Tudor Mania

The 16th century is so hot. Hollywood thinks so.

I've had Blanchett-brain of late (how can I help it?) so I thought it was worth mentioning that 453 years ago today Elizabeth I, while still Princess, was imprisoned on account of Wyatt's Rebellion against her half-sis' Queen Mary. I think --but I could be wrong since palace intrigues and political dynasties hurt my head -- that that event was the kick off to the first Elizabeth film. I haven't seen it since 1998 so my memory is cloudy.

The sequel, The Golden Age, arrives later this year and should prove as heavy with royal position jockeying. They'll also be jockeying for Oscar position. Though the film is largely about QEI's relationship with Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen) it's safe to assume that politics will interfere. We can expect another Elizabeth vs. Mary round, too. A different Mary but same as it ever was --arguments about who, exactly, should be running England. I'm excited to see whatever throwdown occurs between Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth since the former is played by the one and only Samantha Morton. If Morton's past work can be trusted she'll be as formidable an opponent for Cate Blanchett as Mary was for Elizabeth... um, only without armies, religious divides and mass bloodshed. Whew.

I normally don't assign homework but I'm thinking we should all study up on the Tudors pronto just to make it through 2007 [tudor history blog or wikipedia to start] since the Tudor dynasty is all the rage in Hollywood.

Showtime launches their new series The Tudors on April 1st (I'll have a mini review soon). October 5th brings us the return of Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth in The Golden Age and October 26th brings us Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn and Scarlett Johansson as Mary Boleyn in The Other Boleyn Girl. I'm betting one of those release dates doesn't stick. Two actress heavy Tudor-centric costume dramas with A list stars in the same month? Unlikely.


Will audiences and critics be tudored out by the end of the year or will tudor mania sweep awards season for both television and film? Only time will tell.

What's your best guess?

Friends of the Experience #6

Hearty thanks to Chris, Kevin, Adam K, Daniel and Ben who all helped out in the March Fundraiser.

Chris teaches cinema studies in Philly. He told me he's never written before because he doesn't like Moulin Rouge! That gave me a good chuckle.

I do like Far From Heaven, which I've taught in a few classes here and there (I teach cinema studies courses for freshmen). Actually, I swallowed my pride and used Moulin Rouge in a class once, come to think of it, so perhaps I'm responsible for some Nathaniel-level aficionados despite myself.

Moulin Rouge! has sneaky ways of collecting more fans. It always does. We are legion.

Kevin is right here in NY and send kind words about the blog. He opted for a shout out to a favorite character rather than a film

My iconic movie character is Doralee Rhodes from 9 to 5 . I have vivid memories of catching the movie on TV as a kid as being immediately obsessed with Dolly's amiable Southern charm and her natural ease onscreen. (I've since become a Dolly fanatic and made the pilgrimage to Dollywood twice.) "I'll change you from a rooster to a hen with one shot!" Priceless.

I love Dolly too. One of my close friends is from Nashville and we are always vaguely planning a pilgrimage ourselves --I've never been. Sadly this intended travellin' party always falls through because so many other friends want to go. Trying to corral several people for a simultaneous cross country trip = challenging.

Daniel in California spotlights an unusual choice as a favorite but I can totally get behind it

one that always comes to mind is Flirting With Disaster. It's so thoroughly screwball; as it moves along, you think it couldn't possibly get any more ridiculous and then it tops itself. So much great, witty banter. Then there's the cast... could they have gathered a better group of actors to play such eccentric characters? I think not. Mary Tyler Moore and Lily Tomlin are especially killer. One of the myriad I love through and through and watch time and time again.

Flirting is an underseen gem. Very high laugh to running time ratio and smart guffaws to be had. I love that Daniel referenced screwball because comedy did not always mean cheap and dumb. David O'Russell has such a gift for sharp sophisticated laughs that don't get lose their comedic edge on second viewing (see also: I Heart Huckabees)
Adam K will be familiar to you as an active commenter and from the blog Crumb by Crumb. The favorite film he wanted noted...

I'd go for Thelma & Louise, but you talk about that one enough already. Ditto Tootsie. So I think, for this specific purpose, my favorite film will be The Witches, which is one of those little cult/personal favorites that I feel like no one loves as much as I. I rediscovered it with my much younger sister several years ago, and it became a staple of our sibling bonding time. Anjelica Huston is brill, obviously. Plus, the music, writing and direction are all just top notch for this sort of demented children's film.

I've only seen The Witches once myself and remember loving Anjelica Huston (FTR she would win my retro Gold Medal for 1990 for The Grifters with The Witches as the "and..." portion of that honor)

Ben calls the UK home and, like Adam, has asked that I review a personal favorite

I'm going to have to go for something which celebrates British Film Making, independent movie making, Oscar and my actress predictions and also a smattering of gay characterisations. It must be John Schlesinger's Darling.

I take all requests seriously (helps cut brainstorming time) but when you help out with that little bit extra, your wish is my command. Command Reviews coming soon for All That Jazz, Darling, The Witches as well as a look at Geraldine Page (a couple of people gave me more than one option so I'm still deciding on the others)

Questions for Comments...
Are you secretly a Moulin Rouge! hater? If so, how can we convert you?
Why are so few comedies as smart as those old screwballs?
Have you ever been to Dollywood? If so, please share. I really want to go...

Linkistics

The Cellar Door celebrates St. Patrick's Day by staring at Colin Farrell --usually a worthwhile activity I find. I don't have anything to say about this holiday so my celebration begins and ends with the green tint of this post. That's the best I can muster with just one cup of coffee in me and a full weekend of activities rushing towards me.
Jacob Chase talks Persona and Three Women
Stale Popcorn , after watching Woody Allen's Hannah masterpiece, wonders if everyone in NY talks about wanting to open a restaurant. Actually, they do...
Aussielicious [NSFW] sees more of Spidey (and other superheroes) than we'll get in theaters ... just for giggles. Don't click if nudity offends.
BoobTubers announce a blog mob-a-thon for April. Could be fun.
Glitterati on Jude & Lindsay. I'm still so weirded out by these rumors. How is it that Jude Law's personal life can be so messy and turbulent but he can still act up a storm. Is it his age? Because most stars who travel that hard party route don't seem to be able to get their careers together.

AND...

Stardust teaser!!! There be moving imagery. I hate the computer flourish to make Michelle Pfeiffer more evil but the rest of it looks awesome.

Now Playing 03/16

Wide Releases
Premonition. I have a premonition that audiences won't care if it sucks. When was the last time Sandra Bullock headlined a good movie? 12, 13 years? In regards to the film's poster, I direct you to this giggle from Andy Scott.
Dead Silence another gore flick. There are so many every year did time fold back in on itself? Is it the early 80s again?
I Think I Love My Wife wasn't this a show on HBO or something --The Mind of a Married Man? Filmmakers never get tired of stories about philandering husbands and the wives who won't have sex with them. There are two possible reasons to see this though. The first is obvious: Kerry Washington strutting around deliciously. The second is less obvious: This is supposedly based on Eric Rohmer's Chloe in the Afternoon. That blows my mind. Eric Rohmer. Chris Rock. What?

Limited Releases
I realize I need to just let this go but I hate hate hate the enduring distribution model used on prestige flicks. I want to see films WHEN they're winning awards or being considered for awards, not years later (unless I'm catching up with classics). Denmark's 2005 Oscar submission Adam's Apples is opening (starring my two favorite Danish actors Ulrich Thomsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas), Kazakahstan's 2006 submission Nomad (with American stars like Jason Scott Lee and Jay Hernandez) is also charging in. And we're finally getting a look at The Wind That Shakes the Barley which won Cannes' top honor nearly a year ago. Aren't people already talking about this year's festival?) I'll never understand why movie distribution isn't sympatico with the time tested lucrative business & life advice "strike while the iron is hot"

Also in limited release: urban drama My Brother with Vanessa Williams and Tatum O'Neal, a pseudo doc called American Cannibal: The Road to Reality which sounds a bit like Series 7: The Contenders in that reality show gone too far way, a meta horror movie called Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon , Caffeine, an ensemble comedy with Katherine Heigl (whose fame level could skyrocket this year if the delirious buzz on Knocked Up pans out), Mena Suvari and Breckin Myer. Finally there's a comedy with Lupe Ontiveros (remember her?) called Tortilla Heaven.

Cate, We Need To Talk...

Dear Cate Blanchett,

Please stop! Weren't you supposed to be taking a vacation or something? Or a new job, I mean. Weren't you supposed to be running a theater company in Australia. That sounds like a noble "give back to the community" kind of thing to do. Good for you. Go for it. They need you.

See, you're turning into such a problem for me. I run a movie website that's kinda [understatement] actress-obsessed and most of my readers love you and your ubiquity is going to turn them against me! I am so sick of looking at you. I won't be able to help mentioning it since I have this version of Tourettes that is connected to my 75 wpm fingers rather than my tongue. There's no cure.

If you don't stop making movies soon my readers will be surrounding me with torches and pitchforks. Just one year off. I beg you. One year. Every actor does it eventually. And, anyway, why on earth would you need to be in an Indiana Jones movie? You're already famous. You're already rich. You're already respected. You're already obviously in demand. What could you possibly have to offer that series that a million (literally) actresses couldn't and for them it could be career saving or boosting. They'd call it "the role". For you it's just something to do inbetween #31 and #33.

Rich and famous people aren't supposed to work day in and day out, Cate. You're throwing off the natural order of things. We civilians only work that much because we have to. You can take as many vacations as you like. I'm not asking you to go all Foster on us. That girl has no work ethic. But you're rich and famous! Enjoy it. If you want I can send you travel brochures or something. I'm eager to help. There's lots of places you could go to relax. I went to Cabos once. It was lovely. I went snorkeling, I drank a ton of tequila, I got a sunburn. I totally recommend the first two.

Leave me alone!

All my love,
Nathaniel

Lunchtime Poll. You're in Charge

You are given the power of greenlight and hiring decision omnipotence at a major studio for one year:

1. Who do you ensure snags a meaty role for a major comeback.
2. which director do you offer final cut to, to entice them to work.
   
3. What kind of films do you fast track?

Answer in the comments. Don't be shy.

Daniel Craig is My Hero

Daniel Craig helped me to a huge satisfying round of 'told ya sos' in regard to his James Bond performance. (It was clear to anyone familiar with his work that he's a great actor. All the naysaying was from people who hadn't seen him in action...so to speak) For his next pleasing trick, he has not one but two movies coming out in which he co-stars with that ethereal object of my intermittent obsession: Nicole Kidman. And now, he's in talks to co-star with 'god' herself, Julianne Moore. The film in question is Blindness from Fernando Meirelles based on the Nobel Prize winning book by José Saramago (hmmm, maybe Juli noticed that Children of Men didn't suck like most of her recent filmography and remembered she ought to work with great directors?) This book is sitting on my desk right now but I have to finish the other one I'm reading first)


If you hear that Craig is going to work with Michelle Pfeiffer after Julianne, you'll know with great confidence that he's sending me secret love messages. I'm not going to tell you what they say. It's private... it's between Daniel and me.

Pfeiffer Pflip Out

Please. You knew I wouldn't be able stop with just one post.

Extra welcomes Pfeiffer back. With video! I'm confused by what they call a three year break though. Other than voice work in Sinbad in 2003 we haven't seen her onscreen since White Oleander in 2002. I'm not great at math or anything but I have these daily chalk marks in the walls of my cell apartment and it's clearly five years I been waitin' to see her again.

Access Hollywood gets Pfeiffer to say "I'm hot!" and she's still going with the story that she hasn't been under the knife.

Pop Sugar has a poll on which actress is aging the most gracefully. On Pfeiffer: "Wait, is she aging?"

Current Countdown
I Could Never Be Your Woman opens in 91 days
Hairspray opens in 126 days
Stardust opens in 147 days
That's right. Each month of summer gets a new Michelle Pfeiffer movie.

The Heavens Have Parted...

...La Pfeiffer descended from the skies, blessing the Showest festivities in Vegas with her eternal radiance, blessing Hollywood with her incomparable beauty. She will soon bless the world entire with her return --or at least those people smart enough to go to all movies containing her.


Five years is a long time to go Pfeifferless people. It really is happening. Did I will this into being with my 54 months of vigilant supplications? Who's counting...I want no credit, the return is enough.

More beatific Pfeifferian visions await you @ D-Listed and Just Jared

tags: Michelle Pfeiffer

Friends of the Experience #5

One of my favorite geeky things about the behind-the-scenes efforts on the website is looking at maps of where readers are coming from. For todays friends of the experience, we're taking long flights to highlight Paul in Hawaii and two Aussie readers James and Stephen G who donated to the site & blog. Time is money and money is time -- I'm trying to write full time...

Paul sent me an enthusiastic note detailing his journey with The Film Experience (4 years!) He shares my enthusiasm for the work of Gong Li, Clive Owen, Juliette Lewis and Joan Allen in particular. I got a kick out of this particular bit...

Recently, I've revisited my adoration of Gong Li and have 'taught' my friends and family that we should bow down to her greatness and then sit back and watch in awe. (LOVE her in Raise the Red Lantern and To Live)

I 'teach' my friends all the time who they should love. I relate. In college my friends were even forced to watch weekly themed double features. We labelled it 'Cinema 260' with yours truly as the dictator/professor of the imaginary course. Oh the bossiness of me.

Over in Australia (you know it well: the land of perpetual movie star hatchings), James has been reading the site since the 2001 Oscar race. His favorite film is a tie between Woody Allen's Manhattan and Volker Schlondorff's The Tin Drum with his apologies going out to The Leopard, Eight and a Half, Bladerunner, Mulholland Drive, Rebecca...(he trails off. There's obviously more) In short: James has good taste. And I am humbled to tell you that he lists this site as one of his top three along with Jonathan Rosenbaum and another which he discusses...

The Film Experience has been a staple in my movie site diet. I must say we have a bit of a push and pull thing going on with matching our film tastes. I too loved Marie Antoinette, Brokeback Mountain & Before Sunset, but loathed Far From Heaven, Dancer in the Dark and Thirteen. But really, that's what makes reading a particular film critic interesting.
...I'm going to recommend my other favourite film site It's the site of the Australian version of Ebert and Roeper, I guess. They really know how to review a film, because a) like yourself, they aren't afraid to give something full marks or a failing grade (the worst type of critics are the ones who are perpetually stuck in 3 and a half star land) and b) also like yourself, they talk about a rich variety of art house and mainstream without unfairly biasing esoteric films or conforming to the majority opinion (their good review of Showgirls was notoriously famous here in Australia)

I'm happy to check them out. And I wholeheartedly agree with that 3 and a half star problem. How can every film be worthwhile? The "we love everything" school of film criticism always suggests to me: paycheck and corporate directives to be kind to the majority of releases. Not that there's anything wrong with being paid, mind you. But in a perfect world would critics really be paid by the same corporate parent that's distributing the movies?

Stephen is also a very generous soul from Australia. He discovered The Film Experience through Oscar Watch a site that I've had a long and happy friendship with. Stephen lost his Oscar virginity in 1986 (a race that was also impactful to me... the Kathleen Turner loss fixation, don'cha know) and has been into the Oscars ever since. His favorite films are ABBA: The Movie, This Sporting Life, Sunset Blvd., A Clockwork Orange, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Gods and Monsters, The Accidental Tourist, Brief Encounter and Children of Men. I think it's worth pointing out that none of his favorites won the Best Picture prize and most weren't even nominated. Isn't that the problem for Oscar obsessives: continual fascination and frustration. Stephen sent along several great suggestions for potential upcoming articles topics: I will definitely tackle a couple of them. I love getting recommendations as much as I love giving them. Stephen writes

You've turned me on to everything from Channing Tatum to Wong Kar-Wai to the Birth soundtrack. Even better, you've helped me appreciate things that my boyfriend of 14 years' standing loves, but I've never really gotten into (like Sweeney Todd, Tori Amos, comics). And we are both forever in your debt for getting us hooked on Project Runway.

As ever I'm glad to be of service. And I love demanding suggesting that my favorites become all of yours.

Questions
What other film writers do you respect and read? What actor or film would you like to "teach" the world to love?

I take mine light and sweet

But Clive & Jules ALWAYS forget the sugar. Look at them: They think it's my problem that they can't get the order right. Selfish bastards.

Hump Day Hottie: Natalie Portman

There's no clear acting leader yet in your entries for the psychotic psychic "Best Actress" Prediction Contest. Natalie Portman (aka Alice / Evey / Sam / Amidala / Marty / Mathilda) is neck and neck with just about all the other A-listers in the ballots I've received thus far.

...mmmm necks. Natalie's neck. Natalie necking --she's been linked to both Jake Gyllenhaal and Gael Garcia Bernal in the past. A pretty mental picture.

After mesmerizing in Closer and pulling heartstrings in Garden State, I've forgiven her for that hellaciously wooden stint as 'Princess Leia's Mom.' But she had already built up the goodwill. She first exploded cinematically as that deadly child in The Professional and was also super in Beautiful Girls. At 25 her face onscreen still packs a magical wallop. But ... I think the jury is out on her range as an actor -- or at least on her consistency. Do you?

She'll have ample opportunities to prove she's here to stay as an adult movie star (wait --that did not sound right) in three large roles this year. There's two costume dramas: In The Other Boleyn Girl she battles Scarlett Johansson for Eric Bana's heart (tough gig) and in Goya's Ghost she's caught between Javier Bardem and Stellan Skarsgaard. She manages a toyshop in Mr. Magoriums Wonder Emporium and to top off that quirky feat she might pop up in December again (release dates are so temperamental) in the new Wes Anderson film The Darjeeling Limited . 2007's slate looks likely to require more range than she's been asked to provide before. Will she deliver? I'll rephrase once for the fans... How spectacularly will she deliver?

I Linked All Night

ModFab's "stage addiction" is completely addictive itself. The cast of the upcoming Broadway musical Young Frankenstein is getting starrier.
BuzzSugar have decided to recast 80s teen flick Pretty in Pink w/ frightening results. They also share details on a new Tina Fey project - after Mean Girls I'm so ready for more Fey.
Gorgeous Pfeiffer has a bunch of new stills for I Could Never Be Your Woman which is --eeny meeny miny moe -- coming out when now?
Cyndi Lauper in concert, with a slew of gay favs. Can't wait. If you've never seen her in concert: do not miss.
Stale Popcorn celebrates Jamie Bell's 21st birthday as only Stale Popcorn can.

....and last but certainly not least. an e-bay auction to benefit "The Film Experience"! Isn't that sweet? This seriously weird collectible stuff comes courtesy of me blog buddy StinkyLulu. You'll know him as the "supporting actress smackdown" ringleader and that feature returns to his site (hopefully with me in tow again) in a month or so. You can vote on the next Oscar year to be debated over @ StinkyLulu.

Woody's Women (Ranked)

It's official: Scarlett Johansson will be making a third movie with Woody Allen (his Barcelona picture, set to film this summer). I've already seen three misleading entertainment reports circling that says she's his most frequent actress now after Diane Keaton & Mia Farrow. That's completely false so let's set the record straight before other outlets make the same mistake.

I'm counting only his feature films for this. The actresses who've logged the most time with the prolific writer/director are...

1. Mia Farrow -13 features. Remarkably (and horrifically) despite the plentiful acting nominations earned by Woody Allen films she's still never been nominated.
   
2. Diane Keaton -7 features including her Oscar win for Annie Hall
3. Julie Kavner -"Marge Simpson!" 6 features most memorably as his co-worker in Hannah and Her Sisters
   
4. Dianne Wiest -5 features including both her Oscar wins for Hannah and Her Sisters & Bullets Over Broadway (If you've ever wondered why actors are so obviously desperate to work with him, consider this: He's guided thespians to 14 nominations with 5 wins among them -one of the best records of all time.)
   
5. Louise Lasser -5 Films including Woody's first: What's Up Tiger Lily (1966) if you count voice work.
6. Judy Davis -4 Films including her Oscar nominated turn in Husbands and Wives
   
7. Blythe Danner, Julie Halston, Annie Joe Edwards and Camille Saviola -3 Films (character roles)
   
8. Scarlett Johansson -soon to be 3 Films. Even if you discount the actresses who never had prominent roles, Scarlett would still be in only 6th place.
   
9. A lot of actresses with 2 films including: Charlize Theron, Debra Messing, Lynn Cohen, Tracey Ullman, Mariel Hemingway, Julia Louis Dreyfuss, Joanna Gleeson, Anjelica Huston, Marian Seldes, Gretchen Mol, Tina Sloan, Erica Leerhsen and Loretta Tupper... possibly some others, too.

Who do you wish he would work with again? Or have you long since given up?

Tuesday Top Ten: Political Women

It's been just over 85 years since the Supreme Court declared the Nineteenth Amendment constitutional, thereby guaranteeing women's voting rights. It's important to remember progress like that in this day and age when so many people want to make laws limiting the rights of minorities. So when I want to commemorate something... naturally I list!

Top 10 Political Women

10 "Gudrun" in The Raspberry Reich (2004). In this hilariously raunchy Bruce LaBruce movie, she's a walking manifesto ordering her men around carelessly and spouting off endless "revolutionary" slogans.

09 The women of The Circle (2000). Every now and again my thoughts unexpectedly drift back to this group portrait of oppressed Iranian women so I thought I should include.

08 "Mrs. Winifred Banks" in Mary Poppins. I've always loved Glynis Johns (prev post). And while her indelible 1964 suffragette character 'Mrs. Banks' isn't as progressive as she thinks --constantly letting her man call all the shots-- she's still a bundle of goodhearted musical comedy fun.



"Well Done Sister Suffragette!"

07 "Tracey Turnblad" in Hairspray. I hope unknown actress Nicole Blonsky knows what she's doing in the upcoming feature film. This feisty integrationist role deservedly made Ricki Lake a star in 1988 --let's not go into what she did with the stardom-- and turned mega cheerful Marissa Jaret Winokur (who had previously won hearts in a teensy role on My So Called Life) into a Broadway sensation. Tracey Turnblad is a clean teen!

06 "Emma Goldman" in Reds (1981). I already miss Maureen Stapleton. Such a loveable enduring actress. She died a year ago today. RIP Maureen.

05 Susan Sarandon ...in general you know. And perpetually.

04 "President Laura Roslyn" in Battlestar Galactica. I haven't been thrilled with the third season of this ambitious series but Mary McDonnell is still a revelation, perfecting a long term character arc: where she once ably projected a dichotomous blend of nerves and forthright decision making, she has gradually stiffened the portrait. You don't see Laura's nerves so much anymore after a long stretch of leadership in crises but the humanity isn't a foregrounded either. Responsibility has changed her. She's almost frightening now in her steely cool.

03 "Mrs. Iselin" in The Manchurian Candidate. Arguably the cinematic pinnacle of the mother as monster. She plays her war hero son and her politican husband like a maestro.

02 "Norma Rae" in Norma Rae. When I was quite young, before I had any personal experiences with unions (before I knew that all systems were imperfect --even ones designed to protect people) I was pretty wowed by Sally Field's staunch determination and heroism. "UNION!"

01 "Tracey Flick" in Election. I love this movie. Still my favorite Alexander Payne film. You knew I would "Pick Flick!" didn't you? I'd be afraid otherwise. You just don't get in Reese Witherspoon's way when she's in pitbull mode. She will cut you.

Are You "Best Actress" Psychic?

NEW CONTEST

I've been teasing this but it's time to get it underway. This is the longest Oscar contest evah... and it's only recommended for boys and girls who like truly luuuurve their movie actresses. You'll pick five female performances to predict for next year's Oscars. You'll experience the thrill of victory and defeat as your stars fall and rise throughout the next 10 months and your point totals escalate... or don't. Best Actress related prizes (tba) go out to the winner and runner-up in January when the contest ends.

Predicting Oscar nominations this far in advance is not easy. The best I've ever done a year out in this category is naming 2 of 5 women. Last year I would've tied that record with Kate Winslet (Little Children) & Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada) but I had Streep incorrectly reigning o'er the supporting actress category. Can you name 2 lead nominees so many months in advance? 3?

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER

...how the points work (there's more than just the Oscar nominations --this is closer to a contest about the race to those) and the details of 50+ women who might show up in the movie theaters in what might be the lead roles which might find favor with awards bodies. So many unknowable variables. So much obsessiveness...

* You've got one week to enter so if you have any questions after reading the instructions, ask in the comments. Do not list your predictions in the comments. That's NOT how you enter the contest. Here's how

Daniel Craig @ Shortbus

Daniel overdresses for his first trip to Shortbus. I'm guessing Justin Bond still lets him in.

The Must Sees
Shortbus, one of 2006's very best films, hits DVD today. If you're old enough (it's unrated) and it skipped your city, now's your chance. Also arriving today is the smash relaunch of the James Bond series with Casino Royale. So you've got a choice: Daniel Craig in a speedo or several adorable unknowns in birthday suits. You've probably seen the Bond flick already so discover those soulful sexual New Yorkers in John Cameron Mitchell's feisty follow-up to Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Or watch the two new releases back to back and maybe you can create some lucid fake memories of Daniel Craig in Shortbus inspired compromising positions.

Does Daniel know the lyrics to the "Star Spangled Banner"? Perhaps he'll just improvise.

New Oscarables on DVD
Bond was ignored (AMPAS is rarely shaken or stirred by Bond) so the only Oscar nominee related DVD release this week is a special edition of Ghost, the tearjerker blockbuster from 1990. Do I remember that single tear falling from Demi Moore's eye because it was a bonafide great movie moment or because the image has been replayed millions of times in movie montages?

Fast Girls
That Diaz & Law / Winslet & Black Christmas romcom The Holiday is already out on DVD, too. It took 3 months and one week. Anyone know what the record is?

After a hard day chasing international criminals, Daniel needs a take-charge woman

Friends of the Experience #4

It's a cross country style line-up today with Midwest, East, South, and West all represented. My thanks going out to Jennifer in Chicago, Vince in LA, Steven in Texas, Travis in Vermont, and Paul in Ohio for their kind words and donations to the site's March fundraiser.

Jennifer is an avid knitter --you can see her creations at her own blog. Like many die hard moviegoers she got hooked on less conventional fare while in college. She writes:

One of the most pivotal moviegoing experiences for me was seeing The Cook The Thief His Wife and Her Lover which so beautifully joined an artistic sensibility with a poetic and dark story. Saw it three times in the first week of its release. While I love a good realistic drama, what really excites me most about movies is those where I see something extraordinary that I couldn't see in any other medium, where I can immerse myself in the story while at the same time marvelling at the storyteller's art.

Well said Jennifer. I've only seen Peter Greenaway's controversial arthouse hit once and the thing I remember most about it was the color shifts. Oh, and Helen Mirren --she's been a queen (of cinema) for a long time actually. I should program myself a whole Greenaway festival because I even like the one no one else does ... 8 ½ Women.

Vince is a longtime reader and he requires rewatchability in his favorite film

It's about serial killers, so I don't know what that says about me, but I still love it. It's a film that achieved a perfect balance of dramatic earnestness and high camp, in my opinion, which is rarely seen, and went on to a surprise win of Best Picture ... The Silence of the Lambs.

Most of my favorite films came from the mid-80's to early 90's, which coincided with my pre-teens and teens, though. I'm still waiting for a new release to come along and sweep me away.

Isn't that just the sad plight of we movie obsessives: always waiting in the dark to be swept into a new world? More often than not our feet stay firmly planted on the ground but it's completely worth it for the possibility.
Steven was quick to contribute but slow to name one favorite on account of: too much pressure. I hear him loud and clear... (I actually hate the question, too. I have hundreds) Steven elaborates

I have different favorites for different moods. The Color Purple when I need to cry, Contact when I need to think, The Princess Bride when I want to feel loved, Clue when I need to laugh and Pee-Wee's Big Adventure when I need mindless entertainment.

He also tells me that he started reading TFE due to the Oscar coverage but now reads year round. Which is exactly what I like to hear. Sure, the site and blog are more singleminded during awards seasons but movies are 24-7 and loving them should be too.
Travis discovered the film experience through Joe Reid who some readers will know as a frequent guest blogger here, whose work can also be found at television without pity. Travis' favorite:

Dr. Strangelove -- the poster to which is hanging in my office. I show parts of the film to my students every semester, and not only is it of educational value, but I STILL laugh at the War Room scenes even though I've seen them at least a dozen
times.

Ack. another film I need to see again. The War Room scene is the only one I remember! I saw the film way back in high school.

Finally, there's Paul who also has his own blog Opal Films --he's currently trying to work through a top 100 style list. Good luck! He also contributes to the nifty Screengrab and passes along a note to which I relate more than I'd like to

My favorite movie is Belle de Jour, which is a film that I'm so close to and so kinda intimidated by that I'm hestitant to write much about it. That's odd, I think, since I have no trouble writing on and on about other movies I love, particularly 8 Women.

I have the same problem. I'm trying to beat it down by forcing myself to write more positive reviews: hence the personal canon project. But it is harder to write about the transcendant than it is to write about the problematic. And FWIW: Belle de Jour is incredible. If any of you reading haven't seen it --Up to the top of your rental queue immediately. Submit!

What About You, Commenters?
Have you ever seen the same movie three times in one week?
Does your favorite movie depend on your mood. Or is it unchanging?
Are you waiting for a new release to sweep you away?

We Love You Long Time

It's hardly time for a link roundup but I felt the need to point you towards two celebrations I'm putting my party hat on for by proxy. Cutie Brit Michael Parsons has an "I Love Madonna" multi-part celebration going on. He's reached 'best videos'. Madonna = Music Videos don'cha know, so they're great.

Meanwhile, an equally formidable (albeit fictional) blonde Buffy Summers is also receiving weblove. Frequent Oscar surveyor Eddie Copeland as well as my friend JA and Brendan Leonard over at CHUD celebrate Buffy the Vampire Slayer's 10th Anniversary on television. I've sung Buffy's praises so often I'll let other people do the work this time.

Monday Monologue: "Maya"

Sideways deservedly revived Hollywood's interest in Virginia Madsen. She was warm and moving and real as "Maya" even with very "written" if still exquisite speeches like the second half of the film's double courtship monologue between herself and Paul Giamatti

I like to think about the life of wine, how it's a living thing.

I like to think about what was going on the year the grapes were growing, how the sun was shining that summer or it it rained... what the weather was like. I think about all the people who tended and picked the grapes, and if it's an old wine, how many of them must be dead by now. I love how wine continues to evolve, how every time I open a bottle it's going to taste different than if I had opened it on any other day. Because a bottle of wine is actually alive --it's constantly evolving and gaining complexity. That is, until it peaks --like your '61 --and it begins its steady, inevitable decline.

And it tastes so fucking good.

...don't think that performance didn't help Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor win their Oscar for Best Screenplay!

Now can someone please give Ginny something more than a "girlfriend / wife of" role soon. Firewall, The Astronaut Farmer, Number 23 ...? surely someone in Hollywood can think of a better use for her gorgeously aged radiance.

Action: Iron Man Underway

Intended 2008 blockbuster Iron Man supposedly begins filming today. He has never been one of my favorite characters but then, neither was Spider-Man and those movies have proven themselves the gold standard of superhero films. I'm crossing my fingers.

Still, Marvel's recent trending towards the shotgun approach to movie-making (i.e. just point and shoot, the bullets will hit something) makes me wary. So, too does the casting of Gwyneth Paltrow as "Pepper Potts." I have nothing against Gwynnie ...nor nothing for her come to think of it. She's one of those actors that I am completely middle ground on. I can go either way with each new appearance. But didn't the casting directors see Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow? That's as close as the Oscar winner has gotten to a comic book film and she was dreadful in it.

Different genres challenge actors in different ways and not everyone slides easily into each. Even the great Meryl Streep claims a genre she doesn't understand how to act in (ftr: the pscyhological thriller which she tried only once: Still of the Night, 1982).


The heightened boldly colored performances that superhero films thrive on, performances rooted in reality but with a touch of the fanciful, have brought out wonderful things in actors as diverse as Tobey Maguire, Christian Bale, Angelina Jolie and Michelle Pfeiffer (the latter's take on Catwoman remains the absolute pinnacle of this brand of performance). But there are plenty of actors (Halle Berry, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner among them) who just don't have the right chops or imagination for it, even though they're good in other things. So, I worry... If she flops though, Robert Downey Jr (as Tony Stark / Iron Man), Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges (the other members of this films pricey cast) will hopefully be overcompensating to cover for her.

Links

I'm Not There, Todd Haynes' upcoming multi-actor Bob Dylan pic already has a fan site with activity and high hopes. Check it out.
popbytes on the new GAP ad starring Claire Danes and Patrick Wilson. The clothes may bore but the commerical is cute.
Gallery of the Absurd -"The Angelina Jolie Hands-Free Child Carrier"
The Gilded Moose is clearing enjoying the Sanjaya phenomenon on AI.
Windmills of my Mind poster pet peeves "misplaced names" hee
Movie Blog Venom pics. I love behind the scenes stuff like this...

There's also a musical heavy new podcast up. We all had Oscar hangovers so we don't talk as much. This one's for showtune lovers only! You know who you are. It's a 'favorite 12 musicals' with four selections each from myself, Gabriel and Ashley.

Does This Mean We Can Look Forward to More Dude-ity?

The hypocritical parent: "Son, put some clothes on! Who taught you to walk around naked?"

So the internet is abuzz with 300's outstanding box office take after many thinkpieces on whether or not the homoerotic heaps of male flesh would turn potential ticket buyers away. Guess not. Does this mean Hollywood will get less afraid of naked men? Who knows...

I prefer excessive nudity to excessive violence but I'm obviously in the minority. The success here will definitely encourage Hollywood's bloodlust rather than the other kind. I'm sure someone's done research somewhere but doesn't it seem like there's far less nudity in mainstream movies today (male or female) than there was in the 80s and 90s? (And no, foreign films and Shortbus don't count in this debate. Those are Off Hollywood situations)

Say What? Penelope

I asked you to give this still of Christina Ricci in the upcoming Penelope dialogue or a caption. Two winners: The Snow Leopard -- "phone in" hee and I also got a good chuckle out of Jeanette's funny AI joke. So that's whose behind the phone calls.


Putting this joke up here outs me as a frequent American Idol watcher. I hate it... and yet... and yet... and yet I watch. What is wrong with me?

P.S. Sanjaya is not that bad. At least he can stay in tune. Which is more than can be said for many AI participants.