Auster, Paul

Smoke

It's refreshing to see a film in which the writer receives equal credit with the director, showing that the dialogue actually means something. So it is with Smoke, a film about a New York quilt of contemporary characters who cross paths in a corner smoke shop, told in straightforward way by a talented acting group. Author Paul Auster and director Wayne Wang (The Joy Luck Club) worked on the story for years before it reached the screen. Their characters include Paul (William Hurt, in a good role again), a grief-stricken novelist; Auggie (Harvey Keitel), the shop's owner with a secret passion; Ruby (Stockard Channing), Auggie's long-ago girlfriend; and Rashid (Harold Perrineau Jr.), a teenager who is befriended by Paul and seeks his estranged father (Forest Whitaker). All the characters are great storytellers, whether it be out of loneliness, necessity, or just nature. Like Auster's The Music of Chance, the movie has accomplished an amazing feat: it makes us feel as if we are reading a serious novel, not watching a movie. --Doug Thomas

In the tradition of THE BIG CHILL, William Hurt (TUCK EVERLASTING, CHANGING LANES) and Harvey Keitel (PULP FICTION, U-571) head an all-star cast in this unforgettably fun and entertaining motion picture! A group of people's lives intertwine when a New York cigar store manager, Auggie (Keitel), befriends them. Among them is a writer who can't write (Hurt), a reluctant father hiding from his past (Forest Whitaker -- PANIC ROOM), a streetwise teen with an unusual identity crisis, and Auggie's long-lost ex-girlfriend (Stockard Channing -- TV's THE WEST WING), who returns with some surprising news! Critics and audiences hailed SMOKE for its offbeat humor, unexpected wit, and dazzling performances -- you'll cheer it too!

Blue in the Face

This oddball sequel to Smoke is less a sequel than a free-wheeling companion piece. Filmed by Wayne Wang and Paul Auster the week after they finished Smoke, the idea was to create a wholly improvised film, using the same characters from the first and a few new ones. The challenge was to improvise scenes that would keep the characters talking and interacting for 10 minutes at a crack--the length of a magazine of film. Some of it works well, some less well, but some of it is pure gold (though there is no real story, per se). Among the highlights: Jim Jarmusch as a guy who is about to quit smoking, waxing eloquent about why he loves cigarettes; rocker Lou Reed discussing his various philosophies on life in hilarious deadpan; a few disquisitions on the joys of Brooklyn; and, if you can believe it, a love scene between Harvey Keitel and Roseanne. --Marshall Fine

In the uproarious follow-up to the hit comedy SMOKE, Harvey Keitel (PULP FICTION) returns with a red-hot all-star cast that includes Michael J. Fox -- SPIN CITY, STUART LITTLE), Roseanne (ABC-TV's ROSEANNE), and Academy Award(R)-winner Mira Sorvino (1995 Best Supporting Actress -- MIGHTY APHRODITE). It's nonstop laughs when a wacky group of locals visits the neighborhood cigar shop, looking for good times ... and finding plenty of hilarious fun! But when the greedy owner threatens to close the shop for good -- and turn it into a trendy vegetarian restaurant -- the neighborhood proves they'll do just about anything to save their favorite hangout! Don't miss the highly original and entertaining comedy that had critics and audiences cheering!

The Inner Life of Martin Frost

Lulu On The Bridge

Blue in the Face

This oddball sequel to Smoke is less a sequel than a free-wheeling companion piece. Filmed by Wayne Wang and Paul Auster the week after they finished Smoke, the idea was to create a wholly improvised film, using the same characters from the first and a few new ones. The challenge was to improvise scenes that would keep the characters talking and interacting for 10 minutes at a crack--the length of a magazine of film. Some of it works well, some less well, but some of it is pure gold (though there is no real story, per se). Among the highlights: Jim Jarmusch as a guy who is about to quit smoking, waxing eloquent about why he loves cigarettes; rocker Lou Reed discussing his various philosophies on life in hilarious deadpan; a few disquisitions on the joys of Brooklyn; and, if you can believe it, a love scene between Harvey Keitel and Roseanne. --Marshall Fine

Smoke [Region 2]

It's refreshing to see a film in which the writer receives equal credit with the director, showing that the dialogue actually means something. So it is with Smoke, a film about a New York quilt of contemporary characters who cross paths in a corner smoke shop, told in straightforward way by a talented acting group. Author Paul Auster and director Wayne Wang (The Joy Luck Club) worked on the story for years before it reached the screen. Their characters include Paul (William Hurt, in a good role again), a grief-stricken novelist; Auggie (Harvey Keitel), the shop's owner with a secret passion; Ruby (Stockard Channing), Auggie's long-ago girlfriend; and Rashid (Harold Perrineau Jr.), a teenager who is befriended by Paul and seeks his estranged father (Forest Whitaker). All the characters are great storytellers, whether it be out of loneliness, necessity, or just nature. Like Auster's The Music of Chance, the movie has accomplished an amazing feat: it makes us feel as if we are reading a serious novel, not watching a movie. --Doug Thomas

Blue in the Face [Region 2]

This oddball sequel to Smoke is less a sequel than a free-wheeling companion piece. Filmed by Wayne Wang and Paul Auster the week after they finished Smoke, the idea was to create a wholly improvised film, using the same characters from the first and a few new ones. The challenge was to improvise scenes that would keep the characters talking and interacting for 10 minutes at a crack--the length of a magazine of film. Some of it works well, some less well, but some of it is pure gold (though there is no real story, per se). Among the highlights: Jim Jarmusch as a guy who is about to quit smoking, waxing eloquent about why he loves cigarettes; rocker Lou Reed discussing his various philosophies on life in hilarious deadpan; a few disquisitions on the joys of Brooklyn; and, if you can believe it, a love scene between Harvey Keitel and Roseanne. --Marshall Fine

Blue in the Face [Region 2]

This oddball sequel to Smoke is less a sequel than a free-wheeling companion piece. Filmed by Wayne Wang and Paul Auster the week after they finished Smoke, the idea was to create a wholly improvised film, using the same characters from the first and a few new ones. The challenge was to improvise scenes that would keep the characters talking and interacting for 10 minutes at a crack--the length of a magazine of film. Some of it works well, some less well, but some of it is pure gold (though there is no real story, per se). Among the highlights: Jim Jarmusch as a guy who is about to quit smoking, waxing eloquent about why he loves cigarettes; rocker Lou Reed discussing his various philosophies on life in hilarious deadpan; a few disquisitions on the joys of Brooklyn; and, if you can believe it, a love scene between Harvey Keitel and Roseanne. --Marshall Fine

Blue in the Face [Region 2]

This oddball sequel to Smoke is less a sequel than a free-wheeling companion piece. Filmed by Wayne Wang and Paul Auster the week after they finished Smoke, the idea was to create a wholly improvised film, using the same characters from the first and a few new ones. The challenge was to improvise scenes that would keep the characters talking and interacting for 10 minutes at a crack--the length of a magazine of film. Some of it works well, some less well, but some of it is pure gold (though there is no real story, per se). Among the highlights: Jim Jarmusch as a guy who is about to quit smoking, waxing eloquent about why he loves cigarettes; rocker Lou Reed discussing his various philosophies on life in hilarious deadpan; a few disquisitions on the joys of Brooklyn; and, if you can believe it, a love scene between Harvey Keitel and Roseanne. --Marshall Fine

Smoke [Region 2]

It's refreshing to see a film in which the writer receives equal credit with the director, showing that the dialogue actually means something. So it is with Smoke, a film about a New York quilt of contemporary characters who cross paths in a corner smoke shop, told in straightforward way by a talented acting group. Author Paul Auster and director Wayne Wang (The Joy Luck Club) worked on the story for years before it reached the screen. Their characters include Paul (William Hurt, in a good role again), a grief-stricken novelist; Auggie (Harvey Keitel), the shop's owner with a secret passion; Ruby (Stockard Channing), Auggie's long-ago girlfriend; and Rashid (Harold Perrineau Jr.), a teenager who is befriended by Paul and seeks his estranged father (Forest Whitaker). All the characters are great storytellers, whether it be out of loneliness, necessity, or just nature. Like Auster's The Music of Chance, the movie has accomplished an amazing feat: it makes us feel as if we are reading a serious novel, not watching a movie. --Doug Thomas