Where does genius end and madness begin? It is certainly a fine line and one that may not have a clear definition. The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson has toed that line for his entire life. The examination of that line is what drives LOVE & MERCY. The brilliant script by Oren Moverman (I'M NOT THERE) … Continue reading LOVE & MERCY
Month: June 2015
JURASSIC WORLD
I liked it better the first time, when it was called DAY OF THE DOLPHIN. Seriously, it’s a tentpole, nothing more. Uninspired product you’ve already seen, right down to the fight sequences (humans imperiled by dinosaurs who at the very last second are eaten by larger dinosaurs) and the scares (the old monster’s-face-inches-away bit). There’s … Continue reading JURASSIC WORLD
INSIDE OUT
When Pixar was at its peak, movies like Toy Story and Finding Nemo both entertained and tugged at the heartstrings. In recent years, with the exception of the first 15 minutes of Up, the last few have been fun, but not really moving. Well guess what? Inside Out is Pixar at its best. A not … Continue reading INSIDE OUT
A DEADLY ADOPTION
A fat fizzle whose idea seemed better (in our eager anticipation, thanks to a crafty, if not deceptive, marketing campaign) than what got made. But what was the idea? The casting yells comedy. In fact, it's listed as (Comedy) in Time-Warner Cable’s online show description. But the joke… is that they’re playing it straight. Meta … Continue reading A DEADLY ADOPTION
SPY
You’ve gotta me kidding me. This is the “laugh riot” everyone is raving about? The jokes are as bland and generic as the title in this middling Melissa McCarthy vehicle. A few hours after seeing it I can remember only one witty line (at the very end, referencing Phantom of the Opera), one action sequence … Continue reading SPY
SPY
I loved The Heat. I loved Identity Thief. I loved Bridesmaids. Why did this Spy leave me out in the cold? A surprising misfire from Melissa McCarthy and Paul Feig...this comedy is short on laughs and looooooong on action sequences that seemed to belong in another movie. I think the biggest problem is that McCarthy's … Continue reading SPY
SPY
Melissa McCarthy and Paul Feig. Sometimes a director just knows how to bring out the best in an actor. For the old-timers, think John Ford and John Wayne. Or maybe Martin Scorcese and Robert DeNiro. For comedy, Put McCarthy and Feig in that category. First with BRIDESMAIDS, then with THE HEAT, the two have a … Continue reading SPY
Hollywood and whine 