By Nate Bloom
Contributing Columnist
“Megalopolis,” which opens in theaters on Sept. 27, was written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola (he’s 85!). This film is a modern take on much that happened in ancient Rome. Coppola had the idea for this film all the way back in 1977. However, for a variety of reasons, he had to continually postpone the day when he would start filming. In 2019, he decided to largely finance the film himself and he sold off a large piece of the ownership of his Napa Valley vineyard. He used those funds, and some other funds, and had the $120M he needed to make the film.
“Megalopolis” is set within the United States “some time” in the future. A major earthquake devastates an American city called “New Rome.” The film’s hero is Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver), an idealistic architect. He is granted a license by the federal government to demolish and rebuild the city as a sustainable utopia using a new material, “megalon.” This material can give Catilina the power to control space and time.
His major foe is Franklyn Cicero, the corrupt and ultra-conservative mayor of New Rome (played by Giancarlo Esposito). Talia Shire, who is Coppola’s real-life sister, plays Cesar’s mother. Shire’s real-life son, JASON SCHWARTZMAN, 44, plays Jason, an associate of Franklyn Cicero (Schwartzman’s late father was Jewish).
DUSTIN HOFFMAN, 87, has a small role as Mayor Cicero’s “fix it” guy. Also, in “smallish” supporting roles, are two more actors with Jewish dads: CHLOE FINEMAN, 36 (“SNL” cast member) and JAMES REMAR, 70.
“Megalopolis” played the Cannes Film Festival last May. A handful of respected critics called the film great, and a larger group of respected critics said it was a disaster. Most reviews were “so/so.” My gut says that this film will not be a box-office hit.
“Nobody Wants This” is a 10-episode comedy series which premieres on Sept. 26 on Netflix. All ten episodes will stream on the 26th. It’s centered on the unlikely relationship between Joanne (Kristen Bell), an outspoken agnostic podcaster, and Noah (ADAM BRODY, 44), an unconventional rabbi.
The New York Times (Sept. 6) profiled Adam Brody, focusing on how this good-looking fellow played the cool, but also ‘hot,’ Jewish teenager Seth Cohen in “The O.C.” (a comedy-drama that ran from 2003-07), and now he’s playing a cool, but also ‘hot,’ rabbi. Check out the article if you want to learn more about how Jewish Brody is and how he feels about taking this rabbi role.
Here’s the “Nobody Wants” cast actors who play Jews: PAUL BEN-VICTOR, 58 (as Ilan, Noah’s father); TOVAH FELDSHUH, 75 (as Bina, Noah’s mother); Timothy Simons (as Sasha, Noah’s brother); JACKIE TOHN, 44 (as Sasha’s wife); and EMILY ARLOCK, 34 (as Rebecca, Noah’s ‘perfect’ Jewish girlfriend).
The rest of the characters are associated with Joanne: Morgan, Joanne’s sister (Justine Lupe); Henry, Joanna and Morgan’s father (Michael Hitchcock); and Ashley, Joanne’s best friend (Shirley Cola).
ERIN FOSTER, 42, the show’s creator and top executive, said, “This show is based on the only good decision I ever made: falling for a nice Jewish boy.” Foster converted to Judaism before her 2019 marriage to SIMON TIKHMAN, a businessman. The couple had a daughter this year. She told the Netflix publicity people: “I didn’t grow up Jewish, I converted as an adult. I wanted to tell a Jewish story, but from an outsider’s perspective for someone who chose Judaism.”
“Notice to Quit” is an indie drama which opens in some theaters on Sept. 27. The film focuses on a very difficult day in the life of Andy Singer (MICHAEL ZEGEN), a failed realtor who is almost broke. He has just one more day to find an apartment because he’s going to be evicted from his Manhattan apartment the next day. Things get worse when his 10-year-old daughter, Anna, comes unannounced to his apartment. She’s there to tell him that Andy’s ex-wife (and Anna’s mother) is going to move (with Anna) to Florida. (ROBERT KLEIN, 82, has a small part as Andy’s father).
Zegen, 45, is best known for playing Joel Maisel in the hit Amazon Prime series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Joel Maisel was married to Mrs. (Midge) Maisel during the series’ first three seasons. The Maisels divorced, but remained close in the show’s last two seasons.
The 50th anniversary season(!) of “Saturday Night Live” begins on Sept. 28. Tune in to see if MAYA RUDOLPH appears as Vice-President Kamala Harris in comedic skits. Rudolph has committed to playing Harris this season. But her first appearance has not been announced.