<p>We just saw The Soloist with Jamie Fox and Robert Downey, Jr. I would give it a nine on a ten-point scale. A little slow moving in some places, but a story worth telling. Interested in hearing what you and your kids have to say about it.</p>
<p>A bit of trivia about the filming…
For the filming of the Julliard scenes Jordan High School in Long Beach was “transformed” into New York’s music school.<br>
More than 60 musicians from the USC Thornton Symphony Orchestra with some alumni were involved in the film. The students had to dress in polyester and some donned mutton chop sideburns in the 90o heat. Michael Nowak conducted the orchestra playing Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony.</p>
<p>I just saw it. Brilliant acting especially Jamie Foxx. But it really drives home the feeling of hopelessness. Yes, music is helping one man survive his mental illness, and what a great story, but what about the other 10,000 homeless, mentally ill people living a few short blocks away from one of the most magical places on earth, the Disney Concert Hall, located in one of the richest cities on earth? I am recalling that scene in “Gone With The Wind”, of the burning of Atlanta, where first you see one soldier, then the camera pans back and you realize the true enormity of the catastrophe.
I will make sure D sees this film.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, Georgia Girl.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, this is an example of a film that will never come to our local mall’s multi-plex. Gets very frustrating. Despite numerous complaints, letters to the editor and theater manager, they don’t see that they are losing a whole group of potential customers who would willingly pay to see something other than what’s geared towards kids, teens and the large army installation near us (absolutely NO offense toward the military intended, we were active duty for years). Will have to settle for “Star Trek” this weekend, and maybe an hours drive for “the Soloist” next week!</p>
<p>When we saw the movie in a suburban theater outside Washington, D.C. there were only six other people in the theater, all senior citizens. Granted it was a weekday, but an audience of six probably doesn’t provide much motivation for theaters to take the risk on a film like this. Sad and disappointing. Maybe we should be writing to our friends, colleagues, and relatives encouraging them to patronize quality films – not just editors, theater managers, etc.</p>
<p>Subject matter notwithstanding, the last time the wife and I have been to a movie was “The March of the Penquins”, because d wanted to see it, and it became one of the last do-together thingeys before she left for freshman year if I recall the timing correctly. Prior to that, I honestly can’t remember.</p>
<p>Might have been “Andre the Seal” (1994) with the kids. Prior to that probably “Star Wars”, or “A Bridge Too Far”, both circa 1977. We don’t get out much.</p>
<p>Wait two months, and most are out on cable and/or DVD. And our cable package replays a movie 7 times a week for a month once it hits the system. </p>
<p>I do want to see this one, but we’ll wait.</p>
<p>KeyofH- makes me feel vaguely better that even in sophisticated Montgomery County (we used to live in Gaithersburg, I see you are in Potomac) there were only 6 people in the theater! Have had this discussion with lots of friends who agree.
VDad- I know it won’t be a long wait for the DVD, it’s just the principle that bothers me. As well as knowing that on the infrequent occasions we do actually get in a “date night” that there will be nothing on at the movies that we want to see!
PS: March of the Penguins is a family fav. We even got 2 copies for Christmas the year it came out (donated one to the high school bio. dept.)!</p>
<p>Still playing here at several theaters in southern California. I thought it got quite a bit of publicity Was on 60 minutes. The local bookstores display the books. Movie did not get great reviews, even from people who wanted to love it. Can’t remember which LA Times guy reviewed it that way. I followed the Steve Lopez articles and look forward seeing it eventually.<br>
Today Mr Lopez wrote about healthcare. His son, a recent graduate from grad school was mugged. He was denied restorative care from a hospital because he lacks health insurance.</p>