Steve Jobs (2015 film)

Based on the biography by Walter Isaacson, Steve Jobs is the story about the man who co-founded Apple Computers as the film explores three different periods of his life. Directed by Danny Boyle and screenplay by Aaron Sorkin, the film is an unconventional story of Jobs’ life set in three different presentations of his three creations with behind-the-scenes moments where he deals with his own personal life as he’s played by Michael Fassbender. Also starring Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Katherine Waterston, Michael Stuhlbarg, Sarah Snook, and Jeff Daniels. Steve Jobs is an astonishing film from Danny Boyle.

Told in the span of 14 years from 1984 to 1998, the plays into the life of Apple Computers co-founder Steve Jobs as he is to launch three landmark products to the world in three different stage presentations. The film plays into Jobs on a day where he is to present a different product in a different year as he contends with colleagues, last-minute changes, glitches, and his own personal life as it relates to his illegitimate daughter Lisa Brennan. It’s a film told in three different periods in Jobs’ life and career as screenwriter Aaron Sorkin creates a unique structure that plays into Jobs’ life with some flashbacks of events that preceded the launches such as Jobs and Steve Wozniak (Seth Rogen) creating the Apple II computer and Jobs hiring John Sculley (Jeff Daniels) to be the CEO of Apple Computers.

The first act revolves around the launching of the Apple MacIntosh where Jobs and his right-hand woman Joanna Hoffman (Kate Winslet) fret over the computer in saying something to a packed house at an auditorium. The second act revolves around the NeXT personal computer four years after Jobs was fired from Apple in which he not only tries to deal with launching a computer that isn’t working on all cylinders but also his issues with Wozniak and Sculley. The third act is about the launch of the iMac just two years after Jobs has returned to Apple where he not only deals with other issues relating to his own ego but also his own personal demons. While Sorkin definitely shows not just how complicated Jobs is as a person where he was in denial over being the father of young girl but also in someone who likes to take all of the credit. It adds to the often contentious relationship with not just those who are close to him but also those who helped him in his ascent.

While Wozniak, Sculley, and Andy Hertzfield (Michael Stuhlbarg) each had their own issues with Jobs, they respected him though it is clear that they often feel slighted by him as Hertzfield is often pressured to meet deadlines and fix whatever technical issues a certain product has. Wozniak is just a guy that everyone likes as he was the brainchild of the Apple II computer which was Apple’s most successful product at that time as he just wants credit. Sculley meanwhile is the man that wanted to help Jobs and be cautious as there’s a key moment in the second act where the two talked about Jobs’ firing from Apple in 1985 where Sculley is called the scapegoat by everyone. Then there’s Joanna Hoffman as she is the film’s conscious as someone who knows Jobs left and right as well as the people in his life including Jobs’ former girlfriend Chrisann Brennan (Katherine Waterston) and their daughter Lisa. Adding to Sorkin’s approach to the narrative is his dialogue as it features lot of monologue and stylish dialogue which definitely says a lot to the characters in the film and their personalities.

Danny Boyle’s direction is very stylish not just in the intimacy he creates in these three different presentations in the life of Jobs but also in how they’re presented. The first act which revolves around the Apple MacIntosh presentation as it is shown in a grainy film stock to play into the look of the early 1980s as Boyle would use a lot of close-ups and handheld cameras to maintain that intimacy. Even in some of the wide shots of the many stage settings of each presentation has something to say where it is all set in different venues that play into the evolution of Jobs as a man and artist. Each segment would feature a montage of the events that occurred in between the different acts where the presentations in the second and third act would provide a much more polished film stock that doesn’t just play more in Jobs’ evolution but also him trying to prove himself even more.

Boyle’s direction would also use some unique tracking shots to play into many of the events that goes on behind-the-scenes Jobs and his crew are trying to get a presentation ready. Some of it is frenetic which plays into the demands that Jobs wants where the camera is often following him, Hoffman, and whoever but it also slows down for scenes set in the dressing rooms. Notably as it play into some of the private moments that occur between Jobs, Hoffman, Brennan, and Lisa while Boyle would also create some flashback scenes which play into Jobs on the rise and the fall he would suffer once he is fired from Apple. By the time the film reaches its third act with the upcoming launch of the iMac, the look is much brighter but the tension is still there as it plays into some of the dramatic elements of the film as well as how far Jobs has become where he is finally about to achieve some success. Overall, Boyle creates a compelling yet stylish film about one of the greatest figures in the world of computers.

Cinematographer Alwin H. Kuchler does amazing work with the film‘s cinematography as it each act and presentation has a different and distinctive look from the colorful yet grainy look of the first act, the more polished yet colorful look of the second act, and a much brighter and evocative look for the film‘s third act. Editor Elliot Graham does excellent work with the editing as it features some jump-cuts and other stylistic cuts including inserted montages as it help plays into Jobs‘ development as a character and the products he would create. Production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas, with set decorator Gene Serdena and supervising art director Luke Freeborn, does brilliant work with the set design for each of the presentation of the auditoriums where Jobs would present his new creations as it helps establish a mood for each sequence as well as the locations of these auditoriums.

Costume designer Suttriat Anne Larlab does nice work with the costumes as it is mostly casual though it does evolve over time as it includes some of the hippie-style clothes Chrisann wears. Makeup designer Ivana Primorac does fantastic work with the look of Jobs as well as Hoffman throughout the years as well as the other supporting characters. Visual effects supervisor Adam Gascoyne does terrific work with some of the visual effects as it‘s mostly minimal for some of the big presentations. Sound designer Glenn Freemantle does superb with the sound to play into frenzy of the crowd awaiting for the product unveilings as well as some key scenes in the conversations and backstage areas. The film’s music by Daniel Pemberton is wonderful for its orchestral-based score as it features an array of different themes for each act and presentation where some of it is operatic and some of it is low-key while the music soundtrack largely features music from Bob Dylan, the Macabees, and the Libertines.

The casting by Francine Maisler is incredible as it features a few notable small roles from John Ortiz as the journalist Joel Pforzheimer, Adam Shapiro as the software engineer Avie Tevanian for the film’s third act, and Sarah Snook as one of Jobs’ key collaborators in Andrea “Andy” Cunningham. In the dual of roles as the younger versions Lisa Brennan-Jobs, Makenzie Moss and Ripley Sobo both bring excellent performances in their respective roles as the five and nine-year old versions of Lisa where they provide the innocence of a young girl who wants to get to know her father. As the 19-year old Lisa, Perla Haney-Jardine is fantastic as the young woman who reluctantly wants to talk to her father as she deals with his attempts for a reconciliation. Michael Stuhlbarg is superb as the programmer/engineer Andy Hertzfield who was part of the Apple II team as he tries to help Jobs with some last minute things for the MacIntosh presentation as well as comment on some of the things in Jobs’ own life including Lisa.

Katherine Waterston is brilliant as Chrisann Brennan as Jobs’ former girlfriend who reluctantly shows up to the first two presentations asking for money as well as acknowledging that he’s Lisa’s father. Jeff Daniels is amazing as John Sculley as Apple’s CEO for the first two acts who deals with Jobs’ lavish presentation as well as being the scapegoat of getting Jobs out of Apple where he tries to get Jobs to admit his own wrongdoings that forced him out of Apple. Seth Rogen is remarkable as Steve Wozniak as the co-founder of Apple and the brainchild behind the Apple II as he tries to be Jobs’ friend but also want him to acknowledge the Apple II team for what they’ve done for the products Jobs would create for Apple in the coming years.

Kate Winslet is phenomenal as Joanna Hoffman as Jobs’ right-hand woman who is the film’s conscience as she tries to get everything ready while being the one person who tries to get Jobs to establish a relationship with Lisa as well as do what is right for him. Finally, there’s Michael Fassbender in a magnificent performance as the titular character as this man who sees himself as an artist in the world of personal computers as he tries to give the world the best product possible while dealing with his ego as well as his personal life as Fassbender isn’t afraid to make Jobs un-likeable as well as display some humanity into the character as it’s one of Fassbender’s finest performances to date.

Steve Jobs is a tremendous film from Danny Boyle that features an outstanding performance from Michael Fassbender in the titular role. Along with a great supporting cast as well as some beautiful imagery and Aaron Sorkin’s inventive screenplay. The film is a provocative yet ravishing portrait of one of the great figures of the 20th and 21st Century who changed the world with technology as well as someone who was also very complicated professionally and personally. In the end, Steve Jobs is a spectacular film from Danny Boyle.

Danny Boyle Films: Shallow Grave - Trainspotting - A Life Less Ordinary - The Beach - 28 Days Later - Millions - Sunshine - Slumdog Millionaire - 127 Hours - Trance - T2 Trainspotting - (Yesterday (2019 film))

© thevoid99 2015

Labor Day

Based on the novel by Joyce Maynard, Labor Day is the story about an escaped fugitive who takes over the home of an agoraphobic woman and her son where they form an unlikely family in the wake of a woman’s divorce from her husband. Written for the screen and directed by Jason Reitman, the film is about a Labor Day weekend in 1987 as it’s reflected from the perspective of a man who looks back at this crucial period in his young life as he is played and narrated by Tobey Maguire. Also starring Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, Clark Gregg, Brooke Smith, James Van Der Beek, Alexie Gilmore, Maika Monroe, and Gattlin Griffin. Labor Day is a compelling yet mesmerizing film from Jason Reitman.

The film is a simple story about a woman and her 13-year old son who harbor an escaped fugitive in their home in the course of Labor Day weekend in 1987. Much of it is told from a young boy named Henry Wheeler (Gattlin Griffin) as he lives with his agoraphobic, divorced mother Adele (Kate Winslet) where the adult Henry reflects on that time. Especially as the fugitive in Frank (Josh Brolin) was a man who had been serving an 18-year prison sentence for murder where he escaped from a hospital and held both Henry and Adele hostage. Though Frank would admit to his guilt, he reveals that there’s more to the story as he brings some life back to Adele who is still ravaged by her divorce as well as other things. Even as he helps Henry out with some things as he is coming of age.

Jason Reitman’s screenplay does create a very tender and thoughtful love story involving Frank and Adele but also play into their respective past as they’re both two people that have been damaged by tragedy. The former of which is a man who had a good life when he was a young man (Tom Lipinski) with a woman named Mandy (Maika Monroe) but dark truths led to Frank’s incarceration. Some aspects in the film’s screenplay which reveals Frank and Adele’s past life in flashbacks definitely creates a narrative that is a bit messy since the film is told from Henry’s perspective. Still, Reitman does manage to find ways to make the drama to be very interesting as well as some few moments of suspense where Frank and Adele decide to run away with Henry in tow.

Reitman’s direction has him going into a much more restrained approach as the film does mark a departure of his previous work. Yet, there are images that he creates that are truly mesmerizing as it’s shot on location in parts of Massachusetts and a town in New Hampshire to give the film a small town feel. Even as Reitman keeps much of the compositions and framing to be very simple but also very engaging for the way he places the actors in the frame and in playing out the drama. Reitman’s attention to detail in some of the smaller moments such as a scene where Frank, Adele, and Henry bake a peach pie as well the trio planning to run away though Henry is hesitant about what is happening. While some of the script’s messiness as well as an overly-drawn out ending does falter the film. Reitman does manage to create a pretty engaging and thoughtful drama about a woman and her son harboring a kind fugitive.

Cinematographer Eric Steelberg does amazing work with the film‘s cinematography with its approach to natural lighting for much of the film‘s exterior daytime scenes along with some low-key lighting for some of the interior/exterior scenes at night. Editor Dana E. Glauberman does excellent work with the editing with its use of jump-cuts and montages to play out some of the drama as well as the pie-making scene and flashbacks. Production designer Steve Saklad, along with set decorator Tracey A. Doyle and art director Mark Robert Taylor, does fantastic work with the set pieces from the home that Adele and Henry live with some of the decorations that play into the world of the 1980s.

Costume designer Danny Glicker does nice work with the clothes as it plays to something more casual as well as some of the flashbacks of Adele and Frank in the clothes they were in the 60s and 70s. Visual effects supervisor Scott M. Davids does good work in the few visual effects that plays into Henry‘s coming-of-age as he becomes fascinated by the idea of sex. Sound editors Perry Robertson and Scott Sanders does superb work with the film‘s sound as it plays to some of the atmosphere of the locations as well as the way conversations are heard from Henry‘s perspective. The film’s music by Rolfe Kent is brilliant for its mixture of ambient music with folk and plaintive piano pieces to play into some of the melancholia while music supervisor Randall Poster brings in a soundtrack that features some classical, samba, and a folk song from Arlo Guthrie.

The casting by Jessica Kelly and Suzanne Smith is incredible for the ensemble that is used as it features appearances from James Van Der Beek as a police officer, Brighid Fleming as a young girl that Henry meets who had just moved into town and give Henry some dark thoughts about Frank, Alexie Gilmore as Henry’s stepmother Marjorie, Tom Lipinski as a young Frank, Micah Fowler as a mentally-disabled neighbor kid Henry and Adele looked over, Brooke Smith as that boy’s mother, and Reitman regular J.K. Simmons as a neighbor who would give Henry peaches. Clark Gregg is terrific as Henry’s father who left Adele for his secretary and started a family of his own as he becomes concerned about Henry and Adele’s situation unaware of Frank’s presence. Maika Monroe is wonderful as Frank’s wife Mandy who would be the cause of Frank’s grief and incarceration.

Tobey Maguire is excellent in his small role as the adult Henry as he only appears in its ending yet maintains a good presence as the film’s narrator. Gattlin Griffith is superb as the young Henry as a 13-year old boy trying to understand his mother’s melancholia as well as trying to observe Frank as it’s a very understated and engaging performance that manages to be in the same line with his co-stars. Josh Brolin is fantastic as Frank as an escaped fugitive who kidnaps Adele and Henry yet manages to mean well as he is one that is kind and generous while wanting to find some redemption for his actions as it’s a very sensitive and touching performance from Brolin. Finally, there’s Kate Winslet in a radiant performance as Adele Wheeler as a troubled, agoraphobic woman who only goes out once a month as she finds some comfort in the presence of Frank while trying to be a mother to Henry as it’s a very chilling yet evocative performance from Winslet.

While it is a flawed film, Labor Day is still a stellar film from Jason Reitman thanks in part to the performances of Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, and Gattlin Griffith. Though it is a very different film in comparison to the previous films that Reitman has done, it does showcase a filmmaker trying to do something out of his comfort zone though not everything is successful. In the end, Labor Day is a terrific film from Jason Reitman.

Jason Reitman Films: Thank You for Smoking - Juno - Up in the Air - Young Adult - (Men, Women, & Children) - Tully - The Front Runner - Ghostbusters: Afterlife - The Auteurs #30: Jason Reitman

© thevoid99 2014

Holy Smoke!

Directed by Jane Campion and written by Jane and Anna Campion, Holy Smoke! is the story about an Australian family who hires an American counselor to retrieve their daughter who had just ventured into a religious cult. The film is an exploration into the world of spirituality and sexuality as it is a mixture of drama and comedy. Starring Harvey Keitel, Kate Winslet, Sophie Lee, Paul Goddard, and Pam Grier. Holy Smoke! is a witty and compelling film from Jane Campion.

When one finds spiritual enlightenment, it is for someone to fulfill itself through God in some form. Yet, the search for spiritual enlightenment can also be dangerous if it involves cults as a young woman named Ruth (Kate Winslet) seems to lose herself in enlightenment forcing her family to take action by bringing her to the Australian Outback where they hire a man named PJ Waters (Harvey Keitel) who is known for bringing people back to the real world after dealing with some dangerous religious cults. Yet, he faces some challenges in Ruth as he also becomes attracted to her where it conflicts with his intentions as his attempts to bring her back into the real world would end up having dire consequences for both of them.

The screenplay by Anna and Jane Campion explores the world of religious cults where Ruth’s trip to India has her embracing this figure known as Baba much to the concern of family and friends where Ruth’s mother (Julie Hamilton) travels to India to make claims that Ruth’s father (Tim Robertson) suffered a stroke in order to get her home. Once Ruth returns to Australia and learns the truth, she’s understandably upset as she is forced to live in the Outback with PJ while her family live in a house nearby. Still, things become difficult as PJ tries to break into Ruth’s mind as she tries to use her sex appeal to play up his machismo where it would work as PJ is eventually becoming confused as he starts to fall for her. Trouble eventually happens as the Campions do explore a man’s cynicism towards faith against a woman’s love for it yet the way it becomes a bit muddy towards the third act. Notably as it involves PJ’s own realization about himself while Ruth questions herself about who she is where it leads to an ending that is a bit overdrawn.

Jane Campion’s direction is quite interesting for the way she explores the world of spirituality and a man’s attempt to stray a woman away from that world to get back to reality. Campion creates a lot of mesmerizing images including some visual effects scenes that plays to Ruth’s enlightenment as if she did find God. Still, Campion remains grounded in reality as she shoots the film largely in the Outback as well as scenes in Sydney and India. Campion uses close-ups, medium shots, and wide shots to capture the dramatic tension between Ruth and PJ while also adding a sense of comedy for the scenes involving Ruth’s family. Campion also pokes fun a bit at the world of religious cult while exploring the world of sexual power play to see who can outwit who. Though Campion balances that mixture of comedy and drama for the first two acts, the script’s unevenness in the third act does sort of mess things up for her. Overall, Campion creates a very fascinating and unique film about spirituality that sort of falters a bit in its third act.

Cinematographer Dion Bebe does excellent work with the film‘s very colorful and lush cinematography for the many location scenes set in India and Australia in its exteriors as well as some rich lighting schemes for some of the film‘s interiors. Editor Veronika Jenet does nice work with the film‘s stylized editing with the use of some stylized montages in Ruth‘s enlightenment scenes as well as jump-cuts to play with some of the film‘s dramatic and comedic moments. Production/costume designer Janet Patterson, with art director Tony Campbell and set decorators Rebecca Cohen and Lisa Thompson, does wonderful work with the look of the houses in the Outback as well as a bar that Ruth and PJ attend with some of Ruth‘s family members while Patterson also creates costumes from the black clothes of PJ to the white sari of Ruth.

Visual effects supervisor Andy Brown does some terrific work with some of the film‘s minimal visual effects to play out the world of spiritual enlightenment that Ruth is hit by. Sound designer Lee Smith does some very good work with the sound to capture some of the intimacy of the locations as well as the chaos in the scenes in India. The film’s music by Angelo Badalamenti is brilliant for its haunting yet low-key orchestral score to play out some of the drama that occurs in the film. The soundtrack features an array of music from artists like Neil Diamond, Alanis Morrisette, the Shirelles, and Annie Lennox.

The film’s cast is remarkable as it features some standout performances from Paul Goddard and Daniel Wyllie as Ruth’s brothers, Sophie Lee as Ruth’s sister-in-law who tries to seduce PJ, Julie Hamilton and Tim Robertson as Ruth’s parents, and Pam Grier as PJ’s girlfriend/accomplice Carol who shows up late in the film to see exactly what PJ is trying to do. Harvey Keitel is excellent as PJ Waters as a man who is trying to deprogram Ruth only to face new challenges as he’s attracted to her while dealing with his own faults as a man. Kate Winslet is fantastic as Ruth as a woman who believes she’s found faith only to realize that she could really be lost while trying to find something to believe in.

Holy Smoke! is a stellar yet captivating film from Jane Campion that is highlighted by the performances of Kate Winslet and Harvey Keitel. While it’s a film that is quite flawed at times while having some nice commentary about the world of faith and some of its downsides involving cults. It is still an engaging film for the way it reveals a man’s attempt to take away a woman’s enlightenment only to face his own faults. In the end, Holy Smoke! is a very good film from Jane Campion.

Jane Campion Films: Sweetie - An Angel at My Table - The Piano - The Portrait of a Lady - In the Cut - Bright Star - Top of the Lake (TV miniseries) - (Top of the Lake-China Girl) - The Power of the Dog - The Auteurs #25: Jane Campion

© thevoid99 2013

Carnage (2011 film)

Based on the play God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza, Carnage is the story of a two parental groups discussing about an incident involving a fight between their two sons leading to an all-out chaotic war between the four people inside an apartment. Directed by Roman Polanski and adapted into script by Polanski and Reza, the film is an exploration adolescent fighting where four parents try to make a discussion where things go wrong. Starring Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Christoph Waltz, and Kate Winslet. Carnage is an insane yet thrilling comedy form Roman Polanski.

The film is this kid who hits another kid with a stick as trouble brews. Their respective parents try to sort it all out in a typical afternoon where things go from pleasant to devolve into full-on anarchy. That’s pretty much it for what the film is about in a 76-minute running time. Still, that doesn’t make it exciting as Yasmina Reza and Roman Polanski start the film out with the actual fight between the two boys in its opening credit scene and then cut to their parents all talking about what to do. Yet, there’s a lot that happens in the middle of this discussion as there’s a woman named Penelope (Jodie Foster) that wants to maintain some form of civility. Her husband Michael (John C. Reilly) wants to play it cool as he is later interrupted by phone calls from his mother. Nancy (Kate Winslet) wants the same thing as Penelope though her husband Alan (Christoph Waltz) is more interested in the business he conducts from his cell phone.

While Penelope and Michael serve as hosts to Nancy and Alan by giving them apple/pear cobbler, coffee, and later scotch. The conversation they have is all about the boys and wanting Nancy and Alan’s son to apologize for hitting Penelope and Michael’s son. Yet, it becomes more complicated as these four different people start to delve into their own theories about the way the world works and possibly consider that it’s Penelope and Michael’s son fault and vice versa. Eventually, discussions about sexism, violence, morality, suffering, and all sorts of subjects come into play where things like vomit, destruction, and all sorts of childish behavior occurs. The screenplay that Reza and Polanski create is very engaging into these themes as it ups the ante once the story progresses and the characters become not just despicable but also enjoyable in a very strange way.

Polanski’s direction is truly exhilarating in the way he can take this premise about four people in an apartment to discuss something be very exciting. Notably as he maintains an air of theatricality where all of the actors are in a frame discussing what they want to talk about. At one point, three could be talking while one is still somewhere doing something else. There is an energy to the way Polanski captures the conversation through the dialogue that plays into different rhythms as his compositions and framing are very vibrant in its very straightforward approach. There is also humor that is prevalent in the film where the actors definitely loosen up and go all out as it ranges from bawdy to juvenile. The overall work that Polanski does is sensational as he crafts what is truly a very fun yet crazy comedy that doesn’t get very dull.

Cinematographer Pawel Edelman does an excellent job with the cinematography to set the mood of the interior settings as the film gets darker and crazier in its approach to lighting. Editor Herve de Luze does a superb job with the editing as it maintains a very brisk pace and rhythmic cuts to play up the intensity of the dialogue and the action that occurs from the characters. Production designer Dean Tavoularis and set decorator Franckie Diago do nice work in the look of the apartment and its hallway outside of the apartment to maintain an upper-middle class look for the home of Michael and Penelope.

Costume designer Milena Canonero does some very good work with the costumes from the suits and more posh clothing of Alan and Nancy to the more casual look of Michael and Penelope. Visual effects supervisor Mikael Tanguy does some terrific work in the minimal visual effects uses by creating some exterior New York background of buildings as the film is shot on location in Paris. Sound editor Thomas Desjonqueres does a wonderful job with the sound to capture some of the backgrounds outside of the apartment along with its intimacy inside. The film’s score by Alexandre Desplat is fantastic for its bombastic arrangements as it only appears in the film’s opening and closing credits.

The casting by Fiona Weir is great as it features appearances from Eliot Berger and Elvis Polanski as the two kids who get into a fight along with a cameo from Roman Polanski as a neighbor of Michael and Penelope peering briefly when the two couples argue outside. Christoph Waltz is wonderfully charming as the very distracted and business-talking Alan who always talk into his cell phone and say snide things where he finds a comrade in Michael. John C. Reilly is fantastic as the laid-back Michael who starts off being nice and gracious only to become crude in his view about genders and parenting. Jodie Foster is excellent as determined Penelope who wants civility in the conversation only to lose it as she is under attack for socialist views on the world. Kate Winslet is phenomenal as the gracious Nancy who wants to go to the point until she becomes sick and annoyed as she starts to lash out at everyone in a drunken state.

Carnage is an extraordinary yet provocative comedy from Roman Polanski. Featuring an outstanding ensemble cast led by Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Kate Winslet, and Christoph Waltz. It’s a film that does a whole lot more than its premise suggests while giving its actors a chance to display their range in a theatrical setting and go all out. While the idea of watching four people argue for 76 minutes might not seem like a fun film to watch. It does take its time once things get to unfold as Polanski and his actors definitely raise the bar in terms of bawdy behavior and crass subject matters. In the end, Carnage is another glorious yet out-there film from Roman Polanski.

Roman Polanski Films: Knife in the Water - Repulsion - Cul-de-Sac - The Fearless Vampire Killers - Rosemary’s Baby - Macbeth (1971 film) - (What?) - Chinatown - The Tenant - Tess - (Pirates) - Frantic - Bitter Moon - Death and the Maiden - The Ninth Gate - The Pianist - Oliver Twist (2005 film) - The Ghost Writer - (Venus in Fur) - (Based on a True Story) - (An Officer and a Spy) - (The Palace)

© thevoid99 2012

Top 10 Kate Winslet Performances

Kate Winslet is, without a doubt, one of the best actresses working today. Playing various roles throughout the years whether it’s playing real-life figures like Iris Murdoch or playing fictional characters. Winslet always brings it in whatever film she’s doing and is not afraid to take risks, or take her clothes off in some of the films she’s been in. She’s someone that every actress wants to be as she has cultivated a great library of films that she’s starred in. There’s so many that she’s done that it’s hard to choose. Here are 10 of the best performance she’s given, so far.

1. Clementine Kruczynski-Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Probably the most out-there and liveliest role of her career, Kate Winslet’s performance as Clementine is definitely one of the most surprising. Playing against a more restrained, dramatic Jim Carrey, Winslet is able to be the funny person whereas Carrey was usually the comedic lead. Sporting different hair colors such as red, blue, green, Winslet is able to loosen up and create a character that is zany but also heartfelt in some of the dream sequences where she is willing to be in different costumes including being Carrey’s babysitter as she sports go-go boots and flashing her panties!

2. Marianne Dashwood-Sense & Sensibility

For Ang Lee’s 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel, Winslet takes on the role of Marianne who becomes the object of affection for both Col. Brandon and the younger Willoughby. Winslet’s performance exudes radiance as a young woman who is trying to deal with her new surroundings as she falls for the young Willoughby and becomes desperate for him. There’s a great scene where Winslet walks around in the rain as she walks to the home where Willoughby lived. Though Winslet got sick during that scene, she did it just for the film which shows how fearless she can be.

3. Sarah Pierce-Little Children

In the role of a repressed housewife living in suburbia, Winslet’s performance as Sarah is truly entrancing for the way she strives to find some life in her oppressive environment. While it’s a film where Winslet does some very intense sex scenes with Patrick Wilson, it’s all about a woman trying to get an understanding about her world as she’s also part of a book club. There’s a scene where Winslet’s understated performance as she gives this great monologue about Madame Bovary where she finds herself relating to this woman and her situations while the other housewives are in shock of what they’re hearing. Though Sarah is somewhat of an irresponsible woman who is more concerned about being with this married guy rather than take care of her own daughter.

4. Mildred Pierce-Mildred Pierce

In playing the part that won Joan Crawford the Best Actress Oscar back in 1945, Winslet’s approach to the character by making her more realistic in tune with Todd Haynes’ approach to the story. Winslet is more hardened than Crawford while bringing a lot more weariness as Mildred in the way she handles the men in her life as well as her troubled relationship with her eldest yet ungrateful daughter Veda. The mini-series just won Winslet an Emmy for Best Actress as she really commands something in the role of a mother struggling to raise her kids and deal with heartbreak and betrayal as she comes to terms with it.

5. Rose Dewitt Bukater-Titanic

In the role that would essentially make her a huge name, Winslet’s performance as Rose is definitely one of the best break-out performances for anyone as young as Winslet was at the time. Particularly in one of the biggest movies ever made where she plays a young rich woman whose life is trapped until she meets a poor young man in Jack, played by Leonardo diCaprio. While it’s mostly a dramatic performance where Winslet is feeling sad and trapped in her own world, she does become a much stronger person while posing nude for Jack’s portrait. The chemistry she has with diCaprio is electrifying where they even got to be funny such as the time both say “shut up” to a porter in unison.

6. Hanna Schmitz-The Reader

The film that won her the overdue Oscar that she had been craving for. While it’s not a great film by any means due to the fact that it tries to be a very dramatic and heavy film. Winslet’s performance as Hanna manages to keep it very engaging in scenes where she is just this woman that is interested in this young man reading to her. While some of the makeup she’s given later in the film isn’t very good, there is still something chilling in the way Winslet manages to be very captivating in a character who has committed atrocities against humanity.

7. Sylvia Llewlyn Davies-Finding Neverland

For the role as the woman who, along with her children, would be the inspiration for J.M. Barrie to write Peter Pan. Winslet brings a very maternal yet warm persona to her character as a single mother raising her four young boys while befriending the eccentric Barrie, played by Johnny Depp. It’s a more low-key role from Winslet as she lets Depp and the young boys get a chance to shine she also gets a chance to play a pirate in some of the fantasy scenes proving that she can also be very loose.

8. Iris Murdoch-Iris

For the role of the younger Iris Murdoch, Winslet brings a very energetic yet lively persona to the character as the young novelist who falls for a shy yet loyal John Bayley. With Winslet proving to be very dominant in a lot of the scenes she does, she also makes her character un-likeable for what she puts the young John through. It’s a very brave performance that really allows Winslet to bring depth to a complex character as her older counterpart is played wonderfully by Judi Dench.

9. Tula-Romance & Cigarettes

For the role of James Gandolfini’s fiery mistress, Winslet shows more of her range as she proves that she can be in a musical. Sporting some red hair and Scottish accent, Winslet commands every scene she’s in making her more outrageous than her character suggests. Even as she is just the kind of woman you don’t want to bring home to your mother where she sings songs from the likes of Connie Francis to Vicki Carr.

10. Iris Simpkins-The Holiday

While it’s not a great film that features a very bland storyline that involves Cameron Diaz and Jude Law, it’s saved by the scenes involving Winslet as a woman who goes to the U.S. to deal with her ex-boyfriend. While Winslet has some very funny scenes with Jack Black, it’s the stuff with Eli Wallach that was the real highlight of the film. Acting with an old-school veteran allows Winslet to give her a character a sense of meaning as the chemistry with her and Wallach is very engaging to watch. If the film had been more about Winslet rather than the Diaz/Law storyline, it would’ve been a much better film.

The Worst: Princess Sarah-A Kid in King Arthur’s Court

There’s a lot of films that Winslet has been in whether it’s good or bad movies yet hasn’t really given a bad performance. Yet, there is one film, that even Kate Winslet herself admits, that is really bad. A Disney family adaptation of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court where a kid from the 1990s goes back in time to the world of King Arthur as Winslet plays one of the princesses. Featuring an early appearance from Daniel Craig, in a bad haircut, it’s a very bad film where Winslet is forced to be overly-dramatic and to look very thin. Reportedly, she got very sick during the production due to the weight loss and has refused to watch this film. Who can blame her though she does to get smooch the man who would become 007.

There’s a lot that Winslet has done over the years such as playing a girl with a penchant for fantasy, a woman mystified by spirituality, and all sorts of stuff. Yet, it’s one of the reasons why people love her. She’s an actress that keeps on taking risks while challenging herself in many ways. Plus, there’s more of her to come as she’ll take on any part. Still, let’s hope for her to do more comedies like her notorious appearance in the Ricky Gervais/Stephen Merchant comedy Extras.

© thevoid99 2011

Finding Neverland

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 11/28/04 w/ Additional Edits & Revisions.

The story of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan has been beloved by many children all over the world since it arrived as a play in the early 1900s. Since then, many film adaptations had come across the board. The most famous was by Walt Disney in his animated version of the film while most recently; Australian director P.J. Hogan shot a new version in late 2003. Yet, not many knew the story of how Peter Pan became created through the imaginative mind of J.M. Barrie. In 2004, Monster's Ball director Marc Forster told the tale of J.M. Barrie's creation based on a book by Allan Knee about the family that inspired Barrie to create Peter Pan entitled Finding Neverland.

Directed by Forster with an adapted script by David Magee, Finding Neverland is a film about Barrie's relationship with Llewelyn-Davies family where he meets them in a park one day with his imagination leading the helm. While finding time to get to know the mother and her four young sons, Barrie's relationship becomes a question amidst London's high society. While Barrie creates his story and play, he tries to balance his life as an artist and as an adult with the heart of a child while dealing with the realities of the world. Starring Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie, Dustin Hoffman, Radha Mitchell, Ian Hart, Kelly MacDonald, along with newcomers Freddie Highmore, Joe Prospero, Nick Roud, and Luke Spill. Finding Neverland is a movie that lives up to the imaginative world of Peter Pan and its creator.

It's 1903 London as playwright James Matthew Barrie (Johnny Depp) watches the premiere of his new play that receives lukewarm reviews as Barrie was disappointed with the results. Meanwhile, his wife Mary (Radha Mitchell) wants to rise up to the world of the upper-class in high society London as Barrie tries to figure out what to do next. Taking his dog Porthos for a walk to the park, he comes across a family playing in the park led by their mother Sylvia Llewelyn-Davies (Kate Winslet). With the four boys in the eldest George (Nick Roud), Jack (Joe Prospero), Peter (Freddie Highmore), and the youngest Michael (Luke Spill), Barrie is intrigued by the family as he gets to know them as Sylvia is familiar with Barrie's writing. Though Peter isn't impressed by Barrie's imaginative ideas, the rest are as Mary learns that Barrie has met Sylvia in hopes to meet Sylvia's mother Emma (Julie Christie) for her own social status.

The dinner with Llewelyn-Davies doesn't go well due to Barrie's playfulness with the children as he spends more time with Sylvia and her sons seeking ideas for his new projects. While he gets a lots of suspicious rumors swirling around from his friend/noted author Arthur Conan Doyle (Ian Hart), Barrie maintains that it's all innocent as he invites Sylvia and her sons to his cottage home in the country. Turning to his producer in American businessman Charles Frohman (Dustin Hoffman) for help to gather actors for his new play. When Sylvia becomes ill and Peter feeling very upset about it, Barrie takes them home to Emma who is not impressed by Barrie's presence as too is Mary who felt left out.

Finally coming up with the ideas from his time with Sylvia and her sons as he calls the play Peter Pan while George, Jack, and Michal visit the rehearsal. Barrie talks with George about what to do as he realizes that George needs to be the man in the family. With his play set to open and the high-society crowd is set to see this new play, Barrie decides to leave some seats open for a different audience. With an actress (Kelly MacDonald) playing the role of Peter Pan while Peter watches the show, it would become a hit as Barrie shows the Llewelyn-Davies family a world that could exist through their imagination.

While it's not a perfect film, Finding Neverland does succeed in its balance of a character-driven story of a man trying to find inspiration for a play that he wants to present to children. Marc Forster brings a wonderfully inspiring directing style where he plays with camera angles and shots while leaving everything with a sense of childlike imagination. It's not just a wonderful family drama but the film has a bit of comedy and adventure that both children and adults can enjoy. While David Magee's script does drag a bit on some spots, it succeeds in its characters development and sentimentality that is very understated through Forster's imaginative directing. Even though the Peter Pan character never grew up, in the movie, everyone grows up a bit but still retaining that innocent childlike feeling.

Helping Forster with its dreamy, spectacular visuals is cinematographer Robert Schafer with his wonderfully uses of colors in the stage and imaginative sequences while giving the film a wonderful look in the period scenes. The visual effects by Stuart Brisdon also helps in the film's dreamier, stage sequences along with the production design work of Gemma Jackson and art director Peter Russell for not just the detailed look of early 1900s but also the world of Barrie along with the detailed look of costumes from designer Alexandra Byrne. With Matt Chesse's wonderfully paced editing style, the film looks magnificently gorgeous. Jan A.P. Kaczmarek's lush, orchestral score really gives the film a sweeping feel without feeling melancholic and having that nice, dreamy feel to the dreamier sequences of the movie.

Making this film one of the best family films of the year goes to an extremely talented cast of actors with small performances from Kelly MacDonald, Ian Hart, and Angus Barnett as the actor who plays the dog Nana in the stage play. Radha Mitchell is excellent in James' social-climbing wife that could've been a character cliche but Mitchell thankfully, chose to get away from the traps and brought a sympathetic view to her character since she often feels left out in James' world while she has great scenes with Johnny Depp. While Luke Spill and Joe Prospero are wonderful in their respective roles as Michael and Jack Llewelyn-Davies, Nick Roud stood out more as the eldest brother George whose character gets to shine when he has a very poignant scene with Depp that shows a transition from boy to man.

The best supporting performance in the whole film clearly goes to Freddie Highmore as Peter thanks to his melancholic performance as a disillusioned young child who refuses to believe in imagination. Highmore's best scenes are with Depp in an older-younger brother kind of combo that is so emotionally powerful as Highmore is the film's emotional core as this young lad is proving himself among the greats like Julie Christie and Dustin Hoffman along with the talented Depp and Kate Winslet. Dustin Hoffman is the film's restrained comic relief in the film as Barrie's producer and guide while delivering some great lines in the movie. Hoffman is truly magnetic in his scenes with Depp while playing the role as a father figure of sorts who is afraid of losing money though he believes in Barrie's vision.

Julie Christie is amazing in the role as the stern, disciplined grandmother who is trying to protect her daughter from being hurt while trying to deal with her social standing. Christie brings a classical grace to her performance as well as a bit of comedy in a sequence where she talks like a pirate with a hook on, as it's wonderful to see the legendary Christie in a film. Kate Winslet, again, proves herself to be one of the best actresses of her generation in a motherly like performance that is filled with maturity and dignity. After coming off the Charlie Kaufman/Michel Gondry quirky comedy Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Winslet proves to be prolific in her work as she has wonderful chemistry with Depp without lying to the point of romance but as a woman who doesn't have a lot of time left leaving her imagination to be her strength. This isn't just one of Winslet's most enduring performances but one that truly shines in the film.

Then there's Johnny Depp who provides another great leading performance after coming off a Best Actor Oscar nod as the kooky Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Depp does a bit of his pirate stuff in the film while balancing his eccentric side with his dramatic, fatherly tone in a performance that is rich and complex. While we see Depp do things that are funny with the heart of a child, we also see a man who knows that he is an adult and a writer while trying to find a balance for it where he knows that he has to be a man. It's truly one of Depp's most realistic and charming performances as this film is likely to guarantee him another Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

Despite a few minor flaws, Finding Neverland remains one of the year's best films thanks to Marc Forster's inspiringly-awe direction and top-notch performances from Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie, Dustin Hoffman, and newcomer Freddie Highmore. Thanks to some spectacular visuals, a lush score, and a mix of sentimentality, drama, and comedy, it's purely one of the best family films of the year. Anyone who loved the story of Peter Pan will find this film to be very informative while being entertained at the same time. If you believe in your imagination, Finding Neverland will fulfill all those dreams.

Marc Forster Films: (Everything Put Together) - (Monster's Ball) - (Stay (2005 film)) - Stranger Than Fiction - (The Kite Runner) - Quantum of Solace - (Machine Gun Preacher) - (World War Z)

© thevoid99 2011

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 3/31/04 w/ Additional Edits & Extensive Revisions.

Did you just get off a nasty breakup? Did the bad memories of the person you loved getting to you? Well, here in Lacuna, Inc., we decide to help remove those awful memories so you can get a chance to live a happier life without pain and heartbreak. There’s only one problem; Lacuna, Inc. doesn’t exist because it’s from the crazed imagination of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman and director Michel Gondry in their 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet about a couple who both just gone to a nasty breakup and decided to remove their memories of each other when one of them all of a sudden doesn’t want to anymore. With a fine supporting cast that includes Tom Wilkinson, Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood, and Mark Ruffalo, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a surreal, wondrous romantic-comedy that bends the idea of love.

After an awful break-up, Joel Barish (Jim Carrey) tries to deal with his heartbreak as he learns that his longtime girlfriend Clementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslet) has left him for another guy. When he tries to talk to her, she claims to have no recollections of who he is. Turning to his friends Rob (David Cross) and Carrie (Jane Adams), Rob gives Joel a card which revealed that Clementine has erased all of her memories of him. Joel decides to do the same as he meets Lacuna, Inc. chief Dr. Howard Mierzwiak (Tom Wilkinson) for the procedure as he ultimately decides to get rid of Clementine from his memories. With help from Howard's secretary Mary (Kirsten Dunst) and his two geeky technicians in Stan (Mark Ruffalo) and Patrick (Elijah Wood), things start to become surreal as Joel starts to look into his memories.

In his subconscious, Joel starts to see all of memories of Clementine starts to disappear as he immediately starts to regret what he's doing. Meanwhile in the real world, Joel is asleep as Stan and Patrick are removing his memories at Joel's apartment. Mary later shows up to help as Patrick leaves to go on a date with his new girlfriend that he calls Tangerine. Joel meanwhile, begins to examine the moments when he and Clementine weren't getting along as he then reflects on the good times as he talks with her in his memory as she learns what is going on. With Patrick out with his new girlfriend, Mary parties with Stan as things get weirder when the two learn that Joel is doing things inside his subconscious as they call Howard for help.

Howard finally arrives to help out as he sees what is going on as things become complicated over his feelings towards Mary. Back in Joel's subconscious, Clementine helps Joel to try and salvage all of the remaining memories left as Joel begins to regret what he's done. Meanwhile, Mary learns something about her own past in relation to Howard as his wife Hollis (Deirdre O'Connell) makes an appearance leaving everyone to question what they're doing.

Directed by Michel Gondry based on a story that he, Charlie Kaufman, and Pierre Bismuth came up with Kaufman writing the screenplay, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind isn’t just a vast improvement over their first collaboration together for the uneven but funny 2001 film Human Nature. It’s also Kaufman’s best work since 1999’s Being John Malkovich that was directed by Spike Jonze who also did 2002’s Adaptation with Kaufman. In the illustrious words of film critic Roger Ebert, Charlie Kaufman is one weird dude. There’s probably no screenwriter as famous as Charlie Kaufman since he comes up with stories of surrealism that are fascinating yet human. His screenplay for this film is filled with ambiguities and unpredictable moments where it’s like when did this happen or why is this character here? At first, it might seem inconsistent but Kaufman makes sure things don’t move to fast so the audience can get a chance to know what’s going on.

Michel Gondry definitely brings his training from his days as a music video director up to par for film. Where he had some fine moments in Human Nature, he finally gets his chance by manipulating visual techniques and bring this element of suspense as if you’re wondering what’s going to happen next or what’s going to drop. With the dizzying yet colorful cinematography of Ellen Kuras, Gondry brings up all of these elements of weird symbolism to heighten the suspense of a romantic comedy while belting out some strong dramatic moments from the actors. For Gondry, this is clearly not just his breakthrough film but he will indeed become a director to watch for. If Kuras’ blurry, colorful cinematography gives the film a lush look, the film score by Jon Brion of atmospheric, melancholic textures plays up to the film’s quirkiness and drama as well as songs from Beck, Electric Light Orchestra, and the Polyphonic Spree. Already, this is the first candidate for the best film soundtrack of 2004, so far.

If the screenplays of Kaufman always had a stellar cast, this one shines in its performances. While the smaller roles of David Cross, Jane Adams, and Deirdre O’Connell are fun to watch and do serve well, the film really pays more attention to principle cast of six actors. Though Elijah Wood wasn’t shown a lot in the film, he is excellent as the manipulative Patrick who tries to worm his way into Joel’s mind by scoring in order to score with women. After the success of his role as Frodo in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Wood scores with this performance by playing the role sensitively despite his intentions. Mark Ruffalo is funny as the geeky Stan with his brainiac mind and sensitivity as he plays around in his underwear with Kirsten Dunst while showing some sympathy later on in the film’s final act relating to Dunst’s character.

Kirsten gives a radiant yet exciting performance in the role of Mary. While Dunst is a master in comedy in her scenes when she’s stoned and dancing around in her underwear, Dunst displays some restrained dramatic performances in her scenes with Tom Wilkinson as she learns a secret about her while trying to prove to everyone she isn’t this dumb secretary. Dunst really shines in this film as she balances comedic theatrics and restraint drama. Tom Wilkinson brings in a masterful, charming performance as Dr. Howard Mierzwiak by playing the role in an American accent with a sense of humor and drama that shows Wilkinson’s range. There is probably no one better to play Mierzwiak better than Wilkinson since he is definitely someone that can do both comedy and drama.

The film’s two best performances easily go to Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet. Whereas Carrey has been known for playing crazy roles and Winslet in more restrictive, dramatic roles, the two definitely do the opposite in their performances. The chemistry with Carrey and Winslet are moving and fun as both play off their performance with spontaneity and romanticism. Kate Winslet delivers probably her best performance to date, as she feels relaxed and free with the punk-hair color changes and exuberance as she brings a wild personality to her performance. Winslet proves that she could be funny while displaying a touching moment in the film’s final act. Jim Carrey delivers his best performance overall even though he’s done drama before in Peter Weir’s The Truman Show. Carrey’s performance is extremely moving with his bowled, messy haircut, and puppy-dog sadness as he uses his comedic talents in a few scenes that are funny, especially when he acts like a child. In the dramatic moments, he definitely moves you with his mood as he brings in a performance that outshines all. Both Carrey and Winslet right now deliver the best performances of the year and hopefully, don’t get overlooked at the Oscars.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is one of the year’s brightest and most original romantic comedies in the past five years. With its colorful cinematography, an offbeat screenplay, Michel Gondry’s surreal direction, and a great ensemble cast led by the romantic performances of Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind clearly stands as one of the best films of 2004. For Charlie Kaufman, it’s right now his best screenplay while Michel Gondry proves himself as a director who knows how to manipulate images and minds with its quirky screenplay that surprises you right to the end. For a romantic film that is funny and moving, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is the film to see.

Michel Gondry Films: Human Nature - Dave Chappelle's Block Party - The Science of Sleep - Be Kind Rewind - Tokyo!-Interior Design - (The Thorn in the Heart) - The Green Hornet - The We & the I - Mood Indigo - (Is the Man Who is Tall Happy?) - (Microbe & Gasoline)

© thevoid99 2011

A Kid in King Arthur's Court

Based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, A Kid in King Arthur’s Court is a modern take on Twain’s novel as a young boy who goes back in time to the world of King Arthur as he helps the legendary king retain his power. Directed by Michael Gottlieb and screenplay by Michael Part and Robert L. Levy, the film is essentially a family film that brings a lot of childish humor to this take on Twain’s story. Starring Thomas Ian Nicholas, Art Malik, Paloma Baeza, Ron Moody, Kate Winslet, Daniel Craig, and Joss Ackland as King Arthur. A Kid in King Arthur’s Court is an uninspired and extremely silly family film that just tries too hard to be entertaining.

With King Arthur’s court in danger by unrest, Merlin (Ron Moody) via a magical water creates a spell to find a savior. What he gets is 20th Century young teenage kid named Calvin Fuller (Thomas Ian Nicholas) to arrive in the 6th Century where he stopped a mysterious black knight. After being captured by Arthur’s guards, Calvin meets King Arthur as he also meets Arthur’s longtime advisor Lord Belasco (Art Malik) who believes Calvin is a dark force sent to stop Arthur. Instead, the king is charmed by the boy as he takes him as he’s to be trained as a knight as Calvin meets Arthur’s youngest daughter Katey (Paloma Baeza) who is intrigued by him.

Under the tutelage of Master Kane (Daniel Craig), Calvin learns to be a knight which was difficult as Katey helps out as she wants to know more about where he’s from and what is it like in the future. Meanwhile, Calvin goes to a blacksmith (Barry Stanton) to help invent earlier versions of the modern objects he has while finding himself being threatened by Belasco. With Arthur becoming more attached to Calvin, Belasco plans to take over and hopes to get Arthur’s eldest daughter Sarah (Kate Winslet) as his bride. By staging a kidnap on Katey and claiming that she’s been killed by Calvin, Belasco hopes to make Arthur stop Calvin. Instead, Arthur and Calvin go on a journey to rescue Katey as Arthur realizes what has happened as they get some unexpected help for an upcoming tournament.

The film is essentially a modern take A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court with some changes to be suited for a modern audience in hopes for some light-hearted family entertainment. Well, it seems like a nice idea on paper but the final results that director Michael Gottlieb and his screenwriters create is truly lazy and messy. While there are very few moments where it does allow the film to become a total disaster such as Arthur’s reflective conversation about his own failures plus some development for himself and Calvin. There’s not enough of those moments to keep the film interesting as it plays by the rules too much in order to entertain the audience.

Michael Gottlieb’s direction is typical of medieval times films that is mixed in with modern pop culture references. Yet, there’s nothing in Gottlieb’s direction that stands out nor is there anything that is remotely interesting. It’s all done in the mechanics of a typical adventure film made for families. Throughout the film, there has to be moments of humor that is prevalent throughout the film but it doesn’t seem to work. A lot of the pop culture references and objects that Calvin brings such as the CD walkman, rollerblades, and bubblegum where many of these references, as of 2011, seems to be very dated. At the same time, the modern-day dialogue told in this period seems to spoken very awkwardly by many of the characters.

The film’s script has some issues where one of the key elements of the film revolves around the mystery of the black knight. Though it’s revealed towards the end, it doesn’t make sense as the character who is revealed to be the black knight is in one location while the knight is at another location. It becomes very confusing and leaves a huge hole in the film’s plot. While it’s not a film meant to be taken seriously and be seen as light-entertainment, it really doesn’t do anything at all. Plus, there’s not a lot of technical aspects of the film that is noteworthy nor does the score of J.A.C. Redford that is just a re-hash of a lot of scores of these type of films. Overall, Gottlieb creates what is definitely a dull and un-exciting film.

The cast for the film is really more of who is in this film as there isn’t a lot to be wowed about. Ron Moody just appears in a haggard look as Merlin that is hampered by the weakness of the script while Art Malik just plays a very one-dimensional villain that is just very angry about Calvin and tries to charm Kate Winslet in the most pathetic manner. Speaking of Kate Winslet, she delivers an OK performance though due to the bad script. She’s not really given much to do but be very dramatic or to try and be funny where it doesn’t really work while she looks quite thin. Kate Winslet is not meant to be thin! She’s fucking Kate Winslet!! There’s also Daniel Craig in the role of Master Kane as he too, tries to give something that is a performance but ends up looking quite ridiculous with that awful pageboy haircut that he’s given. James Bond in a pageboy haircut?

Paloma Baeza is pretty unremarkable as the love interest as she just tries to be charming, funny, and be kidnapped while Joss Ackland is just embarrassing for the way he makes King Arthur to be all adventurous as the funny lines he’s given aren’t very good at all. Yet, Ackland is also forced to be very mopey though he does not make himself go over-the-top in that approach to the performance. Thomas Ian Nicholas is a very good actor but this is pretty much terrible as it’s just an awful rehash of the character he played in Daniel Stern’s much-beloved 1994 film Rookie of the Year. The only difference was that the character he played in that film was engaging and was someone kids could relate to. In this film, there isn’t any of that other than to be silly and to try and look cool while it’s also clear that Nicholas’ voice at the time had just hit puberty which made the performance seem very awkward.

A Kid in King Arthur’s Court is a forgettable and silly film that takes itself way too seriously while providing very little for people to be entertained by. It’s not the worst kind of film out there for families to see but it’s certainly a film that isn’t very memorable. For fans of Kate Winslet and Daniel Craig, as those two would go on to have greater careers, it’s nothing more than a chance to see what they were doing before they became mega-famous. In the end, A Kid in King Arthur’s Court is a very silly film that is just very ridiculous as the best way to spend 90 or more minutes is to watch the much-beloved Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Spam, spam, spam, spam…

© thevoid99 2011

Romance & Cigarettes

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com 11/9/08.

John Turturro is known to many for his work with the Coen Brothers in such films as Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski, and O Brother, Where Art Thou? where he is considered to be one of their acting regulars. While Turturro has also worked frequently with Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, and Spike Lee, he remains a devoted collaborator to the Coen Brothers. In 2005, Turturro turned to the Coen Brothers as producers for his third directorial feature in a musical-romance film entitled Romance & Cigarettes.

Written and directed by John Turturro with Joel and Ethan Coen serving as producers, Romance & Cigarettes tells the story of a working class husband whose life spins out of his control when his infidelity puts him into a moral crisis. Therefore, he has to choose between his wife and his seductive mistress while his three daughters are going against him following his affair with his mistress. Part romantic-comedy and part-musical with pop songs being the soundtrack, Turturro creates a film that is definitely in its own world.

With an all-star cast that includes James Gandolfini, Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet, Mandy Moore, Steve Buscemi, Aida Turturro, Mary-Louise Parker, Christopher Walken, Bobby Cannavale, Barbara Sukowa, Eddie Izzard, Elaine Stritch, Cady Huffman, Adam LaFerve, Amy Sedaris, and Kumar Pallana. Romance & Cigarettes is a whimsical, romantic-comedy, musical film from John Turturro and company.

Nicky Murder (James Gandolfini) had just got caught cheating on his wife Kitty (Susan Sarandon) due to a love letter she found to his mistress Tula (Kate Winslet). His three daughters Rosebud (Aida Turturro), Constance (Mary-Louise Parker), and Baby (Mandy Moore) are all siding with their mother as they refuse to help him or give him any good food. With no support in his own home, he confides in his buddy Angelo (Steve Buscemi) about his affairs as he reveals his attraction toward the red-headed, Scottish woman known as Tula. Kitty meanwhile, turns to her friend Gracie (Barbara Sukowa) as her son Fryburg (Bobby Cannavale) is already dating Baby as Kitty's daughters are part of his band. After some guidance from Father Gene Vincent (Eddie Izzard), Kitty calls her cousin Bo (Christopher Walken) for help in trying to find Tula.

Nicky meanwhile, hears about improvements in his sex life with Tula as he goes to a doctor (David Thornton) for help. Yet, his affair with Tula starts to turn sour due to her crazy demands while Kitty is now dealing with the engagement between Fryburg and Baby. With Kitty getting closer to find about Tula with help from Bo, who is still reeling from his own heartbreak with his wife Ro (Cady Huffman). Baby turns to Nicky for advice where it's clear that despite his differences with Kitty, Nicky seems to agree in what Kitty is thinking about the engagement. A health crisis suddenly hits Nicky while Kitty finally finds Tula as Nicky's mother (Elaine Stritch) reveals harsh revelations. Things gets more revealing during a fight with neighbors (Adam LaFarve and Amy Sedaris) that also makes Kitty think about their troubled marriage.

The film can be described as a lot of things. Yet overall, the genre-bending film with romance, comedy, drama, and as a musical reveals something that audiences can relate to in this story of love gone wrong, infidelity, and other family crises. John Turturro creates a film where the musical elements is more about what a character would do if life was a musical. The approach is that the music does come naturally and without the idea where it feels staged or contrived. While the film doesn't have a real plot, the story about this man trying to figure out his role while coming to terms with his infidelity.

The direction is superb in its staging, musical sequences, and locations where a lot of it is shot on location in New Jersey. The first two acts are very strong in this exploration of infidelity and a woman scorned as she tries to figure out who Tula is. Yet, the third act is uneven in its tone as the exuberance of the first two acts goes away. Though there's music is played, it's more intimate yet it does disrupt the entire tone of the film. Despite the flaws the film has, Turturro does create an interesting film that really bends a lot of genres.

Cinematographer Tom Stern, known for his work with Clint Eastwood, does some excellent work with his camera in capturing the daytime look of New Jersey in its exteriors along with some of greyish work in some of the film's urban locations. The interior shots of the Murders' home is wonderfully intimate with low lights while an amazing, fiery sequence with Kate Winslet has Stern's camera capturing the action with great lighting and wide shots. Editor Ray Hubley does some excellent work with the film's cutting to capture the rhythm of some of the film's exuberance musical sequences that is wonderfully energetic. Though the third act does have pacing issues near the end, Hubley's work is still excellent in capturing the emotion of that act.

Production/costume designer Donna Zakowska along with set decorator Elaine O'Donnell and art director Mario Ventenilla do great work in the look of the glam-like look of the hotel suite for a memorable dance sequence along with the look of New Jersey in all of its dirty yet blue-collar look. Zakowska also creating great costumes for the Murder daughters while the costumes that Kate Winslet wears including a read leathery dress is hot to complement her character. Sound designer Tod A. Maitland and editor Eliza Paley do great work with the location sounds and mixing for some of the musical sequences and such. Choreographer Tricia Brouk does great work for many of the film's choreography in the dance sequences that are theatrical as well as natural while Margie Gillis does an amazing dance sequence for a scene with Christopher Walken and Cady Huffman to the tune of Tom Jones' Delilah.

The music supervised by Chris Robertson is filled with songs by Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Bruce Springsteen, and others ranging from 1950s doo-wop music and 60s pop with the actors singing along to various songs as if people do that in real life. With three versions of Piece Of My Heart by Dusty Springfield, Janis Joplin, and Erma Franklin with Susan Sarandon singing along to one of them. The soundtrack includes Mandy Moore singing I Want Candy with other dance sequences to the music of Buena Vista Social Club for the fiery dance scene with Kate Winslet and another Winslet dance number to the tune of Vicky Carr's It Must Be Him. Other music by James Brown, Connie Francis, and Ute Lemper round out the soundtrack while James Gandolfini and Susan Sarandon do a quiet yet wonderful duet of The Girl I Marry.

The casting by Todd Thaler is excellent with John Turturro and real-life wife Katherine Borowitz serving their roles as dancers in one of the film's sequences. John's son Diego makes an appearance as a boy on a tricycle along with Diego's older brother Amedeo as a friend of Fryburg and John's mother Katherine as a choir singer. Yianni Digaletos plays a Greek lover of Bo's wife while Tonya Pinkins as a medic and P.J. Brown as a police officer each have a memorable moment as they also get a chance to sing. Tony Goldwyn makes an appearance as an old lover of Kitty. Kumar Pallana, known for his work with Wes Anderson, is great in a memorable appearance as a flower-card shop owner. Broadway star Cady Huffman is excellent as Bo's cheating wife while Adam LaFarve is good as a loudmouth neighbor. Amy Sedaris is funny as a loudmouth neighbor who likes to badmouth the Murder family. David Thornton is also good in his small role as a doctor Elaine Stritch is very good and funny as Nicky's mother who reveals some shocking stories.

British comedian Eddie Izzard is good as a preacher who brings guidance to Kitty in a wonderful musical sequence to Piece Of My Heart while Barbara Sukowa is funny as Fryburg's mother Gracie who pines for the first love of her life that she hopes return. Steve Buscemi is funny as Nicky's friend Angelo who brings some strange advice while giving his view on infidelity. Bobby Cannavale is great as Fryburg, a guy with a Teddy Bear hairdo who is filled with lots of charms and insults as he's a guy who isn't very smart but loveable. THE GREAT Christopher Walken is amazing as Bo, an oddball cousin who reveals the flaw of men while dealing with his own heartbreak as he helps out his cousin. Walken has scenes where it's clear, he's a natural to the musical sequences as he's having fun and just stealing some moments when he's dancing and singing along to Tom Jones' Delilah.

Aida Turturro, Mary-Louise Parker, and Mandy Moore are great as the three daughters who revolt against their father. Turturro gets to be the more talkative of the trio with Parker being the quiet yet more musical trio of the daughter. Moore gets more to do as her character deals with the idea of marriage while proving she can sing rock. Susan Sarandon is great as Kitty, the scorned woman trying to find the mistress while pondering on why she fell in love with Nicky. Kate Winslet is brilliant as Tula, the fiery Scottish woman that is very sexy and a presence that is dynamic. Sporting a Scottish brogue, Winslet's performance is truly sensational as she just commands every scene she's in along with her dance sequence making her completely bonafide. James Gandolfini is excellent as Nicky Murder, a man trying to ponder his role while seeing whether he should go to his mistress or try to get forgiveness from his wife. It's a performance from Gandolfini that isn't seen much yet proves that he's a solid actor outside of his work from The Sopranos.

While it's not a great film, Romance & Cigarettes is still a very good film that has a lot of redeeming qualities and musical numbers under the vision of John Turturro. Thanks to a great cast and amazing musical numbers, it's a film that is entertaining despite its flaws. This film had the unfortunate of going through distributions problems when in 2006, United Artists and MGM was bought by Sony which led to a legal mess forcing Turturro to distribute the film himself to a small audience. This is a film that should be seen for anyone that likes musicals or romantic comedies as in the end, Romance & Cigarettes is a film that's worth your time in its entertainment factor thanks to the vision of John Turturro.

(C) thevoid99 2011