NATIONAL TREASURE Overlong adventure starts with a promising premise but then piles on one ending too many before the final payoff! 2-1/2 stars (out of 4) or 3 stars for history buffs [(2004)USA] - (2 hrs. 10 min.) Directed by Jon Turteltaub Screenplay By Jim Kouf, Cormac & Marianne Wibberley Lead character/Cast Ben Gates - Nicolas Cage Supporting characters/Cast (opening scene only) John Adams Gates (Grand-dad) - Christopher Plummer Young Ben Gates - Hunter Gomez Review: Sort of a domestic version of 'Indiana Jones' with less real action but plenty of laughs thrown in (especially for American history buffs). I can't imagine how this film will do outside the USA, so it looks like Disney (once again) has shot themselves in the foot if this movie isn't a big hit here in the states (luckily, it was). Nicolas Cage fans will be happy to see him continuing his string of amiable comic characters (re: "Matchstick Men," "Adaptation") as 'Ben Gates', plus he gets to play romantic leading man opposite the very sexy (and smart) Diane Kruger (Helen of "Troy"). Thankfully, the romantic chemistry works. What doesn't work so well though is the seemingly endless trail of clues that must be unearthed in order to find the hoped for 'treasure' (SPOILER: linked to an invisible map on the back of Declaration of Independence). Meanwhile actors Justin Bartha ("Gigli"), as Ben's sidekick, and Jon Voight ("Zoolander") as Ben's suspicious father, provide plenty of comic relief between escapades. And I certainly can't close out this review without mentioning Sean Bean (everyone's favorite 'Boromir' from "The Lord of the Rings") having a grand old time as a 'Richard Branson'-esque millionaire bent on taking the treasure for himself. If only this film had ended about 10 minutes sooner, everyone would have had a grand old time. No editing Oscar for this one, that's for sure! Still, if you have hankering for Colonial intrigue by our forefathers, then load up on the popcorn, turn off your brain, and enjoy! MORE cast: Abigail Chase - Diane Kruger Riley Poole (Ben's partner) - Justin Bartha Ian Howe (the rich baddie) - Sean Bean Patrick Gates (Ben's dad) - Jon Voight Sadusky (FBI agent) - Harvey Keitel ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Add Comment THE NEW WORLD Agonizingly slow, loaded with voiceover, repetitive visually, & containing less than 20 min. of actual dialogue within a 2-1/2 hour story, director Terence Malick's romantic opus could send some audiences to the exits early while offering savvy date-night folk the perfect 'make-out' opportunity (reserve the back row)! 2-1/2 stars (out of 4) [(2005)USA/New Line/Rated PG-13] - (2 hrs. 29 min.) (In English with some Algonquian dialogue) Written & directed by Terrence Malick Lead characters/Cast Capt. John Smith - Colin Farrell Pocahontas/Rebecca - Q'orianka Kilcher Supporting characters/Cast Captain Newport - Christopher Plummer John Rolfe (Later settler/'Rebecca's husband) - Christian Bale Powhatan - August Schellenberg Opechancanough - Wes Studi Captain Wingfield - David Thewlis Review (long version of film**): This very artistic photo essay is possibly the make-out flick of the century. While not as long as the hopelessly romantic "Titanic," this film IS long enough for even the most awkward first dater to get in that first move (no excuse for not making it to second base on this one). Practically wordless, especially the scenes with Pocohontas and John Smith, the visual power of the scenes with heartthrob Colin Farrell ("Alexander") will heat up your date's loins and make her easy pickings. It's Malick, folks, and this guy has only made 4 films in the past 32 years (re: "Badlands," "Days of Heaven," and "The Thin Red Line") so it automatically demands a look, especially considering the fact that it's visually MADE for viewing on the BIG SCREEN (just ignore the sparse plotting and verbiage and feast your EYES!). And remember, the REAL star of this film is not Farrell or newbie Q'orianka Kilcher, but Emmanuel Lubezki the cinematographer. Somehow he captures a lush outdoor look while managing the nearly impossible feat of hand-held widescreen photography. Big-screen fans may recall his equally excellent work in "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events," "Ali," "Sleepy Hollow," and "Meet Joe Black." I would highly recommend this film for anyone that enjoyed Malick's "Days of Heaven," another film that owed a lot to the work the of the photographer (Nestor Almendros). I'm no art lover by any stretch, but this will probably get a re-watch from me (with a DATE)! [**NOTE: This film was shortened after its initial 'Oscar' qualifying run. It now runs 2 hrs. 12 min. (if I catch this version I'll add a second review, but if I bring my girlfriend I'm not sure how much of it I'll actually see ... ] [Final note: NO nudity guys, squeaky clean. AND, no one says the word 'Pocahontas' in the entire film - go figure?] Crew: Cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki Original Score by James Horner MORE cast: Captain Argall - Yorick Van Wageningen Ben - Ben Mendelsohn Tomocomo - Raoul Trujillo Lewes - Brian F. O'Byrne Pocahontas' Mother - Irene Bedard Savage - John Savage Emery - Jamie Harris Patawomeck's Wife - Alex Rice Rupwew - Michael Greyeyes Parahunt - Kalani Queypo Selway - Noah Taylor King James - Jonathan Pryce Queen Anne - Alexandra Malick Jehu Robinson - Ben Chaplin Virginia Company Representative - Roger Rees Two Moons - Rulan Tangen The New World trailers (old links, may or may not work): MOVIE website +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Christopher Plummer Ever since singing opposite Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, Christopher Plummer has hit high notes both on stage and screen. And at 81 he's just getting better. In addition to being nominated for an Academy Award in 2010 for The Last Station, his performance as Hal in Beginners has had more than a few reviewers writing the word "Oscar." Read more about Beginners » PEOPLE IN FILM ACTOR PROFILE: CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER From Von Trapp to Don Juan, from Sherlock Holmes to Santa Claus, Christopher Plummer has played nearly everyone in the history of western civilization. Now he plays Hal. IN CONVERSATION CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER ON BEGINNERS Christopher Plummer talks about his character, Hal, and working with the cast and crew of the movie Beginners. [LINKS/Above INFO courtesy of Focus Features] From IMDbPRO.com (182 titles) The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) - Henrik Vanger - Dec. 21st release Beginners (2010/2011 release) - Hal Priest (2011) - Monsignor Orelas The Tempest (2010 TV movie) - Prospero The Last Station (2009) - Leo Tolstoy 9 (2009) - 1 (voice) My Dog Tulip (2009) - J.R. Ackerley (voice) Up (2009 video game) - Charles Muntz (voice) The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) - Doctor Parnassus Up (2009) - Charles Muntz (voice) Caesar and Cleopatra (2009) - Caesar The Summit (TV mini-series) - P.J. Aimes (2 episodes, 2008) Night Two and Night One (2008) Already Dead (2007) - Dr. Heller Emotional Arithmetic (2007) - David Winters Closing the Ring (2007) - Jack Man in the Chair (2007) - Flash Madden The Lake House (2006) - Simon Wyler The American Experience (TV series documentary) - James Tyrone / Narrator (1 episode, 2006) Eugene O'Neill: A Documentary Film (2006) - Narrator/James Tyrone Inside Man (2006) - Arthur Case The New World (2005) - Captain Newport Syriana (2005) - Dean Whiting Four Minutes (2005 TV movie) - Archie Mason Must Love Dogs (2005) - Bill Our Fathers (2005 TV movie) - Cardinal Bernard Law Alexander (2004) - Aristotle National Treasure (2004) - John Adams Gates Cold Creek Manor (2003) - Mr. Massie The Visual Bible: The Gospel of John (2003) - Narrator (voice) Blizzard (2003) - Santa Claus Odd Job Jack (TV series) - Magnus the Maker (1 episode) Nicholas Nickleby (2002) - Ralph Nickleby Agent of Influence (2002 TV movie) - John Watkins Ararat (2002) - David Night Flight (2002 TV movie) - 'Flash' Harry Peters A Beautiful Mind (2001) - Dr. Rosen Lucky Break (2001) - Graham Mortimer Full Disclosure (2001 video) - Robert Lecker On Golden Pond (2001 TV movie) - Norman Thayer Leo's Journey (2001 TV movie) - Narrator Dracula 2000 (2000) - Abraham Van Helsing American Tragedy (2000 TV movie) - F. Lee Bailey Possessed (2000 TV movie) - Archbishop Hume The Dinosaur Hunter (2000 TV movie) - Hump Hinton The Insider (1999) - Mike Wallace Madeline: Lost in Paris (1999) - Narrator (voice) Hidden Agenda (1999) - Ulrich Steiner The Clown at Midnight (1999) - Mr. Caruthers Winchell (1998 TV movie) - Franklin D. Roosevelt Blackheart (1998) - Holmes The First Christmas (1998) - Narrator Skeletons (1997 TV movie) - R. Carlyle The Conspiracy of Fear (1997 TV movie) - Joseph Wakeman The Arrow (1997 TV movie) - George Hees Babes in Toyland (1997) - Barnaby Crookedman (voice) We the Jury (1996 TV movie) - Wilfred Fransiscus The New Adventures of Madeline (1995 TV series) - Narrator Twelve Monkeys (1995) - Dr. Goines Harrison Bergeron (1995 TV movie) - John Klaxon Dolores Claiborne (1995) - Det. John Mackey Crackerjack (1994) - Ivan Getz Wolf (1994) - Raymond Alden Madeline (TV series) - Narrator (20 episodes, 1993-1994) Madeline and the Pirates (1994) - Narrator (voice) Madeline and the Easter Bonnet (1994) - Narrator (voice) Madeline and the New House (1994) - Narrator (voice) Madeline and the Mean, Nasty, Horrible Hats (1994) - Narrator (voice) Madeline and the Old Violin (1994) - Narrator (voice/15 epi's) A Stranger in the Mirror (1993 TV movie) - Clifton Lawrence Counterstrike (TV series) - Alexander Addington (65 episodes, 1990-1993) Bad Guys (1993) - Alexander Addington (60 epi's) Malcolm X (1992) - Chaplain Gill Impolite (1992) - Naples O'Rorke (uncredited) Secrets (1992 TV movie) - Mel Wexler The First Circle (1992 TV movie) - Victor Abakumov Liar's Edge (1992) - Harry Weldon Berlin Lady (1991 TV mini-series) - Wilhem Speer Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) - General Chang Madeline in London (1991 TV movie) - Narrator (voice) Madeline and the Gypsies (1991 TV movie) - Narrator (voice) Rock-A-Doodle (1991) - Grand Duke (voice) A Marriage: Georgia O'Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz (1991 TV movie) - Alfred Stieglitz Money (1991/I) - Martin Yahl Madeline and the Bad Hat (1991 TV movie) - Narrator (voice) Young Catherine (1991 TV movie) - Sir Charles Firehead (1991) - Col. Garland Vaughn Madeline's Rescue (1990 TV movie) - Narrator (voice) Madeline's Christmas (1990 TV movie) - Narrator (voice) Red Blooded American Girl (1990) - Dr. John Alcore A Ghost in Monte Carlo (1990 TV movie) - The Grand Duke Ivan Where the Heart Is (1990) - Shitty The Little Crooked Christmas Tree (1990 TV short) - Narrator (voice) Mindfield (1989) - Doctor Satorius Madeline (1989 TV movie) - Narrator (voice) Souvenir (1989) - Ernst Kestner Kingsgate (1989) Nabokov on Kafka (1989 TV short) - Vladimir Nabokov Shadow Dancing (1988) - Edmund Beaumont Vampire in Venice (1988) - Professor Paris Catalano The Man Who Planted Trees (1988 short) - Narrator (voice: English version) Gandahar (1988) - Metamorphis (voice: English version) A Hazard of Hearts (1987 TV movie) - Sir Giles Staverley The Cosby Show (TV series) - Jonathan Lawrence (1 episode, 1987) Shakespeare (1987) - Jonathan Lawrence Dragnet (1987) - Reverend Jonathan Whirley I Love N.Y. (1987) - John Robertson Yeats The Gnomes' Great Adventure (1987) - Narrator The Nightingale (1987 TV movie) - Narrator (voice) An American Tail (1986) - Henri (voice) The Boss' Wife (1986) - Mr. Roalvang Crossings (1986 TV mini-series) - Armand DeVilliers The Boy in Blue (1986) - Knox The Tin Soldier (1986 TV movie) - Narrator Spearfield's Daughter (1986 TV mini-series) - Lord Jack Cruze (unknown episodes) David the Gnome (1985 TV series) - Narrator (unknown episodes, 1985) Rumpelstiltskin (1985 TV movie) - Narrator (voice) The Velveteen Rabbit (1985 TV movie) - Narrator (voice) Ordeal by Innocence (1985) - Leo Argyle Lily in Love (1984) - Fitzroy Wynn/Roberto Terranova Dreamscape (1984) - Bob Blair Prototype (1983 TV movie) - Dr. Carl Forrester Parade of Stars (1983 TV movie) - Cyrano de Bergerac The Thorn Birds (TV mini-series) - Archbishop Vittorio Contini-Verchese (4 episodes, 1983) PARTS 1 -4 The Scarlet and the Black (1983 TV movie) - Col. Herbert Kappler Little Gloria... Happy at Last (1982 TV movie) - Reggie Vanderbilt Highpoint (1982) - James Hatcher The Amateur (1981) - Professor Lakos Dial M for Murder (1981 TV movie) - Tony Wendice Eyewitness (1981) - Joseph When the Circus Came to Town (1981 TV movie) - Duke Royal Desperate Voyage (1980 TV movie) - Burrifous Somewhere in Time (1980) - William Fawcett Robinson The Shadow Box (1980 TV movie) - Brian Hanover Street (1979) - Paul Sellinger Riel (1979 TV movie) - Prime Minister John A. Macdonald Murder by Decree (1979) - Sherlock Holmes Starcrash (1978) - The Emperor The Silent Partner (1978) - Harry Reikle International Velvet (1978) - John Seaton Silver Blaze (1977 TV short) - Sherlock Holmes The Disappearance (1977) - Deverell The Assignment (1977) - Captain Behounek Jesus of Nazareth (TV mini-series) - Herod Antipas (2 episodes, 1977) Parts 1 & 2 Arthur Hailey's the Moneychangers (1976 TV mini-series) - Roscoe Heyward Aces High (1976) - Capt. 'Uncle' Sinclair The Man Who Would Be King (1975) - Rudyard Kipling The Day That Shook the World (1975) - Archduke Ferdinand Conduct Unbecoming (1975) - Maj. Alastair Wimbourne The Return of the Pink Panther (1975) - Sir Charles Litton The Spiral Staircase (1975) - Dr. Joe Sherman After the Fall (1974 TV movie) - Quentin The Happy Prince (1974 short) - The Happy Prince (voice) Witness to Yesterday (TV series) - Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (1 episode, 1974) The Duke of Wellington (1974) - Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington The Pyx (1973) - Dt. Sgt. Jim Henderson BBC Play of the Month (TV series) - Don Juan (1 episode, 1971) Don Juan in Hell (1971) - Don Juan Waterloo (1970/I) - Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969) - Atahualpa Battle of Britain (1969) - Squadron Leader Colin Harvey Lock Up Your Daughters! (1969) - Lord Foppington The Secret of Michelangelo (1968 TV movie) - Narrator The High Commissioner (1968) - Sir James Quentin Oedipus the King (1968) - Oedipus The Night of the Generals (1967) - Field Marshal Rommel Triple Cross (1966) - Eddie Chapman Inside Daisy Clover (1965) - Raymond Swan The Sound of Music (1965) - Captain Von Trapp Hamlet at Elsinore (1964 TV movie) - Hamlet The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) - Commodus Hallmark Hall of Fame (TV series) - Captain Brassbound / Cyrano de Bergerac / Dr. Jack Pelletier / Kenneth Boyd / Prince Albert / Torvald Helmer (6 episodes, 1958-1962) Cyrano De Bergerac (1962) - Cyrano de Bergerac The Prisoner of Zenda (1961) - Rudolf Rassendyll/King Rudolf Playdate (1961 TV series) - Host (1961-1962) Time Remembered (1961) - Prince Albert Captain Brassbound's Conversion (1960) - Captain Brassbound Sunday Showcase (TV series) - Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (2 episodes, 1960) Our American Heritage: Autocrat and Son (1960) - Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. After Hours (1960) The Philadelphia Story (1959 TV movie) - Mike Connor A Doll's House (1959) - Torvald Helmer Johnny Belinda (1958) - Dr. Jack Pelletier Wind Across the Everglades (1958) - Walt Murdock Stage Struck (1958) - Joe Sheridan The Lady's Not for Burning (1958) - Thomas Mendip The DuPont Show of the Month (TV series) - King Rudolf / Rudolf Rassendyll / Sir Miles Hendon (2 episodes, 1957-1961) The Prince and the Pauper (1957) - Sir Miles Hendon Omnibus (TV series) - Oedipus / Thomas Mendip (2 episodes, 1957-1958) Oedipus, the King (1957) - Oedipus Eye on New York (TV series) - Lewis Rohnen (1 episode, 1956) Night of the Auk (1956) - Lewis Rohnen The Alcoa Hour (TV series) - Bruce Quealy (1 episode, 1956) Even the Weariest River (1956) - Bruce Quealy Appointment with Adventure (TV series) - (1 episode, 1956) A Thief There Was (1956) G.E. True Theater (TV series) - Walter Shelley (1 episode, 1956) A Letter from the Queen (1956) - Walter Shelley Producers' Showcase (TV series) - Christian de Neuvillette (1 episode, 1955) Cyrano de Bergerac (1955) - Christian de Neuvillette Kraft Theatre (TV series) - Robert Carr (1 episode, 1955) The King's Bounty (1955) - Robert Carr Ponds Theater (TV series) - (1 episode, 1954) The Dashing White Sergeant (1954) The Web (TV series) - (1 episode, 1954) Sheep's Clothing (1954) Broadway Television Theatre (TV series) - (1 episode, 1953) Dark Victory (1953) Suspense (TV series) - (1 episode, 1953) The Riddle of Mayerling (1953) Studio One in Hollywood (TV series) - (1 episode, 1953) The Gathering Night (1953) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ INSIDE MAN Director Spike Lee has made his most commercial movie to date, packed with stars ranging from pals like Denzel Washington to Clive Owen to megastar Jodie Foster (in a supporting role), but he still sneaks in his political agenda like a thief in the night (to the ire of Nazi's everywhere)! 3-1/2 stars [(2006)USA/Universal/Rated R] - (2 hrs. 8 min.) Directed by Spike Lee Screenplay by Russell Gewirtz The players Jodie Foster (Miss Madeline White, the 'magnificent c*nt') Christopher Plummer (Arthur Case, the Bank Chairman of the Board) Peter Kybart (Mayor of New York City) The cops Denzel Washington (Det. Keith Frazier, negotiator) Chiwetel Ejiofor (Det. Bill Mitchell, Frazier's partner) Willem Dafoe (Capt. John Darius, Mobile commander) Peter Gerety (Captain Coughlin, Frazier's boss) Victor Colicchio (Sgt. Collins, first officer on the scene) Cassandra Freeman (Sylvia, Frazier's fiance/uniform police officer) The robbers Clive Owen (Dalton Russell, the mastermind) Kim Director ('Stevie') Carlos Andrés Gómez ('Steve') James Ransone ('Steve-O') Review: For years Spike Lee ("Do the Right Thing") has been promising his long-suffering loyal audience a 'commercial' film. Not that his fans haven't appreciated some his more provocative works in recent years, it's just that this type of movie was long overdo. Spike was becoming his own niche and by doing so found himself 'preaching to the choir' with his opinions on racism, media manipulation, and sexist double-standards. Of course, Spike does score some points in some of the same areas within the context of this 'bank robbery' genre film, but he does it in subtle ways that contrast greatly with the grandstanding of the past. Yes, he does take an established 'formula' and tilt it through the prism of his imagination, but he doesn't do it at the expense of the audience or the characters. In this way, you can read between the lines if you want to, but if not, you can still enjoy the action and suspense for what it is. This also probably the highest caliber cast that Spike has EVER had before and he wisely stays behind the camera so as not to force himself to stretch his own acting talents beyond their capabilities. But seriously, even if this film has zero plot how could anyone stay away from an ensemble featuring mega-stars like Denzel Washington ("Malcolm X"), Jodie Foster ("Flightplan"), Christopher Plummer ("Good Night. And Good Luck"), Clive Owen ("Sin City"), and Chiwetel Ejiofor ("Kinky Boots"). It's a cast to die for and though I waited way-too-long to check out this film, those of you in the hinterlands can still catch it at a second-run theater on the BIG SCREEN and soak up some of this star wattage before it goes to DVD. Run, don't walk, Spike Lee is rarely this entertaining or relevant at the same time. Check it out! CREW: Cinematography (widescreen): Matthew Libatique Editor: Barry Alexander Brown Music: Terence Blanchard More characters - The hostages Peter Frechette (Peter Hammond) Gerry Vichi (Herman Gluck) Waris Ahluwalia (Vikram Walia, the Sikh) Ken Leung (Wing) Marcia Jean Kurtz (Miriam Douglas, the Jewish lady who refuses to strip) Ed Onipede Blunt (Ray Robinson, Brian's father) Amir Ali Said (Brian, the kid w/ the game) Lemon Andersen (Paul Guitierez) Samantha Ivers (Nancy Mann) Craig Marcus Spitzer (Seth Greenblatt) Lily Agosto (Gladys Perez) Patrick Illig (Brad Stone) Frank Composto (Eric Dodge) Bernard Rachelle (Chaim) Rachelle Matthews Black (Katherine) Additional cast Shon Gables (CBS News Reporter) Daryl 'Chill' Mitchell (Rourke, Mobile Command Officer) Ashlie Atkinson (Berk, Mobile Command Officer) David Brown (Carnow, Mobile Command Officer) Robert C. Kirk (Borinsky, Mobile Command Officer Frank Stellato (Mobile Command Detective) MOVIE website-http://theinsideman.net/index.php +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SYRIANA Substitute the 'drugs' in "Traffic" for 'oil' and you get not only a more socially relevant construct but a thriller that feels very real - maybe too real! 3-1/2 stars (out of 4) [(2005)USA/WB/Rated R] - (2 hrs. 8 min.) Written & directed by Stephen Gaghan Source: suggested by the book "See No Evil" by Robert Baer Original score by Alexandre Desplat [In English, Arabic, & Farsi / Locations in Dubai, Morocco, Europe, and the U.S.] Characters/Cast Bob Barnes (CIA agent) - George Clooney Stan (Bob's 'retired' CIA pal) - William Hurt Bryan Woodman (Energy analyst) - Matt Damon Julie Woodman (Bryan's wife) - Amanda Peet Bennett Holiday (D.C. attorney/investigator) - Jeffrey Wright Dean Whiting - Christopher Plummer Jimmy Pope (Oil company rep) - Chris Cooper Stan - William Hurt Review: If you liked "The Constant Gardener" then this is a great companion piece to add to you MUST-SEE list. Yes it's complex, yes there are lots of characters, and yes it's worth seeing at least TWICE! Meanwhile, 'red-staters' can cross it immediately off their lists. Best plotline features George Clooney ("Good Night. And Good Luck.") as a Middle-East based covert CIA agent who gets 'used' and is then forced to take matters into his own hands. His role is based on Robert Baer, an actual 'invisible' man who could infiltrate deep into the ranks of any terrorist organization. Worth seeing for Clooney's Golden Globe winning performance alone, plus William Hurt ("A History of Violence") has a nice bit part as a 'friend' in the know. Another much more farflung plotline follows energy analyst Matt Damon ("The Bourne Supremacy") into the richly appointed domain of an Iranian Emir who is trying to decide which son he should leave his empire, one which includes vast oil fields. With Chinese and American interests competing for the world oil market an assassination may be in the offing to solve the Emir's dilemma. The hardest to follow part of the story involves Jeffrey Wright ("Broken Flowers") as a legal investigator trying to punch some holes in a merger between two oil companies who hope to have enough combined power to outbid the Chinese for the Emir's oil. He finds a willing accomplice in Chris Cooper ("Capote") and manages to nail a couple of bigwigs, one of which who is taken completely by surprise (to hilarious effect). There's also a subplot involving some Pakistani workers, a father and son, who lose their jobs in Iran when the oil rig is taken over by the Chinese. Later they are threatened with deportation if they're unable to find employment. The son joins his Muslim friends at a local school, gets some religion, and then gets the call to follow "Allah's will" ... in other words: blow something up suicide bomber style! I did understand about 95% of the plot the first time through, so don't be intimidated. Probably one of the few films you'll ever see that you wish were LONGER to fill in a few extra details. Thriller-genre fans can deal with this level of complexity and it's great for meet-up groups seeking films that generate plenty of discussion afterwards. Check it out! MORE Cast: Wasim Khan (laid-off worker) - Mazhar Munir Danny Dalton - Tim Blake Nelson Emir Hamed Al-Subaai - Nadim Sawalha Prince Nasir Al-Subaai (the Emir's older son) - Alexander Siddig Prince Meshal Al-Subaai (the Emir's younger son) - Akbar Kurtha Bennett's father (the drunk) - William C. Mitchell Farooq - Sonnell Dadral Robby Barnes (Bob's son) - Max Minghella Donald - David Clennon Tommy Barton - Robert Foxworth Leland Janus (Connex Oil CEO) - Peter Gerety Mussawi (the torturer) - Mark Strong Jayne Atkinson ... CIA Division Chief Tom McCarthy (Bob's immediate superior) ... Fred Franks Jamey Sheridan (CIA Section Head) ... Terry Jon Lee Anderson ... Himself CREW: Cinematographer: Robert Elswit Editor: Tim Squyres Production designer: Dan Weil Art directors: Laurent Ott (overseas), Alan Hook (U.S.), Andrew Menzies (Baltimore), and Daran Fulham (Dubai) MOVIE website +++++++++++++++++++++++++ NICHOLAS NICKLEBY A must-own for Dickens' lovers and a must-see for British romantic-comedy lovers! 3-1/2 stars (out of 4) [(2002)UK/MGM-UA] - (2 hrs. 12 min.) Directed & written by Douglas McGrath Source: based on the novel by Charles Dickens) Characters/Cast Nicholas Nickleby - Charlie Hunnam Smike - Jamie Bell Wackford Squeers - Jim Broadbent Newman Noggs - Tom Courtenay Ralph Nickleby - Christopher Plummer Mrs. Squeers - Juliet Stevenson Review: Dickens fans will be very pleased by this much condensed but still highly entertaining adaption of Charles Dickens' classic story. Especially due to its perfectly cast group of well-known character actors including Jim Broadbent ("Moulin Rouge"), Nathan Lane ("Stuart Little 1 & 2"), Christopher Plummer ("The Insider"), Barry Humphries ('Dame Edna'), Tom Courtenay ("The Dresser"), and Timothy Spall ("All or Nothing"). On the female side, the formidable Juliet Stevenson ("Emma") steals the movie as the sadistic 'Mrs. Squeers'!!! Run - don't walk - to the theater if you like classic stories told well. Others may decide according to their taste in romance, child abuse, and the idea of goodness overcoming evil. MORE cast: Mr. Folair - Alan Cumming Sir Mulberry Hawk - Edward Fox Kate Nickleby - Romola Garai Madeline Bray - Anne Hathaway Mrs. Crummles - Barry Humphries Vincent Crummles - Nathan Lane Charles Cheeryble - Timothy Spall +++++++++++++++++++++++++ A BEAUTIFUL MIND Must see for true-story lovers! 4 stars (out of 4) [(2001)USA/Rated PG-13] - (2 hrs. 15 min.) Directed by Ron Howard Screenplay by Akiva Goldsman Source: Sylvia Nasar's book Lead Character/Cast John Nash - Russell Crowe Supporting Characters/Cast William Parcher - Ed Harris Alicia Larde Nash - Jennifer Connelly Dr. Rosen - Christopher Plummer Charles Herman - Paul Bettany Review #2 (2nd view review): Is Russell Crowe on a roll or what? How'd you like to have his resume: "L.A. Confindential," "The Insider," "Gladiator" - and now this!!! (notice how I skipped "Proof of Life" - nobody's perfect!). Lucky bastard - though he did lose Meg Ryan and the Oscar in successive years (in large part to his attitude and big mouth) - but still - lucky bastard!!! I guess it's time for the movie review - huh? Well, this is easily the best filmed depiction of "paranoid-schizophrenia" since the film "Jacob's Ladder" (1990) and its tons more entertaining than current bleak fare like David Cronenberg's psychologically inflected "Spider" (2002). Veteran director Ron Howard ("Apollo 13") gives the viewer a first hand look at the perceptual delusions that one incurs when suffering from this type of mental disability. The film itself does take great liberties in the casting, as the 'real' Nash is a small gnome-like man and his wife 'Alicia' is Salvadoran, but in this case the 'Hollywoodizing' pays off as this re-imagined story features a brilliant cast (and crew) including: --the aforementioned Russell Crowe who ranges from humble, but ascerbic, intellectual to deluded, frustrated 'madman' as he portrays the slow and steady mental breakdown and recovery of the Nobel Prize-winning mathemetician 'Dr. John Nash;' --Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly ("Pollock") winningly plays the woman who combined both mental agility with great courage to fulfill the terms of marriage, 'for better or worse,' as Nash's soul mate and wife 'Alicia;' --Paul Bettany ("A Knight's Tale") gives an invigorating and 'scene-stealing' performance as Nash's 'perpetual' Princeton roommate; --veteran actor Ed Harris ("The Hours") plays a strong yet sinister 'Agent Parcher,' a figure that proves to be both Nash's savior and nemesis; --and finally, legendary character actor Christopher Plummer ("The Insider") gives a compelling, but somewhat harsh, portrayal of Nash's psychiatrist 'Dr. Rosen.' In addition to the casting, certain controversial elements of Sylvia Nasar's award-winning biography have been either 'sanitized' or left out of the film entirely. Nash's experimentation with homosexuality and explicit racist ideas are nowhere to be found in this film. However, the story of a mentally challenged individual and his struggle to control and maintain his disability still makes for a powerful and ultimately empowering tale (as well as a more commercially viable film). This is certainly a must-see for anyone interested in mental illness as well as anyone who knows somebody that is struggling with their treatment. However, some people may be deterred by some of the mental hospital scenes which do include shock therapy, though they're not much different from similar ones previously detailed in films like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.". What really makes the film interesting though is not so much Nash's isolated hospital episodes, but his ability to manage his illness over a period of 47 years. The film covers Nash's life from his early days as a student at Princeton University (where the film was shot in it's entirety) till his latter days as a professor (at Princeton) and his subsequent receipt of the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1994. Just as a sidebar, Dr. Nash still lives with his wife Alicia in New Jersey along with their son, who has also been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Add this one to your permanent collection - it gets better with every viewing. MORE cast: Sol - Adam Goldberg Hansen - Josh Lucas Helinger - Judd Hirsch Bender - Anthony Rapp Thomas King - Austin Pendleton Ainsley - Jason Gray-Stanford Marcee - Vivien Cardone ____________ ADDENDUM: At this year's Oscar ceremony in Hollywood, ABM was nominated for Eight Awards and received Four statuettes: -Best Picture -Best Director (Ron Howard) -Best Adapted Screenplay (Akiva Goldsman) -Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Just as a sidebar, Dr. Nash still lives with his wife Alicia in New Jersey along with their son, who has also been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Dr. Nash’s story is also being told nightly at the Walter Kerr Theater on Broadway under the title PROOF (currently starring Anne Heche). In addition to this film, there are several other films that have been recently released that deal with mental disabilities in both dramatic and humorous ways. If you like the lighter side of mental illness, try: I AM SAM with Sean Penn as a mentally disabled Dad and his support group of mentally-challenged friends; K-PAX with Kevin Spacey as mental patient who thinks he’s an alien – or is he?; BANDITS with Billy Bob Thornton as bank robber with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Then on the dramatic side there’s: MEMENTO with a severely brain-damaged Guy Pearce trying to stay alive with only a 15-minute memory span; or try the quirky comedy-drama THE SHIPPING NEWS with Kevin Spacey facing self-esteem issues along with Julianne Moore’s low-functioning son. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ | AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategoriesAll |
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