Movie Review: Pitch Perfect (2012)

Like "Glee?"  Then this might be the movie for you!  "Pitch Perfect" is a bit like "Glee" but it's the college competitive a cappella scene rather than high school.  The film centers on freshman Becca (Anna Kendrick), who joins an all-female a cappella group on campus in order to show her father she has tried to engage in college.  The group, the Bellas, is ruled by seniors Aubrey (Anna Camp) and Chloe (Brittany Snow) but the new girls, like Becca, want to shake things up with more unconventional songs/choreography like the all male group, the Treble Makers, and win a national championship. 

Though it's a bit predictable, there's laughs and heart to this film not to mention some good music.  Rebel Wilson really stands out as "Fat Amy," an Australian student who also joins the Bellas.  Wilson is one to watch as she has natural comedic timing.  I like Anna Kendrick in this one but not as much as I did in "Up in the Air."  Brittany Snow is enjoyable.  Some of the writing is a bit awkward (like why do Chloe and Becca have to have a long conversation about Becca joining the Bellas in the shower?) but I think overall this movie's parts overcome the problems with the whole.

It's a C+ for me because the music is enjoyable and there's some good laughs (mostly thanks to Wilson).

Movie Review: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

"Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" stars Steve Carell as "Dodge," who the film follows during the final 3 weeks before an asteroid will collide with earth.  Dodge is dealing with the sudden departure of his wife while all around him people are going crazy with drugs, sex, and in some cases suicide.  A chance encounter with neighbor Penny (Keira Knightley) leads to Dodge finding out that his wife was cheating on him and that his long-lost high school love Olivia felt he was the love of her life.  A riot breaks out and Dodge ends up fleeing town with Penny.  Penny agrees to drive Dodge to see Olivia if he takes her to a pilot he thinks will fly Penny to be with her family in England.  An interesting rode trip ensues that is complicated by the pending doom of the asteroid but also the unlikely pairing of Dodge and Penny.

This film got really mixed reviews and I think it's because fans of Carell's more typical fare will be disappointed that this film is more dark.  There danger the characters are facing, the end of the world, is real and creates tension as if there's this huge clock counting down the minutes left that the characters have till it's over.  There's only so long to make things right and be with those who matter but perhaps a new friend can make those final moments worthwhile.  At first I liked this movie but thought that Carell and Knightley just didn't make sense as a couple - maybe as friends but not as a couple.  Perhaps the end of the world makes the impossible seem much more likely in terms of couples?  I did like the casting in this film other than Carell/Knightley as a romantic pair.  Connie Britton shines in a small supporting role. 

The bottom line is that this is a great fatalistic romance/drama about people coming together in light of impending doom.  It's not typical Carell-fare and probably should be avoided by many of his fans.  Solid B for me and great flick for those days when you're worried about Mayan calendars.

Movie Review: Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

"Moonrise Kingdom" is director Wes Anderson's latest film (he also co-wrote it).  Set in 1965 on an island in New England, the film follows 12 year-old orphan Sam (Jared Gilman) and his pen pal/love interest Suzy (Kara Hayward), who decide to run away together.  Sam runs away from "Khaki Scout" camp as well as his latest foster situation while Suzy runs away from her attorney parents and trio of younger brothers.  The pair make their getaway and the island's adults struggle to make sense of the situation and to find them.

I really liked this film, but then again I'm a Wes Anderson fan.  I like his style of screenplay and direction and was not disappointed with this film.  I'd say if you like his previous work, then be sure to rent this one.  "Moonrise" is more of a romance than previous Wes Anderson films so it's a sweet addition to his previous works.  There's just something about the innocent "romance" between kindred spirits Sam and Suzy and their plan to run away together. 

Lots of stars in this one including Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, and Harvey Keitel.

Wes Anderson fans be sure to grab this one!  B+

Movie Review: The Campaign (2012)

"The Campaign" stars Will Ferrell and Zach Galifanakis as opponents for a House of Representatives seat in North Carolina.  Ferrell is the long-time Congressman Cam Brady, who has run unopposed for four terms but after a public blunder (he leaves a sexually explicit message meant for his mistress on a family's answering machine by mistake) corrupt business men named the Moch brothers (played by John Lithgow and Dan Aykroyd) see an opportunity to beat Cam.  Enter political newcomer Marty Huggins (Galifanakis).  Cam's dirty tactics overwhelm the more innocent Marty at first but the Moch brothers send in a seedy campaign manager (Dylan McDermont) to help him more effectively compete in what becomes an ugly race.

There is some good supporting work here by Sarah Baker and Katherine LaNasa as the wives of the candidates and expect some cameos from famous political talkers like Chris Matthews, Joe Scarborough, and Mika Brzezinski.  However, I wanted to like this movie, but unfortunately I couldn't.  There were a few laughs, though many were in the promos for the film, but overall I just thought the requisite raunchy jokes and adult language were too much.  What I really wanted was more of the biting commentary/parody of American politics, though there was some of that.  I think fans of Ferrell and Galifanakis, as well as Jason Sudeikis, in terms of their typical work will like this film, while those looking for more than the typical R-rated comedy (like me) will probably be better off passing on this one.  D+

Movie Review: The Five Year Engagement (2012)

"The Five Year Engagement" is a romantic comedy following Tom (Jason Segal) and Violet (Emily Blunt) who become engaged a year after they started dating.  As they begin to plan their wedding, the couple face set backs that keep them extending the engagement and putting off the wedding.  One major obstacle is that Violet's academic career has the couple move from San Francisco to Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The move puts considerable strain on their relationship when Violet flourishes in her post-doctoral position and grows close to her boss (Rhys Ifans) while Tom is unhappy with his lack of career opportunities in Michigan. 

As far as "romantic comedies" and "R-rated comedies" go, I have to give this film some credit.  I thought Segal and Blunt had believable chemistry and did a good job with the material.  There's clearly some unintentional awkward spots in the movie and what seems to be the expected raunchy material and adult language though it's minimal.  The film seems to run a bit too long, which makes me wonder how it would've played without some of the awkward places in the writing.  Overall though I liked that the film showed a couple going through normal problems and just as in real life these problems aren't solved easily.  There's also some real great supporting acting in this film from Ifans along with Alison Brie. 

While there's some uneven spots in the writing and it feels a little long, this movie is still pretty good especially for the "R-rated comedy" genre.  B-

Movie Review: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)

"The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" is a British comedy/drama about a group of British seniors (Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Ronald Pickup, & Celia Imrie) who decide to move to India in order to stretch their retirement savings.   The problem is that the Marigold Hotel, where they move, is not exactly in the shape they thought it would be - the hotel is a work in progress under the direction of Sonny (Dev Patel) the ambitious young hotel manager.  The film becomes a fish-out-of-water story as members of the group of seniors attempt to deal with living in the hotel and living in India.  Some members readily adapt to their new surroundings while others not so much. 

This film is really a treat especially in terms of the casting and acting.  It's hard to imagine a better cast for the film and I thought they had good chemistry as a cast.  It's a good story with excellent character development.  I like that even when the characters are behaving badly, such as racist behavior, it's not glossed over but fully developed.  This is really a well-done mature film with beautiful scenery and a good message.  It's never too late to step out of one's comfort zone and what's really nice is the film demonstrates this theme through the older characters as well as the younger.  It's not about age but rather attitude.

I think that overall this is a well-crafted film in terms of casting, acting, writing, and production.  It's not a typical comedy but more of a drama.  B+

Movie Review: Magic Mike (2012)

"Magic Mike" really can be described as two movies in one: first there's the male strip-show that you expect from the previews with hot guys (Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer, Adam Rodriguez, Kevin Nash) dancing and second is the in-depth investigation of the life of male strippers that covers the typical "empty" life of partying, sex, drinking, drugs, and excess.  The film focuses on the star of a male revue named Mike (Tatum) called "Magic Mike" onstage.  Mike meets and begins to mentor Adam (Pettyfer) in the ways of male stripping, which doesn't set well with Adam's sister Brooke (Cody Horn).  Though Mike is casually seeing Joanna (Olivia Munn), he is attracted to Brooke and promises to keep her brother safe.  However, Adam (also called "The Kid") becomes immersed in the whole scene and soon makes a deal with the show's DJ to sell drugs on the side. Mike begins to see through Adam's immersion and his interactions with Brooke that he wants something more for himself. 

I described this film as having two-faces since I feel like a lot of the advertising promotes the film as this fun, party-type movie about male strippers.  There is that element but the storyline is really focused on Mike mentoring Adam and Mike discovering that he wants something more for himself by seeing his lifestyle through Brooke's eyes.  It's the typical "empty" life of a stripper theme but it works here as the audience clearly sees through Adam's transformation from wide-eyed boy to the next headliner.  I'm just not sure there's really any new ground here except that this movie is about male strippers rather than female. 

The acting in this film is all over the place.  I felt Tatum was pretty on the money in his role but Pettyfer and Horn really were dull.  There just wasn't anything about Horn's portrayal that made me believe that Mike would be interested in Brooke.  Pettyfer just seemed a bit too aloof.  The scene-stealer of the film is Matthew McConaughey as the owner of the male revue and former stripper himself.  McConaughey is slick and entertaining in all his scenes. 

My advice is to only rent this one if you want to see not only the fun, dancing scenes but also follow the storyline as well (the mentor/mentee story where the teacher becomes the student).  C-

Movie Review: Salmon Fishing in Yemen (2011)

Billed as a "romantic comedy" but really I think is more of a "romantic drama," "Salmon Fishing" is a beautiful little film that has romance but also faith and friendship.  The story opens with Harriet (Emily Blunt) contacting a government fisheries expert Fred (Ewan McGregor) to enlist his help with a project one of her clients wishes to undertake - he is a wealthy Yemeni sheik and wishes to bring his beloved salmon fishing to his homeland.   Fred is immediately dissmissive of the project but is forced to participate when the Prime Minister's press secretary Patricia (Kristin Scott-Thomas) wants to promote the project as a feel-good Anglo-Yemeni photo op.  Fred meets with the sheik and gradually becomes a believer in the project.  Meanwhile, as they become friends both Harriet and Fred have relationship issues - Fred realizes that he is not happy with his career-driven wife and Harriet's new soldier boyfriend is deployed and goes missing in action.

I felt this film was much more than what I expected.  It's really not a "romantic comedy" and actually "comedy" doesn't fit so much.  I'd say "drama" fits better and though there is romance it's more of a friendship romance than a red-hot love affair.  The acting is spot-on with McGregor expertly portraying Fred's bookish resistance and even his touch of Asperger's syndrome, which causes his character to have trouble relating to others.  Blunt is good but the real scene-stealer is Scott-Thomas, who shines in her small role and provides some laughs.  While the storyline is a bit predictable, there's quality here and a good bit of depth for the characters.  I loved the theme of what is faith and how do we have it even when we don't think we do.  Also I really liked the scenery as the film is beautifully shot in Scotland and Morocco. 

Pass on this one if you're looking for a romantic comedy because that's just not what this film is.  Rent this one if you are looking for drama with some heart and depth.  B-

Movie Review: People Life Us (2012)

"People Like Us" is a bit predictable at times but overall a satisfying drama with some grit to it.  Sam (Chris Pine) is a corporate barterer in New York, who is good at his job but makes a deal that breaks Federal Trade Laws.  Sam's boss tells him to bribe an FTC official in order to escape prosecution.  When Sam gets home things get worse when his girlfriend Hannah (Olivia Wilde) breaks the news that Sam's estranged father Jerry has died of cancer in LA.  Sam tries to avoid the funeral but ends up in LA visiting his mother Lillian (Michelle Pfeiffer), though their meeting is tense.  Jerry's lawyer gives Sam something from Jerry - a shaving kit that contains $150,000 in cash with a note to deliver it to Josh Davis.  The note gives an address and directs Sam to "take care of them."  When Sam investigates the mysterious Josh he finds that Josh (Michael Hall D'Addario) is the troubled son of Frankie (Elizabeth Banks) and Frankie is apparently Jerry's illegitimate daughter.  Sam is drawn to Frankie and Josh but at the same time he is tempted to keep the money for himself.  Sam also is dealing with his estranged relationship with Jerry, while Frankie also deals with abandonment issues due to Jerry dropping out of her life when Lillian forced him to "choose" between his wife and son and this other family he had with Frankie and her mother.

I liked this movie more than I thought I would despite some predictible plot points. and uncomfortable moments.  The cast is overall engaging, especially Elizabeth Banks.  I felt that Banks really stole the movie with her portrayal of struggling single-mom and abandoned daughter Frankie.  Michael Hall D'Addario does a good job as Frankie's troubled son, Josh.  I felt that Chris Pine was a bit overshadowed by Banks' and D'Addario's performances and the small but powerful turn by Michelle Pfeiffer as Pines' character's mother.  I liked that this drama had some grit and a real dilemma.  Both Sam and Frankie had real issues stemming from their estranged relationship with their shared father.  Sam also had the added issue that he was tempted to walk away from his father's wish and keep the money for himself.  These issues made this movie a notch above some of the more average dramas - people in this film really have problems to work out and it's not easy watching them do it. 

This is not perfect but it's got good acting and more teeth than a lot of dramas out there.  Solid "B."

Movie Review: Hysteria (2011)

"Hysteria" is a period film set in the 19th century when women would be diagnosed as "hysterical" for a list of issues including sleeplessness, nervousness, depression, cramps, exhaustion, and so on.  A young doctor Mortimer Granville (Hugh Dancy) joins the established practice of Dr. Robert Dalrymple (Jonathon Price), which treats hysterical women in an, ahem, interesting way (called "pelvic massage)."  Mortimer soon meets the elder doctor's two very different daughters: the proper and dutiful Emily (Felicity Jones) and the outspoken feminist Charlotte (Maggie Gyllenhaal).  A new treatment for hysteria is invented when Mortimer and his friend Lord Edmund St. John-Smythe (Rupert Everett) find a new use for an electrical feather duster.  What we know as a vibrator is born and hysteria as a diagnosis falls out of fashion.

Though it's a bit predictable, this film is enjoyable and shows some heart.  Gyllenhaal is perfect for this part as the fiery Charlotte.  Though she can be a bit shrill at times I think Gyllenhaal was the right choice for this role.  Everett is a treat in his small role as well.  I really liked the theme developed within the film juxtaposing hysteria and feminism, which we see in the storyline for Charlotte.  Quality acting in this one with some laughs mixed in.  Be sure to watch the scenes played through the credits! 

Solid B for me for good story and acting

Movie Review: Damsels in Distress (2011)

Two words I'd choose to describe "Damsels in Distress" are "quirky" and "different."  This film is definitely not for everyone because it's off-beat for sure.  The film is directed by Whit Stillman and though I'm not familiar with his other work, apparently off-beat is his style.  The film centers on a liberal arts college where a clique of girls attempt to better their campus with some seemingly different tactics.  The group is led by Violet (Greta Gerwig) and her side-kicks are Rose (Megalyn Echikunwoke) and Heather (Carrie MacLemore).  The girls recruit transfer student Lily (Analeigh Tipton) based on her name but she proves to be a voice that questions the group's shared beliefs.  The group attempts to stop students from committing suicide with doughnuts, coffee, dance, and aromatherapy.  Problems arise for the group members themselves testing their sanity when they branch out to date some of the male students including a smooth-talking Adrian Brody as Charlie. 

The comedy in this movie is not of the obvious variety but it's there in the whole premise.  The girls seem to live in a bubble or fantasy of their own making, which creates humorous situations.  I really liked Gerwig in this movie as she's carrying most of the humor.  It's interesting but not a real plot so I can see where this film would get tedious and maybe frustrating for some viewers.  I'd recommend this one to someone who likes Wes Anderson's films or in the mood for high-brow humor.  Solid B for me because I like different and bought into the fantasy.

Movie Review: Trouble with the Curve (2012)

I don't usually venture out to the movie theatre, but I made an exception for "Trouble with the Curve" because I was interested to see how filming in my area and around my school turned out.  While not directing, Clint Eastwood stars as Gus, a scout for the Atlanta Braves who is trying to hide his failing eye sight while battling an ambitious member of Braves management Tom (played by Matthew Lillard) accuses Gus of being behind the times.  Gus's long-time friend and boss Pete (John Goodman) is worried about Gus and convinces Gus's lawyer daughter Mickey (Amy Adams) to join her father on one last scouting trip to the Carolinas to scout a top-rated prospect.  Mickey, however, is reluctant to get involved with her stubborn father, who won't admit he needs her help, but tags along anyway.  The two begin to work together and Mickey pushes Gus to address some old wounds from her childhood that have caused her to be emotionally distant from those who love her, including a new love interest in a fellow scout/former player Johnny (Justin Timberlake). 

This movie is unfortunately getting mixed reviews and I have to think that the very recent appearance Eastwood did at the Republican National Convention might play a part in some of the negativity.  Politics aside, Eastwood does a good job and I liked his chemistry with Adams as well.  Timberlake does a fine job but this is really Eastwood's show.  The film is well-acted all around but I admit that the storyline is a bit obvious but it's satisfying.  For example, the "bad guys" are so obviously bad that the audience knows they deserve what comeupance they surely will get in the end which I found myself rooting for. 

It's interesting that this film is the anti-"Moneyball" in a sense because while both are films about management of baseball they differ because "Moneyball" celebrates the turning of baseball on its head by using stats and computers while "Curve" celebrates using instincts, learned knowledge, and senses (sight, sound) to find talent.  So who is right?  Or is there room for both approaches?

Don't worry if you're not a baseball fan - watching this one doesn't require a passion for the sport or any knowledge of it.  Give this one a chance because it may show back up when award nominations are announced - solid B for me for good acting, moving story though kind of obvious.

Movie Review: Being Flynn (2012)

"Being Flynn" is based on the memoir of the real Nick Flynn (played by Paul Dano) and tells the story of Nick's struggle to find himself while also struggling with his relationship with long absentee father Johnathon (Rober De Niro).  Nick wants to be a writer but finds himself drifting through jobs and relationships until new friend/love interest Denise (Olivia Thirlby) gets him a job working at a local homeless shelter.  A sudden phone call from Nick's long-lost father Jonathon sets into motion a collision of sorts where Nick finds himself working at the homeless shelter and his father is a "guest."  The reality of Jonathon's problems, including his mental stability and alcohol, along with Nick's memories of Jonathon deserting him as a child and his mother (Julianne Moore) creates turmoil.  As Jonathon's situation deteriorates, Nick's does as well.  Nick has to find a way to realize his dreams and reconcile his troubled relationship with his father.

While obviously this film has some darkness (homelessness, addiction, and mental illness), this film is just so well-done and well-acted that I have to recommend it.  I was blown away by De Niro's portrayal of Jonathon.  I felt sympathy for the character and dispised him all at the same time.  I think this adds to the film because the audience sees Jonathon as Nick does - complicated and not one-dimensional.  I thought Dano held his own in the film and Moore is great as Nick's suffering single mother.  Thirlby is solid in her small role as well.  I feel like the film was well-written and staged as well moving us through a complicated story that is tough and gritty at times. 

Not always easy to watch due to subject matter but the acting and storyline are worth it - A-.

Movie Review: What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012)

"What to Expect When You're Expecting" is one of those celebrity-studded ensamble films with different but related storylines.  First you have Cameron Diaz as a celebrity weight-loss/trainer who gets pregnant by her dance partner (Matthew Morrison) on a "Dancing with the Stars" type show.  Next there's Jennifer Lopez as half of a couple who can't conceive so they begin the adoption process though husband Rodrigo Santaro is not sure he's ready to be a dad so he spends some time with a group of dads led by Chris Rock in the park to gain some perspective.  Elizabeth Banks and Ben Falcone are a couple who are finally pregnant but are in competition with Ben's character's father and his much younger wife (Dennis Quaid, Brooklyn Decker) who are also pregnant.  Finally there's a young couple (Anna Kendrick, Chase Crawford) who become pregnant after a one-night hookup.

I feel like these celeb-packed ensamble movies always have stronger performances/storylines and also weaker performances/storylines.  The strong: Cameron Diaz, Elizabeth Banks, and "The Dudes" who are Chris Rock and the guys in the park.  I love Wendi McLendon-Covey and Thomas Lennon, both formerly of "Reno 911," who have small parts as a couple who are friends of Jennifer Lopez's character. The weak: the Anna Kendrick/Chase Crawford storyline due to lack of chemistry, Dennis Quaid who over-acts his part, and the rest is a bit forgettable. 

Overall this move has some cute moments and some laughs but it's not life-changing.  Guys may want to pass on this one.  Ladies, I give it a C-.

Movie Review: Bernie (2011)

"Bernie" is a dark comedy based on real-life events centering on convicted killer Bernie Tiede, who killed a wealthy widow he had befriended.  Bernie (played by Jack Black) is so beloved by the people in his small Texas town that when very much not-so-loved Marjorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine) is found dead the town rushes to Bernie's side.  Not on Bernie's side is the local District Attorney running for re-election, Danny Buck (played by Matthew McConaughey), who moves the trial in order to ensure that the prosecution has a fair trial after hearing from countless residents that they support Bernie.

I know that this film is based on a true story and murder of an innocent person is NOT funny, however this film is a gem.  I loved the casting and though I've never been a Jack Black fan I think he is brilliant as the affable Bernie - the man who is beloved by all particularly the widows he comforts in his role as assistant mortician.  Shirley MacLaine is great in her role as the opposite of Bernie.  Her Marjorie is insufferable and pushes Bernie to his breaking point with her neediness and desire to control him.  One of the best points though is the interviews with the town's residents who give the audience the inside scoop on the story and add levity.  Matthew McConaughey is funny as the DA who is the only person in town wanting Bernie to pay for his crime. 

The casting in this film is just so spot on and though it's not laugh-out-loud funny this film is a good time.  Very different turn for Jack Black and though he's great it's not his usual fare so beware if you love him from previous films.  B+.

Movie Review: Silent House (2011)

"Silent House" is a more psychological than slasher-type horror film set in an old lake house when Sarah (Elizabeth Olsen) and her uncle and father, who are fixing up the house to sell it, are stalked through the house by an unseen perpetrator. 

The film is shot in one-take format which creates kind of a "Blair Witch Project" type of experience.  The audience can't see the stalker but rather sees Sarah's reactions as the camera is close on her face.  This adds to the terror in some scenes for sure.  I liked Olsen a lot in this movie because she really used the cinematography to her advantage by showing a lot of emotion through her face and body so the audience can feel the terror that we can't see. 

I think the script does have some weaknesses to it because there's a hidden story happening that the audience really has to wait until the end to figure out through several twists.  Thus, there's something more happening than appears but you've got to ride the film out to get there.  While watching it I felt like giving up on it but after finishing the film I was able to look back and make more sense out of several scenes and scenarios.  Knowing the twists makes the film better but you have to watch to get there.  The ending itself is not completely satisfying, which is the case with other films Olsen has done.

I liked this movie but it requires an investment - watch the whole way through to really get it.  C+

Movie Review: Margaret (2011)

Originally slated to be released in 2007, "Margaret" was deemed "too long" by studio execs and the final cut was delayed by lawsuits.  I watched the version cut down to 2 1/2 hours so that may make a difference when other viewers read this review and possibly watch the film. 

The film is a character study of Lisa (a young and dark-haired Anna Paquin), who is a 17 year-old New York high school student whose selfish and immature existence is drastically changed when she distracts a city bus driver (Mark Ruffalo) who then runs over a lady crossing the street.  The lady dies in Lisa's arms but Lisa tells the police that the light was green shifting blame from the driver and herself to the victim.  Dealing with the tragedy and her role in it proves very difficult for Lisa as she takes out her inner turmoil on others around her including her mother, brother, and friends.  Later Lisa seeks out the family and friends of the accident victim and attempts to make amends mainly through seeking punishment of the driver.

I didn't know much about Anna Paquin before this film but I think her very emotional performance was impressive.  I also liked Matt Damon and Matthew Broderick in small roles as Lisa's teachers, particulalry Damon as her very likeable math teacher.  Kieran Culkin did a good job as one of Lisa's classmates/love interest.  The real meat of the film appears during scenes between Lisa and her stage actress mother (J. Smith-Cameron).  Even with the edits this film is still a bit long and the flow just doesn't feel right throughout.  Perhaps the editing to a prescribed 150 minutes made a real difference in the flow.  Though the film firmly centers on Lisa (rightfully so) I think there are several characters who don't get much development and that might have made them feel less one-dimensional.  This one's not for everyone but I think a B- for solid acting on Paquin's part and an interesting yet long drama.

Movie Review: Project Nim (2011)

"Project Nim" is a documentary about a chimp taken from his mother just days after birth and used for a now famous research study to see if a chimp living with humans could learn sign language and communicate in sentences.  The chimp, "Nim" did learn sign language and put together sentences, though at first the lead researcher concluded he was communicating but later retracted.  During the study, Nim lived with and was taught by the researcher and a group of students but when the researcher decided to wrap the study Nim was suddenly thrust from his life of living as a human and dropped into a habitat for other chimps.  Having not been around other chimps, Nim had trouble adapting but formed a bond with a young man who would later champion better treatment for Nim.  From that point Nim's life took a bad turn as he was sold to a research group doing medical experiments on chimps but eventually he landed at an animal refuge but he didn't always thrive there.

This movie is really well-done.  Thanks to all the archival footage of Nim's life, much of it from his time in the sign language research study, there is a clear picture painted with interviews by principle players interwoven.  Clear ethical issues emerge throughout the film.  First, the research study seems to have been run by a faculty member and his gang of students, many of whom were his lovers, which begs the question of how "scientific" was this study to begin with.  Second, there's clearly the issue of taking a chimp and raising it to be human when Nim was clearly a wild animal.  Following raising Nim as a human and not allowing him to be an animal then as soon as the research was done this poor animal was dumped at a chimp facility where he was expected to be a chimp.  Clearly the medical research done on Nim and his fellow chimps also raises issues on animal research.  It's a little hard to watch at times, but this film is really captivating and  raises important issues about animals and research.  Give this one a chance - B+.

Movie Review: Too Big to Fail (2011)

"Too Big to Fail" is the film adaptation of the book with the same name by Andrew Sorkin.  As I haven't read the book, I can only evaluate the film as it stands alone.  The film focuses on Secretary of Treasury Henry Paulson (William Hurt) and his team as they attempt to navigate the 2008 US financial meltdown.  As more of the major banks' problems come to light, Paulson and his team try to rally and find a solution leading to TARP (Troubled Assets Recovery Program).

It's an entertaining and dramatic look at the financial meltdown through the lens of Henry Paulson and his team.  I thought the relationships and the team working among the banks was interesting.  Though this film doesn't cover all angles (it's not a documentary), there's food for thought and it's interesting.  The cast is very good with Ed Asner, Billy Crudup, Paul Giamatti, Cynthia Nixon, and James Woods among others.  I say take this one as entertainment not as fact and enjoy it as a dramatization of the 2008 meltdown.  It's a solid C+ for me - good not great.

Movie Review: Safe House (2012)

"Safe House" is an action thriller about Matt (Ryan Reynolds) who runs a CIA safe house in Cape Town, South Africa.  Matt's job is pretty tame until former agent Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) seeks refuge at the US Consulate and Frost is brought to the safe house for interrogation.  The secrets Frost holds puts himself, Matt, and everyone in the safe house in immediate danger and soon Matt and Frost are out on the run with Matt desperately trying to deliver Frost to the next safe house.  Matt's mission becomes increasingly dangerous when he begins to learn Frost's secrets and who really is after him.

The acting in this film by the leads is pretty good.  Denzel is really playing a character we've seen him play many times before.  He's not showing us anything new here but rather just showing us why he's good at what he does - the smooth, intellectual "bad" guy.  Ryan Reynolds is no Denzel but he does show some range as his character goes through a range of emotions.  The script and editing could've been better.  I felt that the last 30 minutes had so many twists that I was almost dizzy.  In a way there's not much really stand-out about this film but it's not a bad way to pass the time.  Solid C for what could've been better but manages to be average with good leads.

Movie Review: Norwegian Wood (2010)

"Norwegian Wood" is a Japanese film directed by Tran Anh Hung that adapts a novel with the same name written by Haruki Murakami.  I haven't read the book so I can only evaluate the film as a stand-alone product.  The film is the story of Toru Watanabe, who struggles with the unexplainable suicide of his childhood best friend and his later feelings for the late friend's girlfriend, Naoko.  As a romance develops between Toru and Naoko, she falls into depression and flees to a mountain retreat/sanitarium.  Toru loves Naoko but also feels an obligation not to abandon her as his late friend did.  Things get complicated when Toru meets a fellow student at his Tokyo university named Midori, who is almost an opposite of Naoko.

This film was beautifully done.  The cinematography is just outstanding and makes the film a visual treat.  I felt though that the pacing was a bit slow and the acting/dialogue stilted at times.  Since I didn't read the novel I can't say how much of the issues have to do with simply taking a novel and attempting to translate it into a film.  The characters other than Toru were underdeveloped and could've used a bit more fleshing out. 

Beautiful film with some issues - solid C+

Movie Review: Good Deeds (2012)

"Good Deeds" is written, directed, and starred by Tyler Perry though don't expect Madea in this one.  It's really a film about people struggling to make the tough choices necessary to follow their dreams.  Wesley Deeds (Perry) is highly predictable according to fiance Natalie (Gabrielle Union) and strives to please by following the path set out for him particularly by his mother Wilimena (Phylicia Rashad).  Wesley has taken over the helm of his late father's company, much to the chagrin of his wayward brother Walter (Brian J. White).  A chance meeting with a struggling single mother Lindsey (Thandie Newton) and her daughter makes Wesley rethink what makes him happy, while Natalie, Lindsey, and Walter also have issues of their own to resolve.

I think that this film is so different from Madea that it's unbelievable.  "Deeds" is so much more contemplative and thoughtful as the characters stumble through their choices.   I liked that all of the characters were flawed and had their own struggles though I would've liked to have seen Union's character get more development.  White overacts a bit in his role but really it's Newton who steals the film and tugs on the heartstrings as the down-on-her-luck single mother turned janitor who is too proud to take help from anyone.  At times I thought the storylines were a little predictable but overall I appreciate a more thoughtful film from Perry and the theme which I think is relatable. 

C+ from me but rent with caution if you are a Madea fan because this is not a comedy.

Movie Review: Red Tails (2012)

"Red Tails" is George Lucas' film based on the true story of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American servicemen during World War II.  The men make up the 332nd Fighter Group and face segregation within the Air Force as they fly outdated planes and are not given a chance at assignments that involve combat.  Col Bullard (Terrance Howard) fights for opportunities for equality for African American pilots while Major Stance (Cuba Gooding Jr) guides a group of pilots who just want a chance to prove themselves.  The group is made up of Easy (Nate Parker), Lightening (David Oyelowo), Junior/Ray Gun (Tristan Wilds), Smokey (Ne-Yo) and Joker (Elijah Kelley).

The reviews I've seen on this film have been pretty mixed if not skewed toward negative but I think there's some good in this film.  I think the story the movie is based on is an important one and there's a lot of food for thought about segregation and equal rights within the film.  The film doesn't shy away from the racism the characters faced outside of the military and also within.  The flying/fighting sequences were overall well done.  I think the problems center on the script because some of it was stilted and awkward and it seemed like there were too many characters resulting in many of them being underdeveloped.  The addition of the love story for Lightening with an Italian local woman just seemed unnecessary.  I think that the script really took what could've been a great movie and made it almost unbearable.  This movie could've been so much better and really should've been given the subject matter.  It begs the question: is it better for a story that needs to be told to be done poorly or not be done at all?

Important issues and good fighting sequences but so many issues in the script - C

Movie Review: Nice Guy Johnny (2010)

I have to admit that I'm a little into Edward Burns lately and that's why I rented "Nice Guy Johnny," which Burns wrote, directed, and co-starred in.  The film's focus is Johnny (Matt Bush), who is indeed a very nice guy.  Johnny is so nice that he is on track to give up his dream job of hosting a radio sports talk show in order to make more money and please his fiance, Claire (Anna Wood).  Johnny goes to New York for the weekend for the job interview and is talked into spending some time with his uncle Terry (Burns) which leads to meeting a free-spirited tennis pro named Brooke (Kerry Bishe) in the Hamptons.  Not only is Johnny tempted by Brooke but he begins to question his fiance's plan for his life.

While this is a good film, it's unfortunately not great.  I think there's great storytelling in this film but it goes way out of the way to establish Johnny as the "nice guy" and to explore the theme of following one's dreams.  Burns, however, provides a lot of humor in his role as the immature skirt-chaser trying to lead his very straight-laced nephew astray.  Bishe really pops onscreen but she's really relegated to the role of the "hot girl" who is the antithesis of Johnny's fiance.  One of the reasons I think that "Newlyweds," Burns' more recent film, works is that Bishe got more of a chance to shine. 

Solid B for this one - Burns' fans will like it but the casual viewer may find it overly simplistic and lacking the magic that "Newlyweds" has.

Movie Review: Friends with Kids (2011)

"Friends with Kids" is a take on the old rom-com standard of "can men & women be friends" but in this case add a baby.  Julie (Jennifer Westfeldt) and Jason (Adam Scott) are great friends but are not interested in dating each other.  They are friends with two couples Leslie (Maya Rudolph) and Alex (Chris O'Dowd) and Ben (Jon Hamm) and Missy (Kristen Wiig) and once these couples start families Julie and Jason notice how their friends' marriages change.  So they decide to have a baby together while continuing to date so that they can have the baby and still have romance in their lives.  Their friends watch on with great interest at this "experiment."  Things seem to go well as Julie gives birth to a son and she and Jason settle into a 50/50 role of co-parenting while still looking for love however the arrangement is tested when they both meet others (Megan Fox, Edward Burns) and of course deal with their feelings for each other.

I think that while this film has a predictable sense to it there's still some good to it.  The casting other than Megan Fox is solid.  The actors really gel together so the viewer feels that they really are out at dinner with this group of friends.  I think there is a commitment to character development and exploring more of the darker emotions than the typical rom-com film, which adds to this movie.  I think that despite the reunion of many of the "Bridesmaid" cast that this film is not the raunchy comedy that film was - there's just enough language and explicit talk to get the "R" rating but otherwise it's not that "adult."  It's notable that Westfeldt directed, starred, wrote, and co-produced (with partner Hamm).

The reviews I've seen on this film are mixed and I think there's a good reason for it - great cast, some good development of character/emotions, but it's just kind of a tired premise that I feel so many rom-com films have done before.  Solid B.

Movie Review: Newlyweds (2011)

"Newlyweds" follows a newlywed pair Buzzy (Edward Burns) and Katie (Caitlin Fitzgerald) who are both on their second marriage and think they have found the key to a successful marriage: she works nights and he works days so they will enjoy their limited time together.  It sounds like a good plan until they are tested by the host of crazy friends and family around them.  First there's Katie's ex husband Dara (Dara Coleman) who constantly comes around asking for money.  Then there's Buzzy's flakey half-sister Linda (Kerry Bishe) who unexpectedly shows up to stay with the couple while she pursues her ex-boyfriend Miles (Johnny Solo).  Meanwhile Katie's sister Marsha (Masha Dietlein) and her husband of eighteen years Max (Max Baker) are quickly unraveling as a couple. 

I really liked this film because it's a smart, simple movie that asks what makes a successful marriage.  I thought the acting was great especially Bishe and I loved the direction (Edward Burns wrote, directed, & starred).  The actors do "confessional" interviews in character that explain background and motivation throughout the story.  It gives the film almost a documentary feel.  I've heard that this film was shot in Tribecca over 12 days with a budget of just $9,000 and I have to say that it's a fabulous product for that small investment.  Apparently the actors wore their own clothes and did their own hair and makeup too.  I think this is a good example of just plain old good storytelling and acting without all the frills, bells, and whistles. 

Note: This film is not rated but I'd say be cautious of the language and sexual references if thinking of letting a teen watch this.

Great film and I recommend it - A-

Movie Review: Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2012)

"Jeff, Who Lives at Home" is one day in the life of two brothers and their mother.  Jeff (Jason Segal) is thirty, lives in his mother's basement, and smokes pot while looking for signs that will lead him to his destiny.  This day in particular Jeff receives a phone call from a guy looking for Kevin and since there is nobody with that name at the house Jeff takes "Kevin" as his sign.  Jeff's brother Pat (Ed Helms) seems to be a bit more prosperous than Jeff but he has his own problems.  Pat suspects his wife Linda (Judy Greer) is cheating on him and he ends up trailing her with Jeff's help.  Meanwhile, their mother Sharon (Susan Sarandon) only wants Jeff to fix a slat on her kitchen closet for her birthday though she finds she has a secret admirer at work which makes her feel a bit less lonely.  All four characters, Jeff, Pat, Linda, and Sharon, find themselves in a life-changing situation by the end of the day.

This film has some laughs, espeically when Segal and Helms are together, that are in the vein of "The Office."  It's definitely a quirky comedy with smart writing and good character development.  It's definitely interesting to think of fate and destiny through Segal's character Jeff's eyes.  This film is a good example of how a film can be smart, funny, and moving without a lot of the language, nudity, and violence that seem to be part of the "formula" for adult movies.

I think this film is a good rental for anyone who likes a smart comedy with heart - B+

Movie Review: Bullhead (2011)

"Bullhead" is a Belgian film about a cattle farmer named Jacky (Matthias Schoenaerts) who has been brought into a deal with a shady beef dealer along with others but he is almost immediately suspicious of the other players.  Though his involvement with the beef dealer is minimal, the death of a police officer investigating hormone-fed beef starts wheels in motion that threatens Jacky and brings someone from his past into his present.  Through flashbacks the audience sees a horrific incident in Jacky's past that led him to inject not only his cattle but also himself with hormones.

This movie is gritty and raw with a bit of violence as we see Jacky behave like an animal himself in several situations.  Schoenaerts is great in the lead role making Jacky sympathetic even when he's behaving erratically.  This movie really had an interesting story, good acting, good direction and cinematography.  My only complaint is that some of the flashbacks felt a little awkward and jerky and it's a tad long but otherwise this film is really solid.  I give this a B+ and hope that people will overlook the subtitles and give this film a chance.

Movie Review: Machine Gun Preacher (2011)

"Machine Gun Preacher" is an action/drama biopic telling the story of Sam Childers (played by Gerard Butler).  Sam gets out of prison to find that his wife Lynn (Michelle Monaghan) has "found Jesus" while he goes back to his wild ways.  A harrowing experience gets Sam to attend church with his wife and daughter and he is converted.  As Sam begins a successful contracting business he hears a missionary speak about his work in Uganda.  Sam decides to go to Uganda and work on a mission project but while there he visits the war zone in southern Sudan and is shocked at the need there particularly the orphaned children.  Back at home Sam and his family build and start a new church and then build an orphanage in Sudan.  As Sam builds and supports the orphanage he faces struggles both external and internal.

This is a film that hasn't gotten as much buzz as a typical Gerard Butler film.  I think that this film is average but not great and Butler does his best with the script.  He is especially believable during the first portion of the film when Sam is first out of prison and back to his wild ways.  I felt that at times the script got a bit long and tired.  The direction at times was a bit awkward as well.  It's a gritty film and there is a good bit of violence - Sam's wild ways plus the violence against children in many cases in Sudan. 

There is some controversy surrounding this film due to the connection to the "Kony2012" movement.  Sam Childers works with the Sudan People's Liberation Army to protect and save children from Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army.  Personally I didn't find the film to be a full-fledged propaganda film for "Kony2012."  In fact I thought it was interesting that the female doctor in the film challenges Sam several times about his intentions and methods, specifically using violence, and even compares him to Kony.

This film was okay but not great for me.  I thought at times Butler was really good but at times the film really lagged and the violence got tough to watch.  C+.

Movie Review: This Means War (2012)

"This Means War" wants to be an action/romance/comedy combo but doesn't achieve any of the three.  FDR (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy) are CIA agents who not only work together but are long-time best friends.  Their friendship is tested when they accidentally start seeing the same woman, Lauren (Reese Witherspoon).  Once the guys realize the situation, they agree to let the lady decide and both continue seeing her while agreeing they won't tell her they know each other, won't interfere with each other's dates, and won't sleep with her.  Being CIA agents with a lot of technology and skill on their side, the guys quickly forget about the no interference rule as their dates with Lauren heat up. 

I think that the major problem with this film is that it's trying to be too much.  It's hard to be action, romance, and comedy all at once and I think this film falls short on all three marks.  There's not enough action to really establish this as a spy or action film.  The audience sees very little of the guys doing much other than competing over Lauren, who doesn't know they are spies.  The romance angle didn't work for me because I saw no real chemistry between Witherspoon and her two suitors.  Really I thought the chemistry was between Hardy and Pine, who would've been great in a film just about the two of them in a "buddy" or "partner in crime" situation.  As far as comedy, the writing and delivery just didn't bring the laughs enough to make this a real comedy.  The only chuckles come from Hardy and Pine interacting despite the weak script.  Chelsea Handler attempted to bring some laughs as Lauren's married best pal/confidant, but I felt she just didn't have much to work with and her efforts fell short.

Overall, I just think this film is such a miss in terms of its writing, delivery, direction, and lack of chemistry.  It's a good example of what was possibly a good idea (combining action with rom-com) and big names (Witherspoon, Hardy, Pines) but the result is a poor film - D+.

Movie Review: New Year's Eve (2011)

"New Year's Eve" is the sequel to 2010's "Valentine's Day" and has the same formula: a series of some unconnected and some connected stories set on New Year's Eve in New York City starring a large ensemble cast.  Claire (Hillary Swank) is in charge of the ball drop in Times Square with the help of friend Brandon (Ludacris).  Claire has hired singer Danny Jensen (Jon Bon Jovi) to sing for the crowd but he is also playing a private party where he hopes to reunite with former flame Laura (Katherine Heigl).  Laura is working the party with her catering company including Ava (Sofia Vergara).  Elise (Lea Michele), who is to be one of Jensen's backup singers, gets stuck in an elevator with Randy (Ashton Kutcher), her neighbor who is not into celebrating the holiday.  Randy's roommate, Paul (Zac Effron) is delivering packages when he makes a delivery to the record company holding the big party.  Secretary Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) quits her job and hires Paul to take her around the city checking off items from her New Year's resolution list.  Meanwhile Paul's sister Kim (Sarah Jessica Parker) is having trouble with her teen daughter Hailey (Abigail Breslin) who wants to go to Times Square with a boy instead of staying home with mom.  In a nearby hospital,  Stan (Robert Di Niro) is dying of cancer and being tended to by nurse Amy (Halle Berry), Mindy (Alyssa Milano), and his doctor (Cary Elwes).   Also in the hospital, Griffen (Seth Myers) and Tess (Jessica Biel) are about to have their first baby, which they hope will be the first baby of the new year.  Meanwhile, Sam (Josh Duhamel), an executive in the record company, is trying to get to the party but also hopes to meet up with a mystery lady he met last year on New Year's Eve.

Whew!  That's a lot of characters and story lines but some of them intertwine later and provide a few twists.  Though I have noticed that many reviewers didn't like this film, I did like it and I think it's because I take it for what it is - a frothy, escape with a lot of stars and romance.  There are some bright spots in the film but the problem is that with so much going on it's hard to focus on some of the high points.  I liked Michelle Pfeiffer, who sparkles in her role and has chemistry with Zac Effron.  Their storyline was one of the best.  Hillary Swank was also noticeably good and I think Katherine Heigl, Robert Di Niro, and Halle Berry added to the film.  The problem is that it's just a lot of stars and stories and at times the film is kind of clunky.

I think the bottom line here is that for someone looking for a light, romantic comedy with a lot of stars or someone who liked "Valentine's Day" then this film is for you.  Solid C for me.

Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and Watson (Jude Law) are back in "A Game of Shadows" - the sequal to the 2009 film also directed by Guy Ritchie.  This time Watson is trying to married while Holmes suspects that seemingly unrelated recent bombings, murders, and business acquisitions are actually part of a broader scheme of nemisis Dr. Moriarty.  The ensuing chess game between Holmes and Moriarty creates a race against time through Europe with a potential world war on the line.  A gypsy fortune-teller Simza (Noomi Rapace), who is searching for her lost brother, joins the guys as her search and theirs intertwine.

I thought that this film over the previous Holmes film showcased more of the buddy chemistry between Downey and Law.  The sparring between the two is great.  Also I love the Holmes role for Downey because he fits it like a glove transitioning between Holmes' quirky behavior and brilliant detective work (including some amazing disguises).  I also liked Rapace, famous for the Swedish "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" films, as the guys' female companion.  She is one to watch.  I liked the story also but my problem was with the direction.  Too many slow-motion fight/deduction sequences.  It seems a bit over-styled at times.  Otherwise, it's a good time with a good mystery with two good pals.  I give it a B+.  If you liked the 2009 film then be sure and watch this one as it's better.

Movie Review: The Artist (2011)

"The Artist" won Best Picture at the Academy Awards for a reason: this film is that good.  The film is in black and white and largely silent.  The film centers on George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), who is a major film star in silent movies in 1927.  While promoting a movie, George bumps into a fan named Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) and poses for photos with her.  The photos are splashed across the papers the next day leading Peppy to try her hand at fame.  Peppy ends up as a dancer in George's next film and George insists she stay when studio boss Al (John Goodman) sees her thinking she's there to cause trouble.  George gives Peppy advice on acting and draws a beauty mark on her face which becomes her trademark.  There is an instant attraction between the two but George is married so they don't act on it.  Two years later the studio insists on filming only "talkies" and George proudly refuses to take part.  He finances his own silent film while Peppy has been climbing the ranks of Hollywood and embraces the "talkies."  George's film opens the same day Peppy's first film as the star and hers is a huge hit while his is not.  The stock market crashes and George falls on hard times financially and personally.  Peppy, on the other hand, is Hollywood's "It Girl."  The film follows the two while George struggles with his pride and Peppy struggles with her desire to help George.

Though this film is silent and black and white this is an engaging story and I didn't miss the sound at all.  In fact, the soundtrack plus solid acting from the entire cast more than made up for the lack of talking.  Dujardin and Bejo in particular were terrific and did a great job of connecting with the camera and emoting so that the audience doesn't need to hear them.  The music really helped move the film along and set the scenes.  I thought the makeup and costuming was great too especially given that it's black and white.  The story is simple but delivered so elegantly and with charm that it works.  Don't miss the canine star Uggie playing Jack, who does manage to steal more than his share of scenes. 

Overall I say this film is a homerun for the solid acting, good storytelling, music, makeup/costumes, and just simple charm.  Be sure to see this one.  Solid A.

Movie Review: Drive (2011)

"Drive" is a gritty thriller with a definite 80's vibe.  The movie centers on a dark, strong, silent type only called the Driver (Ryan Gosling).  The Driver works in a garage and as a movie stunt man by day but by night he is a getaway driver for hire.  The owner of the garage, Shannon (Bryan Cranston) makes a deal with a gangster named Bernie (Albert Brooks) to finance a race car which the Driver will drive.  Meanwhile, the Driver meets and becomes more involved in the lives of his neighbors Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her young son.  Irene's husband Standard comes home from jail and needs the Driver's help when pushed to do a job for another gangster who protected Standard in jail.  The web of gangsters including Bernie's partner Nino (Ron Perlman) and violence threatens not only the Driver but the family he is trying to protect.

First of all I want to mention that I found the violence in this film over the top and gratuitous.  There are scenes that are mind-blowing, for example a man getting a fork stabbed in his eye.  Also I thought that Gosling and Mulligan had little chemistry to make his interest in her character believable.  Unfortunately the pacing of the film is quite slow particularly the first thirty minutes (the film is only 100 minutes in length). 

The script itself is pretty standard gangster fare but what is different is the cinematography and music in addition to Gosling's performance.  The film has a slick 80's feel in terms of music, graphics, and even some of the wardrobe (such as the Driver's jacket) that either the viewer will love or hate.  I thought Gosling was good in the silent, brooding hero role and the combination of Brooks and Perlman as the villans.

While there are positives to this film, skip this one if over-the-top violence isn't your cup of tea.  C+ for me.

Movie Review: Puncture (2011)

"Puncture" is a good rental for anyone enjoying a good drama.  This is a based-on-a-true-story of two trail lawyers Mike (Chris Evans) and Paul (Mark Kassen) who meet a nurse Vicky (Vinessa Shaw) who was accidentally stuck by a needle and contracted HIV.  Vicky tells them about a friend named Jeffrey Dancort (Marshall Bell) who invented a no-fail needle that is one-time use.  This product would eliminate incidents like the one that infected Vicky.  The problem is that hospitals won't buy it.  Mike and Paul begin investigating this as an anti-trust case and quickly get in over their heads as heavyweights on the opposing side begin to pressure them to drop the case or settle.  Mike, who is a functioning drug addict, is particularly intent on pursuing the case in order to save lives rather than any monetary payout.

Unfortunately the film is completely believable given the greed in every sector, including health care.  This is well-acted especially by Chris Evans though I thought a lot of his storyline was kind of distracting.  The film gives a lot of time to showing Evans' character doing a lot of drugs and attempting to cure his loneliness with hookers.  It was a bit much for me as I didn't need half those scenes to convince me that he was a drug addict.  Also I think this distracts from the main issue which was the anti-trust case and corporate greed.  The film possibly could've been more effective with less of those scenes and more of a focus on how important it is to fight corporate greed especially when so many lives are at stake.  A postive was Brett Cullen as the defense lawyer trying to intimidate Mike and Paul.

Overall, I like this one despite the script that deviates quite a bit.  A solid B- for me.

Movie Review: Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life (2010)

I picked this movie based on seeing it in coming attractions on another rental and wish I hadn't.  The film is a biopic based on a book about the life of French singer/composer Serge Gainsbourg.  The film opens with Serge as a young Jewish boy living in Paris who is forced to hide from the Nazis.  Later he is a young painter playing the piano by night to pay the bills.  He begins to focus on the music and rises to fame singing and writing controversal music. 

I admit that I don't know much about Gainsbourg but I thought the film would be more about his music and even about his time hiding from Nazis but really the bulk of the film is about him chasing women and women being enchanted with his music.  Apparently he was quite the ladies' man from the content of the film: Juliette Greco, Brigitte Bardot, and Jane Birkin among others fell to Gainsbourg's charms.  The music and art are very much a small part of the film.  This film is not rated but with all the women and love scenes expect some nudity.

When Gainsbourg is not chasing women (and sometimes when he is) there are many scenes when he talks to his "mug" or alter ego.  This character is a man with what appears to be long thin fingers and a paper mache-looking head that features a long nose.  The "mug" encourages many of Gainsbourg's decisions though sometimes there is a battle between them.  It's certainly a creative move on the part of the director but at times such as the beginning of the film it comes across as a little odd.

Overall, I just didn't like this film.  It was two long hours of Gainsbourg chasing women and women throwing themselves at him while the "mug" is lurking about.  I really thought there'd be more music or something "heroic" since it's in the title.  Also the film seems to really lose steam in the third act.  I just didn't like this one at all - D-.

Movie Review: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011)

I wasn't sure what to expect from this film given some of the really terrible reviews but I'm glad I gave it a chance.  Newcomer Thomas Horn stars as Oskar, a possibly autistic boy whose father (played by Tom Hanks) died in the World Trade Center on September 11.  Oskar and his mother (Sandra Bullock) struggle to relate with each other and deal with the loss.  A year after the tragedy, Oskar finds a vase in his father's closet and a mysterious key inside it.  Since his father had often created scavenger hunts for him, Oskar thinks that the key is a mystery his father wanted him to solve.  The only clue is the name/word "Black" on the envelope containing the key so Oskar begins searching New York City asking people named Black if they know about the key.

I found this film to be heartfelt as we follow Oskar's quest to find out about the mystery key.  He also forms a friendship with his grandmother's renter, a mute older man, who offers to accompany Oskar on his journey.  I really liked Thomas Horn in his first role and think he could be a promising young actor.  Sandra Bullock is good in a small supporting role as Oskar's mother and I enjoyed Viola Davis in a small part as Abby Black, one of the people Oskar contacts about the key.  Max von Sydow, who played the mute renter, was nominated for his supporting role and while I think he was good I really think it's Horn who really shines in this film.  Look for John Goodman in a very small part as the doorman.

I've heard that some critical of this film felt that it's exploitation of September 11 but I really didn't get that.   I think it's a heartfelt tale of a boy trying to make sense of his father's death and attempting to stay close to him through this journey to find out about the mystery key.  As Oskar goes through his journey, he meets a variety of people and finds himself spending more time than he imagined with them.  Oskar has a variety of fears, including public transit and loud noises, that he must face along the way.  Thus Oskar is put out of his comfort zone while journeying through the city and spending time with people he never thought he'd meet.

B+ from me for solid acting particularly by Horn and good storytelling

Movie Review: War Horse (2011)

"War Horse" is almost two films in one.  The first part of the film shows a poor British family where the father outbids his landlord for a colt and now must make up his lost rent money though common consensus is that the colt won't plow.  The son, Albert, takes great care training the colt he names Joey.  A strong bond forms between boy and animal and they are successful in plowing the field.  A storm destroys the crops and World War I breaks out leading the father to sell Joey to the army.  Albert begs the captain not to take Joey to no avail.  The captain promises to return Joey to Albert if possible.  Part two of the film is Joey's career as a war horse.  First Joey is the British captain's mount then later he is pulling an ambulance wagon for the German troops and winds up hidden in a French family's barn after two brothers use Joey and his fellow British horse Topthorn to desert the army.  Eventually Joey and Topthorn are confiscated by the German troops again and used to move heavy artillery, which eventually kills Topthorn.  Albert is fighting on the opposite side with the British and hopes to somehow find Joey.

Despite being almost two films in one (one part Disney-style family movie, one part war epic) I did like "War Horse."  It's a bit unsettling going from the first part to the second but overall I thought the story was well-done and it's another home run for Spielburg.  It's a very emotional film that definitly tugs at the heartstrings (bring the tissues!).  I'd recommend this one to anyone who loves animals, particularly horses, but some of the war scenes especially the one that depicts Joey running out on the battlefield might be too much for many young viewers. 

Bottom line: Don't give up on this one as it does start a bit slow (and corny) because it gets better and be ready to sniffle (or sob in my case) - a B+ from me.

Movie Review: Pariah (2011)

"Pariah" is definitely a film that deserves more appreciation than it has received.  The film is a coming of age tale of an African American teen girl named Alike (played by Adepero Oduye) who is struggling with her sexual identity as a lesbian.  Alike has conflict with her parents, a religious and controlling mother (Kim Wayans) and a doting father (Charles Parnell) who can't believe his little girl might be a lesbian.  She attempts to find herself by exploring meeting girls at underground clubs with friend Laura (Pernell Walker) and later through a confusing friendship with Bina (Aasha Davis). 

I felt that this film was well-acted particulalry by Oduye and Wayans.  I couldn't believe that Kim Wayans of "In Living Color" fame was really effective in this role as Alike's overbearing, religious  mother who wants to make her daughter more feminine.  The struggle between Alike's parents was a strong point of the film as they fought over "what to do about her" and the mother feeling that the father just needed to talk to his daughter.  Rather than just focus on Alike, the film had a more balanced feel by showing her parents struggle with Alike's sexual identity as she was obviously struggling to establish herself. 

The main drawback on this film that I see is that the cinematography was not as smooth as it could have been. A bit jerky at times but not enough that it should distract the viewer. Overall it's good storytelling and solid acting - I give it a B+.

Movie Review: Chasing Madoff (2011)

"Chasing Madoff" is a documentary about Madoff whistle blower Harry Markopolos' almost decade long attempt to expose Madoff's ponzi scheme.  Markopolos, along with two coworkers, investigated Madoff's too good to be true returns and then began digging for more information after the numbers just couldn't be plausible.  The trio, fronted by Markopolos, turned over their evidence to the SEC and later the press only to be ignored.  Their continued efforts in the end were not what brought down Madoff, rather Markopolos claimed it was the market that exposed the ponzi scheme. 

The film makes some interesting points about the Madoff scandal.  One is that Markopolos and his coworkers easily figured out Madoff's scheme but it's interesting that nobody else (the SEC, investors) couldn't figure this out.  Second is the indifference of the SEC and the press to Markopolos' continued claims that something was not right and presentation of evidence.  Markopolos seems to think that Madoff had people on the inside who kept the SEC and the press from exposing him.  Third is the global reach of the ponzi scheme.  Apparently Madoff had "feeders" in Europe and other countries who were constantly getting him new "clients," which was necessary for him to keep the ponzi scheme going.  These feeders have largely escaped any prosecution for their role though they were making money off bringing in new money to Madoff.

While the film has some good information, there's a lot that's lacking here as well.  A lot of the reenactments are very over the top, particularly Markopolos recounting his fear that Madoff would have him or his family killed.  This gives the film a very amateur feel.  Also the film is basically just an extended interview with Markopolos and his coworkers with a little footage of the Congressional hearing about the SEC's failure to investigate Madoff.  I got the feeling that this could've been a nice interview with the major players without the dramatics and it would've been better.

I think that this film could be of interest to those who are still curious about Madoff but overall it's not something that would be entertaining to most.  Somewhat informative but not really interesting or well-done, I give it a C-.

Movie Review: Anonymous (2011)

"Anonymous" is a psuedo-historical thriller that explores the idea that William Shakespeare may not have been the author of the works we attribute to him.  Rather, Edward de Vere (Rhys Ifans), 17th Earl of Oxford, is the man behind the works.  Edward's life is shown as he is discouraged from writing as a young man and later as a nobleman.  He is depicted as a former lover of Queen Elizabeth and father of one of her secret children though he is married to the daughter of a powerful advisor in Elizabeth's court.  A political struggle breaks out as Elizabeth needs to name an heir.  Edward backs one of Elizabeth's illegitimate sons while his father-in-law is backing James of Scotland.  Edward notices how the audience is swayed by a play written by Ben Johnson and approaches Ben to put on one of his plays.  Ben does so but doesn't want to put his name to the unproven work.  When the play is a success a drunken actor named William Shakespeare steps forward to claim credit.  Edward continues feeding scripts to Ben and William continues to take credit while Edward attempts to advance his political cause.

I thought the acting, primarily Rhys Ifans, was good.  The costuming and staging was great as well.  I think that for someone without much knowledge of British history and Shakespeare may have problems following some of the script.  I know I had problems following at times as the script weaves together Edward's life through flashbacks.  It definitely helps to have some background knowledge but if you stay with the film I think you can figure out the confusing parts.  The film overall gives solid suspense weaving history and historical figures throughout.

This film is NOT a documentary so please don't take it as fact the presentation of Edward as the real Shakespeare or that Shakespeare himself is not the true author.  Rather this is a work of historical fiction exploring one possibility of who really wrote the famous works.  The audience has to accept that this is merely what could have happened and open their minds to the possibility.

I say suspend belief and open your mind to the possibility and rent this one - A-.

Movie Review: We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

One of the best I've seen lately, "We Need to Talk About Kevin" is simply amazing.  It's dark for sure but just well-done all around.  The film is a book adaptation telling the story of the mother, Eva (played by Tilda Swinton) of teenaged Kevin (Ezra Miller) who goes on a killing spree at his high school.  The story is told from Eva's point of view in flashback.  The audience sees how Eva had suspicions of Kevin as he grew up from a baby who cried nonstop to a toddler who didn't bond with her to a very manipulative child.  Eva is a woman tormented by her memories of this difficult child and yet she's also tormented by Kevin's victims' families and other members of the community who project their grief onto her.  John C. Reilly plays Franklin, Eva's husband, who doesn't share Eva's suspicions of Kevin and constantly makes excuses for the boy's hurtful and increasingly violent behavior.  The film asks the question how much if any of the blame for Kevin's crime should Eva bear?  Also, was the lack of bond between Kevin and Eva to blame for any or all of Kevin's behavior?

First of all I think that Swinton did an amazing job playing Eva.  I could feel her pain especially as Eva experienced abuses at the hands of community members and victim's families.  In each case Eva took the abuses such as a slap on the face or red paint on her house like a martyr.  Although Eva clearly had no bond with Kevin she made efforts throughout to create one and later stood by him at his trial and incarceration.  The role of Kevin is played by a baby and child actor but Ezra Miller is excellent as the teen Kevin. 

The direction and cinematography are good as well but one thing that really stood out to me was the music.  The musical choices in the film really move the film and provide a little comic relief in some cases.  The film truly is dark but the music gives a little levity.   

This film isn't for everyone due to the subject matter but I think it's a must-see and give it an A-.

Movie Review: Joyful Noise (2012)

"Joyful Noise" (2012) is a comedy with a heavy heaping of music starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton.  The movie is set in a small town in Georgia hit hard by the recession but featuring a church choir that is in competition for the regional finals of the Joyful Noise choir competition.  After the death of the director, Vi Rose (Latifah) takes the reigns of the choir over the former choir director's widow G.G. (Parton).  Vi Rose wants to maintain a classic style of song and presentation, which the pastor likes but G.G., a major donor to the church, does not.  Obviously there is tension between Vi Rose and G.G. over the choir but the tension is amped up by the return of G.G.'s grandson Randy (Jeremy Jordan) to town.  Randy has more modern ideas for the choir and takes a big interest in Vi Rose's teen daughter Olivia (Keke Palmer).  Though Vi Rose opposes Randy's ideas and interest in her daughter, she does like his friendship with her son Walter (Dexter Darden) who has Asperger syndrome.  The choir is at first defeated by a rival choir from Detroit and then shut down by the pastor for finanical reasons but when the rival church is outed for hiring professional singers they are suddenly back in the competition and need to pull together to win for their town.

While I admit that this film is predictable, it is not without charm.  Latifah and Parton have an obvious chemistry and I thought Keke Palmer was a treat.  There is a lot of music throughout the film - really good gospel and more modern songs performed with a gospel feel by the choir such as Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" and Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed." The most surprising songs remixed for church have to be some included in the choir's finals performance.  I think my favorite song though was a really heatfelt rendition of "Jesus Fix Me" by Queen Latifah.  Major ideas like why does God allow some to suffer are touched on but not fully explored.

Though it's predictable, not really deep, and a bit stilted in parts, this is enjoyable if nothing else for the musical numbers and to see Latifah and Parton spar with each other verbally and physically.  I say C+ for the film but I think the soundtrack should get a B+ (in fact I'm thinking of buying it today).

Movie Review: The Iron Lady (2011)

I so wanted to love this movie!  "The Iron Lady" is a biographical film starring the amazing Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.  The film shows Thatcher as an elderly woman struggling with dementia, the death of her beloved husband, and haunted by her memories from her political career.  Through her memories the film flashes back to her early political career as Thatcher broke through gender barriers to eventually lead the Conservative Party.  Some major events from her time as Prime Minister are shown including her decision to retake the Falkland Islands and then her fall from power.

I thought that this film had some definite positives including an amazing performance by Streep.  This is truly one of her bests as she really took on Thatcher's character.  I have to credit hair, makeup, and wardrobe as well for enabling Streep to take on Thatcher's appearance.  Unfortunately despite Streep's performance I just didn't like the script.  This film takes one of British history's most powerful women and really focuses on her as this pitiful shell of her former self in her elder years.  I wish the film had taken a different angle and focused more on how she developed from the dutiful daughter working in her father's grocery shop into a major political force especially when she had to push against so many barriers at the time against women.  I don't mind her being shown as humbled and defeated but it just seems that the film had a definite angle and it was overdone.  This almost could've been two maybe three different movies: one being a political documentary, another being the story of a woman with dementia grieving her husband, and maybe a third movie about a woman pushing against gender roles to take an active political role while sacrificing her traditional role as mother.  I think in general that when a film tries to be two or more films in one that the result is not favorable.

For the always wonderful Streep I give an A but for the film's script and overall focus I have to give it a B-.

Movie Review: Desert Flower (2009)

"Desert Flower" is the film adaptation of Somali-born supermodel Waris Dirie's autobiography with the same name.   Waris escaped an arranged marriage in her native Somalia and ended up in London working as a maid at the Somali embassy.  When war breaks out in Somalia the embassy closed and Waris ends up on the streets.  She ends up working at a fast-food resturant and is discovered by one of London's top fashion photographers.  As she climbs the ranks to supermodel status, Waris becomes a face for the fight to abolish female genital mutilation by sharing the story of her own mutilation and encouraging fellow Africans to abolish this practice.

Though I have not read the book, I did enjoy this film.  It was truly an inspiring story about a woman who survived so much and then was brave enough to put a beautiful face on the ugliness of female genital mutilation.  I think it is easy to overlook how deeply rooted this practice was in her culture and therefore how brave it was for Waris to speak out on the issue.  It was so moving when Waris tells a reporter that she loves her mother and then shares the grisly tale of how her mother took her as a toddler to have this procedure done.  The movie is well-cast, especially Liya Kebede as Waris.  It's an inspiring story that's difficult to watch at times but I feel like it's important to face important issues like this.  Solid B+ for me.

Movie Review: In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011)

I wasn't sure what to expect with "In the Land of Blood and Honey" but what I found was a complex love story set during the Bosnian War.  Before the war, Danijel and Ajla were dating (not married as some of the descriptions of the movie state) but once the war starts the lovers become enemies.  Danijel is an officer for the Serbs while Ajla is a Muslim so she is now part of the race the Serbs want to "cleanse."  The pair meet again as Ajla is part of a group of women forced to become slaves for the Serb army at a base where Danijel is stationed.  He claims her as his "property" meaning she is his personal sex slave in order to "protect" her from being raped by the other men.  Throughout the war there is a complex relationship between the two that begs the question: can enemies be lovers?
This is the directorial debut for Angelina Jolie, who also wrote the script, and I think she did a good job of directing and cinematography.  The dialoge was a bit stiff at times but the movie had a decent flow.  As I am not well-versed in the history and politics of the Bosnian War, I had to take the film as a historical fiction and not as a documentary or something educational/informative.  The acting is good but sometimes the accents are a bit difficult to understand.

I found the relationship among the main characters to be fascinating.  Before the war they were dating and clearly have chemistry.  At that point they are free to love each other and have equal power.  Once the war begins however everything changes and now they cannot be a couple but rather it is acceptable for Ajla to be Danijel's sex slave.   Though he behaves in a way that can be interpreted that he cares for Ajla (protecting her, showing her a way to escape), due to her lack of power the audience and Danijel himself cannot be certain of how she feels towards him.  Danijel wonders out loud if she would kill him and the ending seems to point to an answer though my interpretation is that Ajla has mixed feelings towards him. 

There are difficult scenes in this film due to the setting of war (rape, killing) which might be unsettling.  Overall I think it's a B+ for a decent story of a complex relationship, good acting, and nice direction/cinematography.

Movie Review: Shame (2011)

"Shame" is a drama about a good-looking successful New Yorker named Brandon (Michael Fassbender) who hides a secret sexual addiction.  Brandon goes to great lengths to fulfill and hide his addiction and his sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan) crashing in his apartment throws a wrench in Brandon's efforts.  Not only does Sissy complicate Brandon's life because of his addiction but she brings her own set of issues.  Brandon begins pursuing a coworker but struggles with achieving intimacy with a woman due to his addiction. 

This film is a well-acted case study of addiction, specifically sexual addiction.  In the movie Brandon shows the depths of the addiction and the lengths that he goes to in order to find sex and also hide his behavior.  There's hint of something in his childhood and Sissy's with some of their dialog, her self-distruction, and their seemingly odd relationship (Sissy says "we're not bad people we just come from a bad place.").  However the audience does not get an explanation for why Brandon is the way he is so it's up to interpretation.  A lot of films on addiction issues portray the addict as someone in the gutter or at last resort.  In this film we see a functioning addict in Brandon who chases his compulsion and hides it quite well until his sister inserts herself into his life.  With Sissy there seeing what he's doing Brandon has to face the shame and dispair that he feels.  Fassbender was fearless in his portrayal and I liked Mulligan as well in a very different role for her.

A word about the rating: This film does have a NC-17 rating for explicit sex and I can understand that this might be off-putting for some.  I felt after watching it that with the exception of one scene and Fassbender's full-frontal nudity that this movie was on par with many I've seen that got an R rating.  I say this just to be honest that this film does have sexual scenes and nudity but viewers should make their own decisions about renting or not renting. 

The bottom line is that I feel for the acting and story-telling this film deserves an A-.

Movie Review: One for the Money (2012)

I must confess upfront that years ago I read a few of the Stephanie Plum series including "One for the Money" so that creates certain expectations of a film adaptation that non-readers of the book do not have.  That said I did like Katherine Heigl as the heroine Stephanie Plum in this film.  Stephanie is a down on her luck Jersey gal laid off from her lingerie buyer job who takes on the role of bounty hunter to make ends meet.  She lands a big case that connects her to her past - a high school flame turned vice cop is on the run after a shooting and Stephanie can't wait to bring him in but she uncovers information that may help him instead.

While I liked Heigl in this role there just seemed to be something missing from the film compared to what I remember of the books.  I think one problem is that the film is 91 minutes and it feels that the action is compressed to fit so there's less time for character and relationship development.  Another issue is that I guess the director wanted the PG-13 rating enough to water down some of the bawdiness that gives the book some of its heart.  This makes Stephanie less of the badass tough-talking chick and more of a rom-com gal and I think that was a mistake.  Stephanie, the lovable but bawdy Jersey gal who loves her crazy family and relates to the criminals she brings in, needs the freedom to be herself even if that brings an R rating.  One positive for the film is Sheri Shepherd as Lula, the hooker turned informant because Shepherd brought some sass. 

Bottom line: If you read and liked the book then you may be a bit disappointed here otherwise it's a decent film and Heigl does her best with the script.  C in my book.

Movie Review: Columbus Circle (2012)

Though "Columbus Circle" went straight to DVD I think this movie shouldn't be overlooked.  It's actually one of the best thrillers I've seen lately.  The story centers on Abigail (Selma Blair) who is an heiress who is hiding from the world in her Columbus Circle penthouse apartment.  When her elderly neighbor across the hall dies Abigail must face the police and then the new couple  Charlie and Lilian (Jason Lee and Amy Smart) who move into the now vacated apartment.  Things aren't what they seem and Abigail faces challeges from the outside world she can no longer ignore.

I thought Selma Blair did a good job playing the agoraphobic Abigail and I also liked Giovanni Ribsi in a supporting role as the detective investigating the elderly neighbor's death.  I think the writing was pretty good as there are several twists and the movie held my attention to the finish.  The film has minimal language and violence.  Bottom line: Don't overlook this little-known but satisfying thriller - I give it B-.

Movie Review: The Way (2010)

"The Way" stars Martin Sheen as Tom, a father who travels to France after learning that his estranged only son died there (played by real-life son Emilio Estevez).  Once in France,  Tom learns that his son died in an accident while on his first day of the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.  Tom decides to make the pilgrimage in honor of his son and sprinkle his ashes along the path.  While making the trip, Tom meets other pilgrims making the trip for their own reasons and somewhat reluctantly falls in with three others who journey with him.

This is a simply beautiful film as the landscape along the journey is amazing.  I thought Sheen was great in the main role but I feel that his partnership with his real-life son gave the film such a personal feel.  Throughout the film the audience sees this journey not only in the physical sense but also an emotional one for Tom as he moves through his grief over his son.  At first he is reluctant to talk to anyone and he moves from being very secretive about his real reason for doing the journey to anger and later to a spirit of reverence and a respect for his dead son.  Overall just a quality film that is subtle but powerful - A.

Movie Review: Albert Nobbs (2011)

"Albert Nobbs" is a film with a lot of heart.  Set in a hotel in Dublin, Albert Nobbs (Glenn Close) is a devoted butler with a big secret - he is really a woman.  Albert has been quietly working and saving to buy a shop for years and hasn't longed for more until a chance meeting with a house painter named Hubert Paige (Janet McTeer).  Paige and Albert have to room together and Paige finds out Albert's secret but promises not to tell.  The next day Paige revels his own secret - he too is a woman and he has a wife.  Albert becomes curious about how he too can start a life with someone and what possibilities are there for him outside the hotel.  In particular, Albert wonders if a maid at the hotel, Helen (Mia Wasikowska) could be part of his future but the hotel's repairman might be in the way.

I felt that both Close and McTeer gave strong performances in this film as women posing as men in order to work and support themselves.  It's really interesting that in the 19th century women would find posing as a man as a viable option in order to protect themselves and find work.  The scene where Close and McTeer don dresses and go out as women is almost heartbreaking as the audience sees Albert free himself for a moment.  This film also achieved acclaim for makeup which I thought did a good job of transforming Close and McTeer into believable men for the film.  This film is fascinating to me because of the lengths the main characters had to go through for finanical opportunities and freedom from abusive men by transforming into men themselves and living with this big of a secret.  This film gets an A in my book for great writing and acting as well as the makeup/costuming that helped the women transform.

Movie Review: The Muppets (2011)

The Muppets are back and it feels like old times as the gang reunites to save their studio and their name.  The Muppets' biggets fan, Walter, journeys to Los Angeles to visit the Muppets Studio with his brother Gary (Jason Segal) and his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams).  They find that the studio is in disrepair and bad guy Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) is about to buy the property and destroy it to drill for oil.  The Muppets have to raise $10 million in order to buy the property but there's a problem - they haven't performed together in ages so Kermit with the help of Walter, Gary, and Mary have to get the band back together again for a telethon.

I really liked this film because though there's a lot that's predictable there's so much charm to the script which really gives a wink and a nudge to the Muppets' previous movies and the tv show.  Plenty of references abound to the past and we even get "The Rainbow Connection."  It's all in good fun and it's a movie that doesn't take itself too seriously (see the song "Man or a Muppet").  One of my favorites of the music numbers is a very different cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - trust me you haven't heard it like this.  Watch for numerous celebrity pals who show up in roles big and small throughout the film.

Overall this movie hits the mark for kids and kids at heart and I feel that the script shows that there's still a lot of love for these characters.  Solid B+ in my book as a Muppets fan.

Movie Review: The First Grader (2010)

This film is based on the true story of an 84 year-old Kenyan former freedom fighter named Kimani Maruge.  Maruge enrolls in primary school when he hears that the Kenyan is giving free education to all.  However, not everyone is happy that the overcrowded school is giving space and time to Maruge.  Despite resistance from locals, some of his schoolmates' parents, and politicians, Maruge is determined to learn to read and his teacher, Jane, is equally determined to help him succeed.

This film is well-done and simply inspiring to watch.  One can't help but root for Maruge on his quest for education and the strong-willed Jane determined to teach him.  I thought Naomie Harris played Jane brilliantly and the rest of the cast was very good as well.  I enjoyed the scenes where Maruge interacts with his first grade classmates.  There is some mild violence shown in flashbacks that explain Maruge's past abuse at the hands of the British when they tortured the freedom fighters for years in camps.  Overall, this is an inspiring film that shows the power of education, our obligation to remember the past, and the importance of perserverance - A.

Movie Review: W.E. (2011)

I wasn't sure what to expect from this film given that Madonna was co-writer and director but suprisingly I liked it.  The film follows two women: Wally, a woman in a loveless marriage in late 90's New York City played by Abbie Cornish and Wallis Simpson, the American divorcee who inspired King Edward III's abdication of the British throne played by Andrea Riseborough.  Wally, named for Wallis, longs for what she sees as a great love story like what Wallis experienced with her prince and she lives vicariously as she explores an exhibit at Sotheby's of the Windsor estate.  But was Wallis' story really the ultimate love story?  The focus is generally on what the king gave up to be with Wallis, but was he the only one who sacrificed for love?

The best part of this film has to be the costumes, makeup, and hair, which is breathtaking.  From the bonus feature (The Making of W.E.) I learned that the Wallis character had around 50 costume changes.  The acting in this film is also quite good, especially Riseborough as Wallis and I liked Abbie Cornish as well.  The domestic violence scenes are a bit much but overall I thought this movie was a treat.  It's especially interesting to viewers who have seen "The King's Speech" and remember the mention in that film of King Edward's abdication for Wallis Simpson and how this led to Bertie taking the throne.  I give this a solid B+ for beauty and an interesting storyline plus a nice job by Madonna.

Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

"On Stranger Tides" is the fourth installment of the Pirates franchise and hopefully the last.  This film dispenses with Orlando Bloom and Keira Knighley's charachters, who were in the first three films, and there's no explanation or reference to them at all rather this film focuses on Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow.  Also notable is that this film has none of the expansive fighting scenes between the ships.  Positive additions to this film are added scenes/lines to Geoffry Rush who plays Barbossa and the addition of Penelope Cruz as Angelica, Blackbeard's daughter.  The adventure in this film is the race to find the fabled Fountain of Youth, which both the Spanish and British want to find but Blackbeard needs to find it for a more personal reason.

I really liked seeing Penelope Cruz and Johnny Depp spar with each other as their characters are semi-romantic interests.  Geoffry Rush is a treat but also look out for Keith Richards in a cameo early in the film.  Though there is good acting, overall there was a lot going on in this film and many storylines that were attempted to be resolved in a short period of time at the end.  I think that some of these storylines, like the missionary/mermaid one, didn't really add to the film.  The Jack/Angelica dynamic and the Blackbeard/Angelica dynamic were more interesting and could've been more fleshed out. 

The bottom line is that this film is better than the previous two in the franchise but still not as satisfying as the original.  Average but check it out if you're a fan of the franchise: C.