If you liked the THE AVENGERS (2012) then this is a no brainer for you to see---it is a lot of fun. Loud, busy, funny, over the top at times, THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON continues the story of half a dozen super heroes plus some new ones who gather together to save ---what else?--the world or rather, all humanity, from extinction. The key for writer/director Joss Whedon is humor, and he tries to find a laugh or two in every scene, keeping the action light and the talking scenes enjoyable. I attended a screening at a multi plex on its first Sunday morning at 1100am (it was playing on 6 screens at that theatre!) and arrived 20 minutes early. The line was long, and I was informed that my show was booked to 87% full already, and that the later show at 1130am was booked to 93%. Obviously a major blockbuster film, but in this case, I didn't mind, because the film is incredibly enjoyable with a great satisfaction factor. GRADE----------A-
WHILE WE'RE YOUNG is a cleverly written and directed film by Noah Baumbach, who recently created FRANCES HA (2012) and THE QUID AND THE WHALE (2005). This new film starts out as a satire about a 40 something couple who become fascinated by an energetic 20 something couple who are into everything, and they try to keep up to them and ingratiate themselves into their lives. The film turns darker when issues of professional lying and unethical film making tears the friends apart. The actors (including Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts, Charles Grodin, and Adam Driver and Amanda Seyfried as the younger couple) are all terrific, and watching the film is mostly a pleasure to watch, in spite of the mood change towards the end. GRADE--------B
The new science fiction film EX MACHINA dealing with humans interacting with artificial intelligence is clever and carefully written and directed to emphasize the growing suspense to the final "surprises"---but it still feels overly familiar. My favorite film on this subject is still Steven Speilberg's underrated masterpiece A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (2001), but it does feature interesting performances by Oscar Isaac (A MOST VIOLENT YEAR 2014 and INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS 2013) as the scientist who creates EVA, and Domhnall Gleeson (UNBROKEN 2014, CALVARY 2014, ABOUT TIME 2013 and HARRY POTTER AND DEATHLY HALLOWS 2010/11) as the new programmer. GRADE--------B
DVD viewing-------------------------------------------
FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD (1967)---This luscious looking film version of Thomas Hardy's novel, and directed by John Schlesinger (MIDNIGHT COWBOY 1969, SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY 1971, MARATHON MAN 1976) features wonderful performances by Alan Bates, Peter Finch, Terrance Stamp, and especially the lovely Julie Christie. The production values are exceptional--photography, music, editing, set design---everything is a joy to behold in this underrated film. I'll be seeing the new remake soon, so it will be interesting to compare. GRADE-------A-
THE WORLD'S END (2013)--Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, etc) star in this action comedy/horror film about six friends on a 12 pub crawl who come across "robots" who have taken over their small hometown. There is a lot of humor, action and clever characters. Lot's of despicable drinking too, so that does temper some of the humor. Still it's lively and funny and a creative take on the "zombie" picture. GRADE-------B
WE ARE THE BEST! (2013)--Lukas Moodysson's newest film (after SHOW ME LOVE 1998, TOGETHER 2000, LILYA 4-EVER 2002) is a sweet natured film set in the 80's about three teen girls who try to start up a punk band. The best part of the film: they aren't ever very good, but the film focuses on growing up and finding love and finding their way in the world. GRADE-----B
REIGN OF TERROR aka THE BLACK BOOK (1949)--Directed by Anthony Mann and featuring Robert Cummings, Arlene Dahl and Richard Basehart, this suspense film set during the French Revolution (see TALE OF TWO CITIES above) has a search for a dairy that would incriminate a lot of important people and send them (or the book's owner) to the guillotine. Filmed in vivid black and white, the look is very much in the film noir style. GRADE------B
CAUSE CELEBRE (1987)---Based on a true story, this British BBC TV film features a young Helen Mirren as a woman accused of murdering her older husband with the help of her younger lover. The actors are fine, but the courtroom drama and flashbacks feel flat. GRADE-----C+
X, Y AND ZEE aka ZEE AND CO. (1972)---Michael Caine, Susannah York and Elizabeth Taylor each have their moments in this lurid, leisurely drama that gives Taylor the edge, seemingly reprising her role of Martha from WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF. Caine is her husband who is falling for his new mistress York, who has her own dark secrets. GRADE-------C+
THEY CAME TOGETHER (2014)--This parody of love stories in the vein of AIRPLANE! feels sloppy and dumb much of the time, although Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler do get off some zingers, but if I'd seen it in a theatre, I would have wanted my money back. GRADE----C-
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Currently playing in Seattle, and reviewed from 2014 SIFF are a couple well worth seeing in a theatre-----DIOR AND I and especially TANGERINES (a recent Oscar nominee for foreign film.)
DIOR AND I ---------GRADE---B+ and TANGERINES--------GRADE-----A. See blog from last year for more info.
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My BLOG next week-------movies viewed from the new 2015 SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL......which starts officially 14May. See Siff.net for screening info.
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