Showing posts with label 2011. Show all posts

Monday, October 14, 2013

Bad Teacher

Bad Teacher (2011)

R - 92 min - Comedy - 24 June 2011
Big Blue Sky Rating : 5.6/10

Director : Jake Kasdan
Writers : Gene Stupnitsky, Lee Eisenberg
Stars : Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Justin Timberlake, Lucy Punch

When her wealthy fiancé breaks it off, gold digger Elizabeth Halsey returns to middle school: she's an awful teacher but wants to save for breast-implant surgery. She brightens when Scott, a new teacher, turns out to be rich, and she stops showing films and sleeping in class when told there's a bonus for the teacher whose class scores highest on the state exam. Her competition for Scott and the bonus is cheery and tightly wound Amy. Amy digs for dirt on Elizabeth who cheats her way toward Scott's bed and the money. Honesty with students seems to be her only skill. She ignores Russell, a droll gym teacher, who looks on. Will she succeed with Scott and get those new breasts?

Hot for teacher

Comedies today keep trying to push the boundaries more and more to stand out. The Hangover movies are a perfect example of this. Much of it started with There's Something About Mary which grossed people out in a humorous way. The star of that movie, Cameron Diaz, shows her funny side once again in Bad Teacher. This one's not as risqué or shocking, but it tries to stand out with its premise - a teacher who treats her students like crap and could care less about educating them. In most movies like The Hangover, guys are doing all of the crude and nasty stuff. So it's a little refreshing to see a woman do it this time around, even if it's more things she says than does. We do get to see her wail on some kids with a dodgeball though. You feel kind of bad for the kids, but they seem to take it in stride. Maybe they're just happy to have a hot teacher, even if she's not doing her job. Let's face it, most kids aren't excited to learn. Here they get to spend most of their time in the classroom watching movies. I know I would've preferred that when I was in class.

Diaz plays money-seeking Elizabeth Halsey, a woman who somehow managed to become a teacher while waiting to marry her rich fiancé. She completes a year at her school doing the absolute bare minimum of teaching. But her fiancé dumps her after learning of her gold digging ways and now she finds herself stuck teaching at the school that she was just getting ready to leave for good. Elizabeth quickly learns that a new teacher played by Justin Timberlake comes from a very wealthy family. So she sets her radar on him as her next husband to be. He's the complete opposite of her, but that doesn't matter. He's very polite and rather nerdy. In fact, he's much more like Elizabeth's rival teacher Miss Squirrel. Once he starts getting close with the prissy Miss Squirrel, it becomes a battle of wits between the two women to be with him. But Elizabeth is out to get him for all the wrong reasons of course. While she sleeps through class and just plays movies for her students to watch, she spends the rest of her time trying to impress the wealthy new teacher and win him over. Advertisement

Timberlake, who's proved he can be very funny through all his appearances on Saturday Night Live, isn't really given much to do here. He just plays the clean-cut nerdy guy the best that he can. Jason Segal, who plays a fellow gym teacher, gets more of the laughs. His character sees right through Elizabeth but pursues her anyway. He goes along with everything she does but still makes sure to put her in check too. He's the one person at the school that she's able to relate to a little it seems. Watching the film you'll wonder if Elizabeth will find any sort of redemption and change her ways. You get the sense that Segal's character is the one person who can help her with that. The movie has some funny one-liners and interesting scenes, but I wouldn't say it's laugh-out-loud hilarious or anything. Still, it's a pretty funny premise and Cameron Diaz fits perfectly into the role. It's not a movie you'll remember down the road but it's worth checking out at least.

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Friday, October 11, 2013

The Hangover Part II

The Hangover Part II (2011)

R - 102 min - Comedy - 26 May 2011
Big Blue Sky Rating : 6.4/10

Director : Todd Phillips
Writers : Craig Mazin, Scot Armstrong
Stars : Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha

Stu is getting married. Along with Doug, Phil, and his soon-to-be brother-in-law Teddy, he regretfully invites Alan to Thailand for the wedding. After a quiet night on the beach with a beer and toasting marshmallows by the camp fire, Stu, Alan and Phil wake up in a seedy apartment in Bangkok. Doug is back at the resort, but Teddy is missing, there's a monkey with a severed finger, Alan's head is shaved, Stu has a tattoo on his face, and they can't remember any of it. The wolf-pack retrace their steps through strip clubs, tattoo parlors and cocaine-dealing monkeys on the streets of Bangkok as they try and find Teddy before the wedding.

It was better the first time around

The Hangover was a surprise hit in 2009 that went on to be not only a critically acclaimed film, but also a huge box office success. The Hangover Part 2 is exactly the same movie except this one takes place in Bangkok, and isn't nearly as good or as funny as the first film.

This time around Stu (Ed Helms) is getting married and they're having the wedding in Thailand, which is his future wife's home country. Coming back along with him we have bad boy Phil (Bradley Cooper), the groom from the previous movie Doug (Justin Barth), and the person who practically stole the entire first movie, Alan (Zach Galafianakis). Once in Thailand we meet a slew of new characters who really don't ever seem to matter all that much and eventually we get to the next day and where the movie turns into an exact copy of the first one.

Why the writers and director thought essentially remaking the first movie would be good is beyond me. Other than they figured it would make a ton of money regardless of how they made it. But to make almost exact scenes over again is just ridiculous. The gang loses one of their own again but this time it isn't Doug, it's Stu's soon to be brother-in-law Teddy. They wake up and have no idea as to what happened the previous night and have to go on another wild adventure to try and figure out everything that happened, only this time it doesn't seem nearly as interesting.

They even go as far as to bring back characters from the first movie that have no business even being in this one. Ken Jeong comes back as Mr. Chow and while he was one of the few funny characters, he really served no purpose in being there. Mike Tyson also comes back for another cameo, singing once again. Only this time it feels like it was just crammed in because he was in the last one and had a really great cameo. In this movie it's just unnecessary and makes you wish he didn't show up.

Our main characters this time around aren't even as funny as they were before. Alan just seems almost too outrageous and crazy, Stu freaks out every moment of the movie and Phil is just kind of there throughout. There were about two times that I actually laughed out loud and another few times where I got some chuckles but that was pretty much it.

All in all, this movie felt like it was made just to cash in on the very successful first movie and they ended up just remaking the first one only this time it wasn't nearly as good.

Rating: 4/10

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Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl

Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl (2011)

NOT RATED - 140 min - Comedy, Drama - 9 December 2011
Big Blue Sky Rating : 5.9/10

Director : Maneesh Sharma
Writers : Devika Bhagat, Aditya Chopra
Stars : Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma, Parineeti Chopra, Dipannita Sharma

Delhi-based Dimple Chaddha lives a wealthy lifestyle with her parents, and has a steady boyfriend in Sunny Singh. On the pretext of attending a Sangeet, she goes on a date with him, consumes alcohol, passes out, and is brought home in his arms. He impresses her parents and they not only approve of him but Mr. Chaddha uses goon-power to evict tenants from a Bungalow on Barakhamba Road which belongs to Sunny's grandfather. He then offers to purchase it for Rs.2 Crores and advances Rs.20 Lakhs to Sunny, who takes the cash and disappears - leaving Mr. Chaddha to face the real owners as well as being arrested by the police. Sunny strikes again, this time as Deven Shah in Mumbai, and his target is business executive, Raina Parulekar, who he cons for Rs.90 Lakhs by selling her a fake painting. The media gets involved. Dimple, together with a Lucknow-based widow, Saira Rashid, who has lost Rs.10 Lakhs to a man called Iqbal Khan, contact her. They soon discover that Sunny, Deven and Iqbal are ...

Good Follow-up

Ladies Vs Richy Bahl makes for a pretty good watch for quite an amount of reasons. The movie was short, didn't get draggy at all which is only the second best part of the movie after the HOT BOD Anushka Sharma flaunts in the movie. have to give it to her, AMAZING. She could give the other ladies in the industry a run for their money. The plot is decent enough to keep you on your seats and the music well done too with a good amount of laughter moments thrown in too at good intervals mainly by this Delhi girl character(whose name I forget).

So all in all the Ranveer-Anushka duo made good stuff on the screen after their first outing in Band Baaja.

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Thor

Thor (2011)

PG-13 - 115 min - Action, Adventure, Fantasy - 6 May 2011
Big Blue Sky Rating : 7.0/10

Director : Kenneth Branagh, Joss Whedon
Writers : Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz
Stars : Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston

The warrior Thor (Hemsworth) is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard by his father Odin (Hopkins) for his arrogance and sent to Earth to live among humans. Falling in love with scientist Jane Foster (Portman) teaches Thor much-needed lessons, and his new-found strength comes into play as a villain from his homeland sends dark forces toward Earth.

Powerful Family Dynamic and Beautiful Landscape

This is a throw-off piece of Marvel fiction that is packed full of cliché and predictability...to a point.

I found myself cringing at a lot of the scenes of heroism and there's a definite stink of pure cheetos-stained fanboyism in many of the scenes in general, with the usual over-the-top "glory" of this old four-color trope.

But certain things caught my attention as well-done.

First, Asgard is absolutely beautiful. They went all out in making a realm of metallic and elemental grandeur. I had no trouble in buying this as the realm of Asgard, the ultimate land of beautiful heroism. In particular, the rainbow bridge, the weaponry, and the interior scenes were very fitting in general style and specific detail. Very impressive visually and even thematically.

Second, Branagh's touch can be seen with Shakespearean flair in the family of Odin the AllFather. Odin himself is brimmed with both the rime of age and the wisdom that comes with it and yet his voice can instantly summon fearful authority. Hopkins does well with that balance, even through some cheesy scripting.

And the brothers... the sibling rivalry here is very very potent in that it is nuanced and fully realized by both actors. There is love there, but also a lack of understanding, envy, and hate. Loki is far from a cardboard villain, in that we see, all in one package - a fighter who protects his allies, an honest counselor, a liar, a cautious thinker, a smooth tongue, and an awkward one. He loves and reveres his father, but comes to almost fatally doubt him and even hate him...but it's all very real and very stirring. And even when it's clear that he's done very grim deeds, you can actually understand and accept his motives...and his last scene in the film brings all three of the family men together in a very poignant moment of utter loss.

I was pretty surprised how moving this all was, especially when put in the middle of some otherwise-uninspiring hero pablem.

So in summary, this movie both met my negative expectation of disappointment and surprised me with some purely moving content. See it to see if it surprises you at all as well, and forget the whole comic-book hero thing, since that's been done far better.

Thanks for reading.

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Your Sister's Sister

Your Sister's Sister (2011)

R - 90 min - Comedy, Drama - 29 June 2012
Big Blue Sky Rating : 6.7/10

Director : Lynn Shelton
Writers : Lynn Shelton
Stars : Mark Duplass, Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt, Mike Birbiglia

Mourning the death of his brother, Jack's friend Iris invites him to her father's cottage for some alone time to recuperate. Unbeknownst to either of them, Iris's sister Hannah is also staying at their father's cottage recovering from her recent break-up. One entire bottle of tequila later, Jack and Hannah wake up to find Iris at the door. They each have secrets that they're tying to keep and they each have feelings that they're trying to sort out.

A real treat for cinema-goers.

This movie is a real treat to watch, i saw it on a rainy afternoon, alone, at my local cinema, it was pretty quiet, but I must say I think it added to my enjoyment, watching it alone almost made me feel as though I was a fly on the wall in this little cottage with three others and all the goings on. The story is rather sweet, not much really big happens, it's a bit of a slow burner but sometimes that's what you need, but in saying that it is actually a rather complicated story, it's just written and directed quite simply so it's easy and a pleasure to watch. Mark Duplass is not an actor I have seen before, but he has a nice presence on screen, Emily Blunt is her usual exceptional self, but it's Rosemarie Dewitt who steals the show I think, she has plenty of great scenes and she handles her difficult and really not that likable character very well, most of the things I've seen her in she has been good, she seems like a very natural actress, I do hope that she gets a little more recognition and she is cast in more well known films.

I was surprised to find out that a lot of the film was improvised, the story seemed like it would have been one where things were planned out, but then at the same time I guess it is a film which would quite easily be improvised, and knowing that makes the actors performances even better, it's a crime films like this go somewhat unnoticed, because in my opinion I think Dewitt delivers an award worthy performance, but sometimes it's a movie being small and unknown which makes it special.

It's funny, it's touching, it's dramatic, it's everything an indie film lover would enjoy in a movie, I really do highly recommend you catch this movie while you can, it's a real charmer.

I hope you guys enjoy it. :)

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The Artist

The Artist (2011)

PG-13 - 100 min - Comedy, Drama, Romance - 20 January 2012
Big Blue Sky Rating : 8.0/10

Director : Michel Hazanavicius
Writers : Michel Hazanavicius
Stars : Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell

Outside a movie premiere, enthusiastic fan Peppy Miller literally bumps into the swashbuckling hero of the silent film, George Valentin. The star reacts graciously and Peppy plants a kiss on his cheek as they are surrounded by photographers. The headlines demand: "Who's That Girl?" and Peppy is inspired to audition for a dancing bit-part at the studio. However as Peppy slowly rises through the industry, the introduction of talking-pictures turns Valentin's world upside-down.

Fantastically Entertaining Film!!!

I go to a lot of screenings and it is rare that once the credits roll I feel satisfied. One or more of the elements of most films just don't work together to create a feeling that you have been thoroughly entertained.

I am happy to say that this film DELIVERS! The acting is superb, the chemistry between all of the actors is sizzling, the comedy is absolutely hilarious, the storyline grips you and never lets go, the music is superb, and you feel emotionally connected with the characters and story.

If you check my previous reviews, you will see that I am most often moved to write a review when a film was really bad, but this film caught me completely off guard and I just had to express my overwhelming satisfaction with this filmmaking experience.

I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to try and finance a period film with two stars who were not well known outside of their own country. I am just overjoyed that it all came together. This is how film should make you feel when you leave the theater - entertained! To the entire production team - BRAVO!!

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Thursday, October 10, 2013

Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids (2011)

R - 125 min - Comedy, Romance - 13 May 2011
Big Blue Sky Rating : 6.8/10

Director : Paul Feig
Writers : Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo
Stars : Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Terry Crews

Annie (Kristen Wiig), is a maid of honor whose life unravels as she leads her best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), and a group of colorful bridesmaids (Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper) on a wild ride down the road to matrimony. Annie's life is a mess. But when she finds out her lifetime best friend is engaged, she simply must serve as Lillian's maid of honor. Though lovelorn and broke, Annie bluffs her way through the expensive and bizarre rituals. With one chance to get it perfect, she'll show Lillian and her bridesmaids just how far you'll go for someone you love.

And I thought they don't make good comedies anymore...

Well I'd like to point out that this is not an ordinary comedy which we see nowadays. This is a buddy comedy in disguise - played by women. These women are all unique, weird and funny. The things that happened to them and the things they do are hilarious! If I ever get married I wan't to have the same bridesmaids! I'm not a fan of comedies in general, but this one really made my day. GUYS don't be deceived, it's not a horrible romantic comedy for women they usually made, but it's actually also for you! These actresses were just brilliant, the plot is well done and I can really say it's my favorite comedy of the year! I'm giving it 9/10

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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Better This World

Better This World (2011)

82 min - Documentary - 23 April 2011
Big Blue Sky Rating : 6.8/10

Director : Kelly Duane, Katie Galloway

Stars : Scott Crow, Brandon Darby, Matthew Vadum

A pair of childhood friends from Texas who set out to prove themselves.

A Powerful Film that Speaks Truth to Power

It was a pleasure to attend the World Premiere of Better This World at Austin's SXSW Film Festival. This film tells the Kafkaesque story of how two young idealistic political activists from Texas – Brad Crowder and David McKay - were charged with domestic terrorism while protesting at the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, MN. Better This World raises serious questions about the abuse of civil liberties in the post-9/11 "War on Terror." The two key issues that emerge are 1) The use of government informants to entrap people into committing criminal acts and the 2) The widespread practice of using plea bargaining to entice the criminally accused into admitting guilt and accepting a lighter sentence rather than risk a much longer sentence at trial. The use of informants is an issue that is rarely discussed, but seems to be increasingly common in recent years. The issue of plea bargaining has recently been spotlighted in several films about the events in Tulia, TX and the feature film American Violet.

Both practices raise serious questions about how far the police and prosecutors will bend the rules in order to make their cases. The film is well-made and compelling examination of how the justice system acted to tear apart the lives of two young men who never hurt anyone and seemed at worst to be guilty of poor judgment. There will always be a balance between protecting civil liberties and seeking to secure justice and protect public safety. In this case and too many others in recent years, it seems as if we've failed to protect the rights of the criminally accused. As Ben Franklin told us centuries ago, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty." If we sacrifice our civil liberties, we sacrifice our democracy. Films like Better This World force us to ask difficult questions about how our democracy functions.

Better This World is scheduled for broadcast on PBS's POV in the fall. It deserves to be widely seen as we seek "a more perfect union."

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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Monsieur Lazhar

Monsieur Lazhar (2011)

PG-13 - 94 min - Comedy, Drama - 7 March 2012
Big Blue Sky Rating : 7.5/10

Director : Philippe Falardeau
Writers : Philippe Falardeau, Evelyne de la Chenelière
Stars : Mohamed Fellag, Sophie Nélisse, Émilien Néron, Danielle Proulx

Bachir Lazhar, an Algerian immigrant, is hired to replace an elementary school teacher who died tragically. While the class goes through a long healing process, nobody in the school is aware of Bachir's painful former life; nor that he is at risk of being deported at any moment. Adapted from Evelyne de la Cheneliere's play, Bachir Lazhar depicts the encounter between two distant worlds and the power of self-expression. Using great sensitivity and humor, Philippe Falardeau follows a humble man who is ready to transcend his own loss in order to accompany children beyond the silence and taboo of death.

beautiful film

Here again is an amazing French language film about children....This film brings up so many issues about the state of education in our modern society... the role of the teacher, the administrators, the parents, in the development of our kids... and our society. And the children in this film are all wonderful... smart, caring, funny, and mischievous. I wonder, hypothetically, what children become without someone like MONSIEUR LAZHAR in their lives. I think more and more children have fewer adult role models to look up to. Everyone is so busy, cornered in their own boxes, afraid to step out of bounds, with no time to give...It makes for a secluded...secular world...

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Starbuck

Starbuck (2011)

R - 109 min - Comedy - 3 May 2012
Big Blue Sky Rating : 7.2/10

Director : Ken Scott
Writers : Ken Scott, Martin Petit
Stars : Patrick Huard, Julie LeBreton, Antoine Bertrand, Dominic Philie

At 42, David lives the life of an irresponsible adolescent. He coasts through life with minimal effort and maintains a complicated relationship with Valerie, a young policewoman. Just as she tells him she's pregnant, David's past resurfaces. Twenty years earlier, he began providing sperm to a fertility clinic in exchange for money. He discovers he's the father of 533 children, 142 of whom have filed a class action lawsuit to determine the identity of their biological father, known only by the pseudonym Starbuck.

A Life-Changing Discovery: 533x Over!

I saw this French Canadian film on a KLM flight. I have not heard of it, and the title was not catchy, however when I read in the information that there will be an American version to be done, I became curious so I went on to watch it. I did not regret it.

For a movie that began with the uncomfortable scene of a guy donating sperm in a sperm bank. From such an inauspicious beginning, what unfolds is actually a heartwarming story of David Wozniak (Patrick Huard), a middle-aged man whose life of non-commitment changes radically when he discovers that he had actually fathered more than 500 kids via his multiple sperm donations done when he was a young man. When 143 of these kids file a class suit against the anonymous donor "Starbuck," will David reveal his secret identity? If he does, how will he face all of these newly-arisen paternal responsibilities?

Of course, there are scenes which may look cheesy for some, but viewed with the proper attitude without cynicism, these scenes are actually quite nice and even touching. Since David's kids are all young adults already with individual personalities and problems, his approach to each one would have to be different based on the situation each kid is in. The public controversy and discussion that arose when the news of the "Starbuck" case hit the tabloids is also very thought-provoking.

This film was an unexpected delight. It was good to know afterward that this movie actually received multiple nominations and even won awards at the Genie and various film festivals. I am glad I caught it before the American version. It would be interesting to compare the treatment of the story.

Watch Starbuck Trailer :

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Monday, October 7, 2013

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

PG-13 - 136 min - Action, Adventure, Fantasy - 20 May 2011
Big Blue Sky Rating : 6.6/10

Director : Rob Marshall
Writers : Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio
Stars : Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane, Geoffrey Rush

Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp) crosses paths with a woman from his past (Cruz), and he's not sure if it's love -- or if she's a ruthless con artist who's using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn't know who to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past.

Back to the spirit of the Black Pearl

These Pirates films are all about entertainment and thankfully this latest adventure with Captain Jack Sparrow at the helm is back to basics, reminding me of the formula that made the very first one, Curse of the Black pearl so great. Don't worry I won't give anything away here but be aware that the opening 20 minutes is one funny sequence and quirky one liner after another. There is also a couple of hilarious cameos, one may be familiar but the other was a right royal shock. Depp walks through his lethargic swaying pirate character with ultimate ease, while new high seas bad boy Blackbeard is exceptional, but not as cool as Sparrows former flame played by Cruz. She is foxy, feisty and funny. The action is elevated by some wonderful 3D effects but I am sure the film would be just as rocking without it. Finally, the highlight is the Mermaid scenes. As dark as they are, they take the viewer into their web of intrigue. Australian Gemma Ward even sings during an evocative moment. Remember to stay on after the credits for an EXTRA scene. After the last two installments left me crying with disappointment, I Loved it.

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The Artist

The Artist (2011)

PG-13 - 100 min - Comedy, Drama, Romance - 20 January 2012
Big Blue Sky Rating : 8.0/10

Director : Michel Hazanavicius
Writers : Michel Hazanavicius
Stars : Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell

stunning

Jean Dujardin deserved his Palme D'or for his captivating and wonderful performance. Where to start...this film is so clever, so beautifully crafted, so mesmerising. The lost art of the silent film is once again brought to life and that era is impressively recreated, whether it be the acting style, the sets, the locations (shot in Hollywood), the shimmering black and white photography. It is obvious to see that the people behind L'artiste respected that era of film making and wanted to recreate the magic with some modern touches ( I won't spoil them) and totally succeeded. I saw this in Cannes at an 8.30 am press screening and was totally entranced. I cannot wait to see it again!

Watch The Artist Trailer :

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Jumping the Broom

Jumping the Broom (2011)

PG-13 - 112 min - Comedy, Drama - 6 May 2011
Big Blue Sky Rating : 5.1/10

Director : Salim Akil
Writers : Elizabeth Hunter, Arlene Gibbs
Stars : Paula Patton, Laz Alonso, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine

Two very different families converge on Martha's Vineyard one weekend for a wedding.

I heartily recommend Jumping the Broom

Jumping the Broom was a refreshment to view. It was a pleasure to watch a movie that was not sexually explicit and profane in content. I much enjoyed the film and the cast members. The movie contained helpful lessons and wise messages with a balanced mix of humor. I delighted in my laugh-out-loud moments. The scenery was appealing, and the family focus was much appreciated.

We need more such films that celebrate families, and films that avoid excessive violence, profanity, and sexually explicit content.

Jumping the Broom was an experience of enrichment. I left the theater with a cheerful, and joyous countenance, and robust appreciation for the production.

A hearty thank you to all who were involved.

In sincerity, Sandra Renee Hicks

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Sunday, October 6, 2013

Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl

Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl (2011)

NOT RATED - 140 min - Comedy, Drama - 9 December 2011
Big Blue Sky Rating : 5.9/10

Director : Maneesh Sharma
Writers : Devika Bhagat, Aditya Chopra
Stars : Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma, Parineeti Chopra, Dipannita Sharma

A young movie for all ages

It was an era when Yash Raaj was mastered in Love Troika Films but since Dhoom they are continuously targeting relatively young audience and this is again a movie especially target the youth but has entertainment for all ages. People liked the on-screen chemistry between Anushka & Ranveer and greatly applauded by masses in Band Baja Barat and once again the couple is spontaneous. This is not a classic, this is not a big but a medium size film and have all ingredients to make it entertaining. Songs are great, story is good and the performance are also good but the girl in the role of Dimple (Parineeti Chopra) will inspire you with her innocence. Director Mahish Sharma who was also the director of Band Baja Barat seems still in the trans of her previous hit.

Script is not much powerful but the performance of all five main characters cover this weakness and songs added worth to watch it. You can spare some time to watch it one time and you won't be conned through this con-movie.

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Cassadaga

Cassadaga (2011)

R - 108 min - Horror, Thriller - 11 October 2013
Big Blue Sky Rating : 5.1/10

Director : Anthony DiBlasi
Writers : Bruce Wood, Scott Poiley
Stars : Kelen Coleman, Avis-Marie Barnes, Kevin Alejandro, Louise Fletcher

Devastated by the death of her younger sister, Lily Morel seeks solace at the spiritualist community of Cassadaga. But instead of finding closure, she contacts something else - the vengeful ghost of a murdered young woman. With her life crumbling all-around her, Lily races to unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding the woman's death - a task that will bring her face-to-face with a sadistic serial killer known only as "Geppetto".

Underwhelming, but not bad.

This is a pretty hard film to review.

I'm not a great fan of gore or murder mysteries (even though I appreciate a gem once in a while), more of a fan of supernatural horror. And that's just it. Even though there are disturbing and bloody scenes, "Cassadaga" is not a gore film. There is a mystery, but it isn't carried out in a very interesting or suspenseful way. There are supernatural elements, but they're not really inventive and don't carry the film. It's a mixture of all these things, and while it's a little underwhelming, it does manage to stay intact.

Coleman isn't bad in this, but I guess I'm just not a fan. She is the main character, and for some reason she was the most uninteresting to me. When that happens, I can not enjoy a horror movie. I guess the dialogue can be partly blamed: there's some too dumb and obvious exposition. When a character recaps his/her life and motivations to another in a single conversation, that usually always fails and feels forced. You instantly get out of the mood when characters are treated as cheap toys. Yes, I want to know the character, but forcing me in the worst way possible is not going to do it. Coleman's character isn't the only one to do this, by the way. Anyway, despite me not liking Coleman's (and a certain child actor's) performance that much, acting is not a problem for this movie, most actors do a fine job.

I would've wanted something more. A more thrilling mystery, perhaps. More focus on the effective side of paranormal, not just the obvious. Less common camera angles for used-up scare tactics, less bad conversations.

I may sound like I hate this movie. I really don't. It's not terrible in any way and it's certainly better than your average horror fest with idiot teenagers getting slaughtered. There's enough disturbing material for a horror fan to at least see this once. I probably won't watch this again, but hey, I've seen worse. If you can find it real cheap, might be worth a shot. My 10+ euros were a little too much.

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The Lincoln Lawyer

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

R - 118 min - Crime, Drama, Thriller - 18 March 2011
Big Blue Sky Rating : 7.3/10

Director : Brad Furman
Writers : John Romano, Michael Connelly
Stars : Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe, William H. Macy

Mick Haller is a defense lawyer who works out of his Lincoln. When a wealthy Realtor is accused of assaulting a prostitute, Haller is asked to defend him. The man claims that the woman is trying to get some money out of him. But when Haller looks at the evidence against him, he learns that this case might be linked to an old case of his.

"Attorney Client Privilege, This Is All Confidential"

Playing the title role in The Lincoln Lawyer is Matthew McConaughey so nicknamed because he conducts most of his business from his Lincoln Town Car which is chauffeured by Laurence Mason. As he has to travel to and from various courts, this makes it a whole easier. And the car and Mason thereby become a business expense. Roy Cohn would have been proud.

McConaughey is no idealist, his services come at a price. But it turns out he has some scruples and they are put to the test when rich boy Ryan Phillippe and his mother Frances Fisher hire him to defend Ryan when he's arrested for rape. He was literally caught in the act as two neighbors broke in and held him for the cops for raping Marguerite Levieva.

Due to the canons of the Bar Association ethics McConaughey finds himself in a jackpot similar to the one Al Pacino found himself when he played a young idealistic lawyer in And Justice For All. But the results are a whole lot different because McConaughey is not an idealist and he makes those canons work for him.

The film looks like the pilot of a TV series, but I doubt we'll get any of the big name stars there if such a thing comes to pass. Marisa Tomei co-stars as McConaughey's ex-wife and a prosecutor to boot. Can't imagine what broke that marriage up. William H. Macy has a key role in this film as well as a private investigator who works for McConaughey and does very well in it.

The Lincoln Lawyer is a very well done addition to the legal cinema with a cast that fills its roles out to a "T". I would really recommend renting the Al Pacino classic And Justice For All and see the very great similarities and key differences in both of these films.

Watch The Lincoln Lawyer Trailer :

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Your Sister's Sister

Your Sister's Sister (2011)

R - 90 min - Comedy, Drama - 29 June 2012
Big Blue Sky Rating : 6.7/10

Director : Lynn Shelton
Writers : Lynn Shelton
Stars : Mark Duplass, Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt, Mike Birbiglia

Navigating three relationships with dialogue and a twist that ends a beat too early

"Your Sister's Sister" is an indie romantic dramedy. One that tries to say so much with so little; "little" in terms of story and setting. It's a dialogue driven film about relationships. Jack (Mark Duplass) is depressed, mourning the loss of his brother. His friend Iris (Emily Blunt) sends him up to her father's cottage for some alone time and beautiful scenery.

Beautiful scenery there was plenty of; but not so much alone time. Unbeknownst to either of them, Iris's sister, Hannah (Rosemary Dewitt), was also retreating to their father's cottage for some alone time in the wake of an upsetting break-up. Two lonely people and an entire bottle of tequila lead to one inevitable place. In the morning, Iris arrives.

Duplass is fairly adept at comedy so he was able to navigate his way around two attractive sisters with a few well-earned laughs. There are more laughs during the description of Iris's boyfriends (each wears skinny jeans, skinnier than the next). As mentioned, this is a dialogue driven film which makes it or breaks it. For the most part it does the job and effectively introduces us to the three characters, but the common complaint that the dialogue is pretentious is certainly accurate.

The characters are real enough, if not a bit extreme in their ways, that likability isn't a huge factor. Although, Emily Blunt's character does get preachy when things don't go her way. She, and the audience, are thrown for a loop when a twist is introduced half-way through the film. At first I was relieved that the film was going to be about something other than just the relationships of these three people.

But ultimately "Your Sister's Sister" is just about the sister's relationship and their relationship with Jack. An ambiguous ending can certainly be welcome and interesting, but if you don't quite care enough about the relationships to begin with then the ending arrives just a beat too early.