Volume 04, Number 09
Movies
Movie News - Babel
By Bill Hersey
I first got to know Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu when he was here looking for locations to shoot his highly acclaimed film Babel. He's a really cool guy who likes people, and I was really happy to spend a little time with him when he came back to promote the film for the distributor, GAGA Communications. At the press conference he expressed his "feeling of profuse emotion at people's reaction to his film." The main thing he loved about the film was the magical experience of working with so many different kinds of people. He didn't want to promote good or bad, and loneliness. Millions of people in Tokyo and Mexico City too were an important element of Babel for him.
I admired his straightforwardness in criticizing Japan about their outdated methods—too many rules and regulations when it comes to shooting a film here. "There are all kinds of obstacles by the police. It was fun at times, but troublesome and frustrating more times. Japan needs a film commission to make things easier" Alejandro told the press.
He was more relaxed at a party Mexican Ambassador Miquel Ruiz Cabanas and his wife Martha hosted at their home for him, the Japanese cast, GAGA execs, Latin Ambassadors and an interesting group of Miquel and Martha's friends. There's always a festive mood at anything they do, and that evening was no exception. The chicken mole, by the way, was out of this world. My only disappointment was that Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal couldn't come for the promo. He's certainly one of the most versatile and best actors around.
Movie Review - Music & Lyrics
By Danielle Tate-Stratton
You can't go too far wrong with Hugh Grant in a chick flick, as Director/Writer Marc Lawrence proves in Warner Bros. newest girl's night out comedy: Music and Lyrics. Also starring a radiant Drew Barrymore, as well as Kristen Johnston (3rd Rock from the Sun), this is a cute romcom sure to please any fan of the genre. Hugh Grant's character, Alex Fletcher, is a washed up 1980's pop icon, struggling to make ends meet by playing gigs at country fairs and high school reunions. When his agent Chris Riley (Brad Barrett; Everybody Loves Raymond) gets him a duet with hot teen talent Cora Corman (Haley Bennett) things appear to be looking up, until it is discovered that he must write the perfect song and that Alex is no lyricist.
Luckily, Sophie Fisher (Barrymore) lands literally at his doorstop when she drops by to water his plants. As she hums in the background, Alex recognizes a talent for writing in her, and convinces her to help him create the perfect song in under a week. There are few surprises in the plot, as Alex and Sophie's love blossoms along with their song, enthusiastic performances by Johnston and Barrymore elevate this movie, as does the entertaining supporting work by Bennett, who plays the spoilt, vacant, teen superstar well, and seems to get a kick out of doing so.
Also surprising and impressive is that Hugh Grant sings all of his songs in the movie—he's credited with seven on the soundtrack. He has the aging pop-star look down pat while performing, yet still retains all of the charm which has won him female fans the world over, and with Barrymore as fun and beautiful as ever, the two play off each other well. Recommended for a fun, girly night!
Movies to Own on DVD
By M. Halliday
Apart from the obvious (Casablanca, Citizen Kane, the Godfather I and II etc) what films should we own? Films that can withstand multiple viewings are a rare and wonderful entity and always worth having.
A good example is Andrei Tarkovsky’s Solaris. Based on Stanislaw Lem’s novel, Solaris was the Soviet Union’s answer to Kubrick’s 2001 (also something of a keeper). Don’t be put off by the George Clooney/Steven Soderbergh vanity remake a few years back; the original is a stunning blend of visual beauty and philosophical questioning that may haunt you forever. Each frame an ocular treat, its languid pace and intriguing storyline take the viewer ever deeper into the film’s central mystery.
Every home collection should contain at least one Jack Nicholson film. And although he is still the most watchable actor alive, ideally you want one made during the 70’s; a time when films were still made with an adult audience in mind. Bob Rafelson’s Five Easy Pieces for example (The Last Detail, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Carnal Knowledge, Chinatown are others). Nicholson is excellent as ever, as the oil worker/drifter trying to escape his family and his calling (music). Several stand-out scenes, an excellent supporting cast; a wonderful portrayal of real people grappling with real life and above all—classic Jack.
For those times when you just need a laugh the often copied but never bettered mock rockumentary This is Spinal Tap is a pearl. The same team (less director Rob Riener) went on to make the equally excellent Best of Show but Tap is their masterpiece. You don’t have to be familiar with the rock they mock to enjoy the film. The acting is top notch (the British accents are great) and the writing superb. Out of 10 this has to be an 11.