Forgetting Sarah Marshall - 3 smiles

I resisted going to see “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” when it first opened because I got the impression from the previews that it’s a stupid comedy. By stupid I mean a movie that develops its characters through physical comedy – having them do things that result in a lot of bumping into objects and falling down. And the obnoxious billboards around town didn’t do much to alleviate that impression. I was pleasantly surprised, then, when I saw “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” I should have realized that a movie associated with Judd Apatow (he’s a producer) would be a combination of romantic comedy (for females) and raunchy teen comedy (for males), much like Apatow’s “Knocked Up.” However, Jason Segel’s script leans more heavily toward romantic comedy than Apatow’s and for me, provides a more satisfying conclusion.

Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) is a composer for a popular TV program in which the love of his life, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), stars. When Sarah announces that she is leaving him for a British rock star, he is devastated. After trying and failing to get over Sarah in Los Angeles, Peter is convinced by his stepbrother (Bill Hader) to get away. Unfortunately, the hotel he chooses in Hawaii is also where Sarah and her new boyfriend are staying. Peter finds an ally in attractive hotel employee Rachel (Mila Kunis), who sympathizes with his plight and offers support.

First-time director Nicholas Stoller balances the romance and raunchiness so there are no gross-out moments. There’s romance and there are sex jokes, but none that dwell in the gutter. And surprisingly, the characters in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” are well developed. Segel’s Peter is a likable guy, but a slob. He lives on his couch, eats huge bowls of Fruit Loops, and doesn’t pick up after himself. Sarah isn’t portrayed as the bitch who dumps our hero, but as a conflicted woman who, after five years in a relationship, decides that she wants something more. Mila Kunis lights up the screen as the bubbly Rachel, but there’s more to her character than a beautiful face. Her anger issues become all too evident when she confronts her ex. Stoller takes too much time getting Peter to Hawaii, but once he’s there, the movie takes off. (4/27/08)

The Forbidden Kingdom - 3 smiles

If you are a martial arts fan a la “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” you’re sure to enjoy the beautifully choreographed fights in “The Forbidden Kingdom.” The added pleasure is seeing Jackie Chan and Jet Li, together for the first time, in a solid fantasy adventure. Jason (Michael Angarano seen most recently in “Snow Angels”) is a fan of kung fu movies and his favorite place to purchase used DVDs is a pawnshop in Chinatown. After bullies force Jason to convince the pawnshop owner to open his door late one night and the pawnshop owner is shot, Jason finds himself in possession of an ancient talisman that transports him to a mythical version of ancient China. There, Jason is thrust into the middle of an ongoing conflict between the Monkey King (Jet Li) and the Jade Warlord (Collin Chou). When the Jade Warlord’s soldiers capture Jason and the talisman, Lu Yan (Jackie Chan), a mysterious drunk, comes to his rescue. They are joined by Sparrow (Uifei Lui), a young woman seeking revenge against the Jade Warlord, and the Silent Monk (Jet Li), who has devoted his life to returning the talisman to the Monkey King.

“The Forbidden Kingdom” contains plenty of action, starting with the fight between Lu Yan and the Silent Monk. When the Jade Warlord calls upon a witch with magical hair to aid him, the bad guys become quite formidable. And all of this turmoil serves to transform Jason from shy boy to confident young man as he does his share of ass kicking. Director Rob Minkoff keeps the tone light and much of Jackie Chan’s role is played for laughs as well as Jason’s kung fu training. This is certainly an entertaining movie and a great way to spend an afternoon at the cinema. (4/25/08)

Smart People - 2 1/2 smiles

“Smart People” starts with a familiar premise: a man drifts through life, unhappy and unsatisfied, until something causes him to re-connect. However, the central character, Carnegie Mellon English professor Lawrence Wetherhold (Dennis Quaid), is so unlikable that, for most of the movie, it’s hard to care what happens to him. You see, Lawrence is a pompous ass, condescending and egocentric, a student’s worst nightmare of a teacher, one who doesn’t even bother to learn his students’ names. Lawrence is a widower who shares his house with his 17-year-old daughter Vanessa (Ellen Page). He occasionally interacts with his older son, James (Ashton Holmes), who is a student at Carnegie Mellon and barely tolerates his adopted brother, Chuck (Thomas Haden Church). When an accident results in a fall and brain injury, Lawrence is forced to rely on the undependable Chuck as his driver. One evening, Janet Hartigan (Sarah Jessica Parker), the doctor who treated Lawrence in the E.R., sees him standing in the cold and offers him a ride home. This leads to some romantic possibilities, but Lawrence’s self-absorption gets in the way.

This is Dennis Quaid’s movie and as such, he does a splendid job of portraying a man who has so detached himself from life that he doesn’t care what he looks like or what other people think. However, because “Smart People” has such a capable supporting cast, it’s a shame their characters are so superficial. Ellen Page delivers her Vanessa lines much as she did for Juno, but we don’t know too much about Vanessa other than she is very aware of her intelligence and that she is lonely. Thomas Haden Church seems wasted as a character who provides some comic relief and occasionally prods Lawrence in the right direction. And the same goes for Sarah Jessica Parker as Lawrence’s love interest.

“Smart People” is a straight-forward movie, one that doesn’t try to do too much. Nevertheless, director Noam Murro and screenwriter Mark Jude Poirier should have been willing to tackle more. When you consider the themes flowing through this movie, the need for love and connection with other people, “The Visitor” does it better. (4/20/08)

The Visitor - 3 smiles

According to writer/director Thomas McCarthy, he wrote the script for “The Visitor” specifically for actor Richard Jenkins, who, though he may not have a recognizable name, definitely has a recognizable face. This must-see movie is about the journey one man takes to reconnect with the human race.

Walter Vale (Jenkins) has been sleepwalking through life since his wife died. He gets no pleasure in the classes he teaches at a Connecticut university nor in the hobbies he tries to learn. When he’s asked to present a paper at a conference in New York, he’s forced out of his safe but lonely existence. Upon entering his rarely used city apartment, he is startled to discover a couple living there. They had rented the apartment in good faith, but it seems that they were conned. After an awkward confrontation, Walter invites the couple, Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) and Zainab (Danai Gurira) who are in the US illegally, to stay until they find alternate living space. The gregarious Tarek befriends Walter and teaches him to play djembe, an African drum. After a misunderstanding, Tarek is arrested and held in detention in preparation for deportation. Walter feels compelled to do what he can to help Tarek even though he discovers he is fighting against a system that doesn’t care.

In “The Visitor,” music becomes a metaphor for the way people connect with each other. Walter had tried to take piano lessons because he wife was an accomplished concert pianist. As Walter becomes more adept with the djembe, he discovers passion in his life and as his friendship with Tarek flourishes, Walter realizes that life has meaning again. Jenkins certainly proves that he has the acting chops to carry a movie and it is a pleasure to watch Jenkins bring Walter back to life. Haaz Sleiman, whose experiences mirror those of the character he plays, moved from Lebanon to Michigan and then to New York to pursue a singing career before auditioning for McCarthy. “The Visitor” is certainly worth seeing. (4/2/08)

Street Kings - 2 1/2 smiles

“Street Kings,” starring Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, and Hugh Laurie, provides a lot of action and suspense; however, there are too many flaws to make it a must see movie. Directed by David Ayer, who scripted “Training Day,” “Street Kings” walks the familiar ground of dirty cops. Tom Ludlow (Reeves) is a dirty cop, but not one who takes money from drug dealers. He is a cop who considers himself a ‘gun fighter,’ one who is judge, jury and executioner of bad guys. When the events of a shootout result in the scrutiny of Internal Affairs Captain Biggs (Laurie), Tom knows he’s got to be careful. Unfortunately, Tom’s former partner, now an IA informant, is killed by two gang members in a convenience store. Tom’s captain (Forest Whitaker) tells him to forget about it and move on, but Tom conducts his own investigation that leads him to more police corruption.

The strength of “Street Kings” is its investigation of the concept that it takes evil to fight evil and the characters that populate this movie are varying shades of gray. The greater weakness is that there are far too many holes in the plot that cannot be easily explained away. For example, Tom happens to be in the same convenience store when his ex-partner is killed and the fact that one of Tom’s bullets ends up in his ex-partner’s back is completely ignored. However, the greatest flaw is that the whole police force seems to be painted with the broad brush of corruption, especially when viewed in terms of the conclusion. Reeves, who has always been criticized for his lack of acting depth, is best served by action movies and “Street Kings” is no exception. Whitaker and Laurie provide adequate support although Tom’s love interest (Martha Higareda), so totally undeveloped, is superfluous.

If you’re not bothered by excessive violence and profanity in your movies and you don’t get into heavy discussions about the logic of the plot, “Street Kings” is for you. (4/10/08)

Young@Heart - 3 1/2 smiles

Young@Heart, Stephen Walker's movie about a chorus of senior citizens singing rock music is a delightful and uplifting, if a little disturbing, documentary. The two dozen or so 70- 80- and 90-year-old amateur singers illustrates that music can be a reason to live. And when you listen to them sing "Stayin Alive" by the BeeGees, you realize that the lyrics takes on a more poignant meaning.

Young@Heart began in 1982 as a project for the elderly in Massachusetts and the group has gained an international reputation, performing several times in Australia, Europe and Canada.

The movie focuses on a rigorous two-month rehearsal for a 2006 concert in Northampton, Mass., where the chorus, directed by a demanding Bob Cilman, must learn difficult new songs, such as "Yes, We Can, Can," sung by the Pointer Sisters with different rhythms and at least 71 cans and "Schizophrenia ," by Sonic Youth. That the group is willing to tackle such contemporary music when they prefer classical, opera and show tunes, says a lot for their willingness to challenge the edges of their comfort zones.

Late in the making of Young@Heart, two members, Bob Salvini and Joe Benoit, died within a week of each other. Although neither death comes as a surprise, it is to the group's credit that they understand that performing is a way to honor their comrades.

Dylan Thomas wrote: 'Do not go gently into that good night...Rage against the dying of the light.' The members of Young@Heart have taken that to heart and they celebrate living with their music. If you don't mind laughing and crying at the same time, you'll love this film. (4/11/08)

Shine a Light - 3 smiles

About two-thirds of the way through “Shine a Light,” a documentary about a 2006 Rolling Stones two-night concert, director Martin Scorcese includes a clip from a 1972 Dick Cavett/Mick Jagger interview. In it, Cavett asks a very young Jagger if he could picture himself at 60 doing the same thing and Jagger responds, “Yeah, easily.” The Rolling Stones, although noticeably aging, are as energetic as ever and the 18 cameras Scorcese uses captures more than you could possibly see if you had attended the concert in person. Jagger struts, prances, wiggles his hips, and revels in the music as guitarists Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood and drummer Charlie Watts interact in the background. And the tight editing conveys a sense of vitality, power, and showmanship that marks truly exceptional entertainment.

The program consists of some Stones classics, like “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Start Me Up” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” and other songs: “Shattered,” “Some Girls,” “Tumbling Dice” and “As Tears Go By,” a 1964 Marianne Faithfull hit. Three special guests who sing with Jagger include Jack White (“Loving Cup”), Christina Aguilera (“Live With Me”), and blues guitarist and singer Buddy Guy (“Champagne and Reefer”). Bill Clinton is on hand to introduce the Stones as performers for his 60th birthday celebration.

Scorcese doesn’t provide a lot of ‘how they got started’ information; he obviously wants you to enjoy the show. And enjoy it you will. (4/5/08)

Leatherheads - 3 smiles

“Leatherheads” is a pleasant enough movie, an old-fashioned battle of the sexes that is reminiscent of 1940s Hollywood romantic comedies. The dialogue in particular is witty, delivered in a fashion that requires perfect timing and this verbal repartee between George Clooney and Renée Zellweger generates a lot of chuckles.

In 1925, professional football has not become the big money franchise that it is today. It was played in aging stadiums on torn up fields by men who loved the game. In an effort to keep his team, the Duluth Bulldogs, from going bankrupt, Dodge Connelly (Clooney) proposes to recruit college football star Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski), who is also a decorated war hero. Dodge negotiates with Carter’s agent C.C. Frazier (Jonathan Pryce) for $10,000 a game. Suddenly pro football becomes the hottest ticket in town and front-page news. Lexie Littleton (Zellweger) is sent by her newspaper to uncover the truth about Rutherforld’s WWI exploits. She and Dodge clash at their first meeting, but it is obvious that they are attracted to each other.

“Leatherheads” touches on two issues: the importance of having heroes even if they haven’t done anything particularly heroic and the impact of big money on the sport of football. Dodge represents the freewheeling days when football had very few rules and the game was fun. Rutherford, the serious professional, represents the future.

Clooney and Zellweger play off of each other in well-choreographed feints and their banter is a pleasure to watch. However, the last third of the movie runs a little too long. Nonetheless, “Leatherheads” retains its breezy charm and it’s worth seeing. (4/6/08)

Nim's Island - 3 smiles

“Nim’s Island” is about the journey three people take to find each other although much of the story’s narrative time is spent with Nim (Abigail Breslin). There’s plenty of humor, some action, and a lot of escapist pleasure. From Nim’s perspective, living on an island provides all kinds of fun and adventure: having resourceful pets that include a clever sea lion, an intelligent pelican and an expressive lizard, learning from her scientist father, mother nature and books, meeting her favorite author, and even rescuing her island from trespassers. But when her father is lost at sea, she turns to Alex Rover for help. For Alexandra Rover (Jodie Foster), Nim’s island represents the greatest challenge of her life. You see, Alex writes adventure stories and her hero, who is named Alex Rover, is much like Indiana Jones. Unfortunately, Alex the writer has agoraphobia and hasn’t been out of her San Francisco apartment in 16 weeks. Encouraged by her alter ego, the fictional Alex (Gerard Butler), Alex sets out to find and help the little girl she met via email. For Jack (also Gerard Butler), Nim’s father, getting lost at sea was not part of the plan when he set off on a plankton-finding mission. Unfortunately a storm threatens to prevent his return to Nim.

Breslin is full of self-confidence and resourcefulness and she gets to spend a good portion of her screen time setting up “Home Alone”-type booby traps to ward off a shipload of Australian tourists. She has a lot of charisma and you have to hope that young girls will identify with her courage and ingenuity. Foster’s character is involved with more slapstick than her fans might like, especially when you think about her role in “The Brave One.” Nonetheless, she proves to be versatile enough to pull it off. Butler is charming as Alex Rover, the explorer, and as Jack, his loving relationship with Nim is firmly established.

The most important thing that “Nim’s Island” demonstrates is that women are capable of taking care of themselves. Nim proves that she can fix the electricity, climb a volcano, and use a tool kit like any boy and Alexandra becomes an adventurer, just like the one she writes about. (4/4/08)

Snow Angeles - 1 smile

The only reason you might see “Snow Angels” is if you want to see Kate Beckinsale act in a serious drama or if you are a Sam Rockwell fan. Otherwise, this gloomy film has nothing to recommend it.

Annie (Beckinsale) works as a waitress in a Chinese restaurant. She has a daughter and is separated from her husband, Glenn (Sam Rockwell), who, along with being an alcoholic, has tried to commit suicide. He has also found Jesus, but that has not been a positive influence on him. Annie is having an affair with her best friend’s husband, which serves to further upset Glenn. Also working at the restaurant is high school student Arthur (Michael Angarano), whose parents are separating. Arthur is oblivious to the subtle signs that a new student at his school, Lila (Olivia Thirlby, likes him. When tragedy strikes, all of these people will be impacted.

The people in this narrative are dysfunctional except the teenagers. Unfortunately, director David Gordon Green doesn’t spend enough time with them. And Green uses the monochromatic tones of winter to enhance the depressing atmosphere that pervades the film. He also includes a second ending that makes no sense other than he wanted to conclude with major violence. Dismal, discouraging, miserable, sad, disappointing – these are words that describe “Snow Angels.” Why would you want to waste your time? (3/30/08)

Stop-Loss - 2 smiles

The box office failure of movies about the Iraq War should tell us something about the movie-going public: for whatever reason, they are not interested, especially if, like “Lions for Lambs,” they are too preachy. “Stop-Loss” tends to hit you over the head with the obvious – (1) if our young men don’t die, they are still damaged, emotionally and physically; (2) the government is devious because the stop-loss clause in soldiers’ military contracts is not fair; (3) war is hell.

The movie opens in Iraq. A group of soldiers, led by Brandon King (Ryan Phillippe) is lured into an ambush by terrorists. The ensuing shoot-out results in the loss of some of his men and the deaths of not only the terrorists but Iraqi civilians as well. The sense of menace and imminent death hangs heavy over this effective series of events. A few weeks later, Brandon and his best friend Steve (Channing Tatum), their tours of duty completed, are welcomed by their small Texas hometown. Against Michelle (Abbie Cornish), his fiancée’s wishes, Steve re-enlists so he can attend sniper school. Brandon discovers that his discharge has been cancelled and he has been stop-lossed. He is expected to report for duty as soon as his leave is over. Enraged, Brandon goes AWOL and, in Michelle’s company, hits the road to find a solution.

It is a rare director who can juggle both the message and the story and combine them into a cohesive whole. Unfortunately, director Kimberly Peirce (“Boys Don’t Cry”) isn’t one of them. There’s not much point to the road trip because it resolves nothing. And the simmering chemistry between Michelle and Brandon goes nowhere. Phillippe does an adequate job as Brandon, but it is the limitations of the script that prevent us from knowing him better and seeing him as a tragic figure. And the ending is as improbable as it is unexpected. The anti-war message is strong and clear. Too bad “Stop-Loss” has nothing more to offer. (3/31/08)