Bond…Is…Back
There are great generational discussions going on this week; who is the definitive James Bond. Daniel Craig delivers a strong argument in his favor with the latest film in the Bond Franchise, "Skyfall". This is, in great part, due to the fine directing of Sam Mendes,...
“Flight”+Denzel=Oscar Nomination
Robert Zemeckis has left "The Polar Express" and other animated projects behind and returned to live action drama with "Flight". Denzel Washington has proven once again that he is one of the top film actors in the business with a masterful portrayal of a deeply...
Lennon Family Concert 2012
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zatk09e-tYw My wife Judy and I and my cousin, singer Mare Lennon attended the 2nd Annual Lennon Family Concert at California's Santa Monica Bay Women's Club on Friday night 7/27. It was a charity concert for a number of Foundations...
Beasts of the Southern Wild: Must See Film of the Year
It's been a pretty good year so far for movie lovers of all ages: with Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom" leading the pack for overall enjoyment and "Katie Perry: Part of Me", "Queen of Versailles", and "Pink Ribbons, Inc" for documentary lovers,"Best Exotic Marigold...
Guy Noir Meets Newt and Mitt
Here's a fun"Guy Noir" episode from the Atlanta "Prairie Home Companion" show. My first extended attempt at Newt and Mitt starts at about 5:40. http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/programs/2012/05/12/videos/02.shtml
Tim Russell on the new “Guy Noir and the Straight Skinny” Audiobook
Join me as I give voice to geezer gangster Joey Roast Beef who is demanding to hear what lucrative scheme Guy Noir is cooking up. Everyone wants to know—Joey, and my other characters,Lieutenant McCafferty, reporter Gene Williker, the despicable Larry B. Larry,Father...
Hunger Games: Meager Nurishment
I'll say right away that I have not read Suzanne Collins "Hunger Games" trilogy, so I came to the "Hunger Games" movie with no preconceived notions. The first thing I did to prepare for the viewing was to look up the word dystopia, an imagined place or state in which...
Tim Russell’s “Fallen Branches” Diary
“FALLEN BRANCHES” DIARY On December 23, 2011 my agent received this inquiry from Matt Kane, Cinematographer- Producer, for “Fallen Branches”, a film to be shot in Minnesota in February 2012: "Fallen Branches" tells the stories of a widely dispersed Minnesota family...
Tim Russell’s Oscar Picks on KARE 11’s 4PM News
Here are my 2012 Oscar Predictions as seen on the Twin Cities NBC affiliate's KARE 11 4PM News.
Tim Russell’s 2012 Oscar Predictions
Well, the Oscars are being awarded this Sunday. The top actress spot should be a battle between Meryl Streep, Viola Davis and Michelle Williams, all winners this award season. The nominees are: Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs" Viola Davis, "The Help" Rooney Mara, "The Girl...
Best Foreign Film: “A Separation”
The Best Foreign Film Oscar will go to the Iranian film "A Separation" this year, that's my prediction and I'm sticking to it (unless it doesn't, in which case this post will self-destruct in 5 seconds). This gripping domestic drama grabs you from the beginning as a...
“The Artist”: Talkies? Who needs em?
I've never given the Silent Picture a good look but "The Artist" by Michel Hazanavicius has definitely opened my eyes. this silent picture within a silent picture is a Hollywood melodrama combining "Sunset Boulevard" Beverly Hills style with "A Star is Born"...
“Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol”: Action to the (I)Max
Tom Cruise may not be our finest actor, but he sure knows how to put on a show. "Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol" is the latest in the IMF saga based on the iconic TV show "Mission Impossible", and it is the best one so far. As is usually the case with these big...
“Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”: Anything But Elementary
Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. Watson take their bromance to a new level in Guy Ritchie's new 2nd installment of his Holmes catalog, the action adventure "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows". Those who revel in the "elementary" deductions...
My Top Five Holiday Films
1. "A Christmas Story". I saw a preview of this before it opened in 1983, not having a clue about what I was going to see, I was floored by the flood of memories it invoked, being of a certain age. Director Bob Clark was masterful in capturing the early...
“The Muppets”: Hail, Hail, The Gang’s All Here!
Jason Segel is obviously a huge fan of the Jim Henson creations and lovingly has co-written (with Nicholas Stoller) a wonderfully goofy Muppet reunion in "The Muppets", a Disney Comedy/Musical, directed by James Bobin, the troupe's first film foray since 1996. Welcome...
“My Week With Marilyn”: And the Oscar Goes To…
Michelle Williams has had two Oscar Nominations ("Blue Valentine" and "Brokeback Mountain") but the third time could definitely be the charm. I'm predicting a nod and a win for Michelle's portrayal of film icon Marilyn Monroe in "My Week With Marilyn", directed by...
“God” And His Celebrity Friends Welcome Tom Keith to The Pearly Gates
This is a video of my salute to our dear departed friend and Sound Effects Man Extraordinaire, Tom Keith. It was part of a Tribute to Tom, Saturday November 12, 2011, by his friends and fellow performers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ct59inqlFg
The Descendants: Paridise Has It’s Price
Director Alexander Payne has been anything but prolific but his output has been memorable: "Sideways", "Election", "About Schmidt", just to name a few well received films. You can add another winner with "The Descendents". George Clooney brings another Oscar Nominee...
Hurrah for Tom Keith: A Remembrance By His Friends
Friends and colleagues of Tom Keith put on a show in his honor Saturday, November 12 at the Fitzgerald Theater. No speeches, no laments. Songs, magic, dancers, jokes, juggling, loon calling, the Mighty Wurlitzer, and a pie in your face. I was delighted to add my part,...
“Tower Heist”: A Case of Stolen Affection
"Tower Heist" is first and foremost a very entertaining ensemble movie, with a cast of characters that we care about and a heist plot that we shouldn't. In other words, go for the fun but don't ask too many questions. Ben Stiller is Josh Kovacs, manager of an...
“Martha Marcy May Marlene”: A Star is Born
"Martha Marcy May Marlene" is a psychological thriller about a young girl (Elizabeth Banks- younger sister of the Olsen Twins) who is traumatized by a commune experience with a charismatic cult leader ( John Hawkes from "Winter's Bone") and seeks the shelter of her...
John Lithgow on “The Prairie Home Companion Stage”: Great Fun
John Lithgow was the special guest on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" last night and it was a special treat to work with such a talented performer. John was in town for a "Conversation with Garrison Keillor" Friday night at The Fitzgerald Theater, to...
“Margin Call”: A Mamet Derivative
"Margin Call" takes us back to the financial shenanigans of 2008 and will provide more incentive for the 99 per-centers currently occupying Wall Street. Don't ask me to fully understand the packaging of worthless toxic investments ( hey, I was an English Major) but I...
“The Mighty Macs”: Worst to First, A Winning Formula
We've seen the scenario a hundred times but there's no denying that emotional swell when the underdog gets the upper hand. Those of us old enough to remember the beginning of the struggle for equality of the sexes will appreciate the story of the basketball team from...
“Take Shelter”: It’s a Twister!
Micheal Shannon is an amazing actor. If you need bubbling psychosis, he's your go to guy. I've been mesmerized by his performance each week as the troubled FBI guy on HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" and he dazzles here as the potentially schizophrenic construction worker...
“The Big Year”: For The Birds…In a Good Way!
I'm the one in our household who fills the bird feeders most of the time and it's a labor of love. Flickers, Mourning Doves, Cardinals, Bluejays, they all flock and put on a great show, so I'm a sucker for a good birding movie. I must say I wasn't expecting much from...
“The Way”: It’s a Family Affair
Emilio Estevez has a son, Taylor, who lives in Spain and (according to the tale told on "Regis and Kelly") this long distance father son relationship was the inspiration for Estevez, the writer/ director/ actor, bringing us this story of the secular, grumpy, widower...
“Footloose”:
I freely admit that I am not obsessive about my film going. I like to see films on the big screen and I'm not interested in seeing them over and over again on DVD so when I saw the new "Footloose", the Craig Brewer remake of the iconic Kevin Bacon vehicle, I was not...
“The Ides Of March”: Beware, this is scary good.
It's the political season and "The Ides of March" shows us the underbelly of the political campaign. George Clooney does it all here, as writer, director,and star of this adaptation of Beau Willimon’s political play Farragut North. It's about a talented campaign...