This is an above average rom-com, starring Tina Fey (who doesn’t love her!?) and Paul Rudd (ditto), but w/ some unexpected twists and some smart/funny dialogue. The young characters performed pretty well, I thought. It was cool to see Michael Sheen (has own Showtime series now) and Gloria Reuben (ER), who plays Fey’s rival co-worker, after a long time!
The Butler
Director Lee Daniels said that he envisioned this film (based on a true story) primarily as “a love story between a father and son.” Forest Whitaker, who plays apolitical/humble/hard-working butler Cecil Gaines, is flawless (as usual). Oprah has an unique air/look about her (in the role of bored/troubled housewife); she does a good job. English actor David Oyelow0 does a fine job as Louis, the older son in the family, who becomes immersed in Civil Rights movement after going off to college. Louis’ strand of the story is the most interesting part of the film. It’s a good film, but not great (as several viewers agreed). It didn’t evoke much emotion from me, aside from the shocking early tragedy and the lunch counter/protest scenes. Something (intangible) is missing!
Diana (NOW PLAYING)
It’s refreshing to see a South Asian man, English actor Naveen Andrews (who plays Dr. Hasnat Khan, a brilliant Pakistani surgeon/PhD student), on the big screen. And portrayed as a love interest to Naomi Watts (Diana, Princess of Wales)- pretty neat, right? No, sadly, this film is a bore. Maybe it’s the pedestrian dialogue? Or the slow pacing? It looks like a TV movie, as one journalist and many viewers commented. Watts gets Diana’s mannerisms and girlish vulnerability right, but she has little else to work with here. What a waste of talent!
Django Unchained
Oh, it’s well produced, filmed and edited. But that can’t save the totally bizarre banality of the story and the plot – never mind the gratuitous violence.
Exactly- the (bloody/brutal) wrestling scene between the two men in Candie’s private club was almost too much to take!
I thought DiCaprio and Waltz were brilliant, but brilliant performances can’t save a bad film.
Christoph Waltz did a fine job (as in Inglourious Basterds). It’s a difficult task to act in one’s second language, also. And DiCaprio gets better with age.
I liked the father/son symbolism when Schultz told Django the Brunhilde Story. It was tender and touching…
Django wasn’t the hero- Dr. Schultz was, I was surprised to discover. Tarantino’s direction/writing and Foxx’s acting turned the lead man into the sidekick. Oops!
What was that scene with the masked vigilantes even there for? The scene was a complete waste if footage… comic relief that fell flat on its face.
There is not much to laugh at in this disjointed film. If you can’t deal respectfully with a topic like slavery… I don’t know what to say. And talk about self-indulgent- Tarantino has a distracting cameo and the film clocks in close to 3 hours!
Candie is fascinated by Django, and sees in him, possibly, the ability and will to do what Old Ben could not. Django can see that Candie is captivated, even when Schultz cannot. The change that Django represents is not the kind of change that Candie will accept.
One journalist wrote that the “love story in the film is between Django and Candie,” not his wife (played by Kerry Washington, star of Scandal). Kerry’s fans won’t have much to applaud- Broomhilda is merely a damsel in distress in the film. What a waste of a multi-faceted actress!
About 400 films are made in the U.S. each year. Even more (600) are made in India. But, did you know that about 100 films are made in Indonesia each year? The Indonesian ambassador to the U.S.,Dr. Dino Patti Jalal, and his wife were joined by the Singaporean ambassador’s wife, actorNicholas Saputra(star of Joni’s Promise), and members of his staff during the first film showing. Recently, Dr. Jalal met with Hollywood director Michael Mann, who will be shooting his film, The Philosopher, in Jakarta. The film’s lead actor will be Aussie actor, Chris Hemsworth.
Lovely Man (2011)
A daughter gets to know her absentee father for one night
This is a 75 minute film, but it packs some big punches. (It won many awards in Asia.) It focuses on the relationship between a transvestite streetwalker in Jakarta and a small-town/devout Muslim teen, who just happen to be father and daughter. Without telling her mother, Cahaya (Raihaanun), travels by train to see the father who left home many years back. Cahaya is dressed conservatively and wears a white hijab (headscarf). When she gets off the train, she stops at a mosque to wash and pray. She’s amazed by the sights and sounds of the big city, as she goes in search of her father’s address. (This film uses shadow and lights very well.) At the side of a bridge, she talks to some women (who are obviously streetwalkers). She meets Ipuy (Donny Damara)- dressed in long wig, sparkly red dress, and high heels (reminiscent of some of the characters in the films of Pedro Almodovar). Needless to say, they are both shocked.
Actor Donny Damara accepting an award
Ipuy wants nothing to do with Cahaya- his life is tough enough as it is. Most people look at him with disgust and treat him unfairly. What would a hijabi like her know about someone like him? (Eventually, Cahaya takes off her hijab, to make her father more comfortable.) She’s carrying a secret, which is giving her much worry. Cahaya exclaims that she needs a father to talk to about important matters. What she doesn’t know is that some gangsters are after Ipuy for stealing a lot of cash.
Joni’s Promise (2005)
Joni goes through a LOT in one day
This funny, light-hearted film is considered to be “one of the first comedies made in Indonesia.” (It reminded me of a French comedy.) A 22 year-old man, Joni (Nicholas Saputra) delivers film reels- a job he likes and considers to be quite important. One afternoon, she sees a very pretty girl standing in line at the theater, but he’s too nervous to talk to her. We learn that she’s with her boyfriend (an entitled rich kid). She gets fed up with her guy, so she goes out. She notices Joni’s good nature and they have a chat. She doesn’t get her name or get give his out. The girl says that they can talk more of he gets done with his deliveries on time. Joni is happy with that- he’s never had a girlfriend yet. Joni’s motorbike gets stolen, he witnesses childbirth, gets a walk-on role in a film, plays the drums, and meets a mysterious artist. Can he make it back to the theater to have his first date?
IMDB photo of actor Nicholas Saputra
The Dancer (2011)
Srintil and Rasus share some fruit
This is a full-length historical drama based on a trilogy of novels. The story focuses on the love between two young people in the village of Dukuh Paruk in Java. As a small child, the parents of Srintil are killed by some fellow villagers, who believed that they were poisoning food. The ronngeng (village dancer) also died- she ate the food.
The teenaged Srintil (Prisia Nasution) and Rasus (Oka Antara) love each other deeply, though they are poor, illiterate, and don’t have many prospects. Rasus works in the rice paddy fields, like the other young men. However, Srintil thinks that she may have the spirit and the talent to become ronggeng. Her grandfather champions her cause, even though they are first met with doubt and derision.The local dance master won’t come to see Srintil perform.
Srintil goes through various rituals to become ronggeng
Rasus has a little dagger-like object which belonged to the former ronggeng. After he presents it to Srintil, everyone proclaims her to be the next ronngeng. She will not only dance , but belong to the village. Her virginity will be sold to the highest bidder- a fact that greatly upsets Rasus. (The elderly blind drummer is the only older person who senses what is going on with the couple.) Rasus runs away to the nearest town, then meets with a military commander (who thinks he could one day become a “loyal” soldier).
Srintil realizes that Rasus has joined the military
Srintil has to go through various rituals, aided by the dance master’s wife. Men bring goats, cows, and money to present to her grandfather and teacher. Before the “deflowering” ceremony, Rasus returns and they sneak off together. Later that night, Srintil pushes him away, explaining that she can’t run away with him forever. (We know that she has status and money in her community now.)
Srintil shines as a dancer (but not in her personal life)
While Srintil adapts to the lifestyle of a dancer, Rasus adapts to that of a soldier. His superiors look on him well and he finally learns to read. He crosses paths with Srintil on very few occasions. They only spend one more night together, but their lives must always be separate. When Srintil urges him to come back to the village and offers money to start his own business, Rasus refuses (too proud).
A (Communist) man from the city comes to talk to the villagers, but they only want more food, and don’t grasp what allegiance to his ideas truly mean. (In fact, 1965-1966 was a very bloody year was Indonesia’s history. Many people, who were thought to be Communist or sympathizers, were killed by the military.) This man also wants Srintil and village musicians to perform at his rallies.
Rasus and Srintil meet after the 1965 war
This film is very powerful! It won the 2011 Best Picture award in Indonesia and was submitted for a Foreign Film Academy Award. It just draws you in with it’s setting, characters, and values (which are quite different from those of urbanized, modern Indonesia). The love story starts out very gently and innocently, then we see the darker aspects (depression, frustration, etc.)- this pair must stay apart because of Srintil’s chosen path. Being a village dancer was being above others- connected to the gods (ancestors.)
Dance brings two troubled people together in this (unlikely) hit film
The silver lining is actually the fact that there is an audience for sensitive/grown-up films like this one! Bradley Cooper (never overacting) and Jennifer Lawrence (a naturally gifted actress) fall in love, despite their respective issues (hey, we all got’em). This is shot like a ’60s film, an avid moviegoer in my office said, with long takes. It’s a treat to see DeNiro, who looks to be in fine form (and great shape, too). Chris Tucker gets a few funny moments, but doesn’t overdo it. Who says the psychological issues can’t be dealt with using humor!? (The only odd note was the racial incident involving the therapist, his fellow Indian football fans, and some angry white guys.) Also, there is a great interview w/ director David O. Russell on Fresh Air w/ Terry Gross (NPR) that I recommend you listen to.
Kai po che! (2013)
Indians going crazy for cricket (as usual)
This is a film for folks who avoid (or even abhor) typical Bollywood fare. Why? It’s well-acted (no joke), well-written, and just keeps your attention (watchable). There is a bit of romance and great music, too. It’s about three idealistic friends (more like brothers) who open a sports store in the city of Ahmedabad. One has the business savvy, the other a passion for cricket, and the third procures a loan. They also discover a pre-teen cricket prodigy (Muslim) who they nurture. Then, a series of (true) events occur which affect all their lives deeply. Check this film out!
I saw this smart indie movie over Thanksgiving break w/ my mom in Indy; we both liked it very much. The writing is terrific, and the actors fit their roles perfectly. Jenny (24 y.o. rising Brit Carey Mulligan) is a pretty, intelligent, and wise-beyond-her-years schoolgirl in early ’60s suburban London. Her ambitious parents, esp. father Jack (Alfred Molina), are prepping her to attend Oxford the following year. Jenny thinks she can make it to Oxford, but she also wants to know more about the world; she loves anything French, and dreams of going to Paris.
One rainy day, Jenny meets David (Peter Sarsgaard, the only American in this British cast), a charming man in his 30s. Their relationship develops slowly, unlike many other movies with the younger woman-older man dynamic. David has sophisticated/fun-loving friends (Rosamund Pike and Dominic Cooper), and introduces Jenny to a world of fine art, food, music, etc. Jenny eventually falls in love with David, and it feels like her life has finally begun. But David is not all that he seems…
Fighter (2007)
This is a Danish martial arts drama that is a combination of The Karate Kid and Bend it Like Beckham. Aicha is an athletic, determined high school senior from a working-class Turkish Muslim family in North Copenhagen. Her dad (who she’s very close to) wants her to be a doctor, like her older brother. “I don’t want you to struggle like me,” he says in a regretful tone.
But Aicha is struggling in school, and she has a secret- she loves (and is very good at) kung-fu. Against her father’s wishes, Aicha sneaks around to train at an exclusive martial arts club. She quickly discovers that she’s better than most of the boys there. A cute blonde boy she trains with, Emil, develops a crush on her. Though Aicha is gaining skill/confidence/respect doing something she loves, she is also taking a huge risk in the eyes of her family/community.
This is a classic comedy (starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan) that is funny, quirky, and sweet. Alfred Kralik (Stewart) is the top salesman at small shop in Budapest where Klara Novak (Sullivan) desperately comes to look for a job. The owner is convinced by her words, and agrees to take her on, but Mr. Kralik is not too happy.
Stewart is great (as always) as a young/hardworking guy with dreams of meeting the woman of his dreams and proposing to her on Christmas. It turns out that his anonymous pen pal is Klara, a woman who annoys (and yet attracts) him with her personality.
This movie was remade twice- In the Good Old Summertime (in 1949 w/ Judy Garland and Van Johnson) and You’ve Got Mail (in 1998 w/ Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks).
This is one of Hollywood’s earliest rom coms… but it ALWAYS seems fun, fresh, and witty whenever I see it. (I’ve probably seen it 4X so far.) It was directed by Frank Capra. Basically, it’s about two VERY different people who fall in love (over a few days) while traveling from Miami to NYC. My fave part is when the would-be couple is getting ready to sleep in the haystack. You can see that Ellie is falling in love w/ Peter, and he ALMOST gives her a kiss as he tucks her into “bed.” The lighting is VERY romantic in that scene!
Ellie and Peter are separated by “the walls of Jericho”
See, people used to wear pjs- LOL! This may NOT be a PC movie (to viewers today), but it’s still a GREAT one! Watch how grumpy news reporter Peter cares for heiress Ellie- she’s a sheltered young woman who has never been alone for many days or w/o money. He acts tough/brusque to hide the fact that he’s interested in her. Peter is prejudiced against the super-wealthy, as we learn from several scenes.
Who can forget the hitchiking/leg-revealing scene? Peter is mad about her bold move; Ellie says “the limb is mightier than the thumb.” Many fans of this film regret the fact that there is no kiss at the end. The finale was rushed b/c both actors were scheduled to do other movies. This film was shot w/in 4 wks- WOW!!!
Did you know that there is a 1956 update to this movie (w/ song/dance added in)? It’s called You Can’t Run Away From It (w/ Jack Lemmon and June Allyson).
Cape Fear (1962)
I’ve seen this film before, as well as the remake Scorcese did w/ DeNiro and Nolte. The original is thought of as the better version by fans, though I think Nolte was quite good as the father/lawyer, Sam Bowden. To be senisitive to viewers, there is nothing more troubling than “assault” to describe the violation of women. Some scenes were cut to make the film less troubling. But after seeing Law & Order: SVU, the main issue in this thriller isn’t controversial (to modern eyes).
The consummate villain- Max Cady (Robert Mitchum)
The best acting here is done by Mitchum- he TOTALLY inhabits Max Cady, an EVIL man out for revenge against the witness who helped put him in prison. He can be charming, compelling AND menacing! While in prison, Cady studied law, so he knows how to use it to his advantage. After he beats/assaults the young female traveler he met at a bar, she is reluctant to file a report (b/c everything will be exposed in public.) Times have changed, thank goodness!
Peck has some nice moments in this film, esp w/ his wife and teen daughter. After all, he’s one of Hollywood’s most solid/trustworthy heroes. However, I thought his demeanor was sometimes a BIT too cool/controlled. There are nice parts here for helpful police chief (Martin Balsam) and clever PI (Telly Savalas). But as many fans have said, Mithchum stole the show!
Miller’s Crossing (1990)
I didn’t know anything about this Coen bros film before I saw it. This film has a small (but VERY loyal) fan base. It’s a gangster pic filmed in New Orleans (b/c that city has blocks of untouched ’20s bldngs.) At first, I thought the city was Chicago (but it goes unnamed in the film). Now, it MAY take you a mins to get used to the dialogue, esp b/c Gabriel Byrne had a much thicker Irish accent then. You’ll also hear insults/slang from the Prohibition era.
Tom (Gabriel Byrne) & Verna (Marcia Gay Harden)
Tom is a complicated/tough/clever anti-hero. He’s loyal to his boss Leo, but having an affair w/ Leo’s gf, Verna. John Turturro plays Verna’s bookie brother, Bernie. He’s the one who stirs things up in this film! The Italian mob boss is played by Jon Polito w/ loads of gusto.
Irish mob boss, Leo (Albert Finney)
All the main characters are GREAT in their roles, esp Byrne. (You’ve rarely seen a character like Tom!) I was VERY impressed by how effortlessly Marcia Gay Harden (in her 1st movie role) stands up to Byrne. IMHO, this film doesn’t always flow very well. I watched it b/c the characters were compelling, and I wanted to know what Tom’s final move would be. Will he kill for the 1st time in his life?
White Palace (1992)
Max (James Spader) plays a young widower
Opposites attract in this simple/formulaic Hollywood romance. Max Baron (James Spader) is a 27 y.o. Jewish ad exec. Since losing his wife in a car accident 2 yrs ago, he hasn’t looked at another woman. His friends/fam keep badgering him to start dating. (They have a list of pretty/Jewish/single gals ready for him.) Nora Baker (Susan Sarandon) is a 43 y.o. lapsed Catholic who waitresses at White Palace, a popular burger joint in the inner city. She lives in a little house (that she decorates w/ pics of Marilyn Monroe) in an area known as Dogtown.
Max cooks dinner for Nora (Susan Sarandon)
After his best pal’s bachelor party one night, Max doesn’t feel like going home. He decides to stop at a bar and have a drink. Nora approaches him, wondering what a guy like him (wearing a tux, no less) is doing there. He isn’t in the mood for talking, but she compliments him w/ “you have a beautiful face” and “you remind me of Tony Curtis.” Then they both reveal a painful secret from their respective pasts.
Hmmm… will this relationship last?
In no time, Max and Nora are involved in a steamy relationship. Nora wants to keep him at arm’s length (emotionally), but Max says “I can’t get you out of my head.” But is this love? And even so, can they overcome their differences: age, education, social status, etc? The dialogue in this film is rather simple, but what keeps it from being boring is the fine acting by the two leads. (The fact that they look GORGEOUS doesn’t hurt either!)
Shattered Glass (2003)
Stephen Glass (Hayden Christensen) entertains his co-workers at The New Republic
This small indie film is based on a true news scandal, not unlike that of NYT reporter Jayson Blair (who was exposed in 2003). It involves Stephen Glass, a 25 y.o reporter for the small (yet VERY prestigious) magazine, The New Republic. The year is 1998, and Stephen is juggling his stressful job AND law school (to please his parents). He goes out of his way to please his co-workers, some of whom are also his friends. It becomes clear to the viewer that Stephen is VERY nervous and insecure, thanks to the characterization by Christensen. (Like many viewers said, he’s NOT wooden like in the Star Wars films.)
When one of his stories “doesn’t check out,” Stephen frantically tries to cover it up. A reporter from Forbes Online in NYC discovers holes w/in the story, too. The New Republic editor, Chuck Lane (Peter Sarsgaard), grows more suspicious w/ each new piece of info that’s unverifiable. He wonders if Stephen is merely a “scared kid” who failed to check his sources. When he questions the reporter, Stephen feels unfairly persecuted.
Sarsgaard plays his (understated) role VERY well, and steals the last 1/3 of the movie. He’s a natural/believable actor who can fit into ANY role! Chloe Sevigny plays a friend/fellow reporter who feels Stephen did no wrong. If you want to see a smart movie about an interesting topic, check this movie out.
Knightleyemma 