Belinda writes, The biggest obstacle for MG, in my opinion, would be her “late start” by Holllywood standards. Anywhere else in the world, she’s a young woman, but I’m sure she’s already not being considered for parts because of her age. Meanwhile I just saw that awful “Sentinel” movie, with Michael Douglas running his 180-year-old self around like a young buck.

“I haven’t seen “Prada,” but now I’m fascinated to know how anything decent could have been made out of one of the absolute worst books I’ve ever finished. I mean, it was really BAD, that book. Meryl Streep must have really been something. Which is totally within the realm of believability.

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Late start?  I’m not sure there is such a thing in Hollywood anymore.  Sir Anthony Hopkins was born in 1937 and didn’t make his first great feature film until 1980 (David Lynch’s The Elephant Man).  He was doing primarily television before that film, and didn’t even begin doing that until his thirties.  Roughly the same path was followed by Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Jim Broadbent and a slew of other actors who began doing their best work late in life. 

Maggie Gyllenhaal is 28.  Her filmography is quite impressive: Secretary, Adaptation, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Criminal, Happy Endings, Sherrybaby, The Great New Wonderful, World Trade Center, Stranger than Fiction, and what I believe will be a much appreciated film Paris j’taime.

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The reason I equated her (potentially) to Ed Norton or Philip Seymour Hoffman is, if you review their filmographies, there are very few poor films on there.  Take a look.  If you disagree, let me know why.

I saw The Sentinel as well.  It wasn’t awful, but it was by no means good.  I felt the same way about it as a I felt about Spartan with Val Kilmer.  Could have been cool, but wasn’t.

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As for Prada, I just think you have to see the film.  I did not read the book and I didn’t much know what to expect, except that the buzz on Meryl Streep was intense.  She’s great and Anne Hathaway keeps up.  It’s by no means a fantastic film, but I think you’ll be entertained.

Liberal and Proud observes, I didn’t make it to the theater this weekend. My 13-year-old saw Accepted. Yawn… I rented Munich. Excellent film. Other rental suggestions?

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I’ll disagree that Munich was an excellent film.  I thought it was an ok film.  I saw it because Spielberg made it and the topic was interesting.  What was projected onto the screen was a bunch of mush and talk and endless assassinations.  I felt like I was in the theatre forever.  Geoffrey Rush is a phenomenal actor; Eric Bana is not.

Other rental suggestions: check our What’s in your queue for what I have in my Netflix queue.  The Notorious Betty Page, The Lake House and The Insider are what I have coming.  If you haven’t seen much of Michael Mann, check him out.  He’s building a very impressive resume. 

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