Gone Fishin’ July 30, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Uncategorized.Tags: Gone fishin', Vacation
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Golden Globe Nominees, Trivia and a Quiz January 8, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Uncategorized.Tags: Golden Globe Nominees
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The Golden Globe Awards are to be aired this Sunday, January 11 from 8 – 11 PM. It is usually an overblown self-love festival and totally out of kilter with reality. Does it matter who wins? Maybe. Is it fun? Absolutely. It can be a precursor to the Oscars or not. What can be fun is that the recipients tend to be drunk and that is always fun to watch and can be surprising. You can read about the Hollywood Foreign Press on the do-good, self-promoting part of their website. If you want to see who the 90 voting members of the Foreign Press are, click here.
Newsweek has a Ten Most Embarrassing Moments of Golden Globes ceremonies past including such silliness as ladies wearing the same dress, ladies in the bathroom when their names were called, a Liz Taylor screw up, a Grey’s Anatomy faux pas, groping Scarlett Johannson, Oliver Stone’s diatribe, Brad Pitt’s Kaopectate moment, Bjork!, Jack Nicholson’s ‘moon’ and more.
There is also a Newsweek Trivia Quiz for one and all. (I failed miserably).
Best Motion Picture – Drama
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama
Anne Hathaway – Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie – Changeling
Meryl Streep – Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas – I’ve Loved You So Long
Kate Winslet – Revolutionary Road
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
Leonardo DiCaprio – Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella – Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn – Milk
Brad Pitt – The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler
Best Motion Picture – Musical Or Comedy
Burn After Reading
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Rebecca Hall – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Sally Hawkins – Happy-Go-Lucky
Frances McDormand – Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep – Mamma Mia!
Emma Thompson – Last Chance Harvey
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical Or Comedy
Javier Bardem – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Colin Farrell – In Bruges
James Franco – Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson – In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman – Last Chance Harvey
Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Amy Adams – Doubt
Penélope Cruz – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis – Doubt
Marisa Tomei – The Wrestler
Kate Winslet – The Reader
Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Tom Cruise – Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr. – Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes – The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt
Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight
Best Animated Feature Film
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E
Best Foreign Language Film
The Baader Meinhof Complex (Germany)
Everlasting Moments (Sweden, Denmark)
Gomorrah (Italy)
I’ve Loved You So Long (France)
Waltz With Bashir (Israel)
Best Director – Motion Picture
Danny Boyle – Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry – The Reader
David Fincher – The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard – Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes – Revolutionary Road
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button – Written by Eric Roth
Doubt – Written by John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon – Written by Peter Morgan
The Reader – Written by David Hare
Slumdog Millionaire – Written by Simon Beaufoy
Best Original Score – Motion Picture
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button – Composed by Alexandre Desplat
Changeling – Composed by Clint Eastwood
Defiance – Composed by James Newton Howard
Slumdog Millionaire – Composed by A. R. Rahman
Frost/Nixon – Composed by Hans Zimmer
Best Original Song – Motion Picture
“Down To Earth” – Wall-E – Music By: Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, Lyrics By: Peter Gabriel
“Gran Torino” – Gran Torino – Music By: Clint Eastwood, Jamie Cullum, Kyle Eastwood and Michael Stevens, Lyrics By: Jamie Cullum
“I Thought I Lost You” – Bolt – Music & Lyrics By: Miley Cyrus and Jeffrey Steele
“Once In A Lifetime” – Cadillac Records – Music & Lyrics By: Beyoncé Knowles, Amanda Ghost, Scott McFarmon, Ian Dench, James Dring and Jody Street
“The Wrestler” – The Wrestler – Music & Lyrics By: Bruce Springsteen
Movie Review: Religulous October 2, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Uncategorized.Tags: Movie Review: Religulous
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Movie Review: Religulous
Alternate Title: Doubting Thomas (or in this case, Bill).
Story: The gospel, according to Bill Maher, is a bunch of made up stories that just might end up to be self fulfilling prophesies that cause the end times with mushroom shaped clouds instead of the much prayed for salvation.Religulous is 90 minutes of shtick written by and starring the always irreverent Bill Maher and directed by Larry Charles (Borat and Curb Your Enthusiasm).
If you are familiar with Maher’s condescending approach to most things that he does not agree with you are half way to enjoying the film. If you also bring with you a sense of humor about religion – you will have a lot of belly laughs and many giggles.
He crisscrosses the world in search of answers to why people believe the preposterous stuff about religion. He spends much of the film on Evangelical Christianity and the Catholic Church. He dips his feet into Judaism and Islam and also skewers Mormonism and Scientology. He did not touch at all upon Hinduism or Buddhism or many of the other ‘isms’ but we get the point very quickly. All religion to Bill Maher is a crock of crap, dangerous and will ultimately cause the doomed scenario that many of the religions preach.
My favorite parts were the inserted movie and video clips he used to make his point while doing his interviews. For a dose of funny, go see the film.
Acting: Lots of wackos doing their thing in the name of religion.
Trivia: Bill Maher was born in NYC and grew up in River Vale, NJ. His father was Irish Catholic and was a news editor for NBC News. His mother was Jewish. Maher was raised in the Catholic faith but left the church at age 13 and never looked back. While attending Cornell, he decided to try stand-up comedy. He supported Ralph Nader in 2000, John Kerry in 2004 and supports Barack Obama in 2008.
Predilection: I like Bill Maher
Critters: Most of the critters, horses, sea monsters and whales are seen in the vintage clips.
Sex Spectrum: No sex – but some talk about rape and homosexuality.
Blatant Product Placement: None of the churches come out looking good at all. One of Maher’s premises is that these churches sell an invisible product.
Soundtrack: Terrific music to enhance the segues.
Opening Titles: A montage of his travels to seek answers to his quest.
Theater Audience: About a dozen other people. I went with my lapsed Catholic friend and we both had many laughs.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: I get very squirmy when I see these zealots speaking in tongues and talking about the rapture. Oy!
Drift Factor: I did not drift but it could have been even shorter and tighter.
Oscar Worthy: no
Big Screen or Rental: It is going to be interesting to see how this film does in the general marketplace. Rental would be a fine option.
Length: A bit over 90 minutes.
LOBO HOWLS: 7
Airforce One, JetBlue, McCain and Letterman September 25, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Photography, Politics, Videos.Tags: air force one, jet blue, letterman, McCain
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Sitting on the tarmac at JFK we hear the mellow voice of our Jet Blue cptain telling us that we re going to be 30 minutes early on our trip to California. The general tone is happiness inside the airplane. We belt up, ready ourselves for an uneventful flight and what happens? We re told that we have an unexpected delay for an unknown amount of time. A collective groan can be heard throughout the cabin. After what seemed like n endless silent wait we were told if we look out the left side of the plane we can see Air force One getting ready to leave JFK. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Yes, The thug on chief stopped all air traffic t JFK for 40 minutes as he left the Big Apple.
I watched the unraveling of the McCain campaign on the little Jet Blue TV. What a turd.
Letterman skewers McCain for ‘dissing’ him, his campaign suspension and essentially gets busted as he is seen prepping for the Katie Couric show.
Movie Review: Chris & Don: A Love Story June 17, 2008
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Movie Review: Chris & Don: A Love Story
Alternate Title: My Fair Laddie
Story: It seemed appropriate that on the day California acknowledged gay marriage I see a documentary about the 35 year relationship between writer Christopher Isherwood and portrait artist Don Bachardy. Before you click away, you already know Isherwood’s work – as it transformed to the big screen, in the form of mega-hit, Cabaret.
Isherwood met Bachardy on a California beach in 1952. Their 30 year age difference did not effect their love (think Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle). Bachardy was only 18 when their relationship bloomed. He was a star struck kid and Isherwood knew just about everyone in Hollywood. It was a match made in heaven that lasted and grew for 35 years. During the years that homosexuals had to hide their life styles, these two lived openly for all to see.
Documentarians Guido Santi and Tina Mascara tenderly carpet this love story. We see the disparate background history of both men and also witness their blossoming love story through terrific file footage and a few talking heads, including Leslie Caron and John Boorman. How could this relationship last? With encouragement and daily support Isherwood saw Bachardy through art school, his first exhibit and eventual success. Their individual gifts allowed these artists to express their love through words and visual art.
If you like love stories, interesting biographies and simply just good film making, go see this small, lovely film.
View the trailer:
Acting: It is documentary – so it is not applicable.
Predilection: I like documentaries
Critters: Interesting that Isherwood did not want pets because he felt that a home with pets takes love away from the human relationship. Yet, they transform their feelings into animal characters through their correspondence, which is illustrated on the big screen. Isherwood is a horse and Bachardy is a cat.
Food: No food at all.
Sex Spectrum: Alluded to – but not seen.
Blatant Product Placement: None – it s a documentary.
Soundtrack: Lovely
Opening Titles: An opening sequence that situates you into the place you are about to head.
Visual Art: Wonderful portraits by Bachardy.
Theater Audience: A packed house filled with a very West Village crowd at the Quad Cinema. We did note that many of the audience had canes (as did my pal).
Weather: Lovely beach weather.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: 0
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine but supporting a small film like this is always a good idea.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 8
Movie Review: The Incredible Hulk June 17, 2008
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Movie Review: The Incredible Hulk
Alternate Title: Green-Eyed Monster
Story: The mean, green fighting machine is back – but this time around, it seems it is good to be green. This incarnation of the not so jolly green giant was directed by Louis Leterrier and written by Zak Penn. It is based on the Marvel comic book by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
So what is different about this film from Ang Lee’s 2003 rumination? Simply put – just about everything. While the titles are rolling we see a montage of how Dr. Bruce Banner became the Hulk and ended up as an anonymous drone in a soda bottling plant in Brazil. No psychobabble problems with his Dad – just a wacko Army General in a quest to develop a super army of indestructible men.
Our mild mannered Dr Banner turns into the Hulk when his blood pressure goes above 200. (Note to self: continue medication). Our Hulk tries to control his anger issues with deep breathing techniques, yoga and non-engagement. But what’s a Hulk to do when all of his efforts are for naught? Our hulking tortured soul wants to be rid of his gamma filled blood problem and be a normal guy but it is just not in the cards (how could the franchise continue?)
If you like your summer entertainment filled with silly DGI fight scenes, monster mashes and comic book dialogue – check out this version of The Incredible Hulk. If you are waiting for something darker – hang in there – Batman is coming soon.
You can read my 2003 review of Ang Lee’s The Hulk here.
View the trailer:
Acting: Edward Norton as Bruce Banner does his best with what the screenwriters have given him. Liv Tyler as Betty Ross, the love interest, delivers her usual one dimensional non-performance. Tim Roth as the wannabe super soldier hasn’t much to do, but he seems to be enjoying his role.Tim Blake Nelson as the wacky professor with a possible cure is fun in his small role. William Hurt as the very bad General Ross could have been better. A bit part by Lou Ferrigno, TV’s The Hulk, was funny, as was a cameo by Stan Lee. An homage to the TV show was also seen as Bill Bixby appears in black and white on a TV set in Brazil in his original role as Bruce Banner.
Predilection: I like the Hulk
Critters: Bruce Banner’s dog gets shot with a tranquilizer in Brazil.
Food: Pizza
Sex Spectrum: Sex gets Banner’s blood pressure too high so that is a no no in this PG rated film.
Blatant Product Placement: I was sure there would be more product placement but I did not notice any.
Soundtrack: Loud
Opening Titles: The background story is revealed through the opening credits.
Theater Audience: A handful of adult fans.
Weather: The weather was good for viewing The Hulk.
Drift Factor: I started to look at my watch after an hour. The finale was way too long.
Predictability Level: High
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure.
Length: Under two hours
LOBO HOWLS: 6
Movie Review: Iron Man May 9, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Uncategorized.Tags: Iron Man, movie review
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Movie Review: Iron Man
Alternate Title: Arms and the Man
Story: I happen to like my Super Heroes best when they have inherent super powers and are flawed. Iron Man was originally conceived by the guys (Stan Lee, Larry Leiber) at Marvel Comics during the Vietnam War. Other than oodles of money, one brilliant mind and a growing sense of conscience, Iron Man is just like everyone else. Fast forward 40 years, remaining true to the original story, except our hero been re-situated into the Afghanistan conflict by the writing teams of Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby and Art Marcum & Matt Holloway. Director Jon Favreau has reimagined arms maker, playboy billionaire, Tony Stark to reflect today’s mind set. After being captured by scary looking guys he escapes imprisonment by building a suit of armor. Upon returning home, he decides to get his company out of the arms making business and devote himself somehow to doing good.
The good news is that this film has appeal to people other than 14 year old boys. Score points for the abilities of actor Robert Downey Jr and Jeff Bridges for that feat. The scenes where he is building his suit of armor interested me more than the actual use of the suit (but I am not a 14 year old boy). Character development? Let’s face it – it is a comic book coming alive on the big screen. There is not much if that.
If you like your summer films filled with color, action and puff – this is a movie for you. If you like your super heroes more unusual, wait a bit, The Incredible Hulk is on its way with Ed Norton.
Acting: Robert Downey Jr. is always good. His character is fully developed as is his nemesis, Jeff Bridges. Bridges does a fine job as one of the scary bad guy. Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leslie Bibb, Shaun Toub, Faran Tahir are all fairly one dimensional.
Predilection: I like Super Heroes.
Critters: Two goats
Food: Cheeseburger (see Blatant Product tie-in Placement below)
Sex Spectrum: Post coital implication but no sex seen at all.
Blatant Product Placement: Burger King
Soundtrack: Loud
Visual Art: Fun special effects. Who doesn’t like flying men in iron suits?
Theater Audience: A handful of guys and me. I was once again amused when I see guys sit one seat apart from one another. Is this to assure everyone else in the audience that they are not gay? Funny, funny.
Weather: The weather for Iron Man was just fine.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I drifted quite a bit. The film cried out for more editing.
Predictability Level: Over the top.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No – but I am sure it will get a special effects nod.
Big Screen or Rental: Oh, the big screen for sure. Some of the other superhero films that I like are: all of the Batman films, Catwoman, Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Spider-Man, everyone of the Superman movies and X-Men. I guess you could say I like men in tights.
Length: At two hours it was 30 minutes too long.
LOBO HOWLS: 6
Movie Review: The Visitor April 21, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
Movie Review: The Visitor
Alternate Title: Stranger in a Strange Land
Story: Former actor, now director and writer Thomas McCarthy (The Station Agent) has found his true calling. He is a masterful film maker with a lot to say. His films are small with universal ideas and appeal. This second film hits a home run (with the bases loaded).
Widower, Walter Vale, our reluctant hero, is introduced as a lonely, repressed, middle aged Economics Connecticut college teacher who goes through the tedious motions of living his life. Robotic and detached to all, he seems as if in a fog. When he has to deliver a paper at NYU for a colleague his world changes. He goes to stay at his rarely used apartment of 25 years in the Village he finds Zainab, a Sengalese woman and Tarik, her Syrian boyfriend living there. Feeling an unusual touch of empathy he allows them to stay for a few days until they find new living quarters.
Walters world slowly cracks open as these people seep into his pores, his life and ultimately his heart. When Tarik is arrested the film changes beat and writer McCarthy’s message is revealed. Without lecturing or hammering the rights and wrongs of the ’system’ we understand the frustration and unfairness of the Immigration department.
This is a beautiful and eloquent film about connecting to other people, friendship, values and passion. Do yourself a favor and go to see this masterful work.
Acting: Richard Jenkins ( TV’s Six Feet Under) is brilliant. The character he plays could easily have turned into a cartoon by a lesser talent but Jenkins slowly slips out of his suit of armor, finds his humanity and we are the winners in that transformation. Haaz Sleiman as Tarik is perfect. His warmth, his smile, his fear and his overall passion for life is contagious. Danai Gurira as Zainab is lovely. She plays the always fearful illegal immigrant with heart nd soul. Hiam Abbass as Tarik’s mother was also perfect. Kudos to the casting agents for this film .
Predilection: None.
Critters: Mr Sprinkles the dog
Food: Chinese takeout, Shawarma, some yummy home cooked veggies, rice and chicken.
Sex Spectrum: Some cuddling
Blatant Product Placement: Baldwin Piano and Apple
Soundtrack: A wonderful enriching soundtrack by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek
Opening Titles: Simple type over black background. Most credits at the end.
Visual Art: NYC always looks good. Even the subway looked good. The detention center in Queens, however, leaves you cold and sad.
Theater Audience: A few viewers at the Landmark Sunshine theater. By the way, if you go this week keep in mind that Yonah Shimmel’s is closed for Passover so you will not be able to smell those wonderful knishes.
Weather: The weather was temperate with a little rain.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: I welled up a bit toward the end but my movie buddy used all of my tissues and some of hers. She wept and wept mostly because she cared so deeply for these fine human beings.
Oscar Worthy: Yes
Soap Box: Our immigration policy is hateful, racist, cruel, rigid and is in need of an urgent overhaul.
Big Screen or Rental: Support your local Indie flick and see it in the theater.
Length: Under two hours
LOBO HOWLS: 9
Monday and Hot Air Abounds April 14, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Uncategorized.Tags: Alberto Gonzales, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Keith Olbermann, McCain, Phoenix Zoo
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There is nothing like a five hour plane ride, reading the entire Sunday New York Times to slowly feel my relaxed shoulders start to tense up, the snarling lip begin to curl and the general sense of anger solidly taking over my being. Yes, I am back and the hot air I read throughout the Sunday paper got me to thinking about ranting once again. I found the article about Alberto Gonzlales to be the most interesting. It turns out that our ‘heck of a job’ past AG will have to work for food because he is having a tough time finding a new job since leaving the Justice Department. I guess a resume that is filled with felonious actions, misadventures and torturous activities is not very desirable at the end of this thuggish administration’s tenure. He also seems that perhaps his memory problem (since his favorite line for the remaining months at his job was ‘I can’t recall’) might not be something a potential employer is looking for in a candidate.
- I am back from vacation and should be in full ranting mode in a few days. But while on vacation, I did manage to have a blast. Check out two photo montages from two of the five Zoos we visited. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the Phoenix Zoo.
- Saturday Night Live handled last week’s Petraeus Report to Congress in a lively, funny (yet sad) manner. Everyone should be screaming from the rafters that this thuggish administration has no intention of performing any drawdown of troops or meaningful negotiations with the Sunnis and Shites. They have always intended this debacle to be handed off to the next administration.
- While the media is in a frenzy over the Democratic race to the White House, John McCain continues to get his free pass. I will keep reminding you what this guy is all about.
- Keith Olbermann trashes Fox Noise on their lack of coverage of the Iraq War.
- Last week’s kitty talking video has been translated:
