BROOKLYN
Directed by John Crowley
Screenplay by Nick Hornby
Based on the book by Colm Toibin
Starring Saoirse Ronan; Domhnall Gleeson; Emory Cohen; Jim Broadbent; and Julie Walters
An Irish immigrant (Ronan) lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a new romance. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.
There is a reason why this film had such long legs in the theatre. I mean it came out in wide release in November and it is still out there in wide release here in March!! It shows a simple well told story, that does not have an underlining message. can still make a boat load of money and people will come.
Ronan as Ellis gives an Oscar nominated performance as a confident and brave yet scared Irish girl establishing a new life in Brooklyn. Ronan says so much by just a look.....just wonderful.
I love a good dinner table scene and in this film there are many, highlighted by Julie Walters who is hilarious as the house mother for all the girls.
Now the real stars in this film are Yves Belanger the cinematographer and Odile Dicks-Mireaux as the costume designer. This film looks beautiful, every seen is perfectly shot. The look almost steals the film away from the great acting and screenplay.
Acting....screenplay...look...altogether a wonderful film. 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. A must see romantic, beautiful film.My number 3 film of the year in 2015!
THE BIG SHORT
Directed by Adam McKay
Screenplay by Charles Randolph and Adam McKay
Based On The Book bY: Michael Lewis
Starring: Christian Bale; Steve Carell; Ryan Gosling; and Brad Pitt
Four outsiders in the world of high-finance who predicted the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s decide to bet against the big banks for their lack of foresight and greed.
It is almost irritating to watch this film. To watch greed. To watch cover ups. To watch how the government will protect itself before protecting it's people. It is all just hard to watch, and at the end you just sit and stare at the screen in total sadness. However I am not saying it was not well done.
The good:
Shockingly this film is directed by Adam McKay. Yes Anchorman....Talladega Nights...Step Brothers, that Adam McKay. And he does the best he can with the not so...I guess...flamboyant..material. He fully understands that this film is packed with information that more than half the audience will not understand. Because of this he almost makes fun of the audience. He understands that the average American knows more about entertainment than what their own money is doing. He uses that by braking the fourth wall and having people like Margo Robbie in a bubble bath explain things. It is hilarious and sad at the same time!!!
The acting in this film, as you can imagine with the star power is fantastic. Steve Carell is getting the most notice for his wonderful performance but also please note a great performance here by a socially awkward Christian Bale.
The problem, and a big problem is.....tension. There is no tension. You really do not care for anyone (except maybe Brad Pitt's character) here. Even tough you do not want them to succeed, you understand what has to happen for them to succeed. It is a problem from the start. A big problem. I do not get into politics on this blog, but I thought of President Obama often here. I always think, because of his background in community affairs, he underestimates corporate greed often. This is basically corporate greed and government cover ups. And I think of Obama because as the film says...things really have not changed.
Look at Spotlight. Like The Big Short, a tough subject. Going in you know the end game. However you really are cheering for the reporters because they are making a change. Doing the right thing. Here....not so much. 3 1/2 stars out of 5 for this well acted and directed film that needed editing.
If you are interested in seeing what the ramifications of all this is watch a film available for home viewing called 99 Homes. Starring Michael Shannon who just got a Globe Nomination for the film.
Again it is greed and it shows more people turning a profit on others loss.
CAROL
Directed by Todd Haynes
Screenplay by Phyllis Nagy
Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith
Starring Cate Blanchett; Rooney Mara; Sarah Paulson; Kyle Chandler; and Jake Lacy
In 1950s New York, a department-store clerk who dreams of a better life falls for an older, married woman.
It is an against the odds love story, and it works.
Well I am not going to go through everybody but look above and see the list. Everyone of those actors have a reputation of taking small roles and making them memorable. All of them are fantastic working actors. I really do think this is one of the main reasons of why it works.
What also works is the chemistry between the two main characters Carol and Theresa.
Cate Blanchett is perfect as always here as the flighty Carol who is pulled between Theresa and her upset (rightfully so) husband (played wonderfully by Chandler).
Then we come to the interesting Theresa played by Mara. The funny thing is, if you get a chance to see this, note that Mara really does not talk much. She watches most of the time. Observing. Almost innocently taking things in. As the film goes on watch how she changes from frumpy dress to tailored well put together outfits. You can see her become more confident, fighting for herself as the film moves on. So, yes, an odd part, but a well deserved Golden Globe and Oscar nod.
This is a hard film to review without giving up spoilers. At one point there is a road trip (I am a sucker for road trip films) I think that is the highlight, where these two can be themselves and we learn a lot about them. I almost did not want to see them return back to the city, because in the city the outside forces pull at them.
Is it as good of a love story as Brooklyn? No. However there is a sweetness to it that can't be denied.
4 stars out of 5 for this well acted film.
SISTERS
Directed by Jason Moore
Screenplay by Paula Pell
Starring Amy Poehler and Tina Fey
Two sisters decide to throw one last house party before their parents sell their family home.
What a mess. My number 3 worst film of the year!!
I do not know who Paula Pell is. I looked her up and apparently she is a writer for Saturday Night Live. I really do not understand why Paula Pell is the writer here. You have two wonderful female writers in Poehler and Fey. So not only is Pell guilty of this awful mess...but both Poehler and Fey are just as guilty for not seeing how bad this is and making adjustments.
This film is shockingly bad. Shockingly not funny. Shockingly unrealistic. Shockingly irritating.
Lets watch a bunch of 30..something...40 something adults act annoying and throw a party.
Soooooooooooo many jokes fall flat.
Bright spots? The second time this year John Cena shows up in a comedy (Trainwreck) and gets many a laugh. In this film he gets the only laughs.
This film is really bad and I wanted to walk out half way through. Then out of desperation they try to throw in the I learned to be a good mother card. No!!!
1/2 a star out of 5. Not even worth a look on home video when it comes out.
From the shadows as always thanks for your time as always.
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