Question: When you contrast the beginning of Will Smith’s career against what he’s doing now, it’s startling. What do you think of him as an actor?
Answer: It’s true that Smith’s early acting work — think “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” — wasn’t exactly Oscar material. But, with maturity, he’s become one of the most exciting performers of his generation.
Click here for complete column: http://www.rgj.com/article/20081219/COL14/812190464/1117/ENT
Filed under Ask Forrest
Don Cheadle stars in "Traitor."
This week’s DVD releases include an intense political thriller, the revival of Brendan Fraser’s “Mummy” franchise and a movie musical starring Meryl Streep. Continue reading
Filed under Video Verdict
Filed under Videos
Filed under Videos
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
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
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
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
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
Born on this dateTeaching Journalism One Class at a Time
Northern California Party Band
Don't let distance learning get you down
Give yourself the same care and love that you give others and watch yourself bloom
BUZZWEED QUIZZES
Information/Personal Blog of Waterpolo
This blog contains Track and Field New and Information
A one stop shop for all your pandemic panics! This is a site where I share what I've learned is key to staying mentally happy and healthy during this pandemic
Every week I review fast food dollar menus!
We specialize in German and American Sports Cars and Automobiles
Through this blog you will learn about different people and what motivates them to do what they do.
foresthartman.com 