Albert Brooks and Sheetal Sheth – Looking for Symmetry with the Muslim World
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Albert Brooks and Sheetal Sheth – Looking for Symmetry with the Muslim World

Albert Brooks and Sheetal Sheth Looking for Symmetry with the Muslim World by Jay S. Jacobs Albert Brooks is no stranger to controversy. He has done comic films mocking love (Modern Romance), death (Defending Your Life), consumerism (Lost in America), family (Mother), artistry (The Muse) and the voyeuristic tendencies of the American people (Real Life). Still, the respected filmmaker is a little taken … Continue reading

Atom Egoyan – Finding the Truth in Directing
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Atom Egoyan – Finding the Truth in Directing

ATOM EGOYAN FINDING THE TRUTH IN DIRECTING by Brad Balfour For Canadian director Atom Egoyan creating Where the Truth Lies offered a challenge of constructing something that was almost a genre film but not quite. Wrestling with musician/composer Rupert Holmes’ novel of the same name, Egoyan takes a story that plays on the conventions of the classic … Continue reading

Christopher Kennedy Lawford – No Penalty for Early Withdrawal
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Christopher Kennedy Lawford – No Penalty for Early Withdrawal

Christopher Kennedy Lawford No Penalty for Early Withdrawal by Ronald Sklar “The brilliance about being a drug addict and an alcoholic is that I’ve had my worst day,” Christopher Kennedy Lawford says. “Nobody can do to me what I already did far worse to myself. In terms of telling the truth about myself, no matter … Continue reading

George Clooney, David Strathairn, Patricia Clarkson and Grant Heslov – Patriotic Acts
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George Clooney, David Strathairn, Patricia Clarkson and Grant Heslov – Patriotic Acts

George Clooney, David Strathairn, Patricia Clarkson and Grant Heslov Patriotic Acts by Jay S. Jacobs Copyright ©2005 PopEntertainment.com.  All rights reserved.  Posted: October 1, 2005. The word legendary is tossed about way too cavalierly, however Edward R. Murrow is legitimately a legend of television broadcasting.  The newsman took his radio fame (from his current affairs show … Continue reading

Jake Steinfeld – Business by Jake
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Jake Steinfeld – Business by Jake

Jake Steinfeld Business by Jake by Ronald Sklar “I’m looking for a kick-ass idea,” says Jake Steinfeld, of the “Body by Jake” fitness empire. “I’m looking for someone with a boatload of passion, and a ‘don’t quit’ attitude. It doesn’t need to be a zillion dollar idea – no one comes up with a zillion … Continue reading

Steven Biel – United States of American Gothic
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Steven Biel – United States of American Gothic

Steven Biel United States of American Gothic by Ronald Sklar Copyright ©2005 PopEntertainment.com.  All rights reserved. Posted June 27, 2005. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Grant Wood must be flattered out the wazoo. Although the artist of “American Gothic” died in 1942, his painting has gone on to symbolize all things American, and parodied by … Continue reading

Alexander Payne – Staying Straight While Making Sideways
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Alexander Payne – Staying Straight While Making Sideways

ALEXANDER PAYNE STAYING STRAIGHT WHILE MAKING SIDEWAYS by Brad Balfour With Sideways, Alexander Payne really proves he’s a true contender, not just the creator of smart, snarky idiosyncratic comedies but solid filmmaker who tackled humanity with aplomb. In this humorous on-the-road buddy flick, leads Paul Giamatti (failed writer Miles Raymond) and Thomas Haden Church (former hot actor Jack) grapple with Jack’s … Continue reading

Julie Delpy – Paris Match
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Julie Delpy – Paris Match

Julie Delpy Paris Match by Jay S. Jacobs Sometimes, through a mixture of hard work, talent and sheer luck, a movie just clicks.  Everything works.  The 1995 romantic comedy/drama Before Sunrise was one of those films.  It stood out from the pack of the Gen X films of the time, because it was smart, funny and had a serious point of view.  It was light … Continue reading