Culture

Reviews of recent film releases

“New In Town”

This is an old story: a fast-track corporate executive is sent to Podunk, U.S.A., to take over the operations of an unprofitable factory and lay off all the deadwood so the bottom line improves. But when she arrives there, all business and clacking high heels and attitude, she’s not exactly received with warmth by the locals, who are wary of her for good reason. She’s likely to fire them all. Plus she’s a bit full of herself. Not a winsome combination in a small town.

Film reviews

“Marley And Me” is the story about a dog. Oh, there are some humans who happen to be around at the time, but this movie is all about the big, mischievous Labrador. See him chew holes in everything from couch cushions to drywall. See him bolt with such enthusiasm as to drag the poor leash-holder behind him, desperate to keep the pace. See him cower during thunderstorms, eat his weight in puppy chow, hump the legs of strangers, and generally make himself, well, a forceful presence in the lives of everyone around him.

Films in review

“The Day the earth Stood Still”

Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly star in “The Day The Earth Stood Still,” a remake of the 1951 classic. Connelly plays Dr. Helen Benson, a scientist who is kidnapped by government agents in order to deal with an urgent emergency:  a certain fast-moving object from space is going to collide with earth in an hour, and it appears to be on an irregular flight pattern, that is, guided. All attempts to intercept fail.

Hard to watch, but worth It

holiday film reviews

There is plenty of light-hearted movie fare for the holidays, but the great performances are usually to be found in the more serious films. Here are several that are hard to watch, but worth the effort:

Holiday films: The (not so) significant

“Punisher:  War Zone” — Pure comic book.  This kind of pulp fiction features the evil criminal literally deformed (Dominic West as Jigsaw), and his deranged brother, Looney Bin Jim (Doug Hutchison), terrorizing at will until The Punisher (Ray Stevenson) arrives on the scene, the indestructible vigilante who serves as self-appointed judge, jury, and executioner, just blasting away the bad guys.

“Doubt”

“Doubt” opens with the parish priest, Father Flynn (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) delivering a brief, eloquent homily about doubt. This is the 1950s, and the well-dressed, clean-scrubbed congregation sits in rapt attention, in part because Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) is the self-appointed behavior modifier.

“The Day the Earth Stood Still”

Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly star in “The Day The Earth Stood Still,” a remake of the 1951 classic. Connelly plays Dr. Helen Benson, a scientist who is kidnapped by government agents in order to deal with an urgent emergency:  a certain fast-moving object from space is going to collide with earth in an hour, and it appears to be on an irregular flight pattern — that is, guided. All attempts to intercept fail. 

“Cadillac Records”

 “Cadillac Records” is the story of a Chicago recording studio during the seminal days of the 1950s, when Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody), a struggling nightclub owner, first recorded Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright).  And the rest, as they say, is musical history.

Film in review: Zack and Miri

Here’s a movie that one hesitates even to mention by title:  “Zack And Miri Make A Porno.” Sounds sleazy, doesn’t it? And there’s no question that you don’t take Grandma to this one. But it’s not as hard-core as it appears. This comedy was written by Kevin Smith, of “Clerks” fame, so you know there’s going to be a slacker element — casual, irreverent, characters on the margins of propriety and the socially acceptable. No different here.

Films in review: Heights And Depths

“Happy-Go-Lucky” is a British comedy that doesn’t try to conform to Hollywood standards. Therefore, we have a primary character in a sitcom who isn’t really a raving beauty, or particularly young, just kind of the working girl next door. Sally Hawkins, 30-something, plays Poppy, a north London elementary school teacher who is determined to be upbeat, even when those around her aren’t. It’s not like she isn’t capable of being serious (she finally has to end the uncomfortable relationship with her dour, angry driving instructor), it’s just that she won’t let herself be dragged down by the doldrums of uneventful living. She’s a refreshing presence, just going shopping with her gal pals, or on a first date, or dealing with a grouchy cashier in a bookstore. She’s the kind of person we’d like to know, and to be around, even if her endings aren’t always happily ever after.

Film reviews: Bad, Mad, Glad, Sad

“Changeling” is definitely not happily ever after. Angelina Jolie plays Christine Collins, a single Mom of the 1920s, whose young son disappeared from home one Saturday while she was at work. What follows is her harrowing experience with the Los Angeles Police Department, who first did nothing, then didn’t believe her, then tried to pawn off another kid as hers, and then considered her crazy when she wouldn’t accept him as her own. 

“W”

The first question that has to be asked is “Why now?” Why release a biopic about a sitting president, right at the end of his second term, and just a couple of weeks before the election for his successor? The answer is obvious: This movie isn’t just about the perceived buffoonery of our 43rd President. It’s also about the whole dangerous collection of manipulators, cynics, lightweights, sycophants, and dim functionaries around him; a collection which, by implication, would still be sniffing the hallways of power were the impending election to proceed in a particular way. Ah, now we get it. This is Oliver Stone’s political statement, under the guise of a documentary-looking caricature study.

Films in review: Cute, Trashy, Scary, Weird, Awkward

            “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” is one of those cute little talking animals movies, featuring (the voice of) Drew Barrymore as the upscale, uppity Beverly Hills dog who winds up lost and alone in Mexico City. But she is saved despite herself, learns some self-reliance and some humility, and now we all like her a lot more, plus she has a better perspective, as well. Of course it’s a parable. But it’s sweet and kind-hearted, and the whole family can enjoy it, which in itself is rare enough.

“Body of Lies” & “City Of Ember”

Both involve struggling against the powers that be. In both, the context is dark, cynical, and clandestine. In both, the world is seen as a precarious place teetering on the edge of chaos and obliteration. In both, it’s the little spark of romance and caring that sustains the main character, but it’s more a fantasy unfulfilled than any real intimacy.