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Movie News - Oliver Stone's Money to Sleep For Six More Months - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:05:32 PST

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

MOVIE NEWS
For Oliver Stone, Money Sleeps For Six More Months

Shia LaBeouf and Michael Douglas flank director Oliver Stone on the set of his sequel "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps". Twentieth Century Fox

By Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com FOLLOW
Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Twentieth Century Fox today announced that Oliver Stone's sequel to his 1987 Oscar-wining film "Wall Street" will have its release pushed back to September 24.

"Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" was originally scheduled to open in the U.S. and Canada on April 23. Now that the film is very likely to have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, Fox has decided to delay its stateside debut.

"Money Never Sleeps" stars Michael Douglas, reprising his Oscar-winning Best Actor role from Mr. Stone's 1987 film, Carey Mulligan, Josh Brolin, Susan Sarandon, Frank Langella and Eli Wallach. Charlie Sheen, who also starred in the 1987 film, makes a cameo in the new film.

COPYRIGHT 2010. POPCORNREEL.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. FOLLOW

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Box Office Movie News - "Shutter Island" Boasts A Scorsese Record - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:58:31 PST

Monday, February 22, 2010

BOX OFFICE MOVIE NEWS
"Shutter Island" Boasts Record Results For Scorsese

Leonardo DiCaprio in "Shutter Island", which finished at the top of the box office in the U.S. and Canada in its debut over the weekend. The $41 million total was the best opening for both Mr. DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese, the film's director. Paramount Pictures

By Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com
Monday, February 22, 2010

Martin Scorsese's "Shutter Island" topped the North American box office over the weekend in its debut, grossing $41 million, the highest opening for both the director and its star, Leonardo DiCaprio. The mystery drama, based on best-selling author Dennis Lehane's novel of the same name. The final figures were released today by Exhibitor Relations.

Despite sharply divided reviews from critics, including The Popcorn Reel, the film debuted strongly, and featured an all-star cast including Max Von Sydow, Ben Kingsley and Patricia Clarkson.

"Valentine's Day" took a major tumble into second place over the weekend. Last week's number one film took a 70% decline, grossing $16.6 million in its second weekend. To date, Garry Marshall's film has grossed $86.9 million.

"Avatar" actually climbed back up to third place, narrowly separated from second place by less than $500,000. James Cameron's film, which has arguably lost a little momentum in its effort to be best picture in two weeks at Oscar time, made $16.2 million over the weekend. The film's domestic gross is now $687.9 million. Worldwide, "Avatar" has accumulated over $2 billion, and continues to break box-office records.

"Percy Jackson & The Olympians" fell to fourth place, with $15.2 million and overall has $58.7 million in its coffers. "The Wolfman" fell to fifth place, falling 69%, grossing $9.8 million. To date the film has earned $50.3 million.

This Friday, the much-publicized director Kevin Smith has his new film "Cop-Out" opening in theaters. Starring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan, the action-comedy is expected to be the new number one movie next week.

Previous: "Valentine's Day's" victorious box of chocolates

COPYRIGHT 2010. POPCORNREEL.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Read more movie reviews and stories from Omar here.

Read Omar's "Far-Flung Correspondent" reports for America's pre-eminent Film Critic Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times - here

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Oscar Contest 2010 - Win Ten Best Picture Blu-Ray Discs - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:28:53 PST

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

THE POPCORN REEL CONTEST
Oscar Contest 2010: Win ALL TEN Best Picture Nominees on Blu-Ray or DVD

This inanimate man will have hands all
over him on March 7. Guess whose to win.
Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com

By Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com
Tuesday, February 16, 2010

An Education. Avatar. The Blind Side. District 9. The Hurt Locker. Inglourious Basterds. Precious. A Serious Man. Up. Up In The Air.

To win all TEN of the February 2, 2010 Best Picture Oscar nominees on either Blu-Ray or DVD you must correctly guess each of the following:

1) Which film will win for best cinematography? (choose one)
Avatar
Harry Potter/Half-Blood Prince
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
The White Ribbon

2) Coraline will win best animated feature. TRUE or FALSE?

3) Which of these two films will win best picture?
The Blind Side
Precious

4) Who will present the best picture Oscar? (choose one)
An actor
An actress
A producer
An actor or actress who has also produced a film
Harrison Ford
Julia Roberts

5) Alec Baldwin will wear glasses at some point during hosting duties on Oscar night. TRUE or FALSE?

6) The longest speech will be given by: (choose one)
The best director winner
The best foreign language film winner
The best original screenplay winner

7) Music will interrupt the speech of:
The best live action short film winner
The best actress winner
The best sound mixing winner

8) The shortest speech will be given by: (choose one)
The best director winner
The best animated short film winner
Mo'Nique

Please send your Oscar contest answers to editor@popcornreel.com or via direct message to www.twitter.com/popcornreel or via private message at www.facebook.com/popcornreel. Include your name, city, state and/or country.

All predictions must be correct in order to win the ten pictures on Blu-Ray or DVD.

The last day to send in entries for the contest is Monday, March 1, 2010.

There's only one winner for the contest. No runner-up prizes.

(Region 1 DVDs only and Blu-Ray Region A, although some Blu-Ray titles may vary on region.)

Contest open to residents worldwide -no exceptions.

Tie-breakers are determined by the earliest e-mail entry or Twitter or Facebook dispatch, so the sooner you enter, the better!

The winner -- if there is one -- will be announced on The Popcorn Reel website, Facebook and Twitter on Monday, March 8.

COPYRIGHT 2010. POPCORNREEL.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The Dailies - Life In The 'Wood. Adventures In Tinseltown, Daily - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:47:10 PST

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Photo by Omar P.L. Moore / PopcornReel.com

The Dailies: LIFE IN THE 'WOOD
February 24, 2010

Sunday                  Monday                 Tuesday                                                   Thursday

Friday                    Saturday

The Goode, The Bad And The Turgid
By Omar P.L. Moore / PopcornReel.com

Universal Pictures

At least he's honest. And he's right.

I'm talking about Matthew Goode (above), the England-born actor who in yesterday's online edition of Britain's The Daily Telegraph, said that "Leap Year", the romantic comedy he starred in that opened in the U.S. and Canada last month, was "turgid".

Anand Tucker's "Leap Year" was essentially ushered off the cinematic stage in the U.S. by many critics (including this one) who panned it. Mr. Goode plays Declan, a local in Ireland who tries to transport Amy Adams to Dublin to participate in a centuries-old Irish tradition of a bride-to-be proposing to a would-be groom every leap year date.

In the Telegraph interview Mr. Goode is quoted as saying: "Do I feel I let myself down? No. Was it a bad job? Yes, it was. But, you know, I had a nice time and I got paid."

Which, in a film as poor as "Leap Year", is all that matters.

Mr. Goode has had roles in such films as Woody Allen's "Match Point", "The Lookout", "Brideshead Revisited" and last year's films "Watchmen" and "A Single Man". He will be seen within the next year in the Ricky Gervais-Stephen Merchant-directed comedy "Cemetery Junction", which is now in post-production.

Mr. Goode is the second actor or director I know of whom has publicly admitted how poorly a film he acted in or directed was.

Last year this writer was at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, where during a panel discussion director Gary Winick admitted that he "knew a few days in" on the set of his film "Bride Wars" "that the movie was going to be bad."

"Bride Wars", which opened in the U.S. in 2009 on the same January weekend that "Leap Year" did this year, was also critically trounced.

COPYRIGHT 2010. POPCORNREEL.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Film: Interview - A Director and A Prophet - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:38:31 PST

Thursday, February 25, 2010

FILM - INTERVIEW
A Réalisateur and A Prophet

Director Jacques Audiard and actor Tahar Rahim last month in San Francisco. Their award-winning film "A Prophet" (Un Prophete) opens in San Francisco on March 5. Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com

By Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com
Thursday, February 25, 2010

A smoking pipe is what stands between a journalist and a conversation.

On the end of the pipe is director Jacques Audiard, who for 10 minutes has been effortlessly sending drifting wisps of smoke into the already cloudy San Francisco air. Some Californians may wince at this, but Mr. Audiard cares little as he surveys the street and the architecture towering over it. Typically French. And why not?

Standing nearby is 28-year-old Tahar Rahim of Belfort, France. Charismatic, with a slight build, he seems the opposite of a fish out of water in these California environs.

Trying to speak French to him -- Anglo-French -- isn't a humiliating experience. It isn't a struggle to make a fool of oneself in front of Mr. Audiard, who laughs, but helps his questioner along in his vain attempts to converse in the guests' native tongue.

Mr. Rahim, an easygoing young man, hasn't let the success of his role as Malik in Monsieur Audiard's remarkable "A Prophet" (Un Prophete) get to his head. He is friendly and relaxed as he opines on some of the differences between France and America, as well as on his future flights to India to promote "A Prophet". The epic film has been on an amazing journey over the last nine months. "A Prophet" won last year's Grand Prize (Palm D'Or) at Cannes. Earlier this month it won an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

In January Mr. Audiard's film picked up 12 Cesar Award nominations, including best director, actor, screenplay and picture, leading the field for France's top film awards. (The Cesars will be held this Saturday, a day after "A Prophet" opens in New York and Los Angeles.) The film played at last month's Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah and was awarded the BAFTA for Best Film Not In The English Language earlier this week.

"A Prophet" is about Malik, a part Arab, part Corsican man who enters the penal system and takes a journey that has to be seen to be appreciated. Powerful, immediate and always absorbing, "A Prophet" is the kind of film that hews firmly to character study, yet has a solid plot integrating the dynamics of character to give the story its propulsive force.

"It's a big film," Mr. Rahim said.

Mr. Rahim's resume consisted of a grand total of one feature film prior to working on "A Prophet" opposite decorated veteran actor Niels Arestrup, who plays Cesar, a gangland crime boss. Mr. Arestrup also starred in Mr. Audiard's acclaimed drama "The Beat That My Heart Skipped".

During the conversation, the newcomer gave an unsurprising response to a question about working with Mr. Arestrup.

"Yes, I was intimidated," confirmed Mr. Rahim with a smile.

"And not least of all by him", he quickly added as he motioned to Mr. Audiard, who laughed knowingly.

Mr. Rahim suddenly reverted to speaking French and translator Don McMahon interpreted. "[The collaboration with Mr. Arestrup] was stimulating and it allowed me to overcome certain obstacles and come to the forefront. That was the challenge, which I overcame. And I had a lot of help."

To execute the director's vision, careful calibrations and calculations took place.

"Each scene -- each situation, we would go through what degree of dramatic intensity it should have to make the whole thing work. Maybe you have 150 or 250 sequences, or close-ups or different things. It was all (shot) in one place," said Mr. Audiard. "Time stands still", he said of "A Prophet", some of which looks and feels as if it takes place on a chessboard filled with human drama. There's black and there's white, and then there's all the grays in between, where the characters are concerned.

Musically, "A Prophet" recruits the talents of Alexandre Desplat, the composer who has scored dozens of films around the world, including in Hollywood. Mr. Audiard noted that often in American films there's "wall-to-wall" music. He cited that when both he and Mr. Desplat were in Paris after the latter's arrival there from another working session in Hollywood, Mr. Desplat had talked about having done "an hour and 40 minutes, an hour and 50 minutes" of music for a Tinseltown film.

Contrast that with the 20 to 25 minutes' worth that Mr. Desplat put in for Mr. Audiard's "A Prophet", which took 16 weeks to shoot.

The director gives a hearty laugh when recalling the disparate times spent on music in his conversation with Mr. Desplat. (The composer's latest big screen music score can be heard in this Friday's initial U.S. release of Roman Polanski's new film "The Ghost Writer".)

Asked about stereotypes of Arabs in film and whether he thought about such issues when making "A Prophet", the director said: "This was a genre film and it was to have roles that were not traditional and that hadn't been seen in that type of film before. That was the project. That's what we wanted to do."

"A Prophet" (Un Prophete) opens in New York and Los Angeles exclusively this Friday, February 26. The film opens in San Francisco on March 5.

Tahar Rahim as Malik in Jacques Audiard's epic film "A Prophet" (Un Prophete). Sony Pictures Classics

COPYRIGHT 2010. POPCORNREEL.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Read more movie reviews and stories from Omar here.

Read Omar's "Far-Flung Correspondent" written discussions and see his video reports for America's pre-eminent Film Critic Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times - here

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Interview - Actress Greta Gerwig Gets Green - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:54:08 PDT

Thursday, March 18, 2010

INTERVIEW
Actress/Playwright/Director Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig Goes Green

Greta Gerwig stars as Florence Marr in "Greenberg", directed by Noah Baumbach. Focus Features

By Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com FOLLOW
Thursday, March 18, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO

It's the last interview of a long and sunny St. Patrick's Day, but Greta Gerwig wears a big smile and gives a warm welcome to her guest in a bright suite here at the Ritz Carlton.

"Do you mind if I remove these?", she says, taking off her shoes and curling her feet underneath her on a sofa.

You'd be forgiven for thinking that Greta Gerwig was a ballet dancer or gymnast. An effortless, graceful gait punctuates her pace as she enters the room, and she's lithe, slender and tall. Distinct, she wears a red cardigan jacket with black blouse, black pants and red shoes.

The actress, playwright and director can be seen on the big screen starting tomorrow in New York and Los Angeles in Noah Baumbach's new dramatic comedy "Greenberg", playing the character Florence Marr.

"One of the things I loved about the movie, was, people don't make movies about girls like her," said the 25-year-old Gerwig, a Sacramento, California native. "And I felt really honored that I got to bring her to life."

In "Greenberg", Miss Gerwig's Florence is an aspiring singer and an assistant to the vacationing Philip Greenberg (Chris Messina of "Julie & Julia"). Florence makes an acquaintance with the troubled title character of the film played by Ben Stiller, who has arrived in the Hollywood Hills to housesit for his brother. Jennifer Jason Leigh, who co-wrote the story with her husband Mr. Baumbach, and co-produced, also appears in the film. Rhys Ifans stars as Ivan, Greenberg's good friend and confidant.

Miss Gerwig glowed about Florence.

"She's incredibly multi-dimensional and flawed. And can -- you know -- she's full. I think Jennifer Jason Leigh said this actually, she said: 'most of the female parts in movies -- you're just there to prove that the leading male is heterosexual.' And I couldn't agree more. Most parts are that. It's 'yes he's straight, and, you know he's straight because they like each other.' But they [the women] don't have any stake of their own. They don't have any life of their own. And she's not that. She has her own story."

Greta Gerwig's own story is essentially this: she was born and raised in East Sacramento. Her first and last names are German, for those who hadn't guessed. She now lives in New York City. ("I do belong here," she said of the Big Apple, affirming what she said she'd always known.) She's a graduate of the all-womens' Barnard College at Columbia University in New York. She co-directed the film "Hannah Takes The Stairs", has appeared in several other independent films over a five-year span, and belongs, or at least participates in, a film movement colloquially known as "mumblecore" -- a focus on low-budget feature films about 20-somethings in relationships.

"Greenberg" is Miss Gerwig's first major role in a significant quasi-Hollywood film -- this one is released by Focus Features.

Ephemerally, Miss Gerwig slips into the third person when talking about constructing Florence for Mr. Baumbach's film.

"A lot of things (to build the character) included taking things away, because things that Greta has developed -- certain barriers or ways I have of coping -- Florence doesn't have. I felt very vulnerable when I was done making Florence because she doesn't have any of the hardness that I have.

"You have to stay true to what the character's going to do, not your own personal vanity about acting, acting your face off."

Greta Gerwig stars as Florence Marr and Ben Stiller stars as the title character in the new
film "Greenberg", directed by Noah Baumbach. Focus Features

When asked, Miss Gerwig took a moment to explain what was an incorrect Page Six quote in a recent edition of the New York Post attributed to her about Americans being prudes when it came to sex:

"What I said -- and I stand by it, and I'm not -- it just is true. We just premiered the movie in Berlin, and in Europe nobody asked me [about her sex scenes in "Greenberg".] And when I was in New York (doing press interviews), everybody asked me! It was more of an observation than something I had drawn conclusions about."

After saying that Americans being prudish wasn't meant as a bad or negative thing, Miss Gerwig talked about the depiction of nudity in the movies, adding further context to her observations.

"Female nudity is seen as either highly sexualized, where they're an object of desire, and you desire that because they're beautiful and perfect and you want to have sex with it. Or, it's degrading. Somebody's crazy and they're naked, or they're beaten and they're naked. But there's very little 'you're naked because you're taking a shower, or you're naked because that's just what's happening right now.' And I think that there's something unsettling about that -- that people don't quite know what to do with."

Miss Gerwig added that Florence "isn't this perfectly-toned Pilates lady -- she's just a girl who's in this situation."

For the actress, purging Florence after two months of shooting "Greenberg" was a major challenge.

"It feels like a break-up. You're losing someone or they're dying -- they're not gonna come back. Then they're going to go live in the editing room and they're going to belong to other people. And it's no longer just yours . . . what I did do was cry a lot. And quit smoking."

She said that "quitting cigarettes was a bit of letting go of Florence."

In fact, Miss Gerwig quit smoking -- cold turkey.

While Greta Gerwig talked about her love for New York City, she was fascinated by Los Angeles, where "Greenberg" was filmed.

"I was given a really amazing introduction to L.A. that a lot of people don't get. And I think Los Angeles is a much more interesting, much stranger city than people know. I think that there's sort of a -- there's an idea of Los Angeles. I guess it's an idea of the beach, and Sunset Boulevard and just a couple of iconic things, but the truth of that city is it's so big and there's so much little secret pockets of life that you'd never know about.

"And you kind of have to have a tour guide. It's like being in, I don't know, I guess, like a forest. But I think in New York, what's great about it is it's more easily seen, it's more external . . . walking the streets you can feel the feeling of why [New York's] great. And in Los Angeles you need to get plugged in to certain things.

"I really love L.A. I really do," says Gerwig. "I think it's a strange city. So, so weird. But in the best way."

"Greenberg" opens in Los Angeles and New York tomorrow, and in San Francisco and other U.S. cities on Friday, March 26.

Audio: Omar's complete 22-minute conversation
with Greta Gerwig (March 17, 2010) - click play below

COPYRIGHT 2010. POPCORNREEL.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. FOLLOW

Read more movie reviews and stories from Omar here.

Read Omar's "Far-Flung Correspondent" reports for America's pre-eminent Film Critic Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times - here

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DVD Review - "Los Abrazos Rozos" (Broken Embraces) - Masterful, by Almodovar - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:40:49 PDT

Audio Popcorn: A Conversation With Greta Gerwig, actress/writer/director - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:18:05 PDT

Thursday, March 25, 2010

AUDIO POPCORN
A three-part conversation with Greta Gerwig, actress, writer, director and star of the new film "Greenberg"

Greta Gerwig stars as Florence Marr in "Greenberg", directed by Noah Baumbach. Focus Features

By Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com FOLLOW
Thursday, March 25, 2010

Here's the audio in three parts, of a conversation I had with the actress, playwright and director Greta Gerwig. It was the last interview of her very busy day. March 2010.

PART ONE

press play at left
to stay on this page

PART TWO

press play at left
to stay on this page

PART THREE

press play at left
to stay on this page

Here's the feature story on Greta Gerwig

Here's The Popcorn Reel review of "Greenberg"

COPYRIGHT 2010. POPCORNREEL.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. FOLLOW

Read more movie reviews and stories from Omar here.

Read Omar's "Far-Flung Correspondent" reports for America's pre-eminent Film Critic Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times - here

Movie News - Oliver Stone's Money to Sleep For Six More Months - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:05:32 PST

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Box Office Movie News - "Shutter Island" Boasts A Scorsese Record - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:58:31 PST

Monday, February 22, 2010

Oscar Contest 2010 - Win Ten Best Picture Blu-Ray Discs - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:28:53 PST

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Film Performances | First Qtr - Leading/Supporting Ladies Make An Impression (Jan-Mar 2010) - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 09:48:27 PDT

Thursday, April 1, 2010

FILM PERFORMANCES 2010
The First Quarter
Leading And Supporting Ladies Especially Strong

By Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com        FOLLOW
Thursday, April 1, 2010

As the month of March and the first quarter of 2010 has concluded -- amidst a group of largely forgettable 2010 films came noteworthy performances from women on the big screen. One of these films opened last year. Some are playing in only a few U.S. cities, and will make their way across the rest of the country in the coming weeks and months. Some of the performances listed below may be considered supporting performances, or vice versa.

Leading Ladies

Giovanna Mezzogiorno, "Vincere"

                                                                                                                                       IFC Films
In what could have been an overdone, theatrical turn, Ms. Mezzogiorno is powerful and haunting as Ida Dalser in "Vincere", as she fights for legitimacy as the wife of Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. One of the year's very best performances for its range. The "Vincere" review appears here tomorrow.

Bryce Dallas Howard, "The Loss Of A Teardrop Diamond"

                                                                                                                                                                                                             Palladin
Her best work on the big screen came back in January in "The Loss Of A Teardrop Diamond" as Fisher Willow, in Tennessee Williams' lesser-known play from the 1950s. Ms. Howard brings a steely self-containment and heartbreaking vulnerability to Fisher, in the story of a debutante who rebels against her upper-crust life.

Olivia Williams, "The Ghost Writer"

                                                                                                                                       Summit
As Ruth, Ms. Williams is brilliant in Roman Polanski's "The Ghost Writer", the year's best film so far, and the best directed. Ruth is the wife of embattled British prime minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan). Quiet, conflicted and suspicious, Ms. Williams is the resolute engine that drives this film. It's an intelligent, sexy, precise bit of acting that will earn her an Oscar nomination next year. She's the leading acting contender thus far in 2010.

Kate Jarvis, "Fish Tank"

                                                                                                 Premiere/Artificial Eye/BBC Films
Playing a polarizing character in a first-time feature film performance is brave enough, but in "Fish Tank" Miss Jarvis, who isn't 20 yet, is bold and intense as Mia, whose dreams of break-dancing collide with the onset of adolescence during a summer in Essex, England. Raw and richly authentic, Kate Jarvis is absolutely fearless, bringing truth to her troubled teenager portrayal in Andrea Arnold's sophomore effort following her debut film "Red Road".

Noomi Rapace, "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"

                                                                                                                                      Music Box
Arguably the most feminist (?) character on the big screen thus far, Miss Rapace plays Lisbeth, who isn't a stock figure or a cliché. A galvanizing role for an actress who is taken through the ringer in "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" the way Demi Moore was in "G.I. Jane". Miss Rapace plays a professional cyber-hacker turned sleuth as she investigates a decades-old murder in a rich Swedish family. Miss Rapace explores the multiple facets of her character and does so well, bringing bravery, toughness and magnetism in spades.

Supporting ladies

Greta Gerwig, "Greenberg"

                                                                                                                                             Focus
The most natural acting performance in 2010 so far, Greta Gerwig just is as Florence Marr in "Greenberg". She plays off Ben Stiller's title character very well and leaves you wanting so much more. A fully-realized performance for an authentic character that more than a few women will likely identify with.

Mamie Gummer, "The Loss Of A Teardrop Diamond"

As Julie in "The Loss Of A Teardrop Diamond" she has only a few minutes on screen, but she is memorable, already proving that good acting runs in the family. Julie projects a knowing southern belle-type hospitality, but there's a lot more to her than that. Her juxtaposition and co-existence with Ms. Howard's character in Jodie Markell's film is particularly riveting.

COPYRIGHT 2010. POPCORNREEL.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.                   FOLLOW

Read more movie reviews and stories from Omar here.

Read Omar's "Far-Flung Correspondent" reports for America's pre-eminent Film Critic Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times - here

DVD Review - "Los Abrazos Rozos" (Broken Embraces) - Masterful, by Almodovar - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:41:20 PDT

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

DVD REVIEW
Los Abrazos Rotos (Broken Embraces)
Pedro Almodóvar's Passion For Cinema: Vibrant

Three films and at least two love stories: Carmen Machi and Penelope Cruz in "Girls With Suitcases", directed by Mateo Blanco (played here by Lluís Homar) in Pedro Almodóvar's "Broken Embraces", out today on Blu-Ray and DVD in the U.S. and Canada. Sony Pictures Classics

By Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com FOLLOW
Tuesday, March 16, 2010

For those who haven't yet seen Pedro Almodovar's "Broken Embraces" (Los Abrazos Rotos) there's little excuse now, as the film makes its debut on Blu-Ray and DVD today in the U.S. and Canada.

Some film critics dismissed this gem when it arrived in November and December 2009 in the major media markets of the U.S., but "Broken Embraces", while not Mr. Almodovar's very best film, is the one of his many great films I find myself enjoying the most. It transcends a "ten best films" list.

Layered with his love for cinema and littered with irony, comedy and sexual innuendo, "Broken Embraces" sparkles with passion, energy and a rich palette of color and cinematic references, many of them Hitchcockian. This film-within-a-film-within-a-film has at least two love stories, and stars Lluís Homar as Harry Caine, a filmmaker hindered by lack of sight but not of vision. He's remembering the past, and fondly: a love affair with Lena (Penélope Cruz), a multi-faceted character who has seen a lot in her young life.

Decorated with mystery, intrigue, melancholy and psychology, "Broken Embraces" is arguably Mr. Almodóvar's most personal film.

The Blu-Ray edition of "Los Abrazos Rotos" further enhances the fourth collaboration between Ms. Cruz and Mr. Almodóvar. As well as the beautiful 1080p high-definition transfer of this two-hour, seven minute film, there are numerous special features. Three deleted scenes, including additional moments from the hilarious "Girls With Suitcases" sequence, highlight the Blu-Ray disc's extras, as does the director's short film entitled "The Cannibalistic Councillor", a very funny seven-minute monologue featuring Carmen Machi, who brilliantly delivers classic comedy in "Suitcases".

There's a ten-minute featurette entitled "Pedro Directs Penelope", which shows the auteur on the set directing his muse. Shorter extras include then-Variety film critic Todd McCarthy interviewing Ms. Cruz late last year in Los Angeles as part of the magazine's Q&A series, although the conversation is heavily edited.

Finally, there's a red carpet minute or two from last year's closing night at the New York Film Festival, featuring the director and actress. It is moving to see Ms. Cruz and Mr. Almodóvar speak so fondly of each other, almost as moving and tender as observing the warmth, love and respect Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee had for each other as long-time partners.

Released by Sony Pictures Classics, the "Broken Embraces" Blu-Ray disc has the film's original theatrical trailer, the BD Live interactive feature and in-film looks at the extras while not losing one's place when leaving the main film. A choice of French Dolby Digital and Spanish 5.1 HDMA audio is included. English and French subtitles are supplied as options.

"Los Abrazos Rotos" (Broken Embraces) is done great justice by a terrific Blu-Ray presentation. Hopefully the film will now get the respect and appreciation it deserves. There's so much more that the director has here than what one sees and feels. A Criterion Collection edition is certainly in order.

As Roger Ebert's Far-flung Correspondent: Omar's written and video discussion of "Broken Embraces" (February 17, 2010)

Omar's "Broken Embraces" movie review on The Popcorn Reel (December 19, 2009)

"Broken Embraces" original theatrical trailer

Scene from "Broken Embraces"

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Editorial - The Manchurian Corporate - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:53:45 PST

Movie News - The Next "Spider-Man" Has Depth To It - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:13:17 PST

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

MOVIE NEWS
Spider-Man, Spider-Man, Three-Dimensional Spider-Man!

A scene from "Spider-Man 3", released in 2007. The fourth "Spider-Man" will be released on July 3, 2012 in 3-D,
Sony Pictures announced today.   Sony Pictures

By Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com
Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The three-dimensional extravaganza continues for Hollywood motion pictures. Today Sony announced that the next "Spider-Man" film will be released in 3-D on July 3, 2012.

Last month Marc Webb was named the director of the new film, which will begin filming later this year.

The untitled Spider-Man film will focus on the high-school and adolescent years of Peter Parker.   An actor has not be finalized for the role, although speculation on the Internet has included names from Paul Dano to Mr. Webb's prior collaborating thespian Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who starred in Mr. Webb's film "(500) Days Of Summer".

Jeff Blake, Sony's chairman of worldwide marketing and distribution, said today: "'Spider-Man' is the ultimate summer movie-going experience, and we're thrilled the filmmakers will present the next installment in 3-D."

Laura Ziskin, who has been a producer on previous "Spider-Man" films, will also produce the new film, as will Avi Arad. James Vanderbilt is the screenwriter.

COPYRIGHT 2010. POPCORNREEL.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Awards Season 2010: The 82nd Annual Academy Awards - All "Hurt", But No Pain - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:25:51 PST

Monday, March 8, 2010

AWARDS SEASON 2010: The 82nd Annual Academy Awards
"The Hurt Locker" Feels No Pain, Winning Six Oscars

Kathryn Bigelow, best director winner for "The Hurt Locker", producer, alongside the film's other producers, the best original screenplay winner Mark Boal and Greg Shapiro accepting for the best picture Oscar last night at the Kodak Theater. Behind them were the film's stars: best actor nominee Jeremy Renner, Brian Geraghty and Anthony Mackie. Michael Yada/©A.M.P.A.S.

By Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com FOLLOW
Monday, March 8, 2010

There were few surprises last night at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, and despite the best efforts of Oscar show producers Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman, the show ran over three and a half hours. The length of the show proved to be worth the wait for "The Hurt Locker", which triumphed with six Oscars including best picture and Kathryn Bigelow's history-making win for best director. The milestone was 82 years in the making, and the award fittingly presented by Barbra Streisand, herself omitted as a directing nominee in 1992 for "The Prince Of Tides".

"Well, the time has come," intoned Ms. Streisand, who then read Ms. Bigelow's name.

"It's the moment of a lifetime," said Ms. Bigelow, who moments later clutched a second 8 1/2 pound statuette, for best picture.

There was no history made in the acting categories. Everything went as expected.

Sandra Bullock won best actress for "The Blind Side" ("did I really earn this or did I just wear you down?"), while Jeff Bridges won the Best Actor Oscar for "Crazy Heart". "Thanks Mom and Dad, for turning me on to such a groovy profession," said Mr. Bridges, who had been nominated four other times prior to tonight's win.

Mo'Nique won best supporting actress for her role in "Precious". The comedienne and talk-show host looked 70 years to the past to an historic figure of the Oscars. "I want to thank Miss Hattie McDaniel* for enduring all that she had to so that I would not have to," Mo'Nique said, after thanking the Academy "for showing that it can be about the performance, not the politics." The comment was viewed by some as an answer to those who criticized Mo'Nique for not campaigning for Oscar. (*Miss McDaniel was the first black person to win an Academy Award, doing so in 1940 for her supporting role in "Gone With The Wind".)

Christoph Waltz won best supporting actor for "Inglourious Basterds", and was grateful to Quentin Tarantino, the film's director. "Everybody helped me find a place. Universal and The Weinstein Company and ICM and Quentin, with his unorthodox methods of navigation, this fearless explorer, took this ship across and brought it in with flying colors and that's why I'm here."

One of the night's biggest surprises was Geoffrey Fletcher winning the Oscar for best adapted screenplay ("Precious"). In doing so Mr. Fletcher, like Ms. Bigelow, made history, becoming the only African-American to win a screenplay Oscar in the show's 82 year-existence. Mr. Fletcher, breathless, said in part, "I really don't know what to say."

Many observers expected Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner to win for "Up In The Air", but the film came away empty-handed last night. "Precious" by contrast did very well, winning twice out of its maximum four nominations.

Supporting actress winner Mo'Nique poses with her "Precious" Oscar backstage. She paid on
stage and here to Hattie McDaniel, who won the same award 70 years ago, by wearing the same
dress and the exact gardenia in her hair that the iconic McDaniel did at the Oscars in 1940.
Todd Wawrychuk/©A.M.P.A.S.

In what has become a trend, the best foreign language film winner was a surprise, with "El Secreto Des Sus Ojos" of Argentina winning. Many expected Michael Haneke's "The White Ribbon" (Germany) to prevail.

For all the surprises and history making, there were some ill-timed moments for Oscar however, when a dissenting producer, Elinor Burkett, of the Oscar-winning short film ("Music By Prudence") bounded on stage and interrupted the speech of its director and producer Roger Ross Williams. Additionally, the nattily-attired Sandy Powell who accepted her third Oscar for costume design ("The Young Victoria") began her speech by saying, "I already have two of these ...". And despite a great musical accompaniment from the legendary James Taylor, several people were omitted from the In Memoriam tribute, including Farrah Fawcett, Henry Gibson and Bea Arthur.

Also curious was the interpretive dance number for the original score nominees, which was performed, while the original song nominees were scrapped this year. Also shelved was the announcement "and the Oscar goes to...", with a return to the more direct and exclusive "and the winner is".

Other than these anomalies the show went on and on, with "The Cove" and "Up" scoring wins in the documentary and animated feature categories respectively. "Up" also won Michael Giacchino an Oscar for best original score. "Avatar" stayed largely behind the curtain, winning three technical awards (visual effects, art direction and cinematography).

Complete list of winners

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Film News - Jean Renoir Gets A Retrospective at BAMcinematek on April 9 through May 11 - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:25:44 PDT

Thursday, March 18, 2010

FILM NEWS
Jean Renoir Retrospective at BAMcinematek, April 9-May 11

Film director Jean Renoir. Twenty-two of his films will be shown
beginning on April 9 as a retrospective at Brooklyn Academy of
Music for its BAMcinématek series. via Pequeno Cinerastas

By Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com        FOLLOW
Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Next month the Brooklyn Academy of Music's BAMcinématek will begin a 22-film retrospective of legendary French auteur Jean Renoir's work, including the classics "Grand Illusion" and "The Rules Of The Game".

Just announced today, the retrospective is to take place over five weeks beginning on April 9 and running through May 11. The films also include Mr. Renoir's silent film "Nana", which will be accompanied by live piano by Donald Sosin.

Here are the list of films and dates, followed by information on how to purchase tickets:

(All times Eastern U.S., and p.m., unless otherwise noted)

Friday, April 9 - "Toni" (6:50, 9:15)

Sat, April 10 - "The Human Beast" (2, 4:30, 6:50, 9:15)

Sun, April 11 - "The River" (2, 4:30, 6:50, 9:15)

Tues, April 13 - "Isn't Life A Bitch?" (6:50, 9:15)

Wed, April 14 - "Nana" (w/Donald Sosin live piano)   (7)

Fri, April 16 - "La Marseillaise" (4, 6:50, 9:30)

Sat, April 17 - "A Day In The Country" then "Bondu Saved From Drowning" (6, 9)

Sun, April 18 - "A Day In The Country" then "Bondu Saved From Drowning" (3, 6, 9)

Mon, April 19 - "The Lower Depths" (6:50, 9:15)

Tues, April 20 - "The Southerner" (6:50, 9:15)

Wed, April 21 - "The Diary Of A Chambermaid" (6:50, 9:15)

Friday, April 23 - "The Woman On The Beach" (2, 4:30, 6:50, 9:15)

Sat, April 24 - "Elena And Her Men" (2, 4:30, 6:50, 9:15)

Sun, April 25 - "French Cancan" (2, 4:30, 6:50, 9:15)

Mon, April 26 - "Swamp Water" (6:50, 9:15)

Tues, April 27 - "This Land Is Mine" (4:30, 6:50, 9:15)

Sat, May 1 - "The Golden Coach" (6:50, 9:15)

Sun, May 2 - "Grand Illusion" (6:50, 9:15)

Tues, May 4 - "The Doctor's Horrible Experiment" (4:30, 6:50, 9:15)

Sat, May 8 - "The Rules Of The Game" (2, 4:30, 6:50, 9:15)

Sun, May 9 - "The Rules Of The Game" (2, 4:30, 6:50, 9:15)

Mon, May 10 - "The Elusive Corporal" (4:30, 6:50, 9:15)

Tues, May 11 - "Portrait Of Michel Simon by Jean Renoir or Portrait of Jean Renoir by Michel Simon or The Direction of Actors: Dialogue" (4:30, 6:50, 9:15)

For ticket information: visit www.BAM.org or call BAM ticket services at 718-636-4100.

COPYRIGHT 2010. POPCORNREEL.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.                   FOLLOW

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Editorial - The Manchurian Corporate - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:22:18 PST

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

EDITORIAL
The Manchurian Corporate

States of Incorporation: Vector version of the corporate flag, which flapped resplendently last month in the U.S. Supreme Court's most controversial decision since the infamous 1857 ruling Dred Scott vs. Sanford.

By Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com FOLLOW
Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Many remember where they were on January 30, 1961. Or November 22, 1963. Or February 21, 1965. Or April 4, 1968. Or June 6, 1968. Or September 11, 2001.

But do you remember where you were on January 21, 2010?

On that day, a critical jurisprudential blow to American democracy, one as heinous as any decision unleashed by the U.S. Supreme Court in its history.

If you haven't heard of or read about Citizens United v. FEC, it will go down as the most infamous decision the Supreme Court has rendered since Dred Scott vs. Sanford, when in 1856 Chief Justice Taney ruled that black people had no rights that white people were bound to respect.

The Citizens United ruling, handed down on January 21, 2010, unsurprisingly flew under the radar of most of the American mainstream press, with a special comment from Keith Olbermann being one of the few places on television to hear a cogent and passionate analysis of just what the ruling means to the American political landscape.

If you want to skip reading the 5-to-4, 183-page decision (Supreme Court Justices Scalia, Thomas, Roberts, Kennedy and Alito in the majority), what you essentially need to know is that Citizens United holds that any corporation, including those multi-billion dollar behemoths operating overseas (and shipping many American jobs there), can spend unlimited amounts of money to contribute to political campaigns.

The decision, in so many words, declares that corporations are people and deserving of the same equal protection that many blacks among others fought and died for, granted in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Americans' right to vote and make informed decisions about a candidate will be overmatched by "money, money, money, money", as the song goes.

So the next time you see a segment of the TV news program 60 Minutes being brought to you by a sponsor, think about a 2012 U.S. presidential candidate being brought to you by a major corporation. (The wildness of the films "War, Inc." or "Wall-E" or Sunday's Oscar-winning short film "Logorama" come to mind.)

Will the corporate logo be pasted on the politician's back, or on the front for all to see?

Of course, money and politics have forever been an intertwined index and middle finger, but January's unholy decision subverts the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform legislation, which had previously limited private contributions to American political campaigns. Perhaps not coincidentally, since January 21, 2010, a sizable number of American politicians (including Patrick Kennedy and Evan Bayh) have announced that they will not seek another term in office. Could they possibly compete against $200 billion machine campaigns?

The sign, once (or still?) a prominent fixture in Times Square. But in this picture,
as now, much of the American public isn't paying attention to it.

If you thought President Barack Obama, whose 2008 campaign raised more than half a billion dollars, most of it small-money contributions from people making less than $100,000 a year, was a biggest spender, think again. The Citizens ruling means that billions and billions of dollars can now be contributed to a campaign to win or -- excuse my French -- buy an election.

Buy the presidency. Buy The White House.

Under this new rubric, New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire who spent more than $70 million of his own money to narrowly defeat William Thompson last November to win a controversial third term, would be on the outside looking in.

To counter this unprecedented judicial move, last month House Democratic member Chris Van Hollen and Democratic U.S. senator Charles Schumer co-sponsored legislation to provide a cushion against the Court's decision. The proposed legislation will require disclosure of the CEOs and corporations donating to an American political campaign, among many other things. This yet-to-be-passed legislation is a good start, but unless a new Court with new faces overturns this precedent courtesy of a new case brought before it, this financial fatality and calamity of a Supreme Court decision will change the American democratic process forever.

Today, Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story" arrives on DVD in the U.S. and Canada. Mr. Moore's excellent film, which while a tad flawed should have done much better when it was released last October, addressed the ferocity of corporate dominance -- Wall Street as the real powerbroker in the U.S. and how it greatly influences the American political process.

So while the Tea Party movement, which is getting plenty of attention from the media, rages on, the overlooked concerns are the very corporations that have laid off millions of Americans, the same corporations bailed out by the TARP legislation passed in October 2008.

They are now people. So where's the bailout for 310 million people living in America? (The Census form is coming around very soon, so take note.)

Worse still, American news organizations are slowly but surely making real news hard to find or remain free on the Internet. In recent months both the News Corporation and The New York Times have announced that their news and content will come at a cost. Readers will have to pay to access articles. For the Times, that begins next year.

You think that the New York Yankees or Chelsea or Manchester United or Real Madrid received scorn from some envious or outraged sports fans for having a large payroll of athletes or being accused of "buying championships"?

You ain't seen nothing yet.

Will the American public be as outraged about a corporation buying an election?

It's over to you.

COPYRIGHT 2010. POPCORNREEL.COM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Movie News - Oliver Stone's Money to Sleep For Six More Months - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:05:32 PST

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Movie News - "Rapt" To Get An American Makeover as "Abduction" - PopcornReel.com

(author unknown) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:00:52 PST

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

MOVIE NEWS
"Rapt" To Get An American Makeover

Yvan Attal (left, foreground) in Lucas Belvaux's "Rapt". The critically-acclaimed French film,
nominated for a Best Picture Cesar Award, will get an American makeover as "Abduction". Diaphana

By Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com
Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Today Smuggler Films announced that it has obtained the remake rights to transform the 2009 French thriller "Rapt" into an American film named "Abduction", a translation of the film's French title.

"Rapt", nominated for a Best Picture Cesar Award, stars Yvan Attal and is based on the true story of the 1978 kidnapping of Baron Edouard-Jean Empain, heir to a significant corporate dynasty (the Empire Schneider Dynasty) in France. The film is directed by Lucas Belvaux and also stars Anne Cosigny.

The psychological and visceral thriller has received tremendous critical acclaim in France since its release last November. The Cesars will be awarded on February 27.

The co-founder of Smuggler Films, Patrick Miller-Smith, commented in a statement that "'Rapt'... has it all: kidnapping, mistresses, the avarice of corporate culture and the tabloid exposure of a family living a lie. Lucas Belvaux's original is a film that does not take the easy route with any of its narratives and unflinchingly honest characters and we are left the richer for that."

"Rapt" website: http://www.rapt-lefilm.com/

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