Mike Mitchell - Crazy4Cult 4 Poster

Crazy4Cult,  is an annual art show by Gallery 1988 in LA.   This past year’s show was in July and after seeing a few of the popular pieces, it’s a must see for next summer.

Rich Pellegrino's "Mr. Sobchak" from "The Big Lebowski"

Interestingly enough, a good amount of the art is available online.  For the film buff with an inclination for modern art, this is worth a look.  Click on the pictures to go to Gallery 1988’s website.

Each print is available in two sizes, 8.5 x 11 inches and 13 x 19 inches for $25 and $75. And the edition number is just 50 prints.

Those that have seen it are loving it, and having seen the trailer, it’s got that same “Cloverfield” feel to it…surprisingly effective.  Fans of the Korean hit, “The Host” may also find this up their alley.

This is the international trailer for the movie no one seems to know anything about….”Monsters”.

(The “kiss” seems to be part of some drugged, dream-like sequence if the trailer wasn’t intentionally deceptive, and they usually aren’t).

Well now here’s the trailer and it’s everything you could want and expect from a psychological thriller in the very ugly world of professional ballet.

The Coen’s have put together quite a cast. (One can imagine that most A-listers line up to get a part in their efforts). Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper and Hailee Steinfeld  as a young girl who secures the expertise of old, oft-drunk U.S. Marshal, Rooster J. Cogburn (Bridges) and young Texas Ranger, La Boeuf (Damon) to track down her father’s killer, Tom Chaney (Brolin), who has taken to a gang led by “Lucky” Ned Pepper (Pepper).

Apparently Matt Damon hadn’t seen the John Wayne version and hadn’t realized his part was played by Country and Western star, Glen Campbell, in what would be his first and  last dramatic role.

He told Entertainment Weekly: “The only reason I know I’m playing Glenn Campbell’s old part is that people keep asking me if I’m going to be singing in the movie. But our movie is totally different. Joel & Ethan just stumbled upon the book and were like, ‘Oh God, this is terrific. The dialogue is just fantastic!’ ”

There’s nothing more enjoyable than a well-scripted western. From Deadwood to The Unforgiven, this is something to look forward to on December 25th, (other than Christmas).

Ms Mirren has been very busy as of late. She has a been doing publicity for the recently released and barely seen “Love Ranch”, a dismal story about the first legal Nevada brothel.  Her husband, director Taylor Hackford paired her with the great Joe Pesci and spent most of the publicity tour discussing the prospect of filming his wife in bed with another man.

In the interest of saving it’s readers some time and aggravation, the DailyHelping staff has compiled a short list of  “must see” films for anyone who wants to savor some of her lesser known, but always stimulating performances.

Age of Consent (1969), Dame Mirren’s first feature film and she’s spends a good amount of time naked.  It’s an artist seeking inspiration on a sun drenched beach tale and Helen is willing to inspire.

Excalibur (1981) is a stunning film from John Boorman. It’s the tale of King Arthur and the search for the Holy Grail. Helen Mirren leaves little to the imagination as the evil Morgana.

The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover (1989) , not for the faint hearted, this is a must see film on it’s own merit. Luscious sets and cinematography add to the overall flavor of this quirky, at times grotesque film about a restaurant taken over by a vicious mobster. Put this at the top of any Helen Mirren list.

Having just turned 65 years of age, Helen Mirren continues to show no fear in baring her assets.  It takes a healthy bit of  personal confidence for any woman to strike a pose while in the tub, let alone for a pictorial in  “New York” magazine.

Paolo Bacigalupi has expanded upon his earlier short fiction work, “The Calorie Man” ( Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award-winner, Hugo Award nominee, 2006) and “Yellow Card Man” (Hugo Award nominee, 2007) to create a darkly complex and mesmerizing post-petroleum future.  It’s not so much a cautionary tale as it is an urban nightmare filled with decay, poverty and genetic terrorism. Set in a very crowded and apparently, sinking Thailand, the novel moves about with varied, compelling perspectives.

At the risk of sharing too much about the book, the overall premise is this…

Environmental destruction has exceeded Al Gore’s worst nightmare.  Ecological mainstays have collapsed and the world’s food supplies are in grave danger (the source of actual calories becomes  a monetary staple making world economies dependent on basic sustenance).  In a vicious cycle, Calorie conglomerates offer sterile seeds at high prices while bio-engineered “accidents” unleash horrific diseases and insects obliterating competing foods and driving up the costs of seeds, let alone food.  The world’s calorie markets become a dangerous, high stakes business.

The novel has ghosts, plague, bio-engineered sex dolls, Gestapo-like military police, roving chameleon-like tigers, political intrigue and all under a suffocating jungle heat.

Go out and get “The Windup Girl” by Paolo Bacigalupi, and treat yourself to a mesmerizing reading experience.

In what sounds like a pitch conjured on the playground, a group of Apache Indians and Western settlers stop fighting each other and form an uneasy alliance when a spaceship crash-lands and aliens stake their claim in their territory.

The producers on this project,  Ron Howard,  Brian Grazer, and Steven Spielberg (Shindler’s List, Jaws) are no slouches and obviously see a blockbuster with this Sci-Fi western.

DailyHelping is happy to weigh in on these fine nominees.

DRAMA SERIES
“Breaking Bad” (AMC)
“Dexter” (Showtime)
“The Good Wife” (CBS)
“Lost” (ABC)
“Mad Men” (AMC)
“True Blood” (HBO)

All in all, some quality shows are here, but HBO’s “Treme” should be here rather than “True Blood”.  “Sons of Anarchy” is a fantastic show for those who miss “The Sopranos” and terrific writing for anti-heroes. Lost should get an award for knowing when to shut it down.  “Mad Men” will probably win and Breaking Bad should win.

COMEDY SERIES
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO)
“Glee” (Fox)
“Modern Family” (ABC)
“Nurse Jackie” (Showtime)
“The Office” (NBC)
“30 Rock” (NBC)

“Glee” has earned this spot and the Rookie of the Year award. Who would have predicted a show about a high school glee club would become Must-See television for it’s night. The President has even mentioned his appreciation of the show.  “Nurse Jackie” hasn’t generated the kind of buzz that “Weeds” or “Dexter” generates.  Modern Family is runner up Rookie of the Year and was a critical favorite from it’s opening pilot.  “The Office” is losing it’s star (Carrell) and so is “30 Rock” (Baldwin), but this wasn’t a particularly strong season for either one.  “Curb Your Enthusiasm” had the Seinfeld reunion but “Glee” looks like a feel-good winner.

MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE
“Emma” (Masterpiece)
“Georgia O’Keeffe” (Lifetime)
“The Pacific” (HBO)
“Temple Grandin” (HBO)
“You Don’t Know Jack” (HBO)

“The Pacific” is going to win this category and it’s well deserved.  Surprisingly graphic in it’s violence, this is a classic series that will get it’s due once it’s more accessible on DVD.  “You Don’t Know Jack” had some good publicity but it’s a show piece for Pacino and he’s going to get his award later in the show.

ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Jim Parsons – “Big Bang Theory”
Larry David – “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Matthew Morrison – “Glee”
Tony Shalhoub – “Monk”
Steve Carell – “The Office”
Alec Baldwin – “30 Rock”

Monk? Was it really on this past year?  If so it joins “The Office” and “30 Rock” as shows that are losing their big draws (not that Tina Fey isn’t a remarkable talent in her own right).  Baldwin is the reigning winner here and could very realistically find himself with another Emmy on his way out the door.

ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Bryan Cranston – “Breaking Bad”
Michael C. Hall – “Dexter”
Kyle Chandler = “Friday Night Lights”
Hugh Laurie – “House”
Matthew Fox – “Lost”
Jon Hamm – “Mad Men”

There are a lot of people who are happy to see “Friday Night Lights get some love.  It’s as far as it goes, but getting noticed this year seems to be gratifying for a good number of critics and fans. Hugh Laurie and Matthew Fox deserved their nominations but this is all about John Hamm, Michael C. Hall and Bryan Cranston.  Hall’s season was eclipsed by his well publicized battle with Leukemia, disclosed as he collected a Golden Globe Award.   Cranston will win and should win. He’s benefiting from a particularly strong season but his performances are in a league of their own.  Dexter deserves an award for last season and it will come in the Guest star in a dramatic series category. John Lithgow will win that one hands down and it will be a nod to a terrific show that is finally getting some attention.

As for those who deserved to be nominated but were overlooked, Timothy Olyphant in the fantastic “Justified” and Ron Pearlman from “Son’s of Anarchy”.  Count on seeing both in this category next year. Ray Romano in “Men of a Certain Age” would have been nice to see here too.

“Monk”? Really?

ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Lea Michele – “Glee”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus – “The New Adventures Of Old Christine”
Edie Falco – “Nurse Jackie”
Amy Poehler – “Parks And Recreation”
Tina Fey – “30 Rock”
Toni Collette – “United States Of Tara”

“Parks and Recreation” has overtaken it’s mentor, “The Office” with a very strong season. Amy Poehler will win this year because Edie Falco and Toni Collette will cancel each other out with much darker, less seen performances.  Tina Fey could take this if Poehler doesn’t. Julia Louise-Dreyfus was actually better this year in “Curb Your Enthusiasm” playing herself.

ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Kyra Sedgwick – “The Closer”
Glenn Close – “Damages”
Connie Britton – “Friday Night Lights”
Julianna Margulies – “The Good Wife”
Mariska Hargitay – “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
January Jones – “Mad Men”

Julianna Margulies in “The Good Wife” could be a sleeper here in keeping with this season’s strong showing by new shows. Mariska Hargitay is here out of respect for the “Law and Order” franchise. She’s a long time favorite and this nomination is comparable to retiring an athlete’s jersey.  Connie Britton is more love for “Friday Night Lights”.  Glen Close and Kyra Sedgwik are a toss up here. January Jones will win this category another time soon and often.  Katy Segal from “Sons of Anarchy” should be here and will be here next year.  (It’s great that both Bundy’s from “Married With Children” have had such a good year on their respective shows)

ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Jeff Bridges – “A Dog Year”
Ian McKellen – “The Prisoner”
Michael Sheen – “The Special Relationship”
Dennis Quaid – “The Special Relationship”
Al Pacino – “You Don’t Know Jack

Most people think that former Prime Minister Tony Blair looks like Michael Sheen and not the other way around. His work in “The Queen” as well as “The Special Relationship” make it hard to think the man is acting. If you haven’t seen this HBO movie, make the effort if for no other reason than to see Sheen and Quaid as Blair and Clinton. Quaid is very entertaining.  This however is all about Pacino. It’s an over the top performance. Hammy and yet convincing. This is a slam dunk.

ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Maggie Smith – “Capturing Mary”
Joan Allen – “Georgia O’Keeffe”Dame Judi Dench – “Return To Cranford”
Hope Davis – “The Special Relationship”
Claire Danes – “Temple Grandin”

The DailyHelping has nothing here. Didn’t see anything here and don’t know that we will.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Chris Colfer – “Glee”
Neil Patrick Harris – “How I Met Your Mother”
Jesse Tyler Ferguson – “Modern Family”
Eric Stonestreet – “Modern Family”
Ty Burrell – “Modern Family”

Neil Patrick Harris is the only recognizable name here and he’s not likely to win. The Modern Family nominees are good PR for the show’s second season, but that’s all that’s going to come of the evening.  The kid from Glee, Chris Colfer is a perfect stand-out representative from the ensemble.  He’s going to win for a lot of reasons not the least of which is his

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Aaron Paul – “Breaking Bad”
Martin Short – “Damages”
Terry O’Quinn – “Lost”
Michael Emerson – “Lost”
John Slattery – “Mad Men”
Andre Braugher – “Men Of A Certain Age”

Aaron Paul and Andre Braugher turned in the best performances and either one will win here.  Short plays against type in a dramatic but still hammy performance and it feels like one of those roles that will get you a nomination but not a win.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Michael Gambon – “Emma”
Patrick Stewart – “Hamlet”
Jonathan Pryce – “Return To Cranford”
David Strathairn – “Temple Grandin”
John Goodman – “You Don’t Know Jack”

Once again a category that poses something of a mystery save Goodman’s performance in “You Don’t Know Jack” . Patrick Stewart in Hamlet sounds like something for the Tony Awards. Everyone in this list of nominees are outstanding performers and it’ s probably going to be a deserving win.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Jane Lynch – “Glee”

Julie Bowen – “Modern Family”

Sofia Vergara – “Modern Family”

Kristen Wiig – “Saturday Night Live”
Jane Krakowski – “30 Rock”
Holland Taylor – “Two And A Half Men”

Jane Lynch’s win in this category will be part of Glee’s wonderful evening. She’s a terrific character actress whose enjoying Glee’s popularity and is one of the few few familiar faces on this very popular show.  Kristen Wiig is one of the few unspoiled resources on Saturday Night Live. She isn’t a hit every time and one can’t help but think there are bigger and better things for her in movies.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Sharon Gless – “Burn Notice”
Rose Byrne – “Damages”
Archie Panjabi – “The Good Wife”
Christine Baranski – “The Good Wife”
Christina Hendricks – “Mad Men”
Elisabeth Moss – “Mad Men”

Christina Hendricks is a big favorite here at DailyHelping and so any discussion about the Emmy awards would be biased and a conflict of interests.  Her arrival on the Red Carpet on Emmy night is one of the more eagerly awaited moments of the night.  Seeing Sharon Gless from “Burn Notice” is pretty cool. It’s a show that you wouldn’t expect to see among these nominees, not that it’s a bad show..on the contrary, but it’s a real honor for this action show.

VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SERIES
“The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central)
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central)
“Real Time With Bill Maher” (HBO)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
“The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien” (NBC)

There is some sweet justice in seeing Conan here and not Jay. The real story would be if Conan’s show won. The way things have worked out for NBC through the whole debacle, all that’s left is an Emmy win for Conan.  This one will go to “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”.  This is a show that has raised the bar on contemporary comedic satire and it’s going to continue to set the standard for as long as it wants to.  Saturday Night Live used to have this kind of clout.

“Machete” is director Robert Rodriguez’s (El Mariachi, From Dusk til Dawn)  full length spin-off from his fake trailer featured within the campy “Grindhouse” double bill.

The film follows Machete Cortez, played by the great Danny Trejo, who seeks revenge for being double-crossed and left for dead. He puts together a group off misfits to help him take on the bad guys. This includes a Federale-turned-priest brother, Cheech Marin (Tin Cup, Up in Smoke), a socialite with a taste for guns, Lindsay Lohan (who should be out of the clink just in time for the premier), and a sexy taco cook, Michelle Rodriguez (Lost, Avatar) to take on a corrupt businessman, Jeff Fahey(Lost, White Hunter, Black Heart)  and even more corrupt senator played by Robert DeNiro, yes, that Robert DeNiro, whose apparently responsible for  Anti-Immigration laws not favored by our Mexican hero. The film also boasts a number of cameos/small roles by the likes of Don Johnson (Miami Vice, Tin Cup), Jesica Alba, Steven Seagal and Rose McGowan who  reprises her role of Cherry Darling from “Planet Terror”).

Enjoy this Not Safe For Work trailer…

We return with a pleasant little drive down San Francisco’s famed Market Street.  Filmed about two weeks before the great 1905 earthquake.  It’s hard not to be fascinated by this window into the past. The chaotic traffic patterns and curious looks as you pass by people long gone.

The soundtrack is provided by French jazz/pop group, Air.  It really works.

Enjoy.