CAPTAIN PHILLIPS  4.0 ***

 

     This movie’s Director Paul Greengrass has proved his talents with two fantastic Bourne films, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, and two impressive real-life dramas, Bloody Sunday and United 93.. Captain Phillips sees Greengrass deliver another true story to the big screen, proving that he is indeed the current king of cinematic re-enactments.

 

Captain Phillips is the rarest of thrillers, the kind that relies on neither distracting special effects nor distracting character development. Driven by a powerful, soul-baring performance by  Tom Hanks, the movie never lags, never oversells the plight of its characters, never reduces anyone or anything to mere caricature .Hanks is the  Captain of the United States container ship MV Maersk Alabama, cruising along the coast of Somalia with a full load. A skiff load of 4 armed Somalis close in, ready to board the vessel. They're pirates, working for a warlord in their impoverished country, and they smell opportunity. The pirates board the giant ship, clearly pleased with their find. Muse (Barkhad Abdi) quickly proves himself to be a strong  leader; he's single minded (where's the crew? where's the goods?) but not sinister.  

The movie is told in two distinct halves: the time spent by the pirates on the Maersk as they search in vain for treasure and crew, and the time spent in the ship's lifeboat as they make their way to Somalia. The villains are conflicted and desperate. And armed. But they're quickly immersed in what appears to be an impossible situation. This is one of the toughest, most naked performances of Hanks' stellar career. (He is a slam dunk for an Oscar nomination for Best Actor) It's sometimes painful and heart wrenching to watch. He's an Everyman, per usual, but he's not a savior or a hero. He doesn't suddenly develop super strength and overpower the bad guys.  Matching him wit for wit while frantically trying to keep his own wits about him is Abdi as the skinny, intelligent Muse, seemingly a veteran of high piracy.  Abdi is a wonder to watch; unpredictable and cunning but  greedy and rapidly running out of viable options.  

 What also is an intelligent move on Greengrass's part, and just like in United 93, is the use of real people who actually worked those certain jobs (navy seals, medics, etc.) It adds a  reality to the film and adds believability to the roles. Captain Phillips is tense. It is heart wrenching. It is raw and it is powerful. With its well-executed direction and stellar performances, Captain Phillips is a must see for anyone who appreciates quality cinema and great acting.

You should see this one on the a big theater screen if at all possible.

Clark

 

    

PARKLAND  3.0***

 

 

      Parkland" tells the story of the events that unfold on November 22nd, 1963, the day that John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated. After being shot President Kennedy was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital where a team of respectable medical personal did everything in their power to save him. This film also incorporates the story of Abraham Zapruder,  the man that  shot the most watched home movie in history. "Parkland" also covers a little of Lee Harvey Oswald but more so of his brother and mother. It also has time for the Dallas Police, the Secret Service, and the FBI.

This is docu-drama with an emphasis on the documentary side of things. Its based on a heavily researched book, "Four Days in November”. The movie is so fast paced you would not think 94 minutes could fly by that quickly! The panic, fear, confusion and shock of the Secret Service agents, Dallas Police, FBI, Parkland Hospital staff, witnesses, news media and the American public is non-stop!!!!!.  The words the actors speak are supposed to be as close to reality as possible, and not some script writer's attempt to suggest a conspiracy theory.

Paul Giamatti is superb as Abraham Zapruder, the reluctant hero who recorded the most famous home movie in history. .James Badge Dale nails it as Robert Oswald, the assassin's brother who  has to deal with a new, terrible reality. He makes you feel his disgust for his brother's actions, but at the same time, feel his sympathy and sorrow for Lee Harvey.

Zac Efron and Marcia Gay Harden are fine as the primary Emergency Room doctor and nurse, who without warning, are forced to deal with a fatal gunshot wound to the most important person in the world. You can see the initial fear and trepidation on their faces before they snap out of their daze and try to save the President's life. And then these same people must deal with the shooting of Oswald. Yes, the President and Oswald were both sent to Parkland Hospital and attended to by the same doctors and nurses !!

 Ron Livingston, plays FBI agent James Hosty, the man who was assigned the case of Lee Harvey Oswald after he returned from Russia. The FBI's investigation of Oswald was going nowhere fast, and Hosty describes Oswald as a "nobody." But as his boss screams at him, a NOBODY who just shot the President! The viewer feels sorry for Hosty as he is being forced to compromise his ethics and integrity to help the FBI  avoid the embarrassment sure to follow if the world finds out Oswald came to the FBI office in Dallas ten days before the assassination and threatened Hosty.

Billy Bob Thornton  is one of the most talented actors in Hollywood. He jumps off the screen as Forrest Sorrels, the Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service in Dallas.   And then there is Jacki Weaver, an Australian actress, who plays the mother of the Oswald brothers. Phenomenal!!! She knocks it out of the park. Quickly, the viewer sees just how crazy she is, and how in the middle of such a horror as the assassination of the President, she embarrasses her son Robert with her utterly preposterous claims about her son, Lee.

While this is quite good, I’d recommend you wait for it to come out on DVD, Netflix or TV.

Clark

 

INSTRUCTIONS NOT INCLUDED    3.3***

 

 

 

           In a world of big Hollywood  budget blockbusters some of the best movies are the smaller independent films from all over the world. The latest” Instructions Not Included” is a Spanish/American film from writer, director, and star Eugenio Derbez. While he is already pretty huge in Mexico, this marks his first foray into directing . The simplicity of this movie is what makes it a gem that stands on its own.

Instructions Not Included follows a resident playboy in Mexico whose life is thrown upside down when a former fling leaves a baby on his door step. He leaves Mexico for Los Angeles in hopes of finding the baby's mother, but instead finds a new life as a successful stuntman and raises the adorable girl over the next six years. But when her mother returns it risks everything they have built together (shades of “Kramer vs Kramer”). This is one of those surprising films that really delivers way more than you may expect. Eugenio Derbez has crafted a great film with plenty of humor blended perfectly with a heart-warming touching story. The film is partly in Spanish (subtitles) and partly in English, but blends both perfectly to create a film that works for not only both markets, but also for all audiences even if they don't like subtitled films.

 

The acting by Eugenio Derbez ( one of Mexico's biggest stars) is effortless. As for Loreto Peralta, who plays daughter Maggie, there are few words to describe her acting abilities She is a both a revelation and a prodigy. She will win you over from the get-go. I won’t say anything else about the movie other than it needs to be seen and experienced. I can guarantee you will leave the theater feeling good.

 

 

The simplicity of this movie is what makes it a gem that stands on its own.  This is one of those small films that comes along and will really surprise you. While it has great performances, it lets the story lead the charge and knocks it out of the park. This is a comedy, but be warned this funny man has crafted a film that will not only tickle your funny bone, but also tug at your heart strings.

 

Clark

 

 

GRAVITY  4.0****

 

 Gravity is an explosive, white-knuckle sci-fi instant classic, a wonder to behold from amazingly realistic effects  to an electrifying, compelling story and outstanding performances  by Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.  

The U.S Space Shuttle Explorer is docked at the International Space Station. Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock), on her first space mission, is installing an external device on the station that will enable astronomers to peer even deeper into space. Meanwhile, the mission commander Kowalski (Clooney), on his final mission, merrily spacewalks in a jet pack; other crew members perform maintenance or communicate with Earth. Then trouble strikes including their losing all communication with earth.. Thereafter there is hardly a moment when you are not on the edge of your seat. Stone and Kowalski veer from problem to problem, everything accentuate by the simple fact that they are alone up there, not even able to contact NASA. It's a terrifying situation. Most of us might have a slight panic attack if we're stranded on the side of the road without a cell phone. Imagine being up in the heavens with no apparent way to get down. I will not delve into the plot any more than I already have. The astute viewer will still have trouble guessing the outcome and the twists within the movie, particularly because the action is so hard-driven while still being utterly coherent and plausible.

The use of 3D in movies is more times than not just a money-making device ( $3.00 more per ticket) than a visual enhancement.  But the 3D effects in Gravity are used so expertly  that whether you are approaching an object at high velocity or it is approaching you, you feel immersed in the scene, not distracted from it. It is the best use of 3d technology of any film to date. Then when you add to that  IMax screen and sound, it is spectacular. And  this is a breakthrough film in many other ways. Director Cuaron crossed boundaries and he didn't have the technology to do it, so he created it (especially the effect of weightlessness or zero gravity)  . It has been a  long time since you could go  a movie and experience these kind of emotions as vividly and in so many different levels. Cuaron guides us into an amazing out-of-this-earth journey.  

There are plenty of heart-stopping moments in Gravity, even for the most jaded of viewers. It is fantastic storytelling supported by fantastic cinematography. It may be too early for movies to get serious award- season consideration, but I'll come out and say this right now: Gravity is one of the very best movies of the year and my bet is that Sandra Bullock will be an Oscar nominee for Best Actress.

 

Clark

 

NOTE: I saw it in 3D at Imax and highly recommend that you do also to get the maximum experience .

 

 

RUSH… 3.3***

 

 

     “Rush”, directed by the always excellent Ron Howard, is a gripping telling of the 1976 Formula 1, race driving season.   “Rush” tells a story which would be  too unbelievable in terms of human bravery and personal destiny for any fictional story. It’s actually based upon the true story of that 1976  season and the fierce competition between Hunt & Lauder  which is far more than enough to hold the unfamiliar or casual viewer's attention with a steel firm grip. You get caught up in wanting to see how these two very  different personalities handle the pressures of life both on and off the track and how rising to the top takes its toll on these two polar opposite real life gladiators of the race track.

The camera work is particularly spectacular, with some very creative angles. The brief in-helmet camera shots are inspired, giving you a glimpse of the drivers world. CGI work will be spotted by the keen eyed, but you have to consider that without it that there are certain scenes that would be just impossible to film as accurately as they were depicted here with real machinery.   

 Chris Hemsworth’s  performance as the British driver, James Hunt came as a  surprise. This is his best performance by quite some margin (best known for “Thor”), a role which he plays with a great deal of maturity and respect. He plays Hunt with just the right level of arrogance, cockiness, confidence and audacity to convince you that he was a real life 70's playboy/driver. Daniel Bruhl is superb as the Austrian driver, Nicki Lauda. It's a role that he deserves much recognition for, particularly his accent and mannerisms. Lauda was one of the first of a new generation of professional driver, forcing  the usual playboy characters out of the sport and Bruhl nails this icy determination to succeed magnificently.

With the lead actors clearly committed to giving their best performances and with a tastefully handled script, Ron Howard delivers a visually impressive account of events that may well become one of the best if not the best auto racing films ever.

 

Clark

 

 

      

   

 

ENOUGH SAID  3.3***

        Enough Said  is an enjoyable romantic comedy. .Julia Louis-Dreyfus is Eva, a divorced massage therapist. James Gandolfini is Albert, also divorced, who meets Eva at a party. The chemistry seems to be there, and both Eva and Albert start slowly falling in love. However, "The course of true love almost never runs smoothly." Naturally, there are complications. (No complications = no plot.) Both Albert and Eva have daughters who are leaving shortly for college. There's another sub-plot involving a friend of Eva's daughter, who is bonding with Eva, just as Eva's daughter isn't bonding. However, the main bump in the road  to romance is that Eva has a new friend and, by a very bad coincidence, the friend is Albert's divorced wife. So, Eva is playing a double game--dating Albert and hearing from the Ex all the annoying things about Albert that made her leave him. That can’t help but cause trouble and, of course, it does. You'll have to see the movie to find out what happens next. "It's complicated."

My wife and I really enjoyed this film because it was well crafted, funny, and very well acted. Julia Louis-Dreyfus can act beyond her role in Seinfeld as does James Gandolfini  act beyond his role in The Sopranos. Of course, there's a melancholy cloud over the film, because we know that Gandolfini died soon after the movie was completed. Still, it's a pleasure to see two likable, talented actors making each other laugh, and making us laugh with them.

 Enough Said is a small film about small people with good intentions but failed dreams. The universal application to the audience is clear and comfortable. It is a gentle story that urges everyone to keep  searching for love although it may come when you least expect it. And don't expect it to be perfect. Like Albert, you'll always need to lose weight, even if it's just emotional baggage.

The film will work well on DVD. So if you miss it in theaters, be sure to see it on the small screen.

Clark

 

DON JON  3.0***

          Perhaps the best way to introduce  this film and its main character Don Jon (Joseph Gordon-Levitt ) is by recounting his first confession early in the movie( he’s a devout Catholic) where he’s confessing to committing, since the last confession a week ago, 2 sexual intercourses "out of wedlock" and 17 masturbations while watching porno. This is the first of many such repeated confessional scenes, with the numbers varying each time, reflecting the progress of various events around him. The name Don Jon is undoubtedly designed to remind you of the fictional “Don Juan” ( actually his 2 best friend and bar buddies named  him “Don” because he manages to always hook- up with the best looking ladies. In real life he is a  bar tender who leads an average life except for his obsession with watching porn.

This movie, written, directed and acted by the highly talented Joseph Gordon-Levitt is more than an almost "X"-rated movie. We discover that for whatever reasons, Don Jon enjoys self-administered sex induced by pornos better than the real thing, although he has no lack of either. That is until he meets Barbara (Scarlett Johansson), an encounter that results in a serious relationship with the possibility a fairy-tale ending …. but then?

Many think  that Gordon-Levitt is one of the most versatile young  actors in the up and coming generation of young actors. In this his first writing and directing debut, he has turned in a solid piece of work and wisely avoids flashy, avant-garde stuff and uses the reliable style of voice over narration quite effectively.. Repeated scenes (aforementioned confessions, as well as things like driving his custom car, work outs at the gym and family dinners) are used effectively to reinforce the themes, while the story and subject matter are allowed pretty much to speak for themselves.

Johansson in this movie demonstrates that she can be as versatile an actor as Gordon-Levitt, given the opportunities. As Barbara, she shows a Johansson that the audience has never seen before with a depth hidden by shallowness, or a shallowness hidden by depth, depending on the angle you take. .And of course she looks gorgeous !!! Julianne Moore has an interesting role as a middle aged woman who befriends Don Jon and offers a different perspective to his sexual hang-ups. Tony Danza and Glenne Headly provide great support, playing Jon's parents in a way that brings back  memories of the Archie  Bunker TV family. Brei Larson as Jon's sister accomplishes an exceptional scene-stealing feat with no dialogue, constantly hooked on to her IPhone and seemingly oblivious to people around her….until close to the end of the movie , with two lines, she hits the nail in the head (and Jon too) pointing out what kind of a person Barbara really is,and showing that she has all the while been quite a good listener.

The movie mixes comedy and drama with ease. It also manages to make some profound points regarding such taboo topics as sex and pornography. Obviously this is an adult film and only for those who are not squeamish about the strong  sexual content of the movie.

This has is a strong “R” rated movie because of the heavy sexual content and language.