Monsieur Lazhar

“Monsieur Lazhar” is a French language Canadian production adapted from the play written by Evelyne de la Cheneliere. It stars Mohamed Fellag in a film written and directed by Phlippe Falardeau. Mr. Fellag, playing the title role, is a substitute teacher in the Quebec school system who takes over a class of students after their regular teacher commits suicide. How .the new teacher deals with this ensemble of children facing the mystery and awesomeness of death within their own school family makes this an exceptional film to view. Mr Fellag’s character, an émigré from Algiers who relocates in Quebec, is similar to his own life story since he himself left (or who was forced to leave) Algiers. Played with sensitivity and caring, Mr. Fellag brings to the part both pathos and humor as is often the case with comics who turn serious actor. Mention must also be made of the wonderful group of child actors who bring so much of their talent to the screen. I give this film 3 and ½ stars. It is really well worth seeing.

Bully

“Bully” is a documentary written by Cynthia Lowen and directed by Lee Hirsch. As the title indicates it tells the stories of a number of teenagers who are victimized by the bullies In their schools and the terrible effects occurring as a result.. More than that it tells the story of how society and school officials, in particular, attribute the acts and deeds of the bulliers as “just normal teen agers acting up” when, in fact, they are aggressive and disturbed students who are more afflicted than the vulnerable individuals they prey upon. This is, indeed, a film that every school in the country should exhibit in the hope that bullies will be deterred and well-intentioned peers of the victims will stand up and no longer be silent. The film, with no rating, became the “poster boy” for the problems in the rating system as its distributor, The Weinstein Co, refused to accept the “R” rating the motion picture council gave it.. Although the motivations of the distributor might have been significantly influenced by the publicity given the film as a result of the dispute, the distributor’s complaint does indeed have merit. This is a reality based project with real kids being highlighted and photographed and the language (the reason for the “R” rating) is an integral part of the film and, of necessity, must be heard in order to experience its real impact. Each of us, in one way or another, has been privy to the bullying of a fellow student or friend and can identify with such behavior. More than anything else, this film is relevant and a learning tool for all of society. The documentary gets 3 and ½ stars with a strong recommendation that this film be viewed by children, teenagers and adults for there is something in it from which all of them can benefit..

The Kid With the Bike

“The Kid With a Bike” is a French, Italian and Belgian joint venture in French and was written and directed by Luc and Jean Pierre Dardenne. It tells the story of a young boy abandoned by his father who struggles with rejection. The film has received all kinds of accolades and applause from almost every major periodical and quality and respected film festival including Sundance, Cannes etc.. The question I must ask is “Why?” The film’s main character, young Cyril, is a bad kid by any standards and almost totally dysfunctional as he struggles to come to terms with all that he has been denying. The only actor of note is Cecile De France (the newscaster in “Hereafter”) and even she could not fulfill the expectations of those like me who went to this film expecting something extraordinary and unfortunately getting much much less. As is many times the case, the merging of the role of writer with the role of director leads to what I like to call a “conflict of artistic interest” for it is very hard to edit out or amend, as a director, that which you have put down on paper as the film’s author. I give this film 2 and ½ stars and note that, for me, at least, its only redeeming quality is that it made me want to go out on my mountain bike once again. In the case of this movie,however, the bike ride lasted a little too long and without much to see or hear along the way.

Thin Ice

“Thin Ice” stars Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin and Billy Crudup in this 93 minute drama/comedy/crime thriller which, but for the locale and actors, is sort of a thinking man’s version of the film “Fargo” taking place in the State of Wisconsin as opposed to North Dakota. Much like the William H. Macy character in the latter film, Mr. Kinnear is also a salesman trying to better his life and work out his matrimonial and economic problems utilizing circumstances that befall him for exploitation and gain. Written by Jill and Karen Sprecher and directed by Jill Sprecher, the film is nicely paced and well written as it explores how Mr. Kinnear’s character winds his way through each of the many pitfalls and obstacles he encounters. Mr. Kinnear if, of course, why the film works so well for his acting is superb and gives meaning and credibility to the role he plays. I give the film 3 stars because it not only held my interest but made me become deeply involved in it up to, and especially at, the very end.

The Woman in Black

“The Woman in Black” stars Daniel Radcliffe, the now mature star of the Harry Potter films, as he finds himself as a young lawyer seeking the mysteries of a small suburban town on the outskirts of London in the early part of the 20th Century and the strange events that have taken place there..
The film was directed by James Watkins and written by Jane Goldman based on the novel by Susan Hill. Director Watkins takes us through 95 minutes of scares, darkness, fright and queries about what is happening and why. More like a horror film without the massacres or blood-letting, this movie has its fair share of “sitting on the edge of your seat” scenes as we travel through it with our young hero. It is difficult to berate or condemn the film because it does have an interesting plot and a host of questions that take a little too much time to answer. Whether intended or not, Mr. Radcliffe never seems to rise to the level of acting of which I am sure he is capable and, for that reason, he participates in creating a film experience that is more bland than supernatural although there is plenty of that as well. This is a movie that, done better, could really have set a high mark for terror without bloodshed but, alas, it is an average film and for that reason, I give it a 2 and ½ star rating. The caveat here is that this is the kind of film some will love and perhaps rave about although, truth be told, most will find it a little too tedious and dry. All, however, will agree that it does hold your interest and invoke many moments of fear in its audience.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” stars Thomas Horn, Sandra Bullock, Tom Hanks, Max Von Sydow, Viola Davis and Jeffrey Wright in this interesting and in depth study of a young boy’s coping, or at least trying to cope, with the loss of his father who was killed in one of the towers on September 11. Under Stephen Daldry’s direction of the screenplay written by Eric Roth, the 129 minute film seems a bit drawn out at times. However, thanks in no small part to the exemplary acting of first time performer, Thomas Horn, the audience is able to understand and experience how this precocious boy tries to make sense of and identify with the loss of his father. Remembering that Master Horn was selected by the producers and director after seeing him appear as a contestant on the game show “Jeopardy”, one is even more astounded at the skill and craft of this young performer. A difficult subject that could easily be made maudlin, the film keeps a balance between a widow/mother’s burden and the significant emotions confronting her son. Of special note is the performance of Max Von Sydow who, although never saying a word in the film (his character cannot speak) exhibits and displays the kind of emotions that a verbose thespian speaking paragraphs could never hope to achieve or communicate. I give this film 3 stars if, for no other reason, the performances of Messrs. Horn and Von Sydow and the direction by Mr. Daldry who must take credit for being responsible for what these actors were able to achieve and bring to the screen.

Red Tails

“Red Tails” stars Terence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., David Oyelowo and Nate Parker in this 2 hour film produced by George Lucas, written by John Ridley and Aaron McGruder and directed by Anthony Hemingway. The film tells the story of the 332nd Fighter Group of the Army Air Force, an “experimental unit” created by the Civil Aeronautics Association to determine if African Americans were “capable” of becoming combat pilots in World War II. Trained at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, 13 cadets were selected to engage in the program whose members ultimately became known as the “Tuskegee Airmen”. Faced with a history of prejudice and abuse by a nation that considered “colored people” as second class citizens, at best, these new pilots were first assigned mop up operations flying less than airworthy Curtis P-40 fighter planes. Nevertheless, their outstanding skill and dedication brought significant harm to the German enemy. Finally recognized for their talent and effectiveness, they were given new P-51 fighters, the best the country had to offer at the time, and allowed these brave heroes to utilize their new equipment in achieving even greater feats of valor. To distinguish the group, the tails of the new aircraft were painted red which, ironically, was the only “color” that, in the end, really should have mattered. Unfortunately the film is burdened with some trite dialog and plot lines and sometimes reminded me of one of those B movies exhibited in World War II. But putting all that aside, the real stars of the film are not the actors, writers or the director but, instead, (a) the powerful story it tells and (b) the Lucasfilm special effects that enhance and make the movie experience so exhilarating. Most of the film takes place in Italy and in the offices of the Pentagon during the period 1943 to 1945 after the men have completed their training.. I would have preferred some flashbacks to the kind of life these men lived prior to the Tuskegee undertaking which would have highlighted even more the difference between the bigoted society they were defending and the levels of heroism and valor they exemplified and displayed. As hard as it is for us to comprehend that as late as only 55 years ago, African Americans could not use the same public facilities or attend the same schools as whites, it is even more difficult to witness these same disenfranchised minority members risking their lives for the society that so cruelly treated and regarded them. I give this film 3 stars. The important message the viewer comes away with after watching this film is that the Tuskegee Airmen were indeed a credit to their race…..The Human Race.