Movie Review: The Art of Getting By (2011)

"The Art of Getting By" (2011) is a coming-of-age romantic drama that isn't exactly reinventing the wheel so to speak but it's charming nonetheless.  The film stars Freddie Highmore as George, a loner/slacker high school senior who's lost in fatalistic thought and completely neglecting his schoolwork.  George is also a promising artist who cannot find any inspiration to paint.  Enter Sally, played by Emma Roberts, who is George's classmate and new friend.  Though George continues to find no inspiration for schoolwork, through Sally he does find friendship and someone he cares about and eventually does inspire him.  The road is rocky for George, however, because he cannot process his feelings for Sally and there's trouble not only at home but all that schoolwork he's not been doing catches up to him.

As I pointed out, there's not a lot new here in this genre but the acting is solid and the film has a certain charm.  Several well-known actors took supporting roles in this film (Blair Underwood, Rita Wilson, & Alicia Silverstone) which rounds out the cast well.  Again, this film doesn't change the world but it makes for an enjoyable hour and a half.  C+

Movie Review: Footloose (2011)

This review is of the 2011 remake, which I enjoyed more than I thought I would.  It has to be difficult to take such a loved and iconic film as the original "Footloose" (1984) and try to remake it.  This film does an admirable job because while it's not a shot-by-shot replica there is a lot that's from the original including music and an homage at the beginning of the film.  There's some great dancing in this one thanks to female lead Julianne Hough.

Overall I have to say that anyone who enjoyed the original will most likely like the new one because there's so much that's similar or same.  People who had no interest or didn't like the original should skip this one as well as anyone looking for vast difference from the 1984 classic.  The 2011 reboot is enjoyable for the same audience that enjoyed the 1984 film.  Solid C for me.

Movie Review: El Bulli: Cooking in Progress (2010)

This documentary takes the viewer inside and behind the scenes at the famous El Bulli resturant in the Catalonia area of Spain.  This is apparently one of the most inventive resturants out there as evidenced by this film.  The film follows chef Ferran Adria and his staff for a year.  The first half of the year Adria and his top staff close the resturant and head to a cooking lab in Barcelona to invent new tastes, flavors, receipes, and ultimately the new menu before heading back to reopen the resturant for the second half of the year.  Once reopened, the head staff work on creating and perfecting the new menu items before they are worked into the 35-course 3-hour meal served each night. 

I enjoyed this film because the food lab portion was so in-depth.  The chefs were scientific about their experimentation but there's also an art to creating innovation in anything so it's an interesting process they have.  Then there's seeing the research put into practice once they are back at the resturant.  Much trial and error goes into creating "magic" as Adria calls it. 

This film in in Catalan so subtitles are a must and also due to the subject matter this film isn't for everyone.  Serious foodies will love it and anyone who is interested in behind the scenes of such an innovative resturant.  Solid B in my book.

Welcome to Pass The Popcorn

Welcome to Pass the Popcorn - a new movie review blog.  I'm not a professional writer or connected to the entertainment industry.  I'm just someone who enjoys movies and loves to talk movies.  Please feel free to comment on any post with your thoughts on what I'm watching.  I don't care if you disagree with me - different tastes are what makes life interesting.

Cheers!
Jennifer