Another ‘Brothers’
“Brothers,” which opens Friday, Dec. 4, is an Americanized remake of a critically acclaimed 2004 Danish film of the same name that was co-written and directed by Susanne Bier, 49, a Danish Jew. Bier is perhaps best known for co-writing and directing “After the Wedding,” which was nominated for an Oscar for best foreign language film.
The original version centered on a Danish/NATO soldier serving in Afghanistan. In the remake, Tobey Maguire plays Capt. Sam Cahill, a straight arrow Marine who is married to Grace (Natalie Portman), his high school sweetheart. Sam’s brother, Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), is a charismatic screw-up and drifter. Sam is reported missing in Afghanistan and presumed dead. His brother’s loss matures Tommy, and he does his best to help Grace and her children. Grace and Tommy are getting close when, after a long period in captivity, a very changed Sam returns home.
Mare Winnngham, 50, a Jew-by-choice, plays Sam and Tommy’s mother. The screenplay is by David Benioff, the husband of actress Amanda Peet (now starring in the mega-hit “2012”).
Shatner’s new lineup
The cable channel now called “Bio” (formerly the Biography Channel) isn’t exactly a major media outlet. But William Shatner, 78, is able to attract big-name guests to his “Bio” talk show, “Raw Nerve.” I guess it’s because his “Star Trek” role has made him a pop culture icon.
The second season of “Raw Nerve” premieres Sunday, Dec. 6 at 10 p.m. Two one-hour interviews will air that night, back to back. The guests are Regis Philbin and Rush Limbaugh. Other celebrity interviewees this season include Mackenzie Phillips, Whoopi Goldberg, Gene Simmons of the rock group “Kiss,” talk show host Jerry Springer, actor Jason Alexander, Larry Flynt, Tony Danza, actor Henry Winkler, Weird Al Yankovich, former Sen. John Edwards and Meatloaf.
‘Community’ by the ‘Numb3rs’
NBC has been struggling in the ratings, but one bright spot is “Community,” a new sitcom about a group of students at a community college. Critics liked it and ratings have been strong. The network just ordered a full season of shows. (Airs Thursdays at 8 p.m.)
After reading the reviews, I tuned in for a few episodes and was pleasantly surprised. It is a well-written show that is a lot funnier than most comedy films about college life. Plus, Chevy Chase (no, he isn’t Jewish) finally has a vehicle that allows him to shine — he is perfectly cast as a daffy 60-year-old student.
Cute actress Alison Brie, 26, co-stars in “Community” as Annie, a sweet, “goodie two shoes” character. Brie previously had a recurring role as Trudy Campbell on AMC’s “Mad Men.” In a recent interview, Brie noted that her mother is Jewish and that she considers herself Jewish. She added that they both enjoyed seeing the retribution meted out to the Nazis by Jewish commandos in the historical fantasy film “Inglourious Basterds.”
It’s likely that this will be the last season of the CBS crime drama “Numb3rs.” Weak ratings have led the network to reduce its order of shows. The show’s producer was grateful, however, that they were given an early signal of the show’s demise — they are now writing scripts that can lead to a finale that winds up all the story lines if the show is cancelled. Now in its sixth season, “Numb3rs” centers on the three members of the Jewish Eppes family, played by three Jewish actors (Rob Morrow, David Krumholtz and Judd Hirsch).
Columnist Nate Bloom , an Oaklander, can be reached at [email protected].