Showtime
“Young Adult”
Posted on 14. Dec, 2011 by citizen in Showtime
Gorgeous but damaged, Charlize Theron dares you to like her. The movie dares you to stick with an anti-heroine who makes no apologies for her deplorable behavior. It’s an exciting thing to see, this willful rejection of tidy character arcs and happy endings. She’s actually created the anti-Juno in a lot of ways while managing to retain much of the directness, the sharply drawn characters and the casual poignancy that are her signatures. This trait is on vivid, horrific display when she returns to her Minnesota small town to pry her high-school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson) away from his wife (Elizabeth Reaser) and newborn daughter. Patton Oswalt is excellent as Mavis’ nerdy former classmate and the film’s voice of reason. R for language and some sexual content. 94 minutes. Three stars out of four.
- Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic
Associated Press text, photo and/or graphic material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing.
“Contagion”
Posted on 09. Aug, 2011 by citizen in Showtime
The calm is what’s so startling here, the cool precision with which Steven Soderbergh depicts a deadly virus that spreads throughout the world, quickly claiming millions of victims. There’s no great panic in his tone, no hysteria. Characters become increasingly confused and frustrated, they struggle to survive and then die in a matter-of-fact way. Even the eventual instances of looting and rioting that crop up feel like blips of intensity, understandable reactions to an incomprehensible situation. Working from a script by Scott Z. Burns, who also wrote his 2009 comedy “The Informant!,” Soderbergh takes us from suburban living rooms to labs at the Centers for Disease Control to remote Asian villages with equally clear-eyed realism. The attention to detail _ and to the infinite ways germs can spread that we probably don’t want to think about _ provide the sensation that this sort of outbreak really could happen right now. Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne and Marion Cotillard are among the stellar ensemble cast, but Jennifer Ehle nearly steals the whole movie from them as a CDC doctor racing to find a cure. PG-13 for disturbing content and some language. 103 minutes. Three stars out of four.
_ Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic
“Cowboys & Aliens”
Posted on 09. Aug, 2011 by citizen in Showtime
Director Jon Favreau’s genre mash-up is more a mush-up, an action yarn aiming to be both science fiction and Old West adventure but doing neither all that well. The filmmakers – and there are a lot, among them 11 producers or executive producers including Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, plus half a dozen credited writers – start with a title that lays out a simple but cool premise: invaders from the skies shooting it out with guys on horseback. For all the talent involved, they wound up keeping the story too simple, almost simple-minded, leaving a terrific cast led by Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford and Olivia Wilde stuck in a sketchy, sometimes poky tale where you get cowboys occasionally fighting aliens and not much more. Craig’s a stony-faced amnesiac with a weird hunk of metal locked on his wrist who wanders into a dusty town just before alien craft swoop in and start abducting the locals. He joins cattle baron Ford’s posse to retrieve the missing and teach these creatures not to mess with hardy western pioneers. PG-13 for intense sequences of western and sci-fi action and violence, some partial nudity and a brief crude reference. 118 minutes. Two stars out of four.
David Germain, AP Movie Writer
“Captain America: The First Avenger”
Posted on 02. Aug, 2011 by citizen in Showtime
The last Marvel Comics setup for next summer’s all-star blockbuster “The Avengers” finds Chris Evans starring as the World War II fighting hero. Evans brings an earnest dignity and intelligence to the role of Steve Rogers, a scrawny kid from Brooklyn with dreams of military glory. But scientist Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) sees something special in him and enlists him for a daring experiment. Through some high-tech injections, Steve is transformed into a supersoldier known as Captain America. But he isn’t the only one who’s juicing: Hugo Weaving plays the former Nazi leader Johann Schmidt, aka Red Skull, who’s formed his own splinter group and built some intimidating weapons. Director Joe Johnston’s film feels weighty and substantial, even in 3-D, and it has a beautiful, sepia-toned, art-deco look about it. The abundant supporting cast includes Tommy Lee Jones and Dominic Cooper. But “Captain America” is far more engaging when it’s about a scrappy underdog overcoming the odds than it is about generic shootouts and exploding tanks. And it only scratches the surface in trying to examine the perils of premature fame. PG-13 for intense sequence of sci-fi violence and action. 126 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.
Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic
Associated Press text, photo and/or graphic material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2”
Posted on 26. Jul, 2011 by citizen in Showtime
If last year’s first half of the finale marked the beginning of the end with a gripping feeling of doom and gloom, this wraps things up once and for all on a note of melancholy. Oh, it’s dramatic, to be sure: gorgeous, somber and startling as the young wizard faces his destiny and fights the evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). But the end of this staggeringly successful movie franchise, an epic fantasy saga spanning eight films over the past decade, provides a necessary emotional catharsis for Harry and for us. Even those who aren’t ardent Potterphiles might find themselves getting unexpectedly choked up a couple of times. That’s always been the real magic of the series, based on J.K. Rowling’s novels: that mixture of the exotic and the everyday, the otherworldly and the utterly relatable. No longer the innocent children they were when they entered Hogwarts, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) are growing up and moving on, and so must we. That the future of the wizard world hangs in the balance in this final installment is only part of the tale. Still, director David Yates has accomplished the difficult task of bringing it all to a close in satisfying fashion. PG-13 for some sequence of intense action violence and frightening images. 130 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.
Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic
Associated Press text, photo and/or graphic material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing.
Capsule Reviews Of Films Opening This Week
Posted on 19. Jul, 2011 by citizen in Showtime
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” – If last year’s first half of the finale marked the beginning of the end with a gripping feeling of doom and gloom, this wraps things up once and for all on a note of melancholy. Oh, it’s dramatic, to be sure: gorgeous, somber and startling as the young wizard faces his destiny and fights the evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). But the end of this staggeringly successful movie franchise, an epic fantasy saga spanning eight films over the past decade, provides a necessary emotional catharsis for Harry and for us. Even those who aren’t ardent Potterphiles might find themselves getting unexpectedly choked up a couple of times. That’s always been the real magic of the series, based on J.K. Rowling’s novels: that mixture of the exotic and the everyday, the otherworldly and the utterly relatable. No longer the innocent children they were when they entered Hogwarts, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) are growing up and moving on, and so must we. That the future of the wizard world hangs in the balance in this final installment is only part of the tale. Still, director David Yates has accomplished the difficult task of bringing it all to a close in satisfying fashion. PG-13 for some sequence of intense action violence and frightening images. 130 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.
Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic
‘Horrible Bosses’ Is Gleefully Silly
Posted on 12. Jul, 2011 by citizen in Showtime
by Christy Lemire
AP Movie Critic
“Horrible Bosses” wallows in silliness – gleefully, and without an ounce of remorse or self-consciousness – and even though you’re a grown-up and you know you should know better, you will be happy to wallow right along, as well.
It’s a film that’s wildly, brazenly stupid – but also, you know, fun.
Because like “Bad Teacher,” another recent raunchfest, “Horrible Bosses” knows exactly what it is and doesn’t aspire to be anything more (or dare we say “better”?), and that lack of pretention is refreshing. It isn’t trying to say anything profound about society or the economy or the fragile psyche of the post-modern man.
It’s about three guys who hate their jobs and want to kill their bosses. And really, who among us hasn’t pondered such a plan?
Naturally, no member of this trio is nearly as clever or sophisticated as he thinks he is. Together, they bumble and bungle every step of the way and occasionally, by accident, they get something right. But the dynamic between Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day as they bounce off each other is cheerfully loony, and the energy of their banter (which often feels improvised) has enough of an infectious quality to make you want to forgive the film’s general messiness. Although maybe such a sloppy approach was intentional given the subject matter.
Associated Press text, photo and/or graphic material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing.
Review: ‘Transformers’ Is Another Loud Bruiser
Posted on 05. Jul, 2011 by citizen in Showtime
By DAVID GERMAIN
AP Movie Writer
To his credit, Michael Bay does try to put more human touch into “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” aiming to make up for the clattering mess of overgrown kitchen appliances that duked it out in the franchise’s last installment.
In 3-D, too, so you get to wear those clunky glasses for the franchise’s longest movie yet.
It really felt like people didn’t matter in 2009′s “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” a mega-blockbuster despite being little more than a turgid assemblage of computer-generated machine parts thrashing about.
“Dark of the Moon” mostly is an expensive exercise in rubbernecking, the audience getting to watch colossal carnage and destruction from the safety of stadium seating.
It’s a thin line between the idiotically incomprehensible “Revenge of the Fallen” and the merely incomprehensible of “Dark of the Moon.”
“Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” a Paramount Pictures release, is rated PG-13 for intense prolonged sequences of sci-fi action violence, mayhem and destruction, and for language, some sexuality and innuendo. Running time: 154 minutes. One and a half stars out of four.
Associated Press text, photo and/or graphic material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing.
`Cars 2′ Is A Clunker
Posted on 28. Jun, 2011 by citizen in Showtime
By CHRISTY LEMIRE
AP Movie Critic
Pixar’s track record has been close to impeccable for turning out intelligent, emotionally rich, beautifully detailed animated films, with plenty of humor and heart to appeal to movie lovers of all ages.
But the weak link in the chain, at least from a narrative standpoint, has always been 2006′s “Cars,” with its two-dimensional talking autos and hokey, borrowed tale of small-town life.
Sure, it was bright and zippy, which was enough to appeal to the little ones, and it became a merchandising juggernaut. Just try finding a kid who doesn’t have some sort of “Cars” stuff. My 19-month-old son has a Lightning McQueen sippy cup and I have no idea how he got it _ these things just show up on their own. That’s how ubiquitous they are.
So sure, why not make a sequel? Trouble is, “Cars 2” is such a mess, it makes the original look like it ought to rank among Pixar’s masterpieces by comparison.
Associated Press text, photo and/or graphic material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing.
“Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer”
Posted on 21. Jun, 2011 by citizen in Showtime
Here’s the kindest thing we can say: The kids sure do work awfully hard. They mug and they mope. They run around and jump up and down. They throw themselves headlong into pratfalls and vomit gags with equal elan. If only the material were worthy of such dedication. Instead, director John Schultz’s adaptation of the popular children’s book series by Megan McDonald is a shrill, shallow cacophony of individual antic moments without much narrative momentum. Little kids – we’re talking really little kids – might find it a pleasant diversion, with all that perky noise and incessant motion. For everyone else, it’ll be death. Australian newcomer Jordana Beatty stars as the title character, a young girl in idyllic suburbia who’s psyched to share the summer with her closest friends. But then, one by one, they get dragged away to more exotic destinations. So she’s left with her younger brother, Stink (Parris Mosteller), and their Aunt Opal (Heather Graham), whom they’ve never met. But hey, what do you know? Aunt Opal is one of those wacky aunts, the kind who like to do art projects in the middle of the living room and make elaborate feasts that destroy the kitchen. The kind you only see in movies. PG for some mild rude humor and language. 91 minutes. One star out of four.
Christy Lemire,
AP Movie Critic
