3 out of 5. Noah Baumbach's black and white film FRANCES HA pins down what it's like to go after ones dreams and fall short. In the easily likable character of Frances, played by Greta Gerwig, you get a sense of someone who's spirited outlook on life seems indomitable. Her forward motion doesn't take time to ponder to long before going onto the next thing. Which is easily frustrating for those around her. She won't be kept down for long before bouncing back into some other wish fulfillment. It makes those who are somewhat jaded (moi?) and serious long for that bit of adolescent naivete in their daily life. It's a very refreshing film and very New York.
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3 out of 5. David Frankel's THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA is an infectious comedy that you can't stop thinking about. Maybe it's because of the under-dog lead played by Anne Hathaway that most people can identify with. Or it's her high-status boss played by Meryl Streep who's performance seems to diminish everyone under her affecting gaze. Plus, Stanley Tucci is always fun to watch. Overall it's a fairly predictable storyline but the journey is what makes it fun. By the third act it does lose a little bit of the snap and bite of the opening but it's because the character arcs are converging. Great fun.
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3 out of 5. Kevin Smith while not one of my go-to director's makes a fun and risque film with ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO. I think what's funny is my mother recommended it to me after seeing it in a theater. I'd never pay that kind of money to see a comedy but took her up on the challenge of watching it. Seth Rogen and Elizabeth banks have great sincere chemistry that makes there situation believable and absurd. Kevin undoubtedly has a gift with dialogue that is unique. The acting in general is really fun and funny. At first blush you might think this is just more gross-out humor from Smith but honestly it rises above that to tell a great little story.
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3 out of 5. In CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa spin a very fun tale that doesn't leave your brain at the door. This is one of those films where the casting works so well for the story that the chemistry sparkles between the actors. It shows yet another facet of Ryan Gosling's abilities if you're tired of the gloom and morose work he's done lately. But really all the acting is quite good. I think the only thing that probably worked against this film is the title. In a sea of "like" marketing it's easy to miss this great little film when it's up against Eat. Pray. Oh, and the ending is actually pretty damn good.
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4 out of 5. I was reminded to day of the work
of Luis Buñuel, specifically his THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL. I loved this
film about class degradation. Just a wonderful surreal film where dinner
guests are trapped in one room and they
can't keep up appearances. In some ways it feels like it could have
been more appropriate 30 years earlier...or more caustic if handled by
the likes of Waters or Lynch. Still, a great concept delivered in style.
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3 out of 5. Taika Waititi's EAGLE VS. SHARK is
stuck in my head and I can't get it out. I think that's a good thing
too. The film is indie and smart with some really odd characters but not
for the sake of being odd. It's
carefully conceived and well directed with stop-motion inserts
throughout that add a nice texture to the story. If you like the quirk
of Wes Anderson movies this film is easy-going and fun.
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3 out of 5. Mario Bava is known for horror but DANGER DIABOLIK is a
very cool flick. I don't know what to say, the color the production
design, the soundtrack (Ennio Morricone) is all super-spy and even
superhero. It's based on an Italian comic by two sisters. The lead,
John Phillip Law is a great match for Marisa Mell...beautiful people
doing extraordinary things. If you like James Bond and a little
Euro-camp to wash it down with you will dig this groovy spectacle.
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4 out of 5. Patrice Leconte's RIDICULE takes
this period piece game of wit and words and turns it into something
quite intriguing. From the unforgettable opening shot to the satisfying
conclusion you will delight in the rise
of or poor French lord who rises to tear down the aristocrats. Might I
say too, the woman in the diving bell is a honey...ahem. Anyway, if you
like costume dramas and dig films like Amadeus you might like this.
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4 out of 5. Pietro Germi's DIVORCE-ITALIAN STYLE
is a lot of fun! Marcello Mastroianni clearly enjoyed the role of the
Sicilian Baron smitten with his cousin but to get rid of his overly
loving wife made for an excellent
obstacle. You find yourself rooting for the rapscallion. Germi's Seduced
and Abandoned was a much harsher approach to comedy and I'm glad to see
this has the smoothness of a great tiramisu. If you like screwball
comedies played sincerely with real style and pouring over with Italian
flavor then you'll dig the hell outta this.
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4 out of 5. In Robinson Devor's THE WOMAN CHASER, Patrick Warburton tears up the
screen in such an absurd role that you can't help but get sucked in. It
has a similar degradation of humanity that Gummo displayed yet it's
title character keeps it
tongue-in-cheek. Stylized directing and great script make this a joy
ride through a 50s era David Lynchian dark comedy. It's not your
mainstream kind of comedy...it's actually funny, sincere and clever
without grabbing for the jokes or insulting your intelligence.
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3 out of 5. Alan Parker's THE COMMITMENTS
comes to mind as one of the more solid music-based films. I loved the
Buddy Holly Story and La Bamba when I was younger and this I think is
the best combination of filmmaking and
undiscovered musical talent. The energy and dynamics of this large cast
is infectious. Maybe I'm a sucker for these types of films since I
really can't stand musicals. But you could do worse with a 118 minutes.
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5 out of 5. Craig Gillespie's LARS AND THE REAL GIRL makes you
see the good in humanity, especially in community. It forces one to look
at how people have to grow beyond traumatic experiences in ways that
make very little sense to most of us.
The acting is first rate. Since HALF-NELSON I've been a fan of Ryan
Gosling's work. He's an actor's actor and he's got my respect. If you
like Edward Norton's early work you'll dig this guy. It's hard to
compare this movie to anything. It's bittersweet and makes you work for
it but by the end, you really get a satisfying pay-off.
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4 out of 5. Speaking of smart people, Miranda
July's ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW is all about smart writing. Not
the kind of writing like JUNO where everyone sounded witty and verbose
but the kind of writing that plays
eccentricities off each other but not superfluously. All the pieces fit
together into a complex tapestry of character and story that actually
mean something. She acts in it as well, which is yet another facet of
her crazy abilities as an artist. I wished she'd do more. If you like
Todd Solondz work, like Happiness or Palindromes you will most likely
dig this.
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4 out of 5. I'd never seen Almodóvar's work
but since watching VOLVER, from now on I will continue to seek it out. To say that it has heart
might sound a bit schmaltzy but his characters feel like you've known
them for years. Regardless of language
barriers you understand their plight even if it is as crazy and fun as
Volver. He captures the sweet-sexy cuteness of Penelope Cruz that I've
yet to see an American director bring out of her. If you like
unpredictable funny mixed with a cocktail of crime and mystery and a
dessert of great character development then this is the feast for you.
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