Behind the Scenes

In the name of cinema world, I salute all staffs and crew of the people behind the success of every movie being made.

Most of the time we only put our attention to actors and actresses in a movie. We forget the people who actually makes their consensus effort to form a blockbuster film. The hard work is at the backstage. Each crew, staff, personal assistants, and stunt men have the same significance as the actors and actresses we see in the big screen. We should not belittle them, for without these people, a team will not be called a team. Either in a small or big package, we should not label them for what they can contribute.

For me, directors are the main character in every movie. Just like in a meal, it is the main course. They are the instruments in the portrayal of each actors’ role. Names like George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen, James Cameron, Quentin Tarantino are a few of the most-renowned film directors of all time. They have become institutions in the mind of each movie audience. Their significance have greatly influenced the young minds of today. And they serve as inspiration to aspiring directors.

As a movie fan, let us not forget these people behind the limelight. The people who writes, produces and directs are the main ingredient in every movie. We should value according to director’s cut.

“The Manchurian Candidate”

This is a classic that definitely should not be forgotten, both from the movie from 1962 and the movie from 1994.

This movie is about a war veteran, Raymond Shaw, who has just returned from Vietnam. He is considered a hero and has received a medal for his bravery. When he returns, two other men who served with him, begin to have dreams about him and what they believe he has been doing. The entire plot sets up a conspiracy theory for a political family, Raymond’s relation to it and the concepts of mind control and brain washing.

This movie is one that no one should miss. The political agendas that are seen throughout, as well as the almost sci-fi concepts that are presented are just a beginning to a mystery in which the military is now forced to solve about Raymond Shaw and the political intentions that are behind his presence. The movie ends with a dramatic undertaking, as well as a realistic understanding of the psychology behind this historical time period, as well as the governmental influences that are occurring.

This film was awarded two Oscars, with six extra wins and four nominations. If that isn’t enough, the original film has the actors of Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh and Angela Lansbury as the main characters.

If you want to see history in a different light, with a commentary that no one should not listen to, find it in “The Manchurian Candidate”.

September Dawn (R: 2006)

September Dawn (R: 2007)
Director:Christopher Cain; Actor/esses: Terence Stamp … Brigham Young;
Jon Voight … Jacob Samuelson; Trent Ford … Jonathan Samuelson;
Krisinda Cain … Young Woman; Shaun Johnston … Captain Fancher;
Jon Gries … John D. Lee; and many more.
An intriguing film based off true events. Apparently this film has hit quite a controversy with the Mormon church as it retells the tale of the September Massacre of gentiles in Utah. I think it was a great retelling of the trajedy that took place during the immigrant pioneering of the American wild west. Every faith and people have their monsters. The tragedy took place, just as did the Holocaust, the Witch Hysteria, and many other massacres. There is doubt as to who caused it and was responsible for this horrible historical incident. I thought the movie was good at presenting historical facts from the vague-ness that we know today; excellent acting; fabulous cinematography, and amazing scenery.

Academy Award winner Jon Voight plays Local Mormon Bishop Jacob Samuelson who becomes suspicious of some gentiles from Missouri who need food, supplies, and rest before finishing their journey to California. As they stop near Cedar City Utah, Jacob dispatches his eldest son to spy on them and see what they are up to while preaching to the choir that these people are cursed and must die. His son falls in love with the minister’s daughter and rebells against his father’s death wishes for the settlers. The father weaves unspeakable horror setting up the local Paiute Indians by dressing up as them and doing a brutal mruder of 120 men, women, and children on September 11, 1857. The love story was probably fictionized, but following some of the historical facts of this renegade sect that probably caused this massacre, i think the film presents a very plausible theory. Rating 4.5 stars out of 5.

News Cast about the Controversy:

Look Who’s Coming to Dinner Review

A friend suggested that our family watch, Look Who’s Coming to Dinner. It was an excellent family movie for everyone in your family to watch. The message of the movie is very powerful and encourages tolerance of human choices. There are some very funny parts to the movie. We rented it to watch with our family.

The actors play their parts extremely well. You can really relate to the characters and the message is that love is strong no matter what. Love is in fact completely color blind and parents should accept their children for who they are. After all, parents are the ones that raised their kids and should trust their children’s judgments.

I give this movie a 5 out of 5 stars for a family movie.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (R:2007)

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (R: 2007)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408236/
Johnny Depp .. Sweeney Todd, Helena Bonham Carter … Mrs. Lovett, Alan Rickman … Judge Turpin, Timothy Spall … Beadle Bamford, Sacha Baron Cohen … Signor Adolfo Pirelli, Jamie Campbell Bower … Anthony Hope, Laura Michelle Kelly … Lucy / Beggar Woman, Jayne Wisener … Johanna, Ed Sanders … Toby, and many more.

Set in London, in dark Victorian England, the story of Sweeney Todd is brought to the screen by noneother, but the fabulous artist Tim Burton. With his favorite actor of choice, Johnny Depp, plays the wrongly imprisoned barber who sets out for revenge on the judge who imprisoned him. A tragic love story where lovers are separated, by greed and lust, and unspeakable evil. Returning he teams up with a cannibal, and off they are set to give mankind what they feel they deserve. A clean shave and a meat pie. Based on the story and the Broadway musical, this film is stunning with panoramic talent, excellent cinematography, and stunning visuals. Acting was excellent as well. I’m not the largest fan of musicals, but this one was enchanting. Rated 5 stars out of 5.

The Painted Veil (2006)

I am amazed this movie was not nominated for an Oscar last year.

The Painted Veil is set in the 1920s. Edward Norton plays a bacteriologist, and Naomi Watts plays the wealthy young woman with whom the doctor falls in love while he is back home in England. She says yes when he proposes marriage, even though they barely know each other. They wed and move to China, where he is stationed as a civil servant studying infectious disease.

The marriage, built on shaky ground to begin with, begins to crumble. The doctor gives his wife an ultimatum: either he files for divorce, or she follows him inland where he has volunteered to go and deal with a cholera epidemic. And this is where the plot really begins…

The movie is an adaptation of a Somerset Maugham book of the same name, published in 1925. (I’ve read Maugham’s “The Razor’s Edge” and “Of Human Bondage,” and I thought both were fantastic, so I will definitely be reading this one soon.)

Overall, I thought this was a great movie. The acting was very good, the scenery was breathtaking, and the plot did not drag at any point (…rare for dramas of this quality, I think).

Out of 5 stars, I would rate The Painted Veil a 4.5. (In terms of what the critics said… the movie got approval ratings of 75% at Rotten Tomatoes and 69% at MetaCritic.)

300

300 (R, 2007) Directed by Zack Snyder and based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel about the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C.

Starring: Gerard Butler as King Leonidas, Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo, Dominic West as Theron, David Wenham as Dilios, Vincent Regan as Captain, Michael Fassbender as Stelios, Tom Wisdom as Astinos, Andrew Pleavin as Daxos, Andrew Tiernan as Ephialtes, Rodrigo Santoro as Xerxes and many more.

Rated R for graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity.

An amazing epic tale of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C. when Persia and it’s immortal army tried to take Sparta. Based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel telling of a magical historical battle of 300 Spartans up against tens of thousands of ogre-like Immortals and beast slaves of the Persian God-King Xerxes.

Apocalypto (2006: R)

Apocalypto (2006: Rated R) http://apocalypto.movies.go.com/ Directed by Mel Gibson. Starring: Rudy Youngblood …. Jaguar Paw; Dalia Hernandez …. Seven; Jonathan Brewer …. Blunted; Morris Birdyellowhead …. Flint Sky; Carlos Emilio Baez …. Turtles Run; Ramirez Amilcar …. Curl Nose; Israel Contreras …. Smoke Frog; Israel Rios …. Cocoa Leaf, and many more. It’s a haunting tale of history, of omen, and of prophecy - dazzled in the history of the Mayans facing their demise as they have deforested their surroundings, met plague, and hunger, and in a rampage of violence, gore, and mutilation shows the harvesting of Mayan tribes in the forest to join the assembly line of head slicing, head rolling sacrifices to the Sun God for salvation and cures. The prophetic Jaguar warrior will bring on the Apocalypse and the end of the world as they know it. Filmed at Catamaco, the last tracks of rainforest left in Mexico, and in Veracruz with a cast of indigineous crew. Alot of research and history was drudged up in the film making, and correspondence with Dr. Richard Hansen, an reknown archaeologist and expert on the Maya served as a consultant on the film. Very real and very invigorating, passionate, and terrifying … this film is a must see. Rating: 5+ stars out of 5. Viewed 12/12/06.

Must Love Dogs (PG-13: 2005)

Review by Leaf McGowan
5 stars out of 5

Must Love Dogs Rated PG-13 - 2005 Directed by Gary David Goldberg Starring: Diane Lane …. Sarah, John Cusack …. Jake, Elizabeth Perkins …. Carol, Christopher Plummer …. Bill, Dermot Mulroney …. Bob, Stockard Channing …. Dolly, Ali Hillis …. Christine, and more

Another cute drama with John Cusack, Elizabeth Perkins, and now Diane Lane. A romantic comedy that will warm your heart. John and Diane play divorcees who seek to find a new partner online … well, their friends and family set them up online. It turns to be a humorous tale of the complexities of dating after that disasterous divorce. I really enjoyed it. 5 stars out of 5. A must see.

Independent Film Festival of Boston 2005

Boston, Massachusetts is hosting its annual Independent Film Festival this weekend. The Somerville Theatre, Coolidge Corner Theatre, and The MFA are hosting a variety of underground films from April 21-April 24. Steve Buscemi is making his directorial debut with his film, Lonesome Jim, a poignant portrait of a working class man (played by Casey Affleck). The all star cast includes Liv Tyler and Casey Affleck, the Afflecks are from around Boston so I wouldn’t be surprised if he was in attendance. Steve Buscemi will be in attendance at his showing and at the after-party. Tickets for both events are on sale at the Independent Film Festival of Boston’s website. This should be a star-studded event, plus the movies look incredible.

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