“People may say I 'can‘t' sing,” Florence Foster Jenkins once said, “But no one can ever say I 'didn’t' sing.”
If the story sounds simple, it is. There are moments of Woody Allen’s philosophical musings: “Life is a comedy written by a sadistic comedy writer;” “Unrequited love kills more people than tuberculosis;” and “The unexamined life is not worth living. But the examined one is no bargain either.” But nothing very weighty. 'Café Society' isn’t going to rock your world, but it’s a nice way to spend an evening and makes a very pretty picture.
After “a chance visit to the Boxing Day races in 2012,” Louise Ormond decided that she wanted to make a film about the racing world. She researched for several days, then came across the stranger-than-fiction story of Welsh racehorse Dream Alliance, an unlikely champion bred by a syndicate of average folk in the former mining town of Cefn Fforest. Ormond remembers, “I knew within seconds I’d do anything to make it into a film.”
I can’t express how satisfied I am that 'Maggie’s Plan' probably lacked the budget for a bigger name. The part and the actress are ideally suited for each other. Greta Gerwig deserves greater success. Then again, I’d hate to see her walk away from intimate gems like this.
Charlotte Rampling is utterly mesmerizing, conveying a lifetime of hopes and irredeemable sadness through her subtle and often silent presence.
Not only is it encouraging to see women in so many roles in 'Eye in the Sky' that are not gender traditional (mission commander, co-pilot, Undersecretary of State, identity analyst), but motives and feelings aren’t distributed along expected lines either. There are equal parts compassion and determination displayed by men and women alike.
You could call it a “coming of age” story, complete with a mentor (the 13-year-old Vivian) and several wrong turns. But like all good coming of age stories, the heroine’s challenges are key to her ability to change. And this delightful film shows that we are never too old for what comes next.
'Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot' is an engaging, entertaining movie. And Tina Fey is wonderful in it. (One begins to wonder if there’s anything this brilliant writer, producer, actor can’t do.) But, it could have been much more.
Whether we see her as a grieving parent, a cutthroat politician, or a powerful hybrid of the two, Joan Allen is at the center of every scene she’s in.
Opportunities have to come before recognition. A more diverse, inclusive group of young filmmakers, actors and writers need to have an equal chance to hone their craft — from education to entry-level jobs, financial backing and colorblind casting. Then we’ll really have an Oscars worth celebrating.
A producer/director herself, Tara Johnson-Medinger has experienced the glass ceiling firsthand. She works tirelessly to foster change by giving women directors a chance to shine and giving young girls a creative, empowering experience.
Some high-profile celebrities are actually paid to wear certain gowns and jewels. Two years ago, there was a bidding war between two labels for Jennifer Lawrence’s dress. Gwyneth Paltrow allegedly earned $1 million for wearing a diamond cuff by Anna Hu. And, in 2011, when Anne Hathaway co-hosted the Oscars, she reportedly received $750,000 to wear jewelry from Tiffany & Co. (Someone should really let Tiffany’s know that I’d wear them for free.)