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Why the Western Will Never Die

By Anne Brodie (Subscribe to Anne Brodie's posts), Posted Dec 16th 2010 2:42PM
Filed under: Features
Tumbleweed rolls through a desert, vultures circle overhead. The sadistic villain points his gun at the hero. The tension is unbearable. The battle between good and evil is on, cowboy style. The western is one of the most beloved genres in film history. Good and evil are at war, the moral code is unwavering and the arena for human conflict is as big as the outdoors.

The western ideals of freedom, the open range, open skies and the chance to loom large were irresistible to early movie audiences. At one time, horse operas made up 25 per cent of Hollywood's output. But the recent success of big budget westerns like 'There Will Be Blood' and the upcoming Coens' remake of 'True Grit' may indicate a return to the wild west. Moviefone spoke with Variety film critic and Cowboys & Indians writer Joe Leydon about the western as an enduring American art form.
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Colin Firth: I Don't Think We Need a Royal Family

By Anne Brodie (Subscribe to Anne Brodie's posts), Posted Dec 2nd 2010 10:00PM
Filed under: Celebrity Interviews, Toronto Film Festival
Imagine you're a frightened, abused British prince who lives in the shadow of his brother, David, the future king. You're paralyzed by a speech impediment. And then, with no notice, your brother abdicates his position -- all as World War II is looming. That's the true story of Albert, Duke of York, later King George VI, in Tom Hooper's 'The King's Speech.' In the wickedly funny and moving film, Colin Firth plays George, a role that will no doubt win him an Oscar nomination. Moviefone spoke with a very handsome and relaxed Firth at the Toronto Film Festival about his role as a royal.
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Miranda Richardson on Bringing Men to Their Knees in 'Made in Dagenham'

By Anne Brodie (Subscribe to Anne Brodie's posts), Posted Nov 17th 2010 1:00PM
Filed under: Celebrity Interviews, Toronto Film Festival
Baroness Castle of Blackburn, Barbara Castle, was the first and only woman to hold the position of Britain's First Secretary of State, and she was the longest-serving Member of Parliament in modern history.

Raised by socialist parents, she became a powerful figure in left wing politics; she championed the women who held a strike against the Ford plant in Dagenham, England in 1968 for equal pay. They effectively brought the company to its knees in an international work stoppage. Miranda Richardson, a longtime follower of Castle, plays her admirably in Nigel Cole's 'Made in Dagenham.'

Moviefone caught up with the 52-year-old at the Toronto Film Festival. Richardson opened up to us about sex as political power, bringing companies – and men -- to their knees, and the changing film landscape.
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'Inferno' Director: Lindsay Lohan Is a Great Actor, and I'm Waiting for Her

By Anne Brodie (Subscribe to Anne Brodie's posts), Posted Nov 9th 2010 5:30PM
Filed under: Celebrity Interviews, Cinematical


As just about everyone on the planet knows, the late Linda Lovelace will be portrayed by the troubled Lindsay Lohan in the biopic 'Inferno' -- if she ever gets out of rehab and legal trouble.

But the movie's director, Matthew Wilder, remains committed to the troubled actress, despite years of struggling to get the project off the ground. (Anna Faris had been attached to play Lovelace as far back as 2007, but she dropped out in 2008 to focus on comedy.)

Whenever filming does kick into gear, the movie will tell the story of the hugely influential pornographic actress whose seminal film 'Deep Throat' put her on the map nearly 40 years ago and who proved her vulnerability in a horrific autobiography that revealed the true nature of her relationship with one-time husband Chuck Traynor. Forced to perform sexual acts at gunpoint, Lovelace was drugged, beaten and raped -- but she was a survivor.

Moviefone spoke with Wilder recently about his predicament and his decision to stand by Lohan as she goes through what is, arguably, the most tumultuous time of her life.
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Kids Film 'Summerhood' Gets Childhood Just Right

By Anne Brodie (Subscribe to Anne Brodie's posts), Posted Nov 4th 2010 1:00PM
Filed under: Celebrity Interviews, Reviews

"It was a time of my life I'll never forget, a soulful summer of acoustic rock, no parents, no school, and no parole..."

Thus begins the little Canadian film that could, Jacob Medjuck's 'Summerhood,' a poignant, breezy, fun, and deceptively astute look at summer camp. Collider.com calls it "the best film I've seen about childhood ever" -- high praise for a coming –of-age story that resonates with campers and non-campers, and reminds them of that special time that was "before life."

You know you're in for something as the film opens, and the camera pans across an idyllic lake lined with camp bunkies bathed in sunrise. Pete Seeger's singing 'Little Boxes,' a sweet sounding ditty. But then the camp loudspeakers blast everyone awake.
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Kathleen Robertson on Going 'Down the Road Again'

By Anne Brodie (Subscribe to Anne Brodie's posts), Posted Nov 1st 2010 2:25PM
Filed under: Celebrity Interviews
Kathleen Robertson was floored when she was asked to star in 'Down the Road Again,' a sequel of sorts to one of Canada's most acclaimed films, 'Goin' Down the Road' (1970). Roberts understands the depth and breadth of the original's influence; it was credited with inspiring 'Midnight Cowboy,' and it was raved about by New York and Los Angeles film critics.

It is widely regarded as one of the best and most influential Canadian films ever made, and has remained one of the top 10 films of all time in industry polls since 1984; Canada Post even issued a commemorative stamp in its honour. Director Don Shebib returns 40 years later with original cast members Jayne Eastwood and Doug McGrath, and teams them up with Robertson, their "new" Canadian/American actress. Moviefone spoke with Robertson on the Toronto set of 'Down the Road Again.'
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Keir Gilchrist Gushes About 'It's Kind of a Funny Story' Co-Star Zach Galifianakis

By Anne Brodie (Subscribe to Anne Brodie's posts), Posted Oct 1st 2010 9:30AM
Filed under: Celebrity Interviews, Toronto Film Festival
Keir Gilchrist and Emma Roberts are indie film's hottest, quirkiest couple at the moment, thanks to their roles as young lovers getting to know each other in a psychiatric ward in 'It's Kind of a Funny Story.' Their characters are in treatment for depression, but their stay on the floor is anything but a comedown. They join forces with a diverse group of fellow patients (including Zach Galifianakis); they put on musicals and live it up in what becomes the time of their lives.

The film's upbeat, feel-good and wickedly funny, and Roberts and Gilchrist are a winning pair. Moviefone sat down with Gilchrist at the Toronto Film Festival, where he talked about trying to make Roberts laugh and gushed about Galifianakis.
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