The Water Diviner

"The Water Diviner" stars Russell Crowe and also represents his directorial debut.
Those very familiar with the events that occurred in World War I and, in particular, Gallipoli, Turkey,
will appreciate more than most who was fighting who and what the battle meant to
the nation of Australia and its soldiers who died there.  If not familiar with these events, the viewer will be unable to easily follow the issues at stake and the identity of the combatants on the field.

Although the film attempts to portray the horrors of war and the needless losses of life,
it fails as a good theatrical experience.
The film in many ways is concocted  and its story confusing and difficult to believe, (even though it
is supposedly based on a true story). The editing room and splicing machine deserved a more
experienced hand and eye than the ones possessed by Mr. Crowe. Also, Mr. Crowe seems to hold back and be unnaturally restrained in scenes that warrant a more emotional commitment. My guess is that, as the director, he held back in deference to the actor/director role he was playing..

A better written story would have also been a tremendous asset and perhaps mitigated many of the film's shortcomings. Regrettably, in its present form, it is a long and difficult movie to sit through and watch. I counted 3X that I looked at my watch. One must acknowledge the wonderful photography and, with that in mind, I give the film 2 and 1/2 stars with a suggestion that the director not turn down any future acting jobs and continue to do that which he does best.. If you'll forgive the obvious pun, this movie is nothing for him to "Crowe" about.

Woman in Gold

"Woman in Gold" is a film regarding the famous painting by Gustav Klimts, the family that owned it and the niece, Maria Altmann  (played by Helen Mirren), who witnessed its theft by the Nazis and her extraordinary efforts to regain it. This is also the story of her attorney, Randy Schoenberg (played by Ryan Reynolds) and the legal machinations put in Ms. Altmann’s path by a Viennese government dedicated to the retention of its "Mona Lisa", as it colloquially referred to this revered work of art. More than anything, this film, directed by Simon Curtis and written by Alexi Kaye Campbell, is about justice and those who will give their all to achieve it. Ms. Mirren plays her role with the dignity and dedication that the real life subject no doubt possessed.  The film is engrossing and well paced and one need not be an attorney to follow and understand, the legal niceties it contains. One can talk about millions who were brutalized by the members of the Third Reich but the impact of the crimes they committed becomes even greater when the story is told about one person and one piece of property. I give the film 3 stars for its ability to relate the horror and hopelessness the victims of Nazi tyranny experienced as their dignity, their possessions and, yes, their very lives were  taken from them.

Clouds of Sils Maria

"Clouds of Sils Maria" is a French made film (with total English dialogue) starring Juliette Binoche, Kristen Stewart and Chloe Grace Moretz. The film was written and directed by Olivier Assayas and, perhaps, there lies the problem. This a movie showcasing the superb talents of Ms. Binoche and the surprising versatility of Ms. Stewart (who won the French equivalent of our Oscar, i.e. the Cesar, for her performance. Unfortunately, that is where the accolades must end for the writer-director, although attempting to script a clever story of the trials and tribulations of an aging actress faced with her own professional mortality, forgot how to edit and tie each chapter of the film into a cohesive easy to follow tale. The movie has more unresolved issues and loose ends than a mutant octupus. Adding to the confusion is the fact that this basically three person film is over 2 hours in length which only makes what might have been tolerable in a shorter version uncomfortable to watch in the one it is in. If ratings were based on performances alone, the film which generate a much higher number but, as a total theatrical experience, I can only award it 2 and ½ stars. "All About Eve" said it better and in a much shorter period of time.

While We're Young

"While We’re Young" stars Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts, Amanda Seyfried and Adam Driver in this film written and directed by Noah Baumbach. This is not a good film as Ben Stiller tries to play a Jack Lemmon type character against the beautiful Ms. Watts but to no avail. More like a lemon than a Lemmon, he Is awkward and quite annoying to watch. Touted by the critics as a great and "deep" film about the older generation facing the younger culture surrounding them, the film never quite achieves this lofty goal. For the most part, tt Is a trite and meanngless story that had me trying to stay awake during some of its footage. I give the film 2 stars, and am probably being overly generous by doing that.

A La Mala

"A La Mala" is a Spanish language film produced in Mexico and stars Aislin Derbez and Mauricio Ochmann. The film was directed by Pedro Pablo Ibarra and written by Ari Rosen and Issa Lopez. The title of the film comes from the name of its leading character who is called Mara (short for Maria Laura), and is basically the story of her seeking fame and acclaim in the medium of television. Although entertaining with tolerable elements of comedy as she interacts with her roommates and would-be employers, the film is light and better suited for a Hallmark television movie or, in the days of yore, a grade B filler to accompany the main feature when 2 movies were exhibited for the same price. I give the film 2 and ½ stars and suggest that it might be a viable alternative if all the other films in the muliplex are sold out.

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.