Well, let’s just say it right now – UP IS THE BEST PICTURE OF THE YEAR. Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, just hand over that Oscar gold now.
78 year old Carl Frederickson has always had his head in the clouds. A balloon salesman for his adult life, since a small boy, he and his beloved wife and best friend, Ellie, have shared a magical life but always hoping to share one great adventure together; an adventure they dreamed of long ago when they were 8 years old; one inspired by their hero, explorer Charles Muntz (“Adventure is out there!”) – a trip to Paradise Falls buried deep in the heart of the Lost World in the jungles of South America. Continue reading Movie Review: UP — Good→
It takes quite a bit for a film to really drive my intellect and have me so engrossed philosophically that I tune out everything and everyone around me, but that’s exactly what PONTYPOOL does. An extremely fascinating story that is not only intriguing, immersive and intelligent, but psychologically conceptualized exhilaration with a wicked wryness and socio-political commentary, PONTYPOOL, and particularly the performance of Stephen McHattie, is controlled frenetic gold.
With a Don Imus-like appearance and rapid-fire opinionated persona, one time big city radio shock jock, Grant Mazzy has now been relegated to a small town talk radio news station, “The Beacon”, CLSY – 660 on your radio dial, out in the Canadian back forty. Continue reading PONTYPOOL — GOOD!→
Take heed readers and moviegoers. Do not be deluded by the fact that this is a Steven Soderbergh film and should have a standard of “excellence” attached to it. Do not be led down the primrose path and into the theater because porn star Sasha Gray is making her “legitimate” acting debut (down boys, down). Although there are a few glimmers of interest and worthwhile technical aspects of the film, THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE is one experience that no one should be subjected to.
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→
