One Hot Number

29 Dec

He’s an Italian treasure. The “essence of Italian style … the king of Cinema Italiano.” But in the movie Nine (an adaptation of the Broadway musical, which was adapted from Federico Fellini’s film 8½), writer/director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) is grappling with a midlife crisis that has given him an epic case of writer’s block.

Add to this the pressure he is receiving from all sides: his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penélope Cruz), his muse (Nicole Kidman), journalists (including one played by Kate Hudson), his confidant and costume designer (Judi Dench), producers, and more.

Suffice it to say, it’ll take a miracle for Guido to make another film, and until then, he’ll keep dangling along the various women, investors, and members of his creative team until he finally gets another idea. Continue reading →

No Clue

28 Dec

I wish I had more to tell you about Sherlock Holmes, but to be honest, it’s not really worth a very long blog post. Soon after it was over, I had pretty much already forgotten about it. Continue reading →

A Christmas Gift

27 Dec

When I say that visits to Boston by my niece, Abby, are getting to be routine, that’s not meant to say that they’re getting boring. Far from it. What I mean is that Abby comes to Boston twice a year and I can look forward to them now because I know that come December, she’ll be here (same with Labor Day weekend). It’s predictable and routine, in the best possible way. And this past weekend’s visit didn’t disappoint. We had a fun brunch at my place on Friday (with Barrah, Farry, and Scott), a visit to the Children’s Museum on Saturday, lots of Wii, lots of “Old MacDonald” (aka “EIEIO”), and lots of fun. If anything, it was too quick. Thankfully, I took lots of pictures, and that will help preserve the memories. Want a look? Just click here.

The Night the Jews Control the Town

24 Dec

Every year, I’m asked what I do on Christmas. After all, despite my love for the season, I don’t officially celebrate the holiday. Invariably, my answer involves a movie and Chinese food, because that’s what most Jews do on Christmas (there aren’t that many other options available to us). So instead of giving the same answer again this year, and at the risk of repeating myself, let me share this classic Saturday Night Live clip with you to better explain what I and my fellow members of the Tribe will be doing after sunset this evening.
http://www.hulu.com/embed/PGn5kYL4FWyX3NSHWa1VVw
For all of you who do actually celebrate, I wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Love That New-Car Smell

23 Dec

Anyone who knows me would probably tell you that while I’m adaptable and flexible with changing situations, I don’t exactly seek out change.

To wit: I stayed at my last job for nearly seven and a half years, lived in my last apartment for more than six, and I drove the same car for nearly 11.

It’s that last example that’s most significant now, because finally, just two months shy of that 11-year anniversary, I have bought a new car. (Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to me!)

I made the deal over the weekend (before the snow) and picked it up last night.

And it’s a beaut: A shiny black 2010 Honda CR-V LX. After so long behind the wheel of a Civic, it’s going to be a bit of an adjustment, but man, am I excited about my purchase. Continue reading →

Kind of Blue

22 Dec

James Cameron’s Avatar sure is a feast for the eyes.

The film takes place on the faraway planet of Pandora, where paralyzed Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) has come to infiltrate the tall, blue, powerful, and prideful residents using a genetically engineered Avatar.

The tribe, called the Na’vi, are standing in the way of American industrialism, and a full-scale military operation — led by Stephen Lang’s gruff, buff, and tough general and Giovanni Ribisi’s slick, determined businessman — has been set up to get at the precious mineral that’s sitting just below where the Na’vi live.

Cameron has created the world of Pandora completely from scratch, and, with the help of some high-tech 3D tools, it’s photorealistic, lush, and truly breathtaking.

What a technical achievement. Continue reading →

Now That Was a Great Meal

20 Dec

I think that if I could, I would like to eat at least one meal every week at Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

Sure, I’d probably wind up (at least) 100 pounds heavier, but what the heck? The food is so good there, and I can’t recall a time when I haven’t walked out extremely full and extremely happy. Continue reading →

Cold Comfort

18 Dec

It got very cold here in Boston this week, and for me, among other things, that meant it was time to stop pussyfooting around and break out the winter coat. Normally, that would bring me little joy. After all, putting on a heavy coat (and scarf) for the first time in the season means an acceptance that winter is actually here, and will be for the next three-to-four months (at least). But Thursday I felt an odd sense of comfort when I put on my winter coat. As I unzipped the pockets, there, right where I had left them, were my gloves and my 180s ear warmers. And in another pocket was a packet of tissues. It’s kind of nice to know that nearly nine months after I hung up my coat for the year, these things were still in the same place and ready for one more season of use.

It’s a minor thing, I know, but when you hate winter as much as I do, anything that makes these frigid days more bearable is appreciated.

It’s Easy

16 Dec

It isn’t complicated to see why It’s Complicated is going to be a big, fat hit this holiday season.

For one thing, you have an audience-pleasing plotline: 10 years after their divorce, Jane and Jake (Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin) rekindle their flame, even though he has remarried.

At the same time, Jane is pursued by Adam (Steve Martin), the architect she has hired to do work on her house.

Can Jane and Jake keep their passion alive — and a secret from their kids? Suffice it to say, the film’s title isn’t a random choice. Continue reading →

Family Matters

14 Dec

In the new film Brothers, Natalie Portman stars as Grace, a woman who learns her Marine soldier husband, Sam (Tobey Maguire), has been killed in battle in Afghanistan. Distraught, she finds comfort in her till-then irresponsible brother-in-law, Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), who also becomes a father figure for Grace’s two daughters … until Grace learns Sam was not killed after all, but had been captured and held prisoner in a mountain village. Suffice it to say, when he returns home, Sam is not the man he once was and things between the brothers and with Grace are a bit tense. If you’re thinking this is not the stuff of cheerful holiday merriment at the movies, then you’re right.

Directed by Jim Sheridan (In America) and based on a Danish film of the same name, Brothers tells a very current and very unfortunate story in a very spare and intimate style. Acting by the three leads is effective (though I never did buy that Sam was Tommy’s older brother), and Portman is especially impressive in a much more grown-up role than she’s used to playing. However, the film is a bit slow-moving, and when it ended, I felt a bit relieved. Brothers is the kind of mezza mezza movie that’ll eventually make a fine rental. For now, I’m giving it a B.

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