Off-Broadway, If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet, by
Nick Payne, is a play about an overweight teenager ( Annie
Funke), whose parents are oblivious to her problems, and she
bonds with her shiftless, foul mouth uncle ( Jake Gyllenhaal).
It is a well acted kitchen sink drama.
The Anderson Twins Play The Fabulous Dorseys, by Pete
and Will Anderson, is a six member group of talented
musicians, who play the music made famous by the two bandleaders
after clips of their 1947 film The Fabulous Dorseys,
which shows their life together and apart, on a screen. For
Dorsey fans, it is a treat.
Detroit, by Lisa D'Amour, begins with a cookout on
the patio of a couple (Amy Ryan and David Schwimmer),
who invite their new next door neighbors to join them. As the
play progresses, the new couple prove to be devious and lit eads
to a fiery climax. Again the acting is first rate and the set
design by Louisa Thompson deserves an award.
I attended a press conference for Glengarry Glen Ross, It
opens November 11, starring Al Pacino and Bobby
Cannavale. I can hardly wait. I'm sure it will be smash hit.
I also attended a photo op. for Who's Afraid of Virginia
Woolf? It opens October 13, with Tracy Letts and
Amy Morton I'm looking forward to this revival by the
Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
The Film Society of Lincoln Center is offering press screenings
for the 50th New York Film Festival September 28-October 14. Here
and There (Aqui y Alla), by Antonio Mendez Esparza,
Spain/USA/Mexico, 2012, is a slow moving, sentimental film about
a Mexican, who returns to his family in a small village after
working in the United States. Unable to find work to support his
family, he is forced to return to the United States. It is an
authentic view of the problems of poverty in a neighboring
country and leaves a deep impression on the viewer.
Camille rewinds (Canille redouble), by Noemie Lvorsky,
France, 2012, is fantasy about a middle age woman, who collapses
drunk at a New Year's Eve party and awakes 25-years earlier in
high school, where she attempts to avoid marriage, which will
result in divorce. It is moderately amusing. Lvovsky is on
camera throughout the film, and is a acquired taste.
Berberian Sound Studio, by Peter Strickland, UK,
2012, is a creepy film about a British sound engineer, who
arrives in Rome to dub a horror film. The actors and crew are
all weird, and there are many frightening moments. It is apt for
horror film fans.
Passion, by Brian De Palma, USA, 2012, is a
sleek film about ruthless behavior in an advertising office.
When the bisexual, fetish boss (Rachel McAdams)
steals the ideas from her assistant (Noomi Papace),
revenge follows, with the help of a lurking lesbian. The
wild climax features too many nonsensical elements, but it
is enjoyable nonsense.
09-20-12 Cast members (L-R) Director Daniel Sullivan. Bobby
Cannavale. David Harbour. Al Pacino. Richard Schiff. Jeremy Shamos.
John C. McGinley at a press conference "Glengarry Glen Ross" at
Ballet Hispanico Studios. 167 West 89th St. Wednesday afternoon
09-19-12
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Barbara, by Christian Petzold, Germany, 2012, is a wonderful film about a doctor (a brilliant Nina Hoss) exiled to a provincial town in East Germany in 1980, because she wishes to escape to the West. Her life with patients and colleagues is realistically portrayed in this remarkable film, which I recommend highly.
Hyde Park on Hudson, by Roger Michell, UK, 2012 is based on two true stories, the visit in June, 1939, by the King and Queen of England to the childhood home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt (well played by Bill Murray) and his secret affair with a young relative Margaret "Daisy" Suckley (a marvelous Laura Linney). The film is beautifully photographed and the acting by the entire cast is superb. I enjoyed every minute of this intelligent and literate film written by Richard Nelson.
Liv and Ingmar (Liv og Ingmaar), by Dheeraj Akolkar, Norway/UK/India, 2012, follows the relationship between the magnificent actress Liv Ullmann and the Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman, that produced some of his finest films as well as a beautiful daughter. Although it turned out to be a great love and friendship, it was a very difficult life, both physically and psychologically, and it is honestly presented in this absorbing film
Frances Ha, by Noah Baumbach, USA, 2012, is a black and white film, which follows a 27-year-old college graduate (Greta Gerwig), who has no discernible talent as a frustrated modern dancer. She is supposed to be whimsical and charming, but is more irritating and feckless. She spends her time crashing in people's apartment, living an aimless life. It is a disappointing film, which does not enhance Gerwig's reputation.
Beyond the Hills, by Cristian Mungiu, Romania, 2012, is inspired by a true incident about a young girl, who visited a nun in a remote monastery, and died, because she was forced to undergo an exorcism. The film follows a similar story, and the two actresses, Cosmina Stratan (the nun) and Cristina Flutur (the visiting friend), both shared, and deservedly so, the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival. It is a powerful film.
MoMA is presenting Yeonghwa: Korean Film Today September 19-30. I attended two screenings. Mir-wol-do Ga-neun Gil (Mirage), by Yang Jeong-ho, 2011, is about a writer, who returns to his hometown to receive a prize for his science fiction novel, which was influenced by a high school friend. In flashbacks, we learn how he received this inspiration. There are a number of horrific scenes of brutal beatings by a high school gang, who bully the friends which are painful to watch. Ming-keu-ko-teu (Jesus Hospital), by Lee Sang-cheol and Shin A-ga, 2011, takes place mainly in the hospital, where the grandmother is on life support. The children fight about whether to remove the support, and it is resolved in a surprising way. The film is unusual, because it is a Christian family in South Korea.
La Rafle, by Rose Bosch, France, 2012, is about a shameful episode that took place in France on JUly 16, 1942 during World War II, when 10,000 Jews were rounded up and placed in the Veldrome d'Hiver stadium. They were then sent to concentration camps and exterminated. Among them were 4051 children. The film is told through the eyes of the children and it it is devastating. Jean Reno is fine as a sympathetic Jewish doctor, but Melanie Laurent steals the film as a hardworking young nurse, who cannot accept the horror inflicted upon these innocent people. It is an award winning performance in an impressive film.
A spectacular La Traviata was presented by Handa Opera from Sydney Harbour, by Opera Australia & OPERA America, complete with fireworks, and even a chandelier that became a floating balloon to carry away Violetta in the first act. It was one of the most exciting and interesting productions I have ever seen on film, which was presented live and will open nationally on September 30. The cast was first rate. Emma Matthews is a powerful Violetta with acting skills to match, Gianluca Terranova an ardent, well sung Alfredo and Jonathan Summers a sympathetic and mellifluous Germont. I advise all opera fans to enjoy this remarkable, unusual production. You will be impressed.
09-22-12 Cast members (L-R) Madison Dirks. Carrie Coon. Amy Morton. Tracy Letts. director Pam MacKinnon at a press conference for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" at the Booth Theatre. 222 West 45th St. Friday afternoon 09-21-12
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