Review of “The Art of Getting By”

Source: en.wikipedia.org

While on vacation, I caught a delightful movie on HBO that I did not recall ever seeing advertised for showings in the theater.  The film is entitled The Art of Getting By and stars Freddie Highmore (Finding Neverland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Emma Roberts (niece of Julia Roberts), Alicia Silverstone, Rita Wilson, and Blair Underwood.

The movie is about a gifted art student (Freddie Highmore) more or less coasting his way through high school until graduation approaches and he may not receive a diploma. This storyline intertwines with his budding relationship with Emma Roberts’ character. It is very well done and I enjoyed the movie. Also, the soundtrack is simply superb for this film with terrific alternative and indie rock tunes artfully blended into the score.

 

Hence the question, why no release in theaters? Best I could determine by reading between the lines on IMDb is some of the critics were not particularly kind to the film when it was release at the Sundance Film Festival. They praise Mr. Highmore’s and Ms. Robert’s performances, but otherwise were rather tepid.

As a result the film went directly HBO and similar outlets. Granted, I discovered the film there, but I think it would have been even a more impressive movie in a theater. Sadly, the critics’ response to the film and Fox Searchlight’s response to the criticism narrowed the public’s choices versus broadening it.  Once again…money talks.

Is The Art of Getting By perfect? Of course not. Is it deserving of a general release – absolutely. I think a lot of people would like it, warts and all. If you, get a chance, check it out on HBO or rent the film – it is certainly well worth the  time and cost.

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Cool artistic Cali theaters

Here are photos of two historic theaters in located in the Sierra Nevada mountains northeast of Sacramento in the lovely communities of Grass Valley and Nevada City.

Amazing art deco Del Oro Theater in Grass Valley

Another view of the Del Oro

Nevada Theater in Nevada City, CA

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If sharks ruled the earth

• I thought they already did?
• The world would be a lot more chummy.
• Razor-sharp teeth would be a fashion statement for more than just vampires.
• Steven Spielberg would be required to change the conclusion Jaws and its sequels.
• Vampires wouldn’t be the only blood-thirsty ones running around.
• Being a loan shark would be an important honor.
• Vegetarianism and veganism would be outlawed.
• Drift nets would be banned (a good thing).
• The San Jose Sharks would have to play their hockey games in an aquarium to standing caudal fin only crowds.
• “Sink your teeth into that one” and “getting hammered” would have whole new meanings.
• Shark fin soup would be replaced by person toenail soup.
• Piranha’s would be made goodwill ambassadors.
• Everyone must drive a Barracuda or a Stingray.
• All vacations must be taken to a coral reef where guests are invited to be…ahem, for dinner.
• When our friends in the U.K. say the term “bloody” they will darn well mean it.
• “Shark Week” would be every week on the Discovery Channel.

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Spider-man is truly amazing

Source: gamezone.com

I saw The Amazing Spider-man last night and thought it was a very enjoyable and entertaining movie. In fact, I liked it better than the initial version with Tobey Maguire.

Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone were perfectly cast as Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy and literally heat up the screen whenever they were together. I particularly liked how he would appear at her window 20 stories up and especially liked how he revealed his superhero persona to her. The music was nearly spot-on by James Horner. Best of all were the supporting roles played by Denis Leary, Sally Field, and Martin Sheen. All three were excellent additions to  the movie, who added more depth to the story.

Source: guardian.co.uk

Personally, I really liked the movie and highly recommend it, even though I went in with some trepidation. I found Andrew Garfield to be far more convincing as Spider-man than Tobey Maguire, as he seemed to reflect a more realistic attitude of a teenager suddenly endowed with super powers. Congrats to all involved in making the motion picture.

Fyi: stay through the first part of the credits, there is a little surprise preview.

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The heart of “Brave”

Saw the newest Pixar movie, Brave yesterday afternoon in a theater stuffed to the rafters. While not my favorite Pixar movie of all time, it ranks up there with the best. An excellent film full of howling laughs, edge of your seat action, drama, lovely animated scenery that made me feel I was back in Scotland, and an important moral to the story -

“you must be brave enough to follow your fate.”

The best and most important aspect of the film was the two strong central characters were both women. Both Merida and her mother, the Queen are excellent characters who carry the storyline on their own. They are the heart and soul of the picture.

Most of the men in the movie are rather comical, except Merida’s father. One the three suitors for Merida even vaguely resembled a Middle Ages’ Napoleon Dynamite.

All in all, an enjoyable film that was worth every penny. One caution, small children may get frightened by some of the battle scenes, so use good judgment. Lastly, it is very nice to see Pixar back at the top of its game. Kudos on a terrific film.

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Obsolete watch – things about to disappear

Here’s my initial list of things that will largely disappear in the next decade. Sure, you can still find buggy whips in certain places, but they don’t permeate the market like they did 100 years ago.

• Wristwatches – who needs them when everyone carries a cell phone?
• Alarm clocks – ditto
• Video rental stores – Can you say, “bye-bye Blockbuster?”
• Film – remember Fotomat’s? Forget largely any kind of film for photography and the equipment that goes with it.
• CDs – the music and data storage disks, not the investment option. Not sure if I am thrilled about his one. Seems like every time I get all my crap transferred onto a new storage medium it goes out of date. Everything’s going digital or to the cloud, wherever the heck that is?
• Chain bookstores – personally, I am sad about this one. Love wandering through a good bookstore. Used and niche bookstores will remain, but the chains are being replaced by electronic options.
• College bookstores – same reason, but I won’t miss the price ripoffs, especially on returns.
• Daily newspapers - neighborhood-oriented and specialty ones may remain, as well as national publications like the New York Times, but most small to mid-sized cities will have none.
• SUVs – the sooner the better for these gas hogs.
• Schedule planners and non-photographic calendars – who needs them in our electronic world?
• Dial-up internet – sorry AOL hanger’s on, time to join the 21st century.
• Phone books – despite how many they pile up at your doorstep.
• Land lines for homes. Haven’t had one for a year myself. Still may be necessary for work.
• Keys – with electronic door locks, keys may all but disappear for many uses. This prediction will not be true for Florida where they have many lovely keys dotting its coastline. : )
• Key chains – ditto.

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“MIB 3″ – half a terrific movie thanks to Josh Brolin

If one could combine the terrific first half of Dark Shadows with the terrific second half of MIB 3, you would have one special film. Once MIB 3 goes back into the past (to 1969), it becomes a superb science fiction/action film. Up until that point, it is a bit of a yawner. Same jokes as MIB and MIB 2.

Enter Josh Brolin who absolutely tears it up and kick’s serious ass playing a young Agent K . He has Tommy Lee Jones voice and mannerisms down perfectly. It is almost eerie.

Will Smith is good too, especially paired with Brolin. I also really liked the character Griffin, played by Michael Stuhlbarg.

MIB 3 gets better and better as the movie rolls along. The climax and conclusion will no doubt touch your heart. I just wish they could have enlivened the first 30 minutes.

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Two “screen gems”

Here are two wonderful movie marquees seen this holiday weekend that have been lovingly cared for over the years.

The Capri Drive-in located on US 12 west of Coldwater, Michigan.

Capri Drive-in

The Pickwick Theater on West Main Street in downtown Syracuse, Indiana – my personal favorite small town movie theater anywhere.

Pickwick Theater in Syracuse, Indiana

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“Screen” better days

Earlier this month I posted photos of two historic and impressive movie theater marquees in Ann Arbor – the Michigan and the State. Here are photos of two old theaters in south-central Michigan. The first, “The Main” is along U.S. 12 in downtown Coldwater and the second, The Bronson, is also along U.S, 12 in Bronson. Sadly, they have both “screen” better days.

The Main Theater as seen on Saturday.

The Main from a photo on the web when the marquee name was still in place.

Bronson Theater marquee on Saturday.

Bronson Theater marquee from a photo on the web.

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Review of “Dark Shadows”

I saw Dark Shadows last night with two of my sons. While it will not be an Oscar contender, it was an entertaining and fun film. Johnny Depp was terrific (as usual) as Barnabas Collins – I particularly liked his attempts to adapt himself to 1972 society as well as his subtle facial reactions to the modern world. I also enjoyed the performances by Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, and Chloe Grace Moretz.

Below is one of the trailers for the film:

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