Movie Talk

**** 12 Years a Slave

This early favorite to win the Oscar for Best Film is a powerful true tale of Solomon Northup (excellently played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) who is a free black man living in Saratoga, NY.  He is kidnapped and sold into slavery where he strives to survive.  The obvious barbarity in our nation’s history is relentlessly portrayed in this difficult to watch movie.  The intent to disgust the viewers is somewhat overdone by the over-long whipping scenes when the point had already been well driven home.  A movie not to be missed.

*** ½Captain Phillips

Tom Hanks in the title role as the commander of a United States container ship that is high jacked off the coast of Somali.  Exciting and suspenseful movie.  We all should thank God for the Navy SEALS.

** ½  Gravity

Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as two astronauts on a shuttle mission when disaster strikes.  This well reviewed 3D movie was considered boring by some - such as myself.  But many found it thrilling.  Best to judge for yourself.

*** ½ Rush

Ron Howard directed this true story about the 1970’s Formula 1 rivalry between Niki Lauda and James Hunt.  Powerful film even to those of us who know nothing about Formula 1 racing.  Very well done on all levels.

** ½ Lee Daniels’ The Butler

Supposedly inspired by a true story, Forest Whitaker is the lead character (Cecil Gaines) who was a White House butler for eight different Presidents over 30 years.  Can’t be taken literally since so much of the film is a docudrama (many of the events actually happened in US history – just not to Gaines and his family).  Nevertheless, still an interesting story with the Civil Rights Movement as the backdrop.

*** ½ Enough Said

Julia Louis Dreyfus and the late James Gandolfini are both wonderful in this very charming literate comedy about two divorced people who embark on a new relationship.  A comedy for adults.

½ *The Counselor

How the talents of Ridley Scott, Brad Pitt, Cormac McCarthy, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Michael Fassbender can make such a confusing movie is beyond belief.  Don’t waste your time seeing this movie about drug cartels.

*** 42

Story about Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier.  Well done movie that shows that the combination of Robinso and Branch Rickey was a powerful force.

***Mud

Movie about two boys in Rural Mississippi who come across a strange man named Mud (wonderfully portrayed by the underrated Maththew McConaughey!

** ½The Great Gatsby

I never quite understood why this is considered the Great American Novel.  Movie is entertaining and well-acted.  Why it was made in 3D is a mystery.

**Fruitvale Station

True, semi-documentary based on the tragic shooting of a 22-year-old black man by San Francisco BART officer.  The victim is portrayed in a much better light than one can objectively believe.

***The Way, Way Back

Funny and touching coming of age story about a 14 year old’s summer vacation with his mother (Toni Collette) and her boyfriend (Steve Carell).  Movie is stolen by Sam Rockwell whose off beat mentoring of the youth is terrific.

***Two Guns

Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg great buddy movie about two less than stellar federal agents is fun and very entertaining and very unbelievable.  Just sit back with your popcorn and enjoy but don’t question it.

*** ½Blue Jasmine

A bit of a departure for Woody Allen who unbelievably has directed over 40 films.  Cate Blanchett in a guaranteed Academy Award nomination plays a combination of Bernie Madoff’s wife, Ruth, and Blanch Dubois (Streetcar Named Desire).  If you’re looking for an upbeat, feel good movie, this is it.

**Jobs

If you have time to read Walter Issacson’s excellent book, do it rather than see the movie about the fantastic Steve Jobs.  If not, this is a movie which got almost universally panned is interesting because he was such a fascinating character.

***Prisoners

Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal in this extremely violent movie about the length’s a perent will go to find his kidnapped daughter.  Very interesting “whodunit”.

*1/2Last Vegas

Very few laughs in this senior citizen version of The Hangover.  Michael Douglas, Keven Klien, Morgan Freeman and Robert DeNiro – four talented actors are wasted in this lackluster film.

*1/2The Family

High expectations with Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer and Tommy Lee Jones about a mafia family relocating to France aren’t met in this dumb movie.