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Showing posts from December, 2012

You Just Got Django-ed

Slave revenge meets spaghetti western in post-modern filmmaker Quentin Tarantino 's brutal ride/comedy of the races Django Unchained . Django ( Jamie Foxx ), now broken from the chains of slavery after being freed by Dr. King Schultz ( Christoph Waltz ), sets off across America's Deep South with the German bounty hunter. The two rebels are on a mission to rescue Django's wife ( Kerry Washington ) from the unforgettable plantation owner Calvin Candie who runs Candyland, played by no other than Leonardo DiCaprio . DiCaprio sinks his spurs into his Candie, silencing the audience in fear of his wrath during the scene at Candyland which is the most memorable of the film. Tarantino takes his time with each scene, and this is why the viewer remains attentive throughout. The running time is non-existent when the layout is so smooth . Django has many of the Western genre staples, including rural long shots, the outlaw underdog, a quest for justice, and a final showdown (slightly

'I'm So Excited' Almodóvar Returns With a Comedy!

His first comedy in many, many moons,  Pedro Almodóvar 's new film is out in the US Nov. 22, 2013. Or if you want to fly with Los Amantes Pasajeros , see it in Spain March 8! But...wait...take me with you!   Take a look at the latest teaser for I'm So Excited featuring Penélope Cruz , Antonio Banderas and Paz Vega . Are you???

Homeland is The Best Show on TV Right Now

Showtime's riveting series  Homeland  occupies a space somewhere between political thriller - and X-Files heir - seizing the new "Agent series" thrown. Carrie Mathison ( Claire Danes ) is a Central Intelligence Agency officer convinced that U.S. Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody ( Damian Lewis ), who was held captive by al-Qaeda for eight years as a prisoner of war, has been "turned" by the enemy. Claire Danes is no stranger to accolades, tackling her roles like the CIA wants to bring down a known terrorist. Mandy Patinkin will always, for me, be that Jewish boy who teaches the Talmud to a drag-Streisand ( Yentl ). But in Homeland , Patinkin plays Saul Berenson: the CIA's Middle-East Division Chief, and more importantly, Carrie's mentor. The character development throughout the series is rich, as many characters are written as multi-dimentional, grasping our attention. I'd like to say that my problem with Homeland is Carrie's weakness for the

Cooper and Lawrence Find Their 'Silver Linings'

Every so often, there is an American picture that rattles your bones, checks your pulse, and reminds you of the real reason why you still buy a movie ticket - to feel. Writer/Director David O. Russell ( The Fighter , Flirting with Disaster ) brings us a new film that is beautifully fucked up, with a touch of old school romance. In Silver Linings Playbook , Bradley Cooper plays a former teacher who moves back in with his parents ( Robert De Niro and  Jacki Weaver ) after being discharged from a mental institution, in hopes to reconcile with his ex-wife. Cooper's character suffers from bipolar disorder with mood swings, which makes it difficult for other people to understand his choice of words. David O. Russell's camera techniques provide a portal into the character's mind, allowing the audience to feel the swings along with him. Silver Linings Playbook is raw, in-your-face drama, and gut-busting comedy. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence provide electric performance