New York Times Film Club

Big Stone Gap

9/24/15

I went to a see "Big Stone Gap," the other night and there was a  Q & A afterward with all the actors, and then some, shown below.

"Big Stone Gap" is a movie written and directed by Adriana Trigiani. "Big Stone Gap," happens to be the place in the Appalachian Mountains Adriana is from.

What I learned at the Q & A is that Ashley Judd is from the same area with the same sort of background as the character she brilliantly portrays in the beautifully shot film.

Here's a fun thing Adriana talked about: She said when trying to find something to focus on about the town, she thought of the one big event that had happened there. That event was when Elizabeth Taylor, married to John Warner, came to town and choked on a chicken bone. I remember John Belushi, on SNL, mimicking that characterization. 

Jenna Elfman was wonderful in the movie and said she stayed at the Comfort Inn because that is where her boys wanted to stay.

Whoopi was a fabulous addition to the movie. I want Whoopi in my movie and am going to rewrite a part to fit her. She sat behind me once at a secret screening of "Lincoln." And, since we both work at ABC, I have a way to get the script to her..... Here's hoping...

Here's my synchronicity for this event:  I just went to a Chinese Face Reading Class after reading the book. The class was taught by the author and I am loving this stuff. Jenna Elfman's character gives Ashley Judd's character a book on Chinese Face Reading. Random.

Check this movie out. The scenery is beautiful and the story sweet with great characters.

Okay, that's it for now. I have to write which is why I haven't blogged. Been busy with scripts, but marketing is now a part of the process so I'm back and there are many, many, many wonderful events I am going to in the next couple of weeks. So stay tuned.....

Gala Tribute to Cate Blanchett at NYFF51 and Bill Nighy

This week has been a grand week at Lincoln Center with the NYFF51 in full swing.

I met Bill Nighy and that was a huge thrill. Richard Curtis, one of my favorite directors was there along with Domhnall Gleeson. Sorry I didn't take pictures. Bill Nighy and Domhnall Gleeson, along with Rachel McAdams are in Richard Curtis' new film, 'About Time.' This was a movie that was just about the best feel good movie of all time. I loved every single moment of it. Don't miss it. Awesome!

The next night was the tribute to Cate Blanchett who was beautiful and funny. There was a showing of 'Blue Jasmine' after the interview and montage of Cate films. I've seen 'Blue Jasmine' twice already. She is tremendous in it and of course it's excellent. It's a Woody Allen movie. Woody even had some screen time where he told Cate how great it had been working with her and that he hoped to do it again. She was touched by his comments and asked the interviewer, "How'd you get him to do that?"

Enjoy the pictures.....

Also, saw a screening of 'Galaxy.'  Tremendous. Oscar stuff!

 

'Red 2'

I went to a screening of 'Red 2' last night. Awesome! I didn't know there was a 'Red 1.' But with the posters on every bus stop around the city, I knew I wanted to see this one. It didn't matter that I had not seen the first one. This one was so fantastic. Helen Mirren is such a bad ass. I love that lady. Mary Louise Parker, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Anthony Hopkins, all magnificent. The dialogue is great and the pacing is perfect. Never a dull moment. Fresh, entertaining and great fun...... Go go go.....

Savion Glover at The Joyce and "World War Z" not to mention "Man of Steel" and "This is the End"

Hi. Looks like the summer is warming up in more ways than one. Movies. Movies. Movies. And if you're in the area of NYC and love dance, don't miss Savion Glover at The Joyce Theater. "STePz" is the clever, fun name of the show. I've seen Savion six times now and have loved each show. I have to say, it just keeps getting better and I don't know how when I always think it's one of the best things I've ever seen.

Before I get on to the movies, I want to mention "Newsies" on Broadway. I've seen a lot of Broadway and "Newsies" is now in my top five of all time. I think it is number 2 after "Jerusalem" with Mark Rylance. The dancing, the singing, the actors, the story, all incredible.

Two reasons to visit NYC. Savion and "Newsies."

I liked both "World War Z" and "Man of Steel." I didn't love them like I loved "Iron Man 3," but I enjoyed them. "This is The End" was funny and another one I love, James Franco. He's awesome in it.

The Zombies were pretty cool in "World War Z." There are a lot, a lot of them. Brad is always nice to watch. It has some nail biting moments. I would have liked a little more.

The new Superman , Henry Cavill, is very cute. He did a wonderful job and Russell Crowe was perfect. There's a new lego of Jor-El which Russell tweeted he was excited about because his two sons love legos so much. I didn't care a whole lot for so many scenes of the spaceship that looked like a giant roach. Amy Adams and Diane Lane were good too.

Coming up...."The Lone Ranger".....cannot wait!!!! 

 

Where have I been?

Does anyone find moving to be a fun thing? If so, please share why. I would like to hear the positive side of the experience.

I have plenty of stories to share, people I've seen, read, heard, enjoyed, etc, but I have been preoccupied in the midst of maintaining the fun events with the not so fun packing, searching for a new home and working on a comic book, trying to write my screenplay, and going to work. The only part of the above I didn't like, packing, searching for an apartment, and moving.

The good news is, it is done. I am happy. Better than happy and ready to share some fun experiences.

One thing going on here in NYC, right now that you probably won't want to miss is "Macbeth" with Alan Cummings on Broadway. I plan on seeing that one. Can't wait, but going back to where I left off.....which was heading into mid February...I did see Alan Cummings at the IFC after a showing of the film, "Waiting for Guffman." That was a super treat because I've seen every Christopher Guest movie except that one. I loved it and loved the interview after....

Here's some pics from that one:

 

 

 

Next up came James Toback. The movie James spoke about in the Q & A was: "FACES."  It is a John Cassavettes film from 1968. I had never

seen that one either and enjoyed it a lot. There was much to be learned

during that discussion. And I'm a fan of James Toback's movies. I have

always loved "Two Girls and a Guy" a lot. Robert Downey Jr. is in that one. Think I'll watch it again later....That's right after I watch "Tap" with Savion Glover...eager to watch again because I saw Savion last night and am always, always, mesmerized by his performances...talk about being in your bliss...there's a reason he's known as the "best tap dancer in the world." I had tap classes for 35 years and really appreciate the gift he gives every time he dances.....cha cha cha

 

 

I know it's dark. The flash didn't work. But this gentleman was John Cassavettes cameraman for 30 plus years and very awesome. Better

picture of him above this one.

 

And then it was time to go watch the Oscars with the family. We had a magnificent time and were very happy with the winners.......................I'll be back tomorrow to do some more catch up until I'm back up to real time.....

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Last night in the Blizzard, 'Warm Bodies' and today post blizzard 'The Heiress'

Yesterday, as the day progressed, the big news was THE BLIZZARD. Is that any reason to not go to a Friday night movie, I ask? Not for me. Unless, I thought, they close the movie theater. Lucky for me that I was released from work early due to the storm and the 4:45 movie was playing. Not to many, but a few. When it ended the concession stand was dark and the popcorn gone. But I saw 'Warm Bodies.' An apt title for a very cold, white night. I didn't realize that cute boy, Nicholas Hoult, was the boy from 'About a Boy,' one of my favorite movies of all time. But it is. He has better hair now. Even when he's a zombie.

The movie is fun. I liked it a lot. Go see it!!!!

Today, just by superior luck, we got last minute tickets, 6th row, to 'The Heiress.' I really, really wanted to see it and it closes tonight. I loved it. Jessica Chastain, Dan Steven, David Strathairn are all fantastic. I saw 'Zero Dark Thirty' the Friday night before. Jessica was marvelous in it. And, I've been tuned into 'Downton Abbey' for the past 23 nights on Amazon Prime so to see Dan Stevens was very exciting too. I took a terrible picture of myself with Dan so I can't share that one, but he and Jessica were so very nice and posed for pics.

'The Dude and the Zen Master' and 'The Big Lebowski' coming up and 'Glengarry Glen Ross'

 Things are looking up. I can post pictures again. I've been reading 'The Dude and the Zen Master' by Jeff Bridges and Barry Glassman.  Tonight even. And, as often happens when you pick up a book and begin to read, something that is troubling you, is answered. Jeff and Barry did a signing of this book at Barnes and Noble and I was all set to go, but then... something happened. I was disappointed because Jeff is a favorite and Barry is all Zen, but I went to see Bebe Neuwirth that night instead. The play Bebe was in was excellent so I didn't feel terribly disappointed since I have met Jeff before and he was fantastic. It's in an earlier post.

   Tonight, I had plans go awry again and was a bit disappointed and decided to just read. I picked up the book where I had left off, and the first message I come across is "treat others and you want to be treated." Like The Dude, I'm a peaceful person, but stuff happens. People are cruel, selfish, thoughtless, real shitheads. Thank you for identifying with me right when I needed it, Dude!!!  :) 

 When I last met Jeff he signed a DVD he had released and a copy of 'The Big Lebowski.' I'm going to watch it again and since reading the book, it will be extra awesome.

 Last weekend I made it to 'Glengarry Glen Ross' on Broadway, the David Mamet play, starring Al Pacino, John C. McGinley and Richard Schiff. Dynamic. Great performances and Al Pacino was great to everyone after the show, signing playbills and posing as were John and Richard.

 

  

Two Broadway Shows and three movies this week. Hi ho! First 'Django Unchained'

I finally saw 'Django Unchained' last night. So worth the wait. My favorite Tarantino movie to date. I am a huge fan of 'Djanogo' anyway and have the DVD's from Franco Nero's 'Django' days. I was so
happy to see him in it. For those of you who don't know, Franco Nero (married to Vanessa Redgrave), an Italian actor who is in 'Camelot' (one of the best movies ever) with Vanessa and the the awesome Richard Harris, is in a scene in 'Django Unchained.' When Jamie Foxx (the title character in this version) meets him, he tells him his name and says "the D is silent." The response from Nero, "I know," takes a swig of his drink and leaves. Tarantino at his best!!! Kerry Washington is great in it and Christoph Waltz, superb!!! As is Jamie Foxx. The scene with Leonardo's sister at the end (not giving it away), gave me uncontrollable giggles. Leonardo, always great, plays creepy well and I would much rather see him be the good guy.

The off-Broadway show 'A Golden Age,' is wonderful. Bebe Neuwirth is in it and I have always loved Bebe. Ethan Phillips is also in it. I just saw him in 'Bad Santa,' a movie we watched for Christmas. Love that one. The play is tremendous. It is about four opera singers and the composer.

The other Broadway show this week was 'Picnic.' There are many people in that. I met Natasha McElhone waiting for the elevator. I told her I love her in 'Californication,' and she thanked me with her glorious British accent. She said she was there because two people from 'Californication' were in it: Madeleine Martin (who plays their daughter in the show) and Maggie Grace. Also in the play:
Ellen Burstyn and Mare Winningham and Elizabeth Marvel. Elizabeth Marvel is really getting around lately so I hope that it is something to do with the planets (we have the same birthday). She is in 'Hyde Park on Hudson,' 'Bourne Idenity,' and 'Lincoln.' BTW, the play is aweseome. An oldie but a goodie.

And last for this post, but not least because there are no leasts here....'The King of Comedy.' It is a movie from 1983 starring Robert DiNero and directed by Martin Scorcese. How did I miss it all these years? It was shown at the IFC and chosen by Fred Armisen for the MSF event. The Q & A after was fantastic and I learned a lot again. Thank you so much!

I have pictures to share still, but this is not picture friendly lately so I will add them when  I can.
Happy Entertainment!!!

Damien Echols "Moving Forward: Looking Back" exhibit and "West of Memphis"

Last night Damien Echols' exhibit opened.  "Moving Forward;  Looking Back" @ the Sacred Gallery NY. A sold out event and the art Damien created while on death row. I'll share the pictures as soon as this site starts working properly. The pictures conveyed hope to me. Butterflies. Cut from the one razor blade they gave him per week. Perfectly cut. I think the pictures conveyed the same as his writing; spirit, courage, hope, beautiful things remembered. I love his book and his writing and so very glad he is working on another book now.

'Grace' on Broadway with Paul Rudd and Ed Asner....Last Performance Today

I'm way behind here. I'll start with today and then work my way back to all I have missed writing about. I just got home from seeing 'Grace' on Broadway with Paul Rudd and Ed Asner. It was the last performance and a grand one. I enjoyed every minute. This is the third play I've seen in 4 weeks. They've all been dark in nature. This one, as you may guess by the title, had to do with religious beliefs. The other 2 (I'll post) had to do with dementia.

Paul Rudd signed my Playbill, but I didn't get a pic. The crowd was very large. Paul was very sweet and so was Ed Asner. He played the exterminator. The setting was supposed to be an apartment in Florida. And I know you need something to kill the bugs in Florida. I had a few very peculiar bug guys when I lived there. Chemicals???

Pictures to come. It won't let me add any right now... Hmpf!

'Silver Lining' One movie down for the weekend so far

I saw 'Silver Lining' last night. I wasn't excited about going to it at all. That's the best when you have zero expectations and then, bam, it's a great movie. I did see where it had an 8.3 rating on IMDB, but that misses the mark with me a lot so that didn't have me convinced. Jennifer Lawrence is awesome and Robert Di Nero is always fantastic. I just liked it. Dialogue was super.

'The Fitzgerald Family Christmas' written, directed and starring Edward Burns

I just got home form seeing 'The Fitzgerald Family Christmas' at the Village East Cinema with a Q and A with Edward Burns afterward.

Tremendous. 'The Fitzgerald Family Christmas' is so awesome. It's available on I Tunes and a select amount of Indy Theaters. Hooray for Edward for making these kinds of movies. I really loved this. And he said he is going to make a sequel. That's great news.

This is his 10th movie and he brought all his actors and actresses back from his other films to be in this one. Bravo!!!!!

I cannot wait until the next Edward Burns movie......

 

'Hitchcock'

I saw 'Hitchcock' last night and really really liked it. Helen Mirren is tremendous. She always is, but I liked her better than ever in this movie. I had an idea after listening to Tippi Hedren talk (see earlier post) that Alma, Hitchcock's wife, was awful, but Helen Mirren showed another side to the woman. That's not to say that Alma's way of handling, or not handling, her odd husband's infatuation with elegant blondes, was  beneficial to the target of his lustful eyes. Helen Mirren's portrayal could do nothing but justice to the character  because she made her into someone very real and very special. Scarlett Johannson was a beautiful Janet Leigh. The movie has lightness to it and is very well done!!!

'Untold History of the United States' by Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick

There's a new book out....'The Untold History of the United States' by Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick. The two were at the 92nd St Y in NYC last night to talk about the book and the 10 part documentary, to air on Show Time.

This, according to Oliver and Peter, is the history that grade schools and high schools do not teach. Some Universitys do. When you're given part of the story it is possible to paint a whole different picture. And that is what the 1% with all the wealth love to do. Control. Manipulate. Confuse. And keep in the dark. And that is the truth.

Clips from the documentary were shown. Facts about Julius Robert Oppenheimer and the atomic bomb, the Manhattan Project, the Soviet Union and other facts that are not shared openly.

Good for the people who open the doors and windows. The way to change what isn't working is to have an honest look at all the facts. Thank you to Oliver and Peter for all of their hard work in bringing these facts out.

 

'Skyfall' and the Roger Moore James Bond

Thursday night Roger Moore signed his very cool Bond book and talked about his career, the seven Bond movies he was in and other fascinating tidbits. He is very funny. He said the worst part about getting older is, you lose your friends. He said, "Now I've depressed myself," and took a sip of wine. He also talked about skiing and how he stood at the top of the mountain trembling and embarrassing his children when people recognized him as James Bond who did all these fabulous stunts in the movies. He was asked what gadgets had he kept from the Bond movies he was in. He said, "None. They don't work." He was also asked what his favorite Bond film was. He said, "Skyfall. That paid me to say that." It was a very good time with a very elegant man.

The night I went to see 'Skyfall.' It is excellent. If you're a Bond fan, you will love this one. It's almost 3 hours long. Great movie. Directed by Sam Mendes, perfect!!!

The longest running franchise in movie history..... cha cha cha

 

'Exonerated' and 'Life After Death' a book by Damien Echols

Last week I finished the book 'Life After Death' by Damien Echols. I could not put it down. It tells of his life. His innocence. His 18 years on death row. It is beautifully written and poetic. Depending on your own childhood, be it poor, middle, or maybe even wealthy, you will be able to identify with him. He touches the soul because all he had was his memories of childhood and I suspect, no matter what station you came from, you can relate to strong childhood memories of your favorite things. That is why this book is so tragic and beautiful. He takes you along on his mind trip to the past when he sat in a concrete room. I hope he writes more books and shares his experiences as he walks free and discovers more of the outside world; in all its majesty and sorrow.

Just after completing the book about an innocent person convicted of a crime, I find myself at a play: 'Exonerated.' A play about innocent people on death row. 'Exonerated' is playing Off-Broadway with a rotating cast. I saw it yesterday with Marg Helgenberger, Peter Riegert, Joe Morton, Chris Sarandon, Ameila Campbell, JD Williams, April Thompson, Bruce Kronberg, Curtis McClarin, Jim Bracchitta and directed by Bob Balaban.

Read Damien Echols book. Go to the play if you have the chance. And also, Peter Jackson has a documentary coming out next month about this.

It's one thing to sort of know that things like this might happen. It's another to hear the real stories from the people it has happened to.

 

'The Good Mother' and 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood'

The week  of the big, bad hurricane and all the Broadway and Off-Broadway shows I can see. Being a Florida gal I can tell you that hurricanes blow. Pun intended. But this is NYC and the show must go on if at all possible. A couple of years ago I saw a play during a blizzard with Alicia Silverstone and Laura Linney. 'Time Stands Still.' It was absolutely no fun getting to that show that day.

Since the transit system isn't still 100% I walked to and from 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' the other night and got to 'The Good Mother' today with no problem.

Tomorrow may be a little tougher. 'Exonerated is a bit farther downtown. I was there about a week ago and met some of the rotating cast; Trudie Styler and Martin Short. Bernadette Peters was there too so we took a group shot. Pics to follow.

'The Mystery of Edwin Drood,' is a fun musical with Chita Rivera. It is the last thing Charles Dickens wrote. He didn't finish it and the audience gets to vote on the ending. It's at Studio 54 and a very good time. Chita is ageless and beautiful and awesome and a show stopper.

 

 

'The Good Mother,' stars Gretchen Mol. She is excellent and I was  engaged and entertained throughout the entire play. I can always tell if I'm really into what's going on on stage. If not, I fidget more and more. I didn't fidget once.