March 2006

I love Good Night, and Good Luck (hell, I chose it as my best picture of 2005).  George Clooney brings a trained eye and steady hand both in front of and behind the camera and David Strathairn gave a performance worthy not only of his nomination but should have received the Oscar for his role as Edward R. Murrow.  It’s the most complete and important film of 2005 and hopefully it will find a wider audience on DVD as the country comes to appreciate what great film making can accomplish.

Good Night, and Good Luck
5 Stars

“This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box.”

Edward R. Murrow believed that it was the responsibility of television not only to entertain but also to educate and inform.  George Clooney’s film takes the idea that the news should be pure and driven to discover the truth and promote discussion as it’s central theme.  In Clooney’s view this responsibility of journalism is neither antiquated nor dull and for ninety-three minutes the film proves him correct every step of the way.

Yes David Strathairn‘s performance as legendary newsman Edward R. Murrow is the heart and soul of this movie but the film belongs to George Clooney.  The son of anchorman Nick Clooney he grew up in a house that respected journalism in general and investigative news in particular.  To Clooney the project of bringing Murrow’s story to the screen is as much a message about the current state of journalism as pointing out what he calls one of the two most important events of network news.

With the help of people connected with See it Now Clooney set forth to bring the story to Hollywood and what he produces not only tells the important lessons learned from McCarthyism but never becomes preachy and never fails to entertain.  The film is beautiful in black and white and recreates the feel and look of the time period of a 50’s newsroom and the struggle to put on an important piece of journalism against the wishes of sponsors.  Filled with great performances headlined by Strathairn but also including Clooney, Robert Downey Jr, Frank Langella, Jeff Daniels, Patricia Clarkson, Ray Wise and Tate Donovan who all give their very best.  For more on the movie itself check out my original review.

This is a wonderful film that the whole family can enjoy (who would have thunk the best film of 2005 would be PG?).  It educates and entertains as well as giving us an important message.  To do all of these things is good cinema.  To do them all this well is incredible.  The addition of the featurette and commentary track give you an inside look into Clooney’s desire and need to see the film made and his hope that it may inspire discussion and change in today’s news industry.  In ten years no one is going to remember Crash or Brokeback Mountain but this film (along with Spielberg’s Munich) will not only survive the test of time but hopeful will garner the acknowledgement that it so richly deserves.

Isaac Hayes who has provided the voice for Chef for nine years on South Park has parted ways with the show for its “growing insensitivity toward personal religious beliefs.”  Hayes objected strongly to a new episode of the show that pokes fun at Scientology.  In the episode Stan scores a near perfect score on the Scientology test causing the followers to believe he is the second coming of L. Ron Hubbard.  In the past the show has made fun of several different religions, but objections to this episode caused the UK to pull it from air.  Hayes, a Scientologist, objected to this particular episode and decided to sever ties with the show siting his inability to “support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices.”  Co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have agreed to let Hayes out of his contract.  So will South Park be the same without Chef’s salty balls?  Only time will tell.

South Park
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We’re here to let you know what’s out there for your entertainment dollar.  Every week a new batch of DVD’s gets shipped out and thrown onto the shelves.  This week we’ve got two of my top five films of 2005 and believe it or not they’re both on Aaron’s top five too.  Also out this week are season sets of MacGyver, I Dream of Jeannie and Murder She Wrote.  Take a peek inside for the full list.

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

Good Night, and Good Luck – My #1 movie of 2005 and Aarons’ #4 (take a look at my list here, and Aaron’s list here) retells the on-air war between Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy (who plays himself through a series of newsclips).  Beautifully shot and in black and white that perfectly sets the mood and helps recreate the era.  Clooney does double duty as director and co-star in this movie that was good enough to be nominated but never took home any gold.  Not to be forgetten is David Strathairn’s Murrow and great supporting performances by Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson, and Frank Langella.  The DVD contains commentary from Clooney and producer/screenwriter Grant Heslov.  Read original reviews here, and here, and here.

A History of Violence – Aaron’s #5 film of 2005 and my #3 involves a violent event in a small town that causes the past to come crashing down on an entire family.  David Cronenberg directs this violent tale starring Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello in an Oscar worthy performance, Ed Harris and William Hurt.  For me the most haunting film of the year (and that includes Spielberg’s Munich) and some of the best filmmaking in every meaning of the word in this or any year.  The DVD contains commentary from Cronenberg, deleted scenes, a collection of featurettes, and a documentary.  Read the original review.

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio – Julianne Moore, Woody Harrelson, and Laura Dern star in this “true” story about a mother raising ten kids off of jingle-writing contests.

Townes Van Zandt – Be Here to Love Me – Documentary on the life and career of the amazing songwriter includes interviews from Zandt before his death and friends Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson and more.  The DVD includes performances of Van Zandt and commentary from director Margaret Brown, cinematographer Lee Daniel and musician Joe Ely and interviews with artists featured in the documentary.

Collections:

The Agatha Christie Miss Marple Movie Collection – Four disc collection of Miss Marrple (Margaret Rutherford) that includes Murder She Said, Murder at the Gallop, Murder Most Foul, and Murder Ahoy.

TV:

MacGyver – The Complete Fifth Season – MacGyver returns hunting for buried treasure, stopping poachers, learning the true meaning of Christmas, fighting Nazis, and more.  All 21 episodes on 6 discs.  (Read the DVD review here)

Murder, She Wrote – The Complete Third Season – Angela Lansbury continues as author and murder investigator Jessica Fletcher when people keep dying around her in 22 episodes.  I think it’s creepy and a little suspicious that people keep dying when she’s around.  This years guest stars include George Clooney, Tom Selleck, and Courtney Cox.

Columbo – The Complete Fourth Season – The bumbling genius detective continues to track down criminals including guest villains Dick Van Dyke (”Negative Reaction”), Robert Conrrad (”An Exercise in Fatality”), and George Hamilton (”A Deadly State of Mind”).

I Dream of Jeanie – The Complete First Season – An astronaut finds a genie and becomes her master though her magic gets him into more trouble than he barganed for.  All 30 episodes are available in two different collections: one in the original black and white, and a colorized version.  The pilot episode includes commentary from the show’s cast and the DVD also contains inteviews with Larry Hagman, Barbara Eden, and Bill Daily.

Babylon 5 – The Legend of the Rangers – Two-hour television movie spin-off from the original show focusing on the Rangers and their contact with a previous unknown alien race.

Sleeper Cell– Nine episodes including the two-hour finale on three discs tell the story of FBI hunting down terrorist cells in this 24ish action drama.  Incuded in the set are deleted scenes, featurettes, and commentary fom executive producers Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris.

If there’s one word to describe this week it would be – Finally!  The Sci-fi Channel finally brings the new episodeds of Doctor Who to American television and a film I’ve been waiting months to see (originally scheduled to be released last November) Alan Moore’s V for Vendetta finally hits the big screen.  With that and two, count ‘em two, of my top films of 2005 out of DVD (check back tomorrow) it’s just one awesome week!  Read on…

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The Doctor and V, oh yeah and I guess there’s some other new stuff this week too…

TV:

Doctor Who

Nerds rejoice.  Why?  No the real quetion is Who?  After having to wait a couple extra years American audiences will finally get a chance to see the new BBC episodes of the Doctor (David Tennant) and his companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) as they travel thru space and time in the T.A.R.D.I.S.  The Sci-fi Channel brokered the deal a couple of months ago to show all 13 episodes of the new Doctor Who (now if they could only make Battlestar Galactica make sense – what’s up with a half-human/half-robot baby anyway??  But hey that season finale was pretty cool now wasn’t?).  Anyway, look for new Doctor who episodes every Friday starting this week 9:00/8:00.
Film:

V for Vendetta

From the mind of Alan Moore (The Watchmen, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) rewritten and produced by the Wachowski brothers (The Matrix) comes a startling view of the totalitarian future where a terorrist known simply as V is the closest thing to a hero we have left.  Dark and distubing graphic novel where the hero is a not completely sain terrorist who fancies himself a modern day Guy Fawkes.  Infuriated by a script he found “imbecilic” Moore cut all ties with the film and with DC Comics (not a great recommendation).  Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Stephen Rea, John Hurt, Rupert Graves and John Standing were chosen to bring these characters to life on the big screen.  You have to admit that’s a nice cast and the trailers have been great.  Originally slated for a November (remember, remember) release the film was pulled because of the London bombings. 

She’s the Man

Claims to be a modern interpretation of Twelfth Night but it looks much more like Just One of the Guys to us.  Amanda Bynes stars as Viola who disguises herself as her brother and falls for one of his friends.  Problem is Olivia, the girl the guy she likes, falls for her who she thinks is her brother.  Got all that?  What follows is a series of teen crushes and mistaken identities.  We’ve got free movie passes for the Wednesday night screening in Kansas City so if you’re interested in attending read more here and get a chance to win some free passes.  Written by a pair of first time writers and directed by a Andy Fickman doing his first theatrical film this one’s got trainwreck written all over it but still might be a fun ride.

Thank You for Smoking (limited release)

Satirical look at the tobacco industry and the tobacco lobby.  Aaron Eckhart plays Nick Naylor, Big Tobacco’s chief spokesman, who spends his life spinning every negative into a positive.  Maria Bello and Cameron Bright star as his wife and son.  Also along for the ride are Sam Elliot, William H. Macy, Robert Duvall, Adam Brody, J.K. Simmons, Rob Lowe, Dennis Miller, Joan Lunden, and Katie Holmes (sans sex scene deemed to hot for the theatrical release.  Damn you MPAA!)  Written and director by Ivan Reitman’s son Jason Reitman the film became a hit at both the Toronto Film Festival and Sundance.

Summer Storm (limited release)

German film with English subtitles from 2004 finally makes it to U.S. theaters.  The story involves two best friends Tobi (Robert Stadlober) and Achim (Kostja Ulmann) leaders of their summer camp crew (rowing) team.  As Achim becomes more serious with his girlfriend Sandra (Miriam Morgenstern) Tobi begins to reaxamine his feelings finds and himself jealous.  His sexual confusion isn’t helped by the sudden appearance of a gay crew team and Sandra’s best friend Anke who has her own interest in Tobi.  A German comedy?  Well it has recieved nice praise since it’s release especially dealing with gay themes.

Don’t Trip…He Ain’t Through with Me Yet (limited release)

Comedian Steve Harvey’s (Original Kings of Comedy, Steve Harvey’s Big Time) sold out performance at Bishp T.D. Jake’s “Megafest” in Atlanta is captured on this stand-up 90 minute documentary.  Harvey keeps it clean for his fourth performance at the Evangelical event joking and make observations on church life, children, family, and faith.  Toned down version (rated PG) of Harvey that the studio (first film distributed by Code Black Entertainment) hopes will score with the whole family.  Getting a limited release this week and its box office results may well determine its wide release.

Find Me Guilty (limited release)

The latest film from writer/director Sidney Lumet (Network, Serpico,The Verdict) is inspired by a true story (ah the words that may critic’s blood run cold) about mobster Jack DiNorscio who defended himself in the longest running mafia trial in history rather than offer testimony on his friends and family.  Vin Diesel in the starring role?  The film also stars Peter Dinklage, Ron Silver, and Annabella Sciorra.  I love Lumet’s early work but his films over the last twenty years (Guilty as Sin, Family Business, A Stranger Among Us) make me a little hesitant on this one.  At least this one doesn’t star Melanie Griffith.

Don’t Come Knocking (New York and Los Angeles only)

Director Wim Wenders (Buena Vista Social Club) and writer/star Sam Shepard reunite (they gave us Paris, Texas way back in 1984) to tell us the story of a forgotten western genre movie star now down and out living out his days in the comfort of alcohol, drugs and attractive young women.  On discovering he might have a grown child he’s never met he leaves on a quest to find him/her.  I don’t know but sounds a little too much like last year’s Broken Flowers to me though the western theme might be interesting