This season, between work projects and writing, I’ve been reading books and watching new and old movies. I’ve also managed to fit in a few interviews, including an exchange with writer and director Theodore Melfi about his emotionally powerful new movie, St. Vincent (read the interview here). It’s a fresh, humorously frank movie about a boy and an old man who’s a drunk and Bill Murray’s character is an especially pointed and honest portrayal of an alcoholic. I’ll be surprised if you don’t agree after seeing the film and reading the interview that Melfi is an artist to watch. I’ve also seen and plan to post reviews of The Imitation Game, Birdman and Whiplash, which I’ve appreciated or enjoyed to varying degrees, and a timely, new movie out next month starring Anthony Mackie, Octavia Spencer and Kevin Costner titled Black or White. The racially driven story is written and directed by the bright and talented Mike Binder, whom I recently interviewed. Like St. Vincent, the picture takes place in present day, involves alcoholism and a custody battle and, cleverly in both movies, it is rendered with a sense of dry humor.
That is also a particular characteristic of Robert Redford’s, the subject of an interview with Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne (pictured), who will host an entire series of Mr. Redford’s films next month on TCM. I’ve interviewed Osborne about John Wayne, Katharine Hepburn and Barbara Stanwyck among others, such as Ernest Borgnine, so I’m excited about the opportunity to examine one of Hollywood’s more recent (and last great) movie stars. Robert Osborne doesn’t hold back. This may be our best interview.
I enjoy watching classic movies and I recently watched and recommend Elia Kazan’s brilliant and terribly underestimated Man on a Tightrope, grueling East of Eden and brutal On the Waterfront. Other pictures include an unknown gem by Stanley Kramer, at least previously unknown to me, with an outstanding performance by Faye Dunaway as an individualistic, self-made oilwoman opposite rugged oilman George C. Scott, Oklahoma Crude. It’s an incredibly involving film with Dunaway at her best. Look for a review of Lasse Hallstrom’s new movie, The Hundred-Foot Journey, which is released on Blu-Ray this month, too. Of course, it’s Christmastime, which means there’s a glut of new movies I still want to see during this jam-packed awards season and I’m listening to Christmas tunes by Olivia Newton-John, Christopher Cross and Melissa Manchester, whose new single and album will be released early next year. On the topic of music, I’m glad to see talented recording artists such as Sam Smith and Bob Seger get recognition they earned and deserve. Giving and getting what one wants and deserves, and anticipating what’s joyful to come, is, for me, part of the magic of Christmas.