Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
starring: Abbie Cornish, Andrea Riseborough, Oscar Isaac, James D’Arcy, Richard Coyle, James Fox, Judy Parfitt
written by: Madonna and Alek Keshishian
directed by: Madonna
MPAA: Rated R for some domestic violence, nudity and language
starring: Channing Tatum, Rachel McAdams, Jessica Lange, Sam Neill, Scott Speedman, Wendy Crewson
written by: Jason Katims, Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein, and Michael Sucsy
directed by: Michael Sucsy
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for an accident scene, sexual content, partial nudity and some language
starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Ciaran Hinds, Janet McTeer
written by: Jane Goldman
directed by: James Watkins
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for thematic material and violence/disturbing images
starring: Ralph Fiennes, Gerard Butler, Vanessa Redgrave, Brian Cox, Jessica Chastain, James Nesbitt, Paul Jesson
written by: John Logan
directed by: Ralph Fiennes
MPAA: Rated R for some bloody violence
Glenn Close has long been perceived as an intimidating woman, which likely stems from a number of factors. Maybe it’s because of her unhinged work in the iconic role of Alex Forrest, the psychotically unstable mistress who will not be ignored, in the ’80s landmark Fatal Attraction. It could be due to her impossibly imperious turn as the scheming, vicious Marquise de Merteuil in Stephen Frears’ Dangerous Liaisons. The under-21 set likely grew up cowering from her scenery-chewing Cruella De Vil in the live-action 101 Dalmations. Not even the small screen has been safe from Close’s fire-breathing intensity, whether it be her hugely acclaimed work on The Shield, or her two-time Emmy-winning turn on Damages as Patty Hewes, the ferocious litigator who will stop at nothing — nothing — to win a case. So even though Close is currently promoting what is arguably the least threatening character she has ever played, this does not necessarily make her more comfortable to be around. At least not when she turns the tables during our interview and begins grilling me about my thoughts on her Oscar-nominated new film, Albert Nobbs.
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Interview: Glenn Close on “Albert Nobbs””
The Academy Awards are commonly referred to as the gay Super Bowl, and for good reason: they each represent the culmination of months of grueling, bone-crunching competition, tend to feature misguided musical numbers, and are ultimately about impossibly wealthy people fighting over trophies while the rest of us cheer from the breadlines. In short: it’s the best thing that happens all year. My post-Oscar depression is far more devastating than even the worst case of post-Christmas blues. Such emptiness. The nominations for this year’s 84th Academy Awards will be announced in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, January 24. After the jump, check out my picks for what should be nominated and what we’re likely to read about on Tuesday.
starring: Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Channing Tatum, Michael Fassbender, Antonio Banderas, Michael Douglas, Bill Paxton, Michael Angarano
written by: Lem Dobbs
directed by: Steven Soderbergh
MPAA: Rated R for some violence
starring: Thomas Horn, Sandra Bullock, Tom Hanks, Max von Sydow, Viola Davis, John Goodman, Jeffrey Wright
adapted by: Eric Roth
directed by: Stephen Daldry
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for emotional thematic material, some disturbing images, and language
Continue reading “Film Review: “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close””
starring: Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, Keke Palmer, Jeremy Jordan, Dexter Dardin, Courtney B. Vance, Jesse L. Martin, Kris Kristofferson, Dequina Moore
written and directed by: Todd Graff
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for some language including a sexual reference
starring: Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, Alexandra Roach, Olivia Colman, Harry Lloyd, Richard E. Grant, Anthony Head
written by: Abi Morgan
directed by: Phyllida Lloyd
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for some violent images and brief nudity