So long, Sydney

In theaters Friday: Sex and the City: The Movie, The Strangers
New on DVD: Cassandra’s Dream, Grace Is Gone, Rambo

Critically-acclaimed director and actor Sydney Pollack died Monday at the age of 73. He had battled cancer for many months. Pollack was the kind of filmmaker who never seemed to demand the spotlight or wanton publicity, but slowly and surely he constructed an amazing body of work both in front of the camera and behind it. That’s a Hollywood personality I really respect. Perhaps best recognized for his Oscar-winning Tootsie, and his many collaborations with friend Robert Redford — Out of Africa, The Way We Were and Three Days of the Condor among them — Pollack became a regular character actor as well, giving memorable turns in The Player, Eyes Wide Shut and last year’s excellent Michael Clayton, an Oscar-nominated film he also co-produced.

Pollack’s life and career — from his mother’s death at 37, to serving in the military, to his theater days in New York, to winning an Oscar — would probably make a remarkable story in its own right. Speaking of films about filmmakers, I stumbled upon this trailer for a documentary about blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. The clip is very enlightening about the politics of mid-century America. It looks great.

Like I said last time, I’m not going to write an official review of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull because I just wanted to experience the film as a fan. And that I did. But you can expend your angst or adoration for the film by leaving feedback below. Also, Ain’t It Cool News has opened a forum for feedback right here.

I also caught the new C.S. Lewis joint The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Maybe I’m just “minotaured” out. No more minotaurs for me, but even though the film is a well-made adventure — admittedly aimed at kids — I was a little less than impressed with it all. It lacked tension. There was no point of desperation in the entire script. Even children’s movies need some real danger.

Despite pretty horrid reviews, I always make time for a new Woody Allen film, so Cassandra’s Dream is on my short list for DVDs to watch this week.