“Here we believe in fate,” Tareq (Alexander Siddig) tells Juliette (Patricia Clarkson). In this film, what is fate, what is circumstance and what is choice is debatable, and is left to the audience to decide. This is a small and quiet film, but the two compelling lead actors kept me interested in the fate of the characters. [Read more →]
I have mixed feelings about Todd Solondz. I loved Welcome to the Dollhouse, liked parts of Happiness and disliked other parts and Palindromes stayed with me, but in an uncomfortable way. As for Life During Wartime, some of the scenes are interesting and funny in a dark way. I like the parts, but the whole left me cold. But maybe that was Solondz’s goal. [Read more →]
Director/screenwriter Ryan Murphy (Glee) and screenwriter Jennifer Salt faced particular challenges in adapting Elizabeth Gilbert’s popular book. Eat Pray Love spent over 182 weeks on the New York Times Non-Fiction Best Seller list, and both critics and fans were quite taken with Gilbert’s chronicle of her year long journey. Expectations for the film were high, and because it is a true story, Murphy and Salt were limited in what they could change. The filmmakers did not take many liberties, although some fans of the book may quibble with details excluded and embellished. The film is not perfect, but this fan of the book admires the effort Murphy and Salt made in Eat Pray Love. The filmmakers also get a big assist from a terrific cast. [Read more →]
In this film, twelve is a potent mixture of heroin and cocaine. It is expensive and highly addictive. The film Twelve (screenplay by Jordan Melamed based on the novel by Nick McDonell) is a straight up tale of drug dealing and violence among over privileged New York teens. But some sharply drawn characters and original direction elevate this film above others in its genre. [Read more →]
Dinner for Schmucks has two main problems. It is not very funny and not very interesting. This is a shame, because there is lots of comic talent languishing in this film. The initial idea has potential, but this film collapses under the weight of the poor screenplay by David Guion and Michael Handelman. Yes, it apparently takes two men to write a bad screenplay. [Read more →]
A wonderful cast, an intelligent and funny screenplay and fine direction more than compensate for a few implausible plot twists in The Kids Are All Right. I found the characters compelling and parts of this film made me laugh harder than I expected. This film is not perfect, but it is very good. [Read more →]
I like the idea behind Inception more than I like the film itself. Considering its box office success and positive word of mouth, perhaps I am in the minority. Inception maintained a high level of excitement throughout and the action sequences and effects are first rate. I enjoyed the film while I watched it, but found it eminently forgettable. Why all the fuss? [Read more →]
In the Twilight universe, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is better than New Moon, although not quite as much “fun” as the first Twilight. The change in director was a good one, and the focus of the film is back on the more interesting characters. The cast still has a certain charm, and although I am beginning to tire of author Stephenie Meyer’s heavy handed and simplistic abstinence agenda, I cannot blame the filmmakers. They did what they could with the sometimes cringe-worthy story. [Read more →]
In a summer full of expensive blockbusters and juvenile comedies, Cyrus is a welcome relief. This low key, 92 minute comedy manages to be quirky, dark and sweet. It has an indie low budget feel, but boasts a big star cast.
John (John C. Reilly) is lonely and cannot seem to connect with women. Although he has remained friends with his ex-wife Jamie (Catherine Keener), the news of her impending marriage to Tim (Matt Walsh) hits him hard. [Read more →]
The most interesting thing about this film is watching these four Saturday Night Live alumni as they hit middle age. SNL gave these young comics a chance to work on rebellious and sometimes edgy comedy and characters. Yet here are these four in the most conventional of comedies. Did writers Adam Sandler and Fred Wolf craft a funny screenplay? Well, if you think jokes about breastfeeding, urine streams, farts and men injuring themselves are side splitting, this is the film for you. The only redeeming thing about this film is the obvious chemistry between the leads. These guys are fun to watch and provide a few laughs. But the script is not that funny and not very interesting. [Read more →]
People may think she is the joke, but Joan Rivers is completely serious about being funny. Having never seen Joan Rivers perform live, I found her mildly funny (and sometimes annoying) when I would catch a snippet of her act on television. But I changed my opinion after watching this insightful and fascinating 84-minute documentary. Rivers is hilarious and to my surprise, inspiring.
Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work follows a year in the life of the then 75-year-old Rivers. [Read more →]
In a rare moment of insight, Ben Kalmen (Michael Douglas) says that he feels invisible. Used to attracting the attention of women and the respect of men, this once powerful man feels irrelevant. Michael Douglas proves that he is anything but irrelevant with a strong and nuanced performance in Brian Koppelman and David Levien’s Solitary Man. He is helped by a first rate supporting cast, fine direction and a thoughtful screenplay. [Read more →]
It belongs to a genre that I do not always like, so my expectations for Get Him to the Greek were low. But this film has smart dialogue, likable characters, great performances and best of all, it is funny. It is really funny. [Read more →]
What happens when the day you have been breathlessly anticipating finally arrives? You start to think it will never happen, and then just like that, you are sitting in a dark theater surrounded by gaggles of other like-minded women (and a few men). You and the other women just know that you will love Sex and the City 2, because you have loved these characters for years, and you would follow these four women anywhere. Those who never cared for the television series may not care for the film, but the filmmakers made this film for you, and other devotees of the television series. But while I loved the experience, Sex and the City 2 needs a clearer story and stronger writing. Like many sequels, Sex and the City 2 is not as satisfying as the first film. [Read more →]
I enjoyed the first Iron Man so much that I was really looking forward to Iron Man 2. I should have known better. I would watch Robert Downey Jr. in anything and Tony Stark is a compelling character, but Iron Man 2 falters under the weight of Justin Theroux’s bloated screenplay. Even able director Jon Favreau cannot recreate the magic of the first film. [Read more →]
While waiting in line for a preview screening of Letters to Juliet, I overheard an exchange between two twenty-something females in front of me. “I think this is going to be one of those romantic movies, and that is bad. Real life isn’t like that.” They were right of course. Real life is rarely like Hollywood romantic films. So if you do not like chick flicks, stay away. But in the category of chick flicks this one is not so bad. It looks gorgeous and has strong performances from charismatic actors. [Read more →]
I am loath to criticize Babies, lest anyone misconstrue my comments about the film as criticism of the actual babies in the film. The babies are adorable and wonderful, and perfectly cast as adorable and wonderful infants. At times this film is exciting, moving, funny and provocative. Although the film has many wonderful moments, in its totality it is a bit dull. It would make an interesting PBS television special, but it doesn’t really succeed as an entertainment experience requiring the purchase of a ticket. [Read more →]
Despite the comic talents of Tina Fey and Steve Carell, Date Night is sorely lacking in the laugh department. It is not funny enough to be a good comedy, and not interesting enough to compensate for the lack of truly funny moments. The charm of the stars and the strong supporting performances cannot make up for the poor script. [Read more →]
According to nerdy Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) a superhero is a “perfect combination of optimism and naiveté.” Of course, skill with lethal weapons and a fearless nature are also required. In Kick-Ass, however, the powerless become unlikely superheroes. The film is a parody of superhero movies, but I was still invested in the characters and story. And most of all, Kick-Ass is a hoot. [Read more →]
“Stealth marketing” sounds like a good idea. In fact it might work, which makes the idea behind Derrick Borte’s satire on American consumerism almost believable. But while the performances are good, the plot clever and the dialogue fun, the predictable ending and lack of depth makes The Joneses mildly enjoyable, but ultimately of little consequence. [Read more →]
Yes, The Square has an adulterous affair, a bag of money, a construction site and teeming rain — all the de rigueur components for noir thrillers. But Aussie filmmaker (and former stunt man) Nash Edgerton directs his first full length feature with crisp pacing, effectively placed shocks and just the right amount of humor. [Read more →]
“I’m trying to do nothing for a while,” Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller) tells his ex-girlfriend Beth (Jennifer Jason Leigh) at an L.A. party. Greenberg does not have to try very hard. But Noah Baumbach’s character-driven film about an inactive and neurotic guy is both compelling and funny. Its strengths are the pair of strong lead performances and Baumbach’s subtle and witty script. [Read more →]
Sometimes you sit in the dark and think, “Why can’t it always be like this?” Well, that is what happened to me when I watched the delightful gift that is City Island. This film is funny, smart, moving, packed with great performances and set in a fascinating place. [Read more →]
Roman Polanski’s moody political thriller features a great cast and plenty of pointed political allusions. Although the pace is more leisurely than some action films, the writing is smart and the twists keep you guessing. It is not in the same class as some of Polanski’s other films (The Pianist , Chinatown , Rosemary’s Baby), but it is not a bad way to spend 128 minutes. [Read more →]
In the exciting opening scene of Brooklyn’s Finest, bad guy Carlo (Vincent D’Onofrio, in an effective but too brief performance) explains to Sal (Ethan Hawke) his philosophy about “righter and wronger.” Issues of moral relativism drive this taut cop thriller, and it is sometimes hard to tell the cops from the criminals. Crisp direction from Antoine Fuqua (Training Day), compelling characters and a trio of excellent lead performances kept me completely engaged in a film from a genre I usually avoid. The film is a bit of a downer but it is exciting and enjoyable. [Read more →]
“Sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast,” says Alice (Mia Wasikowska) to the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp). So have I. I believed that it would be impossible for Tim Burton to make a film of Alice in Wonderland that is: 1) not funny, 2) not dark, 3) not adult, 4) dull, even with the help of 3D effects, 5) heavy handed and 6) lacking in imagination. But, curiouser and curiouser, I was wrong. [Read more →]
Jeff Bridges gives a brilliant and captivating performance as Bad Blake, and makes us really care about this washed up country musician. The story is not new, but Bridges makes it feel fresh. The concert scenes are exciting, the story is engaging and the milieu feels authentic. It is not a great film, but it sure is good. [Read more →]
“The beast will have its day,” warns Sir John Talbot (Anthony Hopkins) in The Wolfman. Unfortunately, it is not a very interesting day, nor is it an improvement over the day the beast had back in 1941, when the original The Wolf Man, was released. A remake of this story could have been original and exciting, but The Wolfman is neither. [Read more →]
Putting two quirky characters in a car together for wacky adventures can be a winning formula. When you add in hilarious supporting performances, you should walk away from the tables a winner. But something is missing from Saint John of Las Vegas, and it is not just the city of Las Vegas. Despite a few laughs, memorable characters and some good performances, this film is a loser. [Read more →]
“Someone else might want to know the point of it all one day,” says teenage Jenny (Carey Mulligan) to the stuffy headmistress (Emma Thompson) at her school. For a young woman in 1961 England, the search for meaning yields no easy answers. But this smartly written film doesn’t try to provide any. Instead, complex characters and wonderfully subtle performances make An Education something you both enjoy and think about long after you leave the theater. [Read more →]
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