Happy Halloween

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Looking for a truly scary movie to watch this Halloween? Consider The Grey Zone, the very real story of the 12th Auschwitz Sonderkomando, a group of Jewish prisoners who exchange their services in the crematorium for a few extra months of life and special privileges in the camp. Out of the 13 total Sonderkomando, only the 12th rebelled, taking out two of the gas chambers with explosives at the risk of their own lives. This movie is based on the diary of Dr. Miklos Nyiszli, who was specially chosen as a camp pathologist by Josef Mengele.

What is unique about this particular movie, out of so many others based in World War II, is the realism it portrays. There is nothing funny or clever about the dialog or situations. There is very little hope. Each man struggles with what he has been commissioned to do, aiding in the murder of his fellow countrymen. Scenes of death are tossed in regularly and without emotion, as if nobody is particularly surprised by anything anymore.

It is easy to forget how much more frightening than fiction real life can be.

Miller and Buscemi share acting prize

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They didn’t take home the $100,000 prize - that went to Once, a musical by John Carney - but Steve Buscemi and Sienna Miller shared the acting prize at the first annual 2morrow Fest in Moscow. Interview also had the honor of opening the festival, which ended Monday.

Congratulations!

Trying to get by

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He fractured his skull after being hit by a bus. A few years later, he was hit by a car. All this was before he was ever chopped up, cut down or ground up on a movie set. He has a temper. He valiantly defends the characters he plays.

I’m still trying to tell him why I love his acting. I find myself burbling about class consciousness and Buscemi being rooted in the blue-collar world of his own past. “Are you so good at playing them because of your own experiences?” I ask, embarrassingly.”Good at them?” he asks with disdain. “You still calling them losers?”

This is, by far, the best article I have read on the subject of Steve Buscemi. The journalist writes honestly about the actor’s past and present, mixing in personal details with an attitude that makes this famous celebrity read like the neighbor next door. You know, the one you’d borrow a lawn mower from but make damn sure to return it, because he’s just a little bit crazy?

Doing everything well

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He plays creeps and weasels like he was born for the roles, and the great part is, he empathizes with them.

I don’t tend to think of these characters as losers. I like the struggles that people have, people who are feeling like they don’t fit into society, because I sort of feel that way.

That’s one thing I like so much about Buscemi. Some actors play a role and get a paycheck, but others put a piece of themselves into every line of script they recite. It is not a two hour story but a slice of voyeurism, which in my opinion, is what movies should be.

In this interview, his best traits are all laid out: talent, charisma, longevity, humanity and creativity. He is massively well know, but still does his own shopping and rides the subway. An everyman who also happens to spash up on the big (and small) screen once in a while. What a life that must be.

As a younger man

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I’m guessing… 1988? 1990?

LFF Podcast interview

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London Film Festival ain’t over yet, baby - there’s still seven fun-filled days left! Guardian Unlimited podcaster Jason Solomons sits down for a chat with Buscemi about his competing film, Interview, among other things.

We talk about how to pronounce his name properly, kissing pretty actresses when you’re not exactly an oil painting (the power of being a director!), as well as the Sopranos and the four clans of Buscemis in Menfi, in the south of Sicily.

Click here for a direct audio link (mp3) for download.

Buscemi as American doctor

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You saw it here first! (God, I love typing that)

It’s true: Steve Buscemi will star in the upcoming John Rabe, a true story based on the Nanjing Massacre. Only his character isn’t German, he’s American.

Buscemi plays real-life American Dr. Robert Wilson, who remained in Nanjing during the occupation to care for legions of victims.

I love war movies, I love historic movies and I love Steve Buscemi movies. This one sounds like it’s worth hitting the theatre for… too bad it won’t be out for another year or so.

Buscemi as German doctor?

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According to this report:

Buscemi will play a doctor who helps Rabe protect Chinese refugees and Zhang will portray a student whose family is targeted by Japanese troops, the statement said.

He may be known for his crazy, silly characters but Buscemi has proven many times that he can play serious very well. ‘Serious’ in this case just happens to fall under ‘aiding and abetting rape and murder in WWII era Japan’. This is “breaking news” from an unverified gossip source, so take it with a grain of salt.

Rabe, a German businessman and Nazi, was part of a group of expatriates who set up a safety zone for Chinese refugees in the Japanese city of Nanking during the slaughter of at least 150,000 Chinese civilians and the rape of tens of thousands of women. [Source]

The movie in question, appropriately titled John Rabe, will be directed by Oscar winner Florian Gallenberger. If Buscemi takes the part, 2008 is set to be a busy, busy year. The unnamed German/Japanese film makes five movies either in production or pending release between now and early 2009. That’s if he does not continue to appear on TV or pursue another directing gig.

London Film Festival aftermath

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Click here for more Master Class and Interview premier photos

30 Rock Recap

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Your sex life checked out very nicely.

The general consensus seems to suggest that Buscemi did great, it was the story that made no sense. You can judge for yourself. If you missed the episode when it aired live, click here to see it free on the NBC website. This is my first time watching 30 Rock, and I thought it was brilliant. They won an Emmy, you know.

See the rest of the episode screencaps here.

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