Josh at his ever lovin' best! Rocks and rolls with raunch adventure - as in 'Adventures in Baby Sitting'' meets 'The Hangover' ... Good supporting cast adds to the mix.
Can't go wrong unless this type of humour and situations on the edge push you over.
Recommended with some reserve ...
Friday, December 9, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
The Help
Wow!
So many great performances, a good script, restrained but firm directing.
And a great story! yes, the modern perspective is there but so is the truth, the humanity and a wonderful film.
Perhaps the best of the year. Emma Stone surprises by her maturity, strength and access to the real central character: played with aplomb, range and confidence, Viola Davis' character is the heart and soul at center. For her award recognition should be certain. For Octavio Spencer, who has risen to another level, and whose character adorns this film. For Howard's daughter, a solid performance.
Will the sparkling role of Chastain be overlooked? It screams authenticity every bit as electric as her all but over the top performance! (In a year where she distinguishes in two other entirely different films with entirely unique performances, nonetheless. She is announced.)
Strong film.
Highly recommended.
So many great performances, a good script, restrained but firm directing.
And a great story! yes, the modern perspective is there but so is the truth, the humanity and a wonderful film.
Perhaps the best of the year. Emma Stone surprises by her maturity, strength and access to the real central character: played with aplomb, range and confidence, Viola Davis' character is the heart and soul at center. For her award recognition should be certain. For Octavio Spencer, who has risen to another level, and whose character adorns this film. For Howard's daughter, a solid performance.
Will the sparkling role of Chastain be overlooked? It screams authenticity every bit as electric as her all but over the top performance! (In a year where she distinguishes in two other entirely different films with entirely unique performances, nonetheless. She is announced.)
Strong film.
Highly recommended.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Tower Heist
There are some good moments in Brett Ratner's Tower Heist but rarely do they occur often enough to warrant an elevated experience. Five writers Tedd Griffin and rewrite specialist Jeff Nathanson can't really help a good premise with good performances - especially from Eddie Murphy and Alan Alda. Ben Stiller is Ben Stiller - still pedantic. The Stiller vehicle meets Oceans Eleven meets Bernie Madoff and the financial crumble of 2008, our own reality show. Hard to recommend but you'll see much worse.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Anonymous
A brilliant conception scriptwise, while the acting is good, and it moves along like Shakespeare in Love meets some historical drama on TLC or the History Channel, it breaks down as the action comes together in a flood of conclusion. Doing some research on the open questions of authorship, as well as the time period, would be an immense help to enhance enjoyment!
Local to Seattle the timing of the release coincides well with a recent ACT! Theater production of Mary Stuart, launched most forcefully via the adept translation of Friedrich Schiller’s play by Peter Oswald and the tour de force performances of its leads - Anne Allgood as Mary and Suzanne Bouchard as Elizabeth.
The cinematography is chalky sepia tones - and it works with the design.
Well to Highly recommended for those with a keen interest in late a 1500s period piece, language, literature and political drama.
Length: 2:10
Standout Stars: Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave and David Thewlis.
Ably Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Award-Worthy Writing: John Orloff
Local to Seattle the timing of the release coincides well with a recent ACT! Theater production of Mary Stuart, launched most forcefully via the adept translation of Friedrich Schiller’s play by Peter Oswald and the tour de force performances of its leads - Anne Allgood as Mary and Suzanne Bouchard as Elizabeth.
The cinematography is chalky sepia tones - and it works with the design.
Well to Highly recommended for those with a keen interest in late a 1500s period piece, language, literature and political drama.
Length: 2:10
Standout Stars: Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave and David Thewlis.
Ably Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Award-Worthy Writing: John Orloff
Thursday, January 7, 2010
- C A M P O ' S L I F E -
Film Reviews & News -- If not Latest, then Greatest
Crazy Heart & Leap Year bracket new offerings
by Tom Smeeth ... Jeff Bridges strums up awards circuit; Amy Adams romps control freak in new Rom-Com. Two distinctly different 'road' films - one heralds the heart of old-style country western inner journey with easy mastery of Bridges at his career best with Maggie Gyllenhaal sparking an at-odds November-June romance, the other features breezy Adams 'working it' as a take-charge modern woman on an oddball roadtrip across Ireland to propose to her equally stiff shirted boyfriend with laconic Matthew Goode the reluctant local boy as road companion.
... In Leap you get attractive Celtic scenery in formulaic effort with spots of humor and romance. With Crazy you get heart - an intimate cinematic investigation of the human landscape with backing heavies like T Bone Burnett, Stephen Bruton, among many others (EG, strong supporting roles Robert Duvall, and subdued Colin Farrell) - the film quietly hits all notes that haunt you. Adams, Goode & Co strike some laughs and surprises but it's candy that won't last.
... That's the outline of several new flicks to hit local screens - trying to wrest attention from Avatar, who have already made their money back (more than $350 M USA, $1.2 B global). Click Crazy Heart, or Leap Year - for link film sites & previews.
Crazy Heart & Leap Year bracket new offerings
by Tom Smeeth ... Jeff Bridges strums up awards circuit; Amy Adams romps control freak in new Rom-Com. Two distinctly different 'road' films - one heralds the heart of old-style country western inner journey with easy mastery of Bridges at his career best with Maggie Gyllenhaal sparking an at-odds November-June romance, the other features breezy Adams 'working it' as a take-charge modern woman on an oddball roadtrip across Ireland to propose to her equally stiff shirted boyfriend with laconic Matthew Goode the reluctant local boy as road companion.
... In Leap you get attractive Celtic scenery in formulaic effort with spots of humor and romance. With Crazy you get heart - an intimate cinematic investigation of the human landscape with backing heavies like T Bone Burnett, Stephen Bruton, among many others (EG, strong supporting roles Robert Duvall, and subdued Colin Farrell) - the film quietly hits all notes that haunt you. Adams, Goode & Co strike some laughs and surprises but it's candy that won't last.
... That's the outline of several new flicks to hit local screens - trying to wrest attention from Avatar, who have already made their money back (more than $350 M USA, $1.2 B global). Click Crazy Heart, or Leap Year - for link film sites & previews.
Monday, January 4, 2010
- N O T E - Turn your clocks!! Last Sunday 2 AM
Welcome Fall Back!
... Fall is here now, REALLY HERE.
... It's next to Winter Quarter - So,
,,, ,,,, how do you plan to Thanks Give?
... Fall is here now, REALLY HERE.
... It's next to Winter Quarter - So,
,,, ,,,, how do you plan to Thanks Give?
Friday, December 25, 2009
- C A M P O ' S L I F E -
Unwrapping Christmas release, It’s Complicated
By Tom Smeeth... Get the DVD.
Deliciously decadent. Sleekly seductive: Streep is stupendous, Baldwin ballsy.
... There you have it – suitable for printing. However, be forewarned: All superlatives are apt descriptions for the new Streep-Meyers vehicle, an entertainment experience that will have you laughing in the new Christmas Day film, It’s Complicated. You may struggle with some ethical choices the characters make – but they provide for the ride. It’s a fun romp to enjoy vicariously! See it in a full theater audience roller coaster ride.
... By final credits, everyone gets taken through the ringer. Meryl Streep lets loose, lets it fly, and watch out! Alec Baldwin holds his own throughout the movie, which is pretty darn good. Martin and Kraskinski score big, too. ... While in the end, it’s not really all that complex, Complicated is definitely fun. ... For full review, see comment.... www.itscomplicatedmovie.com...
By Tom Smeeth... Get the DVD.
Deliciously decadent. Sleekly seductive: Streep is stupendous, Baldwin ballsy.
... There you have it – suitable for printing. However, be forewarned: All superlatives are apt descriptions for the new Streep-Meyers vehicle, an entertainment experience that will have you laughing in the new Christmas Day film, It’s Complicated. You may struggle with some ethical choices the characters make – but they provide for the ride. It’s a fun romp to enjoy vicariously! See it in a full theater audience roller coaster ride.
... By final credits, everyone gets taken through the ringer. Meryl Streep lets loose, lets it fly, and watch out! Alec Baldwin holds his own throughout the movie, which is pretty darn good. Martin and Kraskinski score big, too. ... While in the end, it’s not really all that complex, Complicated is definitely fun. ... For full review, see comment.... www.itscomplicatedmovie.com...
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