Jun 20, 2011
(rated R, 96 mins.)
There are a lot of elements in this movie that equal a string of classic books to films. The most obvious being Holden Caulfield from “Catcher In The Rye”. While this is another disillusioned and rebellious teen story, it’s nothing short of fresh and brilliant in its review of social class, society and sharp wit. Kieran Culkin stars as Igby Slocumb. Kicked out of every prep school, his fed up, dying, mother of leisure (Susan Sarandon) ops to send him off to military training. Refusing to deal with that choice, Igby steals her credit card and takes off for the big city. There he stashes away in an artist’s loft owned by his godfather (Jeff Goldblum), now inhibited by a dancer (Amanda Peet), who just happens to be his godfather’s mistress. It’s not long before he beds the mistress that another young woman named Sookie (Clarie Danes) arrives in his life. She’s spunky and sexy; Igby has met his match. Culkin’s performance holds the movie together much as he did in “The Dangerous Lives Of Altar Boys”, although this time the slight difference being his fine balance of cynical meets innocence. Director/writer Burr Steers intended Igby to be a novel, which is evident in the rich and detailed film, the characters full development and back-story told in such a way that they don’t belabor the running time. His complex delving into family neuroses made to look oh so easy, should and is much commended.
Jun 20, 2011
(rated R, 90 mins.)
“Scream 4” it ain’t. This sophisticated “And Then There Were None” with its old-fashioned premise, takes place in an isolated motel when 10 strangers, stranded from a desert storm, are killed one by one. John Cusack is a former cop now working as a chauffeur, Amanda Peet is a call girl, Rebecca DeMornay is the movie star (who actually pokes fun at herself “didn’t you used to be a movie star?”) and Ray Liotta is well-cast in his usual yet unusual cop role hired to escort a prisoner (Gary Busey). But the movie belongs to Cusack, who seems naturual and at home in his role. The story has the stereotypical darkened-rain backdrops, but unlike other thrillers, it manages to metamorphose into a dramatic almost poetic experience that takes the audience by surprise without waiting until that final shocking moment. Director James “Copland’ Mangold delivers a tale that once again captures his talent in characters rather than action-oriented films. “Ten Little Indians” Agatha Christie would be proud.
Jun 20, 2011
The wee folk in the audience might complain that the original was better, but there’s no denying that this sweet, funny and adult-friendly movie is just the July 4th holiday ticket. For starters, the story opens to two pre-historic flying squirrels who fight romantically, albeit insanely, over an acorn, and soon we’re moving into the bored Diego’s story line (Denis Leary voice). Diego doesn’t go for the “Baby makes three” that Manny and Elie (Ray Romano and Queen Latifah voices) are having. So Diego and Sid (John Leguizamo voice) decide to take off together and all heck breaks lose! Sid adopts his own babies. And you can imagine from the title just what they’ll turn out to be. But the movie addresses today’s issues of divorce, single parenting and the values important to friends and family, so there is an underlying message. Even adoption, since Sid is clearly not the biological parent of the three babies (plot spoiler). But while Sid is annoying, and Diego is boring, it’s a new creature – a British weasel named “Buck” short for Buckminster (Simon Pegg voice) – who steals the movie.Three Tiaras
Jun 20, 2011
(rated PG, 84 mins.)
When Diego the saber-toothed tiger (Denis Leary), Sid the sloth (John Leguizamo) and Manny the mammoth (ringleader Ray Romano) join forces to migrate and return a human baby to its people the unlikely heroes also have to battle an ice age. En route the three animated cuties overcome their own instincts and issues toward each other to become a mismatched family. The little part rat/part squirrel character (Leguizamo) will leave you tickled. Fox does good in this computer animated effort is up to par with Disney’s “Monsters Inc.”, blows past their “Anastasia” set this time in the yet to be explored Ice Age. Sort of a geography lesson on a wee folk scale minus a ground-breaking script but a lot of energetic gags. Just look who the voices are!
Jun 20, 2011
An intelligent and comical view of infidelity/the seven year itch that may not do so well at the box office if wives find the material threatening. Richard Cooper (Chris Rock) is happily married to a beautiful wife, Brenda (Gina Torres) with a house in the country, two kids and a great job. There’s just one problem. He’s bored and he’s in a sexless marriage. Okay that’s two problems. When Niki (Kerry Washington) the ex girlfriend of his best friend shows up at his office for advice, Richard Cooper is going to need some advice of his own. And he turns to co-worker George (Steve Buscemi) for some answers. The movie’s observations, comments and overviews of how a married man has an emotional breakdown to justify an affair, are delivered humbly and honestly in Chris Rock’s best performance to date. I think this movie should be a template of required viewing 101 for all married couples to remember that you have to keep fun in your marriage. First lesson: when you’re out to dinner with your husband on a Saturday night, don’t talk about the kids! Four tiaras
