Is it just me or is anyone else hooked on season 2 of the Newsroom. Wow. I consider myself to be pretty well versed in television and media and the Newsroom is really one of a kind. When comparing premium television networks HBO and Showtime I have always been partial Showtime. With television shows like Weeds, Dexter, The L Word and Homeland it's hard to take anything away from the programming on Showtime. But at the same HBO has had several successes as well with Sopranos, True Blood and Game of Thrones. When looking closer at the premium television and even network and cable stations it's clear that television is making waves.
As most of you have probably noticed I also am a big fan of film and going to the movies, but I have not bee excited at all about the offers on the big screen this year. Hopefully the Fall and Winter will bring in some Oscar worthy films, but right now in time I'd have to say that television is much more entertaining that film. With several A list actors choosing starring roles on the small screen television shows are becoming as dynamic and engaging as some of the best movies. This is really exciting news for those of us that enjoy a good television series. My suggestion for anyone looking for a television series to love is the Newsroom. Although in their 2nd season you can easily get caught with, Netflix, On demand and other sources.
What other television shows do you think are "must see TV"? Do you agree that big screen is lagging behind some of the top television shows?
For the opening clip of the pilot episode of the Newsroom check out the video below.
For January my "pick flick" of the weak is Beasts of the Southern Wild. Have you heard of it? Have you seen it? This is a story about the life and struggle of a family and community during after a hard hitting storm in the Louisiana bayou. I was skeptical of this film at first and knew nothing about it before I watched, but was pleasantly surprised very quickly. From the beginning of the film the viewer immediately falls for young Hushpuppy. She is tough, quick thinking and resilient regardless of the difficult living and family situation placed upon her. You are introduced to an unique Louisiana community that many of us are unaware of or quickly forgot after the images of Hurricane Katrina victims left our screens. These individuals are proud of who they are and where they're from and this film tells a great story of just that. Accepting who you are and where you're from and truly reveling in that. Some may see this film and think these characters are small minded and make poor decisions, but I see a community that truly cares for one another and although they may not always make the best decisions or know what move to make next they are living, enjoying life and loving those around them deeply.
Quvenzhané Wallis
Beasts of the Southern Wild received some Academy of Award nominations. One for best film and another for best actress with 9 year old star Quvenzhané Wallis. Wallis is the youngest actor to ever be nominated for an Academy Award. You will fall in love with this young star from the moment she takes the stage and will be rooting for her throughout the film.
Beasts of the Southern Wild is already available for your renting pleasure so go ahead and grab it when you have a free night and let me know what you think. As a big fan of film I suggest seeing all of the films nominated for Oscars.
So if you know me at all you know that I love to see a good film especially in theatre. The most recent film I've seen is going to be what I'll call my Flick Pick of the week. Not sure if I will continue to make these "flick picks" but to kick it off for this Thanksgiving holiday weekend is Silver Lining Playbook.
Directed by David O. Russell, staring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Dinero. With special guest stars Chris Tucker and Julia Stiles. To give you a quick idea of this film, Cooper is released from a mental health facility into the care of his parents and is attempting to correct certain things with himself and get his life back.
This film is captivating, very funny, and may even inspire a few to get their lives back on track. I was also very impressed by the performance of both Lawrence and Cooper, but especially Bradley Cooper whom I thought couldn't deliver this sort of range in a film. There are some parts of this film where Cooper has you really thinking that he should still be held in that mental health facility. Rumors are already spreading that Jennifer Lawrence may be a Best Actress Oscar nominee.
Only time will tell how this film does in the box office or throughout award season, but it is definitely worth seeing and I would say one of the top 5 films I've seen this year.
The 26th Annual Washington, DC International Film festival in DC this year will be held April 12-22nd. The festival brings inspiring, thought-provoking films to help people around the world better understand how the other half lives. What is so exciting about this festival is the representation of all of the various cultures and how people travel to attend the festival just to watch the films of their country. Below is a list of featured items for the film festival.
The Lighter Side - A series of international comedies. Politics isn't the only funny thing in Washington.
Caribbean Journeys - New films from Jamaica, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, the Dominican Republic and more.
Justice Matters - A series exploring issues of social justice.
This is a great opportunity to see some great film and experience different cultures at the same time. I will be volunteering at the festival so if you come to the Regal theatre in Chinatown you may even see me there. Below is the website where you can find additional information on the films and also how to purchase tickets. If you find a film that you really want to see be sure to get your tickets early.
With this being the season of award shows in film I find it fitting to bring up a topic that is being discussed today and continues to be a topic of discussion, persons of color in film. Recently in an interview with John Stewart, George Lucas discussed his upcoming film Red Tails and the lack of interest productions company had in producing the film. Lucas stated that the reason Red Tails did not received studio support and took so many years to make is because of the lack of lead white actors in the film
Today some feel racism is far behind us, but i fact we it is still very much alive and well. Red Tails is not a film for just black Americans. This is the story of the Tuskegee airman and how their patriotism saved the United States during World War II. A film with a story of this importance would normally be fought over by studios to produce and would become the "must see" movie of the year with a white actor as the lead.
I haven't seen Red Tails for myself and I have so far only heard poor reviews, but regardless prior to the film being made the dominant studios did not want to touch it. Check out the George Lucas interview here and let me know what you think.
According to Dictionary.com, circumstance is a fact or condition connected with or relevant to an event or action, an event or fact that causes or helps to cause something to happen, typically something undesirable. What happens when you are born or placed in a particular situation that you view as undesirable. What would you do if you longed for freedom and individuality, but were forced to hide your passion, love, and true character, behind an exterior of innocence and obedience. How would you react?
The 2011 film Circumstance, directed by Persian-American Maryam Keshavarz, is a story of two young Tehranian women struggling against the social norms forced upon them by Iranian culture. This film follows these young women as they love and live within the constraints placed upon them. One of the lead women comes from a very wealthy family and this wealth allows her the opportunity to participate in underground parties and experiment with "party drugs" while her counterpart is orphaned and cannot buy her freedom as easy. "What you see in Circumstance is the calm before the store. You see the kind of feelings that were swirling around and how tired people were. What you don't realize is that 75% of Iran's population is under the age of 35. Many feel they have no future. It's like a ticking time bomb." -Nikohl Boosheri, lead actress in Circumstance.
What is so fascinating about this film are the relationships and adventures between the two lead women and the exterior masks they wear to cover their true desires. It is interesting to see this culture illustrated within the many rules and roles women in Iran are forced to live by with the submission to their fathers and husbands. This film is set in modern Iran prior to the revolution and the wealthy family of this film is more liberal than their Iranian culture which places a burden on the patriarch and how he treats his family.
Circumstance has subtitles, but if you enjoy a good story and dynamic characters you will forget all about the subtitles and be completely enriched by the film. Here is a trailer and then go rent this movie and enjoy!
If you are looking for agreat environment to enjoy film screenings, premieres, or revived classics then Landmark Theater's E Street Cinema is perfect for you. With their espresso bar, gourmet chocolate, and stadium seating, E Street Cinema caters to individuals with a taste for quality. If you are like myself and enjoy seeing movies regularly you should also take advantage of the opportunities offered by Landmark's film club and be the first to see new indie flicks at a free film screening and receive weekly updates on new premieres.
Some of the movies you can check out now are Tree of Life,Midnight in Paris and my personal favorite Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest. Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest is a Michael Rapoport film, documenting the inner workings and dealings behind one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time, a Tribe Called Quest. Even if you're not a hip hop fan you will enjoy this excellent piece capturing the true story and inspiration behind these hip hop pioneers.
Every time I visit E Street Cinema I am greeted with a courteous staff and a well kept environment. My favorite aspect of E street Cinema is the ability to watch indie films that you can't see many other places in the area. This gives smaller produced films the opportunity to expand their viewership. When grading a film it is about the quality of the film rather than how much is spent to produce it and E Street Cinema exemplifies quality over quantity.
Check out the trailer for Midnight in Paris I think I will going to see this next.
