Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

My View: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012): An asteroid is discovered to be on a collision course with Earth and will destroy life on this planet, as we know it. Dodge (Steve Carell) is a mild-mannered insurance salesman whose wife takes off running when they get the bad news. Dodge decides to find his high school sweetheart and, with the help of his next door neighbor (Keira Knightley), he sets out on a road trip before the asteroid arrives. This is a sometime funny but mostly bittersweet romantic film with outstanding performances by Knightly and especially, Carell. His sad-sack, abandoned husband is a very understated acting job that required him to stay restrained as he mostly reacts to situations in the role. This film, with an end-of-the-world subject matter, is actually uplifting, where love becomes more important than any asteroid.  My Rating: Full Price   Seeking a Friend for the End of the World Website

Indiefest:  Where Do We Go Now?  (2012)  In a Lebanese town that is made up of both Christians and Muslims, the women of the village do everything in their power to keep the peace while the country around them is on the brink of civil war. This is a film that explores the conflict in the Middle East told from the vantage point of the people who are trying to live in a time of conflict. The film has a funny side as the women manipulate the men in the village with everything from a fake miracle to bringing a dancing troupe to their village, all with the idea that if they can distract the men long enough, they will forget about the conflict around them. The film isn't perfect, though. There is a musical number that seemed very out of place with the rest of the film, but overall it's a picture that can be enjoyed as you learn a little about another culture. My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Where Do We Go Now? Website

The 50 (A Movie from My Best/Worst Films of All Time)

#19 Best Film

Singin' In The Rain (1952) This landmark film has everything you want in a musical - great performances, incredible songs, a funny and touching storyline and of course, some of the greatest dancing ever seen in the history of the big screen. Gene Kelly, at the height of his dancing prowess, is incredible with his iconic dancing on the rainy streets of Hollywood as one of the greatest film moments ever. Debbie Reynolds is very cute and keeps up with Kelly in their dance scenes, but Donald O'Conner is brilliant as Kelly's writer sidekick. His song and dance performance in the "Make 'Em Laugh" sequence is just brilliant and amazing. This is a film that is a timeless joy to watch and is one that never gets old with repeated viewings.   Singin" In The Rain Info

Forgotten Film: Bottle Rocket (1996) This debut film from Director Wes Anderson is a story about the friendship between two friends. Dignam (Owen Wilson) has helped his friend, Anthony (Luke Wilson) "escape" from a mental hospital. They come up with a "75 year" plan to do a series of robberies while traveling the country and express interest in meeting and joining up with the "legendary" criminal known only as Mr. Henry. They enlist the help of their friend, Bob (Robert Musgrove), to be their get away driver, but as the boys start their criminal carrier, things go from bad to worse, and soon they are on the run. Luke and Owen have great chemistry together (as you would expect to real life brothers to have), and James Caan's appearance as Mr. Henry is not to be missed. This is a typical Wes Anderson film where the storyline isn't as important as the characters.  My Rating: Full Price   Bottle Rocket Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD): Big Miracle (2012): Based on a true story, this film is about a TV reporter (played by John Krasinski) in a small, far-north Alaskan town, who discovers that three grey whales are trapped by rapidly forming ice. He recruits his ex-girlfriend (played by Drew Barrymore), a Greenpeace worker, to mount a rescue effort. I enjoyed this family film, though I did find it a little sappy at times, and Drew Barrymore's performance got on my nerves.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Big Miracle Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Seen Only in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea): Katy Perry: Part of Me (2012) A Katy Perry concert film in 3-D.   If I have the option of seeing the film in 3-D, do I also have the option of turning the sound off?   Katy Perry: Part of Me Website

Weird Credits: From the Credits of Seeking a Friend for the End of the World: Steven Carell's Costume Designer (he wears plaid shirts and khakis. How difficult is it to select those clothes?)

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012): This film about a father and his child trying to survive in the depths of the Louisiana coast and has been wowing audiences at film festivals worldwide.   Beasts of the Southern Wild Website

Until Next Time!