The Hoax 2007  R, 115 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Cast: Richard Gere, Alfred Molina, Marcia Gay Harden, Hope Davis, Eli Wallach, Julie Delpy, Stanley Tucci, Zeljko Ivanek, John Carter, Christopher Evan Welch, Peter McRobbie, David Aaron Baker, Michael J. Burg, Raul Julia
This film is based on the true story of writer Clifford Irving (Richard Gere) who almost pulled off a great media scam when he conned the publishing house of McGraw-Hill into believing that his 1971 "autobiography" of Howard Hughes was based on real interviews with Hughes. Irving used the fact that Hughes had made it a point to not be seen in public for the last 10 years, and he used tape-recorded "interviews" in which he played Hughes to back up his claims. 1 User Review
| User Review |
| | the good, the bad and the silly | bill b. 05/15/2007 | Richard Gere as Clifford Irving almost steals the movie with the best acting job he's ever done, despite the disclaimer from Irving that his need for money in spawning the hoax was a hoax in itself apparently. Nevertheless, it is Oscar nom caliber, and the near theft of the film is prevented only by Alfred Molina as his all-too-willing grifting partner. The parts unstolen by Gere become Molina's propterty, and, incidentally, he comes off an off-Broadway role as a washed-up show-biz agent in "Howard Katz" as the titled character. It's quite a switch, but then Molina, show also did a turn as Tevye a few years ago, makes such transititions easy.
The bad, the women, not one of the three in the important roles comes across as a real person. Hope Davis as the McGraw-Hill exec comes closest. Eli Wallach is wasted. The rest of the cast is more than adequate.
The silly, making the claim that the hoax changed the course of history with the Nixon theory that Watergate was triggered by the Irving-Hughes connection is absolutely ludicrous.
Nevertheless, aa fun film. |
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Vicky Cristina Barcelona 2008 PG-13, 96 min.
Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance
Director: Woody Allen
Cast: Javier Bardem, Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz, Patricia Clarkson, Christopher Evan Welch, Chris Messina, Kevin Dunn, Julio Perillan, Zak Orth, Pablo Schreiber, Josep Maria Domenech, Abel Folk, Carrie Preston, Manel Barcelo
Americans Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are best friends vacationing at the Barcelona home of Vicky's aunt, Judy (Patricia Clarkson), and her husband Mark (Kevin Dunn). Vicky is studious and engaged to level-headed Doug (Chris Messina). Cristina, on the other hand, is a free spirit in search of love. They meet an artist, Juan Antonio (Javier Barden) who invites them to join him for a menage a trois in the town of Oviedo. Christina thinks that is a great idea, moves in with Juan, but ends up in a messy situation when his ex-wife Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz) arrives on the scene and takes up residence with them because she needs Juan's company after a failed suicide attempt. Meanwhile, Vicky, who had gone along for the trip, ends up in a one-night stand with Juan after having a few drinks, and that one night might give Vicky second thoughts about her visiting fiance Doug. Good Woody Allen fare. Penelope Cruz won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
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Whatever Works 2009  PG-13, 92 min.
Genre: Comedy / Romance
Director: Woody Allen
Cast: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Ed Begley Jr., Patricia Clarkson, Conleth Hill, Michael McKean, Jessica Hecht, Christopher Evan Welch, Henry Cavill, Carolyn McCormick, John Gallagher Jr., Samantha Bee, Yolonda Ross, Adam Brooks, Lyle Kanouse
Retired physicist Boris Yellnikoff (Larry David) moves to Chinatown to take up a bohemian existence. He meets and falls in love with 21-year-old former beauty queen Melody (Evan Rachel Wood). They marry, but life changes when Melody's mother Marietta (Patricia Clarkson) comes to visit from Tennessee. Melody's father John (Ed Begley Jr.) shows up a short time later, and romantic entanglements become the name of the game.
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| 1. The Hoax (2007)
2. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
3. Whatever Works (2009)
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