To celebrate Mother's Day, I've been taking a look at some of the most memorable moms in movies, as played by big-name actresses like Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton. To finish up the series, let's recap some of the other famous names that I've left out — you didn't really think I could do a list without mentioning Sally Field now, did you?
Blake Lively was one of the few ladies at last night's NYC premiere of Where the Wild Things Are. It's only Wednesday, but this was already Blake's second red carpet of the week after turning out to support boyfriend Penn Badgley Monday at his screening of The Stepfather. Blake was in rather impressive company, as Tom Hanks and Forest Whitaker also turned out to see Spike Jonze's latest film. Spike took his turn in the limelight to pose with the young star Max Records and author Maurice Sendak, who wrote the famous children's book on which the movie is based. The movie opens Friday — make sure to check out the latest trailer — and there is a huge promotional effort underway, including related lines of home furnishings, children's Halloween costumes, and even clothes for adults.
More photos from the premiere so read more
Away We Go starts with a sex scene. There's no nudity, it's not overtly graphic, but it's unexpected and a bit jarring. It's certainly not the overture I was predicting. But just as I was starting to get uncomfortable, the moment becomes quite humorous. The hilarity of the scene is grounded in the screenplay (which was written by Dave Eggers and his wife Vendela Vida), but brought to life by John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph. Known for their respective work on The Office and Saturday Night Live, the duo's comedic chops may not come as a surprise, but here these two are playing it pretty straitlaced. It's this juxtaposition that makes the film so good — seeing funny people playing serious roles with serious situations that end up being funny.
It's a formula that's worked before. As I guessed from the trailer, the film is very similar in tone to Garden State and Juno. All three are quirky little gems with heavy subject matters and great soundtracks (seriously, check out Alexi Murdoch if you haven't already). If I had to fault the film with anything, it would be that it didn't feel particularly fresh, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable.
To learn more about the film, and its cool costars, read more
Beetlejuice is such an awesome flick. I kinda wanted to save this FABTV for around Halloween, but that's hella far away and when inspiration strikes . . . This scene, led by the glorious Catherine O'Hara, is unforgettable. The eccentric dinner guests, and goth daughter Winona, sing the Banana Boat song and execute some hot moves. Notice the disco decadence of the woman in bronze lame — is that a jumpsuit?! The scene is short and sweet, and the finale — attack of the lobster claw! — is brilliant.
There are some intriguing issues buried within the story of Penelope: what it means for a woman to love and accept herself the way she is, the way beauty ideals are — sometimes cruelly — passed down from mother to daughter, society's eagerness to vilify those who are different and then, just as quickly, to embrace them as "cute" upon discovering that they're harmless. These things are touched on, but mostly with a glazing brush, leaving the pretty film with adorable people lacking anything resembling "oomph."
The story follows Penelope Wilhern who, due to a curse put on her wealthy socialite family long ago, was born with a pig nose. In order to break the curse, she must find "one of her own" (i.e. a "blue blood") to love her just as she is and marry her. Only then will the spell break and her nose take on a normal shape. Desperate to break the curse and have a normal daughter, Penelope's mother (Catherine O'Hara) devotes her life to finding Penelope a husband, but the men who meet Penelope keep jumping out the window at the sight of her. Meanwhile, a one-eyed journalist determined to get a photo of "the pig-faced girl" and a selfish blue-blooded young man pay a down-on-his-luck musician (James McAvoy) to try and woo Penelope. For more about the movie than just this plot — some spoilers ahead — read more
Christopher Guest and his large dedicated cast came out for the LA premiere of For Your Consideration last night at the Director's Guild of America. If you are a fan of Waiting for Guffman or Best in Show, word is, you are going to love this film. That's because this time Guest sets his satirical sights on Hollywood! The film is about the negative effect that internet-generated Oscar buzz has on the cast of an independent film. How perfect for us, and just in time for Oscar season! Guest’s ensemble cast is back including Eugene Levy (who also co-wrote the film with Guest) Catherine O’Hara, Parker Posey, Jennifer Coolidge, and Harry Shearer. In limited release November 17th.
For more pics of Guest and wife Jamie Lee Curtis, Annette Bening and Warren Beatty, Cheryl Hines, Fred Willard, Jane Lynch, Parker Posey, Eugene Levy, Bob Balaban, Catherine O'Hara, Harry Shearer, Jennifer Coolidge and Alyssa Milano just read more
