Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

In anticipation of revisiting one of my favorite historical periods, I waited in line to see “The Other Boleyn Girl,” directed by Justin Chadwick. New perspective, what’s not to like, I thought. I even invited one of my friends to join me at the Metreon cineplex south of Market Street. After the preview, Barry and [...]

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“Vantage Point” is the new political thriller from Columbia Pictures, directed by Pete Travis, and it does hold your attention on more than one level. Leaders of several countries gather in Salamanca, Spain, for a conference on “terrorism.” The city’s central square holds up to 20,000 people and it is crowded as the American president [...]

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I do not know which aspect of the 2008 Presidential Campaign is considered more annoying: the ultramarathonlike length of the event, which began at least a year ago for most candidates and even earlier for others, or the inevitability of the choices of front-runners (Old School Senator John McCain versus New Changes Senators Barack Obama [...]

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In bringing “Mad Money” to the screen, director Callie Khouri introduces us to a script based on a true story. Knowing that this landmark heist happened, and that it was pulled off by three women in working-class jobs, armed only with their wits, is a delight to savor. Diane Keaton plays a suburban matron accustomed [...]

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During a recent visit to Los Angeles I attended a screening of an unreleased film titled ?ÄúAttitude for Destruction.?Äù Produced by David S. Sterling and directed by Ford Austin, the film?Äôs premise is a simple one. Boy meets girl. Boy leads band. Band does well. Label wants band but not boy. Band kills boy. Band [...]

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?ÄúThere was no actor anywhere/Better than the jack of hearts.?Äù ?Äì Bob Dylan, ?ÄúLily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts?Äù One of 2007?Äôs most provocative films, ?ÄúI?Äôm Not There?Äù features six actors portraying a character based upon a particular characterization of ?Äúthe life and times of Bob Dylan.?Äù Nearly every reviewer has praised the performance [...]

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The latest film by director Ang Lee is a stylish, but languid thriller. Set in China during the Japanese occupation of World War II, Lust, Caution at one level seemed a study in patience and planning. Starring such big names as Joan Chen and Tony Leung, the story hops back and forth via flashbacks between [...]

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Director/writer Paul Haggis distinguishes himself with his latest film, In the Valley of Elah, starring Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron, with a cameo by Susan Sarandon. Haggis’ film unfolds as a murder mystery with key pieces of the puzzle needing to be found, giving rise to grief, anger and edgy humor. Dialogue is spare [...]

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     This remake (originally released in 1957) stars Christian Bale and Russell Crowe. Gritty and raw, the performances were electrifying. Bale plays a hard luck rancher who volunteers to escort gun slinging outlaw Ben Wade (played by Crowe) to Contention and place him in the hands of the authorities on the 3:10 prison train to Yuma. [...]

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Here is a round up of three interesting titles available on DVD for rental or purchase. First up is Curse of the Golden Flower, starring Gong Li and Chow Yun Fat. In this Chinese historical drama, political intrigue is at the center of the story. The Emperor?Äôs favorite festival is coming, and he has ordered [...]

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Based on the novel of the same name by Valerio Massimo Manfredi, The Last Legion is in the same vein as The Da Vinci Code. Starring ultra-hot Indian actress Aishwarya Rai and Colin Firth, The Last Legion is set in the fifth century, near the end of the Roman Empire. The barbarian tribes allied with [...]

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At first consideration, the partnering of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker seemed way too odd to ever succeed. It turned out to be a brilliant pairing, with Rush Hour 2 emerging as the highest grossing film during the summer of its release. Set mainly in Paris, Rush Hour 3 continues the adventures of detectives Carter [...]

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From director Danny Boyle (28 Days Later), the film Sunshine was moody and tense from the start. Set in a dateless future, eight astronauts are nearing the end of their outbound leg to the sun. The payload is a stellar bomb, intended to regenerate the dying star. This is actually the second attempt?Äîthe mission launched [...]

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The animated series titled The Simpsons has been a part of television broadcasts for over twenty years now. In the feature length release, The Simpsons Movie takes the world of Springfield to the big screen. This time, the entire town faces a catastrophic pollution problem. Once again, Homer Simpson becomes the unlikely hero, taking care [...]

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In The Bourne Ultimatum, the story picks up from the end of The Bourne Supremacy. The buzz about the efficient and resourceful Jason Bourne just won?Äôt die down. Now the CIA is chasing him with renewed vigor after secret information on Bourne is leaked to the press. Driven to gather the remaining portions of his [...]

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