Movie #460 ......................."Rango"

Movie #460 "Rango" is not really for kids ----at least, the kids in my audience didn't get it --- too fast and over their heads. This film has a lot of chase scenes, violence, and an unfocused script, in my opinion. Disclaimer: I don't like westerns that follow that mythic hero thing ---- it usually has a lot of chase scenes, violence and an unfocused script or such a basic one, it comes across boring. Didn't like this script ---- lots of problems with it ---- This is a strange film to critique for me because I appreciated all the tech stuff (including a fabulous musical score by Zimmer), and I liked the voices, but I didn't care about it one iota --- didn't care about any of the characters or their plight. And if I don't care about it, I am easily bored, and so I start to look at my watch and the rest is history. This was a "look at my watch 3 times" and it is only 107 minutes, so needless to say, I don't recommend it. I guess if the trailer looked intriguing to you, you might like it, but I would think the majority don't have to see this. Back to the films I'm critiquing for the Naperville Film Festival. That's why I haven't been doing a lot with this movie blog lately. Pretty soon, I'll be at it more!


3 stars
Rango
(2011) PG
Johnny Depp lends his voice to the portrayal of the title character, an adventurous family pet who leaves home to learn more about himself, in this family-friendly animated adventure directed by Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean). The star-studded cast of vocal talent also includes Abigail Breslin, Isla Fisher, Alfred Molina, Ray Winstone, Harry Dean Stanton, Ned Beatty, Stephen Root and Bill Nighy.
Genre: Family Animation, Family Adventures, Animal Tales
This movie is: Imaginative, Feel-good, Witty
Availability: DVD and Blu-ray availability date unknown

Movie #459 ........................."Rio"

Movie #459 "Rio" is a wonderful film, with or without the 3D. We saw it with 3D, but it didn't seem to be a major factor in our liking it or not ---- the music is great, colors, colors, colors galore, fast paced, cute characters, doable story with ample amount of chases and danger, and put that together with a cute love story between Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenberg (with a salsa ballad sung by Jamie Fox) (Only in an animated film could all that happen) and you have a great picture. Do yourself a favor and see it! It's a lot of fun!



Rate 5 stars
Rio
(2011) PG
When a cooped-up macaw named Blu leaves the confines of his birdcage behind for the tropical climes of Rio de Janeiro, he's forced to wing it and re-examine everything he knows about life -- and being a bird.
Genre: Family Animation, Family Comedies, Family Adventures
Availability: DVD and Blu-ray availability date unknown

Movie #458 ........................."The Fair Game"

Movie #458 "The Fair Game" ---in this one, I couldn't get past the exposition. Way too long. I just couldn't finish it nor stay awake through it. Sorry, got to diss this one. And I'm usually a big fan of both of these actors. You know how sometimes you just click with a film that a lot of people don't like? Well, this is the opposite here. No click, no interest, no recommendation.




You rated this movie: 2
Fair Game
(2010) PG-13
After her husband, Ambassador Joseph Wilson (Sean Penn), writes op-ed columns accusing the Bush administration of misleading the public to justify invading Iraq, Valerie Plame Wilson's (Naomi Watts) status as a covert CIA agent is leaked by administration officials. Based on events described in Plame Wilson's memoir, this drama explores the political scandal that led to the conviction of Lewis "Scooter" Libby.
Genre: Political Dramas, Dramas Based on Real Life, Dramas Based on Contemporary Literature
This movie is: Emotional, Exciting, Suspenseful

Movie #457 ........................."The White Countess

Movie #457 "The White Countess" is a very slow, slow, slow movie. Sufficeth it to say, it's a Merchant/Ivory flick --- enough said? Ralph Fiennes is always interesting to watch, and the music was good throughout the film. But, and that's a big but, the story goes nowhere, some of the incidental characters in the film are not needed (I guess that's why they are incidental), the history isn't delved into enough, and it's just plain boring. I rented this film because there are mostly Redgraves in it: Vanessa, Lynn and Vanessa's daughter, the late Natasha Richardson. And yes, their scenes are good but there aren't enough of them. I don't recommend this one at all!








I gave this 3 stars
The White Countess
(2005) NR
Blinded by a traumatic event that took the lives of his wife and daughter, disenchanted ex-U.S. diplomat Todd Jackson (Ralph Fiennes) dreams of owning a gentleman's club. But his life changes forever when he crosses paths with an exiled Russian countess (Natasha Richardson). Acclaimed director James Ivory helms this romantic drama about two lonely people who find hope amid the political turmoil of 1930s Shanghai.
Genre: Romantic Dramas, 20th Century Period Pieces, Period Pieces
This movie is: Dark, Romantic, Understated
Availability: DVD

Movie #456 ........................."Bread & Roses"

Movie #456 "Bread & Roses" is a Mexican version of Norma Rae, with Adrien Brody playing the Ron Leibman part and Pilar Padilla plays Sally Field. The content of both films deals with the growth of the union and its activities, and the relationship between the organizer and the leader in the factory. Unlike Norma Rae, there's an important difference ---- the people in this film have the added burden of being illegals, so that is hanging over them throughout the film. For that reason, I felt it was equally important to see this film even though we know basically the story since we have seen "Norma Rae." I liked this ---- the dialogue was believable (that is what Ken Loach is known for), characters were likable and funny at times, and the movie moved with ease.





I rated it 4 stars
Bread and Roses
(2000) R
Director Ken Loach helms this dramatic story about an immigrant named Maya (Pilar Padilla) who crosses the Mexican border to join her sister, Rosa (Elpidia Carrillo), in Los Angeles. There, she gets a job as a janitor in a large office building. Outraged by the boss's gross mistreatment of the workers, Maya teams up with union organizer Sam Shapiro (Adrien Brody) to fight for justice. The film was nominated for the Golden Palm at Cannes.
Genre: Indie Dramas, Political Dramas, Tearjerkers
This movie is: Dark

Movie #455 ........................."Hereafter"

Movie #455 "Hereafter" one word to describe this movie is "meh" --- not enough action for me, except for the tsunami. That scene, in the opening, is unbelievable and what a great way to jumpstart into the movie, but then the rest was kind of a wandering from one story to the next ---- with little screen time for Matt Damon. It's an interesting topic (though overdone in film) and I liked the idea of each of the stories, but each segment seemed too long --- I wanted it to move more fluidly from one story to the next......rather than "wandering" --- too coincidental how they are all put together, for my money. I DID like the music though, and of course it was done by Eastwood. This is far from Eastwood's best work --- mediocre at best.




I gave it 3 stars
Our best guess for DONNA: 3.6 stars
Average of 22,580 ratings: 3.3 stars
Hereafter
2010 PG-13 129 minutes
Clint Eastwood directs this supernatural thriller about three very different people and their responses to death, including a hesitant American psychic named George (Matt Damon) who may be able to help the others find answers and peace. Marie (Cécile De France) is a French journalist caught up in the aftereffects of the devastating 2004 tsunami, while in London, young Marcus (Frankie and George McLaren) seeks to contact his deceased twin brother.

Cast:Matt Damon, Cécile De France, Frankie McLaren, George McLaren, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jay Mohr, Marthe Keller, Thierry Neuvic, Mylène Jampanoï Director:Clint Eastwood Genres:Drama, Supernatural Thrillers, Mystery, Tearjerkers, Blu-ray This movie is:Emotional, Mind-bending Format:DVD and Blu-ra

Movie #454 ........................."Lincoln Lawyer"

Movie #454 "Lincoln Lawyer" suits Matt M. just fine --- he's a smart ass lawyer with very few scruples ---- and so does the movie, in my opinion. It has some smart moments, but they are few and far between. And I didn't care too much for the scruples? Is no one on the take? The camera is too close, the film is too much like an extended CSI show, and the plot is too immoral for my money. I wanted so badly for this to be a journey for this guy --- for him to travel from the bad side to the good. I didn't like the ending or what the film says to us ---- the system is screwed up, yes, yes, yes, I know that --- but we need movies about how it's wrong to play the game, not that it is the only way to do it. Don't we have enough of that in the news? I guess I wanted a different movie, wanted the good looking Matt to do more that be a wise ass (like he usually does in films) and do more the lawyering he did in "A Time to Kill" --- which is such a better film.




I gave it 3 stars
The Lincoln Lawyer
(2011) R
Tasked with defending rich lothario Louis Roulet, who's been charged with assault, lawyer Mick Haller finds himself and his family in danger when he deduces the truth behind this and former cases he's worked on.
Genre: Courtroom Dramas, Dramas Based on Bestsellers, Dramas Based on Contemporary Literature
This movie is: Suspenseful
Format: DVD and Blu-ray availability date unkno

Movie #453 ........................."Jeremy"

Movie #453 "Jeremy" was the winner of the best college short film at the Phoenix Film Festival, and this one stuck as as being very different and very real (until the end). Here's this boy visiting his dad in prison and finds out that he won't be able to see him as much as he has been seeing him because they are moving his dad ---- the father also tells the boy in this visit that he has found God. We follow the kid home to a terribly abusive, neglectful abode --- Mom just rags at him for being late bringing the lottery tickets home, the brothers use him as a punching bag. Thanksgiving is a bunch of McDonalds hamburgers ---- these people are really poor. The boy decides to look for a local church and when he goes there, he discovers he could use a tie and shirt to fit in and he goes home and asks for those, but they just laugh at him and ask him where they can get the money for that ---- things seem to look better when his mom's newest boyfriend says he will take the kid to church (because it is a long way with a bike or walking, which is what he has been doing) So Jeremy gets up the next day and is all dressed up for church , but the boyfriend is sleeping off a binge from the night before --- and things seem to deteriorate from there, until it comes to a head. Good involved short film, with some good characters. The ending seemed to be a tad manipulative, but it was uplifting and that was needed,considering the subject matter. I would have given it 4 stars.

Movie #452 ........................."The Road Home"

Movie #452 "The Road Home" won the best World Cinema short at the Phoenix Film Festival, and deservedly so. It concerns a little boy who is attending a private school near mumbai and is constantly picked on because he looks of Indian descent and his folks are Indian, but he refuses to admit that he is ---- so the other kids call him names. One day, he has had enough and he leaves and hops a taxi to get to New Delhi and start his road back home................but on this ride home he learns that he should he can't shake who he is and he has to learn to stand up for himself. A good lesson for the kid and the viewer. Nice quiet film with a lesson. 4 stars.

Movie #451 ........................."Old People Driving"

Movie #451 "Old People Driving" was the winner of the short documentary at the Phoenix Film Festival. I loved this one - the spirit of it, the universality of it, the people the documentarian interviewed. The film follows two elderly men who are faced with a decision whether they should not drive anymore. One is 100 years of age, and he is deciding to trade his car in for a tricycle, except he's having problems getting used to that mode of transportation. The other is in his late 90s and he isn't ready to give up the keys yet --- he thinks he drives well, and according to his daughter, who is putting the film together, she agrees....so far. So she put together the movie to investigate what it means to give up the right to drive, and all that goes into that decision. Well done! 5 stars!

Movie #450 ........................."Diversion"

Movie #450 "Diversion" was the winner of the live action short at the Phoenix Film Festival, and it was, indeed, a winner. It was Slick, stylistic, fast-paced, with intrigue, pounding rhythm, good acting. It was filmed in Chicago, and watching it in Arizona made us a little homesick, but not that much because you could tell it was deathly cold. hah! Anyway, it involves a man just about to go into the Chicago Tribune building and he gets a phone call from an unknown man who says his wife and child will be killed if he carries out his delivery. And the race begins, ending with a surprise last few moments. Nice job and I would have given it 4 stars.

Movie #449 ........................."The Call"

Movie #449 "The Call" was the winner of the h.s. short films in the Phoenix Film Festival, and it was very bad. We didn't even know this was a high school film until we looked into the book at the end of the evening, but we could have guessed it. "The Call" in the title refers to a decision a h.s. girl needs to make: whether she should behead her boyfriend or let him behead her. Silly and badly done. 0 stars.

Movie #448 ........................."Fallout"

Movie #448 "Fallout" is the Phoenix Film Festival winner of the Arizona short, and it was nicely executed. Looking like a video game of war, it quickly sets up a platoon running for safety, only to walk into an ambush. Then the film moves to afterwards and part of the fallout is finding out that "one of their own" was to blame. Too many characters in too short a time left this viewer wondering what was really happening beyond the basic plot. But I did like the look of it. I'd give it 3 stars.

Movie #447 ........................."Kidnap"

Movie #447 "Kidnap" was the winner of the short animated films at the Phoenix Film Festival, and it was adorable. It reminded me of a Shel Silverstein poem about the stories that kid tell. This little kid narrator is trying to explain to her teacher (just a leg) why she is late to school and it involves several kidnappings. The animation was colorful with big strokes, and the child's voice was endearing and cute. I highly recommend it, if you get a chance to see this little animated gem.

Movie #446 ........................."Downfall"

Movie #446 "Downfall" was a chore to get through --- took me three days. Not that it was boring --- it was too heavy to watch --- too many people committing suicide, shooting dogs, shooting each other, taking poison pills, watching Hitler going nuts with his military, them rolling their eyes at his orders, people still following his stupid orders, it went on and on..........if you are at all interested in the downfall of the third reich, this is the movie to see --- it is all delineated here, and told through the eyes of his secretary. I would never see it again, but I feel better informed on the subject, and it didn't leave me with a lot of questions --- it was quite inclusive. In fact, that's a fault it has ---- too many names to follow --- got lost remembering who was who at times.




I rate it 3 stars.
Downfall
Der Untergang / The Downfall: Hitler and the End of the Third Reich
(2004) R
After introducing audiences to Adolf Hitler's stenographer, Traudl Junge, in the gripping documentary Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary, director Oliver Hirschbiegel brings Junge to life in this Oscar-nominated drama. With painstaking realism, Hirschbiegel's Best Foreign Language Film contender adopts Junge's (Alexandra Maria Lara) point of view to recreate Hitler's (Bruno Ganz) final 12 days in his Berlin bunker.
Genre: Germany, Biographies, Military & War Dramas
This movie is: Violent, Cerebral, Dark
Format: DVD

Movie #445 ........................."Small Town Murder Songs"

Movie #445 "Small Town Murder Songs" is a very suspenseful film, with loud music (a fault, to me --- too loud), Mennonite sayings captioning each major scene, a dismal, cold Canadian landscape, and a quiet to a fault major character who is always interesting to watch, esp. in his scenes with either girlfriend --- the past and the present. The mystery is secondary to the character study, and that's okay, but I found it pretty predictable and when it came to the high point, I pretty much thought it would go in one of three directions --- and it did. I kind of wanted more backstory (the film only runs 75 minutes), maybe more possible people who might have done the murder, and maybe one or two more Mennonites featured in the film (the old lady who kept trying to feed the cop was hysterical! and lovable, all at the same time) I liked it and found it very watchable, and right now it is in the save section of netflix --- it's worth a look, I think.




Average rating: 3.633
I give it 3.5
Small Town Murder Songs
(2010) NR
Tormented by his past and seeking redemption, Walter (Peter Stormare), the police chief of a Canadian Mennonite community, tries to solve a startling murder for which Steve (Stephen Eric McIntyre), the creepy boyfriend of Walter's bitter ex-lover (Jill Hennessy), is the chief suspect. Although he has a new, supportive girlfriend (Martha Plimpton), Walter is overwhelmed by the case and his stern family's disapproval in this intriguing thriller.
Genre: Crime Thrillers, Mystery, Indie Suspense & Thriller
This movie is: Suspenseful

Movie #444 ........................."A Little Help"

Movie #444 "A Little Help" I enjoyed the "indie" feel to this film, even though it had quite a prestigious secondary cast including: Ron Leibman and Lesley Ann Warren, and why Chris O'Donnell is in the film for the short time he is, we didn't get, but found it very enjoyable to watch this story play out. I esp. liked the little boy, playing Jenna's son --- quite natural. I could see the "king of Queens" humor, and in the darkest of times it would surface --- and that underlined the awkward situations, making them even more awkward. I think this film, though, shows some limitations of Jenna Fisher (or the script) in some of the most dramatic moments, but otherwise, I liked the "slice of life" attitude carried throughout. And I hadn't seen a movie quite like it, and so I welcomed that, as well!






Average rating: 3.402
I gave it 4 stars
A Little Help
(2010) NR
"King of Queens" creator Michael J. Weithorn makes his feature-film directorial debut with this indie dramatic comedy starring Jenna Fischer ("The Office") as a recently widowed single mom. Looking for solace anywhere she can find it, Laura (Fischer) reconnects with an old beau -- perhaps not the wisest of choices, since he's also her sister's spouse. Chris O'Donnell and Lesley Ann Warren co-star.
Genre: Romantic Comedies, Indie Comedies
This movie is: Romantic
Fo

Movie #443 ........................."Exporting Raymond"

Movie #443 "Exporting Raymond" is a hoot, and I hope you get the opportunity to see it. It's the funniest documentary I've ever seen (and probably ever will see). Right now you can put it on "save" for netflix, but hopefully, it'll play in a theatre near you in a few months --- and you need to see it, because it is a wealth of information: on how people put t.v. shows together; on the russian culture; on "Everybody Loves Raymond," on what it's like to be a tourist in Russian; on comedy ---- and the list goes on. I was in tears when we met Phil's folks --- so much like the parents on his t.v. show. Really, this is truly funny, and I highly recommend it!




You rated this movie: 5
Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star
Exporting Raymond
(2010) PG
"Everybody Loves Raymond" creator Philip Rosenthal writes, directs and stars in this fish-out-of-water documentary that chronicles his attempts to adapt his hit sitcom for Russian television.
Genre: Documentary
Format: DVD availability date

Movie #442 .........................."Thespians"

Movie #442 "Thespians" was a documentary we saw on Friday night at the Phoenix Film Festival. I rated it a 5, and we got to tell the director one on one how he got it right. Here's what the booklet says about the movie: "Every performer starts somewhere, and many of them started in their high school thespian troupe. For kids in Florida, that means possibly ending up performing on a stage for over 7,000 other students who share their passion. 'Thespians' is the story of 4 of those troupes as they embark on the incredible journey of preparing for the largest high school theatre festival in the world. Thespians explores the wins, the losses and the lessons which lead us to understand that the 'superior' ratings and accolades are not actually the goal - but it is the journey itself - one which begins as all theatre does - in a rehearsal room somewhere with 'two boards and a passion.' It is not ultimately the competition that motivates the students and wins our hearts. It is the recognition that this is every performer's story - transcending time and place to resonate with that initial spark - that calling and passion which compels all performers to forge through endless auditions and continuous rehearsals just for the chance to stand on a stage and connect; to one another, to the audience, and ultimately to themselves. Or perhaps it is what Michael Higgins, the State Director aptly notes , 'the kids who are outsiders everywhere else are insiders here. And isn't that what life is finally about? Finding your place. Trusting your gut. Deep breaths and then taking the risk of a lifetime..." This film we understood quite well --- it showed the talent --- it showed the passion --- and it made us feel good about the program we got to partake in for 30+ years. And thankful for all the talented people we got the opportunity to work with! If you get a chance to see this, you guys who did this will "get it" too. Good flick!

Movie #441 .........................."Brick Lane"

Movie #441 "Brick Lane" --- I waited to see this movie until I read the book, and I finally got to it so I was ready to see the film. I have to say that I wasn't a huge fan of the book ---- I felt it took too long to get into the story. And I know it was important aspect of the story, but I couldn't take how long she was subservient to her husband ---- it got tiring to read about, but I did find it intriguing that the backdrop for the film is Bangladesh. In the book, I totally skipped any notes from the sister because I found that story line least interesting, and I was glad they skipped it in the film, as well. The focus was on the affair with the young radical, but the film skipped that he was a radical, as well. It was fun to watch the kids and see them interact with the father, but I was put off when the menu of the dvd did not allow me to put subtitles on for the husband --- so , as a result, I didn't hear/understand a lot of what he said ---- and he was one of my favorite characters in the book. I guess I was expecting more from reading the book jacket, and I was disappointed in reading the book ---- and I didn't feel the movie was that much different. There were a few scenes I liked, and I enjoyed actually SEEING Brick Lane, but other than that, I wouldn't recommend either the book or the movie.




You rated this movie: 3
Brick Lane
(2007) PG-13
Set in the 1980s, this cross-cultural drama follows young Nazneem (Tannishtha Chatterjee), a Bangladeshi woman who's immigrated to London for an arranged marriage to a middle-aged man, leaving her beloved family, including her sister Hasina, behind. While Hasina leads a life of adventure back home, Nazneem struggles to accept the isolation and unhappiness in her new life, until an unexpected visitor comes along and changes everything.
Genre: Indie Dramas, United Kingdom, 20th Century Period Pieces