Blog Archives
Flash Movie Review: Dolphin Tale
After recently watching and reviewing The Cove, I had reservations about seeing this movie. Could I write an unbiased review while I still had disturbing images of helpless dolphins swimming in my brain? With some trepidation, I slipped the DVD into the player and viewed this film that was inspired by a true story. Sawyer Nelson, played by Nathan Gamble (The Dark Knight, Marley & Me), was riding his bicycle by the beach when a man was calling for help. Going up to him Sawyer saw why the call for help; there was a beached dolphin with its tail stuck in a crab trap. Trying to help the poor animal, Sawyer felt a special bond to it. When Dr. Clay Haskett, played by Harry Connick Jr. (New in Town, P.S. I Love You), arrived from the marine animal hospital; it took a group effort to secure the dolphin and transport it back for some needed care. With Sawyer checking in on the animal, a transformation emerged that changed the life of the young boy. I found myself drawn into the story, understanding the reasons why the writers made it schmaltzy. The goal was to pull at the viewers’ heart strings. For me it was too forced and manipulative. Besides being predictable, I felt the movie was way over the top in being cute and heartfelt. All it needed was a swelling of violin music. With that being said, I still shed a couple of tears in the appropriate places. My heart is built to go out to the disadvantaged.
2 1/2 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: The Nines
I thought the surprise in this movie was seeing Octavia Spencer (The Help, Dinner for Schmucks), Elle Fanning (Super 8, We Bought a Zoo) and Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids, Pretty Ugly People) at an earlier stage of their careers. It is a kick for me to see how actors started out or watch their earlier films before they hit the big time. The other surprise about this film was the outcome from three separate stories and discovering the connection. Without giving too much away, the stories could be broken down into a comedy, drama and a fantasy. This unusual film started with Ryan Reynolds (Safe House, The Proposal) as Gary, a troubled actor who burned his girlfriend’s house down. Under house arrest, he was supervised by sweetly tough publicist Margaret, played by Melissa McCarthy. As the days pass, Gary begins to hear voices, find mysterious notes he does not recall writing and thinks he is seeing glimpses of himself in the large house. By the end of the story I was confused, not sure where this movie on a whole was going to take me. The second segment started out providing me no help in my confusion. All I will tell you is to stick it out in watching this movie. There was some interesting points to the stories and I found myself being drawn in to discover the conclusion. Was it the best acting I have seen in a movie? Certainly not; however, I enjoyed the entertainment value this film provided me.
2 2/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Stuck
Poor Thomas Bardo, played by Stephen Rea (V for Vendetta, The Crying Game) was jobless. Recently evicted and living in the streets, he was hit by a car driven by Brandi Boski, played by Mena Suvari (American Pie franchise, American Beauty). She had been drinking and was afraid to report the accident; so, she continued driving home with the bleeding Mr. Bardo hanging through her broken windshield. Imagine my surprise to find out that this part of the movie was based on a true story. What followed were a series of events that were part funny, part tragic in this unusual film. Stephen Rea was a perfect choice for the role, with his incredibly sad face and eyes. I was not totally convinced with Mena’s character as the caring nursing assistant who appeared to be heartless when it came to her poor, captive accident victim. Or maybe that was exactly the point the director intended–every good person had some bad in them. This was one of those odd films where one continued to watch it just to see what crazy thing would happen next. A curious movie that may not sit well with the average viewer. Several gross and bloody scenes.
2 1/2 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Brooklyn’s Finest
If there was a crack in a building’s foundation, the more weight added would only widen the crack, I would think. In regards to human character, if there was a fracture in one’s moral character; what would happen to them if they were put under extra pressure? This was a question I pondered as I watched this action film about three New York policemen. Each one was broken in some way; I just did not know if they were already broken by the time they joined the police force or if the force pushed them into their current state of mind. The grittiness and rawness of these officers was perfectly played by Richard Gere (Nights in Rodanthe, Pretty Woman), Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda, Iron Man 2) and Ethan Hawke (Training Day, Gattaca). In fact, the acting was what made this movie worth watching. The story followed each officer as they did whatever they could to get out from under their personal demons. Richard as Eddie had to get through one final week before retirement; Don as Tango was being consumed by his undercover job and Ethan as Sal was frantic to get his hands on any cash, by any means. Each one’s struggle was leading them to a deeper desperateness. I had a hard time believing some of the scenarios in this crime film. I mean, not all police officers wind up disillusioned, do they? Without a strong script, I also found this film choppy in places and sadly, the excellent acting got wasted in this movie.
2 1/2 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: American Reunion
It is amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do for a tired old movie franchise. Having only seen the first 2 American Pie movies when they started back in 1999, there was not much I remembered about them. This film was better than I expected. The humor had the same flavor as the original, filled with grossness, blatantly sexual references and overall crudeness. Jason Biggs (American Pie franchise, Eight Below) as Jim Levenstein not only looked the same, but even through married with a child, he still found himself getting into embarrassing situations. And then there was the Stifler, Steven Stifler played by Sean William Scott (Role Models, American Pie franchise). Though older, he was no more the wiser as he remained the ultimate crazy, party boy. Truthfully, it did not matter that I did not remember all the different connections or should I say hookups, within the group from their younger days. The story was adept in its way of tying up present day to the past. There were really no laugh out loud moments for me, more chuckles and smiles as I took a walk down nostalgia lane with the characters. If you were not a fan of the original movies, you may not care to see this movie. However, I have to say, there was something to be said for seeing all the East Great Falls, Michigan high school gang. That connection formed during those high school years never goes away, not with distance nor time. Overall, these former high schoolers turned out better than any one of us expected.
2 1/2 stars
Flash Movie Review: Friends With Kids
Am I to assume that having children is just a different form of a prison sentence? Seeing the married couples portrayed in this movie, it certainly looked as if marital quality took a nosedive once a child was born. Let me start by saying I give props to Jennifer Westfeldt (Ira & Abby, Kissing Jessica Stein), the writer, producer, director and lead actress of this comedy. Her character Julie Keller with close friend Jason Fryman, played by Adam Scott (The Aviator, Step Brothers) decided they wanted to have a baby. However, witnessing the drama of their married friends and their children, Julie and Adam wanted to maintain their platonic friendship, avoiding the stresses of holy deadlock. The wild portrayals of their friends were crazy in this movie; with some great, funny lines of dialog. The stand outs for me were Jon Hamm (The Town, Sucker Punch) as Ben and Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids, Date Night) as Missy. I felt the premise of the movie was original, taking the “can a woman and man be best friends” question to a new level. One of the issues I had with this movie, however, was Jennifer’s acting. There was something about it that was lacking for me. This may sound odd, but her face seemed as if it had just been treated with botox; I could not get any visual cues on her emotions. By the end of the movie, I felt the story lost its edge and went the safe route. More chuckles then belly laughs; this film was a good idea that did not carry through by the end.
2 1/2 stars
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