CHICAGO – The Steppenwolf Theatre of Chicago continues to provide different viewpoints on the American stage, and their latest “Little Bear Ridge Road” is no exception. Featuring ensemble member Laurie Metcalf, it’s the resonate story of a family at the crossroads. For tickets/details, click LITTLE BEAR.
Film Review: Shia LaBeouf, Michael Douglas Drive Energetic ‘Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps’
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CHICAGO – After a string of disappointments that include “Alexander,” “World Trade Center” and “W,” one of the best directors of the 1980s and 1990s at least draws closer to form with the entertaining “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”. The film is a great vehicle for Shia LaBeouf, Josh Brolin and Michael Douglas that occasionally disappoints but crackles more often than it fizzles.
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The character of Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) returns in “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” introduced on his way out of prison for his activities from the Oscar-winning first film, only to find no one there to pick him up. The man who helped define an era of greed by proclaiming it good has been left on his own. Where does a relic of the ’80s go from here?
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It will take some time to find out as Stone’s film shifts gears and turns to the story of Jake Moore (Shia LaBeouf, doing the best work of his career), a loyal, smart young trader who works at a troubled firm headed by Louis Zabel (Frank Langella). As his mentor’s company collapses, Jake stays by his side, trying to weather the storm at a firm that would end up being the canary in the coal mine for the 2008 crisis that would soon impact all of Wall Street. Sadly, Zabel made a few too many questionable decisions and the mega-wealthy Bretton James (Josh Brolin) takes advantage of his weaknesses to takeover the companies for only a few dollars a share. Zabel is heartbroken and jumps in front of a train.
As Jake tries to piece together the professional and emotional elements of his life, he attends a book-selling event by Gekko himself and informs him that he plans to marry his daughter. Jake lives with and loves Winnie Gekko (Carey Mulligan, miscast), a charismatic young lady who never wants to speak to her father ever again. Moore is inspired by Gekko, a truly different kind of mentor, who it appears could help the young man get his revenge against the despicable James. Will he? Can can Jake keep his new dynamic with his father-in-law secret from his future wife? Most importantly, can this (almost too) moral young man really swim in the same pool as Gordon Gekko and Bretton James?
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Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
Photo credit: Barry Welcher/Fox
Wall Street 2 Rocks
Wall Street 2 Rocks!!! I also just saw a movie on Sunset Blvd. called “Stock Shock” about Sirius xm and Wall Street corruption and the audience was pretty shocked. It was told through the eyes of Sirus XM investors that nearly went broke because of naked short selling and market manipulation. The movie is on DVD just about everywhere, but cheaper at www.stockshockmovie.com