George Benlian on movies, books and few other things

The return of Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet to the big screen

   

Ten years ago when i saw "Titanic" i didn't know much about Leonardo Di Caprio. The movie made him a huge star adored by the opposite sex which actually was a bad thing because i though he was just an ordinary performer loved because of his look instead of his talent. 

Ten years later, i have to admit i was wrong. Di Caprio is an exceptional one of the most gifted actor from his generation. As he is growing older, he is becoming finer. I was very impressed when i saw him in "Catch me if you can" where he was playing a con man like no other. Again, i was wowed by his performances in "The Aviator", "The Departed" and recently "Body of lies".

"Revolutionary Road" is his latest movie. He is this young middle class american male married to an unsuccessful actress played by Kate Winslet. The story takes place in the md 50's. It is adapted from a novel published in 1961 by Richard Yates. For me this is a study of people choices and their consequences. The dream of separating from a routine life into an unknown yet exciting future existence in a foreign land is the "raison d'etre" of the wife. An ambitious plan that will alas become an unfulfilled desire and will open up serious tension between husband and wife.

Sam Mendes makes the audience to reflect. Several views are offered; one of them comes even from an "insane" person. Who is right? Who is wrong? I guess the purpose of this movie is not to have precise answers. In contrary, it provides the opportunity to have fluctuated feelings and opinions. It is a strong and highly emotional movie. I am really impressed specially by the fact an American production is made with certain variations to the usual expectation that makes the experience less exciting and more predictable. 

The curious case of Benjamin Button - What a curious saga!

 

Here we have a movie that has all the ingredients of a Hollywood success story. A mesmerizing duo by the unrecognisable Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, a strange but interesting subject, lots of money to go through eighty five years of set and costume changes and of course a touching end with the hope of some tears in our eyes.

Eight out of ten critics on average highly appreciated "The curious case of Benjamin Button" The other twenty per cent wanted to live an unforgetable cinematic experience as well however they felt that the magic didn't really happen to them. Unfortunately i am part of the minority. What a shame!

The film has tons of qualities making almost impossible to have a critical eye. So why after spending two hours and forty minutes, i was rather disappointed? I guess, i truly expected to discover a masterpiece. High expectations are always dangerous. Some movies despite appealing highly to an audience can also produce the opposite effect to some of us and alas this movie is part of this curious phenomenon.

I know and i understand most readers will disagree with my view. Chances are eight out of ten viewers will put "The curious case of Benjamin Button" as one of the best movies of the year. Maybe it's worth revisiting in few years time.

The meticulous work of the make up team on ageing Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett is highly important to this successful enterprise. 14 nominations to the Oscars will definitely make this film a favourite winner for 2009. Saying this, i still believe Frank Langella has done a better job than Brad Pitt...

One more important detail to note; the screenplay is inspired from a short story written by the famous american novelist, F Scott Fitzgerald in 1921.

Frost-Nixon by Ron Howard - an impressive american masterpiece

What a great way to begin a New Year by discovering not only an impressive movie that is Frost-Nixon directed by Ron Howard but also to learn about an important episode of the American politic of 1970's.

Sometime, just by watching the preview of a new movie, we have the gut feeling of what it could bring for us in a postive way. Choosing "Frost-Nixon" as the first movie to watch for 2009 was not an accident. I was eager and curious to explore this compelling political drama based on true events that made huge impact three decades ago.

  "When the president does it, that means that is not illegal". This statement is sufficient to make us wonder what a dangerous leader the United States used to have thirty five years ago. I guess, between Nixon and Bush Jr, we could run a competition of America's worst President.

Saying this, I have to admit i was impressed by Nixon as portrayed by the magnificent Frank Langella who without doubt will win the oscar for the best actor in March. He had the ability to be persistent and make you believe about his innocence. This is where such a powerful character reaches a new dimension when he is opposed by a famous journalist who was at that time only recognised as a great entertainer.

   

Today David Frost is one of the most important and respected journalist having interviewed almost every contemporary World leader for his various televison programs. Back in the seventies however, he was more in the same calibre as someone like Michael Parkinson, another famous british televison interviewer.

"Frost-Nixon" is about the rigorous interview between the two men that made History and was broadcasted to a record breaking worldwide audience. It is also about determination from Frost of creating a sensation despite serious difficulties incurred financially and without ignoring the fact of him loosing credibility in front of Nixon during more than the half of the interview. I have to add that I am not an expert in the field and therefore i am unsure if the movie is a faithful composition of what really happened. As i am writing this i have began reading the book by James Reston Jr, "The conviction of Richard Nixon" which is described as "The untold story of the Frost/Nixon interviews".

This is not the first time i am under the spell of a Ron Howard movie. Both "A beautiful mind" and "Cinderella Man" two great movies played by Russel Crowe are part of my favourite pieces of contemporary American cinema. Ron loves to make film with great storyline. He is also an eclectic movie maker.

As said above, Frank Langella is the great discovery. I haven't seen the movie "Nixon" where Anthony Hopkins was playing the role of the President. Langella is believable even if the only thing i knew about Nixon was his picture seen in various places. Opposite him, Michael Sheen plays Frost. I saw him couple years ago playing Tony Blair in "The Queen" and his resemblance with the ex prime minister was rather amusing. 

There are tons of information about the interview between Frost and Nixon. Just type their names in YOU TUBE and watch the actual interview from 1977 after you discover the movie with as little information as possible.

"Australia" by Baz Luhrmann - The long awaited aussie epic

"Australia" as an Australian is the movie you have to see. Since it's release at the end of November, the common reaction was rather a disappointment. Nevertheless, this is a movie worth seeing on the big screen.

The main problem of "Australia" is it's Hollywoodian style. Baz is a talented and eclectic filmmaker who has directed movies trying to keep away from certain rules imposed by Hollywood. "Moulin Rouge" was a piece of cinema almost impossible to categorise. "Romeo and Juliette" was transposed in a contemporary setting comprising few original ideas. "Australia" had lots of hype before its release. This is very dangerous as before even seeing the movie, we have high expectations and therefore chances are we will be disappointed with the result.

I can't say i was totally disappointed with "Australia". Many friends who had seen the movie were critical with the outcome. I understand their negative reaction. The way "Australia" is publicised in Australia and also in the rest of the world is the real problem. This is not a masterpiece. This is not the major epic movie of the decade. This is not Luhrmann best movie nore Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman best performences. I have to admit i am yet to see Jackman in an impressive role. As for Kidman, i do find she has some talent if the character is well written. She was very good in "Eyes wide shut" the last movie by Stanley Kubrick opposite her ex husband Tom Cruise.

"Australia" may provide an emotional journey for some viewers. It has many strong scenes where we are really moved, alas for me the emotion was short lived. When i say "Hollywoodian style" i mean during the majority of the development of the story, every effort is done to remind us we are watching a movie thus the absence of positive reaction.

 The story is great. We are actually well treated as the movie first shows the australian outback in a great way, a fascinating detail for sure and then we are suddenly in the middle of History with the bombardment of Darwin during the Second Word War by the Japanese.

Movies about Aborigines are rare. "Australia" has definitely the mission to touch the stolen generation episode which may well be unknown for many non australian viewers.

So how can i conclude? I guess it's worth watching it without having high expectations.    
  

An evening with Jerry Lewis - The King of Comedy

 

Yes, it's right! I spent an evening with Jerry Lewis. I mean not face to face. That will be too good to be true. I bought a ticket and went to see the legendary 82 years old comedian at the Sydney Opera House for his only performance in Sydney. His last visit to our shore goes back to 1999 when he had to cancel a number of shows due to an illness that kept him away from the stage for a number of years.

Seeing this Legend live is an unforgetable experience. I have to admit, i am not a Jerry Lewis connoisseur. To tell the truth, i haven't seen any of his movies... I mean the ones that made him famous in the 1950's with Dean Martin as well as a number of classics that he directed and played in the 60's. I have therefore a lot to discover. A year ago i saw him in "The King of New York" by Martin Scorcese where he was playing a famous television host having troubles with a young crazy go-getter  played by Robert De Niro.

At 82 years of age and despite serious health issues in the last few years, Lewis hasn't lost any of his wit and humour. The stage is his home and performing is what he has been doing for "seventy seven" years. Born in an artistic family, acting and amusing his surrounds have always been his forte. From jokes sometime dirty to sharing memories on his work and friendship with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and of course his partner in so many movies, Dean Martin; Jerry Lewis enchanted the audience over one and a half hour. Part of his show being a Q&A with his fans, a young fellow of fifteen years old asked him about his secret of his longevity. The 82 years old answer made lots of sense telling us it's all in keeping our childhood spirit in our life.

Googeling his name provides impressive results. No doubt, he was one of the World's most popular comic actor and an integral part of post war Hollywood. Highly appreciated and loved in Europe and specialy in France, Lewis place in the art of comedy remains substantial.

Check out the below site for comprehensive info on Jerry Lewis, his life and his works.

www.jerrylewiscomedy.com