SPECTRE: Bond is back, and so am I

I went to see Spectre for one reason and one reason only – to give Mr. Bond a chance to redeem himself. When last we saw our dashing hero in Skyfall, he had just spent two hours and 23 minutes of screen time screwing up royally. (Warning: Skyfall spoilers ahead for those of you who, three years later, still haven’t seen it.)

In case you’ve forgotten what happened in that fateful film, Bond fell for every trap and trick, lost footraces and fistfights alike, couldn’t shoot a target five feet from his face, got MI6 headquarters blown up, let the bad guy get away (repeatedly), stood by as yet another Bond girl got killed, oversaw the conflagration that annihilated his childhood home, got the divine Miss M assassinated, and, worst of all, destroyed his 1965 Aston Martin DB5 beyond all recognition. Oh, and he botched his physical fitness test. Skyfall? More like SkyFAIL.

Never have I endured such bitter Bond disappointment – not even when Remington Steele was at the helm. It almost put me off the franchise entirely. I blamed Daniel Craig personally for that series of fiascos (clearly the Skyfall screenwriters didn’t feel he was up to the task), and I would have happily stripped him of his 007 status, were it within my purview.

Needless to say, I wasn’t in a big fat hurry to see Spectre. In fact, I didn’t make up my mind to see it until a co-worker and fellow movie fan told me that (1) he understood my pain, and (2) he had seen the film and was confident that my faith would be restored. No spoilers here, but suffice it to say he was right. Bond brought his A game, and he hit it clean out of the park. After the opening sequence, amid flames and blood, I turned to my movie buddy and proclaimed, “I’m so happy!” I said it again at the end of the movie, and I’ll say it again right now – I’m so happy! The world may be falling to pieces, but 007 has redeemed himself. Huzzah!

So what’s next? Rumor has it that Daniel Craig wants out of the 007 business, as does director Sam Mendes. I don’t blame them – I’m sure it’s exhausting, putting on a brilliant show like that. After Skyfall, I would have happily given pink slips to the both of them. But now . . . well, if they decide to go now, at least they’re going out as victors, for which I will be eternally grateful. Any guesses as to who the next Bond might be?

Sidebar: I have my fiddly friend D.S. to thank for bringing me back to the movie-review game after a one-year absence. I don’t see near as many movies as I used to, but that shouldn’t stop me from taking every opportunity to persuade you to go . . . Thanks, Dave!

INTERSTELLAR: Heavier than gravity itself

When I say Interstellar is heavier than Gravity, I am of course referring to last year’s hit movie starring Sandra Bullock in the astronomical version of Castaway. It was armrest-gripping stuff – and I loved every minute of it – but it wasn’t nearly so thought provoking or mind bending as Interstellar. Gravity was the journey of one woman. Interstellar is the journey of the human race, if quantum relativity equations are to be believed, anyway.

There’s an awful lot of science-y stuff in Interstellar, and I can’t even begin to explain it. But astrophysicist Kip Thorne can. He’s the one who came up with the design theories behind the film’s visual playthings, including a wormhole and a supermassive black hole. And don’t forget about the space-time shenanigans that go along with them. But you don’t have to be a space-geek to enjoy Interstellar. It’s compelling on so many levels, in fact, it’s hard to keep track of what to care about most.

Directed by Christopher Nolan, Interstellar is full of star-power (heh). You’ve got major leading-man material in Matthew McConaughey, two fantastic leading ladies – Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain – and the venerable Michael Caine, who always classes up the place. There are many more familiar faces as well, but I have to save at least a few surprises for you to discover for yourself.

Of the whole cast, however, McConaughey deserves a special shout-out for doing most of the heavy lifting in this nearly three-hour cinematic odyssey. He’ll move you to laughter and to tears (if you’re of such a mind), none of which is surprising given the incredible work we’ve seen from him over the last few years. Interstellar is light-years from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and the whole planet is the better for it.

See the trailer here.

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PRIDE: I’m bursting with it!

Ever a fan of a compelling true story, I was especially keen to see the British indie film Pride, which provides a close-up of a particularly inspiring chunk of mid-80’s British history. It’s touching, it’s funny, and, as you’ll see from the trailer, it features some of the finest talent Britain has to offer, including two of my faves – Imelda Staunton and Bill Nighy.

These folks represent only a small handful of hard-up citizens of a Welsh community whose miners have gone on strike, and they are but one-half of this film’s equation. The other half is a London-based group of gay and lesbian activists. Led by firebrand Mark Ashton, the group has taken it upon themselves to support the village’s cause, including fundraising untold sums of money to help meet the living expenses of the miners and their families.

It’s an odd pairing of organizations – one that probably no one saw coming – but with devoted leaders on both sides, wonderful things begin to happen. Closed minds are pried open, friendships are forged, and an incredible alliance is built. It’s powerful stuff, made all the more powerful by the fact that it actually happened.

Looks like I’m not the only one who liked the film, either. It currently has an impressive score of 94% on the Tomatometer, and it’s been nominated for seven British Independent Film Awards, the results of which will be announced in December. So if you get the chance, treat yourself to a piece of dramatized history that will actually make you feel good about humanity again. You’ll be proud you did.

See the trailer here.

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THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY: Gone but not forgotten

It was months ago that I saw The Hundred-Foot Journey – back when it was still in all the theaters. But I was not in a very bloggy mood at the time, and it eventually fell completely off my radar. That’s not to say you shouldn’t see it, though – you probably should. That is unless you’ve already read the book, in which case it depends. I haven’t read the book myself. In fact, I didn’t even know there was one until my fiddle-friend B.W. pointed it out to me. However, I have it on good authority that the book is “very different from the movie.” So, there. That’s sorted. Sort of.

The movie version is an inspiring story of an aspiring young Indian chef who decides to leave behind his cultural roots in order to explore new cuisines and new career opportunities. As he braises and blanches his way across beautiful France, trying to make a name for himself, so many questions arise: Will he be successful in this cutthroat industry? Will he get the girl (aka the sous-chef)? And, more importantly, can curry and chervil exist in the same kitchen? I’ll let you take a wild-thyme guess.

We also have the Oscar-winning Dame Helen Mirren playing a French gentlewoman, which she mostly pulls off. However, I do believe Catherine Deneuve or someone of her ilk (meaning someone French) would’ve made a better casting choice, unencumbered as she’d be by that pesky British accent. And since we’re splitting hairs, I may as well say that I disapproved even more strongly of the casting of her male counterpart, played by Om Puri. Irrfan Khan clearly would have been better suited to the role, and not just because I love him unconditionally.

And I guess that explains why it took me so long to get around to writing this review. I do so hate to complain about a movie like some bloodthirsty film critic! And despite the casting objections I had, I still enjoyed it immensely. It would be hard not to enjoy it. As for the young people at the center of the tale, the casting director got them completely right – they were absolute perfection. Yes, there is plenty to love about this particular journey. I’m only sorry it took me so long to tell you about it!

THE TRIP TO ITALY: Buon viaggio!

The Trip to Italy is a mouthwatering movie in which pals Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon tour Italy in a Mini Cooper convertible, sampling haute cuisine as food critics for the UK’s Observer. It’s equal parts road-trip movie, buddy comedy, and foodie porn. If you find yourself dipping into any of those cinematic sauces on a regular basis, you certainly won’t go wrong with this particular selection.

And if none of those categories appeal to you? Well, I still think you won’t go wrong with this film. Between the lush Italian backdrop and Rob Brydon’s hilarious impersonations of Al Pacino and Christian Bale, it’s simply got too much going for it. In the spirit of full disclosure, however, I must confess: I might have a tiny crush on Steve Coogan. I haven’t the foggiest notion why, but let’s just set that aside for now and take a closer look at the irrefutable facts of the situation.

The Trip to Italy is the unlikely sequel to 2010’s The Trip, in which Coogan and Brydon take a road trip through the rural north of England sampling – you guessed it – haute cuisine as food critics for the UK’s Observer. I say “unlikely sequel” because the original Trip grossed only $2M at the box office, which means you probably didn’t see it. No matter – you needn’t have seen it in order to appreciate this latest installment, especially when it comes to the humor. I’m not ashamed to say I fell for every joke they proffered, from the urbane to the profane.

Both Trips were brought to you by revered British screenwriter and director Michael Winterbottom, and it’s his genius behind the camera that has people walking out of the theater asking, “Was that fictional or not?” Although much of Italy was improvised by the two leading men, it was indeed fictional. However, if you want to go through life thinking it was more real than not, I don’t think anyone involved would mind. I personally can’t wait to find out where our roving food critics are headed to next! Here’s hoping they save us all a seat at the table.

Watch the trailer here.

MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT: And now for his next trick

Sometimes Woody Allen gives you heavy stuff, à la Blue Jasmine or Match Point. And sometimes he gives you fluffy stuff, like Midnight in Paris or Scoop. This is why I continue to be perplexed by people who say they “don’t like Woody Allen movies.” I can understand not liking some – or even a lot – of them. But all of them? That’s like saying you don’t like The Beatles. Really? Out of 214 recordings over the span of ten years, there wasn’t a single song that grabbed you?

It’s the same with Woody Allen. He’s written, directed, and/or starred in well over 100 films over the last 50 years, providing far too much variety for him to be dismissed wholesale. He really is a filmmaker for all seasons. And I don’t know it for a fact, but I’m guessing there’s a reason the dude has won 132 film awards (so far). I don’t like everything he’s ever done – not by a long shot. But I can’t argue with his talent, and I’ll always give him the benefit of the doubt.

As for Magic in the Moonlight, if it so happens that you prefer your Woody Allen movies with a little less Woody Allen, a little less angst, and a little less Manhattan, this film might be a great fit for you. Here we’ve got the angelic Emma Stone flitting about the Côte d’Azur circa 1928, rubbing elbows with a divine British cast that includes Colin Firth, Eileen Atkins, and Simon McBurney. Oh, and there are some other Americans too, but we get to see them any ol’ time. It’s Colin and Emma – the magician and the psychic – that we really care about.

I’ll admit that Magic in the Moonlight lacks some of the, shall we say, magic of Midnight in Paris, but it is still a perfectly charming period piece, deliciously nostalgic, where the costumes, the cars, and even the coastline play active parts in our seduction. Will our hero’s chronic skepticism keep him from experiencing all that life has to offer? Or will the winsome psychic teach this magician a few new tricks of her own? My good people, have faith in Mr. Allen, and all will be revealed!

Watch the trailer here.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: Just Marvel-ous

Guardians of the Galaxy has been out for several weeks now, and if you still haven’t seen it, I can think of a handful of reasons why. It’s surely not in avoidance of the long lines, because while the theaters are still chock-full of people seeing it a second and third time, the worst of the crowds have already dispersed. No, I’m thinking there’s something more significant going on . . .

I’ll take a stab and say maybe it’s because you’re a huge Marvel fan, and you can’t bear to see what the makers of this film have done to your beloved heroes, especially considering that one of the screenwriters was completely new to Marvel. Or maybe the exact opposite is true! Maybe you aren’t a Marvel fan – or a fan of any comic-book universe whatsoever – and you can’t imagine that this movie has anything to offer you. No matter which boat you’re sailing in, I’ve got good news for you. Guardians rocks!

Myself, I was sailing in the second boat. I enjoy a comic-book movie more than the average bear, but I’m not a collect-them-all kind of gal, and I certainly wouldn’t know if the film committed any egregious crimes against the Marvel canon. I will say, however, that many of my nearest and dearest do fall in that category, and they were more than satisfied by what director James Gunn delivered. They were, in fact, blissed out from start to finish by the characters, the dialogue, the action, the special effects, the humor, and the surprisingly touching storyline, as was I.

Truth be told, I mostly came for the raccoon. Kids these days have grown up with all this incredible CGI, but I’m old enough to still get a kick out of talking mammals, especially a heavily-armed raccoon with a twisted sense of humor and a keen eye for prosthetics. But the moment the film started, it was not the raccoon but the soundtrack that had me charmed. It starts off with 10cc’s “I’m Not in Love,” throws in some Bowie and some Joan Jett, then comes to a triumphant halt with the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.” It’s genius, as evidenced by the album’s #1 position on the Billboard 200 for the second week in a row.

The moral of the story? Come for the raccoon – or for the tunes – or for the all-star cast, but be prepared to stay for a fantastic movie, no matter which part of the galaxy you call home.

See the trailer here.

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BOYHOOD: An astonishing journey

It’s official – I like movies with the word “boy” in the title. Some of my favorite coming-of-age stories include About a Boy from the UK, Boy from New Zealand, and now Boyhood from my home state of Texas. Austin’s own Richard Linklater made this movie, and it’s just as phenomenal as everyone’s saying it is. It’s no wonder it has a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Boyhood follows the life of one Texas kiddo from age six to age 18. But unlike most movies that have one actor playing the kid at age six and a different-but-similar-looking-actor playing the kid at age 18, this movie has the same actor, Ellar Coltrane, playing the kid all along the way. Not only that, but we get to check in on Mason every year – see what friends he’s made, what kind of trouble he’s gotten into, what new styles he’s rockin’, what major life mistake his mother’s just made. If you do the math, that means the film was 12+ years in the making. In the age of 6-second Vine videos, Boyhood represents an astonishing commitment from everyone involved – from Linklater, from Coltrane, and from the actors who play his divorced parents, Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke.

Even if you’re not interested in getting to know Mason and his family, in watching year by year as he grows up and learns to deal with the slings and arrows life throws his way, the film is fascinating to watch just because of the novelty of it. How do you shoot 15 minutes of film every year for 12 years, then splice it together so it all makes a cohesive whole – so that it makes sense from a storyline perspective and visually looks like it came out of the same can? I haven’t the foggiest notion, but Linklater certainly does.

He’s a director known for his cinematic innovations, from compact 24-hour stories like Dazed and Confused, to the sprawling Before Sunrise trilogy, to 2011’s Bernie, for which he ingeniously hired handfuls of town locals to play the town locals. The man’s clearly not afraid to take a risk, even if it means putting your latest film project in the hands of a six-year-old boy and waiting 12 years to see if it pays off.

Watch the trailer here.

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THE GRAND SEDUCTION: It won me over

The Grand Seduction is a sweet movie about a tiny community that goes to great lengths to convince a visiting doctor to stay on permanently, thereby securing their bid to attract a new factory. I was very excited to see it, seeing as how I love a charming Irish village comedy, and seeing as how it stars Brendan Gleeson, who’s one of my favorite Irish actors. Well, guess what! This movie ain’t Irish.

As a result, I spent the first third of the movie trying to figure out where the heck these people were supposed to be living, and why Brendan Gleeson was the only one of their number who had an Irish accent. The answer to the first question? Newfoundland! The answer to the second one? I have no idea! Gleeson’s family was one of many generations of fishing families based in this harbor town. If someone can explain to me how the filmmakers thought they could pass an Irishman off as a lifelong Newfie, I’d love to hear it. I saw a dialect coach in the credits, but it seemed to me that she phoned it in.

That distracting distraction aside, the film was still quite charming. As I had hoped, it was very much in the tradition of Waking Ned Devine, Local Hero, and The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain. In all of these stories, the villagers team up to accomplish a greater community goal, often using methods that are highly suspect — and hilarious. The Grand Seduction was no different, with the villagers trying just about anything to get the poor schmuck to stay on as their doctor. It was impossible not to giggle at the lengths they go to in order to win him over. Misguided though their efforts were, in the end, I couldn’t help but sympathize with the desperate fools serving as the community’s leaders.

I’m not saying it was a perfect movie, not by a long stretch. For one thing, the denouement was predictable while not being the least bit believable, leaving this viewer vaguely unsatisfied. But still. Where have these delightful Newfies been hiding all this time? Clearly it’s high time we invented a new cinematic genre — the Newfie village comedy. But my advice? The casting agents need to cast their nets in the local area first and find some homegrown Newfie actors instead of importing talent from overseas.

Watch the trailer here.

 

22 JUMP STREET: Same schtick, different day

This review will be short and sweet. Did you like the movie 21 Jump Street? (I did.) If so, you’ll probably like 22 Jump Street as well. It’s basically the same movie but with different characters. No, wait — same characters. But there are a few new jokes in there, I think. Yes, I distinctly remember laughing at them.

Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are reprising their roles here as undercover cops, only this time they’re busting drug rings in college instead of high school. Fortunately the college is really tiny so it feels like a high school, and the same kids keep bumping into each other, which makes it convenient.

And what college movie would be complete without the obligatory Spring Break party in Mexico? This is where our heroes make their final stand against the bad guys/kids, heavily armed with colorful sunglasses, tank tops, and swim trunks. Will Mutt and Jeff be able to overcome their fundamental differences, pool their limited personal resources, and beat the unbeatable odds? I can’t believe you asked me that question.

Best part of this whole movie? The credits, I kid you not. I won’t spoil it, but the film team goes to great lengths to set the stage for dozens of future sequels, each more hilarious than the next. Can’t wait to see which one they pick for 23.

Watch the trailer here.