The Studio

Tony Gilroy’s thriller Michael Clayton was one of my favorite films of last year. Between its taut pacing, killer performances from George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, and Tom Wilkinson, and incredible last-act denouement, I think it’s a film that’s just going to get better with age.

Well, the trailer has dropped for Gilroy’s newest film, Duplicity, and it has quickly rocketed to the top of my most-anticipated list. Imagine the twists and turns of Michael Clayton, but with an Ocean’s Eleven sense of humor. With a crackling cast that includes Clive Owen, Julia Roberts, Paul Giamatti, and Wilkinson again, the film gives me hope that 2009’s going to be a good year for cinema. Take a look at the trailer, and see if you agree:

What other trailers have you dying to see the finished product?

Interested in foreign language films? Check out the world film screenings at the library.

Coming soon:

Monday, January 5 at 6:30pm – Twin Sisters (Netherlands)

Monday, February 2 at 6:30pm – Days and Clouds (Italy)

A friend recently recommended that I read the book In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson. Lately, my preferred version of reading is listening to the audiobook - which I did. I have to confess that the book wasn’t entirely my type of entertainment (much to the disappointment of my friend, I think). As one thing leads to another that is only slightly related, the book (not being adapted into a movie) did get me excited to see the new movie Australia, directed by Baz Luhrmann, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Oh, I loved the movie! It approaches guilty pleasure territory as far as I am concerned. Certainly Hugh Jackman makes my list of celebrity crushes. That aside, what about other movies filmed in Australia? Quite a few have been released on DVD. See the library’s list. I want to point out the TV series Snowy River: The McGregor Saga. Some of the episodes feature Hugh Jackman – at the beginning of his career. Fun stuff.

BTW, both the TV series and the 1982 feature film The Man From Snowy River are inspired by the poem written by Banjo Paterson.

I recently watched two Judy Holliday movies – Bells Are Ringing and Born Yesterday. I was surprised how much I enjoyed these. I’m sure that I liked these movies as a kid, watching them with my mom. But as an adult, I was blown away by Ms. Holliday.  She won the Best Actress Academy Award for Born Yesterday (1950), and she won the 1957 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for Bells Are Ringing. Check out the original Broadway cast recording on CD. Bells Are Ringing was her last movie. What a talent!

Anyone have other “slightly forgotten” classics to recommend??