CHRISTOPHER WALKEN THE SANEST MAN IN HOLLYWOOD by Jay S. Jacobs Mention the name Christopher Walken, and anyone you’re talking to will have a very strong, concrete image. There are very few actors in the world who spur such strong name recognition, such certainty on the part of an audience that we get what he’s all about. He’s a hard, … Continue reading
William Shatner – Has Been (Shout! Factory) In any discussion of the worst records of all time, someone will mention William Shatner’s 1968 jaw-dropper The Transformed Man. On that vanity record, Shatner emoted (most would say over-emoted) some of the biggest hits of the era, including gonzo versions of “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds” … Continue reading
Chris Cooper – A Real Contender by Brad Balfour Originally posted on September 22, 2004. Actor Chris Cooper didn’t need a crystal ball to figure out how to make his character in Silver City — the bumbling local politician running for governor of Colorado — resonate in this hard-hitting reflection of our times. His campaign … Continue reading
AROUND THE BEND (2004) Starring Josh Lucas, Christopher Walken, Michael Caine, Jonah Bobo, Glenne Headley, Kathryn Hahn, David Eigenberg, Robert Douglas, Carlos Cabarcas, Gerry Bamman, Jean Effron, Lily Knight, Rick Negron, David Marciano, Norbert Weisser, Laurie O’Brien and Michael O’Neill. Screenplay by Jordan Roberts. Directed by Jordan Roberts. Distributed by Warner Independent Pictures. 85 minutes. … Continue reading
Mark Ruffalo, Peter Krause, Laura Dern and John Curran Adultery Education by Jay S. Jacobs We Don’t Live Here Anymore is a haunting, sometimes even devastating, look at modern marriage. Based on two short stories by Andre Dubus (“We Don’t Live Here Anymore” and “Adultery”), the movie focuses on two couples. The film chronicles the casually cruel … Continue reading
BEFORE SUNSET (2004) Starring Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Vernon Dobtcheff, Louise Lemoine Torres, Rodolphe Pauly, Mariane Plasteig, Diabolo, Albert Delpy and Marie Pillet. Screenplay by Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Directed by Richard Linklater. Distributed by Castle Rock Entertainment/Warner Independent Pictures. 80 minutes. Rated R. “Think of it like this. Jump ahead ten, … Continue reading
joe mantegna one of us by jay s. jacobs When Joe Mantegna was a student at the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, he would to pick up a play and turn the page that listed the original cast. It always fascinated him. Who originated these roles? What did they do later? Did they become a star … Continue reading
James Pickens, Jr. Into The Lyon’s Den by Jay S. Jacobs Every year, TV Guide does a special issue called “The Best Show You’re Not Watching.” In it, they champion a TV series that has fine acting, excellent writing and good production values, but somehow has not seemed to attract a huge audience. Sometimes the honor has … Continue reading
ALEX & EMMA (2003) Starring Luke Wilson, Kate Hudson, Sophie Marceau, David Paymer, Rob Reiner, Paul Wilson, Alexander Wauthier, Leili Kramer, Gigi Birmingham, Jordan Lund, Francois Giroday, Robert Costanzo and Rip Taylor. Screenplay by Jeremy Leven. Directed by Rob Reiner. Distributed by Franchise Pictures & Warner Brothers Pictures. 96 minutes. Rated PG-13. I am getting more … Continue reading
Tom Verica American Dad by Ronald Sklar Tom Verica stars as family patriarch Jack Pryor on the NBC sleeper hit American Dreams. The role calls for the strong silent type: a challenge which is not always as appreciated as it should be in a medium that often displays the dad as the house fool. Here, Verica … Continue reading
