Alan Arkin – Page 2 – We Are Movie Geeks

Enter Disney’s MILLION DOLLAR ARM Pitching Contest To Win A Million Dollars

Disney is giving amateur baseball pitchers in the nation a chance to compete for a $1 million prize in the Million Dollar Arm Pitching Contest. The Million Dollar Arm Pitching Contest is being held to celebrate the opening of Disney’s MILLION DOLLAR ARM, an incredible true story about two young men who went from never throwing a baseball to getting a Major League tryout.

Amateur baseball pitchers – male or female, who are legal United States residents at least 18 years of age or older – are invited to qualify to compete in the preliminary rounds of the Million Dollar Arm Pitching Contest at either Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland Resort in California or at the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day at the Tribeca Family Festival in New York City. The three contestants from each location who throw the fastest pitches will advance to the finals and have a chance to compete for a $1 million prize at the world premiere of Disney’s MILLION DOLLAR ARM in Hollywood, California.

Official rules are available on Disney.com’s “Million Dollar Arm” homepage:

http://disney.comPitching Contest

Presented by SUBWAY restaurants, the three qualifying events will take place on April 25 and 26, from 7 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at both Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif. and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World and on April 26 only, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day during the Tribeca Family Festival in New York City. Contestants will throw three pitches, each tracked by a radar gun, in an attempt to throw the fastest pitch. All participants will receive tickets for themselves and a guest to see an advance screening of Disney’s MILLION DOLLAR ARM at an AMC Theatres location later that evening.

Nine finalists chosen during these qualifying events will have a chance to compete for the $1 million prize at the world premiere of Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm.” The top three eligible pitchers with the fastest pitches from each qualifying round location will be flown with his or her guest to the final contest, which will take place at the world premiere of Disney’s MILLION DOLLAR ARM in Hollywood, Calif., on May 6. Each of these finalists will throw three pitches on Hollywood Boulevard. Any eligible finalist who throws one 100 mph strike (out of three pitches) will become a potential winner of the $1 million grand prize.

The nine finalists and their guests will be VIPs at the film’s premiere along with stars, filmmakers, major league players, coaches, scouts and celebrities.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Subject to Official Rules available at event or at http://disney.comPitching Contest.

Team – Million Dollar Arm Spot on Disney Video

Based on a true story, sports agent JB Bernstein (Jon Hamm) finds that business has changed and things aren’t going well for his career. In a last ditch effort to save his livelihood he concocts a scheme to find baseball’s next great pitching ace. Hoping to find a young cricket pitcher he can turn into a major league baseball star, JB travels to India to produce a reality show competition called “The Million Dollar Arm.”

With the help of cantankerous but eagle-eyed retired baseball scout Ray Poitevint (Alan Arkin), he discovers Dinesh (played by Madhur Mittal from “Slumdog Millionaire”) and Rinku (played by Suraj Sharma from “Life of Pi”), two 18-year-old boys who have no idea about playing baseball, yet have a knack for throwing a fastball. Hoping to sign them to major league contracts and make a quick buck, JB brings the boys home to America to train. While the Americans are definitely out of their element in India, the boys, who have never left their rural villages, are equally challenged when they come to the States. As the boys learn the finer points of baseball, JB, with the help of his charming friend Brenda (Lake Bell), learns valuable life lessons about teamwork, commitment and what it means to be a family.

Directed by Craig Gillespie from a screenplay written by Tom McCarthy, Disney’s drama MILLION DOLLAR ARM stars Jon Hamm, Aasif Mandvi, Bill Paxton, Suraj Sharma, Lake Bell and Alan Arkin. The producers are Mark Ciardi, Gordon Gray and Joe Roth. The executive producers are Palak Patel, Kevin Halloran, Bill Simmons and Connor Schell.

The film will be release in the United States on May 16, 2014.

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GRUDGE MATCH- The Review

It’s “adult swim” time at the cineplex once again, kids. Hmm, seems like LAST VEGAS was just a week or so ago. This new flick concerns another couple of post-6o dudes who are trying to recapture some of their “glory days” (cue the Springsteen tune, if we can afford it!). Except one of them was in that earlier flick (he’s having a busy year for a guy past retirement age). This film’ s story plays on the cinematic past of the two main stars. You, see both got Oscar nominations for films set in the world of that “sweet science”, the sport of boxing. Sylvester Stallone grabbed his nom for penning the script for 1976’s ROCKY, which spawned five sequels, while Robert DeNiro nabbed his Best Actor Oscar nom and win for playing real-life boxer Jake LaMotta in 1980’s RAGING BULL. Now, while both actors shared scenes in COPLAND, they’ve never stepped into the ring. Until now, because they’re many years overdue for a GRUDGE MATCH. And, there’s the bell….

…for their first bout, several decades ago (see that’s how the flick begins). Henry ‘Razor’ Sharp and Billy ‘the Kid’ McDonnen each won a championship fight against the other, but for mysterious reasons, there was no third bout, no “grudge match”. Cut to Pittsburgh 2013. Billy (DeNiro) has a big used-car dealership and a struggling bar and grill dedicated to his boxing career. Henry (Stallone) left the ring long ago and earns an honest living working at a local steel mill. Enter the son of the man who promoted their original battles, Dante Slade, Jr. (Kevin Hart). He wants to procure the rivals’ services for a video game company. In order to produce a new boxing game based on their old bouts, they need the men to don motion-capture suits and throw a few punches that the computer will reproduce for their game avatars. Both men need the cash and agree to it as long as they are recorded separately. Of course, Billy violates the deal and shows up during Henry’s session. Heated words and blows are exchanged and all are recorded on the phones devices of the game crew. The footage is uploaded to an internet video sharing site and instantly becomes a “viral” sensation. Then the big East Coast casinos contact Dante. How about a rematch? After much prodding, they agree. But who will help them train? After taking him in after being evicted from another retirement facility, older ex-boxer Louis ‘Lightening’ Conlon (Alan Arkin) consents to train Henry. Meanwhile, after being brushed aside at the gym of Frankie Brite (LL Cool J) Billy meets his estranged son BJ (Jon Berenthal) and enlists him as his trainer (oh, and BJ has an eight year-old son! Billy’s a grandpa’!). But at the big press conference who should show up but Sally (Kim Basinger), the blonde bombshell that both men courted back in the day. Will she somehow throw a wrench into the rematch plans, as she did all those years ago? More importantly, can both aging war horses survive the months of grueling training on the way to the big fight?

The game cast flays away at the lackluster script to little success. Stallone seems the most indifferent, perhaps since most of the film’s plot was covered in his own vastly superior ROCKY BALBOA from just seven years ago. He often plays scenes with his head down maybe to show how life has beaten down and humbled Henry, but it comes across as though he were tossing the scenes off to the other actors. This may be the reason that much of his dialogue is “mumbled” away. DeNiro is the more gregarious of the two fighters, but he seems to be slipping into the squinting caricature of his earlier roles that he’s relied on for far too many recent comedies. He’s quiet and scowling before turning into a loud and belligerent within seconds. We wonder what the still gorgeous Sally ever saw in the two, but Basinger plays her as merely a bland pawn in their enduring tug of war. Her motivations are unclear and unfocused. Has she just been waiting for the boys to get back in the news? Arkin is reduced to playing a variation of Burgess Meredith in not one, but two of his later screen roles. Of course, he’s the scrappy trainer/coach from the Rocky movies series (down to the attire), but he’s also the crude elderly clown spewing inappropriate sex jokes from the GRUMPY OLD MEN flicks. When the film makers don’t know how to end a scene they cut to him over-selling a tired “horny old dude” gag. Hart’s doing his motor-mouthed guy on the make from the stand-up films and supporting movie roles. There’s far too many scenes of him screaming into his cell phone and strutting about (another easy way to convey info and conclude scenes).. And then he and Arkin share scenes so he can make fun of his age while the other can do height jokes (Ah, “Webster” jokes! edgy!). Bernthal, so great in TV’s “The Walking Dead” is wasted as the always exasperated beacon of responsibility to the out of control DeNiro character.

Peter Segal, director of the underrated big screen remake of GET SMART, suffers a major stumble trying to bring life to this clichéd tale. It’s another case of “all the jokes are in the trailer”. And the ones there are not that inspired. The movie quickly loses its forward momentum after the fun opening flashback fights and the “where are they now?” updates. It just takes an eternity to get to the main title bouts. The love-triangle subplot just helps to keep the story’s wheels spinning with little reward. And the grandson storyline is cringe-worthy. What eight year-old speaks like that (one whose dialogue is provided by hack sitcom writers). The movie lurches from one “wacky” set piece to the next. I can almost believe the two ring vets popping up at an MMA match, but jumping out of a plane to parachute onto a mall parking lot? Hello, these guys have to make it to the match. people (and can you imagine the insurance premiums?). After a turgid medical problem that attempts to add some drama, we’re finally ready to rumble. Said fight is poorly staged looking like a sloppy slapping match at a bus stop. Bobby, Sly, you’re shown us you’ve got the physique and stamina to go a few rounds. Now hung up the gloves and concentrate your impressive talents on better projects than drivel like GRUDGE MATCH. Oh, if only I could have thrown in the towel from my theatre seat and stopped the embarrassing proceedings!

1 Out of 5

Win Passes To The Advance Screening Of GRUDGE MATCH In St. Louis

This Christmas, it’s Grudgement Day!

Award-winning movie legends Oscar® winner Robert De Niro (“Raging Bull,” “Silver Linings Playbook”) and Oscar® nominee Sylvester Stallone (the “Rocky” films, “The Expendables”) star as old boxing rivals who come out of retirement for one final match. De Niro and Stallone play Billy “The Kid” McDonnen and Henry “Razor” Sharp, two local Pittsburgh fighters whose fierce rivalry put them in the national spotlight.

Each had scored a victory against the other during their heyday, but in 1983, on the eve of their decisive third match, Razor suddenly announced his retirement, refusing to explain why but effectively delivering a knock-out punch to both their careers.

Thirty years later, boxing promoter Dante Slate Jr., seeing big dollar signs, makes them an offer they can’t refuse: to re-enter the ring and settle the score once and for all. But they may not have to wait that long: on their first encounter in decades, their long-festering feud erupts into an unintentionally hilarious melee that instantly goes viral.

The sudden social media frenzy transforms their local grudge match into a must-see HBO event. Now, if they can just survive the training, they may actually live to fight again.

GRUDGE MATCH will be in theaters December 25, 2013.

WAMG invites you to enter to win a pass (Good for 2) to the advance screening of GRUDGE MATCH on Monday, December 16th.

Answer the following:

Name the iconic boxers that Stallone and De Niro have played and the films.

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.

2. ENTER YOUR NAME AND ANSWER IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.

3. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

The film is rated PG-13.

http://www.grudgematchmovie.com/

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Hollywood Heavyweights De Niro And Stallone To Hit Big Screen Christmas Day In GRUDGE MATCH

GRUDGE MATCH, a comedy starring film legends Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone as rivals in the boxing ring, will bow in the holiday season with a Christmas Day debut, moving up from its prior release date of January 10. The announcement was made today by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Warner Bros. Pictures’ GRUDGE MATCH stars award-winning movie legends Oscar winner Robert De Niro (“Raging Bull,” “Silver Linings Playbook”) and Oscar nominee Sylvester Stallone (the “Rocky” films, “The Expendables”) as old boxing rivals who come out of retirement for one final match. Peter Segal (“Get Smart,” “The Longest Yard”) directs the comedy.

De Niro and Stallone play Billy “The Kid” McDonnen and Henry “Razor” Sharp, two local Pittsburgh fighters whose fierce rivalry put them in the national spotlight. Each had scored a victory against the other during their heyday, but in 1983, on the eve of their decisive third match, Razor suddenly announced his retirement, refusing to explain why but effectively delivering a knock-out punch to both their careers. Thirty years later, boxing promoter Dante Slate Jr., seeing big dollar signs, makes them an offer they can’t refuse: to re-enter the ring and settle the score once and for all. But they may not have to wait that long: on their first encounter in decades, their long-festering feud erupts into an unintentionally hilarious melee that instantly goes viral. The sudden social media frenzy transforms their local grudge match into a must-see HBO event. Now, if they can just survive the training, they may actually live to fight again.

The film also stars Kevin Hart as Dante Slate Jr.; Oscar winner Alan Arkin (“Little Miss Sunshine,” “Argo”) as Razor’s former trainer, Louis “Lightning” Conlon, who gets to put Razor through his paces again; and Oscar winner Kim Basinger (“L.A. Confidential”) as Sally Rose, who was once the love of Razor’s life. Rounding out the cast are Jon Bernthal as BJ, who becomes The Kid’s instinctive but untested trainer; and young film newcomer Camden Gray.

Segal is directing from a screenplay by Rodney Rothman, story by Tim Kelleher. Collaborating with Segal behind the scenes are: Academy Award-winning cinematographer Dean Semler (“Dances With Wolves,” “Apocalypto”); production designer Wynn Thomas; editor William Kerr; and costume designer Mary Vogt. Robert Sale, who was the technical advisor on “Rocky Balboa,” is serving as the film’s boxing consultant. The music is by Trevor Rabin.

GRUDGE MATCH opens December 25, 2013.

Craig Gillespie’s MILLION DOLLAR ARM Begins Production – Stars Jon Hamm, Bill Paxton, Alan Arkin

Principal photography has begun on Walt Disney Pictures’ MILLION DOLLAR ARM, starring Jon Hamm. Directed by Craig Gillespie (“Lars and the Real Girl,” “Fright Night”), the film is produced by Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray, through their Mayhem Pictures, and Joe Roth, under his Roth Films banner, with Palak Patel and Kevin Halloran serving as executive producers. Tom McCarthy (“Win Win,” “The Visitor”) wrote the screenplay.

The film also stars Bill Paxton (“Haywire,” “Hatfields & McCoys”), Lake Bell (“What Happens in Vegas,” “It’s Complicated”), Suraj Sharma (“Life of Pi”), Aasif Mandvi (“The Daily Show,” “Margin Call”), Madhur Mittal (“Slumdog Millionaire”), Pitobash (“Three Idiots,” “Shanghai”) and Academy Award®–winner Alan Arkin. A.R. Rahman (“127 Hours,” “Slumdog Millionaire”) is scoring the film. MILLION DOLLAR ARM will shoot on locations in India, Georgia and Los Angeles.

Based on a true story, Disney’s MILLION DOLLAR ARM follows JB Bernstein, a once-successful sports agent who now finds himself edged out by bigger, slicker competitors. He and his partner Aash (Aasif Mandvi) will have to close their business down for good if JB doesn’t come up with something fast. Late one night, while watching cricket being played in India on TV, JB comes up with an idea so radical it just might work. Why not go to there and find the next baseball pitching sensation? Setting off for Mumbai with nothing but a gifted but cantankerous scout (Alan Arkin) in tow, JB stages a televised, nationwide competition called “Million Dollar Arm” where 40,000 hopefuls compete before two 18-year-old finalists, Rinku and Dinesh (Suraj Sharma, Madhur Mittal), emerge as winners. JB brings them back to the United States to train with legendary pitching coach Tom House (Bill Paxton). The goal: get the boys signed to a major league team.

Not only is the game itself difficult to master, but life in the U.S. with a committed bachelor makes things even more complicated—for all of them. While Rinku and Dinesh learn the finer points of baseball and American culture, they in turn teach JB the true meaning of teamwork and commitment. Ultimately, what began as a purely commercial venture becomes something more and leads JB to find the one thing he was never looking for at all – a family.

The producing team of Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray, producers of such notable sports movies as “Secretariat,” “Miracle” and “The Rookie,” joins forces with veteran producer Joe Roth (“Oz The Great and Powerful,” “Snow White and the Huntsman,” “Alice in Wonderland”) to bring Disney’s MILLION DOLLAR ARM to the screen.

Director Craig Gillespie gained widespread recognition with the critically acclaimed “Lars and the Real Girl,” starring Oscar®-nominated Ryan Gosling. He also directed “Fright Night,” starring Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, David Tennant, Imogen Poots, and Toni Collette. For television, Gillespie produced and directed the highly acclaimed Showtime series “United States of Tara.” His direction of the pilot episode earned Toni Collette both an Emmy® Award and a Golden Globe® Award.

Golden Globe® winner Jon Hamm is perhaps best-known for his nuanced portrayal of high-powered, philandering advertising executive Don Draper on AMC’s award-winning drama series “Mad Men.” His previous film credits include “Friends with Kids,” which he also produced; “Bridesmaids,” “The Town,” “Sucker Punch,” “Howl,” “Shrek Forever After,” as the voice of “Brogan,” “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” “Ira & Abby,” “Kissing Jessica Stein” and “We Were Soldiers.” He recently completed HBO’s “Clear History” with Larry David for director Greg Mottola and the BBC miniseries “A Young Doctor’s Notebook,” opposite Daniel Radcliffe, which he also executive produced.

Alan Arkin, one of the most respected artists of the stage and screen, won an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the 2006 hit “Little Miss Sunshine.” For his role, Arkin also won an Independent Spirit Award and a BAFTA Award, and shared in a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award® for Outstanding Motion Picture Cast, in addition to receiving an individual SAG Award® nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. Arkin most recently earned Oscar®, BAFTA and Golden Globe® Award nominations for his supporting performance in director Ben Affleck’s Oscar®-winning Best Picture “Argo,” which also won the BAFTA Award for Best Picture.

Talented, multi-faceted actor Bill Paxton has starred in many audience-pleasing hit films, including “Titanic,” “Apollo 13,” “Aliens” “Twister,” “Mighty Joe Young,” “Spy Kids, 2&3” and “Tombstone.” He was recently seen in “The Colony,” “Shanghai Calling” and “Haywire.” On television, Paxton is well known for the series “Big Love,” for which he was Golden Globe® nominated, and recently starred in the award-winning miniseries “Hatfields & McCoys” opposite Kevin Costner.

Lake Bell wrote, produced, starred in and directed her most recent film, “In A World…,” which garnered Bell the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance this year. Bell was also seen at this year’s Sundance Film Festival in the film “Black Rock,” opening in May 2013, directed by Katie Aselton. Other film credits include, among others, “A Good Old Fashioned Orgy,” Paramount’s hit comedy “No Strings Attached,” Nancy Meyer’s “It’s Complicated,” “What Happens in Vegas” and “Pride and Glory.”

Suraj Sharma won acclaim for his portrayal of Pi Patel in Ang Lee’s acclaimed movie “Life of Pi.” With no previous experience, Lee cast Sharma for the role of Pi, following an extensive, months-long search throughout India. For his work in “Life of Pi,” Sharma earned a Critics’ Choice nomination for Best Young Actor, an Empire Award nomination for Best Male Newcomer and won the Sierra Youth in Film Award from the Las Vegas Film Critics as well as the MTV Movie Award for Best Scared as Sh**t Performance, among others.

Aasif Mandvi, well known as a correspondent on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” is an accomplished actor who will next be seen in “The Internship,” starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. Recent films include “Premium Rush,” “Ruby Sparks” and “Margin Call.”

Madhur Mittal is best known for his performance as Salim in the acclaimed film “Slumdog Millionaire,” which won the Academy Award® for Best Picture of 2008 and for which he won the Screen Actors Guild Award® for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Pitobash is a Hindi film actor known for his roles in “I Am Kalam,” “Shor in the City” and “Shanghai.” At the age of 12, Pitobash was honored with the “National Balshree Award” from the president of India in the field of creative performance. He later went on to join Bollywood as an actor.

Disney’s MILLION DOLLAR ARM is slated for a 2014 release.

Watch Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde & Jim Carrey In THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE Trailer

Longtime Vegas magicians Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) face cutthroat competition from guerilla street magician Steve Gray (Jim Carrey) in this funny trailer for THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE. Afterwards check out the ingenious character, magician cards.

Hilarious! Everyone is playing it to the hilt! Oscar winner Alan Arkin works a lot – good for him! His next film – STAND UP GUYS with Al Pacino and Christopher Walken – comes out February and he was recently nominated for Golden Globe and Screen Actor Guild awards for his stellar work in Warner Bros.’ ARGO. Arkin is most likely assured of an Academy Award nod when the nominations are announced on January 10th. As far as this film, the killer wigs and crushed velvet suits on Carell and Buscemi put it over the top. Director Don Scardino’s comedy looks good and definitely on our 2013 list of must-sees.

In THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE, superstar magicians Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) have ruled the Las Vegas strip for years, raking in millions with illusions as big as Burt’s growing ego. But lately the duo’s greatest deception is their public friendship, while secretly they’ve grown to loathe each other. Facing competition from magician Steve Gray (Jim Carrey), whose cult following surges with each outrageous stunt, even their show looks stale. But there’s still a chance Burt and Anton can save the act – both onstage and off – if Burt can get back in touch with what made him love magic in the first place.

Starring Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin, James Gandolfini, Jim Carrey, and Jay Mohr, THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE materializes in theaters on March 15th.

http://www.theincredibleburtwonderstone.com/

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ARGO – The Review

So, it turns out that what is perhaps this year’s most riveting espionage thriller did not originate from the pen or typewriter of Robert Ludlum John leCarre’ , or…Ian Fleming. ARGO is based on a real undercover operation that was finally declassified by President Clinton in 1997. And the man in the director’s chair is almost as surprising as the mission itself. I’m speaking of actor Ben Affleck ( who also stars ). What an interesting career! After toiling away as a child actor he became part of Kevin Smith’s repertory company with a role in MALLRATS and the lead in CHASING AMY. Then came Oscar for the screenplay he co-wrote with Matt Damon for 1997’s GOOD WILL HUNTING ( he played Matt’s best buddy in the flick ). This propelled him into the big leagues and he seemed to have a movie at the multiplex every couple of weeks. He balanced light “rom-coms” with big action epics ( even playing a Marvel superhero in 2003’s DAREDEVIL ). Ben also became a target of the tabloids ( remember ” Bennifer” ? ) and was on the verge of being a late night TV comedy punchline. Fortunately he changed course, was more selective, and took on a few offbeat roles ( like his excellent supporting turn as tragic TV iconic hero George Reeves in HOLLYWOODLAND ). And he went behind the camera to direct the Boston-based thrillers GONE BABY GONE in 2007 and THE TOWN in 2010 ( this time in the lead role ). Now with ARGO, Affleck has gone past his home town and tackled a real-life globe spanning story and proves that his superb previous works were not flukes.

affleck mendez — Side by side. Ben Affleck in the film ARGO on the left and the real Tony Mendez on the right

To get us in the proper mood, we’re treated to the return of the simple white bar on black graphic Warner Brothers logo of the 1970’s and early 80’s. Then it’s time for a quick primer on the history of Iran using film story board art, focusing on the 20th century. Quickly we’re dropped right into that fateful day in 1979 when an angry mob stormed the United States embassy compound in Iran. But before the armed group burst through the front door, six Americans dashed out the back door and out into the street. In the states we learn that this group was taken in by the Canadian ambassador and are now ” guests ” at his living quarters. Things continue to heat up and Canada demands they leave this safe haven. The state department calls on the CIA’s Jack O’Donnell ( Bryan Cranston ) who brings in extraction expert Tony Mendez ( Affleck ). After hearing some of the odd ideas proposed, Mendez is determined to come up with a plan that can get the six out of Iran. Watching TV with his son that night, a light bulb goes on over his head. He’ll pose as a film producer, fly there to ” scout locations” and fly out with six members of his production team. But he doesn’t know film ! Luckily the agency has a friend in Hollywood : make-up whiz ( an Oscar winner for the original PLANET OF THE APES and designer of a mobile disguise kit for undercover work ) John Chambers ( John Goodman ). He, in turn, enlists the help of veteran movie producer Lester Siegel ( Alan Arkin ) and they find an available script for a space opera titled ” Argo “. After planting the seeds using Hollywood hoopla and hype ( the trade paper poster art is below ), the mission is approved. Mendez flies out to meet the ” guests of Canada “. Can he train this group to pass for film makers ? The clock is ticking away. If he fails, as O’Donnell puts it ” They die…badly”.

chambers — The real John Chambers transforms Fred Astaire into Mad Magazine mascot Alfred E. Newman for a TV special

The first-rate performances really bring this true tale of derring-do to life, anchored by director Affleck’s understated work as masterspy Mendez. Like many screen heroes dating back to Gary Cooper, he’s stoic when necessary, saving his energy for the moment demanding action…or very quick thinking. We can see the weariness in his eyes from too many late nights away from loved ones and too many brushes with death. This undercover working stiff is a true unsung hero. No fame or glory, just satisfaction when the mission is complete. Affleck and Cranston work well together in their scenes back at Langley. The indulge in some good-natured ribbing while having complete respect in each other. O’Donnell will stand up to the pencil pushers so Mendez can get the job done. The real scene stealers are back in ” Tinsle Town “. Goodman as the make-up magician has seen nearly everything and has a cool laid-back cynicism explaining the mechanics of the movie biz to Affleck. Arkin matches Goodman perfectly as the film vet who has seen everything and knows how to speak the language of the ” deal “. Most of the young studio turks have written him off, but Arkin dives back in motivated perhaps by a renewed sense of patriotism ( he views the grim newsfootage on the TV in his mansion ). In the hollywood section of ARGO Affleck almost becomes a straight man to this terrific comedy team. Luckily the rescue scenes are so riveting that we don’t miss them too much. Affleck also peppers the film with wonderful character actors like Phillip Baker Hall, Titus Welliver, and Zeljko Ivanek back in DC and includes Clea DuVall and Rory Cochrane as part of the ” six guests “. Superb work from all the actors involved here.

Comissioned production art for ARGO by Jack Kirby from kirbymuseum.com

Working from a lean, taut screenplay by Chris Terrio, Affleck really puts us in that tense time period. Aside from the campy fashions and hairstyles ( big mustaches and sideburns ) , all the background TVs provide a constant stream of info using real news clips ( there’s ” Uncle ” Walter Cronkite, and Frank Reynolds, and… ), some that foreshadow current events. Affleck goes to a brighter, more colorful style for the mid section set in LA as they set up the phony flick. Speaking of which the phoniness of the film biz ( and the folks that run the town ) almost oozes off the screen. In one scene an agent insults Siegel to his face , but each man retains their frozen smiles. I only wish we could see a bit more of Michael Parks as the fake film’s artist, Jack ” King ” Kirby ( the real life Marvel Comics master ). But then Affeck plunges us back in the danger zone. Here Iran is a land of random violence. A wrong look or word can mean the end. Affleck uses subtitles sparingly in order to heighten the disorientation. A tour of the marketplace becomes a nightmare of claustrophobic terror, as glaring wild eyes and snarling bearded faces envelop them. Affleck even cranks up the tension in the ” safe ” house. One of the six just doesn’t trust Mendez. Will he be their weak link? ARGO is a remarkable achievement. Ben Affleck can now join the ranks of actors like Clint Eastwood and Woody Allen, actor who are exceptional film makers. This is an expertly produced thrill ride that grabs you by the throat in its opening minutes and doesn’t let up til the final fade-out ( oh, be sure and stick around for some great photos during the end credits ). I’m sure it will be well represented during the upcoming awards season. To paraphrase a joke exchanged during the film, ” ARGO…see this film! ”

5 Out of 5 Stars

Ben Affleck Stars In New ARGO Trailer – In Theaters October 12

Photo by Claire Folger

Here’s your first look at Warner Bros. Pictures’ and GK Films’ dramatic thriller ARGO, directed by and starring Academy Award winner Ben Affleck (“The Town,” “Good Will Hunting”). The film is being produced by Academy Award winner George Clooney (“Syriana”), Oscar nominee Grant Heslov (“Good Night, and Good Luck.”) and Affleck.

Based on true events, ARGO chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis—the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA “exfiltration” specialist named Tony Mendez (Affleck) comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.

ARGO also stars Oscar winner Alan Arkin (“Little Miss Sunshine”), Bryan Cranston (TV’s “Breaking Bad”) and John Goodman (“You Don’t Know Jack”). The main cast also includes Kerry Bishé, Kyle Chandler, Rory Cochrane, Christopher Denham, Tate Donovan, Clea DuVall, Victor Garber, Zeljko Ivanek, Richard Kind, Scoot McNairy, Chris Messina, Michael Parks, and Taylor Schilling.

Affleck is directing the film from a screenplay by Chris Terrio, based on a selection from Master in Disguise by Antonio Mendez. David Klawans, Chris Brigham, Graham King, Tim Headington, Chay Carter and Nina Wolarsky are serving as executive producers.

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes Oscar-nominated director of photography Rodrigo Prieto (“Brokeback Mountain”), production designer Sharon Seymour (“The Town”); Oscar-nominated editor William Goldenberg (“Seabiscuit,” “The Insider”); and Oscar-nominated costume designer Jacqueline West (“The Social Network,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”).

This film has been rated R for language and some violent images.

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SCOOT McNAIRY as Joe Stafford, BEN AFFLECK as Tony Mendez, RORY COCHRANE as Lee Shatz, CHRIS DENHAM as Mark Lijek, and TATE DONOVAN as Bob Anders in ARGO. Photo by Claire Folger.

Top Ten Tuesday: Special Edition THE MUPPETS Hall of Fame

Once upon a time not long ago, in a living room not so far away, was a television set that opened up a magical, comical, crazy world filled with fuzzy, funny make-believe characters too great to simply be called puppets. No, these were The Muppets, and we loved them completely. Great thanks goes out to Jason Segel for making his dream of a Muppets return come true this Wednesday, but most importantly, boundless thanks should be given to Jim Henson himself, creator of The Muppets, on the holiday of gratitude. We Are Movie Geeks would like to extend our own thanks, and in doing so, presents out Top Ten MUPPETS Hall of Fame. Continue reading Top Ten Tuesday: Special Edition THE MUPPETS Hall of Fame

Filming Underway On Warner Bros. Pictures’ And GK Films’ ARGO

Ben Affleck directs and stars in the fact-based thriller.

BURBANK, CA, August 31, 2011 – Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and GK Films’ dramatic thriller ARGO, directed by and starring Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck (“The Town,” “Good Will Hunting”). The film is being produced by Academy Award® winner George Clooney (“Syriana”), Oscar® nominee Grant Heslov (“Good Night, and Good Luck.”) and Affleck.

Based on true events, ARGO chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis—the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades.

On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA “exfiltration” specialist named Tony Mendez (Affleck) comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.

ARGO also stars Oscar® winner Alan Arkin (“Little Miss Sunshine”), Bryan Cranston (TV’s “Breaking Bad”) and John Goodman (“You Don’t Know Jack”). The main cast also includes Kerry Bishé, Kyle Chandler, Rory Cochrane, Christopher Denham, Tate Donovan, Clea DuVall, Victor Garber, Zeljko Ivanek, Richard Kind, Scoot McNairy, Chris Messina, Michael Parks, and Taylor Schilling.

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes Oscar®-nominated director of photography Rodrigo Prieto (“Brokeback Mountain”), production designer Sharon Seymour (“The Town”); Oscar®-nominated editor William Goldenberg (“Seabiscuit,” “The Insider”); and Oscar®-nominated costume designer Jacqueline West (“The Social Network,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”).

Filming on ARGO began in Los Angeles. Future locations include Washington D.C. and Istanbul.

Slated for release in 2012, ARGO is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with GK Films, a Smoke House Pictures production, to be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company

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Visit the official site: www.argothemovie.com

“Like” on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/argomovie

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