list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around Empire Falls on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/Empire_Falls/238512/default.aspx Title: Empire Falls
Year: 2005
Director: Fred Schepisi
Plot: This two-part HBO miniseries is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Richard Russo. Having long since sacrificed youthful ideals and values to remain in his New England hometown for the sake of his family, middle-aged Miles Roby (Ed Harris) finds his "secure" little world disintegrating when his wife, Janine (Helen Hunt), divorces him. Equally vexing is the emotional and financial pressure exerted by domineering town matriarch Francine Whiting (Joanne Woodward), who owns (among other things) the Empire Grill, the little diner that Ed has run for several years. As he reflects on what he considers to be a wasted life, Ed flashes back to memories of his curmudgeonly father, Max (Paul Newman, who also executive-produced the miniseries); his long-dead mother, Grace (Robin Wright Penn); his scapegrace brother, David (Aidan Quinn); his blossoming daughter "Tick" (Danielle Panabaker); and Francine's late husband, C.B. Whiting (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Also tied in with Miles' reminiscences is the spectacular saga of the rise and fall of Empire Falls, a once-prosperous mill town that has fallen into disrepair -- as have the town's once-rigid and inviolate social barriers. Despite the initial bleakness of Miles' plight, and the revelation of innumerable family skeletons as the plot progresses, the story is ultimately both heartwarming and life-affirming. Filmed on location in Maine, Empire Falls originally aired on May 28 and 29, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Number of Lists: 8
Number of blog posts: 2
Number of discussion threads: 1
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Sun, 28 Sep 2008 19:01:55 GMTEmpire Falls2005Fred SchepisiThis two-part HBO miniseries is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Richard Russo. Having long since sacrificed youthful ideals and values to remain in his New England hometown for the sake of his family, middle-aged Miles Roby (<a href="/players/P____30614/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Ed Harris</a>) finds his "secure" little world disintegrating when his wife, Janine (<a href="/players/P____33968/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Helen Hunt</a>), divorces him. Equally vexing is the emotional and financial pressure exerted by domineering town matriarch Francine Whiting (<a href="/players/P___117305/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Joanne Woodward</a>), who owns (among other things) the Empire Grill, the little diner that Ed has run for several years. As he reflects on what he considers to be a wasted life, Ed flashes back to memories of his curmudgeonly father, Max (<a href="/players/P___104390/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Paul Newman</a>, who also executive-produced the miniseries); his long-dead mother, Grace (<a href="/players/P____77633/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Robin Wright Penn</a>); his scapegrace brother, David (<a href="/players/P____58261/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Aidan Quinn</a>); his blossoming daughter "Tick" (<a href="/players/P___365039/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Danielle Panabaker</a>); and Francine's late husband, C.B. Whiting (<a href="/players/P____32716/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Philip Seymour Hoffman</a>). Also tied in with Miles' reminiscences is the spectacular saga of the rise and fall of Empire Falls, a once-prosperous mill town that has fallen into disrepair -- as have the town's once-rigid and inviolate social barriers. Despite the initial bleakness of Miles' plight, and the revelation of innumerable family skeletons as the plot progresses, the story is ultimately both heartwarming and life-affirming. Filmed on location in Maine, Empire Falls originally aired on May 28 and 29, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide8213http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u50869r3pg7.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Empire_Falls/238512/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/9/28/35661.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 9/28/2008 3:01:55 PM
Body: Paul Newman passed away on Friday after a long battle with cancer, and he will be sorely missed. As early as May he had been planning to direct a stage version of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, but he had to cancel due to his health. He’s a winner of every major award an actor can pull down, from Oscar to Emmy, and he appeared in over 50 feature films. Besides his work in film, television and on the stage, he also served in World War II, and has been a longtime humanitarian. Paul Newman retired from acting in May of 2007, but he left behind a large body of work that should be in your Netflix queue or on your shelf at home. Here’s a look at some of his best films, and why you should be watching them in tribute. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Arguably the film Newman is the most famous for, this was the first pairing of Redford and Newman. Although originally it was to be Steve McQueen and Paul Newman, and then a handful of other stars, including Jack Lemmon, until Redford finally got the part. However, Newman was originally supposed to play Sundance, and Redford to play Butch. What a different movie that would have been. A great followup to this pairing is The Sting, but avoid the sequel that doesn’t have Newman or Redford in it. The Hustler The Hustler stands to this day as a cinematic masterpiece, and Newman’s performance in it stands among his very best. Singer/actor Bobby Darrin was supposed to star in this film, but Newman made the role his own and made “Fast Eddie” Felton into a film legend. The far inferior 1986 sequel The Color of Money with Tom Cruise doesn’t hold a candle to the original, but Newman won his Best Actor Oscar for his reprisal of the Felton role, but most critics agree this was a nod to his role in The Hustler. Hud This movie is an adaptation of Larry McMurtry’s early novella Horseman, Pass By, and saw Newman nominated for Best Actor in his portrayal of the “man with the barbed-wire soul.” It actually won for Best Supporting Actor, Actress, and Cinematography, but it is Newman’s selfishly hard-hearted modern day cowboy that holds this movie together and makes it worth watching more than once. Cool Hand Luke Newman’s portrayal of a prisoner who just won’t submit to the system and the will of the warden will be remembered forever, and it’ll come to mind every time you eat a hard-boiled egg. It’s famous for the line “What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate,” and some of the best scenes ever of Newman grinning from ear to ear. If you’re a nonconformist, like Newman often was in his acting choice, you’ll love this movie. The Hudsucker Proxy This is a dark horse among the Coen Brothers films, but it’s my favorite of theirs right after Miller’s Crossing. Newman’s portrayal of a cigar-chomping business executive who growls out all of his lines is classic, although this film only grossed $3 million dollars at the box office, and was the Coens biggest flop. Still, it is well worth watching, if just for Newman. He literally chews up the scenery. Road to Perdition This was Paul Newman’s final feature film, although he did go on to star in HBO’s Empire Falls and to lend his voice to the Disney/Pixar hit Cars. Newman plays Irish mob boss John Rooney to Tom Hanks’ Michael Sullivan, and reportedly had author Frank McCourt send him tapes of himself speaking so he could get the voice right. It’s a tragic role for Newman, and a fitting swan song to his entire career. They definitely don’t make ‘em like him anymore. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Sun, 28 Sep 2008 19:01:55 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com9/28/2008 3:01:55 PM Paul Newman passed away on Friday after a long battle with cancer, and he will be sorely missed. As early as May he had been planning to direct a stage version of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, but he had to cancel due to his health. He’s a winner of every major award an actor can pull down, from Oscar to Emmy, and he appeared in over 50 feature films. Besides his work in film, television and on the stage, he also served in World War II, and has been a longtime humanitarian. Paul Newman retired from acting in May of 2007, but he left behind a large body of work that should be in your Netflix queue or on your shelf at home. Here’s a look at some of his best films, and why you should be watching them in tribute. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Arguably the film Newman is the most famous for, this was the first pairing of Redford and Newman. Although originally it was to be Steve McQueen and Paul Newman, and then a handful of other stars, including Jack Lemmon, until Redford finally got the part. However, Newman was originally supposed to play Sundance, and Redford to play Butch. What a different movie that would have been. A great followup to this pairing is The Sting, but avoid the sequel that doesn’t have Newman or Redford in it. The Hustler The Hustler stands to this day as a cinematic masterpiece, and Newman’s performance in it stands among his very best. Singer/actor Bobby Darrin was supposed to star in this film, but Newman made the role his own and made “Fast Eddie” Felton into a film legend. The far inferior 1986 sequel The Color of Money with Tom Cruise doesn’t hold a candle to the original, but Newman won his Best Actor Oscar for his reprisal of the Felton role, but most critics agree this was a nod to his role in The Hustler. Hud This movie is an adaptation of Larry McMurtry’s early novella Horseman, Pass By, and saw Newman nominated for Best Actor in his portrayal of the “man with the barbed-wire soul.” It actually won for Best Supporting Actor, Actress, and Cinematography, but it is Newman’s selfishly hard-hearted modern day cowboy that holds this movie together and makes it worth watching more than once. Cool Hand Luke Newman’s portrayal of a prisoner who just won’t submit to the system and the will of the warden will be remembered forever, and it’ll come to mind every time you eat a hard-boiled egg. It’s famous for the line “What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate,” and some of the best scenes ever of Newman grinning from ear to ear. If you’re a nonconformist, like Newman often was in his acting choice, you’ll love this movie. The Hudsucker Proxy This is a dark horse among the Coen Brothers films, but it’s my favorite of theirs right after Miller’s Crossing. Newman’s portrayal of a cigar-chomping business executive who growls out all of his lines is classic, although this film only grossed $3 million dollars at the box office, and was the Coens biggest flop. Still, it is well worth watching, if just for Newman. He literally chews up the scenery. Road to Perdition This was Paul Newman’s final feature film, although he did go on to star in HBO’s Empire Falls and to lend his voice to the Disney/Pixar hit Cars. Newman plays Irish mob boss John Rooney to Tom Hanks’ Michael Sullivan, and reportedly had author Frank McCourt send him tapes of himself speaking so he could get the voice right. It’s a tragic role for Newman, and a fitting swan song to his entire career. They definitely don’t make ‘em like him anymore. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/groups/Spout_Mavens/Re_Wilby_Wonderful/366/17277/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: indieabby88
Post To: Spout Mavens
Post Date: 8/4/2007 6:37:16 PM
Body: When I recieved "Wilby Wonderful" and read the synopsis, I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed. It just didn't sound that exciting. I started watching the movie, trying to be as open-minded as possible, but really under the impression that I was going to come away bored.All I can say is: boy was I wrong. "Wilby Wonderful" is a great movie, full of interesting characters and a setting that almost seems like a character by itself. The movie plays out like a Canadian "Empire Falls" with different plots and subplots that are loosely connected at first, but intertwine more and more as the film goes on.The plots directly (and indirectly) center around 24 hours in the island town of Wilby, Nova Scotia, where the local newspaper is planning to publish the names of several townspeople suspected of homosexual acts at the Wilby Watch, a stretch of woods along the island's coastline.One of the men afraid of being outed to the community is Dan (James Allodi), whose wife divorced him after he came out of the closet to her. The depressed Dan's frequent attempts at suicide are continually, and comically, interrupted throughout the movie.Duck (Callum Keith Rennie) is a painter who stops Dan's first almost-suicide in the opening shots of the film. His concern for Dan causes Duck to follow him around and eventually fall in love with him.Dan's realtor Carol (Sandra Oh) is a constantly busy career woman who is not only trying to sell Dan's house, but her late mother-in-law's house as well. She's also taken charge of the town festival, "Wilby Days," and is in a position of power on the merchant's committee. The only thing she isn't successful at is her marriage to Buddy (Paul Gross, of "Slings and Arrows"), which is quickly going down the tubes.Buddy is having an affair with Sandra (Rebecca Jenkins), a single mother and prodigal daughter of Wilby, who has returned to manage a diner with her daughter Emily (Ellen Page). Emily has plenty of issues with her mother, as well as a new boyfriend who she likes, but is cautious around.Although the movie's various plots take a while to get going, once the movie kicks into high gear, it's a real joy to watch, with each scene leading up to an unexpectedly hilarious climax. Writer/director Daniel MacIvor has created characters and situations that are so realistic they seem as though you've experienced them yourself. I ended up really caring about these characters and, ultimately, even the town. As in real life, this movie takes its time but, overall, is funny, sweet, poignant and thoughtful. For the viewers, the good things in "Wilby Wonderful" come to those who wait.
]]>Sat, 04 Aug 2007 22:37:16 GMTindieabby88Spout Mavens8/4/2007 6:37:16 PMWhen I recieved "Wilby Wonderful" and read the synopsis, I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed. It just didn&#39;t sound that exciting. I started watching the movie, trying to be as open-minded as possible, but really under the impression that I was going to come away bored.All I can say is: boy was I wrong. "Wilby Wonderful" is a great movie, full of interesting characters and a setting that almost seems like a character by itself. The movie plays out like a Canadian "Empire Falls" with different plots and subplots that are loosely connected at first, but intertwine more and more as the film goes on.The plots directly (and indirectly) center around 24 hours in the island town of Wilby, Nova Scotia, where the local newspaper is planning to publish the names of several townspeople suspected of homosexual acts at the Wilby Watch, a stretch of woods along the island&#39;s coastline.One of the men afraid of being outed to the community is Dan (James Allodi), whose wife divorced him after he came out of the closet to her. The depressed Dan&#39;s frequent attempts at suicide are continually, and comically, interrupted throughout the movie.Duck (Callum Keith Rennie) is a painter who stops Dan&#39;s first almost-suicide in the opening shots of the film. His concern for Dan causes Duck to follow him around and eventually fall in love with him.Dan&#39;s realtor Carol (Sandra Oh) is a constantly busy career woman who is not only trying to sell Dan&#39;s house, but her late mother-in-law&#39;s house as well. She&#39;s also taken charge of the town festival, "Wilby Days," and is in a position of power on the merchant&#39;s committee. The only thing she isn&#39;t successful at is her marriage to Buddy (Paul Gross, of "Slings and Arrows"), which is quickly going down the tubes.Buddy is having an affair with Sandra (Rebecca Jenkins), a single mother and prodigal daughter of Wilby, who has returned to manage a diner with her daughter Emily (Ellen Page). Emily has plenty of issues with her mother, as well as a new boyfriend who she likes, but is cautious around.Although the movie&#39;s various plots take a while to get going, once the movie kicks into high gear, it&#39;s a real joy to watch, with each scene leading up to an unexpectedly hilarious climax. Writer/director Daniel MacIvor has created characters and situations that are so realistic they seem as though you&#39;ve experienced them yourself. I ended up really caring about these characters and, ultimately, even the town. As in real life, this movie takes its time but, overall, is funny, sweet, poignant and thoughtful. For the viewers, the good things in "Wilby Wonderful" come to those who wait. http://www.spout.com/blogs/indieabby88/archive/2007/8/4/17276.aspx Post By: indieabby88
Post To: Bloggish review blog
Post Date: 8/4/2007 5:47:00 PM
Body: When I recieved "Wilby Wonderful" and read the synopsis, I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed. It just didn't sound that exciting. I started watching the movie, trying to be as open-minded as possible, but really under the impression that I was going to come away bored.All I can say is: boy was I wrong. "Wilby Wonderful" is a great movie, full of interesting characters and a setting that almost seems like a character by itself. The movie plays out like a Canadian "Empire Falls" with different plots and subplots that are loosely connected at first, but intertwine more and more as the film goes on.The plots directly (and indirectly) center around 24 hours in the island town of Wilby, Nova Scotia, where the local newspaper is planning to publish the names of several townspeople suspected of homosexual acts at the Wilby Watch, a stretch of woods along the island's coastline.One of the men afraid of being outed to the community is Dan (James Allodi), whose wife divorced him after he came out of the closet to her. The depressed Dan's frequent attempts at suicide are continually, and comically, interrupted throughout the movie.Duck (Callum Keith Rennie) is a painter who stops Dan's first almost-suicide in the opening shots of the film. His concern for Dan causes Duck to follow him around and eventually fall in love with him.Dan's realtor Carol (Sandra Oh) is a constantly busy career woman who is not only trying to sell Dan's house, but her late mother-in-law's house as well. She's also taken charge of the town festival, "Wilby Days," and is in a position of power on the merchant's committee. The only thing she isn't successful at is her marriage to Buddy (Paul Gross, of "Slings and Arrows"), which is quickly going down the tubes.Buddy is having an affair with Sandra (Rebecca Jenkins), a single mother and prodigal daughter of Wilby, who has returned to manage a diner with her daughter Emily (Ellen Page). Emily has plenty of issues with her mother, as well as a new boyfriend who she likes, but is cautious around.Although the movie's various plots take a while to get going, once the movie kicks into high gear, it's a real joy to watch, with each scene leading up to an unexpectedly hilarious climax. Writer/director Daniel MacIvor has created characters and situations that are so realistic they seem as though you've experienced them yourself. I ended up really caring about these characters and, ultimately, even the town. As in real life, this movie takes its time but, overall, is funny, sweet, poignant and thoughtful. For the viewers, the good things in "Wilby Wonderful" come to those who wait.
]]>Sat, 04 Aug 2007 21:47:00 GMTindieabby88Bloggish review blog8/4/2007 5:47:00 PMWhen I recieved "Wilby Wonderful" and read the synopsis, I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed. It just didn&#39;t sound that exciting. I started watching the movie, trying to be as open-minded as possible, but really under the impression that I was going to come away bored.All I can say is: boy was I wrong. "Wilby Wonderful" is a great movie, full of interesting characters and a setting that almost seems like a character by itself. The movie plays out like a Canadian "Empire Falls" with different plots and subplots that are loosely connected at first, but intertwine more and more as the film goes on.The plots directly (and indirectly) center around 24 hours in the island town of Wilby, Nova Scotia, where the local newspaper is planning to publish the names of several townspeople suspected of homosexual acts at the Wilby Watch, a stretch of woods along the island&#39;s coastline.One of the men afraid of being outed to the community is Dan (James Allodi), whose wife divorced him after he came out of the closet to her. The depressed Dan&#39;s frequent attempts at suicide are continually, and comically, interrupted throughout the movie.Duck (Callum Keith Rennie) is a painter who stops Dan&#39;s first almost-suicide in the opening shots of the film. His concern for Dan causes Duck to follow him around and eventually fall in love with him.Dan&#39;s realtor Carol (Sandra Oh) is a constantly busy career woman who is not only trying to sell Dan&#39;s house, but her late mother-in-law&#39;s house as well. She&#39;s also taken charge of the town festival, "Wilby Days," and is in a position of power on the merchant&#39;s committee. The only thing she isn&#39;t successful at is her marriage to Buddy (Paul Gross, of "Slings and Arrows"), which is quickly going down the tubes.Buddy is having an affair with Sandra (Rebecca Jenkins), a single mother and prodigal daughter of Wilby, who has returned to manage a diner with her daughter Emily (Ellen Page). Emily has plenty of issues with her mother, as well as a new boyfriend who she likes, but is cautious around.Although the movie&#39;s various plots take a while to get going, once the movie kicks into high gear, it&#39;s a real joy to watch, with each scene leading up to an unexpectedly hilarious climax. Writer/director Daniel MacIvor has created characters and situations that are so realistic they seem as though you&#39;ve experienced them yourself. I ended up really caring about these characters and, ultimately, even the town. As in real life, this movie takes its time but, overall, is funny, sweet, poignant and thoughtful. For the viewers, the good things in "Wilby Wonderful" come to those who wait. http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/restaurant/MemberTagFilms.aspxrestaurant
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