Matthew McConaughey has been on a major roll lately. He has tackled parts in substantive films out of the Hollywood mainstream. One is the eponymous protagonist of Mud (2012), which I viewed last night courtesy of Netflix. This was writer-director Jeff Nichols’ third stint at the helm. While there are holes in the script, the main theme of the difficulty and pain of love is well-rendered. I’d forgotten his previous works: Shotgun Stories (2007) and Take Shelter (2011), both of which starred Michael Shannon, who has a minor role here. The performances are fantastic, genuine, especially those of the two teenagers, Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland. They give the scenario an authentic feel, so unlike most screen teens. And there is yeoman work from a great supporting cast: Reese Witherspoon, Joe Don Baker, Sam Shepard, Ray McKinnon, Sarah Paulson and Paul Sparks. The names of the latter three may be unfamiliar - they were to me - but their faces won’t be. They’ve been around. As far as a rating, I’ve been making an error in posting the consensus of the users at IMDb. I’ve been using the number of people who actually wrote reviews rather than those who simply rated a film. In this instance 82,000+ forge to a consensus of 7.5, which is right on the money in my view. The plot is simple: the two boys help the protagonist, a fugitive pursued not only by authorities but by the powerful family of the man he killed. That is resolved rather conventionally. What elevates the film is the realistic characters. It is refreshing to see humanity portrayed so effectively. I look forward the Nichols’ next work.
RIP Maya Angelou, 86, author of a seven volume autobiographical series. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which details her life until age 17, launched her to literary superstardom. She also wrote poetry and screenplays, and acted. Her successful acting career included roles in numerous plays,
films and television programs, including an appearance in the
television mini-series Roots (1977). Her screenplay, Georgia, Georgia
(1972), was the first original script by a black woman to be produced,
and she was the first African American woman to direct a major motion
picture, Down in the Delta (1998). Kudos.
The floating book shop had great luck today. The take was modest but, given the raw weather and the fact that the Russian books I had on display were, as one of my regulars described, "Sovietica," I'm grateful to have earned more than enough for a chicken plate at Waj's gyro stand. Thanks, folks.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Horror Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
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