WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2016 lifestyle

MUSIC & MOVIES Review Beatty as eccentric billionaire - not THAT one

arren Beatty doesn't want us to regard "Rules tract. But when her mother (the always-superb Don't Apply," in which he stars as Howard Annette Bening, being directed by her husband for WHughes, as a Howard Hughes film. It's actual- the first time) gets the willies and suggests they leave, ly a movie about late '50s Hollywood, he says, and the Marla insists on staying. sexual puritanism of the era. Indeed, Beatty doesn't Personal assistant appear for a long while in this much-awaited film, Marla's handsome driver is aspiring real-estate which he co-wrote, directed and starred in - perhaps developer Frank Forbes (the appealingly earnest partly to prove his point that he's not the main attrac- Alden Ehrenreich, soon to be the next ). tion. But come on - it's , a legend who When Marla complains she hasn't yet met Hughes, hasn't made a film for 15 years, playing America's Frank admits he hasn't met their employer, either. most famous eccentric, controversial billionaire until Suddenly, Marla's ushered into a darkened hotel bun- ... well, until you know who. Of COURSE it's a Howard galow and served a TV dinner in tinfoil. Hughes Hughes movie. appears, befuddled and amusing. He asks her name, And that's not a bad thing, because whatever you plays some saxophone, barks into the think of the new film, Beatty at 79 retains much of phone to his subordinates. These include Matthew that youthful charisma - he may have wrinkles, but Broderick (having lots of fun as Hughes' chief driver, the features are still boyish - that's made him a especially in a laugh-out-loud scene with his boss Hollywood fixture for more than a half-century, from toward the end), Candice Bergen as a personal assis- "Splendor in the Grass" to "Bonnie and Clyde" to tant, and Martin Sheen as Hughes' CEO. "Shampoo" to "Heaven Can Wait" to "Reds." As for The plot - often in short, choppy scenes unfolding "Rules Don't Apply," it's many years - decades, actually pell-mell - careens like a pinball between Marla, Frank - in the making, brings together a who's who list of and Hughes. The young couple has obvious chem- on-and-offscreen talent, looks gorgeous - and still istry. There's a catch, though. Frank, a Methodist and a feels strangely uneven and tonally confusing. But if virgin like Marla, is engaged to his hometown sweet- want French Vanilla!" And mostly, the Frank-Marla Beatty, the rules really don't apply - and that's OK. This image released by you can get over that, it's undeniably entertaining heart. And Hughes, despite his own sexual dalliances, courtship has the pizazz of, well, vanilla ice cream. The "Rules Don't Apply," a 20th Century Fox release, is rat- Twentieth Century Fox and at times, even quirkily mesmerizing. has declared that drivers hitting on actresses will be Hughes storyline? More banana nut - emphasis on ed PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of shows , left, It's Hollywood in 1958 - just three years before fired. nut. Which would you rather watch? Beautiful to look America "for sexual material including brief strong and Alden Ehrenreich in a Beatty himself made his mark - and aspiring starlets at, never less than engaging, sometimes inspired and language, thematic elements, and drug references." scene from ‘Rules Don’t are descending on the town, among them fresh-faced Vanilla ice cream sometimes just odd, the film shifts uneasily in tone. Running time: 126 minutes. Two and a half stars out of Apply.’ — AP Baptist beauty queen Marla Mabrey (Lily Collins, a The Marla-Frank plotline competes with Hughes' Yet it's distinctly watchable, even when perplexing us. four. Definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. gorgeous Natalie Wood lookalike). She's been invited increasingly erratic episodes - taking the cockpit for a Is this Beatty's final big film? At this rate he'll be in Some material may be inappropriate for children by the reclusive Hughes to audition for his RKO terrifying ride while singing at the top of his lungs, or his 90s for the next one. (And still look boyish.) All the under 13. — AP Pictures. Once there, she realizes she's just one of ordering truckfuls of Baskin-Robbins' Banana Nut ice more reason to appreciate this, foibles aside. Perhaps many aspiring starlets Hughes has brought in on con- cream, and then declaring: "No More Banana NUT! I for a man with the pedigree and charisma of Warren

Review Danish 'Borgen' star making up for lost time

he made her name in hit TV drama au pair, that she started doing something "Borgen," but only a few years later about her ambition to be on the big screen. SDanish actress Sidse Babett Knudsen is Between odd jobs she took acting lessons, juggling coveted small- and big-screen roles on indulged her love for cinema and spent lots of both sides of the Atlantic. It is all a long way time in the Pompidou Centre, where she from her roots-especially for an learned French by reading a translation of actress who spent a long time struggling, Kafka's Metamorphosis. before finally making the big time. The award- But after six years winning 47-year-old, who played 's she decided to return first female prime minister in the political dra- to Copenhagen, tired ma, is currently starring alongside Hollywood of struggling to veteran Tom Hanks in "Inferno" by Oscar-win- make ends meet. "I ning director . came back because it At the same time on the small screen she is was not easy being

in hit US sci-fi western thriller "" with Sidse Babett (in Paris) I had no Anthony Hopkins. Back in Europe she won a place to live and it This image released by Disney shows characters Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, right, and Moana, voiced by Auli’i Cravalho, in a scene from the ani- Cesar, France's version of the Oscars, this year was just going mated film, ‘Moana.’ — AP for "L'hermine," while her latest Gallic outing is around with your in "La Fille de Brest" after French film icon hat, asking for jobs Catherine Deneuve suggested her for the role. all the time. It When director offered her became a bit too Set sail with the spirited, familiar 'Moana' the part, the elegant blue-eyed actress didn't hard," she said. Back believe him at first. in her home town, "a friend of mine did "I was like 'What are they thinking?' because (Ibsen's) 'Peer Gynt', and she asked me to top me if this sounds familiar: A Disney ani- that has more to do with modern audiences winc- away to try to return the stolen heart to the I don't speak French very well. I thought maybe come to Dan, and I thought 'Yeah, do that'." mation film about a bright and spirited ing at the idea of a 16-year-old heroine getting fabled island of Te Fiti and save her people. somebody told them I was half French because Further parts with the same theatre group fol- young woman who feels stifled by outmod- married than actual progress in developing more She journeys first to get the help of Maui, a S I studied in France," she told AFP, sitting in a lowed. ed expectations and dreams of exploring beyond complex female characters. But perhaps that, too, cocky showoff who has his own agenda that does- plush Paris hotel. "Maybe they thought that Her cinema breakthrough came in the the confines of her home. It's the premise of is just getting bogged down in semantics in n't involve taking orders from a pushy teen, and was it," she added. Much like in "Borgen," for 1997 improvisational comedy "Let's Get Lost," "Moana ," but it's also that of "The Little Mermaid," another way and deflecting from the very won- then across the ocean where Moana, Maui and a which she shared a BAFTA award, she loves which won her a best actress Bodil, Denmark's "Beauty and the Beast," "Mulan," "Brave" and derful and joyous "Moana," a classic Disney pic to dimwitted chicken encounter all kids of obstacles, playing strong and intelligent women. "I love version of Hollywood's famous golden stat- scores of other animated films about teenage the core, bursting with stunning visuals, good including a band of hostile coconuts (a terrific gag), being in the skin of courageous people. That uettes. She followed that in 1999 with roman- girls. It's not a bad one by any means, and an hearted humor, adventure and some truly catchy a glam rock hermit crab (Jemaine Clement) at the inspires me," she said. "When I read a part, tic comedy "The One and Only" by Susanne understandably captivating foundation for chil- songs from "Hamilton" maestro Lin-Manuel bottom of the ocean and a vindictive lava monster. either I think it makes the world smaller or the Bier, and seven years later "After The Wedding" dren especially, but "Moana" is, like so many Miranda. (Move over, "Let it Go," there is some- The fable of "Moana" is sweet, often funny, spiritual world bigger. I want to go towards those where with Mads Mikkelsen. But she really made the recent films, dressed up as something wholly new thing really grand and even superior about the and epic, although Johnson's reliable charisma gets I see the world getting bigger." big time with "Borgen," which hit TV screens in and bold and corrective against all the sins of fairy swelling rally cry of "How Far I'll Go.") lost under the animation and the writing. Moana, In "Inferno," she plays the head of the World 2010. tales past. There's an entire scene where Moana however, is an excellent character with spirit, Health Organization (WHO), while in HBO The Danish TV series, in which she plays (Auli'i Cravalho) fights back against the demigod Technical and artistic marvel doubts, drive and a heck of a voice. She is a perfect megaseries "Westworld" she is the operations premier Birgitte Nyborg, has been a hit Maui (Dwayne Johnson) for calling her a On Moana's island, everything looks like a addition to the roster of modern Disney heroines manager of a futuristic amusement park. "It's around the world, with one US critic compar- "princess" with such fervor that the ultimate effect dream - saturated colors and lush landscapes sur- and one whom young girls will admire for years to been wonderful to work in such different ing it to Emmy and Golden Globe-winning isn't "hooray" but more "who cares?" What is so rounded by an ocean, the lifelike waters of which come, princess or not. "Moana," a Walt Disney places and in such different settings. I really political drama "The West Wing". As she wrong with being a princess versus being the are a technical and artistic marvel. But Moana's Pictures release, is rated PG by the Motion Picture liked that," she said. entered her 40s, it changed her life. daughter of a chief who will eventually lead the people distrust the ocean and outsiders and keep Association of America for "peril, some scary images "Absolutely," she said. "The consequences of island? It's just semantics. themselves isolated from the rest of the world. and brief thematic elements." Running time: 113 Childhood ambition 'Borgen' did, because I'm here now, finally. It It's distracting from both the real virtues of Moana, however, is drawn to the sea, and the sea, minutes. Three stars out of four. MPAA Definition of Born in Copenhagen to a photographer has opened a lot of doors." — AFP "Moana," of which there are many, and also fairly a character in its own right, is likewise drawn to PG: Parental guidance suggested. Some material father and teacher mother, she spent part of dismissive of the mere "princesses" who came her. She has been selected as its chosen one. Thus, may not be suitable for children. — AP her childhood in Tanzania-but she decided at before who basically accomplish the same things. when things on the idyllic island start to decay, it's the tender age of eight that she wanted to be In fact, the only real advancement lately is the Moana, encouraged by her quirky grandmother an actress. But it was only 10 years later, when recent excising of a love interest - but I imagine Tala (Rachel House), who takes the initiative to sail she arrived in France with a bicycle to be an Lin-Manuel Kanye hospitalized after scrapping US tour A Minute With: ap superstar Kanye West was hospi- Celebrity gossip website TMZ quoted an Miranda 'Moana' 'Mary Poppins' talized on Monday with a "medical unnamed source saying the rapper was on and Remergency" after canceling his tour, pulling out of the tour because he was two days after a rambling onstage tirade exhausted. "He's been working around the ward-winning "Hamilton" musical creator Lin-Manuel met. We met in New Zealand (and) we went to this Pacifica against fellow artists Jay Z and Beyonce. The clock on fashion design, both his own line Miranda swaps the politics of 18th century Washington music festival where we heard choirs from all over the differ- "Saint Pablo Tour" was set to run through and the Adidas line," the source was quoted Afor the charms of Polynesia in the Disney animated ent islands. December 31 but all 21 remaining shows as saying. Since August, West has performed movie "Moana." Miranda, 36, worked with musicians from the have been canceled, a spokeswoman for around 40 dates in Canada and the US, rap- South Pacific to create original songs for the movie about a Q: How has life been post-"Hamilton?" promoter Live Nation told AFP. Hours later ping above the stage on an innovative plucky teenage girl who sets sail on an epic journey to help A: I love the subway in New York. I think it's a national it emerged that West, 39, was being treated "floating" platform. save her tribe. Miranda spoke with Reuters about "Moana," treasure. I did a lot of writing on the train. For a while, I could- at a University of , which opens in US movie theaters on Wednesday, and his n't take the train without someone sitting next to me and talk- clinic, with gossip website TMZ reporting 'Call me, bro' work as an actor on the upcoming "Mary Poppins" movie ing to me ... (Now) I'm working on a movie in London. I can that he was undergoing psychiatric tests He halted a gig in New York in the mid- sequel. walk around with my son (and) it's not a big deal, so it's nice to after being examined for exhaustion. dle of his set when he was informed that his The interview took place before Friday's performance of have that back. Mike Lopez, a wife, reality TV queen Kim Kardashian, had "Hamilton" in New York at which US Vice President-elect Mike spokesman for the been robbed at gunpoint in a hotel in Paris. Pence was booed by some in the audience and the cast of the Q: Speaking of "Mary Poppins," what can you tell us Los Angeles Police West has not spoken publicly about the play - with Miranda's support - urged Pence to "work on about your character Jack? Will we be hearing a Cockney Department, told incident but TMZ's source said time spent behalf of all of us." President-elect Donald Trump said the cast accent? AFP officers had away from family had added to the rapper's owed Pence an apology. A: You're going to hear the worst accent you've ever heard responded to an stress. He canceled several dates the follow- Following are edited excerpts of the Miranda interview. in your life! You're not going to know what country I'm from. early afternoon "call ing week but made a comeback in his It's going to sound like I came from another planet! of a disturbance" at hometown, Chicago, and performed with- Q: What were you eager to capture of the Pacific Island an address in Los out incident until a show in Oakland on community when you were working with Samoan-born Q: You've worked on "" music for "The Force Angeles known to October 22 where he described the musician Opetaia Foa'i and his band Te Vaka? Awakens" and you're involved in Disney's princess world be the rapper's Grammys as "rigged." The latest cancelation A: We all went into this keenly aware that this is a part of with "Moana" and "Little Mermaid." Any Marvel comic property. "That dis- followed a Saturday night show in the world that isn't represented on screen very much so you characters? Kanye West West Kanye turbance became a Sacramento, where West showed up an want the people who live there to see the movie and say hey, A: I'm a Marvel buff. I grew up reading those comic books. medical emergency where the fire depart- hour late and performed three songs before In this file photo, Lin- that's us, and with pride. Opetaia took the lead on the If they ever do a "Maximum Carnage" storyline, I want dibs on ment came and treated the individual," he berating other artists and defeated White Manuel Miranda arrives at rhythms and harmonies ... I'm Ginger Rogers - he leads the Carnage. — Reuters said, without naming West. The multiple House hopeful Hillary Clinton, and cutting the ‘Moana’ world premiere dance and I write lyrics, I write melodies. Grammy Award-winning musician did not the performance short.—AP in Los Angeles. — AP immediately make any personal statement Q: Which was your favorite song? and his representatives did not respond to A: The one that represents our collaboration the best is requests for comment. "We Know The Way." We started writing that the weekend we