Martin Starr
Born: July 30, 1982 in Santa Monica, California, USA
| A GOOD OLD FASHIONED ORGY dir. Alex Gregory Peter Huyck Stars: Jason Sudeikis Leslie Bibb |
 Knocked Up2007 dir. Judd Apatow Starring Rogen Katherine Heigl |
 Superbad2007 dir. Greg Mottola Starring Jonah Hill Michael Cera |
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Joey King
Born: July 30, 1999 in Los Angeles, California, USA
 Ramona and Beezusdir. Elizabeth Allen Stars Joey King Selena Gomez |
 THE DARK KNIGHT RISES2012 dir. Christopher Nolan See over 80 pages of photos and videos! |
 CRAZY, STUPID, LOVEdir. Glenn Ficarra John Requa Stars: Steve Carell Ryan Gosling |
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| THE CONJURING 2013 dir. James Wan Stars: Patrick Wilson Vera Farmiga |
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Born: July 30, 1947 in Thal, Styria, Austria
Married to:
Maria Shriver (26 April 1986 – present) (filed for divorce) (4 children)
| Conan the Barbarian 1982 dir. John Milius Cast Schwarzenegger James Earl Jones |
 The Terminator1984 dir. James Cameron Starring: Schwarzenegger Linda Hamilton |
 Predator1987 dir. John McTiernan Cast Arnold Schwarzenegger Carl Weathers |
 Total Recall1990 dir. by Paul Verhoeven starring Schwarzenegger Sharon Stone |
| Terminator 2 1991 dir. James Cameron starring Schwarzenegger Linda Hamilton |
 True Lies1994 dir. James Cameron Starring Schwarzenegger Jamie Lee Curtis |
 Batman & Robin1997 dir. Joel Schumacher Starring George Clooney Uma Thurman Schwarzenegger |
 Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines2003 dir. Jonathan Mostow Starring Schwarzenegger |
 ESCAPE PLAN2013 dir. Mikael Hafstrom Stars: Sylvester Stallone Arnold Schwarzenegger |
 THE LAST STAND2013 dir. Jee-woon Kim Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger Eduardo Noriega |
| THE EXPENDABLES 3 2014 dir. Patrick Hughes Stars: Sylvester Stallone Jason Statham |
 SABOTAGE2014 dir. David Ayer Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger Sam Worthington |
Christopher Nolan
Born: July 30, 1970 in London, England, UK
Emma Thomas (1997 – present) (4 children)
| Memento 2000 dir. Nolan starring Guy Pearce Carrie-Anne Moss |
 Inceptiondir. Christopher Nolan Stars Leonardo DiCaprio Ken Watanabe |
 Insomnia2002 dir. Christopher Nolan Starring Al Pacino Robin Williams Hilary Swank |
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES 2012 dir. Christopher Nolan See over 80 pages of photos and videos! |
| Batman Begins 2005 dir. Nolan starring Christian Bale Liam Neeson Katie Holmes |
 THE DARK KNIGHTPROFILE A look at the film from a female’s perspective. What’s wrong with the otherwise very good film! |
The Dark Knight dir. Nolan Starring Christian Bale Heath Ledger Aaron Eckhart |
 THE PRESTIGE2006 dir. Christopher Nolan Stars: Christian Bale Hugh Jackman |
Yvonne Strahovski
Born: July 30, 1982 in Maroubra, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
[on her character in Chuck (2007)] Sarah is very strong. She’s really intelligent and she’s very physically capable. I like to put that into my own life as well.
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INDIGNATION (USA 2015) ***** TOP 10
Directed by James Schamus
Starring: Logan Lerman, Sarah Gadon, Tracy Letts
Review by Gilbert Seah
INDIGNATION is the first feature of James Schamus, founder of Good Machine production company, and the CEO of Focus Features. He has championed classics like CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, FAR FROM HEAVEN and BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. The film is based on Philip Roth’s novel of the same name, a powerful one based on the writer’s college days.
The plot of the film is simple. But the pleasure of the film is not in the plot but in the writing. Based on the Philip Roth novel, excellence can only be expected. A working class Jewish student, Marcus (Logan Lerman), leaves Newark, New Jersey to attend a small college in Ohio. There, he experiences a sexual awakening after meeting the elegant and wealthy Olivia (Sarah Gadon). Later he ends up confronting the school’s dean (Tracy Letts) over the role of religion in academic life.
Director Schmaus also adds his artistic touch. He frames the story with the killing of a soldier during the Korean War. (Roth served two years in the U.S. Army.)
Though the year is not mentioned, the film later reveals the time period through the college banner of ‘Class of 55’ when Marcus enrols on the college. As most of the film are interior shots, he places his camera often stationary, concentrating on the performances on his actors, with close ups and pullbacks.
SPOILERS: In the Philip Roth novel it is explained early in the book that Marcus is dead and telling his story from the afterlife. In the beginning of the film an American soldier is shot dead in the Korean war. The next scene has Marcus attending a funeral of a friend. The audience assumes that the dead soldier is Marcus’ friend. It is only at the end of the film that it becomes clear that the dead soldier was not Marcus’ friend but Marcus himself. Director Schamus achieved this rather brilliantly conceived trick cinematically. The audience had not seen Marcus’ face yet so the assumption is that of any soldier. At the film’s end, Marcus’ face is very familiar so the association become complete. Also the wallpaper in Olivia’s mental home of the vase with flowers is cinematic as the effect of the wallpaper (as seen by an audience) cannot have the same effect as the reading of the book.
The script by Schmaus changes the novel a bit. In the novel, Hawes D. Caudwell, the college’s dean (Tracy Letts) suspends Marcus after he refuses to attend double the chapel services (mandatory in the school) that he had missed. In the film, Marcus is seen serving in the Korean War. The audience is assumed to be smart enough to put two and two together that Marcus had been kicked out of college and therefore been drafted as a result into the U.S. Army.
The success of the film lies a great part to the performance of the lead actor playing Marcus, who is in almost very scene in the film. Logan Lerman (who has proven himself in the PERCY JACKSON films and other dramas like THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER) displays acting capability and eloquence as in the film’s best scene with Dean Caudwell debating Bertrand Russell’s Christianity. His character is described by Dean Caudwell as intense. The same adjective can be used to describe Lerman’s performance. Linda Emond is also excellent as Marcus’ mother. Ben Rosenfield has a supporting role as Marcus’ roommate. When Marcus moves out of the room, the roomate’s longing stare at Marcus during the Chapel service could be taken as his closeted homosexuality.
Shamus has now proven himself as a superb writer and director. INDIGNATION is a thinking man’s film that is smart, entertaining and funny. It is cinematically excellent in all departments from wardrobe, art and production design and acting. I would highly recommend this film and would also gladly see it a second time.
Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca
Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month:http://www.wildsoundfestival.com
NERVE (USA 2016) ****
Directed by Ariel Schulman and Henry Joos
Starring: Emma Roberts, Dave Franco, Emily Meade |
Review by Gilbert Seah
NERVE is a video game comedy/thriller/horror written by Jessica Sharzer based on her 2012 novel. Directors Schulman and Joos have previously made a documentary called CATFISH based on similar material. The video game NERVE is online reality based focusing on the dare part of ‘truth or dare’. Going on line with the underground app, one can click on ‘watchers’ or ‘players’. Players make money as they complete dares suggested by the watchers who pay to watch their players.
Enter into the game high school senior Venus Delmonic aka Vee (Emma Roberts). Fed up of being her best friend’s (Emily Meade) sidekick, Vee becomes a player for VERVE. She is caught up in the game with fellow-player Ian (Dave Franco) who has a secret. The film plunges Vee and Ian deeper and deeper until they become prisoners of the game. The climax of the film where all the watchers gather is somewhat similar to how raves were organized in the past. The film is incredibly real and current in today’s youth scene.
The film begins like a teen comedy with the girls acting like another version of MEAN GIRLS. Once Vee enters the game, directors Schulman and Joos slowly and effectively alter the mood to thriller and finally to horror.
The film contains a few very funny scenes as well as a few really suspenseful ones. The funniest line heard in a film by me this year comes in the hospital scene with Vee’s mother (played by Juliette Lewis, one of my favourite actresses). The suspense scene is high-octane fuelled as Vee and Ian complete a dare riding a bike blindfolded at 60 mph.
Dave Franco, shows here that he is capable as a lead of carrying an entire film. The actor has only done supporting roles in the past. He and Emma Roberts make good romantic chemistry. The kisses are done old movie style with lip smooching rather than with tongue. Here, it is apparent that the directors are aiming at a less restricted rating. The film is also noticeably absent form blood and violence despite the film’s theme. The best thing too is that the film contains a message about video games, though quite obviously stated at the climax of the film and more subtly put forward during a dramatic argument between Vee and Sydney.
American rapper MGK does an excellent job in the small but important role of Ty, a psychotic NERVE player who makes it to the finalist.
With all the hype on video games like POKEMON GO, NERVE arrives at the best timing possible. If the film seems far-fetched, it isn’t. There is an app called “Periscope” half similar to NERVE that emerged half way during the filming of NERVE.
NERVE is a very clever film released by Lionsgate famous for THE HUNGER GAMES and TWILIGHT franchises. This is definitely a film that caters to the same target audience and with some luck and good marketing, the desperate-for-a-hit studio will hit the big bucks with this film.
Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca
Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month:http://www.wildsoundfestival.com
JASON BOURNE (USA 2016) ***
Directed by Paul Greengrass
Starring: Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel Julie Stiles
Review by Gilbert Seah
JASON BOURNE arrives as the 5th instalment of the Bourne films based on the Robert Ludlum novels. Fans were given a break with the previous entry that starred Jeremy Renner working with director Tony Gilroy. With Matt Damon reunited with director Paul Greengrass, one would have expected a top-notch action Bourne film. Sadly, JASON BOURNE provides nothing than more of the same. A few additional secrets regarding Bourne’s past are revealed as to his father’s (Gregg Henry) involvement, but nothing substantial.
Greengrass sets his action set pieces the way Bourne fans are used to – hand held camera with jittery frame and fast edits. The technique creates more nervousness with audiences than anything else. I am not a keen fan of this kind of action shots though they appear popular with Bourne fans. The problem is the lack of continuity as evident in the over extended ridiculous car chase segment at the climax where the assassin’s (Vincent Cassell) truck ploughs through dozens of cars along a Las Vegas strip while in hot pursuit by Bourne. The background of the Vegas hotels do not appear to change as much as the distance covered by the chase.
Despite JASON BOURNE being an action film, the film’s most engrossing parts are the non action scenes. such as the suspense built up during the Exocon convention in Vegas where the founder of a high tech platform company (Riz Ahmed) is about to be shot.
Most of the Bourne characters are emotionless creatures from Bourne himself right down to the director of the CIA, Dewey (Tommy Lee Jones) and other assorted villains. The one with a conscience is Heather Lee (Alicia Vikander), sympathetic to killing Bourne and wanting to bring him into the CIA as another possibility. It seems odd that the script calls for her to change this character completely at the end of the film for the sake of a plot twist.
The film’s story is very current and remarkably similar to Snowden’s whistleblowing, which will be revisited agin in the upcoming film called SNOWDEN. The high tech convention setup is similar to for example, the real life unveiling of new products by Apple Inc. Another sequence that takes place in Athens has mobs of angry Greeks protesting the current economic crisis, clashing with the police.
The script asks the audience to accept a lot of credibility points like whether a lap top memory can be erased by a nearby cellphone.
The question is whether this JASON BOURNE film is really necessary and if it is, how it compares to the other Bourne films. The first THE BOURNE IDENTITY based on Robert Ludlum’s first novel is the most solid of the lot, directed by Doug Liman since it is the one that sets the wheels rolling and established the ground rules. Paul Greengrass then came on board as director, and with Damon establishing the new Bourne style with the next two films and in this one. The diversion with Renner and director Gilroy was ok but did not make any memorable difference. This new JASON BOURNE should satisfy Bourne fans, but provides just more of the noisy same.
Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca
Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month:http://www.wildsoundfestival.com
LACE CRATER (USA 2015) **1/2
Directed by Harrison Atkins
Starring: Lindsay Burdge, Peter Vack, Betsey Brown
Review by Gilbert Seah
LACE CRATER is a low budget indie romantic supernatural comedy/drama/horror about a young woman, Ruth (Lindsay Burdge) having sexual relations with a ghost.
It all begins when Ruth and her pals head out to the scenic Hamptons for a weekend of fun. The fun includes getting drunk, sitting in the hot tub and joking around. Ruth ends up sleeping in the guest house which Andre (the host) claims to be haunted. That night a drunk Ruth has a visitor. Yes, the ghost (Michael Vack) is not too bad looking. (The last time friends sat in a hot tub they went through time in the Hot Tub time machine.) To make matters worse, Ruth contacts STD from the ghost as well.
Atkin’s film plays weird funny. The best way to describe it is the scene where Ruth meets her doctor about to take her blood. “Hope you’ve enough to spare.” When Ruth gives the doctor an odd look, he confesses that it is a joke and that he has tried standup comedy. LACE CRATER plays its comedy whether the audience gets it or to, and mainly plays in the way the story unfolds.
It would help connect the audience to the film if director Atkins made Ruth a more sympathetic character. Ruth is just there, having the ‘roll in the hay’ with the ghost and that is it. Nothing much is also known about Ruth’s background.
Near the end, writer/director turns up the angst with Ruth’s behaviour. It is here that the film slides into creepy horror. Ruth barfs black stuff all over the floor at a party, freaks out and goes back to the guest house to meet the ghost. This is where the film falls apart. Atkins starts to take the film too seriously, complete with explanation what happened to the ghost before he died. The rules are dealt out, the ghost says and he has to take them without question. Really? Atkins implies the same for his film. The only difference is that the audience need not have to take them.
LACE CRATER played last year at the Toronto International Film Festival in the Vanguard section. The Vanguard section is the festival’s oddest section where the weirdest films often uncategorized fall into. LACE CRATER clearly falls in this section. Be prepared for LACE CRATER, whether you get it or not!
What happens when you have sex with a ghost? One can google the answer or watch this film. The former appears the better solution. Atkins also leaves LACE CRATER with a open ending with still questions unanswered.
The film opens this week in NYC and is available now on VOD.
Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca
Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month:http://www.wildsoundfestival.com
THE LAST POST played to rave reviews at the November 2015 FEEDBACK Film Festival
Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video from the Festival:
THE LAST POST, 15min, UK, Comedy/Social Media
Directed by Adam Preston
A halfwit is invited to speak at the funeral of a girl he only knew through the internet.
Review of the Short Film by Amanda Lomonaco:
Hilariously cringe-worthy. There’s no other way to describe this one. We all now a girl like her; updating her social media constantly, her life seems near perfect, everything she does is amazing, and fun, everything she eats is delicious, and if you wanted you could find out everything about her. Well, almost everything. As we all know social media and online profiles only give us little peeks into a person’s life. No matter how often you update it, how much content you add to it, it’s hard to know the real truth…
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