Ted 2

My View:   Ted 2 (2015)  R   Ted (Seth MacFarlane) and Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth) have gotten married and now want to have a kid. John (Mark Wahlberg) finds out that, for Ted to have a kid, he will have to prove, in a court of law, that he is a person.  As with most sequels, this film is mostly a rehash of the first film, but this time without the heart of the first. The film is too long, and, while the jokes are funny, it takes forever to set them up. There are a few unnecessary scenes, and MacFarlane could have taken 30 minutes out of this almost two-hour film without hurting the plot. One of the great things about the first film was it contained a love story between two best friends, but while this sequel attempts to pull at heartstrings, it never hits the mark. Amanda Seyfried fits in with the two leads, becoming part of the boy's club, but I think that is another problem with this film. The first film had Mila Kunis’s character, who played a clear opposite to the antics of the boys. It’s one of those films that does have some great laughs, but it takes too long to get to them. Make sure and stay through all the credits as there is a bonus scene that is worth the wait.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Ted 2 Website

Family Faire:   Max (2015)  PG   Max is a military working dog who returns from Afghanistan after his handler is killed. Max is adopted by the family of the slain soldier, and together they begin a journey of healing. This is an admirable family film that will touch your heart, especially if you or one of your loved ones has served in the Armed Services. The dog is the best part of the film and has a very expressive face and bark. Josh Wiggins plays Justin, the young brother of the slain soldier and has an excellent connection to the dog. The supporting cast is impressive with Lauren Graham and Thomas Haden Church playing Josh’s parents. I didn’t like the attempt at a Texas accent by Graham (no one else tries for one) as it comes off as corny. The action sequences are well done and kids will enjoy all the action that takes place on bikes and trails. It’s a perfect Sunday afternoon film that the whole family can enjoy.    My Take: Bargain Matinee   Max Website

Indiefest:  Me and Earl and the Dying Girl  (2015)  PG-13   Greg (Thomas Mann) spends most of his time making parodies of classic films with his friend Earl (RJ Cyler).  Their lives are changed when they meet Rachel (Olivia Cooke) a young girl who has just been diagnosed with cancer. I loved this touching and very inventive film. It takes the teenage coming of age romance genre and turns it on its ear. There is great chemistry between the three leads and Olivia Cooke shines as the girl who refuses to give in to cancer. This brilliant film is one of my favorite films of the year.    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again    Me and Earl and the Dying Girl Website

Indiefest:   The Overnight (2015)  R  Alex (Adam Scott) and his wife, Emily (Taylor Schilling) have just moved to L.A. from Seattle with their young son. While at a park, they make friends with Kurt (Jason Schwartzman) who also has a son. He invites them to dinner at his house for pizza and kid playtime. Alex and Emily soon discover that they could be in for a wild ride.  This is a hilarious film that is going to make you uncomfortable at times as it covers some extreme adult situations. Scott and Schilling work well with each other on screen, giving us a feeling that this couple truly love and enjoy each other. Schwartzman is perfect in the role of a guy who pushes the boundaries of human behavior. The great fun of this film is that you never know where the film is going to go next - you only know that it’s going to be surprising and a whole lot of fun. I will warn you that there lots of nudity, including full-frontal male nudity.    My Rating: Full Price   The Overnight Facebook Page

Family Faire:   When Marnie Was There (2014)   PG   Anna (Hailee Steinfeld)) has been sent to the country after having a severe asthma attack. While exploring, she meets Marnie (Kiernan Shipka) a young girl who seems very familiar. Will their friendship last? Only time will tell.  This is a moving and beautiful film that is perfect for young girls, ages eight to fourteen. It’s a film about feeling alone and different, then finding out that there are other people out there who feel the same way. The characters are full and well thought-out, and the animation is breathtaking. It is rumored that this might be the last film of the legendary Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli, and, if it is, it is a perfect swan song. Go see this wonderful, touching film.    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   When Marnie Was Here Info

Indiefest:   Escobar: Paradise Lost (2014)  R   Nick (Josh Hutchenson) is traveling through Columbia surfing the waves and having a good time. He meets the girl of his dreams, Maria (Laura Londono) only to find out that her uncle is the legendary drug trafficker, Pablo Escobar (Benicio Del Toro). Now Nick is in danger, but he doesn’t want to leave Maria. I think fans of Hutchenson may enjoy this film, but I found his character rather boring and he really couldn’t keep up with Del Toro. The film centers on Nick and his girlfriend, I would have liked it to center on the relationship between Nick and Pablo. I did like the ending, and I liked Laura Londono’s performance, but overall I felt the 2-hour length of the film.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee

Forgotten Film:   Room at the Top (1959) An ambitious and angry young man (Laurence Harvey) decides his way to move up in the world is to marry the boss’s daughter (Heather Sears). Complicating things is his attraction to a married older woman (Simone Signoret). This is a film full of tremendous performances, but it’s Simone Signoret who makes this film so memorable. She is able to make us love her from the start, and the sadness she displays in her eyes is incredibly touching. Room at the Top is an outstanding film that makes some of today’s dramas seems soul-less.   My Rating: Full Price   Room at the Top Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Ted 2: Goose Wrangler

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:   Mr. Holmes (2015)  PG  Ian McKellen playing one of my favorite fictional characters, Sherlock Holmes. As a bonus, Laura Linney is one of the co-stars.   Mr. Holmes Info

Until Next Time!

Maleficent

My View:  Maleficent (2014) Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) puts a curse on  the child (Elle Fanning) only to realize that the child may be the key to peace in her kingdom.  This is a retelling of the “Sleeping Beauty” tale from a perspective of the villain in the film, a fairy instead of an evil witch.  Maleficent was good once but after being attacked and betrayed by humans, she turns vindictive and evil.  Jolie is the best part of the film, as she tackles the role with gusto.  The special effects are tremendous, and the film is worth seeing in 3-D, as there are a number of flying scenes that use the technology to great effect.  My problem with the film is that there is very little plot, it’s almost as if the film’s art director made all of the decisions, making the film look great without a lot of content.  A bit of warning, this film may be too scary for the 5 year old and under group. My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Maleficent Website

My View:  A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014) Albert (Seth MacFarlane) is a down on his luck farmer when he meets a beautiful woman named, Anna (Charlize Theron) and instantly falls in love with her.  She feels the same way. but there is a problem.  She is married.  And, not only is she married, she is married to the meanest, fastest gunfighter in the west (Liam Neeson).  You have officially been warned that this is an incredibly raunchy comedy and it not for everyone.  If you liked Ted and are a fan of MacFarlane’s Family Guy, you will like this film.  MacFarlane pushes the boundaries of comedy at just about every turn in this film.  I loved Theron as the cowgirl on the run from her mean husband.  There is a nice chemistry between Theron and MacFarlane and their scenes together are some of the best of the film.  I give kudos to Amanda Seyfried, who plays Albert’s ex-flame, because she allows MacFarlane in several scenes to make fun of her rather large eyes.  Some of this film doesn’t work, mostly due to the fact that we are supposed to instantly like Albert, and we really don’t. I would have liked more scenes with Neeson, who looks like he was having a blast with the part.  This film isn’t for everybody but I did find myself laughing at numerous scenes in the film and overall had a good time watching it.  Be sure to stay through all the credits, as there are two bonus scenes, one in the middle of the credits and one at the end of all credits.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  A Million Ways to Die in the West Website

                                                            

Indiefest:  Ida  (2013) Set in Poland during the 1960’s, Anna (Agata Trzebuchowska) is a young novitiate nun, happily preparing to take her vows.  She is content with her life and is looking forward to making the next step to become a nun. Her world is changed when she is brought into the Mother Superior’s office and told that before she can take her vows she must make a trip to see her only living relative, an aunt named Wanda (Agata Kulesza).  When she talks to her aunt, Anna discovers that her real name is Ida, and her Jewish parents gave her up for adoption to a Catholic priest before they were killed in World War II.  This is a heart wrenching, moving film from Poland that uses its black and white cinematography to full effect. Trzebuchowska is stunning in the role of the innocent young Anna, who has led a sheltered life and now has to deal with the harsh realities of her past.   It’s a moving performance and amazing film that will stay with you long after leaving the theatre. My Rating: Full Price  Ida Website

Forgotten Film: Sleuth (1972) Andrew (Laurence Olivier) and Milo (Michael Caine) are two friends who have something in common, Milo has just run off with Andrew’s wife. Andrew invites Milo to his house and hatches an elaborate scheme for Milo to break into his house and steal his wife’s jewels. That way, Andrew’s wife gets the jewels, and Andrew can get the insurance money.  But this cat and mouse gave quickly escalates and both men know that someone just might die tonight.  This is a fascinating film full of great twists and turns with two actors at the top of their games.  If you like smart, suspenseful films where both the dialogue and the acting are brilliant, this is the film for you.  My Rating: Full Price  Sleuth Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD/Blu-ray):  The Monuments Men (2014)  An unlikely group of World War II soldiers is put together to create a platoon whose job it is to rescue stolen art masterpieces from the Nazis before they destroy them. The strength of this film is its cast with George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman, Hugh Bonneville, Bob Balaban and Jean Dujardin all making up the squadron that is in charge of trying to rescue the art.  I liked this film but with the cast this film has I should have loved it. The cast is let down by the script as it can never find the right tone for the film, and the film, at times light and funny, never seems to find the right mix to put in the hardships of war.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee  The Monuments Men Website

Weird Credits:  In the credits of Maleficent:  Weather consultant

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:   Tammy (2014)  A road trip movie starring Melissa McCarthy and Susan Sarandon.  Right there is enough to get me to watch.  Tammy Website

Until Next Time!