St. Vincent

"St. Vincent" stars Bill Murray, Jaeden Lieberher, Melissa McCarthy and Naomi Watts in this beautiful film written and directed by Theodore Melfi. Mr. Murray outperforms his previous best works and displays his skill as an actor that few will be able to surpass. The film also represents the cinematic debut of a young actor named Jaeden Lieberher who will capture the hearts and minds of the audience as he displays his remarkable talent. He’s just really good and a pleasure to watch and experience. Set in a middle class Brooklyn neighborhood, Mr. Melfi brings to the screen a "feel good" film that will surprise many who may have never quite connected with the in your face style of Ms. McCarthy. She needs to play more serious roles for she is really good when she does them and she is outstanding in this one in particular. I give this film 3 stars and recommend it to viewers of all ages for joyous and heart warming stories know no labels or boundaries.

Gone Title

"Gone Girl" stars Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Tyler Perry and Neal Patrick Harris. The film was directed by David Fincher and is based on the book by Gillian Flynn who also wrote the screenplay adaptation of her novel.  Despite its extraordinary length, i.e. almost 2 and ¾ hours, the film manages to hold the audience’s intetest. Unfortnately, and notwithstanding good acting by Mr. Affleck and Ms. Pike, there are glaring flaws in the scrip that are never explained or accounted for and, in most instances, simply don’t make sense. To elaborate further would give away the plot and that is someithing I prefer not to do. Suffice it to say that the film, after it ends, leaves open many unanswered questions and fails to resolve blatant inconsistencies. I give the movie 2 and ½ stars noting tha the film could have been more enjoyable to watch if there had been less things so difficult to reconcile and understand.

Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

"Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" stars Michael Keaton, Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Zach Galifianakis and Emma Stone. One would expect that, with a cast like this, the film would have to be a winner. Unfortunately it is not and despite or because of the direction of Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu and the screenplay by Alexander Dinclarus, Armando Bo and Nicholas Giacobone, the viewer is subjected to great and talented actors being compelled to participate in a weak story filled with surrealistic sequences that add little and in many ways detract from the essence of the film. The acclaim that other critics have afforded this film seems to be based more on the uniqueness and unorthodox techniques than the quality of the film itself. Different doesn’t always mean better and in this instance the interjections by the writers and director serve only to distract rather than supplement the characters and the roles they play. That being said, the performances of Messrs. Keaton and Norton are worth seeing but one wishes they were in a different vehicle. I give the film 2 and ½ stars because fine acting deserves proper recognition but it can never make a mediocre film really good.

Whiplash

"Whiplash" stars J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller in this story of a would be jazz drummer and his over zealous teacher/conductor in an elite and upscale music conservatory. Written and directed by Damien Chazille, this is a film that will appeal to lovers of jazz as it represents some of the best musical renditions ever seen on the movie screen. It is also a film that raises the question as to how far a teacher should go to "bring out the best" in his or her student. Messrs. Simmons and Teller are superb in the roles they play as they participate in some of the most intense student/teacher scenes one will ever see. Adding to their credibilty, we find out that in real life Mr. Teller studied drums from age 15 and Mr. Simmons holds degrees in voice, conducting and music from the University of Montana. As a result it’s easy to understand the believability of their respective performances. Having myself played in studio bands under the stewardship of a number of quality professors, the film had a special meaning for me. But, alas, this is what may make this really good film a commercial mishap since it is not for everyone and, by its very subject matter, may exclude a significant part of the viewing public. I give the film 3 and 1/2 stars because, seen out of context and apart from other films, it stands out as a true work of art. The caveat here, though, is that if intense musicology, training and signficant jazz performances are not the viewer’s "thing", then this film will not be appreciated by him or her to the same extent as it was by me.