Actor Is Surging

Matthew McConaughey is definitely coming on.  In his latest, Killer Joe, he's a real nasty guy.  It's another rivetting performance.  That's three in a row after The Lincoln Lawyer and Magic Mike.  This guy has been a cornball actor for quite awhile, but flashes of his talent showed through at times, as in Friday Night Lights.   Now in these recent wild performances he is clearly saying that he's a more serious actor than a lot of us thought.

Take This Waltz

Don't pass this one up.  Michelle Williams is at it again in Take This Waltz.  She is once more in a relationship that is just not working.  Think Blue Valentine.  Is there an actress out there who can shine as she does in this kind of film?  Her actng is so subtle.  Think My Week With Marilyn.  Sarah Polley wrote and directed Waltz, and came up with a serious and thoughtful film.  Also in the cast are Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman, neither in a comedic role, but SS does say, in one scene, that she looks so good that when she looks in the mirror, she'd like to fuck herself.  Also, in this movie, there is a special scene of naked women in a bath house, basic and natural, without edges, refreshing.  The title is based on a Leonard Cohen song.

Polissse and Bernie

Two movies stand out among recent films:  Polisse and Bernie.  Polisse, a french movie concerns a child protection unit in Paris.  It is, at times, horrifying, enlightening,, funny, excruciating, tough, loving, startling and sad.  Don't miss it!  Bernie is based upon a true story and an extraordinary man, played by Jack Black.  I've not been that impressed by him, until now.  This is an astounding performance about a man who is unfortunately, unbelievable.  Yet, apparently he really is like that!

DD for new movie + surprise

The highly touted and anticipated movie, Moonrise Kingdom, gets a double d here, disappointing and dumb.  There's another movie out there, Hysteria, that is far more engaging.  It speculates on the early development of the vibrator.  Very interesting and informative with performances by two under appreciated talents, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Hugh Dancy.

Movies

I usually avoid the big budget, ridiculous movies, but I decided to give Dark Shadows a try, and it was worth it.  Captivating story of good guy/bad guy (gal).  Johnny Depp is wild, unpredictable and engaging.  So are others in this old time/recent time extravaganza.  This film also has extraordinary special effects.  I'd rate it higher if we saw anywhere near as much of Eva Green as we did in The Dreamers.  Then there is The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel.  The good Brits seniors, set in India with Judi Dench, Bill Nighy and others.  A light, good feel movie that has some serious messages.  Definitely worth the viewing.  Then there's Bobcat Goldthwait's God Bless America, about the loss of civility in our culture.  It starts out with the killing of the world's most horrible baby and goes on from there.  I love this guy's - humor?, but then again, I was a big fan of his earlier film, Sleeping Dogs Lie.  There, the couple grapples with the fact that she went down on the dog.  Oh my!  Not for everyone, but I can't wait for the next one.

It was a SMASH of a season!

If Smash does not pick up a host of Emmy nominations, I will be shocked.  The tv series has it all:  exceptional writing, both script and music, gripping performances by so many people in this cast, it's hard to single them out, an engaging story line about getting a show to Braodway and compelling character and relationships' development.  It is clearly one of the best opening seasons I have ever seen! and NBC has picked it up for a second season. 

Four TV Shows to Watch

Mad Men, Smash, The Killing and The Good Wife