Movies/TV/Streaming

Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

Going to the Movies is written by Mount Vernon Triangle resident Catherine Taegel.

Last evening I saw a screening of “Parker” starring Jason Statham (“The Italian Job” &“The Transporter” trilogies) and Jennifer Lopez.  The movie was exactly what I expected it to be – it is starring Jason Statham after all – but I was actually alright with that. Jason Statham has created a nice little action star niche and he is in his groove in Parker.

With all of the heavy hitter movies out there these days – Lincoln, Les Miserables, Zero Dark Thirty, Argo – we all need a little mindless entertainment. And I mean that in a good way. Parker is not going to win any awards. It’s no cinematic feat with a carefully crafted script. It’s a typical action film that doesn’t quite stand up to “Bad Boys” but is at least better than “Public Enemies”.

Jason Statham stars as Parker, a thief who would like to think he has a moral compass, but let’s face it – he’s about kicking ass and taking names. Again, it is Jason Statham. The plot is surface level –  he gets wronged and wants to get even. It really is that simple. The movie opens at the Ohio State Fair and while the entire encounter maybe lasts around ten minutes, it’s probably the longest scene in one place in the entire movie. That’s an action movie for you though – continuously moving with the guide of a revolving door of stolen cars.

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Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

Last night I watched “The Impossible” with Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor. The film is about the true story of the Belon family who miraculously survived the deadly tsunami that hit Thailand on December 26, 2004 and killed 230,000 people. Watching “The Impossible” I already knew the ending. It’s no spoiler alert. You know the family survives, but that clearly wasn’t the intention of the film. The journey of a family played a supporting role to the real story of sheer devastation that happened in an instant, with no notice at all. This film was about impact.

“The Impossible” opens in darkness. A thunderous sound, that you assume is the tsunami, grows louder and louder. Seconds later the screen comes alight and the sound climaxes as a plan soars overhead. We are introduced to the Bennett family – Maria, Henry, Lucas, Thomas, and Simon (10, 8, and 5, respectively) – on a plane coming into Thailand to spend Christmas at a beautiful resort right on the Indian Ocean. The first twenty or so minutes of the film are a purposeful build-up. The family relaxes, enjoys a beautiful Christmas day, and expects the next days to be as perfect as the last. The scenes show peace, comfort, and blissful ignorance. However, the audience knows what’s coming and my heart raced as I waited for the impending moment.

Director Juan Antonio Boyana (The Orphanage) did respect to the experience of going through this disaster. He wanted you to feel the terror, pain, and anguish that undoubtedly surrounded the moments just before, during, and after the tsunami. Mission accomplished. You watch the sea rise up, people freeze and brace for the impact, and then you’re at Maria. She’s clinging for dear life to a palm tree and shrieks with terror. It’s real. This is happening. She hears the screams of her oldest son, Lucas (Tom Holland), and watches as he is whisked away by the sea. You feel her maternal instincts as she lunges into the wave, leaving the seeming safety of the palm tree, to get to him. Another wall of water comes rushing to shore and the terror occurs all over again. It is truly unbelievable.

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Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

Going to the Movies is a new PoPville feature by Mount Vernon Triangle resident Catherine Taegel.

I’m Catherine Taegel, a MVT resident, and member of the wonderful DC Film Society(which anyone can join!). I have had no formal training in reviewing movies, but as a lover of all movies – old, new, big, and small – I look to provide thoughtful reviews that will intrigue and guide locals as they attempt to sort through the various cinema offerings in our area.

The other night I attended the screening of “Zero Dark Thirty” at the Regal Gallery Place cinema. Telling a story that is so engrained into the very fabric of our society is a tall order, even for Kathryn Bigelow, whose movie “The Hurt Locker”, portraying the war in Iraq, won a slew of awards, including the Oscar for Best Picture, in 2010. She’s no stranger to controversy – often criticized for glamourizing and sensationalizing war and the personal stories occurring within them. Her direction of “Zero Dark Thirty” is no different.

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Just when I think E Street Cinema can’t get any cooler…

Anyone ever try ’em?

Photo by PoPville flickr user mosley.brian

From Screen on the Green:

“We hope you packed up your picnic basket and grabbed your blanket on the way out the door this morning because Screen on the Green is finally here! The wait has been long, but it was worth it.

Tonight, head over to the National Mall between 7th and 12th Streets to enjoy a sunset screening of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The sun sets at 8:32pm, but we recommend getting there early to stake your claim on a stellar spot!”

Photo by PoPville flickr user mosley.brian

From a press release:

Friends of Screen on the Green, in collaboration with festival sponsors HBO and Comcast, is happy to announce this year’s Screen on the Green movie line up. This year’s schedule and location have been modified to accommodate ongoing rehabilitation efforts on the National Mall.

Outdoor screenings will begin on Monday, July 16th, with one Wednesday screening on July 25th. Movies begin at sunset and will be shown on a giant 20’ by 40’ screen on the Mall between 7th and 12th Streets NW.

The full schedule for Screen on the Green 2012 is as follows:

Monday, July 16th: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Wednesday, July 25th: It Happened One Night
Monday, July 30th: From Here to Eternity
Monday, August 6th: Psycho

For more information about the films, visit Friends of Screen on the Green online at www.friendsofscreenonthegreen.org.

Photo by PoPville flickr user yostinator

From Netflix:

“We’re delighted to tell you that in late 2012 Netflix will be bringing to our members in the U.S. and Canada exclusively “House of Cards,” the much-anticipated television series and political thriller from Executive Producer David Fincher and starring Kevin Spacey. We’ve committed to at least 26 episodes of the serialized drama, which is based on a BBC mini-series from the 1990s that’s been a favorite of Netflix members.”

The Casting Call email I received says:

CENTRAL CASTING is looking for UNION AND NON UNION EXTRAS for
the original series HOUSE OF CARDS. The series is shooting in
Baltimore and DC beginning mid April 2012. In addition to extras, you may also
be considered for recurring or featured roles.
OPEN CALL
SUNDAY APRIL 1st
11AM-4PM
THE HILL CENTER
921 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE SE

Located One Block From Eastern Market Metro Station
We are looking for the following:

ELEGANT WASHINGTON TYPES
40-60 yr old, ALL ETHNICITIES, MALE AND FEMALE

HILL STAFFERS, AIDES, REPORTERS
21-34 yr old, ALL ETHNICITIES, MALE AND FEMALE

POLITICIANS, LOBBYIST, REPORTERS
40-60 yr old, ALL ETHNICITIES, MALE AND FEMALE

BUSINESS ATTIRE IS REQUIRED FOR THE CALL. WE WILL TAKE YOUR
PHOTO AT THE AUDITION AND PROVIDE A SIZE/INFO SHEET FOR YOU
TO FILL OUT.