Rebecca Redshaw
Sofa Cinema
Published on Wed, Jan 6, 2010 by Rebecca RedshawRead More Sofa Cinema
Rebecca Redshaw's "SOFA CINEMA: An Easy Guide to DVDs Volume 1" is available at local bookstores, at the
Sequim Gazette and online at www.rebeccaredshaw.com.
The movies selected for review are the choice of the reviewer. Suggestions for DVD titles are welcome. Enjoy the movies.
NEW RELEASE
"(500) Days of Summer," rated PG-13
You might remember Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the preteen alien on TV's "3rd Rock From the Sun," but that memory will fade quickly once you've seen "(500) Days of Summer." One of the most clever and entertaining movies released in 2009, this independent film dusts off old memories of first love -Holly Erickson <sqmgazette> (What rain?) glorious as well as angst-ridden.
Tom (Gordon-Levitt) still dreams of being an architect even as he labors in his cubicle writing inane verse for greeting cards. He works with two buddies who watch helplessly as Tom falls for the new office receptionist. As Summer, Zooey Deschanel seems to float from the copy machine to the lunch room to her desk and eventually into Tom's fantasy.
Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel's scenes are captivating and reminiscent of the chemistry between Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally." Directed by newcomer Marc Webb, "(500) Days of Summer" is at times laugh-out-loud funny, emotionally touching and musically clever as Tom shares the joy of his newfound love with everyone he meets in Central Park.
It's not often that a movie comes along that teenagers can enjoy with their parents, but "(500) Days of Summer" is fun for all.
DOCUMENTARY
"OT: Our Town"
There are a few familiar faces in "OT: Our Town." There's Hal Holbrook as the stage manager, a very young Robby Benson as George, Glynnis O'Conner as Emily as well as Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox, Charlotte Rae and Barbara Bel Geddes. Of course, these "stars" only are seen in old black and white clips used to illustrate the contrast to this modern production.
"OT: Our Town" is about the staging of Thorton Wilder's classic play in the 21st century by two teachers in Compton, Calif., where basketball, not theater, rules.
There is no drama department, no budget, no stage and no costumes. It has been years since this inner city school even has considered staging a play. Yet, as you visit the classrooms and watch the rehearsals, something starts to happen - an awareness of something different.
Teachers Catherine Borek and Karen Greene do what so many dedicated teachers do. They offer their time and encouragement, they cajole and prod, they work long hours for no extra pay. So what? Who cares?
Watch "OT: Our Town."
So many felt the immediate sense of accomplishment and pride, the student actors, their parents and friends, the community and, now, the DVD-renting public.
High school theater productions are not about auditioning for the big time. High school theater productions teach students how to work together, experience art, express themselves and know a sense of accomplishment through sharing talent.
CLASSIC
"Wall Street," rated R
"The Times They Are a Changin'." Evidently not so much. Released in 1987, Oliver Stone's classic movie about the shenanigans among the financially elite frustratingly still ring true more than 20 years later.
"Wall Street" stars Michael Douglas as the ridiculously wealthy Gordon Gekko. As far as famous lines of dialogue go, his utterance of "Greed is good" ranks right up there with "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."
Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) comes from a blue collar background. His dad (actual father, actor Martin Sheen) unknowingly shares privileged information about his company and Bud can't wait to run to Gekko with the insider info.
With fast cuts and good editing, Stone captures the rapid pace of the stock market floor as well as the glamorous appeal of the high life.
The ending of "Wall Street" falls a little flat given the up-to-the-minute news footage of suit-wearers being shuttled off in handcuffs lately. The clunky computers and cumbersome phones may be dated; alas, it's clear that greed never goes out of style.
Rebecca Redshaw can be reached at r2redshaw@
hotmail.com.
Sequim Gazette and online at www.rebeccaredshaw.com.
The movies selected for review are the choice of the reviewer. Suggestions for DVD titles are welcome. Enjoy the movies.
NEW RELEASE
"(500) Days of Summer," rated PG-13
You might remember Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the preteen alien on TV's "3rd Rock From the Sun," but that memory will fade quickly once you've seen "(500) Days of Summer." One of the most clever and entertaining movies released in 2009, this independent film dusts off old memories of first love -Holly Erickson <sqmgazette> (What rain?) glorious as well as angst-ridden.
Tom (Gordon-Levitt) still dreams of being an architect even as he labors in his cubicle writing inane verse for greeting cards. He works with two buddies who watch helplessly as Tom falls for the new office receptionist. As Summer, Zooey Deschanel seems to float from the copy machine to the lunch room to her desk and eventually into Tom's fantasy.
Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel's scenes are captivating and reminiscent of the chemistry between Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally." Directed by newcomer Marc Webb, "(500) Days of Summer" is at times laugh-out-loud funny, emotionally touching and musically clever as Tom shares the joy of his newfound love with everyone he meets in Central Park.
It's not often that a movie comes along that teenagers can enjoy with their parents, but "(500) Days of Summer" is fun for all.
DOCUMENTARY
"OT: Our Town"
There are a few familiar faces in "OT: Our Town." There's Hal Holbrook as the stage manager, a very young Robby Benson as George, Glynnis O'Conner as Emily as well as Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox, Charlotte Rae and Barbara Bel Geddes. Of course, these "stars" only are seen in old black and white clips used to illustrate the contrast to this modern production.
"OT: Our Town" is about the staging of Thorton Wilder's classic play in the 21st century by two teachers in Compton, Calif., where basketball, not theater, rules.
There is no drama department, no budget, no stage and no costumes. It has been years since this inner city school even has considered staging a play. Yet, as you visit the classrooms and watch the rehearsals, something starts to happen - an awareness of something different.
Teachers Catherine Borek and Karen Greene do what so many dedicated teachers do. They offer their time and encouragement, they cajole and prod, they work long hours for no extra pay. So what? Who cares?
Watch "OT: Our Town."
So many felt the immediate sense of accomplishment and pride, the student actors, their parents and friends, the community and, now, the DVD-renting public.
High school theater productions are not about auditioning for the big time. High school theater productions teach students how to work together, experience art, express themselves and know a sense of accomplishment through sharing talent.
CLASSIC
"Wall Street," rated R
"The Times They Are a Changin'." Evidently not so much. Released in 1987, Oliver Stone's classic movie about the shenanigans among the financially elite frustratingly still ring true more than 20 years later.
"Wall Street" stars Michael Douglas as the ridiculously wealthy Gordon Gekko. As far as famous lines of dialogue go, his utterance of "Greed is good" ranks right up there with "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."
Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) comes from a blue collar background. His dad (actual father, actor Martin Sheen) unknowingly shares privileged information about his company and Bud can't wait to run to Gekko with the insider info.
With fast cuts and good editing, Stone captures the rapid pace of the stock market floor as well as the glamorous appeal of the high life.
The ending of "Wall Street" falls a little flat given the up-to-the-minute news footage of suit-wearers being shuttled off in handcuffs lately. The clunky computers and cumbersome phones may be dated; alas, it's clear that greed never goes out of style.
Rebecca Redshaw can be reached at r2redshaw@
hotmail.com.
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