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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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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“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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See and discuss “The Purity Myth” on May 19th

I had an opportunity to preview the documentary, entitled The Purity Myth last night. It is a powerful film, based on the book of the same name by Jessica Valenti, which documents and critiques the ongoing war against women that is being waged primarily by conservative right-wing male zealots who see women’s rights and feminism as a threat to their puritanical interpretations and how American society should return to a patriarchal order. The film depicts and then clearly dispels the myths that are being perpetuated by both male and female right-wing politicians, religious leaders, personalities, media pundits, and educators.

Here is the trailer for the film:

A screening of The Purity Myth will be shown by the Women’s Rights Task Force of the Peace Education Center on Saturday, May 19, 2012, starting at 2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing, located at 855 Grove Road in East Lansing. A discussion will follow the film. For more information, please contact the Peace Education Center at 517-515-5634 or peaceedcenter@gmail.com.

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Not your tele-version of “21 Jump Street”

I saw the movie 21 Jump Street this past Saturday night. While there were a number of very funny scenes and a believable plot, to this viewer the foul language was unnecessarily overdone and in some ways even detracted from the quality of the film.

According to one of my sons, he had read that the “f” word was used more than 120 times in the film. After seeing the movie, I would say that is a gross underestimate. Frankly, the word was used nearly as often as “the.”

I did like the lead characters and enjoyed their banter. And, I have got to admit that the chase scene in the movie provides some laugh-out-loud visual and slapstick comedy, a la The Naked Gun.

Probably, the most surprising thing to me was the theater was complete full even though the film was released several weeks ago. I walked in thinking we were going to be the only five people in the room - boy was I surprised. I also enjoyed the appearances by many of the original television series cast, including a current male movie superstar who will remain nameless, but everyone will immediately recognize.

If you decide to go see 21 Jump Street, do not take any children under the age of 16, because the language is raw, the topics are raw, and some of the imagery is quite violent. Otherwise, you will laugh, but I think it could have been even funnier by using less raw language and being more clever with the dialogue.

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The good doctor would be proud – review of “The Lorax”

I went to see The Lorax last night. I have always loved reading books by Dr. Seuss and the fact that yesterday would have been his 108th birthday made it even more special. Add on top of that Fox News’ seal of disapproval and you can guarantee I am going to see the movie.

The movie is funny, creative, vividly artistic, inspiring, and also educational – in other words, it was terrific. To a certain extent the image of a decimated planet reminded me a lot of Wall-E, which I also loved.

Apparently, some at Fox News seem to think The Lorax is a form of indoctrination – like their sorry excuse for a “fair and balanced” news network isn’t? After being subjected to endless corporate bullshit on a variety of environmental topics, I am just fine with watching a movie that has a positive message and teaches respect for our Mother Earth.

To me, it seems Fox News and its ilk “doth protest too much”  to quote Shakespeare. In other words, the movie tells the truth and they don’t like it one bit. Tough toenails, as we used to say as kids. I’m glad somebody is telling the truth. Apparently, Fox and their friends “can’t handle the truth” (to quote from A Few Good Men).

Dr. Seuss was a great visionary and he used his books to enlighten others as to some of society’s evils. Rampant commercialism in How the Grinch Stole Christmas and dictatorships in Yertle the Turtle are two other fine examples. Personally, I would much rather have Dr. Seuss’ stories educating my kids versus the spin doctors of Madison Avenue and politicos inside the Beltway any day of the week.

“UNLESS someone like you…cares a whole awful lot…nothing is going to get better…It’s not.” from The Lorax.

Thank you, Dr. Theodor Seuss for yet another great lesson. Happy Birthday too!

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