Our Kind of Traitor is My Kind of Movie

okotposter2

The long wait is finally over! Our Kind of Traitor finally hit US theaters in limited release on July 1 and I was able to catch one of the first screenings in NY. It was an exciting experience to see Damian Lewis for the first time on big screen and I am happy to report I LOVED the movie. But again I love my movies slow-cooking and artsy with flawed characters that come across as puzzles. I love spending two hours in a movie theater figuring out the puzzles as the story unfolds on screen.

Adaptations of le Carré books on big and small screen, as far as my experience goes, are my kind of movies. They are not typical action/fantasy movies with lots of stunts and special effects. They give you intricate story lines, clever conversations, fishy agendas and gray areas instead. If you have seen The Constant Gardener, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy or The Night Manager you know what I am talking about. And if you have not seen any le Carré earlier, Our Kind of Traitor is a good place to start! Continue reading “Our Kind of Traitor is My Kind of Movie”

Our Kind of Traitor: US Release Today July 1

As a thriller set in exotic locales and shot with a quick eye designed to keep you on the edge of your seat, Our Kind of Traitor, does not disappoint. In a packed house at Seattle Film Festival, amidst folks who know movies, I’m happy to report there was no shortage of gasps and leaning in, getting to the edge of the seat, throughout the theater. The film had many strong notes and some not so strong. Here’s my review! Some spoilers, but nothing that’ll kill your wanting to see it for yourself – the film is in general release in the US today, July 1!

Continue reading “Our Kind of Traitor: US Release Today July 1”

An Exclusive FAN FUN Interview with Damian Lewis

I cannot agree more with Times Talks tag line: The brightest stars. The smartest conversations. Because we just saw a very bright star, Damian Lewis, in a very smart conversation with NY Times Culture reporter and new Carpetbagger Cara Buckley at Directors Guild Theater in New York City. In case you missed it,  you can find the conversation in its entirety here and my review of the evening here.

source: timestalks.com
source: timestalks.com

The conversation covered a wide range of topics. Damian had a lot to say and what he had to say had such substance that I know we will go back and dig into this Times Talks over and over again in the future. But this very post is all about how a seemingly sad moment turns into a HAPPY moment in an instant thanks to one wonderful person: Damian Lewis. Continue reading “An Exclusive FAN FUN Interview with Damian Lewis”

Our Kind of Traitor at SIFF, wider US release July 1

Screenshot (2246)crop

As a thriller set in exotic locales and shot with a quick eye designed to keep you on the edge of your seat, Our Kind of Traitor, does not disappoint. I saw the film on Memorial Day in a full house amidst the film festival crowd at Seattle International Film Festival. That is to say, I was amidst folks who know movies, and I’m happy to report there was no shortage of gasps and leaning in, getting to the edge of the seat, throughout the theater. The film had many strong notes and some not so strong. Here’s my review! Some spoilers, but nothing that’ll kill your wanting to see it for yourself – the film is set for general release in the US on July 1.

Continue reading “Our Kind of Traitor at SIFF, wider US release July 1”

Damian Lewis reads le Carré at Time Out London’s Spy Weekend

One of my best friends from high school, who lives in Istanbul, and I, who live in the US, make a decision to meet somewhere in between and choose London as sort of a mid-point. We buy our tickets in February for our very anticipated London trip in May. And now that I am back from the trip, I just can’t help congratulate myself for randomly choosing the BEST week in May to be in London!

First: The weather. Four consecutive days of sunny, summer-y weather!

source: Damianista
source: Damianista

Second: The Tube. My friend and I take the Tube everywhere. And, at some point, we just cannot stop giggling since one certain ginger greets you everywhere, and I am not exaggerating a bit, everywhere you go! The Tube door opens and here is Damian looking at you either from an Our Kind of Traitor poster or a Billions poster. You sort of feel he is following you everywhere you go. FUN!

source: Damianista
source: Damianista

And it is not just limited to the Tube. The pic on the upper right hand side is from Camden Town. Bobby Axelrod lets you know Billions is coming to Sky Atlantic May 12 at 9pm.

Third: Damian Lewis is reading le Carré. Time Out London teams up with Studio Canal to bring Londoners a “spy weekend” at Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre. The weekend includes screenings of some of the popular films based on John le Carré books, namely The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965), the first le Carré adaptation to the big screen, and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (2011) as well as of some other classic spy movies like Notorious (1946) and The Third Man (1949) and an exclusive special screening of Our Kind of Traitor followed by a spy-themed party as well as a discussion panel on “Bringing le Carré  to the screen” with The Night Manager producer Stephen Cornwell (who is also John le Carré’s son), the producer Gail Egan (The Constant Gardener, Our Kind of Traitor) and Our Kind of Traitor director Susanna White plus readings from John le Carré’s work by celebrated fans including one certain ginger! Continue reading “Damian Lewis reads le Carré at Time Out London’s Spy Weekend”