by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
Support Leroy on Patreon:
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:
TELEVISION - From TheWrap: Black Neff, the writer most responsible for the shit that Fox News personality, Tucker Carlson, spews from his mouth, has resigned from Fox after CNN Business discovered a Neff's racist and sexist post on an online forum.
BLM - From YahooEntertainment: Actress and activist, Rashida Jones, is the daughter of an African-American man (music legend Quincy Jones) and a white actress (Peggy Lipton). Regarding Black Lives Matter protests mean that this is the time for the country to show what it can be.
MOVIES - From Deadline: Actors Zendaya and John David Washington made a secret movie during the COVID-19 pandemic with Euphoria creator, Sam Levinson. The film, entitled "Malcolm & Marie," has already completed production.
POLITICS - From RSN: Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich warns of a looming even worse "Great Recession."
DISNEY - From Variety: Jude Law is in talks to portray Captain Hook in Disney's live-action Peter Pan film, "Peter Pan & Wendy."
CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment: Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award winning actress Viola Davis' "Black Meryl Streep" speech goes viral again.
COVID-19 - From LATimes: Tom Hanks is baffled by people who don't take COVID-19 seriously. Hanks and his wife, film producer/singer Rita Wilson, both contracted COVID-19.
CELEBRITY - From Vulture: The Emmy Award-winning actress, Thandie Newton, gives up juicy details in this career-spanning interview with "Vulture."
DISNEY - From Variety: Blacklisted NFL quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, has signed a first look deal with the Walt Disney Company. Part of the deal includes a documentary series produced by ESPN Films.
DISNEY - From YahooEnterainment: Why "Song of the South" is still a cultural flashpoint...
BLM - From YahooNews: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said that some soldiers deployed to Washington, D.C. to possibly assist in thwarting Black Lives Matter protests were issued bayonets, USA TODAY has confirmed.
CULTURE - From Slate: How Being Bullied Affects Your Adulthood
STAR TREK-ANIMATION - From Deadline: The new Star Trek animated comedy series, "Star Trek: Lower Decks," debuts August 6th, 2020 on the streaming service, CBS All Access.
CELEBRITY - From THR: The lovely Sarah Jessica Parker is developing a dating show for the Lifetime cable network.
COVID-19/CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment: Acclaimed actress Jennifer Aniston pleads with her fans to wear masks to prevent the spread of #COVID19.
ANIMATION - From Deadline: Mike Judge has signed a 2-season deal with Comedy Central to revive his animated creation, "Beavis and Butt-Head," which includes spin-offs and specials.
MOVIES - From Deadline: Apple will pay a record amount for the Antoine Fuqua-Will Smith project, "Emancipation." The deal may exceed $120 million.
MOVIES - From Vulture: The site asks if it is safe to go to the movies right now.
OBITS:
From Variety: The Italian film composer, Ennio Morricone, has died at the age of 91, Monday, July 6, 2020. Morricone is best known to American audiences for scoring director Sergio Leone's "Dollars" trilogy, and Morricone's score for the the third film in that trilogy, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," is considered one of the most influential film scores in history. Morricone received an "Honorary Academy Award" in 2007. He received six competitive Academy Award nominations, finally winning the "Best Original Score" Oscar for his work on Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight" (2015).
From Deadline: Screen and television writer, Bettina Gilois, has died at the age of 58, Sunday, July 5, 2020. She was best known for co-writing the 2015 HBO TV miniseries, "Bessie," (for which she earned an Emmy nomination) and for co-writing two sports films, 2006's "Glory Road" and 2015's "McFarland USA."
From Deadline: Broadway and television actor, Nick Cordero, has died at the age of 41, Sunday, July 5, 2020, of complications of COVID-19. He had been battling the disease since early April. Cordero received a Tony Award nomination for his role in "Bullets Over Broadway," and appeared in such productions as "A Bronx Tale," "Rock of Ages," and "Waitress."
From THR: Trailblazing Black British actor, Earl Cameron, died at the age of 102, Friday, July 3, 2020. Born in Bermuda, Cameron became the first Black actor to play a role in a mainstream British film with his appearance in the 1951 film, "Pool of London." Cameron's character in the film, "Johnny Lambert," also has an interracial romance, which also broke ground in British cinema.
From THR: The broadcaster, television host, and news anchor, Hugh Downs, has died at the age of 99, Wednesday, July 1, 2020. Downs game to fame a co-host of NBC's "Today" from 1962 to 1971. He was probably best known as the anchor of ABC News television magazine, "20/20," from 1978 to 1999.
From Deadline: Pioneering television comedy writer and director, Carl Reiner has died at the age of 98, Monday, June 29, 2020. Reiner is best known as the creator and writer-director and actor on "The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-66). Five of the 9 Primetime Emmy Awards Reiner won were for his work on the show. He first came to big TV fame and acclaim working on Sid Ceasar's TV series, "Your Show of Shows" (NBC, 1950-54) and "Ceasar's Hour" (NBC, 1954-57). Reiner was also famous for being the son of television and film writer, director, and actor, Rob Reiner.
From Deadline: Mel Brooks pays homage to his friend, the late, great Carl Reiner.
BLACK LIVES MATTER NEWS:
From RSN: The four corners of police violence
From TheIntercept: Black Lives Matter Wants to End Police Brutality. History Suggests It Will Go Much Further.
From YahooNews: "The Confederacy of California": life in the valley where Robert Fuller was found hanged
From CNN: Colorado police officers involved in the death of Elijah McClain reassigned for safety reasons.
From Truthout: " Three North Carolina Police Fired for Racist Rants, Threats to Kill Black People" - and what they said is crazy and scary
From Truthout: Bryant Gumbel Gives Powerful Commentary on the 'Black Tax,' the 'Added Burden' of Being Black
From YahooEntertainment: Oscar-nominated songwriter and Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Ray Parker, Jr., may be best known for writing the theme to the film, "Ghostbusters," but when he was a teenager, Parker was beaten by Detroit police officers.
From RSNewYorker: Jelani Cobb: An American Spring of Reckoning.
From NBCNews: Baton Rouge, LA activist, Gary Chambers, makes an impassioned speech about changing the name of Robert E. Lee High School in Baton Rouge.
From YahooNews: Racial violence and a pandemic: How the Red Summer of 1919 relates to 2020
From DemocracyNow: Fear Grows of Modern-Day Lynchings as Five People of Color Are Found Hanged
From NYPost: Caramel, Indiana Catholic priest suspended for comparing Black Lives Matters activists to maggots.
From NBCNews: NYPD is disbanding a unit that is the 'last chapter' of stop-and-frisk
From YahooLifestyle: A history of the "Karen."
CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 NEWS:
From CDC: The Centers for Disease Control has a "COVID Data Tracker."
From YahooNews: Why does COVID-19 kill some people and hardly affects others?
From YahooNews: Yahoo has a dedicated page of links updating news about COVID-19.
From Deadline: The news site "Deadline" has a dedicated page for news about coronavirus and the film, TV, and entertainment industries.
From TheNewYorker: The venerable magazine has a dedicate COVID-19 page free to all readers.
From YahooNews: Re: the federal government's response to COVID-19: What if the most important election of our lifetime was the last one - 2016?
From YahooLife: What is "happy hypoxia?" And do you have this COVID-19 symptom?
From JuanCole: Remeber when President Donald went crazy and suggested that we ingest household cleaning supplies and UV light to fight COVID-19. Here is the video and commentary from Juan Cole.
From TheIntercept: The federal government has ramped up security and police-related spending in response to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, including issuing contracts for riot gear, disclosures show. The purchase orders include requests for disposable cuffs, gas masks, ballistic helmets, and riot gloves...
From NPR: A sad milestone: over 100,000 American have died due to COVID-19.
From TheAtlantic: The Coronavirus Was an Emergency Until Trump Found Out Who Was Dying. The pandemic has exposed the bitter terms of our racial contract, which deems certain lives of greater value than others.
From ProPublica: Hospital's Secret COVID-19 Policy Separated Native American Mothers From Their Newborns
From Truthout: Trump Moves to End Federal Support for Testing Sites Amid Record COVID Spikes
From TheGuardian: More than 20 million Americans could have contracted COVID-19, experts say.
From RSN/WashPost: The COVID-19 mutation that has taken over the world.
From NYPost: Students in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, are reportedly throwing “COVID parties” with their friends and gambling on who will get sick first, according to local officials.
From KABB: Alice Guzman, the stepmother of Congressman Joaquin Castro and former Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro, has died of COVID-19. Their father is also ill with the virus.
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Showing posts with label Rashida Jones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rashida Jones. Show all posts
Saturday, July 11, 2020
Monday, October 7, 2019
Review: "Toy Story 4" is Very Good, But Not Great
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
Toy Story 4 (2019)
Running time: 100 minutes (1 hour, 40 minutes)
MPAA – G
DIRECTOR: Josh Cooley
WRITERS: Andrew Stanton and Stephany Folsom; from an original story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Josh Cooley, Valerie LaPointe, Rashida Jones, Will McCormack, Martin Hynes, and Stephany Folsom
PRODUCER: Mark Nielsen and Jonas Rivera
EDITOR: Axel Geddes
COMPOSER: Randy Newman
ANIMATION/ADVENTURE/DRAMA/COMEDY/FAMILY
Starring: (voices) Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Madeleine McGraw, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, Jay Hernandez, Lori Alan, Joan Cusack, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Carl Weathers, and June Squibb
Toy Story 4 is a 2019 computer-animated feature film from Pixar Animation Studios. It is the fourth film in the Toy Story franchise. The new film focuses on a new toy and a road trip that will change the life of a beloved toy.
Toy Story 4 opens nine years earlier when Woody (Tom Hanks) and the gang were still Andy's toys. Woods leads the successful rescue of a toy car, R.C. In the present, Woody and the other toys are happy in their new life as the toys of a little girl named Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw). Bonnie is about to enter kindergarten and is distressed about going to school. Woody sneaks into Bonnie's backpack and joins her on her first day of school. Woody's action even lead to Bonnie using discarded arts and crafts supplies to transform a “spork” (spoon-fork) into a new toy she names “Forky” (Tony Hale). Although Forky becomes Bonnie's favorite toy, the spork does not believe that he is a toy, and he is always trying to return to a trash can.
Bonnie and her mom (Lori Alan) and dad (Jay Hernandez) go on an RV road trip, and Bonnie takes Forky, Woody and company with her. Instead of enjoying the trip, Woody spends his time trying to rescue Forky. This misadventure leads Woody to an antique story, Second Chance Antiques, and also to a fairground/playground, where he is reunited with old friends and makes new friends. And Woody learns just how big the world can be for a toy with an open mind.
Toy Story 4 is a good movie, not as good as Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and Toy Story 3, but quite good. Keegan-Michael Key as Ducky and Jordan Peele as Bunny are nice additions to the cast. Keanu Reeves is a surprise and gives a surprising voice performance as Duke Kaboom, the Canadian daredevil toy. The sycophantic ventriloquist's dummies, “the Bensons,” are a nice, creepy distraction. Christina Hendricks is appropriately pathetic and menacing as the tragically desperate doll, Gabby Gabby.
But Toy Story 4 is, more than the first three films, a movie about adult issues and regrets that tries to be a family movie, if not an outright kids' movie. More than anything, Toy Story 4 is Woody's movie. [In this film, Tim Allen's Buzz Lightyear is a supporting character and not a co-lead]. In this movie, Tom Hanks gives one of the best voice performances for an animated film that I have had the pleasure of enjoying. In Hanks' performance, you can feel it. Woody is like a father who “lost” one child, Andy (because he grew up and gave away his toys), so he is an obsessive “helicopter parent” about the new child, Molly, who does not need Woody as much as he thinks she does – if at all.
It would be pretentious of me to say that this movie is about becoming a man and putting away the things of boy. No, I think Toy Story 4 is about the change and the passage of time that is forced upon us, so if we don't change and move on, change and the passage of time is going to happen anyway.
Yes, each Toy Story film has its Mission: Impossible-like operation in which our beloved toys try to save another toy or toys, my favorite being the race to save Woody from an unscrupulous toy dealer and a devious toy in Toy Story 2. In Toy Story 4, the new “toy,” Forky, needs to be saved, and Woody keeps endangering first, himself, and then, others in increasingly desperate and dangerous bids to save the spork.
Ultimately, however, this movie feels like the franchise has come back one too many times. The end of Toy Story 3, in which a grown-up Andy gave his beloved Woody and the other toys to Molly, was really meant to be the happily ever after. Once Toy Story 3 grossed over a billion dollars in worldwide box office, it seemed like common-moneymaking-sense to make a fourth film. Don't make another Toy Story film, Disney. Let Toy Story 4 be a very good, but not great coda to the series.
7 out of 10
B+
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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Tuesday, December 4, 2018
BET Celebrates Michelle Obama and Rashida & Quincy Jones in December
BET Celebrates Black Excellence with Two Uplifting Specials Premiering in December
“A THOUSAND WORDS WITH MICHELLE OBAMA” Premieres on Wednesday, December 5 AT 9PM ET
“Q85: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION FOR QUINCY JONES” Premieres on Sunday, December 9 AT 8PM ET
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BET Networks is set to premiere two powerful specials in December, embracing the holiday spirit that uplifts and celebrates black excellence. “A THOUSAND WORDS WITH MICHELLE OBAMA” premieres on Wednesday, December 5,2018 at 9PM ET and “Q85: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION FOR QUINCY JONES” will air on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 8PM ET.
“A THOUSAND WORDS WITH MICHELLE OBAMA” is an empowering new one-hour special featuring former First Lady Michelle Obama in candid conversation with former Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama Valerie Jarrett at the Leading Women Defined symposium at the St. Regis hotel in Miami, FL. The women discuss a range of topics as Michelle Obama shares words of uplift, stories of sisterhood, the importance of self-care and her marked growth through her husband’s eight years in office.
Tune in to the captivating conversation with the Former First Lady as she shares anecdotes and salient advice from her worldwide bestselling autobiography, Becoming. “A THOUSAND WORDS WITH MICHELLE OBAMA” premieres Wednesday, December 5 at 9 PM ET/PT on BET.
WATCH & SHARE: Please see exclusive clips from the highly anticipated special below. Additional assets and photos are available at: BET Press Room.
Michelle Obama on confidence and identity, “I always laugh when people ask, ‘how did you figure out how to be the First Lady?’”: https://youtu.be/YsrQciMbUsQ
…On sisterhood, “When I meet good women, hold on to them and don’t compete with them”: https://youtu.be/zYrg_ov0mOs
…On “sharing your shine”: https://youtu.be/JYyP_HsVkLc
…On self-care, “You’re worthy of a quality of life…why do you think you deserve to live a grind…to only leave yourself the crumbs of your day?”: https://youtu.be/pxY4RLeybY4
For photos and exclusive assets from BET Presents: “Q85: A Musical Celebration for Quincy Jones,” please visit BET Press Room.
For any broadcast requests for the above content via downloadable link, please contact Melissa.Nyarko@bet.net.
“Q85: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION FOR QUINCY JONES” is a star-studded evening that celebrates the life and legacy of the icon. Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Brian McKnight, John Legend, Gloria Estefan, Emily Estefan, Fantasia, Charlie Wilson, Jennifer Hudson, Ne-Yo, Meghan Trainor, Patti Austin, Yolanda Adams, Ledisi, Cynthia Erivo, and Gregory Porter all hit the stage to pay tribute to Mr. Jones performing his classic works in this nostalgic musical special. Additionally, Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Danny Glover, Usher Raymond, Dave Chappelle, LL Cool J, Rashida Jones, Ludacris, and Aloe Blacc share their personal stories of how Quincy has impacted them throughout the years.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS:
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.
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Saturday, July 1, 2017
New Line Begins Production on Comedy, "Tag"
Production Begins on New Line Cinema Comedy “Tag”
Ed Helms, Jake Johnson, Hannibal Buress, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner Star as Friends Pursuing a Lifelong Game of Tag
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Production began on location in Atlanta for the new comedy “Tag,” directed by Jeff Tomsic (Comedy Central’s “Broad City”) for New Line Cinema. The film’s starring ensemble cast is led by Ed Helms (The “Hangover” movies, “We’re the Millers”), Jake Johnson (TV’s “New Girl”), and Hannibal Buress (“Neighbors”), with Jon Hamm (“Baby Driver,” TV’s “Mad Men”) and Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner (“The Hurt Locker, “The Town”).
“It Takes Planning, Caution to Avoid Being It.”
For one month every year, five highly competitive friends hit the ground running in a no-holds-barred game of tag they’ve been playing since the first grade—risking their necks, their jobs and their relationships to take each other down with the battle cry “You’re It!” This year, the game coincides with the wedding of their only undefeated player, which should finally make him an easy target. But he knows they’re coming…and he’s ready. Based on a true story, “Tag” shows how far some guys will go to be the last man standing.
The film also stars Annabelle Wallis (“The Mummy”), Rashida Jones (TV’s “Parks and Recreation”), Isla Fisher (“Now You See Me”) and Leslie Bibb (“Iron Man 2”).
Tomsic directs from a screenplay written by Mark Steilen (TV’s “Mozart in the Jungle”) and Rob McKittrick (“Waiting”), based on the Wall Street Journal article entitled “It Takes Planning, Caution to Avoid Being It.” The film is produced by Todd Garner, Mark Steilen and Sean Robins, with Hans Ritter serving as executive producer. The creative filmmaking team includes director of photography Larry Blanford, editor Josh Crockett, production designer David Sandefur, and costume designer Denise Wingate.
“Tag” is set for a June 29, 2018, release.
A New Line Cinema presentation of a Broken Road Production, “Tag” will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
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Ed Helms, Jake Johnson, Hannibal Buress, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner Star as Friends Pursuing a Lifelong Game of Tag
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Production began on location in Atlanta for the new comedy “Tag,” directed by Jeff Tomsic (Comedy Central’s “Broad City”) for New Line Cinema. The film’s starring ensemble cast is led by Ed Helms (The “Hangover” movies, “We’re the Millers”), Jake Johnson (TV’s “New Girl”), and Hannibal Buress (“Neighbors”), with Jon Hamm (“Baby Driver,” TV’s “Mad Men”) and Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner (“The Hurt Locker, “The Town”).
“It Takes Planning, Caution to Avoid Being It.”
For one month every year, five highly competitive friends hit the ground running in a no-holds-barred game of tag they’ve been playing since the first grade—risking their necks, their jobs and their relationships to take each other down with the battle cry “You’re It!” This year, the game coincides with the wedding of their only undefeated player, which should finally make him an easy target. But he knows they’re coming…and he’s ready. Based on a true story, “Tag” shows how far some guys will go to be the last man standing.
The film also stars Annabelle Wallis (“The Mummy”), Rashida Jones (TV’s “Parks and Recreation”), Isla Fisher (“Now You See Me”) and Leslie Bibb (“Iron Man 2”).
Tomsic directs from a screenplay written by Mark Steilen (TV’s “Mozart in the Jungle”) and Rob McKittrick (“Waiting”), based on the Wall Street Journal article entitled “It Takes Planning, Caution to Avoid Being It.” The film is produced by Todd Garner, Mark Steilen and Sean Robins, with Hans Ritter serving as executive producer. The creative filmmaking team includes director of photography Larry Blanford, editor Josh Crockett, production designer David Sandefur, and costume designer Denise Wingate.
“Tag” is set for a June 29, 2018, release.
A New Line Cinema presentation of a Broken Road Production, “Tag” will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
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Saturday, December 24, 2016
Review: "Inside Out" is Outta Sight
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
Inside Out (2015)
Running time: 95 minutes (1 hour, 35 minutes)
MPAA – PG
DIRECTOR: Pete Docter
WRITERS: Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, and Josh Cooley; based on an original story by Pete Docter and Ronnie Del Carmen
PRODUCER: Jonas Rivera
EDITOR: Kevin Nolting
COMPOSER: Michael Giacchino
Academy Award winner
ANIMATION/ADVENTURE/DRAMA/COMEDY/FAMILY
Starring: (voices) Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Kaitlyn Dais, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan, Paula Poundstone, Bobby Moynihan, Frank Oz, Dani Dare, Dara Iruka, Dawnn Lewis, and Rashida Jones
Inside Out is a 2015 computer-animated feature film from Pixar Animation Studios. The film is directed by Pete Docter and is based on a story written by Docter and Ronnie Del Carmen (who also co-directed this film). Inside Out focuses on a 'tween girl who struggles with the move to a new home and on her animated emotions who get carried away by her stress. Inside Out was executive produced by John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton.
Riley Anderson (Kaitlyn Dais) has within her mind, five personifications of her basic emotions: Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling), and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). This quintet influences Riley's actions by using a console in her mind's Headquarters. The emotions' biggest challenge comes when Riley is 11-years-old.
Riley and her parents, Bill Andersen (Kyle MacLachlan) and Jill O'Riley-Andersen (Diane Lane), move from her birthplace in Minnesota to San Francisco for Bill's new business. Joy, who is the leader of the emotions, is determined to keep Riley happy during this transition. However, an accident sends Joy and Sadness far away from Headquarters, leaving Anger, Disgust, and Fear in charge. Chaos ensues, and Joy is determined to get back in order to take charge and fix the problems. But can she get back in time before a great disaster occurs, and does she know what the problem with Riley really is?
Sometimes, it seems pointless to review Pixar movies, especially when they are as exceptionally good as Inside Out most certainly is. Of course, this film is gorgeously animated. Of course, it is both inventive in its conception and powerfully moving in its drama. Inside Out is the best non-sequel Pixar film since 2009's Up. So instead of heaping more praise on a movie upon which much praise (and an Oscar) has already been heaped, I will talk about a few things I liked about Inside Out.
I liked how the film emphasized that it is okay for people not to be happy all the time, that it is okay to sometimes be sad. Joy and sadness go hand in hand, and sometimes they are connected in ways we never realize. Obviously, Inside Out seems to be a movie made by filmmakers who are parents and who wish that their children would never grow up, but realize that of course they will. Inside Out is about change, and sometimes change is painful for the things that we lose that we cannot get back. Sometimes, we should not even want to get back things that are recoverable.
The voice performances are, all around, quite good. I particularly liked Richard Kind as Riley's former imaginary friend, Bing Bong. Amy Poehler's turn as Joy is full of shifts in character, mood, timbre, and color that not only define Joy, but also shape and define the narrative. Lewis Black is surprisingly nimble as Anger, and Bill Hader manages to make his character, Fear, stand out when he could easily disappear into the pack. I have to admit that I find Kaitlyn Dias exceptionally good as Riley; her performance makes the character seem genuine and goes a long way in making Inside Out work.
I won't say that this film is perfect. I think the first 25 minutes are problematic because the story struggles. It is as if the storytellers cannot hide the fact that they are bored with the obligatory set-ups and cannot wait to get to the part where the story really begins.
I have often heard it said or read that Pixar is like classic Walt Disney animated film in that Pixar movies have heart. I think that Pixar's storytellers are willing to grapple with the bittersweet nature of life. Like true artists, they find beauty in life: the good, the bad, and even the mundane. Pixar sells hope and embraces the fight for survival... or at least for something better. Some might think of this as American middle class values. I think Pixar's films are timeless and universal. Woody and Buzz Lightyear's race to catch up to the car at the end of Toy Story will always be compelling. And now, Inside Out has Joy and Riley's journey, and I don't think that story will ever grow old.
9 of 10
A+
Friday, April 22, 2016
NOTES:
2016 Academy Awards, USA: 1 win: “Best Animated Feature Film of the Year” (Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera); 1 nomination: “Best Writing, Original Screenplay” (Pete Docter-screenplay/story, Meg LeFauve-screenplay, Josh Cooley-screenplay, and Ronnie Del Carmen-story)
2016 Golden Globes, USA: 1 win: “Best Motion Picture – Animated”
2016 BAFTA Awards: 1 win: “Best Animated Film” (Pete Docter); 1 nomination: “Best Original Screenplay (Josh Cooley, Pete Docter, and Meg LeFauve)
The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Review: "Celeste and Jesse Forever" for Reals
Celeste & Jesse Forever (2012)
Running time: 92 minutes (1 hour, 32 minutes)
MPAA – R for language, sexual content and drug use
DIRECTOR: Lee Toland Krieger
WRITERS: Rashida Jones and Will McCormack
PRODUCERS: Lee Nelson, Jennifer Todd, and Suzanne Todd
CINEMATOGRAPHER: David Lanzenberg
EDITOR: Yana Gorskaya
COMPOSERS: Zach Cowie and Sunny Levine (for Biggest Crush)
Black Reel Award nominee
ROMANCE/COMEDY/DRAMA
Starring: Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, Ari Graynor, Eric Christian Olsen, Emma Roberts, Chris Messina, Rich Sommer, Rebecca Dayan, Will McCormack, Rafi Gavron, Chris Pine, and Elijah Wood
Celeste & Jesse Forever is a 2012 comedy-drama and romance film, starring Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg. Jones co-wrote the screenplay with Will McCormack, who also has a small acting role in the film. Jones and Samberg play a divorcing couple trying to maintain friendship while both pursuing relationships with other people.
Celeste Martin (Rashida Jones) and Jesse Abrams (Andy Samberg) were best friends and high school sweethearts. Now, they are a married couple, separated and headed for divorce. They remain best friends, but their new status irritates their friends, especially Tucker (Eric Christian Olsen) and Beth (Ari Graynor), who think that Celeste and Jesse are being weird. When Jesse gets some shocking news from a former acquaintance, Celeste starts having serious doubts about what her relationship with Jesse should be.
Celeste & Jesse Forever is more a romantic drama than it is a romantic comedy. It is also a straight character drama, as introspective as it is surprisingly funny. Celeste & Jesse Forever is one of the best (if not the best) romance films of 2012, and it has a number of high qualities. The performances are good, and the directing is lively and captures the film’s off-beat sensibilities. The cinematography seems vaguely futuristic, and the soundtrack is filled with songs that are either perfect for the moment or are delightful in the way that they are inappropriate for a scene.
The film’s strength is its screenplay. Rashida Jones and Will McCormack earned a 2013 Independent Spirit Award nomination for “Best First Screenplay” and a best screenplay nomination from the 2013 Black Reel Awards. Jones and McCormack tread on familiar ground with this story, but twist and contort it in interesting ways. Every time I thought that this movie was looking too much like a cookie-cutter romance, the story struck an odd note or peculiar pose.
And Rashida Jones flows through this film with her lovely performance. If you write an interesting part for yourself, the smart thing to do is turn in a performance that captures what is different and exciting about your screenplay, and Jones does just that. Andy Samberg is good, but this story does not require him to be adventurous as an actor. There are also a number of good supporting performances. Will McCormack is funny as the odd weed dealer, Skillz, and Emma Roberts is a delightful scene-stealer as pop music princess, Riley Banks.
Celeste & Jesse Forever is always turning on the charm, but this movie works because it manages both to feel real and to be uncommon and distinctive. It’s sweet and melancholy and pungent and joyous.
8 of 10
A
NOTES:
2013 Black Reel Awards: 2 nominations: “Best Actress” (Rashida Jones) and “Best Screenplay, Original or Adapted” (Rashida Jones and Will McCormack)
Friday, March 08, 2013
Saturday, February 16, 2013
2013 Independent Spirit Award Nominations - Complete List
Film Independent Spirit Awards (formerly known as the Independent Spirit Awards) were founded in 1984 and are awards dedicated to independent filmmakers. Film Independent is the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and also the Los Angeles Film Festival.
The 28th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards winners will be announced at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 23, 2013. The awards ceremony will be held as a daytime luncheon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica, and the premiere broadcast will air later that evening at 10:00 pm ET/PT on IFC.
The Nominees for the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards:
BEST FEATURE:
Beasts of the Southern Wild
PRODUCERS: Michael Gottwald, Dan Janvey & Josh Penn
Bernie
PRODUCERS: Liz Glotzer, Richard Linklater, David McFadzean, Dete Meserve, Judd Payne, Celine Rattray, Martin Shafer, Ginger Sledge, Matt Williams
Keep the Lights On
PRODUCERS: Marie Therese Guirgis, Lucas Joaquin, Ira Sachs
Moonrise Kingdom
PRODUCERS: Wes Anderson, Jeremy Dawson, Steven Rales, Scott Rudin
Silver Linings Playbook
PRODUCERS: Bruce Cohen, Donna Gigliotti, Jonathan Gordon
BEST DIRECTOR
Wes Anderson - Moonrise Kingdom
Julia Loktev - The Loneliest Planet
David O. Russell - Silver Linings Playbook
Ira Sachs - Keep the Lights On
Benh Zeitlin - Beasts of the Southern Wild
BEST SCREENPLAY
Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola - Moonrise Kingdom
Zoe Kazan - Ruby Sparks
Martin McDonagh - Seven Psychopaths
David O. Russell - Silver Linings Playbook
Ira Sachs & Mauricio Zacharias - Keep the Lights On
BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)
Fill the Void
DIRECTOR: Rama Burshtein
PRODUCER: Assaf Amir
Gimme the Loot
DIRECTOR: Adam Leon
PRODUCERS: Dominic Buchanan, Natalie Difford, Jamund Washington
Safety Not Guaranteed
DIRECTOR: Colin Trevorrow
PRODUCERS: Derek Connolly, Stephanie Langhoff, Peter Saraf, Colin Trevorrow, Marc Turtletaub
Sound of My Voice
DIRECTOR: Zal Batmanglij
PRODUCERS: Brit Marling, Hans Ritter, Shelley Surpin
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
DIRECTOR: Stephen Chbosky
PRODUCERS: Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, Russell Smith
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Rama Burshtein - Fill the Void
Derek Connolly - Safety Not Guaranteed
Christopher Ford - Robot & Frank
Rashida Jones & Will McCormack - Celeste and Jesse Forever
Jonathan Lisecki - Gayby
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD - Given to the best feature made for under $500,000. Award given to the writer, director, and producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.
Breakfast with Curtis
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Laura Colella
Middle of Nowhere
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Ava DuVernay
PRODUCERS: Howard Barish, Paul Garnes
Mosquita y Mari
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Aurora Guerrero
PRODUCER: Chad Burris
Starlet
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Sean Baker
WRITER: Chris Bergoch
PRODUCERS: Blake Ashman-Kipervaser, Kevin Chinoy, Patrick Cunningham, Chris Maybach, Francesca Silvestri
The Color Wheel
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Alex Ross Perry
WRITER: Carlen Altman
BEST FEMALE LEAD
Linda Cardellini - Return
Emayatzy Corinealdi - Middle of Nowhere
Jennifer Lawrence - Silver Linings Playbook
Quvenzhané Wallis - Beasts of the Southern Wild
Mary Elizabeth Winstead - Smashed
BEST MALE LEAD
Jack Black - Bernie
Bradley Cooper - Silver Linings Playbook
John Hawkes - The Sessions
Thure Lindhardt - Keep the Lights On
Matthew McConaughey - Killer Joe
Wendell Pierce - Four
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Rosemarie DeWitt - Your Sister’s Sister
Ann Dowd - Compliance
Helen Hunt - The Sessions
Brit Marling - Sound of My Voice
Lorraine Toussaint - Middle of Nowhere
BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Matthew McConaughey - Magic Mike
David Oyelowo - Middle of Nowhere
Michael Péna - End of Watch
Sam Rockwell - Seven Psychopaths
Bruce Willis - Moonrise Kingdom
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Yoni Brook - Valley of Saints
Lol Crawley - Here
Ben Richardson - Beasts of the Southern Wild
Roman Vasyanov - End of Watch
Robert Yeoman - Moonrise Kingdom
BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director and producer)
How to Survive a Plague
DIRECTOR: David France
PRODUCERS: David France, Howard Gertler
Marina Abramović: The Artist is Present
DIRECTOR: Matthew Akers
PRODUCERS: Maro Chermayeff, Jeff Dupre
The Central Park Five
DIRECTORS/PRODUCERS: Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, David McMahon
The Invisible War
DIRECTOR: Kirby Dick
PRODUCERS: Tanner King Barklow, Amy Ziering
The Waiting Room
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Peter Nicks
PRODUCERS: Linda Davis, William B. Hirsch
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director)
Amour (France)
DIRECTOR: Michael Haneke
Once Upon A Time in Anatolia (Turkey)
DIRECTOR: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Rust And Bone (France/Belgium)
DIRECTOR: Jacques Audiard
Sister (Switzerland)
DIRECTOR: Ursula Meier
War Witch (Democratic Republic of Congo/Canada)
DIRECTOR: Kim Nguyen
16th ANNUAL PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD – The 16th annual Piaget Producers Award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.
Nobody Walks
PRODUCER: Alicia Van Couvering
Prince Avalanche
PRODUCER: Derrick Tseng
Stones in the Sun
PRODUCER: Mynette Louie
19th ANNUAL SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The 19th annual Someone to Watch Award recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.
Pincus
DIRECTOR: David Fenster
Gimme the Loot
DIRECTOR: Adam Leon
Electrick Children
DIRECTOR: Rebecca Thomas
STELLA ARTOIS TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The 18th annual Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.
Leviathan
DIRECTOR: Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Véréna Paravel
The Waiting Room
DIRECTOR: Peter Nicks
Only the Young
DIRECTOR: Jason Tippet & Elizabeth Mims
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD - (Given to one film’s director, casting director, and its ensemble cast)
Starlet
Director: Sean Baker
Casting Director: Julia Kim
Ensemble Cast: Dree Hemingway, Besedka Johnson, Karren Karagulian, Stella Maeve, James Ransone
The 28th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards winners will be announced at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 23, 2013. The awards ceremony will be held as a daytime luncheon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica, and the premiere broadcast will air later that evening at 10:00 pm ET/PT on IFC.
The Nominees for the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards:
BEST FEATURE:
Beasts of the Southern Wild
PRODUCERS: Michael Gottwald, Dan Janvey & Josh Penn
Bernie
PRODUCERS: Liz Glotzer, Richard Linklater, David McFadzean, Dete Meserve, Judd Payne, Celine Rattray, Martin Shafer, Ginger Sledge, Matt Williams
Keep the Lights On
PRODUCERS: Marie Therese Guirgis, Lucas Joaquin, Ira Sachs
Moonrise Kingdom
PRODUCERS: Wes Anderson, Jeremy Dawson, Steven Rales, Scott Rudin
Silver Linings Playbook
PRODUCERS: Bruce Cohen, Donna Gigliotti, Jonathan Gordon
BEST DIRECTOR
Wes Anderson - Moonrise Kingdom
Julia Loktev - The Loneliest Planet
David O. Russell - Silver Linings Playbook
Ira Sachs - Keep the Lights On
Benh Zeitlin - Beasts of the Southern Wild
BEST SCREENPLAY
Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola - Moonrise Kingdom
Zoe Kazan - Ruby Sparks
Martin McDonagh - Seven Psychopaths
David O. Russell - Silver Linings Playbook
Ira Sachs & Mauricio Zacharias - Keep the Lights On
BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)
Fill the Void
DIRECTOR: Rama Burshtein
PRODUCER: Assaf Amir
Gimme the Loot
DIRECTOR: Adam Leon
PRODUCERS: Dominic Buchanan, Natalie Difford, Jamund Washington
Safety Not Guaranteed
DIRECTOR: Colin Trevorrow
PRODUCERS: Derek Connolly, Stephanie Langhoff, Peter Saraf, Colin Trevorrow, Marc Turtletaub
Sound of My Voice
DIRECTOR: Zal Batmanglij
PRODUCERS: Brit Marling, Hans Ritter, Shelley Surpin
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
DIRECTOR: Stephen Chbosky
PRODUCERS: Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, Russell Smith
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Rama Burshtein - Fill the Void
Derek Connolly - Safety Not Guaranteed
Christopher Ford - Robot & Frank
Rashida Jones & Will McCormack - Celeste and Jesse Forever
Jonathan Lisecki - Gayby
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD - Given to the best feature made for under $500,000. Award given to the writer, director, and producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.
Breakfast with Curtis
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Laura Colella
Middle of Nowhere
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Ava DuVernay
PRODUCERS: Howard Barish, Paul Garnes
Mosquita y Mari
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Aurora Guerrero
PRODUCER: Chad Burris
Starlet
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Sean Baker
WRITER: Chris Bergoch
PRODUCERS: Blake Ashman-Kipervaser, Kevin Chinoy, Patrick Cunningham, Chris Maybach, Francesca Silvestri
The Color Wheel
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Alex Ross Perry
WRITER: Carlen Altman
BEST FEMALE LEAD
Linda Cardellini - Return
Emayatzy Corinealdi - Middle of Nowhere
Jennifer Lawrence - Silver Linings Playbook
Quvenzhané Wallis - Beasts of the Southern Wild
Mary Elizabeth Winstead - Smashed
BEST MALE LEAD
Jack Black - Bernie
Bradley Cooper - Silver Linings Playbook
John Hawkes - The Sessions
Thure Lindhardt - Keep the Lights On
Matthew McConaughey - Killer Joe
Wendell Pierce - Four
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Rosemarie DeWitt - Your Sister’s Sister
Ann Dowd - Compliance
Helen Hunt - The Sessions
Brit Marling - Sound of My Voice
Lorraine Toussaint - Middle of Nowhere
BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Matthew McConaughey - Magic Mike
David Oyelowo - Middle of Nowhere
Michael Péna - End of Watch
Sam Rockwell - Seven Psychopaths
Bruce Willis - Moonrise Kingdom
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Yoni Brook - Valley of Saints
Lol Crawley - Here
Ben Richardson - Beasts of the Southern Wild
Roman Vasyanov - End of Watch
Robert Yeoman - Moonrise Kingdom
BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director and producer)
How to Survive a Plague
DIRECTOR: David France
PRODUCERS: David France, Howard Gertler
Marina Abramović: The Artist is Present
DIRECTOR: Matthew Akers
PRODUCERS: Maro Chermayeff, Jeff Dupre
The Central Park Five
DIRECTORS/PRODUCERS: Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, David McMahon
The Invisible War
DIRECTOR: Kirby Dick
PRODUCERS: Tanner King Barklow, Amy Ziering
The Waiting Room
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Peter Nicks
PRODUCERS: Linda Davis, William B. Hirsch
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director)
Amour (France)
DIRECTOR: Michael Haneke
Once Upon A Time in Anatolia (Turkey)
DIRECTOR: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Rust And Bone (France/Belgium)
DIRECTOR: Jacques Audiard
Sister (Switzerland)
DIRECTOR: Ursula Meier
War Witch (Democratic Republic of Congo/Canada)
DIRECTOR: Kim Nguyen
16th ANNUAL PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD – The 16th annual Piaget Producers Award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.
Nobody Walks
PRODUCER: Alicia Van Couvering
Prince Avalanche
PRODUCER: Derrick Tseng
Stones in the Sun
PRODUCER: Mynette Louie
19th ANNUAL SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The 19th annual Someone to Watch Award recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.
Pincus
DIRECTOR: David Fenster
Gimme the Loot
DIRECTOR: Adam Leon
Electrick Children
DIRECTOR: Rebecca Thomas
STELLA ARTOIS TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The 18th annual Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.
Leviathan
DIRECTOR: Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Véréna Paravel
The Waiting Room
DIRECTOR: Peter Nicks
Only the Young
DIRECTOR: Jason Tippet & Elizabeth Mims
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD - (Given to one film’s director, casting director, and its ensemble cast)
Starlet
Director: Sean Baker
Casting Director: Julia Kim
Ensemble Cast: Dree Hemingway, Besedka Johnson, Karren Karagulian, Stella Maeve, James Ransone
Thursday, March 29, 2012
"The Muppets" is Muppet-ational
The Muppets (2011)
Running time: 103 minutes (l hour, 43 minutes)
MPAA – PG for some mild rude humor
DIRECTOR: James Bobin
WRITERS: Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller
PRODUCERS: David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Don Burgess
EDITOR: James Thomas
COMPOSER: Christophe Beck
Academy Award winner
FANTASY/COMEDY/FAMILY/MUSICAL
Starring: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones, and Jack Black and The Muppets: (voices) Peter Linz, Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, David Rudman, Matt Vogel, Tyler Bunch, and Alice Dinnean with Emily Blunt, Whoopi Goldberg, and Zach Galifianakis
The Muppets is a 2011 live-action, musical comedy and fantasy film from Walt Disney Pictures. This Oscar-winning film stars The Muppets, the puppet characters created by the late Jim Henson, specifically the characters that appeared on the television series, “The Muppets” (1976-81). This film finds The Muppets reuniting to save their old theatre from a crooked oil tycoon.
Walter (voice of Peter Linz) is a man born as a Muppet. He lives in Smalltown (presumably a small town in the American Midwest) with his brother, Gary (Jason Segel). Gary has planned a vacation to Los Angeles with his girlfriend, Mary (Amy Adams), for their tenth anniversary, and he invites Walter along, so that he can tour the Muppet Studios.
Once in L.A., the trio finds the studio lot abandoned and Muppet Theatre decrepit. Walter happens to overhear Tex Richman (Chris Cooper), a greedy oil tycoon, plotting to seize control of Muppet Theatre, which he also plans to destroy. Walter, Gary, and Mary travel to the mansion of Kermit the Frog (Steve Whitmore), and convince him to reunite The Muppets. Kermit wants to put on a telethon to raise the ten million dollars needed to save Muppet Theatre, but The Muppets have not performed together in years and are scattered around the country. Even if Kermit reunites his friends, no television network thinks that The Muppets are still popular or relevant enough to give them the television time they will need to raise so much money.
With the release of The Muppets last year, I got a chance to rediscover my love for these characters. I watched the first television series, The Muppet Show, during its original run and later, in syndication for several years. I must say that I’m pleased with this new movie, which was critically well-received and performed well at the box office. For the most part, these are still The Muppets that I knew and loved and still love.
The new songs are better than I thought they would be. The beguiling, Elton John-esque “Man or Muppet” (written by Bret McKenzie) won a best original song Oscar, but I prefer two other McKenzie-penned songs. “Life’s a Happy Song” and “Me Party” (co-written by Paul Roemen) are the kind of catchy tunes that can stand on their own as lively jingles outside The Muppets (or even be used in another movie).
Early in the film, I found the characters played by Jason Segel and Amy Adams intolerable and intrusive. I was only a little more tolerant of nouveau-faux Muppet, Walter. As Segel’s Gary and Adams’ Mary recede more into the background and take their place as supporting characters, they grew on me… a little. Besides, I find it hard not to like Amy Adams. Truthfully, Gary, Mary, and Walter seem like minor gateway characters that create the contrivances which in turn bring The Muppets back into the picture. By the end of the movie, I liked that the new characters were part of the film.
Of course, the best thing in The Muppets are The Muppets. Whenever they’re singing and dancing and squabbling and trying to keep their stuff together, The Muppets have their mojo, and their mojo is back. By the end of The Muppets, I was sad because I wanted the movie to be longer.
8 of 10
A
NOTES:
2012 Academy Awards: 1 win: “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song” (Bret McKenzie for the song "Man or Muppet")
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Review: "The Social Network" All-American and All-World
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 17 (of 2011) by Leroy Douresseaux
The Social Network (2010)
Running time: 120 minutes (2 hours)
MPAA – PG-13 for sexual content, drug and alcohol use and language
DIRECTOR: David Fincher
WRITERS: Aaron Sorkin (based on the book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich)
PRODUCERS: Dana Brunetti, Ceán Chaffin, Michael De Luca, and Scott Rudin
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Jeff Cronenweth
EDITORS: Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
COMPOSER: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
DRAMA
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Armie Hammer, Justin Timberlake, Max Minghella, Rashida Jones, Joseph Mazzello, Brenda Song, Josh Pence, and Rooney Mara
The Social Network is perhaps the most critically acclaimed film of 2010, having won close to 20 best picture honors from critics groups and organizations. Directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network is a fictional account and dramatization of the founding of Facebook, the hugely popular social-networking website.
The film begins on a fall night in 2003, when Boston University student, Erica Albright (Rooney Mara), breaks up with Harvard undergrad, Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg). A computer programming genius, Zuckerberg sits down at his computer and lashes out in a flurry of blogging and programming that launches “FaceMash.” Zuckerberg’s new website not only captures the attention of the entire Harvard campus, but also gets the attention of a trio of budding entrepreneurs. That night, in his dorm room after the breakup, leads to what will become “The Facebook” which will eventually become the global social network, Facebook. This revolution in communication, however, brings Zuckerberg both success and a horde of broken friendships, partnerships, and lawsuits.
The Social Network is about several things. It is about Mark Zuckerberg, about the founding of Facebook, about a clash of privileged and ambitious personalities, and about perception and point of view. Most of all, The Social Network seems to be about the beginnings of a map to the future. The triumph of Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay is how he compressed all of this and dramatized in two hours what was probably dull and tedious in real life – including Zuckerberg’s legal wrangling. Sorkin makes nerds come across as sexy masters of the universe. Slimy bastards (like Justin Timberlake’s Sean Parker) seem like rock stars. Parties are shinier, and Harvard’s campus is like a hub, the nexus where all exciting places meet.
And the performances meet and match Sorkin’s exceptional screenplay. Jesse Eisenberg has made a career of playing likeable, amiable dweebs, but as Mark Zuckerberg, he turns that on its head with this outstanding, sublime performance. Eisenberg’s Zuckerberg is like a god, a genius whose indomitable spirit smolders behind a mask of petulance, detachment, and a pout. Zuckerberg should be so Garbo-cool.
I’ve thought for a long time that Justin Timberlake had the dramatic chops to pull off good roles; now, I have proof. Timberlake makes Sean Parker (founder of Napster) cool and attractive, the guy you’d want in your corner, and you’d still forgive his cocaine habit and general sliminess. Andrew Garfield almost steals the film as Eduardo Saverin, a character who is the only adult in the room (which makes him a tragic fall guy). Armie Hammer makes the most of his every moment as the twins, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (with actor Josh Pence doing body double duties) by giving each brother a separate, distinct personality.
The one who pulls it all together and makes The Social Network arguable the best film of 2010 is director David Fincher. The phrase, “visionary director,” gets thrown around a lot about talented hack directors (like Zack Snyder), but since Fincher’s mid-90s film, Se7en, it has been obvious that he is a true visionary. Fincher makes The Social Network operate like a suspense thriller; that’s why Sorkin’s tale of conniving nerds is never boring and always gripping. Here, computers, programming codes, and the Internet are like shiny guns, weapons that make these nerds seem like crazy, sexy, cool gangstas.
The Social Network is compelling drama – mesmerizing, hypnotic, and engaging. Everything about it works, and everyone involved should get credit for their great efforts, especially David Fincher.
10 of 10
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
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Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Cast of "The Social Network" to Be Honored at Hollywood Film Festival
Press release:
"The Social Network" Cast to be Honored at the Hollywood Awards Gala
Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Josh Pence, Brenda Song, Rashida Jones, Douglas Urbanski and Rooney Mara to receive the "Hollywood Ensemble Acting Award"at the Hollywood Awards Gala
Hollywood, CA, October 18, 2010. The 14th Annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Awards, presented by Starz, are pleased to announce that the Cast of David Fincher's "The Social Network," Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Josh Pence, Brenda Song, Rashida Jones, Douglas Urbanski and Rooney Mara, will be recognized at the Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony with the "Hollywood Ensemble Acting Award."
The announcement was made today by Carlos de Abreu, Founder of the Hollywood Awards Gala.
Previously announced honorees for this year's Hollywood Awards Gala include: Sean Penn for the "Humanitarian Award"; Sylvester Stallone for the "Career Achievement Award"; Annette Bening for the "Actress Award"; Robert Duvall for the "Actor Award"; Helena Bonham Carter for the "Supporting Actress Award"; Sam Rockwell for the "Supporting Actor Award"; Zach Galifianakis for the "Comedy Actor Award"; Andrew Garfield for the "Breakthrough Actor Award"; Mia Wasikowska for the "Breakthrough Actress Award"; Jennifer Lawrence for the "New Hollywood Award"; Morgan Freeman and Lorie McCreary for the "Innovator Award"; Danny Boyle and Chris Colson for the "Producer Award"; Tom Hooper for the "Director Award"; Aaron Sorkin for the "Screenwriter Award"; Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story 3" and director Lee Unkrich for the "Animation Award"; Hans Zimmer for "Film Composer Award"; Wally Pfister for "Cinematographer Award"; Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall for the "Editor Award"; Paramount Pictures' "Iron Man 2" and visual effects supervisors Ben Snow and Janek Sirrs for the "Visual Effects Award"; and Robert Stromberg for "Production Designer Award."
ABOUT JESSE EISENBERG
Trained in theater and film, JESSE EISENBERG (Mark Zuckerberg) made his feature film debut in the 2002 independent film "Rodger Dodger," in which he starred opposite Campbell Scott and for which he was nominated for a Gotham Award. For his performance in "The Squid and the Whale" opposite Laura Linney and Jeff Daniels, Eisenberg received nominations for an Independent Spirit Award and a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor.
In 2009, he starred in "Adventureland" for director Greg Mottola and in "Zombieland" for director Ruben Fleischer. For these films, he was nominated for a BAFTA Award. Eisenberg has just reteamed with director Ruben Fleischer this summer to shoot the film "30 Minutes or Less," opposite Danny McBride. Eisenberg is also the lead voice of the 20th Century Fox animated film Rio, which will open next year.
ABOUT ANDREW GARFIELD
Andrew Garfield (Eduardo Saverin) is a BAFTA-winning actor. He can currently be seen starring opposite Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan in Mark Romanek's "Never Let Me Go."
Other screen projects include Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus"; Spike Jonze's robot love story "I'm Here"; Robert Redford's "Lions for Lambs"; Revolution Films' "Red Riding Trilogy" directed by Julian Jarrold; and John Crowley's "Boy A," for which he earned the Best Actor BAFTA in 2008.
Garfield's career began in the theater and in 2006 his performances in "Beautiful Thing," " The Overwhelming and Burn," "Chatroom," and "Citizenship" won him the award for Outstanding Newcomer at the Evening Standard Awards, and the Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer at the Critics Circle Awards. Other notable theatre credits include "Romeo and Juliet" and "Kes," for which he received the Most Promising Newcomer Award at the Manchester Evening News Awards 2004.
Garfield will next star as Peter Parker in the forthcoming "Spider-Man" film, to be directed by Marc Webb.
ABOUT JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
In addition to Justin Timberlake's (Sean Parker) multi-platinum album FutureSex/LoveSounds, which produced four consecutive #1 singles, and his critically acclaimed 2007 FutureSex/LoveShow tour, along with multiple Grammy Awards, he has recently garnered acclaim as an actor for a variety of work in both comedy and drama. Timberlake starred in Universal's crime drama "Alpha Dog," co-starring Emile Hirsch, Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone. He also starred alongside Christina Ricci and Samuel L. Jackson in "Black Snake Moan," for director Craig Brewer. In the summer of 2007, he voiced a lead role in DreamWorks' "Shrek the Third." Timberlake also joined Dwayne Johnson, Seann William Scott, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Mandy Moore in "Southland Tales."
He most recently appeared in the independent film "The Open Road" with Jeff Bridges, Mary Steenburgen, Harry Dean Stanton, and Kate Mara, and will be heard in the upcoming animated feature film, "Yogi Bear." Timberlake will also star in the Screen Gems film "Friends With Benefits" and the Columbia Pictures comedy "Bad Teacher," both due in 2011.
ABOUT ARMIE HAMMER
Armie Hammer plays the role of Cameron Winklevoss in Columbia Pictures "The Social Network." He also starred in "Flicka" starring Tim McGraw and Maria Bello, Rigoberto Castaneda's "Blackout, " and Ryan Shiraki's "Spring Breakdown" also starring Amy Poehler. In addition, Hammer has starred as a recurring character on CW's Gossip Girl and ABC's Reaper.
ABOUT MAX MINGHELLA
Max Minghella plays the role of Divya Narendra in "The Social Network." He is currently filming Chris Gorak's "The Darkest Hour," which also stars Emile Hirsch and Beeban Kidron' "Hippie Hippie Shake" co-starring Cillian Murphy and Sienna Miller. His past credits include Alejandro Amenabar's "Agora" co-starring Rachel Weisz; Robert B. Weide's "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People" also starring Megan Fox; Will Geiger's "Elvis and Anabelle" co-starring Blake Lively; Terry Zwigoff's "Art School Confidential"; Stephen Gaghan's "Syriana" co-starring George Clooney and Matt Damon; and Scott McGehee's "Bee Season" also starring Richard Gere and Kate Bosworth.
ABOUT JOSH PENCE
Josh Pence stars as Tyler Winklevoss in David Fincher's "The Social Network." He is currently in production on Giovanni Zelko's "The Algerian." Pence's previous credits include Ian McCrudden's "The Things We Carry"; Neema Barnette's "Super Sweet 16: The Movie"; and Kevin Porter's short film "Wish."
ABOUT BRENDA SONG
Brenda Song stars as Christy in "The Social Network." She is currently working on Richard Bowen's Little Sister and Chris Stokes' Boogie Town. Her past credits include Roger Kumble?s College Road Trip; John Schultz's Like Mike co-starring Lil Bow Wow; Andy Cadiff's Leave It To Beaver; and John Murlowski's Santa with Muscles starring Hulk Hogan. Song also has done extensive work in television including her role as London Tipton on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and The Suite Life on Deck.
ABOUT RASHIDA JONES
Rashida Jones stars as Marylin Delpy in "The Social Network." She is currently working on David Frankel's "The Big Year" co-starring Jim Parsons and Owen Wilson, and Jesse Peretz's "My Idiot Brother" co-starring Zooey Deschanel and Paul Rudd. Her past credits include Kevin Smith's "Cop Out" starring Bruce Willis; John Hamburg's "I Love You, Man," co-starring Paul Rudd; John Krasinski's "Brief Interviews" with "Hideous Men"; Tracey Hecht's "Life in Flight"; Nick Hurran's "Little Black Book" co-starring Brittany Murphy and Holly Hunter; and Jennifer Derwingson's "Roadside Assistance."
ABOUT DOUGLAS URBANSKI
Douglas Urbanski stars as Larry Summers in "The Social Network."
ABOUT ROONEY MARA
Rooney Mara stars as Erica Albright in "The Social Network." Mara landed her first lead role in the film "Tanner Hall, "starring Amy Sedaris and Tom Everett Scott. She appeared in the comedy "Youth in Revolt, " starring Michael Cera and directed by Miguel Arteta. Mara also appeared in the 2009 independent film "Dare as Courtney." She also filmed "The Winning Season," starring Emma Roberts and Sam Rockwell. Mara starred in "A Nightmare on Elm Street," a 2010 remake of the 1984 horror film of the same name. In October 2009, Mara shot the independent feature "Kaboom, " written and directed by Gregg Araki. In August 2010, she won the role of Lisbeth Salander over several other actresses in the upcoming Sony Pictures film adaptation of Stieg Larsson's "Millennium Trilogy."
The festival and awards will mark their return on October 20 for a week long series of screenings, competitions and awards. The Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on October 25, 2010.
The festival and awards presenter is Starz Entertainment, LLC, a premium movie service provider operating in the United States. It offers 16 movie channels including the flagship Starz® and Encore® brands with approximately 15.8 million and 28.2 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs more than 1,000 movies per month across its pay TV channels and offers advanced services including Starz HD, Starz On Demand and VongoSM. Starz Entertainment (www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation that is attributed to Liberty Capital Group.
Contact: 1.310.288.1882
Hollywood Awards® Gala
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 600
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
info@hollywoodawards.com
"The Social Network" Cast to be Honored at the Hollywood Awards Gala
Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Josh Pence, Brenda Song, Rashida Jones, Douglas Urbanski and Rooney Mara to receive the "Hollywood Ensemble Acting Award"at the Hollywood Awards Gala
Hollywood, CA, October 18, 2010. The 14th Annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Awards, presented by Starz, are pleased to announce that the Cast of David Fincher's "The Social Network," Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Josh Pence, Brenda Song, Rashida Jones, Douglas Urbanski and Rooney Mara, will be recognized at the Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony with the "Hollywood Ensemble Acting Award."
The announcement was made today by Carlos de Abreu, Founder of the Hollywood Awards Gala.
Previously announced honorees for this year's Hollywood Awards Gala include: Sean Penn for the "Humanitarian Award"; Sylvester Stallone for the "Career Achievement Award"; Annette Bening for the "Actress Award"; Robert Duvall for the "Actor Award"; Helena Bonham Carter for the "Supporting Actress Award"; Sam Rockwell for the "Supporting Actor Award"; Zach Galifianakis for the "Comedy Actor Award"; Andrew Garfield for the "Breakthrough Actor Award"; Mia Wasikowska for the "Breakthrough Actress Award"; Jennifer Lawrence for the "New Hollywood Award"; Morgan Freeman and Lorie McCreary for the "Innovator Award"; Danny Boyle and Chris Colson for the "Producer Award"; Tom Hooper for the "Director Award"; Aaron Sorkin for the "Screenwriter Award"; Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story 3" and director Lee Unkrich for the "Animation Award"; Hans Zimmer for "Film Composer Award"; Wally Pfister for "Cinematographer Award"; Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall for the "Editor Award"; Paramount Pictures' "Iron Man 2" and visual effects supervisors Ben Snow and Janek Sirrs for the "Visual Effects Award"; and Robert Stromberg for "Production Designer Award."
ABOUT JESSE EISENBERG
Trained in theater and film, JESSE EISENBERG (Mark Zuckerberg) made his feature film debut in the 2002 independent film "Rodger Dodger," in which he starred opposite Campbell Scott and for which he was nominated for a Gotham Award. For his performance in "The Squid and the Whale" opposite Laura Linney and Jeff Daniels, Eisenberg received nominations for an Independent Spirit Award and a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor.
In 2009, he starred in "Adventureland" for director Greg Mottola and in "Zombieland" for director Ruben Fleischer. For these films, he was nominated for a BAFTA Award. Eisenberg has just reteamed with director Ruben Fleischer this summer to shoot the film "30 Minutes or Less," opposite Danny McBride. Eisenberg is also the lead voice of the 20th Century Fox animated film Rio, which will open next year.
ABOUT ANDREW GARFIELD
Andrew Garfield (Eduardo Saverin) is a BAFTA-winning actor. He can currently be seen starring opposite Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan in Mark Romanek's "Never Let Me Go."
Other screen projects include Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus"; Spike Jonze's robot love story "I'm Here"; Robert Redford's "Lions for Lambs"; Revolution Films' "Red Riding Trilogy" directed by Julian Jarrold; and John Crowley's "Boy A," for which he earned the Best Actor BAFTA in 2008.
Garfield's career began in the theater and in 2006 his performances in "Beautiful Thing," " The Overwhelming and Burn," "Chatroom," and "Citizenship" won him the award for Outstanding Newcomer at the Evening Standard Awards, and the Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer at the Critics Circle Awards. Other notable theatre credits include "Romeo and Juliet" and "Kes," for which he received the Most Promising Newcomer Award at the Manchester Evening News Awards 2004.
Garfield will next star as Peter Parker in the forthcoming "Spider-Man" film, to be directed by Marc Webb.
ABOUT JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
In addition to Justin Timberlake's (Sean Parker) multi-platinum album FutureSex/LoveSounds, which produced four consecutive #1 singles, and his critically acclaimed 2007 FutureSex/LoveShow tour, along with multiple Grammy Awards, he has recently garnered acclaim as an actor for a variety of work in both comedy and drama. Timberlake starred in Universal's crime drama "Alpha Dog," co-starring Emile Hirsch, Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone. He also starred alongside Christina Ricci and Samuel L. Jackson in "Black Snake Moan," for director Craig Brewer. In the summer of 2007, he voiced a lead role in DreamWorks' "Shrek the Third." Timberlake also joined Dwayne Johnson, Seann William Scott, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Mandy Moore in "Southland Tales."
He most recently appeared in the independent film "The Open Road" with Jeff Bridges, Mary Steenburgen, Harry Dean Stanton, and Kate Mara, and will be heard in the upcoming animated feature film, "Yogi Bear." Timberlake will also star in the Screen Gems film "Friends With Benefits" and the Columbia Pictures comedy "Bad Teacher," both due in 2011.
ABOUT ARMIE HAMMER
Armie Hammer plays the role of Cameron Winklevoss in Columbia Pictures "The Social Network." He also starred in "Flicka" starring Tim McGraw and Maria Bello, Rigoberto Castaneda's "Blackout, " and Ryan Shiraki's "Spring Breakdown" also starring Amy Poehler. In addition, Hammer has starred as a recurring character on CW's Gossip Girl and ABC's Reaper.
ABOUT MAX MINGHELLA
Max Minghella plays the role of Divya Narendra in "The Social Network." He is currently filming Chris Gorak's "The Darkest Hour," which also stars Emile Hirsch and Beeban Kidron' "Hippie Hippie Shake" co-starring Cillian Murphy and Sienna Miller. His past credits include Alejandro Amenabar's "Agora" co-starring Rachel Weisz; Robert B. Weide's "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People" also starring Megan Fox; Will Geiger's "Elvis and Anabelle" co-starring Blake Lively; Terry Zwigoff's "Art School Confidential"; Stephen Gaghan's "Syriana" co-starring George Clooney and Matt Damon; and Scott McGehee's "Bee Season" also starring Richard Gere and Kate Bosworth.
ABOUT JOSH PENCE
Josh Pence stars as Tyler Winklevoss in David Fincher's "The Social Network." He is currently in production on Giovanni Zelko's "The Algerian." Pence's previous credits include Ian McCrudden's "The Things We Carry"; Neema Barnette's "Super Sweet 16: The Movie"; and Kevin Porter's short film "Wish."
ABOUT BRENDA SONG
Brenda Song stars as Christy in "The Social Network." She is currently working on Richard Bowen's Little Sister and Chris Stokes' Boogie Town. Her past credits include Roger Kumble?s College Road Trip; John Schultz's Like Mike co-starring Lil Bow Wow; Andy Cadiff's Leave It To Beaver; and John Murlowski's Santa with Muscles starring Hulk Hogan. Song also has done extensive work in television including her role as London Tipton on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and The Suite Life on Deck.
ABOUT RASHIDA JONES
Rashida Jones stars as Marylin Delpy in "The Social Network." She is currently working on David Frankel's "The Big Year" co-starring Jim Parsons and Owen Wilson, and Jesse Peretz's "My Idiot Brother" co-starring Zooey Deschanel and Paul Rudd. Her past credits include Kevin Smith's "Cop Out" starring Bruce Willis; John Hamburg's "I Love You, Man," co-starring Paul Rudd; John Krasinski's "Brief Interviews" with "Hideous Men"; Tracey Hecht's "Life in Flight"; Nick Hurran's "Little Black Book" co-starring Brittany Murphy and Holly Hunter; and Jennifer Derwingson's "Roadside Assistance."
ABOUT DOUGLAS URBANSKI
Douglas Urbanski stars as Larry Summers in "The Social Network."
ABOUT ROONEY MARA
Rooney Mara stars as Erica Albright in "The Social Network." Mara landed her first lead role in the film "Tanner Hall, "starring Amy Sedaris and Tom Everett Scott. She appeared in the comedy "Youth in Revolt, " starring Michael Cera and directed by Miguel Arteta. Mara also appeared in the 2009 independent film "Dare as Courtney." She also filmed "The Winning Season," starring Emma Roberts and Sam Rockwell. Mara starred in "A Nightmare on Elm Street," a 2010 remake of the 1984 horror film of the same name. In October 2009, Mara shot the independent feature "Kaboom, " written and directed by Gregg Araki. In August 2010, she won the role of Lisbeth Salander over several other actresses in the upcoming Sony Pictures film adaptation of Stieg Larsson's "Millennium Trilogy."
The festival and awards will mark their return on October 20 for a week long series of screenings, competitions and awards. The Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on October 25, 2010.
The festival and awards presenter is Starz Entertainment, LLC, a premium movie service provider operating in the United States. It offers 16 movie channels including the flagship Starz® and Encore® brands with approximately 15.8 million and 28.2 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs more than 1,000 movies per month across its pay TV channels and offers advanced services including Starz HD, Starz On Demand and VongoSM. Starz Entertainment (www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation that is attributed to Liberty Capital Group.
Contact: 1.310.288.1882
Hollywood Awards® Gala
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 600
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
info@hollywoodawards.com
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