Thursday, November 19, 2009

At the Movies this Weekend

It seems to me that there's quite a few good movies opening in Rochester this weekend. Is your schedule filling up with movie dates yet? Or are you still debating on which ones to see first? Well at the top of my film list this weekend are two international film festival favorites and definite Oscar Award contenders, Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire and An Education, both showing at the Little.

I feel that Precious has been talked about and recommended by many folks already so I don't think I need to convince anyone to go see it. I do have to say though that it was in my list of films to look out for ImageOut at the end of 2008, since one of the key supporting players is a lesbian character. The film was known then as Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire. That was before it won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at Sundance. After that, I knew that the film would just take off and probably won't be playing the LGBT film festival circuit. {sigh}

An Education stars GLBT-friendly Peter Sarsgaard and the sensational Carey Mulligan, already considered to be a strong contender for the Best Actress award this season. It's a coming-out story about a 16-year old girl who falls for a man nearly twice her age and their ensuing romance. This film is a good alternative while everyone is lining up for either The Twilight Saga: New Moon or Precious.

Speaking of New Moon, what about that Taylor Lautner, eh? OMG. My heart skipped a beat just typing his name. Obviously, I'm on Team Jacob. But I still cannot understand the appeal that Robert Pattinson is generating. Please explain! Okay so maybe New Moon is a good Sunday night screening when everyone else who wanted to see it already went and I don't have to stand in line longer than I have to.

Don't forget that the Dryden at George Eastman House is also screening two note-worthy films this weekend: Austria's entry to Oscar's Best Foreign Language Film Award, Revanche, and The Yes Men Fix the World.

Hope to bump into you at the movies this weekend!
~MG

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Enjoyed your weekend outlook Michael. I guess I share your list of "must-sees". I am in Toronto this weekend, and hope that Jesse and I can catch PRECIOUS as soon as possible this weekend. There has been so much written and said about this film, and even though I understand it can be very hard to watch, I guess it really packs a punch! Academy awards are being talked about around this movie.

Saw the preview for AN EDUCATION and look forward to that next week at The Little. Peter Sarsgard is lookin' good. As for the Twilight movie...not my thing, even though all the hot male stars have been on ELLEN this week (including Robert Pattison coming up on Friday...but he does NOTHING for me.... weed those eyebrows!) Looks like lots of beefcake in that film, for all the ladies and young girls out there and the gay men who like vampire movies.

Michael G said...

Speaking of Toronto, I got an email from a friend that the Carlton Cinema in Downtown Toronto is closing! Where to go now for indie and art films when visiting Toronto? Ugh. I'm glad we still have the Little and the Dryden here in Rochester. Not to mention the Cinema to a certain extent.

Michael G said...

I ended up watching INGLORIOUS BASTERDS at Movies 10 last night. I actually really liked it. Still trying to catch up on mainstream movies while I was busy with all the ImageOut prep work. LOL.

Paul said...

Thanks for heads up on some great movies

Michael G said...

I did watch PRECIOUS and NEW MOON. Will post thoughts later. I guess AN EDUCATION will have to wait another day. Has anyone seen COCO BEFORE CHANEL yet? I'd love to see that one too.

Jessica said...

I won't be seeing New Moon anytime in this century, but I will be rushing to see Precious ASAP. I read PUSH more than 10 years ago, but it was so powerful, I haven't forgotten much of it. I hope the film lives up to the book, a tall order, I know.

Unknown said...

So much to comment on!

As for the Carlton in Toronto closing...I spend a ot of time in that city... and it's a sad commentary indeed, even though the screens were tiny, the seats bad and the theaters miniscule. They haven't made improvements to the place in many years, so I suppose it was a matter of time before it was destined to close. For me...it merely points out how very very fortunate we are for our WONDERFUL Little Theatre! Toronto...a fabulous city in so many ways.... would be lucky to have such a place like we have. Please do your part to support The Little.

Got to see PRECIOUS on opening night...all I can say is oh my goodness! Such a film I haven't seen in a long time! Great acting, a story that grabs you right from the start, and just a terrific film to see. There will be academy award nominations coming for that movie for sure!

Viagra said...

These are some interesting movies.