Rendition Review

RENDITION

Working in a film company means I get the opportunity to see any films that the company releases before most people. So back in August I was asked to watch the new Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal and Meryl Streep Picture: Rendition. The film is considered to be one of the Oscar front runners but after viewing the film I can't say that I agree. This Film is about an Egyptian chemist Anwar El-Ibrahami (Omar Metwally), who has a pregnant wife (Reese Witherspoon) and 6-year-old boy in the United States, mysteriously disappears when the CIA removes him from his flight home from South Africa and deports him back to Egypt where he's imprisoned and systematically tortured since he's suspected of having collaborated with the terrorists. After the disappearance his wife Isabella contacts a friend in Washington (Peter Sarsgaard) who works for a high-powered senator (Alan Arkin) that might be able to look into Anwar's disappearance, although they both are tenuous about damaging their own image by supporting someone potentially with roots to terrorists. Meanwhile, CIA analyst Douglas Freeman (Jake Gyllenhaal) has been called in by his superior (Meryl Streep) to supervise the torture of Anwar by a high-powered Egyptian official and help gain any necessary information. The acting in the picture is fantastic, especially by Meryl Streep. She works terrifically as a cold-hearted CIA supervisor but since there is so many characters the time each actor is on screen is limited. I was expecting screen time between Jake and Reese since this is picture where they met and started dating but oddly enough they do not have one scene together. Rendition has all the elements with the story, the actors and director but the picture is just lacking something and the ending will leave you wanting more explanations. As I said people are excepting this to be one of this year's Oscar films just like Babel but will be quite disappointed. I definitely recommend seeing this picture when it is released on DVD but as for paying eleven dollars in the theatre no unless you want to see superior acting from Meryl Streep. Rendition is scheduled to be released on October 19, 2007 (Running time: 2 hours, 2 Minutes). GRADE: B-













Official Movie Site:
www.RenditionMovie.com

The Four Stages of Britney

Well...it's been a week since Britney Spear's 2007 Video Music Award Opening Act Performance and I'm sure most if not all of you have seen it. Man, it was a DISASTER! I can't even believe that someone who is perfectly sane would feel that was a good or even mediocre performance. For those of you who are still in disbelief I have created a process of emotions that I'm sure you felt this past week to show that you are not the only one out there feeling this way.

Stage One: Confusion

At First you are feel like what you just saw could not Possibly have happened. You say to yourself "No?! That was not Britney. No it could not have been. The former hottest performer around would never turn out a performance like that...Never!" and then you begin to become more confused once you think about all the elements of the performance (i.e. the outfit)!

Stage Two: Anger

Once you are through being confused then your erupts at Britney! "How could she come out there looking like and dancing like that! WTF is wrong with her!! She had it all and now she's ruined her entire career!" If this phrase or something like it came through your head it's OK. It went through mine as well. It's just a step of the process.

Stage Three: Sadness

Poor Britney...She's gone insane. She has seriously lost her mind and I mean this in a sad, depressed way not a sarcastic way. Images of past Britney performances start flooding your mind and you become even more depressed about how see looks and performs now. Yes, I am aware that she has had two children but she's Britney Freakin' Spears...if she wants to wear an outfit like that great but please get a trainer and a choreographer and a hairstylist. You have more money than God, you can afford it. Also what makes me sad is that there is something empty when you look at her. She needs help and fast!



Stage Four: Acceptance

Once you've had time to think, have you thought to yourself "Well She's done" or "She ruined her Comeback"? If so this is acceptance! Congratulations because this seems you are officially over the Britney incident and will always keep an open mind if she decides to get her life together but you are just over her at the moment. Anyway, Just focus all your attention to Christina Aguilera anyway we hear she's pregnant. (Let's hope I do not have to create stages for her too)!

Welcome!

Hello There and Welcome to my first Blog titled The California Roll! I hope to provide you with any juicy details that I might obtain about the Entertainment World. Sit back and relax and enjoy the postings...no Chopsticks required!