VIRTUAL STOCKING STUFFERS-FREE SMILES-KITSCH-POWER OF THE SKY-THE WEEKENDER

LAUGH A LITTLE-CRY A LITTLE

AND WONDER 

   Two films to move you during this season and to give you reasons to celebrate, in a real way.

    THE BOOK THIEF, directed by Brian Percival with great acting from Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson and a stunning child, Sophie Nelisse as Liesel Meminger, gives you sensitivity and love with force and power. 

    Set against the holocaust and the terror of Nazi Germany the clarity of human decency shines brightly. This film also goes a long way in answering a question that has long haunted, how and why did the German people tolerate or coexist with what we know was a great evil? This is a masterful attempt an understanding, plus so much more that will move you. 

     Author Markus Zusak does an extraordinary job of plumbing the human soul in this brilliant work.

    PHILOMENA is highly recommended if only to see the work of Judi Dench as Philomena, an Irish woman who after 50 years seeks the son that a convent forced her to give away. Dench is worthy of an Oscar nomination. Her counter part in the adventure is superbly played by Steve Coogan, who wrote the screen play. Coogan as a cynical former journalist teams with the devout, tough but troubled Dench to learn the fate of her son, in essence stolen from her by a maniacal head Nun, Sister Hildegarde played brilliantly by Barbara Jefford.  

     Director Stephen Frears delivers a few curves and does an insightful job of pricking at American culture, phony Reagan administration matters and evil Catholic practices. And, this is as they say, inspired by true events.  The credits match the real characters to the film events.

     This is a great film.

KITSCHMAS?

TRANSFORMATION

remembering there are many who struggle

LOOKING UP

FRAMING THE SKY

    See you down the trail.

BRILLIANCE-A FILM AND SUN ON A BEACH TOWN

ACTING BRILLIANCE

REEL THOUGHTS

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

I came out of this film somewhat stunned.

Michelle Williams as Marilyn was mind blowing.

The acting, even to the bit parts was a tour de force.

I simply did not see it coming.

It is a bright, clever and even poignant film.

Based on the book by Colin Clark, who spent

time as a junior director in Laurence Olivier's company as the famed actor tried his hand at directing Marilyn,

the film is a reminiscence and portrait.

There are moments in the film where you forget

you are watching Michelle Williams play Marilyn.

So brilliant, nuanced, subtle and beautiful!

Williams mastered a technique with her eyes

that seemed to channel Monroe.  If Meryl Streep got

praise for her Julia Childs, Williams should get

a crown for her Marilyn. 

Boozy, pill sedated, insecure, manipulative,

William's Marilyn provides an intimate look

into the mega star that  became an icon.

In this film, you "get" how she became what 

she did. Williams was incredible.

But so was Kenneth Branagh as Laurence Olivier. Olivier fans might quibble a bit with some of the quirks, ego and insecurity, still it was great acting.  Young Eddie Redmayne as Colin Clark and Harry Potter's Emma Watson were great.

Then there were the superb "bit players"-Judi Dench was masterful as Dame Sybil Thorndike.  Julie Ormand as Vivien Leigh, and Zoe Wanamaker as Paula Strasberg were also masterful.  Michael Kitchen and Derek Jacobi had even smaller parts, but their cameos also shone.

This is an actor's film and Director Simon Curtis presided in such a way to let some real cinema magic happen.

There are bigger, more important films this year,

but this is sweet, luscious and so well acted.

DAY BOOK

Cayucos Bright

The great surfing and retro beach town just down the 

coast, wears the sun well.

See you down the trail.