360

Movies to See Right Now

by
A dream girl comes to life in RUBY SPARKS

Ruby Sparks is a hilariously inventive romance that probes whether realizing a fantasy can bring happiness.  In contrast, Killer Joe is NC-17 for a reason and will either thrill or disgust you; that notwithstanding, it pops and crackles with excellent performances by Mathew McConaughey and Juno Temple.  The Intouchables is a crowd pleasing odd couple comedy – an attendance record breaker in France.

It’s worth seeking out the compelling documentary Searching for Sugar Man, about the hunt to uncover the secret fate of an artist that didn’t know that he was a rock star. The same holds for Bill W., the story of the reluctant leader of a movement, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The brilliantly made Louisiana swamp fable Beasts of the Southern Wild enters the life and imagination of a child and celebrates her indomitability. It’s on my list of Best Movies of 2012 – So Far.

Julie Delpy’s 2 Days in New York, which opens this week, is a rollicking light culture clash comedy.  The Dark Night Rises is too corny and too long, but Anne Hathaway sparkles.  Magic Mike has male stripping, but no magic. The relationship drama 360 is a snoozer.

You can read descriptions and view trailers of upcoming films at Movies I’m Looking Forward To.

My DVD pick this week is the French drama Time Out – an excellent choice for the current economic environment.

Movies to See Right Now

by
Matthew McConaughey in KILLER JOE

Killer Joe is NC-17 for a reason and will either thrill or disgust you; that notwithstanding, it pops and crackles with excellent performances by Mathew McConaughey and Juno Temple.  Ruby Sparks is an hilariously inventive romance that probes whether realizing a fantasy can bring happiness.  The Intouchables is a crowd pleasing odd couple comedy – an attendance record breaker in France.

It’s worth seeking out the compelling documentary Searching for Sugar Man, about the hunt to uncover the secret fate of an artist that didn’t know that he was a rock star.  The same holds for Bill W., the story of the reluctant leader of a movement, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The brilliantly made Louisiana swamp fable Beasts of the Southern Wild enters the life and imagination of a child and celebrates her indomitability. It’s on my list of Best Movies of 2012 – So Far.

Farewell, My Queen is a lavishly staged and absorbing French drama of Marie Antoinette’s Versailles at the onset of the French Revolution; it features excellent performances and was shot at Versailles itself.

The wistfully sweet and visually singular Moonrise Kingdom is another must see, and it’s hanging around some theaters.  Adults will enjoy Brave, Pixar’s much anticipated fable of a Scottish princess, and it’s a must see for kids.

The Dark Night Rises is too corny and too long, but Anne Hathaway sparkles. Magic Mike has male stripping, but no magic.  The relationship drama 360, which opens this week, is a snoozer.

I haven’t yet seen the franchise thriller The Bourne Legacy with Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker).  You can read descriptions and view trailers of upcoming films at Movies I’m Looking Forward To.

My DVD pick this week is the American spy documentary, The Man Nobody Knew: In Search of My Father, CIA Spymaster William Colby.

360: 11 characters plus 11 life choices equal 1 snoozer

by

Eleven (count ’em, eleven) main characters traipse through Paris, London, Bratislava and Denver and each faces choice that can change the direction of a life.  Unfortunately, we don’t care that much about any of the characters and their stories aren’t that compelling or even original.  It’s not a bad movie, but the story (stories) make it a snoozer.

360 is otherwise well-made by acclaimed director Fernando Meirelles (The Constant Gardener) and well-acted by an international ensemble cast that includes Jude Law and Rachel Weisz (completely unrecognizable behind a full set of bangs).  The two most interesting characters are the father of a missing crime victim (Anthony Hopkins) and a convicted sex offender in a very fragile recovery (Ben Foster).  Foster (The Messenger, Rampart, 11:14) is one of my favorite actors, as is also Jemel Debbouze (Let It Rain, Angel-A, Amelie).  But even these actors can’t really punch up a story that isn’t there.

August is for Thrillers

by

It’s no surprise that we open August with some thrillers.  In The Bourne Legacy, Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker, The Town) takes over the lead role from Matt Damon.  (Except the protagonist is named Aaron Cross, not Jason Bourne.)  Tony Gilroy, who wrote the two earlier Bourne films, directs this one.

The oft-delayed Killer Joe is a dark crime comedy/thriller.  A white trash family gives a hitman  (Matthew McConaughey) the teen daughter (Juno Temple) as a deposit. It is directed by 70s guru William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist).  I’ve seen it, and it rocks.

In 360 , acclaimed director Fernando Meirelles (The Constant Gardener), intersects the stories of several relationships in a film with some very suspenseful moments.  The ensemble cast includes Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, Anthony Hopkins and an even creepier than usual Ben Foster.

You can read descriptions and view trailers of upcoming films at Movies I’m Looking Forward To.  Here’s the trailer for 360.