Thursday, December 29, 2011

War Horse

My ViewWar Horse (2011) Steven Spielberg directed this sprawling tale set in England right before WW1. It's a story of friendship between a young man, Albert (played by Jeremy Irvine) and a horse named Joey. Joey is bought by Albert's father on a whim. The family needed a strong workhorse, but Joey is a young thoroughbred, meant for racing not working on a farm. Albert bonds with Joey, allowing Albert to get him to do just about anything, even pull a plough. These are hard times and England has just declared war on Germany. In order for Albert's family to keep their land, they sold Joey to the Army, leading Joey on a vast adventure where he touches many lives. While this is a beautiful film, with lush colors and sprawling vistas, it's just too long and you feel as if Spielberg is putting in every cliché he can to pull at the audience's  heartstrings. With that said, there are some great action sequences and the horse is wonderful to watch. You will tear up a couple of times, but I don't think this film ranks up there with better tearjerker animal films, like Old Yeller and The Yearling. My Rating: Bargain Matinee   War Horse Website
My Top Ten Films of the Year:
1). The Artist Is a wonderful silent film, that is now the frontrunner for the Academy Awards Best Picture. The story of a dashing silent screen star that sees his career go downhill due to the advent of sound,  just as the girl he falls in love with becomes a rising film star. Don't stay away from this movie just because it's in Black and White and only has a sound track. Go See It! My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   The Artist Website
2). Bridesmaids Kristen Wiig co-wrote and stars in this very funny comedy about a group of women serving as bridesmaids for Maya Rudolph’s wedding. Wiig is asked to be the Maid of Honor, this is when everything she plans for the bride goes rapidly from bad to worse. But truly, it's Melissa McCarthy who makes this a film a must see, as she plays the brassy sister of the groom, stealing every scene she is in. My Rating: Full Price   Bridesmaids Website
3). The Muppets What a joy to see The Muppets back on the big screen with Jason Segel and Amy Adams along for the ride. Wonderful songs (Academy Award worthy), fun cameos from a bunch of stars and an all around great script makes this film a great experience for the whole family. My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   The Muppets Website
4). The Descendants George Clooney stars in this film, which is at times very sad but also very funny, about a father whose life is shattering around him. Clooney is amazing in this role, but it's Shailene Woodley who really shines in the role of the eldest daughter. Woodley starts the film out as a rebellious teenager, but by the end of the film she has become her father's partner in crime, as well as his confidant. My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   The Descendants Website
5). The Help Set in 1962 Mississippi, Emma Stone plays a recent college graduate who befriends two maids (played by Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer). Stone decides to shake things up and write a tell-all book about the maids lives, working in the world of the privileged, from the point of view of the maids. This is a good film with a great cast and Davis is sure to get an Academy Award nomination. My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   The Help Website
6). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Great ending to an amazing series, where the actors really grew into adults that can handle complex roles. The leads, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson are excellent, while the special effects are some of the best of the year. It's an exciting, brilliant job of wrapping up the series. My Rating Full Price   Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Website
7). 50/50 Based on a true story, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a producer of an NPR-like radio station whose life changes when he discovers he has cancer and only has a 50/50 chance of survival. I loved the female leads in this film with Bryce Dallas Howard playing his selfish girlfriend and the very cute Anna Kendrick playing the inexperienced therapist. This is a comedy that has heart and will make you laugh and cry. My Rating: Full Price   50/50 Website
8). The Guard Brendan Gleeson is an unconventional local Irish police officer who is forced to work with a preppy FBI agent (played by Don Cheadle) on a drug case. There is great chemistry with them going back -n-forth between the strait-laced Cheadle and Gleeson, as they try to not only catch drug smugglers but also solve a murder. My Rating: Full Price   The Guard Website
9). Beginners Ewan McGregor plays a man trying to find love (something he has never been good at) while discovering that his father is not only gay, but is also dying. Many people feel that Christopher Plummer, who plays the father, has a great chance to win Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars. My Rating: Full Price   Beginners Website
10). Martha Marcy May Marlene Elizabeth Olsen stars as a woman who suddenly shows up on her sister's doorstep after missing for two years. We learn through flashbacks that she has escaped from a cult, which has scared her. Olsen is incredible in this dark, strange film and I hope she gets an Oscar nomination. My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   Martha Marcy May Marlene Website

The following films almost made it into the top tenBeing Elmo: A Puppeteer's JourneyMission Impossible - Ghost ProtocolThe Skin I Live InTucker and Dale vs. EvilMoneyballAttack the BlockMidnight in ParisX-Men: First ClassTerri, The Illusionist, A Better Life, Incendies, Win Win, The Debt, Project Nim.


Weird Credits: From the credits of War Horse - Equine Hair and Makeup Artists

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near YouA Separation  This film from Iran is getting put on a lot of top ten lists. A married couple have to decide to either move to another country to improve the life of their child or stay and look after a parent of theirs that has Alzheimer's.   A Separation Website

Until Next Time!


Friday, December 23, 2011

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

My View: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011) Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is back, but there is a problem...the Kremlin was bombed, and Ethan's Impossible Mission Force is blamed for it.  Now, the Force must go rouge and travel across the world to find and stop those behind the bombing. Parts of this film were shot with IMAX cameras, and it is worth the extra money to see it in that format. The Dubai skyscraper scenes are worth the price of admission and, amazingly, Cruise does almost 90 percent of those stunts. What I liked about this film is it's more of a team film, where each member is just as important as Ethan. There is great chemistry between Simon Pegg's tech specialist and Jeremy Renner's character, a newcomer to the team. This is a fast paced, high adrenaline film that doesn't stop moving from the great opening credits until the final frame. My Rating: Full Price   Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol Website

My View: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) In this remake of the 2009 Swedish film of the same name, Daniel Craig plays, Mikael Blomkvist, a well known journalist who was hired by one of the wealthiest families in Sweden to solve the murder mystery of a girl, a murder that occurred more than 40 years ago.  There is, however, more to this case than just a murder, and Craig enlists the help of a computer hacker/investigator, Lisbeth Salander, played by Rooney Mara.  Lisbeth doesn't have the greatest of social skills, and she looks as if she has just come from a tattoo convention, but she is a superior investigator with a photographic memory. This film is more than 2 and half hours long, however it moves at a quick pace, and the cinematography perfectly captures the frozen country. I loved this movie until the last 15 minutes, which I hated.  I won't tell you why (no spoilers from me) other than to say the makers of the film have a lot to fix in the planned remaining two sequels. My Rating: Full Price   The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Website

My View: The Artist (2011)  Some of you are going to stay away from this film because it is in Black and White and more importantly, is a silent picture, but then you will miss one of the best pictures of the year and possibly this year’s Best Picture at the Oscars. For those of you who have never experienced a silent picture, this film has only a music track, you don't hear the actors voices, and there are title cards for dialogue that the audience has to read. This is the story of a dashing silent screen star (played by Jean Dujardin) who is a major box office draw (along with his co-star, a very cute dog).  Dujardin encounters a young woman (played by Berenice Bejo) who wants to break into the film industry, so he helps her get a small part in one of his films.  While her fame begins to rise, his popularity begins to fall as he is pegged as only a silent film star and film sound has arrived. This is a funny, warm movie with a great score, and Dujardin lights up the screen in a masterful performance. The film is also helped by a great supporting cast that includes John Goodman as the studio boss, James Cromwell as the chauffeur and Penelope Ann Miller as the actor’s unsupportive wife.  It's an incredible experience, and one not to be missed. My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   The Artist Website

Indyfest (A Look at a Small, Indie or Foreign Film: Young Adult (2011) Charlize Theron plays a writer of young adult fiction who returns to her hometown with an urge to relive her high school glory days. She sets out to rekindle a romance with her old boyfriend who appears to be happily married and enjoying being a new father. This film is from the director of Up in the Air (Jason Reitman) and the writer of Juno (Diablo Cody).  While it doesn't quite live up to the quality of those two films, it is still a funny, dark comedy with one of the least likable main characters ever in a film. Theron's character just never quite gets it and prefers to live in a fictional world that she has created for herself, much like the characters she created in her book - always looking for that storybook romance, but never finding it. My Rating: Cable   Young Adult Website

Family Fare: The Adventures of Tintin (2011) In this animated film, directed by Steven Spielberg, kid reporter, Tintin goes on an adventure to find a sunken ship full of treasure. Tintin has two companions on his journeys - a loyal dog named, Snowy, and a drunken ship’s captain named, Haddock. Capt. Haddock may be the key to solving the mystery of the treasure's location. This is a realistic, animated movie, and, at times, seems as if it is a live action film.  It uses its animation to full effect, and a chase scene in Morocco is right up there with any Indiana Jones movie. This is not a movie for young children, as there are quite a few violent fight sequences, but it is a rousing adventure film that has many twists and turns. My Rating: Bargain Matinee   The Adventures of Tintin Website

Family Fare: We Bought A Zoo (2011) Matt Damon plays a recently widowed father who leaves his job at a newspaper to buy a small, rural zoo in hopes of reconnecting with his son and daughter. The zoo is in a rundown state of disrepair and is managed by a motley crew led by a very young head zookeeper, played by Scarlett Johansson. Damon and his family don't really know what they have signed up for, and their learning curve is steep, as Damon soon realizes he may be in over his head.  What I liked about this film is that the romance between Damon and Johansson is not the main focus of the movie.  This film is truly about a family who is trying to heal and is a heartwarming family film that all will enjoy. My Rating: Bargain Matinee   We Bought a Zoo Website

Weird Credits:  From the credits of The Adventures of Tintin:  Snowy Vocal Editor
Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Next week I will pick my top ten picks of 2011
Until Next Time!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

My ViewSherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and his pal, Dr. Watson (Jude Law), are back, and this time they are trying to stop the evil Professor Moriarty. Watson is about to be married, we meet a gypsy woman (the original Girl with the Dragon Tattoo's Noomi Rapace) whose brother may be involved in a plot to blow up a building, and the team travel all over Europe trying to stop Moriarty's plans. This film is filled with sly humor, where Law and Downey play off each other with great ease, and Rapace makes a nice addition to the team, bringing some exotic spice to the team's sleuthing skills. It's not often you can say that the sequel is better than the original, but in this case, it is. My Rating: Full Price   Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Website
Indyfest (A Look at a Small, Indie or Foreign Film)Shame (2011)
Michael Fassbender plays a man whose life slowly starts unraveling due to his addiction to sex. His life becomes more complicated when his sister (played by indie darling Carey Mulligan) shows up unexpectedly at his door and wants to crash on his couch while playing a few gigs at clubs. Something must have happened in the sex addict's past (which we never find out) as his sister is just as troubled as he is. This is an uncomfortable film to watch, as Fassbender's character becomes more and more obsessed with sex, at the expense of his family, friends and job. While Fassbender is spellbinding in this role, I found the script lacked in keeping up with the talents of the actors; we never see any substance behind the characters' actions.  Shame is a film summed up by how the director, Steve McQueen, chose to shoot the scenes.  When Fassbender and Mulligan are together in his apartment, their backs are to the camera, and the audience isn't allowed to see their reactions. My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Shame Website
Family FareAlvin and the Chipmunks - Chip-wrecked (2011) I am not going to spend too much time reviewing this movie.  All you need to know is if you are over ten years old, you will be very bored. The Chipmunks and the Chipettes are on a cruise ship with Dave (Jason Lee) when they are stranded on a deserted island. You would think that with all the talented actors doing the voices (Justin Long, Anna Fairs, Amy Poehler, Christina Applegate) that the film would be even slightly entertaining; but you end up wanting to run for the exit as the Chipmunks start singing another Lady Gaga song. My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again   Alvin and the Chipmunks - Chip-wrecked Website
The 50 (A Movie From My Best/Worst Films of All Time):
#28 Worst Film  
Spice World (1997) The all female singing group, The Spice Girls, star in their first and, thankfully, last film. Based loosely on the Beatles film, A Hard Days Night, the girls travel about in their double-decker Spice Bus and encounter aliens, haunted castles as they get ready for a concert. The film was shot as the girls were, in real life, starting solo careers, and the film had to reshoot a number of scenes due to deaths (Princess Di) and scandals (British rocker Gary Glitter filmed a scene right before he was arrested for child pornography).  But, it's our curse to have to endure this film, and in a few years, we will all be wondering who, or what, were The Spice Girls.   Spice World Info
Forgotten FilmRuby in Paradise (1993) Ashley Judd stars as Ruby, a young woman who is looking to start her life over, so she moves to a small Florida resort town. She gets work in a souvenir shop and makes the mistake of getting involved with the shop owner's son, a man who sees her as just another conquest. This is a slow, character-driven movie, but Judd gives a picture-perfect performance as we see her character evolve from a person dependent on others, to a woman who is confident and happy with her place in the world. My Rating: Full Price   Ruby in Paradise Info
In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD)Fright Night (2011)   I was very disappointed in this remake of the 1985 film of the same name. A young man (Anton Yelchin) suspects that his neighbor (Colin Farrell) is a vampire. When his girlfriend (Imogen Poots) and his mother (Toni Collette) are threatened, he enlists the help of a Las Vegas illusionist (David Tennant) to rescue them. The film can never figure out if it's supposed to scare us or make us laugh.  Farrell is disappointing as the vampire (he looks as if he is really bored), and the only bright spot is Tennant, as the David Blaine-style Las Vegas performer. My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Fright Night Website
In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I've Seen Only in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea)The Darkest Hour   Just in time for the holidays, a film about invading aliens who want to destroy earth for its power grids. It stars young adults you may or may not recognize - never a good sign - and we may be hoping the power goes out in the theatre.   The Darkest Hour Website

Weird Credits: From the credits of Shame: Late Night Lover #2

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near YouUnderworld Awakening   Kate Beckinsale puts the leather body suit back on as our favorite vampire, Selene. I loved the first Underworld and feel it was a very creative view on the world of werewolves and vampires. Let’s hope this sequel is just as good as the original.   Underworld Awakening Website
Until Next Time!




Friday, December 9, 2011

Immortals

My View:  Immortals (2011)  Stop me if you've heard this before:  A charismatic warrior leads a small group of soldiers against an overpowering army and defies fate and the odds.  This film originates from the producers of 300, and it can best be described as 300 light.  An evil king (Mickey Rourke) is determined to destroy man by releasing the Titans (a class of deities, rivals of the Olympic Gods) who have been put in mountain prison by Zeus.  To take on the mad king, Zeus picks a human, Theseus (Henry Cavill), to save humanity.  This is a confusing, badly-acted movie with lots of slow motion battle sequences where we see lots of blood spurting about.  Mickey Rourke overacts in every scene, and Henry Cavill seems to have marbles in his mouth, as I couldn't understand about half the speeches that he gives...and he gives an infinite number of speeches.  Stay at home and rent Gladiator or 300 - you will be much happier.  And, by the way, the film was not shot in 3-D, so don't bother paying extra money for the glasses.  My Rating:  Cable   Immortals Website
Indyfest (A Look at a Small, Indie or Foreign Film):  Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey (2011)  This is a delightful film about puppeteer Kevin Clash, the man behind one of the most beloved Sesame Street characters of all time, Elmo.  It's a fascinating story of a man, who, at a very early age, decides he wants to work for Him Henson, the creator of The Muppets.  Not only was Clash able to work with Henson while he was a teen, but Clash is now one of the driving forces behind Sesame Street.Here is a man who can walk the streets of New York, unnoticed, until he puts that red, fuzzy puppet on his hand, and then he becomes a rock star. If you aren't already in love with Elmo, you will be by the end of this film. My Rating:  Full Price     Being Elmo Website
The 50 (A Movie From My Best/Worst Films of All Time):
#29 Best Film
City Lights (1931)  Charlie Chaplin wrote, directed and starred in this silent romantic comedy about Chaplin's most famous character, "The Little Tramp."  This is Chaplin at his absolute best in a film that, one moment is full of slapstick falls and chases, and in another moment is so bittersweet, it just about breaks your heart.  The Tramp encounters a blind girl selling flowers on a street corner, and by sheer luck and coincidence, she thinks that Chaplin is rich.  He falls in love with the girl, and though he is extremely poor, he makes it his mission to find a way to restore the girl's sight.  Every frame of this film is perfect, and it probably has the greatest ending ever.  It's an incredible feat of classic filmmaking...one to be savored.   City Lights Info
Forgotten Film:  Christmas in Connecticut  (1945)  Barbara Stanwyck plays  Elizabeth Lane, a lifestyle magazine writer, who, unbeknownst to her boss or her readers, is living a lie.  She claims to be a happy homemaker and loving wife with a husband and a baby, living in a beautiful home in Connecticut (think Martha Stewart).  In reality, she is a single gal, living in a small apartment in New York, making up scenes for her readers on her typewriter.  When a war hero is brought back to the states, his one wish is to experience a traditional family Christmas, "Elizabeth Lane style."  Her boss thinks it's a great idea, and Stanwyck is forced to quickly put together a plan to deceive the soldier.  In typical screwball comedy style, Lane is forced to lie about everything, and she just gets in way over her head, and, eventually falls in love with the soldier.  Stanwyck is a firecracker, and she makes this film so much fun to watch.  An enjoyablel film to break out for the holidays.  My Rating:  I Would Pay to See It Again   Christmas in Connecticut Info
In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD):  Cowboys & Aliens (2011)  While I didn't hate this film, I also didn't like it.  Jon Favreau (Iron Man) directed this film about a man (played by Daniel Craig) in the 1870s who wakes up with no memory and who has a big, metal bracelet on his wrist. Then, aliens appear and try to destroy the town. While I had fun watching Craig and Harrison Ford play off each other, the story just is kind of boring, and I really didn't care for the performance of Olivia Wilde who plays a mysterious woman who is possibly the key in defeating the aliens.  My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Cowboys & Aliens Website
In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I've Seen Only in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea): Carnage (2011)  Roman Polanski directs this comedy about two sets of parents who get together to discuss how to handle their sons fighting on the school playground.  While this film has a great cast that includes Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet and John C. Reily, it feels like a stage play.  The script, coincidentally, is based on just that...a one act stage play.   Carnage Website

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Immortals:  Personal Makeup Artist to Mr. Rourke

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Albert Nobbs  Glenn Close plays a woman, who, to be hired for a job, poses as a man in 19th century Ireland.  Word is that this is an incredible, Oscar-worthy performance by Close.   Albert Nobbs Website
Until Next Time!


Friday, December 2, 2011

My Week with Marilyn

My ViewMy Week with Marilyn (2011) Based on a true story when Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) was trying to revive his film career and chose Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams), one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, to be his co-star in a light, romantic comedy.  This film is told through the eyes of a 24 year-old man, Colin (Eddie Redmanye), whose first film job was third director (think gofer).  Colin, though, had no idea he would be getting involved with and would ultimately fall in love with of one the world’s most famous sex symbols.  Michelle Williams plays Marilyn perfectly and brings to the screen a woman who, at one moment is breath-taking sexy and at another moment is so maddeningly full of self doubt and loathing.  Branagh does the incredibly hard job of portraying a frustrated Olivier, who sees his film career crumbling before his eyes as Marilyn can’t seem to get her life together.  Williams is the reason to see this film. She becomes the blond bombshell sex symbol so much so that there are times you forget you aren’t watching the real Marilyn . This film proves that Williams is the most versatile actress of her generation, and an Oscar nomination for her is an almost sure thing. My Rating: Full Price   My Week with Marilyn Website
Indyfest (A Look at a Small, Indie or Foreign Film)Melancholia (2011) A troubled young woman(Kirsten Dunst) is getting married on her family estate the same weekend that a mysterious planet called Melancholia is going to pass dangerously close by Earth. To say that her family is dysfunctional would be a disservice to the adjective, as on her wedding night, her own mother (Charlotte Rampling) tells the reception party, “Enjoy it while it lasts.  I myself hate marriages”. The film centers on Dunst and her bipolar disorder, where, one moment, she is incredibly in love with her new husband (Alexander Skarsgard) and in the next moment has locked herself in the bathroom to draw a bath as the wedding party waits downstairs for the “happy couple” to cut the cake. This is an amazing-looking film and contains one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever seen. What I didn’t like about this film is I found the script lacking as it sometimes has scenes that play out so simply it seems as though they are scenes from a high school production.  If you do see this film, it will be to see Dunst, who is Oscar-worthy in this role. My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Melancholia Webiste  
Family FareArthur Christmas (2011) In this animated film, Santa (voiced by Jim Broadbent) is getting ready to retire...which of his two sons will follow in his footsteps? Steve (voiced by Hugh Laurie), the older son, is Santa’s right hand and runs Santa’s workshop with military precision. Arthur (voiced by James McAcoy), the younger son, is a wide-eyed lover of all things Christmas, but Arthur’s optimism can get the best of him and sometimes he is just a little too eager to please. On Christmas Eve, it’s discovered that one present has not been delivered, and Arthur decides to make sure that everyone’s Christmas is a merry one. I enjoyed this film, and it plays to both kids and adults as it has humor aimed at both. The best part of this movie is the army of elves that help run the massive operation, as they deliver gifts with the skills of a gymnast and stealth of a ninja. This is an enjoyable film, much more than Happy Feet Two, and it’s very inventive in describing how Santa delivers all his presents on Christmas Eve.  By the way, the film doesn't use the 3-D aspect to it's advantage, so skip the more expensive ticket.  My Rating: Full Price   Arthur Christmas Website
The 50 (A Movie From My Best/Worst Films of All Time):
#29 Worst Film 
Bio-Dome (1996) All I really have to say about this film is it stars Pauly Shore and Stephen Baldwin as two friends who are looking for a place to pee but get stuck in a Bio-Dome. The dome is to be sealed as a science experiment where a group of scientists are trying to live for a year without outside help. Did I mention they get stuck in  Bio-Dome while looking for a place to pee?   Bio-Dome Info
Forgotten Film: The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967) Roman Polanski (Rosemary’s Baby, Chinatown) directed/wrote/stars in this horror-comedy about a Professor (Jack MacGowran) and his apprentice (Roman Polanski) who are making their way across eastern Europe hunting for vampires. While staying at a local inn, the apprentice falls in love with Sarah (Sharon Tate), the inn keepers daughter. But she has also caught the eye of Count von Krolock (Ferdy Mayne), a mysterious owner of local castle. They may be vampire hunters but they aren't good ones as they wouldn’t know a vampire if they were bitten on the neck by one. The two bumble their way into a series of dangerous situations and many times are rescued by others or by sheer luck.  Tate is absolutely breathtaking in her role as the voluptuous daughter, who is constantly in danger of losing her life. This is a very funny film with some great comedic situations, and while the vampires in this film may not sparkle, they certainly hit the funny bone. My Rating: Full Price   The Fearless Vampire Killers Info
In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD)Friends with Benefits (2011) I enjoyed this romantic comedy starring Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake, who try to remain just friends with sexual benefits. Kunis is very funny and has a nice chemistry with Timberlake. It’s not a great film but certainly one that you could fill the bill for ‘date night."  My Rating: Full Price   Friends with Benefits Website
In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Seen Only in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea)This Means War   Will Reese Witherspoon ever make another good romantic comedy? I don’t think this will be the one  In this film, Witherspoon is dating two men (Chris Pine and Tom Hardy) who happen to be CIA agents. They decide to win Reese’s heart by any means necessary including using a CIA drone to spy on her.  Double 0, I don’t think so.   This Means War Website

Weird Credits: From the credits of Tower Heist: Parade Location Manager

Flictionary (A Definition of a Film Term): Main Title Designer is in charge of how to present the titles at the beginning of the film, which normally include the name of the film, it’s principal actors, the writer and director of the film. A number of films are remembered for the creative way they introduced the titles, such as Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest.

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near YouThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) Based on the bestselling book, this is a remake of a the Swedish film of the same name. I hope that they do justice to what I considered one of the best movies of 2009. Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara and Robin Wright star in what should be a blockbuster.   The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Website
Until Next Time!



Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The Muppets

Family Fare:  The Muppets  (2011)  In this new Muppets film, Gary (played by Jason Segel), has a brother named Walter (voiced by Peter Linz).  Walter is a little different because he looks like a Muppet; but that is good because his favorite TV show is, The Muppets.   Segel, his girlfriend (played by the cute Amy Adams) and Walter go to California to visit the Muppet studio, a lifelong dream of Walters. They find out that not only is the studio abandoned, the Muppets have disbanded and that an evil oil baron (played by Chris Cooper) wants the land where the studio is and will do almost anything to get it.  Walter finds Kermit and persuades him to get the old Muppet gang back together to save the studio.  This is an absolute joy of a film to watch, and I was smiling throughout.  Unlike Happy Feet Two, this film has several memorable song and dance numbers, and Segel (who also co-wrote the script) has a ball performing with Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and the rest of the gang.  This is by far the best of the Muppet films and is one not to be missed.  My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   The Muppets Website
My View:  Hugo  (2011)  Martin Scorsese directs this 3-D film about a young orphan (Asa Butterfield) who lives in a train station in Paris in the 1930s. His father left him a mysterious, metal man, an  automaton, a prop used by magicians at the turn of the century.   The boy is convinced that if he can get the automaton working, it will give him a message from his late father, so he sets out to repair it.  A girl (played by Chole Moretz), whose godfather (played by Ben Kingsley) owns a small toy shop in the train station, decides to help him.  The godfather, though, is hiding secrets - secrets that might help the boy solve the riddle of the automaton, and there is an evil Station Inspector (played by Sacha Baron Cohen) who is dead-set on catching the boy and sending him off to an orphanage.  This is a beautiful film and the best use of 3-D since Avatar, but the film is way too long (127 minutes), takes forever to set up any of the story-lines and is just not very interesting.  This is one  of those films that you want to love but just don't really even like.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Hugo Website
Indyfest (A Look at a Small, Indie or Foreign Film):  The Descendants  (2011)  George Clooney stars in this film about a father whose life is shattering around him.  His oldest daughter  (played by Shailene Woodley) is in a boarding school and is flunking out.  His youngest daughter is not getting along with fellow students and says things without thinking.  His wife has had a boating accident and is in a coma.  And, to add to the pressure, he is the main trustee of a large parcel of pristine real estate on one of the Islands of Hawaii, and he has to decide who to sell the land to, land that has been in his family for 150 years.  Clooney is amazing in this role, low key and restrained, and this role is sure to get him an Oscar nomination.  But it's Shailene Woodley (Secret Life of the American Teenager) who really shines in this film.  She does an incredible job as a teenager dealing with her mother's coma while trying to re-forge a relationship with her father.  This film is warm and rich and is surprisingly funny, as director Alexander Payne (Sideways, Election) gets multi-layered performances out of the whole cast.  My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   The Descendants Website
The 50 (A Movie From My Best/Worst Films of All Time):
#30 Best Film  
The Deer Hunter  (1978)  This five time Academy Award winning film (including Best Picture and Best Director) is a film about how the Vietnam War affected the lives of a small, factory town in Pennsylvania.  Three men, Michael (played by Robert De Niro), Steven (played by John Savage) and Nick (played by Christopher Walken) have enlisted in the Army to fight in Vietnam.  Before they depart, Steve marries his childhood sweetheart (played by Rutanya Alda) and Michael, Nick and their friend, Stan (played by John Cazale), go on one last hunting trip.   Little do the three men know that the next time they will meet will be in a Vietcong prison.  This is a complex film that tracks the three men through their tour in Vietnam and the after-effects of war when the three men return to civilian life.  Director Michael Cimino boldly directs this film, using great sweeping shots, and gets every ounce out of an incredible cast that also includes a very young Meryl Streep.  This is a marvelous film and one that shows how a war can affect not only the men/women who fight, but their loved ones, as well.   The Deer Hunter Info
Forgotten Film Marty  (1955)  Ernest Borgnine, in an Academy Award winning role, plays Marty, a 34 year old butcher, who has just about given up finding someone to love.  He still lives with his mother, hangs out with his buddies at the local bar and has to be dragged by his friends to a dance.  At that dance, he meets a plain-looking woman (Betsy Blair) and discovers that maybe, just maybe, he can find love.   Borgnine is absolutely perfect in the role, and Paddy Chayefsky (Network) wrote a script that gives him the part of a lifetime.  My Rating:  Full Price   Marty Info
In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD):  Super 8 (2011)   I liked this film from producer Steven Spielberg and director J.J.  Abrams as I felt it was part E.T., part Close Encounters and part Alien with a whole lot of The Goonies thrown in.  It has an impressive young cast that does a terrific job of taking you on a thrilling adventure.  My Rating:  Full Price   Super 8 Website
In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I've Seen Only in Trailers but Just  Looks Like a Bad Idea): Mirror Mirror   Fairy tales have been all the  rage in Hollywood these days, and this one is the story of Snow White (played by Lily Collins - the daughter of musician, Phil Collins) and the evil queen (played by...wait for it...Julia Roberts) who sets out to destroy the sweet and innocent Snow White.  It's really hard to tell if this film is a comedy (Nathan Lane is the evil queen's servant) or a drama.  I have a feeling I won't really care.   Mirror Mirror Info


Weird Credits:  From the credits of Hugo:  Personal designer for Sir Ben Kingsley

Flictionary (A Definition of a Film Term):  Tracking Shot  This a shot where the camera follows a parallel path of the object on the screen.  Normally done with a camera mounted on a dolly, it can also be done with a crane or a hand held camera.

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  The Iron Lady   A film about the life of British Prime Minster, Margaret Thatcher. I only need to say three words: "Starring Meryl Streep."   The Iron Lady Website
Until Next Time!