Movies with Abe

Movie with Abe: The Five-Year Engagement

2012-05-18T12:00:00.000-04:00

The Five-Year Engagement
Directed by Nicholas Stoller
Released April 27, 2012

So many comedies are about relationships. There are different stages within a relationship, all of which are ripe for jokes and entertaining plots, not the least of which is the transition from dating to marriage. In the last collaboration between writer-actor Jason Segel and director Nicholas Stoller, “Forgetting Sarah Marhall,” Segel’s character faced a breakup almost from the start, struggling for the length of the film to get over his ex while she turned out to be rather present in his daily life. This time, Segel found the perfect woman and didn’t let her go, but, as always seems to be the case, especially in movies, getting hitched isn’t as simple as it seems.

Segel proved himself enormously capable of taking on a lead role in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Here, as Tom, he’s less energetic and more of a straight man, reacting more calmly to most things and playing the jokes smaller. He’s paired with a lovely leading lady, the wonderful Emily Blunt, who has established herself as enormously capable in a variety of genres over the last decade. As Violet, Blunt is charismatic and likeable, and the two make a terrific duo, extremely knowledgeable at how best to play off each other for the greatest possible effect.

Like all such films, there’s a reliable ensemble behind the stars. This movie draws particularly from the NBC TV comedy world, poaching Chris Pratt from “Parks & Recreation,” Alison Brie from “Community,” and Mindy Kaling from “The Office” to add laughs in their supporting roles. Rhys Ifans also takes on a less comic part and serves as a crucial part of the film’s plot as Violet’s professor. While some characters are definitely extravagant, none are too over-the-top to be excessively distracting. Pratt and Brie make an extremely entertaining duo as Tom’s best friend and Violet’s sister, respectively.

Like “Wedding Crashers” and “Knocked Up” before it, “The Five-Year Engagement” has an above-average running time for a comedy, clocking in at two hours and four minutes. Yet it doesn’t feel overlong, incorporating plenty of plot developments and character transformations as its two protagonists experience highs and lows. It’s not excessively inappropriate or exceptionally clever, instead presenting a rather straightforward, perfectly enjoyable, decently dramatic and enthralling story filled with rich characters and amusing writing. Its many ups and downs feature just one truly lamentable stretch – in which Tom boasts unbelievably unfortunate facial hair – and the film manages, more often than not, to get itself back on track when it starts to derail. Throughout the film, Tom and Violet are more than likeable, and it’s hard not to enjoy seeing their relationship develop.

B+

Thursday Triple Features

2012-05-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe, Thursday Triple Features. Throughout college, I would often head to the movies for three films in a row on a Friday or Sunday, and I’m excited to recall some of my most memorable experiences. I don’t necessarily advocate that you try this at home, but I’ll explore that as well.

My tenth triple feature experience, I’m sad to say, came over a year after my ninth. That’s what graduating from college and getting a full-time job will do to you. Like the two before it, this was also a trio of press screenings. Most interesting about it was the fact that there were two R-rated features, and the other was rated G. These three films couldn’t have been made for more different audiences, yet I got the unique opportunity to process them all together.

July 6, 2011 Movie #1: A Good Old Fashioned Orgy
Theatre: Magno Review 1
Time of Day: 2:00pm
Runtime: 95 minutes
My experience seeing this film was inarguably and unfavorably influenced by having seen the very funny “Horrible Bosses” the night beforehand. This film is actually fairly well-done, and contains a number of humorous scenes. It’s not as flat-out hilarious as it should be, yet it does make good use of its ensemble and probably deserves a second look.

Movie #2: Winnie the Pooh
Theatre: Disney Screening Room
Time of Day: 6:30pm
Runtime: 68 minutes
It’s almost impossible not to love Winnie the Pooh, and this new take on the classic character was quite warm and familiar. Clocking in at just over an hour, this film managed to revisit a beloved personality with a light yet perfectly amusing tale of his latest search for honey with the best of friends.

Movie #3: The Future
Theatre: Broadway Screening Room
Time of Day: 8:00pm
Runtime: 91 minutes
This off-kilter comedic drama looked terrific, and Miranda July proved herself as a director, writer, and actress in “Me and You and Everyone We Know.” This entry, however, was extraordinarily intriguing but not nearly as fulfilling, containing glimmers of glory but never quite reaching its full potential as a quirky independent experimental film.

The review: A decent and unobjectionable slate of films.
The grades: B, B+, C+
A good lineup? I never would have chosen it had the screening times not been offered, but these three films were all relatively smile-inducing, which made them enjoyable even if two of them weren’t as satisfying as I might have hoped.

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: First Five Forgotten in 2002

2012-05-16T12:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome back to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The First Five Forgotten is the sixth in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, or further, in the case of this specific series, not to be confused with my first series, the Forgotten Five, which looked at the five films that came closest to getting nominated for Best Picture and ended up getting shut out entirely.

As Oscar season goes into hibernation for more than half the year, it’s a time to take a look back at past races. This time, I’ll be spotlighting the five performers that came closest to earning their first Oscar nominations and then ended up getting snubbed, in alphabetical order. If you feel I’ve left anyone off, please say so in the comments!

First Five Forgotten in 2002

Richard Gere (Chicago): The two-time Golden Globe nominee won his first trophy on the third try with his song and dance performance a famed lawyer Billy Flynn in the eventual Oscar winner for Best Picture. He got a SAG nod too but ended up sixth on the slate when he lost out to veteran Oscar nominee and two-time winner Michael Caine for his more traditional dramatic performance. This was probably the closest he ever got to Oscar, and if he couldn’t get nominated for this, I don’t know if he’ll ever be.

Ray Liotta (Narc): This excitable 80s and 90s film star returned with a vengeance as an allegedly dirty cop, buttoned up under a coat, extra pounds, and a gray beard. It’s the kind of transformation that usually means Oscar attention, but this crime thriller was likely too dark for voters. Liotta was excellent in this role, but most would probably cite it as his strongest performance, not likely to be repeated.

Alfred Molina (Frida):
This British character actor got his first solo awards attention for playing the famous female painter’s husband. Molina netted a SAG nod, a BAFTA nod, and more, but only Hayek and the film’s visual and audial elements made it all the way to Oscar. Molina came close to Oscar again in 2009 with “An Education,” and he’s had no shortage of roles since, including playing Dr. Octopus in “Spider-Man 2.”

Dennis Quaid (Far From Heaven): If there was one lock for an Oscar nomination in 2002, it was Quaid, for his performance as a closeted gay husband in Todd Haynes’ gorgeous period drama. His snub allowed for Golden Globe and SAG lists to be merged, but his career best performance went unrecognized in a year when he also earned rave reviews for his lead role in “The Rookie.” Quaid did score a slew of nominations for his performance as Bill Clinton in the TV movie “The Special Relationship,” and continues to make occasionally good films.

Adam Sandler (Punch-Drunk Love): This comedian got serious to star in Paul Thomas Anderson’s quiet drama. Anderson’s two previous films and his subsequent film all netted plenty of Oscar nominations, but not this one. It did get Sandler his first Golden Globe nod in the comedy category, proving that, though he doesn’t often shoot for it, he can turn off his goofy side if need be. His successive dramatic effort, “Reign Over Me,” didn’t quite click, and now he’s back to full-on comedy.

Tuesday’s Top Trailer: Gangster Squad

2012-05-15T12:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Tuesday's Top Trailer. One of my favorite parts about going to see movies is the series of trailers that airs beforehand and, more often than not, the trailer is far better than the actual film. Each week, I'll be sharing a trailer I've recently seen. Please chime in with comments on what you think of the trailer and how you think the movie is going to be.

Gangster Squad – Opening September 7, 2012

This period drama, which comes from the director of “Zombieland” and “30 Minutes or Less,” is chock full of stars, and as long as it’s not like a certain 2006 ensemble period drama starring Sean Penn, it should be a roaring success. Penn is hamming it up as big-time gangster Mickey Cohen, but Penn does that a lot, and it usually pans out. I imagine most are intrigued to see Ryan Gosling embody yet another sly assassin, this time with the full force of the law behind him as a member of Josh Brolin’s secret death squad, whose ranks also include Anthony Mackie of “The Hurt Locker” and Giovanni Ribisi. Nick Nolte actually looks enthusiastic as the commissioner of said task force, and Emma Stone once again gets the chance to flirt with Gosling as Mickey’s girl. This film has all the makings of a hit, and could be really exciting if everything works out well. Its Los Angeles setting is definitely a plus, and it’s going to be fun to see these actors working hard to play stereotypical characters with an atypical mission. That scene in which the squad blasts through a movie screen is particularly appealing, and hopefully this film will deliver.

Monday Sequel Spotlight: Rush Hour 2

2012-05-14T12:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. In this series, I’ll be taking a look at some famous (and infamous) sequels to see how they compare to the original. I'll do my best to alternate between the greats and the best forgotten. Leave your thoughts or a suggestion for a spotlight in the comments!

Rush Hour 2
Directed by Brett Ratner
Released August 3, 2001

I just had to feature this film since I mentioned it in my post about “X-Men: The Last Stand,” which was also directed by Brett Ratner, last week. This is one sequel that represents a fine-tuning of the themes and jokes presented in the first film, proving that some films do deserve a sequel since they can make an equally good, if not better, film. This is almost inarguably Chris Tucker’s best performance (I say that since he’s appeared in fewer than a dozen films and I’ve seen only a few of them), and his mispronunciation of gefilte fish in the bloopers reel at the end of the film still makes me laugh. Jackie Chan was also at his best trying hard to speak English and showing that he’s enormously capable of excellent martial arts. The Triad gang plotline worked well, but this is really about the comedy and the action, two things that blend incredibly well in this terrific film. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the final film in the series produced. The third installment, released in 2007, didn’t have the same spark, and it seems like a five-year recess resulted in the lost of the chemistry between its leads and its effectiveness as both a comedy and an action film. That doesn’t diminish the strength of the second film, definitely one of the funniest comedies of 2001.

Sunday Similar Standards: Michelle Williams

2012-05-13T12:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a new semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Michelle Williams

This former “Dawson’s Creek” actress has earned Oscar nominations for Best Actress twice in a row, and while she definitely has talent, most of her characters have much in common. Whether she’s playing someone famous or a nobody with few friends, don’t expect her to be too happy, since she’s likely displeased with her choice in man or otherwise lacking a connection to society around her, yearning for something different. That’s a key job description for an Oscar nominee, so expect her to earn more nominations in the future.

The Station Agent (2003): She was an unhappy librarian looking for people to treat her better in this independent gem.

The United States of Leland (2004): She was a devastated sister of a murdered mentally challenged brother in this terrific and powerful film.

Brokeback Mountain (2005): She was a participant in a loveless marriage who always resented her husband for being gay.

Wendy and Lucy (2008): She was a woman wandering around with her dog, less than capable of making human connections.

Shutter Island (2010): She was the silent, non-communicative mother haunting Leonardo DiCaprio’s dreams in this frightening thriller.

Blue Valentine (2010): She was the long-suffering wife whose dream guy didn’t turn out to be nearly as charming as he initially seemed.

My Week with Marilyn (2011): She was the biggest star in the country, Marilyn Monroe, whose great fame couldn’t make up for her incredible loneliness.

Take This Waltz (2012): She was a young wife unfulfilled by her life and tempted by her extremely kind and enticing neighbor in this Tribeca entry slated for theatrical release in June.

Anything different?

Not just yet.

What’s next?

Playing Glinda in Disney’s “Wizard of Oz” prequel due next March.

The verdict?

She’s clearly skilled at playing this particular type of character, but her movies can feel awfully lonely and depressing as a result.

Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

2012-05-12T21:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. I'm going to be providing a handy guide to a few choice movies currently playing in NYC as well as several films newly released on DVD. I’ll also aim to comment on those films I have not yet had the chance to see, and I invite you to add in your thoughts on any films I haven’t seen in the comments below. Understandably, some weeks will have considerably fewer releases to address than others.

Now Playing in NYC

The only notable film out this week is Dark Shadows, which I’m not rushing to see but could see being decent.

New to DVD

Nothing to report this week!

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

After a slew of releases last week, there’s just one that I have to comment on this week. Refer to previous editions of Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe for more options.

Ajami (recommended): This 2009 nominee for Best Foreign Film is Israel’s least impressive entry from the past couple of years, but it’s still a strong if somewhat jumbled portrayal of multicultural Jaffa, featuring standout performances from non-professionals actors.

Movie with Abe: The Avengers

2012-05-11T12:00:00.000-04:00

The Avengers
Directed by Joss Whedon
Released May 4, 2012

Combining six superheroes from four film franchises is no easy task. Films like this often fail to stand on their own, presuming that audiences have had the opportunity to see all of the previous films in the expanded series. The flip side to that coin is an overlong exposition, in which every character needs to be reintroduced again, for those viewers unfamiliar with their back stories. Fortunately, “The Avengers” fills in the necessary gaps with short and formidable entrances for each one of its protagonists, detailing their powers and purposes and preparing them for a monumental intergalactic fight.

Like many Marvel movies before it, “The Avengers” is highly defined by comedy. The egotistical Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), also known as Iron Man, doesn’t play well with others, but finds himself in awe of genius Dr. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), though he’s not against prodding him to try to get him to shift into the Hulk. Most modern-day references are lost on frozen World War II hero Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), or Captain America, though he at least understands a joke about “The Wizard of Oz” that’s entirely alien to Thor (Chris Hemsworth), himself a god from another dimension. Russian assassin Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), or Black Widow, and Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner), or Hawkeye, round out the cast, each given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, and their sarcasm, without the benefit of a previous film dedicated solely to each of them. Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury also gets a handful of signature lines.

Featuring six protagonists means that there’s always a lot going on, and the instances of infighting, most of which involve the pretentious Stark, help to define these heroes. Tom Hiddleston’s Loki returns from “Thor” to threaten the fate of humanity, and, though he has a flair for drama, he’s most efficient when he sits back and lets the Avengers tear each other apart. Choosing just one villain, and his frightening alien army, makes it more possible to flesh out the strengths and weaknesses of the good guys, and it’s all but guaranteed that a sequel will give them another chance to fight evil.

“The Avengers” is at its best when it’s in full-blown action mode, involving every one of its characters in battle and showing off just what they can do. The story presumes that Loki’s alien army would attack only midtown Manhattan, leaving the heroes to aim to save individual human lives in the midst of mass destruction reigning down upon them. Though it seems less than genuine at first, it ultimately works out, as the heroes, especially Captain America and Iron Man, are easy to root for, making their near-misses and eventual successes all the more exciting. Even if it’s not a perfect film, it’s better that it leave something to be desired, so that the sequel(s) can come back and revisit this truly cool and incomparable team.

B+

Thursday Triple Features

2012-05-10T12:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe, Thursday Triple Features. Throughout college, I would often head to the movies for three films in a row on a Friday or Sunday, and I’m excited to recall some of my most memorable experiences. I don’t necessarily advocate that you try this at home, but I’ll explore that as well.

My ninth triple feature experience, the second featuring all press screenings, came less than one week after my previous one of that sort. Looking back on it, it’s probable that people have only heard of one of the films (“Please Give”), and most probably don’t even know that one. The random scheduling of these press screenings is really the only thing that led to me pairing these particular films up.

April 6, 2010 Movie #1: After.Life
Theatre: Magno Review 1
Time of Day: 12:00pm
Runtime: 104 minutes
This awful drama about a woman (Christina Ricci) kept conscious by a sadistic mortician (Liam Neeson) after her death was entirely stupid and devoid of coherent moments. Ricci was impossibly lost in a poorly-written part, and not even Neeson could save this miserably boring thriller.

Movie #2: Please Give
Theatre: Sony Screening Room
Time of Day: 4:00pm
Runtime: 90 minutes
This quirky dramedy had an awesome cast, featuring Rebecca Hall and Amanda Peet as sisters, and Catherine Keener, Oliver Platt, Sarah Steele, and 81-year-old Ann Guilbert in the ensemble. Its multigenerational talent was well-utilized with a clever script and some truly biting dialogue.

Movie #3: The Joneses
Theatre: Magno Review 2
Time of Day: 6:00pm
Runtime: 95 minutes
This inventive comedy took selling a lifestyle to a whole new level, crafting a ready-made family of salesmen from Demi Moore, David Duchovny, Amber Heard, and Ben Hollingsworth. The movie didn’t stir up much buzz, but it was enjoyable, entertaining, and impressively creative.

The review: The first was awful, but I quite enjoyed the other two.
The grades: F, B+, B+
A good lineup? Sure. I wouldn’t wish the first film upon anyone, but the other two went well together since they both utilized eclectic ensembles and were relatively light in tone.

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: First Five Forgotten of 2003

2012-05-09T12:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome back to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The First Five Forgotten is the sixth in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed, not to be confused with my first series, the Forgotten Five, which looked at the five films that came closest to getting nominated for Best Picture and ended up getting shut out entirely.

As Oscar season goes into hibernation for more than half the year, it’s a time to take a look back at past races. This time, I’ll be spotlighting the five performers that came closest to earning their first Oscar nominations and then ended up getting snubbed, in alphabetical order. If you feel I’ve left anyone off, please say so in the comments!

First Five Forgotten in 2003

Maria Bello (The Cooler): The former star of “ER” got Golden Globe and SAG nominations for her performance as the woman that made William H. Macy’s luck turn around, and she seemed a sure thing until a veteran heavy hitter and another newbie stole her slot on nominations day, leaving Alec Baldwin as the sole representative of her film. She earned another Globe nod for “A History of Violence” and is likely to brush with Oscar again someday.

Paddy Considine (In America): This British actor came close to an Oscar nod for Best Actor when his two adult costars, Samantha Morton and Djimon Hounsou, managed surprise bids on nominations day. Unfortunately, Considine’s devoted father was left out, but he’s now doing quite well for himself, earning prizes for stepping behind the camera as a director.

Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent): This little independent film had a hugely unexpected showing at the SAG awards with three nominations, and Dinklage seemed primed to upset the Best Actor race, as is usually the case with late-breaking SAG inclusions. Ultimately, the film was entirely shut out, but Dinklage now stars on HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” for which he won an Emmy this past year and is likely to win again.

Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation): With only “The Horse Whisperer,” “Ghost World,” and a few other films under her belt, the nineteen-year-old charmed with her breakout turn as Bill Murray’s muse in Japan. He scored his first Oscar nod, but she had to stay content with a Golden Globe since she’s not everyone’s cup of tea and some may not have felt her performance was terribly demanding. She’s not quite Oscar-bound these days, but she does have a great career ahead of her.

Evan Rachel Wood (Thirteen): At age sixteen, Wood delivered an astounding performance as an out-of-control teenager that earned her both Golden Globe and SAG nods. She was ultimately snubbed in favor of a surprise nominee and another young actress, while veteran actress Holly Hunter scored a supporting nod for the same film. Being considered a costar with the also excellent Nikki Reed probably didn’t help, and Wood has done somewhat well to show that she has great ability, most evident in her recent performances in “The Ides of March” and the miniseries “Mildred Pierce.”

Tuesday’s Top Trailer: Virginia

2012-05-08T12:00:00.000-04:00

Jennifer Connelly has been looking for a great film role since she won an Oscar in 2001 for her astounding performance in “A Beautiful Mind,” one of my personal favorite films. In the time since, she has appeared in three films that attracted Oscar attention for others – “House of Sand and Fog,” “Little Children,” and “Blood Diamond” – but didn’t capture any of that buzz for herself. The trailer for this highly irreverent film worries me slightly because of her participation in a somewhat similar film from last year, “Salvation Boulevard,” an over-the-top religious parody. This film seems much more focused on this lead character of Virginia, whose energetic desire to find about Mormonism absolving her sins is merely part of what makes her a compelling protagonist and not her sole defining trait. I love that she’s being paired back up with Ed Harris, her costar from “A Beautiful Mind,” and he’s another actor, who also appeared in “Salvation Boulevard,” is search of a great role after a prolific period about a decade ago. Emma Roberts, Carrie Preston, and Toby Jones are in the supporting cast, which should help make this film even more nutty. Hopefully it will find itself more tailored to strict comedy than outright foolishness, and this film, written and directed by Dustin Lance Black, the Oscar-winning writer of “Milk,” should be a lot of fun.

Monday Sequel Spotlight: X-Men: The Last Stand

2012-05-07T12:00:00.000-04:00

X-Men: The Last Stand
Directed by Brett Ratner
Released May 26, 2006

For some reason, the third installment of a trilogy always seems to be either the best or the worst of the bunch. In the most ideal scenario, the third film amplifies what worked about the first two and utilizes it to deliver a strong finish, and in the least ideal, it manages to lose sight of what was so great about the first two and produce an underwhelming, disappointing experience. After the terrific “X2: X-Men United” followed up “X-Men,” this franchise lost director Bryan Singer, who coincidentally went over to helm a lackluster Superman sequel, and replaced him with Brett Ratner, who, despite success like the first two “Rush Hour” films and the fantastic “Red Dragon,” wasn’t nearly as capable. Something about it just didn’t click, and its events were rather tiring instead of exciting, as had been the case with the first two films. None of the new characters were terribly worthwhile, and the film wasn’t nearly as effective. Portraying a mutant-on-mutant battle and Dark Phoenix should have been much cooler. It’s not a good sign if it takes just five years for the franchise to be rebooted, though I have many more problems with that remake since it is much less faithful to the original comic book series. Simply put, if you want to see the X-Men on film, watch the 2000 and 2002 films and then stop. This third film and its successive remake aren’t bad films by any means; they’re just nowhere near as good.

Broadway with Abe: Memphis

2012-05-06T12:00:00.000-04:00

It’s not often that, amid all the movies and TV, I have the opportunity to see a Broadway show. I had that very rare chance this past Thursday night, as I saw the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical “Memphis.” This energetic play starts off with fantastic music and a whole lot of spirit, as the naïve and wacky Huey Calhoun wanders into an African-American bar in Memphis and begins breaking down racial barriers one awkward hillbilly comment at a time. Adam Pascal is a fantastic lead as the energetic and truly odd Huey, and he’s well-matched by the lovely Montego Glover as the object of his affection with quite the set of pipes, Felicia Boswell. James Monroe Iglehart steals every scene he’s in as Bobby, a janitor turned performer with superb dancing abilities. The music is fun and the story is great too, and this show never loses its rhythm for a minute.

Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

2012-05-05T21:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. I'm going to be providing a handy guide to a few choice movies currently playing in NYC as well as several films newly released on DVD. I’ll also aim to comment on those films I have not yet had the chance to see, and I invite you to add in your thoughts on any films I haven’t seen in the comments below. Understandably, some weeks will have considerably fewer releases to address than others.

Now Playing in NYC

Sad to say, after a productive week with four new films last Friday, I haven’t seen a single new release from this week. I really want to see The Avengers, and I hope to do soon sometime this coming week. That’s about it.

New to DVD

New Year’s Eve (mixed bag): I didn’t classify this one under “anti-recommended” merely because anyone who watches the trailer knows exactly what to expect. It’s not nearly as unbearable as it could have been, and a step up from “Valentine’s Day,” but that’s about it. Hardly the best romance blockbuster I’ve ever seen.

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Adaptation (highly recommended): This 2002 comedy about a screenwriter writing himself into his screenplay is exceptionally brilliant, featuring a superb dual performance from Nicolas Cage and a career-defining Oscar-winning performance from Chris Cooper

Analyze This (recommended): This amusing 1999 mob parody is clever and entertaining than to funny performances from Robert DeNiro as a gangster and Billy Crystal as his therapist..

Big Daddy (recommended): This Razzie award-winning film doesn’t get much credit, but it’s actually quite hilarious, and features Adam Sandler in the kind of role he was born to play, not trying too hard and not failing too miserably either.

Big Night (highly recommended): This food movie is delightfully appetizing and entertaining, featuring superb performances from Tony Shalhoub and Stanley Tucci as Italian restaurant owners preparing for their biggest and most important night yet.

Cruel Intentions (mixed bag): This 1999 take on “Dangerous Liaisons” is so bad it’s good, with Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Selma Blair, and Reese Witherspoon starring in a campy tale of seduction and betrayal.

Griff the Invisible (highly recommended): This superhero film is the exact opposite of what “Super” was and does a marvelous job crafting a fun movie about a delusional man who thinks he’s a superhero. Ryan Kwanten from “True Blood” and Maeve Dermody turn in magnificently charming performances.

Hannibal (mixed bag): This sequel to “The Silence of the Lambs” has its hypnotic moments, and Anthony Hopkins is operating at full capacity, but it doesn’t manage to capture the feel and awesomeness of the first film or the subsequent prequel “Red Dragon.” Some would say that has to do with the absence of Jodie Foster, but the film has other problems.

Letters from Iwo Jima (recommended): This 2006 Best Picture nominee is the more somber of Clint Eastwood’s back-to-back productions about World War II, shot almost entirely in Japanese and featuring a powerhouse central performance from Ken Watanabe. It’s an effective, moving, and honest war film.

Meet Joe Black (recommended): This 1998 fantasy film presents Brad Pitt as a humanized version of Death, being led around the world by Anthony Hopkins. It’s a dramatic, slightly overlong (just around three hours), thought-provoking experience.

Mr. Nice (recommended): This light-hearted drama is a caper film about a real-life drug smuggler who got away with a whole lot. Rhys Ifans is fun in the lead role, but mainly it’s just a great story that does get a little silly sometimes but ultimately entertains.

My Best Friend’s Wedding (recommended): This 1997 romantic comedy classic is one of the definitive Julia Roberts movies, in which she pursues her best friend upon his engagement. Rupert Everett steals most of the spotlight as her gay other best friend, but the whole cast contributes to this endearing comedy.

Of Mice and Men (recommended): The 1992 adaptation of the John Steinbeck novel features strong performances from Gary Sinise and John Malkovich in a compelling retelling of a classic story.

Starship Troopers (anti-recommended): This film is almost so bad it’s good, but it’s really just bad. Fighting giant alien bugs makes for great fun, especially when the actors - Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, and others - are annoying, but this film is just hopeless in so many ways.

Trucker (recommended): This relatively unknown independent film is a strong showcase of star Michelle Monaghan as a truck driver who finds out she has a son, and includes great supporting performances from Nathan Fillion and Jimmy Bennett as her son.

What Doesn’t Kill You (anti-recommended): This rip-off of “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” is a mob movie that’s trying too hard, and focuses much more on trying to put on Boston accents than anything else.

Friday For Your Consideration: Headhunters

2012-05-04T12:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a special edition of a seasonal weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Friday For Your Consideration. As every year nears to a close, there are a number of actors and films nominated for Golden Globes, Oscars, and countless other awards. There are so many spots and there are so many deserving contenders, yet some inevitably get left out. This week, I’d like to spotlight a film being released last week that is sure to be forgotten by the end of 2012.

Headhunters

Why it deserves it: With up to ten films in the running over the past few years, it makes sense that a foreign import or two might have a legitimate shot at cracking the Best Picture list. This Norwegian thriller is just the film that deserves to be remembered as one of the strongest movies of the year, combining all of its elements to create a well-rounded and exceptional film.

Standout scene: It’s hard to pick one without giving anything away, since the film contains so many unexpected twists, but a great scene comes early in the film when Roger completely deconstructs the latest applicant for a job, following up his skewering interview by robbing the man of an expensive piece of art.

Why it won’t get it? Firstly, premiering in April doesn’t help its case since plenty of memorable films will be bunched up at the end of the year. More crucially, if something like “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” couldn’t crack the list, then there’s not much chance for this one. Only English-language international fare like “District 9” has managed it in the recent past, and it will be hard, if not impossible, for this film to break that barrier.

Thursday Triple Features

2012-05-03T12:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe, Thursday Triple Features. Throughout college, I would often head to the movies for three films in a row on a Friday or Sunday, and I’m excited to recall some of my most memorable experiences. I don’t necessarily advocate that you try this at home, but I’ll explore that as well.

My eighth triple feature experience was groundbreaking for two reasons: it was my first press screening extravaganza (though another critic managed to see five films on that same day), and I almost missed the entire thing due to some extensive flooding in Rhode Island that nearly kept me in Massachusetts following a Passover seder. Fortunately, it all worked out, and I had a chance to see this eclectic trio of films with which most are unfamiliar.

April 1, 2010 Movie #1: Paper Man
Theatre: Broadway Screening Room
Time of Day: 3:00pm
Runtime: 110 minutes
This comedic drama follows Jeff Daniels as an author experiencing writers’ block in a remote Long Island cabin, interacting only with a spunky young girl played by Emma Stone and his imaginary protagonist, Captain Awesome, played by Ryan Reynolds. It’s a fun if not entirely memorable riff on literature and loneliness.

Movie #2: When You’re Strange
Theatre: Magno Review 1
Time of Day: 6:00pm
Runtime: 89 minutes
This documentary about the Doors was especially interesting to this reviewer entirely unfamiliar with the band, providing an in-depth look at its members and the many events that came to define them. Two years later, it’s hard to recall its details, but, at the time, it was engaging and informative.

Movie #3: Micmacs
Theatre: Sony Screening Room
Time of Day: 8:00pm
Runtime: 104 minutes
This wonderful French film is the most recent movie from director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, following “Amelie” and “A Very Long Engagement.” It was one of my favorite films of 2010, featuring a delightful ensemble in a thoroughly original, creative, and eye-popping cinematic experience.

The review: All good choices, actually, even if I don’t remember the first two as strongly as I do the third.
The grades: B+, B+, A-
A good lineup? Yes. All were relatively light and the themes were different, going from drama to documentary to fantasy (sort of). Not three films I would have though to combine, but an effective set nonetheless.

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: First Five Forgotten in 2004

2012-05-02T12:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome back to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The First Five Forgotten is the sixth in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed, not to be confused with my first series, the Forgotten Five, which looked at the five films that came closest to getting nominated for Best Picture and ended up getting shut out entirely.

As Oscar season goes into hibernation for more than half the year, it’s a time to take a look back at past races. This time, I’ll be spotlighting the five performers that came closest to earning their first Oscar nominations and then ended up getting snubbed, in alphabetical order. If you feel I’ve left anyone off, please say so in the comments!

First Five Forgotten in 2004

Zach Braff (Garden State): The star of NBC’s hit series “Scrubs” made a strong transition to film as the writer and director of this light-hearted drama about being thirty. At the height of his show’s popularity, Braff scored a WGA nod for his original script and, though he was snubbed by Oscar, probably garnered some votes for his mature, honest performance as well.

David Carradine (Kill Bill Vol. 2): The title villain was nearly absent from Quentin Tarantino’s first film, but he was central in the second, and Carradine managed to earn a Golden Globe nod for his layered portrayal. This particular Tarantino flick didn’t catch on with Oscar voters, which is probably why Alan Alda took the late actor’s spot for Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator.”

Jim Carrey (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind): The famous comedian won two Golden Globes for his more serious performances, and his third such role seemed primed to get him all the way to Oscar. There was too much competition, however, and the film earned a Best Actress nod for costar Kate Winslet and also took home the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

Colin Farrell (Alexander): This is one of those choices that wasn’t actually quite so close to Oscar, but, a year out, it seemed like one of the frontrunners. Oliver Stone’s epic was a huge failure, and Farrell, who later won a Golden Globe for “In Bruges,” had to endure this flop before getting back on track and becoming a major star in the United States.

Freddie Highmore (Finding Neverland): This mature twelve-year-old actor, who would go one to score the lead roles in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “The Golden Compass,” and others, got his big start with this story of the genesis of “Peter Pan,” for which he earned a SAG nod. Ultimately, he may have been too young, and he’s likely to get his chance eventually.

Tuesday’s Top Trailer: Ruby Sparks

2012-05-01T12:00:00.000-04:00

It’s always entertaining to take a trip into a writer’s mind as his story plays out simultaneously on screen. Will Ferrell and Emma Thompson did this dance back in 2006 in “Stranger than Fiction,” which proved to be an amusing experiment. Now Paul Dano, known for portraying outcasts and loners, is an author whose main character comes to life. Zoe Kazan, who has appeared in “It’s Complicated” and who I got to interview several years ago when she starred in “The Exploding Girl,” is the girl in question, who seduces Dano’s Calvin and throws him for a loop by constantly appearing in his life even though he invented her. I’m thrilled by two people in the supporting cast in particular. Chris Messina, who appeared in this past week’s new release “The Giant Mechanical Man,” has the part of the cheerleading brother, and Elliott Gould, so funny in his recurring role as Monica and Ross’ dad on “Friends,” looks to be having a blast as Calvin’s encouraging therapist. A film like this doesn’t stress logic, and that means that there’s plenty of potential for everyone just to have a good time. Kazan herself wrote the screenplay, and the film comes from Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, the directors of “Little Miss Sunshine,” a truly endearing movie. I love the line “Don’t tell me how it ends” as uttered by Ruby in the trailer, and I hope that this movie is just as marvelous and magical as it looks.

Movie with Abe: Headhunters

2012-04-30T12:00:00.000-04:00

In case you missed it, make sure you see the new film "Headhunters," now playing at the AMC Empire, Landmark Sunshine, and City Cinemas Beekman Theatre. Check out my review over at Shockya.

Movie with Abe: Elles (Capsule Review)

2012-04-29T12:00:00.000-04:00

Elles
Directed by Malgorzata Szumowska
Released April 27, 2012

Prostitution is such a common feature of films that some joke that playing a prostitute is a surefire way to earn an Oscar (statistics don’t support that theory too heavily). As a result, the bar is set higher for films about the subject to draw out some meaningful conclusion. The new French film “Elles,” which was slapped with an NC-17 rating for its thematic content more so than any actual scene featured in the film, follows Elle journalist Anne (Juliette Binoche) as she interviews two prostitutes, one sweet and wholesome, Charlotte (Anais Demoustier), and the other, a Polish immigrant, more salacious and seductive, Alicja (Joanna Kulig). As Anne immerses herself into her article, she becomes taken with both women, drawn to the energy with which they perform on a regular basis. It’s the ultimate unglamorous performance for Binoche, who throws herself into the role completely and gives no thought to vanity. Her interviews with her subjects are spliced with flashbacks to their encounters, giving the film a very realistic and visceral feel. The film presents plenty of interesting content, but lags a bit when its finale seems out of sight. One particularly fascinating scene, in which Anne zones out during a dinner party and imagines herself surrounded by the many men Charlotte and Alicija have described to her, stands out but doesn’t lead anywhere. Hypnotic scenes such as that can be found throughout the film, but the experience as a whole isn’t quite as cohesive.

B

Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

2012-04-28T21:00:00.000-04:00

Now Playing in NYC

Headhunters (highly recommended): This Norwegian film subtly morphs from comedy to thriller, and it’s extremely engaging throughout. The Scandinavian cast, which includes Nikolaj Cosetr-Waldau from “Game of Thrones,” is terrific, and the movie boasts an excellent script and superb editing. Now playing at AMC Empire, Landmark Sunshine, and City Cinemas Beekman Theatre. Read my review over at Shockya.

The Giant Mechanical Man (recommended): This Tribeca entry is an offbeat, sweet film featuring Chris Messina and Jenna Fischer, both of whom have finally found perfect film roles, as two outcasts not looking to find themselves while others try desperately to define them. They make a great pair, and the movie is creative and entertaining. Now playing at the Village East Cinema. Read my Tribeca feature from earlier this week.

Citizen Gangster (recommended): This bank robber flick presents the story of Edwin Boyd, a Canadian criminal who robbed many banks in the 1950s. Scott Speedman portrays Boyd, and he’s an endearing and engaging protagonist whose story plays out quite well in this theatrical rendering. Now playing at the IFC Center. Read my review from yesterday.

Elles (recommended): This NC-17 rated French drama starring Juliette Binoche features an Elle reporter preparing an article about two very different prostitutes. It’s most effective when it really captures the personalities and inner thoughts of its characters, and definitely has its powerful moments. Now playing at the Angelika and Clearview Chelsea. My review will be up tomorrow.

New to DVD

Return (recommended): This coming-home drama features an exceptional lead performance from Linda Cardellini and strong supporting turns from Michael Shannon and John Slattery. It may be a familiar premise, but it’s well-executed and powerful.

Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Everything Must Go (recommended): This endearing Will Ferrell film shows the funnyman at his subtlest, playing a mildly dramatic lead who has been literally thrown out on his lawn with all of his possessions in this strong and entertaining dramedy.

The First Grader (recommended): This is a sweet, harmless story about an 84-year-old Kenyan man who goes back to school to learn how to read that’s about as engaging and heartwarming as it sounds.

The Way (mixed bag): This walking road movie starring Martin Sheen and written and directed by his son Emilio Estevez is decently entertaining but otherwise relatively aimless and in no hurry to get anywhere.

Movie with Abe: Citizen Gangster (Capsule Review)

2012-04-27T12:00:00.000-04:00

Citizen Gangster
Directed by Nathan Morlando
Released April 27, 2012

In both cinema and folklore, bank robbers are almost always cult heroes. In film, stories as diverse in tone as “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Bonnie and Clyde,” and “Public Enemies” have glorified thieves that steal from the rich most often to give to themselves. In the more serious of cases, the hero often dies violently, or at least suffers a lonely existence after enjoying plenty of infamy. The true story of Canadian father and veteran Edwin Boyd glamorizes its protagonist, as he watches himself being profiled before movies and finds himself treated like a rock star during the robberies as female clerks swoon over him. His first heist going smoothly despite nervousness, and, like John Dillinger twenty years before him, Boyd managed multiple escapes from prison. Scott Speedman, usually used to playing a nice guy, effectively embodies Boyd, and he is joined by Kevin Durand, William Mapother, and Brian Cox to create a strong ensemble that helps Boyd’s story come alive. “Citizen Gangster,” with its slick title and impressive main character, proves to be an engaging and memorable adventure that shines a spotlight on one particularly intriguing criminal that might not be well known to American audiences.

B+

Thursday Triple Features

2012-04-26T12:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe, Thursday Triple Features. Throughout college, I would often head to the movies for three films in a row on a Friday or Sunday, and I’m excited to recall some of my most memorable experiences. I don’t necessarily advocate that you try this at home, but I’ll explore that as well.

My seventh triple feature experience was arguably the least exciting of all, since it kept me in one place – AMC 34th St – and only offered one remotely memorable film. The other issue I encountered was that I nearly missed the start of the third film, due to the fact that I scheduled it with too narrow a window instead. I’d say don’t try this at home, but that’s exactly what you might want to do for this mediocre slate!

September 11, 2009 Movie #1: Whiteout
Time of Day: 10:10am
Runtime: 101 minutes
It turns out there’s a reason no one has made a movie about a serial killer in Antarctica. This dumb movie featuring Kate Beckinsale was entirely illogical, and it got increasingly less coherent as the snow came in and it went on. This movie was entirely unforgettable and fully lamentable.

Movie #2: Extract
Time of Day: 12:50pm
Runtime: 92 minutes
This comedy starring Jason Bateman didn’t know what it wanted to be, and an ensemble including Kristin Wiig, Mila Kunis, Ben Affleck, J.K. Simmons, and Clifton Collins Jr. couldn’t make this film funny. It’s more of a work in progress, something that served as a transition between television and the great projects that Bateman, Wiig, and Kunis have made since.

Movie #3: 9
Time of Day: 2:40pm
Runtime: 79 minutes
This ended up being my favorite animated film of the year, telling a rather sophisticated and grown-up story with such terrific voices as Elijah Wood, Christopher Plummer, Martin Landau, John C. Reilly, and Jennifer Connelly. This layered and powerful drama utilized animation in an extremely compelling way.

The review: I don’t remember either of the first two films fondly, but the third one stuck with me through the rest of the year, even after several high-profile animated features.
The grades: F, B-, B+
A good lineup? Not particularly. Quality aside, the films had nothing to do with each other, and transitioning from one to the next wasn’t particularly fluid. Skip the first two and see the third. Coming up next: my first triple feature of press screenings!

Talking Tribeca: The Giant Mechanical Man

2012-04-25T12:00:00.000-04:00

I’ve had the pleasure this year of screening some selections from this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, which takes place April 18th-29th.

The Giant Mechanical Man
Directed by Lee Kirk
Festival Screenings

This comedic drama is a delight for a number of reasons, the most significant of which is finding strong roles for two fantastic actors. Jenna Fischer has always been fun on “The Office,” and she needs better film parts than “Walk Hard,” “Solitary Man,” and “A Little Help.” Portraying disgruntled temp Janice is a perfect fit, and the same can be said for Chris Messina, from “Damages,” “Six Feet Under” and “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” among other projects, who is superb as Tim, a creative artist who spends his days dressed up as a giant silver mechanical man, determined to make those lost in life feel better about the world being a crazy place. Both Janice and Ted are dissatisfied with being told how they’re supposed to live and act, and watching them find each other and their own version of happiness is quite enjoyable. Malin Akerman, Rich Sommer, Topher Grace, Lucy Punch, and Bob Odenkirk make up an amusing ensemble, and this film is rich and full of great dramatic and comedic moments. It’s a wonderful and original outlook on the world that gradually gets happier as it goes on, and a sterling usage of actors to tell a captivating and enjoyable story.

See it or skip it? Definitely see it – it’s great! Don’t worry if you missed it at the festival, since it’s being released at the Village East Cinema this Friday.

Tuesday’s Top Trailer: Cosmopolis

2012-04-24T12:00:00.000-04:00

This futuristic drama from the Cannes Film Festival looks absolutely hypnotic, and entirely mysterious. The trailer boils down to Robert Pattison sitting in the back of a limo trying to sell people the future, and, having not read the source material, that’s about all I know. This film looks like something that would more likely come out of the mind of Lars Von Trier or David Lynch, but David Cronenberg has his appeal too, having crafted riveting films such as “Eastern Promises” and “A History of Violence” in the past, as well as more untraditional fare like “Spider.” The tagline “Destroy the past, make the future” is fantastic, and though I imagine its themes won’t be explicitly explained, I’m incredibly eager to learn what it all means. The cast is among the most diverse I’ve seen, with Pattison potentially making the leap to serious actor after headlining the “Twilight” film series, and a magnificent but strange combination of actors working with him. Juliette Binoche, who has a tightly-wound role in this upcoming week’s new release “Elles,” looks like she’s letting loose in a marvelous way, and she’s joined by the always excellent Samantha Morton, the usually more comedic Jay Baruchel, strong supporting player Kevin Durand from “Lost,” and French actor Mathieu Amalric. The most compelling argument to see this film, aside from this furiously intriguing trailer, is the fact that the wide range of actors listed above was interested in this film. It’s sure to be a weird, possibly wonderful film.