Reviews

Showtime’s ‘Nurse Jackie’ Starring Edie Falco

On May 7, 2009, In Celebrity, Television, Video, By LisaT

I was treated to a screening of the first two episodes of the new Showtime series Nurse Jackie a few days ago and holy crap, I think I have to add a new favorite show to my list. Already a staunch follower of Dexter, which led to my subsequent obsession with the book series on which it is based, the last thing I need is another awesome show to add to my list of things to watch. Alas, Edie Falco delivers such a great performance in Nurse Jackie, that I have no other choice.

Nurse Jackie is a classic anti-hero and Falco tears into the role with quick wit, a close-cropped haircut and convincing pathos in the spirit of any great compelling-yet-morally-flawed television character. Those tend to be my favorites. After spending years playing the frustrated mafia wife to James Gandolfini‘s perpetually unfaithful Tony Soprano, it surely must be a refreshing turn for Falco to flex her acting muscles and get a chance to be the one who gets to be naughty.

And it’s quite an acting muscle indeed. I already was impressed by her turn on 30 Rock as the polished politician engaged in a romantic relationship with Alec Baldwin, which revealed her comedic timing and ability to transform herself so easily out of the Carmela Soprano persona she’d conveyed so convincingly for so long. In her new Showtime series, Falco reveals that she’s more than just a skilled supporting character actress and in fact, I’ll be very curious to see what this first season holds for Nurse Jackie.

It’s worth mentioning that the entire cast of the show plays a charming array of supporting characters. Each one, from the doe-eyed first year nursing student who finds herself alternately throwing up and attempt to win over her coworkers with muffins, to the impeccably dressed female doctor with whom Jackie shares a close friendship, hint at some promising storylines down the road.

My personal favorite is Peter Facinelli, who plays a hapless doctor with an uncanny talent for diagnosis that is overshadowed by his nervous tic of acting out in inappropriate sexual advances when exposed to stress and his determination to maintain an uber-cool “Hey bro” persona. Between his role as Dr. Carlisle in Twilight film series and his new gig on Nurse Jackie, prepare to see lots of him in a lab coat over the next few years—and to love it.

Nurse Jackie premieres on Showtime on June 8 at 10:30 PM.

Tagged with: Edie Falco • Nurse Jackie • Peter Facinelli • Reviews • Showtime • Television

My Favorite Indie Film Clichés

On April 13, 2009, In Essays, Movies, Work, By LisaT

It’s only been a few days since the arrival of my Netflix Roku Digital Player and already and I am well on my way to viewing on all the movies I’ve been meaning to see since missing them in the theaters, as well as catching up on old favorites.

Now that I’m working from home full-time again, I’ve come full circle…on a variety of levels. When I first started at SocialiteLife.com, I sat at a table in my kitchen/dining room/office in my studio apartment in Hollywood to write my posts. After a stint working in an office, I have returned to my roots and am back in my apartment, where I blog from 9 to 5, so to speak.

I’m a much happier Office Monkey, since I am happiest when I’m allowed to roam cage-free. And I’m also reminded of my first favorite job ever. It was at the local video store in Richmond Hill, Georgia. Before Blockbuster had infiltrated our little southern town, I spent the the summer before my freshman year of college watching videos behind the register while bartering free movies for free pizza with the kids who worked at the pizzeria two shops over.

That was when I first became obsessed with movies and got into my head that one day, I’d maybe like to have a job that had something to do with the making of them. And now, I’ve recommitted myself to Los Angeles and am remembering what it is I love so much about films, storytelling and…bad independent movies!

There is a special place in my heart for those low-budget flicks from the 90s and early 2000s with high aspirations of gaining notice on the film festival circuit and, of course, teaching us a lesson. Of course, I do love really good independent movies, or mainstream films with independent tendencies but even the best of them are guilty of at least one of these independent film clichés. So let’s dive right in, shall we? Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Elvis Presley: This guy is one of the most consistent indie film staples I can think of. A character obsessed with The King invariably turns up at some point, whether it be a cameo by an impersonator simply passing through, or a major plot point in the form of a journey to Graceland. In a pinch, Frank Sinatra will counts as a serviceable substitute.

2. An in-depth discussion of an iconic movie/television character: An independent film director, especially a bad one also credited as writer of the piece, is always looking for an opportunity to show off his encyclopedic knowledge of film and television history. A conversation between the main characters, often over a poker game or some other such activity around a table most convenient for filming circular POV longshots, gives the director a chance to engage in some witty banter that shows off his or her ability to place big and small screen history within the context of current popular culture.

3. The South: This is a much beloved setting for independent filmmakers, especially those who have never spent any time there. In the world of indie film, the southern United States is a collection of ramshackle shanties and all-night diners and if you’re not a protagonist toiling in a dead-end existence that usually involves you wearing an apron while dreaming of a better life “far, far away,” then you’re probably said protagonist’s abusive/alcoholic father or husband. Other familiar characters include a wise older black woman or man offering sage advice at opportune intervals, a slutty but entertaining waitress or barmaid with large hair and/or a best friend who died in some sort of tragic accident years ago.

4. A bungled heist: The characters plotting a “big job” range in competence from hilariously inept to just plain unlucky. Their attempt to plot the perfect crime usually involves strategic planning, fast talking and enlisting the help of a certain dangerous, older ally. The level of violence escalates, the more competent the criminal. These guys LOVE quoting the Bible for some reason.

Granted, there are probably many more that I’m missing, but I’m pretty confident in my assertion that these gems constitute the backbone of bad indie film. Oh yes, and we love discussing relationships, the meaning of life, quoting Nietzsche and/or allusions to the French New Wave when we are bad indie movie makers. Keep in mind, though, each one of these clichés once started as a fresh idea. It just takes some serious digging to find out when that actually was.

Tagged with: Film • Independent Film • Indie Film • Movies • Reviews

I’m Always Tearing People Apart: The Room

On April 10, 2009, In Humor, Movies, Video, Weird, By LisaT

I had totally forgotten about that strange billboard on LaBrea, I think it was, in Hollywood featuring this disturbing poster. Then, just the other day, Tim and Eric Awesome Show had Tommy Wiseau on their show as a “guest director,” introducing him with clips from his infamous self-made independent feature The Room.

Then I vaguely remembered the local commercials featuring the film’s trailer, which I had seen when I first moved to Los Angeles at the end of 2002. I had no idea what a cinematic masterpiece was lurking just under my nose.

On April Fool’s Day of this year, Adult Swim aired the The Room in the time slots usually reserved for Tim and Eric Awesome Show as well as repeats of Tom Goes to The Mayor, so I enjoyed a 30 minute sneak peek of the movie. Now, I have to order myself a DVD of the movie, since I know realize how empty my film collection seems without it, now that I’ve had a small taste of its greatness.

I thought I might be lucky enough to find this on Netflix, so that I could watch it on my already beloved Roku Player, but had no such luck. Then again, nothing really worth anything ever comes easy. Am I right, Johnny? Or am I right?

Tagged with: Movies • Reviews • The Room • Tommy Wiseau

Choke

On October 23, 2008, In Movies, By LisaT

I went to go see Choke a while back on limited release at the Arclight in Hollywood and I liked it. I’ve already read the book a number of times, loved it and was curious to see the most recent Chuck Palahniuk adaptation on the big screen.

Naturally, comparisons will be made to David Fincher‘s iconic take on Palahniuk’s Fight Club, the novel that first put the author on the map. Whereas FC was glossy and full of fantasy sequences that blurred the line between reality and some alternative universe that existed solely in the mind of the main character, Choke is grounded in reality with an actual gritty look and feel to it—in contrast to the slick, CGI-filled rollercoaster ride of escapism that FC provided on the big screen.

I think it’s this realistic realism (the kind of realism that comes from showing what actual heroin addicts look like versus the “heroin chic” supermodels who peppered the ads of fashion magazines in the mid to late 90s) in which Choke finds its greatest strength.

The movie is an hour and 40 minutes and even though I felt that the pacing kept the movie from ever dragging, I actually think it could have been a little longer—allowing Victor to give a little more back story and do more strange introverted contemplation. I definitely would have loved to see a little more of Angelica Huston in flashback sequences, relishing her stylish 70s persona in an get-up that made her look like a dark Carmen Sandiego, complete with a dramatic fedora, eyeliner and fingerless leather gloves.

All in all, the script mostly stayed true to the original story, if I’m remembering it correctly, except for maybe the ending. I’m pretty sure the outcome of the film was softer and more optimistic than the one from the novel.

I really enjoyed the actors in the film and I think that because it was co-written, directed and also co-starred actor Clark Gregg, great detail was paid to the performances. Sam Rockwell embodied the role of Victor Mancini with the skill of a character actor who can by turns be ordinary, ugly, fascinating and inexplicably attractive. Rockwell made his eyes bulge and his veins throb each time Victor purposely jammed a hunk of food down his throat. His inglorious sex scenes with fellow sexual compulsive Nico made me feel as if I could smell the typical public bathroom odors that wafted past the couple copulating on the hard, unforgiving tile.

I was particularly curious to see how my favorite scene—the rape fantasy episode—would be treated. I laughed out loud when I got to see it played out on the big screen, which was a high point in the movie for me.

All in all, I definitely think it’s worth going to the movies to see. Throw your hard-earned dollars at Choke, if you’re lucky enough to be within range of its limited release.

Tagged with: Books • Chuck Palahniuk • Film • Movies • Reviews • Sam Rockwell

A Good Break-Up

On June 3, 2006, In Celebrity, Movies, Relationships, By LisaT

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m WAY over the underfed and overly tanned Jennifer Aniston and the last thing I thought I’d enjoy was a filmic version of her spilling her guts about a break-up.

You know, cause we haven’t heard enough about her personal break-up this year.

Quite honestly, the only reason I agreed to go see it in the movie theater in the first place was because it was a diplomatic choice made by my boyfriend on an outing with his family.

Also, it’s a bit depressing to see how puffy Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau have become. They both look like they could use some antihistamines, or at least a cold compress to combat the swelling.

Despite all of that, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed The Break-Up. It was both realistic and funny. Before watching the film, I encountered reviews, proclaiming the realism to be uncomfortable for a romantic comedy.

Personally, I believe it forced the humor to come from a more organic place than most romantic comedies, which seem to rely more on wacky premises and suspension of disbelief for laughs.

To both of their credits, Jennifer and Vince were well-matched in their comedic talents, and were simultaneously able to portray a realistic vulnerability not often found in most movies of this genre. Vaughn was particularly entertaining just being himself, and it was refreshing that he was able to do so in conjunction with a smart script—and not some cheesy, testosterone-laden guy comedy.

And, that’s my two cents on that.

Tagged with: Film • Jennifer Aniston • Movies • Relationships • Reviews • The Breakup • Vince Vaughn