Past and present converge in this story of the good verses bad and what happens in that vast grey area between. Robin Wright Penn plays, quite beautifully, Pippa Lee, a “good” wife and mother who after moving to a retirement community with her much older husband (Alan Arkin), begins a time of reflection which leads to a subtle yet compelling sort of breakdown.
The cast, under the direction of Rebecca Miller, is sensational. Winona Ryder, Mike Binder, and Arkin bring such richness and care in the development of character. Even Blake Lively, whom I was highly skeptical of, has moments of surprising believability as the younger Pippa Lee. And we must not forget about Keanu Reeves who is (is it just me or is he really) more attractive than ever. I swear he grows younger with age.
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee is expected to be released in the US October 13th, 2009. This is a limited engagement and one I suggest you do not miss.
Just remember: ”The Life you Love may be your Own”
It’s 1979 on Long Island and Lyme disease has the suburban neighborhood on edge after neighbor Charlie (Timothy Hutton) has been diagnosed with the ailment. The onset of the disease spurs, out of necessity, his wife (Cynthia Nixon) to go work for the real estate company of next door neighbor Mickey Bartlett (Alec Baldwin). The two families’ intertwining relationships address love and lust, an idea that would seem to have no angles left unseen. Brothers Derick and Steven Martini as writers of the film, prove to have a fresh take on a concept that would seem to be obvious. The direction of Derick Martini is straightforward yet subtle, moving the film on unexpected paths and positions.
Rory Culkin as Scott Bartlett, son of Mickey and Brenda (Jill Hennessey) is sensational. It is obvious that Martini has an inherent eye for talent. His casting is impeccable, his scoring is sentimental, and his story line is inventively vivid. Lymelife won the coveted International Critics Award at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival and was released April 8th in NY and LA theaters. Check your local listings for a release near you. It’s a 2009 film you don’t want slipping by.
Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, Sunshine Cleaning moved and inspired the crowd and after being purchased by Overture Films was released in March of 2009. The reviews have been anything but complimentary for this hard edged outre film but who really cares what the critics say because the public absolutely loves it.
Amy Adams plays a thirty-something single mom who works as a cleaning lady. Wanting to send her son to private school she decides to get into the crime scene clean up business, which is said to be very lucritive by her policeman lover (Steve Zahn). Rose (Adams) coerces her underachiveing sister Norah (Emily Blunt) to be her partner in “crime” as they realize this job is more than cleaning up a mess, it’s about being there to help people during these traggic events, “even if it is in some small way”.
The film is genuine and Emily Blunt alongside Amy Adams render emotions so easily empathized that without blatant explanation their past and present is completely understood.
Thomas(Rhys Wakefield) is trying his best to have a normal adolescence but his autistic older brother Charlie(Luke Ford) does a great job at making sure things are anything but “normal.” The wild Mollison household gets even more wild when their pregnant mother (Toni Collette) is put on bed rest. The film, written by Elissa Down and Jimmy Jack, beautifully depicts the struggles that go along with having an autistic family member. There are moments that break your heart, make you laugh and piss you off, all of which feel very real thanks to the talented cast. The Black Balloon was released in the US in December 2008 and was widely acclaimed both in Australia and in the United States, taking home 6 AFI Awards including Best Film.
Tom Hanks, Colin Hanks and John Malcovich star in a film about Buck Howard, a mentalist extrodinaire that doesnt know that his time in show bizz has come and gone. In theaters March 20th.
Henry Selik, director of Nightmare Before Christmas, brings us another freaky stop motion film. Check out the story of Coraline Jones and her quest to find a place more exciting than home.
Winner of the International Grand Prix at FID Marseille comes a story about a suburban family and how the pressures of continually trying to appear perfectly happy stifle and choke. The documentary is told through dictaphone recordings and is out February 20th.
Elisabeth Charlotte Rist, nicknamed Pipilotti, is well known for her colorful and musical super 8 films. The subjects of the films vary but remain linked to issues like sexuality, gender, and the human body. The exhibit at the MOMA is found in the grande atrium in order to give the visitor’s a sense of space so their bodies can breathe and stretch. Projectors play her films all along the walls and a large seating area, also designed by the artist, is available for on-lookers to sit and relax. The exhibit is open until February 2nd, 2009. Dont forget, every Friday at the MOMA is free from 4-8!
Set in Mambai in 2003 this film takes you on a journey back through a young mans childhood. Simon Beaufoy based the screenplay on a book entitled “Q and A” by Vikas Swarup. It all starts when Jamal Malik, a poor 18 year old from India, is one question away from winning India’s version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” When the show ends for the night Jamal is taken away and interrogated for cheating. As he explains how he knew the answers to each question the story of his life unfolds. This story of love, and family will have you at the edge of your seat more than once within its 2 hour time frame. Slumdog Millionaire , directed by Danny Boyle, is a must see.
Seven Pounds, which came out December 19th in theaters, was found by critics to be less than spectacular. Rotten Tomatoes reported that out of 130 critics only 28% gave the Gabrielle Muccino film positive reviews. However, after viewing I was far less fault-finding. Will Smith was careful and much more self-observing in his character than in previous films. Woody Harrelson and Rosario Dawson were equally aware of their personage and supported the film responsively.
The film was an absolutely devastating love story. Perhaps even more so than that, it was a tragic tale of internal struggle and the freedom which comes from repaying ones debts. If you have not seen it yet, I urge you to do so. It will break and mend your heart while compelling you to question one of the most controversial subjects of our time.
Elisabeth Charlotte Rist, nicknamed 
Set in Mambai in 2003 this film takes you on a journey back through a young mans childhood. Simon Beaufoy based the screenplay on a book entitled “Q and A” by Vikas Swarup. It all starts when Jamal Malik, a poor 18 year old from India, is one question away from winning India’s version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” When the show ends for the night Jamal is taken away and interrogated for cheating. As he explains how he knew the answers to each question the story of his life unfolds. This story of love, and family will have you at the edge of your seat more than once within its 2 hour time frame. 
