Vodpod videos no longer available.
more about “Video: Emile Hirsch on ‘Milk’“, posted with vodpod
Monthly Archives: December 2008
Video: Emile Hirsch on ‘Milk’
Filed under Videos
Video: Josh Brolin on ‘Milk’
Filed under Videos
Video: James Franco on ‘Milk’
Vodpod videos no longer available.
more about “Forrest interviews James Franco about…“, posted with vodpod
Brolin in spotlight again with ‘Milk’
Josh Brolin plays Dan White in "Milk."
When “Milk” was filming in San Francisco, actor Josh Brolin stayed in an apartment overlooking the Castro District, long known as a haven for the city’s gay residents. This seemed appropriate for a movie about Harvey Milk, a former Castro resident who was elected to the San Francisco board of supervisors, making him the first openly gay politician to take a major public office in California. But Brolin plays the villain in the story, Dan White.
It was White who assassinated Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone on Nov. 27, 1978, bringing the political careers of both men to a tragic end. So, Brolin couldn’t help but wonder what sort of reception he’d get in the Castro.
“That’s where I’d go shopping for my groceries and all that stuff,” he said. “I was afraid at first because I knew San Francisco was embracing this story and this movie so much. Not a lot of movies get done here anymore. So, I was a little afraid when I’d go down shopping, you know, being recognized. ‘Oh yeah, you’re the guy playing Dan White’ (pantomimes spitting in disgust).”
Brolin needn’t have worried.
Click here for full story: http://www.rgj.com/article/20081212/ENT01/812120500/1056/ENT
Filed under Features
Ask Forrest: Do you like any remakes?
Question: The new version of “The Day the Earth Stood Still” made me think about how many remakes we see in theaters. I know you sometimes criticize remakes for a lack of originality, but now and then we get a good one. What are some remakes you do like?
Answer: You’re right that I don’t generally favor remakes. Not because they’re always bad but because I don’t see the point. There is some validity, I suppose, to taking a really good story and applying all the benefits that modern special effects and filmmaking equipment can offer, but I still prefer to see an original idea.
That said, here are five remakes I thoroughly enjoy.
Click here for full column: http://www.rgj.com/article/20081212/COL14/812120506/1117/ENT
Filed under Ask Forrest
‘Milk’ uplifting despite tragic ending
Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk and Victor Garber plays George Moscone in "Milk."
It’s difficult to imagine a film ending with a double homicide as uplifting, but “Milk” is exactly that.
No, it isn’t a spoiler to say that San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) and Mayor George Moscone (Victor Garber) were murdered on Nov. 27, 1978, by former supervisor Dan White (Josh Brolin). For West Coast residents, the events are common knowledge, and director Gus Van Sant structures his film with that in mind. Although “Milk” chronicles Harvey Milk’s rise as a gay activist and one of the first openly gay politicians elected to public office, the timeline is fractured and acknowledges the murders at the outset. The movie is also peppered with a Penn voiceover meant to reflect the politician’s mindset shortly before his assassination.
But uplifting? Absolutely.
Click here for full review: http://www.rgj.com/article/20081211/ENT01/312110001/1056/ENT
Filed under Movie Reviews
Video Verdict: New DVDs for Dec. 9
Heath Ledger stars as The Joker in "The Dark Knight."
We might as well call this the week of the bat because “The Dark Knight” is sure to outsell all other DVD releases. Still, there are options for folks who don’t like their movie stars dressed in a cape and a cowl.
Filed under Video Verdict
‘Cirque Dreams’ is visually stunning
The fantastic imagery that governs “Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy” begins even before the show officially starts. The audience is jarred from pre-show conversation when a huge turtle (actually a performer in costume) begins to scoot across the stage. The turtle is followed by a man-sized frog, a tree, and then the obligatory opening comments, which include notice that the show will begin when the turtle — finally — makes his way to the other side of the stage.
Click here for full review: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200881206014
Filed under Theater Reviews
‘Cirque Dreams’ coming to Reno
Performers from "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy."
In the theater world, it’s good to be a triple-threat — a performer who can sing, dance and act. To star in “Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy” it takes even more.
“I kind of give myself the title of quadruple threat,” said Marco Balestracci, a “Jungle Fantasy” performer. “You’ve got singers, actors, dancers. You have gymnasts. … Not many people can do everything. I can sing a little bit. … I danced for 11 years, strictly ballet with jazz and modern and tap and all the other stuff on the side. Then I took gymnastics for 12 to 13 years competitively. … Now I can actually add to my resume that I’ve been on Broadway and that I’m an acrobat, too.”
It takes a multitalented entertainer to lead a show like “Jungle Fantasy,” opening at the Pioneer Center today, because it shares traits with both cirque (or circus) productions and Broadway theater. Although cirque is French for “circus,” the production is a far cry from a Ringling Brothers show. Rather than focus on animals performing in rings, it blends traditional circus acts into the ongoing story of a man discovering life in the jungle.
Click here for full story: http://www.rgj.com/article/20081205/ENT/812050421/1056
Filed under Features
Ask Forrest: What makes a Bond girl?
Question: Regarding a recent column you wrote about James Bond movies, I just want to confirm that you believe that Madonna was a Bond girl in “Die Another Day” with Halle Berry? Really? And you call yourself a film writer? Anybody could easily go to Google to confirm the facts. There you clearly will see that Madonna’s tie-in with this film was that she did a music video for the theme song. I am sure that does not constitute her as a Bond girl.
Answer: Google and the Internet are both incredible resources, but there is no substitute for actually watching the movie. I’m assuming, from the content of your question, that you have not seen “Die Another Day.” If you had, you likely would remember that Madonna not only recorded the theme song but made an appearance as a fencing instructor.
Does she qualify as a Bond girl? Now that’s a question that holds more interest.
Click here for entire column: http://www.rgj.com/article/20081205/COL14/812050418/1117/ENT
Filed under Ask Forrest
foresthartman.com 