Movie Review: Valentino: The Last Emperor May 31, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Dogs and cats, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Photography.Tags: Movie Review: Valentino: The Last Emperor
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 Movie Review: Valentino: The Last Emperor
Alternate Title: This Emperor Did Have Clothes Story: I know nothing about fashion but I know lots about art and this fine film was most definitely artful. Director and writer Matt Tyrnauer (an editor and writer for Vanity Fair) lovingly brings the 45 year career of fashion icon Valentino Garavani to the big screen. It is 2007 and the film opens with what might be the farewell collection for a 75 year old Valentino. The will he or won’t he retire question is dangled for the balance of the film. Using wonderful file footage we see a youthful Valentino age gracefully through his various ground breaking collections, including the presentation of Valentino RED. The history of 20th century haute couture is front and center. Fashionistas will adore this film. My fascination with the film had more to do with what has happened to the fashion industry over the span of Valentino’s career. What used to be a one person owned design house has now become a global conglomerate with licensing of the designer’s name, usually without the designer’s brilliance. Everything from hats, belts, underwear, and perfume is branded. The uniqueness of the product has faded. It is also fascinating to see the perks that have come with Valentino’s fame. The film follows Valentino as he mad dashes through the glamorous European capitals, with villas and yachts everywhere. Valentino’s longtime companion and partner Giancarlo Giammetti is prominently and deservedly featured throughout the film. Finally, the two best things about this film are the five pugs and the passages where the clothing is designed and sewn. Bravo!
Watch the scene stealing pugs.
Acting: It seemed as if anybody who was anybody if the world of fashion slinked onto the screen with either air kisses or hugs wearing gorgeous outfits. Giorgio Armani, Jeannie Becker, Alessandra Facchinetti, Tom Ford , Giancarlo Giammetti, Karl Lagerfeld , Matteo Marzotto, Gwyneth Paltrow, Claudia Schiffer, André Leon Talley, Valentino, Donatella Versace, Diane von Fürstenberg, Alek Wek, Anna Wintour Trivia: For some juicy trivia on the life and loves of Valentino check out this website. Predilection: None Critters: Valentino’s adorable, scene stealing five pugs, Milton, Molly, Margot, Maude and Monty Food: Models do not eat and it seems no one else does either. There are many dinners, but no one ever eats. Sex Spectrum: No sex. An almost nude model is featured as the clothing is sewn around her. Soundtrack: Any film that opens with Betty Davis Eyes and closes with The Party’s Over has going to be good. Visual Art: Some marvelous over the top set designs. Theater Audience: About 25 New Yorkers, most of us clad in black. Drift Factor: I enjoyed every minute of it. Predictability Level: High Tissue Usage: No Oscar Worthy: No Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. Length: 90 Minutes LOBO HOWLS: 8
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Sunday Sound Off May 31, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos.Tags: 9/11 trauma defense, Al Franken, baby anteater, Dick Cheney, Frank Rich, Norm Coleman, Richard A. Clarke, Sen. Carl Levin, Sonia Sotomayor, Susan Boyle, Tokyo Zoo
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Raise your hand if you have had about enough of the 24/7 Dick Cheney media blitz? This man needs a muzzle (and so does his head bobbing daughter). Along with his non-stop fear mongering he is now adding the 9/11 trauma defense. An article in today’s Washington Post by Richard A. Clarke addresses this issue well. “Unless you were there, in a position of responsibility after September 11, you cannot possibly imagine the dilemmas that you faced in trying to protect Americans,” Condoleezza Rice said last month as she admonished a Stanford University student who questioned the Bush-era interrogation program. And in his May 21 speech on national security, Dick Cheney called the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, a “defining” experience that “caused everyone to take a serious second look” at the threats to America. Critics of the administration have become more intense as memories of the attacks have faded, he argued. “Part of our responsibility, as we saw it,” Cheney said, “was not to forget the terrible harm that had been done to America.” Clarke asserts that the decisions the White House bullies made were not appropriate. He finger points that the thugs were surprised by the attacks because they had not listened to all of the warnings. Guess who else is reappearing magically like that rabbit out of a hat? None other than the Decider himself. Gasp.
- Frank Rich echos this Cheney theme today in his Who Is to Blame for the Next Attack? “The Republicans at least have an excuse for pushing this poison. They are desperate. The trio of Pillsbury doughboys now leading the party — Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich, Cheney — have variously cemented the G.O.P.’s brand as a whites-only men’s club by revoking Colin Powell’s membership and smearing the first Latina Supreme Court nominee as a “reverse racist.” Republicans in Congress have no plausible economic, health care or energy policies to counter Obama’s. The only card left to play is 9/11.” “The harrowing truth remains unchanged from what it was before Cheney emerged from his bunker to set Washington atwitter. The Bush administration did not make us safer either before or after 9/11. Obama is not making us less safe. If there’s another terrorist attack, it will be because the mess the Bush administration ignored in Pakistan and Afghanistan spun beyond anyone’s control well before Americans could throw the bums out.” Good Sunday reading.
- It is nice to know that in 2009, when Dick Cheney speaks, there are people who will step forward to call him out on his lies. Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has issued a stinging rebuke to former Vice President Dick Cheney — saying that undisclosed memos do not support his claim that torture works and save lives. Speaking at the Foreign Policy Association’s annual dinner this week, Levin said that his investigation “gives the lie to Mr. Cheney’s claims.” He noted that the two CIA documents “say nothing about numbers of lives saved, nor do the documents connect acquisition of valuable intelligence to the use of abusive techniques.”
Here’s Rachel on this issue:
- The nuttiness surrounding the nominee, Sonia Sotomayor boggles the brain. The NY Times editorial addresses the wacky Repugnant talking points and tries to steer the debate in another direction.
- Rachel picks apart all of the attacks on Sonia Sotomayor:
- File this under the 15 minutes are up category: Susan Boyle came in second last night. I never quite understood all of the hoopla surrounding this lady. Why is it surprising that a fine voice would come out of her body? It says a lot more about the human race then it does about Susan Boyle. Hats off to you, Susan. Here it is for you, one more time:
- Speaking of things coming to an end – Tomorrow’s oral arguments before the Minnesota Supreme Court may finally bring an end to the state’s protracted Norm Coleman, Al Franken Senate race, and both sides are proclaiming readiness.
- A Tokyo Zoo has unveiled its latest arrival – a baby anteater who’s a little bit wobbly on its feet. A collective awwwwwwwww can be heard across the land.
Movie Review: The Soloist May 27, 2009
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| Movie Review: The Soloist
Alternate Title: Through a Glass Darkly Story: A film about a schizophrenic, homeless, musical genius is not going to draw a big audience. Unlike A Beautiful Mind where that schizophrenic won a Nobel Prize, this poor guy remains haunted with no illusions of ever getting better. The film was sensitively directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride and Prejudice) and written by Susannah Grant (Erin Brokovich), based on the book The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music by Steve Lopez. Los Angeles Times writer Steve Lopez happens upon Nathaniel Anthony Ayers while he was playing a two string violin on the street. A quasi-friendship begins while Lopez, through his many columns on Ayers, gathers a growing interest in Ayers, the homeless and mental illness. The movie does a fine job of depicting mental illness, voices in one’s head (I can relate) and the tireless job of people trying to help these sick individuals all the while attempting to keep dignity in tact. The film has strong elements, thanks to the two sensational leads. In lesser hands both of these parts could have been eye-rollers but director Wright did not choose to go that route and I am grateful. Watch the trailer here:
Watch the real Lopez and Ayers in this 60 Minutes piece with Morley Safer: Acting: Jamie Foxx as Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, was spot on and did not go over the top in his performance. Robert Downey Jr. as Steve Lopez, is one of the most consistently good actors we have today. Catherine Keener as Mary Weston, plays her usual supportive, yet spunky woman role. Nelsan Ellis as David was terrific as was Lisa Gay Hamilton as Jennifer Ayers-Moore. Trivia: In Ray, Jamie Foxx wore prosthetic eyelids which made him virtually blind. His Oscar win for Ray (2004/I) along with Morgan Freeman’s win for Million Dollar Baby (2004), was the second time two African-Americans won Oscars in the same year. The first was in 2002 when Denzel Washington won Best Actor for Training Day (2001) and Halle Berry won Best Actress for Monster’s Ball (2001). Only one of a few actors to win the quadruple award crown during motion picture award season. Foxx won a Golden Globe, the SAG Award, the BAFTA Award and topped it off with the Oscar. Robert John Downey Jr. was born in Greenwich Village, New York City, at 1:10 pm. He’s the son of underground filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. He is of Irish and Russian-Jewish ancestry from his father’s side and German-Jewish and Scottish descent from his mother’s side.He has spent a lot of time in rehab and jail and has been clean and sober for some time. Predilection: I like Robert Downey, Jr. Critters: Two cats, a raccoon and a rat. Food: Bacon and eggs Sex Spectrum: None Soundtrack: You can’t go wrong with a lot of Beethoven and soaring scores throughout by Dario Marianelli with a smidgen of Neil Diamond. Opening Titles: A short sequence showing the typical day in the life of writer Lopez, the printing presses of the paper and then the titles. Visual Art: The district featured in LA was not at all a visual treat. Theater Audience: The audience could have played an octet somewhere. Weather: It was lovely in LA Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: It is difficult to watch mental illness so well depicted on the big screen. Drift Factor: I drifted a bit. Predictability Level: I knew the story. Tissue Usage: I welled up a few times. The music made me do it. Oscar Worthy: No Soap Box: The 90,000 homeless in Los Angeles is shameful. Big Screen or Rental: Either. Length: Under two hours LOBO HOWLS: 7
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Will she or won’t she? May 27, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos.Tags: Bernie Kerik, Coqueral's Sifaka baby, Dahlia Lithwick, McNeil Avian Center, Philadelphia Zoo, Prop 8, Rachel Maddow, Sonia Sotomayor
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Will the inspired choice of Sonia Sotomayor be an October surprise when she climbs up those big steps to her seat on the Supreme Court? Will she be Justice Souter in a dress? Can we count on her to be our liberal clarion call? I am worried about her one previous ruling on abortion (she sided with the Bushies on her one ruling) and the lack of information we have on her opinions about gay rights, the death penalty and national security. Just because she has an inspiring personal story and has beat amazing odds to be in the position she is finds herself today does not mean she thinks like ‘we’ do. Try to remember that Justice Clarence Thomas had an interesting personal story as well and his opinion on ‘the little guy’ goes pretty much like this – ‘well, I did it – why can’t you?
That said – I am going to give her the benefit of the doubt and give her my full support with the hopes that I am not disappointed.
- There is a lot to read about Sotomayor everywhere today. Here are 10 things you should know about Sotomayor from The Huffington Post to start.
1. HER UPBRINGING
2. HER EDUCATION
3. HER WORK OFF THE BENCH
4. HER JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE
5. HER STRUGGLE WITH DIABETES
6. SOTOMAYOR SUPPORTED BY REPUBLICANS
7. SOTOMAYOR ON ABORTION, GAY MARRIAGE
8. SOTOMAYOR WOULD BE FIRST HISPANIC JUSTICE
9. SOTOMAYOR “SAVED BASEBALL”
10. SOTOMAYOR ON THE CONSTITUTION AND “JUDICIAL ACTIVISM”
- I watched (with tears in my eyes) the entire Obama Introducing Sonia Sotomayor as his nominee for Supreme Court on TV yesterday morning. It was one of his inspired speeches and I do really, really, really want to give her a chance (but I am still worried).
- Dahlia Lithwick discusses Sonia Sotomayor’s judical record on “The Rachel Maddow Show.” Apparently, Ms. Lithwick did some research on the issue. Rachel is worried too just like I am.
- Did you all hear the THUD yesterday? Bernie Kerik is in more trouble. He was indicted on charges of making false statements to White House officials vetting him for the secretary’s seat at the Department of Homeland Security in 2004.
- And what can we say about the California Supreme Courts‘ decision on Prop 8? They ruled that a voter-approved proposition defining marriage as between a man and a woman could stand in the state. However, they said the 18,000 marriages that had been performed before the ballot initiative can stand. Good grief. Stay tuned for another round of propositions on this issue. “Prop. 8, meanwhile, is heading for federal court, though not through the efforts of established gay-rights groups, which tried to avoid raising an issue that could bring the marriage dispute before the conservative-led U.S. Supreme Court. An organization called the American Foundation for Equal Rights plans to announce a federal court challenge to the ballot measure in Los Angeles today. Its lawyers are Theodore Olson, who represented George W. Bush in the dispute over who won the 2000 presidential election, and David Boies, Al Gore’s attorney in the same case. Adversaries in last year’s campaign had anticipated Tuesday’s ruling after hearing the justices’ comments at a hearing in March, and are looking ahead to another battle as early as November 2010 on an initiative to overturn Prop. 8. “
- Just in case you were on another planet yesterday:
- The Philadelphia Zoo is celebrating its 150th anniversary. We drove down last week to help them celebrate and to preview their new McNeil Avian Center. It was well worth the trip. The Avian Center is bird -terrific and we were delighted to discover an adorable three month old Coqueral’s Sifaka baby in their primate center. Check out the photos bird photos here.
- Watch the adorable three month old Coqueral’s Sifaka Baby I saw playing at the PECO Primate Center at the Philadelphia Zoo, May, 2009.
Movie Review: Lemon Tree May 26, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Politics, Videos.Tags: Israel, Movie Review: Lemon Tree, Palestinians
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| Movie Review: Lemon Tree
Alternate Title: Forbidden Fruit Story: Do fences make good neighbors? If current history has anything to tell us, the answer is a resounding NO. This fine, compelling film directed by Eran Riklis ( an Israeli) and written by Suha Arraf (a Palestinian Israeli woman) and Mr. Riklis. The time is now where we find the new Israeli Defense Minister moving into a mansion on the West Bank border. His neighbor is a Palestinian woman whose family has tended a lemon grove for the past 50 years. The Secret Service orders the grove cut down for security reasons. She decides to sue. The film is loosely based on a true incident. The film is about so much more than this one woman and her battle to keep her grove. Without lecturing or actually taking sides the film delves into the politics, history and frustration of a region with a 3000 year struggle. The film focus’ on the Palestinian woman and the wife of the Defense Minister. Without actually meeting they have more to say than all of the men who have too many opinions. The movie is a recommend to anyone interested in phenomenal acting (Hiam Abbass), politics and a slice of life. What should you do if life hands you lemons? How about making a fine film like this one and send it around the world.
Acting: Hiam Abbass as Salma, is wonderful. Her face, tone, posture and intelligence dominate the screen. Brava. Ali Suliman as lawyer Ziad Daud is wonderfully cast in a nuanced performance. Rona Lipaz-Michael as Mira Navon, wife of the Defense Minister, does a fine job is her role. Doron Tavory as Minister Israel Navon is right on the money. Trivia: Hiam Abbass is an Israeli Arab actress. She is known for her roles in the films Satin Rouge, Paradise Now (2005), The Syrian Bride (2004), Free Zone (2005), and The Visitor (2008). Abbass was born in Nazareth, Israel and was raised in a traditional Muslim village by the Lebanese border. She won Best Actress award of the Israeli Film Academy for her work in Lemon Tree. Predilection: None. Critters: Goats Food: Lemons, lots and lots of tea and coffee. Sex Spectrum: Lots of hints of sex but none on screen. Blatant Product Placement: None Soundtrack: The old song ‘Lemon Tree’ is heard during the opening sequence and a fine track of ethnic music throughout. Opening Titles: We meet Salma during the opening credits as she is making some type of jarred fruit product using her lemons. Visual Art: Some funny photos. Theater Audience: Surprisingly crowded for a Memorial Day afternoon. It was a Senior Upper East Side ethnic crowd. We fit right in. Weather: Israel is lovely in the spring. Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: It was difficult to see that wall that has been built throughout Israel as a divider of people, politics and rational thought. Drift Factor: I was attentive throughout. Predictability Level: Moderate. I was not sure where the ending would take us. Tissue Usage: I welled up a few times. Oscar Worthy: Hiam Assam could be a nominee in anyone’s awards. She was phenomenal. Soap Box: There is too much to say about the Middle East politics. I will save my opinions for another time and another place. Nit Picking: At times it is difficult t read the subtitles. The white type is superimposed over bleached backgrounds. You do not lose any important dialogue, but it is annoying. Big Screen or Rental: Either. Length: Under two hours. LOBO HOWLS: 8
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Thinking of them all today May 25, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Photography, Politics, Videos.Tags: Arlington national Cemetery, Charles Schumer, Faces of the Fallen, Kirsten Gillibrand, Pentagon Memorial, Rahm Emanual
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I took the above photo last October while visiting Washington, DC. It is one of the bases of the benches at the Pentagon’s Memorial to 9/11. Let’s remember everybody today, okay? The Washington Post has a Faces of the Fallen link on its website showing most of the 4,962 fallen who have given their lives in this bogus, ongoing war.
- Since Congress has the power to declare war it we should give a shout out to those in the Senate who have actually served their country and not tried to defer, delay or fake their way of the service. Here is a list of the Senators who have served. (If I have missed anyone I apologize and thank them for their service too):
* Senator Daniel Akaka (D- Hawaii) – U.S. Army, 1943-1947.
* Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) – U.S. Army Reserve, 1968-1975.
* Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) – Lt., U.S. Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74.
* Senator Daniel Inouye (D – HI) - US Army 1943-’47; Medal of Honor, World War Two.
* Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) – U.S. Army, 1951-1953.
* Senator John Kerry (D – MA) – Lt., U.S. Navy 1966-70; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, and three awards of the Purple Heart for his service in combat.
* Senator John McCain (R-AZ) – McCain’s naval honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.
* Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ): United States Army Signal Corps in World War II
* Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) – U.S. Army Ranger, 1971-1979; Captain, Army Reserve 1979-91
* Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) – U.S. Army Reserves, 1973-1986
* Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) – rifle platoon and company commander with the Fifth Marine Regiment in the An Hoa Basin west of Danang; was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts.
The above photo was taken at Arlington National Cemetery last October too. Arlington is going to be expanding.
- It was pissy to wake up to find that North Korea conducted a nuclear test yesterday. It seems ‘peace in our time’ is a long dead dream. Bug sigh, here.
- Fiction or Non-Fiction: The Bushies are all busy writing their memoirs, or should we call it revisionist histories? The Decider himself, Laura Bush, Karl ‘ Turd Blossom’ Rove, Henry Paulson, Rumsfeld and now Cheney are all going to ‘tell it like it really was.’ I think all of these books should be filed under ‘fiction.’
- Also of scratch your head note: The credit card reform bill (ha!) has been piggy backed with a law that reverses the 1983 Reagan ban on loaded guns in national parks and wildlife preserves. It was passed by approximately 2/3 of both the Senate and the House – just short of a veto-proof margin had it been a separate bill. Guess we can imagine the headlines this summer about massacre in Yosemite – film at 11. Good grief.
- If you missed any of this nutty week in our US history, check out Time’s assessment of what happened while you were living your own life. The gamut runs high and deep from Adam Lambert, Dick Cheney, Patti Blogojevich,Michael Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg and more.
- Here are how some of the Late Night guys saw the week.
- John and Wendy have another book that has just been published. It is called Periwinkle Smith and the Twirly, Whirly Tutu and is available now. Check it out here. ‘Periwinkle Smith loves to jump, twirl, and pirouette, but then the unthinkable happens—she spills paint on her favorite tutu! And who could dance with paint on her tutu? From scaring the spot away to turning her tutu into a kite, children will love the creative ways in which Periwinkle tries first to remove and then to make the best of the stain’. Their other book, Mommy Loves Me is still doing well and is available too. I have been friendly with John and Wendy for many years. She is a fellow Zoo Guide at the Central Park Zoo and I am proud to say that I was her mentor.
- It looks like the big boys are backing the Jr Senator from NY Kirsten Gillibrand for a full term. They are strong arming anyone who is pondering a primary challenge. Schumer, Rahm Emanual and more want her to stay where she is and are going to put all they have behind her run for a full term. I do not like this at all. Stay tuned.
- Jon Stewart cracks me up. He had a tough look at Thursday’s speeches by President Barack Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney on national security. Stewart compared some of Obama’s phrasing to the words of former President George W. Bush. “I love it when he does the Bush covers,” snarked Stewart.
- Thanking them all for their service:
Dueling Banjos May 22, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Photography, Politics, Videos.Tags: Dick Cheney, ducks, Indefinite Detention, Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow
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Yesterday was a media frenzy. The hype about Obama v Cheney was everywhere. The talking heads were frothing at the mouth. Two visions of our current world. Of course one of the visions is our Presidents world view and the other vision is the diabolical one that started all of the problems that we are now in and belongs in a straight jacket or locked up in one of those maximum security prisons. I certainly do not agree with everything Obama is doing but I do trust him. I believe he understands the sanctity of our Constitution (except for that unsettling part about ‘indefinite detention’) and is doing his best to attempt to unravel the mess that he found when he moved into the Oval Office. The other guy needs to be stifled and perhaps thrown inside his man-sized safe. The combination to this safe should be lost. The New York Times addresses this issue on its editorial page today. “For seven years, President George W. Bush tried to frighten the American public — and successfully cowed Congress — with bullying and disinformation. On Thursday, President Obama told the truth. It was a moment of political courage that will make this country safer. Mr. Obama was exactly right when he said Americans do not have to choose between security and their democratic values. By denying those values, the Bush team fed the furies of anti-Americanism, strengthened our enemies and made the nation more vulnerable”.
- For those of you that like your news in snippets, here are the dueling speeches in 100 seconds:
- Here is Rachel’s take on the most troubling issue of Obama’s speech (Indefinite detention?) Are the thought police coming to get you too?
- Here is the entire Obama 50 minute speech. The President speaks at length on how American values and security are intertwined, touching on issues from closing Guantanamo to State Secrets.
- Here is Keith Olbermann’s rapid special commentary about Dick Cheney:
- And here is that requisite feel good conclusion:
Movie Review: Easy Virtue May 22, 2009
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| Movie Review: Easy Virtue
Alternate Title: Sad Dogs and Englishmen Story: Boring and tedious are two of the words that come to mind as I try to remember this film that I saw at a screening 10 days go. It was directed by Stephen Elliott (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) and written by Stephen Elliott and Sheridan Jobbins, based on a play by Noel Coward. It is shortly after WW1 as we meet a repressed English gentry family who are holding onto their legacy and reputation despite the fact that their money is gone. The young master of the house returns from a trip abroad with his new bride who is a beautiful American race car driver. Can you already feel the tension? The lady of the house is appalled at her son’s choice and fires non-stop pithy bon mots at the new bride. The man of the house is a WW1 veteran who has become a drunken recluse. The two sisters are catty, a bit wacky and altogether losers. Combine the above with an overly long sequence about a dead chihuahua and I was long gone into a drift zone. The icing on the cake was a requisite fox hunt. Just about everything I deplore about the landed gentry was thrown into the mix for laughs. I did not laugh at all. I do not think Noel Coward would have laughed either.Oh – and did I mention they break out into once song too often?
Acting: Jessica Biel as the American beauty did not have to stretch her talents at all. I found her to be vapid. Colin Firth did not seem to be interested in his role at all. Kristin Scott Thomas was the best thing about the film. Ben Barnes as the young groom, was an empty suit. Kris Marshall as the butler did make me smile a few times. Kimberly Nixon and Katherine Parkinson as the two sisters were nothing to write home about. Trivia: As a child Jessica Biel initially pursued a career as a vocalist, performing in musical theater. Beginning at age nine, she starred in such productions as “Annie,” “The Sound of Music,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Predilection: My good friend occasionally invites me to screenings with him. I say ‘yes’ as often as I can for his good company and for the opportunity to see a screening. Critters: A poor chihuahua that meets with a thudding end. Foxes, hounds, horses and anything else the English gentry would want to shoot. Food: Ham, turkey, asparagus, carrots, potatoes. Sex Spectrum: Who cared? Soundtrack: Some of the tunes were fun but for the most part the music had too large a role. Visual Art: The estate was stunning. Theater Audience: A fairly crowded screening – but not full. Squirm Scale: I have absolutely no sense of humor when an animal gets hurt in a movie. Drift Factor: Drift, drift, drift away I did. Predictability Level: High Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: No Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. Length: Under two hours LOBO HOWLS: 4
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Movie Review: Outrage May 21, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Politics.Tags: Movie Review: Outrage
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| Movie Review: Outrage
Alternate Title: Come Out, Come Out, Whoever You Are! Story: Writer and director Kirby Dick’s new documentary attempts to right some egregious wrongs. His target is hypocrisy in Washington, DC. Yes, that could cover an amazing number of Congressman and issues, but he focus’ in our the hypocrites who are closeted yet who are the most vocal in their anti-gay votes and/or sponsored legislation. He lasers in on the self-hating gay lawmakers via talking heads, file footage and voting records. There are a dizzying number of talking heads, insinuations, innuendo and the occasional proof. I am appalled at all of the hateful legislation that comes out of Washington and applaud efforts to ‘out’ the offenders. Doesn’t a person have a right to privacy? Not when you are taking that right away from others, I say. Household names like former Governor Jim McGreevey, Larry (wide stance) Craig, Governor Charlie Crist, Congressman David Dreir and more are given some big screen time. For more details about some of the targets of the ‘outers’ go to Michael Rogers‘ website, blogactive.com . It is one of the hardest working groups that seek out and report the hypocrites in Washington.
Acting: It is a documentary so acting is not applicable. These are the featured talking heads. Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin, Wayne Barrett, Elizabeth Birch, Chris Bull, John Byrne, David Catania, Gary Cathey, Steven Clemons, Mark Cromer,Kirk Fordham, Neil Giuliano, Larry Gross, Patrick Guerriero, Dan Gurley, Frederick Hertz, Jim Hormel, Rep. Jim Kolbe, Larry Kramer, Tony Kushner, Dina Matos McGreevey, Rodger McFarlane, James McGreevey, Bob Norman, Kevin Naff, David Phillips, Dan Popkey, Alexander Robinson, Michael Rogers, Hilary Rosen, David Rothenberg, Tom Sheridan, Michelangelo Signorile, Andrew Sullivan, Rich Tafel, Matthew Weissman, Jose Antonio Vargas, with Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering Kofman as the interviewers. Trivia: Kirby Dick’s Twist of Fate was nominated for an Academy Award in 2005. Predilection: I like films about politics. Critters: A delightful calico cat and a yellow lab. Food: None Sex Spectrum: Obviously sex is discussed. Opening Titles: The opening sequence is an audio recording of Larry Craig at the police station after his arrest in the men’s bathroom at the airport. Theater Audience: Two other patrons who were outraged. Squirm Scale: Hypocrisy makes me squirm Drift Factor: I drifted a bit. Oscar Worthy: No Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. For some of Kirby Dick’s other films try these :This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006), Twist of Faith (2004), Derrida (2002), Chain Camera (2001) Length: 90 minutes LOBO HOWLS: 7
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Movie Review: Summer Hours (L’Heure D’Ete) May 20, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: Movie Review: Summer Hours (L'Heure D'Ete)
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| Movie Review: Summer Hours (L’Heure D’Ete)
Alternate Title: Persistence of Memory Story: If you are of a certain age and have gone through the life cycle where you have to bury a parent and decide what to do with those precious objects (be they art or trinkets) you will find much to like about this fine French film written and directed by Olivier Assayas. It is an intimate, meditative piece where not that much happens – yet it does. It is an intimate simple story about 75 year old Helene, whose three adult children have to decide what to do with their childhood home, their mother’s possessions and her legacy. Two of the siblings live abroad and have cut their emotional ties to their ancestral home. The oldest sibling wants to be the caretaker of their legacy. Is he out voted? How does their decision effect the rest of the family? Many topics are raised about whether important art pieces have any meaning once they are taken out of their home and placed in a museum. Director of photography, Eric Gautier guides us through this amazing home outside of Paris with a tender touch. If you like your films a little slower than the usual summer fare, check out this lovely film.
Acting: It doesn’t seem fair that everyone in France seems to be thin, stylish and beautiful. Big sigh here. Juliette Binoche as Adrienne, is lovely and talented, as usual. Charles Berling as Frédéric and Jérémie Renier as Jérémie carry their roles to perfection. Edith Scob as Hélène is totally believable. Trivia: In 1996, Juliette Binoche was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in The English Patient (1996). Legendary actress Lauren Bacall was roundly expected to win in that category for her performance in The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996), but Binoche won the Oscar instead, in one of the biggest surprise wins in Oscar history. In her acceptance speech, she said, “I don’t have a speech prepared. I thought Lauren would get it.” She is an avid painter. In 1994, she exhibited work done in collaboration with the designer Christian Fenouillat. She has also designed posters for a number of her movies including Les amants du Pont-Neuf (1991) and Les enfants du siècle (1999). Binoche is currently working on a poster for Country of My Skull (2004). Predilection: None Critters: Two beautiful Labs named Bijou and Pretzel. Food: Oh, the French surely know how to eat. No fast food for this beautiful crowd. Food is featured in almost every scene. Sex Spectrum: None Opening Titles: I cannot remember. Visual Art: A stunning array of art treasures including Corot, Degas, Rodin and more. The Musee d’Orsay is featured. Theater Audience: Six other people. Weather: Lovely Drift Factor: I was attentive throughout. Predictability Level: I was not sure what was going to happen. Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: No Big Screen or Rental: Either would be fine. Length: Under two hours. LOBO HOWLS: 8
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