The Guard (2011) - Adelei Idlewild

This isn't the first time that I have missed New York, but this weekend I'll have yet another
reason to . . . the U.S. release of The Guard, a movie starring Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle. Two words are enough to make me excited about seeing this film: Ireland and Cheadle. Add a drug-smuggling ring and an "unorthodox policeman" with an amazing accent to the mix, and it sounds to me like a recipe for success!

Well, all right, make that three words that make me happy, the third being McDonagh, last name of the film's director, John Michael McDonagh. Although he's fairly new on the film scene, McDonagh is the brother of Martin McDonagh, writer/director of one of my favorite European short films, Six Shooter. Success! Success! Now . . . when can I watch it?!

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) - Joan Finch

     My vocabulary isn't equipped to do this film justice any better than the title does for itself.  It's the log-line, the premise, the idea of the story in a reserved and open-ended statement.  Reserved is the mood of this film, captured by Roger Deakins' hauntingly beautiful cinematography and the marked editing style.  Watching this film is like walking in on a conversation already in progress.  A tense sort of dialogue that makes you instinctively step back because at any moment violence could, and does, burst in on the calm.  

     The cast is beyond star-studded as Ted Levine, Zooey Deschanel and Mary-Louise Parker are some of the actors to claim bit parts and cameo appearances. I would highly recommend The Assassination to anyone especially if you're looking to spend an afternoon in deep contemplation. 

     This film has the audience constantly wondering as we marvel at the apt and tempered production.  Though you do feel the time ticking by this rather lengthy story keeps you enraptured to the end.  As in the moment where Jesse is waiting for the train to roll up to the trap, you have to keep watching. 

More Fall Shows - Veda Rains

As we get closer to the Fall Season, Obscura Operandi has excitedly been sharing with you news on new shows! I've got a few more to add to the list from ABC. Get excited:
Suburgatory
Click HERE to see the trailer!
In the tradition of fast-talking "know what's good for 'em" smart teens (think Juno), comes 16-year-old Tessa (the delightful Jane Levy), a New York City transplant to where else? The 'Burbs.
The show looks genuinely funny and hopefully teens and adults alike will give it the time of day.
Synopsis:
Single father George (Jeremy Sisto-you know him best as Elton from Clueless) only wants the best for his 16-year-old daughter, Tessa. So when he finds a box of condoms on her nightstand, he moves them out of their apartment in New York City to a house in the suburbs. But all Tessa sees is the horror of over-manicured lawns and plastic Franken-moms. Being in the 'burbs can be hell, but it also may just bring Tessa and George closer than they've ever been.
Cheryl Hines also stars (as one of the "Franken-moms") as well as Alan Tudyk (I know aperson or two on here who will be happy to see him on TV).

Good Christian Belles
Click HERE for the trailer!
Fans of gossipy/backstabbing "Christian" women with an agenda might find a new guilty pleasure in Good Christian Belles. Another "transplant" story of sorts: Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb), once the ultimate high school "mean girl," is forced to return home in disgrace after her marriage ends in scandal. There's plenty of talented women filling out this cast. Former Pushing Daisies star and (current fan favorite) Glee guest star Kristin Chenoweth plays one of the women possibly planning revenge on Amanda while Annie Potts steps into the role of Gigi Stopper.
The series is based of the books: Good Christian Bitches by Kim Gatlin. I haven't read the books, but I'm rooting for Kristin and the "belles"!

Pan Am
Click HERE for the trailer!
Hitching a ride on the Mad Men express, Pan Am follows the fabulous lives of employees of Pan Am during the 1960s. As the tagline suggests: Passion, jealousy and espionage... They do it all – and they do it at 30,000 feet. The style of the 1960s, the energy and excitement of the Jet Age and a drama full of sexy entanglements deliciously mesh in this thrilling and highly-original new series. How will it measure up to Men? Or The Playboy Club (another 1960s-set show centering on the Bunnies and patrons of the original Playboy Club in 1960's Chicago)? We'll have to wait til September 25th to find out. One thing's for certain, the opening of the trailer gives it an original spin and I'm excited to see Christina Ricci on TV!

ABC's New Shows - Veda Rains

Alright. It's time for Take 2 on Fall Lineups. ABC's got a load of new shows. Here's the list: Apartment 23, Charlie's Angels, The Chew (daytime), Good Christian Belles, Last Man Standing, Man Up, Missing, Once Upon a Time, Pan Am, Revenge, The River, Scandal, Suburgatory, Take the Money and Run and Work it! Whew! I'm tired just listing all of those. After viewing the previews for a handful of these shows, a few stood out to me:

NBC's Fall Shows - Joan Finch

NBC has announced its new fall schedule with some returning favorites and a whole slew of new shows.  Like most years theres little in the promos that I can pin my hopes on.  Follow the link for the complete list. http://collider.com/nbc-schedule-2011-2012/91015/

The first new comedy show I'm most excited about....Free Agents.  Thank you to whoever cast Hank Azaria and Kathryn Hahn.  I bow humble at their combined talents and absolutely think that Hahn is one of the most desperately underated actresses of her generation.  From what I've read and can decipher from the promo NBC released the show seems to be a grown-up version of the 'friends with benefits' premise thats so popular right now.  I heard a rumor that one of the executive producer helms a BBC version of the show.  It wouldn't be the first time the American media monster stole a premise from our friends across the pond.  And I love most of those shows so more power to them I guess.