Jun 17, 2011
– This is a story for every workaholic, but the question is will they take a day off from work to go see it? Michael Newman (Adam Sandler) is an overworked father of two kids and a beautiful wife (Kate Beckinsale). His boss (David Hasselhoff) runs the architectural firm where he’s employed. When after a long day at the office, Sandler can’t figure out how to turn on the television – he keeps hitting remote buttons to instead open the garage, etc. – he goes to Bed, Bath & Beyond for the experience of his life. Way “Beyond” is Morty (Christopher Walken) a kooky inventor (think Christopher Lloyd in “Back ToThe Future”) who has a universal remote to make things easier. Instead, it turns out to be the mother of all remotes that can change Newman’s private universe. He can fast forward his wife’s arguments or pause for sexier moments. Soon Newman’s addicted. While the movie feels comfortable, its crutch becomes the all-too-familiar jokes of life – the family dog humping, the farts, penis size – which leaves us treading through one cliché after another. Not to mention more product placement in a movie than has ever existed in Hollywood history. That said, it manages to corral in every generation of viewers, by appealing to small children, to forty-somethings, and then all the way to grandparents, as the movie makes a drastic turn to the dark side (when Sandler accidentally fast forwards his remote to his elder years.) If you’re over forty, you won’t need a remote to make you feel old. Henry “The Fonz” Winkler plays Sandler’s father and grandpa to his kids. And speaking of old, Julie Kavner plays the mother. You’ll remember her as Rhoda’s sister, Brenda Morgenstern from TV in the 70’s. The movie is entertaining and a more mature stretch for “The Water Boy,” who pulls off his daddy role flawlessly. One looming question: Isn’t it the woman in the house, not the man, who can’t operate multiple remotes? THREE CROWNS
Jun 17, 2011
(rated R) The city is Rio de Janeiro and the tale is of a gang of hoods, as seen through the eyes and voice over of “Rocket” (Alexandre Rodrigues), a young photographer risking everything to tell the truth. As the story opens, Rocket is caught in the crossfire between rival gangs and the cops. And then suddenly the story unleashes in flashback — gritty, grainy and intelligent with a furious energy, this sub-titled little gem is quite possibly the one movie in 2003 that makes everything else pale in comparison — capturing every tiny detail of its culture, the message simple: “in the city, if you run, they catch you; if you stay they get you.” The message is that one needs ideas, not a gun, to outwit the previous drug lord’s turf. Part “West Side Story” with its own Sharks and Jets minus the dancing, the story is the rise and ultimate fall of Shaggy, Clipper, Goose and various young men hungry for violence, power and money. L’il Ze (Leandro Firmino da Hora) is the monster drug lord of the film. From about age 9 to his adult life, he is the one the slum kids want to take over, emulate, or kill, as they watch him murder innocent people as calmly and bored as one would unload a dishwasher. The audience grows numb to the violence that is unknowingly piled onto us. Out of nowhere we are hypnotized. We are them. Feeling the horrible gunshots and then somehow feeling its almost glamorous effect. It’s like nothing that can be explained, reviewed or critiqued. Just see it and you’ll see why.
Jun 17, 2011
(rated R, 98 mins.) Inspired by a 1997 Esquire article, Robert DeNiro reteams with “This Boy’s Life” director Michael Caton-Jones in a tale of a respected New York City homicide detective who discovers his estranged son (James Franco) is the prime suspect of a murder case. The mood in the movie’s backdrop matches the theme of decaying relationship meets decaying city. As Detective Vincent LaMarca, DeNiro’s girlfriend (Frances McDormand) knows there was an ex-wife (Patti LuPone) but not that there was a young son left long ago. Now all type of emotional secrets are brought to the forefront as the intensity of the grown son’s arrival into crime becomes DeNiro’s focus of his past. Seems DeNiro’s deceased daddy had a crime history too which could possibly lead to the grandson’s crime driven present. And, on top of it, the girlfriend wants more of a commitment. Suddenly DeNiro’s having to spill more of himself to the woman he loves and to the son he lost. While the plot is intriguing, the acting excellent, the story remains predictable and eventually tedious to watch. Seems DeNiro could use a hit but this ain’t it.
Jun 17, 2011
Rated R – Move over James Bond, Clive Owens has a bigger mission in this far-fetched sci-fi flick, where one girl, Kee (Claire-Hope) carries the only unborn child of mankind. The entire world is rendered sterile and it’s on Theo’s shoulders (Owens) to protect her. This revelation is revealed to him in a barn – think Mary of Nazareth – and suddenly Theo must transport Kee to an seaport sanctuary where scientists of the “Human Project” can possibly re-boot the world’s population. Michael Caine steals the show as a hippy, dippy, friend and pot-head activist who helps get them there. Julianne Moore is the ex wife who drags down the movie’s mood but is responsible for dragging Theo into his mess. Owen’s character is sexy, and sensitive yet at the same time boring, as a desperate looking deer-caught-in-headlights kind of guy, for much of the action. This is the kind of film that will make you stop and say, “just what the heck is this?” But if you allow yourself not to strip it down or over-think it – just going along for the ride – you’ll soon be sucked into the vortex of its mood, and find it a huge surprising hit. Three tiaras.
Jun 17, 2011
(rated G, 83 mins.) Wow! A triple whammo! A movie rated G, (not often), a movie about Chickens (since when), that stars Mel Gibson (wow) and it works! Dreamworks “hatches” this funny, witty and even touching tale of “fowl” play in claymation (best since ‘Toy Story’) pecking away at the Disney competition! British native Nick Park (best known for his epic “Wallace and Gromit” mini-adventures and Academy Award winning 1989 short “Creature Comforts”) bring this first full-length feature about prisoner chicks trapped behind bared wire, fearing for their lives of becoming chicken nuggets! But Ginger (Julia Sawalha) and her fellow flock are determined to break out before they meet their KFC fate! Time is running out as the greedy owner of the farm, Mrs. Tweedy (Miranda Richardson), finds a new way to feather her own nest – turning chickens into pot pies. Now, with the help of Rocky (Mel Gibson), “the lone free ranger” the chickens hatch their most spectacular plan to fly the coop. It’s poultry in motion and it’s a delightful period piece with references to WWII, “The Great Escape” and Steve McQueen. There’s even a chicken who looks like Dustin Hoffman did in “Papillon” and a Mel Gibson-ish Mad Max in “The Road Warrior.” For an otherwise lame bird species, this movie gives chickens something to squawk about right to its full steam ahead ending!
