Movie Review: Precious November 12, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Review Archives, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: Lee Daniels, Precious
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Movie Review: Precious
Alternate Title: You Shouldn’t Go Home Again
Story: Put your prejudices away and run to see this powerful, emotional drama directed by Lee Daniels, written by Geoffrey Fletcher and based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire.
It is 1987, Harlem and Clareece Precious Jones is like no one you know. She is a 16 year old obese, illiterate girl who is pregnant with her second child after being raped again by her father. Why would you want to see such a seemingly depressing film? You need to see it because the script and acting are like nothing you have seen before – and, hard to believe, it is actually somewhat uplifting.
How Precious manages to escape her abusive mother, desperate situation and finds shreds of hope within herself is movie magic. Director Daniels finds just the right notes in style and substance and mixes reality with dream sequences to make this film all the more special.
I am a sucker for films about resilience, redemption and underdogs. Combine those qualities with incredible acting, an eclectic sound track and you have an award winner, for sure.
Acting: Unknown Gabourey Sidibe as Precious was simply wonderful. She will most definitely be walking the red carpet this award season. Mo’Nique as Mary should also see that red carpet since her performance was also amazing. Paula Patton as the lovely Ms. Rain, was terrific as was an almost unrecognizable Maria Carey as social worker, Ms. Weiss. Lenny Kravitz was fine in the small role of Nurse John.
Trivia: Mo’Nique launched own line of clothing Mo’Nique’s Big Beautiful and Loving It in August 2000. It closed in 2002. Paula Patton was featured on the cover of husband Robin Thicke’s first album, “A Beautiful World”. Lenny Kravitz has a daughter, Zoë Kravitz, with Lisa Bonet. He is the son of Roxie Roker and Sy Kravitz. He was named after his uncle, Pfc. Leonard Kravitz, who was killed in action in Korea on 7 March 1951 while suppressing a Chinese attack and saving most of his platoon; he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Lenny has joined the fight to get his uncle the Congressional Medal of Honor. Supporters believe the CMH has been denied to Pfc. Kravitz because he was Jewish.
Predilection: None
Critters: Cats and dogs (none were harmed)
Food: Lots of carbs, fried and greasy foods including chicken, pigs feet, corn and bread. The only healthy option was fruit eaten by a male nurse.
Sex Spectrum: Rape is not sex.
Blatant Product Placement: McDonald’s was discussed.
Soundtrack: A terrific mix of tunes by Mario Grigorov.
Opening Titles: The title is scrawled on a black background. All credits at the end.
Theater Audience: Note to self: Never ever go to the movies on a school holiday. We went on Veterans Day and it was a very crowded downstairs theater. Luckily we were in the secret balcony but sadly others have discovered that area too. It was, as they say, an interactive audience and many laughed at inappropriate times. The film was rated R – yet there were young children, accompanied by adults in evidence in the theater. I wanted to call the ratings police. Bad parenting reigns.
Weather: Precious weathers the seasons.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 3. The home that Precious came from was extremely abusive and at times, very hard to watch.
Drift Factor: We did not drift.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Yes
Big Screen or Rental: This film should be seen on the big screen.
Length: Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 9
Movie Review: Law Abiding Citizen November 4, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: Movie Review: Law Abiding Citizen
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Movie Review: Law Abiding Citizen
Alternate Title: Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold
Story: Revenge can be very sweet, highly entertaining and has been an ongoing theme on the big screen for a long time. However, when the film maker loses sight of the reason for the revenge – huge plot holes can open up and a film quickly goes down the toilet. Sadly, director F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job) and writer Kurt Wimmer fall into that rabbit hole.
Engineer and family man, Clyde Shelton’s wife and daughter are brutally murdered during a home invasion. After the killers are caught, Philadelphia hot shot, prosecutor Nick Rice, in an effort to keep his conviction rate at 96% makes a deal that allows one of the killers to serve a light sentence and the other goes to death row. This abuse of the judicial system does not sit well with our grieving engineer, now widower.
Fast forward 10 years and the mayhem begins. Admittedly, watching the two murderers get their just rewards (however gruesome) was satisfying. If the film had ended there, it would have been considered a short. So, for another hour we endure the bodies piling up and after awhile my movie buddy and I would just point and snicker at which character was going to be whacked next.
The productions values were fine but sadly, the script was murdered along the way. Unlike their license plates, You do NOT have a friend in Pennsylvania in this bummer film.
Acting: Jamie Foxx, who usually surprises me with his acting, essentially grunted through this film. I do not know what the fuss is all about when it come to Gerard Butler. He does not appeal to me nor did I notice any acting skills in this film at all. Steady screen presences, Bruce McGill, Colm Meaney and Viola Davis all handed in fine performances given what they had to work with.
Trivia: Director F. Gary Gray won Best Video of the Year for Directing the TLC’s “Waterfalls” video at the 1995 MTV Music Video Awards. Gerard Butler went to Glasgow University where he studied to be a lawyer/solicitor. He is Scottish, but is of partial Irish ancestry. He has a tiny pug your could fit in your palm named Lolitta he fell in love with while walking by a pet shop.
Predilection: Sometimes gratuitous violence is very entertaining.
Critters: None, thankfully.
Food: A big scene involving a porterhouse steak, pasta and asparagus.
Blatant Product Placement: Apple, Duxiana beds, Pepsi
Soundtrack: Loud, louder and loudest.
Opening Titles: The horrific home invasion which leads to the revenge part of the film comes before the title. All other credits at the end.
Visual Art: The prison scenes were filmed at Broadmeadows prison, which is very much like Eastern States prison and can be visited in Philadelphia. I have been there and it is one cool tour.
Theater Audience: About 10 other people and us. FYI – my movie buddy liked Saw VI. Need I say more?
Weather: It was so cold while filming this movie, I pointed out to my movie buddy that you could see the breaths of the actors even while they were indoors.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: The revenge killings are pretty squirmy.
Drift Factor: I did not drift.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine.
Length: 110 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 4
Movie Review: Paris November 3, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: Movie Review: Paris
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| Movie Review: Paris
Alternate Title: A Room With a View Story: I love Paris in the springtime. I love Paris in the fall. I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles. I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles (Cole Porter). Apparently writer and director Cédric Klapisch also loves Paris as witnessed in his latest homage to that beautiful city. The film has multiple storylines and characters including the city, itself. Young Moulin Rouge dancer Pierre, finds himself homebound when he discovers that his heart is giving out and he is waiting for a transplant. His now shell of a life consists of watching everyone else’s life go by from his balcony. His devoted 40 something sister moves in with her three children to care for her brother. Their poignant story alone would have been plenty for lesser film makers but Klapisch goes for the whole enchilada (or should I say crepe?) Via shopping excursions near the apartment we meet a handful of working class French people including a racist bakery owner (some of the better laughs are hers), vital, ethnic vendors at a fresh food market, a young, beautiful student across the way, who has multiple complicated relationships including one with an older professor. The professor has a brother whose wife is pregnant. Well, you get the gist. Life is connected in varied ways and Pierre gets to watch it unfold from his balcony. I got interested in every single character and was unsettled when many of the stories did not have neat and tidy endings. But, alas, life is not neat and tidy, is it? As the now famous quote from Casablanca goes “we’ll always have Paris.”
Note: If your cable provider offers the Independent Film Channel, you can now get many of these types of art house films (on demand) right in your living room the same day they open on the big screen. So if your community lacks some of NYC’s art houses, check it out. Paris is being offered now. Acting: Juliette Binoche as Elise incredibly gets more beautiful and talented with each passing year. Do you think there is something in the Parisian water? Romain Duris as Pierre is essentially the main character, but he is somewhat of a blank slate. Fabrice Luchini as the older smitten, Roland Verneuil is terrific and has one heck of a dance number. Mélanie Laurent as the young student, Laetitia, was last seen in Inglourious Basterds and she continues to delight. Trivia: Juliette Binoche, daughter of an actress and a sculptor, was only 23 when she first attracted the attention of international film critics with The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988). In 1996, she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in The English Patient (1996). Legendary actress Lauren Bacall was roundly expected to win in that category for her performance in The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996), but Binoche won the Oscar instead, in one of the biggest surprise wins in Oscar history. In her acceptance speech, she said, “I don’t have a speech prepared. I thought Lauren would get it.” In 2000, during promotion for the film Chocolat (2000), Binoche was invited to the White House by then president Bill Clinton. However, she was unable to make the trip as she was starring in a Broadway re-vamp of Harold Pinter’s “Betrayal”. Instead, the Clintons came to New York to meet Binoche. Predilection: None Critters: Surprisingly, in a city that adores its dogs, there were no one to be seen. The only animals pictured were some chickens and sheep in Cameroon. Food: Baguettes and pastries are featured as are many fruits and vegetables in the food market. Sex Spectrum: It is a French film – there is some sex. Soundtrack: A delightful alive mix. Opening Titles: An overview of the remarkably beautiful city of Paris. Visual Art: It is hard not to get excited about the visual qualities of this city of lights and home of the Impressionists. Theater Audience: Six other Francophiles Weather: We get to see all four seasons. Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: 0 Drift Factor: I was interested throughout. Predictability Level: Moderate Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: Hmm – no. Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. Length: Two hours. LOBO HOWLS: 7.5
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Movie Review: The Maid (La Nana) October 27, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: La Nana, The Maid
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| Movie Review: The Maid (La Nana)
Alternate Title: Woman on the Verge Story: Make a mental note to remember 30 year old Chilean director Sebastián Silva’s name. He is going to be big in the movie world. This exceptional character study and social commentary about a maid was written by Mr. Silva and Pedro Peirano. Raquel is 41 and has been the maid in a busy Chilean household since she was 18. She works six days a week, takes care of the four children, cooks, cleans and has no life of her own. She has invested her existence in this family but as we see – she is not really a part of the family. She remains the maid. Raquel is exhausted and plagued with headaches, dizziness and insecurities. The lady of the house, in an effort to help Raquel, hires her some help. This territorial invasion causes some comedic cinematic segments but is, at the same time, heartbreaking. How Raquel awakens from her marginalized existence is wonderful cinema. The astonishing performance by Chilean TV star, Catalina Saavedra, is worth the price of admission.
Acting: Catalina Saavedra as Raquel, is marvelous. Her face is expressive, poignant and award winning. Brava to her. Claudia Celedón as the lady of the house, was perfect. Alejandro Goic as the father of the house was fine in a small role. Mariana Loyola as Lucy, one of the other maids was terrific. Augustin Silva, the director’s brother, plays teenage Lucas and was wonderfully played. Trivia: Pedro Peirano filmed this semi-autobiographical tale in his childhood home and dedicated the movie to two of his ‘maids.’ Catalina Saavedra won Best Actress award at the Cartegena Film Festival and Special Jury Prize at Sundance. The Chilean Government, for some wacky reason, did not enter this film into the Best Foreign Film Oscar race. Big mistake. Predilection: None Critters: Ah, the kitten. A sweet, though loud, kitten is brought into the house and Raquel does not greet this interloper with open arms. I was worried about the kitten, but other than being thrown out, nothing bad happens to the kitten (I imagine). Food: Food is a big part of this film. It opens with a birthday cake for Raquel and we then get to enjoy several meals with the family throughout the film. Sex Spectrum: Some shower scenes with quick shots of boobs, a teenager caught in an embarrassing masturbation incident over too much laundry and some fumbling in the bedroom. Opening Titles: We watch Raquel, alone in the kitchen, eating some mystery meat and potatoes while the family enjoys their dinner in the other room. Visual Art: The film is shot in what I guess is Raquel’s claustrophobic imprisonment in the house. Theater Audience: About 20 other people. Weather: It is warm in Chile in December. Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: I was worried about the kitten for awhile. Drift Factor: I was riveted throughout. Predictability Level: I was not sire where this film was going. Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: Award worthy, for sure. Big Screen or Rental: If you can find it go for the big screen. Length: 90 minutes LOBO HOWLS: 8.5
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Movie Review: Where the Wild Things Are October 18, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Dogs and cats, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Photography.Tags: Movie Review: Where the Wild Things Are
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 Movie Review: Where the Wild Things Are
Alternate Title: Let the Wild Rumpus Start Story: It’s good to be king (at least for awhile) as little Max learns in this delightful Spike Jonze adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s 1963 classic children’s book. The film was written by Mr. Jonze and Dave Eggers. I hereby confess that I never read the children’s classic. I was in college when it came out and did not have children to share it with later on. I entered this imaginary world with no preconceived ideas and had a rollicking good time. Nine year old Max has some problems with his temper. After a fight with his mother, he runs away and enters a fanciful world filled with wild things and wild places. I could have gotten carried away and attempted to analyze how each of the creatures he met represented an element of Max’s own psyche, but I preferred to just sit back and enjoy the vision that Spike Jonze deftly presented to us. Filmed in Australia, we delight in rocky cliffs, elegant sand dunes, fabulous structures, scary forests and washes of color, sound and light. The film succeeds on many levels but its greatest achievement is that it can be appreciate by all ages and levels of life experience Spike Jonze has created a world that is both terrifying and beautiful. Little Max learns lots of life lessons and of course learns that there is no place like home.
Trivia: Spike Jonze has directed two actors and two actresses to a Oscar Nomination – Catherine Keener (Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Being John Malkovich, Chris Cooper (Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Adaptation, Meryl Streep (Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Adaptation.and Nicolas Cage (Best Actor in a Leading Role, Adaptation. Contrary to popular belief he is not an heir to the Spiegel catalog fortune, although he is a distant relative of those that are. Predilection: I like Spike Jonze Critters: Other than the seven imaginary wild things you can see a raccoon named Richard, a dog and a kitten. Food: Frozen corn, chocolate cake. Soundtrack: Delightful music by Karen O and Carter Burwell Opening Titles: Credits are at the end. Visual Art: A visual treat is in store for all. Theater Audience: I went to an 11 AM showing on a Sunday. There was a good crowd filled with families, lots of kids, lots of adults by themselves and lots of couples. A very mixed bag. The movie theater handed out crowns to all that bought tickets. I gave my crown to my dog Benny and cat Madison, as they are the wild things in Casa Lobo. Squirm Scale: 0 Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout Predictability Level: High Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: Yes Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure. Length: 100 minutes LOBO HOWLS: 9
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Acting: There was a five continent search for the perfect Max. And what a Max they found. Max Records as Max embodies perfection. He is expressive, authentic and totally believable.Catherine Keener as the Mom, gives a sensitive performance in a very small role. Mark Ruffalo as the Mom’s boyfriend, is not given much to do. Lauren Ambrose as KW, Chris Cooper as Douglas, James Gandolfini as Carol, Catherine O’Hara as Judith, Forest Whitaker as Ira, Paul Dano as Alexander all give amazing voice to their characters. Bravos all around.Movie Review: The Damned United October 15, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: Brian Clough, football, Michael Sheen, Peter Morgan, The Damned United
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| Movie Review: The Damned United
Alternate Title: Gooooooooooooooooooooooal! Story: Why was I drawn to a sports movie when I haven’t even a passing interest in sports? Mostly because it was written by Peter Morgan (The Queen, The Last King of Scotland and Frost/Nixon) and stars Michael Sheen (more on him below). My instincts were correct. This is a terrifically entertaining film about British footballers (soccer players to Americans) but it is mostly about a few fascinating real life, really flawed and interesting characters. It is most deftly directed by Tom Hooper and based on the novel by David Peace. The film goes back and forth between 1968 and 1974 football crazed England. Two personality mismatched coaches take a second division bunch of nobodies to cup winning greatness in a few short years. Brian Clough and Peter Taylor, by name, are the two coaches. I had never heard of either but by the end of the film I was definitely a big fan of both of them. The film is about one man’s determination to make it big and show the men in suits that he is the boss and knows how to win against all odds. It is about egos, revenge and redemption. You will find yourself cheering for him despite himself and some of his really bad calls. The film captures the grime and grit of small town sport and the unswerving loyalty of the fans. Believe me when I say there is absolutely no prior knowledge of football or soccer necessary to enjoy this film.
Acting: Michael Sheen as Brian Clough is wonderful. He embodies the spirit of the coach to a tee. Bravo. Timothy Spall as Peter Taylor, very often plays an over the top character, but this time he kept that tendency to a minimum and is ideal. Colm Meaney as Don Revie will always be Star Trek’s Miles O’Brien to me, no matter how many great parts he plays. He hit it the nail on the head as the nemisis that drives Brian Clough. Jim Broadbent as team owner, Sam Longson, is always good, period. Trivia: Director Peter Morgan’s father Arthur Morgenthau, a German Jew, fled the Nazis, while his Polish mother Inga fled the Soviets. After they had emigrated to the UK, they chose the new surname Morgan, an Anglicization of Morgenthau. He is probably the only screenwriter in AMPAS (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) history to have written the scenarios for both Best Actor & Best Actress in the same year in two (2) different films: Forest Whitaker for “The Last King of Scotland” Helen Mirren for “The Queen”. As a young man, Michael Sheen turned down the opportunity to pursue a possible professional football career, opting to follow in the footsteps of Daniel Day-Lewis and Patrick Stewart by attending the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School instead of university. He has the distinction of having twice portrayed British Prime Minister Tony Blair in The Deal (2003) (TV) and The Queen (2006). Stephen Frears directed both projects. His father is a a professional Jack Nicholson look-a-like. Predilection: I like both Peter Morgan and Michael Sheen Critters: A fleeting dog in one background scene. Food: Footballers have no time to eat. But oranges were featured in one scene. Sex Spectrum: No sex, just a few butts in the distance. Soundtrack: A terrific period soundtrack that starts with Tom Jones’ ‘What’s New Pussycat?’ Opening Titles: Tom Jones’ ‘What’s New Pussycat?’ plays while Clough is driving towards his new coaching job. Visual Art: Great depiction of the grit and grime of the time. Theater Audience: About 30 men and me. Weather: It rains a lot. Sappy Factor: There is no sap in football. Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: 0 Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout. Predictability Level: I had no idea what was going to happen. Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: Probably not. Big Screen or Rental: Big screen is preferable but a rental would be fine. For some other Michael Sheen films, you could rent: The Queen, Frost/Nixon and Blood Diamond. He will be playing the White Rabbit in the upcoming Alice in Wonderland film. Length: 90 minutes LOBO HOWLS: 8
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Movie Review: An Education October 12, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: An Education
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| Movie Review: An Education
Alternate Title: Growing Pains Story: There should have been an ew factor in this terrific film about a young girl’s seduction by an older man but because of the sensitive directing by Lone Scherfig and sensational acting by the entire cast I found this film to be almost flawless. It was written by Nick Hornby (High Fidelity, About a Boy) and based on a memoir by Lynn Barber. It is 1961, Twickenham, a suburb outside of London. Young Jenny is impatient to grow up and get on with what she anticipates to be an amazing life. Her eager parents have been molding her for Oxford in a, by the book, fashion. A chance meeting on a rainy day will change all of the predictables in 16 year old Jenny’s life. Older David, encapsulates all of the danger and longing she is after. He is mysterious, Jewish, cultured, loves music and art, lives the high life and adores her. She is smitten and willingly goes along with what may prove to be life altering events. Jenny is bright, longs to be sophisticated and is not played as a victim at all. It does not hurt either that David does not come off as predatory. I will not reveal much more of the plot or else I would be a spoiler. Check out this film for some great entertainment and watch a star in the making in the young Carey Mulligan.
Acting: Carey Mulligan as Jenny is sheer perfection. he owns the camera and every scene that she is seen. Brava to young Carey Mulligan. Peter Sarsgaard as David, works his underplayed screen magic once again. Dominic Cooper as partner Danny is just right in his role too. Rosamund Pike as girlfriend Helen has some terrific lines and almost steals some scenes. Alfred Molina as Jenny’s father Jack, has almost all of the funny lines and surprised me by his nuanced performance. Cara Seymour as the mother, Marjorie, also works wonderfully. Emma Thompson as the Headmistress, in a small, but terrific part. Olivia Williams as the teacher, Miss Stubbs is also grand. Trivia: Carey Mulligan lived in London from birth until the age of three before moving with her family to Germany, where she attended the International School of Dusseldorf. She is in a relationship with Shia LaBeouf as of August 2009, having met him when they began filming Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps together. Peter Sarsgaard often takes supporting roles instead of headlining a picture, whereby his character is friend to the main character in the film (Kinsey, Shattered Glass, Garden State, Jarhead). Peter and his wife, Maggie Gyllenhaal, became the parents of a girl, named Ramona. Rosamund Pike was friends with Chelsea Clinton while at Wadham College, Oxford. Not only are they both the same height (5′ 9″), they are both fluent in German, and they are both only children. Predilection: I like Peter Sarsgaard and as soon as I realized that I was the same age as Jenny was playing in the early 60’s I could not help but relate to her situation and the times. Critters: Racing dogs. Food: Birthday Cake, breakfast and lots of alcohol. Sex Spectrum: Some snuggling and talk of sex. Soundtrack: Perfect blend of high and low culture. Opening Titles: A delightful graphic superimposed over the girls’ school. Visual Art: Director of photography, John de Borman captured the early 60’s through his lens and attention to detail by production designer, Andrew McAlpine was terrific as were the Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Theater Audience: A few of us in the secret balcony but lots of people downstairs as I could hear the laughter. Weather: It rains in London. Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: The more that a whiff of anti-semitism and racist sentiments should have made me squirm but it was treated with taste and good fun. Actually some of the best laughs of the film involved the English anti-semitic run of the mill statements. Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout. Predictability Level: High Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: Yes Big Screen or Rental: Big screen. Length: Under two hours. LOBO HOWLS: 9
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Movie Review: A Serious Man October 6, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Jewish Stuff, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: Coen Brothers, Movie Review: A Serious Man
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| Movie Review: A Serious Man
Alternate Title: Accept the Mystery Story: Larry Gopnick is a righteous man. He works hard, helps people and tries to do the right thing – so why is his life falling apart? This is the 14th film by Joel and Ethan Coen and it is terrific. Larry’s life is like the biblical character, Job. Despite his efforts, the walls are crumbling around him. His teaching tenure is tenuous, his wife abruptly asks for a divorce, his mentally unbalanced brother sleeps on his sofa, money woes are mounting, his crazy neighbor seems threatening to his life and property, his about to be Bar Mitvah’d son smokes too much pot and his teenage daughter longs for a nose job. What’s a fellow to do? Larry carries an everyman status and while this film is very Jewish in tone and content, Larry’s ‘everyman’ will cross cultural boundaries. He consults three Rabbis for answers and along the way we get some riotous cockamamie tales, parables and sudden twists. They say this is somewhat of a memory piece for the Coen Brothers as they were raised in a Jewish suburb of Minneapolis. I don’t know from Minneapolis, since I was raised in Brooklyn, but I was able to recognize most of these characters. This is a typical Coen Brothers film where there is no tidy ending. I liked the abruptness of the ending and could not think of a better way to end this film. The Coen Brothers also hand us some unforgettable lines during the movie and the last line of the end credits had me laughing out loud. For those that leave the film before the end credits, they state ‘ No Jews were harmed in the making of this film.’ I don’t know about most Jews, but this Jewess thoroughly enjoyed this latest Coen Brothers film. Does it help to be Jewish to enjoy this film? It couldn’t hurt. Will the Coens answer the question as to the nature of the human condition? Don’t ask. When your life is going to the crapper and you ask ‘Why me’? The answer of course is, ‘Why not you’. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
Acting: Michael Stuhlbarg as Larry Gopnik is pitch perfect. I cannot think of anyone else who could have done this role better. Bravo. Richard Kind as Uncle Arthur was sheer brilliance. Fred Melamed as Sy Ableman was fabulous. Sari Lennick as wife, Judith hit every mark. Adam Arkin as the straight laced Divorce Lawyer was perfect. Aaron Wolff as 13 year old Danny was hysterical. Jessica McManus as the sister, Sarah Gopnik, had a smaller role but was great. The entire ensemble cast was terrific. Trivia: Ethan Coen graduated from Princeton University. At Princeton, tried to explain a missed deadline by saying that he had lost one of his arms during a hunting accident. He worked as a statistical clerk at Macy’s before setting off to make Blood Simple. (1984). Joel Coen used to receive sole credit as director for the Coen brothers movies’, but has always directed films with his brother Ethan Coen (they also write and produce their films together). This was changed with The Ladykillers (2004), and now they both receive credit for directing and producing. In his childhood, he saved money from mowing lawns to buy a Super-8 camera. Roderick Jaynes, who is credited with editing all of his films, does not, in fact, exist. The name is a pseudonym for Joel and his brother Ethan. Predilection: I am a big fan of the Coen Brothers. Critters: None Food: Considering it was a Jewish home, food was not a big player. Sex Spectrum: Some fantasy sex. Blatant Product Placement: None Soundtrack: A terrific soundtrack from cantorial music to the Jefferson Airplane. Opening Titles: A short sequence that takes place in Poland, maybe 150 years ago with a tale a out a dybbuk. The opening credits follow this sequence. Visual Art: Kudos to the director of photography, Roger Deakins. He made this 1967 town outside of Minneapolis picture perfect. Theater Audience: About 20 other people. Weather: Minneapolis was surprisingly lovely in June. Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: 0 Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout. Predictability Level: I was not sure what was going to happen. Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: Why not? Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure. Here are the 14 Coen Brothers films for you to see/rent. Blood Simple, Raising Arizona, Miller’s Crossing, Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Man Who Wasn’t There, Intolerable Cruelty, The Ladykillers, No Country for Old Men, Burn After Reading, A Serious Man Length: Under two hours. LOBO HOWLS: 9
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Movie Review: Coco Before Chanel October 4, 2009
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| Movie Review: Coco Before Chanel
Alternate Title: Poor Little Poor Girl Story: What’s a French girl to do in the early 20th century if one is not born into money or station? The options, sadly, were minimal. Young Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel was dumped into an orphanage at 12 along with her little sister. Fast forward 15 years, we find Coco singing for her supper and sewing on the side. We quickly learn that Coco is no one’s fool. She hooks up with a wealthy man and becomes his upstairs plaything. She insinuates herself into his group and before long she is breaking fashion rules by wearing men’s altered clothes, featherless hats and aghast – sans corset. You would think that all of the above would make interesting fodder for a movie, but alas, I found it wanting. It plodded along with very little passion, chemistry or excitement. There was far too much dressing and too little protein. The meat of the film was missing. I got the district impression much of the ‘truth’ was being left out about the life of young Coco. (read my trivia category to see why). Yes, I got the point that Coco was her own woman and continually broke the rules for someone living during those depressing times for women but by film’s end, I just did not give a hoot. The film was directed by Anne Fontaine and written by Ms. Fontaine and Camille Fontaine, Christopher Hampton and Jacques Fieschi was adapted from the book “L’Irrégulière ou Mon Itinéraire Chanel” by Edmonde Charles-Roux.
Acting: Audrey Tautou as Coco Chanel is just fine. She does a lot of penetrating staring and clearly the camera is in love with her., Benoît Poelvoorde as her wealthy lover, Étienne Balsan, had the best part and did a fine job. Alessandro Nivola as Boy Capel, also was interesting. Marie Gillain as Coco’s less realistic sister, Adrienne was good too. Trivia: Coco Chanel was a ‘horizontal collaborator’ during WW11. Chanel’s colluded with the Nazis and after the war she was arrested and charged with war crimes and then was mysteriously released. For more on her Nazi past go to this article. Chanel No. 5 was the first fragrance from Parisian couturier Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, and has been on sale continuously since its introduction in 1921. It has been described as “the world’s most legendary fragrance”, and remains the company’s most famous perfume. The company estimates that a bottle is sold worldwide every 30 seconds. Audrey Tautou nearly did not get the chance to play the wonderful Amélie Poulain, as director Jean-Pierre Jeunet was considering British actress Emily Watson for the role of Amélie. Alessandro Nivola went to Yale University and received his degree in English. Predilection: None Critters: Horses and dogs Food: Coco seemed to exist on champagne. Sex Spectrum: Some rolling around in bed. Blatant Product Placement: Chanel, of course. Soundtrack: I cannot remember one note. Opening Titles: A sequence showing little Coco and her sister being dropped off at the orphanage. Visual Art: The production values and details of France during the time were excellent. Theater Audience: Not too crowded for the first showing but there was a line going in for the second showing. Weather: Ah, France. It is lovely. Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: 0 Drift Factor: I drifted a bit. Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: No Big Screen or Rental: Unless you are a fashionista you might just want to rent this film. Some other films that star Audrey Tautou are Amelie, the awful DaVinci Code, Dirty, Pretty Things. Length: Under two hours LOBO HOWLS: 5 (for Chanel #5)
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Movie Review: Capitalism: A Love Story September 24, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Videos.Tags: dead peasant policies, Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi, Michael Moore, Movie Review: Capitalism: A Love Story
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| Movie Review: Capitalism: A Love Story
Alternate Title: Greed is Not Good Story: Michael Moore has done it again. Whether you are a fan (I am) or not, you have to give him credit for fighting the good fight for the last 20 years (since the brilliant 1989, Roger & Me). This time he takes on America’s love affair with capitalism and our present economic debacle. He points fingers, names names and illustrates how the cult of corruption, outlandish greed and casino like behavior of the big banks and Wall Street have landed us in the fine mess that we now find ourselves. With his usual broad brush, he paints a picture of how the 95% of the population that does not reap the rewards of our grotesque system have bought into the American dream of becoming rich and powerful. He points his finger directly at Ronald Reagan and the ensuing 30 year collapse of regulation that has allowed this system to go amuck. Just when you think your head is about to explode with all of the information he is illustrating he injects some very needed comic relief to assuage the tension. Like most of Moore’s films, he leaves us with a glimmer of hope if we, the people can find our way. The power of the voting booth can not be dispelled. My biggest gripe is that he never injects the idea that we, the people, have to take some responsibility for our own personal excesses. Short of that, it is a terrific film and if you have any money left to go to the movies – you should go to see this film. Take a fiscal conservative along with you. It makes for excellent exiting chit chat.
Acting: It is a documentary – so acting does not count. Trivia: Michael Moore briefly served as both editor and columnist for Mother Jones magazine. He raised money for the production of his first film, Roger & Me (1989), by running neighborhood bingo games in his house. He is a card carrying member of the National Rifle Association. Moore told Tim Russert that he joined so as to be elected its president and then dismantle the organization. Predilection: I am a big fan of Michael Moore and am not much of a capitalist (although some of my very good friends definitely are beholden to that group). Sex Spectrum: None – although we are all being screwed. Blatant Product Placement: I do not think any of the corporations that were mentioned in this movie wanted to be seen. Soundtrack: Moore always uses tracks that emphasize his point and make you chuckle. He uses Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi by Carl Orff to dramatically show his list of villains corporations. I found the song used on this tribute to the three greatest captains from the Star Trek Universe. It has nothing to do with Moore’s movie but I liked it.
Opening Titles: Moore shows the fall of the Roman empire juxtaposed against our crumbling society. Theater Audience: About 25% filled on the first show of the first day. I was accompanied by my sister (who shares most of my political views) and my returning movie buddy who says he is socially liberal and fiscally conservative. We applauded with the crowd at the film’s end. Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: It was difficult to watch the families who discovered that the companies that their beloved deceased worked for had taken out life insurance policies on their employees life. These horrible actions are called ‘dead peasant‘ policies. Drift Factor: I did look at my watch a few times. The film could have been edited a bit. Predictability Level: Sadly, high. Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: Perhaps Big Screen or Rental: Big screen. Have a Michael Moore festival and rent: Roger & Me (still my favorite one), Canadian Bacon, The Big One, Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11 and Sicko. Length: 2 hours LOBO HOWLS: 8
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