What's new in the film world

Here's some exciting news - especially if you're a fan of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. They're actually going to make a sequel. According to the report I read, all of the original cast will be on hand except Tom Wilkinson. And most interesting of all, Richard Gere might sign on to play a new character. Shooting is supposed to start in January.

Critics Corner

Gail Brown has sent us another review.

Movie:  Hunger Games; Catching Fire

Rated:  PG-13

Genre:  Action, Adventure, Sci Fi

Ratings:  IMDB 8.3, Rotten Tomatoes

Cast includes:  Jennifer Lawrence, Donald Sutherland, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Lenny Kravitz, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci and Elizabeth Banks.

Synopsis: The sequel to the Hunger Games, begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts.

One Critics Comment: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is that rare instance when the movie is better than the book, and the second movie is better than the first.

My comment:  I love a movie that takes me to places with characters, situations and an environment that are new to me.  I totally enjoyed the first movie and enjoyed this one equally. The characters are bigger than life.  Jennifer Lawrence is totally dedicated to this role and does an excellent job.  The visuals are stunning.  It is a movie you cannot look away from..every moment is interesting and provides a fun ride for the audience.

It took hundreds of craftspeople to put this movie together…the credits go on forever….and ever…An effort that works well…at 2 ½ hours it seemed to go by in a flash (how rare is that).

The ending definitely has you eagerly anticipating the next movie… hopefully coming out next year.



Field Trip

I was in New York the beginning of this month and had the pleasure of visiting The Museum of Moving Image. It's located in Astoria in a kind of industrial area. The buildings in this area were once giant sound stages and tons of movies were filmed there starting in the 1920s. There were several years when nothing was happening there and then a Mr. Kaufman (they were erecting this sign when we were visiting)

bought the property and not only is the museum housed there, but the sound stages are again being used, mostly for television productions. In fact when my daughter and I were visiting, they were filming an episode of "Orange is the New Black".

The museum is quite handsome. This is the restaurant area. You could see it wasn't very crowded that day.

There are exhibits from several movies. Here's one from Little Big Man. Recognize Jack Crabb?

This one's from The Exorcist. Recognize Regan MacNeil?

There were several interactive displays that were fun. In one you could do a video and it would be made into a flip book.

Or you could add your own voice to a movie clip. Here's my daughter trying her luck at doing a voice over for My Fair Lady:

One of my favorite exhibits was a collection of costumes from the Frida Kahlo film.

How fun to see the costumes in person as well as the designer's sketches and fabric samples.

It's a fabulous museum. Put it on your must-see list for your next trip to New York.

In the next post we'll be announcing the list of movies for the next season. Stay tuned.