Knight and Day

Tom Cruise (Mission Impossible) is funny! At this stage in his career I think it is his most endearing quality. We already know that Cameron Diaz (Charlie’s Angels) can mix action with comedy. The two of them together are delightful. This is a fun, crazy, manic film! I found myself smiling throughout.

Knight and Day is a clever mix of everything we love about action films with an amusing blend of sight gags and character driven comedy. I love the over the top absurdity of this film which bordered on the line of satire. It thrilled and tickled you at the same time. Thinking back now on some of the visuals still has me chuckling. What should have been menacing becomes ridiculous by the pure improbability of it. I thought that some of the sight gags were brilliant.

Cameron Diaz plays a classic car mechanic who is unwittingly used as a mule by super spy Tom Cruise to get a top secret device past airport security. At first she falls for his charm and is flattered by his attention, but when she discovers his true purpose and the danger she is in, she becomes hysterical and he drugs her to shut her up. She wakes up in her own bed, and for a moment thinks it’s a dream. But when he leaves little notes around her house and she is visited by the FBI, she knows she is in the middle of something big.

I really got a kick out of the running gag which had her constantly being drugged and then waking up in a strange place. It reminded me of when I was a kid traveling across country in a camper. I would wake up and have to look out the window to see what state I was in. But in this film she wakes up in Spain, Austria, South America and other exotic locations. It is a very funny bit that is put to good use.

For villainy we have Peter Sarsgaard (An Education) as a rogue agent, and Jordi Molla (Che: Part Two) as a Spanish arms dealer. Viola Davis (Doubt) portrays FBI Director George, who backs the wrong agent, and Paul Dano (There Will Be Blood) plays a young genius who invents a brilliant new technology. He is the one that Cruise is protecting, and it is his invention that everyone is trying to steal.

Besides great car chases, explosions, and hand to hand combat, Knight and Day also takes us all over the world. It is fun, adventurous, charming and cool. What a great summer romp and date movie. Both the guys and the girls will love this one.

Rating: First Run The perfect summer romp

Grown Ups

Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider and David Spade are friends, and it is their camaraderie that makes Grown Ups work. It is not the funniest movie that I have ever seen, but it is sweet, amusing and has plenty of laughs. It is amazing that the film works at all when you consider the balancing act that director Dennis Dugan (Don’t Mess with the Zohan) had to pull off to blend all of these comics together. The film is uneven, but each star gets a chance to shine at least once. And when you add in the wives and the supporting players, that’s a pretty big talent pool.

In the film, the grown ups are five men who have been reunited to bury their beloved coach. At age twelve, Coach Buzzer, Blake Clark, led them to a championship victory in basketball and inspired them to take their winning attitude into adulthood. Some have been more successful than others and now thirty years later, they are together again. They fall right back into their childish ways, mocking each other, teasing and cutting each other down. It is a bond of friendship that can never be broken and being back home in the midst of their triumph, the coach’s words ring in their ears. They are retrospective, pensive and wondering if they have let their coach down. Each man is left to examine his own life, but the navel-gazing doesn’t last long. Humor is one fart joke away and the introspection is just a device to fuel the comedy.

If you like prat falls, gassy old ladies, wedgies, cute kids and lots of booby jokes, you are going to like this film. If you require witty dialogue and clever send ups, this film is a little too shallow. But there is enough here to make you laugh and the movie is family friendly. You can take the kids without being bored out of your mind and if the comedy is not your cup of tea you can play the game, Spot the Comedian. This film is full of character actors and comedians from the past. Just scan the crowds and you’ll find the likes of Steve Buscemi, Tim Meadows, Norm MacDonald and many more. The wives alone contain the talents of Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, Maya Rudolph, and Joyce Van Patton. This film is like a shotgun of comedy, it fires both barrels and at least one bullet will hit its mark. It’s comedy with a message, Adam Sandler style. If you are a fan, you are going to love this film.

Rating: First Run Comedy: the more the merrier

Harlan – In the Shadow of “Jew Süss”

In the early 1930’s a young German actor was trying his hand at film directing. A student of Max Reinhardt, Veit Harlan became one of Germany’s leading filmmakers. Max Reinhardt, being a Jew, left Germany for America just in time and had a successful career in the United States. Harlan, who stayed in Germany, ended up making films for the Third Reich. His most notorious film, Jew Süss, was heavily dramatic and anti-Semitic. He spent the rest of his life defending his actions.
 
Harlan – In the Shadow of “Jew Süss” is a documentary tracing the career of Veit Harlan and his life after the fall of Germany. Acquitted twice, Harlan is the only artist that has ever been prosecuted for war crimes. By using home movies, film footage, and interviews of Harlan’s children and grandchildren, director Felix Moeller searches the soul of an artist who was placed in an impossible situation.
 
Stanley Kubrick was married to one of Harlan’s nieces and he often agonized over the idea of what he would of done in the same place. Shunned, criticized and publicly denounced, Harlan forever lived under the shadow of his most famous film. Artists all over the world are often forced to make ethical choices when living in a repressed and censored society. This film raises some very interesting questions and highlights a man who spent the rest of his life defending himself and his work. A must see for any student of film.

Rating: First Run A must see for any student of film
 
 

Jonah Hex

Warner Brother’s Pictures showed a clip from Jonah Hex at last year’s Comic-Con in San Diego. I was immediately intrigued. One, I like westerns, two, I’m interested in the Civil War, and three, there was a little Native American mysticism mixed in. I was unfamiliar with the Jonah Hex DC Comic, but I love Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men) so I was ready to go. And I’ve got to say, I wasn’t disappointed.

Unlike other comic book adaptations, Jonah Hex didn’t seem to be bogged down by filling in the backstory. It gave us just enough to get started, and filled in details as we went along. Sometimes going back to pick up finer points. I loved this approach because these stories are not sacred to me. I just want to be entertained. Watchmen was ruined because there was too much exposition. I’m glad they let this film get straight to the action.

Jonah Hex is spare and lean, beginning like a Spaghetti Western. I relished one of the early shots of Jonah dragging in three dead bodies from the back of his horse. As they raised dust, weighing heavily in the sand, you could tell Jonah was a man of reputation by the way the town’s people reacted to him. You could also tell he was a man of honor after he killed the sheriff for reneging on a deal. He only took what was owed him, and laid the rest unceremoniously down. It is a bad idea to cheat Jonah Hex, he is a man with nothing to lose.

I was continuously surprised by the supporting cast. John Malkovich (Con Air) played the villain and Aidan Quinn (Stakeout) played Ulysess S. Grant. Will Arnet (Blades of Glory) broke from his comedy roots to play a military officer, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Watchmen) shows up in a small uncredited role playing Jonah Hex’s slain best friend. Michael Fassbender (Inglorious Basterds) appears as Burke and even the Dukes of Hazzard’s Tom Wopat has a small role. Megan Fox (Transformers) was the sole female in this film and I didn’t hear a single guy complaining. In fact, the guy in front of me gave her a shout out during the credits. I just wish that they gave her more to do.

For a genre film Jonah Hex is finely made with interesting uses of color, cool graphics and a rockin’ score. My only complaint was with the futuristic weaponry. It wasn’t Wild, Wild, West bad, but it was close. I mean come on, saddle mounted Gatling Guns? Anyone who has ever tried to mount a horse knows that it’s hard enough for a saddle to stay in place with the rider’s weight, let alone two mounted cannons. The weapons were a little too sci-fi. Otherwise, this is a really good film.

Rating: First Run John Hex is to be reckoned with

Get Him to the Greek

“We are not amused.” My apologies to the people of Great Britain. Get Him to the Greek is insulting, vulgar, crass and the biggest sin of all, not funny. Russell Brand (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) may be fine in small doses, but his drug addled, egocentric, bad boy, rock persona is not enough to carry a film. His performance was all over the place and I couldn’t tell what he was trying to do. I spent the entire movie checking my watch, while the guy in front of me played with his phone. Not only did I not laugh in this movie, I can’t even remember smiling. The theatre was as quiet as a church.

Jonah Hill (Superbad) plays Aaron Green, a toady for a Gangsta Music Company. When his boss, Sergio, Sean P. Diddy Combs (Monster’s Ball) terrorizes all the staff to come up with a fresh idea to generate revenue, Aaron suggests having an anniversary concert for Aldous Snow (Brand) at the Greek Theatre. He is shot down and humiliated for his offering. But later when Sergio does his research and crunches the numbers, he discovers that the idea has merit. He green lights the concert and puts Aaron in charge of collecting the wayward rocker. He is warned, get him to the Greek on time or else. P.Diddy had only two levels in his repertoire, distain and berating others. He was like a cartoon character. I really disliked this film.

When Aaron reaches London to pick up Aldous Snow he is excited to meet one of his musical idols. But from the very beginning he is disrespected, disregarded and forced to abandon any scruples that he may have in order to cater to this self absorbed simple-minded man-child. He becomes so demoralized that he begins to wonder what he ever saw in his idol. This movie is not funny it is sad. If you like the idea of washed up rockers being resurrected for a last hurrah, see Still Crazy instead. Bill Nighy owns this character. He’ll show you what funny is.

Rating: Don’t Bother Rent Still Crazy instead, same idea, but funny

The A-Team

What makes The A-Team work is that everything is bigger than life. And to quote Col. Hannibal Smith, “Everything must be exactly the right measure.” We have big stunts, big action, affable characters, and shifty bad guys. No one element over powers the other. The balance for adventure is just right.

Liam Neeson (Taken) plays Col. Hannibal Smith, the man with a plan and the leader of of this ragtag Special Ops team. It’s wonderful that Liam has found his inner bad ass so late in life. He has really become quite the action star. Bradley Cooper (The Hangover) is The Face, a man who trades on his looks and charm as well as his steely nerve. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has stepped out of the ring to portray Bad Ass Baracus, a man with a mighty blow, and a new-found fear of flying. And Sharlto Copley (District 9) is Murdock, the world’s best pilot. He can fly anything, just ask his friends in the asylum.

This finely tuned team of lunatics are good at what they do and they specialize in the impossible. In eight years they have run eighty successful missions until one messes them up. The job is so covert that when it goes bad, no one can vouch for their honesty. They are set up, court-marshaled, stripped of their rank, and put in prison. Their next job is to clear their name.

Jessica Biel (Valentine’s Day) is out to get the boys. Their interference in her mission got her busted down to Lieutenant. She is also mad because she was led astray by Face, her ex-lover. She is still angry over their break-up and Face blames her for leaving him. Also entwined in this mess is CIA Operative Lynch, Patrick Wilson (Watchmen). He is so twisted no one knows where he is coming from, and Brian Bloom plays Pike. A Black Ops mercenary who is playing for himself. He’s the one who burns the A-Team. It’s him they want to get first, and Lynch is going to help them.

Like all good action films, the A-Team has excellent explosions, a little drama, close male bonding, death defying stunts, and plenty of witty banter. You have four unlikely heroes willing to back each other up and do the impossible to get the job done. I especially liked Sharlto Copley’s mental-patient pilot. He was always ready to try something new by pushing a plane to it’s limits. For him, survival is a bonus. He also is a impressive cook. Just the kind of guy you’d want around.

The A-Team is pure entertainment and designed for mindless fun. They tried to add some twists and turns, but I figured them out so early that I got impatient waiting for them to reveal. The best way to enjoy this film is to lean back and watch it go. For a summer flick, this one is ideal. Don’t let comparisons to the original keep you away. That would make you a fool.

Rating: First Run Good summer fun

Karate Kid

There is a new kid in town and he will steal your heart. Trading Karate for the Chinese practice of Kung Fu, Jaden Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness) travels to Beijing, China to study from the master, Jackie Chan (Rush Hour). I cannot say enough good things about this film. I was enthralled from the very beginning and I loved the journey that took us through China both old and new. From the cinematography, to the music, to the heartfelt performances, The Karate Kid does not disappoint and does honor to the original film.

In the Karate Kid (2010), Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) plays a single mother who is transfered to China along with her twelve year old son. On his very first day, Dre makes the mistake of talking to the wrong pretty girl and receives the beating of his life. Zhenwei Wang plays Cheng, the vicious leader of a group of boys. They all study at the same Karate School under a ruthless, sadistic teacher. When Dre can no longer stomach living in fear, he begs the janitor, Mr. Han (Chan) to teach him how to fight. Mr. Han stops the boys right in the middle of savage drubbing where he literally ties the gang up in knots. Dre has discovered a newfound respect for the insular custodian, and Mr. Han has found a ready pupil.

The training of Dre takes us through China at its best. We see a beautiful country struggling to respect its past, while expanding and embracing its future. I fell in love with the country and the people within. What a wonderful love letter to China. The bond between Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith was also a thing to behold. It was natural, close knit and warm. You really believe in the relationship.

Young Jaden Smith proved that he could act playing opposite of his father Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness. But in this film he shows us even more. He was cocky, without being precocious, impudent without being insolent, and scared without being cowardly. He showed tenacity, courage, sensitivity and compassion. It is a finely nuanced performance for such a young man.

Relieved of the lion’s share of martial arts in this film, Jackie Chan was able to concentrate on his acting, showing us colors that we have not seen before. Without the responsibility of fighting his way out of every scene he was able to reveal his vulnerable side. When he finally breaks down and is consoled by Jaden Smith, it is truly a touching scene. Without all the comedy and Kung Fu distractions, Jackie Chan shows us that he too, can act.

Watching this film I saw two new action stars in the making. The intensity and focus that these young men displayed was mind-blowing and awesome to see. In ten year’s time these boys will be formidable. I can easily see young Wang as the next Jet Li. The look on his face is fierce and frightening. Jaden Smith is also in for a fabulous career. At twelve years old he is already cut and chiseled like a competitive athlete. Girls of America, watch out! Your new heartthrob has arrived.

Rating: Must See Bow to the Kung Fu Kid

John Rabe

History is full of untold stories. Some fall into obscurity because the witnesses are no longer vocal, and some are repressed for political reasons. These events are filed away in government documents, journals, and family histories waiting to be re-discovered. One such tale is the accomplishment of John Rabe.

John Rabe was a German businessman who worked for the Siemens Corporation based in Berlin. He was sent to China in 1908 and was eventually placed to run an electro engineering plant in Nanking. He was also tasked with finishing a dam that would bring electricity to millions of Chinese people. Based in Nanking he was present during the Japanese invasion and due to his affiliations with the Nazi Party, he was nominated to head a committee providing a civilian safety zone. Set to leave China and return to Berlin, John Rabe made the decision to stay behind to protect his company’s Chinese workers. Due to his leadership abilities and his humanitarian efforts, John Rabe and his committee were able to save the lives of 200,000 people; the Japanese murdered another 300,000, much to their shame.

John Rabe along with an American doctor, a French educator and a German-Jewish diplomat, worked tirelessly along with others to save as many lives as they could. John Rabe housed refugees in his own home, as well as at the Siemens plant. He even forfeited his life savings to feed the thousands that were quickly running out of food.

The atrocities that were being carried out by the Japanese army were inconceivable to John Rabe. He wrote endlessly to Adolf Hitler asking him to intervene, documenting his experience with photos, film and his own personal journals. These very documents got him arrested by the SS and interrogated. He was then denounced by the Allies for being a member of the Nazi Party, but later was de-Nazified by Russia and Great Britain in 1946 after investigations exonerated him of any wrongdoing. In China he is remembered as a National hero.

In the film, Steve Buscemi (Con Air) portrays the American doctor Dr. Robert Wilson, Daniel Bruhl (Inglorious Basterds) plays Dr. Georg Rosen, the German- Jewish diplomat and German actor Ulrich Tukur plays the heroic John Rabe. The film was written and directed by Florian Gallenberger and is multi-lingual. English subtitles are available for non-English parts.
 
Rating: First Run A little known hero of world history

The Secret In Their Eyes

I wasn’t planning on writing a review for The Secret In Their Eyes. The picture won Best Foreign Language Film for the 2010 Oscars in February, but it wasn’t available for viewing here until May. I figured that by now, few people would have a chance to see it so I wasn’t going to bother. But it’s been 10 days since I’ve seen the film and it is still sticking with me. Any movie that makes that big of an impression deserves a second look.

The Secret In Their Eyes is a mystery revolving around the death of a young woman. An Argentine Court Investigator is now retired and he has decided to write a book about one of his early cases. He obtains access to police records, but even though they contain the facts, they don’t show the human elements, such as the grief of the husband, the shock of the discovery, or the emotional toll taken on the investigators. These details are filled in by memory and like all history; some details are influenced by the imagination.

Ricardo Darin plays Benjamin Esposito the court investigator and his previous partner, Soledad Villamil, is now the district attorney. When he asks for her help and has her read his manuscript, old feelings are re-ignited and questions are raised. He implores her to reopen the case and by digging for information, he becomes closer to the truth. He also flushes out some people who want to keep the truth buried.

The aspect of the film that has been haunting me is the sentiment conveyed by Benjamin Esposito’s investigative partner Pablo Sandoval, Guillermo Francella. He said that a man can change his look, he can change his politics, he can even change his religious affiliation, but one thing that a man cannot change is his passions. We cannot choose what we love. I have found this idea very intriguing.

Another character in the film is the murder victim’s husband, Pablo Rago. He was so in love with his wife that he visits the railway station everyday looking for her murderer. The investigators have identified the murderer as a jilted lover from her past, Javier Godino. A boy she never acknowledged. But the man has eluded capture for over a decade. The victim’s husband still waits.

One of the things that permeates Esposito’s mind is the love that existed between the murder victim and her husband. He finds it difficult to imagine a passion that strong. Over the years that memory intensifies until he begins to question what he really saw. The Secret In Their Eyes is about passion, what we choose to remember and how memories change with time. This movie gives you a lot to think about and since my passion is movies, I thought I’d share this film with you. I hope it really gets you thinking.

Rating: First Run A story about passion and what we chose to remember

Sex and the City 2

I don’t feel qualified to write about Sex and the City as a fan. I did not watch the show when it was on the air, and I’ve only seen two episodes in syndication. But as someone who is heavily involved with pop culture, I do recognize the characters and the contributions that they have made. In many ways these ladies are icons. The problem with being an icon is that people get so invested that it leads to disappointment. Nothing can compare with the image you have in your mind.

For Sex and the City 2, I gave into the whole girl’s night out experience. We were a party of eight and we started the evening with dinner and drinks and then headed over for an 8:00 show. The rest of the ladies in my party were fans, I was tagging along to get the whole Sex and the City experience. What I found to be the most interesting is that when the evening was over, I was the only one of the group who somewhat enjoyed the film. The rest of the girls were disappointed. 

Sex and the City 2 has our foursome traveling to Abu Dhabi. Although I believe that there is a thin line between being fashionable and wearing a costume, I was amused by seeing some of the outfits that the ladies wore. I even liked the flashback segments that showed how these women evolved their individual style. The clothes were fun, although often ridiculous, but I think the film missed a challenge here. In the desert scenes it would have been intriguing to see the gals rise to the occasion of finding a way of covering their bodies, while still displaying personal flair. Instead they chose to defy local custom in the name of women’s liberation. Where was the scene when they all get sunburned? Middle Eastern dress serves a practical function. It’s not all about keeping their women hidden. In the desert scenes all I could think about was Aloe Vera and freckling. These ladies should have been in pain.

As far as the sex scenes, Kim Cattrall came off looking very desperate. I’m sorry, but even in America her behavior would be outrageous. The film made it seem like the Middle Eastern couple was prudish by objecting to Samantha’s ostentatious flirting. But I must say that I probably would have been offended too. I don’t need to see that when I’ve paid good money to dine out with my husband. To quote the popular phrase,”Get a room.”

I thought that Miranda, Cynthia Nixon, was the most adventurous woman of the group. The memories of the day she planned would last a life time. In addition, she took the effort to learn about the culture and experience things that were unique to the region. Her practically allowed me to stomach some of the more self-indulgent things done by her companions. Conspicuous consumption is fine when someone else foots the bill. Would they act the same if they were paying?

Kristin Davis started the film with Charlotte being uptight and full of guilt for leaving her children, but of all the ladies, she kept her perspective. Her warning words to Carrie, Sarah Jessica Parker, were ignored and it almost cost her her marriage. How easy it is to forget what is important, especially away from home in an intoxicating land. She was right to think of her kids and family first. Family is the most important thing.

Although I thought that so much of this film was fanciful, vapid and irrelevant, I did recognize the central theme proclaiming the value of friendship. I also acknowledge that sometimes being decadent by proxy can being very satisfying in these restrictive times. But I don’t know if I appreciate the subject of women’s right being reduced to the right to wear fashion. I believe it is a more important topic than that.

I enjoyed Sex and the City as a fantasy romp showing beautiful clothes in an exotic locaation, but any feminist statements were left lying on the closet floor. As a lark, I say see it, but don’t expect much substance. And as far as being true to the show, I just don’t know. You’ll have to ask one of my disappointed friends.

Rating: Second Run A frivolous romp in the sand

Ondine

Ondine has the melancholy feel of an Irish ballad; sad, longing, with a touch of regret. Colin Farrell (In Bruges) plays Syracuse, an alcoholic fisherman who has been sober for over two years on account of his daughter Annie, Alison Barry. Two years ago Syracuse came home after a prolonged drunk to find his daughter unconscious on the floor. He vowed then and there to give up drinking so that Annie would have at least one sober parent. He has since become a devoted father, picking Annie up after school and taking her to dialysis several times a week. Annie is in need of a kidney transplant.

Because there are no AA meetings in this small Irish town, Syracuse has been pestering the local priest, Stephen Rea (The Crying Game) and taking advantage of his vow of silence. Living in a small village it is hard to keep a secret so Syracuse pours his heart out to the priest because he is forbidden to reveal anything that he has shared.

One morning while out fishing, Syracuse draws up his net only to find a beautiful mysterious woman inside, Alicja Bachleda . Believing that she is dead, he begins to call for help, but suddenly it is revealed that she is alive and he does everything he can to save her. Syracuse wants to take her to the hospital but she becomes very agitated. She refuses to be seen and pleads to be left out of sight. Confused and unnerved, Syracuse relents and takes her to a secluded house instead. Once she is settled, he rushes off to pick up his daughter for her dialysis appointment.

During the dialysis session, Syracuse tries to process the days events by weaving it into a story to tell his daughter. Based on his description, Annie is convinced that he has captured a Selkie, a woman of the sea. Syracuse doesn’t know what he’s found, but the woman is certainly magical. When she is with him the fish seem to swim right into his net. With her by his side, his luck has finally changed and he is bringing in the biggest hauls of his life.

Alternating between myth, fantasy, and intrigue, Ondine tells the quiet story of a father and the sacrifices he’s willing to make for his daughter. Ondine brings luck, but she also brings mystery and danger. It is refreshing to see Colin Farrell in this nice understated role. It is also good to see him play an Irishman, his native culture.

I enjoyed the mythical element of the film and the story is sweet without being overly sentimental. The tale draws you in and you want to believe that the myth is true. To quote the tag line line, “The truth is no what you know. It’s what you believe.” I what to believe in Selkies and that they can bring luck and love. Ondine just may be a Selkie after all.

Rating: Second Run A quiet Irish fairy tale

Splice

“We’ve crossed a line. We got confused!” These words are pronounced by Adrien Brody and no truer words have ever been spoken. In the film Splice, Adrien Brody (The Pianist) and Sarah Polley (The Secret Life of Words) play scientists who have successfully created a new life form by mixing the DNA of several animal species. After two rousing successes, they want to try adding human DNA next, but their financiers shut them down. Not to be deterred, Elsa and Clive continue in secret and bio-engineer Dren, a humanoid creature with surprising animal characteristics.

What makes this film so fascinating and elevates it above your average horror fare is great performances and the moral and ethical issues that Clive and Elsa must face. As a couple, both in the lab and romantically, they have many obstacles to overcome. But when they both become emotionally attached to Dren, losing all their scientific objectivity, things really start to deteriorate threatening their careers and everything they have worked for.

One of the superior qualities of this film is the human factor. Clive and Elsa are flawed people acting like gods with the “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” type attitude. Driven by the possibility of science and forgetting the practical application, they create a life that they are now responsible for. And what makes this monster story so compelling is the relationship between the three of them. French actress Delphine Chaneac gives Dren an enigmatic personality and a sympathetic soul. With a mixture of live acting, digital graphics and puppetry, Dren becomes a unwitting participant in this bizarre love triangle. The creature effects in this film are truly remarkable, and Dren will walk, or swim, or fly right into your heart. But watch your back, we don’t know what anyone is capable of.

Rating: Must See A must see for the horror fan