George Clooney’s thriller ‘The Ides of March’ set for November

THE IDES OF MARCH

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

On the same day I wrote about my pick for the Top Five Political Films, Sony Pictures released the trailer of George Clooney’s new political thriller: “The Ides of March.”

The film, about presidential politics, is perfectly timed to coincide with the 2012 presidential race. The cast includes Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti and Ryan Gosling.

“The Ides of March” is based on the play “Farragut North” by Beau Willimon. The play, in turn, is loosely based on the 2004 presidential primary campaign of Howard Dean.

The film is set to open Oct. 7. Here is the trailer.

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Lumet’s last great film: ‘Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead’

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

BEFORE THE DEVIL
KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD (2007)

Few American film makers can match the quality and breadth of  morally complex dramas that make up the long list of motion pictures Sidney Lumet helmed for the big screen.

By the time Lumet died April 9 at age 86, he left a legacy that included such classics as the courtroom drama “12 Angry Men,” the doomsday thriller “Fail Safe” and crime dramas “Serpico” and “Prince of the City.”

His films are funny, edgy and deep. His best are about people so committed to and, in many instances, obsessed with a specific issue or cause that they are unaware or simply don’t care how their decisions and actions affect others.

It’s especially bittersweet that Lumet’s last film, “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” in 2007, hit the screen 50 years after his first, “12 Angry Men.” Not surprisingly, “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” ranks among his best.