Every once in awhile a film comes along that must be seen. The Stoning Of Soraya M. is one such film. Based on a true story and a best selling book, The Stoning Of Soraya M. tells the story of a woman who was falsely accused of infidelity and stoned to death because her abusive tyrant of a husband wanted to remarry without having to support two wives.
This film is tightly written, expertly conceived, beautifully shot, dynamically acted and well-crafted in every way. Because of this you may forget all the technical aspects of the film and concentrate on its message. As long as women are treated and viewed as inferior to men, there will be injustice on this earth. As long as men plot, manipulate and corrupt the law, there will be injustice on this earth. And as long as men misrepresent God’s word and pervert it for their own selfish desires, injustice will be done. See this movie, talk about it, share it, spread the word. Justice must be done.
Rating: Must See A relevant film that must be seen. Shohreh Aghdashloo is unforgettable. She becomes Soraya’s voice.
About Me
- Melanie Wilson
- My Reviewer's Philosophy: I believe that every film has its audience. One man’s Citizen Kane is another man’s Texas Chain Saw Massacre. My purpose is to help you spend your entertainment dollars wisely. A bad review never kept me from going to a film I wanted to see, but a good review will sometimes get me to a film I never considered. As a movie lover I want you to go to the movies. When more people go to the movies, the more movies get made. But, I also believe that if you enjoy the films you see, you naturally will be inclined to go more often. So join me in supporting our film industry by going to a movie today. Hopefully I can steer you towards a good one. See you at the movies. Melanie Wilson
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Whatever Works
Whatever Works is the story of a miserable man, who hates his life, and thinks everyone around him is stupid. He encounters a young girl in the street who is so naïve that he fears for her life, so he takes her in. This girl is so sunny and full of southern charm that she seems immune to all his misanthropic ranting. But even with a beautiful girl living under his roof, he still can’t seem to stop from complaining. I feel stupid for enduring this film.
Evan Rachel Wood plays the cheerful Melodie. One day while Larry David’s character is complaining about the wretchedness of today’s society, she responds by saying, “I guess in our family we were taught to look on the positive side of things.” And that is my point. Larry David spends so much of the film insulting people and making bleak observations that he drains all the joy out of you. Even if some of the lines are funny, there is only so much gloom and doom a person can take. In one point of the film, Larry David’s character became so abusive and caustic that his friends cut their dinner short and leave him at the table. He genuinely acted surprised when they walked away. For a genius he’s pretty dumb. I should have done the same thing.
Woody Allen is a great writer. I grew up on his films and some of them are classic, but lately I’ve found them entirely less satisfying. Since I don’t find verbal abuse entertaining there was little here for me to enjoy, so I left the film feeling disappointed. In conclusion, Whatever Works didn’t work for me so I recommend that you go out and rent one of his earlier films. Life is too short to be miserable.
Rating: Rent It A feel bad movie
Evan Rachel Wood plays the cheerful Melodie. One day while Larry David’s character is complaining about the wretchedness of today’s society, she responds by saying, “I guess in our family we were taught to look on the positive side of things.” And that is my point. Larry David spends so much of the film insulting people and making bleak observations that he drains all the joy out of you. Even if some of the lines are funny, there is only so much gloom and doom a person can take. In one point of the film, Larry David’s character became so abusive and caustic that his friends cut their dinner short and leave him at the table. He genuinely acted surprised when they walked away. For a genius he’s pretty dumb. I should have done the same thing.
Woody Allen is a great writer. I grew up on his films and some of them are classic, but lately I’ve found them entirely less satisfying. Since I don’t find verbal abuse entertaining there was little here for me to enjoy, so I left the film feeling disappointed. In conclusion, Whatever Works didn’t work for me so I recommend that you go out and rent one of his earlier films. Life is too short to be miserable.
Rating: Rent It A feel bad movie
Good Reads
A short time ago a web site was recommended to me called Goodreads.com. In this website you are allowed to form a network where you can recommend books to friends and they can recommend books to you. I thought this concept was excellent because I am often looking for a good book. When I find an author I like I have a tendency to read everything they’ve written, and when that list is exhausted I must begin the search for another good author. I was happy to have some help.
When I was a substitute teacher back in San Jose, I often taught in the same high school. Since it was convenient, I started checking out books from their school library. I would stroll down the aisles of the fiction section with my head tilted to the side, skimming the titles of various books till something caught my eye. They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but I was actually choosing them by their title. If something looked interesting, I would read the back of the book jacket, and then try my luck. I found some really good books that way.
Another time I was hired to clean and organize the prop room of a local college’s drama department. They had a collection of old books used to dress sets with, so I started taking them home one at a time. It was like having my own personal lending library. For some reason most of the books were written in the late forties, an interesting time for literature. The war caused authors to be a little more questioning, but the cynicism of the sixties hadn’t arrived yet? I read some really good books and got an insight into post war American culture.
When I first entered college and started getting exposed to finer literature. I was embarrassed by my lack of knowledge. I wasn’t ready to jump in with both feet, so I compromised and started reading novels that had been made into movies. One of the first books I read was Les Miserables. It still stands as one of my favorite books and encouraged me to read other classic novels. I also read To Kill A Mockingbird, which is one of my favorite all-time films. It is considered one of the best of the literary adaptations. Another favorite book I read was the Scarlett Pimpernel, like Les Miserables, there are plenty of cinematic adaptations to chose from. It was fun studying all the different versions.
After reading a few classical novels I drifted towards some more popular ones. I was amazed at how different a movie could be from the book. For example in the novel Planet Of The Apes, the astronauts were French. And in the movie Of Human Bondage, they left out big chunks of the book and entire characters. On the other hand, a little novel called The Ratman’s Notebook was so faithfully reproduced, it was like the book was written after the movie. The film was titled Willard and featured hundreds of rats. This was something that just had to be seen on film. The book couldn’t do it justice. I found this whole process of movie adaptations fascinating.
One of the most fun movie-book combinations I ever encountered was The Egg And I. The book was based on the true story of a woman whose husband quit his job and bought a chicken ranch in the Pacific Northwest. This city girl went along with the idea but found farm life a little bit too challenging. The book was hysterical and the film was so successful that it spawned an entire movie franchise based on the characters of Ma and Pa Kettle. What was amusing to me is that these characters were real people. After Hollywood got a hold of them, they turned them into a series of eight films. I always wondered how the real Ma and Pa Kettle felt about that.
Although I am an avid movie fan, I feel that it is important to read books as well. Some stories are just better enjoyed in print. But I also think it is a lot of fun to experience a story in both mediums. I loved Charlie And The Chocolate Factory as a book. I find Roald Dahl’s humor particularly delightful. But, I also loved the movies as well, both of them. It is interesting to see how a filmmaker is going to realize such bizarre material, especially in Fantasy or Science Fiction.
Sometimes you read a good book and can’t wait until someone makes it into a film. The book will be so vividly written that you can just picture it in your mind. When the book ends, you want to experience the story again, but this time you want to see it visualized as a film. I have never read any of the Harry Potter books, but I can perfectly understand the desire to see them as films. The images were so fantastical that the reader wanted to see how it could possibly be done. Sometimes a book has to wait a long time for technology to catch up.
When I moved to Los Angeles for the first time back in the late seventies they actually had a course at school called, Literature And The Motion Picture. I loved that class and read veraciously that year. But lately my reading habits have been slacking off, so that’s why I really appreciate this new website. A borrowed book is the cheapest form of entertainment and this summer we all need to watch our pennies. Besides, I hope this site will inspire me to read more this year and if I’m lucky, maybe I’ll find a good book that will make an even better motion picture. If so, I’ve already got my discount tickets.
When I was a substitute teacher back in San Jose, I often taught in the same high school. Since it was convenient, I started checking out books from their school library. I would stroll down the aisles of the fiction section with my head tilted to the side, skimming the titles of various books till something caught my eye. They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but I was actually choosing them by their title. If something looked interesting, I would read the back of the book jacket, and then try my luck. I found some really good books that way.
Another time I was hired to clean and organize the prop room of a local college’s drama department. They had a collection of old books used to dress sets with, so I started taking them home one at a time. It was like having my own personal lending library. For some reason most of the books were written in the late forties, an interesting time for literature. The war caused authors to be a little more questioning, but the cynicism of the sixties hadn’t arrived yet? I read some really good books and got an insight into post war American culture.
When I first entered college and started getting exposed to finer literature. I was embarrassed by my lack of knowledge. I wasn’t ready to jump in with both feet, so I compromised and started reading novels that had been made into movies. One of the first books I read was Les Miserables. It still stands as one of my favorite books and encouraged me to read other classic novels. I also read To Kill A Mockingbird, which is one of my favorite all-time films. It is considered one of the best of the literary adaptations. Another favorite book I read was the Scarlett Pimpernel, like Les Miserables, there are plenty of cinematic adaptations to chose from. It was fun studying all the different versions.
After reading a few classical novels I drifted towards some more popular ones. I was amazed at how different a movie could be from the book. For example in the novel Planet Of The Apes, the astronauts were French. And in the movie Of Human Bondage, they left out big chunks of the book and entire characters. On the other hand, a little novel called The Ratman’s Notebook was so faithfully reproduced, it was like the book was written after the movie. The film was titled Willard and featured hundreds of rats. This was something that just had to be seen on film. The book couldn’t do it justice. I found this whole process of movie adaptations fascinating.
One of the most fun movie-book combinations I ever encountered was The Egg And I. The book was based on the true story of a woman whose husband quit his job and bought a chicken ranch in the Pacific Northwest. This city girl went along with the idea but found farm life a little bit too challenging. The book was hysterical and the film was so successful that it spawned an entire movie franchise based on the characters of Ma and Pa Kettle. What was amusing to me is that these characters were real people. After Hollywood got a hold of them, they turned them into a series of eight films. I always wondered how the real Ma and Pa Kettle felt about that.
Although I am an avid movie fan, I feel that it is important to read books as well. Some stories are just better enjoyed in print. But I also think it is a lot of fun to experience a story in both mediums. I loved Charlie And The Chocolate Factory as a book. I find Roald Dahl’s humor particularly delightful. But, I also loved the movies as well, both of them. It is interesting to see how a filmmaker is going to realize such bizarre material, especially in Fantasy or Science Fiction.
Sometimes you read a good book and can’t wait until someone makes it into a film. The book will be so vividly written that you can just picture it in your mind. When the book ends, you want to experience the story again, but this time you want to see it visualized as a film. I have never read any of the Harry Potter books, but I can perfectly understand the desire to see them as films. The images were so fantastical that the reader wanted to see how it could possibly be done. Sometimes a book has to wait a long time for technology to catch up.
When I moved to Los Angeles for the first time back in the late seventies they actually had a course at school called, Literature And The Motion Picture. I loved that class and read veraciously that year. But lately my reading habits have been slacking off, so that’s why I really appreciate this new website. A borrowed book is the cheapest form of entertainment and this summer we all need to watch our pennies. Besides, I hope this site will inspire me to read more this year and if I’m lucky, maybe I’ll find a good book that will make an even better motion picture. If so, I’ve already got my discount tickets.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Proposal
“I knew it when we kissed”. This line was spoken by Ryan Reynolds in the film The Proposal and it sums up my attitude about romantic comedies. I don’t mind if the premiss is ridiculous, I don’t care if the characters are silly, I don’t even mind if there are a few cliches in the film, what it all comes down to is chemistry. When you look back on the best romantic comedies ever made, the stars had chemistry.
Romantic comedies by nature are ridiculous and this film is no exception. But what makes this movie work is the relationship between Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. They are forced to be in close proximity and you can see the awkwardness and discomfort in every move. But you could also see that this relationship was like a unlit match and gun power, one little spark and kaboom!
Another element about romantic comedies that is seldom discussed is the envy factor. Romantic comedies are made for single woman to live vicariously through. Men go along with them because they may benefit from the emotional fall out. If a girl gets carried away enough, he may get a little forward movement on his own situation or he may get a few ideas in the romance department.
To factor in the envy component romantic comedies must have good clothes, a dream house, a romantic location, or really cool friends. In this film, cool friends were substituted with a cool family, but the dream house exceeded expectations, the clothes were New York fashionable and the romantic location was rustic and elegant at the same time. I found myself tempted to move to Alaska.
Sandra Bullock was at her best here and Ryan Reynolds was an excellent foil. Even though there is an age difference of about 12 years, they made a very good looking couple and it was nice to see an older woman getting a younger man for a change. A nice addition to the envy component.
I’ve always enjoyed Sandra Bullock and I hope to see more of Ryan Reynolds. It was also fun to see Oscar Nunez have a chance to shine as Ramone. His exotic dancing is something to be seen, or averted. The rest of the cast is full of proven comedic favorites including Craig T. Nelson, Mary Steenburgen and Betty White, who is a National Treasure. The Proposal is an excellent addition to the genre and I recommend it.
Rating: First Run A worthy addition to the best romantic comedies
Romantic comedies by nature are ridiculous and this film is no exception. But what makes this movie work is the relationship between Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. They are forced to be in close proximity and you can see the awkwardness and discomfort in every move. But you could also see that this relationship was like a unlit match and gun power, one little spark and kaboom!
Another element about romantic comedies that is seldom discussed is the envy factor. Romantic comedies are made for single woman to live vicariously through. Men go along with them because they may benefit from the emotional fall out. If a girl gets carried away enough, he may get a little forward movement on his own situation or he may get a few ideas in the romance department.
To factor in the envy component romantic comedies must have good clothes, a dream house, a romantic location, or really cool friends. In this film, cool friends were substituted with a cool family, but the dream house exceeded expectations, the clothes were New York fashionable and the romantic location was rustic and elegant at the same time. I found myself tempted to move to Alaska.
Sandra Bullock was at her best here and Ryan Reynolds was an excellent foil. Even though there is an age difference of about 12 years, they made a very good looking couple and it was nice to see an older woman getting a younger man for a change. A nice addition to the envy component.
I’ve always enjoyed Sandra Bullock and I hope to see more of Ryan Reynolds. It was also fun to see Oscar Nunez have a chance to shine as Ramone. His exotic dancing is something to be seen, or averted. The rest of the cast is full of proven comedic favorites including Craig T. Nelson, Mary Steenburgen and Betty White, who is a National Treasure. The Proposal is an excellent addition to the genre and I recommend it.
Rating: First Run A worthy addition to the best romantic comedies
The Taking Of Phelam 123
About ten years ago I was the lead on duty and I was working with another young girl. She answered the telephone and turned to me with a look of horror on her face. The woman on the other end of the line said that there was a bomb on the roof. The young girl couldn’t get rid of the phone fast enough so I ended up with the receiver. I identified myself as the supervisor on duty and asked the woman how I may help her. The woman said that there was a bomb on the roof and we needed to get all the children out. She didn’t want to hurt the children.
I grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled on it, call security. Then I grabbed another sheet of paper and started taking notes. I was so super sensitive at the time that every word, phrase, and tone seemed to convey a meaning. I wrote down all my impressions and listened intently. Soon the room was full of security, police, and every manager in the area. There was so much confusion in that small room with people bumping into each other and asking questions. I tried to tune them out by keeping the phone on one ear and plugging the other one with my finger. The more hysterical the woman got on the other end, the more mistakes she started to make. I would ask her very clear, logical, questions and this would frustrate her even more. I wasn’t provoking her, I was just asking specific questions like when will the bomb go off? Since she wasn’t ready for all these questions she got frustrated and eventually hung up.
I had never had any specific training for bomb scares before that day, just a small piece of paper pinned to the wall that said, “What to do when someone says there’s a bomb”. I followed the protocol, asked the questions on the list, and tried to ignore all the chaos around me. It was a very intense phone call. When the woman hung up, I was pretty sure that she was a crack pot and I turned around to the sheriff and told him why I thought there was no bomb. He agreed with my assessment, everyone left, and we were expected to continue with our work day. I will never forget that experience.
When I saw The Taking Of Phelam 123 and there was that scene in the control room when the mayor and all the other suits showed up, it reminded me of the intensity that I felt many years ago when I got my phone call. I thought to myself, that Tony Scott sure got that one right, and I was really impressed with Denzel Washington’s portrayal. I was impressed with the progression of Denzel’s character and the multiple layers and range of emotion. His character was much more developed than John Travolta’s. I kept expecting to learn a few more things about him, but it never happened. I thought they where both excellent however, and the supporting cast was superb as well.
I found this movie to be a good, tight, study of what happens when people are under pressure. Whether it’s a police officer being asked to carry a fortune, an elected official trying to do the right thing, or a regular service employee trying to do his job. We never know when we wake up in the morning when we might be asked to do something heroic. Luckily in this story, Denzel Washington was up to the task.
Rating: First Run A tense thriller about an everyday hero
I grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled on it, call security. Then I grabbed another sheet of paper and started taking notes. I was so super sensitive at the time that every word, phrase, and tone seemed to convey a meaning. I wrote down all my impressions and listened intently. Soon the room was full of security, police, and every manager in the area. There was so much confusion in that small room with people bumping into each other and asking questions. I tried to tune them out by keeping the phone on one ear and plugging the other one with my finger. The more hysterical the woman got on the other end, the more mistakes she started to make. I would ask her very clear, logical, questions and this would frustrate her even more. I wasn’t provoking her, I was just asking specific questions like when will the bomb go off? Since she wasn’t ready for all these questions she got frustrated and eventually hung up.
I had never had any specific training for bomb scares before that day, just a small piece of paper pinned to the wall that said, “What to do when someone says there’s a bomb”. I followed the protocol, asked the questions on the list, and tried to ignore all the chaos around me. It was a very intense phone call. When the woman hung up, I was pretty sure that she was a crack pot and I turned around to the sheriff and told him why I thought there was no bomb. He agreed with my assessment, everyone left, and we were expected to continue with our work day. I will never forget that experience.
When I saw The Taking Of Phelam 123 and there was that scene in the control room when the mayor and all the other suits showed up, it reminded me of the intensity that I felt many years ago when I got my phone call. I thought to myself, that Tony Scott sure got that one right, and I was really impressed with Denzel Washington’s portrayal. I was impressed with the progression of Denzel’s character and the multiple layers and range of emotion. His character was much more developed than John Travolta’s. I kept expecting to learn a few more things about him, but it never happened. I thought they where both excellent however, and the supporting cast was superb as well.
I found this movie to be a good, tight, study of what happens when people are under pressure. Whether it’s a police officer being asked to carry a fortune, an elected official trying to do the right thing, or a regular service employee trying to do his job. We never know when we wake up in the morning when we might be asked to do something heroic. Luckily in this story, Denzel Washington was up to the task.
Rating: First Run A tense thriller about an everyday hero
Monday, June 22, 2009
Year One
Some things never change. Since Year One, the tall, muscular, athletic guys have been getting all the girls, while the short, smart, funny ones have had to work twice as hard. This film made me think a lot of Darwin and his theories on natural selection. If a guy is not a strong hunter or provider, how does he get a woman to reproduce with him? The same way he does today. He charms her, or makes her laugh.
Year One follows the trials of Zed and Oh, Jack Black and Michael Cera. Zed is expelled from the village after eating a golden apple from the Tree of Knowledge. Angered by his act of disobedience and disgusted by his lack of hunting skills, Zed is forced out of his home by the alpha male, Marlak who is also Zed’s competition for the object of his affection, Maya. As Zed and Oh discover that there is a world beyond their land, they stumble across various Biblical characters until they reach the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorra.
I had high hopes for this movie in the beginning. It was funny hearing contemporary language coming from these primitive men. There was also some very clever lines and hilarious cameos. But as the film reached Gomorra, it bogged down quite a bit. It was like the writers said, “Okay, we’re a hour in now, let’s wrap everything up and finish this thing.” Some of the conclusions were ridiculous.
For the most part I liked this film. I found it very amusing. But I was disappointed when it started to fizzle out. So far Jack Black and Michael Cera only play variations of the same role, which is okay if the script is good and the chemistry is there. But this film did not maintain its charm to the very end. By the time the fart jokes showed up, I knew this film was running out of gas. If it could of held on to the quality laughs a little bit longer it could have been a great film, but it lost its momentum and started reaching for the cheap laughs. By then, this gal was looking around the room for a guy with a little more muscle. Charm can only take you so far.
Rating: Bargain Matinee Funny premise, some good laughs
Year One follows the trials of Zed and Oh, Jack Black and Michael Cera. Zed is expelled from the village after eating a golden apple from the Tree of Knowledge. Angered by his act of disobedience and disgusted by his lack of hunting skills, Zed is forced out of his home by the alpha male, Marlak who is also Zed’s competition for the object of his affection, Maya. As Zed and Oh discover that there is a world beyond their land, they stumble across various Biblical characters until they reach the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorra.
I had high hopes for this movie in the beginning. It was funny hearing contemporary language coming from these primitive men. There was also some very clever lines and hilarious cameos. But as the film reached Gomorra, it bogged down quite a bit. It was like the writers said, “Okay, we’re a hour in now, let’s wrap everything up and finish this thing.” Some of the conclusions were ridiculous.
For the most part I liked this film. I found it very amusing. But I was disappointed when it started to fizzle out. So far Jack Black and Michael Cera only play variations of the same role, which is okay if the script is good and the chemistry is there. But this film did not maintain its charm to the very end. By the time the fart jokes showed up, I knew this film was running out of gas. If it could of held on to the quality laughs a little bit longer it could have been a great film, but it lost its momentum and started reaching for the cheap laughs. By then, this gal was looking around the room for a guy with a little more muscle. Charm can only take you so far.
Rating: Bargain Matinee Funny premise, some good laughs
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Moon
When I was a senior in High School my father and I went on a father-daughter camping trip in Yosemite. After we set up our camp for the night we were looking for something to do, so my father pulled out his flashlight and a paperback book full of Science Fiction short stories. My father wrote his own curriculum and taught a course in Science Fiction at his High School. It was a way to engage students and get them to consider and discuss contemporary social issues. Like Star Trek and the Twilight Zone, the top Science Fiction writers of the time, disguised current social issues in the guise of aliens and far off planets so that we would be able examine these ideas without attaching our prejudices and pre-conceived notions. By the end of the camping trip I was hooked on these stories and read all three volumes in the collection.
It has been a long time since I’ve seen a good Science Fiction story that excited me like those days. But Duncan Jones has written a good one. I won’t ruin the effect by telling you much of the story except to say that Sam Rockwell plays a corporate astronaut near the end of his three year contract. He has been alone on the moon for quite some time and has begun to have hallucinations.
Like the Science Fiction stories of the Sixties and Seventies, this film covers many relevant issues facing us today. Sam Rockwell is outstanding playing the lonely, confused astronaut. He must carry the entire film and he is totally up for the task. Kevin Spacey is the voice of the robot Gerty, Sam’s only companion. His vocal quality is reminiscent of Hal in 2001.
I really liked this film and I look forward to enjoying future projects by young Duncan Jones. Like his father David Bowie, his work is thought-provoking and extremely interesting. An excellent job all around.
Rating: First Run Sam Rockwell examines the question, is man meant to be alone?
It has been a long time since I’ve seen a good Science Fiction story that excited me like those days. But Duncan Jones has written a good one. I won’t ruin the effect by telling you much of the story except to say that Sam Rockwell plays a corporate astronaut near the end of his three year contract. He has been alone on the moon for quite some time and has begun to have hallucinations.
Like the Science Fiction stories of the Sixties and Seventies, this film covers many relevant issues facing us today. Sam Rockwell is outstanding playing the lonely, confused astronaut. He must carry the entire film and he is totally up for the task. Kevin Spacey is the voice of the robot Gerty, Sam’s only companion. His vocal quality is reminiscent of Hal in 2001.
I really liked this film and I look forward to enjoying future projects by young Duncan Jones. Like his father David Bowie, his work is thought-provoking and extremely interesting. An excellent job all around.
Rating: First Run Sam Rockwell examines the question, is man meant to be alone?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Easy Virtue
What do you call a comedy of manners when no one knows how to behave? The answer is a Noel Coward play. Easy Virtue is based on the Noel Coward play of the same name. Very shocking in the twenties, this film seems a little tame by today’s standards. A young English aristocrat falls in love with a racy older woman. When he marries her and brings her home to his English manor, the new bride and her mother-in-law begin a battle from the boy’s love and attention.
The bride played by Jessica Biel is not interested in the manor house and wants them to live together in London. The mother however, played by Kristin Scott Thomas, has been waiting for her son to grow old enough to step up and take over the mansion. She has been running the estate by herself ever since the war because her husband has no interest and broods all the time. John, the son, played by Ben Barnes is being pulled in two directions. On one hand he has a beautiful, adventurous, American wife, and on the other hand he has a strong sense of duty. He is seriously caught in the middle.
Colin Firth portrays the lethargic husband who was the sole survivor of his unit in WWI. He disappeared for a time, but now home, has no interest in managing a large estate. He tinkers on his motorcycle and has no involvement in any household duties whatsoever. When his son’s young wife appears though, his melancholy finally lifts and he becomes Larita’s strongest ally. John’s sisters begin as supporters, but as the stress of close proximity and jealousy creep in, they soon join forces with their mother.
This film seems to lose some of the crispness that you would find in a theatrical version, but I liked the fact that they inserted a lot of Noel Coward’s music. Noel Coward was a songwriter as well as a playwright and his music really added to the period details. I loved the costumes and the period touches were really nice, but as a shocking social commentary, it’s a little out-dated.
Rating: Rent It A tour of the twenties with fox hunts, balls, and Noel Coward wit
The bride played by Jessica Biel is not interested in the manor house and wants them to live together in London. The mother however, played by Kristin Scott Thomas, has been waiting for her son to grow old enough to step up and take over the mansion. She has been running the estate by herself ever since the war because her husband has no interest and broods all the time. John, the son, played by Ben Barnes is being pulled in two directions. On one hand he has a beautiful, adventurous, American wife, and on the other hand he has a strong sense of duty. He is seriously caught in the middle.
Colin Firth portrays the lethargic husband who was the sole survivor of his unit in WWI. He disappeared for a time, but now home, has no interest in managing a large estate. He tinkers on his motorcycle and has no involvement in any household duties whatsoever. When his son’s young wife appears though, his melancholy finally lifts and he becomes Larita’s strongest ally. John’s sisters begin as supporters, but as the stress of close proximity and jealousy creep in, they soon join forces with their mother.
This film seems to lose some of the crispness that you would find in a theatrical version, but I liked the fact that they inserted a lot of Noel Coward’s music. Noel Coward was a songwriter as well as a playwright and his music really added to the period details. I loved the costumes and the period touches were really nice, but as a shocking social commentary, it’s a little out-dated.
Rating: Rent It A tour of the twenties with fox hunts, balls, and Noel Coward wit
Cliente (A French Gigolo)
There are some things you can’t control in life and love just happens to be one of them. Cliente tells the story of Judith played by Nathalie Baye, who is rich, successful, but bitter, after a divorce. Not wanting to be disappointed again, she decides to compartmentalize her love life and starts hiring male escorts to satisfy her physical needs. With this arrangement she can control everything, including time, location, and even the activities. She is very satisfied with this arrangement.
Eric Caravaca plays a young married man who can’t stand the stress that money is causing in his life. He hates living with his in-laws and he doesn’t want his wife to lose her Beauty Saloon. So, without his wife’s knowledge, he begins prostituting himself when his unemployment runs out. He becomes a high-class gigolo and quickly becomes Judith’s favorite. Soon a relationship begins.
Nathalie Baye gives a wonderful performance in this film, powerful, controlling, yet very vulnerable. Josiane Balasko is also a lot of fun as Judith’s best friend and sister. Her own romantic woes provide some very nice comic relief.
We’ve seen this type of story before from the male perspective. It was interesting to have the table’s turned. Eric Caravaca may be no Pretty Women, but he’s someone you’d like to spend time with, and you’ll really enjoy the strong female roles.
In French with English subtitles
Rating: First Run A gigolo story with a twist
Eric Caravaca plays a young married man who can’t stand the stress that money is causing in his life. He hates living with his in-laws and he doesn’t want his wife to lose her Beauty Saloon. So, without his wife’s knowledge, he begins prostituting himself when his unemployment runs out. He becomes a high-class gigolo and quickly becomes Judith’s favorite. Soon a relationship begins.
Nathalie Baye gives a wonderful performance in this film, powerful, controlling, yet very vulnerable. Josiane Balasko is also a lot of fun as Judith’s best friend and sister. Her own romantic woes provide some very nice comic relief.
We’ve seen this type of story before from the male perspective. It was interesting to have the table’s turned. Eric Caravaca may be no Pretty Women, but he’s someone you’d like to spend time with, and you’ll really enjoy the strong female roles.
In French with English subtitles
Rating: First Run A gigolo story with a twist
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Unmistaken Child
Imagine that someone you love has died. Someone you have attended since the age of seven, oftentimes in remoteness and total seclusion. Now, imagine that you have been charged with the monumental task of finding this man’s reincarnated spirit. This is the true story of Tenzin Zopa and the Unmistaken Child.
After Geshe Lama Konchog’s death at the age of 84, Tenzin Zopa, his disciple, was entrusted to find the reincarnated spirit of his master. Feeling completely unworthy of the task and fearful of making a mistake, Tenzin Zopa begins a four year long journey followed by writer-director Nati Baratz and his camera. Throughout this lengthy adventure we follow Tenzin’s faithful search until he finds the unmistaken child and must bring him back for spiritual testing. The emotional toil on Tenzin and the child’s parents is heart wrenching.
This documentary allows you to see into a unique culture and a rarely seen part of the world. What was amazing to me is how much our commercial world has seeped into even the most furthest parts of the planet. When you see a peasant child in the mountains of Tibet playing with a plastic flashing toy in the middle of a primitive village, it makes you want to slow the world down and keep it from changing so fast. Even the Buddhist monks had TV.
If you have any interest in other cultures, or traveling to parts unknown, you will really enjoy this film. The pace is slow, but the human drama is real, and you will be amazed by the Unmistaken Child.
Rating: Rent It Tenzin Zopa is our fascinating guide into a strange and mystical process
After Geshe Lama Konchog’s death at the age of 84, Tenzin Zopa, his disciple, was entrusted to find the reincarnated spirit of his master. Feeling completely unworthy of the task and fearful of making a mistake, Tenzin Zopa begins a four year long journey followed by writer-director Nati Baratz and his camera. Throughout this lengthy adventure we follow Tenzin’s faithful search until he finds the unmistaken child and must bring him back for spiritual testing. The emotional toil on Tenzin and the child’s parents is heart wrenching.
This documentary allows you to see into a unique culture and a rarely seen part of the world. What was amazing to me is how much our commercial world has seeped into even the most furthest parts of the planet. When you see a peasant child in the mountains of Tibet playing with a plastic flashing toy in the middle of a primitive village, it makes you want to slow the world down and keep it from changing so fast. Even the Buddhist monks had TV.
If you have any interest in other cultures, or traveling to parts unknown, you will really enjoy this film. The pace is slow, but the human drama is real, and you will be amazed by the Unmistaken Child.
Rating: Rent It Tenzin Zopa is our fascinating guide into a strange and mystical process
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Away We Go
What a pleasant surprise. I love it when a movie exceeds my expectations. Away We Go is the story of a couple who gets pregnant, and now in their mid thirties must face the prospect of growing up. When their current home is taken from them, they realize that they could live anywhere in the world that they want, so they set off on a journey visiting old friends and relatives auditioning towns as a possible new home.
Although I loved the chemistry between John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph, who were excellent, I especially enjoyed the friends and relatives they met along the way. It reminds me of the concept, the grass is always greener. We always think that other people have it together, that they have it all figured out. But when you get a chance to see behind the curtain, we see, like Dorothy, that the wizard is just a man.
Away We Go is full of great supporting roles. I was touched by Melanie Lynskey’s soulful performance and Maggie Gyllenhaal cracked me up. Alison Janney was also hysterical as an insensitive, obnoxious mom.
This film does a tremendous job of blending truly touching moments with insightful comic ones. I felt that the tone was pitch-perfect throughout. I found myself smiling often in this film and when it was over I still wanted to hang out. What a delightful, pleasant, surprise.
Rating: First Run If this couple was real I’d want to hang out with them
Although I loved the chemistry between John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph, who were excellent, I especially enjoyed the friends and relatives they met along the way. It reminds me of the concept, the grass is always greener. We always think that other people have it together, that they have it all figured out. But when you get a chance to see behind the curtain, we see, like Dorothy, that the wizard is just a man.
Away We Go is full of great supporting roles. I was touched by Melanie Lynskey’s soulful performance and Maggie Gyllenhaal cracked me up. Alison Janney was also hysterical as an insensitive, obnoxious mom.
This film does a tremendous job of blending truly touching moments with insightful comic ones. I felt that the tone was pitch-perfect throughout. I found myself smiling often in this film and when it was over I still wanted to hang out. What a delightful, pleasant, surprise.
Rating: First Run If this couple was real I’d want to hang out with them
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Cheap Dates & Free Museums
In my workplace I hear people complain about prices all the time, and although I am required to be polite and professional at work, in my mind I’m thinking, “If it’s too expensive, then don’t come!” Going to a theme park is not a necessity, or a requirement for a happy, healthy, well-adjusted life. Theme parks are a luxury, an extravagance, and although there are some very good offers out there, if it‘s too expensive for you, then don’t go.
We live in a wonderful city with hundreds of things to do that are inexpensive and in some cases free. Today I’m going to talk about museums. Los Angeles is often derided for lacking culture, but in truth we have some very nice museums. If you want to get out of the house on a nice summer day and escape into an air-conditioned museum, there are many locations to choose from. However, while some are free, many of them charge admission, so I’m going to give you a little tip, most museums have one day a month where they let the public in for free.
For example at the Autry National Center of the American West, every second Tuesday of the month is free. At the Museum Of Contemporary Art, Thursday evenings are open to the public, and at the Natural History Museum Of Los Angeles County, the first Tuesday of the month is free. Add in the museums that are free year round and you’ll have an entire summer’s worth of free activities.
There’s nothing like a stroll through a good museum followed by a nice lunch or dinner. Some museums like the Getty Center of Los Angeles even have certain nights when they are open late. I remember one particular evening when I went to see an exhibit of Napoleon inspired paintings followed by a Napoleon biographical film. Afterwards I had a nice late night snack overlooking the lights of the city. It was a beautiful view, the air was still warm, and after strolling through museums all day, I found myself in a very serene, spiritual place. Best of all, the day cost me less than $10.00.
So if you are feeling the pinch and the economy’s got you down, don’t let your money woes keep you home, go to a museum. A little time on the computer will verify the times and the dates and you’ll be set to have a good, inexpensive time. Invite a friend and let them know that the admission’s on you. They’ll never know that you got them in for free and if they figure it out laugh and buy them lunch. You won’t be considered cheap, just practical and smart. And in today’s economy that’s the way to be.
We live in a wonderful city with hundreds of things to do that are inexpensive and in some cases free. Today I’m going to talk about museums. Los Angeles is often derided for lacking culture, but in truth we have some very nice museums. If you want to get out of the house on a nice summer day and escape into an air-conditioned museum, there are many locations to choose from. However, while some are free, many of them charge admission, so I’m going to give you a little tip, most museums have one day a month where they let the public in for free.
For example at the Autry National Center of the American West, every second Tuesday of the month is free. At the Museum Of Contemporary Art, Thursday evenings are open to the public, and at the Natural History Museum Of Los Angeles County, the first Tuesday of the month is free. Add in the museums that are free year round and you’ll have an entire summer’s worth of free activities.
There’s nothing like a stroll through a good museum followed by a nice lunch or dinner. Some museums like the Getty Center of Los Angeles even have certain nights when they are open late. I remember one particular evening when I went to see an exhibit of Napoleon inspired paintings followed by a Napoleon biographical film. Afterwards I had a nice late night snack overlooking the lights of the city. It was a beautiful view, the air was still warm, and after strolling through museums all day, I found myself in a very serene, spiritual place. Best of all, the day cost me less than $10.00.
So if you are feeling the pinch and the economy’s got you down, don’t let your money woes keep you home, go to a museum. A little time on the computer will verify the times and the dates and you’ll be set to have a good, inexpensive time. Invite a friend and let them know that the admission’s on you. They’ll never know that you got them in for free and if they figure it out laugh and buy them lunch. You won’t be considered cheap, just practical and smart. And in today’s economy that’s the way to be.
Arthouse Essentials at the Laemmle Theatres
I am so disappointed. Laemmle Theatres is starting a new program on June 20th and I won’t be able to go to see any of them. In cooperation with Janus Films and Emerging Pictures, for the next twelve weeks, the best in Arthouse cinema will be playing at various Laemmle theatres throughout town.
Since I wasn’t exposed to Arthouse cinema until much later in life, there are many of these movies that I’ve never seen. Films like Jules and Jim, The 400 Blows and La Strada have been rattling around in my sub-conscious for years, sort of a mental must see list, and now I’m missing another chance to see them again.
If you are new to Arthouse cinema, or you would just like to see these films again in High Definition on a big screen, I recommend that you visit www.emergingpictures.com/essential_arthouse.htm. For a list and schedule. It would be like auditing a film history class. Every film is a proven classic well worth your time. I only wish I could go too, I’m very sad.
Since I wasn’t exposed to Arthouse cinema until much later in life, there are many of these movies that I’ve never seen. Films like Jules and Jim, The 400 Blows and La Strada have been rattling around in my sub-conscious for years, sort of a mental must see list, and now I’m missing another chance to see them again.
If you are new to Arthouse cinema, or you would just like to see these films again in High Definition on a big screen, I recommend that you visit www.emergingpictures.com/essential_arthouse.htm. For a list and schedule. It would be like auditing a film history class. Every film is a proven classic well worth your time. I only wish I could go too, I’m very sad.
Free Movies For Those Who Serve
My brother recently returned from Iraq and one of the things that kept him going while he was over there were the free movies they provided on base. In the middle of Point Base Balad, lies the Sustainer Theatre, surrounded by sandbags and a protective, reinforced roof. Anyone working on base may visit this theatre for free. Concessions are sold for a nominal fee.
When my brother first told me about this perk I imagined the movie screenings they had on the television series M.A.S.H., a bunch of people sitting in a leaky tent, throwing popcorn at each other, while others made out in the back, or slept. But what I learned is that the Sustainer Theatre is actually pretty nice. I had my brother take pictures for me and email them. I know this sounds weird, but I actually like going to movie theatres in foreign countries. Film is universal, but movie theatres are not. I like to compare the differences and see what they offer at the snack bars. Since the Sustainer Theatre is on an American base they offer the usual fare, but the theatre itself was a little different. It had a chandelier; some interesting wall sconces, and my brother even sent me pictures of the uniquely tiled men’s room. It’s really quite fancy in parts.
Another myth that was dispelled for me was the theatre’s choice of films. In M.A.S.H, and other such movies, they showed gross training films and out-dated black and white pictures. But at the Sustainer Theatre they had all the latest releases. I was really quite impressed. On weekdays they would show two films a day at 5:00 and 8:00, and on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays they would show three films. My brother would read my BLOG and use my reviews to help him decide which films to see. It was really fun because even though we were so far apart, we could still bond and stay in touch through film.
Because I was so interested, in addition to the pictures my brother took, he also sent me a schedule for the month of February. The movies rotated throughout the week, alternating between evening performances and matinees. For example there were four opportunities to see Paul Blart: Mall Cop, while The Tale of Despereaux only played twice. I’m not sure if a programmer made these decisions, or the distributors did, but the selections showed me that they were really tuned in to their audience.
In addition to the movies, there were three live concerts held in the month of February. I really want to commend our entertainers for thinking of our men and women overseas. I can tell you it is very stressful over there and these little diversions mean the world to them. I also want to thank the military for allowing their people time for exercise. My brother used his gym and swim time to release the pressures of the day. When you are on the clock 24/7, these outlets are severely needed.
Now that my brother is home safe and sound, I can tell you he really misses those free movies. Now that he has to pay for everything again, he doesn’t get to go as much. The good thing however is that he still reads my BLOG and though we are many miles apart, we can still bond over movies. That’s what I like about film; it’s universal.
When my brother first told me about this perk I imagined the movie screenings they had on the television series M.A.S.H., a bunch of people sitting in a leaky tent, throwing popcorn at each other, while others made out in the back, or slept. But what I learned is that the Sustainer Theatre is actually pretty nice. I had my brother take pictures for me and email them. I know this sounds weird, but I actually like going to movie theatres in foreign countries. Film is universal, but movie theatres are not. I like to compare the differences and see what they offer at the snack bars. Since the Sustainer Theatre is on an American base they offer the usual fare, but the theatre itself was a little different. It had a chandelier; some interesting wall sconces, and my brother even sent me pictures of the uniquely tiled men’s room. It’s really quite fancy in parts.
Another myth that was dispelled for me was the theatre’s choice of films. In M.A.S.H, and other such movies, they showed gross training films and out-dated black and white pictures. But at the Sustainer Theatre they had all the latest releases. I was really quite impressed. On weekdays they would show two films a day at 5:00 and 8:00, and on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays they would show three films. My brother would read my BLOG and use my reviews to help him decide which films to see. It was really fun because even though we were so far apart, we could still bond and stay in touch through film.
Because I was so interested, in addition to the pictures my brother took, he also sent me a schedule for the month of February. The movies rotated throughout the week, alternating between evening performances and matinees. For example there were four opportunities to see Paul Blart: Mall Cop, while The Tale of Despereaux only played twice. I’m not sure if a programmer made these decisions, or the distributors did, but the selections showed me that they were really tuned in to their audience.
In addition to the movies, there were three live concerts held in the month of February. I really want to commend our entertainers for thinking of our men and women overseas. I can tell you it is very stressful over there and these little diversions mean the world to them. I also want to thank the military for allowing their people time for exercise. My brother used his gym and swim time to release the pressures of the day. When you are on the clock 24/7, these outlets are severely needed.
Now that my brother is home safe and sound, I can tell you he really misses those free movies. Now that he has to pay for everything again, he doesn’t get to go as much. The good thing however is that he still reads my BLOG and though we are many miles apart, we can still bond over movies. That’s what I like about film; it’s universal.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Seraphine
When it comes to mainstream films, by the time you’ve seen the previews, the interviews, the articles and the reviews, you feel like you’ve already seen a movie before you’ve even had a chance to see it. That’s one of the reasons why I like smaller films. They don’t get that kind of exposure so you come into them with a clean palette and no preconceptions. With mainstream films, they give too much away.
When I went to see Seraphine, I had never heard of this painter before, so I took my artist friend again, who was unfamiliar with her as well. All I knew about her was that she was a housekeeper who painted at night and was discovered by a famous art critic who also championed Picasso, Brague and Rousseau. What we both found fascinating about the film is that it had the pace of a stroll through a museum, yet we found ourselves transfixed. We are watching this woman do the most mundane, boring, everyday things, yet we couldn’t take our eyes off of her.
To quote Wilhelm Uhde, Seraphine was a cleaning woman with the temperament of an artist. She would run around town all day long doing odd jobs and cleaning houses just to earn enough money to buy varnish and white paint. The pigments she created herself from nature and her own secret formulas. She was an eccentric, but a truly gifted woman.
If it weren’t for World War I, Seraphine de Senlis may have been discovered by the world much earlier. Uhde bought all her earliest paintings and encouraged her to paint more. But when the war broke out, being German, he had to flee France and leave all his paintings behind. It took him years to recover and he assumed Seraphine was dead. By the time he discovered that she was still alive and painting, she was an old woman, barely hanging on.
As mentioned earlier, this film is very slow, but it is also extremely interesting. When you leave the theatre you’ll want to go straight to a museum or library and look her up. The beauty of a film like this is that you are educated as well as moved. We are given a chance to see the soul of a remarkable women who almost remained unknown. If it weren’t for seekers of beauty and film makers who make note of them, Seraphine may still be unknown. I’m glad to have made this discovery.
Rating: First Run The portrait of a gifted artist, beautifully rendered
When I went to see Seraphine, I had never heard of this painter before, so I took my artist friend again, who was unfamiliar with her as well. All I knew about her was that she was a housekeeper who painted at night and was discovered by a famous art critic who also championed Picasso, Brague and Rousseau. What we both found fascinating about the film is that it had the pace of a stroll through a museum, yet we found ourselves transfixed. We are watching this woman do the most mundane, boring, everyday things, yet we couldn’t take our eyes off of her.
To quote Wilhelm Uhde, Seraphine was a cleaning woman with the temperament of an artist. She would run around town all day long doing odd jobs and cleaning houses just to earn enough money to buy varnish and white paint. The pigments she created herself from nature and her own secret formulas. She was an eccentric, but a truly gifted woman.
If it weren’t for World War I, Seraphine de Senlis may have been discovered by the world much earlier. Uhde bought all her earliest paintings and encouraged her to paint more. But when the war broke out, being German, he had to flee France and leave all his paintings behind. It took him years to recover and he assumed Seraphine was dead. By the time he discovered that she was still alive and painting, she was an old woman, barely hanging on.
As mentioned earlier, this film is very slow, but it is also extremely interesting. When you leave the theatre you’ll want to go straight to a museum or library and look her up. The beauty of a film like this is that you are educated as well as moved. We are given a chance to see the soul of a remarkable women who almost remained unknown. If it weren’t for seekers of beauty and film makers who make note of them, Seraphine may still be unknown. I’m glad to have made this discovery.
Rating: First Run The portrait of a gifted artist, beautifully rendered
Dance Flick
Is there such a thing as a comedy snob? If so, I might be one. I found Dance Flick to be a lazy comedy where any comedic momentum that may have naturally occurred was constantly being interrupted by slapstick sight gags that brought the film’s timing to a screeching halt. Outside of a few select actors, characterization was achieved by wearing bad wigs, false teeth and inappropriately padded suits. It was like every dance movie in the past decade was digested and vomited up on the big screen. It was cut and paste comedy at its worst.
I enjoy a good parody. I though that Tropic Thunder was hysterical and I even enjoyed the cheerleading spoof Fired Up. But the difference in these films is that the comedy was organic and character driven. There were references to past films inserted into the story line, but they were strategically placed and well thought out. Dance Flick was like a series of bad skits loosely strung on a weak plot. There was no integrity when it came to the script and its story line.
I have long since outgrown potty humor and fat jokes. I like my comedy to be a little more thought out and intelligent. There is obviously a market for this type of film. The formula has been working well and they do make money at the box office. In addition, some people find them to be very funny, I’m just not one of them. If that makes me a comedy snob, then so be it.
Don’t Bother: A paint by numbers comedy
I enjoy a good parody. I though that Tropic Thunder was hysterical and I even enjoyed the cheerleading spoof Fired Up. But the difference in these films is that the comedy was organic and character driven. There were references to past films inserted into the story line, but they were strategically placed and well thought out. Dance Flick was like a series of bad skits loosely strung on a weak plot. There was no integrity when it came to the script and its story line.
I have long since outgrown potty humor and fat jokes. I like my comedy to be a little more thought out and intelligent. There is obviously a market for this type of film. The formula has been working well and they do make money at the box office. In addition, some people find them to be very funny, I’m just not one of them. If that makes me a comedy snob, then so be it.
Don’t Bother: A paint by numbers comedy
The Brothers Bloom
I’ve been conned. And according to the Brothers Bloom, a good con is when everyone involved gets what they want. But based on this criterion, this movie was not a successful con. I left the theatre wanting.
There were some things that I did find satisfying in this film. Anytime I can spend several hours lost in Adrien Brody’s eyes, is a good thing. I even liked the quirky characters, especially Bang Bang played by Rinko Kikuchi. But what bothered me is that I was never sure of the character’s motivation. In the film Bloom keeps asking his brother, “Is this the con, is this the con, or is this real?” Even Bloom wasn’t sure and brother Stephen wasn’t telling. Stephen did all the planning and he enjoyed stringing people along. Bloom didn’t like this and I didn’t like it either.
When the movie ended, my friend and I looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders and said in unison, “That was interesting.” We walked out bothered and bewildered but mostly confused. There were too many questions and not enough answers. I didn’t care for Mark Ruffalo’s character and I didn’t buy him as Adrien Brody’s brother. I liked the girl played by Rachel Weisz, but there was another character named Diamond Dog that both brothers hated with a passion and we never learn why. There were just too many holes in the plot for my liking. I like my endings a little more tidy.
Rating: Rent It A soulful Adrien Brody and a quirky Rachel Weisz are worth a rental
There were some things that I did find satisfying in this film. Anytime I can spend several hours lost in Adrien Brody’s eyes, is a good thing. I even liked the quirky characters, especially Bang Bang played by Rinko Kikuchi. But what bothered me is that I was never sure of the character’s motivation. In the film Bloom keeps asking his brother, “Is this the con, is this the con, or is this real?” Even Bloom wasn’t sure and brother Stephen wasn’t telling. Stephen did all the planning and he enjoyed stringing people along. Bloom didn’t like this and I didn’t like it either.
When the movie ended, my friend and I looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders and said in unison, “That was interesting.” We walked out bothered and bewildered but mostly confused. There were too many questions and not enough answers. I didn’t care for Mark Ruffalo’s character and I didn’t buy him as Adrien Brody’s brother. I liked the girl played by Rachel Weisz, but there was another character named Diamond Dog that both brothers hated with a passion and we never learn why. There were just too many holes in the plot for my liking. I like my endings a little more tidy.
Rating: Rent It A soulful Adrien Brody and a quirky Rachel Weisz are worth a rental
Monday, June 8, 2009
Departures
Come Academy Award time, Best Foreign Language Film is one of the hardest categories to predict. For one, many of the nominees have yet to be released in the United States, and two, the language barrier makes it difficult to predict how an English speaking audience will react to the film. When I made my predictions for 2008, I thought that The Class was a very strong contender, as was Waltz With Bashir. But when the trophy was handed out, it went to Japan’s Departures.
After seeing this film some four months after the Oscars, I have to agree with their choice. Departures is a wonderful film. It is the story of a young man who practiced his entire life to be a good enough musician to play the cello in a professional orchestra. After achieving his goal and spending a fortune on a exquisite new cello, it is announced that the orchestra is bankrupt and is being dissolved. With no other profession, skills, or talents, he returns to his boyhood home with his wife and claims the empty home left to him by his mother.
Once back in the country, Daigo’s wife sets up housekeeping, while he searches for a new job. After answering a newspaper ad, he mistakenly accepts a job in departures, thinking he’ll be a travel agent. But the ad should have read, working with the departed, since the job is performing coffining ceremonies, preparing the dead to be placed in coffins. At first he is repulsed and appalled, but after seeing the ceremony performed and the comfort given to all those involved, he realizes that his mentor is performing a tremendous and honorable service to both the dead and the living.
Departures is a beautiful, sensitive, film that examines our attitudes towards death. The care and sensitivity that these professionals give is seldom met with the respect they deserve. Once you’ve seen this film you will have a new found appreciation for those who serve us in our darkest time of need. This beautiful film should be seen by all, its rare dignity is totally uplifting and you will feel comforted that these professionals do exsist.
Rating: Must See This film sees death like a beautiful dance with music
After seeing this film some four months after the Oscars, I have to agree with their choice. Departures is a wonderful film. It is the story of a young man who practiced his entire life to be a good enough musician to play the cello in a professional orchestra. After achieving his goal and spending a fortune on a exquisite new cello, it is announced that the orchestra is bankrupt and is being dissolved. With no other profession, skills, or talents, he returns to his boyhood home with his wife and claims the empty home left to him by his mother.
Once back in the country, Daigo’s wife sets up housekeeping, while he searches for a new job. After answering a newspaper ad, he mistakenly accepts a job in departures, thinking he’ll be a travel agent. But the ad should have read, working with the departed, since the job is performing coffining ceremonies, preparing the dead to be placed in coffins. At first he is repulsed and appalled, but after seeing the ceremony performed and the comfort given to all those involved, he realizes that his mentor is performing a tremendous and honorable service to both the dead and the living.
Departures is a beautiful, sensitive, film that examines our attitudes towards death. The care and sensitivity that these professionals give is seldom met with the respect they deserve. Once you’ve seen this film you will have a new found appreciation for those who serve us in our darkest time of need. This beautiful film should be seen by all, its rare dignity is totally uplifting and you will feel comforted that these professionals do exsist.
Rating: Must See This film sees death like a beautiful dance with music
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Land Of The Lost
If you have a short attention span, you’ll love Land Of The Lost. This movie wastes no time jumping into the action, with silliness and hilarity close behind. Based on a 70’s children’s show, this version is so strange you can’t help asking yourself, “What were they smoking?” But then it was kind of like that in the seventies too.
Will Ferrell plays a scientist who is laughed out of the profession when his preposterous theories are ridiculed on National Television. He is reduced to teaching children in a science museum, when a young attractive student searches him out because she admires his work and believes in his theories. After a little coaxing, he recreates his trans-flux amplifier and is whisked away to give it a field trial. The result is a trip back in time where objects are ripped out of their element and thrown into a time-traveling junk yard. This is the point where you must leave all logic behind and just enjoy the ride.
Anna Friel is spunky as the admiring young scientist who convinces Dr. Marshall to resume his work. Danny McBride is hysterical as the unwitting cave guide who gets caught up in their adventure when the invention actually works. Jorma Taccone plays Cha-Kha the monkey boy who becomes their escort through this strange and bizarre land. Add in dinosaurs, lizard men, giant bugs, battling aliens and you’ve got one crazy movie. But don’t even bother trying to make sense out of it, check your brain at the door and just have fun. Like a series of skits strung together with a loose plot, this film is pure fun and you’ll leave the theater shaking your head, chuckling, and feeling much lighter then when you went in. And that in itself is worth the price of admission.
Rating: First Run Check your brain at the door and have fun
Will Ferrell plays a scientist who is laughed out of the profession when his preposterous theories are ridiculed on National Television. He is reduced to teaching children in a science museum, when a young attractive student searches him out because she admires his work and believes in his theories. After a little coaxing, he recreates his trans-flux amplifier and is whisked away to give it a field trial. The result is a trip back in time where objects are ripped out of their element and thrown into a time-traveling junk yard. This is the point where you must leave all logic behind and just enjoy the ride.
Anna Friel is spunky as the admiring young scientist who convinces Dr. Marshall to resume his work. Danny McBride is hysterical as the unwitting cave guide who gets caught up in their adventure when the invention actually works. Jorma Taccone plays Cha-Kha the monkey boy who becomes their escort through this strange and bizarre land. Add in dinosaurs, lizard men, giant bugs, battling aliens and you’ve got one crazy movie. But don’t even bother trying to make sense out of it, check your brain at the door and just have fun. Like a series of skits strung together with a loose plot, this film is pure fun and you’ll leave the theater shaking your head, chuckling, and feeling much lighter then when you went in. And that in itself is worth the price of admission.
Rating: First Run Check your brain at the door and have fun
Friday, June 5, 2009
The Hangover
Movies can be very educational. Today I learned to never buy drugs from a liquor store dealer, never give a hotel your credit card, tigers like to chew upholstery, and if you are going to get stupid in Vegas, you better make sure that your friends are fearlessly loyal, or you’re in big trouble.
The Hangover is the epitome of a Guy Movie. It is crude, vulgar, gross and actually very funny. Three best friends, and a brother, converge on Las Vegas to spend one last wild night before Doug gets married. In the morning, three of them wake up with a wicked hangover, and Doug is missing. Like a perverse detective story, Phil, Stu and Alan, must try to piece together their drunken debacle based on the evidence in their trashed hotel room. They must find Doug and get him back to California before his wedding the next day.
I found a lot of the humor in this film to be offensive, but I found the friendships to be endearing and irresistible. Guys can be much more forgiving than women. Their friendship is severely tested, but no matter how difficult, they never lose sight of their goal, to make it home in time for the wedding.
I feel sorry for Justin Bartha who played Doug, because he was missing for a good part of the film. But I can just picture him sitting behind the camera and laughing his ass off while Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis have to suffer through all kinds of indignities. Then he still had the fun of partying with them in Vegas after. Maybe, he had the best part of all.
The Hangover is not for everyone. If you are easily offended, stay away. But if you can get past some raunchy and off-color humor, then you will enjoy this film. The premiss is very clever and the actors are great. And by tomorrow, all the guys will be quoting it.
Rating: First Run A raunchy comic romp.
The Hangover is the epitome of a Guy Movie. It is crude, vulgar, gross and actually very funny. Three best friends, and a brother, converge on Las Vegas to spend one last wild night before Doug gets married. In the morning, three of them wake up with a wicked hangover, and Doug is missing. Like a perverse detective story, Phil, Stu and Alan, must try to piece together their drunken debacle based on the evidence in their trashed hotel room. They must find Doug and get him back to California before his wedding the next day.
I found a lot of the humor in this film to be offensive, but I found the friendships to be endearing and irresistible. Guys can be much more forgiving than women. Their friendship is severely tested, but no matter how difficult, they never lose sight of their goal, to make it home in time for the wedding.
I feel sorry for Justin Bartha who played Doug, because he was missing for a good part of the film. But I can just picture him sitting behind the camera and laughing his ass off while Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis have to suffer through all kinds of indignities. Then he still had the fun of partying with them in Vegas after. Maybe, he had the best part of all.
The Hangover is not for everyone. If you are easily offended, stay away. But if you can get past some raunchy and off-color humor, then you will enjoy this film. The premiss is very clever and the actors are great. And by tomorrow, all the guys will be quoting it.
Rating: First Run A raunchy comic romp.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Management
Sometimes when I see a movie I become so perplexed that I want to call up the writer or director and say, “What were you thinking?” Management is one of those films. It is a not bad film. I actually found it engaging. But, I didn’t understand what the film was trying to say. I have a few guesses, but I’m unsure if I guessed correctly. Either way, it’s unclear.
I understood the Steve Zahn character for the most part. His motivation was straightforward and direct. But, Jennifer Aniston’s character was an enigma to me. She did so many things that a woman would not do. For one, let a strange man into her hotel room. Two, let him into her home when he shows up at her job on the other side of the country. This is creepy stalker territory and most women these days are smarter than that. When I find a female character that doesn’t make sense to me I usually check to see who the writer is. In this case the writer and the director are the same, and he is male. That explains a lot.
I found the Steve Zahn’s portrayal of Mike to be very endearing. You really wanted him to succeed. He is tender, romantic, a bit of a lost soul, still trying to figure things out. The Sue Claussen character however, made so many strange decisions that I was never quite sure where she was coming from. And when she decides to marry Woody Harrelson’s character, you really questioned her sanity. I just didn’t get her.
In order to enjoy this film, I think you have to be a fan of the actors. I for one love Fred Ward and felt he was under-used. My friend is a big Steve Zahn fan and we both enjoyed his performance. As a romantic comedy, or a drama, I’m still not sure what it was supposed to be; I believe this film missed its mark. It was just too strange. I do however believe there is enough good here to warrant your time, so I am giving it a mild recommendation.
Rating: Rent It Steve Zahn is adorable
I understood the Steve Zahn character for the most part. His motivation was straightforward and direct. But, Jennifer Aniston’s character was an enigma to me. She did so many things that a woman would not do. For one, let a strange man into her hotel room. Two, let him into her home when he shows up at her job on the other side of the country. This is creepy stalker territory and most women these days are smarter than that. When I find a female character that doesn’t make sense to me I usually check to see who the writer is. In this case the writer and the director are the same, and he is male. That explains a lot.
I found the Steve Zahn’s portrayal of Mike to be very endearing. You really wanted him to succeed. He is tender, romantic, a bit of a lost soul, still trying to figure things out. The Sue Claussen character however, made so many strange decisions that I was never quite sure where she was coming from. And when she decides to marry Woody Harrelson’s character, you really questioned her sanity. I just didn’t get her.
In order to enjoy this film, I think you have to be a fan of the actors. I for one love Fred Ward and felt he was under-used. My friend is a big Steve Zahn fan and we both enjoyed his performance. As a romantic comedy, or a drama, I’m still not sure what it was supposed to be; I believe this film missed its mark. It was just too strange. I do however believe there is enough good here to warrant your time, so I am giving it a mild recommendation.
Rating: Rent It Steve Zahn is adorable
Monday, June 1, 2009
Up
Adventure is out there, and in Up you’ll find it. This delight, heartfelt, movie just happens to be animated. Another tremendous achievement from Pixar Studios, Up tells the tale of two adventurous children who find each other and spend a lifetime together planning for their big escape, a trip to South America following the escapades of their favorite explorer Charles Muntz.
As man and wife, Carl and Ellie scrimp and save for their big adventure. But, in the meantime, life keeps getting in the way. Time and time again, their special vacation fund is sacrificed to provide for more practical things like home repairs and doctor bills. When Ellie eventually dies, Carl is determined to fulfill his youthful promise and sets out to fly their beloved home to Paradise Falls via balloons.
This film is romantic, funny, endearing and poignant. The voice acting by Ed Asner and Jordan Nagai is pitch perfect and renders two completely captivating characters. Even the dogs in this film have well-rounded personas. I’ll never look at a squirrel the same way again.
Up is a great film for the entire family and would even make a great date film. The romantic gesture is so grand that it would melt any woman’s heart. Buy her a balloon afterwards and you’ll be off to a great start, wink, wink!
Rating: Must See An Uplifting Adventure!
As man and wife, Carl and Ellie scrimp and save for their big adventure. But, in the meantime, life keeps getting in the way. Time and time again, their special vacation fund is sacrificed to provide for more practical things like home repairs and doctor bills. When Ellie eventually dies, Carl is determined to fulfill his youthful promise and sets out to fly their beloved home to Paradise Falls via balloons.
This film is romantic, funny, endearing and poignant. The voice acting by Ed Asner and Jordan Nagai is pitch perfect and renders two completely captivating characters. Even the dogs in this film have well-rounded personas. I’ll never look at a squirrel the same way again.
Up is a great film for the entire family and would even make a great date film. The romantic gesture is so grand that it would melt any woman’s heart. Buy her a balloon afterwards and you’ll be off to a great start, wink, wink!
Rating: Must See An Uplifting Adventure!
Drag Me To Hell
I feel duped. I had no intention of going to see Drag Me To Hell, and I ended up going anyway, so now I feel like a sucker. There were two circumstances that got me to see this film. For one, it was free, and two, the movie got really good reviews. Based on these two factors alone, I felt that it was necessary to put my preconceived notions aside and give this movie a chance. So, I went. Now, I’m mad at myself.
I did not enjoy this movie. I should have stuck to my guns and stayed away. The reason I did not enjoy this movie is that it had no “redeeming” value, and I mean that literally. Alison Lohman plays Christine Brown, a loan officer who is up for a promotion at her bank. The choice is between her and a newly hired man. She has the skill, the experience, and the seniority, but her sweet nature is viewed as a weakness. Her male counterpart is seen as aggressive and able to make the tough decisions, so in an effort to look like a more viable candidate, Christine goes against her nature, and turns down an old lady for an extension on her home loan. The old lady has already had two extensions, so her decision is a reasonable one. But, what Christine doesn’t know, is that the old woman is a Gypsy. So when Christine turns her down, the old woman puts a curse on her and in three days she will be dragged to hell.
Christine Brown is a sweet, wholesome, kind, young girl who has made a bad decision, and try as she might, there seems to be no way to redeem herself. She apologizes, amends her decision, and she even visits the old lady’s home, but due to one fateful decision, she is doomed to burn in hell forever. As I said, no redeeming value!
In order to stop the curse, Christine opens herself up to the world of the occult and gives herself over to the spirit world. As I was sitting there watching this, I was so mad at myself for doing the same thing. Why put myself in this position? Why open yourself up to darkness? There are so many movies out there that are entertaining without having to be dragged through hell. Luckily for me, I have a choice. I also have a chance to redeem myself. Next time I won’t be so stupid.
Rating: Don’t Bother No “redeeming” value
I did not enjoy this movie. I should have stuck to my guns and stayed away. The reason I did not enjoy this movie is that it had no “redeeming” value, and I mean that literally. Alison Lohman plays Christine Brown, a loan officer who is up for a promotion at her bank. The choice is between her and a newly hired man. She has the skill, the experience, and the seniority, but her sweet nature is viewed as a weakness. Her male counterpart is seen as aggressive and able to make the tough decisions, so in an effort to look like a more viable candidate, Christine goes against her nature, and turns down an old lady for an extension on her home loan. The old lady has already had two extensions, so her decision is a reasonable one. But, what Christine doesn’t know, is that the old woman is a Gypsy. So when Christine turns her down, the old woman puts a curse on her and in three days she will be dragged to hell.
Christine Brown is a sweet, wholesome, kind, young girl who has made a bad decision, and try as she might, there seems to be no way to redeem herself. She apologizes, amends her decision, and she even visits the old lady’s home, but due to one fateful decision, she is doomed to burn in hell forever. As I said, no redeeming value!
In order to stop the curse, Christine opens herself up to the world of the occult and gives herself over to the spirit world. As I was sitting there watching this, I was so mad at myself for doing the same thing. Why put myself in this position? Why open yourself up to darkness? There are so many movies out there that are entertaining without having to be dragged through hell. Luckily for me, I have a choice. I also have a chance to redeem myself. Next time I won’t be so stupid.
Rating: Don’t Bother No “redeeming” value
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