A Movie That Matters

Steven Spielberg’s The Post takes us back to a time when our government tried to stop the Pentagon Papers -- documents that exposed a cover up of U. S. actions regarding the Vietnam War and Southeast Asia -- from being published. This dramatic film pairs Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks as Katharine Graham and Ben Bradlee, publisher and editor of The Washington Post, respectively. What a treat it is to watch these great actors play off each other as their characters work together during a major crisis for freedom of the press in our democracy!  I felt like a fly on the wall during their conversations and even forgot that it’s Hanks and Streep up there on the screen.

As someone who lived through this crisis while it played out in reality, I am surprised at how suspenseful The Post was for me to watch.

                   

Publish or not, they must decide.

Free press at risk, and it’s their guide.

“The Post” looks back to show the need

to make sure truth is there to read.

Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks play roles

that evoke cheers for their fine goals.

As editor and publisher,

they muster courage, that’s for sure.

An injunction stands in their way --

and prison if they don’t obey.

Though slow a bit with its tense plot,

this powerful film means a lot.

Is Meryl Streep from the Future?

Actress Meryl Streep shines in her new film Ricki and the Flash. As a a rock-and-roll singer, she shows off her considerable vocal talent. Is there any part she can't play? Known for being a perfectionist in preparing for her roles, Streep also boasts the ability to master any accent. No wonder she's earned three Oscars and nineteen Academy Award nominations. Her remarkable film career even inspired Afterbirth Monkey, an Astoria based comedy band, to come up with an amusing song titled "Is Meryl Streep from the Future?" 

Clearly, it is time for Movie Addict Headquarters to do a show about Streep. So on August 25th, I will be sharing my review of  Ricki and the Flash, and film critic Mack Bates has agreed to discuss Streep's illustrious acting career. Mack, a popular guest on Movie Addict Headquarters, has written freelance articles for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and serves as a staff blogger for Milwaukee Magazine’s official film blog. He also received a local Emmy for his work on The Robert and Rosie Show.

“Meryl Streep: Her Films and Performances” airs on BlogTalkRadio at 4 p.m. Eastern Time (1 p.m. Pacific Time) on Tuesday, August 25, 2015. During the live show, listeners are invited to call in and to participate in a chat. An archived segment will also be available.

CALL-IN NUMBER: 646-478-5668

HOST: Betty Jo Tucker

PRODUCER: Nikki Starr
LINK: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters 

                    

     

An Irish Film To Remember

Spencer Tracy once remarked about Katharine Hepburn, “There’s not much meat on her bones, but what’s there is cherse.” Similarly, the little bit of dancing in Dancing at Lughnasa is “cherse” indeed. When the five Irish sisters finally give in to their urge to dance, viewers are treated to an exuberant display of folk dancing that represents the best in quality film editing and directing. Looking back on that night, the movie’s narrator calls it, “Dancing as if language had surrendered to it; dancing as if words were no longer needed.”

The lot of Irish women in the 1930s was not a happy one. But the five unmarried Mundy sisters gain strength and courage from each other.  Despite poor economic conditions, individual eccentricities, and birth of a love child to the youngest sister, these women try bravely to keep the family unit intact. Led by Kate (Meryl Streep), the strict oldest sister, they knit gloves, raise chickens, and care for Michael (Darrell Johnston), an 8-year-old illegitimate child of romantic Christina (Catherine McCormack). Kate, who teaches in the village Catholic school, worries mostly about their simple-minded sister, Rose (Sophie Thompson). Big-hearted Maggie (Kathy Burke) and stoical Agnes (Brid Brennan) round out the Mundy female clan.

Although not central to the action, three men play important roles in the lives of this family. Their long-absent older brother (Michael Gambon), a man of the cloth, returns from Africa as a religious outcast. Instead of converting the natives, they seem to have converted him. He and Michael both receive unconditional love from all five Mundy sisters. And Michael’s father (Rhys Ifans) makes a farewell visit before leaving to fight in Spain.

A great ensemble cast contributes to the excellence of this moving film. Streep’s Irish brogue is perfect, and Thompson’s unusual portrayal of Rose emerges as a memorable one.   

Based on Brian Friel’s Tony Award-winning play, Dancing at Lughnasa avoids the pitfalls of so many plays adapted for the screen.  Thanks to screenwriter Frank McGuinness and director Pat O’Connor, the movie version opens up the story to include such memorable scenes as a pagan ritual deep in the Donegal hills and a dangerous picnic on a boat. O’Connor states, “The challenge for me in making this film was to draw together intense and extraordinary things -- romance, humor, tragedy, realism, and mysticism -- in a work that is, I hope, emotionally uplifting.” 

Filmmaker O’Connor met his challenge with flying colors.  One doesn’t have to be Irish (or a woman) to appreciate this wonderful movie. (Released by Sony Pictures Classics and rated “PG” for mild language and thematic elements.)

Grand and Glorious Awards Show

“Too much of a good thing can be …wonderful,” Mae West once declared. That describes how I felt last night while watching the 81st Annual Academy Awards show. What a grand and glorious showbiz celebration!

Much of the credit goes to host Hugh Jackman for his wonderful song and dance numbers. Besides being “the sexiest man alive,” he’s a consummate entertainer. I loved it when Hugh announced that Mamma Mia! (my favorite film of 2008) has now surpassed Titanic in money earned throughout the United Kingdom -- and I cheered when he shouted, “The musical is back!” at the end of that splashy, sensational Baz Luhrmann tribute to film musicals.

Without a doubt, this year’s Oscars® show turned out to be the best one ever. It was well-organized, informative, glamorous and -- like Mary Poppins -- practically perfect. Here are some of the highlights for me:

Queen Latifah performing a tender rendition of "I’ll Be Seeing You" while clips of actors and other film personnel who passed away during 2008 flashed on the big screen behind her.

Steve Martin and Tina Fey showing off their marvelous comic talents as presenters of the screenplay awards. “Don’t you fall in love with me,” Steve warned Tina when he sensed she was staring at him.

Kate Winslet, in her acceptance speech, teasing fellow nominee Meryl Streep by saying, "Suck it up, Meryl.”

Winner of two music awards for Slumdog Millionaire, A. R. Rachman, explaining that in a world where the choice is between love and hate, he chose love.

All the Slumdog Millionaire folks displaying such pride and joy with each of the eight awards won by this impressive film.

Danny Boyle, who beamed throughout the entire evening, giving a most heartfelt acceptance speech for his Best Director Award (Slumdog Millionaire) and commending the Academy for putting on such a terrific show.

I couldn’t agree with you more, Danny. Bravo to everyone connected with the 81st Annual Academy Awards Ceremony.

Three Happy Nominees

Why are Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes so happy today? Because each one received two – count ‘em -- Golden Globe nominations yesterday.

Streep earned Best Actress recognition for her outstanding performances in the acclaimed drama Doubt and the wonderful musical Mamma Mia! Winslet joins Streep (and three other nominees) in the drama category for her equally splendid acting in Revolutionary Road. She also picked up a Best Supporting nomination for The Reader. And the nominations for Fiennes include Best Supporting Actor for The Duchess plus Best Actor for Bernard and Doris, a made-for-TV movie. Although not one of my favorite actors, Fiennes was brilliant in both films.

Congratulations to this talented trio! Competition in all Golden Globe acting categories may be intense this year, but earning two nominations is something Streep, Winslet and Fiennes can be very proud of.

Golden Globe winners will be announced Sunday, January 11, on NBC.

Movies, Movies, Movies

Yesterday I had the honor of celebrating International Women’s Day with the Pueblo Chapter of the American Association of University Women. Special thanks to Dr. MaryAnn Roldan for inviting me to talk about my favorite topic, “Movies, Movies, Movies.”

It was such fun discussing CONFESSIONS OF A MOVIE ADDICT, my humorous life story with everything but the movie stuff edited out, and surveying the members about their favorite stars and films. Here are the winners:

Favorite Movie – “Gone with the Wind”

Favorite Actress – Meryl Streep

Favorite Actor – Clark Gable

Good sports all, the courageous AAUW women even agreed to take my “Are You a Movie Addict?” quiz. As promised, the results remain secret.

To close the program, I held a drawing to give away two of my books. Betty Alt won a copy of CONFESSIONS OF A MOVIE ADDICT, and Margaret McDonald received a copy of SUSAN SARANDON: A TRUE MAVERICK.

A big “thank you” to the members who purchased copies of these books during the booksigning that followed.

How I wish my friend (and movie buff extraordinaire), Margaret Senatore, had been there to share this special day! Although belonging to AAUW, she is now recovering from a stroke. Our thoughts and prayers are with her.

Before my presentation, I attended the AAUW business meeting. The commitment of this group to advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research is quite impressive. Congratulations, Pueblo AAUW!