MOON Directed by: Duncan Jones Running time: 97 minutes Release date: May 12, 2009 Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy and Thriler Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics MPAA Rating: R This unique film was screened at Tribeca Film Festival and it had gained a buzz from its premiere at Sundance and like many I was anxious to see what it was all about. The program indicated by Tribeca Film Festival...More
THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE
Directed by: Rebecca Miller Running time: 93 minutes Release date: November 27, 2009 Genre: Drama MPAA Rating: Not rated First time novelist of the book with the same title, screenwriter, director and wife of Daniel Day-Lewis, Rebecca Miller brings a smart film of a middle-age woman whose enigmatic life must find meaning to the screen. The protagonist Pippa Lee is brilliantly played by Golden Globe nominee Robin Wright Penn, an attractive middle-age married with two adult children woman who has relocated to the wealthy suburbs of Connecticut. She is married to a highly successful semi-retired publisher named Herb Lee played by the very talented Alan Arkin. She has raised two intelligent children into successful adulthood and now she doesn't seem to have a purpose any longer. She wants to simplify her life, however her past recurs in the form of erratic sleepwalking. Her husband Herb has heart problems and she focuses of his health problems. She has the company of close friends Sam Shapiro (Mike Binder) and Sandra Dulles (Wynonna Ryder) who share the comfortable life in surburbia. Ryder gives a bubbling performance and is very much an added attraction in this film. The film uses flashback scenes as its plot and character developement. Pippa's life is reconstructed when the movie is built in a setting of her childhood. She is raised by a pill-popping mother and a naive clergy father. She takes to drugs and runs away from home only to fall into abusive relationships. The young Pippa characters are played with a great deal of talent by Madeline McNulty and Blake Lively. She (Blake Lively) is taken in by her lesbian aunt Trish (Robin Weigert) and lover Kat (Julianne Moore) who involved her in porn films. The misunderstandings of her family structure hampers her all through her young adult life until she meets and marries Herb who is a couple of decades older than her. This is the stability and security she needs. The elements of this drama thrive on the storyline of what happens and it molds the characters as their emotions are displayed. The intelligent theme governs the progression of the plot developement as it moves through conflicts, thereby helping to further the theme. This strikingly accomplished drama that features an unforgettable performance by Robin Wright Penn moves at a consistant pace as she meets a neighbor Chris (Keanu Reeves) the adult son of Dot portrayed by acclaimed veteran actress Shirley Knight. Unfortunately, Robin Wright Penn and Keanu Reeves offer no good reason why we (audience) should watch them as perspective lovers. The only flaw in this good film is the intergration of all dramatic elements. As the movie begins, its thought and theme are proving a particular point. The plot gives good combinations of the incidences or the things done in the story. However, the final scenes unwind a tightly knitted movie and my attention towards a marvelous movie unravels. Without tight intergration of all dramatic elements, the drama loses its focus. I overlooked the last failed 15 minutes of this film and enjoyed approximately 75 minutes of good work. I hope anyone who sees this movie will do the same, because it would be a shame to let a little bad spoil the so much good it offers. |
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BAD LIEUTENANT:Port of Call New Orleans
Directed by:Werner Herzog Running time: 2 hours 1 minute Relase date: November 20, 2009 Genre: Drama, Crime/Gangster and Action Distributor: FirstLook Studios MPAA Rating: R Set in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Nicolas Cage plays rogue detective Terrace McDonagh who is devoted to his job and is a high-functioning drug addict in New Orleans. He uses his badge and gun to get his way to enforce the law and to score drugs. He shares his wild and crazy lifestyle with his girlfriend Frankie Donnenfield (Eva Mendes) who is a prostitute. Together their complicated turmultuous life descends into the darkest world of crime yet their desires and compulsions spark a series of sadistic and often manically humorous situations. Similar in the theme of the BadLieutenant (1992) which starred Harvey Kietel, this is a new wave film noir rather than neo-noir in substance. Filmmaker Werner Herzog states that this is not a remake, however the plot seems to be the same, but with a different ending. One could categorize this movie as a mixture of The Usual Suspects (1995) and Pulp Fiction (1994). Most of the screen time is devoted to the fast conversations and loose monologues that reveal shady characters' senses of humor while exposing their perspective of life. The performance by Cage is well suited for him. Eva Mendes shows she has range in her wicked yet loving character Frankie. Each character in this fast pace flick is crossing the line, commiting crime and reaping the consequences. This is an edge-of-your seat movie that has the makings of being a cult flick. THE ROAD Directed by: John Hillcoat Running time: 1 hour 53 minutes Release date: November 20, 2009 Genre: Drama, Science Fiction and Adaptation Distributor: Dimension Films MPAA Rating: R From Cormac McCarthy, author of No Country For Old Men, this screen adaptation by Joe Penhall of the best-selling and Pulitzer Prize winning novel by the same title stars Viggio Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce, and young newcomer Kodi Smit-McPhee. This is an epic post-apocalyptic story of survival of a father (Mortensen) and his young son (Smit-McPhee) as they journey across a barren America that was destroyed by a mysterious cataclysm. Filled with innovative visual effects the two fight for their lives. They are threatened by cannibalism and marauders as they journey to get to the ocean. In this powerhouse doomsday thriller, the film is authentically plague with suspense. As the population decimates the movie draws sympathy from its viewers. There is a coming of age theme of a father teaching a young son to learn survival tactics. Mortensen and Smit-McPhee display a remarkable degree of chemistry on screen as they are pushed to the worst and the best that they are capable of. This is a remarkable movie that adds a visual wonderland to watch. |
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"WOMEN IN TROUBLE"
Directed by: Sebastian Gutierrez Running time: 92 minutes Release date: November 13, 2009 Genre: Comedy and Drama Distributor: Screen Media Films MPAA Rating: R Writer/director Sebastian Gutierrez crafted a sexually funny film on the lives of several women who are caught in desparate situations. These beauties include a porn star, a couple of calls girls, a bartender, a flight attendant, a psychiatrist and a masseuse. The film centers around Elektra Luxx brilliantly and outrageously played by Carla Gugina (Watchmen and The Game Plan) who is a world famous porn star who finds out that she is pregnant. This can put a damper on her career. The father of the soon to be baby is sex craved British Rock Star Nick Chapel (Josh Brolin) who dies on a flight to New York while having intercourse with the flight attendant. Elektra's bestfriend and newcomer to the porn industry is Holly Rocket (Adrianne Palicki). The Holly character is a ditzy bi-sexual blond who has a physical aversion when she has girl on girl sexual action. Adrianne Palicki displays an a great talent for comedic timing and sex appeal. Her dim-wittedness gets her into trouble constantly, however her lesbian girlfriend Bambi (Emmanuelle Chriqui) is always there to bail her out. The plot gives eyebrow raising scenes as a female patient has an affair with her female psychiatrist's husband and when it's discovered, it causes the psychiatrist to fall into a mental slump. Meanwhile, calls girls in another scenario find themselves in a tricky situation that involves an assault on the client. This film takes an enthusiactic approach to the adult theme genre. With a smart, witty and funny way of directing a cast of Eros Divas, the delivery of jokes qualify them as "GagHags" . This is not a negative tag on them but a positive title for sexy female comedians in film who men love when the content is crude and they are not too proper to engage. While introducing sexual fantasies into a spoof, the theme of the movie transforms the audience from sleazy smut to a revolutionary sexually oriented mainstream film. The simplest way of evaluating this comedy is to say that it surprises, startles, shocks and delights. It goes beyond the ordinary, the dull and the familiar. The range of the plot uses comic tactics from absurdity to mockery, to sarcasm to irony, crudity to sauciness yet the comedic tactics disturbs, disrupts, alters and changes things from what is expected. The parameters of this film's comedic story is defined by the aggressiveness and makes it suitable for the audience to consume. In a mock interview by Bert Rodriguez (Joseph Gordan-Levitt of 500 Days of Summer and Uncertainty) with the female actors while the final credits are rolling, the audience gets a chance to hear some rauchy answers to some personal questions. All performances of the cast in this film are sparkling and they shine as they portray their real world is failing. In doing this they show how to replace it with the metaphor of exaggeration of a world that is familiar with us. Filmed in 10 days, this is a wickedly funny romp. The quirky sexual content is hilariously engaging and is nothing short of being a winner. These "hotties" showcase a compassionate and comedic image second to none. I enjoyed every moment. |
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"2012"
Directed by: Roland Emmerich Running time: 158 minutes Release date: November 13, 2009 Genre: Adventure/Action and Thriller Distributor: Columbia Pictures (SONY) MPAA Rating: PG-13 The master of expensive visually impact films such as the successful Independance Day, The Day After Tomorrow, and the not so successful Godzilla, filmmaker Roland Emmerich focuses on the Mayan calendar of the year 2012 when the Earth is destroyed. Using a star clustered cast of John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Thandie, Danny Glover and Woody Harrelson the global disaster is spectacular. In this visual sensation Cusack and Ejiofor are the main characters who fight against time and odds to save themselves and other everyday people. While Platt is the take charge government official who sees his job to save those important officials who are to be the next generations of leaders. The conflict adds substance to a good beginning of a story, with Harrelson as a wacked-out DJ broadcasting from mountain tops. It is good to see Amanda Peet show her dramatic attributes although she is only a minor character. However, the story plunges into a supercharged destruction movie that whimsically dives downward. Director Emmerich in the past has gathered unwanted negative criticism for his films because he relies too heavily on visual effects. It sometimes seem to suffer from illogical plots and using a formulaic popcorn narrative. While interviewing him he informed me that he is a visual effect filmmaker who allows the actors to largely input on the set. He states, "it helps the story continually move". He also says that, "generally, I don't like super-hero flicks". He had a budget of $200 million dollars to buy any and all devices necessary to develop this type of visual language. Is bigger always better? This is an epic movie that is quite exciting to view, however it is too bad the plot suffers as it winds down. |
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"PIRATE RADIO"
Directed by: Richard Curtis Running time: 115 minutes Release date: November 13, 2009 Genre: Comedy Distributor: Focus Features MPAA Rating: R In the early 1960s a group of eight rogue Disc Jockies on a boat in the middle of the Nothern Atlantic, played rock records on their radio station and broke the British law for broadcasting. This was for the love of a new type of music that the snobbish Brits disliked yet the commoners and most of the hip upper-crest enjoyed. Broadcasting live 24/7 from a old tanker anchored just beyond British jurisdiction Radio Rock sends out sends out a vibrant signal to million of listeners across the nation. The Radio Rock roster; overseen by the suave and unflappable staion owner/ship captain Quentin (Bill Nighy); a risk-prone American known as The Count (Phillip Seymour Hoffman); mystic DJ royalty Gavin (Rhys Ifan); the rarely seen Bob (Ralph Brown); slyly amorous Dave (Nick Frost); idiosyncratic New Zealander Angus (Rhys Darby); the aptly named Thick Kevin (Tom Brooke); lovelorn Simon )Chris O'Dowd); ladies' magnate Mark (Tom Wisdom); shy Harold (Ike Hamilton); reporter News John (Will Adamsdale); and lesbian ships' cook Felicity (Katherine Parkinson). One night in 1966, Quentins' teenaged godson Carl (Tom Sturridge) comes aboard. While Carl harbors romantic aspirations that he hopes will be fulfilled during one of the bi-weekly visits by female companions, he also hopes to find out who his long-absent father is. All the time this ship is a freewheeling, free-loving vessel where the Rock Radio crew doesn't know that back in London, the prudish government minister Dormandy (Kenneth Branagh) has embarked on a vehement crusade to silence their radio signal permanently. This adds more excitement to an already fun-filled musical adventure. This is a great social comedy. The fantastic plot projects the social norms of that era. There's an etiquette and a social standard for everything until the new music hit the airwaves. In this flick the great performances display how the people's desires are greater than their problems are exaggerated. Seeing all the inticacies, rules and the standards of behavior highlighted, they push the limit. With a soundtrack highlighting songs by Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Jeff Beck, the Supremes, The Kinks, Them featuring Van Morrison, The Rolling Stones, Otis Redding, The Miracle featuring Smokey Robinson, and many more, this is a delight to take in. This is a must see film. |
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THE FOURTH KIND
Directed by: Olatunde Osunsanmi Running time: 98 minutes Release date: November 6, 2009 Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Horror and Supernatural Distributor: Universal Pictures MPAA Rating: PG-13 This is the first major film written and directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi. It claims to be a re-enactment of original documented footage. It also claims to use never before seen archival footage that is intergrated into the film. The film is purported to be a documentary re-enactment set in Nome, Alaska, and deals with alien abductions in 1972. Residents report UFO sightings and state they made contact with extraterrestrials. The movie is contructed in a provocative manner, however the hype is more than the substance. Milla Jovovich portrays Dr. Abigail Tyler (psychologist) who treats pych patients who have the same encounter that her dead abducted husband had. Eventually, she becomes a patient after many therapy sessions. With supporting cast members Will Patton, Elias Koteas and Hakeem Kae-Kazim just could not make this flick work. THE BOX Directed by: Richard Kelly Running time: 1 hour 54 minutes Genre: Drama, Horror and Thriller Distributor: Warner Brothers MPAA Rating: PG-13 In this supernatural flick based upon the classic short story Button, Button by Richard Matheson, Cameron Diaz plays Norma Lewis a teacher at a private high school and her husband Arthur (James Marsden) an NASA engineer have a visit from a representative from outer-space. Frank Langella plays Mr. Steward the representive who offers married couples with kids one million dollars to push a button on a box which will take the life of an unknown person. The plot starts off with suspense and fizzles away gradually. The story can go only but so far for this two hour movie. What more can I say for a film that relies on the death watch of a button pusher? NOTHING! |
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"NEW DISNEY STAR ANIKA ROSE TO HOST AFROPOP PUBLIC TELEVISION SERIES"
Tony Award winning actress Anika Noni Rose, who recently made history by being cast as the first ever African-American princess in Disney's The Princess and the Frog (Dreamgirls and HBO's The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency), has signed on to host the new season of AfroPop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange. An innovative documentary film series on contemporary life, art, and pop culture in the African Diaspora. As the series host, Rose will introduce audiences to poerful stories about African boxers who journey acrss the Atlantic to match their skills against the best in global contests; a teenage girl who travels to Ghana and a Sierre Leonian ex-patriate who returns to his homeland, each hoping to dispel prevailing myths about the two continents; Hurricane Katrina victims who find themselves refugees in their own country. SUMMARY REVIEWS OF SOME FILMS: "THE FIGHTING SPIRIT" Directed by: George Amponsah Running time: 85 minutes Country/Language: USA & UK/Engllish The filming locations is based in Ghana (the poor fishing village of Bukom) where a relatively female newcomer to boxing Yarkor "Chavez", who is fueled by her hate for men because of a cheating ex-boyfriend shows she has talent. She is known as "the first lady of boxing" in Bukom and shows potential, however she loses her first fight but refuses to give up in this brutal sport. The next profile is of George, a twenty two year old who gets a chance to box a British champion. This is the spotlight type of match that takes him out of Ghana and gives him a chance to see London. Unfortunately, he loses his fight, but gains the insight of the outside world. The main theme of their lifestyles is fighting and fishing. Disputes are settled physically and strength is the centerpoint of their heritage. Brutality is the means of survival. Filmmaker Amonsah captures a look at Ghana through the eyes of those fighting for their dreams. "DESERT BAYOU" Directed by: Alex LeMay Running time: 71 minutes Country/Language: USA/English The poignant film examines devastating things about Hurricane Katrina. It raises questions of race, poverty, politics and religion. Footage of the catastrophy is shown in detail with interviews of victims. Questions and answers concerning the care of the survivors. How they were taken to a place with warmth, dry buildings, clothes, food, medial care, telephones, opportunities for life changing education and jobs. Some people spoke of how nearby states and many major cities assisted. The message in this film is hope. "MOVING TO THE BEAT" Directed by: Caleb Heymann & Abdul Fofanah Running time: 47 minutes Country/Language: USA/English Escapees from civil war in Africa, young people speak of the turmoil they endured. Hip Hop music and culture is their linkage of Freetown, Sierra Leone and Portland, Oregon in which this documentary follows the Rebel Soulz group's journey to freedom. The old cliche' that music soothes the savage beast holds true. The result in the film is a deeply forged connection that transcends centuries of misunderstanding and separation, and becomes an inspirational call for people worldwide to transcend boundaries. "BLACK TO OUR ROOTS" Directed by: Tre Whitlow Running time: 53 minutes Country/Language: USA/English Discovery of one's beginnings is most important to everyone. However, this film looks at how the Habesha Program gives a tutorial of the African culture to African American teenagers. It is an inspirational story of a group of teenagers' journey from the inner city of Atlanta to Ghana in search of their ancestral home. Various teenagers are focused on spotlighting a range of emotions the teens experience as they expand their horizons. As a prerequisite, the teens from Washington D.C., South Carolina and Georgia do fundraising for their trip from America to West Africa which instills a source of responsibility in their personal structure. This coming of age observational film highlights the courage and determination of these underestimated teenagers as they work to raise money to fund their travels, grapple in focus sessions with issues of African American/African history, and leave their familiar surroundings. Change is a good thing for these kids. For more information on the series go to [url=http://www.AfroPop.tv/]www.AfroPop.tv |
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"THIS IS IT"
Directed by: Kenny Ortega Running time: 1 hour 51 minutes Release date: October 28, 2009 Genre: Documentary and Musical/Performing /arts Distributor: Columbia Pictures MPAA Rating: PG The public interest in the death of 50 year old Michael Jackson and the "This Is It" concert that was planned for 50 concerts which was scheduled to begin back in July 2009 and was to continue through March 2010, made a statement to the world. In light of his passing the posthumous film was made from hours of footage of preparations and rehearsals for the shows. Prior to the film's showing a red carpet from Nokia Theater in Los Angeles was screened via satillite to 17 countries. Celebrities from Paris Hilton to last minute arriving Will Smith was interviewed which made this gala tribute screening a most prestigous event. However, once the film began (although it was a 5 minute signal failure) the magic was in the air. This exciting and sometimes somber film is a rare look at the final days of Michael Jackson which used approximately 80 hours compiled into close to 2 hours. One could only marvel at the behind-the-scenes footage of the legendary "gloved one". His work ethics was one of a perfectionist who knew how to stage, perform, dance and orchestrate his music. The rehearsal footage shot in high definition, included Jackson performing his hits "Thriller", "Beat It", and lists goes on. His new songs "They Don't Care About Me" and "Earth Song" is something I'm sure will be released on the proposed album. An accompanying album to the film titled the same as the film will be a compilation inspired from the documentary. Of the Album, Sony said, "Disc one will feature the original album masters of some of Michael's biggest hits arranged in the same sequence as they appear in the film" and stated that "the disc ends with two versions of the 'never-released 'This Is It' song used in the film's closing sequence. Collaborators and close friends are included, giving this film a real sense of what goes into a workday with Michael Jackson. I see it as a hard working and festive means of employment that one can only learn from. This is a film everyone, no matter the age, must see. It is a distinctive treat for the eyes and ears. (FOR MORE FILM REVIEWS by Gerald Wright go to [url=http://www.HDFest.com]www.HDFest.com, [url=http://www.CriticalWomen.net]www.CriticalWomen.net, and [url=http://www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com]www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com) |
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The New York International Independent Film & Video Festival (NYIIFVF) is one of the largest independent film festivals in the world. The NYIIFVF was founded in 1993 and has been recognized by the film and entertainment industry as one of the leading film events on the independent festival circuit. The festival hosts film, music and art events in the two entertainment capitals of the United States: New York and Los Angeles.
NYIIFVF attracts many global entries, including: Australia, Brazil, Sweden, Kenya, Japan, Canada, France, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Colombia, Russia, Germany, Spain, India and the U.K. The scope of the festival ranges from high profile to novice, so one experiences an array of films and individuals driven by independent movie making. The NYIIFVF is a competitive event and is dedicated to making things happen for emerging filmmakers and screenwriters. The festival has cultivated excellent relationships with thousands of companies in both cities. **Below a film review** DEW (Dauw) Directed by: Ben Jurna & Carrien Dijkstra Running time: 72 minutes Genre: Documentary in Dutch with English subtitles In a tribute to the late Hans Essenberg (cameraman, cinematographer and actor) who began this project of filming the internationally acclaimed artist Marc Mulders, is a film that takes an up-close look at his fascinating Dutch art. After the death of Hans Essenberg, Ben Jurna and Carrien Dijkstra took on the task of making a full length movie honoring both men. Born in Tilburg, Netherlands in 1958, Marc Mulders has been known for years for his expressionist oil artwork is captured on film in his creative environment. His canvases, past and present gives a sense of his power and talent with his sensual paintings of flowers and wild animals that is painted from live subjects. He sometimes stands on thorns and sharp objects that he is working while in his motivationIly mode. I was extremely impressed with his majestic stained glass work Een Tuin van Glas (A Garden of Glass) from De Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam. Housed in 15 Dutch museums, this documentary examines his work as the public gazes in amazement. What troubles me about the famous artist is that he paints flowers when they are in bloom yet in the autumn and winter he turns his attention to dead rabbits,deer and butchered cattle. This film shows a personal interview by art journalist Hans den Hartog with Marc Mulders as he asks what motivates him. Yet, Mulders complexed feelings on spirituality versus the TV world (fake reality) troubles him. Marc Mulders born a Catholic, found himself left attending church alone once his parents stopped going. As he became an adult people spoke of him as "The Catholic Artist". Filmmakers Jurna and Dijkstra not only take a journey into Mulders life but they give a picturesque view of serine background and backdrops of clouds and comforting landscape to set the tone and theme for the viewer to ease into a fine documentary that is very enlightening. |
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THE WEDDING SONG (Le Chant des maiees)
Directed by: Karin Albou Running time: 100 minutes Release date: October 23, 2009 (limited) Genre: Art/Foreign, Drama, War and Romance in French and Arabic with English subtitles Distributor: Strand Releasing MPAA Rating: N/R In this coming of age period piece set during the Third Reich's occupation of Tunis in 1942, the story opens with a quasi-documentary sequence that spirts off into a narrative setting of the friendship of two 16 year old adolescent girls Nour (Olympe Borval) a Muslim and Myriam (Lizzie Brochere) a Jew who live and share the same house in a modest community in harmony. Each girl secretly desires the other's life: while Nour regrets that she doesn't go to school, Myriam dreams of love and romance. Myriam is also envious of Nour's engagement to her cousin Khaled, unfortunately Khaled can't find work which halts his marriage to Nour. Myriam's mother Tita (Karin Albou) decides to marry her daughter to a rich Jewish doctor who she doesn't love, and Myriam's dreams of love and romance dwindles away. As the Nazis enter Tunis pursuing the policies of the Vichy regime and imposes restrictions on Jews, Khaled who is a confused young man takes a job as an informant for the German Army. With rising political upheaval and Khaled's help in locating Jews, the two girls must take sides and drift apart. However the more they grow apart the more they need each other. Filmmaker Karin Albou centers the artistic direction of this movie using cold shades of color which encouages Tunisia's exotic image. The setting is also filled with tension and apprehension of what the once harmonial neighborhood of Tunis is about to endure. This film features bold and dynamic performances by newcomers Lizzie Brochere and Olympe Borva. Director/writer Karin Albou brilliantly crafts the dimension of two young emancipated women's lives in an environment that is repressive towards women. MOTHERHOOD Directed by: Katherine Dieckman Running time: 90 minutes Release date: October 23, 2009 (limited Genre: Drama and Comedy Distributor: Freestyle Releasing MPAA Rating: PG-13 This dramedy turn character study of motherhood in urban NYC is fascinating and hilarious. Starring Uman Thurman as Eliza Welch a former fiction writer who now resorts to blogging with her own site called "The Bjorn Identity." She is married to an absent-minded eccentric husband named Avery played by Anthony Edwards and have two young children. Her domestic lifestyle has put her creative ambitions on hold. They reside in one of those "once in a lifetime" situations; two rent-stabilized apartments in a walk-up tenement building in upscale Greenwich Village. The plot developement strengthens when Eliza decides to enter a contest and write 500 words answering the question, "What Does Motherhood Mean To Me", run by a parenting magazine. Uma Thurman is unique as an energized mom and creating a role that is quite good. She has a great supporting character with Sheila (Minnie Driver) her best friend who is pregnant and without a mate. I personally enjoyed the children of the Welch family. Six year old Clara (Daisy Tahan) who attends kindergarden is perky and fun to watch. The toddler of the household is Lucas played by David and Matthew Shallip, who innocently finds mischief. This is the meat of the plot where Eliza shows how exhausting it is to raise kids along with the overwhelming task of running a household, battling for parking space during alternate side parking showdowns and prepare for a birthday party. The audience will be entertained with the playground park mothers and nannies with kids while watching the many backdrop sequences of the NYC everyday people. This is a fun-filled study on being a mom with solid performances by a good cast. (UNTITLED) Directed by: Jonathan Parker Running time: 96 minutes Release date: October 23, 2009 Genre: Comedy, Musical/Performing Arts and Romance Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films MPAA Rating: N/R This a satire that makes fun of nuance personalities of New York's comtemporary artsy world. Two competitive brothers; one who is eclectic and plays piano named Adrian Jacobs (Adam Goldberg) and the other brother Josh (Eion Bailey) who is a commercially successful painter. Though the plot is a little pretentious it centers on how the two brothers are showcased by a stunning woman named Madeleine Gray (Marley Shelton), who commissions art showings and concerts in the Chelsea area of the city. Josh who is the stable and favorite of the Jacobs parents is in love with Madeleine, however she has fallen for Adrian who puts on bizarre avante-guarde musical concerts. The complications of the story is when Josh's highly commercial art work is sold to corporate clients discreetly out of the gallery's backroom which limits Josh's creative talent. The theme of the film is not to be realistic and luckily so, because it doesn't hit its mark with dry trendy humor. Perhaps one could say that the tone and the amount of restraint in the humor is fun to watch. However it does not deliver in its funny interplay. The simplest way of looking at comedy is to say that it surprises, startles, shock or delights us and the essentail aspect of all comedy is that it goes beyond the ordinary, the dull and the familiar. This movie lacks most of these elements and I found myself searching for understanding of this vague idea of what is really funny in relation to analyzing and understanding it. AMELIA Directed by: Mira Nair Running time: 111 minutes Release date: October 23, 2009 (wide) Genre: Drama and Biopic Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures MPAA Rating: PG-13 Amelia, is a dramatization of the life of Amelia Earhart. Based on the books East to the Dawn by Susan Butler and The Sound of Wongs by Mary S. Lovell this film chronicles Earhart's rise to fame and follows the relationship between Earhart and her husband, publisher, manager and promoter George P. Putnam. Hilary Swank as Amelia Earhart, Richard Gere as George Putnam and Ewan McGregor as Gene Vidal are the major characters of this lavish movie. The film opens up as she is piloting a plane in the clouds and most of the audience can guess this is her last flight. Soon after the film sequence flashes back to how she becomes the first woman to fly across the Atlantic (as a passenger), the film shows how she is thrust into the role of America's Sweetheart. In this lengthy movie the story written by Ron Bass and Anna Hamilton Phelan take liberties by sugar-coating this biopic with an elaborate mixture of a romantic/business relationship she has with George Putnam which turns into a marriage. Reality has it that Earhart was promoted into this stardom of the skies merely by a staged means of publicity. The clever Putnam marketed her for personal recognition and she went along with it for exposure, money and fame. While the film glorified her existence and purified her long lasting extra-marital sexual affair with pilot Gene Vidal, it lacked any form of excitement. Of course, she was an inspiration to people everywhere during the depression years, the film and Hilary Swank's performance did capture the personality of a woman flirting with danger and standing up as her own. The plot placed a heavy emphysis on her larger than life charisma and how outspoken she was. Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor's performances were at best alright. This is not due to their acting credibility but from the standard theme characters they were scripted to play. However, it became tedious as the story of this famed aviatrix rolled on. The final scenes predictably gave both Amelia and George a destined outcome. Unfortunately, it gave me a lackless movie to endure. (FOR MORE FILM REVIEWS by Gerald Wright go to [url=http://www.HDFest.com]www.HDFest.com, [url=http://www.CriticalWomen.net]www.CriticalWomen.net and [url=http://www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com]www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com ) . |
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