Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.
... View MoreIt’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
... View MoreThere are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
... View MoreEach character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.
... View MoreThe concept behind this show is original and interesting. Get five actors together and give them a forum to talk about their careers (and film and acting in general) in a comfortable, open forum. Can't go wrong, right? Wrong. Despite having some of the most intriguing celebrities of the last 25 years on the show, Favreau somehow manages to turn this show into a pretentious display of smoke-blowing. Sure, he's the creator, host, and moderator, but Favreau can not go for more than 30 seconds without interrupting, one-upping, and name-dropping. He even finishes people's sentences. It's so irritating that it distracts from the interesting stories and insights that his most talented guests share. Is he so insecure that he has to dominate every discussion? Or is he just some kind of control freak? Whatever his issue, he has managed in the opinion of this former fan to completely undermine his own credibility. He should take a page out of James Lipton's book. John, we know you are smart and have seen a lot of movies. We remember "Swingers". Let it go already. Give your guests a chance to shine, and this show may yet evolve into its potential.
... View MoreFavreau is the center square every week on this Hollywood non-talkshow. How refreshing to watch "them" talking like "we" do. Whatever. The show is as good as any on TV and it benefits from never appearing to try too hard. It's the best reality show on TV while never pandering for ratings or demographics. Tell your TiVo you want a season pass.
... View MoreTwo shows are out now that allow a viewer into the world of Hollywood culture and independent celebrity. Carrie Fisher's Conversations from the Edge and now Dinner for Five. While Ms. Fisher's host image is that of an insider who so desperately wants to be an outsider, Mr. Favreau proudly holds court and cannot wait for the games to begin. The assembled groups highlight a culture stuck somewhere between hip old school and narcissistic youth. It's almost post-Gen X, but not really. Regardless, this show serves as either a siren's call or a strong warning about being part of "the biz" depending on how you feel about an actor's life.Cigarettes are smoked, alcohol is consumed, inhibitions are lowered and then in-jokes ricochet off one another like a pinball machine. It's amazing how twentysomethings and early thirtysomethings dishing about film and whatnot can sound just like your grandfather when he's with his war buddies.In between bites of filet mignon and creme brulee, various Tinsletown misfits show us what their really made of; some coming off better than others, of course. Old school seems to win in the interesting department and Rod Steiger, Peter Falk, and the guy from the Sopranos whose name escapes me right now (he plays Pussy) wiped the floor with the others. Dennis Leary provided a great anecdote about Ted Demme while both Fred Willard and Kevin Pollock were very funny throughout their respective episodes. Showing her best MTV Video Music Awards host-persona and a hair flip, Sarah Silverman stamped FOOL on her forehead and will hopefully never be allowed back. Ditto puffy-eyed, high-strung chain smoker Vince Vaughn and mumbling Adam Goldberg. Almost everyone else seem just as bland as your former classmates and ex-coworkers; except these people have the added burden of being a celebrity.All in all, it's entertaining fluff and a guilty Sunday night pleasure. If you follow the independent film business and have a good amount of insight into actors, you'll find Dinner for Five more rewarding than most.
... View MoreI saw this show not too long ago, late at night on the IFC(Independent Film Channel), and I must say that I really enjoyed it. The whole episode revolved around five people at a dinner table discussing their lives(mainly about Hollywood). I thought the show was very funny and enlightening. If you have the IFC channel, I suggest you go see it; you will must likely enjoy it.
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