FilmStew.com: FEATURES

The "Kingdom" of Maria Bello

05/06/2008

A decade and a half into her illustrious career, Maria Bello has finally caught up with the spirit of the Steven Spielberg adventure that inspired her to become an actress.

No Fan of the Method

05/02/2008

Dropping in on the San Francisco International Film Festival for a tribute and awards ceremony, British filmmaker Mike Leigh remains committed to the idea of actors referring to their characters in the third person.

Bridging a "Twelve"-Year Gap

04/29/2008

A dozen years after guiding Geoffrey Rush to an Oscar, Scott Hicks has returned to the realm of classical music for a documentary portrait of another musical genius.

For Whom the "Diving Bell" Tolls

04/28/2008

Julian Schnabel’s latest piece of film art runs the filmmaker’s memories of his father’s final days through the notion that a stroke can engender a man’s spiritual rebirth.

Set Phasers on Sequel

04/25/2008

Before Star Trek XI sends John Cho’s career into the stratosphere, he is happy to be earthbound in Harold and Kumar II.

Converging on Vic Thrill

04/23/2008

Thanks to an upcoming documentary, autobiography and possible Hollywood feature film, the world is about to get thoroughly reacquainted with the dynamic duo of Vic Thrill and Curly Oxide.

A Ridiculously Beloved Actor

04/18/2008

As Tom McCarthy makes the rounds in support of his second film, The Visitor, he has come to realize that the Richard Jenkins Fan Club is much larger than he initially presumed.

A Man and a Festival

04/15/2008

Though Claude Lelouch has been a regular visitor to the Cannes Film Festival since the mid-1960’s, it’s safe to say nothing quite compares to his experiences in 2007 and, most likely, 2008.

A "Take"-No-Prisoners Approach

04/11/2008

It takes a lot more than gunfire on the first day of shooting to stop the Colombian born, Queens raised and Hollywood hardened John Leguizamo.

All's Wells That Ends Wells

04/10/2008

As ER producer John Wells looks ahead to his venerable NBC drama’s 15th and final season, he sees a political horizon encompassing Doctors Without Borders and Americans without healthcare.

Cedric the Director

04/04/2008

Cedric the Entertainer is keeping them laughing on the set of his directorial debut, a trend that appears likely to continue when the film hits theaters.

Right Up His "Street"

04/01/2008

Staying at once truthful to the Stephen Sondheim original and his own perverse sensibilities, filmmaker Tim Burton uncorks what may well be his strangest and riskiest film yet.

Anything But Phat

03/31/2008

Though the lure of Ross directing led to box office success in the United Kingdom, Simon Pegg in tight shorts can do no better than 13th place in the U.S.

Sebastian Valmont Gets Serious

03/28/2008

It was less than ten years ago that Ryan Phillipe was pulling the strings in Cruel Intentions, but in light of his recent films, it seems like eons ago.

Tide of "Frankenstein"

03/25/2008

With three standing ovations in San Francisco and a new Broadway production in New York, Gene Wilder should have no doubt about the lasting value of his happiest moviemaking experience.

The Real McAvoy

03/20/2008

He had the misfortune of delivering his performance the same year that saw Daniel Day-Lewis’ latest work, but Atonement – out this week on DVD – has firmly established James McAvoy as a romantic hero.

A Third 3D "Journey" Begins

03/18/2008

A half-century after post-World War II moviegoers first donned those goofy glasses, Brendan Fraser has a message for 21st century moviegoers: “Your mind is about to be blown!”

A Very Active Professional "Life"

03/14/2008

At an age when many Hollywood actresses complain that their careers are over, Patricia Clarkson is about to make time for the dream of any actor: working with Martin Scorsese.

Bogdanovich's Latest "Picture Show"

03/11/2008

Among the many revelations shared by filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich this past weekend in San Francisco is that his personal road to Cybill Shepherd was paved with toothpicks.

The Rehearsed Spontaneity of "Sleuth"

03/10/2008

It’s an hour shorter than the 1972 original and a lot funnier. But one thing that doesn’t seem to have changed is the boundless energy of returning star Sir Michael Caine.