Oscar-winning UK producer David Parfitt shared insights from the highs and lows of his 35-year producing career at a masterclass for the Doha Film Institute’s Qumra talent incubator over the weekend.
“I have been staggeringly lucky,” said Parfitt, who won an Oscar in 1999 for Shakespeare in Love with other high-profile credits including Much Ado About Nothing, The Madness Of King George, My Week With Marilyn and the Oscar-winning drama The Father.
Parfitt, who has worked in film and TV most of his life having started out as a child actor in the 1970s, said he knew from adolescence that he wanted to stay in the business but not in front of the camera. He credited Kenneth Branagh for enabling his crossover into producing.
The pair met on a West End theatre show in the 1980s.
“We had next-door dressing rooms. We were young and had too much time on our hands.
“I have been staggeringly lucky,” said Parfitt, who won an Oscar in 1999 for Shakespeare in Love with other high-profile credits including Much Ado About Nothing, The Madness Of King George, My Week With Marilyn and the Oscar-winning drama The Father.
Parfitt, who has worked in film and TV most of his life having started out as a child actor in the 1970s, said he knew from adolescence that he wanted to stay in the business but not in front of the camera. He credited Kenneth Branagh for enabling his crossover into producing.
The pair met on a West End theatre show in the 1980s.
“We had next-door dressing rooms. We were young and had too much time on our hands.
- 3/17/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Looking to scratch your itch for the Brits? IndieWire has called BritBox the Hulu alternative for all things that come from the UK, and now their already impressive slate has announced something even grander.
The BBC and ITV streaming service has acquired the rights to several new Agatha Christie films, TV shows, and audio plays. The collection will include Seasons 9 through 12 of David Suchet’s “Poirot,” including the special “Poirot: A Mysterious Affair at Styles” which celebrates its 100th anniversary.
As the summer progresses, BritBox will also put out the 1980 John Gielgud-starring adaptation of “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?” and 1981’s “The Seven Dials Mystery.” They’re also committed to bringing Margaret Rutherford, Joan Hickson, Geraldine McEwan, and Julia McKenzie’s takes on Miss Marple to the streaming service.
BritBox is also working with the Christie estate to create a full HD restoration of the 1983 Christie miniseries “Partners in Crime...
The BBC and ITV streaming service has acquired the rights to several new Agatha Christie films, TV shows, and audio plays. The collection will include Seasons 9 through 12 of David Suchet’s “Poirot,” including the special “Poirot: A Mysterious Affair at Styles” which celebrates its 100th anniversary.
As the summer progresses, BritBox will also put out the 1980 John Gielgud-starring adaptation of “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?” and 1981’s “The Seven Dials Mystery.” They’re also committed to bringing Margaret Rutherford, Joan Hickson, Geraldine McEwan, and Julia McKenzie’s takes on Miss Marple to the streaming service.
BritBox is also working with the Christie estate to create a full HD restoration of the 1983 Christie miniseries “Partners in Crime...
- 5/15/2020
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
Bruna Papandrea’s Made Up Stories has inked a deal with Agatha Christie Ltd to develop a new TV series centered on Christie’s iconic sleuth Miss Marple. The latest incarnation will be based on the author’s Miss Marple books and short stories, and will be co-developed by the Big Little Lies producer and Endeavor Content.
The potential series will be produced by Agl’s James Prichard and Basi Akpabio along with Papandrea. Made Up Stories’ Steve Hutensky, Casey Haver, Jeanne Snow and Janice Park are shepherding the project.
Christie’s books about the amateur detective have been in print for more than 90 years and are now in more than 100 territories worldwide. Numerous film and TV adaptations have been mounted along the way starring the likes of Margaret Rutherford, Angela Lansbury, Geraldine McEwan, Helen Hayes and Joan Hickson.
“I’m just thrilled to be joining forces with James and...
The potential series will be produced by Agl’s James Prichard and Basi Akpabio along with Papandrea. Made Up Stories’ Steve Hutensky, Casey Haver, Jeanne Snow and Janice Park are shepherding the project.
Christie’s books about the amateur detective have been in print for more than 90 years and are now in more than 100 territories worldwide. Numerous film and TV adaptations have been mounted along the way starring the likes of Margaret Rutherford, Angela Lansbury, Geraldine McEwan, Helen Hayes and Joan Hickson.
“I’m just thrilled to be joining forces with James and...
- 3/6/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
All 10 Episodes of Nicolas Winding Refn’s ‘Too Old to Die Young’ Are 90 Minutes, Says Cliff Martinez
Nicolas Winding Refn fans have been waiting for well over a year for the Danish auteur’s Amazon television series “Too Old to Die Young.” While the Miles Teller-starring drama series is expected to debut sometime in 2019, there have been little to no updates about the project in months. Fortunately, Refn’s longtime collaborator and film composer Cliff Martinez dropped a major reveal about “Too Old to Die Young” during an interview with ScreenDaily at the Rotterdam Film Festival: All 10 episodes of the show are 90 minutes or around 90 minutes long.
“For me the biggest change is just the endurance to do what I think of as a ten-hour movie – or a 16-hour movie in the case of ‘Too Old To Die Young,’” Martinez said when asked about the difference between working on a streaming series versus a film. “It’s ten episodes that are around 90 minutes a piece. I warned Nic Winding Refn,...
“For me the biggest change is just the endurance to do what I think of as a ten-hour movie – or a 16-hour movie in the case of ‘Too Old To Die Young,’” Martinez said when asked about the difference between working on a streaming series versus a film. “It’s ten episodes that are around 90 minutes a piece. I warned Nic Winding Refn,...
- 2/5/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Juliette Harrisson Oct 3, 2017
As series Xii arrives online this week, we count down twenty of the best Red Dwarf episodes from across the show's long history...
Putting together a list of the Top 20 episodes of Red Dwarf presented an unusual challenge. The truth is, there’s barely a bum note in the first 36 episodes (Series I – VI) and then it’s a case of finding the quality episodes among the less successful half hours in the following 31 (Series VII – XI). The most accurate ‘top 20’ would be composed almost entirely of episodes from those first 36. However, for this list, we’ve resisted the urge to simply list most of the first six series and have deliberately ensured that this selection covers a reasonable span of the show, with every series except IX represented somewhere. This way, we can offer a more balanced overview of the whole history of the show, and...
As series Xii arrives online this week, we count down twenty of the best Red Dwarf episodes from across the show's long history...
Putting together a list of the Top 20 episodes of Red Dwarf presented an unusual challenge. The truth is, there’s barely a bum note in the first 36 episodes (Series I – VI) and then it’s a case of finding the quality episodes among the less successful half hours in the following 31 (Series VII – XI). The most accurate ‘top 20’ would be composed almost entirely of episodes from those first 36. However, for this list, we’ve resisted the urge to simply list most of the first six series and have deliberately ensured that this selection covers a reasonable span of the show, with every series except IX represented somewhere. This way, we can offer a more balanced overview of the whole history of the show, and...
- 10/1/2017
- Den of Geek
She’s possibly most famous for taking over a beloved character and making it her own with Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, but Geraldine McEwan has enjoyed a long career on stage and screen. She died at the age of 82 on Friday following a stroke in October.Born in Windsor, she got her start acting early, making her debut at the age of 14 at the city’s Theatre Royale. She quickly graduated to London’s West End, and went on to join the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon in 1961. There, she appeared in leading roles in plays such as Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet and Twelfth Night and ended up touring he world with various productions.On the West End stage, she originated a leading role in Joe Orton’s Loot and appeared on Broadway in The School For Scandal, The Private Ear And The Public Eye and The Chairs,...
- 2/1/2015
- EmpireOnline
Geraldine McEwan in The Magdalene Sisters
Geraldine McEwan, best known for playing Agatha Christie's Miss Marple in a long-running television series, has died at the age of 82. In her 57 year career the much-admired character actress also appeared in films as diverse as Henry V, The Magdalene Sisters and Vanity Fair. She provided the voice of Miss Thipp in Wallace and Grommit film The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit and also appeared alongside Kevin Costner and Sean Conner in Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.
An awkward child who found refuge in the theatre and quickly made an impression with her acting talents, the versatile McEwan had no formal training but soon progressed through Stratford and Broadway before finding her way into film. She was an avowed left-winger and was rumoured to have turned down the offer of being made a dame. She died peacefully following a stroke and is survived by her two.
Geraldine McEwan, best known for playing Agatha Christie's Miss Marple in a long-running television series, has died at the age of 82. In her 57 year career the much-admired character actress also appeared in films as diverse as Henry V, The Magdalene Sisters and Vanity Fair. She provided the voice of Miss Thipp in Wallace and Grommit film The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit and also appeared alongside Kevin Costner and Sean Conner in Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.
An awkward child who found refuge in the theatre and quickly made an impression with her acting talents, the versatile McEwan had no formal training but soon progressed through Stratford and Broadway before finding her way into film. She was an avowed left-winger and was rumoured to have turned down the offer of being made a dame. She died peacefully following a stroke and is survived by her two.
- 2/1/2015
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The family of longtime actress Geraldine McEwan says she has died following treatment for a stroke. She was 82. McEwan was known for many roles including playing the famous Agatha Christie detective Miss Marple in 12 TV episodes. Her two children said in a statement that she died Friday after suffering a severe stroke at the end of October. She had been hospitalized extensively since then. See more Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2015 McEwan worked for many years in theater, television and films, sharing the stage with Laurence Olivier, Albert Finney and other top British stars. She won numerous awards, including
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- 2/1/2015
- by The Associated Press
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
British actress Geraldine McEwan died on Friday at age 82. In a statement, her children, Greg and Claudia, said she "passed away peacefully" on Jan. 30 after suffering a severe stroke at the end of October, for which had been hospitalized in recent months. "Her family would like to thank the staff at Charing Cross Hospital who cared for her incredibly well," McEwan’s children said in the statement. McEwan appeared in plays, television shows and films, and is best known for playing Miss Marple, Agatha Christie's spinster consultant detective, in 12 episodes that aired on ITV from 2004 to 2009. She also shared...
- 1/31/2015
- by Dana Rose Falcone, @DanaRoseFalcone
- PEOPLE.com
Geraldine McEwan has died. The actress - who was known for playing the title character in Agatha Christie's 'Marple' - passed away at the age of 82 at Charing Cross Hospital in London on Friday (30.01.15), after suffering a stroke last October. Confirming the news in a joint statement, her children Greg and Claudia said: ''Following a stroke at the end of October and a period in hospital, Geraldine McEwan passed away peacefully on January 30. Her family would like to thank the staff at Charing Cross Hospital who cared for her incredibly well.'' The iconic star - who won a Bafta award...
- 1/31/2015
- Virgin Media - TV
Geraldine McEwan has died at the age of 82.
The BAFTA-award winning actress - famed for her starring role as Agatha Christie's detective Miss Marple in the ITV drama Marple - passed away at Charing Cross Hospital in London.
"Following a stroke at the end of October and a period in hospital, Geraldine McEwan passed away peacefully on January 30," read a statement from the late actress's family.
"Her family would like to thank the staff at Charing Cross Hospital who cared for her incredibly well."
McEwan was born in 1932, attending school in her home town of Windsor. She was appointed as an assistant stage manager at the Theatre Royal in the town at the age of just 14, making her stage debut there in October 1946.
Her West End debut followed in 1951, and she spent several seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1950s and 1960s.
McEwan played Miss Marple between 2004 and 2008 on ITV,...
The BAFTA-award winning actress - famed for her starring role as Agatha Christie's detective Miss Marple in the ITV drama Marple - passed away at Charing Cross Hospital in London.
"Following a stroke at the end of October and a period in hospital, Geraldine McEwan passed away peacefully on January 30," read a statement from the late actress's family.
"Her family would like to thank the staff at Charing Cross Hospital who cared for her incredibly well."
McEwan was born in 1932, attending school in her home town of Windsor. She was appointed as an assistant stage manager at the Theatre Royal in the town at the age of just 14, making her stage debut there in October 1946.
Her West End debut followed in 1951, and she spent several seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1950s and 1960s.
McEwan played Miss Marple between 2004 and 2008 on ITV,...
- 1/31/2015
- Digital Spy
Geraldine McEwan has died. The actress - who was known for playing the title character in Agatha Christie's 'Marple' - passed away at the age of 82 at Charing Cross Hospital in London on Friday (30.01.15), after suffering a stroke last October. Confirming the news in a joint statement, her children Greg and Claudia said: ''Following a stroke at the end of October and a period in hospital, Geraldine McEwan passed away peacefully on January 30. Her family would like to thank the staff at Charing Cross Hospital who cared for her incredibly well.'' The iconic star - who won a Bafta award...
- 1/29/2015
- Virgin Media - TV
Miss_Marple Acorn Media Rlj Entertainment
To coincide with the final installments of Poirot on Acorn TV, Acorn media are releasing two Agatha Christie boxsets on 5 August. These boxsets include previously released episodes that have been pieced together in best-of-the-best collections that will be a must-have for die-hard fans of the author and her two most famous creations: Poirot and Marple.
Agatha Christie’s Poirot Fan Favorites Collection features David Suchet in six episodes produced across a 25 year time span. Murder on the Orient Express (Series 12, 2010); Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (Series 6, 1995); The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Series 3, 1990); The ABC Murders (Series 4, 1992); The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb (Series 5, 1993); and Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Series 1, 1989). As a story, Murder on the Orient Express ranks as one of my favorites and this particular adaptation is very good. It’s somewhat surprising that ITV waited until 2010 to produce a Suchet version of the...
To coincide with the final installments of Poirot on Acorn TV, Acorn media are releasing two Agatha Christie boxsets on 5 August. These boxsets include previously released episodes that have been pieced together in best-of-the-best collections that will be a must-have for die-hard fans of the author and her two most famous creations: Poirot and Marple.
Agatha Christie’s Poirot Fan Favorites Collection features David Suchet in six episodes produced across a 25 year time span. Murder on the Orient Express (Series 12, 2010); Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (Series 6, 1995); The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Series 3, 1990); The ABC Murders (Series 4, 1992); The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb (Series 5, 1993); and Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Series 1, 1989). As a story, Murder on the Orient Express ranks as one of my favorites and this particular adaptation is very good. It’s somewhat surprising that ITV waited until 2010 to produce a Suchet version of the...
- 8/3/2014
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Inspector George Gently
The latest batch of George Gently episodes come to DVD on 1 April and you’d be a fool to miss out on this boxset. As you will recall, season five ended with Gently and Bacchus, shot and wounded on the floor of Durham Cathedral. Would they recover? Would they ever work again? Well given that there is a season six I don’t think you can accuse me of releasing a “spoiler” if I tell you that the duo made a full recovery. However, it wasn’t an easy road, especially for Bacchus whose wallowing in self-pity eventually led him down an unhealthy path of booze and gambling. Older and wiser, Gently realized that work was the best therapy and he quickly got back to doing what he does best — solving murders.
Even by George Gently‘s own standards, season six features a lot of introspection as...
The latest batch of George Gently episodes come to DVD on 1 April and you’d be a fool to miss out on this boxset. As you will recall, season five ended with Gently and Bacchus, shot and wounded on the floor of Durham Cathedral. Would they recover? Would they ever work again? Well given that there is a season six I don’t think you can accuse me of releasing a “spoiler” if I tell you that the duo made a full recovery. However, it wasn’t an easy road, especially for Bacchus whose wallowing in self-pity eventually led him down an unhealthy path of booze and gambling. Older and wiser, Gently realized that work was the best therapy and he quickly got back to doing what he does best — solving murders.
Even by George Gently‘s own standards, season six features a lot of introspection as...
- 3/26/2014
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Steel Magnolias goes to the seaside for this appealingly cast chick flick. Kate Capshaw - Mrs Steven Spielberg to you - is the single mum who discovers an unsigned love letter which stirs the imagination of her close-knit community. Blythe Danner, Ellen DeGeneres and Geraldine McEwan cluck around entertainingly while Tom Everett Scott and Tom Selleck do well to make themselves heard over the fuss.
- 3/3/2014
- Sky Movies
Update! Get all of today's deals right here! Amazon's week long deals for 2013 Black Friday and Cyber Monday started today and I have the schedule of deals for Sunday, November 24 directly below and will be updating throughout the week. As of now I have a few deals outside the scheduled events you may be interested in, but other than that pay attention to the deal start times so you don't miss out. Today's deals include a great price on the complete "Sex and the City" and "The Wire" collections, Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove, Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas on Blu-ray and the Godzilla collection seems particularly intriguing at the end of the day. Outside of what's below you can find the current upcoming scheduled deals for the week right here, which I will be updating as more titles and deals are announced. Otherwise, start shopping. Right Now! The Brady Bunch...
- 11/24/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Amazon's week long deals for 2013 Black Friday and Cyber Monday started today and I have the schedule of deals for Sunday, November 24 directly below and will be updating throughout the week. As of now I have a few deals outside the scheduled events you may be interested in, but other than that pay attention to the deal start times so you don't miss out. Today's deals include a great price on the complete "Sex and the City" and "The Wire" collections, Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove, Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas on Blu-ray and the Godzilla collection seems particularly intriguing at the end of the day. Outside of what's below you can find the current upcoming scheduled deals for the week right here, which I will be updating as more titles and deals are announced. Otherwise, start shopping. Right Now! The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy Blu-ray...
- 11/24/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Nicolas Winding Refn has a bit of a secret lurking on his directorial CV. After the disaster of his "Fear X," and wrapping up his "Pusher" trilogy, but before he came back into critical favor thanks to "Bronson" and "Valhalla Rising" (and long before his stylish crime duo of "Drive" and "Only God Forgives"), Winding Refn was broke and needed a quick gig. And so, he took the first thing he was offered: in this case, an episode of the long-running UK mysteries "Agatha Christie's Marple." Focusing on the mystery novelist's creation, an elderly detective (played here by Geraldine McEwan), the episode, named "Nemesis" is about as far as you can get from the ultraviolence and brooding synths of "Drive." Winding Refn recently told The Guardian that the experience was "extremely degrading. But it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I got slapped around and I needed to be slapped around.
- 8/9/2013
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
Garrow’s Law co. BBC
Kieran Kinsella
Acorn Media’s February 26 line-up begins with a value box set of the BBC’s most popular courtroom drama – Garrow’s Law. Acorn have previously released some of the 18th century barrister’s stories in the U.S. but this 6 disc set is Garrow’s Law: The Complete Collection. Aside from the twelve episodes that aired during the show’s three year run, you also get an hour of extras that includes a feature on the real life William Garrow and some behind-the-scenes footage.
The real William Garrow was something of a social reformer who did his best to defend the poor and the uneducated at a time when “justice” was often swift and harsh. Andrew Buchan (The Sinking of the Laconia) takes on the title role. He looks a little like Ross Poldark and the whole show is based in the same...
Kieran Kinsella
Acorn Media’s February 26 line-up begins with a value box set of the BBC’s most popular courtroom drama – Garrow’s Law. Acorn have previously released some of the 18th century barrister’s stories in the U.S. but this 6 disc set is Garrow’s Law: The Complete Collection. Aside from the twelve episodes that aired during the show’s three year run, you also get an hour of extras that includes a feature on the real life William Garrow and some behind-the-scenes footage.
The real William Garrow was something of a social reformer who did his best to defend the poor and the uneducated at a time when “justice” was often swift and harsh. Andrew Buchan (The Sinking of the Laconia) takes on the title role. He looks a little like Ross Poldark and the whole show is based in the same...
- 2/26/2013
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Poirot
Kieran Kinsella
Acorn Media have released numerous Agatha Christie tales on DVD but this month they are upping the ante by releasing a box set that is like manna from Heaven for fans of Britain’s favorite mystery writer. Their six disc, 16 hour long, January 29 release contains some of the best loved stories involving both Marple and Poirot. Two super sleuths squeezed into one novel sized box.
The six Poirot tales include my personal favorite – The ABC Murders, and Christie’s best loved tale – Murder on the Orient Express. I had never seen Four and Twenty Blackbirds or The Mysterious Affair at Styles before but both were very good. The former revolved around the double murder of two elderly brothers while the latter involved the murder of an early 20th century “cougar” who may or may not have been “done in” by her toy boy. Hercule Poirot’s Christmas...
Kieran Kinsella
Acorn Media have released numerous Agatha Christie tales on DVD but this month they are upping the ante by releasing a box set that is like manna from Heaven for fans of Britain’s favorite mystery writer. Their six disc, 16 hour long, January 29 release contains some of the best loved stories involving both Marple and Poirot. Two super sleuths squeezed into one novel sized box.
The six Poirot tales include my personal favorite – The ABC Murders, and Christie’s best loved tale – Murder on the Orient Express. I had never seen Four and Twenty Blackbirds or The Mysterious Affair at Styles before but both were very good. The former revolved around the double murder of two elderly brothers while the latter involved the murder of an early 20th century “cougar” who may or may not have been “done in” by her toy boy. Hercule Poirot’s Christmas...
- 1/29/2013
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Czech-born actor best known as Inspector Clouseau's crazed boss in the Pink Panther films
Herbert Lom, who has died aged 95, spent more than 50 years in dramatic roles, playing mostly smooth villains, but he was best known for his portrayal of Charles Dreyfus, the hysterically twitching boss of the bumbling Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers) in the series of slapstick Pink Panther comedies. "Give me 10 men like Clouseau and I could destroy the world," blurts out the bewildered Dreyfus in A Shot in the Dark (1964).
Herbert Charles Angelo Kuchacevich ze Schluderpacheru was born into an impoverished aristocratic family in Prague. He studied philosophy at Prague University, where he organised student theatre. In 1939, on the eve of the German invasion of Czechoslovakia, he arrived in Britain with his Jewish girlfriend, Didi, but she was sent back at Dover because she did not have the correct papers. Her subsequent death in a concentration...
Herbert Lom, who has died aged 95, spent more than 50 years in dramatic roles, playing mostly smooth villains, but he was best known for his portrayal of Charles Dreyfus, the hysterically twitching boss of the bumbling Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers) in the series of slapstick Pink Panther comedies. "Give me 10 men like Clouseau and I could destroy the world," blurts out the bewildered Dreyfus in A Shot in the Dark (1964).
Herbert Charles Angelo Kuchacevich ze Schluderpacheru was born into an impoverished aristocratic family in Prague. He studied philosophy at Prague University, where he organised student theatre. In 1939, on the eve of the German invasion of Czechoslovakia, he arrived in Britain with his Jewish girlfriend, Didi, but she was sent back at Dover because she did not have the correct papers. Her subsequent death in a concentration...
- 9/27/2012
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
Ah, sweet mystery of two nations divided by a common language. When this flick was released in the U.K. last summer, it was called simply Arrietty and sported a classy English-language voice cast including Mark Strong, Olivia Colman, Phyllida Law, Geraldine McEwan, and Saoirse Ronan as Arrietty. Yeah, Hanna herself. But Disney moves the flick over the U.S., and suddenly there’s a Secret World of attached to the title, and an American voice cast that includes Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, and Carol Burnett. Oh, and some kid from Disney TV as Arrietty. The film itself is only mediocre. But is it just me, or is the British trailer a lot more magical than the North American trailer is trying to be?...
- 1/31/2012
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Drive filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn's dreams were dashed after his plea to direct an episode of Doctor Who was turned down.
The Danish-born director is a big fan of the British sci-fi series and was desperate to step behind the camera and take charge of an episode - but his offer was snubbed by show bosses.
He tells Shortlist magazine, "I would have loved to direct Doctor Who but they didn't want me - turned me down last year. Maybe if they revive (U.K. sci-fi programme) Blake's 7, I could do that. I love it. It's great. That could be fun to update."
Winding Refn is no stranger to U.K. TV shows - he once directed small screen adaptations of murder mysteries featuring Agatha Christie's fictional sleuth Miss Marple.
He adds, "I did two episodes of Marple back to back because, basically, I needed the money. It was fun - a good experience. I really liked working with Geraldine McEwan, she was a great actress. And Amanda Burton too."...
The Danish-born director is a big fan of the British sci-fi series and was desperate to step behind the camera and take charge of an episode - but his offer was snubbed by show bosses.
He tells Shortlist magazine, "I would have loved to direct Doctor Who but they didn't want me - turned me down last year. Maybe if they revive (U.K. sci-fi programme) Blake's 7, I could do that. I love it. It's great. That could be fun to update."
Winding Refn is no stranger to U.K. TV shows - he once directed small screen adaptations of murder mysteries featuring Agatha Christie's fictional sleuth Miss Marple.
He adds, "I did two episodes of Marple back to back because, basically, I needed the money. It was fun - a good experience. I really liked working with Geraldine McEwan, she was a great actress. And Amanda Burton too."...
- 1/26/2012
- WENN
Troll Hunter; The Borrowers; Arrietty; The Big Picture; Project Nim; Attenberg
If trolls turn to stone when exposed to sunlight, would a powerful Uv lamp have exactly the same effect? Can "rapid calcification" really be the scientific explanation behind the magic of fairy tale and folklore? And, most importantly, if trolls can smell the blood of a Christian man, can they also smell the blood of a Muslim?
Just when it seemed that the well-worn "found footage" gag had finally run its course (did anyone really want to see yet another Blair Witch rip-off?) along comes André Ovredal's marvellously sprightly Norwegian oddity Troll Hunter (2010, Momentum, 15) to breathe unexpected new life into the apparently moribund genre.
Following a spate of livestock mutilations, a group of student film-makers sets off in search of a suspected poacher and stumbles upon a secret network of government-controlled troll hunters. Brilliantly, these down-to-earth daredevils are just...
If trolls turn to stone when exposed to sunlight, would a powerful Uv lamp have exactly the same effect? Can "rapid calcification" really be the scientific explanation behind the magic of fairy tale and folklore? And, most importantly, if trolls can smell the blood of a Christian man, can they also smell the blood of a Muslim?
Just when it seemed that the well-worn "found footage" gag had finally run its course (did anyone really want to see yet another Blair Witch rip-off?) along comes André Ovredal's marvellously sprightly Norwegian oddity Troll Hunter (2010, Momentum, 15) to breathe unexpected new life into the apparently moribund genre.
Following a spate of livestock mutilations, a group of student film-makers sets off in search of a suspected poacher and stumbles upon a secret network of government-controlled troll hunters. Brilliantly, these down-to-earth daredevils are just...
- 1/8/2012
- by Mark Kermode
- The Guardian - Film News
His obsessive enthusiasm has steered gangster sagas, Norse bloodbaths and even Miss Marple. Now Nicolas Winding Refn is back behind the wheel for his new film Drive
There are three remarkable things about Marple: Nemesis, a 2008 ITV outing for Agatha Christie's elderly detective. For a start, it's the only time she's handed a mission, rather than just stumbling across a body and spontaneously sleuthing. It took more liberties with the original novel than usual – plots were dropped, motives skewed, two characters conflated to make a serial-killing lesbian nun. And, finally, it was directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, then best known for the Pusher trilogy: a Danish gangster saga, all grimy machismo and intestines down the sink.
"I was broke as hell," he explains, chewing popcorn in a back room at the O2 centre in London. "I'd gone bankrupt and owed my bank £1m. I paid that back by making...
There are three remarkable things about Marple: Nemesis, a 2008 ITV outing for Agatha Christie's elderly detective. For a start, it's the only time she's handed a mission, rather than just stumbling across a body and spontaneously sleuthing. It took more liberties with the original novel than usual – plots were dropped, motives skewed, two characters conflated to make a serial-killing lesbian nun. And, finally, it was directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, then best known for the Pusher trilogy: a Danish gangster saga, all grimy machismo and intestines down the sink.
"I was broke as hell," he explains, chewing popcorn in a back room at the O2 centre in London. "I'd gone bankrupt and owed my bank £1m. I paid that back by making...
- 9/8/2011
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
New to Netflix Streaming On Monday August 1st: The Dirty Dozen (Nr | 1967)
Flickchart Ranking: #392
Times Ranked: 20571
Win Percentage: 46%
How Many Top-20′s: 34 Users
________________________________________________
Directed By: Robert Aldrich
Starring: Charles Bronson • Jim Brown • John Cassavetes • Richard Jaeckel • Robert Ryan
Genres: Adventure • Ensemble Film • War • War Adventure
Studios/Franchises: AFI’s 100 Years…100 Thrills
• • • • • • • •
Lethal Weapon (R | 1987)
Flickchart Ranking: #477
Times Ranked: 187567
Win Percentage: 46%
How Many Top-20′s: 756 Users
________________________________________________
Directed By: Richard Donner
Starring: Gary Busey • Mel Gibson • Danny Glover
Genres: Action • Action Thriller • Police Detective Film • Odd Couple Film • Holiday Film
Studios/Franchises: Lethal Weapon
Lethal Weapon 2 is also available to stream.
• • • • • • • •
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (PG | 1970)
Flickchart Ranking: #4976
Times Ranked: 1337
Win Percentage: 54%
How Many Top-20′s: 0 Users
________________________________________________
Directed By: Billy Wilder
Starring: Robert Stephens • Colin Blakely • Tamara Toumanova • Christopher Lee • Geneviève Page
Genres: Detective Film • Mystery • Romance • Romantic Mystery
• • • • • • • •
Spaceballs (PG | 1987)
Flickchart Ranking: #493
Times Ranked: 233515
Win Percentage: 45%
How Many...
Flickchart Ranking: #392
Times Ranked: 20571
Win Percentage: 46%
How Many Top-20′s: 34 Users
________________________________________________
Directed By: Robert Aldrich
Starring: Charles Bronson • Jim Brown • John Cassavetes • Richard Jaeckel • Robert Ryan
Genres: Adventure • Ensemble Film • War • War Adventure
Studios/Franchises: AFI’s 100 Years…100 Thrills
• • • • • • • •
Lethal Weapon (R | 1987)
Flickchart Ranking: #477
Times Ranked: 187567
Win Percentage: 46%
How Many Top-20′s: 756 Users
________________________________________________
Directed By: Richard Donner
Starring: Gary Busey • Mel Gibson • Danny Glover
Genres: Action • Action Thriller • Police Detective Film • Odd Couple Film • Holiday Film
Studios/Franchises: Lethal Weapon
Lethal Weapon 2 is also available to stream.
• • • • • • • •
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (PG | 1970)
Flickchart Ranking: #4976
Times Ranked: 1337
Win Percentage: 54%
How Many Top-20′s: 0 Users
________________________________________________
Directed By: Billy Wilder
Starring: Robert Stephens • Colin Blakely • Tamara Toumanova • Christopher Lee • Geneviève Page
Genres: Detective Film • Mystery • Romance • Romantic Mystery
• • • • • • • •
Spaceballs (PG | 1987)
Flickchart Ranking: #493
Times Ranked: 233515
Win Percentage: 45%
How Many...
- 8/1/2011
- by Daniel Rohr
- Flickchart
Great voice cast! Mark Strong, Saoirse Ronan, Phyllida Law, Geraldine McEwan, Olivia Colman. For reasons mysterious, they will all be replaced in the U.S. release next year: Will Arnett and Amy Poehler will voice Arrietty’s parents, which suggests that the film will have a very different tone, a more comedic one. (Seriously, who replaces Mark Strong with Will Arnett in anything?) Saoirse Ronan as Arrietty will be replaced by Bridgit Mendler of Wizards of Waverly Place. Wtf?...
- 7/29/2011
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
The latest film from the legendary anime producers Studio Ghibli, Arrietty is based on the The Borrowers by Mary Norton, which has already been a TV show and big budget Hollywood movie – but trust me, this is something altogether more magical, especially when you consider it is written by Ghibli founder and anime stalwart Hayao Miyazaki and directed by long-time animator Hiromasa Yonebayashi…
The international release of Arrietty, which is out in the UK on Friday, is set to feature a voice cast that includes: Saoirse Ronan, Tom Holland, Mark Strong, Olivia Colman, Phyllida Law, and Geraldine McEwan and thanks to the folks at Optimum Releasing here’s an exclusive clip from the film:
Click here to view the embedded video.
This is a story of a family of “little” people. Beneath the floorboards of a sprawling mansion set in a magical, overgrown garden in the suburbs of Tokyo, tiny...
The international release of Arrietty, which is out in the UK on Friday, is set to feature a voice cast that includes: Saoirse Ronan, Tom Holland, Mark Strong, Olivia Colman, Phyllida Law, and Geraldine McEwan and thanks to the folks at Optimum Releasing here’s an exclusive clip from the film:
Click here to view the embedded video.
This is a story of a family of “little” people. Beneath the floorboards of a sprawling mansion set in a magical, overgrown garden in the suburbs of Tokyo, tiny...
- 7/27/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
As everyone knows, Studio Ghibli is Japan's magic kingdom, a powerhouse that's consistently wowed Japanese and Western audiences alike with its stunning, heartfelt visions. Nothing brings back memories of childhood faster than a Ghibli movie and Arrietty possibly more than most. Its source material - Mary Norton's The Borrowers - has been a childhood favourite for generations. Arrietty may not be quite as cheese-dreamy as Howl's Moving Castle or Spirited Away but, judging by this new clip, it should be just as captivating for human beans of all ages.Unusually, Ghibli has gone to the trouble of using two English-language voicecasts. The UK and Irish version here features the talents of Saoirse Ronan as Arrietty herself, the tiny Borrower, with Mark Strong voicing Pod, a role played by Ian Holm in the '90s BBC version. brightcove.createExperiences(); Olivia Coleman, Phyllida Law and Geraldine McEwan also lend their voices...
- 7/27/2011
- EmpireOnline
Studio Ghibli’s beautifully enchanting animation, Arrietty arrives in cinemas nationwide on 29th July, with a star-studded voice cast including Saoirse Ronan (Atonement, Lovely Bones), Tom Holland, Mark Strong, Olivia Colman, Pyhllida Law and Geraldine McEwan.
The film tells the story of an adventurous 14 year old, Arrietty, who despite being warned by her family of “little” people to never let humans see her, is determined to explore the world beyond the floorboards of a sprawling mansion. When Arrietty is discovered by a human, she discovers that some people can be trusted and before long a friendship begins to blossom…
Sound familiar? Continuing a long line of incredibly successful film recreations, the story is a magical adaptation of Mary Norton’s well-known, children’s favourite The Borrowers. And it’s not the first adaptation of children’s literature either, so here’s our pick of the top 10 fantastic films based on...
The film tells the story of an adventurous 14 year old, Arrietty, who despite being warned by her family of “little” people to never let humans see her, is determined to explore the world beyond the floorboards of a sprawling mansion. When Arrietty is discovered by a human, she discovers that some people can be trusted and before long a friendship begins to blossom…
Sound familiar? Continuing a long line of incredibly successful film recreations, the story is a magical adaptation of Mary Norton’s well-known, children’s favourite The Borrowers. And it’s not the first adaptation of children’s literature either, so here’s our pick of the top 10 fantastic films based on...
- 7/27/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Studio Ghibli’s beautifully enchanting animation, Arrietty arrives in cinemas nationwide on 29th July 2011. Adapted from Mary Norton’s well-known, children’s favourite ‘The Borrowers’, and voiced by Saoirse Ronan (Lovely Bones), Tom Holland, Mark Strong, Olivia Colman, Pyhllida Law and Geraldine McEwan.
Arrietty tells the story of 14 year old adventurous Arrietty, who despite being warned by her family of “little” people to never let humans see her, is determined to explore the world beyond the floorboards of a sprawling mansion, set in the magical, overgrown garden in the suburbs of Tokyo. When Arrietty is discovered by human Sho, she discovers that some humans can be trusted, and before long, a friendship begins to blossom…
To celebrate the release of Arrietty, HeyUGuys are giving three lucky winners the chance to win a collection of Studio Ghibli DVDs including Ponyo, Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away.
For your chance to...
Arrietty tells the story of 14 year old adventurous Arrietty, who despite being warned by her family of “little” people to never let humans see her, is determined to explore the world beyond the floorboards of a sprawling mansion, set in the magical, overgrown garden in the suburbs of Tokyo. When Arrietty is discovered by human Sho, she discovers that some humans can be trusted, and before long, a friendship begins to blossom…
To celebrate the release of Arrietty, HeyUGuys are giving three lucky winners the chance to win a collection of Studio Ghibli DVDs including Ponyo, Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away.
For your chance to...
- 7/26/2011
- by Competitons
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Photo: Walt Disney Pictures Co-written and exec-produced by Hayao Miyazaki, we now have a new, English-language trailer for Arrietty (Kari-gurashi no Arietti), the directorial debut of Hiromasa Yonebayashi and based on Mary Norton's novel of the same name.
The story centers on a sickly little boy named Sho (voiced by Tom Holland) who comes to live with his great aunt Sadako (voiced by Carol Burnett). Seeing a cat chasing something in the bushes, he comes across a tiny borrower - so called because they 'borrow' everything they need from humans up above. She's Arrietty (voiced by Saoirse Ronan), whose mother Homily (voiced by Olivia Colman) warns her about befriending Sho, since borrowers are not supposed to be seen by humans. But Arietty disobeys her mother and becomes firm friends with Sho. Realizing they have been discovered, Arrietty's father, Pod (voiced by Mark Strong), makes plans to move out of the house.
The story centers on a sickly little boy named Sho (voiced by Tom Holland) who comes to live with his great aunt Sadako (voiced by Carol Burnett). Seeing a cat chasing something in the bushes, he comes across a tiny borrower - so called because they 'borrow' everything they need from humans up above. She's Arrietty (voiced by Saoirse Ronan), whose mother Homily (voiced by Olivia Colman) warns her about befriending Sho, since borrowers are not supposed to be seen by humans. But Arietty disobeys her mother and becomes firm friends with Sho. Realizing they have been discovered, Arrietty's father, Pod (voiced by Mark Strong), makes plans to move out of the house.
- 7/2/2011
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Arrietty
Review by Joe Cronin
Stars (the voices of): Saoirse Ronan, Tom Holland, Mark Strong, Olivia Colman, Phyllida Law, Geraldine McEwan | Written by Hayao Miyazaki | Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi
With hindsight, it’s a wonder that the famed story of The Borrowers by Mary Norton has not been touched by the magic of Studio Ghibli already. The world of fantasy that the studio usually creates has been replaced by a world just as enchanting, but here based on real-world objects. Director Yonebayashi has created a work of art that lives up to the Ghibli name, with impressive scaled-up soundscapes accompanying lush visuals.
The film follows the antics of Arrietty, a curious teenage Borrower who longs to explore the wider world. She lives with her father, Pod, and her nervous mother Harmony. Her curious nature leads her to encounter a young ‘human-being’ called Sho, who gains her trust by attempting...
Review by Joe Cronin
Stars (the voices of): Saoirse Ronan, Tom Holland, Mark Strong, Olivia Colman, Phyllida Law, Geraldine McEwan | Written by Hayao Miyazaki | Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi
With hindsight, it’s a wonder that the famed story of The Borrowers by Mary Norton has not been touched by the magic of Studio Ghibli already. The world of fantasy that the studio usually creates has been replaced by a world just as enchanting, but here based on real-world objects. Director Yonebayashi has created a work of art that lives up to the Ghibli name, with impressive scaled-up soundscapes accompanying lush visuals.
The film follows the antics of Arrietty, a curious teenage Borrower who longs to explore the wider world. She lives with her father, Pod, and her nervous mother Harmony. Her curious nature leads her to encounter a young ‘human-being’ called Sho, who gains her trust by attempting...
- 7/1/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
The latest film from the legendary anime producers Studio Ghibli, Arrietty is based on the story by Mary Norton, The Borrowers, which has already been a TV show and big budget Hollywood movie – but trust me, this is something altogether more magical, especially when you consider it is written by Ghibli founder and anime stalwart Hayao Miyazaki and directed by long-time animator Hiromasa Yonebayashi…
The international release of Arrietty is set to feature a voice cast that includes: Saoirse Ronan, Tom Holland, Mark Strong, Olivia Colman, Phyllida Law, and Geraldine McEwan; and whilst the film is not scheduled for a UK release until July 29th, we do have the first look at the poster courtesy of the folks at Optimum Releasing:
This is a story of a family of “little” people. Beneath the floorboards of a sprawling mansion set in a magical, overgrown garden in the suburbs of Tokyo,...
The international release of Arrietty is set to feature a voice cast that includes: Saoirse Ronan, Tom Holland, Mark Strong, Olivia Colman, Phyllida Law, and Geraldine McEwan; and whilst the film is not scheduled for a UK release until July 29th, we do have the first look at the poster courtesy of the folks at Optimum Releasing:
This is a story of a family of “little” people. Beneath the floorboards of a sprawling mansion set in a magical, overgrown garden in the suburbs of Tokyo,...
- 6/23/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Popular Agatha Christie character, Miss Marple, is getting a youthful spin as Disney has tapped Jennifer Garner, 38, to play the crime-solving spinster.
Hitting the scene in 1927, Marple has been in a 12 novel series from Christie. On screen, Marple has been played by Margaret Rutherford, Joan Hickson, Julia McKenzie, Geraldine McEwan and Angela Lansbury.
The untitled Miss Marple movie will be penned by Twin Peaks writer Mark Frost with production from Garner’s Vandalia Films company.
No word on who will be directing the film nor a release date.
Garner can be seen opposite Russell Brand in the Jason Winer comedy Arthur on April 8th.
Her other project, Back Woods, centers on a young man (played by new Spider-man Andrew Garfield) caring for his younger sisters after a family tragedy. That’s due out sometime in 2012.
Hitting the scene in 1927, Marple has been in a 12 novel series from Christie. On screen, Marple has been played by Margaret Rutherford, Joan Hickson, Julia McKenzie, Geraldine McEwan and Angela Lansbury.
The untitled Miss Marple movie will be penned by Twin Peaks writer Mark Frost with production from Garner’s Vandalia Films company.
No word on who will be directing the film nor a release date.
Garner can be seen opposite Russell Brand in the Jason Winer comedy Arthur on April 8th.
Her other project, Back Woods, centers on a young man (played by new Spider-man Andrew Garfield) caring for his younger sisters after a family tragedy. That’s due out sometime in 2012.
- 3/29/2011
- by Terrance Clay
- Movie News Guide
Can you imagine glamorous Hollywood star Jennifer Garner - wife of actor/director Ben Affleck - stepping into the role of tweed-clad amateur detective Miss Marple?
It may sound a stretch but you'd better get used to the idea because the 38-year-old is to produce and star in a Disney revamp of Agatha Christie's famous murder-solving spinster.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, studio chiefs have acquired the rights to Miss Marple after months of negotiations, with Mark Frost hired to pen the script. Frost has some familarity with detective drama; he was involved with writing TV series Hill Street Blues and The Equalizer. His other credits include Twin Peaks and both Fantastic Four films.
Garner played CIA agent Sydney Bristow in the TV show Alias and has also been in Daredevil spin-off Elektra and in Juno. She'll next be on screen in the upcoming remake of Arthur, starring Russell Brand.
It may sound a stretch but you'd better get used to the idea because the 38-year-old is to produce and star in a Disney revamp of Agatha Christie's famous murder-solving spinster.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, studio chiefs have acquired the rights to Miss Marple after months of negotiations, with Mark Frost hired to pen the script. Frost has some familarity with detective drama; he was involved with writing TV series Hill Street Blues and The Equalizer. His other credits include Twin Peaks and both Fantastic Four films.
Garner played CIA agent Sydney Bristow in the TV show Alias and has also been in Daredevil spin-off Elektra and in Juno. She'll next be on screen in the upcoming remake of Arthur, starring Russell Brand.
- 3/29/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Jennifer Garner has been cast as Miss Marple in a new prequel film.
The thirty-eight year old Alias star will also produce the Disney-backed film in association with her production company, Vandalia Films.
While the project is still in early development, the story, written by Twin Peaks co-creator Mark Frost, will revolve around a young Miss Marple solving crimes.
It’s unknown at this point whether the story will be set in the pre-wwii era of the original books or changed to the modern day.
There is also no word if Garner will don an English accent for the part or if the character will be changed to an American.
Agatha Christie’s famous English detective, often described as a spinster, is usually portrayed by much older women.
Angela Lansbury, Joan Hickson, Margaret Rutherford and Geraldine McEwan are the most well-known actresses to have played the amateur sleuth.
As Miss...
The thirty-eight year old Alias star will also produce the Disney-backed film in association with her production company, Vandalia Films.
While the project is still in early development, the story, written by Twin Peaks co-creator Mark Frost, will revolve around a young Miss Marple solving crimes.
It’s unknown at this point whether the story will be set in the pre-wwii era of the original books or changed to the modern day.
There is also no word if Garner will don an English accent for the part or if the character will be changed to an American.
Agatha Christie’s famous English detective, often described as a spinster, is usually portrayed by much older women.
Angela Lansbury, Joan Hickson, Margaret Rutherford and Geraldine McEwan are the most well-known actresses to have played the amateur sleuth.
As Miss...
- 3/29/2011
- by lauren.forry@lovefilm.com (Lauren Forry)
- LOVEFiLM
Twin Peaks co-creator Mark Frost is set to give Agatha Christie's Miss Marple a makeover in a movie prequel to the mystery writer's famous detective books.
Frost is developing a script which revolves around Marple as a 30-something crime solver.
No casting has been announced.
Miss Marple has been played on the big and small screen by British actresses Angela Lansbury, Joan Hickson, Margaret Rutherford, Julia Mackenzie and Geraldine McEwan and American star Helen Hayes.
The only actress to play a young Miss Marple is Julie Cox, who played the detective in 2004 TV movie Marple: The Murder at the Vicarage.
Frost is developing a script which revolves around Marple as a 30-something crime solver.
No casting has been announced.
Miss Marple has been played on the big and small screen by British actresses Angela Lansbury, Joan Hickson, Margaret Rutherford, Julia Mackenzie and Geraldine McEwan and American star Helen Hayes.
The only actress to play a young Miss Marple is Julie Cox, who played the detective in 2004 TV movie Marple: The Murder at the Vicarage.
- 3/29/2011
- WENN
There's updating, and then there's taking the piss.
Disney Pictures has closed months of negotiations to capture the film rights to Agatha Christie’s detective Miss Marple says The Hollywood Reporter.
In surprising news though, the studio is making drastic changes in their approach to the character of Jane Marple. Gone is the elderly spinster who resides in the quaint pre-WW2 village of St. Mary Mead. In this version she'll be a young, modern day and possibly American city girl - and no, this is not a satire.
Jennifer Garner is set to produce through her Vandalia Films and will likely star in the new adaptation. Mark Frost, who co-created "Twin Peaks" and penned the "Fantastic Four" movies, will be penning the script.
The changeover is rather disturbing to say the least. The entire point of the character is that her small English village life and kind, unassuming outward appearance...
Disney Pictures has closed months of negotiations to capture the film rights to Agatha Christie’s detective Miss Marple says The Hollywood Reporter.
In surprising news though, the studio is making drastic changes in their approach to the character of Jane Marple. Gone is the elderly spinster who resides in the quaint pre-WW2 village of St. Mary Mead. In this version she'll be a young, modern day and possibly American city girl - and no, this is not a satire.
Jennifer Garner is set to produce through her Vandalia Films and will likely star in the new adaptation. Mark Frost, who co-created "Twin Peaks" and penned the "Fantastic Four" movies, will be penning the script.
The changeover is rather disturbing to say the least. The entire point of the character is that her small English village life and kind, unassuming outward appearance...
- 3/29/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
When you picture Agatha Christie’s iconic crime-solver Miss Marple, what comes to mind? The stalwart TV portrayal by Joan Hickson? Or perhaps the more modern version with Geraldine McEwan inheriting the sensible shoes and nice hat? Well, you can forget all that nonsense: for her big screen incarnation via Disney, Miss Marple will take the form of Jennifer Garner. Er… So that means Garner will be sitting in a make up chair for hours every day on set to play the elderly sleuth? Not quite. The Mouse House is ditching the central concept of Miss Marple as an old spinster and re-inventing her for a younger generation.Yep, according to Deadline, Disney is calling in writer Mark Frost (Fantastic Four, Twin Peaks) to craft a new version where Marple is Garner’s age. The actress is producing the new movie, working with her Vandalia Films company to fashion a star vehicle.
- 3/29/2011
- EmpireOnline
Marple star Julia McKenzie has admitted that she has grown into the role of the amateur sleuth. The actress told What's On TV that she had begun to alter her performances as Marple as she became more comfortable in the role. "I'm feeling more secure with Marple now," she said. "I've changed her very slightly, more to my liking." McKenzie said that she had not had time to explore the character fully when she took over the role over from Geraldine McEwan in 2008. She explained: "As I was thrown (more)...
- 8/27/2010
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
I never imagined Basil Rathbone would ever be surpassed when it came to playing Sherlock Holmes. But surely now Jeremy Brett is the definitive detective. For some, Margaret Rutherford holds the same place of honor when it comes to Miss Marple, the deceptively sweet and mild-mannered little old lady with a keen eye for clues. Others give TV's Joan Hickson first place of honor. But we can all agree the recent relaunch of Miss Marple with the excellent actress Geraldine McEwan was a flop. Miss Marple with a long-lost love? One shudders. They've started from scratch (again) because they know mystery buffs will line up and watch anything with stately homes, British accents...and murder. But surely they're pushing it with the desultory batch of episodes in Agatha Christie Marple Series 4 ($59.99; Acorn). The new Miss Marple is Julia McKenzie, of...
- 8/5/2009
- by Michael Giltz
- Huffington Post
Tea Cozies, Tweed, and Murder Most Foul: An Advance Review of "Marple" on PBS' "Masterpiece Mystery"
The sunshine might be more intense than ever this summer, but it's also the perfect time to curl up with a good mystery, or four in this case. This weekend, PBS' Masterpiece Mystery launches the first of four fantastic new Miss Marple feature-length mysteries, based on the spinster detective character created by Agatha Christie. Stepping into the role for the first time is the superlative Julia McKenzie (Cranford), who replaces Geraldine McEwan as the titular sleuth following McEwan's retirement after the third season of Marple, which airs in the UK on ITV. McKenzie is pitch perfect as the perspicacious Jane Marple; she might look like an elderly spinster but her tweed suits and constant knitting belie the keen mind of a true detective in every sense of the word. The four installments presented here--"A Pocket Full of Rye," "Murder is Easy," "They Do It With Mirrors," and "Why Didn't They Ask Evans?...
- 7/6/2009
- by Jace
- Televisionary
A new episode of Jonathan Creek was a ratings triumph for the BBC on New Year's Day, according to early figures. The new mystery - the first episode in five years - averaged a mighty 8.97m (35.9%) for BBC One between 9pm and 11pm. It outrated ITV1's Marple more than 2 to 1. Geraldine McEwan's final appearance as the sleuth pulled in 3.69m (15%) over the same period. Two episode of EastEnders managed 9.31m (35.7%) at 7.30pm and 8.58m (31.3%) an hour later. The soap sandwiched Celebrity Mastermind, which had 6.55m (24.8%). At 7pm, a rerun of Christmas Day ratings victor Wallace and Gromit: A Matter Of Loaf and Death notched up 7.23m (29%) for BBC One. It outperformed ITV1's Emmerdale, with 6.51m (25.9%) at the same time. The first episode of a revived Krypton Factor had 4.35m (16.6%) for ITV1 at 7.30pm opposite EastEnders. (more)...
- 1/4/2009
- by By Neil Wilkes
- Digital Spy
Doubt
Starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis
Directed by John Patrick Shanley
Rated PG-13
The beauty of Meryl Streep's performance as Sister Aloysius in Doubt is not in her tough-as-nails demeanor nor is it in the bluster you expect to find (and receive) from an adaptation of such an emotional Tony-winning play. The beauty of Streep's performance, why she so richly deserves her third Academy Award, is in where Streep pulls her punches.
Most actors, even great ones like her co-star Philip Seymour Hoffman, can get too invested in the moment, and what begins as a disagreement because an all-out shouting match, because drama is all about, well, drama.
But Streep knows when a performance ends and when a character should take over, and she probably knows it instinctively by now.
Her Sister Aloysius scares the devil out of Catholic schoolchildren, intimidates her subordinates,...
Starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis
Directed by John Patrick Shanley
Rated PG-13
The beauty of Meryl Streep's performance as Sister Aloysius in Doubt is not in her tough-as-nails demeanor nor is it in the bluster you expect to find (and receive) from an adaptation of such an emotional Tony-winning play. The beauty of Streep's performance, why she so richly deserves her third Academy Award, is in where Streep pulls her punches.
Most actors, even great ones like her co-star Philip Seymour Hoffman, can get too invested in the moment, and what begins as a disagreement because an all-out shouting match, because drama is all about, well, drama.
But Streep knows when a performance ends and when a character should take over, and she probably knows it instinctively by now.
Her Sister Aloysius scares the devil out of Catholic schoolchildren, intimidates her subordinates,...
- 12/12/2008
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
Stars including Richard E. Grant, Alan Davies and Amanda Burton are to appear in the final two Miss Marple dramas with Geraldine McEwan. ITV has released details of Nemesis and Towards Zero, the last instalments filmed with McEwan before her retirement. Nemesis, which will air in August, sees Miss Marple sent on a coach tour in a message from a recently deceased man named (more)...
- 7/7/2008
- by By Dave West
- Digital Spy
Berlin International Film Festival
BERLIN -- "Pure"'s lively and colorful cinematic style turns a "downer" story about grim lives and desperation into a powerful love story. Returning to the subject of troubled relationships between a mother and her children, which he explored in his 1998 film "Hideous Kinky", Scottish director Gillies MacKinnon zeroes in on a 10-year-old boy who goes to extreme lengths to rescue his mom from heroin addiction. Resourceful and determined, the lad's persistent wooing of his mom lifts the story out of the realm of social realism to give audiences a new perspective on addicts and addiction. This one has the look and feel of an art house hit.
Young Henry Eden carries the film as Paul, a cheerful lad who has learned how to prepare the "medicine" that gets his mother, Mel (Molly Parker), going each morning since the tragic death of his father. He and his younger brother, Lee (Vinni Hunter), live with their mom in East London's Upton Park, across the street from West Ham United's football stadium, the scene of happier times as a family. Only when a close friend of his mom's (Marsha Thomason) dies of an overdose does Paul realize the danger of his mom's medicine.
When he angrily confronts her with her addiction, she agrees to go cold turkey. But she can't get through the self-imposed imprisonment in her own bedroom. To Paul's horror, his dad's best friend, Lenny (David Wenham), a local pimp and drug dealer, misguidedly supplies Mel with drugs to keep her going.
Outside pressures build. The children's grandmother (Geraldine McEwan) wants custody of Paul and Lee. Social Services is only to happy to agree. And a police detective (Gary Lewis) wants Paul to help him nail Lenny. Paul's only escape comes in his budding friendship with a pregnant waitress, Louise (Keira Knightley), but she too is developing a drug problem. Wanting to understand how his mother feels, Paul coaxes Louise into letting him smoke heroin. Seeing her son stoned brings Mel to her senses.
The performances are superb, especially the key one between Parker and Eden as two people who desperately need each other. Pivotally, MacKinnon and writer Alison Hume concentrate on character, so the movie becomes one about people's lives rather than their addictions. They put us on an emotional roller coaster as Paul's every attempt at happiness is short-lived. All the tough love in the world won't do the trick unless his mom is willing to end the self-destructive behavior.
Cinematographer John de Borman's composition is arresting as the camera seeks out adventurous vantage points. Composer Nitin Sawhney, who also plays Lenny's henchman, lets Indian motifs filter through a lively Western score. But the film's greatest asset is the small, dark, pleading face of the single-minded Eden.
PURE
A Little Wing Films/Kudos production
Credits:
Director: Gillies MacKinnon
Screenwriter: Alison Hume
Producer: Howard Burch
Executive producers: Robert Bevan, Keith Hayley, Charlie Savill, Amanda Coombes, Amit Barooah, Stephen Garrett, Jane Featherstone
Director of photography: John de Borman
Production designer: Jon Henson
Music: Nitin Sawhney
Costume designer: Kate Carin
Editor: Pia Di Ciaula
Cast:
Mel: Molly Parker
Paul: Harry Eden
Lenny: David Wenham
Louise: Keira Knightley
Nanna: Geraldine McEwan
Vicki: Marsha Thomason
Lee: Vinni Hunter
Inspector French: Gary Lewis
Running time -- 96 minutes
No MPAA rating...
BERLIN -- "Pure"'s lively and colorful cinematic style turns a "downer" story about grim lives and desperation into a powerful love story. Returning to the subject of troubled relationships between a mother and her children, which he explored in his 1998 film "Hideous Kinky", Scottish director Gillies MacKinnon zeroes in on a 10-year-old boy who goes to extreme lengths to rescue his mom from heroin addiction. Resourceful and determined, the lad's persistent wooing of his mom lifts the story out of the realm of social realism to give audiences a new perspective on addicts and addiction. This one has the look and feel of an art house hit.
Young Henry Eden carries the film as Paul, a cheerful lad who has learned how to prepare the "medicine" that gets his mother, Mel (Molly Parker), going each morning since the tragic death of his father. He and his younger brother, Lee (Vinni Hunter), live with their mom in East London's Upton Park, across the street from West Ham United's football stadium, the scene of happier times as a family. Only when a close friend of his mom's (Marsha Thomason) dies of an overdose does Paul realize the danger of his mom's medicine.
When he angrily confronts her with her addiction, she agrees to go cold turkey. But she can't get through the self-imposed imprisonment in her own bedroom. To Paul's horror, his dad's best friend, Lenny (David Wenham), a local pimp and drug dealer, misguidedly supplies Mel with drugs to keep her going.
Outside pressures build. The children's grandmother (Geraldine McEwan) wants custody of Paul and Lee. Social Services is only to happy to agree. And a police detective (Gary Lewis) wants Paul to help him nail Lenny. Paul's only escape comes in his budding friendship with a pregnant waitress, Louise (Keira Knightley), but she too is developing a drug problem. Wanting to understand how his mother feels, Paul coaxes Louise into letting him smoke heroin. Seeing her son stoned brings Mel to her senses.
The performances are superb, especially the key one between Parker and Eden as two people who desperately need each other. Pivotally, MacKinnon and writer Alison Hume concentrate on character, so the movie becomes one about people's lives rather than their addictions. They put us on an emotional roller coaster as Paul's every attempt at happiness is short-lived. All the tough love in the world won't do the trick unless his mom is willing to end the self-destructive behavior.
Cinematographer John de Borman's composition is arresting as the camera seeks out adventurous vantage points. Composer Nitin Sawhney, who also plays Lenny's henchman, lets Indian motifs filter through a lively Western score. But the film's greatest asset is the small, dark, pleading face of the single-minded Eden.
PURE
A Little Wing Films/Kudos production
Credits:
Director: Gillies MacKinnon
Screenwriter: Alison Hume
Producer: Howard Burch
Executive producers: Robert Bevan, Keith Hayley, Charlie Savill, Amanda Coombes, Amit Barooah, Stephen Garrett, Jane Featherstone
Director of photography: John de Borman
Production designer: Jon Henson
Music: Nitin Sawhney
Costume designer: Kate Carin
Editor: Pia Di Ciaula
Cast:
Mel: Molly Parker
Paul: Harry Eden
Lenny: David Wenham
Louise: Keira Knightley
Nanna: Geraldine McEwan
Vicki: Marsha Thomason
Lee: Vinni Hunter
Inspector French: Gary Lewis
Running time -- 96 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 2/11/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"The Magdalene Sisters", the second feature written and directed by actor Peter Mullan, is a prisoner-of-war story with a unique twist -- the war isn't a shooting war but rather a religious battle for the hearts, minds and unpaid labor of a group of Catholic women.
The time is 1964. The place is an Irish Catholic convent for "wayward girls." The Magdalene convent, run by the Sisters of Mercy, is in fact a laundry business that benefits from the forced labor of women consigned to such convents by their families for transgressions either real or imagined.
The film, which recently won the Venice International Film Festival's top prize, the Golden Lion, and subsequently was acquired by Miramax, is an angry, bitter film certain to electrify audiences with its dramatic intensity. It certainly has angered the Catholic Church, which has condemned it. The Venice win coupled with further festival exposure and the controversy surrounding the church's denunciation will undoubtedly help Miramax to reach art house audiences and perhaps beyond.
The film follows the stories of three young women who arrive at the convent on the same day. Margaret (Anne-Marie Duff) is raped by a cousin during a wedding celebration. In an astonishing sequence, as gay music and commotion fill the soundtrack, her tearful confession to a family member gets related to other family members, provoking sharp looks all around. In the very next scene, this "sinner" is forcibly removed from the family home.
Rose (Dorothy Duffy) gives birth to an illegitimate son. As a manipulative priest cons her into giving up the boy for adoption, her parents, who refuse even to look at their grandchild, pack her off to the convent.
The most outrageous case concerns Bernadette (Nora-Jane Noone), an orphan whose good looks attracts too much attention from young boys. Having no family, it's all too easy for the strong-minded girl to be branded a temptress and sent to the nuns.
Like all good POW movies, "Magdalene" carefully indoctrinates the viewer into the inmates' life of harsh discipline and punishment. Their chief tormentor is Sister Bridget (Geraldine McEwan), a fierce, uncompromising force who sees herself as the vessel of God's wrath against sinners. All the nuns, though, are portrayed as sadists; they are clearly products of sexual repression and religious intolerance who clearly enjoy their role as bullies.
One of the most ruthlessly abused girls is feeble-minded Crispina (Eileen Walsh), who believes she can communicate through a St. Christopher medal with the son removed from her care. But sooner or later, everyone suffers from mistreatment. Some of the women even wind up believing in the righteousness of the nuns' wrath.
This is an angry film from Mullan, who appears briefly -- and tellingly -- as a brutal father of one young woman. There is little arguing with the truthfulness of his portrait of such convents in Ireland, which detained an estimated 30,000 women until the final institution closed in 1996. Mullan's script derives from a Channel Four documentary, "Sex in a Cold Climate", that was in turn based on extensive research and interviews with women imprisoned in such facilities. But Mullan's anger may have gotten the better of him as a dramatist. If he had showed even one nun as misguided but well intentioned instead of an unrepentant sadist, he might have given his film greater complexity.
A force greater than the nuns keeps the inmates from all-out revolt. Mullan, a Scot familiar with the ways of religious fundamentalism, might have further explained and explored the tenor of that time and how strict Catholicism ruled Ireland so that those outside the church could better understand how families would consign loved ones to such a house of horrors.
Mullan has DP Nigel Willoughby let light filter through windows, so browns and blacks predominate with the strongest colors coming from his characters' faces. Exterior scenes are bathed in brilliant sunshine as if to mock the women's incarceration. The director makes strong, selective use of Craig Armstrong's muscular score.
THE MAGDALENE SISTERS
Miramax Films
A Scottish Film Council/Irish Film Board presentation in association with Momentum Pictures PFP Films Ltd. in association with Temple Films
Credits:
Screenwriter-director: Peter Mullan
Producer: Frances Higson
Executive producers: Ed Guiney, Paul Trijbits
Director of photography: Nigel Willoughby
Production designer: Mark Leese
Music: Craig Armstrong
Costume designer: Trisha Biggar
Editor: Colin Monie
Cast:
Bernadette: Nora-Jane Noone
Margaret: Anne-Marie Duff
Rose: Dorothy Duffy
Sister Bridget: Geraldine McEwan
Crispina: Eileen Walsh
Running time -- 119 minutes
No MPAA rating...
The time is 1964. The place is an Irish Catholic convent for "wayward girls." The Magdalene convent, run by the Sisters of Mercy, is in fact a laundry business that benefits from the forced labor of women consigned to such convents by their families for transgressions either real or imagined.
The film, which recently won the Venice International Film Festival's top prize, the Golden Lion, and subsequently was acquired by Miramax, is an angry, bitter film certain to electrify audiences with its dramatic intensity. It certainly has angered the Catholic Church, which has condemned it. The Venice win coupled with further festival exposure and the controversy surrounding the church's denunciation will undoubtedly help Miramax to reach art house audiences and perhaps beyond.
The film follows the stories of three young women who arrive at the convent on the same day. Margaret (Anne-Marie Duff) is raped by a cousin during a wedding celebration. In an astonishing sequence, as gay music and commotion fill the soundtrack, her tearful confession to a family member gets related to other family members, provoking sharp looks all around. In the very next scene, this "sinner" is forcibly removed from the family home.
Rose (Dorothy Duffy) gives birth to an illegitimate son. As a manipulative priest cons her into giving up the boy for adoption, her parents, who refuse even to look at their grandchild, pack her off to the convent.
The most outrageous case concerns Bernadette (Nora-Jane Noone), an orphan whose good looks attracts too much attention from young boys. Having no family, it's all too easy for the strong-minded girl to be branded a temptress and sent to the nuns.
Like all good POW movies, "Magdalene" carefully indoctrinates the viewer into the inmates' life of harsh discipline and punishment. Their chief tormentor is Sister Bridget (Geraldine McEwan), a fierce, uncompromising force who sees herself as the vessel of God's wrath against sinners. All the nuns, though, are portrayed as sadists; they are clearly products of sexual repression and religious intolerance who clearly enjoy their role as bullies.
One of the most ruthlessly abused girls is feeble-minded Crispina (Eileen Walsh), who believes she can communicate through a St. Christopher medal with the son removed from her care. But sooner or later, everyone suffers from mistreatment. Some of the women even wind up believing in the righteousness of the nuns' wrath.
This is an angry film from Mullan, who appears briefly -- and tellingly -- as a brutal father of one young woman. There is little arguing with the truthfulness of his portrait of such convents in Ireland, which detained an estimated 30,000 women until the final institution closed in 1996. Mullan's script derives from a Channel Four documentary, "Sex in a Cold Climate", that was in turn based on extensive research and interviews with women imprisoned in such facilities. But Mullan's anger may have gotten the better of him as a dramatist. If he had showed even one nun as misguided but well intentioned instead of an unrepentant sadist, he might have given his film greater complexity.
A force greater than the nuns keeps the inmates from all-out revolt. Mullan, a Scot familiar with the ways of religious fundamentalism, might have further explained and explored the tenor of that time and how strict Catholicism ruled Ireland so that those outside the church could better understand how families would consign loved ones to such a house of horrors.
Mullan has DP Nigel Willoughby let light filter through windows, so browns and blacks predominate with the strongest colors coming from his characters' faces. Exterior scenes are bathed in brilliant sunshine as if to mock the women's incarceration. The director makes strong, selective use of Craig Armstrong's muscular score.
THE MAGDALENE SISTERS
Miramax Films
A Scottish Film Council/Irish Film Board presentation in association with Momentum Pictures PFP Films Ltd. in association with Temple Films
Credits:
Screenwriter-director: Peter Mullan
Producer: Frances Higson
Executive producers: Ed Guiney, Paul Trijbits
Director of photography: Nigel Willoughby
Production designer: Mark Leese
Music: Craig Armstrong
Costume designer: Trisha Biggar
Editor: Colin Monie
Cast:
Bernadette: Nora-Jane Noone
Margaret: Anne-Marie Duff
Rose: Dorothy Duffy
Sister Bridget: Geraldine McEwan
Crispina: Eileen Walsh
Running time -- 119 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 9/20/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Like the Cathleen Schine bestseller on which it was based, "The Love Letter" is a light Summer Breeze of a romantic comedy. It's pleasant enough, with its share of wittily wistful moments delivered by a capable cast, but as the 89-minute running time might indicate, it just doesn't amount to very much.
And as effective counterprogramming to the "Phantom Menace" juggernaut, it's like trying to divert a charging rhino with a souffle. The DreamWorks release should be able to woo a healthy segment of its targeted female demographic, but they probably won't be falling head over heels.
Set in the fictional, perennially sleepy New England town of Loblolly By The Sea, the picture concerns itself with a mysterious love letter addressed to "Dearest" and signed "Yours" that has seemingly materialized out of nowhere but manages to affect profoundly the lives of all who come across it.
That is particularly the case for Helen MacFarquhar (Kate Capshaw), a single mother whose long dormant passions are suddenly reignited by the discovery of the phantom missive. Believing that she's the "Dearest" in question, Helen is determined to discover the author's identity, and in the process ends up having a little fling with cute, sweet college student Johnny Tom Everett Scott) -- who also sees himself in the letter -- not to mention second thoughts about her lifelong platonic friend, George (Tom Selleck), who has been secretly infatuated with her since high school.
By the time the true identities of both writer and addressee are ultimately revealed, the letter has already managed to alter the emotional states of a number of its readers.
Working from a bright adaptation by Maria Maggenti ("The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love) director Peter Ho-Sun Chan ("Comrades: Almost a Love Story") makes his American debut here with a nice grasp on the quirky characters and light humor.
As the emotionally guarded Helen, Capshaw gives a fine if somewhat one-note performance. There are times when certain feelings aren't sufficiently externalized, leaving key facial reactions hidden behind her large, rectangular glasses.
Playing her glib bookstore colleague Janet, Ellen DeGeneres tosses off the picture's best lines with seasoned aplomb, while Scott's earnest, smitten Johnny and Selleck's vulnerable, gentle George are astutely portrayed.
Also impressive is Julianne Nicholson as the young, strong-willed Jennifer, who also works in Helen's bookstore, and, in all-too-brief roles, Blythe Danner and Gloria Stuart, as Helen's peripatetic mother and grandmother, respectively, as well as Geraldine McEwan as the delightfully enigmatic Miss Scattergoods.
Behind-the-camera contributions are sturdy, although composer Luis Bacalov's swooping violins try a little too hard to evoke unbridled passion. Similarly, the songs -- "I'm In the Mood For Love", "Only the Lonely", "I've Never Been In Love Before" -- cloyingly overstate the obvious.
In that vein, as a lilting breeze carries the letter off toward the sea at the film's end, it's tempting to start humming that old Police hit, "Message in a Bottle".
Fortunately the filmmakers didn't go there.
THE LOVE LETTER
DreamWorks Pictures
A Sanford/Pillsbury production
A Peter Ho-Sun Chan film
Producers:Sarah Pillsbury, Midge Sanford, Kate Capshaw
Executive producers:Beau Flynn, Stefan Simchowitz
Director:Peter Ho-Sun Chan
Screenwriter:Maria Maggenti
Based on the novel by:Cathleen Schine
Director of photography:Tami Reiker
Production designer:Andrew Jackness
Editor:Jacqueline Cambas
Costume designer:Tracy Tynan
Music:Luis Bacalov
Casting:Mali Finn
Color/stereo
Cast:
Helen MacFarquhar:Kate Capshaw
Lillian:Blythe Danner
Janet:Ellen DeGeneres
Miss Scattergoods:Geraldine McEwan
Jennifer:Julianne Nicholson
Johnny:Tom Everett Scott
George Matthias:Tom Selleck
Eleanor:Gloria Stuart
Running time -- 89 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
And as effective counterprogramming to the "Phantom Menace" juggernaut, it's like trying to divert a charging rhino with a souffle. The DreamWorks release should be able to woo a healthy segment of its targeted female demographic, but they probably won't be falling head over heels.
Set in the fictional, perennially sleepy New England town of Loblolly By The Sea, the picture concerns itself with a mysterious love letter addressed to "Dearest" and signed "Yours" that has seemingly materialized out of nowhere but manages to affect profoundly the lives of all who come across it.
That is particularly the case for Helen MacFarquhar (Kate Capshaw), a single mother whose long dormant passions are suddenly reignited by the discovery of the phantom missive. Believing that she's the "Dearest" in question, Helen is determined to discover the author's identity, and in the process ends up having a little fling with cute, sweet college student Johnny Tom Everett Scott) -- who also sees himself in the letter -- not to mention second thoughts about her lifelong platonic friend, George (Tom Selleck), who has been secretly infatuated with her since high school.
By the time the true identities of both writer and addressee are ultimately revealed, the letter has already managed to alter the emotional states of a number of its readers.
Working from a bright adaptation by Maria Maggenti ("The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love) director Peter Ho-Sun Chan ("Comrades: Almost a Love Story") makes his American debut here with a nice grasp on the quirky characters and light humor.
As the emotionally guarded Helen, Capshaw gives a fine if somewhat one-note performance. There are times when certain feelings aren't sufficiently externalized, leaving key facial reactions hidden behind her large, rectangular glasses.
Playing her glib bookstore colleague Janet, Ellen DeGeneres tosses off the picture's best lines with seasoned aplomb, while Scott's earnest, smitten Johnny and Selleck's vulnerable, gentle George are astutely portrayed.
Also impressive is Julianne Nicholson as the young, strong-willed Jennifer, who also works in Helen's bookstore, and, in all-too-brief roles, Blythe Danner and Gloria Stuart, as Helen's peripatetic mother and grandmother, respectively, as well as Geraldine McEwan as the delightfully enigmatic Miss Scattergoods.
Behind-the-camera contributions are sturdy, although composer Luis Bacalov's swooping violins try a little too hard to evoke unbridled passion. Similarly, the songs -- "I'm In the Mood For Love", "Only the Lonely", "I've Never Been In Love Before" -- cloyingly overstate the obvious.
In that vein, as a lilting breeze carries the letter off toward the sea at the film's end, it's tempting to start humming that old Police hit, "Message in a Bottle".
Fortunately the filmmakers didn't go there.
THE LOVE LETTER
DreamWorks Pictures
A Sanford/Pillsbury production
A Peter Ho-Sun Chan film
Producers:Sarah Pillsbury, Midge Sanford, Kate Capshaw
Executive producers:Beau Flynn, Stefan Simchowitz
Director:Peter Ho-Sun Chan
Screenwriter:Maria Maggenti
Based on the novel by:Cathleen Schine
Director of photography:Tami Reiker
Production designer:Andrew Jackness
Editor:Jacqueline Cambas
Costume designer:Tracy Tynan
Music:Luis Bacalov
Casting:Mali Finn
Color/stereo
Cast:
Helen MacFarquhar:Kate Capshaw
Lillian:Blythe Danner
Janet:Ellen DeGeneres
Miss Scattergoods:Geraldine McEwan
Jennifer:Julianne Nicholson
Johnny:Tom Everett Scott
George Matthias:Tom Selleck
Eleanor:Gloria Stuart
Running time -- 89 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 5/21/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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