Mud

“Mud” stars Mathew McConaughhey, Reese Witherspoon, Sam Shepard and two young actors, Tye Sheridan ("Ellis" in the film) and Jacob Lofland (Ellis's friend) in this story of life and intrigue in Arkansas on the Mississippi. Filled with interest, suspense and a wonderfully written screenplay by Jeff Nichols, who also directed the film, it is more than a  typical “coming of age” movie for it explores the romantic dreams and aspirations of its young heroes and of Ellis' in particular To describe the two as simply Tom Sawyer and/or Huck Finn types in the modern era does the film a great disservice. This movie captures and vividly desribes what life in the 21st Century for young boys living on the banks of the river is like and how they cope. It is no coincidence that the film's director and writer is a native of Arkansas and the Mississippi and, for this reason, the film's characters and actions ring true.For some unknown reason the film is in limited distribution although, n this writer’s opinion, it deserves much broader exposure. Driven by rich dialogue and scenes along the river community, I give this film 3 stars and recommend that it be seen by all within distance of the few houses in which it is playing. I

Befpre Midnight

“Before Midnight” is the third picture in the trilogy which started with “Before Sunrise” in 1995 and was then followed by “After Sunset” in 2004. This new film continues to explore the relationship between its stars and lovers, Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke who, together with Kim Kirzan and Richard Linklater (the Director) co-wrote this film. Ms. Delpy and Mr. Hawke give honest and meaningful performances in this film which is 90% dialogue coupled with a few house, hotel and outdoor drive scenes. But it is the dialogue that captures the audience and makes the film so worthwhile. The actors really do become their characters and though it might seem tedious on paper, the watching of these verbal exchanges is as engrossing and captivating as any action or musical film might seek to achieve. I give the film 3 stars and recommend it be seen by all who are, who hope to be or whoever were in a significant romantic relationship.

Stories We Tell

“Stories We Tell” is a documentary written and directed by Canadian writer/director Sarah Polley as she tries to trace the history of her deceased mother and the life she lived as remembered by various members of the family. Both humorous and heart warming, this is a quality documentary with surprises that occur on screen as Ms. Polley herself comes to terms with the interesting and complex life her late mother lived.

I recommend this film for its integrity, its content and, most of all, for the ability of Ms. Polley to detach herself from the personal history she is revealing to give her audience an engaging and involved theatrical work product. I give the film 3 stars and urge that it be seen by all who can appreciate that memories, like tastes, are subjective and personal to each of us.

The English Teacher

“The English Teacher” is an awkward attempt by director Craig Zisk (“Weeds”, “The Larry Sanders Show”) in his feature film debut as he tries to relate the tale of a spinster high school teacher , Julianne Moore, who becomes obsessed with the talents of one of her former high school students.  Nathan Lane plays the drama coach/teacher who loves the play the ex-student has written and the efforts all make to have it produced. Greg Kinnear as the father of the young playwright also interjects his presence as this troubled film seeks to find its comedy/tragedy identity but never quite makes it. I give the film only 2 stars despite the fine efforts of 3 very talented actors.

Thje Great Gatsby

“The Great Gatsby” stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey maguire (he spells it that way), Jason Clark and Joel Edgerton in this remake of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel of life and its extravagances in the mid ‘20’s. Unfortunately, not true to the flavor and depth of this great novel, Director and Co-writer Baz Luhrmann gives us a glitzy overdone film with no depth or intensity but, instead, the shallowness of a music video. First, a disclaimer. I am no fan of either Tobey maguire or of Mr. DiCaprio and with these precommitted feelings, it’s difficult to enjoy any vehicle either of them are in, let alone both. Mr. maguire whines his way through this overdone narrative and Mr. DiCaprio continues to look like a teenager trying to play an adult. If he uttered the phrase “old spoaht” one more time in the film, I would’ve thrown my 3D glasses at the screen. Speaking of that, this film has no dimension so the need to try to see it in 3D is useless. I at one point took off the glasses and could not honestly tell the difference. So visually and substantively, the film lacks so much except one thing…..time. This lifeless seemingly never ending film lasts for 2 and ½ hours and screams for an editor’s splicing machine. The special effects and scenery, as costly as they may have been, seems to be the impetus for the movie’s length since it’s hard to put so much set money on the floor of the editing room. The old “how many times did I look at my watch” test proved accurate for I recall no less than 6. This Gatsy is neither ‘great’ nor ‘good’ and, at best, is mediocre.  As bad as the 1974 version of the film with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow was, this is probably worse. I give the film 1 and ½ stars.The viewers, F. Scott and those interested in good filmmaking deserve better.

Love Is All You Need

“Love is All You need” stars Pierce Brosnan and Trine Dyrholm in this semi-foreign language film with its locations in both Denmark and Italy. Perhaps the third star of the film is the Amalfi coast of Italy where most of the scenes take place. To those who have experienced this magnificent part of the world, and even for those who haven’t, the photography is breathtaking as the camera takes us into the lives of the characters in this romantic comedy ably directed by Susanne Bier (“In a Better World”) with a wonderful screenplay co-written by Ms. Bier and Anders Jensen. As good as Mr. Brosnan is in the film, and he is, none of the players can meet or even come near the superb acting talents of Ms. Dyrholm who captures and dominates each scene she is in. The best that can be said of any quality foreign film is that, in recalling it, the viewer forgets that there were subtitles and that a different language was spoken. This is not a remake of Mamma Mia with songs and virtually no plot. Instead, to the background singing of Dean Martin, Ms. Bier creates a delightful cinematic experience despite the serious problems, both healthwise and domestically, that the principals encounter. I give this film 3 stars and suggest that those who see it will be glad they did. ’

42

“42”, as mosr of us know, were the numerals on the back of the uniform worn by Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to be signed to play on a major league baseball team. It is also the title of the film starring Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford  relating the story of this dynamic ball player from his start with the Kansas City Monarchs through the Montreal Royals until finally, in 1947, signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers and becoming its starting first baseman that season. This is a movie, unlike Django Unchained, which tells the plight, courage and fortitude of one member of a minority and what it took for him to succeed and to become a lone black player amidst major leagues 399 whites. The film, written and directed by Brian Helgeland (“Mystic River”, “Blood Work”, “A Knight’s Tale”) holds the viewer’s interest and attention for all of the 128 minutes of its running time and keeps us involved throughout. For this writer the film was especially meaningful for I lived in the Borough during the time  in which this all took place and, as a young boy, I watched from the Ebbett’s Field bleachers the players on the field as they interacted with this new entry into the ballgame. Jackie Robinson, a four star athlete from UCLA and a commissioned Army officer (court martialed for refusing to move to the back of a bus) was the perfect man to, at 26, enter upon the road to ending the bigotry that was, after all, so much a part of America’s favorite sport at the time. Just as we today cannot imagine women not being able to vote 100 years ago, so difficult is it for us to understand what racism was in the 50’s and how shameful a legacy it left. If there is any difficulty with the film, it is trying to depict its hero.as recognizable but without it being a trite impersonation. Mr. Boseman is not a Robinson look alike yet there are certain times, stances and camera shots that make his portrayal quite believable. Harrison Ford, as Branch Rickey, the managing partner of the group that owned the Dodgers, is a fine addition to the film. Never too overly sentimental, the film does have its “Hollywood moments” but they are few and far between. Suffice it to say that the women and non-baseball fans in the audience seemed to enjoy the film as  much or more than the rest of us. I give this film 3 and ½ stars and recommend that it be seen by all who have a taste for history and/or a strong liking for baseball. More than anything else it is the story of adversity and how it was met head on by a strong willed and extraordinarily self-controlled individual. The story of this man and who he was can best be summarized by quoting the writer Bob Considine when he wrote “Jackie Robinson was a credit to his race….the human race.”