When Patricia Clarkson (Shutter Island) appears on screen she comes across like someone you know. She could be your mother, an aunt, a sister, a friend, this familiar quality allows you to quickly identify with her and draw you into her story. In Cairo Time, I felt like I was in Egypt with her.
Patricia Clarkson plays the wife of a United Nations representative who is assigned to a refugee camp in Gaza. She has come to Cairo to meet her husband for a vacation. The last of her children have left home, and although she is busy running a magazine, she has taken time off to reconnect with her husband and see the pyramids. Something that they have promised to do together.
When her husband doesn’t meet her at the airport, Juliette is concerned, but he sends Tareq instead. Tareq (Alexander Siddig) is his former colleague who has recently retired. He nows lives in Cairo and runs a coffee shop that his father left him. Tareq is originally from Damascus and knows Egyptian culture well. He is the perfect choice to see after his wife.
Luckily, Juliette knows Tareq although they have never met. Mark and Juliette communicate often and Tareq is very highly spoken of. When Mark, (Tom McCamus) keeps getting delayed, Tareq delivers Juliette to her hotel and leaves her his number just in case. He assures her that her husband is fine and that he’ll be joining her soon, but the camp is having serious problems and Mark can not leave. Juliette is now alone in a strange country with customs she does not know. She is intelligent and independent but unprepared for her predicament. It is not long before she has to call on Tareq again.
Juliette was planning on doing an article to fill her time but the internet at her hotel is out. As she ventures down the street to an internet cafe, Juliette is an unescorted woman in Western clothes with blonde hair and bare legs. It doesn’t take long to feel the disapproval of the Muslim people and soon she shows up at Tareq’s restaurant for help. She can’t understand why everyone is staring at her until Tareq explains that this type of venue is only for men. She asked why no one told her and he replied that that would be rude. She had a lot to learn about Muslim culture.
As Mark continues to be delayed and Juliette can no longer stand being shut up in the hotel or harassed alone on the streets, Tareq takes a day off and escorts her around the city. Anywhere but the pyramids she insists. They even run into a friend of his, an old flame who has come to town to marry off her daughter. They are invited to the wedding and Juliette really wants to see Alexandria so they go. They have a wonderful day together and Juliette throughly enjoys the wedding. It is a magical time with everyone celebrating together.
In the beginning Juliette is put off by the heat, and disapproves of the poverty and the second class status of women. But seeing the world through Tareq’s eyes and then being invited to a wedding, she realizes that our cultures are more a like than different. She begins to fall in love with the country and her guide as well. The desert is an enchanting place.
What I appreciated the most about this film is that it is gentle, stays away from political agendas and allows us to fall in love with the county just like Juliette. We are not shielded from the ugliness, but it is put into perspective. Like any foreign culture it is easy to dismiss or criticize when you are looking for the outside in, but when you get off of your high horse and walk around, the view becomes much more authentic. This film is a love letter and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. It was a privilege to share the culture of Egypt in such a beautiful, sensitive way.
Rating: First Run A love letter to Egypt
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
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Get Low
Robert Duvall can be unpredictable. Even though there is a certain sameness in many of his roles, he makes each one special and unique in its own way, like a fingerprint. Whatever role he plays, there is an intensity and a charisma that lies beneath the surface ready to bubble forth, even when he portrays a subdued role. Whether he is mute or loquacious, you are never quite sure what he’s going to do next, so you watch him, intently, until reveals his next move. Robert Duvall is simply fascinating.
In Get Low, Robert Duvall is Felix Bush, a hermit who has lived alone for over 40 years. Out of shame, he has built himself a personal prison out in the woods and seldom leaves his home. Like Boo Radley, Felix Bush has become a boogey man. Children fear him, adults shun him, and everyone gossips about this strange solitary man. They all wonder what evil befell him and why he insists on living alone.
One day, the local pastor braves the hermit’s “No Damn Trespassing” sign to let him know that someone in his life had died. Bush stoically receives the news and then sends the pastor on his way. But after he is gone it sets him to thinking. What will people say about him after he is gone? For forty years he has kept his secret, only one other person knows the truth. He decides that instead of waiting until his death that he’ll plan his funeral now. This will be his chance to set things straight and finally reveal the truth.
When Felix Bush enters town with his wagon and mule, the locals are set a twitter. He approaches Gerald McRaney (The A-Team) the pastor and asks him about a funeral. The minister who has been raised on the rumors of this mysterious man insists on a confession first, but Bush refuses and storms out of the church. Within earshot is young Buddy, Lucas Black (Sling Blade). He works for the local funeral parlor and he overhears the entire conversation. When he takes the news back to his boss, Bill Murray (Zombieland), they decide to go after the man’s business. This is 1930’s Tennessee and times are hard. Rumor is that the hermit has a large greasy ball of cash.
After a few setbacks, the pair finally has a sit down with the old man. They are shocked to discover that he wants to have his funeral while he is still alive. Buddy balks at the idea, but Bill Murray’s character sees that as a minor detail. He is prepared to give the man whatever he wants. This is his chance to save his failing business.
Like Robert Duvall, Bill Murray is unpredictable. He will say his line with a perfectly straight face but with his wry smile and twinkling eyes you never know what he is going to do next. You expect him at anytime to say, “Just kidding.” The two of them together in a film is a rare treat. I loved watching their performances. Since it takes the entire length of the film to reveal the hermit’s secret, there is a lot of time to watch these two. In addition, Sissy Spacek (Coal Miner’s daughter) is in this film. She plays a widow who has recently moved back to town and she is somehow connected to Felix’s past. It takes awhile to discover how, but the mystery will finally reveal itself in the end. What makes this story even more interesting is that it is based on a true story. Life can be stranger than fiction.
Rating: First Run A story of a man who wants to attend his own funeral
In Get Low, Robert Duvall is Felix Bush, a hermit who has lived alone for over 40 years. Out of shame, he has built himself a personal prison out in the woods and seldom leaves his home. Like Boo Radley, Felix Bush has become a boogey man. Children fear him, adults shun him, and everyone gossips about this strange solitary man. They all wonder what evil befell him and why he insists on living alone.
One day, the local pastor braves the hermit’s “No Damn Trespassing” sign to let him know that someone in his life had died. Bush stoically receives the news and then sends the pastor on his way. But after he is gone it sets him to thinking. What will people say about him after he is gone? For forty years he has kept his secret, only one other person knows the truth. He decides that instead of waiting until his death that he’ll plan his funeral now. This will be his chance to set things straight and finally reveal the truth.
When Felix Bush enters town with his wagon and mule, the locals are set a twitter. He approaches Gerald McRaney (The A-Team) the pastor and asks him about a funeral. The minister who has been raised on the rumors of this mysterious man insists on a confession first, but Bush refuses and storms out of the church. Within earshot is young Buddy, Lucas Black (Sling Blade). He works for the local funeral parlor and he overhears the entire conversation. When he takes the news back to his boss, Bill Murray (Zombieland), they decide to go after the man’s business. This is 1930’s Tennessee and times are hard. Rumor is that the hermit has a large greasy ball of cash.
After a few setbacks, the pair finally has a sit down with the old man. They are shocked to discover that he wants to have his funeral while he is still alive. Buddy balks at the idea, but Bill Murray’s character sees that as a minor detail. He is prepared to give the man whatever he wants. This is his chance to save his failing business.
Like Robert Duvall, Bill Murray is unpredictable. He will say his line with a perfectly straight face but with his wry smile and twinkling eyes you never know what he is going to do next. You expect him at anytime to say, “Just kidding.” The two of them together in a film is a rare treat. I loved watching their performances. Since it takes the entire length of the film to reveal the hermit’s secret, there is a lot of time to watch these two. In addition, Sissy Spacek (Coal Miner’s daughter) is in this film. She plays a widow who has recently moved back to town and she is somehow connected to Felix’s past. It takes awhile to discover how, but the mystery will finally reveal itself in the end. What makes this story even more interesting is that it is based on a true story. Life can be stranger than fiction.
Rating: First Run A story of a man who wants to attend his own funeral
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is original, creative, innovative, fun and full of kinetic energy. That being said, I found it too long. And not growing up with video games, I found parts of it hard to relate to. But despite my lack of connection with some of the pop culture aspects, I greatly admired what the director Edgar Wright (Sean of the Dead) was trying to do.
When I saw the cast of Scott Pilgrim at Comic-Con, Michael Cera (Superbad) came out dressed in a cheesy Captain America costume. He looked so ridiculous that every time I looked at him I got the giggles. But that is the beauty of Michael Cera, he can play a scene straight, completely embracing the emotional content and still come off funny. It’s a gift.
In spite of his nerdy man-boy exterior, Michael Cera still attracts the ladies. For this film he had to take extensive martial arts training in order to execute his kick-ass moves. One lady at Comic-Con got up and asked him how, after all that training, he managed to keep his boyish figure. It got a laugh, especially when Cera made a self-depreciating comment, but that is the key to his appeal. Like boy bands and teen-age pop stars, he is lovable, but non-threatening.
Starring opposite Michael Cera is Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Live Free or Die Hard). This will be a break out role for her. She is very appealing with a touch of mystery. You can easily see why Scott Pilgrim would fall for her. But unlike most comic book films, this movie is full of female characters. They may not be as well developed as some of the guy roles, but they are memorable and a lot of fun. You have Alison Pill (Milk) as Kim Pine, the angry drummer, Aubrey Plaza (Funny People) as the profanity laced groupie, Ellen Wong (The Heart of the Warrior) as the 17 year old high school student that gets dumped by Scott and Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air) as Scott’s not always so supportive sister.
In addition to these feisty roles you have Mae Whitman (Parenthood) as one of the evil exes, joined by Brandon Routh (Superman Returns), Satya Bhabha (Fair Game), Jason Schwartzman (Fantastic Mr. Fox), Chris Evans (Push), Keita Saitou and Shota Saito (Feel The Wind). These are the seven evil exes that Scott must defeat to win the fair Ramona.
The other people in Scott’s life are Stephen Stills and Young Neil played by Mark Webber (Winter’s Solstice) and Johnny Simmons (Jennifer’s Body). They play Scott’s Band mates. The other member of Scott’s life is Keiran Culkin (Paper Man) Scott’s gay roommate. We know this because this is how Scott introduces him, “ This is Wallace Wells, my gay roommate.” It is a running gag throughout the film.
As you can see the cast is huge and I haven’t even mentioned them all. In my opinion this film could have used a little trimming. But I did enjoy it even though I couldn’t wait for it to end. As an adult woman, this film was not made for me, but I did appreciate the cleverness, wit and fast paced editing. Artistically, I loved it, it just wasn’t made for me. If you are younger, or grew up in the video game generation, you’ll find a lot to like.
Rating: Second Run A clever film that runs too long
When I saw the cast of Scott Pilgrim at Comic-Con, Michael Cera (Superbad) came out dressed in a cheesy Captain America costume. He looked so ridiculous that every time I looked at him I got the giggles. But that is the beauty of Michael Cera, he can play a scene straight, completely embracing the emotional content and still come off funny. It’s a gift.
In spite of his nerdy man-boy exterior, Michael Cera still attracts the ladies. For this film he had to take extensive martial arts training in order to execute his kick-ass moves. One lady at Comic-Con got up and asked him how, after all that training, he managed to keep his boyish figure. It got a laugh, especially when Cera made a self-depreciating comment, but that is the key to his appeal. Like boy bands and teen-age pop stars, he is lovable, but non-threatening.
Starring opposite Michael Cera is Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Live Free or Die Hard). This will be a break out role for her. She is very appealing with a touch of mystery. You can easily see why Scott Pilgrim would fall for her. But unlike most comic book films, this movie is full of female characters. They may not be as well developed as some of the guy roles, but they are memorable and a lot of fun. You have Alison Pill (Milk) as Kim Pine, the angry drummer, Aubrey Plaza (Funny People) as the profanity laced groupie, Ellen Wong (The Heart of the Warrior) as the 17 year old high school student that gets dumped by Scott and Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air) as Scott’s not always so supportive sister.
In addition to these feisty roles you have Mae Whitman (Parenthood) as one of the evil exes, joined by Brandon Routh (Superman Returns), Satya Bhabha (Fair Game), Jason Schwartzman (Fantastic Mr. Fox), Chris Evans (Push), Keita Saitou and Shota Saito (Feel The Wind). These are the seven evil exes that Scott must defeat to win the fair Ramona.
The other people in Scott’s life are Stephen Stills and Young Neil played by Mark Webber (Winter’s Solstice) and Johnny Simmons (Jennifer’s Body). They play Scott’s Band mates. The other member of Scott’s life is Keiran Culkin (Paper Man) Scott’s gay roommate. We know this because this is how Scott introduces him, “ This is Wallace Wells, my gay roommate.” It is a running gag throughout the film.
As you can see the cast is huge and I haven’t even mentioned them all. In my opinion this film could have used a little trimming. But I did enjoy it even though I couldn’t wait for it to end. As an adult woman, this film was not made for me, but I did appreciate the cleverness, wit and fast paced editing. Artistically, I loved it, it just wasn’t made for me. If you are younger, or grew up in the video game generation, you’ll find a lot to like.
Rating: Second Run A clever film that runs too long
Friday, August 13, 2010
The Expendables
Sylvester Stallone (Rocky) does not disappoint. In The Expendables, he gathers the largest collection of Hollywood bad asses and puts them together on one screen. At Comic-Con a few months back, the majority of the cast appeared to promote the film and the impression that I was left with was that despite everything, everyone there had nothing but the greatest respect for Stallone. He got the money, he got the locations, and most importantly, he got the cast. Stallone is a true facilitator.
Most people, however don’t care about logistics. They want to know if the film is any good. And the answer is yes. It delivers action, gun play, knife throwing, explosions and some old good fashioned hand-to-hand combat. But it also gives us some excellent performances. With one small scene Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) touched me with a monologue about the spiritual damage of being a mercenary. It was amazing how he could convey so much with such a short scene.
Sylvester Stallone was also solid as a man who allows one brave act to inspire him to do something unimaginable. His team consisting of Jason Statham (The Transporter), Jet Li (Unleashed), Terry Crews (Terminator Salvation), Randy Couture (Redbelt) and Dolph Lungren (Universal Soldier) all held their own. And on the other side we had Eric Roberts (King of the Gypsies), Steve Austin (The Longest Yard) and David Zayas (Coach) playing the bad guys. The film also had appearances by Bruce Willis (Die Hard) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (Terminator). What a line up!
If you like your action tough with actors that know how to play rough, then you will like this film. To pull a line from the movie, it may be bad Shakespeare, but it is entertaining. And if it does well, the boys just might be ready for a sequel.
Rating: First Run Stallone does not disappoint
Most people, however don’t care about logistics. They want to know if the film is any good. And the answer is yes. It delivers action, gun play, knife throwing, explosions and some old good fashioned hand-to-hand combat. But it also gives us some excellent performances. With one small scene Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) touched me with a monologue about the spiritual damage of being a mercenary. It was amazing how he could convey so much with such a short scene.
Sylvester Stallone was also solid as a man who allows one brave act to inspire him to do something unimaginable. His team consisting of Jason Statham (The Transporter), Jet Li (Unleashed), Terry Crews (Terminator Salvation), Randy Couture (Redbelt) and Dolph Lungren (Universal Soldier) all held their own. And on the other side we had Eric Roberts (King of the Gypsies), Steve Austin (The Longest Yard) and David Zayas (Coach) playing the bad guys. The film also had appearances by Bruce Willis (Die Hard) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (Terminator). What a line up!
If you like your action tough with actors that know how to play rough, then you will like this film. To pull a line from the movie, it may be bad Shakespeare, but it is entertaining. And if it does well, the boys just might be ready for a sequel.
Rating: First Run Stallone does not disappoint
The Other Guys
Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell, comedy Team? Who knew? Yet this yin-yang comedic duo really clicks and with the pitch-perfect tone of The Other Guys, I was laughing out loud, a lot, and this is a rare thing. It takes good writing, perfect timing, and surprise to get me to laugh out loud. Add in some impressive stunt work and good acting and I was loving this film. The supporting players are hysterical, with Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson leading the pack. Michael Keaton delivers a wonderfully dry performance and Eva Mendes provides the sexy. All this together makes The Others Guys a great summer film that delivers both action and laughs.
What I loved the most about The Other Guys is the balance between Wahlberg and Ferrell. We all know that Will Ferrell can bring the crazy, but Mark Wahlberg can bring it, too. These two together execute the perfect dance taking turns leading while never missing a beat. When Ferrell is demure, Wahlberg is angry, when Wahlberg is depressed, Ferrell is assertive, and when Wahlberg gets scary, Ferrell freaks him out, this is truly a yin-yang relationship and it is what makes this partnership works.
The plot is simple, Mark Wahlberg had dreams of being a great cop but when he accidently shoots New York hero Derek Jeter he becomes a joke and has ruined his career politically. Will Ferrell, his partner, is a forensic accountant. He’s more comfortable doing his police work on the computer. But when New York’s two flashiest, most celebrated cops are taken out, Wahlberg sees a chance to fill the void. Ferrell reluctantly gets dragged along.
Buddy Cop movies have been parodied before, one of my favorites is Hot Fuzz, but like Hot Fuzz, the key is in the relationship between the two partners. They start off mis-matched, resenting each other and trying to break it off, but through a series of trials, they come to know each other and accept each other’s foibles. They develop an understanding and a short hand that helps them in crisis. No one knows you better than your partner.
I’m glad that someone saw the comic potential in Mark Wahlberg. His commitment to character and his intensity serve him well in comedy. With this role he brings his reputation as a bad ass and someone you don’t mess with, that’s why when we get to see his softer side it is even funnier. We’ve seen this all before with Ferrell’s many roles, but by putting him opposite Wahlberg, it seemed fresh and new. I hope we get to see this paring again, it really works.
Rating: Must See Wahlberg and Ferrell, partners in comedy
What I loved the most about The Other Guys is the balance between Wahlberg and Ferrell. We all know that Will Ferrell can bring the crazy, but Mark Wahlberg can bring it, too. These two together execute the perfect dance taking turns leading while never missing a beat. When Ferrell is demure, Wahlberg is angry, when Wahlberg is depressed, Ferrell is assertive, and when Wahlberg gets scary, Ferrell freaks him out, this is truly a yin-yang relationship and it is what makes this partnership works.
The plot is simple, Mark Wahlberg had dreams of being a great cop but when he accidently shoots New York hero Derek Jeter he becomes a joke and has ruined his career politically. Will Ferrell, his partner, is a forensic accountant. He’s more comfortable doing his police work on the computer. But when New York’s two flashiest, most celebrated cops are taken out, Wahlberg sees a chance to fill the void. Ferrell reluctantly gets dragged along.
Buddy Cop movies have been parodied before, one of my favorites is Hot Fuzz, but like Hot Fuzz, the key is in the relationship between the two partners. They start off mis-matched, resenting each other and trying to break it off, but through a series of trials, they come to know each other and accept each other’s foibles. They develop an understanding and a short hand that helps them in crisis. No one knows you better than your partner.
I’m glad that someone saw the comic potential in Mark Wahlberg. His commitment to character and his intensity serve him well in comedy. With this role he brings his reputation as a bad ass and someone you don’t mess with, that’s why when we get to see his softer side it is even funnier. We’ve seen this all before with Ferrell’s many roles, but by putting him opposite Wahlberg, it seemed fresh and new. I hope we get to see this paring again, it really works.
Rating: Must See Wahlberg and Ferrell, partners in comedy
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Dinner for Schmucks
They say that music is universal and so is mathematics, but when it comes to comedy, humor is so subjective that even members of the same family may differ on what they consider funny. Some people enjoy potty humor, sight gags, puns, and play on words. While there are those who respond only to prate falls and people who hurt themselves. I don’t know how you would describe the comedy in Dinner For Schmucks. I didn’t find it very funny and I love Paul Rudd and usually enjoy Steve Carell. I guess I don’t like it when people are belittled.
Paul Rudd (I Love You, Man) plays a company man who is desperately trying to get a promotion. When he speaks up in a meeting and draws attention to himself and what he can bring to the table, his boss is appreciative of his forwardness and provides for him a little test. Every month the top executives have a secret dinner party where each of them is tasked with bringing a world-class idiot. Once there they make fun of them and actually give out a trophy for the most extraordinary schmuck. After paying to see this movie, I think the trophy should have gone to me.
Paul Rudd’s nice guy Tim is disgusted by the concept of this dinner, but he really wants a promotion. He is trying to impress his girlfriend and get her to marry him. He has over extended himself trying to woo her. His girlfriend, Julie (Stephanie Szostak) is an art curator and used to the finer things. She is currently working with an eccentric new artist (Jemaine Clement) who is getting his own show. She is appalled by Tim’s dinner and wants him to cancel, but Tim is torn. A promotion and pleasing the boss could take him a long way in the company.
Enter Steve Carell(Forty Year Old Virgin). He plays Barry an Internal Revenue Agent. Barry has an unusual hobby. He collects dead mice, stuffs them, and places them in dioramas. He is perfect for Tim’s little dinner party, but he is such a disaster that he completely sabotages Tim’s life, unintentionally. This is supposed to be funny, but I found it sad. Meanwhile Tim’s girlfriend is dealing with her own schmuck. Her artist is so weird that he could easily be an acceptable date for Tim’s dinner. Get the two together and you have just left the realm of possibility. Add in Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) as Barry’s boss and you have a cast of completely unbelievable characters. For my sensibilities the performances were too over the top.
Comedy is a balancing act. If you take a movie like Waiting for Guffman or Best In Show, the characters are strange but they are people we recognize. In Dinner for Schmucks, the people were so larger than life that we had no personal experience to relate with. For example I once knew a guy with an extraordinary large mustache. When he walked in a crowd, people took notice and would smile or look at him twice. But if the mustached guy in the movie walked through a crowd, it would cause a commotion. It was too overdone and therefore unbelievable. In my opinion this film had the wrong tone.
I haven’t seen the original French film but I have a feeling that they went in a completely different direction. I often will see a funny French film and wonder what it would be like with American actors. Sometimes it works, Three Men and a Baby was a big hit in both languages. But if Hollywood is going to remake a foreign film, they need to be careful. Funny doesn’t always translate and I think they got in wrong in this film.
Rating: Rent It Some funny lines, but the characters are unbelievable
Paul Rudd (I Love You, Man) plays a company man who is desperately trying to get a promotion. When he speaks up in a meeting and draws attention to himself and what he can bring to the table, his boss is appreciative of his forwardness and provides for him a little test. Every month the top executives have a secret dinner party where each of them is tasked with bringing a world-class idiot. Once there they make fun of them and actually give out a trophy for the most extraordinary schmuck. After paying to see this movie, I think the trophy should have gone to me.
Paul Rudd’s nice guy Tim is disgusted by the concept of this dinner, but he really wants a promotion. He is trying to impress his girlfriend and get her to marry him. He has over extended himself trying to woo her. His girlfriend, Julie (Stephanie Szostak) is an art curator and used to the finer things. She is currently working with an eccentric new artist (Jemaine Clement) who is getting his own show. She is appalled by Tim’s dinner and wants him to cancel, but Tim is torn. A promotion and pleasing the boss could take him a long way in the company.
Enter Steve Carell(Forty Year Old Virgin). He plays Barry an Internal Revenue Agent. Barry has an unusual hobby. He collects dead mice, stuffs them, and places them in dioramas. He is perfect for Tim’s little dinner party, but he is such a disaster that he completely sabotages Tim’s life, unintentionally. This is supposed to be funny, but I found it sad. Meanwhile Tim’s girlfriend is dealing with her own schmuck. Her artist is so weird that he could easily be an acceptable date for Tim’s dinner. Get the two together and you have just left the realm of possibility. Add in Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) as Barry’s boss and you have a cast of completely unbelievable characters. For my sensibilities the performances were too over the top.
Comedy is a balancing act. If you take a movie like Waiting for Guffman or Best In Show, the characters are strange but they are people we recognize. In Dinner for Schmucks, the people were so larger than life that we had no personal experience to relate with. For example I once knew a guy with an extraordinary large mustache. When he walked in a crowd, people took notice and would smile or look at him twice. But if the mustached guy in the movie walked through a crowd, it would cause a commotion. It was too overdone and therefore unbelievable. In my opinion this film had the wrong tone.
I haven’t seen the original French film but I have a feeling that they went in a completely different direction. I often will see a funny French film and wonder what it would be like with American actors. Sometimes it works, Three Men and a Baby was a big hit in both languages. But if Hollywood is going to remake a foreign film, they need to be careful. Funny doesn’t always translate and I think they got in wrong in this film.
Rating: Rent It Some funny lines, but the characters are unbelievable
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
The Dry Land
I have a lot of respect for America Ferrera (Ugly Betty). Instead of resting on her laurels she has been producing small independent features with socially conscious themes. The Dry Land deals with PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) and the film centers on James, Ryan O’Nan, a veteran who has just returned from the war in Iraq. His convoy was attacked killing several men in his unit, but James has blocked out all memories of the incident. His only goal is to get back home and resume a normal civilian life.
To prevent the delay of his release, James lied about his mental state and rushed himself back to Texas as soon as possible. But now that he is home he is dealing with the stress of a new job, married life and a mother who is gravely ill. He is having a hard time and can no longer hide his obvious distress. James is having trouble making the adjustment. His lack of memory is playing itself out in troubling dreams.
America Ferrera plays Ryan O’Nan’s wife, Sarah. When she wakes up one morning with her husband choking her, she realizes that something is seriously wrong. But when he refuses to discuss it with her or even admit that there is something amiss, Sarah becomes fearful and leaves home to stay with her parents. She tells James to get his act together, this separation sends him off on a binder.
Jason Ritter (Joan of Arcadia) plays Michael. He is James’ best friend but now it seems that he and Sarah have become a little too chummy. In his current mental condition, James blows the relationship completely out of proportion and after a gnarly knock down drag out fight he finely realizes that he needs help. In search of answers, James seeks out his fellow Army buddy Raymond, Wilmer Valderama (That 70’s Show). He’s hoping that Raymond can tell him what really happened in Iraq and help him fill in the missing gaps, but Raymond is having trouble adapting, too. He’s just trying to to file everything away. For him the past is better left forgotten. Unemployed and fighting with his wife, Raymond decides to join James on a trip to Walter Reed Hospital. The other surviving member of their unit is in rehabilitation there. He lost both of his legs and James is hoping that he’ll help give him some perspective.
In The Dry Land, Ryan O’Nan has a very haunted quality which serves him well in this picture. On the surface he is trying to be the man, but underneath you can see that he is just a scared little boy. Melissa Leo (Frozen River) plays James’ mother. She has nothing but love for her troubled son, but she has problems of her own. On oxygen and tiring easily, she puts on a brave front. You can easily see where he gets his stoic nature. Melissa Leo’s performance gives us much insight into the character of her son. She is excellent in this small role.
My biggest revaluation in his film was Wilmer Valderama. He has grown and matured so much since That 70’s Show. His performance is sensitive, natural and nicely shaded. He really does a tremendous job. His Raymond Gonzales reveals a more common reaction to post-traumatic stress; depression, alcohol and good old fashion denial. The two together are two sides of the same coin.
The Dry Land is not a big, splashy Hollywood film, nor does it hit you over the head with a message. It never points fingers or tries to explain the war, it just tells us one guy’s story and illustrates one possible journey. If the film has any message, it is that war can mess you up, but you don’t have to go through it alone. There are others that have been there, too. Reach out, share your pain, and remember that help is only a phone call away. In this respect, The Dry Land is really a hopeful film.
Rating: First Run One soldier’s journey back home
To prevent the delay of his release, James lied about his mental state and rushed himself back to Texas as soon as possible. But now that he is home he is dealing with the stress of a new job, married life and a mother who is gravely ill. He is having a hard time and can no longer hide his obvious distress. James is having trouble making the adjustment. His lack of memory is playing itself out in troubling dreams.
America Ferrera plays Ryan O’Nan’s wife, Sarah. When she wakes up one morning with her husband choking her, she realizes that something is seriously wrong. But when he refuses to discuss it with her or even admit that there is something amiss, Sarah becomes fearful and leaves home to stay with her parents. She tells James to get his act together, this separation sends him off on a binder.
Jason Ritter (Joan of Arcadia) plays Michael. He is James’ best friend but now it seems that he and Sarah have become a little too chummy. In his current mental condition, James blows the relationship completely out of proportion and after a gnarly knock down drag out fight he finely realizes that he needs help. In search of answers, James seeks out his fellow Army buddy Raymond, Wilmer Valderama (That 70’s Show). He’s hoping that Raymond can tell him what really happened in Iraq and help him fill in the missing gaps, but Raymond is having trouble adapting, too. He’s just trying to to file everything away. For him the past is better left forgotten. Unemployed and fighting with his wife, Raymond decides to join James on a trip to Walter Reed Hospital. The other surviving member of their unit is in rehabilitation there. He lost both of his legs and James is hoping that he’ll help give him some perspective.
In The Dry Land, Ryan O’Nan has a very haunted quality which serves him well in this picture. On the surface he is trying to be the man, but underneath you can see that he is just a scared little boy. Melissa Leo (Frozen River) plays James’ mother. She has nothing but love for her troubled son, but she has problems of her own. On oxygen and tiring easily, she puts on a brave front. You can easily see where he gets his stoic nature. Melissa Leo’s performance gives us much insight into the character of her son. She is excellent in this small role.
My biggest revaluation in his film was Wilmer Valderama. He has grown and matured so much since That 70’s Show. His performance is sensitive, natural and nicely shaded. He really does a tremendous job. His Raymond Gonzales reveals a more common reaction to post-traumatic stress; depression, alcohol and good old fashion denial. The two together are two sides of the same coin.
The Dry Land is not a big, splashy Hollywood film, nor does it hit you over the head with a message. It never points fingers or tries to explain the war, it just tells us one guy’s story and illustrates one possible journey. If the film has any message, it is that war can mess you up, but you don’t have to go through it alone. There are others that have been there, too. Reach out, share your pain, and remember that help is only a phone call away. In this respect, The Dry Land is really a hopeful film.
Rating: First Run One soldier’s journey back home
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Charlie St. Cloud
After watching Charlie St. Cloud I was left with a desire to take sailing lessons and a craving for fish and chips. Once I had my fish and chips, I was done. Unless you are a twelve-year-old girl or a big Zac Efron fan, there is little to enjoy in this film. I loved the scenery and the photography was beautiful, but the story had so many gaps that it drove me crazy.
Zac Efron (High School Musical) plays Charlie St. Cloud, a townie in a rich eastern seaboard yachting village. Growing up in this small myopic sailing port, Charlie knows everything about sailing and sailboats. He has recently won a big race and subsequently a sailing scholarship to go to Stanford. His younger brother Sam (Charlie Tahan) is going to miss his older brother. But Charlie promises to practice baseball with him everyday until he leaves for college. It is never explained why Charlie takes promises so seriously. As far as his relationship with his brother, we have to glean it through a montage and a series of short scenes. Basically the filmmaker is asking us to take his word for it that Sam and Charlie are close.
My biggest problem in this film is the relationships. Zac never seems to connect with any of these people, yet we are supposed to believe that he has a best friend (Augustus Prew) who keeps inviting him out even though he never responds. And that in a mere five years he has gone from town hero to a cemetery recluse. The girls in town still think he’s cute but they either believe that he is weird, strange or misunderstood.
Since all of Charlie’s peers have gone off to college and his mom has moved away for reasons unexplained, Charlie spends all his time caring for the local cemetery and designs sailboats in his solitary evenings, which is strange because his own boat has not been in the water for five years. This too is not explained. Charlie lost his brother in a car accident, not a boating accident so I don’t understand his aversion to water. But this is par for the course; there are a lot of holes in this story.
One day while Charlie is trying to chase geese off of the grounds a young woman appears to complain about the state of her father’s grave. Charlie doesn’t recognize her right away, but she came in right behind him in his famous yachting race. Tess (Amanda Crew) has taken her inheritance and has outfitted herself with a first class yacht in which she intends to sail around the world. Equipped with a sailing coach and several corporate sponsors, Tess will be leaving for an around the world jaunt in a matter of weeks. She invites Charlie to be on her crew, but he turns her down. Everyday at sunset he plays baseball with his dead brother, a promise is a promise.
Charlie St. Cloud is a sappy movie that never once touched or moved me. And what makes me even madder is how the film wasted the talents of Kim Basinger, Ray Liotta and Donal Logue. They were severely underused and as played, anyone could have done their roles. Again, we were left to fill in many of the relational gaps.
If you are a twelve-year-old girl or a Zac Efron fan he has plenty of screen time and luxurious close-ups. I will even admit that he is not a bad actor. But if you need a well-constructed script with your eye candy I would pass on this film. I have a feeling that the book is much more satisfying. Read it instead and buy a copy with Zac’s picture on the cover. That way you will have the best of both worlds. If you still want to see the film, I say save your money and rent it. This way you can freeze frame on his wet t-shirt shot and fast forward through the extraneous stuff. I believe that Zac Efron has potential as an actor, he just needs a deceit script and a director that will bring it out.
Rating: Rent It A sappy story with pretty people in it
Zac Efron (High School Musical) plays Charlie St. Cloud, a townie in a rich eastern seaboard yachting village. Growing up in this small myopic sailing port, Charlie knows everything about sailing and sailboats. He has recently won a big race and subsequently a sailing scholarship to go to Stanford. His younger brother Sam (Charlie Tahan) is going to miss his older brother. But Charlie promises to practice baseball with him everyday until he leaves for college. It is never explained why Charlie takes promises so seriously. As far as his relationship with his brother, we have to glean it through a montage and a series of short scenes. Basically the filmmaker is asking us to take his word for it that Sam and Charlie are close.
My biggest problem in this film is the relationships. Zac never seems to connect with any of these people, yet we are supposed to believe that he has a best friend (Augustus Prew) who keeps inviting him out even though he never responds. And that in a mere five years he has gone from town hero to a cemetery recluse. The girls in town still think he’s cute but they either believe that he is weird, strange or misunderstood.
Since all of Charlie’s peers have gone off to college and his mom has moved away for reasons unexplained, Charlie spends all his time caring for the local cemetery and designs sailboats in his solitary evenings, which is strange because his own boat has not been in the water for five years. This too is not explained. Charlie lost his brother in a car accident, not a boating accident so I don’t understand his aversion to water. But this is par for the course; there are a lot of holes in this story.
One day while Charlie is trying to chase geese off of the grounds a young woman appears to complain about the state of her father’s grave. Charlie doesn’t recognize her right away, but she came in right behind him in his famous yachting race. Tess (Amanda Crew) has taken her inheritance and has outfitted herself with a first class yacht in which she intends to sail around the world. Equipped with a sailing coach and several corporate sponsors, Tess will be leaving for an around the world jaunt in a matter of weeks. She invites Charlie to be on her crew, but he turns her down. Everyday at sunset he plays baseball with his dead brother, a promise is a promise.
Charlie St. Cloud is a sappy movie that never once touched or moved me. And what makes me even madder is how the film wasted the talents of Kim Basinger, Ray Liotta and Donal Logue. They were severely underused and as played, anyone could have done their roles. Again, we were left to fill in many of the relational gaps.
If you are a twelve-year-old girl or a Zac Efron fan he has plenty of screen time and luxurious close-ups. I will even admit that he is not a bad actor. But if you need a well-constructed script with your eye candy I would pass on this film. I have a feeling that the book is much more satisfying. Read it instead and buy a copy with Zac’s picture on the cover. That way you will have the best of both worlds. If you still want to see the film, I say save your money and rent it. This way you can freeze frame on his wet t-shirt shot and fast forward through the extraneous stuff. I believe that Zac Efron has potential as an actor, he just needs a deceit script and a director that will bring it out.
Rating: Rent It A sappy story with pretty people in it
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