This entry in the Marvel Comics oeuvre may be too long, as usual, but Jack and I laughed a lot during the action as our heroes Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Captain America, Black Widow, and more battle new villain Ultron. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, and Scarlett Johansson (last blogged in Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Foxcatcher, Snowpiercer, and Lucy, respectively) reprise their good-guy roles, while the unmistakable voice of James Spader (profiled in The Homesman) brings to "life" Ultron, who waxes extremely philosophical for a robot. Paul Bettany (last in Margin Call) once again provides the voice of the Jarvis operating system.
Director/writer Joss Whedon did the same on The Avengers and cinematographer Ben Davis's (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) outdoor shots are spectacular. Just look at this long list of locations.
Those in the know will wait eagerly for the obligatory cameo of Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee. You won't miss this one because they tease us with three shots of another 70-something white guy before pausing full frame on Lee's face as he delivers his line. Then he follows with another. According to a contributor on imdb it's Lee's favorite cameo to date.
So much trivia! My computer has a pretty big screen, and I hit "page down" 18 times to get to the bottom of the entire list. I just learned the abbreviation for this: TLDR (too long, didn't read).
Danny Elfman (most recently in these pages for Big Eyes) and Brian Tyler (last blogged for Thor: The Dark World) provide a booming soundtrack, which can be streamed in its entirety from this link.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics and audiences are averaging 74% and 88. You already know if you're going to like this. Act accordingly. The DVD's release is estimated to be August 2015.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Cinderella (2015)
I predict a nomination, at least, if not a fourth Oscar, for costume designer Sandy Powell (she won her third for The Young Victoria) for the magnificent gowns in this opulent live-action version of the Disney classic. Lily James (willful Lady Rose in Downton Abbey) stars in the title role, written to be a bit of a doormat and definitely not a role model for little girls. Incorrectly top billed (it must have been demanded by her agent) Cate Blanchett (last blogged in How to Train Your Dragon 2) isn't fiery enough as the evil Stepmother, although her costumes are also off the page. The movie doesn't really pick up until Helena Bonham Carter (most recently in The Lone Ranger) appears as the Fairy Godmother. A cute casting twist is that Sophie McShera (Daisy in Downton Abbey) plays a stepsister bossing around Cinderella, when on Downton their stations are reversed.
Director Kenneth Branagh (last blogged in directing for Thor) definitely has the chops for the medieval look of the thing, but didn't do it for me.
My favorite imdb trivia point is that in the ballroom dance, many of the dresses are based on those of various Disney princesses, including Belle from Beauty and the Beast (1991), Tiana (The Princess and the Frog (2009)), Aurora (Sleeping Beauty (1959)), Snow White (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)), Mulan (1998), and Ariel (The Little Mermaid (1989)). Also, apparently all the women wore corsets and are very thin to begin with, so their tiny Barbie waists are not digitally altered.
The Patrick Doyle soundtrack is lovely and can be streamed from this link. There are bonus songs at the end, sung by James and Carter. You can hear them at 1:15 and 1:17 on the youtube page above.
It makes a change that the Rotten Tomatoes critics and audiences liked it better than I, averaging 84% and 83% respectively.
I saw it by myself two and a half weeks ago, Jack having refused it as an option about three weeks before that. Your best bet is to wait for the DVD, estimated in July 2015, and sit with your little girl, enjoying the wardrobe, and being sure to tell her that Cinderella should have stood up for her rights!
Director Kenneth Branagh (last blogged in directing for Thor) definitely has the chops for the medieval look of the thing, but didn't do it for me.
My favorite imdb trivia point is that in the ballroom dance, many of the dresses are based on those of various Disney princesses, including Belle from Beauty and the Beast (1991), Tiana (The Princess and the Frog (2009)), Aurora (Sleeping Beauty (1959)), Snow White (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)), Mulan (1998), and Ariel (The Little Mermaid (1989)). Also, apparently all the women wore corsets and are very thin to begin with, so their tiny Barbie waists are not digitally altered.
The Patrick Doyle soundtrack is lovely and can be streamed from this link. There are bonus songs at the end, sung by James and Carter. You can hear them at 1:15 and 1:17 on the youtube page above.
It makes a change that the Rotten Tomatoes critics and audiences liked it better than I, averaging 84% and 83% respectively.
I saw it by myself two and a half weeks ago, Jack having refused it as an option about three weeks before that. Your best bet is to wait for the DVD, estimated in July 2015, and sit with your little girl, enjoying the wardrobe, and being sure to tell her that Cinderella should have stood up for her rights!
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Misery Loves Comedy (2015)
Despite dismal reviews Jack and I enjoyed this documentary by comedian/actor Kevin Pollak, his film directing debut, starring a host of comedians and actors talking about their craft. Just look at this cast list! I sometimes listen to comedian Marc Maron's podcasts (entitled WTF with Marc Maron) and happened to hear him discussing this movie with Pollak so was glad it came to town for a short run two weeks ago.
Ben Folds' and Alicia Witt's (she played the daughter on Cybill and many other parts) names are in the credits for the music (I think they used to be an item) but only his is on imdb.
You can stream the movie right now on iTunes, amazon, google play, and vudu, if you choose, as we did, to ignore Rotten Tomatoes (critics 29%, audiences 47).
Ben Folds' and Alicia Witt's (she played the daughter on Cybill and many other parts) names are in the credits for the music (I think they used to be an item) but only his is on imdb.
You can stream the movie right now on iTunes, amazon, google play, and vudu, if you choose, as we did, to ignore Rotten Tomatoes (critics 29%, audiences 47).
Amreeka (2009)
I quite liked this drama of a single mother and her teenage son who move from their native Palestine to a small town in Illinois. It was on my netflix list after a win at Cannes, and Independent Spirit Award and Gotham Award nominations, and director/writer Cherien Dabis, born in Omaha to a Palestinian father and Jordanian mother, was one of Variety's 10 directors to watch in 2009. Nisreen Faour is delightful as the mom Mouna, as is Melkar Muallem as her son Fadi (pronounced in his language fa-DEE, and by his clueless American teacher as fatty, much to the delight of the school bully). The one face I did know was Alia Shawkat (last blogged in The Oranges) as Fadi's cousin and American schoolmate.
When my cable was out for several days in late March I watched it on a DVD. You can buy it here or stream it on iTunes or amazon.
When my cable was out for several days in late March I watched it on a DVD. You can buy it here or stream it on iTunes or amazon.
Rotten Tomatoes critics come in at 87 and audiences at 75. Worth seeing some day.
Far from the Madding Crowd (2015)
Jack and I liked a lot this beautiful drama about a strong young woman, a feminist ahead of her Victorian England time, and the life she carves out for herself despite three suitors trying to tie her down. Carey Mulligan, as leading lady Bathsheba Everdene, smiles much more than she did in Inside Llewyn Davis and Matthias Schoenaerts, as shepherd Mr. Oak, smolders just as he did in Rust and Bone. Michael Sheen's Mr. Boldwood bears less resemblance to Tina's Fey's wishy-washy boyfriend, whom he played in Admission, and more to the deep and conflicted William Masters in the excellent Showtime series Masters of Sex. Tom Sturridge (last blogged in On the Road) is also good as shifty Sergeant Troy.
Danish director Thomas Vinterberg, acclaimed for The Celebration (Festen - 1998), creates a magnificent world with the help of screenwriter David Nicholls (most recently adapted his own novel into One Day), who adapted Thomas Hardy's 1874 novel, and cinematographer Charlotte Bruus Christensen. Two-thirds of the movie is shot outdoors in magnificent English settings.
The lovely music by Craig Armstrong (Ray (2004), Moulin Rouge! (2001), The Magdalene Sisters (2002), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, The Great Gatsby) can be streamed in its entirety on this link. Mulligan sings in the movie and over the credits with a sweet, clear alto.
I did see the original 1967 version with Julie Christie, Alan Bates, Peter Finch, and Terence Stamp, but I don't remember it. What I do remember is that it was my first and only date with a family friend (dating would have been a bad idea but he remains a good friend to this day) and something bad had happened to him that day--maybe a grandparent in the hospital? I'll have to ask him.
You don't need to take our word for it--Rotten Tomatoes' critics are averaging 85% and its audiences 78. Do see it on the big screen while you can. Many scenes in low light would be muddy on your home televisions.
Danish director Thomas Vinterberg, acclaimed for The Celebration (Festen - 1998), creates a magnificent world with the help of screenwriter David Nicholls (most recently adapted his own novel into One Day), who adapted Thomas Hardy's 1874 novel, and cinematographer Charlotte Bruus Christensen. Two-thirds of the movie is shot outdoors in magnificent English settings.
The lovely music by Craig Armstrong (Ray (2004), Moulin Rouge! (2001), The Magdalene Sisters (2002), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, The Great Gatsby) can be streamed in its entirety on this link. Mulligan sings in the movie and over the credits with a sweet, clear alto.
I did see the original 1967 version with Julie Christie, Alan Bates, Peter Finch, and Terence Stamp, but I don't remember it. What I do remember is that it was my first and only date with a family friend (dating would have been a bad idea but he remains a good friend to this day) and something bad had happened to him that day--maybe a grandparent in the hospital? I'll have to ask him.
You don't need to take our word for it--Rotten Tomatoes' critics are averaging 85% and its audiences 78. Do see it on the big screen while you can. Many scenes in low light would be muddy on your home televisions.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Clouds of Sils Maria (2014)
What a visual feast! Magnificent photography of Sils Maria in Austria and other alpine locations is matched by the beauty of Juliette Binoche and Kristen Stewart, who play a 40-something actress dealing with aging and her 20-something personal assistant. The plot centers on Binoche's (last blogged in Words and Pictures) Maria preparing a remake of the play that made her famous, only now she will play the older woman and a new starlet, played by Chloe Grace Moretz (most recently in Laggies), will be the ingenue, originally Maria's part, in the play-within-the-movie. Moretz's Jo-Ann doesn't show up until about halfway through, but the relationship of Maria and Stewart's (last in Still Alice) Valentine is central.
Apparently Binoche suggested the plot to director/writer Olivier Assayas (most recently blogged for Summer Hours, which also featured Binoche) and he immediately wrote the script.
Cinematographer Yorick Le Saux (I Am Love, as well as Arbitrage, though I failed to mention him in the latter) was nominated for a César (French equivalent of Oscar) and, if the movie is eligible for our Oscars, I imagine he'll be recognized here as well.
No soundtrack is available, but here's an abbreviated list, mostly classical.
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes are averaging 91% to audience's 71. Jack and I are somewhere in the middle. Though gorgeous, this is not for the impatient. Slow down, relax, but hurry to see it on the big screen before it closes Thursday.
Apparently Binoche suggested the plot to director/writer Olivier Assayas (most recently blogged for Summer Hours, which also featured Binoche) and he immediately wrote the script.
Cinematographer Yorick Le Saux (I Am Love, as well as Arbitrage, though I failed to mention him in the latter) was nominated for a César (French equivalent of Oscar) and, if the movie is eligible for our Oscars, I imagine he'll be recognized here as well.
No soundtrack is available, but here's an abbreviated list, mostly classical.
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes are averaging 91% to audience's 71. Jack and I are somewhere in the middle. Though gorgeous, this is not for the impatient. Slow down, relax, but hurry to see it on the big screen before it closes Thursday.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Monkey Kingdom (2015)
As usual, the latest Disneynature documentary is magnificent, about Maya, a Toque Macaque monkey living at the fringes of a socialized troop in Sri Lanka, not far from civilization. There's a definite plot, which is as compelling as if it had been scripted just for these anthropomorphic creatures. Tina Fey's (last blogged for This Is Where I Leave You) narration sounds like she wrote it, but no writing credit is given, so I can't be sure.
Even before last year's Disneynature documentary Bears (this year's is the eighth), we learned that no special effects are employed. It's all extraordinary camera work and the mind-boggling patience of the filmmakers, who shoot for over a year and whittle it down to less than 90 minutes so your kids have a chance of staying in their seats. It's rated G and there's no mating on screen.
I don't think it's a spoiler to tell you that the movie opens with a new recording of Hey, Hey, We're the Monkees by its composer Michael Nesmith (listen here). It's totally charming. There's another old song used to humorous effect, which I think you should discover for yourself, and a wonderful soundtrack by Harry Gregson-Williams (profiled in Cowboys & Aliens). Here's one track for your enjoyment.
One scene had me laughing uncontrollably for several minutes. Ask me if you want to know but I don't want to spoil the surprise for everyone.
These documentaries always show the "making-of" shots during the credits so don't run off. You'll see the camera people right there with the monkeys.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics come in at 93% and its audiences at 81. Sorry we couldn't get to see this until it left my neighborhood. But you should see it on a big screen unless you have a high quality home theatre (DVD release is estimated for August).
Even before last year's Disneynature documentary Bears (this year's is the eighth), we learned that no special effects are employed. It's all extraordinary camera work and the mind-boggling patience of the filmmakers, who shoot for over a year and whittle it down to less than 90 minutes so your kids have a chance of staying in their seats. It's rated G and there's no mating on screen.
I don't think it's a spoiler to tell you that the movie opens with a new recording of Hey, Hey, We're the Monkees by its composer Michael Nesmith (listen here). It's totally charming. There's another old song used to humorous effect, which I think you should discover for yourself, and a wonderful soundtrack by Harry Gregson-Williams (profiled in Cowboys & Aliens). Here's one track for your enjoyment.
One scene had me laughing uncontrollably for several minutes. Ask me if you want to know but I don't want to spoil the surprise for everyone.
These documentaries always show the "making-of" shots during the credits so don't run off. You'll see the camera people right there with the monkeys.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics come in at 93% and its audiences at 81. Sorry we couldn't get to see this until it left my neighborhood. But you should see it on a big screen unless you have a high quality home theatre (DVD release is estimated for August).
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