My jaw dropped in my lap when I saw actor Rami Malek come across the screen! He looked, acted, and sounded like Freddie Mercury! It was uncanny!
Showing posts with label AIDS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AIDS. Show all posts
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Phil sees BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY at the Pruneyard Dine-In Cinemas - Dec. 12, 2018
As a kid growing up in the 1970's and 1980's, there was one band that dominated the world and brought to the masses some of the most original, experiential, and groundbreaking rock anthems in all of music history. And that band was called Queen. Fronted by the charismatic Freddie Mercury, the band went on to sell out stadiums all over the world, and sold a staggering 300 million albums. When Mercury died from AIDS related illness on November 24, 1991, the world mourned and life became a lot less magical. For several years, there have been several attempts to bring the story of Queen, and more specifically Mercury's life, to the silver screen, but it looked like it wasn't meant to be. Fast forward to 2018 and I'm at the Pruneyard Dine-In Cinemas, ordering some delicious food from their Cedar Room restaurant, and relaxing in their reclining chairs to watch the long-awaited Freddie Mercury/Queen biopic entitled BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY.
The film's official synopsis: BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their
music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. Freddie
defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most
beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of
the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound. They reach
unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded by
darker influences, shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. Having
suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to
reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely
facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the
greatest performances in the history of rock music. Queen cements a
legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to
this day.
My jaw dropped in my lap when I saw actor Rami Malek come across the screen! He looked, acted, and sounded like Freddie Mercury! It was uncanny!
My jaw dropped in my lap when I saw actor Rami Malek come across the screen! He looked, acted, and sounded like Freddie Mercury! It was uncanny!
Monday, December 30, 2013
Phil sees DALLAS BUYERS CLUB at the Camera 7 Pruneyard Campbell-Dec. 21, 2013
It's interesting when discussing the career of Matthew McConaughey. After achieving cult status with the 1993 film DAZED AND CONFUSED, he went on to appear in, shall we say, less memorable features such as TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE NEXT GENERATION, CONTACT, THE WEDDING PLANNER, SAHARA, and FAILURE TO LAUNCH. But then in 2011, he starred in legendary director's William Friedkin's KILLER JOE. After receiving rave reviews for his performance, McConaughey went on to star in MUD and THE PAPER BOY. Now he gives his best performance ever in the new drama DALLAS BUYERS CLUB.
The film's official synopsis: Based on the incredible true story of real-life Texas electrician Ron
Woodroof, an ordinary man who found himself in a life-or-death battle
with the medical establishment, big pharmaceutical companies, and the
U.S. government. In 1986, the volatile, free-wheeling Woodroof was
blindsided by being diagnosed as HIV-positive and given 30 days to live.
With the U.S. still internally divided over how to combat the virus and
restricting medications, Ron banded together with an unlikely community
of outcasts and tracked down alternative treatments from all over the
world, by means both legal and illegal.
McConaughey is just utterly amazing and riveting in the film! His portrayal of Woodroof is sensitive, sincere, funny, and touching. To prepare for his role as the AIDS stricken Woodroof, McConaughey lost an astounding 50lbs! Now that is some dedicated method acting! Also worth noting is that the Ron changes before our very eyes. Here's a macho, tough, rodeo loving homophobic redneck to a thoughtful, sensitive, anti-establishment activist. His acting deserves an Oscar! And there's no doubt that he might very will win one!
One of the outcasts that Woodroof meets and befriends is Rayon (Jared Leto), a transgender woman and a patient of AZT, an early drug experiments that doctors thought would stop the AIDS virus. Like McConaughey, Leto literally transformed himself into the role of Rayon, who adds a lot of fun, flare, and is the perfect antithesis to Woodroof's redneck ways. But the two odd couple strike up a business partnership that morphs into one of the most beautiful friendships I have ever seen in a film. And like McConaughey, Leto lost a total of 30lbs for his role! And look for him to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards show!
Also making a memorable appearance in the film was Jennifer Garner as Dr. Eve Saks, the only doctor who not only befriends both Ron and Rayon, but also supports them and helps them fight against the Food and Drug Administration. Here Garner is going against the type of roles she's known for; that being the romantic comedies. Ironically, both McConaughey and Garner both starred in the romantic comedy GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST. Again, another Oscar winning performance!
Director Jean-Marc Vallée does a superb job of crafting the film; creating real drama and light comedy while showcasing real human emotions and real world events. In fact, there are snippets of real television footage of the fight against the AIDS epidemic and how the gay community protested against the government's lack of interest in finding a cure.
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB is one of the best films of 2013! This is why I go to the movies and this is why you should go to the movies! This is a perfect film! You need to see this! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
McConaughey is just utterly amazing and riveting in the film! His portrayal of Woodroof is sensitive, sincere, funny, and touching. To prepare for his role as the AIDS stricken Woodroof, McConaughey lost an astounding 50lbs! Now that is some dedicated method acting! Also worth noting is that the Ron changes before our very eyes. Here's a macho, tough, rodeo loving homophobic redneck to a thoughtful, sensitive, anti-establishment activist. His acting deserves an Oscar! And there's no doubt that he might very will win one!
One of the outcasts that Woodroof meets and befriends is Rayon (Jared Leto), a transgender woman and a patient of AZT, an early drug experiments that doctors thought would stop the AIDS virus. Like McConaughey, Leto literally transformed himself into the role of Rayon, who adds a lot of fun, flare, and is the perfect antithesis to Woodroof's redneck ways. But the two odd couple strike up a business partnership that morphs into one of the most beautiful friendships I have ever seen in a film. And like McConaughey, Leto lost a total of 30lbs for his role! And look for him to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards show!
Also making a memorable appearance in the film was Jennifer Garner as Dr. Eve Saks, the only doctor who not only befriends both Ron and Rayon, but also supports them and helps them fight against the Food and Drug Administration. Here Garner is going against the type of roles she's known for; that being the romantic comedies. Ironically, both McConaughey and Garner both starred in the romantic comedy GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST. Again, another Oscar winning performance!
Director Jean-Marc Vallée does a superb job of crafting the film; creating real drama and light comedy while showcasing real human emotions and real world events. In fact, there are snippets of real television footage of the fight against the AIDS epidemic and how the gay community protested against the government's lack of interest in finding a cure.
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB is one of the best films of 2013! This is why I go to the movies and this is why you should go to the movies! This is a perfect film! You need to see this! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Phil sees WE WERE HERE at The Castro Theatre-Feb. 27, 2011
Hello everybody out there in cyperspace, and welcome to the world premiere of my new movie blog, Phil's Film Adventures! After several years of seeing films in theaters, at film festivals, and on DVD, I decided it was time to start blogging all my movie going experiences! And for my first blog, I decided to take a trip to San Francisco to see the documentary WE WERE HERE: THE AIDS YEARS IN SAN FRANCISCO at the world famous Castro Theatre.
WE WERE HERE is the latest documentary by David Weissman and Bill Weber, the creative team who brought the film THE COCKETTS to the big screen back in 2002. This powerful film chronicles the AIDS epidemic that struck the gay community in the Castro district in San Francisco back in the early 80s. Through on camera interviews by five individuals that were there, plus periodical and archival footage taken during that time, their stories bring to light what was actually transpiring and how the government paid little attention to the crisis. It also beautifully showed how the gay community came together to fight against what the press dubbed "The Gay Cancer."
The interviewees, who were caregivers, friends, lovers, researchers, activists and AIDS victims themselves, share their stories of struggle to contain the disease; by donating themselves to AIDS research, only to have those early tests fail with dire consequences. Some volunteered their time to assist those who could no longer help themselves, sharing up to date information on what and how to stop the spread of AIDS. Through these devastating times, the film also brought to light how women - more specifically lesbians - came to help their gay brothers in fighting the crisis through political protests and demanding more medical advancement.
After the screening, both directors came onto the stage and participated in a Q&A. The audience asked a dozen or so questions, and Wiessman and Weber answered them all. I was fortunate to partake in this as well. After it was over, I made my way towards them and thanked them for making such a moving piece of art.
The AIDS epidemic left San Francisco's gay community ravaged and broken, leaving wounds that would take years to heal. In the aftermath of it all, over 15,000 gay men died during that time. However, thanks to AIDS research, that number has declined significantly, but there is still no cure for the disease. But Weissman and Weber leave the audience with the idea that hope is still out there. The interviewees all came out of one of the darkest periods in GLBT history without giving up on hope. Some lost lovers, only to find love again. Some found themselves still at the forefront of the gay rights movement. The notion of not giving up made the gay community that much stronger, that more determined to live their lives without fear, and to face adversity together. WE WERE HERE is an amazing documentary that must be seen by everyone!
To learn more about the film and where it's playing, visit the their website at http://wewereherefilm.com/
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
WE WERE HERE is the latest documentary by David Weissman and Bill Weber, the creative team who brought the film THE COCKETTS to the big screen back in 2002. This powerful film chronicles the AIDS epidemic that struck the gay community in the Castro district in San Francisco back in the early 80s. Through on camera interviews by five individuals that were there, plus periodical and archival footage taken during that time, their stories bring to light what was actually transpiring and how the government paid little attention to the crisis. It also beautifully showed how the gay community came together to fight against what the press dubbed "The Gay Cancer."
The interviewees, who were caregivers, friends, lovers, researchers, activists and AIDS victims themselves, share their stories of struggle to contain the disease; by donating themselves to AIDS research, only to have those early tests fail with dire consequences. Some volunteered their time to assist those who could no longer help themselves, sharing up to date information on what and how to stop the spread of AIDS. Through these devastating times, the film also brought to light how women - more specifically lesbians - came to help their gay brothers in fighting the crisis through political protests and demanding more medical advancement.
After the screening, both directors came onto the stage and participated in a Q&A. The audience asked a dozen or so questions, and Wiessman and Weber answered them all. I was fortunate to partake in this as well. After it was over, I made my way towards them and thanked them for making such a moving piece of art.
The AIDS epidemic left San Francisco's gay community ravaged and broken, leaving wounds that would take years to heal. In the aftermath of it all, over 15,000 gay men died during that time. However, thanks to AIDS research, that number has declined significantly, but there is still no cure for the disease. But Weissman and Weber leave the audience with the idea that hope is still out there. The interviewees all came out of one of the darkest periods in GLBT history without giving up on hope. Some lost lovers, only to find love again. Some found themselves still at the forefront of the gay rights movement. The notion of not giving up made the gay community that much stronger, that more determined to live their lives without fear, and to face adversity together. WE WERE HERE is an amazing documentary that must be seen by everyone!
To learn more about the film and where it's playing, visit the their website at http://wewereherefilm.com/
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!
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