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Their Best Role: Stellan Skarsgård in 'Insomnia'

By Marina Zogbi (Subscribe to Marina Zogbi's posts), Posted Feb 2nd 2011 8:00PM
Filed under: Features, Cinematical

Stellan Skarsgard in 'Insomnia'

Probably the most renowned Swedish actor working onscreen today (next to the venerable Max von Sydow), Stellan Skarsgård is a reliably solid presence in any film, big or small. And he's done it all, from obscure, harsh dramas like Juanita Wilson's recent 'As If I Am Not There' to big, fluffy musicals like 'Mamma Mia!' (granted, that was his only fluffy musical). A major part of the American movie-going public knows him as Bootstrap Bill from the last two 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movies; a smaller segment recognizes him mainly from Lars von Trier films, and then there's Verner Vollstedt, his crazily overbearing director character on HBO's 'Entourage.'

Opening Friday is 'Frankie and Alice,' in which Skarsgård plays a psychiatrist to Halle Berry's multiple personalities. Most recently he gave a wonderful performance in dark Norwegian (redundant?) crime comedy 'A Somewhat Gentle Man' -- unfortunately in very limited U.S. release -- as a murderer just sprung from prison. It's definitely one of his best characters. But looking over the man's long career, 1997's 'Insomnia,' in which he played a sleep-deprived, guilt-ridden cop, stands out as his breakthrough role. (Though Christopher Nolan's remake with Al Pacino was also excellent, Skarsgård really owned that part.)
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Their Best Role: Anthony Hopkins in 'The Remains of the Day'

By Marina Zogbi (Subscribe to Marina Zogbi's posts), Posted Jan 25th 2011 5:00PM
Filed under: Columns, Cinematical, Best and Worst

'The Remains of the Day'


Anthony Hopkins, who turned 73 this past New Year's Eve, has enjoyed a diverse and enviable acting career, a testament to his exceptional talent. Equally effective playing a contemporary serial killer or the perfect English gentleman in period films, Hopkins is always compelling, without, it often seems, breaking a sweat. His natural elegance and smooth, commanding delivery have served him very well, whether they're employed for sophistication or for chills.

Most moviegoers, of course, know him as Dr. Hannibal Lecter -- one of the all-time great movie villains. The role won him a Best Actor Oscar in 1992 for 'The Silence of the Lambs' (though he was only on screen for 16 minutes), and he'd later reprise Lecter for 'Hannibal' (2001) and 'Red Dragon' (2002).

This Friday he stars in Mikael Håfström's 'The Rite' as a Jesuit priest who's an expert in exorcism. It's the latest of the actor's many forays to the dark side. As far back as the '70s he starred in horror films both solid ('Magic') and not ('Audrey Rose'); more recently he appeared in the underwhelming 'The Wolfman.'
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Stars in Rewind: Dustin Hoffman Sells Volkswagens

By Marina Zogbi (Subscribe to Marina Zogbi's posts), Posted Jan 17th 2011 5:00PM
Filed under: 'Fone Finds, Cinematical

Dustin Hoffman in Volkswagen ad

Stars in Rewind is a feature that looks at what our favorite movie stars were doing before they were our favorite movie stars. You can find it here every other Monday.

Veteran actor Dustin Hoffman has been a distinctive and perennially welcome persona in movies for the past 40-something years, most recently appearing as Ben Stiller's dad in big-budget comedy 'Little Fockers' and as Paul Giamatti's father in the deeper dramedy 'Barney's Version.'

But once upon a time (the '60s), Mr. Hoffman was struggling like most young actors, and so he supplemented his undoubtedly meager income by appearing in a TV commercial. What's interesting about this 1966 ad for Volkswagen is that it was made right before Hoffman shot to stardom in 'The Graduate.' His Volkwagen pitchman isn't that far removed from the movie's Benjamin Braddock character, which is to say, it's classic Hoffman.
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Scenes We Love: 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'

By Marina Zogbi (Subscribe to Marina Zogbi's posts), Posted Jan 11th 2011 9:00PM
Filed under: Features, Cinematical

'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'

Many fans of 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004) love it fiercely; they've watched it repeatedly, committing certain scenes to memory (ha!) and getting emotionally involved every time. It's that kind of movie.

This was director Michel Gondry's second collab with writer Charlie Kaufman, the first being 'Human Nature' (2001), an uneven, intriguingly odd comedy. (Prior to that, he was known mainly for wonderfully innovative music videos.) Pre-'Eternal Sunshine,' Kaufman had already scored bigtime with screenplays for 'Being John Malkovich,' 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind' and 'Adaptation.' An inspired, multi-layered melding of dark, whimsical sci-fi and equally fantastical visuals, 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' is the most haunting, romantic film to come from either filmmaker.

With 'The Green Hornet' -- Gondry's first foray into big-budget superhero action -- opening Friday, we have the perfect excuse to look back at what is arguably his best film to date.
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Their Best Role: Nicolas Cage in 'Leaving Las Vegas'

By Marina Zogbi (Subscribe to Marina Zogbi's posts), Posted Jan 5th 2011 5:00PM
Filed under: Features, Cinematical

Nicolas Cage in 'Leaving Las Vegas'

Nicolas Cage has gotten a lot of flack for his seemingly indiscriminate movie choices, and we can't argue that he's taken part in many unmemorable -- and, yes, downright bad -- films. It's also true, and sometimes overlooked, that he's done amazingly solid work in a variety of worthwhile movies, not all of them in the distant past, i.e., 2009's 'The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans' and last year's 'Kick-Ass.'

He's still one of the funniest, most soulful, and eccentric presences on film ... when given the right vehicle. Unfortunately Hollywood is rife with clunkers and Cage clearly doesn't like to turn down work. (Some cite his numerous, much-publicized real estate acquisitions, among other expensive purchases, as the reason for his, um, productivity.)
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Actors We Miss: Paul Newman

By Marina Zogbi (Subscribe to Marina Zogbi's posts), Posted Dec 31st 2010 12:00PM
Filed under: Features, Cinematical

Paul Newman in 'Cool Hand Luke'

It's been a little over two years since Paul Newman passed away at the age of 83, but his absence is still keenly felt. His career -- and life in general -- could be a template for achieving mega success while retaining dignity and integrity. Not many other film industry figures have the kind of reputation he built over a lifetime; as a truthful, ego-free actor; a massive, if reluctant, sex symbol; and a philanthropic giant and social activist. (As he once quipped: "You can't stop being a citizen just because you have a Screen Actors Guild card.")

Newman's estimable film career was enhanced by his long term marriage to equally esteemed actress Joanne Woodward; his all-proceeds-to-charity Newman's Own line of products, among other philanthropic efforts; and his status as a serious auto racer. He seemed almost too good to be true, but he really was one of the coolest men alive.
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10 Movies to Watch on New Year's Eve

By Marina Zogbi (Subscribe to Marina Zogbi's posts), Posted Dec 31st 2010 6:00AM
Filed under: Features

'When Harry Met Sally' and 'The Princess Bride'

There are many different ways to celebrate New Year's Eve, and while we love a good, noisy party as much as the next reveler, sometimes we're in the mood for a more low-key evening. One spent, say, relaxing at home with a good movie.

And while we also appreciate twisty psychological thrillers, high-adrenaline action flicks and unsettling horror films, these aren't quite right for New Year's Eve, when we might be recovering from various holiday gatherings, and maybe musing over the past year and wondering what's in store for the next.

This is the night for light, uplifting -- dare we say it -- feelgood films. Movies that don't mess with our heads too much and, like the year itself (hopefully), end on a positive note. Particularly appropriate are films in which people change or grow or learn something, though it isn't required. Naturally, many of these are romcoms.

Here's a highly subjective list of 10 great movies to watch on New Year's Eve:
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