Ok, so I've been away in South America for a while, and now I'm back and readjusted after my business trip. And yes, it was a blast.
But, on to the real reason for this post: TV. HBO has given us such great series as The Sopranos, Carnivale, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and now they have given us Unscripted. This semi-reality based series follows the lives of struggling actors. The interesting thing is, some pretty big names are involved. First off, George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh are the producers, Krista Allen and Frank Langella star, with dozens of cameos by Meryll Streep, Brad Pitt, Uma Thurman and many others. While it's fascinating to see this side of Hollywood, the character development of the struggling actors is outstanding. You go through the cliched rollercoaster ride with them on auditions, in acting class, through the maelstrom of relationships, and you really get connected.
If you haven't watched this show, then you should start. It airs every Sunday night at 10:00. If you are lucky and have 'On-Demand' you can watch the entire season so far.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Review of Hotel Rwanda
On Monday night I went to see Hotel Rwanda starring Don Cheadle, who has been one of my favorite actors for quite some time now. I first remember him as DC John Littleton on Picket Fences that quirky TV show with Tom Skerrit as the sheriff.
See this movie. It is incredible in every aspect. Cheadle's performance as hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina is brilliant, as are the performances of the supporting cast. The movie follows Rusesabagina as a suave hotel manager who meets with high-ranking military and government officials at his resort, as well as rich Europeans who come to vacation. However, the country is in turmoil as the Hutu tribe, now in power, is beginning to rev up their goal of genocide against the Tutsi tribe. Rusesabagina is Hutu, and his wife, Tatiana (played by Sophie Okonedo) is Tutsi. As the movie progresses, we see Rusesabagina's evolution from a simple man who just wants to keep his family together and alive, forced into housing more than a thousand Tutsi and Hutu refugees at his five-star resort. He struggles to maintain the integrity of the hotel out of loyalty to his employers, at the same time he fights, the best way he knows how, to keep the refugees alive.
So what makes Cheadle's performance so good? It's subtle, yet powerful. Simple, yet complex. When playing a part based on a real person, there is not a whole lot of room for artistic improvisation. Cheadle plays his part so well, he carries the audience with him on the rising flow of emotion, frustration, fear and anger that Rusesabagina was feeling. Yet, Cheadle never over-acts. His slight facial features, and his presentation of restrain are bold and striking.
In one particular scene, when all the foreign nationals who are visiting are escorted out by foreign military, Rusesabagina finds out that no one will be staying behind to protect them. As the rain pounds Rusesabagina, drenching his impecable suit, Cheadle's expression is priceless, and communicates more than any shouting, crying or cussing could ever do. And it is one of the most memorable scenes from a movie that I have seen in a very long time.
On a scale of one to five stars, I give it five. Director Terry George does a fantastic job of telling the story, not focusing on the blood and guts of the violence. George lets the audience connect with the characters and feel their horror. There are a few scenes where we see hundreds of bodies strewn across dirt roads. And one scene where we see machetes hacking down on innocent women and children, but no blood or cutting is scene, it is implied, which makes the disgust in our stomachs that much more profound.
Go see it, and tell a friend. This movie deserves a lot more attention than it is getting.
See this movie. It is incredible in every aspect. Cheadle's performance as hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina is brilliant, as are the performances of the supporting cast. The movie follows Rusesabagina as a suave hotel manager who meets with high-ranking military and government officials at his resort, as well as rich Europeans who come to vacation. However, the country is in turmoil as the Hutu tribe, now in power, is beginning to rev up their goal of genocide against the Tutsi tribe. Rusesabagina is Hutu, and his wife, Tatiana (played by Sophie Okonedo) is Tutsi. As the movie progresses, we see Rusesabagina's evolution from a simple man who just wants to keep his family together and alive, forced into housing more than a thousand Tutsi and Hutu refugees at his five-star resort. He struggles to maintain the integrity of the hotel out of loyalty to his employers, at the same time he fights, the best way he knows how, to keep the refugees alive.
So what makes Cheadle's performance so good? It's subtle, yet powerful. Simple, yet complex. When playing a part based on a real person, there is not a whole lot of room for artistic improvisation. Cheadle plays his part so well, he carries the audience with him on the rising flow of emotion, frustration, fear and anger that Rusesabagina was feeling. Yet, Cheadle never over-acts. His slight facial features, and his presentation of restrain are bold and striking.
In one particular scene, when all the foreign nationals who are visiting are escorted out by foreign military, Rusesabagina finds out that no one will be staying behind to protect them. As the rain pounds Rusesabagina, drenching his impecable suit, Cheadle's expression is priceless, and communicates more than any shouting, crying or cussing could ever do. And it is one of the most memorable scenes from a movie that I have seen in a very long time.
On a scale of one to five stars, I give it five. Director Terry George does a fantastic job of telling the story, not focusing on the blood and guts of the violence. George lets the audience connect with the characters and feel their horror. There are a few scenes where we see hundreds of bodies strewn across dirt roads. And one scene where we see machetes hacking down on innocent women and children, but no blood or cutting is scene, it is implied, which makes the disgust in our stomachs that much more profound.
Go see it, and tell a friend. This movie deserves a lot more attention than it is getting.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Donovan, the Scaredy Cat
First, let me say that I did enjoy this year's Super Bowl. It was wrought with tough competition, impecable game plans, superb athletes and of course, no wardrobe malfunctions.
I was unfortunately a little wiped out after my weekend trip up to Atlantic City, where Texas Hold 'Em, booze, dueling pianos, and Rachel, our bartender, kept us up all night. I got back just in time to make my famous chili for our little party, and then our festivities began.
The first quarter was very much a battle of defense as the score at the end of the quarter showed - 0 to 0. However, as the game wore on, what was most noticeable was the lack of confidence displayed in Donovan McNabb's play. It wasn't just a lack of confidence, it looked like Donovan was about to wet the bed. His feet never got settled the entire game. His hips were never underneath him when he threw the ball, thus his wounded ducks turned pickles that were very costly.
Donovan is a great playmaker, but will never be a great quarterback until he isn't THE playmaker. Tom Brady knows how to rally his playmakers and lead them. That is why he now has three rings. Well, having a sick defense and Bill Belichick can't hurt either. But, the kid is good. Now, I would say he is great. Donovan, well, he's a helluva athlete, but is still lacking in the QB department.
Better luck next year, Eagles.
I was unfortunately a little wiped out after my weekend trip up to Atlantic City, where Texas Hold 'Em, booze, dueling pianos, and Rachel, our bartender, kept us up all night. I got back just in time to make my famous chili for our little party, and then our festivities began.
The first quarter was very much a battle of defense as the score at the end of the quarter showed - 0 to 0. However, as the game wore on, what was most noticeable was the lack of confidence displayed in Donovan McNabb's play. It wasn't just a lack of confidence, it looked like Donovan was about to wet the bed. His feet never got settled the entire game. His hips were never underneath him when he threw the ball, thus his wounded ducks turned pickles that were very costly.
Donovan is a great playmaker, but will never be a great quarterback until he isn't THE playmaker. Tom Brady knows how to rally his playmakers and lead them. That is why he now has three rings. Well, having a sick defense and Bill Belichick can't hurt either. But, the kid is good. Now, I would say he is great. Donovan, well, he's a helluva athlete, but is still lacking in the QB department.
Better luck next year, Eagles.
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