Jun 18, 2011
John (John C Reilly) is that loser you meet at parties. The hanger-on dude who babbles and says stupid things. That is until he chats it up with Molly (Marisa Tomei) who thinks he’s raw and honest. This is good news for John. She’s hot and he’s “Shrek.” And, it will help him forget about his ex wife (Catherine Keener). But no sooner the two are really glowing over each other that John discover Molly has a son “Cyrus” (Jonah Hill) who gives new meaning to the words “Momma’s boy.” It’s the oddness in their inappropriate boundaries…trying to rationalize what is the proper definition of single mother and only son. Cyrus even calls his mother “Molly.” You’ll cackle-laugh at its ridiculous scenarios yet somehow there’s a part of us – at some point in life – where we’ve questioned that something is a bit off. In this case, a creepy, clinging son who can’t let go. Once the gig is up, the battle of the head games begin. John C. Reilly has come a long way since playing a secondary fisherman in The Perfect Storm. Not as silly as his role opposite Will Farrell in Step Brother but along the lines in tone, except this time he’s more the step father.It’s amazing, that given the amount of special effect/ loud films and big budgets, that a small contained story such as this, shooting in one tiny apartment building, could be so close to perfect. This is that kind of indie film that makes big Hollywood cringe. Three and a Half tiaras
Jun 18, 2011
(rated PG-13, 103 mins.)
Woody Allen writes, directs and stars in his second comedy caper following “Small Time Crooks.” Allen is C W Briggs, the top insurance investigator in New York in 1940 — or so he keeps telling the firm’s new efficiency expert, Betty Ann “Fitz” Fitzgerald (Hunt). Briggs prides himself on being able to crack any insurance caper by getting into the mind of the thief, but now, thanks to the hypnotic powers of the Jade Scorpion, the mind of a thief is getting into Briggs. The two hate each other at first sight and it’s the banter of razor sharp dialog that makes it work. Fitz’s love affair with boss Chris Magruder (Aykroyd) doesn’t hurt either. It’s no “Annie Hall” (what ever could be), but it’s an improvement on “Deconstructing Harry” with an almost old movie touch and the least of any Woody Allen-feeling movie. Hunt is reminiscent of Lauren Bacall. Allen proves he still has his inquisitive and dorkish-cool skills. It’s been said if you take “Manhattan Murder Mystery” and combine “The Pink Panther” you get this one. Ok, I’ll buy that.
Jun 18, 2011
(rated R, 91 mins. not yet reviewed )
Limited release
A complex thriller set in London’s gambling world, is the story of Jack Manfred, an aspiring writer who, to make ends meet, takes a job as a croupier. Jack remains an observer, knowing that everything in life is a gamble and that gamblers are born to lose, but inevitably he gets sucked into the world of the casino, which takes its toll on his relationship and the novel he is writing. When he is tempted to break his own rules, he carefully considers the odds. But even a professional like Jack can’t predict the cards he will be dealt. Stars Clive Owen, Gina McKee and Alex Kingston.
Jun 18, 2011
(120 mins. Rated PG-13)
This subtitled masterpiece tells the story of a sword that represents a lot of power to a lot of people in the Ching Dynasty. Michelle Yeoh portrays the beautiful and most renowned China warrior who is sent on a mission to deliver the sword to Sir Te. No sooner it is delivered, it becomes shoplifted by various karate-kicking warriors every night. There’s one scene where Sir Te comically opens the sword case to find it empty, then commenting, “What’s going on. One minute it’s here, one minute it’s gone.” When Yeoh’s mission turns into capturing Jen Yu (Zhang Ziyi) a beautiful, frustrated, rebellious teen destined to marry a bureaucrat, all hell breaks loose. Don’t let the style and grace of these “Sense and Sensibility” poised women fool you (director Ang Lee of the Jane Austen classic). At the beat of a drum, they turn into kick-ass women any other woman would want with them on the E train of a midnight Manhattan subway. However, these skilled girlies aren’t all chops and kicks. They have lovers on the side. For the graceful and sophisticated Yeoh, it’s her deceased lover’s brother, Li Mu Bai. For the young and spirited Jen Yu, it’s Lo “Dark Cloud” the hunky Chang Chen as the two first meet in a dessert where Yu chases him with a whip on a speeding horse, (for a form of foreplay) all because he stole her hair comb. The smooth camera work is incredible as the martial art experts literally float over treetops like Peter Pan, with sharp swords and bad attitudes, delivering a drama with comic undertones.
Jun 18, 2011
(rated PG-13, 90 mins.) After eight years apart, three childhood friends, Lucy, (a picture perfect Britney Spears), Kit (Zoe Saldana) and Mimi (Taryn Manning), rediscover their friendship on a cross-country trip. With barely a plan, practically no money, but plenty of dream and youth, the girls catch a lift with Mimi’s mysterious and scruffy-faced musician friend Ben (Anson Mount) in his 73 Buick convertible. Spears tries to escape an over-protective father (Dan Ackroyd) and find her mother (Kim Cattrall) who deserted her at the age of three. Often interjecting music that interrupts the scene flows is the song “I’m Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman”, reminding us that Spears is not playing a character but is really Britney Spears. This is sort of a “Thelma and Louise” for young girls as they have life changing experiences yet manage to remember what is true to their hearts’ desire. And while Spear’s skillful mechanical performance is similar to her entertainment persona on stage, it really doesn’t matter if we like her or not. This movie is for our daughters. And, they’ll adore it. Besides, if pop singer Mandy Moore can do it, why can’t Britney?
