Professor X the Younger on The Daily Show

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X-Men Dancing

X-Men: Days of Future Past Trailer 3

First Glimpse of Eleanor Rigby

That is the photo of James McAvoy and Jessica Chastain.  Yes, you read that right.  McAvoy and Chastain.......and they are in a movie together!

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him and Her.   That is the name of a unique film by Ned Benson that I've been waiting for since last summer.  It's a romantic drama where James McAvoy and Jessica Chastain play a NY couple dealing with difficult issues in their relationship.  From the press notes:

"The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him and Her is a two-part love story seen through the eyes of a New York couple trying to understand each other as they cope with personal hardship. The different perspectives of “Him” and “Her” result in two films with a unique look into one couple's attempt to reclaim the life and love they once had."

It has a very unique "point of view" premise that I'm really interested in seeing how it will be presented.  It will be part of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this Sept 5 - 15, 2013.  And so with TIFF's announcement of included films, the above photo of the movie was released yesterday.  Now, I'm even more excited to see it!  As if the photo isn't enough already to get you enthused for this movie, wait until you learn about the supporting cast!  It includes the wonderful Isabelle Huppert, Viola Davis, Ciaran Hinds, William Hurt, Jess Weixler, Nina Arianda and Bill Hader.  Isn't that just fabulous??!!

In other Chastain news, she was honored last Sunday (July 21) at the Giffoni Film Fest in Italy with the Experience Award.  Part of the celebration was a Q and A with her before the award was presented.  One question she was asked was how she handles fame and the paparazzi and I'd like to point out her anecdote about attending a cooking class in NYC (around 45 secs of the video).  It's a charming story........

X-cellent

After the disappointment of the last two X-Men movies, I didn't have high hopes for the reboot (or should I say prequel?) of the franchise. I was glad to see that Bryan Singer and Stan Lee were involved as producers. (Does anyone know if Stan Lee made a cameo? Because if he did, I missed it. On the other hand, look out for two cameos; one I especially enjoyed.) Matthew Vaughn's spirited film is intelligent, funny, and much exposition occurs in a very short time. Although its themes are serious and dark, the filmmakers manage to keep it light and fast-paced somehow. The strong performances are what elevates and sets the film apart from recent (and possibly future) forgettable comic book film adaptations.

We know from the previous movies that Magneto (Erik Lehnsherr before he turned into the Big Bad) initially displayed his powers at a Nazi concentration camp. This time, we get the full back story, with Kevin Bacon clearly enjoying his role as an evil German doctor wanting to exploit the young mutant's talents. At the same time, Charles Xavier meets a scaly orange-haired blue girl named Raven (played by Jennifer Lawrence as an adult) in Westchester, New York. Like most arch-enemies---at least in the Smallville series and the Wicked musical---the boys grow up, meet in a spectacular fashion, and become good friends. The future Professor X is somewhat of a ladies' man (telepathy is a handy tool when picking up women), while the damaged Erik is obviously a tortured soul. This is the story of how their individual and unique experiences as mutants and outcasts set them on divergent paths.

Inglorious Basterds's Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy bring a certain gravitas to their roles, even though it is a comic book flick. I loved the dynamic between the two hotties...I mean sexy lead actors. Their friendship felt genuine, which made their eventual falling-out more tragic. ( Shades of Anakin finally embracing his dark side, which broke Obi Wan Kenobi's poor heart.)

A re-imagining of the Cuban missile crisis is a major plot point, and the clever alternate history makes for interesting viewing. And of course, its message of intolerance, discrimination, bigotry will resonate with audiences.

Don't bother to stay after the closing credits. No bonus scene. Otherwise, X-Men: First Class is first rate fun!

The Conspirator

Even though The Conspirator is a historical courtroom drama set in 1865 after President Abraham Lincoln's assassination, Robert Redford's film clearly has parallels in recent history and current events.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton (Kevin Kline) is eager to punish the perpetrators at all costs. Former U.S. Attorney General and then Maryland Senator Reverdy Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) appoints Civil War hero Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy) as unwilling defender to Mary Surratt (Robin Wright). Mrs. Surratt was the only woman charged in the assassination plot. She owned the boarding house where the conspirators frequently met. She lived there with her son John Surratt and her daughter Anna (Evan Rachel Wood). The case unfolds from Aiken's viewpoint: from his initial reluctance to take on the case, his search for the truth, and how he begins to doubt Mary's guilt, and his efforts to save his client's life . The trial also becomes his fight for civil liberties and people's right to due process. Even his wife Sarah Weston (Alexis Bledel) and friend Nicholas Baker (Justin Long) aren't convinced that he's doing the right thing. Shades of our post 9-11 world, where the Patriot Act, and the Iraqi invasion were rationalized by the Bush administration as necessary evils. And anybody who dared speak out against the War or in favor of Constitutional rights were labeled unpatriotic.

Instead of a jury of their peers, the plotters are tried in a military tribunal headed by Colm Meaney's Major General David Hunter. The government's case rested on the testimonies of John Lloyd (Stephen Root) and Lewis Weichmann(Jonathan Groff). Danny Huston plays prosecuting attorney Joseph Holt, who delivers a chilling line towards the end: "In times of war, the law falls silent."

I found the movie compelling---I'm sure the snoring guy in front of me would disagree---not just for the legal battle, the mother-son story, but especially because of the larger conspiracy for an expedient trial and punishment to satisfy the nation's thirst for swift justice and/or vengeance. The superb performances (especially Robin Wright's proud, tragic Mary, who never fully convinces us of her guilt or innocence), beautiful costumes, authentic production design and wonderful cinematography added to my enjoyment of the film. I am looking forward to more historical movies from The American Film Company.

Professor X

After the disappointing XMen: The Last Stand, director Matthew Vaughn will attempt to reboot the franchise with XMen: First Class. The film will star one of my favorites, James McAvoy, as the young Professor Charles Xavier and Michael Fassbender as young Magneto (formerly known as Erik Lehnsherr). Jennifer Lawrence, star of the 2010 Sundance Best Picture winner Winter's Bone, will portray the young Mystique. Kevin Bacon is slated to play the yet unnamed bad guy.

Filming begins in London next month.