Song One (2014)

Song One (2014)

A young woman strikes up a relationship with her ailing brother's favorite musician.

Director:

 Kate Barker-Froyland.

Writer:

 Kate Barker-Froyland.

Stars:

 Anne Hathaway, Johnny Flynn, Mary Steenburgen.

Storyline

Estranged from her family, Franny returns home when an accident leaves her brother comatose. Retracing his life as an aspiring musician, she tracks down his favorite musician, James Forester. Against the backdrop of Brooklyn's music scene, Franny and James develop an unexpected relationship and face the realities of their lives.

Greetings again from the darkness. Fresh off her Oscar winning performance and infamous on screen haircut in Les Miserables, Anne Hathaway stars in this infinitely smaller film from writer/director Kate Barker-Froyland. A Sundance Film Festival entry, the movie winds through the clubs, coffee shops and second hand stores that make up the indie music scene in northern Brooklyn.

Ben Rosenfield ("Boardwalk Empire") plays Henry, the kind of musician so enamored with his own folk sound that he is willing to play for pocket change in the subway tunnels. Failing to adhere to mother rule #1, Henry pays the price for not looking both ways prior to crossing a street in front of a New York cabbie. Next thing we know, he is comatose in a hospital bed. Henry's mom (Mary Steenburgen) beckons wayward daughter Franny (Anne Hathaway) home from her worldly pursuit of a Ph.d in Anthropology.

When last they spoke Franny and brother Henry had one of those nasty sibling fights where angry words were spoken and no apology followed. It's been six months and now a guilt-ridden Franny sits by his hospital bed hoping for a shot at redemption. She soon discovers Henry's journal and begins re-tracing his favorite hang-outs and bands. This journey leads her to a meeting with Henry's musical idol James Forester (played by Johnny Flynn). Lacking suspense, the story leads right where one would expect – James and Franny taking a liking to each other, Franny discovers her own love for music, and the songwriting block that has burdened James slowly breaks down.

The film is at its best in the musical moments. Flynn is a very talented guy as a musician (not so much as an actor), and 5 or 6 live musical acts make appearances as the story unfolds. Most of the quiet scenes between Hathaway and Flynn seem a bit awkward, but not awkward in the good way that leads to real romance. Connection and re-connection are quite common in times of tragedy, as we are at our most emotionally vulnerable state. The biggest issue here is that everything develops just as we would expect … no surprises, no twists. Even the re-connection of Franny and her mother is a sweet scene where Franny sings along to America's "I Need You".

Jenny Lewis (of Rilo Kiley fame) and Jonathan Rice co-wrote the original songs used in the film, and as stated, a hand full of other bands perform their own material. For a musically based romantic drama, it does have a couple of really nice scenes, but for the most part, the drama and romance lag the music.

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Mortdecai (2015)

Mortdecai (2015)

Juggling angry Russians, the British Mi5, and an international terrorist, debonair art dealer and part time rogue Charlie Mortdecai races to recover a stolen painting rumored to contain a code that leads to lost Nazi gold.

Director:

 David Koepp.

Writers:

 Eric Aronson (screenplay), Kyril Bonfiglioli (novel).

Stars:

 Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor.

Storyline

Juggling some angry Russians, the British Mi5, his impossibly leggy wife and an international terrorist, debonair art dealer and part time rogue Charlie Mortdecai must traverse the globe armed only with his good looks and special charm in a race to recover a stolen painting rumored to contain the code to a lost bank account filled with Nazi gold.

On the 31st of January 2015, a great tragedy befell upon me. Being an avid cinema goer and comedy lover I decided to go and watch Mortdecai,a seemingly alright film. How wrong was I. 

Mortdecai was an abomination. Annoying and unlikable characters, an uninteresting story, and cheap laughs. All the factors that a good comedy should not have. With such a star studded cast and high budget i can not believe how far off the mark this film was. The following 3 points will explain to you why I despise this film.

Jokes: Please, the key to comedy is not repetition. I refuse to believe that the writers deliberately put in the amount of "Gag at the mustache" jokes that I saw. I think I laughed once during this movie.

Transitions: I'm talking about the plane scenes here. Overused and boring.

Johnny Depp: Annoying accent, Annoying character, Annoying Jokes, Annoying Depiction of Upper class England. Just annoying. This movie has single-handedly slit the throat of Johnny Depp's already dying career.

To conclude, do not pay to watch this movie. It will hurt both your brain and your wallet. If you do decide to see it, get a lighter ready; your going to want to burn you ticket.

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The Humbling (2014)

The Humbling (2014)

A stage actor who is slowly losing his mind engages in a relationship with a sexually confused younger woman.

Director:

 Barry Levinson

Writers:

 Buck Henry (screenplay), Michal Zebede(screenplay).

Stars:

 Al Pacino, Greta Gerwig, Nina Arianda.

Storyline

An aged and addled actor has his world turned upside down after he embarks upon an affair with a lesbian, in this acidulous adaptation of the Philip Roth novel.

One of the Problems with Al Pacino Films in Recent Years is His Aging. He Looks Old and One is Constantly Reminded as He Performs in Various Roles of Late at Just How Old He is Getting and Just How Old He Looks.

That is Definitely Not a Problem in This One. A Dark Comedy from Director Barry Levinson with a Script by Buck Henry from a Book by Philip Roth. Because, You See, the Character Pacino Plays is an Old Actor that is Losing His Grip on His Craft and His Looks are Not Receding, Their Lost. It's an Uncanny and Personal Role for Pacino.

It's an Odd Movie and Off Beat with an Awkward Rhythm that Comes Together Occasionally and Then Just as Quickly Quirks Up and Falls Out of Step. That Keeps Things Interesting and the Cast of One Goofy Character After Another Helps Things Stay Frosty.

Greta Gerwig Co-Stars with Pacino as a Scatterbrained Lesbian that has had a Life Long Crush on the Actor and She Helps the Strange Story Along with a Lot of Unpredictable Behavior. Overall, Worth a Watch for Something Different and to See Pacino Finally Playing His Age. 

An Arty Film for Lovers of Stage and Screen with Enough Gravitas to Entertain Thanks to Some Good Performers and Some Sharp Writing.

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Cake (2014)

Cake (2014)

Claire becomes fascinated by the suicide of a woman in her chronic pain support group while grappling with her own, very raw personal tragedy.

Director:

 Daniel Barnz.

Writer:

 Patrick Tobin (screenplay).

Stars:

 Jennifer Aniston, Adriana Barraza, Anna Kendrick.

Storyline

The acerbic, hilarious Claire Bennett becomes fascinated by the suicide of a woman in her chronic pain support group. As she uncovers the details of Nina's suicide and develops a poignant relationship with Nina's husband, she also grapples with her own, very raw personal tragedy.

Patrick Tobin's laser-sharp script provides a profound template for complex performances by Jennifer Aniston, Adriana Barraza, Anna Kendrick, and Felicity Huffman.

Sam Worthington crackles with intensity in this perceptive and refreshingly unapologetic film about rage, pain and loss.

Our culture asks us to forgive. Sociopaths want us to forgive and forget. "Cake" explores the difficulty of navigating the real and brutal emotions we face when a tragedy crashes in to our lives.

Though the name indicates a buttery, sweet confection, this "Cake" is a rich and savory course, best enjoyed with a hearty Cabernet and a couple of Vicodin.

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The Boy Next Door (2015)

The Boy Next Door (2015)

A recently cheated on married woman falls for a younger man who has moved in next door, but their torrid affair soon takes a dangerous turn.

Director:

 Rob Cohen.

Writer:

 Barbara Curry.

Stars:

 Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Guzman, Kristin Chenoweth.

Storyline

When a handsome, charming teenager named Noah (Ryan Guzman) moves in next door, newly separated high-school teacher Claire Peterson (Jennifer Lopez) encourages his friendship and engages in a little bit of harmless (or so she thinks) flirtation. Although Noah spends much of the time hanging out with Claire's son, the teen's attraction to her is palpable. One night, Claire gives in to temptation and lets Noah seduce her, but when she tries to end the relationship, he turns violent.

It's funny though, the movie "The Girl Next Door" is about a beautiful and innocent closet porn star that maybe wants to get out of the business. *This is who men dream they are living next to.* 

And "The Boy Next Door" is about a handsome young boy that is obsessed with this lady and goes nuts when she cuts him off because he wants her so bad. *This is who women dream they are living next to.*

Hilarious. People are so dumb. Gotta love em. And that, my friends, is about the only funny or interesting thing you'll find in either of these movies. Enjoy...or don't. I wouldn't waste my time or money if I were you.

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Veronika Decides to Die (2009)

 Veronika Decides to Die (2009)

After a frantic suicide attempt, Veronika awakens inside a mysterious mental asylum. Under the supervision of an unorthodox psychiatrist who specializes in controversial treatment, Veronika learns that she has only weeks to live.

Director:

 Emily Young.

Writers:

 Paulo Coelho (book), Larry Gross.

Stars:

 Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jonathan Tucker, Erika.

Storyline

The story centers on Veronika, a woman in her mid twenties who appears to have everything: good looks, good job and a great life ahead of her. Yet she decides to end her own life. She is unsuccessful and awakens in a mental hospital where she learns that she has only a short time to live. However in the hospital she meets people who are only 'insane' because they don't always follow society's rules. With little left to lose, Veronika embarks on a journey on which she frees herself to experience relationships and emotions and ultimately discovers what it means to live.

This film is not a flashy, Hollywood story. It does not move quickly and it is not designed to be eye-catching. It is however, a poignant, beautiful piece of expert film-making.

Emily Young directs with an even pace, great attention to detail and she has a knack for focusing in on specific physical details which enrich the emotional architecture of the story. She also, most importantly, understands human behaviour and emotion.

Sarah Michelle Gellar gives a touching, powerful performance as Veronika and anchors the film's strong cast. She will captivate you.

Paulo Coelho's fantastic book is given a fantastic adaptation here. Yes, it's true that much of the story is cut for length and the setting has been changed. But the deeper messages, subtext and soul of the story are perfectly intact.

I recommend this film for any artist, any soulful human being... and anyone who's become jaded and needs to remember how miraculous life can sometimes be.

This film left me in tears... It is beautiful.

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Vice (2015)

Vice (2015)

Bruce Willis stars in this Sci-Fi thriller about ultimate resort: VICE, where customers can play out their wildest fantasies with artificial inhabitants who look like humans.

Director:

 Brian A Miller.

Writers:

 Andre Fabrizio, Jeremy Passmore.

Stars:

 Thomas Jane, Bruce Willis, Ambyr Childers.

Storyline

Julian Michaels (Bruce Willis) has designed the ultimate resort: VICE, where anything goes and the customers can play out their wildest fantasies with artificial inhabitants who look, think and feel like humans. When an artificial (Ambyr Childers) becomes self-aware and escapes, she finds herself caught in the crossfire between Julian's mercenaries and a cop (Thomas Jane) who is hell-bent on shutting down Vice, and stopping the violence once and for all.

I've been around a long time and have seen A lot of movies. I would have to say that this "movie" is easily in my top 5 of Worst Movies EVER. All the negative reviews are spot on. I would imagine that anyone rating this over 5 is either fake or is possibly listed somewhere on the credits...which, by the way, were more enjoyable to watch than the movie itself. 

I watched this movie for free but for the first time in my life I feel compelled to ask someone for my money back. Yes, it's THAT BAD!

PS. I have never posted a movie review before so it took forever for me to find a way to post one on IMDb. I was first using my iPhone. Spent 15 minutes and couldn't find it so I fired up my laptop, spent 4 minutes locating the right link to push. I mention this because I needed to add more lines of text for my review to be posted AND I wanted you to understand how serious I was about finding a way to post this review. It is that bad of a movie!

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