In an article for screenindia.com - the comments of by Emanuel Levy, Hollywood critic on the foreign press contingent at the Golden Globe Awards, have served to highlight the ongoing troubles for actor Tom Cruise. Levy's "feeble" comment came following a private screening of Cruise's new and much publicized film, 'Valkyrie', and have even been reported by Fox News, though Levy did say that Cruise may not have been entirely to blame.

For those who don't know the plot, Cruise plays the part of a German officer, Claus Von Stauffenberg, who famously came very close to assassinating Adolf Hitler with a briefcase bomb in 1944. As a student of history I certainly know the basic details about Von Stauffenberg's plot and would be very interested if the film managed to capture the man behind the plot, his motivations, what life was like for a man like him and his family living in Nazi Germany at that time, and what he planned to do if his plot succeeded. Alas, as Levy points out, all these things are missing from the film.

The film has proved troubling for Cruise from the start with stories in the press about run-ins with film crew and later about his appalling German accent! In the end he couldn't make that work and, while everyone else is talking with distinctly German accents, Cruise's accent is distinctly American. Levy, whose word apparently carries some weight as a critic, thinks that Cruise was ultimately miscast for the part, describing his performance as "stiff" and "unconvincing". While I am sure Levy is correct in his assessment of Cruise's performance one cannot help but also lament the lack of depth in Hollywood film writing these days - or maybe that is the fault of the audience . . . ?

Labels: actor, critic, Emanuel Levy, Tom Cruise, Valkyrie

For all you keen Oscar-watchers out there, a significant boost was given to actor Michael Kelly recently after he was asked to ring the Nasdaq closeout bell in October in recognition of his performance in the Clint Eastwood directed movie "The Changeling'. Kelly played the 'decent' Detective in an otherwise corrupt 1930's Los Angeles Police Department, helping the character played by Jolie to find her missing son. Despite the film's stars, Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich, Kelly seems to have received many of the acting accolades for his performance in the role.

Not only has the Atlanta boy received attention from the local press, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but also by the New York Times and Entertainment Weekly, all who have singled him out as a rising talent and possible Oscar winner. Some of Kelly's better known former roles include appearances in the hit zombie film 'Dawn of the Dead', though he has worked mostly in television, including series such as 'Generation Kill', 'Kojak' and 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' to name but a few, and not to mention a small part in the Sopranos where he played an FBI agent. Kelly is currently filming in two productions - 'Defendor' and 'Washingtonienne', both comedy roles, and is also set to appear in more dramatic circumstances in 'The Afterlight', currently in post-production. Look out for all those in the new year.

Labels: actor, Best Supporting Actor, Changeling, Michael Kelly, Oscars

There are two points I want to make in this week's post on the subject of acting performances - firstly, to talk about the release of the new teen vampire movie 'Twilight' and, secondly to talk about participation. Both points are ably demonstrated by AlexTheSubject23 on YouTube.com in the above clip.

Regarding 'Twilight' - I would say I am a fan of vampire stories. I was particularly a fan of the Anne Rice 'Lestat' novels and I have commented on the film 'Interview With a Vampire' in an earlier post on this blog. I was also a big fan of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and there were some great performances and great actors and actresses in that series. As far as 'Twilight' goes, I don't know of the book and, judging from the trailers, it seems to be a bit too much of a 'teen' movie for an old git like me - though I would probably watch it if it came on TV. That being the case I will leave the review of the performances in the capable hands of Alex, above. One comment I did hear was that the film was one long metaphor for teen abstinence - I think it was said in jest, but you never know in this country!

Anyway, my second point, also ably made by AlexTheSubject23, is participation. Ultimately, you can listen to all the opinions about someone's performance from a hundred different people but, in the end, you have to form your own opinion. So, my point is don't be afraid to share your opinion - it is just as valid as the next persons! Alex's video shows how easy it is to do so on the internet these days, and if you can do it with a touch wit and intelligence then so much the better. So come on all you couch potatos - don't just listen to my opinion - send us the link to your YouTube performance review via the 'comments' link and share your opinions with the rest of our readers! You never know, you might even get a conversation going!

Labels: Movie, Reviewer, Twilight, Vampire, YouTube

I had half a mind to go and see Quantum of Solace this weekend. The problem is that I am still not convinced by actor Daniel Craig playing the part of James Bond. It gets down to the perennial "Who is your favorite Bond?" question again. I am not saying that Daniel Craig doesn't give a good performance as Bond, I just think he misses some of the qualities that made some of the other lead actors in the role so much better.

Now some people like to argue about the character as portrayed by Ian Fleming in the original books. I have actually read a couple of the original books and my opinion is that the films are so far removed from the books of the same name as to be largely irrelevant to this argument. My own favorite Bond, along with most other people, was Sean Connery. The sardonic humour which was the hallmark of the Connery version of Bond was certainly not in the book and, being the first, he was always going to set the benchmark.

Everyone hated George Lazenby's performance, mainly I think because he wasn't Connery. I saw OHMS again on TV sometime later after the film came out and I thought it was actually not a bad Bond film overall. I think Lazenby's main problem was that he just didn't look right for the part - not enough distinctive character.

Then came Roger Moore of course. I didn't think he was too bad in the role. 'Diamonds Are Forever' is one of my favorite Bond movies, and 'Live and Let Die' wasn't too bad either. But the franchise was losing its way by then and Moore's replacement, Tim Dalton was a disaster - too dandified with no sense of toughness at all.

Thus, when Pierce Brosnon came in after something of a hiatus in the Bond story, there was much anticipation. I have to say that I thought Brosnon gave a sterling performance as Bond. The thing I liked most about Brosnon was that he bought an element of ruthlessness not previously displayed by the previous actors, including Connery. I thought it made the character much more believable (if that is the right word). Definitely the best casting since Connery in my opinion.

The common theme with all the Bonds has been that he has been played as a debonnair character - one who like his Martinis "shaken, not stirred". Bond as played by Craig has the quintessential Englishness of Bond but without Bond's sophistication. Craig's character is that of a working class tough and that, to me, may be the big problem with casting Craig in the role. I wasn't convinced by his performance in Casino Royale - its not that it was particularly a bad performance, its just that it just wasn't 'Bond'. I'm still of two minds whether I will see Quantum of Solace - the reviews don't seem particularly encouraging. If Pierce Brosnon was in it I think I would definitely go to see it - I'm still not entirely sure why they wanted to replace him in the first place.

Labels: actor, Daniel Craig, George Lazenby, James Bond, Pierce Brosnan, Quantum of Solace, Roder Moore, Sean Connery, Tim Dalton

With Christmas looming large, what perfect timing for Paramount to release a centennial celebration DVD of that all time classic, 'Sunset Boulevard'. Although a DVD of Sunset Boulevard was released in 2002 as a single disc edition, with the 100th year of Paramount coming up this new, two-disc version is packed with additional commentaries and features about the film. A full and excellent review of the collection by Jeremy Thomas, who gives it an "Amazing" 9.5 rating, can be seen at http://www.411mania.com/movies/dvd_reviews/90069/Sunset-Boulevard-(Centennial-Collection)-DVD-Review.htm

The original film, made in 1950 and directed by Billy Wilder, is one of Hollywood's all-time noir classics. I first saw the film in my early teens, part of a series of classic Hollywood films shown on TV in Britain at the time and I was completely bowled-over by it, as we say in Britain. Gloria Swanson gave a spellbinding performance as Norma Desmond, a former star of silent films who has been pushed aside and forgotten because her voice wasn't suitable for the 'talkies' that followed. Her foil in the story is Joe Gillis, a down-at-heal screenwriter trying to escape his debtors, played by that enduring Hollywood actor, William Holden. As Thomas rightly states, Holden is an "actor who gives a memorable performance against the larger-than-life role as Desmond ... a more low-key performance and, while not quite etched within the public consciousness like Swanson's, has still provided a role to be scrutinized and studied by actors for decades."

The new DVD collection, with improved video and sound over the 2002 version, has an abundance of added features including a commentary by Sunset Boulevard's author, Ed Sikov; A 23 minute feature on the production as discussed with director Billy Wilder; The score of Sunset Boulevard; The story of Paramount; a Hollywood location map; the original theatrical trailer and much much more - a total of 17 additional features, all of which are fully described in Thomas' review. All in all, this is a must have for any fan of the great Hollywood films, and for fans of those truly memorable great acting performances. I certainly know what I will be asking Santa for this Christmas!

Labels: DVD, Gloria Swanson, Paramount, Sunset Boulevard, William Holden

I was sorry to her that Joaquin Phoenix is giving up acting. In a somewhat strange interview with Extra, the reporter wasn't exactly sure whether he was joking or not - very quickly becoming obvious that he was not! (see the interview above). Apparently, he has been involved in making music videos for some time and, having learned to play guitar for his role as Johnny Cash in his hit film 'Walk the Line', he has decided to concentrate exclusively on his music career. He has recently been working on a film called "Two Lovers" with Gwyneth Paltrow and this has been confirmed by his publicist as his last film.

Funnily enough I finally got to see him in Walk the Line on TV a couple of weekends ago and I can quite see why he was nominated for an Oscar for that performance. Then again, I don't think I have ever seen him in a film where he didn't give a sterling performance. I first saw him in the Nicole Kidman film 'To Die For', playing a somewhat dim and star-struck teenager, lured into killing the Kidman character's unwanted husband - an excellent performance in itself.

Phoenix's other famous and Oscar-nominated performance was as the cruel and ruthless Roman Emperor, Commodus, in Ridley Scott's excellent 2000 historical masterpiece, 'Gladiator'. I can only imagine that his musical career will be just as successful as his acting career and I for one will miss him - that is of course if a) he isn't just playing some sort of prank after all, or b) the music thing doesn't go quite according to plan and he comes back to acting 'cos he needs the money! But, giving the benefit of the doubt, for now at least, he is certainly one of the most talented actors of the 1990s. At least for the hardened Joaquin Phoenix fans there is one more imminent chance to see him action on the silver screen. 'Two Lovers' is due for release on February 13th, 2009.

Labels: actor, Joaquin Phoenix, performance

I know this is somewhat harkening back to an earlier topic - top ten acting lists - but this is a good one - Top Ten Acting Performances by Athletes. I love this one - it is from a poll done by ESPN's 'Page 2' and the link to the original survey is at the end of this piece. Now just to warn you that I am not exactly renown as the greatest sports fan in the world so if I fail to give due deference to your favorite on-field star it is probably because I have never heard of them - for example, I know that Dan Marino was obviously some sort of sports athlete and later a commentator, but I only know this because he appears in some of those Nutrasystem weight loss adverts on TV - okay, so you now you get my level of sports knowledge!

This is Page 2's top ten pick - although the popular vote went somewhat differently:

Labels: athletes, Blazzing Saddles, Karras, Marino, Mongo, Schwarenegger, The Rock, top 10, Uecker