Women On Film – “Defiance” – Joanna Langfield reviews

January 14, 2009 Joanna Langfield (Archived Contributor) alliance of women film journalists, joanna langfield, movie reviews, Women on Film

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This is a story that should be told: just not this way.

Edward Zwick’s mounting of the Bielski Brothers, who lead Eastern European Jews to freedom during World War II, is honorable, as it should be, being based on a little known, true story; but, as with many of his directorial efforts, the thrill takes a back seat to the education.

Daniel Craig, taking this opportunity to remind people he’s more than just a hunky brooding Bond, leads the way as a hunky, brooding Jew, intent on finding safety for his fellow Jews as well as revenge for those who didn’t make it away from the Nazis. Ably supported by the always terrific Liev Schrieber and Jamie Bell, the actors are earnest and impressive in their salute to the real life heroes. Too bad everyone’s good intentions didn’t infuse this overly long drama with some real, transmittable zeal.

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Joanna Langfield (Archived Contributor)

Her voice is heard throughout the 50 states and around the world by more than one million listeners on her syndicated radio programs: Joanna Langfield’s People Report and Video and Movie Minute. She’s also seen and heard as a regular contributing commentator on CNN International, CNN, Fox News and CNBC. In print, her articles have been published in such high profile magazines as Video Review and McCall’s. Joanna Langfield is known for taking interviews to another level with probing looks at celebrities’ insights rather than just their latest projects. As a result, she’s secured a niche among the nation’s premier interviewers and movie critics. Joanna began her career on the production staff of a local Boston television station. She then focused her energies towards radio and produced talk shows at WMEX-AM in Boston. After moving to New York, she became executive producer at WMCA-AM for talk show personalities Barry Gray and Sally Jessy Raphael. She began hosting a one-minute movie review spot which, in turn, led to her top-rated weekend call in-show, The Joanna Langfield Show (1980-83). Joanna moved to WABC-AM to host The Joanna Langfield Show on Saturday nights from 9:00pm to midnight. It was the highest rated show in its time slot. From 1987-1989, Joanna hosted Today’s People on the ABC Radio network, which was fed daily to over 300 stations around the country. She also appeared on WABC-TV as a regular on-air contributor. In 1989, Joanna formed her radio production company, Joanna Langfield Entertainment Reports, to syndicate her radio reports. She is considered to be one of the top authoritative commentators on the entertainment industry. Read Lagfield's recent articles below. For her Women On Film archive, type "Joanna Langfield" in the Search Box (upper right corner of screen).