Captain America-The First Avenger

“Captain America – The First Avenger” stars Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Tommy Lee Jones and Stanley Tucci. Directed by Joe Johnston and written by Christopher Markus and Stephn McFeely, this is the story of how Captain America came to be. Created in the early ‘40’s for Timely Comics, predecessor to Marvel Comics, our hero is transformed from a puny Brooklyn boy named Steve Rogers to Captain America whose ostensible aim is to fight the Germans in World War II. The film had a special appeal to me because (a) I was brought up in that era and read Captain America regularly and (b) its locale and area of activity was New York City. Nostalgic memories of a time when all of us had a common foe and joined forces to beat it, this film captures the feeling and genre of the time. It is a believable and charming story of heroes and villains without the trite and absurdity found in other comic book films. Although the first half of the film is clearly the more interesting and character absorbing, the film gets and deserves a 3 star rating. It is a fun film that doesn’t take itself too seriously and for that reason should please most of the viewing audience regardless of its age..

Sarah's Key

“Sarah’s Key” stars Kristin Scott-Thomas, Aidan Quinn and a host of French actors who give superb performances in this tragic tale of a Jewish family removed from their Paris apartment by the then French government in July 1942 and then shipped, like most European Jews, to the concentration camps in mid-Europe. Most striking of all is the performance of Melusine Mayance who portrays the young Sarah caught in the nightmare of what took place in that fateful July. Directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner and co-written by the director, Serge Joncour and Taliana de Rosnay, the film plays more like a documentary as you watch the story (or stories) unfold. It has been said that true human tragedy involving large numbers of innocent victims is best told and understood when one character alone is the subject and this bears truth in this film. Sarah’s story touches many lives but is made more vivid and real because of our identification with the central character of the film. I give this film 3 and ½ stars since it not only represents acting and story telling at its finest but, more importantly, it informs the audience of little known but nevertheless horrifying series of events that took place in France where the villains, although expectedly the German occupiers, were, in fact, the French. Viewing this important film is a truly informative and, for want of a better word, entertaining experience. The viewer also wonders the relationship between the director and co-writer Mr. Brenner, with real life occurrences since the end credit of the filmt indicates that it is dedicated to the memory of 4 persons, all having the same last name as the director.

Friends With Benefits

“Friends With Benefits” stars Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis with wonderful supporting performances by Patricia Clarkson, Richard Jenkins (“The Visitor”) and Woody Harrelson. The chemistry and on screen compatibility between Mr. Timberlake and Ms. Kunis make this romantic comedy well worth seeing as the two meander and flit between New York and Los Angeles with both cities receiving proper photographic due as the backgrounds for this very warm and engaging film. Rated R, not for any visual scenes, but because of the dialogue between the two leading characters in the most intimate of moments (which some might find uncomortable to listen to). That being said, the aforementioned language fits quite appropriately into the scenario and reality of these two “friends/lovers” as they struggle to find the balance between the partner you want to be with late Saturday night and the person who you want to spend the entire day with on the following Sunday. Written by David Newman, Keith Merryman and Will Gluck (who also directed the film), I give the picture 3 stars because I really enjoyed watching it and seeing these two fine actors dominate the screen and captivate its audience. As one viewer remarked, we were watching two future superstars in the making. He may well be right.

The Trip

“The Trip” was originally conceived as a British sitcom with real life comedians Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan playing somewhat fictionalized versions of themselves. In this feature length film, the two find themselves on a trip through Northern England as food critics for a British newspaper. The lines are mostly improvised and, except for a few funny moments, the film trudges along at the pace of a dead horse despite the fact that the two are riding in a new Range Rover. There is no question but these are 2 talented actors/comedians but the one or two humorous moments are offset by what basically is a dull, tedious, tiring experience for the viewer. My watch count rating (i.e. the number of times I looked at my watch) was 8 although it might have been more because my continuing whispered utterances hoping that the film would end soon could have affected the count. Believe me, I usually stay to the bitter end, no matter the film, but had my wife tipped the scale just a wee bit in wanting to leave, we would have left much earlier than the picture’s normal ending.
I am surprised at the positive response some very reputable critics have had to the film since, to me, it was a waste of money and time. I give the film 1 and ½ stars because through its beautifully photographed scenes, the audience is able to see the wonderful British countryside and a part of the UK we seldom are shown. However, a trip to the local bookstore for a travel volume with pictures is the only “Trip” I would take regarding this movie

Horrible Bosses

“Horrible Bosses” stars Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis in this 100 minute film directed by Seth Gordon and written by John F. Daley, Jonathan Goldstein and Michael Markowitz. We went to this film fully expecting to see light fluff with an easy to absorb plot and light acting. We were not let down although I must say tha thte film was entertaining and had its share of really good laughs. Playing the three repulsive bosses are Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston and Colin Farrell and, indeed, they are disliked by all. Through a series of mishaps, coincidences and down right good luck, the film’s characters come together in this comedy that allows the dry wit and perfect timing of Jason Bateman to shine through and give the film a lightness and a “I’m having fun watching it “ feeling. I give this film 2 and ½ stars and suggest that if you are looking for
an uncomplicated simple picture to see, will laughs and fun galore….this is it.

Bridesmaids

:”Bridesmaids” stars Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Rose Byrne, was co-written by Ms. Wiig and Annie Mumulo and directed by Paul Feig. This is not a great movie and some might argue not even a good movie but no one can deny that it is truly a funny movie. Ms. Wiig’s portrayal of the maid of honor is hilarious, well done and believable. She is an outstanding actress who gives a wonderful performance albeit in a comedic role. Well written and directed the film proved to be, for want of a better word, “enjoyable” to watch and I’m glad I saw it. I give the film 2 and ½ stars and now understand why so many who saw it were recommending it.

Terri

“Terri” is the movie I chose to see after cancelling my tickets for “Larry Crowne”. I had read such bad things about the new Tom Hanks/Julia Roberts film that I thought “Terri” would be a much better choice. Oh, my, was I wrong. “Terri” stars John C. Reilly and Jacob Wysocki, was written by Patrick DeWitt and directed by Azard Jacobs. This is a slow moving , tedious to watch, dull and uninspiring picture that seems to be the “in” film among the more supposedly knowledgeable critics. Just as “The Road” a few years ago earned such negative comments, the lobby at the local theater was filled with very dissatisfied viewers who, like me, couldn’t understand how a film like this could ever have been made. Yes, the pseudo-intellectuals will find something here but, like a Rorschach ink test, the blots are only blots until the imaginative viewer reads something into them. The director and one of the stars of the film were present in the theater to talk to the audience and engage in a “ Q & A” when the film ended. The question I would have asked, had I stayed is “Why did you make this film” and, also, “What did I do to deserve a waste of 105 precious Friday night minutes’. There is no depth or dimension to any of the characters so the viewer has no interest in what befalls them and since nothing really does, the issue is moot. I suggest that you save your money and use it on internet sales taxes. I guess I should have been forewarned for any writer that can’t spell “Terri” correctly can’t do much else including, specifically, writing a decent screenplay. Tom and Julia, I apologize.