My View: Tomorrowland (2015) PG Two opposites, Frank (George Clooney), a jaded former “boy genius,” and Casey (Britt Robertson), an optimistic teenager, embark upon a mission to unearth the secrets of a mysterious place - a place that, somewhere in time and space, exists in their collective memory. While I liked the look of the film and enjoyed Clooney and Robertson’s performances, I found the film slow to start and very confusing. I have no idea what was done or why it was done to resolve the plot of the film, and because the plot was so sluggish, I just wanted it the movie to be over. This movie should have been a joy to watch, but it’s filled with too many plot points, way too much talking and not enough real action. I also didn’t enjoy the overall tone of the film, which I felt was a little insulting. The film has quite a bit of violence and I think would be too confusing for small children. I expected more from this cast and director Brad Bird, who I have admired for quite a while. This film is a big, disappointing mess. My Rating: Bargain Matinee Tomorrowland Website
My View: Poltergeist (2015) PG-13 A married couple (Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt) move into a new house with their children. They start experiencing mysterious things happening inside the house. Now, their daughter is missing, and it seems there is a ghost in their home holding their daughter captive. It’s
sad when the trailer and even the poster are scarier that the film itself. The
wastes the talents of Rockwell and DeWitt, though it does let Rockwell be funny
in early, relaxed scenes with the family. The plot is somewhat similar to the
original 1982 film of the same name but doesn’t have the thrills and scary
moments of the first film. All of the scary moments of this film are the type
where something jumps out of the dark at you. The film has numerous stops and
starts, never letting the tension build.
While it was shot in 3-D, it’s not worth the extra money. There is a
short bonus scene after the first credits that is worth seeing if you haven’t
left the theatre to get your money back. My Rating: You Would Have to Pay
Me to See it Again Poltergeist Website
Indiefest: Slow West (2015) R 16-year-old Scottish aristocrat, Jay Cavendish (Kodi Smit-McPhee), abandons his birthright and heads to the American frontier to find the love of his life, Rose (Caren Pistorius). Jay travels across the frontier of 19th-Century America with the help of a mysterious stranger named, Silas (Michael Fassbender). This is a moving, dramatic film that also has a good bit of humor. Fassbender is the reason to see this movie, and he is impressive in the role of the cowboy who takes Jay under his wing. There is great chemistry between Kodi Smit-McPhee and Fassbender, which makes their scenes together the highlight of the film. The film moves along at a steady pace, captures the time period perfectly, has plenty of twists and turns and packs a punch at the end. If you like westerns or impeccable acting, this is a film for you. My Rating: Full Price Slow West Website
Indiefest: About Elly (2009) Elly (Taraneh Aldoosti) is invited to join three families who go on a vacation to the beach. When Elly suddenly disappears while babysitting the kids, the group of friends begin to search for her. What became of Elly? This is another fascinating film from the writer / director, Asghar Farhadi, who brought us the Oscar-winning film A Separation (2011). In the beginning, we get to know all the characters, just as Elly does (she is new to the group). Then, Elly disappears, and the mystery and suspense begin to unfold. Farhadi builds the tension until we find out what did happen near the end. This movie is a brilliant piece of film-making and well worth seeing. My Rating: Full Price About Ely Website
Forgotten Film: Frances (1982) R A fascinating film that looks at the life of actress Frances Farmer (Jessica Lange). Lange is brilliant as Farmer, an actress who was highly independent and creative but battled the Hollywood system and lost. It’s a tragic tale that allows Lange to show her stunning acting range. My Rating: Full Price Frances Info
Weird Credits: From the credits of Tomorrowland: Truck Costumer
Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Gemma Bowery (2014) R Modern day re-telling of the Madame Bovary story. Any movie with Fabrice Luchini and Gemma Arterton is going to be a winner in my book. Gemma Bowery Info
Until Next Time!
My View: Hot Pursuit (2015) PG-13 A by-the-book cop (Reese Witherspoon) and a widow of a drug kingpin (Sofia Vergara) are on the run as they race through Texas trying to avoid mobsters and crooked cops. Let me say that this film is guaranteed a spot on my Bottom Ten Films list for 2015. I kept thinking, why would Reese Witherspoon, hot off an Oscar nomination, make this crappy film? The movie is full of bad jokes with a script full of loopholes. Vergara’s acting is horrible, and Witherspoon’s isn’t much better. It’s sad when even the outtakes (shown during the credits) are unfunny. My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again Hot Pursuit Facebook Page
My View: Far From the Madding Crowd (2015) PG-13 In Victorian England, a beautiful, headstrong, independent woman named, Bathsheba (Carey Mulligan), is courted by three suitors. Carey Mulligan is exceptional as the self-sufficient woman who holds her own. There are some superb scenes between Mulligan and Matthias Schoenaerts, who plays the sheepherder who falls in love with Bathsheba. The film is beautifully shot, showing off the glorious English countryside. The problem with the film is the story, itself. It has this strong woman who falls for a guy because of his looks alone, which makes her seem very shallow. My Rating: Bargain Matinee Far From the Madding Crowd Website
My View: The D Train (2015) R The head of the high school reunion party, Dan (Jack Black), is worried that no one will come. So he decides to travel to Los Angeles to track down the most popular guy, Oliver (James Marsden). Dan knows if Oliver attends, everyone else will too. Be careful what you wish for! There is a huge twist in this film and, while I didn’t mind the twist, itself, I hated everything that happened after the twist. I rarely laughed at the jokes, and I thought the plot was downright stupid. Black and Marsden do work well together on screen, but the film wastes the talents of the supporting cast of Kathryn Hahn and Jeffrey Tambor. The ending of the film is just awful and insults the audience. There will be some critics who will love this film, but I am not one of them. My Rating: Cable The D Train Website
Indiefest: 5 Flights Up (2015) PG-13 Alex (Morgan Freeman) and his wife, Ruth (Diane Keaton) have been living in the same apartment for forty years. They decide to move to a more convenient neighborhood, but is it worth giving up the place where they have made so many good memories? The film follows the couple for a few days as they try to sell their home and buy a new one. Keaton and Freeman have a nice rapport, but the film has few dramatic moments and feels very slow moving. I did like Carrie Preston and Cynthia Nixon as two real estate brokers. Both are very funny in their roles. This isn’t a bad film, but you just want it to be more with the cast it has. My Rating: Bargain Matinee http://www.focusfeatures.com/5_flights_up
Indiefest: Noble (2014) PG-13 A woman, Christine Noble (Deirdre O'Kane), overcomes her harsh childhood to help orphans in Vietnam. Noble is a moving, heartfelt true story, and O’Kane shines as Christine as an adult. She is insanely likable in the role and works well with the children in the film. This is a film that celebrates a woman who refused to be told she couldn't succeed. Instead, she kept moving forward and spread her love to the children of Vietnam, making a real difference in their lives. You will come away from this film inspired and hopeful, a rare feat these days. My Rating: Full Price Noble Website
Indiefest: The 100-Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (2013) R After traveling the world and experiencing the most unbelievable things, Allan Karlsson (Robert Gustafsson) finds himself stuck in a nursing home. On his 100th birthday, he climbs out his window and starts a new adventure. This film is supposed to be a comedy, but the humor falls flat, and I have misgivings about a film that mixes violent death with comedic elements. The film jumps back and forth between when Allan was a young man and present day, which never lets the film pick up steam. The film is a poor man’s version of Forest Gump without the humor or the heart as Allan interacts with a number of famous people in flashbacks from the past. The film has an interesting premise but never delivers its potential. My Rating: Cable The 100-Year Old Man Website
Indiefest: Maggie (2015) PG-13 A zombie outbreak has hit the U.S. hard, and society is hanging on by a thread. Humans bitten by a zombie do not turn right away, but take weeks, sometimes months before they become fully controlled by the virus. Maggie (Abigail Breslin) has become infected, and her father (Arnold Schwarzenegger) has brought her home so she can be with her family before she turns. Breslin is dazzling as the headstrong girl who wishes she had treasured her family before all this happened. As good as Breslin is, it's Schwarzenegger who makes this movie so moving and heartfelt. In an incredibly restrained portrayal, Arnold gives possibly his best performance of his life. He is brilliant in the role of the father that holds out hope that his daughter will survive. I loved everything about this film, and especially it's touching finale. My Rating: Full Price Maggie Website
Forgotten Film: Cactus Flower (1969) A dentist (Walter Matthau) pretends to be married to avoid a long term commitment. He falls for his girlfriend (Goldie Hawn) and proposes. The only problem is that his girlfriend thinks he is still married. So he needs a wife to divorce…enter in his long-time nurse (Ingrid Bergman). This film is so much better than the remake (Just Go With It) that starred Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. Goldie Hawn, in an Oscar-winning role, is brilliant as the loveable, slightly goofy girlfriend. Matthau is outstanding as the playboy dentist, and Ingrid Bergman shows a real talent for comedy (I wish she had done more). Cactus Flower is an excellent film that still holds up 45 years later. My Rating: Full Price Cactus Flower Info
Weird Credits: From the credits of Hot Pursuit: Dialect Coach: Pre-production
Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Tomorrowland (2015) PG George Clooney and Britt Robertson in Sci-Fi film? Yes, please. http://movies.disney.com/tomorrowland/
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Until Next Time!
