Film Review -- Ice Age: Continental Drift

The fourth installment of the franchise features the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Wanda Sykes, Peter Dinklage, Queen Latifah, and Jennifer Lopez. Manny the mammoth, Sid the sloth, and Diego the sabre-toothed tiger, along with Sid's pesky granny, embark upon another adventure when their continent breaks apart and they are separated from the rest of their herd, which includes Manny's wife Ellie and daughter Peaches. When their iceberg float is "captured" by Captain Gut and his odd crew, the gang must outsmart the pirates and find their way home before its too late. As always, the highlight of this film is the hilarious Sid, with the welcome addition of his granny. Sid remains one of my favorite animated characters, so my level of tolerance for some of the absurdities in the story is quite high, simply because I'm too busy laughing at Sid to mind. This film, however, was definitely an improvement over the forgettable second and third films, though the first remains unmatched. Still, it is an entertaining and silly but enjoyable family film.


Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+

Film Review -- Brave

This year's PIXAR entry tells the story of Scottish princess Merida (voice of Kelly MacDonald) and her quest to save her family from a beastly curse. Fiercely independent, athletic, and outdoorsy, Merida defies the traditional duties required from a princess, much to the dismay of her mother, Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). After a quarrel between mother and daughter over Merida's (lack of) intent to marry, the younger flees the castle and ends up at the door of a witch "woodcarver" deep in the woods. Looking for a spell to alter her destiny, Merida receives a spell from the witch (voice of Julie Walters) that will "change her mother." Instead of merely changing Elinor's mind about her daughter marrying, the spell physically changes Elinor into a bear, an animal with dangerous ties to the family. Merida only has two sunsets to change her mother back into a human and take control of her destiny. The first positive quality of this film is that it's the first PIXAR film to feature a heroine -- one who can challenge anyone -- boys included -- in the smarts and wit departments. The film is also very different from its predecessors, set in the past and featuring lots of "green" scenery and thick Scottish accents. I loved the central plot of the film, due to the message of the importance of family that it transmits. Though predictable, as are most fairy-tale like stories, I was still genuinely touched by the film. Perhaps it isn't the best PIXAR film, but it is one of the most innovative.


Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-

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