. Taken in isolation from the unsatisfying story, the performances are powerful — Knightley’s vivacious, wounded romantic does a great deal to carry the film on sheer personality, while Fiennes is a subtle master at projecting banked menace through his seeming detached ennui. When he finally proves how dangerous he can be when provoked, it’s shocking but not surprising. But that particular wake-up call is one of the few truly intense moments in a story that follows history without understanding it, and wallows in pain without comprehending it.
Archive for September, 2008
The Duchess Movie Review – Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes
In Uncategorized on September 26, 2008 at 7:38 pmThe Lucky Ones Movie Review – Rachel McAdams, Tim Robbins
In Uncategorized on September 26, 2008 at 7:35 pmA good film, one of a handful of dramatically viable and necessary features to emerge from America’s war in Iraq, came out of the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month. Unfortunately it wasn’t “The Lucky Ones.” It was Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker,” scheduled for a 2009 release. “The Lucky Ones” is softer and more seriocomic
Spike Lee’s Miracle at Saint Anna Movie Review
In Uncategorized on September 26, 2008 at 7:32 pmIn flashes, the World War II saga “Miracle at St. Anna ” reminds you of the necessity and invention of director Spike Lee.
He may shoot this feature, like many before it, every which way, but he scores just often enough to ensure a few indelible images.
Nights in Rodanthe Movie Review – Richard Gere & Diane Lane
In Uncategorized on September 26, 2008 at 7:29 pmThe feather-light romance by novelist Nicholas Sparks (“Message in a Bottle,” “The Notebook”), adapted by Ann Peacock and John Romano, is designed to attract good-looking film actors of a certain age.
All the better if they can act! Or even interact. Diane Lane can, and does. Richard Gere — sometimes. As skillful and charismatic as Gere is, I never get the sense he’s really in there, conversing with his fellow actor.
Eagle Eye Movie Review with Shia LaBeouf & Michelle Monaghan
In Uncategorized on September 26, 2008 at 7:25 pm“Eagle Eye” is a thriller only the Global Positioning System could love.
I suppose if I weren’t still using regional positioning systems (they’re called “maps”) I might be more interested in all the cyber-techno-harum-scarum, and the showy transitional sequences depicting a vast surveillance network as seen from space, and the outermost Google map perspective.
The screenplay tries like the devil to get you all fussed up about omnivorous cyber-surveillance on a scale George Orwell never imagined, but the result is a hyperactive jumble that fails to whip up the right mixture of dread and propulsion.
NFL Football 2008: Week 4 NFL 2008 Weekend 4 Preview
In Uncategorized on September 25, 2008 at 2:41 pmIn the NFL, whether it’s Week 4, like this week, or Week 14, the pressure is always on.
Sure, you’d rather be undefeated – as six clubs are – or at least have a winning record as the last weekend of September looms.
But all those teams on the downside of the won-loss ledger should remind themselves of the 2007 San Diego Chargers, who began last season at 1-3, won their final six and took an 11-5 record into the playoffs, advancing all the way to the AFC Championship Game.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re the favorite now or the least favorite,” says quarterback TONY ROMO of the 3-0 Dallas Cowboys. “The reality of it is you’ve got to keep playing games. You’re not trying to be the favorite now, you’re trying to be the favorite at the end of the year.”
NFL Football 2008: Week 3 – AFC & NFC Players of the Week
In Uncategorized on September 25, 2008 at 2:19 pmRB MICHAEL TURNER of the Falcons, safety BRIAN DAWKINS of the Eagles & kicker JOHN CARNEY of the Giants are the NFC Offensive, Defensive & Special Teams Players of the Week for the 3rd week of the NFL 2008 season (September 21-22). In the AFC, Dolphins Running back RONNIE BROWN, Chargers cornerback ANTONIO CROMARTIE & Jaguars kicker JOSH SCOBEE.
The Bailout Plan: Welcome to Economic Shock & Awe
In Uncategorized on September 25, 2008 at 1:43 pmSee if this sounds familiar: There is a gathering threat to the safety of the US. We must take immediate action. Congress must quickly grant the president and the secretary what they want and also give them full and unfettered authority to execute the plan. Welcome to Economic Shock and Awe.
Ghost Town a Welcome Surprise: A Romantic Comedy that Works
In Uncategorized on September 19, 2008 at 9:13 pmThe movie “Ghost Town” is a welcome surprise: a supernatural romantic comedy that works, graced with a cast just off-center enough to make it distinctive. It may be too easygoing for some people.
Stars Ricky Gervais, Tea Leoni, Greg Kinnear, Billy Campbell, Dana Ivey and Kristen Wiig.
NFL Football 2008 Week 3: NFL Season Starting to Heat Up
In Uncategorized on September 19, 2008 at 2:56 pmGreat start. Great comebacks. That summarizes the NFL 2008 season so far. NFL 2008 has already packed a season
’s worth of surprise & suspense into the first 2 weeks. So, what’s in store? Buffalo, Carolina & Denver are 2-0. They won only 7 games apiece in 2007. But hold on, in 2007, the Giants started 0-2 & the Chargers were 1 – 3.
The Palin Doctrine: Why the Neocons are So Excited
In Uncategorized on September 17, 2008 at 7:31 pmAccording to London’s Daily Telegraph, the architects of the Palin Doctrine are a group of people who have been singularly wrong about virtually everything in the last decade — the neocons, who have been briefing Palin for weeks. As predicted, the fact that she didn’t know anything wasn’t a bug, it was a feature. She’s perfect for the neocons.
Wolfgang Puck’s Eggplant, Zucchini & Tomato Gratin Recipe
In Uncategorized on September 17, 2008 at 7:27 pmSo, what do you cook for the early weeks of fall? How do you cook with the seasons, a popular culinary concept these days, when the seasons are changing? One of my favorite solutions is to create a gratin of summer vegetables.
“Burn After Reading” Movie Review
In Uncategorized on September 12, 2008 at 11:59 pmThe dour espionage goof “Burn After Reading” offers a few laughs, most of them provided by Brad Pitt as a serenely clueless gym employee who really, really likes his iPod, and by David Rasche and J.K. Simmons as C.I.A. analysts who don’t know anything about anything. A disappointing movie …
“The Women” Movie Review
In Uncategorized on September 12, 2008 at 11:55 pmDiane English’s remake & update of Luce’s play (and the 1939 screenplay by Anita Loos and Jane Murfin, also credited) tosses out most of the dialogue but keeps the broad particulars of the plot, then crams in enough extra detail to choke the story into shapelessness. Many stars in the film, yet not many stars for its rating
“A Girl Cut in Two” Movie Review Starring Ludivine Sagnier
In Uncategorized on September 12, 2008 at 11:52 pmSeventy-eight-year-old Claude Chabrol, who has directed features for 50 years, has enough of an ego to make the famous novelist at the center of his pungent and altogether delicious black comedy “A Girl Cut in Two” irresistible to women. This Lyon, France-set tale of a TV weather girl & 2 wolfish suitors is a cool marvel of tone & acted out well.
NFL Football 2008: Week 2 – NFL 2008 Weekend 2
In Uncategorized on September 12, 2008 at 4:25 pmOn top of them being key division games, the matchups have intriguing storylines as well. It is only Week 2 of the 2008 NFL season and already “big games” are on tap — Cowboys vs. Eagles, Jets vs. Patriots without Tom Brady, Falcons vs. Bucs. Preview of all the NFL 2008 Week 2 games plus analysis and re-cap.
Sarah Palin: A Trojan Moose Concealing Four More Years of George Bush
In Uncategorized on September 11, 2008 at 4:57 pmThe point is that Palin, and the circus she’s brought to town, are simply a bountiful collection of small lies deliberately designed to distract the country from one big truth: the havoc that George Bush and the Republican Party have wrought, and that John McCain is committed to continuing.
Vikings’ Adrian Peterson Ready to Pick Up Where He Left Off
In Uncategorized on September 6, 2008 at 2:53 am2008 NFL Football Player Profile: Adrian Peterson Running Back Minnesota Vikings. During the NFL 2007 season, Minnesota Vikings rookie sensation ADRIAN PETERSON ranked 2nd in the NFL (and first in the NFC) with 1,341 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, carried the ball 238 times and led the league rushing for 95.8 yards per game.
Saving the GOP & The Unbearable Lightness of Sarah Palin
In Uncategorized on September 6, 2008 at 2:17 amSarah Palin is an appealing pick for John McCain. Along with all the things she brings to the table — fresh face, mother of 5, hockey mom — Sarah Palin is notable for what she doesn’t bring: a track record. If John McCain had picked any of the far more experienced candidates on his list, they would have come fully equipped with a long paper trail
Football | NFL Football 2008: Week 1 – NFL 2008 Kickoff Week
In Uncategorized on September 4, 2008 at 9:42 pmThe National Football League roars back into action tonight in the first game of NFL Kickoff 2008 Weekend as the Giants face the Redskins. “We’re ready to roll,” says Jaguars QB David Garrard. “Everybody is excited. It’s time to stop just practicing and playing for fun and start playing for real.” A full preview of NFL 2008 Week 1.
