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Movie Review: No Strings Attached

Published
by
Tim Russell
on January 23, 2011
in Tim Russell
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Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher

My biggest fear about what this Rom Com would do to Natalie Portman’s chances for an Oscar nomination, or win, has been waylaid, she can do comedy with the same skills she displays in drama. In “No Strings Attached” she’s teamed with Ashton Kutcher, (or, as Ricky Gervais might refer to him, son of Bruce Willis) who shows an adept comedic skill as well. Ivan Reitman (“Stripes”, “Ghostbusters”) is at the helm, and brings his considerable winning track record to the proceedings. Adam ( Kutchner) and Emma (Portman) are are lifelong friends who, after having sex decide, mostly because of Emma’s fear of commitment, to make it a strictly “friends with benefits” arrangement ( watch for the upcoming romantic comedy, “Friends with Benefits”, featuring Justin Timberlake and Portman’s imagined bed mate in “Black Swan”, Mila Kunis, oh what a tangled web Hollywood weaves).

Reitman gets considerable mileage out of the supporting cast, including Emma’s friends Shira ( Mindy Kraling from “The Office”), Patrice (mumblecore darling Greta Gerwig), and also Olivia Thirlby (Juno) as Emma’s lovely, and in love, sister,Katie. Likewise, Adam’s pals include funny turns by rapper/actor Ludicris, and Jake Johnson.

Tim Russell with Kevin Kline in Robert Altman's, "A Prairie Home Companion"

Kevin Kline (who starred in Reitman’s “Dave”) shows up as Adam’s catchphrase spouting, sitcom starring, inappropriate Dad and is impressive both comically and physically ( Dude, what’s your secret?). This is definitely not for the prudish as it is a sex comedy, but it is a notch above what we have come to expect from the genre and an evening well spent.

Rated R

My GPA: 3.2

The Dilemma

Published
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Tim Russell
on January 13, 2011
in News and Tim Russell
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Ron Howard directs comedy again with Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, Jennifer Connelly  and Winona Ryder in “The Dilemma”. Ronnie (Vaughn) and Nick (James) are paired as business partners and best friends. Ronnie sees Nick’s wife (Ryder) cheating with another guy ( a sleazy Channing Tatum). The dilemma is whether or not Ronnie should tell his friend. Meanwhile , Ronnie has commitment issues with his girlfriend (Connelly). The comedy is very good since it revolves around Vince Vaughn’s skill as a fast talker. Nobody does this better, although Kevin James hangs right in there. The surprise is that, aside from the silly moments, there are some surprisingly good dramatic turns by all involved. There’s a subplot about the two guys trying to win a big contract with Dodge which gives a few good moments to Queen Latifah as a crass auto executive.

Sue Scott, Vince Vaughn, Tim Russell at the Minnesota State Fair PHC Show

I met Vince Vaughn a couple of times backstage at “A Prairie Home Companion” (he came to the show with his friend Peter Billingsly-that’s right, Ralphie! Now a successful producer/director.) and he couldn’t have been a nicer guy and yes, he talks that fast all the time. Rated  PG-13, my GPA rating is 3.2

Vince Vaughn, Peter Billingsly, Martin Sheen at The Greek Theater PHC Show in LA

13. Jan, 2011

Watch for “Voicematch” A New Play Starring Sue Scott and Tim Russell

Published
by
Tim Russell
on December 31, 2010
in News
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Sunday, February 13th at 7:00 p.m.

As part of the ongoing Centennial Season at the Fitzgerald Theater, Minnesota Public Radio presents Voice Match with Sue Scott and Tim Russell on Sunday, February 13th at 7:00 p.m. Nationally known Playwright Jeffrey Hatcher has teamed up with A Prairie Home Companion regulars, Sue Scott and Tim Russell, to tell the story of a pair of star crossed voice over actors who finally meet after years of working together as voices for Radio and TV ads, but recording in different cities. This romantic comedy is the perfect treat for a Valentine’s Weekend date. Prairie Home sound effect man Tom Keith will also lend his voice to the evening’s fun.

Sue and Tim are veteran voice-over talents who can be heard frequently on radio and TV, and are featured in the Robert Altman movie A Prairie Home Companion. Sue as Donna, the make-up lady, and Tim as Al, the stage manager.
Tim can also be seen as a detective in last year’s Oscar nominated Coen brothers’ film,  A Serious Man. Sue will be seen in the new Greg Kinnear film The Convincer, selected for this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
Tickets are available for $32.00 and $28.00. An additional $2.50 facility fee will be added to the price of each ticket. Minnesota Public Radio members receive a discount.

Tickets available at The Fitzgerald Box Office, and Ticketmaster


Tim Russell’s Best Films of 2010

Published
by
Tim Russell
on December 31, 2010
in News and Tim Russell
. Closed

This is always a difficult task but it comes with the territory. There are lots of small films that deserve attention but unless you live in “selected cities” you may not get a chance to see them in theaters. In Minneapolis/St. Paul we are blessed with a number of theaters that exhibit some of the most talked about films of the year in spite of the small box office numbers they generate. Thank you Landmark Theaters and The Film Society of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Here are my top 10 film choices fro the past year with some honorable mentions thrown in at the end.

“The King’s Speech”. Colin Firth will win the Oscar for his portrayal of the stammering King George VI. I predict nominations for Geoffrey Rush, as speech therapist Lionel Logue, and Helena Bonham Carter, as the kings wife, in the supporting actor category as well.

“Toy Story 3″. Here’s a film that outshines it’s predecessors in the series with brilliant 3D animation , terrific script, and a real sense of heartfelt emotion and heart stopping action. If any animated film could win the Best Picture Oscar, this would be the one.

“The Social Network”. Aaron Sorkin and David Fincher deliver a fascinating character study with the story of Facebook’s inception. Special notice to Armie Hammer who played both “Winklevi”, the litigious Winklevoss Twins, with such skill.

“Winter’s Bone”. This is one of those small films that sticks with you through the year. The story of a 17 year-old girl struggling to keep her house and protect her young siblings against tremendous odds. Jennifer Lawrence will get a Best Actress Oscar nomination for a gutsy, brilliant performance.

“The Fighter”. Christian Bale is once again amazing, watch for a Best Supporting Actor battle with Geoffrey Rush, as Dickie Ward in this true story about a scrappy boxer, Mickey Ward, played by the reliable Mark Wahlberg. More nominations possible for Melissa Leo (Frozen River) as the Matriarch of the squabbling Boston Ward Clan, and Amy Adams, playing an anything but “Enchanted” blue collar barkeep.

“127 Hours”. Oscar nod for James Franco for his portrayal of Aron Ralston, the hiker who amputated his own arm. Franco and director Danny Boyle keep us tuned and fascinated during this essentially one man show with great storytelling skill.

“Black Swan”. I predict Natalie Portman will win the Best Actress Oscar  for her role as ballet dancer Nina Sayers in the psychological thriller from film maker Darren Aronofsky ( The Wrestler). The film is way over the top, but in a good way. Mila Kunis (forgetting Sarah Marshall) will get some Best Supporting Actor attention with her performance as well.

“True Grit”. The Coen Brothers have taken the Charles Portis novel, made famous in 1969 by John Wayne’s version of the character Reuban “Rooster ” Cogburn, de-Hollywoodized it, and delivered a truly gritty Western, thanks to Oscar worthy performances by Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart) and newcomer, 14 year old Hailee Steinfeld.

“Restrepo”. This documentary is a must see for all who wonder about the challenges facing our volunteer forces in Afghanistan. A harrowing inside look about our “boots on the ground “protecting an outpost in the most hostile environment imaginable.

“Inside Job”. A fascinating, ultimately depressing, documentary from Charles H. Ferguson detailing the financial crisis of 2008. The depressing part is that apparently the corporate foxes are still in charge of the Wall Street henhouse. A fine companion piece to the 2003 documentary “The Corporation”, which questions the status of the corporation as a “person” with an often pathological behavior pattern.

Honorable mention goes to:

“The Square”. An Aussie import with a Coen Brother’s vibe. A Noir thriller about the dangers of infidelity and greed crossing paths.

“The Kids Are Alright”.  A film about family, an unusual family at that. Annette Bening will get a much deserved Oscar nomination for her part as partner of Julianne Moore’s character, each giving birth to a child thanks to an anonymous sperm donor (Mark Ruffalo) who enters the picture when the kids come of age.

“Rabbit Hole”. I think Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart both deserve Oscar consideration. They are terrific as a couple deeply affected by the loss of their 4 year old son. It’s a film of heartbreak and redemption that avoids easy answers.

“Tangled”. This is another worthy use of 3D technology. Brilliant animation and a fine musical score updating the Rapunzel tale with humor. Look for this fine Disney offering to become a Broadway Musical.

Looking forward to more fine films in 2011.

What Movies to See This Holiday Season?: Tim’s Picks

Published
by
Tim Russell
on December 24, 2010
in News and Tim Russell
. Closed
THE KING’S SPEECH

Here’s your first choice for a great Holiday (Oscar Nominations under the tree) film. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush are sure Oscar nominees for Best and Supporting Actor respectively, and the film will get a Best Picture nod as well. It’s the story of George VI, known too his family as “Bertie” (Firth), a stammerer lost in the shadow of his older brother Edward the VIII ( Guy Pearce), a monarch who abdicated the throne to be with the woman he loves, divorcee Wallace Simpson (Eve Best). How will Bertie the new monarch inspire his subjects on the eve of World War II with his debilitating speech problem? Commoner Aussie Lionel Logue, a speech therapist with practical theories zeroes in on the underlying causes of Bertie’s issues and becomes a true friend, overcoming the obvious class distinctions, though not without a few bumps in the road. Helena Bonham Carter shines as the future Queen Mother, but the chemistry between Firth and Rush and the skill with which director Tom Hooper and writer David Seidler deliver the story, makes this the top Holiday choice this year. Rated R for some “Anglo-Saxonisms”.

GPA 4.0

TRUE GRIT

The Coen Brothers, the pride of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, have done it again, turning a fine piece of literature into an excellent film (see “No Country for Old Men”), and once again they deserve a Best Picture Oscar nomination for their effort (hey, Golden Globes, “The Tourist”, seriously?). Jeff Bridges out-bads Bad Blake (Crazy Heart) as the gritty Marshall Rooster Cogburn, and should pick up another Best Actor Nomination, but the performance of the film belongs to 14 year old Hailee Steinfeld. She delivers the formal language of the novel’s author, Charles Portis, with skill way beyond her years as the prim yet feisty Mattie Ross. I just saw the John Wayne version of “True Grit” the other night on TCM and was surprised at how close to the story and script it is to this newer version. The big difference is the Coen Brothers have taken the Hokey Hollywood style, National Park landscapes, Glen Campbell’s helmet hairdo, and oppressive musical score, and replaced it with a planet more in tune with the grittier West as it must have been, thanks to long time collaborators like cinematographer Roger Deakins, and the scoring of Carter Burwell. Matt Damon takes on the role of Texas Ranger LaBoeuf with his usual flair, and Josh Brolin is fine as the dim-witted Tom Chaney, the man who killed Mattie’s father and sets off her laser focused search for Old Testament revenge. An almost unrecognizable Barry Pepper plays “Lucky” Ned Pepper, Chaney’s gang leader ( played by Robert Duval in the first film) in a memorable turn. “The Coen Bothers bookend the main story line with the comments of Mattie as an adult woman (Elizabeth Marvel), a nice device and improvement over the 1969 film. Rated PG13 for intense violence and disturbing images.

GPA 4.0

PS. I eagerly await the Coen Brothers entry into the Procedural Crime Solving genre with “Detective #1″, the story of an underpaid and under-appreciated gumshoe, a balding, dour veteran of the police force, the kind of role done with such great skill by, let’s see, Richard Jenkins?, no…ME! (see “A Serious Man”, and don’t blink).

Review: “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Published
by
Tim Russell
on December 10, 2010
in News
. Closed

The Chronicles of Narnia (my favorite books as a child) continue with “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”, the third in the film series, the fifth chronologically, of the of C.S. Lewis Narnia books. This time Micheal Apted directs and I found it to be my favorite of the Narnia films so far. The story of the younger Pevensies, Edmund (Skander Keynes), Lucy (Georgie Henley) and their priggish  cousin Eustice ( Will Poulter) are transported to the Narnian Seas though an Oil painting ( great special effect). They are rescued by the new King Caspian ( Ben Barnes) and his ship The Dawn Treader, where they join his expedition to find the Seven Lost Lords of Narnia. The adventure to the Eastern Islands tests their strength against temptation and their faith in Aslan the lion. The religious metaphors are there for those who will look for them but the adventure is full of action. There’s something magical that happens when you see, on screen, a story you read many times as a nine year old (gosh, fifteen years goes by so quickly…okay, fifty-six years), and Apted does a terrific job of bringing it to life, in 3D no less. The 3D was done post-production and my one complaint about it is it seemed too dark in my screening, I’d like to see a 2D screening just to see if it would show brighter. The character Eustice , Lucy and Edmund’s nasty cousin, is brilliantly played by Poulter ( “Son of Rambow”), and if they decide to do “The Silver Chair” next in the film series I hope he returns as Eustice. “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” is a great holiday treat for those families looking for a rollicking film adventure. Rated PG.

I give it a 3.8 GPA

My Review of “The Tourist”

Published
by
Tim Russell
on December 10, 2010
in News
. Closed

Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck ( you do and you’ll have to clean it up), the Oscar winning director ( the brilliant ” The Lives of Others”, 2007 Best Foreign Film winner) is given a pot full of Hollywood money to remake the 2005 French film “Anthony Zimmer”( the story of a chef who travels the world eating Bizarre Foods… oh, I’m sorry that’s “Andrew Zimmern”).” The Tourist” gives us the  story of an American Tourist ( Johnny Depp) traveling to ease a broken heart and crossing paths with Elise (Angelina Jolie), a beautiful woman searching for her lover, an internationally wanted con-man who’s being pursued by a nasty British Agent (Paul Bettany). Don’t waste too much time figuring out the plot-line, you’ll have plenty of questions about it after seeing the film. The point of this film is giving you a glamorous Venice Vacation, with a few chases thrown in, and a chance to ogle the otherworldly beauty of Angelina Jolie and the charm of the always reliable Johnny Depp. Von Donnersmarck gives us “The Lives Of Others…who can afford The Danielli Hotel”. The problem with these big budget films is that more attention is spent on wardrobe and lighting stars like Jolie than a story we can believe in but if that’s what you’re looking for, it’s here in spades. Rated PG-13.

I give it a 2.0 GPA

My Review of “Black Swan”

Published
by
Tim Russell
on December 10, 2010
in News and Tim Russell
. Closed

I thought Darren Aronofsky gave us a gritty picture of the athlete in pain with “The Wrestler”, the comeback vehicle for Oscar winner Mickey Rourke, but he really brings on the pain, physically and psychically, with the balletic struggles of Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman, a sure Oscar nominee). Nina is a tortured soul: by her mother, living her dreams though her daughter’s talent; by her insecurities in her struggle for perfection; and by the dual role of The White Swan and The Black Swan in “Swan Lake” that threatens her sanity . She needs to find the nastiness in her meek, insecure, obsessive/compulsive, personality. Nina is pushed by Thomas (nicely played by Vincent Cassel), her director and mentor, and Lily (Mila Kunis as the girl with talent and a devil may care outlook that Nina can only dream of). Winona Ryder has a cameo as the aging dismissed Diva, Beth, and chews the scenery with skill. Aronofsky provides plenty of chills (I haven’t squirmed so much since I broke my ankle two years ago), and plenty to think about as we decipher what is real or not in Nina’s pursuit of perfection. Natalie Portman is astonishing, her dancing skills are beyond reproach. In fact, Bruno Tonioli (Dancing With the Stars) would say, ” You are a frosty virgin, bursting at the seams, devouring yourself with abandon…10!” Portman is getting her weight  back, as witnessed on a recent Letterman Show. She’ll need the extra heft to carry all the hardware in the upcoming award season. Rated R.

I give it a 3.8 GPA

Tim’s Talented Cousins in “The Wall”

Published
by
Tim Russell
on October 28, 2010
in News
. Closed

If you get a chance to see Roger Waters and “The Wall” on tour do it, it will blow your mind. A combination of incredible musicians, an astounding set with unsurpassed technology and animation creating an unforgettable evening for “Pink Floyd” fans and newcomers alike.

The Wall Singers: Jon Joyce, Pat Mark and Kipp Lennon, Robbie Wyckoff

For years I’ve touted my connection to the Lennon Sisters of “The Lawrence Welk Show” fame but I  finally had a chance to see my other talented cousins (sharing the same Great-Great Grandfather) Kipp, Pat and Mark Lennon of “Venice” performing the backup singing, joining  Jon Joyce and lead singer Robbie Wyckoff. Search “Venice” on Youtube and you will be entertained for hours. Robbie Wyckoff was amazing singing the David Gilmour parts.

“The Wall” Singers: Jon Joyce, Robbie Wyckoff, Mark Pat and Kipp Lennon

My wife and I had them all over on Monday of this week for an early Thanksgiving Dinner. Among the inside tidbits we gleaned: Roger Waters runs a very happy ship, he’s very egalitarian giving everyone the same generous salary; that the road crew is unbelievable, 21 trucks made the trek from Omaha to St. Paul to set up in one day during one of the scariest weather events (sustained 65 mile and hour winds) on record in the Midwest.

Tim Russell’s movie reviews on KARE11 News@4pm

Published
by
Tim Russell
on October 12, 2010
in News
. Closed

Last Friday, Tim appeared on the Twin Cities TV station KARE11 as a film critic Check it out.

http://tinyurl.com/234886a