Movies blog: The Screening Room

Stevie Ray Vaughan!

That's easy...Sam Cooke. Like all bio-doc type pics, the proof is all in the casting. I don't know anyone that's out there that could play Sam. However, his story, from his angelic start with the Soul Stirrers to his rise through the countries music and cultural consciousness to his tragic and still controversial death...well, THAT'S a story that needs to be told.
I think about that story every time I hear his note bending, silky smooth voice. And every time I do i remind myself that it's probably better to leave The Man and His Music alone.

1. Jane Austen Book Club (with the girlfriends)

2. The Kingdom (with the hubby)

3. The Game Plan (with my boys)

Perfect weekend - something for everyone.

Were theaters in the Nacogdoches area shrewd enough to show something other than the constant run-of-the-mill big studio pictures, my girlfriend and I would be seeing 'Across the Universe' this weekend. Alas, that will have to wait for another time. And despite all the mixed reviews, I'm excited about this one. Julie Taymor is like the female Baz Luhrmann, making movies that, if not quite hitting it out of the park storywise, are at least some of the most visually dazzling features ever put on film. I will say, though, that I am disheartened by the scathing reviews for 'Trade.' I was hoping for a smart, effective take on the sex-trade industry, and was excited to see Kevin Kline in a rare dramatic role. But after seeing the general consensus being "it makes you feel icky," I'm going to steer clear. And one more thing, I honestly can't recommend 'The Kingdom' enough. I saw a screening about a month ago, and I think it might be the best movie I've seen all year. It's an action movie with a brain and a point. And I think the last 30 minutes are as exciting as anything in 'The Bourne Ultimatum.'

Couldn't agree with you more. Everything that Penn started in The Indian Runner he finished with The Pledge. One of the few Nicholson roles where you actually forget that it is Jack by the third act.

It also has all these bit parts filled by heavy hitters (or soon to be heavy hitters) who you know wanted to work with Penn and Nicholson - Vanessa Redgrave, Helen Mirren, Aaron Eckhart, Benicio Del Toro and Patricia Clarkson, to name a few.

Shucks. I would love to have the opportunity to see "Notorious" or "The 39 Steps" in a theatrical setting. "Casablanca" was released the year in which I was born so, although I have seen it well over 100 times in various forms on various television screens, my most fondly remembered viewing was the night I saw it at the old Glen Lakes Theater. I saw all the Hitchcock films being shown in this festival in their original theatrical runs -- now I would relish the opportunity to see some of his earlier films the same way.

Yes. I rushed out to catch the re-release of Vertigo at the North Park about ten years ago and was very glad I did. The masters should be seen on the big screen whenever possible.

While I'm thrilled with this little Hitchcock festival, I wish they would have shown some of his earlier/less well known work. I second the earlier suggestion of The 39 Steps and would add Foreign Correspondent, Lifeboat and Shadow of a Doubt (the one I really want to see and haven't yet). I am very glad they aren't showing North by Northwest, which I think gets elevated to greatness at the cost of his other work. Of course, I'm sure I'll be there to see every one if my schedule will possibly allow.

I highly recommend Shadow of a Doubt. One of Joseph Cotten's finest hours. Thankfully, I have no rap for it.

Lifeboat and Shadow of a Doubt have to be two of my favorite Hitchcock films.

In other Studio Movie Grill news, they're having screenings of The Game Plan for kids with special needs this Saturday at the Arlington, Plano and Lewisville locations. They're free for kids with special needs; accompanying adults pay regular ticket price.

I just wish those plans for an Alamo Draft House in Casa Linda hadn't fallen through...

Boy do I miss the Casa Linda...

I say keep them forever. Dust is good. Sadly I don't have a queue; I live in a perpetual state of being behind on watching stuff. Though I do still hit Premiere when I need to cram some research in.

I never realized that's how "queue" is spelled. Wacky.

Your dilemma is exactly why I can't bring myself to have a queue (useful word for Scrabble)....I already feel guilty about the pile of unread books at my house, and adding movies to the clutter might cause an avalanche.

I like Q'd better. Watch Gilliam, send back Shakespeare light. That credo has served me well thus far.

Well, it depends on your definition of "dilemma." I've had to put my queue on hold, because I can check out one DVD at a time per day for free at the campus media library. Good problem to have I guess. But my friend has put a rental ban on me until I sit down and watch all 3 hours of Martin Scorsese's 'The Aviator.'

I certainly didn't need THOSE stinking movies, but I did venture out to catch 'Eastern Promises.' It's not quite as good as 'A History of Violence,' but Viggo Mortensen has got to be looking at an Oscar nomination, especially since he was overlooked for 'Violence.' And Armin Mueller-Stahl is brilliant in his stoicism and silent fury. But of course it is very violent, especially the brilliantly choreographed steam bath scene. Which leads me to my question:

Did I have a responsibility as a Cronenberg fan to inform my friends who also saw it with me, and who didn't know any of Cronenberg's works, of how graphic it would be?

As a movie fan, rather than a critic, you had no obligation to tell your friends anything, especially not about a movie none of you had seen yet. In any case, Eastern Promises only has one truly graphic scene. Now if you took a group to see some early Cronenberg - Shivers or The Brood, say - then a word of warning might be wise. But certainly not obligated.