Closed Circuit

“Closed Circuit” stars Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall and Jim Broadbent in this British courtroom drama involving terrorism, Britain’s MI 5, and a horrendous crime that is the subject of the film. Well written by Steven Knight (“Eastern Promises”, “Dirty Pretty Things”) and ably directed by John Crowley, this film will keep the viewer on the edge of the theater seat from the very first frame as the story unwinds into the intricacies of espionage, terrorism and the legal system under which all of the parties are operating.  One of the more positive things about this film is that, although the plot is complicated and extremely involved, excellent writing and editing help make the most difficult of legal concepts and problems easy to understand and follow. This is no small task to accomplish given the intricacies and rules of law being applied. I give this film 3 stars for above average acting, writing, editing and directing, all of which make for a very exciting theatrical experience.

When Comedy Went to School

"When Comedy Went to School" is a 77 minute documentary about the history of the Catskill Mouontain area in upper New York State. For the most part, however, it is the story  of the famous comedians who honed their craft in these predominantly Jewish resorts.  These actor/comedians would accept these one night gigs in order to entertain the guests who made the long car trips from NYC to enjoy a one or two week vacation in "the mountains". From Memorial Day to Labor Day, these hotels represented the places where the residents of the 5 boroughs  would go each summer to escape the heat and humidity of the big city.
The film is ably narrated by Robert Kline and, in addition to film clips of the comics who performed there, there are interviews with the owners of these establishments as well. I submit that my positive reaction to the film is probably colored and influenced by the fact that I worked as a waiter in one of these hotels each summer for 3 years and, as a result, was able to earn enough to almost pay for all of my post graduate education. Accordingly, the nostalgia and pleasure I experienced may be more unique for me than for the average viewer who does not have this history.
Nevertheless, and regardless of one's culture or religious background, the film is also the story of stand up comedy and this alone is enough to make for a delightful theatrical experience.
What better recommendation can a reviewer give to his readers than to suggest going to see a film because they will have fun watching it. I give this film  2 and 1/2 stars (it's technically not the best executed documentary) but, in spite of that criticism, I urge all who feel the need to laught to go and see it. As Jenny Grossinger, one of the more prominent hotel owners, would say...."try it...you'll like it

Lee Daniels' The Butler

“Lee Daniels’ The Butler” is the supposedly true story of Cecil Gaines, a White House butler who served under Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, Nixon, Ford and Reagan. With a screenplay by Danny Strong based on an article by Wil Haygood, the film stars Forest Whitaker in the title role with Oprah Winfrey and a number of leading actors who, with obvious and sometimes annoying  make-up nose jobs, playing the respective Presidents . The film, directed by Lee Daniels, is 2 hours and 15 minutes long and I guess has to be in order to cover so much history.. Sometimes, though, in an attempt to do the subject justice, the length of the film becomes a problem. Many scenes are drawn out and beg for better editing.. Mr. Whitaker plays the role with finesse and skill and he is totally believable (Academy take note) and others with whom he works do proper portrayals as well. The problem with the film is that, in many instances,  there really is no proper seque from one “chapter” or administraton to the next. Titles are used to tell us what era we are in because the script fails to do adequately.    Nevertheless, the film  attempts to depict life as a black person living (and dying) in the major portion of the 20^th Century and, to that end, it succeeds admirably. The indignities and abuses hurled upon our fellow countrymen because of their color is shameful and hits home as the butler works by day in a white White House and goes home at night to his black environment and black reality.. The movie, for these reasons, digs deep and is worthy of our viewing time. I give the film 3 stars because few films I have seen have left me with such a feeling of understanding and compassion for a race of people that deserved so much more and have, unfortunately, received so much less. In addition, it affords the viewer a sort of "fly on the wall" look at the inside the White House and of those who occupy it.

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.