Julianne Moore and Dennis Quaid in "Far From
Heaven"
courtesy of Focus Films
"The Magical Camera of Edward Lachman"
Edward Lachman is the Oscar nominated cinematographer of "Far From Heaven." Although he did not win, he did receive numerous praises from his fellow cinematographers and other awards groups. I had a chance to speak with him just a few days before the Academy Awards night and he was confident that the late Conrad Hall would be the winner.
"Conrad Hall is the person who lights up a room just by walking into it," he stated. The he added, "All the rest of us stand in his shadow."
Lachman talks in descriptive language such as this. He is amazingly skilled at using words that completely express his thoughts. I even kidded him by saying I was going to hire him out to teach actors how to give interviews. "Now that's funny," he responded.
If you have seen "Far From Heaven" then you know that Lachman went back into his mind and the cinematography files to find the special kind of technicolor look that Douglas Sirk used in his movies of the 1950's. These vibrant colors were the trademark of such films as "Imitation of Life," "Written on the Wind," and "All That Heaven Allows."
Todd Haynes, the director of "Far From Heaven," wanted to recreate the look and feel of those movies. So he assigned Lachman the task of making the film look like those Sirk movies did. "He wanted me to use the same type of look that Sirk's cinematographer Russell Metty got. It was a unique experience having a director tell me exactly the way he wanted the film to look before we even got started," he said. "I am always involved from the start with the creative process and usually suggest a style or look."
It is Lachman's prowess with the camera that has brought him from his home in New Jersey to the land of Hollywood. And then back to New Jersey to film "Far From Heaven." "It has all come full circle," he said. "I had to come back to New Jersey to have one of the most successful events of my career."
"Far From Heaven" is now out on video and this is a chance for all the people who missed it in theaters to see it. Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid and Dennis Haysbert star in this story of love and passion. It is told in the same manner of those movies of Sirk's and has the look and feel of them too. But there is a little more controversy in this script than in those of the 50's.
Two more modern romance movies are "I'm With Lucy" and "Maid In Manhattan." "Lucy" stars the irrepressible Monica Potter as a woman on the hunt for Mr. Right. She manages to get dates with five guys (Anthony LaPaglia, David Boreanaz, John Hannah, Henry Thomas and Gael Garcia Bernal). Then she makes her choice, or does one of them choose her?
The cast in the movie is brighter than the sum of its parts. Potter is a good little actress. She almost stole "Along Came A Spider" from Morgan Freeman. But in this movie she never seems to get her character straight. Still there is fun just seeing her trying to pick Mr. Right from such a fine cast of bachelors.
Jennifer Lopez' movie "Maid In Manhattan" is much better thanks to her personal charm and that of Ralph Fiennes, who has never been more romantic. She plays a chambermaid in a big city hotel. He is a politician who thinks she is someone she is not. Ah mistaken identity. It always makes for a fun film.
This is one of the few movies Lopez will be in without Ben Affleck this year so enjoy her single status while you can.
For comedy there is no one funnier than Mike Epps. He and Ice Cube reteam in "Friday After Next" a continuation of the "Friday" series. In this one it is Christmas time in the hood and our two characters are trying to catch a stealing Santa. They also have other problems that are both surprising and hilarious.
These movies are wild hits on video so join the line to get this one. Ice Cube and Mike Epps are the Abbot and Costello of the hip-hop era.
Another comedy of the classic sort is "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" It has been fifteen years since the release of this movie that blended animation and real live actors. The DVD has lots of extras including many behind the scenes aspects of the making of the film. Bob Hoskins is the star but it is the animated creatures who steal the show.
You can also get "CSI: The First Season" on DVD. All 23 episodes are there for you to view. They make you understand why this show was such a fast overnight hit. William Peterson, Marg Helgenberger, George Eads and all the rest of the cast are at their best in this look at the first year - the first of many to come.
For horror and suspense you can watch "Flashback." In this movie a young girl sees her parents murder by a serial killer. Years later when she is twenty three the horror starts all over again as people she knows are murdered. But who is the killer and why does she keep flashing back to the horror.
Xavel Huttel and Simone Hanselmanon are the stars of the movie. You never heard of them and probably never will again.
Finally if you are desperate for a video to watch get "Jackass: the Movie." This wretched movie is even worse on DVD. There are outtakes, commentary and even additional scenes. Yuuuuk! Johnny Knoxville and his crew have no shame and no sense of taste. But there is any audience for that.
Not as bad but pretty offensive is "Tom Green: Subway Monkey Hour." This is Tom in Japan and at his worst. You can see the horror on the Asian faces as Tom does his thing.
If after reading this review you are
interested in ordering these movies,
please click on the provided links.
