I understand why they are doing it (to get people into the theatre)--but the promoters of the new Meryl Streep film HOPE SPRINGS are selling it as a sex comedy, when what they really have is a rather serious and intense psychodrama. At times it felt like I was watching a more updated version of Bergman' s SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE. To be sure, there are some light hearted moments and smiles and giggles--all of which are prominent in the previews, but, surprisingly, and importantly, the film really starts to focus on the nitty gritty of a middle-aged marriage that is struggling to find some spark (intimacy) that many many couples struggle with everyday. The big revelation is not how wonderfully light and frothy Streep's character appears, when really she's deeply lonely and miserable, but how amazingly Tommy Lee Jones keeps the attention on his character--his struggles with sex and communication and how hurt he feels by some basic betrayals in their relationship. Without becoming crude or vulgar, the film feels very honest in dealing with (and discussing) these issues--some may have you squirming--and it is to the credit of a likable but very restrained Steve Carrel as the councilor that the issues hit home like they do. This is a courageous and thoughtful film, and I hope it finds it's true audience. GRADE-------B+
There's a strong start and a vivid female lead character fronting Disney's new film BRAVE, and the first hour is a true pleasure. (She's got the most intense, vibrant head of flaming red hair I've ever seen--it takes on a life of it's own.) But once mother gets turned into a ----oops! can't say, but the film becomes rather predictable as it plods to a ho-hum ending. It is also a bit strong for younger children (under 5) --it had my 3 1/2 old year grand daughter heading for the door (due to intensity) at that same half way mark. Still it is bright, clever and funny for most of it's running time. GRADE------B
THE IMPOSTOR has been getting some rave reviews, and it is quite an incredible true story, about a 24 year old man from Spain who pretends to be the four years lost teen ager of a Texas family who insist against all odds that he is their son. But the film runs along the same trajectory as any 48 HOUR MYSTERY show from TV (indeed, it is produced by A&E Films). It is engrossing--just not technically or stylistically impressive. GRADE---------B
A new film from French director Andre Techine (WILD REEDS) has an older crime novelist move out to a remote island near Venice with his new wife, a younger bisexual woman who has family issues. He becomes jealous of her past life and has a young man follow her around. I'm not sure what it all means, or the significance of the title UNFORGIVABLE, but the characters are intriguing and the film making is compelling and Venice never looked so mysterious. GRADE------B
The documentary AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY chronicles a couple years in the life of the controversial Chinese artist whose work is critical of countries that do not give civil liberties to their citizens. He is famous for his overused middle finger which appears in a number of photos. The film concludes with his recent arrest and detention for nearly 90 days--sadly he comes out of that experience a remarkably changed man, leaving the viewer curious as to what exactly happened to his spirit, and what will he do next..............GRADE-------B
I don't recall seeing ICE AGE 2 or 3, but I did enjoy 1, and I did enjoy ICE AGE 4, which has a lot of jokes and sight gags, with an especially funny voice over by John Leguizamo (as Sid) and his Granny (voice by Wanda Sykes). The film is not too intense for young children and has enough laughs for the adults. GRADE-------B-
Weak Woody Allen is still better than a lot of stuff out there, and TO ROME WITH LOVE is certainly not his best, but he's got a lot of clever and funny ideas floating around this mish-mash of characters and splendid Rome visuals to make watching this comedy a treat--just don't expect another PARIS AT MIDNIGHT. GRADE--------B-
I kept hearing that the new prequel to the ALIEN saga called PROMETHEUS was not so hot by those who rushed to see it in it's first week or two. Perhaps my expectations were low, but I thought this was a smart, exciting science fiction thriller, with the emphasis on characters---not creature monsters. I especially enjoyed the robot character played smoothly and creepily by Michael Fassbender and the female lead played by Noomi Rapace (Swedish DRAGON TATTOO films). Rapace gets to really kick ass towards the end, especially just after she gives herself some MAJOR surgery. Obviously, she's related to the Sigourny Weaver character. My biggest question is this: Set in 2093, there must be THOUSANDS of space horror films they would have watched by then, enough to know that you must NEVER BRING BACK TO THE SPACE SHIP SOME GOOEY DRIPPING POD OR UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE, because it will invariably spring to life and destroy life as we know it. SO WHY DO THEY KEEP DOING IT????????? ( Second question: Born into a desert like planet with nothing but rocks and sand, what the hell do these creepy horror monster eat when they get hungry?????????) GRADE-------B-
DVD CHOICES-------------------
I had never seen Douglas Sirk's film ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS (1955), and it impressed me with the vibrant Technicolor photography, the memorable musical score, the vibrant direction, and the melodramatic story line that kept me engrossed. Jane Wyman seemed a bit rigid and cold to me, and Rock Hudson as her "younger" lover--well, he was just Rock Hudson. Fit the part of the alternative life style hunk, he did. This film has inspired several remakes, including the excellent German film from Fassbinder called ALI: FEAR EATS THE SOUL(1975)which has an older white woman falling for a younger black man. I decided to see another (unofficial) remake called FAR FROM HEAVEN (2003) which impressed me 9 years ago. It remains impressive for the actors (a luminous Julianne Moore, as well as a tightly wound Dennis Quaid--both Oscar nominated) and it's vivid fall-color photography and melodramatic music. This time her husband is gay, and she falls for her black gardener---this being the 1950's she sure has her plate full, what with the gossip in this small New England town. Similar themes (small town prejudices, love between classes) but different approaches. Both HEAVEN films --------GRADE------B+
A documentary about the career of Yves St. Laurent as told by his long time companion and partner Pierre Berge called L'AMOUR FOU (2010) was filled with fascinating details and insight into his creativity, success and "madness." GRADE--------B
From last year comes JUMPING THE BROOM (2011), a modest, amusing "wedding film" between two very different families (one is rich and the other is lower working class.) It is pleasant to see some fine African American actors get some decent roles--especially memorable were Angela Bassett and Loretta Devine as the mothers of the bride and groom, and Mike Epps, Paula Patton, Laz Alonso and Broadway regular Brian Stokes Mitchell. GRADE-------B-
It won the top honors at the New Orleans and Seattle Gay and Lesbian Film Festivals--all I can say is it must have been a slooooow year for films. THE SKI TRIP (2006) is a looooow budget affair that is refreshing in that all the characters are gay men and women of color, but it doesn't have much plot, and some of the gags are rather insulting and/or obvious. Nice try. GRADE--------C-
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