Please Give

“Please Give” stars Catherine Keener, Oliver Platt, Rebecca Hall and Amanda Peet, Written and directed by Nicole Holofcener, the film deals with a family in New York City and the various guilts the members experience from the everyday world around them. An interesting concept and idea gone somewhat astray by its two dimensional portrayal of these supposedly complicated characters who we never really get to know or understand. There is a lot of mental activity going on but the audience never seems to be let in on what is really happening and why. I give the film 2 and ½ stars. It is a nice film to watch but not worthy of the very high ratings some of the more reputable and respected critics have given it. I’m sure there are those who will see in this movie much more than I did and I congratulate them on their good luck.

The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo

“The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo” is a Swedish-Denmark venture starring names that are as difficult to pronounce as they are to spell and written and directed by filmmakers and writers US audiences probably never heard of as well. That being said, this foreign film (language is Swedish with English titles) represents a truly positive movie going experience as it takes us through and into plot twists and turns to ultimate positive cinematic resolution. The acting, editing and directing are at such a high level that the 2 hours and 40 minutes it takes to tell this complicated and interesting tale really almost flies by as the members of the audience stay glued to each of their seats. Time flies when you’re having a good time…..also when you are in a suspense-filled thriller that unequivocally holds your interest the entire time.. I give this film 3 ½ stars and recommend it to all, even those who don’t like foreign films with English titles for this “obstacle” will quickly become unnoticeable as the reel unwinds.

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Shutter Island

"Shutter Island" stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Max Von Sydow, Ben Kingsley and Michelle Williams. Directed by Martin Scorcese, the film is complicated and much too wordy and, indeed, the value to the film occurs well after you leave the theater and piece together the parts of the film that, at the initial viewing, looked so unrelated and discombobulated
A better written and/or directed script might have avoided the discomfort I felt through so much of the movie because, primarily, there was just too much verbage. I must also confess that any mature character Leonardo DiCaprio plays almost always creates a credibility problem for me. Watching him don and wear his fedora consistently reminds me of a little boy trying on his father's hat. As good an actor as he is, and he really is, Leonardo's character never seems to have legitimacy and watching an actor who you know is acting is a difficult obstacle to overcome in any film ……..and especially this one.
Editing and directing could have been improved too. The screenplay was written by Laeta Kalogridis based on a novel by Dennis Lehane. Obviously, director Scorcese and writer Kogridis encountered many difficulties in bringing one form of media to another for the film is a maze of complexities that appear to become clarified only in its last 30 seconds. I rate this film 2 and 1/2 stars knowing that a tighter script and more skillful directing might have earned it a higher grade. Unfortunately, the film, in its present form, did not pass the "no yawning" test.

City Island

“City Island” was written and directed by Raymond DeFelitta and stars Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, Steven Strait, Emily Mortimer and Alan Arkin. Well written, edited and directed, the film takes place on City Island, a location hardly known to most New Yorkers but yet existing almost in the heart of its number one city, and proceeds to tell the story of this middle class family and the problems (unique and not so unique) that its members encounter and attempt to resolve. This is an uncomplicated and pleasant film to view with splendid performances by Mr. Garcia, Ms. Margulies and Ms. Mortimer. Filled with pathos and humor, the film holds our interest and helps us experience the issues and frustrations of the characters in the film and their ultimate resolution. I give the film 3 stars with a strong recommendation that it be seen. The 100 minutes will pass rather quickly for as the adage says: “Time flies when your having a good time”.

Multiple Sarcasms

“Multiple Sarcasms” stars Timothy Hutton, Mira Sorvino, Stockard Channing, Dana Delany, Chris Sarandon and Mario Van Peebles. Co-written by Brooks Branch and Linda Morris and directed by Mr. Branch, it is a long, tedious effort to explore in a much too wordy manner the life of its hero played by a disheveled and unsympathetic Mr. Hutton.
The “falling asleep test” proved how uncomfortable a movie it was to sit through and watch. Ms. Sorvino and Ms.Delany perform admirably with the little the script offers them and one wonders how such a fine cast could be assembled to play in this mediocre project. I give this film 1½ stars with a recommendation that you wait until it appears on cable so you can change the channel.

The Art of the Steal

“The Art of the Steal”is a documentary film directed by Don Argott and tells the story of Dr. Albert C. Barnes, a physician and, more notably, one of the foremost art collectors of the 20th Century. Dr. Barnes, over the years amassed one of the world’s finest collections of French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. The paintings were located in Dr. Barnes’ home in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania (5 miles from downtown Philadelphia) since he intended that they be displayed and viewed only for educational purposes insisting that they would never fall prey to the commercial art scene in Philadelphia. To protect this goal and safeguard the paintings which have been conservatively valued in excess of $25 billion dollars, Dr. Barnes created a foundation and trust to insure that his wishes would be honored. Upon his death (as a result of a car accident) key moneyed and political interests sought to challenge and disrupt the plans made by this unique collector They promptly commenced efforts to move the collection to the Philadelphia art museum so that “the general public would have access to it“. This film is the story of that battle, both legal and moral, and how the wishes and desires of one testator/trustor can be stifled and destroyed when powerful interests take positions opposite from the original benefactor.. Philanthropists and lawyers will appreciate the machinations that can occur when a decedent passes away with no relative or next of kin to attempt to safeguard his or her interests. Everyone generally interested in the world of art and public charity will find fascinating the methods and tactic employed by those seeking to cater to their own aims and needs even though they may be totally opposite from those of the original owner. I give this documentary 3 stars for its entertainment value, for its insight into the world of charity and art and for the lessons which can be learned for those seeking to protect their post death intentions

The Yellow Handkerchief

“The Yellow Handkerchief” is a movie starring William Hurt, Maria Bello, Kristen Stewart and Eddie Redmayne. Written by Erin Digman and directed by Udayan Prasad, this is a movie of 102 minutes duration that, unfortunately, seems like it is much longer.
Although beautifully acted and photographed, the film moves along at too slow a pace.
It is unique to fall asleep in a movie that deserved my undivided attention but unfortunately, I did. Perhaps better direction and a script with less unanswered questions might have prevented it. More like a short story than the material for a full length feature, I still must say that the entire experience was positive in spite of the abovementioned shortcomings. I give the film 2 and ½ stars because, when all is said and done, it is a good picture. Nevertheless having a strong cup of coffee as you enter the theater is definitely recommended.