Steve Jobs

"Steve Jobs" was directed by Danny Boyle ("Slumdog Millionaire") and stars Michael Fassbender in the title role ably supported by Seth Rogen, Jeff Daniels,, Kate Winslet, Michael Stuhlberg and Katherine Waterston. Written by Aaron Sorkin, the film attempts to tell the story of this genius at helping people communicate with each other through the digital age while himself never quite coming to grips with his own personal demons. The vehicle for the film is the backstage goings on for the 3 launches of Jobs’ products, i.e. the Mac, the NEXT and the iMac. The same drama that precedes the hour or half hour before each launch allows Mr. Sorkin to elicit dialogue from the same five  protagonists  as the audience tries to follow and understand the complexities and inconsistencies of this self acclaimed icon. Similar to last year’s film, "Birdman" (though notably better), the viewer is brought backstage to the inner workings of the presentation process and, through it, the man himself. Based loosely on the Walter Isaacson biography, the film never quite captures the true essence of the man and unfortunately gives us a cleverly written but rather thin  two dimensional look at the lead character. We know as little or less about Mr. Jobs after the film as we did before except that he is or can be arrogrant and callous while himself searching for the humanity that seems to always elude him. Fleeting bits of dialogue thrown in by Mr. Sorkin are apparently intended to give us some insight into the Jobs’ psyche but, unfortunately, they fail to satisfy the viewer’s intellect and curiosity. Nevertheless, the film does give a behind the scenes glimpse at the PR involved in the launching of a new product and the kind of excitement it can generate. This, together with the superb acting by this terrific cast, allows me to give this film a 3 star rating. It’s a good film but one that, mindful of the skills and reputation of the writer and director and the subject matter they had to work with, never reaches the potential I would have hoped for and expected.

Meet the Patels

"<"Meet the Patels" is a US produced film which is basically a documentary starring Ravi Patel and his sister, Geeta, the children of Champa and Vasant Patel.  Having emigrated to America from India, the Patel parents are anxious for their two American born children to marry and want them to select their respective mates as the two parents did in India many years ago. Intermixed with cartoon characters and running commentary from the brother. as his sister ardently films the family’s interactions, this is, on the surface, a film about Indian parents seeking to preserve their cultural line and identity. However, the film goes beyond the Indian experience and one sees in these parents any first generation couple seeking to preserve their heritage via their offspring. Champa, the mother, could be the Italian or Jewish mother and Vasant, the father, could be any concerned father wanting his children to stay in their ethnic arena. In its own amateurish way, the film holds the viewer’s interest and  gives us a "fly on the wall " feeling as we watch caring parents and children respect each other while not necessarily accepting their generational differences. The universality of the film cannot be denied and the warmth and charm of each of the family members helps make this a really nice viewing experience. I give the film 3 stars and suggest that, if given the chance you meet the Patels, You will like them..

The Intern

"The Intern" stars Robert DiNero and Ann Hathaway in this charming film written and directed by Nancy Myers. As with so many of her prior films, Ms. Myers focuses upon the empowered woman of talent and achievement and the problems faced by those in her gender. :Baby Boom",
:It’s Complicated" and "Something's Got to Give" are just a few examples Although Ms. Hathaway does not yet equal the caliber or experience of a Diane Keaton or Meryl Streep, she gives a convincing performance as a successful woman in a man’s world. Mr. DiNero gives a warm and sensitive performance as an intern hired by Ms. Hathaway’s firm who, but for his age and retirement status, would be sought after as a vital addition to any enterprise. The film touches upon and engages in many issues including the value of senior citizens with experience versus their younger counterparts and, as so many employers have been finding out, offer a different and deeper dimension to the jobs they fill. I give the film 3 stars and suggest that recent and former members of the work force will appreciate the messages it sends,

Everest

"Everest"is the true story of the ill fated 1996 expedition by a group of amateur and professional climbers who sought to reach the top of this most difficult of all mountains to ascend. The film stars Jason Clark who portrays Rob Hall, the real life leader of the expedition. Mr. Clark is  ably abetted by Keira Knightley, John Hawkes, Jake Gyllenhaal, Robin Wright, Josh Brolin and Emily Watson. Written by William Nicholson and Simon Beaufoy, the movie was directed by Icelandic director Baltesar  Kormakur whose deft hand and skill help make this 121 minute film move at a very comfortable pace. Of course the real star of the film is Mt. Everest itself for it is the dominance of this natural edifice that controls and ultimately destroys so many who have challenged it. Chronicled in the best seller by Jon Krakauer  ("Into Thin Air")  the film plays more like a documentary and its realism is the essence as to why this film is so good. As stated by Mr. Clark's character in the film, these climbers are asked to exist at an altitude level equal to that which 747’s fly. A most amazing feat and one that tests the stamina and sensibilities of both the characters in the film and those in the audience watching it. I give the film 3 and ½ stars with a suggestion that it be seen in 3D for the cinematography and views of the mountain are alone well worth the extra price of admission.

The Gift

"The Gift" is the present the audience receives from writer-director-actor Joel Edgerton as he carefully and methodically tells us the story of married couple Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall and the stranger from the past who enters their lives and, to a great extent, alters them. There is suspense, thrills and horror in this film but not in the traditional "Elm St." genre. Instead it is story telling at its best with characters that are real and totally believable as they struggle through the problems each encounters as each member of the audience sits on the edge of his or her seat.. More than that, the film examines who people really are and whether they ever change, mature or just become more of what made them so initially unappealing. I give the film 3 and 1/2 stars with a thank you to Mr. Edgerton  for the gift he has given us in his first feature film directing endeavor..

Irrational Man

"Irrational Man" stars Joaquim Phoenix, Emma Stone and Parker Posey in this mystery drama written and directed by Woody Allen. Although seeing this film late in tits distribution cycle and having heard various comments and reviews of it, I watched with an open mind as this ,in my opinion, pretty good film unfolded. The dialogue and plot were witty and fast paced and the acting by Mr. Phoenix held up to the standards of the role. By now most readers will probably have seen the film and formed their own opinions as to its worth. For me, it was entertaining, well edited and, with its Hitchcock-like ending, worthy of 3 stars.

Learning to Drive

"Learning to Drive" stars Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley in this simple film about an about to be divorcee and her struggles with this new role life has cast her in. Despite the fine acting and radiance of Ms. Clarkson, the film is shallow and two dimensional. Based on an article which appeared in a magazine, this is a story that is more suited to a short Hallmark TV film rather than a feature length motion picture theatrical presentation. Please note my disclaimer since I am no fan of Mr. Kingsley who generally tries to portray characters inconsistent with his film image (e.g. "Sexy Beast"). Here, however, playing the part of a Sikh cab driver/driving instructor, Mr. Kingsley resorts back to his Ghandi style mode and, although suitable to what he does best, his character pontificates and remains so aloof that, as a result, it robs the film of the warmth and depth it so vitally needs. This is a film that can best be described as …"A woman gets divorced and takes driving lessons:" Anything beyond  that is icing and fluff on a cake that itself isn’t that palatable. I venture to say that the gender of the viewer may well affect the reaction to the film since I noted that most if not all of the female members of the audience I was in really liked the film while, afterward waiting in the lobby, their male counterparts could be observed voicing their apparent displeasure as to what they had just seen. Although only an hour and a  half in length, the film seemed much longer and, for me at least, earned only 2 and ½ stars.