Girl with a Pearl Earring
A 2003 movie based on a novel that author Tracy Chevalier wrote about Johannes Vermeer's masterwork "Girl with a Pearl Earring".
Back in 1665 there's a girl, Griet (Scarlett Johansson), that works in Vermeer's (Colin Firth) house as a maid. She takes over the cleaning of his art studio and after a while she becomes his muse, asked to pose for his famous painting. The whole work has to be done secretly as they had to avoid Vermeer's jealous wife as well as his master van Ruijven who charges him for the painting, acquainting his intentions about the young maid.
The film's beautiful picture, influenced by Vermeer's work and colors, create a unique atmosphere, illuminating a whole era. The roles' distribution is more than successful, leading to Johansson's Golden Globe nomination and of course three Oscar nominations including best Costume Design, Cinematography and Art Direction-Set Decoration. Combined with a very powerful soundtrack, the final result is really impressive. The only ones who might be a little disappointed are those who have read the book, as the ending has been changed as well as the significance of some supporting roles. My advice; see it anyway. It's totally worth it.
Howl
"...Visions! omens! hallucinations! miracles! ecstasies!
gone down the American river!
Dreams! adorations! illuminations! religions! the whole
boatload of sensitive bullshit! ..."
Howl by Allen Ginsberg
In the Summer of 1955 Allen Ginsberg (James Franco) wrote a poem called "Howl". A year later the poem was published and in 1957 led to the prosecution of its publisher and to the famous Obscenity trial. Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman manage to approach the writer, the poem and the trial in different ways, trying to separate the facts and focus on the depiction the poem had on society during time and historical facts.
James Franco gives a remarkable performance, not to mention David Strathairn and Jeff Daniels having their unique fights in court.
The film goes out on 24 September 2010 (US), highly recommended for the enthusiasts...
New Resident Evil: Afterlife Trailer Introduces More Flying 3D Things | BeyondHollywood.com | Movie and TV News, Reviews, and Opinions
New Resident Evil: Afterlife Trailer Introduces More Flying 3D Things | BeyondHollywood.com | Movie and TV News, Reviews, and Opinions
Thriller LIVE
As one more “late” Michael Jackson’s fan I was “lucky” enough to have Thriller LIVE in my city. So I’m not gonna tell you if I enjoyed or not… There is an obvious answer to that. I’ve heard and still hearing a lot about this particular show or every other show that connects to the King of Pop. My sister called it a memorial. But how can you even go to a tribute show not having the desire to hear about the man that created it.
Anyway, there is a narrator, who gets you in history, starting with Jackson 5. There’s a little boy which is IDENTICAL to Michael at this age. It brings tears in your eyes when you’re watching him performing ABC or I want you back and it seems like the familiar B&W picture has gone live. The first part of the show includes songs from the very beginning to adolescent Jackson 5 and finally Michael’s first solo attempt: Off the Wall. There are 5 or 6 performers including a woman, which by the way performs The way you make me feel! It is a great approach, although I must confess that I was a little disappointed at first. The performers are not impersonating Michael. They are just trying to attribute in the songs the best they can. So you see them dressed like Jackson 5 in these tight, white outfits with the sparkling trinkets and the big collars singing and dancing at the rhythm of Can you feel it with a huge disco ball hanging over their heads. The curtain’s down and you’re just excited to see what happens next…
The second part opens dynamically with his big hits from Thriller and Bad, but also from Dangerous and History. The crowd goes mad! It was the first time to witness standing and dancing audience in that particular room. And believe me; I’ve been there many times… It was an amazing feeling with a climax of Michael’s impersonator who appears on stage to dance Smooth Criminal! Imagine what happened then. He was astonishing (not Michael of course…), but it’s like you’re watching those video clips that you’ve seen so many times and there’re finally right there in front of your very eyes live and 3D! At least that’s what I felt…
As approaching to the end more hits are coming with all the performers on stage including little Michael. Great voices and very good remixes of the songs. You’re going to see Thriller on its glory… and of course the one and only Billie Jean. Even the elderly ones were dancing at this part. It is a substantial 2,5 hour show for those who never had the chance to see Michael performing live. Not to mention the band that plays live through the whole evening.
If the show comes to your city just don’t miss it. I promise you it’ll be a night to remember…
