For many of us, Richard Gere will always be the knight in a limo who fell for the goofy (and gorgeous) prostitute in Pretty Woman, played by Julia Roberts. Despite having also starred in films as diverse as An Officer and a Gentleman, Days of Heaven, Chicago and I’m Not There he will always be defined by Pretty Woman. Last year though he delivered another gritty performance to remind us he’s not done yet, playing a highflying businessman in the thriller Arbitrage. It’s a great film and reminds us that while Gere has a face for romantic comedies he can also really act.
Here are my highlights for the week...
For many of us, Richard Gere will always be the knight in a limo who fell for the goofy (and gorgeous) prostitute in Pretty Woman, played by Julia Roberts. Despite having also starred in films as diverse as An Officer and a Gentleman, Days of Heaven, Chicago and I’m Not There he will always be defined by Pretty Woman. Last year though he delivered another gritty performance to remind us he’s not done yet, playing a highflying businessman in the thriller Arbitrage. It’s a great film and reminds us that while Gere has a face for romantic comedies he can also really act.
Here are my highlights for the week.
Starring: Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Tim Roth
Directed by: Nicholas Jarecki
Premiering: Saturday 31st August, 8.30pm
Written and directed by Nicholas Jarecki, Arbitrage tells the story of New York hedge-fund magnate Robert Miller (Gere), whose life takes a nasty turn the week he turns 60. Desperate to sell his company before a fraud is revealed, Robert is struggling to live up to his reputation as the perfect businessman and family man after a car accident involving his mistress brings Detective Michael Bryer (Roth) into his life. Tautly written and with confident performances by Richard Gere and his supporting cast, Arbitrage is an engaging thriller filled with flawed characters who will keep you guessing until the end.
Starring: A Tribe Called Quest, Adam Horovitz, Mos Def and Common
Directed by: Michael Rapaport
Premiering: Thursday 29th August, 8.30pm
You don’t have to be a hip-hop fan to enjoy this music documentary about one of the most influential hip hop groups of our time. If you’re expecting a typical rock ‘n’ roll story you’ll be surprised – there’s no descent into drugs or alcohol. Rapaport’s documentary respectfully places the band’s achievements in music history, while exploring the more personal challenges they have faced. This lengthy titled documentary takes us through the boys’ formation, successes and, ultimately, demise; using archive footage, interviews with the band, a broad range of contributors, and a good dose of the beats and rhymes that made A Tribe Called Quest world famous.
Directed by: Mark Cousins
Premiering: Every Sunday evening at 7.25pm
I really enjoyed Martin Scorsese's A Personal Journey Through American Cinema, so I reckon I’m going to love Mark Cousin’s epic history of cinema The Story of Film: An Odyssey. Mark Cousins was the director of the Edinburgh Film Festival 1996-1997 and while there he established the 'Scene by Scene' interview format with actors and directors; later turned into a BBC2 series with Cousins as presenter and director. His latest venture is an ambitious documentary that takes us from how the film art form was born through to the present day. This isn’t just a tale about Hollywood, Cousins also takes us on a journey through world cinema, exploring the places and people who’ve pushed the boundaries over the years. I haven’t seen this 15 episode series yet but I have cleared out the My SKY planner in anticipation!
Congratulations to our Thursday blog competition winners. Aimee and Joe have each won a double pass to see The Patience Stone! Enjoy.