CinéArts Film Guide - Winter 2010
Transcription
CinéArts Film Guide - Winter 2010
FILM GUIDE SPRING 2011 The Artistic Side of Film in this issue Hit the Streets of Park City with Indestructo Man’s Coverage of Sundance Film Festival WHO SHOULD WIN pg 4 Our Picks for Best Picture and More pg 16 Hollywood History and Goldwynisms pg 8 Indestructo Man’s Sundance Diary Various and sundry random thoughts, observations and remembrances Alley. Several vehicles were involved in hit and runs during the icy conditions. A man has been reported sleeping on a bench in the Old Town Transit Center. Yes, on Swede Alley. Some guy got lost up in the mountains on his snow mobile. He ended up sleeping under the stars and was rescued the next day. T he sun comes up like a red rubber ball. A frozen red rubber ball. Baby it’s cold outside! Down in the hotel breakfast nook you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a snow bunny or a board rat. They are all chattering madly away in their turtlenecks and overalls, colors not found in nature. The hot topic is which run they will be hitting this morning. Soon they will be pushed aside by hordes of festival revelers, a plague of locusts descending upon this little mountain village. That will be followed by the Hollywood fat cats in their black SUV Suburban’s and their sleek ways. Next come the schlubs, press and industry. Everyone seems to be brimming with confidence. I always thought that confidence was something you had before you actually understood the situation. At breakfast, checking out the Park Record police blotter it seems that Park City Indestructo Man is experiencing an epidemic of graffiti. All over town it is showing up and the police are coming up empty. A power pole exploded into flames on Swede Alley. Also, a snowball fight was reported on the very same Swede 4 | CINEARTS.COM At the festival headquarters it looks like a student union during finals. Everybody seems to be cramming, schedules are out, a laptop on every lap. A logistical nightmare with all of the different venues and overlapping screenings. Zoom, Robert Redford’s restaurant on Main Street, might just be ground zero. No celebrity sightings yet, unless you count Elijah Wood, looking very diminutive. Kansas has risen up in indignation. A church group from there is intending to protest at the Eccles Center in regards to the Kevin Smith film, ‘Red State.’ They made reference to “Hollywood heathens…it’s all vanity, empty and worthless…nothing.” Saw ‘Bobby Fischer Against the World’ today. Absolutely fascinating documentary. Indestructo tip: ‘Searching for Bobby Fischer’ (1993) with Joe Mantegna and Ben Kingsley is still one of the best films of the last 20 years. ‘Attenberg’ is a truly quirky, kinda cool Greek film with morbid overtones. Has its own twisted charm. Indestructo was at his neighborhood grocery store when he encountered Robin Wright in the produce department carefully assessing tomatoes. That very morning there had been a big gush piece in the New York Times complete with picture of Miss Wright for the film Nine Lives. Actually, the segment she appeared in had her extremely pregnant, the whole scene took place in a grocery store. This was all too serendipitous for Signs all over town, NO PARKING/$150 FINE…Ha, I wonder if Utah has an extradition agreement with Texas. All morning long the cannons sound up in the hills. Either avalanche issues or Bonaparte will soon be paying us a visit. Passed the spot on Main Street in Old Town where Glen Hansard did an impromptu busker concert a couple of years ago recreating his role in ‘Once.’ His song “Falling Slowly” went on to win the Oscar® for best song. Just across the street is where Dustin Hoffman sucker punched me (kinda). Indestructo was heading down the side walk in inclement conditions. It was wallto-wall pedestrians and Indestructo had the curb and could see Hoffman on the curb coming up at him. He was engaged in an energetic conversation with a cohort, but he spotted me and the upcoming situation. One of us had to give. But Indestructo yields to no man! I did rotate my shoulders to see if he could do the same and pass, but rather he charged right into me giving me a shoulder to the chest and off I went sprawling into the snow bank. The part that hurt the most was that he never bothered to look back, just continued his intense, animated conversation. Pasta for lunch. Today, Eric Burdon and the Animals “House of the Rising Sun” piped Indestructo. He moved toward her to ask if she had seen the piece, to congratulate her. But as he approached, suddenly, a surly Sean Penn appeared before Indestructo Man, barring the way with a withering ‘Don’t mess with us’ expression on his face. Now, Sean Penn is not a large man but he certainly seemed imposing that morning. Indestructo grabbed a head of lettuce and beat a hasty retreat. in. Nice, but Dylan did it better. Outside there is a pesky magpie playing in the snow. Quite a clown. I wonder if it’s the state bird. Ok, finally a great film, ‘The Guard.’ Brendan Gleeson plays a small town, wisecracking, Irish cop who joins FBI agent Don Cheadle to thwart some big time drug smugglers. If you loved ‘In Bruges’ you’ll love this one too. Simply delightful and cheeky. Just heard that Sony Pictures Classics picked it up. Hurrah! ‘Cedar Rapids,’ a Fox Searchlight film, scores as a very funny small town ‘Hangover’ and has some hilarious moments. ‘Hot Coffee’ starts with the McDonald’s spilled, scalding coffee lawsuit from years ago and goes on to create a damning indictment of “tort reform” and binding arbitration in lieu of access to the jury system and legislative award caps that limits what a jury can award. All under the umbrella of protecting us from frivolous lawsuits. More like throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Your blood will boil with indignation over corporate and political malfeasance. ‘Win Win’ with Paul Giamatti and, who’ll you swear, is a sixteen year old Sean Penn, in a warm and fuzzy and extremely sweet can of corn. In ‘Page One: A Year Inside the New York Times,’ David Carr, a reporter, becomes a star. Charismatic as can be. Reminds one of James Carville but not as spastic. Soon he’ll be everywhere. Highlight of the day. Indestructo does a full swan dive on an icy down slope. Both feet shoot straight up into the sky, arms straight out, landing flat on my back. Brilliant. I’d give myself an 8.5. Haven’t taken a fall like that since Eisenhower was president. Much more embarrassing than painful. Right in front of a dozen witnesses. ‘Perfect Sense’ starring Ewan McGregor and Eva Green is a high concept (semi-high concept) title that manages to maintain a haunting quality, the mood. Stays with you as the world whimpers to an end. The population of the earth systematically loses its senses, in waves. First, smell, then taste, then hearing... chaos ensues at every level but the world somehow manages to pull itself together and soldier on. But everybody knows what’s next and the world braces for the darkness…maybe instead, it will just lose its sense of humor. Good buzz on these titles: Another Earth: Acquired by Fox Searchlight, this drama takes place on the eve of the discovery of a duplicate Earth. A horrible tragedy irrevocably alters the lives of two strangers, who begin an unlikely love affair. Like Crazy: Starring Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones and Jennifer Lawrence, fresh off of her Academy Award nomination for best actress. This indie romance chronicles a young American guy and a young British girl who must face the challenges of a longdistance relationship. Look for this one time limited film to break out as it just won the grand jury prize for dramatic film and was picked up by Paramount. Martha Marcy May Marlene: Another Fox Searchlight acquisition, this is terrifying portrayal of a young women (Elizabeth Olsen, younger sister of the Olsen twins) who is haunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia after fleeing an abusive cult. Buck: This documentary picked up by CINÉARTS FILM GUIDE | WINTER 2010 | 5 IFC walked away with the audience award for documentary film. This straightforward doc about the real life horse whisperer, Buck Brannaman, demonstrates his special bond with horses. Tyrannosaur: For Joseph, a man plagued by self-destructive violence and rage, a chance of redemption appears in the form of Hannah, a Christian charity shop worker with a devastating secret of her own. This movie never compromises but is overwhelmingly satisfying due to the setting and amazing performances. The Details When hungry raccoons discover worms living under the sod in a young couple’s backyard, pest problem begins a darkly comic and wild chain reaction of domestic tension, infidelity and murder. Features Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Banks, Laura Linney, Ray Liotta and has been picked up by The Weinstein Company. Devil’s Double This Anchor Bay film explores an extraordinary chapter in recent history providing a chilling vision of the House of Saddam which comes to life through the eyes of the man who knew too much. meddling in everyone’s business. Big laughs through out from a smart cast. Red State: A group of misfits encounter extreme fundamentalism in Middle America. This Kevin Smith directed (and self distributed) film is the most controversial film at Sundance in quite some time. Submarine: One of the few films to come to Sundance with a distributor, this Weinstein Company film follows fifteenyear-old Oliver Tate as he attempts to save his parents’ marriage and to lose his virginity before his next birthday. Ok, it’s over. Poof! The hopes and dreams of hundreds of artists have either bloomed fruitfully or withered up and broken their hearts. See you at the movies!! Questions? Comments? Email Indestructo Man at... indestructo@cinemark.com My Idiot Brother: This movie was acquired by The Weinstein Company and stars Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Dashanel, Emily Mortimer and Steve Coogan. Paul Rudd is the sweet ne’er do well dreamy brother of three sisters that that continually frustrates his family by good naturedly telling the truth to everyone and Indestructo Man As told to Indestructo Man by the late great Steve Rothenberg of Lionsgate Films… 6 | CINEARTS.COM Steve was at one of the after-Oscar® parties in 1995 when he spotted Bruce and Patti Springsteen at a table across the room sitting by themselves, his newly won Oscar® for PHILADELPHIA gleaming on the table in front of him. Steve, being Steve, turned to his wife Frances and said, “Look at that. They’re all alone. This is an outrage! I’m going over there!” “Don’t you dare! Don’t bother them.” Steve took a gulp of wine and jumped up and went over and introduced himself. The Springsteen’s were extremely gracious and invited him to sit down and they were having a wonderfully stimulating conversation when Clint Eastwood entered the room and Bruce became as excited as a little boy. “He’s always been my idol, always. When I was a boy…” Steve, being Steve, volunteered to introduce Bruce to Eastwood, even though he himself had never met Eastwood. “I couldn’t. I just couldn’t,” The Boss insisted. “I would be too nervous.” Patti said, “Bruce, you gotta, you gotta meet him. Do it!” “No, no, I just can’t.” Minutes later, Frances sat at their table, watching Steve, operating on a pure vein of chutzpah, leading The Boss across the room and introducing him to Clint, whereby he quietly returned to his wife’s side. As the Rothenberg’s left awhile later, they passed by Eastwood and Springsteen standing together in the corner, both grinning ear to ear. The Men Who Built Hollywood and Their Painted Ladies By Cara Lyon A self made movie mogul, Samuel Goldwyn’s story could be mistaken as the plot to one of his films, a true rags to riches story. He left home in Warsaw, Poland at an early age, on foot and penniless, eventually making his way to New York. In 1913, after a successful stint as a glove salesman, Goldwyn began the first of many partnerships that would eventually lead to the formation of Paramount, Metro-GoldwynMayer (MGM), and United Artists. Goldwyn found difficulties working within the large studio environment and on the verge of being forced out, he reinvented himself as an independent producer, Hollywood’s lone wolf. He is best known for producing the films Wuthering Heights (1939), The Pride of the Yankees (1942) and in 1946, Goldwyn’s drama The Best Years of Our Lives, won him his first Academy Award, taking home Best Picture. In the 1950s Samuel Goldwyn turned to making a number of musicals including the 1955 hit Guys and Dolls starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra, and Vivian Blaine. Frequently quoted, Goldwyn became known as Mr. Malaprop due to his humorous paradox phrases, now known as ‘Goldwynisms.’ Selected Goldwynisms Pictures are for entertainment, messages should be delivered by Western Union. // If you fall and break your legs, don’t come running to me. // A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. // Include me out. // If the public doesn’t want to see your movie, you can’t stop them. // Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. // A wide screen just makes a bad film twice as bad. // Flashbacks are a thing of the past. // I’ll give you a definite maybe. // This new atom bomb is dynamite. // Our comedies are not to be laughed at. // When I want your opinion, I’ll give it to you. Indestructo Man // Color television! Bah, I won’t believe it until I see it in black and white. // I don’t think anyone should write his autobiography until after he’s dead. 8 | CINEARTS.COM At a film party at the Toronto Film Festival a few years ago Indestructo spotted the lovely Italian actress, Valeria Golino across the room. Cocktail in hand, he sidled up to her, brimming with confidence, and coolly introduced himself. She looked at him vacantly. He said, “I just wanted to tell you I was at a screening of Respiro this morning and you were wonderful.” She continued to look at him blankly. “Respiro, you were great.” She cocked her head like a cocker spaniel and like a parrot squawked, “Respiro! Respiro!” Indestructo was puzzled. “No, I just want to…” “Respiro! Respiro!” she repeated. Then he realized what she was doing. “Listen Miss Golina, I know you speak English! I’ve see Rain Man. I’ve seen Frida. I’ve seen Leaving Las Vegas!” He turned and stormed off, a broken man for the time being. AND THE AWARD SHOULD GO TO... Assuming that the Academy Awards will likely get it wrong, the CinéArts film guide staff resoundingly and emphatically declare that the following nominees should win. BEST PICTURE “Black Swan” Mike Medavoy, Brian Oliver and Scott Franklin, Producers “The Fighter” David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Mark Wahlberg, Producers “Inception” Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan, Producers “The Kids Are All Right” Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte and Celine Rattray, Producers “The King’s Speech” Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, Producers “127 Hours” Christian Colson, Danny Boyle and John Smithson, Producers “The Social Network” Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca and Ceán Chaffin, Producers “Toy Story 3” Darla K. Anderson, Producer “True Grit” Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, Producers “Winter’s Bone” Anne Rosellini and Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Producers 16 | CINEARTS.COM ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Javier Bardem “Biutiful” Jeff Bridges “True Grit” Jesse Eisenberg “The Social Network” Colin Firth “The King’s Speech” James Franco “127 Hours” Jeremy Renner “The Town” Mark Ruffalo “The Kids Are All Right” Geoffrey Rush “The King’s Speech” ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Christian Bale “The Fighter” John Hawkes “Winter’s Bone” © 2011 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. photo by Suzanne Tenner ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Annette Bening “The Kids Are All Right” Nicole Kidman “Rabbit Hole” Jennifer Lawrence “Winter’s Bone” Natalie Portman “Black Swan” Michelle Williams “Blue Valentine” Melissa Leo “The Fighter” Hailee Steinfeld “True Grit” Jacki Weaver “Animal Kingdom” photo by Suzanne Tenner ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Amy Adams “The Fighter” Helena Bonham Carter “The King’s Speech” CINÉARTS FILM GUIDE | WINTER 2010 | 17 Theatre Spotlight CinéArts @ Palo Alto Square C hristmas Day in 2001 was a special day for more than just the typical reason. CinéArts was born in Palo Alto, CA at the Palo Alto Square Cinemas! Actually, the idea for CinéArts was created by Century Theatres previous to 2001 but the first theatre to bear the CinéArts name was the CinéArts @ Palo Alto Square. The history of this theatre goes back many years to it’s days as part of the Pacific Theatres chain. When Century Theatres aquired the 2-screen complex, they decided to take the theatre in a new direction, creating an atmosphere of quality art and independent films 18 | CINEARTS.COM that catered to discerning patrons. And so CinéArts was born. that I’ve ever sat in. I’ve been to many theatres, but never one as nice as this one.” But not only were the films going to be different, the whole movie-going experience would change too. Some new concepts that were on showcase in the CinéArts @ Palo Alto Square included premium bulk candies, European chocolates, real espresso and gourmet coffee. At the time the management used to go down to the local Peet’s Coffee and Tea to purchase beans weekly – and that was quite a change from the standard movie theatre coffee served up to that point. Another impressive feature were the unique Coca-Cola towers, imported from Italy, that are still in use today at the theatre. But sometimes the pleasure is in the simple things. While going through customer comments for Palo Alto Square, we began to notice a trend. Here are a few of the many comments we received: Mari M. notices, “The seats are so comfy and you can stretch your legs without inadvertently kicking the seat in front of you,” and Blaine M. confirms that “…the seats are a little slice of heaven and the leg room is unbelievable.” David J. writes, “This theatre has the most comfortable movie theatre seats Today the CinéArts @ Palo Alto Square Theatre continues to show award-winning art and independent film as well as other non-traditional programming. It has been home the last few years to the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival; been picked to be the host theatre for Pixar Films gala’s to launch movies like “Finding Nemo”, “A Bug’s Life” and “Cars”; and even shows the Metropolitan Opera Series. CinéArts has truly revolutionized the standard of what is expected at a movie theatre. The CinéArts @ Palo Alto Square helped pave the way. CINÉARTS LOCATIONS CinéArts @ Sequoia #909 Mill Valley, CA CinéArts @ Santana Row #983 San Jose, CA CinéArts @ Palo Alto Square #914 Palo Alto, CA Century Regency 6 #932 San Rafael, CA CinéArts @ Pleasant Hill #915 Pleasant Hill, CA CinéArts @ Marin #934 Sausalito, CA Century Theatres @ The River #917 Rancho Mirage, CA Cinemark Palace 20 #2157 Boca Raton, FL Century Cinemas 16 #910 Mountain View, CA Century 12 Evanston / CinéArts 6 - XD #942 Evanston, IL Century Centre 9 - XD #991 San Francisco, CA Cinemark The Palace at The Plaza #1120 Kansas City, MO CinéArts @ Empire #963 San Francisco, CA SUNDANCE LOCATIONS Sundance Kabuki Cinemas San Francisco, CA Sundance Madison Cinemas Madison, WI CINEMARK LOCATIONS FEATURING CINÉARTS Century 20 El Con #902 Tucson, AZ Century 20 - XD #982 West Des Moines, IA Cinemark Robinson Twp - XD #2153 Robinson Township, PA Century Huntington Beach - XD #987 Huntington Beach, CA Cinemark Movies 14 #1426 Mishawaka, IN Century Stadium 14 #953 Sioux Falls, SD Century at Del Monte Center #985 Monterey, CA Cinemark Perkins Rowe #2137 Baton Rouge, LA Cinemark Tinseltown 17 #1136 Austin, TX Century Stadium 25 - XD #913 Orange, CA Cinemark Egyptian 24 - XD #2156 Hanover, MD Cinemark Movies 18 - XD #1138 College Station, TX Century 20 Downtown - XD #990 Redwood City, CA Cinemark at Hampshire Mall #1118 Hadley, MA Century 16 #954 Corpus Christi, TX Century 10 Downtown #938 Ventura, CA Century 16 Suncoast #947 Las Vegas, NV Cielo Vista Mall 14 #2121 El Paso, TX Century Roseville 14 - XD #920 Roseville, CA Century Riverside 12 #949 Reno, NV Cinemark Movies 16 #1153 Lubbock, TX Century 14 Downtown - XD #971 Walnut Creek, CA Century 14 Downtown #943 Albuquerque, NM Cinemark Legacy - XD #1160 Plano, TX Century Boulder #997 Boulder, CO Cinemark 24 - XD #1127 Valley View, OH Cinemark West Plano - XD #1162 Plano, TX Cinemark Boynton Beach 14 #2154 Boynton Beach, FL Century 16 Eastport Plaza #952 Portland, OR Cinemark at Market Street #2117 The Woodlands, TX Cinemark Paradise 24 #2155 Davie, FL Cinemark 17 #1131 Springfield, OR Holiday Village 4 #1172 Park City, UT Cinemark @ Seven Bridges #1112 Woodridge, IL Cinemark 20 - XD #1133 Moosic, PA Tickets and showtimes for your favorite CinéArts locations are available at cinearts.com. or call 1-800-FANDANGO + EXP CODE (# code listed next to theatre name above). Questions? Comments? Email Indestructo Man at indestructo@cinemark.com