There are a lot of contenders for the title of Worst Movie Ever. But clearly one of the most popular is the 2003 film, “The Room,” written by, directed by, and starring Tommy Wiseau, now a cult favorite at midnight screenings. Audience members line up to see it, many of them carrying plastic spoons.

Harper’s has a superb piece by Tom Bissell about “The Room,” unfortunately behind a firewall and accessible to subscribers only. But this is worth buying the issue or checking it out at the library because it is not only hilarious and oddly heart-warming in its dissection of the film and its weirdly compelling appeal, it is very sharp about the way that “The Room” mangles the very essence of film narrative from a combination of hubris and incompetence.

[Wiseau] tried to make a conventional film and wound up with something so inexplicable and casually surreal that no practicing surrealist could ever convincingly ape its form, except by exact imitation. It is the movie that an alien who has never seen a movie might make after having had movies thoroughly explained to him….Wiseau understands the placement and required tone of certain conventions but not at all their underlying meaning. What makes him interesting is the degree to which his art becomes a fun-house mirror version, an inadvertent exposé, of a traditional film.

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There are a lot of contenders for the title of Worst Movie Ever. But clearly one of the most popular is the 2003 film, “The Room,” written by, directed by, and starring Tommy Wiseau, now a cult favorite at midnight screenings. Audience members line up to see it, many of them carrying plastic spoons.

Harper’s has a superb piece by Tom Bissell about “The Room,” unfortunately behind a firewall and accessible to subscribers only. But this is worth buying the issue or checking it out at the library because it is not only hilarious and oddly heart-warming in its dissection of the film and its weirdly compelling appeal, it is very sharp about the way that “The Room” mangles the very essence of film narrative from a combination of hubris and incompetence.

[Wiseau] tried to make a conventional film and wound up with something so inexplicable and casually surreal that no practicing surrealist could ever convincingly ape its form, except by exact imitation. It is the movie that an alien who has never seen a movie might make after having had movies thoroughly explained to him….Wiseau understands the placement and required tone of certain conventions but not at all their underlying meaning. What makes him interesting is the degree to which his art becomes a fun-house mirror version, an inadvertent exposé, of a traditional film.

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I make no pretense of objectivity. But even if she was not my friend I would appreciate Laura Breckenridge as one of the most talented young actresses working today. She has appeared on television (“Gossip Girl,” “Related”), in movies (“Loving Annabelle,” “Southern Belles”), and on- and off-Broadway (“The Crucible” and “The Cherry Orchard”). Because I know her, I can appreciate her professionalism, judgment, and dedication. And because I have seen her on stage, on television, and in films playing a wide variety of characters, I can appreciate her talent and her ability to captivate an audience.

I was thrilled to hear that Laura will appear on “Drop Dead Diva,” this weekend, co-starring with Cybill Shepherd in a plot she describes as “‘Devil Wears Prada’ with a twist.” First, I can’t wait to see it. Second, it gave me an excuse to catch up with her and congratulate her on her graduation this spring from Princeton. We chatted a bit about the movies we’ve enjoyed lately and then I asked her about her latest role.

Tell me about “Drop Dead Diva!” People love that show.

It’s a really good show! It’s very well done and very smart. They handle the fantastical element very well and make it very real, and at the same time it’s a lot of fun to watch. I watched a bunch of episodes to understand the tone of the show when I was preparing, and loved them. I now watch the show whenever I can. The cast is very talented and I can see why it is a big hit.

I’m in an episode called “Queen of Mean,” airing August 1. It stars Cybill Shepherd. She plays Ellie Tannen, head of a fashion line, and I’m her former assistant who has written a tell-all book, and she’s suing me now. Then you see there’s a few other things that happen and I may not be as innocent as I seem. The character is a lot of fun, and one of the things I am most thrilled about is that I got to sit on a witness stand. I don’t know if I’d ever want to do that in real life, but I’d never done it in a show and there’s something about sitting in that box! They have built most of their sets on a soundstage and they replicated a courthouse that they used in the first season, down to the last detail, so it felt very much like a courtroom.

What did it feel like to be cross-examined?

It was fun but not so fun at the same time. She is good! What I think Brooke does so well is that she will be the smart lawyer Jane and then have a flash of Deb, the model. She balances it so well and I think she lights up the screen. She’s just like that in the room. So she looks at me and I think, “Oh, no, she’s got me!” It was easy to play rattled in the scene. She is a great scene partner because she has a theater background so she is always very present, very there. She’s so talented.

Another thing that was fun was the scene where we all enter. Because Cybill Shepherd’s character is such a famous person we are surrounded by paparazzi, all these photographers. There were a lot of people involved, and a lot of components to the scene, so everyone had to coordinate and work together. It was the first scene I shot, and it gave me a chance to meet everyone and get into the flow. There was so much happening it was exciting, and I felt so lucky to be there. It reminded me how much I love being on set, where all the various parts of a show come together.

How long did it take to shoot the episode?

It took eight days. After I got the job I found out that shooting began on the day before my last exam. They were really accommodating and worked out the schedule so I could go to Atlanta, where they film, right after my last exam. It was nice to finish my exam and go right to work. We were in Peachtree City, Georgia, which is about 40 minutes outside of Atlanta. It is a planned community with 90 miles of golf cart trails. There are cars on the main road but everything in the city is attached by golf cart paths. So there was something relaxing about traveling around the town in the golf carts.

Did you have to go to Atlanta to audition?

I did it in New York. Most agencies have tape rooms, a teeny room with a camera, where you can do an audition on tape. The benefit is that you can do it over if you want to, but the drawback is that the casting director is not there to give you feedback. I did an audition for an earlier episode, and then they asked me to come back and do another one for this one.

Tell me about working with Cybill Shepherd.

Cybill is so knowledgeable. It’s not just that she’s been doing it for a long time. She is very observant. She knows eye-lines as well as any director of photography. She understands camera angles, knows where she needs to be, she just knows it all, so just watching her was amazing. And she is very sweet and very lovely to work with. When she was doing her scene on the witness stand it was amazing to watch; she was just so good.

I know the schedule for shooting television is very fast. How do you coordinate with the other actors?

With TV, there’s no overall rehearsal. You have a blocking rehearsal and then back in hair and make-up or on the set after the wide shot is when you have a chance to talk. There’s definitely a collaborative aspect, but it’s more on the moment.

You had quite a contrast this summer because you did a big budget scripted television series and you also did a microscopic budget 24 Hour Plays in New York. What was that like?

A friend told me it was the most amazing, thrilling, frightening experience of her life — and it’s true. You meet at 9 pm and everyone brings a costume and a prop and contribute it to a pile. There are six writers and they pick the actors, costumes, and props they want. They write until 6 or 7 am. The directors show up and pick their plays. And then the actors show up and you have 12 hours to rehearse and memorize. You’re going on instinct so sometimes things happen on stage and you just go with it. It’s a wonderful experience, very collaborative, all of us just holding hands and diving in and hoping for the best.

I did it last year, and was so happy to be invited back, because I loved the experience. This year I did a play called “Hero Dad,” about three different dads. I played three different versions of the same type of girl, to come into these dads’ lives and remind them of their responsibility, going from kind of funny to very serious. It was an intense and challenging play to learn in twelve hours, but that type of experience is always the most thrilling and enjoyable. 24 Hour Plays really re-awakens your instincts and helps remind you to rely on your fellow actors, use their energy and act off of it.

It sounds like theater is your favorite.

I really do love all three. I like the challenge of different ways of working. I value rehearsal time and the energy of live theater, where it’s different every night. Sometimes the audience does not know it, but they are a part of the performance. They bring the final piece to it, and every audience is different. I will always love theater, but it is hard to pick a favorite. With film and TV you are able to capture things that happen in one specific moment, and because they are filmed, they are captured forever. The challenge in film and TV is to find the precise moments right there and then, with only the energy of your fellow actors to help you. Once the scene is done, it’s done; it won’t change as it can in theater. What I love about TV is it’s constantly evolving and you’re evolving with it. TV characters feel like they’re in our lives, not just because they are in our living rooms every week but because we get to see them grow and develop and you get to see how the same character takes on new challenges and new perspectives. I feel fortunate to have had experiences in theater, film and TV, and I hope that I will have a career that balances all three.

Drop Dead Diva

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I make no pretense of objectivity. But even if she was not my friend I would appreciate Laura Breckenridge as one of the most talented young actresses working today. She has appeared on television (“Gossip Girl,” “Related”), in movies (“Loving Annabelle,” “Southern Belles”), and on- and off-Broadway (“The Crucible” and “The Cherry Orchard”). Because I know her, I can appreciate her professionalism, judgment, and dedication. And because I have seen her on stage, on television, and in films playing a wide variety of characters, I can appreciate her talent and her ability to captivate an audience.

I was thrilled to hear that Laura will appear on “Drop Dead Diva,” this weekend, co-starring with Cybill Shepherd in a plot she describes as “‘Devil Wears Prada’ with a twist.” First, I can’t wait to see it. Second, it gave me an excuse to catch up with her and congratulate her on her graduation this spring from Princeton. We chatted a bit about the movies we’ve enjoyed lately and then I asked her about her latest role.

Tell me about “Drop Dead Diva!” People love that show.

It’s a really good show! It’s very well done and very smart. They handle the fantastical element very well and make it very real, and at the same time it’s a lot of fun to watch. I watched a bunch of episodes to understand the tone of the show when I was preparing, and loved them. I now watch the show whenever I can. The cast is very talented and I can see why it is a big hit.

I’m in an episode called “Queen of Mean,” airing August 1. It stars Cybill Shepherd. She plays Ellie Tannen, head of a fashion line, and I’m her former assistant who has written a tell-all book, and she’s suing me now. Then you see there’s a few other things that happen and I may not be as innocent as I seem. The character is a lot of fun, and one of the things I am most thrilled about is that I got to sit on a witness stand. I don’t know if I’d ever want to do that in real life, but I’d never done it in a show and there’s something about sitting in that box! They have built most of their sets on a soundstage and they replicated a courthouse that they used in the first season, down to the last detail, so it felt very much like a courtroom.

What did it feel like to be cross-examined?

It was fun but not so fun at the same time. She is good! What I think Brooke does so well is that she will be the smart lawyer Jane and then have a flash of Deb, the model. She balances it so well and I think she lights up the screen. She’s just like that in the room. So she looks at me and I think, “Oh, no, she’s got me!” It was easy to play rattled in the scene. She is a great scene partner because she has a theater background so she is always very present, very there. She’s so talented.

Another thing that was fun was the scene where we all enter. Because Cybill Shepherd’s character is such a famous person we are surrounded by paparazzi, all these photographers. There were a lot of people involved, and a lot of components to the scene, so everyone had to coordinate and work together. It was the first scene I shot, and it gave me a chance to meet everyone and get into the flow. There was so much happening it was exciting, and I felt so lucky to be there. It reminded me how much I love being on set, where all the various parts of a show come together.

How long did it take to shoot the episode?

It took eight days. After I got the job I found out that shooting began on the day before my last exam. They were really accommodating and worked out the schedule so I could go to Atlanta, where they film, right after my last exam. It was nice to finish my exam and go right to work. We were in Peachtree City, Georgia, which is about 40 minutes outside of Atlanta. It is a planned community with 90 miles of golf cart trails. There are cars on the main road but everything in the city is attached by golf cart paths. So there was something relaxing about traveling around the town in the golf carts.

Did you have to go to Atlanta to audition?

I did it in New York. Most agencies have tape rooms, a teeny room with a camera, where you can do an audition on tape. The benefit is that you can do it over if you want to, but the drawback is that the casting director is not there to give you feedback. I did an audition for an earlier episode, and then they asked me to come back and do another one for this one.

Tell me about working with Cybill Shepherd.

Cybill is so knowledgeable. It’s not just that she’s been doing it for a long time. She is very observant. She knows eye-lines as well as any director of photography. She understands camera angles, knows where she needs to be, she just knows it all, so just watching her was amazing. And she is very sweet and very lovely to work with. When she was doing her scene on the witness stand it was amazing to watch; she was just so good.

I know the schedule for shooting television is very fast. How do you coordinate with the other actors?

With TV, there’s no overall rehearsal. You have a blocking rehearsal and then back in hair and make-up or on the set after the wide shot is when you have a chance to talk. There’s definitely a collaborative aspect, but it’s more on the moment.

You had quite a contrast this summer because you did a big budget scripted television series and you also did a microscopic budget 24 Hour Plays in New York. What was that like?

A friend told me it was the most amazing, thrilling, frightening experience of her life — and it’s true. You meet at 9 pm and everyone brings a costume and a prop and contribute it to a pile. There are six writers and they pick the actors, costumes, and props they want. They write until 6 or 7 am. The directors show up and pick their plays. And then the actors show up and you have 12 hours to rehearse and memorize. You’re going on instinct so sometimes things happen on stage and you just go with it. It’s a wonderful experience, very collaborative, all of us just holding hands and diving in and hoping for the best.

I did it last year, and was so happy to be invited back, because I loved the experience. This year I did a play called “Hero Dad,” about three different dads. I played three different versions of the same type of girl, to come into these dads’ lives and remind them of their responsibility, going from kind of funny to very serious. It was an intense and challenging play to learn in twelve hours, but that type of experience is always the most thrilling and enjoyable. 24 Hour Plays really re-awakens your instincts and helps remind you to rely on your fellow actors, use their energy and act off of it.

It sounds like theater is your favorite.

I really do love all three. I like the challenge of different ways of working. I value rehearsal time and the energy of live theater, where it’s different every night. Sometimes the audience does not know it, but they are a part of the performance. They bring the final piece to it, and every audience is different. I will always love theater, but it is hard to pick a favorite. With film and TV you are able to capture things that happen in one specific moment, and because they are filmed, they are captured forever. The challenge in film and TV is to find the precise moments right there and then, with only the energy of your fellow actors to help you. Once the scene is done, it’s done; it won’t change as it can in theater. What I love about TV is it’s constantly evolving and you’re evolving with it. TV characters feel like they’re in our lives, not just because they are in our living rooms every week but because we get to see them grow and develop and you get to see how the same character takes on new challenges and new perspectives. I feel fortunate to have had experiences in theater, film and TV, and I hope that I will have a career that balances all three.

Drop Dead Diva

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Spies & Idiots!

Three new movies hit the big screen today!

Of the three new movies only two really rise to the top. The third is actually in somewhat of a limited release. The sad thing about the movies this weekend also revolves around the fact that of the three movies, one is getting lots of promotion, while the truly funny movie of the weekend will fly under the radar as it almost seems like Hollywood is trying to make it fail. But, the pull for the movie is Steve Carell.

So, maybe Dinner for Schmucks will surprise everyone.

New On The Big Screen

Dinner for Schmucks – PG-13 on 2,911 screens
Paul Rudd’s Tim invites a dimwitted man, played by Steve Carell to dinner. It’s not a friendly gesture on Tim’s part – he’s involved in a competition among his co-workers to bring the biggest idiot he can find to the dinner.

Frame by Frame movie review of Dinner for Schmucks!

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore – PG on 3,705 screens
Cats and dogs set aside their differences to stop the evil Kitty Galore, voiced by Bette Midler, from taking over the world. Neil Patrick Harris, Christina Applegate, James Marsden, Nick Nolte and Roger Moore also lend their voice talent to the film.

Frame by Frame movie review of Cats & Dogs!

Charlie St. Cloud – PG-13 on 2,720 screens
Zac Efron is a sailor who struggles with the death of his younger brother as he pursues a romance with a former high school classmate. Kim Basinger and Ray Liotta also star.

Enjoy the show!
Dr. Rus

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

PG for animal action and humor.
Genre: Action, adventure, comedy, family
Running Time: 1 hour 22 minutes

It’s the age-old battle between cats and dogs, but one crazed feline is going a little too  far!

Kitty Galore, formerly an agent for the cat spy organization MEOWS, has gone rogue and hatched a diabolical plan to not only bring her canine enemies to heel, but take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post. Faced with an unprecedented threat, cats and dogs are forced to join forces for the first time in history in an unlikely alliance to save themselves – and their humans.

That of course means…it’s time for some fur to fly in…

It’s James Bond With Animals!

She’s back and she’s looking for revenge!

It’s Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore and I must admit, this movie surprised me. The trailers made it look interesting. However, at the same time, the trailers also made it look a little cheesy too. But, in the end, the most interesting part about this movie revolves around the fact that it’s pretty much a spoof on James Bond movies. The only difference, instead of humans teaming up, it’s cats and dogs working together. Even the opening credits go by like a bad James Bond flashback!

Making Cats & Dogs even more interesting when it comes to spoofing James Bond – Roger Moore voices the cat, Tab Lazenby, playing the head of the MEOW organization!

Other big names lending their voice talent to this movie include the likes of James Marsden, Nick Nolte and Bette Midler who provides the voice of none-other than Kitty Galore! For a PG rated movie, aimed at kids of course, the James Bond parallels and the voice talent make this an enjoyable experience for adults too.

Enjoyable Movie – But Not A Strong Movie

While I admit I did laugh at points throughout Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, for the most part, this is a predictable movie. At least it’s predictable for adults. But remember, adults are not the target audience here. This flick is aimed at kids who want to see cats and dogs talking and acting on the big screen. That’s why I refer to Cats & Dogs as an enjoyable movie, but not a strong movie.

Parents – Keep in Mind This Is Rated PG!

On another note, when it comes to rating – parents – remember this is not a G rated movie. Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore is rated PG for a reason. Just because the trailers look cute with talking animals, does not mean this is a kid-friendly movie for a really young audience. This flick is really aimed at probably the 8 and above crowd. Kids younger than 8 will simply find this movie too harsh. As a matter of fact, during the screening I attended, some parents who had young children with them, left because it’s just too edgy for a really young audience.

As for length, clocking in at slightly less than an hour and a half, is pretty much the perfect length for a movie like this. We are calling it family-friendly for the rating. But as I just mentioned above, remember, this is a PG rated movie not a G rated movie. Parents, if you’re looking for a movie to catch with your somewhat older kids, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore is worth it.

For kids, it’s always fun to see animals talking. For parents, it’s enjoyable because of the voice talent and the James Bond feel to the movie.

But, if you’re kids aren’t clamoring to see the movie, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore might best be viewed from the comfort of your home when it comes out on DVD.

Enjoy the show!
Dr. Rus

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

PG for animal action and humor.
Genre: Action, adventure, comedy, family
Running Time: 1 hour 22 minutes

It’s the age-old battle between cats and dogs, but one crazed feline is going a little too  far!

Kitty Galore, formerly an agent for the cat spy organization MEOWS, has gone rogue and hatched a diabolical plan to not only bring her canine enemies to heel, but take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post. Faced with an unprecedented threat, cats and dogs are forced to join forces for the first time in history in an unlikely alliance to save themselves – and their humans.

That of course means…it’s time for some fur to fly in…

It’s James Bond With Animals!

She’s back and she’s looking for revenge!

It’s Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore and I must admit, this movie surprised me. The trailers made it look interesting. However, at the same time, the trailers also made it look a little cheesy too. But, in the end, the most interesting part about this movie revolves around the fact that it’s pretty much a spoof on James Bond movies. The only difference, instead of humans teaming up, it’s cats and dogs working together. Even the opening credits go by like a bad James Bond flashback!

Making Cats & Dogs even more interesting when it comes to spoofing James Bond – Roger Moore voices the cat, Tab Lazenby, playing the head of the MEOW organization!

Other big names lending their voice talent to this movie include the likes of James Marsden, Nick Nolte and Bette Midler who provides the voice of none-other than Kitty Galore! For a PG rated movie, aimed at kids of course, the James Bond parallels and the voice talent make this an enjoyable experience for adults too.

Enjoyable Movie – But Not A Strong Movie

While I admit I did laugh at points throughout Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, for the most part, this is a predictable movie. At least it’s predictable for adults. But remember, adults are not the target audience here. This flick is aimed at kids who want to see cats and dogs talking and acting on the big screen. That’s why I refer to Cats & Dogs as an enjoyable movie, but not a strong movie.

Parents – Keep in Mind This Is Rated PG!

On another note, when it comes to rating – parents – remember this is not a G rated movie. Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore is rated PG for a reason. Just because the trailers look cute with talking animals, does not mean this is a kid-friendly movie for a really young audience. This flick is really aimed at probably the 8 and above crowd. Kids younger than 8 will simply find this movie too harsh. As a matter of fact, during the screening I attended, some parents who had young children with them, left because it’s just too edgy for a really young audience.

As for length, clocking in at slightly less than an hour and a half, is pretty much the perfect length for a movie like this. We are calling it family-friendly for the rating. But as I just mentioned above, remember, this is a PG rated movie not a G rated movie. Parents, if you’re looking for a movie to catch with your somewhat older kids, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore is worth it.

For kids, it’s always fun to see animals talking. For parents, it’s enjoyable because of the voice talent and the James Bond feel to the movie.

But, if you’re kids aren’t clamoring to see the movie, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore might best be viewed from the comfort of your home when it comes out on DVD.

Enjoy the show!
Dr. Rus

Tonight I saw Solitary Man, starring Michael Douglas and Jenna Fischer.

Car salesman are seldom liked and rarely respected, but you get the sense that before his dealership began running scams, Ben Kalmen (Douglas) may have been both. And when you’re used to everyone adoring you and your world falls apart, it’s hard to dissolve the natural arrogance that comes with the former privilege.

Susan (Fischer), Ben’s adult daughter, just wishes he’d act his age. Instead of chasing skirts 30 years younger, she’d like for him to rebuild his life with a new job and a reasonable stability. His ex-wife Nancy (played by a cleavage-bearing Susan Sarandon) is apparently still fond of him, and his current girlfriend Jordan (Mary-Louise Parker) chooses to look the other way as he cheats his way around their relationship.

All hell breaks loose when Ben takes Jordan’s daughter Allyson (Imogen Poots) to a college interview out of town and sleeps with a barely legal girl. The consequences don’t dent his conscience, but they do wreak havoc on his finances, his reputation and his ability to start a new car dealership.

Faced with eviction and homelessness, Ben turns to his daughter for help until he also betrays her and she’s forced to cut him off. He has also received word that he may have heart trouble, but instead of getting the necessary tests to find out either way, he puts himself on a steady diet of baby aspirin and alcohol.

The entire film is a character study of a man choosing to live his life the way he pleases, regardless of the consequences. It’s not that he doesn’t love his family, or respect the natural ‘order’ life is meant to impose; he just feels his charm will overcome any situation too difficult to bear, and when that doesn’t work, he just moves on.

Michael Douglas plays Ben superbly without an ounce of self-loathing, complete with slimy appeal. You really believe he would easily talk these young women into his bed because despite his flaws, he’s sexy and smooth.

Supporting characters are also perfectly cast—Sarandon as the wistful, yet independent divorcée, Danny Devito as a long-lost friend and Jenna Fischer, an innocent, wounded daughter.

The ensemble is strong, the writing (which could’ve easily been one-note) is sharp without being too precious, and the direction is organic enough to make you feel as if you’re in New York and Boston alongside the characters.

I have no idea why this interesting indie with an all-star cast isn’t getting more attention.

~~~

TragedyIn some ways, Aftershocks as a big budgeted epic sort of plays out like Feng Xiaogang’s Assembly, with the money shots concentrated in the first few minutes, followed by a masterful treatment of human drama against an historical backdrop of events in China. As a fan of Feng’s films thus far, he continues to show that he’s equally adept in handling commercial, studio tentpole films like