WCW Unlikely Love Celluloid- Emilia Clarke in Me Before You (2016)

Lou Clark is a working class girl. She has a big heart but dodgy luck with employment (and love).  Her boyfriend is an extreme sports junkie.  Yet, she could care less.

Will Traynor is a successful business man. However, a traffic accident changed all of that.  He still has looks but the charm is virtually gone.

Lou takes an offer to care for him. Will Beauty tame this Beast before all the petals fall?

Me Before You is adapted by Jojo Moyes from her novel. Emilia Clarke is a charmer as Lou. Sam Claflin is dashing as Will.

The film asks and answers many atypical questions to this genre.  It leave audiences talking long after the credits role.  Yet, viewers may be pondering over the comparison to Beauty and the Beast. 

Beauty and the Beast saw Belle, a lower class woman, become a capture of the Beast.  The Beast was a noble man but he mistakenly refused an enchanted woman safe harbor.  Then, she cursed him, turned him into a creature, and enchanted the servants as well.  However, he was still the tender, naive man underneath.  His hourglass lied beneath a display case but it was a rose.  The rose would stay alive until the last petal fell.   When this happened, he would be a Beast forever.  His only hope lied in love’s true kiss and love.  Fortunately, Belle was the angel that he and the servants were looking for.  

Me Before You has Lou as Belle and Will as the Beast.  However, their story is not a fairy tale.  She had the ability to do something that money couldn’t buy.  Will’s cold, crippled heart was resurrected by this commoner.  They would change each other in different ways.  No, Disney fans are not treated to musical numbers.  However, they will be treated to a dance unlike any other.  It will remind viewers of that moment and will bring a tear/smile to some cheeks.

Clarke and Claflin bring 2016’s best romantic film and one of 2016’s best films to the screen. Viewers will find themselves laughing and tearing up as well.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emilia_Clarke

WCW True One of a Kind Celluloid- Amy Adams in Big Eyes (2014)

Big Eyes is the true story of pop artist Margaret Keane.  The film follows her after she left Frank Ulbrich, her first husband, because of marital troubles.  She fled to San Francisco and made a living doing paintings and sketches with big eyes.

Her art and person fetched the attention and affection of Walter Keane.  After her divorce, she married Walter Keane. The marriage seems great at first. However, art is nothing like it appears to be.

Tim Burton, lifelong fan of Margaret Keane, directs and produces a brilliant tribute to her artistry.  Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (Ed Wood and The People vs. Larry Flynt) have captured this amazing story with great detail.

Amy Adams shines as Margaret Keane.  Christoph Waltz is menacing as Walter Keane. This movie appeals to artists and art lovers alike. Big Eyes will leave viewers gazing in awe long after the credits roll.

(This review was originally written on May 20, 2015)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Adams

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Keane

WCW Wild Rebel Celluloid- Margot Robbie in The Legend of Tarzan (2016)

King Leopold II of Belgium sent Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz) to the Congo.  Rom wanted diamonds and material objects at any cost (including slaves) despite his majesty.  However, he can get all diamonds in the Congo from Chief Mongo (Djimon Hounsou).  Mongo wanted Tarzan.  Rom agreed to the terms.

In Victorian London, John Clayton III aka Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgard) was leading a luxurious, yet quiet life.  He was married to Jane (Margot Robbie).  All is well until he heard from the Prime Minister (Jim Broadbent).  He had heard that all isn’t well in the Congo (Tarzan’s second home).  The Belgians brought in armed mercenaries and used slave labor for railroad and military housing construction. Also, the United States had a vested interest in this resolving it as well.  They sent George Washington Williams (Samuel L. Jackson) as an ambassador to bring down the unspeakable element responsible.

Would Tarzan take the bait from Rom? Would Williams give the Congolese liberation?  Would Jane stay in London or forego the luxuries for the Congo? Who will lead the gorillas as well?

The Legend of Tarzan is one of the summer’s best popcorn films.  David Yates (Harry Potter and The Deathly Hollows I & II) takes viewers seamlessly from Victorian London to the vast wilderness of the Congo.  Craig Brewer & Adam Kozad give a big, heartfelt adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan stories.

However, it wouldn’t have been possible without Tarzan and Jane.  Alexander Skarsgard is dashing and bashing as Tarzan.  Margot Robbie smolders as Jane.  She proves that beauty and brains can tame any savage beast.

They aren’t outdone by Samuel L. Jackson and Christoph Waltz.  Jackson takes a different side of Django in this outing.  He relishes playing a liberator instead of a captive.  Yet, Waltz is continuing his string of villainous turns and doesn’t disappoint.  Rom isn’t as evil as a Nazi officer but he’s pretty damned close.

The film captures several sweeping sequences of gorilla and animal warfare.  It features one of 2016’s best fights between Tarzan and a rival gorilla.

The Legend of Tarzan packs a punch and wets the pallet for War of the Planet of the Apes in 2017.  It is also one of the summer’s best romances along with being an action film.

Gather a expedition to a theater nearby for this jungle cruise like no other.

 

Margot Robbie is a native Australian.  She began her rise to fame on the Aussie soap opera, Neighbours from 2008-11.  Robbie is in good company with this soap. Alumni of this show include Russell Crowe, Jesse Spencer, Liam & Chris Hemsworth, and Kylie Minogue.  However, American audiences got to know her briefly on Pan-Am from 2011-12 on ABC.

Yet, her big break came in 2013’s The Wolf of Wall Street opposite Leonardo DiCaprio.  Yes, Scorsese has a great eye for blondes with…great talent.  What did you expect me to say? 😉

Her success opposite Leo lead to another unlikely pairing in 2015.  She was cast as a fledgling grifter in Focus opposite Will Smith.  Robbie had no trouble seducing Smith and fans alike.  It was another critical and box office success following up Wolf of Wall Street.

She had a brief role as herself in 2015’s The Big Short. The description of subprime loans has never looked or sounded as sexy before or since.  The bubbles must have helped the film garner Oscar nominations and a win for Adapted Screenplay.  Adam McKay should’ve thanked Robbie and those bubbles in the acceptance speech.  Yet, I digress.

2016 is proving to be her best year yet. Margot played real life reporter Tanya Vanderpoel in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot opposite Tina Fey and Martin Freeman.  She had no trouble taming the jungles in The Legend of Tarzan.

Although, she will capture hearts and dodge gunfire in Suicide Squad as Harley Quinn.  Ms. Quinn is best known to comic book fans as The Joker’s right hand woman.  Don’t let those curves fool you, she’s one dangerous broad.

Here’s to Margot Robbie.  A real sheila with beauty, brains, and brawn.

WCW Mind Altering Celluloid- Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind introduced viewers to Clementine (Kate Winslet) and Joel (Jim Carrey).  They fall madly in love with each other.   However, it ended one day and something strange occurred.  He was having strange sensations for an unknown reason.  Then, Joel received a letter from Lacuna, a memory removal clinic.  It was sent out by mistake but he decided to check it out.

Once there, he spoke with Dr. Mierzwiak (Tom Wilkinson) and was briefed on the process.  Joel decided to go through with the procedure.  Later that evening, Patrick (Elijah Wood) and Stan (Mark Ruffalo) were erasing the itemized memories at his home.  However, the procedure received a curve ball from Joel.  He had a change of heart internally.  Could he stop the erasure in time?  Would Clementine be gone and lost forever?  Don’t think too hard, her memory could be…

Eternal Sunshine was directed & co-written by Michel Gondry.  He is given a great ensemble to work with.  The featured players included Tom Wilkinson, Elijah Wood, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Carrey, & Kate Winslet.  Jim Carrey gave one of his best, subdued comic performances to date.  Winslet is haunting and eccentric as Clementine.  She earned a Best Actress nomination at the 2005 Oscars.  The film received a Best Original Screenplay award for Michel Gondry, Charlie Kaufman, and Pierre Bismuth.

The film gave us a beautiful, hilarious, and heartbreaking (at times) insight into the mechanics of love and lust.  However, Who in the *@#K would want to erase Kate Winslet?!  Maybe, Sam Mendes.   Yet, viewers will be unable to erase this masterful, sci-fi gem.  Don’t miss this misplaced memory anytime soon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Winslet

WCW Hot Mess Resolve Celluloid- Tina Fey & Amy Poehler in Sisters (2015)

I know what you’re thinking.  Four women in a sauna reflecting on their lives.  No, Honey this ain’t NBC Saturday Night 10/9 central with Sela Ward and Swoosie Kurtz from the 1990s.  If that’s the female bonding that you seek, get to steppin’.  However, Tina and Amy working their globes on the big screen is your destiny.  Welcome to Women Crush Wednesday…

“To live in our childhood home”

Sisters centers around Maura and Kate Ellis.  Maura (Amy Poehler) is a business minded woman who writes motivational cards.  However, Kate (Tina Fey) is the female Wimpy from Popeye on diet pills.  She seeks all the pleasures and doesn’t worry about the end game.  Yet, she differs from Kate in one big way…her daughter, Haley (Madison Davenport).  Haley has dreams of her own and doesn’t stay at home long…sound familiar?

All of their lives are about to change with one announcement.  Bucky (James Brolin) and Deana (Dianne Wiest)Ellis are selling their home and moving into a retirement community.  They have forced Maura into Trial By Fire with Kate.  No, Game of Thrones would be an easier battle royale than this knavish wrangling.  The daughters are left to pack their rooms and say goodbye.  What would goodbye be without an Ellis Island Party?

Will they succeed in the mother of all parties? Will Haley come home to Kate?  Will Bucky and Deana retire in peace?

Sisters was written by Paula Pell (30 Rock) and directed by Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect).  Pell’s script is filled with salty dialogue that would make Amy Schumer blush (almost).  Fey is the trainwreck in this latest pairing with Poehler.  She spouts one liners that would make a Special Forces Unit cringe.  However, Poehler dabbles with blue dialogue as well.  They last teamed for Baby Mama (2008) with Tina being the timid one.

The ladies are joined on screen by fellow improvisers such as Ike Barinholtz (Mad TV), Maya Rudolph (SNL), Samantha Bee (The Daily Show), and Bobby Moynihan (SNL).  Moynihan steals his scenes as a timid, internet star turned party animal.  However, John Cena fuels his party in a great role as Pazuzu, the drug dealer.

However, Dianne Wiest and James Brolin warm the screen in their roles as Deana and Bucky.  Their rapport is more magnetic and brief in comparison to their on-screen daughters.  However, they relish the blue dialogue that is far from their usual ventures.  Viewers enjoying this kinship of  Wiest & Brolin will enjoy CBS’ sitcom Life in Pieces.

Overall, the film succeeds as a female scripted and lead comedy.  However, viewers may approve more of Liz Lemon and Leslie Knope with regards to talking around things.  Fey and Poehler meld beautifully but we prefer to see them with a live audience (i.e. Golden Globe Awards or Saturday Night Live).

Before SNL, Amy Poehler was best known as a member of Upright Citizens Brigade. However, SNL would turn her from a Comedy Central sensation to a Not Ready for Primetime Player (2001-2010 as actress and host).  She would parlay this success into appearances in such films and shows as Wet Hot American Summer (film & Netflix series), Parks & Recreation, Welcome to Sweden (with brother, Greg), and Inside Out.

Tina Fey got her start in Second City (yes where all or most of SNL’s finest were harvested) in 1992.  She was discovered by Adam McKay (Will Ferrell’s BFF & Production Partner).  He submitted some of her writings to Lorne Michaels.  He enjoyed them and she was hired as a writer.  She would make SNL history by becoming the first, female head writer.  She enjoyed a tenure as writer and performer that stretched from 1995-2006.  Also, she ventured as a screenwriter and actress in Mean Girls (2004).  However, she would leave the show to write a familiar one.

The show was called 30 Rock (2006-2013).  She inhabited a familiar role as Liz Lemon, head writer of The Girly Show.  However, Michaels was an executive producer (off screen) replaced by Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy (a Lornesque presence on screen).  The show garnered Golden Globe, Emmy, and Writers Guild Awards for her.  During her time there, she returned to SNL for a noteworthy run as 2008 Vice Presidential Candidate, Sarah Palin.  The lampoon earned a 2009 Emmy for “Guest Actress in a Comedy Series”.  Many fans still confuse the two ladies to this day, YOU BETCHA 😉 !

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Poehler

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Fey

 

WCW Celluloid- Anne Hathaway in The Intern (2015)

If you think Anne Hathaway is playing a sexy mistress,  go peruse Redtube and skip this review.  The viewers looking for the film featuring Robert De Niro as an intern and Anne Hathaway as a C.E.O.  Welcome to Women Crush Wednesday.

The Intern is about a widower named Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro).  He is bored with retirement and answers an ad for a senior internship with an internet upstart.  The upstart company is called About The Fit and its founder is named Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway).  Ostin is overbooked and unaware of the senior internship program.  Imagine her confusion when Ben shows up to interview.  However, she is won over by his credentials and gets hired.  Little does he know what a challenge he’s in for.

Will Ben prove that age is just a number?  Will Jules continue her success in internet commerce?

The Intern was written, produced, and directed by Nancy Meyers (What Women Want).  The film is a breath of fresh air and her best to date.  She gets away from the usual farce and explores intergenerational relationships.  The film is filled with unexpected surprises that aren’t disclosed in the trailer (see Crazy Stupid Love for further reference).

De Niro and Hathaway strike the right balance of comedy, drama, and heart felt moments.  We see her inhabit a role that would make Diane Keaton envious.  De Niro shows once again that he’s more than a tough guy.  He brings honesty and wisdom in the role of Ben Whittaker.

They are surrounded by a varied ensemble including Linda Lavin (TV’s Alice), Adam Devine (Pitch Perfect 2), and Rene Russo (Nightcrawler).  Lavin is terrific as his neighbor and potential love interest.  Devine is hilarious as a fellow co-worker who needs a push in the romance department.  However, Russo has an interesting turn as the company masseuse (get your out of the gutter fellas; it’s a PG-13 film…I’m Just Saying).

Nancy Meyers has stepped out of her comfort zone and succeeded.  She has made one of 2015’s best intergenerational comedies.  No spoilers will be given here and the trailer will be attached for viewing.

Anne Hathaway came to prominence co-starring with Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins, herself) in The Princess Diaries (2001).  She continued her success with The Princess Diaries:  Royal Engagement (2004).  However, Anne broke out of the Disney mold in 2005.  She appeared in Havoc (with Bijou Phillips & Channing Tatum) and Brokeback Mountain (with Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger).  The two films garnered her critical acclaim and led to bigger roles.

She earned her first Oscar nomination for Rachel Getting Married (2008) but she didn’t win.  However, her second nomination was for the role of Fantine in Les Miserables (2012).  She won Best Supporting Actress for her emotionally charged role at the 2013 Oscars.  Prior to the Oscar win, she won an Emmy for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for her role as Princess Penelope on The Simpsons.  Also, she was Selina Kyle (aka Catwoman) in 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises alongside Christian Bale as Batman.  She reteamed with Rises director, Christopher Nolan in Interstellar (2014).  She is also known for her roles as The White Queen in Alice in Wonderland (2010)and the upcoming Alice Through The Looking Glass (2016).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU3Xban0Y6A

 

 

WCW Futurist Celluloid- Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road  is the long awaited fourth installment in the series.  Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) is having flashbacks of his pre-apocalyptic/apocalyptic memories.  However, he is in for a rude awakening and a car jacking.  The Half-Lives are coming to take him away but there’s no Ha-Ha, Ho-Ho, Hee-Hee to this.  Their main purpose is serving Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne).  Also, they enjoy attaining certain blood donors.  However, the donors are treated more likes slaves than patients.  The donors (particularly O+ in Max’s case) are branded, drained, and chained.  No, Christian Grey would even be disgusted by this human exploitation.

Fear not, Futurist Fanboys!  All is not lost for Max or is it?  However, a new sheriff is in town with a new agenda.  Fanboys start drooling.  Meet Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron)!  Not so fast gents, she’s a dame quick on the trigger and the throttle.  No, a pistol and a gear shift; guys get those heads out of the gutter.  Her agenda involves resettling Joe’s concubines/wives unbeknownst to him.  How will she pull this off?  Will Max get back to full life or just be a host?

Fury Road is brilliantly directed, produced, and co-written by George Miller.  He is to Futuristic Epics what Ridley Scott is to Outer Space.  Viewers seeking only fast cars and explosions will be pacified.  However, true sci-fi fans will go for the action and the subliminal commentary.  Miller covers current issues such as human trafficking, rationing, women’s sexual rights, and gun control.  Remember laughing at water rationing in The Road Warrior and saying “I’ll never pay for bottled water.”  Who’s Laughing Now?!  No, he doesn’t own a percentage of any water company (as far we know).

Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises) is a perfect physical and emotional fit for Max.  Miller was going to continue with Mel Gibson but had second thoughts after the recent scandals (one beer and a few inappropriate comments).  We’ll miss Mel but Hardy will have a fun time with this franchise.  However, Max isn’t the star of his own movie?

Charlize Theron (Monster) steals this film and some men/women hearts with this performance.  Furiosa is one of the best anti-heroine’s since Ellen Ripley.  She is a bold, brainy broad that would win Gloria Steinem’s heart in an instant.  Theron goes on a physical and spiritual journey that’s on par with her Oscar winning turn in Monster.

Fury Road is one of 2015’s Ten Best Films.  It wins over audiences with great thrills, explosions, and commentary.  John Seale’s camera work should garner him a second Oscar.  Don’t be surprised to see this film garner multiple nominations at the 2016 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Editing.  Gather some fuel, rations, weapons, ammo, and a huge heart for this Must See Epic.

Fury Road won 6 2016 Oscars:  Best Editing, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Makeup, Best Costume Design, Best Art Direction.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlize_Theron

 

 

WCW Celluloid- Melissa McCarthy in Spy (2015)

Spy is about a CIA Agent Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) who yearns to be in the field not the office after 10 years. She’s the eyes and ears of Bradley Fine (Jude Law) but longs for more than that. Her dream is shattered when he’s killed by Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne). Boyanov knows all of the CIA targets except one. However, Deputy Director Crocker (Allison Janney) and Agent Ford (Jason Statham) are reluctant to use Cooper. She proves them wrong in every way possible.

Spy is brilliantly written and directed by Paul Feig (The Heat). Law has fun with his bumbling, Bond-style role. Statham is hilarious as a seemingly, invisible operative. McCarthy continues her streak of comedy gold and glows as an action heroine.

Feig has directed one of the best action comedies and films of 2015.  He’ll leave film goers guessing with great twists, action sequences, and non-stop improvised laughs. He’s blended Get Smart and Homeland in unexpected ways. Viewers will be yearning to see what he concocts for Ghostbusters (2016). Suit up, get briefed, and enter the field for this must see mission.

Melissa McCarthy is best known for her Emmy awarding role as Molly Flynn on CBS’ Mike and Molly.  She is also Jenny McCarthy’s (yes, that former Playboy Bunny and The View Co-Host) cousin.  Melissa was first noticed by this blogger in Charlie’s Angels (2000) (with Drew Barrymore).  Her role as an efficiency expert was brief but memorable.  However, she made her screen debut in 1999’s Go as a soap opera fan of Jay Mohr and Scott Wolf’s character.  In 2000, she began a seven year run on the WB’s Gilmore Girls as Sookie, (not that slutty waitress from Bon Temps) Lorelai Gilmore’s best friend .  She also appeared in other films including The Life of David Gale (with Kate Winslet) and The Nines (with Ryan Reynolds).

However, she gained critical and commercial success with her role on Mike and Molly.  Within a year of the show’s debut, she appeared in Paul Feig’s Bridesmaids as Megan.  The film was intended just to boost Kristen Wiig (writer of the film/lead actress) from “SNL” to the big screen.  However, Melissa McCarthy stole the film with her heartfelt turn.  McCarthy would earn an Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actress with Wiig earning an Original Screenplay nod as well.

The success of Bridemaids lead to other hits including The Heat (with Sandra Bullock), Identity Thief (with Jason Bateman), and Tammy (with Susan Sarandon).  Oh, I almost forgot; she had one of the best Line-O-Rama’s in Judd Apatow’s This is 40 (with Paul Rudd).  Melissa’s principal office rant was one of the most memorable scenes of that film.  Her composure during the actual scene and Line-O-Rama was comedy at its finest.  Tammy marked her first time co-writing and producing a film.  Also, The Boss (2016) will mark her second time doing this.  However, fans are yearning to see her in Feig’s Ghostbusters.  Here’s to Melissa McCarthy, she proves that a big sense of humor and heart will always be sexy.

 

WCW Hot Mess Celluloid- Amy Schumer in Trainwreck (2015)

Trainwreck centers around Amy Townsend, an ambitious, lustful writer whose life was shaped by her childhood.
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Gordon, Amy and Kim’s father, had an endless appetite for carnal knowledge that caused a divorce. Twenty-three years later, Amy (Amy Schumer) is a sexual Xerox of Gordon but Kim (Brie Larson) is a family-oriented woman. Amy boozes and cruises different men nightly. However, Dianna ,the editor of S’Nuff Magazine, is about to throw her an unseen pass in the form of Dr. Aaron Sanders. Dr. Sanders is a sport medical surgeon but Amy doesn’t follow sports. Let the games begin.

Bill Hader is a brilliant, straight man for her brashness. Colin Quinn is somber and blunt as Gordon. Brie Larson is the calm to Amy’s storm. Tilda Swinton is brassy in her turn as the S’Nuff. John Cena shows that he’s more than a WWE Superstar in a hilarious play on his image. However, Lebron James (as himself) shows an unexpected charisma as Hader’s friend and confidant.

Amy Schumer has written one of 2015’s best films. Her script and performance are razor sharp, heartfelt, and hilarious. She has written a film comparable to Nora Ephron’s When Harry Met Sally… .

Hader, James, and Schumer have shown themselves as equal roles in comparison to When Harry Met Sally. However in this case, Hader is a less O.C.D. version of Sally, Schumer is a wilder Harry mixed with Marie, and James is an equal to Jess.

Judd Apatow has produced and directed one of 2015’s best films. Apatow’s eclectic ensemble includes Dave Attell, Daniel Radcliffe, Marisa Tomei, and Tony Romo. He is Rob Reiner to Schumer’s Crystal and Hader’s Ryan. Viewers will be glad that this comedic collision came down the tracks.

Amy Schumer came to fame on Season Five of Last Comic Standing in 2007.  She made it to the finals but came in 4th place.  She completed along side comedians including Doug Benson, Gerry Dee, and Lavell Crawford.  She took that opportunity and used to her advantage.  Amy was featured on such T.V. programs as Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld on Fox News (2007-12), Delocated on Adult Swim, and 30 Rock.  Also, she has appeared in Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (with Steve Carell and Keira Knightley), Price Check, and Sleepwalk with Me.

However, her stand-up comedy has continued in three specials: Comedy Central Presents (2010), Amy Schumer:  Mostly Sex Stuff (2012),  and Amy Schumer:  Live at the Apollo (2015).  The success of her stand up led to Inside Amy Schumer on Comedy Central in 2013.  The sketch comedy series garnered her an Emmy for Best Variety Series at the 2015 Emmy Awards.  What a great way to top off the success of Trainwreck!

One better, Schumer opened for Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour on three U.S. dates. Also, she is collaborating with Jennifer Lawrence (yes, Katniss from Hunger Games) and Kim Caramele (Amy’s sister, writer and co-producer on “Inside” and “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”) on an upcoming project.  Also, she worked some musical magic and got Billy Joel to perform “Uptown Girl” at Wrigley Field. Lawrence and Schumer danced on top of his piano.  There is a Wikipedia link with more T.V. credits listed at the end of the article.

This silver tongued red head is blue in comparison to other legendary red-headed comediennes (Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett).  However, her wit and spot on observations make her beautiful far beyond her years.  Here’s to Amy Schumer and hopefully we’ll see her at the 2016 Oscars.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Schumer

(This review contains material written on July 18, 2015)

 

WCW Seductive Celluloid- Anne Bancroft in The Graduate (1967)

“Are you having an affair, Sir?”

The Graduate centers around a college graduate named Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman).  He returns to Los Angeles and is uncertain of next step in life.  Benjamin is “disturbed by life in general”.  During his celebration party, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft) asks him to drive her home.  He agrees reluctantly and drives her because Mr. Robinson left her there.

Upon arriving at The Robinson’s home, she is unwilling to let Benjamin leave until she enters safely.  Then, she wants him to stay until Mr. Robinson gets home; he won’t be home for hours (wink, wink).  “Mrs. Robinson, Are you trying to seduce me?”, asks Benjamin.  She scoffs at his notion (or does she).  Then, she asks him to unzip her dress because she’s unable to.  He complies and she wants him to bring up her purse…by the bathroom?  Ben falls for it and she corners him in Elaine’s room, naked.  He gets spooked and runs downstairs.  Just in time, Mr. Robinson returns and tells Ben, “Sew a few wild oats and take things as they come.”

Ben decides to contact Mrs. Robinson several days later from The Taft Hotel.  She wants to know if he can get a room and he can as Mr. Gladstone.  It’s his first time being with a woman, a married one nonetheless.  Will his parents or Mr. Robinson find out?  What about Elaine, she’s a nice, young woman?

The Graduate was based on Charles Webb’s novel and skillfully adapted by Buck Henry and Caulder Willingham, (Best Adapted Screenplay nominee).  The film was honored with seven nominations including a win for Mike Nichols as Best Director. Simon and Garfunkel’s soundtrack was masterful including “The Sound of Silence” and “Mrs. Robinson”.  Hoffman (Best Actor nominee) was bumbling and brilliant as Benjamin.  Katherine Ross (Best Supporting Actress nominee) was vulnerable and lovable as Elaine.  However, Anne Bancroft (Best Actress nominee) owned her performance as the seductive, manipulative Mrs. Robinson.

Mrs. Robinson was Anne Bancroft’s signature role.  However, she won an Oscar for portraying Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker.   She appeared in various films including To Be or Not to Be (with her husband, Mel Brooks), The Elephant Man (with John Hurt), and G.I. Jane (with Demi Moore).  She made her last on screen appearance together with Mel on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm in 2005.

The pop culture aspect of The Graduate and Mrs. Robinson are hard to deny.  The music video influences include “If You Go” by Jon Secada and “Too Funky” by George Michael.  Secada’s video references Mike Nichols’ iconic ending to the film.  However, Michael’s “Too Funky” uses Anne’s famous line as follows:  “Would you like for me to seduce you?  Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”.  Todd Phillip’s Old School made a goofy homage to Benjamin’s pool scene with Will Ferrell and Sean William Scott to “The Sound Of Silence”.  50 Shades of Grey has Christian Grey referring to an older seductress who influenced him as Mrs. Robinson.  Sleeping with Other People finds Brie Larson’s character Elaine becoming upset when Jason Sudeikis starts mimicking Hoffman in The Graduate.

However, she will be forever remembered as the original cougar in The Graduate.  Thanks, Anne, we’ll always enjoy the seductiveness of a strong, leading lady and those legs.