My View: American
Ultra (2015) R Mike (Jesse Eisenberg) seems like your usual
stoner but, aside from being good at smoking weed, he is also the greatest
government agent in existence. Mike has
been marked for extermination because the CIA thinks that he has become such a
liability, but it’s not going to be easy to take him down. This is a movie that
can’t decide what type of film it is. It’s part stoner comedy, part romantic
drama, and part violent action film. The problem is that the first two parts
(stoner comedy/romantic drama) don’t mix well with the violent action film. And
boy is this film violent and bloody. Mike kills one man with a spoon to the
throat and another by beheading a guy with a metal dustpan. Eisenberg does have
excellent chemistry with Kristen Stewart, who plays his girlfriend. There is an
amusing running gag where Mike keeps trying to propose to his girlfriend, and
it never is the right time. Unfortunately, the violent action sequences just
don’t mesh well with the lighter moments of the film, which makes the film feel
very jagged and uneven. I think even if you were high watching this movie, you
wouldn’t enjoy it. My Rating: Cable American Ultra Website
Indiefest: The Diary
of a Teenage Girl (2015) R In 1970’s San Francisco, 15-year-old Minnie
(Bel Powley) dreams of becoming a comic book artist, like her hero Aline
Kominsky. Minnie’s world changes when
her mother’s boyfriend (Alexander Skarsgard) takes an interest in her. Minnie
thought that no one would be interested in her, but now she must decide if she
is going to give in to her desires. Writer/director Marielle Heller has created
a unique film that explores the sexual awaking of a young girl who had doubts
she would ever be in a relationship. Minnie was feeling like a lot of young
girls - that she just wasn’t attractive enough for anyone to be interested in
her. While this film has great love and respect for Minnie, it’s full of nudity
and very adult situations. The cast is outstanding with Alexander Skarsgård
brilliantly playing the slightly dimwitted Monroe. Kristen Wiig plays the part
of the selfish Charlotte to perfection, making her character seem very
vulnerable. Bel Powley is an absolute gem to watch in this role. Though she was
twenty-one when she made this film, she looks all of fifteen, which makes the
film feel real. Powley also narrates, giving the movie a voice that we won't
soon forget. The Diary of a Teenage Girl gives us a rare look at the world of
a real teenager; one moment sure of herself and the next feeling hopeless,
convinced that she will never be loved. While some scenes may be uncomfortable
to watch, it is well worth going on this journey with Minnie as she travels
through her sometimes animated world. My
Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again The Diary of a Teenage Girl Website
Indiefest: Listen to
Me Marlon (2015) A documentary on the legendary Academy
Award-winning actor Marlon Brando.
Listen to Me Marlon is a fascinating look that lets us see Marlon
Brando, not as just as the actor, but as the man. Using hundreds of hours of audio
tapes that Brando recorded, Brando narrates this brilliant film. Director
Stevan Riley combines those audio tapes with news footage, interviews, roving
shots through Brando’s house and movie scenes to create an insightful look at a
very complex and sometimes troubled man.
The film lets us know what Brando was thinking and feeling during his
life, letting us experience just how he saw the world. Brando was a complex and
sometimes maddening person, someone we truly did not know, until now. My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again Listen to Me Marlon Website
Indiefest: Meru (2015) R Documentary about three elite climbers who attempt to climb Mount Meru, part of the Himalayas. Mount Meru is considered the most difficult mountain to climb and has never been ascended. Some of the best climbers in the world have attempted to scale it and have have been defeated by a mountain that is a combination of ice climbing, mountain climbing and wall climbing. And oh, by the way, some of the climbing is done at night. Meru is 20,000 ft and is called the anti-Everest because you don’t have sherpas to carry your 200 pounds of stuff and it takes days, possibly weeks to do the climb.This is a brilliant film about overcoming incredible odds, coming back from adversity, and yes, even doing the crazy and impossible. It’s awe-inspiring and at the same time, jaw-dropping, especially when you realize that the 3 men also shot of the footage while also climbing the mountain. This is a beautiful, exhilarating film that is not to be missed. My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again Meru Website
Forgotten Film: The
Boy Who Could Fly (1986) PG Milly (Lucy Deakins) moves into a new
neighborhood with her family. Living
next door is Eric (Jay Underwood). Eric
has had a tough life; his parents died when he was five, he lives with his
uncle, who is a drunk, and Eric is autistic. Milly befriends Eric, who has a
secret: He thinks he can fly. This is a
warm and touching film about overcoming every roadblock that life gives
you. The casting is perfect, including
Bonnie Bedelia, who plays Milly’s mom and Fred Savage as the plucky brother of
Milly. My Rating: Full Price The Boy Who Could Fly Info
Weird Credits: From
the credits of American Ultra: Martial
Arts Training for Mr. Eisenberg
Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: The Reflektor Tapes (2015) Documentary about the band Arcade Fire and its conception and recording
of the band’s Reflektor album. This should be an interesting and insightful
look at one of the most creative bands out there. The Reflektor Tapes Website
Until Next Time!
