ROBERT DOWNEY, JR. TO THE FUTURE, DARKLY BY JAY S. JACOBS When director Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, School of Rock, Before Sunset) decided to film sci-fi novelist Philip K. Dick’s extremely autobiographical 1977 drug cautionary tale A Scanner Darkly, he knew he was taking a big chance artistically and commercially. He’s not the first – Dick’s pitch-black world … Continue reading
Natalie Portman Takes Off the Mask With V For Vendetta by Brad Balfour Familiar with science fiction-themed films, actress Natalie Portman uses her character Evey in V For Vendetta to test both her acting skills and her political judgment while making a profound and timely statement. V For Vendetta details the story of a revolutionary who challenges the dominance … Continue reading
A SCANNER DARKLY (2006) Starring Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, Winona Ryder, Rory Cochrane, Mitch Baker, Sean Allen, Cliff Haby, Steven Chester Prince, Natasha Velez, Mark Turner, Chamblee Ferguson and Angela Rawna. Screenplay by Richard Linklater. Directed by Richard Linklater. Distributed by Warner Independent Pictures. 100 minutes. Rated R. Sci-fi author Philip K. … Continue reading
THE LAKE HOUSE (2006) Starring Sandra Bullock, Keanu Reeves, Christopher Plummer, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Willeke van Ammelrooy, Dylan Walsh, Lynn Collins, Mike Bacarella, Kevin Brennan, Frank Caeti, Scott Elias, Lori Ann Gerdisch, Michael Andrew Gorman and Jennifer Kern. Screenplay by David Auburn. Directed by Alejandro Agresti. Distributed by Warner Brothers Pictures. 105 minutes. Rated … Continue reading
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST (2006) Starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Jack Davenport, Jonathan Pryce, Lee Arenberg, Mackenzie Crook, Kevin McNally, David Bailie, Stellan Skarsgård, Tom Hollander, Naomie Harris, Martin Klebba and Geoffrey Rush. Screenplay by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. Directed by Gore Verbinski. Distributed by Walt Disney … Continue reading
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (2006) Starring Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, Emily Blunt, Adrian Grenier, Tracie Thoms, Rich Sommer, Simon Baker, Daniel Sunjata, Jimena Hoyos, Rebecca Mader, Tibor Feldman, Stephanie Szostak, David Marshall Grant, James Naughton, Gisele Bunchen, Heidi Klum and Valentino Garavini. Screenplay by Aline Brosh McKenna. Directed by David Frankel. Distributed by … Continue reading
LISA RAY MAKES HER SPLASH IN WATER by Brad Balfour What’s it like to be proclaimed the most beautiful woman in a country of nearly a billion? Ask actress Lisa Ray, who was considered the symbol of beauty for India in recent years. But as Ray will tell you, that was really inconsequential when it comes … Continue reading
Jimmy Kimmel This Week in Necessary Talk by Jay S. Jacobs “My plan is to make as much money as possible and then disappear forever. Never be seen again,” Jimmy Kimmel chuckles. “If people don’t like me, they should support me as much as possible because [then] I’ll be gone before they know it.” Like most everything … Continue reading
That Girl Season One (1966-1967) (Shout! Factory-2006) Like one of Marlo Thomas’ minidresses, That Girl perkily sashayed into TV history as a feminist-era earthshaker. It gladly took credit for bravely paving the way for the likes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and even – according to this DVD’s liner notes – Murphy Brown and Ally McBeal. We could argue and … Continue reading
JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE (2006) Starring Jesse Metcalf, Brittany Snow, Ashanti, Sophie Bush, Arielle Krebbel, Penn Badgley, Jenny McCarthy, Fatso-Fasano, Kevin McNulty, Patricia Drake, Jeffrey Ballard, Taylor Kitsch, Steve Bacic, Dean Wray and Jon Cuthbert. Screenplay by Jeff Lowell. Directed by Betty Thomas. Distributed by Baxter Films. 101 minutes. Rated PG-13. Have you ever watched … Continue reading
