Archive

A New PHC Season is Underway

Published
by
Tim Russell
on October 7, 2010
in News
. Closed

A new season of A Prairie Home Companion began September 25th, starting the 100th year for The Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. Garrison Keillor took the opportunity to salute St. Paul’s literary son, F. Scott Fitzgerald on the occasion of his birth date (September 24th) with a number of scripts and songs. Tim got to play Fitzgerald in a Guy Noir Script that included the character poking fun at GK, St. Paul’s other literary genius. Garrison requested a period fedora for the event and Tim went to Heime’s Haberdashery, an upscale men’s clothing shop downtown on St. Peter St.

The hat Tim chose was such a hit with his wife that he had to buy it for his own Birthday present. Tim’s birthday was also on September 25th. He was born on the same day and year as supermodel Cheryl Teigs, (how come she isn’t bald and grizzled?). The show was followed by the annual Street Dance on Exchange street. Several hundred fans from around the country who were part of a packaged pilgrimage to The Fitz joined the thousands who show up every year to enjoy a meatloaf dinner outside. The weather was great and everyone had a good time.

The second show, October 2 2010, was a real treat. Our guest star was new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee, Dr. John and he was at the top of his game. Tune in across the country on your favorite Public Radio station for A Prairie Home Companion each Saturday at 5pm Central with repeats at varying times on Sundays.

don’t forget to mark October 21st on your calender for another Live Cinecast  of PHC at movie theaters across the USA and Canada. You’ll be able to see Sue Scott and Tim Russell in High Definition on the big screen. We’ll have both Tom Keith AND Fred Newman on hand for some sound effects magic.

Prairie Home Companion Wraps Another Season

Published
by
Tim Russell
on July 7, 2010
in News
. Closed

It was a glorious 4th of July weekend as Garrison Keillor’s ” Prairie Home Companion” finished this year’s season at The Ravinia Festival in Highland Park Illinois.

The great singer/songwriter, John Prine joined us and performed some of his best songs including the powerful “Hello In There”. Another Chicagoan, Howard Levy added his harmonica virtuosity to the proceedings.

We had some fun scripts to work with as noted in the “Evanston Review” this week. Reviewer Dorothy Andries wrote:

“The show included not only music, but dramas, vividly enacted by The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, two men and a woman who are a trio of a million sounds and voices. Tim Russell did a spot-on imitation of Chicago radio legend Studs Terkel and was a pretty good Ira (“This American Life”) Glass. He even mastered President Obama’s measured cadences, while Fred Newman did zany sound effects. Sue Scott played everyone from a sweet encouraging Montessori mother to a hard-boiled seller of Chicago hot dogs — and no, she would never serve ketchup on a Chicago dog.”Guy Noir-Chicago

A great end to a great season. Fred Newman will  join Garrison and “The Guys All Star Show Band” and singer/songwriter Sara Watkins for a late summer tour of over 20 cities across the country. Check out the schedule on the Prairie Home website.

Sue and Tim will hopefully rejoin the cast and crew for the annual Minnesota State Fair Grandstand performance on the Labor Day Weekend Show.

Sue Scott plays Shelly on “The Cleveland Show”

Published
by
Sue Scott
on May 13, 2010
in News and Sue Scott
. Closed

Sue was very pleased last week to be booked to voice a character role on the prime time animated TV series, “The Cleveland Show“, which airs Sunday nights on FOX TV.  This show is a spin off of the popular animated series, “Family Guy” and was created by the same folks (Seth MacFarlane, Mike Henry, and Richard Appel).  In this upcoming episode, “Your Show of Shows”,  Sue plays the role of Shelly.  Shelly and her husband Harv have their own cable access show entitled, “Picking on Raccoons with Harv and Shelly”.  It’s a quick scene,  filled with lots of blood curdling screams and a not so happy ending… so in other words, tons of fun to do!

“A Behanding” is Something to behold

Published
by
Tim Russell
on May 1, 2010
in News
. Closed

I’m in New York City for an unbelievably packed “A Prairie Home Companion” at the Town Hall.

Sue Scott Kristin Chenowith and Tim Russell

Kristin Chenowith joins us between performances of "Promises, Promises"

Kristin Chenowith, Debra Monk, Rob Fisher, Heather Masse, and a young star to be, Kate Beahen. Friday night  we wrapped rehearsal at 7pm, so I went to the TKTS Booth on 47th to get a half price seat for Christopher Walken’s play ” A Behanding in Spokane” by Micheal McDonagh. I met Micheal when I introduced a sneak screening of his Oscar nominated film, “In Brugge”, a lovely guy and amazing writer. Christopher Walken is off the charts with his “Walkeness” in this hysterically dark dramedy about a man in search of his missing hand for some 45 years. A couple of erstwhile drug dealers try to rip him off, and a hotel receptionist brilliantly played by Sam Rockwell adds to the grisly humor. If you are in New York and have a hankering for the quirky by all means see ” A Behanding in Spokane”.

After the show we found ourselves right in the middle of the car bomb threat in Times Square. A little more excitement than the City should really have. Thanks goodness the phrase “See something, Say something” meant something.

Tim Russell Leaves CBS and WCCO Radio

Published
by
Tim Russell
on April 26, 2010
in News
. Closed

After 33 years of working for WCCO radio stations, I have decided to accept a generous Buyout Option from CBS. As is usually the case in radio, the station decides on the exit procedure, so I was told after filling in for Dave Lee on “The Morning News” last Friday, it would be my last broadcast on WCCO Radio. This precludes the opportunity to say goodbye and thanks for listening to my work as Entertainment Editor. I have enjoyed the job immensely. I have had the chance to see and review over 120 films a year and spent untold hours working the DVR to get the first crack each morning at telling listeners what’s hot and what’s not, in my opinion, of course.

A morning show becomes a family, and the head of our family is Dave Lee, a gifted broadcaster and a wonderful writer; he has generously provided me with countless opportunities to use my various impressions and character voices as a part of his timely and topical comedy sketches. Thank you Dave. Eric Eskola has been an inspiration to all of us who admire a quick mind and a dogged reporter’s skill. Morning News Editor Steve Murphy is the best in the business. He is deserving of every one of many awards he’s received. In fact it’s safe to say that Steve Murphy, Telly Mamayak, Bruce Hagevik, and Eric Eskola are the best morning news team in radio. Big-hearted Mike Lynch stirs the pot every morning, in addition to giving us the weather heads-up. Producer Steve Enck keeps everyone on track, lining up the guests people need to hear from each day and Craig Schroepfer and Chris Ellston co-ordinate the broadcasts with skill and good humor. I thank them all for making it a joy to go to work everyday. I wish them continued success and I thank all of the loyal WCCO Radio listeners for allowing me to share my opinions with them everyday.

I will continue working for Garrison Keillor as long as he will have me. Prairie Home Companion has been my dream job and I look forward to it each weekend. I will not have to get up at 4am for the time being, that’s exciting, and I will hopefully have a lot more opportunities to audition for movies and TV commercials and, of course, voiceovers. I hope to eventually find another opportunity to talk entertainment on the air here in the Twin Cities and will be making the most of the internet: Facebook, Twitter, and my blog in the meantime.

Tim Russell

March Madness

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

It’s been a mad March for Tim and Sue. We wrap a month of no snow in March for the Twin Cities for the first time in history.

Tim Russell and the MS Ryndam

We visited the Western Caribbean with another Prairie Home Companion Cruise, a chance to commune with some amazing fans of Garrison Keillor and the show, we debuted a workshop of a play “Voicematch”, written for us by famed playwright Jeffrey Hatcher (“Complete Stage Beauty”) and we spent two weekends in Seattle and the days in between enjoying Washington State.

The Prairie Home Companion Cruise is always a special treat and this one had amazing talent. Robin and Linda Williams, Heather Masse, Jerlyn Steele, Connie Evinson, Beausoliel, Andra Suchy, the amazing Fred Newman, The Guys All Star Shoe Band, and Salsa Del Sol all kept the ship rockin’. and Garrison was seemingly everywhere.

We did our play three times to appreciative audiences. “Voicematch” is about the voice over business. Jeffrey Hatcher was intrigued that the business today knows no geographical bounds, two voice talents can and do record Ad Campaigns together in two different cities and never meet each other face to face.

“Voicematch” brings these two disparate actors , the pro and the newbie, together in more ways than one.

Opera singer Vern Sutton played the voice of several recording engineers. Jeffrey has plans to develop this into a fully produced stage play this summer or next fall, stay tuned!

Our Seattle experience allowed us to see the beautiful state of Washington, Tim and Judy visited Bellingham , Sue spent some time with her sister Nancy on a visit to lovely Whidby Island.

Thanks to computers we are always able to send mp3 auditions to our agents virtually anywhere. Next stop Nashville and the Historic Ryman Auditorium, then a series of shows from New York City. April beckons, like l said before, stay tuned.

Tim Russell Voices Today’s 30th Most Watched Youtube Video

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

In addition to appearing on “A Prairie Home Companion” with Garrison Keillor, I enjoy working as a voice talent for television and radio ads. In this video, I am the voiceover narrator for Vitamin Water’s television commercial: “Steve Nash is the Most Ridiculous Man in the World.” This TV spot has been quite popular on YouTube. This was a voice-over job done through the Vox Talent Agency in LA. Steve Nash is the greatest.

Tim Russell’s 2010 Oscar Predictions

Published
by
Tim Russell
on February 11, 2010
in News
. Closed

These are my predictions for the Academy Awards 2010, as Entertainment Editor for WCCO Radio I see over 120 films a year. this was a very good year at the movies, congratulations to all the nominees. These predictions may explain my lack of success at cards and horse races but, here we go.

Actor in a Leading Role

At first I thought George Clooney had the edge on this one but as the award season rolled on I thought Jeff Bridges moved ahead and, after seeing “Crazy Heart”, I have to say it’s Jeff Bridges Turn to take the Oscar.

Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart”

George Clooney in “Up in the Air”

Colin Firth in “A Single Man”

Morgan Freeman in “Invictus”

Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker”

Actor in a Supporting Role

This is a total lock for Christoph Waltz. He was phenomenal as the SS Colonel, Hans Landa. I must say all the others in this category were Oscar worthy this year, but it’s a “waltz” for Waltz.

Matt Damon in “Invictus”

Woody Harrelson in “The Messenger”

Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station”

Stanley Tucci in “The Lovely Bones”

Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”

Actress in a Leading Role

Early in the year my favorite here was Gabourey Sidibe , then Meryl Streep’s turn as Julia Child was so nuanced, I thought, nope it’s time for Meryl to collect number 3, then Sandra Bullock started winning every award and is now the front runner. I’m going out on a limb and predict a win for for my close personal friend (at least in my eyes) Meryl.

Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”

Helen Mirren in “The Last Station”

Carey Mulligan in “An Education”

Gabourey Sidibe in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia”

Actress in a Supporting Role

This is another easy pick; Monique had one of the most powerful performances of the year in “Precious” and will easily win here.

Penélope Cruz in “Nine”

Vera Farmiga in “Up in the Air”

Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Crazy Heart”

Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air”

Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

Directing

A battle of the former spouses here, James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow were married between 1989 and 1991, and amicably divorced. I think Kathryn will become the first woman to win Best Director.

“Avatar” James Cameron

“The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow

“Inglourious Basterds” Quentin Tarantino

“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels

“Up in the Air” Jason Reitman

Best Picture

“Avatar” is the most successful film of all time, but I think that James Cameron will have to be satisfied with that and the Oscar goes to “The Hurt Locker”.

“Avatar” James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers

“The Blind Side” Gil Netter, Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson, Producers

“District 9” Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers

“An Education” Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers

“The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro, Producers

“Inglourious Basterds” Lawrence Bender, Producer

“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, Producers

“A Serious Man” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Producers

“Up” Jonas Rivera, Producer

“Up in the Air” Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, Producers

Writing (Original Screenplay)

This is a battle between “The Hurt Locker” and the Twin Cities own Coen Brothers “A Serious Man”, with the darkhorse beinganother Minnesotan, Bloomington’s Pete Doctor for “Up”. I’m going to give this one to the Coen Brothers, not only for the complex, funny, multilayered script, but for the wisdom to create the character “Detective #1″, undoubtedly the only time I willappear in an Oscar Best Picture nominated film, thank you boys.

“The Hurt Locker” Written by Mark Boal

“Inglourious Basterds” Written by Quentin Tarantino

“The Messenger” Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman

“A Serious Man” Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

“Up” Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

I would love to see “In the Loop” get this one. It’s a very funny acid tongued look at the back stabbing world of politics, but this will go to “Up in the Air”.

“District 9” Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell

“An Education” Screenplay by Nick Hornby

“In the Loop” Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche

“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher

“Up in the Air” Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

Animated Feature Film

Local boy Pete Doctor worked wonders with “Up”. The 4 minute segment detailing the romance between the Balloon Salesman and his wife was one of the most emotional uses of cinema that I can remember. “Up” takes the prize.

“Coraline” Henry Selick

“Fantastic Mr. Fox” Wes Anderson

“The Princess and the Frog” John Musker and Ron Clements

“The Secret of Kells” Tomm Moore

“Up” Pete Docter

Art Direction

Avatar blew my mind, unquestionably the best in art direction, in 2D or 3D.

“Avatar” Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair

“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Art Direction: Dave Warren and Anastasia Masaro; Set Decoration: Caroline Smith

“Nine” Art Direction: John Myhre; Set Decoration: Gordon Sim

“Sherlock Holmes” Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer

“The Young Victoria” Art Direction: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Maggie Gray

Cinematography

It’s a battle between “Avatar” and “The Hurt Locker” with “The White Ribbon” ( shot in black and white) as a strong contender, but I think Hollywood will stick with “Avatar”.

“Avatar” Mauro Fiore

“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Bruno Delbonnel

“The Hurt Locker” Barry Ackroyd

“Inglourious Basterds” Robert Richardson

“The White Ribbon” Christian Berger

Costume Design

I’m going to go with the local connection. Bill Pohlad’s new company, Apparition, distributed “Bright Star” and though “Nine” and “Coco Before Chanel” had all the glitz, I’ll pick “Bright Star”.

“Bright Star” Janet Patterson

“Coco before Chanel” Catherine Leterrier

“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Monique Prudhomme

“Nine” Colleen Atwood

“The Young Victoria” Sandy Powell

Documentary (Feature)

This is another chance for Bill Pohlad, his company distributed “Food Inc”, and I think it will take the prize, even though the film put me off fried chicken for a few weeks.

“Burma VJ” Anders Østergaard and Lise Lense-Møller

“The Cove” Louie Psihoyos and Fisher Stevens

“Food, Inc.” Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein

“The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers” Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith

“Which Way Home” Rebecca Cammisa

Documentary (Short Subject)

I have no idea, what’s your guess?

“China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province” Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill

“The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner” Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher

“The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant” Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert

“Music by Prudence” Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett

“Rabbit à la Berlin” Bartek Konopka and Anna Wydra

Film Editing

Let’s go with the local guy, Stephen Rivkin, St. Louis Park, wins for “Avatar”.

“Avatar” Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron

“District 9” Julian Clarke

“The Hurt Locker” Bob Murawski and Chris Innis

“Inglourious Basterds” Sally Menke

“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Joe Klotz

Foreign Language Film

“White Ribbon” was a big winner all year long starting with the grand prize at The Cannes Film Festival. It’s a powerful metaphor for the unsettling calm before the storm that became World War I, I predict it will take the Oscar.

“Ajami” Israel

“The Milk of Sorrow (La Teta Asustada)” Peru

“A Prophet (Un Prophète)” France

“The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos)” Argentina

“The White Ribbon (Das Weisse Band)” Germany

Makeup

“Star Trek” deserved more than a best makeup nomination, like a best picture nomination would’ve been nice, so let’s throw it a bone here.

“Il Divo” Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano

“Star Trek” Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow

“The Young Victoria” Jon Henry Gordon and Jenny Shircore

Music (Original Score)

Another win for “Avatar” here, the academy loves them some James Horner.

“Avatar” James Horner

“Fantastic Mr. Fox” Alexandre Desplat

“The Hurt Locker” Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders

“Sherlock Holmes” Hans Zimmer

“Up” Michael Giacchino

Music (Original Song)

“The Weary Kind” is certainly the most commercial option here, and though the Oscar voters sometimes surprise us ( “It’s Hard Out Here For a Pimp”anyone?), I think Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett will be happy.

“Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

“Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

“Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36” Music by Reinhardt Wagner Lyric by Frank Thomas

“Take It All” from “Nine” Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston

“The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Short Film (Animated)

I hope to see this collection before the Oscars, but until then this is another category where I have no idea. Beuller? Anyone?

?“French Roast” Fabrice O. Joubert

“Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty” Nicky Phelan and Darragh O’Connell

“The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)” Javier Recio Gracia

“Logorama” Nicolas Schmerkin

“A Matter of Loaf and Death” Nick Park

Short Film (Live Action)

Ditto. No idea.

“The Door” Juanita Wilson and James Flynn

“Instead of Abracadabra” Patrik Eklund and Mathias Fjellström

“Kavi” Gregg Helvey

“Miracle Fish” Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey

“The New Tenants” Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson

Sound Editing

Here’s another technical award for “Avatar”.

“Avatar” Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle

“The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson

“Inglourious Basterds” Wylie Stateman

“Star Trek” Mark Stoeckinger and Alan Rankin

“Up” Michael Silvers and Tom Myers

Sound Mixing

It’s another Oscar for “Avatar”.

“Avatar” Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson

“The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett

“Inglourious Basterds” Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti and Mark Ulano

“Star Trek” Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson and Peter J. Devlin

“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers and Geoffrey Patterson

Visual Effects

It’s one more for “Avatar”

“Avatar” Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones

“District 9” Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros and Matt Aitken

“Star Trek” Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh and Burt Dalton

The Oscars will be broadcast on March 7th. I hope you’ll follow all of my Oscar commentary on “The Morning News with Dave Lee” every weekday morning on WCCO-AM, and on the web at WCCORADIO.COM/morningnews. Follow my tweets at Twitter.com/830wcco or Twitter.com/radiotimrussell

Cinecast of A Prairie Home Companion | February 4, 2010

Published
by
katethomas
on January 26, 2010
in Prairie Home, Sue Scott and Tim Russell
. Closed

Cinecast of A Prairie Home Companion

Tim Russell’s Top 10 (Plus Some More) Movies of 2009

Published
by
Tim Russell
on January 3, 2010
in News
. Closed

Plus My Meryl Streep Moment

My day job is Entertainment Editor for CBS owned WCCO Radio (am830) in Minneapolis, which means I see over 120 films a year and talk about them on “The Morning News With Dave Lee”, every  Monday through Friday, twice an hour, from 5 to 9 am Central, you can stream us live at wccoradio.com. I review TV shows and theatrical productions, but my passion is the Cinema.

I think it’s impossible to list the top 10 films when you see that many movies in any given year: so many great foreign films, so many fine documentaries, so many brilliant small independent films that people will never get a chance to see without a DVD release, but nevertheless, I’ve put together a top 10 list with the addition of some Honorable Mentions.

Up in the Air

All things considered, I would have to put “Up in The Air” as the best film of the year, for timeliness; the story of an agent of downsizing, George Clooney, a road warrior, has it all, humor, great acting from Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick.

Serious Man Pic

At Number 2 it’s the Coen Brothers very personal remembrance of St. Louis Park’s Jewish Community circa 1967, “A Serious Man”. It’s entertaining, darkly humorous, and provocative, in the way it will have you discussing the meaning of it all, and well acted by a brilliant cast of character actors. I say this in spite of the fact that my appearance as “Detective 1″ could have sabotaged the whole project.

Number 3 on my list would be the latest from Pixar, “Up”. It’s a touching , entertaining film for the whole family, with an animated four minute segment at the beginning of the film that illustrates the love story between the Balloons Salesman, voiced by Ed Asner, and his life long love, that moved me more than any other movie moment this year.

PreciousNumber 4 is “Precious”, not the feel-good movie of the year, but a reminder of the power of the human spirit in overcoming monumental obstacles. Gaborey Sidibe is amazing as Precious, an possible Oscar winning performance from a novice actor. Monique, the comedian, is anything but comedic in her turn as Precious’ disturbingly evil mother, another sure to be Oscar nominee.

Number 5 goes to a comedy, “The Hangover”, a very funny “R” rated; bad things can happen in Vegas story, with brilliant timing from a talented cast including “The Office’s” Ed Helms, Zach Galifianikis, and Bradley Cooper.

Number 6 is a little seen British film called “In the Loop”, a brilliant script involving backroom shenanigans between the Brits and the U.S. in the run up to the Iraqi invasion. It’s an acid tongued mashup of TV’s “The Office” and “The West Wing”.

“Star Trek”, from J.J. Abrams, is my number 7 pick. It’s a great “re-imagining” of the “Star Trek” franchise with a clever story line and fine special effects. It says a lot that you don’t have to be a Trekkie to enjoy this one, a credit to the talented cast and director.

At number 8, “The Hurt Locker” from director Katherine Bigelow. This is perhaps the best war movie I’ve ever seen. Jeremy Renner is a revelation as an IED bomb detonation expert. He’s fearless and unpredictable, and the combat footage is amazingly effective.

AvatarNumber 9 goes to “Avatar”, not because of the storyline which has been done before; a mighty power trying to eliminate an indigenous population (the Nav’i) in a quest for a rare commodity, but because of the 3-D “performance capture acting” and imaginative world that James Cameron creates. You’ve never seen anything like these visuals before.

My number 10 film of the year is Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog”, a hand drawn 3D animation, in the classic Disney style the captures the sights an sound of New Orleans and the Cajun Bayou backwaters in a funny, raucous, toe-tapping fairytale that all ages will appreciate.

Honorable mentions go to:

Julie and Julia“Julie and Julia”. Meryl Streep should get an Oscar nod for bringing Julia Child back to life. Her stunning portrayal, and touching love story with her acting partner Stanley Tucci, as Julia’s husband, makes this film a delight for foodies and non-foodies alike. On a personal note, I bumped into Meryl as she was getting into her limo outside of the ABC “Good Morning America” studios. I was coming out of the Deli across from the hotel where we were stranded after the big Northeast Blizzard of ’09. She had just entered the back passenger seat, so I walked up and waved at the tinted window. I could see a had waving back, she lowered the window,  having remembered, evidently, the time we spent together on the 2006 Robert Altman film, “A Prairie Home Companion”. She was aware that we had just finished our New York run of Garrison Keillor’s  show at The Town Hall, and I complimented her on her latest acting triumph, “It’s Complicated”, and her amazing turn as Julia Child in “Julie and Julia”, giving the latter nod with my own impression of the late , very imitable, “French Chef”, and with a buoyant laugh, shw was of to her next interview.

“This is It”, the documentary of Michael Jackson’s preparation for what was to be his final tour, is a thrilling reminder of what and amazing talent, personal issues aside, Jackson was. He’s in charge, in command, and totally  engaged in what would have been the concert of the decade. We see, in the rehearsal footage, that as a live performer, he’s was gracious, generous, and in fine form, even just days before his death.

I really enjoyed the documentary “It Might Get Loud” from Oscar winning film maker ( “An Inconvenient Truth”) Davis Guggenheim. This is a story about three legendary guitarists and their love affair with the guitar. Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin, The Edge from U2, and Jack White from The White Stripes are all featured in archival footage, and together, jamming with their beloved guitars.

“Paranormal Activity” deserves credit for moving the Horror Genre back from torture porn (the Saw franchise) to a very real fear of the unknown. The hyper-realistic home video style, with two unknown actors, gives you a visceral reaction to things that go bump in the night.

For a similar reason I think “District 9″ was one of the most effective movies of the year. An unknown South African cast and great special effects give this reminder of the dangers of Segregation a power that stays with you long after leaving the theater. Hats off to first time director Neill Blomkamp.

into temptation

And finally, a nod to local filmmaker Patrick Coyle whose award winning “Into Temptation” did sold out Box Office business in the Twin Cities, where it was filmed last year. Great script and performances by Jeremy Sisto as a priest in crisis mode, and Kristin Chenowith as a troubled prostitute. It’s well worth a look on DVD.

Thanks for tuning into “The Morning News with Dave Lee” for my entertainment reports, I look forward to your next visit in 2010.