Locke (2014)

This year, Tom Hardy made a big impression on the big screen as the new Mad Max in Mad Max Fury Road (I have not yet seen it). And last year he gave another impressive performance in a smaller film, one that hasn't been seen by too many people, I don't think. I was interested in checking it out after hearing good reviews of the film and his performance; the entire film takes place with Hardy's character - Locke (his last name...can't remember his first name) - talking on the phone! It is never dull or boring, even with Hardy being the only character we see for 90 minutes. The cinematography and editing are impressive...I was convinced I was in the car with him the whole time. We do hear the voices of the people he talks to on the speakers - every character is somehow connected. For example, there are Locke's sons who want their dad home to watch a game on TV.  Then his wife calls him several times, upset. Locke has to call his boss several times to patch up something at work. His co-worker is furious with him for reasons I won't mention here. Then there's the woman Locke had an affair with - she's in the hospital and scared; Hardy tries to calm her down. It's a really compelling "race against the clock" type of film, and I would recommend it. Can't think of any other film I could compare it with.

Read a blog post by Bobby Rivers about this movie here.

Read a blog post review by Surrender to the Void:

Surrender to the Void: Locke (thevoid99.blogspot.com)

New featurettes for Fast & Furious 7

The new Fast & Furious film hits theaters this Friday, and I can't wait!! The action and the saga of the characters have got me hooked like no other current movie series. Not Avengers, Hobbit, Star Trek, or Divergent.  

If you are a fan of the series too, you might enjoy these latest short clips. Check them out here.

Featurette with Vin Diesel and Jordanna Brewster talking about the movie:

http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2015/03/23/new-furious-7-featurette-takes-a-look-inside-action-sequel/

Making of the fight scene with Rhonda Rousey and Michelle Rodriguez

http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2015/03/fast-furious-7-featurette-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-the-fight-between-michelle-rodriguez-and-ronda-rousey.html

6 short scenes from the movie:

http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/trailers/421541-watch-6-clips-from-furious-7#/slide/1

Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

This is a critically acclaimed and inspiring film adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize play by Alfred Uhry. It is the story of a temperamental Southern widow (Jessica Tandy) and the relationship she has with her black chauffeur, Hoke (Morgan Freeman). At first you don't know what to make of Ms Daisy, but as the film progresses, you get to know her through how she relates with Hoke, her only true friend.

The DVD has a commentary by screenwriter Uhry, who shares his recollections about the making of this film and how his own experiences with his grandmother shaped the story. The Dan Aykroyd character (as Daisy's son) is loosely based on him. What I found interesting about both the son and Hoke is how patient they are with Daisy throughout the film.

Hans Zimmer's score is rather underrated, I feel; its a lovely piece of music (haunting at times) and really adds to the whole story. Jessica Tandy was born to play this role. I remember watching the Oscar ceremony that year, and seeing Gregory Peck hand her the trophy for Best Actress. It was a great moment; Tandy had been a film and stage star for many decades. One of the most moving scenes is toward the end of the film, when Daisy is watching Martin Luther King Jr. speak live in person. In that scene, you could feel how his words are making an impact on her.

The art directors and set decorators deserved the Oscar nomination for their detailed work. Just look how they recreated the era:



Once again, director Bruce Beresford allows the scenery to be one of the major co-stars.





1948: A theater shows "Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!" starring June Haver and Natalie Wood.

Sideswiped!

This is not the name of a '70s grindhouse movie. It's what happened to my car today.

This afternoon, after running some errands, I came back to find my driver's side mirror shattered.

I also have a dent on a left side.

Thankfully, the person who hit me had the decency to leave a note with their name and number.



And I just bought this car three weeks ago.





I wasn't able to make today's screening of "Prince Achmed" (I wrote about my anticipation a few days ago) But to my delight, I discovered that the film has been uploaded to a video sharing site, which I'll be checking out one of these days.

In related news, a DVD of the early talkie The First Auto (1927) is on sale at the Warner Archive for $13.99, as are a number of other DVDs of silents and early talkies. Check out the "30% off" sale here.