CD Giveaway - Sam Shrieve, "Bittersweet Lullabies"
Ends Nov 29, 2009
The current student at Berklee College of Music has a rock 'n' roll pedigree, but delivers a pleasing and diverse collection of soft pop on his debut record. Enter our contest for your chance to win!
The Twilight Saga: New Moon Prize Pack
Ends Nov 29, 2009
The second installment of the Twilight saga is hitting theaters, and we've got the stylish goodies you'll howl over!
For many filmmakers, it takes years of directorial experience before they get to work with A-list acting talent. Not Marc Forster. Just a few films into his career, he’s already directed a who’s who list of Hollywood actors. His critically acclaimed 2001 film, “Monster’s Ball”, earned Halle Berry an Oscar; and now the National Board of Review has named his latest film, “Finding Neverland”, the best picture of 2004. “It’s pretty amazing, because I didn’t expect it,” Forster says of the award. “There seems to be so many great films out there. It took me by surprise, and I’m really happy about it.”
“Finding Neverland” tells the story of “Peter Pan” creator J.M. Barrie (played to perfection by Johnny Depp), and his relationship with a widowed mother (Kate Winslet) and her young boys. Forster describes Depp as a “great creative collaborator”. “The amazing thing is Johnny ultimately trusts the director,” Forster explains, “and Johnny Depp trusting me is the highest compliment anyone could give me.”
Besides earning the respect of seasoned actors like Depp, drawing the unanimous praise of critics, and receiving best picture accolades from the National Board of Review, Forster’s direction of “Finding Neverland” has also been honored with a Golden Globe nomination, making him a near shoe in for a nomination at the Academy Awards. “Every time you get an award it’s something incredible and gratifying, because it means people are responding to your work,” Forster says. “It gives you energy to keep going. It’s something magical and incredible. You can’t even describe it with words. I’m extremely happy and excited to be nominated. I’m looking at these directors lists, and there’s so many huge directors, I wonder how they even found me.”
Perhaps the biggest factor behind Forster’s rapid ascension into the upper echelon of Hollywood directors is his willingness to keep an open dialogue with his actors during the creative process. “I think you grow from one another,” Forster says. “I’ve learned so much from all the people I’ve worked with. When working with actors who have more experience than I do, it would be crazy of me not to try to learn from them.”
In a filmmaking era that emphasizes special effects over solid storytelling, Forster’s films remind audiences how effective and moving a simple, well-told narrative can be. His next film, “Stay” (which stars Naomi Watts and Ewan McGreggor), is certain to enhance that reputation. Due out in 2005, the mind-bending psychological thriller has been described by many as “dark and complicated”. Forster, however, has a different take on the film. “I think it’s too much to say it’s dark and complicated,” Forster tells me. “It’s a little more out there. In a sense, it’s sort of like Fight Club. It is darker, definitely. It goes back to the Monster’s Ball roots. But it definitely has hope as well. You have to engage in the film. You can’t just relax and enjoy.”
Working in an industry defined by constant uncertainty, with the successes of “Monster’s Ball” and “Finding Neverland” already under his belt, and with another hit movie on the way, one thing seems definite for Marc Forster: He is a director who will be making celebrated films for years to come.
For many filmmakers, it takes years of directorial experience before they get to work with A-list acting talent. Not Marc Forster. Just a few films into his career, he’s already directed a who’s who list of Hollywood actors. His critically acclaimed 2001 film, “Monster’s Ball”, earned Halle Berry an Oscar; and now the National Board of Review has named his latest film, “Finding Neverland”, the best picture of 2004. “It’s pretty amazing, because I didn’t expect it,” Forster says of the award. “There seems to be so many great films out there. It took me by surprise, and I’m really happy about it.”
