By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

At the age of 18, I essayed the role of Abraham Lincoln for An American Suite, a dance recital for the Dillard School of Performing Arts. On my first day in full makeup, President Ronald Reagan was shot. It was an eerie parallel given that Lincoln was the first assassinated President in American History.

Lincoln is a film that focuses on the final months of the 16th President’s life and the beginning of his second term in office. With historical hindsight, we know the Civil War is winding up, yet Director Steven Spielberg presents the dark reality of a depressed man who is trying to preserve the union. It takes a master like Spielberg to weave personal empathy with iconic imagery.

When I was cast as Lincoln, it was because I was a rail thin 6’3″ baritone. In my research, I learned that Honest Abe actually had a tenor voice, which he used effectively in his famous outdoor debates with Stephen Douglass.

British-Irish Master Thespian Daniel Day-Lewis accepts this interpretation and channels the spirit of Lincoln. Day-Lewis is likely to be nominated for an Oscar, but he is supported in every scene by a fine ensemble cast featuring Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, James Spader and Joseph Gordon- Levitt. Lincoln is a dry piece of history that should be seen on some free afternoon.

The 27th Annual Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival wraps up this Veteran’s Day weekend. Bring your Kleenex for If I Should Fall, a documentary about a young Canadian soldier in Afghanistan.

Breakfast with Curtis is the antithesis of If I should Fall. This comedy-drama features a curmudgeon hippy at odds with young Curtis. As the odd boy matures, the curmudgeon discovers that he has need Curtis’ talents.

Garbage is a self-conscious comedy about Sanitation Engineers who find Cuba Gooding Jr.’s lost Oscar in a garbage dump. Daryl Hannah and Steven Bauer have cameos in this low-budget comedy that is not cheap with laughter.

To see details on FLIFF films and wrap, awards events, visit www.fliff.com.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

As we watched Hurricane Sandy, the 27th Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival presented Giancarlo Esposito with his Career Achievement Award in Grand Bahama Island, after much improvisation. Due to Sandy’s wind and rain, outdoor festivities were moved indoors.

The celebrity focus moves locally this weekend. Oscarnominated for Baby Doll, actress Carroll Baker will attend a screening Sunday night at Cinema Paradiso of But Not For Me, costarring Clark Gable. After the screening, Carroll will be interviewed by Professor Hirsch and will talk about her work in such classics as Giant, How the West Was Won, Ironweed and Kindergarten Cop.

Carroll’s daughter Blanche Baker will likely be in attendance. An Emmy Award-winner for Best Supporting actress for the miniseries Holocaust, Blanche has an impressive resume within her own right. She wrote, directed and stars in the title role in Ruth Madoff Occupies Wall Street, a short subject that will be screened Saturday night at the Sunrise Civic Center.

Tonight at 9 p.m., Director Julia Dyer and actress Molly Parker will bring The Playground to Muvico Pompano. Costarring character actor John Hawkes, this film is a dark drama about suburban life among the beautiful people. If you miss the Pompano screening, The Playground will be playing at Cinema Paradiso and the Sunrise Civic Center on Friday and Saturday, respectfully. Some of the best of this year’s FLIFF films are documentaries featuring music. David Bromberg, Unsung Treasure is a delightful historical documentary. Falling under the spell of the Reverend Davis’s Blues influence, Bromberg thrives in this art form and jams with Dr. John in New Orleans. Bromberg’s dedication leads the young prodigy into musical magic with Phoebe Snow and George Harrison. When he dropped out of the spotlight, Bromberg’s creativity grew.

Blues also influences Joe Camilleri: Australia’s Maltese Falcon. Though Australian, the Joe Camilleri story is similar to that of the Blues Masters from New Orleans and Chicago. Music becomes redemption for a rowdy youth who could have chosen a life of crime.

On Election Day, Cinema Paradiso will screen Mr. Cao goes to Washington, a documentary about a successful Republican politician who won a congressional seat in New Orleans. Representative Cao is scheduled to attend and his story is fascinating.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

As Giancarlo Esposito accepts his Career Achievement Award in the Bahamas this weekend, locally the 27th Annual Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) continues its three ring cinematic circus at Cinema Paradiso, the Sunrise Civic Center and Muvico Pompano.

Last Saturday night, Muvico Pompano opened FLIFF in grand style.

Premiering to a sold-out crowd, The Sapphires lived up to expectations. Based on a true story about Aboriginal soul singers with the backdrop of the Vietnam War, this film had people dancing in the aisle. If you are seeking a feel-good movie with R & B soul, check it out.

Deadfall followed and was the antithesis of The Sapphires. A film noir thriller set in a Courier & Ives snowy landscape, Deadfall held audience interest for 95 minutes. Within the first 15 minutes of the story, the audience is introduced to nine characters and their conflicting motivations. Credit Director Stefan Ruzowitzky for telling a simple story with character depth.

Ruzowitzky was in attendance Saturday night and answered questions about the film. Having won an Oscar for The Counterfeiters for Best Foreign Language film of 2007, Ruzowitzky talked about directing his first American film with an ensemble cast, featuring Eric Bana, Kris Kristofferson, Olivia Wilde and Sissy Spacek.

“I was not intimidated, but it was a privilege that Sissy Spacek had trust in me. Many big stars do not have guidance from a director. A director should be like a mirror and provide a reflection for the actor,” he said.

In direct contrast to the cynicism of Deadfall, Cowgirls & Angels premiered at the Sunrise Civic Center to another sold-out audience. This family movie earned its laughter and tears while providing a fine performance from 13-year-old Bailee Madison.

While receiving her Star on the Horizon Award, Madison shook hands, hugged and signed autographs for free for her fans. These gracious moments were a reminder of what “Class Act” celebrities ought to be for film fans.

Muvico Pompano has been granted an exclusive screening of George Romero’s zombie classic, Night of the Living Dead, which has been remastered in 3D. Get all the details on this and other upcoming films and events at www.fliff.com.

Happy Halloween!

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Despite Dabney Coleman’s sudden cancellation, The 27th Annual Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) kicks into high gear this Saturday at Muvico Pompano with highly acclaimed independent motion pictures.

For young people and families, at 1 p.m. is Sammy 2: Escape from Paradise. A hit at the recent Cannes Film Festival, Sammy 2 is a sequel to animated Belgium film A Turtle’s Tale. While protecting a bed of hatchlings from the ocean floor, Sammy and his sidekick, Ray, are captured and sentenced to an aquarium at a swanky restaurant. According to FLIFF Director Gregory von Hausch, the 3D animation is spectacular with a funny and endearing story.

Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut, Quartet will screen at 5 p.m. Maggie Smith, Albert Finney, Billy Connolly and Tom Courtenay portray residents of Beacham House, a home for retired opera singers.

At 7 p.m. The Sapphires is the opening night film. Set in 1968 at the time of the Robert Kennedy/Martin Luther King Jr. assassinations, The Sapphires is about four young women from a remote Aboriginal Mission who become musical rivals to Diana Ross and the Supremes. Set in the backdrop of the Vietnam War, the film features pure soul music in full Dolby Digital Sound.

Stay to see Deadfall at 9 p.m. Oscar-winning director Stefan Ruzowitzky will be there.

Some of the best films this year are about music. Be on the lookout for the following toetapping documentaries on the big screen: David Bromberg, Unsung Treasure – about a musician who collaborated with George Harrison and Bob Dylan. Narrated by Bromberg, Unsung Hero features historical black & white celluloid.

Andrew Bird: Fever Year follows this unique musician on tour, while he battles chronic illness and an indifferent creative muse. Beyond the music, Fever Year features Bird’s artistic visuals of string and analog technology.

FLIFF runs Oct. 19 – Nov. 11 For details, visit ww.fliff.com.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

With Disney hype and Tim Burton’s return to artistic roots, Frankenweenie is a can’t-miss family movie in glorious black & white. With the Collector’s Edition of The Nightmare Before Christmas, Burton presented his first version of Frankenweenie, a short subject starring Daniel Stern and Shelley Duvall.

Dog lovers loved the short subject, a delightful story about a lonely boy and his dog. Presenting the Mary Shelley narrative based upon James Whale’s Boris Karloff adaptation, this film transitions from heartbreak to life appreciation. This new version of Frankenweenie presents many of the key scenes from the short subject, but the scope is much broader, perhaps too broad because the finale presents an over-the-top ending that mashes the James Whale classic with the Japanese giant monster movies that spawned Godzilla and Gamera. However, the title character is a sweetheart and the film makes a great family matinee.

As certain as the turning of the Earth and the Seminole Hurricane football rivalry in October, The Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) begins its 27th season next week. Despite costcutting measures, FLIFF will return to a sense of glamour not seen in South Florida in years.

Opening Night Gala, sponsored by Entre Nous, will be held on Oct. 19 at The Village at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale starting 7:30 p.m. Independent filmmakers will be in attendance, as well as celebs like Dabney Coleman and James Caan. Most recently seen as an aging racketeer on Boardwalk Empire, Coleman made a career in the 1980s as the quintessential male chauvinist pig. Caan worked with John Wayne in El Dorado and was the hot-tempered Sonny Corleone in The Godfather series. Caan’s resume has lived up to his original promise from the 1960s.

Local actress Bailee Madison is expected also to walk the red carpet this evening. On Oct. 21, Bailee will receive her Star on the Horizon Award at the Sunrise Civic Center in conjunction with a screening of her new movie, Cowgirls ‘n Angels, which also features veteran actor James Cromwell and Twilight heartthrob Jackson Rathbone.

Locally, FLIFF returns to Muvico Pompano for its second year. Monster mavens will be excited to know that George Romero’s original Night of the Living Dead will be exclusively screened and remastered in 3D on Halloween weekend. For more information, visit www.fliff.com.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Set in upper bourgeois New Jersey, The Oranges focuses on the Walling and Ostroff families. It’s narrated by the depressing Vanessa Walling (Alia Shawkat), who explains how she worked hard in college only to end up in her parents’ home. David (Hugh Laurie) and Paige Walling (Catherine Keener) are financially- stable people, who are actively involved in their community.

As part of the neighborhood ritual, David jogs with Terry Ostroff (Oliver Platt) three times a week. Careerdriven Carol Ostroff (Allison Janney) is concerned about her party girl daughter Nina (Leighton Meester), who used to be Vanessa’s BFF(Best Friend Forever).

In their high school days, Nina seduced a boy that Vanessa was infatuated with. The young women’s relationship is further strained when Nina seduces Vanessa’s father, David Ostroff, on Thanksgiving Day.

The Oranges details how much life can happen between Thanksgiving holidays until Christmas time. Based on the scenery, one expects a dramatic film dealing with the holiday season, much like Christmas in Connecticut or Miracle on 34th Street.

Unlike the warmth one felt from actors like Maureen O’Hara, Donna Reed and Edmund Gwen in the old days, the characters who inhabit The Oranges are hollow individuals. This is not to say that Laurie, Janney, Platt and Keener do not give good performances; it is that writers Ian Helfer and Jay Reiss wrote such shallow characters.

When the climatic scenes arrive, they feel flat and, at times, repetitious. It is only the comic timing between Keener, Platt, Janney and Laurie that force a few welltimed chuckles. That is too bad, because the ending actually has something important to say about family, friendship and the passage of time.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Gran Torino was presented as Clint Eastwood’s swan song as an actor. After staying behind the scenes directing J. Edgar,” “Hereafter” and “Invictus, Eastwood must have felt the call of Thespis for Trouble with the Curve.

There are shades of the actor’s iconic past in this role, but Trouble with the Curve is Eastwood’s sweetest movie in 32 years, since the release of Bronco Billy.

As Gus, Eastwood portrays a veteran baseball scout who is suffering from either macular degeneration or glaucoma. He is too stubborn to get his eyes tested. Since he is unable to use a computer, Gus fears future unemployment.

Enter Mickey (the adorable Amy Adams), Gus’ estranged daughter who happens to be a hot shot lawyer on the verge of a partnership with a law firm. She is recruited by family friend Pete Klein (John Goodman) to help scout a hot shot recruit who cares more about future endorsement deals than improving his batting stance.

With all these character motivations in place, Trouble with the Curve takes its sweet time to reach a conclusion that will be satisfactory for these unsatisfied characters. Much like his character in Million Dollar Baby, Eastwood’s Gus dispenses Trouble with the Curve valuable life lessons about America’s Past Time.

While Eastwood is top billed, Trouble with the Curve is really Amy Adams’ motion picture. She is a tomboy without losing any femininity and holds her own on the big screen with the iconic movie star and veteran actors in small roles – Bob Gunton, Matthew Lillard, Robert Patrick and Justin Timberlake.

It is the fine ensemble cast that elevates this film. Without Eastwood and Adams, Trouble with the Curve would just be another made-for-television drama on the Hallmark Channel.

That said, this motion picture is unlike anything on the big screen these days. In contrast to the finale of Gran Torino, Clint Eastwood is given a more iconic exit for his screen image; and it is worth it to hear the soulful Ray Charles and the Raelettes sing “You are my Sunshine” during the closing credits.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

The 27th Annual Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival will present the “Star on The Horizon Award” to 12-year-old actress and Ft. Lauderdale native Bailee Madison, who has had featured roles in Bridge to Terabithia, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark and will be seen in Parental Guidance to open this Christmas.

Madison will receive her award at the Oct. 21, 3 p.m. screening of Cowgirls N’ Angels at Sunrise Civic Center Theater (info: www.fliff.com). Madison stars as a rebellious girl who dreams of finding her father. Along the way, she makes friends with trick horse riders on the rodeo circuit.

This Sunday, Sept. 23, Madison will be selling lemonade to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness at the In Synch Cut-A-Thon in Imperial Point Shopping Plaza, 5975 N. Federal Hwy., in Ft. Lauderdale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Between making movies and school work, Bailee has been devoting her free time to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, an organization that encourages children nationwide to raise money to find a cure for childhood cancer through running their own lemonade stands. For more details about this street party called Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye, call In Synch Hair & Body Works at 954-491-4961.

Despite intense box office competition, Arbitrage held its own in limited release at the FAU Living Room Theater. It is a timely story that explains the business concept of “arbitrage” or practice of taking advantage of a price difference between two or more markets.

For many decades, Robert Miller (Richard Gere) has been a master of arbitrage on Wall Street, until his cash flow constricts. While presenting an impeccable façade to the public, Miller’s home life has become a den of iniquity.

Much praise has been given to Richard Gere’s performance, though it is a role he was born to play, given his previous three decades of work on the big screen.

As Miller’s personal fury, British actor Tim Roth steals the show as a New York cop who would love to bust a Manhattan Master of the Universe.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

We are approaching the four-year anniversary of the September stock market crash. While the market has rebounded with a better rate of return than the 2009 Federal Job Stimulus Bill, Hollywood Producers have created several movies about this subject, most notably Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.

While the Manhattan media has generated some buzz, Arbitrage opens this weekend locally. The film reteams Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon as successful robber barons from Wall Street who are nearing retirement. As we have learned from the Greek family tragedies, a simple character flaw can undermine the family dynasty.

Limping along at the box office is ParaNorman, a stop-motion animated film. This poorly-marketed movie is a gem of a monster movie that has generated much positive word of mouth. If you get a chance, see ParaNorman on the big screen before it is too late; it is the best animated film of the year.

The film opens in a New England neighborhood that looks eerily similar to that of Haddonfield, Elm Street and Chrystal Lake. Young Norman is a freaky kid who sees dead people. Since Norman is basically a nice kid, he gets along with the ghosts that haunt his neighborhood.

Enter the scary and bloated Mr. Prenderghast, who warns Norman about the 300-yearold curse of the Old Witch. Like Norman, Mr. Prenderghast sees ghosts and has failed to warn the town of the Old Witch’s revenge.

With such a Gothic setup, ParaNorman succeeds by being contemporary fable. Frightening at first, zombies rising from their graves are less scary than mob rule inspired by reality television shows like Jersey Shore and Honey Boo Boo.

Besides telling an entertaining story for both children and adults, ParaNorman succeeds by presenting a fable worthy of Aesop. We learn that the cause of the Old Witch’s curse is a contemporary problem that has been the plague of all public schools. ParaNorman can provide a great resource for a lesson about bullying.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Eight years ago, Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 911 earned $222 million, thus becoming the highest grossing documentary of all time. It should be noted that Moore received $666 million in free public relations from the major news networks, while American troops were fighting two wars against al-Qaeda in Iraq and Afghanistan.

With far less support from the mainstream media, 2016: Obama’s America is quietly filling theater seats across the nation.

Lacking Michael Moore’s artistic flair, directors John Sullivan and Dinesh D’Souza present their case in a no nonsense style. Not trying to press emotional buttons, Sullivan and D’Souza challenge the intelligence of the ticket buyers.

The first half of this film provides a good history lesson for people not familiar with the malaise of Jimmy Carter’s presidency. The second half of the film predicts what the world could be like if Obama wins a second term on Nov. 6. One premise seems certain – that Obama’s policies are not about helping the poor, but stripping the wealthy.

Michael Moore and his sycophants are not likely to watch 2016: Obama’s America, but those seeking an informed opinion may want to catch this flick at a matinee price. When the film concluded, people applauded. While the credits rolled, a man shouted “Vote Romney” and the Monday afternoon crowd applauded again.

Despite some amazing blockbuster performances from Marvel’s The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises, the summer of 2012 will be remembered for the loss of many fine actors with connection to South Florida: Ben Gazzara, Ernest Borgnine, Celeste Holm and G-Star teacher Ron Palillo, best known for his work on Welcome Back, Kotter.

The latest loss is Michael Clarke Duncan. Best known for his Oscar-nominated performance in The Green Mile, Michael was a big man with a basso profundo voice utilized for many television commercials and animated features, most notably Brother Bear and both Kung Fu Panda movies.

Like a big kid, Michael loved being associated with action movies, especially comic book adaptations like Sin City and Daredevil. These roles made Michael more approachable to children. While receiving his award from the 2004 Palm Beach International Film Festival, Michael visited Palm Beach schools and encouraged students, “You can do anything.”