Precious Premiere

Sunday night my friend Marcy and I went to see Precious Premiere at the AFI Festival. Lots of Stars were in attendance! Macy Gray, Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe (Precious), Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon, Wil Smith, Sidney Poitier, Tyler Perry, Oprah, and Mo'Nique.

Here's some pics from the red carpet:
Extratv

The movie was tough to watch, but amazing. How can someone take so much abuse and still remain a beautiful person as Precious does, played by Gabourey Sidibe? Mariah did a fantastic job as the social worker. What a powerful scene with Gabby, Mariah and Mo'Nique. Mo'Nique played a horrible person, you will HATE her character, but boy did she give an Oscar winning performance.

After the movie was over we stayed in our seats, in the center, last row to watch the credits, lots of people stayed. When the lights came on we stayed as the crowd left, which was great because all the stars passed us while they were leaving. We saw Wil Smith, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon.

When Mo'Nique was right in front of us a woman across the aisle was so excited and hugged her and told Mo'Nique how she loved her. Mo'Nique happened to look over at us so I reached over and touched her on the hand. I told her how much I loved her performance. She squeeze my hand and thanked me. Then she took pictures with the woman who was hugging her. After the photo Mo'Nique continued to walk up the aisle a few steps. She stopped, turned around, and came back to Marcy and me. She hugged us and gave us kisses on our cheeks. I told her again how wonderful she was and so did Marcy. Mo'Nique was so gracious.

You must see the film, but like I said, it's a hard one to watch. You will want to hug your daughter or your mother and you will thank God you didn't have a mom like Precious.

In theaters Friday, November 6, 2009

Movie Review ~ Defiance

The AFI Film Festival closed on Sunday night with the Premiere of Defiance directed by Edward Zwick. Edward Zwick announced the film and spoke about how he had heard stories from survivors of WWII of how Jews had fought to defend themselves and hid in the Belarussian forest in Nazi-occupied Poland. It took Edward Zwick twelve years to finally see this movie in theaters.

This true story is about the four Bielski brothers who become reluctant leaders of a group of people fleeing from persecution led by Tuvia Bielski, Daniel Craig. They encounter the hardships of protecting, feeding, and sheltering the people from the harsh winters. Edward Zwick doesn't soften the story, but tells the raw truth of what the people had to endure in order to survive.

A friend of mine, Lois came along to see the movie and had to stand in the "Rush" line (standby tickets). While in line, limousines began to park on the curb near her. She saw a man approaching the limousines who she recognized as Liev Schreiber who plays one of the brothers, Zus Bielski. A man not too far from her in line caught Liev's attention and began talking to him and showing pictures. The man happened to be a Bielski family member.

Liev asked the man, "What are you doing standing in this line?"
The man answered, "I'm hoping to get inside the Cinerama Dome to see the movie."
"What? You shouldn't be in this line!" Liev turned to a woman who was standing beside him. "Get this man inside!"
Next thing the man knew, he the was being ushered away by Liev and the woman.

Defiance in selected theaters December 31, 2008
Wide release January 16, 2009

AFI Film Festival Tribute to Tilda Swinton

Wednesday night I attended the AFI Film Festival's Tribute to Tilda Swinton. First a forty-five minute presentation was shown of film clips of Tilda's body of work and then a Q&A with Tilda. We had an added surprise, the premiere of her new movie Julia. We happen to sit beside a man and his son. The son happened to be Aidan Gould, who played Tom in Julia.

Tilda is a fascinating person and very humble in her vast achievements. The night was long, but very interesting.

Movie Review ~ Doubt

Last night I saw Doubt at the AFI Film Festival. Writer and Director John Patrick Shanley was there to introduce the film as well as Meryl Streep and Amy Adams.

Doubt is set in the 1960's about a Priest, Father Brendan Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman), accused of molesting a child, Donald Muller (Joseph Foster). The performances of Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams were exceptional, but the most heart wrenching scene is between Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Meryle Streep) and Mrs. Muller (Viola Davis) the child's mother. Viola Davis is amazing.



Doubt in theaters January 8, 2009