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REEL TIME: For this act of 'Defiance,' Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell embrace fiery spirit in tale of Jewish resistance
by
John M. Urbancich
Wednesday January 07, 2009, 10:56 AM
BEVERLY HILLS -- The Bielski brothers became heroes by saving more than a thousand fellow Jews from Nazi slaughter during the darkest days of World War II. Now, their little known story comes to movie screens everywhere Jan. 16 in "Defiance."
The three actors portraying siblings Tuvia, Zus and Asrael, respectively -- Daniel Craig (from the last two James Bond movies), Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell -- talk about the rugged men they portray in the latest film from producer, co-writer and director Edward Zwick ("Glory," "Blood Diamond").
Daniel Craig is Tuvia Bielski in "Defiance."Daniel Craig
Tuvia Bielski
"I had heard about Jewish resistance, that it was put down just so violently and indiscriminately. It obviously surprised me that these people actually managed to pull themselves through this situation. I mean, they did more than that.
"I don't take roles because of the religion of the person I'm playing. This is a story I just found deeply inspiring, simple as that. The whole subject is about surviving and making decisions about who you are under extreme situations -- and this is as extreme as it gets. There's nowhere for these people to go.
"I think Tuvia Bielski is a fascinating character. He's full of contradictions. Obviously, the Bielskis did bad things, but the net result is that they got 1,200 people through the war to survive -- and survive properly. To me, that was incredibly moving. Plus, I'm a fan of Ed Zwick."
Liev Schreiber portrays Zus Bielski in "Defiance."Liev Schreiber
Zus Bielski
"As I researched the Bielskis, I started to see what made it a possibility why no one wanted to talk about (their story). I was really interested in the moral ambiguity of what they had done; that's what makes them heroic to me, not the other stuff. It's the vulnerabilities, the cracks in the armor, that allow them or acquit them to do what they did.
"I get in trouble every time I talk about this, but I think it's so important. There's a story in (author and Holocaust scholar) Nechama Tec's book (also called 'Defiance') about a neighbor who let his goat under the fence to graze in their pasture, and two (Bielskis) went over to the guy and beat him within an inch of his life. This was long before the Germans even came into Belarus.
"You got a sense that these are guys who are already formidable, aggressive and violent people. Once they lose their parents -- and I think Zus is the extreme example -- they go on a kind of streak of violent acts that is really quite horrible."
Jamie Bell is Asael Bielski in "Defiance." Jamie Bell
Asael Bielski
"I was embarrassed when I read the script that I actually knew nothing about the Bielski brothers and very little of Jewish resistance and resilience.
"On kind of digging deeper, you realize that Jewish resistance happened across the board. This was an incredibly resilient people. At every possible moment, they were fighting for their freedoms. Death was often a day away, whether through disease or malnutrition or the Germans hiding behind the next tree, so they were constantly moving."
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'Gran Torino' movie is driven by Clint Eastwood with care
by
Stan Urankar
Wednesday January 07, 2009, 10:44 AM
In the line of unforgiven fire: Clint Eastwood's Walt Kowalski scowls at the prospects for his changing neighborhood in "Gran Torino."
"Gran Torino"
R: racism, violence, language; 1:56
$ $ $ $ 1/2
Some measure of the critical establishment surely is rooting against Clint Eastwood garnering honors for "Gran Torino." They might snickeringly describe Eastwood's Walt Kowalski as "Dirty Harry" Callahan at retirement age, but it's likely they spurn him for so vividly evoking Walt's seething anger and entrenched prejudice.
Then again, Walt's rightly upset, considering the blue-collar Detroit neighborhood he loves has gone to hell. The drive to his VFW hall takes Walt past decaying houses and gun-toting black punks.
His street now is populated by Hmongs, the Laotian hill people who made the mistake of siding with the United States during the Vietnam War. Walt hates these immigrants who treat English as a fourth or even fifth language.
Continue reading "'Gran Torino' movie is driven by Clint Eastwood with care" »REEL TIME: Mild curtain call in order for 2008's playbill, but Sun top reviewer still fills stocking with film goodies
by
John M. Urbancich
Tuesday December 30, 2008, 11:09 AM
Aiming for the top: "In Bruges," with Colin Farrell, hits the top spot among John M. Urbancich's "10 Best" for 2008. Merry Christmas!
You won't see "Milk" (or cookies) under my tree or "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" on my 2008 "10 Best" list, but it's not because they're not worth seeing in a cinematic year that was very long on the mostly OK and short on the absolutely great.
Both are good movies. It's just that neither moved me the way some others did for various reasons. Despite its wonderful performances, "Milk" didn't tell me anything I didn't already know about the man.
Neither did the beautifully crafted "Button" enthrall me with its one-note story, which one friend already has labeled "Forrest Gramps."
Other top-notch films, including "Slumdog Millionaire," are not on my list, either. Danny Boyle's much-loved entry simply fell victim to extremely high expectations that probably could never be met after I heard so much about it from other folks, not to mention a number of my colleagues.
Anyway, enough about what is not among my personal best. Here are the films that did make it, in order of preference, for reasons that make sense to no one but me:
"In Bruges" -- Not only the year's best and most capably written film (by director Martin McDonagh), it's also easily the most under-rated. Check out its bloody beauty on DVD and you'll be dying to catch the first plane to Belgium.
"Doubt" -- Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and all the other nuns seem so real that even the Catholic school scents of first and second grades came wafting back to me.
"The Dark Knight" -- Much heralded (and deservedly so) Heath Ledger leads the year's most impressive cast in director Christopher Nolan's masterpiece, maybe the finest comic book-based film ever made.
"Happy-Go-Lucky" -- Even an old grouch like me can appreciate the high spirits of Mike Leigh's writing and Sally Hawkins's flawless performance
"Frozen River" -- From the opposite end of life's spectrum comes the great and grim Melissa Leo, along with sullen newcomer Misty Upham. We'll all be hearing from writer/director Courtney Hunt again, too.
"The Wrestler" -- Not only is this a terrific movie, but I've watched (fake) TV rasslin' for about a hundred years. It's just gotta be here with Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei in tow.
"Gran Torino" -- Who are you calling politically incorrect? Me? And very "Harry" himself, Clint Eastwood? Sure, add this one to the list, too.
"Nothing But the Truth" -- Of course, that's all you get here about films. So, take it to the bank: Writer/director Rod Lurie is back in "The Contender" mode with a relevant political film that (so far) barely has seen the light of day.
"I Served the King of England" -- Quirky, funny, sad and featuring the most gorgeous looking collection of women you'll see on one screen.
(tie) "Frost/Nixon" and "W." -- Two not-so-jolly ol' presidents get worthy analysis from directors Ron Howard and Oliver Stone, respectively, with memorable performances by Frank Langella and Josh Brolin, respectfully.
Actress of the year -- Kate Winslet, in two just-misses for this list: "The Reader" and "Revolutionary Road." Runner-up: Penelope Cruz, in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" and "Elegy."
Actor of the Year -- Richard Jenkins, for "The Visitor" (another list near-miss), "Burn After Reading," "Step Brothers" and "The Tale of Despereaux" (voice). Runner-up: Josh Brolin in "Milk" and "W."
Five worst (in order) -- "Made of Honor," "The Happening," "Mad Money," "Filth and Wisdom," "Sex and the City: The Movie."
Happy next year!
The best, worst of 2008: Stan Urankar
by
Stan Urankar
Tuesday December 30, 2008, 10:56 AM
A living "Elegy": Penelope Cruz The good: Simple Cruz mastery. Though she's deservedly getting supporting buzz for Woody Allen's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," Penelope Cruz brought the heart to "Elegy" as the well-mannered student who awakens the soul of Ben Kingsley's cultural critic. Cruz shines brightest in Nicholas Meyer's brilliant adaptation of the Philip Roth novel.
Next best: "Bigger, Stronger, Faster"; "Tell No One"; "Flash of Genius"; "Frost/Nixon."
The bad: Ay-yi-yi, "Chihuahua." Months in advance, trailers for "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" spelled d-o-g, loud and clear. At least the little nipper only bit those who didn't heed the warning bark.
Next worst: "Role Models"; "10,000 B.C."; "College Road Trip"; "The Other Boleyn Girl."
The great fun: Love the "Dresses." Maybe because it screams "chick flick," there's a manly resistance to admitting "27 Dresses" was wonderful. Well, it was, largely thanks to Katherine Heigl's earnest yearning for romance as the eternal maid of honor.
The best, worst of 2008: Gerry Shamray
by Gerry Shamray
Tuesday December 30, 2008, 10:38 AM
"Iron"-willed: Robert Downey Jr. The good: The "Man" of . . . iron. It was the year of the superhero, with big-screen appearances by an incredible Hulk, a misguided Spirit, an even more misguided Will Smith vehicle and the overly hyped return of the Caped Crusader. Still, no one was as powerful or as charismatic as Robert Downey's Tony Stark, who made "Iron Man" so invincibly entertaining.
Next best: "Cloverfield"; "In Bruges"; "Slumdog Millionaire"; "Mamma Mia!"
The bad: "Indiana" state of doom. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg claim it took nearly two decades for the right script -- and, that was "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull""? The story was weak and Spielberg's direction his worst. Shia LaBeouf was just plain irritating as Jones Jr., while Harrison Ford himself looked distracted from start to finish.
Next worst: "Drillbit Taylor"; "Tropic Thunder"; "Jumper"; "Hancock."
The great fun: A "Smart" salute. The big-screen update of "Get Smart," the beloved Mel Brooks/Buck Henry-crafted TV comedy, is leaps and bounds funnier than Ben Stiller's mysteriously popular "Tropic Thunder." Steve Carell is a worthy successor to Don Adams's Maxwell Smart, and Anne Hathaway proves more than just a pretty face in her hilarious turn as Agent 99.
The best, worst of 2008: Mark Holan
by Mark Holan
Tuesday December 30, 2008, 10:19 AM
"The Reader" inside: Kate Winslet The good: A most primal "Reader." Beautifully acted by Kate Winslet, as well as David Kross and Ralph Fiennes, "The Reader" is an incredible translation of Bernhard Schlink's best-selling novel. Morality, love and humanity crash together, leaving viewers to draw their own conclusions.
Next best: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"; "Appaloosa"; "WALL*E"; "Mongol."
The bad: "Fly" in the ointment. "Fly Me to the Moon" has nothing to do with Frank Sinatra. Someone had the bonehead idea to make a computer-animated feature in 3D, no less, about three young flies who stow away aboard an Apollo space capsule. Shee-e-e-sh!
Next worst: "Tropic Thunder"; "The Happening"; "What Happens in Vegas"; "The Rocker."
The great fun: "Horton," that's who. Though still reeling from the aftershock of Mike Myers giving life to the Cat in the Hat, "Horton Hears a Who" wonderfully reinstated the Dr. Seuss name on screen, with Jim Carrey speaking well for the good-hearted pachyderm.
Life is fulfilling for Julia Ormond, on screen and off
by John M. Urbancich
Wednesday December 24, 2008, 1:32 PM
Julia Ormond appears in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."BEVERLY HILLS -- Once and future beauty Julia Ormond, labeled a can't-miss star during the mid-'90s, is back in one of 2008's biggest films.
The British-born actress, who enjoyed consecutive starring roles a decade ago in "Legends of the Fall," "First Knight" and "Sabrina," now finds herself as Cate Blanchett's daughter Caroline, of all things, in director David Fincher's already critically acclaimed "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," opening today everywhere.
"David filmed everything else and actually showed me a cut of the movie without Daisy (Blanchett) and Caroline (who instigates various flashbacks by reading her mom's diary)," Ormond began. "Our bit was shot over two weeks in L.A. We were able to do it all sequentially, which really was a remarkable experience and quite a luxury.
"Cate was with me the whole time, had hours of makeup daily, and still delivered a performance of an elderly lady dying that just filled this whole hospital room," Ormond said. "She was very funny, too, because she said that she was really looking forward to two weeks in bed and then did this exhausting work of playing how her body is failing.
"Cate would get very warm under the hot lights and would kick off the blankets. You'd see this woman made up to look like she's in her 80s at one end and these wonderfully perfect legs at the other."
Continue reading "Life is fulfilling for Julia Ormond, on screen and off" »'Button' up for a lengthy time: Brad Pitt in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'
by Mark Holan
Wednesday December 24, 2008, 1:26 PM
Old man, take a look at your life: Brad Pitt in "The CUrious Case of Benjamin Button.""The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
PG-13: brief war violence, sexual content; 2:48
$ $ $ $
The heart of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" gives mind to the words of Bob Dylan: "Those who aren't busy being born are busy dying." How many have thought, "If I only knew then what I know now." In this adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story, Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) is born an old man, only to "age" into youth.
Abandoned outside a retirement home, he's adopted by a servant named Queenie (the terrific Taraji P. Henson). Benjamin grows younger, much to their surprise, finally heading off to see the world at 17: sailing aboard a tugboat, meeting a bored English wife (Tilda Swinton) with whom he has an affair.
Returning home to New Orleans, Benjamin reunites with sweetheart Daisy (Cate Blanchett) and they have a child. It's now that he realizes he'll soon become younger than his daughter, spurring a journey of a self-discovery to Asia.
The epic scope of this curious "Case" is reminiscent of the innocent's journey in "Forrest Gump," though Forrest reaches his goal in methodical fashion. Benjamin's "devolution," if you will, becomes an almost Shakespearean tragedy -- and one that is certain to tug at your heartstrings.
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