"Oranges and Sunshine" is based on a true story of the work of Margaret Humphreys, a social worker in the UK. Margaret discovers a deportation scandal where British children were relocated to Australia and Canada. Deported children were promised oranges and sunshine but often found hard labor, abuse, and long years separated from their families. Margaret works to bring attention to the issue and attempt to reunite families though she is often at personal peril and must be separated from her own family.
This is a difficult film to watch at times, but it's an important story to tell. The film does an admirable job telling the story but at times it's difficult to follow due to the accents of the actors (there was no subtitles available on my DVD). It's not too hard to grasp the overall intent of the film and follow though but subtitles would definitely make this film a bit more user-friendly.
Good story but a bit difficult to follow due to accents - B
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Movie Review: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is the 2nd adaptation of the short-story with the same name by James Thurber. Walter (Ben Stiller) leads a very uneventful life though he frequently lapses into quite vivid and exciting daydreams, which often feature his office crush Cheryl (Kristen Wiig). Major changes at the magazine "Life," where Walter is the long-term employee in charge of photographs, throw Walter's life in turmoil especially when it appears that he has lost the negative that will be the magazine's final cover. Walter decides to track down the globe-trotting photographer, Sean (Sean Penn), in search for the missing negative.
Having read Thurber's story years ago, I watched this film with some expectations. Overall I thought the film gives a good try at bringing the story to the big-screen with a lot of exciting visuals and beautiful scenery. I also liked how Walter's loved ones and Cheryl in the film treat him given his obvious zoning out. Adam Scott, who plays Walter's boss/bad guy, makes the most of his role as the foil. However, I didn't like how disjointed the film feels - there seems to be a pull towards action, drama, romance, and comedy all within the film and the result is that there are moments and key scenes that feel really out of place. Also there is a lot of product placement within the film and this also adds to the disjointed feeling particularly when the characters seem to go out of their way to mention a product (ahem, Papa John's and e-Harmony).
Overall, there's not the charm or bite from the original story in the film and the commercial feel to it and disjointed writing/directing distract from some beautiful scenery - B-.
Having read Thurber's story years ago, I watched this film with some expectations. Overall I thought the film gives a good try at bringing the story to the big-screen with a lot of exciting visuals and beautiful scenery. I also liked how Walter's loved ones and Cheryl in the film treat him given his obvious zoning out. Adam Scott, who plays Walter's boss/bad guy, makes the most of his role as the foil. However, I didn't like how disjointed the film feels - there seems to be a pull towards action, drama, romance, and comedy all within the film and the result is that there are moments and key scenes that feel really out of place. Also there is a lot of product placement within the film and this also adds to the disjointed feeling particularly when the characters seem to go out of their way to mention a product (ahem, Papa John's and e-Harmony).
Overall, there's not the charm or bite from the original story in the film and the commercial feel to it and disjointed writing/directing distract from some beautiful scenery - B-.
Movie Review: Ain't Them Bodies Saints (2013)
"Ain't Them Bodies Saints" is a romance/drama focusing on a pair of young lovers, Bob (Casey Affleck) and Ruth (Rooney Mara), in 1970's Texas. When the film begins Bob, Ruth, and a friend are in a shootout with the police. The result is that the friend dies and Bob takes the blame for shooting a policeman, which was really a pregnant Ruth. Bob goes to prison for the crime while Ruth vows to wait for him and has the baby alone. Years later Bob breaks out of prison and is on the run hoping to reunite with his family. Meanwhile, Ruth is a single mother of a toddler and has become friendly a police officer involved in the shootout.
While not a flashy film, "Saints" is a solid drama with good acting, directing, writing, and editing. I really liked Mara in the lead role here. She shined as the outlaw turned devoted single mother and there's a real depth to her character. Ruth is clearly torn between the life she leads with her daughter and the deep love she shares with Bob. Affleck is strong in his part, as the outlaw determined to be with his family no matter what, but look for smaller supporting roles from Keith Carradine and Nate Parker too. I really liked the comparison in the film between Bob and Ruth in terms of their perspectives on their criminal past and the theme of finding rest or respite. Overall I think this is a touching film and is well-done though not a flashy film.
Don't overlook this one for a solid romantic drama - B+
While not a flashy film, "Saints" is a solid drama with good acting, directing, writing, and editing. I really liked Mara in the lead role here. She shined as the outlaw turned devoted single mother and there's a real depth to her character. Ruth is clearly torn between the life she leads with her daughter and the deep love she shares with Bob. Affleck is strong in his part, as the outlaw determined to be with his family no matter what, but look for smaller supporting roles from Keith Carradine and Nate Parker too. I really liked the comparison in the film between Bob and Ruth in terms of their perspectives on their criminal past and the theme of finding rest or respite. Overall I think this is a touching film and is well-done though not a flashy film.
Don't overlook this one for a solid romantic drama - B+
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Movie Review: Gravity (2013)
"Gravity" is a science fiction drama/suspense film focusing intently on two astronauts, Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Lieutenant Matt Kowalski (George Clooney). An accident leaves the two astronauts alone in space trying to survive and return to Earth.
This is a very intense, character-focused film with plenty of suspense. Alone in space without communication to Earth, the two main characters only have each other as everything that could possibly go wrong (with the exception of aliens) happens. Bullock is simply great in her role and will likely get some nominations for it. She's the queen of romantic comedies but here Bullock shows she can hold her own in a drama. Bullock has great chemistry with Clooney, which makes him an effective choice as the only other character in space with her. I think this film will likely get a nomination for the cinematography which is beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Look for some really cool cuts where the audience can see reflections in mirrors and the astronauts' face plate. Hopefully there will also be a nomination for sound/score as well. I felt that the score really added to the film and increased the suspense.
I did see this film in on the big screen but not in 3-D or IMAX. I can see where 3-D or IMAX might add to the experience but trust me, it's still suspenseful on a regular screen.
Go see this one and get ready for awards season because it's sure to get some nods - A
This is a very intense, character-focused film with plenty of suspense. Alone in space without communication to Earth, the two main characters only have each other as everything that could possibly go wrong (with the exception of aliens) happens. Bullock is simply great in her role and will likely get some nominations for it. She's the queen of romantic comedies but here Bullock shows she can hold her own in a drama. Bullock has great chemistry with Clooney, which makes him an effective choice as the only other character in space with her. I think this film will likely get a nomination for the cinematography which is beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Look for some really cool cuts where the audience can see reflections in mirrors and the astronauts' face plate. Hopefully there will also be a nomination for sound/score as well. I felt that the score really added to the film and increased the suspense.
I did see this film in on the big screen but not in 3-D or IMAX. I can see where 3-D or IMAX might add to the experience but trust me, it's still suspenseful on a regular screen.
Go see this one and get ready for awards season because it's sure to get some nods - A
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Movie Review: My Afternoons with Margueritte (2010)
"My Afternoons with Margueritte" is a French film about an uneducated laborer Germain (Gerard Depardieu) whose life changes when he strikes up an unexpected friendship with an elderly, well-read woman named Margueritte (Gisele Casadesus). Through this friendship Germain learns about himself as well as the literature that Margueritte reads him. His new-found confidence and thoughtfulness empowers Germain in other areas of his life including some challenging relationships.
This is a really sweet and enjoyable film. The audience must endure subtitles but it's worth it. It's a simple and a bit obvious of a story, but the acting sells it. I liked Depardieu and his chemistry with Casadesus makes this odd couple one that the audience can root for and fall in love with. The result is a heartfelt movie with a clear message: love can change us and that love can come in unexpected places.
A heartfelt film that you can enjoy despite subtitles: solid B
This is a really sweet and enjoyable film. The audience must endure subtitles but it's worth it. It's a simple and a bit obvious of a story, but the acting sells it. I liked Depardieu and his chemistry with Casadesus makes this odd couple one that the audience can root for and fall in love with. The result is a heartfelt movie with a clear message: love can change us and that love can come in unexpected places.
A heartfelt film that you can enjoy despite subtitles: solid B
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Movie Review: Arbitrage (2012)
"Arbitrage" is a suspense/drama centering on billionaire Robert Miller (Richard Gere) who runs a successful hedge fund with his daughter Brooke (Brit Marling) among other family. Though Robert is regarded as a financial genius, the truth is that he must complete a deal to sell the company and hide a significant loss due to a bad investment on his part. He has hidden the loss in the company's books but Brooke is suspicious. To further complicate matters Robert has a mistress Julie (Laetitia Cote) who dies in an accident caused by Robert. He is desperate to hide his involvement in this accident from the police (Tim Roth), his wife Ellen (Susan Sarandon), and from the company's potential buyer (Graydon Carter). The son of his former driver, Jimmy (Nate Parker), becomes unknowingly involved and takes the heat as the investigation begins to center on Robert.
I was pleasantly surprised with this film. It's a nice little suspense film that is also a character study. The focus is squarely on Gere's Robert Miller, who has very interesting personal ethics and is a conflicted character. Gere shines in this role and I liked his chemistry with some of the supporting players such as Parker and Roth. As an ensemble the cast does really well. I also thought the screenplay was well-done in that the writing doesn't give out toward the end as in other thrillers that just can't keep the pace or suspense. I feel like this film keeps a steady stream of suspense throughout. I think some viewers may not like that Robert Miller is not the most likable guy - he's not the bad guy you fall in love with but he is the bad guy who explains himself and that's what I think makes this film one to rent.
Rent this one and be ready to cheer for Gere but dislike his character - B+
I was pleasantly surprised with this film. It's a nice little suspense film that is also a character study. The focus is squarely on Gere's Robert Miller, who has very interesting personal ethics and is a conflicted character. Gere shines in this role and I liked his chemistry with some of the supporting players such as Parker and Roth. As an ensemble the cast does really well. I also thought the screenplay was well-done in that the writing doesn't give out toward the end as in other thrillers that just can't keep the pace or suspense. I feel like this film keeps a steady stream of suspense throughout. I think some viewers may not like that Robert Miller is not the most likable guy - he's not the bad guy you fall in love with but he is the bad guy who explains himself and that's what I think makes this film one to rent.
Rent this one and be ready to cheer for Gere but dislike his character - B+
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Movie Review: The Bling Ring (2013)
"The Bling Ring" is Sofia Coppola's (director, writer, producer) take on the infamous real-life Bling Ring, a group of Los Angeles area teenagers who robbed A-list Hollywood stars' homes. Based on actual events, the film follows the group of teens who come together and commit these crimes together seemingly in order to get closer to the celebrities they idolize like Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan.
First, I really like the casting in this film . Coppola put together an ensemble cast of relative unknowns with the addition of Emma Watson in a supporting role. I liked Watson in this film as well as Israel Broussard (lead actor), Katie Chang (lead actress), and Claire Julien. Look for a small part from Leslie Mann as a clueless mother of two of the Bling Ringers.
One thing that really works for the film, which is based on a group of criminals obsessed with celebrity, is the inclusion of celebrities. Coppola has cameos by Paris Hilton and Kirsten Dunst as well as others who appear in archival footage. The biggest cameo, however, is Hilton's home, which she allowed Coppola to film the scenes that depict the break-ins that occurred there. These cameos and particularly the scenes in Hilton's own home add credibility to the film. I also liked the direction and thought the film was well staged. I think the Bling Ring members are not depicted in a sympathetic light here, but rather there's a possible explanation put forth - the obsession with fame and celebrity.
If you rent this one don't miss the DVD extras. There is an extra on the real-like Bling Ring, one on making the film, and one featuring Paris Hilton. All are interesting but the one where Hilton, the biggest victim of the crime-spree, takes the cameras through her home and talks about participating in a film made about crimes against her, is especially intriguing.
Interesting rental especially with the bonus content - solid B
First, I really like the casting in this film . Coppola put together an ensemble cast of relative unknowns with the addition of Emma Watson in a supporting role. I liked Watson in this film as well as Israel Broussard (lead actor), Katie Chang (lead actress), and Claire Julien. Look for a small part from Leslie Mann as a clueless mother of two of the Bling Ringers.
One thing that really works for the film, which is based on a group of criminals obsessed with celebrity, is the inclusion of celebrities. Coppola has cameos by Paris Hilton and Kirsten Dunst as well as others who appear in archival footage. The biggest cameo, however, is Hilton's home, which she allowed Coppola to film the scenes that depict the break-ins that occurred there. These cameos and particularly the scenes in Hilton's own home add credibility to the film. I also liked the direction and thought the film was well staged. I think the Bling Ring members are not depicted in a sympathetic light here, but rather there's a possible explanation put forth - the obsession with fame and celebrity.
If you rent this one don't miss the DVD extras. There is an extra on the real-like Bling Ring, one on making the film, and one featuring Paris Hilton. All are interesting but the one where Hilton, the biggest victim of the crime-spree, takes the cameras through her home and talks about participating in a film made about crimes against her, is especially intriguing.
Interesting rental especially with the bonus content - solid B
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