Shalhoub

Made-Up
$19.95

I became interested in seeing Made-Up after discovering the remarkable series, MONK, getting seasons 1-6 on DVD, and then becoming ensorcelled by the dense and nuanced art of Tony Shalhoub. He directed this film on a no money budget and also makes a pivotal cameo appearance.

The work was originally written by his sister-in-law for the stage and she co-stars in the film with her sister, Mr. Schalhoub's wife, Brooke Adams. Ms. Adams has an impressive and unconventional CV in dance, theater and film.

Made-Up is meant to be a satire of fading physical beauty, and, typical of the genre, has serious, socio-cultural underpinnings.

It's original, diverting, often amusing, but Mr. Shalhoub's visual & "musical" intuition... nuclear in a director, seemed compromised by his focus on minutae, and, I believe, a leeeetle too much thinking...not unlike---OMG--- Adrian Monk!

I was MORE disappointed by what felt a lack of erotic charge-- erotic "dance"--- building between Mr. Shalhoub's cameo character who, after a sometimes riotous series of mishaps, becomes involved with the character played by his wife and reawakens her confidence & lifeforce.

Still, I would recommend the film, since, even as it falters, it still pulses with originality, ambition, and the earnest efforts of a gifted and unconventional collective of artists. That they are mostly related by marriage, blood, and also friendship, i.e., Gary Sinese and a serendipitous choice of Susan Sarandon's then teenage daughter to play Ms. Adams' screen daughter is also interesting. Bottom line: I would take it over bloated, obscenely budgeted, cliched commercial releases any day of the week.

The bonus material on the DVD, while no way Kosher to include in a review, added dimension: as usual, the voice over commentary version of the film by the principals, not to mention, footage of Mr. Shalhoub, Ms. Adams and the author, her sister, in the studio, shown discussing the narration just after they completed it.

There was one luminous moment in the latter when Ms. Adams makes a single, ingenuous, palpably authentic gesture of adoration toward her husband. It immediately made me wistful, wishing its essence had marked the film itself.

Jersey City (NJ) (Images of America)
$19.99

SHALHOUB Street Sign ~ Personalized Family Lastname Sign ~ Gameroom, Basement, Garage Sign Novelty** ALUMINUM METAL
$19.95
SHALHOUB Street Sign, A BRAND NEW SIGN!! Made of aluminum and high quality vinyl lettering and graphics this sign is 4 x 18 inches. Made to last for years outdoors the sign is nice enough to display indoors. Comes with two holes pre-punched for easy installation, corners are rounded.

Mr. Monk And the Badge
$1.99