BOOKS:
THE HELP – by Kathryn Stockett. I am probably the last person to pick-up THE HELP. I fought it because everyone was carrying it around. Also, I was smug, I thought I’d read all I needed to about the civil rights movement. How wrong I was. I don’t know what turned me so that I actually picked the book up. Possibly it was the 2500+ reviews and 4 ½ star rating online or the fact that I saw a picture of the cast that included Sissy Spacek and Emma Stone. I think Bryce Howard will be a terrific Hilly.

I’ve turned into a big fan of this book. The characters are so well-drawn, especially Minny, she‘s got to be my favorite because you never know what’s going to come out of her mouth. Her words and actions are outrageously funny and shocking and at times dangerous. Skeeter is how I pictured the type of woman Scout Finch (from To Kill a Mockingbird) would grow up to be. The book portrays such an interesting and important mix of women from two communities. Lifelong friendships are put on the line and unexpected bonds are formed when a southern college graduate decides to interview the women who serve as housekeepers in their community. What is revealed through these interviews and the scenes with the respective employers is at times haunting, humorous, stunning and transforming. How Stockett manages to keep the humor alongside the tragic is masterful. Read it before the movie debuts this August.

Below is a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly:
Starred Review. What perfect timing for this optimistic, uplifting debut novel (and maiden publication of Amy Einhorn's new imprint) set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

SHI*T MY DAD SAYS by Justin Halpern
This book is laugh out loud funny. The S and F-bomb abound so if you’re okay with that then just read it. The father-son relationship is charming and hilarious.

MINDSET: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
This non-fiction book describes how there are two different mindsets: Fixed and Growth Oriented. Which one are you? Its an insightful, original look at how some of us perceive challenges. Like a godsend this book came right before a giant editing project I was about to undertake or toss off the Golden Gate Bridge. It changed my thinking so much I wanted to write Carol Dweck and thank her. I read this book in a week, side by side with THE HELP.

BRANDO:

FLAMMEN AND CITRONEN (Flame and Citron) Based on true events:

Director: Ole Christian Madsen. Writers: Lars Andersen and Ole Christian Madsen.
Set during the Nazi Occupation of Denmark, the Danish resistance fights back in the form of two assassins: Jørgen Haagen Schmith “Citron”(legend has it he earned his nick name by his citron scented cologne or because he used to work for the Citrone auto plant) drives while red-headed youthful Bent Faurschou-Hviid "Flame" takes care of the enemy. Taking orders from a man named Winthers, a contact of the Allied forces in England, the pair at first, kill only Danes; then Winther gives orders to kill Germans, which brings unwanted attention on the resistance. Is there a traitor in their midst’s? Can Flame and Citron survive the war? Are they heroes if they kill people? Or more importantly, are they heroes or pawns? (Spoiler coming) When Winther's targets a woman Flame is having a relationship with doubt sets in.
Both actors were spectacular.

“Citron” actor Mads was recently seen in Coco and Igor Stravinsky. His quiet lumbering presence is a great foil for Flame’s intensity. Thure Lindhardt “Flame” is mesmerizing as THE idealistic assassin. He plays Flame with the desensitized, angelic innocence of someone who wishes to do his job well, only his job happens to entail killing people. His performance is complex, reminiscent of Alain Delon’s Jef Costello in Jean Pierre Melville’s - Le Samourai, but with a flourish all his own. You root for the both Flame and Citron while your idea of justice shifts constantly.

There are so many subtle thrilling reversals that I was blown away by the storytelling. It never strayed from its ultimate ending. It begins, “Do you remember the day they arrived? I think you do. Where were you when it happened?” Stine Stengade is terrific as the mysterious Ketty Selmer. Even now, I argue with myself on what to believe about Ketty.

Highly recommended. My father in-law, who endearingly doesn’t always remember the names of the movies he raves about---“Sounds good, Dad, I’ll rent it, what’s it called? You HAD to ask me that! Wait a minute it will come to me.” It almost never comes to him--- raved about this movie AND he remembered the title!

LASTLY, the cinematography! Jorgen Johansson’s noir style is lushly beautiful with its overhead shots, split shots, long corridors, muted yet bursting with color: the red of Flame’s tie, the coral-red of the resistance nun’s lipstick, the crimson of their car, and the muted sage or turquoise backdrops. My favorites are the long red corridor scene of the hotel Nordland with Bent walking down the shadowy corridor and the split shot of Bent entering a hotel teaming with Germans while the woman Ketty Selmer is going up the elevator. What a gorgeous eye Johansson has.

KISSES – Written and Directed by Lance Daly. Set in Dublin. Starring Kelly O’Neill as Kylie and Shane Curry as Dylan.

Where Flame and Citron is about two people, hardened by the epic WWII German occupation of their beloved Denmark, Kisses is an intimate portrayal of two adolescents who haven’t yet lost their sparkle despite their rough upbringing
Kisses, which I found cruising the Indie section of our local video store one evening is like its title, a small gem. It captures that first love you find as a child within the boundaries of your one block radius. In this case it’s the kid next door. Eleven (?) year old Kylie and her next door neighbor Shane flee their abusive households one afternoon and spend an adventure (sometimes gritty) filled evening on the streets of Dublin.

I liked the premise. How much can you capture in one night? The answer is lots if it’s done right. Beautifully shot, gorgeous, close-ups. And the child actors, were both luminous. Variety described the performances of the two young actors as: two flawlessly natural, non-professional leads, sustains its child's-eye point of view without strain.

Here’s from the Telluride Review: http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/08/30/telluride-review-lance-dalys-kisses/. On the fringes of Dublin, Kylie and Dylan, two pre-teen kids, live next door to each other. One night they run away, and together they make their way to the magical night time lights of inner city Dublin, to search for Dylan’s brother, who ran away two years previously, in the hope of finding, through him, the possibility of a new life. Dublin, as seen through the innocent eyes of our protagonists, is a kaleidoscope of magic, wonder and mystery. But as the night wears on, and Dublin takes on a darker character, the two kids have to rely on the kindness of strangers, the advice of Bob Dylan and their trust in each other to survive the night.

UNTITLED SPIDERMAN-REBOOT
I’m intrigued and excited about the new Spiderman actor. Andrew Garfield (THE SOCIAL NETWORK, NEVER LET ME GO). He was wonderful as the earnest best friend, Eduardo Sevarin in THE SOCIAL NETWORK. I’ve seen some stills and they look good! Also, I think Emma Stone with her strong raspy self, will be a great love interest.

RENTALS – LARS AND THE REAL GIRL
I’d forgotten how touching and funny Ryan Gosling’s performance was until I saw this movie again. He pulls off this sketchy sounding premise with heart and humor.

OSCAR PICKS:
Since we’re talking movies, I’d like to try and predict the winners for this year’s Oscars. Here are my choices below:

Best screenplay – Social Network (close fight between Black Swan for me. Both were so very tightly executed and exciting. Also noteworthy is Winter’s Bone).

Best Movie – I want Social Network to win, but I think it’s going to be Black Swan (not that I’m complaining).

Best Actor – Colin Firth (King’s Speech). I have yet to see Ryan Gosling in Blue Valentine but I’m sure he deserves to be a contender. He always puts everything on it.

Supporting Actor – Christian Bale (The Fighter). Give this guy an Oscar already. I actually think he should be in the Best Actor category…Bale is electric in every scene.

Best Actress – Natalie Portman (Black Swan). But I also think Lawrence from Winter’s Bone deserves recognition.

Supporting Actress – Amy Adams ( The Fighter)

BURGERS:
GATHER in Berkeley. The sausage pizza with the burrata cheese was delicious. As was our two cocktails. Bee Sting and Flowered Sandals! Nice, warm, roomy restaurant. Very close to campus.