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.

Green Lantern

“Green Lantern” stars Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Mark Strong, Peter Sarsgaard and Tim Robbins. This is a science fiction film made by Warner Bros and is based on the ‘40’s comic book hero in “DC” comics. The film is Warner Bros. hope for a film franchise a la “Pirates” or “Harry Potter” but, alas, their hopes will not be realized. This is a movie trying to decide whether it will be camp or real but it can’t be both and, to that end, it fails dismally. You know a picture is weak, despite its team of 4 writers when the biggest line Reynolds delivers is “I’ve got to go now and look for trouble”. Wow. Reynolds himself, a pretty face in a he-man’s role just doesn’t quite fit the bill. As a participant bringing about the original “Batman” TV series, I can tell you that what made that show work is that it never took itself too seriously and everyone enjoyed spoofing the original entity. Here, most of the movie tries to explain the complicated powers of the possessor of the Green Lantern and his ring and it just doesn’t work. I saw the film In a two dimensional showing and the special effects were indeed impressive. I would imagine that the 3D version is much more entertaining. But special effects do not a good film make and this is certainly true of this picture. I’m afraid that the only “green” the filmmakers will see from this film is the word in the title. Bad choice for a film based on a comic book hero who, even in that genre, was nothing to hold a candle too, let alone a lantern. I give the film one and ½ stars for in summary, it is just plain silly and a waste of the audience’s time and lots of studio money.

Midnight in Paris

“Midnight in Paris” stars Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Michael Sheen, Marie Cotillard and Carla Bruni (President Sarkozy’s wife) and Adrien Brody. Written and directed by Woody Allen, it is a welcome home for this talented writer/director as he takes on a tour of Paris, the real star of the film. Mr. Wilson, a most unlikely paper choice for the lead role, is surprisingly good as he emulates and reminds us of the early Mr. Allen who probably would have played the role himself were he years younger.
There is humor, pathos and, most of all romance, as this nostalgic film causes us see the ups and downs in the lives of so many of the parties portrayed in the film Much like the film “Moulin Rouge”, one must watch this film with an open and unprejudiced mind and accept what is seen in the greater context of life, not time. Most of all, this is a film made by someone with a love affair for the past and for Paris….gay, nostalgic, romantic, creative and ever-interesting. Make no mistake, Paris is the real star of this film as it is beautifully photographed and displayed in each frame. I give this film 3 and ½ stars with a strong recommendation that you see it and enjoy it and enjoy, too, the fact that Woody Allen, like rare wine, seems to get better with age.

The Double Hour

“The Double Hour”, released by Samuel Goldwyn (the only English name you will read in this review) is an Italian production starring Filippo Timi and Antonia Truppo. This Italian/Spanish language film directed by Giuseppe Capotondi is about as interesting as it can get with its 96 minutes of intrigue and detail. It hooks the viewer right from the first frame. Superbly acted, directed and edited, I found myself looking at my watch, not out of boredom but, to the contrary, so involved in the film that I was hoping the time was wrong and there was still a lot more footage to be experienced. Simply stated, I just didn’t want the film to end. Encumbered by the English titles, normally an obstacle for any film, the titles and audio molded into one as I sat on the edge of my seat and let the action, plot and story unfold. I strongly recommend this film and, without hesitation, give it a strong 3 star rating..

Jumping the Broom

“Jumping the Broom” stars Angela Bassett, Brain Stokes Mitchell, DeRoy Davis and Julie Bowen (of “Modern Family”).and is the story of a wealthy black family and the wedding they are giving for their daughter who is marrying the son of a poor postal clerk mother. Written by Arlene Gibbs and Elizabeth Hunter and directed by Salim Akil this is more an excursion into the conflicting cultures and ethnic customs of both poor and wealthy blacks in society. Although the clashes can be humorous at times, there is an undercurrent in the film of this caste clash present all of the time even to the point where the characters distinguish between light (“mocha”); and “dark chocolate” skin tones.. Sitting amidst a predominantly black audience, the Caucasian viewer becomes very conscious of the color of the actors’ skin and the film never lets you forget that you are a white fly on the wall of this black experience. Ms. Bowen is, to my recollection, the only cast member who is not black and is, if you forgive the phrase, the token member of that group. What I can say for the picture is that is doesn’t pretend to be generic heroes and heroines who happen to be black. This is a very black movie and it makes no bones about it. Perhaps the most bitter exchange between the two mother in laws to be is when the poorer one talks about her slave ancestry and the richer one says that her family owned slaves. Lots of heavy resentment which tries to hide between some mildly funny scenes but it just doesn’t work. I give the film 2 stars but worth seeing if, for no other reason, in order to better understand the psyche and goings on in this minority community.

The Lincoln Lawyer

“The Lincoln Lawyer” stars Matthew McConaughey in the title role ably supported by Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe and William H. Macy. Co-writen by John Romano and Michael Connelly (based on Mr. Connelly’s novel) and directed by Brad Furman, this is one of those legal tales involving the problems and intricacies of being a criminal defense lawyer. Having lived first hand much of the courtroom scenes shown in the film, I can attest to its legitimacy.. Filmed on location in Los Angeles, this is an LA story with plot twists and turns that are not only interesting and audience-involving but believable as well. I’m not a Mathew M. fan generally speaking but he does a wonderful job in this film and keeps the viewer interested and anxious to see how the film unfolds and the problems are solved. I give the film 3 stars remembering that professionally I’m bringing a lot more to the table than the average viewer but, let’s remember, law and order was a hit amongst many non-lawyers too.

In a Better World

“In a Better World” is a Danish-Swedish joint production with dialogue in English, Danish and Swedish. Directed by Susanna Bier and co-written by Ms. Bier and Anders Jensen, this 119 minute film is extremely well done as it masters the art of “flashback” and “the now” so that the audience stays engaged and involved throughout its duration. Beautifully acted, the film examines the tragedies that occur not only on a worldly basis but personal ones as well includingfamine and brutality in Africa, bullying at school and the loss of a wife and parent to a small family as well. The more significant meaning to the film is how the characters cope with these events from the pacifist non-violent to the angry and hostile and how each learns to alter their initial innate reactions. Perhaps the best that can be said of any foreign film, including this one, is that, after a very short while, the audience forgets that it is watching and listening to a language that is not their own. The superb performances of the two teenagers in the film is worth noting and brings this theatrical experience to a level it might not otherwise have attained without them. I give the film 3 stars and recommend it be seen during its short and limited period of release.