February 2013 – Tail Slate

‘The Sweeney’ brings an old Brit TV copper show to the big screen

Ray Winstone leading members of "The Sweeney" as they chase bad guys — Ray Winstone leading members of “The Sweeney” as they chase bad guys

[rating=3]Starring: Ray Winstone, Ben Drew, Hayley Atwell, Damian Lewis, Allen Leech, Paul Anderson and Steven Mackintosh
Writer(s): Nick Love (screenplay), John Hodge (co-writer), Ian Kennedy Martin (source material)
Director(s): Nick Love

Starting in 1975, British fans of ‘realistic’ police drama on television would tune in to ITV to watch The Sweeney. It was the first such show in the UK that showed police officers as being human and fallible. After its initial four season run, it continued in reruns well into the 1980s. Now that television series has been updated and brought to the big screen by writer/director Nick Love.

Shannyn Sossamon talks ‘The End of Love’, doing comedy and ‘Amadeus’

by Brian Milinsky

Shannyn Sossamon in 'The End of Love' — Shannyn Sossamon in ‘The End of Love’

On March 1^st, The End of Love will open in limited release. Written, directed and produced by its star Mark Webber (Scott Pilgrim vs the World and For a Good Time, Call), it also stars Amadeus (A Knight’s Tale andOur Family Wedding). TailSlate had the opportunity to discuss the film, among other things, with the beautiful actress.

Open ‘The Gatekeepers’ and learn about Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet

by Brian Milinsky

Avraham Shalom, former director of Shin Bet in 'The Gatekeepers' — Avraham Shalom, former director of Shin Bet in ‘The Gatekeepers’

[rating=4]Director(s): Dror Moreh

The Mossad is famous the world over as the foreign intelligence service of Israel. Munich was a film about how the Mossad was tasked to hunt down and kill the terrorists responsible for the murder of Israeli athletes and coaches at the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Mention the Mossad and the average person will say “that’s Israel’s CIA”.

But if you mention Shin Bet, they will probably have no clue what you’re referring to.

Mark Webber talks ‘The End of Love’, his 2nd effort as writer/director

by Brian Milinsky

Mark Webber writers, directs and produces 'The End of Love' — Mark Webber writers, directs and produces ‘The End of Love’

On March 1^st, The End of Love will open in limited release. Written, directed and produced by its star Mark Webber (Scott Pilgrim vs the World and For a Good Time, Call) and also starring Shannyn Sossamon (A Knight’s Tale and Our Family Wedding), the film is about trying to pick up the pieces of a life shattered by a tragic loss. It also stars Webber’s real-life son, Issac Love. TailSlate sat down with both Webber and Sossamon recently to talk about the film, among other things. First up is The End of Love‘s writer/director.

Dwayne Johnson delivers his most vulnerable performance in ‘Snitch’

by Brian Milinsky

Dwayne Johnson shows his growth as an actor in 'Snitch' — Dwayne Johnson shows his growth as an actor in ‘Snitch’

Certs is a breath mint that was heavily advertised on television in the 1960s and 70s with the catchphrase, “It’s two, two, two mints in one,” because it was a candy mint and a breath mint. Now we have Snitch, which turns out to be “two, two, two films in one”.

The 85th Oscars are in the books and there were a few surprises

by Brian Milinsky

Seth MacFarlane points the way as host of the 85th Oscars

There were a few surprises at the 85^th Oscars (we aren’t supposed to call them the Academy Awards anymore, that’s apparently too ‘stuffy’) but one was Life of Pi which garnered four awards, including a Best Director Oscar for Ang Lee. Argo won Best Picture and two other awards. Its Best Picture win might have been helped by the snubbing of director Ben Affleck in the Best Director category.

And the Independent Spirit Award Goes to…

by Brian Milinsky

Ave DuVernay, writer/director/producer of 'Middle of Nowhere' accepting the John Cassavettes Award at the 2013 Independent Spirit Awards — Ave DuVernay, writer/director/producer of ‘Middle of Nowhere’ accepting the John Cassavettes Award at the 2013 Independent Spirit Awards

Saturday before the Oscar broadcast takes the spotlight away from Hollywood Boulevard temporarily and moves it West to Santa Monica beach for the Independent Spirit Awards. Silver Linings Playbook grabbed four awards including Best Director and Best Screenplay for writer/director David O. Russell. Not surprisingly, The Sessions won two awards for acting. Here is a list of the winners in the major categories:

Danielle Panabaker saves rape-revenge flick, ‘Girls Against Boys’

by And Palladino

Nicole LaLiberte (left) and Danielle Panabaker are out for revenge in 'Girls Against Boys' — Nicole LaLiberte (left) and Danielle Panabaker are out for revenge in ‘Girls Against Boys’

[rating=2]Starring: Danielle Panabaker, Nicole LaLiberte, Liam Aiken, Andrew Howard
Director: Austin Chick
Writer: Austin Chick

The rape-revenge subgenre probably doesn’t have a hope of ever surpassing its very first instance, Ingmar Bergman’s The Virgin Spring. But it has been taken to some interesting places over the years, with everyone from Brigitte Nielsen to Sally Field starring in entries.

‘A Good Day to Die Hard’ shows the franchise may be terminally ill

by Brian Milinsky

Bruce Willis and Jai Courtney as father/son badasses about to take on legions of bad guys

[rating=2]Starring: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch, Yuliya Snigir, Radivoje Bukvic, Sergey Kolesnikov, Cole Hauser and Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Writer(s): Skip Woods (screenplay), based on characters created by Roderick Thorp
Director(s): John Moore

There is a difference between acting and performing. Actors portray a character who is usually somewhat different from themselves. And hopefully, who is different from the other characters they have portrayed and will portray.

‘Sound City’ is a very sound investment of your moviegoing time

by Brian Milinsky

This was the place where the music magic happened. Sound City Studio in Van Nuys, CA

[rating=4]Starring: Dave Grohl, Frank Black, Lindsey Buckingham, Kevin Cronin, Mick Fleetwood, John Fogerty, Neil Giraldo, Barry Manilow, Rupert Neve, Stevie Nicks, Krist Novoselic, Shivaun O’Brien, Keith Olsen, Tom Petty, Nick Raskulinecz, Trent Reznor, Ross Robinson, Rick Rubin, Paula Salvatore, Sandy Skeeter, Tom Skeeter, Rick Springfield, Butch Vig, Lee Ving and Paul McCartney
Director(s): Dave Grohl
Writer(s): Mark Monroe

“Sound City is where real men went to make music.” – Shivaun O’Brien, Studio Manager of Sound City 1992-2011