Steve Zahn is an actor that I look forward to seeing in any role. He is as diverse in the selection of his roles as he is in his actual performances. And while he doesn’t always hit the mark, on those rare occasions when I haven’t been “wowed” by his work, it is generally due to a weak script or weak character creation within the storyline. Having said that, then you know there is no way that I would miss out of Zahn’s latest work – and one where he is the leading man carrying the film – MANAGEMENT. Teaming Zahn with Jennifer Aniston, writer/director Stephen Belber, gives us a fun, frothy romantic comedy with a slightly predictable ending but with a journey that is anything but formulaic.
30-something year old Mike is stuck in a no win situation living at home with his parents, Jerry and Trish, in a dusty “boring” Arizona town. Continue reading Management — GOOD→
Space. The final frontier. These are the beginning voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Bodly going where no one has dared go before, JJ Abrams takes the bridge and helms this much anticipated “prequel” to one of the most successful franchises in film and tv history (not to mention the most dedicated and rabid fan base) and brings us the eleventh film in the sci-fi series – STAR TREK. Walking a dangerous line between the 21st century, the 1960’s when the show was originally created, socio-political and stereotypical gender mores of the earlier time, and always cognizant of and faithful to creator Gene Roddenberry’s vision in every fashion, not to mention casting younger versions of some of the most iconic characters in history (yes, history – not just film/tv, but history), Abrams could only go one of two ways – a glowing success or get stalled in space dock. Fortunately, Abrams has more than lived up the legend known as STAR TREK and goes full ahead at warp speed with a swashbuckling, smart and sexy film at its high tech sensational best.
Yes, folks. There are other films opening this week besides STAR TREK. And while they may be overshadowed by the legends of Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the U.S.S. Enterprise, they are equally deserving of attention, if not moreso. And while other films may not beam their way into your heart at warp speed, there is one that dazzles, sparkles, sashays, hops, lindies and swings its way in – LOVE ‘N DANCING.
There are major topics and discussions in the news world over right now (other than Swine Flu and the economy). Hot on the heels of Earth Day, citizens and activists are still abuzz over the environment and global warming while for the rest of us, the impending release of “Star Trek” seems to be the number topic of conversation. So, for those of you that are looking for your own little galactic adventure with some potent underlying social and environmental messages, you can do no better than with Aristomenis Tsirbas’ BATTLE FOR TERRA – a little gem of a film that wends its way through the universe of animated 3D onto the big screen with intelligence, charm and appeal for the entire family.
Some of the greatest movie-going experiences of my childhood – and life – as well as that of so many others of my generation, were those through the Disney True-Life Adventure films. Not only were they educational and entertaining, but they sparked interest and raised questions in impressionable youth – including myself- which is now evidenced today in people like Al Gore and ecologic and environmental activists whose thoughts and opinions were shaped by those images of nature and wildlife that Walt Disney captured. For years now, we have missed so much by the absence of Disney’s True Life Adventures and its nature films, and I, for one, am ecstatic that the brand has been resurrected in the 21st Century with Disneynature. And what better way to inaugurate the film series than with EARTH.
Over 100 films to his credit. Six Oscar nominations. Two Best Supporting Actor Oscars in hand. Eight BAFTA nominations with one Best Actor award. Twelve Golden Globe nominations. Three Globes as Best Actor. A knighthood. And that’s just a smattering of the accolades showered on Michael Caine over the past five decades. So, one now must ask what could possibly be left for a man of his talent and caliber to achieve at the tender age of 76. According to Michael Caine himself, there is one goal he still has, “I guess it would be to win an Oscar for Best Actor. I’ve never done that.” Enter screenwriter Peter Harness who, with this first feature film, IS ANYBODY THERE?, brought Michael Caine to tears just reading the script and gives Sir Michael a role that may just garner him that elusive Best Actor Academy Award. Continue reading IS ANYBODY THERE?–Good→
What better way to honor the opening week of baseball season than with, what I believe, is one of the finest baseball films to come around in a long while – SUGAR. For decades, some of the sports finest players have come from Latin America and particularly, the Dominican Republic – Manny Ramirez, Roberto Clemente, the Alou brothers, Jose Rijos, Manny Nanita, to name a few. They have brought distinction not only to themselves, their teams and the sport, but also to their families and nameless small towns in the regions. Director Ryan Fleck, a lifetime baseball enthusiast (and after speaking with him, dare I say devotee and rapid fan), together with his filmmaking partner Anna Boden, bring us an in depth look at a little known side of the game of baseball told through the eyes of a young player in the Dominican Republic looking for the American Dream, a dream that takes on special meaning for Miguel “Sugar” Santos. And while Miguel Santos may be fiction, the story behind SUGAR is not. Continue reading Sugar–Good→
I’ll say it up front so get all your eyeball rolling and laughter out now – – I like Hannah Montana. I watch the tv series. It’s fun. It’s enjoyable and it helps me to keep being a kid at heart. But, HANNAH MONTANA THE MOVIE, I simply adore. This is not a kid’s movie or a teen/tween movie. This is a family movie with something every generation, every member of a family can relate to in some capacity. It strikes a chord of home and hearth that just touches the heart…complete with an annoying brother, supportive friend, loving father and extended family and an irrepressible teen who just happens to have an alter ego as a rock superstar. I said it just the other week with super heroes and the same applies here – how many of you can honestly say you haven’t dreamt of having a secret identity and for all the girls out there, one that let’s you play dress up and let’s pretend and spend tons and tons of money on shoes and clothes? Where can I sign up!! Continue reading hannah montana–good→
Who out there hasn’t been entertained – or even a little scared – watching classic sci-fi films like “The Day the Earth Stood Still”, “War of the Worlds” or “It Came From Outer Space” – be it in the theater or years later when the films made their way to tv, often UHF? I remember watching all of these films with my dad and being mesmerized by them, particularly the effects and how they were done – by hand – not CGI as today. Viewing those films today (many of which were “A” films with big premieres and Oscar winners in the cast and not the “camp” so many today believe them to be), not only do you still see the hallmarks of creative filmmaking excellence but a different style of acting and technology. Enter former “X-Files Executive Producer, R.W. Goodwin and the 21st Century and his desire to do an “authentic” 1950’s sci-fi flick. With a philosophy to “seriously and in earnest make the best sci fi movie that we can make” and “the only condition is that we are living in 1957 and we have to stay within the style and the technology of what we have available at that time”, the result is the ridiculously fun ALIEN TRESPASS. Continue reading Alien Trespass–Good→
Somehow your past always finds its way into your future – particularly if it’s something, shall we say, questionable, that you may have done or didn’t do.And even moreso if it’s something from your youth.Let’s face it.When we’re young and in those angst-filled teen years, although at the time we think we know everything, we don’t, and quite often worry more about being labeled, branded, cast off, and not being “accepted” rather than doing what’s right or wrong, all of which provides us a valuable education in the future when the actions come up to bite you in the butt.Such is the case with CHARLIE BANKS who gets the education of a lifetime during his freshman year of college; an education that is carefully crafted and examined thanks to the skill of first time feature director, Fred Durst (yep – THAT Fred Durst, frontman to Limp Bizkit). Continue reading THE EDUCATION OF CHARLIE BANKS→
