Category: Movies

Black Swan Review

5 “Black Swan” Reviews To Excitedly Wake Up To

Wednesday, Sep 1, 2010

Venice Festival started today (sadly, Winona didn’t attended but go here if you want to see the other cast member’s photocall), but there’s some reviews around.

Kirk Honeycutt, The Hollywood Reporter: The movie is so damn out-there in every way that you can’t help admiring Aronofsky for daring to be so very, very absurd. “Swan” is an instant guilty pleasure, a gorgeously shot, visually complex film whose badness is what’s so good about it.

Peter DeBruge, Variety: A wicked, sexy and ultimately devastating study of a young dancer’s all-consuming ambition, “Black Swan” serves as a fascinating complement to Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler,” trading the grungy world of a broken-down fighter for the more upscale but no less brutal sphere of professional ballet. Winona Ryder is a crucial but barely-there part.

Mike Goodridge, Screen: Alternately disturbing and exhilarating, this dark study of a mentally fragile performer derailed by her obsession with perfection is one of the most exciting films to come out of the Hollywood system this year.

Guy Lodge, In Contention: “Black Swan” cements Aronofsky’s place as one of the biggest and most unruly thinkers working in the only notionally small aesthetic of American independent cinema.”

Todd McCarthy, Deep Focus: “When one star is born, however, a previous one must pass by the boards, in this case the aging Beth MacIntyre, played with an almost frighteningly credible neurotic intensity by Winona Ryder that sets the bar high for Portman to match.”

by Luciana
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Featured Movies

First Look: Dilemma

Friday, Aug 20, 2010

The first picture of “The Dilemma” just appeared!

The Dilemma should offer a pleasing combo platter of what fans have come to expect from actor Vince Vaughn and director Ron Howard while provoking laughs and water-cooler debate. Namely, what would you do if you learned — as Vaughn’s character does — that the wife of your best buddy (Kevin James) might be cheating on him?

Aside from having his hometown, Chicago, as a backdrop, including an appearance by the Stanley Cup-winning Blackhawks (a bonus: “Kevin does some JumboTron dancing,” his co-star says), Vaughn has plenty of room for his usual improv riffs.

Howard offers a range of relatable emotions that ring true, similar to his Parenthood. “There is so much about Vince and Kevin’s relationship that could all unravel — they have a business together, they share a four-way friendship with Kevin’s wife (Winona Ryder) and Vince’s girlfriend (Jennifer Connelly).” Plus, a sibling cameo tradition continues: “Clint Howard has a nice turn.”

Source

by Luciana
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Movies News

Darren Aronofsky’s ‘Black Swan’ Trailer

Wednesday, Aug 18, 2010

The trailer for one of the most anticipated films of the year is finally here. Darren Aronofsky has made some of the best films of the previous decade with Requiem For a Dream, The Fountain and The Wrestler. Kicking off this new decade with a supernatural ballerina thriller, Black Swan, he looks to continue his greatness.

The film stars Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey and Winona Ryder. Check it out trailer:

Synopsis: BLACK SWAN follows the story of Nina (Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her retired ballerina mother Erica (Barbara Hershey) who zealously supports her daughter’s professional ambition. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side with a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.

by Luciana
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Movies Review

Story of Al-Anon founder has powerful moments

Thursday, Apr 22, 2010

In 1989, the Hallmark Hall of Fame television series told the story of the man who co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous. James Woods won an Emmy playing Bill Wilson in “My Name Is Bill W.” JoBeth Williams played his long-suffering wife, Lois, and James Garner was AA co-founder “Dr. Bob” Smith.

This new Hallmark Hall of Fame focuses on “Bill W.’s” wife, Lois, played skillfully by Winona Ryder, who blames herself for her inability to keep her husband sober. As Bill W., Barry Pepper gives the role all he’s got. Their performances are reason enough to see the movie, which, despite some powerful moments, seems disjointed and too familiar.

Read more:Post Gazette.com

by Luciana
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Movies

“When Love Is Not Enough”: another TV Review

Thursday, Apr 22, 2010

Bottom Line: The glass is half-full thanks to beautiful detailing mixed with a stiff shot of talent.
Behind every great man there stands an equally great woman, or so they say. In the case of Bill and Lois Wilson, behind one very drunk man there stood a sober, suffering wife.

Fortunately, the sober, suffering wife of CBS’ Hallmark Hall of Fame film “When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story” is played by Winona Ryder, recalling the period winsomeness and inner steel she displayed in “The Age of Innocence.” Lois, the educated, older wife of “country boy” Bill (Barry Pepper) was not the first co-dependent married to a drunk, but she proved to be the pillar of strength that allowed him to get sober and conjure Alcoholics Anonymous, after which she became the matriarch of Al-Anon.

“Love” is a standardly structured tale with the occasional dud line — “I guess being sober has its own challenges” — but that flatness is easily offset by the fine production values (come on, it is Hallmark). The period design, always a challenge on a television budget, is detailed and warm, the costumes true and textured. The hats alone deserve special recognition.

Ryder, Pepper and the supporting cast are fine, if never too-deeply drawn; during the course of their years together, Lois puts up with about 110% more garbage than a modern woman would today. Continue reading “When Love Is Not Enough”: another TV Review

by Luciana
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Movies

“When Love is Not Enough” critics

Tuesday, Apr 20, 2010

When Love Is Not Enough is the perfect Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. It has a strong message wrapped up in an interesting story performed by superb actors. Winona Ryder and Barry Pepper star in the story of Lois Wilson (Ryder), wife of Bill Wilson (Pepper) the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. Lois was the founder of Al-Anon, the organization for the families of alcoholics. (…)

(…) Ryder has not been seen on screen much lately. This role should bring her back into the public eye. She is perfect for the part — fragile but strong, attractive but not beautiful, loving but not blind. All of the nuances of Lois’ personality are played to perfection by Ryder.

When Love Is Not Enough will air on CBS, Sunday, April 25 at 9PM.

To read more, go here at huffingtonpost.com

by Luciana
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