MOVIE BUFFMovie News, Reviews & Interviews with Clint O' Connor
-
MOVIE BUFF
-
Browse by day posted:
Browse by week posted:
- MOVIES BLOG
- MOVIE NEWS
-
The Plain Dealer
-
Associated Press
Will Smith's whirlwind day in Cleveland culminates with movie premiere
by
Clint O'Connor/Plain Dealer Film Critic
Thursday November 20, 2008, 9:13 PM
Will Smith turns a camera on himself and fans.
ONLINE EXTRAS
PHOTOS: Will Smith in Valley View
SPECIAL AUDIO: Will Smith talks with The Plain Dealer
Will Smith put in a good 12-hour day in Greater Cleveland Thursday. In the midst of a five-city tour promoting his new film, "Seven Pounds," Smith was greeted by an array of hugs, handshakes, cell-phone snappers, and "you're-really-an-inspiration" moments from starstruck fans.
"We've never done it this way before, we usually only do New York and L.A.," said Smith. "This is more like the old school music tours. Different clubs, different cities, meeting people. You get in touch with what people are feeling and thinking and it's much more personal when you're actually out shaking hands."
The actor-rapper-humanitarian carried his considerable charisma around town in a huge bus emblazoned with his face and the film's title. "Seven Pounds," a drama about a man who suffers a tragedy then helps seven strangers, opens nationwide Dec. 19th. His whirlwind day included making the radio rounds, visiting the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, meeting with students at Ginn Academy, Case Elementary School, and Open Doors Academy in Cleveland Heights, and sitting down for an interview.
Continue reading "Will Smith's whirlwind day in Cleveland culminates with movie premiere" »
Post a comment | View comments (6)
Pitt vs. Aniston; Cruise vs. evil; Kidman vs. kangaroos: Check out our Holiday Movie Preview
by
Clint O'Connor/Plain Dealer Film Critic
Friday November 21, 2008, 12:01 AM
Down Under duo: Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman light up the screen in "Australia."Let your multiplex-plotting begin as we hurtle into the crowded holiday movie season. There are Oscar contenders from Will Smith and Sean Penn, comedies from Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler, and Keanu Reeves in a robot movie. And he's not even playing the robot.
Twenty-five films land in Greater Cleveland in the next five weeks, including eight on Christmas Day.
Continue reading "Pitt vs. Aniston; Cruise vs. evil; Kidman vs. kangaroos: Check out our Holiday Movie Preview" »'Heathers,' Hitchcok, Inspector Clouseau, Tony Soprano highlight holiday DVD box sets
by
Clint O'Connor/Plain Dealer Film Critic
Saturday November 15, 2008, 12:25 PM
Peter Sellers set the standard for Inspector Clouseau. Now nine films and more than 180 cartoons are available in "The Pink Panther: Ultimate Collection."HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
With our wallets and purses ever-lightening, it's hard to imagine folks are going to splurge on high-priced DVD collections. But since great cinema hasn't exactly been burning up the box office in '08, home-viewing and plotting couch-hibernation accessories for winter is always a safe Cleveland strategy. Here are 11 choice DVD choices from movies and TV.
The Pink Panther: Ultimate Collection
What: The wildly funny Peter Sellers, the original Inspector Clouseau, and his many descendants are spotlighted in this 16-disc set. The collection features nine films (including the most recent Steve Martin version), more than 180 Pink Panther cartoons and a Pink Panther Encyclopedia. Arrives Tuesday, Nov. 25.
Price: $199.98.
Continue reading "'Heathers,' Hitchcok, Inspector Clouseau, Tony Soprano highlight holiday DVD box sets" »
Will Smith visiting Greater Cleveland Thursday
by
Clint O'Connor/Plain Dealer Film Critic
Friday November 14, 2008, 5:17 PM
Will Smith's Oscar-contending drama "Seven Pounds" opens nationwide Dec. 19th. He'll be at the Cinemark Valley View 24 Thursday night. Megastar Will Smith will be in Valley View Thursday night for a screening of his new drama "Seven Pounds," and to benefit the Cleveland Food bank. A red carpet arrivals event starts at 6 p.m. (with a presentation at 6:45) in front of the Cinemark Valley View 24 theaters at 6001 Canal Rd. Chances are it will be cold, so dress accordingly.
NOTE: The outdoor event is free and open to the public. But you will need a pass for admission to the screening at 7.
People bringing non-perishable food items for the Cleveland Food Bank, starting at 4 p.m., will be eligible to receive a pass to the screening. Smith is donating 200 turkeys to the food bank. "Seven Pounds" opens nationwide Dec. 19th.
Kaufman's 'Synecdoche, New York' exists somewhere on the road between brilliant and boring
by Clint O'Connor/Plain Dealer Film Critic
Friday November 14, 2008, 12:57 PM
Cast members of "Synecdoche, New York" had a swinging good time in Cannes last May. From left; Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams. Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Catherine Keener.
REVIEW Synecdoche, New York
Who: With Philip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton, Catherine Keener. Written and directed by Charlie Kauf man.
Rated: R for language and some sexual content/nudity.
Running time: 124 minutes.
When: Opens today.
Where: Cedar Lee Theatre, Cleveland Heights.
Grade: C
Charlie Kaufman is arguably the most creative screenwriter working today.
Actually, there's no argument. He is. After churning out mind-bending scripts like "Being John Malkovich" (one of the best films of the past 10 years), adapting "Adaptation" and "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," and further flirting with the edges of reality in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (picked up an Oscar for that one), Kaufman has forever altered the standard approaches to storytelling.
His actors often play characters who are observing the people they're playing. Only it's not in the scene we think we're watching, it's the scene seen from a fresh angle by a different version of the character, or the actor playing the character, or a different actor playing the actor playing the character.
Phew.
Continue reading "Kaufman's 'Synecdoche, New York' exists somewhere on the road between brilliant and boring" »'Kenny' cuts up with plethora of potty jokes
by Clint O'Connor/Plain Dealer Film Critic
Thursday November 13, 2008, 3:48 PM
Proud pumper: Shane Jacobson plays the title character in "Kenny," a faux documentary about a man who loves to flush. REVIEW Kenny
Who: With Shane Jacobson, Eve von Bi bra. Directed by Clayton Jacobson.
Rated: PG-13 for crude content, lan guage and partial nudity.
Running time: 103 minutes.
When: Friday night at 9:30; and 7:25 Saturday night.
Where: Cleveland Institute of Art Cine matheque, 11141 East Blvd. in Univer sity Circle.
Grade: B-
Do not see this film if you're rendered quickly queasy by discussions of bathroom activities. There's tons of toilet talk in "Kenny," almost non-stop.
Kenny Smyth (Shane Jacobson) is a waste management specialist for Australia's Splashdown Co. ("We're No. 1 with your No. 2s"). He makes sure an arsenal of porta-potties arrives promptly at corporate events, festivals and concerts, keeps them clean and hauls them away. It's yucky, thankless, aroma-lingering work, but Kenny takes pride in his trade.
Continue reading "'Kenny' cuts up with plethora of potty jokes" »Bond Identity? 'Quantum of Solace,' starring Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko, looks more Jason Bourne than James Bond
by Clint O'Connor/Plain Dealer Film Critic
Thursday November 13, 2008, 12:40 PM
License to thrill: Daniel Craig returns for his second spin as James Bond 007 in "Quantum of Solace."
REVIEW Quantum of Solace
Who: With Daniel Craig, Olga Kury lenko, Mathieu Amalric. Directed by Marc Forster.
Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sexual content.
Running time: 106 minutes.
When: Opens Friday.
Where: Area theaters.
Grade: B-
What the heck is a quantum of solace? I saw this movie and still don't know.
James Bond may be British, but he's the most popular cinema secret agent in America. We believe in his fearless fortitude, his elegance, his double-entendres, his gadget-driven spy-jinks. We love that he attracts equal parts gorgeous women and cliff-hanging danger, and that he looks as spectacular in a tux sipping martinis as he does firing a machine gun from a rapidly moving motorcycle.
Why then would producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli go out of their way to create "Quantum of Solace," the most unBond Bond film of all?
Continue reading "Bond Identity? 'Quantum of Solace,' starring Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko, looks more Jason Bourne than James Bond" »Female Bonding: the Bond Girls (and one Dame) are a movie mainstay, celebrated anew in 'Quantum of Solace'
by Clint O'Connor/Plain Dealer Film Critic
Monday November 10, 2008, 11:04 AM
Halle Berry made an eye-turning appearance as Jinx in "Die Another Day." Berry didn't need the buzz (she had just won an Oscar) but for some women, being a Bond Girl has been a major career-starter.Who could have predicted that the most important woman in James Bond's life would be a silver-haired 73-year-old with a dour frown who doesn't even own a bikini? She's not a Bond girl. She's a Bond Dame.
Judi Dench will appear as Bond's boss, M, for the sixth time when "Quantum of Solace" opens nationwide Friday. It's the 22nd film in the official Bond series, the longest-running franchise in movie history.
Dench debuted in "GoldenEye" opposite Pierce Brosnan in 1995, and stayed in the role through "Casino Royale" two years ago, when Daniel Craig took over as 007. The great actress brings a nice weighty presence as the no-nonsense M, and has an expanded role in "Quantum of Solace."
- MOVIE FORUMS
-
LATEST COMMENTS
