The official poster from TRUMBO is here.  I am so excited about this movie.

It’s a remarkable story of Dalton Trumbo’s journey from Hollywood royalty, to blacklisted writer to Academy Award winner.  Trumbo is one of my favorite screenwriters of the Golden Era of Hollywood, ROMAN HOLIDAY is one of my favorites.

The film focuses on the writer’s own indelible words, the film features performances of some of his extraordinary letters, clips from his films and, archival and contemporary interviews with those who knew him best. Forced to write underground, letter writing became the chief repository of Trumbo’s extraordinary talents and they serve as a wonderfully entertaining testament to his boundless intellect, acerbic humor, and staggering resilience.

TRUMBO is directed by Peter Askin and is based on the play Trumbo by Christopher Trumbo. The film includes the all-star cast of Joan Allen, Brian Dennehy, Michael Douglas, Paul Giamatti, Nathan Lane, Josh Lucas, Liam Neeson, David Strathairn, and Donald Sutherland.

Here is a list of films written by Trumbo:  A MAN TO REMEMBER (voted one of the ten best films of 1938); KITTY FOYLE (ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATION); A GUY NAMED JOE (BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE AWARD); THIRTY SECONDS OVER TOKYO (BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE AWARD); TENDER COMRADE, and OUR VINES HAVE TENDER GRAPES (BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE AWARD).The film is opening June 27th!

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Hiya, Kids!! A ‘50s Saturday Morning — the 4-DVD box set is packed with 21 complete episodes culled from some of America’s iconic television classics, including Kukla, Fran And Ollie, Howdy Doody, Lassie, Annie Oakley, Flash Gordon, Time for Beany, The Paul Winchell Show, The Roy Rogers Show, Captain Z-RO, The Rootie Kazootie Club, Winky Dink And You, Super Circus, Andy’s Gang, The Cisco Kid, Sky King, The Magic Clown, Kids And Company, Junvenile Jury, The Pinky Lee Show, and Sheena, Queen of the Jungle.  Each DVD from Hiya, Kids!! is designed like a Saturday morning programming block from the era, with shows for the very young first on the menu.  As the older siblings “wake up,” the programs become more and more “sophisticated.”

Hiya, Kids! sound like a fun set to play for the kids. They won’t be sharp cuts and blow ups, but pure, unadulterated, in the clear, and childlike entertainment.   

Check out the trailer: Hiya, Kids!

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Tuesday, May 6^th

9:00pm e/p

“Big Ideas for a Small Planet: Fashion”

Environmental consciousness has hit the fashion world in a big way; from T-shirts and jeans to haute couture, style is coming to mean sustainable fabric and earth-friendly manufacturing practices.  In this episode, we’ll meet several men and women who are bringing green to fashion, clothing stores and to the dry cleaners, too.  

9:35pm e/p

Escape from Suburbia - Directed by Gregory Greene.  Will the American lifestyle - epitomized by the single family home and two-car garage - remain tenable as we advance into an age of declining oil supplies and rising prices?  Escape from Suburbia considers the possibilities as it examines the burgeoning grass-roots movement to “power down” from energy-intensive habits.  Mixing the stories of ordinary citizens with expert analysis, the film offers an inspiring look at how people are changing their lives and their communities by pulling up stakes, organizing conferences, and even re-thinking local economies.

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A new DVD series, the MERIDIAN COLLECTION, a compilation of acclaimed, groundbreaking and influential films from around the world. Lionsgate plans to release two high-end DVDs every three months drawing from its own library, which includes more than 2,000 European films from Studio Canal. Through the MERIDIAN COLLECTION, Lionsgate will present significant works of world cinema in elite quality editions of the highest technical standards that celebrate their creative impact.

In the Hollywood Reporter, Anne Parducci, executive VP of marketing at Lionsgate said that with the MERIDIAN COLLECTION, “Lionsgate is specifically targeting fans of art house films. That’s why the extras tend to be focused on the making of the film, with little room for gimmicks, games or frills. We want to be able to capitalize on the fact that there are consumers out there who have an affinity for specific films,” Parducci said. “These are really the definitive presentations of these movies: We’re taking what that film is known for and why it is considered influential and then exploring that further through the special features.”

Here is what the critics have to say about these two films.

THE RED VIOLIN

“Has the kind of sweep and vision that we identify with elegant features from decades ago” -Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Winner of the Academy Award for Best Original Score, The Red Violin stars Samuel L. Jackson as an appraiser tracing the vast, storied history of a priceless violin across numerous countries and generations.  This Meridian Collection DVD features a digitally remastered transfer with new 5.1 Dolby Digital Sound and includes filmmaker commentary and two new featurettes, a musical feature with composer John Corigliano and a documentary on violins and violin auctions.

DIVA

“A celebration of the abundant joys and possibilities of filmmaking.” - Los Angeles Times

Available on DVD in a new digitally mastered transfer approved by director Jean-Jacques Beineix, Diva launched the Cinema du Look movement and drew wide acclaim for its innovative visual style. Originally released in 1981, Diva was re-released theatrically in 12 markets across the country in November 2007 to rave reviews.  The Meridian Collection DVD of this intricate and stylish French thriller also features remastered audio, multiple interviews with the cast and crew, as well as audio commentary with director Jean-Jacques Beineix.

I have asked for giveaway copies of both films. Please stay tuned and come back for the DVDs Giveaways!

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Here are the next episodes for “Big Ideas for a Small Planet.” I hope we see more programs like this one on other cable stations. Sundance Channel is sure setting the path to a more environmentally educational program. Let’s all be green a little bit more tomorrow for our planet’s future.

Tuesday, April 29^th

9:00pm e/p

“Big Ideas for a Small Planet: Food” 

Loss of biodiversity, water depletion, topsoil erosion, carbon emissions: when it comes to conventional farming and industrial food production, the cost goes beyond the supermarket bill.  This episode explores the different ways professionals and ordinary people are trying to nourish us with environmentally friendly food and wine.   

9:35pm e/p

All in This Tea - Directed by Les Blank and Gina Leibrecht.  This documentary immerses viewers in the rich world of Chinese tea while profiling the affable Californian importer who has made it his mission to introduce Americans to the brew’s many pleasures.  David Lee Hoffman founded Silk Road Teas tea after spending much of 1970s living among the nomadic tribes and Buddhist monks of Asia, for whom tea is a way of life.  All In This Tea looks at the history, traditions and intricacies of tea and joins Hoffman on a buying trip to China, where he seeks out small, artisanal growers and tries to persuade Chinese officials to turn away from industrial production in favor of handcrafted, environmentally sustainable tea farming.  This is the most recent film from the award-winning documentarian Blank (Burden of Dreams).

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I have an extra advance CD of Sinatra at The Movies.  I listening to it right now. If you know Frank and the movies, you’ll love this collection. Add it to your library by winning a copy from Screenhead.  Simply post your name and I will draw the winner Wednesday, April 23rd.

Good luck!

Click to find out more about Sinatra At The Movies and listen to some of the songs.

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I came across this fascinating article at Hollywood Reporter about Laura Ramsey’s preparation for her role as a belly dancer in “Whatever Lola Wants.”

The article called “Actress Ramsey opted method approach” tells of something more than just a way to prepare for a role, but more of what it takes to be a professional in a very competitive and demanding field. 

Ramsey went all the way to Cairo and Casablanca to learn belly dancing and live the life of a belly dancer.  The end result nothing but pure out-of-body experience — all inhibitions gone.

Please take a look at this piece and let me know your thoughts.

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Don’t miss THE GREEN on Sundance Channel,  the first television network in the United States to dedicate a major regularly-scheduled programming destination entirely to the environment.  As it heads into its second season, THE GREEN offers viewers a focused, entertaining source of information and inspiration about the planet we call home – “Prime Time for the Planet.” 

Tuesday, April 15 9:00pm e/p“Big Ideas for a Small Planet: Water”  Water is likely to be a flash point in the 21^st Century, as population growth collides with droughts and dwindling reserves.  This episode introduces three people who are embracing creative solutions to the looming shortage of drinking water – be it desalinating the ocean, catching rainwater or cleaning up our rivers.     

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I have to share with you this wonderful piece in Variety.com about the late Richard Widmark by the great screenwriter William Goldman.  Enjoy it!  I sure did.   Widmark Impression

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I watched Quantum Hoops with my father-in-law, who is a former high school coach and referee of basketball.  He and I enjoy this documentary that is narrated by David Duchovny.   Usually we watch movies about sport teams that won. Or, race horses that overcame unbeatable odds and won.  Yet, Quantum Hoops is about CalTech basketball team that hasn’t won a game in two decades, a 21-year losing streak.  To the casual fan, the team might sound like a bad joke.  There are more valedictorians on the team than players with high school basketball experience.  In fact, the 5 seniors did not play high school basketball, yet all five are major contributors to the team.  They are roundly mocked by opposing fans as “nerds playing basketball” (the few fans that decide its even worth it to show up).  However, this season would mark an amazing turnaround from just two years ago when the team would lose by an average margin of over 60 points per game.  Against remarkable odds and adversity, the players and coaches dedication, discipline, heart, and yes, SKILL would make for one of the most exciting seasons in school history.   The final home game of the year would give the 5 seniors one last shot at that elusive win and an entry into the history books of college athletics.The documentary flows very smooth keeping my father-in-law interested in whether the school will ever have a win.     

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