Laura Linney

Blu-ray Review: ‘Hyde Park on Hudson’ Wastes Audacious Turn by Bill Murray

mattmovieman — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:38:01 -0400

CHICAGO – I’m always astonished when a filmmaker takes a fascinating figure immortalized in history and decides to explore one of the least interesting aspects of their life. “The Iron Lady” was so fixated on celebrating Margaret Thatcher’s gender that it ignored both her achievements and her controversies. “My Week with Marilyn” made the maddening decision to view its titular Hollywood icon through the perspective of a starry-eyed bore.

And now here’s “Hyde Park on Hudson,” a ghastly piece of would-be Oscar bait sure to offend every history buff eager to see a solid biopic (or, at the very least, character portrait) of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This is a president whose policies are still a vital part of the national discourse today, and whose steadfast determination to pull America out of a hellacious Depression led to its transformation. Ed Asner has been touring the country in a one-man show about the last days of FDR’s life, and it’s just wonderful (I saw it a couple years ago in the Chicago suburbs). This film doesn’t have a sliver of that bare-bones production’s insight.

Blu-ray Rating: 1.5/5.0

Whereas a great picture like Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” took a small vignette from its immortal leader’s life, and used it to illustrate so much about the man’s methodical genius, his intriguing contradictions and his complex personality, Roger Michell’s “Hyde Park on Hudson” reduces a great man to a twinkly, perverse caricature. This is a profound disappointment, considering how devoted its star, Bill Murray, was to fully submerging himself in the role. This film marks the first time in years Murray has ventured far outside the boundaries of his typical misanthropic persona, and he’s initially captivating to watch. But it soon becomes clear that the script by playwright Richard Nelson has little interest in understanding what made the towering president tic. It’s more preoccupied with the rumored fling Roosevelt allegedly had with his distant cousin, Daisy (an uncommonly drab Laura Linney). They share a squirm-inducing scene in a parked car about 15 minutes into the picture that suddenly paints FDR as pathetic lecher. It’s such a jarringly distasteful (not to mention ahistorical) sequence that the film never recovers from it, especially as it strains to deliver broad farce when King George VI (Samuel West) and Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman) pay a visit to FDR’s country home. Colman is one of the most underrated actresses in the business—she proved her comedic chops on the uproarious UK series, “Peep Show,” and was unforgettably wrenching in Paddy Considine’s “Tyrannosaur”—and her delightfully befuddled chemistry with West is the sole highlight of “Hudson.”

Hyde Park on Hudson was released on Blu-ray and DVD on April 9th, 2013.
Photo credit: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Yet as good as West and Colman are in the roles, they are pale reflections of the royal couple portrayed in Tom Hooper’s infinitely superior drama, “The King’s Speech.” Whereas that film built a convincing case that George’s severe speech impediment was greatly diminished by his sessions with a therapist, “Hudson” points to FDR as George’s potential savior. That’s frankly impossible to believe, considering that all FDR does is tell George to loosen up and eat a hot dog. The script’s lackluster portrayal of FDR’s diplomatic maneuvers is laughably shallow, while its portrayal of his domestic life consists of irritating stereotypes (his extraordinary wife, Eleanor, is particularly ill-served by her worthless scenes). Roger Michell has directed some good films over the years, including “Notting Hill,” “Venus,” and especially “Changing Lanes,” featuring Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson in what may be their best performances. “Hudson” is an embarrassment no one deserves to sit through.

“Hyde Park on Hudson” is presented in 1080p High Definition (with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio), accompanied by English, French and Spanish subtitles, and is available in a Blu-ray/DVD/digital copy/UltraViolet combo pack. Extras include two deleted scenes, two featurettes and a commentary track where Michell and producer Kevin Loader discuss the formidable task of attempting to contact Murray, which could be the subject of a film in itself. They ended up getting the script to him through veteran props master Kris Moran (“The Royal Tenenbaums”), and Murray accepted the role via text. Memo to all filmmakers wishing to cast Bill Murray: hire Kris Moran.

‘Hyde Park on Hudson’ is released by Universal Studios Home Entertainment and stars Bill Murray, Laura Linney, Samuel West, Olivia Colman, Elizabeth Marvel and Olivia Williams. It was written by Richard Nelson and directed by Roger Michell. It was released on April 9th, 2013. It is rated R.

By MATT FAGERHOLM
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
matt@hollywoodchicago.com

Film Review: Awkward History Mars ‘Hyde Park on the Hudson’

PatrickMcD — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:56:20 -0500

CHICAGO – Franklin Delano Roosevelt – father of the New Deal, leader through the Depression, war president – and according to the new film “Hyde Park on the Hudson,” he’s horny, baby. Bill Murray portrays FDR, with support from Laura Linney, Samuel West and Olivia Williams.

Rating: 3.0/5.0

This angle on history – that FDR had multiple mistresses and collected them like stamps – is probably the least interesting and most salacious aspect of the man. That part of him simply isn’t compelling, so the film meanders through the soap opera-type liaisons with a low energy, as if the production itself knows that they’re peddling some sleaze. There are some terrific performances in the film, including Samuel West as England’s King George VI (portraying Bertie from last year’s “The King’s Speech”) and Olivia Colman as his wife Elizabeth, but the usually memorable Laura Linney is reduced to tentative wallpaper as Daisy, the main paramour of the president. If this is the element of history we’ve all been hoping for, then this film gives us what we deserve for our naughty thoughts.

The year is 1939, and the United States is still feeling the effects of the Depression, and are being led for a third term by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Bill Murray). The president is angling to get more involved in the second World War, and sets up a meeting with England’s King George VI (Samuel West), to lend U.S. support for the battle weary Brits. The summit will take place in Hyde Park on the Hudson River, Roosevelt’s upstate New York summer home.

In preparation for this event, Roosevelt calls upon a distant cousin named Daisy (Laura Linney) to spend time with him driving about the countryside. In a secluded spot away from the house, FDR seduces Daisy, and the successful result is a new affair. This seems to be a open secret around the estate, including knowledge by FDR’s wife Eleanor (Olivia Williams) and his secretary Missy (Elizabeth Marvel). When the King and his wife Elizabeth (Olivia Colman) arrives, the goings-on within the household may affect the delicate war time negotiations.

“Hyde Park on the Hudson” continues its limited release in Chicago on December 14th. See local listings for theaters and show times. Featuring Bill Murray, Laura Linney, Olivia Colman, Samuel West, Olivia Williams, Elizabeth Marvel and Eleanor Bron. Written by Richard Nelson. Directed by Roger Michell. Rated “R”

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Hyde Park on the Hudson”

Don’t Get Up: FDR (Bill Murray), Elizabeth (Olivia Colman) and George VI (Samuel West) in ‘Hyde Park on the Hudson’
Photo credit: Focus Features

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Hyde Park on the Hudson”

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 40 Pairs of Passes to ‘Hyde Park on Hudson’ With Bill Murray as FDR

HollywoodChicago.com — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 20:01:08 -0500

CHICAGO – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 40 pairs of movie passes up for grabs to the advance screening of “Hyde Park on Hudson” with Bill Murray as Franklin D. Roosevelt!

“Hyde Park on Hudson,” which opens on Dec. 14, 2012 in Chicago and is rated “R,” also stars Laura Linney, Olivia Williams, Samuel West, Olivia Colman, Elizabeth Marvel, Elizabeth Wilson, Martin McDougall, Andrew Havill and Eleanor Bron from writer Richard Nelson and director Roger Michell.

To win your free “Hyde Park on Hudson” passes courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our unique Hookup technology below. That’s it! This screening is on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning! Note: You must be 17+ to win free tickets to this “R”-rated movie.

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If viewing this on your phone, click “Go to Full Site” at the bottom of the page to enter.
Deadline: Entries can continue being submitted through Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012
at 5 p.m. CST. These Hookup winners will be awarded via e-mail that night.
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Here is the synopsis for “Hyde Park on Hudson”:

Academy Award nominees Bill Murray and Laura Linney star in a historical tale that uniquely explores the all-too-human side of one of history’s iconic leaders. Blending literate wit and drama, “Hyde Park on Hudson” is directed by Roger Michell from a screenplay by Richard Nelson.

In June 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (played by Bill Murray) readies to host the king and queen of England (Samuel West and Olivia Colman) for a weekend at the Roosevelt home at Hyde Park on Hudson in upstate New York. This marked the first-ever visit of a reigning British monarch to America.

As Britain faces imminent war with Germany, the royals are desperately looking to FDR for U.S. support. But international affairs must be juggled with the complexities of FDR’s domestic establishment as his wife Eleanor (Olivia Williams), mother Sara (Elizabeth Wilson) and secretary Missy (Elizabeth Marvel) will all play a part in making the royal weekend an unforgettable one.

Seen through the eyes of Daisy (Laura Linney) (Franklin’s neighbor), the weekend will produce not only a special relationship between two great nations, but, for Daisy – and through her, for us all – a deeper understanding of the mysteries of love and friendship.

The movie poster for “Hyde Park on Hudson” starring Bill Murray as Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Image credit: Focus Features

The movie trailer for “Hyde Park on Hudson” can be watched now below.

This HollywoodChicago.com Hookup is simple! Just get interactive in our unique Hookup technology above. We will award 40 admit-two movie tickets based on social entry numbers and/or randomly via e-mail for our “Hyde Park on Hudson” Hookup. Good luck!

Disclaimer
Winners need to arrive early as seats are consumed on a first-come, first-served basis. Since showings are overbooked to ensure a full house, winners are not guaranteed entrance and must arrive early. We recommend arriving 45 minutes before the showing’s scheduled start time. HollywoodChicago.com LLC is a promotional partner with the studio and its partners and doesn’t assume any liability for this giveaway. Note: Comments are closed in this Hookup.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Publisher
HollywoodChicago.com
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DVD Review: Laura Linney Carries ‘The Big C: The Complete Second Season’

BrianTT — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:47:31 -0400

CHICAGO – Showtime’s “The Big C” is a sporadically brilliant show that somehow still has not clicked into place as the truly great comedy it could have been. Despite my issues with the often-pretentious, self-aware writing, there’s one thing that no one can complain about regarding this Emmy-nominated show — the cast rules. Laura Linney gives easily one of the most engaging performances on TV and she’s ably assisted by a truly strong ensemble.

DVD Rating: 3.0/5.0

Laura Linney follows Edie Falco (“Nurse Jackie”) and Mary-Louise Parker (“Weeds”) into the Showtime model of building half-hour shows around strong female leads. She shines as a woman who didn’t really start living until she thought she was dying. If the first season was about her coming to terms on her own, the second is about doing it with other people. I really like what Linney and co-stars Oliver Platt and Gabourey Sidibe bring to this show but there are too many times when I feel like the program thinks it’s smarter than it is. The writers are too self-conscious to allow for “too much” honesty and so the show often feels at arms length. Watch it for Linney and the show could still develop into something great (and it’s certainly not awful) but I’m hoping that “The Big C” still takes some honest chances and lives up to its potential.

It doesn’t help that the show has been given a pretty lackluster home release with no Blu-ray edition, no commentaries, and no featurettes.

The Big C: The Complete Second Season was released on DVD on May 8, 2012
Photo credit: Sony

Synopsis:
Laura Linney returns in her Golden Globe-winning role as Cathy Jamison in The Big C. Following the medical diagnosis that rocked her safe world, Cathy finally shares the news with her family and decides to pursue experimental treatment. She quickly bonds with her fellow patient, Lee (Hugh Dancy) - and his wine collection - but isn’t so sure about her new doctor (Alan Alda). Co-starring Oliver Platt, Gabourey Sidibe, Cynthia Nixon and Parker Posey, this inspirational and bravely funny second season celebrates a life worth fighting for.

Special Features:
o Deleted Scenes
o Outtakes

“The Big C: The Complete Second Season” stars Laura Linney, Oliver Platt, Gabourey Sidibe, Hugh Dancy, Cynthia Nixon, Parker Posey, and Alan Alda. It was released on DVD on May 8, 2012.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

TV Review: Amazing Actresses Anchor Showtime Season Premieres of ‘Nurse Jackie,’ ‘The Big C’

BrianTT — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 10:08:46 -0400

CHICAGO – Emmy-winning “Nurse Jackie” starts its fourth season and the highly-acclaimed “The Big C” joins it for its third on Sunday nights starting tonight, April 8, 2012. While both shows have been frustrating at times over their runs, it’s impossible to argue with the talent that Edie Falco and Laura Linney bring to these shows, respectively. I have a clear favorite but it’s nice to have both ladies back on the most crowded night on TV.

On that note — it’s hard to believe that Falco, Linney, and Jeremy Irons are on one network on one night and that network is NOT the clear critical favorite for the evening. While “The Big C,” “Nurse Jackie,” and “The Borgias” will have their fans, it’s not a lineup that compares to AMC’s “Mad Men” and “The Killing” OR HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” “Girls,” and “Veep” (the latter two are premiering on the 15th and 22nd of this month respectively…come back for reviews).

While I respect the craftsmanship on display in “The Borgias,” the second season begins in too slow a manner for me to forget why I barely cared about season one. I love Irons and Colm Feore, but I’m not recommending the show enough to even review it. It makes me too drowsy.

“The Big C” and “Nurse Jackie” are different stories. The first is a show that showed immense promise at its start but has lost me somewhere along the way and the second features what is EASILY one of the best performances on TV right now and there’s a chance that season four could be its best.

Nurse Jackie
Photo credit: Showtime

“Nurse Jackie”

TV Rating: 4.0/5.0

The strongest program on Showtime this evening is the one that has been their best comedy for years now (sorry “Weeds” fans…that show jumped the shark when they left Agrestic) and “Nurse Jackie” returns even wittier, more heartfelt, and smarter than when it left. It helps to add an actor as remarkably talented as Bobby Cannavale (“Win Win”) to the cast. He’s a fantastic performer who has not really ever been given the credit he deserves nor the major parts he should be considered for. He’s good here, but I’d love to seem him anchor a Showtime show once his “Special Guest Star” run is over.

Nurse Jackie
Photo credit: Showtime

Cannavale plays Mike Cruz, a medical director from Quantum Bay, the company that is taking over All Saints Hospital and trying to turn it into a more profitable venture. In other words, Cruz and Nurse Jackie (Falco) are going to butt heads, although certainly not at the beginning as the fourth season opens with Jackie in rehab. It flashes back a week to detail how she got there — a definite rock bottom moment that I won’t spoil — and that’s where the season begins: With Jackie away from the rest of the stellar ensemble, for the most part. It’s a risky move that I think pays off as it introduces some new characters and allows the amazing Falco some time out of her scrubs.

What I find most remarkable about the first two episodes of the fourth season of “Nurse Jackie” is the ease with which major events occur. There’s something that happens that we’ve been waiting years to go down and it’s done in a way that’s almost casual and even humorously handled, where other showrunners would have turned it into a moment of extreme melodrama. The world of “Nurse Jackie” is one in which life-changing events happen without warning — a routine trip to the hospital goes horrible awry, for example — and I like the way the writers have used that backdrop to influence their tone. You don’t know what day you’ll end up in the ER and you don’t know what day will be the rock bottom that leads you to rehab.

I do think that “Nurse Jackie” is sometimes still a bit overwritten — characters are too clever and too often have the perfect cynical barb at the ready. I like it most when Falco is allowed to find the realism in her incredibly complex character — a nurse, a mother, a lover, a friend, a wife, and, as much as she can’t admit it, a junkie. It’s going to be an interesting season.

The Big C
Photo credit: Showtime

“The Big C”

TV Rating: 3.0/5.0

The “overwritten problem” is a much-more-prominent one in the world of “The Big C,” a show I SO DESPERATELY want to like because of my love for the great Laura Linney (who should have won an Oscar twice by now — “You Can Count on Me” and “Kinsey”…and maybe even “The Savages”) but the deeply over-written nature of the show has always been a problem and it feels like it’s getting worse. “The Big C” is one of those shows that feels like it’s constantly telling you how smart and insightful it is instead of actually feeling smart and insightful. And the “lesson” this year about living life to the fullest could be even more underlined than ever. I love Linney on it (and Oliver Platt is always interesting) but the program has always been just barely a success for me and I think that meter has now dipped below the recommendation line to a near-miss.

At the start of the third season, Cathi (Linney) discovers that her cancer is in serious remission and starts living life in a way that she never has before — stopping off at the bar enough to make friends with the regulars, and smoking while she drinks there. She survived cancer and her husband survived a heart attack (and now has a device that can shock his heart if it gets out of rhythm in a season premiere arc that is the perfect example of how this show feels more written than true) — why shouldn’t she be able to do whatever the Hell she wants? Linney is talented enough to find the truth in this character and I may stay tuned to see those wonderful moments when she does but it’s getting harder and harder to forgive the flaws of this program with each season premiere. Especially with all the competition on Sunday nights.

“Nurse Jackie” and “The Big C” return to Showtime on Sunday, April 8, 2012 before the second-season premiere of “The Borgias.” “Nurse Jackie” stars Edie Falco, Eve Best, Merritt Wever, Paul Schulze, Dominic Fumusa, Arun Gupta, Anna Deavere Smith, and Bobby Cannavale. “The Big C” stars Laura Linney, Oliver Platt, Gabourey Sidibe, Gabriel Basso, and John Hickey.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Film Review: Aardman Studios Offers a Merry ‘Arthur Christmas’

PatrickMcD — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:55:55 -0500

CHICAGO – Aardman Studios, the creators of the irrepressible “Wallace & Gromit” and the witty “Flushed Away” is back with another animated holiday treat, “Arthur Christmas.” Santa Claus and the gang are taken into the modern era, but the cheeky lads/lasses at Aardman can’t help but throw in a bit of whimsy and heart.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

This is a British film, with a British point-of-view. Santa Claus is also Father Christmas, and he is given a back story and a family that adds to the legend. There is a British tactile efficiency to the North Pole set-up, which begins with a child’s letter to Santa, asking the questions like, “how do you deliver all those toys in just one night?” Despite the stiff upper lip, the Aardman Studios know where the heart is, and delivers glorious holiday spirit in a winningly fun story.

“Arthur Christmas” (voice of James McAvoy) is actually Santa’s son. His hapless manner gets him bounced around Santa Claus, Inc., until he is reduced to answering the children’s letters to the big guy (Jim Broadbent). The brains behind the toy delivery operation is Arthur’s older brother Steve (Hugh Laurie), and what an operation it is. The elves are utilized almost as mercenary soldiers, shimmying down ropes from a giant starship, “S-1.” The real and aging Santa (there is a lineage) is merely a figurehead on the journey. It is assumed that Steve will take the reins for the next Yule.

Complications arise in the wee hours of Christmas Day, when only one of the billions of toys delivered doesn’t make it to its little girl recipient. This seems okay to the statistically oriented Steve, but not to the sentimentally imbued Arthur. He enlists the Grandsanta (Bill Nighy, the Santa before the current one) and kicks it old school with a sleigh, flying reindeer and Bryony (Ashley Jensen), an elf expert in wrapping presents. This of course puts a wrench into the efficiencies, and the Santa operation must find a way to adapt.

”Arthur Christmas” opens everywhere on November 23rd. Featuring the voices of James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, Laura Linney, Michael Palin, Joan Cusack, Ashley Jensen and Bill Nighy. Screenplay by Peter Baynham and Sarah Smith, directed by Sarah Smith. Rated “PG”

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Arthur Christmas”

In the Teeth of the Holiday: Arthur (voice of James McAvoy) and Grandsanta (Bill Nighy) in ‘Arthur Christmas’
Photo credit: Aardman Animations for Sony Pictures Animation

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Arthur Christmas”

TV Feature: ‘Mad Men,’ ‘Modern Family’ Top 2011 Emmy Predictions

BrianTT — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:10:38 -0400

CHICAGO – With the Emmy Awards very nearly upon us (Sunday, September 18th, 2011), it seems the right time to take one last look at the Academy’s 2011 nominees before they turn into winners and runner-ups. Who will win? Who should win? And who should have been invited to the party?

There are more than a few interesting races this year, most notably in the major drama categories. “Breaking Bad” didn’t have an eligible season this year, “Lost” is gone, and two new HBO shows hope to strike gold in their rookie seasons. It’s created some intriguing match-ups. Will the Emmys continue or even enhance their love for “Mad Men” or look elsewhere? Will anyone repeat from last year? Will anyone surprise? Here are our well-informed predictions for an awards show that almost always defies well-informed predictions more than a few times. Consider these our best guesses.

BEST DRAMA
“Boardwalk Empire”
“Dexter”
“Friday Night Lights”
“Game of Thrones”
“The Good Wife”
“Mad Men”

Will Win: “Mad Men”
Should Win: “Game of Thrones”
Should Have Been Nominated: “Justified”

Mad Men
Photo credit: AMC

One of the most interesting categories of the night likely boils down to a heated battle between AMC and HBO as the three-time winner “Mad Men” faces its stiffest competition to date in “Boardwalk Empire.” From 2000-03, “The West Wing” won four in a row and “Mad Men” hopes to match that streak this weekend. This has always been a voting body that has embraced patterns, often awarding the same shows and performers year after year. What breaks that pattern is not typically a great new show but a notable decline in quality for the recurring winner (and, even then, it’s usually a year later when the Emmy wins stop). It’s doubtful that there’s a single voter out there that would argue that “Mad Men” declined in season four, meaning that it should squeak out the win against the new competition. Now, if its quality goes down in season five and “Boardwalk” maintains or even improves, we could see the start of a new era next year. Of course, that is if “Breaking Bad” doesn’t finally win the award it deserves. (For the record, no program in Emmy history has won five years in a row.)

BEST COMEDY
“The Big Bang Theory”
“Glee”
“Modern Family”
“The Office”
“Parks and Recreation”
“30 Rock”

Will Win: “Modern Family”
Should Win: “Parks and Recreation”
Should Have Been Nominated: “Community”

Modern Family
Photo credit: ABC

Once again, we have to go with the familiar with last year’s victor in the heated “Modern Family vs. Glee” battle. And it doesn’t hurt that “Modern Family” delivered a second season arguably as strong as the first while “Glee” has taken a notable dip in quality. “30 Rock” and “The Big Bang Theory” simply didn’t have strong enough seasons to be considered (and both should feel bad they were nominated over superior comeies like “Community”). That would leave the NBC sitcoms “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” as the only possible competition for ABC’s biggest critical darling. The former had a rollercoaster season and feels like an unlikely choice while the lack of supporting nods for the latter hints at a lack of overall support. I know that the Emmys often throw curveballs but I would be stunned if “Modern Family” didn’t take this prize. It might be the biggest lock of the night (outside of Kate Winslet for “Mildred Pierce”).

BEST ACTOR, DRAMA
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
Timothy Olyphant, Justified

Will Win: Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Should Win: Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Should Have Been Nominated: Jeremy Irons, The Borgias

Jon Hamm in Mad Men
Photo credit: AMC

Do you think Michael C. Hall and Jon Hamm called each other with congratulations when they found out that Bryan Cranston wouldn’t have an eligible season for this year’s awards? It’s like when baseball teams find out that the Yankees won’t be in the Playoffs. It just gives them a bit more hope for the big win. Cranston won the Emmy for Best Actor the last three years and so his absence leaves us with a lack of history with which to predict a winner here. The overall support and the prediction of a win for “Mad Men” points strongly at a deserving win for Jon Hamm. Just like Drama, the strongest competition for a “Mad Men” win would be Buscemi’s work in “Boardwalk Empire,” but the reports are that Hamm submitted a stronger episode. It would be stunning to see any of the other four nominees win and I might even go a step further and say whoever wins here — Buscemi vs. Hamm — will tell us the winner for Best Drama later in the broadcast. Both categories couldn’t be closer.

BEST ACTRESS, DRAMA
Kathy Bates, Harry’s Law
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Mireille Enos, The Killing
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU
Juliana Margulies, The Good Wife
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men

Will Win: Juliana Margulies, The Good Wife
Should Win: Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Should Have Been Nominated: Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy

Juliana Margulies in The Good Wife
Photo credit: CBS

Once again, this category disappoints overall with several nominees who I can’t imagine winning (although, like most people, I never imagined that Kyra Sedgwick would win last year…and then, in great evidence of the Academy’s inconsistency, not even get nominated the next year) — Kathy Bates, Mariska Hargitay, even Elisabeth Moss, who I believe many voters will agree should have been in Supporting (if SHE wins, Hamm & Drama will do so as well in a pure series sweep). That leaves the great Connie Britton, who could be the most lovely surprise of the night, Mireille Enos, who will be hurt by the controversial season finale for her series, and the woman I expected to win last year and so will predict again — Juliana Margulies. There’s clearly a lot of love for “The Good Wife” and this talented actress carries the show. I thought she was a lock last year and those wacky Emmy voters proved me wrong, so I guess I can’t call her a lock this year. But she’s certainly close to one.

BEST ACTOR, COMEDY
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Louis C.K., Louie
Steve Carell, The Office
Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

Will/Should Win: Steve Carell, The Office
Should Have Been Nominated: Joel McHale, Community

Steve Carell in The Office
Photo credit: NBC

Steve Carell has never won for the well-liked-by-the-Academy show that has arguably been one of the biggest influences on TV comedy in the last decade. I’ll be truly shocked if they don’t take the last chance to give him a trophy, especially after the strength of his final episode. It’s certainly his to lose. Who could upset? Jim Parsons seems to be the strongest possibility here given his win last year, although I certainly feel that this past season wasn’t his best and can’t believe I’m alone. There are very few TV actors with the current buzz of Louis C.K. and while the vote is technically for season one, you can’t restrain voters from taking into consideration the stellar, just-concluded second season of “Louie.” The first installment of that FX hit was good but the second was amazing and if Louis C.K. pulls off the most glorious upset of the evening, it will be more for what just aired than for what did so over a year ago. One final note — if Johnny Galecki wins, we should all boycott the rest of the show and its sponsors. He’s not bad on “TBBT” but he’s number six here for sure and beat out several more-deserving candidates, most notably Mr. McHale of timeslot-competition “Community.” Yes, I’m bitter.

BEST ACTRESS, COMEDY
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Laura Linney, The Big C
Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly
Martha Plimpton, Raising Hope
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

Will Win: Laura Linney, The Big C
Should Win: Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Should Have Been Nominated: Toni Collette, United States of Tara

Laura Linney in The Big C
Photo credit: Showtime

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Academy has given this prize to a Showtime actress two years running now, awarding Toni Collette and Edie Falco, back-to-back. Falco could take it again — I really wouldn’t be surprised at all — but I suspect that the darker, more dramatic turn by Academy Award nominee Laura Linney will be too enticing to avoid. This is the kind of win that people who haven’t even seen the show vote for on their ballot. “Ooh, Laura Linney, I love her.” And I don’t mean that to suggest she doesn’t deserve it. She’s great. However, Amy Poehler and Martha Plimpton are better — and if either win, you’ll hear an audible scream of joy on the north side of Chicago. I’m sure Linney will give a great speech.

Click on to page two for the supporting predictions…

Blu-Ray Review: Well-Acted ‘Sympathy For Delicious’ Feels Too One-Note

mattmovieman — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 08:17:46 -0400

CHICAGO – An intriguing, highly unusual premise is brought to life by fine performances in “Sympathy for Delicious,” but the film’s aim to inspire is undercut by the shallowness of its one-note characters. Scene after scene veers between a genuinely absorbing morality play and a feature-length “Touched by an Angel” episode riddled with f-bombs.

I suspect that the picture was awarded a special jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival in part because of its offscreen story regarding the 20-year friendship between first-time director Mark Ruffalo and screenwriter/star Christopher Thornton. Their arduous journey toward bringing this indie production to the screen was clearly a labor of love, and the film is an impressive achievement on numerous levels. It just has the tremendous misfortune of centering on one of the most insufferable protagonists in recent memory.

Blu-Ray Rating: 2.5/5.0

Thornton is a fine actor and proves here that he’s more than capable of anchoring a feature film. It’s a shame that he gave himself a role as irritating as “Delicious” Dean O’Dwyer, a wheelchair-bound DJ who lives out of his car and pities himself with a nearly religious zeal. Yes, Dean has a great deal to complain about. But his penchant for playing the victim puts him at odds with everyone, including the audience. He’s so morose that even his god-given powers for healing the sick fail to cheer him up. Nope, that’s not a misprint. One day, Dean suddenly discovers that he has the ability to instantly cure everyone that he touches…with the exception of himself. This mind-boggling miracle is of great interest to Father Joe (Ruffalo), who finds that he can aid the homeless men and women of his poverty-stricken community by using Dean’s abilities to gain donations for his church. Since Ruffalo is one of the most naturally appealing actors in modern American cinema, he makes Joe more sympathetic than he may have seemed in the hands of another performer. The priest’s intentions truly seem to be pure, even though he is using Dean’s powers for the benefits of his flock. Yet Dean’s selfishness causes him to abandon humanitarianism in favor of an altogether different lifestyle. This is where “Sympathy” ventures into its most provocative and problematic material.

Christopher Thornton stars in Mark Ruffalo’s Sympathy for Delicious.
Photo credit: Maya Entertainment

When a rock band promises Dean stardom and a steady paycheck in exchange for his onstage healing abilities, the penniless record scratcher agrees. Though Dean claims that music is his true love, the film barely attempts to explore this passion. Thornton nails the volcanic rage of his character, but he fails to get the audience to believe that there’s a passionate bone to be found in Dean’s body. It comes as a relief when fellow rocker Ariel (brilliantly played by Juliette Lewis) cuts him down to size, and it must be said that Dean is momentarily aided by the presence of lead singer “The Stain” (Orlando Bloom), who manages to be even more obnoxiously self-centered than the “Delicious” DJ is. The film’s climax is an intense confrontation in which Dean unloads on Father Joe for prostituting his gift. On one level, this scene can be admired simply because it allows its two actors to fire on all cylinders. Yet the scene is enraging for the wrong reasons, since it was ultimately Dean’s selfishness that caused him to become such a loathsome prostitute. He’s such a sour character that the film’s last-minute stabs at redemption feel entirely artificial and unearned. Ruffalo and Thornton’s film is paved with good intentions, but it never once succeeds in garnering sympathy for “Delicious.”

Sympathy for Delicious was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on August 23, 2011.
Photo credit: Maya Entertainment

“Sympathy for Delicious” is presented in pristine 1080p High Definition (with a 1.77:1 aspect ratio), and includes English captions that are in all caps, which makes the characters sound as if they are constantly shouting at each other (though that wouldn’t be far from the truth). In a 10-minute behind-the-scenes featurette, Thornton reveals that the only biographical material in the film are his character’s confinement to a wheelchair and his desperate trip to a healing service. He and Ruffalo note that the film proved to be a tough sell because of its first-time director and unknown lead (Thornton is practically hidden on the disc’s cover art). The personal relationship behind the professional collaboration between Thornton and Ruffalo is what’s most diverting about these interviews, and there’s a brief shot of the two actors sharing the stage in a Stella Adler production of “Waiting for Godot.”

Bloom joins the writer and director for the audio commentary and does a fine job of guiding the conversation whenever Thornton and Ruffalo threaten to trail off. The filmmakers reminisce about their experience of shooting on location in Skid Row and discuss the difficulties of choreographing the film’s concert set-piece mixing rock music with faith healing. Thornton says that the overpowering adrenaline he felt at the healing services reminded him of a rock concert and ultimately inspired the second half of his script. Ruffalo admits that directing the film felt like “hell on earth,” primarily because the tight 22-day shooting schedule didn’t allow for a great many retakes (the film’s score was recorded over a weekend). A priest was on the set as a religious consultant for the film’s spiritual sections, and Ruffalo mentions that he wanted to capture the dilemma of “charity in capitalism” when everything threatens to be commoditized. One particularly memorable insight shared by Ruffalo is the fact that Lewis had initially turned her role down because she felt it hit too close to home, and she went on to improvise many of her best lines in the film. There are various intriguing deleted scenes hinted at in the commentary that Ruffalo promises to include on the home video release. Suppose we’ll have to wait for the director’s cut.

‘Sympathy for Delicious’ is released by Maya Entertainment and stars Christopher Thornton, Mark Ruffalo, Juliette Lewis, Orlando Bloom, Noah Emmerich and Laura Linney. It was written by Christopher Thornton and directed by Mark Ruffalo. It was released on August 23, 2011. It is rated R.

By MATT FAGERHOLM
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
matt@hollywoodchicago.com

TV Review: Edgy Comedies ‘The Big C,’ ‘Weeds’ Return to Showtime

BrianTT — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:15:04 -0400

CHICAGO – The revolving door of talented actresses has turned at Showtime. “Nurse Jackie” and “The United States of Tara” just ended their seasons and so Edie Falco and Toni Collette head out one side while Laura Linney and Mary-Louise Parker come in the other with the season premieres of “The Big C” and “Weeds,” respectively. While the second season of “The Big C” shows immense promise, the seventh-season premiere of “Weeds” hints at another disappointing season of this once-great show.

Television Rating: 4.0/5.0

“The Big C”

The first season of Darlene Hunt’s edgy comedy was a bit inconsistent with a revolving door of guest stars (including Idris Elba & Cynthia Nixon) and a tone that kept the characters at arm’s length. The show veered wildly from cynicism to melodrama and realism was lost somewhere in between. Despite that, the cast was always strong enough to keep it entertaining and one could tell that this was the kind of show that could really take off in a second season if it found its creative footing.

The Big C
Photo credit: Showtime

How does one even craft a second season for a show about a woman with stage 4 cancer? Such is the premise of the Golden Globe-winning series (and Linney is sure to repeat with at least an Emmy nomination this summer and a likely win), which centers on the life of Cathy Jamison, a woman who realizes her life is kind of a mess after learning that it will soon come to an end. Her lazy husband Paul (Oliver Platt) has never really been the right fit for her. Her petulant son Adam (Gabriel Basso) is as distant as most teenage boys are from their mother. And her hippie brother Sean (John Benjamin Hickey) is just a pain in the ass.

In the first season, Cathy struggled with telling those close to her about her disease, befriended the cantankerous old woman across the street (Phyllis Somerville), tried to mentor an overweight girl at the school she worked at (Gabourey Sidibe), and even had an affair (with Elba) while also flirting with her cute doctor (Reid Scott). The season ended with her preparing for chemotherapy after finally telling her husband and son what was going on.

It’s too soon to tell if the whole season will be as consistent as tonight’s season premiere but there’s reason for hope. The first season of “The Big C” was all over the map tonally. The characters felt more like devices of a comedy writer trying to be edgy than real people. From the very first episode of season two, the show feels more grounded, which is exactly what it needed to resonate. It’s clear that “The Big C” wants to avoid the maudlin sentimentality that could easily invade a show about cancer but it too often pushes too hard in the other direction. The characters feel more genuine at the start of season two and if that relatable quality is maintained then this will be one of the best shows of Summer 2011.

If you want to catch up, the first season of “The Big C” was released on DVD by Sony on June 7th, 2011 in a pretty-standard three-disc set. It’s inexcusable that any show with these kind of production values isn’t being released on Blu-ray as well. I just don’t get it. If fans of the show are willing to pay for Showtime, don’t you think they’re willing to pay for HD? Oh well. The show is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen with a Dolby Digital 5.1 track. Special features include deleted scenes, outtakes, “Complex Characters,” interviews with cast members Laura Linney, Gabourey Sidibe, Oliver Platt, and more.

Television Rating: 2.5/5.0

“Weeds”

Can anyone else believe that the Botwins have been dealing drugs for seven seasons? Where Jenji Kohan’s creation was once one of the most engaging and entertaining comedies on the air, it’s just lost its power, like a buzz that wore off long before the party ended. I still love some of the performers (Mary-Louise Parker is always great) but the writing on the show has been meandering over the last few years as Nancy Botwin’s life has gotten more and more ridiculous. The show about a suburban drug dealer has become an international adventure and it hasn’t been the same since it left the ‘burbs.

Weeds
Photo credit: Showtime

At the end of last season, Nancy took the ultimate bullet for her family and went off to jail while her boys Silas (Hunter Parrish) and Shane (Alexander Gould) jetted off to Copenhagen with Andy (Justin Kirk). The new season picks up three years later as Nancy is being released from prison early. She’s instructed to go to a halfway house in New York and her overseas family hears about her release despite her wishes. Will they come to the Big Apple? Will she break her probation and head overseas? What wacky incident will happen next?

Drugs just weren’t enough for “Weeds” and the show kind of jumped the shark when it headed south of the border and got involved with politics and even murder. The cast is still uniformly strong, especially Parker and Kirk, but I liked the program so much more when I believed what was happening. The action of “Weeds” has become so ridiculous that it has overshadowed the characters. I miss the Botwins and the Hodes. Maybe they’ll come back to Earth before the final toke.

“Weeds” stars Mary-Louise Parker, Hunter Parrish, Alexander Gould, Justin Kirk, and Kevin Nealon. The seventh season premieres on Showtime on June 27th, 2011 at 9pm CST. “The Big C” stars Laura Linney, Oliver Platt, Gabriel Basso, Reid Scott, and John Benjamin Hickey. The second season premieres on Showtime on June 27th, 2011 at 9:30pm CST. The first season was released on DVD on June 7th, 2011.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Exclusive: Mark Ruffalo Answers Your ‘Sympathy For Delicious’ Questions

BrianTT — Sun, 01 May 2011 18:55:14 -0400

CHICAGO – A few weeks ago we asked you, the HollywoodChicago.com readers, what you wanted to ask Oscar-nominated star Mark Ruffalo about his directorial debut “Sympathy For Delicious,” now playing in New York City. The multi-talented star sat down with his lead actor/writer Christopher Thornton and gave us the goods. Check it out below the synopsis of this intriguing film. The synopsis follows.

“SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS marks acclaimed actor Mark Ruffalo’s first foray into directing. This inspired and unusual film tells the story of Dean O’Dwyer (Christopher Thornton), also known as “Delicious D,” an up-and-coming DJ on the underground music scene in Los Angeles. When a motorcycle accident leaves Dean paralyzed, he abandons his turntables for a wheelchair as his once promising career disappears before his eyes.

Forced to live out of his car on skid row, Dean begins his descent into depression when he meets Father Joe Roselli (Mark Ruffalo), a passionate young priest. Father Joe introduces Dean to the world of faith-healing, an unlikely way for him to begin his quest to walk again. He soon discovers that he possesses the otherworldly power to heal people, but in an odd twist of fate, he is utterly unable to heal himself.

Despite Father Joe’s warnings, Dean angrily decides to use his newfound gift for fame and fortune. He joins a rock band led by charismatic front man The Stain (Orlando Bloom) with bassist Ariel (Juliette Lewis), and manager Nina Hogue (Laura Linney). But his newfound notoriety is unable to cure the hurt that encompasses his life. To find true healing, Dean must ultimately confront his worst demons and come to terms with his own humanity.

SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS is an edgy rock-and-roll spiritual journey that explores the lasting effects of tragedy, the search for meaning, and the ultimate redemptive power of compassion.”

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com