Ant-Man

My View:  Ant-Man (2015)  PG-13  Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is a car burglar who is hand-picked by Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) to become Ant-Man.  Ant-Man can decrease in size but, also, can increase in strength. I enjoyed this film that is more in the vein of Guardians of the Galaxy with the amount of humor in it and the hero of the story who is dependent on his wits, rather than a superpower. I liked Rudd in the role, as he has a smart-ass quality to him, but not so much that you don’t like him. He plays off of both Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly (who plays the daughter of Dr. Pym), and there are some real sparks between Lilly and Rudd. Corey Stoll plays the villain well, bringing just enough menace to the role to make it enjoyable to watch. The action sequences are fast moving and exciting, with some creative scenes that make the film a blast to watch. Once again, I think you can save some money and see it in 2-D. There are two bonus scenes worth staying for; one after the first portion of credits and one at the very end of all the credits.    My Rating: Full Price   Ant-Man Website

My View:  Trainwreck (2015)  R  Amy (Amy Schumer) has spent her whole life thinking that monogamy was not for her. Then she met Aaron (Bill Hader), and her world changed.  I loved this romantic comedy with a twist. Usually, it’s the guy who is a cad and whose life is changed when he meets the girl. This film turns that idea on its ear as Amy Schumer plays a woman who doesn’t want commitment, and, in fact, she wants the guy to leave as soon as sex is over. Cuddling to Amy is like a death sentence, and spending the weekend together is her idea of hell. Then she meets Aaron and, against every fiber of her being, she starts falling for him. Hader is exceptional as the straight man in the film, and he and Schumer work well together on-screen. Lebron James is funny as himself, playing Aaron’s best friend. James delivers lines with a comedic touch that a lot of current comedians can’t do. John Cena is brilliant as Amy’s go-to sex partner who develops feelings for her. This is Schumer’s film, and she is outstanding in the role, and she dominates the screen with her staggering timing. This is a film that delivers from start to finish, making it breathtakingly funny and touching at the same time. That’s something you rarely see in today’s comedies.    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again    Trainwreck Website

Indiefest: Infinitely Polar Bear (2015)  R  A manic-depressive father (Mark Ruffalo) agrees to take full-time responsibility for his two daughters while his wife (Zoe Saldana) is out of town at business school.  It’s hard to make a successful film when your lead character is so erratic in his mood swings. I have always liked Ruffalo as an actor, but he struggles to find a voice in this film. Saldana isn’t given much to work with either, and her screen time is spent mostly being mad at Ruffalo’s character. What made this film watchable at times was the performances of Imogene Wolodarsky and Ashley Aufderheide, who play the couple’s two daughters. They lend both a vitality and somewhat stable presence to the film, counteracting Ruffalo’s over-the-top performance as the manic father. The film is based on the real-life childhood of director Maya Forbes, and I think this story was just a little too personal to work on the screen.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee    Infinitely Polar Bear Website

Indiefest:  Lila & Eve  (2015)  R  Two mothers (Jennifer Lopez, Viola Davis), distraught over the deaths of their children gunned down by a drive-by’s, decide to get their revenge when the authorities decide not to pursue the crimes. Viola Davis gives an impressive performance as the mother who is devastated by the death of her college-bound son. I wasn’t as impressed by Jennifer Lopez’s role as the tough as nails mom who becomes Davis’s mentor. I just felt never fully committed to the role. The film is an interesting look at how death affects people different ways and how grief can overcome even the most rational thoughts. The film takes a very strange turn near the end, which I did not like. Overall, the film is worth watching for Davis’s performance but the plot is somewhat lacking in reality.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Lila & Eve Website

Indiefest:  Do I Sound Gay? (2014)     Filmmaker David Thorpe attempts to change his voice and explore the stereotype of the “gay voice. This documentary is funny at times and maddening at other times, as Thorpe explores why gay men are so aware of how they sound in public. Thorpe interviews some notable gay icons such as Tim Gunn and George Takei about how they feel about how they sound. Thorpe makes this film a little too personal to be totally effective and enjoyable, but the film does move at a quick pace and keeps the subject matter interesting.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Do I Sound Gay? Website  

Forgotten Film: Crumb (1995)  R  Documentary about the legendary underground comic artist R. Crumb. Crumb is a rather strange guy whose comic books are equally bizarre and touching. It’s a haunting world where we see how deeply an artist feels for his work and makes it his lifeblood. It’s not a world you would want to live in, though, but it’s fascinating to visit.   My Rating: Full Price   Crumb Info   

Weird Credits: From the credits of Ant-Man: Musician; Oboe & Cor Anglais  

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Fantastic Four  (2015) I    want to see this superhero film not because of the subject matter (all the other Fantastic Four films have been pretty bad) but because of two of the lead actors, Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan. I think that Jordan and Teller are some of the best young actors working today.    Fantastic Four Website

Until Next Time!

The Equalizer

My View:  The Equalizer (2014) R  Robert McCall (Denzel Washington)might look like an ordinary worker at a DIY supply store. But Robert is a man not to be messed with. McCall meets Teri (Chloe Grace Moretz), a young girl whose life is being controlled by Russian gangsters.  He decides to help her the only way he knows how – with his fists and his guns. This is a fun, but extremely violent film that has more substance to it than your normal action film. Washington gives his usual excellent performance, making Robert a very quiet, restrained man who doesn’t hesitate to defend the weak and come down hard on the bullies. I don’t think he uses the same technique twice in killing the bad guys, and you will never look at “Home Depot” the same again.  My Rating: Full Price  The Equalizer Website

Indiefest:  The Skeleton Twins (2014) R  Maggie (Kristen Wiig) and Milo (Bill Hader) are adult twins who haven’t seen or talked to each other in years. An unexpected reunion forces the two together and causes them to re-examine their lives.  I absolutely loved this film and the two performances of Wiig and Hader.  They have perfect chemistry, making this film such a joy to watch.  This is probably the funniest film about two depressed, suicidal people you will ever see. Wiig is brilliant as Maggie, who, on the surface has a perfect life but in reality is extremely unhappy with her life choices. Hader does the impossible with this role, making us like a character who isn’t always a joy to be around.  Go see this terrific, funny film!  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again The Skeleton Twins website

Indiefest:  Hector and the Search for Happiness  (2014) R  A psychiatrist (Simon Pegg) searches the world to find the secret to happiness. Pegg has fun with this role as he travels to China, Tibet, Africa and L.A. to sort out his life and visit friends. There are some very funny scenes in this film, though it is let down a little by some attempts to be more serious at times that doesn’t always work. If you are a fan of Pegg and his film career, you will enjoy this film. My Rating: Bargain Matinee Hector and the Search for Happiness Facebook page 

Indiefest: Believe Me  (2014) PG-13  Sam (Alex Russell) and his three roommates come up with a plan to make some money. They start up a sham charity and campaign across the country raising funds for a cause as fake as their message. I didn’t like this faith based- film, mostly because it couldn’t decide if it was a comedy or a drama.  I also didn’t like any of the characters as they all are out just to make a buck on unsuspecting churchgoers and never have any character growth.  The film’s ambiguous ending just made me not like the film more. My Rating: Cable  Believe Me Website

Indiefest: Jimi: All Is by My Side (2014)  R  This is the story of Jimi Hendrix (Andre Benjamin), the year before he became famous. He is discovered by Linda Keith (Imogen Poots), a famous British model who is notorious for dating rock stars. The film follows Hendrix to London, where he develops his sound and starts playing gigs. The film ends right before his famous appearance at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, which made him a star. Andre Benjamin is brilliant in the role of Hendrix. He perfectly portrays the man and does extremely well singing in the Hendrix style. I loved Benjamin’s performance, but I was dissatisfied by the film.  The film is too long, and there isn’t any original Hendrix music in the film. The music that Hendrix plays is mostly old blues songs, though there is a rousing performance of a Beatles song near the end of the film. Much like Hendrix’s real life, it's an interesting film but I found it a little too unfocused, moving from one scene to another without a lot of reason.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Jimi: All Is by My Side Info

Forgotten Film:  Lenny  (1974) R Dustin Hoffman is brilliant as the 1960’s standup comic Lenny Bruce. Bruce was not an ordinary comic; his humor was a commentary on the social strifes of the day, thumbing his nose at the establishment.  This film perfectly shows the ups and downs of this intelligent but troubled comedian.  Hoffman was the ideal choice for this role, and he gives it his all.   My Rating:  Full Price  Lenny Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of The Equalizer:  graphic designer specialty tattoos

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Whiplash (2014) R A talented young drummer (Miles Teller) enrolls at a music conservatory.  A grizzled instructor (J.K. Simmons) begins teaching the young drummer, pushing him to his limits. Advanced word from film festivals is both actors give Oscar worthy performances.  Whiplash Website

Until Next Time!