Dinner for Schmucks
Corporate executive must bring an unsuspecting fool to a dinner party where the biggest idiot wins a prize. Inconsequential comedy is forgettable, for the most part, and not especially funny. As the star imbecile, Steve Carell mugs for the camera in a desperate attempt to wring laughs from the lightweight script. An IRS agent, he makes dioramas with […]
Séraphine
Period drama uses the “tortured genius” blueprint to tell the story of Séraphine Louis, a mentally disturbed housekeeper, with a secret passion to paint. A self-taught outsider to the art world, her works were highlighted by intricately ornate floral arrangements. Sadly, she such is a quiet, withdrawn woman, her personality fails to engage as […]
Salt
Angelina Jolie is Evelyn Salt, a trained CIA officer who is accused of being a Russian spy. Jolie brings her seductive, charismatic persona and she definitely doesn’t disappoint. She’s an indestructible badass, as sexy as she is tough. It’s a seductive combination. A spectacular piece of slam-bang entertainment that, while captivating, is also ludicrous in […]
Despicable Me
Animated comedy about a criminal mastermind who plans to steal the moon in order to outdo his #1 rival. Buoyant script highlights this heist movie. The clever story never talks down to its audience as there are jokes to delight adults and children alike. The exceptional voice performances also contribute to the fun. Thankfully the […]
Inception
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012 – Addendum Once I’ve experienced a film, I will rarely watch it again for say another 5 years. It’s just that I feel 1.) they don’t hold the same joy of discovery the 2nd time around and 2.) there are simply too many other great movies I still have yet to […]
The Holiday
Glossy romantic comedy features two women who swap homes temporarily, one in England the other in LA. What happens to British Iris in the US is far more compelling than what happens to American Amanda in England. Credit goes to Kate Winslet for her engaging performance. She elevates everyone around her. Even Eli Wallach seems […]
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
A New York City subway train is hijacked by a group of 4 men and a ransom of 1 million dollars is demanded for the safe return of the 17 passengers. Well plotted, heist movie has a refreshingly simple plot. Story isn’t corrupted by the needlessly complicated gimmicks which often hamper modern films, including the 2009 […]
The Girl Who Played with Fire
Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist are back as he tries to vindicate the young computer hacker who has become a murder suspect. Unfortunately part two of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy is a disappointment. The chemistry between the principal leads, so interesting in the first film, is eliminated here because the protagonists are kept separate throughout […]
Predators
Eight elite warriors find themselves in foreign territory being hunted by a ruthless alien race. Heart pounding science fiction is captivating because the action starts quietly and slowly builds. We the audience gradually understand what is happening as the characters on screen do. Initially it is the joy of discovery that makes the story so […]
Cyrus
A man meets the woman of his dreams but must contend with her 21-year-old son. John C. Reilly plays the lead character, utterly lacking in confidence. He’s been divorced for 7 years and still has trouble adjusting. At a party in an inebriated state, he is compelled to start dancing all by himself when a favorite song […]