While the story in The Company Men is not literally “ripped from the headlines,” the film deals with a current and important problem. Although the film is not without flaws, the subject matter is compelling, the performances are strong and the film really resonated with me. [Read more →]
Mega producer Ivan Reitman has been producing and directing comedies for over 30 years. He directs and produces a standard romantic comedy here, and that is not such a bad thing. No Strings Attached is amusing, even if it is predicable. But Natalie Portman and a remarkable cast of supporting actors give this unremarkable comedy added laughs and energy. [Read more →]
It’s not that Country Strong is a terrible film. It is just not a very good film. The talents of Gwyneth Paltrow are wasted in this derivative and formulaic film in the milieu of country music. The music is pleasant enough, the story is momentarily diverting and the performances are pretty good. But in the category of films about music, Country Strong is not even close to as much fun as Burlesque or as good as Crazy Heart. [Read more →]
“I am in a post graduate delirium,” says Aura (Lena Dunham) the main character in Tiny Furniture. That may be true, but this small film is more than an indie post graduate comedy. Tiny Furniture contains memorable characters, a good cast and a fresh new voice. It made me laugh and it also moved me. [Read more →]
Kevin Spacey dominates in a film that cannot decide if it is comedy or “ripped from the headlines” drama, or both. Either way, the story of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff is fascinating.
The film follows Abramoff (Kevin Spacey) through his successes as a Republican Washington lobbyist, the scandal involving the Indian casinos, his final venture and his arrest and eventual incarceration. [Read more →]
Before the 2010 wrap party ends, Gail needs to reflect on the 50 plus movies she has seen this year. Think of this list as a party favor.
Movies That Lived Up To Their Hype
These films were actually worth that ever increasing ticket price.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. It is one of my favorite films in the series. The kids are growing up.
The Social Network. This film is nearly perfect. Excellent writing, directing, acting and a compelling true story.
Avatar. Ok, it was released in the waning days of 2009, but I didn’t see it until 2010. I watched it again on HBO recently and I am glad I saw it in 3D/Imax. I loved seeing this film in the theater. [Read more →]
I have an ambivalent relationship with the Coen brothers. I love some of their early films and last year’s A Serious Man was one of my favorite films of the year. But while there is much to admire about True Grit, it left me a little cold. [Read more →]
Perhaps my expectations were too high. Black Swan is getting excellent reviews and I have been hearing positive buzz for months. I do not see it as the masterpiece some are claiming it is, but the film has an excellent cast and is a fine psychological thriller. [Read more →]
Perhaps the reason Love and Other Drugs seems like three different movies is that the film credits three screenwriters (Charles Randolph, Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz ) for the screenplay based on the book Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman by Jamie Reidy. This may be the reason why Love and Other Drugs seems much less than the sum of its parts. But the film has a few laughs, a few tears and very attractive naked people. [Read more →]
Is Burlesque a “good” movie? No, but I do not think it is trying to be that. Did I love it? Yes. It has a predictably stupid plot, but it looks gorgeous. The performance numbers are big, bright and dazzling and for the most part, the cast is terrific. I sat like a mindless zombie for 100 minutes, eyes glued to the screen, and it felt great. [Read more →]
