Hail, Caesar!

I’m a sucker for anything to do with old Hollywood. (Obscure reference alert...) I watched every episode of The Lot when that was on AMC. So, when I saw the trailer for the newest Coen Brothers movie, Hail, Caesar! I was intrigued. The film piqued my interest to such an extent, that I decided to ignore my love/hate relationship with the filmmaking duo to check it out...

To start, the script of Hail, Caesar! (penned by the Coen Brothers, as per usual) is a complicated one. In the midst of sitting through it, the writer inside of me sat there wishing that I had written it myself. (As a side note: my old Hollywood TV pilot is now dead to me). The script is a complex, interwoven slice-of-life, following a handful of different story-lines taking place during a typical day at Capital Pictures, a fictional movie studio in Hollywood during the 1950s. The string tying all the narratives together is studio boss Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin). The A-story line follows the kidnapping of studio leading man Baird Whitlock (George Clooney) by a shadowy, mysterious organization (no spoilers!). This is one of many plot lines, following a number of interesting, and well developed characters through various conflicts.


The film has a massive, and decidedly A-list cast. Scarlett Johansson plays DeeAnna Moran, an Esther Williams type aquatic musical actress, who’s love life is proving difficult for the studio PR machine to control. Ralph Fiennes is harried director Laurence Laurentz. Jonah Hill plays professional Hollywood “person” Joseph Silverman. Tilda Swinton and Channing Tatum round out the versatile group of performers.

Visually, the film is gorgeous. The design team does an incredible job creating the highly stylized image most of us see when we think of old Hollywood. The pic below is from DeAnna Moran’s water ballet. The composition of the shot is flawless. Looking from the rich, emerald green of her swimsuit to the layered colors of the curtains behind her, the look of the film has the crisp and polished aesthetic of a feature from the peak of the CinemaScope era like Oklahoma, or How to Marry a Millionaire. If this film were released in November or December, this writer would definitely be predicting a technical Oscar nomination for Hail, Caesar!. 

The creation of the old Hollywood aesthetic goes as far as the dozens of movie scenes depicted on-screen as Mannix goes through the narrative. There are musical numbers (including one by Channing Tatum demonstrating a Gene Kelly-esque versatility that this writer definitely wasn't expecting), western scenes, and elegant costume dramas all seen at various points. The talented cast manages to walk a complicated line in creating beat accurate interpretations of these common film genres of the immediate post World War II period, and then to incorporate little character quirks which break from the squeaky clean images, further contributing to Hail, Caesar!’s quirky humor.

Young actor Alden Ehrenreich’s performance as western turned drama actor Hobie Doyle stood out as one to watch. Ehrenreich is fairly new to Hollywood, having broken out in 2013’s teen fantasy Beautiful Creatures. He is developing a solid filmography, with credit’s in 2013’s Stoker and Blue Jasmine. His performance as the Gene Autry like, western actor Doyle who is thrust into a heavily dramatic piece has a wide-eyed honesty to it, definitely tagging the young actor as one to watch in the future.

Watching Hail, Caesar! the film can best be described as a quirky comedy (you never can be too sure when you go to see a Coen Brothers movie). However, there’s a strong potential for the humor to be inaccessible to some. Viewing this film in a group of four people, this writer found us split straight down the middle. Half of the group loved the film, half hated it. If you aren’t a fan of the Coen Brothers other works, I wouldn’t have this one be your first.

As of February 5th, Hail, Caesar! is currently out in wide release, and can likely be seen at a multiplex near you.

My verdict: Four/Five stars 

Fangirl Friday: Nathan Page

As I recently come clean on in another blog post, Miss. Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is one of my latest obsessions. The Australian mystery series, (available on Netflix for those not living in Australia) has amazingly quippy writing, delightful costumes, well-crafted and interesting stories and fun and likable characters. 

In this week’s installment of Fangirl Friday, I wanted to take a bit to spotlight the work of Nathan Page (Miss. Fisher’s Det. Inspector Jack Robinson), who has quickly scaled to the top of my list of schoolgirl infatuations. Jack’s relationship with Miss. Fisher (ship name Phrack) is one of my favorites to ‘ship’.

Nathan Page is a relative newcomer to television screens, having moved into acting late in life.  The actor has an interesting back story, having first jumped into popular consciousness as a professional cycler. A number of sources report that he left the sport at 19 because “he was one of only a few cyclists on the European tour determined to stay clean.” (Sydney Morning Herald 9.6.2013). The SMH goes on to quote Page, “It was an era that was plagued by drugs and it was very hard to see your way through to a long career.” (SMH 9.6.2013).

It was reportedly the “wilderness” of having stepped away from his sporting career that first propelled Nathan Page into an acting career. IMDB cites his first role as a film Strange Fits of Passion in 1999. In the 17 years which have followed, Page has been acting steadily, predominantly on Australian television. The most accessible for those not living in Australia are Miss. Fisher’s Murder Mysteries and a recurring guest role through eight episodes of Underbelly (a long running procedural, which is available to stream on various websites). However, most of us sit with bated breath, waiting for some announcement on the presumed upcoming fourth season of Miss. Fisher’s Murder Mysteries to see where the characters go after THAT season finale (spoilers, sweetie!).

The crime fighting duo with no sense of personal space...

It is Page’s incredible chemistry with series star Essie Davis which is vital to Miss. Fisher... as a successful series. The relationship between the two characters is quippy and fun, while at the same time boiling at some level under the surface, at which both are unable or unwilling to act on the feelings.

 Page has spoken in interviews about injecting an amount of wounded post-war masculinity into the character of Jack.  There has been a tremendous amount written on the sense of wounded masculinity following WWII (a scholarly passion of mine), but WWI has largely been forgotten about in the grand scheme of things. However, I think this line of thought is definitely noticeable in Jack (and definitely worthy of another article).

So, to wrap up a piece which is quickly growing in length, I find myself continually blown away with every performance I have been able to see of Nathan Page’s. It seems like it’s even more difficult (than my previous UK frustrations) to get film and television work coming out of Australia over here in the States. However, I would encourage fangirls the world over to check out the work of this talented actor. He needs to be on screens more.

Anatomy of a Movie Scene: Willing and Eager- “State Fair” (1962)

The scene in the above video has long been an interest of mine, dating back to my film student days. The film is a fairly inconsequential remake of the Rogers and Hammerstein classic State Fair. Despite having a stellar cast (Pat Boone, Ann-Margret, Bobby Darin, Pamela Tiffin and Tom Ewell to name a few) the movie is barely a blip on the radar of classic cinema. However, it is in the humble belief of this film student (graduate level... that means something, darnit!) that there is a lot going on in this film (especially as it relates to gender) which makes the 1962 remake of State Fair worthy of more attention.

The above musical number (and please check it out of context) leapt out to me as interesting from my first viewing of the film (at age 13). Why yes, I was watching Pat Boone at that age... wasn’t everybody? Superficially, ‘Willing and Eager' seems a bit steamy for cinema of the early 1960s, but nothing over-the-top... however, the scene gets quite a lot of depth when you analyze the respective performers (Pat Boone and Ann-Margret) star  personas to an elementary reading of what we are seeing in the music number.

Pat Boone is quite literally the personification of America in the 1950s. Boone entered public consciousness in 1955 when his cover of the Fats Domino hit Ain’t That A Shame hit #1 on the US music charts. He had another top 10 hit the next year with a cover of Little Richard’s Long Tall Sally. Boone was an adorable, squeaky-clean kid from the deep South (Florida) who wore his religion on his sleeve. He was ‘safe’ alternative to the rockers of the era: Little Richard, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. While these men were largely responsible for the musical revolution happening during the period, they were loaded with racial and sexual overtones which were incredible threatening to the conservative leanings of the majority of 1950s audiences.

Here’s a clip of Boone performing his 1957 hit, Love Letters in the Sand. He was the boy which a girl growing up in 1950s suburbia could feel comfortable taking home to mother.

Meanwhile, in 1962 Ann-Margret was an relatively new face in Hollywood having first appeared in the 1961 film Pocketful of Miracles. She followed it up with musicals Bye Bye Birdie, and State Fair in rapid succession, followed by Viva Las Vegas, in which she co-starred opposite Elvis Presley.

Everything about Ann-Margret’s early film persona shows an acknowledgement of the sexuality she undoubtably possessed. And (interestingly) she’s allowed to be unabashedly sexual and still get the guy. In these early films, she is often the girl-next-door.  This is a complete reversal from the blatant punishment of the so-called femme fatales of just a decade earlier.

Check out these clips:

'Got a Lot of Living to Do’: from Bye Bye Birdie (she starts at the 1:20 mark).
‘Isn’t It Kind of Fun’: From State Fair. Contrast this, against the same song in the 1945 original.
‘Appreciation’: From Viva Las Vegas.

This writer believes it is not a huge stretch to say that in this clip from State Fair, the ultimate 1950s good boy has just been (or is about to be) deflowered by the seductive (but harmless) actress Emily.

Let’s look at the visual cues:

1.) There’s a bed in the shot. I repeat a  double bed... not the Hayes Code approved twin beds.
2.) They are all over each other (sources report it was a big thing when Pat Boone kissed Shirley Jones on-screen in April Love just five years earlier.
3.) “Hungry and thirsty and near as can be...” (I don’t think he’s singing about her being peckish).
4.) “Darling let’s count to ten... or five at least...”
5.) “Here I am, look around...”

Look for more from me on the 1962 State Fair, there’s a lot to be analyzed.

Digging into the TV Archives: Miranda

Digging into the TV archives this time... I wanted to spotlight Miranda, Miranda Hart’s self-titled BBC comedy which ran from 2009 until 2015.

Miranda proved to be a substantial part of my 2015 fangirl history, introducing me to not only to the amazingness that is Tom Ellis (now gracing American screens as Lucifer), but also to Take That frontman, and songwriter extraordinaire Gary Barlow. (Yes... I’ve already written about how embarrassingly late to the party I am on that front.

The series, which comes from Hart’s comedy material, follows Miranda who runs a joke shop with her best friend Stevie (Sarah Hadland). Backing Hart up is an eclectic cast of characters, including Miranda’s mother (Patricia Hodge), Miranda’s closest male friend (and secret crush) Gary (Tom Ellis) and Miranda’s school chum Tilly (Sally Phillips).

From the pilot, I was blown away by the writing of the series (Hart served as the head writer). The comedy is incredibly well-rounded, showcasing Hart’s skill with physical comedy (she takes a fall with the best of them) to quippy, dialogue based comedy she engages in with Stevie and Tilly.

The incredible chemistry between Hart and Ellis proves to be a major part of the series, and fueled their “will they or won’t they” relationship, which through all but the final season of the show (spoilers, sweetie). From the beginning, the two seem to genuinely like each other, and are just so gosh darn likable that you can’t help but want them to get together. Miranda and Gary are such a thing, that actor Bohdan Poraj who plays Mike (a later love interest of Miranda’s) has admitted in interviews that he rooted against his character because he was standing in the way of the Miranda/Gary relationship.
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The first three series' of the half hour comedy are available to stream on Hulu. Series four (two episodes) has yet to be released, and is only available on region 2, PAL DVD on Amazon UK. (Yay, for region free DVD players). 

The American Fangirl’s Guide to Formula One: Who’s Who

Formula One season is getting ready to gear up, and this little fangirl is giddy. Even though, the start of the start of the racing season means an awful lot of sleepless weekends for your’s truly... I still find myself following the sport. 

Winter testing has all ready started in earnest, and the first race of the season (the Australian Grand Prix) is scheduled for March 20th. 

In the coming weeks leading up to the race, I’ll be doing write-ups on some of the prominent figures within the sport. 

Below is a (tongue in cheek, obviously... we’re all a bit biased....) breakdown of who’s who in the sport, and were the fall, coming from a nerd-based perspective. 

Mercedes: The First Order of Formula One

Nico (Kylo) Rosberg and Lewis (General) Hamilton

You’ve dominated the last two years... give someone else a chance...

Red Bull: The Once Evil Empire of Formula One or The Interns Took Over the Death Star

Danill (Darth Vader Jr.) Kvyat and Daniel (The Interim Emperor) Ricciardo 

They’re a lot cuddlier and likable now...

Ferrari: The Up and Coming Resistance

Sebastian (Poe Dameron) Vettel and Kimi (Finn) Raikkonen

They’re a surprisingly fun pair.

The Once Great McLaren Empire... the Jedi’s car is stuck in the Degobah system

Jenson (Luke Skywalker) Button and Fernando (Obi Wan Kenobi) Alonso

Jenson Button: Yesterday, today and forever.

The Other Guys or Williams the Little Team that Could
Felipe (BB-8) Massa and Valtteri (...the Other Finn...) Bottas

Felipe Massa is quite literally the little droid that could.

If You Aren’t Watching, You Should Be: ‘The Knick'

As faithful readers of this blog can likely relate, I binge watch... Everyone does it these days. It is how television has evolved. I'm currently working through The Knick after finishing the first season with the virvor of a fangirl with a new obsession.

The series, which takes place in and around The Knickerbocker hospital in Manhattan during the early 1900s, is hard-hitting in its' story lines, to its graphic (and highly researched) depictions of medical procedures of the time. The first season premiere opens in the operating theater, where we watch the shows doctors perform a cesarean section on a woman with severe pregnancy complications. The scene is slow and deliberate as the men attempt to extract the fetus within their predetermined time limit, and the camera is not shy in showing the physical gore of surgery. The scene is not for the squeamish. It’s bloody. We’re talking Game of Thrones level blood. However, the moment is handled with the scientific distance of a medical drama.

Viewing from an aesthetic perspective, the series is a work of art. Every frame is like a painting, with meticulously crafted, period specific sets and costumes. The Knick is another example of what is being called the Golden Age of Television. The larger budgets and greater freedom granted to cable (and streaming) shows propels them into another level above the series’ airing on the basic network channels.

In my weekly “I Want Him on My TV More” segment, The Knick is filled with a highly talented cast (Clive Owen shines as Dr. John Thackery). A standout for this writer is actor Michael Angarano, who plays Dr. Bertram “Bertie” Chickering Jr. The youngest of the doctors, Bertie spends much of the first season in wide-eyed admiration of Owen’s Thackery. As the first season progresses, and the developing character dynamics become clear, Angarano gets to flex his acting chops. Isolated and alienated from his former mentor, the young doctor is finally is able to find the voice he’s repressed for much of the series.

Michael Angarano is far from a newcomer to Hollywood. A former child actor, he’s been onscreen since he was very young. After an initial moment of “Where do I know that guy?”, a quick IMDB search showed that I’d recognized him from the 2003 sports drama Seabiscuit in which he played a young Red Pollard. He’s also appeared in the award winning film Almost Famous. While Michael Angarano is not a new face on screen, his work in The Knick shows his growth and development as an actor. His career is definitely on an upswing, and I’m excited to see where he goes next.

For those of us without a highly premium cable subscription, it's easy to miss this little show. Cinemax has always been a dream, but never a reality, for yours truly. However, the first season of the period medical drama is available on DVD, and the season two just became available for download on iTunes. So, if you aren’t watching, definitely check out The Knick. 

Archie Reboot (Ish) Riverdale Picked Up By CW

The post-Christmas rush is an interesting period to follow in Hollywood. After the initial craziness of the fall premiere season, and the beginning of the cancellations (why are you not watching Agent Carter, btw?), the networks start to plan out their pilots for the next calendar year.

Today it was announced that the CW had finally (they are the last of the networks) announced the beginning of their initial pilot pickups. In an interesting move, the young adult targeted network has announced that they are ordering a pilot for Riverdale, which is being billed as a live-action, modern day take on the Archie Andrews comic series.

Entertainment website, TVLine reports that the series comes from Executive Producer Greg Berlanti. Berlanti currently reins as the King of the CW, with successful two successful series' (Arrow and The Flash) making up a large percentage of the networks current success. The script comes from Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, who is currently a consulting producer on the CBS half-hour series Supergirl. He has also worked on long-running dramas Glee and Big Love. Aguirre- Sacasa also has a lengthy string of success working for Marvel comics throughout the early 2000’s.

TVLine has posted a reported breakdown (including the modernized development) of the characters here. The pilot will reportedly feature the four leads we are familiar with: Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica. According to the report, the script will incorporate a certain focus on the once idyllic small-town Riverdale as a town where “secrets, intrigue and scandal abound.” Archie comics meets Twin Peaks, perhaps?

There have been very few live action interpretations of the incredibly long-running comic book series. The series ran for ten years on the radio from 1943-1953, with popular voice actor Bob Hastings playing the titular part for much of the run. In the 75 history of the comic book series, there have been a number of animated series attempts, as well as a few filmed appearances.

Keep in mind, this is simply a pilot pick-up, so there’s no telling if the script will actually be ordered to series. The CW, while a small network manages to have a very high success rate with the consistent stable of shows they have kept on the air for much of the last decade. Shows like Supernatural and Arrow are going no where for the foreseeable future, so the network has plenty of leeway in developing new series.

Alright... looking at the stable of young actors currently in Hollywood. Who would you cast?