Nell Minow's Blog, page 87
May 12, 2016
Money Monster
"Money Monster" begins promisingly but then pulls its punches with a disappointingly conventional last 40 minutes. It aims for "The Big Short" plus "Dog Day Afternoon," but comes up just ahead of "Man on the Ledge."
Director Jodie Foster, in her most ambitious project so far, shows an impressive command of the language of film and a discerning eye for the gulf between the way we like to think of ourselves and the way we are.
George Clooney plays Lee Gates, the host of a Jim Cramer-style...
Director Jodie Foster, in her most ambitious project so far, shows an impressive command of the language of film and a discerning eye for the gulf between the way we like to think of ourselves and the way we are.
George Clooney plays Lee Gates, the host of a Jim Cramer-style...
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Love & Friendship
Who better to adapt Jane Austen's epistolary novel, Lady Susan, for the screen than our finest contemporary observer of life among the "haute bourgeoisie," Whit Stillman? A highlight of his first film was a conversation about Austen's Mansfield Park, and his gift for epigrammatic dialog and understanding of class and money -- and female protagonists -- make it a natural fit, and the result is a delightful confection about a woman described by Austen via one of the other characters as "the most...
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Last Days in the Desert
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us that after he was baptized, Jesus entered the desert and spent 40 days fasting and praying. It was only when he left the desert that he was ready to take up his ministry. We do not know much of what went on, but two of the gospels say that during that time he was tempted by the devil.
Writer/director Rodrigo Garcia ("Nine Lives," "Mother and Child") wanted to explore that moment when the divine and the human sides of Jesus were both tested. ...
Writer/director Rodrigo Garcia ("Nine Lives," "Mother and Child") wanted to explore that moment when the divine and the human sides of Jesus were both tested. ...
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A Bigger Splash
Where there is Eden, there is usually a serpent. In this case, it is literal and metaphoric, as Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts) and Marianne (Tilda Swinton) are blissfully happy in a lovely home with a pool on an exquisite island near Sicily. Occasionally they are confronted by local wildlife, including a couple of snakes. But mostly they lie naked outdoors, make love in the pool, and go swimming, slathering mud all over each other then sleeping as it dries. Both are recovering, which means both...
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Clip: Angry Birds — Uncivilized War
You think only the Avengers can mix it up?
The "Angry Birds" movie opens May 20, 2016...
The "Angry Birds" movie opens May 20, 2016...
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May 11, 2016
Interview: Director Rodrigo Garcia on “Last Days in the Desert”
"Last Days in the Desert" is the story of Jesus in the final moment of his time of reflection before accepting his destiny as the Messiah. I spoke to director Rodrigo Garcia about creating the story of a critical moment that is not described in the New Testament and working with his international cast, the storyline about Jesus' interactions with a family, and with three-time Oscar winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki ("Gravity," "The Revenant").
How do you cast the role of Jesus,...
How do you cast the role of Jesus,...
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May 10, 2016
Interview: Writer/Director Rebecca Miller of “Maggie’s Plan”
Rebecca Miller is the writer/director of the delightful new film, "Maggie's Plan," a witty romantic comedy with an unusual twist. Maggie (Greta Gerwig) falls in love with a married professor named John (Ethan Hawke), who leaves his wife, Georgette (Julianne Moore) to be with her. But this is not the happily ever after ending you might expect. Four years later, Maggie comes up with a plan to get John and Georgette back together.
Let’s talk about the hair in the movie, there’s a...
Let’s talk about the hair in the movie, there’s a...
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New on DVD: LEGO Scooby-Doo — Haunted Hollywood
New this week on DVD: LEGO Scooby-Doo -- Haunted Hollywood!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE1Jx...
Set in a LEGO world, the Scooby gang try to rescue an old movie studio, which is not only threatened by developers who want to tear it down, but by a series of movie monsters, which are suddenly haunting the place.
I have one to give away!
Send me an email at moviemom@moviemom.com with Scooby in the subject line and tell me your favorite...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE1Jx...
Set in a LEGO world, the Scooby gang try to rescue an old movie studio, which is not only threatened by developers who want to tear it down, but by a series of movie monsters, which are suddenly haunting the place.
I have one to give away!
Send me an email at moviemom@moviemom.com with Scooby in the subject line and tell me your favorite...
The post New on DVD: LEGO Scooby-Doo — Haunted Hollywood appeared first on Movie Mom.
Audiobook: Lily Collins Reads Peter Pan
For more than a century James M. Barrie's story of the boy who would not grow up has been enchanting families as a play, several theatrical musicals, and in many different television and movie versions. Now the Peter Pan novel by Barrie is available from Audible as an audiobook, beautifully read by one of my favorite young actresses, Lily Collins ("Mirror...
The post Audiobook: Lily Collins Reads Peter Pan appeared first on Movie Mom.
May 9, 2016
FCC: It’s Time to Look at the TV Rating System!
The television ratings system has failed badly. It is secret, inconsistent, and completely out of touch with current technology. There is no accountability or oversight and no way to challenge the decisions made by insiders. I am proud to join with 28 organizations devoted to protecting children and media literacy in calling for a review by the FCC.
The content ratings system as...
The content ratings system as...
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