Veteran’s Day 2014: Paying Tribute

Posted on November 11, 2014 at 11:11 am

As we remember and thank those who have served our country and defended our freedom, these movies help us begin to understand their contribution.

The Messenger One of the finest young actors working today, Ben Foster, stars with Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton in this powerful story of an injured soldier assigned to visit the families of soldiers to deliver the news that they have been killed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tTIQ8pkGf0

Gardens of Stone The detail assigned to Arlington Cemetery is responsible for honoring the war dead. James Caan, James Earl Jones, and D.B. Sweeney star in this moving tribute to the soldiers who pay tribute.

Taking Chance Kevin Bacon stars in this fact-based story of Lt. Col. Michael Strobl who volunteered to escort a fallen soldier’s remains when he found out they shared the same home town. It is a quietly touching drama about how the journey affected Strobl and the people along the way.

Related Tags:

 

For Your Netflix Queue Neglected gem

Interstellar at the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum

Posted on November 10, 2014 at 3:25 pm

 

Copyright 2014 Nell Minow
Copyright 2014 Nell Minow

Every element of Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar” was really happening in front of the camera. Well, they didn’t actually go into space and explore other planets, but they did build every piece of equipment and they did seek out landscapes around the world that would seem like other planets. The spaceship they built is now on display at the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum near Dulles Airport in Northern Virginia, and I drove out there to take a look.  The detail work is spectacular.

Copyright 2014 Nell Minow
Copyright 2014 Nell Minow

They also have an Oculus Rift virtual reality “Interstellar” experience that is completely immersive. You feel as though you are floating in zero gravity through the interior of the spacecraft. It will be there through November 20, 2014, and it is definitely worth the trip. And you can see the movie when you’re there, on one of the biggest screens in the world.

Oculus Rift
Copyright 2014 Nell Minow
Related Tags:

 

Not specified

Robert Elisberg’s Review of My Book: 101 Must-See Movie Moments

Posted on November 9, 2014 at 3:59 pm

Many thanks to my old friend Robert Elisberg for a wonderful review of my book in the Huffington Post. 101 Must-See Movie Moments

What makes the book such fun is that most books on movies give a fairly general overview of the films its covering, Nell hones in on the specifics. Or rather, on one specific. She does discuss each film, of course, to sort of set the stage, though not as a mere recap but rather going into depth with behind-the-scenes tales, and an explanatory sense of why the movie is so worth attention — but then singles out that one special moment that (as the title says) always gets overlooked at the expense of others, or was so wonderful in a movie you might never have even heard of.

In some ways, the book could have been titled, “Remember That Scene Where…”

That’s the fun of the book, how it brings the joy of the movie-going experience to life. There’s nothing dry about her writing or appreciation of films. (Don’t forget, I did say she’s giddy about watching movies, sometimes two or even three in a day — after having met with corporate shareholders to analysis their situation earlier in the day.) And so what we get here is picking that one unique scene that helps put the whole movie in perspective, and help explain why it works so well. Why we love that film, or why we should see it. Through the focus of one great moment.

Related Tags:

 

Books Media Appearances
THE MOVIE MOM® is a registered trademark of Nell Minow. Use of the mark without express consent from Nell Minow constitutes trademark infringement and unfair competition in violation of federal and state laws. All material © Nell Minow 1995-2024, all rights reserved, and no use or republication is permitted without explicit permission. This site hosts Nell Minow’s Movie Mom® archive, with material that originally appeared on Yahoo! Movies, Beliefnet, and other sources. Much of her new material can be found at Rogerebert.com, Huffington Post, and WheretoWatch. Her books include The Movie Mom’s Guide to Family Movies and 101 Must-See Movie Moments, and she can be heard each week on radio stations across the country.

Website Designed by Max LaZebnik