FilmFlashes.com Blog

Katherine Bigelow’s precision direction brings home the tension and energy of Bravo Company, the elite bomb diffusing unit in Iraq.   With the focus on the adrenaline driven staff seargeant (Jeremy Renner) and his explosive techies (Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty) viewers are given a gritty glimpse of the personal and mechanical dynamics of war in Iraq.

This fairy-tale/love story is rendered even more surreal by the sheer multitude of CGI’s that take you across imaginary forests and rivers.  While a US “Global Giant” tries to take over rare resources owned by the Avatar people, a scientist (Sigourney Weave) uses an injured soldier to try and win over the hearts and minds of the indigenous population.  While the effects and certainly the 3D make a special impression, the 3 hour running time tends to temper that allure, just a bit.

Pedro Almodovar once again charms and beguiles audiences with his intriguing characters (Penelope Cruz, Lluis Homar, Blanca Portillo, José Luis Gómez, Rubén Ochandiano) and finely layered storyline that focuses on a blind writer/director (Homar) who must address his past in order to move on with his life.

Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin and some savory culinary creations more than compensate for a waffling story line (ex-spouses having an affair) that generates laughs in spite of it’s composition.

Sandra Bullock scores a touchdown in bringing to life the story of Leigh Anne Tuohy and her husband, Sean Tuohy (Tim McGraw) who rescued a homeless Afrcian-American teenager Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) and gave him an opportunity to achieve academically & athletically.  There’s enough inspiration in this faith-based film to cover an entire football field.

A roving employee terminator Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) is forced to change his flight patterns when his company mandates his mentoring of a new ivy league junior executive Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) just as he’s beginning to enjoy the company of another frequent flyer   Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga).

Audiences might have gained a better appreciation of regal routines with a bit more detail and historical perspective.  However the majestic costuming, noble venues, and striking characters (notably Emily Blunt as Victoria and Rupert Friend as Albert) allowed audiences to get a flavor for the period.

Infidelity, academic tenure, undisciplined children, family dyfunctionality and spiritual searches for answers to universal questions become the focus of the latest Coen brothers dark comedy set in 1967 suburbia.  Michael Stuhlbarg, embodies the role of the mid-western University professor who becomes victimized by his daily routine and outlook with strong supporting roles by Sari Lennick as his wife, Richard Kind as his distressed brother, Fred Melamed an overbearing friend, and Aaron Wolff and Jessica McManus as his squabbling kids.

Michael Sheen (The Queen, The Last King of Scotland, Frost/Nixon) shines in Peter Morgan’s adaptation of David Peace’s best selling novel about  legendary English football coach Brian Clough and his bitter rival, Don Revie (Colm Meaney).  You don’t have to be a sports fan to appreciate the tension and triumph brought to life by the characters and production crew.

  A baritoned narrator chronicles 500 days in the life of aspiring architect, current day greeting card writer, Tom Hanson (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and the object of his affection, Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel).

  Writer/director, Neil Blomkamp’s creepy alien creatures have become a blot on the present day Johannesburg landscape on which their spaceship landed two decades earlier.  A naive bureaucrat (Sharlto Copley) is assigned to spearhead the eviction and transfer the two million “prawn” population, totally unprepared for the mental and physical mutation that awaits him.   A series of mock commentaries  on the political and humanitarian issues provide a welcome relief from the bloody body counts and creature discomfort zone.

Nora Ephron flashes back and forth between Julia Childs’ (Meryl Streep) early entrée into the male dominated world of French cuisine and Julie Powell’s (Amy Adams) modern day blog that chronicles her attempt to find focus in her life by cooking up every recipe in Julia Childs’ French cookbook.  The highlight of this film is a truly brilliant performance by  Meryl Streep who has managed to totally transform herself into the gourmand herself.

A hard-hearted editor (Sandra Bullock) engages her hard-working assistant (Ryan Reynolds) to put in overtime on a scheme that will prevent her deportation to her native Canada.  While the plot holds few surprises, a warm emotive cast boosts ratings and happy feelings throughout (Betty White, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T Nelson, Oscar Nunez).

Michelle Pfeiffer radiates as the classy prostitute who takes up with the son (Rupert Friend) of one of her collegues (Kathy Bates); not without consequences.

Wonderful Disney animation mixes melancholy and fantasy in this lenghty “never too late to pursue your dreams” adventure.

J.J. Abrams directs a compatible crew through their intergalactic early years (Chris Pine as the charismatic Captain Kirk, Zachary Quinto as the half Vulcan, half human Spock, Zoe Saldana as the poised Lt Uhura, Anton Yelchinas as the chirpy Chekov and Karl Urban as everyone’s favorite Doctor).

Adult children (Juliette Binoche, Charles Berling, and Jeremie Renier) dwell upon the disbursement of their deceased mother’s artwork, heirlooms, and the country home in french writer/director, Olivier Assayas’ contemplative composition.

Harvard symbologist, Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is called to the Vatican to rescue four preferrati Cardinals from a death threat  by the Illuminati (a secret underground organization with a 400 year old revenge motive against the Catholic Church).  An attractive scientist (Ayelet Zurer), a charismatic priest (Ewan McGregor), a stalwart Swiss guard (Stellan Skarsgård), and an old guard cleric (Armin Mueller-Stahl) help to further a far-fetched story line with underlying science/religion conflicts.

Lively auditions for the revival of “A Chorus Line” are spliced with footage of the original production and it’s roots. Hopeful dancers strut their stuff, belt out popular tunes, and open up about their personal lives as the judges; Bob Avian (the original choreographer with Michael Bennett) and dancing dynamo Baayork Lee (played the role of Connie) transport audiences into the elimination process. You don’t have to be a dance fan to rock to the rhythm of this upbeat documentary.

Real life Los Angeles Times journalist, Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) befriends a homeless man/schizophrenic/musical prodigy (Jamie Foxx) and gains a new perspective on the plight of the homeless as he writes a series of articles and eventually a book. While the relationship and personalities are inspiring, the time spent is tedious as viewers struggle to find a detour out of this depression.

A journalist’s credibility and life are on the line when he (Russell Crowe) and a young colleague (Rachel McAdams) investigate two seemingly unrelated deaths. Crowe’s relationship with an up and coming congressman (Ben Affleck) and his wife (Robin Wright Penn), pressure from his editor (Helen Mirren), and pursuit of the truth at all costs makes for an adrenaline driven drama, worthy of watching.

When Mike O’Donnell (Matthew Perry) gets his wish to relive a pivotal point as a high school senior, it’s not exactly what he wished for. Instead of going back in time, he (Zac Efron) is plopped into real time with his geek friend (Thomas Lennon) posing as dad to enroll him in high school where his classmates are his teenage kids and he views his estranged wife (Leslie Mann) from afar.

First time actor, Algenis Perez Soto breathes life into the young Dominican baseball player, Miguel “Sugar” Santos, a character created by critically acclaimed writer/director team, Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.  They coach audiences through the obstacles at a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic,  spring training in Arizona, and minor league games in Iowa, while “Sugar” Santos confronts his own motivation for going through the motions.

An easygoing real estate agent (Paul Rudd) feels compelled to find a best friend when his fiancee (Rashida Jones) notices that he doesn’t have any male friends to fill the role of “best man” at their upcoming wedding.  What could have been sappy, turns out to be sweet and sassy thanks to the characters’ charisma and comic timing including a Venice beach bum (Jason Segel) a perky pal (Jaime Pressly), prying parents (Jane Curtain & J.K. Simmons)  and body builder, Lou Ferrigno, as himself.

Sayra, a young Central American girl (Paulina Gaitan) confronts peril when she joins her father on his journey back to the US where he has made a life with a new family.  While audiences are struck by the cinematic ride across Central America, Sayra is captivated by a young gang member (Edgar Flores), running from his past.  The portrait of violence and cruelty that is depicted is equally memorable and is unfortunately too true.

Five stories with unhappy endings are splayed out on the screen, directed by Italian director, Matteo Garrone, and based upon journalist Roberto Saviano’s best selling book detaling the far reaching tennacles of the Camorra, (Naples mafia).

The latest installment in the Tyler Perry franchise features amusing confrontations (including a frustrated Dr. Phil) with the anger management deficient Madea (Tyler Perry) and her clan. The humor offsets the serious relationship issues that are tackled amongst a group of young attorneys (Derek Luke, Ion Overman, RonReaco Lee) working their way up through the
court system.

A former high school cheerleader (Amy Adams) is now working as a maid, raising a son (Jason Spevack) and carrying on an affair with a her high school boyfriend (Steve Zahn), while trying to be supportive of her dysfunctional father (Alan Arkin) and sister (Emily Blunt). When a new business opportunity emerges, it provides a chance for everyone to work out their emotional issues as well as financial setbacks.

Swedish filmmaker, Jan Troell delivers an emotional portrait (based upon Troell’s wife’s relative) of a 1900’s Swedish, working class woman (Maria Heiskanen).  With the mentoring of a local photographer (Jesper Christensen) she discovers her gift for capturing beauty and calm amidst the social unrest, abusive behavior by her husband (Mikael Persbrandt), poverty, and child-rearing that engulf her.

Selected 60’s songs fuel the demonstrative backdrop for this 1980’s  graphic novel that re-unites a group of retired superheroes after one of their own, “The Comedian” (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is murdered.  Fans  will applaud their favorite characters, the cerebral sociopath, Rorschach  (Jackie Earle Haley), the big, blue, naked, Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), alluring Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman),  or the super smart and successful Ozymandias (Matthew Goode).  The rest of us will try to make sense of the storyline draped in heavy drama and super special effects.

“Banking” is the bad guy in this globe trotting action caper involving an Interpol agent (Clive Owen), an assistant Manhattan district attorney (Naomi Watts) and various nefarious financiers (Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ulrich Thomsen).

Compatible star-power (Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Drew Barrymore, Kevin Connolly, Scarlett Johansson, Ginnifer Goodwin, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Connelly, and  Justin Long) helps to propel the misguided relationships in this introspective narrated comedy.

A destitute woman (Melissa Leo) living in a trailer with her two kids is a reluctant accomplice In a US/Canadian border smuggling operation when she is approached by an equally destitute Native American woman (Misty Upham).

A washed up wrestling star (Mickey Rourke) and an aging stripper (Marisa Tomei) force you to feel their pain with gritty performances and strong direction (Daniel Aronofsky).

Israeli writer/director, Ari Folman explores the psychological impact of Israeli participation in the first Lebanese war through original, repetitive animated drawings.

An amusing romantic comedy that links an engaging “shopaholic” (Isla Fisher) with a charming magazine editor (Hugh Dancy) disintegrates into drivel faster than you can say “maxed out”.

The challenge for Jacques Clouseau (Steve Martin) in the second investigative installment is to capture the thief who is stealing historical relics, including the famed Pink Panther diamond. Minimal expectations are met due to the comic chemistry of the co-stars (Andy Garcia, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Alfred Molina, Yuki Matsuzaki, Aishwarya Rai, John Cleese, Lily Tomlin and Jeremy Irons).

Considering the scarcity of new releases at this time of the year, Liam Neeson’s one-man demo squad manages to keep audiences engaged as he tackles the Albanian thugs who have kidnapped his daughter (Maggie Grace) in Paris.

Acclaimed, Philippine director, Brillante Ma. Mendoza explores the decaying society and surroundings through the Pineda family who operates a local movie theater which also doubles as a “service” center for male prostitution.