Hot Summer in the Country

VISUALS
A treasure trove of rare interview footage has been uploaded to YouTube by one of Jennifer Ehle's most stalwart fans. I posted two of them last time but there have been many more added since, so do not miss terrykip's videos.

Although the most brief, I think this is my favorite (despite perhaps the need for a more clued-in interviewer).



Also, many thanks to sharonalee who let us know about the excellent P&P photo gallery she has created and for volunteering to share it.


Bright Sunshine
After watching Sunshine for the first time recently, Antti Alanen in his Film Diary blog reported his very favorable impressions.

"There are gorgeous female roles in the film, and especially the scenes with the bright Jennifer Ehle radiate with intelligence, courage, sensuality and frank sexuality. - Rachel Weisz would have deserved more screen time, but of course the film is long as it is. Rosemary Harris is excellent as the grown-up Valerie. - Although Ralph Fiennes in his triple role portrays the three main characters, finally, Valerie is the soul and heart of the film, the only one who never loses her inner compass. - A film I decided I want to see again even while still watching it."

Hot Wings
The temperature when I left work yesterday was 100F (37.8C) and will be about the same when I depart today. If the weather has been as unbearably hot where you are as it has been here, keeping animals under your care comfortably cool can be a concern. Let's say, for example, you have chickens. A number of them; maybe seven chickens. If so, Poultryone.com has some valuable tips for you about
Keeping Your Chickens Healthy and Cool in Hot Summer Heat
[...] "Water is essential" [...]"


[picture by T. McCracken via McHumor.com]










Hot Things
The Forsyth County ((Winston-Salem is the county seat) Library site has a fine Biography of John Ehle compiled by Sheryl Monks. Included is a nice photo of him with Joe Pye. It has information not in his Wiki article (so far) and worth a read. Just a sample:

[...] Originally released in 1964 by Harper & Row, The Land Breakers is the first book of seven in a sweeping saga detailing the opening up of the North Carolina Appalachian frontier. Rob Neuland of the Asheville Citizen Times has called Ehle’s series, "the greatest epic of our region." [...]

At livejournal two of our favorite ladies made list of Ashmh'sTop Ten Favorite Miniseries. Mom beat daughter in this one.

2. "The Chisholms" (1979) - This excellent three-part miniseries followed the adventures of a Virginian family during their overland trek to California in the mid-1840s. Based upon Evan Hunter's novel, it starred Robert Preston, Rosemary Harris and Ben Murphy.
[and]
7. "Pride and Prejudice" (1995) - Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle co-starred in what I consider to be the best version of Jane Austen's classic 1813 novel.

Suzanna Bowling in the Examiner writes about some upcoming productions, including The Royal Family and its award-laden cast.

MTC is also bringing The Royal Family. This is the classic comedy of theatrical manners, written by two of the theatre's greatest writers, George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber, whose other storied collaborations include Dinner at Eight and Stage Door. This devilishly funny play follows the Cavendishes, the famous family of stage stars, as they go about the drama of the day: choosing scripts, dashing off to a performance, and stealing kisses with handsome beaus. Directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes (Doubt) with a fantastic cast that includes Emmy nominee Stephen Collins as Gilbert Marshall,Tony winner John Glover as Herbert Dean,Tony Award winner and Oscar nominee Rosemary Harris as Fanny Cavendish, Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Jan Maxwell as Julie Cavendish,Tony nominee Tony Roberts as Oscar Wolfe,and Drama Desk Award nominee Reg Rogers as Tony Cavendish. Previews start September 15th.

The Rosemary Harris film Is Anybody There? earned a favorable review
by John Petrakis at christiancentury.org recently. He wrote, "We are introduced to some of the other Lark Hall residents, who are portrayed by a who's-who of outstanding British and American character actors, including the still-lovely Rosemary Harris as a former dancer."

A short (19 minutes) film, The Monday Before Thanksgiving featuring Rosemary Harris was shown at Worldwide Short Film Festival 2009 . Shannon the Movie Moxie described it as "Adeptly light handling of complex life events and choices"

Party with Liz and Darce
Romance inspired die-cuts are ideal for weddings, St Valentines day, birthdays or just to say 'I love you'.
Meslyncrafts can offer the ULTIMATE in romantic couples 'Miss Elizabeth Bennett and the gorgeous Mr Darcy'.



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Tube Tops & Shorts

YouTube offerings Top today's blog

1) This is "the making of" from the movie "This years love" (1999) with Douglas Henshall, Ian Hart, Kathy Burke, Jennifer Ehle, Catherine McCormack and Dougray Scott


2) Jennifer Ehle - Tony Awards 2000 - The Real Thing


3) Jennifer Ehle - Tony Award Memory. On the eve of her second Tony Award in 2007, Jennifer Ehle reflects on her first win



2) & 3) are credited via tonyawards.com and were uploaded to YouTube this week by terrykip, definitely a tuber to root for and watch for whose interest appears grounded in the talented object of this blog. Thank you terrykip!


October Quotage Catch-up

This snippet from OK! Magazine's October 23, 2008 article on the Pride And Glory premiere seems to have been overlooked here. We have no problem with playing catch-up though. The article quotes several of the stars, including this from Jennifer Ehle being endearingly modest about being visited by co-stars while commenting on why Colin Farrell might make someone a decent boyfriend.

“He’s incredibly warm, incredibly kind, he’s funny, he’s charming in a very honest way. He came to the trailer and welcomed me on my first day, which is something I wouldn’t expect someone in his position to do. He’s very kind. I think kindness is underrated when looking for a partner.”

Shorts

Short films being presented at the 15th annual Palm Springs International ShortFest June 23-29 include The Monday Before Thanksgiving with Rosemary Harris.
Recent articles can be found at The Desert Sun and Hollywood Reporter and indieWiIRE

[...] Four actors will have their directorial debuts featured at the Festival including Demi Moore directing “Streak,” starring Brittany Snow, Rumer Willis and Madeline Zima; Courteney Cox-Arquette directing and starring in “The Monday Before Thanksgiving” along with Laura Dern and Rosemary Harris; Marianne Jean-Baptiste directing “Ink,” and Joseph Gordon-Levitt directing “Sparks” starring Carla Gugino and Eric Stoltz.[...]

Is Anybody [down] There"

The Rosemary Harris film Is Anybody There was released in Australia 4 June 2009, giving rise to some more harvestable reviews.

Sandra Hall in The Sydney Morning Herald

Philippa Hawker in The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia "The home's elderly residents are defined by standard sitcom dottiness; actors such as Leslie Phillips, Sylvia Syms, Peter Vaughan and Rosemary Harris deserve better than these sketchily written roles."

Alice Tynan in Trespass Magazine "Rosemary Harris as Elsie does get one wistfully poignant scene, though the rest of the residents are relegated to typical, if compassionately portrayed, stereotypes."

Universal Truths in 140 characters

I once read someone postulating that if Jane Austen had been alive today, she'd be writing scripts for hit sit-coms. That was before Twitter, though. Bind your ribs to prevent cracking before reading this hilarious version of Pride and Prejudice. I'd quote some if it, but it is all so brilliantly funny that I'd have to paste the entire piece.

A few little things to start the week with

PREMIERE MULTI...MULTIMEDIA

Most importantly today, Wireimage have three videos from Wednesday's Pride and Glory premiere in New York, with a gem more than compensating for two barely existent others. In it, a radiant Ms Ehle reveals that the already much-mentioned B. A. B. Y is due in March 09. We wish the family again all our love and best wishes.

Further red carpet pictures can be found at Monsters and Critics (numbers 8 and 14 being the best) while Ms Ehle can (just) be glimpsed in the background of Access Hollywood's feature with male cast members (also on YouTube).

A number of other videos fail to feature Ms Ehle but nonetheless provide some nice insights into the film and its actors. Take your pick from AMC TV's testosterone-filled Shootout (with Misters Emmerich, Norton and O'Connor and two male interviewers), AP's chats with Mr Farrell and Mr Norton, and lastly Jon Voight's appearance on CW11 Morning News, viewable via the site's weblog. Slightly less serious conversations with Chris Holley and Lake Bell, were filmed by UGO.

THE WRITTEN WORD

First in the collection of penned reviews and interviewage, Michael Sragow of the Baltimore Sun quotes his conversations with Edward Norton about the films links with Iraq:

[...] We started saying to each other that the institutional lying at the center of Pride and Glory mirrored the crucible the country was going through. What's so fascinating to me about Abu Ghraib or Guantanamo or any flash point is that somewhere around it there is a person who surely has deep feelings of loyalty to his fellow soldiers, his unit, his army, his country. Yet he reaches a moment where he says, 'I'm going to distribute a disc with the pictures because they show a corruption of the things we're supposed to be standing for.' For an actor, that's an incredibly interesting tension. [...]

(Sragow also deals with Norton's attitude to films that he is a part of - a subject put most centrally under the spotlight by Stephen Whitty at the Star-Ledger in his lengthy interview with the actor).

We return to evaluation of the film itself with Prairie Miller at Newsblaze, who after describing it as 'a kind of Godfather in blue', finds novelty within the project's oft-tackled genre:

[...] This type of sinister police noir is nothing new, but the story is elevated by the...gritty intensity of the male ensemble chemistry. [...]

She goes on to evaluate that:

[...] though the narrative rife with brutality and cynicism leads down a path that comes together way too over the top to make sense of it all, the journey there stings with the crushing weight of a raw and devastating emotional power. [...]

Elsewhere, despite identifying a problematic ending, the author of Back-Seat Critic thinks the film is 'expertly shot and paced', believing the O'Connors should be 'proud' of their creation. On a similar note, Radar, who consider the writing and direction 'flawless', dismiss any negative appraisals by stating simply, 'it's complicated but great—you should just see it'.

IL PREZZO DELL'ONORE

Next, a reminder (as if you need it) that Pride and Glory arrives in US cinemas in four days' time. The release comes in the middle of the Rome Film Festival, but as Variety and The Hollywood Reporter explain, the run-up to that has not been as smooth as one may have liked. It will be going ahead however, and Pride and Glory's newly created little page informs us that screenings of the film at the event will take place on three consecutive days, from October 28-30.

THAT OTHER FILM

Ensuring we don't forget Before the Rains amid this week's Glory focus, South Africa's Pretoria News sum the film up as 'melodramatic, but beautifully filmed', while contented reviewers mean the movie continues to maintain a score of 4.5/5 over at Amazon.

THE MONDAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING

Finally, excellent news on the Rosemary Harris front, in that Courteney Cox's 19 minute short, The Monday Before Thanksgiving, is now completely viewable online (as is a nice little poster). The film is part of Glamour magazine's Reel Moments, a project explained in more detail by the Associated Press/WBZtv:

[...] Reel Moments, now in its fourth year, invites actresses and other women in entertainment to adapt and direct films based on real women's stories. ... Cox showed "The Monday Before Thanksgiving". [She] opened the program by announcing, "I'm available for directing.""I love it," she said in an interview. "I would do it again in a heartbeat." [...]

Cinematical reminds us again of the story and Ms Harris' co-stars:

[..] Courteney Cox's short casts her alongside Laura Dern and Rosemary Harris in the story of a woman who loses her mother right before Thanksgiving. But rather than focus on grief and loss, the short focuses on the the insistence to be coupled and being happy single. [...]

The film premiered with its Reel counterparts on October 14 in Los Angeles. Ms Harris' performance as inspiring-and-accomplished-lady-on-bus, Ms Cotlo, starts 12 minutes in (although the entire film is worthy of your fine eyes). Enjoy!

One yacht sails into a harbour...

Rosemary Harris latest

Good news in that The Yankee King is now slightly less of a figment of our imaginations, being IMDb-able. The cast have not yet been listed, although there is no current reason to doubt initial reports of Ms Harris' involvement in the project.

The film's release date is being given as March 2009 (UK), while Sydney Macartney is now listed as director, as opposed to the aforementioned Gerry Lively.

Producer Jo Gilbert has added a brief summary to the site, nicely complementing the plot information we previously had:

[...] What happens when a luxurious yacht sails into Killaragh (sic) harbour and an impeccably dressed denim-clad Yankee walks through the town? He's an American with pockets full of money and an agenda. A fifty-year-old love story comes to a final close and a new love blossoms as the people learn the power of humour, passion, love and the American dollar. [...]

Meanwhile, Donna Freydkin of USA Today sheds more light on The Monday Before Thanksgiving's plot and general existence. She quotes director Courteney Cox as saying:

[...] "My short's about a girl, played by Laura Dern, who has a chance encounter on a bus that confirms the decision she makes to be single and reinforces her faith in herself." ... "I have so many single friends. It's tough. This story speaks to people. You don't have to have someone complete you." [...]

Freydkin goes on to explain:

[...] [Cox is] making her directing debut as part of Glamour magazine's 2008 Reel Moments series of short films. The project, which is in its fourth year, has enabled stars such as Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Bryce Dallas Howard and Jennifer Aniston to go behind the camera. This year, Cox, Demi Moore and screenwriter Kirsten "Kiwi" Smith ... get their shot. The shorts, sponsored by Suave, will be unveiled at a Los Angeles premiere Oct. 14 and afterward can be seen online at glamourreelmoments.com. [...]

After the Rains

As well as several New York Times readers raving about Rains, a few You Tubers have been sharing their thoughts. Examples include:

[...] This movie is so awesome! Man! I just saw it, the whole movie is so surprising! and exciting in between! [...]

[...] Great movie. We loved it. [...]

[...] Incredible film. [...]

Also, an evaluation we missed from May, offered by edzia:

[...] Before the Rains is a visually soothing ... journey into history, time, and the interaction between human and nature. It is not just a simple fairytale or a simple story; rather it embodies a conflict between different emotions known to man. There is the conflict between loyalty and righteousness, ... the conflict between skin and soul, and all this has been vividly explore[d] among the beautiful landscapes in the heartland of South India.

Before the Rains is not only a tribute to the frailty of ... humans but it salutes the whole gamut of emotions which makes us humans ... socially active. The concept of social media takes its roots in these very primitive emotions through which [people] interact with other[s], yearn for lovers, pledge their loyalty and at the same time manipulate other people to achieve their ends and means. [...]

Any other business

• See India Info for Rains' Nandita Das chatting about her first directorial venture set to be shown at the TIFF.
• Take a peek at Sonia Kishkovsky's blog if you're about to visit Moscow and have been wondering where you can find a Bakunin monument.
• Next, if you've ever lingered over Mr Bingley's soup or Mr Darcy's peaches, see this old New Statesman piece on the role of food in Jane Austen's novels.
• And last but not least, visit the History Forum for a piece on the Russian intelligentsia with brief Utopian quotage. (Any excuse for a bit of that.)

Happy Saturday x

'An incredible accomplishment'

Rosemary Harris

• Details have now been released about Courteney Cox's aforementioned directorial project starring Rosemary Harris. The short drama is entitled The Monday Before Thanksgiving, and according to IMDb will be released on October 15, 2008 in Los Angeles! Ms Harris plays Lillian Cotlo and stars alongside Laura Dern and Ms Cox herself. We will let you know when a synopsis emerges. (NB: We are also awaiting news about the previously mentioned The Yankee King, thought to have been filmed in Ireland last month).

Jennifer Ehle

On the rainy front, Thaindian News have hailed Before the Rains as 'a hit in Britain'. Indeed, in the wake of the British release, the film is being discussed all over the place, not least of all on the good old wireless:

• At BBC Radio 5 Live, Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo evaluated the film as part of their regular cinematic round-up. Their discussion can be downloaded (scroll down to 'latest episode', and relevant chatter starts 39 minutes in). They also play a new audio clip. Alternatively, here is my paltry transcription:

[...] It's a solid piece of work...very beautiful to look at...very well shot. I think what it benefits mostly from is Linus Roache's central performance... he does guilty and conflicted like almost no other British actor...and that's what this central role requires of him. [It has] a good, solid, ensemble cast, a simple story, [it is] well-told [and] nicely paired down. ...

[...] The only criticism I have [is that] if it was on television on a Wednesday afternoon it wouldn't look out of place - I don't know that there's enough to get you into the cinema. ... Although I have to say, having gone into it with fairly little expectation, I did find it gripping, I thought it was well-played and it was a solidly put together drama. ... In an age when so many dramas aren't solidly put together, don't have believable characters and don't actually have a story to tell, it does have all of those things, and the time flew by. [...]

The dailies, weeklies and glossies meanwhile continue to expound their fair share of comments:

• Cosmo Landesman for the Sunday Times calls the film 'a lush costume drama'. Despite adding that it overall 'seems rather inconsequential', he does admit the film 'is lovely to look at'.
  
• Nigel Andrews of the Financial Times is somewhat more critical but again extols the visuals:

[...] There are bits of everything and not quite enough of anything. But director and ex-cinematographer Santosh Sivan does handsome screen painting. [...]

• Continuing praise of the latter, Mark Adams of the Mirror says the film is:

[...] delightfully shot [and] there are certainly moments to enjoy. [...]

• Moving upwards, Allan Hunter of the Sunday Express gives a big thumbs up:

[...] Handsome cinematography and decent performances turn this old-fashioned tale into the kind of quietly compelling drama. ... As the plot deepens into a tale of divided loyalties and moral dilemmas, this literate, small-scale picture exerts a much stronger grip. [...]

• The most laudatory of all is James Mottram from Marie Claire:

[...] One of our most underrated actors, lovely Linus Roache goes all heartless on us in this steamy period piece set in India. With the always excellent Roache joined by equally unsung Jennifer Ehle (as his long-suffering wife), the result is a tense blend of passion and politics that burrows deep under your skin. [...]

• Lastly, OK! magazine get straight to the point, and end up with a happy verdict:

[...] What’s good:
A moving story of forbidden love in a gorgeous setting, this is an involving romantic drama that’ll get you thinking. Henry’s an interesting character – he seems to love Sajani, but when it comes to the crunch he’s prepared to make selfish decisions to save his own skin. There are plenty of moral dilemmas to muse on in this tale.

What’s bad:
It’s slow-moving yet far from an epic.

OK! verdict:
A decorative, quietly moving drama, 3/5. [...]

One must not forget the cinema-going public however, who this week can't seem to get enough of Rains.

• The film currently has a reader-rated average of 4/5 from New York Times readers. The latest viewer comments make interesting reading:

Reader one (5 stars)

[...] Back to old school cinema - a strong narrative, interesting characters and good acting. The rest of LA should take notice that an audience still enjoys quality stories instead of the same old sentimental [rubbish] salted with dull characters and predictable uber plots. Well done! [...]

Reader two (5 stars)

[...] Outstanding. ... this film is a wonderful and enlightening example of what film can do. At the same time that other films are trying to heighten suspense with special effects (how slowly can a bullet appear to travel?) this film accomplishes all it sets out to do simply through the special effects drama has always relied on: a great story well told by great actors, director, cinematographer, and many others. Mainstream filmmakers should be envious of this incredible accomplishment. [...]

• In other quarters, blogger Kim Weiss nicely summed up the film as containing 'everything you love in a book, on screen'. She goes on to say:

[...] In my unofficial opinion, Before the Rains is an artistic masterpiece. ... Before the Rains didn’t disappoint me in the cinematic capacity but it happily drew me into a great story, good enough to curl up with and read in a novel. ...

I was holding my breath during the finale but walked out of the theatre intact. What was emotionally stirring did not turn out to be depressing. I much prefer to be dramatically affected by a movie without driving home in despair. Before the Rains left me slightly winded by the waves of feeling I experienced, but not devastated. The movie endures in a good way. Another movie measure for me is whether or not a movie stays with me as I leave the theatre. And, if it lasts even longer, all the better. Before the Rains did that for me. [...]