Gordon-Levitt Directs - Joan Finch

Just read an article on Variety.com about Julianne Moore taking a part in Joseph Gordon-Levitt's new film. Variety couldn't confirm much about the project. No name. No plot. But the Wondergods of the International Movie Data Base have it down as Don Jon's Addiction. Sorta lame but alright. The storyline imdb has is about a modern Don Juan trying to be selfless. 

Written by and starring the man himself along with Scarlett Johansson this will be a directing first for Joseph. So uninspiring storyline and lame title be damned, I'm still excited to hear more about it. 

There are a half dozen films in the works this year with Joseph Gordon-Levitt including the new Batman sequel and a Lincoln bio-pic. (Not the vampire one)

And suddenly I'm wanting to rent Inception. Huh.

Revolution: Resolution! Start Writing.

Have any of you made New Year's Resolutions? Have you succeeded? I feel like I've fallen off the deep end with mine...but the realization that an awesome fellowship is just around the corner has me brightening up a little bit. Maybe I can follow through on this one, at least. So what fellowship am I talking about? It's a big one... The Disney|ABC Television Writing Program.

Sure, thousands (yes, thousands) of people enter each year in hopes that they will be one of the select few who have the opportunity to spend a year in television! But still! It seems like a fun exercise. From the official webpage: "The program is designed to expose writers to key executives, producers and literary representatives – all essential in the development of a writing career. Additionally, while in the program, writers have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a current programming or development executive to create spec scripts of series from the current broadcast season. The ultimate goal is to prepare the writers for television staffing."

Now I know my writing has a long way to go before I even have a shot at being selected, but maybe entering the fellowship will help me meet some of my goals: having a few spec scripts under my belt that I can keep shaping, and having a deadline to help me have those scripts ready.

So when will Disney/ABC begin accepting applications? May 1st-31st. Put it on the calendar! The applications, however, won't appear until May 1st. If you want to bookmark the homepage so you can get right to the applications come May 1st, click here.

I'm excited! I hope you are too! Let me know if you plan on entering.

Presenting Lily Mars! (Review of a Classic)- Veda Rains

I have to admit, I think I missed the first 10-15 minutes of this movie, but perhaps the fact that it caught my eye whilst channel surfing late one night, is just a testament to how enjoyable and addicting this classic film is. You may have heard this story a time or two: a talented small-town girl (in this case, from Indiana) forges her way to New York to be a star! Her name is Lily and before she makes the leap to New York, she tries to take advantage of a hometown hero: Broadway producer John Thornway, hounding him to let her have a roll in one of his productions. She tries to base this on the fact that his father brought her into the world and her mother knows his mother. Lily is spunky, bright, funny, and full of life. She's not afraid to crash a party and steal the show (or put the moves on Thornway, for that matter)... but Thornway is the exact opposite: prickly and unamused with Lily's spirit and lack of acting ability-or so he tries to make it appear...
As the story progresses and Lily works her way up to a single-line roll, Thornway becomes attracted to her. And while they may fall in love way too quickly-the film's greatest, but somewhat forgivable, fault (as the actors share great chemistry), it is clear from the start that they were meant for each other.
I found this movie refreshing and timeless. I can't believe I hadn't seen it before! I think its plot has a realistic twist, too: Thornway's star and sometime girlfriend, leaves the show, Lily rises to the occasion and steps in to star, but falls short of Thornway's perfectionistic view of how the show is to be performed. He goes back to the star and asks her to come back. She does, and nothing romantic happened, but Lily is crushed. I think if Lily had gone on to star in the production, the movie would have lost some of its charm and credibility.
The fact that Lily chooses to return to play the roll of a barmaid with a single line shows her growth and maturity. She knows it's going to take time to get where she wants to go, and she's just fine with that. Please check this movie out if you're a dreamer or are in need of a classic musical!

P.S. Lily's family was a fantastic and quirky part of the film! I think many families can relate to their enthusiasm and pride when Lily takes to the stage-even if for a brief minute.

Bad Recomendations - Joan Finch

By and large the source of most bad recommendations is the trailer. Whether its a television promo or feature trailer the one thing you can count on is that they are going to lie to you. How much is relative but you can be sure they aren't going to show you the bad. Its like politics in that way. The more you participate in the process the more apt you are to see a sucker coming a mile away.  It they tell you the whole story in the trailer, if they rely too heavily on action sequences, if you can figure out the ending from the minute and a half video clip....that's a BAD sign.
Its far more difficult to avoid the bad recommendations when they come from friends. These people know you, right? Whoever suggested The Ninth Gate and Silent Hill to me really should rethink the giving recommendations ever. If there's anything I dislike more than horror films with no plot I could think of them after watching these two flops.
But there is a way to avoid this misleading pitfall.  Get to know what your friends favorite and most watched films are. For example I won't consider the advice of anyone whose watched more than one of the Hostle or Saw series. People who know me know my most watch tv shows and films because I talk about them. The slightest references sends me into an hour long rant about how great Doctor Who is, How unexpectedly awesome Pandorum was, & How the brilliant Joss Whedon should be my pen pal, etc. If you like your friends favorites than your onto a good source of recommendations. And hopefully, won't find yourself considering the quickest path to the theatre exits.

My Week with Marilyn (A Wandering Review) - Veda Rains

More Oscar-nominated/award winning films were released on DVD and Blu-Ray today: The Descendants, Melancholia, Young Adult and My Week With Marilyn, to name a few.
During its run in the theater, My Week With Marilyn had me interested, but not enough to go see it in the theater. I gave in and watched it today. The film is based off Colin Clark's (arguably) true account of his encounter with Marilyn Monroe during her time in England filming The Prince and the Showgirl with Laurence Olivier. It's a visually stunning film, to be sure, and each actor rises to the occasion of portraying such enigmatic roles. However, the story, told mostly through Colin's eyes, has trouble keeping all of the characters into the fold. I found some characters having a very strong presence in the beginning, but slowly fading away as the story moved on and Colin developed a stronger relationship with Marilyn. This is completely fine, but with such recognizable actors as Julia Ormond (as fading star Vivien Leigh) and Toby Jones (publicist Arthur Jacobs), I was kind of shocked they disappeared and somewhat disappointed, more-so with Vivien's storyline/set up. Both Vivien and Marilyn share a fear of being alone or abandoned and I found that very interesting in actresses that were so loved during their time in the spotlight. I wanted that to be explored more with both actresses.
I'm not sure how Michelle Williams was nominated for lead acting awards, because this is clearly a supporting role, but I guess that's politics for you. That, and she does such an excellent job of losing herself in Marilyn, showing a fragile side that not many people were fully accustomed to during Monroe's lifetime, that she definitely deserves props. It's also refreshing to show Monroe having a playful side instead of constantly being in a depressive disposition that so many people appear to obsess over and analyze in numerous documentaries.
Regardless, Colin is the lead and actor Freddie Redmayne does an excellent job of portraying the young man. Saddled with the challenge of playing a man with little experience in the world, Redmayne does a good job walking the fine line of not coming off completely ignorant to Marilyn's game while also appearing believable and understandable when he falls for her and cares so deeply about her feelings.
I have to say, the most enduring character could possibly be Kenneth Branagh, who steals the show in a role (Olivier) I'm sure he has dreamed of playing for a very long time. His candor (acknowledging fear of his time being almost up in the acting world) with Colin while applying makeup to darken his eyebrows (for the film) was particularly moving. Judi Dench also provides a refreshing performance as the tender Sybil Thorndike.
Overall, the film may have introduced some characters that disappeared into oblivion, but the heart of the story remains: a young man comes of age by falling for and developing a complex and caring relationship with Marilyn Monroe. It's an interesting peek into the past (real or not) and has a bittersweet ending, as Colin goes on to work in film and Marilyn, well... you know the rest of the story.... In short, if you are a Marilyn fan or a bio-pic fan, check it out.

A Special Treat for You & Me! Frankenweenie!

It's nearly been a week since the Academy Awards, and yes, I was incorrect on my prediction for Best Actress (but got all the other ones right-score!). I can only blame it on emotion. I love Viola Davis' performance in The Help. If you haven't seen it, please check it out! I admit, I did not have the opportunity to see The Iron Lady (starring Meryl Streep)-yet. But when I do, I'll let you know my thoughts on Streep's performance. I'm sure it's excellent.
Anyway, today is Friday! TGIF! I was happily surprised to learn that the trailer for Tim Burton's latest effort, Frankenweenie (a stop motion remake of his 1984 beloved short film) was released! And so..without further ado, here's the trailer! Are you excited as much as I?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD6yNqOrnQQ