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Babies: The Movie

I've read great reviews of the movie called, simply, Babies. I don't have any babies myself, but as a film fan, I can't wait to see it. Here are some of the comments:







If you are one of my friends who enjoys entering contests and sweepstakes, you might want to take a look at the photo competition sponsored by the film.

My Own Love Song

The premiere of My Own Love Song was held at the Borough of Manhattan Community College Performing Arts Center. The curb was lined with limousines and police vehicles and a red carpet was at the entrance; so were the photographers, hundreds of them elbowing each other out of the way to get the perfect shot, all shouting out instructions to the stars who posed and smiled. "Forrest, this way! Renee, more to left! Renee, here, here!"

The flashes from all their cameras could have lit up a small city. The pros formed an impenetrable wall, and I couldn't see past them to get a glimpse of the Renee Zellweger or Forest Whitaker. No matter, it was interesting just to stand on the perimeter and watch the spectacle they created.

About half an hour before the film was scheduled to start, I entered the more than 900-seat theater. The space, which has a dramatic illuminated ceiling, raked stadium seating, and mezzanine and balcony, was soon packed. A representative of the Tribeca Film Festival came onstage, introduced the film, and brought the director and stars onstage to take their bows. Then the lights went down and the film began.

Director Olivier Dahan must have had something great in mind when he set out to make My Own Love Song - otherwise, how could he have attracted such top-level talent? The cast includes not only Zellweger and Whittaker, it also has Nick Nolte and a score written by Bob Dylan. But ... was it good?

No, sadly, this film was dreadful. Reviewer Eric Kohn of Indiewire captured my own feelings:

It’s no easy task to figure out at what point “My Own Love Song” transitions from a string of basic mediocrities to hilariously awful contrivances. My own theory is that this happens somewhere between the incoherent split-screen car chase and the animated birds. Others may write it off even earlier than that, pointing out an earlier scene in which Renee Zellweger’s wheelchair-bound character Jane unleashes her warbling and utterly sincere rendition of “This Land” to a room filled with illogically impressed strangers. Finding the most excruciating moments proves challenging, but not as much as simply making it through this unbelievably ill-conceived mess.

An Off-Key Trainwreck: Olivier Dahan’s “My Own Love Song”

Movie Night!

The Tribeca Film Festival has started. Now in its ninth year, the Festival brings hundreds of films and thousands of film industry professionals (and wanna-bes) to New York City for two hectic weeks of screenings, special events and photo ops. If you are in New York at this time of year, it is hard to ignore the Festival: Banners are hung from lampposts, local newspapers feature it in front-page headlines, local magazines make it a cover story. And every film critic in town, it seems, is writing an article with a list of "must-sees" at this year's Festival.

There are a few free events and screenings connected to the Festival (the Family Fest and Drive-In movies), but tickets to most of the films cost $16. Here's the thing, though - even though the Festival has just started, many movies (especially those on the critics' "must-see" lists) are already sold out. Yesterday I went to the main box office and tried, in vain, to buy tickets to a film I really, really wanted to see. It was impossible, so I poured over the schedule asking the ticket seller about other films. For each name I mentioned, I heard that tickets were sold out (or, that the only screenings still available were at times like midnight or 11:00 am).

Finally, I found tickets to something that sounds great (who doesn't love Renée Zellweger?) and I'm going to see it tonight. Can't wait for movie night!

My Own Love Song

Cast & Credits
Primary Cast: Renée Zellweger, Forest Whitaker, Madeline Zima, Nick Nolte, Chandler Frantz, Elias Koteas
Director: Olivier Dahan
Screenwriter: Olivier Dahan
Producer: Alain Goldman
Associate Producers: Catherine Morisse, Krisin Gore
Executive Producer: James W. Skotchdopole

Program Notes
Olivier Dahan broke into the U.S. when his last film, La vie en rose, won two Academy Awards®, and now the writer/director is boldly stretching his talents stateside with his first English-language independent feature. Under Dahan's inspired direction, an unassuming story about an ex-singer blossoms into a whimsical down-home road movie. Jane (played memorably by Renée Zellweger) and Joey (Forest Whitaker) couldn't be more different. All they have in common is solitude and a mildly contentious friendship. She is a hardened wheelchair-bound retired musician, and Joey is an endearing oddball out of step with the daily grind. When Joey learns of a secret that Jane harbors he convinces her to embark on a cross-country trip to Memphis with the hope that she will face her past. On their trip, they stumble upon a bevy of fascinating characters who begin to peel back the layers of Jane's tough exterior.

Zellweger is in top form as Jane, and her singing voice only adds to a powerful and moving performance. Talented cinematographer Matthew Libatique (Requiem for a Dream, Iron Man) beautifully captures a dreamy southern landscape. A heartwarming and magical story of friendship and redemption—with original music by Bob Dylan—My Own Love Song reflects Dahan's vision of an innocence and spirit that is distinctly American.

So ... here we go with a new type of blog

Since I'm relaunching this as a different type of blog, I've decided to join the Ultimate Blog Party 2010.

Yeah, as usual, I'm late to the party - but not too late (I hope). The Ultimate Blog Party 2010 is being hosted by Janice and Susan, the twin bloggers who run 5 Minutes for Mom, and is a virtual party celebrating online friendships.

In case you are wondering, no, I am not a mother. But some of my favorite people are mothers, and some of my favorite blogs are run by women who are mothers. I figure, if I can spend my time with smart, savvy moms in real life (and I do), why can't I do the same thing online?

About me: I am a long-time blogger who is going to be using this space to talk about random stuff that interests me. If any of it is interesting to you, too, please feel free to let me know. Now, c'mon, the clock is ticking ... let's party!

By the way, the Ultimate Blog Party 2010 is offering some great prizes to attendees. Of course, I probably won't be chosen for any of them, but if by some chance I am, my top three picks would be:

• Toshiba Satellite L505D-ES5025
• Apple Gift certificate from CmomGo
• Human Touch Foot and Calf Massager from Still Blonde After All These Years!

And if my top three picks are already chosen, I’d be delighted with any of the following (in order of preference):

• $50 paypal from American Muslim Mom or MomDot
• US104, USC 8, US112, USC 37, USC 3, USC 15, USC13, US73, US74, US87, US100, US52, US88, USC36, US32, US107, US113, US114, US37, USC 40, USC 44, US31, US55, USC 32, US49, USC 41, US70 (or any other Amazon, Target, Visa, Walmart, Starbucks, Macy’s or Kroger gift cards/certificates)
• US75
• INTL6
• US35, USC 27, US11, USC 25, USC 23, US96, US7, USC63, US78, US81, US82, US109, US110, US59, US84, US34, US95, USC 28, US91, US12, US13, US15, US17, US18, US20, USC21, US57, US105, US72, USC 45, US68, US66, US65, US61, US76, US94, USC11, US108, US36, US48, US47, US46, US38, US41, US42, US103, USC 33, USC 48, US86, USC 58, US98

A New Start

This blog started out as Blather From Brooklyn.

A couple of years ago I moved all the content to a different version of Blather From Brooklyn on WordPress and this little blog has been idle.

Now it is time to give this blog a new title, a new purpose and a new life. Here's to new starts!

Should I delete this blog?

I never use it. Should I keep it or delete it?

I'll have to ponder the question.