplay for the film, which will be produced by Ed Pressman who also produced the original.

I’m not typically for sequels that span over twenty years, but this film might have something going for itself. I actually respect Sarandon as a strong actress and I trust her judgment. Production on Money Never Sleeps is scheduled to start next month in New York. This will definitely be one to watch!

What do you think of Susan Sarandon joining the cast of Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps?

Official The Lovely Bones Trailer

Krystal Clark — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:50:22 +0000

An exclusive trailer has finally been released for Peter Jackson‘s adaptation of the popular novel, The Lovely Bones. The film stars Saoirse Ronan as a teenage girl who is brutally raped and murdered by her neighbor (Stanley Tucci). In the wake of her death she watches her family from heaven as they deal with their loss. Her parents will be played by Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz, and her grandmother by Susan Sarandon. The film is adapted from the Alice Sebold book of the same name.

Check out the trailer after the jump!

What do you think of the first trailer for The Lovely Bones?

First Look at Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones

Krystal Clark — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:48:26 +0000

Today, Entertainment Tonight will be debuting an exclusive look at Peter Jackson‘s much anticipated film, The Lovely Bones. The film stars Saoirse Ronan as a young teenage girl who is brutally raped and murdered by her neighbor (Stanley Tucci). In the wake of her death she watches her family from heaven as they deal with their loss. Her parents will be played by Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz, and her grandmother by Susan Sarandon. The film is adapted from the Alice Sebold book of the same name.

Check out the footage after the jump!

What do you think of your first glimpse of The Lovely Bones?

The Lovely Bones First Photo

Krystal Clark — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:17:22 +0000

Empire just released the first official photo from the Peter Jackson drama, The Lovely Bones. The film stars Saoirse Ronan as a young teenage girl who is brutally raped and murdered by her neighbor (Stanley Tucci). In the wake of her death she watches her family from heaven as they deal with their loss. Her parents will be played by Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz, and her grandmother by Susan Sarandon. The film is adapted from the Alice Sebold book of the same name.

The screenplay for the film was adapted by Jackson and his co-writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. The Lovely Bones has been in development for a couple of years with the earliest references dating back to 2007. The role of the father was originally supposed to be played by Ryan Gosling who dropped out of the project due to creative differences with Jackson. Even though Gosling is a capable actor I don’t know if I would have bought him as the dad of a 14 year old girl.

What do you think of the film’s first photo?

ScreenCrave.com » susan sarandon

Sundance 2012: Robot and Frank – Movie Review

The Players:

The Good:

The So-So:

Overall:

Rating: 8.5/10

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