Film Review -- To Rome With Love

The 2012 Woody Allen film stars, among others, Allen, Alec Baldwin, Penelope Cruz, Judy Davis, Roberto Benigni, Ellen Page, Greta Gerwig, and Jesse Eisenberg. Set in the Eternal City, it tells the intertwining stories of different couples who live in, love, and are affected by the city. Although the critics aren't being terribly kind to it, the film is definitely one of the funnier Allen films I've seen. There are many genuine laugh-out-loud moments. Although there are plenty of characters and story lines, they all feel fresh and are all very entertaining. Though last year's Midnight in Paris was more rich in history and culture, there is still plenty to like in this year's charmer. Allen's writing is as on point as ever here. 


Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-

YMS -- You've Got Mail & Julie and Julia

In memory of Nora Ephron -- who died Tuesday of leukemia at 71 -- this YMS (You Must See) is for two of her films (coincidentally, my first YMS was for an Ephron film as well, Sleepless in Seattle, one of her most famous films). 
The first is You've Got Mail (1998), the second Meg Ryan -- Tom Hanks pairing. It tells the tale of a small bookstore owner, Kathleen Kelly (Ryan), who unkowingly falls in love with her bookstore chain-owning competitor, Joe Fox (Hanks) over the Internet. It is one of the better "chick flicks" I've seen, carried by its charm and the charisma of the actors. 
The second Ephron film featured in this YMS is Julie and Julia (2009), starrin Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. Streep plays world-famous cook Julia Child, and Adams plays aspiring cook Julie Powell. The account of Child's rise to fame is intertwined with the account of Powell's modern-day undertaking of cooking all of Child's recipes from the latter's famous Mastering the Art of French Cooking. The film is carried by Streep's (routinely) exceptional performance, and by enough food to make your mouth water. 
Ephron's contributions to the industry are unparalleled, paving the way for more women writers-directors and making many films with strong female protagonists. She redefined the term "chick flick," and such films of hers will continue to impress and delight men and women alike. 

Film Review -- Frost/Nixon

This 2008 Ron Howard picture stars Frank Langella and Michael Sheen. It is 1977, and disgraced former POTUS Richard Nixon (Langella) agrees to sit down for one tell-all interview with British reporter and talk show host David Frost (Sheen). The film chronicles the events that lead up to the interview, the four-day interview, and its reception. The script by Peter Morgan (who also wrote the play on which it is based) is outstanding; the film is perfectly paced. The performances are excellent as well. Langella so effectively conveys Nixon's emotions through his bellowing voice and expressive face. My only gripe would be that he doesn't look a thing like Nixon, but details like that can be overlooked when the actor gives such a fine performance. Sheen also holds his own as interviewer Frost -- he made me just as nervous and anxious to hear Nixon's responses to the questions as his character was. For an outstanding political-historical film that carefully examines a brief but momentous event and the people involved in it, Frost/Nixon is the film to see.


Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A

Film Review -- Madagascar 3 -- Europe's Most Wanted

The third installment of the highly-successful franchise stars the recurring voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Schwimmer, Sacha Baron Cohen, and the new voices of Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston, and Frances McDormand. Stuck in Africa, Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman want to return to the Central Park Zoo, but the penguins have taken the only way to get back home -- the plane -- to Monte Carlo. Along with lemurs Julien, Maurice, and Mort, the animals make their way to Europe, but when there, they run into unexpected trouble. Soon they find themselves the most wanted animals in the continent, and find refuge in the unlikeliest of places -- a faltering animal circus, where they learn the true meaning of "home." I'm a big sucker for these films; I've had a soft spot for these animals, especially Julien, for years. But as it happens with most series, the films get gradually worse. This one is still very funny and enjoyable, though; it just doesn't compare to the outstanding original. But it does deliver plenty of laughs.


Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B

Film Review -- Moonrise Kingdom

The new Wes Anderson film stars Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, and Tilda Swinton. When tween pen pals Suzy (Kara Hayward) and Sam (Jared Gilman) decide to run away, chaos ensues in their tiny New England town. Among those leading the search party are Suzy's out-of-synch parents (Murray and McDormand), the clueless police chief (Willis) and Sam's boy scout troupe leader (Norton). I walked into the theatre knowing exactly what to expect from an Anderson picture -- a whole lot of quirkiness -- and he delivered. The setting is beautiful, with the picturesque beaches and colorful houses of the charming town, and the performances also stand out. Though newcomers Hayward and Gilman are great in their roles, it is the supporting performances from the veterans that really shine. Its a very offbeat, interesting film -- too much for my taste, really, but I can appreciate it as well. 

Should you see it: Sure, why not?
Grade: C

Film Review -- Bernie

This dark indie comedy stars Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, and Matthew McConaughey. Black stars as Bernie Tiede, a mortician that becomes a wildly popular resident of tiny Carthage, Texas. When he conducts the funeral of wealthy Mr. Nugent, he befriends his widow, Marjorie Nugent (MacLaine). Through the years, they become very close, often taking trips together around the world. However, Nugent becomes increasingly paranoid and possessive of Bernie, and one day he shoots her four times in the back with her shotgun. Because Bernie feels like the shooting was an out-of-body action, he goes to great lengths to hide her death, pretending for nine months that Nugent is alive, but sick and in hiding. I will not reveal the resolution, but what is extremely fascinating about the film is that it is based on a true story. Even more incredible is how writer-director Richard Linklater was able to make an effective comedy of such subject matter, although the situation was bizarre and humorous in a twisted way. Black delivers a fabulous performance, as always, making you laugh simply through one of his facial expressions. MacLaine and McConaughey also impress. 


Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+

Film Review -- Men in Black III

The third installment in the franchise stars Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, and Emma Thompson. In this new adventure, Agent J (Smith) must travel back to 1969 to stop alien serial killer Boris the Animal (Jemaine Clement) from murdering his partner, Agent K (Jones; young K is played by Brolin). While in the past, J discovers the secrets behind K's stoicism, uncovers K's relationship with Agent O (Thompson; young O is played by Alice Eve), and learns the truth about his own father. This was my favorite of the MIB films, and the most memorable (I don't even remember the first, and the second I slept through). However, it is incredibly shallow, with the few good jokes overwhelmed by the many lame ones. Also, I've always found the MIB films to be overly gross for my taste; the alien creatures popping out of weird and disgusting places is a bit much for me. Even though it is unarguably the best of the three, I was underwhelmed. Watch out for Bill Hader, though -- his short cameo as Andy Warhol is the highlight of the film.


Should you see it: At your own risk.
Grade: C+