Hairspray (1988) In 1963, overweight Tracy Turnblad (Rikki Lake) becomes a popular mainstay on a Baltimore dance show, infuriating the reigning queen, Amber Von Tussle (Debbie Harry). In addition to their dance floor rivalry, Tracy and her mother Edna (Divine) advocate integration while the Von Tussles fight for segregation. Rikki Lake would go on to… Continue reading Your hairspray, my high five, and our shadowlands
Tag: Biographical films
Hallelujah, I’m a grand, invisible immigrant
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) A girl goes to the grave of her favorite author and reads a chapter from his memoir. In this excerpt, the author (Tom Wilkinson) recounts a trip he took to the dilapidated Grand Budapest Hotel in 1968 where he (Jude Law) met the owner, Zero Moustafa (F. Murray Abraham) who… Continue reading Hallelujah, I’m a grand, invisible immigrant
Saving Spider-Man from drowning
Waterworld (1995) In a world covered in water after global warming melts the polar ice caps, a mysterious Mariner (Kevin Costner) becomes a reluctant protector of Enola and her guardian Helen when Enola is hunted by The Smokers whose leader, Deacon (Dennis Hopper), believes she possesses a map to the mythical Dryland tattooed on her… Continue reading Saving Spider-Man from drowning
Frida gracefully swam with sharks
Maria Full of Grace (2004) After Maria Alvarez quits her job at a Colombian sweatshop, she discovers she’s pregnant. Desperate for money, she becomes a drug mule, swallowing 62 pellets of heroin and flying to New York City with two other smugglers. When they land, the smugglers are quarantined until they pass the pellets, but… Continue reading Frida gracefully swam with sharks
Stringer Bell was a very good man
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) Released just months before his death, this biographical film serves as a eulogy for the former South African President. Idris Elba will always be Stringer Bell, but he’s also great as the eponymous detective Luther, and has become a tentpole fixture in Thor (2011), Prometheus (2012), Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance… Continue reading Stringer Bell was a very good man
The one, true special relationship
One True Thing (1998) Ellen Gulden (Renee Zellwegger) is a writer for a magazine in New York. Her father, George (William Hurt), is a semi-famous author and professor who can’t seem to write a second novel. Her mother, Kate, (Meryl Streep) is a housewife. When Kate is diagnosed with cancer, Ellen is coerced to stay home… Continue reading The one, true special relationship
Out of the south pacific, into the fifth estate
Out of the Furnace (2013) Russell Blaze (Christian Bale) goes to prison after he kills a little boy in a drunken accident. When he’s released, his dad has died, and his girlfriend, Lena Taylor (Zoe Saldana) is now in a relationship with the city police chief Wesley Barnes (Forest Whittaker). Russell’s brother, Rodney Blaze (Casey… Continue reading Out of the south pacific, into the fifth estate
Mrs. Henderson proudly presents: The dark star of Burma
The Burmese Harp (1956) At the end of the Second World War, Private Mizumisha is sent to convince a group of Japanese holdouts to surrender to British forces, but a bombing separates him from his platoon. A monk finds Mizumisha and nurses him to health. After his recovery, he travels the country, burying the fallen… Continue reading Mrs. Henderson proudly presents: The dark star of Burma
Roid rage and winning
Pain & Gain (2013) Untalented and not very bright, Daniel Lugo (Mark Walhberg), Paul Doyle (Dwayne Johnson), and Noel Doorbal (Anthony Mackie) are so enamored with the promise of the American Dream and its associated wealth, they will do anything to achieve their goals. Walberg and Mackie are great, but the star of the film is Dwayne Johnson.… Continue reading Roid rage and winning
Lean and deliver
Stand and Deliver (1988) This biographical film about Jaime Escalante and his efforts to teach calculus to students in an impoverished school in Los Angeles, garnered Edward James Olmos an Academy Award nomination. Olmos played Lt. Martin Castillo on Miami Vice for five seasons, but it’s hard for me to see him and not think about William… Continue reading Lean and deliver