The Trip to Italy "The Trip To Italy" is not your average film but, instead, a sequel to the earlier film of the road trip made by Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon to the northern part of Great Britain which, due to its success, formed the basis and reason for their "Trip to Italy". Directed by Michael Winterbottom, Coogan and Brydon drive their way in their Mini-Cooper convertible along the Italian coast sampling persons and cuisine of the most delightful nature. Intermixed with the tour they are taking, references are made to the two tourists’ personal lives and the not so fictional versions of them. Coogan and Brydon are wonderful as they banter, ad-lib and joke with each other about their respective traits, family problems and personalities and, through it all, exemplifying a caring and bonding that is rarely found among two friends who have no negative agenda. You watch the film liking its heroes and wishing you could be the third member of their group. Unorthodox and unlike most films the viewer will experience, I give the movie 3 stars for, above all, it is fun to watch, extremely entertaining and allows the audience to experience, not only the charm of really charming men eating extraordinary gourmet dishes but, in addition, the breathtaking beauty of the landscape and country that is Italy.

"The Trip To Italy" is not your average film but, instead, a sequel to the earlier film of the road trip made by Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon to the northern part of Great Britain which, due to its success, formed the basis and reason for their "Trip to Italy". Directed by Michael Winterbottom, Coogan and Brydon drive their way in their Mini-Cooper convertible along the Italian coast sampling persons and cuisine of the most delightful nature. Intermixed with the tour they are taking, references are made to the two tourists’ personal lives and the not so fictional versions of them. Coogan and Brydon are wonderful as they banter, ad-lib and joke with each other about their respective traits, family problems and personalities and, through it all, exemplifying a caring and bonding that is rarely found among two friends who have no negative agenda. You watch the film liking its heroes and wishing you could be the third member of their group. Unorthodox and unlike most films the viewer will experience, I give the movie 3 stars for, above all, it is fun to watch, extremely entertaining and allows the audience to experience, not only the charm of really charming men eating extraordinary gourmet dishes but, in addition, the breathtaking beauty of the landscape and country that is Italy.

Love is Strange

"Love is Strange" stars John Lithgow, Alfred Molina and Marisa Tomei in this story of a marriage of two men who have lived together for 39 years and, under the newly enacted New York law, are able to formally solidify their relationship in a more traditional manner. The problems the two encounter could befall any married couple so this is really not a gay movie but the story of a married couple who happen by chance to be gay. It is also the story of true love and the caring and affection that only beautful relationships can bring about.  Unfortunately, this lovely and sensitive story, told in a better way, would have made a better film. One can only blame the writers, Ira Sachs (who is also the director) and Mauricio Zacharias and/or the editor for preventing this movie from realizing its potential. The continuity and ease of understanding are significantly absent from the film so that the viewer must assume and imagine that which could easily have been shown in an added scene or two. This is even more disturbing when you have such fine performances given by Messrs. Molina and Lithgow and Ms. Tomei all of whom are exemplary in the roles they play. I give the film 2 and ½ stars simply because too many questions are posed for the viewer to try to answer and too many inconsistencies exist for the viewer to follow. Had these writing/editing problems been solved, the film would indeed be worthy of a much higher rating.

The One Hundred-Foot Journey

The One Hundred-Foot Journey" stars Helen Mirren, Om Puri and Manish Dayal. Written by Steven Knight, based on the novel by Richard C. Marais and directed by Lasse Hallstrom ("Chocolat", "The Cider House Rules") this is a charming and beautifully told story of  ostensibly two cultures in rivalry through their respective restaurants and cuisine and yet it is much much more. The elegant and talented Ms. Mirren dominates the film as do the two Indian born actors who join her in this "feel good" film that is neither trite nor annoyingly predictable although no one is disappointed by its conclusion. Beautifully photographed in a French provincial town, the viewer is immediately engrossed in the plot and intricacies that befall the characters. This film will cater to those who hunger for a really enjoyable film and whose appetite demands a  tale of competition, respect and mutual understanding. Good taste demands that this film receive 3 and ½ stars with the old adage "See it, you’ll like it".

Calvary

"Calvary" stars Brendan Gleeson and Chris O’Dowd in this strange film both written and directed by John Michael McDonagh, At the outset let me say that I am a huge Brendan Gleeson fan and appreciate and respect almost everything in which I’ve ever seen him perform. He did not disappoint me in this film but, like watching a race car unable to go more than 15 mph, Mr. Gleeson’s character is locked into a script that is lacking in both credibility and common sense. Also, either cut from the original film or the result of just poor writing , or both, there are many unexplained scene and location changes that befuddle the viewer as well as pose unanswered questions regarding significant events that take place in the movie. Throughout the film the viewer is put into a dry, slow and melancholy mood as one searches for the good film that is somewhere within the one that was actually released. I give the film 2 and ½ stars with both kudos and regrets to Mr. Gleeson for becoming enmeshed in this project.

A Most Wanted Man

"A Most Wanted Man" stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright and Willem Dafoe in this intense spy thriller based on the novel by John LeCarre. The screenplay was written by Andrew Bovell, directed by Anton Corbijn and remains true to Mr. LeCarre’s literary work. Knowing that this was Mr. Hoffman’s last film makes the viewing bitter sweet for one watches this great actor perform as only he can and yet with the knowledge that we will never see him in anything new again.
The length of the film, over 2 hours, should not be a deterrent for every scene is valuable and necessary as good editing helps the viewer watch and understand this otherwise complicated plot. The film geta and deserves 3 stars. 

Magic in the Moonlight

"Magic in the Moonlight" stars Colin Firth and Emma Stone in this film written and directed by Woody Allen. There are those who will avoid a film by the writer-director because of circumstances which occurred in his private life and there are others who will go to any film bearing his credits as dutiful and loyal fans regardless of his personal choices or the quality of the work.. This film transcends the nay sayers and the hoorayers and can be judged on its own merits for by so doing, the viewer will experience a beautifully written and well directed work of theatrical art. Mr. Firth is fine in the role of the arch magician out to prove or disprove the abilities of Ms. Stone’s character as alleged seer and psychic. The movie sails along at an easy pace as it relates the story in a well edited and interesting manner. Add to this a soundtrack of great songs of the early 20th Century and you end up with a positive audio and visual theatrical experience. Kudos to Mr. Allen who has once more brought his "magic" into the theater. I give the film a well deserved 3 and ½ stars. Bottom line: this is a good film to see and one that I think most people will enjoy..

Begin Again

"Begin Again: stars Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine, Katherine Keener and Hailey Steinfeld in this film written and directed by John Carney ("Once").
Ms. Knightley comes alive in this film after our having viewed her in so many mid 19th Century films as she helps illuminate the streets of Manhattan (where the film takes place) with her stellar performance. . Although her role requires singing, this is obviously not her professional forte. Nevertheless she handles the role nicely. Alas, that’s where the accolades for the film end for the performances of Mark Ruffalo (who always seems to play the same part) and the other performers are hampered by an average script and music that two generations after mine probably love but this writer could do without. Writing and directing the same film is an art and a task not easily carried off. Mr. Carney is no exception here and a somewhat confusing screenplay coupled with less than average musucal performances earn this film 2 and ½ stars with the half star attributed solely to Ms. Knightley.