Thursday, August 11, 2011

The Help

Superb cast and exceptional performances mark Tate Taylor's feature based on Kathryn Stockett's best selling novel.

Well balanced and captivating, the stories are revealed from the maids' perspective. The story centers around local newspaper columnist, Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan (Emma Stone, Easy A), who embarks on a clandestine writing project. She interviews the reluctant African-American maids about their personal experiences working for privileged white families in 1963 Jackson, Mississippi.


The leading and supportive cast bring characters to life in a regionally authentic way displaying charisma, depth, and chemistry. Emma Stone as Skeeter bring a healthy naivete with a progressive mind. Academy Award® nominee Viola Davis (Doubt), in the role of Aibileen, is a complex and conflicted reluctant hero who agrees to tell novice writer Skeeter the painful and potentially incendiary stories about her life. Octavia Spencer's Minny is a strong character working initially in an oppressive environment for villain Hilly Holbrook (Bryce Dallas Howard), and later in a mansion for the blonde, air-headed and often misunderstood fish-out-of-water, Celia Foote (Jessica Chastain).

The strong supporting cast include: Emmy® Award winner Allison Janney as Charlotte Helan, Chris Lowell as Stuart Whitworth, Oscar® winner Sissy Spacek as Missus Walters, Academy Award® nominee Cicely Tyson as Constantine Jefferson, Mike Vogel as Johnny Foote, as well as Anna Camp as Jolene, Aunjanue Ellis as Yule Mae, and Mary Steenburgen as Elaine Stein.

Production designer, Mark Ricker, coupled with costume designer Sharen Davis, create a detailed feel and look of the 60's true to the characters and the time.


A moving and empowering story about women who found their unique voice and inspired change.

Friday, August 5, 2011

The Change-Up



In this new take on body-switching comedies, David Dobkin, director of Wedding Crashers, and writers of The Hangover, Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, present a comical and revealing look into the world of men.

Dave (Jason Bateman) is a successful lawyer, married to his childhood sweetheart Jamie (Leslie Mann), has three kids, and lives a conservative suburban lifestyle. 


His polar opposite, friend since junior high, Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) is single, barely employed and chasing women like he is still in college. One night, as they stand in front of the Greek goddess Metis' fountain, they argue how they wish they could be in the other's shoes only to find the following morning that the shape-shifting goddess of wisdom has granted their wish.



The best friends are forced to live each other's lives and, while at the law firm, Mitch meets Dave's mysterious sexy associate Sabrina (Olivia Wilde).

Bateman and Reynolds well portray each other's character in a familiar plot reformatted to include raunchy, outrageous, R rated humor, geared for young adult audiences.