It's Complicated

Divorce is messy. No matter what the circumstances, your ex is never entirely out of your life. Whether, it’s weddings, holidays, funerals or court dates, circumstances will often force you to face your past love. Your current state of mind is immaterial, whatever attracted you to your mate in the first place is still there. It is your attitude and perspective that has changed. When enough time has past that you are able to see with fresh eyes, those old attractions may creep back in on you. This is the premiss for It’s Complicated.

What makes this film so throughly enjoyable is the fine cast. Meryl Streep is her bubbly vivacious best. Alec Baldwin is a rogue and alternates between a jealous lover and a pining one. His infidelity broke up their marriage, but he never stopped loving his wife. Also, in the cast is Steve Martin as the suitable prospect that enters Meryl’s life about the same time as her ex. And then there’s the children. Their son has just graduated from college and a trip to New York for the ceremony has thrown his parents together. After a night of reminiscing and a lot of alcohol, the two reconnect in more ways than one and Meryl’s tidy little life that she fought so hard to build for herself is now unraveling at both ends.

It is the chemistry between these actors that makes the film work so well. Meryl and Alec are excellent together. John Krasinski is also very funny as the oldest daughter’s finance who discovers the affair by accident and must keep the information to himself. His little comedic touches are very welcome and he also brings a sweetness to the film.

This is a smart romantic comedy, with mature characters that proves that no matter what age you are, the equation never changes. We all want to be loved, desired and appreciated, even by our ex. It’s complicated.

Rating: First Run A+ for chemistry

Broken Embraces

Broken Embraces is a film noir style mystery that jumps back and forth though time exploring the relationship of a film director and his star. Unfortunately she is also the mistress of a wealthy businessman. Lena (Penelope Cruz) left her life of prostitution and became a legitimate secretary for Ernesto Martel (Jose Luis Gomez). But when her father becomes ill, she returns to her life as a call girl to pay for her father’s expensive medical care. She is shocked to discover that her first client is her boss and tries to back out. He however was aware of her former life and had an arrangement that if Lena ever returned to prostitution, that he’d be notified immediately. For years, he has been obsessed with his secretary.

Lena plays house with her employer and he in return gets her father the best medical attention, but the strain of the relationship is wearing on her. When she mentions that she always wanted to return to acting, he decides to finance a film in order to please her. But instead of being grateful, she falls in love with the film’s director. Martel is so jealous and distrustful that he has his son follow her around with a camera in the guise of shooting a making of documentary. They are on to him though and find ways to escape his prying eyes, or so they think.

Lluis Homar plays the film director. When we meet him he is living under the pseudonym Harry Caine. The film reveals to us how he became Harry Caine and who the other people are in his life. This film can be confusing, especially if you have to read subtitles, but I found several of the themes quite fascinating. This is not an easy film to enjoy; you must pay attention and work at it. But I feel it is worth it overall. Penelope Cruz is enchanting.

Rating: First Run Penelope Cruz demonstrates the hold she has over men

Brothers

When you enter military service you are trained to survive. Your body is strengthened, your character is built, and you are educated in the ways of war. But no matter how much training you receive; you are still the same person underneath. A hard body and a tough demeanor will not help you in a prisoner of war camp. You must be mentally strong to get out alive. The same can be said of federal prison.

Brothers is the story of two men. They are very close. The oldest brother (Tobey Maguire) has always done the right thing. He was a star quarterback in high school, he married his cheerleader girlfriend, he has two lovely daughters, and he is currently serving his country as a Captain in the Marine Corps. The younger brother (Jake Gyllenhaal) is just out of prison. He’s a screw up, but his older brother still loves him. After picking him up from jail he brings him home to a disapproving father, a resentful sister-in-law and an accepting mother. But now that his brother is home, he must go back to his men in Iraq.

While Tommy is adjusting to life out of prison, the family receives news that Sam’s helicopter has crashed. Sam’s wife is devastated. Tommy is angry at his father for filling Sam’s head with all his duty and honor crap, but even though Sam’s wife can’t stand him, Tommy steps up and supports his brother’s family. Over time Sam’s wife (Natalie Portman) softens. Tommy is quickly maturing and is really making an effort. He becomes invaluable to the grieving family.

What the family doesn’t know is that Sam is still alive. He and the Marine that Sam saved from the crash have survived. They are now being held in the desert and tortured for information. It is now Sam’s turn to endure prison life. He is being subjected to the worst kind of psychological pressure. It is now time for him to prove his mettle.

Brothers displays some really exceptional acting, but I often felt like something was missing. This film is based on a successful Danish film and maybe something was lost in the translation. I recommend this movie for Tobey and Jake’s performances, but overall I wasn’t that impressed with the film. During this holiday season, I’d save it for a day when other films may be sold out.

Rating: Second Run Two exceptional performances by Jake and Tobey

Nine

Daniel Day-Lewis does a tremendous job playing Italian director Guido Contini in Rob Marshall’s movie adaptation of the musical Nine. But when you leave the theatre what you’ll remember most are the women, the beautiful, strong, SEXY women. Each woman is given a musical number to showcase her talents and there were times when I just wanted to stop the film and hit rewind to enjoy it again.

Each woman had her role in Guido’s life. It was glorious to see Sophia Loren playing Guido’s mother. Even after all these years she is still alluring and formidable. Nicole Kidman plays the starlet, the muse for Guido’s cinematic dreams. Her icy charm is perfectly adapted to her role as a movie queen. Kate Hudson portrays an American reporter. Her character reflects the American infatuation with Italian cinema in the sixties. Her musical romp reminds us of the times of skinny ties, espresso, Italian sunglasses and Vespa scooters.

The other women in Guido’s life are Judi Dench, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, and Stacy Ferguson (Fergie of The Black-Eyed Peas). Judi plays Guido’s costumer and longtime friend. She is the only one in his life who can be completely honest with him. Marion is Guido’s long-suffering wife. Once an actress discovered by Guido, she gave up her movie career to be his wife. Her musical numbers will rip your heart out as she comes to terms with her husband’s infidelity. Penelope Cruz is the mistress, and her song and dance is so sexy that afterwards I felt like lighting up a cigarette. But the number that impressed me the most was Fergie’s. Alternating between a black and white memory of a young boy at the beach and a full-blown musical number on stage, Fergie instructs us on what it means to be Italian. This anthem is a showstopper and the choreography is brilliant. Alone, it is worth the price of admission.

Since Nine is based on a theatrical production, and it’s subject matter is film, there is a lot of mixing of styles here. I think that Rob Marshall does a sensational job of holding it all together. However, for me, the mixing of styles lost some of the emotional impact. I’m just not that good at switching gears. There’s a difference between theatrical musicals being filmed and a movie musical. For example The Sound of Music was filmed like a movie. Imagine the difference if someone had just filmed the play. We would have missed all that fabulous scenery. Nine tries to do it all and most of the time it works. Rob Marshall has made a very creative film.

Rating: First Run Did I mention that these women are sexy?

Sherlock Holmes

The game is afoot, and Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes starts off at a sprint. As Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes) races through the streets of Victorian London, he is one step ahead of the law. Careening behind him in a carriage, Dr. Watson (Jude Law) is with them as they furiously try to keep up. The score is rollicking, the editing is brisk, the action is fierce, this is not my father’s Sherlock Holmes.

Sherlock Holmes is the most reoccurring character is cinematic history. As early as 1909 Holmes as appeared in film. He is a complicated, brilliant, deductive personality who has influenced many other characters such as Hugh Laurie’s doctor on the television show House. In fact there is one scene in this film in which I felt like I was watching House with House and Wilson bickering back and forth. Like these two, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law have excellent chemistry. Their connection is apparent and it is really easy to see how much they rely on each other.

As a fan of Sherlock Holmes, I wasn’t sure how I was going to adjust to this new incarnation. But I have to admit, I kind of liked it. Downey’s version of Holmes is a tormented man who is so brilliant and observant that he has trouble turning his mind off. When not engaged in a case he fills his days with reading, experiments and tormenting his housekeeper. He uses drugs for the occasional escape, but he is only truly happy when he is in the midst of a puzzle or a mystery. The arrogance and assurance that Downey brings to the role serves him well. I really enjoyed his interpretation and his choices are supported by the text.

Jude Law as Dr. Watson took a little more getting used to. It was hard for me to forget his predecessors, most memorably Nigel Bruce, the chubby, bumbling foil to Basil Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes. Jude Law played his Dr. Watson as an ex-military man. He has a bit of a gambling problem and despite his protests, really enjoys the excitement that being with Homes brings. He is proper, distinguished and does want to marry, but Holmes is a selfish friend and keeps drawing him back into his escapades. Luckily for him, his future wife is an understanding woman.

Although some of the action was a little too CGI for my tastes, I really enjoyed the look of this film recreating England during its greatest age. This was a time when Briton ruled the world. It was a time of science, industry and advancement. It was also a time when a hand full of men controlled the fate of many. Mark Strong (Rocknrolla) made a formidable villain as he used fear and the media to manipulate others. Rachel McAdams (Wedding Crashers) plays Irene Adler, the only woman that ever impressed Sherlock Holmes. She is involved in the case as well, only Holmes is right not to trust her. The motivation of women is one mystery that Holmes stays clear from. He finds them too inscrutable and their reasoning too inconstant.

This film stands on its own but it also sets us up for future adventures. Dr. Moriarty is introduced but stays in the shadows and Dr. Watson is off to get married. But the look and tone of the film is set, the characters are solid and if the film does well, there’s sure to be another. I’d look forward to a little more detective work and an appearance of the Baker Street Irregulars. There is a real strong foundation here and I loved the score so much that I sat through the credits to enjoy it in its entirety. There is much to like here so I recommend that you give it a chance. And that’s an easy deduction to make, it’s elementary.


Rating: First Run Sherlock Holmes is back

Avatar

Last July I had the privilege of going to a panel with Peter Jackson and James Cameron at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con. These giants of the industry talked about pushing the envelope of special effects and what the future of cinema has in store. As I listened to Peter Jackson describe the new King Kong attraction he’s building for Universal Studios Hollywood and heard what James Cameron had to say about Avatar, I was awe-struck and excited. But to be honest, I just couldn’t imagine it.

For the last six months, everyone has been talking about Avatar and the new technology behind it. As impressive as that is, it really doesn’t matter. What I wanted to know, is it a good movie? You can have all the special effects in the world, but if the story is lame, you’ll eventually lose interest. Based on James Cameron’s track record, I was putting my faith in him. In the past, story has always come first. Basically the man is a storyteller. For him the technology is just a means to convey the story. But this time around all the hype has been on the process and not the script. I was a little apprehensive. But I am happy to report that Avatar is a very good film.

What I liked the most about the story is that it is split between two worlds. When the hero is awake, he is in our world. He is an ex-Marine with two useless legs, unable to afford the expensive surgery to repair his spine on his military pension. When he is asleep, or synced up to his avatar, he is a mercenary soldier for a large corporate entity. He has been given a strong, fully intact alien body. For the first time in years he can run, jump, and fight. His job is to infiltrate this alien culture and find a way to get them to move so that the corporation may mine their territory. If you substituted Native Americans for the Na’vi, this story plays like a western. It’s kind of like Dances With Wolves on the planet of Pandora.

Sam Worthington plays Jake Sully, the soldier who has gone native. Sigourney Weaver portrays Dr. Grace Augustine, a scientist who has studied Na’vi culture and has learned their language. What is really cool about these performances is that they translate to their alien counterparts. When you watch Sam Worthington or Sigourney Weaver’s alien avatar, you can really tell that it is them. All their facial expressions and gestures are there. Likewise, Zoe Saldana, who portrays an alien warrior, is all Zoe. Of course she is acting, she is playing a part, but you can easily see her behind the animation. It is her performance with all her mannerisms intact.

I’m glad that James Cameron did not do the entire movie in performance capture. It would have been sensory overload. By mixing the animation with live action, it gave us a chance to rest and get used to the technology. I believe that James Cameron has made some really wise choices in creating this film, different, yet familiar, new, and yet very old. It is the perfect introduction into the future of cinematic presentation. Even if you’re not a sci-fi fan, see it anyway. Despite all the new technology, it’s still a classic story.

Rating: Must See Like Dances With Wolves on the planet Pandora

A Single Man

Watching A Single Man is like going to a really good art museum. As you stroll down the halls gazing at finely com-positioned paintings, delicately crafted furnishings, intricately carved sculptures, you realize that underneath all the aesthetic beauty is depth, perception, and a fabulously moving backstory. I found A Single Man completely satisfying.

Each frame of this film was painstakingly set up, but without the soulful performance of Colin Firth it would not have had the resonance. You could leave off the narration and still follow the story because it was all said in Colin Firth’s face and eyes. Balancing the tone of the film between tragedy and humor, Colin never missed a step. He was expertly supported in his performance by Julianne Moore, a discarded wife who is drinking away her sorrows. Also in this film is Matthew Goode, playing Colin’s long time companion and Nicholas Hoult who portrays a very interested student. Every performance is finely directed to be substantial as well as visually pleasing. I really loved this film. Thank you Tom Ford for a superb first film.

Rating: Must See A beautiful first film by fashion designer Tom Ford and a wonderful performance by Colin Firth

The Box

It is impossible to see every film that comes out in a year. Even professional film critics miss a few. So every once in awhile when someone is going to see a film that is not on my high priority list, I’ll asked them to check it out for me and let me know if it is worth my while.

My brother saw the film The Box at the Sustainer Theatre in Point Base Balad, Iraq. He sent this emailed review to me and I thought I’d publish it as is. Based on his opinion, I will not be seeing this film anytime soon.

The Box = Not first run, not second run, matter of fact don’t even rent it, don’t even pick up the box, leave it there.

John Wilson

Have You Heard About The Morgans?

Have You Heard About The Morgans? has the potential of being a very silly film, but what makes it work is that the high caliber of actors have committed fully to the story and they’re emotionally grounded. When Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex And The City) shouts in frustration, “I’m a New Yorker!” you totally believe her. As she pines over her beloved city, you can feel her pain. Having to leave her home is killing her.

Hugh Grant (About A Boy) plays Mr. Morgan. He is desperately trying to win his wife back after a brief act of infidelity. He is plying her with gifts, notes of apology and finally he persuades her to have dinner with him. When they witness a murder, their marital problems are of little concern to the Marshall’s office. Their objective is to keep the Morgans safe.

When the Morgans are placed in protective custody in the small town of Ray, Wyoming, together, they are now under the protection of U.S. Marshall Clay Wheeler (Sam Elliott) and his wife, (Mary Steenbergen). Mary Steenbergen is a gun-loving country girl who swings a mean axe. Next to her, Hugh Grant looks quite effeminate as he struggles to adapt to cowboy life. But he has a lot to prove; he must man up or lose the respect of the woman he loves. He has one week to win her back before they are separated forever.

This fish out of water comedy could have been funnier; it plays more like a relationship comedy. There are several Mars verses Venus jokes and a lot of attempts at making the city folk look foolish. The script needs to be sharper, and the action a little more harrowing. But when you have such a stellar cast, they do rise above the material. Elisabeth Moss is practically funny as a ball-breaking personal assistant. This film could be better, but it is not terrible. However, I would bristle at paying full price. This film is better suited to a bargain matinee. Followed perhaps by some Barbeque?

Rating: Bargain Matinee The performances rise above the material

Invictus

Nelson Mandela called Francois Pienaar, captain of the national rugby team, into his office. President Mandela had a plan. He asked Pienaar, “What is your leadership style?” Pienaar answered him, “I like to lead by example.” These words rang out to me when I heard them in the film Invictus. They resonated with me for one simple reason. If I could pick the names of three men in Hollywood that were emblematic of hard work, social consciousness, and a modest lifestyle, those names would belong to Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. For many years these three men have made quality films within the industry while making responsible environmental, social and political statements without. It is only right that they should make this film.

Invictus tells the story of Nelson Mandela’s first year as president of South Africa. After serving almost three decades in prison as a political prisoner, he now had the undaunting task of uniting a racially divided country. His plan was to lead by example and to encourage others to do so as well. The white population was afraid of reprisals and losing their way of life. And the black population was bitter, desiring of a comeuppance and distrustful of the whites. Mandela wanted desperately to put the past behind and forgiveness was his weapon. He saw sports as a unifier and asked Francois Pienaar for his help. These two men plotted to win the hearts of a nation and to unite their country through a common goal, the winning of a world cup championship. This film tells their story and it is magnificent.

Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon are heroic in their portrayals. Clint Eastwood spares the manipulation and goes for a straight forward mode of storytelling. Seeing and experiencing what Nelson Mandela had to go through for the love of his country is awe inspiring. I now have a greater appreciation of what he achieved. And as for Francois Piennar, it took a lot of courage to stand up and lead the way out of fear and hatred. He lead by example and was a true hero in every way. This is truly an inspiring film.

Rating: First Run An inspiring portrait of two leaders

The Princess And The Frog

There have been some very good animated films in the last decade, but a big part of me has always missed the luxurious rich cel animation produced by the Walt Disney Company. Hand drawn and inked in vibrant cool colors, I fell in love with films like Lady And The Tramp, 101 Dalmatians and my all time favorite The Jungle Book. Another reason I loved these films was the music. I had the entire score of The Jungle Book memorized and would perform it on command. I could also be found singing the songs from Lady And The Tramp and later The Lion King. However, by the time Toy Story came around and became so successful, I was afraid that hand-drawn animation would disappear for good. Luckily my fears were unfounded.

The Princess And The Frog has all the elements of a classic Disney animated film. A plucky heroine, a moral lesson, a devious villain, comic relief and a lot of heart. But I also loved the detailed romantic backgrounds. Like Mary Poppins and the gang I have always been tempted to step into the painting, relax and stay awhile. This film portrays New Orleans at it’s idealized best with its unique architecture, southern charm and local flavor. I left the film craving red beans and rice, a good pot of gumbo, and some of those wonderful looking pastries.

The Princess And The Frog also has given us for the first time an African-American heroine. I myself don’t think the kids will care much, they’ve grown up with Pocahontas, Mulan and Jasmine, and won’t notice the milestone. But there will be a lot of moms out there that will care deeply. I think this film will resonate the most with them. Tiana is a wonderful addition to the princess club. She is an excellent example of a hard-working, practical young woman with a very strong moral compass. I also liked that her childhood friend, the rich young lady that her mother worked for, was a true friend. Despite their differences economically and socially, Charlotte never forgot Tiana and when the time came she did the right thing. This for me was very refreshing.

There are a lot of silly stories out there but Disney always seems to layer their films with messages of self esteem, responsibility and family. This is why the Disney brand is so appealing. What parent would not want to instill those values in their child? This film tells us to go ahead and wish on that star, but be willing to work hard too. We may not always get what we want, but we will always get what we need. Love is the most important thing.

Rating: First Run A wonderful new Disney princess

Armored

I don’t know if they still make these, but when I was a kid they had these paint by number sets. In the box you would get a piece of canvas with a design drawn on it and in each space would be a number that corresponded to a pot of paint. First you would paint all the ones, then all the twos, and when you were done you had a copy of a famous painting. No matter how careful you were, now matter how good you were at staying in between the lines, when you were done, your copy of a famous painting looked kind of flat. That is how I felt watching the movie Armored.

All heist films have a formula; meet the players, get the plan, engage the plan, something goes wrong, draw to the conclusion. But every once in awhile a film will come along with a new angle or an exciting twist. For example when Die Hard premiered and the bad guys actually had personalities, it was a revelation. More recently there was a British film called The Escapist, this film was a prison break film, which is a close cousin to the heist film, and it shook up the formula by playing with the structure of time. One of my all time favorite heist films was the original Italian Job. It ended with a cliffhanger, literally. But unfortunately, Armored was strictly paint by numbers and there was nothing surprising about it.

I liked the idea of holing up in an armored car for protection and some of the other details that went with that. It was also kind of original that there were no bad guys, so to speak, but visually, editing wise and dialogue wise, there was no spark, no flare, everything was modus operandi. There is no excuse for this because the cast is excellent and deserved more to work with. Matt Dillon, Jean Reno, Laurence Fishburne, Fred Ward, these men are excellent character actors with years of experience. This should have been a better film.

Armored is not a bad film, there is nothing cringe worthy about it, it’s just routine and formulistic. These days if you are going to plunk down twenty bucks or more for a night at the movies you want something good enough to get you out of the house. My recommendation for this film is stay home and rent it. The premise is original enough to invest your time, but the execution of the idea is disappointing. Save your money and have a movie night at home. Don’t let this heist movie rob you of your hard earned cash.

Rating: Rent It Don’t let this heist movie rob you of your hard earned cash.

Up In The Air

Book your tickets now; this is one flight that you don’t want to miss. George Clooney is at his charming best in this timely, revealing look at the impersonal business of corporate downsizing, where loyal, hardworking people are cut adrift for no other reason than they have become a financial liability.

Up In The Air is the story of Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) who fires people for a living. He spends over 320 days a year in the air, so for him, an airport terminal or a hotel room is as comforting as a well-worn couch in front of the TV. Ryan Bingham has traveling down to a science. We admire him as he easily navigates through the check-in process with his efficiently packed carry-on and his slip-on shoes. He knows flights, routes, schedules, hotels and every rewards card program there is. If you want to know a good place to eat in town, Bingham is your man.

In today’s financial climate, Ryan’s company is thriving and he’s never been busier. But when corporate hires an enthusiastic young woman fresh out of college, she convinces them that they need to catch up with technology and start terminating people on-line through face to face conference calls, saving the company millions in travel expenses. Ryan is appalled. He may make a living by terminating others’, but he does it with respect, compassion and sensitivity. He adamantly points out that video conferencing is too impersonal and not adequate for the task. To prove his point, he is ordered to take this young lady on the road with him, giving her some first-hand experience into what he really does and goes through.

Up In The Air is insightful and poignant as it puts faces on the statistics our government calls the unemployed. These are real people with real needs. Hardworking people who were good at their jobs, but have become the victims of cooperate greed, mismanagement and a down economy. Their years of loyalty have been repaid with a severance package and a boot out the door. This film, let’s us in to one of the darkest days of their lives.

Although the subject matter is grim, don’t let that stop you from seeing this movie. There is a lot of humor in this film and it is witty, honest, revealing and extremely well written. Vera Farmiga (Orphan) plays a kindred soul that Clooney meets in the airport. They are perfect for each other and a friendship begins that you’ll find yourself routing for. Anna Kendrick (Twilight) is also effective as a young corporate climber who is trying to take Clooney and his like out of the air. This is the kind of film that years from now will be an example and testament of this era and time. Jason Reitman (Juno, Thank You For Smoking) has given us a well-crafted film in every sense and it deserves to be seen. So treat yourself this Christmas and buy yourself a ticket. If you have a job you’ll be thankful that you do and if you don’t you’ll find that you are not alone, there are many people like you up in the air.

Rating: Must See A grounded film that will leave you uplifted

That Evening Sun

For three months we paid our mother’s rent. But when it became apparent that she wasn’t leaving the hospital anytime soon and was heading for a nursing home after that, we had some tough decisions to make. My brother put her things in storage and paid for it faithfully himself. Not having the financial means to help him, I contributed by driving up there, organizing her things and packing them up. After a year we had to downgrade to a smaller storage facility, so I made the trip again. I agonized over what to keep and what to give away. This time we kept only the basics.

Having gone through that experience recently and more than once, I was so empathic with That Evening Sun, that I found it emotionally painful. Like the character in the film, I had to learn about letting things go. Hal Holbrook plays Abner Meecham, who at 80 years old ran the family farm on his own, after the death of his wife. His son, now a lawyer, was worried about him being all alone. But Abner was stubborn and refused to give the place up. One day when he slipped and broke his hip, he nearly died because it took a full day for anyone to find him. In this vulnerable state and in need of recovery, Abner’s son had him placed in a convalescent hospital, but Abner found it unbearably lonely. Even though he was physically alone on the farm, he was surrounded by his things and memories. In the hospital, he was alone even though he was among many.

Once on the mend, Abner decided that he couldn’t take it anymore so he packed his suitcase and left. The hospital sent a taxi driver to find him, but Abner bribes him to drive him to the farm instead. When he arrives there he discovers that his son had rented the place out, and what was worse, he rented it to a man Abner hated. Abner demands that his enemy leaves his home, but he has a lease and refuses to go. Abner declines to leave also, so the two men have a stand-off. Abner moves himself into the tenant shack where all his personal belongings have been stored. His furniture had been rented with the house and Abner desperately wanted to see inside, but the renters won’t let him in. Abner reluctantly returns to the shack and begins sorting through his possessions and his memories.

Being confronted with both his past and his present, Abner is having to confront the consequences of his life choices. It kills him that his enemy is living in his house, and he his angry that his son is not taking his side. Perhaps if he had invested more of himself into his family and friends, instead of his farm, they would be there for him now. As it is, he is fighting for his home against a man he loathes and all that he has worked for is slipping out of his hands.

That Evening Sun is thought provoking, and wistful. It’s melancholy tone draws you into Abner’s pensive world and like Abner you must take stock. What in this life is worth keeping?

Rating: Rent It A melancholy film to watch on a gloomy day

Paranormal Activity (A Recommendation)

When I pay about $10.00 for popcorn and a soda, I don’t want to enjoy it twice by barfing it up in the movie theatre. I know this sounds very crude, but there are many of us that have problems with motion sickness. When I saw The Blair Witch Project, I was so nauseous that I spent half of the movie staring at my shoes. During Cloverfield, I closed my eyes periodically trying to keep my stomach settled, but no matter how hard I tried I eventually threw up. Not a pleasant outcome after spending so much money on tickets and refreshments. Therefore, by the time Paranormal Activity came around, I was really reluctant to go.

Being a movie lover, Paranormal Activity has gotten so many positive notices that I felt like I had to see what all the fuss was about. But I was still leery of the hand-held camera work. I asked a friend about it and he said that it wasn’t that bad, so after four weeks of media hype, I finally gave in and just as expected the film made me queasy. As I sat in the theatre, taking deep breathes through my nose and alternating between closing my eyes and watching a bit, I found myself really bored. It took forever for anything to happen and as a fan of 1963’s The Haunting, this film paled in comparison. However, many people think this movie is great, so I’m going to compromise and make a recommendation.

I am going to recommend that instead of seeing Paranormal Activity in the movie theatre that you wait until it comes out on DVD. In my opinion, this film will be even more creepy watching it in your own home. Plus, every time your furnace ignites or your refrigerators starts you’ll get an extra bang for your buck. In addition, if you have motion sickness issues like me, you can pause the film and finish watching it later once the queasy dies down. No use barfing up a nights worth of entertainment.

The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call – New Orleans

Like a tightly wound top, Nicholas Cage is the bad lieutenant, who spins out of control when a selfless act of heroism causes him to injure his back creating excruciating pain. His prescribed painkillers turn into a drug abuse problem as he uses his position on the force to score more drugs. He is a good detective and he wants to put the criminals away, but as he makes more and more compromises to maintain his drug supply, the line between right and wrong gets trampled on.

Watching Nicholas Cage throughout this film you have to admire the way he throws himself into a role. In every frame his back pain is evident and as he becomes more entangled in his web of deception you see the antithesis of a tortured man. Lt. Terrence McDonagh is immersed in a world of drug dealers, bookies, thugs and prostitutes. His life is his work and his only other human connection is with his hooker girlfriend and his bookie. As Lt. McDonagh gets in deeper and deeper, providence reaches in, backhands the top and causes the spiraling to come to an end.

The Bad Lieutenant is a film about choices, consequences, justice and salvation. It is an excellent character study with a fine supporting cast including Val Kilmer, Eva Mendes, Jennifer Coolidge, Brad Dourif and Vondie Curtis-Hall. This modern film noir directed by Werner Herzog is dark, but it also has a spirit of divine justice. Someone has to pull the string and know when to steady the top.

Rating: First Run A dark character study of a cop gone wrong

A Serious Man

Watch out for Falling Rock! This was the punch line of a shaggy dog story my dad once told me. Whenever we were on a car trip my father would tell these long rambling stories with intricate plot points and meandering details. My brother and I would hang on every word in anticipation of a delightful payoff. But sometimes the punch line would be so enigmatic that we would groan in disbelief, “That’s it? We waited for this?” That’s how I felt at the conclusion of A Serious Man.

When the movie came to an end, I laughed at myself, like someone who was the victim of a practical joke. The film is a conundrum, a puzzle. I came away mystified, perplexed, yet strangely I was intrigued. I watched the movie with interest, studying the characters, looking for clues, filing away details, but all to no avail. If you asked me to explain this Coen brothers movie I’m not sure that I can. It is a film that I’ll be thinking about for a very long time and I throughly enjoyed the journey.

Like Job in the Bible, Michael Stulbarg plays Larry Gopnik, whose life is falling down all around him. He doesn’t understand why, he hasn’t done anything wrong, so he asks the question, “Why God? Why Me?” In his search for illumination he sees his doctor, consults rabbis, talks with neighbors, he even accepts words of wisdom from the man having an affair with his wife. He is looking for answers, and like us, he’ll find none. It is an exercise in futility. So, if you are going to watch this movie, all I can say is watch out for falling rock. Don’t view this movie looking for answers, watch it for the questions. The questions are much more interesting.

Rating: First Run A Coen Brothers puzzler

Old Dogs

Old Dogs is an over-the-top, broad, slapstick comedy starring Robin Williams and John Travolta. Having reached, that certain age, they are both still mining for comedic gold, and in this family film, they hit pay dirt. Robin Williams plays a man who falls apart after his divorce. His best friend and business partner, Travolta, kidnaps him and takes him on a wild, drunken spree in Miami in order to jolt his friend back into the land of the living. While there, they meet Kelly Preston and Rita Wilson. And in an act of inebriated spontaneity, Robin Williams’ character marries Kelly Preston, only to have the marriage annulled the next day.

Eight years later, he still regrets his impulsive marriage; not that it happened, but that he let her get away. A heartfelt letter follows, which leads to contact, and the stunning news that he is the father of seven-year-old twins. Being a family style comedy, I don’t need to tell you what happens next. These old dogs must now adapt to a life that includes children. But you can expect a lot of grandpa jokes, bumbling parental attempts, friendships being tested, and really cute kids.

What I like about this film is the tone and the way it balances heart with humor. This vehicle is the perfect frame for Robin Williams’ manic talents. And John Travolta is hilarious as a handsome ladies’ man that is coming to grips with his imminent old age. The comedy is broad, silly, and full of belly laughs, including the scene where a giant Silverback Gorilla is cradling Seth Green like a baby. There are also a lot of good lines, which any person over the age of 40 can really identify with. Old Dogs is an excellent family film as long as you like your comedy big and your slapstick bigger. With an outstanding supporting cast, this is a film that the whole family will love.

Rating: First Run Growing Old has never been funnier

An Education

In 1960s London, women had few educational opportunities. But for Jenny (Carey Mulligan) who was intelligent, gifted and pretty, Oxford was a distinct possibility, if only she could get past Latin. Her father (Alfred Molina) wants Jenny to have a better life than he did, so he watches her diligently, keeping her focused and on track for her final exams. Jenny doesn’t mind though, she wants to go to Oxford. She loves literature and excels in school. She longs to leave her pedestrian suburban life behind and live in Paris where she can listen to French music and smoke cigarettes in outdoor cafes. Jenny is in love with music, art and the bohemian lifestyle. She can’t wait for university and the education it will bring her.

One day after music rehearsal, Jenny meets a mysterious man while waiting at a bus stop. He offers to get her and her cello out of the rain, but she is reluctant. The man goes out his way to make her feel safe and to prove to her that as a music lover, his intentions are honorable. He is just worried about the state of her cello. Soon he has her instrument in his car and after a few charming words, Jenny as well. She arrives home safely, but the seduction has begun. Jenny is in for an education that she never dreamed of.

Based on the Lynn Barber memoir, An Education explores the meaning of feminine success and the value of further education. Peter Sarsgaard plays the beguiling David who not only seduces Jenny, but her parents as well. There is a sense of foreboding that hovers over this entire film as you are waiting for the other shoe to drop. I loved the unpredictability of the story. You knew that it had to go wrong, you just didn’t know when or how. But don’t count Jenny out; this is a true story after all. Just sit back, turn off your protective instincts and watch a beautiful girl come in to her own. Carey Mulligan gives a brilliant performance and she just might be doing a little seducing herself. This young lady is a charmer.

Rating: First Run An engaging story of a young girl’s education

2012

A few months ago I attended a program at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It was entitled When Worlds Collide: the Science of Movies and the moderator was a Physics teacher named Adam Weiner. In the program he would show a scene from a movie and then we would do the math and see if it was physically possible. Afterwards we would discuss the challenges with a stunt coordinator or an effects artist, and then they would describe how the scene was actually done. The evening was a lot of fun as we trashed some movies and applauded others. But after seeing 2012, I can’t help but think how much fun we would have had with this one. It would have gotten a bigger laugh than Armageddon.

2012 has got to be one of the most ridiculous movies I’ve seen in a very long time. It had all the depth of a theme park ride. Forget all the bad science in the film; let’s talk probability. What would the probability be of having a clear road always before you? Throughout the entire movie, the land was constantly disintegrating in the rearview mirror, but never once did the road crumble in front of our hero. What are the odds of that?

The other thing that I thought was completely nonsensical is how the United States took turns falling apart, California first, then the middle of the country, saving Washington DC for last. Washington DC is a coastal locale built in a swampy area with lots of water. I’m not a geologist, but that area seems pretty unstable to me. It was nice of Mother Nature to give them time to evacuate.

This movie contained so many absurdities that I don’t even know where to begin. But if I could get past the bad science, this movie’s only saving grave is some good performances. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton succeeded in rising above the material. At least the actors were playing it real. They committed to a realistic, natural performance, or as realistic as possible considering the implausibility of the premises. Woody Harrelson was also amusing as a doomsday alarmists.

If I was able to turn off my brain for a little bit, I do have to admit that it was fun identifying Los Angeles landmarks and watch them be blown away. There is something psycololgically satisisfying about that. Seeing it happen and knowing it's not real, like a child knocking down blocks. Maybe that's the director Roland Emmerich's mind-set. He never grew past the love of that childhood sensation of knocking down blocks. But whatever his motives, at the price of today’s movies, I expect a little more for my money like plot or character development. So I have to say for this movie, take a pass. Go to a science museum instead.

Rating:Don't Bother Seriously?

The Blind Side

The Blind Side is a movie about courage, the courage to open your heart and your home to a young man in need, instead of writing a check. It’s about taking a boy in a hopeless situation and offering him security, encouragement and the chance to thrive. And it’s about being so rewarded and changed by the experience that you begin to question your motives and ask yourself, who is being blessed more? The Blind Side is a movie about love, and it’s also a movie about football. And in the south, the two are interchangeable.

Based on the book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis and the true life story of Michael Oher, first round draft pick of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, The Blind Side tells the story of the Touhy family who took in Michael Oher when it came to their attention that he was homeless. Seeing that Michael was coming from a unstable home life, the Touhy family used their wealth and influence to keep Michael in school, get him a tutor to improve his academics, and provide him with the family support he needed to overcome his past and go on to college.

Sandra Bullock is a tour de force in her portrayal of Leigh Anne Touhy. It was her idea to take Michael in and with the fierceness of a mother lion she is ready to protect her new cub. She righteously stands up to criticism, prejudice, and the stings of gossip and she is so willing to embrace this young man that she even ventures into the projects to see his environment and learn more about his upbringing and past. There is one really touching scene in this film when Mrs Touhy tracks down Michael’s drug addicted mother. Instead of reproaching or rebuking the mother, Mrs. Touhy offers compassion and charity by taking her hand and just sitting with her. Sandra’s pitch perfect performance plays all the right notes and I believe that this is her best role by far.

Also in the cast is Country Music’s Tim McGraw. He was completely believable as the loving husband who knows when to pick his battles and knows when to give in. His sweet spirit and benevolent nature really shines through in this performance. He is the perfect partner to the fiery Leigh Anne and Tim McGraw really does this part justice.

Quinton Aaron is also very evoking as Michael Oher. This bear of a boy is quiet and repressed, tamping down a powder keg of emotions. When is he befriended and adopted by his little brother S.J. (Jae Head), he begins to come out of his shell and when we see him smile for the first time, it is truly a beautiful thing. Jae Head is a charming, precocious little firecracker. He adds a spark to the film in every scene he's in. He is warm, funny and delightful to watch. The two of them together make an endearing pair.

I loved this movie from the beginning to the end. It was well written, sensitively directed and I really appreciated the opening sequence where Sandra Bullock is explaining a pivotal point in football history. It draws us into the story very nicely and also lets us know that this without question is a Southern football family. By the time we are introduced to Big Mike, we are able to embrace this loving family and understand the Touhy dynamic.

I liked that this movie was touching without being sentimental and dramatic without being daunting. It showed us a reflection of Michael’s broken family life, without having our faces rubbed in it. We saw glimpses, so we knew that Michael’s life was tragic, but we got to spend our time seeing him lifted up, instead of beaten down. This makes the film accessible to all and family friendly as well. In fact, this is the perfect family film for the season. It has football for the dads, fashion for the moms, humor for the kids and a universal message of charity and love. This is a wonderful film; enjoy it with your loved ones. I highly recommend it.

Rating: Must See Faith, love, football and the delightful Miss Bullock

Me And Orson Welles

Orson Welles is considered one of the greatest directors of all time and his film Citizen Kane usually tops any best film list. But before his acclaim in movies and television, he was a maverick theatre director and regularly produced compelling radio programs to great critical success. His genius was so apparent that John Houseman hired him to direct plays as part of the Federal Theater Project, a Franklin Roosevelt WPA program used to employ out of work actors during the Great Depression.

Orson Welles made bold, dramatic choices and was completely hands-on in every artistic decision being made. But if we are to believe his portrayal in Me and Orson Welles, he was also an egomaniac, a womanizer, and loath to taking any criticism whatsoever. He was a creative tyrant and artistic dictator. Only someone that brilliant could get away with his appalling behavior.

Christian McKay, a lucky find by director Richard Linklater, embodies the persona of Orson Welles. The Me in the title refers to Zac Efron, who plays a young theatre enthusiasts who crosses paths with Orson Welles and winds up being cast in the Mercury Theater production of Caesar. Through the eyes of young Zac, we are given a glimpse of Welles at work, and the impact that he had on those around him.

Zac Efron seems a little too cool and put together for a high school student. But I liked the innocence and embarrassment he showed when he was about to be seduced by an older woman. I also liked his bravado as he was trying desperately to fit in with the other men and hold his own in the play. However, when Orson Welles turns on him, his reaction seemed a little too petulant and whiny. But I could easily see him as a young man totally in love with the theater. It’s nice seeing him try to do something more than High School Musical.

The 1930s was an exiting time in theatre, when old traditional formats were being reinvented and a new more realistic in your face style of theatre was being born. Orson Welles was a visionary, but few really understood what he was trying to do. Even those in his plays were confused by his work methods. It took a strong ego and a determined leader to keep the cast together and pull off a production that people are still talking about today. Orson Welles is a dramatic icon and this film strives to give us an insight to the man, warts and all.

As a lover of theatre and film, I really enjoyed this movie and I feel that Christian McKay’s performance was genuine and real. But as much as I liked this movie I constantly had a feeling that something was off. I’m not sure where the disconnect was, whether it was the look of the film, or the dialogue, or even the color palette. But something subconsciously kept taking me out of the film. It could have been Claire Danes’ portrayal of a modern woman who had no qualms about sleeping her way to the top, or it could have been Orson Welles philandering which was a little too blatant and out in the open for 1930’s America. But whatever it was that didn’t ring true to me historically, it wasn’t enough to prevent me from enjoying the film. I loved spending time with this group of actors, hanging out and waiting for Orson Welles to arrive. He was the magician, the genius, there, to give everyone purpose and meaning. This film gave us a simplified version of a complicated man. My only regret is that we didn’t get to know him any better.

Rating: Second Run A simplified look at a complicated man

Skin

In 1955 when Sandra Laing was born, it said white on her birth certificate. This was not unusual because her father was white, her mother was white and her older brother was white. But Sandra Laing was different, her skin was a beautiful, creamy tan.

Sandy grew up perfectly happy in a small South African town where her parents ran a country store for the local black population. Everything was fine until Sandra entered boarding school at the age of 10 during 1960s Apartheid. Here among the white Afrikaner students, Sandra stood out with her tawny skin and tightly wound black curls. After many student and parental complaints, the principal of the school rejected Sandra’s admission and took legal steps to have her reclassified as black. Under current Apartheid laws, this meant that Sandra was forced to leave school.

Incensed by his daughter’s rejection, Sandra’s father begins a legal battle to reclaim Sandra’s white status. Her very public court battle put Sandra in the middle of a media frenzy as politicians and reformists used Sandra as a human example of the injustices of Apartheid. In the papers, Sandra was a symbol, but in reality she was an intelligent little girl who just wanted to go to school. Skin tells the story of Sandra Liangs’ lifelong ordeal and her unjust personal circumstances.

Given the facts, this story should have been very moving, but somehow my heartstrings were left un-strummed. The performances were adequate and the film boasted a strong cast including Sam Neil as the father, Alice Krige as the mother and Sophie Okonedo as Sandra Laing. But somehow the film felt heavy handed with an overbearing musical score. I was intrigued, but not moved.

In the deepest recesses of my memory I have a vague recollection of discussing this topic with my classmates. How could two white parents give birth to a black child? Most likely Sandra’s case made the international news and the sensationalism of the idea made its way to the playground. In a way Sandra’s life gave me an interest in biology and genetics that stayed with me through college. But due to my young age at the time, I did not grasp the social implications of what was happening. Skin brings up some very interesting ideas and concepts, but failed in reminding us that this was a real woman who suffered immensely because of a ridiculous prejudicial law. The law was eventually changed and Apartheid fell, but it was too late for Sandra Liang and that in itself is the true crime of this situation. Sandra is still a symbol, but now she represents resilience. I wish I could have written her a happier ending.

Rating: Second Run Does the color of our skin define us?

Pirate Radio (The Boat That Rocked)

Great music, good friends, plenty of recreational activities, Pirate Rock was the ultimate party cruise and I didn’t want it to end. Written about a time when Rock and Roll was new and considered vulgar, immoral and a scourge on society, it was not played on sanctioned British radio, so unlicensed radio broadcasts occurred and many of these stations took to the high seas to avoid governmental regulations. Radio Rock was such a station helmed by Quentin (Bill Nighy). He felt it was more criminal to ignore the riches of Rock and Roll music coming out of 60’s Britain, so he assembled a group of eccentric DJs who loved the music enough to live on a boat without women for long stretches of time and concentrate all their energies on sharing their beloved music with a repressed and starving nation.

On shore, Radio Rock had an enemy in government bureaucrat Sir Alistair Dormandy (Kenneth Branagh). He was determined to find a way to shut down these offensive broadcasts so he enlists the help of an ambitious young Twatt (Jack Davenport) who is willing to do his dirty work for him. He then boasts to his colleagues that pirate radio will be shut down by New Years.

On the high seas Quentin is trying to manage his wayward DJs while trying not to make things worse with the government. But his attempts to keep them reigned in reminded me of the ineffectual leadership of Henry Blake in M*A*S*H, and like that show, the inmates have taken over the asylum. When Quentin’s young Godson Carl (Tom Sturridge) is sent to join them on the boat after getting kicked out of school, he quickly becomes one of the gang and shares in their juvenile antics.

I loved these guys. They were so much fun to hang out with. We have The Count, the American DJ, played by Philip Semour Hoffman. He was the number one DJ until Britain's greatest is recruited in the guise of the hysterically cool, Rhys Ifans. They develop a rivalry that becomes intense when Gavin betrays another DJ. On the boat we also have Bawdy Dave (Nick Frost), Thick Kevin (Tom Brooke), Angus (Rhys Darby), Midnight Mark (Tom Wisdom), Smooth Bob (Ralph Brown), Simple Simon (Chris O’Dowd) and the token lesbian cook, the only female on board, Felicity (Katherine Parkinson).

The joy of this movie is sharing in their camaraderie while listening to a fantastic score full of Britain’s greatest rock music supplied by the Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones and various other artists. These men eat, live and breath Rock and Roll and they are willing to go to jail, or die, for their music. This movie is a love story between them, the music, and their fans listening covertly on the main land. This movie is a delight. It’s a little naughty, a lot of fun, and gives you the feeling of sneaking a sugary snack when you should be on a diet. It may not be good for you, but it is so delicious, it’s worth it.

Rating: Must See Book me for their next cruise, I want to ride again

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Sly, witty, focused, on a mission, this description could fit George Clooney in the Fantastic Mr. Fox, or its director Wes Anderson. Either way, this quirky movie is entertaining and a lot of fun. Using the classic technique of stop-motion animation, Wes Anderson creates a world with its own unique personal style, bringing to life the community of the Fox family as seen in Roald Dahl’s book, Fantastic Mr. Fox.

From the very beginning, you know you are in for a treat when the film opens to Mr. Fox warming up in a field and exercising to the Ballad of Davy Crocket. His movements are bizarre, unconventional, and strangely delightful, as you find yourself intrigued and entranced, eager to learn more about this fantastic creature.

Wes Anderson has taken the form of stop-motion animation and has pushed it beyond its traditional limits. Filmed liked a live action film with interesting lighting, long tracking shots, multiple sets and a documentary style voice track with all the actors recording their dialogue together. This choice created some interesting ambient sounds and unusual dramatic pauses, but it also added a connection between the characters that is seldom seen in animated film. When Meryl Streep and George Clooney act together, you feel the relationship, which is amazing when you consider that the movie has been filmed with puppets, shooting one frame at a time.

Many of Wes Anderson’s friends are found in this film. Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore) plays the Fox son, Ash. Bill Murray (The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou) plays the Badger and Eric Chase Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums) plays Kristofferson, a visiting Fox cousin. Simpsons writer and producer, Wallace Wolodarsky plays Kylie, an opossum friend of the family, and Owen Wilson, an Anderson favorite, plays Coach Skip. Also seen in the cast is Willem Dafoe (Spiderman)as a rat, and Michael Gambon (Harry Potter) as one of the menacing Farmers.

This film is tremendous fun and very clever, but it’s also different which makes it fresh. In a very strong year for animated film, this one is a welcome addition. Even in voice-over, George Clooney exudes charm. He certainly is a fantastic fox and this is one fantastic film.

Rating: First Run George Clooney is a fox.

Love Hurts

Once upon a time there was a very content man. He was married to his high school sweetheart, he had a thriving, lucrative medical practice, and he had a popular, low maintenance son. But one day, when he wasn’t paying attention, his wife left him, moved in with her best friend, and started getting chummy with a gardener. This was a wake up call for Ben, played by Richard E. Grant.

As Ben is reading his Dear John letter, he is shaky with disbelieve. He begins to hyperventilate when his son (Johnny Pacar) enters the room and hands him a paper bag, “Mom said you’d probably need this.” Then the reality hits him. He is out of touch. Somehow over the years his wife (Carrie-Anne Moss) became a woman he no longer knows, and in front of him was his son, a total stranger. He goes off the deep end in a full, romantic-comedy style depression and becomes a mess.

The next thing that happens is equally “Rom-Com”; Justin, the son, takes pity on his father and tries to get him back into the dating world. But, after a resounding success, and a bevy of sexy women, he realizes that his dad still loves his mom, so he tries to help him win her back. On the other side, Ben makes an effort to help his son bridge the gap from teenage lothario, to serious relationship material when his son falls for a beautiful Russian ballerina. Meanwhile, the wife is being protected by her earth-mother best friend (Camryn Manheim) while she sorts out her feelings and tries to decide if there is anything left in her marriage worth keeping. This is all stuff we’ve seen before, it’s just in a bright, new, shiny package.

This movie did not work for me, although there were others around me laughing heartily. I guess I was just expecting more. I found Carrie-Anne Moss very interesting, but her character was shoved in the background while the story focused on the father and son. I also thought that the stable of comedic actresses such as Jenna Elfman, Janeane Garofalo, and Rita Rudner, were fun, but cast in throw away parts and deserved better. There were some really nice moments in the film, but most of it was too formulaic for my tastes. If I wanted to see sit-com style acting, I could have stayed home and watched TV. I was looking for something with a little more depth and understanding.

Rating: Rent It Watch it on TV where it belongs

The Fourth Kind

Alien abductions? Mental illness? Coincidence? Scam? The Fourth Kind is the coolest, most chilling movie I’ve seen in ages. It combines session video tape and police recordings, inter-spliced with dramatized footage with actors, to tell the story of Abigail Tyler, a psychologist, who discovered a common link between her patients who were all being treated for sleep disorders. All these patients made reference to a white owl that was watching them outside of their window. When Dr. Tyler hypnotizes one of them, he becomes so unnerved and terrified that he literally jumps out of his seat in fright. Seeing the session video tape side by side with the Hollywood reenactment creates an eerie sense of anticipation and fascination as the details of the mystery unfold.

Milla Jovovich represents Dr. Tyler in the film and she recreates all the scenes that were not captured in videotape or on the other voice recordings. Sometimes we have footage from an interview revealing the real Dr. Tyler and at other times we have Milla Jovovich playing the part. The scenes are edited in a way where we go from video to reenactment and sometimes both at the same time. It is a very effective mode of story telling that causes you to pay attention and question your belief system the entire time.

When leaving the theatre, many of the kids were laughing and joking around that the videotape was fake, and that the doctor did not exist. But even if that were true, it doesn’t matter. This is a really entertaining film. The video tape may of been faked like the Blair Witch project, but even if it was, the facts remain. The FBI have been to Nome, Alaska a disproportionate amount of times and Nome’s record for disappearances is well above the national average. Something is going on in Alaska, why not alien abduction? At least the film makers had the courtesy of giving us a polished Hollywood reenactment instead of the shaky hand-held camera work of other similar films. I spent most of The Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield staring at my shoes instead of the screen trying not to loose my cookies. At least this film I could watch.

Whether or not you believe in aliens is a question that you must decide. This film only lays out the facts and statistics and asks you to make up your own mind. Like one of those TV mystery shows we are asked to look at the evidence and then ponder the possibility, and like Agent Mulder, I want to believe. This film is very cool.

Rating: First Run I want to believe

Jim Carrey And The Heart Of Ebenezer Scrooge

When Jim Carrey was prepping for his performance as the Grinch, in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, little did he know that nine years later he would be playing the original Grinch, Ebenezer Scrooge, in Disney’s A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens’ Ebenezer Scrooge has inspired countless imitators over the years including Dr. Suess’ Grinch. Scrooge is a man who is bitter and miserly and only through a Christmas miracle is he able to find redemption. Jim Carrey was asked to share his insights into the famous Dickens character.

“I think Scrooge is abandoned. He is a child abandoned. I think that the only thing that we have to be aware of in this world is the unloved. And that’s where it all comes from. So, Scrooge started out there. And trying desperately for a long time to cling to whatever is good, and his sister, the things that he cares about, but slowly being disappointed by life over and over again.”

“There was a transition, when we have a break-up scene with Belle, where it’s a different person, you know? And even when he was a child, as children do, they try to think positively about their situation. Try to make the best of it. And I think, that by the time he’s thirty-five, he’s about done with making the best of it. And that void can’t be filled anymore unless he goes really inside himself. And the ghosts are his opportunity to see himself. So he’s introduced to himself, and I think everybody, given the facts, if they could see the whole picture, would have that catharsis. What Scrooge learned is that he is worthy of love.”

When Jim was asked why he wanted to play Scrooge in an animated feature he replied, “It’s the whole picture. It’s a dream of every actor to have the greatest material in the world, the greatest talent in the world to play with, and a top flight director. We have all that. I’m completely honored to be part of this cast and part of this whole experience. It’s really a high point.”

When asked what his favorite Scrooge has been over the years he replied, “Alister Simms was my favorite from when I was a little kid. I watched Alister Simms every year. But that’s a man whose face was born to play that part. His whole being had an acid-reflux bitterness to it that was just splendid to watch. And I kind of wanted to have that feeling, that deep feeling that causes rheumatism that will eventually eat you alive from inside, you know? Really, I based the character from the get-go on the lies we believe about ourselves. And this person obviously believed that he was unworthy of love, so why should love exist for anybody? I think that is where most of our dysfunction comes from. A feeling of worthlessness”

During the interview Jim was eager to share a connection between his acting partner Cary Elwes (Princess Bride) and the original inspiration for Scrooge. “Scrooge was based on one of his great, great, great uncles named John Elwes. He was actually a template for the character. He was a member of Parliament and he as so cheap that he would wear the same clothes all the time until they were in tatters. He wore a wig that he found in the garbage, and he wouldn’t eat or buy any new game until the meat he had, even if it was rancid, was finished. He was the character Dickens based his story on.”

Jim was asked why he played all the Christmas Ghosts and he responded, “Every spirit was an aspect of Scrooge’s personality, basically, and that was how Bob (Robert Zemeckis) was approaching it.” When asked what the hardest part was he replied, “You have to create the ambiance and the belief in your surroundings in you head.” When the physicality of the role was mentioned, Jim shared, “It’s a dream come true for that. I mean it quite honestly. It’s just absolutely challenging in every way. You can use everything you’ve got. Your fingers turn into these long spindly, wonderful things and it’s great. It’s like puppeteering in a way.”

Jim Carrey strongly believes that this is a story that needs to be told again and that it is very appropriate for our times. “Scrooge was like the original corporate raider.” When he was asked about what he thought about the final product he said, “I think that Bob Zemeckis has created the best version so far.”

A Christmas Carol

For a film about a miserly man, Disney’s A Christmas Carol is mighty rich. This lavish holiday spectacular is so well executed and lovingly reproduced that I found myself getting goosebumps on more than one occasion. When the first ghost appears to Ebenezer Scrooge, I actually held my breath with him as the ghost of his friend Jacob Marley approaches the locked door. You hear him before you see him, and the anticipation is so great that when he finally bursts through the door, it is truly frightening.

When Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, it was so popular that he did an American concert tour where he stood on stage next to a red velvet podium and read out loud from the book. He loved acting out the parts and creating different voices. He was an cognoscente performer and even acted for a time. This book was written to be performed.

In the great Dicksonian tradition, Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Bob Hoskins, Robin Wright Penn, and several other actors played multiple parts. It works because it is both traditional and inspired. When each ghostly apparition is really an extension of Ebenezer Scrooge’s persona, it is only makes sense that Jim Carrey would play all the parts, and he does it brilliantly. Director and producer Robert Zemeckis chose his actors for their versatility. And he chose this story because he felt that the new technologies of Motion Capture could tell the story in a new and exciting way. With all the many versions of Christmas Carol out there over the years, what really impressed me, were some of the innovations. I loved the flying room sequence and I also like the part when Scrooge was made really small. It added some comic relief which was sorely appreciated after all the scary ghosts.

If I have any criticism of this film, it’s that some of the supporting players were not as lovingly rendered as Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge is so detailed and so expressive that when he shares the screen with other characters you can tell the difference. But this minor slight is my only complaint. From the script by Robert Zemeckis, to the score by Alan Silvestri, and with delightful performances by an excellent cast, this Christmas Carol is a wonderful family film that everyone may enjoy. It is no mistake that Dicken’s story is popular and has been adapted so many times. It is a classic redemption story that carries a universal message of good will. This version is faithful to the source and put me in the holiday mood with enough substance to carry me through the New Year. It is truly a wonderful cinematic gift and will be treasured for a long time to come.

Rating: Must See A wonderful addition to the legacy of Dickens

Precious

A teacher stands at the front of a room full of girls. She tells them that they are going to get up, say their name, where they are from, their favorite color, and something that they do well. The first girl gives her answer, but does not stand up. She is ridiculed by a classmate. The second girl won’t participate because she says it’s stupid. Precious, asks to be excused, and the next girl gives her answers in a bubbly effervescent manner. Precious reconsiders and asks if she can give her answers now, but she leaves off the part that tells what she does best. When she is asked again, “Precious, what are you good at?” She replies, “Nothing.” The teacher starts to correct her, but something in Precious’ face makes her stop. Then Precious adds, “I’ve never spoken up in class before.” The teacher responds, “How does it make you feel?” Precious replies, “Here. It makes me feel like I’m here.”

Precious is about the invisible people. If you saw Precious walking down the street you would see a large obese girl, with very dark skin, and her chin jutting out as if she was daring you to take a swing. In the classroom she does nothing to attract attention. Instead she retreats into a fantasy world where she is loved, admired and respected. A world she has never known in her young life.

When Precious, at 16, becomes pregnant with her second child, she is kicked out of school and sent to an alternative program. Here, her abusive life and circumstances are revealed, and for the first time she finds compassion and self-worth. She discovers that she is, indeed, precious.

This film is based on the book Push, written by Sapphire. It became a festival favorite and won several audience awards, but it wasn’t until it received the endorsement of Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, that is has been granted a theatrical release. Although the film deals with a very heavy subject matter, the tone of the film has many colors. The home life scenes are gut wrenching, but the fantasy sequences give us another Precious. They show us potential, they show us spirit, they show us a Precious as she could be. This film is about the inner life of those people that we write off, it is also a nod to the men and women of education and social services who refuse to stop trying to reach the unreachable.

There are some extraordinary performances in this film. Mariah Carey is almost unrecognizable as Mrs. Weiss, a social worker, and Lenny Kravitz has a small effective role as a male nurse. Paula Patton is the caring, perceptive, and ferocious teacher who champions Precious and turns her life around. But the most notable performance that everyone is talking about is Mo’Nique as Mary, Precious’ abusive mother. Mo’Nique throws all vanity aside to play this despicable parasite of the Welfare system. It is only her raw, multi-layered performance that keeps her from being totally unsympathetic. You’ll still hate her, but with a little understanding.

I can’t call Precious an entertaining, fun night out at the cinema. But it would be an evening well spent, drudging up lots of emotions and topics for conversation. The humor in the film keeps it from being unbearable, and the performances keep it from being maudlin. This is a well written film that is finely directed and deserves the attention it is receiving. I highly recommend it.

Rating: First Run A look inside the neglected and abused

Amelia

I flew in a glider once and I remember how peaceful and serene it was. The only sound was the wind, lapping at the window, trying to get in through the gaps. I felt so removed from the world, like nothing below was really there or mattered, and unfortunately that’s how I felt watching the movie Amelia; detached.

This movie, as beautiful and as detailed as it was, never really got off the ground. It lacked passion. I never was able to make a connection with Hilary Swank’s character and I felt more excitement about being in the air when Cherry Jones as Eleanor Roosevelt took her short flight. In this movie, Amelia’s attitude about flying came off more like an addiction, than a love or a passion. And I felt that the fear she portrayed during various aerial mishaps was strangely out of place.

For a woman who is the most famous female aviator in history and who inspired young girls all over the world, this Amelia showed us a reluctant wife and pitch woman. A woman who would do anything to keep herself in the air.

I really think this movie failed to capture the historical significance of Amelia Earhart and the way that America felt about her. She was a star among stars and even the most famous of the famous wanted to meet her. Yet the Amelia of the history books remained humble as she quietly made her strides for women’s rights and aviation in general. She was a handsome woman, but not a beautiful one, yet all the woman in the world wanted to be like her.

What I was missing in this film was the genesis of Amelia’s love of flying. Where did a girl from Kansas learn her love of airplanes? Also I was missing the romantic link between Amelia and her husband George Putnam (Richard Gere). Her romantic interest in Gene Vidal (Ewan McGregor) was easier to understand, he was a fellow flyer. But what was her interest in George? I can speculate about their relationship, but the film does not make it clear.

Overall I was disappointed in this film. I think that Amelia deserves better. Her life is so adventurous and rich with all her contributions that maybe someday a mini-series would fit the bill. In the meanwhile, she is better served in the history books.

Rating: Rent It This biopic never gets off the ground

This Is It

Twelve days ago before viewing Michael Jackson’s This Is It, I had the privilege of seeing some home movie footage of Fred Astaire practicing a dance number where he plays the drums and dances with some drumsticks. As I watched this brilliant man rehearsing the number over and over practicing the nuisances and perfecting the techniques necessary to throw a drumstick on the ground and have it bounce back into his hand, I felt like I got an insight into the man himself, and a rare glimpse of genius. I felt that way today watching Michael Jackson.

Before Michael Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009, he was preparing for a multi-media concert in London, having already sold out 50 dates. Not having performed in a decade, he wanted to thank his fans for remaining loyal and to give them an opportunity to see him live again. He also wanted to perform for his children, now that they were at an age to appreciate his craft. He wanted to share with them the music he loved, and allow them to see their daddy in a way they did not know. But Michael Jackson also had another reason for the concert. Michael had a message. He had deep concerns about the health of our planet and felt an urgency to get the message out. His message is in his music, and its impact is undeniable. His environmental plea is strong, and it is global. Who better to get the message out than International Pop Star, Michael Jackson?

During the rehearsal process, over 100 hours of footage was shot. The film was intended for Michael Jackson’s archives to document the creation of this concert. It was not intended for commercial use, but rather as a form of documentation. But what we see is a picture of a man’s creative insight; focused, determined, exact, yet always loving. We see him get frustrated, we see him tired, we see him vulnerable, yet he never turns that frustration onto other people. Instead he communicates what he is feeling and describes what he is trying to achieve. He treats everyone with respect in a very humble way. This Michael Jackson is a master communicator and a fabulous showman. After watching this film there will be absolutely no doubt as to his talent, his genius, or the legacy he has left behind. Michael Jackson deserves his title, King Of Pop.

When I learned about this film, coming so close after Michael’s death, I had my concerns. I grew up with Michael, we are the same age, and he has played a tremendous part in my life. Therefore I felt protective of his memory. I didn’t want any one to exploit him in death. But, after seeing this film, I now know that my fears were unfounded. Kenny Ortega has done a masterful job of editing the rehearsal footage and giving us our Michael the way we want to remember him. Kenny Ortega said he did the film for Michael’s fans. That so many people had tickets for his concert, over a million, that every time he met one, they would ask him what would the concert have been like? Kenny’s answer is in his film. It was created out of love, in love, and with love it should be received. I’m only sad that no one will ever get a chance to see the concert live. This Is It is the next best thing.

Rating: First Run A portrait of a genius

Bronson

Charlie Bronson is considered the most violent prisoner in Great Britain. He has spent thirty-four years in prison, thirty of them in solitary confinement. Born Michael Gordon Peterson, he was initially sent to jail for seven years at the age of twenty-two for robbing a post office. He is now serving a life sentence for crimes he committed while incarcerated. Over the years he has spent time in over one hundred twenty different prisons, and three mental hospitals. He is a media hog and a tabloid darling, staging protests, causing riots, taking hostages, and writing books.

The movie Bronson loosely tells the story of Michael Peterson’s time in prison and his infamous antics while there. His name was changed to Charlie Bronson when he was a bare-knuckled fist fighter, and he kept the name because it better suited his tough guy image. Presented in an avante-garde style, the film Bronson takes liberties with the facts while highlighting its subject and his escapades over the last thirty-four years as an inmate.

Bronson has become so notorious and such a financial burden to the prison system, that in 1999 a special program was created just for him and two other violent offenders. The goal was to isolate them and protect the prison staff from their violent outbursts. Part of the program gave them access to artist’s materials and Charles Bronson has since won numerous awards for his art and poetry, and has published eleven books including one on prison fitness.

As a film, Bronson is an imperfect biopic. Though very stylish with a bravado performance by Tom Hardy, it never gets to the bottom oh his behavior and how he came to be so dangerous. It also never explains his obsession with fame. I found the movie intriguing, but I also wanted more depth and answers. Instead we become the prisoners in a Marquis de Sade style farce, completely at the mercy of a man with delusions of grandeur. Many questions are raised, but few are answered. Charlie Bronson is either a mad man or a media genius.

Rating: Rent It A violent depiction of a dangerous yet fascinating man

Law Abiding Citizen

In 1974 a movie came out with Charles Bronson called Death Wish. Charles Bronson played a Korean War vet who was now living a peaceful existence with his wife and daughter as an architect. One day he comes home and finds that his wife and daughter have been brutally raped and beaten. I remember how shocked I was. I had never seen an act of such violence before and the perpetrator’s treatment of the women was so dehumanizing that it made me cringe. What added more weight to the impact of my disgust, was that one of the women was Hope Lange of TV’s The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. I couldn’t have been more upset if I saw Mrs. Brady and Mrs. Partridge doing porn.

When Joanna Kersey (Hope Lange) dies from her trauma, Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) turns from a mild-mannered architect into a one man vigilante. As a viewer I remember how easy it was to cross that line and take satisfaction in his murderous spree. It scared me when I realized what a short walk it was from love one another to an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. I also realized that in the right circumstances anyone is capable of murder.

Twenty-five years later after watching Law Abiding Citizen, what shocked me the most is how accustomed I have become to violence. As a society, we have become so desensitized that Hollywood needs to keep upping the ante in order to shock us. But what I really found disturbing in this movie is that our vigilante (Gerard Butler) had turned into as much of a monster as the bad guys who killed his family. He took ten years to plan his revenge and it wasn’t enough just to kill them, his victims had to die painfully. He was sadistic in a reap what you sow way, that you started to feel bad for the criminals.

Unlike Death Wish, twenty-five years later, I did not root for the vigilante in this film. Rather I was saddened that things have gone so far. I desperately wish there was a way to go back to a kinder, simpler time, but I don’t know how that is possible. You can’t un-ring a bell. It makes me wonder how far things will go in the future and what it will take to shock the next generation.

As an individual, we do have a choice. TVs have off buttons and movies sell tickets. I don’t have to go see them. But that violence is in our culture. It’s in our children’s games, so it’s hard to escape its impact. Today we don’t fear monsters and boogeymen, we fear terrorist, gangs and random acts of violence. I don’t know what the solution is, but we can start with this movie. The entertainment value is not worth your peace of mind. I recommend that you skip this one.

Rating: Don’t Bother The victim is now the criminal

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant

Two friends, while cutting school are lured to a freak show by a mysterious green flyer. They are both entranced by the oddities that they see there, and it is here that we discover that Darren Shan (Chris Massoglia) has a thing about spiders and that his best friend Steve (Josh Hutcherson) is infatuated with vampires. Steve is convinced that the performer Larten Crepsley (John C. Riley) is a vampire, but Darren is more taken with his dancing spider. When Darren sneaks into Crepsley’s dressing room to get a closer look, he overhears a conversation that he shouldn’t have and gets drawn into the world of vampires and circus freaks. When Steve is bitten by the poisonous spider, Darren agrees to be the vampire’s assistant in exchange for the antidote to save his best friend’s life.

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant is a fun, campy, entertaining film. But the pace is so frantic and choppy that I couldn’t help feeling left behind. This movie covers the first three books of a twelve book series and there is so much ground to cover that I felt like the film was flitting as fast as the vampires were. There is a whole new mythology here to learn, these vampires have there own rules and are not bound by the same limitations as traditional vampires. I had trouble keeping up with the multiple characters and the plot points, but any teenager who has read the books should have no trouble at all.

I did enjoy a lot of the film, but I don’t think I will embrace it as much as a teenager would. Not being the target audience for this film, I did not appreciate the MTV short attention span style of editing and story telling. But I was engaged and intrigued by the interesting characters. If they do another film, I hope they will let us learn more about the circus family and their brotherhood. There’s something appealing about bearded ladies, monkey girls, reptilian boys and other various oddities. And then there’s the whole vampire war and the mysterious Mr. Tiny. The two friends share a destiny and fate has pulled them apart and set them on opposite sides. Only in a sequel will we learn what becomes of them. Or if you are impatient, read the books.

Rating: Second Run A campy vampire tale

Where The Wild Things Are

I have a lot of experience reading aloud to children. When I allow them to pick the book, I enjoy seeing what they choose and what they consider to be their favorites. Over the years I’ve noticed that Where The Wild Things Are is in most classroom libraries. It is a beloved book, but as a read-aloud it is seldom chosen because the dialogue is sparse. It is one of those books that children like to read to themselves, where they can brood over it and study the pictures. It’s a great rainy day book, or a time-out book. Or, a book for a parent and a child to read together after a child may have had a particularly bad day. It is this tone and this sentiment the permeates the film adaptation. Spike Jonzes’ Where The Wild Things Are is just plain moody.

From the very opening of the film I had absolutely no trouble entering Max’s world. As an actor, Max Record is so natural and so believable that I had no problem what so ever feeling his pain, or understanding the source of his tantrum. And after getting over the shock of him physically running away instead of mentally doing so, I had no difficulty entering his fantasy life or seeing the correlations between both of his worlds. Even if the island was represented as a real place, there are enough symbols and enough sign posts to shows us that these two worlds are connected. But I wonder how much of this a child would pick up.

Once Max took on the responsibility of being king and maintaining everyone’s happiness in his new monster family, I started losing my enchantment. These monsters were too real, too human, and I was becoming very sad. I knew that Max was in over his head and that the emotional problems of his subjects was too much for him to bear. In an attempt to raise everyone’s spirits, Max suggests a dirt clod fight. I knew from my own childhood experiences, that these things never end well, and with the personalities involved, someone was going to get hurt.

This film is so finely crafted, that my emotional response to it is very deep and very strong. However, like the goat faced character in the movie, I stopped having fun and just wanted to go home. My memories of childhood play gone wrong came flooding back to me and I couldn’t help but re-experience the pain of rejection, the power struggles that happen between children, and the flashes of anger that accompanies jealousy. All those emotions made me feel raw and melancholy, it also made me wonder about the kids.

We often forget that children’s emotions also run deep and that their pain is just as poignant as ours. The biggest difference is that they haven’t learned how to express it, verbalize it, or understand where these emotions come from. I can easily see this film as a catalyst, as a way to open up a dialogue between parents and children. As a parent I can visualize giving a child a two hour time-out with this movie and then discussing it with them afterwards. But as a childless adult I found this movie unsettling and I’m not sure how much I liked it. The film, however, is very well made and illicits a powerful visceral response. It is a work of art which is imaginative and totally worth discussing. It is on these terms that I am recommending this film.

Rating: First Run An artistic and powerful film worth discussing

Trucker

“This is who I am and I’m not going to change.” Michelle Monaghan plays Diane Ford, an independent female trucker. She owns her own rig, she’s working on the house, and she loves her solitary life as a long haul trucker. But her unapologetic life hits a bump in the road when her desperately needed sleep is interrupted by a pounding fist on the door. On the other side is a woman she barely knows, and beyond her is the eleven year-old son Diane abandoned over ten years ago.

Diane is incensed. She had a deal. But when she discovers that her ex-husband, (Benjamin Bratt) is in the hospital being treated for cancer, she relents and allows the child back into her life, if only for a while. Diane travels light and one of her few friends is her married neighbor Runner, (Nathan Fillion). So far their relationship is platonic, but their friendship is a threat to his wife and the rest of his family. Diane doesn’t care. As long as she’s not screwing him, she feels it’s nobody’s business. But now with her son back in her life, Diane must examine her egocentric behavior and face consequences for the first time, in a long time. Her earlier selfish act is now staring her in the face in the guise of a boy named Peter, (Jimmy Bennett). It is time for some self-examination and some personal sacrifices. This time she can’t walk away.

Trucker is a engaging story of a woman who refuses to be boxed in even if it costs her on a personal level. Living life on her own terms she must now look at herself from the eyes of her friend and her son, and decide who she really wants to be. This film harkens back to the films of the seventies where character and introspection could drive a film. The sound track enhances this movie beautifully and the directing is light and unsentimental. Trucker is certainly a movie worth the drive.

Rating: First Run The story of an apologetic woman

The Damn United

Being an American, I knew absolutely nothing about Brian Clough prior to seeing this film, but I found his story fascinating. Brian Clough, along with his partner Peter Taylor is considered one of the greatest English football managers England has ever seen. Due to a social slight by Don Revie, reigning manager of the championship team Leeds United, Brian Clough became obsessed with breaking every record Don Revie ever achieved.

Clough was a charismatic, arrogant, yet brilliant manager, who along with his partner, Peter Taylor, took a last place Division Two team all the way to the finals and into Division One. This film shows the rise of this dynamic team and how a healthy ego was necessary to accomplish this monumental task. But it also shows us how hubris can bring a man down and threaten the very thing he strives for.

The Damn United is a poignant film that is just as much about friendship as it is about football. This film expertly captures European soccer of the late sixties and the early seventies and Michael Sheen is phenomenal as Brian Clough. My favorite scene is when he experiences one of his games from the confines of his basement office because he can’t bear to watch it in person. Only the sound of cheering and the shifting light from his windows lets us know that a game is going on. His face tell us the importance of this game and how his entire being has been invested to make his team successful. It is truly a mesmerizing performance.

Timothy Spall is also excellent as Brian Clough’s partner Peter Taylor. He shows us the heart of this man who operated in the shadows, but who was just as vital to this winning team as Clough himself. The chemistry between the two is believable and helps to explain the dynamics that existed between these two men.

The Damn United is a throughly enjoyable film and I highly recommend it. Even if you are not a soccer fan you’ll enjoy the intricate details of this movie; “Goal!”

Rating: First Run A winning look at a championship team

Couples Retreat

I have some male movie going friends and when we go to an action movie I might hear things like, “That could never happen”, or “That’s scientifically impossible”. And then afterwards I hear them pick the movie apart thread by implausible thread. I’d shrug my shoulders and say, “Eh! It’s just a movie.” I didn’t care if it was far fetched as long as it was entertaining. But after seeing Couples Retreat, now I know how they feel. I recently started listing all the incredulous, ridiculous things that happened in this movie to a male associate of mine, and how certain things could never really happen, and then he just shrugged his shoulders and said, “Eh! I thought it was funny.” It’s a Mars verses Venus thing.

I did not enjoy Couples Retreat. Those ridiculous nagging things that took me completely out of the movie killed my sense of humor. There were some funny parts, but I couldn’t get past the logic, or lack of it. I also found some of the bickering painful. Watching couples argue and hurt each other is not my idea of fun. There may be some people out there who can identify with this film, but all it did for me was make me glad that I’m unattached. I’ll take the island resort, but hold the wild singles parties and the couple’s therapy. A single Margarita by the water will do.

Rating: Rent It Watch it at home with some Island Rum, it may go down better.