Actors You'd Watch in Anything

Entertainment Weekly Magazine had an piece on-line recently listing the 50 actors they'd watch in any film or other project. In browsing through the slideshow, I found myself nodding enthusiastically about many of the choices. A majority of the names on the list I agree are fine actors that can always be counted on to pull out an exceptional performance regardless of the overall quality of the project. A few people tend to annoy me so I usually avoid watching their movies (Will Ferrell, too silly, and Daniel Day-Lewis, too intense, for example) but I can recognize their talent- in fact I loved Will Ferrell in Stranger than Fiction which isn't his normal type of vehicle.

What follows is a list of my top 10 actors I'd watch in anything, drawn from the EW list with a few exceptions that I believe were notable oversights. My list is alphabetical. I'll follow each name with a film or two that makes me love to watch that actor. Feel free to comment on my choices or list your own. Also, check out the links to the original EW list.
*denotes my choice not on EW list.

1. Amy Adams -Sunshine Cleaning, Doubt, Catch Me If You Can

2. Steve Carell - Little Miss Sunshine, 40 Year Old Virgin, The Office, Bruce Almighty

3. Laura Linney - You Can Count On Me, The Savages, Love Actually

4. James McAvoy - Last King of Scotland, Starter for Ten, Becoming Jane, Macbeth (in Shakespeare Re-told) *

5. Bill Nighy - Love Actually, State Of Play, Blow Dry, Gideon's Daughter

6. Simon Pegg - Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, How to Lose Friends and Alienate People

7. Alan Rickman - Sense and Sensibility, Die Hard, Snowcake, Bottle Shock

8. Emma Thompson - Sense and Sensibility, Love Actually, The Remains of the Day, Dead Again

9. Julie Walters - Educating Rita, Driving Lessons, Billy Elliot, Harry Potter films *

10. Kate Winslet - Iris, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Sense and Sensibility

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20315966,00.html

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20316004,00.html

Page to Screen

I saw the list below on-line today and thought it very appropriate for a library-sponsored film discussion group to consider film adaptations of novels. Weigh in on the list or add your own examples. What is your favorite faithful adaptation? Have you been infuriated by a particularly heinous interpretation of one of your favorite books?

The 25 Best Book to Film Adaptations according to Telegraph.co.uk

1. GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Published: 1860-1861 Film adaptation: 1946
Director: DAVID LEAN

2. WUTHERING HEIGHTS by EMILY BRONTË
Published: 1847 Film adaptation: 1939
Director: WILLIAM WYLER

3. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by HARPER LEE
Published: 1960 Film adaptation: 1962
Director: ROBERT MULLIGAN

4. DOCTOR ZHIVAGO by BORIS PASTERNAK
Published: 1957 Film adaptation: 1965
Director: DAVID LEAN

5. THE LEOPARD by GIUSEPPE TOMASI DI LAMPEDUSA
Published: 1958 Film adaptation: 1963
Director: LUCHINO VISCONTI

6. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS by THOMAS HARRIS
Published: 1988 Film adaptation: 1991
Director: JONATHAN DEMME

7. DANGEROUS LIAISONS (Les Liaisons Dangereuses) by PIERRE CHODERLOS DE LACLOS
Published: 1782 Film adaptation: 1988
Director: STEPHEN FREARS

8. THE BIG SLEEP by RAYMOND CHANDLER
Published: 1939 Film adaptation: 1946
Director: HOWARD HAWKS

9. THE 39 STEPS (The Thirty Nine Steps) by JOHN BUCHAN
Published: 1915 Film adaptation: 1935
Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK

10. THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE by MURIEL SPARK
Published: 1961 Film adaptation: 1969
Director: RONALD NEAME

11. MOBY-DICK by HERMAN MELVILLE
Published: 1851 Film adaptation: 1956
Director: JOHN HUSTON

12. BRIGHTON ROCK by GRAHAM GREENE
Published: 1938 Film adaptation: 1947
Directors: John and Roy Boulting

13. DRACULA by BRAM STOKER
Published: 1897 Film adaptation: 1931
Director: TOD BROWNING

14. THE DAY OF THE JACKAL by FREDERICK FORSYTH
Published: 1971 Film adaptation: 1973
Director: FRED ZINNEMANN

15. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT by ERICH MARIA REMARQUE
Published: 1929 Film adaptation: 1930
Director: LEWIS MILESTONE

16. EMPIRE OF THE SUN by J.G BALLARD
Published: 1984 Film adaptation: 1987
Director: STEVEN SPIELBERG

17. TRAINSPOTTING by IRVINE WELSH
Published: 1993 Film adaptation: 1996
Director: DANNY BOYLE

18. APOCALYPSE NOW (Heart of Darkness) by JOSEPH CONRAD
Published: 1902 Film adaptation: 1979
Director: FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA

19. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN by CORMAC McCARTHY
Published: 2005 Film adaptation: 2007
Directors: JOEL AND ETHAN COEN

20. THE REMAINS OF THE DAY by KAZUO ISHIGURO
Published: 1989 Film adaptation: 1993
Director: JAMES IVORY

21. THE SHINING by STEPHEN KING
Published: 1977 Film adaptation: 1980
Director: STANLEY KUBRICK

22. THE HARRY POTTER SERIES by J.K ROWLING
Published: 1997-2007 Film adaptationS: 2001-2011
Directors: CHRIS COLUMBUS, ALFONSO CUAR”N, MIKE NEWELL, DAVID YATES

23. THE HEIRESS (Washington Square) by HENRY JAMES
Published: 1880 Film adaptation: 1949
Director: WILLIAM WYLER

24. SCHINDLER’S LIST (Schindler’s Ark) by THOMAS KENEALLY
Published: 1982 Film adaptation: 1993
Director: STEVEN SPIELBERG

25. THE LORD OF THE RINGS SERIES by J.R.R TOLKIEN
Published: 1954-1955 Film adaptation: 2001-2003
Director: PETER JACKSON

Art House or Your House?

My husband and I took our son to summer orientation at Ithaca College in New York state earlier this week. Since the parents had evenings free, we decided to see a movie I had been waiting for that was not going to arrive at our local cineplex, Away We Go. And while I could make this post about the film, which I did enjoy by the way, I wanted to tell you more about the actual experience of viewing a movie in an art-house theater located in a college town (two colleges to be accurate since Ithaca is also the home of Cornell).

First of all, we had to find the place. When asked for directions by my husband, the woman who answered the phone at at the theater was apparently hard of hearing, very anti-customer service or just wanted the location to remain a secret. We set off with only a Green Street address and a dream that we would enjoy indie cinema that evening. After passing up and down the street twice with no glimpse of a movie marquee, we decided to park in a municipal parking garage and take to the street in hopes of finding someone who would reveal the site of the secret lair known as Cinemapolis. Low and behold, as we were descending the stairs of the garage, tucked quietly underneath the parking structure, was a little storefront building with "Cinemapolis" written out in poster paints on the windows.

After the older gentleman who worked at the ticket window (which we missed because he wasn't manning it at the time) returned from comforting his dog who happened to be tied up with rope under the shelter of the parking garage, we told him which movie we wanted to see. He took our money and handed us what looked to be generic tickets from a roll with "Admit One" printed on them. I assume he had a tally system going somewhere to keep track of which of the five movies people where attending.

There was a small concession stand which we bypassed. When we entered the designated door for our movie, we felt that we were entering someone's basement home theater. To our right were about four rows of seats very close up to the screen and then up a few stairs to the left were probably another seven or eight rows. Fresh paint, nice seats, smallish screen, in other words, no frills.

Everyone, about 20 in all, chose to sit in the section farther back from the screen, so it was rather cozy. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy seeing a movie with an audience, as long as the people sitting closest by don't giggle at every remotely funny line or "awww..." at each sweet sentiment expressed by one of the characters on screen. Of course this could happen at any theater across the country, but it happened at Cinemapolis so it goes into this post. To top it off, the print of the film was not great with a line, and sometimes multiple ones, running through the picture throughout the whole movie. I'm sure that was not the fault of the teenage boy who was dashing from theater to theater to thread the projectors.

After telling this story, I realize I sound cynical, set in my ways and seem to possess no sense of adventure. But I tell the story because it was an adventure and different from our experiences watching films in the corporate cineplexes or on DVD at home. Each type of venue has its advantages and setbacks. I am glad Ithaca has this non-profit, independent film theater and I'm sure the community does too. It brings movies to the area don't meet the profit expecations of the mainstream cineplex. Quirky, controversial, experimental movies should probably been seen in places that employ quirky staff, viewed in quarters that aren't too luxurious and with people who may not agree with your ideas of the world.

If you have an unforgettable movie viewing experience you would like to share (tales from the Cedar Lee, perhaps?), leave a comment on this blog, or if you live in the Medina County, Ohio area, join us on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 6:30 pm at the Brunswick Library (Hickory Room) for our monthly Film Discussion Group meeting.

Road Trip Movies

I recently watched The Lucky Ones on DVD starring, Tim Robbins, Rachel McAdams and Michael Pena about three soldiers home on leave from the war in Iraq. While I had a few minor problems with it, I realized what I enjoyed most about this film was the road trip aspect of the story. Three virtual strangers travelling across the country, slowly opening up to one another, becoming friends in close quarters in a very short period of time.

It got me thinking about the many road trip movies I like and I have to say my favorite is Little Miss Sunshine: that dysfunctional family, that broken down VW bus and the dreams of a 10 year old girl forcing everyone along for the ride and, in the end, bringing the family together

What is your favorite road trip movie? Let me know by commenting on this blog or bring your opinions to the next Brunswick (Ohio) Library Film Discussion Group meeting on Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 pm in the Sycamore Room.

Movie Quotes Pop Up in Unexpected Places

movie quotes on bathroom stalls
Originally uploaded by jasoneppink

At our film discussion group meeting last month, we discussed the pervasive nature of movie quotes in our culture. In fact, several members mentioned how using movie quotes in everyday conversation has become something of a game of one-upmanship amongst friends and family members. Library employee that I am, this prompted me to seach for a definitive source of famous movie lines; quotes that have become part of pop culture parlance. On the American Film Institute website was listed the criteria for their One Hundred Top Movie Quotes List:

MOVIE QUOTE
A statement, phrase or brief exchange of dialogue spoken in an American film.* (Lyrics from songs are not eligible.)

CULTURAL IMPACT
Movie Quotes that viewers use in their own lives and situations; circulating through popular culture, they become part of the national lexicon.

LEGACY
Movie Quotes that viewers use to evoke the memory of a treasured film, thus ensuring and enlivening its historical legacy.

"Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" (Gone with Wind) earned top honors with lines from The Godfather, On the Waterfront, The Wizard of Oz and Casablanca rounding out the top five. Go to www.afi.com for the full list.

From the AFI list, my favorite quote is #54 from A League of Their Own- "There's no crying in baseball!" Share your favorite quotes by commenting to this blog entry and join us at our next film discussion group meeting, Thursday, May 21, 2009 at the Brunswick (Ohio) Library at 6:30 p.m.

April Assignment: Watch a Danny Boyle Film

2009 Academy Awards: Best Picture director Danny Boyle
Originally uploaded by USA TODAY

As promised, I am adding a blog post regarding the Brunswick Library Film Discussion Group's April assignment. These brief descriptions were adapted from IMDB synopses posted by individuals who have seen the films.

Shallow Grave

Three people living together in a four bedroom flat are looking for a house mate. After conducting some very unorthodox interviews, the three agree on one prospective tenant. He moves in, locks his door, and is not seen again. What the housemates subsequently discover about their new housemate leads them into a dangerous adventure.
Written by djm@sinope.kbs.citri.edu.au

Rated R for scenes of strong grisly violence, and for some language and nudity.

Trainspotting

A wild, freeform, Rabelaisian trip through the darkest recesses of Edinburgh low-life, focusing on Mark Renton and his attempt to give up his heroin habit, and how the latter affects his relationship with family and friends.
Written by Michael Brooke {michael@everyman.demon.co.uk}

Rated R for graphic heroin use and resulting depravity, strong language, sex, nudity and some violence

A Life Less Ordinary

Ewan McGregor stars as a cleaning man in L.A. who takes his boss's daughter hostage after being fired and replaced by a robot. Two "angels" who are in charge of human relationships on earth, offer some unsolicited help to bring this unlikely couple together.
Written by {CherylC894@aol.com}

Rated R for violence and language

The Beach

The film centers on a young nicotine-addicted traveler named Richard, an avid pop-culture buff with a particular love for video games and Vietnam War movies. While at a hotel in Bangkok, he finds a map left by his strange, whacked-out neighbor, who just committed suicide. The map supposedly leads to a legendary island paradise where some other wayward souls have settled. Written by Mike Arndt {clayton@hooked.net}

Rated R for violence, some strong sexuality, language and drug content

28 Days Later

Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the UK, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary.

Rated R for strong violence and gore, language and nudity

Millions

Ethics, being human and the soul all come to the forefront when a 7-year old finds a bag of Pounds with a few days to spend before the currency is switched to Euros and learns what people are really made of.

Rated PG for thematic elements, language, some peril and mild sensuality

Sunshine

50 years into the future, the Sun begins to die, and Earth is dying as a result. A team of astronauts are sent to revive the Sun - but the mission fails. Seven years later, a new team are sent to finish the mission as they are Earth's last hope.
Written by harpster_2004@yahoo.co.uk

Rated R for violent content and language

Slumdog Millionaire

A Mumbai teen who grew up in the slums, becomes a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown which explain why he knows the answers.

Rated R for some violence, disturbing images and language.

I realize all but one of these films are rated R so if violence and some of the more mature themes are not your taste, I would recommend Millions. It is a noticably gentler film, yet it still retains the Danny Boyle sensibilty. If you want to watch more than one movie, Millions would make a good contrast to some of the more violent works. I also recommend Slumdog Millionaire if you can get your hands on it, because the violence is not gratuitous, in my opinion.

We will be meeting to discuss Boyle's oeuvre (how pretentious!) on April 23 at 6:30 at the Brunswick Library (Ohio). Hope to see you there.

Spead the Movie Love - Film Discussion Groups

Now that my 8N08 assignment for the library has been completed, I thought I might continue blogging on the topic of film for my own gratification (and hopefully, that of a few readers as well). I don't claim to be an expert on films or the film industry. There are movie historians and critics as well as other "filmophiles" who could leave me in the dust as far as depth of knowledge and actual films viewed. I am simply a person who enjoys the movie experience in general and a great number of films in particular. I tend to like certain types of movies (think Little Miss Sunshine, About a Boy, and You Can Count on Me) and do not feel the need to apologize for my taste. That is one thing I have learned from working in a library. People like what they like and shouldn't be made to feel embarrased by their preferences.

One way that we are trying to expand the film experience at our local library is by starting up a Film Discussion Group that was intiated and is moderated by one of our regular patrons. We meet monthly to discuss films we have experienced from our childhood memories to the present. Right now the structure of our discussions is a kick off question or topic such as "Have you since any of the Oscar nominated films this year?" and then we free associate fast and furiously from that point. One movie will lead us to another. We skip from actor to director to genre in the blink of an eye. These groups could be structured in any number of ways to accomodate their members' tastes or discussion styles. The most important thing is to have a group that is enthusiastic about the medium of film and respects and encourages the opinions of its members.

Movie lovers are everywhere and eager to talk about their favorite flicks. If a film discussion group sounds like your bucket of popcorn, they are fairly easy to organize or if you happen to be a Medina Countian (Ohio), join us at the Brunswick Library. Our next meeting is March 19, 2009 at 6:30 pm.