THINK LIKE A MAN: Laugh like a hyena

My friend D.J. and I hit the Galaxy Highland Cinema this weekend for the opening of Think Like a Man, a new film with an intriguing premise: The men are getting screwed (and not in a good way) by the women who are following the advice of one Steve Harvey, a love doctor who has consolidated his wisdom on relationships into a helpful volume called Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man. What’s even more interesting is that this is a real book, by the real comedian and talk-show host Steve Harvey. My friend tells me that the book is funny and true to life, and it’s the main reason she wanted to see the movie.

I can only assume that Mr. Harvey’s book has stirred up a nine kinds of trouble in real people’s lives, and that those experiences helped inform the screenplay. Whatever the source of the material, it’s pure genius. And the laughs from this movie cross all boundaries, all colors, and both genders. It’s a riot, and unlike so many modern comedies, it’s one that you don’t have to be embarrassed about enjoying. It’s also a lot smarter than the trailer lets on.

Think Like a Man stars some of my favorite people, including Taraji P. Henson. She’s had a lot of big roles, including the mom in the new Karate Kid movie. Nowadays she’s a tough-but-tender cop on one of my favorite TV shows, Person of Interest. (Shameless plug: Tune in to CBS on Thursday night at 8:00.) But she’s only one of many in a huge and talented cast that includes more than a few surprises. Then there’s the soundtrack, which features Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Luther Vandross, and EWF, just to name a few.

My man Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle called this movie “a comedy by and for adults.” The people are sincere, the problems are real, and the women are in it to win it. Watching the men react is what makes it so fun. But finding out what it means to win – that’s what makes it so good.

See the trailer for Think Like a Man here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxTN4eX4Vss

BOY: A treasure from Down Under

Going to see an art film is like adopting a dog from the animal shelter – you really don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into until you spend a little time together. This is especially true of foreign films like Boy, which often aren’t rated. With nothing but a trailer to go on, there’s always a risk that you’ll end up leaving the theater feeling worse than you did when you walked in.

But there was little to worry about in that regard with Boy, which happens to be the highest-grossing film ever to come out of New Zealand. Teeming with colorful characters, adorable kids, and oddball humor, the film never loses its beat, even when things take a fairly serious turn about halfway through. The film’s last line – three unassuming words delivered by Boy’s little brother, Rocky – is a perfect finale that’s still bouncing around in my head.

Boy was written and directed by filmmaker Taika Waititi, and he plays Boy’s father, Alamein, with comic genius. Filmed entirely in the remote Maori community of Waihau Bay, Boy is the latest in a long line of successful Kiwi films, following in the footsteps of Whale Rider, The World’s Fastest Indian, and Eagle vs Shark, which was Waititi’s previous film. As for the boy in Boy, he’s played brilliantly by James Rolleston, a local kid who showed up to serve as an extra and ended up with the film’s title role just three days before shooting began.

Please note, however, that Boy is not a kid’s movie. I’d give it a PG-13 rating, for sure. But my kid is crossing the line from kid to young adult, and Boy provided the perfect balance of humor and drama for her. In fact, Boy makes it official: my kid likes art house! I’ve taken her to see four films at the Regal Arbor so far, and she has enjoyed every single one. I think she appreciates the unpredictable storylines and the fresh faces of the no-name actors. And Boy, she says, is her favorite so far. I can’t wait to find out which indie film we’ll enjoy together next.

P.S. If you do see this movie – and I certainly hope you will – be sure and stick around for the credits. You’ll be rewarded with a delightful music video featuring the entire cast.

See the trailer for Boy here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwqfR8g-Qow

SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN: A good catch

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is a bit like fishing in general. They are both peaceful activities that should be taken on only by those with the patience to watch calmly as things unfold. And, if you’re lucky, that peace is broken – at unpredictable intervals – by moments of intense excitement. Sometimes you catch a fish! And, in the case of Salmon Fishing, sometimes you catch even more than that.

If you haven’t heard of this film, you’re not alone. At the time of this writing, the official trailer on Youtube had less than 57,000 views, and that’s such a shame – it has so much to recommend it. The cast includes Ewan McGregor (in full Scottishness), Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Amr Waked. The crew includes director Lasse Hallström (who also brought you Chocolat) and screenwriter Simon Beaufoy (who brought you Slumdog Millionaire – and won an Oscar for it).

To be fair, the film has exactly zero car chases, zero space aliens, and zero hostage situations (unless, of course, you count the salmon). But what it lacks in special effects, it more than makes up for in story, warmth, and humor. It’s a lovely creation, and you don’t need to be a fisherman of any sort to appreciate it.

A quiet film like this was the perfect way for me to try out Austin’s Violet Crown Cinema for the first time. I took my good buddy L.W. for her birthday, and I couldn’t have been more pleased with the facilities and the selection of art films. There’s been a hole in my movie-lover’s soul ever since the Dobie died, and I think the Violet Crown will go a long way toward filling it. Happy fishing!

See the trailer for Salmon Fishing in the Yemen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGb4OT3Oiew

And here’s a second trailer featuring interviews with the actors:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEUwCX2UjJA

21 JUMP STREET: Your ‘Hunger Games’ alternative

The plan was to see The Hunger Games. Not that I had any say in the matter; Mr. Webber and I had three 13-year-old girls in our charge that afternoon, and thus were vastly outnumbered. But by the time we got to the ticket counter, I had completely chickened out. “Four for Hunger Games,” I told the man behind the glass. “And one for 21 Jump Street.” Sorry, Mr. Webber. Better you than me.

For those who are curious, Mr. Webber said on the way home that The Hunger Games was great as long as you don’t mind watching children killing each other. Twenty-two children, to be exact, according to the experts riding in our backseat. That’s when I knew I had made the right choice.

Strange days indeed, when a piece of cinematic junk food like 21 Jump Street constitutes the moral high ground. Yeah, it was vulgar and gross – two of my least favorite flavors – but not as vulgar and gross as MacGruber. And the fellas leading the charge (Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum) are so adorable, it just feels right to cut them a little slack. Not only are they the leading men, but they also produced the movie and helped out on the screenplay. I consider them both to be talented guys, and if you don’t believe me, check out Channing Tatum in The Eagle and Jonah Hill in Moneyball.

21 Jump Street is basically the boy version of Drew Barrymore’s Never Been Kissed. In that movie, the heroine is a journalist who goes undercover at a high school to investigate its boozy underbelly. In Jump Street, it’s two rookie cops hoping to expose a drug ring. Both movies have fun showing what it would be like if you could go back and do it all over again. Let’s just say things might not be any easier the second time around, even if Johnny Depp’s got your back!

See the trailer for 21 Jump Street here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISJR4rVO0TQ

THE ARTIST: Oscar’s darling, and mine

Everyone and their Jack Russell Terrier has probably seen The Artist already, and if you haven’t, I hope it wasn’t for lack of opportunity. If you’re lucky enough to live in the ATX, you can still see it at the Regal Arbor, at least for one more day! Hopefully it’ll be showing at the discount theater after that. Yes, the DVD will be coming out soon, but I’m so glad I had the chance to see it on the big screen – not just because it’s a beautiful film, but because it gave me the opportunity to experience a silent movie in the company of others.

To state the obvious, it’s not the same as going to see a “talkie.” Watching a silent film is in some ways like watching a foreign film. If you avert your gaze for even a second, you’ll miss something. Yours are one of many pairs of eyes glued to the screen, trying to absorb every nuance and detail. You’re acutely aware of those moments of stunned silence, when the music has stopped cold and the audience is holding its collective breath. This is inevitably followed by the collective sigh of relief. You can hear all of these ebbs and flows because there’s no extraneous sound coming out of the speakers. It’s a unique experience, and one surely meant to be enjoyed among a group of strangers.

The Artist has won tons of awards – 110 at last count, including five Oscars. Even so, I’ve heard a lot of people saying that they haven’t seen it, and what’s more, they don’t want to. I can understand that. To be honest, I didn’t really want to see it either, but I’m very glad I did. I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would – so much so that I went to see it a second time. For once, I didn’t begrudge Oscar’s Best Picture winner. I was thrilled! And I was thrilled for Best Actor winner Jean Dujardin, who does amazing things without saying a word.

And did I mention the adorable dog? Uggie stole the show and saved the day, and while he was unfairly denied his own chance at an Oscar, I’m pleased to report that his talents did not go unrecognized. Uggie brought home the Golden Collar Award for Best Dog in a Theatrical Performance, which is, really, the next best thing. So if Oscar’s love of The Artist doesn’t persuade you to see it, perhaps the Golden Collar will.

See the trailer for The Artist here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8K9AZcSQJE