My View: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) PG Walter (Ben Stiller) works in a very ordinary job at Life magazine and has a crush on Cheryl (Kristen Wiig), a fellow co-worker. Walter has never been anywhere or done anything, but he does day-dream constantly about going on fantastic adventures. He gets his opportunity to live his dream when a negative of a photograph goes missing, and he takes off on an adventure to find the world famous photographer (Sean Penn). I really enjoyed this smart, uplifting film. The script does a remarkable job of not letting the film get cheesy or schmaltzy. I loved the soundtrack in this film, and it helped move the story along. The scenery of the film is a sight to be seen, and there are some cool CGI special effects when Walter is in one of his numerous daydreams. The opening credits of the film are some of the most imaginative credits I’ve seen in quite a while. There is nice chemistry between Stiller and Wiig, making the romance between to the two of them feel real and never forced. Stiller does a superb job of playing the everyman who wants to break out of his shell. While not a great film, it’s a fun, enjoyable film with a message. My Rating: Full Price The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Website
My View: The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) R Based on a true story of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), who rises from nothing to become a major player in the New York Stock Exchange, only to be brought down by a large securities fraud case. DiCaprio is unbelievably great in this 3 hour comedy directed by Martin Scorsese. DiCaprio shows a great comedic timing, especially working well off of Jonah Hill, who plays Jordan Belfort’s right hand man. There is a scene near the end of the film that involve some stairs and a car, where DiCaprio has to do physical comedy that reminded me of Buster Keaton and Steve Martin. There is an incredible cameo by Matthew McConaughey, playing a stockbroker that Belfort patterns his life from. This is a film that not everyone will like due to the excess of drugs, profanity, and nudity (of which there is an incredible amount). I liked the film and really enjoyed the performances of the actors, but I was let down by the script, which never quite jelled the storyline together for me. My Rating: Full Price The Wolf of Wall Street Website
My View: Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) PG-13 The remarkable story of Nelson Mandela (Idris Elba) who changed a country and the world forever. This film tells Nelson Mandela's life story from his childhood to his inauguration as the President of South Africa. Idris Elba is the reason to see this film, and he fills the screen with Mandela’s spirit, passion and purpose. While Elba doesn’t really resemble Mandela physically, he perfectly mimics his diction and mannerisms. The film, though, doesn’t give Elba much to work with as the actor is much better than the script. This is a movie that should have had me on the verge of tears several times, but I never felt very involved with the film. I think the film covers too much ground and does a poor job of showing how hard prison life was on Mandela. Unfortunately this is a film that doesn’t live up to the greatness of the man it is depicting. My Rating: Bargain Matinee Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Website
Forgotten Film: The Ruling Class (1972) R Jack Gurney (Peter O’Toole) becomes the 14th Earl of Gurney. The problem is that Jack is a paranoid schizophrenic who thinks he is God and has a habit of breaking out into a song and dance routine. To keep the family out of scandal, his relatives decide that they must steal his estate from him. Jack fights back the only way he knows, by becoming Jack the Ripper. Peter O’Toole shines in this black comedy that has so many twists and turns to it, you just might need a flow chart to keep up. He is an absolute delight to watch as he tears about the screen causing mayhem and madness. The film was a failure at the box office but has become a cult classic that illustrates just how much we will miss O’Toole on the silver screen. My Rating: Full Price The Ruling Class Website
In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea): About Last Night (2014) Why does Hollywood insist on remaking films that weren’t that good to begin with? The 1986 film of the same name was an excuse just to put fellow brat-packers Rob Lowe and Demi Moore together. Comedian Kevin Hart stars in the remake. About Last Night Info
In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD / Blu-ray): The Lone Ranger (2013) PG-13 One of the worst films of the year. The film is too long, never captures the audience's imagination, and the last big chase scene is entirely too confusing to make any sense. It’s sad when I enjoyed the acting of the horse more than any actor in the film. My Rating: Cable The Lone Ranger Website
Weird Credits: From the credits of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: Facial Hair Artist
Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Winter’s Tale (2014) PG-13 In 1916, a thief breaks into a mansion and encounters a dying woman. He soon falls in love with her, only to have her die. He learns that he has the gift of reincarnation and seeks to find her in the present day. Cast includes Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay, Russell Crowe, Will Smith, Jennifer Connelly, and William Hurt. Winter's Tale Website
Until Next Time!
Family Faire: Despicable Me 2 (2013) PG Gru (Steve Carell), his adoptive girls (Miranda Cosgrove, Elsie Kate Fisher, Diana Gaier) and the Minions are back! This time, Gru has tried to settle into a life of raising kids and staying out of trouble. Trouble, though, inevitably always finds Gru, and The Anti-Villain League recruits him to find a new super-criminal who has stolen a secret formula. Gru must now go undercover, with the help of AVL agent Lucy (Kristen Wiig), and work at a place in his worst nightmares, the local mall. I enjoyed this film much more than the first Despicable Me mostly because it features the Minions more. This is a funny, imaginative film that delights from start to finish. It is worth seeing in 3-D, and the film moves at a fast, clever pace that both children and adults will enjoy. Be sure to stay through the first part of the credits as there is a bonus scene with more Minion goodness. My Rating: Full Price Despicable Me 2 Website
My View: The Lone Ranger (2013) PG-13 Tonto (Johnny Depp) tells the story of a man who started out as lawyer John Reid (Armie Hammer), a man who favored the law over a gun. But the West is a tough place and to save his brother’s family, John had to turn into the man with the white hat and the black mask. He had to become The Lone Ranger. I enjoyed the first 30 minutes of this film as it was funny and moved at a quick pace. Then the movie bogged down in trying to top itself with massive explosions and unimaginative stunts. And why does a western feel the need to have massive explosions and stunts for almost two and half hours? The film can never decide if it is a film for kids (it's not, even though it's being released under the Disney label) or adults, and it mixes things such as a violent shootout where numerous lives are lost, with a humorous scene involving the Lone Ranger's horse, Silver. Depp is the star of the film as Hammer can't keep up with the more experienced actor. But, I think fans of Depp will be disappointed as he delivers most of his lines in a deadpan manner. The film is too long, never captures the audience's imagination, and the last big chase scene is entirely too confusing to make any sense. It's a sad state of affairs when I enjoy the performance of a horse more than the actors. By the way, there is a bonus scene during the credits, but like most of this film, it doesn't go anywhere and is not worth staying for. My Rating: Cable The Lone Ranger Website
Indiefest: 20 Feet from Stardom (2013) PG-13 The film highlights one of the most unappreciated jobs in the world, the world of the backup singer. The spotlight is placed on singers Merry Clayton, Lisa Fisher and Darlene Love – whom you know only by their voices. This fascinating film is a must-see for fans of rock music of the 60's and 70's as it gives behind-the-scenes stories and footage of some of the greatest musical performances of that era, including concerts by such artists as Sting, The Talking Heads, The Rolling Stones and Joe Cocker. There is also some amazing television footage of performances by Lynryd Skynrd, Ray Charles, Ike and Tina Turner and David Bowie. Music is the key to this film, and it is an enjoyable experience to see how much these singers love what they do. In addition to getting a glimpse into the world of a back-up singer’s lifestyle, you get to experience their passion, and how hard these singers work, often in the shadows with very little recognition. My Rating: Full Price For My In-Depth Review of the Film Click Here 20 Feet from Stardom Website
Indiefest: Unfinished Song (2013) PG-13 Arthur (Terence Stamp) is a grumpy husband who barely tolerates his wife’s (Vanessa Redgrave) love for singing in the community center’s choir. Arthur’s world is about to change when the head volunteer of the choir, a young woman named, Elizabeth (Gemma Arterton), decides to enter the choir, made up of senior citizens, in a national competition. This is a heart-warming film with a winning performance by Stamp. The film is at its best when the choir start singing the latest hip-hop and heavy metal hits. Arterton does a terrific job as the choir leader who becomes a friend to Arthur and gets him to come out of his grumpy shell. My Rating: Full Price Unfinished Song Info
Forgotten Film: Silent Running (1972) PG In the future, due to overbuilding and overcrowding, the Earth has put all it's remaining flora on gigantic pods contacted to a space ship. Freeman Lowell (Bruce Dern) enjoys his time on the ship, caring for the ecosystems like they are his own family. But, when word comes that the pods that contain the ecosystems are to be jettisoned, and the ship is to return to Earth, Freeman must choose between the lives of his fellow crewmen and the ecosystems that he loves. Dern gives a moving performance in this film, and, while the "hippy, earth first" theme is a little heavy handed, it's still a surprising and enjoyable film to watch. My Rating: Bargain Matinee Silent Running Info
In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD): A Good Day to Die Hard (2013) R I hated this film as I felt it didn't live up to the Die Hard franchise. The plot is horrible, and the film is so poorly constructed that when you get to the end, you have no idea how you got there. Stay away from this film filled with "Daddy issues". My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again A Good Day to Die Hard Info
Weird Credits: From the credits of The Lone Ranger: Facial hair and hair goods
Coming Soon to a Theater Near You: Red 2 (2013) PG-13 The retired black-op CIA agents are back, and this time they are looking for a missing portable nuclear bomb. The cast is why we should be excited to see this film with Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Anthony Hopkins, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker. And, they have added Catherine Zeta-Jones to the cast as a former lover of Willis. Can't wait for this one! Red 2 Website
Until Next Time!
