"Russian Dolls"

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Watch out "Jersey Shore." There's some new competition in town called "Russian Dolls," that's already generating wide public interest in the entertainment industry.

With unprecedented access to one of the most intriguing and mysterious communities in the United States, Lifetime has announced an August 11 launch date for "Russian Dolls," (formerly Brighton Beach"), it's all new reality series following the fast-paced coming and goings of eight larger-than-life men and women who live fully, love passionately and work hard as only they can in Brooklyn's historic Russian-American neighborhood.

"Russian Dolls" will premiere on Thursday August 11 at 10:30 p.m. Over the course of 12 half-hour episodes, "Russian Dolls" will provide a rare and enticing look at Brighton Beach's colorful multi-generational families whose dramas and dreams contend with their Russian heritage while living in this famous, alluring, vibrant and highly protective community.

Created by Banks Tarven and Ken Druckerman ("Mob Wives", "Kimora Lee: Life in the Fab Lane"), "Russian Dolls" is a new take on the whole dysfunctional lives of those who are looking to party and have fun.

"The Conversation" (1974)

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Gene Hackman turns in one of his best performances in this haunting low-budget drama. Francis Ford Coppola made it after "The Godfather," which propelled him to super-director status. He also wrote the screenplay.

Something of a homage to Micheleangelo Antonioni, Coppola uses the continuing themes of privacy and its invasion to create an intriguing psychological thriller. The fine supporting cast includes Terry Garr and Robert Duvall in a cameo and a young Harrison Ford who does a lot with a small role.

The whole underworld of private investigating is pretty fascinating as well. In light of the recent tabloid hacking scandal, this is a timely picture as well.

"The Lost Weekend" (1945)

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

A grim but compelling study of alcoholism, "The Lost Weekend" shocked on its release and still packs a knowing and disturbing punch. Stunning in its intensity and unrelenting focus, "The Lost Weekend" is far from an enjoyable experience even if you're not drinking. In the capable hands of Billy Wilder, both the vicious spiral that ensnares Don (Ray Milland), and the reason for his addiction are clearly portrayed.

In candid detail, Wilder shows how Don sees himself, how others see him and what he's really like; it's not a pretty sight. There's no degradation that Don will not endure in order to imbibe, fearing the horrors that come with sobriety. They key to this slow build-up, which reaps an unbearable reward, is Wilder's quiet inclusion of the markers of consumption.

Wet glass rings multiply on a bar surface, unsold bottles frame Don's face like prison bars, the distorted shadow of a forgotten resource brings light to his eyes. All around lie the traces of his obsession, artfully ignored in public and endlessly gossiped over in private; in sum the signs of a roller coaster ride which only one man can halt. The catch is that unless Don wants to be helped, no one can force it upon him.

Present in almost every scene, Milland is the motor that drives "The Lost Weekend." It's up to him to be convincing and with every fibre of his body, he achieves this with frightening effectiveness. By looking deep into his eyes, a private hell of lost faith, selfishness and utter craving can be glimpsed.

When sober, Don is an ashamed mess of self-hate and total honesty. Milland's performance here is so powerful and unsettling it sends shivers along your spine. Trying to save him with devotion, both Wyman and Terry are fine, each certain that there is a decent core within.

The whole idea of booze conferring feelings of superiority, clarity and creativity, is familiar to many, as is the transience of such emotions. "The Lost Weekend" is a timeless study of the chains of addiction, excellent in all departments and horrifying at every turn.

"Sarah's Key"

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

"Sarah's Key" is a French drama starring Kristin Scott Thomas and follows her journalist's present day investigation into the Vel d'Hiv Roundup, and a story of a young girl's experiences during the Nazi occupation of France. It is an adaptation of the novel "Elle s'appelait Sarah" and has been critically well-received, currently holding an 88% fresh rating on the film review site Rotten Tomatoes.

The movie gathers momentum with a steady, assured pace, accumulating incidents, secrets and lies until the rush of events is absolutely transfixing. It's a kind of detective story delving into the darkest pages of 20th century French history. The film should enjoy considerable success throughout Europe. The film's smash Toronto debut in September certainly justifies the Weinstein Company's acquisition of the film at the festival.

Perhaps the movie closest to this is "Sophie's Choice," where the ghosts of the Holocaust haunt survivors long after the war. This is a poignant tale of two females confronted by the madness of history and should garner some early Oscar buzz.

Europe Bids Farewell to Last von Habsburg Heir

By: Vickie J.Rubinson

European royals are gathering in Vienna for the funeral of Otto von Habsburg, the son of Austria's last emperor, and his wife. Among the guests expected are Sweden's king and queen, the ruling grand duke and grand duchess of Luxembourg, Liechtenstein's ruling duke and duchess and the former kings of Romania and Bulgaria. Royalty from Britain, Belgium and Spain should also be there.

Adding color to today's pomp-filled ceremony will be hundreds of men and women dressed in traditional uniforms that date back to Austro-Hungarian empire. Habsburg died July 4 at age 98 in southern Germany. His wife, Regina, died last year. The dynasty ruled for more than seven centuries until the end of World War I.

"The Debt"

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

In this gritty spy thriller, Helen Mirren plays a retired Mossad agent named Rachel. Once upon a time, Rachel was part of a celebrated trio of secret agents who tracked down a Nazi war criminal in East Berlin in 1966--an incident so applauded in history, that now, three decades later, her own daughter has just published a book about the exploits.

But one of Rachel's former partners in espionage, David (Ciran Hinds), seems less than reverent about his memory of the time and he proves his feelings with a decision that sends Rachel and her former partner Stefan on a forced revisit through time. For 30 years, Rachel has been living one truth, but now, as the past collides with the present, a new and deadly story beings to emerge.

August 31, 2011

"Gilligan, Brady Bunch" Creator Sherwood Schwartz Dead

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Don't even pretend you don't know the words: Sherwood Schwartz, the man who created "Gilligan's Island" and the "Brady Bunch"--and wrote both theme songs--is dead at 94, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Schwartz already had a successful career as a TV comedy writer when he created "Gilligan's Island" which ran from 1964 to 1967. (It was "my version of a social microcosm, where seven people from various backrounds had to learn to live together," he once said.) A few years later came his show about a "lovely lady" and a "man named Brady."

Arnold Schwarzenegger to Star in Western

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Can a post-scandal Arnold Schwarzenegger still fill a multiplex? Lionsgate is about to find out. According to Nikki Finke's "Deadline Hollywood," the studio has signed the former Governator to star in "Last Stand," a western that's long languished in development. The damaged Schwarzenegger will reportedly make a whole lot less than he was offered for "Cry Macho," which has been pushed back to at least Feb 2010 thanks to the scandal.

"Last Stand" should begin shooting in September, with director Kim-ji-Woon at the helm. It'll be Kim's first English-language film. "It's a property which a zillion directors fell in love with: the good, the bad, the weird," one Lionsgate exec said. "It's an old-fashioned Western specifically designed for a 63-year-old broken-down guy."

Asked whether Arnold can still helm a movie, another exec replied, "I can tell you from The Expendables it was electrifying when Arnold came on. He is still a big piece of news.

"The Help"

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenom, "The Help" stars Emma Stone ("Easy A") as Skeeter, Academy Award nominated Viola Davis ("Doubt") as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny--three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960's, who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk.

From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed--even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times.

Deeply moving, filled with poignancy, humor and hope, "The Help" is a timeless and universal story about the ability to create change.