Wide Open Spaces Between a Mother and Daughter

Forgive me, father, for I have sinned.  I was a theater major, and I never read Tracy Letts' landmark work, August: Osage County.  The three-hour huge cast drama won the Pulitzer back in 2008, and the behemoth work is something community theaters only wish they could tackle.  Naturally, this is the sprawling, Hollywood film version adapted by Letts himself.

At the center of the Weston family is Violet, the pill-popping, acid tongued matriarch played by Meryl Streep.  Her husband Beverly (Sam Shepard) goes missing at the film's opening, and the Weston clan clamors over for moral support.  Violet's eldest daughter, Barbara, is played by Julia Roberts.  Let's go over the reactions people could have to this casting.  One one side, one would say, "what the fuck is Julia Roberts doing in such a complex role?" while others might be clapping their hands with joy at the thought of these women sharing not only screen time but fictional blood.  

As more of the family arrives, we begin to learn just how strained all of their relationships are.  Oh, and trust me, everyone's relationship with everyone is a bond that's about to break.  Everyone shows up.  Margo Martindale plays Mattie Fae, Violet's sister, and carries her husband Chris Cooper in tow.  Ewan McGregor plays Roberts' wife, and their troubled 14 year-old daughter is played by Abigail Breslin.  Juliette Lewis and Julianne Nicholson play Barbara's sisters.  That's not even all the actors--trust me, they are aplenty.  

As the booze flows, so do the secrets.  I don't want to spoil the draaahhh--maaaahhh, so I shall be skimpy on the plot.  Usually with play adaptations, the film version always seems a bit stage-y or talky or so grand for the screen that it threatens to rip holes in it.  Each of the actors gets a moment alone on the screen, whether a monologue or a dramatic moment is in play.  It's very nice to see.  Maybe in part because I don't mind big or stagey or graaaaand.  

As far as performances go, Roberts steals it.  Preconceived notions of her acting ability will be throw out the window, because this is quite possibly Roberts' best performance to date.  Movie star is the title Roberts has been slapped with (a scarlet S for STAR), but she channels a jagged rage in this performance.  She embraces her anger towards her mother, and when she and Streep spar, I was bowled over by the dynamic of it.  I feared Streep would be so over the top that I wouldn't be able to enjoy it, but she's great.  Bile and humor spill from her mouth.  No wonder she's regarded as the greatest living actress.  

If one more person around me said something to the effect of "I thought my family was dysfunctional" I might have killed myself, but I would love to hang out with the Weston family.  Streep could hurl insults at me, Roberts to force me to eat cod (just trust me) and Margo Martindale and Chris Cooper could get into a passionate fight over me.  Bring it.  

Scares with a Little Bit of Spice

Ah, Paranormal Activity.  Full disclosure: I love these movies, and I look forward to them every year.  Yes, every year, because they crank out a new one every Halloween.  These movies aren't necessarily about the movies themselves as they are about the experience while watching it.  Most of PA's as campaigns rely on green, voyeuristic shots of people screaming and jumping out of their chairs while watching. 

The latest installment, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, has a whole new, Latin cast.  I thought it was a total spin-off, but by the end everything ties into at least the first three (to be honest, I don't remember a lot of the fourth).  In this chapter, a young man named Jesse becomes "marked" after the woman who lives downstairs is blown away.  Jesse thinks he has powers because he can control himself from falling and he can throw people long distances.  When it all starts, Jesse doesn't remember doing any of it, but as it grows stronger, he is more intrigued by it.  It's kind of like Chronicle but less interesting.  There is also a lame recurring sequence where they ask an aged Simon questions like a Ouija board.  

I just want to point out that these might be some of the dumbest characters to ever be put in a horror movie--easily out of the PA franchise.  Jesse and his friend Hector continually break into his downstairs neighbor's apartment even after they find evidence that she was a witch.  The blood stained walls and creepy vibe are a no go for me.  Thanks, guys.  There are even two instances where the camera swirls around in the dark and a stranger is standing there.  Creepy as hell, people!  Why do they keep going back?!?!  Stupid bastards. 

The end (like always) is the best part, but this one adds a twist to the franchise.  It comes out of nowhere.  You either love or hate these movies, and I definitely am in the former category.  They're fun and make me jump out of my chair.  If you like them, go see it.  If not, you will hate them just like all the others.  

Oscar Nomination Predictions Coming Soon...

I am pouring over my decisions over my predictions.  These are the problems I have, people.  The nominations hit on Thursday morning, so look for an update soon!

Rumors and Conjecture Podcast Returns for Golden Globe Predictions!

Remember when Megan and I recorded a weekly podcast to discuss the pop culture news?  And do you also remember when hectic holiday schedules got in the way of us recording for, say, two months?  Never fear, listeners!  Megan and I have returned for a short, on-the-fly take on what we think will win the Golden Globes tonight.  No rumors and conjecture this week really, but maybe this will inspire (force?) us to continue with out commitment to out tens of listeners.  Enjoy!  

Friday Poll: Which Hercules is Your Hero?

Am I the only one who didn't realize that The Legend of Hercules came out today?  Anyone?  Please tell me I'm not alone here.  

This new take on the rise of the famous hero stars The Twilight Saga's only good looking man Kellen Lutz.  Well, not so much his beef jerky face as much as his really defined pecs--something I am totally fine with.  I wouldn't be able to tell anything about Lutz or describe aspect of his acting.  Pecs, pecs, pecs.  Yes, yes, yes.  

I have never been a fan of the Disney Hercules.  I think it's because it was right when I thought I was "getting too old for those kind of movies," and I need to sit down and watch it again.  I am the person who ranked Frozen on his top ten list, so I shouldn't say anything.  I doubt anyone actually wants to see this.  It looks pretty awful.

So which is your hero?  Disney's Hercules with his pointy elbows and snazzy songs?  Or Mr. Meathead Lutz and his big pecs.  Sigh.  

Is it Me?! Is it You?! Anyone Else Want a ';Budapest' Version of Guess Who?

When I saw this poster for Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel, I immediately wanted to call my stupid brother and see if he still had his Guess Who board game.  Between this nostalgic piece of advertising and the delicious cake teaser poster, I am starting to get hungry and competitive.

Am I Wrong in Thinking...

...that the first time we will really see Wonder Woman on the big screen is in The Lego Movie?  

There have always been discussions about the struggles to get a movie version of Wonder Woman, but I randomly saw the trailer for Lego today, and I realized that I've never seen the Amazon hero.  Of course there was the television series from the 70's (and the failed reboot in 2011), but it's shocking that the first time we will see her swing that golden lasso is in Lego form.  How I Met Your Mother's Cobie Smulders will voice her in The Lego Movie

Right?