Movie Review: William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe November 18, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Politics.Tags: Movie Review: William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe
add a comment
 Movie Review: William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe
Alternate Title: David v. Goliath Story: Hero, menace and revolutionary are just three of the terms that directors and writers Emily Kunstler and Sarah Kunstler, say of their father, the infamous lawyer, William Kunstler. Watching this un rose-colored documentary about their father allowed most of my own youth to flash through my mind. Name the big issues of the day and William Kunstler was front and center, fighting the good fight, battling the Government, standing for truth, justice and the right of everyone to have their day in court. He became radicalized in the 60’s while fighting for Civil Rights in the South as a lawyer for the ACLU. He became a national celebrity during the antics of the Chicago 8 trial after the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. He defended the Catonsville Nine, Roman Catholic activists and Vietnam protesters. He then made more history with his defense of American Indians vs the US Government at the trial of Wounded Knee, SD. He was also there for the disgrace that occurred at Attica Prison. He was lionized for his work by liberals and libertarians across the board. It all changed when he began defending, what many believed were the indefensible such as Larry Davis, a Bronx drug dealer who was accused of shooting six NY policemen. He also defended Egyptian born terrorist El Sayyid Nosair, accused of killing Rabbi Meir Kahane and more. I have always supported the ACLU and the right that everyone deserves as good a defense as possible even when the crimes are heinous. Our Constitution is not a sometimes thing and Willam Kunstler personified that belief.
Acting: This is not a category in a documentary. The many talking heads include: William Kunstler, Herman Badillo, Dennis Banks, Harry Belafonte, Clyde Bellecourt, Father Daniel Berrigan, Phil Donahue, Jimmy Breslin, Alan Dershowitz and Elizabeth Fink. Trivia: The Kunstler Sisters won the Charles E. Guggenheim Emerging Artist Award – Honorable Mention in 2009 for this film and Nominated for Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. The sisters founded Off Center Media in 2000, and have produced, directed, and edited a number of short documentaries, including Tulia, Texas: Scenes from the Drug War (2002), which won Best Documentary Short at the Woodstock Film Festival, and was instrumental in winning exoneration for 46 wrongfully convicted people; and Getting Through to the President (2004), which has aired on the Sundance Channel. Predilection: I like documentaries and a big fan of William Kunstler. Critters: In May of 1989 Kunstler represented Tyrone the Cat for ‘crimes against humanity’ in a televised mock trial on Fox TV’s The Reporters. Opening Titles: I missed the first five minutes of this film because they sent me to the wrong theater. Grr. Theater Audience: About 20 other card carrying members of the ACLU. Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: Reliving some of the bad times was squirmy. Drift Factor: I was riveted. Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: Probably not Big Screen or Rental: I always recommend the big screen whenever possible but this would be fine as a rental. Length: 90 minutes LOBO HOWLS: 8
|
Movie Review: The Messenger November 17, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: Movie Review: The Messenger
add a comment
| Movie Review: The Messenger
Alternate Title: Casualties of War Story: Don’t Shoot the Messenger would be the obvious Alternate Title choice, but I thought that the subject matter in this hard hitting film cried out for a more sober Alternate Title. Polar opposites in nature, Army Officers Will and Tony have the difficult task of knocking on doors, as part of the Casualty Notification Office, to inform next of kin that their wife, husband or child has been killed in action. The raw emotions come screaming off of the big screen as director Oren Moverman gets directly in your face while these officers deliver the bad news. The film was written by Mr. Moverman and Alessandro Camon. These are two men to watch. How both Will and Tony cope with the emotional armor they carry to protect themselves as the news is delivered could have been sloppy and sappy but this film never goes to either of those addresses. The topic is not one that most people think about and it is not easy viewing. My major criticism is that the film would have been better at 90 minutes rather than close to two hours. There were some unnecessary scenes that did nothing to further the story or the characters. That said – this is a film that should be seen. You will be moved.
Acting: Ben Foster as Staff Sgt. Will Montgomery, is someone to watch. His previous film 3:10 to Yuma also displayed his talent. Woody Harrelson as Capt. Tony Stone, delivers another in a series of fine performances. Samantha Morton as the recent widow Olivia Pitterson, does not lose character for a second. She is a rare talent. Jena Malone as Kelly has grown up but is still pouting. and Steve Buscemi as one of the grieving is just fine. Trivia: Ben Foster has been practicing Transcendental Meditation since four years old. At 12, he Won second place in an international competition for a play that he wrote and directed. He dropped out of high school his freshman year to move to Los Angeles. Woody Harrelson is a vegan. He is an activist for the legalization of marijuana. His father, Charles Harrelson, was sentenced to two life sentences for the murder of Federal Judge John Howland Wood on the orders of drug dealer Jimmy Chagra, who reportedly paid him $250,000. Harrelson has claimed to be one of the “hobos” taken away from “the grassy knoll” right after the shooting of John F. Kennedy. Predilection: None Critters: A distant kitty cat in the street Food: Pizza and lots of beer Sex Spectrum: Sex is part of the opening scene and is a bit player throughout. Blatant Product Placement: Pepsi Soundtrack: Eclectic Visual Art: Many of the scenes are reminiscent of Edward Hopper paintings. Fabulous. Theater Audience: About 30 other saddened viewers. My movie buddy was not as pleased with this film as I was. He said he thought it was cookie cutter and shallow. I told him I thought he was shallow. We both laughed. Weather: It is a hot Jersey summer. Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: Delivering this news is very squirmy. Drift Factor: It needed editing. Predictability Level: High Tissue Usage: I welled up a few times. Oscar Worthy: I don’t know. There cold be a nomination in the mix. Big Screen or Rental: I always vote for the big screen when possible. Length: A bit under two hours. LOBO HOWLS: 8
|
Movie Review: Pirate Radio November 16, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: Movie Review: Pirate Radio
add a comment
 Movie Review: Pirate Radio
Alternate Title: The Day the Music (Almost) Died Story: It is 1966 (one of my favorite years) and the British Government is not happy about the raucous sounds and ideas of Rock ‘n Roll. They limit the music to one hour a day on their Government owned radio stations. So what happened? Pirate radio stations began to broadcast in International waters off the coast of Britain allowing 24 million listeners to rock on throughout the day and night. Based on a true story, this light hearted, rambling film was written and directed by Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love, Actually, Bridget Jones’ Diary). If you just sit back and listen to the music and not be too critical about the lack of a story or script you will have a pleasant cinematic experience. The movie is a love story dedicated to the Rock ‘n Roll pioneers who fought the British Government and in the process won the hearts and minds of the people. It is not a hard hitting, character driven tale. It actually has too many characters and too little story. That said – if you want to watch a series of vignettes with no surprises, listen to some fabulous music, watch some Oscar winning actors have fun – then this film is for you.
Acting: If you are looking for any female participation in this movie you will be out of luck. It is 1966 – and girls are simply (and simple) pretty little sex objects. Philip Seymour Hoffman as the Count looked like he was enjoying this walk in the park. Bill Nighy as Quentin is always enjoyable to watch. Rhys Ifans as Gavin manages to always make me laugh. The ensemble cast were all fine including: Nick Frost (Dave), Kenneth Branagh (Sir Alistair Dormandy), Tom Sturridge (Carl), Rhys Darby (Angus), Talulah Riley (Marianne), January Jones (Elenore), Katherine Parkinson (Felicity) and Emma Thompson (Charlotte). Trivia: When director Richard Cutis was in college, his girlfriend left him for a man named Bernard. In each of his screenplays, there is a fairly unpopular character named Bernard. He invented Comic Relief. Bill Nighy, has Dupuytren’s Contracture, a hereditary condition which causes the ring and little fingers of each hand to be permanently bent inwards towards the palm. Tom Lodge, who now makes his home in Santa Cruz County, was the first program director of the first rock radio station in England that spawned the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and countless other musical demigods. It’s a story being told — albeit in highly stylized fictional form — in the new film “Pirate Radio.” Lodge said he sent his book and a screenplay based on it to writer/director Curtis but was told that the filmmaker was not interested in working with him. He hopes that the forthcoming publication of the book might one day spark another film to tell the “real” story of Radio Caroline. The main thing that “Pirate Radio” does get wrong is the age of the principal players, Lodge said. “The movie has the owner of the station played by actor Billy Nighy, who is 60. Ronan was 24 years old. We were all just kids. We all had 32-inch waists or less. I don’t think there was a waist in the film under 40.” Predilection: None – except for the fact that I have been watching this preview in the movies for over a year and was curious why it took so long to open in the States. Critters: None Food: The cook was a female. She was allowed on board because she was a lesbian. I am not sure what she cooked. Sex Spectrum: Sex, or the discussion of sex was a large part of the film. Soundtrack: Marvelous Opening Titles: A short sequence showing the stiff upper lips Government guys who want to shut down these pirate radio ships. Visual Art: The inside of a ship is not very visually exciting. Theater Audience: About 20 other AARP rock ‘n rollers like me. Weather: The weather was just fine considering they were in the North Sea. Sappy Factor: 0 Quirky Meter: 0 Squirm Scale: 0 Drift Factor: I drifted, like the ship, a bit in the middle. Predictability Level: High, like the tide. Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: No Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. Length: Under two hours. Apparently the British version is way over two hours but the film was edited for US audiences. LOBO HOWLS: 7
|
Movie Review: The Men Who Stare at Goats November 13, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: Movie Review: The Men Who Stare at Goats
1 comment so far
| Movie Review: The Men Who Stare at Goats
Alternate Title: Return of the Jedi Story: This is a little film that sadly, is dead on arrival. So what happened? It had an interesting premise but director Grant Heslov did not seem to have a point of view. It rambled, zig zagged, was unfocused and downright disappointing. It was written by Peter Straughan and based on the nonfiction book by Jon Ronson. A young reporter, who is going through a divorce, is looking for meaning and excitement in his life. He wants to get to Iraq and do some serious war reporting. Unsuccessful at that endeavor, he latches on to an older soldier who was part of special unit of ‘monk-warriors’ back in the 80’s. These soldiers were trained to use their psychic power to thwart the enemy. Various methods were used in this cockamamie division including remote viewing, psychedelic drugs and staring down goats until their hearts stopped. (The silence of the goats). If that sounds confusing, you can imagine watching it for 90 minutes. The film hobbles back and forth from past to present and is clumsy in its efforts. It is supposed to be an anti-war spoof but unfortunately it is a bust. Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Acting: George Clooney as Lyn Cassady repeats his performance from Brother, Where art Thou? Lots of eye-popping and rolling. But then again, I like to just look at George Clooney. He does not have to do anything. Ewan McGregor as the young reporter plays his innocent (Moulin Roube) character and his accent is terrible. Jeff Bridges as Bill Django is The Dude, from the Big Lebowski (one of my favorite films). Kevin Spacey is nuts and has a terrible wig. Trivia: Director Grant Heslov directed the short film Waiting for Woody (1998) about a Woody Allen fan. In 2006, Grant was competing for an Oscar in the same category as Woody Allen. He often works with George Clooney. Predilection: None Critters: Goats, gerbils Food: Twizzlers, eggs Sex Spectrum: Some brief butt shots and a few boobies in a hot tub. Soundtrack: Eclectic (Boston’s More than a Feeling is all I remember) Opening Titles: A sequence about the young reporter. Visual Art: It is filmed in the desert of New Mexico (instead of Iraq) Theater Audience: Five old goats and me. Weather: Hot Drift Factor: I started drifting after 30 minutes. Predictability Level: I did not care Tissue Usage: 0 Oscar Worthy: No Big Screen or Rental: Neither Length: 90 painful minutes LOBO HOWLS: 3
|
Movie Review: Precious November 12, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Review Archives, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: Lee Daniels, Precious
add a comment
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
add a comment
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
2 comments
| 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
|
Movie Review: The Maid (La Nana) October 27, 2009
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: La Nana, The Maid
2 comments
| 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
|
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
2 comments
 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
|
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
1 comment so far
| 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
|
