Besides the huge blockbusters at the theaters these days, there are some smaller movies, and many times they get lost. Whatever Works is the new Woody Allen movie new in theaters this week. And it's typical, classic Woody Allen.
WW is written and directed by Allen, and after about 5 minutes there is no question you are on for another Allen ride you've taken time and time again. WW is loaded with snappy, quick, understated dialogue, and forces you to listen quickly. A real trademark of Allen films. They just have that "feel."
WW stars Larry David as Boris. Boris is an older, strange brilliant man who lives in New York City. He has an incredibly high IQ, and due to this and life's circumstances, he has become a terrible cynic on just about every single issue in life. After a failed suicide attempt, and a divorce, (both handled with great humor) he finds himself alone in the world. Enter Melody. A 20 year old runaway from Mississippi, who finds herself somehow living with Boris after moving to the city. Melody is Boris's polar opposite. She is young, funny, pretty, idealistic, naive, and willing to learn life's lessons from Boris forty years her senior. Strange friendship to be sure.
That's about as far as I can go with the story line, as her family gets involved and it's a huge opposites attract fest. All handled with deadpan humor, and the usual quirks that run through a Woody Allen movie. Of course a goofy soundtrack is needed, and delivered. Co-starring, Michael McKean, Patricia Clarkson, and Ed Begley Jr., Whatever Works is a fun, quick 90 minute visit to the movies.
Whatever Works is not for everyone, but for Allen fans it's fun. Last year his summer movie Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona was one of the best reviewed movies of the year. After all these years, Woody Allen still makes movies that look like the movies he made years ago, but somehow they keep up with the times.
Whatever Works. Like many Allen movies, a little fun, at a little movie.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
MOVIE REVIEW - Away We Go
One of the good things about reviewing movies is when you find a real unexpected gem of a movie. That's Away We Go.
I walked into this Sam Mendes directed flick knowing virtually nothing about it, and came out with a great review. Up front, this is an adult piece and is totally inappropriate for minor children. Not that they would be the slightest bit interested in Away We Go anyway.
It's the story of Burt (John Krasinski, and Verona (Maya Rudolph). They are very much in love, underachieving thirty-four year - olds who have been dating, and living together forever. They consider themselves "screw-ups" and suddenly find themselves pregnant, unplanned. With no real attachments in the world, they set out on a cross-country journey to find the perfect place to raise their unborn child. They try Phoenix, Tucson, Montreal, Madison, and Miami.
In each of these stops, they know someone to a degree, and hook up with them after not seeing them for a while. The cast of idiots they encounter all have their ownsproblems, and life story to tell. Through them, Burt and Verona discover what they don't want for themselves, or their baby, You don't see many "life lesson" movies that are really entertaining, but Away We Go certainly is.
This gem is not for everyone. It is a quirky piece, that many times over isn't for the once a year movie goer. Krasinsky, and Rudolph are terrific as our likeable, goofy couple dealing with big changes in their lives. There is also a wonderful supporting cast with Catherine O'Hara, Jeff Daniels, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Allison Janney. Janney is fantastic in her small role as one of the crazy fools they meet along the way, and is almost worth the ticket price alone. Toss in a small, simple quirky soundtrack and you have a real fun time at the movies.
Away We Go is NOT for everyone. There are a few moments of real discomfort here, and the subject matter can be a straightforward at times. But, Away We Go, made me laugh out loud at times, and really think at other times. This is one of the big. pleasant surprises of the year.
Away We Go. For adults only. Quirky, awkward, strange, fun at the movies. Very well done! A real nice break from the big blockbusters and cartoons for adults.
I walked into this Sam Mendes directed flick knowing virtually nothing about it, and came out with a great review. Up front, this is an adult piece and is totally inappropriate for minor children. Not that they would be the slightest bit interested in Away We Go anyway.
It's the story of Burt (John Krasinski, and Verona (Maya Rudolph). They are very much in love, underachieving thirty-four year - olds who have been dating, and living together forever. They consider themselves "screw-ups" and suddenly find themselves pregnant, unplanned. With no real attachments in the world, they set out on a cross-country journey to find the perfect place to raise their unborn child. They try Phoenix, Tucson, Montreal, Madison, and Miami.
In each of these stops, they know someone to a degree, and hook up with them after not seeing them for a while. The cast of idiots they encounter all have their ownsproblems, and life story to tell. Through them, Burt and Verona discover what they don't want for themselves, or their baby, You don't see many "life lesson" movies that are really entertaining, but Away We Go certainly is.
This gem is not for everyone. It is a quirky piece, that many times over isn't for the once a year movie goer. Krasinsky, and Rudolph are terrific as our likeable, goofy couple dealing with big changes in their lives. There is also a wonderful supporting cast with Catherine O'Hara, Jeff Daniels, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Allison Janney. Janney is fantastic in her small role as one of the crazy fools they meet along the way, and is almost worth the ticket price alone. Toss in a small, simple quirky soundtrack and you have a real fun time at the movies.
Away We Go is NOT for everyone. There are a few moments of real discomfort here, and the subject matter can be a straightforward at times. But, Away We Go, made me laugh out loud at times, and really think at other times. This is one of the big. pleasant surprises of the year.
Away We Go. For adults only. Quirky, awkward, strange, fun at the movies. Very well done! A real nice break from the big blockbusters and cartoons for adults.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Dogs I've Known
I love dogs. I went through a long stretch in my life where I didn't have a dog, and I don't know how I did it. I have a dog now, an Australian Cattle dog named Kona and she's great. She's a rescue I've had for 7 years. Her first owner abandoned her. They chained her to a backstop in the Metroparks, and the Rangers found her at 3am one night! She's a super sweet pooch with a great manner, and wouldn't hurt a fly. I thought I'd look back at some of the great hounds that I've known over the years, and give them the due they deserve.
Taffy - The first dog I can remember. She was our family pooch, a border collie mix. She lost a leg about halfway through her life, but got around fine with three. In fact, it never really phased her at all..she seemed to wake up one day and say, "Oh gosh, I have three legs....let's go play." And play she did till she was about 15 or so.
Lafayetta - One of Taffy's puppies, I was allowed to keep when I was about 9 years old. I even got to name her. (Stupid name I know.) I got it off a hose nozzle attachment box my mom bought. That was the brand name. Lafayetta didn't care....lived till about 12 or so.
Mariah - She was a lab puppy mix that I got out of the APL in 1982. I chose her because they said she was the next to go, and needed a home TODAY! I moved to Columbus in 1983, and I gave her to my mom. One thing. One February, Mariah fell through the ice one at a pond by accident. My then 70 year old mother saved her by going out in the freezing water to get her, breaking ice the whole way. (50 feet or so) Mariah rewarded her by being great company for her for 15 years, most of it sleeping in front of the fireplace, and staying close.
The Big White Dog - At a drive in movie theater in 1980, a bunch of us went to catch a double feature and grill out in the back row on hibachi's. (We did this all the time) As I headed up to the film house for a bathroom break, a GIGANTIC Great Dane came flying out of a panel truck, and ran right up to me barking the whole time. I was scared to death! Then two "dudes" sitting in lawn chairs yelled, "Cream Puff!!! Get over here!" The dog's name was Cream Puff, and she turned out to be very nice. She went back to the truck, with head down. I went to the men's room. Think it was no longer necessary though.
Wally - Was my friends Don's dog in the late 70's and early 80's. A beautiful black collie. The most laid back dog I've ever seen. One time at a super loud party in Don's basement with about a thousand people there, music blaring, you know the works. Wally decided to take a nap on the basement steps so everyone had to step over him all night. Cracked me up. Still cracks me up all these years later! After all, it was his house!
Bo - My friend Joe's dog still. Black lab. In his younger days, Bo spent many hours in Joe's refrigerator scarfing down leftover cuisine while Joe and Lori were at work. They bought some kind of seat belt contraption to keep Bo out. Bo figured that out too. The dining continued.
K.C. - My brothers dog, some kind of nice mutt. Just passed away. At my brothers wedding in 1992, the reception was at my mom's house. As I woke up the day after, I noticed a spot of frosting on her nose just below the eye. She apparently dined on the entire north wall of the wedding cake while we all slept. Her tongue couldn't reach the spot on her face. Busted!
Dogs are great, and are a huge part of our lives. If you're a dog lover, don't forget to visit our new website petpalsnow.com and leave your story.
And don't forget to support you local animal shelter with either cash, or acts of service.
Remember too, dogs are under strict doctors orders.....eat...sleep....play!
Taffy - The first dog I can remember. She was our family pooch, a border collie mix. She lost a leg about halfway through her life, but got around fine with three. In fact, it never really phased her at all..she seemed to wake up one day and say, "Oh gosh, I have three legs....let's go play." And play she did till she was about 15 or so.
Lafayetta - One of Taffy's puppies, I was allowed to keep when I was about 9 years old. I even got to name her. (Stupid name I know.) I got it off a hose nozzle attachment box my mom bought. That was the brand name. Lafayetta didn't care....lived till about 12 or so.
Mariah - She was a lab puppy mix that I got out of the APL in 1982. I chose her because they said she was the next to go, and needed a home TODAY! I moved to Columbus in 1983, and I gave her to my mom. One thing. One February, Mariah fell through the ice one at a pond by accident. My then 70 year old mother saved her by going out in the freezing water to get her, breaking ice the whole way. (50 feet or so) Mariah rewarded her by being great company for her for 15 years, most of it sleeping in front of the fireplace, and staying close.
The Big White Dog - At a drive in movie theater in 1980, a bunch of us went to catch a double feature and grill out in the back row on hibachi's. (We did this all the time) As I headed up to the film house for a bathroom break, a GIGANTIC Great Dane came flying out of a panel truck, and ran right up to me barking the whole time. I was scared to death! Then two "dudes" sitting in lawn chairs yelled, "Cream Puff!!! Get over here!" The dog's name was Cream Puff, and she turned out to be very nice. She went back to the truck, with head down. I went to the men's room. Think it was no longer necessary though.
Wally - Was my friends Don's dog in the late 70's and early 80's. A beautiful black collie. The most laid back dog I've ever seen. One time at a super loud party in Don's basement with about a thousand people there, music blaring, you know the works. Wally decided to take a nap on the basement steps so everyone had to step over him all night. Cracked me up. Still cracks me up all these years later! After all, it was his house!
Bo - My friend Joe's dog still. Black lab. In his younger days, Bo spent many hours in Joe's refrigerator scarfing down leftover cuisine while Joe and Lori were at work. They bought some kind of seat belt contraption to keep Bo out. Bo figured that out too. The dining continued.
K.C. - My brothers dog, some kind of nice mutt. Just passed away. At my brothers wedding in 1992, the reception was at my mom's house. As I woke up the day after, I noticed a spot of frosting on her nose just below the eye. She apparently dined on the entire north wall of the wedding cake while we all slept. Her tongue couldn't reach the spot on her face. Busted!
Dogs are great, and are a huge part of our lives. If you're a dog lover, don't forget to visit our new website petpalsnow.com and leave your story.
And don't forget to support you local animal shelter with either cash, or acts of service.
Remember too, dogs are under strict doctors orders.....eat...sleep....play!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
MOVIE REVIEW - Public Enemies
Just in time for the holiday weekend, Johnny Depp steps into the spotlight with Director Micheal Mann's Public Enemies. A 2 hour and 30 minute depiction of the end of the John Dillinger era in the early 1930's.
Dillinger (Depp) was the first Public Enemy Number One, as termed by J. Edgar Hoover, and was the final straw in getting the United States to create the FBI as we know it today. PE Takes place at the zenith of Dillinger's ruthless bank robbing career during the Great Depression. It's the story of a bank robber, clearly the last of his breed. The world has finally caught up to run-of-the-mill bank robbers, and they can't keep up. Technology (crude as it seems today) has taken over. There is a new breed of crime fighter too. More skilled, savvy, and ruthless themselves. Christian Bale is Melvin Purvis. He is charged with bringing in, or killing Dillinger by Hoover himself.
PE makes a good case for the complicated man that was Dillinger. True, he was a charming, sometimes affable young man, who too understood the ever growing media. He used them to create public sympathy for him in the papers. The Dillinger legend continues to grow even to this day, but this movie doesn't make the fatal flaw. In the end, Dillinger was a ruthless, shrewd, bank robber, and eventual cold blooded killer.
This is a big movie in every way. Long, intense, and involved. Sometimes a bit too involved. Lots of twists and turns, and tons of gun play. Action is sporadic, but long actiony scenes when they get around to it. A well used soundtrack compliments Depp's big performance, and a well cast around him make PE a good movie. But not a great movie. It's length is its weak link. A fine finish, but takes way too long to get there.
Public Enemies. Good. Not great!
Dillinger (Depp) was the first Public Enemy Number One, as termed by J. Edgar Hoover, and was the final straw in getting the United States to create the FBI as we know it today. PE Takes place at the zenith of Dillinger's ruthless bank robbing career during the Great Depression. It's the story of a bank robber, clearly the last of his breed. The world has finally caught up to run-of-the-mill bank robbers, and they can't keep up. Technology (crude as it seems today) has taken over. There is a new breed of crime fighter too. More skilled, savvy, and ruthless themselves. Christian Bale is Melvin Purvis. He is charged with bringing in, or killing Dillinger by Hoover himself.
PE makes a good case for the complicated man that was Dillinger. True, he was a charming, sometimes affable young man, who too understood the ever growing media. He used them to create public sympathy for him in the papers. The Dillinger legend continues to grow even to this day, but this movie doesn't make the fatal flaw. In the end, Dillinger was a ruthless, shrewd, bank robber, and eventual cold blooded killer.
This is a big movie in every way. Long, intense, and involved. Sometimes a bit too involved. Lots of twists and turns, and tons of gun play. Action is sporadic, but long actiony scenes when they get around to it. A well used soundtrack compliments Depp's big performance, and a well cast around him make PE a good movie. But not a great movie. It's length is its weak link. A fine finish, but takes way too long to get there.
Public Enemies. Good. Not great!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
MOVIE REVIEW - My Sisters Keeper
Summer is an unlikely time for a movie like My Sisters Keeper to be in theaters, but here it is. I will say right now, My Sisters Keeper my be way too much for some movie goers. I think that's a fair disclaimer to a very powerful movie.
MSK is the story that is every parents nightmare. The Fitzgerald Family is facing the possibility of losing their precious 16 year-old daughter Kate, to cancer. She was diagnosed early in life. The family who also has an older son doesn't know what to do. So they genetically engineer another daughter Anna, who will be a perfect organ and "spare parts" donor for Kate. Anna at now age 11, sues her parents for the right to make her own medical decisions, rather than have them made for her.
That's just part of the journey here. Kate's mother, Sara has understandably lost all real perspective, and sees nothing wrong with the idea of Anna being "farmed out" for Kate. Sara is a dedicated, loving mother facing the worst possible scenario in any family. A terminal illness of a young child. MSK is the story of Kate's illness, and the far reaching ramifications that it has on an entire family. It is a very powerful movie.
This movie is a raw, and hard to watch story sometimes of life not fair. Not everyone will be able to sit through watching a beautiful, young girl go through cancer treatments, and watch her steady decline. Also, the tragedy of a family going through hell is not light movie watching. But MSK is a very emotional and powerful look at a tough, tough topic. It hits you hard, and doesn't really relent for one hour and forty six minutes.
Starring Cameron Diaz as Sara. This is new ground for her, and she's far more believable than I thought she would be. Also starring Jason Patric, Joan Cusack, Alec Baldwin as the slickity -slick lawyer hired by Anna. And there's Abigail Breslin (Anna) now 13 years old and just terrific in this leading role. She has been good in virtually everything I've seen her in, and continues to get better. This movie also takes its time and develops as many characters well in a short period of time. The script is honest, and straightforward. It doesn't lie to you. It starts out as one kind of movie, and stays there. Even when it gets a little too close for comfort. That is MSK strength. Also a VERY interesting soundtrack and use of songs, both familiar and not, adds to this real emotional journey.
My Sisters Keeper. Heavy drama at least. And be rest assured, there will be tears, and more than likely a hard memory or two for most of us who have dealt with a loved one with cancer. But overall, very well done with a tough, harsh subject. It may be too close to the bone for some, NOT FOR EVERYONE. But a very strong. powerful, well done movie.
MSK is the story that is every parents nightmare. The Fitzgerald Family is facing the possibility of losing their precious 16 year-old daughter Kate, to cancer. She was diagnosed early in life. The family who also has an older son doesn't know what to do. So they genetically engineer another daughter Anna, who will be a perfect organ and "spare parts" donor for Kate. Anna at now age 11, sues her parents for the right to make her own medical decisions, rather than have them made for her.
That's just part of the journey here. Kate's mother, Sara has understandably lost all real perspective, and sees nothing wrong with the idea of Anna being "farmed out" for Kate. Sara is a dedicated, loving mother facing the worst possible scenario in any family. A terminal illness of a young child. MSK is the story of Kate's illness, and the far reaching ramifications that it has on an entire family. It is a very powerful movie.
This movie is a raw, and hard to watch story sometimes of life not fair. Not everyone will be able to sit through watching a beautiful, young girl go through cancer treatments, and watch her steady decline. Also, the tragedy of a family going through hell is not light movie watching. But MSK is a very emotional and powerful look at a tough, tough topic. It hits you hard, and doesn't really relent for one hour and forty six minutes.
Starring Cameron Diaz as Sara. This is new ground for her, and she's far more believable than I thought she would be. Also starring Jason Patric, Joan Cusack, Alec Baldwin as the slickity -slick lawyer hired by Anna. And there's Abigail Breslin (Anna) now 13 years old and just terrific in this leading role. She has been good in virtually everything I've seen her in, and continues to get better. This movie also takes its time and develops as many characters well in a short period of time. The script is honest, and straightforward. It doesn't lie to you. It starts out as one kind of movie, and stays there. Even when it gets a little too close for comfort. That is MSK strength. Also a VERY interesting soundtrack and use of songs, both familiar and not, adds to this real emotional journey.
My Sisters Keeper. Heavy drama at least. And be rest assured, there will be tears, and more than likely a hard memory or two for most of us who have dealt with a loved one with cancer. But overall, very well done with a tough, harsh subject. It may be too close to the bone for some, NOT FOR EVERYONE. But a very strong. powerful, well done movie.
Friday, June 26, 2009
MOVIE REVIEW - Transfomers 2
Hard to believe it's time for another Transformers movie again, but it's been two years, and here comes Transformers 2. It set the all time record with a 60 million dollar day on Wednesday, its first day in theaters.
Reviewing a movie like this is tough. It's a movie that is a guaranteed hit long before it even makes it to the box office. It doesn't make any difference if it's any good or not. It exists, therefore it is huge. There's no way fans of the first movie are not going to like this one. Again, with huge computer generated Transformers, doing battle time and time again. Many times to the edge of fatigue. There's not a lot of plot line here that an easily be explained. And that's OK, it's summer time at the movies.
Kids and adults of all ages wait for movies like this to come out, and they flock to them like seagulls at the beach. This Transformers is not a whole lot different than the first. Everything is huge. the effects, the music, the action, and the TIME. This edition is 2:40 minutes long. In my opinion, way, way, way too long and way too much of everything. BUT in fairness, to the fan whose been playing with his Transformers toys for the past year (or 20 years) , it's a virtual fun-fest. And that's OK too.
Going to see Transformers 2 is an investment. It's battling big crowds, and spending a lot of time at a really big movie. If you have kids whose faces light up for a couple of hours though, it's worth it. Killer effects no doubt...and like the first installment, you are not cheated. You get plenty of it.
Transformers 2. Not for all, but for some.....awesome!
Reviewing a movie like this is tough. It's a movie that is a guaranteed hit long before it even makes it to the box office. It doesn't make any difference if it's any good or not. It exists, therefore it is huge. There's no way fans of the first movie are not going to like this one. Again, with huge computer generated Transformers, doing battle time and time again. Many times to the edge of fatigue. There's not a lot of plot line here that an easily be explained. And that's OK, it's summer time at the movies.
Kids and adults of all ages wait for movies like this to come out, and they flock to them like seagulls at the beach. This Transformers is not a whole lot different than the first. Everything is huge. the effects, the music, the action, and the TIME. This edition is 2:40 minutes long. In my opinion, way, way, way too long and way too much of everything. BUT in fairness, to the fan whose been playing with his Transformers toys for the past year (or 20 years) , it's a virtual fun-fest. And that's OK too.
Going to see Transformers 2 is an investment. It's battling big crowds, and spending a lot of time at a really big movie. If you have kids whose faces light up for a couple of hours though, it's worth it. Killer effects no doubt...and like the first installment, you are not cheated. You get plenty of it.
Transformers 2. Not for all, but for some.....awesome!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
MOVIE REVIEW - Year One
It isn't often you start out a movie review with the sentence, "This is the worst movie of the year!" But that's where we are going to start. Year One with Jack Black and Michael Cera is without question the biggest gagger so far this calender year. And not by a little!
It's the story of two...I don't know what they are, cave men I guess. Wandering through the early ages of civilization. All the while throwing out understated modern-day dialogue and generally making fools of themselves. They encounter others along the way in symbolic, historical cities, that are just as not-funny as our "heroes." Look, I've spent too much time here already trying to explain this mess that is masquerading as a story. There is no story here.
Year One is simply putrid. What on earth were these guys thinking filming this load of manure. Black and Cera even managed to convince Hank Azaria and Oliver Platt this was a good idea. Gotta think that friendship is over. I can't imagine anyone thinking this was ever a good idea. To be perfectly honest, this is embarrassing to all involved. Jack Black has done some really good work in his career no doubt, but this is simply a paycheck. Year One will turn out to be the joke at this years Oscars monologue.
Year One is not funny, witty, comical, inventive, groundbreaking, or anything that resembles good. It is terrible, lousy, not funny, boring, and possibly career killing for somebody somewhere. What a waste of time, and money. It's really a shame that someones actually going to get paid for making this garbage.
Year One. Save your time, and your dime! What a mess! What a MESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's the story of two...I don't know what they are, cave men I guess. Wandering through the early ages of civilization. All the while throwing out understated modern-day dialogue and generally making fools of themselves. They encounter others along the way in symbolic, historical cities, that are just as not-funny as our "heroes." Look, I've spent too much time here already trying to explain this mess that is masquerading as a story. There is no story here.
Year One is simply putrid. What on earth were these guys thinking filming this load of manure. Black and Cera even managed to convince Hank Azaria and Oliver Platt this was a good idea. Gotta think that friendship is over. I can't imagine anyone thinking this was ever a good idea. To be perfectly honest, this is embarrassing to all involved. Jack Black has done some really good work in his career no doubt, but this is simply a paycheck. Year One will turn out to be the joke at this years Oscars monologue.
Year One is not funny, witty, comical, inventive, groundbreaking, or anything that resembles good. It is terrible, lousy, not funny, boring, and possibly career killing for somebody somewhere. What a waste of time, and money. It's really a shame that someones actually going to get paid for making this garbage.
Year One. Save your time, and your dime! What a mess! What a MESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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