Raising Victor Vargas

Posted on March 29, 2008 at 8:00 am

Two of the best performances of the year so far were given by Victor Rasuk in “Stop Loss” and Melonie Diaz in “Be Kind Rewind.” Both got their start in a little-seen independent film called a “minor miracle” by Salon movie critic Stephanie Zacharek, “Raising Victor Vargas.” The young actors share their names with their characters, and the film has an intimate, improvised, documentary feel as it explores their struggles to find themselves and make connections. Watch for another supremely natural performance from first-timer Altagracia Guzman as the grandmother. Winner of Independent Spirit awards for direction and first screenplay, this is a quiet gem of a movie. I am delighted to see Rasuk and Diaz continuing to grow as performers and look forward to seeing what they do next.

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For Your Netflix Queue Rediscovered Classic

List: 10 movies that feature God

Posted on March 21, 2008 at 7:08 pm

Rotten Tomatoes has a new list of movies that feature God.
Not long ago, Beliefnet had its own list of memorable portrayals of God in the movies and television. I contributed a brief commentary on one of my favorites, Howie Mandel (yes, the “Deal or No Deal” guy) in the old television show, “St. Elsewhere.”
And try out Beliefnet’s quiz about some of the more than 200 movies that feature God in the title.
Do you have a favorite portrayal of a deity on the screen?

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For Your Netflix Queue Lists Spiritual films

Anthony Minghella

Posted on March 18, 2008 at 6:10 pm

It is a terrible loss to the world of film that Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella has died suddenly of complications following surgery. I am very much looking forward to his final film, based on the best-selling book, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. It seems like a perfect choice of material for this most literate and sensitive of writer/directors.

Minghella’s obituaries will focus on his best-known and most prestigious films like “Cold Mountain,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” and the movie for which he won his best director Oscar, “The English Patient.” But my favorite of his films will aways be the first one he directed, the deeply romantic “Truly, Madly, Deeply,” starring Juliet Stevenson and Alan Rickman.

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For Your Netflix Queue Rediscovered Classic Tribute

Arhur C. Clarke

Posted on March 18, 2008 at 5:22 pm

Science fiction luminary Arthur C. Clarke has died at age 90.

His pioneering theoretical work on orbits made possible the development of communication satellites and the author of over 100 books. His thoughtful interview in 1999 covers his experience writing “2001: A Space Odyssey” with director Stanley Kubrick and his thoughts on the U.S. Space program.

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For Your Netflix Queue Tribute

List: Five movies about presidents

Posted on February 18, 2008 at 8:00 am

PresidentsDay-w.jpg
Why have there been no great films about George Washington? And why are there so many films featuring Abraham Lincoln? From the John Ford classic Young Mr. Lincoln, starring Henry Fonda, to Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, there is something about the tall man with the wry sense of humor that is very cinematic.
Five great movies for President’s Day:
1. Young Mr. Lincoln Long before he ran for President, we see Abe Lincoln mourn his first love and defend his first clients.
2. Independence Day Bill Pullman is a former fighter pilot who leads America and the world after an alien attack.
3. Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb This cold-war farce has Peter Sellers in three roles, including President of the United States. His conversation with his counterpart in the USSR is a masterpiece. (Some mature material).
kisses%20for%20my%20president.jpg4. “Kisses for My President” Not available on DVD or video, this all-but forgotten 1964 film features Polly Bergan as the nation’s first female President, but in this pre-feminist era its focus is on the problems faced by her husband, played by Fred McMurray. It is every bit as silly as its title suggests and you will never believe how it all gets resolved. (Guesses welcome)
5. Air Force One Harrison Ford is the President as action hero. When Air Force One is captured by terrorists, it’s a good thing that the man who played Han Solo and Indiana Jones is on hand.

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For Your Netflix Queue Lists Rediscovered Classic
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