THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG continues the popular films directed with his usual skill by Peter Jackson and based on books by Tolkien. There is a lot of criticism that the films do not follow the book, and that the story is all dragged out to fill out (as is the case of THE HOBBIT) three long films which should clock in over 8 hours of storytelling by the time the third episode is released next Christmas season, but I have to say that not having read the novel before, I still enjoy the incredible workmanship and fantasy of the film(s) a lot. Much time is spent developing characterization and plotting, and whatever characters and plot are expanded or created, they fit well into the total epic feel of the fantasy. The action is grand and excitingly portrayed, and the special effects are seamless and mostly fascinating, especially the dragon Smaug. This film rewards repeated viewings. GRADE-----------A-
Last month I commented that AMERICAN HUSTLE was a great film in the Martin Scorsese style. Well, Martin has made his own great new film this year, and THE WOLF OF WALL STREET is as good as anything he's ever done. The main character played with decadent glee by the exuberant Leo DeCaprio is as unappealing and morally impaired as they come, but the skill in this performance makes you feel great empathy for him, and it could be the film that wins him an Oscar. The film is filled with foul mouthed characters (there are supposedly over 500 various versions of the F word) and the despicable behaviour of the corrupt Wall street types could be quite depressing, but for some reason, this "train wreck" of a plot becomes almost comic and is so wildly incredible that the film---as long as it is-three hours!-- turns into compulsive viewing. The film literally transcends the violence, drug abuse, sex, nudity, and immoral behavior to become a fascinating portrait of excessiveness, and it's one of the years very best films. GRADE------A-
Another viewing of PHILOMENA confirms that this skillful film, by the fine director Stephen Frears, is the heart wrenching comedy drama of the year. Based on a true story, Judy Dench plays the title character PHILOMENIA as she tries to locate her lost son she had to give up to adoption over 50 years earlier. The film is concise and economical--a brief 97 minutes, but we know more about her than just about any character of the year. GRADE-----A-
It's a love story with hints of science fiction and thriller, as the film HER confounds expectations, and manages to find a great deal of compassion for the emotionally stunted leading man as he finds himself being drawn to a new Operating System voice, and ultimately having a "relationship" with the voice of "Samantha" who understands him as no one else does. This film goes places that I never expected it to go. HER is a creative wonder. GRADE-------A-
It is always a pleasure, no matter what the film subject matter, to become fascinated by our greatest living actress, Meryl Streep, as she throws herself into each new character. She is, as usual, compelling and fascinating as she plays the matriarch of a dysfunctional family that meets for the disappearance of her husband, and this triggers lots of drama and secrets come spilling forth in the drama AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. I enjoyed the snarky sarcasm and twisted relationships that revel themselves over the long weekend. The entire cast is quite good--I especially enjoyed Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney and Misty Upham, but Chris Cooper, Julia Roberts, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Julianne Nicholson and Sam Shepard all have their great scenes. Dysfunctional family drama might not be your cup of tea, but watching these great actors at their best is a thrill. GRADE-------B+
DVD CHOICES--------------------
The dialogue may have been edited down, and it is filmed in black and white, but the Marlon Brando version of JULIUS CAESAR (1953) retains it's power and awe as vintage Shakespeare. The meaning and clarity of the dialogue was excellent, and the cast, which included John Guilgud, James Mason, Greer Garson, Deborah Kerr and Louis Calhern, is at it's peak. GRADE-----B+
From last summer, NOW YOU SEE ME is a twisty thriller (perhaps too twisty?) about a group of magician/con artists who work for a mysterious person who trains them in the art of escalating robberies. It is very tricky and entertaining, and the cast (including Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Caine, Woody Harelson et al) are effective. GRADE-----B
It sounds like a sleazy sex comedy, but BOEING BOEING (1965) has more going for it than the surface description. Tony Curtis is balancing three different flight attendants in one apartment by promising to marry each one, and keeps track of their flights in a notebook, so hopefully only one will be home at a time. His friend played in a low key fashion by Jerry Lewis, comes one weekend to visit and figures out quickly what is happening. The different airlines involved all have major schedule changes, which causes havoc for Curtis. The jokes range from slapstick to sophisticated, but there is a clever method to the madness, helped along by the surprising sensible manner of Lewis, and the smart tongued retorts of the overworked house maid, played in her usual effectively comic manner by Thelma Ritter, who played roles like this a lot---see PILLOW TALK (1959) and REAR WINDOW (1954) and ALL ABOUT EVE (1950) for example. GRADE-------B
From last summer, two films opened within two months of each other, and they had similar plots involving terrorists taking over the White House. OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN has disgraced Secret Service man Gerard Butler being just about the only good guy left who can fight the North Korean terrorist while trying to protect the President played by Aaron Eckhart. WHITE HOUSE DOWN has SS wanna be Channing Tatum trying to protect Jamie Foxx, who plays the President. In both films, an endangered child is threatened, nuclear explosives are bringing about the potential end of civilization, help is provided through outside phone service, and the physical White House is literally destroyed. While each film was modestly entertaining, meaning I didn't fall asleep, thinking back they blur together in my mind, and I can hardly distinguish one from the other. GRADE----OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN and WHITE HOUSE DOWN----C+ for each one.
SHED NO TEARS (1948) is a predictable film noir with an unconvincing actress in the leading role. June Vincent plays the evil wife of Wallace Ford, who convinces him to fake his death to collect insurance money. He goes into hiding in another town, then wonders why she is taking so long to collect the money and join him. He soon discovers she has plans to run away with the money---and her new young boyfriend. It was watchable but obvious. GRADE----D+
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We liked Her more than we expected to like it. With more than a "hint" of SF since the entire premiss in based on a self-aware operating system, it also surprised us.
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