It's Complicated

.“It’s Complicated” stars Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin, John Kasinski and Lake Bell. Written and directed by Nancy Myers (“Something’s Gotta Give”), this is a well written film whose 2 hours and 10 minutes flies by amidst a series of occurrences that befall Ms. Streep and Mr. Baldwin as they encounter the post-divorce emotions many couples feel and experience. The film would not be nearly as well viewed or as good were it not for the inimitable and unequalled talent of Meryl Streep who, as always, exemplifies the acme of good acting. One half smile or look from her can say and mean more than paragraphs of dialogue from a less talented actor. Mr. Baldwin takes comic risks in the film and is funny without being silly and the comedic instincts and performance of Mr. Kasinski add to the quality of the film as well. I liked the film principally because it moved at a fast and easy pace and was enjoyable to watch with some scenes prompting not just a smile but genuine laughter. However, enough cannot be said about Ms. Streep’s contribution to the final product for it’s hard to imagine anyone else capable of playing the role as well. No heavy or significant movie here, just a light tale of two people sorting out emotions and feelings as they explore and experiment about and with each other. I give it 3 stars because it stood the “I never looked at my watch” test and, yes, even caused me to feel some regret when the credits started to roll and I realized it had reached its end.

Nine

“Nine” is the Weinstein Company’s attempt to bring to the screen the Tony award winning musical that appeared on Broadway. It does not succeed. Based loosely on the persona of Federico Fellini (and Marcello Mastroianni) and the film “8 and ½ “, Daniel Day-Lewis stars in this saga of an Italian film director who transgresses throughout the film with the likes of women played by Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Stacy Ferguson (“Fergie”), Sophia Loren and Marion Cotillard (“La Vie En Rose”). With the exception of Mlle. Cotillard, who plays Mr. Lewis’ wife, each of the other women listed participate in the film by singing a song in an extravagantly staged setting with most of the music extraneous to the film. “Nine” as a musical doesn’t survive because none of the songs are either tuneful or catchy. No worry about humming any of them after the show. You won’t. It certainly doesn’t succeed as a drama because there is no structure or firm direction. Watching this film, I kept waiting for each star to do his or her number so we could move on and end the movie’s duration. Even when the time came for each number to be sung, I couldn’t wait for it to be over. Also, in the climate of today’s headlines and morality, and especially watching major sport stars fall to the wayside as their infidelities are revealed, it’s hard to muster up sympathy and compassion for Mr. Lewis’ character as he juggles his life and loves like a circus performer in the center ring. Written by Michael Tolkin and the late Anthony Minghella, and directed by Rob Marshall (“Chicago”), the film offers nothing more than a showcase for the singing and dancing talents of some very glamorous ladies and, in my opinion, earns it 2 and ½ stars based solely on the serious and strong performance of Mr. Lewis and the very sensitive and beautiful portrayal of a dutiful but unappreciated spouse played by Marion Cotillard.

A Single Man

“A Single Man”, the new Weinstein Company release, stars Colin Firth, Mathew Goode and Julianna Moore in this screenplay co-written by Tom Ford (of fashion fame) and David Scearce. Based on the 1964 novel of the same name by Christopher Isherwood. Mr. Isherwood’s book was, in its time, a ground breaker as it sensitively depicted the trials and tribulations of a gay male professor in the early 60‘s. Directed by Mr. Ford, Colin Firth plays the subject of the story and, in doing so, gives what is probably the finest performance of his career. Able to portray and convey emotions with minimum dialogue, Mr. Firth lets us share all of his.feelings as he, the single man, experiences the occurrences that befall him and those in his immediate surroundings. This is one of those films where its entire structure is tied to the novel upon which it is based. As difficult as the chore would appear to be, Mr. Ford ably stays true to the story and allows the viewer to navigate through the myriad of emotions and frustrations facing its hero. I hesitate to imagine the film without Mr. Firth’s fine portrayal for he, in fact, is the film. I give this movie 3 stars in full recognition of Mr. Firth’s performance. He captures the character he portrays with such depth that it is difficult if not impossible to imagine anyone else in the role. It will indeed be a chore to try and select Best Actor from the trio of Mr. Firth and Messrs. Bridges and Clooney. Hooray for Hollywood for giving us such fine leading men to vote for and acknowledge

The Young Victoria

“The Young Victoria” is a film which came to be as the direct result of the untiring efforts and support of and from Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. It is the story of a young monarch and the love of her life, Prince Albert. Emily Blunt stars in this bio-pic that appears bigger than the budget which constrained it with scenes in and outside of the castles and palaces that were part of the reign of the longest sitting monarch in British history. Lavish costumes and an able supporting cast with Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson and Jim Broadbent help the Julian Fellows screenplay and directorial talents of Jean-Marc Vallee. However, make no mistake about it, the film belongs to Ms. Blunt who dominates it and each scene she is in with a royal quality befitting the character she is portraying. Produced by Graham King and Martin Scorcese, these film giants can be proud of their product to which I readily award 3 stars. In less capable hands, the film could have been too wordy and too dry. Kudos to Mr. Fellows and Monsieur Vallee for giving us what is basically a beautiful love story told under the umbrella of the royal family in mid-19th Century England.

Up In The Air

“Up In The Air” stars George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick and Jason Bateman in this film which was co-written and directed by Jason Reitman (“Juno”, “Thank You For Smoking”). Based on the novel by Walter Kirn, this is, beyond a doubt, one of Mr. Clooney’s finest performances as his character questions the values and benefits of being single and free of commitment versus having the company of a mate or as the film puts it, “having a co-pilot with you” throughout the journey of life. In the recent past, Mr. Clooney’s batting average has been quite low as very few of his films have been worth mentioning let alone seeing. This film defies the percentages and gives Mr. Clooney an opportunity to shine. He really is good and, when coupled with his performance, fine co-actors and a good director, the film earns and gets 3 and ½ stars..

The Last Station

“The Last Station” is a movie co-written by Michael Hoffman and Jay Panini and directed by Mr. Hoffman. It stars Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer, Paul Giamatti and James McAvoy. This is an historical drama covering the last years in the life of Russian writer Leo Tolstoy and his struggle to balance his accumulated wealth with a self-proclaimed lifestyle free of material things. The film is filled with tremendous performances by Ms. Mirren and Mr. Plummer who totally enmesh themselves in their respective roles as Sofia and Leo Tolstoy. So, on paper and even having experienced this fine acting, it is a film that I really should have liked but, unfortunately, could not. I found it boring. The old sleep barometer crept up on me as I struggled to stay awake through the first half and follow the “action” (or non-action, as the case may be). As interesting as the life of Mr. and Mrs. Tolstoy may have been, the film falls short when evaluated as a pure entertainment vehicle. I give it 2 stars.

The Bad Lieutenant-Port of New Orleans

“The Bad Lieutenant-Port of New Orleans” is a remake of the Harvey Keitel classic and stars Nicholas Cage, Eve Mendes and Val Kilmer in this 2 hour and 10 minute film written by William Finkelstein and directed by Werner Herzog. Unlike the original’s NYC location, this film takes place in post-Katrina New Orleans and depicts the saga of a rogue police officer embroiled in all of the problems a law enforcement officer can possibly imagine. Mr. Cage, as a drug addicted cop, gives a superb performance and either goes close to or crosses the line between great acting and overacting, with the distinction quite difficult to delineate in many of his scenes. Muddled amidst a complex and complicated series of events, the picture loses much of its credibility as its conclusion conveniently accommodates all of the problems which arose in the preceding 2 hours of viewing. One gets the feeling that in the screening of the film prior to distribution, the comments of the viewers prompted script changes to make things “work out”. I give the film 2 and ½ stars with a notation that without Mr. Cage’s performance, it would have received much less.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

“Fantastic Mr. Fox” is an animated feature approximately 90 mintes in length and stars the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, William Dafoe and Owen Wilson. A cast of voices like this deserves a much better screenplay than the one written by Noah Baumbach and Wes Anderson with Mr. Anderson also directing the film. The technology utilized in this animated story of Mr. Fox (Mr. Clooney) and Mrs. Fox (Ms. Streep) is the only thing “fantastic” about this film and, unfortunately, once you acknowledge that, you are forced to endure a mundane and insignificant tale (no pun intended) about the foxes and the problems they encounter. I expected more but got much less. This film gets 2 stars, 1 and ½ of which is for the excellent animation

Everybody's Fine

“Everybody’s Fine” stars Robert DeNiro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell in this remake of the Italian film which originally starred Marcello Mastroianni.
This is an interesting film to write about because it represents an artistic tug of war between a trite and predictable story versus the superb acting of Mr. DeNiro. This film is a wonderful tribute to his acting talents as he dominates the screen in this mediocre screenplay written and directed by Kirk Jones. I give this film 2 and ½ stars with a deep appreciation of Mr. DeNiro’s efforts throughout its 100 minute duration..

Blind Side

"Blind Side” is the true story of Michael Oher, a black homeless teen who became the ward of a white Southern family and who, with their help, ultimately became a college graduate and a professional football player. The film stars Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw and Kathy Bates in this sugar coated rags to riches tale about a caring Christian woman who lives her religion in everyday life and the family that supports her in that effort. The film is a typical formula screenplay written and directed by John Lee Hancock who takes us through 126 minutes of watching this “My Fair Laddie” saga as a backward and shy young man becomes a football hero both in school and in the NFL. Diabetics beware because this film is so overloaded with sweetness and caring that even the most sensitive of us will recognize that it is overdone. Ms. Bullock, surprisingly enough, is quite good in the role of adopting mother and Tim Mcgraw, without his goatee, Stetson hat and wife, Faith Hill, holds his own as Ms. Bullock’s reluctant but tolerant husband.I give the film 2 stars with a note that although this non-confrontational picture may be easy to watch , it does not necessarily represent either good drama or good filmmaking.

Crazy Heart

“Crazy Heart” stars Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall and Colin Farrell (whose name for some unknown reason does not appear on the credits). Mr. Bridges brings to the screen probably his finest performance to date as he portrays a down and out country western singer and the life he is forced to lead as his career steadily winds down. Both Jeff Bridges and Colin Farrell sing in the film using their own voices and the result is exemplary. The film, written, produced and directed by Scott Cooper (based on a novel by Thomas Cobb) is well edited and shows the many talents of Mr. Scott in all of the titles he has assumed. Scheduled to open December 16 (so as to be eligible for Oscar consideration), it will be no surprise to see Jeff Bridges prominently mentioned in the best male actor catergory for 2009. It is his film from opening scene to closing fade as he does both the screenplay and his career a great service. I give this film 3 stars with the hope that all will go to see it and not be dissuaded by the country western genre. Good performances and good films should have no label.

Me and Orson Welles

“Me and Orson Welles” is a film directed by Richard Linklater and stars Zac Efron, Claire Danes and Christian McKay (who portrays the young Mr. Welles). Taking place in 1937 and after Orson Welles has left the Federal project (created in the beginning of the depression) in order to make it on his own via his Mercury Theater, the film shows the power, the ego and the talent of this remarkable 20th Century icon. Mr. McKay not only bears a strong physical resemblance to Mr. Welles but has, indeed, captured the essence of this dynamic entertainment figure. This film is basically a stage production within a movie and portrays Zac Efron as an18 year old who is hired by and becomes a student of Mr. Welles. Those familiar with the famous Mercury Theater players will identify with Joseph Cotton (James Tupper), John Houseman (Eddie Marsan) and George Coulouris (Ben Chaplin). These fine actors give life and meaning to this significant representaiton of the media in the mid 1930’s and literally take us back 72 years to this creative time in our theatrical history. I give this film 3 stars with kudos to Mr. Linklater who has made the oft used vehicle of a “play within a play” a pleasant and meaningful experience.

Letter to Editor of LA Times published on 11/1/09

Your well written article re cancellations of hotel reservations was right on point. As an attorney I've certainly made it a prerequisite to view the relevant cancellation provisions on websites and in written documents.

One point, however, should be noted. As rigid and clear as some of the provisions may be, there is still, thankfully, a human factor that should not be ignored.

My wife and I recently had planned a trip to NYC and bought "non refundable" tickets via Telecharge to some Broadway shows. We also had used United miles to book our flight with a "penalty" applicable if we cancelled the trip and had to put the miles back into our accounts.

I had to undergo emergency surgery about 2 weeks prior to the commencement of the trip and could not travel as planned. Cancelling the hotel was simple because of Marriott's rather flexible policy. I contacted Telecharge and explained what happened and why I could not travel to NY.d. The Customer Service representative with whom I spoke, after checking with her supervisor, told me that if I sent back all of the tickets by overnight delivery, Telecharge would refund the cost of the tickets to my credit card account. Also, a United representative said that, with a doctor's note explaining what occurred, United would waive the $300.00 in administrative costs for putting the miles back into the accounts. I did what was requested and both entities refunded or waived the respective costs and charges.

It's nice to know that understanding people can override harsh rules when appropriate circumstances warrant it.

The Invention of Lying

“The Invention of Lying” is a film written by Ricky Gervais and Mathew Robinson who, together, also directed the film. Starring Mr. Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Jeffrey Tambor, Tina Fey and Rob Lowe, this is a movie based on one gag and tries to carry it through the entire film. It does not succeed in that endeavor. The characters in the film have little or no depth and, but for the extraordinary talents of Mr. Gervais and Ms. Garner, the film falls flat in its effort to be a surrealistic piece where everyone tells the truth. As someone aptly put it, the film “just misses the mark” and what could have been a hilarious excursion into the problems of being too candid and honest, ends up being just a sad attempt that failed. I give the film 2 and ½ stars because, like the characters in the film I “cannot tell a lie”.

The Road

“The Road” stars Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Robert Duvall, Guys Pierce and Molly Parker. Based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy, the screenplay was written by Joe Penhall and directed by John Hillcoat. This is not a good movie. It is long, tedious, monochromatic in its desolate and foreboding scenes of a world destroyed while a father and son attempt to survive in it. This film represents 2 full hours of one of the most uncomfortable theatrical experiences I have had in a long long time. Watching a neighbors 8mm film of his or her travels through the barren desert is a close second to this cinematic waste of time. Although technically not a mystery, it really is because the question constantly being posed is how could such good actors ever agree to play in such a dull and dry film. Also, how in Heaven’s name could this film ever have gotten financing, production and distribution. I guess the name value of Ms. Theron, Ms. Parker, Mr. Duvall and Mr. Pierce helped even though all had little more than cameo roles. .I give this film 1 star with the fear that most who will see it will probably feel I was much too generous in my rating..

That Evening Sun

“That Evening Sun” is a film based on a short story by William Gay. It stars Hal Holbrook, Raymond McKinnon, Carrie Preston and Mia Wasikowska (the young suicidal patient in HBO’s “In Treatment”). The film was written and directed by Scott Teems who just can’t seem to edit or cut any scene for fear that his words and directed actions will be lost. Proving once again the old adage that less is more, and unlike the talents of writer-directors such as Woody Allen, Mr. Teems makes his directorial debut memorable only because of the film’s length and lack of style. The movie is much too long and, because of that, loses the possibilities it had when it was first given the green light…a light, incidentally, that because of its length, should have been yellow. I give the film 1 and ½ stars with a hope that in the years remaining , the fine talent of Hal Holbrook will be able to find and act in a better vehicle.

This Is It

“This Is It” is a documentary of the anticipated Michael Jackson concert tour that was to begin days following his untimely death. It was made at the direction and request of Jackson for his personal use in order to document all that went into the preparation of the concert tour. Little did he know that it would be more of a eulogy and testament to his artistic skills and performances and be the only exhibition of his talent post his June 2009 passing. The four cutters who spliced together the footage that make up the documentary, and concert-film director Kenny Ortega, give us insights and views of Michael Jackson, the performer and, sometimes, the off stage person. We also learn about the tremendous logistics and activities that go into the staging of such a mega event. As an entertainment vehicle it is clearly too long (111 minutes) with much of it being repetitious and overdone. That being said, it is still an important piece of film for we see the “wannabees”, the doting director, the subservient musicians and dancers and the delicate and sensitive manner in which Jackson insists on perfection in all of the dance and music numbers. One watches the film knowing the tragic end that follows it and looks for signs of this stellar performer and his undoing. He is 50 years of age and dances and sings with the energy of a teenager as you get the feeling that he still considers himself the teenage lead singer of the Jackson 5. As someone noted, with all that adrenalin flowing throughout each rehearsal, it is no wonder that he needed help sleeping and relaxing. What I found most interesting and informative is the ability to see Jackson, not as the “strange” and “troubled” individual upon whom fame has brought so many problems but, instead, as a dedicated and sincere professional who never loses his humility or caring. He never reprimands or rudely corrects his supporting performers. Instead he politely and tactfully asks them to make the changes he desires. A wise trait for any administrator and certainly a good one for someone seeking the maximum effort from his supporting cast. This is a film I would recommend to anyone seeking to learn more about Michael Jackson and the entire concert genre. As for me, I ended up with a better understanding of him and of why so many in his inner circle cared so much about him. He truly was the “King of Pop” and his throne will remain vacant for some time to come.

Oh My God

“Oh My God” is a 98 minute documentary filmed in almost every continent of the world seeking answers to the questions; "What, Who, Where and Is There a God?”. Written, produced and directed by Peter Rodger, it is an ambitious effort that somehow doesn’t quite make the mark. With beautifully photographed scenes of cultures, peoples and places all over the world, the film looks more like activated pages from a National Geographic magazine and, like magazine paper, is only two dimensional. Although Mr. Rodger’s travels may have taken much longer, the film could easily have edited out 60 of its 98 minutes and still have given us the same result. I fell asleep twice (probably more except for the wake-up elbow of my spouse) and I found squirming and restlessness to be my other companions. I give this documentary 1 and ½ stars for this overlong experience into the mystery of religion and the nature of the Supreme Being. When all is said and done, the film confirms that there are many names, concepts and views of our Maker and, as someone wisely once said, “an atheist is a person without any invisible means of support“.

Amelia

“Amelia” is, of course, the docudrama based on the life of the noted 20th Century aviatrix, Amelia Earhart. With a surname well fitting her life style and desire, she indeed represented the modern woman at a time when housekeeping, getting married and raising a family were supposed to be the aims of all women in our society. This film, well directed by Mira Nair (“The Namesake” Mississippi Masala”, “Vanity Fair”) boasts an impressive cast including Hilary Swank in the title role, Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor. The film, if it were fiction, might be characterized as a little too long and somewhat repetitious as it chronicles the escapades of this daring and adventure seeking lady. However, knowing that it is a recitation of history as it occurred, the film takes on a different meaning and caters to all of us interested in the history of flying and of one of its most interesting participants. I give this film 3 stars for any well delivered history lesson deserves a good grade..

Skin

“Skin” is an independent film by first time film director Anthony Fabian and is based on the true story of a South African white family whose daughter (for some unknown genetic happenstance) is born colored. The film details the girl’s life and those within her family over a 30 year period taking place at the time when the country is changing from an apartheid existence to one where skin color is no longer a determinant as to whether or not individual civil rights apply. It is the story of the Laing family and mainly that of daughter Susan (ably played by Sophie Okonedo (“Hotel Rwanda”), Sam Neill (“Jurassic Park”) and Alice Krige. This is a sensitive and well written feature and shows Ms. Okonedo’s depth as an actress which reminds us once again why she was previously nominated for an Oscar.
I give this film 3 stars for a story well told and for providing the viewer with an interesting and emotional theatrical experience

An Education

“An Education” is a film directed by Lone Scherfig, the Danish film director who, as a woman, is uniquely qualified to do great justice to this “coming of age” drama about Jenny, a 16 year old girl living in the early ‘60’s in a suburb of London. The screenplay is ably written by the British novelist Nick Hornby (with a story loosely based on the life of Lynn Barber). The film stars Alfred Molina, Cara Seymour, Peter Sarsgaard, Emma Thompson (in a cameo role) and, saving the best for last, a 22 year old actress, Carey Mulligan (who plays the 16 year old herione). One cannot say enough about this fine actress who graces and enchants the viewer in almost every scene of the film. This is her movie and she makes the most of it. Raising many questions as to the female role in our society and the propriety or impropriety, if you will, of young girls dating older men, this film let’s us view the circumstances faced by Jenny as she matures and decides (or has fate decide for her) the path she must take and how she is to deal with all that has occurred.. Looking so much like Katie Holmes with a commanding charisma and charm that sometimes makes us forget the tremendous talent within her, Ms. Mulligan is a delight to listen to and see, How often does one get the opportunity to see a really wonderful star in the making. I give this film 3 stars, not only for entertaining the audience for its entire 110 minute duration but, in addition, for “educating” the audience in showing us how far society has traveled these past 50 years while, at the same time, reminding us how far it still has to go.

Trucker

“Trucker” is a film written and directed by James Mottern. It stars Michelle Monaghan (“Gone Baby Gone”, “North Country”), Nathan Fillion (“Waitress”), Jimmy Bennett and Benjamin Bratt. This low budget venture takes place in Riverside, California and attempts to follow, as the title implies, the problems of a female trucker and her domestic entanglements. Well acted and adequately directed, the film, although with a running time of only 90 minutes, seems a lot longer to the viewer. The problem, of course, arises from the fact that the film tells a simple short story but tries to make it more like a screenplay based on a novel. It just doesn’t work and the formula predictability of its plot and ending leave a lot to be desired. Better suited as a “B” picture which, in the old days, would have accompanied the “A” feature (when double features were the mode) I give this film 2 stars with a suggestion that this is one “truck” stop you should drive by and avoid.

A Serious Man

“A Serious Man” is the latest cinema offering by Joel and Ethan Coen who wrote, produced and directed the film. It is the story of life in 1967 in the Midwest and how one man tries to cope with the trials, tribulations and circumstances that can befall (and probably have befallen) many of us. With definite semitic leanings and under the umbrella of that culture, the film represents quality set decorating, editing, acting, writing and directing that is not only crisp, well paced and insightful but humorous as it explores the human condition, especially from the point of view of a Jewish middle class American male.. Said to be somewhat autobiographical, the Coen Brothers bring a light and easy to watch experience as our hero parades through each day.
Although the cast is not made of what we would call “superstars”, each actor appears to have been handpicked and is almost perfect for the role he or she plays. Michael Stuhlbarg, who stars in the film, is ably aided and abetted by Richard Kind, Fred Melamed, Sari Lennick, Adam Arkin, Aaron Wolff and Jessica McManus. This ensemble of talented people helps us to enjoy the one hour and 45 minutes of really good filmmaking. I give this film 3 and ½ stars knowing full well that without the religious and ethnic background which permeates each scene, I might have enjoyed it less. The old saying “You don’t have to be Jewish” may be true here but, like Chicken Soup, I can’t see how it would hurt.

"The Damned United"

“The Damned United” is a film based on the novel by David Peace and the true life story of Brian Clough, one of the best known British football (soccer) managers and, more specifically, his 44 days as head of the championship Leeds United team. Written by Peter Morgan and directed by Tom Hooper, the main character is portrayed by actor Michael Sheen (“Frost/Nixon”, “The Queen”) who shares not only the same initials as Meryl Streep but also the uncanny and wonderful ability to step into a part and, without mimicry, become the character he or she plays. With all that being said about Mr. Sheen, the movie is lacking for one obvious reason… hardly any U.S. viewer will know or have any identification with the real life Mr. Clough as opposed to those in Great Britain who consider him almost a household name. I would analogize this to the making of a film about the life of Babe Ruth and then exhibiting it to an audience in a foreign country who had never heard of the “bambino”. Here I believe Mr. Morgan has failed the non-British viewer for he limits his story to the 44 days of Leeds management with flashbacks only over the prior 5 years under the assumption that the world audience will know the rest of Mr. Clough’s story and his amazing accomplishments, many of which occurred subsequent to the time period covered by the film. As indicated in a post-screening seminar that I attended, Mr. Clo ugh was a once rising soccer star himself who became a manager solely as a result of his experiencing a career ending injury as an aspiring young player. This information never makes its way to the screenplay and, in my opinion, would have given the audience much more insight and understanding into and about this complicated and unique sports figure. All that being said, the saving grace for this film is the superb acting of Mr. Sheen whose effort helps it achieve the 2 and ½ star rating I give it.

The Burning Plain

“The Burning Plain” was written by Guillarmo Arriaga (“Babel”, “21 Grams”) and represents his directorial debut. It stars Charlene Theron, Kim Basinger and an amazing young Mexican actress, Tessa Ia. As with most story lines with flashbacks and current scenes significantly intermingled, the film would have better told its story in a more chronologically satisfying manner. The editing alone cannot be blamed for the confusion. For me, at least, the biggest problem in the film is that the adult characters portrayed in their teens by younger actors bear very little physical resemblance to their older generational counterparts. That, coupled with complicated plot and time lines (sometimes difficult to follow), made the experience more of a challenge than an enjoyable theatrical experience. In addition to all of this, there is very little dimension or depth to most of the main characters with more questions asked about them than are answered. Tessa Ia, the young Mexican actress, is a wonderful performer and is able to communicate feelings and emotions by way of expression and body language better than many seasoned veterans do with paragraphs of dialogue. I give this film 2 and ½ stars with a suggestion that you eat lots of blueberries and other brain nourishing foods so that you will be on top of what is happening during this 2 hour movie exam. What is so interesting about the reactions to this film is that many respected critics literally loved it while others didn’t like it at all.
How one experiences a film can be affected by many things so, as with everything, the individual viewer will be the best judge of all. What is clear, however, is that this is not a universally great piece of cinema art.

The Informant

“The Informant” stars Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Melanie Lynskey and Joel McHale in this docudrama based on the life and escapades of Mark Whitacre, a one time rising star at Archer Daniels Midland who turns informant. Although touted and advertised as a comedy, this is far from a humorous picture and, instead, presents an amazing study into the life and mind of the principal character. Written by Scott Burns and directed by Steven Soderbergh, the film, in an effort to be true to the facts as they occurred, takes a long time in telling the story but, like life, contains surprises and goes in directions the viewer never contemplates. Surrounded by the infectious music of Marvin Hamlisch,
this film represents a stylized effort by Mr. Soderbergh to capture the essence of its “hero” and to communicate the complexities that exist amonst those who do good, those who do evil and those who cannot differentiate the difference. I give the film 2 and ½ stars with special acknowledgment to Mr. Damon who, with an extra 30 pounds, carries the picture.

Paris

“Paris” is director/writer Cedric Klapisch’ ode to the city of Paris as he films the lives of various sets of siblings and lovers in a tangled series of tales involving all of them, directly or indirectly. Starring Juliette Binoche, Romain Duris and a host of other well-known French actors, the film stands out only because of Mademoiselle Binoche. Bringing depth, beauty and meaning to every word she utters and every movement she makes, this is clearly her film. Unfortunately one such star alone cannot carry this 125 minute movie and so the audience follows the lives of the others in the movie without really getting to know any of them well. This is the great defect in the film for it is wide but not deep and superficial instead of searching as the filmgoer wonders a lot about each character but learns very little about any one of them. I give this film 2 and ½ stars.

Baader Meinhof Complex

“Baader Meinhof Complex” is an interesting and deeply engrossing film written by Bernd Eichenger and directed by Uli Edel. Its actors are unknown to American audiences except for Bruno Ganz who played Adolph Hitler in the critically acclaimed “Downfall” (also directed by Mr. Edel). More like a documentary than a fictional drama it is based on the story of three members of the German radical group, the RAF, and the terrorist activities they engaged in during the 1970’s. The German police chief is played by Mr. Ganz and all actors render engaging and excellent performances. Mr. Edel is obviously a stickler for detail and in reciting the story of this group of individuals engaged in their terrorist activities, he makes no editorial judgment as to any of them or their causes but, instead, examines them as individuals and how and why they pursue this idealistic and ill-fated course. It’s hard to call this a “foreign film” even though it contains English titles and the characters speak in German because there is a great deal of English dialogue when the principals go to other countries and use English as the basic language of communication. Action scenes that look more real than created and in depth analyses as to what makes these people think and act the way they do make this film well worth seeing. Extended violence (though not gratuitous but necessary) and an annoying long length (2 hours and 24 minutes) make the last part of the film somewhat tedious to watch. However, with all of that being said, I give the film 3 stars with a recommendation that it be seen and its message attempted to be understood.

Inglourious Basterds

“Inglourious Basterds” is a World War II movie written and directed by Quentin
Tarentino starring Brad Pitt, Christopher Waltz, Til Schweiger, Diane Kruger, Michael Fassbender and cameo appearances by many others. This is Tarentiono at his best with a flair for violenc eand love of film and a talent for great writing. He succeeds admirably in his ability to write and direct scenes (or Chapters as the movie indicates) of memorable quality. Although a “war movie” with plenty of action for those seeking that kind of entertainment, it is more a movie of actors almost in a play where dialogue and performances supercede all else. Whether it be the gripping, tight and drama filled opening scene or various other interplays between the characters in smaller quarters, Mr. Tarentino creates tension, drama and emotion in a highly skilled fashion. Brad Pitt (as “Aldo Raine”……any resemblance to Aldo Ray is purely intentional) does a good job as do the others in the film but the award for best actor in this film clearly goes to Christopher Waltz in his portrayal of Hans Landa, SS officer and self-acclaimed “Jew Hunter”. Mr. Waltz literally steals the movie as the circle of coincidences and interacting characters weave their way through 153 minutes of good filmmaking. Reminding us that a talented character actor can steal a scene better than even a small child (take heed WC), Mr. Waltz’ performance will surely earn him a nomination for best supporting actor as, indeed, his support brings this film to the 3 star level it so justly deserves.