Wild Tales

"Wild Tales" is a multi-storied vehicle written and directed by Damian Szifron. One of the nominees for Best Foreign Film, and deservedly so, the film consists of 6 independent stories threaded together by the theme of revenge and retribution. From the tale of an angry lover whose mate has been unfaithful to the story of  a citizen frustrated by government corruption and  four other stories in between, these are tales woven together by a masterful story teller in the person of Senor Szifron. Superbly acted, photographed, written and directed, this film stands out as one of the most enjoyable theatrical experiences this viewer has had the pleasure of being part of in a long long time. It is no easy feat to be able to tie so many individual tales in such a way that the viewer never feels he or she is watching separate films but, instead, one large overview of the human condition and how we each cope with the circumstances that befall us. I give the film 4 stars and urge all who can to make it a must-see on their movie list..

The Judge

"The Judge" stars Robert Downey, Jr. and Robert Duvall in a film co-written by David Dobkin (who also directed), David Seidler and Bill Dubuque. With a supporting cast of notable performers including Billy Bob Thornton, Vera Farmiga and Vincent D'Onofrio, this is nothing more than a vehicle for Messrs. Duvall and Downey who find themselves enmeshed in an unconvincing story filled with subplots which keep popping up in an often disruptive manner.
The film is approximately 2 and ½ hours long and, with that span of time, should have offered the viewers more than the one outstanding performance by Mr. Duvall (who could recite the alphabet and make it sound like eloquent prose). The bottom line, however, is that this talented cast of actors deserved something better to display their talents. For that reason, the writers and director  will have to place themselves at the mercy of the court of viewing opinion and, plead guilty as charged. I give the film 2 and 1/2 stars.

American Sniper

"American Sniper" is, as most people know, the story of Chris Kyle, the Navy SEAL whose feats in his four Tours of Duty served as the basis for his book and upon which the movie is based. Directed by Clint Eastwood with a screenplay by Jason Hall, the film stars Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller. This is the story of a true patriot whose love of country knows no bounds and is inspiring to the most callous of disbelievers. Much like the movie "Selma", the subject of the film is greater than the film itself. This is an action packed war picture with lots of action and, true to Mr. Eastwood’s love of the military and the battles they face, shows us the true nature of the conflict and trials and tribulations of the brave men who fight in them and the mental and physical healing that is so critical to their survival. I viewed the film under the best of circumstances in an IMAX theater and still came away feeling that I had seen "another war film" rather than the great piece of film making that is receiving so much revenue, drawing so many crowds and receiving so many craft nominations. The film is much too long and at times the audience feels it is taking these extra tours of duty along with the
characters in the film. I give the film 3 stars because it did hold my interest even though it failed the "I never looked at my watch" test..

Selma

The movie "Selma" takes its title, from the infamous city in Alabama where, on March 7, 1965, the Reverend Martin Luther King and his followers chose to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge en route to the state capitol of Montgomery in order to peacefully protest Alabama’s consistent exclusion of its Black citizens from voting in all local, state and federal elections. This is an important event in the history and struggle for equality and justice for all citizens, and especially the Black minority. Unfortunately, it deserved a better vehicle to display it. Superbly acted by David Oyelowe (as Dr. King) the film was directed by Ava Dwerney who co-wrote the film with Paul Webb. The film, although only 2 hours in length, feels more like 3, for it is burdened with long speeches where normally everyday dialogue would have been the case.  Actors don’t speak, they pontificate, and scenes that should be shorter are too long. Poor writing, editing and directing appear to be the culprit causing this film with such a worthy purpose and lofty goal to be less effectual in its execution. Also, what would otherwise have been a great history lesson, especially for those too young at the time to realize the importance of the civil rights struggle in the mid-60’s, is the less than accurate portrayal of key characters, notably President Lyndon. Johnson, whose major claim to fame was his ability to put through the Voting Rights Bill (an effort, history shows, was started weeks before the Selma march). True, sometimes poetic license adds drama to a film but a 180 degree turn from the facts can destroy a venture’s credibility. I give the film 3 stars because of its important role and significance in portraying a most difficult time in our nation’s history and in showing the courage and tenacity of a great leader who brought about much needed change. It’s a story deserved to be told  but one wishes it had been done by a different team of writers and director.

Still Alice

"Still Alice" stars Julianna Moore, Kristen Stewart, Alec Baldwin, Kate Bosworth and Hunter Parrish. The film  was directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland and is based on the book by Lisa Genova who together with Messrs. Glatzer and Westomoreland wrote the screenplay. This is a difficult movie to watch yet a necessary part of the education the general public needs to get in order to understand Alzheimer’s Disease and the effect it can have the victim as well as those around him or her. Ms. Moore is outstanding in this most difficult role as she and the creative cinema photographer take the viewer through the early and then almost full blown stages of the disease. It is certainly not comfortable to watch the deterioration of any individual, let alone a vibrant and once sparkling character played so admirably by Ms. Moore but intellect and curiosity compel us to stay with it.. This is more of a scholastic exercise rather than an entertainment vehicle and could well be mistaken for a promotional film displayed at a fund raiser for the Alzheimer Association. Although the film will probably not do well commercially because of the subject matter and the scenes portrayed in it, it nevertheless is a "must see" for anyone interested in understanding the illness and the fact that statistically so many of us will face its impact, either directly or indirectly. I give the film 3 stars, not only for the performances of the actors, but for the information contained in it and the sensitive manner in which it is conveyed.

Big Eyes

"Big Eyes" is a biopic starring Amy Adams (as kitsch artist Margaret Keane) and Christoph Waltz (as her husband Walter Keane) and the story of his attempt to pass off his wife's artwork as his own. The film was written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski  and directed by Tim Burton.

 Much like any film attempting to tell the true story of its subjects, life is not always as dramatic and interesting as a fiction writer and/or viewer would prefer and this movie is no exception. More like a short story made into a feature length film, the movie holds our interest primarily because it relates events that actually happened and with which most viewers will either identify or remember. Beyond that, the film is light and certainly not worthy of the accolades heaped upon it by so many critics. Mr. Waltz tends to overact and Ms. Adams, although trying very hard, appears uncomfortable in playing this heavy dramatic role. I give the film 2 and 1/2 stars reminding the viewer that although fact may be stranger than fiction, it isn't always more entertaining.

Into the Woods

"Into the Woods" is the musical adaptation of the Brothers' Grimm fairy tales interwoven by writers James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim in this film directed by Rob Marshall. The film stars Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Chris Pine and Anna Kendrick with music and lyrics by Mr. Sondheim. I saw the Broadway production of this property and felt then, as I do now, that Mr. Sondheim wears a crown a little too big for his 'music and lyrics" title and talent. He is a wonderful lyricist but unlike Messrs.Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Frank Loesser, he fails to succeed as a composer of memorable or even hummable tunes. Take away "Send in the Clowns" and "You Are Not Alone" (from the subject film) and you are left with a one dimensional writer. Just as Richard Rodgers needed Messrs. Hart and Hammerstein, so, on the other end of the spectrum, does Mr. Sondheim need  Leonard Bernstein, Jules Styne or some other fine musical composer. As far as the film is concerned, and as clever and witty as the lyrics are, the numbers are too long and, as a result, create a movie experience that causes the viewer to wish it would end at least 30 or 40 minutes before it actually does. One must also recognize the obvious intention of the producers to "get their money's worth" from Ms. Streep who is over utilized and, as in her role in Mamma Mia, is at her best in a non-musical setting. This is a film where the exceptionally gifted cast is placed in a vehicle not really worthy of their respective talents. I give the film 2 stars and cannot, in good conscience recommend it.