Jason Statham gets ready to ride in "Death Race."
A brainless action film, a girl-power drama, an intimate documentary and two offbeat comedies. In other words, this week’s DVD crop has something for all types.
Tag Archives: Forrest Hartman
Critics name ‘Frost/Nixon’ best film
The Las Vegas Film Critics Society announced its 2008 awards this week, and director Ron Howard’s “Frost/Nixon” was the runaway winner.
The film, about British journalist David Frost’s post-Watergate interviews with Richard Nixon, nabbed five of the organization’s Sierra Awards, including best picture, best actor for Frank Langella and best director for Howard. “Frost/Nixon” was also given honors for best screenplay and editing, and Langella also received the group’s William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award.
Click here for full story: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200881219020
Filed under Features
Don’t kick ‘Slumdog’ to the rear
Dev Patel, left, and Anil Kapoor in "Slumdog Millionaire."
Feeling bad about America’s economic woes? Then settle into a screening of “Slumdog Millionaire,” director Danny Boyle’s fresh and inventive tale of a parentless Indian boy named Jamal who becomes a contestant on that country’s version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”
Despite little formal education and a young adulthood spent in poverty, Jamal is doing well on “Millionaire” when he is hauled off by police and interrogated on suspicion of cheating. And, as Jamal explains how he knew the answers to the show’s questions, police officials and moviegoers get a playback of his tragic-yet-fascinating life. They also learn of his lifelong, unrequited love for a beautiful girl named Latika.
Click here for full review: http://www.rgj.com/article/20081219/ENT01/812190465/1056/ENT
Filed under Movie Reviews
Ask Forrest: Is Will Smith a good actor?
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
Video Verdict: New DVDs for Dec. 16
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
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Video: Emile Hirsch on ‘Milk’
Filed under Videos
Video: Josh Brolin on ‘Milk’
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Video: James Franco on ‘Milk’
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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
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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
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