lifestyle MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2015 MOVIES

BIFF ‘Queen ‘Birdman’ bests ‘Boyhood’ of the Desert’ on the road to the Oscars is no history lesson he long takes of Alejandro Inarritu’s In a special segment, Steven Spielberg also fter opening with an Arctic adventure, the “Birdman” won out over the long pro- announced that starting in 2016, the DGA Berlin International Film Festival heated up duction of Richard Linklater’s will award a prize for first-time feature film Friday with “Queen of the Desert,” a film about T A “Boyhood” at the Directors Guild Awards directors. “If we were to travel back in our British diplomat and spy Gertrude Bell starring Nicole Saturday. Both formally ambitious in very legacy, we might have honored Orson Kidman and James Franco. The film about Bell, who different ways, “Boyhood” and “Birdman” Welles for his masterpiece ‘Citizen Kane’ or played a key role in reshaping the Middle East during have been neck-in-neck throughout the Sidney Lumet for ‘12 Angry Men,’” said the early 20th century, comes at a time of renewed awards race. But after dominating the act- Spielberg. “Our hope is this new award will turmoil in the region. But director Werner Herzog ing and producing guild awards, Inarritu’s shine a light on up-and-coming voices.” insists it’s just a story, not a history lesson, and doesn’t tale about a washed-up actor looking for The solid predictive track record of the attempt to criticize those who carved up the Middle some authenticity on the New York stage DGAs might suggest that there was a cut- East by drawing lines in the sand 100 years ago. appears to have the edge in the lead up to throat air to the proceedings, and yet even The borders that were drawn - such as those the Oscars. among the feature film nominees the spirit between present-day Syria and Iraq - “had a certain There are no sure things when it comes of the evening was celebratory and retro- validity, in particular, when we look at today’s to Hollywood awards, but a DGA win at spective. Prior to his win, Inarritu spoke of attempts to create an Islamic State that has no borders least makes Inarritu’s ascent to Oscar domi- his fascination with Linklater and anymore and has Sharia law in its strictest form,” nance nearly inevitable. The guild dispens- Anderson’s choices in their films and the Herzog told reporters. The German director’s refusal to es awards to directors in TV and movie cat- privilege of getting to know his fellow get too deeply into Britain and France’s colonial egories, and only seven times in the history nominees. Linklater took the peer rever- involvement in the Middle East apparently extended of the DGAs has a director not gone on to ence even further. “I love the traditions and to his leading star. win the Academy Award. “If this is consid- the history of the DGA,” said Linklater in his “I tried to get Werner to give me a history lesson ered a great film, it has nothing to do with nominees speech. He told the audience and he was like ‘Nicole, this is too extensive, I cannot me,” Inarritu said. “It is a miracle.” In addition that he was advised when he received his do this,’” Kidman said. At least cinema goers may come to Linklater, Inarritu beat out feature film DGA card to get his heroes to sign it, not away remembering Bell, who wandered across the nominees Wes Anderson (“The Grand just three friends. Linklater proudly said deserts seeking out tribal leaders and ancient artifacts Budapest Hotel”), Morten Tyldum (“The Recipient of the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film award that the signatures on his card are Francis at a time when few Westerners made any attempts to Imitation Game”) and Clint Eastwood Alejandro G Inarritu (Birdman) and Steven Spielberg pose in the press room at the Ford Coppola, Peter Bogdanovich and understand the Arabs. “I knew nothing about her. (“”) to win the film direct- 67th Annual Directors Guild Awards. —AFP Robert Altman. Public nods to creative That’s partly the reason I wanted to make the film, ing trophy. They’ll face off again Feb 22 for 10 categories. Winners included Jill women get up to bat, they do pretty well.” idols didn’t stop with Linklater, though. because I wanted people to know about her,” said the best director Oscar, with the exception Soloway for the TV comedy “Transparent,” Other winners were Anthony B Sacco for Backstage Inarritu told reporters that he Kidman. “We talk about Laurence of Arabia, but we’ve of Eastwood, who was not nominated. Lisa Cholodenko for the TV movie/minis- the reality series “The Chair,” Jonathan was wearing Billy Wilder’s tie and Raymond never heard of Gertrude Bell.” Instead, “Foxcatcher” filmmaker Bennett eries “Olive Kitteridge,” Laura Poitras for the Judge for the children’s program “100 Carver’s shirt, a partial nod to the promi- Miller is up for that honor at the Academy documentary “Citizenfour” and Lesli Linka Things to Do Before High School,” Glenn nence of Carver’s short story “What We Talk Blast from the past Awards. While the feature film category Glatter for the TV drama “Homeland.” “It’s Weiss for the 68th annual Tony Awards, About When We Talk About Love” in Andrew Haigh’s film “45 Years,” which premieres in was undeniably male-dominated, women been a good night for gals,” said Linka Dave Diomedi for “The Tonight Show” and “Birdman.” “I’m just a humble guy wearing Berlin, examines what happens when an uninvited took the top prize in four of the evening’s Glatter backstage. “I think when you see Nicolai Fuglsig for a Guinness commercial. those masters,” he said. — AP guest turns up and threatens to spoil a party - even a guest long dead. Geoff and Kate Mercer, played by Tom Courtenay and Charlotte Rampling, are preparing for their 45th wedding anniversary when Geoff learns Academy Sci-Tech Awards: that the body of his former girlfriend, who died in the Swiss Alps 50 years ago, has been found in the thaw- ing ice. Her memory causes Geoff to re-examine his Women make a stand past and romanticize the life he never had. In real life, Rampling makes sure to avoid lecturing younger col- leagues about how to lead their lives. “I never give ver the years, the Academy’s Scientific & Technical of Merit went to Larry Hornbeck for the invention of the digital advice - until I’m asked for it,” she said. Awards banquet has been called many things: warm, micro-mirrors that form the heart of DLP cinema projectors. One person who won’t be showing up at the 65th Ointimate, classy and, at its best, emotional. But one Hornbeck said “My father taught me by example to ask the Berlinale is Jafar Panahi, the Iranian director of “Taxi,” description that has never been associated with the Sci-Techs is question ‘Why?’ and go out and find the answer.” He added “I which is also competing for the festival’s Golden Bear “a hoot.” Until tonight that is. For 2015 the Sci-Techs traded a humbly accept this award on behalf of every engineer who ever top prize this year. Iranian authorities have forbidden smidgen of elegance for a few megawatts of electricity, much of had a dream of doing anything.” Panahi from leaving the country since 2010. So, it provided by Margot Robbie. Robbie co-hosted the presenta- The second Oscar and final award of the night went to instead, he takes viewers on a series of taxi rides tion with Miles Teller, and the pair bantered like a comedy team. sound expert David Gray, the Gordon E Sawyer honoree. Gray through the Iranian capital of Tehran in his film. “It is a Both had moments to shine and each got laughs, but it was warned the audience he would speak at some length, saying kind of humor, it is not a sad movie,” said festival Robbie who stole the show, bringing a loose charm and infec- “This is only going to happen to me once, so I’m going to take director Dieter Kosslick. “There is a lot of humor, but tious energy to her hosting duties. She turned what could have advantage.” He recalled his time in the 1970s as a roadie for of course they tackle some problems that you can been a laborious litany of technical jargon into a lively and Steely Dan, the Kinks and Frank Zappa, recalling he once built have in Iran. Jafar himself is the cab driver, so you sometimes uproarious evening. Zappa a synthesizer to make a guitar sound like a French horn. see him. And actually you see him in a good mood, Some 59 individuals were honored at the banquet. One of “It was horrible,” he said. “It was so stupid... But when we added which is really good.” The festival has kept an empty the early presentations showed why the Sci-Techs can be about 20 percent distortion, the result was magical.” chair for Panahi ever since his government refused endearing: As honoree Steven Tiffen stepped up to accept an him permission to attend four years ago. “We will Award of Commendation, a voice shouted “That’s my dad!” A love of film keep this until the moment that he comes. Maybe Tiffen smiled and said “That’s my son,” adding “Third generation Gray said he had a love for the film industry and especially a he will take a taxi,” said Kosslick. — AP Tiffen in the business.” love of sound. “I doubt I will ever be as proud,” he said, “and I’ll never be as excited as I am right now.” The show was a depar- First female honoree ture from previous years in several ways. First, after a couple of The acceptances-as usual-comprised a parade of men years at the Beverly Hills Hotel, the event returned to the more thanking their wives and girlfriends. Almost 50 had been to the spacious ballroom at the Beverly Wilshire. Academy governor podium before the first and only female honoree of the night Richard Edlund called the BevWilshire “our favorite venue”- made her way to the stage: Colette Mullenhoff, one of four hon- about as close to criticism of the other venue as one would hear orees cited for the Industrial Light & Magic Shape Sculpting at the dignified Sci-Techs. System. They were met with the night’s loudest cheers and a Gone was the usual live jazz combo for the event, replaced standing ovation led by-but not limited to-the women in the by a DJ playing a contemporary mix. And the hosts’ script was audience. Nobody had to ask why. Robbie was among the peppered with jokes, as if it had occurred to the event’s produc- femmes cheering, as she held her hands high to clap and the ers to take advantage of having two hosts-a relatively recent audience roared. innovation. And then there was Robbie, whose laughter and Teller quipped “We’re breaking down barriers here.” energy disarmed audience and honorees alike. As Robbie intro- Mullenhoff appeared humbled and a bit shaken by the recep- duced Open VDB, a system for efficiently storing “voxels” for 3- tion. There were laughs and bittersweet moments at the podi- dimensional vfx rendering, started to laugh and confessed “I um as well. Ron Fedkiw, honored with Brice Criswell for the ILM don’t know why this sounds so sexual to me,” eventually laugh- PhysBAM Destruction System, thanked “all the supervillains and ing so hard she had to leave the stage. Returning with a drink, giant monsters that like to destroy stuff-and keep us in busi- and wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, she proposed a ness.” Scott Peterson, one of four honorees for the Dreamworks drinking game: a swig every time she said “voxel.” After dessert, Animation Foliage System, dedicated the award to Pacific Data Greg LaSalle of Digital Domain brought a glass of wine to the Images, the Bay Area animation facility recently closed in DWA’s podium for his acceptance “in case someone said ‘voxel.’” And, in People walk past a poster for the movie “American cutbacks. “(PDI) made this possible by creating an institution faux dismay, cursed and took a drink. Robbie also had several Sniper”, where the film had been completely sold out where art and science combined to create beautiful images.” His “geek” moments including noting the size difference between for the first two weeks of showings. The film is project- Co-hosts Miles Teller and Margot Robbie pose together co-honoree Jeff Budsberg said of the laid-off PDI artists: “My different classes of “Star Trek” starships. If the Australian beauty ed to stay a top of the BO as new releases are perform- before the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and heart goes out to them.” is indeed that much of a genre-lover, an entire generation of ing poorly. — AP Sciences’ 87th Scientific and Technical Awards. — AP Two Oscar statuettes were presented. The Academy Award fanboys may be ruined for other women. —Reuters Two Hollywood flops in one weekend Q & A on the ‘American Sniper’

t’s not often that Hollywood releases two major theatrical murder trial bombs on the same weekend. But that’s what happened when I“Jupiter Ascending” and “Seventh Son” both crashed in US the- raq War veteran Eddie Ray Routh is preparing to stand receive a fair trial, since the proceeding, set to begin Feb aters on Friday. Warner Bros’ “Jupiter Ascending,” starring trial, charged with capital murder in the shootings of 11, will come as the Oscar-nominated movie “American and , is quickly falling in box office “American Sniper” author and former Navy SEAL Chris Sniper,” based on Kyle’s memoir, is filling theaters nation- estimates to a skimpy $18 million opening. With a budget of $175 I million, ’ sci-fi tentpole could lose tens of millions Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield. Routh’s post-traumatic wide and even in Erath County, Texas, where trial will be barring a dramatic turnaround overseas. The forecast for stress disorder brought the men together, as Kyle and held. Universal and Legendary’s long-delayed “Seventh Son,” starring Littlefield sought to help the ex-Marine. Routh’s parents Jeff Bridges, isn’t much brighter. The medieval fantasy tentpole think that diagnosis should carry some weight with the Q: What is PTSD? has a projected loss of $85 million, as Variety exclusively reported jury. Here are some questions and answers about the pro- A: According to the American Psychiatric Association, this week, despite earning $82 million at the international box ceeding, and how PTSD might play a role. PTSD is characterized by “clinically significant distress or office. It’s on track for only $6.6 million in its US debut. impairment in the individual’s social interactions, capacity Neither of the BO casualties are a shock-both pictures were Q: Did Eddie Ray Routh and Chris Kyle know each to work or other important areas of functioning.” Paula long-delayed due to poor tracking, and Paramount’s “The other? Schnurr, acting executive director of the National Center Spongebob Movie,” which is soaking up $53 million this weekend, A: No. Mother Jodi Routh has told numerous news out- for PTSD, says the individual need not have experienced was originally projected to win the weekend. Still, the lousy ticket lets that she ran into Kyle at the school where she serves as the trauma himself. “PTSD can also occur when people In this April 6, 2012 file photo, Chris Kyle, a former Navy sales are a black eye for investors and filmmakers. Andy and Lana an aide. She had heard about Kyle’s work with wounded have witnessed a horrific event occurring to others or SEAL and author of the book “American Sniper,” holds a Wachowski, masterminds of “,” have yet to find com- veterans and asked if he might be willing to help her son, learning about some types of horrific events that may hap- weapon in Midlothian, Texas. — AP mercial or critical success since their Keanu Reeves trilogy. Their who was struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder pen to a loved one, such as losing a loved one to murder or previous two efforts, “Cloud Atlas” and “Speed Racer,” made a com- (PTSD) and alcohol abuse. Kyle and Littlefield went to suicide,” said Schnurr, whose agency is part of the US Q: Much has been written about “American Sniper” bined $67 million domestically. The stylish filmmakers assumed Routh’s home on Feb 2, 2013, to take him to a shooting Department of Veterans Affairs. Symptoms include recur- author Chris Kyle. But who was the other victim, Chad that heartthrob Channing Tatum could attract younger viewers to range, where the killings occurred. It appears to have been rent dreams or flashbacks, changes in mood, avoidance Littlefield? “Jupiter Ascending.” But Tatum is barely recognizable in the 3D the first time they’d met. and hyper-vigilance. A: Littlefield, 35, had a wife and young daughter. film, looking more like an elf than a sexy bounty hunter. The sci-fi space opera earned a B- Cinemascore from moviegoers and a not- Anger and irritability are also in the profile, though not According to a 2013 New Yorker Magazine story, the two so-fresh 22% rating on RottenTomatoes. Q: What is Routh’s defense strategy? all people experience those symptoms, says Schnurr. “We men met on the sidelines of a youth soccer game and WB had originally scheduled “Jupiter” for a prime summer A: Since Routh admitted the slayings to his sister and know from research that individuals with PTSD have an became friends. They lived in the same neighborhood, and release in July 2014 before pulling the plug six weeks prior to brother-in-law, and in an interview with the Texas Rangers, increased likelihood of engaging in aggressive or violent hunted and worked out together. Although he had never “complete special effects,” but buzz on the film was negative. Jeff the trial will revolve around his state of mind at the time. behavior,” she said. “There is a statistical association been in the military himself, Littlefield - facilities and logis- Bridges, meanwhile, is experiencing his own financial follies in Routh’s attorneys have filed a notice of intent to pursue an between PTSD and violence, both domestic violence and tics manager with a lab in DeSoto, Texas - also volunteered recent years. The “Seventh Son” actor’s last two wide releases, insanity defense. Prosecutors have chosen not to seek the violence against others. But when I say violence I mean his time to work with veterans. By the time of that fateful “R.I.P.D.” and “The Giver,” both disappointed at the box office. death penalty if Routh is convicted, but will ask that he be aggression or violence and that may include threats and outing with Routh, he had accompanied Kyle “on similar “Seventh Son,” directed by Sergei Bodrov, began filming in March given life without the possibility of parole. Defense attor- not acts, so it’s a broad category.” An estimated 15 percent trips dozens of times,” according to an April 2013 article in 2012 and has had four different release dates. —Reuters neys have expressed concern about whether Routh can of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have PTSD. D Magazine. — AP