OOPS! Last Tuesday I had some trouble getting my BLOG to publish--the computer went down, then held me hostage until I paid the bill for the internet. Finally, the spell check wasn't working, so I ended the Tuesday night blog as fast as possible so I wouldn't loose it completely, with a lot of bad spelling. My apologies to those who read through it and cringed. It is now corrected. However, I also realized that I dropped four films off that list that I did indeed mean to write about. So instead of adding those films to a blog that over 30 people have looked at already, I'll indulge in a second blog this week.
A beautiful, small film slipped through town about two weeks ago called LAS ACACIAS--one of those rare subtle gems that very few have seen but all who did really enjoyed. This one has a gruff trucker (shipping the trees of the title) forced by his boss to pick up and transport a poor woman with an infant, who will ride with him all the way to his destination--nearly 900 miles from Paraguay to Buenos Aires. He's annoyed at the company at first, but gradually, the two develop a mutual respect and empathy for the other. The outstanding leads manage to evoke volumes of sympathy and subtle glimpses into their backgrounds, and in spite of the simplicity of the setting---mostly in the cab of the truck, with a few pit stops along the way, the film contains a large kernel of humanitaristic truth. And, of course, the infant is incredibly endearing. One of the years best. GRADE-------A
Sometimes I end up seeing a film due to timing, so when I realized I was 20 minutes late to the newest Batman film, I ended up at THE BOURNE LEGACY. I thought that the first three Bourne films had pretty much run their course, but leave it to Hollywood to figure out a way to reboot the series. The film does feel like a bit of a rehash of the first three and HANNA (2011) , but with two new attractive leads (in Jeremy Renner taking over for Matt Damon and the excellent Rachel Weisz) the film still works as a superior action chase popcorn thriller, and I can heartily recommend it for those interested in such films. GRADE--------B
I do a fair amount of cycling from May through October, so the chance to see PREMIUM RUSH, about a maniacal bike messenger speeding recklessly through the streets of Manhattan with a corrupt cop on his tail, was too tempting to pass up. The film is cleverly shot and edited, and the cycling scenes are quite exciting and nerve racking. The plot is some weirdly coincidental mumbo jumbo about a "ticket" that is worth big money to the holder, although it becomes more clear (and personal) by the end, and the evil copper, played with gusto by Michael Shannon, seems quite over the top. More importantly, numerous fantastic collisions that are on display between bikes and cars throughout the film would probably, IN REAL LIFE, result in trips to the hospital emergency ward, instead of having the cyclist getting up and continuing the chase. But HEY---IT'S ONLY THE MOVIES, so pass the popcorn. GRADE--------B-
It plays like a poor man's Woody Allen film, but there are moments in 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK that are quite good, and I especially liked Chris Rock, who plays a sophisticated yuppie who must deal with the annoying family of his French girlfriend Julie Delpy when they descend into their modest apartment for an indefinite stay. The French relatives are incredibly obnoxious and cliched---dad must try to bring in smelly meats and cheeses through customs, old boyfriend must try to buy pot all over town in front of neighbors and cops, sister loves to walk around mostly naked---etc---and that part got tiresome for me. But when the film settles down to deal with relationships and careers and surviving in NYC, the film is more interesting. GRADE--------B-
COMING SOON TO THE SEATTLE AREA-------
It's FILM FESTIVAL TIME. In the next month I hope to be reporting on films from VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, SPANISH Film Festival, LATINO Film Festival, IRANIAN Film Festival, FRENCH Film Festival and the GAY AND LESBIAN Film Festival, so stay tuned.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, LIBERAL ARTS, TROUBLE W/ CURVE,a new Spiderman, The Avengers, again, Hello I Must Be Going, End of Shift, Robot & Frank and Hitchcock's THE BIRDS
Still at the top of my list the second time around, Joss Whedon's exciting and entertaining THE AVENGERS manages to thrill and amuse, and for fantasy/sci-fi fans, it is very satisfying. I loved how each character got several good scenes and there's a lot of witty, clever lines to go along with the the mayhem. This could be one of the year's best films. GRADE-------A-
It opened last May while I was preoccupied with SIFF, but I finally caught up with THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE BEAUTIFUL) during a run at a discount theatre, and there were nearly 50 people in attendance during a Friday afternoon showing. This film has legs, and it's easy to see why. A group of elderly Brits are duped into using their life savings to invest in a retirement stay at what turns out to be a motley, faded hotel in India, but despite their disappointment, find their lives transformed by the country, and, as they learn the back stories of their companions, each other. It's a lovely and surprisingly caustic film--the sarcasm and set backs take the edge off what could have been a sickeningly sentimental affair. Of course, with the indomitable Judi Dench leading the cast, which includes Tom Wilkenson, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton, Bill Nighy and others, the quality and empathy remains high, and there are enough twists and surprises (in plot and characterization) to keep you on your emotional toes. It's definitely a feel good film, and with older adults so infrequently dominating the screen, film will have a life of it's own long into DVD, cable TV, Networks and private screenings. Plus, it is beautifully photographed, acted, scored, and written. GRADE-----------B+
A 35 year old college recruiter heads back to his ivy league alma mater, and finds himself longing to get back into his fantasy academia life style from 15 years ago, especially when he finds a nubile, wise undergrad who takes a fancy to him, in LIBERAL ARTS. This is a small movie, but it is done to near perfection, as he meets old professors, new young student friends, and has an early mid-life crisis. TV's Josh Radnor (HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER) beautifully wrote, directed and stars, and the strong up and coming Elizabeth Olsen (so outstanding in MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE 2011) is pitch perfect again. GRADE----------A-
After his miss-fire at the RNC, I was not enthused to see Clint Eastwood in TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE, but his bantering with his estranged daughter (Amy Adams) and his long time friend (John Goodman) shows that, even in his sometimes predictable "cranky man" mode, Clint still has it--at least when it is scripted. The film, about an older baseball scout near the end of his contract, who is losing his eye sight, and is obviously scared of the future, shows how hard it is to come to terms with change and teaching old dogs new tricks. The actors (including a charming Justin Timberlake) are very likable most of the time, and the film won me over about half way through. GRADE--------B
Frank Langella pulls another fine performance out of the bag as a lonely old burglar who suffers from dementia, but seems to respond to a human style robot installed by his absent but well-meaning son to help him cope with his loneliness. ROBOT AND FRANK is a low energy film, sweet and at times sentimental, quirky and quietly charming. Liv Tyler is his (also absent) daughter, and Susan Sarandon is a possible love interest. The film is a bit sad, and the ending is haunting. GRADE-------B-
There's nothing wrong with the new, rebooted version of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN--in fact there are a number of exciting scenes and wonderful special effects, and Andrew Garfield is a winning super hero. It's just that I've seen this movie before, in SPIDER MAN (2002)--in fact the first 40 minutes is rather ho-hum in this new version, since the story set up is nearly the same. I also loved Tobey McGuire as SPIDEY. So, the new AMAZING SPIDER MAN is OK entertainment, but
totally unnecessary. GRADE-------B-
Based on a stage play, the new romantic comedy HELLO I MUST BE GOING is a slight movie saved by one big ace in the hole--the leading actress Melanie Lynsky. She plays a 30-something, recently divorced, depressed woman who has been living with her parents for over 3 months. She has an affair with a 19 year old man that helps shake her out of her ennui. Would be utterly forgettable were it not for the actors, especially Lynsky. GRADE-------B-
Several characters in the new intense cop thriller END OF SHIFT seem to be in possession of a video camera or other recording device, and so we the audience are subjected to the most aggressively hand held shaky camera photography (from beginning to end) ever seen in a major motion picture since---THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (1999). About 30 minutes into the film, I had to gather my jacket and cup of coffee and move to the back row of the theatre---the nauseating hand held picture was making me literally ill. WHAT THE HELL ARE DIRECTORS THINKING WHEN THEY GROSSLY OVERUSE THIS "feature"---HOW CAN AUDIENCE MEMBERS ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE WHEN IT MAKES YOU WANT TO SHUT YOUR EYES, OR THROW UP, OR RUN OUT OF THE THEATRE??????? The film itself has many strong, provocative features going for it. The actors are quite authentic (Michael Pena and Jake Gyllenhaal are the cops.) Narrative is intense and compelling, as the two protagonists stumble into Mexican drug cartells on their beat. This is one time when the excessive use of HAND HELD SHAKY CAM really RUINED the film for me. I'm being generous with this grade--it would have been a lot higher if the film looked better. GRADE------C
DVD Choices------------------------------
TCM held special screenings (through Fathom Events) of the theatrical showings of THE BIRDS (1963) last week, and I went, because I don't believe I've ever seen this Hitchcock classic on a big screen with an audience. The Thornton Place theatre was nearly half full--a big crowd for a Wednesday night, for an old film, at $12.50 per ticket. Unfortunately, the digital projection seemed to dim the brightness and color of the film---afterwards, outside in the lobby a Plasma screen was showing clips of THE BIRDS and the color on the lobby screen was much brighter and more colorful than anything I saw in the theatre. Coming soon is a screening of LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, and the preview had that same muted, dark, almost colorless imagery. THAT IS NOT THE WAY TO SHOW THOSE CLASSICS. I WILL PROBABLY NOT SEE ANY MORE OF THOSE TCM CLASSICS AT A THEATRE (unless it is projected in 70MM or at least 35MM film) because in most cases, DIGITAL screenings SUCK on a large screen.
Nonetheless, THE BIRDS remains for me the finest film in Hitchcock's long and luminous career--endlessly fascinating in structure and social themes, with many witty visuals and clever dialogue. There are at least 4 iconic, extended sequences with NO dialogue--which create insidious suspense and tension. It is also the ultimate APOCALYPTIC film experience---moody, mysterious, despairing, chilling. It is my FAVORITE FILM OF ALL TIME.........GRADE--------A+
Peter Bagdonovich's incisive documentary of the prolific and profound director, DIRECTED BY JOHN FORD (1971) features many many clips that starred either John Wayne, Henry Fonda, or Jimmy Stewart. At times if felt like a documentary on those fine actors. John Ford, by all accounts here, was a cantankerous, difficult man to work with at times. Especially telling is the "interview" that Bogdanovich tried to film---Ford answered "Yes" or usually "NO" to every question, and would not elaborate on any answer. But the film clips themselves are tremendously captivating. It makes you want to rent any John Ford film immediately. GRADE--------A
Moody and realistic, the British classic film LONELINESS OF A LONG DISTANCE RUNNER(1962) stars Michael Redgrave and a very young Tom Courtenay as a teen who is sentenced to boys prison for stealing. He can run hard and fast and it is hoped by the warden that he will win the crown from a regular boy's school for long distance running. The black and white film is grim and part of the "angry young man" milieu, but worth watching. GRADE--------B
QUEEN OF OUTER SPACE (1958) (or at least in this case, Venus) is a low low budget film that moves slowly and features the lovely Zsa Zsa Gabor, but the jokes/laughs are few. GRADE----C-
It opened last May while I was preoccupied with SIFF, but I finally caught up with THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE BEAUTIFUL) during a run at a discount theatre, and there were nearly 50 people in attendance during a Friday afternoon showing. This film has legs, and it's easy to see why. A group of elderly Brits are duped into using their life savings to invest in a retirement stay at what turns out to be a motley, faded hotel in India, but despite their disappointment, find their lives transformed by the country, and, as they learn the back stories of their companions, each other. It's a lovely and surprisingly caustic film--the sarcasm and set backs take the edge off what could have been a sickeningly sentimental affair. Of course, with the indomitable Judi Dench leading the cast, which includes Tom Wilkenson, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton, Bill Nighy and others, the quality and empathy remains high, and there are enough twists and surprises (in plot and characterization) to keep you on your emotional toes. It's definitely a feel good film, and with older adults so infrequently dominating the screen, film will have a life of it's own long into DVD, cable TV, Networks and private screenings. Plus, it is beautifully photographed, acted, scored, and written. GRADE-----------B+
A 35 year old college recruiter heads back to his ivy league alma mater, and finds himself longing to get back into his fantasy academia life style from 15 years ago, especially when he finds a nubile, wise undergrad who takes a fancy to him, in LIBERAL ARTS. This is a small movie, but it is done to near perfection, as he meets old professors, new young student friends, and has an early mid-life crisis. TV's Josh Radnor (HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER) beautifully wrote, directed and stars, and the strong up and coming Elizabeth Olsen (so outstanding in MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE 2011) is pitch perfect again. GRADE----------A-
After his miss-fire at the RNC, I was not enthused to see Clint Eastwood in TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE, but his bantering with his estranged daughter (Amy Adams) and his long time friend (John Goodman) shows that, even in his sometimes predictable "cranky man" mode, Clint still has it--at least when it is scripted. The film, about an older baseball scout near the end of his contract, who is losing his eye sight, and is obviously scared of the future, shows how hard it is to come to terms with change and teaching old dogs new tricks. The actors (including a charming Justin Timberlake) are very likable most of the time, and the film won me over about half way through. GRADE--------B
Frank Langella pulls another fine performance out of the bag as a lonely old burglar who suffers from dementia, but seems to respond to a human style robot installed by his absent but well-meaning son to help him cope with his loneliness. ROBOT AND FRANK is a low energy film, sweet and at times sentimental, quirky and quietly charming. Liv Tyler is his (also absent) daughter, and Susan Sarandon is a possible love interest. The film is a bit sad, and the ending is haunting. GRADE-------B-
There's nothing wrong with the new, rebooted version of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN--in fact there are a number of exciting scenes and wonderful special effects, and Andrew Garfield is a winning super hero. It's just that I've seen this movie before, in SPIDER MAN (2002)--in fact the first 40 minutes is rather ho-hum in this new version, since the story set up is nearly the same. I also loved Tobey McGuire as SPIDEY. So, the new AMAZING SPIDER MAN is OK entertainment, but
totally unnecessary. GRADE-------B-
Based on a stage play, the new romantic comedy HELLO I MUST BE GOING is a slight movie saved by one big ace in the hole--the leading actress Melanie Lynsky. She plays a 30-something, recently divorced, depressed woman who has been living with her parents for over 3 months. She has an affair with a 19 year old man that helps shake her out of her ennui. Would be utterly forgettable were it not for the actors, especially Lynsky. GRADE-------B-
Several characters in the new intense cop thriller END OF SHIFT seem to be in possession of a video camera or other recording device, and so we the audience are subjected to the most aggressively hand held shaky camera photography (from beginning to end) ever seen in a major motion picture since---THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (1999). About 30 minutes into the film, I had to gather my jacket and cup of coffee and move to the back row of the theatre---the nauseating hand held picture was making me literally ill. WHAT THE HELL ARE DIRECTORS THINKING WHEN THEY GROSSLY OVERUSE THIS "feature"---HOW CAN AUDIENCE MEMBERS ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE WHEN IT MAKES YOU WANT TO SHUT YOUR EYES, OR THROW UP, OR RUN OUT OF THE THEATRE??????? The film itself has many strong, provocative features going for it. The actors are quite authentic (Michael Pena and Jake Gyllenhaal are the cops.) Narrative is intense and compelling, as the two protagonists stumble into Mexican drug cartells on their beat. This is one time when the excessive use of HAND HELD SHAKY CAM really RUINED the film for me. I'm being generous with this grade--it would have been a lot higher if the film looked better. GRADE------C
DVD Choices------------------------------
TCM held special screenings (through Fathom Events) of the theatrical showings of THE BIRDS (1963) last week, and I went, because I don't believe I've ever seen this Hitchcock classic on a big screen with an audience. The Thornton Place theatre was nearly half full--a big crowd for a Wednesday night, for an old film, at $12.50 per ticket. Unfortunately, the digital projection seemed to dim the brightness and color of the film---afterwards, outside in the lobby a Plasma screen was showing clips of THE BIRDS and the color on the lobby screen was much brighter and more colorful than anything I saw in the theatre. Coming soon is a screening of LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, and the preview had that same muted, dark, almost colorless imagery. THAT IS NOT THE WAY TO SHOW THOSE CLASSICS. I WILL PROBABLY NOT SEE ANY MORE OF THOSE TCM CLASSICS AT A THEATRE (unless it is projected in 70MM or at least 35MM film) because in most cases, DIGITAL screenings SUCK on a large screen.
Nonetheless, THE BIRDS remains for me the finest film in Hitchcock's long and luminous career--endlessly fascinating in structure and social themes, with many witty visuals and clever dialogue. There are at least 4 iconic, extended sequences with NO dialogue--which create insidious suspense and tension. It is also the ultimate APOCALYPTIC film experience---moody, mysterious, despairing, chilling. It is my FAVORITE FILM OF ALL TIME.........GRADE--------A+
Peter Bagdonovich's incisive documentary of the prolific and profound director, DIRECTED BY JOHN FORD (1971) features many many clips that starred either John Wayne, Henry Fonda, or Jimmy Stewart. At times if felt like a documentary on those fine actors. John Ford, by all accounts here, was a cantankerous, difficult man to work with at times. Especially telling is the "interview" that Bogdanovich tried to film---Ford answered "Yes" or usually "NO" to every question, and would not elaborate on any answer. But the film clips themselves are tremendously captivating. It makes you want to rent any John Ford film immediately. GRADE--------A
Moody and realistic, the British classic film LONELINESS OF A LONG DISTANCE RUNNER(1962) stars Michael Redgrave and a very young Tom Courtenay as a teen who is sentenced to boys prison for stealing. He can run hard and fast and it is hoped by the warden that he will win the crown from a regular boy's school for long distance running. The black and white film is grim and part of the "angry young man" milieu, but worth watching. GRADE--------B
QUEEN OF OUTER SPACE (1958) (or at least in this case, Venus) is a low low budget film that moves slowly and features the lovely Zsa Zsa Gabor, but the jokes/laughs are few. GRADE----C-
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
STORY OF FILM: AN ODYSSEY-Thursdays in Sept at SIFF Cinema, plus SEARCHING FOR SUGARMAN, LAWLESS, Sleepwalk w/Me, Paranorman, and Sidney Lumet
Summer movies are fading fast and here come the more substantial Fall Flicks. Top pick of this (or any) week is the just beginning STORY OF FILM: AN ODYSSEY which starts up Thursday 6 Sept at the SIFF Cinema---every Thursday during September they will be showing a three hour segment of the most comprehensive and fascinating documentary every seen about the history of world cinema, starting from the early 1900's up to the present. Many many film clips and talking heads keep the interest soaring. In a way, it is frustrating to watch, because the subject of "film" is so incredibly large that the director Mark Cousins can only touch briefly on most films and genres and directors, and your favorites may seem to get a short shift. But the most important aspect of this 15 hour long documentary is that it makes you want to see (perhaps for the first time) or revisit some of these great cinematic masterworks. Exhausting and Exhilarating and Highly Recommended. GRADE-------A
Another example of life being stranger than fiction, SEARCHING FOR SUGARMAN documents the search for an unsung Detroit recording artist from the early 1970's who, although he was never a financial success in the US, incredibly became a huge sensation in South Africa before dropping out of sight completely. Rumor had it he had committed suicide on stage during a live performance. No one--even the record labels who produced his two albums--knew what had happened to him. The singer/songwriter's name is Rodriguez, and he sounds a lot like Bob Dylan. His story is fascinating and surprising, and the film generates a huge emotional pull, and it makes me want to hear more music from this pop/folk singer sensation. GRADE--------B+
I can't image the generic title and theme of moonshiners in the 1920's Depression will generate a lot of box-office, but the cast of LAWLESS is so very strong that the film transcends it's subject matter and becomes a thrilling and entertaining period piece. Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pierce, Jessica Chastain and Mia Wasikowska head an excellent cast. GRADE-------B+
The comedy SLEEPWALK WITH ME plays like a low key Woody Allen film, amusing but without as much wit. Based on a radio show by Mike Birbiglia, who has showcased it as a one man show, SLEEPWALK WITH ME takes it's title literally, as it tells of a young man with sleep disorders, who can't seem to commit to his long time girlfriend. I enjoyed the film, but it doesn't really amount to much. GRADE-------B-
Just who is the intended audience for PARANORMAN? This animated feature about a young teen who can see and talk to the dead, and is recruited to fight zombies who are raised from the dead comes with all the cliches of the rash of zombie comedies of recent years, and the ending is particularly lame. There are a few clever moments, but the action is nearly bloodless (a PG rating for families????) and it is tired stuff. GRADE-------C+
An interesting international cast headed by Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, Anthony Hopkins et al, seem wasted and otherwise lost in the LA RONDE (1950) inspired romantic thriller where each scene leads you to another scene with just one or two actors carried over--to illustrate how life is connected. Previous versions of this theme usually involve love and sex, and this film called 3 6 0 has some of that, too, but it is very mean spirited and harsh. A happily married man contemplates being unfaithful, then returns home to his wife who is indeed having an affair. In another subplot, the theme is sexual slavery, and in another an innocent tries to hook up with a sexual predator. It is competently filmed, but rather unsavory and sad. GRADE------C+
DVD CHOICES-----------
A great and prolific director, Sidney Lumet died last April. He had made over 40 films and directed dozens of live (and otherwise) TV dramas, where he started in the 1950's. He had a way with great, talkative scripts, and led dozens of actors to Oscar nominations and Oscar wins. His filmography is filled with incredible classic films. Here are some of them: 12 ANGRY MEN (1957), FUGITIVE KIND (1959), LONG DAYS JOURNEY INTO NIGHT (1962), THE PAWNBROKER (1964), FAIL SAFE (1964), THE HILL (1965), SERPICO (1973), DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1975), NETWORK (1976), THE VERDICT (1982), THE MORNING AFTER (1986), RUNNING ON EMPTY (1988), and BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD (2007).
Even some of his "misses" like CHILD'S PLAY (1972), THE WIZ (1978), JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT (1980) and GLORIA (1999) have their fans, and are certainly very watchable in their own way. I saw the unusual caper movie THE ANDERSON TAPES (1971) which recently came out on DVD. Starring one of Lumet's favorite actors Sean Connery (see also THE HILL, THE OFFENCE (1972), MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (1974) and FAMILY BUSINESS (1989) for the others). In spite of some dated touches like the jazzy Quincy Jones score, and some very homophobic and racist and sexist comments, THE ANDERSON TAPES is very interesting and satisfying, and was a hit in its day. GRADE-----B
THE GREEN HORNET (2011) got a lot of criticism last year, but I found it to be a fresh, youthful, irrelevant take on the superhero milieu. In spite of the fact it made over 250 million dollars world-wide, apparently there will be no sequel in the near future. Too bad. It's a funny, smart alec film, even on second viewing. GRADE------B-
Another example of life being stranger than fiction, SEARCHING FOR SUGARMAN documents the search for an unsung Detroit recording artist from the early 1970's who, although he was never a financial success in the US, incredibly became a huge sensation in South Africa before dropping out of sight completely. Rumor had it he had committed suicide on stage during a live performance. No one--even the record labels who produced his two albums--knew what had happened to him. The singer/songwriter's name is Rodriguez, and he sounds a lot like Bob Dylan. His story is fascinating and surprising, and the film generates a huge emotional pull, and it makes me want to hear more music from this pop/folk singer sensation. GRADE--------B+
I can't image the generic title and theme of moonshiners in the 1920's Depression will generate a lot of box-office, but the cast of LAWLESS is so very strong that the film transcends it's subject matter and becomes a thrilling and entertaining period piece. Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pierce, Jessica Chastain and Mia Wasikowska head an excellent cast. GRADE-------B+
The comedy SLEEPWALK WITH ME plays like a low key Woody Allen film, amusing but without as much wit. Based on a radio show by Mike Birbiglia, who has showcased it as a one man show, SLEEPWALK WITH ME takes it's title literally, as it tells of a young man with sleep disorders, who can't seem to commit to his long time girlfriend. I enjoyed the film, but it doesn't really amount to much. GRADE-------B-
Just who is the intended audience for PARANORMAN? This animated feature about a young teen who can see and talk to the dead, and is recruited to fight zombies who are raised from the dead comes with all the cliches of the rash of zombie comedies of recent years, and the ending is particularly lame. There are a few clever moments, but the action is nearly bloodless (a PG rating for families????) and it is tired stuff. GRADE-------C+
An interesting international cast headed by Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, Anthony Hopkins et al, seem wasted and otherwise lost in the LA RONDE (1950) inspired romantic thriller where each scene leads you to another scene with just one or two actors carried over--to illustrate how life is connected. Previous versions of this theme usually involve love and sex, and this film called 3 6 0 has some of that, too, but it is very mean spirited and harsh. A happily married man contemplates being unfaithful, then returns home to his wife who is indeed having an affair. In another subplot, the theme is sexual slavery, and in another an innocent tries to hook up with a sexual predator. It is competently filmed, but rather unsavory and sad. GRADE------C+
DVD CHOICES-----------
A great and prolific director, Sidney Lumet died last April. He had made over 40 films and directed dozens of live (and otherwise) TV dramas, where he started in the 1950's. He had a way with great, talkative scripts, and led dozens of actors to Oscar nominations and Oscar wins. His filmography is filled with incredible classic films. Here are some of them: 12 ANGRY MEN (1957), FUGITIVE KIND (1959), LONG DAYS JOURNEY INTO NIGHT (1962), THE PAWNBROKER (1964), FAIL SAFE (1964), THE HILL (1965), SERPICO (1973), DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1975), NETWORK (1976), THE VERDICT (1982), THE MORNING AFTER (1986), RUNNING ON EMPTY (1988), and BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD (2007).
Even some of his "misses" like CHILD'S PLAY (1972), THE WIZ (1978), JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT (1980) and GLORIA (1999) have their fans, and are certainly very watchable in their own way. I saw the unusual caper movie THE ANDERSON TAPES (1971) which recently came out on DVD. Starring one of Lumet's favorite actors Sean Connery (see also THE HILL, THE OFFENCE (1972), MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (1974) and FAMILY BUSINESS (1989) for the others). In spite of some dated touches like the jazzy Quincy Jones score, and some very homophobic and racist and sexist comments, THE ANDERSON TAPES is very interesting and satisfying, and was a hit in its day. GRADE-----B
THE GREEN HORNET (2011) got a lot of criticism last year, but I found it to be a fresh, youthful, irrelevant take on the superhero milieu. In spite of the fact it made over 250 million dollars world-wide, apparently there will be no sequel in the near future. Too bad. It's a funny, smart alec film, even on second viewing. GRADE------B-
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