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Movie Reviews

City Island
Jack Rico
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2010/03/20 at 12:00am

Reviews

City Island

03.20.2010 | By |

City Island

‘City Island’ is one of the more charming comedies to come out in a very long time and thus far this 2010. It is a magnetically crafted indie comedy that provides jokes worth laughing at and charming characters worth liking. It’s a feel-good movie that is sure to satisfy your every need at the movies. You really wont’ regret it.

Prison guard Vince Rizzo (Andy Garcia) is a prison guard, but has one secret no one knows about. A closet actor, he lies to his lovely wife, Joyce (Julianna Margulies), about going to poker games when he’s really traveling into the city to attend an acting class presided over by the Michael Malakov (Alan Arkin). Joyce, recognizing her husband isn’t being truthful, suspects he’s having an affair. But Vince has an even bigger secret: a newly paroled prisoner (Steven Strait) who has been offered lodging on his property, isn’t just some random ex-con; he’s Vince’s son. No one knows this except Vince and Molly (Emily Mortimer), his partner at the acting class. Vince isn’t the only one with secrets. His son, Vince Jr. (Ezra Miller), has a fetish for fat women. His daughter, Vivian (Dominik Garcia-Lorido), works as a stripper.

Cuban actor Andy Garcia dishes out some of his best comedic moments here and it is truly enjoyable to watch. He has not been a part of many talked about movies the last few years, but just like Robert De Niro in ‘Everybody’s Fine,’ Garcia has once again found his form. His timing, delivery, his expressions, the nuances and reactions, it all works here. The rest of the cast are wonderfully charming. They manage to compliment Garcia without a problem.

Are there any problems with the film? Perhaps, but they’re so minimal that you won’t notice them. I barely did. City Island is a fantastic, pleasurable experience, one that I recommend highly!

Repo Men (Movie Review)
‘Repo Men’
Jack Rico
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2010/03/19 at 12:00am

Reviews

Repo Men (Movie Review)

03.19.2010 | By |

The first hour of the new futuristic action film Repo Men, one of the most violent and bloody films I’ve seen since Ninja Assassins, is a slow, gouge-your-eye experience that has you asking for a refund. But the second hour really picks up and it is where the true entertainment value of the film lies. The story is very compelling tied with a dose of dark comedy, but the dialogue is vacuous and there were some major miscasting calls with Jude Law and Forest Whitaker.
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Namreta Kumar
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2010/03/18 at 12:00am

Reviews

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

03.18.2010 | By |

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Unfortunately Diary of a Wimpy Kid does not make nearly as strong of an impact as the books do. The film never seems to capture the same charm, although it does have some reminiscent moments.

Greg Heffley, played by Zachary Gordon, is the middle child starting is first year at middle school, and his “diary” catalogs his plan for survival and the year. He is accompanied by the usual suspects: his older brother, Rodrick (Devon Bostick), whose favorite pass time is picking on Greg; the seriously weird kid, Fregley (Grason Russell), who is so far down the social ladder it almost seems like they had to create an underground; the overachieving spoiled, Patty (Laine MacNeil), who is hell-bent on revenge from kindergarten; and the endearing best friend, Rowley (Robert Caron), whose sincerity completely off-sets Greg’s “ambitions.” Along with that you have the cheese touch, the myth of the school, the one no one knows where it began but everyone continues to live by.

Jeff Kinney’s cartoon filled novel is filled with nostalgia without making anything epic or any of his characters highly noble. The driving force behind the story is with the kids, and as we all know kids can be cruel. Middle School is that ground where we begin to define and rank ourselves and Greg plans on being ahead of the curve, however there is no predicting what his schemes lead to.

Thor Freudenthal cleverly adapted the cartoons into the film’s treatment and never lost Greg’s original voice. Unfortunately it seems like it took Zachary Gordon a little while to warm up to the character of Greg and that off set the start of the film. As it rolls forward though the relationship between Greg and Rowley, becomes the focal point of the film and the contrasts give the film its own charming moments.

Although the film has its own magnetism, it failed to capture the appeal of the illustrated novel. The fun that children of all ages (and adults alike) can have with the “diary” in their own hands is almost lost in film form. The visual element of the film can be appreciated best in certain scenes that are larger than the book, for example Halloween, and the school play. However overall the charm lies in the book and the film is best appreciated by a family movie night.

Los Abrazos Rotos
Jack Rico
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2010/03/15 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

Los Abrazos Rotos

03.15.2010 | By |

Rating: 3.0

Rated: R for sexual content, language and some drug material.
Release Date: 2009-11-20
Starring: Pedro Almodóvar
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:Spain
Official Website: http://www.pedroalmodovar.es/PAB_EN_Cap01.asp

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One of Spain’s most talented sons gives cinema a new work titled ‘Broken Embraces’. Pedro Almodóvar reunites with Penélope Cruz to once again give us a visually sensual and beautiful, bold and impressive theater of the mind, but one that regrettably doesn’t break new ground. It is not his best film and thus the reason it wasn’t selected to participate in Spain’s Oscar selections for this upcoming ceremony. It is by no intention a bad film, it simply isn’t overwhelming. Were we asking for too much? Was that the problem?

The premise is interesting and very Almodovar. Harry Caine (Lluís Homar), a screenwriter/director, suffers a near fatal crash that leaves him blind. After healing from his wounds 14 years later, he finds himself directing and editing his last movie which starred his eternal love.

There is beauty in his work, but I believe there was also writers block, which is why he recycled so much of his favorite films such as Elevator to the Gallows, Voyage to Italy and his own Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Pedro took the opportunity to become Tarantino in this film and craft a class in filmmaking to us all. His new work combines amour fou, crime-noir melodrama, satirical comedy, complex structures and subplots and anything else his head could devise. He’s good but his ambition got the best of him and the construction of the story ultimately did not rise to the levels of his previous works. It looks as if his focus left the narrative and shifted to the technical aspects and look of the film. Almodovar is accountable for his own success and it burns him here.

Nonetheless, the minor imperfections do not damage his reputation as a dexterous helmer nor should it influence your decision to see the movie. Penelope Cruz gives another mesmerizing performance as the “femme fatale” but one that doesn’t rival her character in passion and charm from ‘Volver’. The rest of the cast shows why Spain is a gold mine full of talented actors.

In a broad comment, this year was specifically a great year for Spanish movies. The box office has reaped the benefits of their marvelous stories and productions and we’re all the better for it. Almodovar is being challenged by other filmmakers such as Isabel Coixet, Fernando Trueba, Daniel Sánchez Arévalo and Alejandro Aménabar (half Chilean). I hope to see their work rival his because Hollywood awaits them desperately.

Green Zone (Movie Review)
‘Green Zone’
Jack Rico
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2010/03/12 at 12:00am

Reviews

Green Zone (Movie Review)

03.12.2010 | By |

‘Green Zone’ is the army version of the Bourne movies. It’s a full blown political thriller a la Tom Clancy with high octane action. The acting is superb, but the action is relentless. From the tense opening scene, and then for almost two hours, it’s non stop bullet battles, zig-zagging car and helicopter chases, and enough explosions to uncomfortably increase your heart rate and blood pressure! Is it as good or better than The Hurt Locker, another action war drama? No way. But it is definitely more entertaining.  Read More

She’s Out of My League
Namreta Kumar
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2010/03/11 at 12:00am

Reviews

She’s Out of My League

03.11.2010 | By |

She's Out of My League

She’s Out of My League is quite possibly the best romantic-comedy out, thus far, this year. The best part about this bromance is that it is equally a chick-flick.

In a nutshell she (Alice Eve) is a 10 and he (Jay Baruchel) is desperately trying to hold onto the status of 5. Essentially his family, friends, and lack of any real aspirations fail him; but she tiers of “perfection” and finds it all refreshing. The multitude of characters is what makes the film so much fun. From Kirk’s friends down to Molly’s parents everyone lends great talent and character to the film.

Kirk is more than just a five and Jay Baruchel makes this a reality. I must equally commend Jim Field Smith for this as well, because his direction gives each actor/character their shining moment.  And at the end of it all, what makes this film work are those shinning moments. Smith’s direction has created a comedic piece that every guy can enjoy, and every girl will adore.

What makes the comedy here fun and unique is that all the characters are just that, characters. All of Kirk’s friends remind you of those same guys from high school down to your office and the advice they honesty dole out to Kirk make them all the more real. On the other hand Molly’s best friend and sister make this equally a chick flick, with their own frankness about her imperfections.

She’s Out of My League is not as good as Wedding Crashers but it does equal I Love Your Man. It has a lot of little laughs and plenty of charm to finally leave you satisfied with a romantic comedy this year.

Remember Me
Karen Posada
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2010/03/11 at 12:00am

Reviews

Remember Me

03.11.2010 | By |

Remember Me

‘Remember Me’ does a fine job at making you part of it without you realizing it. If you are into romantic dramas you are going to love it, it is more than just romance though, the importance of family is felt strongly as well. The plot is made up of love and loss and the sense that we have to ‘live in the moments’ because we don’t know when our last day on Earth will be. It is your typical boy-meets-girl story but with a sense of reality in it and a twist of faith.

Our main character Tyler Hawkins (Robert Pattinson) is a troubled soul, who feels completely helpless, he wants to be a hero or a voice to those that need it, like his younger sister Caroline (Ruby Jerins). He had a privileged life growing up, but now wants to make it on his own, away from his workaholic father (Pierce Brosnan); who doesn’t expect anything good out of him. With his poetic boy looks and the sadness he has about him, he has a way with the ladies. His roommate Aidan (Tate Ellington) convinces Tyler to date the daughter of a police officer (Chris Cooper), to spite him for arresting them one night. Tyler has no problem sweeping Ally Craig (Emilie de Ravin) off her feet. Tyler gets lost in his own game and ends up falling for Ally’s quirky personality. She has the ability to show him through their connection by their troubled pasts, that he can live again despite of all the pain he’s felt. She brings out the best in him.

The love connection here is strong; Pattinson and de Ravin make the romance as well as their life stories very real to the audience. It’s hard not to fall in love with Pattinson in this film; he is the typical artsy passionate guy every girl would want. The quarrels among characters, especially “the big fight” between the couple is a bit ridiculous. The script tries to create drama where there really isn’t.  Admittedly the ending is the strongest part of the movie, the filmmakers took a cheap shot at the audience, but it is the reason for the ½ star. It is a cheap shot that works, without it the movie wouldn’t have an impact and it would be easy to forget. We are given subtle hints about the ending throughout the whole movie but we only connect the dots when we arrive to it, it is what will make the audience feel a stronger connection to the story.

I definitely recommend it to the hopeless romantics; it will touch your hearts and leave you a little depressed. You are left with the sense that we do need to cherish every moment and live as if today was our last day.

Up in the Air
Jack Rico
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By

2010/03/09 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

Up in the Air

03.9.2010 | By |

Rating: 4.0

Rated: R for language and some sexual content.
Release Date: 2009-12-04
Starring: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.theupintheairmovie.com/

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Brooklyn’s Finest (Movie Review)
‘Brooklyn’s Finest’
Jack Rico
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By

2010/03/05 at 12:00am

Reviews

Brooklyn’s Finest (Movie Review)

03.5.2010 | By |

‘Brooklyn’s Finest’ is a very good film that brings together some wonderfully gritty acting, an engrossing storyline and a riveting ending. There are some twists that you’ll enjoy and overall it’ll remind you of films such as ‘Crash’ and ‘Serpico’.

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Where the Wild Things Are
Alex Florez
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2010/03/03 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

Where the Wild Things Are

03.3.2010 | By |

Rating: 2.5

Rated: PG for mild thematic elements, some adventure action and brief language.
Release Date: 2009-10-16
Starring: Spike Jonze & Dave Eggers, Maurice Sendak (book)
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://wherethewildthingsare.warnerbros.com/

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The night that ‘Max put on a wolf suit and started doing one shenanigan after another’ marked the moment in my childhood when I let my imagination run wild. I’m referring to the boy in that fantasy book written by Maurice Sendak, who later finds himself in a forest ‘Where The Wild Things Are.’
 
When I found out that the filmmaker Spike Jonze (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich) had the intention of adapting a classic of children’s literature to the big screen, I was easily excited. However, the great expectations that came along with the making of the film were enough to worry me. How loyal would the film be to the book? And most importantly, how would they stretch out a story of just a few pages so that it would work as a movie?
 
For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, the book is about a boy named Max who gets sent to bed early for his bad behavior. But he ends up escaping to a forest where he is accompanied by a family of wild creatures. As is traditional in children’s books, ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ has a moral to its story, but I remember it mostly for it’s surrealist world. Something Jonze’s film also succeeds at, but regrettably as a movie ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ falls short.
 
Here’s the problem: the film doesn’t have enough plot to push the story forward. Since the book is short, Jonze has no choice but to come up with something to further develop the movie. However, the filmmaker doesn’t risk quite enough to make things interesting. Instead he opts to show us filler – like extended sequences of Max playing with his monsters. And that’s just not filmmaking. Although the costuming, the special effects and the wonderful soundtrack do an amazing job of bringing the book to life, the captivating moments are rare. Simply put, the book would have been better served as an exceptional short-film.
 
‘Where The Wild Things Are’ is one of the all time classic bedtime stories, but when it also puts you to sleep in the movie theater, that’s not a good sign.

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