Cine Beaverhausen: Truth... and Consequences with Robert Redford, Cate Blanchett

Truth is the film CBS-tv doesn't want you to see. To that end, the network refused any advertising of this film and did their best to suppress its release. So the scandal only goes on.

Truth is a film with an outstanding cast and great talent. It is highly professional on all technical accounts. It is a film that may remind some of All the President's Men, which was about Watergate. This film is about Dan Rather (Redford) and his 2004 6o Minutes expose on George W. Bush's military career. It cost him and his producer Mary Mapes (Blanchett) their jobs.

Topher Grace, Dennis Quaid and Stacy Keach are in this. Great casting!

Released by Sony Pictures and, interestingly, shot in Australia, the producers had no idea about the forces they'd be up against to release this film about what ultimately became known as "Rathergate." It is a completely accurate account of events, based on Mary Mapes' book, Truth & Duty.

Barely even released in the USA, this is obviously the film America doesn't want you to see either. Do yourself a favor and rent or download it on video. A must-see for lovers of serious, thoughtful film drama. Directed by James Vanderbilt.

Goodbye to the Ziegfeld Theatre in NYC

Reportedly, Manhattan's Ziegfeld Theatre is about to close. This is very sad as it's been a wonderful venue to see musicals and action films on a very large screen.

I guess it is a very large house to fill on a consistent basis. It has been open since 1969 at this location.

I find the closing of this historic venue very disheartening. I hope it could be turned into a legitimate theater for plays, though more likely it will be torn down for more Manhattan real estate.

Actually, this is not the original Ziegfeld. That was built by Florenz Ziegfeld himself but not on this same site.

Still, I have such great memories of this movie palace. I saw Dreamgirls, Into the Woods and Hairspray there. I saw The River Wild (perhaps Meryl Streep's worst movie) and threw a hissy fit in the lobby when the concession counter hadn't made coffee yet. Hey, I get grouchy without my caffeine fix.

It also had a well-attended classic musicals night with films like West Side Story and Gigi on big-screen! And Hedda Lettuce's Mommie Dearest tributes, always to full houses.

A fond but sad farewell to the Ziegfeld!

And the Oscar Goes to....

The Academy Awards were announced yesterday. 2015 was a strong year at the movies so there are plenty of worthy nominees and surprises.

Of the nominated films, here are some of my picks based on what I have seen:

Best Film: Brooklyn.
Best Actor: Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl.
Best Actress: Cate Winslet, Carol.
Best Supporting Actor: Mark Ryylance, Bridge of Spies.
Best Supporting Actress: Rooney Mara, Carol.
Best Director: George Miller: Mad Max: Fury Road.
Best Costume Design: Cinderella.
Best Original Song: "Witing's on the Wall" from Spectre.

I expect to be out at an Oscar party next month to watch the ceremony and celebrate.

A  highly competitive and fierce competition this year, a wonderful one for films.

Please share your Oscar votes with me here!

Looking forward to the 88th Oscars presentation for 2016 on Sunday, February 28th,