FLICK REVIEW

“Local Color” Movie Review
By LeeAnn Sharpe   

“Local Color touched my heart!” is a quote heard often from audiences in Scottsdale’s previewing of this beautiful movie in limited release at the Harkins Camelview 5 this weekend, Nov 2-4th.

 Director/Writer George Gallo says the film is autobiographical and a personal passion project that he had to do even when the big financial backers dropped out and he had to mortgage his home to get it done.  

 Gallo knows how make a film with plenty of successful films in his resume including “Wise Guys” and “Midnight Run”. His recent projects include the soon to be released “My Mom’s New Boyfriend” with Meg Ryan and Antonio Banderas.

 “Local Color” is the story of a young painter John Talia, Jr. (Trevor Morgan) finding a mentor in an elderly Russian master Nicholi Seroff (Armin Mueller-Stahl) living in his New York town in 1974. Frame Shop owner Yammi (Charles Durning) helps instigate an introduction with the vodka guzzling artist who has blocked out the world. Against the wishes of his overbearing homophobic father, John Talia, Sr. (Ray Liotta), John runs off for a summer in the country to learn the artist’s techniques, but the cantankerous alcoholic artist ends up teaching him more about life than painting. The imagery is a feast for the soul with beautiful landscapes and vibrant paintings.   

Nicholi Seroff's wisdom and concern about the direction of art in the world is discussed in long dinner conversations with art critic Curtis Sunday (Ron Perlman) and his wife Sandra (Julie Lott), where Seroff’s colorful dialogue is punctuated with an abundance of profanity, true to the personality of the artist. The use of the “F” word earned the film an “R” rating, even though there is absolutely no violence, sex or nudity. Gallo said he couldn’t whitewash his character’s language anymore than he did without losing the essence of the man.

 Carla (Samantha Mathis) is a beautiful young woman and neighbor friend of Seroff’s who awakens passion in young John. Knowing Seroff is jealous of the attention, John engages her in the purest of big screen romances and earns the scorn of his mentor at the end of the summer. Still they end up each learning from the other and all the better for the passion ignited. John sees the world through the eyes of the master, and the master sees the world through the eyes of innocence once again.    

 Gallo spoke to the audience after a local screening and told how important it was he make this film, and make it his way, because it’s the story of his own youth and the mentor who guided him in his dreams. Working without major studio support, taking out loans against his home, as well as several producers doing the same, he managed to create a poignantly moving portrait of a glimpse of a moment in his life that many of us experience when inspiration takes hold and sets the course of your life. Gallo shot the entire film in only 18 days, in what he called keystone cops shooting technique, setting up and tearing down lights and cameras so fast as to be ridiculous. But he got it done and the end product defies you to find where he cut corners. The top notch cast and beautiful score, by Academy Award nominated composer Chris Boardman, accent this masterpiece of film making.

As a young man, Gallo attended college as a Graphic Arts major. After seeing Martin Scorsese's film “Mean Streets”, he was inspired to become a Film major instead. When the school informed him that he couldn't switch majors without repeating his first year's studies, he decided to drop out and ended up writing his first film, “Wise Guys”.

Gallo was quoted as saying, "Eventually, I came to understand that all of the arts are intertwined. That composition in painting is the same as structure in storytelling; that characters are the same as colors; that colors are the same as chords in music."

Armin Mueller-Stahl came out of retirement for his portrayal of Nicholi Seroff.  He received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “Shine” (1996) and more recently had appeared in four episode of The West Wing. Much has been made of Seroff’s use of profanity in “Local Color” but Mueller-Stahl made it a natural part of the foul mouthed artist’s personality, to the extent it was no longer profane, but simply the way he spoke. We’ve all known people cut from this cloth, especially old men who have been through much horror and have limited ability to express themselves and their frustration through language. They generally ask to be excused when speaking in the presence of ladies, but Seroff’s frustration with life has reduced his attention social niceties to nil. Gallo was brilliant to cast Mueller-Stahl in this role. The accent, the facial expressions, the body language, all spoke of this old man’s frustration with life. And Mueller-Stahl is a painter. Bravo for a wonderful job in painting this character.

 Trevor Morgan wasn’t the first choice for the role of John Talia, Jr. Gallo’s wife Julie Lott explained how their first choice had a conflict and Trevor Morgan fell into his place. It was the best thing to happen because he was perfect. With years of acting experience since the age of six, the 21-year old actor was especially good in expressing fear when his homophobic father’s predictions haunted him as the old man opens his bedroom door to check in. Morgan was an excellent choice. The big movie studios wanted a sex scene added to the romance but Gallo insisted in real life it had only been a kiss and that was what he wanted in the story. Morgan made that kiss express more than any sex scene.

 Ray Liotta as John Talia, Sr. provided the humor and quirkiness we all see in our own families. He’s a loving father and husband trying to hold on to a son ready to fly the nest. Liotta brings his usual professionalism to the role and gives us the chance to hate him and love him. It didn’t hurt that he was a family friend who actually knew Gallo’s father.    

 Samantha Mathis as Carla took the character right where she belonged, as the fuel to the fire that ignited between Nicoli and John. Mathis has acted since the age of three, (daughter of actress Bibi Besch). Mathis was quoted, “During the kissing scene it started to rain, which was perfect. And during the raining scene we were using hoses to simulate rain - and it started raining for real. It was as if God was saying, "Make this film." I loved the experience of working on the film and all the collaboration and encouragement. Gallo was open to suggestions and that sort of enthusiasm makes everyone want to work for him.”

 The film won a Director's Choice Award at the Sedona Film Festival. That’s where the connection to Harkin’s came into play. “It's a true story,” Dan Harkins says. “We ran to each other in slow motion. We made a film deal in front of a full theater. My children loved the film and wanted to see it again.”  The limited release at Harkins has been a big success.

 A week after production wrapped, most of the locations used in the film were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

 Idealism created an impressive piece of work with its heart in the right place. It will touch your heart, mind and soul with a shared experience of anyone with a passion.

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‘‘The Kingdom’’

by LeeAnn Sharpe

 They are calling it “Syriana” for Dummies or Syriana” meets “Black Hawk Down". Whatever you want to equate ‘‘The Kingdom’’ to it is only surface comparison. The last half hour or so of this film was so intense that I found myself on the edge of my seat. And so was everyone else! I was riveted. That’s pretty good film making when the entire audience is transfixed.

 Largely filmed in the Valley, this thriller about an FBI team solving a terrorist bombing in Saudi Arabia, stars Jamie Foxx, Jason Bateman, Chris Cooper and Jennifer Garner, and is directed by Peter Berg, who also did the movie “Collateral” and the television Emmy nominated series ‘‘Friday Night Lights’’. Plenty of locals had minor roles, so it was fun looking for recognizable faces. Jeremy Priven plays a State Department contact, Damon Schmidt, who acts remarkable like Ari from “Entourage”. Ashraf Barhom who plays Saudi police Col. Al-Ghazi should get higher billing as one of the real shining stars of this film.  

They call it realism of camera views, but if you get queasy with an unsteady handheld camera, take some Dramamine. This fast-paced constantly moving camera action, which seems to be so popular these days, makes me feel old and light headed. As if I’ve had too much to drink or just not able to keep up with the youthful world of high speed cars and action. Maybe that is part of the mesmerizing effect. I hated it, but I loved it too. I do wish we had more opportunity to focus rather than getting a fleeting glance. But life is that way most of the time too.

 It’s strange to think a section of the 202 Freeway in Mesa looks like Saudi Arabia. Every time I saw those scenes it made me think, “I know where that was shot!” I lost track of the story for a second. They say Jennifer Garner collapsed on the set in Mesa twice due to the extremely high temperature, over 115 degrees Fahrenheit. So why pick that time of year to shoot? Realism of temperature? I bet Jennifer Garner wished it was less real too.

 The story is about a US base housing families of oil company personnel in Saudi Arabia that has been bombed resulting in the deaths of hundreds of US civilians and rescue personnel. The incident is based on actual bombings in 1996 and 2003. Saudi Arabia insists the investigation can be handled internally, but a group of FBI field agents led by Ronald Fleury (Foxx), try to ferret out the terrorists. The best line is “How do you stop an enemy who isn't afraid to die?” Fleury’s team includes forensics expert Janet Mayes (Garner) and bomb specialists Grant Sykes (Chris Cooper) and Adam Leavitt (Jason Bateman).

 Over the opening credits the history of relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia through the last century explained all of the major events between the two nations. It explains why so many Americans are in Saudi Arabia in the first place.

 The film is dedicated to the memory of Papac, an assistant propmaster on the Universal Pictures' film, who was driving on a closed portion of the 202 Freeway when his all-terrain vehicle collided with an SUV carrying director Peter Berg. Papac suffered severe head injuries and died hours after being airlifted to a local hospital.

 “The Kingdom” is an intense and engaging film. This is one that shouldn't be missed. Whether it  makes you stop and think about issues in the Middle East or not, it’s an action packed thrilling crowd-pleaser that might stimulate some conversation about Muslim, terrorists and cultural differences.

 

 

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3:10 to Yuma Movie Review

 

Movie Review
3:10 to Yuma
By LeeAnn Sharpe

A 20 something friend told me he had been to the movie theatre the night before and there were these really long lines waiting to get in to see “3:10 to Yuma”. He noticed the average age of those standing in line was mostly 40 and over. He asked, “Why is that generation so into westerns?” I thought about it and the answer seemed simple. We all go back to our comfort zone to feel good. The baby boomer generation grew up with westerns and continues to hold them dear.

They say the western movie market is making a resurgence evidenced by HBO’s “Deadwood” TV series, setting the bar for the modern western with over the edge, in your face, muddy smutty reality attracting the younger generation. But thinking about what my friend said, I think it’s mainly the tail end of the baby boomer generation holding on to their Saturday morning love affair with Gene and Roy, albeit grown up and doing all those naughty adult things we never even imagined back in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s. Movies like “Brokeback Mountain” pushed the envelope even further. But maybe there is more to it. Maybe the western is just a good vehicle to tell a compelling story about life.

There are a few new westerns coming out this year with big name stars. "3:10 to Yuma, "with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, with Brad Pitt as Jesse James and Casey Affleck as Robert Ford coming out Sept. 21st, and "No Country For Old Men" with Tommy Lee Jones and Woody Harrelson coming out Nov. 21st.

“Experts” say the western reappears in a cycle resurfacing every 7 to 10 years. But I think westerns have always been with us in some shape or form. They may go hi-tech like “Wild Wild West” or dive into comedy like “Shanghai Knights”. But they are always with us. Just look at the Tombstone movies. There has been a retelling of that story at least twice a decade since the teens.

“One of the reasons I started the Wild West Gazette newspaper is recent interest in the old west. Every western state in the union is in the process of celebrating their 100th anniversary. They see the need to preserve their history and tell the stories,” says Sid Hagel, Publisher of Wild West Gazette (www.wildwestgazette.com) “People love hearing the story of how their ancestors survived tremendous hardship to settle the west.”

The reviews were saying that "3:10 to Yuma," a remake of a 1957 film starring Glenn Ford and Van Heflin, based on an Elmore Leonard story first published in Dime Western Magazine in 1953, was the best western since “Unforgiven”. Leonard is a prolific writer of gritty realism and strong dialogue with a long list of westerns to his credit including “Last Stand at Saber River” and “Hombre” both made into hit movies. “3:10 to Yuma” is an excellent good versus evil story.

Director James Mangold of "Walk the Line" fame, says he wanted to make "a film that didn't look like a video game." He incorporated more dirt and violence along with new characters including the psycho to kick it up a notch. "Most great Westerns are more psychological than action-oriented," Mangold says. "When you're talking about “Unforgiven” or “Shane” or “High Noon” I never feel like it's about the gunfights between those guys." Mangold was really thinking about the “Unforgiven” when he made this film giving it a similar dark palette and frequent close-ups.

Peter Fonda portrays a Pinkerton agent, another new character in the movie, who has been hunting Wade (Crowe) and gets shot during a stagecoach robbery. In a recent interview Fonda said, “You cannot take your eyes off the screen with this film, because it has such compelling characters and the violence is unbelievable.” Fonda seemed to homage Eastwood in this role with superior results.

All of the actors were superb. Either Mangold solicited excellent performances or the New Mexico air kicked them up a notch. They can all be proud of their part in this film. Mangold says the actors he picked are some of the best horsemen in Hollywood, “They are comfortable, alive on a horse and carry a sort of timeless masculinity”. And he figures they are among only a few in Hollywood who could carry it off.

Bale’s character Dan Evans is the good man who is attracted to the villan. He doesn’t want to be corrupted by a corrupt society. His conscious struggles with his decisions. There’s a battle of wills and clash of philosophies that makes their relationship tension into movie magic.

Crowe says he especially enjoyed playing Ben Wade, the bad man who is confident and cheerful. Crowe took the attitude Ben doesn’t believe in a benevolent God, got stuck in the Old Testament. One line he’s told “You’re not all bad” and he responds “Yes I am” kind of sums him up.

And about the ages viewing the movie that I started this article discussing, well maybe it was just an off night, because on Friday there were plenty of younger 20-30 something folks there. And everyone really liked this film. Rated R for language and violence. Lionsgate 120 minutes. I give it 5 stars! * * * * *

 

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Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End Opens May 24, 2007

by LeeAnn Sharpe

It used to be sequels were never as good as the original movie. Except for The Godfather. But the “Pirates” series has been another exception to that rule, with each episode as, or more, exciting than the last. “At World’s End” has been much anticipated with rumors and stories building the enthusiasm for this episode more than the previous issue. Walt Disney Co is aiming for a new opening day record to reclaim the title held last summer with "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." release. Along with a higher theater count, "At World's End" has the advantage of opening over the Memorial Day weekend.

 One reason “At World’s End” is so much anticipated is the long awaited arrival of Capt. Jack Sparrow’s (Johnny Depp) father Teague Sparrow played by Rolling Stones rock legend Keith Richards. Depp had been quoted as having styled the Captain Jack character after Keith Richards real life personality.  

No one was sure if Richards would actually take a cameo role in “At World’s End”. He had been pursued since the first movie came out. But in a recent press showing it was reported in the Danish paper “Extra Bladel” that Jack walks up to Captain Teague and asks, “How’s Mom?” Teague replies by grunting and showing Jack a shrunken head in a jar, possibly indicating that he got tired of her.  

All the characters from prior episodes return. Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightly), Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) rescue Captain Jack Sparrow from the clutches of the Kraken. Then they must face their foes, Davey Jones (Bill Nighy) and Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander). Beckett, now with control of Jones’ heart, forms a dark alliance with him in order to rule the seas and wipe out the last of the Pirates. Jack, Barbossa, Will, Elizabeth, and Tia Delma (Naomie Harris) and the crew must call the Pirate Lords from the four corners of the globe. This includes the infamous Sao Feng (Chow-Yun Fat), to a gathering that will make their final stand against Beckett, Jones, Norrington (Jack Davenport), the Flying Dutchman and the entire East India Trading Company.

 While filming “At World’s End” off the coast of Southern California, the last week of August 2006, the crew often took time out from shooting to sign autographs for fans. The Black Pearl could be seen sailing to and from Palos Verdes Estates to Redondo Beach pier.   

Creative production included starting the filming without a finished script. Some of the scenes were shot during the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest in 2006, so expensive exotic locations would not have to be revisited. A replica of the front half of the Black Pearl was built on a semi trailer and used in scenes with the Shadow of the Pearl on the salt flats of Utah. Shooting scheduled for 19 days took only four days. 

 It’s been said that this movie has the most action packed and intense scene in the history of movies. One action scene, the last decisive battle, running for over 60 minutes, will keep you riveted to your seat. The first cut of the film ran over 3 hours long. The final cut in theatres now runs 168 minutes. It’s rated PG-13 for the intense sequences of action adventure and violence. Young children may find some of the images too frightening.