"The Post" Review by Tim Hellman

'THE POST': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Steven Spielberg's new Oscar hopeful about the publishing of the Pentagon Papers, by journalists from The Washington Post and The New York Times, which exposed the United States government's covert (corrupt) activities during the Vietnam War. It stars (Oscar hopefuls) Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, and it costars Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Paulson, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood, David Cross, Alison Brie and Matthew Rhys. Liz Hannah and Josh Singer (who previously co-wrote the Oscar winning journalism drama 'SPOTLIGHT') wrote the screenplay, while Spielberg's usual music collaborator, John Williams, did the score. It's gotten mostly positive reviews from critics, and it's also been nominated for a shitload of major awards (with the Academy Awards probably next). I really enjoyed it.

The story is set in the early 1970s, when secret government information, called the Pentagon Papers, was leaked to The New York Times. The info involved the government's knowledge that staying committed to war (in Vietnam) was a losing battle, and the info spanned four presidencies (including Nixon). The current administration threatened legal action against The New York Times, if they continued to publish the covert information, bringing their historical reporting to a halt. Then The Washington Post, ran by the country's first female publisher Kay Graham (Streep), got ahold of the papers, and they then had to struggle with the dangers of publishing it or not.

The movie deals with a part of history that I had very little knowledge about, so I of course found it to be really fascinating. It's also amazing how closely it resembles the issues of our times, so it's obvious why the film was a passion project for the director and others involved. It's also obvious why it's gotten so much prestigious awards attention. I think it's mostly well deserved. It's classic Spielberg, and Hanks and Streep are both great in it too (like always). It's also (of course) inspiring for anyone with a little rebellion in them (which I think I have a lot of in me). The film is one of the year's best in my opinion (like at least top 25, out of the 250 I've seen).

Rockin Stills for the Upcoming Meryl Streep Film "Ricki and the Flash"

Tri-Star Pictures recently released stills for their upcoming release of "Ricki and the Flash". The film is latest from Oscar®-winning director Jonathan Demme and Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody. The film stars Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Mamie Gummer, Audra McDonald, Sebastian Stan and Rick Springfield.

"Ricki and the Flash" hits theaters on August 7th.






For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.rickiandtheflashmovie.com

Plot Synopsis:

Meryl Streep takes on a whole new gig – a hard-rocking singer/guitarist – for Oscar®-winning director Jonathan Demme and Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody in Ricki and the Flash. In an original and electrifying film loaded with live musical performances, Streep stars as Ricki Rendazzo, a guitar heroine who made a world of mistakes as she followed her dreams of rock-and-roll stardom. Returning home, Ricki gets a shot at redemption and a chance to make things right as she faces the music with her family. Streep stars opposite her real-life daughter Mamie Gummer; Rick Springfield, portraying a Flash member in love with Ricki; Kevin Kline as Ricki’s ex-husband; and Audra McDonald as Kline’s new wife.

"Into the Woods" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'INTO THE WOODS': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Musical fantasy film based on the popular Broadway musical, of the same name, by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim. It was directed by Rob Marshall (who also directed the 2002 Academy Award winning musical 'CHICAGO') and written (for the screen) by Lapine. The film takes multiple classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales and combines them into one twisted story (with singing throughout). It stars Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Chris Pine, Christine Baranski, Lucy Punch, Tammy Blanchard, Tracey Ullman, Johnny Depp and many others. It's gotten mostly positive reviews from critics and is considered a likely Oscar nominee for Best Picture (and multiple other awards). I hated it!

The story revolves around a baker (James Corden) and his wife (Blunt). The two desperately want a child but can't have one; due to the curse a witch (Streep) placed on the baker's family, years ago. The only way the baker can get rid of his family's curse, is to collect four items for the witch; a white cow, a red cape, yellow hair and a gold slipper. So the baker and his wife set out to obtain the coveted objects and while doing so they cross paths with Cinderella (Kendrick), Rapunzel (Mackenzie Mauzy), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Jack (Daniel Huttlestone) and many other classic fairy tale characters. Things take a really dark turn.

I respect and enjoy musicals, when they're well made, but this is just painful to sit through. I don't mind that the writers took classic fairy tales and updated them, with a modern dark twist, but I still don't think it's very interesting or funny. The movie feels a lot like a 'one joke' 'SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE' sketch, stretched into an over long movie. The humor is really forced (and cheesy) and the characters do a lot of irrational, pointless things. The songs aren't very good and the third act is just plain boring. It is well acted and nicely filmed though (although it kind of feels like a network TV movie). I really didn't enjoy it much and I definitely don't think it deserves any rave reviews or prestigious award recognition.