2Guns

'2Guns" stars Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg and was directed by Baltasar Kormakur (“Contraband”)with a cast including Bill Paxton and Edward James Olmos in this too slick action/ comedy. There is an artificial chemistry that the writers seek to create between Wahlberg and Washington to which the audience is constantly conscious of so that each line they deliver has the implied thought "boy will the viewers love this"

The plot to this film and the role of the lead characters are confusing and full of turns and twists that will  make your head reel more than the constant overturning of the vehicles in the wild car chases and crashes.

There is nothing subtle about this film and it is obvious that the producers are attempting to create a franchise a la "Lethal Weapon".

The film is a good visual experience with a sound track that matches the fast action scenes and represents  a strong  attempt to attract the teen age and early 20's audience. Although the film will probably  do well for that group, for the viewer looking for more, the film will be a disappointment. I give this film 2 stars. Simply put, the 2 guns weren’t loaded.

Lovelace

“Lovelace”, as the name indicates, is the story of Linda Lovelace (nee Linda Boreman), her modest beginnings, troubled childhood and, finally, the fame and misfortune that came from her role as the woman with the unique anatomical configuration that caused her and  the movie she was in to be called “Deep Throat”. This film was the first cross over porn film and frontrunner of feature length pornographic films that one could see with ease in the local “Pussy Cat” or XXX movie theaters in the 70’s. But more than that, this is the story of an abused, easily manipulated and empathy evoking young woman and the struggles she endured having spent just 17 days in the porno film industry, receiving a gross (an apt word) salary of $1,250 while the producers and distributors of the film grossed over 600 Million Dollars from a $50,000 investment. Starring in the title role is Amanda Seyfried who gives an amazing performance as the tacky heroin of this true life story. To judge the script and plot is unfair because they are not creations of a writer’s imagination but rather the details and outline of the real life this woman experienced. Admirable performances by Sharon Stone (as Linda’s mother), Chris Noth, Peter Sarsgaard, Hank Azara, James Franco, Adam Brody, Eric Roberts and Chloe Sevigny give this film supporting cast star power though hampered by the facts as they actually took place. Much like remodeling an existing home as opposed to building a totally new one,, telling someone’s true story as accurately as possible must, by definition, limit and restrict the creative process. For an incite into and intimate look at the life of this woman whose name became synonymous with oral sex on film, the movie is worth seeing and, as a result, I give it 2 and ½ stars.

Blue Jasmine

“Blue Jasmine” is the latest submission by writer-director Woody Allen. It stars Alec Baldwin,, Cate Blanchett, Peter Sarsgaard, Sally Hawkins and Bobby Cannavale in this story of a character strangely resembling  Bernie Madoff (Alec B) and his wife (Cate B) as they seek to function after the fall. Intermixed with this basic plot is the plight of Ginger, the sister of the Mrs. Madoff-like character and her boyfriend (Bobby V) who so much resemble Stella and Stanley Kowalski in “Streetcar Named Desire” than probably even Mr. Allen would care to acknowledge. The characters are flawed and yet we never go further than skin deep in this commentary by the author and the need for tranquilizers and relaxers as our heroine faces life after luxury. The first really non-comedy from Mr. Allen since Interiors in the 80;s, I was disappointed in the product. Although certainly easy to view, the film lacks depth and tells us really nothing about what we are watching. I wonder if the many critics who are falling all over their pens to praise and acknowledge this work would be doing so if the author and director had a different name. I remember years ago that going to an Ingmar Bergman movie automatically meant you either loved it or didn’t understand it  It was heresy to criticize it or not give it a rave review. So, at the risk of heresy and incurring the wrath of the Allen fan club members, I give this film 2 and ½ stars because I truly expected so much more but never got it.

The Attack

“The Attack” is the story of a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv that impacts on the life of the Palestinian-born but totally assimilated Israeli educated and trained surgeon when he learns that a person extremely close to him is the perpetrator of the terrorist act. This film,  partly in Arabic and partly in Hebrew (with subtitles) captures the emotions of both Arabs and Jews regarding such acts and each of their perspectives as to the horror and, in a warped way, their justification of them. Palestinian actor Ali Suliman plays the doctor and Israeli actress Reymond Amsalem  his wife in this sometimes slow but nevertheless steady and interesting drama as our lead character seeks to find out why and how this crime was planned and performed. Directed by Ziad Doueiri who co-wrote the screenplay with Jollie Touma and Yasmina Khadia, these Arab creators attempt to examine and explain both sides of  those engaged in this almost never ending conflict. Their efforts are indeed frustrated since the Arab reaction to the film is that it is not harsh enough towards the Israelis and the Israeli response is that it goes too far in seeing to humanize the plight of the Palestinians. Indeed, the Arab backers of the film withdrew their names in protest and regretted their not having read the script first. As a result the film has been boycotted by most Arab nations and criticized by many Israelis. They say a fair settlement of a dispute is when each side leaves the table unhappy. Here, too, the problems facing the respective factions are complex and so, with no easy way to paint an objective picture of the participants and their respective causes, neither one is satisfied at the result. This film educates and helps us, in some small way, to understand the complexities of the issues and their moral and ethical aspects. I give the film 3 stars and recommend that, for its insight alone (in addition to fine performances) the film is definitely a must see.

Unfinished Song

“Unfinished Song”  stars Vanessa Redgrave, Terrance Stamp and  a young actress named Gemma Arterton in this simple story of two older people in love and how they cope with the inevitable fate that awaits each of them. This is very similar to the film “Quartet” except that it highlights the story of one couple as they try to accommodate the obstacles in life’s path and how music and friendship can mean so much to help overcome or at least deal with the problems they face. This is “I need a hankie” movie but, despite its somber moments, the film helps to elevate the human spirit in all of us and teaches us that support from those within and outside our inner circles can mean so much. Enough cannot be said about the wonderful performances of Mr. Stamp, Ms. Redgrave and, most of all, the charming Gemma Arterton who steals each scene as she lends her support to her chorus of singers and  their extended families.  I give the film 3 stars and predict that, although the word “unfinished” may be in its title, this movie will make most viewers feel very complete.