Tag Archives: Forrest Hartman

December 11, 2008 · 10:46 pm

‘Milk’ uplifting despite tragic ending

Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk and Victor Garber plays George Moscone in "Milk."

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

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December 7, 2008 · 9:14 am

Video Verdict: New DVDs for Dec. 9

Heath Ledger stars as The Joker in "The Dark Knight."

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.

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December 6, 2008 · 12:37 pm

‘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

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December 5, 2008 · 12:17 pm

‘Cirque Dreams’ coming to Reno

Performers from "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy."

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

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December 5, 2008 · 12:11 pm

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

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August 22, 2008 · 8:18 pm

‘Hamlet 2’ has cult classic potential

Steve Coogan and Amy Poehler in "Hamlet 2."

Steve Coogan and Amy Poehler in "Hamlet 2."

No question about it. Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) is a lousy actor. Whether peddling herpes medication or demonstrating the marvels of a new juicer, he fits in about as well as a zebra in a horse race. But, Dana loves theater more than anything, so he teaches.

To be specific, he teaches at a Tucson, Ariz., public high school where he has two dedicated students, the talented ingénue Epiphany Sellars (Phoebe Strole) and the ambiguously gay leading man Rand Posin (Skylar Astin). With these would-be stars, Dana has produced a string of horrid shows, including a recent adaptation of the 2000 film “Erin Brockovich.”

Click here for full review: http://beta.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/ENT01/808220444/1056/BIZ01

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August 15, 2008 · 5:07 am

‘The Wackness’ tells good, oddball tale

Writer-director Jonathan Levine’s “The Wackness” has the type of self-assuredness that usually comes from a 20-year veteran, but I don’t think a man that old could have made this picture. The 30-something Levine came of age in the mid-1990s just like the film’s protagonist — Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) — and the payoff is authenticity.

Click here for full review: http://m.rgj.com/news.jsp?key=96373

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August 8, 2008 · 10:33 pm

‘Pineapple Express’ goes up in smoke

Let’s clear the air both literally and figuratively. It’s not funny to watch people get stoned.

Sure, there’s the momentary snigger that comes when folks make idiots of themselves, but it’s difficult to extend that sort of humor beyond 15 minutes. That’s why the Harold & Kumar flicks were dreadful. It’s why “Dude, Where’s My Car?” was unwatchable. And it’s why “Pineapple Express” is a waste of two hours and $10.

Click here for full review: http://m.rgj.com/news.jsp?key=93045

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August 1, 2008 · 6:17 pm

‘Swing Vote’ misses the mark

Kevin Costner plays Bud Johnson in the political comedy "Swing Vote."

Kevin Costner plays Bud Johnson in the political comedy "Swing Vote."

When a political film hits theaters during a presidential election year, the hope is for a thoughtful piece that encourages viewers to more thoroughly examine the American political process. Alas, we’ve been saddled with “Swing Vote.”

Despite problems — detailed later — the premise behind “Swing Vote” could be fun. Through a fluke precipitated by a precocious child and inept election officials, one working-class guy is allowed to decide the fate of a U.S. presidential election.

Click here for full review: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080801/ENT01/808010459/0/ENT

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